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‘The Pan-Industrial Revolution’ Review: Printing the Future
By James R. Hagerty
We’ve all read the hype: Additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, promises a new dawn of clean, high-tech manufacturing. Libraries and schools across the land have raced to install 3D printers to teach children to make trinkets today and perhaps space ships tomorrow.
This technology has been around for more than three decades without noticeably transforming the world, but monumental advances in manufacturing are finally imminent, Richard D’Aveni argues in “The Pan-Industrial Revolution.” He envisions 3D printing combining with powerful software networks, machine learning and artificial intelligence to force vast changes in how and where products are made.
A few giant companies, he says, will create global “platforms” of digitized manufacturing technology, allowing them to make almost anything almost anywhere. They will “revolutionize the world economy in ways that most experts have failed to grasp,” writes Mr. D’Aveni, a professor at Dartmouth’s business school. He calls the new platforms “pan-industrials” and says they will dominate the world economy by attaining “flexibility, diversification, and size unheard of in the past.”
If you want to make a product in this brave new world, as Mr. D’Aveni imagines it, you will link up with one of 10 or so dominant global platforms. The platform will then arrange to have your product made, tested and distributed around the world. Who will create these mighty collectives? Among the contenders, Mr. D’Aveni sees General Electric, Siemens, HP, Dassault Systèmes, Sumitomo Heavy Industries and the contract manufacturer Jabil.
Mr. D’Aveni defines 3D printing as “any kind of production in which materials are built up to create a product rather than cut, ground, drilled, or otherwise reduced into shape.” The key is a computer program conveying a design to a printer-like device that creates a product, typically one thin layer at a time.
The future of manufacturing, in Mr. D’Aveni’s view, involves “farms” of 3D printers and related gear tended by robots. Based on information collected by the global platforms, devices endowed with artificial intelligence will decide pretty much on their own what to make and where. If a shortage of some part or material looms, the computers will automatically find alternative suppliers. In the meantime, the platforms will update or tweak product designs almost instantly in response to sales trends. They will test demand with small batches to see what sells.
In today’s world, manufacturers specialize because it is tricky to use the same factory to make, say, jet engines and toasters. Different products need different configurations of machinery and expertise; switching from one to another is expensive. But 3D printing farms, controlled almost entirely by software, will be able to make just about anything with minimal adjustments, Mr. D’Aveni believes. So pan-industrials will produce a vast variety of products, gaining “economies of scope” as well as the familiar economies of scale.
Of course, there are drawbacks, as Mr. D’Aveni concedes. Unemployment may soar as automation takes over. The pan-industrials may grow so powerful that they can squash competition and push around governments. In general, though, he expects the world to benefit from better goods, lower prices and less pollution.
Mr. D’Aveni has assembled some thought-provoking ideas about the implications of an important type of technology in which investment is rising fast. The problem is that he gets carried away by enthusiasm for his own dramatic visions. Too much of “The Pan-Industrial Revolution” reads like promotional material for 3D printing.
The author gushes about turboprop engines that GE plans to supply for Cessna Denali business airplanes. These engines, he writes, have been “redesigned for production via 3D printing.” His breezy description may cause the unwary reader to envision fully formed engines popping out of printers. In fact, GE says that only about a third of the engine’s contents will be made with 3D printing. The rest, involving about 2,000 parts, will be made with conventional tools. Some assembly required, to put it mildly. GE’s achievement is impressive but not quite so stupendous as Mr. D’Aveni suggests.
Wherever Mr. D’Aveni finds a company experimenting with 3D printing, whether in making an aircraft engine or a car, he extrapolates straight to smashing success and market domination. Writing about experiments that use the technology to make houses, he assures us that “3D printing allows for such precision that the assembly process is literally a snap.” Perhaps, but it is hard to believe that building houses will be quite as easy as stacking Legos anytime soon.
Mr. D’Aveni tells us that 3D printing is “increasingly being used for mass production of standardized products” but provides few examples. Good luck finding them at Walmart or Home Depot. For now, 3D printing is mainly used to make parts for various products or customized items, including medical implants and hearing aids. Terry Wohlers, a consultant who has tracked 3D printing for more than three decades, tells me that so far he sees no “big swing toward use of the technology for medium- or high-production volumes.”
Brushing aside more sober seers, Mr. D’Aveni says that only companies that dive deeply into 3D printing now have a chance to survive. “Go big or go home,” he writes. The rise of pan-industrials, he proclaims, is inevitable. Only in an epilogue does he acknowledge that his “imagined future . . . may not fully come to pass.” He adds: “If it turns out that I’ve read the tea leaves wrong, the reasons will likely lie with decisions being made by business leaders today.” In other words, if the revolution doesn’t happen, it’s their fault.
The Pan-Industrial Revolution: How New Manufacturing Titans Will Transform the World
Richard D'Aveni
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Amidst a flurry of Saturday morning tasks, I caught up with my sister on the phone yesterday. We mulled over several topics before she inquired about the blogs and reports concerning the Royal Foundation: "Why do they blame Meghan for everything? What exactly is she supposed to have done that's not in line with the way the royals operate professionally?"
I've thought about these questions quite a bit since. It led me to carefully consider the reaction to news the Sussexes will leave the Royal Foundation and start their own charitable arm later this year. Surely, this is positive news? Well, apparently not. For this announcement has been met with....you guessed it....more criticism levelled at Meghan. Never mind it's been widely acknowledged the Sussexes did not push for the split, although all four are said to be pleased with the outcome. Headlines and furious social media posts appeared recently with such titles as "This is all Meghan's fault", "The Sussexes don't know their place", "They are not happy with their place within the family", "All they care about is creating a 'global brand'". You get the gist of it...
The term "Global Brand" has been bandied about along with outlandish speculation. Harry and Meghan have been accused of attempting to profit personally, running amok from Buckingham Palace with their own agenda and using this platform to break the royal mould. In the eyes of some the Sussexes are the downfall of the monarchy. What with their solid work ethic, proven successful projects, worldwide popularity and desire to use their roles for good, the Queen and her top aides must be positively shaking in their boots (or in Her Majesty's case her black patent Anello & Davide shoes). This is all sounding rather ridiculous isn't it?
Why has this been allowed to continue, escalate and take over the narrative you might ask? It's stemmed from an era of click-bait media where the lay of the land allows online journalists to write first, ask questions later, or better still don't ask them at all. A seething online fan war where misinformation becomes factual and, particularly, a complete lack of understanding, education and knowledge about the monarchy is worn as a badge of honour. I'm going to underline that because this is the crux of the issue and one which badly needs to be addressed before we are to endure months and years of vicious attacks against the Sussexes' foundation and future work. As long as this level of false information circulates on the internet and readers accept this as reality, it's not going anywhere, and I for one find it outrageous.
So, back to my sister's questions... "Why do they blame Meghan for everything? What exactly is she supposed to have done that's not in line with the way the royals operate professionally?" Step by step, I intend to answer that question using facts and senior members of the Royal family.
A 'Global' Royal Family?
As noted above, talk of a global 'Sussex Brand' has been used in the most derogatory sense. Members of the Royal family never focus on global issues, right? Incorrect. The royals' work in the UK is of course their primary job, but it isn't representative of their roles' sum total. Not at all. Representing Her Majesty in the Commonwealth and globally, in addition to supporting their own causes around the world plays a part in the working lives of most of the Royal family. I'm pleased to have learned of, and I'm delighted to share, the extent of those efforts by members of the British Royal family.
Certainly, when one is searching for an exemplary example of charitable work on any scale, we need look no further than the Prince of Wales. I could easily dedicate ten posts to his life's work and only barely scratch the surface. What I will focus on are his efforts and successes outside the UK to demonstrate the reach the Royal family has had for decades. Since Charles founded the Prince's Trust in 1976 (using his navy severance pay) to help vulnerable people get their lives back on track, his interests have grown to the point where he has over 400 patronages. His boundless desire to help others and to maximise the impact of his role has seen him launch, lead and support a number of charities further afield.
Have you heard of the Prince of Wales's Foundation Romania? Established in 2015, to take forward Charles' work in the country, the foundation develops a number of projects to support architectural heritage preservation, farming and sustainable development in Romania. As with much of Charles' work, it's about taking a practical, results-driven, sustainable approach. Relevant skills and practical courses are delivered to small farmers, producers of artisan food as well as Romania's wounded soldiers. Charles fell in love with the country, culture and people following a visit to Transylvania in 2007. During a speech at the Babes-Bolyai University he said: "I have often been asked about what brings me so often to Romania, what makes this place so special. The answer is, to me, very simple: you, my Romanian friends; your cultural and nature patrimony, your traditions, but also your capacity for innovation and change. All that you represent after centuries of history – your identity and your entire potential. All the energy you can expand to change something. These are the things that make you truly special in the entire world."
As with all members of the Royal family, the Commonwealth is an important part of Charles' life. Throughout his visits to member nations, he knew he wanted to make a lasting impact wherever he could. The Prince's Trust Australia delivers social impact by "transforming lives and building sustainable communities in Australia". Promoting enterprise skills, sustainable communities and supporting young people and defence members and their families are the core areas of the trust.
The Prince's Trust Canada is a registered Canadian charity established by Charles in 2011. It provides entrepreneurship training for veterans and transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members, helps young people reach their potential through employability programs, and supports Indigenous communities as they revitalise and protect their languages.
Next, we look at the Prince's Trust International, the definition of an organisation with global reach. Since its launch, the focus has been on delivering pilot programmes in countries around the world. They now have pilot programmes underway and established partners delivering programmes in Australia, Barbados, Canada, Greece, Jordan, Malta, Pakistan and New Zealand. If that's not enough, the plan is to move to a number of others countries in the coming years. Much like the Prince's Trust UK, the goal is to support and enable young people to avail of opportunities and improve their futures.
The Duchess of Cornwall is President of the Brooke, a worldwide organisation providing veterinary treatment for horses and donkeys. They reach over two million working horses, donkeys and mules across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Organisation staff include vets, animal welfare experts, and advocacy and development specialists. Camilla, a lifelong animal lover, is also a joint president of Elephant Family, a charity founded by her late brother Mark Shand in 2002 to save the Asian elephants. Again, supporting causes close to her heart is in addition to her duties on behalf of Her Majesty - it's not a case of running roughshod over the monarchy.
Shortly before the Earl and Countess of Wessex married, the Wessex Youth Trust was established to help, support and advance registered charities which provide opportunities specifically for children and young people. The Trust is proud to support worthy organisations both at home and internationally. "Internationally, funds have been directed to a wide variety of organisations - a Down Syndrome speech therapy centre in Moscow, and an orphanage in Chernobyl; a paediatric ophthalmology unit, training scheme and Flying Eye Hospital in Nepal and the Philippines as well as an HIV/Aids support programme in Uganda. In addition, donations have also been made to disaster relief operations - such as 9/11 and a children's home in Sri Lanka which helped victims of the 2004 tsunami."
Sophie has been a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness since 2013. More from the Palace: "In 2013, this role took Her Royal Highness to the Orbis flying hospital programme in India and Qatar where she saw first-hand the many global issues around preventable blindness. Following the Countess' visit to India and Qatar, Her Royal Highness wrote an article for the Telegraph to coincide with World Sight Day. In India, Bangladesh and Nepal the sight-saving organisations are focusing on childhood blindness. In Sudan, Pakistan and Egypt the organisations are focusing on the Trachoma Elimination Programme. Her Royal Highness has drawn much attention to these on-going projects through her visits to the regions and has helped drive the plans forward through working closely with the organisations, and many youth and community events."
More from Buckingham Palace:
'On International Women’s Day 2019, the Countess publicly announced her commitment to champion the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI), at a reception for Women Peacebuilders at Buckingham Palace. WPS both recognises the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls and the positive role women play in building peace and stability.
The PSVI aims to prevent conflict-related sexual violence as well as responding to the needs of survivors, tackling stigma and strengthening justice and accountability. As a central pillar of the Countess’s work, HRH has spoken at the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN in New York, and attended a Foreign Office conference on PSVI with survivors, government and NGO representatives. The Countess also continues to highlight international efforts towards women’s role in peacebuilding - in India, for example, HRH learnt about the country’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping and heard from women peacekeepers on active deployment.'
A life of service has seen Princess Anne travel all over the world. After serving as President of Save the Children since 1970, Anne officially became Patron in 2016. Most recently, she has travelled to Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. (with many thanks to Helen G for her research on this). In her role Anne has also visited China, Cambodia, Botswana, Madagascar and the Philippines. Save the Children strives tirelessly to protect children and give them the best possible opportunities in life.
The Princess has been involved in the creation of several charities including TransAid, transforming lives through safe and sustainable transport in 23 countries. More from the charity: "In Sub-Saharan Africa, road deaths are the third biggest killer following HIV/AIDS and Malaria (Source: the World Bank) and the problem will only rise with the growing population. Drivers are at risk every time they sit behind the wheel due to a lack of legal enforcement and training, and badly maintained and overloaded vehicles. People living in rural areas of Africa often struggle to access vital services. Around 75% of maternal deaths can be avoided through timely access to vital childbirth-related care. Our work includes an Emergency Transport Scheme to transport pregnant mothers with complications. We also help community health workers reach the families who need them." Anne also works closely with Riders For Health, an international non profit that provides health care to rural African villages.
The Duke of York launched Key to Freedom following his 2012 Diamond Jubilee Visit to Women’s Interlink Foundation (WIF) in India. The aim of the initiative is to empower women who have been victims of abuse by helping them acquire skills to become economically independent. Today, scarves made by women participating in Key to Freedom are sold at the Royal Collection Trust Shop.
The Foundation in the US
The next segment involves the US element. I think it's only natural to assume the Sussex Foundation will have supporters from the US. After all, Meghan is American. She has very well-connected friends in the US and she's going to bring an element of support to the table from across the pond. This has been largely feted as hugely controversial and another example of Meghan not following a traditional royal path. Using facts, this can be disproved as nonsense once again. When the Royal Foundation become operational in 2011, an American wing was established. American Friends of the Royal Foundation donated over $3.6 million since its inception. Prince Harry joined the US arm of the Foundation in 2013 for a major event supporting projects including the Royal Foundation's partnership with Harlem RBI to support Project Coach.
During a visit to New York in 2014, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a private dinner for American friends of the Royal Foundation hosted by long-term supporter, Sir Martin Sorrell, the chief executive of the WPP advertising group.
In fact, Prince Charles set up a charitable foundation in the US: "The Prince of Wales Foundation USA is the affiliate organisation of the Prince’s Trust, enabling tax-efficient giving for US supporters of His Royal Highness’s philanthropic interests. We are fortunate to have a growing base of American supporters who see real value in investing in the lives of disadvantaged and marginalised young people in the UK. The Prince of Wales Foundation was founded by HRH, the Prince of Wales in 1997."
Prince Harry's collaboration with Oprah on a mental health series has been cited as the ultimate example of the Sussexes going rogue. Not so. Prince Charles has collaborated with US entities on several documentaries including the 2012 documentary Harmony: a New Way of Looking at Our World. The piece focused on three decades of Charles' work to combat climate change. The film was based on the book of the same name, which Charles co-authored, about how man has become "dangerously disconnected from nature".
NBC released the following statement at the time of the collaboration:
'NBC is teaming up with Prince Charles for a new TV special about the environment. Harmony, which is slated to air in November, stems from Prince Charles' three decades of work fighting climate change and searching for new solutions to the worldwide environmental crisis.
"The Prince of Wales has such a passion and vision in providing leadership on this crucial climate issue that confronts the world," Paul Telegdy, NBC's executive vice president of alternative programming, said in a statement. "We are honored to partner with him to showcase these issues that are important to American audiences."
The film, which will air during NBC's annual "Green Is Universal" week, features rare footage of Prince Charles' interview with Nobel Peace Prize winner, former Vice President and longtime environmental activist Al Gore, as well as interviews with other government leaders, farmers, environmentalists and entrepreneurs.'
Charles' environmental work has not been without its setbacks. He was actually ridiculed for being one of the first to talk about climate change: "I found myself in conflict with the conventional outlook which, as I discovered, is not exactly the most pleasant situation to find yourself." Determined to following in his father's footsteps, Harry declared last year he hopes to continue his work in Australia: "Ladies and gentleman, those words were shared in speeches dating back to 1970 and up until 2002, by my father, the Prince of Wales. And yet now, nearly 50 years later, those sentiments resonate just as much today, if not more, than ever before. My father and others have been speaking about the environment for decades - not basing it on fallacy or new-age hypothesis, but rooted in science and facts, and the sobering awareness of our environmental vulnerability. And while those speeches would sometimes fall on deaf ears, he and others were unrelenting in their commitment to preserve the most valuable resource we have – our planet."
What About Commercial Partnerships?
Although the Sussexes' foundation does not yet have a name, it has been suggested (with not so thinly-veiled attacks) commercial partnerships may be in its future. Whilst we have absolutely no idea what the plan is at this time, yes it's possible and no it's not unusual. Commercial partnerships have been essential to ensuring the success of Charles' projects. Take Duchy Originals for example. Established almost 30 years ago, the leading organic brand is now stocked on the shelves of Waitrose supermarkets. It's aim is to support local producers and all profits go to charity.
The success or failure of any royal trust or foundation lies with its principles and the team behind it. Harry and Meghan are taking this on with a record of success. Simply look at the Invictus Games, look at Sentebale, the Endeavour Fund, Coach Core and many other projects and initiatives Harry has worked with. Meghan's first project with the Hubb exceeded all goals, and smashed it's target of £250,000, raising over half a million. The ripple effect is heartwarming and inspiring. Today, the women of the Hubb were working with British Red Cross to welcome and feed refugees in Hackney London.
The pair have tangible results behind them and there's every reason to believe this will be a success. Fundraising will be an important element; again they've proven more than adept at this, raising millions for Sentebale with 'Sentebale Nights' and the Sentebale Polo Cup.
Again, fundraising has been key to Charles' success. In 2017 he raised £170 million for charity. He raised more money than anyone else in the UK. In 2013-2014 he raised £143 million for 15 of his charities. It's the year-after-year dedication that has led to these results. It's a case of beating the drum constantly, and loudly.
Overshadowing Senior Royals
The next accusation hurled at Harry, and particularly Meghan, is the suggestion they are somehow trying to overshadow more senior royals, namely the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Was Prince Charles trying to overshadow his parents with the Prince's Trust? Was Anne playing a game of one-upmanship against Charles with her tireless efforts and global work? Of course not. Harry and Meghan are not in competition with William and Kate. They are not setting out to outdo them and derail the course of the monarchy.
The Queen is the monarch. Then it will be Charles, and then William. The monarch is the head of the family, there's no issue there. The monarchy is comprised of working members and their collective efforts up and down the country, across the UK, across the Commonwealth, and across the globe. It's a team effort. That's not going to change. Harry and Meghan want to use their roles to the full, they want to work hard on behalf of Her Majesty and, like the other royals referenced, use their platforms to support causes close to their heart. This is all being done with the full approval of the Queen and Charles. The new Foundation has the full support of the family. The Queen appointed Harry and Meghan to Commonwealth roles; she passed her patronage of the Association of Commonwealth Universities to Meghan almost immediately after the marriage. That sounds to me like a monarch who has faith in her granddaughter-in-law. Not a Queen who fears the newest member is rebelling against the system. The rapturous reception the Sussexes have received in Dublin, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga is further evidence these roles are ideal for the pair. Their popularity and soft power needs to be harnessed to the full. This is all good for Team Windsor as a whole.
Prince Harry has been a global star all his life; his wife was always going to be under the spotlight. It is not the Sussexes' fault the media are obsessed with their every move. They are an asset to the monarchy and have carried out their roles with aplomb. From the day of their engagement, Meghan has thrown herself into her role, and she hasn't put a foot wrong. To chastise and tear her down because she's an intelligent woman who wants to succeed in this role is appalling and frankly sexist. Ambition is not a dirty word, especially when it's being channeled into a life of philanthropic dedication. The royals have a fantastic platform; they are uniquely placed to be in the position to help others and effect change. The fact they are being belittled for doing their jobs is truly baffling to me. We should unreservedly expect the very best from working members of the family.
The reality is the monarchy must modernise to survive and the Sussexes will play an important role in that modernisation. More from Vernon Bogdanor who famously wrote: "Monarchy has to adapt and evolve to survive. It can't be ahead of public opinion, but it can't be too far behind."
'In November 2005, Chris Mullin, the former editor of Tribune and then Labour MP, was invited to Clarence House where he heard the prince [Charles] speak "without notes, with passion and self-deprecating humour, holding our attention for a full 20 minutes. Always he comes back to the same point. How to widen the horizons of the young, especially the disaffected, the unlucky and even the malign … What influence he has he uses, sometimes to great effect, even at the risk of treading on official toes. It isn't just talk. His mentality is can-do – and he has a track record of achievement clearly visible for anyone who cares to look. Let he who has done more cast the first stone.'
So, when my sister asked me: "Why do they blame Meghan for everything? What exactly is she supposed to have done that's not in line with the way the royals operate professionally?" My answer is quite simple. Meghan has done nothing wrong; she's simply following in the footsteps of those who came before her.
*A sincere word of thanks to those who helped with the research, facts, figures and links on this.*
Labels: Duchess Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, Harry and Meghan Royal Foundation, Mad About Meghan blog, Meghan Markle
Barbara 23 June 2019 at 21:19
This article should get more coverage! Share it with your friends, everyone.... Thank you so much for saying it Charlotte. It is about time someone put the record straight. Too many people believe all the rubbish that is published by people who should know better.
Thank you so much Barbara!
Karen Eubank 24 June 2019 at 04:58
Absolutely brilliant . Let’s hope this post is picked up far and wide.
Becca USA 24 June 2019 at 06:51
Thank you Charlotte for all you do! If ever there was an example of your talent & dedication to the facts, it's this post!! I too wish you had an even bigger platform!! :) xx
Bravo Charlotte! This should be required reading for all BRF fans. Meghan and Harry are getting Kudos roasted in the press, so thank you for your well-researched perspective. Kudos! -op
Thank you! Very informative! Facts!!!!
Royal 👑 Watcher 23 June 2019 at 21:32
Thank you Charlotte.
bluhare 23 June 2019 at 21:33
Charlotte, when you are on there is no one better. I cant believe the a.ount of work you must have done on this. A really well researched and effective piece.
Tedi Dreiser Godard 24 June 2019 at 01:28
Amen to that. Terrific and thoroughly researched.
Zora from Prague 24 June 2019 at 12:37
Ditto. Thank you so much, Charlotte!!
SarahBeth 23 June 2019 at 21:34
This is such a great read. Thank you so much for writing this with so many wonderful facts - I'm so tired of everything I see online smearing Meghan because they just do not like her for whatever reason. I think its important to remember that the Sussex's role is and will continue to be much different than Wills and Kate's because they are the future King and Queen (consort). No one's trying to overthrow anyone. some people will never be happy and there's a lot of pearl clutchers out there who can't fathom the fact an American, nevermind a biracial one, has married into the BRF.
Its frankly awful and I don't blame Meghan, and Harry for that matter, for doing the work that matters to them and maintaining a strong sense of privacy.
I could not agree more. Some people want to look at Meghan’s appearance at Trooping and shout about how she’s “hidden” in the back and Harry looks somber because he’s sharing a coach with Kate and “being put in his place.” Isn’t a much more logical answer that they have a newborn at home and this tired couple is simply trying to survive a day, with the loving support of their family and the furthest thing from their mind is the total domination of their loved ones to serve their own egos?! It’s just totally nuts, and then passed off as “obvious fact.” The Sussexes are trying to do something good for the world. They’re trying to navigate a lot, including a new marriage and family relations while they do it. If you can’t give them the benefit of the doubt that says a lot more about you than them.
Christelle Stanislawek 24 June 2019 at 07:37
So well written. Thank you!
So well written.
greybirdk 23 June 2019 at 21:37
Charlotte, you brilliant, fact-bringing, hard truth- telling, marvelous, woman. Thank you. Well done.
Harry and Meghan will be global ambassadors for a modern monarchy. They are very much in the model of Team Mountbatten-Windsor, and I expect when William is King, he will rise up and call his in-laws blessed, because of all the good things they will have done in their lives of service.
Swan 23 June 2019 at 21:46
Very well written and researched. Thank you
Tracy Bhoola 23 June 2019 at 21:54
Charlotte, this is a fantastic piece of writing and one that I hope reaches a wide audience. You endeavoured to answer a seemingly simple question which you did, but even more you have educated and informed people and hopefully inspired empathy and compassion for a well-meaning, hard-working woman in a position of great power and one who completely understands that position. Thank you for this eloquently written piece.
C. 23 June 2019 at 21:59
While a good post, I don’t think it does much good. Maybe I am the only one but I mostly read on your blogs and stay clear of obviously gossip magazines. So I never see any of the hateful comments (and I don’t support those papers/sites with my money and clicks to write more garbage like that) and I will say most of the negative news/gossip comes to my knowledge from this blog. Maybe it would be a better solution to do as the royals themselves? Your visitors are no haters and your posts aren’t hateful. There is no need to give all those hateful rumours another space.
I agree about the people here, and understand what you are saying but I think that a false narrative can be an insidious thing. If not corrected, it can get into the mainstream and become ingrained into people's minds. I like to get a bit more clarity on what has been happening rather than relying on some people with what is now obvious agendas.
Helena GA 24 June 2019 at 05:55
Sticking your head in the sand doesn't make the problem go away. Good for you for not reading the gossip but that doesn't mean it isn't out there. By sharing Charlotte's extensive research on this post is the way to educate others as to the workings of the BRF and Harry & Meghan in particular, and possibly getting others to see that the lies and half-truths are just that and not to be believed.
RoyalistNYC 24 June 2019 at 06:18
I think Charlotte decided to make this post to shed some light and stand up to the nastiness.
Very well said. Why helping nourish the ignorance by keeping quiet? Ugh!
Veronique 24 June 2019 at 11:26
I disagree. People need to be educated & this piece does a great job of educating everyone, not just the haters.
Becca H in Colorado 24 June 2019 at 17:23
Well said, Helena. As the amount of absolutely ridiculous untruths and slander about this couple continues to grow, some solid facts and education are 100% needed.
Bertie 23 June 2019 at 22:09
Stunning Charlotte, a brilliant, ground-breaking piece much-needed right now as the rumours continue to swirl and I find my head getting done in. I find all the hiatus makes it harder and harder to follow Meghan when it can seem such an uphill task. This fabulous article is a real breath of fresh air which opens up a truly intelligent way of looking at the whole situation. I can't thank you enough and I can't share this one enough across social media platforms.
Denise from Virginia 23 June 2019 at 22:09
Brava Charlotte!!! Thank you so much for your expertly researched, well-written response to all the negativity, and thank you for saying out loud what I've been thinking for so long. You're amazing, I always enjoy your posts, again, thank you so much!
Thank you for your well written article! It’s so disgusting to see too many on social media and biased reporting by some journalists in main stream media abuse and belittle Meghan & Harry. They have both showed compassion & good work ethic to support people and important projects. And as you gave clear examples, Charlotte, the Sussexes are following the example of The Monarch, Prince Charles & others who represent not only the UK, but globally as well.
It’s not even a year since Meghan announced her Cook Together project, it has had amazing success & it’s heartwarming too see some of the women from the Hubb Kitchen, helping others in the community.
Thanks so much for this detailed report. It should be required reading for all royal watchers and journalists.
Lauri 23 June 2019 at 22:20
Wow!!! Charlotte, you have written such an impressive article, one that I believe should be shared with a wider audience.
Thank you so much for being a voice of reason and calm in a world where wanting to help others is now looked upon with suspicion and derision. How did we get here?
I wonder!
Bel 23 June 2019 at 22:21
This is a fantastic, well researched and very informative article. Thank you for dedicating so much effort and time to set the record straight.
This is so sad, I’m glad I missed this whole palaver. I’ve known for years that Princess Anne is the hardest working, in terms of number of engagements and I give her credit, however (to be shallow) I don’t love what she wears, ever, so I don’t follow her.
Words to live by “I don’t have strong opinions about something that I know little about”.
Shantel (@FashionandFaith) 23 June 2019 at 22:30
Excellent. Excellent, excellent, excellent!! I hope this post goes viral and reaches those who need to read these facts most. As usual, very well done.
Shantel
Its blowing up my Twitter feed today!
Maiu 23 June 2019 at 22:56
Impressed! The best and most deep article I have red on this subject!
Christen from New York 23 June 2019 at 23:07
Thank you so much, Charlotte, for such a thoughtful, thoroughly researched post. The Sussexes have done much impressive work so far, and I am sure will continue to do so going forward. Their charities are lucky to have them.
I completely understand the outrage when the Sussexes are criticized in a mean-spirited or extreme way. It is very upsetting to see. On the other hand, I don't think it really makes sense to jump to the other extreme (even though to some degree that is natural, given how polarized things have become) and not tolerate any criticism at all of the Sussexes' work. The Cambridges have certainly had to deal with their fair share of criticism in years past for lack of worth ethic or commitment to their responsibilities, etc.
In that vein, the only points I would make are that the phrase "global brand" to me is not so much about the global part, but about the "brand" part--the undertone of marketing, of salesmanship, of selling an image. Speaking for myself, I don't want to see the British Royal Family's work turn into something about building a "brand" (notwithstanding Charles' products from his organic farm). And to me it feels a little like Harry and Meghan aren't trying to build just the British Royal Family brand, but also trying a bit to build the Harry-and-Meghan brand, which doesn't feel right to me.
How so? Well, things may change over time, for sure, but it seems like Harry and Meghan want to receive recognition as individuals themselves, to be liked and praised, as opposed to receiving recognition for work they do for the British Royal Family, as employees, so to speak, of an entity greater than themselves. And that may just be part of their youth, or finding their feet, or what happens since Duchess Meghan spent most of her life as a Hollywood actress, which virtually requires self-promotion. I don't know how to articulate it well, but I am not sure I understand why the Sussexes are pursuing, so early on, such a strong identity separate from the British Royal Family. Which isn't to say that they aren't doing amazing charitable work. And they are beloved by many people in their own right, separate from the British Royal Family. But I wish there were a way they did not feel such a need for recognition for themselves, at least that is how it feels (for example, when Meghan--I'm assuming it's Meghan--wished Harry a Happy Father's Day on their Instagram. It's a small thing, but it would have been more appropriate it feels to me to just say Happy Father's Day to all fathers, and then, privately, not on Instagram, to wish Harry personally a Happy Father's Day. I know that is a tiny thing, and pales in comparison to the wonderful work they do, but I think it rubs some people--myself included--the wrong way a bit.)
But overall, they are doing amazing charitable work, and undoubtedly positively affecting the lives of many people across the world, and that is certainly a wonderful thing.
Jas 24 June 2019 at 00:40
I frankly think this is all projection on you and others part.You guys have preconceived notions about the Sussexes and what they want to do or are going to do.
The Sussex account post was "Happy father's day..." then they wished Harry one also so what is the problem here?
The Royals are all about self promotion even before Meghan came into the picture.They do charity work,the press are invited to cover what they are doing= praise heaped on them for doing so.For example,the press were informed that William will send a letter to the family of a young girl who killed herself due to cyberbullying. Thats self promotion and wanting recognition for oneself,he could have sent a letter privately but the royal's PR chose to inform the press.
The Sussexes arent doing things any differently from other royals(their approach might be different) but at the end of the day,they go on their engagements and post about it.
Accusing Meghan(since thats who you are blaming with phrases like "hollywood" "self promotion" ) and Harry only for wanting self recognition and promotion when you have to be honest and accuse ALL of them
Well said, Christen. I feel the same way. There is a fine line that they need to stay on the correct side of.
shadowandbud 24 June 2019 at 02:35
When you hear an opinion and believe it, you make an agreement and it becomes part of your belief system. The only thing that can break this agreement is to make a new one based on truth.
Thank you for the truth today, Charlotte!
Mimi 24 June 2019 at 04:40
It should be noted that the Sussexes have never talked about having a so called Global Brand, that narrative comes from the tabloids only, not from Harry and Meghan.
I agree with you about the use of the word brand. But that's the verbiage these days for image, so I have to get used to it even though it smacks of commercialism to me as well.
I dont think the sussexes are more about image than anyone else. The cambridges have their carefully crafted.image as a hands on family so I think it's fair to allow harry and Meghan some space to forge their own identity. Mistakes or missteps will be made and hopefully learned from. But I don't get the selfishness, for lack.of a better word, that you seem to feel.
I don't particulary see how HnM want to advance themselves and want self praise myself. I haven't seen anything to that effect. I am willing to be learn if you have any evidence. It can be said that fans of the DDoS are star struck so help me to see their self promotion. I am not sure how the other royals wished their happy fathers day post but it seems that this is a bit nitpicking if you say it's part of wanting recognition. Is it wrong to wish her husband(assuming as you do that it's the DoS who wrote the post)? Should she have wished her father Thomas a HFD too when he has not cared about her feelings and helped trash her in the media?
Christen, I was just discussing this very subject with my daughter today. We both have been following H&M etc, but increasingly, something has needled us & we just can't put our fingers on it. I think you may have hit upon it. I think there may be something to the very subtleness of doing something for an entity (like the Monarchy) that is an institution steeped in history & bigger than any one of the parts or persons. I do think branding is a very organic thing for any organization or institution, including the BRF & The Monarchy itself.... but everyone thus far seems (while doing their own things & supporting their own causes) to not be rooted in bringing attention to themselves, but rather to the cause & to the Monarchy. Sometimes it's just in wording or as in the example you gave, The Father's Day Post. We all pick up on subtle messaging & vibes... I think there is a legitimate vibe that they are their own brand & the attention is on them & not inherently on The Crown.... just my 2 cents...
RachelZA 24 June 2019 at 07:16
Christen, I share a lot of your reservations about H&M and their need for individual recognition. But then I ask myself how much is related directly back to them and how much comes via the media and their fans? Do they really go after the recognition or do their fans need them to be “different”?
In different ways the media and the Sussex fans have both (in different ways) ran with this narrative of them changing things up and being different. But if I look at their work as royals I can’t say if H&M share this idea or not.
It is going to be interesting to see how this plays out.
Beata 24 June 2019 at 07:32
Christen, exactly my thoughts about "brand" being the problematic word not "international"... and "Sussex brand" not "BRF brand"... I fail to see why they could not do the great job they do without separating themselves from the family so much and speaking of their "brand"... What i wonder is if they acctualy used the word "brand" or its media interpretation?
Natacha 24 June 2019 at 15:00
Christen, I agree with you.
Allison in US 24 June 2019 at 15:07
I still think there is a subtle element of prejudice (even when it's not a huge element of prejudice) in our view of Meghan's everyday actions. Just picking some examples: if Meghan had worn that cool hat Sophie wore to Trooping, she would be criticized. If she swung on that rope ball at Kate's garden exhibit, just imagine. The press would compare her with Miley Cyrus! If she wore Eugenie's pretty dress at Ascot, she would be criticized for wearing something sleeveless. Or if she wore a pantsuit like Sophie and Autumn ... the list can be endless. That grouping on the balcony was really full of interesting interactions -- the three children, Charles, Anne, and Andrew, were involved in a truly intense discussion around the Queen. At one point louis seemed to be going for Kate's hat's flower and William was saying something to him, and it looked really amusing. Autumn's kids were doing their thing, and you could barely see the tops of Andrew's children. Harry was talking with Jack. But what's reported? Supposedly -- Harry barked at Meghan, Meghan almost cried, and I just read today that Chelsy flew into London because of the breakdown of H&M's marriage. Unbelievable, but sadly believable. They don't talk about a brand and they seem to be pretty involved with the family. They live with the family. They attend family events. They take photos with the family. It's just that their every move is watched. As someone said, william is friends with Lady Gaga. Perhaps an odd pairing, but why not? The York sisters are friends with a group that includes Jared Kushner's brother. If Meghan was in that group, they would say she wants to run for US president.
They know people are very interested in them now, and if they give a little, maybe they can hide other aspects. The father's day was personal and it satisfied people who are trying to see more of Archie.
I have not heard of the Sussexes mention the word "brand," but now they are criticized for speaking of it so often?
Again, they are not captive. Harry (and probably William) remain part of the RF because of duty to their country and love for the Queen and their father. The Sussexes could have a charmed life outside of the RF.
The monarchy is tradition but for a long time it was how the country was ruled. With a different form of government, it became tradition, but that history and heritage may continue at some point without the actually family members. As humans, Harry and Meghan, together or separate, have to answer more to helping the world while they are alive rather than to being mere members of the group.
jmccain 24 June 2019 at 16:15
Thank you Allison in US24 June 2019 at 15:07. People do 'color' their judgement around Meghan based on prejudice even if they can't admit it to themselves. The tabloids spin a term and it attaches itself to them and people act like the Sussex coined the phrase 'branding themselves'.
H 24 June 2019 at 16:31
Allison, the Sussexes have a charmed life because they are part of the RF not inspite of it.
All of this is supposition, assumption, and opinion on your part Christen. You choose to think they are focused on a personal brand, rather than seeing their hard work as hard work for the people and therefore the monarchy. That is media spin, hater spin, and what you've chosen to believe.
Hi Christen, so nice to see you! :) I like the way you expressed your feelings/concerns and at the same time did not forget to give H+M credit for all the good they do. It can't be easy for the Sussexes to be just members of the BRF (probably the most popular + loved ones at the moment) and not "celebrities", especially because lots of people do want them to be celebrities. The last year has been a year of transition; let's see what the future brings.
Clarence House & the Cambridges posted Father's Day photos on Instagram, as well....
While I agree that it's ok to constructively criticize H&M, I think this is just speculation, and the kind that just adds to the noise.
How, exactly, are they building their own "brand" rather than just that of the BRF? Have they ever even used that term or spoken about their own image? They post photos on Instagram -- so do the Cambridges and Prince Charles/Camilla. Why are H&M targeted?
They are working to carve out their own roles within the monarchy -- it is the media (and many trolls) who twist this into "branding" and "separating" from the family and "making themselves look better" than Will & Kate, for example.
The fact is, they are popular. The world watches their every move. If there wasn't as severe an interest in them, their Instagram posts and their work and their appearances and the comments they make on other royals' Instagram accounts (etc, etc, etc) would seem exactly what it is: normal.
Christien, that is your opinion based on lies from the media. Nowhere have the Sussexes said they are building a global brand. You are choosing to believe media lies because you want to.
I am not sure it is reasonable to infer the building on a “global brand” based on a couple of Instagram posts. Perhaps they want their feed to have a younger feel, rather than looking like posts made by your parents. Regarding the “Happy Father’s Day” post and why it was to HRH Prince Harry only - the very OBVIOUS reason for this as HRH Duchess Meghan is estranged from her father. She can’t very well go on Insta wishing “all fathers” a happy Father’s Day if she is not on speaking terms with hers - imagine the ridiculous back lash (including if they just had a pic of Charles). So it was an appropriate message and probably the only one available. Their Insta feed is appropriate for their ages and in keeping with their focus on youth across the Commonwealth.
Helen 25 June 2019 at 11:22
I think Cristin has articulated my concerns much better than I would have done, and seeing the reactions she has been very brave! Getting answers like : You are choosing to believe media lies because you want to, doesn't encourage debate. And IMO, there is room for debate. Meghan has qualities but even she is not perfect and can make mistakes, so can Harry. I am convinced they could have avoided some of the criticism. IMO they are somewhat tone deaf (see Meghan's designer wardrobe). And this is my rational opinion not what I choose blindly to believe. I hope it is published.
Helen25 June 2019 at 11:22? What are you talking about? They all have designer wardrobes......Meghan is being picked on for many reasons just like Kate was when she 1st came in...except this time haters have more to focus on
Just out of curiosity Helen, how is Meghan’s designer wardrobe different than Cathrine’s designer wardrobe?
I find Christen’s position a bit childish. He lacks a certain amount of good faith for his comment to make sense. Already the cult of self-promotion is human, it is like the instinct of conservation.
Even Elizabeth II who is the queen is endowed with it, even you Christene is endowed with it even I, even Prince William, Kate etc...it is a natural and human need with degrees in each, which can only be explained by taking several types of criteria into account. Everyone has it and all royalties have it, this cult of self-promotion; the evolution of technological means such as the Internet and social networks make it possible to demonstrate this nowadays. I will give only one example to back up my words: - On instagram that you yourself have chosen to quote, you will find that there is an official and general site on the royal family, which publishes all the official activities and events of interest to all members of the royal family and especially to the members above in the hierarchy. Could you explain to me where the need came from for some, to create a personal or own instagram account that would highlight only their actions and activities independently of those of others? An instagram account where each concerned is more highlighted and has autonomy on account management? Prince Charles and Camilla with Clarencehouse, William and Kate with Kensingtonpalace, Princess Eugénie, the Andrew account etc...Everyone has opened their accounts to put themselves forward. Harry who was first with William and Kate detached to open his account with his wife: logical sequence especially that the Kensingtonpalace account was already perceived more as an account of Will and Kate where surely Prince Harry could not have the last word in case of disagreement on any point, which could be right or wrong, of course, because the monopoly of reason is not Harry’s or William’s. The 2 brothers had already admitted this long before Meghan’s arrival that he often had great disagreements following certain subjects. So it’s really pure bad faith to pretend that self-promotion waited for Sussex or Meghan, to be highlighted.
Do you think Charles opened his account to hurt his mother? that William opened his instagram account to harm father and his grandmother etc...? No, times change, modernity prevails and everyone has his or her potential. It is not William who will inherit the throne after the death of Elizabeth II; yet William and Kate in the polls are more popular than Charles, and that has not been the subject of time for debate or relentlessness. Now Harry has always been the most popular, moreover, he married a working girl that many people appreciate for her beauty and her work (evidence that displeased her haters...). As Will and Kate are more popular than Charles and Camilla so you just have to be fairplay to accept that these can be as far away popular as X or Y, you have to be fairplay, to accept that Harry and Meghan are more popular than William and Kate, than Charles and Camilla, whether the queen etc...and understand that self-promotion (also found in the queen, Charles, William, Eugénie, Andrew, Sarah) or not self-promotion, all this popularity serves the royal firm and stop this lack of fairplay. In turn, as collateral damage, it is obvious that by serving the royal firm, it also serves their image, it is a normal and obvious consequence.
There is no objectivity in this war, of which some evil spirits (racists, pro-Kate etc...) only look for Meghan's head. It’s just a war of fanatics. Nature has just given Harry and Meghan more potentials and Aura than others; and it is not by jealous of this force or seeking to harm Harry and Meghan that it will elevate the other royals; the low blows do not help.
...the low blows do not help.
I continue 👇
And diminishing and tying Meghan to her role as a Hollywood actress like you do, it’s still a great bad faith because everyone knows very well that Meghan since her infancy, has always cultivated and developed, a sense of justice and a spirit of struggle for the causes that are close to her heart, which she continued as an adult, in parallel with her acting career and after marrying Harry why should she stop or why don’t you take into account her entire history to judge her? She wasn’t an actress but she was a very committed actress ...
Thank you again Charlotte for your wonderful work. I wish with all my heart and pray that your work will gain more ground every day. And we will help you. Noble causes are blessed and pardoned no matter how long it takes. I will conclude by saying that in a monarchy, the most popular royal member is not the king... this is not an established fact; and it is not a given fact since it is the Heart of the population that chooses who it loves very much, moderately, somewhat or not regardless of low blows, defamation attempts.
To answer your questions,jmccain and Anonymous, I think it was a mistake for Meghan to wear the dress she wore for the engagement photos and to wear Givenchy so much and so soon.
How it is different from Kate?
Kate's engagement picture dress was high Street, she was known for wearing very affordable fashion, easily copied, and people went mad buying it. I refer you to DKB 7 years ago and the papers of the time. She was called thrifty, she recycled. The negative press could call her fashion too cheap, or too youghfull, they did, but not extravagant. Now she is indeed wearing a lot of designers. But it has been a gradual progression, and the public remembers the first impression. First impressions are very important and determine how you are perceived. Meghan could have avoided some of the backlash. I truly don't understand how she didn't see how unpopular excessive spending is.
Caroline in Montana 25 June 2019 at 23:32
I agree with you Helen and christen, funny how now they are after you too!! its ok to have an opinion, doesn't make you a hater. Thank you for being articulate and expressing your opinion. some real nutters on here today:)
I had no idea that I was an "evil spirit" since I am also pro kate - it is possible to like 2 women for who they are, bad faith indeed. also since there is no king, I will agree with one thing you said Unknown, the most popular royal member is NOT the king:)
Katie C.H. 23 June 2019 at 23:19
This is amazing. Every word is dead on.
Nicole from france 23 June 2019 at 23:25
Dear Charlotte ,I have said a few times in your blogs that a lot of well,paid journalists could take lessons from your writing and documentary skills, and I do confirm it to day, your text is absolutely remarquable and I can’t but thank you for such a great work ! Real information in the best professional way possible !
I have supported Meghan as soon as I have known what sort of woman she is ,and to me , if somebody can help the monarchy beeing appreciated and loved in the coming years, definitely Meghan and Harry will be this somebody . William and Catherine do have to stick to a traditional way of behaving, due to their position and also to their character , Harry and Meghan are not in such position and have a different character . What seems important to me is that , while acting differently, they still show the dignity due to the BRF . And it was only time for Harry to fly with his own wings and not keep beeing his brother’s shadow . Certainly Meghan helped him to think over the situation , and supported him .
Why not just be happy to see the BRF extend its work and get new patronages which will draw attention and help to more people ? Meghan’s nationality and bi racial background (and former job) are certainly « good « points for haters and low quality journalists , that kind of trash sells very well, unfortunately , the truth will never stop’them ,neither the good results of the work the Sussexes do ... but I am confident’your article will help some,people to see things more clearly , Charlotte , I so do hope Meghan and Harry know your work !!!!
Rita in Florida 24 June 2019 at 17:45
I agree 100% Nicole from france. Well said. Charlotte your work here is beyond comprehensive and professional.
I am still a bit baffled by the timing of the split of The Royal Foundation. It would have been nice for them to have some joint endeavours for at least 5+ years...but I understand the difficulties and complexities of working with family. Perhaps it was not clear to them until they were "in it".
Charles has outdone himself he's left a legacy for himself and was not just sitting around for a crown, he is nothing short of a great man. I am glad the Sussex are committed in doing their work and i believe they have tuned out the crappy noise of the stupid irresponsible media. Harry and Meghan are definitely on the right track and the Queen and Charles know it. Great write up Charlotte you need to be applauded this piece.
Well done! Needs wider reach!
Mr D, United Kingdom 23 June 2019 at 23:39
Charlotte we need to talk how utterly brilliant this article is. Bravo.
You've said what has been festering away in my mind for 18 months. I only wish more people could have the sense to read your blog and take a better perspective and understanding on it all. Thank you so much for tackling this.
Thank you so much Charlotte. This is an excellent post. You’ve encapsulated the crux of the issue perfectly. I have seen so much criticism of Meghan for things that don’t make sense. And quite often she’s not really doing anything different from other royal family members. As you’ve so eloquently laid out in this well researched post. So unfortunately, when these criticism flair up, I’m left with pondering, well what is different about Meghan. The facts are she is biracial, American, divorced, not of so-called noble heritage, and had a career rooted in image and promotion. I have seen people twist themselves into knots claiming it’s not about race or not about her nationality, or not about her personal history. But I remain unmoved. And this post lays out exactly why. Why is she criticized for a pattern of charitable support and projects and appearances that essentially every other royal engages in? I so hope people can take a deep look inside about what their real criticisms of Meghan are, whether they want to admit it or not. Thank you SO much for this post Charlotte. I hope it is shared widely.
lydia 24 June 2019 at 00:04
Great post. Your perspective is pitch perfect. Thank you for writing this.
Ana S 24 June 2019 at 00:17
Why is it wrong for the Sussex to build a personal brand separate from the monarchy? Times are changing, they must change with the time. People are so quick to say, Cambridges will be King and Queen and they with their children are the future of the monarchy. Thus, why should Meg and Harry not secure the own future outside of the firm. Or they will become like the rest of the Queen's children, forgotten and dependent on others.
Likewise, Instagram is a big part of the Sussex future, the main source of communication. Why then can they not share what they want and must follow what is deemed "appropriate" to some? It seems now, no matter what they do it's going to rub people the wrong way.
If they are promoting a Sussex brand independent of the monarchy (which I am not convinced they are doing) then I think it would be a mistake.
The thing that differentiate royals from other celebrities is that they are part of something bigger than themselves. Something that will exist long after they are gone. Building their own brand will bring them in conflict in the longrun with their royal roles and the firm as a whole. And I think that is something they would want to avoid.
Teresa 24 June 2019 at 00:30
What a beautifully written and impressively researched piece. Charlotte, you have eloquently and thoroughly debunked much of the ill-informed (and often negative) chatter that is so prominent among the denizens of the internet today.
Thank you for your thoughtful and keen insights. You are the reason that so many of us come to this site; to get a well rounded and honest view of the amazing efforts that Harry and Meghan are spearheading.
Paulina pol 24 June 2019 at 00:37
At last someone who writes based on fact and history. Thank you very much!
I’ve been a long time royal watcher, but for the first time it’s lost some of it’s pleasure for me due to the constant attacks, criticism and negative articles about Meghan. The way the media has portrayed her, you’d think she’s going to destroy the monarchy! Your post was so informative and objective and and I wish those who constantly critique Meghan would read this post! :)
-JF
Thank you again, Charlotte. As always, well written, factual, informative, compassionate, and a rare voice of reason among the manufactured outrage.
Staceychris 24 June 2019 at 00:50
I needed something positive today. Thank you for the article and the time to research and provide background info. I also learned that the Prince's Trust has a Canadian arm - who knew? lol I'm in Canada and did not know this tidbit.
Perfect post but I would just add that there’s an element of racism at work here too. You see the double standards when this woman of color is doing the exact same things as white royals have done. Our white-dominant society isn’t used to seeing minorities in these traditionally white spaces, so when Meghan (or Serena Williams, or the Obamas, etc) do innocuous things that their white counterparts do it takes on a new meaning and is seen as nefarious.
Those who never want to see the racism at work every second towards Meghan will never see it, fellow anon.
I agree. To be clear, I am speaking generally and not criticizing Charlotte, who has written extensively about the racism Meghan faces.
every second?! lol - I think its possible to not like people for not liking them. I don't like lots of white people, does that make me a racist? and are you the same person and just replying to yourself?
What a beautifully written, well researched and informative piece. Charlotte, you are the reason that so many of us come to this site on a regular basis—because we want an honest and thoughtful appraisal of Harry and Meghan’s accomplishments in support of the wide variety of causes that are important to them.
You have effectively debunked much of the ill-informed (and often negative) chatter that is too often directed at the royal family by the denizens of the internet today. Thank you for being our keen observer and stalwart royal fan.
Cathy 24 June 2019 at 01:02
Well said! Thank you for your excellent statement. It needed to be said and you have done it perfectly.
I was just blown away with your post, both the details, which were so VERY interesting and informative, and the clear and concise emotion. So much so that I couldn't write anything without waiting awhile! I wish this could be run as an editorial, but of course it is directed to the lowly "papers," which would not run it because it criticizes them. Maybe Harry will read this and work it into a later speech. I have had very good thoughts about Charles but did not know the details of his work, and I certainly didn't know about the other members, including Camilla.
So now, I guess the only thing left is to make sure Meghan completely loses her identity and personality and is seen and not heard? She can work behind the scenes but not be an actual person, full of fun and affection? Sorry -- I'm a bit set off that after all that you have written, a reader STILL says that Meghan is self-promoting. She is being herself, which everyone has a right to be. She is not a robot or a captive. And the more attention she gets, the more useful it will be for her causes. I'm just so tired of her every action being judged. The poor woman has had to learn to wear hats for the sake of her new country! And I can think of about 20 recent things that other family members did or said recently and I didn't think twice about them. If I superimpose Meghan's face onto their faces, I can see criticism coming.
What is most incredulous to me is that the RF that people claim is horrified by Meghan actually appears to be the most supportive group of people! Thank heavens she has a wonderful mother, a dream team of friends, and a welcoming new family, including the current queen and future king!
Exactly, Allison. I truly do not understand how anyone can look at the work they're doing and accuse them of being self-promoting, simply because most of the globe is watching their every move.
Philly 24 June 2019 at 01:15
Charlotte, I wish to show my support on the comments thread as well. I stand with the others who have said that you have summarized what they have been thinking for some time, as well as those applauding you for this excellent analysis of a troubling subject.
I, too, hope this piece gets a great deal of traction on everyone's social media platforms. I'm not tech savvy enough to do it, but is it possible to link to it via a comment on the sussexroyal instagram account? Does anyone follow people with huge platforms where they might do the same?
I am so weary of false news and the trash talk online. Like others, I refuse to click on ridiculous headlines or purchase magazines which run that sort of innuendo.
Bravo, Charlotte, for taking a rational and much needed stand.
Impeccably written piece with an astounding amount of thoroughly-researched and brilliantly-structured evidence. Thank you for your this Charlotte!
As said above, great post. Fact will always shine over fiction.
Diana Birchall 24 June 2019 at 02:14
Do you know how rare and refreshing common sense is? Your post was such a welcome relief, for its factual good sense. The scarily widespread threads blaming Meghan for everything under the sun, with people seemingly trying to hound her out in some way, has been utterly disturbing. That said, I am troubled that there has unquestionably been a falling-out between the brothers, who have seemed so loving all their lives. It's easy to blame Meghan, but may have nothing to do with her. I hope the two couples will get past that, achieve their full potentional in their roles, and live in harmony. Meanwhile, thank you for being a voice of reason in the wilderness, Charlotte!
Well done!!!
Marcia USA 24 June 2019 at 02:24
Charlotte, this is superb research. This info really needs to reach a larger audience. Is there anyway you can get this info on a mag spin cycle as an article addressing the Royal Foundation split? More and more people really need to hear the TRUTH. This info/research needs circulation. Thank you so very much for this most diligent body of work. Awesome!
Thank you so much for writing this. I knew some of it, but to see so much breadth and so well organized, it’s a very effective piece. Thank you!
-Duch
BeanieG 24 June 2019 at 02:55
First and most important - perhaps your best post ever, and that's saying something since I enjoy and learn something new from every post you do on both blogs, Charlotte. As others have stated, I think it's important to have this out there as much as possible. State the facts and then let people make informed decisions!
You've mentioned the work of all the royal siblings except Andrew and his family. While he personally has not done as much as the others, he does have a foundation and he has contributed. His daughters and Sarah have been very active in causes near and dear to their hearts, something they don't have to do as non working royals (or ex-royals).I especially enjoyed reading about the work the Wessexes do, and now understand why it seems Sophie is often working with blindness issues in India and elsewhere. I find it wonderful that current members of the BRF can openly talk about their issues,be they dyslexia or scoliosis or HG or mental health issues, and then work to help others who suffer.
Oh how I loved seeing the women of the Hubb giving back to others.Love and true compassion truly do spread ripples throughout society.
On a superficial note, I adore that opening photo of Harry and Meghan.She is a stunning classy and loving woman, and a wonderful mate for Harry. He has matured into exactly the man his mother would have wanted. I know he feels gratitude to William for giving him some tough love when he needed it and setting him on the path to his true self, and eventually Meghan. The dukes have been partners in grief as well as very fortunate young men. Their father certainly deserves credit for his parenting when he didn't really have the best experience himself. Even as the paths of the brothers diverge as they were inevitably meant to, they will doubtless respect and appreciate each other's strengths in the years to come.
Again, sincerest thanks,Charlotte. It's wonderful to have a place like this to visit in this crazy world.
Ellen 24 June 2019 at 03:11
I have to agree with Christen. I appreciate all the hard work that Harry and Meghan have done, but it does seem, at times, that they crave personal attention as much as they are working as part of the BRF. As a former actress, it must be hard for Meghan not to feel that way, and I'm sure it will become easier with time.
Amina Sanni 24 June 2019 at 10:43
I think we have to examine whether there has been any indication from them that they crave the personal attention. I think it is the media that has been so focused on them personally and set different narratives that people have just absorbed. Also people go into different professions for the profession itself and not for a personal gain. It is a shame that we then see a profession and attach a certain type of personality to it. If we look in her past life, Meghan as always had a very different character than that that is assumed of actors. I am not entirely sure it is fair to think because she was an actor she craves the spotlight.
I am sure as you say there has been a period of adjusting which will only get easier for her and everyone involved.
I have yet to see a credible example of Harry and Meghan “craving attention.” If anything, the British press foists upon them unwanted, borderline harassing coverage and they seem to prefer to be left alone when not on public engagements. Meghan was a supporting actress who got along with the entire cast, including the leads, and never courted tabloid attention or controversy during her career. I think people should re-examine why they’re reading into her as being an attention-seeker when all evidence points to the contrary
This perception of "craving attention" along with the "showing off" and similar language, when examined, is often a cultural divide between Britain and America. It's not an uncommon way for the Brits who have snootily disparaged the Yanks in this manner forever (though they'd happily take the money from wealthy heiresses who married in to save the family seat while trash-talking them).
More than that, the perception is often a divide between people who are introverts and those who are extraverts. Those who are reticent and those who are at ease and even at their best in a public platform. I see it all the time. For example, my mother cringed and criticized my father for being a "show off" when he was merely a bon vivant with a great sense of humour, irrepressible energy as well as loving kindness.
The press and the haters take this narrative manipulate and amplify it for click bait. The clicks draw advertisers in a multi-billion dollar industry that feeds on the public in the guise of "freedom of the press". It's too easy for the public now-a-days. Today people don't even have to buy the papers, but can read all the trash in the world for free.
We need to be very wary of the larger narrative and the insidious ways that we can be manipulated.
Honestly, all this indicates to me is that you've accepted and absorbed the image of Meghan (and even to an extent, Harry) that the media has been pushing.
She was an actor, yes. That doesn't automatically make one self-serving. I'm an actor and would never want that kind of fame and attention. As Anonymous said, they take great pains to remain private and only put the spotlight on their work?
I asked this of Christen above and the question still stands: how, exactly, are H&M doing anything differently that shows they're trying to be self-promoting in any way? As I said above, they post on Instagram about their work and, occasionally, personal moments. So does William & Kate and Prince Charles & Camilla.
I also take issue with the "actress" summation. For starters, I have friends who have worked with her on & in 2 different films & she was delightful & lovely to work with. I think what is very much at the heart of all this is that she is an open American personality. There was always going to be an adjustment to that.... add to it that she's a confident, hard working woman, who isn't afraid to blaze a trail..... & I think that has rubbed British people wrong.. these are noble traits that she has, but they haven't seamlessly played well in her new role & only time will tell how this will smooth out, without her losing herself in the process. It was mentioned above that if Meghan had swung on the rope ball at the Chelsea Flower Show, as Kate did, that she would have been criticized! I agree... but I think what's at play is also the taking into perspective the personalities of the players. Kate is so reserved, that a moment like that was refreshing & welcomed, as we rarely get insight into who she is behind the scenes. While with Meagan (as an American I can relate) she's just right out there with who she is! What you see is what you get & there is no wariness about it. So it's the starting point that I believe is at play. Since Meaghan is already very accessible, with who she is & not a mystery, protecting her private self..... if she went swinging on that rope ball, I don't doubt the British & British Tabloids would have used the word "showing off"! Massive double standard.... but it's also about understanding the audience & where they start with their perspective & where the various Royals start off with personalties.... I don't know if I expressed my thoughts well, but I hope some of this comes across as I intended... :)
Marianne 25 June 2019 at 04:59
Thank you for your insightful comments. They helped me realise that indeed people do tend to more easily dislike people who appear confident and self-assured. Maybe in part it may be jealousy-most people don't have the ability to be so natural and comfortable and extroverted in public and thus can only interpet people who can as phonies and hypocrites.
For my part, the only "concern" I have is the big amount of negative stories concerning Meghan. Since I was quite young when Kate married into the family and didn't follow the news, I'm very interested to know, would you say that the same kind of narratives circulated? With my logic, I know that they are fake news,fabricated to sell and to cause hatred and nastiness. But, also, I'm only human and intuitively, emotionally, I can't help but be influenced when I read about Meghan being mean, rude or entitled to employers (nothing would be more damning to me than that if true). How do you guys deal with that? Can they be completely untrue? Can there be smoke WITHOUTA fire?
I'm sincerely not trying to bash anyone, I'm just interested in how other people deal with such news; the best solution sould be not to read them, but oh, I can't help myself!
Becca, thank you for the example with the rope ball... I think you are very right, the different personalities + starting points need to be taken into account. Plus, the more open American nature vs. more reserved British one is not just a cliché either.
Jess Goodrich, Chicago 24 June 2019 at 03:22
Bravo Charlotte and thank you!
MelissaZ 24 June 2019 at 04:28
Great post...it seems to me that the British public can’t stand the fact trust Harry choose an American, bi-racial, divorced actress and not a Kate double.
No matter what Meghan does it’s not right, breaking protocol, etc. I saw a horrible lampoon hat the BBC did today. I predict they will spend more time overseas or in America, as Harry is probably very angry that his wife is being treated like this.
Probably correct that a lot of the British people do not like the fact that a member of the British royal family married an American, who is culturally very different to them. It is a common human trait that people like consistency and continuity.
Perhaps something that needs to be considered is that newspaper columnists are not alone in their opinion and often are reflecting the mood of the countries they write for. Slamming the press for their opinions is often slamming a great part of the society we live in as well.
Duke of Gloucester married a Danish woman and she hasn't been attacked and hated for decades. It is clear the attacks on Meghan are rooted in racism.
I think you both are right & have both hit at the core of this story. Nothing to fix about it other than H&M having greater sensitivity to this & the public & press getting used to this new reality! Some graciousness & adjustment on both sides would help. Hopefully these growing pains will eventually abate or lessen for all involved!
Anon 15:31 I would agree with you. It is not just the press that shares this opinion, from the comments I read on articles in the American press, there is a general consensus that a majority are tired of Meghan being written about daily over trivial items, and literally being shoved down the throats of the public. There is an unhealthy obsession about her here in America and the press is feeding it, creating a negative attitude. It's like she's the next best thing since 'crushed ice', when there are others who have gone before her and done the same, as Charlotte has pointed out. It's like the press is putting her up on a pedestal to tear her down.
I bet when the Duke of Gloucester married a Danish woman it was a really big deal *decades ago. these things fade away. this too shall pass.
Katie 24 June 2019 at 04:34
Hear, hear :) Well written Charlotte!
Bravo Charlotte! Your article should be required reading for everyone around the world.
RoyalistNYV 24 June 2019 at 06:12
Thank you for your insightful post. Many ppl don’t realize how much the monarchy’s charitable efforts are also outside of the commonwealth. The late Diana, princess of Wales also championed many causes globally. She was the last royal who ‘broke protocol’ and didn’t receive the support she needed, and since then the monarchy has learned to be a supportive in THRs. The more power you have, the more haters you have. It is an unfortunate result. Personally, I am excited to see what the Sussexes have been cooking up! They will continue to be the light, to carry on.
Charlotte, thank you for your amazing piece. As many say, some journalists should learn from your skill to be precise but gentle at the same time.
As you say, Meghan hasn't put a foot wrong in terms of royal work. In terms of PR, I was a sort of surprised that she didn't stop her friends ftom speaking for/about her early on. I don't think they've helped her in any way. For those who saw Meghan's work ethic and passion, it was just an unnecessary confirmation, and for those wanting to criticise Meghan it was just another reason to criticise her. I sincerely doubt that Meghan wished for her friends to speak on her behalf and in no way I think she told them to do so - I am actually really surprised she has even allowed it because she must have known that it would send that "Hollywood behaviour" wave on her. Other than this, I don't think there is much to criticise.
+1. thank you Ella!
I think that was a completely human reaction from her. How long should only one side of the narrative allowed to circulate the media and inform the public without there being a counter to it - especially if one of them is being used to slander and spread lies about someone - isn't that propaganda? I don't blame her friends going to a publication to fight back lies with facts - especially the story surrounding her relationship with her father. I fault myself for this, but I believed the stories published out there that said Meghan had completely stopped communicating with her father and that he could not reach out to her, only to later find out via her friends that this was completely fabricated. I know the RF has a "never complain never explain" rule, but being silent all the time is not helpful at all. I found the outrage of her friends going to the media to defend her ridiculous considering other royals have done the same before - e.g. William and Kate's friends went to outlets to defend them after numerous articles regarding "idle throne."
A well researched piece. Not a fanfiction or biased at all. Well done. But of course, it would be ignored by the "credible" royal reporters and "neutral" fans of monarchy as this piece negates their agenda to oust the Sussexes.
Jackie 24 June 2019 at 06:55
Thank you for your defense of our "American" princess. I do believe the changes in the way the House of Windsor operates will prove successful. But could it be a simple fear of change creating the criticism. And Meghan is the new element injected into the formula, therefore those who are threatened by change will blame her. Not right, but predictable.
Are there actually changes happening, or are they all continuing on the road set out for them (which of course does include micro changes, like getting married, becoming full-time royals etc)?
If I look at the research Charlotte has done then changing this up narrative is faulty.
Don’t get me wrong the appearance of change can often invoke just a strong fear as actual change itself.
But I do think we should question what is the actual change that has taken place.
I think you both are correct that "change" & all that brings with it (whether real or perceived) can be jarring & require the element of time, to achieve as successful an adjustment as possible. There will only be more growing pains when that horrible day comes when 2 very much loved Royals pass... I get upset even thinking about that/those days! :(
Mel in SoCal 24 June 2019 at 07:35
Great op-ed piece. Too bad it's not in the Sunday Times.
One thing though, it's Down Syndrome, not Down's or Downs. It's an important distinction. Thanks for the excellent piece of writing.
Sarah 24 June 2019 at 08:34
Fantastic post! Sadly I don't think anything will ever shut the haters up but at least we can read eloquent, intelligent, rational words like yours as an antidote to all the nonsense out there.
Bernadette Clarke 24 June 2019 at 08:37
I've read and read and read some more. Thanks Charlotte for this well researched balanced article. You are simply the best!
I am still mulling over this and will probably for years to come as we watch it play out. One thing I did notice from all the research you have done is that the Royal Foundation and the future Sussex Foundation (possibly) differs from the other royal foundations in one important aspect.
The other foundations and charitable endevours are created with a specific goal, project or theme in mind and cover a smallish section of that royal’s philanthropic endevours.
When the brothers started the Royal Foundation they said that they wanted a new approach, by creating an umbrella organization with all their charitable work falling underneath it.
I had my reservations about it then and the years since has not convinced me otherwise. The Royal Foundation has shown that there is definitely come advantages to this umbrella idea especially logistically, but I am still not convinced that creating something that focus specifically on conservation and a different vehicle for mental health would not have done these causes more good in the long run. Basically something that can become bigger than their royal patrons and outlive them.
I have watched this whole drama since begining of the year. You researched so much thank you for that. Thank you for that. I want to be frank English is my second langugage sorry for my spelling grammer errors in advance. The biggest mistake that both couple made is that they didn't announce the splits both foundation and household when the marriage or engagement announced. But I believe they didn't expect this. Of course they do things global as well as in the UK. But for some reason when you search Sussexes there is one sentence includes Global star. I think that is very disrespectful for monarch and future monarchs. It causes overshadowing whether you like it or not.
How do you get to publish this article in a serious newspaper like the Guardian or the New York Times? It needs more exposure b/c interested people need to be educated in these matters.
Thank you so much for taking the time. I'm actually tearing up right now.
Thank you Charlotte for such a wonderfully written piece. I tried to post my comment last night but not sure it worked.
This post should reassure those who need it that indeed the DDoS are following a path well laid down my senior members of the RF. They will also have the senior royals who have navigated these paths give them good and genuine advice as to how to setup their foundation for success.
I genuinely believe they 'know their place' and are not only working to support the monarchy but also to achieve as much good as they can. Don't we all even with our very small platform want to do that. Surely all of us strive daily to make the best of our lives in whichever way we define it. What good is a gift one has been given if it cannot be used or shared with others in gratitude.
I wish them all the best and look forward to the start, growth and longevity of their foundation.
Lila (from France) 24 June 2019 at 11:51
Thank you Charlotte for your hard but so important work. Thanks to you I still learn a lot about Royal Monarchy in England. Have a beautiful day !
Well said, Amina @10:43. We don’t know the Duke and Duchess of Sussex PERSONALLY and neither does the media circus. So, to be fair, we can’t make PERSONAL assumptions of which we have no factual evidence. The Duchess of Sussex craves personal attention based on what evidence? She visited the Hubb Community for months “under the radar” before the cookbook was even mentioned by the press. She attended a baby shower that was GIVEN for her NOT by her. Her friends are wealthy but she had those friends before marrying Prince Harry. Should she exclude them from her life. No. Prince William is a friend to Lady Gaga. Is he graving personal attention? No. What Charlotte has brought to us is factual information; no guesses, no lies and no speculations. Unfortunately, we live in a world in which LIES and NEGATIVE SPECULATIONS sell more magazines and gets more attention than the TRUTH. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is the “new kid on the block” so to speak. She is a strong woman and I pray and hope she remains strong, fulfills her purpose in life and be happy with her family.
Amen, Marcia USA
Gaby 24 June 2019 at 12:46
Exceptionally well-written, reason and explained. Very good article Charlotte. I hope it reaches at least a few of those people, who criticise them or her with no end.
Kim 24 June 2019 at 13:11
Great article. Agree wholeheartedly.This is the defining statement for me: "Meghan has thrown herself into her role, and she hasn't put a foot wrong. To chastise and tear her down because she's an intelligent woman who wants to succeed in this role is appalling and frankly sexist. Ambition is not a dirty word, especially when it's being channeled into a life of philanthropic dedication". Collectively we are very afraid of intelligent women. It's crazy. And honestly, the world would be a better, safer and more sustainable place. Change can not come fast enough. Ps I was researching philanthropic foundations for work today, I wasn't aware of the Prince's Trust in Australia. Super helpful.Thanks Charlotte!
So true, Kim.
This is only the second time I have written a comment on this or the sister blog. I have had an interest in the RF that started long before Diana. I enjoy reading about their lives and their fashion,but have no interest in praising or critizing fashion choices. That is such an individual thing each to his own. One of the comments above said she felt the Sussexes seem to be interested in promoting themselves versus the BRF. Somtimes, to me, it seems that way. For example it seems rather strange to put forth a video celebrating their marriage on their anniversary. The Cambridges would never have done that,but that may just be a difference in style. Having said all this I really think we should just let them love their lives.
I agree with you. I think it's a cultural difference, the British are perhaps less in to talking about themselves or self promotion than Americans. I've heard it described as being less flashy, as well. That's not to say one is better, but it's a clear difference.
I am not rely sure what you mean Anon, every year the twitter of the cambridges show pictures of their wedding on their marriage anniversary, how is it different? .. the sussex simply chose to accompany their photos with music which I think was really nice and more modern.
I see nothing self-promoting or different in how they use their social media. You are choosing to assume the negative and believe the tabloids, rather than looking objectively for yourself.
This is an odd comment considering that the entire point of social media is self-promotion via communication with the public. Every single royal family member has a social media presence and posts media commemorating different occasions. How come they aren’t accused of self-promotion, just the Sussexes?
I agree with Anon 13:37. the video seemed weird to me as well. funny how folks are now telling you why you feel the way you do, so negative to "assume". ive seen many hateful comments on here after Charlottes well thought out piece, seems the haters are actually the ones who cant stand even the slightest criticism about Meg.
Great post Charlotte! Maybe the criticisms are just growing pains but I do think the media (especially the American media and I am American) is guilty of trying to make trouble where there isn't trouble. They live for it! And as someone who has read quite a bit about the RF (in books! Not just online lol) I can't help noticing that Meghan seems to be getting some of the extremely negative treatment leveled at the Duchess of Windsor in her time. So then I have to wonder if some of this blaming MM for everything is because she is American and divorced and a former actress. I hope she won't regret her decision to marry into that family but I could see how the constant speculation and media backlash could wear you down over the years, to put it mildly. I hope she focuses on Harry, their beautiful son, and her charity work and never reads one thing in the papers about herself! Don't let this stuff get you down either, Charlotte!
In other news, I hope you will cover what I'm reading elsewhere about the redesign of her e-ring? I think it looks so good on that micropaved band and with the gorgeous new eternity band in the stack. The reports I'm reading seem a bit sexist, like it is some crime that she has a new ring and changed her e-ring. So what?!? I love her new stack. It's modern and glamorous and suits her. She may have wanted a thinner band for her e-ring diamonds to keep the trio of rings as comfortable as possible on her hand. Love that she is a yellow gold gal!
talk about dragging someone's name through the mud, who needs the media when you just compared her to the duchess of Windsor!! yikes
Anonymous @ 13:37. I think you’re right, it IS a difference in style. The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke & Duchess of Sussex are different couples: their personalities and styles are so different. They are not clones. God did not design us to be exactly the same in every way and it is an unrealistic expectation. I hope both couples continue to be who they are individually and as a couple and be happy with each other. After all, we don’t know them and they don’t know us. We simply know OF them based on pictures and articles, bad and good press. Thanks again, Charlotte. Excellent and fair post.
Regarding Meghan doing things that Kate wouldn't do, while that's fine because they are supposed to be different people, it's not always true. I read that Kate had given William a year-long collection of drawings, etc that their children had done, for Father's Day. It sounds delightful! A terrific gift. And a terrific suggestion for anyone in the world to copy. If this is true, I'm happy to have the image of that great gift, and it's really nice of Kate to share. Well done all around. Like her delight in her garden, it's more than we have seen in the past but I love it!
If Meghan did this, she would be using her children to promote herself. She would be putting herself forth as a better mother than others. She would be interfering in a holiday when not asked! Can you see how the action is not the issue but rather the actor, forgive the pun? She would be designing a Hollywood style of gift when a simple card would be more appropriate.
" The action is not the issue but rather the actor" THIS! So well said Allison.
Elinor UK
It is such a fantastic article, a delight, in comparison to the level or writing that we get form commercial media…
There is one point the immediately comes up in my head, and I know it is not going to be very popular and might be misunderstood. With all the data, sources, etc that you are citing here, it becomes somehow obvious that the Cambridges are not as much restricted in their roles as everyone is suggesting all the time. I am not questioning the separation of the two households (it makes sense in many way, and I do not want to speculate on any rift), but I really have trouble to follow the official explanations of the separation.
Other than that, I also do not understand the super conservative way that the Cambridges are following, considering the amazing possibilities that there obviously are, and that many, if not all other members of the Royal family are purchasing? Or are there examples of such activities for the Cambridges as well, that I am just not aware about?
I would so much appreciate a similar article like this, over at the Kate site (sorry to invade this site with my comment). I am sure that you Charlotte have the best and a neutral overview of what is going on. And I have the impression that even many of us, lets say, “positive” followers often have trouble to understand certain steps and decisions. And your words are kind of a holy grail to me :)
I think the “restraints” on the Cambridges are mostly put there by their own cautious nature and not their constitutional position. They are the couple that dated for years before they even considered getting married. They took their time as a couple before they started a family. Kate has been working behind the scenes on her early childhood projects for over a year etc.
They are the type that think through every possible outcome and scratch all ideas that have a possibility of failure. Before they jump they take their time to make sure everything is in place and have a backup plan.
Meghan and Harry are completely different personalities, the type to jump and build their wings on the way down. You can see it in their personal life and in the way they jumped into their work.
I expect over the years we will see many projects from them that will soar beyond expectations but also some that will crash and burn.
I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to be, just different ways. It also explains why people are naturally attracted to one of the couple’s way of doing things.
I have a cautious nature so I find it easier to identify with the slow and steady way of the Cambridges, while somebody else might be able to identify better with the boots-on-the-ground way of the Sussexes.
TresL 25 June 2019 at 17:22
I actually think it's H&M who are very methodical about their work behind the scenes and only present finished products with tangible results. They do their research and you can see it in their engagements by the types of questions they ask. The "Together" cookbook is a perfect example. Meghan identified the problem, proposed an idea, set measurable and attainable benchmarks to address the problem and blew past her goal with money to spare. That's not building wings on the way down. In fact, it's the exact opposite.
I agree TresL. I don't think H&M are as impulsive with their work (or personal lives) as some would have others believe.
Zola Mkhwanazi 24 June 2019 at 16:05
So informative, well researched and well wtitten article...Thank you Charlotte!!!
Emily 24 June 2019 at 16:36
I really hope Meghan is able filter out all the hate and viciousness out there. Even some of the other Kate bloggers seem inclined to put her down and make up stories. Bravo for putting it all in perspective!
Abby 24 June 2019 at 16:37
Fantastic article, Charlotte!
What Meghan needs is time. Anybody remember "Waity Katie?" We don't hear that anymore, as the DOC has proven herself a valued member of the RF, as well as a doting wife and mother. Unfortunately for Meghan, her background of crazy family and a previous marriage, plus the inevitable comparisons to Kate, give Meghan undeserved criticism. I think in a few years, her continued work ethic, as well as a happy marriage with Harry will endear her to the media.
Lucinda 25 June 2019 at 05:45
Waity Katie was in reference to Kate waiting so many long years to receive her engagement ring, to symbolize a true commitment from William. The name was dropped as soon as plans for the wedding moved forward. It had nothing to do with Kate being accepted as a member of the royal family.
Thank you! There's absolutely no comparison and while the nickname was not necessarily kind, it was true to a degree. What's said about Meghan is pure fiction, racist and conspiracy theories on steroids.
Thank you Abby, I agree with you 100% this too shall pass and they will move on to something else they feel is an injustice. anyone else remember the duchess of pork? but maybe name calling is not as bad as it used to be TresL? dredging a poor girl for waiting to be married, silly.
Rebecca 24 June 2019 at 16:56
Fantastic post Charlotte!! Thank you for your insight and clarity on a problem that seems to have no logical basis at all (Green-eyed monster seems to overcome all rational thought in many!!).
Paige L 24 June 2019 at 17:14
Thanks, Charlotte, for the well researched post. It was very informative. Whatever criticism there may be of her working style, the Duchess of Sussex's strong work ethic cannot be doubted. What you have shared about the extensive work done by Prince Charles, and over a very broad spectrum of issues no less, makes me wonder what issues Prince Harry and Meghan may possibly wish to champion which are not compatible with the constitutional constraints Prince William supposedly faces as future monarch. It just seems to me that whatever the real cause for the split, this was not it and was a PR spin. What do you think?
I totally agree with your last paragraph. The palace went with the most obvious narrative, one that the media has already bought into. But when you scrutinize it, it doesn’t hold up. While William will one day be king, it doesn’t actually place many constraints on what he can do now.
My guess is that the palace did not know how to say that the couples decided to split because W&K have a lot more cautious approach to life and their jobs while H&M have a more ambitious approach, without everybody using it as a way to bash the other couple.
The fact is that two such different approaches to life makes it difficult to work and plan together.
Laura Dell 24 June 2019 at 17:54
So well written and perfectly explained. Love it.
Wish the Daily Mail could write as good as this! Lol!
Unfortunately criticism comes with any job and H&M are no exception, though it has felt particularly harsh and some of it unwarranted. I hope that H&M listen to the critics to a point, but at the end of the day they must do what they feel is best for them.
Thanks for posting about the unjust negative media perception of Harry and Meghan. I love them and I think they make a formidable couple. I do not believe that they are trying to outshine their family members. They are just popular in their own right. The media loves to hate them and make money off of their image at the same time. That's just a part of the game unfortunately. They will probably continue to have a love/hate relationship with the media, just like Will and Kate (they don't always get positive media reviews either). But we all know the real reason why Meghan has been attacked since day 1. Racism is real and unfortunately, it plays a huge role in how Meghan is being portrayed in the media. I think she has handled herself respectfully and with grace. She is a great role model to so many people. I think she's gorgeous and I hope that she continues to be herself and ignore the haters. She has transformed the image of modern day royalty and breathed new life into the Windsor family. I find H&M refreshing! Lastly, keep up the good work Charlotte! Your Kate and Meghan blogs are my favorite blogs about them.
Rebekah 24 June 2019 at 18:51
I love this post. I haven't had time to read all the comments, so I hope I'm not repeating, but I wish your post could get published in all the newspapers and tabloids and click-bait websites so the controversy would stop. Thank you.
Lize from SA 24 June 2019 at 19:12
I think that the palace is not handling it well, nobody could have foreseen the media/fan debacle and the negative vibes pitching the two couples against each other. But the palace continues to handle it badly.
Sheila US 24 June 2019 at 19:32
I learned a long time ago that the best way to enjoy the royals is to not read the negative comments. Charlotte always captions each picture with fair and accurate statements. I agree that Harry and Meghan have so much to offer with their own work, there is no need to always follow W and K. By leading their own lives with their little boy, there will be less critical comparisons. I pray that people will be kinder to the Sussex couple and allow them the happiness they deserve.
Thank you for this wonderful piece l have learnt so much
In a true and equalizer democracy charity isn’t necessary. Wellfare spread evenly accross society. The cost of a monarchy vastly exceeds the funds raised by the likes of Harry and Meghan and Charles etc. Although I don’t doubt their just intentions this is what it is. The majoriity on this blog being americans won’t understand this as their experience is so different. But in certain European countries monarchy isnt primarily about raising funds because inequality isn’t as widespread as in UK or US. The viel comments on Meghan should be countered by pointing to the racist tendencies in western countries, and less by pointing to all the terrific but undemocratic benefits to society of royal charity work.!
And Emily Andrews has posted a link so, more will read this.
Great post!! This also has me thinking about The National Theatre, of which Duchess of Sussex is Patron and its ties to the National Theatre of USA through The American Associates of National Theater a non profit org in New York.
I would say the following to Harry and Meghan...
"Never explain yourself to anyone. Because the person that likes you doesn't need it. And the person who dislikes you won't believe it".
Lauri24 June 2019 at 22:29...thank you
amen. my mother always said, you aren't going to like everyone and not everyone is going to like you. Very true!!
Thank you, Charlotte, for bringing the workings of the royal charities to light. It helps one understand how the royals navigate their interests, time and resources available to them.
It would be helpful to me, and perhaps others not familiar with U.K. royal terminology and such, if you could explain, perhaps in another post, (1) what it means to be a "working royal" and who currently is one. Also, I've read elsewhere that Charles plans to "thin out" the working royals when he takes the crown. (2) It this hearsay, Charles planning to thin out working royals, or is there anyone credible in the royal circle that has addressed that?
I can only imagine what the costs are to mount the Invictus Games, emergency transport for pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa, vet treatment for donkeys, mules and horses in Africa, sustainable education to farmers in Romania, etc. Fundraising would be number one priority for each foundation and careful attention to monies coming in and out would be more than a few peoples full time job. Each foundation would need to be kept separately, (3) so isn't the financial concerns a big part of why Meghan and Harry would need to form their own entity?
Without addressing the financial end of all of this I don't think the Palace can be transparent on these issues.
Anonymous @18:23. I agree, nothing wrong with listening to critics if what they are saying is TRUE. Thanks again, Charlotte.
Tara 25 June 2019 at 00:27
Really well written. Interesting and informative. Harry and Meghan are clearly not stupid, they take advice and they make decisions together with the rest of their family. Nobody can keep everyone happy all of the time, but I imagine that all the RF are doing their best most of the time, like the rest of us!
Florida Moxie 25 June 2019 at 00:40
I think this is a well researched article. In the interest of intellectual debate.... why should the average UK citizen support a family of international philanthropists? What's in it for the UK taxpayer? How do they benefit from this system?
You raise a very interesting and important question. Somebody mentioned some other international family foundations, but you can’t compare the two because the BRF have this unique relationship with the British Taxpayer.
I would love to hear the opinions of British readers on this question.
Moxie, I think you are spot on. This is more than an intellectual debate, I think this is the core of the problem.
Sisi 25 June 2019 at 13:34
Maybe because the British realize will need help from other countries after Brexit. It's now about soft diplomacy, isn't it?
I'm not British ... but perhaps it has something to do with the centuries of historical heritage? The institution of a national royal family is a very old and important one. To me, it represents the country, its place in the world, its roots, its values, its continuity. I wish we had one - I would be happy to support it with my taxpayer money, much happier than paying for the "representatives" we have.
Moxie, RachelZA and Natacha, Charlotte's article just scratches the surface but I'm happy she's scratching! Hopefully, some of the submerged issues, like financial, will come to the surface. I asked 3 questions in my comment above that perhaps Charlotte will address in future posts.
The average UK taxpayer needs food, shelter, clothing, medicine. What materials are missing from the home country that they work to make alliances to meet these needs? The Brexit movement is all about self reliance and rejecting the idea that a "global" economy is a valid way of life. So what does the UK need from other countries? What are you importing and exporting to these alliances?
lindasinklings 25 June 2019 at 00:57
Absolutely brilliant in every way—well done! Thank you for your clear, educated, insightful article on this important issue. Your voice matters!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for such an insightful and well-researched article. You've put into words what I've been thinking for a while. Prince Charles and his siblings don't share a charitable foundation...why should William and Harry? It has nothing whatsoever to do with Meghan. Also, with their important positions in the commonwealth, they need a global brand. For those who think a "brand" sounds too slick, it's more of a way to maintain your focus and message than about being commercial.
I've been at a loss to understand the pure vitriol that is directed at her. One thing I do believe is that Meghan has a very strong energy and a lot of people misread women with her drive as being pushy, attention seeking, etc. It's unfortunate, but nothing she's done wrong, she's just trying to be herself. Hard working, results oriented, compassionate, change maker. Quite frankly, our world needs more women like her.
I hope this post goes viral! We need to put the truth and positivity out there!
I've been following your blogs since the early days of Duchess Kate and I must say you've outdone yourself. I mean that as highest praise because you always set the bar high. I make it a point to not read the comments and I've only commented myself once after which I was attacked for my opinion by other commenters and so vowed to myself never to comment here again, but I couldn't not say something as this is such an outstanding piece of writing. Thank you for all you do! S.S. in the U.S.
Sharyn from AUS 25 June 2019 at 03:10
This very informative piece made it to the instastories of royal addicted Instagram! Whoo! Great article
Thank you very informative and insightful well written and representative of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I love and respect them for who they are and what they stand for.
FloridaGirl 25 June 2019 at 06:25
Charlotte, thank you for extending a clear concise and thorough message of facts and explanation. Thanks to all those who have helped put their “heads together” to form this elaborate study and understanding. Well done Charlotte!
Thank you for such a well researched article Charlotte
Just one small point if I may...Ireland is not a Commonwealth country so therefore their trip to Dublin was not part of their roles as Commonwealth ambassadors as the article may suggest
They did indeed receive a rapturous welcome which was wonderful to see
I think this is a more complicated issue and needs to be addressed on various levels. Here is my take on it, would be curious to hear what you think.
First of all, there is the constant comparison with William and Kate. I believe it is in the nature of people to compare things and it does not necessarily have to be something bad. In this case, the fake news and the rumours poison the whole discussion. However, generally I believe it is important to point out the differences in their respective roles and it should have been done so from the very beginning on. It would have made sense to break up the foundation at the Cambridges wedding, it would have caused much less of a stir and it would have been comprehensible for everyone, from the media to fans.
Moreover, when William and Kate married, there was lots of talk that they do things differently than previous generations. Again, I have to relativise: Yes, they did, but they were and are still in the limits of a more traditional royal family. Whereas Meghan and Harry really do things their way and seem to take a more personal approach to their roles (whether it is with their work ethic, their focus on causes or with their son). In my opinion, this is one of biggest the factors that causes a stir with the press and part of their fans. Their way of doing things is bold and new and different from anything else and new, bold approaches always cause some protest and negativity.
My hypotheses is that there are various reasons for this hatred agains Meghan: She does things differently (she was much more active in her first year and before her wedding than Kate was, in terms of engagements and appointments she conducted), she cares about things that are still new to the royal family and to the British society (women empowerment is still something exotic here) and last but not least, I truly believe that her being American, not British, does play a huge role. With more and more protecionism and in these times, having a Brit marrying Prince Harry would have cause much less of a drama.
Agree with all you've stated. I would also add the words bi-racial in front of American. I'm not saying that racism is the only factor, but I know many will deny it even is a factor. Meghan does not have the physical features of a typical English Rose and sadly some people can't stand that whether they admit it or not. Most won't so they create other things to nitpick/slander her with instead.
Calista UK
You neglected to mention she's bi-racial and that trumps everything.
Women empowerment is exotic to the monarchy and British society? Hardly. Just check the history books. And the Queen.
Sure the reasons are complicated. Bottom line: in tumultuous time, there needs to be a scapegoat, a target to hate or love, and be a distraction or red herring to throw people off.
Meghan and Harry are easy targets.
I doubt if the negativity will let up. Too much money and jockeying for powerful placement position are at stake. There’s too much short term gains for too many people. Alas, the short term gains come at a tremendous long term cost to British society, the Commonwealth nations (no longer content as relics of the Empire) and the monarchy.
History won’t be kind here.
Finally, a big Thank You to Charlotte and her sister. Many of us have asked the same question. My extended family consists of UK ex-pats along with family from the commonwealth and the US are all disappointed with the British press and sees the monarchy as being neutered and afraid to standby its newest member. The British tabloids are now kingmakers.
I agree with almost all you said. I just dont understand when folks say they/she is doing things so bold and new - what's bold and new? getting married, working, dressing up, having a baby, living in your new home? I really don't see them as any different, they are good looking hard workers who are stand up people:)
I agree. The problem is not that they are setting a new foundation. Had they done so when they got married, nobody would have questioned it. It would have been the natural thing to do and people could have donated to it as a wedding present. Now it is obvious there was a change of plans. Naturally people are going to ask why. Again, if they had not been already doing things differently, and had not talked about doing things their way, nobody would have thought about it as a reason for the split.
Make up by the press or true, the stories are that the Sussexes wanted to have more scope, to do things their way, to reach to a global audience and so on. I think everyone, even staunch supporters agree about that. Many people will say it is a good thing, others are perfectly entitled to think differently and conclude that the Sussexes are not team players, or that it has something to do with Meghan as Harry seemed quite contented to work with his brother before his marriage. The facts are there is a a split that was unforseen 18 months ago. Impossible to twist those facts. The interpretation of them is were there seems to be conflicting views. How Meghan has presented herself, how she has been portrayed, how people percieve her, what she embodies for them plays a big role.
Thanks for a well put together piece on modern royalty, Charlotte.
In my opinion, the challenges M&H faces are not necessarily related to Meghan being American or a former actress, but her being a modern woman. She knows all about setting goals, getting up for work in the morning – about disappointments, successes, about forging a place in the world, fighting for your beliefs. She grew into her own long before she set her foot on the Buckingham Palace lawns.
I see her current challenges as a consequence of this because royalty is an anachronism; a relic from a time when we were anything but equal and predestined to live according to the social class we were born into. Remember the whispers of “door to manual”?
What can royals do except fill a social function by building relations on behalf of the monarch and the country, charities, family life and wearing the correct outfit to a social function. Only the Queen has a constitutional role. The rest of them are simply trying to lead meaningful lives or are close enough to the throne to assume they have a future role.
Meghan is a modern ambassador, she will find her role, they will manage.
I find your argument incongruous. She married into a family that is ruled by a female. Who got to be Queen by birth. Meghan draws her power from being married to her grandson, Harry. Otherwise, very few folks would be paying any attention to her.
Ms. Cuppa 25 June 2019 at 12:37
Wow! Thank you for this retrospective, Charlotte. It is an amazing summary of the far-reaching work of the BRF. This is my favorite line: "Ambition is not a dirty word, especially when it's being channeled into a life of philanthropic dedication."
GiGi612 25 June 2019 at 15:16
Wow great article. I wish I could forward to all media outlets but I don't believe it would change their narrative about Meghan or Harry.
Second that.
Maureen Mackey 25 June 2019 at 19:20
Thank you for your very informative and well-written post. I make it a point to ignore nasty and vicious comments about the Duchess and her work and I hope she can do the same. There are many of us who admire her and wish her well.
I have to add an additional angle to this conversation. If it wasn’t for the Queen’s amazing health and longevity, most of these issues probably won’t exist. Not that I am blaming HM for living a long life and being active well into her nineties.
But if Charles became king around the time William got married, there would have been a generational shift. The Queen’s cousins would have retired as working royals, Charles’s siblings would have taken the supporting roles that the Queen’s cousins now fullfill (although I won’t be the one to tell Anne she needs to retire) and both William and Harry would have more clearly defined jobs. But with three generations of working royals, the younger generation is left without clearly defined jobs.
Thank you so much, Charlotte. Outstanding post! Daily Mail and others have found a great revenue source in criticizing Meghan. The haters offer endless clicks on every nonsense article about Meghan. There seems an element of the post-truth world in all of this. Many people have their minds made up about many things, and facts cannot penetrate their fantasy/ prejudice/jealousy/projection-based opinions. You do a great service by posting facts for those open to receive them. I think Harry and Meghan are absolutely fabulous for the BRF, the Commonwealth and the world. They will do many great things. I pray they will protect themselves from exposure to all the criticism as much as possible.
Mika 26 June 2019 at 01:05
This is no longer fun, honestly. I honestly can't believe the continuous negative coverage about the Duchess of Sussex. I'd mentioned before that Kensington Palace needed to get a grip on this situation and its only gotten worse in just a matter of months. It's disturbing, disgusting and I don't know when it's going to end.
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Blue by Kiriko Nananan
By Kiriko Nananan (1997). Translated by Ryosuke Okawa and Elizabeth Tiernan.
Fanfare/Ponent Mon, 2004. 230p., $23.99,
If you aren’t reading Fanfare/Ponent Mon’s books then you are missing some of the best manga being published in English. Taniguchi’s Walking Man delighted with its quiet meanderings of daily life and realistic images; in Blue Kiriko Nananan tells a low key drama about friendship, growing up, and the passage of time that stands out for its subtlety of storytelling, stark artwork, and harshly composed panels.
One day, Kayako Kirishima, a Japanese high school student, makes the acquaintance of Masami Endo, a classmate who was recently suspended from school. Kayako adulates Masami, and slowly the two girls become very close friends. Their relationship becomes romantic, but it is disturbed by Masami’s past relationship with a man, Kayako’s jealous friend, and the passing of time which changes hopes and dreams into new realities and reimagined dreams.
In other hands this might be a melodramatic story with largely writ emotions, passionate sex, and lessons to be learned. Nananan proves herself a talented comic artist by her subtle telling of the story. The romantic relationship between the girls is never played for shock or titillation. She nevers paints either girl as gay or bi or straight, avoiding any character typing. The two girls love each other; they kiss. It’s never made clear how much Kayako is really interested in boys, and it’s not important. What is important is the way they feel for each other and the way they address these feelings, both successfully and not. Nananan does not spell out all the plot points and emotions with direct illustration or excessive narration, instead she teases it out through the combination of her drawings, compositions, and breakdowns (that is, the way the story is organized into panels).
Nananan’s art style is immediately striking. Sparse is the best word to describe her high contrast, minimally detailed drawings. Her characters are almost all contour line drawings, very little detail lines are to be found within the unvarying outlines. Solid areas of black and the occasional grey ziptone is used to add contrast and tonal impact, usually in the form of hair or clothes. The characters’ faces often appear strange when viewed from the front because of the way she draws noses as just a shadow at the bottom. The characters are stiff, frozen in time and movement. I don’t mean this negatively. It is highly effective in creating a sense of all the moments that are missed inbetween what we see. The backgrounds are minimal, often non-existant. Rooms, buildings, furniture, everything has an architecturally precise look: straight lines, repeated shapes, few curves, and lack of shading or tone. The lack of detail and the minimal number of elements in a panel force the reader to look at what is there, to pay attention to the characters, to the subtlety of their movements, and to the compositions of the panels.
The compositions are unusual and powerful. Nananan crops her characters in strange ways or positions them with their backs turned. Heads are often cropped off bodies or cropped so we only see nose and mouth. Characters are placed at the edges of the panels, often facing that edge, away from the larger portion of the panel. The compositions create a frequent sense of awkwardness. The characters are closed in but trying to escape; they are trying to stay together but are separate, distant, looking away. These compositions enhance the mood of the story and increase the effect of the emotions.
The breakdowns are decompressed and occasionally repetitive. The story lingers on moments with repeated frames. Subtle shifts in facial expression are conveyed with repeated panels. I’d like to point out two examples of skilled and subtle comics storytelling from the book.
On the bottom two-thirds of page 39 we see Masami lying down in her bed. In the first panel (this manga is in its original right-to-left format, so it is the upper right one) she is raised up on her elbows. As our eye drops down to the next panel, so does Masami drop down to hide her head in her arms. The way her figure in this panel bleeds into the gutter and then the next (tall) panel, creates a sense of time passing, without even needing a second image (that rectangular panel creates the effect). Notice also the ash on the end of the cigarette has grown from beginning to end.
On page 76, Kayako (in the foreground of the first (right) panel) is sitting in a classroom. The three girls in the background are friends of hers. One of them is not talking to her, and thus, the others are mostly ignoring her too. On the previous page they walked into the room to grab their bags. The second panel on this page shows an odd viewpoint of the girls walking past a desk. We see the bottom half of one girl and only a sliver of another. In the third panel we again see the three girls, this time leaving the room as one says “bye” to Kayako. It becomes obvious that the previous panel was Kayako’s viewpoint. She looks down as the girls pass, avoiding contact as much as possible because she is ashamed of what happened between her and her friend.
These are subtle elements to the story to which attention need be paid. It would be easy to breeze past these sparse panels, but by doing so, one would miss so much of Nananan’s work. The character’s faces often appear quite expressionless, but it is in the subtle variations from this expressionlessness that the characters show emotion: happiness, sadness, anger, or doubt.
While the main focus of the story is on the characters, but the book opens with a look at a path leading out to a beach. Behind the girls’ school there is an empty beach that seems to be part of or adjacant to a construction site. Kayako goes to sit and look at the sea. The horizon, the meeting of the sea and sky, becomes a leitmotif representing the possibilities of the future. The story begins at this site, when the whole book is possibility. When Kayako and Masami first talk to each other one-on-one they are out at the beach. When they first kiss, a panel of the sea horizon shares the page. And, in the end, when decisions are made and the possibilities are created anew, the horizon is shown.
The book opens with these words:
“The sky that stretches out above the dark sea. The school uniforms and our desperate awkwardness. If those adornments of our youth help any color it would have been deep blue.”
These words trace their way through the story: the horizon of possibility, the school uniforms and awkardness found in the compositions and cropping, and the metaphorical blueness of the emotions grown from the situations of the characters.Kiriko Nananan has impressed me greatly with this book. Blue is her only full length available in English. Two short stories can be found in Secrets Comics Japan (Viz), but they are clearly much earlier works for her (the art is less refined). I had to order this volume from Canada, as it seems very hard to find in the U.S., but with the publisher’s recently announced distribution deal, it should be available soon.
— January 11th, 2006
Newer post: Briefly on: Panel Composition
Older post: King-Cat #65: Places by John Porcellino
Tag: breakdowns
Tag: composition
Tag: layouts
Tag: Manga
Tag: ocularization
Tag: point-of-view
Tag: style
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Tag Archives: instant gratification
Instant Gratification: “The Confirmation” and four other good movies new to streaming
Pick of the week: “The Confirmation” (Netflix) — My full review is here. You want the very definition of a hidden treasure on Netflix? It’s this gem from Bob Nelson, who wrote Alexander Payne’s “Nebraska” and brings his unsentimental but affectionate eye for small-town characters to his debut as a writer-director. Clive Owen plays an alcoholic divorced dad who brings his eight-year-old son (the wonderful Jaeden Lieberher) on a quest to find his stolen toolbox. It’s a riff on “The Bicycle Thief,” both eloquent and no-nonsense, and Owen and son run across a ton of great character actors on their journey, including Patton Oswalt, Maria Bello, Matthew Modine and Robert Forster. This one’s a keeper.
Posted in Instant Gratification
Tagged inside llewyn davis, instant gratification, the confirmation, the limey
Instant Gratification: “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” and four other good movies on Amazon Prime and Netflix
Pick of the Week: “Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation“ (Amazon Prime and Hulu) — When word of a fifth “M:I” was announced, I thought “Really?” Sure, Brad Bird’s “Ghost Protocol” was the high point of the franchise for me, but did Tom Cruise really need to go to the well for a fifth time? As it turns out, “Rogue Nation” (directed by Christopher McQuarrie) is sparkling entertainment that blends the humor and panache of caper films of yore with cutting-edge stunts. Bring on No. 6.
Tagged instant gratification, melancholia, mission: impossible, rogue nation, the way back, we're not broke, you've got mail
Instant Gratification: “Z for Zachariah” and four other good movies on Amazon and Netflix
Pick of the Week: “Z for Zachariah” (Amazon Prime) — My full review is here. Despite a stellar cast that includes Margot Robbie (“Suicide Squad”), Chris Pine (“Star Trek Beyond”) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave”), this Craig Zobel sci-fi drama never really caught fire and never played theatrically in Madison. Too bad, because it downplays the sci-fi and plays up the character drama, set in an idyllic valley apparently immune to the ravages of an apocalypse. A man and a woman meet there. And then another man shows up, setting up a love triangle with perhaps the future of humanity at stake.
Tagged embrace of the serpent, instant gratification, tallulah, z for zachariah
Instant Gratification: “The Big Short” and four other good movies to watch on Netflix and Hulu
Left to right: Steve Carell plays Mark Baum and Ryan Gosling plays Jared Vennett in The Big Short from Paramount Pictures and Regency Enterprises
Pick of the Week: “The Big Short“ (Netflix) — My full review is here. Adam McKay has satirized ’70s newsmen (“Anchorman”) and buddy cop movies (“The Other Guys”), but his wit has never been sharper or put to better use than against the arrogant idiocy of bankers who precipitated the 2008 financial meltdown. Working from Michael Lewis’ book and using a ridiculously good cast, McKay keeps us laughing even as we’re learning what happened, and why we should be so pissed off about it.
Tagged instant gratification, mustang, the big short
Instant Gratification: “Lost in America” and four other good movies to watch on Netflix
Pick of the week: “Lost in America” (Netflix) — Albert Brooks fan rejoice, as Netflix is now streaming all the comedies he wrote and directed. Maybe give a miss to “The Muse,” but there are some comic masterpieces here, including “Defending Your Life,” “Modern Romance” and this 1985 gem starring Brooks and Julie Hagerty as an upwardly mobile couple who decide to “drop out” of society, only to find life out of the rat race isn’t so comfortable. Even in a top-of-the-line RV.
Tagged albert brooks, instant gratification, lost in america, room
Instant Gratification: “Spotlight” and four other good movies to watch on Netflix
Pick of the week: “Spotlight“ — My full review is here. Last year’s Best Picture winner was something of an underdog, fitting for a complex, cool-headed but quietly furious drama about a team of Boston Globe reporters who painstakingly unearth a conspiracy of silence around priest abuse in the Catholic Church. Writer-director Tom McCarthy avoids Hollywood melodrama, instead showing us the relentless legwork that went into reporting the story, making things such as searching through archives and interviewing witnesses the stuff of high drama, and heroism.
Tagged cemetery of splendor, fundamentals of caring, instant gratification, spotlight, terror, theeb
Instant Gratification: “The Trials of Muhammad Ali” and four other good movies new to Netflix and Amazon Prime
Pick of the Week: “The Trials of Muhammad Ali” (Netflix): My full review is here. Netflix dropped this excellent documentary by UW-Madison graduate Bill Siegel about a month ago, but wisely picked it back up after the death of Ali. It’s a terrific look inside Ali’s struggles in the 1960s against the Vietnam War and for civil rights, a fight that got him banned from boxing and made him a pariah for many white Americans. While he is being rightfully lionized, this film is an important reminder of how much of the country turned its back on him and what he stood for.
Tagged chasing amy, instant gratification, love and mercy, the trials of muhammad ali
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under cabinet am fm radio
Latest review scanned 22 hours ago
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Depression: the two key questions to ask
April 1st 1990 in Counselling, Depression, Mental health
Winter (well, that's the season for those of us in the Northern hemisphere at least) is a time when we can feel down in the dumps
Winter (well, that's the season for those of us in the Northern hemisphere at least) is a time when we can feel down in the dumps. But there's a big difference between being 'out of sorts' and having depression.
So how can you tell which you have? Doctors at the University of Auckland in New Zealand have come up with two key questions that they reckon can identify up to 96 per cent of all cases of depression.
The questions are: 'During the past month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?' and 'During the past month, have you often been bothered by little interest or pleasure in doing things?'
A patient who answers 'yes' to either or both is considered to be possibly depressed, needing further help, such as counselling.
The procedure seems almost simplistic, and yet the New Zealand team says it's remarkably successful, and is certainly an advance on existing screening techniques that are cumbersome and very hit-and-miss.
And if you're feeling a bit down yourself, you can ask yourself those same questions.
(Source: British Medical Journal, 2003; 327: 1144-6).
*Ways to treat depression and other mental problems are outlined in the WDDTY Guide to Mental Health. You can order your copy by clicking on this link: http://www.wddty.co.uk/shop/details.asp?product=19
Counselling is better than drugs
Talking: the best antidepressant
Suicidal patients:
Mother's Health: Doctors ignore mental wellbeing of new mums
Schizophrenia and diet
Supplement: Omega-3 can treat mild depression
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John Muir and the Sierra Club
We've explored the parts of Muir's life where he discovers natureand then writes about it , and now we're at the point where Muir helped to create the Sierra Club. With the help of other conservationists of the time, they started what is still known as the nation's most influential environmental education and conservation organization.
In the late 1800s, Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson, the editor of the magazine The Century, planned a campaign to create Yosemite National Park. They realized, however, that they needed the support of an organization behind their work. With the help of group already forming at the University of California, Muir created the Sierra Club on May 28, 1892.
The three purposes of the club - recreation, conservation, and education - are still the major tenants of the Sierra Club today. Muir's philosophy was that people coming back from wilderness trips would be inspired to fight for the preservation of that place. He used that method on President Theodore Roosevelt, who he convinced to go on a camping trip with him in Yosemite in 1903 that resulted in Roosevelt's support for the creation of Yosemite National Park.
Whether you're a member of the Sierra Club, an avid outdoor enthusiast, or a visitor to our National Parks, you have John Muir's efforts to thank. After a period of wandering, Muir found a calling in the Sierras of California, wrote passionately and expertly for the protection of our national land, and created organizations and political support from groups like the Sierra Club to create many of our national parks and a spirit of conservation.
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Tash Sultana @ Terminal 5 11/17
Erin Cavoto July 6th, 2018 - 10:00 AM
Tash Sultana, Australian multi-instrumentalist and truly one-woman show, heads to New York City this fall in support of her upcoming album, Flow State, and latest single, “Salvation.” Flow State drops August 31st and will be Sultana’s first full length album, following the EP released in 2016, Notion. The EP ushered in great success for Sultana, topping the iTunes charts in several countries, reaching gold sales, and sending its single “Jungle” to number three in Australia’s Triple J’s Hottest 100.
But Tash Sultana’s story begins much earlier than her Notion EP. After receiving a guitar from her grandfather on her third birthday, Sultana’s profound musical ability immediately shone through, leading to her eventual mastering of over 15 instruments. She busked on the streets of her native Melbourne while advocating actively on her Bandcamp page and bringing in millions of views on her YouTube videos. Just two years later, Sultana is selling out headlining tours and performing at festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza. Sultana’s physical performance is an art in itself, watching as she masterfully sings, plays the guitar, loops, beatboxes, and more.
With her first headlining tour garnering sold out shows, it’d be wise to act fast in grabbing tickets for her latest tour. Catch her latest music video for “Salvation” below.
Erin Cavoto
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Cats May Finally Prowl on to the Big Screen
February 8th, 2016 | By Broadway.com Staff
Get ready to purr! It looks like Universal’s big screen adaptation of Cats, which has been in the works for years, may finally be happening. Tom Hooper is in talks to helm the project for Working Title—the collaboration that brought us the Les Miz movie. According to The Sun, filming could begin later this year and Hooper wants to tap model-turned-actresses such as Suki Waterhouse for the project.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony-winning musical is set for its first Broadway revival this summer, beginning performances at the Neil Simon Theatre on July 14 and officially opening on August 2. The production will be directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Hamilton's Andy Blankenbuehler, based on the original choreography and associate direction by Gillian Lynne.
Cats, featuring a score by Lloyd Webber and lyrics by T.S. Eliot, Trevor Nunn and Richard Stilgoe, originally ran for 21 years in London and 18 years on Broadway. It won seven Tony Awards in 1983, including Best Musical. Based on Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, the musical tells the story of the Jellicle cats and each cat's individual quest to be selected as the lucky one who will ascend to "the Heaviside Layer."
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Archive for the tag “Dr. Asuman Lukwago”
Opinion: President Museveni decree ordered closure of Makerere; which is the reason for the deceased innocent new-borns at Kawempe!
This saddens me and eats my heart out, as much as the knowledge of the famine in Isingiro and the lacking systemic enterprise or structure of the Ugandan Government, which is continuing to faltering, not serve the public. This has proven earlier in the year of other hospitals without X-Ray machines, lacking medicines and ordinary sanitary products. Together with the only Cobalt 60 Teletherapy Machine in the country at the Uganda Cancer Institute at the Mulago Hospital Complex we’re broking down and not having planned to be changed.
On the 1st November the President Yoweri Museveni closed down the Makerere University and its affiliated programs because of strikes that have occurred during the year. This is happening since the staffs at the Academic Institution haven’t gotten paid for months upon months, while the students want their lectures to be paid. What the outcome of it came quickly as the Mulago Hospital we’re telling that their programs of interns we’re suspended together with the closure of the University.
Key Information from 11th November:
“Dr Asuman Lukwago, the outgoing ministry of health permanent secretary, said the education ministry was responsible for the university and therefore, there is nothing his ministry could do to save the situation. “We would be contradicting ourselves. Ministry of education is responsible and not us as ministry of health. There is nothing we can do,” Dr Lukwago told daily Monitor in a phone interview” (Namagembe, 2016).
So because of First Lady Janet Museveni lacking integrity and ability to sort out the issues internally in the Ministry of Education the biggest Hospital and others are hurt. It is visible that the decisions have repercussions of the lacking leadership in the Ministry of Education and under Minister Janet Museveni who hasn’t carried out her position; since she hasn’t been able to sort out the allocation and the central leadership of the famous University.
“The initial health care is available but there is a shortage of specialists,” Dr Bangirana said. To improvise the available staff, Mulago hospital spokesperson, Enock Kusasira said the hospital has resorted to giving more attention to critical cases considered as life threatening.“We are concentrating less on out patients especially those whose cases are not life threatening,” Kusasira said. At the hospital, patients have to wait for hours before seeing the health workers. The case is not different from other affiliate hospitals and health facilities” (Namagembe, 2016).
Certainly the situation at the Mulago and affiliated Hospitals has been put into trouble with the suspension of Makerere. When the Ministry of Health Sarah Achieng Opendi has to defend the records of the actual numbers of deceased infants you know the system, the structure is rotten to the core. This isn’t really working and the innocence is dying. They are just read the statement in today’s Monitor!
31 New-borns deceased:
“The reports, according to Hon. Opendi asserted that the issue arose after the closure of Makerere University and the subsequent withdrawal of Senior Health Officers (SHOs) from the facility. “The Ministry of Health would like to strongly refute these allegations as baseless and a total misrepresentation of facts,” she said” (…) “Since the withdrawal of Senior House Officers on Nov 1, 2016 to date, Mulago Hospital has unfortunately lost 31 newborns,” she said adding that the deaths were majorly as a result of severe birth asphyxia and complications associated with prematurity” (…) “Severe Asphyxia is largely caused by prolonged labour, which is a consequence of late referrals. According to this statistics, Mulago Hospital has lost approximately one newborn per day due to unavoidable circumstances,” she added” (Mugume, 2016)
There is surely and have been deceased infants and babies during the famine and cause of the Isingiro, where the Republic and the government have dropped sorry loads of food-relief to the staving public; which has waited for months upon end. Sort of the same way the empty pockets of Makerere University lectures has been short-changed for months upon end. This is systemic maladministration from the head. What is worst is that the ones that are in charge are walking away, but the ones affected are being hurt. It is the innocent, the kids, the rural families; the ones are not MPs with flashy cars, lavish salaries but no taxes and all other perks. The same month that Makerere is closed the Income Tax Amendment that stops MPs for getting tax and the same month the MPs add-on more fees for “service car” in their duty.
The new-borns are dying at Kawempe Hospital, a Hospital that is affiliated with Mulago Hospital Complex. The Promise from Enock Kusasira we’re more a pre-warning than facts of their mission. They couldn’t control the effect of the closure of Makerere, as the President didn’t think of the effects or knew of the effects. His micro-management has caused severe effect for dozens of lives, not only the students that have their studies postponed and their degrees put-on hold. But the lives at Mulago and affiliates have been hurt.
The innocent children born into the world, doesn’t care about misrepresentation, taxation without representation or skimming funds. They care about their sanitary, loving mother and father; and occasionally food. They don’t care about the flashy cars for the MPs or the Ministry of Health Sarah Opendi’s resignation to the force of Janet Museveni.
Each family that has been affected by the decision of the President should be asked for forgiveness from the state, they lost their new-born. They lost their kid and the future of new-born something that should been made sure by the state. The State lost their way when they are responsible for the neglect of taking care of the mother and her baby at the hospital. That is supposed to be a safe-zone and make sure the families are in good hands. Each one of them are one too many to lose. The President has their souls on his hand, since he caused the effect and made the decision to suspend Makerere University. That has in return cause the innocent loss of lives.
This is how much that the President cares about the civil service, his teachers, his ministries and the citizens. He offers a Visitations Committee instead of allocating funds and giving way so that the Makerere can open and save life. More the public display of utter nonsense is more casual than actually acting on the loss of life. The innocent lives dies while the President orders are lingering, not only at Kawempe Hospital, but at the regions of Isingiro and Karamoja; the President couldn’t care less as the help showed has to be shown on the NTV and UBC before he cares.
The reckless policies and ineffective are now insulting to the public in Uganda, time for President Museveni to take charge and show leadership; has to make the right decisions and might even have to cough up some ghost-monies, some other shadow funding to pay his civil servants at the Hospitals and at the University! Peace.
Namagembe, Lilian – ‘Health ministry stuck as Mulago crisis deepens after Makerere closure’ (11.11.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Health-ministry-Mulago-crisis-deepens-Makerere-closure/688334-3448994-747buj/index.html
Mugume, Paul – ‘Minister Opendi Speaks Out on Neonatal Deaths at Kawempe Hospital’ (23.11.2016) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/minister-opendi-speaks-out-on-neonatal-deaths-at-kawempe-hospital/
Posted in Africa, Civil Service, Development, Economic Measures, Economy, Education, Ethics, Governance, Government, Health, Law, Leadership, Politics, Tax and tagged #Steady Progress, Aga Khan Hospital Nairobi, Asuman Lukwago, Atomic Energy Council, Cancer Treatment, Chris Baryomunsi, Cobalt 60 Teletherapy Machine, Ddumba Ssentamu, Don Museveni, Dr. Asuman Lukwago, Dr. Bangirana, Dr. Jackson Orem, Dr. Michael Bukenya, Dr. Philipa Ampeire, Dr. Sarah Achieng Opendi, Dr. Solomon Kyazze, East Africa, Edward Kale Kayihura, Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem, Enock Kusasira, Gen. Kale Kayihura, GoU, Government of Uganda, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, Health Care, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, Hon. Janet Museveni, Hon. Matia Kasaija, Hon. Onesmus Twinamastiko, IGP Gen Kale Kayihura, IGP Kale Kayihura, Jackson Orem, Janet Museveni, Kale Kayihura, Kampala, Kenya, Kings Hospital Mulago, Louis Teresphorus Kakinda, Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni., Makerere, Makerere College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Makerere University Council, Makerere University Students Guild, Matia Kasaija, Matia Kasija, Militarism, Militarized Politics, Militarized State, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Health:, MUASA, Muhammad Kiggundu-Musoke, MUK Students Guild, Mulago, Mulago Cancer Ward, Mulago Hospital, Mulago Hospital Complex, National Resistance Movement, NRM, NRM Regime, NRM-Elite, Onesmus Twinamastiko, PAC, Police State, President Museveni, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, Public Accounts Committee, Radiation Workers, Republic of Uganda, Roy Ssembogga, Safety Measures, Sarah Achieng Opendi, State Priority, Steady Regress, Suspend, UCI, Uganda, Uganda Cancer Institute, Uganda Parliament, Uganda Police Force, Ugandan Government, UPF, VC Ddumba Ssentamu, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Yoweri Museveni | Leave a comment
Uganda: The list of the Appointed Permament Secretaries in the Ministries by President Museveni (04.11.2016)
Posted in Africa, Civil Service, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Law, Leadership, Politics and tagged Alex Kakooza, Alex Okello, Alfred Okot Okidi, Amb. Julius Onen, Amb. Patrick Mugoya, Bageya Waisswa, Benjamin Kumumanya, Catherine Musingwiire, Christine Gwatudde Kintu, David O.O. Ebong, Deborah Katuramu, Dorcas Okalany, Doreen Katusiime, Dr. Asuman Lukwago, Dr. Benon Mutambi Mugisha, Dr. Diana Atwiine, Dr. Geoffrey Mbabazi, Dr. Rose Nasalli Lukwago, Dr. Stephen R. Isabalija, Edith Mwanje, Eng. Kabagambe-Kaliisa, Francis Atoke, Government of Uganda, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, John Mitala, Kagole-Kivumbi, Keith Kuhakanizi, Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni., Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, Major Edith Nakalema Asizua, Major Night Ikiza, National Resistance Movement, Nawe Molly Kamukama, NRM, NRM Regime, Permanent Secretary, Pies Wakabi, Pius Bigirmaana, PPS, President Museveni, Rose N. Kafeero, Rosette Byengoma, Senior Presidential Advisor, Teopista Mary Werene, Uganda, Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, Vincent Opio-Lukone, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Yoweri Museveni | Leave a comment
Even when the Ugandan Gov. have the funds for health care and medicine; they still mismanage the funds or does not procure the necessary kits, staff or proof of use of the Global Funds; findings from the Audit Report of February of 2016 from The Global Funds!
There been reported how the Global Fund has gone through and report how the donor funds to Government of Uganda (GoU) and the Ministry of Health. As the Value for Money way of auditing and describing the state of the programs that has been funded by this donor funding; this is especially against the diseases like Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria. This is the situation of the funds and how it was used. This is interesting to see how the Government of Uganda has been coming to accountability and responsibility toward the procurement and accessing the monies, as they was not using the allocated funds or unaccounted for. There is questions for why certain projects are so slow in procurement and why there is too little of specialized kits in the National Medicine Stores (NMS) as they had budget for a dozen more than; when the audit was happening. That is a worrying sign. But look at the quotes from the Global Fund report from February 2016, and see what the important pieces from it are!
“The Global Fund support in Uganda:
Since its inception in Uganda in 2002, the Global Fund has signed a total of 20 grants amounting to USD 1 billion, USD 623 million of which had been disbursed to the country at the time of the audit” (…)”The grants are implemented by two Principal Recipients, The Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development and The AIDS Support Organization (TASO). The Ministry of Finance has delegated responsibilities with respect to implementation of the grants to the Ministry of Health” (…)”Approximately 90% of Global Fund grants to Uganda are spent on the procurement of medicines and health products. The Secretariat’s Pooled Procurement Mechanism procures all health commodities with the exception of tuberculosis drugs which are procured by the Global Drug Facility” (P: 4, 2016).
Ratings of the work:
The rating of the operations tells a story on how the services are delivered in the country. As the Programmatic and Performance where you can see the accuracy and support decision making to check the quality service, second part is the Financial and Fiduciary how to use the actual grants and check them in an effective manner, this two both the Programmatic and Performance, and the Financial and Fiduciary is handled in a Partial Plan to become Effective (P: 5, 2016).
The Health service and Products which is the ability of the supply chain, deliver services, account the quality assured medicines and health manners in timely manner; the second rated work is the Governance, Oversight and Management it is the quadrate and the effectiveness of the grants and implementations of the arrangements. These two parts is not run effective by the government (P: 5, 2016).
“The Global Fund has signed a total of 20 grants amounting to USD 1 billion, USD 623 million of which has been disbursed to the Republic of Uganda since 2002” (…) ”Approximately 90% of grant funds are spent on the procurement, storage and distribution of health commodities. The Global Fund’s Pooled Procurement Mechanism buys the majority of the medicines and health products on behalf of the country, which has significantly improved procurement timelines and reduced commodity prices” (…)”Uganda has made progress in the control and treatment of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria with a reduction in new infections and/or incidence. However, if unaddressed, pervasive stock-outs of key medicines at all levels will result in treatment disruption for patients. Seventy per cent of the 50 health facilities visited during the audit reported stock-outs of at least one critical medicine, with HIV drugs being the most affected of the three diseases” (…) ”Differences of USD 21.4 million were noted between book and actual stocks at the National Medical Stores for 15 commodity types procured by the government and the Global Fund. The audit could not apportion the variance between the government and the Global Fund since the stores’ inventory system does not segregate physical stocks by source” (…) ”16.5 million condoms that should have been distributed for free were sold through social marketing. The funds generated from the sales (USD 0.2 million) remain unaccounted for” (P: 6, 2016).
Executive Summary Part II:
“The country’s change of HIV treatment policy and scale up plans have increased the number of patients eligible for treatment without a corresponding increase in government funding. This will result in a treatment funding gap of at least USD 90 million in 2016 if not addressed.
Consequently, the Global Fund is ‘front-loading’ commodities planned for 2016/17 to 2015 to address medicine shortages” (…)”Twelve per cent out of the 50 facilities visited were performing HIV tests with expired test kits and, contrary to national guidelines, 14% of facilities visited did not perform confirmatory tests on clients diagnosed as HIV positive. This raises the risk of clients getting false HIV results” (…)”The Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has introduced data quality assessments. Vacant positions are to be filled to address the data related issues. However, funding for tools, training and supervision remains a challenge” (…)”There was also weak management of advances with some remaining outstanding for over 20 months. Value added taxes amounting to USD 0.3 million had also not been refunded to the programs. The audit identified expenses for which there was not adequate supporting documentation, amounting to USD 3.9 million” (…)”While the country lacks adequate funding to cover key activities, it has a low absorption of the limited grant funds that are sent to the country. The OIG noted that only 46% of funds disbursed to the Ministry of Finance between January 2013 and June 2015 had been spent at the time of the audit” (P: 7, 2016).
Pervasive stock-outs:
“70% of the health facilities reported stock-outs of anti-retroviral medicines and HIV test kits of between three weeks and four months” (…)”68% of facilities reported stock outs of anti-malaria medicines and test kits in the previous six-month period” (…)”64% of the facilities reported stock-outs of TB medicines of between one week and three months” (P: 9, 2016).
“Use of medicines to treat other diseases: The audit noted that 32% of the 50 facilities visited treated 1,254 Hepatitis B patients with anti-retroviral medicines. The quantification of anti-retroviral medicines does not take into consideration their use for the treatment for Hepatitis B patients. This has contributed to stock-outs of anti-retroviral medicines for HIV patients who are the primary target of these medicines” (P: 9, 2016).
Gaps in HIV counselling and testing practices:
“Twelve per cent out of the 50 facilities visited were performing HIV tests with expired test kits” (…)”Contrary to national guidelines, 14% of the facilities visited did not perform confirmatory tests on clients diagnosed as HIV positive” (P: 11, 2016).
Inadequate and ineffective condom procurement and distribution processes:
“Condoms that should have been received in country in 2011 were only received in late 2013 due to a protracted procurement processes” (…)”Contrary to the grant agreement, 16.5 million condoms that should have been distributed to users for free were provided to Marie Stopes Uganda, a contractor, by the Ministry of Health and sold through a social marketing mechanism” (P: 12, 2016).
Subsidized anti-malarial medicines not accessible and affordable:
“Consequently, medicines are sold above the recommended price that is UGX 5,000 and not UGX 3,500” (…)”there is no instituted mechanism to ensure that the subsidized medicines are distributed outside the big cities to malaria endemic areas” (P: 12, 2016). “Key positions budgeted for under the Global Fund grants also remained vacant: for example, 17 out of the 43 pharmacists and HIV, TB and malaria focal points for the regional performance monitoring teams were not at post during the audit” (P: 13, 2016).
Difference between what they have funded to get and what they had at NMS:
“Between Global Fund commodities issued by national Medical Stores and received by health facilities: The National Medical Stores inventory system indicated that 3.7 million test kits had been issued to a facility, but the facility recorded a receipt of only 3,000 kits. While the National Medical Stores indicated that the variance amounting to USD 2.41 million may be due to errors in the inventory management system, this could not be verified by the OIG auditors. The variance also affects the closing quantities based on the inventory management system and actual stock at the national medical stores” (P: 14, 2016).
“In-country quality assurance of medicines: The National Drug Authority charges 2% (amounting to USD 3.8 million from January 2013 to June 2015)39 of the “free on board” value of medicines and pharmaceutical products for in-country quality assurance. While bed nets and condoms had been tested, there was no evidence that medicines (including anti-malaria and anti-retroviral) supplied by the Global Fund were tested by the Authority” (P: 15, 2016).
“Questionable value for money: Charges of USD 3.8 million (from January 2013 to June 2015) by the National Drug Authority for testing of medicines, for which there is no evidence that testing actually happened” (…)”Cancellation of an order for the purchase of HIV test kits under the Pooled Procurement Mechanism which has resulted in a loss of USD 427,500. The manufacturer has indicated that the commodities have already been manufactured and cannot be supplied to any other country due to level of customization requested by the Ministry of Health” (…)”Payments amounting to USD 254,921 related to value added taxes that has not been refunded by government” (…)”The implementers incurred ineligible payments amounting to USD 93,400. These related to payments for activities not included in the approved grant budget, or excess payments to service providers” (P: 19, 2016).
This here shows worrying signs as the Health Care and Global Funds is either not utilized or misused, understocked even when the NMS is supposed to have dozen of kits for instance. The amount of monies not allocated even when budget for. That is a normal issue for the Government of Uganda under the NRM-Regime.
Just like the condoms that was supposed to enter Uganda in 2011, arrived in 2013. That proves the ability of the government to stall the procurement even when they have donor-funding to get the necessities. One key issue is that health facilities are lacking the necessary medicines for the treatment of Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria. The planning for securing the allocations is also lacking, therefore the planning and allocations is missing even when the funding from Global Funds is there, showing that the transactions between the Government of Uganda, National Medical Stores(NMS) and the International Companies who make the kits and medicine. Another factor is the longstanding time the health facilities are without needed medications and that should be worrying for the Ministry of Health.
The worst thing about this is that people who need the treatment have to wait for it or not get it in time as the health care facilities do not have it. That is the thing that worries me while reading through it, seeing the person who needs the care and medicine not getting it. So the Government of Uganda, Ministry of Health and National Medical Store (NMS) has a decent job to do. Especially since the matter of making procurement procedure and facilitate together with the different parts of governments organizations to deliver to the patient at a facility or the pharmacy. Peace.
The Global Fund – ‘Audit Report Global Fund Grants to the Republic of Uganda’ (26.02.2016) – Geneva, Switzerland.
Posted in Africa, Aid, Civil Service, Daily Life, Development, Ethics, Governance, Government, Health, Leadership, Politics, Trade and tagged Alfred Natamba, Allocation, Allocation of Funds, Anthony Ddamba, Anti-Malaria, Anti-Retroviral Medicines, Budget, Chris Baryomunsi, Condoms, Donor Funding, Dr. Asuman Lukwago, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, Dr. Sarah Achieng Opendi, Edith N. Kakuba, Expired Test Kits, GoU, Government of Uganda, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, H.E. Yoweri Museveni, Health Facilities, Health Facility, Hepatitis B, HIV Test Kits, HIV Tests, HIV/AIDS, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, Hon. Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, Hon. Matia Kasaija, International Companies, Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni., Malaria, Malaria Endemic, Matia Kasaija, Medicine, Medicines, ministry of finance planning and economic development, Ministry of Health:, Monitoring Teams, Moses Kamabare, National Drug Authority, National Guidelines, National Medical Store, National Resistance Movement, NDA, NMS, NRM, NRM Regime, OIG, OIG Auditors, Pharmaceutical, Pharmaceutical Companies, Pharmaceutical Products, Pooled Procurement Mchanism, President Museveni, Primary Targets, Procurement Processes, Protracted Procurement Processes, Refunded, Republic of Uganda, Retroviral Medicines, Sarah Achieng Opendi, Social Marketing Mechanism, TB, TB Medicines, The Global Funds, Tuberculosis, Uganda, Value Added Tax, VAT, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Yoweri Museveni | Leave a comment
Uganda election Hospital conditions exposed by opposition – BBC News – (Youtube-Clip)
“Uganda holds an election this Thursday and President Yoweri Museveni’s 30 years in power is at stake. One major issue is healthcare and whether the President has done enough after opposition leader, Kizza Besigne exposed the condition of the medical system. Catherine Byaruhanga reports.” (BBC News).
Posted in Africa, Civil Service, Development, Economic Measures, Economy, Election, Ethics, Governance, Government, Health, Law, Leadership, Politics and tagged 2016 General Election, 2016 General Election Uganda, Abim, Abim Hospital, Asuman Lukwago, BBC, BBC News, Catherine Byaruhanga, Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, Col. Kizza Besigye, Dr. Asuman Lukwago, Dr. Col. Kizza Besigye, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Dr. Warren Smith Kizza Besigye Kifefe, East Africa, FDC, Forum for Democratic Change, Government of Uganda, H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Health Care System, Kizza Besigye, Kizza Besigye Kifefe, Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni., Ministry of Health:, National Resistance Movement, NRM, Police, President Museveni, Public Hospital, Uganda, Uganda General Election 2016, Uganda Police Force, UPF, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni | Leave a comment
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Shin Megami Tensei IV will be released tomorrow in the United States, and for the first time in a long while, I am hyped. I can’t remember the last video game I was actually genuinely excited for, but this game has been worming its way into my brain, and I can’t stop thinking about it. For the last week or so I’ve been playing a lot of Pokémon Black, trying to get through it before tomorrow. Having finished it on Friday, I decided to spend a little time last night with Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne, just to get a little taste of what I’m in for tomorrow. I’ve played games in this series before, though I’ve mostly stuck to the Persona series. The chirpy, high school setting is immediately more inviting than the harsh, post-apocalyptic world view of the mainline SMT series, and having all of them on portable platforms has made playing an 80-hour RPG a lot more palatable. It’s also spoiling, leaving me wanting portable incarnations of every title in the series. How about a PS Vita remake of Nocturne, Atlus?
What amazes me is how straight Atlus plays it with the series, especially in America. Instead of a different title, they’ve willingly kept the very Japanese-sounding Shin Megami Tensei. Of course, True Goddess Reincarnation just doesn’t sound as catchy or as inviting, but a title like Shin Megami Tensei almost instantly damns your title to somewhat niche status. They tried to establish the Revelations Series moniker for several of their games during the mid-1990s, but it only stuck around for a pair of games before being abandoned. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment was released here as it was originally titled, and Nocturne brought the mainline series to the United States for the first time. I really applaud them for sticking with the original title, and I feel like it gives the series a very interesting vibe. From the name alone, you know you’re going to get something different than the norm.
With the third main entry in the series losing the number designation outside of Japan, I was also really surprised to see Shin Megami Tensei IV retain it. More so than that, I wasn’t expecting the US box art to be retain the Japanese kanji logo. They’ve added Shin Megami Tensei in English above it, but that’s it. The rest remains the same. Since Nocturne was the first mainline SMT game the United States received, it has me wondering if remakes of the earlier games are on the horizon. I’d absolutely love to see the earlier games get some notice, even if I am still waiting on Persona 5. I just want to see these games playable in English without having to patch SNES rom files.
I’m just excited at the notion of getting excited for a game again. I’m ready to dig into SMT4’s dungeons and recruit some demons. I’m ready to get my ass kicked several times over as I try and figure out what the hell I’m doing. Most of all, I’m just ready for a big, original JRPG for the 3DS, and Shin Megami Tensei IV sounds like the real deal.
By brandonin Video Games July 15, 2013 530 WordsLeave a comment
I’m no stranger to the world of Pokémon. I’ve played all of the mainline titles at least a little bit, though I’ve only properly completed a couple of them. It is a love/hate relationship that has formed over years of Nintendo managing to print money, while releasing essentially the same game several times over. Of course, the Pokémon series has changed, albeit very slowly. Like continental drift, it moves at a sloth-like pace, where you can leave and return without seeing much in the way of substantial change. Going from generation one directly to the present, Pokémon is a wildly different beast, even if the core game itself remains familiar. The last game in the series I completed was Diamond and Pearl, released fairly early in the lifespan of the Nintendo DS. While I enjoyed it at the time, I had felt like Pokémon had grown tired. After completion, it was shelved and eventually sold.
I took some time off, but still ended up picking up Pokémon Black on release day. While I put little time into it, I saw that it was finally doing something a little different. After looking at my backlog for much too long, I decided it was time to man up– I was ready to take the Pokémon challenge once more.
With the game data wiped clean, I set out on my new adventure to collect the eight gym badges and challenge the Elite Four. It was a quest I was very familiar with, but I finally felt ready to give it another go. My continued dependence on portable platforms has made it far more enjoyable this time around. After obtaining the first two badges, I started getting that sinking feeling where I realized that this was just another Pokémon game, and parts of it were going to become a tedious grind. I had to push forward, because I knew if I got over that initial hump, everything would be wonderful. When I finally crossed the long bridge into Castelia City, I knew I was right. Maybe Pokémon had some new tricks up its sleeve after all?
Now I find myself wandering what feels like a sprawling city, and I feel right at home. Pokémon Black has managed to bring me back on board, as I’m rife with feelings of nostalgia for the original 151 monsters. I’ve got wanderlust for this tiny digital world, and I want to see all it has to offer. Sure, the quest might not be all that different, but Pokémon Black looks the way I imagined that world to look when I played my copy of Pokémon Blue on my “Play it Loud”-era GameBoy. These cockfight adventures with these cuddly creatures have never been the most detailed, so my brain always filled in the blanks. Now that there are less blanks to color in, I’m seeing my memories become validated. This is how I chose to remember Pokémon, and I think I made the right choice.
I’m now eagerly anticipating Pokémon X and Y, hoping these will bring more changes to help liven up the series. Pokémon may be a slow, lumbering beast, but it is still a lot of fun to play. With two badges under my belt, I’m ready to see where my adventure is going to take me over the next couple weeks.
By brandonin Video Games July 3, 2013 571 Words2 Comments
Each year I find myself drawn to the challenge of the Final Fantasy V Four Job Fiesta. The name alone is a mouthful, but the event offers up a new way to play for veterans of the game. I entered this year in hopes of making it to the end, but the jobs issued to me haven’t exactly offered a smooth ride. I’ve defeated Final Fantasy V a single time, where a couple years ago I worked through it on my own volition. Regularly switching jobs and building a team of characters that resembled tiny gods was the end result. Due to the limitations of the Four Job Fiesta, my characters aren’t fit to be called gods– maybe not even demigods by the way things are going.
I started this year’s attempt at the Four Job Fiesta with four white mages. Right out the door I was offered somewhat of a challenge, having hardly any attack capabilities to defend myself with. Every battle was finished with the same strategy: four white mages in the back row, chipping away at the health of the enemy. With any luck, the enemy would run out of MP before I did, and eventually I would emerge victorious. It wasn’t the best way, but I had to make do with what I was issued. After a pair of early boss battles, the trip through the haunted ship graveyard came as somewhat of a relief. The legion of undead enemies made it easy to fight back, as I was relying on heal magic to harm my opponents and push forward.
Upon reaching the second crystal, I was a mix of relieved and disappointed to learn that the second job issued to me was the mystic knight. While this afforded higher attack capability, it was a let down compared to what I could’ve ended up with. My party of two white mages and two mystic knights has been adequate for most situations, but I worry about how my luck will fare as I continue on. I’m nearing the third crystal, and the corresponding job allotted to me is… the bard?
I went ahead and queued up the fourth job from the twitter bot. I needed to know how my final party was going to end up immediately so I could start preparing for whatever was to come. My final job will be the samurai. Some of the weight was lifted off of my shoulders as I breathed a sigh of relief. Having access to a powerful swordsman that can throw money at the enemy is all I can ask for. From a narrative perspective, it at least provides a character that looks like they know what they’re doing. Having a party comprised of a white mage, a mystic knight, a bard, and a samurai makes for a more interesting story than what the game itself offers.
Final Fantasy V stands as one of the most important chapters in the series, one that was unfortunately passed over for American release until its return on the Game Boy Advance in 2006. It’s Hironobu Sakaguchi’s masterpiece in regards to gameplay, offering almost unlimited customization to the player. More people should experience this game, and while I don’t recommend it for a first timer, the Four Job Fiesta always delivers a unique take on an already unique entry in the Final Fantasy saga.
By brandonin Video Games June 29, 2013 561 WordsLeave a comment
As of right now, I’ve clocked about 22 hours into Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Nintendo’s 3DS entry in the Animal Crossing series. I never played City Folk, and I recently had a bad experience with the DS entry, Wild World. It’s not that the game was outwardly bad, it’s just that the Nintendo DS wasn’t really capable of doing Animal Crossing. Wild World ran at a horrible framerate, which was playable, but not ideal. Now, Animal Crossing is by no means an action title, in fact it’s actually quite the opposite. This is a series built around relaxing– it’s about taking your time and enjoying yourself. Most of all, it’s about not overdoing it. Animal Crossing is at its best when you adhere to a dosage of around half an hour or so a day.
I downloaded New Leaf on launch day at midnight, eschewing a physical cartridge for the sake of convenience. Animal Crossing is a game that is best suited to this– truly a title that benefits from having it easily accessible at all times without the need of swapping a cartridge. The argument can be made about digital ownership and the inability to resell, but after spending a large amount of town creating my own narrative from my townspeople, why would I even want to let it go?
Having New Leaf on my 3DS at all times also keeps me actively playing it. When you have it right there on the home screen, ready to go, it’s hard to ignore it and at least check in. It’s easy to take a few minutes to pick some fruit or catch a few fish, or just wander around and see what the neighbors are up to. This makes for an absolute gem of a game, even if it’s really not that much of a game at all.
Animal Crossing has been one of my favorites for a long time, but like Pokemon, it doesn’t change that much between releases. Having skipped City Folk, jumping into New Leaf felt just right. I feel like I had spent enough time away that I was ready to spiral back into addiction. The result is that I’m liking this game as much as I liked it on GameCube, and that this is the best Animal Crossing has ever been. Aside from owing a lot of money to a raccoon, I’m having an absolute blast with it.
I’ve said before that my gaming habits are drifting more towards portable platforms. My 3DS and PS Vita get the most use out of any of my consoles. It’s a matter of convenience, mixed with the intimacy of laying on the couch and falling into these little worlds. I’m feeling more immersion from these systems, which are concentrating on delivering gaming experiences instead of trying to create cinematic masterpieces that ape the conventions of film. They are a place where games get to be games, and they have become my new favorite escape.
By brandonin Video Games June 28, 2013 June 28, 2013 495 WordsLeave a comment
It’s been a couple of months since I’ve been able to concentrate on writing in any capacity. My schedule has finally freed up and I want to get back to this blog as a regular project. Not only do I have the time to write, but I also have the time to play video games again, making this a pleasurable experience for me once again. I’m futzing with the layout, along with spending some time in the lab to get my writing back up to par. It feels like I’m slipping and I’m not willing to let that get any worse. The fun part is that I’m opening this blog up to other topics besides video games, so it’s about to a little sillier around here. Video games will remain the primary focus, but unrelated subjects will be approached on a more regular basis.
I’ve missed writing. My gaming focus continues to shift as the months go by. I’m still depending heavily upon my handhelds, while searching for the relevance of the upcoming “next-gen” consoles from Microsoft and Sony. I’m digging into franchises I’ve never really dug into, and trying to rediscover what I actually liked about video games to begin with. The problem I’m finding is that neither Sony nor Microsoft is really offering the kind of experiences I’m looking to have with games. As a medium built primarily around user input, I hate to watch the industry tread further into the territory of “cinematic experiences”. The best video games have always been the ones that embraced the world they exist in, and use that as an advantage to throw all logic out the window. I like video gamey-ass video games, something few studios are in the business of as of late.
Where it’s all gonna go, I can’t tell you, because I just don’t know. I don’t know what’s going to change or what’s going to stay the same. I’m not completely sure what I’m going to be writing about, or how often I’ll be writing at all. The point is that I’m actually writing, and I’m ready to sweep the dust off and get back to the business of bitching about video games.
See you very soon, internet.
By brandonin News June 19, 2013 371 Words1 Comment
February: Wrap Up
At the beginning of the month I made it a goal to only actively play games that were available to me on handheld gaming platforms. With tomorrow being the start of March, I can say that I managed to get through the month without playing a single title on any of my consoles. I made a slight exception for the Wii U demo of Monster Hunter 3G Ultimate, since it is a cross-platform title with the 3DS. I wanted to try out both demos and see how they felt. They each featured the same content, but other than that, the only use my game consoles got has been for video streaming. As it turns out, it’s not so difficult for me to cut out the majority of my console gaming. My 3DS has seen a lot of love this month, as I’ve been developing a new love for the Zelda series after a long cooling off period. The last time I put any real work into a Zelda title was replaying Link’s Awakening at some point last year, and loving every minute of it. Earlier this month, I tore through my 3DS Ambassador copy of Legend of Zelda in a single sitting, something I hadn’t really done since I was a teenager. It was an eye-opening experience as I remembered how much I used to love that game. Upon finishing it, I decided to get through a couple other games in the series, and I set my sights on playing Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. I never played it during the GBA era, but now that I had access to it, I figured I should probably give it a chance.
I’ve been mulling it over since finishing the game, but I think I liked it. It was way too easy at certain points, but I managed to find a lot of love in the way it presented itself. I loved the Capcom interpretations of classic Zelda enemies like the octoroks and moblins. The cartoon art style worked out in its favor, and the only bad thing I can say about the game’s presentation is in regards to its music. The Game Boy Advance sounded like shit. There’s no use denying it, it had an awful sound chip, and horrible little speakers. Most GBA games had pretty bland sounding music, since the music data took up considerable space on the cartridge. Minish Cap suffers the most when you’re hearing grainy renditions of tunes from older titles. Having finished it, I really liked it. It was a game I’m glad I played, and that’s about all I really know how to say about it.
After that, I determined it was time to return to a quest I had abandoned over a year ago: it was time to return to Ocarina of Time. I had gotten myself stuck in the Water Temple, something that happens to everyone at least once. I grabbed a walkthrough and worked my way back through it to determine where I had missed a key. I took care of that, and was on my way. At this moment I’m ready to tackle Ganon’s castle and finish the game. I’ve been critical of Ocarina of Time for many years, but after going back to it, I’m having to ease up on some of these complaints I’ve had. The game isn’t perfect, but it succeeds more often than it fails. The 3DS remake of the game is mostly the same as it was in 1998, but the cleaner presentation does a lot to help it hold up. I haven’t decided which Zelda title I’m going to tackle next, but as of tomorrow I can go back to console games, so that widens my options considerably. While an HD remake of Wind Waker is coming later this year, I’m really considering a journey through it. It’s either going to be that, or the GameCube version of Twilight Princess.
Beyond the Zelda marathons, I’ve put a few hours into Fire Emblem: Awakening, which is great. In addition, I’ve been trying to go back to finishing Pushmo so I can pick up its sequel. Portable gaming still works out very well for me, it’s just a shame that the Western gaming market seems ashamed by it, or at least doesn’t know how to approach it since they can’t use all of their extensive middleware options to develop titles. Animal Crossing comes out in June, and Pokemon X&Y will be released this fall, two titles I’m very excited to spend a lot of time with. I should be set on games for the rest of the year. Console gaming is a whole different argument that I don’t have the energy to jump into today.
By brandonin Video Games February 28, 2013 791 WordsLeave a comment
February: A Month for Portables
As my life becomes more and more complicated, and I have less time available to devote to dedicated gaming hardware, I’ve decided to run a little experiment over the course of the month: Can my gaming habits be satisfied by only playing games on portable consoles? For me, this includes 3DS, PS Vita, and if it comes to it, iOS games. After looking at the release lists for the next month or so, the titles I’m actually very excited about are almost entirely 3DS bound. I just picked up Fire Emblem: Awakening today, and near the end of the month I have Etrian Odyssey IV to look forward to. In the meantime I’ve been tinkering with the earlier Etrian Odyssey games, along with trying to go back and finish Kid Icarus Uprising. I also picked up Ikachan on the 3DS eshop over the weekend. While I do very much want to play Ni no Kuni, I also just don’t have the time to dedicate to sitting in front of a TV for a lengthy JRPG right now. Being able to play Persona 4 Golden on a portable was the only reason I was able to finish it, let alone put nearly 80 hours into it, so a move like this isn’t as scary to me as it may seem. Western third parties mostly ignore portable platforms, while Japanese developers tend to thrive on them. The DS has many amazing (albeit very niche-focused) titles coming out over the course of the spring.
Dedicating a month to portable games is likely going to be easier than I may make it out to be, since the way I play games, I rarely get to the biggest and newest titles until months after they come out, mostly out of not wanting to pay $60 for a game. I bought and played through DmC: Devil May Cry, but the only reason I bought it when I did is because I was able to get it for less than $40 on PC. I do worry about games becoming more expensive, but when games like Dead Space 3 are being released with a lot of convenience oriented micro-transaction content, it leaves me with little desire to pay that much for a game at launch, much less at all.
I’m currently sitting on a stack of Etrian Odyssey games, Fire Emblem: Awakening, Kid Icarus Uprising, and a handful of other crazy time-sink games that I’ll have no problems dedicating countless hours to. My love of video games has always been more Japan-centric, even if I didn’t know it, and with these type of games being released, that doesn’t look likely to change.
Even beyond February, I’m realizing that a lot of the games I’m even excited for this year are 3DS games. Monster Hunter 3G is released in March, while Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers comes out in April. I have Pokemon to look forward to in the fall, and I’m assuming that Animal Crossing: New Leaf will be released sometime this summer.
If this somehow becomes a problem over the course of the next few weeks, I can at least be thankful that February is a short month.
By brandonin Video Games February 4, 2013 525 Words3 Comments
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HomeT. RexJeff DexterJohn CambridgeHerbie Flowers
born Brian Keith Flowers,
19 May 1938, in Isleworth, Middlesex
Musician specialising in bass guitar, double-bass and tuba.
He is noted as a member of Blue Mink, T.Rex and Sky and as one of Britain’s best-known session bass-players, having contributed to recordings by Elton John (Tumbleweed Connection etc.), David Bowie (Space Oddity), Lou Reed (including the prominent bass line of “Walk on the Wild Side”), David Essex, Allan Clarke, Al Kooper, Harry Nilsson, Cat Stevens, Serge Gainsbourg and George Harrison: he also played bass on Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. By the end of the 1970s Flowers had played bass on an estimated 500 hit recordings.
Herbie Flowers began his musical training when conscripted into the Royal Air Force: electing at first to serve as a bandsman playing tuba, he took up double bass as a second instrument in order to secure his corporal’ stripes and later moved to electric bass. After completing his national service he passed through the lineups of several Dixieland jazz bands in the early ’60s, then discovered modern jazz. In 1965 he was engaged as a bandsman on the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth. In New York, after hearing a jazz electric bass, he acquired his own solid-body electric instrument, a 1959 Fender Jazz Bass that he purchased from Manny’s in New York City for $79.
Later in the 1960s Flowers began to acquire his reputation as a session-player, working for record producers such as Shel Talmy and Tony Visconti.
In 1969 Flowers co-founded the group Blue Mink and played on their song “Melting Pot”, which reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart. He was a member of CCS, and later featured in a mid-1970s line-up of T. Rex. In 1979, shortly after taking part in the annual A Song For Europe contest, performing “Mr. Moonlight” with his group, “The Daisies”, he became a co-founder of the band Sky, which had considerable success in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Flowers is also known for having composed the novelty hit “Grandad” for Clive Dunn. According to Flowers, he came up with it after following an easy primer book on composing. All he needed was a hook, and he was struggling to come up with anything. He phoned a friend (Ken Pickett) who came round, ringing the doorbell, and the ding-dong from the doorbell provided the hook he needed. Flowers reprised his performance on bass guitar for the 2006 – 2007 live tour of the stage performance of Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of the War of the Worlds, also appearing in the 2006 DVD release of the production. He continued this role for the 2009 and 2010 live tours.
Since Sky’s demise in the early 1990s Flowers has spent most of his time playing jazz. He also works as a bass guitar teacher at Ardingly College, and leads many ‘rockshops’ at schools, helping children to create and perform their own songs, as well as covering many others. In September 2009 Herbie founded a community choir “Shoreham Singers by Sea” which now (May 2011) has in excess of 200 members and is performing publicly to some acclaim.
Solo discography
1975: Plant Life (Philips)
1980: A Little Potty (EMI)
?: Herbie’s Stuff (KPM)
1970: Lincoln County (Polydor)
1973: Tramp / Flanker (Polydor)
1975: Mouth / Hi! It’s Herbie Flowers (Philips)
1975: Dancing at Danny’s / Mathematics (Philips)
1977: Jubilee / News (EMI)
1978: Don’t Take My Bass Away / I Want to Be with You (EMI)
1979: Mr. Moonlight / I Want to Be with You (EMI)
1980: The Whale / Just for You (EMI)
1980: Burlington Bertie (Tramp) / Big George (EMI)
1981: Tuba Smarties / The Bathroom Song (Ariola)
1983: I Love ‘er / Meet Me on The Corner (Magic)
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Directed by Peter Jackson. Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish.
It’s been a long time coming. Eagerly awaited by the fans… First officially announced… Then put on hold… Then the director Del Toro had to leave… and finally Jackson came to the rescue. And now, clocking at 169 minutes, it’s finally here… and deserves a review that’s at least as long as the film itself… So, let’s try to start from the beginning.
THE 48 FPS STUFF
It’s almost impossible to review The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey without mentioning that little famous (or infamous, depending on how you stand on this) technical issue everybody in Hollywood and in the industry has been talking about: the 48 frames-per-second look. For those who have been living in a cave for the last couple of years, let me quickly explain to you what I am talking about. Peter Jackson has filmed this new trilogy (yes, it is now a trilogy… but more about that later) with special 48 frames-per-second (fps) cameras, instead of the usual common 24fps. The result, once the film gets projected at 48fps speed, is a more detailed, sharper and crisper image with a much higher definition on movement that you’ve ever seen before: a more “immersive experience” (in Jacks0n’s own words) and also a much brighter picture (Usually light loss in 3D movies can be as high as 30%). Obviously most people will see this film projected with standard 24fps machines , so what I am about to say, will probably make very little sense, but since this is heralded as not just the way the director intended it, but also as the future of cinema, I feel it’s worth taking a moment to tell you my gut reactions to it.
Yes, of course, the image definition is impeccable, the light loss is almost unnoticeable and the 3D effect itself is very very very good (one ‘very’ for each ‘D’, though I have to say I still think the 3D in Avatar was better… or maybe just because it was the first), but aside from all that, I couldn’t get out of me a weird feeling of TV movie: it almost looked like high-def video, and not film. Ironically, the higher definition somehow made it look cheaper (which obviously it wasn’t!): for a start it enhanced every single make-up imperfection on the actors and made some of the sets even look a bit fake (especially the ones in Hobbiton). I also noticed a certain discrepancy between the way the actors appeared on screen (i.e. incredibly realistic, vivid and sharp) and the CGI-enhanced sets extensions in the background (which still had a slightly filmic look): the most obvious examples were those scenes Rivendell, where the waterfalls and the city in the background had a slightly opaque look, while the characters and the various real elements around the screen were crisps as if they’d just been filmed with your latest camcorder. There were some other scenes involving giant wolves running about and a dwarf on a sling which looked very strange too (In fact those were the only special effects I had problems with, in among otherwise perfect CGI): I’m sure you’ll agree when you see it too.
And finally, this new 48fps technology, seems to have given the director the chance to move his camera more than it is really needed: just because you can (with 48fps you don’t get as much motion blur as you would on normal 24fps), doesn’t mean that you have to: the result was overblown camera swoops, tilts and pans galore and an overall slightly unrestrained camerawork which sometimes felt rather random, showy and a bit out of place.
Having spoken to some other friends afterwards, I am very aware that a lot of people quite liked this new look, but on me it had the opposite effect as the one intended and instead of making the experience more immersive, it constantly pulled me out.
There you go, I’ve said it. Now that this is out of the way, let’s talk about the film itself.
A BAD START
One thing is certain, hard-core fans of the previous LOTR trilogy will probably love this chapter too. It was clearly made for them, and since there are a lot of those fans around the globe, I can safely bet this film will make millions of gazillions of dollars, but I get the feeling that it might not be such an Oscar favourite as the previous trilogy was.
Peter Jackson is undeniably a talented man, but we must be honest with ourselves, though he’s certainly one of the most revered and successful film-makers in Hollywood today, I’m not sure even his hard-core fans will be able to deny that when it comes to be harsh on his own material, or getting to the point of a scene and cutting things down, he is definitely not one of the best. He would be the first one to admit it. We all remember the multiple endings of “The Return of the King“, or the long hour-plus before we actually even heard about the fact that there was a giant gorilla in a movie entitled King Kong… and don’t get me started on the Lovely Bones, possibly the most misjudged film of 2009… As far as The Hobbit part 1 is concerned, well, I can safely report that that same trend continues here: this time in the form of multiple beginnings!!
In fact the first hour of the film has so many false starts, back stories, flashback, and introductions, that at some point I actually started to wonder whether that “unexpected” thing from the title was going to be the fact that the joueny might never actually happen!!
It is of course, once again, a beginning that wants to please everyone: the fans from the book and the ones from the previous trilogy alike (there is no other explanation to a very slow and quite indulgent preamble featuring Eliaja Wood and Ian Holm reprising their roles from the previous series: I had an hard-core fan sitting in front of me commenting how he loved the fact that Frodo was there… Enough said. It will make the whole saga feel very uniform, but in this film it just had no place!!). Sadly the slow start (and by start I mean at least the first third of the Hobbit pt.1 prevents it from being completely successful.. But there are other faults aside from pace.
It’s in that first hour that we’re also introduced to Richard Armitage‘s Thorin, King of the Dwarves, in a scene that aside from giving a back story to the character, fails to give us anything interesting about this character and ultimately to make us care about him. As the film goes on, Thorin continues to be a two-dimentional and rather predictable character. And it’s a shame because Thorin should really be one of the main focus of the film.
It’s obvious that the casting of Armitage is trying to replicate the success of the casting of Vigo Mortensen, but sadly the admittedly un-carismatic dwarf make-up (hiding any good feature that Armitage might have) and the fact that Thorin as a character seems to have pretty much the same expression throughout the whole film (or at least that’s how it’s coming through), prevent us from truly engaging with him… Hopefully he’ll be more developed in the sequels, but so far he certainly seems to lack that aura of gravitas, mystery and charisma that Vigo Mortensen‘s Aragorn used to have. Not sure whether to blame, the actor, the character, the director or the original story itself… or maybe even all of them.
But Armitage is only one of 13 dwarves in the film: in fact the Hobbit Pt.1 spends a considerable amount of time in one of the weakest scenes of the film, introducing us to all of them. This was a completely out-of-place sequence that seemed to belong to a different film or series all together: one for very young children! It was some sort of bad comedic/slapstick sequence, which was so long and unfunny that actually left most of my audience silent throughout. To add to the confusion was the fact that between the heavy make-up, identical costumes and lack of any interesting characterisation, most of the dwarves look like each other and it was pretty hard to tell most of them apart even by the end of the film.
Martin Freeman was to me the only saving grace of the first third. I must confess that I would probably watch Freeman reading a phone directory anyway, but in the Hobbit Part 1, he was certainly the most approachable and sympathetic character of them all, bringing tenderness, irony, bemusement and something to actually grab our attention, because for all the spectacle and CG-wizzardry at display here, there is an ice-cold detachment that permeates most of the characters. It’s as if all of a sudden JAckson was only interested in showing off his techniques and stopped caring about his characters a little bit.
Incindentally, talking about FX, even the now famous “shrinking people” special effects we’ve become so used to from the earlier series, don’t seem to have the same bite in this film, as Gandalf for example seems to grow or shrink from scene to scene according to (In some sequences Bilbo reaches Gandalf’s shoulder, in others, he can just about reach his belly button). And let’s not even mention the fact that every time they use a stunt-giant double it shows from miles away (ops.. I have now mentioned it!).
THINGS FINALLY GET GOING:
As you’re reading this, you might be wondering why on earth did I give it a 7/10 rating if all I’ve been doing so far was slashing the film to pieces?!
Well, let’s just say that once the so-called unexpected journey finally starts and gets passed Rivendell (where another incredibly dull talky, indulgent sequence takes place; a sequence which seems to be there just to please those LOTR fans, once again, and create a link with the previous series), the film finally gets into the right gear, the action begins and the spectacle really takes over!
The first sign of things improving comes in the form of Mountain Trolls and a splendidly choreographed fight sequence, rendered so vividly by the CG animation that it’s hard to fault. Andy Serkis makes his appearance too (other than the fact that he is the second unit director on the film) as Gollum. Now finally the film seemed to get a slightly darker tone, leaving behind the memory of the frankly quite idiotic and childish first sequences with the dwarves singing and getting drunk around a table. It’s interesting to notice this was also the moment that caused the first most spontaneous laugh from the audience, as if everybody felt it was OK to finally relax and enjoy the film because things were moving to the right direction.
From there onwards the film is essentially one incredible set-piece after another, all of which of truly amazing standards. It’s not just the seamless special effects, or the immersive 3D, but the actual design and choreography of them and of course the relentless and yet clear pace to which they’ve all been edited together. A living proof that action scenes don’t need to be chaotic and unnecessarily shaky to work. The sequences up in the mountain with massive giants fighting each others makes the everything we’ve seen in any of those dreadful Transformers movies look tiny and puerile (well… actually pretty much anything makes those films puerile). And of course that chase at the end, which despite an over-swoopy camera work, is one of the most accomplished work of action featuring hundreds of CG characters ever portrayed on screen. I guess the 48fps tool here really pays off!
So after that interminable first hour, all of a sudden time really starts flying by and the next 2 hours (or if you want, the next 2/3 of the film) are really worth the whole price of the ticket and they raise the bar to levels which only some of the best sequences of the previous 3 films managed to get to.
In fact the rest of the Hobbit pt.1, beyond that terrible beginning, is just so good and exciting that for me is enough to give it a 6.5/10 and recommend the film to anyone.
Aside from all the visual I guess the score should also get reviewed, especially because, as Peter Jackson likes to do, the music here seems to plasters the entire film and rarely shuts up, so it’s impossible not to notice it.
Composer Howard Shore plays it pretty very safe, by giving us a score which has essentially very little new, but re-hashes bits and pieces from the previous instalments, a little bit like what John Williams did for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull.To be honest with you, I was absolutely fine with that, mainly because I love those first soundtracks so much, but aside from over-playing it really felt a bit lazy in places: here’s the ring, let’s play the ring theme, from the Fellowship of the Ring. Here’s Gollum, let’s play Gollum theme from the two towers! Uh… a gig bird is flying, get the bird cue going! And so on, and so on… The cue from the admittedly quite embarrassing dwarf song is one of the few new ones, which works pretty well, but gets used over and over again as a main theme.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT ONE!
… And then something quite extraordinary happened, which when I started I never thought it would be possible… The film ended and left me wanting more!
Yes, the cliffhanger might be a bit cheap, might feel like an end of an episode from any TV series, but hey, it works wonderfully! (A little funny trivia here: Jackson claims that final shot was actually finished just a few days before the actual premiere in New Zealand).
I guess this is really the most unexpected thing about this journey: the film turns from something quite dull, slow, detached, puerile and without a real drive, into an incredible action romp which surpasses any expectation: it’s exciting, it’s fresh, it’s gripping, it’s amazing to look at: a real spectacle!! If only Peter Jackson had been less indulgent and a bit more ruthless with his own material and had really decided to stick with 2 movies instead the promised 3 we are going to get, and left all those long redundant sequences for the extended editions on the DVD (which I would have bought anyway!), this film would have certainly been a lot tighter, more focussed, sharper and less boring: basically a much better film, that would have left another indelible mark in cinema history as another game-changer.
As it is, it’s another chapter in the Tolkien saga which feels perfectly in tune with what we’ve seen before, but it’s just too baggy to surpass the experience of any of the previous instalments.
Filed under latest movies, Reviews Tagged with Andy Serkis, First-person shooter, gollum, Graham McTavish, Hobbit, Howard Shore, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Ken Stott, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Lovely Bones, Martin Freeman, Peter Jackson, Richard Armitage, The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, transformers
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Weequahic High School is now 83 years old. The building is located at 279 Chancellor Avenue in Newark. The construction of the high school, designed in the art deco style of architecture by the firm, Guilbert and Betelle, was completed in 1932. The high school opened for classes on September 11, 1933 with 2,056 students.
The name Weequahic refers to “the head of the creek”, the high ground that served as a boundary between the lands of the Hackensack and Raritan and later as the partition between the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, known today as Weequahic Park. The high school and nearby park was named Weequahic to honor Newark’s Native American roots.
Max Herzberg was Weequahic’s first Principal and remained as the leader of the high school for 18 years until his retirement in 1951. He was a noted educator and writer. As an author and editor he wrote or edited fifty seven books and pamphlets. In 1920 he became literary editor of the Newark Evening News, and from its inception in 1947 until his death, he edited the Sunday Book Page.
In 1934, Professor Albert Einstein sent a letter to the high school, entitled “Thoughts on Education and on American Schools in Particular,” that was published in the school paper. The letter was printed by newspapers all over the world.
from its inception in 1933 through the middle of the 1960’s, Weequahic was considered to the finest academic high school in New Jersey. In August 1950, Weequahic was rated as ” one of the most outstanding high schools in the country” by the Commission of Secondary Schools of the Middle Atlantic States Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. On June 17,1960, this same organization praised Weequahic’s college program. On December 17, 1963, Weequahic was ranked 1st in New Jersey and 56th in the nation in the number of graduates who had earned a Ph.D during the preceding five years. In 1964, Weequahic had more national merit scholars than any high school in the tri-state area.
For many years, Weequahic offered more foreign languages- French, Spanish, Latin, German, Russian and Hebrew- than any other high school in the city. In the early 1960’s, it also had a Swahili language club.
In addition, Weequahic was known for its athletic prowess. Throughout the years it experienced great success in basketball, track and swimming. The high school is well known for its outstanding basketball teams under the leadership of coaches Art Lustig, Les Fein, Dave Klurman and Frank Gavin.
Throughout the generations, Weequahic has always had a fine music department, orchestra and an outstanding marching band. On an ongoing basis, the band won honors both in local and national competitions. In 1944, Dr. Henry Melnik was honored by receiving the Music War Council of America’s distinguished service citation in recognition of the band’s outstanding contribution to the home front war effort under his leadership.
Many Weequahic students enlisted during World War II. At home, students faculty and families raised almost one million dollars selling war bonds through rallies, drives and shows. A plaque outside the auditorium memorializes the 57 Weequahic students who made the ultimate sacrifice.
In 1951, Eleanor Roosevelt, addressed more than 1500 students at an assembly at Weequahic. The former First Lady and widow of Franklin D. Roosevelt, was introduced as “First lady of The World”. Mrs. Roosevelt, was revered in many circles as an advocate for world peace, social justice and civil rights.
The high school newspaper is the Calumet, the literary magazine is the Ergo and the yearbook is the Legend. The illustrations in this blog are from the 1938 Legend.
Posted in Misc., Newark High Schools, Weequahic High SchoolTagged Newark Schools, Weequahic High School, Weequahic institutionsBy johnlipari2 Comments
2 thoughts on “Weequahic High School”
SANDY REITER says:
Loved this article. graduated 1955. Most intellectually challenging school of its day. 90% of graduating class went on to College
johnlipari says:
Thank you! So happy you enjoyed the article.
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Sotheby’s and Christie’s Split on Response to Nazi Victim’s Art
Eileen Kinsella, October 27, 2014
Egon Schiele Seated Woman with Bent Left Leg (Torso) (1917) Gouache and black crayon on paper (estimate: $1.2–1.8 million) Photo: Courtesy Sotheby's.
Christie’s and Sotheby’s respective handling of two Egon Schiele artworks once owned by Fritz Grünbaum, a German cabaret performer who died in Daschau in 1941, are “striking” and “notable” according to a story in the New York Times by Patricia Cohen and Graham Bowley.
Next month, on November 5, Christie’s is auctioning a 1910 Schiele watercolor Town on the Blue River, and, in conjunction with a restitution agreement that views the work as looted art, will provide compensation to Grünbaum’s heirs. Sotheby’s, which is offering a 1917 goauche and crayon on paper, Seated Woman With Bent Left Leg a day earlier, will not compensate the heirs.
According to the story: “The tale of these two works with a shared history illustrates how, even 70 years after the war, experts in the international art market can disagree substantively about how to handle the sale of works once owned by Jews in Europe during the Nazi era.”
Since both works were indisputably owned by Grünbaum, it seems as though they should be treated similarly on the market today. But after Grünbaum was arrested and sent to the camp where he died, what happened to the works has been vociferously debated, including whether or not his sister-in-law Mathilde Lukacs-Herzl came to possess and later sell either or both of these works, as part of a larger group, to Swiss dealers. The fact that the work being offered at Sotheby’s had been the subject of an eight-year court battle that ended in favor of its current owner means that far more detail has emerged about the provenance of that work, in contrast to the Christie’s consignment, in the decades since World War II.
Egon Schiele Town on the Blue River (1910) gouache, watercolor, metallic paint and black Conté crayon on paper (estimate: $800,000–1.2 million). Photo: Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd.
The complexities, which one specialist calls “restitution roulette,” can “become particularly acute in cases like Grünbaum’s, where there are conflicting accounts, large gaps in the records, and differing notions of what constitutes a just resolution” according to the story.
Perhaps the most important distinction here is that Seated Woman, was the subject of a protracted legal battle after David Bakalar, who purchased it in 1963 for $4,300, was forced to withdraw it from a planned 2005 Sotheby’s London sale. Town on the Blue River, which was acquired by Ilona Gerstel in 1965 according to the story, and is being offered from her estate, was not.
According to an October 2012 ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, New York, the “District Court found that the Drawing [Seated Woman] was not looted by the Nazis. Vavra and Fischer [the claimants] argue that the District Court’s finding is clearly erroneous and that the Nazis stole the drawing. However, Bakalar traced the provenance back to Mathilde Lukacs [sic], Grünbaum’s sister-in-law, who sold it to a gallery in 1956. Vavra and Fischer’s hypothesis—that the Nazis stole the drawing from Grünbaum only to subsequently return or sell it to his Jewish sister-in-law—does not come close to showing that the District Court’s finding was clearly erroneous.”
Indeed, the listed provenance of the works in the catalogues is different regarding the ownership immediately after Grünbaum. Sotheby’s catalogue lists “Fritz Grünbaum, Vienna (by 1938)” followed immediately by “Mathilde Lukcas-Herzl (sister-in-law of the above).” Christie’s catalogue for the Schiele it is selling reads: “Fritz Grünbaum, Vienna” followed by “Schenker & Co., Vienna (1938)” a moving and shipping company.
The story says that for years following the 2005 withdrawal both houses “steered clear of works once owned by Grünbaum out of concern any sale might be challenged,” and that they now “say they make decisions case by case.”
In light of this, we asked Christie’s whether a court ruling would affect the house’s decision to agree to compensate claimants. Christie’s said Monica Dugot, international director of restitution at Christie’s, was not immediately available for comment.
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R.I.P. David Armstrong, New York Art and Night Life Photographer
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Extremists Sentenced Over Curator Assault
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Colgate University Home Alumni Home Colgate University Home Alumni Home
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Put on your dancing shoes
Dancers and nondancers alike came together for Hamilton National Dance Day last July, when people across the nation moved their feet in support of future local dance programs. As part of the two-day celebration, a mix of students and alumni as well as local instructors taught workshops including zumba, hip-hop, belly dancing, ballet, and modern dance.
“No matter what the age, skill level, or talent is, dance is a way of self-expression and a way to cross barriers, whether social or cultural, because everyone is participating in a shared experience,” said Terica Adams ’12, the event’s executive director. Adams works as the training program coordinator at the Association for Financial Professionals in Washington, D.C.
National Dance Day, which was set in motion in 2010 by So You Think You Can Dance co-creator and Dizzy Feet Foundation co-president Nigel Lythgoe, takes place annually on the last Saturday in July. Adams wanted to bring the event to Hamilton after witnessing the positive social impact at the occasion in Washington, D.C.
“Hamilton National Dance Day is a space to learn and to interact with others and to be a part of something bigger; it’s about connecting with your fellow dancers to learn about dance and culture,” said Adams.
— Hannah O’Malley ’17
Photo: Coordinator Terica Adams ’12 teaches Danceball in the first workshop of Hamilton National Dance Day.
Serra and Arbus, Venice and New York
Richard Serra, Venice Notebook 2001, #7, 2002. 1-color etching. Collection of Paul J. Schupf ’58 Living Trust, Gregory O. Koerner ’88, Trustee. © 2014 Richard Serra/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. (Photo by Mark Williams)
The Picker Art Gallery, which closed in 2012 for an inventory of Colgate’s art collection, reopened this fall with two exhibitions of artwork by prominent American artists Richard Serra and Diane Arbus.
Serra’s pieces, lent to the Picker by trustee emeritus Paul J. Schupf ’58, are primarily from the artist’s collection of Venice Notebook etchings. The series, featuring more than 20 prints, was created when Serra made sketches of his own sculptural work at the 2001 Venice Biennale. The exhibition highlights Serra’s lesser-known work in sketching as well as his talent for printmaking. It is accompanied by a catalogue containing an interview with Schupf and master printmaker Xavier Fumat, who collaborated with Serra on the pieces in the exhibition.
The collection of photographs by Arbus is the largest ever to be showcased in a university museum. Composed of 27 images, the exhibition depicts subjects of all walks of life she found in New York City during the 1950s and ’60s. Her work studies the range of human experiences and examines their many intricacies. The pieces were lent from the collection of John ’85 and Susan Manly Pelosi ’85.
The day before the gallery opened, Jeff Rosenheim, curator in charge of photography at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, gave a lecture titled “Diane Arbus and American Photography.” The exhibition opening featured remarks from President Jeffrey Herbst and Anja Chávez, director of university museums, as well as Schupf and Jill Shaw, the Picker’s senior curator of collections.
Both Shaw and Chávez were excited about the exhibitions from such influential names in the art world. “They’re really incredible works,” said Shaw.
— Natalie Sportelli ’15
Ben Mandell ’14 performs in “Pact.”
LONEtheater “was a theatrical experience different than any other,” said Ben Mandell ’14, who served as an assistant director/producer, translator, and actor this past summer.
The performances took place in real-life New York City settings: a Brooklyn apartment, Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, Grand Central Station, and the backstage and basement of a small theater. Each performance could be watched by only one person at a time, so audience members purchased their tickets for specific 30-minute time slots and locations.
LONEtheater’s format “made for an intensely personal experience that was completely unique each time it was performed,” Mandell wrote in a post for Colgate’s summer internship blog series. “The audience member effectively became part of the scene — there were times when the performers engaged that person by posing questions, asking favors, and even having casual conversation.”
Mandell found out about the project through April Sweeney, who teaches in the University Theater Program. He had taken three acting classes with her, including an Argentinean theater course. Because director/writer Matias Umpierrez originally wrote LONEtheater in Spanish, Mandell’s language skills made him a primary candidate. He translated parts of the script and served as a translator for Umpierrez during rehearsals.
In addition, Mandell acted in “Pact,” which was performed in an abandoned building and was about a couple of men who were hidden in an undercover office, trying to carry out a secret plan.
“This was the perfect first project for me to tackle post-graduation,” Mandell said. “I got to use what I had learned in acting classes, apply techniques from directing classes, and then talk about all of those concepts in Spanish with an Argentinean director. It was a complete synthesis of my studies.”
Flaherty turns Colgate “Inside Out”
In June, film professionals from around the world attended the Flaherty Film Seminar. The numbers: 160 documentary filmmakers, programmers, film theorists, and scholars from 21 countries came for the 60th anniversary of the seminar, which Colgate hosted for the seventh year.
“It is one of the preeminent documentary events in the world,” said Mary Simonson, the newly appointed director of Colgate’s Film and Media Studies Program. “Films shown here frequently go on to be screened around the world, taught at colleges and universities, and celebrated at festivals.”
Under the theme “Turning the Inside Out,” curators Caspar Stracke and Gabriela Monroy “examined the state of documentary as it travels between the art gallery, the cinema, and the interactive screen,” according to MoMA.org. “In an era of colliding genres and mediums, what holds documentary together from the inside out?”
The curators made full use of Colgate’s facilities, including the Clifford Art Gallery; screening rooms in Little Hall; and the Ho Tung Visualization Lab, where a special film shot with a fish eye lens was shown. Golden Auditorium’s 16mm and 35mm projection capabilities entice the Flaherty organization to return annually to Colgate.
Simonson was one of six Colgate professors to participate this year. Through the seminar, they get exposure to new materials that they often incorporate into their courses.They also develop close relationships with other professionals in the field, oftentimes asking them to come back during the academic year.
For example, in November, the new Colgate/Flaherty Distinguished Global Filmmaker Residency brings acclaimed Russian filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa for an intensive weeklong exploration of film and filmmaking.
Expanding art’s reach
Art Connects New York’s Executive Director Stuart Anthony ’84 with longtime board member John A. Higgins ’69 at the opening of the Animalis art installation at the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center in New York City.
Stuart Anthony ’84 has spent a lot of time in the art world and said he has come to recognize its neglect of traditionally underserved communities. As the new executive director of Art Connects New York, he is on what he calls “a killer mission” to bring art to wider audiences.
Art Connects New York is a charitable organization that connects artists and curators with social service agencies throughout New York City to provide museum-quality permanent exhibitions of contemporary artwork for free. From a homeless shelter in the Bronx to an Arab-American family support center in Brooklyn, the organization has placed artwork in 34 locations throughout the five boroughs.
Anthony’s role involves overseeing the programs to ensure that they meet partner organizations’ stated wishes, fundraising, managing staff, and guiding the organization forward.
“The need is great in New York; the constituents and residents we’re [working] with are frequently in crisis,” he said. “Art can be a really powerful way for people to face what they want to become, what they’re trying to leave behind, and to have the dialogues that everyone deserves.”
Anthony’s first job as executive director was to facilitate an installation that opened in May at the youth center in Manhattan’s Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center. The exhibition, Animalis, featured prints of animals ranging from realistic to fantastical by 18 artists — six of whom are represented in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
While a student at Colgate, Anthony interned at the Picker Art Gallery and worked with architecture professor Eric Van Schaack on a book about the 19th century residential constructions in Hamilton, titled Seeing Hamilton: Your Guide to Village Architecture. Anthony is still able to name every one of his art professors — many of whom sparked his interest in art so much that he changed his major from chemistry to art and art history. Before graduating from Colgate, he spent his junior year studying at the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies in New York City.
Post-graduation, Anthony worked extensively with nonprofits, galleries, museums, and development entities including his role as the director of Exit Art — which he did for 13 years. Anthony is now focused on expanding the reach of Arts Connect New York.
“When you’re doing something you love, it’s not hard to get up in the morning,” said Anthony. “Every day I ask, how can I expand the mission and who are the underserved communities we haven’t reached?”
Reminiscent of the Schoolhouse Rock logo, Alphabravo spells out the letters of the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
James Esber
87 Ways to Kill Time
Clifford Gallery
October 29–December 12
M–F 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;weekends 1–5 p.m.
In his multimedia works, James Esber addresses notions of distortion and perception by mining the pawed-over icons of popular culture. His paintings present an array of visual puzzles — cutting, fragmenting, and distorting found images before remaking them as graphic objects in a range of materials, including stretch fabric, vinyl, and plasticine.
This exhibition includes samples of work from the last four decades, collapsing time by juxtaposing older and newer works based on themes and visual language.
Esber’s style has been described by critic and curator Robert Storr as a kind of “chunky elegance … the product of an imagination keyed to contradiction, and of a talent capable of calibrating the artifice to produce both effects with apparently natural unnaturalness.”
For example, with Alphabravo (pictured), Esber used a cartoon motif while making a statement about war. Reminiscent of the Schoolhouse Rock logo, Alphabravo spells out the letters of the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
TagsArt Connect New YorkArtscultureDiane ArbusdocumentaryExit ArtFilm ReleaseFlaherty Film SeminarLonetheatreNational Dance DayNew YorkNigel LythgoePaul J. Schupf '58Richard SerraStuart Anthony '84Terica Adams '12Venice
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https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/06/iceland-football-team-polish-fans-culture.html
Photograph by Haraldur Gudjonsson, Getty Images
After beating Kosovo 2-0 at home in Reykjavik, Iceland became the smallest nation to compete in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Why the Iceland National Team Has So Many Polish Fans
For many Polish natives, this island nation is their second home.
Among the dedicated fans who will be filling Reykjavík’s squares, parks, and pubs to cheer on Iceland during its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance is a surprising group: native Poles for whom Iceland is their second home.
“I think generally [a sport like] football is important for foreigners in Iceland, because it lets us adjust and find our ways in the community to function,” says 39-year-old Tomasz Kwiatkowski, who has been living in Iceland for the past 10 years.
Kwiatkowski is one of Iceland’s nearly 12,000 Polish immigrants. For more than 20 years, Poles have been the largest immigrant group in Iceland, a country with a population of just 350,170, making it the smallest nation to compete in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. And while Poles will be cheering for the Poland team, which also plays in this year's games, many will be watching Iceland just as closely.
Poles immigrated to Iceland largely for financial reasons and job opportunities, particularly in 2006, when Iceland’s economic expansion was in full throttle and work in the construction sector was plentiful. While some Polish immigrants planned to get their start in Iceland and save money before returning home, the community continued to grow—and with it their love of Icelandic football.
When you live somewhere for a certain amount of time, you begin to identify with the country, Kwiatkowski says. “There are also... values that [Poles] have in common with Icelanders, like bravery, and never giving up,” he adds. “The Iceland national team represents these values.”
Iceland-based Piotr Giedyk is the founder of Piłkarska Islandia, or Football Iceland, a fan club and digital community of Poles who love Icelandic football. Giedyk founded the club in August 2013, and he set up fan pages on Facebook and Twitter for members to talk strategy, discuss tactics, and share their love for the team. In five years, Piłkarska Islandia’s Facebook page has grown to upwards of 5,500 followers—and more than three-quarters join the conversation from Poland, with a substantial base in Warsaw.
Iceland emerged as the unsuspecting challenger during the qualifying rounds for the 2016 UEFA European Championship, or Euro 2016, further fueling Polish infatuation, Giedyk says. In fact, members of Piłkarska Islandia traveled to the Czech Republic to cheer Iceland on as it powered through to land a spot in Europe’s biggest soccer tournament. The island nation went on to rock the continent when its team beat England 2-1, advancing to the quarterfinals against France. Though its face-off with the French ended in a 5-2 loss, the team won respect and high praise from football fans around the world.
Iceland plays against the Netherlands during a EURO 2016 qualifying match at the Laugardalsvollur National Stadium in Reykjavik. Many Poles fell in love with the Iceland team for its display of determination, will, and courage.
Photograph by VI Images/Getty Images
It also won over the hearts of Poles—both in Iceland and back at home.
“[Iceland] has ambition, they have the fight—they are a small country with big... heart,” Giedyk says. “It's a completely different football game for us.”
Many Polish fans describe their admiration for what drives Iceland's players: patriotism, above all else. Unlike Poland, Spain, Italy, France, and other European countries, Iceland has players who are less recognizable and less influenced by the fame and fortune funneled into the sport. Every person on the team is important, and fans respect each player equally, Polish fans say.
“They give 150 percent for their nation, and each one of them will jump into the fire for the other,” Kwiatkowski says. “They don’t have a star on their team, but you can be sure that for 90 minutes you will have blood, sweat, and tears left on the field.”
It helps, too, that Iceland comes complete with beautiful scenery, creating what Giedyk says is a “football fairy tale.”
Grzegorz Rucinski has been living in Hafnarfjordur, Iceland, for the past 12 years and has seen close to 20 games at Reykjavik’s Laugardalsvollur Stadium. Each one was fantastic, he says. The crowds were loud, people were pounding drums, and the team’s fan section was electric. There is never an Iceland national team match where fans and supporters aren’t having fun, Rucinski adds.
“Iceland is already the winner,” Rucinski says.
As Kwiatkowski gets ready to tune in to the upcoming tournament, he thinks back to a 2009 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Iceland and Holland, played in Reykjavik’s Laugardalsvollur Stadium. It was the first time he saw the Iceland team play, and he, too, instantly fell in love with the atmosphere. Holland supporters dressed up in Dutch costumes. Iceland fans—particularly Tólfan, the team's official supporter club—waved Iceland's flags and performed national claps and chants. After the game, the fans sat together, drinking beer and eating Icelandic hot dogs—a sausage made from lamb, pork, and beef then topped with fried and raw onions, brown mustard, and a mayonnaise-based sauce.
The energy and camaraderie was different from anything that Kwiatkowski had experienced before, and now he beams with pride as he welcomes another new experience on his resume as an Iceland fan: cheering Iceland on through its journey in Russia.
"Between Poland and Iceland, I'm going to have a lot of fun watching [the World Cup] this time," Kwiatkowski says.
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Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen is the successor of long-standing traditions in education, science and culture that have beed developed over the years. The University`s development concept started with the first Pedagogical courses in Bulgaria (1879) and it has evolved through different institutional forms.
The transformation from Higher Educational Institute into Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen (Decree No 58/16.04.1996 signed by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria) led not only to a change in its name but it also stated the institution`s new mission, aspirations and strategy. It was recognized as a state university with traditions and aspirations that was to become an educational, scientific and cultural centre in north-east Bulgaria. Being a social and cultural institution, the Univeristy emphasizes on values such as tolerance and mutual respect in an environment of equality and “education for all”.
Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen outlines its academic profile by combining succefully its traditional pedagogical trend with majors from the fields of human and society sciences, humanities, natural, mathematical, technical and social sciences. The University offers not only its traditional majors that have been attested during the past academic years but it has also enriched its programmes with new majors compliant with labour market requirements. Shumen University is constantly striving for further self-realization in terms of basic principles on integration within the European educational area.
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Blind Author Sees Perfectly With God’s Grace
12:00PM EST 11/13/2012 Shawn A. Akers
Tom Sullivan (c) with his good friends, actors Betty White and Wayne Brady (Tom Sullivan PR)
Physically, Tom Sullivan has been blind since berth. Throughout his life, however, the well-known 65-year-old author/entertainer has witnessed God’s grace and mercy to its fullest extent.
In his latest book As I See It, Sullivan explains how God helped him to see things from the inside out instead of the outside in. It has allowed him to find inner peace while coming to grips with his blindness.
“Most people live in a world in which they are looking at how others affect them, rather than how they affect others,” said Sullivan, who lists television shows like M*A*S*H, WKRP in Cincinnati to his acting credits along with a seven-year stint as a reporter on ABC’s Good Morning America.
“What matters is, am I operating in God’s likeness by taking a loving look at other people I meet? That’s how I have tried to live. It sounds cliché, but I was once blind and now I see.”
Sullivan admits his blindness produced a strong bitterness toward God early on. It disappeared after he was radically saved in 1973, shortly after his then 3-year-old daughter, Blythe, fell into the family swimming pool.
Sullivan, who was distracted by a phone call, dove into the pool but couldn’t find his daughter. After crying out to God for help, he heard air bubbles, then went down nine feet to found Blythe and was able to resuscitate her.
“I just looked up at heaven and asked, ‘How can this happen?’ Sullivan said. “You’ve given me everything—the girl of my dreams, a Harvard education and two beautiful children—and this child is going to die and it’s my fault? I told him if he would grant me this miracle, I would give Him my life.
“I heard the air bubbles. Anyone else wouldn’t have heard them; not because they couldn’t, but because they just wouldn’t. Miracles happen when ordinary people like you and me, through grace, do extraordinary things.”
Sullivan’s bride of 41 years, Patty, helped him to discover his faith.
“Tom is the most extraordinary man of passion, intelligence, and kindness that God could have gifted me with as my husband and best friend in life,” she said.
Sullivan engages in many activities that people of sight take for granted. He regularly enjoys downhill skiing and averages 90 for an 18-hole round of golf.
These days, he can be found on the lecture circuit, where he never misses an opportunity to tell others about Jesus.
“I’ve made the decision to articulate and witness my faith in front of these companies,” he said. “It’s not always favorably received by some companies because they say this isn’t the place for it. But, I’ve chosen to do it anyway. You have to keep putting it out there. That’s front-line faith.”
Sullivan wouldn’t see it any other way.
Did You Think to Pray?
The Prophet's Manual
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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Gov. Rod’ tag.
Gov. Blagojevich speaks: ‘I have done nothing wrong’ (Video)
December 19, 2008 in Barack Obama, democrats, Obama | Tags: blagojevich, corruption charges, fight, Gov. Rod, Illinois, impeachment process, obamam senate seat, pay-to-play, politics | Leave a comment
CHICAGO – In an unwavering statement of innocence, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Friday he will be vindicated of criminal corruption charges and has no intention of letting what he called a “political lynch mob” force him from his job.
“I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong,” Blagojevich said, speaking for about three minutes in his first substantial public comments since his arrest last week on federal corruption charges.
The Democrat is accused, among other things, of plotting to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat in secretly recorded phone conversations.
“I’m not going to quit a job the people hired me to do because of false accusations and a political lynch mob,” Blagojevich said.
Still, one of the governor’s attorneys said Blagojevich will take his constituents into account as the case moves forward.
“He told me if it doesn’t work, if it is too hard if the people of Illinois suffer, he will step aside,” attorney Sam Adam, Jr., after the governor finished speaking.
Itching to talk
Blagojevich had been itching to talk, saying he wanted to tell his side of the story even though his lead defense attorney, Ed Genson, didn’t like the idea. On Friday, Blagojevich asked Illinoisans to “sit back and take a deep breath, and please reserve judgment.”
“Afford me the same rights that you and your children have — the presumption of innocence, the right to defend yourself,” said the governor, who said he wants to “answer every allegation” in court.
Read it all…
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Home / Books / Contemporary / Chris Ofili
Artist(s): Chris Ofili
Author(s): Judith Nesbitt (Editor)
Edition: -
Publisher: Tate Gallery Publications
Illustrations: Illustrated in colour throughout.
The new catalogue to accompany the Tate Britain retrospective exhibition: 27 January – 16 May 2010.
Edited by Judith Nesbitt with contributions by Okwui Enwezor, Ekow Eshun and Atillah Springer.
The British painter Chris Ofili was born in Manchester in 1968 and is one of the most notable painters of his generation. He lives and works in London and Trinidad. Ofili’s best-known works are complex and highly decorative canvases, built up from layers of paint combined with other materials including sequins, glitter, map pins and images cut from magazines. Their subject matter often refers to his Nigerian heritage and the wider African American and Afro-Caribbean experience, making reference to sources as diverse as Zimbabwean cave paintings, blaxploitation movies, comic books, funk and hip-hop album covers, pornography and the Bible. A trademark element in his paintings has been his use of varnished elephant dung, sometimes decorated with map pins, either as a support for the paintings of applied directly to the canvas. Ofili’s painting The Holy Virgin Mary caused controversy when it arrived in Brooklyn in 1999 as part of the exhibition Sensation where it was attacked by the then-mayor Rudi Guiliani for being blasphemous. Ofili won the Turner Prize in 1998 and represented Great Britain in the Venice Biennial of 2005. In recent years he has also created sculture in bronze and numerous works on paper.
The book will illustrate works from throughtout Ofili’s career, including new works made especially for this exhibition. It will include a new interview with the artist, giving insight into his inspiration and motivation, as well as including essays by leading critics that examine the remarkable achievements of an artist at the forefront of the contemporary art scene worldwide.
Categories: Books, Contemporary Tags: africa, african, british, contemporary, dots, dung, elephant dung, modern, nigerian, No Woman No Cry, Painting, sculpture, sensation, tate exhibition, tribal art, turner prize winner, upper room
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Marc Quinn: Tate Liverpool
British Artists at Work
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Holland Recognized as 2013 Best Transportation Supplier by Avery Dennison
HOLLAND, Mich., May 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Holland has been recognized as the Best Transportation Supplier for performance in 2013 by Avery Dennison, a global leader in labeling and packaging supplies and solutions. The award was given as part of Avery Dennison's inaugural Supplier Symposium, held March 6, 2014 at the Cleveland Marriott Hotel in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.
Holland was given top honors in the freight category with the first ever, Best Transportation Supplier award. The award was given to "the transportation supplier who has maintained high delivery service and quality standards and has worked collaboratively with Avery Dennison to provide innovative solutions to network and delivery challenges."
Over 200 professionals from more than 100 companies around the globe were in attendance to share ideas and learn about Avery Dennison innovations and planning. Following the symposium, a reception was held at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. At the reception, an awards ceremony was held where eight companies from a variety of industries were honored for superlative performances in 2013.
Award-winners were selected based on their performances in measures such as innovation, sustainability, service, overall value and quality.
"We are very proud to have been selected for this award from our partners and friends at Avery Dennison," said Jim Ferguson, VP Sales and Marketing for Holland. "Providing award-winning service demands a collective, team effort. We would like to extend our deepest thanks and congratulations to every one of our Holland employees for delivering the very best service to our customers."
This is the sixth such customer satisfaction award that Holland has won thus far in 2014. Previous awards include the 2013 Parker Hannifin LTL Carrier of the Year Award, 2013 Vehicle Service Group LTL Carrier of the Year Award, 2013 BASF Carrier of the Year Award, and the 2013 Unishippers Global Logistics Regional LTL Carrier Partner of the Year Award.
About Holland
Holland has long been recognized for delivering the most next-day service lanes in its territory and annually records one of the lowest claim ratios in the industry. Founded in Holland, Mich., in 1929, Holland provides industry-leading, on-time reliability for less-than-truckload shipments in the central and southeastern United States and in eastern Canada. Holland, recognized by Logistics Management magazine with its 2013 Quest for Quality award for 28 consecutive years, was honored for performance excellence in 2013 with the Midwest/Mid-Atlantic Regional LTL Motor Carriers award and the South/South Central Regional LTL Motor Carriers award, as well as the Expedited Motor Carriers award. For more information, visit hollandregional.com. Holland is a subsidiary of YRC Worldwide.
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Game Of Thrones re-make petition sees huge boost after finale (spoiler free)
Fans are upset with the way the last season has been written and are demanding HBO rewrite the final episodes.
By Chris Robertson, news reporter
Image: Almost 1.2 million people have signed the petition. Pic: HBO/ Sky Atlantic
The petition encouraging the Game Of Thrones writers to re-make the last season of the show has seen a huge boost in signatures following the final ever episode, taking the total number of names to more than 1.2 million.
The finale of Game Of Thrones aired globally early on Monday morning, finally revealing the fate of the remaining characters and giving fans the answer they have waited 10 years for - who ends up on the Iron Throne?
Just over a million fans had signed the petition by Sunday evening; however, the show's ending caused more than 170,000 others to get involved overnight, in the hours after the final episode screened.
Image: Some fans are unhappy about the Night King storyline. Pic: HBO/ Sky Atlantic
The petition says: "David Benioff and DB Weiss have proven themselves to be woefully incompetent writers when they have no source material (ie the books) to fall back on.
"This series deserves a final season that makes sense."
Dylan D, who is behind the petition, has said he is "disappointed and angry" over the way the story has been told in the final series.
Many fans are specifically upset at the way the Night King story-line ended, and the actions of Daenerys in the penultimate episode, with people claiming her character development had been ruined.
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Game Of Thrones: Sophie Turner criticises 'disrespectful' petition calling for remake
Game of Thrones: George RR Martin hints at ending for his books after TV finale
Game Of Thrones: Fans say goodbye after series finale (spoilers within)
LIVE: Reaction to Game Of Thrones' climactic final episode
The TV show was initially based on the story written by fantasy writer George RR Martin; however, the show's plot soon overtook that of the books, with Martin still to officially finish the saga.
Image: Fans want HBO to re-make the final season. Pic: Sky Atlantic/ HBO
However, Martin has recently said that the books will end in a similar way to the TV series: "It's not completely faithful. And it can't be.
"Otherwise, it would have to run another five seasons."
Listen to "Sky News - Backstage" on Spreaker.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Writers Benioff and Weiss, who also directed the final episode, have not yet responded to the calls to rewrite the show.
It was revealed last week that the pair will make the next Star Wars film in 2022, causing some fans to call for a boycott of them when they are released.
Warning - spoilers! Game Of Thrones review: The final episode
Warning! This article contains spoilers for Game Of Thrones season eight, episode six, The Iron Throne - the last ever episode
Isaac Hempstead Wright, who plays Bran Stark, has called the complaints about the latest series "ridiculous" and "absurd", while Grey Worm actor Jacob Anderson said that the backlash "sucks" and called it "insulting" to the cast and crew of the show.
:: The final episode of Game Of Thrones repeats on Sky Atlantic at 9pm on Monday evening, or is available on catch up now. Want to recap on the story so far? All episodes of Game Of Thrones from series 1-8 are now available to watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.
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Millions Were Left Without Power in Argentina and Uruguay After an 'Extraordinary' System Failure. How Did it Happen?
Ciara Nugent
Time June 17, 2019
Millions of people in Argentina and Uruguay woke up Sunday morning without electrical power after what an Argentinian national energy supplier called “a massive failure of the grid.”
While sporadic, small-scale blackouts are not unheard of in that part of the world, the sheer scale of the outage was “unprecedented,” as Argentinian President Mauricio Macri said. The outage delayed local elections in some provinces of Argentina and disrupted daily life for millions.
It took several hours for authorities to begin restoring the power supply across the two countries. It’s still unclear exactly how the power outage happened, and why it caused such widespread disruption.
Here’s what we know so far about Argentina and Uruguay’s blackout.
How many people were affected?
44 million people live in Argentina and another 4 million in Uruguay. The outage affected all of both countries, apart from the Tierra del Fuego, a sparsely populated archipelago off the southern tip of mainland Argentina that has its own electrical system. The power supply in some towns in southern Paraguay and Brazil was also interrupted.
Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital, was particularly badly hit. Train and subway services were suspended while cars and buses crawled along unaided by signal lights. Thousands lost water access, because the city’s water system relies partly on electrical pumps. Elevators in apartment blocks stopped working, leaving elderly and less mobile people unable to move in and out of their homes.
90% of Argentina had power by Sunday night, the country’s state news agency reported, while Uruguay’s state energy utility said 98.5% of services had been restored.
Where did the power cut start and how did it take down the entire grid?
It’s not entirely clear what caused such a widespread loss of power. Argentina’s energy ministry claimed the outage had begun with “a failure in the transmission of electricity” from the Yacyretá Dam, a power plant on the Paraná River along the Argentina-Paraguay border. The binational body that runs the Yacyretá Dam denied that its power station had caused the problem, saying it was in normal working order.
Argentinian newspaper Clarín cited energy ministry sources as saying that recent coastal storms had damaged the power lines connecting Yacyretá with another hydroelectric power station, Salto Grande, around 300 miles south on the Argentina-Uruguay border. The failure in transmission triggered an “alteration in the frequency” and automatic safety responses kicked in at power stations across the country, the source added.
“These kind of faults happen regularly, both in Argentina and other countries,” Argentina’s energy secretary Gustavo Lopetegui said at a press conference Sunday. “What is unusual or extraordinary is the chain of events that happened next and led to the total disconnection.”
Lopetegui added that just milliseconds had passed from the “destabilization” of the grid to the power being cut, and that no human intervention had taken place. “These are protection systems that trigger a total switch-off. We need to know why it happened,” he said.
Early Monday, Lopetegui claimed there was “zero” chance of such a large-scale outage happening again. “This was extraordinary. It’s something very serious that shouldn’t have happened, that should not happen,” he said.
How did the fault affect two countries?
Argentina and Uruguay’s power systems are closely interlinked, allowing the neighbors to buy and sell energy from one another, balancing out surpluses and shortfalls.
“The system evaluates the relation between the generation of and demand for energy second by second. When the demand falls, the generation falls by the same degree,” Uruguay’s state-owned energy company said in an explanation posted to Twitter. “As soon as the massive fall occurred in Argentina, protections kicked in automatically in the Uruguayan system.”
The same thing happened in parts of Paraguay, Brazil and Chile, where the grid is also linked to the Argentine system.
Was it a cyberattack?
Authorities weren’t ruling out any possible causes of the failure in their investigation, but Lopetegui, the Argentine energy secretary, said a cyberattack was unlikely. “It’s not among the first set of options we’re considering,” he said.
The results of the investigation are expected to take 10-15 days, he added.
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Pompeo to take up immigration, Iran on Latin America tour
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Fire On Board U.S. Small Passenger Vessel Express Shuttle II
On the morning of October 17, 2004, a fire broke out in the engineroom of the U.S. small passenger vessel Express Shuttle II while it was entering the mouth of the Pithlachascotee River near Port Richey, Florida. The shuttle was returning from the Gulf of Mexico, where it had ferried 78 passengers to an offshore casino boat, and was on its way back to the marina operated by the vessel's owner, Paradise of Port Richey. Only the master and two deckhands were on board when the fire broke out. None of the crewmembers activated the vessel's fixed carbon dioxide fire suppression system. The crew attempted to fight the fire with portable extinguishers, but when the fire burned out of control, they prepared to abandon ship. A passing recreational
boat rescued all three crewmembers. The master and one of the deckhands transferred to another company boat that took them ashore. The recreational boat took the other deckhand to shore, and an ambulance transported him to a local hospital. The deckhand was treated for smoke inhalation, held overnight for observation, and then released. Firefighters from Port Richey and Pasco County fought the blaze, but the vessel, valued at $800,000, was a total constructive loss.
Contributing to the extent of the damage were the vessel's faulty fire detection system and the crew's failure to employ proper marine firefighting techniques.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the fire on board the Express Shuttle II was a fractured, improperly installed fuel injection line on the inboard side of the starboard engine that allowed diesel fuel to spray onto the engine and ignite. Contributing to the cause of the fire was the failure of Paradise of Port Richey to have a preventive maintenance program, which could have identified the company's ongoing problem with the vessel's fuel lines before a failed line led to the fire.
Accident Location: Port Richey , FL Pithlachascotee River
Accident Date: 10/17/2004
Accident ID: DCA05MM002
Date Adopted: 10/17/2004
NTSB Number: MAR-06-02
M-06-010
NTSB Determines Improperly Installed Fuel-Injection Line Caused Fire on a Small Passenger Vessel in Florida In 2004
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Lower Manhattan Station. Photo ©Miller Hare.
Aerial view of the Financial Centre. Photo ©Jock Pottle.
Financial Centre view. Photo ©Archimation.
Michael A. Lee-Chin Crystal, north east corner ground level view of ROM. Lenscape Incorporated ©2003. Photo courtesy of The ROM, all rights reserved.
Aerial view of the ROM. Lenscape Incorporated ©2003. Photo courtesy of The ROM, all rights reserved.
The Structures of Culture
Daniel Libeskind, the ROM, and the World Trade Centre.
Writer Therese Bissell
View Entire Article
Architects of a certain tier, even in the early, shell-shocked days after September 11, even as fumes and ashes and wreckage still blanketed the unspeakably violated New York City site, were thinking forward. Something would have to be built to replace that which had fallen; whatever it was, the virtually immediate consensus within the design community was that the remaking of Ground Zero would be nothing less than the “project of the century.” No matter that when the commission finally was awarded last February, the century had barely begun and the architecture required to shelter a suddenly different world was unknowable as never before.
Almost to a person, the design elite vied for the job of master planning the 16-acre World Trade Center site, a $10-billion reconstruction enterprise that promises to take upwards of two decades to complete. The prospect of replacing the twin towers has put New York City on the international architectural map, a position it had in recent years ceded to cities like Los Angeles (Richard Meier’s Getty Center) and Bilbao, Spain (Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum). Helping to shift focus away from the anguish of the precipitating event was the fact that Manhattan was now charged with erecting the world’s most symbolic building.
With a highly controversial scheme, architect Daniel Libeskind, the diminutive, scholarly outsider, beat out the considerable competition. At 57, the Polish-born architect is considered a young practitioner (Frank Lloyd Wright created some of his most important work in his 80s and 90s). He has multiple projects in various states of design and construction worldwide (among them the Royal Ontario Museum’s Renaissance ROM in Toronto). And yet it is a certainty that Ground Zero is the commission for which Libeskind will forever be most known, and most accountable.
The main feature of Libeskind’s World Trade Center design is the Freedom Tower, a soaring, stylized paean to the Statue of Liberty. Extending the salute to his adopted country (some say capitalizing on the kitsch of full-throttle patriotism), the tower’s height is 1,776 feet: the year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence from Britain being the signifying date in American history. If built at this elevation, the tower and spire would become the tallest skyscraper in the world.
Other elements of Libeskind’s plan are the Heroes Walk, which traces the route of the firemen as they marched toward their fate, and the Wedge of Light, a piazza shaped by the angles of the sun between 8:46 a.m., the moment the first plane hit the north tower, and 10:28 a.m., when the second tower fell, and which would render the site shadowless during that precise period every September 11.
Also planned are a Memorial Museum and a below-ground Memorial Garden, two cultural centres, retail establishments and a train station. Even before the winning scheme was selected, the public debate over each facet of each design was protracted and passionate, and interest in the project has only increased as design development gears up. Already, for instance, there’s a push to put the Memorial Garden at the more accessible street level, with Libeskind having signaled his willingness to modify this and other parts of the plan. Growing groups of victim families are protesting the layering of anything commercial atop what they view as sacred ground.
But what has prompted the most fevered civic debate is the architect’s intention to keep exposed the 552-foot-long, 70-foot-deep structural pit that barricades Lower Manhattan from the Hudson River to the west. Despite it being graphic proof that the attacks didn’t do all the damage they might have, the massive, fenced-off crater is considered an unnecessarily brutalistic scar on the otherwise altered urban landscape. The New York Times railed against its inclusion in the winning scheme (“astonishingly tasteless”), and Libeskind now concedes that this huge area he imagined as strikingly evocative has struck the wrong chord and must at least be made considerably shallower. He stands by his original idea, though, which was to contrast the light-filled tower with the dark bog at its opposite end. “It’s important to embrace the reality of the terrorist act, not bury it,” he explains. “You can’t say nothing happened there.”
Controversy, emotion and the give and take of modern politics are prime components of Libeskind’s architectural practice. Much of it (although in the works are a private atelier gallery in Mallorca, Spain; a department store in Dresden, Germany; the largest European shopping center outside Bern, Switzerland; the extension to the Denver Art Museum in Colorado) involves memorials and monuments. “I bring my experiences in very conscious ways to all the projects I’ve done,” he says. “My work isn’t immune to deeper things. My mind is occupied by a number of images: Churchill speaking of conflict as one of the dimensions of world stability, my own memory of breaking the glass on Stalin’s portrait when I was in the third grade during the Polish uprising of 1956, the unimaginable hole where the World Trade Center used to stand.
“An architect is not some private person, making his design and then saying, ‘Take it or leave it.’ An architect is a citizen first of all. It’s not just about making models: one has to navigate through all of the conflicting desires that make New York what it is, and then, like Odysseus, somehow get home to the original vision.”
Born in postwar Lodz, Poland, to Holocaust-survivor parents, Libeskind moved as an 11-year old to Israel before immigrating to the United States in 1959 (he obtained U.S. citizenship in 1965). He was a child prodigy in music, a virtuoso accordionist, who eventually took a postgraduate degree in the history and theory of architecture at Essex University in the U.K. Libeskind’s lookalike wife (same slight build, short-cropped gray hair, designer glasses, black wardrobe) and business partner, Nina, is a native Canadian he met at a summer camp for children of the Holocaust.
Libeskind the academic (at 32, he was appointed head of the school of architecture at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan) began his practice dealing in theorems and abstractions rather than actual commissions. Not even a “paper architect” (the somewhat derisive term applied to those whose best-known work is beautifully sketched but unrealized), his early renown was based on his metaphor-laden treatises and critiques, as well as a series of complex drawings referencing everything from art to music to science.
The Jewish Museum Berlin, begun in 1989 and completed more than a decade later (“through seven governments, six name changes, five senators of culture, four museum directors, three window companies, two sides of a wall, one unification and zero regret,” he notes), was Libeskind’s first built structure. A zinc-coated, labyrinthine structure of angled walls and voids, the Museum was designed to mark the silence and emptiness left by the Holocaust. “It was an unprecedented task,” says Libeskind. “A monument of shame, not honouring anyone; a monument not celebrating anything.”
Celebrating, however, the opposite face of human endeavour is Libeskind’s transformation of the Royal Ontario Museum’s Renaissance ROM in Toronto. Out of a field of 50 international firms considered for the project, Libeskind was selected over the other finalists, Andrea Bruno of Turino, Italy, and Bing Thom Architects of Vancouver, to transform Renaissance ROM’s fortress-like mien into a dynamic city presence.
Libeskind calls his design The Crystal, after the crystalline pieces in Renaissance ROM’s noted mineralogy galleries. Correspondingly, the structure will be composed of organically interlocking prismatic forms. The architect’s intent is to turn the entire museum complex into a “luminous beacon and showcase of people, events and objects.” A sculptural composition of architectural elements at the entrance is set to enhance the vitality of Bloor Street. Proceeding from there, Libeskind has designed a vast atrium where intertwining stairs lead to the exhibition spaces.
Renaissance ROM, the fifth largest museum in North America with an inventory of nearly five million objects, will be completed in two stages of construction through 2006. For this architect so personally steeped in the arts, it is a vital counterpoint to signature buildings emerging from loss and destruction (aside from the World Trade Center project, his Jewish Museums for Copenhagen, nearing completion, and San Francisco, awaiting funding, are garnering much attention). Libeskind sees architecture as the physical embodiment of the world, for good or bad. “Architecture is a movement beyond the material,” he concludes. “It is length, height and width, but also the depth of aspiration and memory. The living source of architecture is the very substance of the soul and constitutes the structure of culture itself.”
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BYRON: EAST LOSS STILL STINGS CELTS
By Dave Curtis
December 25, 2002 | 5:00am
NET NOTES
Byron Scott never hides his continued dislike of the Celtics franchise.
Yesterday, he hinted that the Celtics, the victims in his greatest victories and the foils in his toughest defeats, may still be smarting over May’s Eastern Conference finals loss.
“I think they’re still in a little bit of denial over what happened last year,” Scott said after yesterday morning’s practice. “The [NBA] couldn’t have picked a better opponent for us.”
After falling behind 2-1 in last season’s best-of-seven series, the Nets won three straight games, two in Boston, to advance to the NBA Finals.
The Celtics struck back five weeks ago, hitting 14 three-pointers in a 96-79 victory over New Jersey in the first of four meetings between the teams this year.
“We didn’t play well at all up there,” Scott said. “We had no energy. And we need to re-establish that [tonight], because we know that this team is one we will meet down the line.”
The Nets kept Boston stars Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker from blowing them out last month. But guards Shammond Williams and Tony Delk, both Celtic newcomers, dominated on the perimeter and scored 21 points apiece.
“Shammond Williams and Tony Delk had big games against us last times,” Jason Kidd said. “It shows they’ve gotten better this year with those guys.”
Lucious Harris made his 11th straight start Monday night and led the Nets with 20 points in a 99-83 win over Chicago. Harris credited his good night, and his recent strong play, to his home arena.
“I think we’re just real comfortable with our surroundings,” he said. “You get to be at home, and you sleep better in your own bed.”
Despite averaging 15.5 points per game since becoming a starter, Harris will likely head back to the bench when Kerry Kittles returns from injury.
Kittles dressed for practice again yesterday and did some shooting. He said his sprained left knee felt better but he gave no timetable for rejoining the lineup.
Kenyon Martin on New Jersey’s last Christmas Day appearance: “[Eighteen] years ago? See, I’m 25 years old, so I was what, seven, eight, then? I don’t remember anything I did when I was eight years old.”
BOBBY HAS OLD A LINE ON HIS MIND
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Tag Archives: Joseph Tomelty
Odd Man Out (Jan. 30, 1947)
Posted on March 16, 2011 by Adam Lounsbery
Odd Man Out (1947)
Directed by Carol Reed
Two Cities Films
Odd Man Out is a terrific film. It might not be — as the lobby card above boasts — “the most exciting motion picture ever made,” but it’s a damned good one, with masterful direction by Carol Reed and a hypnotic lead performance by James Mason.
The film, which is based on a novel by F.L. Green, opens with a disclaimer that it isn’t “concerned with the struggle between the law and an illegal organisation, but only with the conflict in the hearts of the people when they become unexpectedly involved.”
Mason plays a revolutionary leader named Johnny McQueen, fresh out of the clink and planning a big heist. The Irish Republican Army is never mentioned outright — McQueen’s group is simply called “the organisation” — but the film takes place in Belfast, so you can connect the dots, if you care to.
However you choose to interpret the obfuscation of the I.R.A. in Odd Man Out, there’s little denying that it’s an apolitical film, more concerned with one man’s existential journey than with making any kind of political statement.
In the first scene of the film, we see Johnny McQueen holed up in a safehouse, planning a payroll robbery of a textile mill with his boys. Also present is the woman who loves him, Kathleen Sullivan (played by Kathleen Ryan). Things look and sound all right until one of Johnny’s boys approaches him, and tells him he’s concerned about Johnny’s ability to handle the job. Johnny was in prison for several years for blowing up a police station. He’s only been on the lam a little while, and confined to the safehouse the whole time.
Johnny brushes off his lieutenant’s concerns, but as soon as the plan is in motion, we realize that Johnny might have been wrong to lead the robbery. In a subjective sequence, we see the busy streets of Belfast from Johnny’s point of view. Cars whiz past, streetcars with grinding wheels pass by close enough to touch, people hurry to and fro, and the whole smoky mess looks too cramped and too large at the same time.
If you’re a fan of realistic heist movies, the robbery scene in Odd Man Out will meet with your approval. It’s not overly complicated, and it’s accomplished quickly, but it’s full of tension, especially since Johnny seems about to crack at any moment.
He and his boys make it out with the money, but a mill guard tackles Johnny as he hesitates on the front steps of the factory. The two men wrestle, and each takes a bullet. The wounded Johnny falls off the running board of the getaway car, and his boys lose him in the confusion.
Odd Man Out is a tense film. It takes place over the course of the night following the mill robbery, and Reed and his cinematographer, Robert Krasker, box their subjects in. The members of “the organisation” are pursued by police on foot, through dark alleys, over rooftops, and even through middle-class homes. (Reed frequently juxtaposes the activities of the city’s regular citizens with the activities of its criminal underclass.)
James Mason has little dialogue in the film, but his performance is amazing. He feels guilt, remorse, confusion, anger, loneliness, and even suffers hallucinations as he loses blood and seems to always be marching toward death. His performance is sympathetic, but keeps the viewer at a distance. This isn’t a film noir about a regular Joe who’s caught up in circumstances beyond his control. Every move Johnny made in his life has led him to this point, and he knows it.
Aside from Mason, most of the actors in the film were regulars on the stage of the Abbey Theatre (which could be why none of their accents sound quite right — they’re all from the wrong end of the island). Fans of British cinema and television will recognize plenty of them.
Reed’s most famous film is The Third Man, which he made in 1949. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen The Third Man, but I thought Odd Man Out was a stronger picture. Mason is a more compelling central presence than any of the actors are in The Third Man, and the music, cinematography, editing, and direction are all tighter in Odd Man Out.
Odd Man Out is a difficult film to classify. It starts out as a straightforward crime picture, but by the end of the film, Johnny’s journey takes on a surreal quality. A scene late in the picture in which he’s sheltered by a mad painter (Robert Newton) has the quality of a lively Samuel Beckett play.
The film was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1947, and received the BAFTA award for Best British Film in 1948. Fergus McDonnell was nominated for an Academy Award in 1948 for best editing, but Francis Lyon and Robert Parrish ended up winning for Body and Soul.
Posted in 1947, January 1947 and tagged Ann Clery, Arthur Hambling, Beryl Measor, British Cinema, Carol Reed, Cyril Cusack, Dan O'Herlihy, Denis O'Dea, Drama, Eddie Byrne, Elwyn Brook-Jones, F.J. McCormick, F.L. Green, Fay Compton, Fergus McDonell, Film Noir, General Film Distributors, Herbert Smith, James Mason, Joseph Tomelty, Kathleen Ryan, Kitty Kirwan, Maura Milligan, Maureen Cusack, Maureen Delaney, Odd Man Out, Phil C. Samuel, R.C. Sherriff, Robert Beatty, Robert Krasker, Robert Newton, Roy Irving, Two Cities Films, W.G. Fay, William Alwyn, William Hartnell. Bookmark the permalink.
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Did Nick Jonas (FINALLY) Confirm His Engagement To Priyanka Chopra?
posted by Paris Close - Aug 9, 2018
Nick Jonas sorta, kinda confirmed that he is, indeed, planning his marriage to Quantico actress Priyanka Chopra. A certain eavesdropping eyewitness told Us Weekly that the famous crooner was heard modestly accepting well-wishes from fans on his (alleged) engagement.
Per insider reports to the publication, the "Chains" musician had spent much of his night parlaying with guests at the launch party for his brand-new JVxNJ fragrance in collaboration with menswear designer John Varvatos in New York City on Wednesday night (August 8).
Evidently, Jonas, who arrived noticeably solo at the gathering and without the company of his bride-to-be — presumably due to some business in Mumbai, Maharashtra (per the actress' most recent Instagram) this week — was approached by a fan wanting to personally congratulate the 25-year-old on popping the question to the 36-year-old actress, to which the artist humbly replied, "Thanks, man."
We know, we know! It's a simple gesture, yes, but — if Jonas did, in fact, utter these very words — it would (finally) be the missing confirmation we've been longing for.
As you know, Jonas and Priyanka reportedly became engaged sometime in July after only two months as a duo. Social media dalliances, globe-trotting adventures, matching gold wedding bands (!!) — seriously, how much longer must we wait before these lovebirds profess their courtship in public?
Only time will tell… and we'll be keeping watch for every minute of it!
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Mikoto Nakadai
Commandocon
Klawlox
Mighty Morphin, Locations, Power Rangers Base,
Command Center (Mighty Morphin)
This article is about a base in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo, and Power Rangers Turbo.
For the movie version of this base, see Command Center (movie).
Command Center/Power Chamber
The Command Center, and later, the Power Chamber, was the headquarters for the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the Zeo Rangers, and the Turbo Rangers. It also served as the home of Zordon and Alpha 5. It possessed highly sophisticated computers that were capable of incredible feats of science fictions, including teleportation, scanning and contacting other temporal dimensions, and identifying the names of new monsters mere seconds after they have been created.
Initially, the base was called the Command Center, and used in the first series. At the beginning of Power Rangers: Zeo, storylines and a new scene design led to the location being renamed the Power Chamber, though beyond superficial differences there was little to no change in the building's function. It appeared also, as the Command Center, in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, though it had been thoroughly redesigned. Only the external shot of the building remained consistent for all incarnations of the structure, though even that was tweaked in the two theatrical movies. The building still stands today in Burbank, California
Use of the location continued until 1997, and the culmination of Power Rangers: Turbo. The Brandeis-Bardin institute's House of the Book located in the Simi Valley, digitally placed among the Vasquez Rocks, was used as a filming location for the exterior. The interior was, of course, filmed on a set. The Brandeis-Bardin Institute has also been used as a location for several other TV series and films, such as Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, The Lawnmower Man, Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, and Jurassic Park, amongst others.
According to the series and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, Zordon had set up the building called the Command Center on Earth millennia ago, as an outpost to be used in his fight against evil. Zordon himself was trapped in a "plasma tube", appearing just as an ethereal head in a column of light, and the day-to-day maintenance of the facility fell to his robotic companion, Alpha 5.
The building was located in a mountainous region, nestled between the twin peaks of a mountain, in the area that would later be called California. It was located near to the fictional city of Angel Grove, the setting for much of the action in the first five years of the show's run. Its location was supposed to be a closely-guarded secret.
The Command center in Welcome to Venus Island
The Command Center was introduced in the pilot episode of the show, Day of the Dumpster. The five original teens were teleported to the Command Center by Zordon and Alpha 5 to receive their powers, becoming Power Rangers. The Command Center henceforth served as an "official" meeting point for the Rangers, and they would frequently gather there to learn about new threats before leaving to tackle them. Often they would "Look to the Viewing Globe", a large crystal ball-like object that could display pictures of events occurring in the city, most often of attacking monsters (actually Super Sentai footage not shown otherwise) Zordon and Alpha 5 used the Command Center to construct new weapons for the Rangers, as well fix the zords when they were damaged. The Center and the Zords were linked, with the destruction of the Thunder Megazord and White Tigerzord during the first confrontation with Rito Revolto triggering an explosive feedback that damaged the Command Center as well.
The inside of the Command Center resembled a large, low, circular podium, on which people could walk, with computer consoles arranged around its edge; one console had a rotating light within a pink-orange crystal that served as an alarm; it would go off whenever any evil activity surfaced. It also had a very distinctive descending wail (in Alpha's Magical Christmas, however, the wail ascended instead). On one side was Zordon's plasma tube, and the Viewing Globe was opposite. Beyond the ring of computers were no walls, but rather a blackness, dotted with lights, resembling the night sky. There were no obvious doors leading into or out of the main room (most travel to and from the Command Center was by teleportation), but occasionally computer-generated doors were added to access secret locations.
The Command Center could only be entered at will by those who possessed a power coin; as a result, while Zordon and Alpha could allow visitors such as Rocky, Aisha and Adam to enter the Center before they were Rangers, Lord Zedd had to explicitly ask for the shield to be lowered to let him in after he had captured Kimberly and Ninjor to issue his demands (Changing of the Zords), while Tommy was able to attack the Command Center directly after he first became the Green Ranger under Rita's influence. While the Center was linked to Zordon, with the building often being depicted as losing power when Zordon was completely cut off by external forces, it retained some power during the time when he was trapped in another dimension after the Green Ranger attacked the Center. When the other five Rangers were corrupted by the Hate Master, Billy was able to remotely cut off power to the Command Center that rendered it unable to contact Zordon or recharge, but Aisha- the only Ranger unaffected by the Hate Master's spell- was able to teleport back to Angel Grove by using Alpha as a temporary power source for the teleporter, leaving him to work on a means of freeing the other Rangers from Hate Master's influence, although he only acquired the power to do so once Aisha was able to talk her teammates partially back to normal so that she could turn off Billy's jammer (Stop the Hate Master).
In Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, the Command Center was featured with a brand new design. In this, the main room was a brightly-lit oval chamber with a large set of sliding double-doors at one end, opposite Zordon's energy tube (similarly redesigned). The computer terminals were still present, but spaced differently around the room, leaving space for coloured glass columns of indiscernible purpose. The Viewing Globe was still present, located to one side. More info is listed on the Command Center (movie) page.
In the Series 2 episode "Wild West Rangers", the exterior of the Command Center was slightly altered, with the side of the building resembling the Wild West-era style.
Power Chamber
Main article: Power Chamber
In 1996, two evil villains, Rito Revolto and Goldar attempt to blow up the Command Center by placing a bomb outside. Master Vile predicted blowing up the Command Center would start a chain reaction which would disintegrate the "Morphin Grid" forever, robbing any Ranger teams from Morphing in traditional methods. This plan was foiled by Alpha 5, who defused the bomb. However, Lord Zedd succeeded, via a time paradox, to destroy the Rangers' Power Coins. Needing a new power source, the Rangers went through time to reassemble the Zeo Crystal.Water You Thinking? to Hogday Afternoon, Part II
A short time later, Rito and Goldar were able to teleport into the Command Center from a forgotten series of passageways running underneath the facility. The villains were able to plant an implosion device, take the Zeo Crystal, and leave. The Rangers teleported out to safety, but their mentor Zordon and companion Alpha 5 seemed destroyed in the blast.Hogday Afternoon, Part II
Wandering up to the ruins of the Command Center, the Rangers discover the Zeo Crystal. It created a hole in the ground which swallowed up the Rangers and took them to the hidden passages. Following the noise of Alpha's voice, the Rangers were lead to a vortex. Meanwhile above ground, the exterior of the Command Center rebuilds itself. Walking through the vortex, the Rangers return to their base of operations, but this is a more futuristic version, the second generation of strategic command outposts. Zordon, still very much alive, announces the facility is known as the Power Chamber.A Zeo Beginning
Alpha 5 is shown coming out of one door of the Power Chamber (his bedroom, apparently) wearing pajamas and a nightcap while holding his teddy bear, suggesting there are quite a few rooms in the Chamber.Inner Spirit
The Power Chamber has an unusual shape. It is almost circular, but the back wall curves inwards. At the front of the Chamber was a plasma tube where Zordon, and later Dimitria, could communicate through. In front of Zordon was a computer bank, and another one to one side. Also in the Chamber were two double doors at each side, a bio-bed, a viewing globe built into the wall, and two displays on the wall. One of these was a map of Earth, another a diagram of the Chamber. A rotating alarm (with the same wail as the old Command Center alarm) is above the displays on the wall next to Zordon's tube. Along the back wall were several glass display cases, each containing the Mighty Morphin suits, and the center case containing their Power Weapons. There is also a rotating alarm panel above the center case display.
Scene Change
The Power Chamber redesigned as shown in Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie
A new Power Chamber set was introduced for Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, and was also used in the Power Rangers: Turbo series. This was a significant change from the original Power Chamber set as seen in episodes of Power Rangers: Zeo. Among other things, the tubes along the back wall containing the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers suits were changed to colored tubes of light. The rotating alarm was changed to a trapezoid shape. No explanation was made in the movie or the television show for the significant change to the set.
Off to one side of this Chamber through one of the double doors was access to the Hidden Chamber. This resembled the design of the old Command Center without the console ring, with the columns of light to one side of a plasma tube for Zordon, and other columns of lights and a tube for Dimitria. In this Chamber, Tommy, Kat, Tanya and Adam transferred their powers to TJ, Cassie, Ashley and Carlos respectively.Passing the Torch
Notable events
King Mondo apparently knew of the location of the Power Chamber, although later Divatox did not. King Mondo activated a nuclear non-reflective protective shield around the Chamber so that the Gold Ranger, who was teleporting to the Chamber at the time, would smash into the field mid-transit and be destroyed. The Gold Ranger had to be redirected until Billy could find a way to lower the shield.
When the Earth's temperature was rising rapidly by Mondo's Defoliator monster, there was a danger that the Chamber's heat shield would fail.
The Power Chamber momentarily lost power when Main Drain was draining power around Angel Grove to energise himself.
When Earth became frozen in time, there were no ill-effects inside the Chamber. When Angel Grove began vanishing, the Rangers teleported to the Power Chamber, to find it not there. In actuality, the Power Chamber had been transported to a hidden dimension where it could not been seen by the Rangers.
At the end of Turbo, Rygog and Elgar found the Power Chamber by tracking the Rangers' teleportation beams. Having discovered its location, and having defeated both of the Rangers' Megazords, Divatox's forces attacked the Power Chamber en masse. Hordes of Piranhatrons raced up to the Chamber, having teleported into the area undetected. The Rangers tried to hold them away from the Chamber, but were forced back inside.
Once there, the Piranhatrons used a battering ram to break open the main doors, while others scaled the walls and smashed in through the roof. Though the Rangers and Alpha 6 fought bravely, they were overwhelmed by the Piranhatrons, and Elgar managed to destroy Zordon and Dimitria's plasma tube to ensure that they wouldn't be able to come back before he planted explosive charges. When the charges were detonated, the building was completely destroyed by the explosion, leaving only a pile of rock and rubble. Before Divatox could claim victory and find the Rangers among the rubble, she was recalled to the Cimmerian Planet by Dark Specter, prompting the Rangers to pursue her into space and abandon the former Command Center location forever. Most people tend to think the destruction of the Power Chamber led to the Turbo Powers dissipating. But as you can see in that episode, the Rangers didn't demorph until long after the PC exploded. They actually lost their powers just after Eltar, which was stated by Justin to be the true source of the Turbo Energies, fell to Dark Specter's forces.Chase Into Space
Since the explosion it's currently unknown what became of the rubble surrounding the Command Center or the objects stored there, such as the Sword of Light and the Sword of Power.
It was also suggested that the Zeo Crystal was also stored in the Power Chamber following the Rangers change into their Turbo Powers but its whereabouts are currently unknown.
Footage of the explosion that destroyed the Power Chamber was recycled from the destruction of the Command Center at the end of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
The Brandeis-Bardin Campus retreat building
In reality, the Command Center exterior is the Brandeis-Bardin Campus retreat building of the American Jewish University. The site itself is heavily landscaped so for photography of the Command Center the building was visually cropped along side the Vasquez Rocks formation in the Sierra Pelona Mountains to add a desolate looking mountainous terrain.
Sakura Mansion - Super Sentai counterpart in Zyuranger. See comparison page.
Nekomaru - Super Sentai counterpart in Kakuranger. See comparison page.
Pegasus Corporation - Super Sentai counterpart in Carranger. See comparison page.
Command Center (Megaforce)
Retrieved from "https://powerrangers.fandom.com/wiki/Command_Center_(Mighty_Morphin)?oldid=802270"
Power Rangers Base
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Home » Basic Physics Tutorials » Boyle’s law, Charles’s law, Gay-Lussac’s law
Boyle’s law, Charles’s law, Gay-Lussac’s law
Boyle’s law
Robert Boyle (1627-1691) conducted experiments to investigate the quantitative relationship between gas pressure and volume. This experiment is carried out by inserting a certain amount of gas into a closed container. Until a pretty good approach, he found that if the gas temperature was kept constant, then when the gas pressure increased, the gas volume was reduced. Likewise, when the gas pressure decreases, the gas volume increases. Gas pressure is inversely proportional to gas volume. This relationship is known as Boyle’s Law. Mathematically:
Boyle’s law can also be written:
P V = constant → equation 1
P1 V1 = P2 V2 → equation 2
The meaning of equation 1 is at a constant temperature (T) if the pressure (P) of the gas changes then the volume (V) of the gas also changes so that the results of the multiplication between pressure and volume are always constant. If the gas pressure increases, the gas volume decreases or vice versa if the gas pressure decreases, the gas volume increases, so the multiplication between pressure and volume is always constant.
The graph that states the relationship between volume and pressure looks like in the picture below. Based on the results of the experiment, Robert Boyle found that the volume of gas changes irregularly so that the lines in the graph appear curved. The pressure depicted on the graph is absolute pressure.
Read : Plane mirror
One hundred years after Robert Boyle discovered the relationship between volume and pressure, a French scientist named Jacques Charles (1746-1823) investigated the relationship between temperature and gas volume. Based on the results of the experiment, he found that when the gas pressure is always constant, then when the gas temperature increases, the gas volume also increases. Conversely, when the gas temperature decreases, the gas volume also decreases.
Changes in gas volume due to changes in temperature occur regularly so that the lines on this graph appear straight. If the lines on the graph are depicted until the temperature is lower, then the line will cut the axis around -273 oC.
Based on many experiments that have been conducted, it was found that although the magnitude of the change in volume of each gas varies, when the lines on the V-T chart are drawn to a lower temperature, the line always cuts the axis around -273 oC. We can say that if the gas is cooled to -273 oC then the volume of gas = 0. If the gas is cooled again until the temperature is below -273 oC then the gas volume will be negative, something that is impossible.
So -273 oC is the lowest temperature that can be achieved. Because the line intersects the axis around -273 oC according to the agreement, it is determined that the lowest temperature that can be achieved is -273.15 oC. -273.15 oC is called the absolute zero temperature and is used as an absolute scale reference, aka the Kelvin scale. Kelvin is the name of Lord Kelvin (1824-1907), British physicist. On this scale, the temperature is expressed in Kelvin (K), not the Kelvin (oK) degree. The distance between degrees is the same as in the centigrade scale. 0 K = -273.15 oC and 273.15 K = 0 oC.
The temperature in the Celsius scale can be converted to a Kelvin scale by adding 273.15, the temperature on the Kelvin scale can be converted to a Celsius scale by reducing 273.15. Mathematically:
T (K) = T (oC) + 273.15
T (oC) = T (K) – 273.15
T = Temperature
K = Kelvin
C = Celsius
If the temperature is expressed on a Kelvin scale, the chart above will look like the picture below.
Based on this graph it can be concluded that at a fixed pressure, the volume of gas is always directly proportional to the absolute temperature of the gas. If the absolute temperature of the gas increases, the gas volume also increases, on the contrary, if the absolute temperature of the gas decreases, the gas volume also decreases. This relationship is known as Charles’s law. Mathematically :
Volume α Temperature → Constant pressure
V α T → P constant
The meaning of equation 1 is at constant pressure (P) if the absolute temperature (T) changes then the volume (V) of the gas also turns so that the ratio between absolute temperature and volume is always constant. If the absolute temperature of the gas increases, the volume of gas also increases or vice versa if the absolute temperature of the gas decreases, the volume of the gas also decreases, so the ratio between temperature and volume is always constant. The absolute temperature of the gas is the temperature of the gas which is stated on the Kelvin scale. If the temperature is still in the Celsius scale, then change it first to the Kelvin scale.
Read : Evaporation
Gay-Lussac’s law
Joseph Gay-Lussac (1778-1850) experimented and found that if the gas volume is set constant, when gas pressure increases, the absolute temperature of the gas increases. Likewise, when the gas pressure decreases, the absolute temperature of the gas decreases. At constant volume, the gas pressure is directly proportional to the absolute temperature of the gas. This relationship is called Gay-Lussac Law. Mathematically:
Pressure α Temperature → Constant volume
P α T → V is constant
The meaning of equation 1 is that at constant volume (V) if the pressure (P) of the gas changes, the absolute temperature (T) of the gas also changes so that the ratio between the pressure and absolute temperature is constant. In other words, if the gas pressure increases, the absolute temperature of the gas also increases or vice versa if the gas pressure decreases, the absolute temperature of the gas also decreases, so that the ratio between pressure and temperature is always constant.
The absolute temperature of the gas is the temperature of the gas which is stated on the Kelvin scale. If the temperature is still in the Celsius scale, then change it first to the Kelvin scale.
Please note that Boyle’s law, Charles’s law, and Gay-Lussac’s law provide accurate results when the pressure and density of the gas are not too significant. Also, the three laws also apply only to the gas whose temperature is not near the boiling point.
Based on this fact, it can be concluded that Boyle’s law, Charles’s law, and Gay-Lussac’s law cannot be applied to all gas conditions. Because it cannot refer to all real gas conditions, we need the Ideal Gas concept. This ideal gas does not exist in everyday life. The ideal gas is just an ideal model, similar to the ideal rigid and fluid concept. So we assume the three gas laws above apply in all ideal gas conditions.
In solving gas law problems, the temperature must be stated on a Kelvin scale. If the gas pressure is still in the form of measuring pressure, change it first to absolute pressure. Absolute pressure = atmospheric pressure + measuring pressure
Read : Definition of temperature and thermal equilibrium
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Giuliani: Obama 'Doesn't Love America'
By The Tatler 2015-02-19T07:23:59
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani took a swipe at President Obama while speaking at a private dinner featuring Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
Politico describes:
The former New York mayor, speaking in front of the 2016 Republican presidential contender and about 60 right-leaning business executives and conservative media types, directly challenged Obama’s patriotism, discussing what he called weak foreign policy decisions and questionable public remarks when confronting terrorists.
“I do not believe, and I know this is a horrible thing to say, but I do not believe that the president loves America,” Giuliani said during the dinner at the 21 Club, a former Prohibition-era speakeasy in midtown Manhattan. “He doesn’t love you. And he doesn’t love me. He wasn’t brought up the way you were brought up and I was brought up through love of this country.”
Giuliani went on to say “with all our flaws we’re the most exceptional country in the world. I’m looking for a presidential candidate who can express that, do that and carry it out.”
“And if it’s you, Scott, I’ll endorse you,” he added. “And if it’s somebody else, I’ll support somebody else.”
Walker's aides said all of Giuliani's remarks were off the record.
https://pjmedia.com/blog/giuliani-obama-doesnt-love-america/
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Quaternary Science Reviews caters for all aspects of Quaternary science, and includes, for example, geology, geomorphology, geography, archaeology, soil science, palaeobotany, palaeontology, palaeoclimatology and the full range of applicable dating methods. The dividing line between what constitutes the review paper and one which contains new original data is not easy to establish, so QSR also publishes papers with new data especially if these perform a review function. All the Quaternary sciences are changing rapidly and subject to re-evaluation as the pace of discovery quickens; thus the eclectic and comprehensive role of Quaternary Science Reviews keeps readers abreast of the wider issues relating to new developments in the field. Quaternary Science Reviews includes Special Issues on topical subjects arising from recent scientific meetings, in response to significant chances in Quaternary subject matter, or to acknowledge the achievements of some outstanding Quaternary Scientist.
http://www.journals.elsevier.com/quaternary-science-reviews/
Some content from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA
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The simple story says that during the last ice age, temperatures were colder and ice sheets expanded around the planet. That may hold true for most of Europe and North America, but new research from the University of Washington ...
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Tag Archives: equitable
Turnbull’s government must accept responsibility for delivering an equitable NBN for all Australians
Posted on October 25, 2017 by particularkev
NBN delivery is variable across different states, but also within the same local council areas.
from www.shutterstock.com
Tooran Alizadeh, University of Sydney
On Monday night Four Corners asked Australia to consider “What’s wrong with the NBN?”.
Prior to the episode airing, a lot of the debate focused on the NBN’s business model, and that it may not be profitable.
I, however, am not sure if the financial returns need be our biggest concern when referring to public service and critical infrastructure. My answer to the question “what’s wrong with the NBN?” is quite simple: the NBN is inequitable.
Read more: The NBN: how a national infrastructure dream fell short
A “train wreck”
This week started with a fiery speech delivered by the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull. He said the NBN was a mistake, blamed the former Labor government for the set up, and described the NBN’s business model as a “calamitous train wreck”.
Turnbull’s remarks triggered a number of responses, including one from former Labor Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. He attached responsibility of NBN’s failure to the current government, as they “changed the model completely” compared to the original design.
More broadly, the Four Corners program itself created mixed reactions on social media. It was criticised for being “weak”, and not “challenging enough”, but also praised as “exceptional”.
I find it incredibly frustrating to see a national critical infrastructure project diminished to political ping pong. In my opinion, bipartisan commitment is required in order to deliver an equitable NBN for all Australians.
Inequity from the start
Introduced by Labor, the original NBN was announced in April 2009. The plan was to provide terrestrial fibre network coverage for 93% of Australian premises by the end of 2020, with the remaining 7% served by fixed wireless and satellite coverage. In other words, Labor’s NBN was mainly equitable in terms of the advanced technology adopted across the board.
Read more: Three charts on: the NBN and Australia’s digital divide
However, research on the early NBN rollout pointed out the issue of timing. Even under the most optimistic estimations, it was going to take over a decade to build the nation-wide infrastructure. So, there were always questions about who was going to get the infrastructure first, and who had to wait over a decade for a similar service.
The results of the 2013 Federal election changed the fate of the NBN. The elected Coalition government decided the NBN rollout should transition from a primarily fibre-to-premises model to a mixed-technology model.
Various/The Conversation, CC BY-ND
FTTP = fibre to the premises; FTTN/FFTB = fibre to the node/basement;
HFC = Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial
This added to the complexity of the NBN, and created new layers in the inequality concerns around the NBN. In the Coalition’s NBN, many could be waiting quite some years and yet still only receive a lower quality level of access to the service.
Inequity in 2017
Now we’re past the halfway point of NBN delivery, and inequality of the service is clear at two levels.
Recent research shows there is a clear digital divide between urban versus regional Australia in terms of access to the NBN. Regional Australia is missing out, both in terms of pace and quality of delivery in the mixed-technology model. This pretty much means that WA and NT are the worst off parts of the nation, because of the spread and dominance of regional and remote communities within them.
“Fine grain” scale
As described on Four Corners, mixed-technology NBN within local government areas and neighbourhoods means some people are better off than others.
Some receive fibre-to-premises service while others have fibre-to-node. The quality of the service also depends on how far someone lives and works from a node, which basically suggests even people on the same fibre-to-nodes service could have varied level of (dis)satisfaction with their internet and phone services.
Research published in 2015 captured some of the frustrations on the ground at the local government level. Differing qualities of internet services available were perceived to have direct implications for local economic development, productivity, and sense of community at the local level.
The two layers of NBN inequality mean that while some customers may be happy with their NBN, many experience a frustrating downgrade of service after moving to the NBN. This may help explain the increase in the number of NBN complaints across the nation.
Read more: Lack of internet affordability may worsen Australia’s digital divide
Let’s start moving forwards
Politicising the NBN and blaming one party over another has been part of the national misfortune around the NBN. But, I believe, the inequality of the NBN is part of a bigger trend in infrastructure decision making in Australia that fails to fully account for the socioeconomic implications. Other examples of this trend are seen in major (controversial) transport projects around the nation (e.g. East West Link in Melbourne, WestConnex in Sydney).
Current and future Australian governments must accept responsibility, and find a way forward for the NBN that is built on the notion of equitable service.
We can start with questions such as who needs the service the most, and who can do the most with it. These two questions refer to the social inclusion and productivity implications of the NBN.
The NBN, as a publicly funded national infrastructure project, has to be equitable to be a truly nation building platform. As long as it is failing some, it is failing us all as a nation.
Tooran Alizadeh, Senior Lecturer, Director of Urban Design, University of Sydney
Posted in ALP, Australia, Internet, Liberal Party, Malcolm Turnbull, National Party, news, Politics | Tagged accept, ALP, article, Australia, Australians, Coalition, delivering, equitable, Four Corners, Internet, Labor Party, Liberal Party, Malcolm Turnbull, National Broadband Network, National Party, NBN, news, Politics, responsibility | Leave a comment
Vietnam stepping up religious rights abuses, experts say
Government-perpetrated violence against a Catholic village in Vietnam has highlighted a series of human rights abuses in the communist nation, and three U.S. congressmen are calling on the United Nations to intervene, reports Baptist Press.
"A few months ago during a religious funeral procession, Vietnamese authorities and riot police disrupted that sad and solemn occasion, shooting tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd, beating mourners with batons and electric rods," Rep. Chris Smith, R.-N.J., said at a hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in August.
"More than 100 were injured, dozens were arrested and several remain in custody and have reportedly been severely beaten and tortured. At least two innocent people have been murdered by the Vietnamese police," Smith said.
The Con Dau tragedy, Smith said, "is unfortunately not an isolated incident." Property disputes between the government and the Catholic church continue to lead to harassment, property destruction and violence, Smith said, referring to a report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
"In recent years, the Vietnamese government has stepped up its persecution of Catholic believers, bulldozing churches, dismantling crucifixes and wreaking havoc on peaceful prayer vigils," Smith said.
Persecution is not limited to Catholics, though, as Smith had a list of nearly 300 Montagnard political and religious prisoners. In January, the Vietnamese government sentenced two Montagnard Christians to 9 and 12 years imprisonment for organizing a house church, and others have been arrested in connection with house churches, Smith said.
"The arrests were accompanied by beatings and torture by electroshock devices," the congressman said. "We must not forget the sufferings of Khmer Krom Buddhists, Cao Dai, Hoa Hao, the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and others. The said reality is that the Vietnamese government persecutes any religious group that does not submit to government control."
The violence in the 80-year-old Catholic village of Con Dau in central Vietnam reportedly stemmed from a government directive for residents to abandon the village to make way for the construction of a resort.
International Christian Concern, a Washington-based watchdog group, reported that when Con Dau residents refused to leave, water irrigation was shut off to their rice fields, stopping the main source of income and food.
In May, police attacked the funeral procession, beating more than 60 people, including a pregnant woman who was struck in the stomach until she had a miscarriage, ICC said.
One of the funeral procession leaders later was confronted by police in his home, where they beat him for about four hours and then released him. He died the next day, ICC said. Eight people remain in police custody and are awaiting trial.
"The people of Con Dau are living in desperate fear and confusion," Thang Nguyen, executive director of an organization representing Con Dau victims, told ICC. "Hundreds of residents have been fined, and many have escaped to Thailand."
Smith, along with Rep. Joseph Cao, R.-La., and Frank Wolf, R.-Va., introduced a House resolution in July calling for the United Nations to appoint a special investigator to probe "ongoing and serious human rights violations in Vietnam." In August, the Lantos Commission met in emergency session to address the "brutal murders and systematic treatment of Catholics in Con Dau."
"The Vietnamese government justifies this violence, torture and murder because the villagers of Con Dau had previously been ordered, some through coercion, to leave their village, property, church, century-old cemetery, their religious heritage, and to forgo equitable compensation in order to make way for a new ‘green’ resort," Smith said at the hearing. "Nothing, however, not even governmental orders, grant license for government-sanctioned murder and other human rights abuses."
The U.S. Department of State declined to testify before the Lantos Commission, and the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam characterized the Con Dau incident as a land dispute and refused to get involved.
Logan Maurer, a spokesman for International Christian Concern, told Baptist Press he has publicized about 10 different incidents of persecution in Vietnam during the past few months.
"In some cases, especially in Southeast Asia, religious persecution becomes a gray area. We also work extensively in Burma, where often there are mixed motives for why a particular village is attacked," Maurer said. "Is it because they’re Christian? Well, partially. Is it because they’re an ethnic minority? Partially.
"So I think the same thing happens in Vietnam where you have a whole village that’s Catholic. One hundred percent of it was Catholic," he said of Con Dau.
Maurer explained that local government officials in Vietnam generally align Christianity with the western world and democracy, which is still seen as an enemy in Vietnam on a local level.
"As far as the official government Vietnamese position, that’s different, but local government officials do not take kindly to Christians and never have. We have documented many cases of government officials saying Christianity is the enemy. So here it’s mixed motives as best we can figure out," Maurer said.
"They wanted to build a resort there, and they could have picked a different village but they chose the one on purpose that was Catholic because it represents multiple minorities — minority religion, minority also in terms of people that can’t fight back. If they go seek government help, the government is not going to help them."
A Christian volunteer who has visited Vietnam five times in the past decade told Baptist Press the Con Dau incident illustrates the way the Vietnamese government responds to any kind of dissent.
"In our country, and in modern democracies, there are methods for resolving disputes with the government, taking them to court, trying to work through the mediation process," the volunteer, who did not want to be identified, said. "In Vietnam there is no such thing. It is the government’s will or there will be violence."
Vietnam’s constitution includes a provision for religious liberty, but the volunteer said that only goes as far as the communal will of the people, which is monopolized by the Communist Party.
"So when the Communist Party says you can’t build a church there or you can’t worship this way, those who say, ‘Well, I have religious freedom,’ are essentially trumped by the constitution that says it’s the will of the people, not individual liberty that’s important," the volunteer said.
The government in Vietnam has made efforts during the past 15 years to open up the country to economic development, and with that has come an influx of some western values and a lot of Christians doing work there, the volunteer said.
"I would first caution Christians to still be careful when they’re there working," he said, adding that government officials closely watch Christians who visit from other countries, and books about Jesus cause trouble.
Secondly, the volunteer warned that all news emerging from Vietnam must be tested for accuracy on both sides because both those who are persecuting and those who are sounding the alarm on persecution have their own political goals.
"That being said, I don’t doubt that this happened," the volunteer said regarding Con Dau.
International Christian Concern urges Americans to contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington at 202-861-0737, and the Christian volunteer said people can contact the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to encourage changes in Vietnam.
"They can also directly e-mail the ambassador and the consular general in Ho Chi Minh City and encourage them to push for more reform," he said. "And they can contact companies that are having products made in Vietnam and encourage the business leaders to speak out for change in those countries. You go to JC Penney today in the men’s department and pick up almost anything, it’s made in Vietnam. That’s the kind of pressure they could put on them."
Posted in Buddhism, Cambodia, Christianity, Communism, Myanmar, Roman Catholicism, Thailand, United Nations, USA, Vietnam | Tagged abandon, abuses, accompanied, accuracy, address, alarm, align, ambassador, Americans, appoint, area, arrested, arrests, Asia, authorities, awaiting, batons, beaten, beating, believers, Books, brutal, Buddhism, Buddhist, Buddhists, build, bulldozing, bullets, Burma, business, calling, Cao Dai, careful, cause, caution, cemetery, central, changes, characterized, chose, Chris Smith, Christian, Christianity, Christians, church, churches, closely, coercion, communal, Communism, communist, communist party, communists, companies, compensation, Con Dau, confronted, confusion, congressmen, connection, constitution, construction, consular general, continue, control, countries, country, court, crowd, crucifixes, custody, declined, democracies, democracy, department, desperate, destruction, development, devices, died, different, directive, directly, dismantling, dispute, disputes, disrupted, dissent, documented, economic, efforts, electric, electroshock, Email, emergency, emerging, encourage, enemy, equitable, escaped, ethnic, executive director, experts, extensively, fear, fields, fight, fined, food, forget, Frank Wolf, funeral, goals, government, grant, gray, Green, group, happens, harassment, havoc, hearing, help, heritage, highlighted, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoa Hao, home, house, house church, human rights, ICC, identified, illustrates, important, imprisonment, incident, includes, income, individual, influx, injured, innocent, International Christian Concern, intervene, introduced, involved, irrigation, isolated, JC Penney, Jesus, Joseph Cao, justifies, Khmer Krom Buddhists, kind, kindly, land, lead, leaders, leave, level, liberty, license, limited, living, local, Lorgan Maurer, made, main, mediation, men's, met, methods, minorities, minority, miscarriage, mixed, modern, monopolized, Montagnard, motives, mourners, multiple, murdered, murders, Myanmar, nation, new, news, occasion, off, officials, ongoing, open, organization, organizing, out, Particular, peaceful, people, perpetrated, persecutes, Persecution, picked, police, political, position, prayer, pregnant, pressure, prisoners, probe, process, procession, products, property, provision, purpose, push, reform, refused, released, religious, religious freedom, remain, Rep., representing, represents, residents, resolution, resolving, resort, responds, rice, rights, riot, rods, Roman Catholic, Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholics, rubber, sad, sanctioned, sentenced, series, serious, session, severely, shooting, shut, solemn, sounding, source, southeast, speak, special investigator, stemmed, stepping, stomach, stopping, struck, submit, sufferings, systematic, tear gas, tested, testify, Thailand, Thang Nguyen, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, torture, tortured, tragedy, treatment, trial, trouble, trumped, U. S. Commission on international Religious Freedom, UN, Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, United Nations, urges, USA, values, victims, Vietnam, Vietnamese, Vietnamese Embassy, vigils, village, violations, violence, visited, volunteer, warned, Washington, Washington-based, watch, watchdog, water, western, whole, will, woman, work, working, world, wreaking | Leave a comment
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Tag Archives: instills
More than Half in Turkey Oppose Non-Muslim Religious Meetings
Posted on December 5, 2009 by particularkev
Survey finds nearly 40 percent of population has negative view of Christians.
ISTANBUL, December 4 (CDN) — More than half of the population of Muslim-majority Turkey opposes members of other religions holding meetings or publishing materials to explain their faith, according to a recently issued survey.
Fully 59 percent of those surveyed said non-Muslims either “should not” or “absolutely should not” be allowed to hold open meetings where they can discuss their ideas. Fifty-four percent said non-Muslims either “should not” or “absolutely should not” be allowed to publish literature that describes their faith.
The survey also found that almost 40 percent of the population of Turkey said they had “very negative” or “negative” views of Christians. In the random survey, 60 percent of those polled said there is one true religion; over 90 percent of the population of Turkey is Sunni Muslim.
Ali Çarkoglu, one of two professors at Sabanci University who conducted the study, said no non-Muslim religious gathering in Turkey is completely “risk free.”
“Even in Istanbul, it can’t be easy to be an observant non-Muslim,” Çarkoglu said.
The report, issued last month, was part of a study commissioned by the International Social Survey Program, a 45-nation academic group that conducts polls and research about social and political issues. The survey quantified how religious the population is in each of its 43-member countries.
Çarkoglu, along with Professor Ersin Kalaycıoğlu, carried out the research in 2008. The completed study with the results of all 43 countries will be released in 2010. The study has been conducted previously three times at roughly 10-year intervals.
This year marked the first time study data has been collected in Turkey. Turkey was the only Muslim-majority population in the study.
The survey includes significant nuance. While 42 percent of the population agreed with the statement that religious people should be tolerant, 49 percent of those surveyed said they would either “absolutely” or “most likely” not support a political party that accepted people from another religion. But 20 percent of those surveyed said they had “very positive” or “positive” views of Christians – 13 percent “very positive,” and 7 percent “positive.”
Çarkoglu said the results of study could be attributed to the Turkish educational system, which mandates religious studies for both junior high school and high school students – classes in which Christians and Jews “are not even mentioned” or are portrayed as “the others,” Çarkoglu said.
“That instills in these students a severe point of view of intolerance,” he added.
Dual Threat
The Rev. Dositheos Anagnostopoulos, speaking on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, said that Greek Orthodox Christians are treated like second-class citizens in Turkey. He said that members of his church feel “pressured” but things have improved slowly over the years. Earlier this year, two Greek Orthodox cemeteries in Istanbul and one in Izmir were severely vandalized.
“There’s still vandalism, but there haven’t been any problems with physical threats lately,” he said.
In Turkey, Christians face dual threats from a self-declared “secular” state and from members of the public who, according to the study, have become more observant in their Islamic faith. Christians are often seen as enemies of the state, enemies of Islam or traitors to Turkish culture.
A 2009 report on international religious freedom by the U.S. Department of State said that in Turkey, “No law explicitly prohibits religious speech or religious conversions; nevertheless, many prosecutors and police regarded religious speech and religious activism with suspicion. Christians engaged in religious advocacy were occasionally threatened or pressured by government and state officials. … Threats against non-Muslims created an atmosphere of pressure and diminished freedom for some non-Muslim communities.”
At times in Turkey’s history, the government has “manipulated public opinion” by putting forth the message that Turkish Christians are aligned with powers outside of the country that want to divide the nation, said Zekai Tanyar, a Turkish national who has been a Christian for more than 30 years. He is chairman of the Association of Protestant Churches (in Turkey).
“There are some who view that Christians are out to undermine the country, especially missionaries,” he said.
In January 2007, Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of the Armenian weekly Agos, was shot dead in Istanbul. Dink was a member of the Armenian Christian community in Turkey. Three months later, two Turkish Christians and a German Christian were murdered in Malatya. The accused killers in all four slayings have alleged links to Turkish nationalists. Two other Christians, converts from Islam, are standing trial charged with, among other things, “insulting Turkishness” and inciting hatred against Islam.
According to the U.S state department report, by law religious services in Turkey can only take place at worship sites approved by the government. And while the Sunni majority receives generous support from the government for its mosques, “[Non-Muslim groups] reported difficulties opening, maintaining, and operating houses of worship.”
Tanyar of the Protestant association said that the anti-Christian persecution situation in Turkey has improved in some ways but gotten worse in others.
“People have gotten used to the idea that we exist, and certain laws have changed to accommodate us,” he said. “On the other hand, acts of disinformation and violence have increased.”
Posted in Armenia, Christianity, Germany, Islam, Orthodox, Turkey, USA | Tagged 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, Academic, accepted, accommodate, accused, activism, Acts, advocacy, Agos, agreed, Ali Carkoglu, aligned, alleged, allowed, anti-Christian, approved, Armenian, association, Association of Protestant Churches, atmosphere, attributed, behalf, carried, cemeteries, certain, chairman, charged, Christian, Christianity, Christians, citizens, classes, collected, commissioned, communities, community, completed, completely, conducted, conversions, converts, countries, country, created, culture, data, dead, difficulties, diminished, discuss, disinformation, divide, Dositheos Anagnostopoulos, dual, easy, Ecumenical Patriarchate, editor-in-chief, educational, enemies, engaged, Ersin Kalaycioglu, exist, explain, explicitly, faith, feel, finds, free, freedom, generous, German, government, Greek Orthodox, group, hatred, high school, History, hold, holding, houses, Hrant Dink, ideas, improved, inciting, increased, instills, insulting, international, International Social Survey Program, intervals, intolerance, Islam, Islamic, issued, issues, Istanbul, Izmir, Jews, junior, killers, law, laws, Links, literature, maintaining, majority, Malatya, mandates, manipulated, materials, meetings, members, mentioned, message, missionaries, mosques, murdered, Muslim, muslims, nation, national, negative, non-Muslim, nuance, observant, officials, one, only, open, opening, operating, opinion, oppose, opposes, party, people, Persecution, physical, police, political, polled, polls, portrayed, positive, powers, pressured, problems, professors, prohibits, Protestant, public, publishing, quantified, random, recently, released, religion, religions, religious, religious freedom, report, research, results, Rev, risk, Sabanci University, second-class, secular, self-declared, severe, severely, shot, significant, sites, slayings, slowly, social, speaking, speech, standing, statement, students, study, Sunni, support, survey, surveyed, suspicion, system, threat, tolerant, traitors, treated, trial, true, Turkey, Turkish, Turkishness, U.S. Separtment of State, undermine, USA, vandalism, vandalized, view, violence, weekly, worse, Zekai Tanyar | Leave a comment
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Robin Dalton’s exhilarating books – great Christmas presents
December 2, 2017 at 1:32 am | Posted in Aunts up the Cross, Australian memoir, Comic memoirs, humour, One Leg Over, Present giving, Robin Dalton | 1 Comment
Tags: Country Life, John Hargreaves, Kerry Fox, Michael Blakemore, Sam Neill, Sydney 1930s, Uncle Vanya
High dramatic comedy
Death was ‘always present, cosily accepted’ in Robin Dalton’s 1930s childhood in Kings Cross, Sydney. As a single child in a house full of eccentrics, the fairy tales she was told were the amusing accounts of how her relatives met their ends.
Her 85-year-old great-aunt Julia was knocked over by a bus. This bus was travelling slowly, in the right direction. It was Great-Aunt Julia who was, characteristically, walking very fast, in the wrong direction. Great-Uncle Spot fell off a ladder while changing a light bulb. A great-aunt died as a child from eating green apples and another from blowing up a balloon. The author’s great-grandfather died while reading Uncle Vanya and her Uncle Ken, a soldier in Gallipoli, was killed not in action but from a fatal bite of sugar. (Clearly an early casualty of the ‘Sweet Poison’ we’re hearing a lot about now – see davidgillespie.org and www.sarahwilson.com )
Dalton’s Aunts up the Cross is still in print, I’m happy to see – originally Penguin and now a Text Classic – and it would make a great Christmas present. There is not a word wasted, every word is elegant, and nearly every word is funny.
Clive James in his Foreword calls it a ‘perfect book’. It is exhilarating. Dalton’s buoyant characters and the incidents she describes in her simple, direct style will make you laugh aloud.
The author’s family lived in a large terrace house precisely where Kings Cross railway station is now. Her father was a doctor whom Robin accompanied on his rounds. As a child she witnessed encounters with some serious and some comical patients, leaving indelible impressions of human nature on her mind.
Dalton speculates that ‘it was the clash and mingling of the Irish and Jewish temperaments which produced this climate of high dramatic comedy. She recalls that the twin themes dominating the house – death and the lack of privacy – ‘merged and culminated in the unhappy event of [her] mother killing the plumber’. Emerging naked from her bedroom, on her way to the bathroom, she encountered the plumber on the landing above the stairs. He died of a heart attack.
Wit, warmth and something to look forward to
Aunts up the Cross is an enchanting little book, brimming with wit and warmth. There are other books: this first perfect one, and An Incidental Memoir (Penguin, 1999) plus the new One Leg Over (Text). Text have also previously published her Dead is a 4-letter Word and My Relations. I haven’t read the last two – good news: two more of her books to anticipate.
An Incidental Memoir is an entertaining account of a fascinating life. Dalton, born in 1920, had the knack of being in the right place at the right time, as well as being blessed with high intelligence and many gifts. At eighteen she married a charming alcoholic. After her divorce she travelled to London where there was an endless string of admirers and frequent trips to Paris to shop for hats.
She spent time with the Kennedy clan on holiday at Cannes, going to parties and sampling the sort of decadence where fountains played champagne instead of water. The young John F. Kennedy, meant to be taking the author home, drank too much and fell into one of the fountains, where, we can safely assume, he unavoidably drank yet more.
On other occasions she met Peter Ustinov, Noel Coward and Picasso. As she puts it, ‘I was living through history – we all live it, we are it – but I seem to have been lucky enough to have been often close to key moments of it, and stupid enough never to have appreciated it.’
Maturity came when she met the man who was to become her second husband. He was a brilliant doctor. They had two children. When the children were still small, her husband died of a heart illness.
She writes about this tragedy in An Incidental Memoir and in the new book, One Leg Over. Each memoir can be read independently and although some cover some of the same events there is never the impression of repetition. The author gains maturity and a different perspective with each book, enabling her to share new insights into her past.
Later in life, Robin Dalton had a very happy third marriage, to playwright, screenwriter and novelist Bill Fairchild. Her professions ranged from journalism to acting in TV ads, from being a literary agent to being recruited as a spy, and finally producing films.
My favourite of her films is the one adapted and directed by Michael Blakemore – a version of Uncle Vanya set in Australia, called Country Life. The making of this film puts new meaning into the concept of suffering for art – and I’m grateful they did because the film is a masterpiece.
In the course of filming, Dalton breaks her cheque-writing hand, John Hargreaves cuts his hand shearing, Kerry Fox falls off her horse, and the steam train derails. There are electrocutions, diarrhoea and sprained ankles, cloudbursts, heatwaves and bushfires. The rosella has a heart attack. In his scene with Googie Withers, the cockatoo screeches at her, ‘Want a root?’ And gruesome is the only word for what happens next: ‘Our makeup man swallows a fly. Two weeks later he sneezes and the fly emerges from his nose.’
Love, health and friendship – and plenty of laughs
Having grown up accepting death as a part of life, and living as her infamous great-aunts did, ‘richly and robustly’, must contribute to Robin Dalton’s equanimity about her own ageing. In the 1999 memoir, she uses the memory of a telegram of Cary Grant’s to sum up her attitude. His reply to a fan’s telegram, ‘How old Cary Grant?’ was, ‘Old Cary Grant fine. How you?’
The author concludes her book with, ‘This old person fine too.’
Nearly twenty years later, Dalton’s equanimity has not diminished. Her spirits remain buoyant and her wit lively. She writes, ‘After Bill’s death, my working years over, the romance-filled years gone, at ninety-five I still feel the benefits of being a woman …’ Read One Leg Over to find out what they are. I won’t spoil her last words either, where she explains what the title means.
There are patterns in people’s lives and a pattern in Robin Dalton’s is one of good doctors, unusual deaths, dotty servants and extraordinary opportunities. The meaning behind the title of her latest book (I won’t say last!) is as funny and surprising as her irrepressibly upbeat attitude. She writes, ‘I have had much happiness (and my fair share of tragedy, without which it is harder to appreciate the good things) in living a life blessed with love, health and friendship.’
Thanks. Really makes me want to rush to the book shop
Comment by Amberlyniew— December 2, 2017 #
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May 9, 2019 at 1:18 am | Posted in Impact Press, Perseverance in writing, Publishing industry, Ventura Press | 4 Comments
Tags: After She Left by Penelope Hanley, Anita Brookner, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Camille Claudel, Kon Karapanagiotidis, Nietszche, Persistence for writers, Thomas Keneally, Winston Churchill
At a quarter of a century between novels, and not for want of trying, I now have the authority to write about the value of patience and persistence.
I wrote the first draft of my new novel After She Left over ten years ago. It was the creative component of a PhD. The theory component involved getting my head around a lot of French Postmodern theory and that took up most of the time, along with writing a commissioned non-fiction book on the side, which my employer said was six months’ worth, but which took about two and a half years.
A long time before that I’d been reviewing for The Canberra Times and the literary editor gave me a biography of French sculptor Camille Claudel. I always wanted to write a happy ending to her ghastly story. In between getting a less ambitious first novel published (Full House, Simon & Schuster, 1993) I’d written two other novels and couldn’t get them accepted.
Putting the accountants in charge
Publishing was changing. Previously a publisher would take on a new writer whose manuscript showed potential but who needed editorial guidance to lift it to the next level. But as neoliberal dogma took over more and more of our world, huge corporations started taking over smaller presses. The new managers were not the “gentleman publishers” of before. They were only focused on profits and no longer interested in literary novels being subsidised by the higher sales of bird books and cookery books. Now everything had to result in high sales.
Continue Reading After She Left – Penelope’s adventure with the idea of patience…
Continue Reading Tearing sentences to pieces…
Inspiring Australians – deepening the heart (and sharpening the brain!)
October 26, 2015 at 1:04 am | Posted in Books, Winston Churchill | Leave a comment
Tags: Iain McCalman, Mark McKenna, Richard Fidler, Stories, Winston Churchill
The Irish have a saying, ‘A good story deepens the heart.’ I borrowed it for the blurb of my new book, Inspiring Australians: The first fifty years of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (Australian Scholarly Publishers, October 2015.) Finishing it was, as I’d suspected it might be, like doing a PhD in one year. But more fun. (Even though intellectually a tall order. But it’s good to have the opportunity to sharpen the brain by organizing a vast quantity of information into something readable and entertaining.) It took about a year full-time – before that I was writing it on the side of a four-day a week job so took longer than a year but was very part-time before I resigned from the day job. And now I’m back, beginning again on my long-neglected blog and happy to be here.
‘We all love stories. We’re born for them. Stories affirm who we are. We all want affirmations that our lives have meaning. And nothing does a greater affirmation than when we connect through stories. It can cross the barriers of time, past, present and future, and allow us to experience the similarities between ourselves and through others, real and imagined.’ (Carmine Gallo, Talk Like TED Macmillan, 2014, p. 52)
Connecting through stories is the basis of my blog, where I can share with others my love of language and ideas, literature, film and the arts in general. No wonder there are so many blogs – they present the opportunity to connect with people, to be creative and to express oneself. All these are very good things!
One of the Churchill Fellows I interviewed last year for the book was Richard Fidler, whose ABC radio program ‘Conversations’ is the most downloaded podcast of the ABC. It’s not surprising because Richard’s ‘Conversations’ with ordinary people reveal the most extraordinary stories.
Google www.abc.net.au/local/sites/conversations/ and you’ll find the podcasts and lists of guests over many years. The most recent conversation that had me dropping my jaw with amazement and also had me laughing was with an Irish guy who lives now in Australia, called Martin McKenna. He ran away from home and lived with street dogs and he knows things about dogs that most people don’t, and has, in spite of his tough life – or perhaps because of it – an idiosyncratic wisdom and an uplifting story to tell. He has written a few books too, which I can’t wait to read.
A previous conversation that Richard Fidler recommended once was with Wendy James, who experienced the World War II bombing of Darwin and Cyclone Tracy there in 1974. You should look her up too – remarkable woman. The one I have laughed at loudest is Greg Fleet, an ex-heroin addict and comedian. And how could you miss the wonderful, engaging writer Iain McCalman on his most recent book on the Great Barrier Reef and about other fascinating things? You can go through the Recent Guests or look them up alphabetically by their name and there you have at your fingertips free access to wondrous stories of the lives of people like you and me who have weathered some storms and lived to tell the tale.
I listen to a Richard Fidler Conversation nearly every day. If a good story deepens the heart then my heart must be deep indeed – and it is, what with those stories combined with a probable average of two books a week since I was little, and I learnt to read at four. (My favourite book at five was R. M. Ballantyne’s Martin Rattler, which I identified with immediately when I read the first sentence: ‘Martin Rattler was a very bad boy.’ Ballantyne’s more famous The Coral Island influenced Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, another much-loved book. I loved my older brother’s books about boys’ adventures and became a Tomboy, in isolated East Gippsland and later when we moved to Sydney.)
I grew up to have my own adventures travelling and meeting amazing people, and as a free-lance writer I’m happy to say the adventures continue. Hearing the stories of the Churchill Fellows for the book Inspiring Australians – and also the Board and Committee members, volunteers and other workers connected with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust – was fascinating and, like the people on Richard Fidler’s ‘Conversations’ they are optimistic and uplifting because they are resourceful people who put their energy into interesting, worthwhile activities.
The Churchill Fellows whose stories I tell in the book are the tip of an iceberg, to coin a cliché, because otherwise there would have to be about fifteen volumes to cover fifty years’ worth of Churchill Fellows. But every Churchill Fellow’s name is in the book, listed alphabetically at the back, and if they looked at the cover (a collage of hundreds of Fellows’ tiny portraits making up a portrait of Churchill) through a magnifying glass perhaps they could spot their photo. One Fellow I hadn’t had the space to mention in the text laughed at that and said at the Sydney book launch, clutching his book, ‘Don’t worry – I’m going to do exactly that when I get home!’
They say that busy-work comes from your To Do list but good work comes from your heart. Yes, I’ve been busy writing this book but it came from my heart because I was so fascinated with the Churchill Fellows whose stories I was telling in the book. Writing Inspiring Australians was an honour and a joy because of the stories that unfolded and I got to meet smart, entertaining, adventurous people like Philip Green, eco-educator, and David Goldie, film maker, and Helen Lochhead, vibrant, visionary architect and so much more, and because I share the ideals of the Churchill Trust. For those ideals and more plus a way to buy the book if you don’t want to wait for the Canberra book launch (6.00 p.m., 30 November, National Library of Australia) look up www.churchilltrust.com.au/shop
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Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Vladislaus
This is one of Lithuania’s oldest churches. Its first mention in historical sources dates to 1387.
During the Soviet era (1949-1988) the cathedral was closed, and for a lengthy period it housed the Vilnius Art Gallery.
The cathedral was returned to the faithful and solemnly re-consecrated in 1988. The relics of St. Casimir, patron of Lithuania and youth, were also returned to here. They are venerated in the ornate Chapel of St. Casimir, which is one of the most valuable baroque monuments in the country.
The Goštautas Chapel contains the Sapiega Madonna painting, which in 1750 was adorned with crowns blessed by the pope in recognition of the many graces obtained by people who prayed before it.
The crypts of Vilnius Cathedral were a burial place for distinguished noblemen, rulers and bishops of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1985, the treasury of the cathedral was discovered, including masterpieces of Lithuanian goldsmithing.
Pope John Paul II began his historic visit to Lithuania 25 years ago with a prayer at Vilnius Cathedral.
Šv. vysk. Stanislovo ir šv. Vladislovo arkikatedra bazilika
This is one of Lithuania’s main squares. It is a venue for important national, religious and cultural events.
From Cathedral Square, key structures of the city and the country can be seen: Vilnius Cathedral and its bell tower, Gediminas Castle, and the Palace of the Grand Dukes.
In the 13th century, Vilnius’s Lower Castle and defensive wall stood here. Their former contours are indicated by red stones in the current paving of the square.
Katedros aikštė
Gate of Dawn Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Theresa’s Church
The Gate of Dawn Chapel is one of the oldest places of pilgrimage in Lithuania. The residents of Vilnius honour Mary as Protectress of the city.
The Gothic-style Gate of Dawn is the only surviving gate of the defensive wall which was built in Vilnius in the 16th century.
The image of the Virgin Mary was painted in the early 17th century, on oak boards, based on a work by the Dutch artist Martin de Vos. It is a rare example of the Madonna portrayed without the Child Jesus.
In 1927 the painting was adorned with crowns blessed by Pope Pius XI and granted the title Mother of Mercy.
The Gate of Dawn Chapel is part of a network linking 20 of Europe’s most important Marian shrines.
Pope John Paul II, during his visit to Lithuania in 1993, said a Rosary at the Gate of Dawn Chapel.
Aušros Vartų Gailestingumo Motinos koplyčia
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights
This is the former office of the KGB, where from 1940 to 1991 Soviet crimes in Lithuania were planned and carried out.
A museum began to operate here in 1992, after Lithuania had regained independence and the last foreign soldier had left.
The basement of the building still contains the prison and interrogation ward where Lithuanians with whom the occupying forces were displeased were imprisoned.
One of the former prison cells contains a special exhibition dedicated to priests who were held and tortured in the building.
Archbishop Teofilius Matulionis, whom the Pope beatified one year ago, was imprisoned in the basement of this building.
Okupacijų ir laisvės kovų muziejus
Presidential Palace and Simonas Daukantas Square
When Lithuania adopted Christianity in 1387, the land on which the present ensemble of the Lithuanian Presidential Palace stands was given as a gift to the bishop of Vilnius.
Following Lithuania’s incorporation into the Russian empire, the Bishops Palace here became the official residence of the Russian Governor General. In Soviet times it served as a centre first for military officers and later for artists.
Today the Palace is the office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania.
Daukantas Square in front of the Presidential Palace is where official state flag raising ceremonies are held.
Prezidento rūmai ir Simono Daukanto aikštė
Santakos (Confluence) Park
Twenty-five years ago, Pope John Paul II celebrated Holy Mass in this park at the confluence of the Nemunas and Neris Rivers.
In 2011, a bronze monument was unveiled at the site to commemorate the Pope’s visit in 1993.
The park is just a few steps from the Kaunas Old Town. It is beloved by many: from tourists and families with small children, to the elderly and athletes. A variety of cultural, artistic and sporting events are held here.
The eastern part of Santakos (Confluence) Park contains the St. George the Martyr Church and Bernardine Monastery as well as the archdiocesan seminary and Kaunas Castle.
Santakos parkas
Kaunas Cathedral Basilica of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul
This church was first mentioned in written sources in 1413. It was founded by Vytautas Magnus, Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
In 1895, Pope Leo XIII granted the church the status of cathedral.
Pope Benedict XV declared it a basilica in 1921, amid celebrations of the fifth centenary of the Diocese of Samogitia.
In 1926, with the establishment of a Lithuanian ecclesiastical province, Pope Pius XI granted Kaunas Cathedral the title of archcathedral.
Following reconstructions, expansions and renovations in the course of its history, this cathedral is today considered one of the largest neo-Gothic monuments in Lithuania.
Pope John Paul II prayed here in September 1993.
Kauno arkikatedra bazilika
Simono Daukanto aikštė
Aušros Vartai
Genocido aukų muziejus
Arkikatedra bazilika
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Paul Stanley Recalls Childhood Pain of Being Called ‘One-Eared Monster’
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images
Kiss frontman Paul Stanley recalled the pain and loneliness of his childhood as he struggled to deal with being born with microtia, a condition where the external ear is underdeveloped..
In a clip from the audio version of his new book Backstage Pass, read by Sean Pratt, Stanley told of the day he returned to the apartment on New York’s West 211th Street where he’d spent his early years.
“When I started to attend the elementary school right next door to our apartment, P.S. 98, I didn’t have any friends,” he said. “But I was always the center of attention; and that sort of attention felt just horrific to a five-year-old. I wanted to disappear or hide, but there was no place to go.”
You can listen to the audiobook clip below:
He continued: “It was one thing when somebody stared at me – that was bad enough. But when someone yelled out at me, that drew other people’s eyes to me. Everyone would look at me, scrutinize me; I felt violated and threatened to my core. These were the worst moments; like a kid who would point and yell, ‘Stanley, the one-eared monster!’ All I could think was, ‘You’re hurting me.’”
He remembered that he’d “never had a shoulder to cry on” because his parents “insisted on not talking about” his problems. At one point while he was still at kindergarten, his mother had told him: “Fight your own battles – don’t come crying to me.”
He reflected: “Kids need parents. Kids need protection. When my parents didn’t empathize with me and didn’t want to hear about my problems, I felt cut off from everybody. For most of my life, West 211th Street had represented just one thing for me: pain.”
Elsewhere in Backstage Pass, Stanley told how bandmate Gene Simmons once overcame his fear of flying to visit him in the hospital, and that although he was happy to have settled his differences with former guitarist Ace Frehley, he still preferred to distance himself from Peter Criss as a result of the drummer’s “negative” approach to life.
Paul Stanley Year by Year: 1974-2017 Photographs
Next: Top 10 Paul Stanley 'Can Do' Songs
Source: Paul Stanley Recalls Childhood Pain of Being Called ‘One-Eared Monster’
Filed Under: kiss, paul stanley
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Healthy eating is a way of eating that improves your health and helps prevent disease. It means choosing different types of healthy food from all of the food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and proteins), most of the time, in the correct amounts for you. Healthy eating also means not eating a lot of foods with added sugar, sodium (salt), and saturated and trans fats.
In 2013 about 289,000 women (800 per day) in the world died due to pregnancy-related causes, with large differences between developed and developing countries.[11][37] Maternal mortality in western nations had been steadily falling, and forms the subject of annual reports and reviews.[38] Yet, between 1987 and 2011, maternal mortality in the United States rose from 7.2 to 17.8 deaths per 100,000 live births, this is reflected in the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR).[38] By contrast rates as high as 1,000 per birth are reported in the rest of the world,[11] with the highest rates in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, which account for 86% of such deaths.[39][37] These deaths are rarely investigated, yet the World Health Organization considers that 99% of these deaths, the majority of which occur within 24 hours of childbirth, are preventable if the appropriate infrastructure, training, and facilities were in place.[40][37] In these resource-poor countries, maternal health is further eroded by poverty and adverse economic factors which impact the roads, health care facilities, equipment and supplies in addition to limited skilled personnel. Other problems include cultural attitudes towards sexuality, contraception, child marriage, home birth and the ability to recognise medical emergencies. The direct causes of these maternal deaths are hemorrhage, eclampsia, obstructed labor, sepsis and unskilled abortion. In addition malaria and AIDS complicate pregnancy. In the period 2003–2009 hemorrhage was the leading cause of death, accounting for 27% of deaths in developing countries and 16% in developed countries.[41][42]
If you thought texting changed your love life, imagine what it could do for your waistline. When people received motivational text messages promoting exercise and healthy behaviors twice a week (i.e., “Keep in the fridge a Ziploc with washed and precut vegetables 4 quick snack. Add 1 string cheese 4 proteins”), they lost an average of about 3 percent of their body weight in 12 weeks. Participants in the Virginia Commonwealth University study also showed an improvement in eating behaviors, exercise, and nutrition self-efficacy, and reported that the texts helped them adopt these new habits. Find health-minded friends and message each other reminders, or program your phone to send yourself healthy eating tips.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 35% of women in the world have experienced physical or sexual violence over their lifetime and that the commonest situation is intimate partner violence. 30% of women in relationships report such experience, and 38% of murders of women are due to intimate partners. These figures may be as high as 70% in some regions.[138] Risk factors include low educational achievement, a parental experience of violence, childhood abuse, gender inequality and cultural attitudes that allow violence to be considered more acceptable.[139]
Although growing bodies need plenty of energy in the form of calories, many children and teenagers consume way too many, says Ruth Frechman, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. The latest findings from federal surveys show that 18% of adolescents and teenagers are fatter than they should be. Kids who are obese are 16 times more likely than healthy weight children to become obese as adults, other findings show.
The location is convenient, right in the middle of downtown so that was a plus for me as it's right on the way home. I came in and the person who signed me in (who also happened to be the instructor that led the bodyshred class) welcomed me and gave me a form to sign. She told me where the class was going to be held and what equipment I would need. She was super friendly and made me feel at home. The locker area was dingy, but I'm not the kind of person that changes at the gym, I always come in with my workout gear on, so that kind of amenities is more of a nice to have than anything.
Women's empowerment relates to women's ability to make life choices (158). Higher levels of empowerment were associated with increased income, household decision-making, control over resources, and utilization of health resources (5, 158–160). For nutrition outcomes, empowerment was associated with increased income allocated to food expenditures and improved household food security (160, 161). It was also associated with increased dietary diversity, but had no impact on women's BMI (5, 161, 162). For example, mothers’ participation in empowerment activities through Helen Keller International's Enhanced Homestead Food Production (EHFP) program in Burkina Faso was associated with increased fruit intake (difference-in-differences = 15.8 percentage points, P = 0.02) and nearly statistically significant increases in meat intake and dietary diversity (163). Participation was also associated with decreased prevalence of underweight (difference-in-differences = −8.7 percentage points, P < 0.01) but not overall mean BMI (163). In addition, the EHFP program in Bangladesh and Nepal was associated with decreasing trends in maternal anemia (anemia prevalence decreased by a magnitude of 12%, P = 0.075 in Bangladesh, and 26%, P = 0.009 in Nepal) (160). However, this was not consistent with findings from Cambodia (160).
Nutrition-sensitive approaches are difficult to link to women's nutritional status (5, 102). This is due to limited measurement of benefits to program beneficiaries, families, households, and communities, limited timeframes to evaluate long-term impact, logistical and political realities that make implementation difficult, and different priorities of different stakeholders in multisectoral programs (102). Many nutrition-sensitive approaches, as will be described, thus focus on more distal measures of impact (e.g., coverage, knowledge) and not more proximal measures of women's nutritional status (e.g., BMI, anemia status, etc.).
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American wrestlers, All Japan Pro Wrestling alumni, International Wrestling Federation alumni,
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling alumni
World Wrestling Entertainment alumni
NWA World Tag Team Champions
Bart Gunn
Brett Colt
Boudacious Bart
258 lbs (117 kg)
December 27, 1963 (1963-12-27) (age 55)
Caesar Barraza
Blackjack Mulligan
Boris Malenko
Michal Burton "Mike" Polchlopek, Jr. (December 27, 1963) is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, also known by the ring names Bart Gunn and Mike Barton. He is perhaps best known for his six-year tenure in the World Wrestling Federation.
World Wrestling Federation (1993-1999)
Main article: The Smoking Gunns
Polchlopek was famous in the World Wrestling Federation as one-half of the tag team The Smoking Gunns with his kayfabe brother Billy Gunn. The team were WWF World Tag Team Champions three times before breaking up and engaging in a brief feud.
Polchlopek then recreated the Midnight Express tag team as "Bodacious Bart" with partner "Bombastic" Bob Holly. The team had limited success, though they did hold the NWA World Tag Team Championship for a brief period in 1998.
When the WWF announced a shoot tournament called the Brawl for All in which the competition would be real and winners would not be predetermined, Bart Gunn participated. Gunn actually drew partner Bob Holly in the first round but was declared the winner by the complicated point system. When Gunn fought Steve Williams, many were surprised when he won by knockout. He won the tournament with a victory over the Godfather in the semi-finals and Bradshaw in the finals.
Afterward, Gunn feuded with both Holly and Williams, the pair angry at having been beaten in the tournament, the latter masking himself and pushing Gunn off a stage. To continue capitalizing on the impressive Brawl for All showing, the WWF set up a Brawl for All match between Gunn and heavyweight boxer Eric "Butterbean" Esch at WrestleMania XV. Esch knocked out Gunn within 30 seconds and he was reportedly fired from the WWF when he returned to the locker room.
All Japan Pro Wrestling (1998-2002)
After leaving the WWF, Polchlopek found success wrestling in Japan (due to the fame of Steve Williams in Japan and his knockout pushing him as tougher than Dr. Death). He debuted for All Japan Pro Wrestling in late 1998 where he competed in the 1998 World Strongest Tag League teaming with Johnny Ace where they finished in 4th place with 8 points. After leaving the WWF following Wrestlemania XV, Polchlopek joined All Japan full-time. He became a member of Johnny Ace's gaijin stable: The Movement and the two continued their team. On June 9, they defeated Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama to win the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship. They would hold the titles for a month and a half but ultimately lost them to NO FEAR on July 23. Following the title loss, Polchlopek stopped using the Bart Gunn name and started using the name: Mike Barton. In late 1999, Barton and Ace took part in the 1999 World's Strongest Tag League where they finished in 5th place with 9 points.
In the spring of 2000, Barton entered the Champion's Carnival where he defeated Masao Inoue in the first round but lost to Takao Omori in the second round. On June 9, Barton and Ace took part in a tournament for the vacated AJPW World Tag Team Championships but they lost in the first round to eventual winners: The Holy Demon Army. In the summer of 2000, Mitsuharu Misawa left All Japan to form Pro Wrestling NOAH, taking most of the native talent with him. Barton, like many of the gaijins, remained in All Japan, however, Johnny Ace left All Japan during the split and retired taking an office job in WCW and later the WWF. Following the NOAH exodus, Barton formed a new tag team with Jim Steele. In October 2000, Barton entered a tournament for the vacated AJPW Triple Crown Championship but lost in the first round to Genichiro Tenryu. In November, Barton and Steele entered the 2000 World's Strongest Tag League where they finished in 4th place with 10 points.
On January 2, 2001, Barton competed in the yearly January 2 Korakuen Hall Battle Royal which he won. In the spring, Barton entered the 2001 Champion's Carnival where he place 5th with 13 points. By the end of 2001, Barton began making appearances in New Japan Pro Wrestling as a member of the All Japan branch of Team 2000. In November 2001, Barton and Steele entered the 2001 G1 Tag League where they made it to the finals losing to Ten-Koji.
In the spring of 2002, Barton entered the 2002 Champion's Carnival where he made it to the finals but lost to Keiji Mutoh. On July 20, Barton and Steele won The Stan Hansen Cup Four Way against the Varsity Club, Kronik, and George Hines & Johnny Smith. One month later on August 30, Barton and Steele challenged Kronik for the AJPW World Tag Team Titles but lost. In the fall, Barton and Steele left All Japan.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (2002-2004)
After leaving All Japan, Barton and Steele signed with New Japan. Barton entered the 2002 New Japan Triathlon Series in November, teaming with Steele and Yuji Nagata, the team made it to the finals but lost to Manabu Nakanishi, Osamu Nishimura, and Yutaka Yoshie. In February 2003, Barton and Steele entered a #1 Contenders tournament for the IWGP Tag Team Championship. They would ultimately emerge victorious defeating Makai Club members: Tadao Yasuda and Kazunari Murakami in the finals but an injury to Steele prevented the title match. After Steele recovered, Barton and him returned to teaming. In October 2003, Barton entered the 2003 G1 Tag League teaming with Steele. During the tournament on October 21, the two received a shot as the IWGP Tag Team Titles against champions: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yutaka Yoshie but they came up short. Barton eventually left in the spring of 2004.
He also had a short stint in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2003.
Polchlopek made his mixed martial arts debut on June 17, 2006, defeating Wesley "Cabbage" Correira at Rumble On The Rock: Beatdown in less than two minutes by technical knockout on the basis of a cut suffered by Correira. In his most recent match, Polchlopek faced Ikuhisa "The Punk" Minowa on the PRIDE Bushido 13 card, losing via unanimous decision to Minowa.
World Wrestling Entertainment (2007)
On the RAW 15th Anniversary Spectacular on December 10, 2007, Gunn participated in the 15th Anniversary Battle Royal and was eliminated by Steve Blackman.
On December 19, 2007, Polchlopek's son Michael Polchlopek III died at the age of nineteen as the result of an accidental shooting five days earlier.
Barton Buster (Elevated powerbomb)
Barton Cutter (Three-quarter facelock bulldog)
Barton Spike (Chokeslam)
"Bodacious"
Bart "The Hammer" Gunn
"Lefty"
All Japan Pro Wrestling
AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Johnny Ace
Stan Hansen Cup Winner (2002)- with Jim Steele
IWF World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Kip Winchester
IWGP Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament (2003)- with Jim Steele
Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling
PCW Americas Championship (2 Times)
PWI Ranked him #129 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1997
PWI Ranked him #377 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003
World Wrestling Federation
NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time)1 – with Bombastic Bob
WWF Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Billy Gunn
Brawl for All winner
1Gunn won the title while working for the World Wrestling Federation as part of an angle with the National Wrestling Alliance.
Mike Plotcheck at Sherdog.com
Retrieved from "https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Bart_Gunn?oldid=1275797"
International Wrestling Federation alumni
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RECORD STORE DAY 2019 > Violent Femmes - Hallowed Ground
Event: RECORD STORE DAY 2019
Label: Craft Recordings
Quantity: 1500
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release
Hallowed Ground is the follow up to The Violent Femmes legendary self-titled 1983 debut album. Similar to the first album, all of the songs were written by lead singer, Gordon Gano, while still in high school. This second album, however, pushed the band in new directions and made sure they did not rest on their laurels – featuring singles “Country Death Song” and the Lou Reed inspired “Sweet Misery Blues, “as well as a guest appearance from saxophonist John Zorn. Limited to 2000 copies, this 35th anniversary reissue has been cut from the original stereo tapes by Kevin Bartley at Capitol Mastering, and pressed on dark green vinyl at Independent Record Pressing. Each jacket is individually numbered.
Side A: 1. Country Death Song 2. I Hear the Rain 3. Never Tell 4. Jesus Walking on the Water 5. I Know It's True But I'm Sorry to Say Side B 1. Hallowed Ground 2. Sweet Misery Blues 3. Black Girls 4. It's Gonna Rain
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MPREC staff attend training courses to help improve school attendance in remote communities
Staff from MPREC’s Remote School Attendance Strategy (RSAS) team have attended a great training course, provided by National Employment Services Association (NESA), in Wilcannia, to look at ways we can improve the service and encourage school attendance.
Staff participated in two days of workshops, which were designed to help them gain a better understanding of the role of RSAS in remote communities.
The idea was for staff to reflect on the goals of the program and how we can use these to develop holiday activities and return to school events. There was also a brainstorming session around how MPREC can continue to build working relationships with other stakeholders in the community, to deliver results.
There are so many ways RSAS staff can be involved in the community and this training course was helped to create new ways to engage with kids to improve attendance numbers.
The feedback from everyone who participated has been very positive and we are looking forward to commencing a Certificate II in Business in the New Year, which will allow for further personal and professional development.
The training was funded by Prime Minister and Cabinet. The RSAS strategy is a government funded program designed to lift school attendance levels in selected remote communities through employment of local School Attendance Supervisors (SAS) and School Attendance Officers (SAO) who work with schools, families, and children to ensure they go to school every possible day.
MPREC employs local community members in these roles to help kids get to school.
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Montreal/Boston Game 7 Tomorrow At 7 on VERSUS, Tampa/Pittsburgh Joined In Progress, Moves to TSN
According to VERSUS, they will air Game 7 of the Bruins vs. Canadiens series tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. ET, with the pre-game beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. VERSUS will air in progress coverage of Game 7, Lightning vs. Penguins at 8:00 p.m. ET once the Bruins/Canadiens game is over.
Meanwhile, in Canada, Lightning/Penguins Game 7 will be moved to TSN for the first time in the series, while Bruins/Canadiens will air on CBC as is usual.
April 26, 2011 by Stephen M. Lepore 1 Comment
Boston vs. Montreal, Game 6, 7:00 p.m. ET
National TV (Canada): CBC
Inside the Glass: Glenn Healy
Reporter: Elliotte Friedman
National TV (US): NHL Network
Buffalo vs. Philadelphia, Game 7, 7:30 p.m. ET
National TV (US): VERSUS
Play by Play: Mike Emrick
Inside the Glass: Darren Pang
National TV (Canada): TSN
Play by Play: Chris Cuthbert
Inside the Glass: Pierre McGuire
Chicago vs. Vancouver, Game 7, 10:00 p.m. ET
Play by Play: Jim Hughson
Color: Craig Simpson
Play by Play: John Forslund
Color: Daryl Reaugh
BREAKING: NHL Net To Air Game 6 of Bruins/Canadiens Live Tonight
Just put out there by Michael DiLorenzo of the NHL on Twitter. If there’s a press release, we’ll post it. They will apparently be using CBC’s feed.
Great move by the leauge.
UPDATE: From the NHL:
NEW YORK (April 26, 2011) – NHL Network U.S. will telecast the highly-anticipated Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens at 7:00 p.m. ET tonight from the Bell Centre.*
The Canadiens are attempting to rally from a 3-2 series deficit for the third time in their past four playoff series while the Bruins look for an unprecedented third consecutive victory at Montreal in one playoff series to close it out. A Boston win would mark the club’s first best-of-seven series win after losing the first two games.
Between periods, the NHL Network crew will provide analysis from the NHL On The Fly desk while also checking in on the other two games tonight — deciding seventh games in the Philadelphia-Buffalo and Vancouver-Chicago series.
For both U.S. and Canadian audiences, live programming on the NHL Network each weekday begins with the new NHL® Live™, now at 4 p.m. ET, followed by NHL On The Fly Pre-Game at 6 p.m. ET and NHL On the Fly immediately following. With more content that fans crave, this schedule of daily live programming will feature the use of current and former NHL players as guest analysts and provide on-site coverage from arena via webcams, team cameras and content from local television rightsholders.
*Local blackout restrictions apply. Locally in Boston, viewers will be able to see the game on NESN. The game is available in Canada on CBC and RDS. All broadcasts are available in HD.
NBC Cast To Grow A Bit For the Finals
In the past, it has seemed like NBC was going with the minimum amount of talent for it’s big hockey events. Going with substitute hosts to at least not have the Stanley Cup Final telecast be hosted by Pierre McGuire. Various names like Bill Patrick, Bob Neumeier, Dan Patrick and others have stepped into that spot. Heck, Patrick wouldn’t even cover all the games last year, joining up late in the series.
This year, things will be a bit different. Liam McHugh, as he has done for much of the regular season and playoffs, will host NBC’s coverage of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. He will be joined in the studio by regular analyst Mike Milbury. With Pierre McGuire doing inside the glass, Keith Jones will be added to NBC’s studio show to give NBC a three-man team, and what will likely be the two VERSUS studio analysts for the entire series. This is at least for Games 1 & 2 of the series, scheduled to go off June 4th and 5th in primetime for now. There could be changes. For example, NBC used Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller for Game 1, and brought Jeremy Roenick along for Games 5 & 6.
Good for NBC to add a little consistency, and put a few more personalities on it’s studio show. I’m not saying that you want it to become the NBA Finals or the Super Bowl, but it’s good that we’ll at least see different faces in the studio than we will in the broadcast set-up. You’d have to think that VERSUS will do a pre-game and post-game show for every game of the series, too. So all in all, this is pretty good news for puckheads.
Tampa/Pittsburgh Game 7 Time Set
NEW YORK (April 26, 2011) – A starting time has been assigned to the Wednesday, April 27th Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh game 7 on the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Conference Quarterfinals schedule. The start time of the game previously listed as “to be determined” has been set to 8:00 p.m. local/8:00 p.m. ET.
VERSUS Goes Big With Derby Coverage
Next week, VERSUS will be flush with events. They’ll have nightly Stanley Cup Playoff action, as well as Team USA coverage from the IIHF World Championships in the Czech Republic. In addition to all that, they’ll be airing much of the ancillary programming for NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby. A lot of this stuff have been shown typically on the networks of ESPN over the past many years, so it is good to see that VERSUS is adding properties from one of it’s main competitors.
It all starts next Wednesday, May 4th, when VERSUS begins airing classic Kentucky Derby over the next three days at 4 p.m. ET. It’ll be followed up by a one-hour telecast of the Kentucky Derby Draw at 5 p.m. ET, which determines which posts each horse will start out of. That was definitely an ESPN product in the past. Thursday at 5 p.m. ET, VERSUS will air a one-hour special “Access at the Kentucky Derby.” Friday at 5 p.m. ET, VERSUS will air the Kentucky Oaks.
That’ll all be prelude to Saturday, when VERSUS airs five hours of live coverage from Churchill Downs, starting at 11 a.m. ET. It should be noted that, for the first time in years, ESPN will air no live coverage, as traditionally they had aired a few hours from the Kentucky Derby themselves. The event will be exclusive to NBC and VERSUS. VERSUS and NBC will also both air NHL games that day, so it’ll be a fun day for the hockey and horses folks on Saturday, May 7th.
Ratings For Nights 9 and 10 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Plus, of course, an updated Top 10.
6:30 p.m. Hockey Central – 66,000 viewers
7:00 p.m. Boston vs. Montreal, Game 4 – 599,000 viewers
10:00 p.m. Chicago vs. Vancouver, Game 5 – 590,000 viewers
12:37 a.m. San Jose vs. Los Angeles, Game 4 – 316,000 viewers
1:21 a.m. Hockey Central – 266,000 viewers
Friday, April, 22
7:00 p.m. Hockey Central – 270,000 viewers
7:30 p.m. Buffalo vs. Philadelphia, Game 5 – 931,000 viewers
10:36 p.m. Nashville vs. Anaheim, Game 5 – 428,000 viewers
1. Buffalo vs. Philadelphia, Game 5 (4/25/11) – 931,000 viewers
2. Vancouver vs. Chicago, Game 3 (4/17/11) – 689,000 viewers
3. Montreal vs. Boston, Game 2 (4/16/11) – 661,000 viewers
5. Washington vs. NY Rangers, Game 4 (4/20/11) – 619,000 viewers
6. NY Rangers vs. Washington, Game 2 (4/15/11) – 606,000 viewers
7. Boston vs. Montreal, Game 4 (4/21/11) – 599,000 viewers
8. Chicago vs. Vancouver, Game 5 (4/21/11) – 590,000 viewers
9. Philadelphia vs. Buffalo, Game 3 (4/18/11) – 572,000 viewers
10. Chicago vs. Vancouver, Game 2 (4/15/11) – 562,000 viewers
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Home Football Cult Heroes: Burnley’s Robbie ‘Bad Beat Bob’ Blake
Cult Heroes: Burnley’s Robbie ‘Bad Beat Bob’ Blake
Conor Heffernan September 25, 2014
This week’s Cult Hero is none other than Burnley legend Robbie Blake, writes Conor Heffernan.
The true essence of a Cult Hero is the ability to have half the fans love you and the other half hate you.
Today brings the story of a man known for his on-field hi-jinks, his wonder goals and for joining his club’s biggest rivals. It is the story of a man who began a fashion trend with his underpants…today is the story of Burnley’s Robbie Blake.
Born Robert James Blake in March of 1976, Robbie Blake was always going to be a footballer. In Middlesbrough’s schoolyard playgrounds, Robbie was known for dazzling spectators with his ability. He could play the ball comfortably with both feet, could jink his away around a defence and could spank a ball so thunderously it would make the ground shake. It was no surprise then that Darlington snapped up the young lad in the mid-90s.
Darlington would soon prove too small a stomping ground for our Cult Hero and by 1997 he had joined Bradford’s high-flying Championship team. There Blake proved a revelation, scoring sixteen goals in forty games the year Bradford gained promotion to the Premiership.
Sadly for our hero, his contribution was soon forgotten. Once in the Premiership, Blake struggled to hold down a regular place at Valley Parade and was shipped off to Burnley for a cool £1 million fee. Burnley had been on the verge of signing Stockport’s Shefki Kuqi but dropped the move at the last moment when it became clear Blake was available. Oh how different history may have been.
Burnley signed Robbie Blake and his cult hero status at Burnley was soon to be created.
Like many other Cult Heroes, Blake’s story at Burnley began poorly. Blake joined in the midst of Burnley’s push for promotion to the Premiership but due to an injury he was carrying he only managed a handful of lacklustre appearances. Burnley missed out on promotion and the punters at Turf Moor were mumbling that they should have signed Kuqi instead. Times were slow to change.
Despite being fit for the start of the 2002/03 season, Blake was still struggling to find his feet. He started Burnley’s opening game of the season, a shock 3-1 home defeat against Brighton where he was criticised by Burnley’s manager Stan Ternent for diving and needlessly trying to be flashy.
He would spend the next four games on the bench and was only reinstated when international duty for Gareth Taylor meant Ternent had no choice but to play Blake. Blake’s opponents would be Derby County and initially it looked as if Blake would falter once more. Burnley were one nil down at half time and the fans were on Blake’s back.
Charles Dickens once wrote:
“A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.”
Whatever happened at half time, Blake came out a new man. Perhaps it was his desire to show his new club what he could do. Perhaps he was angry at his own fans for not supporting him or maybe he finally realized he could be the star of the show. Whatever the reason, the second half saw Robbie Blake become the hero.
Blake dominated the game, pulling the strings and mesmerizing the Derby defence. Blake forced an own goal to make it 1-1 and soon after he converted a penalty to give him his first Burnley goal and give Burnley all three points. He was now establishing himself in the hearts of Burnley’s faithful.
The following season in 2003/2004 saw him play 45 games for the club in what turned out to be Burnley’s closest shave with relegation during Blake’s time there. That season saw our hero score nineteen goals to save Burnley from the drop. Not a bad way to earn the fans’ love.
Fan’s hopes were high for the following 2004/2005 season. Blake was in form and a new manager named Steve Cotterill had been brought in. Cotteril’s impact was immediate. On the field the introduction of a 4-5-1 formation with Blake as the leading man saw Burnley dominate games where previously they would have been beaten.
What’s more, Blake was flourishing. By December he’d already notched ten league goals. Sadly it was not to last. By January 2005, Blake had been sold to Birmingham City, at the time a Premiership club. It seemed a dream move for Robbie but quickly became a nightmare. Picking up only a handful of appearances in the Premiership, Blake was sold to Leeds that summer. Many Burnley fans couldn’t forgive Blake’s decision to move to Birmingham.
At Leeds Blake again wowed fans with his skill, determination and goalscoring ability. Two years at Elland Road saw him notch a goal every 4 games for Leeds, an impressive record considering he was often played out of position for the Whites. At Leeds, Blake intensified the hatred some Burnley fans felt for him by scoring against Burnley in the ‘05/06 season.
Fans at Turf Moor were shocked then when the club gave Robbie a second chance in April 2007. Leeds’s relegation to League One meant Blake was available at a pittance and Steve Cotterill snapped him up for the Clarets.
Blake would no longer be the leading man at Turf Moor but that didn’t matter. His contribution on and off the pitch became integral to Burnley’s success It was during Burnley’s promotion season in 2008/2009, that Blake gained the love and affection of Burnley’s faithful. Who can forget the now infamous ‘Bad Beat Bob’ celebration against Coventry City. Blake had just scored against the Sky Blues when his teammate, Stephen Jordan pulled down Blake’s shorts to reveal his underpants containing the message ‘Bad Beat Bob’.
The Monday after the game saw Burnley’s club shop sell over 500 replicas of the pants. Blake was a fashion icon. Apart from setting fashion trends in Burnley’s high street, Blake was integral in Burnley’s successful push for promotion to the Premiership. Blake’s 9 goals that season helped Burnley reach the Premiership for the first time in the Club’s history.
From there matters only seemed to improve. The 2009/2010 Premiership season was one of the most eventful in Burnley’s history. August 2009 saw Burnley win their first ever home fixture in the Premiership. Their opponents? Manchester United. The goalscorer? Who else but our Cult Hero Robbie Blake.
Blake’s goal against United has to rank as one of the best in his career. It was a thunderous volley that left United’s goalkeeper Ben Foster with no chance. Even today fans at Turf Moor will fondly remember that goal.
It was to be a shining light in an otherwise disastrous season for Burnley. Burnley finished the season in 18th place and were soon relegated back to the Championship.
Blake’s time at the club was nearing an end. A new manager in the form of Brian Laws had been brought in around January and Robbie was getting less opportunities as time went on. With our hero’s contract winding down Burnley offered Robbie a one year extension…he wanted two. Burnley left the door open for our Cult Hero, but in the end Robbie broke Burnley hearts by signing a one-year deal with their rivals Bolton Wanderers.
Some fans were furious, others were sad to see him go. In his six years at Burnley, Robbie Blake had given fans everything. Goals, performances and laughter. Whether the fans at Turf Moore love him or hate him, there is no denying that Robbie Blake is most certainly a Burnley Cult Hero.
Conor Heffernan, Pundit Arena.
burnley burnley news burnley transfers football news robbie blake stan ternent steve cotterill Top Story 2014-09-25
Conor Heffernan
About Conor Heffernan
Conor is a recent graduate History and Political Science graduate with an interest in health and football. He has been a long-suffering Leeds United fan since the late 1990s but as always remains optimistic for next season!
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Review: “And God Belched” by Rob Rosen
April 12, 2018 by Ben Brock
Title: And God Belched
Author: Rob Rosen
Genre: Scifi, Humor
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Publisher: MLR Press
IN THIS riotously funny romantic adventure, Randy and his younger brother, Craig, find themselves in a different universe, on a strange planet, desperately searching for Milo, a handsome stranger in imminent danger, all while being chased by the heavily armed local authorities. And that’s just the start of this epic journey. But what else does fate have in store for our brave heroes? And can one human save two worlds, the handsome alien he’s fallen in love with, his entire family, and a self-aware watch? Read on, dear Earthlings, to find out!
Review by Andrew
ROB ROSEN has written a sci fi comedy that will have appeal to fans of Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe) and Terry Pratchett (Discworld series). It may not hit the comic heights of those grand masters, but it’s a story with a lot of heart.
Randy is a twenty-two-year old virgin, recently graduated from college and still living with his parents and his eighteen-year-old brother Craig. He’s quick to point out he got the looks in the family while Craig got the brains. Outside of occasional inter-sibling snark, they’re best friends and something of an unlikely power duo, which is part of the charm of Rosen’s tale. For twenty years, San Francisco has been experiencing inexplicable earthquake-like events, and when Randy starts seeing a pair of eyes that don’t belong to him in his bedroom mirror, he turns to his precocious brother to help uncover an extraterrestrial conspiracy with apocalyptic stakes, and, really first-and-foremost, the possibility of Randy finding his first and one-and-only true love.
Told from Randy’s pre-formed, late-bloomer point-of-view, which is frequently distracted by his own erections, it’s a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The penis innuendo went a bit off the rails for me, but it’s a high school sex comedy narrator voice that will be familiar to many readers. If you loved Another Gay Movie, the queer indie answer to the American Pie franchise, I’m reasonably certain you’ll dig the book.
Randy’s more likeable qualities come to light when he meets the young man Milo who has been looking out at him from the bathroom mirror. He’s immediately in lust, but we see it’s more than that when Randy risks being trapped on an alien planet and/or being zapped to dust when Milo goes missing.
Randy and Craig travel to the planet Curea to find Milo. They must navigate a technologically-advanced, Big Brother-ish world, which Randy quickly populates with pop culture references. An AI talking watch becomes “Tag” after Tag Heuer. The genetically-superior aliens are all incredibly hot, so they earn nicknames like Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. To Randy, Milo’s parents are like Sonny and Cher. This is the first book I’ve read by Rosen, though I’m aware he’s an accomplished writer of romantic comedies and erotica, so I suspect, what was for me a jarring throwback sensibility for a twenty-two-year old will be well-received by his longtime fans.
The brothers’ adventure is cleverly plotted and nicely paced, maintaining internal logic in a futuristic world, and I can tell you that’s not at all easy to do with such material. In spite of Randy’s internal preoccupation with sex, there’s an air of innocence and sincerity to the story, which makes the romantic storylines sweet and unassailable. Rosen knows how to tap into the reader’s happily-ever-after imagination, and here a campy, sci fi setting becomes a compelling tableau for what is ultimately a pretty wholesome story of boy-meets-boy.
Andrew Peters is an award-winning author, educator, and activist. His novel The City of Seven Gods won the 2017 Silver Falchion Award (Best Horror/Fantasy) and was a finalist in the 2016 Foreword INDIES (Best Sci Fi/Fantasy). He is also the author of the Werecat series, Poseidon and Cleito, and two books for young adults: The Seventh Pleiade and Banished Sons of Poseidon.
Categories Andrew's Reviews, Book ReviewsTags humor, science fiction, science Fiction humor, scifi Post navigation
ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: The Contingency Plan, by Addison Albright
A Testament Against Hate; Jeff Baker, Boogieman in Lavender
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Home / News / Largest-Ever Study of SYNGAP1 (MRD5), Linked to Autism, was Launched
TOPIC: Patients & Members, Press Releases, Research
Largest-Ever Study of SYNGAP1 (MRD5), Linked to Autism, was Launched
Posted by Jennifer Huron
Research study is open to participants worldwide to advance understanding and treatments for rare disease causing non-syndromic intellectual disability ranging from mild to severe with attention deficits, impulsivity, and/or mood disorders. Seventy to eighty percent of children with SYNGAP1 also have some type of epilepsy and the SYNGAP1 gene has been linked to autism.
Houston, Texas, and Danbury, CT, December 23, 2016—Bridge the Gap – SYNGAP Education and Research Foundation has launched the largest-ever study to research SYNGAP1 that causes intellectual disability, speech delay, hypotonia, and linked to a spectrum of epilepsies. SYNGAP1 currently has no cure.
“SYNGAP1 Natural History Study (NHS) Registry will provide a complete picture of each patient’s experience with SYNGAP1,” said Monica Weldon, President/CEO, “We are launching this initiative to help fill the missing link researchers and medical experts need to advance research and get to a cure.”
To help drive awareness and participation, Bridge the Gap – SYNGAP Education and Research Foundation will be launching the NHS Registry in late December of 2016 and offering a webinar (TBA) for SYNGAP1 community members. We introduced the program and spotlighting the platform at our First International SYNGAP1 Conference November 30 – December 1, 2016 in Houston, Texas at the Texas Children’s Woman’s Pavilion to clinicians, scientists and families in attendance.
“Our goal is to enroll as many patients, or their parents or legal guardians, as possible,” said Weldon. “The success of the registry is dependent upon community participation.” SYNGAP1 Natural History Study (NHS) Registry is a natural history study that consists of electronic surveys to collect information about the patient experience and disease progression. Patients, or their caregivers or guardians, can enter information from anywhere in the world. The data is made anonymous and stored securely in an online portal called a registry. Bridge the Gap – SYNGAP Education and Research Foundation may share the data but not your personal identifying information with individuals or institutions conducting research or clinical trials, as approved by the study’s governing board that includes scientists, doctors and patient advocates.
Bridge the Gap – SYNGAP Education and Research Foundation is launching the study in collaboration with the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), an independent charity that built its natural history study platform as part of its mission to help identify and treat all 7,000 rare diseases. Funding is supported by a cooperative agreement between NORD and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has praised NORD’s program as a helpful tool “that protects the security and privacy of personal information, while making valuable information available to a researcher or drug developer interested in creating a new therapy for a rare disease.”1
NORD President and CEO Peter L. Saltonstall said, “NORD’s natural history studies platform empowers patients and families to drive research and eliminate some of the unknowns that still exist in rare diseases. We are glad to be working with our Member Organization on this project and thank the FDA for its support and ongoing commitment to help people with rare diseases.”
The incidence of SYNGAP1 mutations reported are 1-4/10,000 individuals or approximately 1-2% of all cases of ID. A mutation in the SYNGAP1 gene results in non-syndromic intellectual disability in children ranging from mild to severe with attention deficits, impulsivity, and/or mood disorders. Seventy to eighty percent of children with SYNGAP1 also have some type of epilepsy. In recent findings SYNGAP1 has been a gene linked to autism. For more information, visit https://syngap1registry.iamrare.org
About Bridge the Gap – SYNGAP Education and Research Foundation
Bridge the Gap – SYNGAP Education and Research Foundation 501(c)(3) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve, educate and fund research for families coping with the effects of SYNGAP1 mutations. Most children benefit from occupational, physical and speech therapy emphasizing that early diagnosis and developmental intervention is important to ensure that affected children reach their full potential. Currently there are no treatments as researchers and clinicians are still trying to understand the biology of the disease. Our international outreach for SYNGAP1 children gathers critical information, which is needed to drive research towards more immediate therapeutic solutions. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people affected by SYNGAP1 and provide family support, accelerating research and raising awareness. Every child with SYNGAP1 provides information that can guides us to a cure.
About National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
An independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NORD is the leading advocacy organization representing all patients and families affected by rare diseases in the U.S. Established in 1983, NORD is committed to the identification, treatment and cure of the 7,000 rare diseases that affect 30 million Americans, or 1 in every 10 people, through programs of advocacy, education, research, and patient/family services. In addition to educational resources for patients, families, medical professionals and students available on its website (www.rarediseases.org), NORD represents 250 member organizations and collaborates with many others in specific causes of importance to the rare disease patient community.
Monica Weldon; President/CEO
Bridge the Gap – SYNGAP Education and Research Foundation
admin@bridgesyngap.org
Jennifer Huron
jhuron@rarediseases.org
Tags: ABCG5, abcg8, Bridge the Gap-SYNGAP Education and Research Foundation, Dr. Christoper Austin, FDA, Hurricane Harvey, Members-Only Webinar, natural history studies, NORD Member Organizations, Peter L. Saltonstall
“I was able to meet and have dinner with one of my Peace Corps friends. We hadn’t seen each other since we left Rom… https://t.co/DLR6mgICIYyesterday
Friday, 9/20, you're invited to join #NORD & Fdn for Rare Blood Diseases (SZB) for an externally-led PFDD meeting o… https://t.co/KcAvdr2Q7y2 days ago
#ICYMI: #NORD is inviting the public to share research with 800+ leaders in the #raredisease space at the 2019… https://t.co/QCo1HuMsjw2 days ago
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Serena Wee
Dr, PhD Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Science, School of Psychological Science
Emailserena.wee@uwa.edu.au
Restructured frame-of-reference training improves rating accuracy
Tsai, M. H., Wee, S. & Koh, B., 10 Apr 2019, In : Journal of Organizational Behavior.
Social Adjustment
Aligning Predictor-Criterion Bandwidths: Specific Abilities as Predictors of Specific Performance
Wee, S., 2018, In : Journal of Intelligence. 6, 3, 13 p., 40.
Diversity Shrinkage: Cross-Validating Pareto-Optimal Weights to Enhance Diversity via Hiring Practices
Song, Q. C., Wee, S. & Newman, D. A., Dec 2017, In : Journal of Applied Psychology. 102, 12, p. 1636-1657 22 p.
Competition, autonomy, and prestige: Mechanisms through which the Dark Triad predict job satisfaction
Jonason, P. K., Wee, S. & Li, N. P., 1 Jan 2015, In : Personality and Individual Differences. 72, p. 112-116 5 p.
Machiavellianism
More than g-Factors: Second-stratum Factors should not be Ignored
Wee, S., Newman, D. A. & Song, Q. C., 2015, In : Industrial and Organizational Psychology. 8, 3, p. 482-488 7 p.
Compromises in career-related decisions: Examining the role of compromise severity
Wee, S., Oct 2014, In : Journal of Counseling Psychology. 61, 4, p. 593-604 12 p.
Cultural differences in prioritizing applicant attributes when assessing employment suitability
Wee, S., Jonason, P. K. & Li, N. P., Nov 2014, In : European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. 23, 6, p. 946-956 11 p.
More than g: Selection quality and adverse impact implications of considering second-stratum cognitive abilities
Wee, S., Newman, D. A. & Joseph, D. L., Jul 2014, In : Journal of Applied Psychology. 99, 4, p. 547-563 17 p.
Work Performance
Occupational niches and the Dark Triad traits
Jonason, P. K., Wee, S., Li, N. P. & Jackson, C., Oct 2014, In : Personality and Individual Differences. 69, p. 119-123 5 p.
Sex Characteristics
Thinking bigger and better about “bad apples”: Evolutionary industrial--organizational psychology and the dark triad
Jonason, P. K., Wee, S. & Li, N. P., Mar 2014, In : Industrial and Organizational Psychology. 7, 1, p. 117-121 5 p.
Development and initial validation of the Willingness to Compromise Scale
Wee, S., Nov 2013, In : Journal of Career Assessment. 21, 4, p. 487-501 15 p.
Outcomes assessment of role-play scenarios for teaching responsible conduct of research
Seiler, S. N., Brummel, B. J., Anderson, K. L., Kim, K. J., Wee, S., Gunsalus, CK. & Loui, M. C., 2011, In : Accountability in research. 18, 4, p. 217-246 30 p.
The validity of the Graduate Record Examination for master’s and doctoral programs: A meta-analytic investigation
Kuncel, N. R., Wee, S., Serafin, L. & Hezlett, S. A., 2010, In : EDUCATIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT. 70, 2, p. 340-352 13 p.
Signal detection with criterion noise: Applications to recognition memory.
Benjamin, A. S., Diaz, M. & Wee, S., 2009, In : Psychological Review. 116, 1, p. 84-115 32 p.
Defining employee engagement for productive research and practice
Dalal, R. S., Brummel, B. J., Wee, SERENA. & Thomas, L. L., 2008, In : Industrial and Organizational Psychology. 1, 1, p. 52-55 4 p.
Capturing attention when attention "blinks"
Wee, S. & Chua, F. K., 2004, In : Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. 30, 3, p. 598 1 p.
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Bow Wow (ft. T-Pain, Johntá Austin) – Outta My System
Bow Wow Outta My System Mp3: Outta My System is an R&B hip hop song by American rapper Bow Wow. It features singers T-Pain and Johntá Austin. Produced by... Read More
will.i.am (ft. Cheryl Cole) – Heartbreaker
will i am Heartbreaker Mp3 ft Cheryl Cole: Heartbreaker is an R&B pop single by American rapper will.i.am, from his 2008 third album Songs About Girls. It features... Read More
Keri Hilson – Energy
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Celine Dion – Goodbye’s (The Saddest Word)
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4 / Nov / 2018
Donny Hathaway – This Christmas
Donny Hathaway This Christmas Mp3: This Christmas is a 1970 R&B soul song by American soul musician Donny Hathaway. He penned it with Nadine Theresa McKinnor.... Read More
Prince – The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
Prince The Most Beautiful Girl in the World Mp3: The Most Beautiful Girl in the World is a soft rock R&B song which is the... Read More
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Janet Jackson – Feedback
Janet Jackson Feedback Mp3: Feedback is an electro-pop R&B song by American singer Janet Jackson, taken from her 2008 tenth studio album, Discipline. It was written and... Read More
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Pussycat Dolls (ft. Busta Rhymes) – Don’t Cha
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Wyclef Jean & Mary J. Blige – 911
Mary J Blige Wyclef Jean 911: 911 is an R&B soul duet between Haitian musician Wyclef Jean and American singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige. Boasting a superb production team of Wyclef... Read More
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Gunmen Attack Ajimobi’s Boys While Moving N357m
There is confusion in the Oyo State government following the loss of a sum of N357million while it was being conveyed to some banks in the Ibadan, capital of the state, SaharaReporters can report.
The money was moved out of the Oluyole residence of Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his wife Florence, but those conveying the money had not reached any of their destinations when they were attacked by unknown gunmen, who made away with the money.
SaharaReporters understands that the man who drove the vehicle, an old man known as ‘Baba Obe’, is a trusted hand, as he has been around the Ajimobi family for decades. In fact, he drove Ajimobi’s father, who was once a member of the Old Western Region House of Assembly, for a long time in his lifetime. These days, he drives Ajimobi's last born.
“He was just drafted in to do this,” said a source familiar with the occurrence.
“The money was moved out in a Toyota Hiace bus. They were going to deposit some of it in Access Bank and the other in Heritage Bank, but they were attacked on Ring Road, just before the roundabout where a road leads to Iyaganku and the other to Apata. Everything happened between 7:20am and 7:35am.”
SaharaReporters understands that the man detailed to oversee the movement of the money, simply identified as ‘Semiu’, was wounded during the attack, his head hit with a gun; and that the money was passed on to her by Damola, a personal assistant to the Governor’s wife who is also the daughter of Segun Bolarinwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security.
Semiu has since been arrested, especially as the Oyo government hierarchy believe that only an insider could have known that the money was being moved out.
When SaharaReporters contacted Olugbenga Fadeyi, spokesman of the Police in Oyo State, to ask if he was aware of any robbery incident at Ring Road, he said he wasn’t. But he asked for an hour to find out. One hour later, Fadeyi confirmed that no such official report had been made.
“It is possible that there was a robbery but if no official report was made, we won’t know,” he said.
The Oyo State government has been in the news lately for unpleasant reasons relating to shady movement of funds.
In March, part of over N1billion moved out of the State House by Ajimobi between the night of Friday 22 and Saturday 23 was confirmed missing.
Two days later, SaharaReporters reported that Ajimobi suspended Niyi Ajao, his Special Adviser on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), without pay for mismanaging election campaign funds.
Only last week, Godwin Obode, former Special Assistant on Youth and Student Matters to Ajimobi, was arrested by men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) following his refusal to return the N18.5million he received from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State for the general election but did not spend.
SaharaReporter
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The U.S. Supreme Court Decided to Ignore Black Hair Discrimination
Angry Black Lady Chronicles
Imani Gandy
Analysis Racist Nonsense
May 16, 2018, 1:01pm Imani Gandy
Black women may continue to be discriminated against even though having traditionally Black hairstyles has no bearing on a person’s fitness for a particular job.
Black women should not be forced to divest themselves of their racial cultural identity in order to obtain or maintain a job in predominantly white corporate spaces.
New Abortion Ban Lawsuit Places Black Georgians Squarely at the Center of the Fight
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Black hair discrimination in the workplace is real, and the U.S. Supreme Court just rejected an opportunity to address it.
On Monday, the Court refused to consider a lawsuit against Catastrophe Management Systems (CMS) alleging that Chastity Jones, a Black woman, suffered racial discrimination when CMS rescinded a job offer because Jones wouldn’t cut off her dreadlocks.
The facts of the case, as outlined in court documents, are these: In 2010, Jones interviewed for a customer service representative job at CMS after being selected from a pool of online applicants. She arrived for the interview wearing her hair in short dreadlocks. After Jones was offered the job, the company’s HR manager, Jeannie Wilson, told Jones that CMS could not hire her “with the dreadlocks.” When Jones asked her why, Wilson told her, “They tend to get messy, although I’m not saying yours are, but you know what I’m talking about,” the lawsuit says. Jones declined to change her hair.
At the time, CMS interpreted its hairstyle policy—which said that an employee’s “hairstyle should reflect a business/professional image” and that “[n]o excessive hairstyles or unusual colors are acceptable”—as banning dreadlocks.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit on behalf of Jones, alleging that CMS had subjected her to racial discrimination in violation of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC argued that race doesn’t have a biological definition and is a social construct, and that race is not defined or limited by immutable characteristics. Instead, the EEOC alleged that race can also encompass “cultural characteristics related to race or ethnicity,” including “grooming practices”; and that even though some non-Black people’s hair texture can lock, “dreadlocks are nonetheless a racial characteristic, just as skin color is a racial characteristic.”
U.S. District Court Judge Charles R. Butler Jr. disagreed in 2014 and dismissed the lawsuit. The EEOC appealed.
In 2016, a unanimous three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court ruling dismissing the case, stating that the EEOC “did not state a plausible claim that CMS intentionally discriminated against Ms. Jones because of her race.”
The EEOC asked for a rehearing en banc, which the 11th Circuit denied in December 2017. In its denial, the 11th Circuit agreed with the three-judge panel: “[D]ismissing the complaint was the correct legal call. Under our precedent, banning dreadlocks in the workplace under a race-neutral grooming policy—without more—does not constitute intentional race-based discrimination.”
After losing the appeal, the EEOC decided not to take the case to the Supreme Court. It is unclear why: Perhaps the EEOC thought it had no chance of success, or perhaps personnel changes at the EEOC made the agency under Trump more hostile to Jones’ claims than it was under Obama. And because of a procedural quirk in the way the lawsuit was brought—the EEOC was the plaintiff and not Jones herself—Jones could not herself appeal to the Supreme Court. So that Jones could continue to vindicate her civil rights claims, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund (LDF) filed a motion with the Court earlier this year asking that Jones be allowed to intervene and appeal the case to the Supreme Court. (A motion to intervene asks a court to allow a nonparty to the lawsuit to join the lawsuit without permission of the original plaintiff or the defendants.)
The Supreme Court refused, thus permitting employers like CMS to ban most, if not all, natural hairstyles.
First, CMS’s purported race-neutral grooming policy is anything but—since it excludes Black women’s natural hairstyles based on stereotypes that natural hairstyles are unprofessional, messy, not neat, political, radical, too eye-catching, or excessive.
Second, the 11th Circuit ruled against the EEOC based on antiquated and incorrect notions about race being a biological imperative rather than a social construct, which led to a hopelessly confused decision wherein the court tried to differentiate between racial characteristics that are immutable—hair texture—and those that are not—hair styles. The court ignored that Black women should not be forced to divest themselves of their racial cultural identity in order to obtain or maintain a job in predominantly white corporate spaces. In other words, it ignored the fact that hair styles are often not race-neutral.
Third, as LDF noted in a statement in April when it filed the Supreme Court petition:
[The 11th Circuit’s] analysis contradicts Supreme Court precedent established in its seminal 1989 decision Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, which ruled that Title VII prohibits discrimination based on stereotypes, regardless of whether the stereotype focuses on mutable or immutable traits. Every appellate court that has considered a similar legal question has consistently followed the Supreme Court’s guidance in Price Waterhouse. The Seventh Circuit, based in Chicago, even held that Title VII bars an employer from taking a negative employment action against a Black employee because she wore her hair in an afro.
But there’s another important issue at play here: the Court’s decision not to allow Jones to intervene. This is a matter of procedural injustice. As LDF writer-in-residence Christian Farias noted on Twitter, “If the federal government represents you in the lower courts but leaves you stranded on appeal, why shouldn’t you be allowed to intervene? That matters.”
Let me explain further what Farias means: The EEOC is a federal governmental agency that represented Jones in district court and in the 11th Circuit. When the EEOC decided not to purse the case any further, Jones was left with no recourse but to ask if she could intervene. Since she is not a plaintiff in the case—again, the EEOC is the plaintiff—she has no right to appeal the case herself without the Court’s permission. But she is the subject of the lawsuit, and it is her civil rights that are at issue in the lawsuit. In addition, as Farias pointed out on Twitter, many workers cannot afford to pursue these lawsuits on their own because they cannot afford counsel, so they rely on the EEOC to vindicate their interests. As such, the Supreme Court could have—and should have—granted her that permission by allowing her to intervene. As Sherrilyn Iffill, president and director-counsel of LDF, pointed out in a statement yesterday, by denying Jones the chance to intervene, the Court “halt[ed] a critical opportunity to address employment discrimination.” So far, no court case has been decided in favor of letting Black people wear dreadlocks in any circuit.
So for now, Black women may continue to be discriminated against even though having traditionally Black hairstyles has no bearing on a person’s fitness for a particular job. And Black women will continue to be excluded from the workplace entirely, or forced to conform to white hair standards (as I wrote about here).
Either way, Black women will continue to be expected to change the way their hair grows out of their heads naturally—for example, by straightening it using harsh chemicals—in a way that white women are not. And ultimately, that’s just not fair.
Race, Supreme Court
Sunu Chandy
Commentary Law and Policy
Gender-Based Stereotypes Have No Place in Employment Decisions. Will the Supreme Court Agree?
Jul 8, 1:55pm
The Supreme Court Considers Giving Conservative Christians a License to Discriminate…Again (Updated)
Apr 10, 3:34pm Jessica Mason Pieklo
The Supreme Court Considers a Case That Could Gut the Equal Pay Act (Updated)
Jan 18, 9:34am Jessica Mason Pieklo
Employees Can Be Fired for Being LGBTQ in 26 States. Will the Supreme Court Make That Even Worse? (Updated)
Jan 2, 8:00am Jessica Mason Pieklo
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FBI Zubaydah Interrogator Calls George Bush a Liar: “No Actionable Intelligence Gained from Using Enhanced Interrogation Techniques”
23 Apr 2009 Jane Hamsher
Ali Soufan, an FBI interrogator who stayed mum for seven years about "the false claims magnifying the effectiveness of the so-called enhanced interrogation techniques like waterboarding" breaks his silence in the NYT today. Along with other CIA and FBI agents, he questioned Zubadayah in June of 2002 before "harsh techniques" were introduced:
Under traditional interrogation methods, he provided us with important actionable intelligence. We discovered, for example, that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. Abu Zubaydah also told us about Jose Padilla, the so-called dirty bomber.
That squares with what part of what George Bush said in his 2006 speech defending the use of "new interrogation" techniques:
During questioning, he at first disclosed what he thought was nominal information — and then stopped all cooperation. Well, in fact, the "nominal" information he gave us turned out to be quite important. For example, Zubaydah disclosed Khalid Sheikh Mohammed — or KSM — was the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, and used the alias "Muktar." This was a vital piece of the puzzle that helped our intelligence community pursue KSM.
But that’s where the stories diverge. Bush says Zubadayah gave critical information about Padilla’s plans:
Abu Zubaydah also provided information that helped stop a terrorist attack being planned for inside the United States — an attack about which we had no previous information. Zubaydah told us that al Qaeda operatives were planning to launch an attack in the U.S., and provided physical descriptions of the operatives and information on their general location. Based on the information he provided, the operatives were detained — one while traveling to the United States.
Soufan says this isn’t true:
Defenders of these techniques have claimed that they got Abu Zubaydah to give up information leading to the capture of Ramzi bin al-Shibh, a top aide to Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, and Mr. Padilla. This is false…. As for Mr. Padilla, the dates just don’t add up: the harsh techniques were approved in the memo of August 2002, Mr. Padilla had been arrested that May.
Bush said that at this point, after Zubadayah gave up information about KSM and Padilla using normal interrogation techniques, he became uncooperative: "We knew that Zubaydah had more information that could save innocent lives, but he stopped talking." According to Jane Mayer, that’s not what happened — the FBI thought they were getting "phenomenal" information. George Tenet was thrilled, until he found out it was an FBI success, not a CIA success. According to Ron Suskind, Tenet was under "extraordinary pressure from Bush to produce breakthrough intelligence from Zubayda, whose capture the President had sold to the country as a major coup."
The CIA team arrived, the FBI people were frozen out, and psychologist James Mitchell took over and the "enhanced interrogation techniques" began. Bush said this was necessary because "it became clear that he had received training on how to resist interrogation." In fact, says Mayer, "what happened next was that Zubayda completely shut down. After the next ten to fifteen days, the FBI agents had to be brought back in, at which point he began talking again." But they were once again expelled by orders from Washington. According to the McClatchy story yesterday, Cheney and Rumsfeld "demanded that the interrogators find evidence of al Qaida-Iraq collaboration."
Bush said the CIA efforts were successful, and that the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques" led to the capture of Ramzi bin al Shibh:
Zubaydah was questioned using these procedures, and soon he began to provide information on key al Qaeda operatives, including information that helped us find and capture more of those responsible for the attacks on September the 11th. For example, Zubaydah identified one of KSM’s accomplices in the 9/11 attacks — a terrorist named Ramzi bin al Shibh. The information Zubaydah provided helped lead to the capture of bin al Shibh.
And that’s where Soufan calls him a liar:
The information that led to Mr. Shibh’s capture came primarily from a different terrorist operative who was interviewed using traditional methods… there was no actionable intelligence gained from using enhanced interrogation techniques on Abu Zubaydah that wasn’t, or couldn’t have been, gained from regular tactics.
So somebody’s not telling the truth. And until there’s a formal investigation, we’ll never know whether the President of the United States lied to the American public in the September 2006 speech when he said that the use of torture had produced actionable intelligence. Because people who were there are now calling George Bush a bold-faced liar.
Building The Wave Of Support For Torture Investigations
And Did James Mitchell Also Write the Psychological Profile of Abu Zubaydah Bybee Used?
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Shelf Indulgence
A Little Gray Book of Shadows
September 10, 2018 at 6:00 pm (Reads) (adult fiction, horror, short stories)
A Little Gray Book of Shadows by William F. Nolan
I found out about Borderlands Press’s Little Book series way too late to get in on a full collection, but they’ve published some short story collections by some pretty heavy hitters, including Laird Barron, Joe Hill, Joe Lansdale, and Neil Gaiman. When the publisher announced their newest wave of Little Books, they hinted at getting one from Stephen King, so of course I jumped on the chance to get a set. A Little Gray Book of Shadows is the first in this latest line of collections, and it contains seven stories by the writer best known for co-writing Logan’s Run.
The first story, “Saturday’s Shadow”, was a little puzzling to me. It’s a story about obsessions, tied in with movies, but it was hard to say whose obsession this was, since the narrator is unreliable. He described the hallucinations as someone else’s, but it’s clear the narrator is unhinged, too. It didn’t do much for me, and it didn’t help that the style used a lot of parenthetical asides that threw off the pace of the narrative.
“Vympyre” follows, and is more a prose poem than an actual story. It’s about a vampire’s “life” passing before his eyes as he dies a true death, and he reflects back on all the history he’s seen during his existence. It’s fine, but it’s nothing spectacular.
The next story, “Lonely Train A’Comin'”, is a more traditional story, and starts out strong. He captures the emotion of a character whose sister has gone missing, and is grieving her loss. The story peters out toward the end, and rushes to a conclusion that’s not all that satisfying, but given how well Nolan captured his main character at the beginning of the story, it’s well worth the read.
Next is “The Partnership”, an odd story that, honestly, feels pretty pointless. It’s grisly and disturbing, but not for any particular reason. It’s not splatterpunk, but neither is it a subtle take on the genre that will settle with you long after you finish the story. It’s just kind of blah.
“The Yard” is the next story, and is fairly forgettable. I read it just last night, and had to struggle to remember the details just to write this review. If this had any point of meaning beyond just being a horror story, it went over my head.
Then there’s “Dead Call”, which is about a character receiving a call from a friend who died the previous week. It’s not an original premise, but what Nolan does with the idea is actually interesting. It doesn’t have a strong finish, but it’s a short, shocking story that manages to get under your skin without any violence or gore.
“Alex” concludes the collection, and is the only original story of the seven. It’s a strange story, because it’s either an homage to Stephen King, or a fictional gripe against the author’s success. The tone doesn’t make it clear, so it’s hard to tell what point Nolan was trying to make with the story.
Like any short story collection, Shadows has its hits and misses. For the most part, I’m not the audience for short stories, but I do appreciate a good, effective story when it packs the right punch. This collection just doesn’t hit that mark for me, but Nolan is a well-respected author, and the reprints were taken from well-regarded anthologies. I’m perfectly willing to admit that it’s just me.
Started: September 4, 2018
Finished: September 5, 2018
Black in Time
September 7, 2018 at 6:00 pm (Reads) (adult fiction, science-fiction, time-travel)
Black in Time by John Jakes
OK, how can anyone know this book exists and not want to read it? We have John Jakes, famous historical novelist, who wrote a novel set in the 1970s about a black militant and a white supremacist chasing each other through history trying to keep the other from creating his own version of utopia. Isn’t this pretty much begging to be read?
I mean, let’s be honest: This is a terrible idea. It’s a decent enough premise, sure, but a white man writing what is, in effect, a blaxploitation novel is a terrible idea. The black characters like fried chicken, they jive talk, they know karate … as much as Jakes is trying to be progressive, he relies a whole lot of stereotypes when writing his black characters. In his foreword to the book (the edition I read was a reprint), Jakes notes that he’s proud of the book, but even that was written in 1980. I wonder what he thinks of the book now.
Beyond that, though, this isn’t even that great of a time travel novel. Jakes plays fast and loose with the whole changing-the-past-affects-the-future aspect of the story. By the end, he shows what a black utopia would look like (don’t forget those stereotypes), but other, minor things, like taking and using a handgun in the 6th century BC, or someone attempting to strangle Ben Franklin at a public appearance, don’t have an effect. I don’t imagine they would change the timline, but surely a history book or two would change based on this stuff, right?
Given that the book focuses on race relations, and has a main character who’s a white supremacist, one should expect some offensive language. Aside from the liberal use of the N-word, Jakes has the white supremacist (Billy Roy Whisk, which is an excellent name for such a character) talk about trying to kill “Martin Luther Coon” before he has a chance to start his movement. And to be fair, Jakes doesn’t come across as someone who endorses such language; he’s giving all that to the characters we’re supposed to despise. I’m just giving potential readers full warning.
Parts of it are a little hard to understand, since he’s using slang that was common in 1970, but the context makes it easy to understand what he’s saying. The only time I was unsure was when he used the word “scrogged” to describe how a character took out a guard. I wasn’t sure if that meant killed or just knocked unconscious, but within a page, it was made clear. Plus, I have a new word to add to my vocabulary!
Despite all that, the story is readable, and if you can stomach how cheesy and dated much of the book is, it’s pretty entertaining. Granted, much of my entertainment came from chuckling at how bad it was, but it was enough to keep me rating the book just one star. I would actually recommend it to people, but more as a curiosity than a book that will change someone’s life. It’s one of those “If you want to read this based on the title alone, you’re good” kinds of books.
Hard Merchandise
September 6, 2018 at 6:00 pm (Reads) (adult fiction, science-fiction, star wars)
Hard Merchandise by K.W. Jeter
For better or for worse, I have committed myself to reading all of the Star Wars books. Some have been exceptional, most have been mediocre, but only one so far has been downright bad and embarrassing to read. Jeter’s entire Bounty Hunter Wars trilogy, though, is the first one I’ve read that was outright boring.
The characters in this series are flat, the plots are unengaging, and the action is more likely to put you to sleep than to keep you interested. It’s a shame, too, because Jeter’s ideas are pretty cool, and his outlook on the Expanded Universe is a bit darker than expected, but he doesn’t do much with those ideas. It doesn’t help that the character everyone probably wants to read about — Boba Fett — feels more like an incidental character, since Dengar and Neelah come across as the central characters for the entire series.
Speaking of Neelah, at one point in the book, around the 100-page mark, Jeter refers to her as “the female Neelah”, which threw me. Irrespective of the fact that this is the final book in a trilogy, in which she’s featured prominently in the story, this isn’t even her first appearance in this book, where she’s already been established as female. Why make such an odd distinction in the narrative? It wasn’t even a quote; it was part of the narrative.
I’ve been more engaged reading program code, or watching a PowerPoint presentation, than I was reading this trilogy. It’s just terrible, moreso because it had the potential to be something a lot better. I wouldn’t recommend this book or series at all.
Started: August 21, 2018
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A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts
September 5, 2018 at 6:00 pm (Reads) (engineering, history, nonfiction, science, space)
A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts by Andrew Chaikin
I’ve been fascinated by space and space travel since I was a kid. I used to have a copy of Our Universe, and it became one of my most-read, most dog-eared books, since I would pore over it any chance I had. When I was browsing Audible looking for my next audiobook, I stumbled across this one, and figured it would be a good way to pass the time driving to and from work. It wound up not just being a good choice, but the best choice.
Chaikin approaches the story of the missions in an interesting way, focusing on whatever makes the next mission different from the next. He covers in great details the minutiae of the journey to and from the Moon with Apollo 8, the first mission to complete the trip, but by the time he gets to Apollo 11, he skips those parts and focuses solely on the landing and the moon walks. Apollo 13 is covered in great detail, since the mission was one of survival, not of achievement, and the later missions were covered by their moon walks and goals, which grew with each subsequent mission.
The author takes a risk by writing about the Apollo missions in order, since Apollo 1 resulted in the fire that killed three astronauts. It’s a downer of a story, and isn’t the best one to capture the hope and glory that surrounded later missions. Still, this was how the Apollo program happened in real life, and the program opened with this tragedy, which is tragic not just due to the loss of three lives, but due to what it represented to the program, the organization, and even the country. The loss of the mission was as huge as the loss of life, and Chaikin captures that well in his telling of the story.
Chaikin writes about the astronauts and other key figures of Mission Control and the program overall as they become relevant to the story. He tends to focus on their characters, touching on other related people in their lives only briefly. He mentions that one astronaut from the early mission had a wife who turned to alcohol to help deal with the stress of being an astronaut’s wife, but he doesn’t mention how — or if — that was something ever resolved. Chaikin keeps his focus on the astronauts themselves. This makes sense based on his source material (he interviewed all of the astronauts to research the book), but at the same time, these are important facts about the story that are never discussed beyond bringing them to our attention. Wives, children, and support staff are only mentioned when it’s relevant to the astronauts’ stories.
One thing that threw me about the narrative was how Chaikin would write about events from the past, as if they were happening at that moment. He would sometimes use words like “yesterday” or “tomorrow” or “later” to describe a different event, even though the rest of the story was told in the past tense. It was an odd choice (why not “the previous day” or “the next day”?), and it’s not something that happened all the time, but it was frequent enough to raise my eyebrows.
Bronson Pinchot narrated the audiobook, and I don’t think there’s a better narrator they could have chosen for the book. When the story gets tense, he narrates with excitement and breathlessness; when the story tells of the astronauts’ reactions to the grandeur of space and the Moon, his voice becomes soft and awestruck; when the story covers life-and-death decisions that must be made quickly, Pinchot tells us so quickly, frenetically. He doesn’t just tell the story, he performs it, and I’ve about decided that I will listen to any audiobook if Pinchot is narrating it.
The book concludes with an epilogue that shares what the Apollo astronauts did with their lives after going to the moon. It’s an enlightening finish, as some of them became religious, others dropped out of space aeronautics all together, and others dropped out of the public life all together. Only one of the astronauts would stay with NASA long enough to participate in the space shuttle missions, while the bulk of them moved on to business ventures as wide-ranging as real estate to becoming CEOs. It helps to show how grounded the astronauts were, and how their trips to the moon were as much of a job to them as the rest of us have to our own daily grind.
A Man on the Moon is a book for anyone fascinated with space or history or engineering or dedication. We’re nearing the 50th anniversary of the first moon walk, and when we reach that date, it will have been forty-seven years since we last sent someone to the Moon. By then, it will be forty-seven years since we sent a person to any other object in our solar system. As Chaikin writes in his afterword, “How could the most futuristic thing humans have ever done be so far in the past?”
Started: August 8, 2018
Finished: August 30, 2018
September 4, 2018 at 6:00 pm (Reads) (fantasy, horror, juvenile fiction)
I lived in and around Asheville, NC for several years in my twenties, so when I first heard about Serafina and the Black Cloak, I figured it would be a matter of time before I read it. Set at the Biltmore Estate during the turn of the century and having a supernatural angle, the story seemed like it would hit all of my interests, and I was surprised it took me a few years to get to it. I think I could have waited a lot longer and it wouldn’t have bothered me.
The book isn’t bad, necessarily — it flows well, and has compelling characters — but it feels clunky. It’s clearly a juvenile book, since it lacks some subtlety in its storytelling. The characters and themes are drawn with broad strokes, and the plot feels more like it’s just loping along from one point to another instead of feeling developed and fleshed out. Plus, the big secret about Serafina becomes obvious at about the quarter-length point of the book, but Beatty doesn’t come out and tell us directly about it until near the end. I’ve heard “But it’s a kids’ book” as a defense, but it’s hard to claim that anymore, when the Harry Potter series raised the bar for how complex and subtle a juvenile book can be.
Beatty’s narrative is also a bit awkward in places, particularly in his similes. When he goes with the story and lets the plot unfold on its own, it’s fine, but then he throws in something like “Her corset felt like Satan’s bony hand…”, and the whole thing falls apart. I think authors are trying so hard not to write cliches that they come up with something so ridiculous that it doesn’t make sense, and pulls the reader right out of the story. Nick Cutter’s The Troop was another story that did that, though admittedly, Black Cloak isn’t that bad.
Serafina and the Black Cloak is the first in a trilogy, and while I enjoyed how Beatty wrapped up the characters in this story, I don’t feel the need to read the rest of the series. For one, now that Serafina’s secret (such as it is) has been revealed, that mystery won’t carry the story any more. For another, the story simply doesn’t wow me enough to make me want to continue. I’m somewhat curious to see how some of the relationships develop over the series, but I’d be satisfied just to read a summary of the next two books to see how they’re resolved.
Lost Futures
September 3, 2018 at 6:00 pm (Reads) (adult fiction, horror, re-read, science-fiction)
Lost Futures by Lisa Tuttle
Lost Futures is the sixteenth book in the Abyss imprint, and is one I recall as being one of my favorites back when I read them in the early 1990s. I was so excited to re-read it, even as I had a feeling I was carrying too much nostalgia for the book, and was setting myself up for disappointment. I’m happy to say that I came out of this thinking that it was still a solid, effective read.
This is a book about choices: the permanent, irrevocable choices of our past and how they affect our future. Claire, the main character, is living a lackluster life, one filled with a brother who died due in part to her neglect when she was younger, a string of ex-boyfriends who either left or were pushed away, and a job that pays the bills, but doesn’t excite her. When she starts getting glimpses of other versions of her life, where she made different choices, she begins thinking of them as alternate universes based on quantum physics. In short, whenever a choice is made, the universe splits to accomodate realities where one choice was made, and another for a different choice. It’s the Schroedinger’s Cat thought experiment, on a grander scale.
So, Lost Futures is more science fiction than one would expect from the Abyss imprint, but it’s still horror, because Tuttle looks at the realization that our past is fixed, no matter what. We can struggle with the agony of missed chances or poor choices, but eventually we have to come to terms with our choices instead of dwelling on what could have been. Plus, as the story progresses, we start to wonder which personality is reality, and whether or not what Claire is experiencing is real, or all in her mind. Tuttle plays with that convention very well.
Things happen quickly in the book. The idea of alternate universes is revealed in chapter two, so the story isn’t about working up to that reveal; instead, we’re looking at Claire’s self-examination for much of the story. Early on, Tuttle creates a strong friendship between Claire and Sophie, an old college roommate, but she drops that thread by the end of the book, which I feel is a disservice to that relationship. Aside from being a positive representation of female friendships, Tuttle has Claire focus instead on the man with whom she wants to have a relationship. Even though we only have a brief glimpse at that character, the relationship between Claire and Sophie felt stronger, more significant, and should have been revisited.
Lost Futures is a thoughtful book, and is a good representation of what the Abyss imprint was trying to do: focusing on internal horror instead of demons and other ghoulies. It appears to have gained a cult status since its first publication, and was even nominated for a couple of literary awards the year it was released. I’m pleased to see that it holds up as well as it did the first time I read it, nearly twenty years ago.
I Met a Traveller in an Antique Land
August 31, 2018 at 6:00 pm (Reads) (adult fiction, fantasy, novella)
I Met a Traveller in an Antique Land by Connie Willis
I’ll read anything Connie Willis publishes. In addition, she’s a writer who goes right to the top of my reading list when I get a new book of hers. That’s a small list of authors for me, but Willis has proven time and again she’s at the top of her game, and it looks like she’s going to be there for a long time.
I Met a Traveller in an Antique Land, unfortunately, is not her strongest work. For an author who excels at characterization and complex plots, this novella feels oddly straightfoward, and is even rather heavy-handed. Our narrator, Jim, a professional blogger whose expertise is supporting obsolescence (?), stumbles across what he thinks is a bookstore while trying to escape the rain in New York City. The rest of the story is Jim discovering the secret behind the bookstore (which holds hundreds of thousands of books, which his guide continues to tell him aren’t for sale).
The thing is, Willis makes it obvious what that secret is, so we’re along for the ride while his guide goes on a rant about how libraries get rid of books that don’t get used, or how people throw out old books because they don’t see any value in them, or how books just waste away over time. As a reader, I understand where Willis comes from in that argument; as a librarian, though, I don’t understand what she expects libraries to do. She delivers a passionate argument, but she doesn’t offer any alternatives to weeding a library collection, other than to create a fantasy library that solves the problem she sees. I was never hesitant to discard materials from the library when they no longer served a purpose (seriously, who needs a book on DOS 3.0 in the 21st century, or a book about professional frisbee players from the 1970s?), so the point of this novella didn’t hit the mark with me.
Despite that, this novella is exactly what Willis fans would expect from her. It contains books, has a lovestruck character, and a large part of the story centers on a comedy of errors. It’s just not her best work. Compared with the brilliance of Doomsday Book or Bellwether or Lincoln’s Dreams, Traveller falls flat because it doesn’t contain those elements that best define her books. Existing fans will devour the story, and enjoy it, but I can’t help but feel like they’ll finish the book wanting to re-read one of her earlier, better works. This novella is like hearing the cover of a favorite song on the radio and wishing you could hear the original instead.
The Black God’s Drums
August 30, 2018 at 6:00 pm (Reads) (adult fiction, novella, steampunk)
The Black God’s Drums by Djèlí P. Clark
Set in a steampunk, post-Civil War, post-slavery New Orleans, and featuring a touch of African magic, The Black God’s Drums is the latest in the Tor.com novella series. Famous for featuring authors and characters that have often been overlooked in genre fiction, the imprint is something I’ve championed since I first discovered it, recommending them not just for their social awareness, but also because there are some fantastic stories there. I went into this novella with high expectations.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit all the marks I hoped for. It’s definitely a compelling story, but it rushes through a lot of the plot, and hurries through the conclusion, enough so that the novella feels more like a first draft of a novel rather that a completed novella. I’ve said before that books have to be long enough to cover the stories therein, and here, it feels like Clark was working to fulfill a maximum (or in this case, minimum) number of words to qualify as a novella. Plus, being set in a steampunk New Orleans, the story reminded me too much of Ganymede by Cherie Priest, which was the advantage of being a fantastic book, as well as an appropriate length.
There’s a lot of potential here, but by the end of the story, I couldn’t get excited about the characters or the story. Clark is a talented writer, and has a strong narrative style, but the story lacks the elusive OOMPH to make it a classic. It just wasn’t my thing.
August 27, 2018 at 6:00 pm (Reads) (adult fiction, fantasy)
The Prestige by Christopher Priest
I’m always a little nervous when I read a novel that was the basis for a movie, when I’ve already seen the movie. I’m afraid I’ll pull too much of the movie into the book, and I won’t be able to pick up on the subtlety of the original story. Luckily, the book starts completely differently than the movie does, so I was able to at least start the story fresh.
On the bright side, I think it helped a lot to have seen the movie before reading the book. The Prestige is one of those novels that, by itself, requires a couple of reads to understand the full story. Knowing the twist, and knowing how the ending will play out, helps in some of the more difficult sections of the narrative. Not to give anything away, but the structure of the first section of the book would have been a lot more difficult to understand without already knowing the ending.
One thing I noticed while reading the book is how unbelievable parts of it are. They don’t seem as crazy in the movie for some reason. While watching the movie, I could acknowledge that the science was questionable, but I was so caught up in the events and trying to figure out where the Nolans were leading us, it didn’t affect me as much. In the book, they were somehow much more unbelievable. Part of it is the major differences in the ending; in the end, how the Nolans concluded their story sat more easily with me than how Priest concluded his.
The bulk of the story and its intricacies, though, are all Priest’s. He deserves the credit for how engaging, twisty, and unexpected the plot is, in the same way that Robert Bloch deserves that same credit for Psycho. He also structures the story differently, telling it in an epistolary style through journals of the two magicians. Interestingly, Priest chooses not to intertwine the stories; instead, he tells all of Borden’s story, and then shifts to Angier’s. By itself, it works very well; having watched the movie first, it’s a little jarring in how we get almost to the end of the movie before we shift gears and go back to the beginning.
Like the tricks themselves, the story is one of prestidigitation, making it one that rewards careful, attentive readers. Much of what we need to know about the plot and its twists are made clear in the beginning, if only we know what to identify as the keys. I’m not saying I’m one of those attentive readers (there’s a good chance I would have missed a lot of them had I not seen the movie), but those who like a good mystery would enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.
August 24, 2018 at 6:00 pm (Reads) (adult fiction, science-fiction, star wars)
Slave Ship by K.W. Jeter
After being so disappointed with the first book in this series, I went into the second book with lowered expectations. It helped at the start — it felt like it was a little bit better — but by the first third of the book, it felt like I was reading the first book all over again. It wasn’t engaging, and I felt myself lucky if I were reading twenty pages a day.
Like the first book, Slave Ship flips between two timelines, one during the events of The Empire Strikes Back, the rest about halfway into the events of Return of the Jedi. This time, I at least recognized that Jeter was using a framing device by having Dengar telling Neelah what happened in the past. I don’t remember that being the structure in the first novel, but as long as it took to get through it, and as hard as it was for me to pay attention to it, I could have just missed it.
Also, by this book, the Bounty Hunters Guild has been disbanded, which was news to me. Did it happen in the first book and I just missed it? (I’m willing to admit this is likely the case.) Or is it like the Clone Wars and it happened between entries in the series? Now, don’t think that you won’t know this is the case, though; Jeter tells us over and over again that it’s been disbanded, thanks to Boba Fett. It’s sort of like “With great power comes great responsibility” in Spider-Man: You’re going to hear it again and again and again.
Jeter still has some cool, cyberpunky ideas, which are rarely seen in the Expanded Universe, so I think it’s refreshing to see them here, but he doesn’t do much with those ideas. His characters are flat, the plot seems forced, and he uses a lot of info-dumps. His action scenes are also flat, and since there are a few battles that take place, that’s unfortunate.
Speaking of characters, that of Boba Fett feels off. I know he’s supposed to be a ruthless character, but Jeter makes him this emotionless, manipulative character who doesn’t quite gel with how I perceive him from the movies. Ruthless is one thing, but sociopathic is a little different. Plus, we never get any of Fett’s point of view, so we never know what his motivations are. I’m sure that’s intentional — Fett has always been a mysterious character — but as much as he’s featured on the covers and summaries of the books, I expected a bit more attention paid to his character.
So, I’m going to finish the series (I’ve come this far, and I’ve already committed to reading all the EU books, for good or ill), but the second book hasn’t given me any reason to change my mind on its quality. I’m tempted to just read the Wookieepedia entry for the third book so I can jump ahead, but I’m a slave to my projects. I won’t expect it will change my mind about the series, though.
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Six Impossible Things
"'Now I'll give you something to believe. I'm just one hundred and one, five months and a day.'
"'I can't believe that!' said Alice.
"'Can't you?' the Queen said in a pitying tone. 'Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.'
"Alice laughed: 'There's no use trying,' she said; 'one can't believe impossible things.'
"'I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.'"
--Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass
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SoCal Patriot Guard Riders
Home SoCal Missions SoCal Events Contact Us
Mission Statement Mission Protocol About PGR History FAQ Join Our Mission
Please visit the new So Cal PGRForum at www.socalpgr.org/pgr to see current missions and events. You must Register as a NEW MEMBER in order to receive mission notifications via email.
The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse group of riders and other citizens from across the United States of America. We have one thing in common, an unwavering respect for those who risk their own lives for America’s freedom and security.
We Are Patriotic! We Love America!
If you share this Respect - Join Us!!
We don’t care what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter what part of the State you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride a motorcycle.
The only prerequisite is Respect.
You don't have to be a bike rider or even a veteran to join our group - You only have to have Respect for those that wear the uniform. We have many non-veterans and non-bikers within our ranks.
To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the liberty and freedoms of others, here at home and abroad, know that we back you 100%. We honor and support you with every mission and we are praying for everyone’s safe return home.
We accomplish all that we do through strictly legal and non-violent means.
The Patriot Guard originated in Mulvane, Kansas in August 2005, at American Legion Riders Post 136. The Patriot Guard Riders stands guard for Fallen Soldiers of current wars who were Killed In Action or are Casualties of War.
We are invited guests of the families. We shield them from protesters, showing our deepest respect and honoring the soldiers, their families and their communities. You do not need to ride a motorcycle or be a Veteran to be a part of Patriot Guard Riders. The ONLY requirement is a desire to show respect for our Fallen Soldiers and their Families.
Click here if you would like to become a part of the Patriot Guard Riders!
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1864: George Johnson to Hugh B. Eastburn
Previous post: 1864: DeWitt Davis to Robert Field Crowell
Next post: 1853: Rowland Hazard to Margaret Anna Rood
Posted 19 Jul 2017 by Griff
This letter was written by George Johnson (1845-1875), the son of Edwin Johnson (1814-1883) and Ann E. Eastburn (1817-1900) of Upper Makefield, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The Johnson family were members of the Wrightstown (Quaker) Meeting House in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. George’s siblings included: Richard Henry Johnson (b. 1842), Samuel A. Johnson (b. 1847), and Benjamin E. Johnson (b. 1852). George was married to Mary Shoemaker (1844-1935) in June 1874.
Johnson wrote the letter to his friend, Hugh B. Eastburn (1846-1915), the son of Moses and Mary Anna (Ely) Eastburn. Hugh was born in Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pa., on 11 February 1846. He was educated at the schools of Solebury and the Excelsior Normal Institute at Carversville, Pa., graduating at the latter institution in 1865. He afterward taught for two years in the Boys’ Grammar School at Fifteenth and Race Streets, Philadelphia, and later at the Friends’ Central High School. He studied law under Judge D. Newlin Fell, now of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the Philadelphia Bar in 1870. In June of the same year he was appointed Superintendent of Schools of Bucks County, and was elected to the same position in 1872 for a term of three years and re-elected in 1875. He resigned in 1876, and after taking a course in the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania, was admitted to the Bucks County Bar in August, 1877, and practiced his profession at Doylestown.
1862: Unidentified Aunt to Hugh B. Eastburn
Addressed to Hugh B. Eastburn, New Hope, [Bucks county] Pennsylvania
Talley Grange
Thy response to my last letter reached me on the 9th inst. Though we generally say of most letters, I can truthfully say of thine, it was welcome. I received and read it in the harvest field.
Yesterday we finished our wheat and today our hay. How relieved one feels when so much of what is usually termed hard work is over! Our wheat and grass crops were very heavy and as laborers were somewhat difficult to obtain, the idle moments might conveniently be indulged at long intervals of time. However, we “put it through” finely for which we may, in part, thank the propitious weather, and are about laying siege to the oats fields. There! I won’t bore thee any longer with what possibly (not probably) may not much interest thee.
I see by the county paper that D. N. Fell ¹ has assumed his “soger clothes” again and is raising men for the state defense. The present invasion appears to cause but little excitement in our township. Perhaps it was expected as we annually have an incursion of the rebels and the thing is getting old. We are not entirely apathetic, however, as quite a number of volunteers have gone from our midst in response to the Governor’s Proclamation.
Hugh, did thee get to the Great Fair? ² I remember telling thee in one of my letters that I could not attend. But I did, and was much pleased with [the] whole enterprise. As thee told me thee expected to go, I thought when I went down I might by a possible coincidence see thee on the cars but I looked in vain.
Hugh, I heartily thank thee for certain complimentary allusions to those pieces that appeared in the Intelligencer. ³ I know thee well enough to feel assured thy praise was earnest and I know them well enough to be equally confident that they did not deserve it. How did thee know that I wrote “Three Years Ago” & “The Homestead.” No name was attached and I do not recollect that I have given reason to justify anyone in implying that the articles were mine. I hope my “mannerism” isn’t so marked as to enable a reader to recognize me thereby.
Doesn’t it appear foolish to be writing rhymes and publishing them? I sometimes think it does but I censure the editors and not myself for their publication. Now that I have hit on literary topics, let me ask what kind of a book — that is, in its general character — is [Horace] Bushnell’s “Nature & [the] Supernatural?” I have very frequently heard of but never saw it.
I am at present reading [Jean-Henri Merle d’Aubigné’s “History of the Reformation.” I find it most intensely interesting and an agreeable change from the war-like and exciting literature of today. I should perhaps say variation rather than change as I always strive to keep myself informed in regard to our stirring everyday events. One effect of reading such works as d’Aubigné’s is to increase our faith in the world and each other. I frequently think that men are bad enough but after reading of Luther’s trials and labors, I conclude that they are certainly not as bad as they once were. Rome in the time of her military, literary, and pontifical glory, far exceeded in corruption any modern nation or city.
But I must close. I have an idea that this letter is not as good as it might be and as I am not going to re-read it, please excuse all deficiencies. Write again soon and believe me truly thy friend, — G. Johnson
[to] H. B. Eastburn
¹ David Newlin Fell (1840-1919) was born on November 4, 1840, in Buckingham Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to Joseph C. Fell and Harriet Williams. He attended Millersville State Normal School and graduated in 1862. Subsequently, Fell served in the Union Army as a member of the Pennsylvania Infantry Militia, Company D, 31st Regiment in 1863. He married Martha Trego on September 1, 1870, and had seven children with her. Fell served as an Associate Judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, having been appointed in May 1877. Fell was elected to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in November 1893. He assumed office in 1894 and served as an Associate Justice until 1910, when he was elevated to Chief Justice. He served as Chief Justice until 1915. Fell died on September 22, 1919. [Wikipedia]
A ticket to the “Great Central Fair” in Philadelphia (1864)
² This was probably The Great Sanitary Fair held in Philadelphia from 7 to 28 June 1864. It was a giant exposition intended to raise funds for the United States Sanitary Commission. The fair combined a ladies’ bazaar with an industrial and manufacturing exhibition. Though the planning was directed largely by men, women performed much of the footwork, soliciting donations of items for exhibition and sale at the fair. The event featured dozens of departments and booths, all housed in a 200,000 square foot complex, constructed in some 40 days by volunteer tradesmen.
In Bucks County, women worked tirelessly canvassing and soliciting their neighbors for donations of money, as well as for items to sell and display at the Fair. Local aid societies networked and coordinated their efforts. The Fair attracted a quarter of a million visitors and raised in excess of $1 million.
³ This was probably the Bucks County Intelligencer published weekly in Doylestown.
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Funding for Women's Health Research
SWHR’s goal is to ensure increased funding for women’s health research and for funding to parallel increases for federal health agencies to allow them to continue to carry out their important missions. SWHR believes they must be adequately funded to accomplish their goals.
The Women’s Health Office Act (WHOA) in 1994 established offices of women’s health in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Women’s health research appeared a priority for the next ten years, as funding for federal agencies engaged in trials and research grew.
However, since 2003, funding levels for these crucial programs has grown at a significantly slower pace. In 2013, the implementation of sequestration on funding landed a crushing blow to funding for medical research and women’s health, and continues to affect federal budget-making.
SWHR continues to advocate for sufficient levels of federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Further, SWHR supports the various women’s health related offices in NIH, FDA, CDC, AHRQ, Health Resources and Services Administration, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Read more about the devastating effects of sequestration on women’s health research »
Why it matters:
Adequately funding for these offices supports life-changing research investigating sex differences and women’s health. The more resources provided to researchers, the more easily they can incorporate women and minorities into their trials. Investment in research today leads to better and safer medicine in the future.
More from SWHR:
Click here to read SWHR’s annual appropriation testimony.
Find federal offices of women’s health:
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women’s Health
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Women’s Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Women’s Health
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women’s Health
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2019 NFL Mock Draft: Philanthropy Edition
The 2019 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and dozens of college hopefuls will be in the spotlight for their athletic ability. Teams are gearing up to select the new editions to their 2019 rosters and the mock drafts have been in full swing for weeks.
We’re here to talk about athletes giving back, and one group that often gets left out of the conversation is college athletes. So, we’re putting a philanthropy spin on the mock draft. There are thousands of college football players in the US that have played well on the field, kept up with their classwork, and found the time to make an impact in the community. Here’s our first round mock NFL draft: philanthropy edition.
Pick 1, Arizona Cardinals: Jackson Erdmann, QB, Saint John’s University (Minn.)
If the Cardinals are looking for a QB that will make an off the field impact, they have one in Erdmann. Erdmann took an 18 day mission trip to Thailand to volunteer with three organizations that work to combat child sex trafficking. He’s helped out at the Breaking Free House in Minneapolis, a shelter home for women that have been victims of sex trafficking and prostitution. Erdmann also volunteers at the Dream Center, where men 18 and older struggling with mental health issues or disabilities can receive support. He also packages meals for Kids Fighting Hunger and raises money for the annual Tackle Cancer game. Erdmann was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Pick 2, San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Kilgore, DE, Bethel University (Minn.)
The 49ers are in need of a pass rusher who can make an impact. Kilgore can make an impact in the community. He was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Kilgore has partnered with several local organizations like the Ober Center, the Dorothy Day Center, Challenge New Orleans and Challenge Kansas City, Cottage Grove Middle School Raw Club Empathy Retreat. He has participated in multiple Minnesota Vikings FCA camps. He took part in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics in 2017. Kilgore spent his 2018 spring break in Costa Rica, where he worked with Students International in Desamparados to provide poverty-stricken youth with activities such as soccer clinics, ping pong tournaments, hikes and garden planting. Kilgore partnered with the Matthew Foundation Super Fest during last year’s Super Bowl in Minneapolis, a football clinic put on for kids who have mental and/or physical disabilities.
Pick 3, New York Jets: Freedom Akinmoladun, DE, Nebraska
The Jets have a need at the edge- enter Freedom Akinmoladun. Named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works team, Akinmoladun was named to the Brook Berringer and Tom Osborne Citizenship Teams in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 for his outreach work, while also earning Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Awards in 2015 and 2016. Akinmoladun spent a week in the Dominican Republic as part of Nebraska’s No Filter Outreach trip, and has also volunteered his time with Uplifting Athletes, School is Cool, NFL Fuel Up to Play 60, Husker Heroes, Husker Hotline, and local school, hospital and community center outreach visits.
Pick 4, Oakland Raiders: Nathan Clayberg, DE, Drake
Oakland needs to protect Derek Carr, so a DE is a smart choice. Clayberg participates in Drake’s weekly off-campus reading program, and has founded two service organizations. He created UNITE to focus on restoring the areas of society that are most broken while empowering future young leaders to follow their dreams. Clayberg helped organize a community service day that involved hundreds of people across six different towns in South Central Iowa participating in 35 different service projects like painting, yard work and basic construction. He also founded the Next Step Moving Company to financially support specific non-profit efforts including Students Against Human Sex Trafficking, Des Moines Public Schools and Youth With a Mission. Clayberg was named to the 2018 AllState AFCA Good Works Team.
Pick 5, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
Looking towards the future, Tampa Bay needs to account for an older Gerald McCoy. A finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy, Wilkins became a certified substitute teacher during the 2018 offseason, indicating that he wanted to provide inspiration and guidance to K-12 students. An avid volunteer, Wilkins has worked with Habitat for Humanity, the Clemson Miracle Fundraiser, Colleges Against Cancer Relay for Life and the “Kicks, Cleats, Kids” initiative. He has also taken part in the Taylor Elementary Visionary Leaders program.
Pick 6, New York Giants: Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State
The Giants desperately need to protect a beleaguered Eli Manning in the pocket and give Saquon Barkley that room to run. Named a finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy, Risner started the RiseUp Foundation to “encourage everyone to RISE above the evil and sin in this world and be a positive shining light in the lives of others.” The ultimate goal for the foundation is to motivate people through his words and actions, through his stories and his relationships. Risner also volunteered at Buttonwood Special Needs Home once a week and is a Big Brother to a young boy named Kayden battling leukemia. He was an active participant in Kansas State’s community activities as well.
Pick 7, Jacksonville Jaguars: Ethan Levin, DL, Macalester College
The Jags can afford to invest in their defensive line. Levin founded and runs Athletes Against Sexual Violence, a not-for-profit that speaks to college and high school male athletes about topics such as consent and sexual violence prevention. Levin also founded the Federation of Jewish Athletes. He leads his team’s public engagement program. Levin is the head administrator and organizer of Stay Woke Poetry, which teaches high school students slam poetry as a way to talk about difficult issues. He also teaches match and life skills to inner city youth as a part of Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES). Levin was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Pick 8, Detroit Lions: Nic Weishar, TE, Notre Dame
The Lions are looking for a standout tight end for Stafford to work with. Named Captain Of Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Weishar has been committed to giving back since his 21-year-old brother Andrew passed away after battling cancer. In the aftermath of his brother’s death, Weishar fulfilled his family’s promise to his brother to pay it forward by starting the Andrew Weishar Foundation to give back to families with adolescents or young adults stricken with cancer. The foundation aims to provide cancer patients and their families with a temporary escape from the disease through acts of kindness and generosity while also aiming to ease their financial burden. To date, The Andrew Weishar Foundation has aided more than 100 families affected by cancer and granted more than $600,000 in financial assistance.
Pick 9, Buffalo Bills: Max Scharping, OL, Northern Illinois
Josh Allen is only in his second year, so investing in some more protection at OL makes sense. Scharping was named a finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy for his community efforts. He volunteers with the local YMCA, participates in Healthy Kids Day, hosts a football camp and tournament, and participates in reading programs at various elementary schools and daycares. Scharping regularly visits hospitals in DeKalb and Chicago and helped with clean-up efforts after tornadoes hit local cities.
Pick 10, Denver Broncos: Jared Henning, QB, Bemidji State
The Broncos are looking for a franchise quarterback to develop alongside veteran Joe Flacco. Henning has been on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) since his freshman year. As president, he coordinates fundraisers for Make-A-Wish and helping set up Mental Health Awareness/Sexual Violence Prevention presentations. Henning has helped establish Beaver Fever Fridays, which is an opportunity for Beaver student-athletes to read to youth in the community. He attends the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference SAAC Summit to take part in community outreach and leadership conventions and serves as a representative for all male sports on campus in regards to Title IX initiatives and issues on campus. Henning is also a lead member for the campus Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Pick 11, Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Kelly, LB, Oklahoma
The Bengals need to improve at the linebacker position. Kelly has served food to needy families in the community, traveled with Sooners For Haiti and volunteered with youth camps and a camp for children with special needs, according to a release. The Fresno, Calif., native has also served as president for OU’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for the past two years. Kelly participated in the “The Right Conversation,” an event presented by OU Health Services, OU Athletics and the nonprofit Everyone Has a Story where he shared his mental health story to reduce the stigma around mental health. Kelly was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works team.
Pick 12, Green Bay Packers: Jon Dicke, DL, Southwest Minnesota State University
The Packers are looking to improve on both sides of the ball, but bringing in a pass rusher is a good start. Dicke has participated in Mustang Mail, a community engagement program with local elementary schools. He has bagged and packaged meals for the United Way in Marshall, and volunteered for Relay for Life and SMSU Athletics Highway Clean-Up. Dicke has worked with the SMSU Physical Therapy Clinic, helping stretch, evaluate, and implement treatment programs for students attending the clinic with musculoskeletal issues. He has also held numerous leadership roles during his three years on the SMSU student senate. Dicke was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Pick 13, Miami Dolphins: Easton Stick, QB, North Dakota State University
Miami is on the lookout for a long-term quarterback. A member of the 2018 AFCA Good Works Team and a finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy, Stick was also a member of the NDSU Student-Athlete Advisory Council. Stick served on the Summit League Food Fight committee that raised more than $2,000 and collected 2,000 pounds of food for the Fargo Emergency Food Pantry. Stick helped raised $5,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and he organized the first on-campus football camp for the Special Olympics. He also participates in numerous hospital and school visits and serves as a guest speaker with various youth groups.
Pick 14, Atlanta Falcons: Kielan Whitner, LB, Syracuse
The Falcons can improve their defense with a linebacker addition. Whitner is the public relations director of the Syracuse University chapter of Uplifting Athletes, which is a nonprofit organization made up of a national network of chapters dedicated to inspiring the rare-disease community through the power of sport. Whitner helped organize the 2018 “Lift for Life,” which last year raised more than $11,000 to benefit those affected by rare diseases. He has completed a mission trip to Haiti and is a member of Central New York Chapter of The For a Day Foundation, which provides therapeutic experiences for sick children. He is also Syracuse’s player captain for Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with local college athletic teams. He was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works 2018.
Pick 15, Washington Redskins: Trent Solsma, QB, Morningside College
The Redskins need a franchise quarterback after their poor luck last season. Solsma was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his continued work in east Africa. This past summer, he traveled with 6 other Morningside football players to Tanzania to lend their support to Project Rehema Ministries. While in Tanzania, Solsma and fellow players constructed a home that will house eight to 10 orphans and a “mama” or foster parent. The players poured the cement and laid the brick for the house as well as dug a 13-foot bathroom.
Pick 16, Carolina Panthers: Sean Pollard, OG, Clemson
The Panthers need a versatile offensive linemen to shore up protection for Cam Newton. A short drive across state lines is Sean Pollard. Pollard was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works 2018 team for his service to the community. Pollard held his second annual ‘All Off For Cancer’ event in July 2018, which raised money to support families with children that are undergoing or have been treated for cancer or serious blood disorders.
Pick 17, New York Giants: Drue Tranquill, LB, Notre Dame
After trading Odell Beckham Jr. to Cleveland, the Giants can use this pick to continue to shore up their defense. Tranquill launched the “5th Quarter” postgame event in 2016, giving him the opportunity to share his story of perseverance with the South Bend Community. Tranquill has participated in three mission trips to the Dominican Republic, and he is an Athlete Ambassador for Dream Teams, a mentoring program in South Bend elementary schools. He serves as a football representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and the Rosenthal Leadership Academy. He was named a finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy.
Pick 18, Minnesota Vikings: Nick Leverett, OL, North Carolina Central University
Kirk Cousins needs a tighter offensive line to help improve their play next season. Named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Leverett has volunteered for organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Durham Rescue Mission, Ronald McDonald House, Pizza for Homeless, “OneLove” Domestic Violence, Kiss Away Cancer, “Ties of Honor”, Feed-A-Family Thanksgiving, Toiletry Drive, Real Talk, Back-Pack Drive and FPG Bilingue Elementary School.
Pick 19, Tennessee Titans: Johnathan Lloyd, WR, Duke
Tennessee needs a receiver to add to Marcus Mariota’s arsenal. Named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works team, Lloyd spent a summer volunteering with the communications department at the Ronald McDonald House of Durham. He also helped organize of peer fundraising efforts for events. His other main community service location is Lakewood Elementary, where he has made frequent visits to tutor second graders.
Pick 20, Pittsburgh Steelers: Eric Stevenson, LB, Wheaton (Ill.)
The Steelers once historic defense has fallen on harder times as of late. Additions at linebacker can help bring back the Steel Curtain legacy. Stevenson participated in a mission and cultural exchange trip to China. Through the Wheaton Football Ministry Partnership, he traveled to the Dominican Republic, where he helped build new home structures in impoverished communities. He has volunteered with the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Feed My Starving Children organization, and he interned twice with B.C. Ziegler and Company investment bank. He was named a finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy.
Pick 21, Seattle Seahawks: Piercen Harnish, LB, St. Francis (Ind.)
With some departures on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, Seattle can benefit from adding some fresh talent. Harnish has participated in team housebuilding missions to El Salvador and Jamaica and works with the Fort Wayne Chapter of Forgotten Children. He volunteers for a wheelchair basketball tournament for children and adults with disabilities. Harnish assisted at the Fort Wayne Treasure House, which provides furniture and clothing to the needy. He was named a finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy.
Pick 22, Baltimore Ravens: Patrick Laird, RB, UC Berkeley
While the Ravens need wide receiver help, the team had the most success on the ground last season. With a shaky passing game from Lamar Jackson, new addition Mark Ingram and company could use some fresh legs added to the mix. Laird launched the Patrick Laird Summer Reading Challenge to help fight summer learning loss and promoted it through traditional and social media as well as visits to 26 schools and camps in the Bay Area and near his hometown of Arroyo Grande in the San Luis Obispo area throughout the spring and summer. He was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Pick 23, Houston Texans: Chase Moore, DB, Texas
The Texans need to shore up their downfield defensive play. Moore received the Dorothy L. Smith Marbridge Foundation Community Service Award from UT Athletics as the top male student-athlete for community engagement. He has been involved in speaking at multiple schools and churches as well as serving as a mentor at The Boys and Girls Club and YMCA. In July of 2017, Moore was a keynote speaker at a juvenile delinquency conference held by the Texas Juvenile Detention Association. Moore has also volunteered at the Special Olympics, Neighborhood Longhorns and many other organizations that impact the lives of children in the greater Austin area. He was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works team.
Pick 24, Oakland Raiders: Hunter Sego, DB/P, DePauw
After the questionable Khalil Mack trade, Oakland is able to work on bringing in a corner who can improve their secondary. Sego has Type 1 diabetes and is an activist on behalf of diabetes patients. He has been to Congress several times to speak to U.S. representatives and senators. The Indiana Safe at School Act, more commonly known as Hunter’s Law, provides protection to students living with diabetes to allow them to carry and administer life-sustaining supplies to help throughout the day. Sego was named to the 2018 AllState AFCA Good Works Team.
Pick 25, Philadelphia Eagles: D’Cota Dixon, S, Wisconsin
The Eagles are looking for a safety addition to improve their secondary. An inspiration to others, Dixon was awarded the 2017 FWAA/Orange Bowl Courage Award for overcoming an unstable family life that included numerous foster homes, a father battling addiction and for surviving a life-threatening infection while at Wisconsin. Despite everything he endured, Dixon became a positive and active volunteer, and he was selected to the 2018 AFCA Good Works Team as well as named a finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy. His numerous community activities include mentoring youth at a correctional center, developing a program for student-athletes aimed at reducing the stigma of seeking mental health services and speaking to countless community and youth groups.
Pick 26, Indianapolis Colts: Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Georgia
Adam Vinateri can’t play forever right? Indy needs fresh legs for some impending close games with their AFC South rivals this season. Named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Blankenship is a member of the UGA Athletic Association’s Leadership Academy (L.E.A.D.). He is a spokesperson for “No More,” which is a public service announcement against domestic violence and sexual assault. Blankenship visits Camp Sunshine, a camp that provides support programs for children with cancer and their families. He has volunteered for the “Empty Bowl” luncheon sponsored by the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia where hand-painted ceramic bowls done by the football players were part of a silent auction to raise funds for needy families. Blankenship has also volunteered for the Home Runs for Hometown Rivals, which is a softball game at UGA’s Foley Field for Special Olympians.
Pick 27, Oakland Raiders: Drew Bevelhimer, K, Butler
Oakland also traded Amari Cooper to the Cowboys this offseason. Sebastian Janikowski isn’t losing a step quite yet, but can’t hurt to bring in some young blood. Bevelhimer was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his involvement in Butler’s team community initiatives. The team works with Team Impact Organization to provide opportunities to engage youth like eight-year-old Robert Shaffer, who the football team signed as an honorary teammate. Shaffer was diagnosed with an incurable kidney condition. Bevelhimer is an active participant in Butler football’s youth clinic run every year for children with disabilities. He and nine other teammates spent time in the Czech Republic, Austria and Poland, teaching everything from English to football to physical education classes. .
Pick 28, Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Brinson, LB, Army
The Chargers could benefit from a dedicated and committed linebacker on that side of the ball. A finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy, Brinson serves as the point of contact for all Army football clinics. He also assists with the football team’s efforts to support local and national food banks while serving as a peer tutor on campus.
Pick 29, Kansas City Chiefs: Trace McSorley, QB, Penn State
We were trying to keep things pretty realistic position wise here, but we were limited on position diversity. Clearly the Chiefs will stick with Patrick Mahomes this season, but Trace McSorley would be a welcome addition to the Chiefs squad. McSorley is extensively involved in Penn State’s Uplifting Athletes Chapter, serving as president of the organization in 2017 and vice president in 2018. McSorley serves as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy and has participated in numerous “Lift for Life” events, raising money for kidney cancer treatments, and visiting local hospitals. He was named a 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy finalist.
Pick 30, Green Bay Packers: Taryn Christion, QB, South Dakota State
The Packers have this pick from a trade with New Orleans last offseason. Again, not sure the Packers are looking for a new QB with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, but fellow midwesterner Taryn Christion would be a great addition. Named a finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy, Christion has made an impact in the community by helping organize the “Be The Match” bone marrow drive on campus the last two years. Active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he has served as an event speaker and as a summer intern for the organization, and he has been a volunteer at Vacation Bible School.
Pick 31, Los Angeles Rams: De’Arius Christmas, LB, Grambling State
The Rams are looking to further bulk up their defense after a losing bid in the Super Bowl. A three-year volunteer with the Special Olympics, Christmas has participated in events with the Vicksburg Packers, including giving a speech for the city’s leadership team. He was also named a finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy.
Pick 32, New England Patriots: Ryan Finley, QB, North Carolina State
Tom Brady is safe in New England as long as he wants, but as one of the oldest players in the league, his reign in the Northeast may be ending soon. Named a finalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy, Finley was a member of the team’s leadership council and represented the Wolfpack at the 2018 ACC Football Kickoff. Last season, he started a book club with other football student-athletes and coaches centered on personal development.
https://footballfoundation.org/news/2018/10/30/football-nff-proudly-announces-finalists-for-2018-william-v-campbell-trophy.aspx
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/allstate-announces-the-highly-anticipated-2018-allstate-afca-good-works-team-roster-with-help-from-esteemed-voting-panel-300711873.html
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/seven-round-2019-nfl-mock-draft-raiders-surprise-at-no-4-panthers-and-patriots-take-qbs-on-day-2/
Posted on April 19, 2019 July 16, 2019 / 1 Categories Philanthropy Professional Athletes Sports Leagues
Post Author: Danielle Berman
One Reply to “2019 NFL Mock Draft: Philanthropy Edition”
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Lori Stratton in Albums, Artists, Concerts April 26, 2019 April 26, 2019 976 Words
After Hours Radio Reunites with Original Vocalist Calum Galt for Saturday’s Club Above Show
Greg Hughes and Nate Erickson perform with Calum Galt, center, during the early days of After Hours Radio.
For Calum Galt, Ann Arbor represents a bittersweet homecoming.
The former After Hours Radio vocalist will reunite with his old bandmates for Saturday’s show at Club Above. It will be his first appearance with the Ypsilanti progressive groove-heavy indie rock trio of Greg Hughes (bass), Nate Erickson (vocals, guitar) and Mark Dunne (drums) in nearly three years.
“It was actually Greg’s idea to have a reunion show. He reached out to me when he found out I was returning home for the first time in years to see if I was interested, and I agreed right away,” said Galt, who moved from Ann Arbor to Japan in 2014. “I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to play with the band again after so long, and I hope we can recreate some of the same energy our shows had back then.”
Calum Galt
Along with Hughes and Erickson, Galt honed his musicianship while attending open mic nights at the University of Michigan’s Nakamura and Luther Buchele co-ops. Together, they formed After Hours Radio and became synonymous with Ann Arbor’s burgeoning underground, do-it-yourself (DIY) music community.
“Forming the band was equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking – I had never really written or performed my own music, which I think is an inherently intimate and scary thing to do,” said Galt, who’s inspired by of Montreal, The Strokes and Radiohead. “I was lucky to be surrounded by supportive friends and be involved in the co-op community, which has always been a fertile environment for budding musicians.”
As After Hours Radio, they recorded their self-titled, six-track debut EP in 2015 before Galt moved to Japan. Four years later, Galt is ready to revisit the EP with his old bandmates through an older, wiser and fresher perspective.
“There are a lot of memories tied up in those songs so revisiting them has been an interesting experience,” said Galt, who graduated from U-M with a bachelor’s degree in East Asian languages and cultures. “I’ve changed a lot in the intervening time so it’s strange to hear those songs, which really encapsulate the weird head-space I was in at the time.”
Hughes said it’s the second time After Hours Radio has reunited with Galt for a special performance since he moved to Japan. Saturday’s set will focus on the debut EP as well as some covers and include vocals from Galt and Erickson.
“Calum said he was going to be visiting Michigan for a week, so we decided to book a show at Club Above in honor of his return,” Hughes said. “With Calum, it’s going to be a throwback for people to experience the band like it was. I get very nostalgic about those early days, it was very much a raw kind of time not just for the band, but for me personally.”
Niko Matsamakis, second from left, with The Sneeks.
The show also will feature the live debut of Farmington’s Brothers Duo and Lansing’s The Plurals. Brothers Duo includes siblings Niko Matsamakis of The Sneeks and Efthimi Matsamakis of The Sundots performing acoustic original tunes and covers.
The Matsamakis brothers started recording their home-based performances on YouTube in 2012 and have a loose collective of musicians who perform with them.
“We definitely see ourselves recording singles for this project, and we have the same recording setup we did with The Sneeks’ album,” Niko Matsamakis said. “We have a studio upstairs now, and we’ve just been recording stuff, the two of us.”
In January, alt rock quartet The Sneeks released their latest album, “Sneekin’ Out the Back Door,” a fun, breezy follow-up to their eight-track 2017 debut, “Sneek Attack.”
Last October, Detroit-based baroque pop-rock band The Sundots released their latest album, “Animals,” which features strong baritone vocal melodies, contrapuntal explorations on piano and guitar, electric bass and powerful rock and roll drums.
The Plurals
Finally, The Plurals will bring their punky, fuzzy, melodic Midwestern rock to Ann Arbor for the first time in several years. Longtime high school friends Nich (bass, vocals), Hattie (drums, vocals) and Tommy (guitar, vocals) will perform tracks from their 2017 release, “Swish.”
“We were trying to do a few songs this spring around Michigan since we’ll be taking a break from shows for a while, so when the opportunity came to share the stage with After Hours Radio, it seemed like the perfect timing,” Tommy said. “The Plurals always have a blast on stage, so I’m hoping to just have a good time and get a few heads nodding in the venue.”
The Plurals recorded “Swish” in the middle of their 2016 tour at OmniSound Studios in Nashville with old friend Rory Rositas at the board. “Swish” features a heavy dose of fuzz-pop mixed with bigger, tighter arrangements and production.
“It’s a batch of songs that we had been working on, and we had a lot of road workshops on those songs,” said Nich, who runs the band’s own GTG Records label with Hattie and Tommy. “About half of the songs we tinkered with in the studio while the other half were ready to go.”
Next week, The Plurals will release their new five-track EP, “Mumblebee (BEES Volume 1)” and host a May 4 show at The Robin Theatre in Lansing with Flatfoot.
Show Details:
After Hours Radio with Calum Galt (Original Singer of AHR) and special guests The Plurals and Brothers Duo
8 p.m. Saturday
Club Above
215 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor
Tickets: $5 presale through Facebook or $8 at the door
After Hours Radio
Brothers Duo
Efthimi Matsamakis
Greg Hughes
GTG Records
Mark Dunne
Nate Erickson
Nich
Niko Matsamakis
Sneek Attack
Sneekin' Out the Back Door
Monsters of Country Rock — Fangs and Twang Host ‘Spirits & Chasers’ Album Release Show Saturday at Ziggy’s
Title Track — New Michigan Nonprofit Hosts Launch Party Saturday at MusicTown Detroit
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Britain’s got the talent to keep...
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Rob Hayes
Head of tech, Penningtons Manches
Business, Guest opinion
Britain’s got the talent to keep Europe investing
Ahead of this month’s European elections, with the Brexit deadline further extended until October, the UK’s relationship with the continent is now more uncertain than at any time in the past three years.
It would be reasonable for one to assume that such a persistent and high-level of uncertainty should be a recipe for chaos, yet the drumbeat of bad news that has echoed far and wide since June 2016, has been blocked out by the UK’s fast-growth tech businesses and their founders, as well as European funders.
Research that we released last week shows that British companies secured an unprecedented amount of funding from European venture capital in 2018, with investment approaching £2bn – a 14 per cent increase on the previous year.
In London, the rise of UK fintech proved irresistible, with Atom, Monzo and OakNorth Bank making up three of the top five deals backed by European investment funds in 2018.
With so much cutting-edge technology being originated in the UK, European investors’ interest in the tech scene here extended beyond the confines of the capital. Oxford and Cambridge, the two other cornerstones of the UK’s “Golden Triangle”, also saw an impressive increase in investment from the European mainland.
Of last year’s 120 venture funding deals seen nationally, Oxford and Cambridge were home to nine and six of the recipient companies respectively – second and third after London. Aside from acting as a strong vote of confidence in our regional tech clusters, these figures are a testament to the rich seam of intellectual capital around the UK’s leading universities and research institutions, and the attraction this continues to hold for European investors.
The message from Europe is clear. The Brexit uncertainty does not appear to be a hindrance to backing UK tech businesses, provided there’s cutting edge innovation, access to talent and an ecosystem that supports and enables these companies to thrive and become a success.
It is therefore vital that we maintain these components that make the UK such an attractive investment destination.
The UK’s position as Europe’s tech capital does not rely exclusively on EU membership, but on access to talent. The ability for innovators and entrepreneurs to move across borders and be part of the UK’s startup ecosystem has been key in fostering growth in the sector, and is indispensable to continued success. Whatever the outcome in the coming months, the politicians must ensure that preserving this talent pipeline is imperative.
The Golden Triangle is home to four of the world’s top ten leading universities; Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College and UCL, with a number of other world-class institutions located elsewhere in the country. This undoubtedly feeds into the success of the UK tech sector. With this in mind it is crucial that the country nurtures future talent by continuing to invest in higher education and supporting the innovation and entrepreneurial approach of the next generation of innovators.
Thankfully, as Westminster stalls, the groundwork is being laid for a bright future with recently launched startup and innovator visas programmes aimed at attracting leading business talent to Britain’s shores. These new visas systems will help ensure the talent pool is made up of the brightest and best, while providing a clear message that the UK remains open for business.
As both the political and tech landscapes shift and evolve, the UK’s tech sector must never take for granted the attributes and infrastructure that has made the country an attractive destination to deploy investment funds. This is vital if the UK is to retain its position as Europe’s tech capital.
Rob Hayes is head of tech at law firm Penningtons Manches
Google launches “Market Finder” tool for British SMEs seeking to boost exports
Margot James: deep AI expertise is central to the UK’s future
Why is the telecoms industry struggling to keep pace with the DevOps movement?
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TechCrunch Returns To China, For Keeps
Ned Desmond 6 years
Gang Lu (center) and the TechNode team at their annual China Bang event in Beijing
TechCrunch has a large international readership — there are no geographical boundaries to the startup revolution. No country demonstrates that vastness better than China, where huge markets, a red-hot economy, a (controversial) governmental hand and plenty of entrepreneurs have rocked the startup world. And giants Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba fuel the fire.
That’s why TechCrunch went to China to stage a Disrupt in 2011, and that’s why today we’re psyched to announce a partnership with one of the top tech blogs and event groups in China. We’ll be joining up with TechNode, and its founder Gang Lu, to bring TechCrunch much closer to China’s startup ecosystem.
Later this year we will launch the official Chinese-language version of TechCrunch (.CN, in case you’re wondering) which will carry translations of posts from the U.S. site. This fall, we will do a small event in Beijing, and next year we will bring a full-on Disrupt back to China. And there’s more to come.
TechCrunch and TechNode share a commitment to link the Western and Eastern startup ecosystems. That includes introducing influential Chinese entrepreneurs and startups on TechCrunch’s global stage and bringing the best of Silicon Valley to China.
The TechCrunch team is really pleased to be working with Gang Lu, whom we got to know when we partnered on the first Disrupt Beijing. He is a serious technologist (that’s Dr. Gang Lu to you — a Ph.D. in wireless networks), a media pioneer and a respected voice in the China startup scene. Gang Lu and our readers in China have been waiting patiently for us to get on track in China. Now we finally are.
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A Simple Request
A simple request from Mrs. Fullerton, the wife of a man who worked for ADM Nimitz during WWII. Any help would be greatly appreciated. “It is now 1:08 am and I have been enjoying all that I have been seeing on this site. I am looking for a picture of the first CINPAC building that Admir Nimitz was in during wwii. My husband worked for he and Rear Admir Furlough (sp?) doing telephone installing ec until 1945. He has passed away now leaving his 3 children whom I am making a family history book for them and would like the picture of that old underground place where he worked to show them as he died when 2 of them were too young to remember his stories. He really respected and loved Admir Nimitz, who had given him a large package of the pictures after the war ended and were no longer restricted for non military persons but right after he returned back to his home in Seattle, Wa. His house burned down and he lost everything right after he got home. Does anyone on here know where I can find copies of that old CINCPAC underground place? I went over to find it myself and no sooner go to Hawaii then had a stroke 2nd day and spent my 2 weeks in the hospital and had to return home. I am going back on May 7th for 4 days and hope to get the opportunity to take some pictures myself if allowed but I’d love to have any that folks could email me, please? Thank you, Mrs. Lorraine Fullerton….. rainie1428@yahoo.com”
StationHYPO
2 thoughts on “A Simple Request”
If my memory is correct, Admiral Kimmel’s office, Admiral Nimitz’s predecessor was located in a building at the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor. I believe that when Kimmel was relieved by Vice Admiral William S. Pye (who served as interim CinCPac from 17 Dec. to 31 Dec. 1941), Pye’s office, too, was in the same building. These buildings in those days were all numbered. I’ve never seen the number listed for the building that housed CinCPac at that time. I had a nice tour of Joint Base Pearl Harbor/Hickam (as it’s now called) on the 73rd or 74th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.. My wife and I were taken down the stairs to the steel vault door that opened in the office of the “Combat Intelligence Unit” at the time of Pearl Harbor. The rather loose nickname that’s often used for that office is Station HYPO. HYPO, as I understand it, was also located at several locations on Oahu between 1936 and into 1942 or later. In this latter instance, I’m using “Station HYPO” to indicate the location of the radio intercept towers where the “on the roof gang” intercept operators worked. According to what I’ve read, the original use of the “HYPO” name came from the intercept facility being located at Heeia, Oahu. I’m not positive, however, that this claim is technically correct, as “HYPO”—meaning those tall radio intercept towers—were located in several different locations on Oahu right up to shortly after 7 December. On that date, the intercept operators were actually located on Oahu’s north shore, as I recall from reading LtCdr. Elliott E. Okin’s To Spy or Not to Spy, published by Pateo Publishing Company, Chula Vista, CA, in 1985. It wasn’t long after the raid on our fleet at Pearl Harbor that these intercept operators were moved to a new facility in a different (and more secure) location that wasn’t “over the water” on the north shore of Oahu. This is what I read quite some time ago. I’ll have to get back into this book and various other books, articles and pamphlets to find the names of the locations for all the intercept facilities the Navy used on Oahu from 1936 through the end of World War II. My point in going into these details is to help better identify where the building was that Admiral Nimitz’s office was located in. It’s first location, as stated above, was in a building on the Submarine Base. The Combat Intelligence unit that then Commander Rochefort worked in the basement of was actually the headquarters building for the Fourteenth Naval District (where Com14’s, Rear Admiral Claude C. Bloch’s office) was located. According to Rochefort’s oral history his ComInt unit was originally located on the top deck of the HQ building for the 14th Naval District. To quote Rochefort’s oral history (pp. 123-124): “The office was down in the basement of the administration building, and it was being built particularly for us, and it was about completed, say, 1 December [1941]. It was just about being completed, so we hastily moved in there before December 7th, and we were down in that place on December 7th.” (Other books, including Joe Rochefort’s War, claim CIU, Pearl Harbor’s move into its “bomb-proof” basement quarters as having happened a few months before the Day of Infamy.) I’m less inclined to believe these other stories than what Rochefort himself states in his oral history. (There is also mention of the building of this facility without giving a date in the oral history of Captain Thomas H. Dyer. Dyer was the chief cryptanalyst at CIU, Pearl, and also executive officer of that unit during Rochefort’s tour as officer in charge.)
Long ago I saw a photograph of “Nimitz’s headquarters” (the building housing it) that stated that building was located in Makalapa. I also remember seeing that building various times during childhood in the mid-1950’s and again between 1959 and 1961. The Pearl Harbor Submarine Base itself is right on the waters of Pearl Harbor. Makalapa is across Nimitz Boulevard (H1) from the major part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor/Hickam.
Having just made a Google search after typing in “CinCPac headquarters 1941” and clicking on images, you will find a few photographs of the building that served as the CinCPac HQ in 1941 and, I think, into early 1942. It probably moved to the newer building in Makalapa in early 1942. We do know that when Nimitz took command of the Pacific Fleet on 31 December 1941, he did so aboard submarine USS Grayling. In about January 1945, as I recall, Nimitz’s (CinCPac’s) headquarters moved to Guam.
My best advice to you, Mrs. Fullerton, would be to do a Google search and type in CinCPac headquarters 1941 into your computer (or, if you don’t have one, a computer in a public library). A photograph of the various buildings housing CinCPac’s personal office and that of his staff from late 1941 through 1944 can be found by clicking “images” after clicking “CinCPac headquarters 1941” into a computer.
Thank you for your late husband’s service in the Navy, Mrs. Fullerton. I hope that you have recovered from your stroke and that you are now in fine health. The Admiral Furlong you refer to is then Rear Admiral William R. Furlong, a Naval Academy classmate of Chester W. Nimitz. Furlong was Commander Minecraft, Battle Force (of the Pacific Fleet) in 1941. My apology for a verbose response, but I’ll leave it as written as there are various matters referred to that may be of interest to you and other readers of the Station HYPO website. Andy McKane, Springville, Utah.
Jason M. Pilalas
You could try the Admiral Nimitz Museum of the Pacific War in his hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas. They have a strong focus on his career and life. Good luck.
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Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth
June 14, 2017 by Stephanie Williamson
Tash has to follow many rules to survive in Tibet, a country occupied by Chinese soldiers. But when a man sets himself on fire in protest and soldiers seize Tash’s parents, she and her best friend Sam must break the rules. They are determined to escape Tibet – and seek the help of the Dalai Lama himself in India.
And so, with a backpack of Tash’s father’s mysterious papers and two trusty yaks by their side, their extraordinary journey across the mountains begins
A unique middle-grade novel, this is the story of Tash, Sam and their escape from Tibet to India to find the Dali Lama and save Tash’s parents. I loved it first of all for its diversity. Jess Butterworth brings us into contact with Tibetan and Indian culture, and with the religion of Buddhism. I think this kind of diversity is so important in children’s literature. The political backdrop of the story, occupied Tibet and the propaganda it entailed, was enlightening and I finished the book feeling like I had learned something.
The prose is short, sharp and colourful and propels the plot forward at an action-packed pace. The chapters are also short and snappy and break the story up into chunks that are easy to read- encouraging for children who may feel intimidated by reading. The last paragraph of chapter 1 is perfect. It hooks the reader and sets the atmosphere for the rest of the novel.
“There are two words that are banned in Tibet. Two words that can get you locked in prison without a second thought. I think these words often. Sometimes, I even say them. I watch the soldiers tramping away and call the words after them.
‘Dalai Lama’.”
The depiction of these foreign places and cultures awaken the senses and make them feel authentic. We know that they are, because Jess spent much of her childhood living in the foothills of the Himalayas! The Himalayas are where a lot of the story takes place, and the journey across them is accompanied by irresistible descriptions of intricately painted prayer bowls, long-haired yaks and Tibetan food! Yak cheese, spicy curries and momos, a type of south-asian dumpling.
I liked how Tash and Sam grow as people throughout their adventure. One thing I would say is that it would have been good for their personalities to have been developed a bit more, and that I would definitely enjoy reading more about them in a further story to get to know them in a setting where survival isn’t their main priority. The ending of the novel was very moving, and I think it’s great that some facts about Tibet were included on the final page.
This is a fantastic book which is relevant to today’s crises: refugees, conflict and children growing up in war zones. Although there’s danger, gruelling journeys and battles to survive, there is also hope, and hope is the essence of Tash’s story.
book review children's books children's literature Jess Butterworth kidlit middle grade novel Orion Running on the Roof of the World
Five Books for Fans of Philip Pullman
Why you should be reading translated fiction
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Legend3D Appoints New Managers
Legend3D -the 2D-to-3D conversion company- announces two director level appointments and a new general manager. Adam Li will be joining the company as Director of Software Engineering, Stephanie Winslow will serve as the new Director of Business Development, and Robert McInnis, previously Legend3D Director of Compositing, will move into the role of General Manager.
A Word from Barry Sandrew
“As we continue to grow our creative and production pipeline and introduce more advanced technology, it’s important that we have the highest quality talent in-house to drive creative operations and empower our client studios to produce their 3D feature films on budget and on schedule,” said Barry Sandrew, Ph.D., Legend3D’s Founder, Chief Creative Officer and Chief Technology Officer. “Adam, Stephanie and Robert are valued additions to our Legend3D management team, each with a wealth of expertise in their respective areas that will positively support our ability to innovate and exceed our clients’ expectations.”
Adam Li
Adam Li brings a Ph.D. in Physics and more than 14 years of consumer electronics industry experience to the Director of Software Engineering position. With an extensive background and expertise in technical consulting and engineering, he has held previous positions with Sony Electronics and several imaging technology startups including DivX where he was one of the primary engineering architects of its ground breaking compression and video software. Li will work closely with Dr. Sandrew as well as with the Legend3D research and development team to continue advancing the company’s proprietary 2D to stereoscopic 3D imaging technology and conversion pipeline.
Stephanie Winslow
After making significant industry contributions from within her role as Legendary Pictures’ Director of Production and Stereoscopic Production Supervisor, Stephanie Winslow joins the Legend3D’s Hollywood office as the newly appointed Director of Business Development. Leveraging her experience facilitating key aspects of studios’ pre-production, production and post-production processes on such films as Zack Snyder’s Watchmen and Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim, Winslow will foster current partner relationships and manage new business opportunities while supporting Legend3D’s strategic sales and production efforts.
Robert McInnis
Robert McInnis brings more than 15 years of experience in the visual effects entertainment industry to Legend3D. He has garnered experience at world renowned post-production studios Digital Domain and Modern VideoFilm, and worked on iconic films including The Last Samurai and I, Robot. McInnis will assume the role of General Manager responsible for staffing project teams and managing outside production resources to meet Legend3D’s challenging deadlines. Legend3D’s Chief Operating Officer Tom Sinnott commented, “Robert has played a crucial part in the development and implementation of the operations management processes that have benefited our clients and enhanced our efficiency. We look forward to the new expanded role he will take in managing multiple departments and the creative insight he brings to the position.”
Legend3D
Legend3D, Inc. (Carlsbad, CA, USA) is an innovative 3D visual effects and conversion company committed to advancing the 3D medium globally. Legend3D leverages the most sought-after 3D talent with cutting-edge technology and works closely with the creative community to elevate the art of 3D on new feature films while also identifying opportunities to generate new revenue from iconic library titles.
Founded in 2001 by Dr. Barry Sandrew, Legend3D utilizes its patented proprietary technology to create the highest quality conversions with the fastest turnaround time at the most competitive pricing in the industry.
For more information about Legend3D, please visit www.Legend3D.com. For press inquiries, contact Robin Dwyer at 619-234-0345 or Legend3D at formulapr.com.
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MISSIO - Loner
August 13, 2017 / Jake Hearin
Dennis Walker
I am pretty much constantly looking for new music to listen to.
There are TONS of ways to find new music, it's 2017, there are tons of apps to find new music, Pandora, Spotify, hell if you really wanted to you could flip on your radio and there's a good chance you might hear something new. There's also a good chance you might hear the same 10 songs on repeat but that's a topic for another day...
One of the stranger ways that I search for new music is to search online stores for new artists. I happened to be on Amazon looking for new artists when I came across MISSIO. I had never heard of the band, but I liked the cover art (I'm a sucker for a band with good cover art)
The duo was formed back in 2014 and it looks like it might be time for them to get picked up by more mainstream radio stations.
How do I describe MISSIO upon first listen? Well they are classified as Electronic/Synth Pop, and I would say that is pretty accurate. However their sound, while mostly electronic, can widely vary in how it FEELS. Some songs I feel are perfect for chilling at home with your headphones on and jamming, while other songs feel as though you could hear them playing in a rave club. That's not a diss, I'm just saying this album can vary as you listen to it.
The first song, Animal is quite repetitive (as are most of their songs). Normally I can get annoyed if an artist or band uses too much repetition, however with this style of music where it's almost trance like, repetition helps to make it flourish. The verses are soft, and build to a chorus that is fantastically catchy. The song isn't perfect, but you'll be chanting "I'm an animal, you're an animal" for the rest of the day in your head.
The second track "I Do What I Want" starts with a weird electronic riff (remember that rave I mentioned earlier??). This song also has a pretty lackluster chorus with that same screeching riff. This is my most skipped track as of right now.
There are sometimes nice surprises when you listen to a new band, such as when you find out you actually have heard one of their songs before. This happened to me with "Middle Fingers" (Which by the way is easily in the top 2 songs on the album) I had actually heard this song on the radio a few times before (Shout out to Seth Kush who has played it before on DGL). This song is super chill while also being some what of a rebellions anthem. I Highly recommend this track.
I Don't Even Care About You follows the same format as I Do What I Want, but the electronic sound is less scratchy which makes the song a lot better to listen to.
The next best track, and probably my personal favorite is Bottom Of The Deep Blue Sea. Even if you don't like any other song on this album, this song is just so awesome. From start to finish it has such a dark tone to it, and the music carries it very well.
By the way I haven't mentioned it yet, but the singer, Matthew Brue, has a very seductive voice. It might be a weird comparison, but the first person that comes to mind is John Mayer, not in that they sound the same, more so that they both tend to be what I call "Whisper Singers". It's like his voice never gets louder than a whisper but somehow he is still singing. I find it to be very easy to listen to.
The next couple of songs don't really add too much to the album. Kamikaze has a pretty boring chorus and KDV or (Killing Darth Vader) is definitely the worst song on the album. It is clearly made just to be played at EDM festivals. I don't know, the song just seems tasteless in an otherwise interesting album.
Twisted is a fun song. Not much more to say than that.
Everybody Gets High is probably the most unique song on the album. I'm sure there's an audience for it, but it doesn't really do much for me.
I'm just now finishing up my listen of the album, and I can pretty much say that once you make it to KDV the album changes from a chill groove to LITERALLY throwing middle fingers in your face. While the final song DWI is pretty catchy, I can't really condone someone making a song about driving while intoxicated. Unless it stands for something else in which case I have no idea what is going on in the last song.
In the end, this is a solid album with a few really stand out tracks that you should definitely give a listen to! Even if electronic music is not normally your thing, you may find that there's a little something here for everyone.
Stand out tracks: "Middle Fingers", "Bottom of the Deep Blue Sea", "Animal"
Skip these songs: "KDV", "I Do What I Want" "Everybody Gets High"
Recommended if you like: Electronic music, Plasma Ball Toys, Licking 9-V Batteries
Feel free to send me any feedback or album review suggestions by using the form below.
Newer /
Older July 04, 2017
Sir Sly - Don't You Worry, Honey
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Cashback ***
Directed by Sean Ellis
Written by Sean Ellis
Sean Biggerstaff as Ben Willis
Emilia Fox as Sharon Pintey
Shaun Evans as Sean Higgins
Michelle Ryan as Suzy
Stuart Goodwin as Jenkins
Michael Dixon as Barry Brickman
Michael Lambourne as Matt Stephens
Marc Pickering as Brian
Nick Hancock as Rory
102 Minutes(Rated R for graphic nudity, sexual content and language. )
"Cashback" has a nice little story that goes into its making of. Writer/director Sean Ellis made a twenty minute short film back in 2004 called "Cashback." The film garnered much attention, and was even nominated for an Oscar in the Short Live Action Film category. I got the chance to see it as part of the 2005 Academy Award Nominated Short Film Live Action program a year ago, and found it to be an amusing twenty minutes. It wasn't my pick, and it didn't win-"Six Shooter," a much better film did-but there was no doubt that it was entertaining. Ellis had a gift for really transfixing the audience. And then the short was so popular that he decided to take the ideas from it and expand it and the characters into a feature film. And he was lucky to get the entire original cast, and then some additional characters, and tell a perfectly enjoyable romantic comedy. And starting about ten minutes in, he even shows his original short film-scene for scene and second by second-although I did notice that he changed the music a lot. I was not too miffed by this, as the original short contained the piece "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven. I believe that it is overused in film and in the last two years I've heard it used in "Drama/Mex," "Elephant," and "The Assassination of Richard Nixon," although the latter version did something a little different with the piece. And I can call myself a hypocrite because in a two minute film that I was a part of two years ago I ended up suggesting that piece for the finale, and it made it there. But that's another story-and this is the story of "Cashback."
Sean Biggerstaff is our star, and if you have no clue as to who Sean Biggerstaff is, he played Oliver Wood in the early "Harry Potter" movies. He plays Ben, an art school student that has recently broken it off with his long term girlfriend Suzy. But he wishes that things ended up differently, and finds himself spending his nights awake, alone, and frustrated. When he realizes that he's broke, he uses the eight hours extra that he has to work at the local grocery store, where he comes into contact with an array of colorful and crazy characters. There is Barry and Matt, the two goofballs who want to do as little work as possible every night and still get paid for it. There is Brian, the new guy that actually knows kung-fu. There's the boss, Mr. Jenkins, who is determined to beat the staff of a rival supermarket at football (or soccer in this case). And then there is Sharon, the quiet girl at the checkout line who might just be the one that helps Ben to fall back asleep when he starts to daydream about her (and for good reason). And who can forget the fact that Ben has the power to make time stop. And he does this every now and then. He makes time stop and then wanders around in this frozen world where he often ends up undressing women and then drawing them. Or he just likes to pause for a moment and think.
The original purpose of the short film "Cashback" was to discuss time and the ways that we spend it. Of course we have to work, but there are some small bits of comedy pertaining to making the time go quicker. Sharon puts a piece of tape over her watch to make sure she doesn't get wind of the time-makes her evening go faster. As for Matt and Barry, they just try to have fun-and time flies. But for Ben he makes time stop-which is ironic considering that he would rather have time go quicker to stop thinking about his ex-girlfriend. And in the film version, Ellis has crafted an element that was missing from the short-a love story. There is no Suzy in the short. Sharon is there, but there is never a hint at any romance between the two of them. And its all here, and its all done so well and in a way that is so entertaining that there is no reason to dislike "Cashback." It isn't perfect, but the characters are all well thought out, the actors interact with one another very well, Sean Biggerstaff is a great lead and Emilia Fox matches him with the sweet and innocent Sharon, and the script perfectly combines elements of love, comedy, and philosophy. Ellis had me involved in every minute of the film, very much like he had me involved in every minute of his short.
And in addition to a sweet love story, there are some great comedic vignettes-one involving the football game, and another involving a party that Jenkins throws for himself (where he pays Ben to get him a surprise stripper-as no birthday would be the same without a surprise stripper). There are neat one liners, and a great character in the form of Sean, who was nowhere to be found in the original short as well. Ellis is successful is taking his short and not making me feel like I've sat through this before. He's given it a new life in this feature. Even when I was actually watching the bits from the short I felt like I was watching something virtually new, and it did not seem the same in the context of the rest of the story. "Cashback" is only playing in a handful of theatres, but it was a Magnolia release, and they are the company that releases films in theatres and HDNet on a Friday, and then on DVD on the following Tuesday, and that is exactly what they are doing with this. While it is a perfectly fine film to go to the theatres to see, please take advantage of the DVD release if it isn't playing in an area close to you. It's a fine film, and a great one to sought out in any form possible.
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Former Rep. Matheson to take reins of energy group
By Megan R. Wilson - 06/13/16 02:40 PM EDT
Former Rep. Jim Matheson James (Jim) David MathesonTrump EPA eases standards for coal ash disposal Utah redistricting reform measure likely to qualify for ballot Trump's budget targets affordable, reliable power MORE (D-Utah) will be replacing Jo Ann Emerson as the CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the trade group announced on Monday.
Matheson, who joined top K Street firm Squire Patton Boggs after retiring from Congress last year, begins in the role next month. He is the sixth CEO of the group.
“Jim will bring to the position a broad knowledge of the issues facing rural America and will be an inspirational leader for America’s Electric Cooperatives,” NRECA President Mel Coleman said in a statement.
Emerson, a former Republican congresswoman from Missouri, resigned from her House seat in January 2013 to take the helm of the organization. Elected in 1996, she had been the longest-serving member of Missouri’s congressional delegation.
She earned a $1.3 million salary from NRECA in 2014, according to the most recent tax forms available.
Last year, Emerson suffered a brain hemorrhage while on vacation in Italy, and NRECA cited a “severe illness” as her reason for stepping down.
During his 14-year tenure on Capitol Hill, Matheson sat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Prior to that, he had experience working with the energy industry, including at his own consulting firm.
“The respect Matheson has on both sides of the aisle, and his ability to bridge political and policy divides to find common ground, will serve NRECA and all member cooperatives very well,” NRECA said in the release about his hire.
Matheson, who became eligible to lobby his former colleagues this year, is listed as advocating on behalf of Airlines for America, Duke Energy, Salt Lake Community College, United Health Group, among others, at Squire Patton Boggs.
Former Sens. John Breaux (D-La.) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.), the co-chairs of Squire Patton Boggs' public policy practice, wished their colleague well.
"The chance to lead an organization like NRECA is a great opportunity, and we congratulate Jim and his family," the two said in a joint statement on Monday. "We’re grateful for all he’s done for Squire Patton Boggs and its clients, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role.”
The K Street firm, which once reigned as the No. 1 firm on K Street by revenue, took in $4.7 million during the first three months of 2016.
In a statement, Matheson said he is “excited by the opportunity to lead NRECA.”
“I am honored to be associated with this member-driven organization that has a strong reputation for quality and integrity,” he continued. “I look forward to working collaboratively with all of the cooperative community as we look to the future.”
— This post was updated at 5:39 p.m.
Tags Jim Matheson
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HomePosts tagged 'Dirty Mind'
‘When You Were Mine’ – Dirty Mind (1980)
August 13, 2015 August 25, 2015 sarielthrawn Dirty Mind Dirty Mind, Prince, When You Were Mine
This is the second track from Prince’s third album – Dirty Mind. Initial tracking for the album (and this song) was recorded somewhere in May-June 1980 at Prince’s Lake Minnetonka home studio (along with the rest of the album). Whether he purified himself in the lake before (or after) recording is unknown. Final mixing and overdubs were done in LA in June 1980. The album was engineered by Jamie Starr, one of Prince’s aliases.
Dirty Mind was released by Warner Brothers in October 1980. That’s six months from initial recording to release. Not a bad effort if you ask me and released only a year after the previous album (Prince).
His output from this period of the early 80s was immense. Prince “fams” speak reverentially of “Prince’s Vault” and the treasures therein. This song is part of that legacy and if it hadn’t been released it would have definitely become one of those bootleg tracks that fams love to gush over (regardless of the sound quality).
This song and album come at a time of high productivity and creativity for Prince. With his own home studio he was able to record whenever he felt like it and luckily for all of us he felt like it often. Because of his home set up the sound quality on this album isn’t the greatest but as with so many things in life, sometimes just getting it done is more important than getting it perfect.
This album is where Prince started to take his music and lyrics (especially lyrics) in a new direction. More flamboyant, more risqué, more in line with what would come later. The road to Purple Rain starts here.
This track isn’t especially daring or freaky (compared to the rest of the album), although it does touch upon some “adult themes”. Yet somehow it is a standout track on this album. The host of the Peach & Black Podcast, M.C., described it as “one of his best pop songs ever”[1] and I’d have to agree. At its heart it is a break up song about a boy who loves a girl who no longer loves him. And judging by most of the lyrics, likely never did.
Musically it has that 50s/60s vibe to it (at least in my mind). Overall it’s not a huge musical departure from the previous two records. I’ve heard his first two albums described as “Stevie Wonder wannabe” and to be honest the music on this track doesn’t move too far away from that mould (not that Stevie is a 50s act – he signed with Motown in 1961 at age 11). I can even imagine The Beatles shaking their mop tops to this beat.
Prince grew up in the early to mid-70s and I feel like with this song he is tapping into the sounds of his childhood and the songs that he would have heard his parents and relatives listening to. Bear in mind that when he’s recording this song he’s only 22 so his childhood is not that long ago. But already he’s working on his third studio album (where he again writes, performs and produces almost all of the tracks) and has exponentially more experience in the studio and writing music than ever before.
When my wife heard me listening to this song on repeat in preparation to write this article she mentioned that it sounded like something that might fit onto the Grease soundtrack and I don’t really disagree with her, at least musically. It’s a kind of retro, funk, pop that is constructed so well in its simplicity that you can’t help but enjoy it.
In this song, the music is innocent and sweet and nostalgic but lyrically it’s dirty, angry, raw and emotional. This is something that Prince has done multiple times over his career where the feel and vibe of the music and melody is in total contrast to the lyrics that he’s singing. I think it works great here. It balances out the message with a funky/retro sound. And if you aren’t listening to the lyrics then it is an upbeat party track that makes you want to move and groove. Even if you do listen to the lyrics you’ll still likely end up tapping your feet.
I’ve heard Ani DiFranco do a live version of this song as a straight out ballad (with special guest Maceo Parker). In that form the song doubles down on the sadness and the slyness and cheekiness of the original is replaced with pain. Not necessarily a bad thing, but definitely not the same.
It opens up with the synth, some twangy clean guitar sounds, bass and drums thumping away in the background. Prince is playing all the instruments and singing all the vocal parts. It’s the whole one-man –band show that he became well known for.
There is an interesting little synth solo (2:08) where he comes in with a scream that is really cool but essentially it is just a really well constructed, basic pop song. Now when I say ‘basic’ I don’t mean to undermine it in any way, I just mean that there are a lot of good, uncomplicated elements that come together to form this catchy little pop song. To quote the Captain, it’s “amazing in its simplicity”[2].
After the solo there’s a breakdown that starts at about 2:20 (just vocals and guitar) which adds a cool little variation to the song too. This part goes over really well in concert and the crowd gets to sing along. And he likes to play this song a lot. Almost every tour it gets a run and it is always awesome.
This song was voted number 26 in the Peach & Black Podcast fan vote for all-time favourite Prince song, which is pretty good considering there are something like 500-plus officially released songs in the Prince catalogue (as at 01/08/2015).
A few Peach & Black quotes:
“Only a genius could have written such a simple pop song and make it sound so good”[3]
“You don’t have to be super tricky and technical if you can just write a decent song in the first place.”[4]
“Classic pentatonic pop song” [5]
“It’s never not great” [6]
“In Prince’s career (up to this point) this was by far the best pop song he had ever written and still one of the best since.”[7]
“Instantly listenable” [8]
Okay, so let’s get down to it. What is this song actually saying?
When you were mine
I gave you all of my money
You done me wrong
It was just like a dream
You let all my friends come over and meet
And you were so strange
You didn’t have the decency
To change the sheets
“When you were mine”, that is to say, “when you belonged to me”. This is Prince starting off as the possessive ex-boyfriend. From the opening we know he’s talking about the past. This is not a song about what he wants to do or his dreams or his future. This is about the past. As the song progresses we come to learn that this was not a particularly happy past. And the present is not so pleasant either.
When you were mine, I owned you and I paid you for your services. But still “You done me wrong”. In fact, she let his friends (not just random guys/girls) come over and “meet”. Meet who or what, I wonder. With her? And what made her “strange”.
Two of the definitions for “strange” in the Urban Dictionary are:
A description commonly applied by male American, bachelors in the 50s and 60s to the anonymous mass of women whom they aspired to engage in casual sex with.
A clever, still slightly naughty, synonym for more profane terms like ‘pussy’ or ‘trim’.[9]
Given that this song seems to be thematically rooted in the 50s and 60s and clearly there is some sort of messy sex action happening here I’m going to assert that both definitions apply.
Now whether the casual sex we’re talking about her is recreational or more of a business venture is up for debate but I feel that the lyrics seem to infer that our man Prince has fallen for a prostitute.
A prostitute gets paid and if she has a lot of customers (all of Prince’s “friends”) then she likely wouldn’t have time to clean any sheets. I think referring to his fellow customers as friends is also an interesting lyrical turn. They definitely share common interests and what more could you ask from a friend.
Oh girl, when you were mine
I used to let you wear all my clothes
You were so fine (so fine)
Maybe that’s the reason
That it hurt me so
On the Genius website (genius.com) they refer to Prince’s diminutive size here as the driver for why he would let her wear all of his clothes. And yes, his clothes would likely fit her reasonably well. His fashion sense has always been fairly “feminised” which is no bad thing but the reason I think this line is here is because it ties into the next part.
You see, he lets her wear his clothes so that when he is looking at her she is reminding him of himself. And that is why she looks so fine. Because she looks like Prince and he is a narcissist and sees himself as the centre of the universe. Her body and the way she looks fits his frame so she can look “good” to him in his own clothing.
In the last half of the verse he is essentially admitting that the reason that he is suffering is not so much because he loves who she is as a person but it’s just that he really likes how she looks. Implying that if maybe she was just a little uglier it would be a little easier on his poor lonely penis heart.
I know (I know)
That you’re going with another guy
I don’t care (don’t care)
Cuz I love u, baby, that’s no lie
I love you more than I did
The chorus is where our hero starts to ramp up into crazy ex-boyfriend mode. He knows that she’s moved on. She’s got other clients and she doesn’t want to see him anymore because one would assume that he’s a little clingy and controlling. She’s moved on but he still loves her. In fact, he loves her more than he did when they were “together”. He wants her back because he can’t find anyone else (within his price range I imagine) who would fit into his outfits and look enough like him to turn him on. He loves her more now because he can’t have her.
For most normal people love grows when people spend time together, not when they’re apart. This lyric just highlights the dysfunction of our protagonist as someone who is moving beyond the socially acceptable parameters of male/female relations and standard sex work.
You were kinda sorta my best friend
So I was blind (so blind)
I let you fool around
I never cared (didn’t care)
I never was the kind to make a fuss
When he was there
Sleeping in between the two of us
When they were “together” they were “kinda” best friends? Sorta? If you have to pay your best friend what does it say about how well your life is going?
He says he “let” her fool around. As though she asked for permission and he gave it. This is just his deluded attempt to rationalise the fact that she is always going to be fucking some other guy/s. The fact that he focuses on a single “him” at the end of the verse confirms she has stopped fucking Prince at the same time as all of her other customers (which he interprets as her “fooling around”). The “him” that was between the two of them is not a literal person but rather a symbol of all the cocks that have come before and will continue to come after. That have pleasured her. That have asked her to be their fantasy (and not Prince’s).
Cuz I love you, baby, that’s no lie
U were all I ever wanted to do
Now I spend my time
Following him whenever he’s with you
Now his obsession has gone into full stalker mode (achievement unlocked!). When she was accepting him as a client (when she was “his”), that’s all he wanted. She was an obsession. An addiction. But now. Now all he can do is follow her from a distance. But not all the time. He only follows her when she is with “him”. That is to say, he only stalks her when she’s working and she is with one of her customers.
Because he can’t handle the fact that she is fucking some other “lover”. He wants to own her. To possess her. To make her do what he wants.
And that is why she cut him off and he is no longer hers.
He’s too possessive and creepy and scary and weird.
I love you more that I did
When you were mine, yeah, oh no
Love you, baby
Repeat chorus, etc., fade to black.
Running time 3:47
So looking back on the lyrics and this interpretation it actually makes more sense that the music and the melody are so upbeat and cheerful. We can now understand that the music represents the manic and delusional mental state of our protagonist. His obsession with this women brings him a kind of joy which is symbolised in the twangy guitar work and happy rhythm section. But on top of that is that piercing synth, this is where the real world is trying to drive a dagger into his fantasy.
Recall that the synth solo starts up and becomes a piercing sound that is joined by a scream from our hero to match the same note. The real world (synth) is trying to break into Prince’s fantasy. But our hero is fighting back reality with his screams to continue to live in his dream world. The bass and drum rhythm changes underneath it all to indicate that something is happening. And then everything disappears apart from our narrator and the twangy guitar. Our hero was won. His fantasy continues.
He’s happy, he’s in love, and she is everything to him. But in reality he is a creepy stalker who fell in love with a prostitute that kind of looks like him when she wears his clothes.
Dirty Mind (released 1980)
Mrs Thrawn
[1] “Dirty Mind Review” Peach & Black Podcast, 27/02/2014.
[9] http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=strange
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Singing death: why music and grief go hand in hand
When grief renders words inadequate, music can give a voice to overwhelming visceral emotion.
Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash
In the aftermath of the June terrorist attack in Manchester, an unusual thing happened. Mancunians gathered in St Ann’s Square ended a minute’s silence to honour the dead with a spontaneous rendition of Don’t Look Back in Anger by the homegrown rock band Oasis. When grief renders words inadequate, music can give a voice to overwhelming visceral emotion.
Music has long been associated with emotional expression of one sort or another: joy, sadness, celebration and ritual. But in grief is found music’s most searing voice. In particular, the inescapable grief of bereavement and human mortality seems to require musical accompaniment. Sometimes the music surrounding death tells us as much about the mourners and as it does about the dead.
Public death, public grief
Bernie Taupin and Elton John’s Goodbye England’s Rose, written for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, touched a public overcome with loss. The song re-used the tune of an earlier hit for the duo, the Marilyn Monroe torch song Candle in the Wind. The words “you whispered to those in pain / Now you belong to heaven / And the stars spell out your name” reminded the audience of Diana’s charitable works while hinting at the double-edged sword of celebrity. Those outside Westminster Abbey cried openly during the performance. Elton John has never performed the song again.
But it’s not just celebrities who inspire musical tributes. When an explosion at Westray coal mine in Nova Scotia (Canada) claimed 26 lives in 1992, personal grief was compounded by the suddenness and magnitude of the tragedy and the social and financial impact on families and the community. In the aftermath, local musicians have produced as many as 50 tribute songs, such as Westray Trilogy by Ghostrider and The Allied Horns.
In Western society at least, endless reiteration of grief in speech is not generally acceptable. Songs of this kind allow this to happen. There is no embargo on singing or playing them repeatedly. We may also cry when the song is sung; an emotional response is acceptable in response to an obvious, external trigger.
Terrorist intent adds further complications to the reception of disaster and the music associated with it. After 9/11, Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings Opus 11 became the most widely-performed musical work for public mourning in the Western art music repertoire. For many, it was also the saddest.
The reception to the Adagio was lukewarm when it was first performed in 1938. The music has gained power through the circumstances of its performance after September 11. The Adagio shows how music can exert its power, through its capacity to become emotionally linked in memory to particular people and events, sometimes altering our perception of them, sometimes being altered itself in the process.
In religions such as traditional Christianity and Islam where the dead have (hopefully) a suitable home to go to, part of the mourners’ task is to see them safely off in song.
For some mourners, however, the dead have no place to go and return to haunt the living. Something remains unsettled. It may be related to the manner of death or to a sense that the rituals of mourning have not been properly conducted.
The horror of death sometimes becomes also a horror of the dead or undead — those caught between life and death. An endless stream of movies, TV series and novels about the returning dead – as ghosts, vampires, demons or zombies – bears witness to the prevalence of that fantasy.
In horror movies, prerecorded music is used to announce the presence of the undead or demonic and the impending doom to follow. Previously innocuous songs gather a momentum of fear from their repetition in this new context, for instance the song Rocky Mountain High, sung by John Denver in the movie Final Destination (2000), signals each appearance of a demonic figure. Context can shape our reaction to a piece of music.
Metaphorical death
Death in song is sometimes approached indirectly. In Irish traditional music, some laments figuratively evoke death or a space between life and death without naming it.
One famous Donegal lament, An Mhaighdean Mhara, describes how a mermaid comes to land and sheds her cloak, in order to transform into human shape. A fisherman steals and hides the cloak and the mermaid is then enthralled to him. He marries her and they have a family. The mermaid later finds her cloak and promptly disappears. However, as the undead are caught between life and death, she is caught between this and the Otherworld, longing to rejoin her own people yet reluctant to leave her children. Here too, one senses, perhaps, the pain of mourning and the reluctance of the living to let go of their dead.
The troubadours and trouvères of the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries often spoke of love as a kind of death, painful and dismembering but delightful. The lovers celebrated in this music present themselves as utterly passive, slaves to love and “a cruel Lady”. Death here seems to stand in for an indescribable and deeply ambiguous condition. Their suffering is mortal but they would not wish it any other way. Gace Brule, a 12th-century trouvère wrote:
Great love cannot grieve me
since the more it kills me the more I like it
and I would rather die and love
than to forget you for even a day
In these and countless other compositions in a range of genres, death and music go hand in hand. Sometimes music sings the dead to rest, offering comfort for grief-stricken individuals and communities; sometimes it confronts us with the anguish of mortality and loss. Sometimes it reflects something of the painful, complex and laborious task of mourning – at the end of which, the dead be may be finally laid to rest.
Originally published at theconversation.com
Death,
The Conversation is a nonprofit news organization bringing knowledge from academia to the public. All our authors are experts writing about their own research, edited by journalists to make the stories interesting and accurate.
Resilience: A New Grief Myth That Can Hurt You
by Candyce Ossefort-Russell
Well-Being// October 20, 2017
3 Common Myths About Grief That We Need to Stop Believing
by Lisa Ingrassia
Grief expert reveals how to help kids deal with Death and Grief
by Dipti Tait
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Community// October 5, 2018
THE KEY TO HEALTHY BALANCE
Military Wife & Mother Ellie Kay known as America's Family Financial Expert Shares Her Tips Balancing Work and Life
Jose Angel Manaiza Jr, Tutor for The Stars
Ellie Kay
1. Ms. Ellie Kay, you are a world’s leading financial literacy expert and been recognized in The White House, what inspired to make this solid commitment in helping veterans and men & women in Uniform?
I wouldn’t call myself the world’s leading expert in that field, there are a lot of good people teaching financial literacy. I do, however, have one of the greatest passions for the topic, especially when it comes to serving our military members.
I come from a long line of military service; my grandfather never came back from his 47th bombing mission in his B-24 during WWII, thus paying the ultimate sacrifice. His service inspired my dad to serve as well. My dad retired as a Chief Master Sgt in the USAF. In addition, my husband served as a fighter pilot in the USAF for 25 years. Out of our 7 children, three elected to serve our country. We have an Infantry Marine Officer (USNA 2011), an Air Force Fighter pilot (USAFA 2015) and an Army Infantry Platoon Commander (USMA 2017). As a military spouse, I realized early in my husband’s career that finances are a huge problem amongst military families. I wanted to help them become financially fit. In addition, if a military member acquires too much debt, it could jeopardize their security clearance. They could actually lose their security clearance and their ability to do their military job, thus being asked to leave the service. Thus, financial readiness translates into military readiness. Helping service members with financial readiness is something that I can do to help, even though I’ve never worn the uniform. Consequently, I’ve provided 200 events at 50 bases globally and will continue to do the work as long as our non-profit, Heroes at Home 501(c)(3) gets the funding we need to do this work.
2. Ms. Ellie Kay, what is your vision for the next 5 years for you, your family, business & charity?
As a young mom of 7, I embarked on a business journey as an author, speaker and spokesperson. Along the way, I wrote 15 books for various publishers, reaching a million people and achieving best seller status. I was fortunate enough to have opportunity to do a lot of media and eventually did 2500+ interviews. I especially love the public speaking part of that work and have had 2000+ paid speaking presentations. When I became a brand ambassador/spokesperson, it was a great opportunity to begin my path toward financial independence. In my early 40’s I achieved this goal. I was able to achieve a modest quality of life and start my next goal — to begin a non-profit charity to provide financial education. I founded the non-profit 4 years ago and we are certified to go directly on military bases to provide free financial education. There are only 3 non-profits that have this status and are approved by the DOD to conduct this kind of program. Basically, the DOD recognized that our materials were accurate and good for their service members. Furthermore, they recognize that we will not try to sell military members any kind of products. The other recent opportunity that presented itself was to try something brand new — a personal finance podcast. My fellow Toastmaster and daughter, Bethany Bayless and I founded The Money MIllhouse podcast and we’ve been fortunate enough to have our podcast make it to the top five finalist in the New Personal Finance Podcast for the prestigious Plutus awards.
In the next five years, I have a really big vision to take our Heroes at Home show to large groups of service members, their families and veterans. I’d love to present to audiences of 5000+ and instead of just giving away books and gift cards, like we do now — I’d love to give these audiences a new car and other large prizes. With the right sponsorship, I believe we can continue to help those who currently serve and those who served in the past.
I’d also like to see our Money Millhouse podcast get hundreds of thousands of downloads and gain so much traction that it is able to provide a source of revenue for the Heroes at Home non-profit. The Money MIllhouse is a division of Heroes t Home and part of the non-profit education program.
Personally, I’d like to spend as much time with my 7 grandchildren as possible and give their parents a break by having the luxury of taking the kids while their mom and dad go on a vacation.
I may even go for the World Champion of Public speaking and become the first woman to have BOTH the Accredited Speaker designation as well as the WCPS award. There are two men who currently hold both of those distinctions (Dana Lamon and Darrel LaCroix). I’d like to join their ranks.
2015–2016 Toastmasters International President Jim Kokocki and Accredited Speaker Ellie Kay receiving a Presidential Citation Award
3. Ms. Ellie Kay, what is your recipe for success to keep a healthy balance in your life as a mom to 7 millennial, world leader, motivational speaker, and philanthropist who travels frequently?
When my youngest son was 2 years old, I wrote my first book proposal. I worked from home for all of their childhood and limited my travel when they were school aged. We moved 18 times in my husband’s military career and I home-schooled my kids for 7 years because we moved so frequently. In the midst of these activities, I was also able to donate 20,000 volunteer hours, which garnered me the Dr. Mary E. Walker medal from the Army. I wrote my 15 books while my kids napped and would have to take an intense 2 day writing weekend to crank out the last 20,000+ words on a 50K word book.
Keeping a work/life balance was difficult but I made the hard choices to prioritize my family. I turned down a TV series on the BBC 1 because it would mean I’d have to be in England for taping 7 months out of the year. I don’t regret turning that down. I believe that the greatest joy I can have is to see that my children walk in their own truth. They are all college grads, financially independent from their parents and once they move out of the house at 18, they don’t move back home because they are able to go to college and then get a job in a timely manner. I’m thankful for the kids I have who are making a positive difference in the world. I not only have 3 sons who serve in uniform, but I have a daughter who tours with Heroes at Home as the Director of Communications and emcee. She does this because she has a passion for our young people who currently serve.
I also work with Congressional Districts and have spoken to dozens of Congressional events providing information to families in these Congressional Districts as to how students in those districts can garner a 400K scholarship by going to a Service Academy. I see my future filled with more of these Congressional opportunities and continued work as an ALO (admissions liaison officer) for the Air Force Academy.
BIO OF ELLIE KAY
Ellie Kay, America’s Family Financial Expert
Ellie Kay is the best-selling author of fifteen books including Lean Body, Fat Wallet, and Heroes at Home. She is a Toastmaster Accredited Speaker as well as a popular international speaker and media veteran who has given over 2000+ media interviews including appearances on ABC, CNBC, CNN and Fox News. She is a podcaster host on The Money Millhouse, joining her millennial daughter over coffee with a combination of money and banter. As a popular columnist, she has been a Subject Matter Expert for the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Washington Post. Currently, Ellie provides financial education to military members through her “Heroes at Home Financial Event” sponsored for USAA. Ellie is married to LTC Bob Kay and they have seven children.
— Published on October 5, 2018
Balance,
Millennial,
MATHEMATICIAN JOSE ANGEL MANAIZA, JR.
Former Child Star in La Ceiba, Honduras. He came to the U.S. with The American Dream in his heart in 2002. Also known as “The Tutor for The Stars” from Malibu to Beverly Hills. At the age of 15, he won a Math Contest representing his public school, Hector Pineda Uguarte.. He leads Malibu A Plus Tutor, LLC., dedicated to helping students achieve straight A's and working professionals succeed at work. In 2012, Mr. Manaiza won The Third Annual Bruin Contest at UCLA with his compelling speech entitled “The New Future Of The United States Of America.” In 2014, he ranked # 1 in earning the most education awards in Toastmasters International. Mathematician Jose Angel Manaiza, Jr., provides the children of Hollywood celebrities and LA's most influential families from Malibu to Beverly Hills with academic help. Mr. Manaiza has helped over 8,800 students, including NCAA student-athletes from schools such as UCLA, to excel intellectually through teaching a speed-reading system also endorsed by three American presidents. He has been honored in The White House. He is the recipient of Best of Los Angeles Awards as THE BEST SPEED READING TUTOR. He is an active member of Malibu & Beverly Hills Finest Networking. For more info, visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josa-angel-manaiza-jr/
// May 1, 2019
Heroes Among Us: “I found that humility (leaving my ego and former status as an officer at the door), being genuine, and keeping an appropriate sense of humor REALLY helped with integrating back into the civilian workforce.” With Drew Kellerman
by Marco Derhy
Heroes Among Us: “Nobody can do it alone.” with Army Lt. Col. Jeremy Latchaw and Marco Dehry
Lessons In Leadership: One On One With Lieutenant General Robert E. Milstead Jr.
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Papayas From Mexico Linked To Salmonella Outbreak In 6 States
Federal health officials are urging people in six states in the Northeast not to eat fresh papaya from Mexico amid a salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 62 people, sending more than a third of them to hospitals.
The states affected are Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. People in Florida and Texas also fell ill after consuming papaya purchased in one of the six states, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.
“Preliminary analysis of product import records indicates that the whole, fresh papayas that made people sick in this outbreak were from Mexico,” the FDA said.
Regulators did not order a recall, but urged people who live in the affected states to dispose of any papaya, even if some was eaten and no one got sick. This includes fruit salad or other mixes that contain papayas from Mexico.
“If you aren’t sure the papaya you bought is from Mexico, you can ask the place of purchase. When in doubt, don’t eat the papaya. Throw it out,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged.
Any surfaces where the papaya had been stored should be washed and sanitized, the CDC said. Tips on doing this can be found here.
Of the 62 illnesses reported, 23 people required hospitalization. The first reported illness began on Jan. 14, and the start of the latest was on June 8. Most of the illnesses occurred after April, the CDC said.
Salmonella is a gastrointestinal illness and fever caused by bacteria that typically shows symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection. These symptoms typically last four to seven days and include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Children younger than 5, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe salmonellosis infections, which can include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool. Severe cases may be fatal, the FDA said.
Those who suspect salmonella infection should contact their health care provider and report the illness to their health department.
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How To Tell If You’re Protected By The Measles Vaccine
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A Scary Thing That Happened To Me
June 4, 2011 By Tom Allen
I sat in the middle of the dim, wood‐panelled corridor. Lined up along each wall stood a handful of people I vaguely recognised from some previous occasion. I wondered why nobody else had decided to sit down while we waited outside the closed door. Then, as the assembled men and women muttered amongst themselves, the strangest thing happened.
It was more like weightlessness than falling; either way, the floor was no longer there. And it seemed as if a cloud of TV static had been pumped into the hall from behind me and was quickly filling my vision; the muttering descended into a pervasive monotone whine, and within a brief and powerless second the universe had fallen away.
Then came a dull series of sensations, but try as I might I couldn’t figure out exactly what they were. I took a quick tour of my senses, the sensations became impacts, drifting into place somewhere near my hands and feet. I realised my arms and legs were scrabbling furiously, and at the same time — like a fleet of ships emerging from the mist — vague shapes appeared in front of my eyes: a window frame, another, a solid floor, a table. I emerged into the dream world, regaining control of my limbs, and looked in terror around at the strange room in which I found myself sitting.
What the fuck? Where the fuck am I?
Eerie silence penetrated by the ringing in my ears, I shook my head in an attempt to clear the fog from my vision. As if things couldn’t get any weirder, I found that I could no longer remember where I’d been when I had — as I could only assume — passed out. How was I supposed to wake myself up?!?
With a chill that penetrated to my very core, all became clear. I hadn’t passed out at all. The very opposite: I’d come round. This strange room was in fact the kitchen in my flat in Yerevan. The corridor had been the dream.
What the fuck?
It was the first of five terrifying black‐outs that morning, three of which my dear wife was unfortunate enough to have to watch happen after I’d stumbled back into the bedroom to wake her up. I’d got up, early, to go for a run while the streets were still empty, which was my routine. Feeling unusually weak, I’d decided to have a cuppa and check my email first. While drinking tea and perusing the contents of my inbox, the world had slipped sideways into oblivion.
No warning. No explanation. I was lucky I’d been sitting down. The fifth attack happened in the lift on the way down to the ambulance. I woke up slumped in the arms of the paramedic. “Don’t be afraid,” he’d said into my ear. I was fucking petrified. What the fuck was happening to me?
It’s been four weeks since that hideous morning, and since then I’ve returned to the UK, and I’m overwhelmingly glad to be able to report that no further attacks have happened. I’ve felt horribly ill — disoriented, nauseous, off‐balance, with discomfort in my chest and neck, and that recurrent ringing in my ears — until about a week or so ago, since when things seem to have improved a lot, and I’ve finally been able to get out for a few short rides and runs.
The cause of these episodes and of the illness remains a mystery. Initially suspected as epileptic seizures, the consensus from the legion of doctors who’ve inspected me and quizzed my wife about them is that they were occurences of ‘vasovagal syncope’ — the medical term for common fainting. The question remains: why would an otherwise fit and healthy young man spontanously pass out one sunny morning over a cup of tea?
A battery of tests has shown precious little. Blood tests, electrocardiograms of my heart, X‐ray computed tomography scans of my head, ultrasound scans of my abdomen, electroencephalograph recordings of my brain activity, chest X‐rays and multiple physical examinations have revealed that there is nothing wrong with me. Nothing. In fact, I am in excellent shape.
That’s great, but why?
The only lead that the doctor‐detectives have to follow is the two conspicuous swellings — lymph nodes — on the side of my neck, which appeared the day before the blackouts. Taken together with the early blood tests, which showed that my white blood cell count was unusually high, my GP suspects that I picked up a particularly nasty virus in Armenia.
Doctors find it difficult to precisely identify viral infections, and the most common prescription is simple rest. The human body is remarkably good at defending itself; being fit and healthy is greatly beneficial too — although, ironically, athletes are more susceptible to blackouts, having stronger, more efficient hearts that beat more slowly than average while at rest. (I’m not an athlete, but my heart rate still turned out lower than average from all that cycling!)
“If you want to know what I think,” said one doctor, “I think you’ll never know what it was. I think you’ll recover on your own, which might take up to six weeks. And I think it’ll never happen again.”
What struck me on this journey through the institution of medicine was the notion that — after health — everything else in life is optional. Our lives and what we do with them are entirely products of our own volition, given the opportunities available to us. All the inanities of modern existence, the procrastination and pointless pursuits, assume that being alive and healthy are entitlements.
It’s probably worth reminding ourselves that they aren’t — then we might look upon our options with more respect, seeing real alternatives waiting to be grasped, not tomorrow or in a few years’ time, but today. We all hear stories of those who’ve had near‐death experiences or terrible accidents and have gone on to grab life by the balls as a result of coming so close to losing it.
Wouldn’t it be tragic to end up in a hospital bed, your heart on its last legs from too much nicotine and alcohol and inactivity, with the knowledge that you did this to yourself — that you took your health and systematically destroyed it?
Equally, it would be tragic to look back on a lucky life of good health and vitality and to realise that it was squandered in a system of living which wasn’t your own, and from which you never managed to wrestle control.
4 Responses to “A Scary Thing That Happened To Me”
Adrineh
Your writing, Tom jan, inspires as always 😉 Reminds me of an experience I had last year: woke up in the middle of the night and found myself standing a couple of meters away from my bed and I had no idea how I got there. Not as scary as your experience perhaps, but it scared the s*** out of me. Anyway, I really do hope it’s nothing (though I’m not inclined to believe Western doctors who say you probably caught some virus in some “developing” country, because it’s easy to attribute things they can’t diagnose to something you caught “over there”) and that you recover on your own. Sending good thoughts to you from “over here” 🙂
My Life Revolves Around Nikol Pashinyan (She Says with a Sigh) | www.CaucasusNow.com
[…] me not only with a writing style that engages his audience but also with what he writes. In his recent post, he writes about taking control of your life: “Our lives and [what] we do with them are entirely […]
Tom —
Oh no! So glad to hear you’re feeling better. I really hope that everything is alright from here on out. How scary that day must have been, and how unnerving to not know why!
Great reflections/questions at the end of the post as well.
~Sheila
that’s really scary. At least it didn’t happen in the middle of nowhere, while you are cycling on your own in a desert…
How ironic, that you’ve been to the most remote and least developed parts of the world, and you had to suffer from a mysterious illness back home in the civilized world.
I am really glad you are alright now, and hope the doctor is right on the point that it will never come back.
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Genetsch, Martin (1) (remove)
Contemporary Anglo-Canadian Literature (1)
Postcolonialism (1)
n.a. (1)
Anglistik (1) (remove)
Difference and Identity in Contemporary Anglo-Canadian Fiction (2003)
Genetsch, Martin
My dissertation is concerned with contemporary (Anglo-)Canadian immigrant fiction and proposes an analytic grid with which it may be appreciated and compared more adequately. As a starting-point serves the general observation that the works of many Canadian immigrant writers are characterised by a focus on their respective home cultures as well as on their Canadian host culture. Following the ground-breaking work of Northrop Frye, Margaret Atwood and David Staines, the categories of "there" and "here" are suggested in order to reflect this double encoding of Canadian immigrant literature. However, "here" and "there" are more than spatial configurations in that they represent a concern with issues of multiculturalism and postcolonialism. Both of which are informed by an emphasis on difference and identity, and difference and identity are also what the narratives of M.G. Vassanji, Neil Bissoondath and Rohinton Mistry are preoccupied with. My study sets out to show two things: On the one hand, it attempts to exemplify the complexity and interrelatedness of "there" and "here" in a representative fashion. Hence in their treatments of difference, M.G. Vassanji, Neil Bissoondath and Rohinton Mistry come up with comparable identity constructions "here" and "there" respectively. On the other hand, special attention is paid to the strategies by which Vassanji, Bissoondath and Mistry construct difference and corroborate their respective understandings of identity.
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Laura Govan’s House Was Robbed; $700,000 Worth Of Cash And Jewelry Taken
The former "Basketball Wives" star told the authorities that she was robbed while on vacation.
Kellee Terrell
Source: Paul Archuleta / Getty
Just went it seemed that Laura Govan’s life was getting back on track, it’s being reported that she’s been robbed.
According to TMZ, a police report said that Govan’s San Fernando home was a disaster zone when she came home last month from vacation. Her kitchen window was smashed and items were thrown all over the house.
In addition, the former Basketball Wives star told the authorities that the robbers made off with $98K in cash and $615K in jewelry, including a $50K Rolex.
While Govan, who has four kids with her ex, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, lives in a gated community and has a security system, she didn’t turn it on. Apparently, she wanted to make it easier for her friend who was watching her dog to come in and out of the house. Govan also told cops video footage from her system didn’t save because it’s not connected to the cloud.
The 37-year-old said that a doorbell that had motion detector that kicked off at 12:45am and neighbors heard a dog barking at 1am, but didn’t think to call the police.
Currently, there are no leads and no arrests have been made.
Last week, Govan made headlines for her recent appearance on OWN’s Iyanla: Fix My Life. She opened up about her controversial ex-husband Gilbert Arenas and her ongoing custody battle over their four children.
Govan broke down in tears when Vanzant told her that in order to be happy “she has to give up the fight” because in no way is she “going to lose her kids.” In tears, the reality star tells the famous life coach that regardless she is “afraid to lose my kids” and feels “guilty” for bringing them into this situation with their father.
Later in the episode, she also accused her sister of Gloria of having an affair with Arenas.
Laura Govan Breaks Down About Ex On ‘Iyanla: Fix My Life’
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Laura Govan’s House Was Robbed; $700,000 Worth Of Cash And Jewelry Taken was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
Also On The Light 103.9 FM:
Lamplighter Awards 2017! [PHOTOS]
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TNW News
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Gadgets for humans
Hands-on: Olympus’ 300mm F4 lens has ridiculously good stabilization
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Olympus and Panasonic have long been expanding Micro Four Thirds’ lens selection, and at CES 2016, the former introduced a new 300mm F4 to fill an important gap for wildlife and sports photographers.
It’s one of Olympus’ Pro-series lenses, meaning an all-metal construction and professional-grade weather sealing. It also means it’s very expensive, at $2500 – but also much cheaper than the alternative on other systems (the Canon equivalent is a mere $11,500).
Olympus’ lens is much smaller than equivalent lenses on other systems, though it has less shallow depth of field.
Because of the Micro Four Thirds-sized sensor and some engineering wizardry, the lens is much smaller than a similar optic on a DSLR system, meaning this one can actually fit in a camera bag (albeit a large one).
But those are qualities we’ve come to expect from Micro Four Thirds lenses. The most interesting bit is a new trick for Olympus: dual optical and in-body image stabilization.
Olympus’ cameras are known for having the best image stabilization in the business, and do this within the camera body itself. But at 300m, there’s only so much hand shake you can compensate for in-body, so the lens features a stabilizing element that works in tandem with the camera’s in-body stabilization to provide up to six stops of handshake reduction
It also means that Panasonic cameras – most of which don’t have in-body stabilization — can still get some use out of the lens without a tripod. The one caveat is that only Olympus’ E-M1 and E-M5 II can use the in-body and optical stabilization systems in tandem. You’ll have to choose one or the other in their other cameras.
The company drove me out to a Nevada ghost town in the dead of night to put the stabilization and sharpness to the test.
The lens delivered in spades. Shooting handheld with an optic of this focal length is normally an exercise in futility, but the 300mm F1.4 felt only slightly more difficult to use than your average short telefoto lens.
That said, the lens is also lighter than you’d expect from its metal construction. You’ll definitely need two hands to shoot with it, but at least it won’t leave your arms feeling like you just left the gym.
It’s also incredibly sharp, which shouldn’t be a surprise for Micro Four Thirds lenses in general. Olympus prepared a variety of stations for us to put the sharpness to the test, and although we were shooting in the dead of night, a tripod set up allowed us to test the sharpness on a fallen plane tail.
Don’t worry, this downed plane was just a prop.
Here’s the image at full magnification:
Even shooting a poorly lit, distant, and frollicking cowboy at night and ISO 6400, I was able to extract a fair amount of detail. While you’re not getting as much background blur as on a 600mm F4 lens on a system with a larger sensor, shallower depth of field is unnecessary and often undesirable at this focal length.
Was able to get up close to this cowboy from about 60 feet away, and the image is sharp despite being handheld.
Meanwhile, I could pinpoint all the hairs on my new tarantula friend:
I made a new friend
Here’s a 100% crop of that image, sharp even at ISO 3200:
It has surprising macro capabilities for a lens of this focal length, and once again, the effective stabilization meant I had very little trouble following my eight-legged friend as it moved about the rocks. It would be much less fun with a DSLR lens.
A few other features come in handy: a focus distance limiter can help you make sure the lens captures the right subject – and speed up autofocus – by preventing it from focusing on far away subjects. Alternatively, it can be set to focus far and ignore foreground content too.
There’s an extra programmable button that can be set to adjust almost nay camera setting, and the lens comes with a retractable hood to help shield against sunlight flare, although there isn’t exactly much sun at nighttime for me to test.
I only had a few hours with it, but the 300mm is unsurprising in the best of ways. It keeps up Olympus’ reputation of impeccably sharp pro-grade lenses, has wonderful build quality, reasonable size and a few useful extras too.
Still, the real highlight is the impeccable image stabilization, which impressively manages to make a super-telefoto feel like a short portrait lens. Olympus will have another winner in its hands when the lens begins shipping in late February.
➤ 300mm F4 [Olympus]
Published January 9, 2016 — 01:17 UTC
January 9, 2016 — 01:17 UTC
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The Rosebud Cinema
← Review: Birdman (2014)
The History of London Through Film: The King’s Speech (2010)
Posted on February 20, 2015 by Rosie
London has been featured in countless films since the birth of the cinema over a century ago and has allowed audiences worldwide to view the city through the eyes of film makers. From the Elizabethan times in Shakespeare in Love (1998) to the coal miner’s strike of the 1980s in Billy Elliot (2000), every period in London’s history has a film in which the era is captured, and the team at London Pass have captured these locations in their recent exploration into the history of the distinguished city through film.
Wartime in London was an unforgiving time, and during World War Two, the city’s population were living in a seemingly never-ending state of fear, and thousands of children were evacuated to the countryside to keep them out of harm’s way. During this time of hardship, it was hugely important for the country to have a strong leader to rely upon.
With his 2010 film The King’s Speech, Tom Hooper brings to the screen with absorbing poignancy the incredible and little-known story of a king and his struggle to overcome adversity and guide his country through a time of hardship.
It’s 1925 and the Duke of York (Colin Firth) – known as Bertie – is a stammerer and has trouble with the public speaking that his position so duly requires of him. After his wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) seeks out treatment from the eccentric Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), Bertie is put off by Logues unconventional methods and gives up after his first session, deeming it useless. It is not long before he returns to the treatment out of desperation, and works with Logue over the following decade to overcome his stammer, forming an unusual bond with him despite the immeasurable difference in social standing between the two. In 1936 Bertie is forced to assume the throne of England due to the abdication of his older brother King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) and the bashful king must work with Logue against the odds to prepare to succeed to the throne and make his first wartime radio broadcast.
Firth is entirely absorbed in the role of the timid royal and gives what is undoubtedly one of the greatest performances of his career with an astounding depth and subtlety. Rush, too, is at his dazzling best in this film; he so skilfully plays on the eccentricities of Logue, and the scenes between he and Bertie are performed with such artistry that draws you in right from the first moment. Bonham Carter plays the Queen Mother with candour and wit, and sheds light on the not oft seen informal side of royalty. With a supporting cast that includes the great British actors Michael Gambon, Timothy Spall and Derek Jacobi, there is no actor who does not perform to their full potential.
The cinematography is stunning and the prominent featuring of Buckingham Palace contrasts beautifully with the haunting scenery of war-torn London. As well as the real palace in the heart of London, The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich and Lancaster House in Green Park were both used to recreate 1930s Buckingham Palace. The Logue residence, however, is supposed to be in Kensington, but Iliffe Street in Elephant & Castle was used, and it is here that we bear witness to the surprise of Lionel Logue’s family upon discovering the royal identity of his patient, in one of many heart-warming and humorous scenes in the film.
David Seidler’s script, drawing inspiration directly from the diaries of Logue, is charming, bringing the story to life with an empathy and insight that the film would have failed without. Alexandre Desplat’s emotive score captures the depth and feeling of every scene, and, alongside the consistently impeccable cinematography, it makes for an artistically sublime viewing.
A masterpiece that will forever be etched on the hearts of cinema-goers, The King’s Speech balances both the light and dark sides of life to bring to life the inspiring and fascinating story of a man who supported his country through the most difficult of times.
The London Pass offers holders free entry to over 60 top attractions including Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle and a Thames River Cruise. The pass comes with a guidebook, specially selected offers, great deals and discounts, and most importantly, queue jumping privileges at selected attractions.
This post was endorsed by The London Pass.
This entry was posted in 5 Stars, Reviews and tagged 2010s, Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, London Pass, The King's Speech, Tom Hooper. Bookmark the permalink.
1 Response to The History of London Through Film: The King’s Speech (2010)
nicollzg says:
One of the best movies I’ve ever seen. I think it just may be Firth’s best performance ever, the one in which he shows he’s one of the great.
Review: Birdman (2014)
Review: Wild (2014)
The Rosebud Cinema Returns!
One Year of The Rosebud Cinema!
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Ballroom memories music to the ears
Published Friday 20 April 2018 at 9:41
Synth pop pioneer Martyn Ware is appealing for people to share their memories and mementoes of the popular Blackburn nightclub Tony’s Empress Ballroom
Martyn, a founding member of both The Human League and Heaven 17, will use them to create a sound installation at the free National Festival of Making which takes place in the town centre on May 12 and 13.
Tony’s was a cornerstone of the Northern Soul scene in the 1980s and a home of the legendary “all-nighter”. It then became a popular rave venue.
Thousands of clubbers passed through its doors and Martyn wants to hear from couples who met on the dance floor and people who have flyers, photos and other mementos of the venue from the period tucked away.
Lancashire was the home of the Northern Soul all-nighter. After the fire at Wigan Casino, Tony’s Empress Ballroom was one of the places that kept the tradition alive.
When the rave scene hit the North West in the late 1980s, it was commonplace for hundreds of people to drive to towns like Blackburn looking for a party with many taking place at Tony’s during that exciting period.
The National Festival of Making is a celebration of creativity and will include family workshops, street theatre, markets, music, food and art.
Martyn added:
Ever since the Industrial Revolution, from rock and roll to jazz and brass bands to punk, music has been an outlet for workers and has provided a meeting place for communities.
By asking people to get in touch and contribute to this project focused on Lancashire’s rich heritage, I am aiming to create an experience that’s evocative of the real, working lives that found and still find fun and freedom through getting together to enjoy music.
Elena Gifford, Co-Director of The National Festival of Making, said:
Martyn has worked all over the world as an artist, using all of his experience in music and sound to create remarkable experiences that offer a sense of time and place.
Contact Martyn at info@festivalofmaking.co.uk by April 27.
Watch a Granada News report about the Northern Soul scene at Tony’s
Filed under : Martyn Ware | National Festival of Making | Tony's Empress Ballroom
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A wide view of Tauranga, which is among the fastest growing areas of the country (Getty Images)
The Bulletin: Tauranga moves closer to Golden Triangle train dream
Alex Braae | Staff Writer
Good morning, and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: BOP Regional Council to investigate upgrading train lines, PM Ardern in China, and dozens of schools stuck using coal for heating.
Choo choo for train lovers: The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is investigating a passenger rail system in and out of Tauranga, reports the Bay of Plenty Times journalist Jean Bell. At the moment, rail in Tauranga is pretty much all used for freight, with the Port a major income earner for both the Regional Council and the city’s economy. That would mean double tracking would be needed, so that trains could pass each other in and out of the city. But an increased train system to and from Tauranga would also move closer to the dream held by public transport advocates for years – passenger rail services throughout the so-called Golden Triangle of Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton.
You’ve probably heard the term thrown around before. Half of New Zealand’s population live within the Golden Triangle, it’s a high growth area, and at the moment it’s pushing outwards. Currently, a commuter train service is set to begin in 2020 for a five year trial between Auckland and Hamilton. Given the immense amount of new housing being built to the south of Papakura, and given how bad the Southern motorway can get at rush hour, it seems likely a new train service will be popular with both drivers and riders. Those on the train won’t have to sit in traffic, and there won’t be quite so much traffic for those driving to sit in. It stands to reason that commuters coming in from the East Coast would feel the same way.
As for Tauranga itself, transport is a massive issue for the city. It is growing rapidly – far faster really than the city’s transport infrastructure can handle. Gridlock is a constant irritant for many residents. As the launch post of the Greater Tauranga blog noted, the city has the highest rate of private car dependancy in the country, at 97%. Tauranga itself is a city where bigger and newer roads haven’t delivered on their promise. For example, when a $225 million road was completed in 2006, it was predicted that it would take up to 20 years for it to become heavily congested with traffic. It actually took just eight years for it to all fill up.
And residents are calling for rail to be investigated more as well – at least they were in the vox-pops done by the Bay of Plenty Times. People in Tauranga have been calling for trains for a while, based on the idea that the rail network already exists – it would just need to be upgraded to be fit for purpose. It is not considered likely that Tauranga will have a rail network for passengers within the city any time soon.
It’s certain to be an issue that comes up for further debate during the upcoming local government elections. At the moment, there isn’t necessarily a lot of alignment between local and central government on transport priorities – central government recently rejected the BOP Regional Council’s Regional Land Transport plan, with Greater Tauranga saying it was because there was too much of a focus on road. Regardless, it’s a central government promise to get rail around the Golden Triangle going before their time is up. For regional leaders in Tauranga, this could be the perfect moment to try and get on board.
PM Jacinda Ardern has been in China for a brief visit. More will be followed up on over the next few days, but in the meantime this from Stuff’s Stacey Kirk is a good wrap of the visit. The impression one gets from reading it is that the Chinese government is trying to project an aura of friendly but steely strength – President Xi spoke of “new opportunities” and the two countries trusting each other. PM Ardern in turn spoke about the importance of the Free Trade Agreement to this country, and incremental progress towards an upgrade.
Dozens of schools are unable to come up with the cost of switching away from coal, reports Stuff. While burning coal is both a health risk and environmental disaster, schools also need to be warm enough for kids to learn in. Some could convert to wood-pellet burners, but the cost of that fuel is twice as much, and that isn’t generally funded by the ministry of education.
Various perspectives have been coming out in recent days about hate speech laws. Radio NZ reports there are calls for the law to be changed so that religious groups cannot be targeted with hate speech. Justice minister Andrew Little has indicated that he wants a review of existing laws sped up – currently there is no specific hate speech offence on the books, though you aren’t allowed to “excite hostility” towards particular groups.
However, while no serious person would deny that hate speech exists, there’s a legitimate argument that the state getting involved can create perverse outcomes. Kiwiblog author David Farrar went through some of the cases in Britain, with a view that they shouldn’t have ended up in court, and that if New Zealand were to adopt similar laws, similar outcomes would occur.
Regardless, it’s not an area of society that lends itself well to absolutist positions. Recently on The Spinoff, civil liberties advocate Thomas Beagle called for care and time to be taken rather than rushing out a law. However, he also noted that “no democracy based on human rights and civil liberties can seriously entertain the idea that entire classes of people are less than human because of their race, sexuality, religious beliefs, or similar attributes.” And that’s fundamentally the idea that hate speech laws try to support – that speech can be harmful and dangerous (which it obviously can be) and that protection is needed against that sort of speech.
Gang members looking to avoid giving up guns have been given short shrift by deputy PM Winston Peters, reports One News. More details have emerged on the government’s plans to get rid of a range of types of guns and equipment, with an amnesty to bring them in to last until September 30 – the changes are expected to become law by the end of next week. As for reports that Mongrel Mob members might not comply because they need guns to protect themselves, Winston Peters was unsympathetic: “It’s not a matter of cooperation, it’s a matter of being obliged to conform with the law of this country.”
The decline of churches continues, with even Catholicism now looking to close the doors on some Wellington churches, reports Radio NZ. They’re putting it down to an increasing number of buildings needing earthquake strengthening, and an ageing priesthood. But it’s part of a wider trend of the traditional denominations seeming to be losing a lot of their physical presence – there have also recently been stories about Anglicans losing numbers, and Dunedin losing Presbyterian churches.
Metro Magazine have relaunched their website (hello friendly competition) with the annual top 50 restaurants of Auckland. It’s pretty heavy on the Ponsonby/Karangahape Road area, but there are a few nods to the rest of Auckland too, like the Viaduct. Anyway though, the new site looks good, and their new editor Henry Oliver has outlined why it was relaunched.
Technical difficulties: A lot of you tried to read the Max Rashbrooke article yesterday about the government’s first 18 months – unfortunately something gammy was going on with the website it was hosted on, so the previously working link came back with an error. I’ll post it again later in the week if it comes good.
Right now on The Spinoff: We collected the best things the journos at Vice NZ who have now been made redundant produced, as a tribute to their work. A new episode of Gone By Lunchtime is out, covering politics in the aftermath of the Christchurch attack. Holly Carrington from Shine covers the new law allowing victims of domestic violence to take paid leave, and urges employers to not force those asking for leave for proof they’re being abused. And Alex Casey speaks to Grace Stratton, a pioneer in accessibility fashion.
Also, I ended up writing up a piece about the dumbest April Fools gags I came across yesterday morning. There were a few that came into the inbox from readers that made me chuckle a bit, but I think the funniest one I saw over the course of the day was this from the Department of Conservation – for some reason it just landed with me.
E-Tangata publish a lot of great stuff, week in, week out. But I want to go back to this yarn that they’ve recently republished. It’s about softball star Nathan Nukunuku, who isn’t far away from becoming the most decorated Black Sox player in history. They profiled him back in 2015, focusing on the earliest days of his rep career, and through to playing for New Zealand. Here’s the intro:
Twenty five years ago, when Nathan Nukunuku made the Auckland under-14 softball team, he was easily the youngest in the squad. Staying with his teammates in a motel for the first time was a big deal. A bunch of the boys had gathered in one room and Nathan was asked to flick the jug on. He was straight on to the job.
A short time later, there was a massive bang from the kitchen. The kids rushed over to inspect and, through the smoke, spotted a smouldering jug. It hadn’t seen a drop of water. All eyes turned to the culprit. To Nathan. And the put-down came.
“How old are you, man? Like, 10?”
“Nah,” said Nathan. “I’m nine.” Which he was.
Here’s a remarkable story out of the weekend’s ISPS Handa national football league final, from Stuff. 7 players out of the winning Eastern Suburbs team are about to join a national U-20 camp. It shows how many good young players are coming through right now, given that the Phoenix also have a handful of talented teenagers. It might not be quite a golden generation of talent yet, but the signs are good about the level of talent that will be going for top honours in a few years.
New Zealander Greig Hamilton has had a good run at the bizarre Barkley Marathons race – an ultra-marathon that this year nobody managed to finish. The NZ Herald reports Hamilton managed to start the 4th out of five loops, but had to tap out shortly afterwards – the only other competitor still in the race lasted a few more hours before also giving up. The race takes place over 60 hours, and covers about 160km across five loops, all the while the race director plays mind games on competitors. In the history of the event, 15 people have finished it.
Finally, and speaking of ultra-marathons, Dana Johannsen from Stuff blogged through the entirety of the Super Sunday netball triple-header. It’s a really good insight into where things are at in terms of Silver Ferns selections, and the state of the competition as a whole. A lot of the established players just haven’t justified their places in recent years, and it’s fair there’s a good chance the World Cup later in the year will be another disaster. But after that, there are players developing now that Ferns coach Noeline Taurua has her eye on.
From our partners: Climate change has already affected how electricity gets delivered to customers, and it’s only going to get more challenging. Vector’s Chief Networks Officer Andre Botha outlines what the lines company is doing to respond.
That’s it for The Bulletin. If you liked what you read, and know other people who would find it useful, pass on this signup form to them.
This content is brought to you by Vector. If you live in Auckland, they also delivered the power you’re using to read it. And they’re creating a new energy future for all of us, as showcased by the incredible Vector Lights in partnership with Auckland Council.
The Bulletin: Agriculture nudged towards ETS inclusion
Alex Braae
The Bulletin: Delicate dances on the world stage
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Archive for mine fire
Centralia Websites
Posted in In Pennsylvania with tags abandoned cities, abandoned towns, Centralia, Centralia Mine fire, Centralia PA, clean coal, coal, coal fire, coal mining, Culture, Current events, energy, History, life, mine fire, PA, Pennsylvania, people, tourism, tragic, travel on March 24, 2011 by Mj Rains
For those of you who haven’t heard of this abandoned town in Pennsylvania, here’s a quick rundown of its story. First and foremost, for those of you who also don’t know this, I am not a promoter of coal mining, clean coal, or any of that other bullshit we are hit with saying that coal is the alternative energy source we are looking for. My dear grandfather was a miner for most of his life here in America, and he died from black lung, a disease from breathing in coal dust that literally makes your lungs turn black. I realize that now, though I’m not sure, regulations and protections of miners may be more advanced, but I’m still not a supporter. And this small town in PA, once thriving and simple and pretty is an example of the greed, and just general stupidity when it comes to coal in this region of the world.
Centralia is best known for the fire that is still burning underground since 1962. It all started when someone got the bright idea to create a pit to burn garbage. The garbage fire burnt through the ground eventually, igniting a large vein of coal that was underneath, a common thing in this coal rich area of the world. Eventually this doomed the town, for the coal continued to burn beneath the surface, causing hot spots, smoke and steam rising. The local people thought the fire was a problem, but did not realize the magnitude of what would happen. Although steps were taken to extinguish the fire, and for a short time was thought to be a success, the fire continued to burn through the vein, under the town and some of the outlying area.
In 1982, two decades after the fire started a boy fell though a sink-hole and was pulled to safety quickly. This was a tragic awakening for the town and drew attention of the state government who decided to consider “shutting down” the town of Centralia. Throughout the next decade over $3.3 million was spent trying to control the fire. The Office of Surface Mining estimated that it would cost much more to do the job, like $663 million to put the blaze out entirely. Instead PA spent $42 million dollars to buy out and relocate most of the residents of Centralia. More than 1,000 residents were relocated and 500 homes were destroyed. The population today stands at 10. And these 10 people are fighting. You see, they don’t want to leave their homes which they’ve lived in for decades, nor have they experienced any bad health effects from living in this coal fire region. These residents have formed their own plan to take back the condemned town, which has now been officially taken off the map, no area codes, zip codes, etc.
Centralia in 2006. photo: Daniel Shumaker
This core group of residents have maintained that the fire is all but completely out. They have done their own studies, and their own law suit, saying that the area is safe to live in. There seems to be no smoke coming out of the ground. They contend that the fire has either burned itself out or has moved away. The thing is, there may have been some alternative reasons why the state did not go forth with getting this fire completely under control. It is estimated that the coal vein beneath the ground where the fire start would be worth over a billion dollars if mined, and a coal company had shown interest in purchasing the land once the residents of Centralia cleared out. So you see, people homes are less important than this filthy source of energy, one that made coal barons in PA at the turn of the century some of the richest people in the world. If the government is masking these ulterior motives and wishes to claim rights to the thousands of acres of coal so that it can be sold for an inestimable amount of money, well, we truly live in greed-filled times.
Centralia in 2008, looking pretty green…though abandoned….
photo: Donald Davis
In May of 2010, the last residents fought to keep their homes after an eviction notice was given by Governor at the time, Ed Rendell. The Centralia zip code was officially revoked, and a state appeals court told the group he had no jurisdiction to hear arguments for the residents to stay. As a last ditch effort, the people plan a federal lawsuit, and the Supreme Court may be asked to review the claims and intervene.
There is a church that remains in Centralia, in which priests outside the area come each Sunday to hold mass; St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. It is one of the few public buildings still standing in Centralia. A 100th anniversary of the church is planned for later this year, and I’ve read that the plan after that is to tear it down.
For this incredible story and well-presented information and photos on Centralia visit Carolyn Marteinssen’s website at
oscette.com/centralia.htm
For more information and images of Centralia, visit centralia.offroaders.com
Article source: Burning Down the House by Rich Pietras for dtown Magazine (Doylestown PA.)
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Z6_OAA613C0JOHN50A4V8USQF04L2 /wps/portal/hermitage/explore/buildings/locations Locations en ltr /Hermitage/Explore/Buildings and Rooms of the Hermitage/Locations
Z7_OAA613C0JOUO70AKI0JHDF1R52 ltr en Web Content Viewer
The Building of Menshikov Palace
Menshikov Palace
The Walnut Study
The Study off the Anteroom
The Western Antechamber
The Large Chamber
The Menshikov Palace on Vasilyevsky Island was one of the very first buildings in Saint Petersburg. Construction began in 1710 and was finished in 1727 due to a multi-staged building process. Many western European architects and craftsmen were involved in the project, including Francesco Fontana, Johann Gottfried Schädel, Domenico Trezzini, Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli, Georg Johann Mattarnovi and Jean-Baptiste Leblond.
The palace is an outstanding example of Petrine Baroque architecture, with characteristic symmetry and simplicity of dimensions, high gabled roofs, two-toned facades and small glass windows. The exterior walls are decorated with pillars and on the top of the risalits of the central building there are gables with enormous regal crowns. The grand entrance takes the form of a stone portal, accentuated by a portico above which a balcony is set.
The rooms are decorated using marble, decorative paintings and moldings, sculptures, carved and inlaid wood, Dutch cobalt tiles and Russian glazed tiles, painted and embossed leather and expensive drapery and tapestries. A. D. Menshikov, the first governor of Saint Petersburg, placed his collections of paintings, sculptures, applied art, books and numismatic works in his great palace.
The original Petrine interior of the Menshikov Palace is recreated using works of decorative and applied art from the State Hermitage collection in the exhibition "Russian Culture in the First Third of the 18th Century".
15, Universitetskaya Embankment
Rooms of this Building
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The 2015 Matilda Awards
Posted by A.O. in Blog News
celebrity baby names, created names, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, French names, German names, name combinations, names of cats, nicknames, popular names, Roman names, royal names, saints names, sibsets, Spanish names, triplet sets
Welcome to the third annual Matilda Awards, where we try to discover what names on the blog were the favourites of the public.
Waltzing With … Category
It was controversy corner in this category, with ANNA gaining a frankly unbelievable 100% rating from the public. I can only think that people were reluctant to say they didn’t like my name, and now wish I had covered Anna as a Famous Name, where people might have been more comfortable making negative comments.
Because of this I am scratching the name Anna, and declaring the winners of this category LUCINDA, which scored an approval rating of 96%, and FELIX, which was rated 93%.
Lucinda was created as a pen name by the 17th century Spanish poet Lope de Vega from the Latin for “light”, made famous by Miguel de Cervantes in Don Quixote. It quickly became a literary favourite, and was covered on the blog because of Peter Carey’s novel Oscar and Lucinda. It’s a modern classic which has never reached the Top 100 in Australia, but is vastly more popular here than anywhere else.
Felix was first given as a nickname which signified “luck” to the Roman general and statesman Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Common in Roman times, it became a favourite of early Christians and is well known as a saints name. Once in the Top 200, retro Felix is back on the charts and has reached the Top 100, being one of the fastest-rising names of 2014. The name was covered in relation to the cartoon character Felix the Cat.
Two “made up” names with Latin roots and extremely positive meanings, there was a lot of love for these light and lucky names with creative Australian associations. 40% of people loved the name Lucinda and nobody hated it, while 45% loved the name Felix and only 3% hated it. They were the overall top-rated names of the year, with Lucinda the favourite name overall.
Famous Name Category
The most popular names featured in the Famous Name Category were ELEANOR, which scored an approval rating of 91% and JASPER, which scored 89%.
Eleanor is a French name with a solid royal history, and a classic never out of the charts. It reached the Top 100 in 2014 as one of the fastest-rising names of the year. Eleanor was praised for being elegant and refined, dignified and intellectual, and beautiful or attractive. It was chosen for the birthday of author Eleanor Dark.
Jasper is a name with ties to the ancient Middle East. It originally honoured the legendary Saint Jasper, who was one of the three wise men to visit the baby Jesus. Jasper has been on the charts since the 1990s, and at the bottom of the Top 100 for several years. People saw the name Jasper as hip and quirky, handsome or cute, and cool and sophisticated. It was chosen to commemorate the Epiphany.
Two popular names dating from the Middle Ages, both with connections to royalty and aristocracy.
Names Themes and Lists
The most popular names which were featured in the Names Themes and Lists Category were THEA and ARLO, which both had very convincing wins.
Thea is a short form of Dorothea or Theodora with several famous Australian namesakes that has recently been boosted as a celebrity baby name. It was covered on a list of German names for girls.
Arlo is a possible surname variant and literary place name which originated in the United States. Made famous by folk singer Arlo Guthrie, and chosen as a celebrity baby name, it is rising so steeply that it was chosen for a list of fresh names for boys.
Two short names with little history, but tons of style. They’ve been rising steeply since being chosen for their children by celebrities.
The most popular celebrity twins were WILLIAM DAVID “BILLY” AND ELIZABETH ANN “BETTY” CAMPBELL, son and daughter of singer David Campbell and his wife Lisa, a producer. The twins’ brother is named Leo. Although they were the only celebrity twins, they had an overwhelmingly favourable reception.
The most popular celebrity baby girl name was MATILDA VICTORIA WATSON. Matilda is the daughter of cricketer Shane Watson, and his wife Lee Furlong, a former sports reporter. Her brother is named Will.
The most popular celebrity baby boy name was JUDE DAL SANTO. Jude is the son of Australian rules footballer Nick Dal Santo from North Melbourne and his wife Julie.
Last year the favoured celebrity baby names were all about European style and elegance: this year readers have chosen popular baby names. It’s a big win for celebrities who picked “normal” names for their children.
Names from the Birth Announcements
The most popular names for multiples were triplets HENRY, RUFUS AND PEARL who were absolutely unbeatable. I saw the triplets in a news story as they had been born prematurely and managed to beat the odds for all three to survive. The Dunstan triplets have become online fan favourites, and their hip, beautifully matched names made them poll winners as well. They were nominated in July by Madelyn, CeeCee, and Prue.
In the girls section, LUELLA WINTER was the winner. This stylish portmanteau name with several nickname options was from a set in August, so she really was a winter baby.
For the boys, it was a severe case of deja vu as HUGO FREDERICK won for the second year in a row by a wide margin. This came from a set of announcements in November, and I was interested to see if it could win against a whole new batch of names. It could and did, so I am retiring this name combination.
It was a very tight race among the sibsets, but eventually ARCHIE, OLIVE AND IRIS won the day. This charming vintage vowel-starting sibset was nominated in March by Prue.
3 thoughts on “The 2015 Matilda Awards”
Pingback: Is She Over-Thinking Their Baby Names? | Waltzing More Than Matilda
I’m always pleasantly surprised at the top names readers choose. Henry, Rufus and Pearl are still my favourite sibset.
As for Arlo, I’m not that surprised as I already know four little Arlos. As for Thea, which I love, I am really surprised, I didn’t realise it was so popular but I thought it was a well established name on its own and with a lot more history without it being associated to Theodora and Dorothea (both of which I also love)!
Thanks Anna, these results are fascinating.
waltzingmorethanmatilda said:
I think with these kind of polls, you find out people love the names you also love – which is why they are generally popular and rising names.
Henry, Rufus and Pearl are gorgeous, and had a well-deserved win.
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THE “F” WORD: FEMINISM IN ART – A GROUP SHOW OF 20 FEMALE ARTISTS // OCTOBER 20-30
ART, EVENTS, NEW YORK, UNTITLED EVENTS
by The Untitled Magazine
View Gallery 103 Photos
The F Word: Feminism in Art Exhibit Opening - The Untitled Magazine - The Untitled Space
The F Word: Feminism in Art Exhibit Opening Presented by The Untitled Magazine at The Untitled Space Gallery, NY. Read more about the exhibit: http://untitled-magazine.com/the-f-word-feminism-in-art-a-group-show-of-20-female-artists-october-21-28/
The “F” Word: Feminism in Art Exhibit Opening
THE UNTITLED MAGAZINE & THE UNTITLED SPACE
The “F” Word: Feminism in Art
A Group Show of 20 Female Contemporary Artists
Curated by Indira Cesarine & Denise Krimershmoys
The Untitled Space
45 Lispenard Street Unit 1W NYC 10013
Opening: October 20th
Exhibition on View
October 21 – 30 | 10am – 6pm
Weekend Hours 12pm – 5pm
The Untitled Magazine is pleased to present: “The ‘F’ Word: Feminism in Art” A group show of 20 female contemporary artists at The Untitled Space in New York City from October 20 – 28th, 2015. Curated by gallery director Indira Cesarine and Denise Krimershmoys of Vohn Gallery, the exhibit features a wide array of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and embroidery. Each artist individually addresses concepts revolving around feminism with works that either challenge gender stereotypes or embrace female empowerment, with literal or metaphorical visual language. Featured artists include: Annika Connor, Anya Rubin, Christina Kruse, Coco Dolle, CocoRosie, Elektra KB, Ellen Jong, Frances Goodman, Hye Rim Lee, Indira Cesarine, Jennifer Caviola aka Cake, Jessica Lichtenstein, Langdon Graves, Mari Kim, Natalie White, Robyn Hasty, Sophia Wallace, Tatyana Murray, Vexta, and Zana Briski.
The opening featured a special performance by Legacy Fatale, an interdisciplinary performance art collective born in New York under the direction of artist Coco Dolle and co-leader Shawn Bishop. Its concept is based on recent archeological discoveries of the ancient nomadic Amazons, warrior women. Incorporating original music composition and costumes, Legacy Fatale‘s performances are evocative of tribal and pagan rituals, ceremonial processions and interpretative dances. Legacy Fatale represents a hybrid breed of mythical and contemporary female archetypes, honoring a global buried matriarchal lineage. The collective has previously performed at numerous art fairs and venues including Miami Art Basel, Select Art Fair, Fountain Art Fair, Sensei Gallery, and Lincoln Center.
The exhibition “The ‘F’ Word: Feminism in Art” was curated in celebration of The #GirlPower Issue of The Untitled Magazine, and is part of the publication’s “Women in Art” series, which features a wide range of contemporary female artists in a series of solo exhibitions and group shows at The Untitled Space on an ongoing basis.
The “F” Word – Feminism in Art Group Show – The Untitled Space – left to Right: Artists CocoRosie (Bianca Casady), Sophia Wallace, Mari Kim
ARTISTS BIOS:
Annika Connor
Swedish-American artist Annika Connor is a Contemporary Romantic painter. Her work depicts a sense of haunted mystery and a fascination with beauty. In 2002, Connor received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she studied painting and philosophy. Since then, Connor has worked professionally as a painter in New York, London, and Stockholm while participating in numerous national and international exhibitions. She was cited as one of the “5 Rising Art Stars” by the Huffington Post. She currently resides in Brooklyn where she maintains an active studio. Recent exhibits of Annika Connor’s work at The Untitled Space include “Flora/Fauna”, a solo show of works by the artist revolving around nature, as well as participation in our group show “Human/Nature”.
Anya Rubin
Anya Rubin reflects upon the social, political and spiritual conditions of contemporary culture as it is mediated by today’s fast-paced technology. Rubin was born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1967. She immigrated at a young age to Israel and then to Germany in 1975. Rubin finally settled in America at the end of 1975 and has lived in New York ever since. Rubin is a self-taught artist who works predominantly in the medium of oil and acrylic / perm enamel painting, but also pursues collage, digital creations. Rubin’s ranges of artistic techniques have been shown in museums, galleries and biennales worldwide.
Christina Kruse
Upon completion of studies in science and sociology at secondary school, Kruse began her career as one of Europe’s top fashion models in 1993. In 1995, she bought a Mamiya camera and began the first of her illustrated journals or “Reisebuchs” a series of mixed media notebooks chronicling her world travels and composed of photographic self-portraits, collages, drawings, and writings in several languages. As an artist, working primarily in mixed media and photography, she has shown in New York, London, Paris, Berlin and Hamburg. In 2005, she received an award from GLAAD for best emerging artist in photography.
Coco Dolle
Coco Dolle is an artist and curator living in Brooklyn, New York. Her performances, prints and paintings explore the perception of the feminine in pop culture. She works with themes of ancient myths and interpretative dance, channeling concepts of worship, leadership, identity and history. She is the founder of the performance collective Legacy Fatale and the director of Milk and Night, a feminist curatorial.
Her work has been featured in ArtForum, The New York Times, The Brooklyn Rail, the Wild Magazine, BlackBook and The New York Observer, among other publications, and at venues such as Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, Deitch Projects, The Hole Gallery, The Whitney Museum of American Art and The Berkeley Museum.
CocoRosie is an American musical group formed in 2003 by sisters Bianca “Coco” and Sierra “Rosie” Casady. The sisters were born and raised in the United States, and re-joined while living in Paris as a musical and creative duo. They are prone to expressing their thoughts and stories through not only music, but poetry, prose, fashion, drawings and sculpture. Bianca ‘Coco’ Casady is a wholistic artist. In the inventing of characters and personal myths Bianca often questions the social constructs of religion, gender and associated taboo symbols in Baudelairian-like collisions of the beautiful and the ugly.
Elektra KB
Elektra KB, born in Odessa, Ukraine, is a Colombian artist living and working in Brooklyn, NY and Berlin, Germany. Elektra is a conceptually driven multidisciplinary artist who uses materials that have been historically associated with women’s craft. She constructs her works with layers of felt, threads, embroidery and stitching combined with photographs on canvas. Her works also include collage, sculpture, video and performance. Her work explores the woman’s body as a prison, arriving at alternatives for its liberation. Her images are intertwined with a visceral and unapologetic tone of protest and social dialogue. Her works display her interest in the intersection of aesthetic and political philosophy.
Ellen Jong
Ellen Jong’s practice is rooted in conceptual interventions and autobiographical themes. Mixed media works are shaped by questions about self-awareness and relationships in a world of dualities, desire, spirituality, survival and love. Using photography, text, sculpture and methods, tools and objects of the vernacular, she has developed a syntax that is driven by personal narrative. Jong’s early work focused largely on street reportage and portraiture and is the influence for her more recent mixed media work that touches on themes of social human behavior and the human condition. In the late 90’s, her most recognized and transformative work started, “Pees,” reflecting on female urination. Jong is also the author of her self-published second monograph, Getting To Know My Husband’s Cock (2010), which was additionally exhibited in a solo show at Allegra LaViola gallery in 2012. Jong lives and works in NYC and Upstate NY.
Frances Goodman
Born in 1975 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Frances Goodman is today considered one of the country’s leading artists. Her working practice, which includes installation, photography, sculpture and sound installations, focuses primarily on women and contemporary notions of beauty and desire. Her interests lie in female identity and the anxieties that manifest and are cultivated from the bombardment of the media as well as societal expectations and pressures (both self -imposed and external). Desire and morality are underlying themes and talk to the push-pull of our contemporary society. Her work has been exhibited internationally at many galleries and museums.
Hye Rim Lee
Hye Rim Lee is a Korean-New Zealand artist. Lee’s 3D animations question new technology’s role in image making and representation. Her work is ambitious yet conceptually and technically honed. Lee’s photos and video installations tell a fantasy tale based on an intermingling of Eastern and Western popular culture and the study of new technologies and how they influence tradition, often referring to manga tradition. Her imagery gives life to transgender, transcultural characters who live in an imaginary world governed by testosterone. The artist analyses aspects of popular culture, globalization and femininity in relation to the media. Through her numerous works she demonstrates that the exploitation of the female body is still very much a relevant question. Hye Rim has developed and evolved her animated character TOKI, which parodies the obsession with beauty created by phallic motivations in cyber culture and gaming, with the work referencing critical contributions from contemporary mythology, psychoanalysis, technology, cybernetics, aesthetics, plastic surgery, feminism, consumerism and eroticism.
Lee’s work has been exhibited widely in major solo and group exhibitions including MoCA Shanghai, Millennium Museum, San Jose Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Korea, 53rd and 54th Venice Biennale, Incheon Womens Art Biennale, and artfairs including Art Basel, FIAC, Frieze, Armory Show, Art Basel Miami, Art HK. She won the artist residency: Ssamzie Space Seoul and ISCP New York. Her works are part of major art collections including: Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Adam Art Gallery, Te Papa, The University of Auckland, Ernst&Young, Saatchi&Saatchi NZ, Hara Museum, National Museum of Contemporary Art Korea and major private collections worldwide.
Indira Cesarine
Touted as a “photographic child prodigy,” Indira Cesarine’s first solo exhibition was at the age of 16 at the Paul Mellon Arts Center. She is a multimedia artist who works with photography, video, painting, printmaking and sculpture. She began her studies in art from the age of six years old, and by the age of eleven was creating large scale works of oil on canvas. After studying abroad in France at the age of thirteen, she moved to the east coast to study at Choate Rosemary Hall. During the summers she lived on her own in New York City, where she attended Parson’s School of Design for painting and photography from the age of fifteen. Her early work revolved around themes of the human condition and self-destruction, female empowerment and representation in contemporary culture.
After completion of a triple major in Art History, French and Women’s Studies from Columbia University, she focused her work on using contemporary fashion and beauty photography as a means to address gender stereotypes and male domination in commercial media. As a photographer, she confronts the “male gaze” by presenting empowered images of women that encapsulate strength, sensitivity and intelligence. Over the past twenty years, her work has been published in hundreds of international magazines, including Vogue, Glamour, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar. In 2009, she began self-publishing her work in order to maintain a stronger personal vision and explore her work in greater depth. She launched publishing company Untitled Media, and it’s first title, multimedia publication XXXX Magazine, which was comprised entirely of original short films. In 2011 she launched the globally distributed print publication, The Untitled Magazine. Her work has been exhibited internationally at many art galleries, museums and festivals, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty Images Gallery, San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, French Embassy Cultural Center, Cannes Film festival and the International Festival Photo Mode to name a few. In 2014, her public art sculpture, “The Egg of Light” was exhibited at Rockefeller Center. Cesarine lives and works in Tribeca, New York.
Jennifer Caviola aka Cake
Artist Jennifer Caviola aka CAKE over the past ten years has made a name for herself as one of the most prominent female street artists. Aside from being widely exhibited in galleries, she has had installations in NYC, Berlin, Chicago, Miami, Iran, and many more around the US. Her recognizable style, which features figurative portraits of women, has been widely documented and has gained her praise from art critics and fans alike. She has become known for her acrylics on paper which are either wheatpasted or painted directly on walls around the city, as well as her acrylics on wood which are beautifully haunting and feminine. Her work expresses her support of women through a voice of solidarity. A graduate of Pratt Institute (BFA in Painting) and Parsons School of Design (MFA), Cake’s works have been exhibited at numerous galleries and exhibitions, including a solo show at The Untitled Space in July 2015, “Allegories Of The Held,” as well as public works such as The Gateway Project’s Mural in Newark Penn Station “Cast the Burden and the Light Will Impress”.
Jessica Lichtenstein
Using the female body as a mechanism to explore deeper themes of power, female representation, fetishism and objectification, usually in an ironic and cheerful way, Lichtenstein’s work embodies the very paradox she is trying to explore. Her work consciously plays with the boundaries of power, commercialization, consumerism, fantasy and propriety, provoking tensions that challenge the viewer to confront his or her own gaze. Through her images, Lichtenstein provokes the viewer to confront their own reactions to these hypersexualized images-whether it be feelings of shock, disgust, power, vulnerability, shame or lust-asking the viewer to decide what they are comfortable with, and why?
Lichtenstein’s work explores both the commodification of the female body while simultaneously examining how these forms change in the public vs. private realms. The viewer is asked to engage with and question whether her hyper-sexualized women are depicted solely to satisfy an insatiable male-dominated gaze, or alternatively the complex nature of women and their desire to enjoy their sexuality, enjoy their bodies and their desire to be desirable.
Langdon Graves
In her drawings and sculptures, Langdon Graves depicts disembodied parts of the human form, homing in on eyes, ears, and teeth, and manipulating them with meticulous technical skill. She introduces unusual qualities, such as bees teeming around a pair of hands, or sculptures in which imagined domestic objects are imbued with corporeal innards. For Graves, her objects and drawings are steeped in folk traditions and mysticism, and interrogate the construction of reality and beliefs. “The work on the whole seeks to reveal that a reality constructed by our beliefs and one determined by actual events are one and the same,” she has said.
Mari Kim
Mari Kim entered the art world from a background in design, having studied animation at the master’s level and multimedia as an undergraduate at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Mari’s artwork is heavily informed by her training in animation. She incorporates bright colours and bold lines to create simplified and idealized figures. Most of her works depict young women and many include fairy tale or other popular characters. In Mari’s characters, or “eye dolls,” the eyes encompass a world of their own; when studied, intricate patterns reveal themselves so that the viewer feels he/she is looking through the lens of a kaleidoscope. Sometimes, the women have been violated and are shown with cuts or stitched lips. Mari’s citation of American horror films as an influence accounts for the dark twist on these otherwise cute feminine figures. Mari has exhibited her work internationally at many galleries and museums, and it is part of the permenant collections of the Seoul Museum of Art and the Gyeongnam Art Museum.
Natalie White
Artist Natalie White got her start at seventeen years old after being discovered at a New York City nightclub by legendary photographer Peter Beard, who was 75 at the time. “I grew up in the Bible Belt in West Virginia,” she explained. “At 16 I just wanted to break free.” She quickly became one of Beard’s muses, which led to posing for numerous contemporary artists and photographers including Michael Dweck, Jan Frank, Olivier Zahm and Sean Lennon. An an artist, she explores her own identity through the lens, with giant self-portrait polaroids, as well as painting and performance art. Exhibits of her work have included an entire exhibited dedicated to artwork with her as muse, including numerous self portraits at Rox Gallery as well a recent performance art installation at The Hole Gallery, Natalie White For Equal Rights.
Robyn Hasty
Robyn Hasty is a multi-disciplinary artist working in photography, printmaking and sculpture. She was introduced to Wet-Plate Collodion in 2010 during a workshop with Joni Sternbach without having any prior photography experience. Hasty fell in love with the process and within 4 months of the workshop she was traveling across the U.S., taking portraits of people living off-the-grid for a project titled “Homeland”.
Since 2010 her collodion work has been featured on NPR and published in various international publications including Style and the Family Tunes (Berlin), La Mono (Spain), Little White Lies (London). She recently exhibited her work in a solo show at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, New York.
Sophia Wallace
Sophia Wallace is an American conceptual artist and photographer. Wallace incorporates the use of images, video, and mixed media in her work in an effort to explore alterity, the study of otherness and the focus on dismantling the concept of sameness. She examines how the visual has an impact on gender and sexuality with what she calls the “racialized body.” Wallace additionally explores in her work the relinquishment of gender norms and stereotypes. The Brooklyn-based mixed-media artist began making waves after spearheading her now widely-acknowledged, highly controversial “Cliteracy” movement – a revolution unto itself, in which she seeks to educate the public through installation art referencing the fantastically-neglected female sexual anatomy.
Tatyana Murray
British artist Tatyana Murray creates mixed media sculptures, drawings, and etched glass light boxes which revolve around themes of nature, animals and reflections on the human social condition. The self-taught artist uses her imagination and intuition to play a significant role in the development of her artistic vision. A consistent theme throughout Murray’s work is questioning the role of authority. She explores the human conflict to harness and take advantage of nature. The duality of life also plays a significant role; mortality, loss of innocence contrasting with re-birth and the cyclical seasons of life. Her work has been widely exhibited, including at Bosi Contemporary Gallery, Tripoli Gallery of Contemporary Art, The National Arts Club, Blains Gallery, I-20 Gallery, Phoenix Gallery, and The 2014 Faberge Big Egg Hunt. Born in London in 1973, she lives and works in New York.
Vexta
Vexta is a self-taught street artist from Sydney Australia with a bohemian heritage. Her bold and extravagant artworks have invaded our visual landscape from Melbourne to Mexico and everywhere in between. Viewing the world through her psychedelic kaleidoscope, Vexta reinterprets the sacred elements within science, cosmology, mythology, life/death and the feminine – navigating these themes through the common threads that bind our experiences. The traditional totems of non-western culture have since become her inspiration to describe what it is to exist in the contemporary world. Juxtaposing animals and human forms amid her symbolic, geometric shards, she provides an insight into our fundamental engagement with the human condition. Currently based in Brooklyn, NY, Vexta spreads her vision across the continents, studios and streets, balancing exhibitions, commissions and creative ventures alike. She has exhibited extensively across Australia, Europe and North America, including The National Gallery of Australia.
Zana Briski
Zana Briski is an Academy Award-winning director and artist who transports her viewer into unseen worlds through photography, film and design. Led by passion and intuition, Zana has travelled to over 70 countries. She spent ten years on her project in the brothels of Calcutta where she photographed, filmed and taught photography to the children of prostitutes. Her film “Born into Brothels,” won an Academy Award, an Emmy and 30 other awards. She founded “Kids with Cameras,” a non-profit organization which strives to transform the lives of marginalized children through learning the art of photography. Zana’s deepest love is the earth and her creatures. Zana has spent the past ten years photographing and filming insects in the wild, including the praying mantis. Zana splits her time between New York and camping alone in wild places.
The “F” Word: Feminism in Art Exhibit Opening Photography by Dustin Wayne Harris
Tags: Annika Connor, Anya Rubin, Christina Kruse, Coco Dolle, CocoRosie, contemporary art, Denise Krimershmoys, Elektra KB, Ellen Jong, female artist, feminism, feminist art, Frances Goodman, girl power, GirlPower, Hye Rim Lee, Indira Cesarine, Jennifer Caviola aka Cake, Jessica Lichtenstein, Langdon Graves, Legacy Fatale, Mari Kim, Natalie White, Robyn Hasty, Sophia Wallace, Tatyana Murray, The Untitled Space, Vexta, Zana Briski
The Untitled Magazine
ZANE LEWIS "BADLANDZ" @ THE HOLE - NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21 - NOVEMBER 22
RICK OWENS FEATURES GIRL-ON-GIRL ACTION ON THE PARIS RUNWAY
The Untitled Magazine October 21, 2015
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Music Sales Group Acquires “The Twist”
Music Sales Group is excited to announce it has acquired the U.S. publishing rights to “The Twist,” written by Hank Ballard and recorded by Chubby Checker. Billboard declared “The Twist” as “the biggest chart hit of all time” in 2008. It is the only song in history to have held the No. #1 spot in two separate release cycles - first in September 1960 and then in January 1962. By popularizing a rendition of Hank Ballard’s original on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, Chubby Checker’s recording of “The Twist” truly revolutionized American pop culture and dance in 1960. It encouraged those to “dance apart from the beat” and brought rock n’ roll to a national audience. “The Twist” was not only popular among younger crowds, but the iconic song unexpectedly resonated with an adult audience, which was a turning point in the acceptance of contemporary pop music and styled group dance. "It’s impossible to talk about the post-WWII American songbook without referencing “The Twist.” It’s not just a hit song that spawned a dance craze, but an integral part of early rock n’ roll that defined the American experience in the early 1960’s,” said John Castaldo, SVP at Music Sales Corporation. “The lyric, ‘My daddy is sleepin’ and mama ain’t around’ propelled the nation’s youth to embrace their independence, foreshadowing America’s counterculture revolution that culminated in Woodstock.”
Jimmy Webb Signs to Eaton Music
We are excited to announce, the multi Grammy award-winning and Songwriters Hall of Fame legend Jimmy Webb has signed to Eaton Music, part of the Music Sales Group. He has written such hits as “MacArthur Park,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Up Up and Away” and more. Recently, The Academy of Country Music announced that Jimmy Webb will receive the 2016 Living Poet Special Award. Copyrights in the agreement include: Snow Covered ChristmasRider From NowhereBelmont AvenueJust like MarilynOnly One LifeWho Under HeavenRight As Rain These Are All Mine and many more... About Jimmy WebbJimmy Webb is an American songwriter, composer, and singer known worldwide as a master of his trade. His platinum selling classics include ‘Up, Up and Away’, ‘By the Time I Get to Phoenix’, ‘Wichita Lineman’, ‘Galveston’, ‘The Worst that Could Happen’, ‘All I Know’, and ‘MacArthur Park’. His songs have been recorded or performed by the best including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Judy Collins, Isaac Hayes, Art Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, R.E.M., Michael Feinstein, and Carly Simon. Webb has received numerous accolades, including a prestigious Ivor Novello International Award in 2012. He received his first gold record at the age of 18, was the youngest inductee into the National Songwriters Hall of Fame and is the current Chairman. He also serves proudly as the Vice Chair of ASCAP. He is dedicated to the preserving the rights and the craft of the songwriter. His book, Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting, is considered a “bible" among musicians. Webb has released 12 solo albums since the 1970s, while continuing to write for other artists. His album, Just Across the River features duets on some of his biggest songs with friends Billy Joel, Jackson Browne, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, JD Souther, and Glen Campbell plus Lucinda Williams, Michael McDonald and Mark Knopfler. Webb’s latest release, ‘Still Within the Sound of My Voice’, featuring Brian Wilson, Art Garfunkel, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Lyle Lovett, Carly Simon, Keith Urban, and more, was released in 2013. jimmywebb.com
David Lang Nominated for Academy Award
Best Original Song Simple Song #3 Music and Lyrics by David Lang. A retired orchestra conductor is on holiday with his daughter and his film director best friend in the Alps when he receives an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to perform for Prince Philip's birthday.
Jóhann Jóhannsson Nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Score for Sicario
Jóhann Jóhannsson has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score in Sicario. In the lawless border area stretching between the U.S. and Mexico, an idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by an elite government task force official (Josh Brolin) to aid in the escalating war against drugs. Led by an enigmatic consultant with a questionable past (Benicio Del Toro), the team sets out on a clandestine journey forcing Kate to question everything that she believes in order to survive.
David Lang Composes Score for Youth
Composer David Lang steps out of his comfort zone to write the score for the upcoming film Youth, starring Michael Caine and Havey Keitel. Click here to check out the New York Times interview with Lang about his role in the movie and here for more about his original songs for the film. Youth will be released in the US on Friday, December 4th. The film's soundtrack is available on iTunes here. UPDATED: David Lang has been nominated for a Golden Globe for "Simple Song #3" from Youth!
Stone Foxes Audiotree Session
Check out the video below for some great live footage from a Stone Foxes studio session at Audiotree in Chicago. On October 29th, the band performed tracks from their recently released album "Twelve Spells". Purchase the session on iTunes here.
Ludovico Einaudi sets new chart record
Ludovico Einaudi becomes first classical artist to command a staggering 13 tracks on the Classical Singles Chart Top 20. This week’s Official Albums Chart saw a first for classical music - Ludovico Einaudi’s In A Time Lapse became the first classical release to sell more digital downloads than physical copies. The Italian composer’s latest album shattered the 50% barrier with a massive 72/28% digital physical split. The only previous classical album to come close to this achievement upon release was Einaudi’s 2011 compilation,Islands, which achieved an exact 50/50 digital/physical split week one. The news comes less than a year since the Official Charts Company launched the Official Classical Singles Chart to recognise how classical fans are increasingly shifting from physical releases to digital downloads. “Einaudi’s impressive achievement is also a perfect illustration of the coming of age of digital classical music,” says the Official Charts Company’s Managing Director, Martin Talbot. “Since we launched the Official Classical Singles Chart last spring, Ludovico Einaudi has been one of its biggest and most consistent stars - and is at Number 1 and 2 in the current Top 10.” - via Officialcharts.com To read more on this go here.
Neon Greens Releases EP PULSES
Neon Greens' recently released a new EP PULSES! Check out the single Anything Is Possible here. Neon Greens is a collaboration between Los Angeles based producer/keyboardist Adam Berg (The Decoders) and rising talent Godfrey At Large; featuring the supernatural talents of both Joel Van Dijk and songwriting legend, Dick Rudolph. Musically, it is an exploration of the space between downtempo electro, indie rock, future soul, and progressive pop songwriting. This rich, organic yet electrified flavor is a testament to the nature of modern day relationships within our own analog and digital realms. Check out their facebook for more info!
Composer Jeff Beal Wins Emmy For Outstanding Music Composition
Congratulations to Music Sales composer Jeff Beal on winning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition! Jeff Beal was honored for his work on Netflix’s House of Cards in the Outstanding Music Composition for a Series category after being nominated three times before for his score and theme for the series in the previous two years. The composer previously received three Emmys for Monk, Nightmares & Dreamscapes and The Company.
Dustin O'Halloran Wins Emmy For Outstanding Original Main Title Theme
Dustin O’Halloran won Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music for Transparent. Click here to read more about his win.
Long Lost Michael Hutchence Song Released
"Friction", a previously unreleased song by INXS' Michael Hutchence was recently released. Music Sales' own, Danny Saber, co-wrote the song with Hutchence almost 10 years ago. To find out more about "Friction" click here.
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Illinois House approves $15 minimum wage, sends bill to Pritzker
Illinois legislators moved on Thursday to deliver one of new Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s top campaign promises, a gradual hike in the statewide minimum wage from $8.25 to $15 an hour — more than double the pay floor that most of its Midwestern neighbors require.
Illinois House approves $15 minimum wage, sends bill to Pritzker. See story here. https://wgntv.com/2019/02/14/illinois-house-approves-15-minimum-wage-sends-bill-to-pritzker/
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Louis Vuitton Pulls Michael Jackson-Inspired Collection
There is one thing to be accused of something when you're alive, but to be accused when you are deceased leaves absolutely no recourse for anything. And that is the case of Michael Jackson's brand. He has been dead for nearly 10 years and the documentary "Leaving Neverland" which recently aired on HBO has caused a lot of bruising to his name.
As a result of the allegations in the documentary, Louis Vuitton has decided to pull its fall menswear collection which was Michael Jackson-inspired. Artistic Director Virgil Abloh spearheaded the project and spoke up on the decision to dismiss the Michael Jackson designs.
“I am aware that in light of this documentary the show has caused emotional reactions. I strictly condemn any form of child abuse, violence or infringement against any human rights,” he said. “My intention for this show was to refer to Michael Jackson as a pop culture artist. It referred only to his public life that we all know and to his legacy that has influenced a whole generation of artists and designers.”
Any wrongdoing against anyone -- especialy a child -- should be punishable to the fullest extent of the law. However allegations of said wrongdoing are much harder to digest when the person is gone.
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This Changes Everything: How the 99% Woke Up
Sarah van Gelder,
Something happened in September 2011 so unexpected that no politician or pundit saw it coming.
Inspired by the Arab Spring and uprisings in Europe, sparked by a challenge from Adbusters magazine to show up at Wall Street on September 17 and “bring a tent,” and encouraged by veteran New York activists, a few thousand people gathered in the financial district of New York City. At the end of the day, some of them set up camp in Zuccotti Park and started what became a national—and now international—movement.
The Occupy movement, as it has come to be called, named the source of the crises of our time: Wall Street banks, big corporations, and others among the 1% are claiming the world’s wealth for themselves at the expense of the 99% and having their way with our governments. This is a truth that political insiders and the media had avoided, even while the assets of the top 1% reached levels not seen since the 1920s. But now that this genie is out of the bottle, it can’t easily be put back in.
Without offices, paid staff, or a bank account, Occupy Wall Street quickly spread beyond New York. People gathered in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, Atlanta, San Diego, and hundreds of other cities around the United States and claimed the right of we the people to create a world that works for the 99%. In a matter of weeks, the occupations and protests had spread worldwide, to over 1,500 cities, from Madrid to Cape Town and from Buenos Aires to Hong Kong, involving hundreds of thousands of people.
The Occupy Wall Street movement is not just demanding change. It is also transforming how we, the 99%, see ourselves. The shame many of us felt when we couldn’t find a job, pay down our debts, or keep our home is being replaced by a political awakening. Millions now recognize that we are not to blame for a weak economy, for a subprime mortgage meltdown, or for a tax system that favors the wealthy but bankrupts the government. The 99% are coming to see that we are collateral damage in an all-out effort by the super-rich to get even richer.
Now that we see the issue clearly—and now that we see how many others are in the same boat—we can envision a new role for ourselves. We will no longer be isolated and powerless. We can hold vigils all night when necessary and nonviolently face down police. We are the vast majority of the population and, once we get active, we cannot be ignored. Our leaders will not fix things for us; we’ll have to do that ourselves. We’ll have to make the decisions, too. And we’ll have to take care of one another—provide the food, shelter, protection, and support needed to make it through long occupations, bad weather, and the hard work of finding consensus when we disagree.
By naming the issue, the movement has changed the political discourse. No longer can the interests of the 99% be ignored. The movement has unleashed the political power of millions and issued an open invitation to everyone to be part of creating a new world.
Historians may look back at September 2011 as the time when the 99% awoke, named our crisis, and faced the reality that none of our leaders are going to solve it. This is the moment when we realized we would have to act for ourselves.
The Truth is Out: The System is Rigged in Favor of the Wealthy
One of the signs at the Occupy Seattle protest reads: “Dear 1%. We were asleep. Now we’ve woken up. Signed, the 99%.”
This sign captures the feeling of many in the Occupy movement. We are seeing our ways of life, our aspirations, and our security slip away—not because we have been lazy or undisciplined, or lacked intelligence and motivation, but because the wealthiest among us have rigged the system to enhance their own power and wealth at the expense of everyone else.
Critics of the movement say they oppose the redistribution of wealth on principle. But redistribution is exactly what has been happening for decades. Today’s economy redistributes wealth from the poor and middle class to those at the top. The income of the top 1% grew 275 percent between 1979 and 2007, according to the Congressional Budget Office. For those in the bottom 20 percent, income grew just 18 percent during those twenty-eight years.
The government actively facilitates this concentration of wealth through tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy, and bailouts for giant banks and corporations. These entities also benefit from mining rights, logging rights, airwave rights, and countless other licenses to use common assets for private profit. Corporations shift the costs of environmental damage to the public and pocket the profits. Taxpayers bear the risk of global financial speculation while the payoffs go to those most effective at gaming the system. Instead of investing profits to provide jobs and produce needed goods and services, the 1% put their wealth into mergers, acquisitions, and more speculation.
The list of government interventions on behalf of the 1% goes on and on: Tax breaks favor the wealthy, global trade agreements encourage offshoring jobs, agricultural subsidies favor agribusiness over family farms, corporate media get sanctioned monopolies while independent media gets squeezed.
The people who go to work producing things we need—the middle class and working poor—pay the price for all this. Speculative profits act as a drain on the economy—like a hidden tax. This hidden tax is one of the many reasons the middle-class standard of living has been slipping.
This lopsided division of wealth corrupts government. Few among the 99% now believe government works for their benefit—and for good reason. With the 1% commanding an army of lobbyists and doling out money from multimillion-dollar campaign war chests, government has become a source of protection and subsidies for Wall Street. No wonder there isn’t enough money left over for education, repairing roads and bridges, taking care of veterans and retirees, much less for the critical transition we need to make to a clean energy future.
The system is broken in so many ways that it’s dizzying to try to name them all. This is part of the reason why the Occupy movement hasn’t created a list of demands. The problem is everywhere and looks different from every point of view. The one thing the protesters all seem to agree on is that the middle-class way of life is moving out of reach. Talk to people at any of the Occupy sites and you’ll hear stories of people who play by the rules, work long hours, study hard, and then find only low-wage jobs, often without health care coverage or prospects for a secure future.
And many can find no job at all. In the United States, twenty-five million people are unemployed, underemployed or have given up looking for work. Forty-five percent of those without jobs have been unemployed for more than twenty-seven weeks. Some employers won’t hire anyone who is currently unemployed. Meanwhile, the cost of health care, education, rent, food, and energy continues to rise; the only thing that’s falling is the value of homes and retirement funds.
Behind these statistics are real people. Since the Occupy movement began, some who identify themselves as part of the 99% have been posting their stories at wearethe99percent.tumblr.com. Here’s one: “I am a lucky one. I have enough money to eat three of four weeks of the month. I have been paying student loans for fifteen years and still no dent. My husband lost his job…Last year I took a 10 percent pay cut to ‘do my share’ and keep layoffs at bay. I lost my house. I went bankrupt. I still am paying over one thousand dollars in student loans for myself and my husband and that is just interest. We will not have children. How could we when we can’t even feed ourselves? I am the 99%.”
Another personal story, by a sixty-year-old, reads, “Got laid off. Moved two thousand miles for new job. Pays 40 percent less than old job. Sold home at a loss. Filed Chapter Eleven. Owe IRS fifty thousand dollars. Fifteen thousand dollar per year debt for son’s tuition at state university. Seventy-five percent of retirement funds shifted to the 1%! I am the 99%!”
The website contains thousands of stories like these.
Now that we know we are not alone, we are less likely to blame ourselves when things are hard. And now that we are seeing the ways the system is rigged against us, we can join with others to demand changes that will allow everyone to thrive.
We the People Now Know That We Have the Right, and the Power
The power of the Occupy Wall Street movement is rippling out far beyond the people camped at Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan, and even beyond the occupation sites springing up in cities around the world. This movement is reaching people who are carrying a protest sign for the first time, including some conservatives, along with union members who have been fighting a losing battle to maintain their standard of living.
Hundreds of thousands have participated in the protests and occupations, millions support the occupations, and tens of millions more support their key issues. Polls show that jobs continues to be the issue that most concerns us, yet the national dialogue has been dominated by obsession with debt. While just 27 percent of Americans responding to an October 2011 Time Magazine poll held a favorable view of the Tea Party, for example, 54 percent held a favorable view of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Of those familiar with the protests, large majorities share their concerns: 86 percent agreed that Wall Street and lobbyists have too much power in Washington, DC, 68 percent thought the rich should pay more taxes, and 79 percent believe the gap between rich and poor has grown too large.
The movement has been criticized for its diversity of people and grievances, but in that diversity lies its strength. Among the 99% are recent graduates and veterans who can’t find work, elderly who fear losing their pensions, the long-term unemployed, the homeless, peace activists, people with a day job in a corporate office who show up after work, members of the military, and off-duty police. Those involved cannot be pigeonholed. They are as diverse as the people of this country and this world.
The movement has also been criticized for its failure to issue a list of demands. In fact, it is easy to see what the movement is demanding: quite simply, a world that works for the 99%. The hand-lettered protest signs show the range of concerns: excessive student debt; banks that took taxpayer bailouts, then refused to help homeowners stay in their homes; cuts in government funding for essential services; Federal Reserve policies; the lack of jobs.
A list of specific demands would make it easier to manage, criticize, co-opt, and divide the movement. Instead, Occupy Wall Street is setting its own agenda on its own terms and developing consensus statements at its own pace. It’s doing this in spaces that it controls—some in parks and other public spaces, others in union halls, libraries, churches, and community centers. On the Internet, the movement issues statements and calls to action through Twitter, Facebook, and its own Web sites. From the start it was clear that the movement would not rely on a mainstream media corrupted by corporate interests.
The Occupy Wall Street movement does not treat power as something to request—something that others can either grant or withhold. We the people are the sovereigns under the Constitution. The Occupy Wall Street movement has become a space where a multitude of leaders are learning to work together, think independently, and define the world we want to live in.
Those leaders will be stirring things up for years to come.
This Is What Horizontal Power Looks Like
When political parties talk about building a base, they usually mean developing foot soldiers who will help candidates win election and then go home to let the elected officials make the decisions. The Occupy Wall Street movement turns that idea on its head. The ordinary people who have chosen to be part of this movement are the ones who debate the issues, determine strategies, and lead the work.
Working groups take care of practical matters like food, sanitation, media, meeting facilitation, and receiving packages from supporters. Other groups discuss the issues, create arts and culture, debate tactics, and consider whether to issue demands. In Zuccotti Park, the Consciousness Working Group set up a permanent sacred space for prayer and meditation; spiritual leaders from various faiths show up to lead observances.
The early weeks of the occupation coincided with Yom Kippur, and a thousand Jewish activists participated in services across from Zuccotti Park. They erected in the park a sukkah, a temporary hut built to represent the impromptu housing Israelites used in the desert when escaping Egypt. Because the building of structures at Zuccotti Park is forbidden, this was an act of civil disobedience.
At the center of this movement are general assemblies, where decisions are made by consensus. Facilitators are charged with managing the process so that all have a chance to be heard and everyone has a chance to express approval, disapproval, or to block consensus by means of hand signals.
The use of the people’s microphone is a central feature of the general assemblies. To use the people’s mic, a person first grabs the attention of the crowd by shouting, “Mic check!” Then, he or she begins to speak, saying a few words at a time, so that others can shout the words on to those behind them in the crowd.
Originally developed as a way to circumvent bans on amplification at many occupation sites, the people’s mic has developed into much more than that. It encourages deeper listening because audience members must actively repeat the language of the speaker. It encourages consensus because hearing oneself repeat a point of view one doesn’t agree with has a way of opening one’s mind. And it provides a great example of how community organizing works best when it’s people-powered and resilient. This technique allows crowds of thousands to communicate, and also allows groups involved in direct street action to make democratic decisions on the fly.
The occupation zones are not just places to talk about a new society. They are becoming twenty-four-hour-a-day experiments in egalitarian living. Without paid staff or hierarchies, everyone gets fed, laundry gets done by the truckload, disagreements get facilitated, and those arrested are greeted by crowds of cheering supporters when they get out of jail.
Cynics might question the importance of this deepening sense of community. But people who have lived in a competitive, isolating world are tasting a way of life built on support and inclusion, in some cases for the first time. They are sharing the risk of police beatings, arrests, and pepper spray, and the hardship of sleepless nights in a rainy or snowy park. The resulting bonds create strength, solidarity, and resolve. Visitors report being surprised to see smiles instead of anger. This is a movement where you often hear the words, “I love you.”
That experience of community is not easily forgotten, and it deepens the yearning for a new culture; one that is radically inclusive, respectful, supportive, and horizontal.
The organizers of the September 17 occupation say they weren’t planning for an occupation that would go on week after week. It just hadn’t occurred to them. And no one can say where things will go from here. Harsh weather could drive people away. Other hazards could undercut the movement. Police violence could frighten away would-be protesters, or it could galvanize the movement, as did the pepper spraying of unarmed women in Manhattan and police violence against occupiers in Oakland.
Another threat to the movement is violence on the part of the occupiers themselves, which would be used to justify police action and likely turn press coverage against the occupations. With increasing tensions and exhausted protesters, the nonviolent discipline of this movement will be severely tested.
Violence could also come from provocateurs seeking to discredit the Occupy movement. Within a month of the movement’s launch there was a case of an admitted provocateur, an assistant editor at the right-wing magazine American Spectator, who tried, without success, to get Occupy and anti-war protesters to join him in pushing past security guards at the Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space in Washington, DC. Fortunately, the crowd refused to follow. Security guards responded by pepper spraying protesters, and the museum was closed for some hours. Most news reports attributed the scuffle to Occupy Wall Street protesters.
But the movement has important strengths that add to its resilience. It is radically decentralized, so a disaster at any one occupation will not bring down the others; in fact, the others can take action in support. There is no single leader who could be co-opted or assassinated. Instead, leadership is broadly shared, and leadership skills are being taught and learned constantly.
What’s more, the autonomous groups within the movement that plan and carry out direct actions of all sorts are extremely difficult to contain. By choosing the targets of their actions wisely, they can further draw attention to institutions whose behavior calls into question their right to exist. When the legitimacy of large institutions crumbles, it is often just a matter of time before the support of government, stockholders, customers, and employees goes away, too. There is no institution that is “too big to fail.” This is one way that nonviolent revolution happens.
New support is flowing in, some from unexpected sources. A group of Marine veterans has formed OccupyMARINES, which will work to recruit police and members of other branches of the military to support the occupations, and to nonviolently protect protesters from police assaults. The Marines also plan to help the occupations sustain themselves through cold weather. The group was inspired by a viral video showing Marine Sergeant Shamar Thomas dressing down the police for brutalizing protesters. “There is no honor in this,” he shouted at the police. The wounding of Marine veteran Scott Olsen, who at twenty-four years old had already served two tours in Iraq, has further fired up fellow Marines. Olsen was critically injured by a police-fired projectile in an Oakland police action against occupiers.
Police, though often shown cracking down on occupations, have also expressed sympathy with the movement. In Albany, New York, state and city police declined to follow orders from the mayor to arrest and remove peaceful protesters. “We don’t have those resources, and these people were not causing trouble,” an official with the state patrol told the Times Union newspaper.
Will there come a time when there is no one willing to enforce orders to evict members of the 99% from occupation encampments—or from their homes, for that matter? And if popular support grows, will elected officials look to ally themselves with the movement, rather than suppress it? The fact that these are even questions shows how radically things have changed since a few hundred people occupied Zuccotti Park on September 17, 2011.
Whatever happens next, Occupy Wall Street has already accomplished something that changes everything. It has fundamentally altered the national conversation.
“A group of people started camping out in Zuccotti Park, and all of a sudden the conversation started being about the right things,” says The New York Times columnist Paul Krugman. “It’s kind of a miracle.”
Now that millions recognize the injustice resulting from the power of Wall Street and giant corporations, that issue will not go away. The central question now is this: Will we build a society to benefit everyone? Or just the 1%?
The world becomes a very different place when members of the 99% stand up. The revolts in Egypt, elsewhere in the Middle East, and in Europe belie the story that popular uprisings are futile. The people occupying Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan and in cities across the country have showed that Americans, too, can take a stand.
People who’ve experienced the power of having a voice will not easily go back to silence. People who’ve found self-respect will work hard to avoid a return to isolation and powerlessness; the Occupy Wall Street movement gives us reason to believe that we the people can take charge of our destinies. The 99% are no longer sitting on the sidelines of history—we are making history.
This Introduction is excerpted from the book This Changes Everything: Occupy Wall Street and the 99% Movement edited by Sarah van Gelder and the staff of YES! Magazine and published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers. The Introduction is available for free copying and reproduction under a Creative Commons Attribution NoDerivs (CC BY-ND) license, which allows for redistribution, commercial and non-commercial, as long as it is passed along unchanged and in whole, with credit to its original publication in the book, This Changes Everything: Occupy Wall Street and the 99% Movement, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2011.
Sarah van Gelder
Sarah van Gelder is cofounder of YES! Magazine and author of The Revolution Where You Live: Stories from a 12,000-Mile Journey Through a New America. Follow her on Twitter: @sarahvangelder.
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http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/BillNyeTheScienceGuy
Series / Bill Nye the Science Guy
aka: Bill Nye
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BILL! BILL! BILL! BILL! BILL! BILL!
"Oh, believe me, you don't want to mess with Bill Nye. He will end your ass, with SCIENCE!"
— Doctor Insano, The Spoony Experiment
"Science rules!"
One of the best examples of the kids' Science Show genre from the 1990s. The show, produced by a joint venture between Seattle PBS affiliate KCTS-TV and Buena Vista Television, lasted from 1993 to 1998, 5 seasons and 100 episodes. Each episode is centered on an area of scientific study, varying in level of focus from a single concept to an entire discipline. The show's eponymous host, dressed like a cross between a Mad Scientist and a birthday party magician, would teach the subject with a genuine level of excitement and interest most men reserve for the Super Bowl.
The show was hosted by Bill Nye, a science guy, comedian and former Boeing engineer who got his start in television on the Seattle local comedy show Almost Live! (where he got the "Science Guy" epithet after correcting the host's pronunciation of Gigawatt) before starting his PBS show in 1993. (He also made several appearances on Disney shows prior to this, specifically the new version of The Mickey Mouse Club. Fitting, as this was produced by Disney.) Although not technically a "scientist" in the sense of being a PhD with a particular specialty, Bill Nye holds patents for things ranging from jet engine components to ballet shoes, explains scientific concepts both accurately and clearly,note though some of it now subject to Science Marches On, of course and each show featured a professor in whatever topic was being discussed that week in the "Way Cool Scientist" segment, which allowed those researchers to explain their topic from the laboratory or the field. With 90's kids now in college and graduate school, it's relatively common to find science majors, Masters students, and PhD students who point to Bill Nye as an inspiration for their interest in becoming scientists themselves.
The show has a few internal Catch Phrases and idioms, most notably the introduction of new experimental equipment via the following formula: "[Somewhat-Generic-Description-of-Device] Of Science!" *fanfare*
Then, in almost every episode, they'd take a well-known song (usually Alternative Rock), cut the song length in half, then replace the lyrics with lyrics related to the show's topic. And a guy on YouTube uploaded every single one of them . On three occasions, actual rock artists did the song: Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America did a parody of his band's hit "Peaches", The Posies reworked their song "Flavor of the Month" with lyrics about ocean exploration, and grunge rockers Mudhoney did a cover of the show's theme song.
This show ran on PBS in the mid-1990s, and also in syndication (Disney co-produced the show with Seattle's PBS station KCTS). It then retired to Noggin and stayed until Noggin was merged into Nick Jr. However, Bill Nye is still on TV. He has a series of specials called The Eyes of Nye, which are much closer in form to a TV Documentary series (like Nova) than his previous show. Today, he's an outspoken environmental activist. His series on Planet Green, Stuff Happens, is a show about the unintended environmental consequences of the stuff we do and use. He also occasionally guest-stars on the reality show Living With Ed; he's really Ed Begley Jr.'s neighbor, within a few miles, and the two have an ongoing rivalry to "out-green" each other. Bill Nye is also the go-to guy to explain interesting science stories on cable news outlets CNN and MSNBC. His latest endeavor is the Netflix exclusive Bill Nye Saves the World, which is clearly targeted at those who grew up with the old show.
As it ran during the same stretch as Beakman's World, the two shows get compared often, though Beakman's World tended to leer more on other aspects of knowledge than simply on science, and Bill Nye often explored subjects that had scientific reasoning behind it (such as populations, communication, probability and odds, and music) more than Beakman's World did.
Pacific Interactive adapted the series into an adventure game, Bill Nye the Science Guy: Stop the Rock!, in 1996.
He also has a series of YouTube videos called Consider the Following that are located on the Planetary Society's channel and continue his mission of spreading science.
Oh, and Bill Nye was Humanist of the Year in 2010. Make of that what you will.
This show provides examples of:
Adam Westing: Bob Ross appeared on an episode about the human eye painting a giant eyeball with "happy little rods and cones".
All Issues Are Political Issues: Bill Nye is fond of saying that "Science is political, but it is not partisan." This view is reflected in The Eyes of Nye by the interviews with the waffling politician in cutaway gags, who even expresses a political position on ice cream.
And Knowing Is Half the Battle: DID YOU KNOW THAT this would often be done Once an Episode to reveal two or three interesting, random facts related to the Topic of the Day? NOW YOU KNOW!
Anti-Nihilist: Bill Nye is a humanist who believes that death is a complete Cessation of Existence, but while we're here, "We can...dare I say it... change the WORLD!"
Artistic License Paleontology: The dinosaur episode tries to avert this as possible, but the rap had the glaring mistake of calling Dimetrodon a dinosaur.
Big Word Shout: SCIENCE!
Bleached Underpants: Fans from outside the Seattle area are sometimes surprised when they find out about the mildly risque sketches he sometimes did for Almost Live!.
Breakout Character: He was Doc Brown's assistant.
Bumbling Dad: "Clumsy Dad" in the Momentum episode
Butt-Monkey: If someone on the show gets beaned with a soccer ball, hit by a pendulum, or knocked over by an athlete, it's going to be Bill.
The Cameo: See "Sesame Street" Cred entry below; many celebrities put in time to help demonstrate or explain a current episode's central theme, some examples include: Penn & Teller (Light Optics), Samuel L. Jackson (Inventions), Drew Barrymore (Flowers), and Alfonso Ribeiro (Food Web).
Catchphrase: Bill has several. Notably, "Take a look at this!" before showing off models and experiments, "For crying out loud!" during his more ranty moments, and "Isn't that wild?" after dispensing some interesting information.
"Not that bad!"
"Take a look at this! It's our [overly long-named scientific contraption] OF SCIENCE! [fanfare]"
"Please consider the following," and "Thank you for considering the following."
At the end of every episode, "Well that's our show, thanks for watching! If you'll excuse me, I have to go [insert something scientific here]. See ya!"
Clip Show: The episode "NTV Top 11 Video Countdown" is little more than a compilation of music videos from previous episodes, with an exclusive performance of the show's theme by Mudhoney at the end.
Cloud Cuckoo Lander: [insert sciencey topic here]-Girl, a recurring character who's there to... well, rant enthusiastically about the topic at hand.
Couch Gag: Sound effects relevant to an episode's topic would get added to the intro where appropriate (e.g. Chomping noises over the Stock Footage of the dinosaur eating for the episode "Digestion" where normally it would be silent).
Crossover: On an episode of The Big Bang Theory, Bill plays himself meeting the actor who plays that show's Mister Wizard Expy Prof. Proton, Arthur Jefferies.
Bill: Arthur Jefferies! This is certainly an honor meeting you. Without Prof. Proton I wouldn't have my show.
Arthur Jefferies: I know, that's what I told my lawyers!
A Day in the Limelight: The episode "Do-It-Yourself Science" is this for the "Richie, eat your crust" family, with Bill visiting their house in order to demonstrate science experiments you can do at home.
Department of Redundancy Department: The "Patterns" episode was sponsored by "The Incorporated Corporation of Repetition, Incorporated".
Do Not Try This at Home:
Kids were encouraged to try most of the experiments shown on their own, sometimes with recommended adult supervision. For the exceptions, such as lying on a bed of nails, they were sure to say this two or three times.
Parodied with a Spoof Aesop when Bill goes off to demonstrate how much space there is between the Sun and its closest stellar neighbor (the Sun is in a soccer stadium, Alpha Centauri is on a beach a few hundred miles away). Bill goes racing off in a car with the camera running on fast-forward and the announcer remarks, "Don't drive like this at home, kids! You could leave tire marks on the living room carpet!"
Educational Song: The various songs at the end of every episode.
Equal-Opportunity Offender: If you're a hippie, an astrologer, a talk show host, a politician, a student, a teacher, or a parent, there's a chance you'll see somebody on The Eyes of Nye portraying your particular group in an unflattering light.
Everything's Louder with Bagpipes: Bagpipes are mentioned twice in a gag describing sources of noise pollution.
Excited Kids' Show Host: Bill is aimed at the key over-six demographic. He's always really excited about the topic and good at rendering complex concepts into language that children can understand.
Eye Pop: Bill does one when he sees a skeleton in the "Bones" episode. But because he's a real human, it looks a little off.
Fun with Flushing: In the episode on digestion, every time Bill says "all the way" a toilet flushes off-screen.
Getting Crap Past the Radar: Here. Just look at how positively gleeful he is while doing it. "That's a lot of dam power!"
"ANAL SPHINCTER"
"Birds do it. Bees do it. Practically every animal does it. Let's do some right now!" It's the introduction to the episode on Animal Locomotion.
The flower episode has a bee (or a woman in a bee costume) on a gossip show suggestively talking about how she pollinated a snapdragon. That's not the only instance in the flower episode—quite frankly it's hard to talk about flowers without getting suggestive since they're all about sex.
The stoners lying on their car in the space episode. Whoooooooa.
The Momentum episode features a demonstration that Bill Nye starts off by saying "Now here I have... a rocket in my pocket." The rocket is decidedly phallic and pink on top of it. The poor choice of words was even lampshaded by the show's Laugh Track, which moaned derisively when he made the joke. Shown here . (Kids would take it as a play on the Dr. Seuss book Wocket in my pocket.)
In "Invertebrates," Bill refers to vertebrates as "backboners," followed by faint laughter from Butt-head.
The Great Politics Mess-Up: For some reason, the globe shown briefly in the intro sequence ◊ is wildly outdated. It has not only the U.S.S.R., but also French West Africa. With the inclusion of an independent Sudan, the borders shown date to the period between 1956 and 1958, when Bill Nye himself was a toddler.
Iconic Outfit: The blue lab coat and bow ties.
Inertia Is A Property Of Matter
Jump Cut: Used in the pseudoscience episode as "cheap TV trick".
Kitchen Sink Included: In the episode "Atoms" Bill enters the lab which is all full of different items which he claims are all made of matter. One of the items is—the kitchen sink!
Large Ham: Bill Nye. Probably should be law for all science teachers.
Leaning on the Fourth Wall: The "T-minus 7 seconds" in the opening sequence occurs about 7 seconds before the end.
Lemony Narrator: "Uh, Bill?" Voiced by none other than Pat Cashman, announcer of Almost Live!! and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Licensed Game: One Edutainment Game- Bill Nye the Science Guy: Stop the Rock! - Released in 1996 for Windows 9x (backwards compatible with Windows 3.x) and Classic Mac OS by Pacific Interactive.
Mad Libs Catchphrase: "It's the/our X of SCIENCE!" *Triumphant trumpets*
Meta Guy: Part of the show's humor was Pat Cashman's reactions to some of Bill's... unorthodox teaching methods.
Bill: If you were going to eat a hot dog the same way a spider eats its food, first you'd wrap it up. (Pops a hot dog wrapped in a croissant into a food processor) Then you'd soak it in digestive juices. (Squirts mustard on the hot dog)
Narrator: Oh no. Bill, don't do this.
Bill: Now, because we gotta keep this show moving...
Narrator: Um...
Bill: ...I'm gonna grind it up. Real spiders don't do that.
Narrator: Oh, no. Bill, don't—(Food processor turns on) OH NO. Bill, c'mon! Aw! Oh, man...
Bill: (Turns off food processor) Then when a spider's ready to eat, it eats its food with its sucking mouth parts. (Takes out a straw and proceeds to suck up the hot dog sludge)
Narrator: ...Bill?! *SLURP*—Okay--That's it, I'm outta here.
The Metric System Is Here to Stay: The show was produced over a decade after the U.S. gave up converting to the metric system, and Bill is still stubbornly sticking with metric units. Would his target audience even know what a kilometer was? Who cares, the metric system is more scientific, dammit!
Mundane Made Awesome: When the episode is about stuff like swamps or skin, which are not usually considered awesome. The "[Insert Device] of SCIENCE!" also falls into this sometimes.
No Animals Were Harmed: After Bill falls into a garbage compressor at the end of the "Pollution" episode, the announcer remarks "No actual science guys were harmed in the production of this program".
No Fourth Wall: Apart from the narrator/cameraman's running commentary, there was plenty of Camera Abuse. On one occasion, the camera pulled back enough to show the Foley artist providing the over-the-top whacks and whooshes while Bill hit a diagram with a pointer stick.
Once an Episode:
Plenty of them - Consider The Following, Did You Know... (might be multiple times per episode), Way Cool Scientist, Nifty Home Experiment, and of course, the Soundtrack Of Science segment that closed each episode.
As well as signing off each episode with a science-related "now if you will excuse me I have an X to Y."
A trumpet will sound, sometimes accompanied by an image of two Renaissance angels with said trumpets.
The Other Rainforest: Bill did a lot of filming there, as the production was based in Seattle.
Overcrank: The "Gravity" episode shows a replay of an apple and bowling ball both falling to the ground at the same time
without the sound muted first, so you get to hear Bill Nye and Pat Cashman's voices slowed down to half speed too.
Parental Bonus: Plenty, whether it's Getting Crap Past the Radar or more subtle humor.
One of the song parodies, "Science in Music, Oh Yeah!", was based on the song "Time Warp" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. There's a pretty slim chance his demographic would have seen the source material, so it's safe to assume that the cover was just for the parents' sake. Then there's the notorious "Let's Talk About Stress", which is a filk of Salt-N-Pepa's "Let's Talk About Sex". Again, the source material only plays on adult stations, so it's unlikely that the target demographic would've heard the original and thus it can be assumed that the song was just there to entertain any parents watching along.
Parody: Often trailers for a Police Procedural or a suspense film about the subject at hand. For example, the Buddy Cop show "Rod and Cone" in the eyeball episode—one can't see colors, the other can't see in even a little shadow. (Rod cells are used in dim light but render it in shades of gray; cone cells detect color but need light to work.)
Parody Assistance: Chris Ballew, lead singer of the group The Presidents of the United States, showed up to sing "Farm Food", which spoofed the POTUS song "Peaches".
Parody Commercial: At least Once an Episode. It's one of the things that made the show popular with both the intended and periphery demographic alike.
Pie in the Face: In the atoms episode
Bill: All matter is made up of atoms or molecules.
Offscreen kid:Hey Science guy? Even a banana cream pie?
Bill:Oh yeah! Even a *splat!*
Precision F-Strike: Courtesy of everyone's favorite "Grrrl". In this case, Pollution Grrrl in the "Pollution Solutions" episode; it's bleeped of course, but quite noticeable since it rarely if ever happens.
Pollution Grrrl: *picks up garbage* you see this stuff? You and I made this stuff! Do YOU like it?! WELL I DON'T *BLEEP* LIKE IT!!! (cue image of a dog with it's ears perking up in alarm)
Private Detective: Parodied with the recurring character of Luna Van Dyke
Luna: My name is Luna, Luna Van Dyke; it's a Dutch name that means *insert random terminology that relates to that particular episode*
Repeat Cut: Used many times. Lots of phrases would get repeated by looping footage for comedic effect. Also, possibly to help get the knowledge through to the viewers' heads since the show was aimed at children.
Retraux: Some of the skits, most notably "Richie, Eat Your Crust" and subsequent skits starring the same family.
Quicksand Sucks: Deconstructed in the Wetlands episode, where Bill explains what causes quicksand with a model in the lab, and by going out and getting stuck in some mudflats.
Running Gag: Multiple examples.
If Bill Nye mentions anything involving water ANYTHING, a stage hand with a bucket full of water flings the water at him, it's so bad that Bill is aware of it and tries to substitute the chemical formula each time, until he slips up at the end and gets drenched with at least ten buckets of water.
Did you know that this is the compass that Compass Man uses?"
"Sesame Street" Cred: Celebrities and performers would appear on the show to help explain scientific concept. For instance, the Flying Karamozov Brothers used juggling to demonstrate gravity. And in the "Inventions" episode, Samuel L. Jackson explained why golf balls are dimpled.
Signing-Off Catchphrase: "Well, that's our show. Thanks for watching. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go (do some activity related to the episode). See ya!" This catchphrase would almost always be said in the same place that the episode started.
Smash Cut: Many skits would get cut off mid-sentence onto the next skit for humorous effect.
Splash of Color: Occurs in the recurring shot of a 1950s family watching television, which is edited so it looks like they're watching Bill Nye's show. The shot is black-and-white Stock Footage (here's the original ), but the footage on their TV is in color (here's how it appears on the show ).
Stock Footage: Lots and lots of it. Often used for Cutaway Gags.
Stuff Blowing Up: The Running Gag in the chemical reactions episode was a calm female voice saying "Here is an example of a chemical reaction" before footage of a detonating heap of powder, a feather pillow, all the way up to a multistory building.
Tempting Fate: In the episode about probability, Bill is standing in the middle of a park looking for four-leaf clovers. He determines that there's a 1 in 5000 chance of finding one, and that finding a five-leaf clover is about as likely as getting hit by a wrecking ball in the park. And then he looks down and thinks he's found one, while dodging a wrecking ball, until he stands up.
Theme Tune Cameo: In the "Motion" episode, every time someone mentions inertia, the line "Inertia is a property of matter." from the opening theme repeats.
Think of the Children!: Bill has said in many panel debates that most (but not all) Generation Y and Millenials have been lost to religious radical movements and science denial, and that the children of these generations are the only hope for humanity's future. This is why he made The Science Guy and The Eyes of Nye.
To the Tune of...: Nearly every song featured near the end of an episode. See second part of Parental Bonus above for the most popular example.
Transplant: Bill Nye from Almost Live. Billy Quan (Once again played by Darrel Suto) from the "Mind your Manners Will Billy Quan" sketch also joins in with Almost Live host John Keister still continuing to give him a hard time.
We Are Experiencing Technical Difficulties: Happens whenever the camera gets damaged or broken on set. Most memorably when a red-kneed tarantula was flicked onto the cameraman, causing him to drop the camera !
"THE TARANTULA'S GOIN' IN MY PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANTS!!!'"
You Look Familiar: invokedCashman, noted above as the narrator, also appeared on-screen whenever a salesman or talk show host was needed. He returns in the same capacity for The Eyes of Nye, looking exactly the same as he did fifteen years ago.
Well that's our article, thanks for reading. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some TV Tropes to edit. See ya!
Alternative Title(s): Bill Nye
The Big Comfy Couch
Creator/PBS Kids
Kidsongs
Series of the 1990s
Edutainment Show
Black Hole High
Wimp Fight
QuoteSource/Live-Action TV
Beakman's World
First-Run Syndication
Break the Bank (1976)
Walt Disney Presents
Creator/Disney
The Challengers
Nonfiction Series
Brainiac: Science Abuse
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Every generation has a story to tell. Our story started with Mr. Nguyen Duc Quang. It was in 2006 when the late Mr. Nguyen Duc Quang came up with an idea to mentor young students in providing humanitarian services to the underserved of Vietnam. As a musician, journalist, scout master and youth mentor, he was passionate about guiding the younger generation to a life of service to the needy. This was the beginning of the Summer Service Camp or SSC. Its goals have been:
To mentor and train the next generation of medical humanitarians; and
To provide healthcare to the underserved populace of Vietnam and perhaps other parts of the world.
With support and collaboration from Project Vietnam Foundation and its president Dr. Quynh Kieu, the first SSC trip was held in 2006 in South Vietnam. In each subsequent summer until 2016, a group of approximately 120 volunteers would provide much needed services based on these two founding principles.
Each summer camp comprised of approximately 60 students from high school up to professional school level. They were from many parts of the world but mostly from the United States, Canada and France. The students were supported clinically by healthcare professionals including physicians of many specialties, dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and registered nurses. The camp logistics were also supported by many crucial non-medical volunteers. The summer mission usually collaborated with similar volunteers based in Vietnam.
The health clinics were organized in both rural and urban locations of Vietnam. Each summer mission served approximately 3500 adult patients and children over a two week period. SSC provided health screening, medical, dental and optometric care to the patients. Medications, glasses, medical equipments and health education were also provided to as many underserved Vietnamese as possible.
As the camp grew in size and complexity, Project Vietnam Foundation found it much more challenging to organize and conduct both an annual March and June mission since they were only 3 months apart. In August of 2016, Project Vietnam Foundation and the core members of the Summer Service Camp mutually agreed to split into two separate entities to give each mission its well deserved attention. Project Vietnam Foundation will now concentrate on conducting the March mission and associated training projects. The new organization, VnHOPE Alliance, with the approval of Dr. Kieu will focus entirely on continuing the success of the Summer Service Camp.
Our core group of dedicated and experienced summer volunteers realized that the camp’s mission and purpose are too important to allow it to end. We recognized that there is much more work to be done in Vietnam and we are convinced that this can be accomplished by continuing to nurture the next generation of humanitarians. VnHOPE Alliance just completed a successful inaugural medical mission to Vietnam in the summer of 2017. We would like to invite all past summer volunteers and welcome new volunteers to join us because there are many more stories waiting to be told and shared.
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Then, there’s biochemistry. In women, ghrelin — the “I’m hungry” hormone — spikes after a workout, while leptin — which tells the brain ‘I’m full!’ — plummets, according to a 2009 study in the American Journal of Physiology — Regulatory, Integral and Comparable Physiology. Not so in men. So post-workout, women tend to eat more, which puts them at risk to gain weight. Men don’t experience this same hormonal fluctuation.
Jillian Michaels is now a well known name in the US, providing expert workout videos and diet tips to help you to shape up. The website provides recipes, diet plans, workouts, tracking and measuring tools, as well as a supportive community to help keep you motivated. First off, it’s worth mentioning that the Jillian Michaels system is probably more exercise-intensive than other diet and...
Carbohydrates are considered to be the body's main source of energy and are quickly utilized by the brain and muscles. Carbs come in two forms: simple & complex. Processed and refined sugars are simple carbs, which are digested and absorbed quickly. Complex carbs pack in more nutrients and are digested more slowly, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
You can blame biology for your sweet tooth. We’re hardwired to have a preference for sweets, and this drive is universal and begins early on, according to research on the subject. Sugar makes food taste good, so food companies add it to everything from breads to soups to salad dressings to cereals, yogurts and more. This adds up to way too much sugar!
The meals shown here are "templates" that you can vary any number of ways to please your tastebuds and avoid eating the same old thing every day. Follow them and you'll get between 2,400 and 2,800 calories per day. That should provide plenty of calories for all but the most severely obese, while allowing most guys to lose fat around their middles at a steady pace. (Don't worry about hitting the numbers on the nose every time. If you exceed your fat quota during lunch, for instance, just cut back a little during dinner.)
When Johns Hopkins researchers compared the effects on the heart of losing weight through a low-carbohydrate diet versus a low-fat diet for six months—each containing the same amount of calories—those on a low-carb diet lost an average of 10 pounds more than those on a low-fat diet—28.9 pounds versus 18.7 pounds. An extra benefit of the low-carb diet is that it produced a higher quality of weight loss, Stewart says. With weight loss, fat is reduced, but there is also often a loss of lean tissue (muscle), which is not desirable. On both diets, there was a loss of about 2 to 3 pounds of good lean tissue along with the fat, which means that the fat loss percentage was much higher on the low-carb diet.
If figuring out what to put into your body is too overwhelming, start with how much you're serving yourself. The easiest way to do this? Swap out your plates for smaller ones, like mother of two Jeanenne Darden did. With the help of this trick, she managed to lose an amazing 22 percent of her body weight, going from 187 pounds to 146 pounds. "I ate normally," she says. "I just ate less of everything." Pro tip: This trick is even easier with some cute portion-control dishware.
I'm not telling you that it's easy, but it really is pretty simple. In an age where people don't even have to go outside to grill a steak, it's tempting to spend a few dollars on a quick fix. Human anatomy hasn't changed much throughout history, however. If you adopt your grandparents' work ethic and apply it to your every day life, you will achieve your greatest results.
As a result, about four in 10 Americans are obese -- that’s a whopping 93.3 million adults -- which increases their risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and early mortality, and cost the country $147 billion in medical costs in 2008, according to the CDC. Nearly 80% of American adults are also not getting enough aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity, which is linked to about $117 billion in annual health care costs and 10% of premature mortality, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
But just because belly fat comes off a bit more easily doesn’t make it less dangerous. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. “Belly fat is unfortunately the most dangerous location to store fat,” says Dr. Cheskin. Because belly fat—also known as visceral fat, or the deep abdominal fat that surrounds your organs—is more temporary, it’s more active in terms of circulating in the bloodstream. That means it’s likely to raise the amount of fat in your blood (known as blood lipid levels) and increase your blood sugar levels, which as a result raises your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
1000 crunches a night may get you strong abdominal muscles, but with a full layer of fat on top, you will not get the results you really want. Instead of all those crunches, do exercises that engage multiple muscle groups and work your cardiovascular system. Try planking, where you hold yourself in a push-up position, resting your forearms on the ground. Try 3 or 4 sets of holding for 30 seconds each. Getting up and moving throughout the day by going for walks will also help.
Not much of a coffee drinker? Tea is also a natural diuretic, and types of herbal tea such as dandelion or fennel root can also lend a hand. In fact: When a recent study compared the metabolic effect of green tea (in extract) with that of a placebo, researchers found that the green-tea drinkers burned about 70 additional calories in a 24-hour period.
●Put tempting foods out of sight, out of mind. We naturally gravitate toward foods that are easiest to reach. So put candy on a high shelf or inside another bag behind something else so you’ll be less likely to go get it, says Cynthia Sass, co-author of “The Flat Belly Diet!” Put smarter choices, such as fresh fruit or popcorn, in bowls where they’re visible and within arm’s reach. Keep a water bottle with you so you won’t have to rummage through the fridge or walk to a vending area to get a drink.
"Crash diets (dramatically cutting down how much you eat) might help you to lose a few pounds at first, but they’re hard to sustain and won’t help you keep the weight off. It might seem like a quick and easy option, but eating too few calories can actually do more harm than good. If your calorie intake dips too low, your body could go into starvation mode. This will slow down your metabolism, making it harder for your body to lose weight. Make sensible, healthy changes to your lifestyle that you can stick to and avoid the fad diets."
Satisfying your sweet tooth doesn't require a refined sugar-packed snack. The key is retraining your taste buds to recognize naturally sweet foods, like fruit. "To curb my hankering for treats, I eat mangoes," says Tamyala Ezell, who lost 105 pounds by making over her eating habits and working out three times a week. "They have a natural sweetness that does the trick. Plus, they're low in calories and high in fiber." Another example? "I top berries, nectarines, and cherries with homemade whipped cream, nuts, and dark chocolate," says Goetke.
“There are many diet plans on the market today that promote good health,” says Emily Kyle, RDN, who is in private practice in Rochester, New York. “The key is finding one that does not cause you stress or agony.” Ask yourself questions such as: Would the diet guidelines make you happy? Anxious? Stressed? Are you able to follow them long term? “Factors such as enjoyment, flexibility, and longevity should be strongly considered,” adds Kyle.
We all want a toned, flat stomach. No surprise there. But since many women are still relying on crunches to get it, we want to make one thing clear: Crunching is not the most effective abs workout. "Crunches work only the muscles on the front and sides of your abdomen, but it's important to target all the muscles of the core to get more defined abs—including lower back, hips, and upper thighs," says Lou Schuler, co-author of The New Rules of Lifting for Abs. (Also try these 20 tricks for engaging your core and getting a sneaky abs workout.)
In addition, the healthy habits and kinds of foods recommended on the Mayo Clinic Diet — including lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, beans, fish and healthy fats — can further reduce your risk of certain health conditions. The Mayo Clinic Diet is meant to be positive, practical, sustainable and enjoyable, so you can enjoy a happier, healthier life over the long term.
Usually, a weight-loss plan combines elements of healthy eating and exercise to give its users the best chance of achieving their target weight. In addition to specifying a weekly menu plan or giving guidelines regarding calorie-intake and food selection, the best weight-loss plans of 2019 give you clear exercise regimes or allocate you fitness points for activities you perform on a day-to-day basis, like housekeeping, for example.
What you put on your plate is important, but healthy eating is also about being mindful of how much you consume. For example, your husband has pancakes with butter and syrup for breakfast, your son grabs a doughnut, and you opt for a cup of oatmeal with a handful of walnuts, a sliced banana, and a large glass of organic blueberry juice. You may win on nutrients, but when it comes to calories, you're dead last: That healthy-sounding meal adds up to almost 700 calories, more than a third of your allotment for the day.
Protein serves a dual role in helping you trim down belly fat by increasing muscle mass and metabolism, while also helping stave off hunger. Research shows that a higher-protein diet increases thermogenesis, which means you burn more calories. Further, eating protein leads to an increased feeling of satisfaction after the meal, often causing you to eat fewer calories later in the day. These High-Protein Breakfast Tacos are the perfect way to start your morning and will keep you feeling full until lunch.
"Order without looking at the menu. Almost every restaurant has the basics—veggies, grains, and protein. If you go in knowing what you want, I guarantee you'll be able to make a meal. If you're too uncomfortable to ask for what you need, tell a white lie: Say you're allergic. I know it's controversial to suggest this, but women in particular can really have trouble standing up for their own needs. So if you want the broccoli soup puréed without cream, tell the waiter you're lactose intolerant."
People were not asked to count calories at all. Over the course of a year, both groups attended 22 classes reinforcing these very sound principles — and all participants had access to health educators who guided them in behavioral modification strategies, such as emotional awareness, setting goals, developing self-efficacy (also known as willpower), and utilizing social support networks, all to avoid falling back into unhealthy eating patterns.
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Maps+Radar
Active Weather
By: Meteorologist Megan Mulford
Updated: Jun 26th 2019
Wildlife Wednesdays: Invasion of Protected Areas
Protected areas, used by environmentalists, are areas where resources and biodiversity are protected from human activity. It's an area where wildlife, natural habitats, and species can grow. Protected areas keep away human activity such as farming, logging, and building infrastructures. A new report in the Journal of Science found that a third of these areas are in fact under quite a bit of pressure from human intrusion.
On Earth, there are about 200,000 protected areas that range in size, but new studies show that up to 6 million square kilometers are facing these human pressures. Researchers have looked at the "human footprint" global map, which was first published in 2016, and compared them to today. The results showed quite an increase in human activity in the past decade (Figure 1). According to James Watson from the Wildlife Conservation Society, he mentioned that a decrease in biodiversity over the world could have cascading effects. One example of this is in the United States, where predators (like bobcats) were linked to an increase in Lyme Disease, as one study showed. Researchers found that, as the bobcat populations declined, deer population increased, which led to more ticks (as they had more hosts). These ticks also carried Lyme Disease among other diseases. In the San Francisco area, this region is one of the fastest growing in the U.S., and has struggled to balance biodiversity and human activity. To save biodiversity in that area would require popular and political support, says Elizabeth O' Donoghue from Nature Conservancy.
So, what are the impacts of not protecting these areas of biodiversity? O' Donoghue mentions that, in the Bay area, plants and animals would decrease and wild-ranging species would not have large fields to travel. Also, nature absorbs rain water naturally. This would be impacted as well as air quality.
As mentioned before, in regions that are strictly protected found fewer instances of human activity. This has led to an increase in biodiversity and resources.
Figure 1: Human footprint map has shown an increase in human activity from 2009, leading to less biodiversity in unprotected areas. Source: Nature.com
Different Types of Biodiversity. Source: Examrace.com
Great human footprint has led to an increased stress when it comes to protecting biodiversity.
Water and Ice Photo Feature Winner
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The three-bedroom challenge: space in short supply for Vancouver families
Space is in short supply in Matthew and Courtney Emerson’s two-bedroom Kitsilano condo. They would love to have a play area for their young son, office space for the adults, and room to grow if they decide to have another child.
But finding a three-bedroom unit in their price range of about $750,000 has been nearly impossible.
“They just don’t seem to be in the market,” Matthew said. “We find a lot of townhomes, which are great and we’d be happy to do that, if we could afford it. When we looked at three-bedroom condos, they just didn’t really exist.”
For developers like Beau Jarvis, there is an easy solution to the problem of finding affordable three-bedroom condos in Vancouver. All the city has to do, he says, is relax one simple rule in local bylaws: that every bedroom in any new home needs at least one window.
“It’s rooted in good intention from the policy side of it, and that is livability,” said Jarvis, senior vice-president for Wesgroup properties. “If we could change that and have what is called ‘borrowed-light bedrooms’ … we could easily make smaller three-bedroom units that would be more affordable.”
To demonstrate the idea, Wesgroup drew up plans for two three-bedroom condos in a wood-frame, mid-rise building: one that meets Vancouver’s current requirements, and one with an interior third bedroom that would capture light from the living room using a transom window.
In this first reckoning, placing all three bedrooms along the exterior walls would require an extra 264 square feet of space. If the condo were sold at a relatively reasonable $600 per square foot, that would add nearly $160,000 to the purchase price.
“If you were to use the standard of one-third of your income to pay for housing, that’s an additional $30,000 somebody needs to make in income,” said Brad Jones, Wesgroup’s director of development.
It is an idea that Emerson would consider if it meant finding something in his price range. As an architectural designer, he is well aware of the difficulties in designing a condo with three bedrooms on the exterior of a building.
“I think if it were designed appropriately, that it would be acceptable,” he said.
At least one Metro Vancouver city has already opted to allow this sort of design.
To read the full article click here .
“I think we have to question some of our lifestyle requirements,” he explained. “Do we need a second bathroom or can you manage with one? Do you need an enormous walk-in closet? That’s a design fix — once you build a walk-in closet, you can’t do much with that space.”
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The Powers That Be Quotes.
1. "You could never prove innocence, not in the match with the man who only had to imply guilt."
- David Halberstam, The Powers That Be
2. "In the old days, it had been talent and style and brilliance and now it was more and more productivity."
3. "she had no fear of the spotlight, only of the places it did not reach."
4. "He never, even in the most casual conversation with friends, spoke a sentence which did not sound as if it was ready for the air."
5. "Mohr was one of the most talented people on the staff of Time, in print as well as in person—the two are often different."
6. "Williams had a very shrewd sense of how much heat the organism could take at any given time;"
7. "the ability to get on the air, which was crucial to any reporter’s career, grew precisely as the ability to analyze diminished."
8. "Nixon under pressure turned only to reporters from publications already favorable to him; Kennedy, in trouble, turned to those most critical and dubious of him, and if anything tended to take those already for him a bit for granted."
9. "Until he (Time's founder Henry Luce) arrived, news was crime and politics."
10. "The closer journalists came to great issues, the more vulnerable they felt."
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Division of Food and Drink
School of Design and Informatics
Division of Games and Arts
Division of Computing and Mathematics
Division of Cyber Security
Games Showcase
20 Years of Games
Computer Games Courses
Dare Academy
Dundee Business School
Division of Business and Management
Division of Accounting, Finance and Economics
Division of Law
Social and Health Sciences
Division of Mental Health Nursing and Counselling
Division of Psychology
Division of Sociology
Division of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Science, Engineering and Technology
Division of Natural and Built Environment
Division of Science
Division Staff
Head of Division: Dr Athina Tziboula Clarke
The expertise of our staff is much sought-after by industry, professionals and the academic community.
The Division of Food and Drink is responsible for the innovative design, development and delivery of courses in food-related disciplines. The Division’s programmes are designed so that students have an excellent practical grounding and students are also able to gain real experience of working in their chosen sectors often via work or research placement.
The Division has strong links with the food and drink industry - the largest manufacturing sector in Scotland, generating over £9.5 billion per annum - operating in a highly competitive market and continually offering new and innovative products. The food and drink industry also works closely with the health and environment sectors to respond to the challenges of ever-higher consumer expectations. To do so, the industry requires highly qualified graduates with a clear understanding of food, nutrition, health and environmental impact.
The Division of Food and Drink offers a range of innovative degree programmes in the areas of food and consumer science relevant to the 21st Century. All of our undergraduate programmes are vocationally orientated and offer the opportunity to undertake a work placement within their area of study. The programmes on offer are:
BSc (Hons) Food, Nutrition and Health
BSc (Hons) Food and Consumer Sciences
BSc (Hons) Fitness, Nutrition and Health
A feature of these programmes is the exposure to the professional world through workshops, lectures delivered by practitioners, field visits and work-based placements.
The Division hosts Food Innovation@Abertay (FIA), which is a practical innovation support service for the food and drink industry. FIA provides expert support and practical advice to businesses, particularly in new product development, food safety and production techniques and can also arrange consumer analysis as well as access to our dedicated food photography studio and development kitchens. For further details see FIA’s website. Research in the Division also includes microbial physiology, environmental microbiology and technology, yeast biotechnology and biofuels.
For details of staff research output please see the University research pages.
Abertay has invested £3.5 million in fantastic new science facilities, which opened in May 2017.
As a student within the Division of Food and Drink, you will have access to:
A Consumer Experience Laboratory which includes a sensory suite for 12 panellists. This includes a climate-controlled environment and adjoining focus group suite equipped with the latest teaching technology.
A New Product Development Laboratory. This is a pilto-scale processing facility equipped with a spray drier, extruder, micro-brewery, cheese vats, a rheometer, a texture analyser, a freeze drier and more.
Two, state-of-the-art teaching labs designed for flexible use and equipped with everything you'd expect in a modern lab. Adjoining these is a multi-purpose learning/social are with comfortable seating and an 84-inch screen.
The Division of Natural and Built Environment covers a broad range of undergradu...
Our vibrant, interdisciplinary Division of Science is an exciting place to work ...
Our academic structure is based on five schools.
Our Graduate School is a dedicated facility providing support, training and prof...
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The Challenge of Arctic Cooperation
May 13, 2015 February 2, 2018
By Victor Larin
Today, the global community is devoting unprecedented attention to the Arctic. Most people are primarily concerned with the effects of climate change, as the media often attributes the frequency of recent natural disasters to the significant warming of the Arctic. Meanwhile, businessmen are exploring new profit-making avenues through the extraction of the region’s rich natural resources, along with the development of the Northern Sea Route. Military officials are spending time and resources estimating emerging threats to regional security, while seeking appropriate ways to prevent them. Politicians of both Arctic and non-Arctic states are eager to participate in its exploration, weighing the pros and cons of their further involvement in Arctic affairs, as well as the expected gains and losses from cooperation or confrontation with other states. Finally, the residents of the Far North humbly are hoping that the new international spotlight their home has acquired will not negatively impact their lives.
Russia, in particular, is fully engaged in Arctic affairs because of the tremendous frontier it shares with the Arctic, including the shelf of the Arctic Ocean—a long international border where much of Russia’s public research and exploratory ventures are invested. The country’s history is immeasurably marked by the unique experience of securing its northern borders, through which the Russian people have developed a keen sense of ice navigation, the construction and supply of northern settlements, their survival in the harsh conditions of the North, and preservation of historical and cultural heritage of aboriginal peoples. Today, all these issues still represent significant challenges for Russia, so a special government commission responsible for the social and economic development of the region, along with the protection of Russia national interests there, was recently established.
The latter task of this commission may become dominant as relations between Russia and the West of late have grown increasingly tense, and Moscow’s quest to defend its Arctic territory may overshadow economic interests. In absorbing the Russian media’s interpretation of this scenario, it clearly appears that public opinion is more inclined to protect national interests in the Arctic than to attract foreign partners to explore and develop it.
At the same time, it is important for Moscow to involve non-Arctic Asian states—China, South Korea, and Singapore—in the development of its Arctic territory, as they all show great interest in Russia’s natural resources in the region, as well as use of the Northern Sea Route. Many legal and geopolitical issues need to be solved before these new parties can fully participate. And though their engagement in the Arctic is still questionable, they may have a large and positive effect.
However, since most Arctic issues are of global importance, the region warrants special attention in Russia and beyond. Its natural and climatic conditions immeasurably hinder individuals’ abilities to exploit its hardly accessible resources. These circumstances offer some incentives for seeking cooperation concerning financial, technological, scientific, and organizational resources. That said, Cold War winds routinely blow through it, and media outlets raise tensions by predicting various disputes over the North Pole’s territories and resources.
The future of the region largely depends on what issues the Arctic states—particularly Russia, U.S., Canada, and Norway—will emphasize. It will also depend on which approach they consider more pertinent: the need for international cooperation, the pursuance of national interests, or understanding of the indivisibility of our planet’s future. In any case, the success or failure of cooperation in the Arctic is the litmus test that will reveal the extent to which world powers are able and prone to negotiate.
Even outside of Arctic state interests, the Arctic is currently experiencing a transformation that forces the global community to pay closer attention to the region and seek avenues of international cooperation. Climatic and environmental changes impact the entire world. Businesses that are dependent on resource extraction from the Arctic may be involved in transport and infrastructure projects, such as the development of the Northern Sea Route and its infrastructure. The Arctic also experiences regular geopolitical and security challenges, such as the discrepancy of the Arctic states’ individual political interests and the desire of non-Arctic states to fit into the regional architecture. All are quite enough to confirm that the atmosphere in this region literally and figuratively influences our future.
Yet in the process of balancing these global concerns, we must also not forget that at stake is the very preservation of traditional cultures of the Arctic’s indigenous population. The Institute of History, Archaeology, and Ethnology of the Peoples of the Far East has done its part in researching the history, culture, and social conditions of aboriginal peoples of the Russian Far East for decades. It is also currently developing a research project devoted to the interests and policies of Asian Pacific states in the Arctic. In this area, international cooperation is on the way and necessary, as Vladivostok is far from the Arctic, but represents a gateway from East Asia to the region.
Victor Larin is Director of the Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnology of the Peoples of the Far East at the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok.
[Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons]
Ribeiro’s New Social Sculpture
IS Recruits Brides to Solve “Marriage Crisis”
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Disney’s Star Wars Land Cantina Looks and Sounds Insane
Every new announcement about Disneyland and Walt Disney World’s new land dedicated to Star Wars (officially known as “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge”) is crazier than the last. There’s going to be a Millennium Falcon ride, and you pilot the Falcon. How you perform on this ride will supposedly affect the interactions you have with the other characters in the Land. And Florida’s version will also include an immersive hotel that convinces you you’re actually in outer space. It goes on and on.
Among the most essential elements of Star Wars, at least in the minds of fans who might want to experience the films for themselves, is the Mos Eisley Cantina, the seedy alien-filled bar where Luke and Obi-Wan first meet Han Solo and Chewbacca. Galaxy’s Edge is supposedly set on a planet called Batuu in a location called Black Spire Outpost, but it will have a cantina of its own designed to evoke the one in the movie. It is named after its proprietor, an “intriguing alien” named Oga Garra. Disney Parks Blog has more details about what it’s going to look and feel like:
Oga’s Cantina is the kind of establishment that attracts some of the most interesting and disreputable characters in the galaxy. And you never know when a stormtrooper or a familiar face will show up. Patrons of the cantina come from across the galaxy to sample the famous concoctions created with exotic ingredients using “otherworldly” methods, served in unique vessels. With choices for kids and libations for adults, the cantina will make for a great stop! Musical entertainment is provided courtesy of RX-24, the former StarSpeeder 3000 pilot droid we first met in Star Tours, who has re-envisioned himself as the cantina’s DJ. As quirky and talkative as ever, he’s still trying to do his best on the job.
For those reading who are socially well-adjusted people with sane, rational lives, RX-24 was the animatronic robot who served as the pilot on the original version of Star Tours. (On the current iteration of the ride, your spaceship is piloted by C-3PO.) Here’s the video RX-24 in action on the old Star Tours.
Waste not want not on those old animatronic robots, I suppose.
Really everything about this Star Wars Land sands too nutty to be true. How immersive can it be with thousands of sweaty tourists shoulder to shoulder? I hope they find a way to pull this off. It sounds pretty ambitious.
Gallery - Amazing Movie-Inspired Theme Park Rides That Were Never Made
More Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge News
Source: Disney’s Star Wars Land Cantina Looks and Sounds Insane
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The State Folklorist’s Notebook: “Only limited by the size of the tree and your imagination”: Charles Steven Adams of Martinsburg
Posted by West Virginia Folklife Program on December 1, 2017 December 1, 2017
The State Folklorist’s Notebook is a regular column written by state folklorist Emily Hilliard for Goldenseal Magazine. This article appears in the Winter 2017 issue.
Charles Steven (“Steve”) Adams spent almost 40 years as a social worker dealing, as he says, “with people and their problems.” When he was in his mid-50s and nearing retirement, Steve started carving wooden bowls—now his primary pursuit.
“It’s kind of nice to make something that’s tangible,” he says, “after having worked for 36 years with intangibles. It’s nice to be able to pass on pieces of your work to friends and relatives and also make part of a living from it.”
In 1995, Steve ordered a small hand adze from a tool catalog and made his first hand-hewn wooden bowls, inspired by Tennessee wood carver Rip Mann: “I watched him for several years—used to make fun of him behind his back, saying, ‘Anybody can put a hole in a piece of wood and call it a bowl!’ But after I started making a few, I realized there’s a bit more to it than that.”
And indeed there is. Steve’s bowls generally begin with him felling a cherry, walnut, or maple tree or harvesting the wood from a downed log. With a trailer, winch, and another pair of hands (his son and wife, Jan, often help), he loads the logs and hauls them to a local sawyer who cuts the wood into eight-foot slabs of whatever thickness the tree will allow. The bowl carving itself requires only two tools—a hand adze and a scorer—along with sandpaper to smooth the lip.
Steve enjoys the simplicity of the craft, and he speaks of it almost as if it’s a meditative practice: “It teaches you patience because the wood will only allow you to go to certain extremes,” he comments. “It allows you to think about other things while your hand’s busy. . . . That’s the nice thing about making bowls—you’re basically only limited by the size of the tree and your imagination.”
He makes two types of bowls—a form bowl, with a defined shape, and a freestyle bowl, which is more obviously a product of his imagination and creativity. He works with the imperfections and grain of the wood. Those eccentricities are what make each bowl a unique object, resonant of the individual tree and creation process.
“Sometimes, I’ll start one way, and the wood will disagree with me, and it ends up going the other way,” he says, laughing. “Oftentimes, with a form bowl, it ends up being freestyle if I get a crack. . . . Wood allows you a little bit of margin for error, and I need it!”
Steve’s adzes are custom-made by local metalworker Glen Horr, who operates out of his Berkeley Springs workshop. While the solitary aspect of wood carving is part of the draw, Steve also appreciates the community of craftspeople it connects him to. “Each one of these places I go to,” he notes, “are small businessmen working with wood in one capacity or another, and that’s important to me.”
Many of his customers comment that the bowls are too pretty to use, but Steve stresses that they’re intended to be daily kitchenware. In fact, using them regularly helps preserve them.
“I make quite a few dough bowls,” he says, “which is what people used to let their bread rise in. They did not crack because the oils from the butter kept [them] lubricated. They only cracked when people quit making bread and the dough bowls dried out. You’ll see a lot of dough bowls now that are cracked just simply because they haven’t been oiled.”
In early Colonial America, treenware—wooden tableware —was standard. While metal and pottery were too expensive for the masses, most colonists and early American settlers had axes and could create their own wooden bowls, plates, tankards, and utensils.
At 75, Steve says he is “at the tail end of my experience with wood.” But he hopes that his hand-hewn bowls will become heirlooms passed down by his family, friends, and customers. He also hosts workshops in his Martinsburg home so others may learn the craft and share their bowls with their own families.
Though Steve may see his woodworking as distinctly different from his career as a social worker, his craft connects him to a broader social network of the past, present, and future generations. He muses, “I love wood. I love the feel of it. I love the smell of it. I love the grain and the figuring, and I like the idea that I’m making something that possibly will go on after I’m dead.”
To find out more about Steve Adams’ work, visit charlesstevenadams.com.
carvingcraftfolklifefolkloreMartinsburgtreenwareWest Virginiawoodwriting
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Pub Station Ballroom
Kip Moore’s current Top 20 single “Last Shot” is the second taken from his revered third studio album SLOWHEART and follows his fourth No. One hit “More Girls Like You.” “SLOWHEART,” garnered instant praise from critics as Moore’s “most complete, cohesive declaration of his artistic sensibilities yet” (NPR,) as well landing on multiple “Best Of” lists including Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, UpRoxx, Bobby Bones Show, Taste Of Country, Sounds Like Nashville, The Boot, PopMatters and Whiskey Riff. SLOWHEART follows the acclaim that surrounded Moore’s sophomore album WILD ONES heralded as “an impressively singular release from Music Row” by The Guardian and his PLATINUM debut album UP ALL NIGHT that spawned three No. One hit singles, including GOLD certified “Beer Money,” PLATINUM certified “Hey Pretty Girl,” and the DOUBLE PLATINUM breakout hit “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck. For more information, visit kipmoore.net.
2502 1st Ave. N
http://www.thepubstation.com/
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Tag Archives: Drug Abuse
Spice is Not a Natural “Herbal High”
05.02.2013 Michael Drug AbusemarijuanaSpice
The term “Spice” is drug slang for a class of herbal concoctions that have gained a reputation as a safe and way to get high. Sold as incense or potpourri in convenience stores, head shops and over the Internet, Spice consists of a mixture of dried plant leaves and stems that have been soaked in synthetic chemicals. When smoked, Spice produces psychoactive (mind-altering) effects that have been compared by some to marijuana.
Many Spice products carry labels saying “not for human consumption.” Despite these labels, Spice is marketed as a natural “herbal high.” It has been sold since 2004 under a variety of names, including K2, Genie, Incense and Bliss.
Spirituality Linked to Drug Abuse and Other Mental Health Issues
28.01.2013 Michael Drug AbuseEating Disorders
People who describe themselves as “spiritual” but who aren’t members of an organized religion are more likely to suffer from a variety of mental problems, including eating disorders, drug abuse, depression, anxiety and phobias. This was the finding of a recent study conducted by researchers at University College London.
The study used survey data from more than 7,400 randomly selected adults. Study participants were asked about their spiritual beliefs and religious habits as well as their mental state. About 35% of those surveyed were self-described members of an organized religion and said they attended services at a church, synagogue or mosque. Nearly 20% of participants said they were spiritual but had no religious affiliation. The remaining survey members, about 45%, claimed to be neither spiritual nor religious.
Professional Boxers and Drug Abuse
26.01.2013 Michael cocaineDrug Abuse
Years of substance abuse appear to have led to the death of former world champion boxer Hector Camacho in a drug-related drive by shooting. In November of 2012, former world champion boxer Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho, died tragically after he was shot in the head while sitting in a parked car. According to the New York Times, several bags of
Oscar cocaine were found in pockets of a friend of Camacho’s who was with him in the car and also killed.
Drug Abuse Increasing in Orange County California
10.08.2012 Michael Drug Abuseorange countyorange curtainprescription opiates
Prescription drug abuse among teens has been growing in Orange County, California. Considered an epidemic by the authorities, research has shown that 1 in every 10 seniors in high school have claimed they have taken Vicodin without having a prescription. Authorities have said that teens do not expect any consequences and they don’t think about the fact that something bad could happen to them such as death. Many families have been through the death of a teen from the abuse of prescription drugs. Traffic fatalities are now outnumbered by the deaths caused by overdoses on prescription drugs. Once teens are addicted they usually go on to other drugs such as heroin which has the same effect as OxyContin but at a lower price.
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J. L. Nanda Vs. Smt. Veena Nanda [1987] INSC 376 (11 December 1987)
OZA, G.L. (J) OZA, G.L. (J) MISRA RANGNATH CITATION: 1988 AIR 407 1988 SCR (2) 348 1988 SCC Supl. 112 JT 1987 (4) 619 1987 SCALE (2)1246
Plea for divorce by husband on grounds of cruelty and desertion by wife.
% The appellant and the respondent, husband and wife, were married under the Hindu Customs in February, 1961.
Disagreement and disharmony between the two ensued from the very beginning after the marriage. The parties by and large lived together till February, 1971, and separately ever since thereafter except for a short period in 1975. The respondent-wife, as alleged by the appellant, did not like to live in the joint family and always created ugly scenes by quarrels, etc. The appellant was forced to live separately from the joint family, but even then, according to him, the conduct of the wife continued to be the same bad. The appellant alleged that he suffered a nervous breakdown because of her behaviour and had to be hospitalised. He, therefore, filed a petition for a decree of divorce on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. The trial Court granted the divorce. On appeal by the respondent, the High Court reversed the decision of the trial Court and dismissed the petition for divorce. A Letters Patent Appeal by the appellant was dismissed by the High Court. The appellant appealed to this Court for relief by special leave.
Dismissing the appeal, the Court, ^
HELD: It could not be held that the respondent was behaving with the appellant in a manner which could be termed as cruelty, which entitled the appellant to get a decree of divorce. Sometimes, the temperament of the parties may not be conducive to each other, resulting in petty quarrels, but it could not be held on the basis of any material that the ailment of the appellant was the direct result of the respondent's conduct. The High Court was right in coming to the conclusion that there was no material to prove that the respondent treated the appellant with such a cruelty as would entitle the appellant to a decree of divorce. The judgment of the High Court maintained. [350G-H; 351A-B]
Civil Appellate Jurisdiction: Civil Appeal No. 3946 of 1987.
349 From the Judgment and Order dated 22.7.1983 of the High Court of Delhi in L.P.A. No. 141 of 1982 (M).
P.N. Misra for the Appellant. Krishan Kumar and Vimal Dave for the Respondent.
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by OZA, J. Leave granted.
This appeal arises out of SLP(Civil) No. 14149/83 filed by the petitioner husband against the judgment of High Court of Delhi in Letters Patent Appeal No. 141/82 decided on 22.7.83. The present appellant husband filed a petition in the trial court for decree of divorce on the ground of cruelty and desertion. The trial court granted the decree of divorce but on appeal by the respondent wife learned Single Judge of High Court of Delhi reversed the decision and dismissed the petition filed by the appellant husband. It is against this that a Letters Patent Appeal under clause 10 of the Letters Patent was filed before the High Court wherein it was heard by a Division Bench of the High Court and the appeal filed by the appellant was dismissed. It is against this that the present special leave petition was filed.
Considering the circumstances of the case and the age of the parties we issued notice and also directed the parties to appear before us in chambers and in spite of our best efforts it is unfortunate that no reconciliation was possible.
It is one of those unfortunate cases where the husband and wife are of mature age not only that but they have a grown-up son who is maturing into a lawyer as he is studying in law and unfortunately even these circumstances were not able to bring about an amicable settlement in the matter.
The parties to these proceedings were married at Delhi in accordance with the Hindu customs on February 7, 1961. It seems that there was disagreement and disharmony from the very beginning. A male child, however, was born out of this wedlock on August 30, 1964. The parties by and large lived together till February 1971. They have lived separately ever since except for a short duration in the middle of 1975 when they were together. The main allegation of the appellant was that from the very beginning the respondent wife did not like to 350 live in the joint family and she used to behave in a peculiar manner A always created ugly scenes, indulged in quarrels and taunting and ultimately forced the appellant to shift to a government allotted quarter and live separately away from other members of the family but according to him even then her behaviour continued to be the same and it was also alleged that because of her behaviour ultimately the appellant suffered a nervous break down and had to be admitted in the Willingdon Hospital New Delhi for about 45 days.
The Division Bench of the High Court came to the conclusion that from perusal of all the facts alleged it appears that there may have been a few incidents prior to the birth of the child on August 30, 1964 but after that there was no such incident pleaded or proved till 1966 except for the allegation that the wife got the pregnancy terminated sometime in 1966 against the wishes of the appellant and on this basis the learned Judges of the Division Bench came to the conclusion that the early part before August 1964 probably was a period of inexperience and lack of adjustment between the husband and wife but ultimately after the birth of the son in 1964 there appears to be nothing serious and in this view of the matter the learned Judges came to the conclusion that between 1963 and 1968 there appears to be no incident or problem which really deserves consideration. A small matter about her describing herself Mrs. Veena Vohra instead of Mrs. Veena Nanda the learned Judges have considered and have accepted the explanation of the wife as plausible. The learned Judges of the Division Bench have considered all the circumstances and have also referred to the correspondence and the letters wherein regrets have been expressed in some matters by the respondent. Considering all these facts, the Division Bench came to the conclusion that although it is unfortunate that they have not been keeping good relations but it could not be said to be a case of cruelty entitling the appellant to a decree for divorce.
Having heard learned counsel for the parties and also having heard the parties themselves we come to the same conclusion as was reached by the learned Judges of the Division Bench of the High Court while disposing of the appeal filed by the appellant against the judgment of the learned Single Judge. It is no doubt an unfortunate state of affairs but it could not be held that the respondent was behaving with the appellant in a manner which could be termed as cruelty which would entitle the appellant to a decree for divorce. Sometimes the temperament of the parties may not be conducive to each other which may result in petty quarrels and troubles although it was contended by the appellant that he had to suffer various ailments on account of this kind 351 of behaviour meted out to him by the wife but it could not be held on A the basis of any material that ailment of the appellant was the direct result of her (respondent's) conduct. The Division Bench therefore was right in coming to the conclusion that there is no material to come to the conclusion that the respondent treated the appellant with such cruelty as would entitle him to a decree for divorce.
In view of the facts and circumstances, therefore, the appeal is devoid of merit. It is therefore dismissed. The judgment of the High Court of Delhi is maintained. In the circumstances of the case respondent shall be entitled to costs of this appeal. The counsel's fee is quantified at Rs.3,000.
S.L. Appeal dismissed.
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