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« TUESDAY’S TRIVIA TIDBITS.
Cape Fear * * * * »
Escape From New York * * * *
Director: John Carpenter.
Screenplay: John Carpenter, Nick Castle.
Starring: Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac Hayes, Adrienne Barbeau, Harry Dean Stanton, Season Hubley, Tom Atkins, John Diehl, George “Buck” Flower,
During my childhood, I enjoyed many movies from director John Carpenter but it’s been a long time since I’ve revisited any of them. If truth be told, I kind of avoided them incase they didn’t hold up on reflection and quite frankly, I didn’t want my memory of them to be tarnished. The reason I’ve revisited this one is because Eric, who runs The IPC blog asked me to collaborate on a “double-take“, where we would compare our thoughts on a specific film. I’m glad I took part as this cult classic from my younger years still holds many memorable moments.
In the year 1997, the entire city of New York has become a maximum security prison, holding all of society’s criminals. All the bridges leading into the city are cut off, a large wall is built along the shoreline and a large police force is based there to stop any attempted escapees. Things take a turn for the worse though, when the President’s (Donald Pleasance) plane is shot down and he has to eject. Unfortunately for everyone he lands in New York forcing a rescue mission. It’s here that prisoner and ex-soldier Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) is sent into the decaying city. If he manages to rescue the president then he’ll win his own life and freedom in return.
Straight from the off-set, this film sets the tone with Carpenter’s own foreboding music score, luring you into an anarchy ridden, post-apocalyptic New York. Like all of Carpenter’s works during the 70’s and 80’s, the concept is sheer brilliance. There are very few directors these days that have the vision or originality that this man had. Unfortunately, Carpenter can’t seem to hit the same heights these days but he was way ahead of his game around this time and this film stands as one of his most recognised and has a fervent cult following. Like a lot of cult movies though, it has it’s flaws; the settings are basic and it has the old flashing computers with an abundance of lightbulbs on show but it’s testament to Carpenter’s vision that his concept overrides these dated faults and the film still manages to remain suitably futuristic. Granted, in some cases it can come across as amateurish – even self-conscious – but good sci-fi primarily works on it’s idea’s and Carpenter certainly applies the idea well here. This is a film that confidently relies on it’s premise and it works an absolute treat. It is also helps that it doesn’t take itself too seriously and has it’s tongue stuck firmly in it’s cheek. That’s thanks-in-large to Kurt Russell, who delivers a string of great one-liners in a memorable and iconic central performance as Snake Plissken – one of cinema’s finest anti-heroes. Unfortunately, the film does succumb to some formulaic action material but it’s credit to Carpenter’s pacing and Russell’s wisecracks for keeping the films head above ground. Despite it’s style and substance becoming a casualty to the action, it’s still a lot of fun, regardless of it’s occasional wandering.
A great sci-fi cautionary tale that a contemporary audience can still identify with. It can also proudly take it’s place amongst the great B-movies and cult classics of our time and lasting proof, that John Carpenter was one of the finest directors working during the 1970’s & 80’s.
To read the “double-take” in full, visit Eric’s site here.
This entry was posted on October 2, 2012 at 7:52 am and is filed under Action, Science Fiction, thriller with tags 1981. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
51 Responses to “Escape From New York * * * *”
This is a good movie. Recently it just missed being in my top 5 from 1981. Isn’t it funny that the dreaded future is 1997? Gotta love it. Nice review.
Cheers Keith. Yeah 1997 eh? I don’t know why filmmakers decide on dates like that, its only going to give a certain shelf-life to a film. That being said, Carpenters creativity still shines through though. A cult classic.
Absolutely a cult classic. And yes, why not date it 2247 or something like that. Even Looper takes place in 2044 although as I mentioned in my review it doesn’t really overdo its futuristic landscape.
Exactly. I think one of my personal favourites “Blade Runner” is getting close to that same problem. I think it’s set in something like 2029.
I’ve not checked your looper review yet. I’ll get on that today Keith. I’ve a massive backlog to get through.
I have never seen this one but now I really want to. Thanks for the introduction to it.
It’s slightly dated Vinnie But still a great film. I grew up with this and on a recent viewing I still enjoyed it as much as I used to.
theipc Says:
EXCELLENT WORK HERE MARK!! Thanks for collaborating!!!
My pleasure man. Roll on the next instalment.
I can’t even wait!
Looking forward to it myself 😀
Fogs' Movie Reviews Says:
B-Movie Classic is right. 😀 Nice pick Mark. Gotta love Snake Plissken!
This was part of a little collaboration that was suggested to me by Eric over at The IPC. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have watched this any time soon Fogs. I’m glad I did though, it still stands up and Plissken is a great character.
I still love this film. Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasence, Issac Hayes, Ernest Borgnine, Harry Lee Stanton and, of course, Adrienne Barbeau, what’s not to love? What a cast, what a story! Great film to feature, Mark!
Carpenter in his day was stuff of movie gold Michael. It was my friend Eric at The IPC blog that suggested it. It was his choice and a damn good one. Thanks man.
This film keeps regenerating. This year it was “Lockout” but plenty of others before that. I guess imitation is sincere flattery!
And deserving of the flattery. I never really thought that this would hold up over the years but it has. A testament to Carpenter’s abilities.
AndyWatchesMovies Says:
In high school, my friend’s band wrote a song about this movie so every time I think about it I think of that song…Good times.
Haha So many positives Andy. 😀
I haven’t watched this since it came out, but you really make me want to revisit it. Great to hear it holds up! As of me I don’t remember a thing, apart from that I liked it.
It’s definitely worth a revisit Jessica. Some of it looks a little dated but ultimately it’s the premise that holds it all together. That and Russell’s cool performance.
I’ve never seen this and had no idea what it was about (was just familiar with the title). Definitely need to hunt it down.
It’s definitely worth a look Misty. A classic of old in my eyes. I’m glad Eric suggested it for our “Double take”. A fine choice indeed.
I’m glad you guys are doing the “Double Take”. It’s definitely going to prove interesting. 🙂
Yeah, we’ve got another in the works at the moment and possibly some more after that. Hopefully it proves to be quite successful. At the very least it’s fun to do.
Great review, as always, Mark 🙂
Thanks Fernando. It was a pleasure to revisit it 🙂
Haven’t seen it… dont hate me!! 🙂
I couldn’t hate you man but you better see it! 😉
filmfellahenry Says:
Absolutely love this movie. With the amazing synth score, fantastic 80’s sci fi setting and good old Kurt laying down the cosh, i think its one of carpenters best. Glad to see that it still holds up on a rewatch. Nice job.
“… Laying down the cosh” I like it man. Very descriptive. Yeah, it held up surprisingly well. There are some faults but they can be overlooked.
This movie sort of um, escaped me for some reason. I might give it a watch one of these days. I know there’s a rumor a few yrs ago that Gerry Butler was gonna star in the remake, glad it was just a rumor!!
It’s Definitley worth a go Ruth, if only to realise it’s cult status. It’s funny you mention a remake, I had never heard this news but I considered mentioning it in my review that I’m surprised it hasnt been done. I’ll say something though, Butler would be entirely suited to the role.
Well I think the rumor also stated that Kurt Russell hated the idea of a Scot playing his role, or something like that. It made me laugh, but at the same time I’d rather see Butler do something else, like that Burns biopic 😉
What’s Russell got against the Scots? I must investigate 😉
Yeah, Butler and THAT biopic. I really hope that happens one day.
Didn’t think it was as perfect and amazing as everybody told me about beforehand, but still a bunch of B-movie fun and action, the only way that Carpenter can do it. Loved that scene between Snake and the big-ass dude in the ring. Good review Mark.
Cheers Dan. I thought this was perfect when I was younger but admittedly it has flaws now that I’m a bit more discerning 😉 however there’s no denying it’s enjoyment factor and for the most part it’s stood the test of time well.
Victor De Leon Says:
Awesome write up, Mark! I love this film to no end. One of my favorite JC films and one of my top scores by him as well. A true 80’s classic that has held up very well and so many still hold it in high regard. Good job, man.
Thank you very much Victor. Nice to see you stopping by. Yeah, I was surprised how well it stood up. I’m a big fan of Carpenter myself. I grew up with the man. My favourite of his still remains The Thing though but he’s done some outstanding stuff. I really must revisit Big Trouble In Little China and They Live as well. Thanks again man.
Anytime, my pleasure. You have a very cool site. The Thing is my favorite JC film and is in my Top 10 fave all time movies. They Live was just released on blu ray recently I believe. That one and Big Trouble are vintage Carpenter.
You rate The Thing in your all time top ten? High praise indeed man and I can understand why. Totally agree on the others being vintage Carpenter as well. Another that I really love is Prince Of Darkness. That film totally freaked me out man.
POD is intense through and through. Another under-rated gem from JC that works on so many levels. That score and the dream sequences still gives me the chills. Yeah, I do rate The Thing very highly indeed. So much so that it crept up into my top 10 over the last 10 years or so.
An under-rated gem indeed Victor. I couldn’t look at a mirror for ages after Prince Of Darkness. It really affected me deeply and I’m not normally scared easily. Man, all this talk of Carpenter is making me want to go through all his stuff.
I love revisiting JC every so often. When I do I usually hit his more obscure stuff (not that any of his films are obscure) like In The Mouth of Madness, Vampires or Assault on Precinct 13. Hell, I even like watching Village of the Damned once in a while. POD, though, had a wicked ending and I see what you mean about mirrors lol.
In the Mouth of Madness is another very underrated gem of his and I also enjoyed Vampires. Assault on Precinct 13 is pure quality and like yourself Victor, I actually enjoyed Village of the Damned as well. I really takes a lot for me not to like Carpenters stuff. I just wish he could get back in the game again.
As do I. I hope “Darkchylde” works out for him. I suppose he is in the process of trying to get funding or a script done. Though not a complete return to form I found much to like in The Ward and I loved Cigarette Burns from the Masters of Horror series. Still the best entry to this day. Pro-Life though was not so good but oh well. Some directors are allowed a stinker here and there. 😀
I haven’t seen Pro-Life or The Ward yet but I will get around to them. I think I’ve seen Cigarette Burns but can’t Remember much about it. Hadn’t heard of Darkchylde though. Nice one Victor I’ll look for some more info on that. Good man!
I’ll be posting some more recent info on Darkchylde soon. I believe I’ve posted something earlier on my blog. I’ll track down the post and update it then I’ll tweet it on my blog’s Twitter feed. I think Pro-Life and The Ward are available on Netflix if you have it for streaming movies. Cigarette Burns stars Udo Keir and Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead.
Cigarette Burns is still a little hazy and maybe I’m getting it mixed up with the segment that Carpenter done in Bodybags. As for Darkchylde, I’ll swing by your site and see if I can find what you’ve written so far. Cheers Vic
I’ll have to look around and see where that post is. I’ll try to dig it up or update it! Thanks, man. 😀 Cigarette Burns was about that film reel that went missing and it supposed to drive whoever watches it mad. Udo hires Reedus to locate it. Great entry.
I haven’t seen Cigarette Burns then. That doesn’t ring a bell. I’d be very interested in hearing more about Darkchylde though Vic.
All this talk of Carpenters stuff lead me to watch Prince of Darkness again last night. Great stuff! I should have a review up in the next few days. 🙂
Looking forward to it! I had my Friend, Brian review POD for me a while back. I love it. Great score and cool story. I’ll work on the Darkchylde update today, Mark! Thanks.
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We have a proven record of success.
Defending criminal and driving charges since 1993.
The vast majority of our clients’ cases are resolved favourably.
R. vs. T.O. – Vancouver Provincial Court
April 23, 2019 /in All Successes, Sexual Offence Cases /by Jodi Wigmore
Issue: Whether, in the circumstance, it was appropriate for the Crown to continue with a sexual assault prosecution.
Result: Mr. Johnson was able to steer our client through an appropriate course of rehabilitation and was able to persuade Crown counsel to proceed on the lesser offence of simple assault. After hearing Mr. Johnson’s submissions, the Court granted our client a conditional discharge. No jail.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 Jodi Wigmore /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg Jodi Wigmore2019-04-23 13:54:462019-05-01 13:55:51R. vs. T.O. - Vancouver Provincial Court
R. vs. E.N. – Vancouver Provincial Court
April 17, 2019 /in All Successes, Driving Cases /by Jodi Wigmore
Charge: Driving While Prohibited (MVA).
Issue: Whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the charge as laid, which carries a mandatory 12 month driving prohibition upon conviction.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persude Crown counsel to proceed on the lesser offence of Driving without a Valid Licence. Our client recived a $200 fine and a 2 month driving prohibition.
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R. vs. A.C. – Surrey RCMP Investigation
April 16, 2019 /in All Successes, Assault & Threatening Charges /by Jodi Wigmore
Charge: Assault (domestic).
Issue: Whether the evidence was sufficient to support a criminal prosecution.
Result: Mr. Johnson was able to point to deficiencies in the evidence. He persuaded Crown counsel to not approve any charge. No criminal record.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 Jodi Wigmore /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg Jodi Wigmore2019-04-16 15:24:442019-04-26 23:28:17R. vs. A.C. - Surrey RCMP Investigation
R. vs. D.P. – Whistler RCMP Investigation
Result: Mr. Mines was able to steer our client through the investigation and persuaded Crown counsel to not proceed with the prosecution. No charge approved. No criminal record.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 Jodi Wigmore /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg Jodi Wigmore2019-04-15 15:26:052019-04-26 15:26:54R. vs. D.P. - Whistler RCMP Investigation
R. vs. D.P. – Vancouver Provincial Court
April 8, 2019 /in All Successes, Assault & Threatening Charges /by Jodi Wigmore
Charge: s.810 Peace Bond Application.
Issue: Whether the evidence was sufficient to prove that the complainant reasonably had fear of our client.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to point to significant deficiencies in the evidence that allegedly pointed to our client as the party that caused damage to the complainant’s property. He persuaded Crown counsel to withdraw its application. Our client was not subject to any further court imposed conditions.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 Jodi Wigmore /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg Jodi Wigmore2019-04-08 15:27:082019-04-26 15:27:57R. vs. D.P. - Vancouver Provincial Court
R. vs. M.A. – Kamloops Provincial Court
April 3, 2019 /in All Successes, Theft & Fraud /by Jodi Wigmore
Charge: Mischief to Property.
Issue: Whether it was in the public interest for Crown counsel to proceed with the charge.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown to enter a stay of proceedings upon our client making restitution for the damage he caused, writing a letter of apology and completing community service work. No criminal record.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 Jodi Wigmore /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg Jodi Wigmore2019-04-03 15:21:372019-04-26 15:22:34R. vs. M.A. - Kamloops Provincial Court
R. vs. M.W. – White Rock RCMP Investigation
Charge: Mischief to Property (under $5000).
Issue: Whether there was evidence that would support a criminal charge and whether it was in the public interest to proceed.
Result: Mr. Mines provided information to police, which the investigator considered in concluding that he would not be recommending any charges. No criminal record.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 Jodi Wigmore /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg Jodi Wigmore2019-04-01 15:22:472019-04-26 15:23:38R. vs. M.W. - White Rock RCMP Investigation
R. vs. A.C. – North Vancouver RCMP Investigation
March 15, 2019 /in All Successes, Sexual Offence Cases /by Jodi Wigmore
Charge: Sexual interference; Invitation to sexual touching.
Issue: Whether there was credible evidence on which to proceed with charges in this historic allegation of sexual touching.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to provide exculpatory information to police on our client’s behalf. Ultimately, police concluded their investigation with no criminal charges being recommended.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 Jodi Wigmore /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg Jodi Wigmore2019-03-15 00:28:332019-04-18 18:41:32R. vs. A.C. - North Vancouver RCMP Investigation
R. vs. S.S. – Nelson Provincial Court
March 14, 2019 /in All Successes, Drug Cases /by Jodi Wigmore
Charge: Possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Issue: Whether, given the large quantity of cocaine and other drugs found upon execution of the search warrant, whether it was appropriate for the court to release our client on bail.
Result: After hearing Mr. Mines’ submissions on our client’s behalf, the Court agreed to release our client on surety bail with strict conditions.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 Jodi Wigmore /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg Jodi Wigmore2019-03-14 17:33:462019-04-26 23:31:23R. vs. S.S. - Nelson Provincial Court
R. vs. I.L. – Burnaby RCMP Investigation
March 6, 2019 /in All Successes, Assault & Threatening Charges /by Jodi Wigmore
Charge: Public Mischief.
Issue: Whether or not our client’s actions amounted to committing a criminal offence.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade the investigating officer that our client’s actions did not satisfy the Criminal Code provisions for the alleged offence. The officer did not recommend any charges and concluded his file. No criminal record.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 Jodi Wigmore /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg Jodi Wigmore2019-03-06 15:28:492019-04-26 15:29:42R. vs. I.L. - Burnaby RCMP Investigation
R. vs. J.P. and R.B. – Vancouver Provincial Court
February 19, 2019 /in All Successes, Assault & Threatening Charges /by Jodi Wigmore
Charge: Obstruct Police; Resist Arrest.
Issue: Whether it was in the public interest to proceed with the prosecution.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to provide Crown counsel with information about our clients and the circumstances of the incident which satisfied Crown that there was no public interest in continuing the prosecution. Complete stays of proceedings. no criminal record.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 Jodi Wigmore /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg Jodi Wigmore2019-02-19 15:29:562019-04-26 15:30:59R. vs. J.P. and R.B. - Vancouver Provincial Court
R. vs. T.P. – Surrey Provincial Court
February 6, 2019 /in All Successes, Drug Cases /by admin
Charge: Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (heroin, fentanyl, cocaine).
Issue: Whether our youthful client would be sentenced to the 2 year jail sentence sought by Crown counsel.
Result: Mr. Mines was able to direct our client through a successful rehabilitation program. After hearing Mr. Mines’ submissions, the Court agreed that there were “special circumstances” that permitted a sentence below the usual range of 18-36 months imprisonment for this offence. Our client was granted a suspended sentence and was placed on probation for 3 years. No jail.
/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg 0 0 admin /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mLogoHorWhite.svg admin2019-02-06 08:00:002019-05-31 22:15:13R. vs. T.P. - Surrey Provincial Court
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San Francisco Labor Council Denounces Fake Elections
Posted by Michael Jerome | Nov 23, 2009 | Imperialism
The San Francisco, California Labor Council passed a new Honduras resolution denouncing the Nov. 29 "elections," and demanding that Washington refuse to recognize any election organized by the repressive coup regime.
Emergency Resolution of the San Francisco Labor Council – Adopted Nov. 23, 2009 by unanimous vote
Whereas, following the June 28, 2009 military coup in Honduras, the San Francisco Labor Council and AFL-CIO National Convention both passed resolutions in September demanding immediate reinstatement of President Manuel Zelaya, restoration of all labor and democratic rights, and an immediate halt to all U.S. aid to the coup government. The Honduran labor movement is at the heart of the National Resistance to the coup; and
Whereas, since that time President Zelaya is still taking refuge in the Brazilian Embassy; the Honduran people led by the National Resistance Front against the coup continue to mount massive daily demonstrations against the coup regime; and the coup government continues to deploy the U.S.-trained army and police in an attempt to suppress the popular will and prevent the exercise of democratic rights; and
Whereas, a U.S.-brokered deal [the Tegucigalpa/San Jose Accords] to reinstate President Zelaya by November 5th  in preparation for the Nov. 29th elections  has unraveled. Nov. 5th came and went and the coup regime refused to restore Zelaya to the Presidency. As a result President Zelaya, denouncing the "bad faith" of the U.S. government, said the Tegucigalpa/San Jose Accords were "a dead letter". The National Resistance Front confirmed it could not participate in nor recognize the legitimacy of the Nov. 29th elections under these conditions; and
Whereas, mass tear-gassing and beating of protesters has continued. There is a total lack of political space for opposition candidates to campaign and for the expression of any dissident political opinion. Under the current coup regime, conditions for free, fair and open elections are non-existent; and
Whereas, the National Resistance Front has denounced the Nov. 29th elections as a scheme by "the de facto regime that is repressing the people and violating the civil and human rights of its citizens, with the goal of validating the dictatorship of the oligarchy." It said that participating in such an electoral exercise "would give legitimacy to the coup regime or its successor." The Front also stressed that "our stance in opposition to the electoral farce will remain firm even if President Zelaya is reinstated between now and Nov. 29th, since 20 days or less is too short a time to dismantle an electoral fraud many months in the making," and since there is no time for opposition candidates to mount a campaign.
Therefore be it resolved, that the San Francisco Labor Council stands in solidarity with the heroic people of Honduras as they resist the savage repression of a military dictatorship, and fight to win real democracy and sovereignty for their country;
And be it further resolved, that the Council send official letters to Congressional representatives and President Obama demanding that the U.S. government take strong measures against the repressive coup government in Honduras  and whatever government may succeed it as a result of the "electoral farce" scheduled for Nov. 29th. These measures should include: 1) Immediately break off all political and economic ties with the coup government; 2) Recall the US ambassador; 3) Establish an economic embargo on all trade and aid to Honduras; 4) Freeze the U.S. bank accounts of the coup plotters and deny them visas for U.S. travel; 5) Shut down U.S. military bases in Honduras;
And be it further resolved, that the Council demand that the U.S. denounce and refuse to recognize the results of the Nov. 29th elections or any electoral process organized under the repressive coup regime;
And be it finally resolved, that the Council make common cause with other labor and community organizations, to develop a reliable support network for the National Resistance Front against the Coup, and for the labor unions that are at the center of the Resistance movement in Honduras .
Submitted by delegates Alan Benjamin, Allan Fisher and Dave Welsh, and adopted Nov. 23, 2009 by unanimous vote of the San Francisco Labor Council.
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Kyle Sturdivant’s buzzer beater seals region championship for Norcross
Date: February 10, 2018Author: reced27 0 Comments
Maurice Dixon
@WriturRece | mdixon27@gmail.com
LAWRENCEVILLE (GA) – Norcross needed a shot to fall. Kyle Sturdivant made that happen.
After Kedrick Green nailed a jumper to push Meadowcreek ahead by a couple of points in the closing seconds, Sturdivant drained an extremely difficult 3-pointer as time expired to lift the Blue Devils to a thrilling 53-52 victory for the Region 7-AAAAAAA championship at Central Gwinnett High on February 9.
“We work on that play everyday in practice and it worked,” Sturdivant said. “I always scream out ‘Kobe’ when I do it. I didn’t think it was going glass but I will take it.”
“Luckily, we had the ball last and were able to put the shot in,” Norcross coach Jesse McMillan said. “They whipped us on the glass all night long and that is something we got to look at moving forward in the playoffs because now it’s one bad night and you are done.”
This edition of Norcross and Meadowcreek featured highlights from the opening tip to literally the final buzzer. There were a number of alley-oop dunks, breakaway jams, drop-step slams and blocks which were all worthy of a replay.
Jamir Chaplin (18 points, eight rebounds), Amari Kelly (15 points, eight rebounds), Brandon Boston (12 points) and Joseph Toppin (nine points) all chipped in on those plays but Green and Sturdivant shined in the biggest moments.
With the score tied at 50, Green, who is a freshman, made up for Chaplin’s missed jumper in the lane by sinking a shot (his only points of the game) from the elbow for a 52-50 advantage with just 4.4 seconds to go.
On the ensuing possession, Dalvin White advanced the ball to the frontcourt and called timeout with 2.7 seconds left.
“I’m proud of guys because we were able to get it from the baseline to halfcourt and call a timeout to set up that game-winning play,” McMillan said. “That takes a lot of communication and focus.”
After the break, Boston lobbed an overhead pass to the other side of the court which Toppin leaped to grab and prevent from going out of bounds. Before Toppin landed out of bounds, he quickly passed to Sturdivant, who banked in a deep 3-pointer from the wing over Deavaris Nichols’ outstretched hands as time expired.
“It’s something we’ve been working on all year long,” McMillan said. “We’ve got two or three last-second plays for different scenarios. Actually that call was from my assistant coach during that last timeout. He believed in that call. He looked at the guys and they said ‘Yep that is the one we want’ so it was easy to draw up. We got the ball where we wanted to and anytime we get the chance to put the ball in Kyle Sturdivant’s hands at the end of the game we are going to do that.”
Like the final score indicates, there wasn’t much separation between these teams except early in the third quarter when Chaplin, who finished with three dunks, helped the Mustangs build a 10-point lead. But Sturdivant responded with nine points before the quarter ended to close the gap to just a point entering the final period.
“My team told me they needed me so I told myself no matter win or lose, I’m going to give everything I got and I did,” said Sturdivant, who scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half.
amari kellybrandon bostonjamir chaplinjesse mcmillanjoseph toppinkedrick greenkyle sturdivantmeadowcreek highnorcross high
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Review - A World Without Values
Essays on John Mackie's Moral Error Theory
by Richard Joyce and Simon Kirchin (Editors)
Springer, 2009
Review by James Taggart, Ph.D.
Jan 17th 2012 (Volume 16, Issue 3)
A World Without Values collects thirteen essays on moral skepticism written by leading analytic philosophers, including David Copp, Jamie Dreier, Richard Joyce, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, and Michael Smith. While non-specialists may be put off by some technical vocabulary, the topics covered by many of the essays should interest readers of Metapsychology Reviews. To convey a better a sense of these essays, I say something first about the anthology's overall focus. After discussing these preliminary points, I trace an interesting argument for moral skepticism taken up by a number of contributors to AWWV. Finally, I discuss what makes this argument interesting -- a thesis called motivational internalism -- and take a closer look at one of the essays in AWWV that explore this thesis.
Two Preliminary Points
First of all, the essays in AWWV do not address specific ethical questions such as 'Is torture morally wrong?'. Instead, their focus is meta-ethical: what do we mean, or what are we doing, when we say 'Torture is morally wrong' and make other moral claims. A broadly realist (or objectivist) meta-ethics holds: when we claim that torture is wrong, we intend to state an objective fact about all those actions that constitute torture, namely, that they possess the property of moral wrongness much like we might say of ripe tomatoes that they possess the property of redness. By contrast, a broadly anti-realist (or subjectivist) meta-ethics holds: we simply express an attitude or feeling about torture (extreme disapproval, for instance) when we say 'Torture is wrong' much like when, upon hitting my thumb with a hammer, I express extreme discomfort by saying 'Owww!' (among other choice words).
Furthermore, as the subtitle indicates, the essays in AWWV take John Mackie's "moral error theory" as their starting point. Like more familiar "error theories" about astrology and religion known respectively as commonsense and atheism, Mackie's moral error theory claims that part of our language systematically gets things wrong. But according to what linguistic domain an error theory targets -- talk of planetary influences on individual lives, talk of God, or talk of moral obligations -- an error theory's claim of systematic falsity can be difficult to defend. For taking an entire linguistic domain (astrology, say) to be false requires interpreting this domain in a certain way (as positing real connections between the positions of the planets and terrestrial happenings), and only then, given that interpretation, can the error theorist argue that the relevant domain errs systematically. The general interest possessed by the essays in AWWV largely stems from this crucial issue: how, in general, is moral language best interpreted -- as fact-stating or merely expressive -- and how, beyond this, must Mackie interpret the commitments of moral language to justifiably convict it of massive error.
Mackie's Most Interesting Argument
As my phrasing of the crucial interpretive issue suggests, Mackie's most interesting argument for moral error theory involves reading moral language as committed not only to objectivity -- to stating facts about what morally is the case -- but to something further. This 'something further' is the special prescriptive force that Mackie takes moral claims to possess and that, on his interpretation, ordinary moral language presupposes. About 'objective prescriptivity', Mackie writes:
Plato's Forms give a dramatic picture of what objective values would have to be. The Form of the Good is such that knowledge of it provides the knower with both a direction and an overriding motive; something's being good both tells the person who knows this to pursue it and makes him pursue it. An objective good would be sought by anyone who was acquainted with it, not because of any contingent fact that this person, or every person, is so constituted that he desires this end, but just because this end has to-be-pursuedness somehow built into it. Similarly, if there were objective principles of right and wrong, any wrong (possible) course of action would have not-to-be-pursuedness somehow built into it. (quoted by Sinnott-Armstrong, p. 56 of AWWV)
In other words, Mackie claims that ordinary moral talk presupposes not only objective facts about what is good or bad, right or wrong but also the view that an objective moral fact, or at least knowledge of such a fact, possesses an unconditional power to motivate. But -- Mackie's argument continues -- facts like this would be too strange (or 'queer', in his words) for us to countenance. Still, because ordinary moral talk presupposes such facts -- that is, because what ordinary moral talk purports to be about does not exist -- ordinary moral talk can only be false.
Perhaps more than his skeptical conclusion, it is Mackie's argument that proves interesting. By claiming that ordinary moral talk presupposes 'objective prescriptivity' -- the idea that morality has some special motivational force built in --Mackie hits on something important. As his reference to Plato's Forms suggests, objective prescriptivity -- or what contemporary philosophers call motivational internalism -- has an ancient pedigree reflected in Socrates' view that virtue is knowledge and, correspondingly, no one ever knowingly does wrong. So, for example, motivational internalism would impact (1) psychiatrists trying to understand psychopaths and sociopaths, (2) neurologists exploring the differential effects of traumatic brain injury on cognition vis-a-vis emotion and motivation (as in the famous case of Phineas Gage), and (3) developmental psychologists and educators wanting to understand how, if at all, virtue can be taught. For if motivational internalism were true, we would have reason to (1*) revise our understanding of psychopaths and sociopaths, (2*) be skeptical of traumatic brain injuries that leave affective but no cognitive deficits, and (3*) be confident that virtue can be taught.
Taking Motivational Internalism Seriously
Mackie himself does not believe that motivational internalism is true. As we saw, one of his main arguments for moral talk's systematic falsity hinges upon his claim that motivational internalism is supposedly so strange that it is impossible. Nevertheless, Mackie's argument forces us to take motivational internalism seriously. For one thing, while Mackie maintains that ordinary moral talk is committed to it, what motivational internalism involves is not at all clear. And we need to clearly understand this commitment to assess Mackie's case for moral skepticism. Moreover, despite Mackie's own, negative view of motivational internalism, we may find it less outré the more we understand it. As Simon Kirchin and other contributors emphasize, Mackie's error theory involves a tension between interpreting ordinary moral language accurately and interpreting its supposed commitments (e.g. motivational internalism) so that it comes out systematically false. On one hand, the less plausibly we interpret motivational internalism (so as to convict ordinary moral talk of systematic error), the less plausible Mackie's claim that ordinary moral talk is committed to it. On the other hand, the more plausibly we interpret motivational internalism (so as to make it a sensible commitment of ordinary moral talk), the less plausible becomes Mackie's error theory. In the end, we may come to understand motivational internalism more plausibly than Mackie allows and, correspondingly, reject Mackie's skepticism about ordinary moral language despite its being committed to motivational internalism.
Mackie's Internalisms
A number of contributors to AWWV address some aspect of motivational internalism and its relation to Mackie's moral skepticism, including David Phillips, Michael Smith, David Copp, and Caroline West. However, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong's essay, "Mackie's Internalisms," deserves attention for its exhaustive analysis of the different possible strengths and forms that motivational internalism can take. Without explicitly considering "whether any version of internalism is true" (AWWV, p. 70), Sinnott-Armstrong's analysis takes motivational internalism seriously.
First of all, Sinnott-Armstrong clarifies that, despite the long passage from Mackie quoted earlier, Mackie's argument does not require that motivational internalism be impossible, absurd, or even strange but only that motivational internalism make moral judgments distinctive. Motivational internalism fits the bill because of how generally it conceives of moral judgments. On its view, Sinnott-Armstrong writes, "[O]ne kind of mental state (a motivation) is built into an apparently very different kind of mental state (a judgment)." (AWWV, p. 59) Whether, thus distinguished, intrinsically motivating moral judgments can, like other judgments, be true is a separate question.
Right away, distinguishing (i) fact internalism from judgment internalism, and (ii) overriding-motivation internalism from some-motivation internalism, Sinnott-Armstrong excludes two implausible readings of motivational internalism. Applying the first of these distinctions to the question of 'What is it that has the special force?', he rejects the idea that moral facts, in themselves, are what possess the power to motivate. As he observes, "It is hard to see how a person's motivation could be affected by a fact of which the person has no awareness at all. That really would be queer." (AWWV, p. 61) Instead of fact internalism, Sinnott-Armstrong urges judgment internalism, the view canvassed above that moral judgments qua mental states are what have motivation built into them. Since motivation is itself a mental state, this option makes more sense. Applying the second distinction above to the question of 'How much motivation?', Sinnott-Armstrong again rejects a wildly implausible reading of internalism. Although Mackie's talk of "overriding motive" suggests overriding-motivation internalism -- the view that "Moral judgments have overriding motivations built into them" -- Mackie's argument does not require such a strong interpretation. The weaker interpretation that "Moral judgments have some motivation built into them" makes moral judgments just as distinctive, and it is not vulnerable to obvious counterexamples from, say, conflicts between morality and self-interest.
More plausibly, some object to motivational internalism because of its inability to accommodate cases of depression or listlessness. Someone who is depressed may fully believe -- even know -- that she morally ought to keep her promise to go out with friends, but her moral belief to this effect -- like everything else in her world -- is simply inert. However, by distinguishing different forms of motivational internalism according to the kind of mental state involved -- for example, seeming internalism as opposed to occurrent belief internalism -- Sinnott-Armstrong shows how motivational internalism can be refined to accommodate such cases and avoid refutation by counterexample. Armed with the distinction between seemings ("the mental state that occurs when … some content seems or appears to be true") and occurrent beliefs, defenders of motivational internalism can accommodate cases of depression or listlessness. Consistent with such cases, they can grant that occurrent moral beliefs do not have any motivation built-in but claim that moral seemings do. (Of course, defenders of internalism must also urge that if someone's world seems inert and colorless because of his depression, then his world will not seem, or appear, to make any moral demands either.)
On the question of whether motivational internalism might range beyond moral judgments, Sinnott-Armstrong offers the following:
If moral judgments have motivation built into them, that would seem to be because they are practical -- that is, because they are related to action in a certain way … We cannot tell exactly which normative judgments have motivation built into them until we determine what relation to action is needed in order to make a judgment practical and which judgments are practical in that way. All we can say for now is that it would be natural for internalists to claim that all practical judgments have motivation built into them, where practical judgments include more than moral judgments but less than all normative judgments. (AWWV, p. 65)
So, yes, motivational internalism has a broader compass than moral judgment. But more importantly, in affirming this broader compass, Sinnott-Armstrong suggests a larger point to his exhaustive analysis of 'motivational internalism': getting clear about the mental concomitants of action.
Finally, consistent with his approach throughout, Sinnott-Armstrong notes that:
Internalism might be defended by limiting it not only to practical judgments but, further, to a subset of practical judgments. After all, practical judgments vary along several dimensions that might affect their relation to motivation. (AWWV, p. 66)
After discussing these dimensions and their impact on motivation, Sinnott-Armstrong arrives at what he takes to be the weakest possible -- and, hence, most defensible -- version of motivational internalism. Specifically, unlike those who (i) make a general judgment that something is morally wrong, (ii) make a particular judgment about a hypothetical situation (e.g. a man judging that having an abortion is morally wrong in certain specific circumstances), or (iii) make a third-person moral judgment (e.g. judging that someone else ought to pay her debts), Sinnott-Armstrong continues:
The situation is different when someone makes a first-person "in situ" judgment about a concrete action that he or she is able to do at present, such as when I judge that right now I morally ought to go pick up my son, because I promised to do so at this time. (AWWV, pp. 66-67)
Therefore, the least ambitious -- and, hence, most plausible -- version of motivational internalism "limits its claim to first-person present-tense (in situ) moral thoughts that seem true." (AWWV, p. 67) In other words, by limiting motivational internalism to the claim that motivation is only built into moral judgments with this very specific mental profile, it becomes much more difficult to defeat with counterexamples. Even this narrowly conceived, however, motivational internalism still makes moral judgments distinctive and, thereby, allows Mackie's skeptical argument about ordinary moral language to proceed. Of course, the question re-emerges of whether ordinary moral talk is actually committed to motivational internalism, thus conceived. (On the topic of ordinary moral talk's actual commitments, see the essays in AWWV by Kirchin and Don Loeb.) But regardless of how we might answer this question, a great deal can be learned about moral judgment and moral motivation by getting clear on the nature of the commitment at issue.
© 2012 James Taggart
James Taggart received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Brown University in 2009. He now lives in Maryland and teaches at Washington College.
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CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS ONE YEAR ON – ARE WE GETTING ON TOGETHER BETTER?
By Michael Gallucci, accredited mediator and managing director of construction consultancy MPG.
Two new standards have been unveiled in the past 12 months with a key objective of cutting the number of disputes and court cases in the construction sector, but are they working?
At the time of writing (July 2018), it has been a year since NEC4 was unveiled, the latest version of the standard contract that is widely used in the UK. And six months have passed since the new FIDIC suite hit the shelves, including the hugely popular red book, which is used on more projects in more countries than any other contract form.
It is too early to say that there has been a positive effect from the new emphasis on openness and soft solutions to disputes in these documents, but I believe there is cause for optimism.
That’s because the influential organisations behind them are responding to a wider movement towards confronting the problem of too much acrimony in our industry. The cause of disputes in many cases is an over-emphasis on the bottom line in the tender process with developers pushing contractors into a race to the bottom to win work. It’s a process that spawns hostility when contractors try to claw back margin during the project.
Given that nobody wants their contracts to end in divorce, that must be a good thing but what are the pros and cons of NEC4 and FIDIC?
Published by the UK Institute of Civil Engineering, the original New Engineering Contract (NEC) was first published in 1993 but dates to a 1957 document, Conditions of Contract (International) for Works of Civil Engineering Construction.
NEC4: Widely used in the UK, NEC4’s predecessor, NEC3, was the specified form of contract for the 2012 Olympic Games and Crossrail, the largest construction project in Europe. It has also been used in decommissioning of nuclear power stations. Most Hong Kong Government contracts are tendered using NEC3 contracts. It is widely used on major projects in South Africa, as is FIDIC.
FIDIC: While the FIDIC suite of books are less frequently used in the UK than NEC, more contracts across the world are based on the FIDIC Red Book alone every year than any other international form of contract, and it is used in more countries.
Stimulate good management
Support the changing requirements of users
Improve clarity and simplicity.
Enhance project management tools and mechanisms
Achieve a balanced risk allocation through more reciprocity
Create clarity, transparency and certainty, and reflect international best practice
Evolution or revolution?
The new version of NEC was always intended to be a development of its predecessors, retaining key features such as its commitment to plain English, although there are additional Design Build Operate and Alliance contracts included. By contrast, the FIDIC Yellow Book, covering contracts for design and build projects, is significantly more comprehensive than the document it replaces.
In response to initiatives such as Women in Construction and wider cultural changes in society, both codes are written in gender neutral language.
NEC4 introduces a requirement for the contractor to prepare a quality management plan, which is also included in FIDIC.
Should I stay with the standard form or amend it?
Both FIDIC and NEC encourage using an un-amended form, presumably because amended contracts have led to court cases in the past. They do acknowledge some changes will be required in most cases because of variations between projects.
NEC4 includes an option called X10 to support the use of BIM while FIDIC is considering how to deal with an evolving technology has yet to develop internationally accepted standards.
Both forms have raised the bar for transparency from start to finish. The idea is that anything that may affect time and cost is identified, assessed, and resolved before things deteriorate. In FIDIC, both parties must tell the engineer about future events that could affect the works, price or timeframe. This is similar in NEC4, which additionally imposes sanctions for non-compliance.
In the Yellow Book, activities must be logically linked, showing earliest and latest start and finish dates for each activity, float and critical path.
Do you accept?
As with FIDIC, a contractor’s programme is deemed to be accepted if the project manager does not respond within the contract timescales.
Dispute Avoidance Board
NEC4 introduces the concept of a Dispute Avoidance Board, a standing committee set up at the outset of the contract, which makes regular site visits, to get to know the project so that it can adjudicate when parties bring issues to it.
Fitness for purpose
The Yellow Book and NEC4 take different approaches to fitness for purpose with an express obligation in the Yellow Book while NEC4 includes an option to require that the contractor uses the skill and care normally used by professionals designing similar works.
The full ramifications of the changes in these extensively used standard forms of contract have yet to be seen. I am hopeful that they will help to accelerate us towards a better way of working where at least fewer contracts end in dispute. It will be better still, if by stimulating more open relationships, these new documents influence the way that parties agree to work together in the first place.
Headquarters, London
Nicosia, Cyprus
Watford, UK
©2019 MPG Chartered Surveyors Ltd Registered in England & Wales 7156618
Programmes vital for contractors as new FIDIC Yellow Book raises the bar MPG joins high profile international bid team
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Results for tag
Results for coronation
HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u crowned at Centenary Church
Royalty & Nobility
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u were crowned by Rev D'arcy Wood at the Centenary Church of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Nuku’alofa this morning, 4 July. Photos by Pesi Fonua and Linny Folau.
Sunshine, dancing and rainbow for King
Visitors to Tonga's Coronation celebrations this week were treated to traditional entertainment at Pangai Lahi this afternoon. The day began with a seaside luncheon hosted by nobles and attended by the Royal Family, the sun came out for the dancing and the day ended with a rainbow.
FWC presents gifts to King Tupou VI
The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga made their presentation of gifts to HM King Tupou VI on Thursday, 25 June at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa.
Festive Kolofo'ou prepares for Coronation
It was a festive day for the people in Kolofo'ou who decorated their homes with mats, red flags and balloons in preparation for HM King Tupou VI's Coronation. Photos by Linny Folau
King visits Kolomotu'a
Homes in the Kolomotu’a area part of Nuku‘alofa were decorated with colourful balloons, mats and tapa for a visit by HM King Tupou VI on Friday, 12 June.
Japan’s Crown Prince and Princess to attend Coronation
Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako will attend HM King Tupou VI’s Coronation in Nuku’alofa during a visit from July 2-6.
Coronation dancers perform for Queen
Thousands of Tongatapu secondary and primary students performed their traditional dances for HM Queen Nanasipau‘u at Mala’e Pangai Lahi today, Thursday, 11 June. Another rehearsal will be held there on Tuesday June 16.
Coronation countdown, 58 days to go
Fifty eight days to go before the coronation celebration of HM King Tupou VI begin on 27 June, the capital Nuku'alofa is already in a celebration mood. A billboard for the King and Queen put up by Friends Cafe in the centre of Nuku'alofa is the latest reminder of the coronation countdown.
St George Palace construction postponed
The construction of a new $25 million pa'anga Government office building dubbed "St George Palace" at Pangai Si'i in the Nuku'alofa CBD, has been postponed until after the Coronation of King Tupou VI in July 2015.
Royal picnic on Nuku Island ends celebrations
Vava'u, Tonga
The coronation celebrations of HM King George Tupou V finally ended with a Royal picnic on Nuku Island, Vava'u, on August 21. The celebration officially has taken 22 days, from the start in Nuku'alofa on August 1 until August 22 when the king left the Lupepau'u Airport , Vava'u to return to Tongatapu. There were four coronation celebrations, in Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Niuatoputapu, Niuafo'ou and Vava'u. Photos by Kololiana Naufahu
New GTV pa'anga notes for 2009
THE introduction of newly designed pa'anga notes, denominations $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 and $50, featuring the new King George Tupou V will be launched in January 2009 by the National Reserve Bank.
View over 400 photos of the Coronation of HM King George Tupou V
View over 400 photos of the Celebrations for the Coronation of HM King George Tupou V. Become a Premium Subscriber now! Welcome to Matangi Tonga Online. Subscribers to Premium Content may open the following links to enjoy the Matangi Tonga Online's daily photographic coverage of the historic events of the Coronation from July 30-August 19, 2008, in Tongatapu, Ha'apai and Vava'u.
Feasting and dancing follows Ha'apai's first Military Parade
Pangai, Ha'apai
The Coronation Military Parade at the Mala'e Lea'aetohi, Pangai, on Tuesday, August 12 was the first to be held in Ha'apai, and marked the second day of celebrations there. By Linny Folau
Joyful welcome for “Tu'i Ha'apai”
The coronation celebrations of HM King George Tupou V continued at Pangai, Lifuka, Ha'apai on Monday, August 11 with a joyful welcome of the king by the people of Ha'apai, who emotionally referred to Tupou V as the "Tu'i Ha'apai", "King of Ha'apai". Photos by Linny Folau.
King rides in Queen Salote's car in coronation procession
Following his hour-long coronation service in the Centenary Church, HM King George Tupou V riding in an open car, was driven through the streets of central Nuku'alofa and down Hala Taufa'ahau. The black Humber Snipe Coupe was once owned by his grandmother Queen Salote. Photos by Linny Folau and Pesi Fonua.
Coronation of King George Tupou V
Photos by Linny Folau and Mary Lyn Fonua.
Dazzling mass dance at Teufaiva to honour King Tupou V
About 10,000 dancers, students from government primary schools, gathered at the Teufaiva Stadium this morning for a mass performance of dances on Education Day in celebration of King George Tupou V's Coronation. The stadium was filled with another 10,000-12,000 parents and spectators, including the King's guests the Maori king and queen. Photos by Peter Poulsen, Mary Lyn Fonua, and Linny Folau.
"The Jedi" airlift comes to the rescue of king's coronation
FURNITURE urgently required for the coronation of King George Tupou V on Friday arrived in Tonga today, Monday, on a special cargo flight made by DHL's aircraft "The Jedi", only days before the crowning of the king on August 1, 2008.
Tupou V models crown, robes for Coronation stamps
TONGA Post is releasing a commemorative stamp issue for the Coronation of King George Tupou V, featuring the king in his full coronation regalia.
Seven Coronation Lakalaka will not include Tatakamotonga
Seven Lakalaka, the great historical dances of Tonga, will be performed on Saturday, August 2 at Pangai Lahi during the Coronation Celebration of HM King George V, but they exclude the most famous Lakalaka of all the Tatakamotonga, which apparently the king does not want to see.
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he writes books
Big Brother Is Actually Not Watching You At All
Nine girls were trapped in a big house in Turkey, their every move filmed for the titalation of their captors. Not recently. This was about a month ago. I’m only mentioning it now because a month ago my brain wasn’t working. Back then, I just thought, “That… irony… blog.” That’s as far as I got. But I’m feeling better now, thanks for asking.
So the interesting part is that the girls thought they were on Big Brother. According to reports:
…the women were not abused or harassed sexually, but were told to fight each other, to wear bikinis, and to dance by the villa’s pool.
Upon discovering this was not for a national TV audience but just a couple of horny old men who owned the house (I’m guessing), the girls reacted badly. Apparently they demanded to be released. But they’d signed contracts, promising to stay for at least two months, and the contracts had some pretty serious penalty clauses: tens of thousands of dollars if the girls left early. I guess you call that a pay or play deal.
The girls took the position they’d been duped, so they were essentially being kidnapped. When the police found out, they agreed.
Me, I’m not so sure. It seems the girls’ main objection is that while they were wearing bikinis, dancing by the pool, and talking about their most embarrassing sexual experiences (I’m guessing), not enough people were watching. These degrading, exploitative acts they were pressured to perform, they weren’t broadcast on prime-time. The problem was there was no fame. The mother of one of the girls said:
We were not after the money but we thought our daughter could have the chance of becoming famous if she took part in the contest. But they have duped us all.
Being watched by two sleazy guys wasn’t enough. If it were millions of sleazy guys, that would be okay. But two? That’s sick.
17 comments | MaxBarry.com › What Max Reckons › Big Brother Is Actually Not Watching You At All
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Katrina (#847)
Location: SF, CA
Quote: "Good sex is like good Bridge: if you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand." -- Mae West"
Oh come on, the main objection is that the possible future financial gain (ie being famous) was drastically reduced by the fact that the girls would not be visible to more people. They hoped to translate showing off on TV to more lucrative jobs in the future, but if only 2 people view them they likelihood of an actual job that's non-prostitute is probably zero.
I get that! I'm just interested in the idea that the only difference between a reality TV show and a creepy voyeuristic kidnapping is the number of voyeurs.
Well now... said sleazy guys sell footage on Internet, slezy guys get rich, girls get famous, everybody wins!
Karan (#1376)
Quote: "Quid Quid Latine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur - Anything said in Latin sounds important"
it was some delicious irony indeed :) it's a question of social acceptability determined by weight of numbers I guess - a large number of people doing something makes it socially acceptable, but one or two makes it unacceptable. We humans are occasionally funny like that :)
Abgrund (#3357)
Quote: ""Redeem your mind from the hockshops of authority." - Ayn Rand"
I was expecting some kind of commentary on laissez-faire and how awesome contract law is. You didn't read the eighty-page Terms of Service that allows Facebook to sell your "private" information? LOSER. But, the not-enough-of-a-bimbo perspective is even better.
Adam Willard (#4231)
Location: Madagascar
Quote: "What unseen pen etched eternal things in the hearts of humankind... but never let them in our minds?"
Totally right! And I think Karan's comments add to an understanding of it, but I definitely don't see how it can be considered kidnapping. It's a pretty crazy (and ironic) world indeed.
Besides, has anyone heard of anyone on a Big Brother reality TV show that's actually gotten a decent job as a result of it? Maybe I'm just out of the loop, but I don't see how this increases someone's job qualifications.
Denzil Ward (#4497)
Quote: "Above all else try to have fun because no one leaves this life alive."
Wait the parents weren't interested in the money but their daughter being famous right? Doesn't fame bring money? I think they were just crying that they weren't going to be stars. I think Karen is right as well. Think about how much public opinion dictates political policy (prohibition anyone?)
Linnea1928 (#2654)
Location: Rosemount, MN
OK, I personally think this is seriousfully creepy. I get your point about the irony, but I think it's a big deal. These messed-up creepers lied to a bunch of women (obviously not brilliant women, but still) in order to film their every move.
I would never be on a reality show (I've never actually watched Big Brother) but I'd be totally freaked out too-- I guess I assume a tv show would have rules about where the cameras are and who sees the footage uncensored, whereas these guys had nothing holding them back-- they obvs had no qualms about deceiving these girls to get their rocks off. I mean if they lied about who they were, what else did they lie about? Goodness knows what kind of footage those d-bags recorded.
Joe (#2270)
Location: Campbell, CA, USA
Quote: "I'm subverting the system from the inside. I think."
Yes, the reason people are eager to get on reality TV is not for the relatively small amounts of money that those shows pay, but because they believe (usually falsely, but hope springs eternal) that the exposure will skyrocket them to fame. For fame, they'll trade away their dignity.
Imagine a world where you only think you're a successful author. In reality, some old acquaintance of yours who has become rich enjoys messing with you, has arranged a publishing deal, but no one's buying the books; the weird old rich guy is buying them all. Would it be just the same? You get to write, and get paid for it. But there's no audience.
Does Max's stint at the Melbourne Writers Festival constitute a reality show or a kidnapping? There were only a few people watching...but no cameras. Dibs on the filming authors writing in real time reality show. I think Max should be on the first season.
@Linnea1928:
> I assume a tv show would have rules about where the
> cameras are and who sees the footage uncensored
Boy, I dunno about that. Last time I saw Big Brother, they were streaming live, uncensored footage over the internet from cameras in the bedrooms and showers. The only place I can think of that they didn't film was the toilet. But this was a while ago, so later shows may have braved that frontier.
@Joe: STOP TALKING I CAN'T HEAR YOU NA NA NA
Fair enough, like I said I don't watch reality shows and I've never seen Big Brother, so I wouldn't know.
Paul (#4496)
We are all a computer Max, it's all a trick on you!!!
Sheng Yi (#710)
Quote: "Oops, I think we amputated the wrong leg. "
@Max and @fellow readers,
I present to you one simple sentence which will enlighten all: "Celebrity is the Opposite of Woman."
Read on: http://dapook.blogspot.com/2007/01/celebrity-is-opposite-of-woman.html
Mike R (#4310)
You're right on Max. Same thing, smaller audience.
Hmmm. Vapid exhibitionists, lurid voyeurs, a world where marketing, entertainment, news, and education collide. And an elaborate high-speed always-on electronic communications network to mainline it straight into our brains.
Max, there's a story idea in there somewhere, and I know just the guy to write it.
P.S. Have you ever read Clarke's "I Remember Babylon"?
Michael Ricksand (#2212)
Location: Terra
Quote: "You do not have a right to be stupid."
In the comic book The Exterminators, I read the same thing concerning the way poultry is treated in slaugherhouses. Carving their beaks off, not giving them any space, torturing them... As individuals, we know that's sick. But as a society, there's no way we'll say no to cheap chicken meat. Which is why I don't eat birds anymore.
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(310)553‐8833
firm@mcpherson-llp.com
Entertainment, Sports & Business Litigation
Crisis Management & Coordination
Edwin F. McPherson
Pierre B. Pine
Marina A. Borawick
Raffaella Cesana
Catherine A. Cavella
Lucille G. Bjorklund
Maui, HI
Harvey Keitel Learns The Hard Way That A Term Sheet And Request For A “Firm And Binding Offer” Do Not Constitute A Binding Agreement
November 29, 2017 | categories: Blog
On September 26, 2017, the Supreme Court of New York unanimously affirmed a judgment dismissing the complaint in Harvey Keitel v. E*Trade Financial Corporation. Keitel had brought his lawsuit against E*Trade alleging that the online brokerage company had made a “firm and binding offer” to hire him for a celebrity spokesperson advertising campaign and subsequently backed out of the deal.
Keitel’s claims of a binding contract having been formed relied upon the fact that his agent had requested that any offer be “firm and binding,” and that E*Trade’s agent acknowledged this request, which was evidenced by internal communications between E*Trade and its agents that revealed an intention to make a firm offer, as well as the fact that the cover e-mail transmitting the term sheet labeled the offer “firm and binding.” Keitel also raised the fact that E*Trade had later offered a fee to “kill” the contract.
However, the term sheet that was transmitted and relied upon by Keitel specifically states that it “sets forth the general intent of the parties to discuss in good faith the terms and conditions” of the deal, and more importantly, that “neither party shall be bound until the parties execute a more formal written agreement.” The NY Supreme Court did not find that any of the facts relied upon by Keitel were “sufficient to negate or demonstrate a waiver of the provision that the parties would not be bound until they executed a formal written agreement.” In making its decision, the Court stated that “Plaintiff’s agent’s demand for a firm offer and defendant’s agent’s acknowledgment of this request, before consulting with her client, prove nothing about what was ultimately agreed.”
Further, the Court noted that “waiver of a contractual provision ‘should not be lightly presumed,’ ‘must be unmistakably manifested, and is not to be inferred from a doubtful or equivocal act.’” (Quoting Ess & Vee Acoustical & Lathing Contrs. v. Prato Verde, Inc., 268 AD 2d 332 (1st Dept 2000)). Moreover, in discussing a case relied upon by Keitel in which an unsigned term sheet was held to be enforceable, the Court specifically noted that in that case “the agreement sought to be enforced did not contain any language requiring that it be fully executed,” and that some of the terms, including a wire transfer of funds, had already been completed.
CONCLUSION – In light of this decision, given the common custom and practice in the entertainment industry of relying upon unsigned term sheets and “hand shake” deals, parties who wish to ensure that such unsigned term sheets are enforceable need to be careful and make sure that the other side does not include any specific language requiring the parties to execute a more formal written agreement before they become bound. Conversely, parties who wish to ensure they are not bound to any deals prior to executing a formal written agreement, should be certain to include “not bound until executed” language in all of their term sheets.
McPHERSON LLP IN THE NEWS
McPherson LLP Celebrates Appellate Victory For Client Amy Lee/Evanescence, As Court of Appeal Affirms Attorneys’ Fee/Cost Award Of $1.04 Million Against Former Manager
Respondent’s Brief filed in the never-ending legal saga (now on appeal) between McPherson client, Evanescence, and former manager Andy Lurie/110 Management (hit for over $1 Million in attorneys’ fees and costs).
McPherson LLP Prevails On Motion For Partial Summary Judgment Before The Central District of California.
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Appellate Court Puts Stop to Fox’s Attempts To Bully 72-Year-Old Man To Cease His Breach of Contract Lawsuit
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SOME THEY DO, AND SOME THEY DON’T – LITIGATION PRIVILEGE FOR PRE-LITIGATION DEMAND LETTERS IN CALIFORNIA
PERSPECTIVE: When Is A Demand Letter Considered Just a “Bluff”?
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ENTERTAINERS BEWARE: You May Have Less Insurance Coverage Than You Think
PERSPECTIVE: TAA Violation For Record Producer Deal
You’re Terminated! Termination and Reversion of Copyright Grants and the Termination Gap Dilemma
Is The California Legislature Listening?
INDUSTRY CASES OF NOTE
The Ninth Circuit Holds That “Words” And “Short Phrases” Are Not Copyrightable, In Affirming Summary Judgment Ruling Against Alisa Apps In “Love Me Again” Copyright Lawsuit
Katy Perry Loses Summary Judgment In “Dark Horse” Copyright Infringement Case, As Court Decides That Commercial Exploitation Not Necessary To Show “Widespread Dissemination” For Purposes of Proving “Access”
Yes, You Can Have Your Cake, And Eat It Too: Successfully Voided Contracts Still Allow For The Recovery of Contractual Attorney’s Fees
Supreme Court To Resolve Split Among Circuits Regarding Requirement Of Copyright Registration
Concert Security in the Wake of Las Vegas and Other Tragedies
Composer Loses Bid To Terminate Copyright Assignment In Six Film Scores, After The Southern District of New York Found Them To Be “Works for Hire” Under Italian Law
© McPherson LLP 2019
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The NM Political Report (https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2015/02/17/u-s-rep-steve-pearce-everyday-people-want-a-fair-shot/)
U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce: ‘Everyday people want a fair shot’
By Margaret Wright | February 17, 2015
A joint session of the New Mexico House and Senate convened this afternoon for an address by U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-Hobbs, who called on legislators to avoid getting “lost in politics” and remain focused on the basic needs of constituents.
[View the story “U.S. Rep. Pearce: “Everyday people want a fair shot”” on Storify]
Former ‘Border Czar' gives real facts about immigration
It's hard to find anyone in Washington who knows border issues better than Alan Bersin. His unique perspective combines years of frontline law enforcement experience with academic knowledge and intellectual interest in the historical, economic and social forces that are at work at the borders of the United States, especially the U.S.-Mexico line.
Pearce: No ISIS camps across the border
View all ISIS articles →
Morales adds visibility to lieutenant governor's role
A bell on a desk greeted visitors to the lieutenant governor's office during Howie Morales' first couple weeks on the job. Ring for service, a sign said.
Senate OKs new system of choosing Lt. Gov. candidates
Lujan Grisham reports raising nearly $900,000 for guv run
View all John Sanchez articles →
Death highway: A massive oil boom in the Permian Basin has turned rural roads into deadly highways
ROSWELL AND CARLSBAD — At one end of Pauline and Joe Ponce’s spacious dining room in Roswell lies a cabinet crowded with photographs and mementos of their son, Michael. An old wrestling match program rests amid snapshots of Michael with his daughter, his parents, his wife.
State looks to diversify economy, rely on ‘volatile’ oil and gas revenue less
The price of oil: Expanding development near Chaco raises health concerns
View all Oil and Gas articles →
Frustration with PED policies at union rally
Former U.S. Sen campaign staffer pleads guilty to 2012 campaign finance violation
About Margaret Wright
Margaret Wright is a freelance writer and editor born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. She has also worked as a teacher, social worker and waitress. She was promoted from contributor to managing editor of Albuquerque’s alt.weekly Alibi before going on to co-found the New Mexico Compass (R.I.P.), a digital news and culture outlet with an emphasis on mentoring fledgling journalists.
More by Margaret
Margaret Wright
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NetComposites > News > Boom Supersonic Signs Seven-year Partnership Extension With Stratasys for 3D Printing
Boom Supersonic Signs Seven-year Partnership Extension With Stratasys for 3D Printing
More in Aerospace
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Stratasys announces it is deepening its partnership with Boom Supersonic – the Colorado-based company building history’s fastest supersonic airliner. In signing a seven-year agreement extension, the companies are further accelerating adoption of additive manufacturing for 3D-printed flight hardware.
Expanding 3D printing beyond rapid prototyping, Boom Supersonic is utilising the Stratasys F900 3D Printer with the Aircraft Interiors Solution (AIS) package to create hundreds of 3D printed parts for XB-1, the company’s supersonic demonstrator aircraft. The AIS package is aimed at helping improve mechanical properties and enables repeatable development of aircraft production parts.
“By being able to print critical parts and components on site rather than purchasing them from a supplier, we can create custom parts, increase our speed from engineering to manufacturing, and focus on building the aircraft and fulfilling our vision,” said Mike Jagemann, Head of XB-1 Production at Boom. “During the first three years of our partnership, we 3D printed more than 200 parts for tooling, prototypes and test benches using Stratasys’ F370 and Fortus 450mc 3D printers, and have saved hundreds of hours of work time, enabling rapid iteration of design cycles. Stratasys’ standing as a global leader in 3D printed aerospace applications made them an ideal partner for Boom, and we’re excited to extend this partnership long-term.”
The new agreement is designed to integrate FDM 3D printing technology into flight part production for XB-1, and eventually for Overture – the revolutionary Mach-2.2 commercial airliner. Providing a faster, more streamlined approach to qualify additively manufactured parts for aircraft installation, Stratasys AIS package will be instrumental to the aircraft expected to fly more than two times the speed of sound, or in excess of 1,500 miles per hour (2,400 km/h).
“The team at Boom is doing something that’s never been achieved – successful mainstream supersonic airline travel. But the development of aircraft that can safely and efficiently travel at Mach 2.2 requires a new approach to manufacturing processes,” said Rich Garrity, President Americas, Stratasys. “Working together, our teams have put the technology to work for efficient, reliable and repeatable prototypes, tooling and jigs and fixtures. Now, we’re ready to go further – for strong, durable, lightweight production-grade aircraft parts.”
The Stratasys F900 3D Printer has the highest repeatability and largest build size of any FDM system. The solution is ideally suited to handle complex production manufacturing needs, utilising a wide range of thermoplastics with advanced mechanical properties for parts that can endure extreme heat, caustic chemicals, and high-impact applications.
The AIS package offers aerospace manufacturers the documentation and training necessary to guide the complex qualification process. The end result is flight-ready parts based on additive manufacturing.
XB-1 is expected to be rolled out later this year and flown supersonically in 2020. Overture is in the development stage with consumer travel expected to commence in the mid-2020s.
To learn more about Stratasys’ advanced solutions for the aerospace industry, visit Hall 4, Stand D192. To learn more about Boom, visit Chalet Row C, #24, at the International Paris Air Show, 2019, 17-23 June, Paris, France.
Image provided by Stratasys
http://www.stratasys.com
http://boomsupersonic.com
3D Printing on the Road to Mass Production
Consortium HAICoPAS Targets Innovative Solutions
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Lecturer in Information Systems
Portsmouth, GB
The School of Computing at the University of Portsmouth wishes to appoint a Lecturer in the field of Information Systems until 31st January 2022.
You will be involved in curriculum development, a wide range of teaching duties and contribute to the School's research profile.
You will be joining a large diverse school with strong recruitment to a broad range of on-campus and distance-learning BCS accredited courses spanning the computing discipline.
The School attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures both from within the UK and elsewhere in the world.
The School also has a strong and growing research profile, achieving a GPA of 2.81 in REF2014 and is currently running projects with a total value of over £1.5 million.
Your duties will include teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. You will also be asked to take on administrative and other management activities appropriate to the post, including assessment, student recruitment and unit co-
ordination. You will also be expected to keep your teaching up to date with recent developments in the field.
You will have expertise in information systems and business intelligence. If you have experience in the following, you are particularly encouraged to apply : information systems management, business analysis, business intelligence, enterprise in technology, knowledge of industry tools for support of business analysis and intelligence (specifically, SAP).
The role requires excellent communication and management skills, a willingness to engage with a broad range of information system topics, concern for development of the students and an enthusiasm for the development of innovative teaching and research initiatives.
You should have attained a PhD or equivalent in the computer science discipline and should, ideally, also have relevant industrial experience.
Informal enquiries can be made by telephone or email to Nick Savage (Head of School) Tel : 023 9284 6363, email : nick.savage port.ac.uk.
The University of Portsmouth is an equal opportunities employer, fully committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.
Business Systems Analyst
Contractair Ltd
On behalf of our leading UK client, we are looking for a Business Systems Analyst to join the business... The Business Systems Analyst will be responsible for providing IT system analysis as well as design...
Portsmouth, England
The School of Computing at the University of Portsmouth wishes to appoint a Lecturer in the field of... You will have expertise in information systems and business intelligence. If you have experience in the...
Systems Support Assistant
Deerfoot IT Resources Ltd
Benefits. Entertainment. Southampton City. Our client is a household name within Southampton with a felt presence in the city. This organisation is seeking to take on another Systems Support...
Information & Systems Assurance Coordinator
Babcock International Group PLC
Fareham, England
Here at Babcock International we're looking to recruit an Information & Systems Assurance Coordinator... The Information & Systems Assurance Coordinator (ISAC) is a non specialist but role and should be...
Lecturer in Electrical Installation
Highbury College
£25,507.00 - £33,263.00 (Depending on Qualifications and Experience)
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Lecturer in Electrical InstallationJob Title. Lecturer in... The Highbury Way'.For further information on this role, please download the Job Description.Don't miss...
Lecturer in Plastering | Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Lecturer in Journalism | Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Systems Engineering Manager
ANSON MCCADE
Systems Engineering Manager. Are you an experienced Systems Engineering manager ready to join one of the... My client are rapidly recruiting experienced Systems Engineering ma.. This job was originally posted as...
Lecturer/Associate Professor in Bioinformatics and/or Systems Biology
Southampton, England
You will have a growing international profile in Bioinformatics and or Systems Biology research, an interest in cross disciplinary collaborations and ambitions that will build on our core...
Service Engineer (Fire or Security Systems)
Concept Information Technology Limited
Job Title. service Engineer (Fire & Security Systems). Package. 28,000. Paid Door to Door. Van with private use available (Registered for congestion charge and pay by phone parking...
Qinetiq
Working flexibly either as part of a team or singly, delivering Systems Engineering projects to support... Managing complex information sets.6. Supporting the procurement phase of projects.7. Supporting the V&V...
KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions LTD
£40 - £48 per annum
Southampton. RATE. 40 48 per hour. CONTRACT LENGTH. 6 months initially. OTHER INFORMATION. You can work... You can work your hours in 4 days. THE ROLE. This is an opportunity for a Systems Engineer to work on an...
Information Security Specialist
Role Purpose. The purpose of this role is to. The role is a combination of Information Security consultancy, maintenance and auditing to ensure the protection of all the information data and...
Lecturer in Plumbing and Gas
Eastleigh College
Eastleigh, England
The College has excellent facilities which will be expanded in 17 18 and is supplemented by a dedicated Gas Assessment Centre. As a Lecturer in Plumbing you will have excellent communication and...
Marine Engineer Mechanical Systems
Blueprint Recruitment Solutions
Design and consultancy of power and propulsion machinery selection including alternative fuels and hybrid systems.Design and consultancy of all ship marine systems and equipment.Design and...
Motor Sport Lecturer
Fareham College CEMAST
With excellent communication skills and the ability to covey industry standard information and ideas in... Lecturer pay scales. 20,763. 29,914 unqualified rate. 23,878. 34,346 qualified rate based on experience...
Lecturer in Aeronautical Engineering | Hampshire, United Kingdom
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Global Finance Systems Manager
Venture Recruitment Partners
You will take ownership for the creation of a Finance Systems support team. As part of the short term... ..Agency to contact you and to provide services and information relating to job hunting activities...
Installation engineer (fire systems) - Hampshire
Job Title. installation Engineer (Fire & Security Systems). Package. 28,000. Paid Door to Door. Van with private use available (Registered for congestion charge and pay by phone parking...
Lecturer in Systems Biomedicine
You will have expertise in Systems Biomedicine and the application of multi omic technologies in combination with network analysis for molecular phenotyping. You will have an exciting...
Senior Lecturer at University of Portsmouth
UNIVERSITAT FRANKFURT
University of Portsmouth Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation. Senior Lecturer. Employment type... More information is available at http. www.icg.port.ac.uk. We welcome applications from all qualified...
Meggitt Sensing Systems
Job Designation. The Engineer II, Systems provides a range of expertise in engineering assignments, and... Resolves technical issues and explains complex information to others. Works with other team members and...
Business Systems Analyst – Global Packaging Systems
Description. Business Systems Analyst. Global packaging Systems. DEPARTMENT. Information Services... We are currently recruiting for a Business Systems Analyst to join our customer focused IT team...
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Tiffany Haddish deploys her Lady Of Rage to trounce Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show
Dennis Perkins
Filed to: ClipsFiled to: Clips
Afro Puffs
Tiffany Haddish, Jimmy Fallon
Screenshot: The Tonight Show
Tiffany Haddish continued her mission to make even this benighted world just a little bit brighter when she showed up on The Tonight Show on Thursday. Always game for whatever, the comic, actress, Emmy winner, and all-around happiness factory started out by taking control of one of host Jimmy Fallon’s most well-trod bits, busting out a pair of supremely energetic lip-sync renditions of James Brown’s “Sex Machine” (complete with cape, B&W old school verisimilitude, and a little touch of the robot), and a straight-up killer performance of Lady Of Rage’s 1994 hit “Afro Puffs.”
Catching her breath on the couch afterwards, Haddish was—wait for it—delightful, wishing for an Oscar boyfriend for her shiny new Emmy (for hosting Saturday Night Live), and telling Fallon about her recent Instagram-aided search for an actual, non-statuary boyfriend. (Marlon Wayans is out, although she did appreciate his elaborately disreputable online come-on.) Talking about her no-doubt scene-stealing role in Tyler Perry’s new movie, Nobody’s Fool (it’s one of Perry’s rare R-rated jams, so Haddish should have some room to work), the actress told Fallon that she and the director bonded over their shared past of living rough and sleeping in their cars while trying to make it.
Ascertaining that Fallon never had to sleep in his Geo Metro, Haddish shook her head at Fallon’s “white privilege” before noting that she’s also looking to Perry’s rags-to-riches story of entertainment empire-building as a career model. To that end, Haddish his soon setting out on a stand-up tour in preparation for an upcoming Netflix special. Surprising no one, the indefatigable Haddish told Fallon that she’s already got two or three hours of material stored up, but, since Netflix is only paying for a one-hour special, that’s all they’re going to get. That’s some prime mogul logic right there.
Tiffany Haddish rules over a solid Saturday Night Live
Billy Eichner and Tiffany Haddish cast their Hocus Pocus remake
Ike Barinholtz and Tiffany Haddish tackle the rancor of the Trump era by taking The Oath
Contributor, The A.V. Club. Danny Peary's Cult Movies books are mostly to blame.
Recent from Dennis Perkins
Late-night reacts to Donald Trump still being a racist, only moreso
Conan avenges Kumail Nanjiani's last-minute cancellation by plugging Nanjiani's competition
Dave Bautista finally gets his Stuber wrap gift from Kumail Nanjiani on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Thursday 5:36am
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The lonely giant: Milky Way-sized galaxy lacking galactic neighbors
Contact: Nicholle Cardinal ndcard@umich.edu,
Morgan Sherburne morganls@umich.edu
Color images of the two recently discovered satellite galaxies around M94. The images were taken with Hyper Suprime-Cam on the Subaru telescope, located at nearly 14,000 ft above sea level on the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Image credit: Smercina et al. 2018
ANN ARBOR—Long ago in a galaxy far, far away, fewer galaxies were born than expected—and that could create new questions for galaxy physics, according to a new University of Michigan study.
The study examined the satellite galaxies of Messier 94, or M94, a galaxy similar in size to our Milky Way. Researchers have long known the Milky Way has about 10 smaller, satellite galaxies surrounding it, each with at least a million stars, and up to more than a billion, such as the Magellanic Clouds.
Now, with the powerful Subaru telescope, astronomers can peer at galaxies five or 10 times the distance from the Milky Way, such as M94. They then can use the physics of how satellite galaxies form around the Milky Way to predict how many satellite galaxies a similar-sized galaxy such as M94 may have.
That is the real curiosity of this finding—the result is something the simulations don’t predict. When you can discover something we didn’t really think we could find, you can make a contribution to our understanding of how our universe works, that’s really rewarding.
Adam Smercina
When U-M astronomers examined M94, they expected to find a similar number of satellite galaxies. However, they detected just two galaxies near M94, with very few stars each. Their results, led by Adam Smercina, a National Science Foundation fellow in the U-M Department of Astronomy, are published in the journal Astrophysical Letters.
“More than just an observational oddity, we show that the current crop of galaxy formation models cannot produce such a satellite system,” Smercina said. “Our results indicate that Milky Way-like galaxies most likely host a much wider diversity of satellite populations than is predicted by any current model.”
Smercina also says their results have implications for the current understanding of how galaxies form—which is in much larger halos of dark matter.
These halos of dark matter surrounding galaxies have immense gravitational force, and can pull in gas from their immediate vicinity. Large galaxies like the Milky Way generally form in halos of about the same mass. But these smaller satellite galaxies, which form in smaller ‘subhalos,’ are not nearly so dependable.
The production rate of high-mass stars in these satellite galaxies actually modulates their growth. If, for example, the nascent satellite galaxy forms too many high-mass stars at one time, their eventual supernova explosions might expel all its gas and halt all further growth. But astronomers are unsure at what size halo this ‘scatter’ in galaxy formation becomes important.
Smercina says M94 indicates that galaxy formation in intermediate-sized dark halos may be much more uncertain than previously thought.
“We think that that scatter—the range of galaxies we expect to see—may be a lot higher than what people currently think for dark matter halos of a certain mass,” he said. “Nobody’s under any illusions as to there being this huge scatter at the very lowest halo masses, but it’s at these intermediate dark matter halos that the discussion is happening.”
To observe the number of satellite dwarf galaxies around M94, the researchers took a composite image of the large galaxy. The image covered about 12 square degrees of the night sky—the full moon, for comparison, appears as about one square degree. This kind of image includes layers and layers of “noise,” including cosmic rays and scattered light, which make faint dwarf galaxies difficult to detect.
To make sure they weren’t missing satellite galaxies, Smercina and his team engineered artificial galaxies back into the image and recovered them using the same methods as for real satellites. With this technique, the researchers confirmed that were no more than two galaxies around M94.
“The real kicker is whether or not the community expected this could be possible,” Smercina said. “That is the real curiosity of this finding—the result is something the simulations don’t predict. When you can discover something we didn’t really think we could find, you can make a contribution to our understanding of how our universe works, that’s really rewarding.”
Smercina’s co-authors include U-M astronomers Eric Bell and Richard D’Souza, who is also with the Vatican Observatory; Paul Price of Princeton University; Colin Slater of the University of Washington and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope; Jeremy Ballin of the University of Alabama; Antonela Monachesi of the University of La Serena, Chile; and David Nidever of Montana State University and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory.
Study: A Lonely Giant: The Sparse Satellite Population of M94 Challenges Galaxy Formation
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Tuesday 24 April 2018 by Arabin Patson
L.K. Bennett fingerprints its customers, affirms Amber Rudd
The Home Secretary has declared that registration for EU nationals after Brexit would be as easy as joining a shopping website that requires a passport scan, fingerprints, two proofs of address and countersigned photos just to buy a handbag.
Simon Williams, Amber Rudd’s press secretary, confirmed that the Home Office registration system would be as easy to use as any normal run-of-the-mill commercial website.
“It will be the simplest thing in the world. Just go online, scan and submit three forms of photo ID, print out the form, fill in the 76 pages, go to the police station to get fingerprinted, have the form witnessed by a professional person who has known you for five years, get it notarized and send it to an outsourced processing centre. And Bob’s your uncle; you’ll have permanent residency in a few short months.
“Unless you use blue ink or you write outside the squares. Then the system will flag you up. But nothing bad has ever happened to anyone who came up on our radar as a potential illegal immigrant so that’s not a problem.”
Mr Williams did show some irritation at the notion that Ms Rudd’s chosen metaphor betrayed how distant she was from ordinary people, for whom the products offered by L.K. Bennett are out of reach.
“That’s childish gotcha journalism and it’s also a sad indictment of our obsession with class.
“She could just as easily have said that registration would be as simple as programming the entertainment system on the Jag or signing the kids up for Harrow’s annual Duke of Edinburgh Award trip to Patagonia.”
Previous post: Only thing standing between woman and a productive day is her cat
Next post: Mike Pence offers to pray the gay out of Emmanuel Macron after he kisses Trump TWICE on the cheeks
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Dark Tome
Dagaz Media
out of 717 ratings.
What if there was a book that literally opened up doorways to other worlds? Where would it lead, and could you handle what you found on the other side?
Cassie, a wayward teen, is about to find out. One day, after she wraps up community service at a local hospital, she stumbles out of the basement of a spooky bookshop and into a story set on a devil's staircase in a remote Italian village.
The Dark Tome is a new take on the anthology audio fiction podcast, featuring fantastic stories by contemporary authors from across the globe.
#115 in arts
SAMPLE: S2 Episode 2: The Bacchae, by Elizabeth Hand
Dark Tome: Season 2 is an Exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. S2E2 SAMPLER: Cassie's saved by a friend, but learns that her world has changed more than she could have imagined while she's been gone. Worlds gone wrong turns out to be a theme, when she goes on her next trip, to the world of THE BACCHAE. In a world where environmental destruction has poisoned life to a breaking point, what consequence will fall on those who were implicit in its demise?
SAMPLE: S2 Episode 1: Natural Skin, by Alyssa Wong
Dark Tome: Season 2 is an Exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. "I'm not a ghost!" -- "All ghosts say that." In the return of the acclaimed dimension-jumping anthology fiction podcast, we find Cassie flung to a world where body modifications are routine and one daughter of a Chinese immigrant is prepared to make an unbelievable sacrifice to save her own skin. This is the world of Alyssa Wong's NATURAL SKIN, a harrowing tale of distorted ideas of beauty in a near-future dystopian Toronto, Canada.
Season 2 Trailer: The World's Not How I Left It
A teaser for Dark Tome Season!!! The new Season debuts October 26, 2018, exclusively on Stitcher Premium. Get a free month of Stitcher Premium by visiting stitcher.com/premium and using promo code DARK
Introducing Wolverine: The Long Night
An announcement about Dark Tome Season 2, followed by an exclusive preview of WOLVERINE: THE LONG NIGHT. Following a string of mysterious deaths in Burns, Alaska, Special Agents Sally Pierce and Tad Marshall arrive to investigate. They soon find there’s more going on than meets the eye. The first scripted podcast from Marvel, starring Celia Keenan-Bolger and Ato Essandoh as Agents Pierce and Marshall, with Richard Armitage as Wolverine. Also featuring Scott Adsit, Bob Balaban, Zoe Chao, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Learn more at wolverinepodcast.com.
The Drabblecast Reborn!
Ever hear of The Drabblecast? It's the podcast of strange stories, for strange listeners, such as yourself. After podfading for a couple of years, The Drabblecast is BACK! And currently raising funds for a new season. Fred shares a classic Drabblecast episode he's sure you'll love, and makes some vague mentions of what to expect regarding Season 2 of Dark Tome.
Season 2 Update & New Show
Season 2 of The Dark Tome is coming Fall, 2018 - but good news! We'll have some new episodes over the summer and playback of a series by friends of ours this spring. Today enjoy a sampler of THE MAYAN CRYSTAL, a new show out by the team that made The Dark Tome. In the spirit of Mayan folklore, a twelve-year old Belizean girl accidentally invokes the evil spirit of an ancient enemy that threatens to consume the rainforest. With the help of her ancient ancestors, her sister, and her new friend, a 20- foot boa constrictor, she’ll go on a thrilling journey to save her village and discover the most incredible secret.
Halloween Double Feature: Dark Passenger & Intensive Care
Two tales of terror to sate your appetite this Halloween. DARK PASSENGER - Two teenage friends start scaring each other on the drive to a dismal “haunted” house on the coast of Maine. But when their innocent fun starts to become all too real, they soon realize what true terror is. A nod to Stephen King in a tale inspired by a true story too haunting to forget. INTENSIVE CARE - Alex wakes in a run-down New England hospital with foggy memories of a car accident. He asks nurses about his missing girlfriend, Elizabeth, but can’t seem to get any answers. In fact, he can’t seem to get anything straight from anyone. And – was that a scream in the distance?
SAMPLE: S1 Episode 9: How Gussy Got the Book
### THE DARK TOME is now exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. ### Gussy and Cassie learned they've "Gone sideways" - the Dark Tome has returned them to the world, but not *their* world. As Cassie struggles to understand the predicament the book has put her in, Gussy recounts the heartbreaking tale of how he got his hands on the Dark Tome, and the cost the book has caused him.
SAMPLE: S1 Episode 8: Trial Day, by Tananarive Due
### THE DARK TOME is now exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. ### Young Lettie can see things through her magic eye - things that might be better if she not see. Grownup's secrets. Grownup's true intentions. But when she learns of her brother's unjust arrest and sham trial, it's her seeing eye - and some conjure magic from her Mama - that may help change the fate of her big brother.
God of the Razor, by Joe R Lansdale
A man investigates an old Texas mansion looking for antiques, but soon finds more than he bargained for. Because in this lonely stretch of town, ancient gods walk the earth, and their followers have no choice but to follow their twisted demands. This haunting story by horror master Joe R. Lansdale was adapted by Jerry Stearns and produced by AM FM Theater as part of the Grist Mill series, a horror program dedicated to chilling contemporary tales. “God of the Razor” won the Ogle Award for best Fantasy Audio Drama in 2007. Played by special permission from AM FM Theater. Also featuring the Mort Castle short story, "If You Take My Hand My Son"
Interview with Christopher Golden
"Writing is about the beautiful melancholy of small town America..." On today's Dark Tome, a special interview with Christopher Golden, the award-winning, bestselling author of such novels as The Myth Hunters, Wildwood Road, The Boys Are Back in Town, The Ferryman, Strangewood, Of Saints and Shadows, and (with Tim Lebbon) The Map of Moments. He has also written books for teens and young adults, including Poison Ink, Soulless, and the thriller series Body of Evidence, honored by the New York Public Library and chosen as one of YALSA’s Best Books for Young Readers. Upcoming teen novels include a new series of hardcover YA fantasy novels co-authored with Tim Lebbon and entitled The Secret Journeys of Jack London. He edited the collection DARK DUETS in which we discovered the JOE R LANSDALE and KASEY LANSDALE team up, “BLIND LOVE,” and penned his own short story collection, TELL MY SORROW TO THE STONES, where we found the story we adapted for Episode 3 - “BREATHE MY NAME”. We talk to him today about the writer’s life, working in multi-media and the future of audio storytelling. Thanks to this episode's sponsor, Audible. Dark Tome listeners can get a Christopher Golden audiobook for free with a 30-day trial membership by going to audible.com/TOME.
SAMPLE: S1 Episode 7: INK by Jonathan Maberry
### THE DARK TOME is now exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. ### Cassie returns from her traumatic trip to a haunted - and haunting - family reunion. As she attempts to re-align her world, Gussy stumbles out of his and into the world of Jonathan Maberry's INK.
Interview with Joe R Lansdale & Kasey Lansdale
Today we interview Joe R Lansdale & Kasey Lansdale, a father and daughter writing duo whose work "BLIND LOVE" was featured in The Dark Tome: Episode 5. Joe R Lansdale is the author of over forty novels and numerous short stories. His work has appeared in national anthologies, magazines, and collections, as well as numerous foreign publications. His “Hap and Leonard” series of novels is a TV series on Sundance, with Seasons 1 and 2 now available and Season 3 recently greenlit. Kasey Lansdale has been writing and performing music since age 7. In July of 2013, Lansdale’s first anthology, “Impossible Monsters,” was released, and she has completed her first novel, “One More Than the Devil.” She also wrote the title track for the digital version of the novel Edge of Dark Water. Kasey Lansdale is a musician and you can hear her music at kaseylansdale.com We talk to Joe and Kasey today about East Texas, where they get their story ideas, working together in a father-daughter relationship, and how to work on your creativity and love every minute. I hope you enjoy this conversation.
SAMPLE: S1 Episode 6: Family Demons, by Frederick Greenhalgh
### THE DARK TOME is now exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. ### Cassie returns home after the wondrous night at the prom (Episode 4) and finds her dreams shattered when she gets home. Forced to flee her home, she seeks refuge in Mr. Gussy's bookshop, and the Dark Tome. This time, the book calls out for her. She finds herself with an estranged son at his homecoming to the old family farmhouse... And the demons that his father sought to hide will make themselves known.
The Floodgates of Willowhill, by Mary SanGiovanni
"Everybody whose grown up in Faulkesville, well, they’ve always guessed there’s something wrong with the woods on the edge of town, the ones that border Willowhill, something people don’t like to bring up in polite company." Teenage Samantha keeps her nose in her books and her head in the clouds - in lands far beyond the borders of the small town of Faulkesville where she's grown up... Where her parents mysteriously died two years ago, and where her Uncle Ted and buddy Hank Jedsoe are about to discover the real horrors that lurk in the haunted woods on the edge of town.
SAMPLE: S1 Episode 5: Blind Love, by Joe R Lansdale and Kasey Lansdale
### THE DARK TOME is now exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. ### As part of "Dark Duets," mojo storyteller Joe R Lansdale paired up with his daughter, Kasey Lansdale, to pen this tale of a monster whose power is through the eyes. Quick witted but unlucky in love, Jana is dragged by her friend Erin to attend an 'eye gazing party,' a new age phenomenon run by a couple of hucksters on the far edge of a small Texas town. Jana's skepticism turns to confusion when Erin - and all the girls at the party - are entranced by an unremarkable man "Thirteen." Featuring a special performance and selections of music by Kasey Lansdale.
Locke & Key (Sampler) - An Audible Drama - By Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
Based on the best-selling, award-winning graphic novel series Locke & Key - written by acclaimed suspense novelist Joe Hill (NOS4A2, Horns) and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez - this multicast, fully dramatized audio production brings the images and words to life. A brutal and tragic event drives the Locke family from their home in California to the relative safety of their ancestral estate in Lovecraft, Massachusetts, an old house with powerful keys and fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them. As siblings Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode Locke discover the secrets of the old house, they also find that it's home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all... A sample of some of the magical keys in "Locke & Key" provided by Dark Tome co-creator Fred Greenhalgh, who along with William Dufris and Team AudioComics produced Locke & Key for Audible. Enjoy Locke & Key for Free as part of your 30-day trial to Audible. Visit www.audible.com/tome to sign up!
SAMPLE: S1 Episode 4: Murdered Sleep, by Kat Howard
### THE DARK TOME is now exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. ### "Sleep is dying, and has been for a long time now, through uncounted ticks of clocks and the flickers of thousands of too-brief candles." It's the night of the Senior Prom, and rather than show up awkwardly, Cassie has decided to stay home with the Dark Tome. But, she soon meets a mysterious stranger with an invitation to a masquerade ball wicked and mysterious, far stranger than any rites of spring. What she learns there will reshape her thoughts on dance, if she can ever make it back.
The Masque of the Red Death, by Edgar Allan Poe
A fresh take on Edgar Allen Poe’s classic “The Masque of the Red Death” – featuring an all-star cast of New England actors, and immersive location sound recording, and an inventive script, this production re-imagines Poe’s tale of a group of ill-fated improvisatori who take on an audience with the ‘dark prince’ who holds extravagant balls to distract the gentry from the ravages of the plague. Produced by William Dufris and AudioComics as part of their “HorrorScopes” series. With field-recording by Fred Greenhalgh / FinalRune Productions.
SAMPLE: S1 Episode 3: Breathe My Name, by Christopher Golden
### THE DARK TOME is now exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. ### Being a miner is like playing Russian roulette every day of your life. Any morning you might wake up, and find the chamber with the bullet. Tommy - the youngest in a long proud line of West Virginia coal miners - finds out what it feels like to have your card be up when an explosion traps him and a dozen other souls two miles beneath the earth. With oxygen growing thin, their only prayer might come from an old ghost story.
Richard Fish narrates The Crevasse, by Dale Bailey and Nathan Ballingrud. An exploration team in the Antarctic is already nurses wounds from an accident, when another tragedy strikes. Garner, the expedition's doctor, is haunted at night by howls from deep within the earth. Against his better judgement, he descends a crack into the ice shelf to try and settle things. But what he encounters beneath the ice shakes him forever. Originally appeared on Drabblecast Episode 338 - http://www.drabblecast.org/2014/09/11/drabblecast-338-crevasse/ Produced by Fred Greenhalgh of FinalRune Productions
SAMPLE: S1 Episode 2: The Bread We Eat in Dreams, by Catherynne M. Valente
### THE DARK TOME is now exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. ### In Episode 2 of the Dark Tome, Cassie knows better but can't escape the temptation to return to Mr. Gussy's bookshop. She finds the old man frustrated that he can't make the magical book work. It's take someone younger - someone for whom the walls between this world and the next are a little thinner. They catch a whiff of fresh bread, and are transported to the world of Catherynne M. Valente's fable "The Bread We Eat in Dreams," where a certain personable demon named Agnes will recount the story of her ejection from hell and the little hamlet that grew up around her.
The Statement of Randolph Carter, by HP Lovecraft
An adaptation of HP Lovecraft’s The Statement of Randolph Carter, wherein an unsuspecting grave robber opens a door that really should have stayed closed. Stay tuned next week (11/18/16) for our next feature episode, featuring "The Bread We Eat in Dreams" by Catherynne M. Valente The Dark Tome is produced by Fred Greenhalgh and Bill Dufris. Theme by Peter Van Riet - http://www.petervanriet-musician.be/
S1 Episode1: The Devil on the Staircase, by Joe Hill
### THE DARK TOME is now exclusive to Stitcher Premium subscribers until late 2019. Get a free month's trial of Stitcher Premium by visiting StitcherPremium.com/DarkTome and using promo code DARK. ### Episode 1 of the Dark Tome introduces us to Cassie, who is forced to read books to Mr. Gussy - an old crank who runs a bookshop of the strange and the weird - as penance for pulling a girl's hair out at school. Mr. Gussy has warned Cassie of a book among books - The Dark Tome - and Cassie decides to open up the cover and see what it's all about. This flings Cassie into the world of acclaimed writer Joe Hill's chilling fable, "The Devil on the Staircase," narrated by a man who walks crooked steps for a living, before discovering a door that leads him straight to hell.
Teaser: Open the Book, Unlock Imagination
Cassie, a wayward teen, has discovered a magical book that literally transports her to the world within the story. What adventures will we go to with The Dark Tome? It starts on a crooked staircase that leads to the devil. 2 minute Teaser to the new audio fiction series by Fred Greenhalgh and Bill Dufris.
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Dear Big Tech and Government: Censoring Videos of Terror Attacks is Not the Answer
By Derrick Broze
If governments and tech companies insist on censoring “offensive” content from the minds of the masses, it will lead to more censorship of free speech and a black market for banned material.
Over the last week, the Internet and news landscape has been filled with stories dissecting the shooting at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. Fifty people were murdered as a result of the shooting. Authorities and news pundits reacted to this disturbing act of violence in typical fashion: ignore inconvenient questions surrounding the incident, shut down all potential dissenters, and finally, call for more state control as the solution (including the obligatory call for gun control). However, this particular shooting in New Zealand has helped reveal the truly scary lengths governments will go to in their attempt to control the narrative.
What sets this shooting apart from others is that the New Zealand shooter livestreamed the massacre via Facebook where it was viewed more than 4,000 times before being taken down. Video of the shooting was then posted on YouTube, Twitter, LiveLeak, and other platforms before all platforms began actively removing it.
The Wall Street Journal called the livestream “a gruesome example of how social-media platforms can be used to spread terror despite heavy spending by their owners to contain it.” New Zealand government officials and police reportedly made the public aware they might face up to ten years in prison for possessing the video. Government officials are also calling on social media platforms to create new ways to halt the spread of “hate content.”
In a speech at Parliament on Tuesday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said social media companies are not neutral and must be held accountable for allowing the spread of videos depicting violence. “We cannot simply sit back and accept that these platforms just exist and that what is said on them is not the responsibility of the place where they are published. They are the publisher, not just the postman. It cannot be a case of all profit, no responsibility,” Ardern stated.
Reuters reports that New Zealand’s biggest telecommunications company, Spark NZ Ltd, worked with Internet Service Providers to cut access to websites that were hosting or allowing sharing of the video. Spark spokesman Andrew Pirie would not publicly identify the websites that had been blocked, but did admit that it was a “pretty extreme step” that has not happened before this incident. In addition, New Zealand companies are being asked to reconsider using social media companies for advertising until they find ways to combat the spread of this so-called hate content.
While some readers may initially believe these steps are necessary to prevent the spread of the graphic and traumatic images and to deny the shooter his wanted infamy, these types of actions ultimately lead to more censorship of free speech and a black market for banned content. Of course, private companies have the right to police their platforms how they please, according to their own community standards. The danger comes when a tragedy leads to calls for increased “speech-policing” practices, as we are already seeing in New Zealand and Australia. (Not to mention the fact that New Zealand is a part of the global surveillance state known as the Five Eyes nations—the U.S., Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada—yet none of the five countries were aware of this terror threat.)
As the non-profit Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) notes, these type of practices often expand to silence legitimate voices. “It’s understandable to call for more aggressive moderation policies in the face of horrifying crimes. Unfortunately, history has shown that those proposals frequently backfire,” EFF writes. “When platforms over-censor, they often disproportionately silence the speech of their most vulnerable, at-risk users.”
The obvious truth is that when governments pressure platforms to drastically increase efforts to police speech, the inevitable result is an increase in more censorship than intended. How would the governments of 2019 react if the World Trade Center towers were struck by planes? Would the social media companies and government officials threaten anyone who shared a livestream video of JFK’s assassination if it took place today?
It’s important to ask these questions as calls for censorship and policing of “hate content” ramp up. If we allow tragedies to be exploited in the name of protecting our virgin eyes and ears from graphic content, we will ultimately find ourselves locked inside a sanitized world where only approved opinions and approved experiences are allowed.
This article was sourced from The Mind Unleashed.
Derrick is an author and the founder of TCRN.
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Author Activist PostPosted on March 20, 2019 Categories Activist Post
Previous Previous post: “I’ll carry out a massacre”: Bus full of kidnapped Italian children set on fire by Senegalese-born driver
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Here’s What You Need To Know About Single-Payer Health Care
Joe Biden: We Must Protect And Build On Obamacare
Women From All 50 States Gather In D.C. To Advocate For Gun Rights
Peter Thiel Says Elizabeth Warren Is “Most Dangerous” Democratic Candidate
Pound Tumbles To Fresh Multiyear Lows As ‘No Deal’ Brexit Fears Intensify
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Russia Gives US Red Line On Venezuela
Authored by Finian Cunningham via The Strategic Culture Foundation,
At a high-level meeting in Rome this week, it seems that Russia reiterated a grave warning to the US – Moscow will not tolerate American military intervention to topple the Venezuelan government with whom it is allied.
Meanwhile, back in Washington DC, President Donald Trump was again bragging that the military option was still on the table, in his press conference with Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro. Trump is bluffing or not yet up to speed with being apprised of Russia’s red line.
The meeting in the Italian capital between US “special envoy” on Venezuelan affairs Elliot Abrams and Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov had an air of urgency in its arrangement. The US State Department announced the tête-à-tête only three days beforehand. The two officials also reportedly held their two-hour discussions in a Rome hotel, a venue indicating ad hoc arrangement.
Abrams is no ordinary diplomat. He is a regime-change specialist with a criminal record for sponsoring terrorist operations, specifically the infamous Iran-Contra affair to destabilize Nicaragua during the 1980s. His appointment by President Trump to the “Venezuela file” only underscores the serious intent in Washington for regime change in Caracas. Whether it gets away with that intent is another matter.
Moscow’s interlocutor, Sergei Ryabkov, is known to not mince his words, having earlier castigated Washington for seeking global military domination. He calls a spade a spade, and presumably a criminal a criminal.
The encounter in Rome this week was described as “frank” and “serious” – which is diplomatic code for a blazing exchange. The timing comes at a high-stakes moment, after Venezuela having been thrown into chaos last week from civilian power blackouts that many observers, including the Kremlin, blame on American cyber sabotage. The power grid outage followed a failed attempt by Washington to stage a provocation with the Venezuelan military over humanitarian aid deliveries last month from neighboring Colombia.
The fact that Washington’s efforts to overthrow the elected President Nicolas Maduro have so far floundered, might suggest that the Americans are intensifying their campaign to destabilize the country, with the objective of installing US-backed opposition figure Juan Guaido. He declared himself “acting president” in January with Washington’s imprimatur.
Given that the nationwide power blackouts seem to have failed in fomenting a revolt by the civilian population or the military against Maduro, the next option tempting Washington could be the military one.
It seems significant that Washington has recently evacuated its last remaining diplomats from the South American country. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo commented on the evacuation by saying that having US personnel on the ground “was limiting” Washington’s scope for action. Also, American Airlines reportedly cancelled all its services to Venezuela in the past week. Again, suggesting that the US was considering a military intervention, either directly with its troops or covertly by weaponizing local proxies. The latter certainly falls under Abrams’ purview.
After the Rome meeting, Ryabkov said bluntly:
“We assume that Washington treats our priorities seriously, our approach and warnings.”
One of those warnings delivered by Ryabkov is understood to have been that no American military intervention in Venezuela will be tolerated by Moscow.
For his part, Abrams sounded as if he had emerged from the meeting after having been given a severe reprimand.
“No, we did not come to a meeting of minds, but I think the talks were positive in the sense that both sides emerged with a better understanding of the other’s views,” he told reporters.
“A better understanding of the other’s views,” means that the American side was given a red line to back off.
The arrogance of the Americans is staggering. Abrams seems, according to US reporting, to have flown to Rome with the expectation of working out with Ryabkov a “transition” or “compromise” on who gets the “title of president” of Venezuela.
That’s what he no doubt meant when he said after the meeting “there was not a meeting of minds”, but rather he got “a better understanding” of Russia’s position.
Washington’s gambit is a replay of Syria. During the eight-year war in that country, the US continually proffered the demand of a “political transition” which at the end would see President Bashar al Assad standing down. By contrast, Russia’s unflinching position on Syria has always been that it’s not up to any external power to decide Syria’s politics. It is a sovereign matter for the Syrian people to determine independently.
Nearly three years after Russia intervened militarily in Syria to salvage the Arab country from a US-backed covert war for regime change, the American side has manifestly given up on its erstwhile imperious demands for “political transition”. The principle of Syrian sovereignty has prevailed, in large part because of Russia’s trenchant defense of its Arab ally.
Likewise, Washington, in its incorrigible arrogance, is getting another lesson from Russia – this time in its own presumed “back yard” of Latin America.
It’s not a question of Russia being inveigled by Washington’s regime-change schemers about who should be president of Venezuela and “how we can manage a transition”. Moscow has reiterated countless times that the legitimate president of Venezuela is Nicolas Maduro whom the people voted for last year by an overwhelming majority in a free and fair election – albeit boycotted by the US-orchestrated opposition.
The framework Washington is attempting to set up of choosing between their desired “interim president” and incumbent Maduro is an entirely spurious one. It is not even worthy to be discussed because it is a gross violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. Who is Washington to even dare try to impose its false choice?
On Venezuela, Russia is having to remind the criminal American rulers – again – about international law and respect for national sovereignty, as Moscow earlier did with regard to Syria.
And in case Washington gets into a huff and tries the military option, Moscow this week told regime-change henchman Abrams that that’s a red line. If Washington has any sense of rationale left, it will know from its Syria fiasco that Russia has Venezuela’s back covered.
Political force is out. Military force is out. Respect international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty. That’s Russia’s eminently reasonable ultimatum to Washington.
Now, the desperate Americans could still try more sabotage, cyber or financial. But their options are limited, contrary to what Trump thinks.
How the days of American imperialist swagger are numbered. There was a time when it could rampage all over Latin America. Not any more, evidently. Thanks in part to Russia’s global standing and military power.
Author Zero HedgePosted on March 23, 2019 Categories Zero Hedge
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3-day VM Trophy: Assam restrict Bihar to 168 for 8 in Mangaldai
Kanishk Kaustabh top scored with an unbeaten knock of 78 for Bihar
MAYUKH GOSWAMI
MANGALDAI , October 21, 2018 10:46 pm
A view of the U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy match at Mangaldai Stadium. Image - Northeast Now
Host Assam restricted Bihar to 168 for 8 on the first day of the three-day match of U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy at Mangaldai Stadium on Sunday.
Opting to bat first after calling the coin correctly, the visitors’ side kept on losing wickets at regular intervals against a disciplined bowling attack of the host Assam led by Mayukh Hazarika (3/39) and Pritish Raha Roy (2/31).
Kanishk Kaustabh top scored with a patient unbeaten knock of 78 for Bihar.
Only two other Bihar batsmen namely Yashraj(37)) and S. Nigrodh (22) could make it to double figures.
When stumps were drawn on the first day, Reshu Raj (4 n.o.) was giving company to Kanishk.
Meanwhile, poor arrangement for the media as there was no press gallery in the match organized by the Assam Cricket Academy (ACA) under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which is considered as the richest cricket organization in the world, created resentment among the media fraternity of Mangaldai.
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pharmaka
Book Review – Psychedelic Mystery Traditions: Spirit Plants – Magical Practices – Ecstatic States by Thomas Hatsis
Sarah McMenomy February, 2019
Psychedelic Mystery Traditions
Spirit Plants – Magical Practices – Ecstatic States
By Thomas Hatsis
271 pp. Park Street Press
Although it has been the subject of great speculation and demonetization by various religious and political bodies, psychedelic mystery tradition remains one of the great buried seeds of Paganism, hidden under mythology, misinformation, and religious and political oppression — not to mention suppression of information. In “Psychedelic Mystery Traditions,” Thomas Hatsis uncovers a vast history of psychedelic spirit plants in Western tradition and ritual, focusing especially on Greco-Roman tradition and the early days of Christianity.
From the earliest prehistoric discoveries of psychedelic plants and their spiritual potential to the conflation of their use with Satanic witchcraft, Hatsis delves deeply, weaving together the political scenes in which each stage of pharmaka* use developed, while following a coherent narrative through the years. For those who were hoping for a more international subject matter, it’s useful to note that Hatsis doesn’t verge far from the focus of Europe and the Near East — you won’t find information here about the use of ayahuasca in Peru, or psilocybin mushrooms in China.
What you will find is an extensively-researched, academic approach to a controversial subject that synthesizes herbalism, ethnopharmacology, entheogenic practice, ritual, mythology, politics, religion, and linguistics. This may make the book a bit slow going for those who lack the context for the work, but anyone with a good familiarity with Western mystical traditions, herbalism, early Christianity, or mythology will probably find something to enjoy here.
The book boasts a treasure trove bibliography. Hatsis occasionally cites and refers to his other book, called “The Witches’ Ointment: The Secret History of Psychedelic Magic,” where the subject matter overlaps, but he also taps an impressive number of primary sources, as well as many modern authors. In a few cases, he points them out only to call them out, diverging at several points to argue some misconceptions, such as the popularized idea that ergotism poisoning is similar to the LSD experience (it’s actually much more dangerous, poisonous, and unpleasant), or that the origins of Santa Claus lie in the historical shamanic use of Aminata muscaria (a popular theory for which there is little evidence). It is clear that Hatsis has great love for this subject, but he also preserves respect for the academic process. In exploring the controversy surrounding the historical use of pharmaka, he has an even hand and doesn’t play favorites on the basis of his own bias, pointing fingers not only at those who dismissed or vilified these spirit plants, but also at those who misused and abused these plants for nefarious purposes, such as poisoning, manipulation, and rape.
This rare glimpse into the mechanisms and mythology of mystery traditions is also peppered with humorous observations, as Hatsis refers to bad trips as “what we would call a bummer,” relates amusing historical anecdotes, and makes the occasional pun. But where the book shines the most is in those poetic moments when Hatsis explores the narratives of mythology and ritual that weaved together the experience of pharmaka by exposing and bestowing new cosmological understanding. In these stories, the relationship between humans and spirit plants takes on a life of its own, illuminating both the dark recesses of the human psyche, and the strange roots of spirit plant practice.
Psychedelic Mystery Traditions can be found on Hatsis’ website, https://psychedelicwitch.com/, along with many other writings and YouTube videos as well.
Psychedelic Mystery Traditions: Spirit Plants, Magical Practices, and Ecstatic States on Amazon
[*An all-encompassing Greek term for the various plant-derived substances whose uses included theogenesis, medicine, recreation, aphrodisiac, poison, and more.]
For those whose interests are primarily herbological, here’s a short list of some of the spirit plants and pharmaka mentioned in this volume:
Aconite, amanita mascara, barley, cannabis, haoma, hash, hemlock, henbane, kykeon, laurel, LSD, mandrake, mushrooms, opium, solanaceae (including but not limited to Atropa belladonna), and wine.
Sarah McMenomy is an artist and witch. Her craft incorporates herbalism, spellwork, trance, divination, auras, and more. Her work can be found at https://sarahmcmenomy.tumblr.com
Tags: author, blog, book, controversy, drugs, herbological, mythology, pharmaka, recommended, religion, review, ritual, spirit, thomas hatsis, western tradition
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Virtuele Markten
Bedrijfsadviesraad
Wetenschappelijke Adviesraad
Stemtech Launches OraStem™ Toothpaste
All-Natural Product, So Innovative, Patents Are Pending
November 14, 2018 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
MIRAMAR, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stemtech Corporation recently expanded its product line with its entrée into the oral care category, by introducing OraStem – the world’s most advanced all-natural tooth-whitening toothpaste www.stemtech.com/us/en/Products/OraStem.
Ray Carter, Stemtech CEO, commented: “this is another major positive milestone for Stemtech Corporation. It clearly demonstrates our product leadership in the consumer wellness space.”
Stem cells are at the center of the body’s ability to renew and restore all tissues and organs. Recent research has discovered that stem cells are found in your teeth, gums and salivary glands. Maximizing oral health is essential to overall wellness and healthy aging www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLR2UnQ5QqE.
Dr Mira Gadzala, Stemtech SVP of Research & Development, commented: “this novel formulation of 14 synergistic ingredients addresses oral health in a multidimensional way. It’s safety and efficacy are supported by dozens of published studies.”
About Stemtech - Originally founded in 2005, Stemtech has pioneered a new category of dietary supplement – cellular nutrition powered by natural stem cell technology, which has changed the landscape of health and wellness forever. Stemtech's patented natural products are designed to support the body's renewal system of adult stem cells. For more information, please visit www.stemtech.com.
Stemtech Corporation
Claudia Schnell, 954-715-6000 x 1038
cschnell@stemtech.com
www.stemtech.com.
Stemtech Holds Global Leaders Convention
Launches Proprietary New Products
November 02, 2018 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
MIRAMAR, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Stemtech Corporation held its first-ever global convention October 17 – 20 in Cancun, Mexico at the award-winning Now Sapphire resort. Independent Business Partners and employees from a dozen countries attended. At the event, Stemtech announced three new, cutting-edge stem cell nutrition products along with the addition of industry icons to its senior global management team.
www.stemtech.com/us/en/Company/ManagementTeam.
Ray Carter, Stemtech CEO, commented, “This is as another major positive milestone for Stemtech Corporation. This historic convention was a wonderful reunion of our global family and a celebration of a truly bright future."
Stemtech earned a place on Inc Magazine's List of Fastest Growing Private Companies an impressive four times (2010, 2013-2015) and is now regaining momentum after this amazing event. The opening segment of the convention was broadcasted via Facebook Live to viewers all around the world www.facebook.com/stemtech.
About Stemtech - Originally founded in 2005, Stemtech has pioneered a new category of dietary supplement – cellular nutrition powered by natural stem cell technology, which has changed the landscape of health and wellness forever. Stemtech's patented natural products are designed to support the body's renewal system of adult stem cells. For more information, please visit http://www.stemtech.com.
Stemtech Teams Up with New Investment Partners
Launches Advanced Formula Products
May 3, 2018 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
PEMBROKE PINES, FLA. (PRWEB)–The Stemtech global family of companies have officially joined forces with a synergistic group of experienced businessmen who will add significant value to the team in the areas of finance, product development and global strategic planning.
Ray Carter, a Director of many of the Stemtech sister companies around the world, views this as a major positive milestone for Stemtech. "Today Stemtech has restructured its ownership to take the business to new heights. After several unforeseen challenges over the past few years, we are ready to refocus on growth to fulfill our important mission to the world", Carter stated.
Stemtech's global family of companies earned a place on Inc Magazine's List of Fastest Growing Private Companies an impressive four times (2010, 2013-2015) and is poised to regain momentum after also launching advanced formulas of its unique products over the past year.
About Stemtech - Originally founded in 2005, Stemtech has pioneered a new category of dietary supplement - stem cell nutrition, which has changed the landscape of health and wellness forever. Stemtech's one-of-a-kind natural products are designed to support the body's renewal system of adult stem cells. For more information, please visit http://www.stemtech.com.
Claudia Schnell (954)715-6000 x 1038.
www.stemtech.com
Stemtech Launches Orastem
Over Stemtech
UW KANS
© 2019 Stemtech International, Inc. - Alle rechten voorbehouden.
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The Diverging Dictionaries of Science and Law
The International Journal of Evidence & Proof, 2017
29 Pages Posted: 1 Aug 2017
See all articles by Helena Likwornik
Maya Bielinski
University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, Students
Scientific evidence is easily misunderstood. One of the most insidious instances of misunderstanding arises when scientific experts and those receiving their evidence assign different meanings to the same words. We expect scientific evidence to be difficult to understand. What is unexpected, and often far more difficult to detect, is the incorrect understanding of terms and phrases that appear familiar. In these circumstances, misunderstandings easily escape notice. We applied an evidence-based approach to investigating this phenomenon, asking two groups, one with legal education and one with scientific education, to define five commonly-used phrases with both lay and scientific connotations. We hypothesized that the groups would significantly diverge in the definitions they provided. Employing a machine learning algorithm and the ratings of trained coders, we found that lawyers and scientists indeed disagreed over the meanings of certain terms. Notably, we trained a machine learning algorithm to reliably classify the authorship of the definitions as scientific or legal, demonstrating that these groups rely on predictably different lexicons. Our findings have implications for recommending avoidance of some of these particular words and phrases in favour of terminology that promotes common understanding. And methodologically, we suggest a new way for governmental and quasi-governmental bodies to study and thereby prevent misunderstandings between the legal and scientific communities.
Keywords: Science and law, psychology and law, naive bayes, scientific evidence
JEL Classification: K20, K40
Likwornik, Helena and Chin, Jason and Bielinski, Maya, The Diverging Dictionaries of Science and Law (July 28, 2017). The International Journal of Evidence & Proof, 2017 . Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3010465
University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, Students ( email )
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Finney Suggests Clinton Campaign Coordinated With Elector Movement
On Thursday, former Hillary Clinton spokesperson Karen Finney appeared on MSNBC to discuss a Politico story on the “faithless electors” movement. According to the Politico report, “members of Clinton’s inner circle — including senior aides Jake Sullivan and Jennifer Palmieri — were in touch for weeks with one of the effort’s organizers as they mounted […]
By NTK Staff | 12.22.2016 @12:10pm
On Thursday, former Hillary Clinton spokesperson Karen Finney appeared on MSNBC to discuss a Politico story on the “faithless electors” movement.
According to the Politico report, “members of Clinton’s inner circle — including senior aides Jake Sullivan and Jennifer Palmieri — were in touch for weeks with one of the effort’s organizers as they mounted their ill-fated strategy.”
MSNBC’s Chris Jansing asked Finney if she believed this report.
“I do in that it makes sense that people who were Clinton campaign supporters, electors, would reach out to people in our campaign,” Finney told Jansing. “But look, I think as the story points out, there was an effort to, you know, be — walk a fine line frankly of being supportive. Because obviously, it’s important that the electors do what they believe is right in terms of their responsibility as electors which is why some thought it was important to get a national security briefing given the information that came out about the Russians.”
Finney went on to say: “But at the same time, I think it was part of the idea here that this is not necessarily, we’re not necessarily talking about changing the outcome of the election through the Electoral College.”
McConnell Challenger Flip-Flops on Kavanaugh, Reverses, & Then Apologizes
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New Report: Congressional GOP More Bipartisan Than Dems in 2015-16
A new report suggests congressional Republicans reached across the aisle more often than Democrats in 2015 and 2016. Now, 2017 is shaping up the same.
Senate Republicans acted more bipartisan than Senate Democrats in 2015 and 2016, according to a new study from the Lugar Center and Georgetown University released Wednesday.
Roll Call reported on the study:
While both parties in the 113th Congress — which spanned 2013 and 2014 — were below the average for all senators during the last 20 years, GOP senators in the 114th Congress had a score slightly higher than the average (after controlling for which party was in the majority). Democrats remained lower than the average for all minority senators during the 20-year benchmark period.
Of the top 10 most bipartisan senators in the report, seven were Republicans and only three were Democrats. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a self-described socialist who is taking over the Democratic Party, was the least bipartisan in the report.
It also appears 2017 is shaping up just like 2015 and 2016. The GOP-led government is prepared to postpone policy initiatives to satisfy feverish Democratic demands over a potential shutdown. As Republicans work to keep the government open, Democrats are fighting over what’s worth a shutdown fight and what’s not.
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Nurses Arena Forum / Recent Posts
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Research / Study Reveals How Psychiatric Nurses Face Aggression From Patients and Colleague by Idowu Olabode: Today at 11:18:07 AM
Research had shown that health professionals were at high risk of exposure to violence and aggression, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has said.
“Psychiatric nurses run a high risk of being exposed to aggression. They experience aggression from patients as well as fellow colleagues.
“Aggression in the work environment has an overt negative psychological effect on the nurse,” said UJ spokesperson Luyanda Ndaba.
The university said health professionals often felt uncertain about how to deal with violence and aggression.
“Standing at the interface between medicine, psychiatry and law, the best actions may not be clear, and guidelines neither consistently applicable nor explicit.”
Ndaba said a new study, done by researchers from the Department of Nursing Sciences within the Faculty of Health Sciences at UJ, found that in a working environment with dysfunctional nurse-to-nurse relationships, stress and aggression in the work environment influenced factors such as low productivity owing to conflicts, recruitment and retention challenges, burnout, absenteeism, litigation and rapid staff turnover.
“To assess the extent of this contextual study, the population for this research consisted of the psychiatric nursing staff registered with the South African Nursing Council and who were employed in an academic psychiatric hospital in Joburg.”
She said the researchers used selective sampling, and the criteria included participants who were professional nurses working in an academic psychiatric hospital, and who had been working there for a minimum period of two years.
“The psychiatric nurses needed experience in an academic psychiatric hospital in order to give a valid account of their experiences and to be familiar with the environment in which they work. They had to be able to speak English or Afrikaans.”
Ndaba said the UJ team found that the psychiatric nurses experienced aggression as subtle, passive and harmful in a verbal and non-verbal manner.
They also reported that different types of aggression were present in their work environment, namely, verbal and non-verbal aggression.
“Professor Marie Poggenpoel and her co-authors also observed that education and socialisation at different levels exhibit different values and perceptions of professional identity.”
UJ said the effect of violence and aggression in day-to-day living should not be underestimated.
“It’s assumed that it could have severely harmful psychological consequences in the long term and that it can thus affect the psychiatric nurses’ self-esteem, social status and happiness,” said Ndaba.
“This shows the importance of nursing staff’s roles and attitudes in their interactions with the psychiatric environment, which should ultimately strive to create a therapeutic milieu.
“This implies that psychiatric nurses’ interpersonal skills play an extremely important role in the creation of such an ideal milieu in the work environment.”
Ndaba said that in general hospital settings, aggression was commonly assumed to be most prevalent in emergency departments, where dealing with aggression was a significant concern.
“The incident reports indicate that events are numerically more common on medical, geriatric and psychiatric wards,” she said.
“It’s clear that attention should be given to create opportunities for psychiatric nurses to master the management of experienced aggression from colleagues,” said Poggenpoel.
UJ said Poggenpoel had been a tenured professor in Psychiatric Nursing Science at the University Of Johannesburg since 1989, and was an expert regarding qualitative as well as quantitative research methodologies.
Source:https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/study-reveals-how-psychiatric-nurses-face-aggression-from-patients-and-colleagues-29265518
News / The Morality of Recruiting Foreign Nurses To UK By Marilyn Eveleigh by Idowu Olabode: Today at 10:56:49 AM
Marilyn Eveleigh is pleased with the efforts to recruit more nurses but thinks poaching from overseas needs to stop
The dire shortage of nurses is the biggest challenge to health services both in and outside the NHS. I’m all for enticing nurses back into practice via return to practice programmes; I support raising the profile of the profession to attract more men; I’m excited by imaginative schemes such as ‘golden hellos’ offering cash incentives to nurses to come work in organisations, repaying student loans in return for taking up a post after qualification and fast-tracking nurses to higher grades where they fill ‘hard to recruit to’ posts. I even consider the new entry routes through nurse apprentices and nursing associates necessary. What I cannot endorse is the aggressive NHS recruitment drive for overseas nurses from countries that have a nursing shortage of their own. It is unethical – we should be growing our own nursing workforce, not poaching from overseas, especially from poorer countries that have invested in training their nurses.
Health secretary Matt Hancock recently announced that we need a ‘new Windrush’ generation to supply us with sufficient nurses and doctors to keep the NHS functioning. Does he not realise there is a global shortage of nurses? Worldwide, there are 20 million of us, but it’s not enough. India and the Philippines are struggling to meet their own needs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has predicted an extra nine million nurses and midwives will be needed by 2030.
It is understandable that many nurses might want to come to the UK, tempted by higher wages and better working conditions. Yet retention rates are not good, especially outside major cities, with some trusts losing well over 50% of recruits over two years. The government is attracting overseas recruits by depressing the English language proficiency standard, lowering visa fees and reducing the earning threshold to just above £20,000 to remain in the UK.
The WHO, World Bank and UN have all encouraged countries to develop their own healthcare services with the skilled staff to be self-sufficient. Indeed, UK overseas aid has been directed specifically towards health and prevention programmes. It is ironic and shameful that the UK has not invested adequately in nurse training and retaining a suitable workforce to meet the needs of our population. It costs around £2,500 to recruit a nurse from overseas. I suggest we direct such money into developing our own workforce and avoid the unethical global dilemma we’re in.
Source:https://www.nursinginpractice.com/article/morality-overseas-recruitment
News / Dog Owner Whose Dog Attacked Nurse Asked To Pay Nurse $1000 Compensation by Idowu Olabode: Today at 10:45:25 AM
New Zealand: The owner of a dog that attacked a nurse making a home visit has been ordered to pay the victim $1000.
'Smokey', a male Mastiff Labrador cross was put down last month after Pounamu Morunga-Cooper pleaded guilty to owning a dog that caused injury.
Morunga-Cooper, 20, was sentenced by Judge Bridget Mackintosh in Hastings District Court on Tuesday.
The court heard the nurse called the patient on March 24, a relative of Morunga-Cooper's, from outside the property and was told it was safe to enter.
The nurse entered the front gate and went into a yard area, where she saw the dog behind a second gate up the driveway.
It was barking and acting aggressively, so she avoided walking near the area and crossed the front lawn towards the front door.
When she was about halfway across the lawn, the dog jumped the gate and rushed at her. It bit her feet, causing her to fall forwards onto the ground.
She was nearly at the front steps of the house and had one hand on the step and one over her head protecting herself.
"The dog bit her through her uniform and latched onto her right buttock," the summary of facts stated.
The nurse screamed for help, prompting Morunga-Cooper and another woman to come out of the house. They yelled at the dog and the nurse was able to get away.
The nurse was taken to hospital. She suffered numerous injuries, including deep puncture wounds and scratches. She has been unable to drive and remains in pain.
"The attack has left her feeling traumatised and she has nightmares about the attack," the summary said.
Morunga-Cooper told the animal control officers that Smokey was a guard dog and had been doing its job. She said the nurse was the one who opened the gate, but did express remorse and accepted that the dog had jumped the gate.
Judge Mackintosh said Morunga-Cooper had failed to appreciate the seriousness of the attack. She noted that Morunga-Cooper chose not to take part in restorative justice, which would have been beneficial.
She ordered her to make an emotional harm payment of $1000 and medical costs of $311.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
News / "Only Our Best and Experienced Nurses Will Be Exported" - Ghana Health Minister by Idowu Olabode: July 11, 2019, 03:32:39 PM
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has said that the government would do due diligence in the posting of nurses to work abroad if the agreement with partner countries is officially cemented.
"We would ensure that only the best and most experienced of Ghanaian nurses are sent outside as expatriates for healthcare services," Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, the Health Minister noted.
The government recently announced future plans to export Ghanaian nurses abroad, arguing that the move was in tandem with the vision to create more job opportunities for the health professionals in foreign countries.
Mr Agyemang-Manu, who was addressing staff and students of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Kumasi, hinted that currently, there were about ninety (90) nursing and midwifery training institutions in the country.
The Minister is in the Ashanti Region on a four-day working visit to keep abreast with health development projects and programmes, as well as related challenges.
The first day of the visit saw the Minister touring facilities at the KATH, including the Oncology Directorate, where he inspected the newly installed 'Lican' machine, ultra-modern equipment for the treatment of cancer.
He was accompanied on a tour of the facility by Dr Oheneba Danso, the Chief Executive Officer of KATH, and Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, the Regional Health Director.
Mr Agyemang-Manu urged health workers to be committed to duty, saying, the government would continue to work assiduously in improving their living conditions.
Source: Ghana Web
News / UGONSA Knocks FG For Not Recognizing Nurse Who Help Stopped Ebola Outbreak by Idowu Olabode: July 09, 2019, 09:26:34 PM
-Commences process of getting late Justina Ejelonu honoured at the next conference of the International Council of Nurses (ICN)
The University Graduates of Nursing Science Association (UGONSA) has berated the Federal Government for failing to recognize the roles being played by their members in the health sector.
This formed part of the communique issued by the Association after its Conference in Kaduna, on Tuesday.
The communique made available to DAILY POST was signed by the UGONSA National President, Chief (Hon.) S.E.O. Egwuenu, and the National Secretary, Nurse G.I. Nshi.
They specifically knocked the Federal Government for recognizing only medical doctors who played roles in the Ebola fight in the country, while ignoring nurses.
According to the Association, “a case in point was the projection of Late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh to ECOWAS for posthumous honour with the 2018 ECOWAS Prize of Excellence Award and her induction into the women hall of fame by the National Centre for Women Development for paying the supreme price while curbing Ebola, without reciprocating similar gesture to Late Nurse Justina Obioma Ejelonu, who also paid the supreme price while working to curb the same disease as did late Dr. Adadevoh.
“Honouring Dr. Adadevoh for her contributions towards curbing the spread of Ebola virus in Nigeria by placing the index patient, Patrick Sawyer, in quarantine was a step in the right direction but doing so at the expense of the nurse that implemented the quarantine order and who unfortunately caught the virus in the process of implementing the order and subsequently paid the supreme price like Dr. Adadevoh was a gross injustice.
“Both Dr. Adadevoh and Nurse Ejelonu, were members of the same health team that curbed the spread of Ebola to Nigerians from the First Consultant Hospital Lagos where the index case was admitted and quarantined and both paid the supreme price in the process of quarantining the index case.
“Nurse Ejelonu, a Registered Nurse, who graduated from Ebonyi State University in the year 2010 with Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc) degree, was a professional nurse par excellence. She was full of life, energetic and agile with decent dreams and aspirations before she was swept away while in action, saving Nigeria from the Ebola scourge.
“She was the shining light that beckoned hope for her poor parents and siblings and was two months pregnant, with her wedding to her Fiancé planned for October, 2014 (two months before the sudden twist of fate made her pay the ultimate price for humanity). Today, the Nigerian government has written her off simply because she was a nurse.
“As the Nigerian Government continues to dishonour her, we in the nursing community shall continue to honour and adore her with reverential awe because she is the face of the sacrifices that nurses make on a daily basis to keep Nigerians alive and healthy. We have honoured her with the highest UGONSA honour of Grand Ambassador of Nightingalic Virtues (GANV) and accordingly inducted her into the prestigious UGONSA hall of fame.
“We have also commenced the process of getting her honoured by the International Nursing Community at the next conference of the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
“The Nigerian Government should bury its head in shame for portraying its self as a citadel of injustice through its age-long penchant of making two equal things appear as unequal especially in affairs that involve and concern nurses.
“The same stark injustice of the Nigerian government against Nigerian Nurses maybe also what informed the deliberate under placement of graduates of Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc) degree to the tune of one grade level below their par in our health system.
“Despite that the Nigerian Government gazetted the industrial Arbitration Panel award of the year 1981 which unequivocally granted that in the healthcare system of Nigeria, the profession of Nursing is on parity with that of Pharmacy as is the case in Great Britain, what we witness in Nigeria today is the injustice of deliberate subjugation of fresh graduates of B.N.Sc degree on CONHESS 07 during internship and on CONHESS 08 post-NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) whereas their counterparts from other core healthcare disciplines (such as Pharmacy, Med Lab, Physiotherapy, etc.) with similar entry requirements and course duration for the first degree are placed on CONHESS 08 during internship and on CONHESS 09 post-NYSC.
“With subjugation of fresh graduates of nursing to a tune of one grade level below their par, the Nigerian Government whimsically portrayed nurses as subservient to other core healthcare disciplines as it did in the case of Late Nurse Ejelonu.
“Mounting evidence shows that under placement and consequent poor remuneration of Nigerian nurses psychologically traumatizes them and is the single most responsible factor for their mass exodus to foreign countries where they are well placed, remunerated, recognized and appreciated for their great contributions in care delivery. Since the care of mankind has been entrusted unto nurses, they must be motivated and not traumatized to carry out this task effectively and efficiently.
“Nurses are to the healthcare system what mothers are to families. Any family in which the mother is empowered is eternally progressive but families where mothers are subjugated and trampled upon (as done to nurses in the Nigeria health system) never make any inch of progress. This explains why Nigeria health system is almost the ‘first from behind’ in the ranking of the world’s performing and responsive health systems.
“Proper placement will motivate nurses and oil their latitude to meeting the increasing complexity of health needs, which nurses are in the frontline to drive. We dare say that medical tourism by
government officials and affluent Nigerians to other countries shall surely abate with adequate motivation of nurses through proper placement and enhanced remuneration.
“This is because with a motivated nursing workforce, we stand to get in Nigeria hospitals what is obtainable in high-ranking hospitals in other countries.
“We therefore verily call on well meaning Nigerians and the media to prevail on the powers-that-be to recognize and honour Late Nurse Justina Obioma Ejelonu for her selfless and great sacrifice in curtailing Ebola scourge in Nigeria as has been done for Late Dr Stella Ameyo Adadevoh and to give nurses their due and eligible right of placement at par with their counterparts in other core healthcare professions in the spirit of equity and fairness.
“Keeping quiet in the face of injustice is not golden. Silence in such a situation portrays acceptance of the injustice and, at worst, complicity in perpetuating it.”
Source: DailyPost
News / Liberia: ‘Nursing Is Not for Money Making’ by Idowu Olabode: July 09, 2019, 12:26:26 PM
An alumna of the Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences of the United Methodist University, has called on nurses across the country to take the Nursing profession not as a money-making area but as a field to serve humanity.
Mr. Andrew A. Z. Manbu said the goal and mission of nurses the world over is to serve others and be willing to listen and learn.
According to him, nurses are people who should have empathy for patients seeking medical treatment.
Manbu said if nurses create love and care for patients, the sick will feel at home, thereby leading to them getting well sooner and returning to their homes healthily.
He made the statement over the weekend during the homecoming ceremony of the Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences of the United Methodist University in Ganta, Nimba County.
The homecoming, according to the Dean of the college, Mr. G. Clinton Zeantoe, was aimed at bringing together alumnae and the current students in order to move the college ahead.
During the ceremony, the attendees joined an American Missionary to dedicate a modern conference hall. The hall was named in honor of Missionary Suzanne E. Porter, who taught at the college for several years and also trained many of the hospital’s staff.
Dean Zeantoe described Missionary Porter as one of the best missionaries, whose presence helped to improve the lives of Liberians.
He further said the Suzanne E. Porter Hall will be used by the students to conduct most of their activities.
For her part, Missionary Porter expressed thanks to the administration of the hospital and the University for the recognition bestowed on her and the transformation that has taken place at the facilities over the years.
She pledged her continued support toward any project that they will be undertaken to boost the “Methodist dream.”
Missionary Porter told our Nimba Correspondent that the dream of American Missionary Dr. George Harley, in whose honor the hospital and college are named, is still alive.
She gave US$1000 to the administration and students of the College and formerly dedicated the hall, which was named in her honor.
News / Kenya: Laikipia County Nurses Demand Pay, Paralyzing Health Services by Idowu Olabode: July 09, 2019, 12:18:28 PM
Laikipia County nurses have downed their tools demanding for their delayed pay, a move that has paralyzed services in the hospitals.
The nurses who congregated at Laikipia West Sub County offices in Nyahururu Monday, urged the County’s administration to pay promptly for them to resume work.
“It is unfortunate that our June salaries have delayed and we are forced to walk to work and go without food,” noted Purity Matu, chair of the Kenya National Union of Nurses, Laikipia Branch.
She decried penalties being imposed on their loans that were deducted at source but not remitted as a result of the delays, adding that no meaningful services will be delivered by a distressed workforce.
“Statutory deductions like those to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) were not forwarded and our families cannot access medical care as a result,” said Matu.
The May salary was also delayed to June 15, with the county citing system errors. The county doctors too, have for almost a month now, downed their tools demanding honouring of the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) of 2017.
“I love my patients but I can’t work on an empty stomach, my own employees need to be paid and my farm attended to but I can’t afford,” cried Eunice Nyaguthii, agitated from the heavy workload that had previously caused her a stroke.
Nurses on contract, were in dilemma too, on whether to continue serving as their contracts had expired in December, 2018.
“We are forced to work as equally hard as our salaried counterparts with meagre pay that cannot sustain us. The county administration has not made it clear whether we are their employees, neither do we have any appointment letters to show our presence in these hospitals,” added Lucy Ithenya.
The few patients turning up at Nyahururu County referral hospital found empty service desks as the workers shunned their places of work, while others donned casual wear to avert being assigned duties.
“We will continue holding parades as we need our salaries paid on time as promised,” cried George Koro, the Kenya County Workers Union, Laikipia Branch Secretary.
While noting that the delays had disorganized their lives, Kenya County Workers Union Treasurer James Gitonga, demanded that the payments should be made every 30th of the month to allow the workers ample time to do their work.
The county administration through a communique last month notified the workers that their “May and June salaries will be paid by 15th of June and July I5th respectively,” while urging them to be patient.
By Anne Sabuni
News / Man Accidentally Gifts Nurses Cake Laced With Marijuana As "Thank You" Gift by Idowu Olabode: July 08, 2019, 05:59:04 PM
A grandfather trying to say thanks to a group of nurses accidentally took the term “baking a cake” the wrong way.
The man reportedly unknowingly gifted the nurses a cake laced with marijuana. The dessert was allegedly left over from his grandson’s 18th birthday party.
The pensioner took the cake into Warrington Hospital in Cheshire as a gift after it was leftover from his grandson’s 18th birthday.
But what the well-meaning man did not realise was that the homemade treat, known as a “space cake”, was full of the class B drug.
It was apparently only after one nurse had tucked into the treat, reported to be a red velvet cake, that the alarm was raised.
In a statement on the Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Facebook page, chief nurse Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson said: “Only one member of staff ate a small piece of cake, did not suffer any ill effects, did not care for any patients afterwards and finished their shift.
“On noticing a strange odour from the cake senior staff notified Cheshire Police who removed and subsequently destroyed the cake.”
However, one member of staff at the hospital claimed at least “three or four” nurses had consumed the cake.
“They were eating the cake and then the next minute the staff were all off their faces,” they told the Manchester Evening News under the condition of anonymity.
“It was brought in by a nice old man as a thank you, but it was full of funny stuff and had them all relaxed.”
Cheshire Police said no action was taken against the man who took the cake into the hospital, but “strong words of advice” were given to his grandson.
A spokesman said: “Officers received a report on 27 May that a cake which was suspected to contain drugs had been brought into Warrington Hospital by a member of the public and given to staff.
“Following an investigation officers determined that the member of the public who had brought in the cake was unaware of the content of the cake as it had been left over from their grandson’s birthday party.
“Officers have now spoken to all parties involved... The case has now been closed and the cake has been destroyed.”
The hospital said there were no issues compromising patient care as a result.
Source:UK Independent Newspaper
News / Australia Nursing Board Successfully Prosecutes Fake Nurse by Idowu Olabode: July 08, 2019, 05:45:03 PM
A Victorian woman who pretended to be a nurse has been fined $15,000 plus costs.
Brittany Fairthorne was convicted in the Frankston Magistrates’ Court of charges laid by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She was found guilty of holding herself out as a registered nurse and two counts of providing false information to an AHPRA inspector. She pleaded guilty to these offences under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.
The charges were laid after an AHPRA investigation into allegations that Fairthorne held herself out as a registered nurse and injected a patient with substances which purported to be cosmetic injectables. AHPRA also alleged that, during its investigation, Fairthorne provided false or misleading information and documents to an AHPRA inspector. Fairthorne has never held registration as a nurse under the National Law with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
She was fined a total of $15,000 and ordered to pay AHPRA’s costs in the amount of $13,495.85.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Chair Associate Professor Lynette Cusack said Fairthorne’s conviction highlights the importance of protecting the trust that people place in registered health professionals.
“Registration demonstrates to employers and the public that nurses have met the high standard set by the NMBA to treat the Australian community,” Assoc Prof Cusack said. “This outcome shows that, in partnership with AHPRA, we take the responsibility of protecting the public’s trust in the profession very seriously.”
Anyone with concerns about whether an individual is registered with a national health profession board can check the register of practitioners maintained by AHPRA or contact AHPRA on 1300 419 495.
Source: http://hospitalhealth.com.au/content/facility-admin/news/fake-nurse-successfully-prosecuted-1211354890#ixzz5t6YcqLSH
News / "They Seized My Passport and Turned Me to Slave" —Nurse In Oman Cries Out by Idowu Olabode: July 06, 2019, 10:08:56 AM
A yet to be identified Nigerian Nurse who emptied her savings for an agent to facilitate her migration journey to Oman has been turned to a slave and sexually assaulted Nursesarena.com has learnt.
In a video shared on Instagram by a blogger which had since gone viral, the Nurse narrated how her international passport was seized from her, work non-stop as a slave and frequently sexually harassed. Below is an excerpt of her speech:
I beg you in the name of Almighty God, help me and bring me out of here. The people that brought me into this country didn’t tell me I’m coming here as a slave. I was told I would get a Nursing job here, I would be well paid and I would be fine….. Me getting here I end up as an housemaid, not even an housemaid but as a slave. No stopping work, I don’t sleep, I don’t go out, My international passport is with them. They seize it from me and I have been sexually harassed again. Please help me get out of here, I beg you in the name of God. They told me they paid to the agent in Nigeria that they have overall control of my life for good 2 years………….
To Watch the full video go to https://www.instagram.com/tv/BzjLpcVnH49/?igshid=jft303l89el1
Nigerian Nurses with the dream of getting better job abroad are daily exploited by greedy business men and women who see Nurses as their ATM machine. Nursesarena.com has various social media platforms it uses in educating nurses on the right path to take in migration to any country of their choice (Free of charge) and advice every Nurses to use these platforms to ask questions and seek clarification before dolling out their hard earned money to greedy and wicked agents. Share this post and warn other Nurses
Below are some of the comments on the IG page
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Seriously, Why Is Anthony Weiner So Terrified of Bike Lanes?
By Brad Aaron
If Anthony Weiner has anything in common with his mentor Chuck Schumer, it is that he thrives on attention. And now that he’s created a niche for himself on the national stage as the unapologetic, in-your-face liberal congressman from Noo Yawk, he’s apparently gained a following of disaffected young Democrats who don’t necessarily feel represented by yellow dogs and centrist softies.
Anthony Weiner, equivocator. Photo: ##http://www.flickr.com/photos/mysticchildz/5484417166/##Narita Choudhury/Flickr##
But as Reid Pillifant notes in his incisive Observer profile, for all the choreographed kookiness and “Oh no he didn’t” one-liners, the man who would be mayor goes all squishy on an issue that should be the unquestionable province of any worth-his-salt progressive. When he isn’t flat-out “ducking” (his word) questions on this particular topic, here’s what the brash Mr. Weiner has to say:
“Are bike lanes a progressive thing? I know a lot of very progressive people who were very pissed off at the bike lane in their neighborhood … I do believe that I’m pro-bike like a lot of New Yorkers are. I do hear a lot of New Yorkers say to me, ‘I love bikes, I bike all the time,’ or whatever it is, ‘But damn these f’ing bike lanes’ … That’s a weird place for us to be. That means that people who would be naturally part of a constituency are getting peeled away because they don’t feel something is right.”
“I do believe that I’m pro-bike.” That clear enough for you?
If not, there are other Democrats who have a more developed sense of self. In Chicago, Rahm Emanuel has pledged to build out 100 miles of protected bike lanes during his first term as mayor. And Weiner’s colleague from Portland Earl Blumenauer has for years been an outspoken proponent of cycling and sustainable transport in general. “It’s all about choice,” he recently told Grist. “In too many communities, people have to burn a gallon of gas to buy a gallon of milk. That’s not freedom. That’s tyranny.”
See? It’s not that hard to say it in a soundbite. How can a few lanes for bicycles be the source of such fretful vacillation for a pol who represents a city where over half the population does not own cars?
Back in 2009, when Blumenauer biked the city with the Streetfilms crew, we asked: “When will we get to see a rep from New York City walk, bike, or ride the bus with Clarence?” You can still be the one, Congressman Weiner. Just imagine the airtime.
Filed Under: Anthony Weiner, Bicycling, Bike Lanes
Question: Why Is Anthony Weiner So Terrified of Bike Lanes?
Answer: http://www.weiner.house.gov/district.aspx
Anthony Weiner represents the most suburban, car-dependent neighborhoods of New York City outside of Staten Island.
I count Weiner among “entitled progressives” who think, “if only we tax rich people enough, we can give everyone an SUV and a McMansion.” Weiner obviously is not a friend and he’s exhibit A for our desperate need for a new politics that moves beyond the traditional left / right binary.
Your mistake is assuming that everyone who isn’t riding a bike is instead driving a car. And vice versa. Especially in a city as unique as NYC, many of us don’t drive an yet aren’t necessarily avid cyclists and don’t necessarily unilaterally support the way bike lanes have been implemented. Plenty of gray in this debate.
Where’s Wiener on pedestrian issues?
Still Wondering…
I am still considering voting for Weiner. But if he doesn’t stop this bizarre way of talking about bike lanes and make some sort of unqualified statement of support or at least explain why he is talking the way he does, I’ll be throwing my money behind someone else.
Clarence Eckerson Jr.
I guess Anthony Weiner hasn’t been paying attention to polls – NYC residents (despite the anti-bike atmosphere being leveled by the press) supports bike lanes 54% to 39%. And two polls in Park Slope, Brooklyn (where the press believes they are so “controversial”) show strong support as well.
But I am more than willing to give Mr. Weiner some face time on a bike if he wants to go for a ride. clarence@streetfilms.org Hit me anytime.
Or come to the Sunday PPW bike ride with families. Now there is an idea. Safe.
To add: over 8200 people watched Blumenauer bike around with Streetfilms. Come on Rep Weiner, have your staff set something up!
Anthony, dude, you are in a really weird place. WTF are these people saying they love to bike but hate bike lanes? Seriously, Streetsblog readers have probably met lots of people who hate bike lanes and like to complain about bicyclists. But how many people reading this blog have met people who love to bike but hate lanes being installed? Has anyone met even one? Sure, you may meet bicyclists who dislike crappy lanes, but are there regular cyclists who hate seeing lanes installed? Where? Has anyone but Weiner met them?
Brad Aaron
I do not assume, oscar. First, I don’t ride a bike. But as a pedestrian, bike lanes make me safer from cars. And as an occasional driver, I appreciate the calming effect bike lanes and cyclists tend to have on other drivers.
ocschwar
‘nads. Emmanuel’s got’em. Weiner doesn’t.
Attention, Fox News. The next time Weiner comes on Hannity shouting and all combative, here’s a tip on how to disarm him: ask him about bike lanes.
Charles_Siegel
“But how many people reading this blog have met people who love to bike but hate lanes being installed? Has anyone met even one?”
I have been a pro-bike-lane activist for many years, and unfortunately I have run into people who love to bike but hate lanes. There is a contingent of macho bike activists who like riding in traffic rather than on separate bike facilities, and who think that all bicyclists should do the same.
I think they are wrong. They ignore people who are less macho than themselves. But they do exist.
Yep, this is one thing that Anthony Weiner and Paul Ryan have in common. They both object when federal transportation dollars get spent on bike infrastructure.
Weiner needs to wake up and realize that as mayor, he’d be representing all of NYC, not just East Queens.
Also, just because a largely progressive person does not like bike lane does not make bike lane not progressive. I think the next mayor should make decisions based on real facts and data, not what “a lot of New Yorkers say to me”. I will vote accordingly.
Ian Dutton
Bike lanes aren’t about some kind of ultra-lib eco-terrorist agenda. They are about getting granny to the market to buy a loaf of bread without getting mowed down. Look at how they work in other societies – they give nearly everyone the ability to make a choice as to the best way to get around without the fear of dying while you do it. How can you be against that?
The aggressive cyclists will be out there, bike lane or no. What Weiner is afraid to support is a transformational transportation option for regular city-minded folks. To me, that is his undoing.
The Democratic primary is won and lost in Brownstone Brooklyn and the Upper West Side. These are the two sections of the city with the greatest density of Democratic voters. I dare Anthony Weiner or any of these other guys to run against bike lanes in the Democratic primary. You can not win either of these neighborhoods running against bike lanes.
Chris O’Leary
When Weiner attends a fundraiser or cocktail party, he’s hob-nobbing with the uber-wealthy who fund his campaigns. Those people get plenty of face time with him… enough for them to say things like, “I love bikes, I bike all the time, but damn these f’ing bike lanes.”
Those wealthy people also happen to drive – maybe not all the time, but enough to be annoyed by driving and find an easy scapegoat in bike lanes. So, those “New Yorkers” that Wiener hears are actually a very small subset of all New Yorkers. He just happens to hear from them a lot more, because they can afford to have access to him.
Weiner attends a fundraiser or cocktail party, he’s hob-nobbing with the uber-wealthy who fund his campaigns. Those people get plenty of face time with him… enough for them to say things like, “I love bikes, I bike all the time, but damn these f’ing bike lanes.”
Answer: Because Anthony Weiner is a gutless, soulless twit who will say and do anything to get elected.
Take a look at Barfowitz’s map and consider that Weiner probably has more miles of bike and prettier bike path than any other congressman.
What he means is he knows a lot of people who think they’re progressive or pretend they’re progressive or whose similarly deluded friends tell them they’re progressive, who aren’t really progressive at all. The fact that you had long hair in 1968 doesn’t make you progressive in 2011.
Glenn McAnanama
My grandmother was a poor widow on Social Security and a lifelong (sidewalk) cyclist rode all around Sheepshead Bay at a snail’s pace. Why? Because it was the easiest, cheapest, fastest way to get around her neighborhood and run errands. Even if she had a car, there wasn’t any parking near the Coney Island beach (her primary destination) anyway. Biking was her low cost ticket to mobility. She would love the new on street separated bike paths if she was still around to see them. Weiner should understand that providing low income folks a safe alternative to expensive car ownership is progressive.
Making people dependent on cars for basic mobility, especially in low density/low transit areas, makes them slaves to their cars. Poor folks in those area are not just living paycheck to paycheck, they are living one major auto-repair away from financial ruin.
We know someone this happened to. She had a major axle problem happen with her car. She was living paycheck to paycheck and had to borrow 2K for emergency repairs. That was almost a year ago and thanks to the ridiculous 26% interest still hasn’t paid it off.
She thinks she has no other choice but to own the car for some reason, but feels that in her neighborhood she needs a car. The real truth is she doesn’t. She does bike occasionally. And if we had safer streets I’ll bet she could get converted and realize she could at least ride the bike to the subway. (She could take a bus to the subway, but doesn’t like riding the bus.)
weiner is actually one of the most engaged of new york’s congressional delegation. I think he doesn’t understand that the new middle class (ie yuppies, transplants, financial services employees, media/technology workers) WILL BE his constituency if he runs for Mayor of NYC. Right now he represents the 9th district, where barely any of his constituents use a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation – they are the ‘old’ middle class of the outer boroughs and they are the people he feels closest to.
He just needs to be educated and learn to have as much of a fighting spirit on progressive transportation issues as he has on other progressive issues.
?? O, I WISH I WAS AN AWFUL, MYOPIC WEINER! ??
Toby Sheppard Bloch
I was just emailed this response to a message I sent to Anthony seeking clarifications of his comments.
Thank you for contacting me to voice your concerns regarding the comments I made in jest regarding bike lanes.
I have a long history of supporting biking. During the Amtrak reauthorization, I authored an amendment that requires all new trains to accommodate roll on bike access and include bike racks. Since 2005, I’ve also secured over $1.1 million for the construction of new bike lanes in New York City.
Please do not hesitate to be in touch with me on this or any other issue of concern.
ANTHONY D. WEINER
Member of Congress
Anthony Weiner: I Love Bike Lanes. Let Me Count the Exceptions…
By Ben Fried | May 22, 2013
Anthony Weiner, enemy of congestion pricing and infamous bike lane antagonist, is talking about street design on the campaign trail. Though there was plenty of warning this day would come, it’s still kind of surreal. Weiner told Capital New York’s Azi Paybarah he was just joking when he boasted to Michael Bloomberg and a room […]
Anthony Weiner, Ready to Erase Bike Lanes, Won’t Be Cowed by “Jihadists”
By Stephen Miller | Aug 13, 2013
It may be news to the national audience of BuzzFeed, but Anthony Weiner once said he would hold ribbon cuttings on his first day in Gracie Mansion to rip out the city’s bike lanes. He now insists the expletive-laced promise was a joke, but he’s firm in his opinion that at least two of the […]
Weiner on the Environment: Big Talk, Small Stick
By Glenn McAnanama | Aug 15, 2007
Where’s the beef? Under Rep. Anthony Weiner’s plan, vehicles, like the one above, would not be charged a fee to use New York City’s most heavily congested streets On Monday evening, just hours before the federal government’s announcement that it would give New York City $354.5 million to kick-start Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan, Rep. […]
Weiner on Bike Policy: Small Talk, Small Stick
By Ben Fried | Jul 8, 2013
Yesterday, riders at the sixth annual Tour de Queens got a preview of Anthony Weiner’s proposal to introduce new city tax breaks for businesses that help employees bike to work. It’s one of the meager transportation proposals in his policy book, “Keys to the City.” There are already plenty of financial incentives to bike — walking […]
Weiner: There’s No Need for “Warfare Over Bike Lanes”
Queens Congressman Anthony Weiner has edged a little closer to clarifying his now-infamous “tearing out your [expletive] bike lanes” remark. Though he previously seemed to confirm what many suspected — that the Times, in its zeal for a juicy lede, turned an off-the-cuff exchange with Mayor Bloomberg into an indictment of transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan […]
Caption Contest: Not Commenting About the [Expletive] Bike Lane
By Ben Fried | Mar 28, 2011
This was the scene in Jackson Heights yesterday, where Mayor Bloomberg, Anthony Weiner, and the top dog on Prospect Park West, Senator Chuck Schumer, joined a bevy of other pols to contest the surprisingly low Census counts in Brooklyn and Queens. (That’s Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez between Bloomberg and Schumer.) During the presser, the Senator was […]
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GREENSPAN STILL THE CHAIR-MAN
By Paul Tharp
February 1, 2006 | 5:00am
Alan Greenspan’s last day as the leader of the American economy saw $30 billion wiped out on Wall Street – and cost taxpayers the price of one plush leather chair.
The 79-year-old economist retired yesterday as chairman of the Federal Reserve, and took with him a mixed legacy from his nearly two-decade tenure – along with his actual office chair.
His last official act was to approve another hike in the cost of money, with a 1/4-point rise in a key lending rate to 4.5 percent.
The hike sent shares sliding across the board. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 35.06 to 10,864.86 and the S&P 500 slipped 5.12 to 1,280.08. The Nasdaq dropped 0.96 to 2,305.82.
The declines amounted to a loss of about $30 billion in market value among 5,000 stocks measured in the Dow Jones Wilshire Index.
Greenspan, who earned $172,500 a year, also took a batch of prized autographs, along with his boardroom chair, which colleagues presented as a going-away gift.
An avid baseball fan, Greenspan also got a shadow box in the shape of home plate. The box contained an antique baseball glove signed by each of the Fed’s 12 current bank presidents.
Each president also gave Greenspan a signed and framed $1 bill from each of their Fed bank districts.
Greenspan’s wife, NBC TV reporter Andrea Mitchell, joined her husband and 180 well-wishers at a farewell luncheon at the Fed’s headquarters.
Later, he told a reception of 1,500 Fed staffers in the two-story atrium that they must protect consumer purchasing power.
“We have a very special mission. We are in charge of the nation’s currency; and the central bank, because of that, is involved in everyone’s daily lives. We are the guardians of their purchasing power,” Greenspan said.
Meanwhile, his replacement and avowed disciple Ben Bernanke was scheduled to be sworn in today for a four-year term as chairman, concurrent with a 14-year term on the Fed’s board.
A trillion for your thoughts
Today is the first day on the job for new Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke. Here’s a look at what he’s thinking:
1. Get a grip on rates.
(What goes up …)
2. Hold your tongue.
(You’re in charge now.)
3. Talk less plainly.
(Be murky in murky times.)
4. Wear Bermuda shorts.
(Promote casual Fridays.)
5. Red Sox nation.
(Set 80% tax on Damon’s Yankee salary.)
LIVID LARRY AFTER LOSS TO HAWKS: WE QUIT
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Posted on September 13, 1994 by NZ Books
Women’s Book Festival
In the first week of October this year a major national institution will make its annual appearance. In libraries, theatres, halls of various kinds, cafes and school rooms, in large cities and smaller towns all over the country, books written by women will be read, talked about, bought and sold. The Listener Women’s Book Festival, October 2‑9.
Many of those in its audiences will have been waiting for months for these events, borrowing books by the touring authors from local libraries, swapping titles and opinions with friends and colleagues. Organised book discussion groups ‑ of which there are more than 300, mostly in country districts ‑ will be waiting for the festival with the pleasant anticipation of the well‑informed.
Reading being the contagious condition it is, there will also by now be a heightened interest in many other books, not necessarily all of them written by women (men who complain at being left out would do well to observe this phenomenon). English teachers will have thought of ways to use the momentum of festival publicity to highlight the work of New Zealand authors; librarians must be having a field day.
Any literate traveller who has not been in New Zealand for September or October during the last five years could not but be amazed at this ferment of activity. We have surprised even ourselves ‑ not to mention others. The festival is looked at with interest and some envy by other book promoters. How on earth has all this come about and so quickly?
In 1987‑88 someone in Blackwells told Bridget Williams, travelling in Britain on a Churchill Fellowship, how they tested the market for books by women writers by putting them out in a prominent place, all together: “The response was astounding; they left the shop in great piles.” Back home Williams, then at Allen & Unwin, Kitty Wishart of the Auckland University Bookshop, Cathy Handley of London Bookshops, and Karen Ferns of Penguin initiated a plan that had within it all the ingredients for the spectacular development that was to follow.
Guiding principles have remained the same. They have their key in the structure, which was from the beginning designed to give maximum freedom of choice, with maximum opportunity to country districts and provincial towns, not just the main centres. This has proved to be both the festival’s main strength and its peculiarly New Zealand character. (Penny Hansen, who administered the festival for four years. says there is a parallel in men’s nationwide sporting organisations, particularly rugby and cricket.)
A central committee, led for many years by Wishart, organises national publicity and makes travel arrangements for local and international touring writers and finds financial backing.
Local committees decide what they want ‑ which means who they want to visit them ‑ manage all their own arrangements, including publicity (which has meant strong interest from regional newspapers and radio stations) and keep the profit, if any, for their own planning. This year the New Zealand Book Council has taken over the central administration and the Booksellers Association the role of chief sponsor.
Behind these systems is the designation of a Top Twenty books each year, chosen by a panel of booksellers appointed by the central committee; these ‑ mainly, but not exclusively, written by New Zealand women ‑ form the basis of the catalogue, but current important women’s writing is more generously highlighted. In 1989 35,000 catalogues and 2500 posters were printed and distributed. By 1993 catalogue numbers had risen to 65,000 and posters to 5500. The scale of the events themselves has grown similarly: in 1988 there were a few appearances in the main centres; by 1993 40 cities and towns were involved and the number of events totalled 203. The events themselves ‑ readings, talks, discussions, backed by book displays, lubricated of course by the social oil of occasions ‑ have the same ingredients, yet each has a strongly idiosyncratic local flavour.
Hansen, an inspired organiser and one of the stars of the movement, says the strength of the festival lies in this recognition of local differences. Choices are never imposed from the centre; the vitality of the whole comes from the independence of each group. My own experience as a touring writer has shown me a high quality of audiences in provincial towns and convinced me that the balance of central control and local independence has an understanding of the true nature of New Zealand social structures.
There have been problems. Hansen says keeping the claims of different regions in harmony has required a delicate balancing act. Local independence has taken hard work and careful thought to bring to maturity. Women living a long way from the main centres and with slight experience of managing and organising have learnt year by year. In this way the festival has operated as something of a training ground for women.
Money, or the lack of it, has been a constant concern. There is a burn‑out factor, but a considerable group of highly skilled and experienced women are still there, still active and enthusiastic after five or more years of hard grind. This is probably a comment on the freedom of action and the scope for co‑operation that is built into the system; also, one supposes, on the inherent fascination of the books themselves. Not to mention the stature of the women.
Men who work in publishing and bookselling support the festival ‑ at least those I’ve heard talking about it ‑ for the very good reason that it benefits them, too, and the whole industry. More broadly, the shaping of this movement has powerful political implications. If the initial concept had been competitive, hierarchical, canonical in the academic sense, status-conscious (dare I say patriarchal?) the results would have been very different.
Whatever you take from that, it is clear that we have moved a long way from the time less than 50 years ago when two of the country’s leading writers, Denis Glover and A R D Fairburn, could openly scoff at the “menstrual school”. A pity they can’t see New Zealand’s women and their writing now.
Lauris Edmond’s Selected Poems and An Autobiography have just been published by Bridget Williams Books.
Tagged with: Issue 15, Lauris Edmond, Spring 1994
Posted in Non-fiction, Opinion
Browse the Non-fiction category
And on the strangest sea, Paul Moon
Finding the way back, Nicholas Reid
Galling truth, Megan Dunn
Pressing on, James Hollings
Women past and present, Kim Worthington
Heroic lives, Bruce Babington
History, memory and representation, Alfio Leotta
Stirring up the dust, John McLellan
Colonial orientalism, Paula Morris
“Evolution or revolution?”, Simon Upton
Going high, Julia Millen
A critical lamp in a dark world, Helen Watson White
A singular genius, Andrew Wood
Unpleasant truths, Douglas Lloyd Jenkins
Making it and making it up, C K Stead
A view of the inner cemeteries, Reuben Johnson
The games we play, Owen Mann
Private life and public record, Kate Hannah
Fighting the good fight, Philip Simpson
The good, the bad and the ugly, John O’Leary
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Torricelli on Ground Zero controversy
By torricelli • 08/18/10 11:05am
I never remember being so startled. A college professor reminded our class that almost every freedom guaranteed to the American people in the Bill of Rights was also guaranteed to the Russian people in the Soviet Constitution.
The difference, of course, was that nobody paid any attention to the Soviet Constitution. I thought of that professor last week as the conflict ensued over the opening of a mosque and community center in lower Manhattan. Everybody can understand the sensitivity. It was certain to be controversial but the application to open the mosque is ultimately an opportunity and not a problem.
What better way to contrast the rigid dogma of radical Islam than opening a Moslem place or worship near the site of the World Trade Center? What better way to demonstrate the strength of our ideals?
Critics are right that we are at war with radical Islam. The challenge is no different than the fight against communism or fascism. We don’t defeat our enemies by adopting their worst qualities but by maintaining our own.
Our faith in the founding principles of the Republic aren’t tested by conforming to the fears of our neighbors. Our country is not special because we defend the strong or stand with the majority. It’s moments like these that remind us of what makes America different.
A mosque at the site of our worst domestic tragedy? A community center built by those who share a faith with our enemies? Exactly. I couldn’t be more proud of my country nor confident of the future of our democracy. Through all of our divisions and all the clamor, we got it right. Again.
Filed Under: New Jersey Politics, new jersey politics
SEE ALSO: New Jersey Millionaires’ Tax Must Wait for Another Day
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OCR monetizing mixes on YouTube
By Brandon Strader, August 12, 2016 in Community
2 hours ago, Neblix said:
I'll never understand why people just sit on the internet trash talking other places on the internet.
So that they may evade the other place's ban-hammer.
Works better in theory than practice.
Meteo Xavier
Songs of Light and Darkness Asst. Director, Impulse Composer
39 minutes ago, AngelCityOutlaw said:
8 hours ago, Brandon Strader said:
Will the music that is monetized be licensed, and royalties given to the copyright owners. And will we be able to opt out of monetization with our collective works, including entire albums. Would any amount of response across OCR, Facebook, heck even theshizz, have any impact whatsoever in changing the outcome of this situation.
I'm going to bed. Will check this and hopefully countless more answers in the P.M.
No answers.....come on. This is important. I can guarantee you that whether my mixes stay on the site or projects continue hinges on the answer to the 2nd question. I refuse to let people who don't respect me profit from my work, illegally I might add.
In short, OCR management are going to do what they decide they need to in order for the site's continued existence and improvement within the bounds of the website's terms, regardless of the feelings, criticism, or different views on what is fair or unfair, morally right or wrong, etc. by the community.
If that were true, then as Dave said, we would have monetized all the videos and not asked for the community's opinion on the matter. Why the assumption of bad faith? What has anyone done to merit thinking the worst?
Brandon no doubt has me on ignore but someone can again tell him that the entirety of the site's library will not be licensed, nor will remixers be paid, with exceptions like MM25.
Sir_NutS
Judge, Spanish Translator
There will be no licensing or payment of royalties to anyone.
I don't have you ignored @zircon and up to now I have been impressed and respected your responses especially when I've gone all in, and while not legally licensing the music is problematic (I might have been able to overlook some of the other issues if this was done legally), the other questions right now are of much higher importance
Kenogu Labz
1 hour ago, Brandon Strader said:
No answers.....come on. This is important. I can guarantee you that whether my mixes stay on the site or projects continue hinges on the answer to the 2nd question. I refuse to let people who don't respect me profit from my work.
I wouldn't recommend trying to speak to legality without first examining fair use law.
3 hours ago, zircon said:
No bad faith here, I was just repeating what I thought OCR had decided. Namely that YouTube monetization is going to happen because it needs to happen in order to keep the site running and improving. I also observed that many people are for the decision, and many are against, but the decision to monetize seems to have not changed. Thus, why I observed: "regardless of the feelings, criticism, or different views on what is fair or unfair, morally right or wrong, etc. by the community." I was just making an observation, not a judgment. You guys do what you gotta do, regardless of what I feel. And more power to you.
But you seem to be implying that OCR may not go through with YouTube monetization, depending on community opinion?
57 minutes ago, Kenogu Labz said:
They're literally not licensing the music owned by copyright holders. If that's not illegal, I don't know what is. And they've said what OCR has done all along has been illegal according to them, so why nonchalantly stack more illegal offenses on top of that? Either way I'm not interested in any particular user's interpretation of the law. I've asked my questions and I've said what the result of the answers to those questions would be.
Being exploited and being dishonest with us, they're also trying to do that to the copyright holders, none of it is right.
I don't know if there will be any kind of opt-out for monetization of videos. It hasn't been discussed. Dave can speak to it more since it's ultimately his call.
Re: legality, again if you want to take a hardline stance, not only has OCR been "illegal" by making fan arrangements from day 1 (1999), but every arrangement you (Brandon) have made is also "illegal", meaning you infringed copyright as well, along with every other remixer on this site, on YouTube, and SoundCloud, ever, regardless of monetization, regardless of whether they were distributed free, downloadable, streaming,e tc., unless the works were explicitly licensed (and I can guarantee of all published fan arrangements on YouTube, less than 1% are licensed.) That interpretation of "illegal" is - imo - unproductive as a result.
A more productive conversation is ethical vs. unethical, and why people feel that way.
Most of us would probably agree that outright selling (charging money for) an unlicensed game arrangement and pocketing the money for yourself is unethical. People have been doing this for years on Bandcamp, btw.
Most of us would probably agree that making a fan arrangement and distributing it for free is probably not unethical. This is what OCR has been doing since 1999. It's also what the vast majority of fan artists do. They make fan works and give them away.
The spectrum in between that is what we're talking about. OCR has generated revenue from ads for a long time. Nobody seemed to think this was unethical, especially given that the money was (and still is) used to pay for operational costs, those being things like the dedicated server, software, mirrors / bandwidth, and promotion (such as OCR t-shirts, or promotional album giveaways.) So before even addressing YouTube specifically maybe it's a good idea to think about whether one thinks its ethical, or not, for OCR as an organization to distribute work for free but use tangential revenue (ads, patreon) to cover those operational expenses.
zykO, Platonist, pu_freak and 3 others reacted to this
18 minutes ago, Brandon Strader said:
(Speaking purely from memory and not having done any personal study on this, so I apologize if there is misinformation here.)
My understanding is as follows:
Licenses aren't necessarily required if you are not profiting from the derivative works. The companies must choose to prosecute for violations, and DjP already has a Fair Use defense lined up and ready if that ever does occur (although the legal fees may still cause problems on OCR's side). They can also choose to preclude direct legal action by threatening a C&D, thus hoping to resolve the issue without hauling things into court.
On YouTube, companies have a more direct form of action they can take to act on their copyright claim by simply leveraging DMCA to request the content by removed. YouTube then has its own system by which the content owner can make appeals, and have the video restored if proper proof of originality can be provided. YouTube's system is actually heavily balanced towards the companies of the original work, something that has caused a heavy ruckus in recent years, since even unrelated or clearly Fair Use videos can be repeatedly taken down with no consequence for those making the claims.
Either way, in cases like this, the company must feel that it has need to pursue litigation for violating that copyright. OCR has operated on this premise both on its own site and on YouTube. To those companies, I do not believe they would see a fundamental difference in placing ads before the video and in leveraging banner ads around the video. I don't see why this would lead to any greater legal threat to OCR than we previously had.
I would like to see the printed albums actually given for free, and not packaged together with a T-Shirt sale.. that always seemed to me like the wrong way to essentially sell the album. The big difference between ads on the site and ads in the music, is that the ads on the site are known to directly support the site and are activated upon visiting the site, they're fully part of the site. The ads on the music or on the page where the music is set to play when you click on the link and activate the music, is completely different in that it's directly involved in the music. Beyond that like I mentioned earlier, stacking something illegal on top of something else illegal isn't ideal -- we've gotten away with remixing due to good will from the publishers who have even supported what we've done, and I don't really endorse throwing their good will back in their face by trying to now make money off of the free fan arrangements, especially without the permission of the content creators or the publishers. There was an outrage when Nintendo started monetizing Let's Play videos from their fans, and that severely hurt Nintendo's reputation with the youtube community, and a lot of people. I don't see this as being much different if at all different from that, but the major difference being that OCR doesn't have a right to monetize the content and Nintendo did as the owner of the original material. People said it was unethical for their hard work making Let's Plays to be monetized by Nintendo like that. Let that sink in -- people just playing a video game and talking over it said it was unethical, for that work, to be monetized.
Trying to say I willingly cooperated in an illegal music ring isn't really going to make me feel better about adopting further questionable things. Maybe I'd be ok with this if the publishers were notified and gave their approval. Maybe I'd be ok with this if every artist was notified through email and were asked their opinion, before the monetization had taken place. Right now it looks like the decision is set in stone but I'll hold out hope for further details about what specifically is going to be monetized, whether we can opt out, etc from Dave. Or maybe it'll be dropped entirely.
While monetizing all 3k mixes might make a pretty penny, if you had just asked people to donate they might have been more open to that. We used to do support OCR month before the patreon, and it used to get decent money. Now much more than that is received every month through patreon. It's like having support OCR month all year. If you really wanted extra cash to squirrel away in case of a Y2K situation, I think the better approach would have been to ask people or promote the patreon / promote a donation day. The way this was approached was really bad.
3 minutes ago, Brandon Strader said:
On this point: Hooold on. Slow down. You have to take the time to understand the balancing act of copyright law with respect to derivative works before you start getting existential about your involvement.
Take, for example, Weird Al. He continues to make his parodies - which, I believe, fall under the same class of work as OCR's arrangements. On some occasions, the artists will let him know he is not permitted to use their work, and guess what? He moves on.
The key here is that copyright law requires the company itself to be responsible for choosing if and when it needs to defend that copyright. Unlike trademarks, they are not forced to act on derivative works to preserve that copyright. A whole industry of music parodies suspends on this balancing act. OCR does much the same, making sure we stay in favor (see Balance and Ruin!) and continue to positively represent the original works. We trust that these companies have no motivation to attempt litigation; if they do, then yeah, we'll have to worry, but so will the rest of the industry as well, most likely.
Platonist reacted to this
Platonist
If I have to pick a side, I agree with Chimpazilla, but generally I am in the same camp as DusK. I really don't care; Even if you were profitting from the ads I wouldn't mind, considering how much I have gained thanks to OCR.
Weird Al is protected by satire/parody laws and moves on out of respect to the original artist, not because he legally has to. Not at all the same
BONKERS
The idea that you are making money off of other people's work rubs me the wrong way in some aspect. I feel generally agnostic about it, but I do have some conflicts.
You might say it's to support the site, but isn't that, what that 2200$ a month Patreon is for? (Which I have zero qualms with)
It doesn't paint the right image tbh especially when as far as I have recall. Historically OCR has specifically been against the profit of unlicensed fan made arrangements.
Weird Al usually also asks permission to make his parodies, even though legally he doesn't have to.
If you are going to be making money directly off of the hard work of someone else who did it out of love. They deserve their cut don't you think? Or is that where you draw the moral line in the proverbial sand of Fair Use? That doing so would actually be *real* profit and not money simply going to a supposed "Non-profit" that you don't actually need to hit the costs to run the site? And that they should be happy to get any kind of exposure? That it makes you more morally ethical than those that also release unlicensed derivative works in a way that generates revenue for themselves as an artist?
So what is the whole point of this endeavor?
Remove ads from the site? Why not remove ads all together from both if you clearly don't need the money to run the site from any kind of ads thanks to Patreon? Or seemingly additional revenue for whatever purpose?
Ads on the site are understandably a necessary evil over the course of many years to keep the site running. But they were never intrusive nor a necessary barrier to have to bypass or wait to run out an allotted time period to gain access to content from this platform. And one can argue that Ads were never specifically targeted on a per song basis and that you weren't really monetizing the individual content you were distributing, but rather the site as a whole. Where as the opposite can be argued is true for Youtube can it not? On Youtube either a user has to wait to be able to skip the ad to listen to music, or block ads entirely, skippable or not. It's intrusive. (Not that I really listen to music on youtube much). And it's done on a song by song basis.
And on the basis of business, any money made beyond covering cost is considered profit is it not? Or is that legally different for an NPO?
I mean that sort of feels like an oxymoron. An Non-Profit Organization is obtaining revenue beyond operating costs.
Of course, I am a layman who is ignorant on the real working innards of business, let alone an NPO.
Attaining this status may actually be rather expensive for us, so when people ask what on earth we could possibly need a budget surplus for, this type of thing is a great example. It's also worth mentioning that while most of the cost is upfront, there is also a cost associated with MAINTAINING 501c3 status from year to year.
So it costs money to become an NPO and money to keep that status per year? How much? Would you not have had a fair amount of surplus already from ;again; Patreon beyond what was needed for keeping the site up?(That would build up more and more over time?)
I really don't mind things helping cover cost of running the site, but unless there is some transparency on the number of dollars beyond what you need for cost, in order to maintain NPO status. Then it's understandable that people might be skeptical with undisclosed numbers.
To that spectrum of things, what is the point of becoming an NPO? To spread the good will and cheer of Video Game Music? To make the active practice of what OCR does more ethically acceptable? I'm sure this has been covered before, but it seems applicable to this situation.
Again on YT videos, would a system where people can actively consent when they submit a song whether they are ok with their song being monetized. (IE: They say no, so you release their song on youtube without ads. With if they say yes) be unacceptable?
Brandon Strader reacted to this
Wina A. Kamlongera
This was kind of a depressing read (the fighting/bickering).
As to the topic itself - I think @Chimpazilla's suggestions make the most sense to me. I do see where @Neblix is coming from (and can see myself agreeing on most points he makes), but at the same time, my thoughts still all end up to: if a mix of mine can help the site in any little way, I'm for it.
(Maybe part of the negativity stems from a few bruised egos regarding seeing actual money being made from their music (that is not going their way).) The transparency aspect is one thing I have latched on mentally, but it's mostly because I found out about all this from @Brandon Strader's Facebook post (after, from what I have gleaned here - it running for two months?).
I'm not sure how I feel about it or if I can put the thoughts together coherently. But, I do appreciate @djpretzel taking the time to make his posts (and for the other points made by everyone). Maybe the nagging sensation on my end comes from how the policy language was wide enough to draw out things people never quite expected to happen?
Brandon Strader, Sagnewshreds and Platonist reacted to this
Why the monetization of projects needs to be addressed--
I don't have the time or effort to go back and ask every single person I've recruited whether they are cool with ocr monetizing the uploads. Of the 5 or so people I've asked so far on current projects, they've been strongly against it. Basically this would be a death sentence for the projects, so an answer about this needs to be given. If monetization of projects didn't happen then I could still see myself working on projects here but otherwise it probably wouldn't happen.
I have a question related to Bonkers' post.
If you become an NPO and you're making all this money from Patreon, Ad-Revenue etc. what happens to all the surplus (and there is surplus, right?) in say, 20 years and OCR closes down? Do we all really believe that this site is going to be around forever? Is DJP still going to be running it in his old age? What happens after he dies?
$2,269 per month via Patreon is an amount of money the average musician and even many people with full-time jobs would be envious of, but I doubt the site costs that much to keep it going.
NPO or not, there is going to be money, possibly quite a sizable sum left over after years and years of accumulation. What happens to that when OCR no longer exists? It must go somewhere.
I can imagine it being donated to charity, or maybe it can be divided between other at that time current vgm fora. I don't think it's necessary to think about that now, since there are more than enough fair options.
djpretzel reacted to this
Pikachu (+5000)
What happens to that when OCR no longer exists? It must go somewhere.
It'll all go into my presidential campaign super pac.
The Coop 2032! Make America WTF again!
HankTheSpankTankJankerson, SkyRiderX, Brandon Strader and 3 others reacted to this
HankTheSpankTankJankerson
Don't speak for the Pretz
Dont ask leading questions like your "suplus" question when we all know the money will be reinvested back in the OCR community.
"Worst case scenario" questions are counterproductive
How dare you. DjPretzel will live forever.
As a musician, I can say that this would noooot be enough, but if it was from Patreon *in addition* to gigs paying the bills, then yeah. And, I mean, ANY amount of money from Patreon is nice, it just can't be counted on to pay the bills. Also, Patreon exists for products, but a gigging, working musician is considered a member of the service industry, which pays more. MY FIGURING HERE is that the service industry (and i mean skilled work - not minimum wage) is about $1.25/minute, where on Patreon, tracks might be 99c a piece or something.
I got sidetracked there, sorry. All that being stated, I am going to go become a monthly patron of OCR now because I just realized I haven't been doing my part.
Edited August 14, 2016 by HankTheSpankTankJankerson
kitten walked on my keyboard
Platonist, timaeus222 and Sir_NutS reacted to this
The surplus goes into the organizations accounts to further the purposes of the organization. FIFA has a ~$1.5B reserve, for instance. This is not booked as profit, through some amount of financial wizardry.
I would expect the OCR organization would be run by someone other than DJP at some point. Corporations very often outlive their founders. Based on his time availability and stated interests, I don't doubt that succession of the organization could happen relatively soon. Leaving him a role more aligned to his interests; eg, site design/maintenance. That's really up to DJP though.
I'm not familiar with the process for closing NPOs, but I would assume funds remaining after legal fees would go to an NPO with a related mission. Based on my understanding of the current structure, all funds would go to DJP. I do not believe this would be the case after conversion to a 501c organization. The issue of tons of money left over seems odd though, as successful organizations don't typically just fold.
I don't have the time or effort to go back and ask every single person I've recruited whether they are cool with ocr monetizing the uploads.
Which "uploads"? What are you referring to, exactly? It's not clear... submissions from albums that are approved & posted have always been presented alongside banner ads... do those count as uploads? Or by "uploads" are you specifically talking about videos?
8 hours ago, BONKERS said:
Would they be opting out of web ads, too? We've historically never offered that option. Would it just be YouTube, or any streaming service? What if it's a collab, and two artists disagree? I don't think this would be a per-submission thing, but rather a per-artist - you contact us, you opt out, we flag your profile accordingly.... but the other questions would need to be answered as well.
Maybe I'd be ok with this if the publishers were notified and gave their approval.
Brandon, at this juncture I feel like you're either not reading anything @zircon writes, or not processing it, or trolling, or.... I don't know. Publishers would never give their carte blanche approval for anything & everything to do be done with their IP. That's not how lawyers think. If we asked most publishers whether fan art of ANY kind should exist, or rather CAN exist according to their official policy, the answer is going to be no. This is true regardless of whether we ran any ads at all, whether we sold any shirts, whether we were an individual or a collective, whether we are a 501c3 or not. You keep reiterating bizarre, outlandish points as if they made sense... "illegal music ring"? What, like a drug ring? Again, as @zircon has painstakingly laid out, YT ads are not fundamentally different from a legal perspective than web ads in terms of supporting the community. You seem to be consistently ignoring this point and/or avoiding engaging with it, and you keep beating the "illegal" drum when that particular drum hurts the ENTIRETY of fan art, from fan fiction, to fan arrangements, to fan illustrations, regardless of this specific topic pertaining to YT ads.
I'd like to think it'll be around forever, and 501c3 status is part of laying that foundation - it's decoupled from me, personally, so that if I get hit by a meteor or just die of natural causes or become too feeble to meaningfully contribute, it's NOT a sole proprietorship LLC whose legal & fiscal governance rest solely with me.
Here's a good link: http://info.legalzoom.com/money-dissolving-501c3-21769.html
"When a 501(c)(3) dissolves, the organization must settle all outstanding liabilities and distribute any leftover funds according to the provision set in its charter."
So 501c3 status will FORCE us to codify what happens if things needed to be shut down. Right now we've got no such policy, and even if we did, the accounts would still all be in my name, and it could be messy... 501c3 gives us a formal structure to build policies around that address this question and many others.
Kenogu Labz, Sagnewshreds and timaeus222 reacted to this
YoshiBlade
Candy Corn Director
Has OCR's YouTube channel ever had a video taken down from a copyright notice? I'm still gathering as much information as I can, so I can make an informed decision about all of this.
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Nicki Minaj Reveals Cardi B Hurt Her Feelings
by Michael Peter April 14, 2018 April 14, 2018 0
There have been comparisons between the self-proclaimed Queen of Rap, Nicki Minaj and her rival, Cardi B who were rumoured to be feuding last year after both featured on Migos hit song – MotorSport.
A part of Nicki’s verse on the MotorSport.
Nicki said in her rap:-
If Cardi B the QB/ I’m nick lombardi, “which many perceived to be a diss aimed at the current rap princess”.
Addressing the beef rumours in a new interview on Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio.
Nicki Minaj said:-
“When I first came in the game, if a female of [my] stature had done a feature with me on it, I would only be singing their praises and saying thank you,”
“The first interview [Cardi] did after motorsport came out, it just really hurt me because she looked so aggravated and angry. She just kept saying she didn’t hear it…. I was like, what?”
Minaj explained that a scheduling conflict that prevented her from shooting the video with Migos and Cardi B inflamed the rumors.
Minaj suggested the others didn’t do anything to back her up. “When it was time to clear the air about that, no one did that,” she said. “All of them allowed me to look like I lied.”
Cardi had said in her sit down with Capital XTRA in London last year that she never heard the full verse of Nicki’s until the song dropped.
Cardi said:-
“Well, when I heard the track, her verse wasn’t finished. Or it’s not the verse that’s [on there] right now. And Quavo [member of Migos] told me that to get on the song, and I just felt like it’s a perfect opportunity for me to be on a track that’s big like them.
“Cause those are two big people, and I just started in the game. And I just know if I get on this record, it’s gonna be crazy. Like who doesn’t want it?”
Nicki said in her Thursday interview that she is not beefing with Cardi, she just felt let down.
‘That really, really hurt me because I really fully supported [Cardi]. And up until this recent interview she did [with ebro darden for beats 1], I had never seen her show me genuine love in an interview.’
‘And I can only imagine how many girls wished they could’ve been on a song with Nicki Minaj. I’m not saying it in a cocky way… I’m saying it, like, the first thing out of your mouth when somebody asks you about a Nicki Minaj feaure is, “she changed her verse.” excuse me?’
Though Nicki was hurt, she has however shown support for Cardi B and wishes her well:
‘I do want to say shoutout to Cardi and all the new female rappers who’ve been doing their thing.’
‘With Cardi B, she’s done exactly what she should have done. She’s just gone full steam ahead. And, you know, congratulations to her.’
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Whatsapp Will No Longer Be Available On These Phones
September 21, 2018 Online Trading India 0 Comments
It has been a busy year for Facebook-owned messaging platform WhatsApp which added a number of new features for its users to improve their experience. The changes came alongside facing government heat for being unable to stop the spread of fake news. Now, if a report from The Mirror is to be believed, WhatsApp will no longer be available on select iPhones. The report says that WhatsApp won’t work on Apple iPhones that are running on iOS versions prior to iOS 7.1.2.
However, users who already have the app on their device don’t have to worry as it will continue to work until 2020. However, new users will not be able to install the app. Also, the new version of WhatsApp will also work only on devices running iOS 8 or later. This means that users with devices running iOS 7 or older will not be able to re-install this app in case they delete the app. “The move would also affect anyone who owns an iPhone 4S, 5, 5C or 5S if they’d never updated their phone to a later version of iOS,” the report reads.
WhatsApp has also updated its FAQ section detailing the latest changes for version support. On its new FAQ section for supported iPhone devices, the company says that “WhatsApp for iPhone requires iOS 8 or later.”
It adds that if users have WhatsApp active on devices running iOS 7.1.2, they will be able to use the app until February 1, 2020, however, they will not be able to create new accounts or reverify existing accounts. It reiterates that WhatsApp is not supported on iOS 6 and older versions.
Earlier this year, WhatsApp had announced in a blog post that Apple iOS 7 and older versions will support the app until February 1, 2020 and had recommended the users on the old operating system to upgrade to newer Android devices running iOS 8 or higher.
WhatsApp will also stop working on Android versions older than 2.3.3. On devices running Android versions 2.3.7 and older, the app will work until February 1, 2020. Apart from this, the platform will also pull support for Windows Phone 8.0 and older, iPhone 3GS/iOS 6 as well as Nokia Symbian S60.
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Sigvatr Þórðarson (Sigv)
11th century; volume 1; ed. Judith Jesch;
1. Víkingarvísur (Víkv) - 15
2. Nesjavísur (Nesv) - 15
3. Austrfararvísur (Austv) - 21
4. Óláfsdrápa (Óldr) - 1
5. Vestrfararvísur (Vestv) - 8
6. Poem about Erlingr Skjálgsson (Erl) - 1
7. Flokkr about Erlingr Skjálgsson (Erlfl) - 10
8. Tryggvaflokkr (Tryggfl) - 1
9. Poem about Queen Ástríðr (Ást) - 3
10. Knútsdrápa (Knútdr) - 11
11. Erfidrápa Óláfs helga (ErfÓl) - 28
12. Lausavísur (Lv) - 30
II. Bersǫglisvísur (Berv) - 18
Skj info: Sigvatr Þórðarson, Islandsk skjald, o. 995-o. 1045 (AI, 223-75, BI, 213-54).
1. Víkingarvísur
2. Nesjavísur
3. Austrfararvísur
4. En drape om kong Olaf
5. Vestrfararvísur
6. Et kvad om Erlingr Skjalgsson
7. Flokkr om Erlingr Skjalgsson
8. Tryggvaflokkr
9. Et digt om dronning Astrid
10. Knútsdrápa
11. Bersǫglisvísur
12. Erfidrápa Óláfs helga
13. Lausavísur
14. Et par halvvers af ubestemmelige digte
Sigvatr or Sighvatr Þórðarson (Sigv) is said (ÍF 27, 54) to have been the son of Þórðr Sigvaldaskáld ‘Poet of Sigvaldi’, an Icelander who served, in succession, Sigvaldi jarl Strút-Haraldsson, leader of the Jómsvíkingar, his brother Þorkell inn hávi ‘the Tall’, who campaigned in England, and Óláfr Haraldsson, later king of Norway (r. c. 1015-30) and saint. Þórðr is listed as one of Sigvaldi’s skalds in Skáldatal (SnE 1848-87, III, 259, 268), but none of his poetry survives. The family tradition of poetry can also be traced in Óttarr svarti ‘the Black’, said to have been Sigvatr’s sister’s son (ÍF 27, 144; ÓH 1941, I, 203). Sigvatr was brought up by a certain Þorkell, at Apavatn in south-west Iceland. When nearly fully grown he sailed to what is now Trondheim, where he met up with his father and joined King Óláfr’s retinue. According to Snorri (ÍF 27, 54-6; ÓH 1941, I, 81-3), Sigvatr recited Lv 2-3 at this time, and he interceded with the king on behalf of Icelandic merchants forced to pay a heavy tax in Norway (cf. Sigv Lv 4). It is also likely that this is when Þórðr provided Sigvatr with the material for Víkv (see Introduction to Sigv Víkv), which may be the poem referred to in the prose introduction to Sigv Lv 2 (Fidjestøl 1982, 118). There is no evidence that Sigvatr ever returned to Iceland, and according to the anecdote in which Sigv Lv 11 is preserved, he died on the island of Selja in north-western Norway and was buried at Kristskirkja (Kristkirken) in Trondheim. His poetry records his various journeys to Sweden, England and the Continent, as well as incidents in Norway. We know nothing of Sigvatr’s private life, except that he had a daughter called Tófa, who had King Óláfr himself as her godfather (Sigv Lv 19).
Sigvatr’s surviving poetic oeuvre is both large and remarkably diverse, encompassing different kinds of encomia not only on King Óláfr (Sigv Víkv, Sigv Nesv, Sigv Óldr, Sigv ErfÓl), but also on King Knútr of Denmark (Sigv Knútdr) and the Norwegian nobleman Erlingr Skjálgsson (Sigv Erl, Sigv Erlfl). Sigvatr was godfather to King Magnús inn góði ‘the Good’ Óláfsson and composed some avuncular words of advice to the boy-king (Sigv BervII). All of these patrons are recognised in Skáldatal (SnE 1848-87, III, 252-4, 258, 260-2, 269), where Sigvatr is also credited with having composed for the Swedish king Ǫnundr Óláfsson (although no such poetry survives, cf. Sigv Knútdr 4/6) and the Norwegian chieftain Ívarr inn hvíti ‘the White’ (cf. Context to Sigv Lv 8). Sigvatr also composed a poem on the Norwegian pretender Tryggvi Óláfsson (Sigv Tryggfl) and is unique in having composed in dróttkvætt in praise of a woman, Óláfr Haraldsson’s widow Ástríðr Óláfsdóttir (Sigv Ást). Several of Sigvatr’s poems are more or less loosely connected sequences of stanzas rather than more formal compositions, and encompass both travelogue (Sigv Austv) and political commentary (Sigv Vestv, Sigv BervII). The latter genre is also well represented in his lausavísur, which also include some remarkably personal stanzas expressing his grief at the death of King Óláfr (Sigv Lv 22-4). Sigvatr’s status as a hǫfuðskáld ‘chief skald’ was recognised in the twelfth century (cf. Esk Geisl 12/8VII). His versatility as a poet has clearly inspired a number of anecdotes focusing on the composition of poetry, mostly of doubtful authenticity (cf. Contexts to Sigv Lv 1, 8, 11, 27; also Introduction to Ótt Hfl). Apart from two fragments preserved in SnE (Sigv Frag 1-2III), Sigvatr’s poetry is transmitted in a wide range of texts within the tradition of the kings’ sagas and is therefore edited in this volume or (in the case of the late Sigv Berv) in SkP II. For general studies of Sigvatr’s life and works, see Paasche (1917), Hollander (1940) and Petersen (1946).
Erfidrápa Óláfs helga (‘Memorial drápa for Óláfr inn helgi (S. Óláfr)’) — Sigv ErfÓlI
Judith Jesch 2012, ‘(Introduction to) Sigvatr Þórðarson, Erfidrápa Óláfs helga’ in Diana Whaley (ed.), Poetry from the Kings’ Sagas 1: From Mythical Times to c. 1035. Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 1. Turnhout: Brepols, p. 663.
Skj: Sigvatr Þórðarson: 12. Erfidrápa Óláfs helga, o. 1040 (AI, 257-65, BI, 239-45)
27 — Sigv ErfÓl 27I
references to this stanza:
date: 982 ∙ is a property of ∙ Sigv ErfÓl 27 ()
person: Óláfr ∙ is the subject/patron of ∙ Sigv ErfÓl 27 (13754)
date: 1040 ∙ is the date of ∙ Sigv ErfÓl 27 ()
Skald = Kock, Ernst Albin ed. 194… ∙ is referred to in ∙ Sigv ErfÓl 27 (SkP 1)
NN = Kock, Ernst Albin. 1923-44. … ∙ is referred to in ∙ Sigv ErfÓl 27 (SkP 1)
Flat 1860-8 = Gudbrand Vig… ∙ is referred to in ∙ Sigv ErfÓl 27 (SkP 1)
ÓH 1941 = Johnsen, Oscar A… ∙ is referred to in ∙ Sigv ErfÓl 27 (SkP 1)
Jón Skaptason. 1983. Material for an Edi… ∙ is referred to in ∙ Sigv ErfÓl 27 (SkP 1)
Sigv ErfÓl 27 ∙ is referred to in ∙ Brúlf Lv 1, n. All (SkP 1)
Sigv ErfÓl 27 ∙ is referred to in ∙ Bersi, Lv (SkP 1)
Sigv ErfÓl 27 ∙ is referred to in ∙ 5. Place Names (SkP 1)
Sigv ErfÓl 27 ∙ is referred to in ∙ 9. Óláfr II inn helgi Haraldsson (r. c. 1015-1030) (SkP 1)
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SCOPE OF WORK’S VISION IS TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE CREATIVE ECOSYSTEM.
All media courtesy of Scope Of Work
CHANGE STARTS AT HOME
Built into the OBRA business plan is a commitment to redistribute a share of OBRA revenues to non-profit organizations focused on arts, education and/or civil liberties within local underserved youth communities.
Following 2018's initiative with Red Hook Labs, in 2019, OBRA will donate $10.00 to Scope Of Work for each pair of shoe sold on our website. Follow @sow.nyc
Scope Of Work is a talent development agency for underrepresented young people that aims to establish equity in the creative industry.
Founded in 2016 by Geneva White and Eda Levenson, two career artists and educators of color with over a decade-long career in youth development and arts-education sector. SOW’s vision is to build a more inclusive creative ecosystem. SOW specifically supports young creatives of color, ages 17-24 years old, hailing from all five boroughs of NYC
FOR EACH PAIR OF SNEAKERS SOLD ON OOBBRRAA.COM, OBRA DONATES $10.00 TO A LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON ARTS, EDUCATION AND/OR CIVIL LIBERTIES WITHIN LOCAL YOUTH COMMUNITIES.
Scope Of Work is a talent development agency for underrepresented young people that aims to establish equity in the creative industry. Founded in 2016 by Geneva White and Eda Levenson, two career artists and educators of color with over a decade-long career in youth development and arts-education sector. SOW’s vision is to build a more inclusive creative ecosystem. SOW specifically supports young creatives of color, ages 17-24 years old, hailing from all five boroughs of NYC
Scope Of Work’s ecosystem was designed to realize equity and reflective representation for those who hold the keys to the future of one of NYC’s fastest-growing sectors: young creatives of color. SOW’s strategies provide broader value to the creative industry at large by providing opportunities for meaningful investment in the next generation of diverse talent.
In 2018, SOW:
- Built a community of over 200 young creatives of color to their talent roster
- Hosted monthly industry-lead skill-building programming
- Published a 40 page research report on best practices for positive early workplace experiences for young people of color in the creative sector
- Placed 23 young creatives of color in freelance, part-time and full-time positions
SOW’s Ecosystem
SOW’s ecosystem is a conduit and a blueprint for the creative industry to nurture and invest in the next creative class. The strategy is built on 3 pillars:
- Talent Development
- Talent Pipeline
- Talent Agency
Talent Development: Curriculum-based programming and curated studio experiences with established artists and creative professionals prepare young creatives of color to launch their creative careers.
Talent Pipeline: SOW’s Fellowship program reinvents the internship model by making it mutually beneficial. SOW simultaneously supports the fellow to navigate their first early workplace experiences while sharing best practices for fostering and retain young creatives of color with its creative partners.
Talent Agency: SOW recruits top undiscovered young creative talent with fresh, new perspectives for companies, brands, studios, and institutions for freelance, project-based, part-time, and full-time opportunities.
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Paid SocialPaid Search
Government Targets Ad Tech Firms with Digital Services Ad Tax
In his budget plans, chancellor Philip Hammond unveiled his intention of introducing a digital service tax, causing a stir in the industry.
Joele Forrester30 Oct 2018
Performance Marketing Technology
UK chancellor Philip Hammond revealed his budget plans for the year ahead, including the introduction of a digital services ad tax. The new ‘digital ad tax’ will come in to force in April 2020 and the levy will be charged at a rate of 2% and only apply against revenue from search engines, social media platforms, and online marketplaces, affecting tech giants such as Facebook, Amazon, and Google.
Hammond predicts it is expected to generate more than £400 million a year and the UK would introduce the tax on online firms that are profitable and make more than £500 million per year in global revenue.
“The rules of the game must evolve now if they are to keep up with the digital economy,” Hammond said in Parliament. He continued to state that “this is not an online sales tax on goods ordered over the internet.”
At the moment, companies pay tax only on UK profits. According to research carried out by the campaign group Tax Watch, five of the biggest tech firms (Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Cisco) strip the exchequer of £1 billion a year. Companies have been accused of falsely reporting or reducing profits in order to pay less tax.
However, the industry warns that digital tax services could discourage tech investment. The IAB stated that the tax could well a pose “disincentive for competitors to set up and grow in the UK” and “may also impact on mid-market players who drive competition and provide choice.”
The digital economy
The move comes at a time of economic uncertainty for the UK digital climate, although the likes of the AA welcomed the budget plans, stating that tax changes should not weaken the UK’s global competitiveness and it is only right that these global giants pay their fair share.
In his budget plans, Hammond also stated that some of the co-funding has been set aside to create a ‘Future High Streets Fund’ to support councils in planning the future of their high streets. Although a step forward for high street retailers, this move alone will not save the high street as retailers need to start investing in technologies to keep up with consumer’s ever-changing habits.
Is this the right approach at the right time? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below and tweet us at @PerformanceIN.
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2013 ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium
2013 ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium - Monday
San Francisco, CA - 2013 Breast Cancer Symposium: Dr Monica Morrow and Dr. George Sledge recieve their awards for their Keynote addresses at the ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium here today, Monday September 9, 2013. The Symposium is supported by ASCO, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, ASTRO, the Society of Surgical Oncology and SUO, the American Society of Breast Disease, The American Society of Breast Surgeons and the National Consortium of Breast Centers. Over 1,000 physicians, researchers and allied healthcare professionals are attending the meeting which is being held at the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco and features the latest Breast Cancer research in the areas of basic and clinical science. Date: Monday September 9, 2013. Photo by © ASCO/Todd Buchanan 2013 Technical Questions: todd@medmeetingimages.com; Phone: 612-226-5154.
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A development team is proposing a $30 million boutique hotel at 122 State St., the six-story building at center, and the property to its right. The team, Provenance Hotels and Ascendant Real Estate, would likely demolish the structures for new construction.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
The rear of the property for a proposed hotel would face North Carroll and West Dayton streets. The redevelopment could remove a pedestrian bridge connecting the existing structure to be demolished with a parking garage across the street.
JASON KLEIN jklein@madison.com, 608-252-6109
Developers proposing $30 million boutique hotel on 100 block of State Street
DEAN MOSIMAN dmosiman@madison.com
Dean Mosiman | Wisconsin State Journal
Madison’s Downtown hotel boom is coming to State Street.
A development team is proposing to demolish a six-story, largely vacant building at 122 State St. and a two-story bar next door for a $30 million-plus, 120-room boutique hotel that would stand four stories tall on State Street and rise higher at the rear of the parcel that faces Carroll and Dayton streets.
The project would be a partnership between Provenance Hotels of Portland, Oregon, which specializes in creating unique spaces — often in historic buildings — that draw upon local ambiance for art and dining, Ascendant Holdings Real Estate of Madison and Milwaukee, and Central Properties of Madison.
Provenance — which runs independent hotels in Portland, Oregon, Seattle and neighboring Tacoma, Washington, as well as Nashville, Tennessee, and New Orleans — chose Madison for its creative vibe and, like other cities where it operates, intends to spend time to understand the community before making choices on design, art, furnishings, and a bar and restaurant, company president Bashar Wali said.
“What we will do will be one of a kind,” Wali said. “There will be no other.”
The development team owns the building at 122 State St., which was built as the city’s original YWCA in 1917 but has undergone multiple remodeling projects over the decades.
The ground floor currently holds The Fountain bar and restaurant and the upper floors are mostly vacant office space. Harold Langhammer, who runs Central Properties, has owned the building for decades.
The team has an option to buy the adjacent building at 118 State St., which has hosted restaurants and is currently a spot for drinks and events called Winedown.
The proposed redevelopment would cover the footprint of both buildings, team members said.
“It’s a great piece of real estate at a great location,” said Eric Nordeen, a principal at Ascendant Holdings.
Ascendant Holdings and Central Properties explored the feasibility of reusing the properties, but much of the original exterior of the old YWCA was removed for a new facade in 1971 and the interior of the building has no historic architecture that can be preserved, Nordeen and Prescott said.
“It was a pretty cool, interesting building” when first constructed, but it has lost its identity inside and out, Prescott said.
A new structure would be contemporary yet timeless, and be “something appropriate to the street,” Wali said. “We are not going to try and fake other things.”
The fate of a pedestrian bridge connecting the YWCA building and a parking garage is uncertain, but there is a strong chance it will be removed.
The hotel would not provide new on-site parking spaces, but is in initial discussions with the city about leasing spaces in the garage on West Dayton Street.
City Council President Mike Verveer, 4th District, who represents the area, said, “At first glance, I’m extremely supportive of the concept of a hotel there. It’s a great land use at that location. Height and parking are the main concerns related to the project.”
Many people would welcome the removal of the pedestrian bridge and opening the view to Overture Center, Verveer said.
The Downtown Core Zoning District allows a variety of uses, with a maximum height of four stories on State Street, and following a 30-foot setback after the fourth story, six stories on the rest of the site.
Provenance is likely to seek some relief from height limits on the site so it can build the number of rooms needed to make the project economically viable, spokeswoman Kate Buska said.
The building, Wali said, would have a pedestrian entrance on State Street and a vehicle entrance on North Carroll Street.
“You have two front doors, one for people and one for cars,” he said, stressing that both will be attractive, clean and well-lit. “It allows vibrancy on both streets.”
But more important is the interior, Wali said, which will have a marquee restaurant, meeting space and a rooftop lounge. It will complement the nearby Overture Center and Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, he said.
“It’s about creating an interesting experience,” he said. “How do we get that experience? We look at the DNA of every community we go into.”
The cocktail bar and roughly 70- to 100-seat restaurant could be an opportunity for a top Madison-area chef to run his or her own operation or for a local restaurateur to open a new establishment, Buska said.
“It won’t be snooty,” Wali said. “It will be approachable but it will be high-quality.”
Samantha Negrin, vice president of Capitol Neighborhoods Inc., had a positive first-blush reaction and agreed with Verveer that residents will have questions about height and parking.
“This is definitely an exciting addition to Downtown,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the neighborhood meeting and seeing more details of the project.”
The project would neatly follow W. Jerome Frautschi’s recent $11.6 million redevelopment that brought new storefronts, restaurant and office space through a mix of new construction and historic preservation on the other side of the 100 block of State Street, said Susan Schmitz, president of Downtown Madison Inc.
“To have a small, local boutique hotel on the 100 block of State Street is absolutely perfect,” Schmitz said. “It think it’s a great fit.”
The hotel would need an advisory recommendation from the Landmarks Commission because it’s next to a landmark building at 114 State St.
It would also need approvals from the Plan and Urban Design commissions, and perhaps the City Council, depending on final plans that are submitted. The team hopes to open the hotel in 2018.
“It’s about creating an interesting experience. How do we get that experience? We look at the DNA of every community we go into.” Bashar Wali, president of Provenance Hotels of Portland, Oregon, one of the partners in the State Street proposal
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Owner, developer plan remaking of Essen Haus block
The project would rehouse the iconic restaurant and its Come Back Inn, preserve Hotel Ruby Marie and and likely add a hotel, housing and commercial space.
City Council gives final approval to $170 million Judge Doyle Square project
Judge Doyle Square is one step closer to breaking ground.
Developer revives proposal for large hotel near Capitol Square
The North Central Group revises proposal for 10-story, 164-room hotel on Pahl Tire site at East Washington Avenue and North Webster Street.
Developer faces opposition to South Park Street project, might not pursue plan
A proposed four-story development on South Park Street is facing opposition from residents worried about its impact on the largely residential area, prompting the developer to reconsider pursuing the plan.
HotelRED proposes adding 4 floors to its Monroe Street property
State Street hotel developers show proposal details, residents share concerns
HotelRED's 4-story expansion proposal rejected by Madison Plan Commission
Edgewater seeks delay on entertainment license application
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Dean Mosiman covers Madison city government for the Wisconsin State Journal.
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Miracle of the Marne | 6 Sep 2014
Posted on 6th September 2014 by makersley — No Comments ↓
These are the days that will determine the future course of the war. Not for nothing is the popular title “Miracle of the Marne” applied. The ongoing actions at the Ourcq and the Two Morins are joined by three eastern actions, both large enough to be battles in their own right. The Battle of the Marshes of Saint-Gond, the Battle of Revigny, and the Battle of Vitry.
Miracle of the Marne
There is precious little glory to be had on the Western Front of the Great War. The origins of the war itself are usually described as “dubious” at best. The vast majority of the battles, and the day-to-day existence of a soldier, consist in the popular imagination of the following things. Hiding in trenches. Getting eaten by lice. Blown up by shells. Shot at by snipers while using the latrine. Gassed. Ordered over the top to assault impossible positions. Being patronised by callous, wine-swilling generals. All of it while wading through three feet of water (if you were lucky) or three feet of mud (if you weren’t). And not to mention some romantic subaltern’s fumbling attempts to deal with the horrors by writing poetry. None of this is glorious, or stirring, or makes a particularly exciting story. A lot of it is a very accurate picture, to some degree or another.
And then there’s the Battle of the Marne. It has everything the rest of the war doesn’t. Its entire existence is a last-ditch reversal of fortune, a final throw of the dice against a seemingly unstoppable enemy. It’s the French poilus with their backs to the wall, having been so heavily defeated in the early going, making their last bid to defend their homeland against an invading force. The battered BEF pulling itself off the canvas to once again play a small-but-crucial role in support of its ally. The weather is bright and dry. It’s a naturally great story, a Hollywood ending to the tale of the German advance into France, a battle fought mostly in open country without time to dig more than the most rudimentary defences. Leaders of armies exchange emotionally charged sentiments as battle is joined There’s even a moment when it seems all is lost, before the good guys are saved by the most unlikely of reinforcements. If there is any kind of glory or honour to be won in this war, it happens on the Marne in September 1914.
The Miracle of the Marne begins in earnest today. The German 1st Army completes its redeployment at the Ourcq, and can now meet the French 6th Army in force. The 5th Army and the BEF are heading for the gap in the German line at the Grand Morin as quickly as they can march. Further east, the French 4th, 3rd and 9th Armies all advance and give battle. By the end of the day, fighting rages not just on the Marne, but from the Ourcq to Nancy without interruption.
The 6th Army is fighting as hard as it can on the line of the Ourcq (you try spelling it over and over, it’s a pain in the arse). Its commanders are painfully aware that they have to stay engaged long enough for their comrades to exploit von Kluck’s temporary lowering of his lederhosen. The battle is fierce, and they’re losing men fast. They need reinforcements from somewhere to keep up the pressure. The only “where” available is the Paris defensive garrison under General Gallieni. He’s more than willing to commit his men, but they’re nearly two full days’ march away. By then, von Kluck could be secure enough to pull his pants back up. The railways are full to bursting, and there are still men who could go forward, but for want of transport.
Grand Couronne
The French launch a heavy counter-attack at the Grand Couronne itself (the heights to either side of Nancy) and succeed in temporarily removing the Germans from them. Over at Verdun, it’s the Germans who are attacking towards the vital town of St Mihiel. It also sits in the middle of high ground, and from the heights an army is in the perfect position to see Verdun, and strike out to cut the fortresss off. Ancilliary fighting continues all the way along this sector of the front. The line is in serious danger of being broken.
Drina
Also today, in Serbia, the Battle of Drina opens. Someone did a nice blog post about the Austro-Hungarians getting hilariously and unceremoniously turfed out of Serbia at the Battle of Cer in mid-August. They open the Battle of Drina today; but the Serbs put up stiff resistance and. Although they must fall back in places, they extract a heavy price from the Austrians.
(Incidentally, although “Drina” is a river, for some reason the battle is usually known as “Battle of Drina”, rather than “Battle of the Drina. Don’t ask me why.)
In Galicia, the Austrians make a last-ditch attempt at an encirclement of Russian forces, which fails miserably, and they’re soon advancing hastily to the rear, seeking the shelter of the Carpathians.
Actions in Progress
Battle of Galicia
Battle of Grand Couronne
Battle of the Marne
Battle of Drina
On Tumblr, Today in World War I looks at the Austrians’ last stand in Galicia.
This entry was posted in Eastern Front, Western Front and tagged Carpathians, Drina, Galicia, Gallieni, Grand Couronne, Manoury, Marne, Nancy, Ourcq, poetry, Rawa, Serbia, Verdun, von Kluck by makersley. Bookmark the permalink.
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Archive for the ‘racism’ Category
Apartheid, BN, challenge, child marriage, criminalisation of non-Muslim entertainments, crony suppliers, election commission, gay, hegelian dialectic, Islamists, Karpal, Kayveas, Malaysia's Political Gorean Club, mandate, Martin Jalleh, maudlin sentimentality, media inaction, Musa Hassan, names, neutrality, NLP, Pandikar, police coup, police neutrality, politicians the real enemy, polygamy, reverse reverse psychology, supplier collusion
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MAN UP TO YOUR POST & FACE ME IN THE RING – Anwar tells Najib – by Anwar Ibrahim – Tuesday, 04 December 2012 17:17
As the 13th General Elections draws near, UMNO has been showing signs of being increasingly insecure and uncertain about its future hold on power.
Being unable to counter our ideas and policies in a constructive way, it has instead launched a relentless campaign of hate and fear mongering. With the mainstream media at its complete disposal, UMNO is using every trick in the book to sow racial discord and instil fear among the people of the consequences that will befall them when Pakatan Rakyat comes to power.
Lies and May 13 scare-mongering
The just-concluded UMNO General Assembly provided yet another pretext to go on overdrive in this offensive of lies and intimidation led by Prime Minister and UMNO President Dato’ Seri Najib Razak. We condemn his reckless statement that Malaysia will lose its sovereignty in three years after Pakatan Rakyat takes over. The idea is sow the seeds of distrust among the people that Pakatan Rakyat leaders are traitors who will pawn the nation’s sovereignty for political power. Citing no facts nor providing any evidence, Najib’s scurrilous suggestion is therefore totally unfounded and can only be made by someone who has neither respect for the truth nor any sense of moral rectitude.
As a prelude to this loss of power scenario, delegates were also falling over each other in raising the spectre of a repeat of May 13th riots if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power. We understand that Wanita chief Dato’ Seri Shahrizat Jalil is trying to revive her political career having been forced to resign as minister by the multimillion ringgit NFC scandal. But to resort to such low hand tactics is inexcusable. To bring back the ghost of May 13th is to attempt to sow animosity among the races particularly between the Malays and the non-Malays and to spread fear among the people of violence and bloodshed if UMNO loses power. This is not only reckless but highly seditious and therefore criminal.
REAL THREAT
It is clear that Pakatan Rakyat has emerged as a real threat to the UMNO-Barisan Nasional hegemony and this has caused guns for hire to make blatant allegations about our leaders acting as proxies for foreign powers with me being singled out as proxy apparently for both the United States and China at the same time! While we may laugh away this non-sensical allegation, the fact is that with the nation-wide print and electronic media completely under its control, UMNO is spreading this lie with the intensity and ferocity that would make Goebbels proud. Employing the method of spreading ‘the big lie’ by constant repetition, the media attempts to paint a scenario of the country facing financial doom and under the control of foreign powers if Pakatan Rakyat takes over.
The UMNO media is also stoking the fire of communal and religious discord publishing the inflammatory racist statements of delegates. The fear mongering in this regard centres on making Muslims feel that Islam will be undermined if Pakatan Rakyat comes to power. According to UMNO, only they are the champions of Islam, not KEADILAN or even PAS. Thus, they spread the lie that apostasy cases will increase and that Malaysia may be turned into a Christian state if UMNO loses power.
Low caliber personal attacks
Najib’s keynote address in the UMNO General Assembly was full of vitriolic against Pakatan Rakyat and personal attacks against its leaders, me in particular in language totally un-befitting a statesman. Should the rakyat continue to bear with leadership of such caliber? What is the policy of the Umno president going forward for the nation? Where are the blue prints for the economy and social justice, for health care, housing and education? Najib must stop this campaign of lies and intimidation.
If he has valid issues with Pakatan Rakyat, then he should accept my invitation for a debate so that all Malaysians will be given the opportunity to see for themselves who is lying and who is telling the truth. Stop hiding behind the protective wall of your propaganda machinery and taking potshots at Pakatan Rakyat and me.
Man up to your position as Prime Minister and face me in the ring!
Anwar Ibrahim is the Leader of the Malaysian Opposition & PKR MP for Permatang Pauh
Najib just needs to grant the below 3 items :
;to make the opposition disappear. If the opposition makes clear on the above as well though, Najib indeed will have a tough time and who knows be on that slippery Scorpene and Altantuya slope to political and social oblivion . . . as for Anwar, the Rakyat should know that ccording to some sources, only 8% of PKR members vioted for the current PKR Committee. This means that 92% of the PKR members which might not even want some people in the committee (the whole of Anwar’s family is in the committee btw – NEPOTISM) either were not given time to select the committee or were intentionally left out or worse still, did not care at all. On PKR’s part, no attempt was made to ensure that the members voted, possibly because if 92% of those left out voted, Anwar, family blocs and Anwar cliques in PKR might not even make it to the PKR committee which uses the undemocratic practice of CHOOSING who gets to run in what constituency. If no honest attempt is made to revote at at least 66.6% quorum, PKR might as well be deregistered as a political party or the ROS could penalise PKR for having a committee which was not voted at a 66.6% quorum as per democratic principles recognized worldwide. PKR is a very slipshod run political party. Man up and face in the ring? Tak a look at that 8% quorum backyard first . . . what are the 92% saying?
Child marriages: Rethinking the issue — Art Harun – December 04, 2012
DEC 4 — Child marriage has somewhat become something of a phenomenon in Malaysia.
In a New Straits Times report dated June 13, 2010 (republished by asiaonenews), the following was published:
“….according to the 2000 Census, there were 11,400 children below 15 years of age who were married — 6,800 girls and 4,600 boys. Of the 6,800 girls, only 2,450 were Malay. This means that the syariah court gave its consent to each of these 2,450 underage girls to get married.
“The remainder of 4,350 girls were non-Malays comprising 1,550 other Bumiputeras, 1,600 Chinese, 600 Indians, and 600 others. It is not known whether they had got their licence from the relevant minister, but even if they did, it would have been illegal, since there are no legal provisions for a non-Muslim under 16 years to get married.”
The report added:
“Last year,(2009) 479 children under 15 years, two of them boys, were getting ready to tie the knot. And 32 of them were below 10 years. None of them were found to be HIV-positive.
“This is based on Health Ministry statistics of premarital HIV screening for Muslims, a compulsory requirement for those wanting to get married.
“However, it is not certain if any of these applications for marriage were approved by the state religious department.”
The legal age for marriage for non-Muslims in Malaysia is 18 years old. For Muslims, however, the legal age is 16 years old. However, in the case of Muslims in Malaysia, the syariah courts are empowered to allow marriages of children who are under 16 years of age.
There are alarming and disconcerting reports about child marriages in Malaysia. In early 2010, there were reports of two marriages involving 10- and 11-year-old girls married off to men in their 40s in Kelantan. The 11-year-old was later found in a state of shock. The syariah courts later ruled the marriages illegal. The ground for illegality however was not based on whether there was adequate consent from the children or on their respective age but was rather based on procedural non-compliance.
Child marriages, particularly among Muslims in Malaysia, although not a societal norm, are however a socially acceptable practice among a section of the society. Mass weddings involving children are, for instance, carried out. The state lends its approval and sanction either by publicising such weddings on the front page of its mainstream newspapers or by its leaders attending such weddings. In December 2010, for instance, a 14-year-old girl participated in such wedding by marrying a 23-year-old teacher. This was widely reported.
Recently, the syariah court granted permission to a father to marry off his 12-year-old daughter to a 19-year-old boy. In the application for permission, it was cited that the girl had run away to stay with her boyfriend and refused to come home. Marriage was, apparently, the only solution to solve the problem and to protect the family’s honour and reputation.
If only life was that simple.
Let’s consider what the laws of this country say about children under 18 or 16. They can’t enter into a binding contract save for those which affect their necessities. They can’t even buy tobacco products and alcohol. They can’t have a driving licence. They can’t watch movies of certain types without an adult accompanying them. They cannot be contractually employed. They surely can’t vote in a general election. They also cannot enter clubs. Generally, a boy or man can’t have sexual relationship with any girl of 16 or less even with her consent. That would be statutory rape.
Why is that? That is because the law assumes that a girl or any person, regardless of gender, of less than 18 year old (or 16 in the case of statutory rape) is not able to give free consent. For the uninitiated, free consent is a necessary element in a contract or in sexual acts in order to determine whether the acts constitute rape or otherwise.
Regardless of the above, strangely, sexual acts involving girls of 16 or less will be all right and completely legal if she is legally married! The law is indeed an ass!
If children under 18, or as the case may be 16 years of age, are presumed by law not to be able to give free consent to enter into a contract or to have sexual relationship — or to exercise proper judgment whether or not to buy tobacco products or alcohol — on what premise does the state legalise such sexual acts through a state-sanctioned marriage?
What is most unsatisfactory about the marriage of the 12-year-old is the blatant transfer and absolution of parental responsibilities by the parents and the courts to the 19-year-old groom as well as the 12-year-old bride. Reading the case, the first question which crept up in every reasonable person would be, “how can a 12-year-old girl have a boyfriend?” And “how can a 12-year-old run from home to be with her 19-year-old boyfriend?” Then, we would ask “what will happen to the 12-year-old after her marriage?” “How is she going to cope with all the responsibilities that come with a marriage?” “Can she be a good mother?” “Can the 19-year-old support his family?”
On July 19, 2012, Malaysia ratified the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child with the following reservations:
“The Government of Malaysia accepts the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child but expresses reservations with respect to articles 2, 7, 14, 28 paragraph 1 (a) and 37, of the Convention and declares that the said provisions shall be applicable only if they are in conformity with the Constitution, national laws and national policies of the Government of Malaysia.”
The Convention defines a child as “every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.”
Article 18 provides:
“States Parties shall use their best efforts to ensure recognition of the principle that both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child. Parents or, as the case may be, legal guardians, have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child. The best interests of the child will be their basic concern.”
“States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.”
In view of the aforesaid provisions, which we as a nation have chosen to accept without reservation, it is thus with a degree of perplexity that child marriages, even involving girls as young as 12, are taking place without nary a thought on the welfare of the child and the responsibilities of her parents.
In “Secular on Non-secular — what history tells us”, I have reproduced a section of the Reid Commission report with a sentence unintentionally omitted. I wish to take responsibility and apologise for that omission. The particular section should read as follows (with the omitted part in bold):
“We have considered the question whether there should be any statement in the Constitution to the effect that Islam should be the State religion. There was universal agreement that if any such provision were inserted it must be made clear that it would not in any way affect the civil rights of non-Muslims. In the memorandum submitted by the Alliance it was stated — ‘the religion of Malaysia shall be Islam. The observance of this principle shall not impose any disability on non-Muslim nationals professing and practising their own religion and shall not imply that the State is not a secular State’.” — art-harun.blogspot.com
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
Law is artificial and is not higher than the law governing 2 individuals in what they decide with each other. Sama suka sama (this is Malay for consensual and mutual) is more important than all of the above and can overrule the mere word of law being as aspect of law via spirit of law. A mob of hantu in British smocks (i.e. judges – being rhetorical here) have no right to pressure the young lovers who’s young tender minds doubtless will be impacted by the sheer pathos of society and the false ethos of Syariah or Civil court over emotions between 2 people. The statuary rape concept is nonsense so long as there was genuine love between any persons in any cases. And this is the law of ‘god’ or ‘nature’.
Much like sexuality, attraction is natural or god given, and a whole mob of adults in society should never have any say. As for finance etc.. the state can easily handle that instead of enriching politicians and cronies. The funds should go to allowing these very young couples to set up home etc.. As in normal adult cases, sometimes there will also be divorces, but divorce or even break ups is a mechanism of the environment and people around them influencing them. Without any external influence whatsoever, normal marriage ages should drop drastically which looks like that is what nature intended.
The issue is to ensure the instance education begins for a child that relationships especially life relationships like marriage are taught to them and even citing good yet very clear negative and positive examples of marriage and what entails so that a few months after your child can read and write they will know all the basics but yet also not be influenced. That is why we have PUBLIC EDUCATION, to ensure the insanity of the parent’s marital lives or society’s sexual taboos do not colour the children’s ability to be independent.
The use of the law as above is vicious and manipulative and needs amending.
Pak Lah’s kin linked to power meter supply storm – by Mohd Farhan Darwis – UPDATED @ 03:26:48 PM 04-12-2012
PETALING JAYA, Dec 4 — The family of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was linked today to a company that supplies the controversial digital electricity meters to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) alleged to have hiked up energy consumption bills and gained the national utility company billions of ringgit in profit.
According to PKR’s investment bureau chief Wong Chen, Noor Asiah Mahmood, who is the younger sister to Abdullah’s (picture) first wife, the late Tun Endon Mahmood, owns Ombata-Ambak Holdings Sdn Bhd, which has a 15 per cent share in Malaysian Intelligence Meters Sdn Bhd, the latter which is one of five companies contracted by TNB to supply the new digital meters.
Wong alleged that the programme to switch analogue power meters for digital ones had showed consumers would be contributing RM6.88 billion to TNB’s profit over the course of 10 years. The programme has been stopped temporarily on the orders of Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui since October.
“Our research shows TNB has 8.03 million consumers now and the average price for each meter is RM250, therefore this programme had the potential to reach RM2 billion.
“For the financial year 2012, TNB’s revenue from all consumers is RM34.4 billion, if the electronic meter had given a conservative raise of two per cent, the additional burden on consumers would be as much as RM688 million a year.
“Seeing as the life expectancy of this meter is only 10 years, consumers would ultimately have to pay as much as RM6.88 billion to TNB for that duration,” Wong told a news conference at the opposition party’s headquarters here.
PKR strategy director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who was also present, said the issue was not a small matter as consumers would have to pay up to 50 per cent of the cost of their power bills.
“Therefore, PKR urges TNB to be transparent and responsible in this matter to reveal who are the electronic meter suppliers, the price paid for the meters and whether it was competitively priced at local and international standards, and whether an open tender had been called or was it a direct negotiation?” Nik Nazmi asked.
The Seri Setia state lawmaker also called for TNB to fund an independent body to investigate consumer complaints on the new meters and to act on the findings that bind the utility company to consumers.
Last October, Chin said TNB had halted the replacement of analogue electricity meters with electronic meters until a standard operating procedure could be fixed.
He had made the decision after receiving public complaints saying power consumption had spiked after switching to the new digital meters, causing them to be also billed “retrospectively”.
“This operation will go on but our main task is to educate people on the new meter,” the minister had said then.
However, Chin had said replacing the analogue devices with the new meters would continue for households where the electricity meters were damaged or suspected to have been tampered with, resulting in losses.
The B*!@#$%s had everything, society gave them all the power to help the nation, believed in their goodness, yet greed still could reach these spiritually weak willed and corrupted men :
i) political power in the (greedy?) bid for PM, cost perhaps B*!@#$%’s mother
ii) perhaps greed for wealth and corruption cost B*!@#$%’s wife (and we won’t go into the Hadhari stuff which Al Azhar would doubtless scuttle as potentially offensive, unintellectual vainglorious, rehash of Islam if properly examined . . .)
Those who keep taking and never regarding those who help them, will never be have enough to pay from places where they have never and do not deserve to work, when time to collect comes. Some of us ‘work’ harder than most, some of the worst just take the efforts, and give away the nation’s treasures and harm the country despite everything. Only the deserving should be given high position – on a net tally, B*!@#$% has harned the nation and done less than what the lowliest street sweeper does for a living . . . and I won’t even get into KJ (and the 4th floor boys) as well . . . Forced Military Conscriptions btw were implemented during B*!@#$%s watch, this is the classic example of the smiling crocodile politician, very disappointing and hopefully not characteristic of the Malays as a race.
GO ON LEAVE, Hisham told – Monday, 03 December 2012 16:06
Former inspector general of police Musa Hassan’s claim of interference by Home minister Hishamuddin Hussein in police affairs has been described as serious, and as such PAS Youth said the latter must go on leave pending a probe.
“Hishamuddin should be a gentleman and emulate Shahrizat (Abdul Jalil, Wanita UMNO head) who took leave following the National Feedlot Corporation scandal,” said PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan.
Musa last week dropped a bombshell ahead of the 66th UMNO general assembly accusing Hishamuddin of violating police protocols by giving instructions to junior police officers and a district police chief without his knowledge.
“So, I highlighted to him (Hishammuddin) Section 4 (1) of the Police Act (1967, which says) that the command and control of the police is by the IGP and not the minister. Of course, I cannot be rude to him as (he is) a minister. I talked to him nicely. He didn’t like it,” said Musa.
Hishamuddin sidestepped the allegation saying it was Musa’s ploy to divert attention from the UMNO meeting.
Musa however dismissed Hishamuddin’s claim as a personal opinion.
Nasrudin meanwhile called for the establishment of an independent commission to investigate Musa’s allegation.
He hoped the police would protect the people “based on law instead of protecting (a) political party by following its instruction blindly”.
Good. ‘Rule-of-law’ is taking out the political-bureaucracy as well. The judiciary should learn from Musa and take out the obvious among politicians who have harmed the nation – by Human Rights principles, an ex-Police Chief could by popular revolt overturn a government (presumably in Malaysia’s case to grant the below 3 items) as per the Human Rights Charter and Islamic principles of non-discrimination and non-disenfranchisement – to ah . . . ‘protect the minorities’ Human Rights‘ and ‘dignify properly practiced Islam‘ . . . ahem.
The international community is behind both police and judiciary if such actions were taken, and that makes Bar Council a farce for not acting before I posted this and several earlier comments. What happened in some of our lives really? Decades long audits of the system? Looks like the political bunch had better be serious in the future, in any case term limits as well. Perhaps the police could turn the tables on the REAL criminals of the country.
PAS should know that every ethical act they do is being cancelled by every Islamist action of abuse against especially non-Muslims PAS makes. PAS is not moving forward at all and confirms PAS’s use of ethics as an expedient (PAS seems to have no love or understanding of ethics and principles, but knows the value of using the same.) counter-apologist actions to balance Islamism, which is not what almost all Malaysians want. Perhaps PAS is not a political party and more a religious organisation that should go to Al Azhar at Cairo to learn about separation of faith and state.
PAS Islamists Abuse non-Muslims, deny non-Muslim activities :
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/12/18/nation/12474892&sec=nation
Sultans know the difference even as Sultans themselves have most probably tacitly approved Malaysia’s other great flaw . . . the APARTHEID OF BUMIPUTRA by not taking initiatives in starting a Royal commission to grant the above 3 items :
http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2012/11/countries/malaysia/selangor-sultan-sharafuddin-idris-shah-supports-separation-of-mosque-and-state
Malaysia is STILL a 3rd world country . . .
‘PERCEIVED’ discrimination is why people shun BN – Kayveas – Monday, 03 December 2012 07:10
KUALA LUMPUR – People’s confidence in Barisan Nasional (BN) has eroded as they are affected by perceived discrimination and prejudice under the coalition’s rule, PPP president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas cautioned today.
He said this is why, despite various transformations introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, some groups still support the Opposition “blindly”.
“The transformed government of BN must eliminate the feeling of prejudice and discrimination among the people.
“We should make the people feel that there is fairness, justice and equality,” he said in his speech at the party’s annual general assembly today.
He added that the BN administration should facilitate every citizen and eliminate any form of frustration.
When met on the sidelines of the event, he said: “It’s not an easy task (but) the PM is working on it, he needs time but he is already showing so much of improvement.”
-thesundaily
Perceived? The fact is that we do not have the below 3 items which is not PERCEPTION but FACT as opposed to Kaveas’ DECEPTION. This shameful article is mere apologism for lack of :
Keep selling out human rights principles and accepting inequality as normal, and in the end Kaveas will not deserve to be a HUMAN. (Hate to sound ‘spiritually racist’, but caste stature cannot be erased apparently even with all the wealth and stature in the temporal world that Kaveas has) to accept such status as 2nd class citizens is surely a sign of lower caste ancestry . . . only equality is acceptble . . . ) Traitor to the UN and traitor to the idea of equality and ‘The Enlightenment’ which would never accept the APARTHEID of BUMIPUTRA.
Karpal says touched by Pandikar’s apology – Sunday, 02 December 2012 08:25
KUALA LUMPUR- DAP chairman Karpal Singh is deeply touched by the apology made by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to him on Thursday, the last day of the August house sitting.
Karpal who is Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament said this in a statement here today.
In reciprocal, he also asked for forgiveness for the many transgression in which an apology was due from him to Pandikar Amin.
On Thursday, Pandikar Amin apologised to Karpal over his spontaneous remarks that the MP might have been suffering from pain for not raising his hand when taking oath as an MP.
The incident happened at the beginning of the 12th parliament session on April 28, 2008 and Pandikar Amin in his apology said that he only found out later that Karpal could not raise his hand.
Pandikar Amin also said the remarks was made when he was still new and had no intention to hurt anyone and he would feel bad if he did not apologise to Karpal.
Whats ‘touching’ (being sarcastic here) is that Karpal’s physical pain is more important than the meaning of the MP’s post, and the fact that Pandikar Amin is effectively on the side of those that will not grant :
A$$ hurting? Aww poor baby. Remember we still live under apartheid and not be swayed by sweet nothings . . . Karpal is getting old and weak no? Replacement time . . . No need to ‘sayang’ whatever injuries . . . the best apology would be to END APARTHEID and a timely snap back along these lines from Karpal would have been better for the Rakyat than this maudlin sentimentality. Term limitless, nepotistic colluding MPs on BN and Pakatan sides who care more about this sort of sandiwara are the worst kind of politician. Politicians are disposable, get in there for your 1 term and 23K x 4 years of salaries (thats near 1 million btw), amend some laws and get out, we don’t need this sort of old friends among term limitless dictators and nepotists pathos to muddy the voter’s minds with regards the above 3 items.
Waning popularity a message from the people, Najib warns BN – by Zurairi AR December 02, 2012
Najib asked voters to give BN more time to execute the changes it has planned for the country. — Picture by Choo Choy May
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 ? Again calling for change in Barisan Nasional (BN), Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today voters are choosing Pakatan Rakyat (PR) because they want to send a message to the ruling coalition.
“The message is for us to change as a party,” the BN chairman said while launching the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) annual general meeting (AGM) here.
“They want BN as a party to be more fair, inclusive, and so that every citizen of Malaysia will receive equal treatment and benefits from BN.”
The prime minister’s remarks came after PPP president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas’s address, in which the latter said voters are flocking to PR because they are “worried” by perceived discrimination and prejudice under BN’s rule.
Fresh from closing Umno’s annual assembly here yesterday, Najib again called on voters to give BN more time to renew itself by supporting it in the polls.
“We’re in the process of renewal. Real changes are taking place in Malaysia.
“Real changes are taking place while the same party is in power in Malaysia,” the Umno president said.
Najib also criticised the “Ubah” (change) slogan touted by DAP and PR, comparing their call for change to the recent “Arab Spring” revolution.
“If we change, are we sure we’re getting something better?
“(The people involved in Arab Spring) are not enjoying the ‘spring weather’. They’re still in the winter of discontent,” Najib said.
The prime minister said that the revolutions in the Middle East had caused the countries involved to lose out on tourism and currency exchange, as well as suffer declines to their security.
But Najib also confessed that winning the next general election will not be easy, saying that voters’ opinions were now easily swayed by current issues.
“Before this, we can just put a songkok (to contest) and we would still win.
“Now we need to read the desires of the public, understand the wishes of the people.”
Najib then appeared to criticise grassroots leaders for failing to disseminate the aspirations of the BN administration effectively, leading to problems with perceived discrimination and prejudice.
“The problem is not at the top, the problem is on the ground.
“These people must try to understand what the government wants. If we say we must treat every citizen equally, the whole system … must do that,” Najib added to applause from the floor.
Najib then appeared to criticise grassroots leaders for failing to disseminate the aspirations of the BN administration effectively, leading to problems with perceived discrimination and prejudice. The problem is not at the top, the problem is on the ground.
Politics should be about bettering civilian lives regardless of faith or ethnicity via honesty, and civilisational Islam (or any other religion), is not about crony laws and racial privileges. As mentioned elsewhere, were a screen applied to ensure meritocracy (to mask race), a translation machine (to mask language), and a voice modulator and distortion screen (to mask gender) applied at a job interview, we’d be surprised at the choices we make based on POLICY rather than race or religion.
Then the concept of NATION would be real. Right now the ‘needs basis’ is based around wrong things like religion and race or even gender ‘quotas’, which is very backward and insulting to the host race the Malays, disenfranchises the minorities, and men in general wherever quotas for women occur. Let the best people lead irrespective of faith gender or ethnicity, and let them be limited in terms AND chosen with the above tech applied so that the above racial or gender or religious cues will not affect choices. A first world ‘Meritocracy’ of logic and ability (as opposed to mob minded and pathos based DEMOCRACY of majority where the minority loses the rights to majority much like Morsi described – why can’t ALL RIGHTS be included in that sickening draft resolution that favours Islam so much?!? Egypt is NOT Islamist-Arabist, Egypt is Polytheistic AND uses Hieratic . . . Egyptians INVENTED BEER and also ate pork, Egypt was not Islamic UNTIL the Arabs militarily subjugated and conquered the Egyptians and destroyed and forbade Egyptian culture . . . ) must include :
If we say we must treat every citizen equally, the whole system BN must ensure the above 3 items with that mandate BN already has. If BN does not grant the above 3 items, there is no point giving that mandate to BN again in GE13. BN can make the choice to as PM Najib said, ‘. . . treat every citizen equally . . .’.
Is interracial integration more possible under convergence or divergence? — Boo Cheng Hau – December 01, 2012
DEC 1 — The recently announced National Education Blueprint contains nothing new. And it shows the powers-that-be have no real intention to listen to the public or make any bold reforms to our ailing education system.
It is a repetition of the sad old story about racial prejudice, not much different from the so-called “National” Education Policy which was largely based on Umno’s Malay nationalist belief that the national language should be the sole medium of instruction.
Proponents of the Malay-medium-only policy also emphasise the Malay nationalist perspective of history that having one common language — such as in our neighbours Indonesia and Thailand — can save Malaysia from disintegration.
Racial prejudice and political demagoguery as the basis for our nation’s education agenda of true unity will not get us far. Let me prove how discriminatory is our education system and the false impressions that it projects.
How my friend succeeded in the US
I had a taste of victory for what it means to have “equal opportunities” in education about 30 years ago when I argued for admission, on behalf of a schoolmate, into an American university which has produced some Nobel laureates.
My friend was originally from Taiwan but studied in a Chinese independent secondary school in Malaysia. She did not sit for the SPM or UEC. To my surprise, the admission officer of the American university requested for UEC results in lieu of SPM qualifications.
She did not sit the UEC because the exam was still new at that time. After a long discussion, the admission officer agreed with my proposal that she be admitted conditionally on producing evidence of completing 12 years of primary and secondary education — a standard which almost all American universities and colleges go by.
She was then admitted “under probation” for one semester, meaning she would be considered a regular student after the period of study with a GPA of 2.0 and above (an average of C and above). She graduated eventually without any impediment.
Her experience goes to show how democratic, liberal and flexible the American education system is. This is one of the key factors that allow the United States to become the most technologically advanced country, and one to which many talents from other parts of the world choose to emigrate.
The value of the UEC
In the 1970s, nobody in Malaysia took the UEC exams seriously except for the powers-that-be which attempted to ban it on account that the exam was (perceived to be) “anti-national”.
Nonetheless besides Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore where the UEC was recognised, many American universities and colleges had already begun accepting it as a gateway for college admission. As far back as exactly 30 years ago, one of my classmates was admitted to the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology based on her UEC results and Chinese independent school coursework assessments.
Would our public universities and UiTM open its admission policies and welcome UEC holders by integrating them into the mainstream higher education institutes rather than discriminating them? Some top American universities even admit Chinese independent secondary school students based on school results and class ranking without referring to standardised examinations such as SPM, UEC, GCE, SAT and the like.
Yet after 30 long years, our own Malaysian government still despises the UEC as “anti-national”. In fact, except for respective language subjects, all UEC subjects are offered in three languages, in other words, one can opt to have his maths, science or other papers tested in English, Malay or Chinese.
Chinese independent school graduates are barred from using their UEC results as a means of admission to local public universities and teacher training colleges. This discrimination is deemed necessary to maintain Umno’s self-righteous “National Education Policy” for the promotion of “interracial unity”.
How can political demagoguery such as Umno’s ever help in promoting national unity and interracial integration? One could argue that the party is actually more interested in maintaining its tight grip on power by continuing to mislead the country that vernacular schools somehow pose a hidden threat.
STPM and matriculation — apple and orange?
The powers-that-be have since declared that racial quotas are no longer applied in local public universities. Instead, they claim a “merit-based” admission system has been put in place.
However, at the same time, university admission standards are “diversified” into two separate entry points — STPM and matriculation.
After years of protests by the non-Malays, only 10 per cent of matriculation programmes has been opened up to the non-Bumiputeras, and even this percentage is described by the Malay nationalists as a “sell-out” of Malay rights.
Non-Malays are supposed to be grateful for this small “kindness”, like once upon a time coloureds were supposed to thank their white masters for allowing them to go to schools in apartheid South Africa despite great disparities along racial lines in school facilities.
Almost all the non-Malays who managed to gain a seat in local public universities are students who sat the STPM. Many rue this blatant division of university entrance assessment — de facto along racial lines — as comparing apples and oranges.
Satu Sekolah’s inherent contradiction
The authorities contradict themselves by professing a single-language system to promote national unity through putting children under one roof but at the same time segregating them either at Form 1 or when they finish Form 5.
There is an obvious discrepancy between the teaching facilities provided to the vernacular schools which sorely lack government aid and support and the residential schools and Mara junior science colleges as well as the elite schools catering for Malays — e.g. the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) and Tunku Kurshiah College (TKC).
Institutional racism practised in public university admission routes gives rise to an added dimension of polarisation. The racial distribution of students is further exacerbated when non-Malays, erroneously seen as well-to-do, are enrolled in private higher institutions of learning. Most people seem to forget that privately funded education, whether locally or abroad, comes at a heavy cost to their parents.
The indirect makings of apartheid
To generalise most Malays as “poor” and all non-Bumis, particularly the Chinese, as “rich” is just as good as apartheid.
The Malay ultras believe they are above being associated with the apartheid system in South Africa created with the ostensible excuse of helping the “poor”, Dutch-speaking whites of that country.
But then what should the international community make of UiTM — Malaysia’s biggest public university with campuses in every state — where almost all its students belong predominantly to a single race?
In the former apartheid of South Africa and during the 1950s in the Confederate states of the American south, physical segregation was made visible by the sign saying “No Coloured and Dogs allowed”.
In Malaysia, there are no signs to say “No Non-Bumis and Dogs allowed”. However, de facto apartheid still permeates through the fabric of the Malaysian public education system. It is de facto racial segregation in its utmost hypocritical disguise without leaving any physical evidence.
Therefore, I see no difference between those poor whites in the former Confederate states of the American south that once held demonstrations against university admission of black students and those Malay ultras that hold demonstrations barring “non-Bumiputeras” from entering local public institutions.
UiTM students did after all demonstrate against their university opening its door a crack when Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim proposed relaxing the admission just a tiny bit to the so-called “non-Bumis”.
America’s highest court ruled for equality
In Brown vs Board of Education (1954), the US Supreme Court unanimously decided that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal”.
It stinks of double standards if not a glaring blind spot when vernacular schools keep getting blamed for institutional racism in Malaysia. If mother-tongue vernacular schools (open to all students) are incorrectly termed as racist, then the one-race UiTM is nothing but apartheid.
The old, presumed poverty line along the race divide is no longer valid, not when Malaysia has endured discriminative policies predicated on ethnicity since 1970, which is all of 42 years or almost half a century.
There are very few Malay intellectuals willing to tackle the truth of the matter but Dr Azly Rahman is one of them. At least he’s been honest and bold enough to speak out on the “bankrupt Umno ideology” of race supremacy in his article “Dismantle Our Apartheid Education”.
What is required is for more members of the Malay intelligentsia to question the veracity of a “moral” claim in the perpetuation of a quota system that amounts to apartheid. The only difference is that segregation, like that perpetuated by residential schools, Mara junior colleges and UiTM, is couched using terminology portraying a righteous morality.
The other difference is that Chinese schools are accessible to any non-Chinese but UiTM does not welcome the non-Malays. In some Chinese independent secondary schools, non-Chinese are given a blanket free tuition.
Are Malays courageous to re-evaluate?
The Malays are a strong majority in numbers and without doubt politically dominant. Why should Umno cling tenaciously to the view that preferential treatment based on race is the “affirmative action” that Malays still require?
Professor Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi in “Memories of Unity” vividly describes his confidence to compete in his science class and how he emerged one of the top students among his almost all Chinese classmates back in the 1970s.
I had a Malay classmate who went to the same Chinese independent school as I did. He graduated as one of the top students and went to a local public university, and he is currently a lecturer at another local public university.
It is a myth that Bumi students are unable to compete with non-Bumi students on a level playing field. This misconception is wrongly used to justify the institutional racism imposed on the public education from top to bottom.
There are tens of thousands of Malays who have made it in local and prestigious foreign universities and thrived in adverse sociocultural settings. There is no moral justification for segregating Malaysian post-secondary students into STPM/ matriculation except for satisfying Umno’s racial imperatives.
NEP and education apartheid
A few successful Malay billionaire cronies do not mitigate the failure with regard to certain protectionist areas of the NEP. This includes educational apartheid. The rejuvenation of the vernacular schools since the late 1970s when NEP went into full swing is a consequence of our race policies, and not the chief cause of racism.
The NEP was based upon the empirical generalisation that Chinese and Indian Malaysians were all well off and should be “positively discriminated” against in order to help the “poor Malays”.
It’s a different story today as the civil service has become Malay dominated and this is empirical truth. The tables have been turned as Malaysians of Chinese and Indian descent are marginalised.
The original purpose of the NEP to eradicate the identification of race with profession — Malay farmer, Chinese shopkeeper, Indian clerk — is sidetracked when the civil service has become wholly identified with the Malay race. The racial traits along professions, as reflected in the hiring practices of both the private and public sectors, have been deepened by the NEP.
When I recently requested some documents to be certified by a government department, the Malay clerk gave me a jealous one-eye wink knowing that it was for the purpose of applying to colleges in the US. The one-eye wink might perhaps have been nothing more than the coded message that all you “Chinamen” are rich and can afford to send your children overseas to be educated. This only goes to show up the failure of the NEP in correcting the racial prejudice among races in Malaysia.
How the Chinese prioritise education
The fact is that I told my children I would sell our house and live in a smaller one if we needed funds for their education. I mean education is where they would learn something new and be happy including getting away from institutional racism. We neither hope for JPA or any other government scholarships after hearing so many sad stories of racial degradation.
Selling homes and other property for the sake of children’s education among the lower and middle-class Chinese Malaysians is not a new practice. I remember my mother decided to sell off the six-acre rubber plantation left by my deceased father to put me and my sister through university.
She later worked as a babysitter to cover all our expenses studying overseas. We always thought that there might be more Malays who did not have land to sell. Nonetheless, our good reasoning has not helped many Malays to get rid of their own ingrained racial prejudice both against themselves and other races.
As I write this article, coincidentally, my 17-year-old daughter has just received news that a high-ranking American university has agreed to admit her into their Fine Arts programme based on her multiple talents, multilingual skills and ability to play the Chinese zither and flute. Some universities already made it clear, admitting her by waiving the requirement of her SPM or UEC results.
On the contrary, her talent in playing ancient Chinese musical instruments is definitely not a criterion for admission into any local public university. On the contrary, it may even work against her favour as it could be looked at as a form of Chinese chauvinism and clinging to our ancestral roots.
Deserving of places in local universities
I am not trying to boast about my daughter’s academic achievement. She is actually a B-average student but it sure makes a parent proud when one’s child deservedly gains recognition for her talents, and more importantly she will be able to further develop her talents without being labelled as a non-Bumi.
I am glad that her dedication to social work and extracurricular activities, including organising a joint concert of Chinese orchestra and western bands, won her recognition from some highly ranked American universities.
One of her recent achievements is receiving a gold medal in an international Chinese essay-writing contest in Taiwan. Instead of chucking her unique credential aside, an American university admission director gave great words of encouragement, such as “your family must be very proud of you (for the gold medal received) …We would like you to be with us, and I hope you will continue to contribute to the international programme here if you decide to join us”.
I was surprised that she was offered admission and given a partial academic scholarship before we even sent out applications to other American colleges and local private universities.
Some universities are amazed that our students can master two or three languages. They usually give positive encouragement like: “Considering English is your third language, your English is really good.” No parents will send their kid to a college where he or she faces the possibility of being humiliated and degraded on account of race, creed and “non-native status” when my daughter is actually a native-born fourth-generation Malaysian.
As a matter of fact, most UEC holders have a greater proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, which is their second language, compared to English, which is their third language. If the UEC holders can do well in universities overseas that teach in English, why can’t they be given the same opportunities by our local public universities?
It might be true that their Bahasa Malaysia may not be as good compared with SPM/STPM holders just as their English may not be as good as the Americans, British or Australians when they enrol in American, Australian or British universities. However if they are given the opportunity to enrol in local public universities, they will be able to polish their BM just like how when given the opportunity to study abroad they are able to polish their English.
More importantly, such openness is needed in order to “converge” the vernacular school alumni into the local higher education institutions and complete an education integration process than forcibly “diverge” them to local private institutions and overseas colleges.
We have to be fair and realistic in assessing our students’ language ability based on what is the best they can do in their learning environment. In fact, cultural immersion is the best method to improve Malay language or any other second language proficiency instead of educational segregation like what has been practiced here.
Some 30 years ago, it was rare to encounter Americans learning an Asian language. Today there are American reporters who insist on interviewing me in perfect Mandarin or Bahasa Indonesia. It is a fast-changing world out there but it seems our Umno elites — with the exception of Najib Razak whose son is a fluent Mandarin speaker — are lagging behind time.
The very first step for the Malay ultras to take in the right direction is to cease making a scapegoat out of Chinese and Tamil primary schools. It is an unfounded charge that little children are responsible for racism and racial disunity in Malaysia.
It is, on the other hand, our fear to embrace cultural diversity and true interracial integration that has left us lagging behind many other countries. It is time for the Malay ultras to open their eyes and correct their ingrained prejudice that has worked against their own competitiveness. — CPI Asia
* This article was originally published by CPI Asia.
Is interracial integration more possible under convergence or divergence? — Boo Cheng Hau
How about stopping with the inculpation of hegelian dialectic Orwell state b.s. and understanding that EITHER / OR in this issue should be replaced with :
1) convergence persons
2) divergence persons
3) none of the above types (status quo)
4) ALL OF THE ABOVE TYPES
Don’t inculpate a lack of choices in political culture. Each and every group listed above deserves their own spaces. As for interracial integration, first grant :
;and all groups will fall into the new line of EQUALITY. Without equality, there will be no integration much less INTERRACIAL integration.
. . . The very first step for the Malay ultras to take in the right direction is to cease making a scapegoat out of Chinese and Tamil primary schools. It is an unfounded charge that little children are responsible for racism and racial disunity in Malaysia. . . .
That is NOT a first step, that is LIP SERVICE because not scapegoating does not mean policy which scapegoats minority changes, a REAL furst step is granting the above 3 items and if the scapegoating continues at that point the policy of equality would easily overtake scapegoating which will just be bad form that Malaysians will not even care about that will mark the politican as a bad citizen instead. ctual policy is more important than what politicnas say to occupy the people. Looks like BN’s propagandists have exposed BN’s intentions – never to grant the above 3 items. If 3rd force doesn’t make GE13 in time, 3rd force had better be prepared for GE14 where the threat of NEPOTISM and LIMITLESS TERMS, and STATE COLLUSION in GLC and crony contractors in Pakatan Rakyat will be the greatest threat EVEN as the above 3 items are not even granted by Pakatan’s discussions so far. End the APARTHEID of BUMIPUTRA and give freedom of religion to the Malays. Going apostate in Islam IS NOT PUNISHABLE and should not mean Bumi Privileges will be withdrawn from the Malays even as these same rights should be the rights of ALL Malaysians regardless of faith or ethnicity but rather economic status ONLY. Ask the Al-Azhar Islamic University if apostasy was punishable in the prophet’s time or liable for ‘Islamic Re-education’ to keep followers, Malaysian Syariah laws on apostasy are all ILLEGAL in Islamic jurisprudence!
Musa: Political interference in police work is REAL – Hornbill Unleashed – Tuesday, 11 December 2012 08:49
PETALING JAYA – Former inspector-general of police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan (pix) has called on the police and Home Ministry to publicly disclose all crime statistics so as to not confuse people about the actual crime situation in the country.
“The police should disclose all statistics as the people would like to know why there are street crimes around when the NKRA (National Key Results Area) showed that the crime is dropping.
“We do not say that they (government) are manipulating the statistics but the people might be confused if they don’t reveal all the reports,” he told a press conference here today.
Expressing his backing for the Malaysian Crime Watch Group (MyWatch), a non-governmental organisation which aims to educate and increase awareness on the preparation and prevention of crime, he said a public awareness campaign is important in helping the government and police combat crime at the grassroots level.
Musa claimed that the police now not only heed the IGP but also have to report to government servants outside the force.
He said the police should remain apolitical and not let any political influences seep into the force.
“I’m not hitting at the government. Nobody called me personally (to discuss) and there’s nothing on the paper (reporting change). I want to see police force improved. I don’t want things to be politicised because the police force needs to be improved for the sake of the people,” he said.
“If you want proof, you have to read it in the (news)papers, there are enough proof (of government interference). Now even the police are confused when the chief secretary of the KDN (Home Ministry) directs the police and the police complain to me.
“Perception comes from a real person’s action. So it (interference) is real,” he added.
Arrest all corrupt politicians (guess who was the MOST CORRUPT . . . ) in some Ops not amounting to a police coup. The Dewan should be emptied by the next session and most of the corrupted MPs and Assemblymen should yield a nice fat purse for Malaysia with those frozen accounts’ monies. What say you independent among judiciary and good cops? The international community and goodly among our top institutions and citizens would applaud. Perhaps a stint as interim PM as well since most of DAP are too nepotistic and Mubarak-like to qualify for the Pm’s post? Heck, pull together a few generals and consult Susilo (not for a ‘ganyang’ of Malaysia but a precise ‘ganyng’ of Malaysia’s WORST citizens . . . most Malaysians wouldn’t miss corrupted politicians and racists anyway.
FROM CHILDHOOD TO TERRIBLE PRESENT: Sultan launches Rosmah’s BIOGRAPHY – Monday, 10 December 2012 17:23
Sultan at Rosmah’s book launch.
KUALA LUMPUR- “Rosmah Mansor”, a book which chronicles the life of the prime minister’s wife, was launched today by the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Yayasan Amanah Perdana Malaysia chairman Shamsulbahrin Ludin, the book’s publisher, said the new biography will allow readers a well-rounded glimpse into Rosmah’s life from her childhood to the present.
“Some of the facts presented in this book have never been told to anyone before.”
Its highlights, he said, include her marriage to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak – in particular, the challenges she faced first as the wife of a cabinet minister, deputy prime minister and now the country’s leader.
Written in an informal and relaxed tone, the book features stories from her school days at Tunku Kursiah College, Negeri Sembilan, and includes interviews with her closest friends.
“Many would want to know what life was like when she was a child, in primary and secondary schools.
“In addition to her life in campus and in the workforce, her life at the TKC was filled with interesting events which will certainly draw special attention,” Shamsulbahrin said.
The book also includes a special chapter in which Rosmah addresses the public rumours surrounding her life, whether regarding her family or her involvement in current events.
“Most importantly, we expect this book to provide answers in response to slanderous comments leveled at (Rosmah).
“In other words, it is a small effort by us to show her best attribute, that is her humility, through this book,” Shamsulbahrin said.
The 164-page biography also details her involvement in community work, especially her efforts to develop the Permata Negara programme, her engagement with non-government organisations as well as her participation in Bakti and in various international programmes.
It also showcases a collection of old and recent photographs.
The book’s soft launch was held as part of Rosmah’s birthday celebration, which included performances by singer Misha Omar and students from the Permata Seni programme.
Present at the ceremony were the Royal Consort of Pahang Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom, Najib and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan.
-NST.COM
Names which turn out especially bad in another language might be the cause of some of the antipathy between races. Won’t mention which but those who know English and Hokkien dialect should easily figure which one . . .
HOW TO BE NEUTRAL? EC officers have right to join political parties – chief – Monday, 10 December 2012 17:11
KUALA LUMPUR— Election Commission (EC) officers are within their democratic right to join political parties but they must not be partisan in carrying out their duties, says its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.
The EC chairman disclosed this when responding to accusations by PAS that a senior EC officer in Sabah was holding a key post in the Kinabatangan Umno Youth chapter. The EC’s impartiality has been continuously questioned by the opposition and activists over the past years.
“There is nothing wring for any EC officer to join political parties. It doesn’t matter if they are in PAS, PKR or Umno.
“It is their democratic right,” he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted over the issue.
But Abdul Aziz said that EC officials should not side with any parties or abuse their powers when carrying out their duties.
He also stressed that the EC welcomed reports from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) if the commission officials abused their powers, saying the opposition parties should lodge complaints and provide proof of wrongdoing.
“If there is proof to show the officer is in the wrong, please submit the proof. If possible, give the name, position and pictures.
“We will investigate without favour no matter who the officer is,” Abdul Aziz said.
The former top civil servant agreed that EC officials who are in political parties should not mix their duties with political ideology, saying it went against the work ethics of those in government service.
The EC chairman pointed out there were no regulations or laws that prevent government officials from joining political parties, except that those active in politics must apply for permission from the Public Service Department (PSD).
Sabah PAS Youth chief Lahirul Latigu had asked the EC to explain how its officials can hold posts in political parties, saying the silence would affect the commission’s credibility to ensure the democratic process is carried out in the country.
“If the EC still chooses to keep silent on this issue, PAS Youth will not hesitate to expose details about the officer who is in politics,” he had said.
Reports of EC officers holding posts in Umno have surfaced over the years, including allegations that Abdul Aziz and his deputy, Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, are members of the ruling party.
Following such reports against the top two EC officials last May, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz denied that Abdul Aziz was an Umno member as alleged by PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He disclosed that Abdul Aziz had registered as an Umno member more than 30 years ago in the Ampang Umno division but had since left the party.
“The EC chairman has already clarified that he isn’t an Umno member. He has also made sure about it,” Nazri had said.
Simple. Make laws that disallow EC officers from joining political parties.
The EC postholders and salaries jobs must ALL be people with no political party memberships, no business links to any politicians or even with businesses WITH links to politicians (the more distant the better and should be the criteria for EC posts). We can’t have family blocs like in the Pakatan family nepotism party. This way VESTED INTEREST can be avoided. So anyone who fulfil the above criteria ready to offer themselves for 1 term jobs? This will ensure Malaysia is a clean country. The ROS (Registry of Socities), MACC (Acnti-Corruption Agency), PAC (Public Accounts Committee) and Bar Council btw, should also be staffed in a similar manner.
I can’t keep it up! My hubby loves sex too much – Monday, 10 December 2012 17:05
Dear Coleen,
I’m having trouble with my husband.
We have three kids and have been married for five years, so we’re well out of the honeymoon period.
We’re both in our mid-30s and have been together since we were teenagers.
I really thought as men got older their sex drive declined, but it’s the opposite with my hubby!
Basically, if he had his way we’d be at it three times a day, every day.
I thought he might be insecure so I talked to him about it, but it turns out he just loves sex!
I love him to pieces, but I can’t keep up!
I’ve tried telling him all this, but the words “No, love, not tonight” just don’t register with him.
Coleen says..
First the good news: it’s better to work out a compromise from this position than be in the situation where you’re having no sex.
It’s really fantastic that he still desires you so much after all those years together – for a lot of couples it’d be the other way round – but it’s only great if it’s what you both want.
Right now you’re feeling under pressure, but it’s a delicate situation and you don’t want to put him off altogether or embarrass him.
Tell him how much you love him and fancy him, but that physically you cannot have sex that often and you don’t want to either.
The most successful relationships are the ones where both parties can compromise and that’s what he’s going to have to do now. And you’ll have to do the same.
But don’t let it become a massive issue that affects your otherwise great relationship.
-mirror.co.uk
A second wife should do the trick. that is why polygamy exists. This article hosts a gay NLP btw – a woman does not need to ‘keep it up’, the writer if female, has penis envy or wants to be a man, otherwise is subversive of men hoping men become gay. Reading too many NLPs of this sort results in gayness, not that gayness per se is bad, but CONTRIVED gayness resulting ftom, NLPs IS bad . . . Malaysian Chronicle should not abuse their readers like this.
BE WARNED DR M & POLITICIANS LIKE SHAHRIZAT: The next May 13 will be very different from 1969 – by Victor Lim – Monday, 10 December 2012 12:08
YES. I couldn’t agree more with Koon Yew Yin (see story reproduced below), a respected Chinese community senior citizen.
In fact, I have also blogged on this earlier: http://victorlim1982.blogspot.com/2012/12/may-13-bogey-umnos-archaic-bid-to.html and http://victorlim1982.blogspot.com/2012/12/umno-must-be-buried-politically-to-save.html
I wish to add two very pertinent points which Mr Koon and I overlooked.
Point No.1: The majority of Malays, I believe some 90% of them, don’t pay taxes to the federal government.
They pay what is known as zakat (tithes), a form of Islamic tax.
This means Malaysia has been developed for the past 55 years with contributions from the non-Malays or non-Muslims and the corporate sector.
Therefore, if the business climate is ruined by the super corrupt, evil and racist Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) because it wants to remain in power at all costs, including the propagation of the May 13 violence and bloodshed, who will suffer more? Who is the majority race in Malaysia?
The cousins … the real danger Malaysians’ face
Point No.2: However, should violence really break out after BN-Umno loses the next general election, it will not be the same May 13, 1969.
In 1969, the majority of Malays were really living in abject poverty. They were envious of others who were better off economically.
Today, it is an entirely different scenario. That was the 20th century. We are now in the 21st century.
The Malays today are more informed and are therefore able to make wiser judgments politically.
Unlike 1969, the issues today are not about race. Only BN-Umno, for reasons only known to them, stubbornly refuses to change with the times to remain relevant with the rakyat (people).
Politically Bankrupt
All BN-Umno can focus on is its divide-and-rule archaic political strategy to remain in power at all costs.
BN-Umno uses money and its blind-loyalty supporters to stir emotions and violence at Opposition ceramah (political rallies) or to disrupt peaceful public protests.
BN is just unable to think out of the box and is obviously unable to react rationally after the March 8, 2008 political tsunami shock which saw BN losing its traditional two-thirds majority in Parliament and five states.
Blinded by corruption
Over the past four years, as the BN continued to try to impose their brute political might and power on the people with the aim of intimidating the rakyat into submission and subservience, the peoples’ political restlessness grew enormously.
Now, at its own doing, the BN is living in fear of losing its mandate to govern after the 13th General Election. The dissolution of the 222-seat Parliament is automatic on April 28, 2013.
BN has only itself to blame for failing to use the four years to implement reforms that would endear the rakyat and win back their hearts and minds after March 2008.
It refuses to see the rakyat’s demands for justice and clean socio-economic development policies – not continuing with its culture of enriching its families and cronies.
They are the poorest in Malaysia, so the BN-Umno federal government needs to give all the multi-billion ringgit projects to them.
Where has our natural wealth GONE?
It refuses to discard its race and religious political cards for more practical and reforming policies to fast track the progress and prosperity of Malaysians and Malaysia.
Yes! The people are asking: “Where have all the trillions of ringgit in natural resources, including oil and gas, gone?”
Is it also too much to ask the BN government to account for it’s more than RM800 billion federal debt? This, the BN has remained mum.
No wonder, the Opposition is gaining ground
The Opposition PR’s nationwide political rallies are seeing bigger and bigger crowds by the day and the audience comprises all races.
They break into rounds and rounds of thundering applause whenever Parliamentary Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim touches on issues related to the need to do away with non-race based policies in governance to stimulate and fast track Malaysia’s healthy socio-economic growth.
They break into rounds and rounds of applause whenever Anwar explains and proposes people-centric fiscal measures aimed at reducing the financial burden of the people in a fast rising cost of living environment.
Anwar also stresses on the need to provide a higher standard of education for Malaysians, not race, as the impetus for economic and technological excellence. This, he has proposed free education for all, from primary level to tertiary education.
If BN-Umno really resorts to the use of violence when it loses the next general election, it will be the minority Umno Malays fighting with the PKR-PAS Malays backed by the Chinese and Indian communities.
My dear fellow rakyat, it will be very much unlike May 13, 1969.
If there is another May 13 riot, the MALAYS WILL BE THE BIGGEST LOSERS
Written by Koon Yew Yin
As the countdown to the general election begins in earnest, we are getting more and more calls from desperate and irresponsible politicians drawing attention to the possibility of a repeat of the infamous May 13 violence if the election results should go against the expectations of various political parties and interests.
The fact that these calls are directed towards the Bumiputera component of our population, are expressed in the national language, and are widely carried in the Malay mass media and Internet world makes me suspicious of the intentions of these politicians who claim that they are simply doing Malaysians a favour by warning of the backlash should the election outcome not bring about a continuation of the present power structure.
To my mind, these politicians are not only applying crude pressure on the Malay electorate to vote for them but they are also blatantly revealing their trump card – that violence, chaos and political instability will automatically erupt in the event that the opposition parties win the elections.
This blackmailing of our electorate as well as incitement of disruptive and hooligan elements in our society is totally unacceptable. Various academicians and politicians from the opposition have spoken up against such fear mongering in the recent past. However, not enough has been done by members of the business community and other professional organizations to speak out against these warnings and threats although they will be the main losers should another May 13 episode take place.
Much more needs to be done by key stakeholders to condemn the individuals and organizations making the threats as the risk of these threats becoming self-fulfilling prophesies increases by the day.
Shahrizat’s not-so-veiled threat
The latest invocation of May 13 took place at the Umno general assembly held recently. In that meeting, the Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil warned that the May 13 tragedy might be repeated should Umno became weak and not be able to overcome its challenges. That this warning was not made obliquely but was served up as part of her opening speech text testifies to the way in which this kind of desperado thinking has become the mainstream in certain political circles.
What is more worrying is that both Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin as Umno president and deputy president, and more importantly as the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, failed to repudiate or rebuke Sharizat for fear mongering. Instead the Deputy Prime Minister attempted to defend the speech by explaining that chaos will be inevitable under Pakatan Rakyat rule.
Other Umno leaders, notably its vice-president Hishamuddin Hussein have even gone so far as to dismiss the attention brought by Shahrizat’s May 13 statement as a case of “spinning” and to put the blame on a pro-opposition media and other opposition elements.
“Shahrizat has already told me that this will be another matter that will be used for spinning by certain quarters, just because it coincides with the general assembly”, the country’s minister in charge of internal security is reported to have said in his dismissal of public concern when questioned about it.
Even if it is a case of over-reaction by the media and a fearful public, it is hoped that Shahrizat and her colleagues will not play with fire or pander to the psyche of insecurity found in Umno party members by constantly harping on the possible recurrence of 13 May and even worst, by condoning or justifying violent and catastrophic racial riots as they appear to be doing in the run-up to the elections.
Aftershocks of electoral violence
Should there be bloodshed and violence arising from the next elections, it will not be non-Malays primarily who will lose out or be hurt by the collapse of the share market and the larger economy as we see a rush to exit the country by local and foreign businesses and investors. It will be all Malaysians especially those who are now enjoying the good life.
Malays must bear in mind that while in 1969 they may have had less to lose, today the situation is completely different. There is Malay control of a major part of the commanding heights of our economy such as the banks, manufacturing, hi-tech industry, etc. and the largest listed companies. These gains which have given birth to the creation of a sizeable Malay middle and upper class will be put at great risk should there be another May 13. They may even disappear as the economic aftershocks and loss of economic confidence spiral out of control.
Another May 13 is unthinkable and unforgivable except to those who are so blinded by ambition and their lust for power that they need to keep reminding themselves and their supporters of that horrific possibility. However, should it happen, unlike in the first May 13 incident, it will be clear as to who are the instigators.
I trust this article will encourage more stakeholders – bankers, business leaders, academicians and leaders of all political parties – to speak out and condemn those who are using the threat of another May 13 if there is a change of government. The Malays must remember that even if Pakatan Rakyat wins control of the government, there will be more Malay Members of Parliament than from any other races.
The Malays will be the biggest losers if there is another May 13 riot. – cpi
All Malaysians likely are friends with the real enemies being MPs and Assemblymen on either BN or Pakatan’s side (especially the extreme wealth types, term limitless, or nepotistic) are the ones who pit Malaysians against Malaysian, then pretend to solve problems while making laws worse and fines higher, cost of living higher, but raising their own 23K MP salaries, asking for 750K funerals, having crony businesses and giving crony licences (like the recent Syed Mokhtar’s Puncak Semangat granted by MCMC twice the bandwidth spectrum above all other contractors – vestedinterest and anti-trust or anti-monopoly laws any Judges? No? All legal BEAGLES, not a single legal NGO made a peep . . . ). Guess who instigated the riots? Only those minority citizens directly involved should be subjected to Bumiputra Apartheid. So who should be punished for instigating riots? (hint : the extreme wealth, term limitless, or nepotistic . . . collecting 1 million of YOUR tax monies every 4 year term . . . ) . . . Vote 3rd Force!
Musa: Good, honest men victimised – NEWS/COMMENTARIES – by Teoh El Sen, FMT – Monday, 10 December 2012 Super Admin
Ex-IGP speaks out against transfers, saying that crime syndicates are now operating freely with ‘blessings from the top’.
Good, honest, hardworking police officers are being transferred from their divisions for doing their work with integrity, claimed former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan.
Musa suggested that these moves are now allowing more and more criminal syndicates to operate freely with “blessings from somebody on top” and also involved politicians at the highest levels.
Musa gave several examples of such transfers, and spoke out against the nationwide enbloc transfer of D7 officers in early 2011.
“After I left, there was an enbloc transfer of D7 officers, right? Not everybody is bad in the D7, why must you change the whole team?” he asked.
On rumours that the transfers were part of a exercise to facilitate syndicates changing hands, Musa said that was not the case, but said it was “because these officers are taking action, because they know a lot of things.”
“…. they were afraid that they couldn’t direct these people from D7,” he said, without explaining who “they” were.
Musa admitted that many of these people given transfers were those he had promoted at one point, but denied that they were part of his ‘camp’.
“I promoted people because of their capabilities and have done a good job…they were transferred out and not given any ranks.
“[During the D7 redeployment], the whole country, all the IPK contingents headquarters, some were transferred to the field force.”
“See… they were all good officers, when they were under me they arrested quite a number from the syndicates, but now there are no arrests anymore.
Musa said D7 is the division tasked with cracking down on vice, gambling, loansharks, prostitution and also to investigate syndicated crime.
“So they have all the intelligence about them, especially the bosses. These are the ones [D7 officers] who actually go after the [crime syndicate] top [guns].
‘Politicians involved in transfers’
FMT: Why such transfers under [current IGP] Ismail Omar’s time?
Musa: To make it easier for them to operate-lah, because when I was the IGP, most of them went away, they left the country.
When you say “they” you are referring to?
Musa: The syndicate bosses.
So are you then saying the current IGP is openly allowing syndicates to operate?
Ex-IGP’s influence was bad news for Umno – Monday, 10 December 2012 Super Admin
The home minister had to interfere to stop the then IGP Musa Hassan from promoting and transferring his men who would continue working with criminal elements, claims Raja Petra.
(FMT) – Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan, before his retirement, had allegedly promoted and transferred the “right” police officers who will continue to work hand-in-hand with the triads, claimed popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin today.
However, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had interfered in this exercise, and this has caused a lot of problems for the Chinese underworld and crime syndicates.
“And that is why Musa recently gave his interviews – alleging interference by the politicians in the running of the police force. It is true that the minister blocked Musa’s every move,” said Raja Petra in his latest blog posting in Malaysia Today.
Raja Petra said that Hishammuddin had decided to act as he feared that a continuation of Musa’s influence in the police force would have had a backlash on Umno in the coming general election.
“They know that the voters are unhappy with the police force and that may cost Umno a lot of votes.
“Hence if the minister does not rein in the police, then there is a danger that Umno could lose a sizeable number of votes,” said Raja Petra.
In recent weeks, Musa had claimed that during his tenure as the IGP from 2006 to 2010, there had been political interference and inflitration of criminal elements in the police force.
He said that he had raised these issues through the “proper channels” to the prime minister and home minister, but to no effect.
He had also lashed out at his successor Ismail Omar, claiming that he was a weak police chief.
Musa’s detractors, however, had responded by saying that it was Musa who had allowed the triads to take control of the police force, of his alleged corrupt practices, and of his underhand tactics to “fix people up”, including his former boss Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) chief Ramli Yusuff.
Adding to the list of Musa’s detractors, Raja Petra claimed that the former top cop has many grievances against the government, the present IGP Ismail and Hishammuddin.
Musa’s role in Bersih violence?
Raja Petra said Musa’s bitternes was due to the government’s rejection of his request for a further extension as the police chief.
“He then asked to be made the Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei and that too was rejected. Instead, he was given just a teaching job, which, to him, is a great insult when other retired IGPs before him were given ‘good’ posts,” he said.
The blogger also claimed that many suspected Musa’s role in the manner police acted violently against Bersih 3.0 rally-goers on April 28 this year.
Oh dear RPK is a racist! Or should I say fundamentalist? Crime cyndicates? They’d all rather have legal RLDs, Gambling Outlets (non-4D but all regular casino types) and OPZs which the idiot BN government simply refused out of racism and hatred for non-Muslims. RPK, I am disappointed. The above activities are CRIMINALISED there are no criminals among the Chinese community, the entertainment industry was driven underground then labelled as ‘criminal’ or underworld. Legalise and see how many ‘criminals’ there are. The Chinese by nature are always law abiding but will try to screw those who prevent them from having fun. These Human Rights abuses have been affliting the Chinese community long enough in Malaysia and probably every other non-Muslim tin the Middle East as well. How dishonest and selfish can a race or faith get?
Musa reveals more, implicates businessman – Monday, 10 December 2012 Super Admin
The ex-IGP claims that former MACC advisor Robert Phang was involved in a communication devices deal for the police which did not meet specifications.
Teoh El Sen, FMT
Several senior policemen were transferred out of the Bukit Aman Logistics Department (Communications Division) and put in “cold storage” for refusing to approve a technically unsound project involving walkie talkies worth almost RM1 billion.
It is learnt that the project was mooted towards the end of 2008 and involved the replacement of more than 30,000 new walkie-talkies for beat policemen, stations and vehicles nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak.
However, problems arose a year or two after the project, which was a direct negotiation contract, took off as the implementation of the devices were allegedly not according to specifications.
One of the problems was the apparent lack of coverage or “black spots” in certain areas around the country such as in certain buildings, and in one case very little coverage along the East-West highway despite being promised otherwise.
The other issues, which “deviated from the agreed specificaitons”, include a recording system which sometimes records when nobody speaks and vice versa; and also incidents where the walkie talkie transmits by itself.
However, despite the flaws, sources said that those within the Home Ministry and top ranking policemen were constantly pressuring a team of technical experts to sign the acceptance of the equipment before the issues were smoothed out.
“[Former inspector-general of police] Musa Hassan did not agree to a project that was not done properly but they used KDN [Home Ministry] to force the technical team to do whatever the company wanted. They were under tremendous pressure,” said a source with direct knowledge of the deal.
“By mid 2010, when the first phase was being put out in the Klang Valley, we already noticed that all these problems were surfacing, but they were swept under the carpet.
“They realised that if they signed the project, we will go to jail. So better transfer,” added the source.
Investigate Ismail
Speaking to FMT on this, Musa said when he was still IGP, he kept a close watch on the project to ensure that the equipment was what the police needed. However, he claimed, other parties’ interests crept in after he left.
Musa said that prominent businessman and former MACC advisor Robert Phang was a consultant for the project and acted as a go-between the police and the provider, a multinational telecommunications company.
“Because he was close with the police. So at that time, I believe that there were some government officers in the ministry who was involved in the company.
“Since it was approved by the government, I had to carry it out. But I made sure that the technical team that overseeing the project does not compromise to ensure that it is up to specifications and to ensure that this communication can be used throughout Malaysia without any hiccups.
“So after I left… I was not quite happy because it was still not up to specifications. I was informed that it would not work well and that is why the technical team refused to sign the commission so that money can be paid,” he told FMT.
However, Musa alleged that even Phang threatened the team. “The team received a call from him saying that if you don’t sign it, you will be transferred out.”
True enough, he added, at least three officers ranked DSP, Supt and SAC were then given letters of transfers out of the department.
“So the team refused to sign, and they were called by the IGP. The present IGP [Ismail Omar] asked them to commission it… because they need the government to pay the money… I don’t know how many million. So they got transferred and now it actually went through.
“Officers who have the capability and technical expertise in communication are being put in cold storage by this businessman. That’s how good his connections are. He is very close to the IGP now… very friendly with the home minister,” said Musa.
Musa said that he wanted the authorities to investigate Ismail for possibly abusing his powers and Phang for allegedly abetting the former.
Robert Phang had neglected to address Bumiputra Apartheid, in this case at least from this, I believe Musa’s accusation of duplicity and complicity on Robert Phang’s part. Meanwhile, perhaps Musa had not thought in terms of BEING CHINESE when accusing the so-called syndicates of being ‘criminals’ in the above response. Where synthetics are involved, I am on Musa’s side as well, but everything else labelled criminal by Musa should be dropped as mere entertainment and oppression of Chinese by jealous Muslims who are not supposed to have fun.
The current IGP’s links in the RLD, OPZ or Gambling outlet is Human Rights CORRECT so long as no Muslims are allowed to use the same, and Malaysia’s laws are in fact oppressive and inapplicable. MCA, Gerakan and DAP of course are criminal minded enough to not address these problems while hiding behind a veneer of ‘morality’ but know this, a MAN who cannot tell the difference between Voltarian Freedoms and Fundamentalism expressed Political Expedience are but mere CHILDREN living moralistic fantasies in the childhood. Those who are moral evidently do not under stand civil society and the ETHICS that allow for civilisation by allowing so-called ‘criminal activities’ which are simply entertainments tarred with demogogues and fundamentalists, orwellian minded politicians intent on control by suppression of entertainment.
Adults and free citizens (think Amsterdam’s OPZs, adult zones (RLDs) and various ‘Gambling Districts worldwide, Playboy Clubs, Hustler Clubs, Penthouse Clubs or just the Zona de Tolerancia) who’s faith permits enjoy RLDs, OPZs gambling and what not – NO PERSON OR GROUP IN THE WORLD has the right to prevent another group from having access or to set up such entertainments, though ‘pushing fun’ on the non-consenting is another thing.
The above response describes the sick immatured/oppression-intended pathos of the ethos reliant/blinded Chinese and Indians who are non-‘criminal’, and I am sure the TRULY EDUCATED can relate to and will stand by what this response means. Citizens are not chattel of the state or their faiths or their retarded neighbours, and the CIVILIAN LAWS *MUST* reflect the reality of FREEDOM, Human Rights and Democracy, MUST protect such rights, Muslims or no Muslims, fundos or no fundos of whatever faith or cultlike sect.
And then the above, which ALL politicians have neglected to implement so they can profit off strife and oppression of the libido or the saporific effects of Organic psychedelics! Freud should take up this cause even from beyond the grave . . .
Non-Muslims feeling the heat – by Wong Chun Wai – Sunday December 9, 2012
We are merely kidding ourselves if we think the rules by PAS only apply to Muslims.
THERE they go again. The PAS-controlled Kelantan state government, which has yet to resolve the controversy over the gender segregation ruling on hair salons run by non-Muslims, has now found itself in another explosive issue.
Four non-Muslims – two men on a plane-spotting outing and a couple in a park – have been issued with summonses for khalwat.
The summonses were for “indecent behaviour” but the four have denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the municipal council enforcement officers were “merely abusing their position”.
The first case involved two men in their 30s who were in a car parked beside the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport. They claimed they were watching planes land in the night when they were issued with the summonses by these Taliban-style officers.
This writer can only deduce that Kota Baru must be so boring – the result of a ban on entertainment outlets – that the two young men have to watch planes landing at the airport for entertainment. How these officers can consider their action an offence is mind-boggling.
But we know that the PAS politicians have a great sense of imagination and can conjure up fantasies out of seemingly ordinary situations. They think that getting a haircut from a person of the opposite sex can lead to moral decay and watching concerts can lead to hedonism or excessive pleasure, whatever that means.
Malaysians know that these cranky politician-theologians also frown upon the mixed company of males and females, but two non-Muslim men being punished for being in a car together, that’s a new one. Are they telling us now that two men together can lead to immoral activities or that watching planes at the airport can be sexually arousing? Even if they had committed a “gay act”, does the council have any jurisdiction over non-Muslims?
The other case involved a 17-year-old boy and a girl aged 15. They were together at the Tengku Anis Park in the town centre, in broad daylight, when they were arrested. They were approached by the enforcement officers and issued summonses on the spot for purported indecent behaviour.
Nothing seems to be safe any more for non-Muslims in Kota Baru. You get fined for having a hair cut by a hairstylist of a different sex, you get fined for being in love and sharing private moments in a park in broad daylight, and you also get summoned for being in a wrong queue in a supermarket check-out.
Before anyone accuses this writer of filing another PAS-bashing piece, it is important to point out that the protest over the latest controversies was started by the National PAS Supporters Congress president Hu Pang Chaw, who is known for his apologist stand for the Islamist party.
Interestingly enough, Hu has also revealed that the male victims had complained to him that the officers had even sought RM500 “to settle the matter”, which means that these holier-than-thou officers were open to corruption.
Hu added that “as far as I know, the council has no right to issue summonses to non-Muslims for close contact with their girlfriends in the dark or out in the open”. But Hu shouldn’t plead ignorance now because the PAS rules have always infringed upon non-Muslims. This is not the first time and it won’t be the last.
Don’t blame PAS either because they have consistently told Malaysians that their objective is to turn Malaysia into an Islamic State. Barisan Nasional tells us that we are already an Islamic State, but they still keep intact the secular laws and the British-style courts.
But for political expediency, and for selfish political ambitions, there is now a deafening silence from allies of PAS. The only exception seems to be DAP chairman Karpal Singh, who has also consistently spoken up against the hudud laws pushed by PAS. However, his party comrades have decided to keep silent and, worse, are encouraging us to elect more PAS leaders into Parliament and the state assemblies.
It is also pertinent to note that during The Star’s interview with the Sultan of Selangor, the Tuanku had revealed that there were politicians who tried to prevent the opening of cinemas in shopping malls in Shah Alam! This is in Selangor and not even in Kelantan. We can also assume that this must be the work of PAS elected representatives.
We know for a fact that the PAS state assemblyman for Bangi, Dr Shafie Abu Bakar, has prevented a cinema from being set up by a non-Muslim, and that the Kuala Selangor PAS wants to stop unmarried couples from watching movies in a cinema there.
We are merely kidding ourselves if we think the rules by PAS do not affect non-Muslims. Despite the promised intervention by PAS’ top leaders over the hair salon ruling, nothing has changed until today.
In an interview with The Malay Mail on Friday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was quoted as saying “even Chinese wives don’t agree with (unisex) salons”.
He seems out of touch with reality, or pretending to be.
So sue the government or run for politics to get political immunity to make known to the world what is happening here in Malaysia. Have the respect and ethos, the cash to fund proxy candidates? Don’t talk here from behind the media.
Najib launches Ah Jib Gor fan club – Updated: Sunday December 9, 2012 MYT 6:50:39 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the Ah Jib Gor Fan Club Sunday to feel the pulse of the people, especially the Chinese community, in the country.
Najib launched the club at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) via tele-conferencing with club members from SM Yu Yuen, Sandakan, Sabah.
The Prime Minister, when interacting said the setting up of the club in Sandakan was a testimony that the people in the country, including the people of Sabah, are confident with the 1Malaysia concept and the transformation agenda of the country.
He said the club can become a bridge for communication between him (Najib) and the people in Sabah to understand the feelings and expectation of the people towards the Government.
“Thank you for your confidence and support. I believe we can use this line of communication to exchange ideas and to make comments from time to time.
“I feel this is a very positive development because this will create not only good communication but also interpersonal relationship between all of you and the governor,” he said.
Najib said he hoped the trust of the people towards the Government would continue with the commitment of the Government to establish transformation as the main agenda of the country.
“We believe we are a strong government that can lead the country towards fulfilling the vision of becoming a developed nation. Malaysians are our responsibility and we must strive to promote harmony and stability among the various ethnics in Malaysia,” he said.
Najib said 1Malaysia was not just a slogan but rather an overarching philosophy to the principle of the nation, including policies and transformation agendas.
“1Malaysia is about forming, unity and harmony…it is based on fairness, inclusive and moderation…all that are part and parcel of the 1Malaysia philosophy.
“1Malaysia will be our overarching philosophy and with your support this nation will transform to be the first red nation and a nation that we can all be proud of,” he said. – Bernama
The lowest of the apartheid accepting ‘slaves’ KTK par excellence have just confirmed their pariah status. Good job Najib! You’v helped identify which Chinese and which Chinese families are no longer Chinese! Those that are lower than the MCA bunch here will not even be MCA members but who join out of sheer cluelessness. Say ‘Massa’ or ‘Tuan’ yer Goreans! How masochistic and unaware of equality can overseas (Malaysian) Chinese get!
NAJIB AN INCREASING LIABILITY: Umno’s war-cry sunk by Altantuya & Deepak bombshells Featured – written by Maria Begum, Malaysia Chronicle – Monday, 03 December 2012 07:26
Umno’s much-touted 66th general assembly ended with a whimper, its cries of being able to snatch two-thirds of the seats in Parliament downed by missiles that emanated from its own base boomeranging badly on its top leader – the scandal-plagued and embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Despite acknowledging that Umno’s notorious corruption was its own worst enemy, Najib failed to speak up against graft, introduce serious pre-emptive reforms or to even promise a new horizon where transparency would be the rule and not the exception.
His political rivals were not surprised, attributing this in large part due to at least 3 major pieces of shocking news that erupted just days before the Umno assembly started.
“What is there to say. It is so clear Umno cannot change. Its leaders can order the mainstream media, the TV and newspapers to black out the news. They can shout at how confident they are to win the 13th general election but Umno delegates and members have that sinking feeling in their hearts,” PAS MP for Shah Alam Khalid Samad told Malaysia Chronicle.
“Inwardly, many grassroots are disappointed and disgusted by the dishonesty and corruption of their leaders but they won’t do much because this is the nature of Umno. It has always been. Those who can’t stand it will leave, those who stay will hang on and hope for a piece of the gravy train even though they know it is corrupt.”
TRIPLE bombshells, more to come?
The first news break that shocked the country came from French lawyers, who revealed that the investigative judges hearing the RM7.3bil Scorpene case in Paris had decided that, contrary to the Malaysian government’s claims, murdered Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu was involved in Putrajaya’s acquisition of submarinnes from naval giant DCNS and would be requesting for full records of her murder trial.
This news set tongues wagging as Umno members thronged the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur where their annual congress was held. Perhaps the news reverberated all the more because Najib had foolishly refused to allow the French lawyers to come to Malaysia to brief Members of Parliament on the latest status of case, thereby increasing the suspicion against himself and his wife Rosmah Mansor, both of whom have been accused of involvement and whose former bodyguards were sentenced to hang for the murder.
Next were the twin bombshells dropped by carpet trader Deepak Jaikishan, a former close friend of Rosmah’s. According to Deepak, the first couple enlisted his help in overturning a statutory declaration that implicated them in the Altantuya murder. The news sparked calls for a re-opening of the Altantuya murder trial which has been questioned for its ‘quality’ of justice, with the court accused of ignoring evidence that the bodyguards may have been merely the hired killers and that the people who gave the order to murder still at large.
As if that were not enough and Umno members were not already reeling at the alleged misdeeds of their president and his wife, Deepak went on to accuse a “member of Najib’s family” of taking millions of ringgit for his approving the RM100 Puspahanas project, a research centre commissioned by the Ministry of Defense which despite being privatized in 2005 remains only about 20% built today.
“Umno’s ‘war’ 66th General Assembly has ended with UMNO leaders confident and euphoric, with the Umno Secretary-General Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and other Umno leaders declaring that Umno will not only triumph in the next general elections, but will win back the two-thirds parliamentary majority as well as all the four Pakatan states including Kelantan and Penang,” DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said in a statement.
“However, ‘Man proposes, God disposes’. Although the just-concluded Assembly was painstakingly choreographed and orchestrated, with a lot of do’s and don’t’s for those who spoke at the four-day Umno Assemblies to optimise Umno’s appeal in the 13GE, the ineluctable conclusion of rational and thinking Malaysians is that despite all the talk of “transformation”, Umno leaders and Umno are incapable of change so long as Umno remains corrupted in the corridors of power.
“Umno and Barisan Nasional have become synonymous with corruption in Malaysia and the 44 months of Najib premiership have shown that Najib is only good at mouthing anti-corruption slogans but totally lacking the political will and commitment to root out corruption, especially grand corruption involving political and government leaders.
“This is why the 66th UMNO General Assembly presented the sad spectacle of the Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, successfuly performing the “disappearance” act despite valiant efforts by the media representatives on a look-out for him to respond to demands by Sabah UMNO delegates that Musa explain the scandal of the RM40million “political donation to Sabah UMNO” which involved him and the Sabah timber trader Michael Chia.
“Also most disturbing is the backing out and silence of the Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi coupled with the failure of Najib to respond to the serious allegations of integrity about a RM100 million defence ministry project in 2005 raised by businessman Deepak Jaikishan implicating the Prime Minister’s family and which is also related to the high-profile and long-running Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case. Haunting Najib at the 66th UMNO General Assembly was the ghost of Altantuya Shaariibuu. Why couldn’t Altantuya’s ghost be appeased?”
BN has the mandate still and can grant :
Even the UMNO Malays might concede on the above 3 items than let Pakatan win.
UMNO will be torn apart after the Judiciary is replaced by Pakatan cronies. we all know how Malaysia works (too many legal beagles too few legal eagles), and the people might be displeased enough with UMNO too that Pakatan need not even ‘do the dirty work’, many terrible things probably happened by some faction’s hands in the past and who knows the aggrieved are just waiting for BN to be politically destroyed . .
BN REALLY should use the mandate to grant the above 3 items, that way at least they MIGHT have some places to run to avoid those they have hurt since independence or may yet turn the 40%+ minority and possibly majority of Malays to their side again. The above 3 items are rightful Human Rights, why risk losses in GE13 by not granting something so basic? Is racism and greed so much fun that GE13 is worth losing? For all the faults the article above points at, the chance to win is still there, IF Pakatan does not confirm the above 3 items and BN grants the above 3 items BEFORE GE13. As they say, ain’t over till over . . . but so long as BN does not use the mandate to grant the 3 items, BN with a record of abuses and failures and racism will indeed fail.
THINK NAJIB! If you can’t even sort out Dr M or reform Umno, HOW CAN YOU RULE M’SIA? – Hornbill Unleashed – Martin Jalleh – December 10, 2012
The General Elections beckons and it looks as though the Prime Minister (PM) has gone berserk. He is making comments most bizarre! He blurts out statements beyond human logic!
Soon after the last General Elections he had warned his political party that either it changes or the government that it so dominates will be changed by the people.
He now surprisingly admits that Umno needs to change (The Malaysian Insider, 7 Dec., 2012). In other words, his party has not changed – which in fact clearly contradicts what he and his cohorts have been saying!
For instance the Sun Daily reported on 1 Dec. 2012: Following up on his apology for Umno’s past wrongdoings, at the opening of the party’s 66th general assembly…Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today closed the annual event by exuding optimism that the people’s confidence for Umno is well on recovery mode.
“There is such tremendous response,” he told a euphoric crowd of delegates who seemed charged-up to defend the party’s hold over Malaysia in the upcoming general election.
“Not just from the Malay people…. The non-Malays also see Umno more positively than in the earlier times.
“They see that with each passing day, Umno is recovering even more… With each passing day, they see that Umno is qualified even more, to rule this country.
“We have shown that we are capable to remedy our condition. We are closing ranks and displaying an extraordinary spirit,” he said in his presidential speech at the Putra World Trade Centre here.
“Indicating to the party faithful – and voters at large – that Umno has indeed transformed and improved from what it was in the 2008 general election when the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition it led lost four states and its two-thirds majority in Parliament, he proceeded to dish out warnings at those in the party who may hamper it in the next election.”
Mandate from the people to reform Umno? But what if Umno still resists after Najib gets the mandate?
First you say Umno has changed. Yet in your latest comment you admit that it has not changed! Alas dear Mr PM are you not being a chameleon which you so often accuse Anwar Ibrahim of?
What is most preposterous is that Najib says “he needs a mandate from voters in order to reform Umno” (The Malaysian Insider, 7 Dec., 2012)!
“If I want to reform the party, I need a mandate from the people. Without the mandate from the electorate how can I reform the party?” he told the Malay Mail in an interview published recently.
The Malaysian Insider commented: “Reforming Umno has proven to be a monumental task despite the party’s and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) flagging popularity, particularly in urban areas.
“The Umno president has been pushing a reform agenda which included the repeal of security laws considered draconian and the push for a more multi-racial agenda.
“But conservative forces within the party, especially those linked with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, have resisted change and have pushed a more Malay-centric platform.
“Mindful of Dr Mahathir’s continued influence, Najib has been careful not to alienate the former PM who had contributed to BN’s worst electoral performance in Election 2008 when he campaigned against the administration of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“But ahead of key national elections due next year, Prime Minister Najib said he was pleading for voters to grant him the mandate to continue his reform policies that can spur Malaysia forward for the greater good even as he acknowledges his party and the ruling BN coalition’s sluggishness towards change. (The Malaysian Insider, 7 Dec., 2012)
“With this mandate, a strong mandate from the people, I will deliver what I promised. This is not just about GE13, it’s about transforming the nation and I’m committed to it.”
Don’t be over-ambitious, Najib: Sort out Dr M first before you seek to rule the WHOLE nation
Why don’t you try to change your own party before you try to transform the whole nation, Mr PM?
“If I want to reform the party, I need a mandate from the people. Without the mandate from the electorate how can I reform the party?”
The mandate given by the people (the electorate) in the General Elections is to transform the country and not to reform your party! That’s Umno’s and your job!
Please get the mandate from your own party members to reform your own party! It appears that either you have failed to get the mandate from Umno members to change the party or in spite of the support given to you, you have failed to reform it.
And since you have failed to reform Umno, the party will be an obstacle to your plans to transform the country. It would not make any sense for you to continue as Umno president and as the PM.
And if you cannot even change your own party are we to expect that you are going to bring about change in the country?
Alas, perhaps it is time to change the president of Umno and the Prime Minister of this country!
Shut up Jalleh! I like what Najib is saying here IF thats sincere (doubtful but we’d never know but so long as the below 3 items are actually concretised, the voters couldn’t care less and will give PM Najib a second term) and relates to the below 3 items. What is Jalleh doing? Trying to goad Najib into the arms of those racists being berated? If BN grants :
;even the Chinese would vote BN over Pakatan which has never made clear on the above. Of course BN would be unlikely to grant the above given the number of racists, but Najib is indeed thinking and should not be hammered. Are you an UMNO disinfo agent Jalleh? Or just angry in a way that your articles are skewed in a manner that makes impossible the above 3 items?
Waning popularity a message from the people, Najib warns BN – by Zurairi AR – December 02, 2012
“The problem is not at the top, the problem is on the ground. “These people must try to understand what the government wants. If we say we must treat every citizen equally, the whole system … must do that,” Najib added to applause from the floor.
Politics should be about honesty, and civilisational Islam (or other religion) is not crony laws and racial privileges. As mentioned elsewhere, were a screen applied to ensure meritocracy (to mask race), a translation machine (to mask language), and a voice modulator and distortion screen or camera (to mask gender) applied at a job interview, we’d be surprised at the choices we make based on POLICY rather than race or religion or cult of personality (which harms the accuracy of content via sheer pathos via inverse civility). Then the concept of NATION would be real. Right now the ‘needs basis’ is based around wrong things like religion and race or even gender ‘quotas’, which is very backward and insulting to the host race the Malays, the minorities, or men in general. Let the best people lead and let them be limited in terms AND chosen with the above tech applied so that the above racial or gender or religious cues will not affect choices. Finally, a first world ‘Meritocracy’ of logic and ability (as opposed to mob minded and pathos based DEMOCRACY of majority) must include :
Teen summoned for frolicking in park upset and embarrassed – by SYED AZHAR newsdesk@thestar.com.my – Tuesday December 11, 2012
It is NOT a piggy-back ride, but Islamist Bullying in Malaysia must be addressed against . . . http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/12/11/nation/12441781&sec=nation
KOTA BARU: The 17-year-old teenager, who was issued a summons for allegedly giving his girlfriend a “piggy-back ride” at a public park, is upset and embarrassed following the incident.
The teenager, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he had a tough time explaining to his mother that he was innocent and that he and his 15-year-old girlfriend did nothing indecent.
The teenager was given the summons for allegedly “piggy-backing” his girlfriend while jogging at Taman Tunku Anis at about 5.30pm on Oct 20.
“The incident was traumatic for me and my girlfriend because although I am not an expert in council by-laws, I think what I did was merely having fun with my girlfriend. It was far from an offence.
“We were just fooling around in broad daylight like any other teenager but the officer who approached us said it was improper for us to act like that in public.
“He continued giving us a lecture on morality and when I thought that we would be let off with a warning, he issued us with the summons,” he said yesterday adding that he was now in Kuala Lumpur after completing his SPM examinations.
Summonses had also been issued to two non-Muslim men were for allegedly embracing each other when they were found in a car parked near the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport at midnight on Oct 31. Both have denied the allegations.
The action against the four led to an outcry by various groups which likened it to imposing the Syariah law of close proximity or “khalwat” on non-Muslims.
The teenager also claimed he had argued with the officer as it was unfair to penalise someone when a verbal warning would suffice.
“When I got home that day, I showed the summons to my mother.
“She was very upset at first but when she saw the nature of the offence written in the summons, she believed that I had done nothing wrong.
“My mother thinks I should not have been issued with the summons and that is why she has brought up the matter with lawyers to ask their opinion on the matter,” he added.
He said the news about the incident spread and many assumed that he was involved in “hanky-panky business” with his girlfriend.
“All my friends wanted to know what happened in the park. But when I told them that my girlfriend was merely on my back, they did not believe me and after seeing the summons, my friends will now think twice about hanging out with their girlfriends anywhere.
“They are now afraid to even go to the park with their girlfriends,” she added.
He said he had been under some stress during the SPM examinations because of the incident.
“But I believe I did okay because my conscience is clear and my family is with me,” he said.
Let all Malaysians vote only for MPs who believe in dropping the entire Syariah Court system in favour of the civil court system. Also :
If there are no such MPs running for election, please run for candidacy so that Malaysia will not become an Al-Qaeda or fundo-type-Taliban country.
47%, China, Christiana Figueres, civilisation, Costa Rica, Discourse, Dubai, Japan, Nepotism, nuclear power, utopian
In 1% tricks and traps, 99%, abstention options, as close to original as possible, best practices, China, Democracy, democratisation, demogoguery, dhimmi, dhimmitude, Equality, Equitable Distribution, equitable political power distribution, Ethics, fashion, Fundamentalism, hegelian dialectic, Islam, Japan, media collusion, Media Neutrality, media sabotage, media traps, media tricks, mob mentality, Nepotism, Plutocracy, racism, spirit of the law, spiritual abuse, spirituality, Wealth distribution on October 6, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Nuclear operators must act now on safety: EU – by Barbara Lewis – Posted 2012/10/04 at 1:32 pm EDT
BRUSSELS, Oct. 4, 2012 (Reuters) — Regulators and operators should act now to improve safety at nuclear power plants, the EU energy commissioner said on Thursday, following inspections across the European Union.
European Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger speaks at a news conference on the EU Nuclear Stress Tests in Brussels October 4, 2012. REUTERS/Yves Herman
The stress tests, carried out in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster, found safety improvements costing between 10 billion ($12.90 billion) and 25 billion euros were necessary in European plants, a draft seen by Reuters showed this week.
“Nearly everywhere there is major potential for improvement,” Energy Commission Guenther Oettinger told reporters.
“We therefore think that we should talk together with operators and regulatory authorities to act rapidly so that the highest possible standards can be guaranteed very soon.”
One of the lessons of Fukushima was that two natural disasters could strike at the same time and knock out the electrical supply system of a plant completely, so it could not be cooled down.
The stress tests sought to avert any repeat of that series of events by establishing whether nuclear plants can withstand natural disasters, aircraft crashes and management failures, as well as whether adequate systems are in place to deal with power disruptions.
Among the findings were that on-site seismic instruments should be installed or improved in 121 reactors.
In addition, 24 reactors did not have a back-up emergency room in case the main control room became uninhabitable.
LIMITS OF EU POWER
Because EU authorities do not have power to determine the energy mix of member states, the stress tests were voluntary, but Oettinger said they would not just be “put in a drawer”.
“We are at the beginning of a new European safety dynamic,” he said.
He confirmed the Commission would follow up with legislative proposals early next year to enhance safety.
The proposals would include insurance and liability, but Oettinger said it was not yet clear what that might mean for electricity bills.
Austria, which banned nuclear plants in 1974, said the stress tests were “good, but not good enough”.
“Our demand is very clear: retrofit nuclear plants or shut them down,” Austrian Environment Minister Niki Berlakovich told reporters in Vienna, referring to the possibility of adding safety measures.
Rebecca Harms, a Green member of the European Parliament, told Reuters Television the stress tests report had dodged the tough questions, but said they had still served to highlight the problems.
“Mr Oettinger has done the debate on lacking security standards a great favor,” she said.
She added that the tests had “produced a handsome list of deficiencies, showing that there is a large deficit of security standards in every country that runs nuclear power plants”.
ASN, the nuclear regulator in France, which relies on atomic energy for about 75 percent of its power, was highly critical of the report, saying “some important recommendations had been ignored”.
It has already said France needs to invest billions of euros.
The chief inspector of Britain’s nuclear plants, Mike Weightman, who also made recommendations for improvements after Fukushima, said: The stress test process was a valuable exercise, reinforcing the conclusions we had reached here in the UK”.
(Additional reporting by Oliver Denzer; Michael Shields in Vienna; Marion Douet in Paris; editing by William Hardy and Jason Neely)
No power? Rubbish. If a nuclear plant in some 3rd world trash heap or corrupted 1st world colluding cut corner type nation is going to irradiate the world destroying ecosystems and humanity eventually, the UN should send peacekeepers to dismantle the nuke plant and bury all nuclear parts and place bans on that nation. Hear that peacekeepers? When that nuke plant blows, nothing on the planet will be left unirradiated, INCLUDING the UN peacekeepers’ families. Nuclear is too messy and likely spiritually wrong. Switch to solar or fusion instead and not worry about storage of nuclear waste and terrorists targeting nukes.
Romney on 47% comments: I was ‘completely wrong’ – October 4th, 2012 11:39 PM ET Posted by CNN’s Ashley Killough
(CNN) – Mitt Romney said he was “completely wrong” when he argued that nearly half of Americans were “victims” and dependent on government.
The admission came Thursday as the GOP presidential candidate sought to clarify his controversial “47%” comments.
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“Clearly in a campaign with hundreds if not thousands of speeches and question-and-answer sessions, now and then you’re going to say something that doesn’t come out right,” Romney said on Fox News. “In this case, I said something that’s just completely wrong.”
Last month, secretly recorded video of Romney at a May fundraiser showed the Republican candidate saying 47% of Americans will vote for President Barack Obama “no matter what.”
“There are 47% who are with him, who are dependent on government, who believe that, that they are victims, who believe that government has the responsibility to care for them. Who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing.”
Romney ads: U.S. can’t afford four more years of Obama
The non-partisan Tax Policy Center estimates that for tax year 2011, 46% of households will end up owing nothing in federal income taxes. But if payroll taxes are counted, the number of non-payer households drops precipitously – to an estimated 18% in 2011.
Adding to his argument about entitlement, Romney said his “job is not to worry about those people.”
“I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives,” he added.
“What I have to do is convince the 5 percent to 10 percent in the center that are independents, that are thoughtful.”
After the videos, which were posted on the progressive news website Mother Jones, caught fire, Romney called a last-minute press conference with pool reporters while he was in California at the time.
The former Massachusetts governor acknowledged the comments were “off the cuff” and “not elegantly stated,” but he defended the main point of the message, saying he was criticizing the increasing size of government and entitlement programs.
“We have a very different approach – the president and I – between a government-dominated society and a society driven by free people pursuing their dreams,” Romney said.
The following day, Romney still stuck by his comments and elaborated on the logistical reasoning behind his remarks.
With Ryan by his side, Romney rallies Virginians in debate victory lap
“We were of course talking about a campaign and how he is going to get close to half the vote,” Romney said. “I’m going to get half the vote, I hope, I want to get 50.1% or more. Frankly we have two very different views about America.”
In the first presidential debate Wednesday, Obama surprised political observers by not going after Romney on the comments, as he has on the campaign trail in the last two weeks.
On Fox News Thursday night, Romney was asked what he would have said if the president had brought up the controversial statements–which is when the GOP nominee went as far as to say he was “wrong.”
He then argued that, if elected, he would represent all Americans, not just half.
“I absolutely believe, however, that my life has shown that I care about 100% and that’s been demonstrated throughout my life. And this whole campaign is about the 100%. When I become president, it will be helping the 100%.”
What’s your reaction to Mitt Romney saying his secretly recorded comment that nearly half of Americans were victims dependent on government was “completely wrong?” Share your thoughts below or using the hashtag #47percent.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/04/romney-on-47-comments-i-was-completely-wrong/?hpt=hp_t1
The 1%, even the top 70% of citizens do not need any caring for. And no government can care for 100% of the population. 47% is being very generous! Priority should be given to the bottom 30% or even 10% at the bottom, and with no care at all for the top 70% especially less so the top 1%, simply because the top 70% (far more so the 1%) won’t feel any surfeit without care either, nor would they want any ‘condescending’ and ‘indebting’ care which any common sense person or ethical person would not want to partake of to not be indebted to the state to not make the state feel entitled to RULE them as citizens rather than administer.
This is also why term limits need to be introduced at ALL government careerist politician posts and seats, simply to prevent the term limitless to take the role of Santa Claus from monies which actually come from the taxpayers who are already doing economic national service as opposed to those sequestering wealth from circulating in the system or worse still sending that money to overseas microstate tax havens like Singapore and Lietchtenstein or any banana republic or oil republic nations!
The Concept of Civilization – September 27, 2012 | By Xavier Bartlett – Waking Times
We all have an idea about the meaning of the word “civilization”: a concept that we use to relate to a complex, advanced society like the current one on Earth, but also ancient cultures which flourished centuries ago, leaving us with a splendid legacy. If we focus primarily on the social sciences, the term civilization is used to indicate a high state of progress – a certain level of social, cultural, political, economic and technological evolution that differentiates us from early cultures as well as current primitive communities that stay more or less isolated from what we call the modern world. Nevertheless, we must take into account that the word civilization can be also used in a broader sense: to denote the set of ideas, knowledge, values, institutions and achievements of a society at a certain time.
The idea that civilization equates to the summit of human development is long established in our history and relates directly to the rise of cities and states. However, with the triumph of evolutionism as a scientific theory, this definition was cemented; evolutionism not only impacted the natural sciences, but also greatly affected the social sciences such as history, archeology and anthropology. Thus, the most remote human past began to be explained not in religious or mythical terms, but under a scientific pattern: from the origin of man until the outbreak of civilization which took place more than 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Archaeological record demonstrates that early humans practiced nomadism for many thousands of years and had a simple —though not easy— life as hunter-gatherers. However, at the end of the last Ice Age (circa 10,000 BC) a radical change occurred and the human population entered a stage of progressive settlement that altered their strategy for survival: in addition to hunting and gathering, men began to domesticate plants and animals, thus becoming farmers and shepherds. Archeologist Gordon V. Childe called this process the “Neolithic Revolution”. And, between 4000 and 3000 BC, after a few millennia of Neolithic communities which had been developing in several areas of the world, the first known civilizations appeared, first in Mesopotamia and soon after in Egypt. Some centuries later, civilization emerged strongly in other parts of the world: the Indus Valley, China and finally the New World.
This new breakthrough, the so called “Urban Revolution”, was characterized by several milestones:
Population was divided into small rural villages and large settlements which eventually became cities.
A centralized religious-political power grew in the cities, achieving control over vast areas and thus creating the first state structures. Administrative apparatus and legal doctrines were created as a support for these structures.
The surplus of resources promoted growth and economic exchange, leading to the development of trade.
Society was stratified in several levels; there was a progressive specialization of work, especially in the urban environment.
Systems of writing appeared as a means of recording and managing information (a factor that eventually led to the creation of predominant historical cultures).
There was significant progress in science and technique in general, particularly in terms of practical application. An important material culture was developed in various arts and industries.
This process charts mankind’s drastic change from primitive existence into a complex world of increasing material welfare: man now controlled and exploited his surroundings, transforming them into a somewhat artificial environment.
There is no doubt that every new civilization established itself by building on the legacy of its predecessors and raising itself to new heights. Mesopotamia and Egypt were unrivalled in their own times, but in the fifth century BC Classical Greece arose and brought with it democracy, art, philosophy and science. Athens, and later Rome, spread civilization throughout the Mediterranean Sea, forever changing the face of Europe. And finally, this classical legacy built the foundations of the modern Western civilization, initially fostered in Europe and later carried further by America. This is the civilization we have now, which reaches all corners of the globe; though there are still countless different cultures with their own customs and values, the Western civilization has inarguably permeated and altered even the furthest of these.
This historical review may lead us to conclude that civilization is the logical progression of mankind from a state of mere subsistence to a complex culture in which scientific and technological progressions enable a much easier standard of living. However, we should question whether we should really consider progress and civilization to be synonymous. There is no doubt that evolutionary ideology enhanced the idea that man progresses through history and therefore some societies are superior to others simply because they are civilized. Nineteenth century anthropology proposed a simple classification of human cultures: savagery (hunter-gatherers), barbarism (farmers and shepherds) and civilization (the man of the urban environment). Similarly, archeology created a system of ages based on technology and certain material achievements. These categorizations would only allow us to conclude that the older a society is, the more primitive, and the more primitive, the more undesirable. Cultural evolutionism defended the notion that man moves naturally to a higher stage, and this is the desirable goal for all human beings; civilization represents progress, and the higher degree of civilization, the higher degree of progress for everyone. However, we must question this presumption and ask whether the evolutionary paradigm, first developed in the West during a period of marked eurocentrism, is compromised when applied to the history of civilizations.
History demonstrates that societies who considered themselves to be “civilized” did not hesitate to impose their own custom and value systems on those “wild” people and societies that they considered less evolved. Though this behavior is perhaps most relatable to European colonialism, it is evident in very different contexts, throughout history and all over the world. For example, the admired Aztec civilization is also renowned for its heavy handed imperialism and for the mass human sacrifices which horrified the Spanish conquistadors; and yet, it is documented that when the Aztecs became the conquered, they too were subjected to abuse, genocide and slavery by the so called “civilized” Spanish. Therefore, it could be said that cultural evolutionism is just a qualification “in scientific terms” of this long-established imperialist attitude. Global imperialism was justified in this way with the belief that the spread of “civilization” meant progress for all, even though the means was often marked by extreme abuses to those this “progress” was imposed upon. Indeed, civilization has not been an easy ride, because in most cases it has involved a political-economic conquest – often by force of arms – which has radically changed lifestyles and created new problems to overlay supposed existing problems.
The echo of this civilized aggression is still heard today in the cry of resistance of many indigenous communities to their cultural invaders all over the world. Instead of seeing the “benefits” of civilization, these people see only the loss of their own beliefs and traditions, and as seems common to all, the loss of their intimate bond with Earth and nature. However, it is important not to idealize a certain myth of the noble savage nor condemn the wonders which civilization has brought: the works of Virgil, the Taj Mahal, Rembrandt’s pictures or Puccini’s operas. And yet, in spite of recognizing many positive or desirable outcomes of civilization, it is impossible not to feel some uneasiness, from a historical perspective, at its great contradictions: the wars, genocide, intolerance, poverty, corruption, destruction and persecution which have resulted in its name.
If we concede that man progresses, how can we equate this with the 20th century’s “civilized” world which has suffered two brutal world wars with millions of victims? Are Hiroshima and Nagasaki symbols of civilization? How could an advanced and “civilized” nation such as modern Germany could fall into the moral barbarism of Nazism? Is the global pollution and irrational use of natural resources civilized behavior? Can the complex international financial system be the solution to the crisis created by itself? And why is this world civilization, with many international organizations, incapable of ending the famine and poverty in so many countries? In short, how can we talk about civilization if, for so many, the human condition has not substantially improved since the time of the Pharaohs? The accumulation of knowledge and material achievements for the privileged minority cannot justify an apparent lack of spiritual progress and human empathy. A voice that resonates inside us tells us that this cannot be civilization.
Now we’re getting to the heart of the question. In order to discover a new vision of the concept of civilization we must leave our Western rational mind and find another approach to study human existence. The writer and Egyptologist John Anthony West has a radically different definition of civilization:
“By civilisation I mean a society organised upon the conviction that mankind is on earth for a purpose. In a civilisation, men are concerned with the quality of the innerlife rather than with the conditions of day to day existence.” (West, J.A. Serpent in the Sky. p. 6)
Indeed, West presents a key point: the true meaning of human existence goes beyond the material world that surrounds us, it begins within the boundaries of our own skin. Neither science nor history have been able to provide real answers to philosophy’s great questions: Who are we? Where do we come from? What happens when we die? From the evolutionist point of view, there is no order or defined purpose, only chance. And chance determines what we perceive in the universe through our five senses. Man is just another animal, a physical being that shares a high percentage of DNA with chimps. But it is our differences from animals, those intellectual and rational attributes that make us human, that may lead us to question the idea of consciousness. We cannot deny that man needs food and shelter as other living beings, but he also asks questions and seeks answers about his own existence.
In this civilized world of immediate satisfaction, we think that having a powerful car, a new cell phone or a 3D TV means our lifestyle is far superior to that of indigenous people living in the deep jungle. It is true, we have more possessions, but does this equate to more happiness? Beyond this material wealth, humans still live and die as they did two, three or five thousand years ago. Civilization, as a frame of human existence in the past 5,000 years, has not only failed to connect us to our inner being, but is still unable to erase all of the problems our species faces.
In fact, the development of civilization has offered us several political-economic systems (including revolutions) which have tried to improve human existence, but they have not been successful. Perhaps this is because they have not reached the heart of the matter: man must first be transformed inside in order to change the world around him. Again and again we have seen philosophers and politicians make the same mistake when seeking to create a utopia. Thus, socialist ideology, which should have released humanity from the evils of western civilization, became a monster that forced men and women to live a materialistic and oppressive existence. Communism in the USSR demonstrates this clearly: thisworkers’ paradise was a totalitarian state that created its own imperialist policy all around the globe and was involved in several major wars from 1917 to 1991. At the end, the freedom of its people was hugely limited; they suffered very poor living conditions and terrible periods of political repression.
So, we see that civilization, in many forms throughout history, has completely failed to eliminate the selfishness and apparent need for confrontation that are at root of so many of humanity’s problems. Moreover, the arrival of capitalism in the recent centuries has only enhanced these negative attributes to land us in our current climate of consumerism and free economy where, while millions suffer famine around the world, huge quantities of food are destroyed in “civilized” countries in order to control the prices in the stock market. If we look at it like this, it is clear that somewhere along the line the evolution of civilization has gone very wrong; it hasn’t been able to improve the happiness of humanity at large, and it has not been able to provide a decent standard of living for all, instead it has just greatened the distance between rich and poor and increased the depths of human selfishness.
On the other hand, if we consider civilization as a set of values, knowledge, beliefs or products of a society, it is clear that the present world is really very complex and sometimes incomprehensible to the average citizen who has no idea of the final destination of human development. The modern civilized world looks like an astounding technological façade with no values or spirit behind it, except the materialist motivations. In this context, a growing sense of apathy and bewilderment seizes modern society. We cannot understand why one day we are fortunate and the next we have nothing, while many people grow up having nothing at all, not even hope. The multiple forms of corruption only increase this feeling of astonishment and indignation.
Now that we have all seen this scenario, perhaps it’s time to raise fearlessly a new vision, one where we have the right to judge and reject the “civilized world” for directly undermining the moral essence of man. And yet, the lack of obvious alternative to civilization impedes this change: people can only foresee a return to barbarism if we cast it off. But what could be worse than the barbarisms that we see in our world today? Are we blind to the things that are happening around us as long as we live a comfortable life? Isn’t this just more of the same selfishness and individualism?
The transformation of civilization it’s not about any kind of revolution, but about changing our focus from matter to spirit. Thus, in order to live in harmony with everyone and with our environment, in the mythical realm of the so-called “Golden Age”, we must transform our conscience. The first step in this global shift should be a personal commitment in our public and private behavior to live in alignment with love, dignity, solidarity, decency, honesty, and sincerity. Only then will humanity be on the right path, in a world that will not perhaps require large cities or flashy gadgets, but will give harmony to human communities and spiritual meaning to our lives.
This article was originally featured at GrahamHancock.com forum, an inspiring resource and conversation depot.
http://www.wakingtimes.com/2012/09/27/the-concept-of-civilization/
. . . our public and private behavior to live in alignment with . . .
Leave the ‘private behaviour to live in alignment with . . . ‘ zinger out of this article and the article would be near perfect. Common sense is that . . . love, dignity, solidarity, decency, honesty, and sincerity . . . vary from private AND consensual communities to others living their own . . . love, dignity, solidarity, decency, honesty, and sincerity . . . standard. If a bunch of people like BDSM or LGBT and cannibalism or limb hacking (Hudud Syariah Islam), perhaps overloud blaring of loudspeaker prayers as well, or any combination of the above (a gay Muslim? A cannibal Nudist?) AND also voluntarily and consciously assent to their *own version* of ‘mainstream love, dignity, solidarity, decency, honesty, and sincerity . . . ‘lifestyle in body mind and spirit and want their own districts or even cities (some nudist colonies already exist), as a civilised society, those of the ‘ ‘mainstream love, dignity, solidarity, decency, honesty, and sincerity . . . ‘lifestyle in body mind and spirit,’ AS PER civilisation and Voltarian mindsets, leave these people alone to their own preference and allow them spaces too.
See below link’s article on Comparison of Hudud Limb Removal Punishments to ‘Nullification’
http://thewayofthefool.tumblr.com/post/8421712545
Charting a path to a greener tomorrow – November 28 2011 at 11:22am – INLSA – Christiana Figueres, the executive secretary of the UNs Framework Convention on Climate Change. – Tony Carnie tony.carnie@inl.co.za
Christiana Figueres, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is the most senior official and negotiator in the UN climate change treaty system, and comes from a family dynasty steeped in the arts of politics and diplomacy.
Her father, Jose Figueres Ferrer, served three terms as president of the Central American nation of Costa Rica.
Her mother, Karen Olsen Beck, served as Costa Rica’s ambassador to Israel and was later elected a member of her country’s legislative assembly.
Her older brother, Jose Figueres Olsen, is also a past president of Costa Rica and her younger brother, Mariano Figueres Olsen, is currently active in politics.
NM Christian Figueres
The 55-year-old mother of two daughters is married to German-born Konrad von Ritter, a former head of the World Bank’s sustainable development unit.
She speaks Spanish, English and German, and is now based permanently in Bonn, Germany.
Figueres, who will play a key role in the COP17 negotiations in Durban, has worked as a private-sector consultant on carbon trading and has more than a decade of experience in previous climate talks as a member of the Costa Rican climate change negotiating team.
She grew up in Costa Rica in a farming community founded by her father and learned German at the Humboldt Schule.
Figueres later studied in England and the United States, graduating with a degree in anthropology from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in social anthropology from the London School of Economics.
She began her public service career in 1982 as a minister counsellor at the embassy of Costa Rica in Bonn, where she was responsible for negotiating the terms of technical assistance and development finance.
Returning to Costa Rica in 1987, she was appointed director of international co-operation in the Ministry of Planning and helped to negotiate financial and technical agreements with eight European countries.
A year later she became chief of staff to the minister of agriculture, before moving to Washington with her husband, who worked at the World Bank. She re-entered professional life in the mid-1990s, founding the Centre for Sustainable Development of the Americas, a think-tank promoting the participation of Latin American countries in the UN climate change treaty system.
She also helped to prepare several greenhouse gas reduction projects in the energy and industry sectors, and from 2007 to 2009 represented Latin America as vice-president of the Bureau of the UN Climate Convention.
She was also closely involved in the design and promotion of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the carbon-trading offshoot scheme of the Kyoto Protocol, which allows developed nations to “offset” their greenhouse gas emissions in developing nations.
She has served as a member of the CDM executive board, advised several private-sector carbon-trading companies such as C Quest Capital, and was also a board member of Winrock International, which oversees the voluntary American Carbon Registry.
She was appointed to her current position as executive secretary of the UNFCCC early last year, taking over from Yvo de Boer of the Netherlands.
What is her role in the COP17 negotiations?
In a recent press briefing, Figueres described her main function as a facilitator “helping to kick the ball forward” during the Durban talks and to provide support to the host nation in reaching further agreements.
What are some of her expectations for the Durban talks?
“Climate change is possibly the largest challenge humanity has ever faced, but every conference of the parties is only a step in the right direction.
“We have to chart a path as we move forward. This journey has not been mapped before and every country will have to walk down that path together.
“What is needed is scale and speed.
“What we have done until now has been insufficient. It has been slow. Governments know this, but it is not only the responsibility of governments to move forward.
“The private sector needs to step up and provide the inputs they can. So must civil society.”
“Governments are the steering wheel on climate change, but in many instances the private sector is the motor which drives towards the targets.”
What is her own country doing to tackle climate change?
“Costa Rica produces only 0.001 percent of global greenhouse emissions. Yet we have taken on the target of carbon neutrality by 2021. We have taken the decision that it is every country’s moral responsibility to reduce carbon as much as possible.
“But we are not the only one. There is a growing sense that everyone can contribute to the solution, but in a differentiated manner.”
Ever so obtusely nepotistic this personae appears to be. Perhaps she may be doing good work and her father was a truly utopian man on the ‘remove military’ issue, but Christiana should know that if this very post she is working at is due in any part to association, the right thing to do would be to leave after 2 terms equivalent VOLUNTARILY. UN salaries are princely sums and in as early as 2 terms anyone holding such posts could retire AND RIGHTLY SHOULD as there are many who could do with the experience with the opportunity to participate (we do not need UN Oligarchs holding posts like careerists, while so many equally qualified need both the job and the money for 2 terms). The ethical and moral thing should be clear for one with such a high minded policy background as Christiana’s.
This is as much everyone else’s world as Christiana’s to administer via the UN (and those plush jobs with perhaps overfat salaries) and by this very egalitarian and utopian thinking that would remove an entire military, 1 term per top level national academic/bureaucrat from aan appropriate portfolio, should be well and fine enough for anyone. The last thing we need is ‘UN Personalities’ preventing everyone else from having that job, more so being progeny of one of the world’s presidents even ministers. There is nothing worse than this form of ‘indirect nepotism’. Let there be a succcession of 1 term administrators at 1 four year term each and in 40 years and only 10 people would have had an opportunity to participate at the UN. Is this democratic? A BUREAUCRAT JUNTA forms at the UN, and Christiana cannot want to be representative of a Junta of any sort now can she? Christiana what say you?
http://www.iol.co.za/polopoly_fs/nm-christian-figueres-1.1187606!/
Every citizen can militarise without a single cent spent with 2nd Amendment Rights and a healthy gun culture. Who needs to pay for a military? As for drills and discipline, that can be a weekend or evening hobby thing. But to take funds from taxpayers without their assent and via force of a mob minded politicians? Undemocratic! Save the cash and liberalise and dignify fellow citizens by allowing them the right to own weapons or opt outs and abstention from what would be forced conscriptions (bully and junta culture if anything), also only freemen carried weapons, the rest who did not were SERFS.
Chinese Netizen Speaks Out: “China Spending As Much on Calming Civil Unrest As US on War Effort” – Sep 28, 2012 by Philip Kendall
Even putting current tensions between the country and Japan aside for the moment, China has seen a great deal of civil unrest in recent months. With citizens losing faith in their government, and the gap between the poor and the wealthy seemingly growing ever larger, it is little wonder that protests and riots are occurring more and more frequently.
At the end of June, pictures emerged of clashes between residents and armed police in the Canton region. It later become clear that the riot occurred following little more than a scuffle between two boys from neighbouring towns that got out of hand. Angry that men from the first boy’s town had entered into the argument, adults from the second boy’s town also became involved, and the spat quickly grew out of hand with thousands of locals eventually becoming involved in the fray.
During last week’s incredibly heated anti-Japanese demonstrations in China, images came forth of Chinese attacking and looting stores that bore no relation to Japan whatsoever. Of course, there’s a lot that can be said about the effects of mob mentality, and it’s easy for people, especially those who feel that they have been dealt an injustice by those in power and the wealthy, to become swept up in the mayhem.
As some of you may recall, in perhaps one of the country’s lowest moments, England saw three days of riots and mob violence in several major cities during the summer of 2011. What initially began as a protest in response to the shooting by police of a young man in London soon became violent, and within a matter of hours the streets were lost to thugs and petty criminals who mugged, robbed and smashed whatever and whomever they met.
When asked what their motivation was for such acts of senseless violence, many, particularly from poorer areas of the country, attempted to justify their behaviour by arguing that they received little-to-no support from the authorities, and that the areas in which they lived were run-down and often entirely forgotten by the government. Few would agree that reasons such as these justify their behaviour, but civil unrest, it would seem, is not an issue that China alone is facing.
China, however, is notoriously protective of its information, making it difficult for those of us outside the country to grasp the state or scale of the situation behind the great firewall beyond drip-fed images of protests and clashes.
So on September 19, when a Chinese internet user posted a message revealing the severity of the situation and posting some shocking figures relating to the Chinese government’s recent expenditure, it understandably made headlines.
“At this moment in time, the Chinese government is thought to be spending approximately eighty billion US dollars per year on issues of civil unrest and calming outbursts of this kind.”
The figure, although obviously huge, is difficult to visualise until the unnamed internet user presents us with an utterly mind-boggling comparison:
“If this level of spending continues, in five years China will have spent as much on dealing with its own civil unrest and local security as the US on its recent war budget.”
Shocking isn’t the word…
‘Love you long time . . . ‘ fading possibility if USA burns out in the Middle East . . . Don’t blame China then! Twas the Muslet!
8 billion USD? Thats 24 billion Yuan. So that means the PRC from a propaganda/citizen appeasement fund alone, could make 24,000 millionaires yearly by direct distribution or make 48,000 ‘retire capable’ families yearly for an average of 100 to 200 thousand people pulled out of poverty. In 10 years 2 million people would be brought out of poverty directly into wealth or up to 10 million into the lower middle class. China will reach America’s poor suburb standards in 100 years at the current wealth growth rate IF there are no middlemen in the wealth distribution, massive increases in population, or wastage in propaganda expenditure (i.e. printing leaflets, holding meaningless feel good meetings etc..
Incidentally, USA spends 90 billion for education alone. So that means the USA could make 240,000 millionaires yearly by direct distribution instead of putting funds through the middle man bureaucracy – never mind that there are no degree holders in USA – or make 480,000 ‘retire capable’ families yearly for an average of 1 to 2 million people pulled out of poverty. In 10 years 20 million people would be brought out of poverty directly into wealth or up to 100 million into the lower middle class. USA will reach be poor sub-urb standards in 100 years at the current wealth growth rate IF there are no middlemen in the wealth distribution, massive increases in population, or wastage in propaganda expenditure (i.e. printing leaflets, holding meaningless feel good meetings etc.. or wars.
USA is already secure, but military adventurism and labour costs could be still destroy jobs. Suggest that MEDICINE be propagated as a free course so that healthcare will become virtually free and at very least removing compound interest for housing loans with options to complete payments over next generation or instead of foreclosures, having them be required to offer rooms to the civil servants as a form of national service that offsets or cancels debt at in liewu of payment. So think before foreclosing and displace and destroy communities. Thats just a home an education which should not have middleman parasites.
Would one prefer to be a degree holder or a millionaire? Would a citizen prefer ththat the Education-Financiar-Srudent-Debt Complex control society or that there be millionaires of every citizen? The plutocracy has abuses all those who are not millionaires, can only abuse degree holders who are not millionaires but loaded with debt – better a millionaire than a degree holder at compound interest and debt slavery in finaly, at the mercy of employers! The US government can dignify ALL citizens with the nation’s wealth not betray citizens to a a handful of ’employers’ or a handful of Univeersities which churn out degree holders with debt into a society woth no jobs, might as well liquidate the Education-Financiar-Student-Debt Complex and enrich the citizens directly by distribution of land and monies intended for ‘education’.
China, Japan “too important” for row: IMF chief – Wednesday, 03 October 2012 16:43
TOKYO- The shaky global economy needs Japan and China to be fully engaged, the head of the IMF said, warning the world could not afford for the two countries to be distracted by their bitter territorial row.
Speaking to Japanese media ahead of the annual IMF meeting in Tokyo next week, Christine Lagarde said the two economic powerhouses needed to show a bit of neighbourly tolerance for the good of the whole world.
“Both China and Japan are key economic drivers that do not want to be distracted by territorial division,” Kyodo News agency quoted Lagarde as telling reporters in Washington, in an interview published on Wednesday.
“The current status of the economy and the global economy needs both Japan and China fully engaged,” she said.
China and Japan, the world’s second and third largest economies, are at loggerheads over a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.
Tokyo administers the chain under the name Senkakus, but they are claimed by Beijing, which calls them the Diaoyus.
Chinese government ships regularly venture into waters around the islands, routinely ignoring orders to leave by Japanese coastguard vessels.
Increasingly vitriolic diplomatic exchanges, including at the United Nations in New York last week, and mass anti-Japanese protests in several Chinese cities have further unsettled the pair’s already fractious relationship.
Japanese firms operating in China were forced to shutter or scale back their operations when mobs attacked factories and shops. Some companies also complained of tightened customs inspections and difficulties obtaining visas for their foreign staff.
Lagarde said neighbouring countries had to display “a certain degree of tolerance” if they were to rub along effectively.
The IMF managing director was speaking ahead of her trip to Japan next week when Tokyo hosts meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, in what will be the world’s largest single gathering of finance officials, bankers and non-government organisations.
Dow Jones Newswires reported late Tuesday several big Chinese banks had cancelled their participation in events connected to the meetings, in what it said was a sign of the bilateral row leaching into the broader, economic realm.
Most of the banks have not given a reason for their last-minute pull-outs but one unnamed person was explicit.
“Quite frankly, it’s Japan-China relations,” Dow Jones quoted an official at the Tokyo branch of the Agricultural Bank of China as saying.
The bank will withdraw from both IMF-related events and another financial industry conference planned in the western Japanese city of Osaka at the end of October.
The global economy has struggled to shrug off the effects of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe, slowing growth in China and lingering concerns over the faltering US economic recovery.
Lagarde said European countries “have made huge progress” already on the road to recovery, but “more needs to be done”, according to Kyodo.
She said the “fiscal cliff” in the United States — the anticipated termination of income tax cuts and a massive spending reduction in early 2013 — also poses a threat to the global recovery.
“My dearest objective is that the countries participating in the IMF annual meeting in Tokyo would be prepared to come together, act together and try to go beyond the crisis to sustain the recovery,” she was quoted as saying.
– AFP
Note that IMF can have a meaningless meeting without China in Osaka, or choose to relocate the meeting to South Korea or some other venue and PERHAPS have China join in. Fiat peddling by IMF btw is meaningless. So this will be a meaningless IMF meeting without any real underwritten nations in attendance. China will only even attend IMF because of the political presence issue. Going to IMF meetings will mean China is going to drop money, and with the unwritten insult by having the IMF meeting in Osaka (US military base there and in Japan – indirect asset to Japan’s illegal territorial claim), China loses out doubly, insulted and has to help IMF bail out nations? No point turning up. IMF caused this boycott by not considering the above.
Death of the High Street Salesmen: Banks banned from taking commission to sell you duff products – by Tony Hazell – PUBLISHED: 23:39 GMT, 2 October 2012 | UPDATED: 09:02 GMT, 3 October 2012
The hard sell: Stepping into your bank for advice can mean coming up against an old-fashioned sales pitch like those that influenced Death Of A Salesman.
Going to a bank branch for help with an Isa, pension or other investment has traditionally been like plunging into a pool of piranhas.
You could almost sense the commission-hungry salesmen circling, teeth bared, ready to rip into your purse or wallet.
But from January all that should change. At least that’s the plan.
What is happening to financial advice?
New rules will outlaw commission on new sales of financial products and force all financial advisers, whether in a bank branch or independent, to charge separately for advice.
Some banks — including Lloyds, Barclays and HSBC — are so terrified of telling customers how much they have been charging they are pulling out of offering investment advice to ordinary High Street customers.
Advice will still be available in some banks, but only for wealthy individuals. Paying fees for advice will come as a shock to many who have believed advice is free because the charges have been so sneakily hidden.
But it shouldn’t cost you any more overall, so long as the financial industry behaves fairly —which remains to be seen.
More investing and pensions advice
High Street banks are set to change the way in which they offer financial advice
You should be better off
In fact, Money Mail has calculated that even after paying fees you could be hundreds or even thousands of pounds better off in the long run because your investment won’t be being drained by commission taken every year. On a £10,000 investment a bank or financial adviser may take as much as 8? per cent in initial commission, meaning only £9,200 of your money is actually invested.
Raising standards: Financial advisers will be better qualified
More insidious is so-called trail commission. This can be taken from your investment every year, knocking thousands of pounds off your profits in the long run.
From January 1, all financial advisers will have to charge fees instead. For instance, they may levy £350 for advice on an investment Isa or £600 on a pension.
The key thing is that because you are paying the fee, you can feel comfortable the advice is being made in your best interests, rather than to bring them a fat commission cheque.
You will be able to pay the fee by cash, cheque or debit card. Or you could choose to have the money taken from the amount you are investing.
If it is advice on an existing investment, you can even choose to have the money taken from that investment.
This may sound similar to commission, but there is a vital difference: the fee is agreed by you and your financial adviser rather than set by the company that is trying to sell the product.
You are the customer and you will be in control.
How commission eats investments
Commission swipes billions of pounds from our investments every year. Pension and investment companies set commission levels on everything they sell.
In a BBC Radio 4 programme called The Sins Of Commission, which was broadcast in May 2005, Aviva admitted to increasing the commission it paid when it wanted to sell more pensions. It is not alone.
Products such as investment trusts, which have low charges for investors but pay little or no commission, sell far less than investment bonds, which have much higher charges and pay large amounts of commission.
Successive scandals such as mis-selling of pensions, endowments and precipice bonds can all be traced back to commission.
What will financial advice cost?
That’s the million dollar question — and it’s the one banks and building societies planning to give advice in the High Street are as yet refusing to answer.
However, the website Unbiased.co.uk — an organisation that helps consumers find an independent financial adviser in their area — has surveyed its members.
They say you might be charged £350 on average to set up an investment Isa, £600 for advice on setting up a pension and £750 for building a strategy for investing a £25,000 lump sum.
Don’t be scared off by these figures. Remember you’ve been paying for advice all along. It’s just been picked from your pocket in the form of commission and other charges.
Let’s compare how the different charges might affect a £10,000 investment into a stock market Isa if it grew by 6? per cent a year before commission and charges were taken out. Under the current regime, you might typically make £5,219 profit after ten years or £13,645 profit after 20 years.
Under the new regime, without commission you might make £6,288 profit after ten years and £16,532 after 20 years. So you could be almost £3,000 better off after 20 years just because you paid a £350 fee upfront rather than let the adviser take commission.
This, of course, assumes the investment management companies that sell most investment Isas play fair and cut their annual charges to reflect the fact they no longer pass on commission to advisers.
Even if the adviser charged £2 a month for holding your fund you could still be more than £2,000 better off after 20 years.
You could even choose to have the initial advice fee of £350 taken from your investment and just invest £9,650. This would still leave you £500 better off after ten years and £1,600 better off over 20 years because the annual commission would not be taken from your savings.
The key thing with fees is to agree how much you will pay and how you will pay it. You may pay hourly, for a single project, for an ongoing service or an annual review.
Also check up on any extras they may charge, such as travel expenses or postage. And if the fees are similar, there should be no barrier stopping you from choosing to go to an independent adviser rather than using a bank.
Simplifying: Fees for financial advice could become less confusing under the new changes
Traps that mean it isn’t curtains for hidden fees?
Well, no. Think of it as a zombie: walking dead but still preying on you. Commission of any kind will not be allowed on new investments that you buy following advice. It will also not be allowed on any top-ups you make to existing investments following advice.
But you can still be charged trail commission on any lump sum or regular payments that are agreed before December 31, 2012.
So if you are already making a £100-a-month payment to a pension and continue making this, the adviser will continue to receive commission on each new payment.
They’ll also still receive the annual trail commission — typically 0.5? per cent a year on an investment Isa.
So if you have £100,000 in investment Isas, you could still lose £500 a year to commission even if the adviser does nothing.
On some pensions, investment bonds and endowments commission can be far higher.
Some investors will have paid tens of thousands in trail commission without even knowing it.
And banks hope to exploit another loophole. If you top up an existing investment and don’t take advice before doing so, they can also charge commission on that extra money.
For instance, if you are paying £100 a month into a pension and you increase the payment to £150 a month without receiving more advice, the adviser can take commission on the whole lot.
This is crucial for bank customers, because those banks which are no longer giving advice will be able to take commission on top-ups you make to your pension, Isas and other investments. You may therefore do better to buy an entirely new investment rather than top up an existing one.
How advisers will be better qualified
In another radical move, regulators have insisted financial advisers must be better qualified and investors must be given a much clearer idea of the type of advice they are receiving.
This is part of a process known as the retail distribution review. The Financial Services Authority has insisted all advisers must undertake fresh training and exams which are the equivalent to the first year of a degree course. Until now, the basic exams have barely been more than GCSE standard.
The FSA had three key aims. These are to ensure investors:
Are offered a transparent and fair charging system for advice;
Are clear about the service they receive;
Receive advice from highly respected professionals.
There will also be basically four types of advice available from the new year.
These are:
An independent financial adviser who must look at the whole market and all types of investment. Currently, some ignore products such as investment trusts and exchange traded funds that have lower charges or don’t pay commission.
An adviser who is independent in specific areas. These will specialise in one or more types of advice such as pensions, investments or long term care. But within their specialism they will look at every type of product you could use. If you want help in an area outside their specialism they must send you elsewhere.
Restricted advisers who will only offer products from a limited number of companies. For instance, they may only offer investments from one insurer or from half a dozen unit trust companies.
Staff who only carry out the sale. This category is for do-it-yourself investing with no advice at all. However, there may be guides or newsletters giving you ideas for investments and explaining strategy.
When seeking advice you should check what category of adviser you are dealing with and what qualification and experience they have, especially if you need specialist help on issues such as your pension or long-term care.
To find a qualified adviser near you, go to thisismoney.co.uk/adviser.
What do banks and advisers say?
As you can imagine, there has been a lot of whingeing because banning commission will remove a secret and lucrative source of income. Karen Barrett, of Unbiased, takes a more optimistic line.
‘People have always paid for advice but thought it was free because the charges were disguised as commission,’ she says.
‘Now people can choose to pay a fee for a project such as sorting out an inheritance or for a one-off piece of advice such as setting up an Isa or they can pay an annual retainer.’
Surveys have suggested around 10? per cent of independent financial advisers may quit because they do not want to take the new exams or believe people will not pay for their advice.
Others may give up being fully independent and will instead specialise in certain areas such as pensions, general investment or long-term care planning. Lloyds, Barclays and HSBC have pulled out of offering advice to ordinary customers altogether.
RBS has announced 618 redundancies in its financial planning unit and HSBC cut 650 tied advisers.
Barclays had already closed its financial planning arm following the scandal exposed by Money Mail which saw risk-averse customers invested in high-risk investments — and resulted in a £7.7 million fine.
The banks’ exodus has led to concerns there will be an ‘advice gap’ with no one to guide the novice or small investor. But others, such as Nationwide, remain committed to providing advice in the High Street and may well plug at least part of the gap left by the big banks.
Its about time these hidden charges were exposed.. Afterall its only advice with no guarantees..
– steve , sheffield, 03/10/2012 13:36
Given that sellers of financial products have been operating for decades and generating a handsome income from the commission earned, but hidden and paid for by the end user what precisely is the effect of these changes? You now will pay an upfront fee, which can be deducted from the amount that you wish to invest, and the net amount can be invested achieving a better return as the fund will not be paying hidden commission charges to the salesman (sorry financial expert). If IFA are charging £150/hour then it is probably more expensive than getting your car serviced and if your unhappy knowing that you are paying this rate (instead of the ignorance of paying a hidden commission) then you could always do your own research and come up with a sensible investment strategy and keep your fingers crossed as you would with the advice from any IFA!
– Paul F , Leeds, United Kingdom, 03/10/2012 13:32
Seeing a Financial Advisor will become like visiting a Solicitor – expensive, but the advice is generally worth it’s weight. A tough decision with 3 outcomes: 1. the rich get better advice (ie richer); 2 the poor get no advice and will be limited to bank-based cash despoits (ie poorer); and 3. misselling should be avoided (though misselling only becomes a problem when the market falls and everyone sees whose been swimming naked)…
– Mark Howes , Brighton, United Kingdom, 03/10/2012 11:42
I didn’t know they sold Duff products I thought that was something Homer Simpson drunk.
– royston amphlett , bournemouth, United Kingdom, 03/10/2012 09:20
It has never been the salespeople it has always been the products themselves that are badly designed and administered. This does nothing to address the real issue.
– john heppell , Norwich, 03/10/2012 07:36
8 percent is an extreme sum. Who are these Shylocks? Con men and confidence tricksters are what these so called ‘advisors’ are. Not a cent or a single drop of blood, much less this 8% pound of flesh. Even if one could afford the insurance or ‘advise fees’. Ridiculous capitalism/corporatism. Heres some advice for the ‘advisors’. Try making and selling real goods and services instead of expecting people to pay for regurgitation of capitalist rubbish from courses and classes that have no bearing or reality. Lets have REAL goods and services. Build real things. A bundle of firewood and some dressed meat for a barbecue has more value than ‘advice’ or scraps of paper.
Who says salesmen die because they cannot sell ‘advice’? Sell useful things and people will still buy. Bottles of milk, bread, flour, butter salt, cloth, small and useful tools, basic sundries perhaps, electronics, artwork, ceramics, furniture etc.. – but don’t expect a single cent for capitalist/red-tape claptrap of the ‘finance’ industry. 8%? Dream on, the bank barely give give interest to depositors more than 1% these days (Russia has 8% interest as of this posting BUT if WW3 breaks out and Russia decided to stop all transactions, say goodbye to your money . . . ).
Selling so-called ‘financial products’ based around non-existent ‘monetised debt’ (which caused the US banking crisis and massive homelessness from foreclosures) or fractionated trading of commodities and precious metals on non-existent REAL goods, while the idiot banking conman, dares takes 8% of principal? No advice is worth 8% of the whole transaction! Even housing agents demand only 1%, the ‘financial product advisor’ doesn’t even do any traveling or legwork like meeting lawyers etc.!
NO WAY. Perhaps 10% of the bank’s current interest rate could be tolerable which means a flat 1% at 10% interest rates for fixed deposit which are virtually impossible to find even as INFLATION is more than 10% most of the time, with GOLD the only thing keeping up with inflation. Theres no such thing as fiat money either. None with any intelligence will miss associating with these finance conmen. Vote properly meanwhile, the banking and finance industry are overgrown parasites, even education has become a parasite system (Student Debt Finaciar Complex), the legal system and enforcement (Prison Contractor-Supplier Crony Complex) yet another. Bad laws lead to bad society, leads to bad citizens.
Banks have failed and have been running at loss for decades WHILE paying gigantic millions level bonuses, to so-called CEOs and Executives (even at loss to the citizens, stockholders of bank stocks), and only are propped by taxmonies citizens stupidly GIVE the corrupted and colluding MPs or Governors in governments who never lower taxes or add VAT and GST on top of EXISTING taxes not to mention Road Tolls or other crony projects! Drop the greed minded conjob low class mentality (though high wealth) cheating bastards among citizens! Boycott ALL banking ‘products’ and the parasite ‘advisors’ who need to produce REAL GOODS or offer REAL SERVICES instead of helping the bank conning the people with ‘so-called ‘banking products’!
Here’s the truth of ‘human’ ‘reality’. There is only land and resources, manufacture and production of real goods, perhaps barter of livestock – and politics or religion at most discursiveness being proof and manner of obtaining stature – NOTHING ELSE – especially false ‘finance’ and false ‘banking’. Barter solves everything, the REAL GOODS and REAL LABOUR market, not a stack of paper that represents nothing, not even commodities pushed by liars and sellouts in suits and ties.
With these ‘financial products’ one may get fiat money (under no guarantee either . . . which on top of that is already destroying the finance system and civilisation), with which one can buy things with and enrich oneself with. But anyone who chooses the expedience of ‘destroying society’s real goods or real labour financial reality ‘a little’ by buying any financial plans at any return of whatever rate, are unethical criminals destroying financial stability which the Finance Ministry of the government in most capitalist countries actually dare allow!
All covered up! Woman arrested for having sex in the back of a Dubai taxi arrives for court hearing in a hijab – by Leon Watson – PUBLISHED: 11:07 GMT, 3 October 2012 | UPDATED: 12:52 GMT, 3 October 2012
Rebecca Blake, 29, is facing a prison sentence after her alleged tryst
She appeared with Irish welder Conor McRedmond at Dubai Criminal Court
The British businesswoman accused of having drunken sex in the back of a Dubai taxi turned up to court today wearing a hijab.
Rebecca Blake, 29, from Dorking, Surrey, was sacked from her £100,000 a year job as a recruitment consultant following the scandal and is facing a prison sentence after her alleged tryst with Irish welder Conor McRedmond.
Both appeared at Dubai Criminal Court today.
Following her arrest, Miss Blake insisted she had only been in the taxi for five minutes before the driver reported her to police – but admitted ‘I’m no saint’ and that she’d drunk so much the whole incident is a ‘blur’.
Rebecca Blake, 29, is accused of having sex in the back of a Dubai taxi with Irish welder Conor McRedmond
She also described her five days of hell in Bur Dubai women’s holding prison, where she was bitten by cockroaches.
Miss Blake told The Sun how the day, on May 4, started at noon with a four-hour-long all-you-can-drink brunch at Dubai’s exclusive Rotana Hotel.
‘It’s all a blur’: £100k-per-year British woman accused of having sex in a Dubai taxi reveals she went on a 10 hour drinking marathon before arrest
Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood MP sparks fury by asking female journalist if her questions would be ‘as hot as she is’
She told the newspaper: ‘There’s constant alcohol – your drink won’t even be half gone before you get given a new one. I was table hopping, drinking white wine and just generally having a great time.
‘I don’t know how much I had, they just kept filling up the glass. I like to party and I like to drink. I’m a single girl with a good job and I am no saint.
‘It had been a great day – I was dancing and drinking from 12 noon till gone 10 at night.
Covered up: Blake, 29, wore a hijab to face the charges at Dubai Criminal Court
Rebecca Blake, 29, is accused of having sex in the back of a Dubai taxi with Irish welder Conor McRedmond, 28
Irish welder Conor McRedmond, 28, outside Dubai Criminal Court
Blake, 29, from Dorking, Surrey, has been sacked from her £100,000 a year job as a recruitment consultant and is facing a prison sentence after her alleged tryst with McRedmond
Fired: A tearful Rebecca Blake has lost her job at recruintment firm Manpower
The 29-year-old and her friends carried on drinking at the hotel for another two hours, before heading off to another bar, where the party continued until after 10pm.
At 10.30pm, Miss Blake and her friend Conor McRedmond, 28, decided to go home.
The pair hailed a cab towards Dubai Marina.
Minutes later they were spotted in a passionate embrace by the driver in his rear view mirror, according to police reports.
Rebecca Blake, 29, and Conor McRedmond were arrested after an all-day drinking binge
Incensed by their behaviour, the driver stopped and complained to police in a patrol car parked nearby.
When he returned with an officer, they allegedly saw Miss Blake having sex on the back seat of the cab with Mr McRedmond.
Miss Blake refused to discuss what went on in the taxi, but admitted the events are a blur.
She said: ‘We were only in the taxi for five minutes before the driver pulled over. I can’t speak about anything in the cab for legal reasons. But I didn’t know what was going on. It is all a blur and I don’t really remember how it all came about.’
The pair were held for five days and accused of having sex outside marriage and being drunk in a public place – both criminal offences in the strict Islamic state.
Miss Blake described her time behind bars as ‘hell’ and revealed she suffered a panic attack after waking up to find cockroach bites on her face.
She’s currently free on bond, but faces up to three years in jail if convicted – and is terrified of the prospect of going back to prison.
She said: ‘Looking back I literally went from having fun dancing in the sun to an underground dungeon hell in a matter of hours. I must have dozed off a little bit (in her cell) because when I woke up I had a cockroach bite on my face.
‘It was vile – the worst nightmare you could possibly imagine. I had a panic attack and thought, “s***, I am in prison.” I was literally terrified.
‘I am preparing myself for going back to prison and I really don’t know how to cope with it. I don’t know if I will. It could finish me if I have to go back inside that hell-hole.’
Mr McRedmond, who is thought to work for an engineering firm, also denies the charges.
Those convicted of having sex outside marriage face a sentence of between one month and three years under Dubai law.
Strict Islamic state: Those convicted of having sex outside marriage face a sentence of between one month and three years under Dubai law.
Spoilsport snob/fundo driver/society. Maybe the cabbies should have signs on the taxi that say if they allow or disallow sex in their taxi. Being drunk is a form of ‘temporary insanity’ though harmless actions like sex in a taxi should be overlooked, or issued with warnings especially in foreign countries. Punishment for repeat offenses could be justifiable, but even then not excessive.
Going nowhere fast… the Ferrari proudly put on display outside police headquarters to deter uninsured drivers – by Daily Mail Reporter – PUBLISHED: 18:07 GMT, 27 September 2012 | UPDATED: 18:07 GMT, 27 September 2012
The driver of this supercar would probably rather be ragging it around a racetrack or attracting admiring glances while cruising down some of London’s most glamorous streets.
But this fluorescent orange Ferrari won’t be going very far at all for the time being – although it still may demand some attention.
The £200,000 vehicle, which has a top speed of 208mph and can go from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds, is being used to highlight a major campaign by police to target uninsured motorists.
Seized: The £200,000 Ferrari FF is on display outside New Scotland Yard as part of a campaign to clamp down on uninsured drivers
The 28-year-old owner of the FF model has not yet claimed the car back after it was seized in South Kensington.
The car, which has been placed alongside an £18,000 Mercedes belonging to a disqualified driver, has the phrase ‘uninsured vehicle seized by police’ plastered on its windscreen.
The display comes on the 11th day of action in the campaign – dubbed Operation Cubo – which has so far seized a total of nearly 37,000 uninsured vehicles since it began in October last year.
By this afternoon, a total of 300 vehicles were seized and 30 arrests made for various offences including driving while disqualified, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of class A drugs.
Captured: The Ferrari has been placed next to a £18,000 Mercedes which belongs to a disqualified driver
Clampdown: The two cars are on display outside New Scotland Yard as part of Operation Cubo, a major campaign to target uninsured motorists
While the cars are on display outside New Scotland Yard, a number of seized vehicles will also be on show in prominent positions around London as part of the campaign.
For all to see: Seized vehicles will be on show in prominent positions around the capital while the supercars are displayed to passers-by
During the ten Operation Cubo days held so far, more than 750 people have been arrested for a variety of offences including rape, possession of illegal firearms, money laundering and drugs.
Firearms, other weapons and large quantities of cash and drugs have also been recovered.
Commander Stephen Watson, who is leading the operation, said: ‘Operation Cubo has achieved some outstanding results and we expect another large haul of vehicle seizures today, and more importantly a number of arrests – including arrests for some very serious offences.
‘We are targeting criminals by denying them the use of the roads so it’s much harder for them to commit crime.
‘The overwhelming majority of people who don’t insure their cars are also habitual criminals.
‘We’re also helping to make London’s roads safer as uninsured drivers are more likely to have collisions and less likely to have road-worthy vehicles.
‘By displaying seized vehicles across London, we are sending a strong message to people who choose to drive without insurance that we will seize and possibly sell or crush your vehicle.’
‘Nearly 37,000 vehicles have now been seized since we began our initiative and hundreds of criminals arrested.
‘Cubo uses highly visible, but effective tactics that capture criminals in the act and deter their offending, while reclaiming London’s roads for responsible and law-abiding drivers.’
Crime: During the ten Operation Cubo days held so far, more than 750 people have been arrested for a variety of offences.
YOU CAN INSURE YOUR ‘CAR FOR ANY DRIVER’ Why the hell are people going on about this..?!?!?!!? – paulus…, staffordshire, 3/10/2012 14:10 Nonsense! Young drivers cannot get “any driver” cover nor can those who own high performance cars are 2 examples I can think of off the top of my head.
– Paul , Swansea, 03/10/2012 14:39
Insurance companies invented small print, there are more exclusions than inclusions in a policy. An insurance company, when they have a claim against their insurance, will first look at ALL avenues to get out of that claim, if that isn’t possible, they might pay! Not something new, that’s how they have always operated and will continue to operate.
– Wild Bill , Thailand, 03/10/2012 14:29
There is nothing pleasurable about driving anymore now. The tax on fuel is a joke, if you are in certain stereotypes, like under 25, you are lawfully discriminated against by insurers, whether you are a safe and able driver or not. There are too many cars and not enough road and people rushing around, others driving at dangerously slow speeds and those that don’t have the skill or interest and shouldn’t have been given a licence. All you can do is watch out and try and protect yourself.
– DAN , Gateshead, 03/10/2012 14:25
I suspect another 2 million drive DELIBERATELY without insurance due to the escalating costs and the fines for being caught being less than the insurance!
– Dave , Oban, 03/10/2012 14:23
– paulus… , staffordshire, 03/10/2012 14:06 ——————————- You are spot on. ————– Also, people should always check their ‘personal injury’ coverage terms, because some shady insurance companies will have a clause that exempts them if the accident was your fault. ——————— Another nice little tip is to check and see if your insurance extends to rental cars. Often rental car companies try to sell you very expensive insurance policies, but your own personal insurance may cover you in rental cars as well, which means you do not need to pay for the rental companies insurance. ————————– It’s always nice to know what you are covered for before the issue comes up, and what you’re not covered for in case you want to change that.
– Completely Average , Somewhere, United States, 03/10/2012 14:14
YOU CAN INSURE YOUR ‘CAR FOR ANY DRIVER’ Why the hell are people going on about this..?!?!?!!?
– paulus… , staffordshire, 03/10/2012 14:10
I used to work in car insurance claims and a lot of people seem to think that comp cover allows them to drive any car. sheesh, read your policy.
– lara , pontypridd, United Kingdom, 03/10/2012 14:07
It never ceases to amaze me how little most people actually know about at insurance. Myths seem more prevalent than facts..! Firstly, insurance isn’t mainly covering your car, you’re asking the company to insure everyone else’s car, property and personal safety against what YOU might do to it. Comprehensive insurance also covers damage to your car in some circumstances. The ‘driving other cars’ extension has never been automatic and had absolutely nothing to do with whether you have a comprehensive policy or not. This is just an old wives tale. You can have this extension to drive other cars with or without comp insurance, and you can have comp insurance with or without the ‘driving other cars’ extension. It’s about time people started actually reading their policy and certificate to understand what they have bought rather than relying on the myths and old wives takes about car insurance. I do accept however that the language should be clearer in policy documents.
The ‘driving other cars’ extension has NEVER been automatic and has absolutely nothing to do with whether you have comprehensive insurance or not. This is about stupid people believing old wives tales about insurance rather than confirming the facts.
Used to be the case that this was automatic. Now its another money making scam by the insurance companies. – Bobk, Aldershot, 3/10/2012 7:17 It usually is automatic, on Comprehensive policies. It’s never been automatic on Third Party Fire & Theft. Lauren’s case here doesn’t look right though – she would never be insured TPFT on her mother’s Comp policy. She would normally be covered to drive her mum’s car with TPFT cover on her own Comprehensive insurance. Because of her age she may have been TPFT insured on her own car meaning she wouldn’t normally have Driving Other Cars automatically included. It’s not really insurance companies scamming anybody – it’s a nationwide lack of understanding which insurance companies need to do more to address (in my opinion).
– Alan , Bradford, 03/10/2012 13:53
Again I say, GET YOUR MPS TO ABOLISH PENALTIES FOR LACK OF INSURANCE! Or include opt outs for insurance. Many careful drivers DO NOT need insurance, if accidents occur for the careless, the offending driver can be penalised, but the careful uninsured driver should not be penalised for not having insurance. Larger penalties applied after accidents are meaningful BUT to penalise for merely not having insurance is unreasonable. Who writes these abusive laws? Who refuses to amend these abusive laws? If lots of people somehow feel they have to pay an insurance company (most likely crony colluder/proxy), does that mean that all those who do not want to pay insurance are forced to pay as well under threat of fines and imprisonment? This is uncivilised and undemocratic.
Obama Didn’t Save the Auto Industry: He Took Away 2,200 Dealerships and 120,000 Jobs – Posted on October 1, 2012 | 3 Comments
As a Catholic who works in the trade association profession in the auto industry it was unsettling to hear President Obama claim that he saved the auto industry. President Obama closed over 2,200 auto dealerships, which caused the losses of decades old family-owned businesses and over 120,000 jobs they provided. The closures were allowed to happen under the false notion that auto dealerships were an expense on their auto maker. The President ignored the fact that auto dealers are not an expense to automakers. Auto makers own none of what you see at auto dealerships. Auto dealers own all their property; the cars and trucks, parts, buildings, land, signs, everything. The dealerships pay their employee’s salaries and millions of dollars in taxes to state and local governments. The manufacturer has nothing to do with any of these things.
President Obama purposefully and unjustly took away 2,200 self-sufficient, family owned businesses under the false premise that they were an expense on their auto manufacturer. He deliberately put these people in debt with no way to recover. Auto dealers still cannot sell their closed properties.
President Obama’s decision to close dealerships cost 120,000 persons their jobs and livelihood.
The President’s action defrauded auto dealers of their property rights and their employees of their wages.
The President’s actions against auto dealers violated the Catholic social teaching principles of social justice and the common good by removing owners rights to their property and defrauding workers of their wages. His actions (he calls it “shared sacrifice”) were an example of collectivism, centralized planning and socialism. All of these ideas are rejected by America and all are rejected by Catholic teaching in regard to the commandment, “thou shall not steal.”
Many people have forgotten what damage President Obama did to the auto industry and the auto dealer and their employees. Please remind them.
Peter L. Hodges Sr.
Heres a Spiritual Theory on Vehicles/Machines/Electronic Devices and Anime :
Christians are ALL involved in abuse of the ‘Nature Spirits’ within mankind. A car dealer deals in sequestration and slavery of ‘machine spirits’ of which some may be bonded with LIVING organic being spirits. Obama is aware of the esoteric level of things here, Hodges is either ignorant or fronting for more Catholic abuse of non-human spirits that do not know the difference between humans and machines. Granted binding of organic souls to machines is a skill, but a skill unnatural and abusive of beings that can evolve and ‘grow up’ keeping them in a state of spiritual stagnancy, enslaved to the coarse matter, in this case CARS. By breaking these businesses Obama is FREEING spirits that will evolve and one day look back on mankind with a more forgiving eye. Those who disparage these actions, are not on the correct spiritual page like so many pedophile priests that Christianity hides in the same way machines bind the souls of chidren who are sexually abused.
I doubt this will get to be featured among thesii for Occult works, but here goes. ANY car company that uses an anime character’s name is intentionally doing that and in an unethical and morally/spiritually illegal manner. any anime company that does not challenge the use of that character’s name used in a car model is colluding to sequester the ‘fapper’s’ SPIRITUAL energy. There are physical laws protecting PHYSICAL property and now if SPIRITUAL LAWS are to be considered to protect INTANGIBLE SPIRITUAL ENERGY as well, the car companies and anime companies need to compensate ANY person who masturbated to any anime character which has NLP or name links. The so-called ‘fap-material’ is to steal souls from people who masturbate if anything, and that is why Christianity does not allow abortions or masturbation (preferably).
The anime character has a life in the ether the instance they are electronically depicted on television/internet (or scanned) and the ‘fapability’ is in fact the astral/ethereal form being formed/summoned for sexual gratification. This is also how relationships can and do break up because of the weaker mindeds’ obsessions with anime or less obviously, real porn stars who’s presence is increasingly blurred as technologically the difference between real and manufactured become indistinguishable and distinct.
So when buying a car, or fapping to anime, make sure the anime company in question has not colluded with a car company via naming similarity, that could steal your sexual pleasure. This is also why depiction of idols is forbidden in Islam and why hermitages or isolation cells are used by spiritualists. To protect the unwary or the weak minded as well as formulate spiritual theories such as this. That sexual energy is the energy of life and one ends up in the astral or ether – the more one faps, though if the spirit police (your ethical religious orders or religions) if sufficiently numerous AND ethical to ensure astral or ethereal energies lost are returned equitably as other beings die, the above issues can be ignored to an extent. This is also the attraction of castration of animals (neutered animals are cruelly tied to owners for the owner’s sexual pleasure in some cases – particularly vigorous sexual sessions do result in animal deaths), mass murder, torture and the desire of ‘demons’ and ‘succubi’ (real or ethereal) to cause the above as well as people whp have pets or deal with animals are ‘sexy’. They’re disgusting parasites off the neutered beasts for mere pleasure that do not have the capacity for! This is also why harems are important among the upper classes who can affo\rd the luxury, this is also why some children leave formerly close knit familes and never go back or avoid going back, as well as the basis of incest.
To avoid all of the above, live in a low density place (an acre per family is minimal, forget about high rises or even rabbit hutch terraces or ‘duplexes’ or high density bungalows) that do not have animals, and ‘fap out’ the animals or unwanted/unwilling persons somehow caught in your sexual field and make sure anime characters do not share names with any vehicle models or machines or even brand name perfumes etc.. Return to the weather system ‘Sylphy‘ . . . the word Sylph or any permutation is RESERVED as much as Undine or any other mythical beast or personality. ‘Apollo’ angers the ether for certain (guess why those astronauts had to die), so please make up a new name and avoid accidental NLPs in other languages if possible.
Do debunk or challenge above postulations!
Local News Anchor Responds On-Air to Viewer Email Telling Her She’s Too Fat for TV – by Neetzan Zimmerman – Oct 2, 2012 2:56 PM
In a special four-minute comment that aired during this morning’s news broadcast on La Crosse, Wisconsin’s CBS affiliate WKBT, news anchor/reporter Jennifer Livingston responded to a viewer who wrote in to the station to chide Livingston for not providing “a suitable example for this community’s young people, girls in particular,” by appearing on television despite being overweight.
The letter had already gone viral thanks to Livingston’s husband, 6 and 10 anchor Mike Thompson, who posted it on his Facebook page, calling it “infuriating” and “sick.”
“The truth is, I am overweight,” Livingston acknowledged. “You can call me fat – and yes, even obese on a doctor’s chart. But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don’t know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don’t see?”
She continued:
You don’t know me. You are not a friend of mine. You are not a part of my family, and you have admitted you don’t watch this show. You know nothing about me but what you see on the outside, and I am much more than a number on a scale.
Proving that she was most certainly “a suitable example for this community’s young people,” and “girls in particular,” Livingston concluded her necessary rant with an appeal to bullied children everywhere.
To all of the children out there who feel lost, who are struggling with your weight, with the color of your skin, your sexual preference, your disability, even the acne on your face, listen to me right now. Do not let your self-worth be defined by bullies. Learn from my experience – that the cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many.
Only frumps and uglies or aging set types, will be taken seriously for serious news. A 911 Twin towers would be almost farcical if done by a slim or bimbo type. Fluff news or at very most weather however, this news anchor is indeed too fat. Talk about above waist issues, bring on the fatties, the chunkier the balder the uglier the better. One cant concentrate on serious issues, looking at beautiful people, too busy admiring.
City of Toronto Workers Destroy Free Community Food Garden Amid Growing Food Crisis, page 1
So here we have yet another case of showing us who is in control over our rights to food.
Some of you may remember when I posted a thread on a woman in the US who had the city actually rip out her edible plants only to leave her with nothing and a couple in Canada who were threatened with the same action, only they fought City Hall and won.
http://www.abovetopsecret.com…
Now we have Toronto playing food cops and removing an entire Community garden with no chance even to harvest.
toronto.mediacoop.ca…
Amid a growing food crisis, this morning workers from the City of Toronto were ordered by City of Toronto Parks Director Richard Ubbens that all live plants and food be removed from the People’s Peas Garden in Queens Park. They were ordered to take the plants and food to the dump and lay sod overtop of this most beautiful free community food garden, without warning, without a chance to remove the rare heirloom plant species or harvest the food.
Growing for 5 Months and having hundreds of volunteers and only NOW it’s destroyed? And right before the harvest the day before. Pathetic.
The City actually let it flourish and planned the day down to the eve of harvest to send some sort of message…whatever the hell that is.
The garden was planted by Occupy Gardens and allies on May 1st, in defense of local and global food security. While the garden has been growing undisturbed for nearly 5 months, with the help of hundreds in the community, the city deliberately decided to have it removed upon the eve of the Autumn Jam: A Harvest Party and celebration of sharing, community and free local food, which is happening tomorrow from 12-6pm at the garden in Queens Park (northwest section).
And the reasoning behind it all:
The reason? The people did not have permission to grow free food on public land.
If that’s the case (which I see as absolutely ridiculous because it’s in almost every city) why let it grow for 5 Months and rip it out the day before harvest? Agenda in the making.
Community gardens are beautiful, beneficial and act as a neighborhood gathering place of sharing with friends. What does a City gain by doing something that makes people angry and upset? Depriving people of good, healthy food when many can’t afford it is nothing but a declaration of power. They have it and the citizens don’t.
This makes me angry…again. Our food supplies are under attack and we are being told in many forms that we are losing our rights to produce what we want to eat. From Monsanto trying to control every seed on the planet to a front yard garden and now a Community garden.
I don’t mind saying that this is getting scary and it won’t be long before people are standing guard over their gardens with guns at the ready. I never thought I’d see days like this.
I know some members will come along and state that they have no right to grow food on public land. BS. Those people ARE the public…hundreds of them in fact. They pay taxes and kept a plot of land beautiful for the rest of the public.
The city of Toronto does not just belong to the Council workers. The city of Toronto belongs to ALL residents of Toronto. Vote for an MP who will amend the laws to disallow this sort of harvest destroying behaviour.
lluminati Targets Russia – December 20, 2011 — Dean Henderson (Excerpted from Chapter 17: Caspian Sea Oil Grab: Big Oil & Their Bankers…)
B35 Bridge to PinangDecember 4th parliamentary elections in Russia were marked by outside interference by US-based NGO’s. Nearly 50,000 Muscovites – most members of the Communist Party – protested the fraudulent results in Bolotnaya Square near the Kremlin.
Despite the National Endowment for Democracy/Freedom House-funded ruse, the Communist Party still picked up the most seats. These results, along with Putin’s sending of an aircraft carrier to Syria and Russia’s Ambassador being kicked out of Qatar, indicate a Russia moving in a leftward direction.
This makes the Illuminati banksters very nervous.
Last week Mikhail Dmitrievitch Prokhorov announced that he would run for President in 2012. Prokhorov owns the New Jersey Nets basketball team and is worth $18 billion. He is the 3rd richest man in Russia and the 32nd richest man in the world.
Prokhorov is likely a Mikail Khodorkovsky-protégé front-man for the international bankers. He will play the same role that Croat billionaire Milan Panic filled when he ran for President of Yugoslavia in 1992. Panic lost to Slobodan Milosevic, whose country was shortly thereafter torn asunder by the banksters. Milosevic was later poisoned in the Hague after he embarrassed prosecutors via his vigorous defense.
If Prokohorov loses, will the banksters resort to violence against the Russian state?
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time the Illuminati has targeted resource-rich Russia.
While the international banking syndicates had always dealt with the Soviet Union, access to its vast oil resources remained limited. Ronald Reagan entered the White House in 1980 determined to splinter the Soviet Union into little pieces and open the country’s oilfields to the Four Horsemen. His point man in doing so was CIA Director Bill Casey, whose Roman Catholic Knights of Malta connections were thoroughly exploited.
The Vatican’s secretive Opus Dei “saintly Mafia” was behind the ascent of Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla to the Papacy. Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II and launched an Opus Dei/Vatican offensive to roll back Latin American liberation theology movements and East European communism. Fascism came naturally to Karol Wojtyla. During the 1940’s he was a chemical salesman for Nazi combine I. G. Farben. Wojtyla sold the Nazis the cyanide they used at their Auschwitz death camps. One of his best friends was Dr. Wolf Szmuness, mastermind of the 1978 Center for Disease Control Hepatitis B study in the US, through which the AIDS virus was introduced into the gay population. [722]
In 1982 Reagan met with Pope John Paul II. Prior to the meeting Reagan signed NSD-32, authorizing a wide range of economic, diplomatic and covert activities to “neutralize the USSR’s hold on Eastern Europe”. At the meeting the two agreed to launch a clandestine program to tear Eastern Europe away from the Soviets. Poland, the Pope’s country of origin, would be the key. Catholic priests, the AFL-CIO, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Vatican Bank and CIA would all be deployed.
The Vatican is the world’s largest owner of equities, using Swiss affiliate Banco di Roma per la Svizzera to conduct its more discretionary business. Italian fascist Benito Mussolini gave the Vatican generous tax exemptions which it still enjoys. Banco Ambrosiano’s P-2 leader Robert Calvi’s Grand Oriente Freemason’s supported reconciliation with the Vatican. Relations between the Vatican and the Freemasons were strained in the 11th century when the Greek Orthodox split from the Roman Catholics. Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaler of St. John factions emerged. The latter was the Catholic faction. They changed their name to the Knights of Malta, after the island where they found refuge after their Crusades defeat, with help from the Vatican. Malta is a nexus of CIA/MI6/Mossad intrigues.
In the 13th century Pope Clement V, backed by France’s King Philip, charged the Protestant Knights Templars with heresy, citing their penchant for drug running, arms peddling, gambling and prostitution rings. These activities are what made the Templars “filthy rich”. Pope Clement made an example of Templar leader Jaques de Molay, whom he burned at the stake on Friday the 13th. [723] The Templars took their loot and fled to Scotland to found Scottish Rite Freemasonry. They bankrolled the House of Windsor, which controls Britain and presides at the apex of Freemasonry around the world. Masonic Lodge members enroll their children in the de Molay Society, which is named in honor of the toasted Templar pirate.
Calvi’s attempt to reconcile protestant and Catholic secret societies was a success. He became paymaster to the Polish Solidarity movement, while Nixon Treasury Secretary David Kennedy’s dirty Continental Illinois Bank served as conduit for CIA funds sent by Bank of Cicero asset Bishop Paul Marcinkus to fund Solidarity. [724] The Vatican teamed up with Europe’s Black Nobility, the Bilderbergers and CIA to launch the top-secret JASON Society and armed South American dictators to quash liberation theology. In 1978 when Pope John Paul II took power, the Vatican issued a commemorative stamp featuring an Egyptian pyramid and the Roshaniya all-seeing eye. [725] The Vatican and the Illuminati Brotherhood were reunited.
Reagan’s meetings with Pope John Paul II were an affirmation of this powerful new alliance, which would now focus on bringing the Soviet Union to its knees. Even before Reagan met with the Pope the CIA had groomed an informant at the Polish Ministry of Defense- Colonel Ryszard Kuklinski. Kuklinski reported to the Vatican and helped organize the Polish Solidarity Movement, led by the wealthy Radziwill family who had funded JFK assassins via Permindex. Most Solidarity leaders were old-money aristocrats.
The precursor to Solidarity was the National Alliance of Solidarists, a Russian/Eastern European fascist hit squad funded by RD/Shell’s Sir Henry Deterding and German Vickers Arms Corporation President Sir Basil Zacharoff. Sir Auckland Geddes of Rio Tinto Zinc, which bankrolled Francisco Franco’s fascist coup in Spain, also contributed to the Solidarists. Geddes’ nephew- Ford Irvine Geddes- was chairman of the Inchcape’s Peninsular & Orient Navigation Company from 1971-1972. [726]
The Solidarist’s US headquarters was the Tolstoy Foundation, which is housed in the same building as Julius Klein Associates, which ran guns to the murderous Haganah and Stern Gang Zionist death squads who stole Palestinian lands to found Israel. Klein was an M16 Permindex insider who helped plan the JFK hit.
The Solidarists stepchild, the Solidarity Movement, was touted in the Western media as a great Polish liberating force. With boatloads of CIA help, Solidarity toppled the Communist government in Warsaw. Their straw man Lech Walesa became President of Poland. In 1995 Walesa was defeated by former Communist leader Aleksander Kwasniewski. Walesa was rewarded for his boot licking with a job at Pepsico.
CIA Director Casey demanded a constant focus on Eastern Europe at CIA. Casey met often with Philadelphia Roman Catholic Cardinal John Krol to discuss the Solidarity Movement. He utilized his Knights of Malta connections, leaning heavily on Brother Vernon Walters, whose spook resume read like a James Bond novel. Walter’s latest incarnation was Reagan Ambassador at Large to Vatican Secretary of State Agostino Cardinal Casaroli. [727] By 1991 Walters was US Ambassador to the UN, where he successfully beat the drums of war against Iraq. He was in Fiji that same year, just prior to the overthrow of that left-leaning government.
Other Knights of Malta members involved in the Eastern European destabilization effort were Reagan NSA and Robert Vesco lieutenant Richard Allen, Reagan NSA Judge William Clark, Reagan Ambassador to the Vatican William Wilson and Zbigniew Brzezinski. Other prominent Knights of Malta members include Prescott Bush, Nixon Treasury Secretary William Simon, Nixon coup-plotter Alexander Haig, contra supporter J. Peter Grace and Venezuelan Rockefeller lieutenant Gustavo Cisneros.
The Reagan team had a five-part strategy in its efforts to destroy the Soviet Union. First, it would pursue the JASON Society’s Star Wars concept in an attempt to engage the Soviets in a space-based arms race which they knew Moscow could not afford. Second, the CIA would launch covert operations in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary in attempts to overthrow those Soviet-allied governments. While Walesa emerged in Poland, poet Vaclev Havel became CIA white knight in Czechoslovakia. Like Walesa, Havel became unpopular and was soon tossed out of his puppet presidency.
A component of the CIA destabilization program was to buy weapons from these East European nations to arm CIA-sponsored rebels in Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Angola and Mozambique, using BCCI and later BNL as conduits. The US also wanted to get their hands on the high-tech Soviet arsenal. Poland secretly sold the US an array of advanced Soviet weaponry worth $200 million. Romania did the same. Both countries saw their foreign debts reduced significantly. [728]
The third component of the Reagan strategy was to make financial aid to the Warsaw Pact contingent on economic privatization. Fourth, the US would blanket East European and Soviet airwaves with pro-Western propaganda, using fronts like Radio Liberty, Radio Free Europe and the Voice of America. The CIA financed local newspapers and magazines.
The Company got help inside the Soviet Union from its Mossad buddies in an effort spearheaded by media mogul and Mossad paymaster Robert Maxwell. When Maxwell threatened to reveal a meeting between KGB head Vladimir Kryuchkov and Mossad brass aboard his private yacht at which a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev was discussed, Mossad ordered a hit on Maxwell. On November 4, 1991 as he sailed around the Canary Islands Maxwell was assassinated by Israeli commandos. The mass exodus of Russian Jews to Israeli-occupied settlements in Palestine was part of the secret deal between Mossad and Kryuchkov, who is still serving time in a Moscow prison for his treasonous role in the Gorbachev coup. [729]
But it was the fifth and final component of Reagan’s strategy that had the Four Horsemen salivating. Reagan’s spooks initiated an economic warfare campaign against the Soviet Union, which included a freeze on technology transfers, counterfeiting of the Russian ruble and the sponsoring of separatist Islamist groups in the Soviet Central Asian Caucasus. The jihadis who were instructed to target a key transcontinental natural gas pipeline which the Soviets were building. The Soviets had more natural gas than any country on earth and saw the completion of this pipeline as their cash cow for the 21st century. [730] Big Oil wanted to milk that cow.
It’s the Oil, Stupid
When the Soviet Union’s last President Mikhail Gorbachev announced his perestroika and glasnost campaigns to privatize his country’s economy, he was aiding the Illuminati in destroying his country. Was Gorbachev duped, an unwitting accomplice, a CIA deep-cover agent or a mind-controlled Operation Presidio Temple of Set victim? Whatever the case, he played a key role in dismantling the Soviet Union.
The Soviets controlled not only the vast resources of their own nation, but Third World resources in Soviet-allied Comecon nations. Part of perestroika was to cease Soviet aid to these developing nations to ease the growing Soviet debt burden which, like the US debt, accrued largely from decades of Cold War military spending. The two superpowers’ debt was held by the same international banks, which now used this debt lever to pick a winner and to open Russian and Third World resource pools to their corporate tentacles. [731]
When the Berlin Wall fell and Gorbachev was overthrown in favor of IMF crony Boris Yeltsin, the Four Horsemen rushed to Moscow to begin making oil deals. Oil and natural gas had always been the Soviet’s main export and it remained so for the new Russia. In 1991, the country earned $13 billion in hard currency from oil exports. In 1992 Yeltsin announced that Russia’s world leading 9.2 billion barrel/day oil sector would be privatized.
Sixty percent of Russia’s Siberian reserves had never been tapped. [732] In 1993 the World Bank announced a $610 billion loan to modernize Russia’s oil industry- by far the largest loan in the bank’s history. World Bank subsidiary International Finance Corporation bought stock in several Russian oil companies and made an additional loan to the Bronfman’s Conoco for its purchase of Siberian Polar Lights Company. [733]
The main vehicle for international banker control over Russian oil was Lukoil, initially 20%-owned by BP Amoco and Credit Suisse First Boston, where Clinton Yugoslav envoy and Dayton Peace Accords architect Richard Holbrooke worked. Bush Sr. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, who orchestrated the BNL cover-up, was now CS First Boston’s Chief Financial Officer. A handful of Zionist Russian oligarchs, collectively known as the Russian Mafia, owned the rest of Lukoil, which served as the Saudi ARAMCO of Russia for the Four Horsemen, a partner to Big Oil in projects throughout the country which involved truly staggering amounts of capital.
These included Sakhalin Islands projects known as Sakhalin I, a $15 billion Exxon Mobil venture; and Sakhalin II, a $10 billion deal led by Royal Dutch/Shell which included Mitsubishi, Mitsui and Marathon Oil as partners. Siberian developments were even larger. RD/Shell is a 24.5% partner in Uganskneftegasin, which controls a huge Siberian natural gas field. At Priobskoye, BP Amoco operates a $53 billion project. At Timan Pechora on the Arctic Ocean a consortium made up of Exxon Mobil, Chevron Texaco, BP Amoco and Norsk Hydo runs a $48 billion venture.
In November 2001 Exxon Mobil announced plans to invest another $12 billion in an oil and gas project in the Russian Far East. RD/Shell announced a $8.5 billion investment in its Sakhalin Islands concessions. BP Amoco made similar proclamations. [734] In 1994 Lukoil pumped 416 million barrels of oil, making it fourth largest producer in the world after RD/Shell, Exxon Mobil and part-owner BP Amoco. Its fifteen billion barrels in crude reserves rank second in the world to Royal Dutch/ Shell. [735]
The Soviet Caucasus, with encouragement from Langley, soon split from Russia. The map of Central Asia was re-written as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Georgia all declared their independence. The pipeline Reagan ordered targeted carried Soviet natural gas east to the North Pacific port of Vladivostok and west to the Black Sea port of Novorrossiysk from the world’s richest known natural gas fields lying beneath and abutting the shoreline of the Caspian Sea, which lies in the heart of Caucasus.
The Four Horsemen coveted this resource more than any in the world. They wanted to build their own private pipelines once they got their hands on the Caspian Sea natural gas fields, which also contain an estimated 200 billion barrels of crude oil. Oil industry privatizations were quickly announced in the new Central Asian Republics which had, by virtue of their independence, taken control of the vast Caspian Sea oil and gas reserves. By 1991 Chevron was holding talks with Kazakhstan. [736]
The Central Asian Republics became the largest recipients of USAID aid, as well as ExIm Bank, OPIC and CCC loans. Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan were especially favored. These countries control the shoreline of the Caspian Sea, along with Russia and Iran. In 1994 Kazakhstan received $311 million in US aid and another $85 million to help dismantle Soviet-era nuclear weapons. President Clinton met with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev. They signed an array of agreements ranging from disarmament deals to space research cooperation. Kazakhstan, with an estimated 17.6 billion barrels of oil reserves, had been a strategic part of the Soviet nuclear weapons grid and was home to the Soviet space program.
The two leaders also signed an agreement providing investment protection for US multinationals. The Free Trade Institute and US Chamber of Commerce sent officials to train Kazakhs in the finer arts of global capitalism. The Four Horsemen moved in swiftly. Chevron Texaco laid claim to the biggest prize- the $20 billion Tenghiz oilfield- then grabbed another gusher at Korolev. Exxon Mobil signed a deal to develop an offshore concession in the Caspian. [737] Tengizchevroil is 45%-owned by Chevron Texaco and 25%-owned by Exxon Mobil. [738] President George W. Bush’s NSA and later Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice, an expert on Central Asia, sat on the board at Chevron alongside George Schultz from 1989-1992. She even had an oil tanker named after her.
Across the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan was receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in US aid. BP Amoco led a consortium of seven oil giants who spent an initial $8 billion to develop three concessions off the coast of the capital Baku- historic base camp of Big Oil in the region. [739] BP Amoco and Pennzoil- recently acquired by Royal Dutch/Shell- took control of the Azerbaijan Oil Company, whose board of directors included former Bush Sr. Secretary of State James Baker.
In 1991 Air America super spook Richard Secord showed up in Baku under the cover of MEGA Oil. [740] Secord & Company did military training, sold Israeli arms, passed “brown bags filled with cash” and shipped in over 2,000 Islamist fighters from Afghanistan with help from Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Afghan heroin began flooding into Baku. Russian economist Alexandre Datskevitch said of 184 heroin labs that police discovered in Moscow in 1991, “Every one of them was run by Azeris, who use the proceeds to buy arms for Azerbaijan’s war against Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh”. [741]
A Turkish intelligence source claims that Exxon and Mobil were behind the 1993 coup against elected Armenian President Abulfaz Elchibey. Secord’s Islamists helped. Osama bin Laden set up an NGO in Baku as a base for attacking the Russians in Chechnya and Dagestan. A more pliant President Heidar Aliyev was installed. In 1996, at the behest of Amoco’s president, he was invited to the White House to meet President Clinton- whose NSA Sandy Berger held $90,000 worth of Amoco stock. [742]
Armenian separatists backed by the CIA took over the strategic Armenian regions of Nagorno-Karabakh and Nakhnichevan which border Turkey and Iran. When Turkish President Turgut Ozal mentioned intervention in Nakhnichevan to back the Azerbaijani seizure, Turkish Premier Suleyman Demirel quickly played down the statement from the key US ally. These two regions are critical to Big Oil plans to build a pipeline from the Caspian Sea across Turkey to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorrossiysk. The same route is utilized by Turkey’s Gray Wolves mafia in their Central Asia to Europe heroin endeavors. When Gray Wolf Mehmet Ali Agca tried to assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981, the CIA used its Gladio strategy, trying to pin it on Bulgaria’s Communist Lukashenko government.
Lukoil owns 26% of the Russian Black Sea port at Novorrossiysk. Its president Vayit Alekperov wanted to build the Caspian pipeline through Grozny in Chechnya, while the Four Horsemen preferred the route through Turkey. CIA support for Armenian separatists and Chechen Islamist rebels ensured chaos in Grozny. Alekperov finally agreed to the Turkish route.
In 2003 the Defense Department proposed a $3.8 million military training grant for Azerbaijan. Later they admitted it was to protect US access to oil. As author Michael Klare put it, “Slowly but surely, the US military is being converted into a global oil-protection service”. [743]
Turkmenistan, which borders the Caspian Sea on the southeast, is a virtual gas republic, containing massive deposits of natural gas. It also has vast reserves of oil, copper, coal, tungsten, zinc, uranium and gold. The biggest gas field is at Dauletabad in the southeast of the country, near the Afghan border. The Unocal-led Centgas set about building a pipeline which would connect the oil fields around Chardzhan to the Siberian oilfields further north. More crucial to Centgas was a gas pipeline from Dauletabad across Afghanistan and Pakistan to the Indian Ocean. [744] Advisers to the project included Henry Kissinger. Unocal is now part of Chevron.
With the Four Horsemen firmly in charge of Caspian Sea reserves, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium was born. Chevron Texaco took a 15% stake with the other three Horsemen and Lukoil splitting the rest. Pipeline security was provided by the Israeli firm Magal Security Systems, which is connected to Mossad. Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have especially cozy relations with Israel via Special Ambassador Yusef Maiman, who is president of the Israeli Mehrav Group. Mehrav is involved in a project in Turkey to divert water from the upper Tigres and Euphrates Rivers to the southeast part of Turkey and away from Iraq. [745] The Caspian pipeline was built by Bechtel in partnership with GE and Wilbros Group. The pipeline quietly began moving oil and gas in November 2001, just two months after 911.
Bechtel also built the oilfield infrastructure at Tengiz for Chevron Texaco. In 1995 Bechtel led a USAID-funded consortium to restructure the energy sectors of eleven Central and Eastern European nations in line with IMF mandates. Bechtel received a massive contract to upgrade Russia’s many ailing aluminum smelters in tandem with Pechiney. Lukoil contracted with New Jersey-based ABB Lummus Crest (formed when engineering giants Asea Braun Boveri and Lummis Crest merged) to build a $1.3 billion refinery at the Novorrossysk port and to do a $700 million upgrade on its refinery at Perm.
The Bush Jr. Administration now planned a series of additional Caspian Sea pipelines to compliment the Tenghiz-Black Sea route. A Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline was built by a Four Horsemen consortium led by BP Amoco. The law firm representing the BP-led consortium is James Baker’s family law firm- Baker Botts. The BP Amoco pipeline runs the length of the country of Georgia through its capital Tblisi.
In February 2002 the US announced plans to send 200 military advisers and attack helicopters to Georgia to “root our terrorism”. [746] The deployment was a smokescreen for pipeline protection. In September 2002 Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivaniov accused Georgia of harboring Chechen rebels. In October 2003 Georgian President Eduard Schevardnadze was forced to step down in a bloodless revolution. According to a December 11, 2003 article on the World Socialist Party website, CIA sponsored the coup.
In September 2004 hundreds of Russian school children were killed when Chechen separatists seized their school building. Russian President Vladimir Putin said of the incident, “Certain political circles in the West want to weaken Russia, just like the Romans wanted to weaken Carthage.” He accused “foreign intelligence services” of complicity in the attacks. His adviser Aslanbek Aslakhanov went further, stating on Russian Channel 2 News, “The men had their conversations not within Russia, but with other countries. They were led on a leash. Our self-styled friends have been working for several decades to dismember Russia… (they are the) puppeteers and are financing terror.” Russia’s KM News ran the headline, “School Seizure was Planned in Washington and London”. [747]
Lukoil epitomizes the corruption so rampant in Russia since the Soviet collapse. Bribery is the norm. Lukoil has given luxury jets to the mayor of Moscow, the head of Gazprom (the state-owned natural gas monopoly) and Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev. In the mid-1990’s Lukoil announced that it would sell another 15 % stake to foreign stockholders through its largest owner and financial adviser CS First Boston and the Bank of New York. [748] In 2002 they announced plans to sell off another big stake.
According to Kurt Wulff of the oil investment firm McDep Associates, the Four Horsemen, romping in their new Far East pastures, saw asset increases from 1988-1994 as follows: Exxon Mobil- 54%, Chevron Texaco- 74%, Royal Dutch/Shell- 52% and BP Amoco- 54%. The Horsemen had more than doubled their collective assets in six short years. This quantum leap in Anglo-American global power had everything to do with the takeover of the old Soviet oil patch and the subsequent impoverishment of its birthright owners.
[722] Behold a Pale Horse. William Cooper. Light Technology Publishing. Sedona, AZ. 1991.
[723] The Robot’s Rebellion: The Story of the Spiritual Renaissance. David Icke. Gateway Books. Bath, UK. 1994. p.94
[724] Hot Money and the Politics of Debt. R.T. Naylor. The Linden Press/Simon & Schuster. New York. 1987. p.78
[725] Ibid. p.165
[726] Dope Inc.: The Book that Drove Kissinger Crazy. The Editors of Executive Intelligence Review. Washington, DC. 1992
[727] “The Unholy Alliance”. Carl Bernstein. Time. 2-24-92. p.28
[728] “US Obtained Soviet Arsenal from Poland”. Eugene Register-Guard. 2-13-94
[729] The Other Side Of Deception. Victor Ostravsky. HarperCollins Publishers. New York. 1994.
[730] Bernstein. p.28
[731] “The Dismantling of the Soviet Union”. Peter Symon. Philippine Currents. November/December 1991.
[732] “Drilling for a Miracle”. Fred Coleman. US News & World Report. 12-7-92. p.54
[733] Evening Edition. National Public Radio. 6-18-93
[734] “Exxon’s Russian Oil Deal Makes Other Firms Feel Lucky”. Wall Street Journal. 12-13-01
[735] “The Seven Sisters Have a Baby Brother”. Paul Klebnikov. Forbes. 1-22-96. p.70
[736] Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia. Ahmed Rashid. Yale University Publishing. New Haven, CT. 2001. p.145
[737] “Christopher Promises Aid to Oil-Rich Kazakhstan”. AP. Northwest Arkansas Morning News. 10-24-93
[738] 10K Filings to SEC. Exxon Mobil and Chevron Corporations. 3-28-01
[739] “The Quietly Determined American”. Paul Klebnikov. Forbes. 10-24-94. p.48
[740] Azerbaijan Diary: A Rogue Reporter’s Adventures in a Oil-Rich, War-Torn, Post- Soviet Republic. Thomas Goltz. M.E. Sharpe. Armonk, NY. 1999. p.272
[741] “al-Qaeda, US Oil Companies and Central Asia”. Peter Dale Scott. Nexus. May-June, 2006. p.11-15
[742] See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA’s War on Terrorism. Robert Baer. Crown. New York. 2002. p.243-244
[743] Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Consequences of America’s Growing Dependency on Imported Petroleum. Michael T. Klare. Metropolitan/Henry Holt. 2004. p.6-7
[744] Escobar. Part I
[745] “The Roving Eye: Pipelineistan, Part II: The Games Nations Play”. Pepe Escobar. Asia Times Online. 1-26-02
[746] “Wolf Blitzer Reports”. CNN. 2-27-02
[747] “Paranotes: Russian School Seige Conspiracy”. Al Hidell. Paranoia. Issue 37. Winter 2005.
[748] Klebnikov. 1-22-96. p.72
Dean Henderson is the author of Big Oil & Their Bankers in the Persian Gulf: Four Horsemen, Eight Families & Their Global Intelligence, Narcotics & Terror Network, The Grateful Unrich: Revolution in 50 Countries and Das Kartell der Federal Reserve. Subscriptions to his Left Hook blog are FREE at http://www.deanhenderson.wordpress.com
Don’t joke. If anyone dares even THINK to target against Russia, much less touch Russia, whats left of the KGB can still put a bullet in every single last Illuminated scum or plutocrat puppeteer. Marx is superior to USA’s current uncontrolled Capitalism where regards the 99% and the middle or lower wealth classes, so the 99% will be firmly behind Socialism/Communism. I can’t imagine Russia tolerating any such nonsense from a fiat wealth group that cannot even handle Iran without hiding behind a proxy USA and Israel. Not finished in the Middle East, can’t control Iraq or Afghanistan and want to try taking on Russia? Unbelievable. Russia could almost invade USA and win right now. China in fact while an ally of Russia has always been wary of Russia’s strength as well, and thats for conventionals not world destroying nukes like Israel or Iran have intentions for! In fact Dean had better tone down, or the KGB will fry Dean’s brain with a satellite without Dean knowing what happened.
The Illuminati can’t be that stupid to even dare try target Russia, they have the ‘class’ bought with money and extreme networks, but try the Soviet Red Guard with other Commie allies combing the world after they take out the USA (and cynically leave Israel for Iran to toy with? Iran is fundo-hateful but hopefully not insane enough to use nukes, though Israel might use Israels own nukes if they panic, so Iran, do the world a favour, don’t make Israel too frightened and wind up causing Israel to end up irradiating everyone . . . ) and ‘no match’ is still the word. BTW Dean probably just pissed off BOTH parties Russia and Illuminati by trying to pit them against each other . . .
‘Jesus Not Allowed’: Anti-Faith Sentiment Sweeps US – ny Paul Strand – CBN News Washington Sr. Correspondent – Sunday, September 30, 2012
Could you imagine going to jail for your faith? A recent report warns that it could happen.
CBN News investigated the growing wave of hostility to Christianity in America that’s led to hundreds of court cases.
No Religion Allowed
Angela Hildenbrand faced the very real possibility of going to jail for her faith. The trouble began when a federal judge ruled that no one at her Texas high school could pray or even use words like “prayer” or “amen” during the 2011 graduation ceremonies.
As class valedictorian, Hildenbrand felt God deserved the praise, even if it meant jail for her.
“I was definitely preparing myself to have to make that sort of tough decision and mentally prepare myself for what well could be coming next,” she told CBN News.
Hildenbrand’s case is just one of more than 640 cases of religious hostility cited in a new report by the Liberty Institute. General Counsel Jeff Mateer, who takes on many of these cases, helped put the survey together.
“The atheists and the secularists are well-organized and they’re well-funded,” the Liberty Institute attorney told CBN News.
“The rate of hostility to people of faith is overwhelming,” he said. “It’s increasing. Every day, we’re getting calls.”
One call involved the Veterans Administration demanding to preview Scott Rainey’s prayer for a Memorial Day ceremony at Houston National Cemetery.
They told Rainey, who pastors the Living Word Church of the Nazarene in Houston, he couldn’t pray “in Jesus’ name.”
“I have never said a prayer in my life where I didn’t end it saying ‘in the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen,'” Pastor Rainey said.
Mateer is also working to save this veteran’s memorial cross in San Diego, one of several cases that could have serious national consequences if courts order their removal.
“Are we going to bulldoze all those crosses?” Mateer asked. “We’re going to sandblast God from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?”
But Mateer says the good news is, when believers fight back, they usually win.
“You need to stand up and fight,” he said. “And that’s exactly what Angela did.”
Just one day before Hildenbrand’s graduation, an appeals court ruled she could pray and say whatever she wanted.
“I thank You for Your great love for us and for our great nation, where we are free,” she prayed at her graduation. “And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Courts eventually ruled that Pastor Rainey — and all veterans at burials — are allowed to freely express their faith.
But there is an across-the-board assault of religious hostility, and Americans’ religious liberty hangs in the balance.
[[[ *** RESPONSE ** ]]]
Let Christians stop abusing the people around them or let those abused or vilified by Christianity first be exhonerated and healed before any talk of fighting back. Until then hostility to this insane Aramean sect and cult of personality and cult of man, will continue until Monotheism is sandblasted off the Earth. Thats just one creep that inspires abuse and insanity in the followers, as opposed to the glory of the Universe and all beings not yet evolved but enslaved instantaneously with no chance to be Man’s equal by a verse in a biblical text written 2000 years ago as opposed to the Earth’s 2 billion years of age. Presumptuous egregore formed of the dead! Who gave the cult of a single fundamentalist man born 2000 years ago permission to disenfranchise the UNIVERSE and all non-human species? Christianity emboldens the followers to bully and disregard the rights of non-Christians, non-humans, all alien sentient/sapient life in the Universe . . .
French National Front leader Marine Le Pen calls for ban on wearing of the Jewish skullcap in public – ‘in the name of equality’ – By Peter Allen – PUBLISHED: 16:55 GMT, 23 September 2012 | UPDATED: 18:01 GMT, 23 September 2012
Ban on full-face coverings – including the Islamic veil – came into force in France last year
Marine Le Pen is now calling for a ban on all religious headgear, as well as kosher and halal food in schools
‘What would people say if I only asked to ban Muslim clothing? They would burn me as a Muslim hater’
Far Right: French National Front leader Marine Le Pen has called for a ban on Jewish headgear
Far right politician Marine Le Pen has caused outrage across France by calling for the banning of the Jewish skullcap in public.
The leader of National Front won a fifth of the popular vote during the first round of May’s presidential election on a largely anti-Muslim immigration agenda.
Now in an interview she has called not just for a ban on the wearing of Islamic veils in public, but also the kippah – leading to France’s most senior Rabbi to describe her view as ‘deeply deplorable’.
Her inflammatory words come at a time of heightened tensions caused by a Paris satirical magazine’s decision to publish a series of cartoons mocking both Islam and Judaism.
One of the images in Charlie Hebdo shows a Prophet Mohammed character being pushed around in a wheelchair by a Rabbi.
Ms Le Pen told Le Monde that all religious headwear should be banned ‘in shops, on public transport and on the streets’.
‘It’s obvious that if the veil is banned, the kippah should be banned in public as well,’ she said. The French parliament passed a ban on full-face coverings, including the Islamic veil in 2010 and the law came into force last year.
Miss Le Pen, whose infamous father Jean-Marie Le Pen is a convicted racist and anti-Semite, also called for a ban on public prayers.
And she said kosher and halal foods should be outlawed in schools, along with foreign governments being allowed to pay for mosques.
Schoolgirl, 15, flees to France on a ferry with with her male maths TEACHER, 30, as her desperate parents beg for her to return home
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a giant manned dragonfly, a tool-box and tandem cyclists soaring across southern France
Crackdown as France bans anyone from protesting about cartoons criticising Prophet Mohammad
‘Jewish skullcaps are obviously not a problem in our country,’ she said, insisting nevertheless that France has to ‘ban them in the name of equality’.
‘The situation in our country has changed. We used to have a fragile balance between religions, but massive immigration has changed that,’ Ms Le Pen said.
‘Veils and jilbabs are putting us under pressure. France is a victim of sectarian political groups due to the ruling parties’ incapacity to deal with the problem.
‘What would people say if I had only asked to ban Muslim clothing? They would burn me as a Muslim hater.’
President Francois Hollande attacked Ms Le Pen’s comments.
‘Everything that tears people apart, opposes them and divides them is inappropriate,’ he said. ‘We must apply the rules, the only rules that we know – the rules of the Republic and secularism.’
Religious headgear: The kippah, or yarmulke, is usually worn by Orthodox or Hasidic Jews who believe the head must be covered at all times
On Friday Mr Hollande opened a new Holocaust memorial in Paris, commemorating the thousands of Jews who were sent to their deaths after being held at the Drancy internment camp.
The camp was run by French policemen working alongside the SS, and rolling stock from France’s national railway, SNCF, was used to take victims to Germany.
Jean-Francois Cope, leader of the opposition UMP party, was similarly outraged, saying Ms Le Pen barely knew what secularism was.
Mr Cope said: ‘Marine Le Pen wants to ban any signs of religion on the streets, starting with the veil and the kippah.
‘By doing this, she shows she does not understand anything about secularism. Secularism is not about the eradication of all religious expressions in society.’
Gilles Bernheim, France’s Chief Rabbi, said: ‘Mixing up the tradition of the skullcap and the veil only generates more confusion in people’s minds. I deeply deplore her statement.’
And Richard Prasquier, leader of the CRIF Jewish council in France, said the Ms Le Pen’s claims showed there were ‘secular fanatics just as there are religious fanatics’.
‘Obviously, I am hostile to both,’ he said.
The CFCM, France’s main Muslim council, meanwhile said that Le Pen wanted to ‘set up a totalitarian regime in France.’
There are around half-a-million Jews in France, many of them living in major cities like Paris, where skull caps have been a familiar sight for centuries.
As John F. Hickory of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City fame once said “I am not a racist I hate everyone regardless of other issues. . . . I’m a patriot! I’ve even got an orange grove tattooed all over my groin.”
Le Pen needs an Orange Grove tattooed on her groin.
Katy Perry ‘Paid £1.2 Million’ To Sing At Holly Valance’s Lavish Wedding – And That’s Not All! All the pricey details on one fairytale wedding October 2, 2012
Every bride wants their wedding day to be special, but it looks like Holly Valance’s was a no expense spared kind of celebration as the ex Neighbours actress reportedly paid Katy Perry £1.2 million to perform at her wedding to billionaire business man Nick Candy.
The couple tied the knot on Saturday in a lavish ceremony in Beverley Hills, with the eventual costs reported to have topped £3 million. The ‘Firework’ singer performed a 45-minute set at the party, but she wasn’t the only entertainment as the cast of Jersey Boys were flown out from London to LA especially to perform for the bride, who is said to be a fan of the musical.
Of the 330 guests their were faces from fashion, celebrity, TV and even royalty. Nancy Dell’Olio, artist Tracey Emin, Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli and milliner Philip Treacy were amongst guests as were Simon Cowell, Elton John, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie who sipped champagne and mojito cocktails as they enjoyed the festivities and entertainment.
Holly Valance and Nick Candy tie the knot (Splash News)
Holly made sure all eyes were on her on the big day with her J’Aton Couture gown featuring a dramatic 15ft veil with sweetheart neckline. The custom made gown wasn’t exactly cheap either with the darker shades of the dress thought to have cost £35,000 alone.
The ‘Kiss Kiss’ singer made sure to thank the designer on Twitter for the creation, she wrote: “Thank u 2 the most supremely talented & divine humans I’ve come across in a long time @JAtonCouture U R just phenomenal. Love u & all u do.X [sic]”
Let’s hope they have some change left over for honeymoon.
The Most Lavish Wedding Ever? Holly and Nick Tie The Knot
Holly Valance is clearly a fan of the “more is more” school of thought – just check out that lavish train and veil! September 30 2012 (Splash News)
Fellow stars should offer to perform for free. 1.2 mill for a wedding is just mercenary, especially for those in the same boat and same industry. How about covering 1.2 million worth of foreclosures for the average American about to lose their home instead of this meaningless and cynical wealth exchange between plutocrats?
It’s not a nudist exhibition! Nancy Dell’Olio proves keen to show off the female form in low cut playsuit at gallery opening – by Fehintola Betiku – PUBLISHED: 01:21 GMT, 5 October 2012 | UPDATED: 06:53 GMT, 5 October 2012
At 51-years-old she has the confidence to step out in ensemble that some might argue are better suited to ladies half her age.
But not concerned with what naysayers have to say, Nancy Dell’Olio was pictured on Thursday evening in an eye-popping low cut playsuit.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star put her plunging attire to the test as she leaned forward and posed for photographers at the opening of Ellie Davies’ exhibition in London.
Doing it her way: Nancy Dell’Olio stepped out in a revealing all-in-one on Thursday evening as she attended photographer Ellie Davies’ exhibition in London
Allowing her loosely curled dark locks to fall at her shoulders, Nancy’s attempted to cover up a little by teaming her thigh skimming all in one with a pair of sheer tights.
FIRST LISTEN: Adele cements herself as a true Bond icon with release of official theme tune for Skyfall
Standing out for all the wrong reasons: The X Factor’s Rylan Clark commits fashion fail as contestants prepare for first live show
Lady in leather: The Saturdays’ Mollie King smoulders as she enjoys solo photo shoot
With a pair of knee high black suede heeled boots completing her look, Dell’Olio accessorised with silver looped drop earrings and a black clutch bag.
The ever glamorous American-Italian lawyer created feline eyes with lashings of black liner as she opted to keep the rest of her make-up to a minimal.
Eye popping! Nancy beamed as she posed for photographers in the low cut playsuit
Too much… The 51-year-old completed her look with knee high boots and a sheer tights
The socialite was seen making her presence known during exhibition, which was held at The Richard Young gallery, as she worked the room and chatted with other guests.
But ensuring her daring get-up didn’t go to waste, Nancy made her rounds whilst stopping every so often to strike a pose against a piece of art which lined the walls in the space.
This is NOT near nudist anything. The whole dress is really conservative and somewhat classy, if not for the decolletage (also conservative V necked button top which is already unisex) , there would be no sense of feminity in the clothing. One sees more semi topless (semi-topless is not topless, topless with breasts entierly exposed alone, is not nudism either, just toplessness) people at gala events far more dressed down. This doesn’t really make any non-fundo type (or barely out of adolescent types, or ill disciplined types – Olio’s attached – so unless ready to fight for relationship rights with whoever don’t bother) feel anything.
Cements Adele as an ‘Bondworld’ icon? Not really . . . Adele’s the ‘Moneypenny’ of the Bondworld crossed with a young M more like . . .
Going Nude: Rihanna unveils sultry ad for her new perfume on Twitter as she tells fans ‘make sure you smell sexy, especially naked’ – by Virginia Skeels – PUBLISHED: 06:32 GMT, 6 October 2012 | UPDATED: 12:21 GMT, 6 October 2012
With more than 26million followers on her Twitter account, it makes sense that Rihanna should choose the micro-blogging site to unveil promotional material for her new perfume.
‘Here is my new add for a brand new fragrance #NUDE !!! Make sure you smell sexy, especially naked, this fall,’ tweeted the Barbados-born recording artist on Friday.
The ad shows the 24-year-old mega star wearing nothing but cream lace lingerie, a piece of gauze fabric draped strategically over her crotch.
Her latest incarnation: Rihanna tweeted this new ad for her new fragrance ‘Nude’ on Friday
Her latest incarnation: Rihanna tweeted this new ad for her new fragrance Nude on Friday
Rihanna smiles seductively behind waves of platinum blonde hair – the new fragrance placed strategically beside her.
‘Is there such a thing as loving two people?’ Chris Brown opens up about Rihanna romance in candid new video… which shows footage of pair together
The singer’s release of the photograph comes after a week of drama which saw her spend three nights running in the company of her ex Chris Brown, whose assault on his then girlfriend in 2009 left Rihanna hospitalised.
Debut: Rihanna wrote to her 26million followers about the fragrance on Friday
Another night with Chris: Rihanna heads to the airport after attending Jay-Z’s concert in New York with Brown
Pleased: Chris Brown leaves the Gansevoort Hotel in Midtown Manhattan after visiting Rihanna on Wednesday
Brown on Thursday confirmed he had split from his current girlfriend, explaining he didn’t want to hurt Karrueche Tran as a result of his ‘friendship’ with Rihanna.
Brown then released a video in which he asks: ‘IS it possible to love two people?’
Meanwhile Rihanna made a veiled reference to Brown as she wrote on her Twitter: ‘Ain’t nobody bidness….. But mine and my baby!’
And friends of the pair are said to be concerned about their potential reconciliation.
Loving the drama: Friends of Chris and Rihanna are said to be concerned about the rconciliation
A source told RadarOnline.com: ‘Chris and Rihanna just love the drama. They know their fans don’t support them getting back together, and that it’s a terrible PR move since Chris was convicted of beating Rihanna.
‘However, this is what Chris and Rihanna thrive on. There are still major trust issues that Rihanna has with Chris, with good reason, he was hooking up with her while he was still dating Karrueche. Chris and Rihanna back together in any capacity is just a disaster in the making.’
Chris was yesterday seen jetting out of New York to Los Angeles following three consecutive nights of partying with Rihanna.
Wearing any sort of lingerie or anything cancels nakedness because of the presence of clothing on the body, in this case lingerie. Which makes the advert oxymoronic in reference to name of the perfume. Also ‘cream lace’ (refers to the colour of the lace) is NOT THE SAME AS ‘cream lace lingerie’ (refers to the colour of the lace UPON the lingerie). Cream, lace and cream-lace are also different things when stated on their own. So if lingerie is being worn, a person cannot be naked. Cockt3as3! This perfume is going to be another misnomer if the inventor won’t even honour the name of the perfume by being naked on their own advert. Any REAL naked people ready to do a real naked perfume? Hint of a ‘less than rude girl’ appears! Get naked for REAL, no more of the misnomer dis-industry!
3rd Force, assassination by ruminent, child marriage, cynical visit, demogoguery, demoguguery, hegelian dialectic, inconguity, Islam, media spin, Nepotism, oxymoron, platitudes, Politics
In 1% tricks and traps, amendments to law needed, Apartheid, better judgments, better laws, Bumiputera Apartheid, cult of personality, demogoguery, Freedom of Expression, Nepotism, Neurotech, oligarchy, orang asli, politics, preventing vested interest, racism, spirit of the law, spirit of the word, unprofessional behaviour, vested interest on September 2, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Of devils and angels – Posted on 29 August 2012 – 04:41am – Oon Yeoh
FORMER Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad created quite a stir when he remarked “Better the devil you know than the angel you don’t.”
This is a well-known saying which means that it’s better to deal with an entity you are familiar with, even if they are not ideal, than take the risk of dealing with an unknown entity, who could end up being worse.
He was, of course, referring to Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat and urging the public to stick with the former, which has ruled the country since independence.
Politics being politics, PR leaders were quick to make fun of his choice of idioms and claim that Mahathir was admitting that BN was the devil and PR the angel.
In retrospect, he probably should have used a variation of that idiom which goes something like “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t”, which is commonly used as well. That way, his detractors would not be able to claim that they were the angels.
People fluent in English will know exactly what he means though. He’s saying that BN, while not perfect, has done a pretty good job so far so it’s better not to change course. He’s also saying that PR, which says all the right things but which has no experience, would be worse for the country.
Let’s examine, not his choice of words but the context of what he’s saying. Does it make sense? Let’s start by looking at the first part. Has BN done a good job so far?
Of course supporters of BN will say yes while detractors will say no. Objective observers will probably say that while BN is far from perfect, it hasn’t exactly driven the country to the ground either. Malaysia doesn’t score particularly well in global indexes relating to economic competitiveness, human rights, free speech and so on. But it’s a far cry from the banana republics.
In other words, things are not too bad. People have jobs, roofs over their heads and no one is starving. As a country, we could have turned out a lot worse. So, yes, there’s some merit in the first part of Mahathir’s quote. What about the second?
Is PR the angel that we don’t know? For sure, PR is promising a lot of things that are popular with civil society. Stuff related to freedom of assembly, free speech, freedom of the press and so on. It has also promised lots of populist measures like cutting petrol prices, offering free education and reducing car taxes that would see a considerable lowering of car prices.
Is all this too good to be true? Probably. For sure if PR were to come to power, it would not be able to fulfil everybody’s expectations. But is it a newbie that will totally disappoint?
This is where the idiom doesn’t apply. PR might be newish but it’s hardly an unknown quantity. Since the March 8, 2008 general election, it has governed four states, two of which are probably the most prosperous states in the federation: Penang and Selangor.
I’m from Penang (and visit there frequently) and live in Selangor. I can safely report that the two states have not gone to the dogs since PR took over. Some would argue that things have improved considerably. Of course there are those who will say there’s still plenty of room for improvement, and they would be right. But it would be laughable to suggest that things have become worse.
Ironically, given that the incumbent in those two states is PR, the idiom would apply in PR’s favour. The so-called devil that you know, in this case, would be PR, which has governed these two states for the past four years. The angel, meanwhile, is BN, which was decimated in those states, to the point that it is no longer recognisable.
BN was destroyed in Penang. Who knows what the new Penang BN would be like? BN was not as badly trounced in Selangor but it has no clear leader in the state. With Khir Toyo no longer in the picture, who is the mentri besar-in-waiting? No one knows. The BN government-in-waiting in those states might or might not be angels, but we certainly don’t know much about them.
For voters, the next general election will not be about familiarity, or the lack thereof, because it is clear what BN and PR stand for.
Oon Yeoh is a new media consultant. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
If BN grants :
BN might be worth voting. Otherwise stagnation will occur and PR will be a risk to the Rakyat when PR gains power.
Statutory rape is SERIOUS: Future of victims just as important as perpetrators’ – Eli Wong – Friday, 31 August 2012 01:28
Like all concerned Malaysians I am very disturbed by the recent two court decisions on statutory rape offenses.
First, national bowler Noor Afizal, who was convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl, had his jail sentence reversed by the Court of Appeal.
It was then compounded by Tuesday’s Sessions Court decision in the case of Chuah Guan Jiu, who was found guilty of raping a 12-year-old girl, yet freed on a bond.
Statutory rape isn’t something to be taken lightly. To consider “consent” in the sentencing, as both courts did, is to make a mockery of the very point of the law–to protect minors, deemed incapable of giving free and informed consent.
This is especially true in cases where the perpetrator is an adult, which is true in both these cases. These incidents should not be confused as young children letting their hormonal urges get the better of them.
Both Noor Afizal and Chuah Guan Jiu were adults who took advantage of children far younger than themselves. The former was 19 when he committed the offence with a 13-year-old girl, while the latter was 21, nine years older than his victim.
Future of the perpetrators, what about the victims?
Disappointingly, the courts were more concerned with the future of the perpetrators and not the victims.
The written judgement in Nor Afizal’s case specifically states that the decision should not be taken as a precedent. However, by not imposing the mandatory five-year minimum jail sentence for rape, the courts are sending a very unfortunate message to women and children–that their rights cannot be protected by our judiciary.
Worse, potential child rapists might think it is possible to escape the punishment the crime deserves.
I urge the public prosecutors to appeal both decisions on these grounds. Malaysians will be watching very closely, hoping for justice to finally be done.
YB ELIZABETH WONG is Executive Councillor, Selangor State Government & PKR assemblywomen for Bukit Lanjan
***Commentator Comments :
What I think by Joan Lau – August 29, 2012
I am all for personal freedoms but when it comes to children and sex, well… all bets are off. Chuah Guan Jiu was 21 when he had sex with a 12-year-old girl. But the judge gave him a break because he did not have a criminal record, is not well educated and the sex was consensual. So what is the
message here? If you have never committed an offence before and did not go to college, you are “poor thing, give chance”? Come on.If this were a drug or firearms offence, the same “considerations” would not be given.Having sex with a child is wrong. Pure and simple.
Elizabeth Wong should know that far more serious is the inability to tell the difference and even attempt to blur the lines between the difference between Statuary Rape AND Consensual Sex NOT AMOUNTING TO RAPE between biologically viable adult women that Statuary Rape Laws Brand as
Women, preventing the right to bear children to younger women. Perhaps, in a certain spiritual theory, there is an occult reason to prevent the ‘masses’ from having young brides having children at young age. And the Fundos are in on this? Is the quality of children by older women different?
Some things should not be used as ‘weapons’ and this intentional inculpation of inability to tell the difference between biological viability and QUALITY of birth could well be the make or break factor in the ascension of a country spiritually . . . these are theories that no nation can ignore. Perhaps all great leaders and spiritually powerful people were borne by the youngest mothers, though again remember that the planet can only host so many people and that everyone including non-humans have a right to live on the planet and cannot ‘own’ anything on the planet, though having an equitable birth rate that at least replaces deaths is alright – there are too many people for a single species btw, out of 100s of 1000s of species, humanity taking up near 40% of the world’s land area is obviously too much . . .
Biological maturity and psychological-emotional maturity are not statuary age. And statuary age does not take into consideration biological age and psychological-emotional maturity. Are Joan or Elizabeth sure they are aware of the difference between WORD of law or SPIRIT of law? Hegelian dialectic AGAIN. Joan and Elizebeth entirely miss the spirit of the law of this case. Having sex with a blindly legalistic statuary age defined ‘child’ is not wrong if the above biological and emotional maturity fact is considered because the final result is actually a mature person in reality – even as age by blindly interpreted ‘word of law’ for statuary consideration, does not recognize reality. ‘Pure and simple’ is not supposed to be fundo and simplistic. And here the display of lack of understanding of the spirit of the issue, or perhaps intentional focusing only on the ‘word of the law’ shows up another 2 of the country’s supposed educated as agenda intent if not uneducated, much like apartheid is accepted by those who no sense of pride as persons as given by the UN Human Rights Charter.
We must remember that before Victorian era, many child brides lived fulfilling lives with their husbands and many of this generation have had a great(or any number of greats)-granny who was a child bride that turned out fine. Who is Joan to say what 2 individuals decide on their own and at their consent? These are private lives and if consensual, and because the child did not suffer and wanted to, especially if the manipulation from the adult was non-existent or within decent limits (thrill of chase etc.), no person or even the court has a right to punish any as no suffering was inflicted except upon the narrow minded or with a certain religious outlook.
This ‘If you have never committed an offence before and did not go to college, you are “poor thing, give chance”?‘, is pure ‘old aunt’s’ demogoguery in quite an uneducated manner. You see one can have a degree yet not be educated in mindset. And mindset wise Joan IS uneducated, as much as Elizabeth is insulting the readers by inculpating hegelian dialectic thought via demogoguery upin the suffering of victims for political points.
Come on.If this were a drug or firearms offence, the same “considerations” would not be given.
Drugs or firearms offences (private carry or use specifically, not smuggling or sale to fundo or 3rd world states) as of now are also more word of law than spirit of law, the premise for existence and application not particularly PC as in a similar manner as the above statuary age case. See the next article below on differences between positive child marriage AND negative child marriage, considered against statuary law and ACTUAL biological age.
By whose interpretation? – Thursday, 30 August 2012 Super Admin (Raja Petra Kamarudin)
Why does the age of the person determine which court has jurisdiction over cases involving illicit sex or zina? Do you mean to tell me that if you are not yet 18 then you are not yet a Muslim? Only when you reach 18 you become a Muslim? Can those under 18, therefore, drink and eat pork and go to church since you are not yet a Muslim and the Sharia court has no power over you until you touch 18?
You may have noticed that I have not written a thing regarding former national youth squad bowler Noor Afizal Azizan’s statutory rape case.
First of all, I thought that since every man and his dog was already talking about it you don’t really need me to comment as well. I mean it is not quite the untold story that I normally like to dabble in. It is more like the ‘over-told’ story.
Furthermore, do you really need more ‘noise’? There is such a thing called overkill and flogging a dead horse (an idiom). There is also such a thing called information overload, which makes people lethargic and sometimes immune to the issue. Hence ‘too much’ can be counter-productive.
Secondly, this appears to have turned into an opposition crusade, which is bad. Once it is perceived as a political issue rather than an issue of justice, people become divided on the issue based on political leanings and not because it is either the right thing or the wrong thing. People will oppose right or support wrong if the criteria is politics. Take crossovers as one example.
Anyway, what is my take on the issue?
Okay, are you outraged about the court’s decision because you are an opposition supporter or because it is morally (or legally) wrong to not classify the case as statutory rape instead of consensual sex? (Note that even some of those in government feel the same way as you do although they speak ‘gentler’ in expressing their view and without the venom).
I think a more important question would be are you capable of setting aside politics when you talk about this issue — or any issue for that matter that involves justice, civil liberties, etc? Can we leave our Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat hats outside the door and come to the table as Malaysians of common interests and concerns?
That is the one thing we find most difficult to do. It is always politics first and everything else second, even in matters such as Hudud, which is supposed to be above politics but is not.
Okay, so a man (or boy) has sex with an underage girl. My first question would be: are the men/boy and girl Muslims? If they are then this is zina (illicit sex or sex outside marriage). And is not zina a crime under the Sharia (Islamic law)? Hence should not the boy and girl be tried under the Sharia?
If the man/boy and girl were both above 18 they would have been brought to the Sharia court. Why are they not brought to the Sharia court just because one or both are below 18?
In Islam, the ‘age of consent’ would be the age of puberty. For girls that would be once she gets her period and that could even be when she is nine years old. According to the Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet Muhammad married Aishah when she was six but did not ‘take her’ until she was nine. And aren’t Muslims supposed to believe in and strictly follow the Hadith and Sunnah or else they cease to be Muslims and would become kafir (infidels).
Hence if the girl is 13 and she already has her period, is she legally (in Islam, that is) a woman who can consent to sex or is she still a child? And hence, also, since she is a Muslim and ‘legally a woman’, is she accountable for her ‘crime’ of consenting to sex or is she blameless? In other words, if the Sharia court were to try them, would both be on trial or only the man/boy?
Okay, we can argue that the Sharia court does not come into play here. This matter does not involve the Sharia court.
Why not? If Muslims above 18 ‘get caught’ for illicit sex they get dragged to the Sharia court. The common law court has no power to try Muslim adults who have sex outside marriage. In fact, sex outside marriage is not a crime under common law (even for Muslims) unless it is same-gender or gay sex.
Okay, what if the church or Christians preaches Christianity to Malay boys and girls of 13 or 14 (in short, below 18). Is this a crime? A crime under which law? Common law? Under common law it is not a crime to preach Christianity to Malay children. It is only a crime according to the Religious Department.
But the Religious Department does not have power over us until we are 18. Islam recognises 9-year olds as adults. Common law does not. We are adults only at 18. And common law decides whether we are adults. Not the Religious Department.
So how?
The question is: who has power over Muslims? The common law courts or the Sharia courts? And why does the common law court have power over us until we are 18 and then the Sharia court takes over after that? Is age 18 the ‘legally adult’ age in Islam? And if 18 were the legal adult age under Islam, can Muslims below 18 get married?
Yes, Muslims below 18 can get marriage on condition they are ‘adults’ (meaning reached puberty) and they have their parent’s consent. Hence at that age they are already responsible for their own actions, even in crimes of illicit sex.
But then we are not talking about the Qur’an, Hadith, Sunnah or Islamic law here. We are talking about common law. Hence common law overrides the Qur’an, Hadith, Sunnah or Islamic law and will decide at what age you are an adult and at what age you are still a child. And you will face the common law court when you are legally a child and the Sharia court once you are legally an adult. And although Islam has decided the age of adulthood, Islam has no power over Muslims because the laws of the land and Islam do not work in tandem.
Crazy or not? In Islam, religion decides when we become an adult and hence can get married and have sex. But Islam does not have the power to decide at what age we would be considered as having consensual sex outside marriage. That the common law decides. And that age is 18.
Now, who decides when we cease being a child and legally become an adult although at the age of nine we already discovered the difference between a boy and girl and knew what to do with that thing between our legs? Well, the 222 Members of Parliament, of course. They pass all the laws and they have decided that only at age 17 we can drive and at age 18 we can have sex and at age 21 we can vote.
But why at age 17, 18 and 21 respectively?
Queen Isabella of Valois married Richard II when she was 6 years, 11 months and 25 days old.
David II married Joan, the daughter of Edward II, when he was 4 years and 134 days old.
Louis XIV of France became King at age 5 and took over full control at 23.
Joan of Arc led the French against the English at age 17.
And of course we have that story regarding Aishah, the wife of Prophet Muhammad.
In those days, you married as soon as you legally became a woman, which was when you got your period, and would have been around age 9-11. At age 10-13 boys joined the army and fought and died for their country. These were ages when you were no longer children.
I know, times have changed and we no longer consider girls of 10 or boys of 13 as adults. That may be so when it comes to common law but not if we consider religion.
So, are we outraged about the case of Noor Afizal Azizan because we perceive it as him having sex with an underage girl and the law says a girl of 13 cannot consent to sex and hence he broke the law? Okay, so it is the law that we are concerned about, am I correct?
The law says that a girl of 13 cannot consent to sex. This is a law passed by Parliament, the body that can legally pass laws, which we all must follow. And since Noor Afizal Azizan broke the law passed by Parliament we are outraged.
Okay, I can accept that. The law must be followed. After all this is a law passed by Parliament. But hold on, Parliament also passed a law that says we must get a police permit if we want to hold a demonstration. Should this law not also be followed since we are extremely concerned about the law?
Was Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim therefore correct in that the law must be followed?
Hmm…touché or not touché?
Amend laws that make no sense, stop talking about Tunku this and that. If a writer uses keeps using any person as a point of reference in matters of common sense instead of consideration of facts, they are dishonest writers involved in inculpation of cult of personality mentality rather than logic based judgments.
Drugs or firearms offences (private carry or use specifically, not smuggling or sale to fundo or 3rd world states) as of now are also more word of law than spirit of law, the premise for existence and application not particularly PC as in a similar manner as the above statuary age case. Good exposition on child marriage issues and examples of ‘child’ marriages in either case.
Two come to Tuan Tat’s defence over forgery accusations – Saturday, 25 August 2012 Super Admin
(The Star) – Ex-Sepang DAP parliamentary liaison committee member Tan Tuan Tat, who was accused of forging 149 membership forms, has produced two former party supporters to back him up.
Mahful Wahid said he had collected membership forms from some 100 people in Kampung Teluk Manggis and Taman Kedidi as they were interested in becoming DAP members.
“I approached Tan for help to submit the forms to Selangor DAP. Why was he accused of forgery?” he said, adding that he, too, had been interested in joining DAP.
Such accusations, added Mahful, had caused him to lose confidence in Pakatan Rakyat.
DAP disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai said that Tuan Tat, who had been in the party for 18 years, had been charged with forging the membership forms to set up three pro tem branches in Sungai Pelek, Sepang.
He also claimed that the MyKad of people from Sungai Pelek were used without their knowledge to enrol them as DAP members.
Former Pantai Sepang Putra DAP chief R. Veerasamy echoed Mahful’s views, saying that he had also approached Tuan Tat for help to forward the forms to the state DAP’s office.
“In the end, I was found guilty of falsifying the applications and sacked,” he said during a press conference here yesterday.
Denying the accusations, Tuan Tat said it was meant to slander his integrity and credibility.
“Don’t defame me. I did not forge any forms.
“The forms were genuine and came from people who wanted to join DAP,” he said.
Tuan Tat, who used to be Taman Sri Sungai Pelek branch chairman before leaving the party last week, said DAP had deviated from its original spirit and essence.
He also disputed Tan’s charge that he was sacked from the party.
“How can I be sacked when I resigned first?” he said.
3rd Force needs you Tuan Tat! BN is corrupt and racist. PR is nepotistic and undemocratic!
BN, PR: dua kali lima – THE CORRIDORS OF POWER – Friday, 31 August 2012 Super Admin – Raja Petra Kamarudin
But the political parties that they belong to will not allow this. Although they are called Wakil Rakyat, in reality they are Wakil Parti. They have to represent their party, not us, the voters. And when they try to do what they are supposed to do, the party will pounce on them. Hence they have to toe the party line or else they will be suspended, or worse, sacked.
No, this is not an anti-government article. It is not an opposition-whacking article either. This is an article about why we vote for 222 Malaysians to represent us in Parliament — never mind whether you voted (or will be voting) for Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat. That is not important. What is important is: why do we vote?
We vote for 222 Malaysians to go to Parliament (and another almost 600 State Assemblypersons for the State Assemblies as well — known as ADUNs) so that they can become our representatives or wakil.
The Malays have the correct term for this. These people we vote for (both MPs and ADUNs) are called Wakil Rakyat in Malay, which means Citizen’s Representative (or People’s Representative).
And, as the name implies, that is exactly what they are supposed to do — represent us, the voters.
Why call them Wakil Rakyat then? They cannot function as Wakil Rakyat. We might as well call them Wakil Parti. And in the coming general election, 10 million Malaysians can go to the polling stations to vote for the Wakil Parti.
Both Barisan Nasional as well as Pakatan Rakyat are equally guilty of this. And since we do not have a ‘third force’, so to speak — unless the rakyat can be regarded as that third force — that is how things are going to be for a long time to come.
But, no, I am not going to talk about the third force. Malaysians are too dumb to understand the meaning of ‘third force’. To most people, ‘third force’ means three-corner contests. Then they will say I am trying to sabotage Pakatan Rakyat so that Barisan Nasional can retain power.
So what if some Members of Parliament (never mind BN or PR) go against their party stand? If it is for the good of the rakyat why can’t they break ranks and not toe the party line? That is why we sent them to Parliament (or the State Assemblies) in the first place.
In America, the Congressmen or Senators from the President’s own party can vote against the President while those from the other side will vote in support of the Bill that the President is proposing. On more than one occasion the President’s Bill had been defeated by his own party while those from the other side actually voted in support of it. No one was suspended or sacked because of this.
I know, some of you are now going to argue that we follow the British Westminster system and that this is how they do things in the UK. They have the Parliament Whip whose job is to ensure that no one breaks ranks.
Okay, if we are so concerned about what they do in Britain, and hence we need to follow the British model, then what about the written constitution? Britain does not have a written constitution. Why not follow Britain and abolish our Constitution?
I have no problems with that. Then no longer will Islam be the religion of the Federation or Malays have special privileges or the Agong be the Supreme Head of the Federation and all that. Britain’s ‘laws’ do not allow a Prime Minister not from the Church of England. You must belong to the Church of England. You want to follow that as well since it is very important that we follow the UK?
Some things we say we MUST follow. Other things we don’t want to follow. Apa ni? Gay marriages also allowed in England, mah! Want to follow or not?
This sorry state of affairs can only be corrected by you, the voters. If you, the voters, insist that the Wakil Rakyat speak for us and not for their party, only then can it happen.
I am going to tell you a story about why Ali is my favourite of the four (Rightly-Guided) Caliphs of Medina. And, no, it is not because I am a follower of the Shia sect of Islam.
Ali was the last of the four Medinan Caliphs. The Shias, however, allege that Ali was robbed of his right to be the First Caliph. I am not going to talk about that. What I want to talk about is he almost became the Third Caliph. And according to the story this is what happened.
As Omar, the Second Caliph, lay dying, he told the people of Medina to form a committee to decide on who should succeed him when he dies. A few candidates were selected and finally it was short-listed to just two, Osman and Ali.
A few interviews were conducted and during the final interview Osman was asked how he would rule if he was chosen as Caliph. Osman replied he would rule according to tradition and by following the example of the Prophet.
Ali was asked the same question and he replied he would rule according to his conscience and with God as his guide.
Osman got the job and some historians say that that was the beginning of the decline of the Islamic Empire. Osman appointed his relatives to important posts in the government and corruption soon emerged. One of Osman’s blunders was he appointed his cousin Muawiyah as the Governor of Syria. When Osman died and Ali took over, Muawiyah declared war on Ali, the first ever war where Muslims fought Muslims (and have been fighting ever since)
I know many Islamists will disagree with my analysis of events, although these events did take place. Nevertheless, my interpretation of this event is Osman said he would follow tradition while Ali said he would follow his conscience. And we have seen how tradition may not always be the best thing to follow.
And the same goes to the issue of our Wakil Rakyat. Forget about tradition, especially Westminster tradition. Follow your conscience. Did we, the voters, or your party vote you into office? And if we voted you into office then serve us instead of your party.
S’gor DAP branches reject Ganapathirau – Sunday, 02 September 2012 – Athi Shankar, FMT
Selangor DAP branches warn the party leadership that DAP would lose the Kota Alam Shah seat if Ganapathirau, a former ISA detainee, is fielded.
KLANG: Eight DAP branches here have called on the party leadership not to field V Ganapathirau (photo) as candidate in Kota Alam Shah state seat in the next general election.
The branches, all from the state constituency, warned the party leadership that the DAP would lose the seat if Ganapathirau, a former detainee of now repealed Internal Security Act, was fielded.
The DAP eight branches, with collectively some 500 members, openly opposed Ganapathirau are Taman Gembira, Klang, Teluk Pulai, Bayu Tinggi, Taman Chi Liung Indah, Southern Klang, Persiaran Raja Muda Musa and Ehsan.
The group spokesman Ivan Ho said they were all against Ganapathirau because he was not a local familiar with the party grassroots leaders and members, or constituents in the area.
Ho said Ganapathirau does not have close rapport with party grassroots in the constituency, a winning factor so crucial for a potential candidate.
He urged the party leadership to respect grassroots sentiments and not to force in parachute candidates like Ganapathirau in Kota Alam Shah.
“DAP members and constituents don’t know him much.
“The party should not push us to accept Ganapathirau.
“We don’t want him,” Ho, the Taman Gembira branch head, told FMT.
Kota Alam Shah incumbent assemblyman is M Manoharan, a protégé of DAP national chairman Karpal Singh.
It’s learnt Selangor DAP leadership under Teresa Kok planned to replace Manoharan, also a former ISA detainee, with Ganapathirau.
Ganapathirau is a staunch confidant of deputy secretary general and Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.
Not an Indian hero
Taman Chi Liung Indah head K Yogasigamany reminded the state party leadership that time had lapsed to promote the Ganapathirau as a former ISA detainee and his so-called involvement in Hindraf Makkal Sakti.
He said DAP grassroots members and constituents know that Ganapathirau, who now leads NGO Malaysian Indian voice, was not a Hindraf leader.
“Constituents have realised that Ganapathirau was never the Hindraf leader or Indian hero.
“He is no more relevant for Indian community.
“It will be futile and fatal for party leadership to field Ganapathirau in Kota Alam Shah.
“The leadership should drop the idea altogether,” Yogasigamany told FMT.
How about Ganapathirau run as an independent candidate? Who needs DAP’s nepotism and crony capitalism? Be a Wakil Rakyat not a Wakil Parti.
About the next government – Saturday, 01 September 2012 Super Admin – Raja Petra Kamarudin
This is not about whether Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat is worse. This is about doing the honest thing. When you do party work the rakyat must not be made to pay for it. And when Parliament and the State Assemblies have been dissolved you are committing criminal breach of trust by
continuing to use the government facilities for your personal political campaigns and party work.
First have a look at the Google Analytical graphic below. Those are Malaysia Today’s figures for the pre-Raya, Raya, and post-Raya period.
On Friday, 17th August 2012, Malays began to leave town to return to their kampung. That was when the figures started declining. By Saturday, more people left town (even many non-Malays) and the figures dropped even further.
The non-Malays did not return to work until Wednesday last week, and that was when the figures started to increase again. Most Malays, however, stayed away the entire week until Sunday. On Monday this week, the figures returned to normal when everyone was back in town.
Now, while the figures over last week were down quite a bit because many people were still back in their kampung, the comments, however, did not suffer. And even when the figures went up again this week, the comments more or less remained the same.
From these figures I can only assume two things. First is that Malaysia Today’s Malay readership is quite large. And that is why the figures drop when the Malays are away. Secondly is that most of those who comment are non-Malays. And that is why while the Malay readership declines the comments do not.
Of course, thirdly, based on the type of comments posted, we can also assume that most of those who comment are not yet of the age of maturity. And that is why many comments are very childish. (You should read the ones we deleted. They will shock you).
Anyway, what I want to talk about today is regarding the next government. You see, when Parliament is dissolved to make way for the next general election, in principle Malaysia no longer has a government. What we have is merely a caretaker government and a caretaker Prime Minister.
Now, even Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this back in 2006. Dr Mahathir explained that in principle there is no longer any government but just a caretaker Prime Minister. But he could not understand, Dr Mahathir said, why no one realises this and never challenged it.
In short, the Cabinet no longer exists, as everyone would have already been ‘sacked’, so to speak. Parliament has been dissolved so technically we no longer have any Members of Parliament. Hence, if we no longer have any Members of Parliament, then we no longer have a Prime Minister or Ministers.
Can the Prime Minister still use his office and other facilities such as the private jet, helicopter, etc., which are for the use of the Prime Minister? What about all those Ministers who still use their office, government car, etc?
Many Malays regard our First Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, as fasiq (bad Muslim) because of his drinking and gambling. But did you know that the Tunku took six months no-pay leave to campaign for the general election? He handed the government to his Deputy, Tun Abdul Razak
Hussein, to take over as Acting Prime Minister.
Whatever you might say about the Tunku, at least he was honest enough to separate his party post from his government post and he did not abuse his government post to do party work. Has any Prime Minister since then taken no-pay leave when they campaign for their party? Even the Merdeka celebration is treated as a party campaign.
And please don’t start screaming ‘that is why we need to get rid of Umno’. Many now in the opposition — not only from Umno but also from MCA, Gerakan and MIC as well — did the same thing when they were in government. They talk only now that they are with the opposition. When they were in government serupa saja.
Take the Menteris Besar from the Pakatan Rakyat states, as an example. Would these MBs take no-pay leave whenever they are campaigning for their party or would they use their post as MB to campaign for Pakatan Rakyat? Of course Umno also does this. That, I don’t deny. But do two wrongs make a right?
Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat, the MB of Kelantan, switches of the ‘government’ light when he prays (which is a personal duty and has nothing to do with the government). And how much electricity does his light bulb consume when he prays?
This is not about whether Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat is worse. This is about doing the honest thing. When you do party work the rakyat must not be made to pay for it. And when Parliament and the State Assemblies have been dissolved you are committing criminal breach of trust by continuing to use the government facilities for your personal political campaigns and party work.
Do you remember when Datuk Ramli Yussuf, the Director of the CCID, faced charges in Sabah for using a police plane to fly over his land? He was alleged to have taken a detour while on official duty to fly over his land. Just a slight detour in a government plane and he was arrested and charged.
No doubt he was eventually acquitted of that charge but the fact he could he sacked, arrested and charged for taking a ‘joyride’ in a police plane was enough to show the difference between personal and official work. What makes the Prime Minister or Ministers immune from this same ‘crime’?
Once Parliament is dissolved it should be hands-off all public property. No more using public facilities for your personal or party work and campaigns.
I do not know how better to explain this point without sounding cheong hei but understand one thing: once Parliament is dissolved you are now sacked from your job. Hence we no longer have a government and you can no longer use what belongs to the government — meaning, of course, what belongs to the rakyat.
Now, in that same spirit, since we no longer have a government, when we go to the polls we are choosing a new government. Whether we choose Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat does not matter. Both are new governments. The old government no longer exists. Everyone has been sacked from his/her job.
Okay, so we no longer have a government and we go to the polls to choose a government. Never mind that Barisan Nasional has ruled Malaysia for 55 years. That was before. For all intents and purposes, if they win the election they are going to be a new government, jut like how Pakatan Rakyat would be if they win the election.
Hence we need to ask both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat what type of new government they are going to be. We do not care what they did in the past. Don’t try to impress us with what you have been doing over the last 55 years (actually it’s 53 years because the First General Election was in 1959, not 1957). That government no longer exists. We are about to choose a new government so we want to know what type of new government we are going to choose.
Let’s look at it this way. We wipe the slate clean and start from scratch (not to include any corrupt acts, of course, which should still be on the slate). Then we are giving both a level playing field (or else Barisan Nasional can boast about what they have done over 55 years compared to Pakatan Rakyat who never ruled at federal level). Let’s assume Malaysia never had a government before. So now tell us why we should vote for you.
And that would mean we would need to look at so many unresolved issues and hear from both sides what they have to offer us. As I said, there are just so many issues but maybe for purposes of this article we can talk about some of the more pressing ones. And my list is certainly not in order of priority. And I am addressing this list to both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.
1. Will Malaysia adopt in its entirety the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations on 10th December 1948?
2. Will Malaysia practice meritocracy to replace the system of quotas and preferential treatment and will Article 153 in the Constitution be abrogated?
3. Will fundamental liberties be respected and will it include the right to choose your religion, the right to have no religion, the right to your sexual preference, the right to a civil partnership, and much more?
4. Will Malaysia remain a Constitutional Monarchy or will it opt to become a Republic?
5. Will the oil royalty for those states that have oil and gas be increased to 20% or more or will it remain at 5%.
6. Will Sabah and Sarawak be given autonomy and will Federalisation in those states be reduced/limited in line with the 20- and 18-Point Agreements?
7. Will the Human Rights Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, Police Force Commission, Judicial Commission, Election Commission, etc., be restructured so that the appointments can be made by Parliament and so that they can be responsible to Parliament and will include Commissioners from both sides of the political fence in equal numbers?
8. Will the Constitution be amended to make Malaysia more Secular with the removal of Islam as the religion of the Federation?
9. What is the position of the Sharia — Hudud included, of course — and which legal system will be supreme and will Malaysia remove the dual system, which appears to be running parallel, in favour of a single legal system?
10. Will the anti-hopping act, freedom of information act, freedom of association act (to include students), anti-discrimination act, anti-racism act, freedom of religion act, etc., be introduced and will the death sentence be abolished?
Those are just ten points that both sides need to tell us about. Of course there are many more and some of you may want to add to that list. The bottom line, however, is that we want to hear from all those who are going to offer themselves for election what their position about all these issues are.
We can’t accept the ‘vote first and talk later’ argument. We need to know before we go to the polls the stand of all these people who want our vote. Hence no shocks and surprises later once we choose our new government.
BN has the mandate for granting all of the above or condensed form of the 3 items below :
;but does not act. Pakatan looks set to be worse with Hudud and Nepotism and backward crony capitalist mindsets, who knows gangsterism as well? A nice article that challenges unnecessary structures in government.
I believe, hence I am right – Sunday, 26 August 2012 Super Admin – NO HOLDS BARRED – Raja Petra Kamarudin
Not even a priest or an imam will ‘serve God’ if they are not being paid a salary. It’s all about money, even those who claim to be serving God. So get off your high horse and stop all this self-righteous bullshit. Every single one of you does things for money. So stop slandering this person and that person as doing things for money. You too are as much money-motivated as the other person you are accusing.
I can’t understand why Malaysia Today’s readers are foaming at the mouth and whacking Hudud. Some have even gone beyond just attacking Hudud and have even whacked Muslims and Islam. A police report has already been made against Malaysiakini. Do you also want a police report to be made against Malaysia Today?
Most of you may think that Malaysia allows freedom of expression. Well, Malaysia may allow freedom of expression up to a certain extent but that freedom is not absolute. There are limits. And that is why Malaysia has many laws that are aimed at ‘ensuring the peace and stability’ of the nation, the Sedition Act being one of them.
This means you cannot simply say what you like, not even in America or Britain. For example, if you start talking about Muslim terrorists, Jihad and bombs while in a plane you can get into trouble anywhere in the world. You might argue that it is your fundamental right to talk about whatever it is you want to talk about. The police, however, will not agree with you as they drag you away in handcuffs. Try it if you don’t believe me.
So perish the thought regarding absolute freedom of expression. It does not exist. There are boundaries and you must navigate within these boundaries. I, for one, can tell you that this is absolutely true. I, too, have learned that you cannot say everything that is on your mind. There are some things you can say and there are many things you cannot say. And if you violate this rule you will get vilified like hell. I am speaking from experience here.
Look at what happened to Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim. His party expressed support for the Bersih 3.0 rally while he said that although he is for clean elections he does not feel that breaking the law is the way to send the message to the government. And for saying that he was whacked kaw-kaw until he felt so hurt he left the party. I suppose anyone who is called foul names would feel the way he felt. I mean people do have feelings, even Pakatan Rakyat leaders.
In the first place, Tunku Aziz should not have joined a political party. He is not a politician, period. And he should have realised that once you join a political party you must toe the party line. You cannot do what the people would view as breaking ranks. They will kill you, figure of speech, of course. And once you join a political party and then resign, you will be accused of being bought off, of selling out, and all sort of foul things. It is better you had not joined in the first place. Then you can say what you like.
Once you join a political party you need to sacrifice certain freedoms for the sake of party unity. Even when you talk in closed-door meetings or unofficial meetings you need to watch what you say. In politics everyone is an enemy, even the person sitting next to you in the meeting. And what you say will be leaked to embarrass you. And the Penang PKR chief, Datuk Dr Mansor Othman, has found out the hard way what damage these leaks can do.
Of course, Dr Mansor has denied saying what he is alleged to have said. The minutes, though, appear to prove otherwise. But minutes can be forged. After all, only those who attended the meeting would know.
No doubt, none of the others who attended that meeting have come forward to reveal that they had attended the meeting and that the minutes had been forged and that no such thing was ever said in the meeting. Nevertheless, whether the people believe that denial is another thing. After all, politicians deny allegations all the time. Clinton denied. Nixon denied. And in the end it was proven that these denials were all lies. In fact, Najib Tun Razak has also denied the allegations against him but we all don’t believe his denials — am I not correct?
The golden rule in politics is when cornered deny or say ‘no comment’. Of course, most people are of the opinion that when politicians deny it then it must be true and when they say ‘no comment’ that means they are admitting the allegation. But the most important thing is no one can prove it.
And this is what matters in the end. Can you prove the allegation?
What you need to do, before they even deny it or say ‘no comment’, is to challenge them to prove that the allegation is false. Under normal circumstances one is assumed innocent until proven guilty. But if you want to corner a politician you twist it the other way. You ask them to prove that the allegation is false. That is actually quite impossible to do.
Anwar was convicted and sentenced to a total of 15 years jail because he could not prove his innocence. The Federal Court later overturned that conviction on grounds that the Prosecution failed to prove his guilt. Nevertheless, Anwar had already served six years of the 15 years before he saw freedom. Thus, sometimes, the guilty until proven innocent rule does work in certain cases.
New laws are being introduced in Malaysia where you will need to prove you are innocent or else you are presumed guilty. We had 52 years of the Internal Security Act where an estimated 10,000 people had been detained without trial on that same assumption — guilty until proven innocent. They detain you first and then later you need to convince them that you deserve to be released. It is impossible to prove you deserve to be released when your detention is on the basis that one man, the Minister, believes you are a threat to national security.
I mean how do you prove a belief wrong? You have a belief, and that belief is I am a threat to national security. How do I prove this belief wrong? How do I prove any of your beliefs wrong? You believe that Hudud is God’s law and is mandatory. You believe that the Qur’an came directly from God and is God’s word. You believe the Bible is the Holy Book of God (in fact, you swear an oath on the Bible although it may have been printed by a printer in Jalan Chan Sow Lin). You believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was crucified and died for our sins. How do I prove all these beliefs wrong?
So, I can’t prove any of your beliefs wrong, even the belief that I am a threat to national security. And that means I will remain under detention without trial until your beliefs change and you now believe that I have reformed and have turned over a new leaf and am no longer a threat to national security.
Such are beliefs. And beliefs are impossible to prove wrong. If you had to prove your belief right, that would be another thing altogether. To prove your belief right you will need evidence, which you may or may not have. But for me to prove your belief wrong is a non-starter never mind what that belief may be. Beliefs do not require evidence. Hence you can believe something even if there is no evidence. And for me to prove your belief wrong when your belief is void of evidence would mean I would not have the evidence to prove your belief wrong.
Can you see how it works?
Many friends have been in touch with me to ask me to clear the air on what people are saying about me. These friends tell me that people believe I am this or I am that or I have done this or I have done that. But that is just it. This is what people believe. How do I prove this belief to be false?
Most of those people who believe these things about me also believe in God and believe in a religion. Is there any basis for these beliefs? Is there any evidence to support these beliefs? Can they prove that their beliefs are facts and not myths?
Of course they can’t. They just believe it, that’s all. There is no basis for these beliefs. They heard stories and they believe these stories. These are all stories without evidence. Then they support these stories and justify their beliefs by showing us a Holy Book, which they said came from God but was printed by a printer in Jalan Chan Sow Lin who himself does not believe in God and is printing this ‘Holy Book’ just to make money from the printing contract
Thus this is the mindset of these types of people. They are susceptible to believing things that cannot be proven. And these same people also believe certain things about me. So how do we talk to such people when they are already prone to believing things that they imagine to be true even when it cannot be proven true?
Can you see the futility in trying to turn these people? It is as difficult as trying to convince a Catholic that Prophet Muhammad is a Prophet of God or trying to convince Muslims that Jesus is the Son of God — or trying to convince readers of Malaysia Today that Hudud is God’s command and is mandatory for all Malaysians.
The best would be to just let people believe what they want to believe. Most of these people believe that they are sincere and noble while all the rest are scumbags anyway. Only they are true. All others are false.
Look at the party hopping issue as one example. Most believe that it is wrong for people to leave their party to join the other side. But it is not wrong for those from the other side to leave the other side to join their party.
If they leave the other side to join their side then it is a sincere and noble gesture. But if they leave their side to join the other side it cannot also be because of a sincere and noble gesture. It can only be because of money and for no other reason.
This is the belief.
You do things out of sincerity and for noble reasons. Others are not noble or sincere and do things merely for money. You do not do things for money.
As I said, this is the belief and they believe that their belief is right. But is it?
Their parents sent them to school to receive an education. I have Chinese friends who tell me that education is at the top of the Chinese priority list. Education comes first and everything else comes after. This is what my Chinese friends tell me and since so many seem to tell me the same thing I am inclined to believe it.
Then I ask them, why? To the Malays, religion comes first. That is way at the top of the priority list of the Malays. Go ask the Malays and see what they say. But why do Chinese put education and not religion at the top of their priority list?
And they tell me it is because you need a good education to be ensured a good future. Only a good education can ensure a good future. And many Malaysians, after they have received that good education, choose to stay overseas to work. They have spent so much money on their education that they need to work overseas because the salary they will earn back in Malaysia would be too low and they will never be able to recover the cost of their education.
So people get an education. But they go and get an education not because they seek knowledge. They go and get an education so that they can get a good job that pays good money.
Everybody works. And they all work because they want money. Only with money can they buy things and live a good life. They want a house. They want a car. They want to get married. They want power, position, prestige, recognition, and whatnot. And all this requires money.
Why do they want all these? Are these not all for selfish reasons? You can go live in a jungle and not starve. There is food everywhere. You can live off the land. You can build a roof over your head from what you find in the jungle. You can use the streams and rivers to wash and bathe. You do not need money. You do not need a job. You do not need to spend so much money getting educated.
So, yes, everyone does things for money, even those of you who believe you are sincere and noble. Do you need money? Actually you do not. You don’t need money. You just want money. And you want money because you want the good things in life.
Are you prepared to resign from your job and go work in one of the African countries for no salary? They will provide you a tent to sleep in and three meals a day. They will also provide you with khaki uniforms. But other than that you will receive no money.
Is that not a noble and sincere thing to do? You work for no money but only to serve humankind. You get to eat and sleep in a tent, that’s all.
At least a prostitute is honest about what he or she is. That is more than I can say for you.
1) Most of you may think that Malaysia allows freedom of expression. Well, Malaysia may allow freedom of expression up to a certain extent but that freedom is not absolute. There are limits. And that is why Malaysia has many laws that are aimed at ‘ensuring the peace and stability’ of the nation,
the Sedition Act being one of them. This means you cannot simply say what you like, not even in America or Britain. For example, if you start talking about Muslim terrorists, Jihad and bombs while in a plane you can get into trouble anywhere in the world. You might argue that it is your fundamental right to talk about whatever it is you want to talk about. The police, however, will not agree with you as they drag you away in handcuffs.
Then attempts will be made to change the law so that the police will focus on real criminals like corrupted politicians or those who sequester the funds of the nation by writing Vehicular-AP type laws so their daughters and son-in-laws can lounge around writing pro-1% rubbish instead of changing bad laws. The police, however, will agree to fair mindedness instead of chilling effect bad wishes on people via bad or racist laws, who at least bother to engage the country/public in effecting meaningful change. No word on apartheid yet? Still defending hudud? Why does RPK seem to support chilling effect laws?
2) It’s all about money, even those who claim to be serving God. So get off your high horse and stop all this self-righteous bullshit. Every single one of you does things for money. So stop slandering this person and that person as doing things for money. You too are as much money-motivated as the other person you are accusing.
Those who claim to be serving God would think that everyone is EQUAL and that the wealth of the nation and the land belongs to everyone. That means space for living, as well as oil wealth etc.. This is what makes a nation a nation, not 1% of people holding 99% of the wealth while 99% of the people have to work. “God’ provided the land that grows food and has materials for life and civilisation. There is no such thing as money which is man made and a mere tool or yardstick for reprsentation of goods and services.
3) The golden rule in politics is when cornered deny or say ‘no comment’. Of course, most people are of the opinion that when politicians deny it then it must be true and when they say ‘no comment’ that means they are admitting the allegation. But the most important thing is no one can prove it.
And this is what matters in the end.
When a 99% person’s life looks set to be an endless and hopeless rehash of days till old age, ‘no comment’ is not an option. And this is what matters in the end. The 99% will vote for political power distribution via term limits and nepotism prohibitions, then also wealth and land distribution. The plutocrats and oligarchs and nepotists can GTFO of Parlaiment.
4) Such are beliefs. And beliefs are impossible to prove wrong. If you had to prove your belief right, that would be another thing altogether. To prove your belief right you will need evidence, which you may or may not have. But for me to prove your belief wrong is a non-starter never mind what that belief may be. Beliefs do not require evidence. Hence you can believe something even if there is no evidence. And for me to prove your belief wrong when your belief is void of evidence would mean I would not have the evidence to prove your belief wrong. Can you see how it works?
Muslim thought mode imprinting. Manipulative inculpation of ‘thought/sentence’ structures/pattersn is not engaging the readers but insulting the readers. If I am wrong about this being a Muslim NLP, then apologies in advance when I go ‘Blah, Muslims . . .’ . . . NO, all non-Muslims refuse to see how ‘it’ (Islam by my reading of what RPK is pushing with ingenuous references to it, it might as well be the whore of Babylon or Moloch or every non-Muslim’s collective !@#$%^& . . . )
5) Can you see the futility in trying to turn these people? It is as difficult as trying to convince a Catholic that Prophet Muhammad is a Prophet of God or trying to convince Muslims that Jesus is the Son of God — or trying to convince readers of Malaysia Today that Hudud is God’s command and is mandatory for all Malaysians.
There is even less proof of God yet people believe. Futility to ‘turn these people’ is far easier than to believe in God. Also laws are man-made, wealth distribution is biased. The 99% would believe that and the 1% as RPK and by extension RPK’s wife Marin or Mahathir’s ill-gotten billions would prefer th 99% to not think about.
6) Everybody works. And they all work because they want money. Only with money can they buy things and live a good life. They want a house. They want a car. They want to get married. They want power, position, prestige, recognition, and whatnot. And all this requires money.
This is a materialistic view. There are many views. Also there are systems that do not require money.n The Capitalist system is abusive and enslaves people with money. Figure out the rest on how to vote to change the system to do away with money.
7) If they leave the other side to join their side then it is a sincere and noble gesture. But if they leave their side to join the other side it cannot also be because of a sincere and noble gesture. It can only be because of money and for no other reason. This is the belief.
Shame on RPK for preaching corruption. Kaffir mindedness if anything and tainted by promotion of hudud’s violence based justice.
8) Are you prepared to resign from your job and go work in one of the African countries for no salary? They will provide you a tent to sleep in and three meals a day. They will also provide you with khaki uniforms. But other than that you will receive no money.
Any and everone would if land and wealth were distributed equally. In fact there would be no ‘African countries’ either if migration prohibitions were done away with up to limits of population supportable by a country at least.
9) At least a prostitute is honest about what he or she is. That is more than I can say for you.
One man’s ‘honesty’ is another man’s resignation and apathy, giving up on a better life. That is what a prostitute does, which is more than I can say for RPK’s inactivity and b.s.ing from England instead of returning to Malaysia to prove so called ‘enemies’ wrong.
Fostering apathy via weak logic so that plutocrats and nepotists or propagandists get to abuse and parasite off the 99% is pitiful and reprehensible. Belief with logic is and expecting to be questioned and responding always makes right. As mentioned before, some people use their intelligence for good causes, others use their intelligence to suppress the truth and every man’s right to equality instead of entitlement. Being around for decades within privilege allows one to never feel empathy for the problems people face. The 99% however are ready to vote in a manner that will end such socialised insanity. Money is an invention. The sooner everyone realises this, the better a place the world will be. Also the sooner Marina and RPK endorse the below 3 items :
;the sooner will the Malaysians have a real chance of reclaiming their place as equals with other races in the world instead of hiding behind corrutpting tacit approvals by Marina or pernicious articles by RPK.
written by Dr Syed Alwi, September 02, 2012 14:20:43
Dear RPK,
It doesn’t matter whether its BN or PR – the mentality of the average Malaysian is very backwards. It will be another 50 years before you can see the kind of changes that you want. You’ve got a vast majority of Malays still believing in magic etc ! You’ve got the Chinese who are still pushing for parochial interests ! To change Malaysia – is to change minds. You need a mental revolution. Malaysia is Third World in terms of mentality. Still medieval and still feudal. Its still 1511 as far as Malaysians go !
If you are serious about these changes – then you should focus on Education. The educational system must change to produce better minds in the future. No major changes can be expected in the short term. Just focus on education and in 20 to 30 years time – it will bear fruit. But for now – you won’t see much changes.
Dr Syed Alwi
Merdeka belongs to ALL M’sians, not just to BN or to Pakatan – by Lim Kit Siang – Thursday, 30 August 2012 22:03
Merdeka Day should be an overarching national celebration uniting Malaysians regardless of race, religion, region or political affiliation in a common purpose to develop a more democratic, just, competitive and prosperous nation – and any partisan attempt to hijack the Merdeka Day which can only result in greater division, dissension and disunity must be deplore
It is sad many Malaysians feel depressed by this year’s 55th Merdeka Day not only because they have never felt so unsafe in public places and the privacy of their homes, but also because of the increasingly negative and discordant voices sowing distrust and hatred in our plural society and seeking to polarise and divide Malaysians particularly along race and religious lines.
For ALL Malaysians
Merdeka Day is a national celebration not just for any individual, group, community or political party. It is not for Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat. It is for all Malaysians.
Let all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, region or political affiliation rise above their differences to celebrate the 55th Merdeka Day as one Malaysian people to forge a common national destiny where freedom, justice, integrity and good governance flourish in our land and enjoyed by all our citizens.
Lim Kit Siang is the DAP adviser & MP for Ipoh Timur
Whats really sad is the 90% failed campaign promises by DAP, Kit Siang talking shop here as if those seats were fairly won. All DAP seats were won by lies of unkept campaign promises. The Rakyat loses respect for politicians who cannot keep their word, especially after being rewarded in advance with votes. Merdeka belongs to ALL M’sians . . . blah blah blah . . . campaign promises first, otherwise don’t talk rubbish here on internet. Pakatan OWES the Rakyat all unkept promises Mr.Undemocratic-TermLimitless-Nepotist . . .
Voters, don’t depend on Pakatan so much. Pakatan has said nothing about ending the Bumi/Non-Bumi difference, or PAS’s Hudud so far. Look at the lack of engagement hiding behind the ethos of that MP’s seat intent on being term limitless. Voters, if Pakatan will in such a belittling manner, not respond fairly and clearly to questions as blogs like these pose, Pakatan will indeed favour and collude with cronies in the same way BN has. Pakatan is UNVOTABLE simply by the uncommunicativeness and even attempts to destroy would be competing 3rd force politicians, groups and activists by.
The voters are no fools and can see what has happened. Pakatan is a danger and perhaps even part of the hegelian dialect, at least in all term limitless family nepotistic types. Again I present the unvotable within Pakatan so that the Rakyat can think clearly enough to vote correctly :
OFFENDING TERM LIMITLESS/NEPOTISM CLIQUES in PAKATAN
Three of the below limitless term MPs must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Lim Kit Siang (MP Ipoh Timur – Perak)
Lim Guan Eng (MP Air Puteh – Penang)
Chew Gek Cheng (Assemblyman Kota Laksamana – Malacca) Guan Eng’s wife
Lim Hui Ying Guan Eng’s sister (Vice-Chairman)
Two of the below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Karpal Singh (MP Jelutong – Penang)
Gobind Singh (MP Puchong – Selangor) Karpal’s son
Jagdeep Singh (Asssemblyman Dato Keramat – Penang) Karpal’s son
Anwar Ibrahim (MP Permatang Pauh, Seberang Prai)
Wan Azizah
Nurul Izzah Anwar(MP Lembah Pantai – Kuala Lumpur) Anwar’s Daughter who won only because (as per RPK’s report on article) only 7% of the voters in the constituency Nurul stood in turned up!
Also either Ngeh (Pantai Remis) or Nga (Sitiawan) must go to prevent 2nd degree nepotism and the kind of environment that caused DAP’s Kulasegaran to be kicked out possibly an act of racism but more likely at the order of the Lim family clique and their dogs like Chow Kon Yeow and Ng Wei Aik.
For even stronger consideration, I also list seats that HRP demands from the unethical Pakatan cliques, note that PAS is the least problematic party in Pakatan though more authoritarian and Islamically inclined (Hudud should be applied on a signatory by signatory basis, not summarily imposed, to not drive away Malay voters) :
1. Padang Serai (Incumbent: PKR – N Gobalakrishnan)
2. Batu Kawan (DAP – Ramasamy)
3. Sungei Siput (PSM – Dr D Jeyakumar)
4. Ipoh Barat (DAP – N Kulasegaran)
5. Bagan Datoh (BN – Ahmad Zahid Hamidi)
6. Cameron Highlands (BN – SK Devamany)
7. Hulu Selangor (BN – P Kamalanathan)
8. Kuala Selangor (PAS – Dzulkefy Ahmad)
9. Klang (DAP – Charles Santiago)
10. Kota Raja (PAS – Siti Mariah Mahmud)
11. Rasah (DAP – Anthony Loke)
12. Teluk Kemang (PKR – Kamarul Baharin Abbas)
13. Alor Gajah (BN – Fong Chan Onn)
14. Tebrau (BN – Teng Boon Soon)
15. Lembah Pantai (PKR – Nurul Izzah Anwar)
HRP might very well be aware of some things we are not aware of to list some surprising choices as well, do not discount their reasons.
ANOTHER THEORY ON WHY VOTE 3rd Force Over Pakatan or BN
Introducing all readers to the high tech world of hidden surveillance and mind altering electronics like Passive Millimeter Wave Technology or EMF based wave weapons. Half of the wealthiest and most influencial non-Muslims in Malaysia could get thrown into jail for if that law is passed. Afraid if the government makes owning such things illegal?
ALL READERS. Rais Yaatim was manipulated into raping the maid via sub-aurals and EMF and possibly certain drugs that made him unable to control himself the combination is very effective on most people unless they have the luxury of becoming extremely anti-social to compensate.
Also like Anwar and Saiful, the 2 guys were probably drugged and manipulated with the same method. Do you think dr.Evil had no hand in causing the cases to be used as a weapon to ensure their obedience?
Neuro-linguistic programming also could have played a strong part in grooming targets with dr.Evil’s resources, he could get any number of people to ‘say things’ to manipulate Anwar, Saiful’s or Rais Yaatim’s mental state, then drug them. The combination is quite lethal.
A law against use or ownership of such electronic weapons should be immediately put in place and all who are in ownership of such devices should immediately be investigated and any complaints or evidence corroborated by the legal system which should be made aware of these obviously criminal methods and weapons. Watch out for the Wiifi, 4G or 700 Hz YTL lines. These and the telecoms towers will ensure whatever government will be able to manipulate voters as well INCLUDING extracting/inserting thought memories.
In time these weapons or stalking activities will be illegal and the legal system updated on these weapons, and anyone who has used these will likely be dragged up on charges for victimising citizens with criminal intent to harm. They should watch out for YTL’s 4G or the Telecoms Towers as well, Nautilus Bay Penang looks like a G.W.E.N. Tower too.
4G or 700 Hz will literally end all freedom of thought, so start understanding that we are living in high tech times even though the infrastructure is still quite bad. In the hands of private contractors like YTL we will literally lose control of free thought. Oppose any 700 Hz, 3G or telecoms towers, otherwise we will be quite finished even before GE13.
Anwar and Saiful, Prince Saud Abdulaziz Bin Nasir Al Saud of Oman, the Catholic Priests overcome with lust for children, I strongly believe that due to your strong religious and family upbringing and even some of us due to our station, political beliefs and political alignments, or threat of presenting too powerful a social or psychological, even psychic competition, or even intelligence, or even failed relationships with people having access to such devices – have been groomed into paedophilia, LGBT or even simulated mental illness specifically to weaken our voice by society’s worst who see nothing except political power and wealth not a nation of citizens.
Let us seek justice and reclaim our reputations.
Buckle up – and beware of strays – by REGINA LEE – Friday August 10, 2012 regina@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: The usual road safety tips apply along the North-South Expressway buckle up and obey the speed limit. Then watch out … for cows?
Signs urging motorists and other road users to be wary of cows have sprouted up at 29 locations along the expressway as recently as three weeks ago, according to highway concessionaire PLUS Malaysia.
“There has been an increasing number of animal sightings along the expressway and we want to warn people to be wary of cows and other strays, especially at certain locations,” corporate communications senior manager Mohd Nizam Ismail said yesterday.
“Most of the strays sighted are cows, water buffalos, tapirs and wild boars. But other animals such as dogs, monkeys and goats have also been seen.”
A woman and her son were killed early on Sunday when their car collided with a cow near the Simpang Ampat toll plaza in Malacca.
Ngatinah Kemin, 47, and her 10-year-old son Habib Firdaus were travelling back from the KL International Airport to their home in Simpang Renggam together with her husband and daughter when the accident occurred at 1.20am.
The Road Transport Department said that such incidences were rare and that it was not usual for cows to cross a highway.
“In the rural areas, yes, it happens a lot. But this is the first case that I’ve heard of in my two years in the Transport Ministry,” said deputy director-general Datuk Ismail Ahmad.
A cow died on the spot after being hit by a car at Persiaran Utara in Putrajaya while crossing the road. The driver was unhurt.
The driver was unhurt.
He explained that a road retained heat at night making it warm and “nice” for cows to lie on.
Ismail hoped cattle farmers would keep their cows fenced up, especially at night.
In July 2008, three people were killed in two separate accidents on the same 772km-long expressway within days of each other in Rembau and Jitra after crashing into cows.
Pahang Umno secretary Datuk Abdullah Rahmat died when his car hit a cow in Temerloh on the East Coast Highway on Dec 12, 2008.
PLUS urged members of the public to call its hotline 1800 88 0000 whenever they see stray animals on the expressway.
PAP’s Neuroscience Institute at Biopolis has been busy equipping Pakatan? Neurotech assassination? Get a cow to saunter onto the road at an inopportune moment to kill political opponents. Earlier that was neurotech dogs savaging and killing people, but too dramatic and suspicious.
Man gored to death by wild buffalo – September 01, 2012
IPOH, Sept 1 — A man was gored to death while his friend was injured after they were attacked by a wild buffalo while on a fishing trip at the Royal Belum Forest Reserve in Hulu Air Pasir, Banding near Grik yesterday.
Musa Ismail, 56, died after he was gored in the stomach while his friend Isa Abdullah, 24, broke a leg and hand. Two other friends of theirs, however, escaped injury.
Grik police chief Supt Abdul Manab Baharum said in the incident happened between 3pm and 6pm when the four entered the forest reserve via a trail at Km68.4 of the East Coast Highway.
“As they were walking towards the location to set up their fish traps they were attacked by a wild buffalo which appeared out of nowhere,” he told Bernama.
He said after the animal ran away after attacking them, one of the friends who was not injured used his handphone to call up other friends for help.
He said they (friends) alerted the police who immediately mobilised a search-and-rescue team which included members of the Fire and Rescue Department, Rela, Civil Defence Department and local villagers.
“Because of the mountainous terrain, the team only managed to reach them at 1am. We also had difficulty bringing them out and only managed to do so at 6.30am today.
“The dead and injured victims were sent to the Grik Hospital,” he said.
Abdul Manab advised the public not to enter the reserve to fish or gather herbs without a valid permit from the authorities for their own safety. — Bernama
Looks like this method of assassination will be the newest method employed in Malaysia. ‘ . . . beware of strays . . . ‘ goes Regina . . . so does that mean dogs and cats will also be used to kill car driving people in the same way? A neurotech dog or cat rushes out across the road, a ‘caring’ driver dies avoiding the animal . . . or at least get injured if said driver hits the animal and crashes . . .
I’m not returning to Barisan, says Lajim – Saturday, 01 September 2012 Super Admin
(The Star) – KOTA KINABALU: Beaufort MP Datuk Lajim Ukin has denied talk that he is returning to Barisan Nasional.
“I have not met any Barisan leaders either at the state or Federal level to talk about returning to Barisan,” he told reporters here on Thursday.
Several bloggers have claimed that he was returning to Barisan because he was not given any “incentives” promised by the Opposition and that he failed to deliver more crossovers.
He believed such bloggers were trying to discredit him and make people lose faith in him.
He reiterated that his July 28 move to align himself with Pakatan Rakyat was done without any “incentives”.
“Let me make it clear that I joined the Opposition not because of monetary gains. That is not how the Opposition works, they do not buy anyone,” he added.
Lajim, who has formed non-governmental organisation Coalition for Change in Sabah, claimed that there would be more Barisan members leaving at the “right time”.
Lajim, just drop nepotistic PR and racist BN! Join 3rd Force!
PR has lost direction, says Noh Omar – by Mohd Farhan Darwis – September 01, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar today took a swipe at Pakatan Rakyat (PR), saying the opposition bloc has started to lose its direction in wanting to replace the national flag, the Jalur Gemilang.
The Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman also said it was impossible to do so as the flag is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“They have started to lose direction… until they even want to change the flag. I want to remind them that we cannot change matters enshrined in our Constitution such as the flag; whoever rules it is still our symbol. And the national anthem ‘Negaraku’, it is the song of whoever is in power.
“They are not yet ruling (but) already want to do extraordinary things,” Noh (picture) told reporters at the Selangor BN open house at the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) in Sungai Buloh here.
The Tanjung Karang MP also expressed sorrow at the way PR celebrated National Day.
“I feel very sad at the attitude and the way they celebrate Merdeka Day, we should raise flags, but they make other flags,” he said, in apparent reference to a group of individuals who were spotted waving flags sporting alternative designs to the Jalur Gemilang during the massive public countdown to the country’s 55th National Day in Kuala Lumpur last Thursday.
“They are rude, not yet in power but they are already power crazy, their supporters and followers don’t respect our rules.”
The individuals were spotted carrying flags sporting the familiar crescent moon and 14-pointed star against a red-and-white striped background — similar to the national flags of neighbouring Singapore and Indonesia — which were alleged to be the alternative to the Jalur Gemilang.
Some of the street party-goers were also reported to have stepped on or tore posters bearing the images of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his wife and the Election Commission chairman that night.
However, the organisers of the Janji Demokrasi rally — which took place at the same venue at Dataran Merdeka — has distanced themselves from the individuals who had allegedly demanded the national flag be replaced.
Noh also commented on Selangor PR ignoring the Sultan of Selangor in its National Day celebrations, saying that it shows that the federal opposition bloc did not uphold the Rukun Negara principle of “Loyalty to King and country”.
“Before BN carried out today’s programme, the organiser informed the Sultan of Selangor that the prime minister will come to celebrate with the people.
“Not like the opposition, their state-level Merdeka Day celebrations ignored the Sultan and turned this celebration into a political arena,” Noh said, adding “we practise the Rukun Negara principle of loyalty to King and country.”
Noh said: “In this life there are two things, morals and laws. Morally, they have to respect our culture, other people’s functions, but they try to take advantage to carry out politicking activities including in the programme on Merdeka Day eve”.
Better than BN’s WRONG DIRECTION – continuing apartheid is wrong. Pakatan is still excusable for not having 2/3rds to end apartheid. We’ll know 100% for certain if Pakatan wins and does not end apartheid or 3rd Force takes over.
MCA meanwhile should leave BN with, PPP, MIC and Gerakan to form a viable 3rd Force with Tunku Aziz as head of 3rd force on the below 3 items as a rallying factor :
Voters, BN is apartheid, corrupt and refuses to use that mandate to better Malaysia, PR is self serving non-pro-active, self glorifying, unable to keep their campaign promises, also very nepotistic, so vote instead for 3rd Force Parties such as : KITA, JATI, MCLM (whats left of MCLM), PCM, Borneo Front, MoCS Sarawak, Konsensus Bebas, HRP/Hindraf and PSM, ABU, PRS, STAR etc.. to END APARTHEID.
SHOCKING: ‘Suspected criminal’ Musa Aman swings meeting with William & Kate – by Sarawak Report – Saturday, 01 September 2012 17:44
Today’s confirmation by the Office of the Attorney General in Switzerland that it has opened a criminal prosecution against the banking group UBS, over suspected money-laundering on behalf of Musa Aman, looks set to cause an awkward diplomatic upset for the UK.
After all, the royal couple Wills and Kate are right now packing their bags to give Musa a friendly visit!
Sarawak Report first exposed back in May the evidence that the Sabah Chief Minister has taken tens of millions of dollars in kickbacks for issuing licences to chop down what remains of Sabah’s rain forests.
And we have laid out damning details of the money laundering operation conducted by the Musa and his associates through UBS accounts in a number of articles.
Details of bank statements and of the official investigations by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission and also the Hong Kong authorities into the affair were made public in our series of exposes and the evidence was sent to Switzerland, where the Bruno Manser Fund requested the prosecution against UBS.
Yet, despite this mounting evidence, UK officials have refused to heed warnings against the planned visit to the state by the British heir to the throne and his new wife.
The visit is due to take place between September 11-19th, as part of a Royal Tour of the Commonwealth in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, marking her 60th year on the throne. They will also be visiting Singapore and the Solomon Islands.
Photo-opportunity?
Great publicity – but could it now all backfire?
To begin with the choice of Sabah might have seemed perfect publicity for the environment conscious Royal Family. After all the trip is being promoted as an “exotic visit to the Borneo Jungle”.
Just in the past few hours the British press has printed exciting details of plans to feature the Prince and his wife looking daring in lush forest canopies and cuddling up to cute baby orang-utans.
Given Musa’s energetic ‘greenwash’ PR of recent months, the objective has been to praise Musa for ‘slowing’ Sabah’s rate of deforestation, according to UK officials. They are accepting claims that he now wants to protect what is left of the jungle.
However, for months Sarawak Report has been warning the Royal Palace and the British Foreign Office against becoming associated with Musa Aman’s new campaign to present Sabah as an eco-friendly state, when in fact the Danum Valley Reserve which they will be visiting is a small oasis in one of the world’s worst environmental disaster zones and the Chief Minister is still selling concessions for kickbacks throughout the state.
Sarawak Report has also warned that proof of Musa Aman’s timber corruption is now in the public domain, showing how the destruction of Sabah’s jungle since the early 1990s has largely been driven by his own greed, first as the Head of Yayasan Sabah (The Sabah Foundation which is the trustee of its national forests) and then as the Chief Minister.
There is evidence that over US$90million dollars have been money-laundered through accounts associated with Aman and his key conspirators, a family friend Michael Chia and the Sabah lawyer Richard Christopher Barnes.
For these reasons Sarawak Report has repeatedly pleaded against the Royal Couple being encouraged to endorse a man whose criminality has ruined the jungle that they say they want to see protected!
This is a photo-opportunity that could go badly wrong.
Why endorse a suspected criminal?
Musa and his forest Chief Sam Manan altered the contour maps to allow logging of these once protected steep mountain areas of the state
Despite warnings from Sarawak Report just last week that Switzerland was about to launch its criminal prosecution over Musa’s money, the British High Commission is allowing this visit to proceed!
This opens the Royal Couple to charges of complete hypocrisy. They will of course be staying in pure luxury in the jungle resort in Danum Valley (a project sponsored by the world’s largest palm oil company, Malaysia’s government-controlled Sime Darby), while all around them millions of hectares of oil palm plantations are still being rolled out by their corrupted hosts.
The questionable judgement of such a visit is made even more severe by its timing, just as Malaysia approaches a crucial election.
What business has Britain to give such an endorsement to a notoriously corrupted and autocratic government, which has remained in power for longer than almost any other in the world?
After 50 years, who can still argue that BN has not cheated or bribed its way to its various ‘election successes’? Furthermore, evidence shows that more money is being stolen from the public in Malaysia and secreted out to foreign bank accounts, like Musa’s, than in practically any other country in the world.
Yet, it seems the royal advisors on this tour are preferring to present a lie rather than cancel the trip or upset their corrupted host, the Chief Minister of Sabah. They would rather the Royal Couple shake the hand through which a hundred million dollars of timber corruption money has passed than take a stand against the forces of corruption that are destroying Borneo!
Eco-friendly? Musa has just signed over 1/3 of Sabah’s forest reserve to ‘mosaic plantations’. He is selling off the licences in return for kickbacks. Most of that money has been stolen from the poor people of the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, whose natural resources have been filched by their politicians, while they have been left in the deepest poverty.
At a time when Malaysia is at last waking up to these shocking truths and when the opposition parties are defying persecution and abuses against them to present for the first time some kind of real challenge to BN’s forces of oppression, is it right for Britain to prop them up with such a high profile visit by its as yet untainted young royal couple?
The cries in Malaysia and even in Musa’s own BN party in Sabah are now becoming deafening for his removal and his position is more precarious than ever.
How he will thank William and Kate, for stretching out their hands and offering him just the lifeline he needed with this visit and their silly praises for his greenwash PR about the ‘eco-friendly’ policies of Sabah.
William and Kate are not new in the world conquest ‘game’, but England is now a viper’s nest of Orwellian and self serving liars. If East Malaysia demands independence for the lack of :
;England will want to ‘recolonise’ again ahead of all other local powers. So here come William and Kate are here to prepare to cash in or even prep these UMNO-BN guys (who despite all the unfairness of policy, will never hear a word for the Rakyat, justifying their bad behaviour, disenfranchisement, ill written and greed intent based policies . . . ) if not consolidate the Commonwealth while entirely overlooking the Apartheid system of unequal citizenships. This is one of those times where being proven wrong is good, but knowing the platitudes likely to overshadow the entire meeting, no word would likely pass on granting the above. Such is the cynical nature of the 1/4 German ancestry supposed future heads of the Commonwealth. If Commonwealth is so ‘common’ why is England and an SCG ALWAYS the Head? Do other Royals not deserve to head the Commonwealth?
People’s happiness important, says Najib – September 03, 2012
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 3 — Per capita income and the people’s well-being are the two main criteria used to measure the success of a country’s development model, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He said that while per capita income was the conventional yardstick used elsewhere, Malaysia put forward a one-of-a-kind and unique development model which took into account the “happiness index of the people”.
Both these aspects had to be scrutinised as the correlation between the two may not necessarily be positive, because there may be other factors or constraints which could cause dissatisfaction despite an increase in income, Najib (picture) said.
He cited factors such as traffic congestion and crime as examples, saying the two were definitely taken into account in determining the well-being or satisfaction index of the people.
“We try to formulate a one-of-a-kind and unique development model for this country. We do not copy 100 per cent from the west or east, but must have the ability to come up with our own model suitable for the people,” he said during the monthly gathering of the Prime Minister’s Department here today.
From a macro indicator, this year the second quarter of the economy grew by 5.4 per cent compared to 4.9 per cent during the first quarter, and Malaysia emerged as the third biggest initial public offering (IPO) centre after the United States and China, said the prime minister.
Malaysian companies FELDA Global Ventures Holdings and IHH Healthcare ranked the second and third largest IPOs on a global scale, he added.
Najib noted that the international media had also been covering Malaysia in a more positive light, with those who were previously critical appearing to be changing their tone and admitting that there were many positive changes and real development taking place in the country.
“I mention this because we have actually gained world recognition. But what’s the message here? The message is we must maintain the momentum and not let the transformation agenda lose steam; we must redouble our efforts,” he said.
Najib said civil servants played a very important role in implementing strategies to ensure the government’s development agenda was carried out as scheduled, was felt by the people, achieved its objectives and reached the targeted groups. — Bernama
Apartheid, extreme religion, very bad wealth distribution, nepotism and oligarchy all make the people unhappy. BN represents all of this, Pakatan some. Political coalitions in Malaysia hence make the people unhappy until all of these problems are corrected. Vote 3rd Force political parties or indie candidates!
Umno’s land thievery & refusal to share profits: Why the deafening silence – Guan Eng slams Gerakan – by Lim Guan Eng – Tuesday, 04 September 2012 17:10
Penang BN Chairman Teng Chang Yeow must explain why 2 UMNO leaders who claim to defend the rights of the Malays chose to profit as land brokers but refused to share their RM 5 million profits, earned within a mere three and a half months, with the 31 Malay landowners.
Today, Teng has chosen to defend both Umno Penang deputy chairman Dato Musa Sheikh Fadzir and BN Penang general election strategy director Dato Omar Faudza for profiting RM 5 million from sale of land owned by 31 Malay landonwers in Kampung Terang, Balik Pulau, as a private business transaction.
Teng clearly forgets that as political leaders, public interest demands that the private business transactions of these 2 UMNO leaders must also conform with their public political positions. Is this how UMNO leaders defend the rights of Malay landowners by buying their land cheap and then selling it high, pocketing 100% the profits from the sale? I regret that Musa has refused to explain why he refused to share the RM 5 million profit with the 31 Malay landowners and instead behaved emotionally and irrationally by attacking me as a racist for bringing up this issue of public interest.
Racist to share RM5mil profits with the 31 Malay landowners?
How am I a racist when I asked Musa and Omar to share the RM5 million profits with the 31 Malay landowners and not with non-Malays? Clearly BN and UMNO are so bankrupt of political ideas that a racist party is calling a multi-racial party racist!
Teng’s irresponsible refusal to explain is similar to dishonest tactics of spreading lies after lies without proof against PR leaders. Beginning with falsifying Google photographs of hillslope projects to run down the PR state government, Teng has still not shown evidence that myself, 4 EXCO members Chow Kon Yeow, Phee Boon Poh, Wong Hon Wai and Danny Law together with ADUN Komtar Ng Wei Aik has a personal interest in the Taman Manggis private hospital project.
Suddenly, new conditions emerge
Now Teng tries to explain BN’s failure to fulfill their promise to buy the Taman Manggis 1.1 acre piece of land at RM450 per square feet to build Projek Perumahan Rakyat(PPR) by saying that the state government has not written officially to BN. This is a new condition which was never mentioned earlier by BN.
To ensure that Teng does not try to run away again from making unsubstantiated allegations and promises, I have directed my Political Secretary Ng Wei Aik to write an official letter to be handed over to Teng’s office that BN can buy over the land at RM450 per square feet to build PPR.
Profits from proceeds from the sale to BN will be used to fund the building of affordable housing by the state government in the island, especially in Jalan S.P. Chelliah.
The question is will BN come up with the over RM22 million before the next general elections to buy the land to build PPR or this is another sandiwara to get cheap publicity?
Lim Guan Eng is the DAP sec-gen & Penang Chief Minister
Guan Eng has no right to demand anything of Gerakan.
‘Penang BN Chairman Teng Chang Yeow must explain why 2 UMNO leaders who claim to defend the rights of the Malays chose to profit as land brokers but refused to share their RM 5 million profits, earned within a mere three and a half months, with the 31 Malay landowners.’ . . .
;is something for the Chambers of Commerce or a commerce or law based NGO to take up on. Guan Eng being CM should address apartheid instead much less ask for 750K funeral funds. Always sets sights so low and mostly on commercial interests, but not human rights and equality interests. Guan Eng is a mere greedy wannabe CEO type, who only sees the money issue but never the quality of life (i.e. NO APARTHEID) issues, is argumentative and keeps demanding apologies of all supposed opponents instead of fighting for the rights of the Rakyat. Not CM material at all. Does shame to the CM’s post and is no leader of the oppressed dhimmified Chinese community who still suffers from lack of :
1.5 terms as CM used up and 90% of campaign promises still unkept, (i.e. MP assets undeclared, Local Council Elections still not implemented formally or otherwise . . . and not a word on apartheid) let 3rd force take over fool. PSM how about taking over from this product of nepotism?
Najib to lead delegation to Apec meeting in Russia – Published: Tuesday September 4, 2012 MYT 8:09:00 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will lead the Malaysian delegation to the 20th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders Meeting in Russia on Sept 8 and 9.
The foreign ministry said in a statement here that Najib would be accompanied by wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, several Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
The annual summit, themed ‘Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper’, to be attended by heads of state and government from the 21-member economies, will be preceded by the 24th Apec Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on Sept 5 and 6, and Apec Senior Officials Meeting on Sept 2 and 3.
Najib, who is Finance Minister, would speak on wide-ranging issues, covering the liberalising trade and investment and expanding regional economic integration, strenghtening food security, establishing reliable supply chains and fostering innovative growth, the statement said.
The prime minister will also explore new and innovative ideas to further enhance cooperation among the 21 Apec member economies in these areas.
Najib is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several Apec leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The outcome of the leaders’ meeting will be documented in a Joint Leaders’ Declaration while the 20th AMM outcome will be documented in the Joint Ministerial Statement.
Apec, a forum set up in 1989, for 21 Pacific Rim member economies to discuss issues on regional economic cooperation, trade and investment, accounts for 55 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product and 49 per cent of global trade.
Apec’s 21-member economies comprise Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States and Vietnam. – Bernama
President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin should note that if a Russian migrated to Malaysia, the APARTHEID currently affecting all non-Muslims and non-Malays would also be applied upon the migrant Russian. This means that the BRICS and effectively 40% of the world’s population, if migrating to Malaysia, would face 2nd class citizenships while Malaysians migrating to BRICS countries will face no such apartheid. I hope that President Putin will raise this issue with Malaysia’s PM Najib and remind APEC that UN Human Rights are to be respected by all and that APARTHEID in Malaysia via the Bumiputra Special Privileges are against the spirit of the UN premise of equality among all mankind, and illegal because Malaysia is a signatory of the UNHCR as well the fact that Islam disallows somthing like Bumiputra APARTHEID. Again, the 3 items this blogger has lobbied for, for near 2 decades . . .
bumiputra apartheid, Malaysia, Nepotism, Politics, Racism
In Apartheid, Bumiputera Apartheid, Equality, Equitable Distribution, equitable political power distribution, hegelian dialectic, Malaysia, Pakatan Rakyat Coalition, Political Fat Cats, politics, racism on June 13, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Better Future In Store With BN At The Helm – Wednesday, 13 June 2012 00:04
KUALA LUMPUR — Najib Tun Razak says Barisan Nasional (BN) is in the position to fulfil the aspirations of young people seeking further opportunities for advancement and better quality of life.
The prime minister said under the BN, a better future was in store for them and other Malaysians.
He noted that BN had proven that it could deliver what the people wanted for the country through the implementation of the government’s transformation agenda.
The level of trust and confidence of the people in the government hadincreased due to the success of the implementation of the national transformation policy, Najib said during a one-hour chat with members of the public via the NSTLive Chat Session on the NST website on Tuesday.
“I’m encouraged by the response that I can gauge directly from the rakyat, especially when I meet them during my countless visits throughout the country,” he said.
Asked when the general election would be held, Najib said he was looking at all possibilities before making a decision.
The prime minister pointed out that BN had to re-invigorate itself by choosing new talents with a view to striking a balance between the older and new generation of leaders.
He said there was a need to ensure continuity by maintaining a number of current leaders who were still popular with the people.
Asked on suggestions that it would be tough going for the BN to tackle urban areas, Najib said the government would continue its engagement with urban voters, including the Chinese community.
He said it was to make them understand that their future would be better with BN at the helm towards ensuring peace, stability, harmony and a more prosperous society.
On security, Najib said although the general crime rate had fallen, more could be done to ensure a safer environment for the people.
Use that mandate to grant :
;or there really is no reason to vote BN again. How can a coalition that does not use the people’s mandate to ensure equality or even update laws presume to say there will be a better future? Stagnation and unending apartheid is not a future.
Why race and religion? Why not quality of PM? – Tuesday, 12 June 2012 Super Admin – From Jackson Yee CS, FMT
Karpal Singh has been quoted saying, “As long as I live, I will continue to fight for a non-Malay to be prime minister”. The Malaysian Federal Constitution under Article 43 (2) (a), “the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall first appoint as Prime Minister to preside over the Cabinet a member of the House of representatives who in his judgement is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House;…”.
Dr Kua Kia Soong has written a commentary with regards to the statement made by the learned historian, Prof Emeritus Khoo Kay Kim. Khoo claimed that Malays were the natives of Tanah Melayu, Malaysia’s name before independence, and that the Malays formed the majority in the country.
Needless to say, the supreme law of the land in Malaysia is Federal Constitution. The law does not set down any qualification on the race of the Prime Minister. The convention of being a Malaysian Prime Minister has been a Malay and Muslim male. However, as a political realist, and not a strict legal positivist, and as a non Malay Malaysian, I’m of the view that they were both right.
Legally, anyone could be the Prime Minister of Malaysia as long as he is Malaysian and commands the confidence of majority of the members of the Parliament. Politically speaking, only a Malay could be the Prime Minister, considering Khoo’s historical point of view as per the current situation in Malaysia.
The hard truth that we must accept is, either you are a non Malay or Malay. Malaysia consists of approximately 22 million population, of which more than 60% of the population is of Malay-Muslim race. The human primordial instinct in addition to the general lack of advanced, critical liberation of thoughts, owed to the aggravated factors post-Mahathirism period, would never allow himself to choose someone out of his race.
We, as a Malaysian have been strongly poisoned by the effect of racial and religious segregation in the public society. The main issue should be – what quality the next Prime Minister, if there is a successor of Prime Minister Najib Razak should possess and be able to gain the confidence of majority of the Malaysians?
In view of all the issues of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc (factors to be discriminated upon an inborn cause), we, as a part of society, should have moved beyond this tribal instinct of categorisation when voting the Prime Minister.
There is a public duty for all eligible voters to be able to see through this and to choose only the capable, charismatic, confident, and upholds the rules of law, principle of justice, and common underlying values which enshrined through the unity of all the members of society.
I would urge the discussion on the qualification of Prime Minister move beyond race and religion and focus on the quality of a Prime Minister should possess.
Why race and religion? Why not end of APARTHEID. Tuesday, 12 June 2012 from @AgreeToDisagree
Not-a-Turbanless-Sikh has been quoted saying, “As long as I live, I will continue to fight for the END OF APARTHEID”. The Malaysian Federal Constitution under Article (?) SPecial Privileges
Suhakam, Suaram and so many Human Rights oriented NGOs, have written commentary upon commentary or filed lawsuit upon lawsuit without regards to the statement made by so many unlearned historians of the Reid Commissions recommendatin that Special Privileges were to end after 15 years from 1969. Neither review nor action by so many term limitless politicians to address this has occured even after 4 times the allotted period has passed. And APARTHEID continues unabated in Malaysia.
Needless to say, while the supreme law of the land in Malaysia is Federal Constitution, the law DOES SET down any qualification on the period of SPECIAL PRIVILEGES (or Bumiputra Apartheid) in the REID COMMISSION which states a recommended 15 year limit on SPECIAL PRIVILEGES. The convention of a Malaysian Prime Minister being a Malay and Muslim male is discriminative and disenfranchising though not an absolute necessity excepting the sense of insecurity of the lower classes and less educated.
This is fostered by racist and self serving factions in political parties using Bumiputra Apartheid to enrich themselves and not even the poor Malays! However, as so many so called ‘political realists’, are unable to apply strict legal positivism and activism, so many non Malay Malaysians, have capitulated to the view that APARTHEID can be ignored.
Legally and by all agreements with the UN Charter as signed by Malaysia, anyone could be the Prime Minister of Malaysia as long as he is Malaysian and commands the confidence of majority of the members of the Parliament. Politically speaking, only a Malay could be the Prime Minister is simply APARTHEID. The system however does not allow a one-man, one-vote opportunity for the citizens to select who is to be Prime Minister and is sadly limited to ‘Representative Democracy’ where only 222 MPs can choose rather than ALL citizens, something almost no MPs wishes to broach or implement, being generally power mad and wishing to sequester those wide sweeping powers (which should be reduced) that the PM has. As of now under BN the PM holds several cabinet MInisters’ posts, which is untenable and causes conflict of interest no end with not a single MP addressing this fact. By the above issues (perhaps also the refusal to lower election deposits so that not only the rich can participate), BN and PR are the hegelian dialectic colluding against the citizentry that a 3rd Force is needed to displace by.
The hard truth that Malaysians must accept is, either we are UNHCR compliant or not (in which case Malaysia is no longer a signatory of the UNHCR). Malaysia consists of approximately 22 million population, of which more than 60% of the population is of Malay-Muslim race. The human primordial instinct in addition to the general lack of advanced, critical liberation of thoughts, owed to the aggravated factors post-Human Rights Council membership period, would never allow Malaysia to allow continuance of APARTHEID.
We, as Malaysians have been strongly poisoned by the effect of racial and religious segregation in the public society by MPs who contravene the Human Rights Charter Article 1. The main issue should be – what compliance of Malaysian Laws and Malaysian Constitution, if APARTHEID is to end to be able to gain the confidence of majority of the WORLD’s non-apartheid states?
In view of all the issues of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc (factors to be discriminated upon an inborn cause), we, as a part of society, should have moved beyond this tribal instinct of categorisation when accepting Laws and Constitution, especially more so for our MPs.
There is a public duty for all incumbent MPs to be able to see past this and to choose and allow only the Human Rights Charter compliant Laws and Constitution (amending the all outdated and apartheid laws and articles of constitution), and upholds the rules of EQUALITY, principle of justice, and common underlying values which enshrined through the unity of all the NATIONS OF THE WOLRD.
I would urge the discussion on the continuation of APARTHEID LAWS and APARTHEID ASPECTS OF CONSTITUTION, move beyond race and religion and focus on the needs basis of citizens who are poor and impoversihed to have special privileges rather than on the basis of race and religion. Who the PM is does not matter, that APARTHEID continues means Malaysia is a FAILED STATE where Human Rights are concerned. The articler above this one, focuses on the lameness of cults of personality, a REAL STATESMAN ONLY focuses on the ISSUE. And *THE ISSUE* is APARTHEID.
Courts, not minister, should decide Penang local government elections, says MP – by Clara Chooi – June 13, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Penang today disagreed with Putrajaya’s claim that a recent state-passed enactment to restore local government elections was invalid, saying that only the courts could decide such a matter.
State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow told the housing and local government minister to respect Penang’s jurisdiction in the matter, adding that the latter should be helping the state restore local elections instead of the contrary.
“I wish to remind the minister that, it is for the court — and not for him — to decide whether the Penang Local Government Elections Enactment is constitutional and valid.
“He has acted wildly beyond his jurisdiction and once again shows just how little respect the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government has for the wishes of the people,” Chow said in a statement here.
Chor had told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the enactment, passed by the Penang legislative assembly last month, contravenes Section 15 of the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171), which states that local government elections “shall cease to have force or effect”.
But Chow refuted this, insisting that in the first place, Section 15 of the Act was ultra vires the Federal Constitution.
Articles 113 and 114 of the Federal Constitution states that the Election Commission (EC) is responsible for conducting elections.
As such, said Chow, the Constitutional provisions should still apply.
“Further to that, the Penang government, through a Gazette notification, had exempted all the local authorities within Penang from applying Section 15 of the Local Government Act.
“This would result in Section 15 not being applicable in Penang and is the first step towards seeking a court declaration to compel the EC to conduct local government elections,” he said.
But Chow also noted that in a letter to the Penang government dated March 23, 2010, the EC had rejected the state’s request to restore local government elections.
“The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Penang government through various attempts had written to the ministry as well as the EC to restore and conduct local elections; however, both the ministry and EC ignored Penang’s request,” he complained.
Chow added that the state had even written to the National Council for Local Government (NCLG) in July 2009, requesting that the topic of local government elections be brought up but this was rejected.
Faced with these hindrances, the Tanjong MP said the state assembly went ahead to pass the Local Government Elections Enactment (Penang Island and Province Wellesley) 2012 on May 9 this year.
He insisted that Chor, as minister, and the Attorney-General could not arbitrarily decide that the enactment was invalid.
“They have no jurisdiction over the matter. It is up to the court to decide whether the Enactment is constitutional, and Penang is ready to defend the right of her citizens in an independent court of law.
“If Penang’s citizens want free and fair elections to decide who represents their interest in local government, the federal government, much less Chor, have no business in forcing upon us an unreasonable decision that cannot be justified any longer,” he said
. . . and Penang is ready to defend the right of her citizens in an independent court of law. . . .
Once again, ad nauseum. Do a properly conducted unofficial unrecognized election in an official manner, THEN APPOINT the councillors the people chose in this EC unrecognized election. Stop writing to the Federal government run EC, while knowing there is no way there will be any amendment or cooperation, then using that refusal as an excuse to refuser the Rakyat Local Council Elections (in fact the CM’s and MB’s post, also Mayors in other towns, should be also on a one-man-one-vote basis like the USA President’s Election, not because Lim Guan Eng’s father seats Lim Guan Eng as CM in a blatant display of undemocratic NEPOTISM . . . ).
No need to involve the Federal government or write to the EC. There is enough power to APPOINT after conducting informal elections. Also instead of wasting tax monies on bribes to old folk then mothers (both groups should be offended by the offer) offer amendment of laws, waiver fines, lower utility bills or challenge nepotism politics. We want democracy, not bribery and pretentions!
Same old broken record of lame excuses. Read my older comments, PR idiots.
See response to Article 9 on link below on how the DAP can already informally hold Local Council Elections and apply the power they have instead if hiding behind technicalities :
ARTICLE 9 : Hanif pledges to be impartial as Bersih 3.0 panel chief – By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal – May 11, 2012
https://malaysiandemocracy.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/9-articles-on-malaysian-politics-spying-neurotech-or-occultism-a-potential-3rd-forcer-mp-candidate-more-ngo-flounder-a-potential-neurotech-cover-up-best-practices-while-being-racist-does-not-a/
BTW 1 term as CM already up. We look forward to our NEW CM voted via a one-man-one-vote system that will prohibit nepotism and enhance democracy.
SECRET IS OUT: Najib has no evidence at all Bersih 3.0 was a Pakatan plot – Kit Siang – by Lim Kit Siang – Wednesday, 13 June 2012 13:24
Question No. 4 during Question Time in Parliament today was the star attraction of the day as I had asked the Prime Minister to substantiate his allegation more than a month ago that Bersih 3.0 rally was a coup attempt by the Opposition to overthrow the government.
MPs from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat were expecting some “shocking” revelations to substantiate the very serious allegation by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Gua Musang on 4th May and which had the immediate support of three former Inspectors-General of Police, Tun Hanif Omar, Tan Sri Rahim Noor and Tan Sri Musa Hassan that the Bersih 3.0 rally was a coup d’etat attempt by Pakatan Rakyat to overthrow the Najib government on April 28 itself!
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who replied on behalf of Najib, was however a total disappointment as he could not give even an iota of evidence to substantiate Najib’s allegation and went completely off tangent into a tirade against Bersih 3.0 and Pakatan Rakyat.
Nazri is entitled to his jaundiced views about Bersih 3.0 and Pakatan Rakyat but they do not constitute evidence that the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28 was a coup attempt by Pakatan Rakyat to topple the Barisan Nasional government by force on April 28.
As I countered Nazri during my supplementary question, is the Najib government so weak that “salt and water bottles” (which was all that some of the peaceful Bersih 3.0 protestors were armed that day to defend themselves against any police tear gas and chemically-laced water cannons) could even topple it?
Nazri was deadly serious in his reply, saying “Don’t underrate salt and water bottles” saying that in Tunisia, the government was toppled by handphones when it did not have the support of the people.
No evidence at all!
The secret is now out – the Prime Minister and the three former IGPs have absolutely no evidence whatsoever to back the wild and reckless allegation that Bersih 3.0 rally was a coup attempt to topple the government by force, but the Najib government is mortally afraid of “salt and water bottles” because they can topple governments which have lost support of the people.
The challenge to Najib is to find out why despite all the big talk of transformations in various aspects of national life in the past three years, he is losing rather than gaining popular support.
As I repeated in Parliament this morning, the government’s misjudgment and mishandling of Bersih 3.0 and continuing demonization of Bersih 3.0 organisers and Pakatan Rakyat is an even bigger public relations disaster than the government’s initial misjudgment and mishandling of Bersih 2.0 rally of July 9, 2011.
For a start, Najib and three former IGPs Hanif, Rahim and Musa should have the decency to publicly apologise for the baseless allegation that Bersih 3.0 was a coup attempt by Opposition to topple the government by force.
Secondly, the government should dissolve the Hanif “independent advisory panel” inquiring into Bersih 3.0 violence and brutality, unless the panel’s has a secret agenda and term of reference – to come out with a finding that Bersih 3.0 rally was a coup attempt by the Opposition to topple the government by force.
Instead, the government should give full support to the Suhakam inquiry into Bersih 3.0 to find out what went wrong on April 28 to result in the violence and brutality which marred a peaceful and momentous gathering of hundreds of thousands of Malaysians regardless of race, religion, class, region, age or gender in support of a common national cause – a clean election!
Hegelian eclectic puppet. Asking for apologies AGAIN instead of amending laws. Apologies have no effect on the way the country is run. Voters do you know what this nepotistic and term limitless MP has caused the nation under guise of ‘leadership’? In asking for apologies which people may never give even under extreme torture in some cases, means nothing in policy or law and a wastee of taxpayer monies by demanding apologies on your cash time. Another self aggrandizement oriented media circus, courtesy of nepotistic family bloc DAP.
Shahrir: It’s the candidate that counts in winning an election – Monday, 11 June 2012 Super Admin
(The Star) – It is not the symbol but the candidate that counts in winning an election, says Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad.
The Johor Baru MP, who once contested and won on an Independent ticket, said he chose the “three keys” symbol during a by-election for the seat.
“The reason was because almost everybody had keys. It was something anyone could relate to,” he said, when interviewed by The Star.
Shahrir added that his “keys” were red against a bright yellow background.
“The colours were outstanding as none of the other parties competing at that time had used the bright combination,” he said.
He added, however, that the symbol was not the key to his success in that 1988 by-election.
Shahrir said he promoted his symbol through stickers and pamphlets as well as when going door-to-door.
“I then left it to the voters to decide who would be most suitable to represent them.”
Shahrir, who won the Johor Baru seat as a Barisan Nasional candidate in 1978, said his success as an Independent was purely due to his bond with the people in the constituency.
He was sacked from Umno in the events leading to the Malaysian constitutional crisis and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s challenge to then prime minister and party president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He then resigned from the seat and ran for re-election in the resulting by-election as an Independent. A year later, he returned to Umno.
Shahrir, who was Federal Territory minister before his sacking, said many politicians and political parties would blame “the whole world” if the electorate rejected them.
He said these disgruntled people would also blame the police and the Election Commission for their failure.
“They should never belittle voters. I believe that if you work hard and build a heart-to-heart connection with the people, there is no reason why you should not win,” said Shahrir, who was also once a Welfare, Youth and Sports minister and a deputy Trade and Industry minister.
He added: “No matter how many posters you put up, or how attractive your symbol may be, the people will vote for the person who they believe has the essence of leadership.”
Does Samad believe in EQUALITY and ENDING APARTHEID? Only candidates that believe in in EQUALITY and ENDING APARTHEID count in an election.
WHERE ARE THE POLICE WHEN U NEED THEM: Bersih’s Chin Huat attacked by bikers – Saturday, 09 June 2012 16:35
KUALA LUMPUR- Bersih steering committee member Wong Chin Huat accused police today of focusing on quashing protests instead of crime after he was left with a bloodied face from being mugged by a group of bikers this morning.
The Monash University lecturer wrote on social media platform Facebook that he was jogging near his home in Section 18, Petaling Jaya at 7.40am when he was surrounded by a group of as least five young men who attacked him when he tried to flee.
“I had been a victim of police violence. Today I become a victim of police failure in deterring crime. No, it was not politically motivated. They were only after money.
“But rising crime rate is political. Was told another man was robbed recently in that neighbourhood. Where are the police when we are not demonstrating?” he wrote, referring to clashes between police and supporters of Bersih’s April 28 rally for free and fair elections.
Wong has just been discharged from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre after an X-ray.
Police turned on the people at Bersih 3.0
Bersih’s planned sit-in at Dataran Merdeka had descended into chaos after some protestors tried to enter the historic square which the court had barred to the public and the past month has seen authorities and those backing the rally blaming each other for the violence that resulted.
Several dozen members of the public have come forward with allegations of police brutality while the police and Home Ministry insist they have evidence that some who attended the rally wanted bloodshed and even death.
The government has set up a panel to investigate the April 28 violence, but the choice of former police chief Tun Hanif Omar has been widely criticised after he compared the movement to communism and accused the organisers of an attempted coup.
The April 28 rally that saw tens of thousands gather at six different locations before heading to Dataran Merdeka was peaceful until about 2.30pm when Bersih leader Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan asked the crowd to disperse.
But her announcement was not heard by most of the crowd who persisted to linger around the historic square which the court had already barred to the public over the weekend.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali have been accused of ordering the breach and are currently awaiting trial under the Peaceful Assembly Act for participating in an illegal street assembly.
Wong Chin Huat accused police today of focusing on quashing protests instead of crime AFTER he was left with a bloodied face from being mugged by a group of bikers this morning.
After?!? The 2 events are completely unrelated. What kind of reporting is this? – DISLIKE
. . . was jogging near his home in Section 18, Petaling Jaya at 7.40am when he was surrounded by a group of as least five young men who attacked him when he tried to flee. “I had been a victim of police violence.
AHEM? Those were bikers right? How did they turn into police? – DISLIKE MORE
Today I become a victim of police failure in deterring crime.
Only this this line makes sense. LIKE
No, it was not politically motivated. They were only after money.
THEN WHY MENTION THE POLICE AT ALL??? DISLIKE
“But rising crime rate is political. Was told another man was robbed recently in that neighbourhood.”
But rising crime rate is political. Eh? Rising crime rate is ECONOMIC. Are you sure this is a Monash grad? The moron can’t even think straight. DISLIKE
Was told another man was robbed recently in that neighbourhood. Rating 0
Robbery is due to poverty, upbringing or religious teaching, not politics. In any case, only those who are brimming with wealth (or are by nature so greedy) should be concerned. How many homes does ‘Monash Chin’ have? Run for election, not talk rubbish here. Chin looks abit like Chua Soi Lek btw.
DAP Fears Resisting PAS On State Enactment In Kedah – Chew Lee Giok – Saturday, 09 June 2012 00:08
The Bar Council’s view that the insertion of Section 22A to the Mufti and Fatwa (Kedah Darul Aman) Enactment 2008 which was passed by the Kedah state legislative assembly on 17 April 2012 is unconstitutional must be supported. DAP’s failure to comment on the matter indicates the Rocket is avoiding the issue, hoping that it will gradually fade away.
While the Bar Council’s response to this change in the state Enactment maybe somewhat delayed, but at least, it reflects the ground’s objection against this unconstitutional regulation and is anytime better than the muted response by Rocket leaders who dare not utter a sound. This shows DAP does not attach importance to the Federal Constitution, and dares not resist or question any moves by PAS.
The Rocket always claims to fight for the rights of the people, but does not do so. When it comes to non-Muslim rights, the people wonder if Kedah DAP state representatives had consented to the adoption of the Mufti and Fatwa (Kedah Darul Aman) Enactment 2008 and are sad that the only response DAP gave was that it was too late for them to oppose.
The insertion to this Enactment provides that a fatwa decided by a mufti or a fatwa committee, “whether gazetted or not, cannot be challenged, appealed, reviewed, denied or questions” in any civil or Syariah court despite any written law or rule to the contrary, is unfair against everybody.
Not living up to sworn oath
Kedah state assemblymen had sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution as it is the supreme law in Malaysia. This amendment cannot be considered a legislation for Kedah because it violates the oath. However, the Pakatan state legislators allowed this Clause to be inserted – contrary to the trust and support that the electorates placed in them.
Court jurisdiction & Separation of powers ousted
The amendment is unconstitutional as it removes the jurisdiction of the Courts. Article 121 of the Federal Constitution does not empower any state legislative assembly the legislative power to enact laws that exclude the jurisdiction of the Courts.
I also support the Bar Council’s stand on the separation of powers in a democratic framework which is theraison d’être to establish a system of checks and balances between the three branches of Government i.e. the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary which each has its own role to avoid power abuse.
The ruling by the state legislature by Pakatan partners and religion-based regulations in Kedah have erroneously taken on a supreme authority and violates the doctrine of separation of powers which should be applied to all laws, Parliament Acts of state Enactments.
DAP leaders are not brave to disagree with PAS nor fight for the rights of all Malaysians. Such non-actions rendering everyone to be subjected to PAS is not conducive.
CHEW LEE GIOK is Wanita MCA Secretary General
(The views expressed above belongs to the author in its entirety and does not represent the opinion of Malaysian Mirror in any way)
This is not the only thing DAP has bee pretending will go away. The 90% of unkept campaign promises are a reminder of why DAP only won 1 term in Penang in the 1990s.
Education the most divisive issue in Malaysia, says Anwar – by Shazwan Mustafa Kamal – June 09, 2012
PETALING JAYA, June 9 — Unequal access to education is causing division among the different races in the country, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today, stressing the need for his Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) free higher education policy to be implemented.
“Education is the most divisive, contentious issue in the country.
“I think once and for all everyone should be offered free education, allowance, boarding… then it will no longer a racial issue, or a question of (whether) Chinese and Indians get access as everyone will get access,” he told about 1,000 who attended an economic dialogue.
Anwar (picture) said this could be achieved by abolishing the need for repayment of National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loans to students.
“It’s not a populist policy to abolish PTPTN, we have the means.
“RM6 billion per year (is what we need). (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) said RM43 billion. I dispute that figure RM30 billion is what we need (to finance PTPTN repayment for students),” he said.
“The issue is not free education, it is democratisation of access to quality education.
“It is a question of policies and programmes that benefit the people. If we can understand this we won’t be lulled into complacency or incessant propaganda by mainstream media,” Anwar added.
Through careful and prudent spending of the country’s annual budget, Anwar claimed PR would be able to save RM37 billion a year.
RM24 billion from that amount, he said could be used to aid the needy.
The clash between PR and the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) over the PTPTN loan scheme climaxed this week when loans to new students at Selangor-owned universities were frozen.
But the loans to Universiti Selangor (Unisel) and Selangor Islamic University College (Kuis) were restored on Friday following widespread condemnation from lawmakers on both sides of the divide and student activists.
But Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin insisted today Unisel’s appeal for PTPTN loans to be restored showed that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) could not deliver its promise of free education.
This was despite the PR-governed state announcing it would sell land owned by the university to raise RM30 million to help finance those being denied access to the student loans.
But Anwar said the move to freeze loans to universities owned by the state government his PKR controls was “a big mistake which angered people.”
“How can you threaten people like that? It was done out of sheer arrogance, and reversed because of (public) outrage.”
The federal government’s reversal yesterday was done after it drew fierce criticism from PR politicians who were joined by some Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders fearing a political backlash.
It came just days after the freeze was first announced and a day after Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin defended as a “fair test” the move which was clearly aimed at laying bare PR’s campaign for free university education.
Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah also criticised the move early yesterday after Selangor had announced it would help those who could not access PTPTN loans.
PTPTN had confirmed earlier yesterday newly enrolled students at the Selangor Islamic University College (Kuis) were to join those in Unisel in being denied student loans.
But Saifuddin wrote on Twitter that “the Kuis rector has met me and I have informed the minister of his appeal that PTPTN loans not be frozen for his students. Kuis’ official letter will be sent shortly.”
The Temerloh MP also told The Malaysian Insider that he was awaiting a reply from Khaled after “informing him the freeze is being widely and strongly objected and seeks his good office to rescind it.”
The uproar over the freeze also led to BN Youth leaders voicing their disagreement, pointing out that the “test” was unnecessary as “it is clear Selangor cannot give free education.”
But these protests from members of the ruling coalition came after Selangor decided to raise RM30 million by selling land owned by Unisel to provide financial assistance to students who have been denied the loans.
An Umno leader told The Malaysian Insider that if Selangor were to succeed in funding the affected students, “it would mean they have passed the test” set by Muhyiddin.
NO . . . writer for Mr.NEPOTISTIC LIAR closet bisexual. **APARTHEID** and extreme religion is the most divisive issue. PTPTN can close down for all the rest of the country’s citizens care, but to allow extreme religion, nepotism, oligarchy and apartheid to continue means PR is no better than BN.
Strike 2. If Anwar attempts to hide apartheid again by sweeping apartheid issues via ‘education demogoguery’ Anwar might as well not run for election . . . undemocratic spinner chameleon. Apartheid will end, or Malaysia can quit the Human Rights Council and remove Malaysia’s name from the UNHCR list of signatories to properly signal Malaysia’s 3rd world status and damn all politicians who allowed 3rd World APARTHEID to persist. I am sure there are conscientious Malays or good Muslims who will ensure equality for non-Muslims in Malaysia, Anwar being a pretentious freak here, does not deserve a single vote along with DAP’s dhimmis or PAS’s undemocratic huded lovers.
Anwar says will reveal bank accounts if Muhyiddin does the same – Sunday, 10 June 2012 Super Admin
(The Malaysian Insider) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said he is prepared to open all the accounts he owns only if Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin does likewise.
“If there’s a case he should have charged me. This shows how desperate Muhyiddin is.
“I challenge him open up every single case. I will open up every single account and Muhyiddin must do likewise,” he told reporters here.
“I challenge Muhyiddin to be investigated, I am prepared to submit everything,” said the PKR de facto leader.
The deputy prime minister had demanded Anwar clarify an allegation by ex-Bank Negara Assistant Governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid that the opposition leader owns 20 master accounts worth RM3 billion.
Muhyiddin said the allegation was not a small matter, and the former deputy prime minister must be responsible in promptly explaining the matter to the people.
“The figure (RM3 billion) mentioned is big. So, it is the duty of the opposition leader to clarify it. It is true or not. If not true, answer…the people want to know…the NGOs which are making the demands for an explanation also represent a large number of people.
“If untrue, Anwar must take action against the parties making the allegation, including the ex-Bank Negara Assistant Governor,” he told reporters after launching a State-level ‘Love Gardeners’ Programme at Dataran Sarang Buaya, here, today.
Muhyiddin who is also education minister, said Anwar’s authority and integrity would be affected if he did not clarify the allegation.
Last Tuesday, Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali was reported to have raised the status of the investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Abdul Murad’s allegation made almost 13 years ago.
Ibrahim said that the exposure by the Bank Negara Assistant Governor, among others, alleged that Anwar (picture) controlled 20 master accounts involving assets, shares and money worth RM3 billion, which were obtained when he was Finance Minister towards the end of the 1990s.
Newspapers today reported that several NGOs also urged MACC to speed up investigations in the claim as the matter was of public interest.
Shut up the both of these overgrown parasistes of the Rakyat. The Rakyat demands that BOTH creeps reveal cash and property assets in 1 week or no votes. In fact ALL MPs who do not reveal assets should no longer be voted. Anwar to Muhyiddin: ‘If you show me your bank accounts, I’ll show you mine . . . ‘ – ALL MPS will show ALL assets to the voters or else NO VOTES!!! Anwar could simply declare assets THEN have one up against Muhyiddin, instead Anwar engages in the nonsense that insults the voters on taxpayer funded Dewan time! We didn’t vote MPs to hear them play homosexual innuendo off the MP’s lack of accountability!
SUNDAY INTERVIEW: ‘I have a vision for developing Penang’ – Sunday, 10 June 2012 Super Admin
MAN ON A MISSION: Gerakan secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow has been given the task of leading the Barisan Nasional charge to penetrate fortress DAP in Penang. The mission may be tough, many think it may be impossible. But Teng tells Sharanjit Singh how Penang under Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is being administered aimlessly
Question: How tough is it for Barisan Nasional to win back the hearts and minds of the people of Penang?
Answer: Public perception of BN has not changed much since we lost the state in 2008.
However, I believe we will be able to convince the people that we are a better team. We will put up a good, sincere plan and make a concerted effort to explain in detail what we have in store for Penang.
Question: The thing is, people have a perception that everything that has gone wrong for Penang was caused by the previous state government. How are you tackling this?
Answer: That is the kind of accusation and perception that Pakatan Rakyat leaders have created in the minds of the people.
However, you have to realise that the leaders of the past are no longer in our new team. It is a new ball game now and we have a new approach.
We have a committed team that is looking into Penang development from a whole new perspective compared with the previous leadership. The previous leadership has laid the foundation and we will build on it.
Question: Whatever you say, people are still talking about how previous chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon messed up. What is your take on this?
Answer: People were angry with Koh’s leadership style. It was not about his development vision and projects for the state. The record of the number of projects that he brought in is there for everyone to see.
It is not my intention to protect him by saying this but I have to state the facts. Yes, people are critical and disappointed with his leadership style, but he built the foundation for Penang. He was the one who came up with the concept of low- and middle-cost housing, which was then something new for the whole country as well. Developers were not willing to build RM25,000 homes but he overcame that.
He was also responsible for connecting the whole of Penang to a central sewage treatment plant. This has created a cleaner discharge into the sea.
Koh was also responsible for the two national parks that we have in land-scarce Penang.
Question: People are angry with Koh’s leadership style as he was seen as too accommodative. How is your leadership going to be different?
Answer: In a leadership situation, you can be accommodative and you must be accommodative. Otherwise you will be accused of being too authoritarian.
However, one cannot be seen as too accommodative to the extent that one is seen as giving in to every demand. My style is that I am willing to listen but I will put my foot down when I have to.
I am prepared to listen and alter my decision but once it’s made, we have to implement it and get things moving.
Question: Immediately after your appointment as the state BN chief, DAP jumped and accused you of being an Umno stooge. What do you have to say about that?
Answer: It is the DAP game. They do it to weaken the image and standing of a particular leader, especially those from Gerakan and MCA, in the eyes of the Chinese.
Lim Guan Eng was heaping praises on Chong Eu (the late former Penang chief minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu) after becoming the chief minister. His father (Lim Kit Siang) on the other hand condemned Chong Eu to kingdom come when he contested in the 1990 general election.
Now is the son slapping the father or did Kit Siang make a grave mistake by doing a disfavour to Chong Eu back in 1990? Let us not forget this part of history.
Of course, there is no shortage of the negative things they said about Koh Tsu Koon. So, whoever is appointed to this position in their eyes, is a stooge of Umno.
Question: Lim Guan Eng continues to play the blame game. The latest is on the issue of hillslope development, where he has washed his hands and said it was all approved by the previous state government. You are the former state executive councillor for environmental protection. Is this true?
Answer: The state government should declassify all the files and minutes of exco meetings to see what decisions were taken and the basis of us making the decisions.
I may be wrong, but I don’t think we approved those projects in question at that point in time. The best thing for him to do is declassify the files and show people what we had approved and what has been approved after 2008.
The thing is, they are in power now and they can do something about it. Remember how the approvals for four high-rise projects in the heritage zone were revoked? Why is the state government not doing the same thing for hillside projects?
Question: Lim has accused the BN of being the darling of developers.
Answer: Yes, he said developers found it easier to work with us than him.
Why don’t you ask any developer in town who they prefer to work with? The answer is they prefer to work with the DAP government now because he (Lim Guan Eng) has allowed the increase in density anywhere in Penang.
In our case, we never allowed that and developers were unhappy with us. The best example is how the Low Yatt group packed their bags and left Penang. Now they are coming back and so are many other developers from Kuala Lumpur.
So, what is the basis of his claim? It has never been easier for developers in Penang. We were blamed by developers of taking too long to approve a plan.
It took three or four years during our time but today plans are approved much faster. It would be crazy for developers to prefer us over the present government.
Question: The state government is citing the increase in stop work orders to show how tough it has become for developers.Answer: What is the use of a stop work order issued today and lifted tomorrow? Have we seen any developer blacklisted or charged in court? The Gurney Paragon developer was slapped with a stop work order, but for how long? The project has been completed well within schedule.
Question: There seems to be confusion on your announcement on the free port status for Penang. Is it for the whole island or is it a plan to have a duty free area on the mainland?
Answer: It is the whole island. The duty free area on 3,000 acres of land by Penang Port Sdn Bhd on the mainland will complement the duty free status of the island.
We need both or we will be accused of having one state with two systems — a free port on the island and nothing on the mainland. What is there for them (the state government) to jump on?
They are just trying to confuse the people by saying that the free port proposal is no more and that I have compromised it for a duty free area on the mainland.
Question: You have a tough task ahead to fight Pakatan in Penang. How do you plan to do it?
Answer: It is a battle that we need to fight with competence, good strategy and a detailed war plan.
No one will go into battle without thinking of winning. Any general who has led a war will have this in mind.
I am leading a team of BN candidates into battle hoping to win. I don’t want to rate the chances but we must have a positive mindset.
When the DAP was badly beaten in the 1995, 1999 and 2004 general elections, Lim Kit Siang still had the fighting spirit. We may disagree with his style but he had the fighting spirit.
Question: Penang DAP leaders are saying that you are all thunder but no rain. How do you respond to that?
Answer: I thank them for paying so much attention to what I want to do but it is about time they start working on their own plans.
It shows how concerned they have become with what I want to do for Penang that they are having almost daily press conferences attacking me.
All I have done so far is to reveal plans that are implementable and they are already sweating.
Question: Are you saying they are rattled?
Answer: I don’t know but obviously they have not come up with anything after four years.
The direction of the state is actually aimless. They don’t have any policy or blueprint for Penang.
Lim shelved their own blueprint and adopted what Pemandu (Performance Management and Delivery Unit) planned for Penang.
How can you say you have a vision but allow others to spearhead their plans?
If we are the ones in this position we will tell Pemandu, “You have to adjust or modify your ideas for Penang to suit our plans. It is not we who will suit your plan. We are the ones who call the shots here not you Pemandu”.
On other fronts, we are also seeing a decline in sports. We have not seen the state team performing well in Sukma. What has gone wrong?
Everything is politicised and you just don’t see any social development programmes being undertaken by the current administration. – (NST)
Equality and end of apartheid first. Otherwise MCA will get no votes.
Cash-rich Genting hungry for new gaming markets – June 08, 2012
A man walks past a Genting signboard at Genting Highlands July 27, 2009. — Reuters pic
KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Genting Berhad sits on more cash than any other gaming operator in the world, yet it is raising additional billions on the debt market, fuelling speculation that its stake purchase in Australia’s Echo Entertainment is just the beginning of an acquisition spree.
Genting, competing with Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts to dominate the Asian casino market, may target assets in Japan, South Korea and Mongolia, analysts said.
Of those markets, Japan may be the most attractive, according to Michael Paladino, a New York-based gaming analyst at Fitch Ratings.
“It could have the potential to be a larger scale (development) because of the size of the economy and the fact that it is a destination in itself, more so than other markets,” Paladino said.
With limited growth at home and a lagging share price, Asia’s second-largest gaming group by market capitalisation is looking to expand its global footprint.
The company, best known for its Genting Highlands casino complex and Singapore’s Resorts World at Sentosa, has invested in the Philippines and Vietnam after missing out on a concession in Macau more than a decade ago.
Genting Berhad is the investment holding company of the Genting Group, which comprises listed companies such as Genting Singapore, Genting Plantations and Genting Malaysia.
Genting Singapore said today it had acquired a small stake in Echo, sparking talk of a takeover of the US$3 billion (RM9 billion) Australia casino firm.
Genting Berhad was sitting on RM17.4 billion in cash and equivalents as of the end of March, so it could conceivably pay for a deal of that size without borrowing.
Last month, Genting said it got approval to raise US$636 million through a 20-year bond programme, after Genting Singapore raised a total of S$2.3 billion through perpetual securities in March and April.
Still, the company’s debt financing is more manageable compared to its peers. Genting Berhad’s debt-to-equity ratio was 0.57 versus 1.12 for Las Vegas Sands and 2.27 for MGM Resorts, according to Thomson Reuters data.
“It is in Genting’s interest to speed up the acquisition process,” said Loke Wei Wern, an analyst with CIMB Research. “They are paying out interest on their loans and that’s quite a lot of money.”
Although Genting’s casino properties in Malaysia and Singapore are highly profitable, growth is limited compared with the booming global gaming industry, putting the company under pressure to seek out more promising options.
Genting’s shares have fallen about 13 per cent so far this year, compared with a 0.6 per cent gain in the Thomson Reuters Asia Pacific Casinos & Gaming Index.
In Singapore, the government restricts casinos from marketing to locals, and junket operators are not allowed to provide credit to VIP players, which limits their appeal with high rollers.
“With (Sentosa) getting close to the end of its development phase, it’s the right time for the group to start looking at what could be coming up in future,” said Grace Ho, a fund manager at Lion Global Investors who covers Asian equities. — Reuters
Penny ante gaming from neighbourhood 4D outlets with private licences. No more of this mega casino in an inaccessible location with ‘highly trained’ croupier b.s. with ‘memory training’ advantage. Some of us are here to enjoy the atmosphere, not waste mega bucks a few times a year against extreme opponents, while trying to win a free meal or at most the month’s rent.
Ridiculous and unrealistic outlet paradigm. Of course again, no Muslims allowed for localized outlets, and this will be on a salary or asset based limit of 30% monthly salary limit or yearly asset 10% limit (i.e. salaried may lose up to 30% of salary monthly before beung barred entry, salaried may lose up to 10% of asset yearly before beung barred entry). This way people get to gamble reasonably and the casino does not end up bankrupting people, and licences are distributed to many people in easily accessible outlets.
DAP men get council posts – Friday, 08 June 2012 Super Admin
(The Star) – Three of the five DAP leaders who were in the dark since March over their nomination to local council seats have received letters confirming their appointments.
Klang Parliamentary Liaison Committee chairman Ivan Ho has been dropped while two-term Sepang councillor Titus Gladwyn Gomez said he was still waiting for the letter.
K. Yogasigamany, who had served as a councillor in Shah Alam last year, has been appointed to the Selayang council this time.
“I received a call on Tuesday from the Selayang council asking me to collect the letter and to submit my particulars,” he said.
Their appointment comes after state DAP chairman Teresa Kok ticked off fellow state executive councillor Ronnie Liu in March for amending the list of nominees without the knowledge of the state DAP.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang chaired an emergency meeting on March 7 and ordered the list submitted by the state DAP to be followed and despatched a letter to Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
It is believed that Liu had removed six names as they were aligned to Selangor state legislative assembly speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim. One of them, Tan Tuan Tatt later withdrew.
Another councillor, Chandran Subramaniam 52, also received his appointment letter and took his oath of office in Hulu Selangor yesterday.
He said he was informed of his reappointment when the councillors’ list was released in February but only received the letter on Tuesday.
Chandran had earlier claimed that two state DAP leaders had conspired to drop his name from the list of council nominees.
First-time councillor Nadasan Subramaniam said he had received a call confirming that he had been appointed to the Kuala Langat Council and would be sworn in on June 27.
Meanwhile Khalid, when contacted, confirmed that vacancies for 25 councillors were approved three weeks ago.
“The various councils are taking steps to fill them,” he said.
Much like the one for one vote of USA’s president, these posts belong to to NEUTRAL members of the public, and NOT partisan and corrupt members, nepotists, of any political party. These posts should be voted for by the local constituency’s residents and should be subject to limited terms. Also only appropriate members of the public with appropriate experience in planning, at most retired bureaucrats from appropriate departments who are also not to be members of any political party.
Why PTPTN cannot be abolished – Friday, 08 June 2012 Super Admin
(The Star) – The Government cannot afford to abolish the National Higher Education Corporation Fund (PTPTN) as doing so now will result in RM43bil uncollected loans.
This money, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, could be used for many important causes to help the rakyat.
“Within education itself, the setting up of technical universities offering free education requires significant resources.
“Also bear in mind that a good degree is a stepping stone to higher earnings, and that the taxes of some of the lower income households in our society contribute to that stepping stone,” he said in his latest posting on PTPTN in his 1malaysia.com.my website.
Najib admitted that PTPTN, which was first introduced 15 years ago, had not been without criticism.
“There have been calls to replace the system with free tertiary education for all as a measure of lessening the repayment burden on students.
“We have weighed the pros and cons of this. While abolishment does offer an instant respite to students still repaying their loans under PTPTN, there are other factors to consider,” he added.
As of now, he said, between 85% and 95% of tuition costs were already being subsidised by the Government, and student living expenses were factored into the PTPTN loans.
Furthermore, he said, the very principle of 100% subsidy of college and university fees was one that few countries had followed.
However, he said, the Government recognised that debt was an issue of concern to Malaysians, especially fresh graduates and that was why they were only required to start paying their loans after they found full employment.
Yes the government can. Hand the record of bad debt over to the police or local magistrates for each district to handle, and let the PTPTN close down and stop draining tax payer funds on top of losses in loans.
Is Ikatan a platform for Ku Li? – RJ Rajah, FMT – Friday, 08 June 2012
Former Umno strongman Kadir Sheikh Fadzir has launched his new party, but is he merely babysitting it for Kelantan prince?
Months of speculation on the next move of former Umno minister and former MP for Kulim Bandar Baru, Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, comes to an end yesterday as he formed a new party, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan).
Everyone thought that the flamboyant Umno politician has retired for good when he was dropped as the candidate for the Kulim Bandar Baru parliamentary seat in Kedah in the 2008 general election.
The seat was then given to his younger brother Abd Aziz but he lost it to PKR candidate Zulkifli Noordin. Zulkifli eventually became a thorn in the flesh for PKR and later left the party.
In recent months, Kadir became a newsmaker once again when he came out in the open to criticise Umno and joined together with Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to form a new NGO, Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah).
Kadir left Umno in March and was expected to join one of the Pakatan Rakyat parties but now has announced the formation of a new political party. It is also speculated that Kadir could be the new Pakatan candidate for Kulim Bandar Baru.
With the formation of a new party, Kadir has once against raised speculations that he is forming the new party and “parking” it for Tengku Razaleigh in the event the latter decides to leave Umno.
Tengku Razaleigh’s dilemma
During the recent visit of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to Kelantan, Tengku Razaleigh, popularly known as Ku Li, was prominently featured with him in the mainstream media suggesting that both of them enjoyed a good relationship.
However, as the general election nears, Umno circles are eagerly waiting whether Tengku Razaleigh would be fielded again for the Gua Musang seat in Kelantan which he has held for decades, both when he was in Umno or the opposition.
Najib is expected to retain Tengku Razaleigh as the Umno candidate for Gua Musang and Tengku Razaleigh himself has indicated that he would continue with Umno and has no intention of leaving the party.
At the same time, it is also clear that Tengku Razaleigh could easily win Gua Musang whether he is in Umno or not as he has proven in several general elections before.
In the general election held in 1990 and 1995, Tengku Razaleigh comfortably retained Gua Musang even as a candidate from Semangat 46, then joining with PAS.
Najib faces a dilemma when it comes to Tengku Razaleigh. If he drops him as a candidate, it is as good as a seat lost for Umno since Tengku Razaleigh would contest as an independent and even PKR and PAS may support him.
If Najib retains Tengku Razaleigh, there is a fear among Umno circles that Tengku Razaleigh may lead a faction from Umno to support Pakatan to form the next federal government.
If the results of the 13th general election lead to a hung Parliament, then Tengku Razaleigh, as an elected MP, may play a crucial role in deciding which political group should form the next federal government.
Being a royalty himself, his influence among the rulers would also be a crucial factor in deciding the next federal government.
Glacial. Anytime befor the next ice age Kuli. End apartheid, this ’embroyonic’ b.s. thing has been going on since the last election – slow moving old men and limitless terms hanging around apartheid political parties! Look elsewhere voters!
Political dynasty: Bane or boon? – by Khoo Ying Hooi – Wednesday, 06 June 2012 12:51
In a recent interview with a news portal, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said he was against the practice of dynasty politics in the country.
Though he “defended” Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s family members (wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and daughter Nurul Izzah are respectively the party’s president and vice president) whom he said were democratically elected to their posts, he warned PKR not to fall into the trap of “nepotism and cronyism” as in the case of Umno.
The practice of dynasty politics exists in both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is the son of the second prime minister, Tun Abdul Razak; Mukhriz Mahathir is the son of former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad; DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is the son of senior advisor Lim Kit Siang; Karpal Singh’s sons, Gobind Singh and Jagdeep Singh, are both elected representatives; PAS Youth deputy chairman Nik Abduh is the son of PAS Spiritual Advisor Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat, and the list goes on.
All over Asia
We have dynasty politics everywhere, although it is most apparent in Asia. For generations, political dynasties have dominated politics and governance in Asia, particularly in South Asia. Like the Nehru-Gandhi family in India, the Bhuttos of Pakistan are one of the world’s most famous political dynasties.
From the United States, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh in South Asia, to Japan and China in East Asia and Singapore, Philippines in South-east Asia, prominent family background has proved to be a central factor for one’s ascendancy to the pinnacles of power. This phenomenon takes place regardless of the independent levels of economic development, cultural differences, and types of political systems.
A brief list includes: in the United States, former President George W. Bush (son of former President George Bush); in Argentina, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (wife of former President Nestor Kirchner); in Japan, former Prime Minister of Japan Yukia Hatoyama (grandson of former Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama); in Thailand, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra); and in the Philippines, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (daughter of former President Diosdado Macapagal).
In the Philippines, for example, dynasty politics is very pervasive. Each time there’s an election, it serves as a regular reminder of the roles that feudal instincts and the family name play in that nation’s politics. The current president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is the son of the former president Corazon Aquino.
According to Raymond “Mong” Palatino, a former civil society academic turned Congressman who blogs about Filipino politics, Aquino belongs to the most prominent family in the Philippines today – in fact to the most powerful political family in the past half century.
Shouldn’t there be safeguards
While dynasty politics continues to conquer the Senate and Congressional contests and political dynasties continue to dominate local politics so much that, there have even been demands for laws against these dynasties. Although Filipino law limits incumbents to three consecutive terms of three years each, families find a way to maintain their power through a loophole that allows relatives to run for the same office.
Such dominance, however, has grown more extensive in recent years. In a political landscape populated by family names, the prominence of so many dynastic elites makes it seem like a family business. Children of the dynasties seem to own a “licence” regarding their political power and positions while ordinary citizens can only accept the arrangement as destined.
So what are the possible consequences of the dynasty politics? Apart from contributing to corruption, the inequality in the distribution of political power may re?ect imperfections in democratic representation. The dominance of dynasties anticipates the expansion of political participation and empowerment of people. There are more fundamental problems, too.
They are also in a way preventing new talent, new ideas or literally, new blood from entering politics. A senior fellow at the Tokyo Foundation, Sota Kato, said, “it takes a blood test to get elected these days”. With dynasty politics, politics becomes about personalities alone and name recognition places a much more important role than the competence.
The Kennedys were the most famous Western political dynasty, while the Bush election as the second instance in American history of a father-son presidency ascertains that dynastic politics do not just happen in Third World democracies and dictator regimes.
So are we ready for another political dynasty?
-Khoo Ying Hooi
Commentator Response :
Wednesday, 06 June 2012 14:57 posted by FUCKBOLEHLAND
It is the practice of PARASITIC DYNASTY POLITIC in any country will typically sucks and inflicts gangrenous Hippocratic diseases to its people! So let the arguments be more objective, after all we aren’t the idiotic bunch that can’t differentiate in the complacency in between the grey areas?
Most developing and third world countries are suckers for this PARASITIC DYNASTY POLITIC syndrome and precisely this is WYSIWYG in the context of Malaysian Politics.
Isn’t it true, all this while we Malaysians are so engulfed with subscriptions to crazy political bigotry issues, divide and rule politics that we had forgotten that very common denominator that we are all wearing our pants that have transparent massive holes that expose our buttocks? That is the precisely the reason these PARASITIC DYNASTY POLITICAL syndrome naturally sodomize (excuse me- but its no shame its umeno favorite word) and castrated our balls that we are fucked up that we have no more voices to be heard. The moment we perceive a political leader as “the one that knows all” – we are all dead meat! The Malay proverb is precise “Bertuan tak Bertempat” – The old fucking Hang Tuah shitty crappy stuff is all nothing but all fucked up mess. All citizens must be the modern Hang Jebat that demands Transparency of Governance whoever rules the day!
So what is this fucking Hang Tuah shitty crappy stuff? Citizen’s NUMB SKULL Attitude! So WHAT do we have? Instead of the Prime Minister that works for its people and Malaysia – we have the PRIME MINISTER OF A PARTY! Instead of a Wakil Rakyat –We have a WAKIL PARTY! All the while these parasites are busy building mandates for their families, little empires and little napoleon mobs and cronies polluting the political agendas of the very votes that put them in office.
High time we Malaysians debunk our thinking about politics – Any government of the day that deviates from the aspirations of the context of the Constituency of Malaysia deserves to be shown to the backdoor exit!
2 term limits, no family blocs and no ‘continuity within family’ are the only rules for all tax payer paid for posts. This is a neutral public post, not a family business.
AGREE OR NOT? Make English a compulsory pass in SPM and a credit to get Grade 1 – by Lim Guan Eng – Wednesday, 06 June 2012 13:36
To improve the standard of English to maintain our international competitiveness, the Education Ministry should consider to make it compulsory to pass the English language paper in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia(SPM) and that a credit is essential to obtain Grade 1 in SPM.
The widely acknowledged weakening of the English language proficiency in Malaysia continues to weaken our global competitiveness in science, technology and the economy. The Ministry of Education’s latest attempt to improve English language proficiency is the policy to “Uphold Bahasa Malaysia and Strengthen the English Language” (MBMMBI), which serves to replace and reverse the policy of the“Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English” (PPSMI).
MBMMBI aims to increase the quality of both Bahasa Malaysia and the English language. Strategies include increasing the numbers of hours for the teaching and learning of both languages, encouraging teachers of respective languages to attend enhancement courses, strengthening the respective language curriculum, and using information technology via relevant software and internet portals to facilitate the teaching and learning of both languages.
Disparity remains
However, there continues to be a disparity between both languages as students must achieve at least a passing grade in Bahasa Malaysia in order to receive their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and to enter public institutions of higher learning, but there is no requirement to pass the English language at any level of the Malaysian school system.
MBMMBI cannot arrest the weakening of English language proficiency if the Ministry of Education does not also make a passing grade in the English language as a pre-requisite to qualify for SPM. Requirements for SPM will be increased from the year 2013 with students needing to pass both Bahasa Malaysia and History to qualify. However, a passing grade in the English language is still not compulsory.
In its National Education Policy, the Ministry of Education has acknowledged that English is the global language of communication and language of knowledge that Malaysians must master in order to compete nationally and globally. However, this is not reflected in the allocation of teaching hours and the Ministry does not give incentive for students to improve their command of the English language.
Currently, National Schools are allowed an allocation of up to 360 minutes per week for the teaching and learning of Bahasa Malaysia and up to 300 minutes per week for the teaching and learning of the English language, whilst National-type Schools are allowed an allocation of up to 300 minutes per week for the teaching and learning of Bahasa Malaysia and up to 150 minutes per week for the teaching and learning of the English language. Making a passing grade in the English language compulsory to qualify for SPM and that a credit is required for Grade 1, would give students the incentive to put in extra effort to improve their English language proficiency.
Creating this incentive for students is necessary if the Ministry of Education is committed to strengthening English language proficiency. Or else Malaysia will lose out in future competitiveness with deteriorating standards in English when other countries are improving theirs.
Lim Guan Eng is the DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister
Aiming at target demographic is good, but certainly long term, but method as opposed to going to the UN is bad and will definitely not pass the Education Ministry’s watch. Just going to make them more racist and defensive. This dirty trick mentality, irritate voter format, really is part of LGE’s sick make up! Giving the Chinese a bad name! Is winning everything? Not by irritating the host race with arbitrary law methods while ignoring amending of bad laws. Everyone should have a choice in what language whether they pass SPM or not. If they don’t know English, there will be no difference, this is middle school level b.s.. And racist as hell.
How about using the legal and fair method repeated ad nauseum to those mostly deaf ears, and forgetful mind where cnmapaign promises are concerned. Ethics is not something easy to learn, and this nepotistic feller here has 1 term left . . . after which if the Malays pull a Mubarak on ‘Beloved CM and Fam’ even some Chinese and for certain Indians will not hesitate to pull a Tahrir on DAP. 2 TERMS ONLY, don’t propose 2 decade plans (i.e. exclusion via education) so as to justify limitless terms, we can all see where this is going. How about the Malays get a Malay to challenge Guan Eng on the below 3 items :
1 term as CM up Mr.Beneficiary of Nepotism, and too many terms as MP long up as well (could the courts or Bar Council apply new laws placing 2 term limits on all MPs?) . . . Had 15 mins (2 terms) ? so GTFO of the Dewan with the rest of your relatives!
Understanding the powers of the King – Saturday, 02 June 2012 Super Admin
In a situation where there is no clear majority, the King can call on two opposing prime ministers-in-waiting to submit their lists of supporters within a specified amount of time, and it is up to the King to vet the lists in whatever way he sees fit as the Constitution is silent on the methodology. And because the claim of a majority must satisfy the Agong, the final decision rests in his hands alone, Dr Shad Saleem said. And this is the situation where the Agong can exercise his greatest power.
Joseph Sipalan, The Star
MALAYSIANS celebrate the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s official birthday today as the first Saturday of June is mandated by the Malaysian constitution as His Majesty’s birthday.
To most Malaysians, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is a celebrated figurehead at the helm of a unique system of government that recognises a constitutional monarchy and a functioning parliamentary democracy.
Unique, because unlike most other countries that recognise one royal family, we see a new lineage elected to the throne every five years from among the nine existing royal families in Peninsular Malaysia.
When the term figurehead is mentioned, the common assumption is that the King’s role is purely ceremonial and carries very little clout in terms of actual powers to dictate how the country is run.
This assumption is not entirely correct. The King’s powers are divided into five categories that cover the entire spectrum of his dominion – executive functions, legislative functions, judicial functions, other important duties and appointment of persons to important posts.
For the most part, the various clauses and sub-clauses that make up the categories require the King to act on the advice of the Prime Minister, and in certain cases from other people as well.
But there are instances where the King could be the one man who decides the future of not just aspiring prime ministers, but the entire country.
Constitutional law expert Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi explained that the King is bound by a clear set of guidelines when appointing a Prime Minister.
A prime minister in-waiting must first belong to the Dewan Rakyat, and secondly, in the opinion of the Agong, command the majority of the Lower House – which in this case would be the Dewan Rakyat.
This would be straightforward when the winning party in a general election commands a clear majority in the Lower House.
The King’s true powers however, only emerge in the case of a hung Parliament.
The Agong has even more discretion in deciding whether or not to grant a request to dissolve Parliament, as the Constitution does not state any specific grounds to justify the King’s decision to withhold consent.
While this clause allows a lot of leeway for interpretation, Dr Shad Saleem said, there were three conceivable scenarios where the King could freely exercise his right to not grant consent.
The first is when the ruling Government decides to call for snap polls immediately after losing a general election.
Unless the Agong feels that the winning party can form a strong and stable Government, the request can be denied.
The King can also say no if he believes a round of polls will be prejudicial to national interests such as the health of the economy, and likewise if the prime minister is using the polls to subvert the constitution, by gaining an unfair advantage over his opponents in his own party, for example.
It must be noted that while the monarch can refuse to allow a dissolution (of Parliament), he cannot directly call for one.
“That is the prerogative of the Prime Minister,” Dr Shad Saleem said.
The Agong can also refuse to give his assent to any Bill passed by both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, if he finds that the Bill in question is unconstitutional.
written by Ocassey, June 02, 2012 22:14:22
Ampun Tuanku,
The greater majority of the rakyat for the period since 1957 and after the formation of a greater
Malaya called Malaysia to date have been taken for a ride all these while and their minds and mentality have been replaced with the thoughts, wishes, schemes, assumptions and voices of the national leadership who continue to claim to that they are all in the interest of the well-beings of the rakyat in general . And any conflicting voices are only definitely from those who are trying to derail the good deeds and efforts of the government of the day with the intentions of trying to divide the rakyat ! The real culprits are none other than the ruling elites and all their cronies and government vehicles . The Education System have constantly been manipulated to deceive the voting rakyat with the major focus to undermine and stunt the progress of the younger generations and after more than 55 years at least three generations are glaringly now victims of a despotic government which will soon be upgraded to a police state on par to D.R. Korea ! Meanwhile the majority rakyat , voiceless and helpless , have been depending on the few political parties like Pas, DAP and PKR to defend their rights and amplify their voices which in the end will end up as usual to be bulldozed and neutralized by the bodies set up as vehicles of the government . Special NGOs and action groups set up specifically to vilify and demonize Pakatan Rakyat at the slightest sign of so-call dissent will face unending antagonizing disturbances and countless police reports to purposely keep such rakyat’s guardians endlessly going in and out of the courts to answer to police charges .
Where art thou , Majesties ,when the ordinary “majority” rakyat need you to protect them ? Rulers and the Monarch have forsaken the majority rakyat who consist of all races and religions . There was loud deafening silence from our kings when churches were touched , graves desecrated, cow-head paraded , pig head tossed into mosque and bodies popping off government building windows ? Where art thou when the defenseless rakyat marched in unison to your palace to hand you their petitions only to be halted , attacked, blasted with water-cannons ,tear-gassed and detained with all sorts of threats ,all in full view under the Malaysian skies ? You are the kings , and rakyat of all creeds and colors are your subjects . Every elected Adun and MP from all political parties including individual independent ones are clearly part of your government . We the rakyat have high expectation to be treated equally by our kings . 250,000 or more “Bersih” supporters peacefully walking to congregate at Dataran Merdeka cannot be misguided, erred , disruptive nor aggressive despite being cordoned off ,restricted ,intimidated by razor-blade wires and the police forces’ presence who had all the advantages of the upper hands of authority , weaponry and stealth tactics !
Ampun Tuanku .
written by Loyal Malaysian, June 02, 2012 18:58:39
I believe we can use the unscrupulous and immoral power grab in Perak as a guideline as to what will happen in the scenario discussed!!
written by upsidedown119, June 02, 2012 17:08:28
The grey area is the Agong’s opinion as to who commands the confidence of the majority in Parliament after the election. Remember the fiasco in Sabah when Pairin first won the state election? The point is whether his opinion is to be gauged objectively or subjectively? If subjectively, the Agong could appoint as PM an MP who does not have a majority immediately after the election but who have enough resources to subsequently ‘win’ over the confidence of the majority.
written by bpchan, June 02, 2012 16:32:16
The King’s power…
What does power do, and Why? Who gave the power? Where the power came from where? What is power? can it be seen ? be touched?
Power is perception.
written by Padayappa, June 02, 2012 15:45:53
Be careful what u say Kaneeneh, the Perak political crisis, downfall of Nizar goverment is actually part of monarchy hand play His function under constitution, not as ceremonial concept as you said. But up to situation.
written by eloofk, June 02, 2012 15:39:13
Can the Agong not listen to the advice from a Prime Minister who has not obtained a mandate from the rakyat or if the Prime Minister is of dubious character, unfit to give sound advice for the benefit of a multi-relious and multi-racial society or if he is of unscrupulous hehaviour in his role as a minister or Prime MInister for that matter ???
written by Kaneeneh, June 02, 2012 15:12:02
Monarchy, in whatever form, is ceremonial and an archaic concept. It drains a country’s resources to provide for the reign and is susceptible to wanton bribery for titles and connections.
The Agong cannot fairly ignore UNHCR or Asabiya issues which are the basic rights of ALL Humanity. In either case the Agong’s authority is not more (and also no civilsed person can accept such unrighteous laws and constitutional articles) than the UN or HRC, both of which Malaysia is part of AND cannot fairly support apartheid in Malaysia’s laws nd Constitution.
Tacitly endorsing this by keeping silent all this time does no wonders for Malaysia’s reputation. Bumiputra Apartheid and any who support bumiputra apartheid, are a social drain and disenfranchising psychic blight on citizens. Neglect of a serious nation harming issue and meaningless immobility mistaken as pride at the expense of the citizens is not the ‘Malaysian’ way. UNHCR or Asabiya issues are universally accepted and may not be negotiated about – especially when the issue is centered around exploitative disenfranchisement and erosion of integrity of society’s different groups for the benefit of a single race or faith. As per Adat, a host is gracious and does not devour their guests. Do the Malays in India and China get treated like the Indians and Chinese in Malaysia? Civilisation and respect for humanity, not Asabiya . . .
When the mouth moves faster than the brain – Thursday, 31 May 2012 Super Admin
I know that many readers of Malaysia Today are young Malaysians, probably born after Merdeka or around that time. This means you do not know what happened in the 1940s and 1950s and how a formula for peaceful coexistence was hammered out between the Malays and the non-Malays. Hence it is good we reflect on the history of our country. And if we can understand and honour the spirit of the Merdeka Social Contract, then a lot of conflict can be avoided.
The ‘Social Contract’ is not a written document, said one-time Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. It is a verbal contract, explained Dr Mahathir. A verbal contract is not worth the paper it is written on, most lawyers would tell you (and I bet many Malaysia Today readers would not get the ‘punch line’ to this statement).
Anyway, verbal contracts are binding in certain situations. In Islam, a verbal contract is binding as long as there are witnesses of good standing (meaning, who have never been proven to have lied in the past) who can testify as to the existence of that verbal contract. Nevertheless, Islam encourages that all contacts be committed to paper to avoid possible disputes in future. After all, witness can lie or they might die.
Whatever it may be, does such a Social Contract exist? I am talking, of course, about the ‘contract’ between the Malays and the non-Malays when Merdeka was being negotiated with the British. Dr Mahathir says it is a verbal and not a written contract.
Okay, maybe there was no real ‘signing ceremony’, if that is what Dr Mahathir meant. I mean, when we launched ‘The People’s Declaration’ at the Blog House in the run-up to the March 2008 General Election, it was done in a proper and official ceremony. Six political parties including PKR, DAP and PAS turned up to ‘sign’ the Declaration. And each of the six party representatives gave speeches, not only to endorse ‘The People’s Declaration’ but also promising that if they won the election they would deliver on their promises.
Nevertheless, that was more than four years ago. And although these six political parties, three of them now in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, did not win the federal government, Pakatan Rakyat did win five state governments, now down to four. But they do not want to fulfil their promise made pre-March 2008 in front of more than 100 people in the ceremony to launch ‘The People’s Declaration’.
In fact, I raised this matter with Anwar Ibrahim, Tian Chua and Tunku Aziz Ibrahim when they came to the UK on 2nd October 2010. You can see the three videos below. Then, not long after that, Anwar went to Australia and whacked me for what I said in London.
Is Anwar saying that we, the members of the civil society movements, do not have a ‘Social Contract’ with the six political parties not from the Barisan Nasional coalition? Of course we do. And it is more than just a verbal contract that Dr Mahathir is talking about.
So, a short while later, also in 2010, when we launched the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM), why such hostility? Why declare the MCLM as the enemy of Pakatan Rakyat? And now that you have declared us the enemy and we act like an enemy you are not happy about it. Was it we or was it you who declared war?
Anyway, that is not what I really want to talk about. As usual, I am just digressing. What I want to talk about is the Merdeka Social Contract, the so-called verbal contract that is the brunt of so much conflict and racial posturing.
Actually, it is not a verbal contract. It is a written contract. And it is written in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. Hence Dr Mahathir, Ibrahim Ali, etc., are all wrong. Those born in Malaysia are Malaysians. They are not Chinese, Indians, pendatang, immigrants, or whatever. That was the agreed terms of the Merdeka Social Contract, which is part of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.
It is wrong to refer to non-Malays as pendatang or immigrants. It is also wrong to treat them as such. They are as Malaysian as any other person born in Malaysia. No two ways about it.
Okay, and what else is in that Merdeka Social Contract? Well, one thing was that the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States and the Unfederated Malay States would no longer exist and they would all be merged into the Federation of Malaya or Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (later renamed the Federation of Malaysia).
In that same spirit, the institution of the Monarchy would be retained but the Rulers would be reduced from Absolute Monarchs to Constitutional Monarchs and governance would be transferred from the Palace to the elected/appointed Houses (Parliament and Senate) and the State Assemblies.
Furthermore, Islam would be the religion of the Federation and Malay would be the National Language. And in some states, mainly those with Rulers and not Governors, only a Malay/Muslim can be appointed the Menteri Besar.
Yes, that was the ‘Contract’ made between the Malays and the non-Malays in the run-up to Merdeka. And, in exchange for that, all non-Malays born in India, China, etc., would be given citizenship while those born in Malaya after Merdeka would get automatic citizenship. They would not be classified as foreigners or need to apply for citizenship.
And that is why, today, all of you who are not Malays are Malaysians and not Chinese, Indian, etc., nationals — unless you wish to give up your Malaysian citizenship and migrate. That is you right — to automatic citizenship. And no one can take away that right, not even Ibrahim Ali or Perkasa, because that was the Merdeka Social Contract that the Malays and non-Malays agreed on.
However, just as your citizenship cannot be taken away, as per the terms of the Merdeka Social Contract, you too must honour the other terms of that Contract. And those terms are, other than Islam being the religion of the Federation and Malay being the National Language, is that Malaysia would retain a Constitutional Monarchy. That was agreed in the Merdeka Social Contract.
Hence it is imprudent for you to question whether Malaysia should just abolish the Monarchy and change into a Republic (or question Islam as the religion of the Federation or Malay as the National Language). Doing so would mean you want to terminate the Merdeka Social Contract. And terminating the Merdeka Social Contract is dangerous because those who are not Malays would not receive automatic Malaysian citizenship.
I would vote in favour of retaining the Merdeka Social Contract. That would create lesser problems for all of us. Then Ibrahim Ali and Perkasa cannot demand that anyone’s citizenship be withdrawn. Your citizenship would be your right. Without the Merdeka Social Contract you would not be protected and would not automatically be granted Malaysian citizenship.
However, this would also mean we should not demand that Islam be removed as the religion of the Federation or Malay as the National Language. We cannot also demand that the Monarchy be abolished and for Malaysia to be turned into a Republic. That would be seditious, just as seditious as asking for Malaysian-born Chinese and Indians to be sent back to China and/or India.
So let us not allow a minor thing such as a car registration number spoil everything. Was His Highness the Sultan of Johor acting out of conduct (misconduct) when he tendered for ‘WWW 1’? Was there an element of fraud or corruption? Has there been fair play in His Highness winning the bid?
Do we question a Chinese towkay who wants to pay an exorbitant sum of money for a number ‘8’? What if Chua Soi Lek pays RM500,000 for ‘CSL 1’ to put on his car? Would we demand that Parliament be abolished because a Member of Parliament wasted RM500,000 of his own money on a car registration number?
Yes, I know, Raja Petra Kamarudin is saying all this because he is from the royal family so he wants to defend the Sultan, some of you are going to comment. So what if I want to defend the Sultans when they are right? Have I not whacked the Sultans many times when they are wrong? Have I not whacked the Perak Sultan for toppling the Pakatan Rakyat state government until my own family disowned me?
I have paid my dues. Hence I have earned my right to defend the Sultans when they do nothing wrong because I have whacked them when they are wrong. In that same spirit, if you can spend some time to view the three videos below, you can also see that I have earned the right to whack Pakatan Rakyat for not delivering on its promises.
i) This means you do not know what happened in the 1940s and 1950s and how a formula for peaceful coexistence was hammered out between the Malays and the non-Malays.
BUMIPUTRA APARTHEID **IS NOT** a formula for peaceful coexistence. There is a differnce between those who rioted and killed, the descendants of those who rioted AND those who did not riot as well as the descendants of those who did not riot at all. There is no such thing as Malays and non-Malays, therer is only the citizen who rioted or killed and the citizen who did not. Thos who did not WILL NEVER ACCEPT APARTHEID because they had nothing to do with the race riots. Recommend that ALL (but not even their descendants can be fairly targeted though perhaps just the immediate generation after – i.e. Lim Kit Siang being of that generation and participated and even revelled in the violence and child Lim Guan Eng (nepotist beneficiary without quorum CM) would be subject to Bumiputra Apartheid but the next generation of these Lims would not) who did not take part in the violence are not to be subject to BUMIPUTRA APARTHEID and that even the Malays who took part in the riots be stripped of their bumiputra status. Everyone else who did not raise a fist or weapon against the government or in general Malays (much less Islam – which incidentally is not even Malaysia’s native faith of Nusantaran Animism), demands as per the UNHCR Article 1 and the Asabiya Prohibition in the Quran – NOT be subject to apartheid.
ii) Do we question a Chinese towkay who wants to pay an exorbitant sum of money for a number ‘8’?
A Chinese towkay is not a ruler or symbol of the country. So nothing to bother about. Exceptionalism is expected of rulers, NOT plutocrat towkays that is why there were no criticisms. People expect nothing from towkays. But rulers are for everyone.
iii) . . . because that was the Merdeka Social Contract that the Malays and non-Malays agreed on. . . .
That included the Reid Commission’s recommendation that Malay Special Privileges were only supposed to last for 15 years after which they were to [otentially end after a review. Near 4 times that period has paseed, and the Malays have reneged on their side of the agreement which was to REVIEW after 15 years. So the Merdeka Social Contract is BROKEN and Malaysia’s signatory status of the Human Rights Charter signatory means Special Privileges contravene Article 1 of the HRC. On top of that Islam’s ‘Official Status’ means the Sin of Asabiya cannot be allowed by the politicians or any Muslim, which obviously included the rulers who likely come under the purview of Sunnite Islam’s highest authority at the Al Azhar University at Cairo. THERE IS NO CASE FOR BUMIPUTRA APARTHEID!
iv) I would vote in favour of retaining the Merdeka Social Contract. That would create lesser problems for all of us. Then Ibrahim Ali and Perkasa cannot demand that anyone’s citizenship be withdrawn. Your citizenship would be your right.
With the facts above, ANY Malays who votes in favour of retaining the so-called Merdeka Social Contract is a potential crypto-racist and potential war criminal capable of carrying out or even quietly assenting of what happened at Nazi Auswictz.
v) Without the Merdeka Social Contract you would not be protected and would not automatically be granted Malaysian citizenship.
ONLY if the review as per the Reid Commission, which the writer has selectively neglected to mention, is brought into consideration. The so-called ‘Merdeka Social Contract’ precludes the Reid Commission’s recommendations that the writer has again neglected to mention or put in historical context with. I strongly believe that Raja Petra Kamarudin is a crypto-racist posing as a refugee from the Malay Court. Very disappointing Raja Petra Kamarudin! Not a very Raja minded mindset you are exposing there by promoting a skewed version of history and inirectly apartheid as well. Thus falls another strawman of the UMNO racist (majority?) faction. At times like these PAS seems honest enough, at least they spew what they want to allow others to reject them, not lie, twist and turn and corrupt the minds of Malays with Asabiya and selective amnesia like this.
Malaysia is less than 1% of the Earths surface, no false flag drivel of any personae will make the greatest of nations of this and all future day accept a country that does not have :
The lowest common denominator posing as an intellectual. The title Raja (Indian origin btw) is shamed, and the name Petra shames the great city of the Middle East, with Kamaruddin, is not even a Malay name to begin with. How many Malays remember their REAL names? And with the half-blood issues considered as well compounding the terrible wrongs promulgated above in the guise of studied politics, what we have here is a non-entity of personality in all spheres. If this paragraph offends someone who ‘ran away’ from Malaysia, do tell, I will remove . . . not so cool now? Thats for throwing 3rd world politics about in a world that will never accept BUMIPUTRA APARTHEID, via the pretense of the ‘so-called’ Merdeka Social Contract. Go away, put of touch racist old man. The citizens of today are no longer interested in racist diatribe, only beneficiaries with access would want to keep the ‘so-called’ Merdeka Social Contract that has kept even ordinary Malays from accessing wealth due them.
Finally Islam as official religion or any religion as official worldwide is just hot air. Unless a theocracy is intended, just leave religion alone to free choice. Saying a religion is official and then not having theocratic powers means there is no point making the religion official. Conversely, theorcacy if applied is just plain abuse of humanity or social freedoms. Citizens on an individual by individual basis could instead assent to being governed by any theocratic laws, official or not is a moot point.
Blaming Dr Mahathir again – FROM AROUND THE BLOGS – Tuesday, 29 May 2012 Super Admin – by KTEMOC KONSIDERS
Most of us like to blame Dr Mahathir wakakaka. Well, here’s another item for you to blame him 😉
Were you aware that Azmin Ali was brought up by the Mahathir family – not the Doctor himself but I heard by his (Dr M’s) sister or aunt (can anyone help me here?).
So when Azmin reached working age, guess who recommended him for employment? Of course Uncle Mahathir!
And guess who Uncle Mahathir asked to employ Azmin Ali?
Wakakaka!
Yup, his deputy and then DPM manmanlai wakakaka!
Dr M would have said: “Anwar matey (wakakaka), ni Azmin, see if you can find him a job!”
And as they say, the rest is history.
But why should we blame Dr M for bringing these two inseparables together?
When I read RPK’s MACC ‘Deep Throat’ comes out of the closet I knew the MMM (know what M-cube stands for? wakakaka) would deny the revelation or give all sorts of excuses or accuse RPK of being an UMNO paid mole – yes, the very same MMM who would praise Yang Mulia RPK (wakakaka) for his amazing courage, assets and resources had he exposed instead Najib or Shahrizat or Mahathir’s corruption wakakaka.
But then, consolation prize, wouldn’t it be considered Dr M’s fault for bringing the two together as an inseparable pair? wakakaka. Go on, blame the old man wakakaka.
RPK also wrote:
One interesting document in that file is regarding the RM15,000 a month that Vincent Tan was paying Azmin Ali. It seems Vincent Tan not only financed the fall of Perak but is also financing the ‘other side’ as well. And, according to my ex-MACC Deep Throat, this is still going on. I suppose that is what most Chinese tycoons would do: hedge your bets by placing your money on all the horses in the race.
Tasty! Now lets hope one of the propaganda spinners makes a fluff piece out of this. Kutty and the Jambu (no prizes for guessing if ‘Dr’ gets thrown out of UMNO somehow – guess who the pairing would involve (some of us are LGBT supportive but this disgusts the hell out of me, well some connoisseur of Malay political gossip should be able to take up the challenge) . . . . Imagine the scandal . . . Anwar Sodomy Trial 3.0! In fact we dare UMNO (though UMNO is hated for racism and corruption, this should be quite a challenge to spin . . . ) to match every Bersih with a Sodomy trial (just gave Ambiga a chance to make lots of cash . . . )! Best of all, who knows this could lead to greater democracy for the Muslims interested in these issues . . .
Let’s jointly condemn political violence – Tuesday, 29 May 2012 Super Admin – Nurul Izzah Anwar
Raja Nong Chik’s response to the “Night of Bloodshed in Lembah Pantai” reveals an attempt to distract and distort the facts of the incident.
The fact is that violence did take place which caused injuries to an elderly man and a young girl, both who rightly should be respected and protected by society. Unfortunately, it was not only an attack on innocent citizens but also an attack on democracy.
Firstly, the violence that occurred was fostered through the Lembah Pantai Umno-created climate of intimidation and political thuggery, clearly seen by several incidences on the night and prior to it as well. (In the cases of 1. Pekida protest at Masjid al-Ikhlasiah, Pantai Dalam; 2. the punching of Adam Adli at Flat PKNS 4 Tingkat Kampung Kerinchi by known Lembah Pantai Umn members; 3. TIBAI-Umno-organised ceramahs such as the one in Kampung Kerinchi recently.)
Secondly, the feeble attempt to distract the public’s attention by speculating and blaming KEADILAN for inviting outsiders to what he claims is local politics is demeaning to democracy and a disservice to the people of Lembah Pantai.
As the member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai I have always welcomed a long list of national leaders such as Najib Razak, Muhyiddin Yassin, Daim Zainuddin and other Cabinet ministers who have graced Lembah Pantai over the past few months. I do not see this as Umno inviting outsiders into local politics but rather as a recognition that KEADILAN is doing something right to deserve such attention.
Furthermore, the disproportionate attention and funds lavished on Lembah Pantai compared to other Kuala Lumpur constituencies by Raja Nong Chik as Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister, along with an unelected mayor, is proof that the government needs to work doubly hard when the majority of support in Kuala Lumpur is with Pakatan Rakyat.
Thirdly, with regards to the claim that there is lack of proof of those responsible, I invite Raja Nong Chik to jointly declare with me to condemn all forms of political violence and to jointly invite both the police and Suhakam to investigate fairly on this Thursday.
Finally, in the spirit of setting a healthy democratic example and to demonstrate that political violence is unacceptable, I wish to once again reaffirm my acceptance of Raja Nong Chik’s invitation to a public debate in two weeks’ time at the same location, Pantai Permai. I shall be there and wait for him to translate words into deeds as he appears to believe that all politics is local.
Family blocs in politics is a form of political violence far worse and more subversive and corrupting than physical violence. Nurul was saying? Some people think that the voters are only stupid enough to understand PHYSICAL VIOLENCE and not POLITICAL VIOLENCE, the most violent thing in politics in fact is the term limitless fanily bloc that GROWS and subsumes the entire political scene to the demise of democracy. Nurul has not spoken or directly endorsed :
PR Proposes Scrapping 30 Pct Bumi Equity Target – Thursday, 31 May 2012 00:09
KUALA LUMPUR — Pakatan Rakyat has proposed a radical policy shift from attaining the 30 per cent equity target for bumiputeras to a minimum household income of RM4,000 for each family, says Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
In a statement on Wednesday, he claimed that the 30 per cent equity target policy had been hijacked by cronies and special interests to enrich themselves at the expense of the general public.
He also claimed that the disparity between rich and poor had widened significantly as a result of abuses done in the name of achieving the 30 per cent equity target.
This is not exactly an overhaul to ensure :
;but is very close though without fine tuned details like Vehicular-AP, Forced Conscriptions and Toll Booths and amendment of some laws. The Opposition still has meaning then, but like so many flashes on the pan to divert and strawman so far, we’ll see where this No.1 issue heads in a month or so. Very rare to hear about end of the apartheid system but better than none at all. Could some UN types advise Anwar on the Human Rights Article 1 aspect of governance? Otherwise 3rd Force only.
Malaysia, Politics
In 1% tricks and traps, 99%, Abuse of Power, Assemblymen have not declared assets, asset declarations, Bad By-Laws, bad laws, banks, best practices, Bumiputera Apartheid, candidacy, checks and balances, Christian fifth columnists, colonialism, conflict of interest, creating jobs, critical discourse, cult of personality, Democracy, Equitable Distribution, equitable political power distribution, Ethics, Fat Cats, freedom of choice, Freedom of Expression, hegelian dialectic, if not contrived, intentional omissions, Invasive Laws, lack of focus, land sequestration, Law, media collusion, Media Neutrality, media traps, media tricks, misplaced adoration, misrepresentation of facts, mob mentality, neutral spaces, non-Muslim Rights in a Muslim country, oligarch, oligarchy, opaque system, Orwellian, PAS, politics, racism, spirit of the law, Tay Tian Yan, too damn high, unprofessional behaviour, unwanted gentrification, Vehicular AP, vested interest, voting methods, voting strategy, waste of mandate, Wealth distribution on April 18, 2012 at 8:30 am
Constitution does not guarantee AP privileges for Bumis, says Pakatan – by Shazwan Mustafa Kamal – April 18, 2012
Nurul Izzah said Pekema lacked the metrics to proclaim the AP system as beneficial to Bumiputeras. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Putrajaya must do away with the current approved permit (AP) system for imported cars as it only benefited a small, select group of politically-connected Bumiputeras, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers said today.
They pointed out that no area of the Federal Constitution expressly grants to Bumiputeras AP licensing rights, and that such claims were a “complete stretch of the imagination.”
Bumiputera car dealers association Pekema as well as Malay rights lobby Perkasa have demanded that the government maintain Malaysia’s controversial permit system for imported cars, saying that the current system benefited Bumiputera businesses.
Both groups maintain that the privileges under the AP system was a guaranteed Bumiputera constitutional right, and came under the purview of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,
“Pekema is talking [nonsense]. Find me the clause in the Constitution that says cars must have APs. And (that) whatever APs must be for Bumis. It takes a complete stretch of the imagination to interpret any clause on the special position of Malays to mean constitutionally guaranteed AP privileges,” DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua told The Malaysian Insider.
Pua said that associations such as Pekema were only speaking for themselves in wanting to maintain the “rent-seeking” practices of the AP system.
The Petaling Jaya Utara MP added that the AP system served no other purpose than to make its beneficiaries “instant millionaires.”
Pua said Article 153 was being twisted to extend to APs.
According to Pua, the onus was on the government to ensure that APs were put on open tender so that only genuine and qualified business operators would secure the licences to import cars, instead of “middlemen seeking instant profits.”
“The taxpayers loses more than a billion ringgit a year as a result of the giving away of APs to selected cronies instead of being sold via auction to all businesses or interested parties.”
PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar advised Pekema to demand from the government a disclosure of the recipients of APs since the programme’s inception before extolling its success.
“Without such data, how would we ascertain its usefulness for the majority of Bumiputeras?
“As it is, the majority of the recipients are ‘Umnoputras’ — and they are gaining profit at the expense of the country’s wealth,” she told The Malaysian Insider.
The Lembah Pantai MP said PR’s position was for a gradual “phasing out” of the AP system, and to assist poor Malays and Bumiputeras through a targeted subsidy programme as well as overall improvement on “education/employment and social [progress] opportunities.”
Pekema and Perkasa have demanded that the government prioritise Bumiputera interests before conforming to set international trade agreements such as the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta).
Pekema president Datuk Zainuddin Abd Rahman said on Monday that the association is seeking royal intervention to block the Najib administration’s plans to phase out the AP system for imported cars by 2015.
“The only ones who can cancel the AP are the Agong and the Malay Rulers, so it cannot be cancelled,” said Zainuddin.
“The AP is included as part of permits, permits under Article 153 of the Constitution, which guarantees Malay and Bumiputera rights along with reserve land, scholarships, government posts.”
He said that the AP system was the “most successful” system for Bumiputeras, touting it as one of the main accomplishments of the New Economic Policy (NEP).
Oh great, family bloc Nurul is back, but at least on something meaningful. (lets hope PAS has not gotten all soft on Tolls, the Prophet would definitely not have tolerated Tolls while he wandered the deserts in the past, there were no cars, but beasts of burden and only highway robbers and bandits would demand cash for merely travelling). How about addressing the 2 systems of citizenship for equality Nurul? AP is more tolerable than APARTHEID !
See newspaper clipping . . .
Nepotism being addressed? Or just a feel good lie to defuse voter anger toward the horribly nepotistic and closed to 'outsiders' DAP political party?
One lynchpin less out of a score of family blocs is no victory but worthy of mention. 1 out of 222 MPs less a family bloc is good news anyday – Lim Guan Eng’s (that parachute nepotistsm beneficiary ‘CM of Penang’ character who doesn’t condemn apartheid for what apartheid is . . . ) wife may not run for GE13. Lets see if this is another false flag) much like the failed declaration of MP assets, the failed quorums on supposedly free EXCO Local Council Elections (we taxpayers are paying the salaries of the unvoted EXCOs as of now by the way) and other abuses of power by DAP.
Lim Guan Eng Insist on Staying in Tax-Payers Paid Bungalow – Posted on April 10, 2012 by editor
The Penang Chief Minister has been staying in a rented bungalow – all paid for by taxpayers – claiming that the official residence Seri Teratai is termite infested and leaking.
But that was three years ago when he first moved in after being appointed as the Chief Minister.
He had then told the people that it would only be on a temporary basis and that he would move back once the renovations and repairs were carried out. Well, this portal would like to remind the DAP zombies that he has lied.
He is still staying in the same rented bungalow. All paid for by taxpayers! Is it because all the expenses-paid bungalow is more comfortable than the official residence?
So far, he has avoided questions about his residence, evading questions about the expenses.
The bungalow at affluent Pinhorn Road at the Green Lane area, which the CM is staying, is worth RM2.5million and that was the valuation in 2009.
By now, it’s probably worth over RM3million, so do your maths and figure out how much the rentals would run to!
Stop The Lies has been informed that the renovation work was carried out in February 2009 which cost RM1.5million. It is surprising that the owner would spend so much to renovate the bungalow.
Guan Eng moved out from the official residence in Macalister Road in June 2009 when the renovations were in full progress, promising to move back but we all know how often DAP leaders lied. It’s already three years and our dear leader hasn’t move back.
We are told the reason why Guan Eng has refused to move back is because the bungalow belongs to a middle-aged woman from Malacca, who is said to be a crony of Betty Chew, the wife of the CM.
The RM8,000 monthly rental is paid for by the rakyat and that excludes his electricity, water and Astro bills!
Guan Eng should explain to the people why is he still staying in the bungalow after three years. How long must the people pay for his luxury?
We also know that his “fly economy class” image is a stunt. He flies economy class between Penang and Kuala Lumpur but he is not telling the DAP zombies that he prefers First Class when he goes overseas!
He also travels to Hong Kong monthly, according to our records, supposedly to meet businessmen! To collect what????
He has claimed he is “upgraded” by MAS! Come on, if he often travel Economy Class as he claims, he wouldn’t be able to chalk up enough points to be upgraded to business class.
Stop bullshitting!
So imagine the outcry for suggesting 750K in funeral funds by LGE for LGE, by asking the BN (PR’s supposed sworn enemies) to ratify the 750K funeral bill. How greedy can LGE get?
Loose Lips Sink Ships – Posted on April 13, 2012 by editor
LGE should learn to do this more often
There is a saying “loose lips sink ships”. Perhaps Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should better start being acquainted with the phrase.
The idiom definition for the phrase says to have loose lips means to have a big mouth, susceptible to talking about everything and everyone.
Sinking ships refers to anything from small acquaintances to long and hearty relationships (with friends or a significant other). So when one says loose lips sink ships, one is basically saying if you can’t shut up, you are going to end hurting people, usually psychologically or emotionally.
And that was exactly what has happened when Guan Eng threatened to stop allocations for schools which subscribe to Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian.
This is a serious remark, coming from the head of the state, and it is no joke or laughing matter to utter those words and then claim either you have been misquoted or that it was made in jest.
Guan Eng must remind himself that he is no longer the Opposition head when he makes remarks or comments on issues as he is now the Chief Minister.
After the March 2008 general election, he is still caught in a “transitional” problem of adjusting himself to be the administrator of a state and no longer a mere leader of a political party.
The DAP secretary-general was quoted by Sin Chew Daily as saying that schools in Penang should not continue subscribing the two Malay dailies, otherwise the state government would stop allocating funds to them.
He made the remark when speaking to 84 representatives from various schools.
He was quoted as saying “Schools must not subscribe to Utusan Malaysia. If they insist on doing so, there will be no allocation for you all next year.”
“I am serious. Do not subscribe to Utusan and Berita Harian,” he was quoted as saying.
It is very obvious that Guan Eng’s remarks tantamount to threatening the schools concerned.
The threats are uncalled for. It smacks of racism and high handedness. It is unbecoming as a Chief Minister to hurl threats to schools who subscribes to the two newspapers of their choice.
Just because he is the Chief Minister, he can’t go around imposing his likes and dislikes onto others.
Perhaps he should sponsor copies of other Malays newspapers he deemed fit rather than to threaten schools into submitting to his request.
If he has any issues with the two newspapers, he should fight his own battle, and not get schools involved. This is getting a bit way too far.
He should leave politics within the perimeters of the political front and not politicize issues and bringing it to the doorsteps of the education arena.
Politics should be set aside for the larger interest of education and it should not be allowed to fester within the educational premises.
Guan Eng’s threats run contrary to the freedom of speech as advocated by the Opposition.
In disbursing government allocation, Guan Eng should be sincere about it and not use it to force the political ideologies on schools.
It is worse still and unacceptable when he threatens schools into submitting to his wishes and fancies.
Disbursing of funds should be carried out in all sincerity without imposing conditions or using strong arm tactics.
Guan Eng, it is no joke or laughing matter when you open your mouth and say that you would stop allocation to schools.
Buck up and grow up.
The CM of supposedly Chinese Penang has only 1 thing to do. End Apartheid. Not host dinners, fly around to Australia and prevent would be politicians from entering DAP or local politics because they’ve got a nepotism and shameless term limitless family bloc Xian fundo b.s. thing going on there. Detestable little men tend to not use nepotism granted CM’s mandates to end APARTHEID, but do ask for 750K funerals from their sworn enemies who put their fathers into Kamunting instead are unprincipled and shamelessly thick skinned! They had half a mind to kill these 2 nepotistic term limitless DAP 4th world style ‘family-business style politicians’, and now they are in the Dewan asking for 750K funeral funds which the taxpayer paid? How 2-faced can a politician get? How can anyone who thinks this way be trusted? And then look at the massive failures to keep campaign promises that helped them win. All forgotten? Go flying around on taxpayers fund now while disregarding Bumi-Apartheid?
An open letter to our young undergrads — Tay Tian Yan – April 18, 2012
APRIL 18 — Dear undergrads,
I saw you occupy Dataran Merdeka and could feel your high-spirited youthfulness.
I have no objection to your “occupy” campaign. From Wall Street to Jalan Sultan, indeed young people should step out of their classrooms to taste the sunshine and rain.
It doesn’t have to be that tough, after all. With an iPhone or iPad in your hands, you could stay in touch on Twitter or Facebook, sharing with your followers or friends the amazing nasi kandar you’ve savoured just across the street from Dataran Merdeka or perhaps a photo you snapped with some curious tourists.
So, I will never worry that you would get bored or exhausted at the Dataran Merdeka.
But I just wonder what the real significance of occupying the Dataran is.
I did not hear any anti-Lynas or anti-corruption slogans, or anything against UiTM’s rejection of non-Bumiputera students nor about the pathetic academic standards of our universities today.
All you wanted is free tertiary education and the writing off of PTPTN arrears.
I even saw a “PTPTN, the big loan shark” placard hoisted under the sultry sun over the Dataran.
I couldn’t help but laugh: All that you want is just so simple.
But have you ever thought about this: If everything is free of charge, where does the money come from? And if you can default on your loans, who would extend the loans to you?
Since you are all university students, I assume you have learned some economics before, right? Don’t you remember there is something called “costing” in economics? For anything offered free of charge to you, someone else have to foot the bill.
Your lecturer could have told you, and economics guru Milton Friedman most definitely said it before, that nothing comes free under the sun.
And this costing concept applies very well to all of you.
Tuition fees at the country’s government universities have been heavily subsidised and are among the cheapest in this world.
Your RM7,000 to RM8,000 annual tuition fees are just about a third of private college tuition fees here, a fifth of those in Australia’s public universities, one-sixth of America’s, and one-eighth of Britain’s.
Your parents should take delight in the fact that some other people are helping them pay the tuition fees so that they can keep their retirement funds largely intact.
What I am trying to say is that the cheap tuition fees are most definitely not a Godsend. The government has to dig into taxpayers’ pockets to subsidise your education, including mine.
If you come from a poor family, sure enough, I am more than willing to contribute my part to help. But there are so many of you who come from well-to-do families and yet enjoy the heavily slashed tuition fees.
Not to mention the PTPTN loans, where our government has been excessively generous by offering full loans at a mere one per cent interest rate. (If this is what you call loan shark, I would love to take a loan from you).
Given the fact that Bank Negara’s overnight lending rate is three per cent, the remaining two per cent (could be a lot more if we factor in the inflation) has to be sourced from somewhere (the government? not really, but the generously taxed uncles and aunties).
I don’t mind contributing that two per cent. I see it as my national obligation. But you refuse to pay up when you graduate from school someday in the future, and the PTPTN cannot just close shop this way. So, we taxpayers are once again come under the axe.
You are actually well aware that university education is never free, even in cash-rich Western countries. Many students there have to take up part-time jobs or bank loans before they can attend their classes.
You don’t need a part-time job or a bank loan to finance your studies here. You don’t even need to step into the lecture hall; just sit at the Dataran to protest against “I don’t know what”!
Perhaps the Dataran should be occupied by the uncles and aunties who subsidise your studies. We have a whole lot more valid reasons to occupy the square. — mysinchew.com
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.
Dear me Tay Tian. Degrees ARE free, especially those not in ‘technical fields’. ALL degrees numbering scores to hundreds from Sociology type degrees, all languages and various paperwork based fields DO NOT NEED a single cent to teach or learn (though a minimum wage from government would be good). See the Democracy Tree in Malaysia? See the Bodhi Tree where Buddha gained enlightenment and gave sermons (no gold plated statues or donation boxes for ‘building temples’ there, just alms bowls)? Even the quasi fundo Luddites taking classes on ‘Animal Husbandry’ in their barns could subsume the Veterinary degree which costs a few 100Ks – a child on the right farm, could deliver or treat any animal just as well . . . without spending a cent on education. ALL EDUCATION of the non-technical sort (i.e. needing advanced equipment) is FREE. So don’t pretend MOST education costs anything – especially contractors and suppliers and manufacturers dependent on HANDOUTS of taxpayer monies for their living at extremely inflated prices that feed a large number of middlemen (shame on you contractors and law writers that cause parasitic loopholes in laws that are never amended).
How costly can holding a class under a tree or perhaps a scenic spot be now? NOTHING AT ALL. Maybe hundreds of people could be taught in a single session, to get a ‘degree’ because of microphones which cost very little. Even MEDICINE could be taught in such places. Do we need to pay anything for unneeded buildings? The odd plaque or monument? The security guards and gardeners and drivers ON taxpayer paid salaries? Uniforms? The free transport AND meal subsidies which AGAIN taxpayers have to pay? I’d rather have no building and free degree than a building and a degree that costs half a lifetime of work to return – ON INTEREST to boot . . .
**THAT METHOD OF EDUCATION IS NOT WEALTH CREATION, THAT IS WEALTH RE-DISTRIBUTION IN THE WRONG MANNER THAT ENRICHES SOME CITIZENS OVER OTHERS!!!**
Admit the fact that a degree is a mere toll booth or protection fee to *be allowed to work* in an cubicle or office, and stop being aq shill for government collusion to defraud the citizens from what should be free. All a government needs to do is to assign empty land, grow some shady trees, recognize the lecturer FOR FREE, then register all students who attend the class. Or hold those classes in the car park during work hours . . . Work place conditions will be entirely unrelated anyway so the degree doesn’t matter, what the lecturers teach matters more – and we do not need super-duper-POOPER scale salaries to glorify Senior Lecturers, ‘Deans’ and all manner of Chancellor Emeritus hierarcies *AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE* WITH fat pensions on the taxpayers backs AGAIN. Voters, if you are not working in government, make sure you vote for an MP who at least is even able to understand the above or YOUR tax monies will enrich some glorified crony or relative who will be promoted due to nepotism, no matter how distant the relation.
The whole point of Uni or school is to SOCIALIZE the people into being able to work in close quarters and in a team. NOTHING else. Skills can be LEARNT even by children. Want to see a 7 year old mechanic? Want to see a 10 year old surgeon? 5 year old pharmacy dispenser? These ‘jobs’ do not need ‘degrees’. These skills are FREE to learn.
A degree does not cost the price of 1-10 units of low cost housing. Heck better rather buy a handful of these units and become a slumlord or some land estate owner that produces REAL GOODS, than enrich the government’s crony contractors to *validate* with a piece of paper called a degree in a jobs market (after getting paid to build useless – and not necessarily stable – buildings on the taxpayer’s funds) as biased and uncertain as this when master slave mentality typifies employer employee relations. Call this civilisation?
We call this creating a financial trap to enrich the bankers WITH so-called ‘education’ as bait. Not a cent or work hour for the plutocracy. And redistribute the wealth or the extreme plutocrats or extreme quantum landowners. We do not need half a lifetime to pay for a degree, and another half to pay for a glorified pigeoncoop condo or rabbit-hutch terrace, or a ‘duplex’ (half -a-house) which leaves the next generation in another cycle where inflation lowers both earnings and quality of life to the social immobility and inflation nations they call modern living that ultimately only enriches the banking cartels and IMF world bank type Freemason cultists or other Fundo faithers. Tay Tian wants to dampen high-spirited youthfulness more like, by protecting the failure of an ‘establishment’, in this case the educational profiteering establishment.
One of the protesters with debt-condemning placard at the anti-PTPTN protests. Tertiary education is a human right and should be free. MPs, do not betray our youth to the banksters and Ministry debt slave machines, or we will vote you out by GE13!
Voters, in this sort of case, make sure that your MP candidate or incumbent will make education free. Ask and find out if your MP wants to make education free. Otherwise no votes for that MP. If there is no MP that will do this, run for election instead. Vote wisely young voters (and also don’t over populate – 2.1 is best for maintenance without increasing population density . . . ) :
BN Inequality and corruption forever.
PR = Chance at equality but much Nepotism.
3rd Force = Very likely Equality (there is nothing for 3rd Force to run on except Equality and anti-Nepotism).
Vote only for candidates who endorse and intend to grant :
;amongst a few other things like religious, neutral and entertainment zonings.
Of course PM Najib only has to use that mandate he ALREADY has from the Rakyat to grant :
;and the Opposition will likely be scattered.
This pic remind of anyone?
BN, don’t be a dingus use that mandate and end the Apartheid of Bumiputera . . . also if peaceful Tibetans burn themselves to protest apartheid, guess what warlike Mongols do to to people who blow up their kin – PM Najib needs that Pmship more than the Rakyat does IMHO, so how about making Malaysia a first world, UNHCR compliant nation that best applies the tenets of Islam Surah An Nisa 4:75 at least ( . . . and saving Najib who will be vulnerable without the time and protection of a PMship . . . )?
This is just equality . . .
Apartheid, Bersih 3.0, Jewish Lobby, Malaysia, Politics
In 1% tricks and traps, 3rd Force, amendments to law needed, Apartheid, Assemblymen have not declared assets, asset declarations, Bad By-Laws, bad laws, best practices, Bumiputera Apartheid, checks and balances, critical discourse, domestic terrorists in the political sphere, equitable political power distribution, hegelian dialectic, intent, Israel, Judaism, Mercenaries, misplaced adoration, MPs have not declared assets, Nepotism, neutral spaces, non-Muslim rights, non-Muslim Rights in a Muslim country, non-Xian rights, Pakatan, Pakatan Rakyat Coalition, PAS, political correctness, preventing vested interest, proselytization, racism, spiritual fifth columnists, term limits, unkept campaign promises, voting methods, voting strategy, waste of mandate, word of the law on April 4, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Anwar refused to resolve Chinese school issue in 1987, says Soi Lek – NEWS/COMMENTARIES – Tuesday, 03 April 2012 Super Admin
(The Malaysian Insider) – Chinese voters should not trust Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to resolve the Chinese school issue as the pact’s leader refused to fix the problem when he was education minister, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said today.
The MCA president said that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had refused to budge on the government’s appointment of non-Mandarin educated principals and senior assistants to vernacular schools in 1987, despite strident protests from Chinese educationists.
By doing so, Anwar, who now leads the opposition, caused Operasi Lalang that same year, he added.
“You must remember that in 1987, Ops Lalang was because of Anwar,” he told reporters at Wisma MCA here after a party presidential council meeting.
“He refused to do anything… So if the Chinese have so much confidence in Anwar, then we should have second thoughts.”
Operasi Lalang saw the arrest of 106 opposition leaders, Umno politicians and Chinese educationists under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The crackdown — which the government has described as necessary to head-off growing racial tension between the Malays and the Chinese — also saw the printing permits for four papers revoked.
Dr Chua also pointed out that during his time as opposition leader, Anwar “has not said a word” about Chinese education, and claimed the opposition has hijacked the issue for political mileage.
He charged that Chinese education has not been given prominence in PR’s Buku Jingga manifesto, with the exception of some “motherhood statements”.
The Chinese should not be hoodwinked into saying the Chinese education issue is because of MCA. — Chua Soi Lek
The former health minister also hit out at rival party DAP for “hijacking” a rally held on March 25 to protest the shortage of qualified Chinese school teachers in the national education system.
DAP was using the issue to create “hate politics”, he said, which ultimately led to the alleged assault of deputy education minister and MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong by a protester at the rally.
“We condemn the violence and abuse directed at Wee Ka Siong. You may not like it but Wee Ka Siong was selected by the government to head the panel to resolve this issue.
“The Chinese should not be hoodwinked into saying the Chinese education issue is because of MCA,” he said.
Dr Chua added that while education is a federal issue, state governments could still extend their help to Chinese schools by giving land and subsidies for temporary teachers as well as electricity.
He also questioned why opposition-led states have not done more in this regard.
“Why have none of them done that? They only give RM5 million, RM3 million and talk around the whole world,” he said.
“MCA has given more than the Penang government… but we didn’t shout about it because we feel it is our responsibility to do so,” he said.
Anwar needs to endorse the below 3 items FIRST then the Chinese school issue in 1987 can be forgotten. But because Anwar has not endorsed with intent to grant, Chua Soi Lek and BN can still attack Anwar. if PM Najib endorses the 3 items though, Pakatan would be put at severe disadvantage.
Malaysia fast turning into US lackey, slams PAS – Harakahdaily – Wednesday, 04 April 2012 07:45
Malaysia’s decision to stop oil imports from Iran has been described as yet another sign of the country fast moving towards becoming a US lackey, said PAS secretary general Mustafa Ali.
Describing the US-led sanction against Iran as part of Israel’s effort to destroy the Islamic republic, Mustafa questioned the present administration’s policy of bowing to US demands.
Must Malaysia acquiesce to every demand from United States?” he asked.
Reuters earlier reported that national oil company Petronas scurried to stop oil imports from Iran to avoid being punished by Washington. Prime minister Najib Razak, described by political analysts as the most pro-American prime minister the country ever had, had dismissed the impact of the decision saying the 50,000-60,000 barrels it used to buy daily were only “a small amount”.
Mustafa asked if Najib was “forever clinging to American tail coat”.
He recalled that during the premiership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the country had been known as an outspoken member of the Non-Aligned Movement and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation,
and praised for its stance on issues affecting the developing world.
Although Mustafa strongly disagreed with Mahathir’s domestic policies, he said the latter’s courage to speak out against American foreign policy was commendable.
“I would implore our prime minister to take a leaf from Tun’s stewardship in facing the political hegemony of the world superpowers,” said the veteran PAS leader.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg quoted Petronas CEO Shamsul Azhar Abbas as saying that it was struggling to find alternative sources for its South African refinery.
Petronas’s Engen unit, which operates South Africa’s second-biggest refinery, is getting about 65,000 barrels a day of crude from Iran, he added.
Since UMNO Malays dislike Chinese and Indians enough to keep the Bumi system (even after the Reid Commission expired after 15 years and was not even reviewed), Malaysia needs a military backer that doesn’t like China too much. Russia is China’s friend, Indonesia dislikes Malaysia in many ways due to the maid abuse cases etc., Thailand has half a mind to reconquer Malaysia but lacks the go ahead from USA and has to watch it’s back where Cambodia etc. might take advantage of any Thai invasion . . . so who else but USA who is also China’s biggest trading partner?
Even the Sunni Saudis are close to USA enough to keep quiet if a ‘fellow Muslim state’ Iran gets attacked by Israel. PAS doesn’t know this?
Are you ready – Bersih 3.0 on April 28 at 2pm! – by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle – Wednesday, 04 April 2012 11:18
Free and fair elections movement Bersih 2.0 will hold its third rally on April 28 at numerous locations spread across the nation and also the world to enable the Malaysian diaspora to participate in the protest against Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government for refusing to clean up the electoral system before calling for polls.
Najib is widely expected to dissolve Parliament and hold snap general elections soon.
Bersih 3.0 will be held at 2pm and will be themed “Duduk Bantah” or sit-in protest. The Bersih organizers plan to make 8 reform demands as it did in its landmark July 9, 2011 rally.
Act of arrogance
The reform demands are a cleaning of the electoral roll, reforms to postal voting, the use of indelible ink, free and fair access to media, a minimum 21-day campaign period, the strengthening of public institutions, a stop to political corruption, and an end to ‘dirty’ politics.
Just a day ago, Najib’s Umno-BN coalition hammered through Parliament a heavily-watered down proposal from a special elections review committee, but refused to table a minority report expressing strong reservations for the recommendations.
“This is clearly an act of arrogance, denying space for us to explain and bowing to Umno’s demand. The minority report has shown that the Election Commission failed to guarantee rightful voters,” Anwar told reporters at the parliament lobby on Tuesday.
Hey idiot voters, no matter how loud you shout and or long you march or how many MPs and Assemblymen you beat up, nothing changes if your MP or Assemblyman has no intention of granting :
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
;or is corrupt, nepotistic and intends to be term limitless, if you the voter are undiscerning enough to just march and shout but ar e unclear on what policy your MP or assemblyman wants to write or amend for you, nothing will change even by BERSIH 10.0.
If you the marcher and voter will not become an independent candidate to prevent MPs or Assemblymen of the above bad types who refuse to UNAMBIGUOUSLY endorse with intent to grant the above 3 items in a reasonable timeframe, , nothing will change even by BERSIH 10.0.
Don’t bother to March, save your energy, identify what kind of person your MP or Assemblyman is and run for election yourself if your assemblyman or MP is not going to grant the above 3 items or has the bad qualities of nepotism, corruption etc..
Which MPs have voted against the electoral reforms? Vote out that MP. Which cabinet ministers have placed the bureaucrats who have prevented the electoral reforms? Vote out that Minister from their MP’s seat.
And from this voting method, eventually know that MPs do not make good Ministers, wrong academic training, and beholden to political party ‘lines’ make them UNVOTABLE. If refuses to amend bad laws, unable to keep campaign promises, nepotistic and corrupt, even worse.
Run for candidacy, not run around marching . . .
Smiling broadly is fine (well not so fine, as this march may end quite badly for those who get jailed – maybe this lot are smiling because they know the limelight on the backs of the suffering of those imprisoned will be to their benefit, that as high profile figures they will be well treated so they won’t care. This is cynical to say but recall what happened to MB Nizar . . . ), but if this lot has no intentions for the 3 items or qualms about the abuses, instead pretending to be saviours while putting marchers into harms way, then don’t waste time voters. All pictured above should instead be on a high profile delegation to the UN or NAM, or even the highest authority of Sunni Islam, the Islamic University of al-Azhar in Cairo – to demand the 3 items above listed on behalf of all Malaysians.
What is this uncivilised method of marching behind crocodiles that play all sides, that claim credit of on the backs of the efforts of others working in the background making the critical connections? Marching only gives them a chance to arrest voters with the stomach to march but without the smarts to run as candidates. Voting intelligently or challenging the MP for their seat is as important as if not better than marching.
BN = Racism and Corruption, some Nepotism
PR = Corruption and MORE Nepotism
3rd Force = Less Corruption only?(Best Choice)
Potential 3rd Force Parties are :
KITA, JATI, ABU, MCLM (whats left of it, but homophobes could find it a good party that has 20 candidates), PCM, Borneo Front, Konsensus Bebas, HRP/Hindraf and PSM maybe SUPP if SUPP wakes up (much like MCA/MIC and Gerakan will not) and perhaps SAPP and LDP . . .
And any independent candidates as in the list below who can CLEARLY take up the above 3 items (not like mealy mouthed Pakatan who looks preferring to keep the entire term limitless, apartheid system in place to benefit themselves, while refusing to amend abusive by-laws) . . . :
1) Maimun Yusuf http://www.worldbulletin.net/index.php?aType=haberArchive&ArticleID=19162
and potential wolves/turncoats in the making :
2) Koon Yew Yin (the plutocrat Civil Engineer who cannot commit to candidacy though suitable),
3) Ummi Hafilda (PKR hater at odds with PKR VP Azmin)
4) Another Auntie Bersih 2.0 the high profile one Ambiga Sreenevasan (who struck down rightful Perak MB Nizar while Bar Council President during BN’s 11th term)
5) Another Auntie Bersih 2.0 Annie Ooi Siew Lan (. . . basking in limelight for being old but not yet running for candidacy, is there a Malay and also Orang Asli Auntie Bersih as well who believes in the 3 items? Step forth and let the equality minded citizens of all races vote . . . )
6) Nobel Laureate Dr. Said Samad (who said he did not want to die useless but can’t find the inclination to run for candidacy at 76 . . . how much better off you are to not commit to offering the people a choice of independent candidate – educated, well loved, comfortably well off, lots of spare time . . . see candidate 1 Pak Samad and think . . .)
7) any plutocrats out there with a conscience ready to fund some 99%ters (especially Malays) to run on the above 3 items .
Race Relations Bill: Public Consultative Process Needed, Consider Equality Commission – 03-Apr-12 10:30 – Current Affairs Podcasts
Last month, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said that discussions on the fate of the Race Relations Bill, along with other bills set to replace the ISA, are likely to take place this month. This follows after years of flip-flopping on decision of tabling the Race Relations Bill in recent years.
In the following interview, Lim Chee Wee, president of the Malaysian Bar Council discusses:
– the government’s flip-flopping in pushing the Bill through since 2008
– whether the Race Relations Bill will be able to reconcile with Article 153
– how Bumiputera policies will be affected if the Bill is passed
– lessons to learn from the UK’s implementation of the Race Relations Act 1976 and its more recent Equality Act 2010, and how these lessons can be implemented in Malaysia
– whether the Race Relations Bill has the potential of being abused
– possible hurdles should the Bill be tabled
– whether legislation is the best way to deal with race relations issues in the country
Bumiputra and Special Privileges should be entirely removed. We all know that the whole system is a crony enrichment system. After all citizens are equal, and if removed, there will not even be a ‘Race Relations Act’ needed since eveyone will be equal with the poorest (regardless of race or faith) gaining benefits and special privileges. The taxpayers are not going to pay the MPs and Assemblymen salaries to write bills for equality that are already implicit in Malaysia’s being a signatory of the Human Rights Charter and Human Rights Council.
UNHCR Article 1
All human beings are born *free* and *equal* in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Surah An Nisa 4:75
And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, “Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a *protector* and appoint for us from Yourself a *helper*?” And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, “Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a *protector* and appoint for us from Yourself a *helper*?”
MCA returns fire : Stop Boasting Teresa, you hampered construction of a Chinese school – Wednesday, 04 April 2012 18:26 – written by Chong Sin Woon
Selangor exco Teresa Kok is incapable of fulfilling her responsibility because while she can boast about Pakatan Rakyat state government’s contributions in helping Chinese schools, yet Chinese schools still face many difficulties, including the lack of coordination between the state government and local authorities where she had announced the allocation of land to SJKC Keng Chee.
However, the construction committee of SJKC Kheng Chee were issued a stop-work order form the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), thus preventing the construction progress of the school.
S’gor turned a blind eye
To make things more difficult for the SJKC Kheng Chee construction committee, the state government had turned a blind eye to this problem. The state government had only announced how concerned they were over the issue of Chinese education, leaving the school committee, parents, children and the construction committee in a dilemma as the project is still unable to proceed as scheduled.
Not only has Teresa Kok disregarded the construction of SJKC Kheng Chee by making things difficult for them through the Subang Jaya Municipal Council, she had also attended the 325 Chinese education rally and had asked the crowd to support DAP, which is prohibited by the rally’s organizers, and had incited the crowd there to humiliate Deputy Minister of Education Datuk Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong, thus causing the rally to not reach its objectives.
Insincere
Chinese education is an important issue to the Chinese community, and Teresa Kok’s actions in politicizing this issue has caused the people to worry about the future of Chinese education.
Although DAP continuously promises to protect the rights of Chinese education, their behaviour during the 325 rally, such as waving political banners and shouting and showing the thumbs-down sign, and calling for the downfall of Barisan Nasional shows that their words are only a scam to secure the votes from the public.
If DAP manages to win the votes of the public, they had better be sincere and determined to solve the problems on Chinese education, because if they do not then the future of Chinese education will be ruined, and if this does happen it will prove to be an expensive mistake for the country.
Chong Sin Woon
MCA Youth Education Bureau chairman
By now we should all be clear that Polytheism (i.e. Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism etc..) is the antithesis of Monotheistic religions like Islam (PAS), Xianity (DAP) and Judaism.
Now Terasa being a JEWISH Chinese person (and likely the equivalent of the USA’s Jewish lobby in Malaysia – not that Israel should not exist, but being funded by such groups causes Terasa to become a cultic/Monotheist FIFTH COLUMNIST, something the Ruler’s Colleective shuld be very aware of . . . some citizens in Malaysia are parasiting off the populace – BN, others are 3rd Force neutral, yet others intend to proselytise and subvert – PR . . . ), will (if not openly) not want POLYTHEISTIC Chinese culture and Chinese language to dominate and hence try to prevent Polytheism from dominating the faith choice of the minority Malaysians by suppressing Chinese education which is heavily infused with Chinese culture.
Consider deeper that the Hindus who are polytheistic and mostly Indian have ALSO been sidelined wherever possible by Pakatan. In the culture department MCA has the correct mindset, probably much more polytheistic than Pakatan, though in the lapdog-minority-autonomy department, MCA loses out because having benefited from UMNO for decades, MCA somehow feels beholden to UMNO’s apartheid. MCA, this is just equality don;t confuse with money, least of all corrupt money which has no hold over anyone – how about demanding, along with MIC the right to Article 1 of the UNHCR from UMNO to grant the below 3 items :
;so that the minorities will not end up as a colony of the USA and possibly the Israeli and Monotheistic group instead? This is just equality but PR is waging a religious war of proselytization, and a cultural propaganda war on behalf of the monotheists and Masonic type NWO groups . . . any NORMAL Malaysian want an agenda free political coalition instead of the Hegelian dialectic traitors on either side will vote 3rd Force.
3rd Force = Less Corruption only? (Best Choice)
Of course PM Najib could grant the above 3 items with the mandate BN currently has, and put a stop to all this b.s. . . .
Apartheid, Colluding NGOs, Malaysia, Politics
In 1% tricks and traps, Apartheid, Bad By-Laws, bad laws, Bumiputera Apartheid, criticism, dishonest academia, Eminent Domain, Fat Cats, Freedom of Expression, Land Acquisition Act in Malaysia, Law, Legal Junta, Malaysia, MPs have not declared assets, non-Muslim rights, non-Muslim Rights in a Muslim country, political correctness, Political Fat Cats, racism, separation of powers, social freedoms, spirit of the law, strawman NGOs, unkept campaign promises, unprofessional behaviour, vested interest, waste of mandate, wrong priority on March 27, 2012 at 10:18 am
Not fair, Pakatan should have stopped crowd from attacking Wee – Mah – by Mah Hang Soo – Monday, 26 March 2012 22:57
While I respect the right of the audience who had gathered at New Era College on 25 March 2012 or better known by its acronym “325 assembly” organised by the United Chinese School Commitees Association (Dong Zong) to rally against shortage of Chinese-educated teachers for Chinese schools, I wish to point out that restraint must be practised at all times, no matter how emotional speeches maybe, or the atmosphere leading up to and during the event.
Newspaper headlines and online news portals have reported that one protestor had even thrown a punch against the Deputy Minister of Education cum MCA Youth chairman Datuk Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong.
The supporters may voice their grievances. They have every right to a differing opinion from that of the federal government or the Education Ministry or Barisan Nasional. But they should never resort to harassment and getting physical against any individual. To do so, is to completely abuse freedom of expression, and disrespecting the rights of individuals to personal safety.
Situation could have spiraled out of control
Dr Wee and the police and bodyguards should be commended for not reacting against the assailant but remaining composed at all times. The situation could have grown out of hand with more damage incurred if there were any on-the-spot retaliation.
Pakatan’s hypocrisy
More than a dozen Pakatan Rakyat leaders like PKR Secretary General Saifudin Nasution and lawmakers and excos like Tian Chua and Teresa Kok present at the protest should be condemned for not appealing to the crowd to exercise physical control and restraint. Indirectly, they have contributed to the heckling and attempted physical assault against Dr Wee.
Todate, why is there still no criticism by Pakatan legislators against the action of physical intimation by the protestor? If they do not accept heckling from the audience, why did Pakatan leaders in attendance not address the crowds advising them to be rational and behave calmly?
Sheer hypocrisy radiates from Pakatan leaders who on one hand preach the right to freedom of expression, right to assembly, but do nothing to ensure the right to personal security or to respect a differing opinion.
Pakatan Rakyat pattern to condone heckling against BN leaders
It appears to be a trend for Pakatan leaders to condone public jeering, verbal abuse where physical safety of any BN leader is put at stake. Only about 10 days ago where a discourse on women’s issues was held in Penang to which Wanita MCA Penang chief Sdri Tan Cheng Liang was subject to loud taunts from the audience thereby interrupting her presentation, Wanita DAP’s Chong Eng did not rebuke nor appeal to the audience not to be disruptive or rude.
Commendable of MCA Youth leaders to be present
Recognition must be given to Dr Wee as well as MCA Youth Education Bureau chief Sdr Chong Sin Woon for attending the rally despite the partisan fervour of the audience. If they were absent from the rally, Pakatan leaders would have had a field day deriding MCA as snubbing the event. Their presence despite the highly-charged atmosphere indicates that MCA Youth listens to grouses from the ground irrespective of political affiliation. MCA Youth is with the masses.
Instead of merely jeering Dr Wee, the audience should allow time and opportunity for the 8-point formula prepared by the Education Ministry’s committee on addressing teacher shortage in Chinese schools headed by Dr Wee to work. To be dismissive of the measures undertaken by the Education Ministry without even giving time to see the results means one is already clouded with biasedness and will fault-find no matter how much effort is initiated.
Mah Hang Soon is the MCA Youth National Deputy Chairman & MCA Youth Perak Chairman
State Assemblymen for Chenderiang
Perak Executive Councillor for Health, Local Government and Environment
Tuesday, 27 March 2012 02:51 posted by F. O.
MCA, how much more time do you want to be given to solve the issue? You have been given 54 years, and you let the standard of facilities and extent of govt, support for Chinese and Tamil schools to be deteriorated year after year. What more time do yo want.?? Enough is enough. Get out come this GE 13th.
Tuesday, 27 March 2012 00:03 posted by Agent Orange
“It appears to be a trend for Pakatan leaders to condone public jeering, verbal abuse where physical safety of any BN leader is put at stake.”
Mah you fcuking idiot, wah, BN leader so important? All of you are just dirty crooked politicians. Many people are extremely happy with the unexpected cold reception your Wee hypocrite received and deserved. You still don’t get it, do you? After GE12, you arrogant assholes at MCA still don’t get it, isn’t it? You never will, I guess.
Why was MCA and Wee attacked? MCA has attacked ALL the minorities by encouraging continuance of apartheid from remaining in BN. Wee and MCA is a symbol of apartheid – ‘si mata sepet’ versions of ‘Uncle Toms’ if anything. Shouldn’t such symbols know what they are? Some of these grassroots don’t communicate well, the hazards of taking bad political decisions (staying in BN instead of leaving apartheid BN and leading 3rd Force despite having so much wealth . . . ) are exactly as expressed by these angry citizens. Minorities races in Malaysia and worldwide seek :
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects
Home to a rules-based Penang, says CM – By K.C. Boey – March 27, 2012
Malaysians and former Malaysians listen to Lim at the Chinese Association of Victoria on March 25, 2012. — Pictures by K.C. Boey
MELBOURNE, March 27 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng returned home today assured of the attractiveness of the state as a destination for investors, and of the mood for change among Malaysians in Melbourne.
Lim was in Melbourne from Friday leading a delegation to promote Penang as an investment and tourist destination, and on a drive to recruit talent among Malaysian professionals and business.
He inaugurated Penang Festival as a strategic partner of Fiesta Malaysia as officials of InvestPenang and its Career Assistance and Training (CAT) Centre updated students, professionals, and Australian and Malaysian business on developments and the thrust of industrial strategies in Penang.
“Business in Victoria were receptive to the prospects of linkages between them and industry in Penang,” Lim summed up his three-day visit to The Malaysian Insider.
Among the indications to him was participation at a business briefing he presented, co-hosted by the Victorian Department of Business and Innovation and the Australia Malaysia Business Council (AMBC) Victoria.
Victoria Governor Alex Chernov hosted a dinner attended by government and industry leaders. Present were Victorian Minister for Technology and Minister responsible for Aviation Gordon Rich-Phillips, and head of Linfox logistics group Lindsay Fox.
At the AMBC briefing, Lim was reminded of the state of industry in Victoria, reliant on upscaling its manufacturing in the two-speed economy of Australia against states endowed with mineral resources.
Lim, a graduate of economics and accountancy from Melbourne’s Monash University, sympathised with the needs of the Victorian economy, raising the prospects for complementarity between the two states.
Lim and Mohamad Rameez (right) at the AMBC briefing.
Penang, as with Victoria, lacked natural resources. Both had to build on their human talent to be competitive to better internationalise in engaging globally. There were prospects to strengthen the value chain in the respective economies by building on global supply chain, without either having to relocate industry.
Victoria had strengths in research and development in high-level manufacturing sectors such as biotechnology, nanotechnology and solar energy that lent themselves to collaborative partnerships.
Lim cited the success of American industry Honeywell developing avionics in Penang for Boeing’s Dreamliner aircraft.
Penang is the most active among Pakatan-ruled states to look outwards for investment. With six per cent of Malaysia’s population, it accounts for 36 per cent of foreign direct investment.
Penang has been successful in winning investment from Singapore, and Lim is encouraged by response from Hong Kong, with the increasing number of daily direct flights between Hong Kong and Penang.
Lim speaking to Malaysians at the Chinese Association of Victoria.
Lim said the aim was to transform Penang into an international and intelligent city. Just as Melbourne was the cultural and sporting capital of Australia, Penang was likewise in Malaysia.
Among those on the Governor’s dinner guest list was Penny Hutchinson, director of Arts Victoria. On Lim’s itinerary was an afternoon with Parks Victoria and the Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne, where he was given an overview of parks and garden management.
At each of his stops, Lim spoke about Penang’s green credentials. He hoped to initiate exchanges with Parks Victoria that would help support the Penang Botanic Gardens and facilitate a greener and cleaner Penang.
Of his visits abroad, Lim, who is secretary-general of DAP, acknowledged the co-operation of federal agencies in their foreign postings such as those from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra).
Turning to Consul-General in Melbourne Dr Mohamad Rameez Yahaya, who was with Lim at the AMBC briefing as well as at Fiesta Malaysia, he said: “When we are outside the country, we are all Malaysians.”
At a meeting with more than 200 Malaysians last night, Lim shared Pakatan’s vision of rules-based governance, and allayed them of any concerns.
“It is time to stop racial and religious division,” he said. “At heart, we are all Malaysians.”
Rules (laws and constitution) which are undemocratic or reduce Human Rights are meant to be broken (or legally challenged), and those amendments to bad and oft abused by-laws have not been implemented by DAP while DAP uses the same bad laws to abuse the people with. And not a word on apartheid? “It is time to stop racial and religious division,” is far too oblique for any racist to hear. Foolish and petty minded nepotist. At 66.6% quorums LGE would never have been CM. This man’s presence is an insult to democracy and the voters, who had no choice in deciding who should be CM.
The detected mood for change is that from DAP’s abuses and neglect of real issues. Any 2 bit factory owner or local assembly level politician can organize such a sit in. But glory hog here wants to meet the Bunyips. A real CM would be filing lawsuits or leading MLK style marches against APARTHEID. Use that CM’s mandate LKS (LGE’s father) nepotistically gave LGE ! This CM is a total fail in democracy, not much different from KTK who was not nepotistic but ‘totally lapdog’ instead. If the minorities wanted a business investment company CEO we wouldn’t need DAP to host such stupid meetings. Waste of political mandate. And lowers the standard of what CMs should do.
On Lim’s itinerary was an afternoon with Parks Victoria and the Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne, where he was given an overview of parks and garden management.
LGE thinks he’s white now? Well along with England and the other colonies, much change will be arriving in the form of 3rd Force (barring the lack of guts). PAP is rubbish, DAP is less than rubbish. Where are the real minority leaders that will ask for equality? Step forth and depose this product of nepotism! Trading in business populism, not even political populism, instead of common sense. Here’s your Malaysian yellow ‘Uncle Tom’ (to foreign powers in this case) much like LKY has typified the part for decades . . . keep partying in Australia on taxpayer funds while APARTHEID exists and keep abusing powers instead of amending laws, what happened to Wee should happen to LGE next . . . politicians are supposed to make life easier for the Rakyat then bow out after 2 terms, not parachute in because of nepotism. Unvotable and undemocratic!
Vote 3rd Force instead! : KITA, JATI, MCLM (whats left of it, but homophobes could find it a good party that has 20 candidates), PCM, Borneo Front, Konsensus Bebas, HRP/Hindraf and PSM maybe SUPP if SUPP wakes up (much like MCA/MIC and Gerakan will not) and perhaps SAPP and LDP . . . and any independent candidates as in the list below who can CLEARLY take up the above 3 items (not like mealy mouthed Pakatan who looks preferring to keep the entire term limitless, apartheid system ion place to benefit themselves) . . . :
4) Auntie Bersih 2.0 Annie Ooi Siew Lan (so far basking in limelight for being old but not yet running for candidacy)
Of course PM Najib could make things easy for himself and everyone by granting the above 3 items and finish that 2nd term as PM. Otherwise run for candidacy as 3rd force independents.
Najib says ready to declare Jalan Sultan shoplots as heritage sites UPDATED @ 05:17:51 PM 22-03-2012 – by Shazwan Mustafa Kamal – March 22, 2012
PETALING JAYA, March 22 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today the government is prepared to declare buildings in Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur as heritage sites, assuring owners that their shophouses will not be affected by the planned Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).
He said as prime minister he was aware of the need to have a balance between urban development and heritage, and that Malaysians needed both.
“For us to have development in Kuala Lumpur, efficient public transport necessary; it’s not a choice… the only way forward is MRT.
“We are prepared to declare as heritage buildings… (It is) important for us to preserve history, legacy but (it) should not impede progress… then you are not moving with the times,” Najib told Chinese-language radio station 988FM in an interview this morning.
“Jalan Sultan (landowners) not against MRT but they want assurance that their shophouses not affected. (We have) given assurance,” he added.
The dispute over the tunnelling along Jalan Sultan erupted after landowners were informed by the government that their properties would be acquired for the MRT project.
MRT Corp subsequently made an offer for Jalan Sultan property owners to vacate their premises for six months, and guaranteeing there would be no land acquisition, that any damage will be repaired and loss of income compensated.
Nineteen of the 23 owners along Jalan Sultan have so far said that they will pursue the offer, with another two willing to have their lots bought out by MRT Corp. A further two are still holding out.
Less about heritage and more about property rights please. Is this to say that unless a property is heritage, that there are no property rights at all? Section 8 of the Land Act must be abolished. Eminent Domain Laws must be abolished. Allodial Property titles must be allowed to citizens. Any MP or Assembly person who does not concur with this intention of the Rakyat must immediately be considered unvotable.
https://malaysiandemocracy.wordpress.com/2012/02/25/5-articles-on-malaysian-politics-chinatown-under-pakatans-political-strongarming-cynical-retirement-of-a-would-be-champion-of-gaming-gambling-other-than-4d-debunking-nep-by-potential-tacit-appro/
Stop gap measure, and quick popularity boost by PM Najib that benefits a iconic area’s citizen protections. This should remind Pakatan NOT to abuse the Rakyat’s property rights for mere profit. Chinatown might be saved now, but the problem of Secton 8 of the Land Act’s presence is a potential loophole for abuse by the Federal and also State Government. All MPs must be made to sign under penalty of resignation of their MP seat to initiate actions that will AMEND the Land Act to remove abusive Section 8. Meanwhile the LEGAL JUNTA – Bar Council and Judiciary, has remained silent AGAIN on the issue of serious issues like these much less address :
‘It can lead to mistaken identities’ – by Andrew Sagayam – Monday, March 26, 2012 – 14:50
KUALA LUMPUR: If all enforcement agencies donned the dark blue uniform used by the police, it would lead to much misunderstanding and mistaken identities.
The one-uniform system may have a negative public impact if an enforcement officer’s service falls short due to dealing with problems not within his expertise, said Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah.
With only removable badges to differentiate the agencies, the system will pose a high risk of misrepresentation.
“Imagine a snatch theft or robbery happening and witnesses call out to a nearby officer in blue. Unless he is a trained policeman, the officer would not be able to help much,” he said.
Muhammad Sha’ani said that the scenario was likely as a standard uniform would not allow the public to distinguish the various agencies.
The new uniform system might also kill the pride of policemen, he said.
Malaysian Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee said that the identification of enforcement officers was crucial for public satisfaction in knowing which agency they would be dealing with.
“A common uniform for all enforcement agencies may not achieve this.
“There must be wide and prolonged awareness campaigns to educate the public, and standard operating procedures for officers to produce their authority card bearing their name, rank and number.”
“The cost may not justify the change in policy. And without such campaigns, there will surely be confusion and abuse,” he said.
For Tenaganita executive director Irene Fernandez, the new system would only result in more extortion of foreign workers by bogus officers.
“Every day, at least one such worker is extorted. If Malaysians are going to find it difficult to identify the officers, imagine how would it be for foreigners,” she said.
She said that the public is already confused with current enforcement methods and calls the idea “crazy”.
Asked if a vest or a sticker on the uniform would help, Fernandez said it would not.
“They can be easily removed. All donning the same colour will not help enhance the identity of the agencies,” she said.
While apartheid continues unabated, the Bar Council president talks about uniform colours. No better than Nero playing violin while Rome burns. WHAT IS THE BAR COUNCIL FOR?!? To tacitly approve the wrongdoing throughout the entire system? When are those laws going to be updated? when will the apartheid constitution be amended? The people have a mood for change but only from DAP’s unkept election promises, abuses of power and whitewashes, as well as Bar Council’s neglect of the REAL ISSUE below :
Will the overseas Universities who deemed Malaysia’s Bar Council and Judiciary based LEGAL JUNTA ‘legal professional graduates’, withdraw all the degrees of these mindlessly pro-establishment seat warmers that refuse to amend laws, to give the people of Malaysia a proper stand against the oppressive apartheid government and these colluding NGOs registered with the biased ROS? These groups are not doing their jobs at all.
Malaysia, Politics, religion, USA
In Abuse of Power, Apartheid, Christian fifth columnists, Church, corruption, dhimmitude, dishonest clergy, Equality, Ethics, freedom of choice, Freedom of Expression, Fundamentalism, if not contrived, Informed Consent, intent, Malaysia, media, media collusion, Media Neutrality, media sabotage, mental abuse, misrepresentation of facts, non-Muslim rights, non-Xian rights, politics, preventing vested interest, privacy, proselytization, psychiatry, public spaces, racism, separation of powers, social freedoms, soul, spirit of the law, spiritual fifth columnists, spirituality, technofascism, Technology, vested interest on March 26, 2012 at 1:26 am
Park Romney: Why he turned against the Mormon church – by John Sweeney BBC News
The Mormon Candidate is part of the latest series of This World, broadcast on Tuesday 27 March at 19:00 BST on BBC Two Special report: US 2012
Mitt Romney, the front runner in the race for the Republican Presidential nomination for the White House, is a devout Mormon, but his cousin, Park Romney, also in the past a committed member of the church, now denounces it as a cult.
“I became convinced that it’s a fraud,” Park Romney told the BBC, explaining his reason for leaving the Mormon fold.
The two visions of Mormonism the Romney cousins present could not be more starkly opposed. Park Romney, 56, is a former Mormon high priest, who turned against the church. On the stump Mitt Romney, 65, has avoided mentioning Mormonism, instead talking generally about his faith, but he has been an active lifelong member of the church. [[[ *** Park Romney, those fundies are aiming for you. At Park Road recently, but it made it to Talca . . . if not contrived to sabotage via article, some help here with the lawsuits please? Some people here need a long stint of re-education and that includes entire medical institutions and even portions of the psyche establishment . . . *** ]]]
“If that is what they believe, it’s probably a good thing they leave, because we’re not a cult”
Jeffrey Holland Mormon Church Elder
He was a Mormon missionary to France in the 1960s, studied at the almost-exclusively Mormon Brigham Young university and rose to become first bishop, then “Stake President” (diocesan leader) in his home state of Massachusetts.
He led Sunday services, ran Bible classes for children and looked after a 4,000-strong congregation in Boston for five years in the 1980s.
Like all Mormons, he is expected to give 10% of his annual income – no-one knows how much he is worth, but it is estimated at anywhere from $150 million to $1 billion – to the Church and not drink tea, coffee or alcohol.
Committed Mormons wear special under-garments, and Romney is believed to follow this tenet of his faith too.
Park Romney’s criticisms of the church are fundamental.
Along with other ex-Mormons, he questions founder Joseph Smith’s prophecies – for example Smith’s translation of an Egyptian scroll, part of the Mormon book of Abraham, which Egyptologists say is a fraud.
The Mormon faith
The church was founded in the 1820s in New York State before moving to Utah in 1860
Mormons believe their founder Joseph Smith found golden scripture plates buried by an angel
The church is estimated to have 14 million followers and to be worth $30bn (£18.9bn)
A recent poll said one in four Americans would be less likely to vote for a Mormon candidate
“There’s compelling evidence that the Mormon Church leaders knowingly and wilfully misrepresent the historical truth of their origins and of the Church for the purpose of deceiving their members into a state of mind that renders them exploitable,” says Park.
Such accusations are rarely heard in the US, a nation founded on the principle of freedom of religion.
“It’s not something you’re supposed to talk about,” says Prof Robert Putnam of Harvard Kennedy School.
“Whenever the issue of Romney’s Mormonism has come to the surface, there’s been lots of condemnation across the political spectrum for raising the issue of his religion,” says Putnam.
“I’m not saying it’s not relevant, but it’s not talked about in polite company.”
Mitt Romney’s biographer, Scott Helman, agrees.
“There are plenty of ways in which people try to cause alarm among some voters over it, but it’s not something you’re allowed to say explicitly,” he says.
“But a certain function of reminding voters who might have some predisposed notion about Mormonism that maybe it is strange, maybe it’s weird.”
Ex-Mormons tend to be the church’s most outspoken critics.
One thing that particularly agitates them is “shunning” – allegations that former church members are denied access to family members who remain in the church.
Park claims this has happened to him.
“I am alienated from my family,” he told the BBC.
“Their doctrine, their protocol and their culture as enforced by bishops encourages the families to disassociate themselves from the apostate.”
Mormon worshippers at annual conference – file pic 2009 The Church has its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah
Mormon Church elder Jeffrey Holland denies shunning occurs.
“We don’t use that word and we don’t know that practice.
“If I had a son or a daughter who left the Church or was alienated or had a problem, I can tell you I would not cut that child out of family life,” he states.
The Mormon Church maintains that it does a great deal of good. Its leaders say they have given more than $1bn in aid around the world since 1985.
The allegation that the Church is a cult, made by Park Romney and other ex-Mormons, is denied by Elder Holland.
“If that is what they believe, it’s probably a good thing they leave, because we’re not a cult.
“I have chosen this church because of the faith that I feel and the inspiration that comes, but if people want to call us a cult, you can call us a cult,” Elder Holland says from behind his desk.
“But we are 14 million and growing.”
Why Mormons Don’t Drink Coffee or Tea – by Lura Lee
Have you noticed that most followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) commonly called Mormons, don’t drink coffee or tea? You’ll see them enjoying herbal teas (tisanes), hot cider, and many true believers even drink caffeinated soda. The casual observer may jump to the conclusion that this is 1) a law, 2) must have something to do with caffeine. Neither is accurate. This article goes into detail to explain the historical significance, context, and modern interpretation of the prohibition/exhortation against coffee and tea for Mormons.
The Word of Wisdom
Followers of the LDS church believe in a book of scripture called The Book of Mormon, and the concept of continuous revelation. They believe that the Holy Spirit continues to communicate with humans. Thus, the prophet Joseph Smith received a spontaneous manifestation of God’s insight for living correctly on February 27, 1833. This insight was written down and incorporated into the Doctrines and Covenants of the Church; specifically, these insights are referred to as the Word of Wisdom. It may be an apocryphal story, but it is said that Joseph Smith was moved to ask for God’s insight on the matter of tobacco, and the revelation that resulted included guidance related to the use of tobacco, “warm drinks”,”strong drinks”, wine, meat, herbs and grains.
A Word of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion-
To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the word of wisdom, showing forth the order and will of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days
Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.
Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation-
That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man-
Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
The common hot drinks of the time were coffee and tea. But this was a dietary shift for Joseph Smith’s contemporaries, the generation of Mormon Pioneers.
No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith by Fawn M. Brodie – Mormon Pioneers
Mormon pioneers had a relatively high literacy rate compared to other people around the world in the 1830s – 1850s. To a large extent, this can be attributed to the fact that they had
Protestant roots and they needed to read Scripture in order to properly practice their religious beliefs. Keep in mind that the United States at this time had no federal program of education for its citizenry. Most states and municipalities didn’t either. Compulsory, standardized, universal education was a reform of the early 1900s. Still, many of the middle-class pioneers were literate, kept diaries and read guide books prior to embarking on the overland journey west to Utah, which came to be known as the Mormon Trail.
The most popular books of the time were: William Clayton’s The Latter Day Saint’s Emigrant’s Guide (1848), and Joseph Ware’s The Emigrant’s Guide to California (1849). All of the guides of the time included recommendations for provisioning the wagons. For example, Andrew Child’s Overland Route guidebook included foodstuff recommendation for three men to include 50 pounds of coffee and 2 pounds of tea, even the LDS leadership recommended packing coffee, tea, and alcohol for the 1846 overland journey. But while they were packing the wagons, they may have contemplated the advantages of quitting any coffee or tea habit they had acquired while living in Illinois. They were fleeing religious persecution, after all, so they intended to minimize contact with non-believers, and coffee and tea won’t grow in Utah. So, to some extent, the rejection of tea and coffee amongst the Mormon Pioneers was a mechanism for building Mormon identity at the most basic, formative, constitutive level.
Next to Godliness?
The current debate over coffee, tea, caffeine, and other “hot drinks” boils down to a difference in interpretation about whether this particular portion of the Doctrines and Covenants is an outright prohibition or merely counsel. During the Temperance movement years, the Mormons referred to the Word of Wisdom to eschew alcohol consumption, and became associated with strict Prohibition reform. Around 1921, the Mormon Church switched from the use of wine in religious ceremony to water. Today, it seems that full participation in the Church (participation in the Mormon Temple) is granted to those who are strict adherents to the Words of Wisdom. But there is still room for debate on the specifics of what it means to “strictly” adhere to the tenets of the Words of Wisdom. Even today, there is a lot of discussion about whether it is just coffee and tea, whether cola is ok, whether decaf coffee and tea are ok, etc.
Essentially, the Church leaders recommend the rejection of any drink that might be habit forming. “With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never officially taken a position on this matter, but the leaders of the Church have advised, and we do now specifically advise, against the use of any drink containing harmful habit-forming drugs under circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided.”(Clifford J. Stratton, “Caffeine–The Subtle Addiction,” Tambuli, Mar. 1990, 25)
Now, coffee is seen as part of that slippery slope that leads away from God. Coffee, booze, marijuana, cocaine… all a defilement of the temple that God gave us.
If Not Coffee — What?
So, in lieu of coffee, what hot beverages do Mormons enjoy? Well, they used to drink Postum. They were crazy for Postum. Postum was a roasted grain and molasses drink produced by Kraft foods. It was discontinued from production in 2007. Mormons also favor the following drinks served both warm and cold: herbal tinctures, milk, and non-alcoholic apple drinks. They also enjoy Italian sodas, fruit drinks, and milkshakes.
Will the Next President Drink Coffee?
Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney isn’t interested in highlighting the differences between the LDS Church and other Christians. So he holds meet-n-greets in coffee shops where no one bothers to ask what’s in the coffee mug.
Does Mitt Romney drink coffee?
2011 Update: The site MittRomneyCentral.com posted a photo of Mitt Romney at a Tampa coffee shop in front of a coffee mug. Did he drink coffee? The author of this article contacted Buddy Brew Coffee and spoke to a barista working duirng his visit. It was confirmed that Mitt Romney did not drink coffee during his visit.
Separate but Together
To a large extent the Mormon decision to not drink coffee or tea is born out of a desire to separate from the common, everyday world. Mormons separate from worldly temptations in order to be closer to God. They also separate from other Christians, Muslims, and Jews in order to bind to one another and establish identity as a group. One tangible way in which they are separate but together is through the tradition of abstaining from coffee and tea.
The occult significance if remembered accurately, (restating is NOT complete and blind belief – this is to remind any psycho-psyche DULLARD uncool people who are ready to ‘report’ ‘insane’ people . . . ) is the access to Satan’s face (lowest chakra point located) based on earlier postulations I made on this. With the aid of psychiatry and neuro suppressive drugs, various implants, control can be established by non-caffeine users against caffeine users? Perhaps tea in fact is another form of suppressant as well, NOT to be used among the working classes, and would appear to have effect on thetans? Is that why the Americans used to cut off the ears of Vietnamese? Do not use tea or coffee in the presence of the psychiatric establishment (who might be popping with psycho-active meds to increase their edge over everyone else etc..)?
Example of helpful medical implants used as instruments of control by the psychiatric and fundo religious establishment.
http://vnsandme.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/vns-and-me/
1966 or should we say…19666? by – Texe Marrs
The year 1966 was a banner year for the Prince of Darkness. Approaching the dog days of summer in that momentous year, Anton LaVey, a decadent, ex-circus entertainer, also a Jew, formally founded the Church of Satan in San Francisco. The date: June 6, 1966, or 6-6-66.
Across the nation, in New England at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, a young man spent the year 1966 in his somber new residence, the Tomb. The Tomb is a gothic, mausoleum-like stone building just off campus, adjacent to an ancient cemetery complete with Masonic tombstones, odd-shaped crypts, and what is called the “garden of the dead.”
A New Name for a Jewish Bonesman
The young man’s name was John F. Kerry (really John F. Kohn, Jewish). The Tomb, in fact, is the home of Chapter 322 of the Order of Skull & Bones, a satanic, clandestine lodge of Freemasonry first organized in 1832. Each year, fifteen (15; 1+5=6) carefully chosen young men of preferred bloodlines take up residence inside its thick walls. At their initiation into The Order, each man lies naked inside a coffin and “bonds” with his fellow bonesmen by confessing his sexual thoughts and deeds from birth. Then, each initiate is given, as a memento, a human bone with his new name “inscribed” on it.
Most of the names given the bonesmen are either pagan or else blatantly satanic. The late Averell Harriman, who went on to become Governor of New York State and U.S. Ambassador to Stalin’s USSR, was named “Thor,” after the Viking deity. Henry Luce, prime controller of Time, Life, and other publishing interests, became “Baal,” and McGeorge Bundy, foreign advisor to President Lyndon B. Johnson, was tagged “Odin.”
The senior George Bush, at his initiation into Bones, was bequeathed the revealing title, “Magog,” a name identified in the Holy Bible as a chieftain of devils who plays a key role in prophetic events. Strangely, the name given his son, George W. Bush, by the Bonesmen was “Temporary.” I wonder why?
John Kerry speaks to the vicious, anti-Christian group, the Jewish ADL, May 6, 2004. Kerry has said that, if elected President, he will send 40,000 additional troops to Iraq.
It is a certainty that Kerry will fully execute the Illuminati’s agenda to conquer all Arab oil nations and turn over the rich assets of these countries to neighboring Israel. (Order revealing audiotape report, Hidden Agenda: Ten Awful Goals of the Illuminati’s World Zionist Council; $9 postpaid; phone toll free 1-800-234-9673.)
Long Devil Takes The Lead
My sources tell me that John Kerry’s occult, Bones’ name is none other than “Long Devil.” “Long Devil!” Of course, the man’s sizeable height might account for the “Long,” but what of “Devil?” Why did the influential alumni of Skull & Bones decide on this grotesque identity for John Kerry? What did—and do—they know?
Kerry (Yale, Class of ’66) went on to serve in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, a nation then ravaged with bloodshed and war. Though in-country only four months, young Ensign (later Lt.) John
Kerry played a part in that bloodletting. Some say his refusal to release all his military personnel records indicates Kerry’s desire to cover-up ugly war crimes he personally helped commit.
On April 22, 1971, testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a hippie-like, long-haired John Kerry, by then a civilian, told the Senators he had evidence of horrific atrocities and war crimes by Americans—soldiers, sailors, and marines—who had “personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped wires to human genitalia and turned up the electric power, razed villages reminiscent of Genghis Khan, shot cattle and dogs for fun, and poisoned food stocks…”
Was Kerry himself a perpetrator of some of these satanic crimes?
I use the term “satanic” advisedly, yet, that description is fitting, for truly, Satan was the mastermind behind the tortures, torments, and murders committed in Vietnam, both by Americans and by the Vietnamese.
Christianity to Vanish and Shrink
Yes, ’66 was a classic year for the old Devil. That was also the year that Beatle John Lennon assured the world that Christianity was on the way out:
“Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink… I’m right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now.”
Lennon, McCartney, and the other Beatles promptly went over to India to worship Hindu gurus, and they introduced their gurus and other vestiges of Eastern mysticism to western culture.
All done in a haze of marijuana, LSD, and cocaine.
The Illuminati-supervised CIA helped things along. The U.S. intelligence agency put Satanist Jerry Garcia and his Grateful Dead band (Al Gore’s favorite rock group, says Rolling Stone magazine) on its payroll. The CIA, according to Gerald Heard and SRI International, distributed tons of LSD to a spaced-out youth generation. This was a mind control experiment of the Illuminati elite.
The 60s saw Hollywood’s satanic sex classic, Rosemary’s Baby, hit theaters, a movie for which Church of Satan High Priest Anton LaVey acted as a consultant. Actor John Cassavettes, who played Rosemary’s Satan-worshipping husband in the movie, also played in a role in the movie, The Dirty Dozen.
By the end of the indulgent decade of the 60s, America had borne witness to blood murder, sexual kinkiness, and other Satanic mayhem on a truly epic scale, culminating in 1969’s Manson Family murders. Satanist Charles Manson was inspired by Anton LaVey.
Others, too, were inspired by LaVey. Famous black actor/singer Sammy Davis, Jr., became both a religious Jew and a practicing Satanist, joining LaVey’s macabre congregation of devil cultists. Blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield also joined the cult, as did scores of other Hollywood and Las Vegas types.
As far as Satan was concerned, ’66 was a very good year. Anton LaVey, a Christ-hating Jew, shown here performing a ritual with disciple, actress Jayne Mansfield, founded the Church of Satan in ’66. Meanwhile, John Kerry (Yale, Class of ’66) was enjoying the benefits of residence at The Tomb, headquarters of the Order of Skull & Bones.
But, let us again return to the subject of our essay: Long Devil, John Kerry.
Joining Hands with Mr. Chappaquiddick, Ted Kennedy
John Kerry has been, as we all know, richly rewarded for his faithfulness to Lucifer’s cause. Pretending to be an Irish Catholic, Kerry first became Massachusetts Lt. Governor, serving under a fellow occultist, super-liberal Governor Michael Dukakis. Then he joined “Mr. Chappaquiddick,” Ted (Catholic and Rosicrucian) Kennedy as a U.S. Senator, being elected from the state popularly known as The Peoples Republic of Massachusetts.
John Kerry seems to like things “Red.” Here he is sitting atop his bright, fire-red motorcycle (Insight magazine, April 13, 2004). He reportedly once took a $10,000 bribe from Johnny Chung, a lobbyist for Red China, and a Communist museum in Vietnam today proudly displays a picture of Senator John Kerry embracing Red Communist leaders. Kerry’s wife, Teresa, is a funder of numerous Red Communist causes. She originally hails from Mozambique, in Africa, a Marxist-led country. Insiders believe that during the Vietnam War, USN-Lt John Kerry aided in Operation Phoenix, whose symbol, or logo, was the red dragon!
All along, Kerry has kept his ties to various Communist front groups. At virtually every campaign stop today, you’ll see Kerry flash the old Communist clenched-fist salute, an enduring symbol of one’s devotion to Marxism/Leninism philosophy.
“Communism is Jewish,” the late Rabbi Stephen Wise proudly proclaimed. Indeed, Gus Hall, the man honored as the Chairman of the Soviet-funded Communist Party U.S.A. for so long, was a Jew. Like Kerry, he had changed his name to hide his Jewish race.
Comrade John Kerry frequently gives the Communist clenched-fist salute. The late Bella Abzug, Communist Congresswoman from New York and feminist gal-pal of Hillary Clinton, also loved displaying the Leninist/Stalinist salute.
The Lubavitchers and Kerry
Kerry’s brother, Cameron, is likewise a Jew, and proud of it. Recently, he marched side-by-side with a leader of the Lubavitcher sect in New York City. The occasion was the “Israel Day
Parade.” The Lubavitchers are a radical Jewish Orthodox sect. Many of them believe their late fuhrer, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, will rise from the dead to become the Jewish Messiah, Dictator of the World. They affectionately call Schneerson their “Rebbe.”
Cameron Kerry (right) sporting a “Pro-Israel, Pro-Kerry” t-shirt, attends an Israel Day Parade with friend, Yankel Wice, influential Lubavitcher leader and lawyer for the National
Association of Jewish Legislators.
If, however, the departed Schneerson does not show in time, John Kerry, the Jews’ new hero, may be just what their Master, the devil, orders. After all, Kerry is not only Jewish, his very name, albeit covert in nature, is “Long Devil.” How very appropriate a name for the antichrist. The Lubavitchers would likely not know him as antichrist. To them, he would probably be received as their beloved “Rebbe.”
Christians to Have Heads Chopped Off
The antichrist, the Bible prophesies in Revelation 13, “will make war against the saints” of God. He will have Christians and other resisters to his New World Order beheaded, say the scriptures.
Not surprisingly, the Lubavitchers—and many other Jewish groups—are big advocates of the Noahide Laws. They once actually got President George H.W. Bush (the senior Bush) and the U.S.
Senate to pass a resolution praising both their beloved Rebbe, Menachem M. Schneerson, and the Noahide Laws. And what, do tell, do the Noahide Laws say?
Well for one thing, the Noahide Laws require all Gentiles (Yes, Gentiles) to be “righteous.” Being righteous is defined as not worshipping idols. And Jesus is declared in the Talmud to be an idol!
In summary, under the Noahide Laws, all Christians who worship Jesus Christ are idolaters and will be duly punished by beheading!
Shouldn’t John Kerry’s Jewish brother, Cameron Kerry, a lawyer and pro-Israel activist and fanatic, be asked about his association with the Lubavitchers and other Jewish Talmudists?
Especially in light of Cameron Kerry’s recent trips to Israel, where he was wined and dined by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the bloodthirsty Butcher of Lebanon?
WESTERN CULTURE AND SOCIETY : THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) – American Religion
RELIGION IN AMERICA:
The United States is a country of many religions. The first words of the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution say: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Therefore, state does not establish, or endorse, or favor a particular form of religion and citizens are free to practice the religion they choose.
This tradition of religious freedom runs deep in America. Many of this nation’s early settlers were religious communities fleeing persecution in Europe; they were seeking a place where they could practice their own religion far from the state-sanctioned religions of their native countries.
America supports over 2000 different religious denominations, and in which more than 60 percent of the citizens can be found at least once a month in one of the almost 500,000 churches, temples and mosques.
Islam is considered one of the fastest-growing religions in the United States today. There are over 1,200 mosques in the United States – more than 60 percent founded in the last 20 years. The typical American mosque is ethnically diverse; nearly 90 percent have some Asian, African-American, and Arab members.
Early in their history, Americans rejected the concept of the established or government-favored religion that had dominated, and divided, so many European countries.
One of the first permanent settlements in what became the North American colonies was founded by English Puritans, Calvinists who had been outsiders in their homeland, where the Church of England was established. The Puritans settled in Massachusetts, where they grew and prospered.
The state of Rhode Island, is well known as a place where everyone enjoyed religious freedom throughout history. Two other states originated as havens for people being persecuted for their religious beliefs: Maryland as a refuge for Catholics and Pennsylvania for the Society of Friends (Quakers), a Protestant group whose members believe in plain living.
Even after the adoption of the Constitution in 1787 and the Bill of Rights (which includes the First Amendment) in 1791, Protestantism continued to enjoy a favored status in some states.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) were jailed in the 19th century for practicing polygamy (subsequently the Mormon Church withdrew its sanction of polygamy). More recently, parents have been convicted of criminal negligence for refusing to obtain medical help for their ailing children, who went on to die, even though the parents’ religious beliefs dictated that they refuse treatment because faith would provide a cure.
PROTESTANTS:
Liberal American Protestantism in the 19th century was allied with similar trends in Europe, where scholars were reading and interpreting the Bible in a new way. They questioned the validity of biblical miracles and traditional beliefs about the authorship of biblical books. There was also the challenge of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution to contend with. If human beings were descended from other animals, as most scientists came to believe, then the story of Adam and Eve, the biblical first parents, could not be literally true.
What distinguished 19th-century liberal Protestants from their 20th-century counterparts was optimism about the human capacity for improvement. Some of the early ministers believed that the church could accelerate progress by trying to reform society. In the spirit of the gospels, they began to work on behalf of the urban poor. Today’s liberal clergymen — not just Protestants but Catholics and others, too — may be less convinced that progress is inevitable, but many of them have continued their efforts on behalf of the poor by managing shelters for homeless people, feeding the hungry, running day-care centers for children, and speaking out on social issues.
Evangelical Christians favor an impassioned, participatory approach to religion, and their services are often highly charged, with group singing and dramatic sermons that evoke spirited responses from the congregation. The South, in particular, became a bastion of this “old-time religion,” and the conservative Baptist church is very influential in that region. In recent decades some preachers have taken their ministry to television, preaching as “televangelists” to large audiences.
The trend toward removing religious teaching and practices from public schools has prompted some parents to send their children to religious schools and others to educate their children at home.
CATHOLICS AND RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS:
By the time of the Civil War, over one million Irish Catholics had come to the United States. In a majority Protestant country, they and Catholics of other backgrounds were subjected to prejudice.
Although Catholics were never denied access to public schools or hospitals, beginning in the 19th century they built institutions of their own, which met accepted standards while observing the tenets of Catholic belief and morality. On the other hand, the Catholic Church does not require its members to go to church-run institutions. Many Catholic students attend public schools and secular colleges. But Catholic schools still educate many Catholic young people, as well as a growing number of non-Catholics, whose parents are attracted by the discipline and quality of instruction.
JEWISH FAITHS:
Like Catholics, Jews were a small minority in the first years of the American republic. Until the late 19th century, most Jews in America were of German origin. Anti-Jewish prejudice was not a big problem before the Civil War. But when Jews began coming to America in great numbers, anti-Jewish groups appeared.
Usually, Jewish children attended public schools and took religious instruction in special Hebrew schools. The children of Jewish immigrants moved rapidly into the professions and into American universities, where many became intellectual leaders.
To combat prejudice and discrimination, Jews formed the B’nai Brith Anti-Defamation League, which has played a major role in educating Americans about the injustice of prejudice and making them aware of the rights, not only of Jews, but of all minorities.
By the 1950s Americans were described as coming in three basic varieties — Protestant, Catholic, and Jew. The order reflects the numerical strength of each group: In the 1990 census, Protestants of all denominations numbered 140 million; Catholics, 62 million; and Jews, 5 million.
Today the three-faith formula is obsolete. The Islamic faith also has 5 million, Buddhism and Hinduism are growing with the arrival of immigrants from countries where these are the majority religions. In some cases, inner-city Christian churches whose congregations have moved to the suburbs have sold their buildings to Buddhists, who have refitted them to suit their practices.
ALTERNATIVE RELIGIONS:
America has been a fertile ground for new religions. The Mormon and Christian Science Churches are perhaps the best-known of the faiths that have sprung up on American soil. Because of its tradition of noninterference in religious matters, the United States has also provided a comfortable home for many small sects from overseas. The Amish, for example, descendants of German immigrants who reside mostly in Pennsylvania and neighboring states, have lived simple lives, wearing plain clothes and shunning modern technology, for generations.
Some small groups are considered to be religious cults because they profess extremist beliefs and tend to glorify a founding figure. As long as cults and their members abide by the law, they are generally left alone. Religious prejudice is rare in America, and interfaith meetings and cooperation are commonplace.
Most Americans think religion is a personal matter not usually discussed in everyday conversation. The vast majority practice their faith quietly in whatever manner they choose — as members of one of the traditional religious denominations, as participants in nondenominational congregations, or as individuals who join no organized group. However Americans choose to exercise their faith, they are a spiritual people. Nine out of ten Americans express some religious preference.
WHAT IS A CULT?
The term “cult” is used to describe certain religious groups outside of the mainstream of Western religion. Social scientists divide religious groups into three categories: churches, sects, and cults.
“Churches” are the large denominations with an inclusive approach to life and include such groups as the Roman Catholic Church, the United Methodist Church, the American Baptist Church, the United Church of Christ and the Protestant Episcopal Church.
“Sects” are groups that have broken away from the main church. Sects follow the same pattern as mainstream religion but are more strict in behavioral demands placed upon members and emphasize their separation and distinctiveness from the larger culture.
“Cults” follow a very different religious structure. When social scientists began their discussion of cults in the 1920s, they were aware of only a few cult groups. A survey of religion in America (1949) listed twenty-seven cults.
The Christian approach to cults would include every group which has departed from orthodox Christianity (such as the Church of Christ, Scientist, the Latter Day Saints, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses) as well as those groups which have never made any claim to be Christian.
More recently there have been many debates on cults since the 1970s. The debates involved speaking to parents of people who were concerned with changes in their sons and daughters who had joined particular religious groups. These “cults”–The Children of God, the Church of Armageddon, the Unification Church, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and the Church of Scientology–had, they claimed, radically altered the personality of their children.
Anti-cult groups began to speak of “destructive cults,” groups which hypnotized or brainwashed recruits, destroyed their ability to make rational judgments and turned them into slaves of the group’s leader. Marcia Rudin, a popular anti-cult writer, listed fourteen commonly accepted characteristics of a cult:
Members swear total allegiance to an all-powerful leader who they believe to be the Messiah.
Rational thought is discouraged or forbidden.
The cult’s recruitment techniques are often deceptive.
The cult weakens the follower psychologically by making him or her depend upon the group to solve his or her problems.
The cults manipulate guilt to their advantage.
The cult leader makes all the career and life decision of the members.
Cults exist only for their own material survival and make false promises to work to improve society.
Cult members often work fulltime for the group for little or no pay.
Cult members are isolated from the outside world and any reality testing it could provide.
Cults are antiwoman, antichild, and antifamily.
Cults are apocalyptic and believe themselves to be the remnant who will survive the soon-approaching end of the world.
Many cults follow an “ends justify the means” philosophy.
Cults, particularly in regard to their finances, are shrouded in secrecy.
There is frequently an aura of or potential for violence around cults.
Anti-cult literature reflects a great concern with approximately 15 groups, though as many as 75 to 100 have received passing mention. Only five groups–the Unification Church, the Children of God, the Church of Scientology, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and The Way International–have received consistent coverage over the years of the anti-cult movement’s existence. Everyone who has looked at the cults agrees that the number of alternative religious groups has grown significantly during the twentieth century.
Only a few of the older cults–the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints–have attained a broad membership throughout the nation. Of those groups formed in the twentieth century, only a few, such as the American Muslim Mission (found in 1930), can count their membership in the tens of thousands. The more famous of the contemporary cults, such as the Unification Church (with 5,000 to 7,000 members) or the Hare Krishna (with approximately 2,500 initiated members), can count their membership in the thousands.
The large immigration of Asians in the last half of the nineteenth century brought the first Buddhist and Hindu teachers to the United States and threatened many West Coast residents. California could have become like Hawaii, which is one third Buddhist
The nonconventional religions also vary widely in their recruitment processes. Some, particularly those with Evangelical Christian roots (and a few which are Eastern, but reacting to Christian missionary activity) have an aggressive program of membership enlistment. Most others rely upon the distribution of literature or the sponsoring of introductory classes to which a potential convert must make the initial effort and attend.
Life in a Cult – Once a person joins a nonconventional religious group, he or she must begin to adapt to group life. New recruits will go through a program of education in group beliefs and practices.
Evangelical Christianity has been the mainstream of religion in America. In its attempts to be true to traditional Protestant Christian affirmations, it has been among the most conservative of religious forces and has commanded the largest segment of the religious public.
THE ANTI-CULT MOVEMENT:
The Problem of Religion: During the 1970s several trends in American religion came together. Since the American Revolution, this country has been shaken by periods of social protest followed by national religious revivals in which the entire population, regardless of religious affiliation, gave a heightened attention to religious concerns. During such periods, new and alternative religions have been born or given surges of growth while the more traditional churches reaped the bulk of the harvest. Such a national revival occurred in the early 1970s on the heels of the social protests of the 1960s.
The first anticult association was called the Parents’ Committee to Free Our Children from the Children of God (later shortened to “Free the Children of God,” and popularly called “FREECOG”).
From its beginning, the anticult movement focused upon a single problem, the distress of parents whose young adult sons and daughters (to whom the literature typically refers as “children” regardless of age) had abandoned home, career, college, and a “normal” future for membership in a demanding nonconventional religion (i.e., a cult).
The anti-cult movement can point to one clear success. In its first decade of activity it has impressed upon the popular consciousness a negative image of cults. The media gave the anti-cult movement widespread coverage in both magazines and newspapers, which have featured accounts of life in and out of the cults by former members.
CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST:
Because of its espousal of spiritual healing and its affirmation that Christian Science is incompatible with reliance upon materia medica, the Church of Christ, Scientist has been one of the most important of the nonconventional religions in America as well as a matter of intense controversy from the day of its founding.
The Church of Christ, Scientist was founded by Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1919) who as a young woman had been continually hobbled with poor health. In 1862 she learned of Dr. Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, a mental healer in Portland, Maine. In October of that year she traveled to Portland and placed herself under his care. She soon experienced some relief of her symptoms which she ascribed to his efforts. She became his student and took the opportunity, when offered, to pass them on to others.
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS (MORMON):
The most successful of the many groups which have been labeled “cult”, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has over two million members and dominates the religious life of the Rocky Mountain area from Boise, Idaho, to Phoenix, Arizona. Started in the early nineteenth century, it has grown steadily worldwide.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, popularly called the Mormons, was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. (born December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont). As a youth, Smith had moved from Vermont to western New York, near the town of Palmyra.
In 1839 the Mormons established the community at Nauvoo, Illinois which soon grew into the largest city in the state. A new temple was begun, and the Church entered a growth phase. During this period the first of the European mission efforts (later a major source of members) was launched.
They introduced the practice of polygamy and began by setting an example for the other Church leaders. The exact number of Smith’s plural wives is still a matter of conjecture (estimates range from 27 to 84), but there is little doubt that polygamy caused immense problems for the Church.
In 1852 they announced the practice of plural marriage as public doctrine and began a battle with the United States government that was to last for the rest of the century. In 1862 the first federal anti-polygamy bill was passed, and efforts were increased to prevent its practice. These efforts were strengthened in 1882 with the passage of the Edmunds Bill, which disenfranchised all people living in polygamy, and the 5-member Utah Commission established to enforce the provisions.
During the twentieth century polygamy was eradicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but it continued in Mormon territory, especially in Mexico where it was not illegal. A large Fundamentalist (polygamy-practicing community) still exists in the Western United States and Northern Mexico.
Members of the church are expected to refrain from the use of tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol.
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES:
Jehovah’s Witnesses are interested in you and your welfare. They want to be your friends and to tell you more about themselves, their beliefs, their organization, and how they feel about people and the world in which all of us live.
The name Jehovah appears almost 7,000 times in the original Hebrew Scriptures. Most Bibles do not show it as such but substitute “God” or “Lord” for it.
In just a century and a half the Seventh-day Adventist Church has grown from a handful of individuals, who carefully studied the Bible in their search for truth, to a world-wide community of over eight million members and millions of others who regard the Adventist Church their spiritual home. The name “Seventh-day Adventist” was chosen in 1860.
Put 1 and 1 together, and beware of Xian fundo-leaning factions in DAP who’s agenda is not betterment of the Rakyat but self serving parasitisation of the people with a fundo slant, and even PAS’s fundo factions (God knows what these 2 top cliques leaders get up to talking about the Rakyat as if we had no choice in how we should live – DAP and PAS need to amend laws not plot and carve up Malaysia) – that may never want to end apartheid (again kudos to Hadi for sticking to distribution of power principles by not running for MB and sticking to the MP’s posts onlyb (though term limitles issue does arise), very rare this day separation of powers unlike others who hold multiple posts and undemocratically and unethically hold multiple posts (i.e. PM and Finance Minister, Council Chair and CM, MP’s seat and Assemblyman’s seat, etc.. – this is compoiunded by family members in the same position . . . ) . . . but the stand on other things is somewhat unclear to a degree and the public has no access to ask . . . ). Groups like Dong Jiao Zhong should field their own candidates, and those in DAP not of the nepotistic clique, or fence sitters, had better leave DAP if the nepotistic central committee’s family blocs cannot be displaced and join PCM or any 3rd Force parties (BN being too apartheid to vote for).
Does the UN know what is going on here in 3rd world Malaysia? Does this warrant Peacekeepers? An audit and withdrawal (also name and shame to vindicate so many victims) of offending psyche establishment ‘professionals’ degrees, or even other degree disciplines may be needed to keep some of our more ‘vocal activists’ safe from abuse? Some of us want to be among neutral citizens, live in a neutral agenda free world, not among cultists and religious fundos posing as politicians or regular citizens while claiming people they don’t like or who have different beliefs from them as being seriously mentally ill and needing to be put away, while the fundos and psyches themselves need to be put away.
I am sure this whole near 2 decades long episode has exposed a wider network of abuse and abusers that Interpol and even UN can act upon, the good guys and bad guys and their methods are now clearer outlined than ever . . . does the UN do lawsuits on behalf of peoples oppressed or abused in the 3rd world? Otherwise racists and corrupt 3rd world political warlords? Whatever citizens not of the above fundo-psyche abuse-racist types, please make sure you know why you vote for and only by the below criteria :
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (anyone favouring any faith is no safe choice)
Anak Sarawak Bangsa Malaysia, Barisan, corruption, Dictator, Malaysia, Pakatan Rakyat, Politics, Sarawak Politics, Save Sarawak, Taib Mahmud
In 1% tricks and traps, Apartheid, Bumiputera Apartheid, critical discourse, democratisation, Malaysia, Nepotism, non-Muslim rights, non-Muslim Rights in a Muslim country, political correctness, Political Fat Cats, politics, racism, social freedoms, voting methods, voting strategy on March 18, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Don’t let me walk alone, Najib tells Indian community – UPDATED @ 07:57:53 PM 18-03-2012 – By Yow Hong Chieh – March 18, 2012
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak attends the 30th anniversary of the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) at Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Vivekananda, Petaling Jaya. — Picture by Choo Choy May
PETALING JAYA, March 18 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak asked the Indian community today to entrust their future to him for another term, citing the success of government programmes meant to improve their lot over the past three years.
This included RM440 million allocated to Tamil schools, RM80 million to houses of worship, more places for high-achieving students in matriculation courses as well as help given to thousands of “stateless” Indians to obtain citizenship since 2009.
The prime minister told a crowd of more than 3,000 at SJK(T) Vivekananda here this afternoon that this proved he had kept his promises to give Indians in Malaysia a “fair deal”, and pledged to keep building on this success in coming years.
“If I have delivered, and the government has delivered, just imagine if we have another five years what we can do for the Indian community and the nation,” he said on the first stop of his one-day tour of Selangor.
Najib said his efforts to help the Indians were sincere and had nothing to do with the coming election as the programmes aimed at uplifting the community began three years, after he took over from Tun Abdullah Badawi.
The government will not fool the Indian community with empty promises meant to gain votes, he added, in an apparent swipe at the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact.
“I am not a politician of that nature. I am committed to the future of Malaysia. I will not do anything to compromise the future of the nation,” he said.
Najib stressed, however, that he would only be able to serve the community and the country if they “walked with him”, as he could not continue to help Indians or Malaysians on his own.
“I cannot do this alone. I cannot walk this journey alone I must walk with all of you to achieve what we set out to do…,” he said.
“I can only succeed if you join hands with me. Let us build a better future for the Indian community and for all Malaysians.”
Since taking office, Najib has gone on a charm offensive to win over the Indian vote after the usually staunch Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters forsook the ruling coalition in Election 2008. The community’s swing to the opposition followed a government crackdown on the November.
By not using that mandate BN already has to grant the below 3 items :
PM Najib is already making the Indians and minorities walk alone.
So Indian voters, (also Chinese and Orang Asli voters) if PM Najib makes everyone walk alone by disenfranchising them with continuance of Bumiputra Apartheid, all of us voters should return the same kind of disenfranchisement to PM Najib by putting their votes for BN in another party or independent.
It is not the voters that let PM Najib walk alone, it is PM Najib that has left the Indian voters and other minorities walking alone. PM Najib is in fact walking off with that mandate the Indians and minorities gave PM Najib.
Meanwhile Pakatan Rakyat is not much better a choice due to :
Limitless Terms
750K funerals
The Gambier Threat – Mid 2010 (Amend those laws at once! Also address the APARTHEID.)
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/1378/gambier1.jpg – unless those forms are filled in and months before through preferred vendors (cronies), DAP will tear down your awning / private staircase / business stall, take away your gas tank / sue your journalist / confiscate squatter traders’ fruits, cheapo sunglasses or crappy ‘cincin batu’ set in tin alloy, or bottled and canned drinks? . . . KOMTAR Lockdown, Beachboy harrassing, gas tank confiscating, Condominium staircase trashing . . .
Penang’s 300 out of 1.5 million EXCO Elections (instead of the promised Local Council Elections), failure to declare MP assets, while pretending to ask the undemocratically voted 0.02% quorum instead of 66.6% quorum EXCOs . . .
See Teo Beng Hock? Or the Chinatown MRT spat? ALL under Pakatan’s watch. Most people detest such behaviour by political parties, regardless of race, and with the nepotism and limitless term issue, with the eyeing of potential of Hudud (something that hopelessly apartheid/lapdog BN doesn’t even want), Pakatan Rakyat is as bad a group as PERKASA this day.
Pick the best :
BN Apartheid, Nepotism and Corruption
PR Some Nepotism and Corruption (Pakatan we only use you to punish BN with, Pakatan is equally useless and abusive . . . )
3rd Force Corruption only? (Best)
KITA, JATI, MCLM (whats left of it, but homophobes could find it a good party that has 20 candidates), PCM, Borneo Front, Konsensus Bebas, HRP/Hindraf and PSM maybe SUPP if SUPP wakes up (much like MCA/MIC and Gerakan will not) and perhaps SAPP and LDP . . .
And any independent candidates as in the list below who can CLEARLY take up the above 3 items (not like mealy mouthed Pakatan who looks preferring to keep the entire term limitless, apartheid system in place to benefit themselves) . . . independent candidates, if not potential wolves/turncoats in the making :
1) Maimun Yusuf http://www.worldbulletin.net/index.php?aType=haberArchive&ArticleID=19162 (Maimun is 89, not particularly educated and quite poor . . . )
3) Ummi Hafilda (PKR hater at odds with PKR VP Azmin who is said to be an UMNO pro-racist type . . . )
4) Auntie Bersih 2.0 the high profile one Ambiga Sreenevasan (who struck down rightful Perak MB Nizar while Bar Council President during BN’s 11th term)
Of course PM Najib could make things easy for himself and everyone (PM Najib shouldn’t even say PM Najib is walking alone, the mandate is with BN at this very moment, PM Najib is PM! What does PM Najib mean walk alone!?! Does PM Najib think the voters are fools? Or maybe PM Najib doesn’t know BN has the mandate already! All who are second class citizens (more so the Indians who are the worst off among minorities in Malaysia this day) are walking alone because PM Najib will not grant the above 3 items . . .
By granting the above 3 items, in which case we’d be in a 2nd world scenario, no apartheid but with some nepotism and lots of corruption, PM Najib would be walking with all Malaysians instead in a 2nd term as PM for certain. Don’t make the minorities walk alone PM Najib, then accuse the minorities of the same. Podah!
RE: ARE YOU A WEATHERCOCK, PETE?? – Tuesday, 13 March 2012 Super Admin
Dear Yang Mulia Raja Petra Kamarudin,
I know I do not have the right, neither the privilege to ask you to post this reply as the website belongs to you, and it is entirely at your own discretion whether you want to oblige, or just conveniently turn a deaf ear.
What I want to say now is, there appears to be a gross misunderstanding here between you me the gutless, choontoiless Jeffrey Ong.
I was not complaining about the RM20 registration fee, which as you said is no big deal. I can miss a meal or two to be among my fellow Malaysians and you, that is not the problem. The problem is FEAR, you are right. The Rakyat fear the long arms of the Government and the occasional warnings from the mouth of Rais Yatim that they would do this or that, and Hishamuddin Tun Hussein has yet to announce the contents of the Act to replace the ISA. What more, even the IGP could be involved with nefarious activities, as revealed by you. What is there to prevent him from sending some thugs to bash us up, or finish us altogether?
Yang Mulia, you are blessed with good fortune and hailed from Royalty, but not every Malaysian enjoys that status, so FEAR sticks in their mind that once put behind bars, they cannot, like you upon release, take flight with their family members in tow to join you in Manchester, UK, reside there till the tide turns. They are not “freedom fighters”, only mere wage-earners, and if they are imprisoned or in prison, who is going to feed those hungry mouths at home?
Having seen the amounts, hundreds of thousands you had to pay to set up this website, and some more to pay to switch blog from Joomla to WordPress, etc., etc., we are sure you do not depend on the registration fees to keep and maintain it, and operate it for that many years already.
May I venture to say that your past business sense and acumen should also tell you that the more popular your blog is, the more advertisements you will attract to augment your income and help defray administration costs. Therefore, in order to gain popularity and recognition of the reading public, more comments should be encouraged, though those frivolous and crude uncouth ones can be eliminated through screening process of your Admin. The Star newspaper would long have wound up had it not been for the heavy volumes of adverts to become the leading English daily.
Please do not take too hard on yourself and whack me like hell to kingdom come for asking you to just “open up the window and let the sunshine in”. You are at full liberty to deny me or anybody that request for the site belongs to you and only you. I am just suffering from a dearth of home news and only hoping get to feel the pulse of Malaysia by reading the numerous comments by Malaysians. If the comments become scarce, because of registration requirement, people like Jocelyn Tan (pro-Govt) and Jaswant Kaur (pro-Opposition) will not be challenged for their remarks and opinions by both sides of the political divide. So the reports will be lop-sided.
You were right in saying that fear factor has even prevented many voters to exercise their rights, thinking that “the government may find out whom you vote for”, but on the other hand, if you “open up your window” as I pleaded, the voters too could feel the changing groundswell and brave the challenge to vote according to their conscience with the clarion calls from those who comment over the last few days before the GE13. Then, let’s say, because of this move by MT, the Opposition wins the next GE, and who then will try to find out whom you vote for. If any, they will thank the brave voters for making their dream to Putrajaya come true.
The Malaysians have “choontois”, big ones too, I believe, but they cannot afford to risk losing the choontois when the odds are stacked steeply against them.
Finally, spare some thoughts for the senior citizens who possess vast experience and knowledge about our country, but they do not own credit cards to facilitate the payment of registration fee, or they find the registration process too tedious, so we leave them out in the cold, with their mouths full of things they want to share, but unable to do so.
Today, I am happy to note that the number of comments to your bashing me in this exchange have swelled to a respectable high of nearly 30. That’s the way, aha aha, I like it.
Since I got bashed by you and some who commented, I hope you will post this letter after which, I will shut my gap, and forever hold my peace!
“THOSE WHO BRING SUNSHINE INTO THE LIVES OF OTHERS CANNOT KEEP IT FROM THEMSELVES!”
Salam, Minta Ampun, Yang Mulia.
Jeffrey Ong
written by syd, March 16, 2012 16:07:43
I dunno what more evidence we need to convince the voters that Anwar is no good.
a) He stole Sabah from Pairin Kitingan and then totally annihilate the kadazan dusun. This guy does not believe in democracy and he believes in bribing his way to power.
b) Totally useless education minister. he introduce bahasa baku, which is no longer used.
c) Nalla Karuppan stood his ground defending Anwar during sodomy 1, despite facing a death threat and torture under police interrogation. Today, this guy is kicked out by his buddy Anwar out of the window.
d) Based on many allegations, it seems Anwar is a sex addict. Nothing wrong with it if he admits it. But not honest if he don’t.
Pakatan might be good for 1 term at most, unless PM Najib grants :
‘Youth’ as the middle class that never made it? — Farish A. Noor – March 20, 2012
MARCH 20 — They are rapacious, vicious, merciless, demanding, intolerant, arrogant, boisterous, spoilt and subversive. At the worst of times they bring chaos in their wake, disrupt the settled assumptions of our quotidian lives, block traffic, make noise, break things and are generally inhospitable, unsociable and uncivilised.
No, I am not referring to the Mongol hordes that burned their way across Central Asia in the Middle Ages and laid waste to Baghdad. And no, this is not some invasion of marauding aliens I am talking about. But practically everything that has been said above has been said about the younger generation of our time, an age when being young seems to be a sin and a burden to Youth and to those around them.
If we were to believe some of the alarmist reports and editorials we have read in recent months, one would be led to believe that the best thing to do with the young of the world is to send them to another planet. Worse still is the fact that much of this hysterical nonsense has found its way into the editorial columns of not only respectable newspapers, but also security journals, journals of international relations, policy papers and conference speeches. The DAVOS meeting concluded last year that Youth have become a global problem of sorts, akin to HIV, epidemics, natural disasters and wars. How? And why has this shift happened?
From North America to Western Europe, from North Africa to Southeast Asia, there seems to be a growing unease that so many young people today feel disenfranchised and out of touch with society. Plummeting figures of young voters point to apathy and neglect, which then gets re-interpreted as the symptoms of a younger generation that doesn’t feel or care about its place in society. But if one were unfortunate enough to fall into the category of “Youth” today, one might be able to understand why.
Let’s start with this premise: Youth has nothing to do with age, or being young; but is rather a subject-position and social-position that has more to do with one’s proximity (or distance) from power and the structures of power (both political and economic).
Let us remember that up to the inter-war years of the 20th century there was no such thing as Youth culture: Young people (that is, those in their childhood up to their teens and early 20s) dressed like their parents did and appeared as adults in micro format.
Youth culture was a by-product of the capital-driven mode of development that also led to the creation of the leisure industry and mass consumption, which democratised consumption as never before. Prior to the 20th century there was no such thing as a leisure culture for the working classes.
Theme parks, holiday parks, etc were the invention of modernity and the development of late capitalism which brought with it a culture of mass consumerism that also identified social actors and agents with their respective places in the chain of consumption. It was only from the 1930s that poor people began to go on cheap holidays, etc.
Youth, therefore, is a class construct and it conforms to the market rule that there has to be a constant human surplus of those whose economically-marginalised position makes them pliable to the market and a steady source of cheap labour when needed. Simply put, we all know that, from the age of Adam Smith, this is how the market has worked: It creates both demand and a surplus of workers who keep costs down.
Today, when we look at the state of the economies of countries like the United States, Europe, Japan, China, India, North Africa and Southeast Asia, we see the by-products of successful development at work — it cannot be denied that up to the 1980s at least the booming markets had created a new middle class that never existed in many of these societies; and with that new middle Class came new class values and aspirations too.
Two things, however, have happened that might account for the present state of affairs in the very same societies that now seem to be on the brink of crisis.
The first is that with the failure of the Soviet model and the triumph of capital, there developed the new prevailing wisdom that the market knows best and that the best form of governance was minimalist. This was most aptly demonstrated in the rolling back of the state (and the state’s responsibilities) in the United Kingdom during the time of Margaret Thatcher.
Free market economics began to decide and determine not only the market but also how society viewed itself and regulated itself, as the state began to relinquish its duties to the citizenry. In due course, things such as the health service, social security, law and order, public space and the environment, etc all came under market control and the management of corporations.
The second thing to happen was the modernisation of modes of production and services, with the technological revolution taking off where the industrial revolution stopped. The 1990s witnessed the rise of the internet and all things virtual: online banking, online sales, online consultancies, etc. Now this of course had an adverse impact on old jobs and professions that were labour intensive such as banking, the postal service, etc.
These two factors, however, were and remain irreconcilable: On the one hand, the market demands more space for it to work freely and where enterprise and innovation can bring about reform. But on the other hand, some forms of innovation have incurred a human cost in terms of unemployment in the service sector. But, today, the state is less able to cope with these new social inequalities due to its own relative weakness.
“Youth” happens to be that group of young adults who are caught in between two worlds: On the one hand childhood, without its attendant concerns and responsibilities; and on the other hand adulthood, with its social embeddedness in the political economy.
But what happens in ageing countries like Japan or Western Europe when the older generation demands to be employed longer and longer (for fear of the absence of a social security safety net) and when the young have fewer opportunities to enter the job market?
Perhaps this is what we are really seeing in some parts of the world like North Africa and Southeast Asia as well as Europe today: A growing number of young people who are being made to wait in line while the older generation hold on to their jobs and refuse to vacate the ever-shrinking pool of occupational spaces the state and the economy can provide.
Politicians bemoan the so-called “lazy youth” of today who “don’t want to work” and “have no sense of attachment”, but they forget that if the young do not work it is because many of them are not given the chance to work in the first place. And if they have less of a sense of social attachment, it may well be because there is little investment by and in them by society in the first place. If young people are not being given the chance to integrate and embed themselves in the political economies of their respective countries, how on earth can we expect them to feel a sense of responsibility or belonging?
The problem, it seems, has less to do with Youth “culture” or “identity” or “music” or whatever. As the crisis lingers on, and more and more young people find their social advancement halted, the category of “Youth” extends further.
Today it is apparent that there are millions of people in the 30s who remain unemployed and are at best plugged into an extended education system as they bide their time, hoping for an economic upturn. Being young has less to do with age now, and more to do with one’s relative distance from productive work and an economic stake in society.
This is less a cultural problem or even an age issue, but seems to be a problem related to the management of human resources, or rather the labour surplus that we see all over the world today. And this is why the state cannot continue to retreat from its responsibilities and leave things to the market alone: For if the market were to have its way, then more productivity and profit would be gained through more job cuts, more technological innovations, and less dependency on human labour and services.
So a word of advice to the politicians in the East and West who fear the Youth of today and wish they would simply disappear: The Youth are not your enemies, and if you listen to them long enough you may realise that they are the aspiring middle class that never made it.
Their aspirations are not revolutionary but actually middle class too. They do not wish to destroy the state, but rather want the state to work. It’s not their fault that it doesn’t.
* Dr Farish A. Noor is a Senior Fellow at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Save for the part where copying and adopting of semi-essays in the form of responses, it’s pleasant to have address in such conciseness, but will ‘Fellow’ here PLEASE make clear that stand on and endorsement of :
Well there will always political mercenaries, but I will complain to highlight the issue anyway : Academia should not be marred by faux high mindedness and gently applied copying of the painfully earned perspectives of any who ‘never made it’. Some of us were way beyond middle class, but for the sheer stupidity and viciousness of the people around them, sometimes even their own families, as well as APARTHEID accepting society. Use that ‘Fellow’ ethos for some good or be branded a crypto-racist and hypocrite if not take on your ‘superiors’ (fellow propagandists higher up in the hierarchy). There is no engaging people who play all sides while being unable to commit to Articles 1 and 18 of the UNHCR. Don’t let them use you as a pro-apartheid hatchet-man Farish.
Guan Eng Practises False Democracy by Chai Kim Sen – Tuesday, 20 March 2012 15:43
DAP’s constant use of gag orders shows that DAP practises false democracy and dictatorship when DAP uses internal channels to rid party dissidents as well as to suppress the freedom of speech.
DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng always talks about transparency, fairness and justice. However, his instruction to DAP National Chairman Karpal Singh to stop airing his views and grouses is proof that Guan Eng practises autocracy instead as he does not hesitate to rebuke his own party’s chairman.
Guan Eng’s actions in ordering Karpal Singh to keep internal problems within the party are in direct contrast to his earlier promises. He has ignored the process of fairness and transparency, and even his own chairman was not spared from warnings and threats of disciplinary actions. Thus we can see that DAP is putting the cart before the horse when Guan Eng can impose a gag order on Karpal Singh but he himself is free to talk to the media.
Rome was not built in a day
The fact that Karpal Singh had decided to discuss this issue publicly shows that the problem has reached a breaking point. On the other hand, Guan Eng is trying to conceal the internal problems of the party and has turned a blind eye to the DAP Chairman, thus proving that Guan Eng is trying to deceive the people that the issue has been solved internally.
Although DAP has been in control of Penang for only four years, they still party interest above the rakyat. Their old method of resolving any topics and events of interest to the party internally and the selective processing of issues which are favourable to the party can no longer work to convince the people. DAP’s approach to quickly resolve the issue of Ramasamy’s allegations of corruption within the party is an example of selective processing.
The so-called harmony within DAP is non-existent and is only an attempt to deceive the public using political means, but what the rakyat want is an open and transparent way of handling disputes involving political parties and state governments. Thus, Karpal Singh’s allegations on the party’s infighting also involve the public’s right to know, and on this issue, Malaysians will not compromise.
CHAI KIM SEN is MCA Youth Secretary-General
I won’t say that MCA with a racial pedigree and history spanning 1000s of years, should not sell themselves short for a bunch of low minded peoples who thrive by threat of ‘race riots’ and corruption than the Articles of the UNHCR, but MCA’s cowardice is unbelievable.
MCA is also gagged PERMANTLY. It is clear that the political system as standing in laws and constitution are economic and social apartheid. Why has MCA not said anything??? One dictator DAP replacing another dictator UMNO, makes no difference, and MCA currently is dictated to (by proxy a vote for MCA is a vote for UMNO) and DAP of course is autocratic (and term limitless and nepotistic as well, don;t miss these terrible Mubarak, Gaddaffi type flaws) as Chai Kim Seng said. (Try watching Dalip Singh on Peter Segal’s Get Smart 2008 – vague resemblance to Chai Kim Seng . . . ). How about MCA throw their own ‘Siegfried’ out of the window to embrace and fight for :
Instead of tacit approval of Bumi-Apartheid. MCA people may have benefited off the wealth (which was illegal anyway by any first world standard) so how about the bouncer (MCA) taking over the mistreating boss’s seat (UMNO)? Equality is a given in Articles 1 and 18 of the UNHCR, Bumi-Apartheid is RUBBISH.
Money politics and Taib’s deception – Hornbill Unleashed March 20, 2012 by Awang Abdillah @ 8:12 AM
To maintain his hold on power, Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud has fine-tuned his ability to control and utilise targeted people including Umno’s top brass.
As Chief Minister of a state within Malaysia, Taib Mahmud has limited powers at his disposal, unlike his counterparts at the federal level who control manifold power buttons.
However, the paradigm of political ignorance prevalent among the rural people in Sarawak, and the massive corruption among the national leaders with the exception of PAS and DAP party stalwarts in Malaysia , provide Taib with the right ingredients to pursue his craze for power.
The politics of deception and money politics thrives very well in such an environment.
Hence, Taib’s success in holding on to power all these years is his ability to control and utilise targeted people through the art of deception and the power of money politics.
That he has willing parties – the ignorant rural poor who live in poverty and are in dire need for hard cash, Bumiputera politicians and cronies who want to have a share of Taib’s riches and the Umno top brass who are mega spenders – makes his job easier.
Their desperation fuels his desire to be one of the most powerful and wealthiest men in Malaysia.
Taib will buy the voters during every election season with illicit cash and dispensing of business “crumbs” to Bumiputera political leaders, henchmen and cronies to ensure they toe the line.
He also buys loyalty when he acts as a banker to the personal needs of the Umno elite.
According to his game plan, over a period of time these people would become very dependent on him and invaribly will have to live with the Taib Dependence Syndrome (TDS) scourge.
This is the modus operandi that enables Taib to buy the hearts and minds of many Malay, Melanau and Dayak voters, leaders and supporters.
He corrupts and tackles Umno politicians with money, making them subservient to his lusts.
Taib’s power over federal leaders
Men who sell their souls, principles and values to a power-crazy man are men without dignity and morals, and are traitors to their own religion, people and country.
Through this successful twinning of deception tactics, Taib has been able, firstly, to ensure that the voters will support all his Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) candidates no matter who or what they are in every state or general election.
Secondly, he has managed to tackle and control the federal leaders and the heads of relevant federal agencies.
Thirdly, he has managed to break up the Dayak parties and lastly, he has gone on to build a pool of henchmen and cronies who will operate and support his power-abusing network system.
With these in place, Taib can now enjoy the wealth and riches of the state with ease. Taib has been on this despicable job for a long time and with limited resistance.
Like I said earlier, unlike a responsible government, power abusers do not care to tackle the real national and state challenges.
They choose to simply ignore them.
However, when these challenges turn against them in the form of major national and state issues, then they are forced to deal with these matters – not to solve them, but to defend their embattled personal position and power.
This is exactly what Umno and PBB leaders have been doing since coming to power in 1981.
If Taib had been truly ambitious, Taib’d would avoid sequestering such massive wealth, being modest of lifestyle so that declaration of assets would be possible, being a most humble, well loved CM ever, and even ensure as many Orang Asli were as happy as possible enough to vote him all the time – then on the basis of ‘Native Sovereignty’ demand secession via the UN much like East Timor did. Instead of ‘liberating’ East Malaysia, Taib chose to be UMNO’s stooge and destroy people’s livelihoods or steal land FROM Orang Asli. Instead of OWNING East Malaysia entirely, and who knows declaring self as Raja, Taib is now about to be ousted for being related to BN for apartheid, abusing poor Orang Asli folk, and criminal scorched earth style deforestation. In either case Taib was never a very ambitious type, very money minded though and at bargain prices where giving away Orang Asli land and citizenships is concerned.
To remind, voters in east Malaysia should stick to East Malaysian political parties ONLY and perhaps even vote for Orang Asli only.
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Rectify “Hoorah” Review (3×01)
“He still has to live his life.”
“So do we all. Hoorah.”
Early on in the season three premiere, Senator Foulkes states that “life is always perilous…that’s what gives it spice”. Rectify understands that life is full of uncertainty, that just one event can cause a ripple effect amongst a community and can upend everything in one’s life. Whether it’s with regards to Daniel being released or Daniel confessing, each and every character is affected in some way, growing and changing and hurting and loving as genuine human beings. It’s what makes this show so special: it treats the myriad experiences and people that make up life with immense respect.
This is an episode filled with statements like “he doesn’t know”, “sometimes things don’t make sense”, “I didn’t know what else to do”, “you never know”, “that’s the thing you never really know for sure”, and “I don’t know”. These characters are attempting to figure things out, to make sense of changing circumstances and shifting dynamics, and it’s just plain difficult to do. Without Daniel’s case to bring them together, Amantha and Jon aren’t really sure if they can move forward together, and the scene between them contains the resigned “hoorah” of someone whose life is plodding along. That type of uncertainty also reigns supreme in the Teddy-Tawny relationship, one that’s filled with pain and loss and emptiness written on the faces of Clayne Crawford and Adelaide Clemens.
And yet, even though there is a ton of pain hanging over every scene in this episode, what the writers make clear is that there will always be things in life that you just have to accept. Expectations may not mesh with reality, but as the Thrifty Town boss tells Amantha: “Life happens, and well, there are worse places to end up”. If you just sit back and let the world around you consume you, then you’re not really doing yourself much good. As Amantha makes clear at the end of the episode, she’ll let Daniel stay with her for a bit, but things have certainly changed between them. She’s coming around to accepting a life that doesn’t revolve around Daniel–that doesn’t revolve around her being a “keeper”–and she really wants Daniel to make an effort to care about himself. Engaging with yourself and with the world around you is necessary in order to keep pushing on, and it’s a beautiful moment when Daniel says: “I’ll try to try.” Life is going to happen. Life is going to hurt. Oftentimes, though, what you get out of life is what you put into it.
– “Parks are one of our better ideas.” Leslie Knope is so happy about this statement.
– “I’ve never really read outside underneath the big blue sky. It’s almost too much.” The show’s handling of Daniel and nature is really amazing. That scene is such a great showcase for the magnificence that is Aden Young.
-That execution flashback/fantasy is better done than most fantasy sequences. You can really feel the pure emotion driving the scene.
-The scene in which Janet confuses Teddy’s love of Willie D’s for Daniel’s is really heartbreaking to watch. This is then followed up by the scene between Janet and Ted on the doorstep, which is beautifully played by Cameron and Crawford.
-This cast. Amazing.
-Note: some of my reviews may be late this season, seeing as television decided to put everything worth watching on Thursdays this summer at 10/9 Central. However, seeing as next week’s episode appears to be online at Sundance.tv, that review will drop immediately following the episode.
-Yay to a season four renewal!
Photo credit: Rectify, SundanceTV
Tags: Amantha Thrifty Town manager Rectify, Christopher Nelms D.A. Conley Senator Rectify, Daniel confession murder deal leaving Paulie Rectify, Daniel flashback fantasy execution Rectify, Daniel park scene reading woman Rectify, Daniel staying with Amantha Rectify, Daniel Willie D's barbeque dinner Rectify, George Melton body Rectify, Janet and Ted Jr. Rectify, Jared and Claire Rectify, Jon and Amantha bar Rectify, Rectify Hoorah, Rectify renewed season 4 SundanceTV, Rectify review recap, Rectify season 3 premiere, Senator Foulkes stroke Rectify, Tawney miscarriage Beth Rectify
Categories Rectify, Television
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2 Responses to “Rectify “Hoorah” Review (3×01)”
Matthew Thompson July 10, 2015 at 12:30 am #
I just love this show so much. The scene with Daniel in the park and him and Amantha talking at the end were probably my favorite parts. Also thanks for the heads up about the second episode! It seems to be OnDemand on Comcast too.
peggyatthemovies July 13, 2015 at 1:18 am #
You truly are a rockstar at getting these reviews out so fast.. once again, I applaud you and your great..extremely fast reviews!! 😀
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Hanzo the Razor trilogy
Posted on August 4, 2015 By AntBit
First published by Little White Lies
The exploitation cinema of the early 1970s was, in keeping with the times in which it was made, awash with a contradictory mix of the revolutionary and the reactionary – and there are few films that illustrate this dichotomy more clearly than the Hanzo the Razor trilogy, comprising Misumi Kenji’s Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice (1972), Masumura Yasuzo’s Hanzo the Razor: The Snare (1973), and Inoue Yoshio’s Hanzo the Razor: Who’s Got the Gold? (1974), and all adapted from the manga of Koike Kazuo (whose Lone Wolf & Cub comics would also inspire the Baby Cart series, remixed for the West as visceral cult classic Shogun Assassin).
Katsu Shintaro (of Zatoichi fame) plays Hanzo Itami, a low-ranking officer under the Tokugawa Shogunate – but the accompanying funk soundtrack makes it clear that these period pieces are also engaging with the concerns of more modern times. Sure enough, Hanzo is the archetypal ’70s rebel. Insubordinate to every authority, he always pursues his investigations to the upper echelons of power, revealing the corruption and hypocrisy at their very heart; while Hanzo’s raids on temples, not to mention his regular use of Buddhist statues as punching bags, marks him out as a literal iconoclast.
This redoubtable crimefighter seems to embody the very spirit of the ’70s counterculture, interrogating all the traditional lynchpins of his society – but at the same time, Hanzo is a comic parody of ’70s ‘hardmen’ like Dirty Harry and Shaft, using his over-sized penis to torture female captives who, try as they might, inevitably melt before the invasive thrust of his questioning. He is also handy with the sort of weapons that are more conventionally associated with the chanbara genre, but we are never allowed to forget that all these are mere extensions of his steely manhood.
In what is one of several stock sequences in all three films, Hanzo exposes his unwieldy member to a series of torturous exercises designed to toughen it up, so that later his female victims will first beg him to stop, and then beg him not to. In these films, you see, ‘no’ really means ‘yes’, women actually enjoy being raped, and nothing penetrates the truth of the matter like a massive dong. And therein lies the contradiction: Hanzo may be an earnest champion of the dispossessed and a fearlessly physical critic of the status quo – but his full-frontal assault on the patriarchal order is also overtly phallocentric.
These three adventures are mere variants on a single plot, with only the names of the antagonists (and of the director) changing. More outrageous than funny, the Hanzo trilogy is an unruly mix of bloody violence, soft porn and political intrigue, with a hero whose intentions are (largely) admirable, but whose modus operandi will repel any but the most hardened misogynists. Only the ’70s could have erected a monstrosity so mesmerisingly abhorrent.
Anton Bitel
Border (Gräns) (2018)
Tokyo Gore Police (2008)
Waterworld (1995)
Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence)
Fantastic Four (2015) as Josh Trank's film à clef
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Album Review: Thuban by Lay Llamas
Date: June 12, 2018Author: Simon 3 Comments
WE’VE MOVED TO ‘THE FRAGMENTED FLANEUR‘ VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU OVER THERE. STILL THE SAME GREAT CONTENT, JUST UNDER A NEW NAME. CHEERS! It seems a long time since I was grooving to the distinctive beat of ‘Østro’, the Lay Llamas first album for Rocket Recordings. That was at the label’s showcase night at the 2014 Liverpool Psych Fest, a night that I described at the time as “the very pinnacle of my live music experience“: a statement that I stand by nearly four years later. The Lay Llamas set convinced me to buy that album, which has had regular plays on the Psych Insight turntable ever since. I have always liked how it seems to contain many influences without being beholden to them. It seems to drift in its own little cloud, and has retained its own unique appeal for me. There have been other Lay Llamas releases since then, but none for me have quite matched that moment in time that ‘Østro’ did: until now that is. However, the only thing that that collective have in common with the current group is central character Nicola Giunta, who has assembled a new set of musicians (twelve contribute here) to produce ‘Thuban’. Like ‘Østro’ ‘Thuban’ deals with big concepts and as such feels like a substantial piece of work even before I sit down to listen to it, as the press release says of the album:
It’s as much a voyage of discovery for himself (Giunta) as the listener, as he reveals, both stylistically and creatively. “Everything around us is transforming, always! You know, I’m not a proper songwriter, I consider myself a sound crafter. An experimental alchemist of sounds and visions. And sometimes I start with an idea and finish with something really different”
This is something that really comes across when listening to this set of songs which both well arranged and somehow seem to hover in front of you on some sort of sonic stage. ‘Thuban’ opens dramatically with ‘Eye-Chest People’s Dance Ritual’ which immediately takes us into what feels like some sort of dream-state as the melody hits straight away and the dense psychedelic mix really pulls you into the sound. It is a very strong start for me and fills me with promise for the rest of the record. This is certainly borne out by ‘Holy Worms’ with it’s funky beat and cool refrain which I imagine will really get me up and moving if I get to see it performed live. This is followed by ‘Silver Sun’ which immediately feels more experimental, a hark back to some early 80s electronica (although that might just be because that what I’d been listening to prior to writing this). Whatever, I don’t think I’m far from the mark, and then as the sax moves in this track just takes of. Absolutely fantastic mix of styles here which suggest chaos and resolution, this is where the album really kicks off for me. Things slow down a bit with ‘Cults and Rites from the Black Cliff’, which features Clinic and feels much more meditative and considered. As such this album is shaping up to be something of a winner with a variety of styles around what I guess could be described as a common feel of inclusivity, bringing in musical styles from around the globe; most obviously afrobeat. This feeling is confirmed with ‘Altair’, which feature Goat in a manner that you would imagine. In fact it sounds like it could have come from one of the early Goat albums, and nothing wrong with that. ‘Fight Fire With Fire’ takes the album is somewhat of a different direction with a spoken word from the Pop Group’s Mark Stewart. This dystopian track develops science fiction-style narrative making political points about a world where human of genetic variance are pitched again each other. It is intense and sinister… you really need to listen to it to understand the full drama here. After that ‘Chronicles From The Fourth Planet’ might have struggled for impact, as it is it takes the album off in yet another direction, again with a highly inclusive approach which utilises a tabla beat which gives the track a feel as if from the India sub-continent. Once again you get that feeling of the music hovering just in front of you through a mixture of the vocals and otherworldly instrumentation which gives the track, and a great deal of the album, it’s extraterrestrial feel. Finally, ‘Coffins On The Tree, Black Braid On Our Way To Home’ is a much softer and more melancholic song which feels like the end of a journey in which calm finally descends but seems to fit in with Giunta’s quote from the press release, which really helped me to understand the album:
“That extremely south part of the Europe represents the main gate for a lot of people that coming from Africa, Asia and the Middle-East. A real cultural melting process is on the way. And there’s not any kind of fascist law that can stop this. Thuban talks about ancient sea travels, ancient cultures, ancient rites, but also about today’s travellers, travellers from all ages. Travellers that are still looking for their Thuban, for their polar star to reach a safe place to live with their family.”
With ‘Thuban’ Lay Llamas, or Giunta more precisely, has moved beyond Østro and created an album which in many ways shares it’s DNA, but has developed a much more varied and more complex sound as a result. This album really does stretch out in front of you and mesmerises you with its sincere eclecticism and wide sphere of influence. This is an album that you can dance to, but also sit down an cry to. It’s everything that a modern psychedelic album should be, one with heart and soul, beats and fragments; it certainly meets my criteria of being weird, challenging, chaotic and nebulous… and I can say nothing more than that.
-o0o-
Hey, Thanks very much for reading my blog, I really appreciate this. I write it as a labour of love to help me enjoy music, and to give something back to the many talented people who put out these incredible sounds. To make it as enjoyable as possible for others I do pay extra so there are, for instance, no ads on these pages; but it would be great if I could recoup that money back. So, if you’ve really enjoyed your visit here and have found some music that you think is amazing, why not buy me a coffee (I write in cafés a lot) by clicking the “make a donation” button below. Cheers… Follow Psych Insight Music on Twitter @psychinsightmsc, Facebook, Instagram, and Bandcamp Spofity playlists here
Lay Llamas
Published by Simon
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Forum: Quantum computation
Started by Airicist, 21st August 2017 20:02
IBM Q, building commercially available universal quantum computers for business and science, IBM, Armonk, New York, USA
Microsoft Quantum, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, USA
Digital Annealer, quantum-inspired computational architecture, Fujitsu Ltd., Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Quantum computing, Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, California, USA
Bristlecone, quantum processor, Google Quantum AI lab, Mountain View, California, USA
Started by Airicist, 6th March 2018 22:41
Forest, API for quantum computation, Rigetti & Co, Inc., Berkeley, California, USA
QUESS (Quantum Experiments at Space Scale), world's first quantum communication satellite
Quantum resources and integration, Australian Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology, The University of New South Wales , Sydney, Australia
D-Wave Two, quantum computer
Quick Navigation Quantum computation Top
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Rise of the Tomb Raider Free PC Bundle
Get the critically acclaimed Rise of the Tomb Raider on PC free with the new GTX 960 bundle!
Published April 19, 2016, 5:13 p.m. about Rise of the Tomb Raider
by Andy Dyer
If you’re facing the dilemma of wanting to play one of this year’s biggest PC gaming highlights—Rise of the Tomb Raider—but suspect your creaking old gaming rig might not be up to the task of running the game, NVIDIA has the answer. If you buy their GeForce GTX 960 GPU, NVIDIA’s affordable high performance GPU, you will get a copy of Lara’s latest adventure bundled free.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is the sequel to 2013’s Tomb Raider franchise reboot and this latest adventure sees a leaner and meaner Lara Croft as she embarks upon a quest to continue her late Father’s research into the lost city of Kitezh and an artifact said to bestow immortality. Unfortunately, she also discovers that an ancient order of knights known as Trinity is also after the same thing. Her journey takes her from Syria to the freezing wastes of Siberia where, over the course of the story, she has to learn to survive by collecting resources for crafting items, engage in combat against enemies and wild animals, and explore vast tombs containing elaborate physical puzzles.
Lara’s increasing skills as an adventurer see her running, jumping and ziplining her way around a vast and bleakly beautiful open-world environment. The action flows from puzzle solving to athletic exploration to combat, which is all punctuated by stunning cinematic cutscenes that are also blended seamlessly with the action.
Season Pass holders can take advantage of Rise of the Tomb Raider’s DLC packages, which are also available to purchase individually. The latest is a chapter called Cold Darkness Awakened and sees Lara travelling to an old decommissioned Cold War research facility where she finds something has gone terribly wrong. The facility’s murky past has violently resurfaced as a deadly affliction spreads through the wilderness transforming Trinity soldiers into maniac killers. It’s up to Lara to use all her skills to defeat these monsters and somehow shut down the research facility.
This comes on top of the previous DLC packages Endurance Mode and Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch, the later of which sees Lara enter the Wicked Vale in order to find a missing person but discovers something much more chilling and difficult to explain.
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a spectacular achievement. A story expertly told on a grand scale with a superb mix of survival, combat and puzzling and wrapped in genuinely breathtaking visuals that can only be fully appreciated when your gaming rig is rocking the sheer, technological grunt of a high performance GPU built for next-gen gaming. Check out the official GTX 960 bundle page for more details on how you can score Rise of the Tomb Raider on PC for free.
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silverandgold said:[quote]
TotalAlisa
So he wants them all to develop a drug habit that keeps them together?? omfg That's a long way to go (DOWN) for a marriage to survive disbelief
A much better example of a couple who's got it together would have been Ashford and Simpson.
SOLID AS A ROCK
wonder505 said:[quote]
Thanks, I appreciate that wonder505, because truth is, we're Prince fans because of the music not who he marries, divorce or falls in love with.
"Stay strong Prince, because it's all about your music, that's why we love you!"
i dont think his wife is that pretty....
IdeaLady said:
It's not difficult to stay loyal. I'm loyal to a fault because I chose to be a giver this lifetime. My word is my honor.
It takes two to make it work is right. Let's look at Kate Hudson, she said in an interview that her husbands female friends are at the house all the time, walking around topless. That's them and she is use to that from being married to a rocker (Chris Robinson). That's a deep relationship they have so I guess they are strong.
Major Temptation? It's like I tell guys when I walk past them and they've just checked a female out walking in front of me. "It's just a female. Stop acting like you never saw one before." If a man is fascinated by the female body, he has the mind of a 10-year-old. It's the personality and character of humans that drive relationships. It's the spiritual connection that keeps them going until the learning experience is over.
mschirmer
1FRO
MRDREAMFACTORY
I did'nt even know he was geting divorsed.hes better single anyways.saying prince is a husband dont sound right anyways.Id guess it was because he puts to much into his work.hes not got time for a good relationship.
Prince Fan~Natic 32 Years & Counting
you know you have to be a women to type this.U go prince.prince don't need a dirty azz women holding him down or back from what we & he needs,MUSIC! baby.To hell with women.
TotalAlisa said:
I dont either.it must of been love cause it could not of been looks.
bkw said:
BOOO!!!
redflag
As far as Tamar's being signed to Universal, didn't part of Universal break up in different divisions earlier this year?
Yes, but that had nothing to do with the current shelving of the album by Universal (according to T17), as she was supposed to come out on the Universal Republic half along with Prince (as opposed to the other half Universal Motown).
You're right! I knew she was at the NAACP performance but I completely forgot.
Prince's creative writing comes from the things that R going on in his life at the moment...
In February he knocked everyone dead when He sprang "FURY" on us on SNL..
A Happily Married Man doesn't write lyrics like that...BUT it sounded sooooo good.Probably not 2 Mani tho.
Everyone is talking about Tamar...Where R the "Twins" ???? I think they R
the HOTT ones..
KelleyG
KelleyG said:
Don't U remember how Manu thought she was better than everyone and could look down on them and exclude them? that's how beautiful Manu is
not being mean just supporting a truth
about the only time i agree with views of 'eve' being 'evil' is when i encounter women like this ... slippery mani-pulative control-freak lizards ( the word lizard refers to a study done on the human psyche . not name-calling ) ... as soon as they arent in control anymore... they start foaming at the mouth...or at the front gate... cuz their game is up. then they move on to other situations and people to control. if they're really condescending, they'll choose charity work, cuz it makes em look good. vanity vanity all is vanity...etc.. sorry just, sometimes its gotta be said.
NB: i aint sayin this to be mean or rude or anything, i have known many women like this, and this should be a good example of what not to do with a man whom ur supposed to love for who he is, for any girl/woman out there... dont play nasty little games to keep your man. 4 real. peace and love.
lastly... p fan says " wow mani ur hair is really beautiful tonite "
mani said " aw gee thanks! its like ur my very own fan!! "
i wish her well really i do. may God Bless and guide her to greener pastures. p.x
Puhleezze!!! Mani looks like a twig on a tree....if Prince has to be with anyone, why not Tamar? He did say on one of his show I went to in feb. Sex with Chocolate
TheCountessOfR
ochester
incognito said:
i agree with your post, incognito.
being faithful isn't hard at all for me either.
don't ever want something (or somebody) so bad that you can't walk away from it (or them)
Sounds like a mid-life crisis to me!
the vibe i'm getting is that whatever he was building over the last decade or so has come to a point where it isn't working for him anymore, but at the same time, it seems like he doesn't know what to replace it with.
he'll figure it out. if he hasnt already
my thread about manuela was locked.... it was not to be mean sprirted... i was just surprised at the way she looked... because you would think by the way prince acts he would have the most beautiful woman on his arms.. i would say she is attractive... but i dont think she is the prettiest... but she does look good... also i thought prince would go by looks only.. because of the past girls that were in his video... i mean... look at carmen electra she is really gorgeous..... anyways... my locked thread was NOT to be mean spirited... it was my opinion but if it offended any one i apologize....
No need to apologize-it's cool . It has just become thread lock central around here lately, but you didn't do anything wrong .
nurse said:
don't apologize Manu wants it 2 look like shes cares about NE1 BUTT herseLF
Mani's rich and lives luxuriously, so we're supposed to stereotype her and believe she only cares about herself.
Funny, I know a lot people who don't care about nobody but themselves, one was my ex and the other are folks are grew up with, who were definately not rich....but I digress.....
wonder505 said:
Oh I see now thanks 4 the explanation wonder505 .
LeGrindlady,
He said "Sexual Chocolate" at his shows with Tamar, not "Sex with Chocolate".
I just had an idea...
Now, the NPGMC's temporary shut-down is only "allegedly" due 2 a legal battle w/ that British company...could the shut-down maybe have something 2 do w/ a different legal battle? Maybe Prince doesn't want his virtual home that he shares w/ his admirers/friends/family 2 b a place of discussion (well, "gossip" would b a better word") about what he & Manuela r going thru...& eye wouldn't blame him 4 letting this divorce b a reason 4 shutting the place down. In fact, eyed probably do the same if eye were him. He doesn't need 2 hear/c his fans gossip about him...about things that they don't entirely know about, no less.
Anyway, that's just a possibility that occurred 2 me, & eye thought eyed just throw it out there.
Peace & Hugz
~Laura*<+)O
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Pocket Karaoke turns all your iPhone/iPod music Karaoke-able
August 13, 2010 in Music (E)
[prMac.com] Hong Kong - Zentertain today is pleased to announce the release and immediate availability of Pocket Karaoke 1.0 for iPhone and iPod touch devices. Pocket Karaoke is a revolutionary music app that allows you to sing Karaoke and record your singing voice with all your iPod songs. You simply choose a song from your iPod library, and the app will remove the singer's voice automatically. Then you'll be able to sing along with the instrumental-only music and your voice will be recorded. After you record a song, you will be able to play it with the speaker or headset and show off to your friends.
Pocket Karaoke targets people who like music. It offers an incredibly easy way to make all your own songs Karaoke-able so you can sing Karaoke and record your singing voice with the instrumental-only background music. For the first time there is a handheld Karaoke solution that is so powerful and fun.
* Remove the singer's voice of any iPod song, in just a few seconds.
* Record your singing voice.
* Playback the song you recorded, with either the speaker or headset.
* iPhone and iPod touch
* 1.0 MB
Pocket Karaoke 1.0 is $0.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Music category.
Pocket Karaoke 1.0
Screenshot 1
Located in Hong Kong, Zentertain was recently founded in 2010. Zentertain specializes in developing both applications and games for the iOS devices. Copyright (C) 2010 Zentertain. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Kai Xia
"Getting started with software publishing involves lots of uncertainties and confusions, so it was a huge relief to have prMac write our press release as well as guide us through the process of issuing it. We saved a lot of time, and our press release is much better than it would have been without their help."
Doug Hogg - Toy Kite Software
Music | Karaoke | Voice | Singing | Songs | Recording | iPhone
"I have used prMac for the release of my company's products and have found their service to go above and beyond, what can only be considered as, exceptional. They have been extremely quick to offer help and assistance and offer a truly personal service, which as a business owner, has proved invaluable. I have no hesitation in recommending prMac and will continue to use them for future releases."
Dr Elaine Ryan - LiveHappy
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Paul Cowling (I)
Paul is a Canadian actor living in Alberta, Canada. He was born in Calgary, and raised in Saskatchewan. He has worked mostly in stage, with the occasional appearance in television and films.
Known for Arrow (2017), Atomic Dog (1998), Wynonna Earp (2018), Viper (1996)
6' 1" (1.85m) | Performs 40-55 & 10 more performer profile details
CAEA | ACTRA
@AlbertaActor (twitter.com) | ipromisetodothis.wordpress.com
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The Corporation
Biography, Crime
A story of Jose Miguel Battle (a.k.a. the Godfather), the leader of an organized crime group, called "The Corporation", which was involved in illegal activities ranging from loansharking and gambling to drug trafficking and murder.
T.J. English (book "The Corporation: An Epic Story of the Cuban American Underworld") | David Matthews (screenplay)
Jennifer Davisson | Leonardo DiCaprio | Jose Daniel Freixas | Tony Gonzalez & 2 more
Edit Script
1 cast member
Jose Miguel Battle, Sr. Jose Miguel Battle, Sr. See fewer
Release date not announced
IMDb users will be able to rate this title after it has been released
1 external link (official websites, website)
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UPDATED: Crystal Palace sack manager Frank de Boer
Crystal Palace's Dutch manager Frank de Boer (R) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Crystal Palace at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on September 10, 2017.
Crystal Palace on Monday sacked manager Frank de Boer after a dismal start to the Premier League season in which they have lost all four of their matches without scoring a single goal.
“Crystal Palace Football Club have this morning parted company with Frank de Boer,” said a statement on the club’s website.
“We would like to thank Frank for his dedication and hard work during his time at the club.
“A new manager will be appointed in due course and we wish Frank the very best of luck for the future.”
The south London club have been strongly linked with a move to appoint former England boss Roy Hodgson to replace the departing Dutch manager.
Palace chairman Steve Parish on Sunday took to Twitter to rally fans around the team, without giving unequivocal backing to the former Ajax and Inter Milan boss.
In an exchange with supporters on social media following Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Burnley, Parish wrote: “People are frustrated, I’m frustrated, so are the management and players. We know we are better than this…”
Parish also wrote: “We are 4 games in, it’s a terrible start but we have to stick together.”
Palace have so far conceded seven goals with defeats to Huddersfield, Liverpool, Swansea and Burnley.
De Boer said after the match at Turf Moor: “I am just focusing on what I can control and so are my staff and my players. (The future) is for other people to decide but while I’m the manager of Crystal Palace I will give 100 percent.”
AFP.
Crystal Palace Premier League
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12 killed in Jos building collapse —SEMA
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Ex-Japanese govt official allegedly kills son over fear of him attacking others
Web image
A knife attack in Japan prompted a 76-year-old former top bureaucrat Hideaki Kumazawa, to murder his own son because he was deeply concerned that he could also inflict harm on others, local media reported on Monday.
Kumazawa, who served as a top bureaucrat in the farm ministry, was arrested on June 1, for stabbing his 44-year-old son Eiichiro to death at their home in Tokyo, Kyodo News agency reported.
Kumazawa, who was also Japan’s ambassador to the Czech Republic between 2005 and 2008, told police that he was motivated by his son’s social withdrawal and domestic violence, Kyodo reported.
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu set to sign N873.5bn budget
Kumazawa said his son “tended to be withdrawn from social life and showed violent behaviour’’ toward him and his wife, Kyodo reported, citing unnamed investigative sources.
The incident came less than a week after a knife-wielding man attacked two adults and 18 children at a school bus stop in the city of Kawasaki near Tokyo, leaving two people dead and one woman and 17 schoolgirls injured.
The 51-year-old suspect in that attack, who stabbed himself in the neck and died in hospital, was also reportedly socially withdrawn or a “hikikomori’’ as they are known in Japanese.
He had rarely left his home and lived with his uncle and aunt who were in their 80s.
The hikikomori phenomenon is one of the most serious social problems facing Japan.
An estimated 613,000 people aged between 40 and 64 are socially withdrawn, with job-related problems being the biggest reason for becoming recluses, according to a government survey published in March.
(dpa/NAN)
Foreign news Japan Knife attack
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‘Dead’ woman found alive in mortuary fridge
US criticises Russia over work permits for North Korean laborers
EU says Cambodia vote ‘lacks credibility’
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Senate investigates SARS over alleged human rights abuses
The Senate on Tuesday mandated its Ad Hoc Committee on Security to investigate allegations of human rights abuses against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad on the Nigeria Police Force.
The move was sequel to a Point-of-Order raised by Sen. Isa Misau (APC-Bauchi) during plenary.
Misau said that under the Police Act and regulation, the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (Force CID) was the highest investigative arm of the Nigerian police.
“For effective and efficient administration, the department is divided into 14 sections for which the Special Anti-Robbery Squad is one of them.
“The squad is supposed to be a section in each state command, with sole responsibility of handling armed robbery cases and answerable to the commissioner for police.
“I have in the last few months received petitions from my constituency, both online and physically, against SARS on violence from extra-judicial killing, brutality, torture, arrest, bribery and other menacing conduct by the men of the unit.”
The lawmaker said that findings had shown that the incidents were not isolated as many people had been sharing their experiences on social media.
“We are a civilised society. The majority of the Nigerian Police is manned by men and women of great integrity, discipline and commitment.
“However, this unit is not one of them. It is dangerous for us to have a unit of the police force to act as if it is above the law and empowered to so behave,” Misau said.
He urged his colleagues to take a major decision to end SARS to make way for a more civilised unit that would be built around the rule of law and human rights observance.
“I’m aware that in 2015, the then IG of Police, Solomon Arase, had due to incessant reports of abuses by the force, split SARS into two units with a view to check human rights abuses.
“This indeed was by ensuring that officers cannot make arrest and investigate the same case.”
Misau, however, said the abuses had continued irrespective of that.
He said the Nigeria Police had a major obligation to ensure protection of human rights in all the states of the federation.
“It therefore ought to prevent and investigate corruption as well as misconduct by law enforcement officers and provide accountability for the exercise of their powers.
“I call on this chamber to mandate the ad hoc committee on security to investigate this issue of human rights abuses by SARS and make relevant recommendations.”
The motion was seconded by Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi).
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said it was appropriate for the matter to be sent to the committee for consideration.
“It is clear that something wrong is going on and needs urgent attention. It is happening in all our constituents, and we must be seen to be responsive to some of these needs,” Saraki said.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim, had on Monday ordered the reorganisation of SARS following allegations of human rights abuses.
#ENDSARS SARS
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Groups demand further reform of SARS
SARS operatives to face trial in Ilorin over sexual harassment
NHRC inaugurates probe panel on SARS, calls for memoranda
Nigerian-born basketball player, Calistus Anyichie, drowns at waterfall park
Ned Nwoko loses case at Supreme Court
Man arrested at airport with $34,000 cocaine under his wig
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Fun:Star Wars
Tired of laughing? RationalWiki has a slightly more serious article about Star Wars.
The opening to three very good films.
Star Wars is a trilogy of science fiction movies (AND THERE ARE ONLY THREE OF THEM AND NO MORE) that took place [sic] a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Despite the fact that it took place a long time ago and really far away, almost everyone was humanoid and spoke perfect English. It has bad guys whose mooks have the best aim in the history of film.
After absolutely nothing happened whatsoever from 1984 to 2011, the creator of Star Wars[1] finally decided to sell off his studio to Wal Bisdney in 2012 so it could try to revive the franchise from certain death repeat the successes of the trilogy by outright remaking it.
1.1 From the prequels ahem, "unpleasantness"
1.2 From the original trilogy
1.3 From the unpleasantness that makes the prequels look good sequel trilogy
1.4 From Suicide Squad Rogue One
1.5 From Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Solo
2 The RationalWiki angle
2.1 Fundies
2.2 Libertarians?!
3 Parodies
4 Video games
From the prequels ahem, "unpleasantness"[edit]
A forward-thinking Dark Lord of the Sith
Anakin Skywalker - the main protagonist, Anakin is first introduced as a whiny brat who matures into a rat-tailed carny snotty, unappreciative, narcissistic, megalomaniacal sand hater by the second film and his actor won a bunch of Razzies. Throughout the course of the series he goes from being American to Canadian to African American to British.
Obi-Wan Kenobi - the sexually nonthreatening father figure, played by one of the sexiest Scotsmen around. One of the few characters that no one hates.
Qui-Gon Jinn - has a particular set of skills, and will find you, and will kill you (if those "death sticks" don't get you first).
Darth Sidious (Supreme Chancellor Palpatine) - the main antagonist, preys on Anakin's daddy issues. The only one who looks like he's having a good time. Pa Pa Palpatine, Naboo's greatest hate machine, it was a shame how he carried on!
Master Yoda - the really sexually nonthreatening grandfather figure, he was.
Padmé Amidala - the love interest of Anakin, Padmé was also the love interest of every heterosexual teenage male who watched the series. She dies because she gave birth to Leia and there's only allowed to be a finite number of women in the Star Wars universe at any one time. (Her actor was one of the few to come out of the Unpleasantness unscathed.[2])
Padmé's body double - the body double of the queen, played by Keira Knightley. People forget she was in these movies, part of the reason she also was able to escape the Unpleasantness unscathed.
Darth Maul - a lobster/devil thing who was good at martial arts and was soon made irrelevant. Due to his popularity however, he was resurrected in the Clone Wars cartoon.
Mace Windu - just one "I have had it" monologue would've been fine for us. But no, we couldn't even get that.
Jar Jar Binks - the greatest Star Wars character of all time. Seriously. It takes a special kind of character to unite the fandom in any way. Although recent evidence suggests that far from the bumbling idiot he has been portrayed as, Jar Jar is actually a magnificent bastard, the actual power behind Palpatine.[3][4] Even the actor who played him thinks so.[5]
From the original trilogy[edit]
Previously unseen childhood snap of Chewbacca
The influence of Princess Leia's hairstyling continues to haunt Ukrainian politics.[6]
Darth Vader - the most iconic antagonist in spite of being at most second in command in any movie (and barely in 10% of the first one), Vader enjoyed long walks on the beach, killing his generals, and editing Conservapedia. In a previous life he had been well-known to British viewers as the Green Cross Code Man, exhorting children to 'stop, look and listen.' Actually played by five actors — one for the voice, two for being in the suit, a guy to fill in for him in light saber battles, and a fifth for him dying (who also played his Force Ghost). Why? Goes to Jedi heaven despite all the Jedi genocide and youngling murder. Recanting on your deathbed does work (saving your son and killing Darth Sidious may have helped, too).
Luke Skywalker - the main protagonist and second in a family of assholes, Luke would only have sexual relations with his sibling. Was actually called "Luke Starkiller" even in the shooting script, so at least someone on set spared us that.
Obi-Wan Kenobi - still sexually nonthreatening; while waiting for young Luke to grow up, Obi-Wan spent his time meditating and surfing the galactic internet PMing Yoda.
Han Solo - a maverick (similar to John McCain[WTF?]), was always stroking his own Wookiee
Princess Leia Organa - was a snotty, unappreciative, narcissistic megalomaniac with nice boosters. Her golden bikini scene in Return of the Jedi was a formative experience for many adolescent boys in the early 1980s.
Yoda - still the New Age-y green dwarf who had been Fozzie Bear[7] in a previous life. The giveaways were his voice, and enjoying swamp life. Offered more platitudes than Kermit though, and some remarkably bad advice.
Chewie - a furry seven-foot yeti/bigfoot thing named after chewing tobacco. Sort of like a giant superintelligent bipedal Yorkshire terrier. Used to yelp and gurgle a lot, and went through the Millennium Falcon's shampoo by the barrel.
C-3PO - a surprisingly camp golden robot, who had odd gestures and posture. R2-D2's soulmate.
R2-D2 - a short dumpy robot who made unintelligible bleepy noises which, bizarrely, everyone in the film (and the audience) could instantly understand. Either that, or he was continually swearing.
Jabba the Hutt - a fat, sluggish nightclub owner. Another character who didn't speak English.
Wilhuff Tarkin - I mean, Peter Cushing was in it! As a naval commander of some kind of grey planetary structure.
Admiral Gial Ackbar - It's a frap Sorry, I just left Starbucks. It's a trap!
Ewoks - teddy bears who lived up trees and spoke Kalmyk (the language spoken by the Kalmyk people of Russia). Originally supposed to be Wookies, but changed in a blatant attempt to sell more toys. Probably the first sign that Star Wars was going horribly wrong. Unless you've seen what it started out as, which makes it a surprise it was ever right to begin with.
Boba Fett - A completely incompetent bounty hunter whose only saving grace is neat looking armor. Despite being a supposed badass, he's knocked into an alien sand anus by a flailing blind man. His father's clones were the first Stormtroopers.
It's worth watching Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress, to see where the inspiration for several of these characters came from. Snotty princess — Check. Camp pair of retainers — Check. Evil emperor — Check. Samurai who gains in confidence — Check...
From the unpleasantness that makes the prequels look good sequel trilogy[edit]
Rey - Luke's female counterpart/successor. So far, she's the most badass of the new characters we've seen.
Bowe Bergdahl Finn - A former US Soldier Stormtrooper who deserted the cause after his conditioning broke during a battle, joined the resistance against them, and proceeded to get his ass handed to him several times.
Poe Dameron - Ace X-Wing pilot, BB-8's caretaker, and the closest thing the movie has to a "white male protagonist," despite his Guatemalan heritage. Quite categorically dies near the beginning, but then is written back into the film via the magic of last-minute script alterations. Played by manic-pixie-dream-guy of the moment, Oscar Issac.
Kylo Ren Not Darth Vader - He thinks he's Darth Vader, and he even tries to cosplay as Darth Vader, but he's really bad at it. He is actually an edgy, emo kid underneath that helmet. Now Supreme Leader of the First Order, which gives him the amazing ability to pull entire battlefleets of modern Star Destroyers from his own rear end.
General Hux Not Tarkin - In charge of a planet-destroying battlestation? Check. Holding Darth Vader's Kylo Ren's leash for the Emperor Supreme Leader? Check. Orders the destruction of a planet to christen the new battlestation? No, now it's several planets! And he's ginger, so soulless comes with the actor.
BB-8 - The new R2-D2 (because they couldn't reuse the old one or something), shaped like a soccer ball, probably swears a lot more than R2 did, and even flips off Finn at one point. Is a "little white cuck ball," according to 4chan. No, really.
Han Solo - He's gotten old! And he apparently misplaced his spaceship. And had a fight with his princess not-wife. And he seems to be limping after that time he hid in a fridge when a nuke went off.
Princess GENERAL Leia - Leader of the Resistance, not quite as hot as the last movie she showed up in, but she still seems to go out of her way to get a bunch of armored angry white people shooting at (and missing) her.
C-3PO - He's back, but with a red arm for reasons only nerds who care about the Expanded Universe would know. Actually, scratch that last bit, the Expanded Universe is no longer canon. Thanks Disney.
Supreme Leader Snoke - A CGI cave troll who can't be bothered to get off the toilet to answer the phone. Spoiler Alert: He's secretly every Star Wars character ever, but don't tell anyone! Of course all that speculation is now moot because he ultimately got chopped in half by Emo Ren. Proves that Lucas isn't the only one who can come up with really stupid names.
TR-8R - The greatest Stormtrooper ever to walk the face of the galaxy.
Captain Phasma - Special stormtrooper that's a badass because... her armor is chrome, or something. Of course when someone points a gun at her, she folds like a lawn chair and immediately (and surprisingly enthusiastically) helps her captors to kill everyone under her command. After complaints that the character didn't get enough screentime, she got a bigger role in The Last Jedi, as a five-ish minute cameo who gets dropped into a fiery chasm by Finn. Like Boba Fett before her, she's only a badass in the EU works.
From Suicide Squad Rogue One[edit]
Jyn Erso - Yet another female protagonist, and just as badass as Ren. Killed off in the end to avoid accusations of being a "Mary Sue".
Cassian Andor - A morally gray Rebel captain who doesn't do that much.
Director Orson Krennic - A glorified architect who chokes on his aspirations too much.
Wilhuff Tarkin - He's back, with a CGI face stuck firmly in the uncanny valley.
HK-47 K-2SO - A surprisingly murderous reprogrammed Imperial droid.
Zatoichi Chirrut Îmwe - A blind Force-using warrior-monk whose vocabulary is limited to "I am one with the Force, the Force is with me". Definitely not a Jedi.
Darth Vader - Die Rebel Die!
Galen Erso - So that's why the Death Star had such an "idiotic flaw": it's because the entire staff planning and constructing it paid absolutely no attention to this guy adding it to the plans!
From Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Solo[edit]
Han Solo - The title character of the film. Basically Aladdin A street urchin from Corellia who escaped and later washed out of flight school only to later desert and resort to a life of crime. Responsible for funding the Rebellion but forgets all of that by the time he meets Luke.
Qi'ra - Fellow street urchin and Han's love interest. Failing to escape until she joins up with the Crimson Dawn. Betrays her boss and takes his place.
Tobias Beckett - Leader of a small gang trying to steal coaxium for the Crimson Dawn. Tries to betray Han, only to be bested.
Chewbacca - A Clone Wars vet turned runaway slave. Han was fed to him, only for the two to hatch an escape plan together. Ends up becoming Han's best bud.
Lando Calrissian - Famous smuggler and cheat card shark. Recruited to retrieve coaxium for Crimson Dawn, then later loses his ship to Han in a game.
Scarface Dryden Vos - Underboss in the Crimson Dawn. Qi'ra owes her loyalty to him (for a time).
L3-37 - Basically every civil rights leader ever. Lando's droid partner who starts a droid revolt on Kessel only to go the way of Dr. King.
Darth Maul - Yes, he's back. Somehow escaping his ex-master's clutches after the Clone Wars and founding the Crimson Dawn.
The RationalWiki angle[edit]
“”Reddit: Who shot first? Han Solo or Greedo?
Harrison Ford: I don't know and I don't care.
—April 2014[8]
Star Wars explores how a small determined cabal of neocons Sith Lords can use an invented "crisis" to manipulate a democracy through fear into acting against its own interest, thus becoming an Evil Empire. And all thanks to Jar Jar.
Star Wars presents a distilled version of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity under a generic religion called The Force which grants magic powers to its initiates.
Star Wars has one of the more hilariously self-contradictory ethics systems ever: Luke is fine with slaughtering legions of Imperial troops, henchmen, and everyone on the Death Star,[9] yet when he reaches Darth Vader, killing his former father would be "giving in to the Dark Side." However, there is a crucial difference: the Death Star is not defenseless (and is about to destroy an inhabited planet), but by the time Palpatine tries to goad Luke, Vader is already helpless and disarmed.[10][11]
With a more diverse cast and a female protagonist to boot, the sequel trilogy has faced complaints of pushing a feminist/social justice warrior agenda by people who are also quick to deny that their objections are rooted in misogyny and/or other prejudices. Of particular contention is a subplot in The Last Jedi where the female Vice Admiral Holdo is shown to be more competent than the male Poe Dameron, which has faced allegations of promoting feminism,[12] despite no focus being made on either character's gender. This has prompted the likes of Ben Shapiro,[13] Sargon of Akkad,[14] Alex Jones,[15], Dave Cullen and Milo Yiannopoulos[16] to post rants of their own against the film. Milo's rant is particularly noteworthy because despite claiming women "ruined" Star Wars, he previously said the franchise was already horrible to begin with.[17]
Fundies[edit]
Unsurprisingly, some Christian fundamentalists caught on to the popularity of something other than the Bible (and that "something" drew a bit of influence from Asian religious belief systems, no less). They denounced Star Wars as Satanic, compared it to Nazis, and promoted the New World Order.[18] Shoehorning, that is. The irony is that the trilogy is an anti-Nazi project; Lucas based the empire on the Third Reich and Darth Sidious on Hitler.[citation needed]
Libertarians?![edit]
“”Will you join the Rebel Alliance? Donate $20.16 to help me keep up the momentum of my post-debate victory!
—Rand Paul, 12/17/15 Tweet.[19]
You were the chosen one! You were supposed to bring balance to the market, not leave it in darkness!
Jedi are not allowed to feel emotion, they're not allowed to have romantic attachments, and believe in an invisible force binding the universe together, so you can see why libertarians can relate to that on personal grounds. (You seen the Jedi temple? It makes Apple's corporate HQ look like a duplex!)
In case anyone is curious what our favorite economist and second third favorite philosopher would think of Star Wars, here's the latest and greatest "Greenspan is Vader" and "Obama is Palpatine" hot takes:
“”As Ludwig Von Mises was so intellectually consistent and pure he can be compared to none other than the great Jedi Master Yoda...The Sith lord and the dark side spread its influence behind the scenes by manipulating the political system just as central bankers and the creators of central banks did.
—Not a cult.[20]
Jedi believe in working for others. Also, they were based on ronin, the most selfless guys imaginable (the word "Jedi" comes from jidai geki, Japanese for "period drama", i.e. those set in the feudal era of Japan when samurai predominated.) You get nothing, good day sir.
And, if you want to get really confused, check out their "Maybe the Empire Were the Good Guys" prax, with such epic statements as:
“”Lucas confused the good guys with the bad. The deep lesson of Star Wars is that the Empire is good…. Make no mistake, as emperor, Palpatine is a dictator — but a relatively benign one, like Pinochet. It’s a dictatorship people can do business with. They collect taxes and patrol the skies. They try to stop organized crime (in the form of the smuggling rings run by the Hutts)[21]
Bill Kristol adopts a similar view as his magazine, which doesn't exactly scream freedom:
“”Imperial stormtroopers kill Luke’s aunt and uncle and Grand Moff Tarkin orders the destruction of an entire planet, Alderaan. But viewed in context, these acts are less brutal than they initially appear. Poor Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen reach a grisly end, but only after they aid the rebellion by hiding Luke and harboring two fugitive droids. They aren’t given due process, but they are traitors."[22]
Bonus: 2001 sucked.
Parodies[edit]
There are too many to count, but only one (in film format) has stood the test of time: Mel Brooks' Spaceballs.[23][24][25] Released four years after Return of the Jedi and deemed pointless by critics, it is now recognized as the last good moment of Brooks' cinema career.
Video games[edit]
Battlefront, KOTOR, Dark Forces, X-Wing, Republic Commando, and Rogue Squadron. Play them. Avoid EA's Battlefront II like the plague though, unless you want a taste of glorified gambling in the form of loot boxes, play the original one instead.
There's also an old MMORPG named Star Wars Galaxies, and a newer MMORPG named Star Wars: The Old Republic. As with all MMORPGs, you should only play them if you don't ever want to have any free time again.
The LEGO Star Wars series did a surprisingly good job of retelling the prequel trilogy. Turns out that the story becomes substantially more entertaining once all the dialogue has been removed, and the more worthless characters given useful abilities. Plus you can pummel Jar Jar Binks and Anakin Skywalker into dismemberment as much as you like with no penalty.[26]
Videos[edit]
Cantina Band, because John Fucking Williams.
Mark Hamill reads Trump's Tweets as the Joker
Say No to May the 4th
Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi. I exist, and I find it nauseating.
Patton Oswalt's Episode VII Filibuster
Were the Sith really the bad guys?
Fun with Star Wars quotes
How Vader lost the Battle of Hoth (and with IR analysis!)
The Force Skeptics page
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Brian Cox have a nerdfight on the possibility of real-life lightsabers.
The Star Wars That I Used To Know
When I thought about midi-chlorians, only one thought kept me going...
What if Episode I, II, and III were good? - See how simple that was, Oh Great Mansioned One?
How The Phantom Menace Should Have Ended and its 3D Trailer
10 Reasons the Mansioned One Should Have Quit After Jedi (Only one reason for us.)
And then there are these video reviews of the Unpleasantness:
The First Unpleasantness
The Second Unpleasantness
The Third Unplea It seems that the reviewer lost his patience with the Unpleasantness after the first two installments.[27]
↑ We must not speak his name... (NSFL)
↑ Natalie Portman on 'Star Wars': 'No director wanted to work with me afterwards', NME
↑ original Reddit thread
↑ Is Jar Jar Binks the ultimate Star Wars bad guy? Yes, says the internet
↑ And it's not just Leia.
↑ Or perhaps Grover, Kuato, or Jordi Pujol
↑ Thank you.
↑ Stormtroopers 9/11
↑ This is never explored in the movies. AT ALL. The few Expanded Universe authors who have drawn attention to this issue (Matthew Stover, Karen Traviss) are alternately loved and flamed by ravenous rancors fanboys. And even worse, the EU is effectively retconned now.
↑ Another possible difference is not ethical but psychological. Luke is tempted to kill Darth Vader out of anger, rather than simply as part of a necessary war. Anger is apparently an emotion that leads Jedi to the Dark Side.
↑ From a "reviewer" who refers to the female characters as "Asian bitch", "fat Asian bitch", and "purple-haired cunt".
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-t4bU3-lHA
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPsRp7uUXUk
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bET74_BkiRU
↑ MILO: 'Women Have Ruined Star Wars'...
↑ ...but if Star Wars is already garbage, how could it be ruined?
↑ Here, here, and here.
↑ Jack Martinez, "As ‘Star Wars’ Opens, Rand Paul Urges Backers to ‘Join the Rebel Alliance’", Newsweek.
↑ O'Connor, Dan, "The Clairvoyant George Lucas", Lew Rockwell, 4.18.13.
↑ Tucker, Jeffrey, "Star Wars, Their Wars", Lew Rockwell, 5.23.02.
↑ Vast, Jonathan V., "The Case for the Empire - Everything you think you know about Star Wars is wrong", The Weekly Standard, 5.15.02.
↑ Opening scene
↑ Comb the desert!
↑ Now you see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb.
↑ Seriously! They explode into Lego pieces when killed.
↑ Okay, okay, here you go.
Retrieved from "https://rationalwiki.org/w/index.php?title=Fun:Star_Wars&oldid=2081864"
Articles with mainspace counterparts
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US7403323B2 - Process control monitors for interferometric modulators - Google Patents
Process control monitors for interferometric modulators Download PDF
control monitor
Expired - Fee Related, expires 2026-04-01
William Cummings
Brian Gally
SnapTrack Inc
IDC LLC
2005-11-17 Application filed by IDC LLC filed Critical IDC LLC
2009-10-30 Assigned to QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. reassignment QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: IDC,LLC
2010-05-24 Assigned to IDC, LLC reassignment IDC, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GALLY, BRIAN, CUMMINGS, WILLIAM J.
2016-08-31 Assigned to SNAPTRACK, INC. reassignment SNAPTRACK, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
B81C99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
B81C99/0035—Testing
B81C99/004—Testing during manufacturing
G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using infra-red, visible or ultra-violet light
G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
G01N21/55—Specular reflectivity
G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
G01N21/95—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined
G01N21/9501—Semiconductor wafers
G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light, e.g. switching, gating, modulating
G02B26/001—Optical devices or arrangements using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light, e.g. switching, gating, modulating based on interference in an adjustable optical cavity
B81B—MICROSTRUCTURAL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS, e.g. MICROMECHANICAL DEVICES
B81B2201/00—Specific applications of microelectromechanical systems
B81B2201/04—Optical MEMS
B81B2201/042—Micromirrors, not used as optical switches
Process control monitors are disclosed that are produced using at least some of the same process steps used to manufacture a MEMS device. Analysis of the process control monitors can provide information regarding properties of the MEMS device and components or sub-components in the device. This information can be used to identify errors in processing or to optimize the MEMS device. In some embodiments, analysis of the process control monitors may utilize optical measurements.
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/198,888, filed Aug. 5, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/613,537, filed on Sep. 27, 2004, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This application is also related to application Ser. No. 11/281,763, entitled “Process Control Monitors for Interferometric Modulators,” filed Nov. 17, 2005, application Ser. No. 11/281,758, entitled “Process Control Monitors for Interferometric Modulators,” filed Nov. 17, 2005, and application Ser. No. 11/281,136, entitled “Process Control Monitors for Interferometric Modulators,” filed Nov. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat No. 7,259,865; all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The field of the invention relates to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) include micro mechanical elements, actuators, and electronics. Micromechanical elements may be created using deposition, etching, and or other micromachining processes that etch away parts of substrates and/or deposited material layers or that add layers to form electrical and electromechanical devices. One type of MEMS device is called an interferometric modulator. As used herein, the term interferometric modulator or interferometric light modulator refers to a device that selectively absorbs and/or reflects light using the principles of optical interference. In certain embodiments, an interferometric modulator may comprise a pair of conductive plates, one or both of which may be transparent and/or reflective in whole or part and capable of relative motion upon application of an appropriate electrical signal. In a particular embodiment, one plate may comprise a stationary layer deposited on a substrate and the other plate may comprise a metallic membrane separated from the stationary layer by an air gap. As described herein in more detail, the position of one plate in relation to another can change the optical interference of light incident on the interferometric modulator. Such devices have a wide range of applications, and it would be beneficial in the art to utilize and/or modify the characteristics of these types of devices so that their features can be exploited in improving existing products and creating new products that have not yet been developed.
Errors can occur during the manufacturing of MEMS devices. Detecting the errors and the source of the errors can present a problem in the quality control and optimization of MEMS devices. Accordingly, there is a need for structures and methods for monitoring manufacturing processes and their results.
One embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of obtaining information regarding manufacturing processes used to manufacture a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), the method including forming at least one MEMS structure on a first side of a substrate through a series of deposition and patterning steps, simultaneously forming at least one process control monitor on the first side of the substrate utilizing the series of deposition and patterning steps, wherein the process control monitor has at least one structural difference from the MEMS structure, and detecting light reflected from the process control monitor from a second side of the substrate opposite the first side, whereby the detected light provides a characteristic of at least one material deposited or removed during the deposition and patterning steps.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of monitoring interferometric modulator manufacturing processes, wherein the manufacturing process comprises a series of deposition and patterning steps, the method including forming a process control monitor using the series of deposition and patterning steps, wherein the process control monitor has at least one structural difference from interferometric modulators formed by the manufacturing process and detecting optical reflectance from the process control monitor.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a process control monitor for use in monitoring interferometric modulator manufacturing processes, wherein the interferometric modulators are adapted for use in a display, the process control monitor manufactured by a process comprising at least one step in common with steps used to manufacture the interferometric modulators adapted for use in the display.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising one or more interferometric modulators adapted for use in a display and one or more process control monitors adapted to reflect incident light and thereby provide information regarding processes used to manufacture the one or more interferometric modulators.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising a plurality of first means for reflecting light for use in a display and second means for monitoring processes used to manufacture the first means.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a display, comprising a first wafer that comprises a plurality of interferometric modulators, wherein the first wafer is produced by a process comprising forming the plurality of interferometric modulators and at least one process control monitor on a second wafer and cutting the second wafer to remove the process control monitor and thereby produce the first wafer.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of identifying an array of interferometric modulators as suitable for use in a display, wherein the interferometric modulators are manufactured by a process comprising a series of deposition and patterning steps, the method including forming at least one process control monitor using at least some of the series of deposition and patterning steps and detecting at least one characteristic of the process control monitor.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of monitoring the extent of etching of a first material positioned between and adjacent to two layers of other material during manufacturing of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), the method including manufacturing a process control monitor that comprises the two layers of other material and the first material disposed between and adjacent to the two layers, wherein one of the two layers comprises a hole, exposing the hole to an etchant, and optically detecting a distance from the center of the hole to where the etchant has etched away the first material, whereby the distance is indicative of the extent of etching of the first material.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising a plurality of structures comprising a sacrificial layer and at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer, wherein the structures become interferometric modulators upon removal of the sacrificial layer, wherein the at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer comprises a plurality of holes through which an etchant can reach the sacrificial layer and a process control monitor also comprising the sacrificial layer and the at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer, wherein the at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer in the process control monitor comprises multiple holes, wherein the distance between the holes in the process control monitor is greater than the distance between the plurality of holes in the plurality of structures.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising a plurality of structures comprising a sacrificial layer and at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer, wherein the structures become interferometric modulators upon removal of the sacrificial layer, wherein the at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer comprises a plurality of holes through which an etchant can reach the sacrificial layer and a process control monitor also comprising the sacrificial layer and the at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer, wherein the at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer in the process control monitor comprises a single hole.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of manufacturing a wafer having a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) and a process control monitor structure, the method including forming a plurality of structures, wherein forming the plurality of structures includes one or more material deposition and removal steps, wherein the structures comprise a sacrificial layer and at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer, wherein the at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer comprises a plurality of holes through which an etchant can reach the sacrificial layer, simultaneously forming a process control monitor, wherein forming the process control monitor includes the one or more material deposition and removal steps, wherein the process control monitor also comprises the sacrificial layer and the at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer, wherein the at least one layer above and adjacent to the sacrificial layer in the process control monitor comprises multiple holes, wherein the distance between the holes in the process control monitor is greater than the distance between the plurality of holes in the plurality of structures, and exposing the plurality of structures and the process control monitor to an etchant.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising: a micro-electro-mechanical structure (MEMS) and means for measuring extent of etching of a material removed during manufacturing of the MEMS.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a process control monitor produced by process including depositing at least three layers of material on top of each other and forming a hole in the top layer of material.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method for determining the effect of an interferometric modulator manufacturing process on color reflected from interferometric modulators manufactured by the process, the method including manufacturing a plurality of interferometric modulators comprising posts that support a first mechanical membrane, manufacturing a process control monitor etalon comprising posts that support a second mechanical membrane, wherein the posts in the process control monitor are present in higher density than the posts in the plurality of interferometric modulators, and detecting light reflected from the process control monitor etalon, whereby the detected light provides an indication of the depth of an interferometric cavity in the plurality of interferometric modulators.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a process control monitor for monitoring the effect of a process for manufacturing interferometric modulators on color reflected by those interferometric modulators, comprising a test etalon that comprises a higher density of posts supporting a mechanical membrane in the test etalon than in interferometric modulators produced by the process.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising a plurality of interferometric modulators adapted for use in a display and a process control monitor that comprises an etalon having a higher density of posts supporting a mechanical membrane than in the plurality of interferometric modulators.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a process control monitor, omc; idomg an etalon having a conductive partial mirror and a conductive mechanical membrane comprising a mirror, wherein the mechanical membrane is separated from the partial mirror by a plurality of posts, wherein the density of posts is high enough such that the mechanical membrane cannot collapse toward the partial mirror when a voltage is applied between the partial mirror and the mechanical membrane.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of manufacturing a combined micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) and process control monitor structure, the method including forming a MEMS structure, wherein forming the MEMS structure includes one or more material deposition and patterning steps, wherein the MEMS structure comprises a first mechanical membrane supported by a first plurality of posts and simultaneously forming a process control monitor, wherein forming the process control monitor includes the one or more material deposition and patterning steps, the process control monitor comprising a second mechanical membrane supported by a second plurality of posts, wherein the second plurality of posts are present in a higher density than the first plurality of posts.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising a plurality of first means for reflecting light for use in a display and second means for stably reflecting light having substantially the same color as reflected from at least one of the second means.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a process control monitor produced by a process that includes forming a partial mirror, forming a mechanical membrane, and forming a plurality of posts supporting the mechanical membrane and separating the mechanical membrane from the partial mirror, wherein the density of posts is high enough such that the mechanical membrane cannot collapse toward the partial mirror when a voltage is applied between the partial mirror and the mechanical membrane.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of monitoring deposition of material deposited during manufacturing of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), the method including forming a process control monitor that consists of at least three layers of material deposited during the manufacturing, wherein the at least three layers of material is less than the number of layers deposited during manufacturing of the MEMS, wherein the at least three layers of material form an etalon and detecting light reflected from the etalon, whereby information regarding properties of the at least three layers is obtained.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising a plurality of interferometric modulators adapted for use in a display and a non-modulating interferometer.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of monitoring deposition of material deposited during manufacturing of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), the method including forming a process control monitor comprising one or more layers of material deposited during the manufacturing, wherein the number of layers of material in the process control monitor is less than the number of layers deposited during manufacturing of the MEMS and detecting the reflectance of the process control monitor, whereby the reflectance provides information regarding properties of the layers in the process control monitor.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising a plurality of interferometric modulators adapted for use in a display, the interferometric modulators comprising a plurality of material layers and a process control monitor comprising one or more of the material layers, wherein the process control monitor comprises less than all of the plurality of material layers.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of manufacturing a combined micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) and process control monitor structure, the method including forming a MEMS structure, wherein forming the MEMS structure includes one or more material deposition and patterning steps and simultaneously forming a process control monitor, wherein forming the process control monitor includes the one or more material deposition and patterning steps, wherein the process control monitor comprises less than all components present in the MEMS structure.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer produced by a process that includes depositing and patterning a series of material layers on a substrate to form a MEMS structure and simultaneously depositing and patterning a series of material layers on the substrate to form a process control monitor, wherein the process control monitor comprises less than all components present in the MEMS structure.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of measuring thicknesses of layers deposited during manufacture of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), the method including forming a structure that comprises two or more layers successively deposited on top of each other, wherein the layers are formed using a process that is used for forming those layers during manufacture of the MEMS, wherein the layers are patterned such that at least two steps are formed in a profile of the structure and measuring the height of the steps by sweeping a profilometer across the structure.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a process control monitor for measuring the thicknesses of a plurality of layers deposited during manufacturing of an interferometric modulator, comprising the layers stacked on top of each other so as to form at least two steps in a profile of the process control monitor.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising a plurality of interferometric modulators adapted for use in a display, the interferometric modulators comprising a plurality of material layers and a process control monitor comprising the plurality of material layers stacked on top of each other so as to form at least two steps in a profile of the process control monitor.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of manufacturing a combined micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) and process control monitor structure, the method including forming a MEMS structure, wherein forming the MEMS structure includes one or more material deposition and patterning steps, wherein the MEMS structure comprises a plurality of layers and simultaneously forming a process control monitor, wherein forming the process control monitor includes the one or more material deposition and patterning steps, wherein the process control monitor comprises the plurality of layers so as to form at least two steps in a profile of the process control monitor.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer, comprising a plurality of first means for reflecting light for use in a display and second means for measuring thickness of at least one material deposited during manufacture of the first means.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a wafer produced by a process comprising depositing and patterning a series of material layers on a substrate to form a MEMS structure and simultaneously depositing and patterning the series of material layers on the substrate to form a process control monitor, wherein layers of material remaining in the process control monitor after the patterning form at least two steps in a profile of the process control monitor.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of testing a process used to manufacture a polychromatic interferometric modulator display, wherein different color interferometric modulators in the display are manufactured by forming different depth gaps between a partial reflector and a reflective mechanical membrane, wherein the depths of the gaps are determined by deposition of one or more sacrificial layers, wherein the depth of at least one gap is determined by deposition of a plurality of sacrificial layers, the method including forming a process control monitor that comprises the one or more sacrificial layers, wherein at least one region of the process control monitor comprises the plurality of sacrificial layers deposited on top of each other, measuring a profile of the process control monitor, and determining a cumulative thickness of the plurality of sacrificial layers from the profile.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a process control monitor for use in testing a process used to manufacture a polychromatic interferometric modulator display, wherein different color interferometric modulators in the display are manufactured by forming different depth gaps between a partial reflector and a reflective mechanical membrane, wherein the depths of the gaps are determined by deposition of one or more sacrificial layers, wherein the depth of at least one gap is determined by deposition of a plurality of sacrificial layers, the process control monitor comprising a plurality of material layers on top of each other, wherein one region of the process control monitor includes a single sacrificial layer, a second region of the process control monitor includes two sacrificial layers on top of each other, and a third region of the process control monitor includes three sacrificial layers on top of each other.
FIG. 1 is an isometric view depicting a portion of one embodiment of an interferometric modulator display in which a movable reflective layer of a first interferometric modulator is in a relaxed position and a movable reflective layer of a second interferometric modulator is in an actuated position.
FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an electronic device incorporating a 3×3 interferometric modulator display.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of movable mirror position versus applied voltage for one exemplary embodiment of an interferometric modulator of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of a set of row and column voltages that may be used to drive an interferometric modulator display.
FIG. 5A illustrates one exemplary frame of display data in the 3×3 interferometric modulator display of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5B illustrates one exemplary timing diagram for row and column signals that may be used to write the frame of FIG. 5A.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are system block diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a visual display device comprising a plurality of interferometric modulators.
FIG. 7A is a cross section of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7B is a cross section of an alternative embodiment of an interferometric modulator.
FIG. 7C is a cross section of another alternative embodiment of an interferometric modulator.
FIG. 7D is a cross section of yet another alternative embodiment of an interferometric modulator.
FIG. 7E is a cross section of an additional alternative embodiment of an interferometric modulator.
FIG. 8 is a top view of a wafer comprising a MEMS structure and multiple process control monitors.
FIG. 9 is a cross section of layers deposited during manufacture of an interferometric modulator.
FIG. 10A is a cross section of layers in an etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 10B is a cross section of layers in another etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 10C is a cross section of layers in another etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 10D is a cross section of layers in another etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11A is a cross section of layers in a non-etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11B is a cross section of layers in another non-etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11C is a cross section of layers in another non-etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11D is a cross section of layers in another non-etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11E is a cross section of layers in another non-etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11F is a cross section of layers in another non-etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11G is a cross section of layers in another non-etalon-based process control monitor for use in monitoring a process used to manufacture the interferometric modulator of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a top view of a wafer comprising an interferometric modulator array and process control monitors used to monitor release etching and color reflected from the interferometric modulators.
FIG. 13A is a top view of a process control monitor that can be used to monitor release etching.
FIG. 13B is a top view of another process control monitor that can be used to monitor release etching.
FIG. 14 is a cross section of a process control monitor that can be used to measure the thickness of layers in interferometric modulators.
FIG. 15 is a cross section of another embodiment of a process control monitor that can be used to measure the thickness of layers in the process control monitor.
FIG. 16 is a cross section of yet another embodiment of a process control monitor that can be used to measure the thickness of layers in the process control monitor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout. As will be apparent from the following description, the embodiments may be implemented in any device that is configured to display an image, whether in motion (e.g., video) or stationary (e.g., still image), and whether textual or pictorial. More particularly, it is contemplated that the embodiments may be implemented in or associated with a variety of electronic devices such as, but not limited to, mobile telephones, wireless devices, personal data assistants (PDAs), hand-held or portable computers, GPS receivers/navigators, cameras, MP3 players, camcorders, game consoles, wrist watches, clocks, calculators, television monitors, flat panel displays, computer monitors, auto displays (e.g., odometer display, etc.), cockpit controls and/or displays, display of camera views (e.g., display of a rear view camera in a vehicle), electronic photographs, electronic billboards or signs, projectors, architectural structures, packaging, and aesthetic structures (e.g., display of images on a piece of jewelry). MEMS devices of similar structure to those described herein can also be used in non-display applications such as in electronic switching devices.
Manufacturing of MEMS devices typically involve the formation of several layers of material having structures and thicknesses formed by using a series of material deposition, patterning, and etching steps. It can be difficult to diagnose from the final MEMS device any errors that occurred during the processing of given layers in the device. Furthermore, it can be difficult to determine from the final device which specific parameters, such as film thicknesses, should be adjusted in order to optimize the device for its intended use. Accordingly, there is a need for structures and methods that can be used to monitor the result of specific processing steps. Therefore, in various embodiments, process control monitors are provided that are constructed using at least some of the same processes used to manufacture MEMS devices. Analysis of the process control monitors provide information regarding individual components or sub-sets of components that make up the MEMS device.
One interferometric modulator display embodiment comprising an interferometric MEMS display element is illustrated in FIG. 1. In these devices, the pixels are in either a bright or dark state. In the bright (“on” or “open”) state, the display element reflects a large portion of incident visible light to a user. When in the dark (“off” or “closed”) state, the display element reflects little incident visible light to the user. Depending on the embodiment, the light reflectance properties of the “on” and “off” states may be reversed. MEMS pixels can be configured to reflect predominantly at selected colors, allowing for a color display in addition to black and white.
FIG. 1 is an isometric view depicting two adjacent pixels in a series of pixels of a visual display, wherein each pixel comprises a MEMS interferometric modulator. In some embodiments, an interferometric modulator display comprises a row/column array of these interferometric modulators. Each interferometric modulator includes a pair of reflective layers positioned at a variable and controllable distance from each other to form a resonant optical cavity with at least one variable dimension. In one embodiment, one of the reflective layers may be moved between two positions. In the first position, referred to herein as the relaxed position, the movable reflective layer is positioned at a relatively large distance from a fixed partially reflective layer. In the second position, referred to herein as the actuated position, the movable reflective layer is positioned more closely adjacent to the partially reflective layer. Incident light that reflects from the two layers interferes constructively or destructively depending on the position of the movable reflective layer, producing either an overall reflective or non-reflective state for each pixel.
The depicted portion of the pixel array in FIG. 1 includes two adjacent interferometric modulators 12 a and 12 b. In the interferometric modulator 12 a on the left, a movable reflective layer 14 a is illustrated in a relaxed position at a predetermined distance from an optical stack 16 a, which includes a partially reflective layer. In the interferometric modulator 12 b on the right, the movable reflective layer 14 b is illustrated in an actuated position adjacent to the optical stack 16 b.
The optical stacks 16 a and 16 b (collectively referred to as optical stack 16), as referenced herein, typically comprise of several fused layers, which can include an electrode layer, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), a partially reflective layer, such as chromium, and a transparent dielectric. The optical stack 16 is thus electrically conductive, partially transparent and partially reflective, and may be fabricated, for example, by depositing one or more of the above layers onto a transparent substrate 20. In some embodiments, the layers are patterned into parallel strips, and may form row electrodes in a display device as described further below. The movable reflective layers 14 a, 14 b may be formed as a series of parallel strips of a deposited metal layer or layers (orthogonal to the row electrodes of 16 a, 16 b) deposited on top of posts 18 and an intervening sacrificial material deposited between the posts 18. When the sacrificial material is etched away, the movable reflective layers 14 a, 14 b are separated from the optical stacks 16 a, 16 b by a defined gap 19. A highly conductive and reflective material such as aluminum may be used for the reflective layers 14, and these strips may form column electrodes in a display device.
With no applied voltage, the cavity 19 remains between the movable reflective layer 14 a and optical stack 16 a, with the movable reflective layer 14 a in a mechanically relaxed state, as illustrated by the pixel 12 a in FIG. 1. However, when a potential difference is applied to a selected row and column, the capacitor formed at the intersection of the row and column electrodes at the corresponding pixel becomes charged, and electrostatic forces pull the electrodes together. If the voltage is high enough, the movable reflective layer 14 is deformed and is forced against the optical stack 16. A dielectric layer (not illustrated in this Figure) within the optical stack 16 may prevent shorting and control the separation distance between layers 14 and 16, as illustrated by pixel 12 b on the right in FIG. 1. The behavior is the same regardless of the polarity of the applied potential difference. In this way, row/column actuation that can control the reflective vs. non-reflective pixel states is analogous in many ways to that used in conventional LCD and other display technologies.
FIGS. 2 through 5B illustrate one exemplary process and system for using an array of interferometric modulators in a display application.
FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an electronic device that may incorporate aspects of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the electronic device includes a processor 21 which may be any general purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessor such as an ARM, Pentium®, Pentium II®, Pentium III®, Pentium IV®, Pentium® Pro, an 8051, a MIPS®, a Power PC®, an ALPHA®, or any special purpose microprocessor such as a digital signal processor, microcontroller, or a programmable gate array. As is conventional in the art, the processor 21 may be configured to execute one or more software modules. In addition to executing an operating system, the processor may be configured to execute one or more software applications, including a web browser, a telephone application, an email program, or any other software application.
In one embodiment, the processor 21 is also configured to communicate with an array driver 22. In one embodiment, the array driver 22 includes a row driver circuit 24 and a column driver circuit 26 that provide signals to a panel or display array (display) 30. The cross section of the array illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown by the lines 1-1 in FIG. 2. For MEMS interferometric modulators, the row/column actuation protocol may take advantage of a hysteresis property of these devices illustrated in FIG. 3. It may require, for example, a 10 volt potential difference to cause a movable layer to deform from the relaxed state to the actuated state. However, when the voltage is reduced from that value, the movable layer maintains its state as the voltage drops back below 10 volts. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the movable layer does not relax completely until the voltage drops below 2 volts. There is thus a range of voltage, about 3 to 7 V in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, where there exists a window of applied voltage within which the device is stable in either the relaxed or actuated state. This is referred to herein as the “hysteresis window” or “stability window.” For a display array having the hysteresis characteristics of FIG. 3, the row/column actuation protocol can be designed such that during row strobing, pixels in the strobed row that are to be actuated are exposed to a voltage difference of about 10 volts, and pixels that are to be relaxed are exposed to a voltage difference of close to zero volts. After the strobe, the pixels are exposed to a steady state voltage difference of about 5 volts such that they remain in whatever state the row strobe put them in. After being written, each pixel sees a potential difference within the “stability window” of 3-7 volts in this example. This feature makes the pixel design illustrated in FIG. 1 stable under the same applied voltage conditions in either an actuated or relaxed pre-existing state. Since each pixel of the interferometric modulator, whether in the actuated or relaxed state, is essentially a capacitor formed by the fixed and moving reflective layers, this stable state can be held at a voltage within the hysteresis window with almost no power dissipation. Essentially no current flows into the pixel if the applied potential is fixed.
In typical applications, a display frame may be created by asserting the set of column electrodes in accordance with the desired set of actuated pixels in the first row. A row pulse is then applied to the row 1 electrode, actuating the pixels corresponding to the asserted column lines. The asserted set of column electrodes is then changed to correspond to the desired set of actuated pixels in the second row. A pulse is then applied to the row 2 electrode, actuating the appropriate pixels in row 2 in accordance with the asserted column electrodes. The row 1 pixels are unaffected by the row 2 pulse, and remain in the state they were set to during the row 1 pulse. This may be repeated for the entire series of rows in a sequential fashion to produce the frame. Generally, the frames are refreshed and/or updated with new display data by continually repeating this process at some desired number of frames per second. A wide variety of protocols for driving row and column electrodes of pixel arrays to produce display frames are also well known and may be used in conjunction with the present invention.
FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B illustrate one possible actuation protocol for creating a display frame on the 3×3 array of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustrates a possible set of column and row voltage levels that may be used for pixels exhibiting the hysteresis curves of FIG. 3. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, actuating a pixel involves setting the appropriate column to −Vbias, and the appropriate row to +ΔV, which may correspond to −5 volts and +5 volts respectively Relaxing the pixel is accomplished by setting the appropriate column to +Vbias, and the appropriate row to the same +ΔV, producing a zero volt potential difference across the pixel. In those rows where the row voltage is held at zero volts, the pixels are stable in whatever state they were originally in, regardless of whether the column is at +Vbias, or −Vbias. As is also illustrated in FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that voltages of opposite polarity than those described above can be used, e.g., actuating a pixel can involve setting the appropriate column to +Vbias, and the appropriate row to −ΔV. In this embodiment, releasing the pixel is accomplished by setting the appropriate column to −Vbias, and the appropriate row to the same −ΔV, producing a zero volt potential difference across the pixel.
FIG. 5B is a timing diagram showing a series of row and column signals applied to the 3×3 array of FIG. 2 which will result in the display arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5A, where actuated pixels are non-reflective. Prior to writing the frame illustrated in FIG. 5A, the pixels can be in any state, and in this example, all the rows are at 0 volts, and all the columns are at +5 volts. With these applied voltages, all pixels are stable in their existing actuated or relaxed states.
In the FIG. 5A frame, pixels (1,1), (1,2), (2,2), (3,2) and (3,3) are actuated. To accomplish this, during a “line time” for row 1, columns 1 and 2 are set to −5 volts, and column 3 is set to +5 volts. This does not change the state of any pixels, because all the pixels remain in the 3-7 volt stability window. Row 1 is then strobed with a pulse that goes from 0, up to 5 volts, and back to zero. This actuates the (1,1) and (1,2) pixels and relaxes the (1,3) pixel. No other pixels in the array are affected. To set row 2 as desired, column 2 is set to −5 volts, and columns 1 and 3 are set to +5 volts. The same strobe applied to row 2 will then actuate pixel (2,2) and relax pixels (2,1) and (2,3). Again, no other pixels of the array are affected. Row 3 is similarly set by setting columns 2 and 3 to −5 volts, and column 1 to +5 volts. The row 3 strobe sets the row 3 pixels as shown in FIG. 5A. After writing the frame, the row potentials are zero, and the column potentials can remain at either +5 or −5 volts, and the display is then stable in the arrangement of FIG. 5A. It will be appreciated that the same procedure can be employed for arrays of dozens or hundreds of rows and columns. It will also be appreciated that the timing, sequence, and levels of voltages used to perform row and column actuation can be varied widely within the general principles outlined above, and the above example is exemplary only, and any actuation voltage method can be used with the systems and methods described herein.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are system block diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a display device 40. The display device 40 can be, for example, a cellular or mobile telephone. However, the same components of display device 40 or slight variations thereof are also illustrative of various types of display devices such as televisions and portable media players.
The display device 40 includes a housing 41, a display 30, an antenna 43, a speaker 45, an input device 48, and a microphone 46. The housing 41 is generally formed from any of a variety of manufacturing processes as are well known to those of skill in the art, including injection molding, and vacuum forming. In addition, the housing 41 may be made from any of a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic, metal, glass, rubber, and ceramic, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment the housing 41 includes removable portions (not shown) that may be interchanged with other removable portions of different color, or containing different logos, pictures, or symbols.
The display 30 of exemplary display device 40 may be any of a variety of displays, including a bi-stable display, as described herein. In other embodiments, the display 30 includes a flat-panel display, such as plasma, EL, OLED, STN LCD, or TFT LCD as described above, or a non-flat-panel display, such as a CRT or other tube device, as is well known to those of skill in the art. However, for purposes of describing the present embodiment, the display 30 includes an interferometric modulator display, as described herein.
The components of one embodiment of exemplary display device 40 are schematically illustrated in FIG. 6B. The illustrated exemplary display device 40 includes a housing 41 and can include additional components at least partially enclosed therein. For example, in one embodiment, the exemplary display device 40 includes a network interface 27 that includes an antenna 43 which is coupled to a transceiver 47. The transceiver 47 is connected to the processor 21, which is connected to conditioning hardware 52. The conditioning hardware 52 may be configured to condition a signal (e.g. filter a signal). The conditioning hardware 52 is connected to a speaker 45 and a microphone 46. The processor 21 is also connected to an input device 48 and a driver controller 29. The driver controller 29 is coupled to a frame buffer 28 and to the array driver 22, which in turn is coupled to a display array 30. A power supply 50 provides power to all components as required by the particular exemplary display device 40 design.
The network interface 27 includes the antenna 43 and the transceiver 47 so that the exemplary display device 40 can communicate with one or more devices over a network. In one embodiment the network interface 27 may also have some processing capabilities to relieve requirements of the processor 21. The antenna 43 is any antenna known to those of skill in the art for transmitting and receiving signals. In one embodiment, the antenna transmits and receives RF signals according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, including IEEE 802.11(a), (b), or (g). In another embodiment, the antenna transmits and receives RF signals according to the BLUETOOTH standard. In the case of a cellular telephone, the antenna is designed to receive CDMA, GSM, AMPS or other known signals that are used to communicate within a wireless cell phone network. The transceiver 47 pre-processes the signals received from the antenna 43 so that they may be received by and further manipulated by the processor 21. The transceiver 47 also processes signals received from the processor 21 so that they may be transmitted from the exemplary display device 40 via the antenna 43.
In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver 47 can be replaced by a receiver. In yet another alternative embodiment, network interface 27 can be replaced by an image source, which can store or generate image data to be sent to the processor 21. For example, the image source can be a digital video disc (DVD) or a hard-disc drive that contains image data, or a software module that generates image data.
Processor 21 generally controls the overall operation of the exemplary display device 40. The processor 21 receives data, such as compressed image data from the network interface 27 or an image source, and processes the data into raw image data or into a format that is readily processed into raw image data. The processor 21 then sends the processed data to the driver controller 29 or to frame buffer 28 for storage. Raw data typically refers to the information that identifies the image characteristics at each location within an image. For example, such image characteristics can include color, saturation, and gray-scale level.
In one embodiment, the processor 21 includes a microcontroller, CPU, or logic unit to control operation of the exemplary display device 40. Conditioning hardware 52 generally includes amplifiers and filters for transmitting signals to the speaker 45, and for receiving signals from the microphone 46. Conditioning hardware 52 may be discrete components within the exemplary display device 40, or may be incorporated within the processor 21 or other components.
The driver controller 29 takes the raw image data generated by the processor 21 either directly from the processor 21 or from the frame buffer 28 and reformats the raw image data appropriately for high speed transmission to the array driver 22. Specifically, the driver controller 29 reformats the raw image data into a data flow having a raster-like format, such that it has a time order suitable for scanning across the display array 30. Then the driver controller 29 sends the formatted information to the array driver 22. Although a driver controller 29, such as a LCD controller, is often associated with the system processor 21 as a stand-alone Integrated Circuit (IC), such controllers may be implemented in many ways. They may be embedded in the processor 21 as hardware, embedded in the processor 21 as software, or fully integrated in hardware with the array driver 22.
Typically, the array driver 22 receives the formatted information from the driver controller 29 and reformats the video data into a parallel set of waveforms that are applied many times per second to the hundreds and sometimes thousands of leads coming from the display's x-y matrix of pixels.
In one embodiment, the driver controller 29, array driver 22, and display array 30 are appropriate for any of the types of displays described herein. For example, in one embodiment, driver controller 29 is a conventional display controller or a bi-stable display controller (e.g., an interferometric modulator controller). In another embodiment, array driver 22 is a conventional driver or a bi-stable display driver (e.g., an interferometric modulator display). In one embodiment, a driver controller 29 is integrated with the array driver 22. Such an embodiment is common in highly integrated systems such as cellular phones, watches, and other small area displays. In yet another embodiment, display array 30 is a typical display array or a bi-stable display array (e.g., a display including an array of interferometric modulators).
The input device 48 allows a user to control the operation of the exemplary display device 40. In one embodiment, input device 48 includes a keypad, such as a QWERTY keyboard or a telephone keypad, a button, a switch, a touch-sensitive screen, a pressure- or heat-sensitive membrane. In one embodiment, the microphone 46 is an input device for the exemplary display device 40. When the microphone 46 is used to input data to the device, voice commands may be provided by a user for controlling operations of the exemplary display device 40.
Power supply 50 can include a variety of energy storage devices as are well known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, power supply 50 is a rechargeable battery, such as a nickel-cadmium battery or a lithium ion battery. In another embodiment, power supply 50 is a renewable energy source, a capacitor, or a solar cell, including a plastic solar cell, and solar-cell paint. In another embodiment, power supply 50 is configured to receive power from a wall outlet.
In some implementations control programmability resides, as described above, in a driver controller which can be located in several places in the electronic display system. In some cases control programmability resides in the array driver 22. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the above-described optimization may be implemented in any number of hardware and/or software components and in various configurations.
The details of the structure of interferometric modulators that operate in accordance with the principles set forth above may vary widely. For example, FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate five different embodiments of the movable reflective layer 14 and its supporting structures. FIG. 7A is a cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 1, where a strip of metal material 14 is deposited on orthogonally extending supports 18. In FIG. 7B, the moveable reflective layer 14 is attached to supports at the corners only, on tethers 32. In FIG. 7C, the moveable reflective layer 14 is suspended from a deformable layer 34, which may comprise a flexible metal. The deformable layer 34 connects, directly or indirectly, to the substrate 20 around the perimeter of the deformable layer 34. These connections are herein referred to as support posts. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7D has support post plugs 42 upon which the deformable layer 34 rests. The movable reflective layer 14 remains suspended over the cavity, as in FIGS. 7A-7C, but the deformable layer 34 does not form the support posts by filling holes between the deformable layer 34 and the optical stack 16. Rather, the support posts are formed of a planarization material, which is used to form support post plugs 42. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7E is based on the embodiment shown in FIG. 7D, but may also be adapted to work with any of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C as well as additional embodiments not shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7E, an extra layer of metal or other conductive material has been used to form a bus structure 44. This allows signal routing along the back of the interferometric modulators, eliminating a number of electrodes that may otherwise have had to be formed on the substrate 20.
In embodiments such as those shown in FIG. 7, the interferometric modulators function as direct-view devices, in which images are viewed from the front side of the transparent substrate 20, the side opposite to that upon which the modulator is arranged. In these embodiments, the reflective layer 14 optically shields some portions of the interferometric modulator on the side of the reflective layer opposite the substrate 20, including the deformable layer 34 and the bus structure 44. This allows the shielded areas to be configured and operated upon without negatively affecting the image quality. This separable modulator architecture allows the structural design and materials used for the electromechanical aspects and the optical aspects of the modulator to be selected and to function independently of each other. Moreover, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7C-7E have additional benefits deriving from the decoupling of the optical properties of the reflective layer 14 from its mechanical properties, which are carried out by the deformable layer 34. This allows the structural design and materials used for the reflective layer 14 to be optimized with respect to the optical properties, and the structural design and materials used for the deformable layer 34 to be optimized with respect to desired mechanical properties.
Process Control Monitors
Many MEMS manufacturing processes consist of a series of material deposition and patterning steps. Various materials may be serially deposited on a substrate to form layers. Patterning with material etching between deposition steps may be used to structurally tailor the deposited material to achieve the desired MEMS structure. The multiple layer approach to MEMS manufacturing and the small scale of the structures created presents problems in trying evaluate whether the manufacturing process has produced structures and layers of materials having the desired properties. Accordingly, in one embodiment, process control monitors are provided that may be used to evaluate the results of various manufacturing processes. In some embodiments, the process control monitors are produced using at least some of the same manufacturing steps used to manufacture a MEMS device. Evaluation of these process control monitors may then be used to determine properties of various materials and structures formed during those manufacturing steps. In some embodiments, the process control monitors are produced using the same set of material deposition and patterning steps used during the manufacturing. The process control monitors may be structurally tailored by applying different patterns to the process control monitor than is applied to the MEMS structure. For example, one layer of material present in the MEMS structure may be completely absent in the process control monitor by patterning the process control monitor in such a way that the entire layer deposited is etched away during an etching step. Similarly, in other embodiments, a layer of material normally etched away during manufacture of the MEMS structure may remain in the process control monitor.
In some embodiments, information from the process control monitor may be obtained through optical means. For example, light reflected from the process control monitor may contain information regarding the materials present in the process control monitor. Those of skill in the art will appreciate other methods of evaluating process control monitors such as laser scanning, microscopy including optical, electron, and x-ray microscopy, and spectroscopy. In one embodiment, the light reflected is detected with a photodetector to obtain the intensity of reflected light. This information may be used to determine the reflectance and transmittance of materials in the process control monitor. These properties may in turn provide information regarding the thicknesses of materials in the process control monitor. For example, the amount of reflectance from an inherently reflective material will provide a measure of its thickness. In one embodiment, a Minolta® reflectometer is used. In another embodiment, the light reflected from the process control monitor is measured with a spectrometer to obtain the wavelength dependence of the reflected light. This wavelength dependence can provide information regarding the absorptive properties of the materials in the process control monitor and the index of refraction of the materials. Furthermore, because MEMS devices often contain reflective surfaces in close proximity, reflected light may undergo constructive and destructive interference (e.g., the MEMS device may contain one or more etalon). Therefore, the wavelength dependence of the reflected light can provide information regarding the relative positioning of reflective surfaces in the MEMS. In one embodiment, a measured spectrum is fit to a model spectrum predicted to be reflected from an etalon in order to determine properties such as the depth of the etalon. In some embodiments, a colorimeter is used to measure the color of light reflected from the process control monitor. As used herein, an “etalon” refers to two surfaces that are at least partially reflective positioned such that light may enter through one surface and be reflected between the two surfaces multiple times before reflecting back through the same surface. The multiple reflectances can lead to destructive and constructive interference at various wavelengths, allowing for the filtering of optical wavelengths.
In one embodiment, a transparent substrate may be used to support the process control monitor. Such a substrate enables optical detection from the side opposite the deposition side. Thus, in some cases, lower deposited materials may be probed where they could not otherwise be (e.g., where the upper layers include a highly reflective layer). In other embodiments, a process control monitor is optically probed from the side of material deposition.
In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 8, process control monitors 100, 102, and 104 may be formed on the same substrate 106 at the same time as the MEMS device 108 is being formed. As discussed above, all of the substrate 106 may be exposed to the same material deposition and patterning steps, however, different patterns may be applied to form the process control monitors 100, 102, and 104. For example, the pattern applied to the process control monitors 100, 102, and 104 during a patterning step may be different then the pattern applied to the MEMS device 108 during a corresponding patterning step. The patterning steps may include any suitable patterning technique in the art (e.g. photolithography). Any number of different process control monitors 100, 102, and 104 may be formed on the substrate. The integrated wafer 110 depicted in FIG. 8 allows the probing of the processes applied during the manufacturing of the specific MEMS device 108. Thus, any anomalous results can be quickly identified before the MEMS device 108 is tested electrically or incorporated into a packaged device, thereby avoiding additional expense. In some embodiments, the process control monitors 100, 102, and 104 may also be probed after manufacture of the MEMS device 108. In one embodiment, the MEMS device 108 consists of an array of interferometric modulators suitable for use in a display. In some embodiments, the process control monitors on the substrate 106 are labeled during manufacturing.
Etalon Based Process Control Monitors
As noted above, in some embodiments, process control monitors are constructed such that they contain at least one etalon. The spectrum of light reflected from the etalon may then be detected and fit to an etalon model to determine properties of the process control monitor, and hence properties of analogous structures in the MEMS device. In some embodiments, the process control monitors are formed by the same material deposition steps as the MEMS device and thus contain at least some of the material layers found in the MEMS device. In some embodiments, the number of layers found in the process control monitors is less than the number found in the MEMS device.
One set of examples of etalon based process control monitors are structures that contain less than all of the layers found an in interferometric modulator but nonetheless still contain an etalon. FIG. 9 depicts an example of materials that may be deposited during manufacture of an interferometric modulator. First, a layer of indium-tin-oxide (ITO) 154 is deposited onto a transparent substrate 152. The ITO 154, which is a transparent conductor, provides a conductive plate so that a voltage can be applied between the movable mirror in the interferometric modulator and the plate. In one embodiment, the ITO is about 500 Å thick. Next, a layer of chrome 150 is deposited. In one embodiment, the chrome 150 is relatively thin (in one embodiment, approximately 70 Å), allowing it to act as a partial reflector. Alternatively, the chrome layer 150 may be deposited onto the substrate 152 followed by the ITO layer 154. Next, a dielectric layer 156/158 is deposited. The dielectric layer may consist of one or more oxides. In some embodiments, the oxide layer 156/158 may be a composite layer. For example, a relatively thick layer of SiO2 156 (in one embodiment, approximately 450 Å) may be deposited followed by a thin layer of Al2O3 158 (in one embodiment, approximately 70 Å) to protect the SiO2 156. In some embodiments, three or more oxide layers may be used (e.g., Al2O3—SiO2—Al2O3). The oxide layer 156/158 provides an insulating layer between the movable mirror and the chrome 150. The thickness of the layer determines the interference properties of the interferometric modulator, particularly when it is in an actuated state. In the next step, a sacrificial layer 160 is deposited (in one embodiment, approximately 2000 Å). The sacrificial layer provides a space filling material that can be easily etched away without affecting the other materials. In one embodiment, the sacrificial layer 160 is molybdenum. Other examples of suitable materials for the sacrificial layer include polysilicon, amorphous silicon, or photoresist. In the last step of manufacturing, the sacrificial layer 160 will be etched away to create an air gap between the movable mirror and the oxide layer 156,158. Patterning and etching of the sacrificial layer 160 may be used to create holes and trenches in the layer for the formation of posts and rails that will support the movable mirror. Planar material 162 may be applied to fill the holes and form the posts. Finally, the mechanical membrane 164/166 containing the movable mirror is formed. In one embodiment, the mechanical membrane 164/166 is formed by an aluminum layer 164 (in one embodiment, approximately 500 Å) followed by a nickel layer (in one embodiment, approximately 1450 Å) 166. In some embodiments, an additional aluminum layer is added on top of the nickel layer to provide better adhesion of photoresist used during patterning. After etching away the sacrificial layer 160 in the structure depicted in FIG. 9, an interferometric modulator similar to that depicted in FIG. 7A is obtained. In some embodiments, a dark mask layer may be added to the transparent substrate 152 prior to addition of the other layers. The dark mask layer may be patterned to reduce reflection from portions of the structure such as posts or rails. In some embodiments, the dark mask layer includes a MoCr layer and an oxide layer. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that patterning and etching steps in addition to those mentioned here may be used to form an interferometric modulator. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that other structures of interferometric modulators are possible, as for example depicted in FIGS. 7B-7E.
Examples of etalon based process control monitors containing some of the material layers discussed above are depicted in FIGS. 10A-10D. The process control monitor depicted in FIG. 10A contains the ITO 154, chrome 150, oxide 156/158, and mechanical membrane 164/166 layers deposited on top of each other onto the substrate 152. The partially reflective chrome layer 150 and the reflective mechanical membrane 164/166 form an etalon whose reflectance may be measured from the bottom side of the substrate 152. Analyzing the spectrum of light reflected from this etalon or its color can provide an indication of the combined thickness of the oxide 156/158 layers and their index of refractions and the thickness and reflectivity of the chrome 150 layer. It will also be appreciated that this configuration approximates that obtained when an interferometric modulator is in an actuated state (i.e., the mirror is collapsed against the oxide layer). Therefore, evaluating these process control monitors will provide an indication of whether interferometric modulators produced by the process used will have the desired actuated spectral characteristics.
The process control monitor depicted in FIG. 10B consists of the ITO 154, chrome 150, oxide 156/158, and sacrificial layer 160. As mentioned above, the sacrificial layer 160 may be molybdenum, which is inherently reflective. Accordingly, an etalon is formed by the partially reflective chrome layer 150 and the reflective sacrificial layer 160. In addition to providing the same parameters regarding the oxide 156/158 layers and the actuated interferometric modulator state as discussed above, reflectance from this process control monitor may provide information regarding the sacrificial layer 160. For example, reflectance from the sacrificial layer 160 will depend on the thickness of the sacrificial layer 160. In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer 160 is removed by etching and the remaining ITO 154, chrome 150, and oxide 156/158 layers analyzed to determined if the sacrificial layer 160 has interacted with any of the remaining layers.
The process control monitor depicted in FIG. 10C contains the ITO 154, chrome 150, oxide 156/158, planar 162, and mechanical membrane 164/166 layers. An etalon is formed by the chrome 150 and mechanical membrane 164/166 layers. Analyzing the spectrum of reflected light and comparing it to the results obtained for the process control monitor in FIG. 10A can provide the index of refraction of the planar material and its thickness. Furthermore, the optical response from this process control monitor will approximate that caused by the areas of an interferometric modulator array where there are posts or rails.
The process control monitor depicted in FIG. 10D contains the ITO 154, chrome 150, planar 162, and mechanical membrane 164/166 layers. An etalon is formed by the chrome 150 and mechanical membrane 164/166 layers. Analyzing the spectrum of reflected light can provide the index of refraction of the planar material 162 as well as the thickness of the planar 162 material. Comparison with the process control monitor of FIG. 10D can provide information regarding the oxide layers 156/158 (e.g., indices of refraction and thickness).
When the etalon based process control monitors described above are formed by the same deposition and patterning steps as used to manufacture interferometric modulators, as for example when it is formed on the same substrate 106 as an interferometric modulator array 108 (see FIG. 8), then appropriate patterning may be applied so that layers that are not desired in the process control monitor are etched away. For example, in the process control monitor depicted in FIG. 10A, the sacrificial layer 160 and planar 162 material deposited during manufacturing may be etched away. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to protect regions of the process control monitors to prevent etching away of layers during processing. For example, deposited planar material or material from the mechanical membrane 164/166 may be patterned so that it remains on the edges of the process control monitor to protect the sacrificial layer 160 during the release etch if it is desirable to have a process control monitor containing the sacrificial layer 160.
Those of skill in the art will appreciate many other combinations of layers deposited in a process control monitor whose optical properties (e.g., interference properties) may provide information about the corresponding material formed during manufacturing of a MEMS device.
Non-Etalon Based Process Control Monitors
In some embodiments, process control monitors are constructed that do not contain two reflective surfaces forming an etalon. In these process control monitors, information regarding the materials in the monitors can be obtained through reflectance and/or transmittance measurements. These reflectance and/or transmittance values may be correlated to film thicknesses. In some embodiments, the process control monitors are formed by the same material deposition steps as the MEMS device and thus contain at least some of the material layers found in the MEMS device. In some embodiments, the number of layers found in the process control monitors is less than the number found in the MEMS device. The reflectance and/or transmittance characteristics of these structures may help identify any errors that occurred during processing of the elements included in the process control monitor structures. These process control monitor structures may be evaluated using any suitable detector such as a reflectometer, photodetector, spectrometer, or colorimeter. In one embodiment, the reflectance of the film is measured using a spherical integrator and reflectometer. These process control monitor structures enable the processing of individual elements in the MEMS structures to be monitored to determine any errors and to optimize the manufacturing process.
FIGS. 11A-11G depict one set of examples of non-etalon based process control monitors that contain less than all layers of material deposited during manufacture of interferometric modulators such as depicted in FIG. 9. The process control monitor in FIG. 1A consists of the ITO layer 154 and the chrome layer 150 deposited onto the substrate 152. The reflectivity of this process control monitor provides an indication of the thickness of the chrome layer 150 and the transparency of the ITO layer 154. In order for the chrome layer 150 to act as a partially reflective mirror in an interferometric modulator, the film making up the partial reflector may be very thin. For example, the film may have a thickness of about 70 Å. The thickness of such thin films are difficult to measure and verify. Therefore, in one embodiment, the thickness of the chrome layer 150 is determined by measuring the reflectance of the layer in the process control monitor of FIG. 11A. As the thickness of the film increases, so will the reflectance. Therefore, by calibrating film thickness with measured reflectance for a given material, the thickness can be easily determined from a measured reflectance. The optical properties of the process control monitor of FIG. 11A also approximate the optical properties observed in an interferometric modulator array between columns where the mechanical membrane and oxide layers have been removed. Accordingly, these process control monitors can be used to determine if the intercolumn properties are acceptable for using the array as a display.
In another embodiment, a process control monitor containing only the chrome layer 150 on the substrate 152 may be used to determine the reflectance, and hence the thickness, of the chrome layer 150. Measurements of this process control monitor may be compared to those obtained for the process control monitor depicted in FIG. 11A to determine the optical properties of the ITO layer 154. For example, reflectance from the surface of the ITO layer 154 may be proportional to the ratio of the reflectance from the two process control monitors. In some embodiments, a chrome-only process control monitor may manufactured on a wafer separate from that used to manufacture the interferometric modulators if the processing conditions for the interferometric modulators cannot be used to create a chrome-only layer.
FIG. 11B depicts another embodiment of a non-etalon based process control monitor structure that consists of the ITO layer 154, chrome layer 150, and oxide layer 156/158. This structure may be used to measure the optical characteristics of the ITO-chrome-oxide combination. For example, measuring the transmittance through the process control monitor provides an indication of the combined attenuation caused by the ITO layer 154, chrome layer 150, and oxide layer 156/158. Comparison of the measurements of this process control monitor structure with the measurements of the process control monitor in FIG. 11A can be used to isolate the optical properties of the oxide layer 156/158. In addition to providing information regarding the optical characteristics of the oxide layer 156/158, the comparison can also be used to determine the thickness of the oxide layer 156/158 (e.g., a lower transmittance will indicate a thicker oxide layer 156/158). The optical properties of the process control monitor in FIG. 11B also approximates those observed in an interferometric modulator array in the area of the etch release holes in the mechanical membrane.
FIG. 11C depicts another embodiment of a process control monitor structure that consists of the mechanical membrane layer 164/166. This process control monitor may be used to isolate and measure the reflective properties of the mechanical membrane layer 164/166.
FIG. 11D depicts still another embodiment of a process control monitor structure consisting only of the sacrificial layer 160 deposited onto the substrate 152. This process control monitor may be used to measure characteristics of the sacrificial layer 160 alone, including its thickness. This process control monitor may be analyzed prior to any release etch. Alternatively a layer of a protective material may be deposited over the sacrificial layer 160 to protect it during a release etch.
FIG. 11E depicts another embodiment of a process control monitor having oxide layers 156/158, planar material 162, and mechanical membrane layer 164/166. The reflectance from this process control monitor approximates that observed in an interferometric modulator array between rows where cuts in the ITO 154 and chrome 158 layers have been made.
FIG. 11F depicts an embodiment of a process control monitor having the ITO layer 154, chrome layer 150, and mechanical membrane layer 164/166. Because the chrome layer 150 and mechanical membrane layer 164/166 will together act is a reflector, the reflectance from this process control monitor can provide information regarding the transparency, thickness, and index of refraction of the ITO layer 154. Furthermore, the reflectance from this process control monitor may be compared with that for FIG. 11A to isolate the optical properties of the chrome layer 150. In other words, the results from testing this process monitor may be used to subtract the optical effects of the ITO layer 154 in the process control monitor of FIG. 11A.
FIG. 11G depicts still another embodiment of a process control monitor that comprises the oxide layer 156/158 and the mechanical membrane layer 164/166. Because the mechanical membrane layer 164/166 acts as a strong reflector, this process control monitor may be used to determine the transparency, thickness, and index of refraction of the oxide layer 156/158.
As for the etalon based process control monitors, the non-etalon based process control monitors described above may be formed by the same deposition and patterning steps as used to manufacture the interferometric modulators. Appropriate patterning may be applied so that layers that are not desired in the process control monitor are etched away. In addition, appropriate protection against etching may be applied.
Those of skill in the art will appreciate many other combinations of layers deposited in a process control monitor whose optical properties (e.g., reflectance and/or transmittance) may provide information about the corresponding material formed during manufacturing of a MEMS device.
Release Etch Process Control Monitors
The rate and extent of the release etch process during MEMS manufacture may be monitored using a release etch or spatial process control monitor. FIG. 12 depicts a wafer 200 containing an interferometric modulator array 202 and a series of process control monitors 204, 206, and 208. The interferometric modulator array 202 contains a number of posts 210 and rails 212 to support the mechanical membrane. A series of etch holes 214 are formed into the mechanical membrane so that etchant can reach the sacrificial layer during the release etch. For the manufacturing to be successful, the sacrificial layer should be completely removed from the array region. Accordingly, in one embodiment, process control monitors are provided to monitor the rate and extent of release etching.
One such process control monitor is depicted in process control monitor 206. This process control monitor 206 consists of the same interferometric modulator structure as present in the array 202, however, only a single hole 216 is patterned into the mechanical membrane. The distance between the hole 216 and the edges of the process control monitor 206 is greater than the distance between the holes 214 in the interferometric modulator array 202. Because the process control monitor 206 contains only a single hole 216 as opposed to multiple holes 214, not all of the sacrificial layer can be removed from the process control monitor 206 in the amount of time it takes the release etchant to remove the entire sacrificial layer in the array 202. As the etching in the process control monitor 206 proceeds, the area of the process control monitor where the sacrificial layer has been removed will contrast in color from the areas where the etchant has not yet reached as observed from the side of the substrate opposite the process side. In cases where a reflective sacrificial layer is used (e.g., molybdenum), this contrast is due to the different etalons formed. Where the sacrificial layer is still present, an etalon will be formed between the chrome layer and the reflective sacrificial layer. Where the sacrificial layer has been removed, an etalon will be formed between the chrome layer and the reflective mechanical membrane. Thus, the color observed where the sacrificial layer has been removed will approximate the color of an unactuated interferometric modulator (e.g., a bright state) while the color observed where the sacrificial layer remains will approximate the color of an actuated interferometric modulator (e.g., a dark state). The distance from the center of the hole 216 to the boundary of color change (e.g., the radius) will provide a measure of the extent of etching. This process control monitor may be used to measure the rate and extent of etching either during the process itself (i.e., in-situ) or after its completion.
A similar etch-release process control monitor is depicted by the process control monitor 208. In this process control monitor, multiple holes 218 are formed in the mechanical membrane, however, the distance between each hole 218 is greater than the distance between the holes 214 in the interferometric modulator array 202. Thus, etching in the process control monitor 208 will be incomplete after the entire sacrificial layer has been removed from the interferometric modulator array 202. A distance indicating the extent of etching may be measured from the center of each hole 218 in the process control monitor 208.
Etch-release process control monitors as described above may take on any suitable shape. For example, instead of a structure similar to that found in the interferometric modulator array, the process control monitor may consist of a strip shape 250 with one or more holes 252 in the mechanical membrane, as depicted in FIG. 13A. The extent of etching may then be measured by determining the linear distance from the holes 252 along the strip 250 to where etching has extended. In another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 13B, holes having the shape of rectangular slots 254 are formed into the strip 250 instead of holes having a circular shape. In some embodiments, a plurality of slots 254 are provided having varying widths (e.g., 3 μm, 4 μm, 5 μm).
In some embodiments, planarization or other protective material may be patterned around the edges of the process control monitor to provide a seal to protect against the release etchant from reaching the sacrificial layer from the edges. Accordingly, the sacrificial layer will only be removed by etchant entering the etch release holes. In some embodiments, the mechanical membrane in the etch release process control monitor may be electrically shorted to the ITO/chrome layers.
The extent of etching may be measured using the process control monitors described above by visually observing the process control monitors or by electronically imaging the process control monitors, such as by using a CCD camera, and then computationally analyzing the image so that the measuring is automated. In some embodiments, posts in the process control monitor may be used as a vernier for determining the extant of etching. For example, posts may be formed in the process control monitor having a known distance from each other. The number of posts along a line from the center of the hole may then be used to approximate the distance. In some embodiments, a higher density of posts than formed in the interferometric modulators may be used to provide a more precise measurement. Those of skill in the art will appreciate many other shapes and structures that may be used to measure the extent of etching.
Interferometric Modulator Process Control Monitors
In one embodiment, the interference properties (e.g., the spectrum of reflected light) of interferometric modulators may be determined by using a process control monitor that consists of an interferometric modulator with enhanced stability. Such process control monitors may be constructed so that the mechanical membrane is resistant to movement, and therefore fixed in position, forming a static etalon. In one embodiment, such process control monitors may be formed by using a substantially transparent dielectric layer (e.g., an oxide layer) in place of the sacrificial layer. The reflective mechanical membrane will thus rest against the dielectric layer and be in a fixed position. Such a process control monitor may advantageously be manufactured separately from a display interferometric modulator array so that a thicker oxide layer can be deposited than is deposited during typical interferometric modulator manufacture.
In another embodiment, a process control monitor is formed that may be manufactured by the same material depositions as a display interferometric modulator array. For example, as depicted in FIG. 12, a process control monitor 204 may be constructed that comprises a higher density of posts 220 than is found in the interferometric modulator array 202. The higher density of posts 220 provide increased positional stability to the mechanical membrane that they support. Accordingly, even under application of an electric potential (e.g., less than about 10 volts, 15 volts, or 20 volts), the mechanical membrane in the process control monitor 204 will resist moving toward the ITO layer and thereby, reflect the same spectrum of light. As used herein, by “posts” it is meant any intermittent structure that may be used to support a mechanical membrane. Accordingly, it is intended that “posts” include “point” structures consisting essentially of a vertical linear structure. It is also intended that “posts” include structures consisting essentially of a strip of vertical material, also known as rails.
Process control monitors having stable mechanical membranes, such as described above, may be used to optimize manufacturing to produce interferometric modulators that will reflect a desired spectrum of light. Furthermore, such process control monitors provide a quick check of the success of a manufacturing process. In some embodiments, where a manufacturing process produces an array of interferometric modulators that reflect different colors (e.g., for use in a polychromatic display), multiple process control monitors as described above may be used, each reflecting the corresponding color. Alternatively, a single process control monitor may be formed having different regions where each region has posts having a different height than other regions. Thus, each region will reflect a different color light.
Thickness Process Control Monitors
Still another type of process control monitor is used to measure the thickness of each layer deposited during processing. In one embodiment, thickness process control monitors are manufactured such that a single step is formed from the substrate to the top of the process control monitor. The step height of the single step will thus correspond to the combined thickness of the all the layers of the process control monitor at the location of the step. Non-limiting examples of layers that may be deposited include the ITO and chrome layers, the oxide layers, the sacrificial layer, planarization on the sacrificial layer, mechanical membrane layer on the oxide layers, and mechanical membrane layers on the sacrifical layer on the oxide layers.
In another embodiment, multiple layer process control monitors are formed such that a stack with a stair-step pattern profile may be formed. The step heights will correspond to the thickness of one or more deposited layers. For example, the resulting process control monitor may have a structure similar to that in FIG. 14. The process control monitor in FIG. 14 contains each of the layers deposited during manufacturing of an interferometric modulator, such as the one depicted in FIG. 9. The process control monitor provides steps corresponding to the thickness of the ITO layer 154, the chrome layer 150, the oxide layers 156/158, the sacrificial layer 160, the planar material 162, and the mechanical membrane, 164/166. The thickness of each step may be measured in a single sweep of an appropriate thickness measuring technique rather than having to measure each layer in a separate process control monitor. In a non-limiting example, a stylus-based surface profiler (e.g., a profilometer), such as available from KLA-Tencor may be used to measure step heights by a single sweep of the stylus and thus quickly determine the thickness of each layer deposited in a particular interferometric modulator manufacturing run. The stair step pattern reduces the natural bounce encountered when using profilometers and thereby improves accuracy as compared to sweeping across each layer individually. Those of skill in the art will recognize that any combination of layers may be used in a multi-stair step pattern. Thus, not all layers deposited during manufacture of interferometric modulators need to be included.
Another embodiment of a thickness process control monitor is depicted in FIG. 15. This process control monitor also has a stair-step profile; however, the stair-step pattern formed does not monotonically increase in height. One advantage of such a pattern is that the step heights may be formed to more closely correspond to actual thicknesses present in some interferometric modulators. In addition to layers discussed above, the process control monitor of FIG. 15 also contains a dark mask layer 275. The dark mask layer 275 may be used in interferometric modulators to inhibit reflection from some static structures such as posts and rails. In this embodiment, an additional oxide layer 277 may be deposited above the dark mask layer 275.
Step 300 in FIG. 15 corresponds to the combined thicknesses of all of the oxide layers (277, 156, and 158) and the dark mask 275. This step may be compared with step 302 to determine the thickness of the dark mask 275. The absolute height of step 304 provides the combined thickness of the oxide layers 277, 156, and 158 and the ITO 154 and chrome 150 layers. Comparison with step 302 provides the thickness of the combined ITO 154 and chrome 150 layers. Step 306 provides the thickness of the oxide layers 156/158 that are deposited on top of the ITO 154 and chrome 150 layers. Step 308 corresponds to the thickness of the mechanical membrane 164/166. The absolute height of step 308 will also approximate the combined thicknesses of material when an interferometric modulator is in an actuated state with the mechanical membrane 164/166 collapsed on top of the oxide layer 158. Step 310 corresponds to the combined thicknesses of the mechanical membrane 164/166 and the planar material 162. Comparison with step 308 may be used to determine the thickness of the planar material 162. Step 312 corresponds to the thickness of the sacrificial layer 160. Finally, step 314 corresponds to the thickness of the planar material 312. The absolute height of step 314 also corresponds to the position of the mechanical membrane 164/166 when an interferometric modulator is in an unactuated state.
In some embodiments, polychromatic interferometric modulator displays are formed. One such polychromatic display uses interferometric modulators having different gap depths to reflect different colors. For example, interferometric modulators having three different gap depths adapted to reflect predominantly red, green, or blue colors may be employed. One method of forming such a polychromatic display is to deposit and pattern three sacrificial layers prior to deposition of the planar material and mechanical membrane layers. The patterning of the sacrificial layers may be such that a single layer remains for one set of interferometric modulators, two layers remain for another set of interferometric modulators, and three layers remain for a final set of interferometric modulators. After deposition of the mechanical membrane and release etching, a smaller gap depth will be formed where the single sacrificial layer was formed, a medium gap depth will be formed where two sacrificial layers were formed, and a larger gap depth will be formed where three sacrificial layers were formed. FIG. 16 depicts a thickness process control monitor that may be used to measure layer thicknesses formed during use of such a three-sacrificial layer process. In addition to sacrificial layer 160, sacrificial layers 279 and 281 are also formed. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the sacrificial layers 160, 279, and 281 may be deposited sequentially or they may be deposited in a different order if liftoff or etch back techniques are utilized. Step 350 corresponds to the combined thicknesses of all of the oxide layers (277, 156, and 158) and the dark mask 275. This step may be compared with step 352 to determine the thickness of the dark mask 275. The absolute height of step 354 provides the combined thickness of the oxide layers 277, 156, and 158 and the ITO 154 and chrome 150 layers. Comparison with step 352 provides the thickness of the combined ITO 154 and chrome 150 layers. The comparison of step 356 with step 354 provides the thickness of the oxide layers 156/158 that are deposited on top of the ITO 154 and chrome 150 layers. Step 358 corresponds to the thickness of the mechanical membrane 164/166. The absolute height of step 358 also approximates the combined thicknesses of material when an interferometric modulator is in an actuated state with the mechanical membrane 164/166 collapsed on top of the oxide layer 158. Step 360 corresponds to the combined thicknesses of the mechanical membrane 164/166 and the planar material 162. Comparison with step 358 may be used to determine the thickness of the planar material 162.
Step 362 corresponds to the combined thickness of the mechanical membrane 164/166 and the single sacrificial layer 160. Comparison of step 362 with step 358 provides the thickness of the sacrificial layer 160. The absolute height of step 362 also corresponds to the position of the mechanical membrane 164/166 when the interferometric modulator having the smallest gap depth is in an unactuated state. The absolute height of step 364 corresponds to the combined height in an interferometric modulator array over a post that is between two interferometric modulators having the smallest gap depth. Comparison of step 364 with step 358 provides the height of the post. In a similar manner, step 366 corresponds to the combined thickness of the mechanical membrane 164/166 and the first 160 and second 279 sacrificial layers. Comparison of step 366 with step 362 provides the thickness of the second sacrificial layer 279. The absolute height of step 366 also corresponds to the position of the mechanical membrane 164/166 when the interferometric modulator having the medium gap depth is in an unactuated state. The absolute height of step 368 corresponds to the combined height in an interferometric modulator array over a post that is between two interferometric modulators having the medium gap depth. Comparison of step 368 with step 358 provides the height of the post. Step 370 corresponds to the combined thickness of the mechanical membrane 164/166 and first 160, second 279, and third 281 sacrificial layers. Comparison of step 370 with step 366 provides the thickness of the third sacrificial layer 281. The absolute height of step 370 also corresponds to the position of the mechanical membrane 164/166 when the interferometric modulator having the largest gap depth is in an unactuated state. The absolute height of step 372 corresponds to the combined height in an interferometric modulator array over a post that is between two interferometric modulators having the largest gap depth. Comparison of step 372 with step 358 provides the height of the post.
The process control monitor of FIG. 16 provides for the accurate measurement of the gap depths produced by a particular interferometric modulator manufacturing process. Measuring the cumulative height of the sacrificial layers corresponding to the medium and large gap depth interferometric modulators provides a more accurate indication of the resulting gap depth than would be obtained by measuring the individual thicknesses of the three sacrificial layers. If the three layers were measured separately, local variation in the thickness of each layer would be compounded when the thicknesses are added together to obtain total gap depths. In contrast, the process control monitor of FIG. 16 provides single measurements of the combined thicknesses the sacrificial layers, reducing errors introduced by local variances in each separate sacrificial layer.
In the embodiments of FIGS. 15 and 16, the mechanical membrane 164/166 may be used to protect the sacrificial layer 160 in the process control monitors during the release etch. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the thickness process control monitors may be evaluated after release etch. In some other embodiments, thickness process control monitors may be evaluated prior to the release etch. If the results indicate a problem with one or more layer thicknesses, the wafer may be scrapped prior to the release etch, thereby saving time and money.
Those of skill in the art will recognize that many other stair-step patterned process control monitors may be produced. It will also be appreciated that thickness process control monitors that contain less than all of the layers in a MEMS device may be constructed.
Although the invention has been described with reference to embodiments and examples, it should be understood that numerous and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.
1. A method of testing a process used to manufacture a polychromatic interferometric modulator display, wherein different color interferometric modulators in the display are manufactured by forming different depth gaps between a partial reflector and a reflective mechanical membrane, wherein the depth of at least one gap is determined by deposition of one or more sacrificial layers, the method comprising:
forming a process control monitor that comprises the one or more sacrificial layers, wherein at least one region of the process control monitor comprises a plurality of sacrificial layers deposited on top of each other;
measuring a profile of the process control monitor; and
determining a cumulative thickness of the one or more sacrificial layers from the profile.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the process control monitor comprises:
sequentially depositing the plurality of sacrificial layers; and
patterning each sacrificial layer after its deposition and before depositing another sacrificial layer so that regions of the process control monitor are formed where less than all of the plurality of sacrificial layers are present.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the process control monitor comprises depositing the mechanical membrane on top of the process control monitor so as to protect the sacrificial layers during an interferometric modulator release etch.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein measuring the profile of the process control monitor comprises:
measuring the thickness of the process control monitor in a region comprising a single sacrificial layer;
measuring the thickness of the process control monitor in a region comprising two sacrificial layers; and
measuring the thickness of the process control monitor in a region comprising three sacrificial layers.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein measuring the profile of the process control monitor comprises sweeping a profilometer across the process control monitor.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the profilometer is swept once across the process control monitor.
7. The method of claim 1, comprising forming the different color interferometric modulators substantially simultaneously with the process control monitor.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the different color interferometric modulators and the process control monitor are formed by applying an identical sequence of material deposition steps.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the profile of the process control monitor comprises at least two steps.
10. The method of claim 9, comprising determining the heights of the steps.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein steps in the process control monitor monotonically increase and then monotonically decrease from one side of the profile to the other.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one step in the process control monitor consists of one or more dielectric layers.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one step in the process control monitor consists of a mechanical membrane structure.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the height of at least one step in the process control monitor is substantially determined by the thickness of a sacrificial layer.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the height of at least one step in the process control monitor is substantially determined by the thickness of planar material.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the process control monitor is formed on a substrate.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the different color interferometric modulators are also formed on the substrate.
18. The method of claim 16, comprising cutting the substrate to remove the process control monitor.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the process control monitor comprises planar material between regions comprising sacrificial layers.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the depth of the gap determined by one of the one or more sacrificial layers is such that an interferometric modulator having that depth reflects predominately red light.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the depth of the gap determined by one of the one or more sacrificial layers is such that an interferometric modulator having that depth reflects predominately green light.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the depth of the gap determined by one of the one or more sacrificial layers is such that an interferometric modulator having that depth reflects predominately blue light.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more sacrificial layers comprises one or more of polysilicon, amorphous silicon, or photoresist.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more sacrificial layers comprises molybdenum.
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Properji.com
Magicbricks.com acquires property analysis firm Properji.com
Properji.com which has its presence in Bengaluru, provides detailed research to buyers and has prepared reports for about 100 projectsPTI | March 17, 2016, 17:43 IST
NEW DEHI: Realty portal Magicbricks.com has acquired property analysis platform Properji.com for an undisclosed amount and plans to come up with reports for more than 10,000 projects in six metros that would help prospective buyers in taking right decision.
Properji.com, which started its operation in 2013, has presence in Bengaluru. The start-up provides detailed research to buyers and has prepared reports for about 100 projects.
Magicbricks.com has acquired Invact Technologies, which runs Properji.com.
"We have acquired Properji.com which does independent analysis of projects. This will help the consumer to make an informed property buying decision," Magicbricks.com CEO Sudhir Pai told .
This is the first acquisition by the Magicbricks.com, he said, but it did not disclose the acquisition value.
"Given our reach and scale, we would be taking this platform to six metros including Bengaluru. We would like to prepare report for 10,000-15,000 projects, both completed and under-construction, having great demand," Pai said.
Part of the report would be free for consumers while part of it would be chargeable.
Talking about the synergies, Pai said Magicbricks.com generates huge data through listing of properties and same would be utilised for analysing the projects.
Magicbricks.com is a leading realty portal and is owned by Magicbricks Realty Services Ltd which is a subsidiary of Times Internet Ltd. The portal has over 80,000 projects and over 1.2 million listings.
The acquisition would help Magicbricks to strengthen its consumer proposition by offering in-depth information and analysis of projects that help consumers to choose the project that best suits their needs, the company said.
Tags : Industry, real estate, property, Properji.com, MagicBricks, Bengaluru
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Michael Brown Shooting
Rand Paul Reacts to Ferguson: Reform Criminal Justice System, Petty Fines
Robby Soave | 11.25.2014 1:59 PM
(Gage Skidmore)
Gage Skidmore
Sen. Rand Paul told Politico that he didn't have specific thoughts on the grand jury's decision not to indict Darren Wilson for the killing of Michael Brown, but renewed his calls to demilitarize the police and reform the criminal justice system:
The Kentucky Republican did say the situation reflects an "undercurrent of unease out there related to poverty, related to drugs." He added, "I think part of the answer is trying to reform our criminal justice system."
Paul specifically mentioned the issue of so-called "petty" fines for traffic violations. Petty fines are a $2 million revenue source for the city of Ferguson. But, as Paul notes, paying them is hardly inconsequential for the city's poor residents.
Reason's Brian Doherty and the Cato Institute's Walter Olson have examined how petty fines feed into the resentment of law enforcement felt by Ferguson's poor and minority citizens:
If indeed more people's usual interactions with police had anything to do with "protecting and serving" and less with violently messing up your life for reasons that can seem petty and pointless, from people whose version of respect is "do everything I say the way I'm comfortable with or you might die," the atmosphere surrounding what happened in Ferguson would likely be less toxic.
On the police militarization front, Paul plans to introduce legislation tackling that issue next year. He told Time that he will spend the coming weeks going over the details with other lawmakers:
Some libertarian-minded Republicans have also joined the call to demilitarize the police, including Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, who wrote in a TIME op-ed less than a week after the Brown shooting that "there should be a difference between a police response and a military response." On Tuesday, Paul's office confirmed that he will introduce his own bill addressing police militarization next year. He's working with retiring Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn on the legislation and will talk to other senators "over the coming months" to garner support, according to an aide.
More from Reason on the mayhem in Ferguson here.
Update: Paul has just published his own op-ed in Time titled, "The Politicians Are to Blame in Ferguson". He writes:
In the search for culpability for the tragedy in Ferguson, I mostly blame politicians. Michael Brown's death and the suffocation of Eric Garner in New York for selling untaxed cigarettes indicate something is wrong with criminal justice in America. The War on Drugs has created a culture of violence and put police in a nearly impossible situation.
In Ferguson, the precipitating crime was not drugs, but theft. But the War on Drugs has created a tension in some communities that too often results in tragedy. One need only witness the baby in Georgia, who had a concussive grenade explode in her face during a late-night, no-knock drug raid (in which no drugs were found) to understand the feelings of many minorities — the feeling that they are being unfairly targeted.
Three out of four people in jail for drugs are people of color. In the African American community, folks rightly ask why are our sons disproportionately incarcerated, killed, and maimed?
Watch Reason TV cover petty fines below.
NEXT: Why Shouldn't Al Sharpton and Rand Paul Have Breakfast Together?
Robby Soave is an associate editor at Reason.
Michael Brown Shooting Ferguson Rand Paul
Fact Check: The Lao baby grenaded in GA was a boy.
but renewed his calls to demilitarize the police and reform the criminal justice system
That dude is no libertarian?.
Pussies out and adds
antisocial-ist
Sounds like Paul has a perfectly reasoned and logical position. Therefore he will be ignored on this issue because the SJWs have already mapped out the battlefield.
Brian D
Therefore he will be ignored on this issue called an extremist because the SJWs have already mapped out the battlefield.
The Late P Brooks
SOFT ON CRIMEZ1!!1111
Agile Cyborg
This guy has no shirt on, is wearing a single fucking shoe, and keeps drop his fucking martinis on the dance floor. And not a single fucking person here gives a shit! sigh….
gaoxiaen
Post a video.
Show that you care.
The sight of a bunch of Democratic voters spouting Democratic slogans and rioting and looting is going to have a political effect. The vast majority of voters don’t like riots, especially race riots, and it looks like the vast majority are OK with the grand jury opinion. I’d say these riots will lead to at least a -1 D and +1 R shift in 2016. Riots helped Nixon get elected in ’68, and helped elect the GOP House in ’94. I even wonder if the photos of Brown assaulting the Asian shopkeeper might have been part of why the Asian vote shifted toward the GOP in this last election.
I suspect the Hillary camp is very, very angry right now.
The vast Democratic shifts and all. Plus riots. And Asians. Can’t leave out the Asians.
Bo Cara Esq.
“Riots…helped elect the GOP House in ’94”
Which riots?
Not the post-King verdicts which occurred a few months before…Bill Clinton’s election?
Oops, I got the date of those riots wrong.
steedamike
…”why the Asian vote shifted toward the GOP in this last election”…
Things like this may have also contributed.
Yes, that, too.
Warty
DanBruce 37 minutes ago
What a hypocrite. It is the political tradition from which Sen. Paul arises and thrives that has been the biggest roadblock to the war on poverty over the decades.
Brett L
“How dare he offer solutions on our wedge issue!”
That dude gets it. Wow.
http://fuckingliberalsareretarded.com
“We’d have won the War on Poverty by now, if it hadn’t been for Republicans!!”
Freedom Frog
He loses me once he starts talking about minorities and the criminal justice system. I’m white and have a felony for handing a guy a bag with a plant inside it. Screwed my life up for a good 3 years (was 6 weeks from going to Air Force boot camp).
And while I’m doing well career wise now, the only reason is because the bar/restaurant industry doesn’t care about the felony. Basically every other industry does.
Its not a black vs white or even blue vs black thing. Its blue vs all of us.
Cytotoxic
Your anecdote does not measure up to the data presented by Paul.
From the Tundra
Its blue vs all of us.
He isn’t saying that the War on Drugs doesn’t hurt non-minorities as well.
Keith85
The statistics he uses for his argument are accurate, and while your situation sucks it is an outlier. Generally speaking young blacks go to jail for drug offenses at much higher rate than young white kids. While this problem does affect everyone, it affects minority communities more often. This is his point…
I’d like to insert a minor correction, Kind Frog. It is establishment culture against all of us. The establishment produces the lawyers and politicians who create the laws which are then imposed upon the populace through the legal institution and its ready arm of enforcers called the blues (a minority of which I am sure despise some of the very laws they have to enforce).
Yeah. Hate lawyers until they get you out of a prison sentence. I appreciate the good service that I paid for.
craiginmass
“He loses me once he starts talking about minorities and the criminal justice system”
Minorities became the target when Gubment figured out that their daddies and mommies don’t have large bank accounts and as many connections to help them.
America wants to grease the skids of filling the jails and the rolls of people who are not allowed to vote – and it’s just easier to do so with certain minorities.
While this has something to do with the criminal justice system, it has FAR more to do with the welfare system and the corrosive culture it breeds, particularly when combined with the toxic identity politics (i.e., racist beliefs) that is so fashionable in black communities.
jmomls
November.25.2014 at 10:02 pm
But it’s cool to shoot people and take their new Air Jordans, or because they are wearing the wrong color shirt! Learning to read and write, that shit’s for white people, gnome sayun?
Gnome Chomsky.
http://biolinguistica.files.wo…..gnome1.jpg
Just like clockwork, Rand Paul story about every 5-6 headlines. Reason is taking that Koch money and delivering the best headlines Rand can buy!
How dare they report on a politician with a different POV than
every other
major politician in Washington! Obviously, they’re terribly biased!
Huh, I mixed up quote and bold. Oh, well.
How do you misspell “B” as “blockquote” ?
Sure, they should pimp the guy who wants boots on the ground to attack ISIS (yeah, that’s different, right?) and who wants the civil rights act overturned – and who believes we are a Christian Nation and no pol should be in office unless they have faith……and who says we could solve America’s Race problem if only we lowered the cost of traffic tickets!
This is a clown show – not a different POV…
Bling Boy
Koch $$ = Bringing home our troops, ending the war on drugs, restoring our civil liberties, ending deficit spending, repealing ACA, auditing the Fed…. keep the money coming guys !!
“Koch $$ = Bringing home our troops”
Wait – Obama brought home 100’s of thousands of them….and Rand wants Boots on the Ground against ISIS…..
That antiwar stuff is just a front. The Koch’s have supported EVERY GOP WARMONGER in existence – as they will for the POTUS election. They want two things…
1. Control over this “toy” we call the USA – it’s just a fun thing for old sad men to do.
2. The ability to amass more tens of billions by polluting more (deregulation) – those who can’t afford to move to the places with nicer air – well, they don’t deserve those luxuries of clean air and clean water.
*Control over this “toy” we call the USA – it’s just a fun thing for old sad men to do.*
Said the shitbag who supports superannuated Harry Fucking Reid and the rest of the fossilized DNC leadership.
Choke and die, commie fuck.
So basically he’s saying we should legalize strong arm robbery so Brown wouldn’t have been killed while resisting arrest?
Exactly! If the Officer would have only waited until he got shot a couple times or had his neck broken, our society would be just fine!
Apparently, Rand learned how to solve the complex problems of poverty, racism, etc. while fitting eyeglasses. This truly gives new meaning the phrase about Libertarians being the folks who solve the problems of the world at 2am after smoking a joint.
If Rand has this great POV, why not put to work in HIS STATE – because, after all, small gubment and state’s rights should be the great testing ground. Surely a state with two of the most outspoken Senators in the USA can fix just some of their multitude of BIG problems?
Was Brown angry and stoned because he owed traffic tickets? Is that why too many black families don’t have dad’s at home – because they owed traffic tickets?
As others have noted, it is/was largely the RIGHT side of the aisle which has promoted “Law and order” at almost any cost and built up our prison/industrial/corporate complex to the largest in the world. The right in this country is authoritarian and scared – especially of folks who don’t look and talk like them….
Not to say I am giving a pass to the left. I’m deeply embarrassed by some of their BS surrounding this case. They know not what they do. But ignorance is nothing new – on a personal level. The big difference with Rand is that he bring ignorance (of the complexity of society and government) to Washington DC.
It ain’t gonna work. Talking is much easier than doing.
Brochettaward
1. Congressmen don’t make state laws. They pass federal laws.
2. A state could not repeal drug prohibition on its own even if it could.
3. A number of Democrats have supported law and order policies. Democrats, unlike Republicans, attempt to compensate for the narrative that they tend to be weak on such issues.
4. It was under Clinton that a lot of mandatory minimums and three strike laws went on the books.
5. The big one – you want to whine about what Republicans supposedly do, and then when one supports something else, you lambast him…mainly just because he’s a Republican.
But you are a troll account, anyway, so who really cares.
Ah, so Colorado, MA, CA and other states haven’t found ways around it, eh?
Don’t be silly. KY shows up at the bottom for most of the “rights” Rand claims to champion. As the leading Big Mouth Big Gubment agent from that state, he has pull if he wants to. Heck, Soros financed the ballot initiative (libertarians here did the leg work) in MA – are you telling us that the Koch’s and Rand couldn’t put their money where their Big Mouths are?
No I’m not a troll. I just look at results and behavior rather than listening to empty words. You authoritarians are too swayed by the stars in your eyes to actually think.
JPyrate
Turd.Burglar.
leaniefeneckgik
my friend’s half-sister makes $74 /hr on the laptop . She has been fired for 8 months but last month her payment was $15926 just working on the laptop for a few hours. browse this site….
?????? http://www.payinsider.com
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For 2020 Dems, Your Right to an Abortion Doesn't Exist If You Have To Pay for It
And don't even try to pin Elizabeth Warren down on whether the procedure should be legal in the third trimester.
Stephanie Slade | 6.26.2019 11:45 PM
Sen. Elizabeth Warren addresses Planned Parenthood. (Richard Ellis/ZUMA Press/Newscom)
The first presidential primary debate dispelled all doubt about the extremity of abortion positions represented in today's Democratic Party. A range of opinions that really ought to strike people of a libertarian bent as troubling—whether or not they think of themselves as pro-life—were on display tonight.
The moderators gave a significant chunk of time to the discussion, especially considering that all 10 debaters are on roughly the same side of this issue. Three candidates' remarks were particularly telling.
First, during a more general conversation about health care policy, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee volunteered that "it should not be an option in the United States of America for any insurance company to deny women coverage for their exercise of their right of choice."
Next, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro was asked whether his Medicare for All plan would cover abortion. "Yes," he said, "it would. I don't believe only in reproductive freedom. I believe in reproductive justice. And what that means is just because a woman, or let's also not forget someone in the trans community…is poor doesn't mean they shouldn't have the right to exercise that right to choose. And so I absolutely would cover the right to have an abortion."
Finally, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was asked whether she would put any limits at all on abortion. She responded, "I would make certain that every woman has access to the full range of reproductive health care services, and that includes birth control, that includes abortion, it includes everything for a woman."
These answers convey a couple of realities we should all be crystal clear about. Most importantly, they demonstrate that for the 2020 Democratic hopefuls, it's not enough for abortion to be legal. To meet the criterion of "justice," the procedure must be paid for by someone other than the woman seeking it. For Inslee, that means insurance providers, and no one—not even, say, an order of Catholic nuns—should be permitted by law to choose a plan that doesn't offer abortion coverage. For Castro (and, let's be honest, probably for a number of the others as well) it means the federal government should pick up the tab. Which, of course, is another way of saying that taxpayers, including the half who identify as pro-life, should be on the hook.
The answers also betray a total unwillingness on the part of the Democratic field to admit to any conditions under which they think abortion should be restricted at any point in a pregnancy. That's a shame, especially in a year during which the governor of Virginia found himself in hot water for accidentally implying he might be OK with ending the life of an unwanted child after birth. In fact, as I argued at the time, he almost certainly only thinks abortion should be legal up until the moment a woman goes into labor. But even that is a radical position—and I'm not just speaking for myself. Fewer than a third of Americans think abortion should be legal under every circumstance, according to Gallup. As Slate's William Saletan once put it, polling shows that "even the most pro-choice people aren't sold on abortion rights beyond the first trimester."
Does Warren agree with the vast majority of voters that late-term abortion is a morally different beast? Do any of the Democratic candidates? It's impossible to say for sure—these guys are adept at avoiding a question they would rather not answer, even when the question is put to them directly—but it sure doesn't sound like it to me.
NEXT: Elizabeth Warren's Polished Progressivism Dominated the First Democratic Debate
Stephanie Slade is managing editor of Reason.
Abortion Debates Elizabeth Warren Julian Castro
Nardz
June.26.2019 at 11:55 pm
“Tranny abortions will be fully funded through taxes!”
– Julian “creepy cold stare, but so short” Castro
Matthew Chalice
That was the worst part of the night. Another awful part was when NBC essentially called Gabbard a bigot, and Cory “The Potato” Booker piled on.
June.27.2019 at 2:26 pm
Party of Science, y’all.
Levi Rodriguez
“it should not be an option in the United States of America for any insurance company to deny women coverage for their exercise of their right of choice.”
How did he not notice the irony in this statement?
Her choice trumps their options.
Sheldonius Rex
You know, five-ish years ago polite society mocked Rush Limbaugh for saying this day would come. He literally predicted that the issue was becoming one of not access, but payment. Just saying.
As a pro-lifer who opposes legal abortion, I *loathe* how libertarians tried to pander to the left by emphasizing their positions on social issues. It’s obvious now that supporting abortion would never be enough. Democrats want to exalt and fund it for all nine months. The same goes for gay marriage. It’s not enough to support it; you have to support coercive cake baking and taxpayer-funded sex changes, too.
Of course, it’s obvious that the LP hasn’t learned a single thing. And with Sarwark in charge, they’ll continue moving in that direction.
Libertarians have fallen victim to marxist infiltration and deception. The few left who are not managed opposition helping the Democrats perpetually win are like Chamberlain the appeaser, feeding the crocodiles hoping they eat him last.
I don’t think the LP is that coherent or organized. But I don’t really keep up with them.
Maybe it’s happening, but it seems to me that trying to infiltrate the LP would be a huge waste of time. What would there be to gain by influencing a mostly irrelevant political party?
phillhamian
I don’t think they’ve been infiltrated necessarily, but Sarwark is a tool and a lefty to boot. Just earlier this week he was suggesting that Ron Paul’s 2008 campaign was some kind of Russian plot.
Seriously? WTF has gone sooo wrong with all the main libertarian institutions in recent years.
Well, it’s worth a try, I guess. Not that you should change your positions if you disagree on abortion or other social issues.
Libertarians will never get through to the true believers, but there are people who are sort of “left by default” who can be swayed. I was once one of them. And I try to say what I think without regard for strategic positioning or who happens to agree with me.
They never wanted abortion. They wanted to force opponents to bow the knee and do what they demand and pay for it.
Bob Straub
There may be Libertarians who pander to the left. But every genuine Libertarian position is based on principle: The Non-Aggression Principle (NAP) and the right to honestly acquired property, the most fundamental piece of property being oneself. A person who is capable of carrying an embryo/fetus can not be forced to continue to carry it for any reason. My hope is that few pregnancies will be terminated arbitrarily, but there should be no law against that.
Could you find us a Libertarian, much less any libertarian literature that favors “coercive cake baking” or “taxpayer-funded sex changes?” Both of those would violate the NAP. Most Libertarian positions on social issues would be seen as lefty to most people. Most economic positions would be seen as righty. But more importantly, all positions would need to be based on the two principles I named above.
awildseaking
For the NAP to be applicable to abortion, the child must have transgressed upon the mother. It has not, therefore it is not applicable.
The problem with Libertarians on abortion is they keep trying to apply retarded academic principles to real issues that are messy and don’t have a nice answer. Either you let people murder kids for convenience or you don’t. It’s that simple.
dchang0
False dilemma.
You use the word “kids,” but there is a genuine and unresolved argument over when a “clump of cells” becomes a human being.
No one can yet objectively prove when the moment life begins is. Some pro-lifers yell their opinion that it begins at conception as if it were fact, but there is no way to actually measure this and prove it. It’s just circular logic, i.e. “Life begins at conception because it must begin at conception.”
Maybe fifty years from now someone will invent a device that can objectively measure the instant life begins. Until then, it’s just one side’s opinion versus another side’s opinion.
Well, for one, sperm cells and egg cells are alive before conception, so the question of ‘when life begins’ is not so simple as you put it. But if you mean human life, then, yes, nobody can pinpoint when it begins. IMO, because of that, a society predicated on the preservation of human rights, of which one of the most basic is the right to life, should place that point at the earliest moment when a fundamental change can be detected that all humans pass in the same way. By contrast, heartbeats, pain sensitivity, higher brain functions, etc. all begin at different points in development for each individual, and short of continually hooking women up to an array or sensors, you won’t know exactly when each individual passes each such threshold to be given the lofty status of Human Life by some bureaucratic flunky.
This doesn’t mean I think all abortions should be illegal, it means, like the death penalty, it should be an available options, just one used in rare circumstances. The right of the unborn to live should be a consideration from the government’s perspective.
Really dude? That’s a bullshit way to dodge the reality of the situation. I’m actually fine with abortion, but don’t fool yourself that you’re not killing babies.
The bottom line is that once that egg gets fertilized, if nothing else goes wrong, there will be a person popping out in 9 months. Any BS arguments about pinpointing when “life” begins are garbage. If no other action is taken, there will be a person. It’s that simple. So you are killing a person that would be born.
As I said, I don’t even have a problem with abortion being legal, but I accept it for what it is: Murdering babies because them being born would be inconvenient. Just accept reality for what it is.
Except the “leave well enough alone” mentality of the NAP ends up having the government take over everything.
You will be made to care. Libertarians promised us that gay marriage would have ZERO impact on straight people. That humoring trannies in re bathrooms would have ZERO impact on the non-insane portion of the population. These assumptions have been disproven harshly.
“A person who is capable of carrying an embryo/fetus can not be forced to continue to carry it for any reason.”
So child abandonment laws should also be invalid?
ClaLib ConFus NozMin
I’m tempted to not reply, as your comment delineates clearly (at least in my eyes) that it is intended for big L Libertarians, not small l libertarians like myself.
To me, the guiding principle is not based on the NAP. It is based merely on the question as to whether any given product/service is better provided by Government or by non-government actors. In general, with only a few exceptions (Justice and Defense being the big two), the private sector is a better choice. [Now perhaps that paradigm may ultimately be derivative of the NAP — IDK/IDC. But that’s the question: Government or Private?]
Hence, when it comes to certain issues (such as that-ever thorny issue of abortion), it is my personal sense of morality which governs, not my sense of libertarianism.
This is an important nugget here.
You’re essentially saying that you’re a POLITICAL libertarian. Not a MORAL libertarian. Lots of people are political libertarians, but don’t feel the need to apply every theoretical outcome dictated by the NAP in their personal moral code. It’s not an unreasonable proposition.
I’m not even a full on political libertarian, because the NAP leads to horrible outcomes on a few issues. Namely open borders, and to a lesser degree enforcing reasonable social standards most people agree on… Like not letting naked 65 year old men who think they’re women showing in locker rooms with 7 year old naked girls. Stuff like that.
Ryan (formally HFTO)
Wait til you see what they do with the next batch of dreamers
NashTiger
I can’t wait for the taxpayers to fund my 1st and 2nd Amendment rights
rhondacivic
Patiently waiting for my inevitable firearm subsidy…. and for the punitive regulations on ammo costs, and waiting periods, and carry permits to be repealed which are denying me access to my right to keep and bear arms.
imekwhodo
Yang 2020 right!? $1000 a month firearm and firearm accessories subsidy.
I’m sure they’ll ban the use of UBI on firearms. And a bunch of other things that the Democrats don’t like. They might even make receiving your UBI contingent on turning in your firearms.
Nom de Sobriquet
Took the words right out of my mouth
Yeah, well, I want a subscription to everything, and my own printing press. Oh, yeah, and my church needs money, too
Don’t forget peaceable assembly. And what’s more peaceful than Tahiti, Hawaii, Bali, or Ibiza? Book a flight now for you and 10000 of your closest friends — Uncle Sam is footing the bill!
There really is no difference between social issues and economic issues. Social liberalism eventually demands economic progressivism.
That does seem to be what happens.
But it depends on what you mean by “social liberalism”. Does it mean a Euro-style welfare state, or does it mean leave people alone? I wish it was the latter, but no one seems to want that.
IMO a society that doesn’t have laws governing actions still needs to strictly enforce social standards through shaming, etc. In the USA in 1850 you could do opium and bang hookers every night LEGALLY in most places. BUT if you did that, you would be a total social outcast.
In short, society is only functional if standards of decency are strictly enforced on most people, because it falls apart if everybody becomes too degenerate… But if you want to have legal freedom to do those things, you still need everybody to chastise those that actually do them… Which in a weird way almost means that many/most of those types of freedoms are essentially bad things in the first place… Which is why so many people just want them made illegal.
It’s a twisted mess really.
Moderation4ever
” In fact, as I argued at the time, he almost certainly only thinks abortion should be legal up until the moment a woman goes into labor. ”
Where has there been a case of a women having an abortion just before going into labor. This is BS and its time we call it out. Just a talking point that has little to do with fact. But then facts have never been the strong point of the anti-abortion movement.
I got two words for you: “Induction abortion” . Maybe you should google that.
Exactly. It’s only a talking point until it isn’t only a talking point.
I did the International Encyclopedia of Public Health defines it as a surgical termination of pregnancy before the fetus is viable. So we are not talking about a procedure preformed just before a women would deliver at 9 months. My point stands, women do not go into the doctors office a few days before delivering at full term and get an abortion.
Excellent, you’ve shown that since these very late-term abortions don’t happen, then you can reassure the benighted masses by banning such abortions. After all, you won’t be sacrificing any important principle, since you’ll simply be banning something which doesn’t exist!
Can I sign you up for a law saying that personhood begins no later than the 9th month of pregnancy?
How do you think late-term abortions are done?
And how do you think babies SURVIVE abortions, which does happen?
It’s of a part with the socialists’ idea of positive rights – how can I be free to do as I please if I lack the resources to do so? I am not free to drive a Rolls Royce or free to vacation in Bali or free to attend Harvard if I can’t afford these things. Somebody needs to stop denying me my rights and send me a big fat check!
That is so stupid it hurts. Part of the reason a Rolls costs so much is that it is handmade and there are very few of them produced compared to say, Fords.
If the government funded the purchase of a Rolls for everyone who’d like one, the waiting list to take delivery would probably be 80 years. Either that, or Rolls would meet the demand by changing the way they make them and churn them out like any other mass produced production car. In a few years’ time, the Rolls would just be a Ford with a very square-looking grille.
In effect, much of the same applies to Harvard and Bali, too. What makes a Harvard education (arguably) better than one from a community college? A big part of it is that they only accept a select group and that group is a tiny fraction of all college kids—with many made up of either the children of elites or kids who seriously excelled at academics. If everyone and their brother went to Harvard, its cachet would quickly become the same as that of East Whatever State College.
As for Bali, it’s already overrun with tourists. Add a couple hundred million more, who got there thanks to a welfare program, and some relatively empty Florida beach will soon be the way more desirable destination.
I think it being stupid was the point.
Freddy the Jerk
Let’s start a gofund me to buy Inigo Montoya a working sarcometer.
“The answers also betray a total unwillingness on the part of the Democratic field to admit to any conditions under which they think abortion should be restricted at any point in a pregnancy.”
Good. Every serious libertarian must support unrestricted access to abortion care throughout all 3 trimesters.
What’s not good, though, is Reason allowing this anti-choice extremist to write here. You cannot be a libertarian if you literally want to turn this country into The Handmaid’s Tale. I mean, what’s next? Is Reason going to hire a writer who opposes open borders?
#LibertariansForThirdTrimesterAbortion
#LibertariansForPubliclyFundedAbortion
FreeRadical
D. Transparent.
Why stop at 3 trimesters, you Nazi. Get comfortable while we have a discussion…
tlapp
Those that want freedom of choice do not want to give those that would never make that choice any option. They want to force others to support and pay for it.
That is no supporter of choice.
It was never about freedom–it was always about power.
Trifrozion
Would it be less costly if we just had all males be forced to get a vasectomy at 14 and then they could get it reversed after 25? I am against it, but would it be less costly under medicare for all?
Post-Debate Shade Showcases Serious Policy Riffs Among 2020 Democratic Candidates – iftttwall
[…] For 2020 Dems, Your Right to an Abortion Doesn’t Exist If You Have To Pay for It […]
Like immigration, abortion is a fight the left has to keep going or they cannot use their favorite weapon, the race card. Democrats do not want solutions to these issues or to actual find a compromise because both would strip the issue from them to use for political gain. Both issues have simple solutions which is why you know it is nothing but politics.
rchive
I’m actually not sure how you concluded this. Sure, there were lots of calls for government to pay for abortions for people, but I didn’t hear anything about when abortions could or couldn’t be performed. Am I missing something?
“Finally, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was asked whether she would put any limits at all on abortion. She responded, “I would make certain that every woman has access to the full range of reproductive health care services, and that includes birth control, that includes abortion, it includes everything for a woman.””
Abortions will continue to become more restrictive as medicine enables premature babies to be viable. 25% of 20 week babies are viable. If you abort after 20 weeks for an illegitimate reason, off to jail with you. There can’t be any compromise. I’ll respect your honesty if you can admit that the reason you advocate these killings is to reduce or eliminate problematic populations, but then you’ve just ushered in RWDS. Good job!
” I’ll respect your honesty if you can admit that the reason you advocate these killings is to reduce or eliminate problematic populations, but then you’ve just ushered in RWDS.”
Democrats have gotten away with it for 60 years without admitting that, why start now?
Honestly, that IS a big part of why I support abortion.
Way I see it there are 2 types that have abortions: Those who might want them, but feel they really can’t take care of a kid. These people are mostly broke blow it cases.
The other is people who could take care of a kid, but don’t want to have one because “ZOMG I wouldn’t be able to drink wine with the girls every weekend anymore!”
In both cases, you’re avoiding a situation where a kid probably shouldn’t exist. Blow it cases who can’t even take care of themselves shouldn’t have kids, and stats show poor people disproportionately have abortions. With somebody who would feel resentment about having a kid… Being unwanted is probably worse than being poor. So either way, it’s a good thing IMO, although I wish there were fewer of category 2 people.
If I have to pay for it, does that mean that women no longer want the government out of their vaginas?
We’re talking about women here. Much like marriage, they get access to your money but you have no access to her vagina.
A friendly reminder that 55 percent of women between ages 18 and 54 prefer socialism to capitalism.
What are the chances of getting a blowie? Is this an eggs benedict situation – something else I’ll never get from government?
Women talk all this shit about wanting to be independent… But they’re literally incapable of existing at any real level of prosperity without men. They’re too weak, too lazy, and not intelligent or driven enough. Women, as a whole, exist on the backs of men. Always have, and always will.
Where’s daddy to cover the cost?
Want me to cover it? Do I get a poke?
Disenchanted libertarian
AND, “Your right to keep and bear arms does not exist if you have to pay for them”! A right actually in the constitution, not just invented into it!
“For 2020 Dems, Your Right to an Abortion Doesn’t Exist If You Have To Pay for It”
“If the government isn’t paying you to write that stuff, you do not have freedom of speech!”
The D party.
Wise Old Fool
I’m all for women’s rights, but it is an elective action and shouldn’t be covered by insurance unless they pay for an add on to cover such contingencies. Again, fuck the Republican agenda to take away women’s rights and reproductive freedom. Fuck them with a barbed wire covered bat.
These same Democrat assholes love putting fees on gun owners and claim that it doesn’t violate the right to keep and bear arms and 2nd Amendment.
Such logical inconsistency and hypocrisy. If it’s a violation of rights for gov’t to not pay for something, then it is a double violation of rights to not only not pay for something but to put extra fees on top.
Status2019
You can check out Upcoming BBL details, like Points Table, Ladder, Team, Squads, BBL 2020 Schedule etc. here
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Tree-Ring Research
Tree-Ring Bulletin, Volume 50 (1990)
JournalTree-Ring Bulletin (1)AuthorsBednarz, Z. (1)
Bednarz, Z. (1)
Computer Centre Academy of Agriculture, Kraków, Poland (1)Department of Forest Botany and Nature Protection, Academy of Agriculture, Kraków, Poland (1)Ptak, J. (1)Ptak, J. (1)Types
The Influence of Temperature and Precipitation on Ring Widths of Oak (Quercus Robur L.) in the Niepolomice Forest Near Cracow, Southern Poland
Bednarz, Z.; Ptak, J. (Tree-Ring Society, 1990)
Analysis of the relationship between ring-width indices of pedunculate oaks (Quercus robur L.) in the Niepotomice Forest with average monthly air temperatures (1826-1980) and total monthly precipitation (1881-1985) in Cracow revealed a strict relationship between tree -growth and the precipitation of June-July, May-July, and June-August. These relationships are described by a high percentage of agreement, at or around 70 %, and coefficients of correlation (rx) of 0.40 (June-July), 0.36 (May-July) and 0.30 (June-August). The group of 10 oaks with the highest coefficients between growth and precipitation yielded still higher correlations: 0.50, 0.50, and 0.41, respectively. High total monthly precipitation in June and July favors radial growth, while low precipitation reduces radial growth. The influence of air temperature on oak ring-width indices is less significant. The highest positive correlation occurs for January to April of the preceding year. Correlations for the years of radial growth have values close to or below (June) zero except for August.
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Tag Archives: bbc 1
New Series of The Apprentice Starts Tuesday
Whilst writing about the new series of The Apprentice is hardly a normal topic for a Marketing blog, I make no apology for it. For me The Apprentice is up there with the top programmes on TV. Both from a creative point of view and the way they have made people understand that a career in commercial organisations need not be boring.
My main hope for this series of The Apprentice is that they have selected candidates that want to be on the show for business reasons, not to try to catapault themselves in to a mini-celebrity. The likes of Saira Kahn, Ruth Badger and more recently Kate Walsh have been good candidates but seemingly as intent on celeb status than a job with Lord Sugar.
The challenges provide great tests of the candidates talent and commercial acumen, although they quite often focus a lot on sales. The characters are often so far out in terms of how exagerated they become to achieve stand-out for the crowd, some end up becoming parodies of themselves.
People in my network of friends have often said I should enter The Apprentice as they believe I could do well. Frankly I don’t think I could put up with some of the candidates and how they behave, so its probably best I stay away.
Anyway, the show starts on BBC 1, Tuesday at 9pm and the candidates have already been unveiled. We have people from all walks of life including the usual suspects from Sales and Marketing Backgrounds. I for one will be glued to my set to see how the candidates shape up and will expect the losing project manager to go in the first episode.
One element of sadness is that Margaret left the team. That isn’t a negative around Ms Brady (Peschosolidio), more an endorsement for Margaret. You could tell both her and Nick had an honest working relationship with Lord Sugar and none of it was forced. With Karen because she was added to the show it fills a little more ‘done for TV’.
That being said, I can’t wait to hear Lord Sugar say for the first time, You’re Fired!
Oh one other slight negative, I really don’t like the after show half as much now Adrian Chiles has left.
Categories: General, Uncategorized | Tags: adrian chiles, adrian shiles, alan suagr, apprentice, bbc, bbc 1, celebrity, karen brady, kate walsh, lord sugar, margaret, marketing, nick, ruth badger, saira kahn, sales, sales and marketing, sir alan, the apprentice, tv | Permalink.
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Why Print and Electronic Resources Are Essential to the Academic Law Library
Michelle M. Wu, Georgetown University Law CenterFollow
Libraries have supported multiple formats for decades, from paper and microforms to audiovisual tapes and CDs. However, the newest medium, digital transmission, has presented a wider scope of challenges and caused library patrons to question the established and recognized multiformat library. Within the many questions posed, two distinct ones echo repeatedly. The first doubts the need to sustain print in an increasingly digital world, and the second warns of the dangers of relying on a still-developing technology. This article examines both of these positions and concludes that abandoning either format would translate into a failure of service to patrons, both present and future.
97 Law Libr. J. 233-256 (2005)
Wu, Michelle M., "Why Print and Electronic Resources Are Essential to the Academic Law Library" (2005). Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works. 783.
Legal Education Commons, Legal Writing and Research Commons, Library and Information Science Commons
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Oct 14, 2017 @ 02:42:33 EDT
ICSA Women's Semi-Final
HostStanford
TypeNational Championship Finals Regatta
BoatFJ
ICSA Women's Semi Final St. Francis Yacht Club & Stanford University May 25, 2009
HIGHLIGHTS: Racing was underway shortly after 10am. The racing area for the first three B Division and A Division races took place between the Golden Gate Yacht Club and Fort Mason. The day started out with a puffy 5-15 knots. The course for Races 4-5B and 4A were set on the City Front just outside of St. Francis Yacht Club. At that point, the breeze built to 20-24 knots with puffs in the higher twenties. After several wipeouts in 4A, the fleet sailed back to the dock after finishing while the course was relocated to the morning's venue. Races 5A, 6-7B, and 6-7A were sailed in 15-20 knots of breeze, starting the last race 8 minutes before the time limit for the day.
Two requests for redress were filed, one was granted. No protests.
Special thanks to PRO Mike Kalin and all Race Committee Volunteers. Thanks to John Vandemoer, Erik Storck, and Brian Stanford for keeping the rotations flowing smoothly. Thanks to Eddie Conrad for doing everything from righting capsized boats to blogging for the event.
Thank you head judge Don Becker and his crew of Maggie Lumkes, Adele Wilhelm, and Betsy Altman, they did a fantastic job.
Congratulations to the top 9 teams: Old Dominion, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Boston University, Boston College, University of Rhode Island, Connecticut College, Brown, and Eckerd, who have qualified for Women's Nationals.
1 Old Dominion University Monarchs 26 44 70
2 Dartmouth College Big Green 43 38 81
3 Georgetown University Hoyas 38 46 84
4 Boston University Terriers 44 42 86
* 5 Boston College Eagles 41 47 88
* 6 University of Rhode Island Rams 52 36 88
7 Connecticut College Camels 49 41 90
8 Brown University Bears 67 39 106
9 Eckerd College Tritons 47 62 109
10 University of Hawaii Rainbows 66 53 119
11 University of South Florida Bulls 49 84 133
12 University of Southern California Trojans 98 63 161
13 U. S. Naval Academy Midshipmen 71 91 162
14 University of Pennsylvania Quakers 98 80 178
15 University of California at Irvine Anteaters 99 100 199
16 University of Michigan Wolverines 106 99 205
17 University of Oklahoma Sooners 127 111 238
18 University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish 116 129 245
Sym.
* Number of high-place (1) finishes
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Gold •15 mins 1,409.40 -4.10 -0.29%
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What The Hell is Going On?
By - Mar 07, 2017, 10:42 AM CST
"The older I grow, the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom." - H.L. Mencken
"The older I get the less I listen to what people say and the more I look at what they do."- Andrew Carnegie
I'm 53 years old. The older I get the less sure I am about things I was sure about when I was 25 years old. I believed stocks for the long run was an unquestioned truth. I believed our economy was based on free market capitalism. I believed stock prices were based upon profits and cash flows. I believed a home was a place to live - not an investment. I believed the Catholic Church was run by good men doing good things. I believed journalists and the media were watchdogs working on behalf of the public. I believed our military was protecting our interests. I believed politicians legislated on behalf of the people. I believed the main purpose of bankers was to loan money to businesses and consumers in order to support economic growth. Boy, was I dumbass.
My skeptical nature, reliance on data I've personally vetted, and judging our leaders based on what they have done versus what they say, has allowed me to escape the Matrix. I wasn't truly awakened until I watched Bush, Cheney, Powell, the rest of the neo-con prevaricators and fake news mainstream media utilize propaganda to railroad Americans into a $6 trillion unnecessary war, resulting in 36,000 American casualties, the destruction of a country and the creation of thousands of new Muslim terrorists.
I've spent the last fourteen years pushing back against the establishment narrative, documenting the fake data published by government apparatchiks, and trying to open the eyes of as many people as possible to the propaganda utilized by the Deep State to keep the ignorant masses dazed, confused and distracted. The country is in deep trouble because what the majority believe regarding the economy, politics, religion, and culture just ain't so.
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so." - Mark Twain
Since the start of this year I've found myself in a mental funk. I'm tired of the lies. I'm tired of incessant media propaganda. I'm tired of politicians. I'm tired of economic experts. I'm tired of hucksters touting their "the end is near" tale to sell me something. I'm tired of faux mainstream media journalists and their whining about Trump being mean and threatening the First Amendment.
They don't know jack about the First Amendment, as they work for one of the six media conglomerates whose job it is to produce fake news supporting whatever narrative keeps their Deep State benefactors in power. Regurgitating lines written for them by corporate propagandists is not journalism and has absolutely no relationship to the First Amendment. Over the last decade the only place to find some truth has been the alternative media thriving on the uncensored internet. That's why the establishment wants to regulate the internet.
The fake news blitz by a Deep State, flailing about trying to retain their power and wealth, has reached frantic proportions. The left wingers, egged on by Obama and funded by Soros, hold increasingly inane protests with themes like: wear a vagina hat to support feminazis; hug an illegal immigrant; everyone I hate is a Nazi; and women take another day off and no one notices. The traitorous neo-con warmongers like McCain, Graham, and Kristol see their enormously profitable never ending global conflict agenda at risk. The military industrial complex needs enemies. The left wingers and neo-cons have joined forces to utilize the fake Russian election intervention propaganda in a last ditch desperate attempt to derail the Trump presidency before it starts.
The relentlessness, bitterness, and blatant disregard for the truth exhibited by Trump's vast array of opponents have made TV virtually unwatchable. I've found myself mentally checking out. Why waste mental energy debating hacks, mental midgets and paid trolls for the establishment? After spending years obliterating fake government statistics on a daily basis, I find continuing to do so is just mental masturbation with no ultimate satisfaction. Confronting left wingers and neo-cons is like wresting with a pig, you both get dirty and the pig likes it.
I've always been an observer. I've been observing how certain both sides are regarding their positions on illegal immigration, Muslims, Russia, Obamacare, Supreme Court nominees, executive orders, jobs, taxes, climate change, school choice, oil pipelines the First Amendment, Second Amendment, the rule of law, and the Bill of Rights. I find it exhausting. We're lost in a blizzard of lies. I'm not certain about anything. I will remain skeptical of everything uttered by all politicians, all government bureaucrats, all corporate executives, all central bankers, all media pundits, all religious leaders, all corporate paid journalists and especially Wall Street shysters.
"Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the man, the surer he is that he knows precisely what is right and what is wrong. All human progress, even in morals, has been the work of men who have doubted the current moral values, not of men who have whooped them up and tried to enforce them. The truly civilized man is always skeptical and tolerant, in this field as in all others. His culture is based on "I am not too sure." - H.L. Mencken
The dissonance between what I have been observing and what is being flogged by the establishment mouthpieces in the corporate mainstream media has never been greater. Some of my observations are anecdotal, others are based on real unadulterated truthful data, a few are based on simple common sense and the rest are based on my understanding of what happens during Fourth Turnings.
When you understand the cyclical nature of history you are not surprised when events lead to reactions among the masses which take the linear thinking status quo by complete surprise. The 2008 global financial implosion and the subsequent election of Donald J. Trump by the deplorable white silent majority completely blindsided the oblivious establishment, but were entirely predictable if you had studied previous Fourth Turnings throughout history.
I've been making a horrific sixty mile round trip commute into Philly for the last ten years. The average daily commute has been about two hours, as the entire route has been under some sort of construction for the entire decade. A fantastic one way commute is forty five minutes. I regularly have ninety minute commutes, and I've experienced a few which breached the two hour mark. It became immediately evident to me something changed as this new year got under way. My morning and evening commute has been consistently in the forty-five minute range for the last two months. There are less cars and trucks on the road. The question is why?
This only happened once before over the last decade - during the 2008/2009 recession. In a shocking correlation (especially for brain dead tax and spend liberals), when there are less jobs, there are less drivers on the roads going to work. I tried to think of other reasonable explanations for why traffic appeared to be contracting so dramatically. But lo and behold, certain data can't be easily manipulated by the government. Gasoline demand is plunging, with the year over year trend crashing to levels last experienced during the 2001 recession. Gasoline demand was higher during the 2008/2009 crisis. Demand was higher when oil was over $100 per barrel. Based on this crash in gasoline demand, Goldman Sachs issued a report saying we should be in a recession.
Total miles driven are dramatically slowing down. It's not because of electric cars or fuel efficiency, as the vast majority of the 17.5 million vehicles being hawked to the math challenged driving public (using low payment leases and six year 0% loans) are pickups, SUVs, or luxury sedans. The Fed induced and subprime debt fueled frenzy of vehicle sales (aka long - term rentals) has seen vehicle sales skyrocket from 10 million in 2010 to an all-time high above 17.5 million in 2016, while auto loan debt has soared from $700 billion to over $1.1 trillion during this same time frame. The truthfulness of the 17.5 million sales number may be in question, as dealer lots are stuffed with record levels of inventory. With a record number of cars in the hands of consumers, how could gasoline usage and miles driven crash?
More questions emerge to those with critical thinking skills. If the unemployment rate is really 4.8%, how could 40% of the employable population (102 million) not be working? This explains the lack of cars on the road during my commute. Obama and his minions jabber about the tremendous jobs recovery during his reign of error. In 2007 there were 122 million full-time workers among a working age population of 233 million, or 52.3%. After Obama's eight year economic "recovery", there are 125 million full-time workers among a working age population of 254 million, or 49.2%.
We've added 3 million full-time jobs in the last 9 years, and the captured mainstream media touts this as a success story. The deceitfulness - it burns. When 125 million full-time workers, of which 22 million are non-producing government drones, have to support 102 million non-working Americans, most living on the dole, you have a financially unsustainable paradigm. Trump's slogan should be Make Americans Get Off Their Fat Asses and Work Again.
The explanation for the plunge in gasoline demand and miles driven is quite simple if you haven't drunk the mainstream media kool-aid about the fantastic economy, low unemployment, and soaring consumer confidence. Americans drive their vehicles to work, to shop, and to eat out. Truckers are the backbone of our just in time big box retail society. If Americans are driving less, there are less people with jobs, less spending at bricks and mortar retailers, and less eating out.
If truckers are logging less miles, retailers are ordering less inventory, manufacturers are selling less widgets, and the economy is contracting. The entire economic improvement narrative is based on soft data about feelings from consumer confidence surveys and dozens of other easily manipulated surveys. Propagandists are experts at convincing clueless dolts it's raining when their government is actually pissing down their backs.
Despite government reports about expanding retail sales and strong holiday sales, real info from real retailers tells the true story. Major retailers have announced 1,500 store closings in the first two months of 2017, including:
JC Penney - 140 stores
Sears - 150 stores
Macy's - 68 stores
HHGregg - 88 stores
The Limited - 250 stores
Abercrombie & Fitch - 60 stores
Wet Seal - 171 stores
CVS - 70 stores
Kohl's, Target, Macy's, Sears, and dozens of other retailers reported awful holiday sales. Wal-Mart was lauded for generating a 1% comparable store sales increase. There is virtually no store expansion by large retail chains. During the 2000 to 2007 period these chains were each opening hundreds of new stores per year. We are in the midst of a long term retail contraction which is just picking up steam.
The closure of these stores combined with rising interest rates are a toxic concoction for real estate mall developers. The Fed allowed them to extend and pretend for the last eight years. The jig is up. A wave of retail and mall bankruptcies is baked in the cake. The government reported retail sales growth is driven by Fed induced auto sales (leases and loans), home furnishing sales financed at 0% over five years, building materials stores offering 0% financing, Amazon and until recently restaurant and bar sales.
Since I don't go into malls or many retail establishments, and rarely eat at chain restaurants, my observations of retail and restaurant traffic are based on how full their parking lots are at peak hours. When the economy was in bubble mode prior to 2008, mall parking lots were jammed and you had a ninety minute wait to get a seat at Outback or Olive Garden. Today, you can get a parking spot at a big box retailer near the front door on a Saturday afternoon.
Malls are ghost towns, with Space Available as the hot new location. Except for peak dinner time on a Friday or Saturday (if then) there are no longer long waits to get a table at one of the struggling chain restaurants. We reached peak retail and peak overpriced restaurants a few years ago. The downward spiral, due to demographics, declining real income, and over-saturation, is irreversible.
As usual, with propaganda distributed by the government or industry organizations, they present a positive restaurant performance index based on false hope and delusional expectations. Restaurant chains like Applebees, Outback, Ruby Tuesday, Chilis, Buffalo Wild Wings and many other major chains have been reporting declining same restaurant sales. Industry comparable restaurant sales are lower than two years ago.
Outback's parent company announced it will close more than four dozen locations of Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's Italian Grill and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse. Ruby Tuesday is closing 100 locations. Despite government reports showing strong restaurant sales over the last eight years, annual traffic to U.S. restaurants has been flat or up just 1% since 2009, when there was a 2% drop in the wake of the Fed created financial crisis.
The "increase" in sales was generated by price increases of 2% to 3% per year. Now these chains are paying the price for high prices, shitty food, and poor service from their college graduate millennial staff. With higher taxes, soaring Obamacare costs, student loan and auto loan debt up to their eyeballs, and low paying service jobs as their career, even clueless millennials have gotten a clue - they don't have the money to eat out four times per week.
Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows the majority of Americans have fallen further behind since 2009, with only the establishment and those leaching off the establishment profiting from the suffering of senior citizens and the former middle class. When real personal spending plummets at the highest rate since 2009, you just might be in the midst of a recession.
As consumer confidence surveys, ISM surveys and Fed surveys provide fake news about consumer and corporate feelings about a glorious future, the hard data tells the truth. How could households feel confident when real median household income fell by $558 in December and is down by $529 year over year? How could Obama and his lapdogs in the mainstream media pontificate about the record economic recovery when real median income is 2% lower than it was nine years ago?
How can anyone deny the average American household has been experiencing a depression since 2000, when real median household income is lower today than it was at the turn of the century? Do you think the lack of income growth over the last 17 years may have played a part in the deplorables electing Trump in November?
The corporate fake news media will continue to produce the false narrative as directed by their Deep State employers. The credibility of journalists can be summed up in two pithy sentences by Hunter S. Thompson.
"The press is a gang of cruel faggots. Journalism is not a profession or a trade. It is a cheap catch-all for fuckoffs and misfits—a false doorway to the backside of life, a filthy piss-ridden little hole nailed off by the building inspector, but just deep enough for a wino to curl up from the sidewalk and masturbate like a chimp in a zoo-cage." - Hunter S. Thompson - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
In Part Two of this article I'll show how the Deep State/establishment/ruling class/status quo have utilized their mastery of propaganda techniques to convince the masses inflation and debt are beneficial to their interests and why Trump's election is the pushback by a citizenry who are beginning to awake and are mad as hell.
Trade Deficit Steepens Led by China: Top Six Offenders
A (Contrarian) View from Ukraine: The US Debt Mess
Why Interest On Gold Matters
Erdogan Fires Central Bank Head As Desperation Grows
How To Measure The Strength Of The Economy
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Office Hours - Physical Energy Sources with Bill Torre
Наше энергетическое будущее
Калифорнийский университет в Сан-Диего
This course is designed to introduce students to the issues of energy in the 21st century – including food and fuels – which are inseparably linked – and will discuss energy production and utilization from the biology, engineering, economics, climate science, and social science perspectives. This course will cover the current production and utilization of energy, as well as the consequences of this use, examining finite fossil energy reserves, how food and energy are linked, impacts on the environment and climate, and the social and economic impacts of our present energy and food production and use. After the introductory lectures, we will examine the emerging field of sustainable energy, fuel and food production, emphasizing the importance of developing energy efficient and sustainable methods of production, and how these new technologies can contribute to replacing the diminishing supplies of fossil fuels, and reduce the consequences of carbon dioxide release into the environment. This course will also cover the importance of creating a sustainable energy future for all societies including those of the developing world. Lectures will be prepared and delivered by leading UC San Diego and Scripps Institution of Oceanography faculty and industry professionals across these areas of expertise.
Energy, Sustainable Energy, Energy Systems, Environmental Protection
One of the great course I ever attended...well structured, very fruitful...definitely guided me to do something for clean energy and green environment..Thank you all professors...
A lot of really great material, and the Week 9 "Office Hours" are well worth the time. The course would benefit from mentoring and perhaps some more recent data,
Recordings of live office hours from Dr. Mayfield and other course lecturers.
Office Hours- Introduction to Energy with George Tynan60:51
Office Hours - Physical Energy Sources with George Tynan61:00
Office Hours - Physical Energy Sources with Bill Torre63:21
Office Hours - Introduction to Biological Energy Sources with Susan Golden57:54
Office Hours- Algae Biofuel with Stephen Mayfield59:31
Office Hours - Biofuel Production and Downstream Processing with Skip Pomeroy53:05
Office Hours - Biofuel Production and Downstream Processing with Rob McBride57:05
Office Hours - Social Issues, Economics, and Politics with Mark Jacobsen59:20
Office Hours - Social Issues, Economics, and Politics with David Victor43:50
Office Hours - Climate Change with Stephen Mayfield44:55
Dr. Stephen Mayfield
Professor of Molecular Biology
Выбор языкаАнглийскийИспанский
Okay. Well, I hope somebody's on here.
I can't really tell [LAUGH] if you guys are or not, today.
So today is office hour number three.
October 9th 2014.
And I'm going to let Carlos introduce himself, and, and
tell you what his background is.
You should have already seen his videos.
And we're going to talk about those and answer questions today.
>> My name is Carlos I'm a professor in mechanical and
aerospace engineering at UC San Diego, and
most of my research is related to solar forecasting and solar integration.
So this is integration of a variable renewable resource into the grid.
So we do when I have a large group, you know,
we work on several issues related to that.
It involves at most physics it involves a lot of learning, machine learning.
Putting all of these things together to try to understand,
how much power is generated from both central and distributed solar plants.
>> Okay. And
we've got some questions that people have already sent in.
So we're going to look through some of those and answer them.
There was a really simple one here that showed up, just a second.
And that was,
I love this one because we're going to start with a really simple one.
How can I use solar energy at home?
I'm going to let Carlos answer that, and I'm,
and then I'm going to tell you what I'm doing about it.
>> Yeah, the the many different technologies that you can use and
some of them, the, pay off almost immediately.
Depending on where you live and the price of the energy,
the price of of the gas that you use to heat up your house, or
what mechanism do you use to heat up your house.
One thing that one technology that pays off almost immediately,
almost anywhere in the world, is solar thermal heating.
So, using solar energy to heat up the water that you use at home like, for
example, to take showers and so on.
So that one is a, is a given I can remember from,
the mid 80's when system absorbed thermal heater or
the probably took four, five, six, seven years to pay, the initial investment
that time has been reduced because of increasing in price in gas and other.
From the beginning to just a few months in some places and and not more
than two years in, in the vast majority of the, locations around the world.
So that's one thing that you can do.
>> So can, can I ask you a question about that one.
>> Mm-hm. >> So is, is that different than
having photovoltaic on your roof that it,
that your using to heat the water this is a specific one where you're.
You're pumping the water up and through the-
>> Yes. That's,
that's a heat-exchanger, basically.
>> Yeah. >> So, the,
the old design was just a tube and fin, like on,
you have a black plate that absorbs the energy and pass that to the water.
>> Mm-hm. >> So the water can be in most cases,
like >> Really you're literary taking a shower
with the water that circulated through that heat exchanger.
>> Yeah.
>> That's one way like there are evacuated tubes now that are much
more efficient over over gas states and it's the same principle.
The water passes through the evacuated tubes and
I heat up that and you use the hot water.
Typically, coming out of their collective uncertified Centigrade to,
to 90 degrees centigrade.
So that's, that's different than using a p panel and
then using the electricity to heat up.
For that would be a very inefficient way of doing it.
>> Okay. All right.
So I'm, so I'm going to say.
So I'm putting pb panels on my house.
Sometime in the next month or two.
So I bought a, I bought an electric car about a month ago.
And that pushed my electric bill up high enough that I'm going to put those on.
So what you're saying is, I should get the PB.
Because that'll take care of the electricity in my house, and
charging my car.
And then I have a separate system, that I put on that heats the hot water.
>> Absolutely, yeah.
>> Okay. >> Absolutely.
And And in your case the PB would.
Would also make perfect sense.
One thing you have to take into,
to watch out [INAUDIBLE] obviously are very strong for her.
So her energy is, you don't to put on your roof and then cut the trees around it.
To make sure that you are getting like the radiance.
So, this is really dependent on where you are.
>> Yeah. >> Like what, how it is, and
how much are [INAUDIBLE] you know,
a case of [INAUDIBLE] it pays off right away because of your electric current.
>> Right, yeah and so actually, at least here in San Diego now so a guy came out,
surveyed my roof, they looked at it from Google.
And from that they can kind of measure the trees and
then calculate where the shadows are going to be on the rope.
And they found three or four places on my rope that worked quite well but
then I think now what they do is they're going to come out maybe next week and
they actually put little monitors on there.
And just to see, just to make sure there's no shadows from the trees, or etcetera.
So there's lots of different things you can use for solar energy at home.
Some of them are kind of expensive, I will say that.
That it's not cheap to put, so I'm going to get a six kilowatt system on my roof,
and that's about 26,000 bucks here in
the US we get about 30% off of our taxes if we put one of those one.
So my 26000 bucks will cost me about 19000, I think out of pocket.
And then that pays off by reducing my electricity bill.
That will pay back in about seven years.
Six and a half years, I think I get paid back.
And then the other nice you have for getting an electric car.
If you agree to charge it between midnight and 5 am which I do, and you set
your car to only charge at those times, then you get cheaper electricity all day.
And, that apparently works out well for the utilities because they have.
Very low utilization from midnight to 6 am,
and it helps them if people are actually using power at that time.
Here's another one, and
it says can we use solar thermal energy combined with other energy sources?
For example, warm up water with solar energy then evaporate it
with natural gas if solar energy is not enough to reach required temperature.
Okay. >> Yes.
That, that's an excellent question.
and, In fact, in our central plants.
One of the most efficient designs that you can have is to have a,
a, a dual cycle, where you use the stored energy to, bring the vapor
to a particular, temperature, like [INAUDIBLE] low temperature cycle.
And you use natural gas, like,
to, in another turbine, to run a high temperature cycle.
So the cycles are very different If you, if you do that you can connect
the two the axle of the turbine, like this is one easy way to think about it.
So that when the viability of
the solar energy is high you are actually supplementing that.
With natural gas and are producing from almost a flat line amount to the rig.
And the, the short answer to your question is yes.
And there are some designs like this, got some or a fence that works like this.
I wish more departments were actually designed this way because these
are very efficient ways of using of steel, concentrated solar power, but
also to use the natural gas that is available.
So you are using the natural gas to enable a higher solar penetration,
is the best use of natural gas that you can have.
All right. Great.
So do you know about the concentrating solar panels that
are on the way between here in San Diego and Las Vegas?
Have you ever seen those?
>> Me?
>> Yeah. >> Yes,
I work very closely with that power plant.
That's So these are not.
These are, heliostats, like they are mirrors that they focus the power into,
three different powers.
Like there are boilers on top of the towers.
That far our plant itself can only use a very little amount of our natural gas,
by contract.
They, they can only use less than 3% of the power that they produce.
>> Those guys?
>> Yeah, yeah.
So, we are, we are, we work very closely with them.
>> Okay, so when those guys,
when I drove by, so I drove out to Las Vegas, last two weeks ago.
And when I drove by Friday afternoon, they were down.
It was late in the evening.
It's, maybe 4 or 5 o' clock.
And the towers appeared to be jet black.
And then when I drove by Sunday afternoon at one on the way back,
they were glowing bright white.
Now it, is that because the.
You know, is that just reflection coming off those, or is that actually
the temperature of the thermal excitation, and you're seeing light come back out?
>> Yeah, so, it's, it's really like a combination of the boilers like there.
The boilers are black like, you know,
after room temperature, but when you reflect all the light.
>> Just by reflection like you would have a very bright spot.
So when they are flexing like when that's true.
But the temperature there is not high enough to actually emit the,
the white colorated soil.
Okay. >> But he's a very bright spot.
Like all three of them like will open their [INAUDIBLE] right spots, yes.
>> Yeah. And then that is my understanding is
those are heating up molten salt or something.
>> No. That's ammonia vapor.
So, that one has no storage.
It like a, it's a, it's a power plant that runs vapor and
has a very small thermal inertia because there's no
in that particular >> Okay, but
in other ones like that I understand you could.
>> Yes, exactly.
You could. That's one of the great advantages of,
CSP over [INAUDIBLE] the storage component is cheaper,
and, it's even though it's working with salts and modern salts which are not easy
materials to work with, in general you'll, you'll get, a much.
Better return for the investment you're putting on it.
>> Okay, and then where's the power from those going?
That just goes onto the grid, or is that specifically used for something?
Are those experimental, or are they fully functional?
>> No, they are fully functional,
they are hooked up to the grid, almost from day one.
>> Okay. >> They have two
powers to one utility company in California.
All the power comes to.
So you say the company is in California.
So two towers are from what, to one utility, the other tower is to another.
>> Okay.
And, and somebody told me a rumor that Google owned one of those.
Do you know anything about that?
Who owns those?
>> Google is a partner like the,
the Hobart plant is is owned by Solar Partners.
>> Okay. >> Which is Google, NRG and Right Source.
>> Okay. >> And they enter with
different components of [INAUDIBLE] One was financing, the other one.
Is the technology and the other one actually manages the plants.
They look totally cool, by the way.
Everybody. >> [CROSSTALK].
>> I'll see if I took some pictures with
my iPhone as I was driving by.
I'll see if I can.
I'll get Travis to see if we can load them up so you guys can see them.
Here's one from someone down in Brazil and they say I live in Brazil,
close to the equator where it is basically summer all year long.
I was there in November.
I can vouch for that it's summer all year long.
In your opinion.
What would be the potential of the application of photothertaic or
photothermal energy production here compared to what you have in
San Diego for instance?
That's a good question.
>> Okay that's great.
I'm from Brazil too so I know the, the resource in Brazil very well.
Brazil is is blessed with a with a fantastic solar resource Not in
terms of the oil intensity, but by how uniform it is,
around the territory, and along the year.
So the potential in Brazil for, for for the is fantastic particularly.
Because of all things are not that strongly influenced by clouds as,
as a, a concentrated origins.
So, of course, if we look at the whole territory in Brazil.
There are places that are excellent for.
Concentrated in technologies.
And there are places that are excellent for fab kernels.
I assume that you live in the north or
the northeast, which is much closer to the equator.
I know Brazil is only 16 degrees south of the equator.
So the, the resource is excellent in, in the vast majority of the, of the country.
Ironically, I think where.
So energy is very well developing in Brazil where there is
amongst installations which is by the coast of St. Catharina in the South.
But i understand that they are new changes in the way that the grids manage the,
and the new laws coming up.
That would allow for much larger penetration than what exists today.
>> Yeah and, and many of you will also know that Brazil is now the number two
producer of ethanol in the world.
The produce theirs from sugar cane ethanol and that's actually very profitable.
In Brazil.
And then they also a fantastic hydroelectric potential there.
So Brazil kind of wins on many fronts, when it comes to renewable energy.
>> That's one thing that you measure is very important, like,
Brazil, because of their very high penetration of hydropower.
Into their electric grid.
In fact the ethanol contributes, or used to contribute a few years ago,
more to the, energy matrix than the, hydro power.
Because of all the, the cars, everybody use ethanol.
But the hydro power gives this fantastic inertia to the grid.
It's almost like you have, you know.
>> 85% of a nuclear in your, in your, generations.
So these allow you to have quite a lot of ability of solar without creating any
problem [INAUDIBLE].
So we, from this perspective,
the fact that they use hydro power in Brazil [INAUDIBLE].
Asset in terms of, increasing the, the, or complimenting the hydro power with
the solar, because these are two very complimentary, source of energy.
>> OK, here's one, and this will allow us to get into a,
a couple other, questions as well, which are also on our list for today.
So, what is the bottle neck issue with storing electrical energy in
rechargeable batteries.
But I want to put that as a,
as a larger question which is what is the challenge of storing energy.
Right, that, that's really our challenge.
Whether it's, it's solar because of the times it comes or
the wind because it's intermittent, or electric cars with our batteries.
So, if you could just in general comment on what some of the big challenges are.
And sort of evening out the grid and you know, getting renewables to, to integrate.
>> I am not a battery expert but I'll, I'll give you my perspective.
At this point the,
the storage, you know it's very difficult to store electrons basically.
So, batteries are very expensive in many systems,
like depending on the size of the system.
The storage system, would be as expensive as the whole power plant.
So this is prohibitive, obviously if you are trying to bring,
solar an other source of energy, renewable source of energy to be the battery.
If you have a, [SOUND] if you have to add on a storage that there would be,
as expensive as the, the whole power plant.
You are really increasing a lot, real life cost of energy for the problem.
So the, the technical difficulties, I think there are many
many people working on, on, on improving their, their, reliability.
Their robustness, like the life time, performance of a batteries and so on.
The problem for me at this point, in terms of electrical storage, or
electrical chemical storage, is really, one of a cost only.
We could do it now, with the technology that exists, but
like it's prohibitive in terms of cost.
>> Yeah, I know here at UCSD we've talked about this before.
That we've got a bunch of the, used batteries from, I think BMW.
And, you know that are, that no longer have the capacity, you know, for car use.
Because their, their storage capacity goes down over time, it's all batteries, right?
But those are, you know, stack them all together in a, in a, something.
We have them in a shipping container here someplace on campus.
And then use that for short-term, storage of, floatable tech has worked pretty well.
Okay, you know, sort of upscaling, they call it.
So here's one that's related, and, and, and
I am sure Carlos can answer this question.
Why is thermal energy, easier to be stored than solar power, generated from panels?
I think I just answered that one.
>> Yeah. There's a physical reason for that.
One of that is that thermal energy is disorganized,
solar that you can, it's easier to just keep something at a higher temperature.
Like the temperature's not very high, for thermal storage.
So it's easier to, for example, if you use molten salt like you know,
just basically trying to store all the energy as, latent heat.
and, and, you can do that, like, you know,
because you only need to insulate that from the environment.
If you bring the energy level to that, to that level.
If you insulate your installation very well, you can,
you can keep that, energy level very high for, for a long time.
It's automatically efficient, like a thermal, thermal energy,
but, in terms of a cost, it's, it's there's no doubt about it.
It's much cheaper to do that than to try to, we store electrons directly.
>> Yeah, and, and the thermal energy to my understanding is that, it, it,
very ones that go to very high temperature.
You can actually recover a very high percent of the energy in and
out of those things.
Right, meaning that, for a, for a battery for example.
You know, once you've stored the electrons and
pull them back out, you'll lose some of that just, dissipation by heat, et cetera.
But on some of the thermal storage are much more efficient.
>> That's, that's correct, if you returned it.
Because what you, you know, these are heat exchanges basically, so,
you, you, if you leave.
You can have these in your house by the way,
like, you just talked about solar collectors.
>> Yeah. >> If you use like a lot of, paraffin or
like something that, melts, a little below, boiling point of water.
you, you,
the problem is to find a substance, that has good thermal conductivity.
So that it can be, used efficiently, as a thermal in the heat exchanger.
But also holds like the energy as latent heat.
and, and the so the cost of
is not nearly as high as the cost of materials used in the energy storage.
>> Okay, and here's sort of a follow on question to that.
And that's, that, so
once you store the energy in thermal energy, how do you recover that?
So the question is, do you use that to generate steam and power a turbine, or
is there some other way that you recover that?
>> That's exactly how you use that.
So basically, you would store these on large tanks.
That, when you press, like, you know the steam went through them,
like, you would increase their enthalpy or energy level with steam.
A, a high amounts of fuel can actually run these to the turbine.
So that's, exactly what you do.
It's different technologies that are used different, working fluids.
So you can store these in oil, you can pass oil, to like a trough,
for example, then oil would be, exchange energy with a Molten salt.
And then you circulate the oil and
you exchange that with a vapor in a different, heat exchanger.
The details are not particularly important.
And I think that, the most important thing is that you have a source of
high temperature that can be used to elevate the energy of the vapor.
>> Yeah. And then most of that, though,
is turned back into electricity, at least in this country right now.
Although, as you were pointing out.
A fair amount of that can be used to warm water, right?
Like in an individual home for example.
>> Yeah, and industrial processes like sometimes we need the high,
temperature vapor that is not high enough to run a turbine.
But you can actually use the vapor directly.
So like, that's, that's one application, that is done,
if you have a plant that has, excess vapor that needs to be cooled off.
To cool the cycle, one of the difficulties of CSB and the best used to be.
That to close the cycle, you need to cool off the vapor now back to water.
>> Yep. >> And that would require a lot of
water to evaporating tolerance.
But now they spend a lot of dry technology, dry cooling technology.
And in fact, I don't know,
we just discussed before, at power plants it does not lose, cooling powers.
It's a the nuclear power plants do.
>> So that, plant uses, a fence, like a bright fence.
>> Check. >> And it does
not have access consumption of a water for cooling.
And so, that, that's just an improvement in the technology over time.
Or was there something that, that allows, is there something specific about that
compared to a nuclear power plant, that allows you to use that?
>> yeah, one is, is the,
the temperature of the vapor cycle like makes a difference.
But it is really, a recognition that, water is a commodity.
And, you typically,
you want to deploy these water plants in deserts where water is not available.
>> Right. >> And so
you don't want the water to be the bottle neck.
>> Right. >> So that there was a push to develop,
if you look at the power plants.
They are always, sited in, in locations where you have access to cold water.
>> Yeah, yeah, always, yeah.
And now, you know, in the United States at least, we're no longer allowed to
build power plants that have what's called once through cooling.
Which means that you're taking water from a river or
from a lake, you'll run it through the coolant and then pump it back out again.
Here in San Onofre at the nuclear power plant,
they used to do that with the ocean water, and, that greatly impacts it?
>> Yeah, because a, a,
a few degrees, that should increase the temperature of the water, has, a,
a very large impact on the, on the, environment around it.
>> Yep.
Okay, so here's one.
And we'll see if Carlos can handle this one.
Could someone explain, oh it's not Carlos, I don't know who.
How energy storage reduces utility transformer and line, and
line load, loading during peak hours, especially in a not so smart grid.
So maybe a more generic way to put that is,
can you explain how intermittent energy, you know, gets onto the grid?
And, and how that impacts line load, et cetera.
>> And so in my group we,
we have a, we are doing, some work with San Diego gas and electric.
And, it's interesting to see that because, they have some transformer.
Like in some feeders within the San Diego Gas and
Electric territory, that have a very high penetration of solar energy.
So if you look at the load on those transformers.
And, traditionally when,
you have the fixed generation of fossil fuel or nuclear generation.
Most of the variability that needed to be balanced was on the demand side.
So, this change is, of course like when you have wind or solar generation.
Being a substantial a component of your, your portfolio.
So, here in San Diego like there are some,
feeders that have very high solar penetration.
And now when you look at what they are cooling from the grid,
you can totally see the signature of a solar generation there.
Like if they are clouds, the load is going up and down, to extremes.
Like, to, to, almost like, you know, sometimes four or
five times what the normal load is.
Of course if you go to other areas where the solar variation is very small.
Like then it loads it would be, very only due to the, the man via, viability.
>> Mm-hm. >> Which is what this web,
is turning on and off the lights and, and, and all the equipment as well.
So, I think your question was, how en, energy storage could do that.
Of course like, you know, if you would store, energy.
If you have like a, inertial, component,
that you can actuate, and you can, demand from.
When your solar grid falls down,
you are actually changing the way that you are, tapping on the grid.
So you need some smart storage.
You need something that will tell okay, tap now from, from the battery instead of.
>> Mm-hm. >> You know,
providing from the solar panel, because and
then that's, where, like forecasting and >> [COUGH].
>> And, storage control, come into play.
and, and that's really the definition of this part.
With, having something that can react in real time, and,
equalize, the load, with, the generation.
And so right now, do you know how that's done?
So suppose, you know in, in California now we generate a fair amount of
our electricity as renewable, either from wind or solar.
>> Mm-hm.
>> And, certainly you know they're on lots of different rooftops everywhere.
So what happens now when we're not producing enough, from solar?
Maybe clouds come by or maybe just demand is so high.
How's that balance right now?
That's what these peaker plants do, or what is this?
>> Yeah, so, there, there are several times scales that come into play here.
You know, the utilities they have scheduling, on a day half basis.
They, and this goes all the way down to regulation,
and, specs finding, you know, intervals.
And you have to have some idea of what's going to happen.
>> That's a projection of demand use, and sort of
>> Of demand, and
actually forecasting of a lull, >> Okay.
>> The forecasting of a >> Okay.
>> Of a variable generation.
>> Okay. >> And with that, and, and
due to a lot of the spatial liability, because we now have a spatial averaging.
Which will have rooftops distributed over a very large, area.
It's unlikely that, clouds will come and instantly, cover all of the panels.
>> Got it.
>> so, there's a combination of all of these things, and
these are dynamic process.
And it's becoming substantially more dynamic, and
that's what [CROSSTALK] a smart grid is all about.
And, and right now that's managed in the United States by a grid operator right,
that, that's sort of.
>> Several, grid operators yes.
>> Okay and then they, they they integrate with each other.
>> Yes they didn't use to integrate like now, and I think there is interconnection.
And the, the direction to go is actually to, to be able to,
to buy and sell energy from any part of the country.
My understanding is this is not a coastal happening at this point.
Bu,t there are very large chunks of,
of territories that are under dependent system operators or RTOs.
Like hat can do that job, as if that section of the country is a small country.
>> Okay, and then right now if
demand is too high I notice that we will occasionally get emails on a hot day.
You know when they predict it's going to be hot in the afternoon.
And tell us,
turn down things in your lab if you're not using these things, turn them off.
What happens if people don't do that and
you exceed and demand exceeds, you know, production?
>> So the first thing that happens of course, like I don't know,
if you have a situation that you actually cross that, that error bar.
That the margin of error that exists that you cannot actually activate that ticker.
Plans to come align, then like, you know, you cannot generate for everybody.
You're going to have to, to turn off like a grid somewhere.
And, and, and
that's undesirable because you want to have a high reliability of the grid.
>> What, what happens in general is that people actually respond,.
>> what's better then, then expected.
So when we get those warnings, you know, our cellular phones like you know.
>> The vast majority of people actually, respond very well to that and
they like try to turn off.
>> And they respond like for a very good reason.
Like, you know, if they don't like all the, the cost of, each like, you know,
kilowatt hour that they, they are spending is going to go up very fast.
>> Yeah. >> So
there are peaker plans that are ready to go on line.
The problem with these plans is that they are in general.
The vast majority of them are highly pollutant, and they are, plants that are,
are very costly to operate.
>> So they, they make their money like out of those situations.
>> Yeah. >> Or those extreme situations.
So, they don't run the whole year.
Which is part of the reason why the cost of energy is so
much higher when you click those things on.
Okay, here, here's a very specific one, and
I'm pretty certain Carlos is going to answer this one.
it says can you explain what factors are not,
considered in your clear sky radiance model, and
how it differs from global horizontal radiants graph in your lectures?
Alright, I guess I can't remember what [LAUGH].
>> That's the problem now, you have to remember what was in there.
>> So the, clear sky radiance model takes into consideration you know,
the, the all the important factors but,.
Clause.
So clear sky like notation constriction aerosol content like
the aerosol optical depth.
>> And is something that has a time scale longer, much longer, like,
on, on the range of between 30 minutes to several hours.
Typically, several hours, like even a few days.
Which is very different than the clouds.
So we have like a clear sky model where you, you know like if there
no clouds in the way of the, of the sun, you will have like an adaptive radius.
So that's something you can adjust on a in cloud day basis.
And it works very well.
Because there again the aerosols have longer a scale.
So the short answer to your question is like a clear sky model has everything but
the clouds.
It happens to be that clouds are the most important factor.
>> [LAUGH] Yeah.
>> So I would be very happy if my problem was only to forecast with a clear sky
model, because we are very good at forecasting clear, clear sky.
When the clouds come in, like that's what it is.
The clear sky model has, is an,
not related to global horizontal radiance model.
The global radiance is what comes from the sky and the sun.
So, it's, when you have a, guilt factor.
Like when you can see the whole hemisphere here,
that's all the radiance it's coming from.
Global radiance can go higher than the radiance,
the extraterrestrial radiance that hits the outside of the atmosphere because
you can have what's called sometimes cloud edge effect.
Or you can have like a code enhancement which is, you know,
there's a bouncing of the energy and the, the clouds actually irradiate more
than the solar constant, which is like 1.3 kilowatts per a square meter.
so, all of this has to be accounted for, and
this happens actually on a very, regular basis, you know, many locations and
[INAUDIBLE] almost no place for is exempt from having cloud edge effects and
peak somewhere the radiance that can go from 1.6 kilowatts per meter square.
It depends It depends on the of your instrument and so on.
>> So are the utilities using these predictive models now
toward the production from solar?
Because it's getting big enough in California now that it certainly is
impacting the grid enormously every day.
>> Yeah. So, I estimate that all,
you can see that the MDIS also have some form of of solar forecasting.
And the solar forecasting is being used by solar generators like those important
automated plants in and in general this handshake between the utility that
has a model a generator that has a model and they want to, to, be on the same page.
>> Mm-hm. >> Okay,
this is what we are predicting that we are going to generate, and so on.
So if a generator that's producing very differently than what they are saying,
to the utility, like this cause a problem to the utility.
So, there is interest from from all the sides in this.
These arrangements to, to have forecasting.
Alright a little different, you
know still storage question but is there a role for pump storage for electricity
storage example, pumpening, pumping of water to higher elevation reservoir.
When there's excess power and
then hydroelectric generation when it is needed.
Yeah, that's a very good question, and the problem with this idea like
this is one of the cheapest ways of storing energy.
The problem is that you need the right geography to do that.
So if you don't have a reservoir that is has high amounts for,
you know, additional deportation, to, to, to store energy you,
you don't know how to do it and that's that's the barometric part of it.
But they don't know of far that, that you know, you have to be a little bit creative
about storage like that the lowest cost stories that we have today are again,
depending on their geography, or geology, or the place where you live, you could
store a compressed in caves, like it's a very low cost of way of doing it.
You could pump up, like, you know, water up by a water reservoir, and so on.
If you don't have the reservoir, if you don't have the geography,
the problem changes substantially, in terms of engineering.
Because, if you have to create the reservoir then, like you know,
the low cost, like it goes away.
It's the same thing with with compressed air storage.
You have to have the tank and
you have to build that metal tank where we store compressed air.
Then it's not that cheap anymore or less so that the problem is finished.
But this is used in many different places, and
I guess going back to that question about Brazil, is one of the advantages of a,
of a having a very high hydro power plant just, like Canada has two.
Is that you can, you know, if you have a lot of sun,
you are, you are not using the hydropower that much.
If you, if the sun is not there, like, if you have a, a overcast environment,
you can go back and drive out of the reservoir, and so on.
And, and I know here in San Diego, we have built one of these.
And within an existing reservoir.
And they've now hooked up a short term storage plant to it.
>> Okay so, so here's a related one that I wanted to get to about hydrogen and
fuel cells because this also has to do with energy storage again.
Is there a perspective in storing energy in hydrogen than using it
in a fuel cell electric vehicle?
Or, I suppose, in any fuel cell.
Is this approach more or
less economically beneficial than battery >> All right.
So the problem of hydrogen as, a fuel like, and
I think you are much more of an expert on this than I am still but
[INAUDIBLE] is, is really the, the, mass density of energy.
Hydrogen is very light.
So, like, for your to store in here I'm into hydrogen or
to have any amount of hydrogen you need store this at a very high pressure.
And then the tank ends up weighing way more than,
than the fuel that you are using.
Lets not forget about it, hydrogen is a great fuel because it is clean.
>> Mm-hm. >> But the problem for
using the hydrogen as a fuel in a moving vehicle is
how much energy you can pack by volume in the, in hydrogen.
Of course, this is not the same problem if you have a stationary system, right?
You are, you are using that.
My understanding of the, hydrogen equanomy that actually never, you know, developed
completely was, the problem is within the cost of, of generating hydrogen.
All the other alternatives seem to be, a little bit more expensive than,
than things that we can actually rule in different ecologies.
And becomes, and when you add that to the fact that, you know, a gas,
as a fuel, is typically not [INAUDIBLE]
viable then, it, it takes it out of the, of the equation.
>> Yeah, so in California, we just spent $50 million,
to put in hydrogen fueling stations.
o, obviously when you burn hydrogen, when you oxidize it, you get water out, right?
You know, it's, it's H2O that comes out of that.
So, in that sense, but very clean water, right?
So, in that sense it's environmentally gray, right?
because you're not making any CO2 at all, right?
Even with an electric vehicle you're also not putting CO2 out the tail pipe,
but you're generating electricity someplace else, and if you're
generating that electricity from burning coal, you're actually worse off, okay?
Then as Carlos pointed out, its not just an infrastructure problem.
So, so the, so were going to spend $50 million putting hydrogen fueling
stations with this idea that its sort of the chicken and the egg problem.
You know, you can't have hydrogen cars if you don't have
hydrogen fueling stations and people won't build hydrogen fueling stations that there
aren't cars to come and buy the hydrogen from them, that economics doesn't wok out,
so the states stepped up and put money we'll see how it goes.
But that is only one of the infrastructure changes that, that have to be built.
You know you have to have fueling stations.
Today we make our hydrogen from steam reformatting of methane.
So we take a fossil fuel and at high temperature we can strip the hydrogen off
that, that we turn that carbon that's in there into CO2.
So we're still creating CO2 to make hydrogen again just like
an electric vehicle at a different site.
But then the biggest disadvantage that, that,
that shows up is the low density of this.
It's as low, it's as equally as low as a lithium battery.
So you can store about as much energy in compressed hydrogen as you
can in a lithium battery, and there's infrastructure already in place for
lithium batteries.
So, so that's one of those tough things.
It kind of works, the, the, the technology for
fuel cells, those can very efficient, those can be very clean.
So a good side on that, but infrastructure and
the cost of building infrastructure is an enormous barrier to this.
You know, put that in perspective, the hydrocarbon fuels in this
country have a $14 trillion with a t,
trillion infrastructure, so that is all of the refineries,
all of the you know oil lines, all of the gas stations, all of the cars.
That is $14 trillion.
You said we are not going to replace that very quickly, so it is a challenge.
We are trying some things in California, but
it is very much in the experimental stage.
we'll, we'll I, I think sort of stay tuned and
we'll see how that goes over the next couple years.
Here's one that we kind of already answered that, but we'll just pop it
up here just to make sure we close out any final thoughts on it.
What are the economic issues of storage in handling
the variables associated with renewables?
>> Is the cost.
>> Yeah. >> I think that's the the issue is that we
don't have a a clean way of a stored energy that is very cheap.
Thermal energy storage in,
in the or power plants is much cheaper than than electric storage.
So the bottleneck there, but is still is expensive.
So, the bottle neck is, is just economical.
>> Yeah, I think, you know what?
To be honest we got so lucky I mean I don't know if lucky is the word,
but you know, liquid hydrocarbon fuels are just,
there's a reason we drive all of our cars and boats and airplanes on these things.
They're, they're an amazing, you know?
For their volume and for their weight.
They just store a huge amount of energy.
>> And [INAUDIBLE] a convenience, too.
Like, if you think about it.
If you have a gas, you know?
If you, if you are driving, like, something that is powered by gas.
You cannot just, like [INAUDIBLE] put the gas in a, you know, bucket.
>> Yeah. >> And, and walk to your car.
>> so, but the convenience of a liquid fuel, is is, is [INAUDIBLE] a,
a thousand times, or many, many thousands of times like higher.
But the convenience is difficult to >> Yeah.
>> Everyone has to recognize that.
I mean it is like said.
If, you can imagine you know,
you if your cars runs out of gas you walk up to the gas station and
get a little gallon of one container which is barely a cubic foot.
Walked that back down and put it in your car.
And if you have a good efficient you know, engine nowadays that one gallon can get
you 40 or 50 miles pushing a 3,000 pound vehicle for that far.
And that's pretty amazing when you think about it so that,
that's simply really hard to duplicate.
And, and it's actually one of the reasons that I,
I think you know, liquid fuels from algae or from sugar cane or
from any other source that we can think of is still a really desirable thing.
We don't have to replace the infrastructure we've got.
And, we had this fantastic really high dense and very stable by the way.
Even though gas is obviously flammable,
I don't think anybody worries that much carrying a gallon of gas.
You know, down the road.
This thing is not going to spontaneously explode.
Right? >> So
when [INAUDIBLE] just before we move on on this.
It's very interesting like, I've, I've witnessed like in Brazil there.
The rise of, always is,
fuel, which it started with a heavily subsidized program from the government.
Then it became very profitable like when it came nobody wanted to have a gas car.
I, I went through this period where 97.5%
of all the family cars were powered by ethanol.
>> They had to add a little bit of a gasoline to the ethanol but
like this is for different reasons.
[CROSSTALK] drink the ethanol.
>> But much cheaper than buying you know like vodka or something.
>> So so when we go through that, and, and
one interesting technology that came out of this was the full flex engines.
>> Ethanol has cars like they'll have a higher compression rate than,
than the gasoline, and this used to be the problem, the mix had to be,
like, the right, for your car.
But now in Brazil, like, I think you may have witnessed this,
when you went there in November.
Like, if you, if you drive a car, you stop by the gas station,
which is not a gas station, it's a gas and
output station, all of them and you choose, based on the price.
You look like, and the gas is too expensive today.
>> Yeah. >> You buy the alcohol.
>> And the, if the alcohol is too expensive we'll buy the gas.
>> Yeah. >> So this adds some robustness to
the market too.
>> Yep. >> Which I think is very important.
>> Yeah, and you have a little chart to figure this out, right?
Because sometimes it's not so
easy because the energy density of ethanol is only 70% of gasoline, but.
>> You went back within your mind, which is other interesting.
You know, you actually make the,
the mental population after, because it's just a, a proportion, that's all.
Alright, excellent.
Okay so here's one.
And this says hi I'm a third year renewable energy student based in the UK,
my question for this week's office hours is what potential do you see for
the ren, marine renewable industry?
And what are the likely problems, that the industry may face in the coming years?
>> I think you were referring to cargo.
[CROSSTALK].
>> And maybe a wave power.
>> I so, there's no doubt about it like we need some energy to be harvested there.
I don't think it's very clear what the impact of harvesting wave energy is,
like to the coastal areas and as far as I know, it can be a very small
experimental more plans that they use either of those technologies.
I, I think it is would be like you know,
like a [INAUDIBLE] title is something that is much more predictable than,
than wave energy like a, and I think it would be some place for using it future.
I am not an expert in that area, so
like I don't know what the growth and what the potential growth is for that.
I, I see it at least in the next 10,
20 years like as a very small contribution to the overall but I may be wrong.
>> Yeah, no well so, so with tidal energy that's very much geographic specific.
So if you happen to be in one of the lucky places where there's a big tidal flow.
And as we pointed out before on other things,
you cannot afford to go build complex, brand new structures to capture this,
you will have to have some either naturally occurring.
You know, the most famous one is bay of Fundy up in Canada.
Right? Enormous tidal flexes through there,
very narrow bay, so there are places like that where specifically you
have an opportunity to capture energy.
The problem is that what people have calculated is,
if you look at the entire ocean surface and
the amount of energy and waves there, that's actually a pretty big number.
The problem is, you don't have any infrastructure to capture that.
Then there's also a general rule, which actually comes from NASA.
And it says, if it cost you one, you know 1x to do something on land, and it
cost you 10x to do that in the ocean, and it cost you a 100x to do that in space.
And this was, this was, you know, born out by the last 40 years of,
of sea explorations and all the rest of the stuff you have to do.
But if you look at that calculation,
then it becomes pretty clear that anything that we can do on land,
is going to be much, much cheaper than what we can do in the ocean.
If you have a windmill on land, and
it breaks, you drive up to it in a pickup truck, and then you get your ladder or
your harness, and you climb up and you fix it.
If that same windmill breaks, out someplace in the ocean.
Then you have to get in a boat.
You have to go out there.
That boat has to be anchored.
There could be big waves at the time you're there.
Those expenses just go up enormously.
So even though there is a potential and you can look at the energy and
people have calculated how much energy in these things, to actually build
the systems that are going to capture those is really difficult to do and
again, it, it simply gets down to economics.
What's the cheapest place I can build?
And, and now, because solar and wind are, are getting so efficient.
And, it's so easy to put them up, you know, there are dozens of companies now,
here in San Diego, that will come put these on my roof.
We don't have, we don't have wind here, but I was up in Reno earlier this year,
and I see lots of houses that have little individual wind turbines on them.
Reno, Reno, gets a little bit more wind, blowing thru there than San Diego does,
we're, we're not a particularly windy place.
But I think it, it just, again, it gets down to economics so
its not just the size of the resource, this is true in fossil fuel by the way.
Right? Everybody loves to tell you how
great you know, Tarzan's, look how big that, that potential reserve is,
shale, look how big that reserve is.
You know, here in California we have this enormous shale reserve, potential reserve.
And, and a few years ago people came out and they said, 37 billion barrels of oil.
And then a little more sober study was done this year and
they said, well, the problem is it's fractured.
It's not like the Bakken and the Eagle Ford shale.
It turned out it's going to be very difficult to get these out of California,
very expensive.
Gee, that number really isn't, you know, 37 billion,
that number is 5 or 600 million barrels.
And so, so that's a big difference, what's that difference is,
it's not that the new oil somehow disappeared some place.
It's the cost of going and getting it, so exactly the same thing applies in all of
these economics, trumps almost everything else.
The best idea, you know, you know,
the best theoretical idea on energy in the world.
If its not backed up by really solid economics just, just doesn't work out.
Lets see we have time for maybe only one or two more questions here, so
lets scan down them and see what we've got.
Well here's one and we'll see if maybe Carlos has some stats on this one.
Right? Do you have any stats on
solar electricity generated by country?
I believe that those countries that are way ahead in solar in the developed world,
are not those where the sun shines the most.
So I'll, I'll let Carlos comment on that and maybe I'll throw in my two cents.
>> That's correct I think not too long ago there was I don't, I don't have very good
statistics, but like I think it's very easy for you to, to find these if you I
think there's a Wikipedia page on solarization per country and so on.
But if, again, and this changes very fast, by the way.
I have to say like if you don't look for
a couple of years, like I'm going to back there, like you know, just a couple of
new power plants would change, like, those statistics substantially.
Not long ago there was some news that Germany used in one particular day,
I think it was a weekend virtually all of the energy generated in
the country came from solar.
We have a few days in California, where like, you know, we we were getting to 30%,
40% of the energy is coming from solar, and
it's rampant, to the wind at night and so on.
If you integrate over the whole 24 hours, you can get in some particular days,
like you can get very a high electricity from solar.
it's true that Germany does not have a good weather for solar,
like the climate is it would normally, [INAUDIBLE] is roughly
equivalent to Chicago which is not known to be a strong solar place.
there, there are very high potential for solar in the Southwest of US.
It's one of the best place in the world to generate solar energy.
There are many other places you know?
In Northern Africa, like we just mentioned Brazil.
The central plateau of Brazil is excellent there's a place in the South,
Southwest of the state of Bahia in Brazil that has a almost perfect,
insulation profile for insulation profile for, for installations.
It is true like, you know, it's not only the resource and
it is the resource rather the amount of energy that is there available, but
the viability of the resource when the variability happens if for example during
the summer, in a place where most of the load is coming from air conditioning.
Then the variability can problematic for, for solar.
But on the other hand for example, if you look at the central
central valley in California, where you have a very large population.
You have amazing amount of radiance during the summer it's very hot and
some people love it.
And because it's very hot, like people tend to use air-conditioning as
if a necessity your load is very strongly correlated to the solar availability.
>> Then you have all the ingredients like are known for the economics to work.
Because you are going to generate solar,
at the highest peak load when people are actually using the air-conditioning.
And this, this coincides when the solar energy is available.
So if you can have those, different factors in the same equation.
Then the system is ripe to develop.
This is true, what you mention is true not only in terms of different countries but
it's also true in terms of micro regions like, if you look at San Diego for
example is, that US capital of solar utilization.
We don't have the best solar profile not even in California but it's a combination
of many different socioeconomic factors that make, San Diego right to have,
still going to install in his house, you know, solar panels and so on.
So it's incentives like what they did in Germany there was a very
strong incentive over time phasing out nuclear like that was
the option that was I have I've chosen that app.
In fact, many decades ago, there was quite a lot of investment in solar in Germany,
and it's paying off now by having these large distributor generation.
Almost all solar in Germany is distributed as effectively different than what we
can do in the, in the Southwest of US.
Yap, that's exactly right and the only thing I will add to that is one of
the last lectures in this course will be on energy in Nepal.
And in, in that case where there is no central electric grid.
Right? There, there is no on and
off switch in any house.
Right, except maybe in Kathmandu in the main city but
once you get outside of that.
And in those cases you'd think oh, this is perfect for solar panels.
That there's, that if you could put a solar panel in and you could get
a little bit of light into people's house, this would allow them to read at night.
It would allow them to have light when they cook.
It would just allow to do so many wonderful things for them.
They simply don't have the resources, to purchase those and
to, to, to even get them to those remote areas.
They simply lack the funding to do it and that's something that would,
that maybe we'll talk a little bit about in another office hour.
We'll have Alex on in here, who's got an NGO there to talk about that.
But, but, but social acceptance, and who has the resources to buy these things.
So obviously, in Germany, they do.
Here in California, we do.
And in San Diego, that's where we get them.
It's a great idea, good for
the environment, but you've still gotta be relatively rich to buy this stuff.
Okay, we have time for
just one last question and I'm going to throw this one out to Carlos, and
it says, is there any new technology being developed that will decrease the price of
solar panels, and, and, and I will give you the opportunity to say just,
what is the coolest technology that you see sort of coming down the road on,
on solar energy and how we're going to utilize it?
>> Yeah so, the, the, the combination there is is interesting.
You can't actually generate energy at the low efficiency very cheap
with very cheap solar panels.
the, the price of the solar panels went down so
fast, I think nobody could predict how fast [INAUDIBLE].
If you go back ten years, like, you know, and then say that today you can
actually buy a 100 watt panel under $100 nobody would believe you.
So like the, the cost went down But these cost and efficiency, so
you want to be able to bring down the cost of a 100 watt panel
as to a low value, but keep like some efficiency.
You can have like a much lower cost using thin films but
the efficiencies are much lower.
>> Yeah. >> The question here is, how can you,
actually, go beyond the three, four, 5% efficiency with something that is so
cheap that you could basically just ink and wear, and
hook up some electrodes and take the [INAUDIBLE].
So these are the cool technologies that are coming out now,
maybe a decade away, but, to, to make it into commercial products but
are, I think they will become a reality very soon.
>> Yeah, the really cool one that I just saw the other day,
are these see through solar panels.
So, what they're doing is they're absorbing the infrared light.
So as you look at him through the window, you still see visible light coming
through, but infrared which is most of the heat that comes in to the house now,
you're capturing that so the house is cooler because it's effectively shaded,
and then that energy is going to, to, you know, electricity.
And I just thought oh, that's a great idea.
>> Yeah, that's one thing that if, if you have your whole window [INAUDIBLE] with
the solar panel opaque like, you know, you need to have no energy like you know,
just to directly illuminate your inside.
So you can play these there's no, no, the beautiful technology,
it's on your they going to be thinking will become mainstream very soon.
>> Okay?
All right, that's all we have time for today we're going to thank Carlos for
coming over here and, and talking with us, and again, if, if, you know, later on,
you guys want to email him to me, I'll, I'll forward them on to
our experts on solar stuff, thanks very much for participating today.
>> Thank you, thanks a lot.
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Posts Tagged ‘marriage equality’
Supporters of Marriage Equality Kick Bigotry In The Ass…Again.
July 11, 2013 AngelicaBeLike Leave a comment
So what do you do when the highest court in the land rules that married same-sex couples are entitled to federal benefits as well as the freedom to marry in states that already allow it? For most cities across the country, you move on, right? I mean, the Supreme Court of the United States of America just made some pretty good and compelling arguments in support of equal rights.
Well. In Roswell, New Mexico…issues like this don’t just go away quite as easily, or as quietly, as the rest of the nation. Earlier this week, many of us got word that the Roswell City Council had been considering a resolution that would define marriage as only between a man and a woman. Savino Sanchez, Jr, Associate Pastor at Church On The Move, an evangelical church in Roswell, and the Chair of Roswell’s Police Committee, introduced this resolution (despite the higher court’s recent ruling).
Oh! Did I mention he did not attend tonight’s hearing?
Before tonight, there had been massive confusion regarding the resolution. Yesterday we heard that it had died in committee, but there was talk that the resolution was still on tonight’s agenda. To add to even more confusion, only five members of the council showed up tonight and there needed to be six to reach a quorum to resume with the business on the agenda.
So what was going on exactly?
*scratching head*
Roswell Mayor Del Jurney explained that “due to changes to rules for city hearings, the agenda for tonight’s meeting had to be made public before we had an up or down vote in committee. That is why this resolution was on the tonight’s agenda and will remain on next Thursday’s agenda, but there will be no vote on this resolution. This resolution is dead.”
Great news! So what are we still doing here?
Mayor Jurney was compelled to hear out the concerns of those present and asked that people who had signed up to speak, should do so tonight, next Thursday or both.
Roughly, forty community residents were present at tonight’s hearing in support of marriage equality. One by one, residents from the city of Roswell, provided personal and passionate stories for their support for equal rights. Allies, such as Sara Mitchell, stood in front of the five council members, visibly disturbed by this resolution.
Mitchell said, “the reason this resolution angered me was because it is a waste of your time and our time. This resolution is pointless and is intentionally malicious.”
Like her, countless other individuals stood up and stood firm, passionately voicing their concerns, mainly in disbelief that something like this could come out of the city of Roswell, a city in which many advocates have grown up in, love dearly, so much so that they’re raising their families here. How could a city known for its history of embracing the idea of “extraterrestrials” and life on other planets, now have difficulties coming to terms with humans and their love for one another?
Tonight’s meeting was an inspiration to many advocates across the state. Mainly because for a community like Roswell, located in a region where you feel like you need a passport to come down here, proved tonight that there are forward thinkers who go to such lengths to make positive change.
As Sara Mitchell pointed out after the meeting, “I was proud to be in the same room with so many passionate, well spoken, equal rights activists. Whoever put forward this resolution, like-minded people should note that the citizens of Roswell will not let their town become known for hate, ignorance, and marginalization. I don’t need my marriage affirmed at the price of denying others equal rights.”
Categories: Uncategorized Tags: california, church on the move, Del Jurney, DOMA, equal rights, equality new mexico, lgbt, marriage equality, New Mexico, Prop 8, Roswell, same sex, Sara Mitchell, Savino Sanchez Jr, scotus
Just finished week 1 day 1 of #C25K with @c25kfree #everymomentcounts #run #running #health #fitness https://t.co/JXbdKcV4g6 23 hours ago
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Ukraine instead of Russia
Only a month before the start of the European Championships came the information that Russia had given up because of financial problems. However, eight nations will participate in the championship in Belgrade, because Ukraine will replace Russia. Ukraine participated in the qualifications in which it was defeated by Italy with 50-0.
Russian president Denis Korolev commented: “This decision was very difficult and stressful for the ARLK and taken in consultation with the tournament organizers. It is as a result of us not being an official sport, recognised by the government here, since 2010. That has had a significant influence on state funding and potential sponsorship.”
“The participation of the Ukrainian team is a great chance for us, and a new important step for the development of rugby league in the nation,” said UKRL president Artur Martyrosyan.
Ukraine will meet in the first round with the Welsh team on August 5 at the SNC Makis stadium in Belgrade. You can find more here
RL U19 EC 2018 Russia Ukraine
Rugby leagueRugby league U19 European ChampionshipRugby XIIIUkraine U19
Previous Post:Wales U19 Squad
Next Post:How to get to stadium NSC Makis.
Paul Cullen says:
Hi would you any information on tickets and streaming links for the games please .
Dragan Pavlovic says:
Details about stream you can find on link https://rugbyleagueu19euro.com/2018/07/31/all-matches-on-sportuzivo-tv/
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Tag Archives: Kevin Anderson
Recent Articles and Features in the International Marxist-Humanist Webzine (June 2014)
June 19, 2014 – 11:14 am
Posted in Activism, Communism, Critical Theory, Ecology, Economic History, Historical Materialism, History, Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, News and Politics, Philosophy, Political Economy, Politics, Socialism
Tagged Alternatives to Capitalism, David Black, Dialectics, G.W.F. Hegel, International Marxist-Humanist Organization, Karl Marx, Kevin Anderson, Louis Althusser, Marxism, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Peter Hudis, Philosophy, Political Theory, Politics, Raya Dunayevskaya, Richard Abernethy, Rosa Luxemburg
See: http://www.internationalmarxisthumanist.org/
INDIA VEERS RIGHT, AS ASIA’S RULERS JOSTLE FOR HEGEMONY — by Richard Abernethy
The election of the anti-Muslim Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi in India is viewed in terms of the regional ascendancy of right-wing parties, and of the danger of war — Editors
THE DIALECTIC OF THE SPATIAL DETERMINATION OF CAPITAL: ROSA LUXEMBURG’S ACCUMULATION OF CAPITAL RECONSIDERED — by Peter Hudis
Luxemburg argued that the accumulation of capital hinges not only on the internal temporal dynamics of particular capitalist societies but most of all on capitalism’s spatial penetration and destruction of the non-capitalist world.
THE ALTHUSSERIAN CUL-DE-SAC – by Kevin Anderson
Althusser’s structuralist Marxism is critiqued both in terms of his theory of ideological superstructures and his interpretation of Marx as an anti-humanist, anti-Hegelian.
See our LANGUAGES PAGES for recent Marxist-Humanist articles and books in Persian, Turkish, and other languages.
On our PERSIAN LANGUAGE PAGE we would like to single out:
PETER HUDIS’S INTRODUCTION TO MARX’S CAPITAL, VOL. 2, for Hassan Mortazavi’s forthcoming translation into Persian
[VIDEO] ON THE POSSIBILITY OF SOCIALISM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Alireza Kia interviewed by Siamiac Ghobadi on the possibility of socialism in developing countries, especially the Arab world and Iran, with a focus on whether we can reach socialism without going through capitalist economic development as in western countries.
***RECENT BOOKS OF INTEREST:
THE PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS OF ANTI-CAPITALISM: ESSAYS ON HISTORY, CULTURE AND DIALECTICAL THOUGHT — by David Black, Studies in Marxism and Humanism Series, Lexington Books, hardcover, with subsequent paperback
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF ROSA LUXEMBURG, VOL. I: ECONOMIC WRITINGS 1, edited by Peter Hudis, Verso Books, paperback
MARX’S CONCEPT OF THE ALTERNATIVE TO CAPITALISM – by Peter Hudis
Historical Materialism Series, now in paperback with Haymarket Books
MARX ON GENDER AND THE FAMILY: A CRITICAL STUDY – by Heather Brown
THE DUNAYEVSKAYA-MARCUSE-FROMM CORRESPONDENCE, 1954-1978: DIALOGUES ON HEGEL, MARX, AND CRITICAL THEORY — edited by Kevin B. Anderson and Russell Rockwell, Lexington Books
We have also posted reviews of these and other of our books in a variety of journals, among them AGAINST THE CURRENT, POLITICAL STUDIES REVIEW, and MEDIATIONS.
THE INTERNATIONAL MARXIST-HUMANIST is the webzine of the INTERNATIONAL MARXIST-HUMANIST ORGANIZATION (IMHO): http://www.internationalmarxisthumanist.org/
Contact: arise@internationalmarxisthumanist.org
We would love to hear your thoughts on our website or our organization, either through the “arise” email account above or as a comment in our (moderated) comments pages.
Follow us on Twitter (upper right on IMHO homepage) for immediate notice of new posts.
Join our new Facebook page: “International Marxist-Humanist Organization” https://www.facebook.com/groups/imhorg/
Althusser
Philosophy, Revolution and the Battle of Ideas
Posted in Activism, Critical Theory, London Political Meetings, Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, News and Politics, Philosophy, Politics
Tagged Association of Musical Marxists, Battle of Ideas, Ben Watson, Dave Black, David Black, Dialectics, International Marxist-Humanist Organization, Kevin Anderson, Marxism, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Philosophy, Philosophy and Revolution, Raya Dunayevskaya, Revolution
Sponsored by the International Marxist-Humanist Organization (IMHO)
“The Legacies of Louis Althusser, Guy Debord and Theodor Adorno reassessed in the light of Raya Dunayevskaya: the Dialectic Regained”
7.30pm, Wednesday 25th June
At The May Day Rooms
88 Fleet Street
London EC4
(Nearest tube station: London Blackfriars)
Kevin Anderson, co-editor of The Dunayevskaya-Marcuse-Fromm Correspondence
Dave Black, author of The Philosophical Roots of Anti-Capitalism
Ben Watson, author of Adorno For Revolutionaries
More information (including map), see: http://ammarxists.org/meeting-philosophy-revolution-and-the-battle-of-ideas/
Capitalism’s World of Endless Crisis and Upheaval: Is There A Way Out?
Posted in Crisis, Critical Theory, Economic History, Economics, Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Meetings, News and Politics
Tagged Capitalist Crisis, Communism, Crisis, Economic Crisis, International Marxist-Humanist Organization, Kevin Anderson, Marxism, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Post-Capitalism, Socialism
Westside Peace Center
3916 Sepulveda Blvd., near Venice Blvd. (Free parking in rear)
Suite 101-102, press #22 at door to get into building
Culver City (LA area)
Kevin Anderson, author of MARX AT THE MARGINS and LENIN, HEGEL, AND WESTERN MARXISM
Robert “Gabe” Gabrielsky, longtime socialist and labor activist
The six-year-long global economic crisis has placed in stark relief the fact that capitalism serves as a constraint on the development of the vast majority of the world’s population, while enriching the few at an unprecedented level. At the same time, we have also witnessed in this period the rise of revolutionary and protest movements on a scale unprecedented since the 1960s and 1970s.
This meeting will explore issues such as:
(1) whether the present crisis is an outgrowth of neoliberal policies or of long-term economic stagnation in the major capitalist economies;
(2) the added impact of the crisis on Blacks, Latino/as and women and the new forms of opposition this has engendered, from the Trayvon Martin protests to the abortion rights movement;
(3) the contradictory legacy of global forms of protest and revolution over the past several years, from the Arab revolutions and the Occupy movement to the more recent upsurges in Turkey, Bosnia, and Ukraine;
(4) the specific historical contribution of Marxist-Humanism as illustrated most recently by A DREADFUL DECEIT: THE MYTH OF RACE FROM THE COLONIAL ERA TO OBAMA’S AMERICA, which contains Jacqueline Jones’s widely read exploration of the life and work of Charles Denby (Simon Owens), the Black autoworker who was, along with Raya Dunayevskaya, the co-founder of Marxist-Humanism in the U.S.
Sponsored by the West Coast Chapter, International Marxist-Humanist Organization
More information: arise@internationalmarxisthumanist.org
Website: http://www.internationalmarxisthumanist.org
Here is the link to the online announcement of the meeting for posting via email, Facebook, etc.: http://www.internationalmarxisthumanist.org/events/los-angeles-capitalisms-world-endless-crisis-upheaval-way
Recent Articles and Features in the International Marxist-Humanist Webzine (May 2014)
Posted in Books, Communism, Critical Theory, Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Philosophy, Political Economy, Politics
Tagged Dave Black, David Black, International Marxist-Humanist Organization, Karl Marx, Kevin Anderson, Marxism, Marxist-Humanism, Peter Hudis, Raya Dunayevskaya, Richard Abernethy, Tony Benn
Marx’s Concept of the Alternative to Capitalism
http://www.internationalmarxisthumanist.org/
UKRAINE: POPULAR UPRISING IN THE SHADOW OF PUTIN’S RUSSIA — by Kevin Anderson
Ukraine has experienced a popular uprising with serious
contradictions, among them the presence of right-wing nationalism and
a tilt toward neoliberal capitalism. It has since been threatened by
Putin’s Russia, which fears above all a similar uprising in Moscow.
[VIDEO] TRANSCENDING CAPITALISM, IN THEORY AND IN PRACTICE — by Peter Hudis and Sarah Mason
Hudis gives an overview of his MARX’S CONCEPT OF THE ALTERNATIVE TO CAPITALISM (Haymarket 2013), with a comment by former Occupy LA
activist Mason.
ON THE DEATH OF TONY BENN — by Richard Abernethy
In 1992, we organised a speaking tour for Peter Hudis in England and Scotland. To our surprise, Tony Benn sponsored a meeting in the Houses of Parliament. An unlikely setting for a Marxist-Humanist meeting – we all had to pass through a police security check to attend. I recall a very large and lively meeting.
VOLUNTARISM & HUMANISM: REVISITING DUNAYEVSKAYA’S CRITIQUE OF MAO — by Aye Richi
Informed by Dunayevskaya’s discussion of voluntarism and humanism as two kinds of subjectivity, this article analyzes the People’s Communes, the Cultural Revolution, and the Hundred Flowers Movement in China under Mao Zedong.
TRACING THE CONTOURS OF ANTI-CAPITALISM — by Criticism &c.
A review of David Black’s THE PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS OF ANTI-CAPITALISM.
CRITIQUE OF THE BLACK BLOC — by Kevin Anderson
A review of SHUTTING DOWN THE STREETS: POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL IN THE GLOBAL ERA, by Amory Starr, Luis Fernandez, and Christian Scholl.
See our LANGUAGES PAGES for recent Marxist-Humanist articles and books in Spanish, Persian, French, Romanian, Turkish, and other languages.
THE PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS OF ANTI-CAPITALISM: ESSAYS ON HISTORY, CULTURE AND DIALECTICAL THOUGHT — by David Black, Studies in Marxism Humanism Series, Lexington Books, hardcover, with subsequent paperback
THE INTERNATIONAL MARXIST-HUMANIST is the webzine of the INTERNATIONAL MARXIST-HUMANIST ORGANIZATION (IMHO):
***END***
Recent Articles and Features in the International Marxist-Humanist Webzine (March 2014)
Posted in Activism, Books, Communism, Crisis, Economic History, Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Philosophy, Political Economy, Politics
Tagged Capitalism, Communism, Crisis, Humanism, Imperialism, International Marxist-Humanist Organization, Karl Marx, Kevin Anderson, Marxism, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Peter Hudis, Raya Dunayevskaya, Richard Abernethy, Richard Greeman, Rosa Luxemburg, Socialism, Ukraine
MARX AND THE ALTERNATIVE TO CAPITALISM: A REVIEW SYMPOSIUM – by Karel Ludenhoff, Marija Krtolica, and Dale Parsons
Three reviews of Peter Hudis’s new book, MARX’S CONCEPT OF THE
ALTERNATIVE TO CAPITALISM.
[DISCUSSION ARTICLE] UKRAINE, COUP OR REVOLUTION? — by Richard Greeman
The Ukrainian uprising raises questions concerning different kinds of democracy, nationalism and internationalism, types of imperialism and capitalism, and the dangers of ethnic conflict and neoliberal
capitalism.
MARXISM AND HUMANISM: SELECTIONS FROM A SINO-BRITISH FORUM — by Wang Jie, Zhu Liyuan, David Alderson, Mike Sanders, and Kevin Anderson
These articles are selected from the proceedings of the Second Sino-British Marxist Aesthetics Forum, held at the University of Manchester, April 2012, which was dedicated to the topic, “Marxism and Humanism.” They offer a window into contemporary philosophical discussions on humanism in China and internationally.
ON THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SOCIALIST HUMANISM – by Barbara Epstein
Socialist humanism emerged out of discussions of Marx’s 1844 MANUSCRIPTS in the late fifties and early sixties due to hopes for the democratization of the Soviet bloc, but it lost traction within the
left in the late sixties and early seventies due to the Vietnam War and the resulting rising influence of Maoism. There is still a great deal to be learned from the socialist humanist tradition.
CLASS IN MODERN CAPITALISM: THE BRITISH EXAMPLE — by Richard Abernethy
Class is once again in the news and political debate. While some claim that it is no longer relevant at all, the BBC’s Great British Class Survey claimed to identify no fewer than seven different classes. What does it mean to belong to a class? Is it an objective situation, or does it involve subjectivity and consciousness? How best to understand the class structure of modern capitalism?
MARX’S CAPITAL AND TODAY’S GLOBAL CRISIS – by Raya Dunayevskaya
We repost here the hard-to-find 1978 pamphlet by Raya Dunayevskaya, which has been uploaded onto the Internet by unknown parties. We call attention to the fact that it includes three items: (1) main text containing the chapters of Dunayevskaya’s Marxism and Freedom devoted to Marx’s Capital, Vols. I-III; (2) introduction critiquing Ernest Mandel, “Today’s Epigones Who Try to Truncate Marx’s Capital”; (3) appendix, “Tony Cliff Reduces Lenin’s Theory to ‘Uncanny Intuition’,” the latter particularly relevant given the recent controversies in the UK over Cliff’s organizational legacy.
*** RECENT BOOKS OF INTEREST:
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF ROSA LUXEMBURG, VOL. I: ECONOMIC WRITINGS 1 — edited by Peter Hudis, Verso Books, paperback
MARX’S CONCEPT OF THE ALTERNATIVE TO CAPITALISM – by Peter Hudis, Historical Materialism Series, now in paperback with Haymarket Books
MARX ON GENDER AND THE FAMILY: A CRITICAL STUDY – by Heather Brown, Historical Materialism Series, now in paperback with Haymarket Books
THE DUNAYEVSKAYA-MARCUSE-FROMM CORRESPONDENCE, 1954-1978: DIALOGUES ON
HEGEL, MARX, AND CRITICAL THEORY — edited by Kevin B. Anderson and Russell Rockwell, Lexington Books
Glenn Rikowski at Academia: http://independent.academic.edu/GlennRikowski
Rikowski Point: http://rikowskpoint.blogspot.com
Recent Articles and Features in the International Marxist-Humanist Webzine – November 2013
November 6, 2013 – 12:07 pm
Posted in Books, Communism, Economic History, Economics, Feminism, Historical Materialism, History, Imperialism, Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, News and Politics, Philosophy, Political Economy, Politics
Tagged Anti-Capitalism, Capitalism, David Black, Heather Brown, International Marxist-Humanist Organization, Karl Marx, Kevin Anderson, Marxism, Marxist-Humanism, Peter Hudis, Philosophy, Raya Dunayevskaya, Rosa Luxemburg
RECENT ARTICLES AND FEATURES IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARXIST-HUMANIST WEBZINE (November 2013)
A LAND OF BOUNDLESS POSSIBILITIES: COMMENTS FOR PANEL DISCUSSION ON ‘NEW EDITIONS OF ROSA LUXEMBURG?S WORK’ — by Peter Hudis
Peter Hudis, co-editor of the LETTERS OF ROSA LUXEMBURG and of her COMPLETE WORKS, discusses the theorist’s invaluable legacy in the context of Verso’s English publication of her Complete Works. The speech was written for the International Conference on Rosa Luxemburg, held in Paris 4 and 5 October 2013.
RAYA DUNAYEVSKAYA AND HER LEGACY: A REVIEW OF PETER HUDIS, ‘MARX’S CONCEPT OF THE ALTERNATIVE TO CAPITALISM’ — by Out To Lunch (Ben Watson)
Out To Lunch: Ben Watson is host of weekly radio show Late Lunch With Out To Lunch on Resonance FM: London’s Arts Station, and author of ADORNO FOR REVOLUTIONARIES.
HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH OF THE MADNESS OF CAPITALISM? IS IT TIME TO CONSIDER WHAT MARX REALLY SAID? — by Dr. Lenore Daniels
This discussion of Peter Hudis’s MARX’S CONCEPT OF THE ALTERNATIVE TO CAPITALISM connects it to the struggles of African-Americans and workers in the U.S., especially since the economic crisis. Originally appeared in OpEdNews,
http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/Have-We-Had-Enough-of-the-by-Dr-Lenore-Daniels-Activism_Capitalism_Capitalism_Crisis-130926-853.html
HOW TO THINK ABOUT SYRIA? ANTI-IMPERIALISM, ASSAD REGIME BARBARISM, AND THE SEARCH FOR AN ALTERNATIVE — by Kevin Anderson
Notes from a presentation to the West Coast Chapter of the International Marxist-Humanist Organization, held at the Westside Peace Center, Los Angeles. Critiques positions of some on the Left and discusses the position on Syria of the International Marxist-Humanist Organization.
THE U.S. LEFT AND SYRIA — BY MICHAEL PUGLIESE
Past and present alignments of sectors of the anti-imperialist left impede effective analysis and solidarity with the Syrian people.
Presented to the West Coast Chapter of the International Marxist-Humanist Organization.
ENTER THE GENUINE CONSERVATIVES: AUSTRALIA’S ELECTION IN 2013 – by Roland Boer
The Australian General Election has produced the first fully conservative government in the country?s history. Roland Boer explores the contradictions of a right-wing ideology that is suspicious of market capitalism.
*** OTHER LANGUAGES
MANY ARTICLES on our site have recently been translated from English into Persian, French, Hindi, and other languages. (See the Languages Pages.)
THE PHILOSOPHICAL ROOTS OF ANTI-CAPITALISM: ESSAYS ON HISTORY, CULTURE AND DIALECTICAL THOUGHT — by David Black, Studies in Marxism Humanism Series, Lexington Books, forthcoming fall 2013
***SPECIAL EVENT IN LONDON, UK
International Marxist-Humanist Organization presents
“New Marxist Perspectives on Gender, Race, and Colonialism”
Heather Brown (author of ‘Marx on Gender and the Family’ — shortlisted for the Deutscher Prize 2013), on “Marx and the Dialectics of Gender and the Family”
Kevin B. Anderson (author of ‘Marx at the Margins’ — 2010), on “Marx and Said on Colonialism”
Peter Hudis (author of ‘Marx’s Concept of the Alternative to Capitalism’ — 2012), on “Frantz Fanon as a Hegelian-Marxist”
Date: Thursday, November 7, 2013
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: The Artists Room, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square (5 mins from Holborn tube)
October 26, 2013 – 11:54 pm
Posted in Communism, Feminism, London Political Meetings, Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, News and Politics, Philosophy, Political Economy, Politics
Tagged Colonialism, David Black, Dialectics, Edward Said, Family, Feminism, Frantz Fanon, gender, Heather Brown, International Marxist-Humanism, Karl Marx, Kevin Anderson, Marxism, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Peter Hudis, Race
International Marxist-Humanists Public Meeting in London
Thursday 7th November 2013, 7.30pm
The Artists Room, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square (Holborn Tube)
Convened by David Black
Heather Brown on “Marx and the Dialectics of Gender and the Family”
Kevin B. Anderson on “Marx and Said on Colonialism”
Peter Hudis on “Frantz Fanon as a Hegelian-Marxist”
Jonathan Sperber’s New Biography Seeks to Bury Marx, Not Praise Him
October 2, 2013 – 10:39 am
Posted in Books, Communism, Historical Materialism, History, Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Philosophy, Reviews
Tagged Barry Healy, Biography of Marx, Explain, Jonathan Sperber, Karl Marx, Kevin Anderson, Links, LINKS International Journal of Socialist Renewal, Marx, Marxism, Marxist Theory, Materialism, Positivism, Reviews, Revolution
Jonathan Sperber
JONATHAN SPERBER’S NEW BIOGRAPHY SEEKS TO BURY KARL MARX, NOT PRAISE HIM
Karl Marx, A Nineteenth Century Life
By Jonathan Sperber,
Liveright Publishing, 2013
A Review by Barry Healy
Barry Healy
September 26, 2013 — Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal — In life Karl Marx lived a tumultuous, revolutionary life and in death he has likewise been less than tranquil. Alive, he was the best hated man in Europe. For the ruling classes and police spies he personified the “spectre” that was haunting the continent, the demonic rise of communist revolution.
After his death he was bleached of his humanity, canonised by his admirers and slandered by his bourgeois enemies. Both misrepresented him.
His enormous collection of notes and half-formulated writings were bequeathed first to his long-time political collaborator Frederick Engels and later to the German Social Democratic Party (SPD). Engels laboured long and hard and managed to produce the second and third volumes of Capital.
Stumbling across Marx’s notebooks on anthropological research, Engels also managed to write The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State, the classic Marxist statement on the topic. Karl Kautsky of the SPD cobbled together the volumes of the Theories of Surplus Value, which formed the last instalments of Capital.
Along the way Kautsky and the SPD turned themselves into the arbiters of Marxism, the font of all wisdom on the man and his work. Kautsky was even referred to as the “Pope of Marxism”.
The messy details of Marx’s life – such as fathering an illegitimate child – were buried and the image of the prophet who foretold the inevitable collapse of capitalism was manufactured.
Below that edifice was buried Marx’s radicalism. Within the German SPD, social reform replaced revolution – the perfect justification for the party’s bureaucratisation and adaptation to peaceful coexistence with capitalism.
A leading SPD intellectual, Eduard Bernstein, propagated a version of Marxism in which the working class would slowly take over and socialise society — through building the SPD. This would be an organic process based on social evolution driven by scientific developments, which would take an extended period.
That strand of defanged Marxism exposed itself when the SPD supported the German government in WWI. However, as if in an historical horror show, the Stalinised Soviet Union took over the care of this mummified version of Marxism.
The Communist Party of Great Britain symbolised this process in 1954 by moving Marx’s remains and erecting the granite monolith that glowers over Highgate Cemetery today. The simple, original gravestone lies broken at the first grave.
The Stalinists seized control of Marx’s intellectual legacy by gathering all his writings and overseeing the production of his collected works (known by their German initials as the MEGA). Careful selection kept Marx’s dangerous thoughts from the eyes of the masses.
With the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, these collected papers have been translated by a new group of academics, producing what is known as MEGA2. This enlarged body of work is available for scholars. We can expect in years to come that historians and others will be mining it for nuggets of information similar to how Jonathan Sperber has done in this minutely researched volume.
Sperber, an expert in early 19th century Germany and the German language, should be perfect for this task of revealing the real Karl Marx. In many ways he is, but unfortunately his eye is selective.
He has come not just to dust off the accretions of history from the real Marx, but to bury Marxism for all time. Sperber’s tome, which he sets the mission of being the authoritative text on Marx has some peculiar assertions and omissions.
The book begins quite insightfully, exploring Marx’s early history by situating him in the revolutionary times in which he lived. By delving into the faction fights in which Marx engaged, not only is Marx’s point of view reported, but also the arguments raised against him, which fills out the record.
However, Sperber revels in any hostile gossip that opponents piled onto Marx or Engels. Any tirade is accepted as fact, whereas Marx’s polemics are subjected to minute, critical examination.
Sperber’s method at times turns peculiar. He insists that this famous sentence from the Communist Manifesto is mistranslated: “All that is solid melts into air, all that is holy is profaned and man is at last compelled to face, with sober senses, his real conditions of life, and his relations with his kind.”
He contends that in English it should read: “Everything that firmly exists and all the elements of the society of orders evaporate, everything sacred is desecrated and men are finally compelled to regard their position in life and their mutual relations with sober eyes.”
Why does he insist on a bland translation? Because Sperber’s project is to demonstrate that Marx is irrelevant to this century and his translation is part of his case.
Marx was not describing the epic results of capitalism on society in that sentence, Sperber says. He was only commenting on the bourgeois overthrow of feudalism (“the society of orders”). Sperber’s point is that the Manifesto was only looking backwards, not referring to the ongoing revolutionising effects of capitalism.
Such an argument is a wilful misreading not only of the Manifesto, but of the entire body of Marx’s works. Sperber pronounces that, being mired in old-fashioned irrelevancy, Marxism means nothing today.
Oddly, in this he refracts, as if though a glass darkly, arguments that Bernstein raised against the Communist Manifesto. For Bernstein the Manifesto was a product of a younger, hot-headed radical Marx, emerging from the conspiratorial matrix of the French Revolution and should not be considered relevant to the modern age.
Positivist?
Sperber also goes into a long-winded critique, covering many pages, in which he insists that Marx was not a dialectician, but was an unconscious, though inconsistent positivist. Now this really is passing strange.
Logical positivism was still evolving during Marx’s lifetime. But its progenitor, Auguste Comte, wrote in the early 19th Century and had followers in and around the workers’ movement. Marx ripped into Comte, calling his work “trashy”.
Positivism held that society was evolving towards a more sophisticated future through scientific advancement.
Sperber, while arguing his positivist case against Marx, does not actually define what he means by the term. By inference it appears that it includes, for him, the collection of evidence and the analysis of data – in short the scientific method – plus a teleological belief in the steady advance of human civilisation. These are certainly elements of positivism and lend it its semi-religious flavour, even though it is secularist. Positivism is an extreme form of empiricism that reifies the scientific method and imposes it on sociology.
The degenerate bureaucrats of the German SPD were certainly influenced by positivism, because it let them off the hook of having to organise and lead the class struggle. Stalinism, with its mechanical materialist worship of the Five-Year Plan wilfully mixed dialectics with positivism.
Sperber says that philosophically Marx was stuck halfway along a line that stretched from Hegel at one end, with his “distrust of empirical evidence”, and positivists at the other end with their “scientific method and scientific form of empiricism”.
Now, to say that Hegel, who studied the scientific developments of his day, “distrusted empirical evidence” is quite something. To picture Karl Marx as a kind of philosophical muddle-headed wombat is to take a leap into void.
Hegel taught that every moment contains within it the possibility of future developments. This future-that-is-not-yet-present is a metaphysical concept. Hegel used the word geist (spirit) to describe the motivating force that drove these possibilities to fruition.
Marx stripped the metaphysics out of Hegelianism, turning Hegel on his head as it were, and developed what is now known as historical materialism to explain how history is driven forward.
Sperber has it wrong. Above all, Marx believed that the possibility of social progress depended on human intervention – revolutionary activity expressed through class struggle. Positivism passively depends on the advancement of science.
Marx’s argument against positivism was that it failed to discern the inner dynamics of society, which dialectical social science could expose. He granted that Comte, as a mathematician and physicist, was certainly “superior” to Hegel in scientific knowledge. However, “even here Hegel is infinitely greater when one considers the whole”. In fact, Marx said, “compared with Hegel” Comte was “wretched”.
‘Static’ economics?
Sperber is also at pains to criticise supposed failings in Marxist economic theory, which he delves into over 10 pages. It is a brave writer who tries to summarise Marxist economics in such a brief space and Sperber more than fails the job.
Following on from his inability to understand Hegelian or Marxist dialectics, Sperber can’t see the dynamic thrust of Marx’s economics. For Sperber, Marx’s grasp of economic reality was “static”, effectively “snapshots of the 1860s”.
However, just opening volume I of Capital and reading the list of contents confounds this. The process of the production of capital, the relationship of use value and exchange value making up the commodity, the fetishism of the commodity, the transformation of money into capital, the labour process and valorisation process, etc. Every page is drenched in the application of dialectics, which is the understanding of reality in movement, to economics.
To drive his points home Marx quotes from the British government factory inspectors’ reports to illustrate of the reality of working class conditions (these are “snapshots” according to Sperber).
Sperber is on slightly surer ground when he criticises Marx’s theorising about the tendency of the rate of profit to decline over time. Over the years Marx made several different attempts at explaining this tendency and never succeeded to his own satisfaction.
Sperber also delves into Marx’s newspaper editorships, indicating that his papers were dominated by strident, unreadable polemics. However, he makes no mention, for example, of the prominence of poetry in Marx’s newspapers. S.S. Pawer, in Karl Marx and World Literature, available since 1976, records the trouble to which Marx went to get the best of contemporary radical poets into his papers.
Sperber thinks that Marx’s literary allusions in his journalism were unintelligible to a mass audience, whereas Pawer shows that that his contemporaries were able to pick up the references easily. Interestingly, Sperber totally misses the myriad Biblical references and advanced use of theological logic in Marx’s writings.
Similarly, for Sperber, Marx’s organising activities to keep Britain from entering the American Civil War on the side of the Confederacy are absent. In fact, Marx’s keen interest in North American events appears right in the preface to Capital volume I and his activity was immense.
The development of Marx’s thinking about British rule in India Sperber dismisses as a strain of “petit-bourgeois” radicalism. The evolution and intellectual vigour of Marx’s engagement with the question is masterfully discussed in Kevin Anderson’s Marx at the Margins, which was available while Sperber was at work on his book, but rates no mention.
On and on it goes. Sperber’s conclusion is that Marx’s ideas are stuck in “the matrix of the early nineteenth century, the age of the French Revolution and its aftermath, of Hegel’s philosophy and its Young Hegelian critics, of the early industrialisation of Great Britain and the theories of political economy emerging from them”.
Sperber misses the point
Sperber completely misses the point: when Marx inverted Hegel’s dialectics and applied it to political economy he did not just create a new economic theory with some attendant radical posturing. Marxism is a philosophy of human action aimed at the complete liberation of the entire human race and the rescue of the planet from capitalist over-exploitation.
Marx was a critic of capitalism and, ironically it is capitalism that has kept its nemesis, Karl Marx alive. Capitalism’s myriad oppressions demand analysis and resistance. In that, the ideas and revolutionary example of Karl Marx are vibrant.
It is only with the death of capitalism that Karl Marx will finally be buried, because we will no longer have need of his world historic contribution. Notwithstanding Jonathan Sperber, Marx will then rest in peace with the grateful blessings of all humanity.
[Barry Healy is a member of Socialist Alliance in Perth, Western Australia. A shorter version of this review appeared in Green Left Weekly.]
Source: LINKS: International Journal of Socialist Renewal – http://links.org.au/node/3530
Cold Hands & Quarter Moon, ‘Stagnant’ at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkP_Mi5ideo (new remix, and new video, 2012)
Revolutionary Dialectics After Marx: C.L.R James and Raya Dunayevskaya
September 25, 2013 – 5:56 pm
Posted in Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Philosophy, Politics
Tagged CLR James, Humanism, Karl Marx, Kevin Anderson, Marx, Marxism, Marxist-Humanism, Peter Hudis, Raya Dunayevskaya
REVOLUTIONARY DIALECTICS AFTER MARX: C.L.R. JAMES AND RAYA DUNAYEVSKAYA
WestsidePeaceCenter
Brian Lovato, author of a book in progress on James and Dunayevskaya
C.L.R. James and Raya Dunayevskaya both emerged out of the radical wing of the anti-Stalinist left during the 1940s. Before their break in 1955, they worked together in the “Johnson-Forest Tendency,” which elaborated new perspectives on race and class, on state-capitalism, on non-vanguardist forms of organization, and on dialectics. This meeting will concentrate on the latter point. In 1948, James wrote “Notes on Dialectics,” an exploration of the dialectic in Hegel, Marx, and Lenin. During this period, Dunayevskaya translated and commented upon Lenin’s “Philosophical Notebooks” and composed her “1953 Letters on Hegel’s Absolutes.” Later, Dunayevskaya developed her version of the dialectic further, in works like “Philosophy and Revolution” (1973). We will explore this rich dialectical heritage as a crucial resource for today’s left.
Suggested readings:
“Review and Leninist Interlude,” from James, “Notes on Dialectics”: http://www.marxists.org/archive/james-clr/works/dialecti/james4.htm
1963 Dunayevskaya letter to Erich Fromm on Hegel’s “Phenomenology,” from Dunayevskaya, “Power of Negativity,” ed. Hudis and Anderson: http://newsandletters.org/issues/2008/Feb-March/FTA_Feb-Mar_08.htm
http://www.internationalmarxisthumanist.org
Recent Articles and Features in the International Marxist-Humanist Webzine – September 2013
September 21, 2013 – 11:29 am
Posted in Activism, Communism, Historical Materialism, History, Imperialism, Marxism and Education, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, News and Politics, Philosophy, Politics
Tagged David Black, G.W.F. Hegel, Heather Brown, International Marxist-Humanist Organization, Kevin Anderson, Marxism, Marxist-Humanism, Peter Hudis, Philosophy, Raya Dunayevskaya
AGAINST U.S ATTACK ON SYRIA! AGAINST THE ASSAD REGIME AND OTHER REACTIONARY FORCES! FOR THE GRASSROOTS SYRIAN REVOLUTION! — Statement by the International Marxist-Humanist Organization (Aug. 30)
As the U.S. rattles its sabers against the Assad regime in Syria in the wake of an apparent attack on civilians with chemical weapons, the situation remains murky. A number of forces — the U.S.-Britain-France, their sometime allies Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, the murderous Assad regime, and equally murderous jihadis — are all seeking to stifle the yearnings of the Syrian people to be free of the domination of both local authoritarians and global imperialism.
AFTER TRAYVON: RENEWING THE STRUGGLE AGAINST RACISM, IN FLORIDA AND BEYOND — by J. Turk
The Trayvon Martin verdict is viewed in the context U.S. racialized capitalism. The article focuses on the structures of race/class oppression in Florida, both in the past and today, and the oppositional movements that these structures have engendered. (Aug. 19)
THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY MARCH ON WASHINGTON: A PARTICIPANT’S REPORT — by MCU
A first-hand account of the August 24, 2013 50th Anniversary March on Washington, this article stresses the intertwining of race and class and the need for the anti-racist movement to ground itself in the critique of capitalism. (Aug. 29)
IMPERIAL HUMANITARIANISM IN A U.S. NEOCOLONY: TORTURE OF WOMEN PRISONERS IN THE PHILIPPINES — by E. San Juan, Jr.
Leftist activists continue to be murdered and tortured under liberal President Benigno Aquino III. This process, which has especially brutal outcomes for women, is viewed in the context of U.S. neocolonial domination. An earlier version appeared in Countercurrents.org, in July. (Aug. 27)
FAST FOOD WORKERS TO GO ON STRIKE ACROSS U.S. — by Eric Today, thousands of Fast Food workers across the nation are going on strike, protesting the exploitative conditions that are standard practice in the industry. I am one of those workers, existing at the point where the gears of the capitalist profit machine grind together. Today, I am striking with my fellow workers to try and effect change at the Jimmy John’s store where I work, but also to stand in solidarity with fast food workers around the nation who experience a variety of injustices in their work places every day. (August 29)
MANY ARTICLES on our site have recently been translated from English into Persian, Spanish, and other languages. (See the Languages Pages.)
How to Think About Syria?
Posted in Historical Materialism, Imperialism, Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Meetings, News and Politics, Philosophy, Politics
Tagged Assad, Bombing Syria, Imperialism, International Marxist-Humanist Organization, Kevin Anderson, Marxism, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, Nationalism, Politics, Syria
HOW TO THINK ABOUT SYRIA? ANTI-IMPERIALISM, ASSAD REGIME BARBARISM, AND THE SEARCH FOR AN ALTERNATIVE
3916 Sepulveda Blvd. (free parking in rear)
Suite 101-102, press #22 at rear door to get into room
Introducing the discussion:
Mike Pugliese, longtime left observer
Kevin Anderson, author of Marx at the Margins: On Ethnicity, Nationalism, and Non-Western Societies
Mansoor M., Iranian cultural worker
The situation in Syria cries out for a comprehensive, dialectical response, not just a knee-jerk anti-interventionism that fails to mention the nature of the Assad regime. For this reason, the International Marxist-Humanist Organization’s August 30 statement has a long title:
Against U.S Attack on Syria! Against the Assad Regime and Other Reactionary Forces! For the Grassroots Syrian Revolution!
http://www.internationalmarxisthumanist.org/articles/u-s-attack-syria-assad-regime-reactionary-forces-grassroots-syrian-revolution-international-marxist-humanist-organization
These are the kinds of questions that we will address, followed by a free and open discussion:
Can the left fight imperialism at the same time as opposing the Assad regime?
Can it support the Syrian uprising while also opposing fundamentalism?
What effect would a U.S. bombing of Syria have on Iran, including on the reform currents inside that country?
Recent Articles and Features in the International Marxist-Humanist Webzine (August 2013)
September 6, 2013 – 8:18 am
Posted in Activism, Books, Conferences, Economic History, Economics, Feminism, Globalisation, Historical Materialism, Imperialism, Marxism, Marxist Analysis, Marxist Theory, Marxist-Humanism, News and Politics, Philosophy, Politics, Radical Economics, Socialism
Tagged Ba Karang, David Black, Feminism, Frieda Afary, Heather Brown, International Marxist-Humanist Organization, Karl Marx, Kevin Anderson, Marxism, Marxist-Humanism, Peter Hudis, Rosa Luxemburg, Women, Women's Liberation
EGYPTIAN MILITARY SEEKS TO EXTINGUISH REVOLUTION — by Kevin Anderson
The Egyptian military’s August 14 massacre of supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood marked a reach for total power. The complicity of some parts of the democratic movement has placed in jeopardy the entire revolutionary wave that has gripped the country since 2011.
REFLECTIONS ON TURKEY’S GEZI PARK PROTESTS? — by Onur Kapdan
Draws lessons from the Gezi Park protests as new type of horizontal social struggle that goes beyond earlier Turkish politics, whether leftist or nationalist; analyzes the ideological control mechanisms of Turkish capitalism under Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP).
HEGEL IN 10 MINUTES? — by David Black
This riff on Hegel took place at a fringe meeting of the Association of Musical Marxists during the Marxism 2013 conference in London in July. [Originally appeared on the AMM website.]
ROSA LUXEMBURG: INTERVIEW WITH LUXEMBURG SCHOLAR AND EDITOR, PETER HUDIS
Dr. Lenore Daniels, a columnist for “Black Commentator Magazine,” discusses Luxemburg’s legacy as an anti-imperialist thinker and interviews Peter Hudis, co-editor of “The Letters of Rosa Luxemburg” (2011). [Originally appeared in OpEdNews.]
ANALYSES OF 2013 IRANIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION? — by Frieda Afary
Persian and English-language analyses that have attempted to comprehend these events have ranged from a dismissal of the election process as a completely engineered one, to uncritical support for the election results. [Originally appeared in Iranian Progressives in Translation.]
HUSBY RIOTS: THE OTHER FACE OF SWEDISH SOCIAL DEMOCRACY EXPOSED? — by Ba Karang
The recent rioting in Stockholm over the police killing of a Portuguese immigrant was a manifestation of the growing inequalities in Sweden, a society once seen as synonymous with social democracy.
TWO POEMS ON REVOLUTION? — by Sam Friedman
IRANIAN INTELLECTUALS BREAK TABOOS? — by Frieda Afary
Mohammad Nourizad and Mohsen Makhmalbaf are both filmmakers. Both were active supporters of the Iranian regime but later turned against the regime and became ardent advocates of human rights. Now they have openly broken with another feature of their past: prejudice against religious minorities. [Originally appeared in Iranian Progressives in Translation.]
WHITHER THE IRANIAN DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION? — by Frieda Afary
Although the recent disqualification of two candidates Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei from the election is very significant and further reveals the intense power struggles within the regime, more significant are the defining issues that continue to fuel the grassroots discontent inside Iran. [Originally appeared in Iranian Progressives in Translation.]
MARX’S CONCEPT OF THE ALTERNATIVE TO CAPITALISM ? by Peter Hudis
MARX ON GENDER AND THE FAMILY: A CRITICAL STUDY ? by Heather Brown
REVIEWS of Heather Brown’s “Marx on Gender and the Family: A Critical Study”:
Sally Campbell, “Engels Revisited,” Socialist Review, Issue 138, March 20, 2013
Sheila McGregor, “Marxism and women’s oppression today,” International Socialism Journal, 10 April 13
Len T, “The ‘F-Word’: Marxism and Women’s Oppression Today,” International Socialist Network, July 2013
Lindsey German, Counterfire, July 2013
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Tag Archives: Richard George
Middlesex University Philosophy Campaign – Update 26th May 2010
May 27, 2010 – 10:55 am
Posted in Academic Stuff, Activism, Crisis, Critical and Radical Pedagogy, Critical Education Policy Studies, Education, Education Activism, Education Cuts, Education Privatisation, Higher Education, Industrial Action, Meetings, News and Politics, Philosophy, Politics, Youth
Tagged Alex Callinicos, Fiona Fall, Jim Wolfreys, John Protevi, Michael Rosen, Middlesex Campaign, Middlesex University, Middlesex University Philosophy, Middlesex University Philosophy Campaign, Nina Power, Paul Gilroy, Peter Hallward, Peter Osborne, Philosophy, Philosophy Petition, Richard George, Todd May, UCU
Campaign update Wednesday 26 May 2010 (http://savemdxphil.com/)
1. John Protevi and Todd May have posted a petition calling for an international academic boycott of Middlesex University, http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/academic-boycott-of-middlesex-university.html. Several hundred well-placed people have already signed it, in the space of a few hours. Please spread the word about this, far & wide.
2. The poet Michael Rosen renounced his visiting professor at Middlesex today. He explained that “On account of the action of Middlesex University over the Philosophy Department, I would like to inform Professor Ahmad that I would like to renounce my visiting professorship. I do not wish to be a visiting professor at Middlesex University. Best wishes, Michael Rosen.”
3. This morning, professors Osborne and Hallward were denied managerial permission to attend an emergency meeting of their union, the UCU, scheduled for Friday 28 May. They were also denied permission to attend the UCU annual general meeting scheduled for next Wednesday, and a meeting of the University’s self-constituted Professors Group.
4. Collective pressure to greylist i.e. boycott Middlesex University is growing rapidly. The external examiners for the Middlesex Philosophy department have already announced their refusal to collaborate with next month’s assessment boards, and colleagues in other departments may soon follow suit. A boycott by external examiners will have a significant and immediate impact on the University.
5. Last Friday Middlesex management told the four suspended students that their hearings would take place this Friday 28 May at the Hendon campus. Fiona Fall, who will preside over the hearings, suddenly decided this morning that it would be ‘better for the students’ to hold the meeting at Trent Park instead, since it is their ‘home campus.’ The four students explained that they would nonetheless prefer for the hearing to go ahead at Hendon as originally planned. But Fiona Fall has made up her mind. ‘As my understanding is that a rally of support is being organised at Hendon,’ she told one of the students, ‘I have decided that Trent Park continues to be the best most calm place to hold the hearings for both students and the panel.’
5. Confirmed speakers for the rally at Hendon on Thursday 27 May from 4pm include Alex Callinicos (KCL), Richard George (Campaign for Better Transport; Plane Stupid), Paul Gilroy (LSE), Nina Power (Roehampton), Jim Wolfreys (UCU), among others. Please circulate the rally announcement and flyer (http://savemdxphil.com/) to everyone who might be sympathetic.
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Mitchell needs answers after Origin axing
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson hopes Latrell Mitchell gets an answer as to why he was stunningly axed from the NSW State of Origin side.
The superstar centre, as well as clubmate Angus Crichton, only found out they'd been punted by Blues coach Brad Fittler after the Roosters' 38-12 NRL win over Canterbury on Sunday.
Mitchell bagged two tries and kicked five goals in an 18-point performance for the premiers.
But it wasn't enough for Fittler, who described overlooking the 22-year-old - who only a month ago was branded the best player in the world - as the toughest decision of his Origin coaching career.
"I'm sure he's going to be back and I saw he scored a couple of tries today, but we want to set standards and expectations and I most probably didn't think he matched them in the first game," Fittler said on Sunday.
"That's the hardest thing I've had to do so far."
Robinson refused to be critical of Fittler or his right to pick whatever Blues team he liked, but said Mitchell and Crichton were both disappointed.
"And they're both men," Robinson said.
"They know that there is a fair bit of motivation for what they have both done so far in their careers at a young age and what they are going to get to.
"You can be slightly off and not be in a team and that is what's happened.
"I guess the only thing is a bit of clarity about why... it doesn't have to be this week, but knowing what they need to do and what they need to improve."
Fittler provided some clarity at his team naming on Sunday night, saying Mitchell needed to "work on his motivation" after failing to meet "expectations" and "standards" in NSW's series-opening loss to Queensland in Brisbane.
"His training was great (before game one). I didn't get that sign at all, but watching his footy for the Roosters and the game up at Suncorp, we most probably needed more energy, more input into the game," Fittler said.
"And that's why we've gone with someone that will give us more energy.
"Everyone wants to see Latrell play good. Everyone wants to see Latrell play for NSW and Australia. We want him back.
"But he's got to do a bit of hard work... If he's scoring tries you know he's not too far away.
"I hope he gets his smile and swagger back and it won't be too long before he is back playing rep footy."
Four Kids Found After 1,000km Road Trip & Alleged Petrol Drive-Off
UPDATE | The four missing children who...
Accused road-rager goes on a Sunday arvo rampage in Ipswich.
A man has been charged after he allegedly rammed...
NSW woman fights off man armed with knife
A man is behind bars after a woman woke to find a...
NSW club penalised after patron later died
A NSW club has come under fire after continuing to...
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← I Love Melvin, 1953, Is Playing on TCM on April 1 (USA)
Camille, 1936, Is Playing on TCM on April 3 and April 30 (USA) →
All the Brothers Were Valiant, 1953, Is Playing on TCM on April 3 (USA)
Posted on March 27, 2019 by giraffe44
All the Brothers Were Valiant, 1953, is playing on Turner Classic Movies on Wednesday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. est. Closed captioned. This film was very successful, bringing in $4,628,000.00 or $41,258,706.67 in today’s money.
Robert Taylor and Ann Blyth.
This film has quite a good story by Ben Ames Williams, which was competently brought to the screen. Robert Taylor is the “good” brother and Stewart Granger the “bad” one. Ann Blyth is the woman who marries Taylor thinking Granger is dead. Three years later Granger and Taylor would star in The Last Hunt with a reversal of roles: Granger as the “good” guy and Taylor the “bad”. There are two aspects of this film which create a strong impression:1)the destructive relationship between the brothers, which started in childhood with Granger always taking for himself Taylor’s toys. Now Granger wants to take away Taylor’s ship and also his wife. 2)How Granger is able to seduce Ann Blyth by making her think her husband is a coward. Blyth is a bit too “angelical” for her role, when you see the ship you have the feeling you are seeing a miniature on MGM’s tank, but both Granger and Taylor are excellent. Great entertainment. Review for the IMDB by tmwest from S Paolo, Brazil.
Here are some behind the scenes photos:
Left to right: Robert Taylor and Stewart Granger; Mr. Granger and Mr. Taylor; Mr. Taylor, Lewis Stone, Director Richard Thorpe.
Left to right: Dore Schary and Robert Taylor; Mr. Taylor, Ann Blyth and a guest; Messrs. Granger and Taylor with Jean Simmons.
Left to right: Joan Crawford and Robert Taylor; Richard Thorpe, Ms. Crawford, Ann Blyth, Mr. Taylor. The original caption for the first photo: Joan Crawford, returning to MGM for the first time in a number of years to star in Torch Song, visited an old friend, Robert Taylor, on his set.
About giraffe44
I became a Robert Taylor fan at the age of 15 when his TV show, "The Detectives" premiered. My mother wanted to watch it because she remembered Mr. Taylor from the thirties. I took one look and that was it. I spent the rest of my high school career watching Robert Taylor movies on late night TV, buying photos of him, making scrapbooks and being a typical teenager. College, marriage and career intervened. I remember being sad when Mr. Taylor died. I mailed two huge scrapbooks to Ursula Thiess. I hope she got them. Time passed, retirement, moving to Florida. Then in 2012 my husband Fred pointed that there were two Robert Taylor movies that evening on Turner Classic Movies--"Ivanhoe" and "Quentin Durward." I watched both and it happened all over again. I started this blog both for fans and for people who didn't know about Robert Taylor. As the blog passes 200,000 views I'm delighted that so many people have come by and hope it will help preserve the legacy of this fine actor and equally good man.
View all posts by giraffe44 →
This entry was posted in Films and tagged 1953, adventure, All the Brothers Were Valiant, Ann Blyth, Ben Ames Williams, entertainment, gentleman, Golden Era, hollywood, MGM, movie stars, Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, TCM, Turner Classic Movies. Bookmark the permalink.
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Tag Archives: Winnie the Pooh
Posted on June 12, 2012 by Sam S.
The Duchess of Whimsy: An Absolutely Delicious Fairy Tale by Randall de Sève and illustrated by Peter de Sève
Driving My Tractor by Jan Dobbins and David Sim
Firefighter Ted by Andrea Beaty and Pascal Lemaitre
Woe Is Moe by Diane Stanley and illustrated by Elise Primavera
Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever
Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day?
Goose Moon by Carolyn Arden and illustrated by Jim Postier
Doo-Wop Pop by Roni Schotter and illustrated by Bryan Collier
Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller
The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper and illustrated by Gabi Swiatowska
I Like To Be Little by Charlotte Zolotow and illustrated by Erik Blegvad
Touch The Moon by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Alix Berenzy
Choose Your Own Adventure: Help! You’re Shrinking! by Edward Packard and illustrated by Lorna Tomei
Ice Island by Sherry Shahan
The Time Warp Trio: It’s All Greek To Me by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith
Mystery Mansion by Michael Garland
Food For Thought: The Stories Behind The Things We Eat by Ken Robbins
The Winnie-The-Pooh Cookbook by Virginia H. Ellison and illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard
Sink The Bismarck: Germany’s Super-Battleship Of World War II by Tom McGowen
Marching To Appomattox: The Footrace That Ended The Civil War by Ken Stark
Secrets of The Garden: Food Chains And The Food Web In Our Backyard by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld and illustrated by Priscilla Lamont
How Did That Get In My Lunchbox? The Story Of Food by Chris Butterworth and illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti
Posted in Featured Items, Kids/Juvenile, New Items and tagged A. A. Milne, Alaska, Alix Berenzy, Andrea Beaty, Appomattox, Backyard fun, Battleships, Bryan Collier, Carolyn Arden, Charlotte Zolotow, Choose Your Own Adventure, Chris Butterworth, Cook book, David Sim, Delicious, Diane Stanley, Dogs, Dogsledding, Doo wop, Easy reading, Edward Packard, Elise Primavera, Erik Blegvad, Ernest H. Shepard, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Firefighters, Food chains, Food for thought, Food web, Gabi Swiatowska, Garden, Greeks, Horses, Iditarod, Ilene Cooper, Illustrations, Indians of North America, Jan Dobbins, Jim Postier, Jon Scieszka, Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld, Ken Stark, Lane Smith, Laurie Keller, Lorna Tomei, Lucia Gaggiotti, Magic, Marion Dane Bauer, Michael Garland, Military history, Mystery and detective stories, Non-Fiction, Pascal Lemaitre, Peter de Sève, Pop music, Pop!, Priscilla Lamont, Randall de Sève, Reading Is So Delicious!, Richard Scarry, Robert E. Lee, Roni Schotter, Sherry Shahan, Shrinking, The Bismarck, The Civil War, The golden rule, Time warp, Tom McGowen, Tractors, Ulysses S. Grant, United States History, Virginia H. Ellison, Whimsy, Winnie the Pooh, Woe, Words, World War II. Bookmark the permalink.
Reading material for 02/13/12:
Posted on February 13, 2012 by Sam S.
Some reading material from around the internet:
SeaWorld is being sued… by five of its “enslaved” killer whales.
Teens learn robotics as factories lack skilled workers.
Origami robots that run only on air.
RIP Whitney Houston.
Listen to Whitney Houston’s isolated vocal track from “How Will I Know?”
Sophisticated jewelry heist stumps Chicago cops.
Take a tour of NYC sewers on Valentine’s Day. Seriously.
California’s volcanoes to be monitored more closely.
34% of people aged 25 to 29 years old have moved back home.
The Pentagon to lift some restrictions on women in combat.
Social media explained.
Amazon tries out the brick and mortar approach.
Google might open a store too.
How to improve your odds in online dating.
The FBI file on Steve Jobs.
The man behind the fake Cormac McCarthy twitter account.
Do you want to open up a perpetual, invisible window into your gmail?
Also, men don’t read online dating profiles.
Stephen Fry says that British judges don’t understand twitter.
Arguing for a Zuckerberg tax.
Mad Men: a guide to catching up before season 5, which starts next month.
Also, Thomas Jane was almost Don Draper.
Natalie Portman to join both of Terrence Malick’s upcoming films.
Naomi Watts to play Princess Diana.
Roger Ebert says 3D is killing Hollywood.
It looks like House will be coming to an end in May with the conclusion of its 8th season.
George Lucas says Han never shot first.
Amy Adams to adapt Steven Martin’s An Object Of Beauty.
Anton Corbijn to adapt John Le Carré’s A Most Wanted Man, which will star Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Navy SEALs moonlight as movie stars.
The trailer for The Bourne Legacy.
In the picture above: 15,000 different books about Abraham Lincoln arranged together to form a three story tower in the lobby of the Ford’s Theater Center for Education and Leadership.
What Dr. Seuss books were really about.
William Gibson on aging futurism.
10 of the greatest kisses in literature.
A neurodevelopmental perspective on A. A. Milne.
The top 10 Batman storylines.
Charles Dickens and Sinclair Lewis.
A list of ridiculous names in Charles Dickens novels (incomplete).
Jeffrey Zaslow, the man who wrote the recent Gabrielle Giffords book and the Chesley “Sully” Sullenberg, died on Friday.
Michael Chabon talks about his new short story.
Books that will change the way you think about love.
This is a very cool site: Better Book Titles.
from here.
How black lights work.
Legacy of nuclear drilling site in Colorado still lingers.
Entire genome of extinct human decoded from fossil.
Can bees make tupperware?
10 things you probably didn’t know about love and sex.
Metaphors trigger the visual parts of your brain.
The psychedelic cult that thrived for nearly 2000 years.
Greek protesters setting Athens aflame.
The world’s tallest hotel is, of course, in Dubai.
Why being sleepy and drunk is great for creativity.
Previous online reading material:
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Tuesday Romance Reads For You To Devour – 11/1
Kindled
by Jade Kerrion
Click here for all available retailers >>
Nicholas Dragov, a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, is the bad boy of ballet. On stage, his grand jeté defies the laws of physics and gravity. Off stage, he lavishes money on fast cars and fast women. His small-town roots are abandoned in the past, until a career-ending injury traps him back home, in the care of the woman who broke his heart.
Marisa Chantilly was Nicholas’s first dance partner, but he alone made it onto the world stage. In the eight years that passed, she married, became pregnant, became a widow, and became a mother. Now, Nicholas is home, his beautiful body broken, and his attitude darker and deeper than a volcanic crater. A massage therapist, she knows how to work with sports injuries, but no amount of training or professionalism can help her endure the man who abandoned her when she needed him most.
Spicy Christmas Kisses 2
Nine MORE Romances to Heat up Your Holidays!
Readers loved last year’s set so much, we decided to do it again and bring you NINE spicy romances set around the holidays. From bestselling, award-winning and multi-published authors come romances that include friends to lovers, doggie matchmakers, single dads, hero-in-hiding, maybe baby, reunited lovers and more!
So grab your romantic Christmas set today, settle in with a mug of something delish and feel the heat from Spicy Christmas Kisses 2!
BY Katalina Leon
A second chance at love shines brighter against a Dark Sky.
Calling a tow-truck has never been so sexy…
Avery has always had a crush on her big brother’s best friend, Severin but a dark secret tore them apart. Severin’s determined to turn his life around and be the man Avery’s always wanted.
by Chris Keniston
Welcome to Farraday Country, a twist on the favorite 7 Brides for 7 Brothers theme set in cattle-ranching west Texas, with all the friends, family and fun that fans have come to expect from USA TODAY Bestselling author Chris Keniston.
On a barren road in the pre-dawn hours, Adam Farraday, the oldest of seven siblings, happens upon a disabled sports car and an angel in white searching for a disappearing dog. What is it about this secretive redheaded beauty that intrigues him as no woman has before?
After learning her fiancé’s true nature minutes before her wedding, Meg O’Brien drives as fast and as far away from her world as she can. Stranded with no money, and nowhere to go, the city girl must learn to fit in to small town life and all its quirky trappings. Too bad falling in love with her handsome rescuer is not an option.
More Books in the Farraday Country Series:
Brooks – Book 2
Connor – Book 3
Declan – Book 4 – Coming November 2016
Ethan – Book 5 – Coming December 2016
Finn – Book 6 – Coming January 2017
Grace – Book 7 – Coming February 2017
The Southern Gentleman: Protective Instinct
by Sweden Reese
In the pulse-pounding style of New York Times bestsellers Maya Banks and Lexi Blake comes a new romantic suspense series about sex, politics and scandal…
When a shadowy group intent on stealing the U.S. presidential election targets a leading candidate’s daughter, jaded professional fixer Nolan Jackson is hired to safely escort her across the country to a star-studded Election Eve event. There’s only one problem: She’s ditched the campaign and disappeared… A southern gentleman who likes fast cars, deadly weapons and total control, Nolan is used to winning at all costs. Except in love. Yet, he’ll soon find himself irresistibly drawn to the candidate’s beautiful, naïve daughter.
Sheltered heiress Lola Randall has always played it safe. Now she’s gone rogue. After escaping the media spotlight and her overbearing parents, the last thing she needs in her life is an alpha male. But when Nolan shows her how good it can feel to relinquish control, she begins to secretly crave his domination. Now, she must choose between her independence and falling in love. Because Nolan is determined to win her heart and nail the bad guys before the opposition finds a way to steal the White House.
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Meet the winners for 2010
The Rory Peck Awards 2010 honoured the work of freelance cameramen and camerawomen in news and current affairs. They were hosted by Julie Etchingham of the BBC and Al Jazeera's Rageh Omaar, at London's BFI Southbank. With a talented and courageous roster of finalists, we're pleased to announce the winners...
The 2010 winners
Rory Peck Award for Features
This award honours the work of freelance cameramen and women in news and current affairs features: in-depth pieces which look beyond the immediacy of a news story. Maximum duration 60 minutes.
Winner: Najibullah Quraishi
October-November 2009 Afghanistan
"He had amazingly open access to the group - we see them fighting, making bombs, making mistakes - all the while appearing quite natural. They obviously had a level of trust with the filmmaker."
Read more on this winner
Rory Peck Award for News
This award honours the work of freelance cameramen and women in the coverage of a news event where the focus is immediacy of the story. Agency rushes / un-voiced pieces are accepted in this category. Maximum duration 10 minutes.
Winner: Roger Arnold
Red Shirts Protest
April - May 2010 Thailand
"As you would expect from a photojournalist, the photography is fantastic. And he was everywhere! He showed initiative and courage; he covered the story from all angles, from all locations - you couldn't ask for more."
Martin Adler Prize 2010
The Martin Adler Prize honours a freelancer who has told, or played a vital part in telling a significant news story. The Prize is intended to raise awareness of the value of the recipient's work and help them to progress their career. The recipient may be a freelance cameraman or camerawoman, or the person who they have depended upon in the field; for example, a fixer, driver or local journalist
Arturo Perez is a freelancer who covers the bloody drugs war in Mexico's most violent city of Ciudad Juarez. He took the bold decision to base himself there in 2008 as the wave of violence, sparked by drug wars, started to engulf the city.
Read more Sponsored by
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The Trials of Andrew Jean-Baptiste
July 16, 2013 EditorialAndrew Jean-BaptisteKevin
I’ll begin with the moment that we’re probably all thinking of: an injury-time header against last years MLS Cup champions, a team who thoroughly out-classed the Timbers on their last visit to Jeld-Wen in a 5-3 rout that saw the Galaxy net 4 in 9 minutes and then coast through the next 60 minutes at a canter. Andrew Jean-Baptiste was a stalwart on defense all through the game, showing again how he could handle Keane and Zardes with his strength, speed, awareness, and presence. ESPN’s match summary reads…
Once again, stoppage time wasn’t kind to the Galaxy, as Portland stunned the champs with a late goal. L.A.’s veteran back line wasn’t to blame this time, either. Instead, it was youngster Gyasi Zardes who was victimized by Jean-Baptiste.
Funny that Jean-Baptiste and Zardes are both 21, but only one is a youngster. This is perhaps accurate though, he has been learning, changing, improving in leaps since he was drafted at the beginning of 2012.
06/19/2013 At LA
Here he is paired with Pa Modou Kah for the Gambian’s first start, and one could be forgiven for worrying that this debut pairing would look like his debut with Silvestre against NY at home. Instead and the two of them looked near-unbeatable. His speed kept him blocking the counter-attacking passing lanes that LA have exploited for years, he blocked runs, his deft touch nicking the ball from Robbie Keane in style. Jean-Baptiste and Kah held a Donovan, a Keane, and a blazingly fast Zardes all on the field and the Timbers looked, except for two sharp shots on goal, in safe hands. Keane is nothing if not quick and clever in both drawing penalties and sneaking behind or in front of defenders, ghosting free to link up with Donovan but neither of those happened in LA. We were all left to wonder if this centerback pairing may look like the future of the Timbers backline that had seen 3 futures already this season.
05/08/2013 At Dallas
In Dallas and Jean-Baptiste is paired with Futty, replacing David Horst, gone for the season with an ACL tear, doing admirably. Small errors here and here, but steady and solid until the 75 minute, when he yanks the jersey of Blas Perez, who begins to fall. Jean-Baptiste inexplicably tries to hold him by his jersey. If you watch the replay, Perez is leaning back away from him and Jean-Baptiste is whipping him around 180 degrees, trying to hold him upright. Whether he thought Perez was going to slip behind if he let go or if he worried he’d have a penalty called if Perez hit the ground, a more seasoned defender would have let him go earlier. He did not, Juan Guzman gives him a yellow and a penalty, Kenny Cooper slots in the penalty, and the Timbers walk out of Dallas with a single point instead of three. Perhaps he’s not directly at fault, but he’s implicated, and for a defender such an implication is not a good thing.
03/16/2013 At Seattle
In Seattle, there he is in the 15th minute, paired with Silvestre because David Horst is still injured, bumping Eddie Johnson from behind, sprinting to catch him after Silvestre steps too far forward and Johnson finds a clear path into the empty box with only Jean-Baptiste in any position to defend. He’s lucky to not be sent off, the Timbers are lucky to not give up a second goal on a dangerous free kick. In the stands we groan and worry. It’s a tactical foul, and one done prudently, but it’s naked enough to referee that it’s dangerous, the sort of thing that can lead to a red with an uncharitable referee and leave a team 75 minutes to try to catch up a man down. And then there he is again, redemptive: in injury time, with a delicate cross into the box 10 yards out that Rodney Wallace tucks into the corner with his head and silences most of CenturyLink, leaving the visitors all alone in the empty cavernous 300’s singing.
02/17/2013 Preseason San Jose
Barely 2 minutes in, here he is with his left arm ever so slightly out-stretched as he tries to mark Mike Fucito, who misdirects a first time cross into the aforementioned arm. Just like the end of the season in 2012, Wondolowski tucks the penalty away in front of the North End. Two minutes later Ryan Johnson loops a glancing header over Jon Busch. Jean-Baptiste runs the length of the field to embrace him. I wonder, watching as I am alone from a conference room in Texas, whether he’ll be off on loan again, assessed as not quite ready for MLS for another year yet.
10/29/2012 San Jose
Here he is back after his loan spell at LA Blues, for his first start since the season opener against Philadelphia, bookending the promise of the beginning of the season with a promise of the next season. San Jose is in punishing form, Supporters Shield winners already, Lenhart and Gordon imposing their physicality, throwing themselves into defenders fearlessly and somehow still controlling deft flicks to one another and Wondolowski. ESPN is watching this game because Wondolowski is chasing Roy Lassiters record for most goals in a season and the porous Timbers defense looks like the backdrop for a record-setting. Wondo has 26, Lassiter 27. And then there is Jean-Baptiste, 6’2, 210 pounds, punishing Lenhart, blocking out Wondolowski, chasing back, logging 20 clearances against a team that played almost exclusively in the air. His passing and distribution are varied and intelligent, his speed and strength plainly obvious. He looks like the future and he looks as if he might be given the chance to be so.
03/03/2012 Philly
There he is in the 51st minute, watching Gabriel Gomez’s free kick sail towards him, tick off of his head in a half-hearted attempt at a clearance, then turning to watch it fly past Troy Perkins. Originally recorded as an own goal, it was given to Gomez, mercifully. And then, again, there he is 3 minutes later meeting a free-kick with a perfectly timed leap and guiding it to the far post where it sneaks under Zac Macmath on the wet turf of Portland in March. And that’s the thing of Andrew Jean-Baptiste: his mistakes are almost always followed by his redemptions. We don’t see this that year though, Baptiste goes to the LA Blues for further development, not to return until the end of the season, Mosquera, Horst, and Futty preferred for the rest of the season. Perhaps it was that initial error or perhaps that was the plan all along, but the pattern one can see there in his first start is the pattern one can see again and again, a learning mistake and a fiery focus born of the need to make amends.
From my limited experience here is how it goes as a defender: you make painful errors that lose your teams points and pride and faith in you and then you have two options: to center, focus, redouble your efforts and carry on, or shrink from the job and vanish. Strikers can score once or twice to retain their place, defenders need but err once or twice to lose theirs. He’s not immune to errors and until very recently he was quietly dreaded for them as much as his raw talent was admired, but as we see more of him, we can he has that tenacious absolute drive that seems to snap him into the right places in games, making crucial blocks and clearances, delivering passes, slipping away from his marker to catch a header.
According to a Merritt Paulson tweet last year, Andrew Jean-Baptiste is the second fastest man on the team, second only to Nagbe. For a man built like a linebacker or rugby player this is no small talent but that is all that is, a talent. That talent though, seems to be matched by a growing intelligence, confidence, and ability to shape not only a backline but a game. I have a theory as to why this seems to be happening so quickly. The thing of the Porter Timbers is that their style and objectives, defined with the kind of clear-eyed conciseness that Porter displays everywhere, allow players to learn and grow because there is a sense of how things are probably going to be that limits the number of wrong moves the team will make or an individual will make within the team. “Style is in limitation” as Helenio Herrera said. The Ricketts of 2012 and Ricketts of now, the Nagbe, the Rodney Wallace. None of these players looked confident in their system, where their team-mates would be, how to anticipate the number of myriad ways things could and would go wrong. With a system, with a style, you have a basis for growth and so you see these players, the younger players in particular, growing and blossoming together, becoming better because they have a structure and confidence in one another in which to learn. And so Andrew Jean-Baptiste goes from a promising player out on loan to now a promising solid defender in the backline, and after Saturdays game, the catalyst of an indelibly ecstatic memory. Will he err again? Almost certainly, but if there’s one thing we can have learned from watching him thus far, it’s that he’ll make amends with all the speed he can muster.
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3 thoughts on “The Trials of Andrew Jean-Baptiste”
Kevin Alexander says:
An unexpected benefit of our bad luck in defense is that Jean-Baptiste has probably gotten more games than he would’ve done if things had gone according to plan. He’s still raw, but I think the point you make about his ability to come back stronger from setbacks is key. He’s got a good coach working on him, and he gets to work with/talk to the likes of Kah and Silvestre, who can mentor him and give him the benefit of years of soccer at high levels, but all that would be for nothing if he crumbled or hid after making a mistake because without that character, you’ll never be a player that can relied on when the pressure is on and a trophy are on the line.
martinifarmer says:
What impresses me most about AJB is how coachable he appears to be. There was a point in Saturday’s game when he tried to clear the ball during one of LA’s build ups, but ended up heading it straight to Keane. After the ball was finally cleared, you could see Ricketts animatedly giving AJB some very strong feedback that heading the ball directly to Robbie Keane was not his preferred method of clearance. Some guys would have shut down after getting yelled at by a teammate in the heat of the game, but AJB handles this sort of in-game coaching very well. He responds positively and keeps improving.
Really loved the article plotting AJB’s development as a professional center back. I’ve been thinking the same thing. Similar to Rodney Wallace where many of us have gone from worry to skepticism to cautious optimism to really missing the guy when he gets called up by Costa Rica, AJB has been one of the best surprises of 2013.
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Enterprise Mozilla: Try these handy Mozilla tools
There's more to Mozilla than meets the eye. In this article, expert Nigel McFarlane drills into the Mozilla Application Suite and comes up with some great tools for enterprise IT shops.
Nigel McFarlane
We're so used to the big-buttons user interface of Mozilla that driving the Mozilla browser or the platform by any other means seems odd, at least. The trouble is that those big buttons don't offer much flexibility. With this quick guide to Mozilla tools, you'll discover how to get more out of Mozilla Application Suite on enterprise Linux.
The Mozilla Application Suite includes the releases of Mozilla that contain the browser, e-mail, composer and other apps. The latest release is 1.6. You can find the same functionality in the standalone browser and e-mailer, except the menu options and file names are slightly different. Every Mozilla application contains the Mozilla platform.
First, you can drive the platform from the command line. To stop the platform from displaying the browser (the default), use the "-chrome" option (try "mozilla -help", one minus only). That means using this syntax:
mozilla -chrome URL
It does not include:
mozilla URL
The URL part can be modified. Mozilla supports the "resource:" and the "chrome:" URL schemes as well as "http:", "ftp:", "file:" and "email:".
The "resource:" scheme is like "file:", except it is relative to the top of the Mozilla install area; that's usually the same as "$MOZILLA_FIVE_HOME" or "dirname 'type mozilla'". The "chrome:" scheme usually maps to the "resource:/chrome" directory, but it really describes a specific application that has been registered with the platform. So "mozilla -chrome chrome://navigator/content/navigator.xul" is the same as plain "mozilla".
Recall that "Navigator" is the old name for the Netscape browser. You can also strip the browser away from plain HTML:
mozilla -chrome file:///tmp/test.html
Try these all out. Every window that can be displayed from the standard set of menus can also be displayed from the command line using "some chrome: URL". As a final eye-stretching test, try:
mozilla chrome://navigator/content/navigator.xul
Note that the "-chrome" option is missing, so this command displays the browser window inside, well, another browser window. Examine the weird window that results: Both nested browsers still work.
Mozilla also supports .jar files. These are in pkzip format, which can be read with the Unix tools unzip/zip (not gunzip/gzip). The chrome area is full of .jar files, because they're a convenient and space-saving way to package a Mozilla application. Be aware that the order of files in such .jar archives is sometimes important and shouldn't be changed. There's no Java at work here, by the way. Mozilla supports the "jar:" scheme for viewing files in .jar archives, but you can't use that from the command line for security reasons. It's easier to copy those files to /tmp and unpack them yourself with unzip. Use any text editor to view all files that aren't images.
Finally, the DOM Inspector and JavaScript Debugger are two powerful diagnostic tools that work equally well with Web pages and with Mozilla applications. Both are bundled with the standard Mozilla Application Suite.
The DOM Inspector lays open the content and layout of an XML document. From the Inspector, choose "File|Inspect a window" and pick any Mozilla window currently open. Down on the left-hand side of the Inspector, the full XML hierarchy of that window is displayed, both XUL and HTML.
Try it on this page. The JavaScript Debugger gives you control over JavaScript scripts. In any JavaScript code, add this statement:
debugger;
After the document containing the script loads and that line of code is reached, the debugger is started. Use the big buttons at the top of the debugger to continue loading the page from that point on.
There's a great deal to explore in Mozilla, and this article just scratches the surface. Have a poke around in the chrome directory and see what you can find.
About the author: Nigel McFarlane is a programmer, as well as a science and technology writer and analyst. He is the author of several books on IT, including the recently published Rapid Application Development with Mozilla from Prentice Hall PTR. He is also the author of many articles on the Web, XML and JavaScript, and other technologies. His writing has appeared in many publications.
Got questions about Mozilla or Web and software development? Ask Nigel McFarlane.
Find out about differences between Mozilla on Windows and Linux.
Try these handy Mozilla tools on your Linux system – SearchDataCenter
Re-branding Mozilla – SearchDataCenter
Mozilla patches 11 Firefox security flaws, JavaScript... – SearchSecurity
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House of Lazarus Programmes and Services
Click here for the link to the House of Lazarus website.
We serve a client base of about 300 families made up of roughly 496 adults and 335 children.
Food Allowance
The monthly allowance of food items is distributed based on the number of people in a family.
Toiletry Allowance
When stock is available, there is a monthly allowance per family of 4 toiletry items (shampoo, body wash, deodorant, etc) and 2 bars of soap.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 January 2017 09:24
Written by Chris Morgan
Last Updated on Saturday, 30 December 2017 15:30
Welcome to the Seaway Valley Presbytery Website
Seaway Valley Presbytery is part of the Montreal and Ottawa Conference of The United Church of Canada. Geographically, it is situated in south-east Ontario bounded in the west by a line running from Easton's Corners to Manhard and Prescott and east to the Quebec border in a block bounded roughly by Highway 43 in the north and The Saint Lawrence Seaway in the south. At the eastern end, the boundary runs north along Highway 138 to Riceville and Pendleton and east from there to Cassburn. All told, there are currently 24 charges or other ministries in the Presbytery. A number of these are multi-point. The bulk of these are rural or small town. The only city charge is in Cornwall.
Le consistoire Seaway Valley fait parti de synode Montréal et Ottawa de l'église unis du Canada. Il est situé au sud-est d'Ontario délimiter à l'ouest par une ligne entre Easton's Corners et Manhard et Prescott et à l'est à la frontière du Québec entre à peu près la route 43 au nord et la voie maritime du Saint-Laurent au sud. Vers l'est la frontière de consistoire nord s'ètend le long de la route 138 à Riceville et Pendleton et à l'est vers Cassburn. Il y a 24 paroisses dans le consistoire. Un certain nombre d'entre eux sont des paroisses multipoints. La plupart d'entre eux sont des zones rurales ou des petites villes. La seule grande ville est Cornwall.
Last Updated on Thursday, 22 September 2016 08:15
Seaway Valley Presbytery Map
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Seeing Is Believing 9/22: New Nas, Ne-Yo, R. Kelly, & More Vids!
On today’s vid’s…
Nas says “Ya’ll My Niggas”
Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx, & Fab make somethin for the “Independent Misses”
R. Kelly drops a new video
Ryan Leslie, Fab & Cassie talk about “Addictions”
Nas – Yall My Niggas
New video for “Yall My Niggas” off the controversial album Untitled. I’m liking this video, big ups to Nas for keeping the music and the visuals powerful!
Kids in the Hall feat. Estelle – Love Hangover
Love Hangover – Kidz in the Hall feat Estelle
Second single off The In Crowd. Kidz In The Hall is pretty dope, dont sleep on these dudes!
Ne-Yo feat. Jamie Foxx & Fabolous – She Got Her Own (Miss Independent Remix)
The remix to Ne-Yo’s current single “Miss Independent”. This joint features Jamie Foxx & Fabolous, nice track & vid.
R. Kelly – Skin
Second single off 12 Play: Fourth Quarter. R. Kelly’s latest attempt to get his career back on track. If you missed the BET interview with Kellz, click here.
Ryan Leslie feat. Fabolous & Cassie – Addiction (Alternate Version)
An alternate version of Ryan Leslie’s single “Addiction” with Fab & the lovely Cassie. The song is the same, but the video is different, by the way, where is Cassie?
« Girls, Girls, Girls: Chick of the Week 9/22 – Jessica Lucas Dope or Nope 9/23: New Busta & Lupe Joints! »
Date : September 22, 2008
Tags: Cassie, Fabolous, Jamie Foxx, NaS, Ne-Yo, R. Kelly
Categories : Hip Hop, Music Videos, R&B
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ShakelaTheWriter
Tag: university
Mantelpiece
On January 9, 2017 August 6, 2017 By ShakelaIn poems1 Comment
She put me on her mantelpiece,
a place I could watch the world –
Her world.
I’ve watched her through her happy days,
and sleep through thunder and hail.
She sang sometimes
and even cried.
Sometimes she shouted, but
That was alright.
all those years ago.
Her loving eyes poured into me,
moments where I’d hold my breath,
and trace the new lines on her face
and new pendant around her neck.
She left one day,
a sunny day,
and she didn’t come back home.
Her parents packed,
boxed up the flat,
until her room became a place
I couldn’t call home.
Still, she put me on the mantelpiece,
a place I could watch the world.
She left me on the mantelpiece,
Shift (3/4)
On June 12, 2016 August 6, 2017 By ShakelaIn City of Echoes (short story collection), storiesLeave a comment
Coffee and conversations. Laughs and tears. I access human interaction, while wiping down drink stains, crumbs, and fingerprints. I also have access to many cups of cold beverages. I dispose of them in bins, standing around the perimeter of the shop, which everyone can access themselves.
….‘Maybe we are technology. We’re machinery of a different kind, made of organic matter rather than plastic and motherboards.’ The students pack their books into their bags, and get up to leave. Thankfully, they put their cups into the bin. I wipe the spot they sat in, next to the window.
….A man, one of the regulars, possibly a writer, sits further along the window table, reading through his scribbles in a brown book. Our eyes meet momentarily, then he continues to read the hieroglyphics. I could be the next major character in his work. Several customers sit alone, reading novels or typing into their tablets, sipping away at their coffee.
….I go over to the area where the clean napkins and packs of sugar are stacked. Crystalline granules create a constellation on the wooden surface, before my cloth swoops down to destroy it.
….Two women sit close by, a younger one and an older one.
….‘This is serious. How do you think it’ll go?’ says the older woman.
….‘Well, it’s in an hour. I just hope it all works out.’ The younger woman clasps her fingers around her cup, like a clamshell.
….I get some more napkins out of the cupboard below, and refill the holder.
….‘I’m sure it will. You’ve dressed well for it. Everything starts with appearances.’
….‘What if it’s a no? No one can help if it’s a no. It’ll be over. Not even my good shoes will save me, despite what people say.’ The younger woman closes her eyes and begins to take some deep breaths for a few seconds.
….The older woman looks around, probably checking if anyone is listening. She sees me. ‘Could I get one of those, please?’ she asks. I smile, handing her a napkin. She turns back to the other woman. ‘Dear, you’re being a little dramatic now.’
….The younger woman becomes quiet, probably on the verge of tears. Talk about coffee shop drama. She picks up her handbag, and gets up. ‘I think it’s time I made my way there,’ she says.
….The older woman sits there, drinking the rest of her coffee. The other woman left her cup on the table.
….Someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn around. It’s Thomas. He flashes a grin at me. ‘Are you going to stand there all day, gaping at stupid packets of sugar?’
….‘Hello to you, too. I wasn’t gaping.’
….‘Honey, you should just work here full-time and you can stare at all the sugar you want,’ he teases.
….I take my apron off, and get my jacket from the back. I say bye to everyone still working their shifts. I make my way to the door, grabbing the cup left behind by the woman and throw it away.
….As I walk away from the shop, I see the younger woman waiting at the bus stop, on the other side of the road. I continue walking, another stranger on the street.
Interlude (2/4)
On June 5, 2016 August 6, 2017 By ShakelaIn City of Echoes (short story collection), storiesLeave a comment
The curtain came down.
….Light was restored in the auditorium, and the low humming in the air dissolved into chatter and the shuffling of people moving from their seats. The swinging, double doors brought the smell of popcorn and sugary sweetness through them. Katherine took in a deep breath, letting her tastebuds revel in a sugar crazed frenzy.
….She turned to face James, who gripped his armrests tightly. In his chair, he seemed to be bracing himself inside a NASA rocket ship, ready to take off.
….‘How did you like that?’ Katherine asked. James seemed to snap out of his little rocket ship role-play, become reanimated, and adjusted the beanie on his head. He took in a deep breath. Katherine waited.
….‘Yeah. That was something.’
….‘We’ve had this conversation, James. If you don’t like theatre, then you don’t have to come.’ She waved her hands towards the stage, ‘I have friends who would love to come and watch this.’
….‘Don’t see the problem here, Kat. You’re always saying “try something new” – so here I am, trying something new.’
….She took a mirror out of her clutch bag, flashed her teeth in it, then brushed the blond hairs framing her face with her fingers. James’s phone beeped beside her.
….An elderly couple sat in the row in front of them, chuckling vivaciously, enjoying a wonderful evening together at the theatre.
….She armed herself with her Chanel lipstick and began recoating her lips in a fresh layer of colour. Satisfied, she put everything back into her bag, and sat limply in her chair.
….Now, the elderly couple leaned closer to one another, probably chatting intensely about the play.
….‘So… what did you make of the strong female cast? I love seeing powerful women on stage,’ Katherine said.
….James’s phone beeped again. The screen of death appeared on his iPhone. Score: 45. His thumb hovered over the play again button.
….‘You can score higher than that, James,’ she said.
….‘Yeah, almost beat my high score.’
….‘The one I set.’ Katherine stared at him. ‘The female cast?’
….‘They were good… Weren’t women always powerful?’ he asked, picking at his phone case with his fingernail.
….If they were, the world wouldn’t be this way. Katherine fiddled with her fingers, as he scanned her face. He sat back, and faced the stage.
….‘When’s all this going to be over?’ he said.
….‘I’m beginning to ask the same question myself.’
////‘Huh?’
….She sighed. Katherine pointed to James’s phone. He flashed the screen at her.
….‘The play begins in about ten minutes, or so,’ she said.
….‘Oh. Want a drink?’
….Katherine shook her head in response.
….‘Then I’m off.’ Like a NASA rocket, he blasted off, down the aisle, and out the double doors. The flow of people moving in and out through them sent wafts of warm air flying around the room.
….Alone, Katherine glanced around the auditorium. She repeated the mirror checking routine again: hair, teeth, and lipstick. The elderly couple continued their deep conversation. She leaned forward in her chair.
….‘But, the whole concept of acting is quite peculiar, don’t you think?’ the old woman said, pushing her gold-rimmed spectacles up her nose. ‘We watch actors perform the real in a fake setting.’
….The man contemplated this, rubbing his beard.
….Katherine picked her mirror up, again. It reflected everything behind her – rows and rows of seats going up like a set of stairs. The people at the top scurried around like ants, zigzagging across the rows.
….‘What’s fake? Us or them?’ she whispered.
….James plopped down into his chair, a cup of ice cream in his hands. She dropped the mirror on the floor.
….‘Hey, where’s my ice cream?’ She pouted. James licked his tiny spoon.
….‘You didn’t say you wanted any.’
….‘You asked if I wanted a drink!’ Several heads turned to look at her.
….Light faded from the auditorium, and the curtain lifted up. The double doors stopped swinging, and a hush fell over the audience. Katherine shuffled around in her chair, trying to locate the mirror. James poked her arm.
….‘Shh, it’s starting again,’ he said, then continued to lick ice cream off the spoon.
Story number two from the City of Echoes collection
Echoes (1/4)
On May 29, 2016 August 6, 2017 By ShakelaIn City of Echoes (short story collection), storiesLeave a comment
Law fumbled with his keys, as he locked the door to his flat. Down the corridor, the building’s cleaner, Ember, paused from her work in his presence, briefly looking up from the floor that would never look clean. Every morning the low buzzing and humming of her Henry would fill the corridors, as the rest of the building’s residents began to stir from their sleep. Her movements and rattling, floor by floor, had become a constant in the background noise. She was a kind of security: she existed within the fabric of the walls, peeling corridors and stained carpets. She would still be here long after she was meant to be gone.
….And so would the big black bins downstairs, with their mountain of junk growing outside, rather than inside, of them. Black bags, on the mountain’s side, slouched against the ground, gutted open, oozing intestinal household waste and drugs. Sometimes Ember would sift through the junkyard, before leaving it in a state more or less the same as when she had first got there.
….‘Good mornin’, Mr. Law,’ she said, after a few seconds. She had that edge in her voice that was present in all the teenagers living on the council estate across the road. Law was thankful he could speak like a decent Londoner. His cheeks flushed at having standing too long outside his door and having an observer watch his battle with the lock.
….Law went to Costa, and got himself a cup of filter coffee and buttery crumpets. He sat down with his journal, by the shop window, and flicked through the pages. He reminisced on the days he spent wandering the city and its streets.
….Once he took a walk through Hyde Park. The grass was tall in some places, so he stepped carefully, to avoid finding himself stuck knee deep in it. Sometimes he stood still and watched as the wind blew across it, creating ripples and waves, like a breathing ocean, or a Mexican wave. The soft rippling effect looked like it was emanating from a source – a point where a stone entered the water in a pond.
….This choreography repeated itself over and over again. These actions in nature were copies of one another: the grass behaved like water in the wind, and not like grass at all.
….Everyone seemed to be around that day. Like a river, they cascaded past him on the footpath. They moved beyond him, beyond his vision… beyond his page.
….Law devoured his crumpets, and continued reading through several pages of his journal.
….At Marylebone Station, schools of people emerged from London’s tunnel network, and deposited themselves at the top of the escalator in regular intervals. It was another repetitious occurrence in the city. A cycle, a pattern, just like the ripples in the grass. London lived and breathed the same way everyday, in a constant loop: churning people out of the ground and transporting them on boxes with wheels.
….Law drank the rest of his coffee, and left Costa. He decided to take the Tube around the city.
….On the Tube, he stood his back up against the glass, opposite the rows of seats, and watched people shuffling around in the door windows. Some of their heads elongated and stretched out, as the window curved inward around the top. A couple sat silently for a while. They seemed bored in each other’s company.
….Every few minutes, the lady fixed her short hair in a little mirror, and checked her teeth. Her male counterpart spread his arms and legs out to his comfort, invading the space of other Londoners sitting near them.
….They dressed well. The lady dressed formally, wearing an expensive looking coat, giving off the impression she had just walked out of her office, in Canary Wharf. The man, on the other hand, dressed casual, opting for a coordinated theme: white t-shirt, black biker jacket, black trousers, and white Nikes. A beanie sat on his head, with a curl of brown hair styled up at the front.
….In the window, Law imitated the man, pushing his hair to the side with his fingers. But, his straight hair fell flat and he gave up.
….Law consulted a diagram of the London Underground, next to an advertisement about popular TV box sets, that the whole nation was buying. He used a pointed finger to trace out several train routes. Then, he hopped off of the Tube at the next station.
The shiny, tall buildings, in Canary Wharf, loomed over Law. Light tickled on the surface of these buildings, like a sunset on the ocean. The city was empty here, at this time, save for a few people. The lone clacking of someone’s heel on the pavement bounced in the air, on the dome entrance of the station, and on the glass that held J. P. Morgan together. There was something about an abandoned city that was appealing.
….Law stood there, letting the echoes – sounds, reflections, copies that radiated from their source – float around in his head. The clacking faded away. Then it all clicked. He took out his journal, and drew circles and spirals that collided into each other. In the centre of them, he wrote:
….We’re all echoes in this city. We pass and go through life, leaving a tiny trace of ourselves behind when we’re gone.
Law got back to his building in the early hours of the next day. In the lift, he found a black hat on the floor, and put it on his head. He adjusted the hat, as he approached his front door.
….Down the corridor, a door creaked open. Ember came out. She walked towards him, as he fumbled with his keys and lock.
….‘Goodnight,’ she whispered, as she went past. Law tasted the alcohol in her breath. The lift doors opened, and she seemed to disappear into the walls of the building.
….As he entered his flat, Law pictured Ember with her Henry, rattling and humming, floor by floor, as the rest of the residents began to wake up, just as he began to fall asleep.
Thank you for reaching the end of this story! I feel like I’ve achieved so much by writing it. It’s the first story of four that I wrote for an assignment – the whole collection is called City of Echoes. The next story will be up next week – stay tuned! x
The Universe & I
On May 24, 2015 August 6, 2017 By ShakelaIn stories2 Comments
I scream at the sky. I know my voice merely tickles the universe. It has no strength to create ripples, like the ones you’d see in a little garden pond.
Unlike me and my puny little scream, the stars show off their existence through their burning souls. They merge with the beauty of the darkness, their home. They create the coldest warmth that I long for. Or is it the warmest cold?
The Sun is a volcanic dragon, spitting her embers and secrets away. Secrets that cannot reach me. Secrets that can’t be kept. Sun can’t hold her tears in any longer and my voice cannot reach her and reassure her. Sun, I want you to stay.
I sense laughter from a distant galaxy. Beautiful radiation, please stain me. If a supernova gets too close, I will let it tattoo my skin with impossible colours, that are too real to be on Earth.
I want the stars and universe to scar me with their secrets and their lies. I wonder if they can see me: my wide, curious eyes gazing from a little window at night.
Moon looks like a pearl – raw and iridescent. I don’t think I’ll catch a supernova tonight, so Mr Moon I bid you goodnight.
Kale’s Cookie Jar (2)
On May 12, 2015 August 6, 2017 By ShakelaIn storiesLeave a comment
It was around noon when Kale realised there was something missing from his cookie jar. His cookie jar was in fact a replica of Pooh Bear’s hunny pot; Grandmama had gifted it to him after she had gone to Disneyland and had forgotten to take him along. So there it was, Kale’s Pooh Bear hunny pot, now cookie jar, in his arms, who had fallen victim to a heinous crime.
In his mind, Kale couldn’t comprehend who in their right mind would do such a thing. Kale replayed the possible scenario in his head: hushed footsteps; a head carefully tilting, checking the surroundings; a grubby hand reaching for the hunny pot-cookie jar’s head; the other taking the goods from within; the head is replaced. Yes, a meticulously thought out plan was needed for such a task, Kale thought. His eyes scanned the vinyl tiles on the floor of the kitchen. His bare feet were getting cold, so he wiggled his toes. He noted the odd crumb and chocolate chip on the floor. His precious cookie – gone.
Kale was a passionate and skilled baker. Mother had taught him everything: that the details were the most important. If the flavour was not quite there, then it was the details themselves that would be the key to winning the hearts of those who received the treat. Cookies were his speciality. He could bake one for just about any occasion: birthdays, weddings, celebrations, presents, teatime, boredom, pranks, thievery. Of course, there were times when he produced something foul and bitter from the oven (just like mother had said – mother was hardly ever wrong). Kale knew when his batches were good or bad, and smiled to himself. He never failed the detailing of any treat he produced.
The minutes and hours seemed to disintegrate as he stood there, stock-still. On his wrist, the clock hands and Pooh Bear’s smile curved up in the same V shape. His baker’s hands were firmly around his hunny pot-cookie jar. A thunderous thud sounded above his head – the sounds of war.
His mother walked into the kitchen just then. She had a pleasant expression on her face and smelled of cupcakes with a healthy sprinkle of icing sugar and candy hearts. She ruffled his floppy brown hair and hugged him tenderly. “You alright, hun?” she asked. “Oh, I think Jake has taken something of yours,” she added.
“Of course, the last one left is a bad cookie.” She chuckled warmly, getting out some mixing bowls and flour.
Kale held onto his beloved cookie jar, like a hand grenade, just as he did before. Five minutes had passed since he had found out about the great crime. Those five minutes had ignited a fire in his baker’s heart.
It’s been a while since I last posted any of my written work, so here I present you with some prose! A while back I posted Kale’s Cookie Jar before, but since I’ve given it a better story and flow etc. I do hope you like this version (or both versions). This is one of the pieces I officially submitted for assessment (hope I get a good grade!)
I’ll see you soon! x
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Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
FA Cupset! Joey Barton acted a fool, Burnley lost to a 5th-division side
By Andy EdwardsFeb 18, 2017, 9:33 AM EDT
Here’s the thing about being a football club that employs Joey Barton: at some point — probably sooner rather than later — he’s going to embarrass himself, and by extension, everyone connected to the club.
[ FOLLOW: All of PST’s PL coverage ]
On Saturday, Burnley were shocked and bounced from the fifth round of the FA Cup by fifth-division side Lincoln City, and that wasn’t even the most embarrassing part of the Clarets’ day at Turf Moor. That honor, of course, goes to Mr. Barton. First, he did this…
Joey Barton, forever and ever an enemy of football. #BFC #FACup pic.twitter.com/eRVeqTf1dW
— Andy Edwards (@AndyEdMLS) February 18, 2017
Then, he did this…
Update: We are now going Full Barton. #BFC #FACup pic.twitter.com/0ldtWSRk8M
[ FOLLOW LIVE: Saturday’s other FA Cup 5th-rounders ]
As for Lincoln — let’s not bury their story here — they’re the first side from the fifth division or lower to reach the quarterfinal round of the FA Cup since it was restructured to its current format, in 1925 (Queens Park Rangers was the non-league side to reach the quarterfinals, in 1914). Sean Raggett, who scored Lincoln’s winner from an 89th-minute corner kick, registered the Imps’ first and only shot on target over the whole of 90 minutes. Smash. And. Grab.
Lincoln become the first non-league side to reach quarter-finals of the FA Cup since 1914. Watch all highlights from 17:15 on @thetimes app pic.twitter.com/HcYWLDCOCa
— The Times Video (@TimesVideo) February 18, 2017
The magic of the Cup, right?
Follow @AndyEdMLS
Tags: Burnley, FA Cup, Lincoln City, Premier League, Joey Barton
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September 7, 2018 12:31PM ET
Vigoss Launches Men’s Denim for Under $100
By Robyn Turk
CREDIT: Vigoss
By sticking to what it knows best—quality fabrics and enduring designs—women’s denim label, Vigoss, aims grow its footprint in the under $100 men’s denim category. The New York City-based brand is launching its first full men’s collection this fall, a straightforward lineup of core fits and versatile washes.
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Vigoss brought on Nikhil Bott, formerly of Levi’s, Calvin Klein Jeans and William Rast, to helm the men’s line. Bott’s expertise in men’s denim, combined with the company’s know-how in women’s and its relationships with better department stores like Nordstrom have helped Vigoss men’s get a running start right out of the gate.
Nordstrom and Stitch Fix have picked up the line, and it’s also available on Vigoss.com.
Vigoss aims to fill those needs with four main fits: slim, tapered, and straight. A skinny will launch in Q4. Each style is offered in two inseams, 30 and 32. The line will have 19 washes in total, with each fit having its own set of core washes.
Details are minimal, including an overlock red stitch on the inside of many styles, and subtle branding like the raised logo on the inside of the waistband.
The launch comes at a time, he said, when customers are more savvy about denim trends, fits and washes and know the styles that work for them.
For instance, Bott said male consumers feel most comfortable in dark washes, so Vigoss offers various options from the dark end of the spectrum. The idea is to ease the overall shopping experience.
“If you have to think about fashion, you’ve already spent too much time. I’m trying to make it easy for the customer,” Bott said.
As a denim brand, Bott said the goal isn’t to chase every trend that may come across a consumer’s Instagram feed. The brand will introduce denim shirts, Trucker jackets, bomber jackets and some knits, but Bott said it doesn’t want to overload the customer with trends.
“We don’t try to be too much to too many people, rather focus on what’s important,” Bott said. “It’s a denim collection for both the everyday guy and the fashion-forward consumer.”
Vigoss’ business strategy is centered on customer satisfaction, too. The brand will keep four core styles in stock at all times for replenishment.
“I want these four jeans to be around for a long time, to always be there,” Bott said. “For me, it’s really important to have that model and not flood your consumers with too much fashion, because then you’re just a fashion brand. And we’re a denim brand.”
Men’s Denim Brands Experiment with Prints and Color for Spring/Summer 2020
Q&A: Mugsy Jeans Founder Leo Tropeano on Designing Men’s Denim for Comfort
Madewell CEO on Communities, Men’s Denim and Why Sustainability Works
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front-page
Captains of their own ship and internationally acclaimed production outfit Southside House Collective. Southside House Collective was established back in 2007. It started like our recent project, Southside Recordings, just for fun. Three dj’s and good friends from the south of Sweden, got together as a way of sharing experiences, connections and mostly to do what we love – Music.
During the years we’ve made music, produced a weekly radio show, remixed different artists and traveled around the world, performing in front of loads of people in Denmark, Portugal, Spain and even Mozambique.
As for Southside Recordings, things is almost the same – we wanted to have fun and, to be honest, have an easier way of releasing our own stuff. We soon found ourselves helping new artists, who found us easy to work with and as they say ”you guys put your hearts into it. It’s just not business”. We couldn’t be happier about those words.
Nowadays we get requests and demos sent to us from all over the world. To find out about artist, radio shows, remixes and own productions, just keep on browsing. So welcome to Southside House Collective & Southside Recordings! We shure as hell will keep on doing our thing, share our way of how we think this industry should work and be as helpful and humble as we can! And of course keep on Dj’ing.
You are most welcome to send us demos, requests or whatever comes to mind.
Southside House Collective & Southside Recordings November 7th, 2016Anders Press
southside-house-collective
Southside House Collective was established back in 2007. It started like our recent project, Southside Recordings, just for fun. Three dj’s and good friends from the south of Sweden, got together as a way of sharing experiences, connections and mostly to do what we love – Music.
During the years we’ve made music, produced a weekly radio show, remixed different artists and traveled around the world, performing in front of loads of people in Denmark, Portugal, Spain and even Mozambique. As for Southside Recordings, things is almost the same — we wanted to have fun and, to be honest, have an easier way of releasing our own stuff. We soon found ourselves helping new artists, who found us easy to work with and as they say ”you guys put your hearts into it. It’s just not business”. We couldn’t be happier about those words.
Nowadays we get requests and demos sent to us from all over the world. To find out about artist, radio shows, remixes and own productions, just keep on browsing. So welcome to Southside House Collective & Southside Recordings! We sure as hell will keep on doing our thing, share our way of how we think this industry should work and be as helpful and humble as we can! And of course keep on Dj’ing.
//Southside House Collective & Southside Recordings
Southside House Collective November 7th, 2016Anders Press
southside-recordings
Southside Recordings is the label of Swedish DJ’s & Producers Southside House Collective. The label started life in 2012 as an imprint to release their own material.
Over time we will expand and actively sign and release quality house music from all around the globe. Tough, electronic, cutting edge and massively effective dance floor material is what you can expect in the future!
Southside Recordings March 8th, 2017Anders Press
“Technical and distinctive discography that’s clearly the works of a talented crew of minds. The music production is pristine and there’s enough ideas and nuances”. –Vents Magazine
Discography November 7th, 2016Anders Press
You can find us at.
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By Zach ScheidtPosted August 3, 2018
How I Made Millions By “Swimming With The Current”
You’ve probably heard there are no shortcuts when it comes to growing your wealth. Hard work, patience, and discipline pay off in the long run.
Hopefully you know me well enough to understand that I’m all for hard work, patience and discipline.
But today, I want to tell you about one shortcut that actually can help you build your wealth more quickly.
I was thinking about this shortcut this past weekend because I took a similar shortcut in the Whistler Ironman triathlon that I was competing in.
I always laugh at how life experiences can tie so closely to the stock market and the opportunities we have as investors…
If you want to finish an Ironman triathlon, you have to look for ways to conserve energy. After all, the race consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run.
We started the swim just after 6:00 AM on Sunday and I felt strong as the event began.
About halfway through the course, I made a turn around a buoy and noticed another swimmer next to me. He was a large guy and he happened to be moving about the same speed as me.
I immediately recognized this as an opportunity to save some energy for later.
As each swimmer glides through the water, he or she creates a small current in the water behind. So if you swim in the path immediately behind another athlete, you can actually get swept along within that current.
While not allowed on the bike course, it’s perfectly legal to “draft” behind other swimmers.
This drafting allowed me to keep moving at a quick pace while putting a lot less effort into my stroke. And that allowed me to save strength that I would desperately need on the bike and run course.
I had to laugh when I felt another swimmer tap my feet with his hands a few minutes later.
We were now both swimming in the current created by this athlete. So now two of us were getting a little bit of a break while making this poor guy do all of the work!
Swimming With The Investment Whales
Drafting in the clear alpine lake reminded me of how stocks often move in a trend or “current.” These currents are driven by the buy and sell decisions of the biggest institutional investors.
Just like I was able to slip behind the swimmer in the lake — and get his current to pull me through the water — investors can slip behind these institutional investors and ride the trends in the market.
You see, when there are large buy orders for a stock, the price naturally moves higher. That’s because there are only so many people willing to sell at today’s price. So the more shares an institution wants to buy, the more they’ll have to pay to convince other shareholders to sell.
If you pay attention, you can see this happening in the market.
The best way to spot this action is to look for a stock that is moving higher while its volume is increasing at the same time.
(Volume is simply the number of shares traded in a specific period. And you can see a stock’s volume on just about any free online financial website.)
Institutions have to buy many shares for a position to make a difference in their account. Often we’re talking about millions of shares. And since these institutions are buying such big blocks of stock, it can take them days, weeks, or even months to build a full position.
That’s where the “current” comes in to play.
As these investors build their positions, stocks naturally rise. And if you spot it in time, you can jump in and buy your own shares. Since you’re an individual investor, you can get a position bought quickly — without needing to take weeks to get enough shares to matter.
Then, once you own your shares, the institutional investors will continue to build their positions, driving the stock price higher while you hold your position.
This “drafting” strategy is a perfectly legal and effective way to accelerate your wealth building in the stock market. And it’s a fundamental strategy that I’ve used throughout my career to pull MILLIONS of dollars from the stock market for clients.
All by riding the currents established by institutional investors!
And this is a strategy that you can also take advantage of… If you know where to look, of course.
For more on this strategy and the newest stocks that institutional investors are currently buying hand over fist, click here.
And the next time you’re thinking about adding a stock to your investment account, remember to swim with the current and look carefully for one of these trends with higher volume.
Here’s to growing and protecting your wealth!
Editor, The Daily Edge
Twitter ❘ Facebook ❘ Email
P.S. This “drafting” strategy is so powerful that Wall Street has its own special machines reporting these insights DAILY to its traders.
And for a limited time, you too can have access to one of Wall Street’s most prized tools…
That could give you the chance to walk away with $16,209 on average every week!
That’s life-changing money.
But it won’t last long… After all, do you think the Wall Street Elite want the “Average Joe” on Main Street to have access to their secrets?
Click here for the full details.
524% Returns From This Single Stock
By Jody ChudleyPosted November 29, 2018
Today, Jody Chudley reveals a beaten down oil stock that one value-oriented hedge fund just made a big bet on…
Zach Scheidt is the editor of Lifetime Income Report, Income on Demand, Buyout Millionaires Club, Weekly Squawk Box, Contract Income Alert and Family Wealth Circle — investment advisories dedicated to finding Wall Street’s best yields. He brings to the table impeccable investment management experience and a solid record of identifying oversized payout opportunities.
Zach previously...
View More By Zach Scheidt
4 “Mega-trend” Charts, For Fourth Quarter Profits!
By St. Paul ResearchPosted October 8, 2013
Ignore the White House rhetoric or the BS behind the Fed statements. There is a clear way to tell what's going on in the markets, and where to put your money because of it. Matt Insley presents four of them, right here...
Wall Street Blindsided (Again!) Plus, 5 Must Knows For Monday
By Zach ScheidtPosted February 26, 2018
Zach Scheidt explains how Trump’s “Cash for Patriots” program is adding another $78 billion to the normal payments Americans will receive…
Fake News!
By Zach ScheidtPosted January 29, 2018
Americans have grown to expect biased reporting from Washington correspondents. But now, even Wall Street is even starting to let bias slip into their work. Zach Scheidt has the story…
Sex, Drugs And Rock & Roll (And More Drugs)
By Zach ScheidtPosted May 16, 2018
Today, Zach Scheidt talks about the marijuana insights that rock legend Gene Simmons shared this week at The Money Show in Las Vegas.
2 Big Shots at a Bakken Oil Play
By St. Paul ResearchPosted December 4, 2013
The oil is pouring in from North Dakota's Bakken oil field. And as it does, so do the investment opportunities. Of course, you'll notice a few familiar names in the group currently taking advantage of the "shale gale"... But there are some great small companies to watch as well. Today, Matt Insley relays one of each. Read on...
It’s Back: The Same Force That Helped Win WWII
By Byron KingPosted May 22, 2013
America’s Strategic Energy Weapon, Part II
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Bithumb Looses Almost $19 Mln in EOS, XRP ”Insider” Theft
South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb suffered an attack that allegedly led to the theft of USD 19 million in EOS and XRP. The exchange addressed the circumstances of the hack on Twitter, on Saturday 30 March.
Bithumb details that suspicious activity was first detected at 10:15 on 29 March in the manner of abnormal withdrawals. All funds following this detection were secured via cold wallet storage, while users accounts have been temporarily blocked from making any deposits or withdrawals.
An insider attack
The exchange took full responsibility for the attack, claiming that it had only concentrated its security efforts on external attacks and this appears to have involved ”insiders.” It also apologized to clients for neglecting to verify members of its staff.
Despite this incident being the second hack that Bithumb has been subject to in less than a year, a statement from the exchange promised there would be no further security compromises.
During this latest attack, the EOS hot wallet sent consecutive payments totaling USD 12.5 million into the attacker’s wallet before the exchange realized what was happening. According to a report from the Block Crypto, an additional USD 6.2 million in Ripple was also stolen.
It has been speculated that the attack came as a result of Bithumb’s employee layoffs which has reportedly affected up to 50% of the workforce.
The post Bithumb Looses Almost $19 Mln in EOS, XRP ”Insider” Theft appeared first on BitcoinNews.com.
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Home » General » Oil supertanker bound for Syria detained in Gibraltar
Oil supertanker bound for Syria detained in Gibraltar
General July 4, 2019 Oil supertanker bound for Syria detained in Gibraltar2019-07-04T00:00:00+00:00
British Royal Marines and officials in Gibraltar have detained the supertanker Grace 1 suspected of carrying crude oil to Syria, in breach of European Union sanctions, the government of Gibraltar said.
In a statement the government said it had reasonable grounds to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its shipment of crude oil to the Banyas Refinery in Syria.
That refinery is the property of an entity that is subject to European Union sanctions against Syria, Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said. EU sanctions against the government of Syria took effect in May 2011.
With my consent, our port and law enforcement agencies sought the assistance of the Royal Marines in carrying out this operation.
The government published regulations on Wednesday to enforce the sanctions against the tanker and its cargo.
Refinitiv Eikon mapping indicates the ship sailed from Iran, and if the cargo is confirmed to be Iranian crude, its attempted delivery to Syria could also be a violation of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
The mapping data shows the ship has sailed a longer route around the southern tip of Africa instead of via Egypt’s Suez Canal.
The Grace 1 was documented as loading fuel oil in Iraq in December, although the Iraqi port did not list it as being in port and its tracking system was switched off. The tanker reappeared near Iran’s port of Bandar Assaluyeh fully loaded.
Shipping data shows the ship is a 300,000-tonne Panamanian-flagged tanker managed by Singapore-based IShips Management Pte Ltd.
https://syrianewsgazette.com/oil-supertanker-bound-for-syria-detained-in-gibraltar/ 2019-07-04T00:00:00+00:00 syrianewsgazette.comGeneral
British Royal Marines and officials in Gibraltar have detained the supertanker Grace 1 suspected of carrying crude oil to Syria, in breach of European Union sanctions, the government of Gibraltar said.In a statement the government said it had reasonable grounds to believe that the Grace 1 was carrying its...
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Hillary Clinton Nearly Falls Twice While In India [VIDEO]
Hillary Clinton is known for falling and she nearly fell TWICE while in India.
The former Secretary of State was in India promoting her book when she nearly fell down a flight of stairs not once, but twice.
Luckily her assistants and bodyguards were nearby and they were able to catch her. Clinton did remove her sandals after her second stumble and she continued without any problems.
While running for President of the United States, the former First Lady stumbled and appeared to faint after an event. It was later announced that her stumble came after battling pneumonia.
We're just glad that she was seriously injured here.
Categories: News, Videos
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Currently viewing the tag: "crater"
New Research Finds Possible Second Impact Crater Hiding Under Greenland Ice
The crater, which has a width of over 22 miles, could be the 22nd largest impact crater found on Earth.
NASA’s Moon Data Sheds Light on Earth’s Asteroid Impact History
Using NASA spacecraft data scientists have made a fascinating discovery about the history of impacts on both the Earth and the Moon.
Student Field Camp Opportunity
Applications now accepted for the Field Training Program at Meteor Crater, Arizona, October 6–14, 2018.
IAU Names Lunar Crater After B. Ray Hawke
International Astronomical Union has approved the name "Hawke" for a 13-km crater just north of the Schrodinger basin.
Lunar Crater Named After Former NASA Chief Exploration Scientist
NASA’s former chief exploration scientist, Michael Wargo, has been posthumously honored with the distinction of having a lunar crater named after him.
Chicxulub and the Exploration of Large Peak-Ring Impact Craters through Scientific Drilling
For the first time, geologists have drilled into the peak ring of Chicxulub crater, famously linked to the dinosaur extinction event.
Video: The Lunar Crater Chronology
How Old Are Places in the Solar System? The latest work shows how that the classic model may be inaccurate.
Barringer Grant Applications for 2015
An opportunity for graduate students and postdocs interested in analogue sites for lunar impact craters, or impact cratering in general.
LADEE Impact Crater Found!
See before and after images of the LADEE impact site.
The Field Training and Research Program at Meteor Crater in Arizona is Oct 4 – Oct 12, 2014.
Filling in the Missing History of the Universe
By probing the Dark Ages of the universe, researchers are searching for the moment when the stars first turned on.
Moonquakes have been measured by seismometers emplaced by the Apollo astronauts.
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Solution home Domain Generic Top-Level Domain Name
Domain Name Extension with Limitation on Characters
Modified on: Mon, 15 Jan, 2018 at 10:44 AM
The below are the requirements on how to register a valid domain names:
(1) Domains name can only contains letter(a-z), number (0-9) or dashes/hyphen (-) but may not begin and end with dashes.
(2) Do not use other characters such as "_" (underscore), "&" (ampersand), "/" (oblique or slash), "." (dot) and " " (white space).
(3) Domain name cannot have hyphens as the 3rd and 4th characters (reserved for multilingual domain registration. For example: xn--example.com.
(4) Your domain cannot less than four characters EXCLUSIVE of the TLD. For examples: Domain which does not allowed to be register: rt.com, er.biz, st.org, omg.hk.
(5) Please be informed that application for one to three-characters .my domain names is temporarily unavailable.
You may use up to 63 characters for your domain name INCLUSIVE of the TLD (such as .com, .org, .net, .hk, .biz) except for .my domain registration which only support up to 40 characters.
(6) Premium domains are a select list of domain names that are sold at a Premium Price set by the central registry. The central registries for these domains charge a premium registration price due to the estimated higher value of the domain name.
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Scroll through the list of terms below or click a letter to jump directly to that section of the glossary.
American Association of Retired Persons
Accrual method
Accounting method that reports income when earned (not necessarily received) and expenses when incurred (not necessarily paid), as opposed to the cash method.
When a taxpayer makes significant rental or business management decisions, such as approving rental terms, repairs, expenditures, and new tenants (versus passive activity). Taxpayers who use a leasing agent or property manager are still considered active participants if they retain final management rights.
Active Pay
The military income a service member receives while on active duty (versus retirement or retainer pay).
Actual Expense Method
One of two methods for calculating business automobile expenses. For the actual expense method, the taxpayer determines the business portion of expenses for fuel, auto maintenance, parking fees and tolls, and auto loan interest. (The other method is the standard mileage method). The actual expense method is out of scope for the VITA/TCE programs.
Additional Child Tax Credit
A credit that may be taken if the full amount of the child tax credit cannot be claimed.
The adjusted basis is the taxpayer's basis in a home increased or decreased by certain amounts. Increases include additions or improvements to the home such as installing a recreation room or putting on a new roof. In order to be considered an increase, the improvement must have a useful life of more than one year. Repairs that maintain the home in good condition are not considered improvements and should not be added to the basis of the property
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
The taxpayer's total adjusted gross income (AGI) is the amount that is used to compute some limitations, such as the medical and dental deduction on Schedule A and the credit for child and dependent care expenses.
Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number
A nine-digit tax-processing number issued by the IRS for children who are in the process of being adopted and who can be claimed as a dependent or claimed for a childcare credit. The ATIN is used wherever the child's social security number is requested.
Advance EIC Payments
Payments of the earned income credit (EIC) paid to qualified taxpayers through the regular paycheck.
AEIC
Advance Earned Income Credit Payments
After-tax Contributions
After-tax means the employee paid taxes on the money when it was contributed, i.e., the taxpayer has a cost basis in the plan.
Age Test
One of the tests for identifying a qualifying child: Was the potential dependent under age 19 and younger than the taxpayer at the end of the year? Or, was the person under age 24 at the end of the year and a full-time student for some part of each of five months during the year? Or, Was the person any age and permanently and totally disabled?
Alimony is a payment to or for a spouse or former spouse under a separation or divorce instrument.
Allocated Tips
Tips an employer assigns to an employee. They are in addition to the tips the employee reported to the employer.
Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
Taxpayers may be able to claim a credit for an alternative motor vehicle placed in service for business or personal use. Refer taxpayers who choose to claim this credit to a professional tax preparer.
A tax credit that temporary changes the Hope educational credit, making it available to a broader range of taxpayers, including higher income taxpayers and those who owe no tax.
Amount Realized
The amount realized is the selling price minus selling expenses commissions, advertising fees, legal fees, and loan charges paid by the seller, such as points).
A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
ATIN
Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number, issued by the IRS while a final domestic adoption is pending and the child does not have a social security number.
At-Risk Rule
One of two restrictions on how much a loss from passive activity can offset other sources of income. Taxpayers are restricted from claiming a loss for more than they could actually lose from the activity; they can claim a loss only up to the amount for which they are personally at-risk in the activity. (The other restriction is the passive activity rule.)
Basic allowance for housing, a type of excludable military income.
Basic allowance for subsistence, a type of excludable military income.
The basis in a home is determined by how the taxpayer obtained the home. If a taxpayer bought or built a home, the basis is what it cost the taxpayer to buy or build that home. If the taxpayer inherited the home, generally the basis is its fair market value on the date of the decedent's death, or on the later alternate valuation date chosen by the representative for the estate. There are special rules for determining the basis of property received from decedents who died in 2010.
Before-tax Contributions
Before-tax simply means that the employee did not pay taxes on the money at the time it was contributed, i.e., the taxpayer has no cost basis in the plan.
Blocked income
Blocked income is when a taxpayer cannot convert foreign currency to U.S. dollars due to local law or local government policy. Special tax rules allow taxpayers with blocked income to delay reporting part of their income.
Bona Fide Residence Test
To meet the bona fide residence test for the foreign earned income exclusion, taxpayers must show that they have set up permanent quarters in a foreign country for an entire, uninterrupted tax year.
Business expenses are amounts that are ordinary and necessary to carry on a business.
Business Income
Business income is income received from the sale of products or services. For example, fees received by a professional person are considered business income. Rents received by a person in the real estate business are business income. Payments received in the form of property or services must be included in income at their fair market value.
Business Travel Expenses
Qualified business expenses for members of the armed forces such as uniforms, education and travel. Military employee business expenses are necessary business-related expenses incurred by active members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Cancellation of Debt For Principal Residence
Under the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, taxpayers may exclude certain debt forgiven or canceled on their principal residence. This exclusion is applicable to the discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness. If the canceled debt qualifies for exclusion from gross income, the debtor may be required to reduce tax attributes (certain credits, losses, and basis of assets) by the amount excluded.
Capital Gain or Loss
Sale of stock, mutual funds, and the sale of a personal residence. The Capital Gain or Loss lesson will help you identify the asset's holding period, adjusted basis, net short-term and long-term capital gains or losses, the taxable gain or deductible loss, the tax liability, and the amount of any capital loss carryover.
Capital Gain Distributions
Capital gains passed to investors typically by Mutual funds (regulated investment companies) and real estate investment trusts (REITs)
See Capital Gain Distributions
Capital Loss Carryover
A taxpayer cannot take net losses of more than $3,000 ($1,500 for married taxpayers filing separately) in figuring taxable income for any single tax year. The allowable loss is referred to as the deduction limit. Unused losses can be carried over to later years until they are completely used up. The carryover losses are combined with the gains and losses that actually occur in the next year.
Cash Method
Accounting method that reports income when constructively received (not earned) and expenses when paid (not incurred), as opposed to the accrual method.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
A nonrefundable credit that allows taxpayers to claim a credit for paying someone to care for their qualifying Dependents under the age of 13 or spouses or dependents who are unable to care for themselves. The credit ranges from 20 to 35% of the taxpayer's expenses.
A credit that may reduce tax by as much as $1,000 for each qualifying child.
Citizen or Resident Test
One of the tests for identifying a qualifying child or qualifying relative as a dependent: Assuming all other dependency tests are met, the citizen or resident test allows taxpayers to claim a dependency exemption for persons who are U.S. citizens for some part of the year or who live in the United States, Canada, or Mexico for some part of the year.
Any area (1) the President of the United States designates by Executive Order as an area in which the U.S. Armed Forces are engaging or have engaged in combat, (2) the Department of Defense has certified for combat zone tax benefits due to its direct support of military operations, or (3) a Qualified Hazardous Duty Area established by statute where the service member receives imminent danger pay. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who serve in a combat zone may exclude military pay from their taxable income.
Wages, salaries, commissions, tips, bonuses, professional fees, earnings from self-employment, and alimony.
Constructively Received
When an amount is credited to the taxpayer's account or made available to the taxpayer (or taxpayer's agent) without restriction.
An amount for which taxes have already been paid.
Coverdell ESA
A Coverdell ESA is a trust or custodial account created or organized in the United States only for the purpose of paying the qualified education expenses of the designated beneficiary of the account.
A direct reduction of the taxpayer's liability. Credits are allowed for such purposes as child care expenses, higher education costs, qualifying children, and earned income of low-income taxpayers.
Credit for the Elderly or Disabled
The credit for the elderly or the disabled is calculated on Schedule R and reported in the Tax and Credits section of Form 1040.
Date of Transaction
Either the date on a check made payable to the taxpayer or the date money is credited to the taxpayer's account. When converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars, the date of transaction is the date that determines the exchange rate to use.
Dependency Exemptions
Amount that taxpayers can claim for a "qualifying child" or "qualifying relative". Each exemption reduces the income subject to tax. One exemption is allowed for each qualifying child or qualifying relative claimed as a dependent.
Dependency Tests
Tests used for identifying qualifying children or qualifying relatives as dependents.
Someone who meets all applicable dependency tests to be claimed as a dependent.
These benefits include amounts employers pay to a taxpayer or directly to the care provider.
Dependent Taxpayer Test
One of the tests for identifying a qualifying child or qualifying relative as a dependent: Can the taxpayer or spouse (if filing jointly) be claimed as a dependent by another person?
An annual deduction that allows taxpayers to recover the cost of property used in a trade or business or held for the production of income. The amount of depreciation depends on the basis of the property, its recovery period, and the depreciation method. This is in-scope for Military certification only (rental property).
This income comes from an employer's disability insurance, health plan, or pension plan. The payments replace wages for the time the taxpayer missed work because of the disability.
Disability Pension
Generally paid to a taxpayer who retires because of a disability before the minimum retirement age (set by the employer). The disability pension is considered regular pension income when the taxpayer reaches the minimum retirement age.
DITY Move
Do-it-yourself move. The most common form of military move is the partial DITY move, where the military provides a moving company to transport some of the service member's goods. Service members who receive DITY payments must include them in their gross income if it exceeds the allowable expenses.
A corporation's distributions to its shareholders from its earnings and profits.
Divorced, separated, or never married parents
Special rules apply if the dependent is supported by parents who are divorced or separated; these rules also apply to parents who were never married. In general, the child will be considered a dependent of the custodial parent, assuming the child meets all the rules for a qualifying child or qualifying relative. However, the custodial parent can agree to allow the noncustodial parent to treat the child as a qualifying child or qualifying relative if certain conditions are met. A signed Form 8332 or equivalent is required and must be attached to the noncustodial parent's return, or attached to Form 8453 if filing electronically.
A taxpayer's legal, permanent residence. It is not always where the person presently lives.
DRIP Accounts
DRIP accounts leave cash dividends with the company for the purchase of additional shares. Even though these shares are from the same company, they retain their own individual basis separate from the original purchase. Each new purchased share could have a different basis.
Dual Status Alien
An alien who is both a nonresident and resident alien during the same tax year. The most common dual-status tax years are the years of arrival and departure.
Any income received for work, such as wages or business income. Earned income also includes net earnings from self-employment and other income received for personal services.
Earned Income Credit (EIC)
A credit that can be paid to low-income workers, even if no income tax was withheld from the worker's pay. To receive the credit, a taxpayer must file a tax return. Unemployment income is not considered earned income for the purposes of calculating EITC.
Education credits
Credits that reduce the amount of tax due and are based on qualified education expenses that the taxpayer paid during the tax year.
Earned income credit.
Earned Income Tax Credit. See EIC.
Electronic Filing (e-file)
The computer transmission of a tax return directly to the IRS.
Under common-law rules, anyone who performs services for you is your employee if you can control what will be done and how it will be done. This is so even when you give the employee freedom of action. What matters is that you have the right to control the details of how the services are performed.
Coverdell Education Savings Account
Excludable Income
Income that is not included in the taxpayer's gross income and therefore exempt from federal income tax. Certain income may be exempt from tax but must be reported on the tax return.
Exempt (from withholding)
Free from withholding of federal income tax. Must meet certain income, tax liability, and dependency criteria. Does not exempt a person from other kinds of tax withholding, such as social security tax.
Exemption Amount
The dollar amount that can be deducted from an individual's total income, thereby reducing the taxable income.
Exemptions (Personal or Dependency)
Amount that taxpayers can claim for themselves, their spouses, and eligible dependents. An exemption is a dollar amount that can be deducted from an individual's total income, thereby reducing the taxable income.
Filing statuses
Five taxpayer categories that determine the amount of tax and/or tax credits that apply to different taxpayers. The five filing statuses are (from lowest to highest tax): Married Filing Jointly; Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child; Head of Household; Single; Married Filing Separately.
First-time Homebuyer Credit
The first-time homebuyer credit is a maximum of $8,000 ($4,000 for Married Filing Separately). This is a refundable credit which means that even if the taxpayer does not owe any tax, the money will be refunded to the taxpayer. There are payback provisions if the home was sold within a 36 month period.
Five-Year Test Period Suspension
Taxpayers can choose to have the five-year test period for ownership and use suspended during any period the homeowner (either spouse if married) served on qualified official extended duty as a member of the uniformed services or Foreign Service of the United States, as an employee of the intelligence community, or as an employee or volunteer of the Peace Corps. This means that the taxpayer may be able to meet the two-year use test even if the taxpayer and/or spouse did not actually live in the home during the normal five-year period required of other taxpayers.
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
The foreign earned income exclusion allows eligible taxpayers to avoid paying federal income tax on their foreign earned income.
Foreign Tax Credit
U.S. tax credit used to offset any foreign income tax taxpayers have paid on qualified income that is also subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Tax return used to report income from wages, salaries, and tips; qualified tuition program earnings; Alaska Permanent Fund dividends; taxable scholarships and fellowship grants; interest of $1,500 or less; and unemployment compensation.
Form 1040 Schedule A
Form 1040 Schedule B
Interest and Ordinary Dividends
Form 1040 Schedule C-EZ
Net Profit from Business
Form 1040 Schedule D
Capital Gains and Losses
Form 1040 Schedule E
Supplemental Income and Loss
Form 1040 Schedule L
Standard Deduction for Certain Filers
Form 1040 Schedule M
Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credits
Form 1040 Schedule SE
Self-Employment Tax
Form 1040A
Tax return used to report all Form 1040A items, plus all other forms of income.
Form 1040ES
Estimated Tax for Individuals
Form 1040EZ
Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers with No Dependents, used to report income from wages, salaries, and tips, plus income from dividends and interest greater than $1,500; capital gain distributions; IRA, pension, and annuity income; and social security and railroad retirement benefits.
Form 1040NR
U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return
Form 1040NR-EZ
Form 1040X
Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, used to modify a previously filed tax return.
Form 1041 Schedule K-1
Beneficiary's Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc. Used by the fiduciary of a domestic decedent's estate, trust, or bankruptcy estate to report income, gains, losses, etc., of the estate or trust.
Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding
Partner's Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc. Used by partnerships to report the taxpayers' share of the partnership's income, deductions, credits, etc.
Statement showing Mortgage Interest
Form 1098-E
Statement showing Student Loan Interest
Form 1098-MA
Form 1098-MA, Mortgage Assistance Payments, is a new information return. The form is used to report to the IRS and homeowners the total amounts of certain mortgage assistance payments made to mortgage servicers. Although, mortgage assistance payments are not included in income, taxpayers cannot deduct interest that is paid for them.
Form 1099-A
Acquisition or Abandonment of Secured Property
Proceeds From Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions
Cancellation of Debt
Statement showing Dividends and Distributions
Form 1099-G
Statement showing certain government payments (such as Unemployment Compensation Income)
Statement showing Interest Income
Form 1099-K
Form 1099-K is used to report the proceeds of payment card and third party network transactions made to taxpayers under Internal Revenue Code section 6050W. Merchant card and third party network payers, as payment settlement entities (PSE), must report the proceeds of payment card and third party network transactions made to taxpayers on Form 1099-K.
Form 1099-LTC
Long-term Care and Accelerated Death Benefits
Statement showing miscellaneous income (such as rents, royalties, fishing boat proceeds, non-employee compensation, medical and healthcare payments, substitute payments in lieu of dividends or interest, crop insurance proceeds, gross proceeds paid to an attorney, excess golden parachute payments, and other miscellaneous income)
Form 1099-OID
Statement showing Original Issue Discount
Statement showing Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc
Proceeds From Real Estate Transactions
Foreign Tax Credit (Individual, Estate or Trust)
Form 1120S Schedule K-1
Shareholder's Share of Income , Deductions, Credits, etc. Used by S corporations to report the taxpayers' share of the corporation's income (reduced by any tax the corporation paid on the income), as well as any deductions, credits, etc.
Form 13614-C
Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet
Employee Business Expenses
Form 2106-EZ
Unreimbursed Employee Business Expenses
Multiple Support Declaration, allows taxpayers to identify other eligible individuals who paid over 10% of the support of another person.
Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individual, Estates and Trusts. While completion of the Form 2210 is out of scope, volunteers need to caution taxpayers they will receive a notice of an estimated tax penalty if it is applicable.
Child and Dependent Care Expenses
Moving Expenses
Social Security and Medicare Tax on Unreported Tip Income, is used to report unreported tip income.
Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Form
Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or Form 1099-R, Distributions from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRA's, Insurance Contracts, Etc., used by taxpayers who have been unable to obtain (or have received incorrect) wage or distribution statements.
Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
Investment Interest Expense Deduction
Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans (including IRAs) and Other Tax Favored Accounts
Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit
Exemption From Withholding on Compensation for Independent Personal Services of a Nonresident Alien Individual
Information Regarding Request for Refund of Social Security Tax
Release/Revocation of Release of Claim to Exemption for Child by Custodial Parent. This form allows a taxpayer who is a custodial parent (and who was married to his or her child's noncustodial parent) to release his or her claim on the child's exemption.
Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation, allows taxpayers to request relief from a spouse's past due federal debts, including back child support and past due taxes.
Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement
Form 8453-OL
Income tax declaration used for e-filing
Passive Activity Loss Limitations
Nondeductible IRAs, reports nondeductible contributions to traditional IRAs and/or distributions taken from certain IRAs. Part I explains in detail when this form is used.
Closer Connection Exception Statement for Aliens
Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition
Request for Innocent Spouse Relief. This form explains various forms of relief and who may qualify.
Education Credits, may be used instead of Form 2106, Employee Business Expenses, if education expenses were the only business expenses.
IRS e-file Signature Authorization
Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions
Direct Deposit of Refund to More Than One Account
Information on Qualifying Children Who Are Not Dependents (For Child Tax Credit)
Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets. This form is new in 2010 and used to report capital gains or losses.
Filing Assistance Program, helps taxpayers determine whether they are required to file a federal income tax return.
Installment Agreement Request, used to request a monthly installment plan for taxes owed.
Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness
Form RRB-1099
Payments by the Railroad Retirement Board
Form RRB-1099-R
Annuities or Pensions by the Railroad Retirement Board
Form SS-5
Application for a Social Security Card.
Form SSA-1099
Social Security Benefit Statement
Wages and Tax Statement, issued by employers to report their employees' earned income for the year. Generally, employers should issue Form W-2 to every employee and a copy to the Social Security Administration.
Corrected Wage and Tax Statement, used to correct information issued on a W-2.
Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate is completed by the employee and used by an employer to determine how much to withhold from an employee's paycheck for federal income tax purposes.
Form W-4P
Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments. The form allows taxpayers to tell payers the correct amount of federal income tax to withhold from payments.
Form W-4V
Voluntary Withholding Request, filed by taxpayers (or estates) who are recipients of social security benefits and want to request withholding from their payments from the Social Security Administration.
Earned Income Credit Advance Payment Certificate, used by taxpayers who have a qualifying child, may be eligible for the earned income credit, and choose to get advance EIC payments.
Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Form W-8BEN
Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding
Green Card Test
The determination that an individual has been issued a "green card" by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), generally making that person a lawful, permanent resident of the United States
This is all income received in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax.
Gross Income Test
One of the tests for identifying a qualifying relative as a dependent. Example: "Did the potential dependent have a gross income in excess of the personal exemption amount during the tax year?"
Head of Household Filing Status
This filing status is generally for unmarried taxpayers who paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for a qualified dependent relative during the tax year.
High Taxed Income
Passive income that is taxed by a foreign government at a rate higher than the highest U.S. income tax rate, and may be classified as "general category income," making it eligible for the foreign tax credit.
Holding Period
Schedule D requires entries for the stock purchase and sale date. Taxpayers must provide the date the stock was acquired and Form 1099-B will indicate the date the stock was sold. These two dates will determine the holding period.
Taxes on income, both earned (for example, salaries, wages, tips, commissions) and unearned (for example, interest and dividends). Income taxes can be levied both on individuals (personal income tax) and businesses (business and corporate income taxes).
People who are in an independent trade, business, or profession in which they offer their services to the general public are generally independent contractors. The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not what will be done and how it will be done. The earnings of a person who is working as an independent contractor are subject to self-employment tax.
Identity Protection PIN
There is a new field next to spouse's occupation at the bottom of Form 1040 labeled Identity Protection PIN. This is designed to help prevent refunds from being issued to an identity thief. It the taxpayer has been a victim of identity theft, verify the special PIN (6 digit IPPIN) is correct using CP01A Notice or see Form 1040 Instructions for more information.
Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA)
A tax-sheltered retirement savings plan set up by the taxpayer.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Income a person receives from certain financial accounts or from lending money to someone else.
Injured Spouse Relief
A provision of tax law that allows a taxpayer to get back his or her share of a joint overpayment when the overpayment was used to pay one spouse's past-due federal tax, state income tax, child support, spousal support, or federal non-tax debt, such as a student loan.
A provision of tax law that allows a taxpayer to be relieved of responsibility for paying tax, interest, and penalties if the taxpayer's spouse (or former spouse) improperly reported items or omitted items on a joint tax return.
Intake and Interview sheet
Form 13614-C used to conduct the initial interview and screen the taxpayer.
Investment Income includes taxable interest and dividends, tax-exempt interest, capital gain net income, net income from rents and royalties not derived from a trade or business, and net income from passive activities
Individual Retirement Arrangement - A tax-sheltered savings plan set up by the taxpayer, generally for retirement income.
Itemized deductions allow taxpayers to reduce their taxable income based on specific personal expenses. If the total itemized deductions are greater than the standard deduction, it will result in a lower taxable income and lower tax.
ITIN
Individual taxpayer identification number, issued by the IRS to individuals who are not eligible for a social security number.
Joint Return Test
One of the tests for identifying a qualifying child or qualifying relative as a dependent. Generally, a married person cannot be claimed as a dependent if he or she files a joint return.
Document from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sent to discharged service members who qualify for severance pay subject to medical disability, which is nontaxable.
One of two tax credits available to offset costs of higher education by reducing the amount of income tax. The Lifetime Learning credit is a nonrefundable credit of up to $2,000 for qualified education expenses for students enrolled in eligible educational institutions. It is available to students for all years of postsecondary education and for courses to acquire or improve job skills.
Lump-sum Distribution
A lump-sum distribution is the distribution or payment within one tax year of an employee's entire balance from all qualified pension, stock bonus, or profit-sharing plans that the employer maintains.
A taxpayer's "main" home is where they live most of the time. It does not have to be a traditional house; for example, it may be a houseboat, mobile home, cooperative apartment, or condominium, but it must have cooking, sleeping, and bathroom facilities.
Making Work Pay Tax Credit
A refundable tax credit of up to $400 for working individuals ($800 for Married Filing Jointly) calculated at a rate of 6.2 percent of earned income and phased out for taxpayers with a modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in excess of $75,000 ($150,000 for Married Filing Jointly). Claimed on Schedule M (Form 1040A or 1040).
MACRS
Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System, a method for calculating a taxpayer's depreciation deduction that uses the property's placed-in-service date, recovery period, and depreciable basis.
Married Filing Jointly
Filing status for taxpayers who are married to each other or live together in a common law marriage and combine their income and deductions on the same tax return. The status also applies to taxpayers who are separated but not divorced and to taxpayers whose spouse died during the tax year and has not remarried, as long as one tax return is used for both individuals.
Married Filing Separately
Filing status for taxpayers who are married to each other or live together in a common law marriage and report their own incomes and deductions on separate returns.
Medical Severance Pay
A type of includable military income given to service members who have been separated from the service for medical reasons
Member of Household or Relationship Test
One of the tests for identifying a qualifying relative as a dependent: Was the person related to the taxpayer in any of the following ways: Son, daughter, foster child, or a descendant of any of them; brother, sister, or a son or daughter of either of them; father, mother, or an ancestor or sibling of either of them; stepbrother, stepsister, stepfather, stepmother, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law? Any other person (other than the taxpayer's spouse) who lived with the taxpayer all year as a member of the taxpayer's household?
The adjusted gross income with certain modifications.
Mortgage Interest Credit
Taxpayers who hold qualified mortgage credit certificates (MCCs) under a qualified state or local government program may claim a nonrefundable credit for mortgage interest paid.
Mortgage Insurance Premiums
Qualified mortgage insurance is provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Housing Administration, the Rural Housing Service, and private mortgage insurance (PMI) companies. Taxpayers can treat qualified mortgage insurance premiums paid or accrued during the tax year as home mortgage interest. PMI is deductible on line 13 of Schedule A.
Multiple Support Agreements
If one person has not provided over half the support, go to step 8 to determine if multiple support exists. Multiple support means that two or more people together, who could claim the person as a dependent except for the support test, provide more than half the dependent's support. However, only one taxpayer can claim the exemption for a dependent with multiple support. In this situation, the individuals who provide more than 10% of the person's total support (step 9), and who meet the other tests for a qualifying relative, can agree that one of them will take the person's exemption.
A mutual fund is a regulated investment company generally created by pooling funds of investors, which allows investors to take advantage of a diversity of investments and professional management. Owners of mutual funds may receive both Form 1099-DIV and Form 1099-B. Form.
Nonbusiness energy property credit
Taxpayers may be able to claim a nonbusiness energy property credit for certain energy efficient property or improvements.
Nondeductible Traditional IRA Contributions
Traditional IRA contributions that taxpayers may not deduct from their total income because the taxpayers do not meet the requirements; also includes remaining contributions from a partial IRA deduction.
Nonrecourse debt is satisfied by the surrender of the secured property regardless of the fair market value (FMV) at the time of surrender and the borrower is not personally liable for the debt. If property subject to nonrecourse debt is abandoned, foreclosed upon, subject of a short sale, or repossessed by the lender, the circumstances will be treated as a sale of the property by the taxpayer.
Nonrefundable Credit
A nonrefundable credit can only reduce the tax liability to zero. Any excess credit is not refunded to the taxpayer.
Nonresident Alien
A residency status of an individual who does not meet the Green Card Test or the Substantial Presence Test,
Any income exempt from federal income tax. Although some types of nontaxable income are reported on the return, it is not added into the amount of income subject to tax.
Traditional IRA contributions that taxpayers may not deduct from their adjusted gross income because the taxpayers do not meet the requirements; also includes remaining contributions from a partial IRA deduction.
OHA
Overseas housing allowance, a type of excludable military income.
Ordinary Dividends
Corporate distributions paid out of the earnings and profits of the corporation.
Paid Preparers
Paid preparers are legally liable under federal law for the returns they prepare; volunteers are not.
Passive Activity
When a taxpayer receives income mainly from the use of property rather than for services. Passive activity means the taxpayer is not involved in making significant rental or business management decisions (versus active participation). Because rental activities are generally considered passive activities, rental losses may not fully deductible.
Taxable income that comes from passive activity, such as dividends, interest, royalties, rents, and annuities.
In 2011, social security tax is withheld from an employee's wages at the rate of 4.2% (down from 6.2%) up to the social security wage limit of $106,800.
Permanent change of station for a military service member.
A series of definitely determinable payments made to an employee or survivor (the beneficiary of a deceased employee's pension) after the employee retires from work.
Period of Stay
Amount of time a taxpayer stays in a foreign country, which is one of the factors used to determine whether the taxpayer is eligible for the foreign earned income exclusion. To meet the period of stay requirement, the taxpayer must meet either the Bona Fide Residency test or the Physical Presence test.
Personal Exemption
An exemption that allows taxpayers to claim themselves as exemptions on their tax return. Also included in this category is the taxpayer's spouse, when filing a joint return.
Physical Presence Test
To meet the physical presence test for the foreign earned income exclusion, a taxpayer must be physically present in a foreign country 330 full days during a period of twelve consecutive months.
Taxes on property, especially real estate. It can also be levied on boats, automobiles (often paid along with license fees), recreational vehicles, and business inventories.
Armed Forces Tax Guide
Publication 17
Tax Guides for Individuals
Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad
Publication 463
Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses
U.S. Tax Guides for Aliens
Residential Rental Property
Basis of Assets
Recordkeeping for Individuals
Pension and Annuity Income
Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
The IRS Collection Process
Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits
Passive Activity and At-Risk Rules
General Rules for Pensions and Annuities
How to Depreciate Property
Practice Before the IRS and Power of Attorney
Tax Benefits for Education
Innocent Spouse Relief, addresses how one spouse may request relief from past taxes due solely based on the other spouse's debt.
Qualified Charitable Contributions (QCD)
A QCD is a distribution from an IRA made to an organization eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. If all requirements are met, this will exclude any part of the distribution that would otherwise be taxable.
Qualified Principal Residence Indebtedness
Qualified principal residence indebtedness is any debt incurred in acquiring, constructing, or substantially improving a principal residence and which is secured by the principal residence. Qualified principal residence indebtedness also includes any debt secured by the principal residence resulting from the refinancing of debt incurred to acquire, construct, or substantially improve a principal residence but only to the extent the amount of the debt does not exceed the amount of the refinanced debt.
Qualified Tuition Program
A program set up to allow taxpayers to either prepay, or contribute to an account established for paying a student's qualified expenses at an eligible educational institution. The program must meet certain requirements set by the state. Also known as a 529 program.
Qualifying Child
To be identified as a qualifying child, a person must meet certain basic tests. In addition there may be other requirements to claim various tax benefits for that qualifying child.
Qualifying Child of More than One Person Test
One of the tests for identifying a qualifying child or qualifying relative as a dependent: Is the person the qualified child of any other person?
Qualified Medical Expenses
For HSA, MSA, FSA, and HRA purposes, a medicine or drug will be a qualified medical expense only if the medicine or drug: requires a prescription, is available without a prescription (an over-the-counter medicine or drug) and you get a prescription for it, or is insulin.
Qualifying Relative
To be identified as a qualifying relative, a person must meet seven tests: Member of household or relationship test, Qualifying child of another taxpayer test, Citizen or resident test, Gross income test, Support test, Joint return test, and Dependent taxpayer test.
Qualifying Widow(er) With Dependent Child
Filing status is for widow or widower with one or more dependent children.
Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRBs)
Benefits paid to railroad retirees covered by the Railroad Retirement Act. The RRA has two components. Tier 1 is the equivalent of social security benefits and Tier 2 is like an employer's pension plan.
Recourse Debt
Recourse debt holds the borrower personally liable for any amount not satisfied by the surrender of secured property. If a lender forecloses on property subject to a recourse debt and cancels the portion of the debt in excess of the fair market value (FMV) of the property, the canceled portion of the debt will be treated as ordinary income from cancellation of indebtedness and will be required to be included in gross income unless the cancellation of indebtedness qualifies for one of the exceptions or exclusions from gross income under some provision of the Internal Revenue Code.
Refundable Credit
Occurs when the amount of a credit is greater than the tax owed. Taxpayers not only can have their tax reduced to zero; they can also receive a "refund" of excess credit.
Regular Method
Most common method for computing self-employment tax. Under the regular method, the net self-employment income entered on Schedule SE is the sum of net self-employment earnings from the taxpayer's Schedules C, C-EZ, and F. (Taxpayers should consult a professional tax preparer or a military legal assistance officer if they use a different method or require Schedule F.
Relationship Test
One of the tests for identifying a qualifying child as a dependent: Was the person the taxpayer's son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them (i.e., the taxpayer's grandchild, niece, or nephew)?
Someone related to the taxpayer by blood, marriage, or adoption, including the following:
Child, grandchild, great grandchild
Stepchild, stepbrother, stepsister
Brother, sister
Half-brother, half sister
Parent, grandparent, or other direct ancestor (but not foster parent)
Stepmother or stepfather
Brother or sister of one's father or mother
Son or daughter of one's brother or sister
Father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law.
Rental Expenses
Ordinary and necessary expenses attributable to the production of rental income and maintenance of the rental property, such as advertising, cleaning and repairs, insurance premiums, and property management fees.
Payments received by a taxpayer from tenants who rent the taxpayer's property, including regular and advanced rent, payments for breaking a lease, expenses paid by the tenant, and the fair market value of property or services received in lieu of monetary rental payments.
Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
The amount that must be distributed each year from a retirement plan or IRA.
Residence Test
One of the tests for identifying a qualifying child as a dependent: Did the potential dependent live with the taxpayer as a member of the taxpayer's household for more than half of the year?
An individual is considered to be a U.S. resident alien if he or she meets either the Green Card Test or the Substantial Presence Test.
Taxpayers may qualify for an energy credit for qualified solar electric property costs, qualified solar water heating property costs, qualified small wind energy property costs, and qualified geothermal heat pump property costs. This credit is claimed on Part II of Form 5695. This information is out of scope for the VITA/TCE programs and is included for your awareness only.
Retirement Savings Contributions Credit
The retirement savings contributions credit is a nonrefundable credit a qualifying taxpayer may claim if they made a contribution to a qualified plan.
Retirement Tax Act (RTTA)
Tier I Railroad Retirement Tax is the railroad retirement equivalent of social security wages and benefit amounts.
Generally, a rollover is a tax-free distribution to the taxpayer from one retirement account (traditional IRA or employer's pension plan) that rolls over into a similar retirement account within 60 days.
Sale of Main Home
Only a gain from the sale of a taxpayer's main home may be excluded from the taxpayer's income; a gain from a sale of a home that is not the taxpayer's main home will generally have to be reported as income.
Self-employment Income
Earned income from a trade, business, farming or profession that is not paid by an employer. For example, hair stylists and lawncare workers who work for themselves (and not for someone else) are considered self-employed.
Self-employment (SE) tax is social security and Medicare taxes collected primarily from individuals who work for themselves, similar to the social security and Medicare taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners.
Single Filing Status
Filing status that applies to a taxpayer who (1) has never married, or (2) is legally separated or divorced.
Simplified Method
This method is used to calculate the tax-free portion of each pension or annuity payment.
Payments made under Title II of the Social Security Act. They include old-age, survivors, disability insurance, and some workers' compensation benefits.
Special separation benefits, a type of military severance payment that affects the amount of VA compensation paid.
Standard Deduction
An amount, provided by law and based on filing status, age, blindness, and dependency that taxpayers can deduct from their adjusted gross income before tax is determined.
Standard Mileage Method
One of two methods for calculating business automobile expenses. For the standard mileage method, the taxpayer multiplies the business miles by the mileage rate for that tax year. (The other method is the actual expense method).
Statutory employee
If workers are independent contractors, such workers may nevertheless be treated as employees by statute (a statutory employee) for certain employment tax purposes.
Stock dividends
Stock dividends merely increase the taxpayer's number of shares in the company and generally are not taxable.
A stock split is a method used by corporations to lower the market price of stock. A two-for-one stock split will decrease the basis per share by half. The original basis of $200 for 100 shares becomes $200 for 200 shares.
Student Loan Interest
The interest paid during the year on a loan for qualified higher education expenses that were for the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or a person who was the taxpayer's dependent when the loan was obtained.
Substantial Presence Test
The criteria that an individual without a green card must meet in order to be considered a resident alien; the criteria relate to specific numbers of days physically present in the United States.
Support Test
One of the tests for identifying a qualifying child or a qualifying relative as a dependent: Did the taxpayer provide over half of the potential dependent's total support for the year?
Temporary additional duty for military service members. (See TDY)
TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (previously known as AFDC), a state benefit also known as welfare.
A dollar-for-dollar reduction in the tax. Can be deducted directly from taxes owed.
An amount (often a personal or business expense) that reduces income subject to tax.
Tax Forgiveness
For U.S. military personnel who die while serving in a combat zone or as a result of wounds, disease, or injury incurred while so serving, any unpaid tax liability is waived and any forgiven tax liability that has already been paid is refunded.
The country in which the taxpayer is permanently or indefinitely engaged to work as an employee or self-employed individual, regardless of where the taxpayer maintains his or her family home. For taxpayers who work abroad, but do not have a regular place of business because of the nature of the work, their tax home is the place where they regularly live.
Tax Liability (or total tax bill)
The amount of tax after nonrefundable credits have been subtracted. Taxpayers meet (pay) their federal income tax liability through withholding, estimated tax payments, and payments made with the income tax return.
Taxable Income
Any income subject to federal income tax.
Tax-exempt Interest
Interest that is exempt from federal income tax such as bonds issued by state and political subdivisions (county or city), District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions and political subdivisions.
Tax Counseling for the Elderly
TDY
Temporary duty for military service members. (See TAD.)
Temporary Work Location
A work location is considered temporary if the service member's employment is realistically expected to last (and in fact does last) for one year or less. Service members assigned to temporary work locations can deduct travel expenses.
Third-Party Designee
Person authorized by a taxpayer to discuss the taxpayer's return with the IRS, give the IRS information missing from the return, request copies of notices or transcripts related to the return, and respond to certain IRS notices. The taxpayer designates third party by checking the Yes box and entering the person's name, phone number, and personal identification number (PIN) in the "Third party designee" section of the return.
TIN see ITIN
Taxpayer Identification Number, same as Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
Tip Income
Money and goods received for services performed by food servers, baggage handlers, hairdressers, and others. Tips go beyond the stated amount of the bill and are given voluntarily.
An individual retirement arrangement that is not a Roth IRA or a SIMPLE IRA.
Transportation Expenses
Expenses service members incur when traveling to locations within their city or general area that is their tax home or post of duty (versus travel expenses).
Expenses service members incur when traveling away from their tax home or post of duty (versus transportation expenses).
Thrift Savings Account, a retirement savings and investment plan that has been available to civilian employees of the federal government since 1987, and was made available to U.S. service personnel in 2002.
Qualified higher education expenses for which taxpayers can deduct up to $4,000 in qualified tuition and related expenses paid during the tax year. The amount of the deduction is determined by filing status, modified AGI (MAGI), and other factors. Form 8917, Tuition and Fees Deduction, will help compute the MAGI for this deduction.
U.S. Citizen or Resident Test
See Citizen or Resident Test
Unearned Income
Income other than pay for work performed. Interest and dividends from savings or investments are common types of unearned income.
Unemployment compensation generally includes any amount received under an unemployment compensation law of the United States or of a state. In most cases, it is taxable. Unemployment income is not considered earned income for the purposes of calculating EITC.
Any income produced by investments, such as interest on savings, dividends on stocks, or rental income.
VA Disability Compensation
VA disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to veterans who are disabled because of injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service.
Wash sale
A wash sale occurs when a taxpayer sells or otherwise disposes of stock or securities (including a contract or option to acquire or sell stock or securities) at a loss and, within 30 days before or after the sale or disposition, the taxpayer buys, acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire substantially identical stock or securities.
Withholding Allowance
Claimed by an employee on Form W-4. An employer uses the number of allowances claimed, together with income earned and marital status, to determine how much income tax to withhold from wages.
Income tax is withheld from the pay of most employees. Income tax may also be withheld from gambling winnings, pensions/annuities, unemployment compensation, and certain federal payments, such as social security. In some cases income tax may be withheld on other types of income such as interest or dividend income.
Worldwide Income
U.S. citizens and U.S. resident aliens are required to report worldwide income on a U.S. tax return regardless of where they live and even if the income is taxed by the country in which it was earned. Filing requirements are the same as for U.S. citizens and U.S. resident aliens living in the United States and apply whether income is from within or outside the U.S.
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Home Technology Gadgets BAWA Cane: Innovative Tech to Help the Visually Impaired
TechnologyGadgetsGeneralMedical
BAWA Cane: Innovative Tech to Help the Visually Impaired
By Sead Fadilpasic
Since the beginning of the industrial era, new technologies have been rapidly emerging to change our lives for the better. We are witnessing developments in various fields – information, transport, housework, delivery, healthcare, and more. Technology has also greatly improved quality of life for the elderly population and people with disabilities.
Technology that caters to people with disabilities is generally called assistive technology. It includes various assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices, as well as the process used in selecting, locating, and using these devices. One of these devices is a walking cane for the visually impaired called the BAWA Cane.
BAWA Cane – Recreating Hope [Image: A device attached onto an existing white cane placed on top of a rattan table.] #BAWACane #Help #Hope #Technology #VisualImpairment #VisionLoss #InnovateSarawak #BlindCare #IoT #Sarawak #Malaysia #Captioned
A post shared by BAWA Cane (@bawa.cane) on Oct 23, 2018 at 1:40am PDT
More than a walking stick
The team founders Daniel and Stella Vong got their inspiration from their late grandmother who had cataract and glaucoma. They wanted to understand the difficulties of the visually impaired and help them, which gave birth to the BAWA Cane.
To call it just a walking stick would be a harsh understatement. Regular walking sticks only detect obstacles below the knee and in close proximity. With the BAWA Cane, it can detect obstacles in a range of up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) and sends signals about them to the user. With such a wide coverage, this device helps avoid higher obstacles like signboards, branches, etc.
To detect these obstacles, BAWA Cane uses dual sensors based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics. These allow the cane to detect a range of objects, from things that are as small as a tennis ball to larger objects. As soon as it detects it, it will send a beeping signal.
No more being afraid to leave your loved ones to do their own thing. BAWA Cane supports the mobility freedom of the visually impaired community. #BAWACane #Help #Hope #Technology #VisuallyImpaired #VisionLoss #WhiteCane
A post shared by BAWA Cane (@bawa.cane) on Nov 9, 2018 at 12:01am PST
The device’s battery life lasts up to 48 hours per battery charge. The entire charging time is one hour. It works both indoors and outdoors, regardless of the weather conditions. However, there are no guarantees that it will work normally if used in water or other liquids.
This helpful device also comes with advanced features like voice navigation, prediction, and personalization. For instance, it can geotag larger obstacles for future reference. All you need to do is connect the device wirelessly to a smartphone.
The BAWA Cane has won multiple awards for its innovation, including the Microsoft Imagine Cup Malaysia on 2015 and 2016, and the TEGAS Pre-Accelerator Bootcamp 2018. The BAWA Cane has so far been deployed to five countries and has been beta tested by 100 people winning multiple awards for its innovation.
YouTube: Introducing BAWA Cane
Photo credits: The feature image has been provided to us as part of a press kit and is owned by Wangi Lai PLT.
Sead Fadilpasic
Freelance writer / journalist / blogger. Tech enthusiast and gadget freak. Guitarist. Previously Al Jazeera journalist.
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Stay Connected: Braille Smartwatch for the Visually Impaired
Natasha Saru - June 5, 2017
Robotic Telework for Disabled People Serving as Waiters in Japan
Paulo Prieto - March 22, 2019
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Twitter Confirms Acquisition Of Mobile Ad Retargeting Startup TapCommerce
Anthony Ha @anthonyha / 5 years
Twitter just announced that it’s acquiring mobile ad startup TapCommerce.
Re/code’s Ina Fried broke the news about the acquisition earlier this afternoon, reporting that the deal price was $100 million. (Twitter declined to provide a price).
TapCommerce helps mobile businesses retarget their ads, i.e., target ads based on previous user activity — something that’s become common for desktop web advertising but not really on mobile, due to the lack of cookies. (Co-founder and CEO Brian Long has said TapCommerce is able to retarget using “large amounts of data coupled with sophisticated statistical analysis”) For example, an e-commerce app could use retargeted ads to convince a lapsed user to return, maybe by promoting new sales and promotions.
It seems like TapCommerce’s technology could offer Twitter way to improve the mobile app install and engagement ads that it announced today. (Facebook has also be launching tools in this area.)
In a blog post, Twitter suggested that the acquisition was part of its broader strategy in mobile marketing, which it kicked off last year with the acquisition of MoPub. (Earlier this month, the company also announced the acquisition of mobile ad startup Namo Media.) In its most recent earnings report, the company said 80 percent of its ad revenue came from mobile.
Richard Alfonsi, Twitter, vice president of global online sales, wrote abut the deal:
Together with the TapCommerce team, Twitter will be able to offer mobile app marketers more robust capabilities for app re-engagement, tools and managed service solutions for real-time programmatic buying, and better measurement capabilities. Combined with our other ad solutions, advertisers will be able to drive conversions and ROI with mobile consumers on and off of Twitter, across the full user lifecycle — from acquiring new users through app installs, to engaging existing users who already have the advertisers’ apps on their device. And if you’re an everyday mobile user, we expect this will mean better and more relevant ads in the apps you use.
When asked what made TapCommerce stand out, Alfonsi told me that he was impressed by TapCommerce’s focus on app reengagement, its support for programmatic ad-buying, and by its existing client list, which he said has significant overlap with Twitter’s. As the company’s name implies, its earliest advertisers came from the world of e-commerce, but Alfonsi said it now has gaming, travel, and lifestyle austomers as well. (The TapCommerce team said the deal will not affect the service it offers to those existing customers.)
“People have been talking about [mobile retargeting] for a while, but I think it’s really starting to become real now,” Alfonsi said.
He added that it’s “too early to say” when we might see TapCommerce technology used on Twitter (or on other apps that run MoPub advertising): “We’re still in the basic team integration stage, showing them the bathroom, those kinds of things, but we’re starting to think about the product roadmap and we’re excited about where this could go.”
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Calling from Tablets is Much More Popular than You’d Think
When the first phablets or tablets appeared, I giggled at the idea of calling someone from such a “supersized” phone. But it seems that times have changed, and according to a fresh report coming from the reputed analytics firm IDC, more users in Asia now hold tablets to their faces to make calls. IDC also reports that phablets’ growth has apparently reached a plateau.
Tablets of 7 inch screen sizes and above, are increasingly shipping with cellular voice capabilities, getting more traction in the Asia/Pacific region, excluding Japan. Around 13.8 million units of tablets were shipped in the above mentioned region in Q2 2014, of which nearly 25%, which means around 3.5 million units had the voice calling feature.
This means that a growth of more than 60% on a year-on-year basis has been registered. Avinash K. Sundaram, Senior Market Analyst of Client Devices team at IDC Asia/Pacific, mentioned the following.
Tablets that allow voice calls over cell networks have been around for a while now, as the first generation of Samsung Tabs did have that option, albeit only activated through a Bluetooth headset. This shift highlights the sustained interest among consumers, at least in emerging markets, to have a single mobile device for all their needs – be it watching movies and soap operas, taking pictures, texting or making calls, even if the device has a huge 7” screen on it. It also helps that these devices are quite affordable, playing in the entry-to-mainstream price bands in most markets
However, you should take into account that the report only mentions how many tablets with the voice calling feature have been shipped, but we can’t know for sure how many are actually using this feature or how often. So, this report only reports on the state of such tablets and only covers certain areas in Asia.
What we’re seeing now is mainly thanks to the popularity of phablets, which have lead consumers to accept the concept making calls from big-screened phones. Well, at least some of them, as I personally am not yet a big fan of the idea, and probably will never be. But we can’t ignore the fact that data plans for tablets have become more affordable along the years, and data allotments have considerably enlarged, as well.
This will leave many of us wondering – could the consumer acceptance of big screen phones lead to increase in camera usage among tablets owners? I guess we’ll just have to wait for another report from IDC to confirm or deny that.
Last updated by Radu Tyrsina, on 22-Aug-14
Radu Tyrsina Author was the Managing Editor of Technology Personalized. He now writes about Windows 10 apps and reviews them on WindowsReport. Believes that technology is the main engine of civilization. Send him a tweet or make him your Facebook friend
Apple Sold More Tablets than Amazon and Samsung Combined in…
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PODCAST / NEWS / VOICE-OVERS BY TODD HANCOCK
Hear The Offspring and 311’s Cover Each Other
Only a few days ’til the launch of The Offspring / 311 co-headlining 29 date tour (starts July 25th in Mountain View, California and wraps September 9th in Wichita, Kansas)! And to help promote the run, the bands have covered each other! Rolling Stone magazine panned both songs – but you can’t teach good taste.
The Offspring covered 311’s 1996 breakthrough “Down.” In a press release Offspring guitarist Noodles said, “We tried to do a Ramones-like version to serve as a companion piece to the Clash-iness of theirs. I don’t know if we did it justice but it sure was fun to play and sing.”
311 went with Offspring’s “Self Esteem”. Rolling Stone said, “… again, it sounds like vocalist Nick Hexum and Doug Martinez are punching out of their weight class.” Check it out below. Do you agree?
Wonder if the bands will play these covers in their live sets? I’d be ‘down’ to see that.
What’s the best cover, all-time?
Written by Todd Hancock
TODDCAST PODCAST
THE INDIE SCENE
© 2014-2019 Todd Hancock. All Rights Reserved. Website Managed: theSOCIALbrand.agency
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Lawsuit against Google dropped
A lawsuit against Google, filed by consumers who claimed the search engine's photo sharing and storage service violated their privacy was dismissed on Saturday by a U.S. judge who cited a lack of "concrete injuries."
U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang in Chicago granted a Google motion for summary judgment, saying the court lacked "subject matter jurisdiction because plaintiffs have not suffered concrete injuries."
The lawsuit against Google, filed in March 2016, alleged Alphabet Inc's Google violated Illinois state law by collecting and storing biometric data from people's photographs using facial recognition software without their permission through its Google Photos service.
Plaintiffs had sought more than $5 million collectively for the "hundreds of thousands" of state residents affected, according to court documents. Plaintiffs had asked the court for $5,000 for each intentional violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, or $1,000 for every negligent violation, court documents said.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs as well as officials with Google could not immediately be reached to comment. Google had argued in court documents that the plaintiffs were not entitled to money or injunctive relief because they had suffered no harm.
Sources and credits:Reuters
More news stories featuring Google
Data Privacy, Lawsuits, NewsPeter Borner January 11, 2019 GoogleComment
Massachusetts Data Breach Notification law
data breach, NewsPeter Borner January 14, 2019 Massachusetts, notification
Marriott data breach traced to China
data breach, Data Theft, NewsPeter Borner January 9, 2019 Marriot, Starwood
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The First Age › Moscow › Kremlin and Red Square
Channeler Experience Level: Master
Reborn God: Hades
All Accounts Posts: 757
4 Attached Accounts
Daiyu
Julie Reed
Lawrence Monday
Despite what he proposed to Evelyn, he had no intention of moving out of the Kremlin anytime soon. The fortress was more fortified than ever before. Dominions were always on the grounds. Marcus, Alric, and others were embedded within the government. Beyond channelers, his own task forces, the Zetas, ZARS, and others were on highest alerts. The Kremlin security service operated around the clock. They’d stand one at the foot of his bed if he allowed it. Suffice to say, the Kremlin was impenetrable.
Michael continued to oversee the development of a weapons’ program in the north. Domovoi was taking shape now that it was to be ushered into the Custody of Channeler security. Things were taking shape in the United States, Australia and Africa. China remained elusive, but his focus was yet to turn truly toward the east. However, following his conversation with the Regus, Nikolai knew there was one front that was left unattended. If it wasn’t contained, things could spiral quickly out of control.
He’d been too hard on Nox. He recognized that now. The defensiveness was justified, but Nikolai was capable of identifying talent when it showed itself. In Nox’s case, it was proved three times.
He ordered a message be delivered to the young Atharim channeler. It was not a command, nor was it a rebuke. It was an invitation, one he did not anticipate to be declined, but an invitation none the less. His arrival would be treated with respect, albeit welcome, which was probably an unexpected change of pace compared to his usual treatment at Nik’s hands.
Most unexpected was likely to location he’d requested to meet the Atharim. An off-site event carried him into the city for a highly-publicized appearance featuring the dazzling and powerful Ascendancy. Evening rolled, eventually, and call him superstitious, but he’d always wanted to stop at this graveyard. Twenty-five years in Moscow, and he’d never visited it before.
They were other-worldly places cloaked in grim auras. The oldest ones held the remains of tsarist princes and princesses. Great priests of orthodoxy churches occupied others. Nobility made up the necropolis of the most famous dead. He’d seen all of those before.
The one in which he stood, marveling at tombstones and mausoleums that were themselves works of art, was itself an eternal, gothic monument. The Infidel’s Cemetery was its name. A fitting place for a rogue Atharim to conspire with Apollyon.
ex-Atharim
Reborn God: Ged
Atharim
All Accounts Posts: 3,131
18 Attached Accounts
05-03-2019, 08:49 PM (This post was last modified: 05-03-2019, 08:52 PM by Nox.)
The call came from an number Nox didn't recognize, but the Caller ID was unmistakable, 'From the offices of the Ascendancy'. He guessed they wanted you to know exactly who was calling you. The meeting had been a surprise. The location more so. But the meeting had Nox missing cues and just plain scatter brained. Which wasn't good for anyone. He'd told the girls what was going on and they understood completely.
So when he left they were all giggly and wishing him luck. While Nox was just hoping he got out of the encounter alive. Nox didn't dress up - not that he owned anything more than jeans and t-shirts. It was all clean, free of holes - well except the gray hoodie he wore over top it all. The pockets had seen better days, they'd been sewn repeatedly, Nox kept snagging them on door handles. Living inside was obviously rough on his clothes much more so than being a vagabond.
The Infidels Cemetery was an interesting choice of venue. Nox had never been himself. He avoided places where the dead lived. He knew Zombies were real, but the idea of someone reaching up and grabbing his feet freaked him out a lot more than it should. The agents outside the gates let him pass through with a quick pat down and nothing more than a curious glance. Nox had come as unarmed as he possibly could. Not that he carried a gun or weapon other than the lighter in his pocket these days. He really needed to gather up the small innocuous things again - particularly if he intended to enter the tunnels again - which was his plan - soon as he got his life situated again. Dance and hunt, the only two things he was good at.
The Ascendancy stood looking at a particular monument in the grave yard and Nox remembered the first time he'd met him. In a cemetery of sorts - the burial grounds of the monks and Atharim who had attacked the man he was meeting with. He'd dug deep into the ground with weaves Nox enjoyed using now. Feeling the earth was like reliving a memory. Not that he needed to relive any more memories but it was oddly calming. The Ascendancy had done it to find a single pendant in the earth buried long past. The hour glass he'd shown Aria. They never did find out much about it. But then life had a way of distracting them. And now Aria was dead - and he was no longer Atharim. Hunted by his own.
"At least this time the graves aren't covered in snow." Nox said with a smile. "I never expected you to kill me yourself. A bullet to the head is far safer. Not that I'd give you much trouble anyway, specially now that you can just take away my ability to touch the power inside." Nox's hands were in the pockets of his hoodie but he was neither angry or sad, he showed little emotion actually, the power danced just out of reach. Nox said to himself he'd not go down without a fight at least.
"Two things before we do whatever it is you wanted me to come here for. Aria's dead, buried under the streets of the Red Light district." Nox looked down at the ground - it wasn't shame he felt - loss, sadness, maybe. He'd killed his friend, but he was not ashamed of it. "And I wanted to thank you." He raised his gaze to look at the man again. "If I hadn't seen you in Siberia with earth, I might not ever have learned what I have. It was an far more inspiring than the arch to my eyes. So thank you." He had other reasons to thank the Ascendancy, the least of which was for his life, but that was more important - at least to Nox.
biography | The Mind of nox
Graveyards never disturbed him. He recalled visiting those of his great-grandparents as a child. Hands pat him on the shoulders, leading him along reverent paths. They whispered around him as though open dialogue about mortality might unhinge so innocent a mind. Even as a child, he was misunderstood.
Memory crept like fog unbidden into the crevices of his mind. Quietude settled like that fog finding low ground. The northeast United States were pockmarked with old cemeteries. The best ones dated to Colonial times where headstones were covered with lichen and the carvings smoothed to near nothing.
He decided as a child that death was something to rule rather than fear. Death on a man’s own terms was his reconciliation with mortality. In that alone was he able to sever familial connections following his father’s suicide – Nikolai hiked to the car before the casket was lowered. Arguably a youth, but he remained misunderstood.
When the Datsan adopted his wandering soul, he never thought it would become a battlefield, but the graves were easier to dig than that of his father’s. Anger dug the holes, and catharsis burned the rest to the ground. When he turned upon Nox’s arrival, it was with hands clasped behind his back and pensive gaze narrowed upon one he once judged as another irreverent youth. Yet Nox humbled himself in word and posture. If the Ascendancy asked him to bow, he would bend for the headsman before he bent a knee. He recognized now that Nox’s pride was bred by survival rather than ego.
Gratitude was an unusual color for Nox, but Ascendancy nodded an acceptance anyway. His turn, “And I want to thank you,” he said with all the calm of still waters. “You’ve twice saved my life. I owe you a debt,” and with that, he offered a hand to shake it.
A deep breath seemed to pass the tension and he offered that they walk. “When I was young, I once met a man who asked me a question that the swiftness of my answer surprised him. I want to ask you the same question now, Nox.” Ironic that the query was a repetition of that posed by a dead Regus.
“What do you want in life, Nox?”
“Mortal—immortal—Gods or men. We all want something.” A small breeze caught their hair, stirring dark strands along his brow and awakening scents of early buds and wet moss along their path. It was a peaceful place. He drew a deep breath. The aroma of death was a distant, but familiar, friend.
His steps paused, hands remained behind his back. He pondered touching Nox on the shoulder to likewise halt his steps. It seemed the fatherly and warm gesture to do, but he was new at this sort of thing. Instead, he tried a simple smile.
Those five words left Nox staring at the Ascendancy. He owned him? Nox took his hand, but shook his head. "You owe me nothing. I was just doing my job. It makes no difference to me if you were a homeless man or the leader of half the world." He grinned across their clasped hands. "But the sentiment is welcome. Thank you."
He didn't need favors or depts. Just his life. That's all he wanted. They walked. Graveyards were quiet. He didn't fancy the location himself, but it was peaceful, and in the chaos of his life it was fitting. His past failures were all dead. What he'd hoped had been his future was dead, and now, he was fighting to stay alive against what he'd always wanted with his life. The question asked he'd never really thought about before.
Life before had been a day to day thing. Survive to fight the next monster, move to the next location, fight, survive, move on. Moscow was the only place Nox had ever stopped long enough to find a real life - real friends. There had been nothing more than his family. Nox laughed. "If you'd asked me that a year ago, hell even six months a go I'd have said to make my Dad proud of me. Sadly now, even though hes been dead going on three years now, he would never be proud of me. I'm what he hates most in the world - a monster." Nox didn't add that it didn't help that he was attracted to the same sex. But that was a life Nox didn't really think about. "Asked me a few weeks ago I would have told you that the only thing I wanted in life was to protect my family and friends. And then friends betray you and what you thought was life isn't anymore."
That was his life. Nox shook his head. "I don't know what I want in life anymore, kinda what I'm doing right now. Finding that truth. My family's dead. I killed my best friend. My colleagues want me dead." Nox sighed. "I know what I don't want thought. I don't want to live under my family's shadow. I don't want to be the zealot Atharim like my father - a man who turned his son straight, a man who would kill that very same son the day he found out he weilded the power of the gods. He'd have killed his beloved daughter just the same - that was the strength of his conviction to the Atharim. I'm not that. I beleived in Aria, in her strength to be different. But she was a tortured soul even from the moment I met her. I followed her to the monastary to find more information about Apolyon. This dreaded propehcy she feared yet she couldnt kill. I followed because of that. I've helped more men who could channel since then than I knew possible. I'm nothing. No one yet I find myself in a position of knowleedge because I didn't blow myself up when I found out what I was."
Nox laughed and looked at the Ascendancy. "I know you don't like me because I don't bow and scrap. I won't worship you. You are not a god. Just a very powerful man. I respect what you've done - come from nothing. But I won't be like the men of old who worshiped the gods of old. Just like I won't be a god."
Nox realized he probably shouldn't have said that last bit and closed his mouth sharply. He talked too much when he was nervous and he was standing in front a man who could smite him. That would make anyone neverous specially when the man threatened his life every. single. time. they'd met in the past.
It didn’t take a psychologist to recognize Nox’s dysfunction. What followed to his question was a long-winded recollection of memories stirred up by a damaged psyche. The question itself did that, but the stark contrast between Nikolai’s own immediate, knee-jerk answer and the convoluted monologue of Nox’s admittedly ignorant ideas gave him enormous insight into their differences in personality. Even as a child Nikolai’s focus turned toward the future. He planned the arc of his life early on, which was partly why the interference in such plans was so devastating. Nox lived in the moment, a byproduct of a true Atharim surviving day to day. To him there was no future beyond the immediate needs, so why plan one? The rationalization tempered what normally would irritate him. Not everyone was like himself: strategic, insightful, planning and analytical. Case in point was Nox’s ability to adapt to the ever-changing dynamic of his life. He hinted at the ability in the story. A father’s disapproval, deaths of friends (and lovers?), a conflict of sexuality inside that churned silt best left undisturbed else it clouded his very existence. He was adrift now. It was painfully obvious.
“It’s alright, Nox. Don’t apologize. I don’t really adopt the notion of gods and men, but what is a god but a man who demands worship. I will not demand such a thing of you or anyone. I want the love and respect of my people because I’ve earned it. Surely you can respect that. If I wanted, I could fly into the USA and single-handedly conquer the capital, demolish the government, and build the pillars of my own. I don’t, however, because I know it’s a short-game. I only want to rule a people if they want me to.”
His laughter was enveloped by a soul unflinching of others’ dismissal. He was underestimated by all those who held power before him, and it was at their detriment. Nox was nervous, and he turned to sarcasm as a defense. It was fine, Nikolai accepted it. “If I were to summarize, it sounds like you want to help others because you yourself know what it is like to live alone, afraid, and helpless. Is that it?”
He touched his own sleeve as though their gaze might pierce the cloth. “I was Atharim myself – for a time. Like you, when I learned what I was, I was faced with the same choice as you.” His gaze leered into the distant past, the gun to his head, the burning pain cramping his arm, and the fear in his friend’s eyes. “I also chose as you did. I know my own heart as you know yours. I did not deserve death for being born as I was born; neither do you. But great power in the hands of evil men is a terrible thing. To such a danger must also rise great heroes. You can be one such man, Nox. Not for me, not for the Atharim, but for all those you want to protect. Is that what you want out of life? Maybe even lead others to help likewise?”
Nox wanted to jump in declare he'd never been helpless. But there had been a time in his life he had been. Everytime his father had gotten angry. Everytime he failed. Everytime.... He kept silent. The Ascendancy wanted something from him. Wanted to guage his reaction to the hard questions. Nox knew he was dysfunctional in many regards. Knew that the Atharim had corrupted his mind, gave power to his body but they tormented his soul with all the wrongs and rights of the world.
It was a cult. "I will do whatever it takes to keep people safe." If that required him to lead he would if it required him to bend and scrap to some man he would. But he had to see the point of it. The reason behind it all. "I will submit, I will hunt, I will fight. I will lead whoever I need to if that's what it takes. My sister would warn you against let me lead anything. She says I get into way too much trouble for my own good." Nox grinned. Case in point - here he was standing in front of the Ascendancy - one of the most powerful men in the world making jokes.
He waited for Nox to proclaim his deepest desires, but even baited, the path unfurled before his feet, Nox was unwilling to claim his own desires. He remained selfless, adopting whatever it was Ascendancy suggested because it was suggested to him. Was he truly so poorly treated in life that he was disconnected forever from his own wants and needs? It was almost sad, if Nikolai was inclined toward empathy. Yet empathy was the ingredient to bind people to him, and he recognized the advantage it gave him. Analysis didn’t make the choice less genuine, if anything, it made him all the better for it.
“Yes I believe if I asked it of you, you’d do just that,” he paused again, this time touching Nox on the shoulder, squeezing it slightly. The boy struggled with sexuality, an apt metaphor for his struggles as a monster and man, Atharim and god. Despite the denial, Nox was what he was, but unlike a cruel father, Nikolai would not impose his will upon him. What did Nox see when he looked at him? It would help him understand how to best breech the fortifications built up around his own soul. Did he see a gifted channeler first and man come from nothing second? Did he see the most powerful man in the world first and a threat? Or did he see simply a man standing before another, vulnerable and apologetic?
“Is that what you truly want? And to what end? A world that no longer needs your protection would be a lonely place.”
Nox laughed. "No offense intended, but the world is already a fucking lonely place. If no one needed my protection again then I probably died a long time ago." Nox tried not to pull away from the fatherly touch. But he couldn't help it. They were speaking too close to things that he'd beleived as a boy. Though Nox flinched he didn't escape, he didn't try. "I don't know what you want to hear from me. I'm simple. The fact that I'm still alive today means I can get another day. I enjoy each breath I take that doesn't come followed by a cough or pain. Any day I'm not hunted by the Atharim is a good day. Unlike you, I'm not the most feared man in the world. I haven't returned any bodies to the Atharim unrecognizable. I just want to keep breathing so I can enjoy the next moment."
Nox shook his head. "I'm sorry if that's not what you want to hear."
Another uncomfortable bark of laughter. He was prying open the door, but what was within was cloaked in shadows. He learned much from their short conversation, and hopefully it was not to be the last. For one thing, he pushed too hard too soon, and Nox wasn’t ready.
“It’s okay,” he reassured with a quick squeeze of the neck and pat on the shoulder. Ease him in to trust, Nikolai reassured and quickly receded from the invasion of personal space. “I didn’t want to hear anything, I was merely asking.” He turned, glancing aside as one of his personal guards watched nearby.
“I do find myself in a predicament, however. With the Atharim all but disbanded, there remain scattered soldiers like yourself holding back the darkness. The Custody has a force in dire need of teaching. They’re talented, strong and trained, but no Atharim, and I am an inadequate teacher.” He turned back, “Would you be willing to help? You’ve proven yourself more than trustworthy and possibly the best experienced out there.”
He thought a moment before releasing a pent up toll of laughter, “I laid it on too thick with that last, didn’t I?”
Nox sighed a little when Ascendancy removed his hand from his shoulder. He didn't take offense but even Dorian and Christian hadn't actually tried to touch him. His father had been a violent man.
The Atharim weren't leaderless - not completely. "There is a new Regus. They are only scattered because their head quarters melted. Give them a home. Pardon their crimes, ban killing humans under penalty of death, include gods, wolfkin, sentient, all of the known sentient monsters." Nox shrugged. "But that wasn't what you asked. I've always been willing to help. All you had to do is ask. I would have given you full access to the Atharim database the first day we met if you'd only asked."
Nox smirked. "I'm not Aria and I'm not my sister but I will help how I can. I don't know if your people will like my methods. Ivan and Jay didn't care for being thrown into the fire."
Nox couldn't help but laugh. "Maybe a little. I'm probably the only friendly Atharim you know. But yes. I will help teach Domovoi and whoever else you want to have intimate knowledge about monsters. I can provide a partial database of mostly monsters. I won't give Atharim personel up but I will give everything I have including the map of the tunnels I have and the nests located underneath the city. But Domovoi can't go in not without a reborn god with them. The tunnels are infested with a creature not on Atharim lists, they are scary little creatures. They swarm. Aria and I were clearning them but it was just two of us. But just tell me what I need to do, who I need to talk to and I'm there."
Forum Jump: Private Messages User Control Panel Who's Online Search Forum Home News & Discussion -- About -- General Discussion -- Current Events -- Biographies & Backstory ---- PPC board Alternate Timelines -- Past Lives -- Mirror Worlds Moscow -- Kremlin and Red Square -- Greater Moscow and the Golden Ring -- Moscow Nightlife -- Underground city -- The Facility -- Place of Enlightenment -- The Guardian -- University -- Izmailovsky Market -- Red-light district Rest of the world -- Rest of the world ---- United States ---- Africa -- The Scroll -- Place for Dreams
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← Going Dutch
Cuckoos Nest →
Posted on August 16, 2015 by moulty58
By 1975 Rod Stewart had come a very long way indeed. Five years earlier he was the unemployed singer previously in proper rock band, the Jeff Beck Group who in many respects were the template for Led Zeppelin. His solo records and those with the Faces were much loved by serious rock fans and the general public in general.’Man of the people’ Rod had now done what most working class heroes would have done in his position which was to enjoy his money and fame to the max and move to Los Angeles.
Some of us who were left behind felt betrayed (and possibly jealous). The likes of Rod, the Stones and Elton John were the new aristocracy and without doubt their Rock Star antics help sow the seed of Punk.
Rod’s new album ‘Atlantic Crossing’ was recorded without his old mates like Ron Wood and Drummer Micky Waller and he was playing with legendary R&B instrumentalists like Steve Cropper and Al Jackson instead. Of course the general public judged the record on its merits and made it a huge seller, its a good album and sounds nowhere near as ploshed now as we thought it did then.
The big hit single was,of course, ‘Sailing’ which seemed to dominate my Top of the Pops viewing for months but as we all know time moved a lot slower in the 70’s, it was only at number one for 4 weeks.
In retrospect it’s a lovely song and perfect for Stewart it conjurers up a spirit not only of travel but of loss,yearning and returning. Its a triumph of performance and production which disguises the rather unimaginative lyrics and the fact that its the same chord sequence all the way through.
There’s another reason that the song is close to my heart.
In January 2014 my Dad was suddenly killed in an accident installing a shower in the family bungalow. Overnight he left a huge void in the family and my Mum without heating and hot water. The days that followed were the usuall whirlwind that follows a death of a loved one which of course helps those left behind to deal with the enormity of the situation. One of the tasks was organising the funeral.
My Dad suffered from the problem that affects most men over 35 in that he was difficult if not impossible to ‘buy’ for. If you look at men’s birthday cards its impossible not to come to the conclusion that men like beer/football/golf and little else, my dad didn’t like any of those, he seemed to enjoy DIY and Top Gear but there was a limit to the number of Clarkson products I could bring myself to buy. His Birthday was Xmas Eve which meant there was the double problem of present buying, what exactly were his interests? At one point in his life however he did own a sailing dingy, he took me out in it a few times until the mast broke and collapsed on our heads. He eventually sawed it in half and used the ends like a sort of open shed.
So when we were looking at music for the funeral we picked ‘sailing’ because for a period of his life my Dad like sailing. He actually liked Rod Stewart too but in the same way that most people remember the fat Vegas Elvis he liked the 80’s lurex Rod so we’re talking ‘Hot Legs’ rather than ‘you wear it Well’ here.
So we had the funeral and cried our eyes out during ‘Sailing’ at the end
The song wasn’t written by Stewart of course. The song was penned by Gavin Sutherland who was in a folk duo with his brother Iain imaginatively naming themselves ‘The Sutherland Brothers’ They released the song as a single themselves but it didn’t do much. The world probably didn’t need a folk duo from North East Scotland although that didn’t stop the Proclaimers of course. In their quest to gather a bit more public interest they hooked up with the rock group Quiver to form the imaginatively entitled ‘The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver’. For a while they were huge, literally, Quiver was a four piece band with their own singer. The band featured talented guitarist Tim Renwick as well as Bruce Thomas on Bass. Thomas is one of my all time favourite bass players but he has a capacity to piss people off, he fell out with Iain Sutherland and was asked to leave. A couple of decades later he managed the same trick with Elvis Costello (although one imagines that might not be particularly difficult) and got himself banned from the Attractions.
Gavin Sutherland moved over to bass but the shedding of members continued, by 1977 Quiver was represented solely by Drummer Willie Wilson.
The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver are representative of a group of bands who existed in the first half of the decade who seemed to have no musical ajim but to be ‘quite good’. As you might expect from the Scotts their music was American orientated having more in common with the likes of Poco or New Riders of the Purple Sage than the Kinks or the Who. There was a flood of similar bands such as Starry Eyed and Laughing, Head Hands and Feet, Ace or even Brindsley Schwarz modelling themselves on the Grateful Dead or the Band and pedalling pleasant Americana before the term existed. Talented enough to get a recording contract but blessed with neither looks or charisma they were doomed to play the Polytechnics until we all lost interest (which we would when Punk came around)
The problem becomes obvious if we look at The Sutherlands version of Sailing, the song is there but its not going to bring a tear to my eye.
The Sutherland Brothers and what was left of Quiver did briefly achieve fame with ‘Arms of Mary’ a plodding song that still makes me feel a bit queasy at the coming of age tale
Mary was the girl who taught me all I had to know
She put me right on my first mistake
Summer wasn’t gone when I learned all she had to show
She really gave all a boy could take
Oh er..
To this day it still puzzles me. Mary taught him all he had to know so the basics really, nothing fancy. But in that case what was the ‘first mistake’ and how basic was that mistake. Of course we’re talking Scotland in the 70’s so a basic mistake was possible I suppose but really just thinking about this really has occupied too much of my time.
Still we really liked that soft country sound in 76 and it was a UK top 10 single.
And that was it for the the band, I use the term loosely as when they got rid of the drummer there was no Quiver anyway. Wilson and Renwick went on to have careers of their own not least of which was playing in the Pink Floyd touring band.
Amazing the Sutherland Brothers have resisted any reformation which is weird when you consider they could trade in nostalgia and also the thriving folk scene. They are still involved in music in the cottage industry sense.
So here is my favourite Sutherland Brothers and Quiver song, light and bouncy its the sort of thing the Bluetones or even Dodgy might have come up with in the 90s
Dream Kid
This entry was posted in rock music and tagged 70's biography, 70's music, Britain, country rock, drums, rod stewart. Bookmark the permalink.
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The Never-Ending War Over Space in the Overhead Storage Bins
Y ou board the aircraft, carrying a bag on with you. You arrive at your seat and store that bag into the overhead storage bin above the row where you will sit. As you take your seat to relax — perhaps work on a crossword puzzle; place a call with your mobile telephone; or look outside the window to while away the time — the aisle starts to fill with a steady stream of passengers, which eventually slows down and stops as people wait for others to store their belongings in the overhead storage bins, which are quickly becoming full…
…and then comes the inevitable fight for space in the overhead storage bins. Sometimes the dispute is as simple as moving a bag from one overhead compartment to another. Sometimes cooperation regarding the rearrangement of space in the overhead bin will satisfy all parties involved. Sometimes requiring the bag to be checked can be another simple resolution…
Improper Use of Overhead Storage Bins?
…and then you have this couple who supposedly threw a huge fit pertaining to bags in the overhead bins on a crowded flight, where they took the liberty to rearrange the belongings of other people and actually shout at fellow passengers about how they filled the overhead bins incorrectly. This humorous yet pathetic tale — as imparted by FlyerTalk member MissJoeyDFW— is but one of a series of disputes over the etiquette of that precious overhead storage bin space which has been ongoing for many years.
Some members of FlyerTalk vehemently and vociferously disagree in this more recent discussion pertaining to exactly how coats should be stored in the overhead storage bin — or should the overhead storage bins be used primarily for luggage only and not for outer garments, which could potentially use up space and force fellow passengers to check their belongings if they cannot fit anywhere aboard the airplane?
The War Over Space in the Overhead Storage Bins
The debate over space in the overhead storage bin is certainly not new on FlyerTalk or to frequent fliers in general. One of the earliest discussions pertaining to the “selfish use of overhead bins” was launched back in 1999 — slightly greater than 14 years ago. Even then, the overhead storage bin space conundrum was not a new issue — FlyerTalk itself just happened to be new, as it was barely a year old at that time…
…and since then, there have been many discussions about the use of space in the overhead bins.
Let’s face it: there is only so much space in the passenger cabin on a commercial airplane. The use of it has been exacerbated by the implementation of fees for checked baggage — remember when there was an uproar over when American Airlines started to charge $15.00 for the first bag checked in 2008? — and increasingly crowded airplanes due to consolidation in the commercial aviation industry and the reduction of capacity due to fewer flights and smaller airplanes.
Nobody wants to check luggage. It could get damaged, lost or stolen. You have to wait at the baggage carousel for what seems like an eternity for your baggage to finally arrive while you stand and stare at that same bag circling the carousel with no owner to be found. How does that always seem to happen?…
…and with the implementation of fees for checked baggage, you now have to pay for the privilege of enjoying that experience first-hand?
Stuff and Cram, Thank You, Ma’am
No thanks, say many passengers who are going to do everything they can to avoid checking their luggage by attempting to stuff it into an overhead bin.
Consider the example of a woman and her young son FlyerTalk member dickinson witnessed carry on bags that were the maximum size — along with a personal item which “was a backpack that extended from her shoulders beyond her derriere” and that the backpack “was much larger than her carry-on suitcases, easily as large as a full size suitcase. She and her son took up so much overhead storage that others seated nearby had a problem finding space for their bags near their seats.”
Did that woman violate any policies with what she and her young son carried aboard the aircraft with them? Was she an “overhead bin hog”?
Of course, the strategy of carrying on as much as possible aboard the aircraft free of charge will not work on Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air, each of whom currently charge a fee for the use of space in the overhead storage bins — and I have yet to read a discussion on FlyerTalk about the war on space in the overhead storage bins aboard the aircraft of those airlines after the fees went into effect. Do not be surprised if the idea of charging for space in the overhead storage bins for those passengers devoid of elite level status is eventually implemented by the legacy airlines in order to ease — and perhaps eliminate — the overhead storage bin space wars and profit from it in the process…
Myriad Factors
Speaking of elite level status, should that be a factor with regard to the rearrangement of items in an overhead storage bin — or is this a case of DYKWIA?
Is there such a thing as an improper use of space in the overhead bins — such as placing your bags sideways or laying down your jacket in an area which can be accommodated by a bag?
There are also safety issues with items stowed improperly in the overhead bins. What if you open one and and either an open switchblade or a camera falls out onto the floor — and the owner blames you for damaging it? What if it fell on the head of a passenger?
Who would stow a camera unprotected in the overhead bin in the first place?!?
Then again, there are those passengers who will smash their luggage recklessly into an overhead storage bin without regard of potentially crushing the belongings of others. Do you have any recourse if your property is damaged?
I suppose maggots could create room in an overhead storage bin if there was food stored in it. Would that count as a safety issue?
Airline Employees: Can You Believe Them?
Flight attendants are certainly not excluded from the fray. A passenger protested when his bag was moved from an overhead storage bin to one several rows back in order to accommodate a broken bag belonging to a member of the flight crew. Is this a case of efficient use of space in the overhead bins, or special treatment for a member of the flight crew?
In fact, some people actually question whether you really believe flight attendants pertaining to space in the overhead storage bins. For example, FlyerTalk member FlyingDL4Fun — who was one of several passengers originally scheduled to be on a later flight but wanted to catch an earlier flight and allegedly forced to check bags in order to expedite the boarding process — found seven empty overhead bins with their doors open.
Gate agents have also been known to announce to passengers boarding an airplane at the gate that all space in the overhead storage bins is full and instruct them to check bags — despite the contrary.
Still, there are times where flight attendants will strictly enforce the policy of storing the first bag in the overhead compartment and the second bag under the seat in an attempt to ensure that as many passengers as possible have a chance to store their belongings before the overhead bins become completely full — but perhaps that is necessary at times.
There was even this bizarre case where a couple stored their belongings in an overhead bin over a row of seats to which they were not assigned — even though the overhead bins directly above their seats were empty.
To be a passenger who is assigned a seat in the premium class cabin — only to find that all of the overhead bin storage space is already full — is certainly not fun.
One airline has even tested the possibility of early valet overhead baggage service in order to help speed up the boarding process.
By the way, two of the most contentious debates pertaining to the use of space in overhead bins are by passengers assigned to seats in the economy class cabin who use the overhead bins in the premium class cabin, as well as the lack of overhead bin space being one of the reasons for “gate lice” — a derogatory term used to describe passengers with low boarding priority who crowd the gate area before being called — but I will save both of those specific debates for future articles here at The Gate.
The answers to the war over space in the overhead storage bins is similar to that of similar wars over reclining seats and window shades: common courtesy, respect and patience with fellow passengers. As I have repeatedly posted in past articles here at The Gate, politeness and respect to others go a long way in keeping as many people happy as possible — including yourself. Compromise and patience are key — and the debate of the window shades is no exception. Equitable compromises have the potential to mitigate this and other controversies pertaining to travel; but with the way human nature sometimes seems to occur — being sneaky as one of the many flaws — complete elimination of this issue is virtually impossible…
…so what exactly are the rules of etiquette — as well as ethics — which you follow pertaining to the use of space in the overhead bins? Is there any time where you can claim that the space in a particular overhead bin is “yours” — especially when someone else “steals” it? How do you ensure that you secure the overhead bin space you want to use once aboard the aircraft? What are your gripes concerning the war over space in the overhead bins?
Category Airplanes and Aircraft
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8 thoughts on “The Never-Ending War Over Space in the Overhead Storage Bins”
My gripe is when pax but their coats or small bags in the overhead instead of under the seat. Also, where I commute it’s boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts taking up the overhead space !!
Brian Cohen says:
Mmmm….doughnuts…
Actually, Denise, I do not mind when passengers put those items in the overhead storage bins — as long as they do not inconvenience those passengers with more substantially sized belongings who really need to use them…
That’s why I like Southwest Airlines – because of 2 free checked bags, boarding goes very fast. I see a lot less carry on baggage, which takes time to load, and plenty of space in the overheads.
…and yet, Karen, I remember the days when no one wanted to check their baggage — even for free.
Amazing how times have changed…
Captain Kirk says:
Carry on bags go in the bins first. The “personal item” small backpack, purse, laptop bag, etc. goes under the seat in front. Coats and the like go in the bins ONLY AFTER all luggage is in there. Once the boarding is DONE and the FAs are closing the bins, THEN put your coat in there. If not, it goes under the seat in front of you. To the dopes who bring bags too large to fit in the bins in the first place should be told at the gate when their BP is scanned that their bag is doing in the belly of the plane. I don’t care how arrogant or incompetent they are, that won’t overcome the physics of too big a bag in too small a bin.
For me, Captain Kirk, filling the overhead storage bins is like doing a puzzle: which pieces fit best and how to stow as many as possible are two examples.
Perhaps one of the members of the flight crew should be required to be a proven puzzle solver…
Haha, good one! Paging FA Tetris expert to row 22!
You know what, Captain Kirk? Overhead Storage Wars probably could be a potentially good idea for an actual electronic game.
With my luck, someone probably already created it…
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Shifting Perceptions in Travel
Bringing tribes together in the Commonwealth
By News Staff | Travel
Mt Hagen Show credit@Ian @ ThePaperboy.com via flickr.com
Papau New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. 848 different languages are spoken within its borders, which is a considerably large portion of the 6500 spoken across the globe. The majority of its 7 million population, more than eighty percent in fact, live outside of urban areas, usually in small communities. Its tourism infrastructure is still finding its feet, and books and magazines describing the country offer only snippets of its grandiose beauty; traveling to Papa New Guinea then is like stepping into the unknown.
Geographically the country is rugged and mountainous, it has a vein of mountains called the New Guinea Highlands that run across from the West, with high peaks such as Mount Wilhelm at 14,793 feet in the east. A mixture of wetlands and tropical rainforest occupy the bulk of the rest of its land, with vast beautiful coral reefs touching its shores. While being only a ninth of the size of Australia, Papa New Guinea has just as many mammal species and more frogs and bird wildlife. It is thought that its wild and untamed landscape is home to many undiscovered species of plants and animals.
Mount Hagen Culture Show credit@ Mark Robinson via flickr.com
Each year Papa New Guinea is host to a number of cultural festivals, the biggest of them is the Mount Hagen show in August. The Mount Hagen show is a chance for all the surrounding Highland tribes to get together. Each tribe wears their own unique distinctive headdresses decorated in feathers and flowers, and their bodies are covered in paint representing their traditions, heritage and way of life. This traditional attire from the Highlands region is some of the most vibrant across Papa New Guinea, and it contrasts with the setting at Mount Hagen among the mountains and forest to create an astonishing spectacle.
Some of the tribes have skeletons painted all over their body, some display expensive collections of jewels and beads, some wear huge masks, others dress up as the warriors of old, spears in hand chanting and singing. The one element that connects all of the tribes together and the one aspect of all of the tribes’ traditional dresses that they most appreciate and cherish are the feathers of the birds of paradise. These beautiful birds are an important part of the culture, and the connection with these birds dates back some 40,000 years. Some of the feathers that are displayed in the plumes of the dresses are many generations old. It was believed and is still told in tales that the birds are mythical phoenixes, or birds of God, descending from heaven.
Mount Hagen Women credit@ Kahunapule Michael Johnson via flickr.com
The sounds of the Kundu drums and various other instruments from around the region provide the distinct soundtrack to the event. They are played and beaten as thousands of tribesman and women march through the town and onto the central field. Next comes the traditional dances, these dances imitate the mating rituals of the birds of paradise, which are so loved and revered. All of the dances, costumes, and music from the hundreds of tribes that attend are all unique, their style being part of their history. This event is the culmination of culture in a nation, the bringing together of people and communities in sharing and celebrating tradition, individuality, and also understanding the link that ties them altogether as the people of Papa New Guinea.
Papa New Guinea is an exciting and rich nation; colourful in its traditions and ability to celebrate and work together as a unified nation shown here at Mount Hagen and being a member state of the Commonwealth, Papa New Guinea will bring this cultural celebration with them to Glasgow as the Commonwealth games begin.
How can the rest of the Commonwealth learn from Mount Hagen’s cultural show?
Bird of Paradise Colour Commonwealth dance Decoration Diversity Dress Glasgow Hagen language Mount Hagen music Papa New Guinea tradition travel Tribes
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Lucasfilm’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story” on Digital Sept. 14 and on Blu-ray Sept. 25
Extensive extras invite fans aboard the Millennium Falcon with Han, Chewie and Lando, and behind the scenes with the stellar cast and crew
Lucasfilm’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” directed by Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Ron Howard—the creator of unforgettable films, such as “A Beautiful Mind,” “Apollo 13,” “Parenthood” and “Splash”—took moviegoers on this summer’s wildest ride with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy, Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich). The action-packed journey explores Han’s first encounters with future friend and copilot Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and notorious gambler Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), as well as his adventure-filled past alongside fellow street thief Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke) and career criminal Beckett (Woody Harrelson). Watch instantly on Sept. 14th as the Millennium Falcon sets course digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and on Movies Anywhere, and bring the adventure home on Blu-ray 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, DVD and On-Demand on Sept. 25.
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” bonus content takes fans behind the scenes to experience compelling discussions with the star-studded cast and screenwriters Jonathan Kasdan & Lawrence Kasdan (writer of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi); a revealing feature on Chewie and his enduring friendship with Han; a close-up look at the original version of the Millennium Falcon and Han’s first time piloting the infamous ship; the creation of the film’s otherworldly settings and pulse-pounding action sequences; and eight never-before-seen deleted and extended scenes.
DIGITAL AND BLU-RAY BONUS MATERIAL (may vary by retailer):
Solo: The Director & Cast Roundtable
Sit down with director Ron Howard and the stars for an intimate and entertaining discussion of the film’s making.
Team Chewie
See what it takes to bring your favorite Wookiee to life in this lighthearted look behind the scenes.
Kasdan on Kasdan
Iconic Star Wars screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and son Jonathan share what it was like to write the movie’s script together.
Remaking the Millennium Falcon
Track the transformation of the most famous ship in the galaxy, from Lando’s swank and impeccable pride and joy to Han’s stripped-down hot-rod freighter with “special modifications.”
Escape from Corellia
Get behind the wheel for the making of this high-octane chase through the streets of Corellia.
The Train Heist
Explore the challenges and thrills of creating this action-packed sequence, including its remote location and spectacular effects.
Becoming a Droid: L3-37
Meet the newest droid—and the talented actor who helps bring her to life.
Scoundrels, Droids, Creatures and Cards: Welcome to Fort Ypso
Take an in-depth tour of the rough-and-tumble bar where strangers mix and gamblers risk all in the legendary card game, Sabaac.
Into the Maelstrom: The Kessel Run
Join Han and Chewie at the controls of the Millennium Falcon to see how this legendary moment in Star Wars history unfolds.
o Proxima’s Den
o Corellian Foot Chase
o Han Solo: Imperial Cadet
o The Battle of Mimban: Extended
o Han Versus Chewie: Extended
o Snowball Fight!
o Meet Dryden: Extended
o Coaxium Double-Cross
The Millenium Falcon: From Page to Park – An exclusive look at the history of the most famous ship in the galaxy, its origin and development, and how it will translate in one of the most anticipated expansions in Disneyland’s history.
Directed by Ron Howard, the fun-filled galactic heist movie stars Alden Ehrenreich (“Hail, Caesar!,” “Tetro”), Woody Harrelson (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” “The Messenger”), Emilia Clarke (“Me Before You,” “Game of Thrones”), Donald Glover (“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “The Martian”), Thandie Newton (“Gringo,” “Crash”), Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag,” “Killing Eve”) and Paul Bettany (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Master and Commander”). Joonas Suotamo (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) returns to play Chewbacca.
Written by Jonathan Kasdan & Lawrence Kasdan, “Solo: A Star Wars Story” is produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur and Simon Emanuel. Lawrence Kasdan, Jason McGatlin, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are executive producers.
To create the unique look of the film, some of the industry’s top talent was recruited, including Academy Award® nominee Bradford Young (“Arrival”), director of photography; two-time Academy Award–winning editor Pietro Scalia (“Alien: Covenant”); Dominic Tuohy (“The Mummy”), special effects supervisor; Rob Bredow (“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”), visual effects supervisor; and John Powell (“Jason Bourne”), score composed and adapted by.
They are joined by returning Star Wars veteran crew members: Neil Lamont, production designer; Neal Scanlan, special creature effects; David Crossman and Glyn Dillon, costume designers; Jamie Wilkinson, prop master; Lisa Tomblin-Fitzpatrick, hair designer; and Amanda Knight, makeup designer.
The legendary John Williams is credited with the “Han Solo Theme” and original Star Wars music.
Website: http://www.starwars.com/solo
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StarWarsMovies
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarWars
Instagram: http://instagram.com/StarWarsMovies
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/starwars
FEATURE RUN TIME: Approximately 135 min.
RATING: PG-13 in U.S. (Bonus Material Not Rated); PG in CE and G in CF
PRODUCT OFFERINGS: Digital 4K UHD (Select retailers include Dolby Vision), HD, SD
4K UHD Multi Screen Edition (4K UHD + BD + Digital Code)
Blu-ray (BD + Digital Code) Feature Film
DVD, On Demand
AUDIO: 4K UHD BD = English 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish and French 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus
Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD = English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio
4K UHD Digital = English Dolby Atmos (for some clients), English 5.1/2.0, Latin Spanish 5.1/2.0, French 5.1/2.0 (for some clients), English 2.0 Descriptive Audio (for some clients)
HD / SD Digital = English 5.1/2.0, Latin Spanish 5.1/2.0, French 5.1/2.0 (for some clients), English 2.0 Descriptive Audio (for some clients)
SUBTITLES: 4K UHD = English SDH, Cantonese, Korean, Latin Spanish, Thai, Traditional Chinese for English, French-Canadian
Blu-ray = English SDH, French & Spanish
DVD = English SDH, French & Spanish
4K UHD / HD / SD Digital = English SDH, French & Spanish
CLOSED CAPTIONS: English (DVD & Digital)
Posted in: Movies, NewsTagged: Alden Ehrenreich, Chewbacca, Chris Miller, Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones, Joonas Suotamo, Kathleen Kennedy, Lando Calrissian, Lawrence Kasdan, Lucasfilm, Paul Bettany, Phil Lord, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Thandie Newton, Woody HarrelsonPermalinkLeave a comment
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The Middle Season 5 Promo
Wednesday September 25th, America’s family is back – Heck yeah! Official website: http://abc.go.com/shows/the-middle/ Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheMiddle/ Official Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/TheMiddle_ABC/ The Middle 5×01 Promo/Preview “The Drop Off” The Middle Season 5 Episode 1 Promo The Middle 5×01 Promo “The Drop Off” (HD) The Middle 5×01, The Middle 5×01 Promo, The Middle 5×01 Preview, The Middle 5×01 Trailer, televisionpromosdb, The Middle S05E01 Promo, The Middle, Season 5, Episode 01, televisionpromosdb, ABC, The Drop Off, Promo, Preview
The Middle Season 8 “Moves to Tuesday” Promo (HD)
The Middle Season 8 “New Season, New Love” Promo (HD)
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The Middle Season 5 “College” Promo (HD)
Home » The Middle Season 5 Promo (HD)
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