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Depeche Mode come to theOlympiastadion Berlin
Depeche Mode come to the Olympiastadion Berlin
In summer 2017, Depeche Mode come to the Olympiastadion Berlin as they go on their “Global Spirit Tour”. Four years after their last performance in Berlin, Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher are stopping by at the Olympiastadion Berlin on June 22nd.
On the first stage of the Global Spirit Tour, Depeche Mode will play in front of more than 1.5 million fans in 32 cities and 21 countries throughout Europe. The concert tour includes legendary open air arenas such as the Stade de France in Paris, San Siro in Milan and the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
The general and vip tickets go on sale on Monday, 10.17.2016, 10:00 am
Click here to get to the Event & VIP-Offer
ISTAF 2016: Track and field stars on the fastest track of the world
On the occasion of the 75th ISTAF, elite athletes from all over the world met in the Olympiastadion Berlin.
Winter is coming:shorter opening hours from november
From November to March, our visitor center opens from 10AM to 4PM unless there are other events happening at the time.
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The Open Hypertension Journal
V. G. Athyros
Aristotle University
Biography of V. G. Athyros
Dr. Athyros obtained his medical diploma (MD) from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and a doctorate (Ph.D.) in Internal Medicine from the Democretian University of Thrace, Greece. Currently Dr. Reitz is a Professor in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He has published more than 464 scientific publications and has more than 12,000 citations. Dr. Athyros is Editor-in-Chief in one Medical Journal, Associate editor in another Journal and Section Editor, Quest Editor, and member of the Editorial Board of several Journals.
Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
Total Views/Downloads: 80,690
Full-Text HTML Views: 4,569
Abstract HTML Views: 6,999
PDF Downloads: 3,662
Hypertension and its Relation with Waist to Hip Ratio in Women Referred to Bojnurd Urban Health Centers in 2014
The Open Hypertension Journal is an Open Access online journal, which publishes research articles, reviews, letters, case reports and guest-edited single topic issues in all areas of hypertension research. Bentham Open ensures speedy peer review process and accepted papers are published within 2 weeks of final acceptance.
The Open Hypertension Journal is committed to ensuring high quality of research published. We believe that a dedicated and committed team of editors and reviewers make it possible to ensure the quality of the research papers. The overall standing of a journal is in a way, reflective of the quality of its Editor(s) and Editorial Board and its members.
The Open Hypertension Journal is seeking energetic and qualified researchers to join its editorial board team as Editorial Board Members or reviewers.
The essential criteria to become Editorial Board Members of The Open Hypertension Journal are as follows:
Experience in hypertension research with an academic degree.
At least 20 publication records of articles and /or books related to the field of hypertension research or in a specific research field.
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← Hang Vs Fold to Take the Best Care of Clothes
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Most Influential Films of All Time
Posted on October 8, 2015 by atravelerswebsite
The film industry is one of the many ways that humanity has sought to immortalize its ideas. Story after story goes from page to screen every year. Most of them get forgotten before the next summer rolls around and fail to make any lasting mark. This isn’t true of all films though. Some of them appear and make a mark that ensures they keep being watched decades later. These are the ones with lasting influence that tease the minds of generations as they find their own meaning in the images flickering across the screen or simply renew a universal understanding or fear. There are a lot of ways to rank the most influential films and it has to pick from just one. OROGOLD has simply taken a simply of some of the movies universally agreed to be true landmarks in film.
The transition from black and white to color is one of the highlights of film, and no film really captured the sense of wonder quite like “The Wizard of Oz”. It’s famous transition from the drab normal world to the technicolor dream world of Oz remains embedded in the cultural memory even long after color film has lost its novelty. The story itself is simple, but compelling enough to keep the attention of people of all ages. Dorothy and her friends travel across the strange lands of Oz trying to find what they need the most as people. The storybook feeling contributes to the sense of timelessness that keeps the film being played on television even now. Special effects may have come a long way since the movie first came out in 1939, but this film helped pave the way.
Stanley Kubrick is a name well known to film enthusiasts for a good reason. His eclectic yet perfectionist style for film created films most consider modern masterpieces. Dr. Strangelove (1964) is his ode to the surreal and unnerving absurdity of the Cold War. In a desperate bid to figure out how to stop the end of the world, top men gather in a secret in the United States to discuss the actions of a rogue general that could very well result in nuclear armageddon. The black comedy twists and turns as Kubrick and his viewers try to come to grips with the strange yet then familiar absurdity of living in a world where any moment could be the end. Some aspects of the movie are considered to be incredibly funny, but Kubrick never truly eases up his message on how truly wrong the world of the film is and the world he was living in was.
Animation is an art that waxes and wanes in its popularity. Disney typically restores interest in traditional animation whenever it starts to get low. This 1988 film was one such occurrence. Based on the novel “Who Censored Roger Rabbit?”, the film takes viewers on a wild ride through a world where humans and cartoon characters live side by side in Hollywood. It differs a great deal from its literary source, but the film is actually more beloved than its predecessor. It circles around a private eye, Eddie Valiant, doing his best to unravel a conspiracy blaming Roger Rabbit, an anthropomorphic cartoon rabbit, for the murder of Toon Town’s primary benefactor. They stake keep getting higher as a mysterious man known as Judge Doom takes over pursuing Roger with intent to be both the jury and the executioner as well.
What makes a lasting film is hard to say. Live action and animated films are each found among the most influential films in the world. Something in them speaks to people and calls out to something that is timeless. As a result, people continue to watch films to laugh and cry along with the characters. OROGOLD recommends seeing each of these films and looking at other lists for influential films. Each genre practically deserves its own list. Think of it as a way to while away the increasingly long fall nights and enjoy quiet, warm evenings at home.
Posted in Life Style | Tagged Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Entertainment, Hollywood, Influential Films, Influential Movies, Most Influential Films, Most Influential Films of All Time, Most Influential Movies, Movies, Oro Gold, orogold, OROGOLD cosmetics, OROGOLD Reviews, The Wizard of Oz, Who Framed Roger Rabbit
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Tag Archives: Orson Welles
Top US Films of All Time
Posted on February 2, 2016 by medijum0
America may have released a staggering amount of movies throughout history, but only a small number of these films have staying power, and continue to be watched and talked about to this day. From classic dramas to crime thrillers, these are some of the top US films of all time.
Citizen Kane (1941)
Written, directed and produced by Orson Welles, Citizen Kane is considered by many critics to be the greatest film ever to be made. Welles was given a huge amount of creative freedom with this movie, and its success is perhaps due to the fact that so much of it came from such an artistic genius. With a number of incredible performances, as well as creative cinematography and narrative structure, Citizen Kane is considered to be extremely innovative and ahead of its time. The movie features Welles playing the role of Charles Foster Kane, with the movie depicting his life in the publishing world, as well as his subsequent pursuit of power. Although the film was not a commercial success at the box office, largely due to its delayed release and limited distribution, it received unanimous praise from critics and special editions are still being released today.
Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com
Unlike Citizen Kane, The Godfather was the box office leader for the year that it was released, and is regarded by many to be one of the greatest films in world cinema. The film stars Al Pacino and Marlon Brando as the leaders of the fictional New York Corleone crime family, and every role in the movie has been so perfectly cast that you simply cannot imagine anybody else playing those characters. The movie resonates with many due to the way in which it focuses on immigrant life, bringing the gangster theme into it in an extremely clever way. The cinematography is also widely revered, as is the overall moral message that the movie conveys.
Casablanca, an American romantic melodrama, finds its way onto so many different top ten film lists, and while it may not have done spectacularly well when first released, it earned its reputation over time. The movie stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and, set during the second world war, depicts a love triangle in which both men are vying for the love of the same woman. While the film may focus on something quite inconsequential when compared to the war going on in the background, it is full of loaded political messages that give viewers a fantastic insight into the military situation at that time. The dialogue boasts several memorable lines, and the musical score is full of suspense, adding a rich element to the film. Whether you enjoy a romantic movie plot or not, Casablanca’s charm is sure to steal your heart.
Not only are these movies the top US films of all time, but they are also considered to be some of the greatest films in the world. Each of these movies have had a huge impact on its viewers, and, with such strong staying power, they are likely to continue having an influence on generations to come.
Posted in Life Style Tagged Al Pacino, Awards, Box Office, Casablanca, Charles Foster Kane, Cinematography, Citizen Kane, Corleone, Crime, Drama, Entertainment, Film Critics, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Innovative, Marlon Brando, Movies, Oro Gold, orogold, OROGOLD cosmetics, Orson Welles, Paul Henreid, Politics, Power, Publishing, Romance, The Godfather, Top US Films of All Time, World War II
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Preet writes on the importance of co-operatives
To build a more equal world, we need a renewed emphasis on co-operative development
We know that co-operatives can help to deliver a fairer global economy, which is why under the next Labour government, DfID will make place a new emphasis on developing and supporting co-operative enterprises around the world.
In the very busy year since 2017 General Election I have become a Shadow Minister within the Shadow International Development team.
It is an important area of Government policy with the potential to positively affect the lives of millions around the world. Within this role I have been pressing the Government on the use of DfID funding of ‘for profit’ education, displacement within Bangladesh and DRC and the Rohingya crisis.
In contrast to the current Government’s International Development’s agenda, the publication of the Labour Party’s Green Paper, A world for the many not the few offers a genuinely radical new approach to International Development which will help ensure that this country holds a progressive, outward-looking, global view, driven by social justice and human rights.
Our Green Paper outlines our vision which seeks to serve the twin goals of reducing poverty and inequality. Labour will deliver on five key and connected priorities:
A fairer global economy
A global movement for public services
A feminist approach to development
Building peace and preventing conflict
Action for climate justice and ecology
The World Inequality Report 2018 said that ‘economic inequality is largely driven by unequal ownership of capital’. Our policy is clear that co-operative development is one way to disperse economic ownership.
It is therefore particularly disappointing that even the word ‘co-operative’ does not exist within the Department’s last annual report, nor in their Economic Development strategy.
In contrast I look forward to promoting our policy, which places new emphasis on DfID’s role in co-operative development as an important tool to deliver our key priority of developing a fairer global economy.
Our vision is also clear that we wholeheartedly back the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a progressive route to building a fairer world. Therefore it is fantastic to see that co-operatives worldwide are playing an important role in supporting and delivering upon these goals.
As the International Co-operative Alliance has outlined, co-operatives by their very nature play a triple role:
As economic actors they create opportunities for jobs, livelihoods and income generation.
As people-centered enterprises with social goals they contribute to social equity and justice.
As democratic institutions, they are controlled by their members, playing a leading role in society and local communities.
It is clear that co-operatives and co-operation are important tools for us in delivering a world for the many and not the few and I look forward to continuing to play my role in their promotion.’
You can read Preet's original article here.
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New Genus of Collembola Named After College and Alumna
Artist rendition of probable appearance of Grinnellia ventis in life
A Grinnell College biology professor has discovered a new genus of an extinct branch of the Collembola, a group of small arthropods partly responsible for the nutritious soil farmers enjoy.
The genus, located in amber discovered in Myanmar (Burma), is a relative of the more than 4,000 species of Collembola, also called springtails, found throughout the world today.
“The Collembola is a group often ignored and mostly misunderstood,” said Ken Christiansen, professor emeritus of biology at Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, and a leading researcher of Collembola worldwide. “I feel certain that if Collembola were the size of cats there would be whole zoos devoted to them because they are so weird and varied. They are among the most numerous arthropods on earth’s surface, with as many as a trillion in an acre of soil.”
Christiansen and co-researcher Paul Nascimbene, associated with the American Museum of Natural History, New York, made the discovery of the extinct Collembola through painstaking analysis of amber samples dating from the mid-Cretaceous period, about 95 million years ago.
Tomocerus longicornis found in Europe
Recently published in the journal Cretaceous Research, the discovery puts Grinnell College and undergraduate research on the research map in a unique way. The new genus was named the Grinnellia ventis after Grinnell College, which supported this and much other research on Collembola, and a former student who assisted in the research, Summer Ventis, a 2002 Grinnell College graduate.
According to Christiansen, naming a new genus after an institution is fairly unusual, while naming a new discovery after a student is a more common practice among researchers.
“I feel very honored to have a species named after me,” said Ventis. “I think that the descriptions … will shed new light on questions about mass extinctions and about the evolution of Collembola.”
Species of living Collembola can be found
• above 21,000 feet on Mount Everest, Nepal.
• living in volcanic vents along Hawaii’s Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano.
• near the north and south poles and on sunny, warm beaches.
• in dark and damp caves throughout the world.
• from the tops of the tallest trees to the deepest soil layers that support animal life.
And some species are almost exclusively inhabitants of ant or termite nests.
“If you were to examine one of the columns of army ants which sweep across the floors of South American rain forests, you would often find Collembola marching along with them,” Christiansen said. “And one of the most remarkable habits of termite-loving Collembola is that some … have been observed sitting on the head of soldier termites. Soldiers are unable to feed themselves and when the workers feed them, the Collembola steal a bit of the food.”
The Grinnellia ventis was found in amber discovered in Myanmar where the fauna is superficially similar to what was found in the American Midwest. The rich amber fauna was a lucky find, according to Christiansen—even though many Collembola live in trees, not many specimens are found in the fossilized tree sap.
Wingless arthropods with six legs, superficially similar to insects but not related, the Collembola includes the common snow flea, which are most conspicuous when large numbers emerge on snow on a warm winter day. In addition, “the black speck on the paper in your home is one of a number of household springtails which have become part of man’s arthropod entourage,” Christiansen said.
According to Christiansen, the fact that they are so small (most are less than three millimeters long) and are no problem for humans accounts for a lack of general knowledge of the species.
Collembola have been on the earth for a long time—the first fossil specimens are about 380 million years old (Devonian period).
“The important role they have in recycling organic debris in the soil and the probably even more important role in maintaining fungal and nematode concentrations favorable to plant growth is poorly studied,” Christiansen said.
Although there are a few examples of Collembola, specifically the Lucerne Flea, that are agricultural pests—primarily in Australia where they are a serious pest of alfalfa—overall they are a harmless creature.
“There are no parasitic springtails of any sort,” according to Christiansen. “The Chinese Communists in the 1950s tried to accuse the U.S. of using bugs dropped from airplanes to spread disease in China. The picture they used as an example was of a mass of Collembola. They chose a group that has never been shown to carry disease. It was the only time I ever saw a picture of Collembola in a newspaper.”
For more on the Collembola go to www.collembola.org/
Source: Grinnell College
Citation: New Genus of Collembola Named After College and Alumna (2006, July 31) retrieved 17 July 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2006-07-genus-collembola-college-alumna.html
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Postcards and Audio Letters
by Nick Mirov
Despite all the warning signs flung at me, I still feel cheated, somehow. As the title makes abundantly clear, Postcards ...
Despite all the warning signs flung at me, I still feel cheated, somehow. As the title makes abundantly clear, Postcards and Audio Letters is a collection of found recordings of conversations, salvaged from cassettes found at thrift stores and garage sales. Yes, it says "Damien Jurado" on the disc's spine, but he's credited only with "tape salvation and editing"; he doesn't sing or play on the album. In fact, there's no music on it at all. Instead, he's compiled 60 straight minutes of people talking.
To Jurado's credit, he has selected and arranged the recordings such that a vague theme of love and relationships immediately arises. There's Robert and Angel, the regretful ex-lovers living in different countries; the bickering grandparents rambling on about what they did for Christmas; the lovestruck Dawn and Phil and their mushy answering machine messages; and Jim and Sharon, a divorced couple arguing over the welfare of their child.
Sound like an interesting concept? Perhaps. Maybe the mere presence of Jurado, who's released two excellent albums of Nick Drake-like acoustic folk melancholy, is enough to keep your interest piqued. But would you really want to pay $10 or more for this? Think about it for a second: Postcards and Audio Letters is the type of peripheral art project that Jurado could just as easily have posted on his website in MP3 or even low-res RealAudio. With the Internet around, there's simply no reason (aside from the obvious financial one) to sell a disc of this material. It's not like the sound quality needs to be crystal clear, and besides, you aren't likely to listen to it more than twice, anyway.
I'm not comfortable making any judgments of the artistic merits of Postcards and Audio Letters; as far as I can tell, Jurado succeeded at what he set out to do with it. But in the end, all we're really doing is listening to other people's answering machine messages. Voyeurism is only worthwhile when the people you're eavesdropping on are saying something interesting. Yes, Damien, it is indeed real life, but there's a reason "Big Brother" sucks.
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The Fourth Pathway
Shari Kienzle owes her life to immunotherapy. She received genetically engineered white blood cells and fought through significant side effects for a month to earn eradication of her lymphatic cancer.
By Christine O'Toole
Shari Kienzle was running out of chances. In 2017, after a diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the most common form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in adults, the Canonsburg woman had failed to respond to three rounds of chemotherapy. When her doctors at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center offered an audacious new treatment that would transform her own blood cells to fight back, the 52-year-old liked her odds. “I was scared,” admits the mother of three. “But I agreed with my doctors. It gave me a chance.”
Hillman is among a select group of U.S. institutions to test new immunotherapy treatments in clinical trials. The breakthrough treatment presented to Kienzle had just become available in Pittsburgh: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR T-cell therapy) treatment programs the individual’s immune system to attack cancer, with astounding results. Early results showed 51% of treated patients experienced complete remission. Kienzle was willing to try to be one of them.
On April 2, 2018, Kienzle received her genetically engineered white blood cells. Over the next 30 days, her body fought hard, through severe side effects and four days in a coma. On May 2, a scan announced the result: Her tumors had vanished. “It’s a miracle,” she says.
Dr. Warren Shlomchik investigates the biology of transplanting blood stem cells from one person to another. These transplants are usually performed to treat blood cancers. Through his studies Dr. Shlomchik works to improve the safety and effectiveness of these therapies.
Pittsburgh’s groundbreaking work in immunology — the study of how the body’s immune system can be activated to fight invaders from within — has bettered the odds for patients like Kienzle.
Dr. Robert Ferris, director of Hillman Cancer Center, says the field is in a state of transformative discoveries. Moreover, in addition to surgery, radiation and chemo, immunotherapy is now “a fourth modality” for successfully treating tumors and blood cancers.
“Many diseases are joining the immunology club — including, recently, triple negative breast cancer,” he says. “We’re getting to [therapy] results that double positive response. Now the question is how to combine immunology with other therapies. We almost have to relearn oncology.” Hillman researchers have led the way. Among other breakthroughs, its labs have identified two of the world’s major cancer-causing viruses. Its clinicians are deploying CAR T-cell therapy. Integrating discoveries in genomics and drug development with immunology, researchers are taking giant steps toward realizing the dream of personalized medicine, the type of medical intervention in which treatment is customized for an individual patient.
The weapons are huge. But the local donations that make them possible are large and small. Take the fund created at The Pittsburgh Foundation in 1964 by Portia Hosler, an Alcoa secretary from Avalon who endowed a fund with $36,000 in 1995 to study pancreatic cancer, among other causes. Or physician Rose Neumann, who honored her parents with the creation of the $18,000 Marchand Fund in 1964. Or Robert Kohman, whose gift of $14.5 million in 2003 funds cancer research as well as assistance for patients. A decade ago, the Foundation decided to combine six such funds for early sustained support of experimental research at Hillman.
“Immunology and personalized medicine were the direction that our Board’s subcommittee, which includes physicians, recommended,” says Jeanne Pearlman, senior vice president for Program and Policy. “As a foundation, we’re interested in being the early money in a project.” The Foundation’s decision to endow research chairs for new fields’ luminaries has backed researcher’s drive to achieve life-saving breakthroughs, like Kienzle’s.
The local support also buoys Hillman’s international reputation. The group headed by Dr. Patrick Moore, a Hillman virologist who holds one of the endowed chairs, has discovered two of the seven viruses that cause 20% of all cancers. “Together with our other faculty, we have the most expertise in cancer virology,” he says. “We’re definitely a leading center in the world.”
Dr. Ferris agrees. “Pittsburgh has punched above its weight,” he says. “We have vision and tremendous community support.”
Even though Pitt is among the top five U.S. institutions receiving NIH funding, “there’s tremendous competition,” Dr. Ferris says. Focused on immediate applications, the National Institutes of Health can’t fund highly experimental work. “We’ve made an intentional effort to provide discretionary funding that scientists can use to follow their instincts. That realization came eight or 10 years ago. Then we found The Pittsburgh Foundation — a great partner that gives us more bang for the buck. It’s a great marriage.”
Since 2012, The Pittsburgh Foundation has endowed four research chairs at Hillman, including Moore’s. Dr. Adrian Lee, director of the Pitt/UPMC Institute for Precision Medicine, holds the chair in personalized medicine. Dr. Warren Shlomchik examines the events that lead to graft-versus-host disease following stem cell transplant in patients with leukemia and related blood cancers. He is the designate for the chair in cancer immunotherapy. In 2018, Hillman welcomed famed cancer virologist Dr. Shou-Jiang Gao, who holds the Foundation’s endowed chair in drug development for immunotherapy.
Hillman is currently recruiting a scientist for a fifth Foundation-endowed chair: Personalized Cancer Therapy Investigator for Innovation and Approach, and Environment.
“Personalized medicine is where the action is,” says Dr. Stanley Marks, chairman of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. But he acknowledges the challenges ahead. “It’s one thing to identify a genetic mutation. It’s another to identify a drug that will work on it. There are certainly thousands of targets, but we've narrowed them down. Our goal is to make cancer a manageable disease people can live with.”
Shari Kienzle has returned to her job as human relations director of a tech recruiting firm headquartered at North Side’s Nova Place. She is living joyfully in remission from her disease and sharing her story with other lymphoma patients. “My motto is: ‘Thank God for today.’ I live every day to the fullest that I can.”
Original story appeared in the Forum Quarterly Spring 2019.
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Havel, Kafka and Us
Faster, Please!
By Michael Ledeen 2011-12-21T22:22:14
A friend sent me this Czech tv video on the mourning march to the St Vitus Cathedral in the Prague Castle. I can't watch it without tearing up. It's entirely worthy of the great Czech poet, playwright, and revolutionary hero.
The leaders of the free world -- not, however, the president of the United States, who is sending the Clintons to the funeral on Friday -- will pay him homage, as they should. Havel was a marvelous leader and a rare man who remained true to his admirable principles without puffing himself up or delivering moralistic sermons. He was well aware of his foibles and sins, and yet he worked miracles. This season, in which so many religious people celebrate miracles, is the right time to reflect on his life.
He wasn't lucky in his choice of birthplace: Czechoslovakia, 1935, and the Nazis would soon arrive. He came from a good family (dad was a restaurateur), but that made things harder for the Havels once the Communists took over after the war. Given his "bourgeois" background, Havel was kept out of prestigious university programs, and he did manual labor for a while. He fought Communism all his life, got thrown into jail for four years, and when he came out the regime offered him the chance to emigrate to the West. He laughed at them, went on to lead Charter 77 and then the whole country.
So he came from the wrong sort of family, didn't have the credentials to ensure literary or intellectual success, and was singled out for punishment and repression by a very nasty regime. Yet he was one of a handful of people who changed the world by fighting totalitarian Communism and then, having defeated it, inspired his people to rejoin the Western world, embrace capitalism, and support democratic dissidents everywhere.
Did I mention that he loved music? Both rock and jazz, because he recognized their subversive power. He loved Frank Zappa, and made him the Czech "cultural ambassador." When Bill Clinton visited Prague in the mid-nineties, Havel took him to a seedy nightclub, where the American president played sax with the locals (and his wife, Dagmar, visited the club on a walking tour of the city shortly after Havel's death).
https://pjmedia.com/michaelledeen/2011/12/22/havel/
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You are here: Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Business Papers > Public Bills before Parliament > Bill home page
Investigatory Powers Bill (HC Bill 143)
SCHEDULE 3 continued
Contents page 90-99 100-108 110-125 126-129 130-139 140-149 150-165 166-169 170-189 191-199 200-209 210-219 220-229 230-239 240-242 Last page
Investigatory Powers BillPage 200
(i) the Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland, or
(ii) any Sentence Review Commissioners appointed under
section 1 of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, or
(b) any proceedings arising out of such proceedings.
(2) 5But sub-paragraph (1) does not permit the disclosure of anything to—
(a) any person, other than the Secretary of State, who is or was a party
to the proceedings, or
(b) any person who—
(i) represents such a person for the purposes of the proceedings,
10and
(ii) does so otherwise than by virtue of appointment as a special
advocate.
Employment or industrial tribunal proceedings
14 (1) Section 48(1) does not apply in relation to any proceedings before an
15employment tribunal where the applicant, or the applicant’s
representatives, are excluded for all or part of the proceedings pursuant to—
(a) a direction to the tribunal by virtue of section 10(5)(b) or (c) of the
Employment Tribunals Act 1996 (exclusion from Crown
employment proceedings by direction of Minister in interests of
20national security), or
(b) a determination of the tribunal by virtue of section 10(6) of that Act
(determination by tribunal in interests of national security).
(2) Section 48(1) does not apply in relation to any proceedings before an
industrial tribunal in Northern Ireland where the applicant, or the
25applicant’s representatives, are excluded for all or part of the proceedings
pursuant to—
(a) a direction to the tribunal by virtue of Article 12(5)(b) or (c) of the
Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1921S.I. 1996/1921
(N.I. 18)) (exclusion from Crown employment proceedings by
30direction of Minister in interests of national security), or
(b) a determination of the tribunal by virtue of Article 12(6) of that Order
(3) Section 48(1) does not apply in relation to any proceedings arising out of
proceedings within sub-paragraph (1) or (2).
15 35But paragraph 14 does not permit the disclosure of anything to—
(a) the person who is or was the applicant in the proceedings before the
employment or industrial tribunal, or
(i) represents that person for the purposes of any proceedings
40within paragraph 14, and
Proceedings relating to dismissal for certain offences
16 Section 48(1) does not prohibit anything done in, for the purposes of, or in
45connection with, so much of any legal proceedings as relates to the fairness
or unfairness of a dismissal on the following grounds—
(a) any conduct constituting an offence under section 2(1), 36(7) or 51;
(b) any conduct taking place before the coming into force of this
paragraph and constituting—
(i) an offence under section 1(1) or (2), 11(7) or 19 of the
5Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, or
(ii) an offence under section 1 of the Interception of
Communications Act 1985.
Proceedings on appeals relating to claims of discrimination in Northern Ireland
17 (1) Section 48(1) does not apply in relation to any proceedings on an appeal
10under Article 80(2) of the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern
Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/3162 (N.I. 21)S.I. 1998/3162 (N.I. 21)) where—
(a) the appeal relates to a claim of discrimination in contravention of
Part 3 of that Order (employment cases) and to a certificate of the
Secretary of State that the act concerned was justified for the purpose
15of safeguarding national security, and
(b) a party to the appeal, or the party’s representatives, are excluded for
all or part of the proceedings by virtue of section 91(4)(b) of the
Northern Ireland Act 1998.
20proceedings within sub-paragraph (1).
18 But paragraph 17 does not permit the disclosure of anything to—
(a) any person who is or was excluded from all or part of the
proceedings mentioned in paragraph 17(1), or
(i) 25represents such a person for the purposes of any proceedings
within paragraph 17, and
Civil proceedings for enforcement of duty to assist with implementation of warrants
19 30Section 48(1) does not apply in relation to any civil proceedings under
section 36(8) of this Act or section 11(8) of the Regulation of Investigatory
Powers Act 2000 (enforcement of duty of operators to assist with
implementation of warrants).
Proceedings for certain offences
20 (1) 35Section 48(1) does not apply in relation to any proceedings for a relevant
offence.
(2) “Relevant offence” means—
(a) an offence under any provision of this Act;
(b) an offence under section 1 of the Interception of Communications
40Act 1985;
(c) an offence under any provision of the Regulation of Investigatory
Powers Act 2000;
(d) an offence under section 47 or 48 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act
(e) 45an offence under section 83 or 84 of the Postal Services Act 2000;
(f) an offence under section 4 of the Official Secrets Act 1989 relating to
any such information, document or article as is mentioned in
subsection (3)(a) or (c) of that section;
(g) an offence under section 1 or 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 relating
5to any sketch, plan, model, article, note, document or information
(i) incorporates, or relates to, the content of any intercepted
communication or any secondary data obtained from a
communication, or
(ii) 10tends to suggest that any interception-related conduct has or
may have occurred or may be going to occur;
(h) an offence of perjury committed in the course of any relevant
proceedings;
(i) an offence of attempting or conspiring to commit an offence falling
15within any of paragraphs (a) to (h);
(j) an offence under Part 2 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 in relation to
an offence falling within any of those paragraphs;
(k) an offence of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the
commission of an offence falling within any of those paragraphs;
(l) 20contempt of court committed in the course of, or in relation to, any
relevant proceedings.
(3) In this paragraph—
“intercepted communication” and “interception-related conduct” have
the same meaning as in section 48;
25“relevant proceedings” means any proceedings mentioned in
paragraphs 4 to 19.
Disclosures to prosecutors and judges
21 (1) Nothing in section 48(1) prohibits—
(a) a disclosure to a person (“P”) conducting a criminal prosecution that
30is made for the purpose only of enabling P to determine what is
required of P by P’s duty to secure the fairness of the prosecution, or
(b) a disclosure to a relevant judge in a case in which the judge has
ordered the disclosure to be made to the judge alone.
(2) A relevant judge may order a disclosure under sub-paragraph (1)(b) only if
35the judge considers that the exceptional circumstances of the case make the
disclosure essential in the interests of justice.
(3) Where in any criminal proceedings—
(a) a relevant judge orders a disclosure under sub-paragraph (1)(b), and
(b) in consequence of that disclosure, the judge considers that there are
40exceptional circumstances requiring the judge to make a direction
under this sub-paragraph,
the judge may direct the person conducting the prosecution to make for the
purposes of the proceedings any admission of fact which the judge considers
essential in the interests of justice.
(4) 45But nothing in any direction under sub-paragraph (3) may authorise or
require anything to be done in contravention of section 48(1).
(5) In this paragraph “relevant judge” means—
(a) any judge of the High Court or of the Crown Court or any Circuit
judge,
(b) any judge of the High Court of Justiciary or any sheriff,
(c) in relation to proceedings before the Court Martial, the judge
5advocate for those proceedings, or
(d) any person holding a judicial office that entitles the person to
exercise the jurisdiction of a judge falling within paragraph (a) or (b).
Disclosures to inquiries and inquests
(a) 10a disclosure to the panel of an inquiry held under the Inquiries Act
2005, or
(b) a disclosure to a person appointed as legal adviser to such an inquiry,
where, in the course of the inquiry, the panel has ordered the disclosure to
be made to the panel alone or (as the case may be) to the panel and any
15person appointed as legal adviser to the inquiry.
(2) The panel of an inquiry may order a disclosure under sub-paragraph (1)
only if it considers that the exceptional circumstances of the case make the
disclosure essential to enable the inquiry to fulfil its terms of reference.
(3) Any reference in this paragraph to a person appointed as legal adviser to an
20inquiry is a reference to a person appointed as solicitor or counsel to the
inquiry.
23 (1) Section 48(1) does not apply in relation to any restricted proceedings of an
inquiry held under the Inquiries Act 2005.
(2) Proceedings of an inquiry held under that Act are “restricted proceedings”
25for the purposes of this paragraph if any restrictions imposed under section
19 of that Act on attendance at the inquiry are in force in relation to the
(3) But sub-paragraph (1) does not permit any disclosure which has not been
made in accordance with paragraph 22(1) above.
24 (1) 30Nothing in section 48(1) prohibits—
(a) a disclosure to a person (the “nominated person”) nominated under
paragraph 3(1) of Schedule 10 to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009
(investigation by judge or former judge) to conduct an investigation
into a person’s death, or
(b) 35a disclosure to a person appointed as legal adviser to an inquest
forming part of an investigation conducted by the nominated person,
where, in the course of the investigation, the nominated person has ordered
the disclosure to be made to the nominated person alone or (as the case may
be) to the nominated person and any person appointed as legal adviser to
40the inquest.
(2) The nominated person may order a disclosure under sub-paragraph (1) only
if the person considers that the exceptional circumstances of the case make
the disclosure essential in the interests of justice.
(3) Nothing in section 48(1) prohibits a disclosure to any other person
45conducting an investigation under Part 1 of the Coroners and Justice Act
2009 into a person’s death that there is intercepted material in existence
which is, or may be, relevant to the investigation.
inquest is a reference to a person appointed as solicitor or counsel to the
5inquest.
Section 61(1)
SCHEDULE 4 Relevant public authorities and designated senior officers
Part 1 Table of authorities and officers
Relevant public authority
DSO: minimum office, rank or
Type of communications
data that may be obtained
by DSO
Paragraphs of
specified for DSO
Police force maintained under
section 2 of the Police Act
1996 Inspector Entity data 15(a), (b), (c), (d),
(e), (g) and (i)
Superintendent All (a), (b), (c), (d),
Metropolitan police force Inspector Entity data 20(a), (b), (c), (d),
City of London police force Inspector Entity data (a), (b), (c), (d),
25(e), (g) and (i)
Police Service of Scotland Inspector Entity data (a), (b), (c), (d),
Superintendent All 30(a), (b), (c), (d),
Police Service of Northern
Ireland Inspector Entity data (a), (b), (c), (d),
British Transport Police Force Inspector Entity data (a), (b), (c), (d),
Ministry of Defence Police Inspector Entity data 40(a), (b), (c) and
Superintendent All (a), (b), (c) and
Royal Navy Police Lieutenant Commander Entity data 5(a), (b), (c) and
Commander All (a), (b), (c) and
Royal Military Police Major Entity data (a), (b), (c) and
10(g)
Lieutenant Colonel All (a), (b), (c) and
Royal Air Force Police Squadron Leader Entity data (a), (b), (c) and
Wing Commander All 15(a), (b), (c) and
Security Service General Duties 4 or any other
level 4 officer Entity data (a), (b) and (c)
General Duties 3 or any other
level 3 officer All (a), (b) and (c)
Secret Intelligence Service Grade 6 All (a), (b) and (c)
GCHQ GC8 All (a), (b) and (c)
Ministry of Defence Member of the Senior Civil
Service or equivalent All (a)
Grade 7 in the Fraud Defence
Unit All 25(b)
Department of Health Grade 7 in the Medicines and
Regulatory Agency All (b), (d) and (e)
Grade 7 in the Anti-Fraud
Home Office Immigration inspector or
equivalent with responsibility
for investigations or other
functions relating to
immigration and border
security All (b)
Immigration inspector or
for anti-corruption in relation
to investigations or other
for asylum fraud
investigations All 45(b)
for security and intelligence
in the immigration detention
estate All (b), (d) and (i)
Ministry of Justice Manager in the security
group of the National
Offender Management
Service responsible for
intelligence Entity data 5(b) and (d)
Senior manager in the
security group of the National
intelligence All 10(b) and (d)
National Crime Agency Grade 3 Entity data 15(b), (g) and (i)
Grade 2 All (b), (g) and (i)
Her Majesty’s Revenue and
Customs Higher officer Entity data (b) and (f)
Senior officer All (b) and (f)
Department for Transport Enforcement Officer in
Maritime and Coastguard
Agency Entity data 20(b) and (d)
Head of Enforcement in
Agency All (b) and (d)
Maritime Operations
Commander (grade 7) in the
Agency All (g)
Principal Inspector in the Air
Branch, the Marine Accident
Investigation Branch or the
Rail Accident Investigation
Branch All 30(d)
Department for Work and
Pensions Senior Executive Officer in
Fraud and Error Services All (b)
Senior Executive Officer in
the Child Maintenance Group
Central Legal Services All (b)
Common Services Agency for
the Scottish Health Service Head of Counter Fraud
Services All (b)
Competition and Markets
Authority Member of the Senior Civil
Service with responsibility for
cartels and criminal
enforcement All (b)
Criminal Cases Review
Commission Investigations Adviser All (h)
Department for the Economy
in Northern Ireland Deputy chief inspector in
trading standards services All (b)
Department of Justice in
Northern Ireland Governor 4 in the Northern
Ireland Prison Service All (b), (d) and (i)
Financial Conduct Authority Head of department in the
Enforcement and Market
Oversight Division All (b) and (j)
A fire and rescue authority
under the Fire and Rescue
Services Act 2004 Watch Manager (Control) All 5(g)
Food Standards Agency Grade 6 All (b)
Food Standards Scotland Head of the Scottish Food
Crime and Incidents Unit All (b)
Gambling Commission Senior manager All (b)
Gangmasters and Labour
Abuse Authority Head of operations All (b)
Health and Safety Executive Band 1 inspector All (b), (d) and (e)
Independent Police
Complaints Commission Deputy Chair or Director All 15(b) and (i)
Information Commissioner Group Manager Entity data (b)
Head of enforcement or an
equivalent grade All (b)
Business Services Authority Senior manager (of pay band
8b) in the Counter Fraud and
Services Division All 20(b)
A National Health Service
Trust established under
section 5 of the National
Health Service and
Community Care Act 1990
whose functions, as specified
in its establishment order,
include the provision of
emergency ambulance
services Director of Operations or
Control and Communications
Manager All (b)
Duty Manager of Ambulance
Trust Control Rooms All (g)
Northern Ireland Ambulance
Service Health and Social
Care Trust Watch Manager (Control) All (g)
Northern Ireland Fire and
Rescue Service Board Group Manager (Control) All (b) and (d)
Watch Manager (Control) All (g)
Northern Ireland Health and
Social Care Regional Business
Services Organisation Assistant Director Counter
Fraud and Probity Services All (b)
Office of Communications Senior associate All 45(b)
Office of the Police
Ombudsman for Northern
Ireland Senior investigating officer All (b)
Police Investigations and
Review Commissioner Commissioner or Director of
Investigations All (b) and (i)
Scottish Ambulance Service
Board Watch Manager (Control) All (g)
Scottish Criminal Cases
Review Commission Investigations Adviser All (h)
Serious Fraud Office Grade 6 All 5(b)
Welsh Ambulance Services
National Health Service Trust Watch Manager (Control) All (g)
Part 2 Interpretation of table
1 10In the table in Part 1 of this Schedule “entity data” means any
communications data which is entity data.
SCHEDULE 5 Transfer and agency arrangements with public authorities: further
15Particular safeguards in connection with operation of section 60
1 (1) The following provisions apply where the functions of the Secretary of State
under section 58 are exercisable by a public authority by virtue of
regulations under section 74(1).
(2) The measures adopted or arrangements made by the public authority for the
20purpose of complying with the requirements of section 60 must be such as
are approved by the Secretary of State.
(3) Any report required by section 60(6)(b) or (8) must be made to the Secretary
of State as well as to the Investigatory Powers Commissioner.
Requirement for public authority to provide reports to Secretary of State
2 (1) 25A public authority, when exercising functions by virtue of regulations under
section 74(1), must at least once in each calendar year make a report to the
Secretary of State on—
(a) the discharge of the functions, and
(b) such other matters as the Secretary of State may by regulations
30require.
(2) Regulations under section 74(1) may, in particular, modify sub-paragraph
(1) as it has effect in relation to the calendar year in which the regulations
come into force or are revoked.
(3) The Secretary of State may agree to a report under this paragraph being
35combined with any other report which the public authority concerned is
required to, or may, make to the Secretary of State.
Transfer schemes in connection with transfer of functions
3 (1) The Secretary of State may, in connection with regulations under section
74(1), make a scheme for the transfer of property, rights or liabilities.
(2) The things that may be transferred under a transfer scheme include—
(a) property, rights and liabilities which could not otherwise be
transferred,
(b) property acquired, and rights and liabilities arising, after the making
5of the scheme.
(3) A transfer scheme may make consequential, supplementary, incidental,
transitional, transitory or saving provision and may, in particular—
(a) create rights, or impose liabilities, in relation to property or rights
(b) 10make provision about the continuing effect of things done by, on
behalf of or in relation to the transferor in respect of anything
(c) make provision about the continuation of things (including legal
proceedings) in the process of being done by, on behalf of or in
15relation to the transferor in respect of anything transferred,
(d) make provision for references to the transferor in an instrument or
other document in respect of anything transferred to be treated as
references to the transferee,
(e) make provision for the shared ownership or use of property,
(f) 20if the TUPE regulations do not apply in relation to the transfer, make
provision which is the same or similar.
(4) A transfer scheme may provide—
(a) for modification by agreement,
(b) for modifications to have effect from the date when the original
25scheme came into effect.
(5) A transfer scheme may confer a discretion on the Secretary of State to pay
compensation to any person whose interests are adversely affected by the scheme.
(6) A transfer scheme may be included in regulations under section 74(1) but, if
not so included, must be laid before Parliament after being made.
(7) 30For the purposes of this paragraph references to rights and liabilities include
references to—
(a) rights and liabilities relating to a contract of employment, and
(b) rights and liabilities of the Crown relating to the terms of
employment of individuals in the civil service.
(8) 35Accordingly, a transfer scheme may, in particular, provide—
(a) for—
(i) an individual employed in the civil service to become an
employee of the transferee, or
(ii) an employee of the transferor to become an employee of the
40transferee or an individual employed in the civil service,
(b) for—
(i) the individual’s terms of employment in the civil service to
have effect (subject to any necessary modifications) as the
terms of the individual’s contract of employment with the
45transferee, or
(ii) (as the case may be) the individual’s contract of employment
to have effect (subject to any necessary modifications) as the
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Public Speaking Secrets
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Public Speaking Secrets « »
Creating your Firestory with Jason Jordan
By Victor Ahipene. Discovered by Player FM and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Player FM, and audio streamed directly from their servers.
Your FireStory is Jason Jordans passion!
Why? Because when he finds your…you will lean forward, and your entire demeanor becomes animated.
In nearly 20 years of work in Field Sales, Product Marketing, and Business Development in a variety of industries, Jason has found that finding someone’s Firestory is few and far between. Instead most sharing spreadsheets, death by powerpoint or a corporate mission statement.
That’s why he has committed, for the rest of my career, to helping people discover and share their FireStories. In a world that is overrun with information and people trying to be heard, what we truly need is UNDERSTANDING. We don’t need to know what you do or how you do it. We need to know your WHY. Your FireStory provides your WHY.
Learn how to find your Firestory in todays episode and watch everything change in your business!
Get in touch with Jason Jordan:
Jason’s Twitter
Jason’s Facebook
Jason’s Website
Victor Ahipene: Speaking nation. Welcome to another episode of public speaking secrets. I’m your host Victor Ahipene, super excited to have you here and we’ve got someone who’s going to fire you apple got Jason Jordan who is the founder of firestory.com and he has a plethora, I really liked that word of life of, of sales marketing, business development experience that he has combined with an MBA and combined with finding a niche, uh, between generationals that has allowed him to launch his dream career as a professional speaker. And I know a lot of you out there on that road as well. So I’m super excited to have him here and welcome to the show.
Jason Jordan: Thank you victor. Thank you for having me.
Victor Ahipene : It’s a familiar story. Where did the name come from? What does it symbolize? Uh, how did you kind of get to that point?
Jason Jordan: Well, fantastic question right out of the gate. I, um, as you know, and as you mentioned before, I had been doing a lot of work with generations and one of the things that I found that really tied all of them together, whether they’re, um, I don’t know if you guys have the same sort of generational divide, Sarah and Australia that we do, but we’ve got baby boomers are kind of the older people and then generation X is my generation. And then the youngsters are the millennials. And, uh, really what connects all of them effectively story. And so I started doing some research more into story. And, uh, I came across this book that was talking about, uh, the Kalahari bushmen and some of the earliest examples of human culture on the planet. And, um, the way they, the archeologists think it happened was that long time ago, you know, before we fire all communication was very tactical in nature. We would merely describe where, where the food was, where the action was, where the enemy was, whatever that. Um, and then as soon as the sun went down, we had to seek shelter, right way to seek shelter for warmth. We had to get away from predators way to protect ourselves or whatnot. And then, uh, when we learned to control fire, the day got extended, people could stay out later. The fire provided warmth that provided a common meeting place for, for people to gather. They could cook their food, they could, um, be protected from the nighttime predators. And so it was around these fires that people began to discuss more than just tactical things. They started to talk about ideas and visions and new things that they wanted to try and accomplish. And uh, they say that it was around these fires that the first human culture started to develop. And so fire stories is a bit of a non to these ancient round the fire talks where people, where we as humans really kind of learned to connect and share for the first time that I believe that continues even today. Uh, I don’t know if he ever go out camping or something like that, but there’s nothing more fun than gathering around a fire with some good friends and, uh, you just relax and, uh, all of a sudden great ideas start coming out. And it connects us in pretty profound ways.
Victor Ahipene : And with that, what does fire story do you know, what do you do within fire story and what does your business I guess self.
Jason Jordan: Okay. Um, so as far as buyer story goes, the fire, uh, fire stories, a name I give for something that is more than just a normal story. It’s more than just one of those funny stories that, that we share. A fire story is really a story about change. And most businesses were founded around a fire story. It was if you’ve ever started your own business, you know how hard it is. You know what a struggle it is. Um, you know what a risk it is, you know, a lot of great people and giving up a regular paycheck and, and some of the stability there to go off on their own and take a big risk. And they do it because of something they believe. And it’s almost always a story that gave birth to that belief. And it’s a story that there was core few gathered around and they shared regularly and things got going in a business around this story. But then all of a sudden the business takes off and it starts to grow and you start acquiring new people and you start acquiring different divisions. And this is the business development guy. This is the marketing guy, this is the finance person. And and as it grows, these people become more and more distant from that story. And next thing you know, you’ve got a whole company full of people who are just, they’re exchanging their hours for dollars. There’s no real connection to the cause. And so we started getting together these ideas of like mission statements and statements of value and core values and things like that. And none of those was really, in my opinion, capture the essence of what drove the story fundamentally what drove the business. Um, at the level with chip people, they’re all and sacrificing at a base level to fight for a cause. And I really believe that sharing that story among, uh, among even some others as the business develops is key to keeping that close knit feel and that cause and bringing the right people on board that are willing to fight for you, that aren’t willing to leave just because somebody offers them, you know, a couple of extra dollars per hour more or this or that benefit. They’re willing to stick it out long term.
Victor Ahipene : No, I love that because I mean, yeah, you look at say a Zappos for example. Yeah. They create the environment of, hey look, we’ll pay you to leave the company if you don’t think it’s working out. Um, they hit their head of the driving factors and it might not be about money. It might be about learning more, uh, within your job, where it might be progressing in certain ways or developing yourself as a person. And, I mean, I know those aren’t necessarily a story that drives it, but as that overall culture that, you know, I, I know it can be, I’m a trained physiotherapist and people will, you know, there’s not a lot of difference between one job as an another because a lot of your earning is capped on how much, how many patients you can see. So you go to another place, you’re going to see the same amount. But I’ve worked at places that have had that, you know, a lot more than that, a mission statement, which gets forgotten. It’s a, it’s a thing that I see. You’ve done your MBA, it’s like, okay, we need to do a mission statement and we need to do a swat analysis. Like, yeah, it’s almost a buzzword at times.
Jason Jordan: Uh, particularly punchline at times, you know.
Victor Ahipene : and you see, you see these companies. One place I worked, we got, we didn’t, we weren’t the most highly paid, but they ticked off core things that a lot of physiotherapists looked for. Like we had a lot of training. Um, and there’s a lot of Alpha personalities that want to know more within the IT industry rather than necessarily earn more. Yeah. We, we weren’t getting underpaid by any stretch, but it was you’re going to enjoy work more if you’re continually challenging yourself every week rather than chasing five. Yeah. An extra hundred bucks a week. Um, you know, for going somewhere else. And it was kind of the thing that the more we knew the bidder we could make our patients, the more of those patients would come back to us. The more would have a bit of clientele and it all really fit in. So, I mean, I love what your company’s all about when it comes to, I guess getting that or developing that message because storytelling is behind everything. You know, you watched the best talks online storytelling, you watched the, this, you know, political races and it’s who can tell the best stories, sometimes true or not true, but it’s the ones who can develop the best story and lead people into your future paced ideal or something that’s going to be for benefit of everybody. Have you got, I guess, frameworks around how you look to develop these, these stories that I guess get people cross-generational and things all on board together?
Jason Jordan: Yeah, it’s a, it’s often a challenge because surprisingly we, we tend to hide some of these more compelling stories and um, you know, it’s, it’s no surprise all social media seems to have caught on to this idea that storytelling is so key. Uh, like Facebook, you know, if you look at the top there, it says, oh, such and such has added to their story and that turns stories thrown around so often. But you know, if you’ve spent any time on Facebook, you scroll through hundreds of people and all of their stories seem to be pretty much the same. It’s everything is Hunky Dory and my, here’s my 2.5 children and my beautiful husband and fantastic wife, and here we are in Fiji and everything’s just magical. And as we know that there, that’s not the truth, that’s not the real story. And stories have conflict, right? Stories have challenges that people have to overcome. Otherwise, it’d be a really boring story if it was just perfect all the time. And so oftentimes what I find is that I literally have to pull it out of people. I have to sit down as part of, um, sometimes one on one coaching, sometimes corporate coaching. Uh, there are some companies I work with and I won’t work with a company usually on an individual basis and system working with the entire company because I want every body experiencing the story as it starts to come out. And it takes some polling and you’ve got to break down barriers and these silos and these walls that we build up over time. But as people feel safe and they start talking about their experiences, what they’ve done for customers, what they’ve done in their divisions and the challenges that they face, people start feeling more and more connected, more open. And I mean, great things happen when you can break down those barriers and reach those people. But man, you, you, it, you got to tear down the wall. If, uh, if you follow my meaning, you got to break through.
Victor Ahipene : And I think that’s a really good point that a lot of people misunderstand with, uh, with stories is, yeah, like you said, they’ll, they’ll tell the perfect story and the regards of everything’s perfect. This is great. Yeah. This is what our company strives to do. Or, and Barry, they’re not differentiating themselves. Like, look, we started out doing what everybody else did and getting the results everybody else got. And it wasn’t until we made the shift, which took a lot of heartache and turmoil and blah, blah, blah. And, and now we’re at this place where we can do this. Or you know, that, that, uh, yeah, the hero’s story where they have success and then have failure and then have success. People can buy into that and relate and join that roller coaster of emotions. And then, you know, they want to fight for your team. They want to, whether it be a customer or a staff member, they want to be behind something that’s more than just, yeah, fluffy words, you know, put together nicely that says, we’re great. Yeah, we can do everything you want.
Jason Jordan: Yeah. I mean, when you look at the history of take a, a pretty common company that everybody knows, like Apple, right? What do people connect with? Eh, they look back to the Steve Jobs days and they talk almost with fun-ness about the time when Steve was fired from his own company, right? Um, overcoming those early boundaries of, of reaching out and he reached out to the, I guess the CEO or CEO of Pepsi and told him that you want to make sugar water or do you want to come change the world? And then you came on and, uh, they ended up getting rid of Steve, the guy who founded the company crashed and burned. I remember you coulda got Apple stock for eight bucks and a, you know, then this magic little white box came along that would hold your music. And, uh, they, they started building from there and fighting against all of this. I mean, I think we’ve reached a point now where Apple is reached such a level of success that people can’t connect anymore with the struggle. And I think competitors are starting to capitalize on that. They don’t have that compelling visionary leader anymore. And so the story has gotten watered down. I remember when people used to tune in to see Steve Jobs pitch the next product that by God you were going to buy whether you had the money or not. And now it’s just oof. Bunch of talking heads out there and talking about Pixel density and uh, the amount of memory and it’s one 10th of a millimeter thinner, but it’s gonna Cost Ya 1200 bucks. Oh, thanks a lot guys.
Victor Ahipene : That’s a, you got like, yeah, what was it, 500 songs in your pocket or whatever. Like yeah, he sold, he sold a, um, a solution to people who were staff rather than everyone else was selling MP3 players. He was selling 500 songs in your pocket. Um, yeah, and that was, yeah, I mean I, I’m not an Apple F or I don’t own anything Apple, but I’ve, I love Steve, his auto biography. I love following the stuff that he did and watching his presentations and things like that because you can see the masters in it. I spoke with one of another guest the other day who was talking about, we’re talking about competition in a, and you know, we got to the point that I like, I don’t think that there’s many companies out there that truly have competition. Ethel’s probably one of them. They’ve got, you know, Samsung and it’s uh, yeah, not necessarily a 50, 50 split, but that competing directly on the same product. The majority of us aren’t. We, we’re never going to be able to service the world as a, is that as a whole? So there’s an abundance of, of clients or customers or whatever you want to call it for us with, let me dive into it for, I used the speakers out there. You said you go into companies and corporations and you work with the teams. What are the steps? I mean it might, it might be at a point now where they come to you, but we’re, when you were first starting out, how were you getting that foot in the door with some of these companies? And how were you proving that the problem you solve was other solution you offered was a problem that they had? Cause I, I mean, uh, uh, stories, it’s not arbitrary, but it’s not a, we’re going to decrease your costs by 20%. Like, yeah, this is a lot of intrinsic value in it, but it’s not necessarily something, I guess easy for a lot of companies to see particularly, you know, even five, 10 years ago.
Jason Jordan : Yeah, man, you’re absolutely right about that. And I came from a sales world where everything was ROI driven, right? And let me sit down with you, Mr Customer and show you ROI in hard dollars. You buy our product, we’re going to save you x amount of dollars. And now I’m in this very sort of nebulous world where I’m selling, Something that has value but you can’t put a number on it and you can’t put an exact value on it. And that is a challenging scenario. It really is. Um, all of the evidence is there. When you look at the levels of satisfaction that people have with their work, with their career, with their companies, the amount of turnover there is these days, the amount of time that millennials, that youngest generation will actually spend with a company. All the evidence is there pointing to a big problem that people are not connecting with you, whether it’s internal or extra mile. It’s ton of competition out there. And so it’s easy to compete on price just going on Amazon and be the cheaper guy. Yeah. Um, so when the evidence is all out there that people want to connect, um, but you know, like anything else, I have to put myself out there. I have to talk whether it’s paid or not, I have to make my case and make my argument. And some CEOs will get it and some won’t. Some will say, you know, where’s the hard dollar evidence? I said, you know, some people will try to make stuff up for you. I’m not going to do that. If you don’t get it, that’s all right. I’ll move on to the next one. But you start off with that first one who gets it and we’ll give you a shot and you go ahead and blow them away. They’re people super happy. Make there people ecstatic to be a part of it and get some, some, I mean, I’ve had people at companies who have handed me their letters of resignation, like they were on their way out the door and they tore them up in front of me saying, you know what? I think I see now what’s what’s happening with this? And a, you start collecting those bits of data and I mean like a little snowball rolling down a hill. It, it starts to pick up momentum and pickup speed is as people just start to see what it can do. I wish I had a hard ROI that I could show people, but in the end it’s a kind of take a leap of faith.
Victor Ahipene : Yeah. I think that’s a very good lesson for a lot of people was getting. Yeah, just not, not overdelivering just delivering to somebody who’s willing to give you a shot, like whether you believe in over delivering or not, but yeah, whatever you say you’re going to do, do it really well and show them, hey, there is a benefit. This is going to shift your company and then leverage off them and say, look, I’m going to, I mean I’ve heard of people set up, I’m going to come and speak to your company at a discount or free. Um, what I’m going to do though is I’m going to deliver everything I say at the end of it. What you’re going to do is you’re going to recommend me to three other companies and you’re going to give me a glowing testimonial on the proviso that I do deliver. And Yeah, if you can get that, then it, it helps in space. Obviously, if you can prove that direct ROI and drop their cost by 20% net then certainly helps as well. But I mean, I think for a lot of speakers out there, they’ve got, you know, if you’re a motive, inspirational, motivational mindset, uh, you know, a lot of those things do create change within a company. But it’s, yeah, it’s like going to the gym for a day. You don’t necessarily see it. We don’t see it after the first day, but yeah
Jason Jordan : not after one day. No. Yeah, you’re, you’re right. And it does get to be a challenge in some respects and that those early customers who, who believe in you and give you a shot and you enter into an arrangement with them at a lower price, the challenge that you have is as you start to pick up momentum, uh, and pick up more customers and you start to command higher rates and higher dollars for what it is you do, uh, those early guys still have a tendency to value you at the discounted level that you engaged with them. And, um, so you have some tough decisions to me. Do you owe them a, in which case you, you keep going at the price that they’re willing to pay or do you say, Hey, uh, I’m sorry, but this is, this is what I’m commanding now and this is what it’s going to have to be. That’s a tough decision to make.
Victor Ahipene : Yeah. And with your, like you go into a, a organization, a company, you help them help them crafts and certain things initially out front. What do you have for like a decision models or continuation of working with those companies? Um, you know after say the first period that you’ve worked with them?
Jason Jordan : Yeah, so it’s great that you bring that up because I, for a long time I was a keynote or you know, I would get up in front of conferences or companies and I get people really jazzed up for the length of that conference. And the tail was, was really short. It would last for a couple of days. That enthusiasm, that momentum when only lasts for a couple of days and a then people would be right back doing the exact same thing that they’ve always done. And so I kind of made a decision at that point that what I was looking for was less of an upfront, less of a 10,000, $20,000. Keynote and more of a, okay, I want to, let’s spread that out over a year or something like that because I want to work with your people consistently, like every week, every week. Give me a chunk of your company and cycle these people through because I want to chip away at their paradigm, their whatever ideas that they have over time and break through those shells and break through those barriers and open them up basically. And it takes, it takes time. And so that was a decision that I made for my business. What I do takes time and um, so mostly what I do now, I used to do some private coaching, but you can’t $200 an hour for private coaching or whatever that is. Um, people can’t get a lot of your hours and the, they’re looking to cut that very short. And so I made the decision that I wanted to work with larger groups of people for longer periods of time and just chip away at it gradually. But I think it depends on what you’re offering. You know, if you have a solution that is, hey, make this change and you’ll get this result, go for the keynote. And mine just happens to take longer.
Victor Ahipene : Yeah, and I think from a lot of speakers that I’ve talked to, I think that’s a big shift that a lot of them have had as the keynote. A lot of people, I am for the keynote to be the end of the journey, like trying to get a keynote presentation where you know, a lot of highly experienced speakers have spoken to have said, it’s the first step. Yeah, it’s a cool, now we’ve delivered to this corporation, now we can start offering training, offering different, different solutions in the longterm. So it’s, it’s really good to be able to get like, you know how you’ve managed and developed to do that. Because I think one of the problems that we all have is we have a lot of expertise. We jump up on a keynote presentation and we want to regurgitate as much of a doubt as we potentially can. And like you say, people get their stuff and they get too much of the, how they become overwhelmed and yeah, we tightened the Tall Cup, but you know, you can’t, you can’t put 12 months of time where you have to do work in between it and to a day or, and to two days. And being able to offer those things on an ongoing process and having potentially multiple product offerings so that once they transition through one level, they can, you know, once I’ve done sales, they can move towards leadership. And once I’ve done leadership, they can, we’ll do yeah. Towards marketing, whatever it may be. You can come through those different layers. And I think it’s something that a lot of speakers potentially lack as, yeah. They say, oh, I can go and do 30 keynotes throughout the year and, and I bet you I don’t love sitting on a play go and yeah.
Jason Jordan : no, not anymore. I’ve got a 10 year old and a 12 year old and um, you know, they like having dad around and I kind of enjoy being around them right now. I’m sure one day here in the not too distant future there’ll be teenagers and they’ll looking for, for dad to not be around as much. But uh, I love being around them. And so yeah, the, the keynote road warrior thing,
it’s not what I’m after anymore.
Victor Ahipene : Now. I think that it’s Cohen on that note, I think. Oh well we’ll round it up now and we’ll let you go and spend some time with their family of yours. It’s been an absolute pleasure having you on and just want to welcome you to our speaker nation family. If people want to find out more about you and check out what you’re doing, where can they go and what can they do?
Jason Jordan: Oh, I’m sorry. Um, they, uh, they can hit me on Twitter is an easy one, which is @yourfirestory. Um, that’s an easy one. Also, firestory.com is my website and uh, I’m on most of the other usual suspects. Facebook and Linkedin and all those, but Twitter and I’m just going to the website and connecting with me directly are probably the easiest. And Victor, I’ve got a challenge for you sir. I would like to know and at some point I think you should share this with your listening audience if you haven’t already is how you are. I’m s I’m sorry your uh, what you told me what kind of therapist you are, but I’ve also like a physical therapist, so a physical therapist, physical therapist, get into running a podcast on speaking. There’s a story there. There’s a story there that I can sense and I think that would be a fascinating thing for everybody to hear.
Victor Ahipene : Oh, take it out. Next episode, my back story, we’ll ah, we’ll go into it and if not, it’s all written. An awesome book called publicspeakingsecrets.com that you can pick out is exited until segue. You can pick it up for free. You cover, you cover the shipping. I’ll cover the book and we’ll also have all the show notes that we’ve talked about, all the links to fire story. If you’re on the road and can’t pick them up, and that’s at publicspeakingblueprint.com so thank you so much, Jason. Been an absolute pleasure and I look forward to either you coming back to Australia or touching base on the other side of the world with you.
Jason Jordan : My pleasure of victory at one of these points, I’m going to drag the entire family out there and it’s going to be awesome to visit your country again.
Victor Ahipene : Oh, awesome. Thanks mate.
Jason Jordan : Thank you.
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Regulation of Micro-Lending Industry: briefing by Minister of Trade and Industry
A summary of this committee meeting is not yet available.
TRADE & INDUSTRY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
REGULATION OF THE MICRO-LENDING INDUSTRY AND THE MICRO FINANCE REGULATORY COUNCIL: BRIEFING BY MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
: Prof R Davies (ANC)
Presentation by the Minister of Trade & Industry (See Appendix 1)
Report on Micro Finance Regulatory Council and the Department's performance (See Appendix 2)
The Minister reported on the regulation of the micro-lending industry, the Micro Finance Regulatory Council and the performance of the Department.
Prof Davids (ANC) welcomed Minister Alec Erwin and his colleagues, and noted a few events for next week, namely, a briefing on the negotiation surrounding the SA Customs Union, possible Lotteries Amendment Bill and the committee's meeting with Pepe Silinga, and that public hearings on industrial policy would not take place until next year.
The Minister made his presentation in the form of the accompanying document. The Minister made several additional comments following the headings of the presentation document as follows:
· In general, SA faces the vexed problem of balancing the need for micro lending while nevertheless making sure that it is not harmful to society, and that the finance is channeled into investments in durable assets and productive entrepreneurial activities.
· 'Saving' is a complex problem in a society with such wealth inequality, a history of lack of security of tenure, where normal development and asset accumulation has been curtailed for decades.
· The impact and role of gambling on indebtedness and its relation to poverty are burgeoning issues that need to be dealt with
· An important outcome of an attempt to regulate is insight into what is happening at the lower income strata of our society, and this report shows our progress and developments within this area.
· The approach of setting up a self-regulatory authority came from the 1999 Exceptions notice which amongst others exempted micro-lending from the Usury Act, made registration necessary to carry on this business, created the MFRC, created minimum criteria for the making of loans, and declared some practices illegal e.g. blank forms, handing over of bank cards and pin numbers.
· The reason for the new dispensation was that if the private sector wanted to lend money it should do it with proper risk assessment and risk relationships. On the consumer side this also required education.
· The fact that some banks have also entered the market is interesting and promising
· Investigations and prosecutions are taking place regarding irregular practices
· Studies on indebtedness have been initiated but are hampered by inappropriate national statistics which need to be more specific, though preliminary findings show that householders/ borrowers seem to be more sensible in general than they were given credit for
· The national loans register would allow a lender to check on the viability of a borrower for incurring further debt. This is patronising but necessary.
· The question of a cap on interest as mooted around 10 times prime will be decided only later next year, though the Minister is pre-disposed to this sort of measure.
· The Minister's conclusion is that self-regulation is a good process, but there has been no major change in the industry as yet.
From the floor:
· Don't these exemptions deplete the Fiscus? Are they sensible and should regulation not focus on promoting productive loans and not consumptive loans?
· The banking industry discriminates against emerging business people because they cannot come up with security required for loans. What can be done?
· Also what role can MPs play to oversee the industry and assist the Department?
· Prof Davies asked regarding the reining of the interest rate cap to encourage the shift to productive loans.
The Minister responded:
· In principle the distinction between consumptive and productive loans and the streaming toward the productive, is to be pursued, but in practice it is difficult to regulate because of the fungibility/interchangeability of cash i.e. one can never know conclusively where the funds will be spent.
· Money lending is one of that category of the 'oldest professions', and one must act within what is reasonable and possible when regulating these. The main target for now is that of registration; if this occurs then all parties are in a more secure arena.
· As to the difficulty of security for bank loans, the average loan is R970, which is not a typical bank loan, and not linked to security against an asset, but rather to cash flow streams. Banks can actually be more facilitative to the consumer, because they could provide a whole range of loans, with different criteria for different types of loans. Business loans would require for instance an approved business plan. This assists the consumer in risk assessment.
· MPs can facilitate the legislation by helping constituents knock on doors that would otherwise be shut, by speeding up processes, finding abuse and lodging complaints.
· Micro lenders are not banks; they do not take deposits and as such have to be regulated separately.
· Further to the issue of consumptive vs. productive loans, the entrance of banks into the micro-lending arena will provide more scope and wider choice of lenders and this will facilitate a wider more productive-orientated use of the lending industry.
Further questions from the floor:
· What about the exploitation of pensioners by institutions that offer management of such funds, but take a huge cut before payout?
· On the issue of loans from employers, do these not also need to be regulated?
· Mr. Durr from the floor asked whether the DTI was indeed the most appropriate department to deal with the micro-lending regulation, as opposed to Finance. He suggested that a general citizens' advice bureau be set up and manned possibly by graduating commerce students or retired business people in conjunction with NGO's.
· Why did the courts object to the capping of the interest rate?
The Minister responded as follows:
· Both rich and poor need short term, small amounts of cash. If one operates a bank account one does this through one's bank. Most of the population looks elsewhere and the government can't prevent this, since there are genuine needs involved. But the industry will always go to the most reliable cash flow source i.e. wage earners or pensioners, and these vulnerable groups need protection e.g. the Public Service corruption in the former homelands. The regulations require that lenders must follow procedures, which protect but do not over restrict.
· It is irresponsible for an employer to give cash loans, and if they do so, then the government has a responsibility to stop and/or regulate this practice.
· Regarding jurisdiction, the minister noted that Trevor Manual would certainly not be inclined to accept this task. The DTI handles broad based commercial and economic activities; the Treasury has responsibility for systemic problems within finance. Joint jurisdiction is not uncommon, and problems have occurred where there is a lack of harmonisation e.g. Masterbond. But DTI has the infrastructure of inspectors for actual commercial institutions already and is so better placed than Treasury to handle this task.
· Objective advice is crucial to the success of regulation, though it would be unwise for the regulator to advise the individual on which lending institution to choose. A network of consumer advice bureaus is essential and NGO's with a proven track record could be in spanned for this task.
· The court ruled that there was insufficient depth in the studies done to rule on the capping issue. The DTI needed to find more information and statistics. Capping is risky because it can create a distortion in the market. If one caps it wrong i.e. too low, then one encourages illegal activity.
Questions from the floor:
· Why are there still unregistered micro lenders?
· Is the micro-lending industry that important?
· What can be done about the impact of blacklisting caused by micro-lenders?
· In rural areas, pensions and other payments takes place by delivery of cheque; the only place to cash such cheques is the local general dealer. These dealers sometimes ask up to 17% commission for this service. There is vast indebtedness to such dealers and does this fall under regulation of micro lending?
· Banks in general are not really equipped to go into this field, since the cost of administering small loans is very high - e.g. too many small loans was the downfall of African Bank. Banks however who have set up appropriate IT structures etc are far less likely to exploit their borrowers than other participants.
· It is a good proposal to use commerce students to man public advice bureaus.
· The phenomenon of traders being the closest 'banks' in rural areas is a worldwide one, and departments dealing with social development must protect the pension system. It is not DTI's job to tell anyone what to do with his or her money. If there are complaints however, these can be investigated. Cashing of pension cheques needs to be regulated by the pensions authority. If however, a dealer is lending money, then he must register. One must distinguish between cash lending and pension payouts.
· The reason for unregistered lenders is that perhaps the prosecutions process is slow. The DTI is working with the commercial crime unit and specific prosecutors to speed up the process.
· The problem of debt does not only start with micro-lenders, but with other forms of debt including HP. One must be careful of making one thing illegal and creating further problems through this. Employer based lending must be regulated and the employer should register if he attempts to offer a better alternative to regular lending institutions. The problem once again is not the lending per se, but the use of fair contracts and full information to the borrower. The problems include irregular use of consents to judgment and the holding of bankcards and pin numbers. Magistrate's courts should throw out cases based on these spurious practices.
· Are there workshops for educating citizens and organisations?
· Rural area problems must be addressed how?
· Micro finance affects the poorest of the poor; surely the interest rate must be capped - such as no more than 2.5 times the prime rate?. SA has some of the highest interest rates in the world and one should squeeze out these bloodsuckers - what is the international experience regarding capped interest rates?
· What is the impact of gambling on debt?
· How does consolidation of debt effect indebtedness? Is this illegal?
The Minister replied:
· It is impossible for DTI to reach all areas of the land, especially the rural areas. The task of education and advice falls to community leaders e.g. church leaders, NGO's and MP's, trade unions, etc.
· Together with Banking Council, we are looking for ways to change the structure of banking so as to lend to small businesses more effectively. The industry is not all bad and it would be a mistake to strangle it out of existence all together. There exists a need and Banks can't solve this problem. Banks can change their focus to lending on the security of projected income streams not necessarily only on capital security, though they are still not ideally suited to micro-lending.
· Micro-lenders do not go to the poorest of the poor, because there is no money there. The bulk of the industry goes to where short-term lending is, that is, where there is cash flow such as pension payouts. However the DTI will inspect and regulate where abuse is the greatest, especially where it affects the poor.
· On international experience the lowest interest lending rate is 7 % above prime in Brazil. One must remember that prime is linked to the blue chip borrower, and most borrowers in the micro-lending game are not. Interest rates must therefore be higher. The Minister is predisposed to capping, though 10% is not an automatic target. And for the record SA does not have amongst the highest interest rates in the world; it is the lowest in Africa by far, and comparable to South East Asia. The Usury Rate has dropped from 30% to 21% over the last 4 years.
· Regarding gambling, no study has been done to show that we are the most pervasive in this field; the Australian limited payout industry is vast as well as gambling in Hong Kong. One should be cautious with bland, unfounded statements based on out-dated situations.
· Debt rescheduling is a very useful exercise and is actually the only way to get many people out of their problems. Consolidation of debt is outlawed when it is done for reward, but some institutions are exempt. They can nevertheless be investigated under the Unfair Business Practices Act and the Usury Act.
· Regarding blacklisting, the Committee has started investigating the Credit Bureau and will have a report out early in the next year, which will recommend regulation and a code of conduct.
· In conclusion, the DTI's reaction must not be to root out and outlaw micro-lending, but rather to regulate and control this necessary activity. Lending is not the problem per se, but rather the fairness of contracts and misinformation surrounding the practice. Competition from Banks is good for the industry in that it provides a benchmark and a choice to the consumer. Prosecutions will get rid of the bad apples. Reckless lending is a new concept introduced by the DTI and can be prosecuted.
MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY PRESENTATION ON MICROLENDING
In June it was two years since the publication of the revised Exemption Notice of 1 June 1999 and the establishment of the MFRC. The revised Exemption Notice focused on the following issues:
• It defined a category of micro loans that qualify for exemption from the Usury Act;
• It required that all entities that wish to grant such micro loans register and be regulated by the
MFRC;
• It prescribed the minimum exemption criteria for microlending with the focus being on full disclosure; and
• It declared certain practices illegal, including making use of the borrower's personal information such as the retention of a borrower's bank card or PiN number and the utilisation by the lender of blank process documents.
OPERATIONAL PROGRESS (as of 3l July 2001)
Total Registrations: 1,263 Lenders (195 deregistered due to consolidations) 6,808 Branches
Type of Lenders: Includes 9 banks, Largely Close Corporations
Total Disbursements: R13, 1 billion
Average Loan R974
Total Number of loans: 13,5 million
b. Impact on Consumer Protection
Total Number of Calls Received (MFRC): 26,480
Total Complaints: 5,155
Type of complaints:
Disclosure 33%
Cost of Borrowing 24%
Unregistered lenders 19%
Payroll Deductions 16%
Cards and PIN #s 11%
c. Investigations and Prosecutions
Seven (7) small and medium accounting firms engaged by the MFRC throughout the country
Total Investigations (104)
Total Hearings (9) 1 deregistration, 8 fines(R1000- 25000)
Scheduled Hearings (30)
Issue Payroll Deductions
- Payroll Deduction Regulation 2000 limits total # of deductions (25% of gross pay, min take-home pay R750)
- access to facilities dependent on willingness to consolidate loans for overextended clients
Issue Predatory Lending: retention of Cards and PINs
- prosecutions by MFRC
Issue Predatory Lending: consent to judgments
- Justice Department and Magistrates offices alerted and sensitized on the issue
Issue Predatory Lending: indebtedness
- National Loans Register to be instituted to enable lenders to properly assess ability of clients to pay
Issue Consumer and Lender and Compliance Officers' awareness
- concerted efforts on consumer education through radio, TV and newsprint;
- lender workshops (56 workshops throughout the country)
- compliance workshops for auditors and accountants
CRITICAL CHALLENGES
More effective action against unregistered lenders - Assessment of the efficiency of the Exemption
Assessment of microlending industry trends and dealing with interest rates - Understanding of linkages between lending and other areas such as microenterprises
Given the profile of the consumers that take micro loans, this higher level of regulation is appropriate. It is also worth noting that the Exemption Notice extends the regulatory net to very small loans of very short terms. We believe that our regulatory approach meets international standards. The MFRC has done a sterling job thus far.
MICRO-LENDING PRESENTATION: REPORT ON MICRO FINANCE REGULATORY COUNCIL (MFRC) AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY'S PERFORMANCE
2. Operational progress
(a) Regional status
(b) Impact on consumers and consumer protection
(i) Pro-active compliance monitoring (MFRC)
(ii) Complaints resolution (MFRC)
(iii) Investigations and prosecutions (MFRC)
(iv) Complaints and inspections (Department)
3. Predatory lending and over-indebtedness
(a) Indebtedness
(b) Protective measures: National Loans Register, Reckless Lending
4. Education and Communication
(a) Consumer education
(b) Raising awareness amongst lenders, financial advisors and related parties
(c) Awareness campaigns by Department and provincial consumer affairs offices
5. Assessment of the MFRC's performance
6. Provision of housing and SME finance
Involvement of micro-lenders in SME and housing finance
Obstacles to increased provision of SME and housing finance
7. Funding
8. Interest rates
In June it was two years since the publication of the revised Exemption Notice (Notice 713 of 1 June 1999) and the establishment of the Micro Finance Regulatory Council (MFRC). The revised Exemption Notice focussed on the following issues:-
It defined a category of micro loans that qualify for exemption from the Usury Act;
· It required that all entities that wish to grant such micro loans register and be regulated by a regulatory body, which status was granted to the MFRC;
· It prescribed the minimum criteria to which the micro loans have to conform in order to qualify for exemption, with the focus being on full disclosure to the prospective borrower; and
· It declared certain practices illegal, including the retention of a borrower's bank card or pin number and the utilisation by the lender of blank process documents.
The Exemption Notice established a set of regulations that were considered more appropriate for micro loans than what the Usury Act's requirements were. It also created - through the establishment of the MFRC - a mechanism for the enforcement of these regulations.
In assessing whether consumers are sufficiently protected when taking out micro loans, it is useful to assess it against an external benchmark. In this context, it is worth noting that the regulatory regime that was established complies with the primary requirements for consumer credit regulation which applies in the European Union (Refer EC Directive 87/102/EEC). The Exemption notice is by no means a "lower" level of regulation, but rather a simplified model with a higher level of scrutiny. It is also worth noting that the Exemption Notice extends the regulatory net beyond what would be the case in dispensations such as the European Union, in Australia and in the United States. This is particularly true for the regulation of very small short term loans, which in many of these dispensations would have been excluded from consumer credit laws.
Given the profile of the consumers that take micro loans, we believe that this level of regulation is appropriate. We also believe that our regulatory approach meets the standards set by "international benchmarks".
(a) Registration Status
By 31 July 2001 the MFRC had 1,263 registered lenders, representing 6,808 branches. These include 9 banks and 9 listed companies. The registered lenders disbursed loans to the value of R13.lbn in the year ending 31 July 2001, representing 13,491,000 loans at an average loan amount of R974. 195 lenders cancelled their registration and the MFRC rejected 58 lenders' applications for registration.
The industry experienced significant restructuring and consolidation. One of the short-term micro-lending groups has registered as a bank. There have been a number of
The industry experienced significant restructuring and consolidation. One of the short-term micro-lending groups has registered as a bank. There have been a number of take-overs, joint ventures and other business arrangements. These changes explain most of the cancellations of registration, which were mostly due to smaller lenders being taken over by larger groups.
Many of the largest financial institutions and retail groups have entered the market as micro-loan providers over the last 2 years. These entities have recognised that the low/middle income client base of the micro-lending sector represent the future middle class of South Africa. Any financial service provider that ignores this client base or which allows its competitors to monopolise this segment may risk losing its retail client base over the next decade. This level of entry into micro-loan provision may yet represent the most significant achievement of the credibility that the establishment of the MFRC has brought to the industry.
The clients stand to benefit from the competition amongst a number of financial service providers. Larger reputabIe entities have entered the market and have contributed to a significant improvement in conduct. Prospective borrowers can now choose between different lenders. Borrowers can also switch between service providers if they are not satisfied with the service or with the cost of the loan.
The impact that the competition amongst lenders has on product development and innovation is equally important. This may yet be the most likely source of a breakthrough in housing finance and SME finance provision in SA, a topic to which I will return later.
(b) What about the impact on consumers and consumer protection?
The growth in the industry raises some concern about the potential impact on indebtedness. Consumers are now exposed to aggressive marketing by a large number of lenders, and may be entering into first loan contracts, without fully understanding the financial implications thereof.
The following are some of the primary consumer protection mechanisms that have been introduced (on which I expand below):-
Compliance certificates for registered lenders;
Complaints resolution by the MFRC,
Investigations and prosecutions by the MFRC.
Pro-active compliance monitoring:
The MFRC requires that the auditor (or accounting officer in the case of Close Corporations) of each registered lender visit a selection of the lender's business premises and review a sample of the lender's loan agreements to determine the lender's compliance with the Exemption Notice. Based hereon, the auditor issues a report to the MFRC which indicates the level of compliance with the Exemption Notice and Rules.
This implies that there is a mechanism in place to do an annual assessment of the level of compliance of all registered lenders. It also implies that the MFRC can concentrate its efforts on the cases of serious non-compliance.
(ii) Complaints resolution
The MFRC established a complaints call centre and has received 26,480 calls from inception to 31 July 2001. Of these calls, 5,155 were complaints. The most common complaints relate to non-disclosure (33%), the cost of borrowing (24%), unregistered lenders (19%), payroll deductions (16%) and cards & pin's (11%).
The MFRC has a number of full time complaints officers who assist and advise the complainants in order to resolve the complaints. In the first instance, the MFRC thus seeks to resolve the complaints through mediation between the lender and borrower in order for the complaints to be resolved. If this approach fails, the MFRC would undertake an inspection with a view to taking disciplinary action against the lender.
Irrespective of whether or not the complaints against a particular lender are resolved, the MFRC monitors the number and the profile of the complaints against each lender. This enables the MFRC to identify those lenders that have low compliance standards or against whom certain types of complaints are frequently raised. Such cases would result in an inspection or investigation, followed by disciplinary action.
(iii) Investigations and prosecutions
The MFRC's investigation and prosecution division is managed by an Advocate, previously from the Office of Serious Economic Affairs. The MFRC has contracts with seven small to medium accounting and legal firms, to which it out sources all inspections. These firms are located in different parts of South Africa, giving the MFRC the ability to investigate institutions located in any part of the country at reasonable cost.
To date the MFRC has completed 104 investigations, most of which were completed since July 2000. Of the 104 completed investigations, 6 will not be prosecuted, 9 have been heard by the disciplinary committee, 30 cases are scheduled to be heard before the end of October and the balance will be dealt with thereafter. The cases that have been heard by the MFRC's Disciplinary Committee resulted in one lender being de-registered and the other eight receiving fines varying from R1 ,000 to R25,000.
The disciplinary hearings are conducted by an independent disciplinary committee chaired by Advocate Margie Victor of the Johannesburg Bar.
(iv) Complaints and inspections: the Department
Pro-active inspections were undertaken by the Department at more than 200 micro-lenders since 1999 and that more than 300 micro-lenders were visited following complaints lodged with the Department. Twenty-one cases against micro-lenders have been forwarded to the prosecuting authority for contraventions of the Usury Act and another 48 cases are in the process of being prepared for submission to the prosecuting authority. In some of the cases the prosecuting authority has requested the withdrawal of the matters. Further information needs to be obtained on those matters. A decision was also taken by the Department to work more closely with the commercial crime unit to ensure successful prosecutions.
Inspections were performed in cities/towns like Springs, Pietersburg, Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Steelpoort, Lydenburg, Cape Town, George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, Vredendal, Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Nelspruit and Durban.
The most common complaints are
- high interest rates (annual finance charge rates)
- consumers do not know the contents of the loan agreements (in terms of the Exemption Notice the loan agreement must be explained to the borrower)
- a copy of the loan agreement must be given to the borrower - in most of the instances the complainants did not receive their copy of the agreements.
- blank forms are still signed by consumers, resulting in the micro-lenders obtaining judgement orders against borrowers without their knowledge.
- retaining of bank cards
- non-compliance with the disclosure provisions as required in terms of the Usury Act
One of the primary reasons for establishing the MFRC was the extent of abusive practices of lenders. This has also been one of the major focus areas since the MFRC's establishment. This include practices such as the retention of borrowers' bank cards, pin numbers and identity documents and requiring borrowers to sign consents to judgement and/ or emolument attachments orders in blank at the time of applying for a loan.
These practices are prohibited in the Exemption Notice. All nine lenders that were prosecuted were involved in one or both of these practices as are a large number of the lenders currently being investigated. A large number of the investigations that are still being processed also related to these issues.
Further to the specific action against lenders on these practices, the MFRC also conducted a special investigation into the irregular obtaining of consents to judgement and emolument attachment orders. This resulted in the Department of Justice sending a circular to all magistrates' offices in which magistrates were alerted to these practices and advised on how to deal with them.
The extent of collusion between some micro-lenders, debt collectors and court officials is alarming. It means that effective consumer protection is not dependent only upon the enforcement of the Exemption Notice, but close corporation with the Department of Justice, better enforcement of the Magistrates Courts Act and speedy implementation of the recently announced Debt Collectors Council. I am happy to note that there is close co-operation between the MFRC and the Department of Justice.
I also want to point out that considerable non-compliance was found amongst large lenders and micro-lending banks. In many cases this related to insufficient disclosure and to lenders "loading" the cost of credit with charges such as administration fees and credit life insurance. To deal effectively with credit life insurance will require changes to the Usury Act and Credit Agreements Act. This is receiving attention.
As result of the ongoing concern with the levels of indebtedness the MFRC appointed the University of Cape Town's Development Research Unit and Ebony Consulting International to conduct research into this area. At the outset one needs to take cognisance of the Researchers' reservations with the statistics that are available on household indebtedness. The national household statistics do not allow for consistent and reliable assessment of household indebtedness levels. This is an area that requires attention.
Some of the most notable conclusions from the research were the following:-
· That there are clear indications of financial deepening in the South African financial sector, with broadening access to financial services;
· That there is no indication of general over-indebtedness and that, in particular, low income groups do not appear to be generally over-indebted;
That certain sub-categories in the population were highly indebted, such as government employees with loans that are repayable through payroll deductions.
The research highlighted the fact that micro-loans are only one part of a larger picture. Repayments made on hire purchase accounts, repayments on consumer credit accounts, repayments on car finance and short term insurance installments all commands large component of the low and middle income population's expenditure.
Part of the objective with future research will be to better understand the relative magnitude and consumer protection considerations related to each of these categories. This would assist in ensuring that these different categories of credit provision are regulated in a consistent and holistic manner.
(b) Protective measures: National Loans Register, Reckless Lending and "truth in lending" disclosure
The concerns with over-indebtedness and predatory lending have a common feature, being the tendency of lenders to advance loans beyond a borrower's ability to meet the loan repayments. Predatory lending is not unique to South Africa. In Japan, similar problems have lead to extensive reform of the regulatory structure for consumer lending. In the United States it was the focus of Congressional Hearings that took place during last year.
With the establishment of the National Loans Register, the MFRC responded to the primary concern in dealing with predatory lending, being the tendency to advance loans without having taken cognisance of the borrower's ability to meet the loan repayments. The MFRC has also proposed changes to its Rules in order to accommodate the National Loans Register and to deal with "reckless lending". This would mean that lenders would be compelled to assess a borrower's ability to meet the loan repayments, with reference to the borrower's commitments.
These changes are to be complemented with the introduction of a standard one-page loan summery. This will contain the essential features of each loan agreement and is based upon the "truth in lending" disclosure requirements which apply in the United States.
We have taken note of a number of lending practices that may potentially be "predatory" and undermine consumer rights. These include the manner in which credit life insurance is levied. Appropriate responses will be considered.
I believe that the introduction of the National Loans Register, the reckless lending rules and the "loan summary" represents a credible response to the treat of over-indebtedness. I will support the MFRC in their effort to do further research on the levels and trends in indebtedness. This will also allow us to assess the effectiveness of the measures that have already been implemented, to identify specific vulnerable groups and to expand the regulations where necessary.
The Department and the nine provincial consumer affairs offices have distributed various documents and brochures in an effort to educate consumers about their rights and obligations in applying for loans and after the loans have been granted. The theme of International Consumers Day (15 March) in 2000 was the sensitisation and the creation of an overall awareness of their rights and obligations in the sphere of microlending.
The extension of access to credit to the broader population is only sustainable over the long term if consumers are provided with the information and financial skills to enable them to make financial decisions that are in their own best interest. This requires a concerted and on-going consumer awareness and consumer education.
The consumer representatives on the MFRC's Board of Directors have played an important role in ensuring that the MFRC gives appropriate attention to this area. The MFRC has endeavored to achieve this part of its mandate through the following strategies:-
· It developed consumer awareness material for radio and television broadcasts which were screened as 'public service announcements';
· As result of on-going interaction with the media, micro-lending issues have received a reasonable level of exposure in print and electronic media;
· Over the last nine months, the MFRC has conducted and participated in 56 consumer education workshops aimed at employers, trade unions, NGO's and provincial consumer desks. These were attended by more than 1000 delegates. Through these workshops the intention is to raise the level of awareness amongst parties that have regular contact with consumers and whom borrowers may approach with micro-lending problems.
Although consumer education is not a short-term solution for the problems that are occurring in micro lending, it may be the only feasible strategy over the long term. The MFRC thus envisages a continuation of these strategies.
(b) Raising awareness amongst lenders, financial advisors and other lender-related parties
Apart from the consumer-focused education campaign which is described above, the MFRC conducts a number of other activities aimed at increasing the awareness amongst micro-lenders and related parties of requirements of the Exemption Notice and consumer rights. These activities include:-
· Annual micro-lender workshops. (The last round of workshops were attended by more than 650 lender representatives).
· Workshops for the auditors and accounting officers of registered micro-lenders. 12 such workshops were conducted in different parts of the country.
Workshops with the compliance officers of registered micro-lenders.
Through these activities the MFRC endeavors to raise the level of awareness of the regulatory requirements amongst micro-lenders and a range of parties that are related to the micro-lending industry.
5. Assessment of the MFRC's performance against the Exemption Notice requirements
Clause 1.6 (I) of the Exemption Notice requires that the MFRC "review its own effectiveness and the effectiveness of this notice and to recommend appropriate changes to the Minister'. With funding by USAID the MFRC contracted the IRIS institute of the University of Maryland to conduct a review, with the following 2 objectives:-To assess the MFRC's performance against its mandate, and
To evaluate the state of SME and housing finance in South Africa, to identify potential obstacles to increased provision of SME and housing finance and to advise the MFRC on its role in this regard. We will return to this issue in the next section.
In terms of its legal mandate as represented by the Exemption Notice, the consultants concluded that "the MFRC had generally met or exceeded Exemption Notice requirements with regard to the operations of a micro lender regulatory institution. Its Board, structure, staffing, operations, and relations with both lenders and consumers are sound."
The consultants indicated that there are two areas in which the MFRC has not met its mandate: The MFRC did not meet Exemption Notice requirements in two minor areas:
lack of annual publishing of information regarding types of charges and average annual charges levied by each lender (clause 1.6.i of the Exemption Notice), and lack of clearance of the loan agreements (clause 2.3 ofAnnexure A of the Exemption Notice).
The consultants further indicated that:-
1. "The MFRC exceeded the requirements of the notice (but not its mandate as a regulatory institution) in a number of areas, including establishing the National Loans Register, collecting complaints on unregistered lenders and passing relevant information to DTI's Inspectorate, piloting mechanisms to enrol unregistered lenders, training magistrates, advising government on housing and SMME lending, setting up a highly relevant applied research agenda, and contributing substantively to the debate on modernising low-end financial legislation and regulation."; and
2. The consultants further suggested changes to the Exemption Notice "to name the MFRC as Inspector so it can deal with unregistered lenders, add a research and legal development function, and substantially increase the Exemption amount and time frame for housing and SMME lending. Other areas for consideration in the Rules and Annexure involve joint operations by microlenders and debt collectors, and a truth in lending requirement for all loans".
The MFRC has taken steps to address the areas where the consultants assessed it not to have complied with the Exemption Notice requirements.
Reinforcing the consultant's recommendation in respect of unregistered lenders, the MFRC has indicated its concern with the level of action against unregistered lenders. Given the level of scrutiny of the activities of registered lenders, there is a great need for more effective action against unregistered lenders. The level of scrutiny on registered lenders, cost of compliance and penalties for non-compliance is already creating incentives for registered lenders for "going underground". It is of critical importance at this stage of the industry's formalisation that there must be effective action against unregistered lenders. This would create a further impetus for the formalisation of the industry and for adherence by registered micro-lenders to the rules that governs the industry.
Provision of housing and SME finance
(a) Involvement of micro-lenders in SME and housing finance
The MFRC has been investigating the level of involvement of registered micro-lenders in SME and housing finance, and potential obstacles to increased provision of these types of finance.
The investigation highlighted that a number of lenders are involved in innovation and experimentation related to SME lending. The following are some examples:-
· Unibank is involved in a joint venture with one of the leading international micro-finance consulting groups in setting up a dedicated micro-enterprise finance company in the Northwest Province;
· African Bank is financing emerging contractors and has a loan book estimated at
around R210 million; African Bank also has a credit guarantee facility for the purchases of spaza shops from wholesalers
· One of the short term lenders are experimenting with an application of smart card technology for the provision of finance to small contractors and vendors;
· Capitec CBS (established from the amalgamation of a number of short term lenders) is in the process of setting up a finance facility for township-based vendors, which integrates the provision of working capital finance with the vendors' supply chain;
· Provident Financial, which is a subsidiary of a major US based consumer lender, has successfully targeted the informally employed and is already serving more than 35,000 clients.
These are only a hand full of examples of the growing interest in developing products outside of the conventional payroll based lending. Further indications of the commitment to this area is a project that the Micro Lenders Association launched to encourage SME lending amongst its short term lending members. The MLA, Banking Council and a number of individual lenders have sent delegates to the micro-enterprise finance conference in Frankfurt in Germany. A survey amongst the largest lenders registered with the MFRC indicated that over 90% regarded SME and low cost housing lending as a priority area, and that a five fold increase in the volume of such lending is quite possible if existing obstacles are removed.
(b) Obstacles to increased provision of housing and SME finance
However, a number of obstacles to increased provision of SME and housing loans by registered micro-lenders have been identified. Amongst these, the following are the most significant:-
· The combined effect of the R10,000 limitation on the Exemption Notice and the level at which the Usury Act interest rate cap is set, is to make a range of potentially viable housing and SME finance products unprofitable;
· Access to loanable funds is a major obstacle to increased SME and housing lending by non-bank lenders. Existing funding sources are mostly of a short term, high cost nature. This places severe restrictions on the type of lending that the entities can engage in;
· The MFRC has identified a lack of access to the payment system for non-bank lenders, unequal treatment by banks of different payment types and a lack of access to certain types of credit risk information as some of the other obstacles.
The MFRC has made certain proposals for removing some of these obstacles. A range of stakeholders is affected and we believe that further consultation is required to improve the understanding of the nature of the obstacles and the implications of the suggested regulatory changes. The consulting team to which have been referred before provided a detailed overview of the international experience in these areas. Their report will provide a basis for further discussion of these issues.
It is worth noting that a Task Group of the Policy Board on Financial Regulation (Chaired by Ms Gill Marcus) is also looking at the constraints to increasing the provision of SME finance. These different projects should lay the basis for addressing any legislative or regulatory obstacles that may inhibit the sound and desirable development of the micro-finance industry.
The MFRC is currently being funded from two sources: registration fees paid by the registered micro-lenders and an annual grant by Ford Foundation. It has indicated that it cannot expand the extent or intensity of its regulatory activities within its current funding limitations.
The Department has indicated that it is receptive to providing funding for certain parts of the MFRC's operational expenditure, which would relieve this funding constraint. The Department has requested the MFRC to present a business plan and funding request for consideration, prior to the next budget allocation.
The interest rate cap that was proposed in the Exemption Notice was rejected by the court. In response, the department undertook a study on interest rates which was to inform the introduction of a new cap. We took notice of the recommendations of the consultants, namely that the factors that determine cost and interest rates across different segments of the micro-lending market differs significantly. We were also hesitant to impose a cap that may have the effect of driving a section of the micro-lending industry underground, thus removing all protection from that section of the clients.
However, the Department is closely monitoring the position. It has also received a number of proposals for a special interest rate dispensation for SME and housing lending, while certain aspects of the current regulations on the calculation of the 'nominal annual rate for the total cost of credit' has not proved effective from a consumer disclosure point of view.
We are reconsidering the approach to interest rate regulation and will in due course be making suggestions in this regard.
The MFRC's mandate requires that it keep its eye on two different balls: the protection of consumer rights and the development of the micro-lending industry s~ as to increase the provision of high priority finance. The major priority is increased provision of housing and enterprise finance. We believe that the MFRC has made sound progress in all these areas and have confidence in its ability to address the challenges that remain.
The extent to which the MFRC is breaking new ground in its approach to regulating this emerging financial sector has been recognised by the MFRC having been asked to do a presentation at an International Seminar on Development Finance in Frankfurt, Germany.
I would like to complement the MFRC's Board of Directors on the role that it has played over this formative period. The consumer representatives that are represented on the MFRC's Board of Directors have played a major role in ensuring that consumer protection receives on-going attention. While the role that the micro-lending industry plays in extending access to finance is recognised and should be supported, this can only take place in an environment where lenders' respect for consumer rights is clearly demonstrated.
I also want to take the opportunity to congratulate the Micro Lenders Association (MLA) on the constructive role that it has played over the last 18 months. After initially having challenged certain aspects of the Exemption Notice in court, the MLA has clearly demonstrated their commitment to improving lender conduct and played an invaluable role both on the Board of Directors of the MFRC and in various projects that it is undertaking to foster sound industry development.
I am confident that the work of the last 2 years has laid the basis for rapid progress in all areas of the MFRC's mandate over the next year.
ALEC ERWIN
MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
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Home » Christians & Culture » The Growing Suppression of Christian Faith
The Growing Suppression of Christian Faith
Dr Snyder May 3, 2013 May 3, 2013
Before this week, I had never heard of Mikey Weinstein [does someone really choose to be called Mikey?], but he and his organization, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, have made headlines. If you haven’t noticed, let me get you up to speed.
The story first appeared on Breitbart.com and, as of last night, had more than 1.2 million Facebook shares. Weinstein, a former Air Force officer, was recently brought to the Pentagon by Obama political appointees as a consultant to help formulate policy on the type of religious expression that should be allowed or disallowed in the Air Force. His organization, though, is a stridently anti-Christian group that seeks to curtail the rights of Christians serving in the military.
Although the word “extremist” can be overused at times, Weinstein seems to fit the category. All we have to do is take him at his own word—or many words. As reported in World magazine, “Weinstein’s objective is to make it standard practice in the military that a service member who proselytizes his or her faith should face court-martial. He told Fox News he’d like to see ‘hundreds of prosecutions to stop this outrage.'” Here are more samples of Weinstein’s rhetoric:
We face incredibly well-funded gangs of fundamentalist Christian monsters who terrorize their fellow Americans by forcing their weaponized and twisted version of Christianity upon their helpless subordinates in our nation’s armed forces.
Our Pentagon has been turned into a Pentacostalgon, and our DOD has been turned into an imperialistic, fascist contagion of unconstitutional triumphalism by people that want to kill us—or have their version of Jesus kill us if we don’t accept their Biblical world view.
The dominionist Christian will say, “Nothing can constrain me from proselytizing my version of Christianity.” And these people we find have several particular malodorous stenches about them. It’s like walking into a stench in my native state of New Mexico here on a hot August afternoon and having your nostrils assaulted by the stenches of 10,000 rotting swine, it’s so bad. The first stench is viral misogyny. The fact that women should be consigned to selecting food, preparing food, cleaning up after meals, spreading their legs, getting pregnant and raising children. The next [stench] is virulent anti-Semitism. The next is virulent Islamophobia.
We’re fighting al-Qaeda. We’re fighting the Taliban, and we’re turning our own military in[to] the exact same thing.
The dead guy—Jerry Falwell, and I’m sorry but I’m very glad he’s dead. I’m very sorry if anyone is upset about that.
I think that’s enough to give you a taste of where he’s coming from. His organization is misnamed. It should be called the Military Suppression of Religious Freedom Foundation. Weinstein has called proselytizing—sharing one’s faith with another—“a national security threat” and a form of “spiritual rape.” He seems to relish using sexual language in his attacks on Christianity. He also equates sharing one’s faith with “sedition and treason.”
Let’s keep in mind a couple of things: first, for Christians, it’s a commandment to share the faith because we believe people are lost and we seek to pull them out of the pit of hell; second, the First Amendment, which should be our political guideline, says that we cannot be prohibited from the free exercise of our faith. And on the practical level, what use is a military chaplaincy if chaplains are not allowed to share what they believe? This gets to the root of the issue: Weinstein wants nothing less than the dismantling of the military chaplaincy and the removal of all Christian influence.
The Pentagon, in the aftermath of this revelation and the criticism it has received, issued the following statement: “Religious proselytization is not permitted within the Department of Defense. Court-martials and non-judicial punishments are decided on a case-by-case basis and it would be inappropriate to speculate on the outcome in specific cases.” That’s supposed to make us feel better? That’s more like an affirmation of what Weinstein wants to accomplish. Of course, this is the same military, now run by Obama appointees, that has affirmed homosexuality. So homosexuality is celebrated and Christian faith is demonized.
I’ve been writing about Obama’s worldview and his anti-Christian stances for the past four-plus years. In one sense, this is nothing new. However, it’s becoming more blatant as time passes. This is a real attack on Christianity in America, and we had better wake up and face the reality. More than once I’ve said that the true Christian faith is now a subculture in our society. We need to recognize that and respond accordingly. We’ve not yet reverted to the persecution era of the Roman Empire, but we need to prepare ourselves for that possibility if our culture and politics don’t change very soon.
Christians & Culture, Politics & Government Christianity, military, Obama, persecution, Weinstein
Rubio in Lakeland: The Message
Screwtape’s Education Formula
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[YouTube] Suhasini Mulay caught with Young Guy by Irfan Khan - Bollywood Movie Scene | Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota
Suhasini Mulay caught with Young Guy by Irfan Khan in a scene from the Latest Hindi Movie Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota (2006) Latest Bollywood Movie. Starring : Konkona Sen, Irfan Khan, Ayesha Takia, Jimmy Shergill, Paresh Rawal, Ratna Pathak Shah, Boman Irani, Suhasini Mulay. Director : Naseeruddin Shah P
[YouTube] Irfan Khan Romances Old Lady | Suhasini Mulay - Bollywood Movie Scene | Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota
Irfan Khan Romances Old Lady in a scene from the Latest Hindi Movie Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota (2006) Latest Bollywood Movie. Starring : Konkona Sen, Irfan Khan, Ayesha Takia, Jimmy Shergill, Paresh Rawal, Ratna Pathak Shah, Boman Irani, Suhasini Mulay. Director : Naseeruddin Shah Producer : Shabbir Boxw
[YouTube] First Night of Konkona Sen Sharma & Jimmy Shergill - Bedroom Scene | Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota
Watch First Night of Konkona Sen Sharma & Jimmy Shergill in a scene from the Latest Hindi Movie Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota (2006) Latest Bollywood Movie. Starring : Konkona Sen, Irfan Khan, Ayesha Takia, Jimmy Shergill, Paresh Rawal, Ratna Pathak Shah, Boman Irani, Suhasini Mulay. Director : Naseeruddin
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People Tend To Overestimate What Can Be Done In One Year And To Underestimate What Can Be Done In Five Or Ten Years
Bill Gates? Arthur C. Clarke? J. C. R. Licklider? Roy Amara? Alfred Mayo? George H. Heilmeier? Manfred Kochen? Raymond Kurzweil? Anonymous?
Dear Quote investigator: Predicting the technological future of mankind is enormously difficult. One recurring flaw in such projections has been identified. Here are three versions:
We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run.
We always overestimate the change that will occur in the short term and underestimate the change that will occur in the long term.
People overestimate what can be done in one year, and underestimate what can be done in ten.
This notion has been attributed to software mogul Bill Gates, science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, visionary computer scientist J. C. R. Licklider, futurist Roy Amara and others.
Quote investigator: The statements above are not identical in meaning, but grouping them together in a single family provides insight. The variety of expressions makes the tracing task quite difficult, and this article simply presents a snapshot of current research.
Arthur C. Clarke did write a partially matching statement in the 1951 book “The Exploration of Space”, but his point differed from the saying under analysis. He did not sharply distinguish the short run and long run. Emphasis added to excerpts by QI: 1
Yet if we have learned one thing from the history of invention and discovery, it is that, in the long run—and often in the short one—the most daring prophecies seem laughably conservative.
This earliest match known to QI appeared in the 1965 book “Libraries of the Future” by J. C. R. Licklider. Computer memory technology was advancing quickly when the book was written, and Licklider commented on the difficulty of extrapolating trends: 2
Shortly after the text was written, “bulk core” memories, with 18 million bits per unit, and as many as four units per computer, were announced for delivery in 1966. A modern maxim says: “People tend to overestimate what can be done in one year and to underestimate what can be done in five or ten years.”
Licklider disclaimed credit for the saying; hence, this early occurrence was anonymous although some colleagues later ascribed the remark to Licklider.
In 1969 a Texas newspaper printed a piece about humanity’s future activities in space. Alfred Mayo, an aerospace consultant who had worked at NASA, suggested that manufacturing processes in space might be able to take advantage of vacuum, weightlessness, and low temperatures: 3
As for manufacturing prospects in space, he pointed out that men historically have tended to overestimate achievements in the short run and to underestimate what can be achieved in the long run. They also, he said, tend to underestimate effects of the new and try to extend the immediate past too far into the future in forecasting.
In 1976 a journal from the United States Air Force called “Air University Review” printed an article “Guarding Against Technological Surprise” by George H. Heilmeier that included an instance of the saying: 4
Engineers and scientists have perfect 20-20 hindsight but continually demonstrate an appalling lack of foresight. They tend to overestimate what can be done in the short-term and underestimate what will be done in the long-term.
In 1981 Manfred Kochen of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor published a journal article about “Technology and Communication in the Future” that contained an instance: 5
It is well to remember the tendency of forecasters to overestimate what is likely to occur in the short run and to underestimate or to fail to anticipate altogether what can occur in the long run.
In 1983 Roy Amara, President of the Institute For the Future, a long-term planning organization, was interviewed for an article from the Gannett News Service about future technological developments. His opinion was paraphrased: 6
Investors in high-tech firms, Amara said, have overestimated the importance of robotics and biotechnology in the short run. But in the long run, he added, the success of those and other technologies has been “grossly underestimated.”
The 1989 collection “What Futurists Believe” included two versions of a statement from Roy Amara. The first instance was somewhat verbose: 7
Technology is almost never the driver of social change but it is almost always a major actor. Although society generally has a dismal record in forecasting the diffusion and effect of new technology, one generalization does seem to apply: we consistently overestimate the rate of diffusion and the impacts of technology in the short run but underestimate diffusion and impact in the long run.
The second version was compact:
Always an actor in, but not a driver of, social change, technology is overestimated in its rate of diffusion and underestimated in its long term impacts.
In 1992 inventor and futurist Raymond Kurzweil employed the saying within a column for “Library Journal” predicting the importance of ebooks. The attribution was anonymous: 8
It is said that in the development of technology we overestimate what can be accomplished in the short term and underestimate what can be accomplished in the long term.
In 1995 a piece in the literary journal “Massachusetts Review” ascribed the saying to Arthur C. Clarke: 9
Arthur Clarke has noted that we tend to overestimate what we can do in the near future and grossly underestimate what can be done in the distant future. This is because the human imagination extrapolates in a straight line, while real world events develop exponentially like compound interest.
In 1995 Bill Gates published the first edition of “The Road Ahead”. He quickly realized that he had underestimated the growth and salience of the internet, and the next year he released a substantially revised edition. The “Afterword” of the 1996 edition included the following: 10
We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into inaction.
In 1997 a columnist in a Calgary, Alberta, Canada newspaper credited Roy Amara with an instance: 11
The latest official count says seven per cent of North Americans are now connected to the World Wide Web, although thousands of newcomers join daily. After 10 years, the Internet is about to become an overnight phenomenon. What does that mean for you and me? Roy Amara, former president of the Institute for the Future, explained it this way: We tend to over-estimate the impact of a phenomenon in the short run and under-estimate it in the long run.
In conclusion, the earliest member of this family known to QI appeared in a 1965 book by J. C. R. Licklider, but he called it a modern maxim. Licklider did not craft the anonymous saying although he did help to popularize it. Alfred Mayo employed a version in 1969 containing the phrases “short run” and “long run” instead of fixed time periods such as “one year” and “ten years”. Subsequently, many people have employed versions of the saying. The evidence linking A. C. Clarke to the expression is weak.
Image Notes: Abstract image from insspirito (Garik Barseghyan) at Pixabay. Image has been retouched, cropped, and resized.
(Great thanks to Kevin Bachus whose inquiry led QI to formulate this question and perform this exploration. Bachus noted that the saying had been attributed to Bill Gates, Arthur C. Clarke, and others. Thanks to “The Yale Book of Quotations” which lists the key citations for Licklider and Gates.)
1951, The Exploration of Space by Arthur C. Clarke, Chapter 11: The Lunar Base, Quote Page 111, Harper & Brothers Publishers. New York. (Verified with scans) ↩
1965, Libraries of the Future by J. C. R. Licklider, Part 1: Man’s Interaction with Recorded Knowledge, Chapter 1: The Size of the Body of Recorded Information, (Text for Dagger Footnote), Quote Page 17, The MIT Press, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Verified with scans) ↩
1969 January 26, Express and News, Space Research Promises New Jobs, New Products by Jerry Lochbaum, Section 5, Quote Page 4, Column 1, San Antonio, Texas. (Newspapers_com) ↩
1976 September-October, Air University Review, Volume 27, Number 6, Article: Guarding Against Technological Surprise, Article Author: Dr. George H. Heilmeier, Start Page 2, Quote Page 5, Column 2, Department of the Air Force, United States of America, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. (HathiTrust Full View) link ↩
1981 March, Journal of the American Society for Information Science, Article Title: Technology and Communication in the Future, Article Author: Manfred Kochen, Author Affiliation: Mental Health Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Start Page 148, Quote Page 148, Column 2, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Published on behalf of Association for Information Science and Technology. (doi:10.1002/asi.4630320212 Online Library of Wiley) ↩
1983 May 5, Journal and Courier, Rate of changes clouds the future for seers by John Hillkirk (Gannett News Service), Quote Page D6, Column 4, Lafayette, Indiana. (Newspapers_com) ↩
1989, What Futurists Believe, Edited by Joseph F. Coates and Jennifer Jarratt, Chapter 4: Strengths, Weaknesses and Gaps in Current Futures Thinking, Quote Page 53, Chapter 5: Roy Amara, Quote Page 66, Lomond Publications Inc., Mt. Airy, Maryland and Bethesda, Maryland, World Future Society. (Verified with hardcopy) ↩
1992 February 15, Library Journal, Volume 117 Issue 3, Article: The Futurecast: The future of libraries Part 2: The end of books, Article Author: Raymond Kurzweil, Media Source Inc., Plain City Ohio. (EBSCO Academic Search Elite) ↩
1995 Spring, Massachusetts Review, Volume 36, Issue 1, Article: The dream of spaceflight: Nostalgia for a bygone future, Article Author: Wyn Wachhorst, Massachusetts Review Inc., University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts. (EBSCO Academic Search Elite) ↩
1996, The Road Ahead by Bill Gates, (Completely Revised and Up-to-date), Section: Afterword, Penguin Books, New York. (Not yet verified with hardcopy; based on data from the Yale Book of Quotations and ABC News) ↩
1997 January 04, Calgary Herald, The Winning Edge: Predictions key to marketing by Natalie Maclean, Quote Page E9, Column 3, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Newspapers_com) ↩
Posted on January 3, 2019 January 16, 2019 Author garsonCategories Arthur C. Clarke, Bill GatesTags Alfred Mayo, Arthur C. Clarke, Bill Gates, George H. Heilmeier, J. C. R. Licklider, Manfred Kochen, Raymond Kurzweil, Roy Amara
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Sara Netanyahu in court on June 16.
Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israel’s prime minister, sentenced for corruption
By Ephrat Livni June 16, 2019
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a lot of problems. He has been accused of corruption, failed to assemble a coalition after winning a recent election and now must campaign in another race in September. To make matters worse, his wife is now officially a convicted criminal.
Sara Netanyahu was accused of aggravated fraud and breach of public trust last June. Netanyahu ordered gourmet takeout to the residence even though her government-funded kitchen had its own chef, flouting state rules and forcing the public pay for meals.
Prosecutors argued the prime minister and his wife were not entitled to the $96,000 in take-out ordered between 2010 and 2013, according to the indictment. Ultimately, she pled guilty to lesser charges and today (June 16) was sentenced.
The prime minister’s wife faced up to five years in prison on the initial charges against her. In a negotiated settlement, she agreed to plea to “intentionally exploiting the mistake of another” by misleading officials who authorized the expenses, unaware that she already benefited from chefs on the government payroll, AP reports. Her overspending charges were reduced to $50,000, and she has agreed to pay $2,800 in fines and return about $12,500 to the state.
Prosecutor Erez Padan said that the prosecution made “significant concessions” to resolve the case, explaining, ”Like in every plea deal, all sides make concessions, at times not easy ones. Netanyahu’s consent to be convicted shows she assumes responsibility.” He said the deal was struck because there were difficulties obtaining evidence in the matter, according to Haaretz.
“Sara Netanyahu is today paying a heavy and painful personal cost to put an end to this witch hunt, and I hope that indeed this is the end of the story,” Netanyahu’s attorney, Yossi Cohen, said after the sentencing hearing.
As unseemly as Sara’s food crime may appear, it’s small time compared to the accusations that her husband faces. Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of bribery and breach of public trust for allegedly accepting lavish gifts from rich friends and promoting desired legislation in exchange for favorable media coverage.
Netanyahu has repeatedly tried to push back a pre-indictment hearing, most recently claiming that upcoming elections in September make an October hearing impossible. But Israeli Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit refused further delays, and the hearing is expected on October 2.
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You are currently browsing the daily archive for January 5, 2011.
Le Carre’s Hard-Pressed Concept of Honour
January 5, 2011 in 20th Century Classics | Comments closed
The sixties saw the emergence of a very different sort of novel about spies from those written by Ian Fleming. The writer was David Cornwell, who used the pseudonym John le Carre, since he was working at the time for MI6, the foreign branch of British Intelligence. He had previously been in MI5, which was for counter-intelligence, and for which James Bond supposedly worked. Before that he had taught briefly at Eton, though he had not been a schoolboy there, unlike Fleming, whose credentials as a member of the British establishment were much stronger.
Le Carre’s principal hero was George Smiley, the very antithesis of James Bond. He was totally without glamour, and based in part on V H H Green, the rector of Lincoln College in Oxford where le Carre had studied. Wrapped up in Smiley’s successes in counter-intelligence are his personal failures, notably a disastrous marriage, with his wife being seduced by a colleague who turns out to be a Russian agent.
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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Civil Defence Committees’ tag.
A Reform Agenda: 3 – Administrative Reform
December 9, 2014 in Reform Agenda | Tags: Civil Defence Committees, consultation, Consultative Committee on Public Administration Reforms, Divisional Development Committee, grama niladhari, Nittambuwa OIC, Reconcilation | Comments closed
During my visits in the last couple of years to all the Divisional Secretariats in the North and East, I realized that little had been done to implement the proposal in President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s manifestos regarding more consultation of the people. Regular meetings did not take part at village level, and the supposed Divisional Development Committees met sporadically. Their conclusions were not recorded systematically, and there was no provision for follow up. Indeed in one area it was reported that the Member of Parliament, who chaired the meetings, ignored decisions and did what he wanted, and this was confirmed by the Government Agent. Elsewhere the Committees had not met for months.
I wrote to some of my colleagues and suggested they should take their responsibilities more seriously. I also suggested to the President, in my end of year report as Adviser on Reconciliation, how systems could be developed. But there was no response, except once when he told me, when I spoke to him about the need for better consultation, to talk to Basil. I told him I could not, since Basil never listened, as I had learnt from previous experience, so the President told me to write to Lalith, which I did, for the umpteenth time. Nothing happened, and instead I discovered this year that the chairmanship of the DDCs was being used to give MPs massive sums of money, over Rs 600 million in some cases, to spend on what they saw as development.
I brought the matter up at the Consultative Committee on Public Administration Reforms, and got details of the wheezes Basil had dreamt up to give funds to members involved in elections. It transpired that no one had known about this officially before I asked, and the opposition as well as more responsible members of government welcomed the relative clarity we established, but it was pretty clear the whole process was absurd.
Not least to prevent such abuse, we must set in place mechanisms to ensure that the voice of the people is heard before money is spent on their behalf. Fortunately there did exist a consultative mechanism in the form of the Civil Defence Committees, which I found well organized in the East. Unfortunately these had no official status, but we were able, after discussion with the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, to improve the structures, primarily by his asking the Grama Niladharis to chair the meetings. This established a link with the formal administrative process, and in some places where there were able officials – such as the Nittambuwa OIC, who explained how he had taken things forward when spent some time in his office – files were systematically maintained. Still, the process requires fine tuning, and in particular provision for follow up, so the following administrative reforms are suggested –
Consultation mechanisms should formally be set up at Grama Niladhari level, in line with the current Civil Defence Committees which are now chaired by the Grama Niladhari. There should be two committees, one for Development, which should discuss projects and allocations, and the other for Social Action and Service Delivery.
The minutes of these meetings, with decisions / action points noted, should be shared with the next level up of government. Responses must be conveyed to participants at GN level, along with the minutes, at the subsequent meeting
At Divisional Secretariat level, on the pattern of the Women and Children’s Units that have been set up, there should be coordination mechanisms for groups of subjects (ie Education and Training, Agriculture and Irrigation and Forests and Wild Life, Health and Social Services). Officials should work as a team, and ensure attention to all GN Divisions. For this purpose individuals can be given responsibility for particular GN Divisions, with the coordinating committee at DS level looking into all issues and providing feedback.
There should be regular consultative meetings of department heads at Divisional level, chaired by the Divisional Secretary. To facilitate this, all government departments should treat the Division as the basic unit of administration. This will require restructuring of a few Departments, ie Education and the Police.
Regular discussions between the Divisional Secretary and the elected head of the Local Government Unit are necessary. Ideally the proposed Local Government Act will lay down specific responsibilities so overlap of responsibilities will be minimal, but coordination and agreement on priorities is essential. Making the Divisional Secretariat and the Local Government Unit (or Units) coterminous will facilitate coordination.
Colombo Post 4 December 2014 – http://www.colombopost.net/columns/op-ed/item/285-a-reform-agenda-administrative-reform
Strengthening institutions and organizational capacity 27 – Police Grass Roots structures
February 5, 2014 in Strengthening institutions and organizational capacity | Tags: Batticaloa, Child Rights Protection Officer, Civil Defence Committees, community policing, Deyata Kirula, grama niladhari, Grama Niladhari Division, Grama Niladharis, IGP, Kattankudy, Mahinda Chintanaya, OIC, Osmund de Silva, Police, Police Advisory Committees, Public Health Inspector, Sabaragamuwa, shramadana, Weliveriya | Comments closed
Soon after I had written last week’s column about improving protection at local levels, I found a structure already in place that was based on a similar idea. This was in relation to the Community Policing that that present Inspector General has instituted.
His determination to establish mechanisms for this is in line with the Mahinda Chintanaya commitment to ensuring consultation at village level. Sadly I don’t think any other government department has moved coherently to implement this idea, and I can only hope that the present IGP does not fall prey, as his most illustrious predecessor Osmund de Silva did, to resentment on the part of politicians who want to provide solutions to all problems themselves. Osmund de Silva found that his efforts to develop a productive relationship between the police service and village communities was looked on with suspicion by the politicians of a newly independent country who thought they were the heirs to all the authority that the British had exercised.
So, whereas the British hierarchichal system, with the police seeing themselves as representatives of a government that was at a remove from the people, has changed in Britain, with greater understanding of the community basis of democracy, it continues in Sri Lanka. And though the IGP has tried to change things, I suspect old habits will die hard in many parts of the country, not least because of the different layers of politicians who insist on controlling things themselves – as was tragically illustrated in the recent reign of terror in Sabaragamuwa.
On the votes of the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs in the Committee Stage of the Budget – 9/12/13
December 9, 2013 in In Parliament | Tags: Asoka Gunawardena, ‘Sri Lanka’s Missing Mothers, Child Centred Budget Analysis, children, Children’s Homes, Civil Defence Committees, Commonwealth Youth Declaration, Computer Centres, counselling, divisional secretariat, Divisional Secretariats, Draft National Youth Policy, Education, Finance Commission, Gender Based Violence, GN, GN Division, government, grama niladhari, Grama Niladhari Division, Grama Niladharis, Guru-Deguru, Health Ministry, Human Rights Action Plan, Judicial Services Commission, Kandaveli, Mahinda Chintanaya, malnutrition, Ministry of Child Development, Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare, Ministry of Social Services, Moneragala, National Child Protection Agency, Policy Dialogue, Report on Missing Mothers, Rupavahini, Save the Children, Skills Training, social services, training, tuition, women, Women and Children’s Units | Comments closed
Speech of Prof Rajiva Wijesinha
On the votes of the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs
In the Committee Stage of the Budget, December 9th 2013
I am honoured to speak on the votes of the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs, which deals with perhaps the most important subject we need to consider. I say this because, while the development programme government has put in place with regard to infrastructure is vital, it will serve no purpose unless we also concentrate on human development. In this regard we need to ensure that our children are in full enjoyment of all their rights, and that we also empower them so that any violations are minimized.
It is equally important, Mr Speaker, to ensure that women are not only protected, but also empowered. For this purpose we must put in place coherent mechanisms that can identify shortcomings and address them promptly and systematically. Above all we must move from simply reacting to problems, but rather anticipate potential problems and avoid them – a strategy, I should add, that would hold us in good stead with regard also to international relations as well as domestic politics.
With regard to Women and Children, I am happy to say that we have an active Ministry that is able to conceptualize and initiate new measures. Chief amongst these is the establishment of Women and Children’s Units in every Divisional Secretariat. If I might say so, this Ministry has been the first to recognize the importance of the Division, which is the first active interface between government and people. Indeed this Ministry has also recognized the importance of the Grama Niladhari Division, which is the first actual interface, though it is for the raising of issues rather than solving them. I should add that it would make sense to set in place, even in GN Divisions, consultative mechanisms to resolve simple problems. However it the Division that is the first level at which more important decisions can be taken, and where the front line officers of various government institutions can meet to discuss problems and plan responses – and where they can discuss trends that will help them to anticipate problems and avoid them.
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Kunapipi
Home > lha > kunapipi > Vol. 6 (1984) > Iss. 1
The Vertigris of Glory': The Lure of Abjection in Thea Astley's The Acolyte
Joan Kirkby
Yes, The Acolyte's the one I like best ... l was working at Macquarie University at the time, and the corridors were ringing with the sound of symbols, and I wanted to write an anti-symbol novel. I always remember the time someone rushed down the corridor and said, 'Moby Dick is actually a giant penis.' I got tired of this extrapolation of symbols from novels and I thought, I'll write an anti-symbolic novel and I'll use as many symbols as I can, and send them up. That's why Vesper built a gigantic sling- it was really a giant phallus.1
Kirkby, Joan, The Vertigris of Glory': The Lure of Abjection in Thea Astley's The Acolyte, Kunapipi, 6(1), 1984.
Available at:https://ro.uow.edu.au/kunapipi/vol6/iss1/31
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Statement on Monetary Policy – May 2009 Economic Outlook
In SMP May 2009
Box A: Global Industrial Production
Box B: Recent Developments in Australia's Resource Exports
Activity in the international and domestic economies has been weaker than was envisaged in the February Statement. The Bank's revised forecasts for the Australian economy show a fall in GDP in the first half of this year, and a recovery beginning in late 2009. With output expected to remain below trend for an extended period, the inflation forecasts have also been revised down. Underlying inflation is expected to decline gradually to around 1½ per cent by end 2011. As in past Statements, the forecasts do not incorporate any effects from the Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.[1]
The international economy
The recent weak outcomes for the world economy imply a downward revision to the 2009 year-average forecast for global growth. The magnitude and synchronisation of the contractions in output and trade seen in the December and March quarters reflect a substantial decline in confidence, particularly among businesses, following the extreme events in financial markets in September 2008. This loss of confidence and the significant rise in risk aversion magnified the slowing that was already underway in the major advanced economies flowing from the problems in the US sub-prime mortgage market.
Given the unprecedented nature of the current circumstances, any set of forecasts is inevitably subject to a high degree of uncertainty. That said, the Bank's central forecast is based on the view that the signs of stronger growth in China and early signs of stabilisation in east Asia and the United States will prove durable, as the extraordinary fiscal and monetary policy measures and the efforts to resolve the problems in the US financial system begin to have greater effect. Accordingly, modest growth in the advanced economies is expected to resume around the end of this year, following an overall contraction in G7 GDP of over 5 per cent. Average growth in Australia's non-G7 trading partners is expected to be somewhat stronger, reflecting both a slightly earlier recovery of some east Asian economies and the stronger performance of China and India. In year-average terms, output in Australia's major trading partners is projected to contract by around 2¾ per cent in 2009 on an export-weighted basis, compared with growth averaging around 5 per cent in 2006 and 2007 (Graph 81). These forecasts are a little weaker than implied by the forecasts released by the IMF in late April.
The recovery in world growth in 2010 and 2011 is assumed to be relatively subdued, in contrast to the strong bounce-back typically seen after earlier recessions. This is consistent with past experiences in the aftermath of financial crises. An additional element constraining the recovery will be the pressures on budget positions of some of the major advanced economies, which may require fiscal consolidation at an early stage in the recovery.
The weakness in the world economy has been reflected in a softening in commodity markets. Recently agreed contracts for coal prices entail falls of 45–60 per cent relative to the 2008/09 contracts, although prices remain above the levels of the 2007/08 contracts. Iron ore export prices are also expected to fall significantly, but to remain high by historical standards. These falls mean that a significant decline in Australia's terms of trade is taking place, which will weigh on domestic incomes over 2009 (Graph 82). Nonetheless, while a terms of trade decline of around 20 per cent is expected through 2009, this would still mean that the terms of trade are 40 per cent above the average level that prevailed between 1980 and 2000.
Domestic activity
As usual, the forecasts are prepared based on a number of technical assumptions. These include the cash rate and exchange rate remaining at their current levels, and oil prices broadly in line with near-term futures pricing. The forecasts also incorporate fiscal policy decisions announced in late 2008 and early 2009, and some impact from the early stages of the implementation of the national broadband network program. In addition, some modest additional stimulus from the 2009/10 federal budget has been assumed.
Indicators of domestic activity, information from the Bank's liaison program and business surveys all suggest that the economy has been contracting since late 2008. A significant contraction in GDP is estimated for the first half of 2009, with the peak-to-trough contraction in GDP a little smaller than during the recession in the early 1990s. The economy is forecast to begin to grow from late 2009, although the recovery is expected to be gradual, partly reflecting the slow recovery in global demand (Table 16). In year-average terms, GDP is forecast to decline by ½ per cent in 2009/10 before growing by 2¼ per cent in 2010/11.
Factors that would suggest a less severe recession here than in many other countries include the bigger decline in interest rates to end-borrowers, the healthier state of the financial sector, Australia's export mix (a relatively low share of exports of capital goods and high-value manufactures, where global trade has fallen most), the recent recovery in the Chinese economy, and the exchange rate depreciation in the second half of 2008.
On the other hand, Australia's terms of trade have fallen significantly. The combination of a contraction in real GDP and the sharp fall in the terms of trade implies a significant fall – around 5 per cent – in nominal incomes over the first half of 2009. Of course, part of the income losses will be shared with foreign investors, just as the preceding gains were. In addition, the impact on the level of real production in the economy will be partly dampened by the depreciation of the exchange rate that has occurred since mid 2008. Nevertheless, just as the run-up in the terms of trade in recent years was stimulatory for the economy, the current fall will be a contractionary force. The effect on the domestic economy is through a number of channels, including reduced business investment as a result of lower profitability and less demand for commodities, and falls in household wealth and consumption as a result of falls in the equity prices of resource companies. Reduced government revenues from company taxes will also have implications for government finances. Given that significant falls in bulk commodity prices have been expected since late last year, some of these effects are already being felt, although there will also be significant ongoing effects.
Growth in household spending is expected to remain subdued over much of the forecast period, given the deterioration of the labour market and large decline in household net worth over the past year. This implies a higher household saving rate over the forecast period relative to recent years, albeit below the level recorded in the December quarter. Consumption spending has been supported in the first half of 2009 by the government payments to households, but is forecast to soften as the labour market deteriorates. Growth in consumption is expected to return to more normal rates by late 2010 as the economy recovers. Dwelling investment is contracting significantly in the first half of 2009, although the increases in first-home buyer grants and the significant falls in borrowing rates are expected to contribute to some growth in dwelling investment from late 2009.
Business investment is forecast to fall significantly, particularly over the next year. Consistent with the recent weakness in capital imports, building approvals and commencements, non-residential building and spending on plant and equipment are estimated to have begun to decline in the first half of 2009. Particular weakness is expected for large construction projects such as offices and warehouses where, in addition to the weak level of demand, developers are having greater difficulty accessing finance. The falls in commodity prices and resource share prices are also expected to result in a significant scaling-back of mining-related investment. Given the substantial amount of work in the pipeline, engineering construction appears likely to remain at high levels in 2009, but to fall significantly in 2010. Offsetting part of this expected weakness, announced public investment plans for education, rail, road and communications infrastructure spending are likely to provide significant support in the coming period.
Exports of resources, manufactures and services are also forecast to contract through most of 2009. However, given the depreciation of the exchange rate from earlier peaks and the large build-up of production capacity in recent years, non-rural exports are expected to grow strongly towards the end of the forecast period once global growth recovers.
Reflecting the slowing in domestic activity, conditions in the labour market have weakened since late 2008. Business survey measures of hiring intentions have declined to their lowest levels since the early 1990s, and job advertisements have continued to fall. In trend terms, employment is now contracting and the unemployment rate rising, with a further deterioration expected in coming quarters.
Relative to the February Statement, the inflation forecasts incorporate a weaker outlook for global and domestic growth, a higher exchange rate and higher oil prices. The net effect has been a downward revision to the inflation forecasts.
Underlying inflation has begun to moderate in year-ended terms, albeit from quite high levels, and further easing in price pressures is expected as excess capacity increases. With the unemployment rate projected to rise significantly, labour costs can be expected to abate; evidence from business surveys and liaison suggests that this may already be underway. Measures of inflation expectations have declined significantly since mid 2008, which should also contribute to the projected decline in inflation pressures.
While a significant decline in underlying inflation is expected, this decline is forecast to be gradual. Price pressures for non-tradables goods and services have been significant and broad-based in recent years, and have begun to clearly moderate only in the past two quarters. It will take time for rising spare capacity in the domestic economy to translate fully into lower non-tradables inflation. Further, inflation in tradable goods prices picked up in the March quarter, and this firmer pace is likely to continue for at least the next year, reflecting the sharp increase in import prices following the exchange rate depreciation in the second half of 2008. Overall, year-ended underlying inflation is expected to decline to a low of around 1½ per cent in 2011.
The near-term profile for year-ended CPI inflation will be significantly affected by movements in a few CPI components. In particular, the large falls in petrol prices and the ABS estimate of deposit & loan facilities prices from their peaks in the September quarter 2008 will together subtract up to 2 percentage points from inflation in the year to the September quarter 2009, when year-ended CPI inflation is expected to fall to below 1½ per cent. However, these particular effects should drop out of the calculation of the annual rate by early 2010, after which CPI inflation is forecast to move in line with the forecast for underlying inflation.
Given the speed with which the outlook has deteriorated over the past six months and the extraordinary policy responses that have followed, these central forecasts are subject to a number of significant near-term risks. One is that further bad news emerges about the US and European financial systems, undermining the gradual recovery in confidence and causing a further increase in risk aversion. If this were to occur, the scope for policy-makers in many advanced countries to take further steps to restore confidence may be constrained by the already large fiscal deficits and the fact that interest rates in many countries are already close to zero. Another downside risk is that the recent signs of recovery in China do not turn out to be durable.
In the other direction, significant policy stimulus has been put in place in many countries and there has been a more positive tone in financial markets recently. There is some possibility that as signs of stabilisation emerge, and the lack of confidence and risk aversion that has characterised the world economy over recent months is reversed, firms that have delayed investment plans will decide to move forward more quickly than currently expected, contributing to a stronger global recovery.
For further details, see ‘Box C: Climate Change Mitigation Policy and the Macroeconomy’ in the February 2009 Statement on Monetary Policy . [1]
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Bylaws of the Retired Greek Orthodox Clergy Association, Inc.
When it became evident that the number of retired clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was growing, two far-seeing brothers, the late Fr. John Zanetos, of blessed memory, and Fr. George L. Papadeas, suggested to other retired brothers that it would be a good idea to create a not for profit corporation (Association) of retired clergy. In 1988, Fathers John C. Zanetos, Demosthenes Mekras, Emmanuel Bouyoucas, Dean Timothy Andrews and George Papadeas joined together to form the first Board of Trustees of the Retired Clergy. They incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida. Presently the Association is incorporated under the laws of the State of New York.
Article 1 - Name - Address - Emblem
Section 1 - Name
The official legal name of the Association is "Retired Greek Orthodox Clergy Association, Inc” as it was incorporated under the State of New York. It will also be known by the acronym R.C.A. (Retired Clergy Association). The name appearing on its official emblem will be "Greek Orthodox Retired Clergy."
Section 2 Address
The address of the Association will be that of its current President.
Section 3 Patron Saint
The Patron Saint of the organization is Saint Melchizedek of the Old Testament
Section 4 Emblem
The Association shall have an Emblem, which shall incorporate the following words:
In Greek: ΙΕΡΕΥΣ ΕΙΣ ΤΟΝ ΑΙΩΝΑ, In English: GREEK
ORTHODOX RETIRED CLERGY AND THE YEAR 1988
Article II - Purposes
The purposes of the Association are to:
Promote fellowship among the retired clergy and their families and to assist each other in problems and emergencies, personal, emotional or financial they may have to face alone.
Promote cooperation and mutual respect with the active clergy by helping, supporting, guiding, sharing their experiences with them and aiding them in their ministry, when requested to, and to help prepare them for retirement.
Support all the activities, growth and progress of the Church through close cooperation between the Board of Trustees of the Retired Clergy Association and the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council by having occasional meetings together.
Work closely with both the clergy and the laity for the promotion of the welfare and progress of the Church.
Take an active role in the administration of the Church by voicing our opinion at Clergy-Laity Congresses.
When solicited, offer our advise to the Archbishop on all matters vital to the Church.
Guard and improve any and all benefits, to which the Retired Clergy are entitled.
Have a Trust Fund to protect funds donated for scholarships, benevolence and any other special programs that have and will be donated.
Article III - Membership
Members of the Association, with the right to vote, shall be all the retired clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, upon the payment of the minimum stewardship of $50.00.
Membership, without the right to vote, is also extended to any active clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America upon the payment of the minimum stewardship.
Associate membership, without the right to vote, is extended to all Orthodox clergy, laity, male and female, upon the payment of the minimum stewardship of $50.00.
Honorary membership, without the right to vote, is extended to all Presvyteres of the living retired clergy and to the widowed Presvyteres.
Article IV - Meetings
Section 1 General Assembly
The Association shall hold a regular General Assembly at the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress with 25 members in good standing comprising quorum. When deemed necessary the Board of Trustees of the Association or 10% of the members in good standing who have paid their minimum stewardship may call a special general assembly by notifying the members by first class mail at least 30 days before the date of such assembly of the time and place of the assembly, and stating the matters to be discussed at the assembly.
Section 2 Board of Trustees Meetings
a. The Board of Trustees of the Association will meet the day before the Association's General Assembly held during the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress.
b. The newly elected Board of Trustees will meet following the Association's General Assembly held during the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress and again each year in October and February at a place and time set by the President and at such times when the President and/or Officers of the Association shall deem it necessary to call a special Board of Trustees meeting. The quorum shall be at least five.
Section 3 Order of Business
All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of order. All decisions will be made, after due deliberation, by majority voice vote or secret ballot if requested by any member attending. All decisions will be communicated to His Eminence the Archbishop and all Metropolitans for their information.
Article V - Board of Trustees
Section 1 Number of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees shall consist of the following: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, two Trustees, and the past President. A total of six voting members. Other past Presidents are welcome to attend and offer their advice without a vote.
Section 2 Term of Office
The Board of Trustees shall be elected at each Association's General Assembly held during the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress and serve until the next Association's General Assembly held during the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress. The Officers, if reelected, may only serve two consecutive terms in the same office.
Section 3 Duties
The Board of Trustees shall be in total charge and have complete supervision of the affairs of the Association, policies, finances, direction and activities within the framework of the Articles of its Incorporation and its Bylaws.
Section 4 Vacancy
If a vacancy occurs on the Board of Trustees, the Board of Trustees shall elect a member in good standing of the Association to fill the vacancy within thirty days.
Section 5 Termination
Any member of the Board of Trustees who misses two consecutive meetings or who fails to fulfill his assignment will be terminated and the Board of Trustees with replace him within thirty days.
Article VI - Officers / Duties
Section 1 Number of Officers
The Officers of the Association shall be four: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2 Election of Officers
The Officers of the Association shall be elected at the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress Board Meeting from among the newly elected Board of Trustees.
Section 3 The President
a. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association, including the Association's General Assembly.
b. He shall prepare the agenda for all meetings, and direct discussions, without the right to vote, except in the case of a tie.
c. He shall appoint an Election Committee and an Auditing Committee and as many committees he deems necessary to insure the efficient operation of the Association.
d. He along with the Treasurer of the Association shall sign all checks, vouchers or drafts for the Association. The second signature may be one of the other signatories designated by the President and Treasurer on the account.
e. He shall have the right to expend, without the consent of the Board of Trustees of the Association or the Members of the Association, the sum of up to $1,000.00 for any reason, which he deems beneficial to the Association. Exception will be if someone donates a specific amount for a specific item.
f. This shall include the designation by the President of a representative to attend the funeral of an active member of the RCA. The travel expenses shall be paid for and assumed by the association.
g. A donation of $500.00 will be sent to the widow upon the death of any paid member.
Section 4 The Vice-President
a . The Vice-President will assume all the duties of the President whenever the President is absent. In the event of resignation, the Vice-President will become the President of the Association for the balance of the President's term of office.
b. The Vice-President shall coordinate the "Priestly Chats with Older Brothers" program at the Holy Cross School of Theology.
Section 5 The Secretary
The Secretary shall keep all books and reports of the Association. He will take and record the minutes of all meetings and distribute copies thereof to all authorized to receive them or request them. He will handle and sign all correspondence along with the President. He will issue necessary certificates, keep corporate papers and records and all other documents of the Association.
Section 6 The Treasurer
a. The Treasurer shall have complete control of all the moneys of the Association and present a written financial report at all meetings.
b. He shall receive and deposit all funds received from the members or any other source, including all projects and activities of the Association, and issue official receipts for same.
c. He shall disperse funds by check, signed by him and the President of the Association, for legitimate bills received, and shall reimburse the Officers, Trustees and any other member of the Association for any reasonable expenses incurred by them in the exercise of their duties or assignments, after the approval and authorization by the President.
d. He will receive the financial obligation of each member, which is a stewardship of a minimum of $50 per year. This amount can be increased, if necessary, at a General Assembly.
e. He will present the books to the Audit Committee who upon completion of the audit will report to the General Assembly.
f. The fiscal year shall be the Ecclesiastical Year, September 1st to August 31st.
Section 7 The Two Trustees
The Two Trustees shall participate in all meetings of the Board and assume any duties or assignments the President may assign them.
Section 8 The Editor of the Epistle
a. The Editor of the Epistle shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees.
b. He shall not be an elected Board Member.
c. He shall not hold any other office
d. He shall not have a vote
Article VII - Elections
Section 1 Election Committee
a. A three man Election Committee will be appointed by the President.
b. The Election Committee will conduct the elections at the Association's General Assembly held during the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress and announce the six names of those elected and who will constitute the new Board of Trustees, along with the immediate past President.
c. The Election Committee will supervise the Election of Officers following the Election of the Board of Trustees.
Section 2 Order of Elections
a. In the April issue of the EPISTLE an announcement of the forthcoming elections will be published along with the names and addresses of the Election Committee as well as a Candidate's Form.
b. Those interested in being a candidate for the six elected Members of the Board of Trustees will be asked to return the Candidate's Form directly to the Chairman of the Election Committee. The form must be postmarked by the May 15th deadline.
c. The Election Committee will count the votes at the Association's General Assembly held at the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress and announce the names of the six newly elected who will constitute the new Board of Trustees along with the Pasts Presidents.
Section 3 Eligible Voters
a. All members in good standing are eligible to vote.
b. New members must have met their membership obligations three months prior to the election in order to vote.
Shortly after the election of the Board of Trustees, while still at the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress, at a time and place announced by the Election Committee, the six members of the Board of Trustees and the immediate past President will meet and elect their officers under the supervision of the Election Committee. The President and Vice President must have served on as a Board of Trustees for one full term in order to be eligible.
Section 5 Oath of Office
The entire Board of Trustees will take the oath of office before His Eminence the Archbishop or any other Hierarch before departing from the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress.
Article VIII - Committees
The President, in consultation with his Board of Trustees shall appoint the following Committees.
Section 1. Membership.
To bring into the Organization new members in accordance with Article III of these By-laws.
Section 2. Presvyteres.
A five member committee from the body of Presvyteres which will bring to the attention of the Board of Trustees all the problems and needs of the Presvyteres. The Presvyteres may recommend to the President which five will constitute the Presvyteres Committee.
Section 3. Benefits, Charity and Philanthropy.
To actively pursue the betterment of our health, and financial, benefits; to establish guidelines. of remuneration when serving as substitutes or assistants at various parishes; also, to sponsor the presence of members of the Retired Clergy Association' at HC/HC who will speak on various facets of their professional experiences with the Senior Class at the Holy Cross School of Theology
Section 4. Historian.
A committee of three shall be appointed to gather all documents dealing with the creation and establishment of the Association and to write the history of the life and works of the Association, and keep it current.
Section 5. Audit Committee.
A three member Audit Committee which will audit the financial books of the Association and report to the General Assembly.
Section 6. Elections Committee.
A three member Elections Committee that will conduct the Elections.
Section 7. Retired Clergy Metropolitan Representatives.
The President shall appoint a representative of the Association in each of the nine Metropolis’ of the Greek Orthodox Church of America who shall be responsible for locating, being in touch with, and serving the Retired Clergy and Widowed Presvyteres in their respective Dioceses, and conveying their needs to the Board of Trustees, and their news to the Editor of the EPISTLE.
Section 8. Other Committee.
Any other Committee that the President and his Board will consider useful in the promotion of the work of the Association.
Section 9 Trust Fund Committee
a. Members. The trust fund Committee will consist of (3) Retirees which will selected from a list of active Paid Retired Clergy Members. Each term will be for four (4) year term, except for the first election—wherein—the first candidate would be elected for a four year term (4) and the second candidate should be elected for two (2) year term. The will be committee of three will be selected by the membership at the General Assembly of the Retired Clergy Association during the Clergy Laity The President can be elected to serve as a member of the trust fund committee and will have the right to vote. If the President is not elected and would like to be on the Board but without a vote. Each elected member will have one (1) vote. A candidate or candidates must be a contributing member of the Retired Clergy Association, however, the candidate or candidates must be a contributing member of the Retired Clergy Association for at least two years.
b. Resignation. In the event a trust fund committee member resigns, the committee will select a replacement Retired and approved by the Board of Trustees at their next Board Meeting. Final approval will take place at the next Clergy Laity Congress.
c. Responsibilities. The committee will be responsible to protect the funds and to oversee that the funds are used in accordance with the Trust Fund Agreement. The committee will be responsible for investing with the aid and assistance of an investment advisor, in a protected fund to yield the most interest. The committee will not have the right to make any changes as to who the Investor Advisor is, without the approval of a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees. Thereafter, it will be presented to the General Assembly which will require a 2/3rd vote. Changes to the investment portfolio/strategies or investment manager shall be made by the trust fund committee with the approval of the RCA Board of Trustees. The committee is required to notify the members annually in writing to be mailed on or prior to May 10th, as to the status of the trust fund.
d. Interim Committee. A committee consisting of three (3) Retired Clergy Association members selected by the Board of Trustees to set up the trust fund. Once the trust fund is set up, the interim committee will be responsible to register the trust fund with the New York State trust fund department. The interim committee will be required to report to the membership at the 2016 Clergy Laity Congress, at which time the final approval will be given.
THE TRUST FUND INVESTMENT
PART ONE (1)
Named for the Donor Jim & Ted Pedas Family Grant
Amount $225,000.00
The interest of the trust fund may be used to offer a $2,500.00 scholarships for persons selected by the scholarship committee and approved by the Board of Trustees. The balance of the interest of the trust fund shall only be used for benevolent purposes and the principal or corpus of the trust may not be invaded for any purpose.
PART TWO (2)
Named for the Donor Dr. Nicholas & Nancy Vitalakis Family
The Vidalakis family have contributed $150,000.00 shall be placed in a separate segregated fund, with the interest to be divided annually for two (2) scholarships. The trustee fund committee decision shall be final.
In the event that there is insufficient interest from the trust fund committee in order to provide for two (2) of $2,500.00 scholarships, this trust fund after the use of the interest and in the event that the interest in not enough to cover the cost of scholarship having been exhausted, the principal then may be invaded at the sole discretion of the trust fund committee.
Whenever the Retired Clergy Association ceases to act pursuant in its corporate purposes and its religious services, and upon 2/3rds of the members of the corporation assembled at the next Clergy Laity or at a properly noticed special meeting pursuant to the Not-For-Profit Law may dissolve the corporation upon a) proper notice of ten (10) days to all the members, b) provided for the payment of all debts, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, and c) any surplus over such expenses shall be contributed only to the Greek Orthodox Clergy Pensions Fund to continue the Scholarship program.
Article IX - Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the paid membership those present and voting, provided they constitute a quorum, at any General Assembly, after circulation among the members of the proposed amendments at least one month before the date of the Assembly
RCA BYLAWS.pdf
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Decolonial Feminist Community Psychology
Decolonial Feminist Community Psychology pp 43-57 | Cite as
The Life History Approach as a Decolonial Feminist Method? Contextualising Intimate Partner Violence in South Africa
Taryn van Niekerk
Floretta Boonzaier
Part of the Community Psychology book series (COMPSY)
We explore the potential of the life story approach to exemplify the principles of a decolonial feminist community psychology through mxn’s narratives of intimate partner violence against womxn. The life story method foregrounds personal life stories within their wider socio-cultural, historical and material contexts, and places emphasis on the social dynamics of power, oppression and resistance relayed in these narratives. Everyday life in global Southern contexts, such as South Africa, is steeped in inequalities, global capitalism, violence, and dispossession; therefore, the utilisation of methods of knowledge production that acknowledge these complexities is crucial. We reflect on the application of the life story method with two black mxn – Michael (age 46) and Scott (age 33) – recruited, in Cape Town, South Africa from a programme for intimate partner violence, intended to end mxn’s violence. This paper begins a dialogue about how decolonial feminist methodologies can be enacted through the life story approach in relation to individuals who simultaneously hold marginal positions in society in terms of race and class but hold privileged positions as heterosexual mxn. We present mxn’s narrations of their violence within the broader contexts of their histories and lives, and place a focus on the emancipatory and transformative potential of the life story approach and the benefit it might hold for understanding this larger context of marginalised mxn’s histories and their lives. We conclude by providing commentary on the potential opportunities offered through this approach and what that might mean for a decolonial feminist community psychology as well as its capacity for challenging normalised ways of doing and for consciousness-raising.
Decolonial feminist methodologies Intimate partner violence Life history narratives Masculinities South Africa
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Sonn, C. C., Stevens, G., & Duncan, N. (2013). Decolonisation, critical methodologies and why stories matter. In G. Stevens, N. Duncan, & D. Hook (Eds.), Race, memory and the apartheid archives: Towards a psychsocial praxis (pp. 295–314). Johannesburg: Wits University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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Van Niekerk, T. J., & Boonzaier, F. A. (2016). “The only solution there is to fight”: Discourses of masculinity among South African domestically violent men. Violence Against Women, 22(3), 271–291. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801214555473.CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
1.Hub for Decolonial Feminist Psychologies in Africa, Department of PsychologyUniversity of Cape TownRondeboschSouth Africa
van Niekerk T., Boonzaier F. (2019) The Life History Approach as a Decolonial Feminist Method? Contextualising Intimate Partner Violence in South Africa. In: Boonzaier F., van Niekerk T. (eds) Decolonial Feminist Community Psychology. Community Psychology. Springer, Cham
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The Tonight Show
Over the Weekend (Mar. 30 Edition)
March 30, 2015 News...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Ad-Rock, Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys, Beach House, Beastie Boys, Built to Spill, Death Grips, Dogs, James Corden, Mini Mansions, Modest Mouse, Queens of the Stone Age, The Late Late Show, The Tonight Showsymeo Leave a comment
News, videos, and other fun stuff for your possible recovery from Spring Break…
Built To Spill is gearing up for the release of their long-awaited eighth album, Untethered Moon, and they recently posted the video for its first single, “Living Zoo”. Be sure to read the Noisey interview with Doug Martsch that accompanies it for an insight into what the band has been up to in the past few years and how the current lineup was formed.
Mini Mansions is a new project featuring Michael Shuman, the current bassist from Queens of the Stone Age, and they just released a new video featuring Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys. Pitchfork has the video and some more background on the shoot, though as the link indicates, it is probably NSFW due to reasons of nudity. As for the music, the song has the same Gothic vibe that can be found in QOTSA’s groovier work, and is pretty catchy as well.
Death Grips is releasing jenny death, the second half of The Powers That B tomorrow, and it is certainly a different animal from the first half that was shared last year. Check out the GoPro-type video for the bone-rattling “I Break Mirrors With My Face in the United States”, featuring footage from Zach’s drumstick and MC Ride’s mic.
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead shared the video for “Lie Without A Liar” from their recent album IX, depicting a fantastical suburban child warrior. Or something.
Ad-Rock, subject of a recent GQ profile that we linked to on Friday, stopped by The Tonight Show to discuss his recent movie role as well as his poor appearance.
Elsewhere on the late night circuit, Modest Mouse became the first band to perform on the newest incarnation of The Late Late Show, now hosted by James Corden, where they performed “Be Brave” from Strangers to Ourselves.
Stereogum has a helpful guide to getting all your “beach” bands straight, which is probably worthy of consultation as the weather gets nicer. I wonder if they had similar guides when “Deer” and “Wolf” bands were popular.
And finally, enjoy the contributions of this musical dog to some well-known rock songs. It’s the perfect thing to help kickstart your week.
Over the Weekend (Jan. 12 Edition)
January 12, 2015 NewsAustin City Limits, BADBADNOTGOOD, Beastie Boys, Country, David Letterman, Death Cab For Cutie, Foxygen, Ghostface Killah, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Letterman, MF Doom, Nas, Parquet Courts, Post-Rock, Rappers, Sigur Rós, Sleater-Kinney, Spoon, Star Power, Sufjan Stevens, The Late Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show, The War on Drugs, Useless Lists, Viet Cong, Waxahatchee, Wu-Tang Clansymeo Leave a comment
Videos, live performances, lists, and general news as we determine the superior “O” state once and for all…
We left a ton of material on the table for today’s post, and with the flurry of news this morning our roundup is even more overstuffed than usual. So let’s dive right in with the surprise release of the music video for the Beastie Boys track “Too Many Rappers”, featuring Nas in both audio and visual form. While it’s sad to remember that Hot Sauce Committee Part Two will be the last album we ever hear from the Beasties, but it’s certainly great to have some more footage of the crew having fun together.
NPR has streams for two highly-anticipated new albums available this week. First, there’s the long-awaited return of critical darlings and Pacific Northwest favorites Sleater-Kinney, who are releasing their first album in ten years next week with No Cities to Love. Then there’s the self-titled debut of Viet Cong, who have garnered a ridiculous amount of buzz among various indie blogs in the past couple of months. I don’t yet have the same enthusiasm, though it may take a few more listens of their noisy guitar rock to convince me.
Ghostface Killah seemingly never stops working, because after releasing his solo album 36 Seasons last month (and appearing on The Wu-Tang Clan’s A Better Tomorrow), he’s set to release another album next month. This time it’s a collaboration with BADBADNOTGOOD, with their record Sour Soul set to be released February 17. Their latest track, “Ray Gun”, features a guest spot from DOOM and has a nice grimy funk feel, complemented by some gorgeous strings. Stereogum has more information, including links to previously released tracks, for your perusal.
There’s also a trio of album releases that were announced this morning. Death Cab For Cutie is releasing Kintsugi on March 31st and will be their first album “without” founding guitarist Chris Walla, who while no longer a member of the band still has a presence on the album. Sufjan Stevens is releasing Carrie & Lowell on the same day, which we can take as further proof that the “50 States” project is dead. And Waxahatchee will be releasing Ivy Tripp on April 7th, and you should probably click the link because Pitchfork has helpfully included the new track “Air”. We were big fans of her previous album Cerulean Salt, and while this sounds a bit more polished than that lo-fi classic, sounding like a stripped-down Joy Formidable is something we can support.
It’s disappointing that a once-vibrant genre as Country has become just a bunch of homogenized pablum, and worse yet is the fact that every year it continues to get worse. The genre has just become Nickelback with a half-assed over-enunciated Southern accent, and that’s a damn shame. The thing is, consumers are at least partly to blame, since as The Atlantic points out, uniformity is what sells.
Last week featured some great musical guests on the Late Night shows, including performances from such RIJR favorites The War On Drugs (who performed the epic “An Ocean In Between The Waves” on The Tonight Show) and Parquet Courts delivering a dynamite version of “Bodies Made of” on Letterman, a song that initially sounds like a poor choice for the national stage until it gets to its epic breakdown. But the standout of the week was Foxygen and Star Power performing “How Can You Really” on The Late Show, which prompted an enthusiastic response from Dave himself.
We here at Rust Is Just Right are always down for hearing more from Spoon, so we are pleased to share their appearance on Austin City Limits over the weekend as well as their guest spot on Sound Opinions. We’ll see if we can go the rest of the week without mentioning them, but don’t bet on it.
And finally, a couple of fun lists that can either be used as a discovery tool or merely as argument fodder. Stereogum has a list of “30 Essential Post-Rock” songs which along with usual suspects Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Sigur Rós, and Explosions in the Sky includes several other bands that may not be as well known, though this may partially be due to a broad definition of “post-rock”. You can have an argument about that specific topic as well as the following list from Complex, which goes through each year since 1979 to anoint “The Best Rapper Alive”.
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Parents Call Pilot Textbook Political Propaganda For Gavin Newsom
By Macy Jenkins September 14, 2018 at 11:42 pm
Filed Under:Elk Grove Unified School District, Gavin Newsom, politics
ELK GROVE (CBS13) — Controversy is brewing among parents over new curriculum in Elk Grove Unified School District. The textbook in question explains the history of gay rights to first graders. Some parents are accusing the book of sounding like a campaign advertisement for Gavin Newsom.
“The book says that Gavin Newsom is a ‘champion of the people,’” said Greg Burt, Director of Capitol Engagement with the California Family Council. “And that is an opinion that is being taught to 1st graders as though it’s fact.”
The book, still in the pilot stage, is called “My World Interactive” from publishers Pearson, Scott Foresman and Prentice Hall. Burt first flipped through the book on Monday and he was stunned by a passage featuring Gavin Newsom.
READ: 30 Pounds Of Crystal Meth Found After Probation Search In South Sacramento
It features a picture of Newsom, a gubernatorial candidate and former San Francisco mayor, and calls him a “champion for people’s rights.”
“Gavin said that people could marry who they choose,” the book reads. “Sometimes, Gavin helped marry people. Some marriages were not between a man and a woman. He made sure that people’s rights were respected.”
“It’s way over the top!” Burt said. “This looks like it was written by his campaign staff!”
CBS13 took it to Elk Grove Parents and it took them some time to digest.
“Honestly, I don’t know how I feel about that,” said T. Williams, a mom of three.
ALSO: Sacramento Man Who Advertised Resume on Street Corner, Employed Within Hours
Elk Grove Unified School District is one of several in the state testing out new history and social science textbooks for grades K through 8. In a letter sent to parents last week, the district wrote the following:
“The newly amended curriculum aims to accurately portray the cultural and racial diversity of our society and includes new references and historical information that portrays the significant contributions to our history by Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans, Persons with Disabilities and Members of other Ethnic and Cultural Groups.”
It follows the Fair Education Act that took effect in 2012. But Williams said this passage is a little too pro-Gavin.
“It’s like he’s promoting himself and I don’t really think that’s what first-grade learning is about,” she told CBS13.
READ: Two Modesto Businesses Completely Destroyed In Massive Fire
But father of two Michael Hoss said, for the most part, it’s factual.
“It’s fine with me,” he said. “It’s history right? And if he was a champion for people’s rights, great!”
Burt just wants the district to reconsider which grades they expose to certain topics.
“I want parents to be aware this is coming and I want them to go down and look at the curriculum for themselves,” he said.
Parents still have more time to review the textbooks. The next preview day is October 11. According to the district, the pilot will end in December and they’ll likely select a publisher in January.
Ulla Camp says:
Schools should stay out of politics, kids should NOT be involved in that topic and they most definitely do NOT need their minds muddled with a subject they have NO grasp on .
First graders do NOT NEED to know about gay rights ………
Michael Grimler says:
Totally agree.
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Home News Environment Landing Location for Deepwater Wind Cable Is at Stake
Landing Location for Deepwater Wind Cable Is at Stake
Stephen J. Kotz
A graph showing the potential for landing the Deepwater Wind cable in Wainscott. Image courtesy of Deepwater Wind.
With East Hampton Town officials holding a hearing on Thursday, May 17, on Deepwater Wind’s request to land a power cable from its proposed 90-megawatt South Fork Wind Farm to Beach Lane in Wainscott, a top company official this week sought to clear the air about what exactly is on the line.
In an interview on Thursday, Clint Plummer, Deepwater’s vice president for development, stressed the fate of the project is not at stake when the town board and trustees hold a joint hearing at LTV Studios on Industrial Road in Wainscott at 6:30 p.m. — but that a $8.75 million community benefits package is.
“The decision before the town is not whether our project goes forward,” he said. “Our project is going forward. We are either going to bring the cable in at the town-owned location or at the state-owned location.” In the event the town denies the request to come ashore at Beach Lane, Deepwater has proposed to land the cable in Hither Woods State Park in Montauk.
The cable will be run to a diesel substation on Cove Hollow Road in East Hampton. Electricity from the wind farm will first be distributed in East Hampton with excess production sent to the rest of Long Island.
Mr. Plummer stressed that Deepwater’s contract is with the Long Island Power Authority, not with the town. It is required to deliver a reliable source of alternative energy to head off anticipated future power shortfalls in East Hampton during the peak summer months, he said.
The company must submit its permit applications by the end of June in order to have enough time to complete the state and federal review process and have the wind farm up and running by the end of 2022 as required by its contract with LIPA, he said.
He also attempted to answer critics who have complained that the company has been unwilling to disclose the terms of its contract with the Long Island Power Authority, saying it is LIPA that prohibits that disclosure.
Mr. Plummer added that consumers expecting to see a financial windfall when the project goes online are going to be disappointed and should instead expect to see a modest increase in their monthly bills.
As part of its effort to win approval to land its cable at Beach Lane, Deepwater has offered a number of incentives including $2 million for an ocean industries sustainability fund; $1 million for an inshore fisheries support fund; $1 million for a Wainscott water fund; $200,000 for an energy sustainability and resiliency fund; and $75,000 annual payments totaling $1.875 million for the 25-year life of the project for a marine infrastructure and management fund. Deepwater also estimates it will pay $2.5 million to bury electric lines, including residential connections, in Wainscott along the cable’s route.
That offer will be withdrawn, Mr. Plummer said, if the company is forced to bring the cable ashore on state land at Hither Hills in part because of the increased costs the company would face in running the cable 10 to 12 miles instead of the 2-mile distance from Beach Lane.
“The community benefits package is part of a broader agreement between us and the town that includes real estate rights,” Mr. Plummer said. “We think it is a great example of how these types of projects should be done.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo has called for the development of 2,400 megawatts of wind power off of New York’s shores, and Mr. Plummer said the community benefits package Deepwater has offered East Hampton could serve as a valuable precedent to other communities that will soon be asked to consider similar projects.
Deepwater has already developed a wind farm off Block Island and is working on one off the coast of Maryland. Mr. Plummer said the rate it will be paid in those states has been made public, but that LIPA had required a nondisclosure agreement as part of his company’s contract.
Sid Nathan, a LIPA spokesman, said LIPA does, in fact, required that its contractors keep the rates they are paid secret. He insisted that LIPA paid Deepwater a rate that is similar to that paid for other renewable energy providers.
New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. said he disagreed with that policy. “It’s one thing if they are withholding information during the middle of a bidding process,” he said. “Once the bids have been awarded, I can’t think of any legitimate reason why the public shouldn’t have a right to see this. The ratepayers are paying for this.”
Mr. Thiele said LIPA has long been close-lipped over matters that should be public, including executive compensation, and said he is considering sponsoring a bill that would attempt to end the process.
Mr. Plummer said how rates are set is a complicated process and that the amount paid for electricity produced by the South Fork Wind Farm cannot be compared to the rate that would be paid for a wind farm that would deliver power to the state in general. “This is a project that was proposed in response to a very particular need for one substation in East Hampton, New York,” he said. “It would be less if it didn’t have to go to a single substation.”
The state has estimated the wind farm will cost the average PSEG — Long Island customer an additional $1.19 each month.
Mr. Plummer said electric rates vary with the price of the fuels needed to produce it. As natural gas and oil prices rise, consumers will see their electric bills go up, he said.
“Your rates are going to go up with or without our project,” he said. “With our project your rates are going to go up less.”
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Next articleSag Harbor Village Trustee Race To Be Uncontested
Stephen J. Kotz is news editor at The Sag Harbor Express.
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Could This New More Inclusive Flag Replace The Rainbow Flag?
June 8, 2018 - A designer in Oregon has come up with a new design for the rainbow flag, and xe’s looking for funding on KickStarter.
Daniel Quasar is proposing a new, "progress"-focused design for the rainbow flag. The design puts white, pink, light blue, brown, and black stripes in an arrow on the left on top of the six-striped rainbow flag.
The main part of the flag is the rainbow flag "so as not to take away from its original meaning."
The light blue, pink, and white stripes on the left come from the transgender flag. The brown and black stripes represent people of color, "as well as those living with AIDS, those no longer living, and the stigma surrounding them," Quasar writes.
The new stripes are in the form of an arrow pointing right "to show forward movement."
Xe said that xe was inspired to design the new flag when the Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs displayed a version of the rainbow flag with brown and black stripes to represent people of color.
"I felt there needed to be more thought put into the design and emphasis of the flag to give it more meaning," xe wrote on Facebook.
"The 6 stripe LGBT flag should be separated from the newer stripes because of their difference in meaning, as well as to shift focus and emphasis to what is important in our current community climate."
Xe is trying to raise $14,000 on KickStarter, mostly to produce nylon flags that are three feet wide and five feet long. Xe has received almost $3000 so far.
Quasar identifies as a "queer non-binary demiguy" and prefers xe/xem/xyr pronouns.
Originally published on LGBTQ Nation
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To the End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care. Cris Beam. From Pariahs to Partners: How Parents and Their Allies Changed New York City’s Child Welfare System. David Tobis. Reviewed by Julie Cooper Altman.
Julie Cooper Altman, Adelphi University
Review of:
Cris Beam, To the End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2013). $27.00 (hardcover). David Tobis, From Pariahs to Partners: How Parents and Their Allies Changed New York City’s Child Welfare System. Oxford University Press (2013). $29.95 (hardcover).
Cooper Altman, Julie (2014) "To the End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care. Cris Beam. From Pariahs to Partners: How Parents and Their Allies Changed New York City’s Child Welfare System. David Tobis. Reviewed by Julie Cooper Altman.," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 41 : Iss. 1 , Article 12.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol41/iss1/12
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Whats the difference between the Twilight Zone and the Outer Limits?
I've seen references to both Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone, but I can't get the difference between the shows. They seem to be exact duplicates, both have non-persistent characters navigating a bizarre Sci-Fi universe in the hopes of distilling a virtue in the viewer. Is the only difference name and creator? or is their a real difference?
Having only watched a handful of both episodes, I'm not well-versed in each universe to know the conceptual differences. (Multi-verse).
the-twilight-zone
JustinKaz
JustinKazJustinKaz
Are we talking about the old ones or the new ones? Both Twilight Zone and Outer Limits ran originally in the 50's/60's, then had revival series in the late 90's/early 2000. Personally, I loved the old Twilight Zone but didn't care for the new one; and loved the new Outer Limits, but didn't care for the old one. – BlueRaja - Danny Pflughoeft May 3 '11 at 17:24
Idk, I was just looking for them in conception. – JustinKaz May 3 '11 at 17:32
There is a difference. Having studied these series, I cover three aspects (trying to be as brief as possible). I write with the 1960s versions foremost, including the one-hour TZ (S4).
The difference seems clearest looking at famous TZ episodes: TZ plots are contained, using high-concept to illustrate character. Some are entirely twist-based, such as “Time Enough at Last,” “Third from the Sun” and “The Invaders.” Some lack explanation, such as “Mirror Image” and “Shadow Play”; “It’s a Good Life” is acid satire; “The Masks” and “Kick the Can” are structured for reward and punishment. None of these could be OL, imo, without major revisions.
Ethos: Both shows were conceived and produced by intellectuals, and each has a clear voice, including morally. The answer from Jo452 is generally correct but, for me, a bit overstated. Reviewer Glenn Kenny (TV Guide, June 25 1994):
Even the creepiest T-Zone visions were tempered by Serling's patented brand of liberal humanism, but, generally, no such relief was found in the more paranoid climes of The Outer Limits.
OL is colder, more circumspect (the 1990s version became notorious for dark endings).
Typically, TZ warns of conformity and complacency, OL warns of hubris and conspiracy. With its hard-science focus, OL is less likely to address bigotry. "Nightmare" is a classic exception, although it seems closer to a TZ, as does the relatively sentimental “The Inheritors.”
Accessibility: Both were ambitious, in using: fantastic elements; psychology, philosophy and irony; and (sometimes) ambiguous or downbeat endings. Still, in the early 1960s, TZ was more accessible for American viewers. The shows may seem more similar now than then.
OL was on ABC, a perennial also-ran, and thus could afford to be more experimental (perhaps too much: it was cancelled after two years). TZ was on CBS, the "Tiffany network," and it was the popularizer, and generically diverse. 1990s OL producer Pen Densham (same TV Guide article):
Twilight Zone ... would occasionally go into a more fanciful or surrealistic direction, (but OL) is a pure science-fiction show.
TZ themes were universal. In The Twilight Zone Companion (2nd ed., 1992), Marc Scott Zicree called TZ
possibly (the only) TV series to deal on a regular basis with the theme of alienation.
ABC decreed every OL have a “bear,” meaning a monster or other shock. Per Videohound's Sci-Fi Experience (1997), OL "probably caused more nightmares than any other show."
In character terms: it's been said TZ stories have ordinary people in odd situations, OL is extraordinary people in odd situations. This is paralleled in the narration. For most viewers, the (on-screen) fantastic-anthology hosts were the Other, usually British (Alfred Hitchcock, Boris Karloff), or in Rod Serling's case, Jewish. They represented older cultures, and were guides to the unknown, including the future (e.g., the British being post-imperial). Whereas Serling elegantly introduced the unusual, OL's (unseen) Control Voice seemed to suggest the viewer was unusual.
Influence: TZ's is broader and deeper in both directions. OL stays within s.f./horror; TZ takes in B-movies, fables and parables, and the short story (e.g., "The Lottery," "The Monkey's Paw," O. Henry). TZ featured more prose adaptations (not always remembering credit). OL was more Shakespearean: its protagonists are admirable with a fatal flaw.
In the late 20th century, a disappointing movie with a fantastic premise would be dismissed as "a long Twilight Zone." TZ’s influence can be invisible because vast: it created the audience for Jacob's Ladder, Fight Club, Being John Malkovich, The Purge.
Tech noir seems more akin to OL: Alien, Blade Runner, Terminator, Hollow Man, Splice. Joseph Stefano (TV Guide Sept 2, 2000), described his scripts for original OL as
unsuspectingly devising what came to be called Gothic Science Fiction. The sci-fi element gave us monsters, and Gothica provided noirish tales and enigmatic characters
OL used scientific advances to examine morality, as do Contact and the Bourne movies. Alan Moore's Watchmen seemingly lifted a plot element from OL “The Architects of Fear.” James Cameron famously described The Terminator as a ripoff of OL (Harlan Ellison sued and won). TZ is more akin to M. Night Shyamalan, and existential thrillers like Flightplan.
professor_featherprofessor_feather
Just like on old time radio, for a while, there were a number of anthology series on TV. (An anthology series does not have a continuing cast and usually every episode is set in its own timeline and story-universe.) On radio, for example, there were anthology shows like "The Whistler," "Inner Sanctum," "Dimension X," "The Witch's Tale," and my favorite, "X Minus 1."
What distinguishes one anthology show from another is the type of stories they tell and the general style and attitude of the series. For example, on radio, "The Whistler" and "Inner Sanctum" tended to deal with mystery and crime. "The Witch's Tale" was more supernatural and the other two were almost all science fiction.
On TV, "The Twilight Zone" dealt with the supernatural, science fiction, horror, psychological drama, and fantasy. It had a broad range of stories and often stories had a moral or there was some social commentary. Out of the five years it was on TV, one year (season 4) had hour long episodes which are rarely seen today and the other four seasons were all half-hour episodes.
"The Outer Limits" was almost always more tightly focused on the science fiction drama and was more about an actual action story than about social commentary.
Both had top science fiction writers of the day (like Ray Bradbury and Harlan Ellison) writing for them.
I mention the radio shows because it helps to understand that up through the 1960s anthology shows were quite common and popular for decades, first on the radio, then on TV. Sometimes it's easier to talk about why shows are similar than why they are different. As many radio shows transitioned to TV, many anthology shows (both dramatic and comedic) showed up on TV. It was often hard to tell an episode of one anthology show from another. As long as the series was entertaining and drew listeners or viewers, it stayed on the air.
Often the focus of the producers was not on, "How are we different?," but on, "How can we get a show done for this week and make sure people like it?"
FuzzyBoots
TangoTango
Outer Limits had a far more Metal intro than Serling ever provided: youtube.com/watch?v=8CtjhWhw2I8 – Wayfaring Stranger Sep 24 '14 at 15:12
Twilight Zone was a half-hour show with many episodes adapted from classic sci-fi and horror short stories. Rod Serling being the driving force here.
Outer Limits was an hour-long show which came along a bit later and had a bigger budget, bigger stars, and a stable of writers. I would rate it as "uneven".... Some segments were very good, but many were rather pedestrian.
M. WernerM. Werner
That makes sense,... maybe outer limits is a remake of the older Twilight Zone. The bigger budget and bigger resources screams out, remake to me. Got a helpful site I can learn more from? – JustinKaz May 3 '11 at 15:37
Outer Limits was NOT a remake of Twilight Zone. – Tango May 3 '11 at 20:25
3rd Season (I think) of TZ was 1-hour. Not a remake, but the popularity of TZ probably didn't hurt OL getting made. Vampires anyone? – Sam May 3 '11 at 22:01
@Sam, it was the 4th season that was 1 hour episodes. – Tango May 4 '11 at 1:36
@TO, Thank you. I stand corrected. – Sam May 4 '11 at 2:28
The original Twilight Zone was a 30 minute show, had a wider variety of subjects, and was more often a strong and clear morality play; the episodes all seemed to meet the Hayes code, as well... Good usually triumphs. Quite often, it's clearly set in an alternate now, instead of a later time.
Outer Limits was an hour, had a more narrowly defined science fiction focus, and often presented a moral quandary rather than a clear moral statement. That is, OL didn't make it clear that the moral message was intended to convince you of its own truth, but instead, to get your thinking. Further, it was more likely than TZ to have the good guys lose. The settings are slightly more often near future rather than now, tho' some are near-now, and a few are alternate history.
The more recent Outer Limits reboot series has season-long metaplots and/or metathemes, as well; the whole season ties together by some common elements.
answered May 6 '11 at 7:48
aramisaramis
Actually, for at least a season, The Twilight Zone was an hour. – Tango Feb 3 '12 at 21:54
Well honestly I think it is simple in a grand view, complex in a microcosmic view; but both shows focus on one core theme, humanity. The Twilight Zone(TZ) is a based on a optimistic view of humanity and the state of humnan condition, and on the fantastic, as it relates to modern human society (at the time specifically American); while The Outer Limits(OL) rested primarily, or rather, was grounded in pessimistic view of humanity, and for that matter - the horror, which can lie within. Although both shows included frequent non-human characters, both attempted to demonstrate the very real aspects of human nature, as it is projected through aliens, angels, demons, animals, artificial intelligence, etc. The Twilight Zone featured stories of characters trying, and succeeding despite their limited disposition, knowledge or even moral center. It was, in the TZ, as view of humanity and any humanoid, and human inspired creatures, as being given limitless potential even if liberty and possibility was narrowed, if not captive. However, the OL portrayal of that same limitless potential for humanity was that, humans or even humanoid characters frequently failed by theirs, or the same nature, within their counterparts, in the same story/situation/ episode. Basically in the TZ, "Sky's the limit", in the OL, the "limit is Our sky"; or rather, we're just as likely to doom ourselves, each other and everyone(everything) else, as much as saving all of existence.
Jo452Jo452
For me,the allure,the beauty,the wonder of the Outer Limit's series had nothing to do with technical perfection nor scientific uneven-ness. I was drawn in by the "mood" and cinematic style. Stark,black and white images of a cosmic nature. Creatures,aliens with a "soul" and a heart to connect with. As a human entity I found myself identifying with the aliens,thier "humanity". The originality and imaginative stories for me have yet to be equaled. As a boy of 8-10 originally,I was taken away to another world. A world of darkly lit,fantastical places of my own imagining. Inspired by those images and ideas which reached from my inner mind and beyond to...the outer limits. James Velmoth
jamesjames
Welcome to the site. Suggest you read the FAQs on answering questions. Your response is focused solely on a personal opinion of the 'Outer Limits' and provides no comparison with the 'Twilight Zone' at all. Difficult to see how you're answering the question. – Stan Aug 2 '13 at 11:55
i have seen both. you know rob Serling does not play in both. the times are different(outer limits 1 hour, twilight zone 30) the Twilight zone had a more complex story. it always made you ask "what happens next" even if you thought you had it right. the outer limits way predictable if you go back and watch the again. the best way to prove this is to chose a ep. that you have not seen. The outer limits had more a a storyline though it would drag its episode out for one hour. now dont get me wrong i like both of them equally its just I would rather watch something that makes me want to watch more of that show and twilight zone got that for me. the outer limits did not.
Gregory TuckerGregory Tucker
Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged the-twilight-zone or ask your own question.
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“Twilight Zone”/“Outer Limits” episode: disfigured bullied boy gets enrolled in an interplanetary exchange program where everyone looks like him
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Twilight Zone episode identification
Outer Limits or Twilight Zone episode about a little girl who sneaks onto a spaceship
Was there a wedding scene deleted from the Twilight Zone episode “Jess-Belle”?
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Tag Archives: Wimbledon College
Death of Maurice Dease, Victoria Cross Recipient
Maurice James Dease, British Army officer during World War I, dies in Mons, Belgium on August 23, 1914. He is one of the first British officer battle casualties of the war and the first posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross in the war.
Dease is born on September 28, 1889 in Gaulstown, Coole, County Westmeath to Edmund Fitzlaurence and Katherine Murray Dease. He is educated at Stonyhurst College and the Army Department of Wimbledon College before attending the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He is 24 years old, and a lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers, and is awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 23 August 1914, at Mons, Belgium.
Nimy Bridge is being defended by a single company of the 4th Royal Fusiliers and a machine-gun section with Dease in command. The gunfire is intense and the casualties very heavy, but the lieutenant continues to fire in spite of his wounds, until he is hit for the fifth time and is carried away.
Dease wins the first Victoria Cross to be awarded in the Great War and he receives it on the first day of the first significant British encounter in that war.
When Lieutenant Dease has been mortally wounded, Private Sidney Godley offers to defend the Railway Bridge while the rest of the section retreats and is also awarded the Victoria Cross. He is taken prisoner of war.
Dease is buried at St. Symphorien Military Cemetery, 2 kilometres east of Mons, Belgium. He is remembered with a plaque under the Nimy Railway Bridge, Mons and in Westminster Cathedral. His name is on the wayside cross in Woodchester, Stroud, Gloucestershire, on a cross at Exton, Rutland and on a plaque installed in St. Martin’s Church, Culmullen, County Meath. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Fusiliers Museum in the Tower of London. Victoria Cross holders are being honoured with commemorative paving stones. Dease’s is the first to be unveiled on August 23, 2014 at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin.
Dease is portrayed in the BBC Three series Our World War (2014) by Dominic Thorburn.
Categories: Irish History, Wars & Rebellions | Tags: BBC Three, Belgium, British Army, Coole, County Meath, County Westmeath, Dublin, Exton, Glasnevin Cemetery, Gloucestershire, Lieutenant, Maurice Dease, Mons, Nimy, Our World War, Prisoner of War, Royal Fusiliers, Royal Military College Sandhurst, Rutland, Sidney Godley, St. Symphorien Military Cemetery, Stonyhurst College, Stroud, Tower of London, Victoria Cross, Wayside Cross, Westminster Cathedral, Wimbledon College, Woodchester, World War I | Permalink.
Birth of Edward Martyn, Playwright & Activist
Edward Martyn, Irish playwright and early republican political and cultural activist, is born in County Galway on January 30, 1859. He serves as the first president of Sinn Féin from 1905 to 1908.
Martyn is the elder son of John Martyn of Tullira Castle, Ardrahan and Annie Mary Josephine (née Smyth) of Masonbrook, Loughrea, both of County Galway. He is educated at Belvedere College, Dublin, and Wimbledon College, London, both Jesuit schools, after which he enters Christ Church, Oxford in 1877, but leaves without taking a degree in 1879. His only sibling, John, dies in 1883.
Martyn begins writing fiction and plays in the 1880s. While his own output is undistinguished, he acquires a well-earned reputation as a noted connoisseur of music, both European classical and Irish traditional. He is a fine musician in his own right, giving memorable performances for guests on an organ he has installed at Tullira. He uses his wealth to benefit Irish culture.
Martyn is reportedly pivotal in introducing William Butler Yeats and Lady Gregory to each other in 1896. The three found the Irish Literary Theatre, for whom Martyn writes his best and most popular plays, The Heather Field and A Tale of a Town. He covers the costs of the company’s first three seasons, which proves crucial to establishing the company and the future of the Abbey Theatre. He later parts ways with Yeats and Gregory, something he later regrets, but remains on warm terms with Lady Gregory until the end of his life.
Martyn is a cousin and friend to George Moore (1852–1933). The two make frequent trips all over Europe, where Moore influences Martyn’s views on modern art, which result in the latter purchasing several works by Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot and Kitagawa Utamaro, all later donated to the National Gallery of Ireland. Moore does not share Martyn’s fenian ideas nor espousal of violent means to achieve national sovereignty. Their different political opinions eventually drive their friendship apart.
Martyn is descended from Richard Óge Martyn, a leading Irish Confederate, and Oliver Óge Martyn, a Jacobite who fights in the Williamite War in Ireland. Yet by his lifetime, the family are unionists. Martyn’s outlook begins to change in the 1880s after studying Irish history, as well as living through the events of the Irish Land War. He comes out as an Irish republican when he famously refuses to allow “God Save The Queen” to be sung after a dinner party at Tullira. By this stage he is involved with the political work of Maude Gonne and Arthur Griffith, and is a vocal opponent of the visit of Queen Victoria to Ireland in 1897. He also protests the visit by Edward VII in 1903, this time as chairman of the People’s Protection Committee. He is the first president of Sinn Féin from 1905 to 1908. In 1908 he resigns from the party and politics in general to concentrate on writing and his other activities.
He is on close personal terms with Thomas MacDonagh, Joseph Mary Plunkett and Patrick Pearse, and deeply mourns their executions in the aftermath of the Easter Rising. A parish hall and church that he founded at Labane, near Tullira, are burned by the Black and Tans. He supports the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921.
Martyn dies at Tullira on December 5, 1923 after years of ill health. Friends and family are shocked at a provision in his will that directs that his body be donated for the use of medical science and, after dissection, be buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave. The Palestrina Choir sings at his graveside. He bequeaths his papers to the Carmelites of Clarendon Street in Dublin, who subsequently misplace and lose them. Portraits of Martyn exist by, among others, John Butler Yeats and Sarah Purser. On his death the senior line of the Martyn family dies out. His property is inherited by his cousins, the Smyths of Masonbrook and Lord Hemphill. Tullira is sold by the latter forty years later changing ownership several times since.
Categories: Arts & Music, Irish History | Tags: 1916 Easter Rising, Abbey Theatre, Anglo-Irish Treaty, Ardrahan, Arthur Griffith, Belvedere College, Black and Tans, Carmelites, Christ Church Oxford, Claude Monet, Connoisseur, Dissection, Edgar Degas, Edward Martyn, Edward VII, Europe, Fenian, George Moore, God Save the Queen, Irish Literary Theatre, Jacobitism, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Jesuit, John Butler Yeats, Joseph Mary Plunkett, Kitagawa Utamaro, Lady Gregory, Land War, London, Loughrea, Maud Gonne, National Gallery of Ireland, Oliver Óge Martyn, Patrick Pearse, Pauper's Grave, Playwright, Queen Victoria, Richard Óge Martyn, Sarah Purser, Sinn Féin, Thomas MacDonagh, William Butler Yeats, Williamite War in Ireland, Wimbledon College | Permalink.
Death of Winston Dugan, 1st Baron Dugan of Victoria
Winston Joseph Dugan, 1st Baron Dugan of Victoria and known as Sir Winston Dugan between 1934 and 1949, dies in Marylebone, London, England, on August 17, 1951. He is a British administrator and a career British Army officer. He serves as Governor of South Australia from 1934 to 1939, then Governor of Victoria until 1949.
Dugan is the son of Charles Winston Dugan, of Oxmantown Mall, Birr, County Offaly, an inspector of schools, and Esther Elizabeth Rogers. He attends Lurgan College in Craigavon from 1887 to 1889, and Wimbledon College, Wimbledon, London.
Dugan is a sergeant in the Royal Sussex Regiment, but transfers to the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment as a second lieutenant on January 24, 1900. He fights with the 2nd battalion of his regiment in the Second Boer War, and receives the Queen’s South Africa Medal with three clasps. Following the war he is appointed adjutant of his battalion on June 28, 1901, and is promoted to lieutenant on November 1, 1901. He later fights with distinction in World War I, where he is wounded and mentioned in despatches six times. He is awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1915 and appointed a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) in 1918. In 1929 he is made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) and the following year is promoted to major general. From 1931 to 1934 he commands the 56th (1st London) Division, Territorial Army.
In 1934, Dugan is appointed Governor of South Australia. He is appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG), retires from the Army and moves to Adelaide with his wife. They become an extremely popular and glamorous vice-regal couple. Sir Winston and Lady Dugan are both excellent public speakers and travel widely in order to bring problems to the attention of the ministers of the day. Upon the expiration of his term, there is bipartisan parliamentary support for him to serve a second term, but he has already accepted an appointment to be Governor of Victoria.
Sir Winston and Lady Dugan arrive in Melbourne on July 17, 1939. They continue their active role in community affairs, promoting unemployment reduction and making the ballroom of Government House available for the Australian Red Cross.
Dugan has an active role stabilising state politics during the tumultuous 1940s. Upon the disintegration of Albert Dunstan‘s Country Party in 1943, he installs Australian Labor Party leader John Cain as Premier. Four days later, Dunstan forms a coalition with the United Australia Party. Following the collapse of that ministry in 1945, Dugan dissolves parliament and calls a general election for November, which results in the balance of power being held by independents. Dugan commissions Cain to form the ministry of a minority government.
Dugan’s term as Governor is extended five times. He returns to England in February 1949. On July 7, 1949 he is raised to the peerage as Baron Dugan of Victoria, of Lurgan in County Armagh.
Winston Dugan dies at Marylebone, London, on August 17, 1951, at the age of 74. As there are no children from his marriage, the barony becomes extinct.
Categories: Irish History, Nobility, Politics & Government | Tags: 1st Baron Dugan of Victoria, Adelaide, Adjutant, Administrator of the Government, Albert Dunstan, Australian Labor Party, Australian Red Cross, Birr, British Army, Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, Country Party, County Armagh, County Offaly, Craigavon, Distinguished Service Order, England, Government House, Governor of South Australia, Governor of Victoria, John Cain, Lieutenant, London, Lurgan, Lurgan College, Major General, Marylebone, Melbourne, Minority Government, Order of the Bath, Queen's South Africa Medal, Royal Lincolnshire Regiment, Royal Sussex Regiment, Second Boer War, Second Lieutenant, Sergeant, Territorial Army, United Australia Party, Wimbledon, Wimbledon College, Winston Joseph Dugan, World War I | Permalink.
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This service provided by:
Return to ENTRI homepage | Return to ENTRI Thematic Guide home page
Section 2: Environmental Treaties and Other Policy Instruments
One of the purposes of the ENTRI system is to serve as a two-way bridge between people who are knowledgeable about international treaties and people who are knowledgeable about various types of resource indicators (including national socioeconomic variables and data derived from remote sensing). Accordingly, we recognize that many of our users may need some guidance to understanding the world of treaties. This page points you to a number of information resources that may help you in understanding the role of environmental treaties and other policy instruments in global environmental change.
The Legal and Political Dimensions of Global Environmental Change
To learn more about the international political context within which environmental treaties become important, we suggest you begin by reviewing CIESIN's Thematic Guide to Political Institutions and Global Environmental Change, and especially the subsection on International Environmental Agreements.
A treaty is a binding agreement between two or more nations. Professor John King Gamble has observed:
".. [t]here is a widespread perception that powerful states will do as they please, largely ignoring international law. The reality is that international law works exceedingly well almost all of the time. Some 30,000 treaties are in force today guiding most aspects of state behavior, and compliance approaches 100%. Courts, ranging from the International Court of Justice to hundreds of national courts, render thousands of decisions about international law, again with remarkable success."--Gamble, 1995. Electronic Information System for International Law [proposal].
The ENTRI service focuses primarily on multilateral treaties, i.e. treaties signed by three or more nations. There are two main reasons for this: first, it is a reasonable (although by no means infallible) way of sifting out treaties which are likely to have implications for the global environmental issues that fall within our SEDAC mandate; and second, the data in the ENTRI system is from a database of multilateral treaty status information maintained by our data provider partner, IUCN.
Because there are multiple sources for the information in the ENTRI system, there is not necessarily a one-to-one correspondence between the availability of status information about a particular treaty and the availability of the text of the treaty. For example, the ENTRI Webspace contains several bilateral treaties between the United States and Canada; we have the text of these treaties, but no treaty status information; therefore, the user can find the text of the treaty by browsing the treaty texts tree, but cannot use the basic questions features to look up information about the status of the treaty. Similarly, because our treaty summary information comes from UNEP, which summarized information about 150 treaties of global environmental significance, we do not have treaty summary information about those bilateral treaties.
The ENTRI system contains treaty status information for 425 multilateral treaties, as well as summaries of more than 150 treaties and the full text of more than 75 treaties.
A quick glossary of key terms related to treaties is provided below. Quotations are from the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 23 May 1969
date of acceptance--when a state becomes a party to a treaty; may mean either by "signature subject to acceptance" (analogous to ratification) or by acceptance without prior signature (analogous to accession). The text of the treaty usually establishes which meaning of "acceptance" is meant.
date of accession--when a state becomes a party to a treaty of which it is not a signatory. The right of accession is independent of the entry into force of the treaty; that is, a state may accede to a treaty which has not yet entered into force.
date of adoption--when states participating in the negotiation of a treaty agree on its final form and content. This usually occurs before signature.
date of denunciation--when a state expresses that it is no longer willing to be bound by a treaty.
date of entry into force--when a treaty becomes binding upon the states which have expressed their willingness to be bound by it. This is usually triggered by a clause in the text of the treaty saying something like "this treaty shall enter into force when n states have signed it ..."
date of ratification--when a state makes a final formal expression of its consent to be bound by a treaty. This usually occurs after signature.
date of reservations--when a state makes "a unilateral statement, however phrased or named, ... , when signing, ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to a treaty, whereby it purports to exclude or to modify the legal effect of certain provisions of the treaty in their application to that State" (Article 2, paragraph 1[d]). Important note: the United Nations Treaty Database contains information about national reservations to particular treaties.
date of signature--when a state expresses its consent to be bound by a treaty. Such consent is expressed "when (a) the treaty provides that signature shall have that effect; (b) it is otherwise established that the negotiating States were agreed that signature should have that effect; or (c) the intention of the State to give that effect to the signature appears from the full powers of its representative or was expressed during the negotiation."
date of succession--when a newly constituted state becomes a party to a treaty by expressing its willingness to be bound by international agreements that were entered into by a predecessor state or states. E.g. Russia might state its willingness to be bound by treaties entered into by the former Soviet Union.
party--a State which has consented to be bound by the treaty and for which the treaty is in force (Article 2, paragraph 1[g]).
treaty--"an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law, whether embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments and whatever its particular designation" (Article 2, paragraph 1[f]).
Other Policy Instruments
The ENTRI project is focused on environmental treaties because they are an important and manageable element of the total information needed to understand the legal and political dimensions of global environmental change. Most of the information currently stored within the ENTRI system falls into two main categories: A) environmental treaties and information about treaties and B) resource indicators. With additional funding, however, it would be reasonable to expand category A) to include other policy instruments--such as national environmental legislation and national action plans--which are not treaties per se, but are known to be important to understanding key issues related to global environmental change.
We define "policy instruments" to include legal documents such as treaties, agreements, and laws; information on the negotiation, structure, and status of these legal instruments; and directives, programmes, and statements from governments, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
Finding Answers To Additional Questions About Treaties
If you have additional questions about environmental treaties and other policy instruments, see the ENTRI page on "Resource Discovery Tips for Environmental Treaties and Resource Indicators".
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This site is for review only.
Use data and services at your own risk.
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Healthcare Industry News: Alzheimer's
News Release - September 18, 2008
Dr. Lars Ekman Joins Sofinnova Ventures
Ekman Brings Extensive Clinical and R&D Experience to the Life Science Team
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 18 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Sofinnova Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage Life Science and Information Technology companies, today announced the appointment of Lars Ekman, M.D., Ph.D., and formerly the Executive Vice President, and President of Global Research and Development at Elan Corporation. Lars joins the Life Science team as an Executive-in-Residence. Within his role, Lars will work closely with the investment team to identify and build early-stage companies.
"Lars is a seasoned executive capable of guiding both private and public biopharmaceutical companies to success," said James Healy, Ph.D., M.D., and General Partner of Sofinnova Ventures. "Throughout his distinguished career, Lars has established a stellar track record in drug development and drug approvals making him an outstanding asset to the Sofinnova Ventures team and our portfolio companies."
Lars will be based in San Diego where several of the firm's Life Science portfolio companies are headquartered, including Cebix, Intellikine, Ocera Therapeutics, Phenomix, and Trius Therapeutics.
"I look forward to collaborating with the Sofinnova team and their portfolio of dynamic start-ups," said Lars Ekman. "My primary focus will be to assist and help structure early discovery and later stage development companies with their efforts to bring innovative therapies closer to the patients."
New Executive-in-Residence Appointment
Lars Ekman has more than 24 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
Previous to joining Sofinnova Ventures, Lars held the position of EVP, and President of Research and Development at Elan where he currently serves on Elan's Board of Directors and chairs the Science and Technology Committee.
Lars joined Elan in January 2001, and is credited with advancing Elan's drug pipeline. During this period Elan received approval for four U.S. New Drug Applications, three European Marketing Approval Applications, and five Investigational New Drug Applications. These efforts also included the progression of four Alzheimer's Programs into stages of clinical development.
Prior to joining Elan, Lars was EVP, Research and Development at Schwartz Pharma AG since 1997. From 1984 to 1997, Lars was employed in a variety of senior scientific and clinical functions at Pharmacia, now Pfizer.
Lars is a board certified surgeon with a Ph.D. in experimental biology. He obtained his Ph.D. and M.D. from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Lars also sits on the Board of Directors of ARYx Therapeutics, Fremont, CA, InterMune, Inc., Brisbane, CA, and Cebix, Inc., La Jolla, CA. InterMune and Cebix are portfolio companies of Sofinnova Ventures.
About Sofinnova Ventures
Founded in 1974, Sofinnova Ventures is a leading venture capital firm specializing in spin-outs and emphasizing a diversified investment strategy through the financing of early-stage companies in the Life Science and Information Technology sectors. Sofinnova Ventures mission is to create value by providing entrepreneurs with the resources, experience and networks necessary to turn their ideas in to profitable businesses. For more information, visit http://www.sofinnova.com.
Source: Sofinnova Ventures
Search: Sofinnova Ventures
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Healthcare Industry News: neuromodulation
Devices Neurology
News Release - June 8, 2009
St. Jude Medical Completes Implants in U.S. Study of Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ ) today announced the completion of patient implants in its U.S. pivotal clinical study of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder affecting approximately 6.3 million people worldwide that progressively diminishes a person’s control over his or her movements. The announcement was made at the Movement Disorder Society’s 13th International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders in Paris.
“We are excited by the progress we’ve made in bringing the Libra® deep brain stimulation systems to the market,” said Chris Chavez, president of the St. Jude Medical neuromodulation Division. “The completion of patient implants in this study and our recent European CE Mark approval represent significant steps towards our goal of providing physicians with an innovative deep brain stimulation system for treating Parkinson’s disease.”
Ongoing at 15 medical centers in the U.S., this randomized, controlled study is evaluating the St. Jude Medical Libra and LibraXP™ DBS systems, to determine the devices’ safety and effectiveness in controlling many of the motor symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s disease. The study is following 136 participants who have lived with the disease for more than five years and whose symptoms were insufficiently controlled with medication alone.
“Ultimately patients benefit from the development of new technologies,” said Michele Tagliati, M.D., associate professor of neurology and division chief of movement disorders at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York who enrolled the first patient in the study. “We are hopeful the Libra deep brain stimulation systems will prove effective at reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and provide additional tools to better control this debilitating condition.”
The Libra and LibraXP neurostimulators are constant current devices. The systems consist of a neurostimulator – a surgically implanted battery-operated device that generates mild electrical pulses – and leads, which carry the pulses to a targeted area in the brain.
“The progressive nature of Parkinson’s disease often leads patients to a point where medication management alone can no longer adequately control the symptoms of the disease,” said Bruno Gallo, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at the University of Miami in Florida and an investigator in the study. “Because these patients often become unable to care for themselves, we need to look for additional methods of treating this debilitating condition in order to help improve a patient’s quality of life.”
The National Parkinson Foundation (www.Parkinson.org) estimates that in the United States, more than 1.5 million people currently have the disease with 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. According to the European Parkinson’s Disease Association, as many as 6.3 million people are estimated to be affected by this disease worldwide.
For additional information about this study, visit www.PowerOverPD.com. St. Jude Medical is also currently developing new DBS applications to address a growing list of neurological disorders. Clinical studies are underway in the U.S. for depression and essential tremor. For more information about these studies, visit www.BROADENstudy.com and www.PowerOverET.com.
More than 45,000 patients in 35 countries have been implanted with St. Jude Medical neurostimulation systems. For more information about St. Jude Medical pain therapies, visit www.PowerOverYourPain.com.
About St. Jude Medical
St. Jude Medical develops medical technology and services that focus on putting more control into the hands of those who treat cardiac, neurological and chronic pain patients worldwide. The company is dedicated to advancing the practice of medicine by reducing risk wherever possible and contributing to successful outcomes for every patient. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., St. Jude Medical employs approximately 14,000 people worldwide and has four major focus areas that include: cardiac rhythm management, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular and neuromodulation. For more information, please visit www.sjm.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include the expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, including potential clinical successes, anticipated regulatory approvals and future product launches, and projected revenues, margins, earnings and market shares. The statements made by the Company are based upon management’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include market conditions and other factors beyond the Company’s control and the risk factors and other cautionary statements described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including those described in the Risk Factors and Cautionary Statements sections of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 4, 2009. The Company does not intend to update these statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstance.
Source: St. Jude Medical
Search: St. Jude Medical
Search: deep brain stimulation
Search: Libra
Search: LibraXP
Search: Parkinson’s disease
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Cost of Capital Effects and Changes in Growth Expectations Around U.S. Cross-Listings
ECGI - Finance Working Paper No. 46/2004
Wharton Financial Institutions Center Working Paper Series #06-19
63 Pages Posted: 19 Oct 2006 Last revised: 20 Nov 2011
See all articles by Luzi Hail
Luzi Hail
University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School
Christian Leuz
University of Chicago - Booth School of Business; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI); Center for Financial Studies (CFS); University of Pennsylvania - Wharton Financial Institutions Center; CESifo Research Network
ECGI - Finance Working Paper No. 46/2004, Wharton Financial Institutions Center Working Paper Series #06-19
Number of pages: 63 Posted: 19 Oct 2006 Last Revised: 20 Nov 2011
Journal of Financial Economics, Vol. 93, No. 3, pp. 428-454, 2009
Posted: 03 Dec 2008 Last Revised: 20 Nov 2011
This paper examines whether cross-listing in the U.S. reduces foreign firms' costs of capital. While prior studies show that U.S. cross-listings are associated with substantial increases in firm value, the sources of these valuation effects are not well understood. We estimate cost of capital effects implied by market prices and analyst forecasts, which accounts for changes in growth expectations around cross-listings. We find strong evidence that firms with cross-listings on U.S. exchanges experience a significant decrease in their cost of capital between 70 to 120 basis points. These effects are sustained and still present after the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Consistent with the bonding hypothesis, we find smaller cost of capital reductions for firms that cross-list in the over-the-counter market and for exchange-listed firms from countries with stronger home-country institutions. For exchange-traded cross-listings, the reduction in cost of capital accounts for more than half of the increase in value around cross-listings, whereas for the other types of cross-listings the valuation effects are primarily attributable to contemporaneous revisions in growth expectations.
Keywords: Cross-listing, corporate governance, bonding hypothesis, cost of equity, disclosure, law and finance, international finance
JEL Classification: G12, G15, G38, G30, K22, M41
Hail, Luzi and Leuz, Christian, Cost of Capital Effects and Changes in Growth Expectations Around U.S. Cross-Listings (November 23, 2008). ECGI - Finance Working Paper No. 46/2004; Wharton Financial Institutions Center Working Paper Series #06-19. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1161329 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1161329
University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School ( email )
Christian Leuz (Contact Author)
HOME PAGE: http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/christian.leuz/
HOME PAGE: http://www.nber.org
European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
HOME PAGE: http://www.ecgi.org
Center for Financial Studies (CFS) ( email )
Grüneburgplatz 1
Frankfurt am Main, 60323
University of Pennsylvania - Wharton Financial Institutions Center
CESifo Research Network
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Tag: Pope Francis
April 17, 2016 April 17, 2016 kevinleec Seminary, Uncategorized
The Miracle of Priesthood
As it turns out, today (April 17,2016) is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Over at Aleteia.org Deacon Greg Kandra made vocations the focus of his homily. He leads off with a quote from a letter that he received from a friend in Philadelphia:
“This morning we received devastating news at Mass. Our beloved Augustinian pastor has been diagnosed with liver cancer that has spread to his lungs. The priest who told us said that he was visiting him yesterday when a cousin came into the hospital room and told him that they are all praying for a miracle. His response was, ‘I have already received a miracle. I am a priest.’”
This is probably the best – and most honest – answer to those who have an objection to a man entering the priesthood. Ordination is an extraordinary event and being allowed to share in the priesthood of Christ in a special way is, indeed, a miracle.
Deacon Greg speaks with great reverence and love about his own call and ordination as a permanent deacon and talks of it as an on-going source of grace and blessing in his life:
Surveys tell us again and again that clergy and religious report among the greatest job satisfaction in the world.
That’s because it’s not a job. It’s a vocation.
As that priest in Philadelphia knew: it is, in fact, a miracle.
Finally, he suggests ways of introducing young men to the idea of the priesthood. The best advice he gives is that you should ask God if you (or someone you know) is called. He points to Pope Francis who advises young people to “Ask Jesus what he wants and be brave!”
In an address to seminarians in Rome this week, Pope Francis outlined the appropriate way to respond to God’s call — to be all in and not “half-way” priests.
“We respond to this vocation in the same way as the Virgin Mary does to the angel: “How is this possible?” Becoming “good shepherds” in the image of Jesus “is something very great and we are so small.”
“Yes, it is true, it is too great; but it is not our work! It is the work of the Holy Spirit, with our collaboration,” Francis said in his address to the College, adding spontaneous comments here and there to his prepared speech.
“It is about humbly giving oneself, like clay that is to be moulded, letting God the potter work the clay with fire and water, with the Word and the Holy Spirit.”
It is true that “at the beginning intentions are not completely righteous, and it is hard for them to be so. All of us have had moments when our intentions were not completely righteous but in time this changes with everyday conversion. Think of the apostles! Think of James and John. One of them wanted to be prime minister and the other a minister of the economy because it was a more important role. The apostles’ mind was elsewhere but the Lord patiently corrected their intention and in the end the intention of their preaching and martyrdom was incredibly righteous.”
So, on this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, take a moment to ask God to call those whom he chooses to the priesthood and offer to be the bearer of that message if you can.
December 1, 2015 kevinleec General, Seminary
Pope Francis on Formation
At a conference sponsored by the Congregation for the Clergy, Pope Francis shared a few thoughts on the formation and role of priests.
One thing that he said struck me as particularly important:
“A good priest is first of all a man with his own humanity, who knows his own history – with its treasures and wounds – and has learned to make peace with it, gaining a profound serenity, characteristic of a disciple of the Lord,” he said. “Human formation is therefore needed for priests, so they may learn not to be dominated by their limits, but rather to put their talents to use.”
The idea of that priests are in need of human formation is important and I think that many people don’t see priests as human. Each priest is a man who has his own particular set of limitations and talents. Some are great homilists. Others are gentle and thorough confessors. Others have the gift of communicating the Gospel to a wider audience. Still others toil quietly in administrative jobs behind the scenes.
Whatever their gifts, these men need to take the time to understand themselves and find their place as servants in God’s kingdom. Pope Francis’ words on human formation emphasize that formation goes well beyond theological training and the practicalities of being a priest and pastor. The process of formation — in a way that doesn’t seem to exist in secular training — addresses the totality of the person being formed.
January 26, 2014 January 26, 2014 kevinleec Reflections, Spirituality
So, Pope Francis talked about the internet this week in the context of World Communications Day. Much of the coverage focused on the Pope’s assertion that the internet is a ‘Gift from God‘. I’m not going to argue that point; I have a hard time imagining a life without an always-on connection.
What really caught my attention, though, was this little nugget near the end of the Message for World Communications Day 2014.
Effective Christian witness is not about bombarding people with religious messages, but about our willingness to be available to others “by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions and their doubts as they advance in their search for the truth and the meaning of human existence” (BENEDICT XVI, Message for the 47th World Communications Day, 2013). We need but recall the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. We have to be able to dialogue with the men and women of today, to understand their expectations, doubts and hopes, and to bring them the Gospel, Jesus Christ himself, God incarnate, who died and rose to free us from sin and death. We are challenged to be people of depth, attentive to what is happening around us and spiritually alert. To dialogue means to believe that the “other” has something worthwhile to say, and to entertain his or her point of view and perspective. Engaging in dialogue does not mean renouncing our own ideas and traditions, but the claim that they alone are valid or absolute.
This caught me because I’ve trained as a mediator and have a Master’s degree in Negotiation and Conflict Management. True story. Also, fun fact: I earned the degree from Cal State Dominguez Hills which means it was signed by the President of the Board of Trustees who is also the Governor of California. Thus, my degree in Negotiation and Conflict Management was signed by the Terminator.
One of the lessons that they pound into you over and over and over in conflict work is that the key to resolving conflict lies in getting people to listen to one another. I mean, really listen. Most of us think that we are good listeners and we’re all pretty much wrong on that point. Let me give you a little listening test. Check out these two quotes from Pope Francis. What do you think he meant?
The ability to compromise is not a diplomatic politeness toward a partner but rather taking into account and respecting your partner’s legitimate interests.
No references to the need to fight terror can be an argument for restricting human rights.
Boy that Pope Francis is pretty direct, isn’t he? And always consistently on message. You have to respect that.
Except I lied to you.
Those quotes weren’t from the Pope. They came from former KGB agent Vladimir Putin. Go ahead and read the quotes again. I’ll wait.
Kinda puts a different spin on them, doesn’t it? It also raises questions about your skills as a listener. When you thought the quotes came from Pope Francis, you probably felt warm and fuzzy. When you learned they came from Putin, you probably wondered what he really meant.
I use this exercise when I lecture on conflict resolution. It helps to illustrate the truth that most of us are poor listeners. We aren’t really listening, we’re filtering what someone else says through our preconceptions and expectations. We’re picking apart what they say with the intent of proving our point by disproving theirs. Listening means sitting back, being open, and really hearing what the other party is saying.
In western culture we tend to confuse the phrase “I hear what you are saying” with “I’m in complete agreement with you.” Hearing and understanding a point of view does not mean that you are persuaded by it. It does mean that you can begin the search for meaningful common ground for dialogue. Until dialogue beings, we are just shouting at one another over the chasm of misunderstanding.
Pope Francis summed it up better than I can when he said:
To dialogue means to believe that the “other” has something worthwhile to say, and to entertain his or her point of view and perspective.
Now, what does all of this have to with the Paulists? (After all, this blog should occasionally connect back to the Paulist mission, right?) One of the key Paulist charisms is the development of interfaith dialogue. On the Paulist Ecumenism page it’s expressed this way:
The goal of interfaith dialogue is not unity in faith and worship, but mutual understanding and respect, and mutual enrichment enabling us all to respond more fully to God’s call. It includes collaboration wherever possible in response to the societal problems we commonly face. For this reason, the purpose of theological dialogue will not be to prove that one side is right and the other is wrong, but rather to explore respective positions in order to understand them better. When this is done, many prejudices, built on half-truths, will fall by the wayside.
Like all of the faithful, I long for the day when we are not divided. More to the point, I’m responsible to help bring that about. From my studies in conflict, the best way forward is to begin by listening to find the places where we can meet and begin our journey together.
December 1, 2013 December 1, 2013 kevinleec Reflections
With Great Power Comes Great Humility?
A little over a week ago, my friend Mette posted a link on her Facebook page to an article entitled “Finding a Feminist Theology in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia.” I was sufficiently intrigued — since C.S. Lewis didn’t seem to be an especially feminist writer — to click through.
The article starts out recounting Lewis’s many critics who call him out for fearing and disliking women, disliking sexuality, and equating “ultimate good” with “ultimate masculinity”. Then it moves on to talk about a new view of Lewis’s work which is presented in Monika Hilder’s book The Feminine Ethos is C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. So far this all sounds like an academic cat fight, right? A clutch of post-modern professors and lit crit snobs mixing up it for the sake of entertainment.
Except that (echoing Hilder’s text) the authors suggest that the modern idea of feminism misses the point.
In an age that worships the cult of personality and aggrandizes the “virtues” of the energetic, the magnetic, the stunning, and the forceful – because these traits lead to more materialistic wealth and power – what room left is there for the fruit of the Spirit? Qualities such as self-control, meekness, patience, and peace sound quite out of vogue; “Let’s see how far the meek, patient, and peace-loving female can succeed,” I can hear the cynic ask. Hilder, though, suggests that our struggle for independence, power, and autonomy echo Satan’s thirst for domination more than Christ’s model of humble servanthood.
Take a moment to consider that last line. When was the last time you heard someone — anyone — praised for being a good and humble servant? That’s crazy talk, right?
If we are uncomfortable with some of the female characterizations throughout Lewis’s series, perhaps we should reconsider where this discomfort stems from. While we as women are right to strive for gender equality, we are wrong to measure it according to mere chauvinistic ideas of accomplishment. As Hilder states, “to the extent we have not examined our own chauvinism, we demean the ‘feminine’ qualities and extol the ‘masculine’—not noticing that Lewis does the opposite.” And indeed, it is in doing exactly that opposite that Hilder suggests Lewis’s radical theological feminism can be found.
More importantly, Lewis seems to be saying that the servant-minded approach cuts both ways. Men, as well as women, should strive to live up to that lofty standard.
Lewis’s idea of true spiritual strength— for both men and women— rests in openness to our Father, community, submission, compassion, truth, grace, and humility. So, when Lewis has Lucy run towards Eustace-the-dragon and bestow upon him grace only expressible in a child’s unrestrained kisses, or Lucy and Susan weep with Aslan while he is on the stone table, or, even Mrs. Beaver demonstrate foresight and responsibility for those in her care (or one could even dare say, community mindedness) in bringing along her domestically stigmatized sewing machine, Lewis wasn’t belittling these characters. I can learn that true spiritual strength, or spiritual heroism as Hilder terms it, “establishes the kingdom of heaven through humility,” not independence.
The article goes on to talk about how much of what we perceive to be sexism reflects our own biases more than the objective truth. That wasn’t what stayed with me after reading the article, though. I kept coming back to the idea of servanthood being the mark of a successful adult.
I encountered that idea again a few days later when we attended a Mass for the Admission to the Candidacy for the new Deaconate class in Utah. (A friend from our parish is one of the candidates.) The second reading was from Matthew.
But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Oh. Right. Jesus mentioned this idea a couple of millennia back. At the time it was clearly a challenging idea; unusual and non-intuitive enough that he felt a need to address it with his disciples. You would think that in the past 2,000 years this idea would have caught on. I’ve read a goodly number of books about leadership and management and I’ve attended lectures and seminars and institutes, but all of them focused on ways to consolidate exploit power. Sure, there’s been talk of “servant leadership“, but it’s always in the context of “getting the job done”. The implication is that there is some goal to be achieved or target to be hit and it’s the leader’s responsibility to make sure that happens. If servant leadership can get you there, great. If not, find some other tool and keep pressing forward.
In other words, the modern ideal of leadership is the accumulation and application of power. Whether you’re a man or a woman, your goal should be to reach the top.
Except there’s this one guy who keeps telling a different story. In case you’ve missed the theme of humility in the homilies, interviews, and public talks Pope Francis has given in the past several months, he kindly included it in Evangelii Gaudium — his first Apostolic Exhortation.
I’m a long way from having read all 244 pages, but I’ve skimmed a bit of it and read some reliable commentaries from trusted sources, and the thing which sticks out is how deeply counter-cultural it is. In a world which judges us largely on how well we “succeed”, Pope Francis is calling for us to step out of the game. He’s not telling us to lose the game. He’s telling us to get out and spend our energy on something better. He even goes so far as to point out that we are guilty of this kind of thinking within the bounds of our religious practices.
(93) Spiritual worldliness, which hides behind the appearance of piety and even love for the Church, consists in seeking not the Lord’s glory but human glory and personal well-being. It is what the Lord reprimanded the Pharisees for: “How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (Jn 5:44).
(94) …those who ultimately trust only in their own powers and feel superior to others because they observe certain rules or remain intransigently faithful to a particular Catholic style from the past. A supposed soundness of doctrine or discipline leads instead to a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism, whereby instead of evangelizing, one analyzes and classifies others, and instead of opening the door to grace, one exhausts his or her energies in inspecting and verifying.
(271) It is true that in our dealings with the world, we are told to give reasons for our hope, but not as an enemy who critiques and condemns. We are told quite clearly: “do so with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet 3:15) and “if possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all” (Rom 12:18). We are also told to overcome “evil with good” (Rom 12:21) and to “work for the good of all” (Gal 6:10). Far from trying to appear better than others, we should “in humility count others better” than ourselves (Phil 2:3). The Lord’s apostles themselves enjoyed “favour with all the people” (Acts 2:47; 4:21, 33; 5:13). Clearly Jesus does not want us to be grandees who look down upon others, but men and women of the people. This is not an idea of the Pope, or one pastoral option among others; they are injunctions contained in the word of God which are so clear, direct and convincing that they need no interpretations which might diminish their power to challenge us. Let us live them sine glossa, without commentaries. By so doing we will know the missionary joy of sharing life with God’s faithful people as we strive to light a fire in the heart of the world.
When he was first elected, we knew there was something different about Pope Francis. His humility was refreshing and his simplicity endearing. Now he is asking the same as us; he is inviting us to follow him in humility. For those of us who grew up in western nations where “success” as a human being is defined by power and wealth, this is tremendously challenging idea. I wonder how many of us will be willing to follow through?
— Dad
November 10, 2013 November 10, 2013 kevinleec Life Events, Reflections
Following Francis’ Lead
A while back, I noted that Cathy and I had been invited to take part in a catechist training course offered by our diocese. We’re following the Echoes of Faith (Plus) curriculum and each week we prepare by watching a couple of videos and complete homework out of the workbook. The real meat of the course, though, comes in the discussions we have when we meet with the other students — some from our parish and some from other parishes in the area.
The mix of people in the class is fascinating. Some ar very young, others have been around the block a few times. Some are cradle Catholics and others are converts. There are representatives of various cultures and occupations and world views. The first couple of meetings felt a bit like Junior High dances — everybody sat on the edges and didn’t seem to want to get too involved. The last few weeks, though, the conversation has gotten much more energetic.
A couple of weeks back, the topic of discussion turned to our involvement in our various parishes and someone asked Cathy how much Evan’s process of discernment influenced our own involvement in the church.
I’ve thought a lot about that question since then.
First of all, if you’re being honest with yourself, you can’t have a child working through discernment without calling into question your own commitment to the Faith. The same would be true if you had a good friend discerning a vocation or contemplating marriage or thinking about moving across the country to take up a new career or applying to grad school or whatever. We live in relationship with others and, while comparing ourselves to others isn’t necessarily a healthy thing, it is useful to learn from their experiences. So, yes, Evan’s discernment has given us pause to reflect.
There’s another influence, though. Pope Francis is an inspiring leader. His humility, patience and authentic Christian love are both comforting and challenging. Most of all, his admission that he is a sinner as much as any of us, is a provocative statement that requires us to make a self-assessment of our own response to God’s call to personal holiness.
Pope Francis shows disarming honesty when he talks about how he was formed into the leader he has become. In an article covering the incident with the child who approached him during Mass on October 26th, the author cites an incident from Francis’ past:
This kind of patience is something the pope has said he learned over time, according to his biographers Sergio Rubin and Francesca Ambrogetti. As the auxiliary bishop in Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio once had a train to catch to a retreat at a convent on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. After finishing his work in the diocese, he had given himself just enough time to walk to the cathedral to pray for a few minutes before getting to the train station. As he left, a young man who appeared to have mental health problems approached him and asked for a confession.
He says he felt annoyed, but tried to hide it. Bishop Bergoglio told him to find a father to confess to because he had to go – even though he knew a father wouldn’t be in right away (admitting to his biographers that because the man appeared to be medicated he probably wouldn’t notice). The auxiliary bishop walked away, but then after a few steps turned around with a “tremendous sense of shame.” He recalled later that he was “playing Tarzan,” trying to do too many things, that he had “an attitude of superiority.”
Today he uses it as a lesson to “travel through patience,” he told the two Argentine journalists. “Traveling with patience is allowing time to rule and shape our lives.”
Most of us would likely forget such a moment — perhaps intentionally. Few of us would take it as an opportunity to learn. To his credit, Pope Francis is trying to spare us the pain of learning such lessons through unpleasant experience. One of the constant themes in his homilies is the need for inclusion, for ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table of the Lord.
The Church is not the Church only for good people. Do we want to describe who belongs to the Church, to this feast? The sinners. All of us sinners are invited. At this point there is a community that has diverse gifts: one has the gift of prophecy, another of ministry, who teaching. . . We all have qualities and strengths. But each of us brings to the feast a common gift. Each of us is called to participate fully in the feast. Christian existence cannot be understood without this participation. ‘I go to the feast, but I don’t go beyond the antechamber, because I want to be only with the three or four people that I familiar with. . .’ You can’t do this in the Church! You either participate fully or you remain outside. You can’t pick and choose: the Church is for everyone, beginning with those I’ve already mentioned, the most marginalized. It is everyone’s Church!
And there it is. Right in the middle of the paragraph. Each of us is called to participate fully in the feast.
In case any of us missed it, the Pope goes on to say:
To enter into the Church is to become part of a community, the community of the Church. To enter into the Church is to participate in all the virtues, the qualities that the Lord has given us in our service of one for the other. To enter into the Church means to be responsible for those things that the Lord asks of us.
Like I said, challenging. The natural human reaction when called to serve is, “Gee, I’d like to help, but I don’t have the time.” If that’s your go-to move for getting out of service, Pope Francis has your number.
Open up your heart and listen to what God is saying to you. Allow your life to “written” by God”. Just as the Good Samaritan did when he stopped to help the stranger, we must all listen to God’s voice and sometimes put our own projects on hold to do his will.
Another common objection is, “I’m not really good at that sort of thing. You don’t want me to mess it up.” Um…hate to be the one to tell you, but Pope Francis anticipated that little dodge, too.
“The future of a people is right here…in the elderly and in the children,” he said. “A people who does not take care of the elderly and children has no future because it will have no memory and it will have no promise! The elderly and children are the future of a people!”
Pope Francis warned that it is all too easy to shoo a child away or make them calm down with a candy or a game – or to tune out the elderly and ignore their advice with the excuse that “they’re old, poor people.”
“The disciples wanted efficacy; they wanted the Church to go forward without problems and this can become a temptation for the Church: the Church of functionalism! The well-organized Church! Everything in its place, but without memory and without promise! This Church, in this way, cannot move ahead. It will be the Church of the fight for power; it will be the Church of jealousies between the baptized and many other things that occur when there is no memory and no promise.”
So…God doesn’t want our perfection, he wants our service.
And, by the way, am I the only one who thinks it’s kind of cool that the Pope talked about it being “too easy to shoo a child away” in a homily about a month before he was faced with that very situation during a Mass in St. Peter’s square? Not that it was prophetic, but that he laid out exactly how he thought it should be handled and then handled it exactly as he had laid it out? There, again, is the authenticity which makes him so inspiring as a leader and such an example of the lives we are to lead.
So, in our own way, following the lead of Pope Francis and acknowledging the call of our pastor, Cathy and I try to find ways to be open and accepting and to put ourselves in service of others.
July 7, 2013 July 28, 2013 kevinleec Reflections
Love and Joy
This past week, about 6,000 novices and seminarians visited Rome as part of a Vocations Pilgrimage arranged by the Pontifical Council on the New Evangelization. I’ve enjoyed reading what the Pope has to say to these young people.
In his homily for July 7, he pulled three strands out of the readings and wove them into a compelling picture of ordained religious life. The whole homily is worth reading, but for the moment I’d like to concentrate on his first point — the need for joy in the Christian life.
From the first reading (Isaiah 66:10-14) Pope Francis talks about the joy of the consolation of the Lord.
Every Christian, especially you and I, is called to be a bearer of this message of hope that gives serenity and joy: God’s consolation, his tenderness towards all. But if we first experience the joy of being consoled by him, of being loved by him, then we can bring that joy to others. This is important if our mission is to be fruitful: to feel God’s consolation and to pass it on to others!
I think this joy is something that is too often lacking in the lives of Christians. We shuffle across the Earth with long faces and sour expressions and its little wonder that no one wants to join us. Somewhere along the line we’ve forgotten the essential nature of God.
Stop and re-read that sentence. It’s become a sort of Christian meme that we toss around carelessly without really contemplating what it means. If you really consider it, the implications become awesome and a little frightening.
In his review of the film of the musical Les Miserables, Fr. Robert Barron says:
[Speaking of the Bishop’s gift of silver candlesticks.] In this simple and deeply affecting episode, one of the most fundamental principles of the spiritual life is displayed. God is love. God is nothing but gracious self-gift. And what God wants, first and last, is that his human creatures participate in the love that he is, thereby becoming conduits of the divine grace to the world. What Jean Valjean received through the bishop was precisely this divine life and the mission that accompanies and flows from it. If the bishop’s gesture had been, in any sense, self-interested, it would not have conveyed God’s manner of being. But in its utter gratuity, it became a sacrament and instrument of uncreated grace.
Earlier this year, our parish hosted a weekly class built around Fr. Barron’s Seven Deadly Sins/Seven Lively Virtues study course. That hardly sounds like the sort of topic that would lend itself to a discussion of God’s love. Dialogue about sin inevitably conjures visions of punishment. Yet, Fr. Barron constantly drew out the fact that we owe our very existence to God’s love. He used the phrase “continually loved into being” over-and-over.
If we believed that — really believed that — it would change the way we act; it would change who we are.
I think Pope Francis believes that as well, in an earlier address to the seminarians in Rome, he said that there is “no holiness in sadness“.
Pope Francis took seminarians and novices to task for being “too serious, too sad”. “Something’s not right here,” Francis told them pointing out that `’There is no sadness in holiness,” and adding that such clergy lack “the joy of the Lord.”
“To become a priest or a religious is not primarily our choice; it is our answer to a calling, a calling of love”.
“If you find a seminarian, priest, nun, with a long, sad face, if it seems as if in their life someone threw a wet blanket over them,” then one should conclude “it’s a psychiatric problem, they can leave – `buenos dias’”.
He’s right. How can we not have joy and confidence when we know God loves us?
That’s Funny Right There!
I’m a big fan of humor. Big fan. Sure I love a good drama, but I’ll go out of my way for a mediocre comedy. When it comes to Shakespeare, give me Much Ado About Nothing over Henry V any day. (Which in no way implies that Much Ado is mediocre…just making the point that my preferences run to the funny.)
Which is why I was struck by a comment Pope Francis made in his homily on July 1.
He was preaching about the need for tenacity in prayer; the need to bring our petitions to God over and over; the need to negotiate with God. He cited the example of Abraham asking God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
When we speak of courage we always think of apostolic courage – going out to preach the Gospel, these sort of things…But there’s also (the kind of) courage (demonstrated) before the Lord. That sense of paralysis before the Lord: going courageous before the Lord to request things. It makes you laugh a bit; this is funny because Abraham speaks with the Lord in a special way, with this courage, and one doesn’t know: is this a man who prays or is this a‘phoenician deal’ because he’s bartering the price, down, down…And he’s tenacious: from fifty he’s succeeded in lowering the price down to ten. He knew that it wasn’t possible. Only that it was right…. But with that courage, with that tenacity, he went ahead.
There. Do you see it? Right in the middle of the paragraph Pope Francis acknowledges the humor of the situation.
It makes you laugh a bit.
As a lector, I love being able to proclaim the reading from Genesis 18:16-33. Abraham’s character is so vivid and outright funny. God tells him that Sodom is toast. Most of us would probably nod and say, “Well, they deserve it.”
Abraham doesn’t. He starts to negotiate with God. He starts the bargaining by asking if God really intends to sweep away the righteous with the wicked. Then he asks
Suppose there were fifty righteous people in the city; would you really sweep away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people within it?
God agrees to Abraham’s terms and Abraham — good negotiator that he is — presses further. With a hilariously formal humility —
See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am only dust and ashes!
— he drives the bargain to 45 and then 40 and then 30 and then 20 and finally 10. The whole story has a sort of haggling-in-the-marketplace vibe that makes me chuckle every time.
Yet, as Pope Francis points out, negotiating with God is a perfectly acceptable form of prayer.
Sometimes, the Pope said, one goes to the Lord “to ask something for someone;” one asks for a favor and then goes away. “But that,” he warned, “is not prayer,” because if “you want the Lord to bestow a grace, you have to go with courage and do what Abraham did, with that sort of tenacity.” The Pope recalled that Jesus himself tells us that we must pray as the widow with the judge, like the man who goes in the middle of the night to knock on his friend’s door. With tenacity.
In fact, he observed, Jesus himself praised the woman who tenaciously begged for the healing of her daughter. Tenacity, said the Pope, even though it’s tiring, is really “tiresome.” But this, he added, “is the attitude of prayer.” Saint Teresa, he recalled, “speaks of prayer as negotiating with the Lord” and this “is possible only when there’s familiarity with the Lord.” It is tiring, it’s true, he repeated, but “this is prayer, this is receiving a grace from God.” The Pope stressed here the same sort of reasoning that Abraham uses in his prayer: “take up the arguments, the motivations of Jesus’ own heart.”
Like all good humor, the story of Abraham’s negotiation is funny because it is true. And it tells us something about ourselves and our world.
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Dangerous TImes
If you received a phone call from Unitarian Universalist Association President Peter Morales or Moderator Jim Key asking you to assist Ugandan gay refugees to flee that country into South Africa or the United States, would you say yes? Would you say yes, if it meant you had to volunteer your time and depend on whatever resources you could raise? Would you say yes, if it meant leaving your 2 year old daughter and 5 year old son behind?
These are dangerous times to be gay in Uganda and Gambia. Now to my knowledge, Peter Morales or Jim Key has not asked anyone to go into Uganda to assist the Unitarian Universalists there in helping sexual minorities and those suspected to be sexual minorities in fleeing the country.
But such a phone call occurred for Rev. Waitstill and Martha Sharp prior to World War II. They were asked to go to Czechoslovakia to provide support to the Unitarians of that country. The Unitarians had already been making inroads for an underground network but now there was a need to have someone or someones to move people through that network to safety.
Some background. The Rev. Norbert Capek had established the largest Unitarian congregation in the world in Prague with 3800 plus members. Unitarianism because of its inclusivity as a creedless faith became a safe refuge for Jews in Czechoslovakia. In 1938, the Munich Accord gave Germany the region of Czechoslovakia known as the Sudetenland. Refugees were being tortured and shot by the Nazis as they fled for Prague. When the Sudetenland fell to German control in 1938, the American Unitarian Association sent ‘commissioners’ to assess the needs of the refugees and the Prague church.
The phone call came to the Sharp’s towards the end of 1938. When Waitstill questioned why them; he was told that 17 people were asked first. Waitstill asked if his understanding was correct that 17 people were asked and said no to this request to assist Unitarians and refugees in Czechoslovakia. Would you be one of the 17? It is a very hard question to answer.
Rev. Waitstill and Martha Sharp were distraught over what was happening in Europe. ‘These were our friends’; Waitstill would state later and something needed to be done. While reluctant to leave their two young children, the Sharps set sail for Prague on February 1st 1939, on March 15th the Nazis marched into Prague. The Sharps escorted Jews out of Prague and across Germany to freedom in England. They were followed by the gestapo. They burned their notes and documents to protect the people they were helping. They found their offices ransacked and furniture thrown onto the streets. And when they left in August 1939 to return to the States, they discovered afterwards that they were days away from arrest by the Gestapo.
The following year, they were called again by Unitarian President, Frederick May Eliot, to go to Paris to set up offices to assist people escaping Europe. Unfortunately, when they left for Europe this time, France fell to the Germans before they arrived. They moved their office to neutral Portugal. From Lisbon, among the many tasks they undertake, they managed to arrange for the escape of some 29 children and 10 adults to leave Nazi-occupied Europe to the United States. It was while they were in Portugal that the flaming chalice became a symbol for their official documents. The Sharp’s work combined with the founding of the Unitarian Service Committee ensured the rescue of 3500 families from Nazi controlled Europe. The Sharp’s became known as the ‘Guardian Angels of European children.’
Waitstill and Martha Sharp were posthumously honored as Righteous among the Nations by Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority in Israel. Of the more than 20,000 non-Jews who risked their lives on behalf of Jews during the Holocaust, only four Americans have received such distinction to date.
Flash forward to February 1965. These were dangerous times to be in the south. Jimmy Lee Jackson had been shot in attempts to stop the beating of his mother by police during a non-violent protest in Marion, AL over the arrest of a Southern Christian Leadership Conference leader. There was outrage over Jackson’s death and a march was planned to carry his coffin from Marion to the capitol steps in Montgomery in protest of his wrongful death. This march was re-routed to begin in Selma and as the marchers crossed the Edmond Pettus Bridge they were brutally beaten by Alabama State Troopers. The horrendous force used by the police christened this day as Bloody Sunday. The next day, Martin Luther King, Jr. issued a call to clergy from across the nation to come to Selma, AL to join them.
One young Unitarian minister, James Reeb in Massachusetts heard this call. He had been working as a community minister in the inner city of Boston. While the issues facing people of color in Boston were not the same as the issues facing those in the Deep South, the core roots of the issues were the same: institutionalized racism. James Reeb spoke with several people about leaving for Selma that day. He was reminded of the dangers but he decided this is where he needed to be. He tucked his children into bed and caught an 11 PM flight for Atlanta and then another plane to Montgomery. By morning, he was joined by some fifty other Unitarian Universalist ministers who also answered the call.
The day of the march, there was an injunction against it and Governor Wallace was not going to lift it. The question was clear, obey the injunction or obey the moral call? King announced his decision to the people who assembled: “I’ve made my choice this afternoon. I’ve got to march. I’d rather have them kill me on the highway than butcher me in my conscience.” (Mendelsohn, 1966)
King led the march over the bridge where they were met by State Troopers who told them they could proceed no further. Could they pray, King asked? So there were prayers for those injured on the previous Sunday and prayers for those who caused the injury, the very police standing there blocking their passage.
King explained the reasoning for what happened to those participating: “We decided we had to stand and confront the State Troopers who committed the brutality Sunday. We did march and we did reach the point of the brutality … and we had a prayer service and a freedom rally. And we will go to Montgomery next week in numbers no man can number.” (Mendelsohn, 1966)
Later that evening, James Reeb with the Reverends Orloff Miller and Clark Olsen went for dinner at an integrated diner not far from the gathering place. As they left Walker’s Café, they hear four white men calling them the infamous derogatory slur. They quicken their pace, and Clark turns around just as he sees one of the men swing a club or a pipe as if aiming at a baseball.
James Reeb is struck down. He is incoherent and in pain. The ambulance gets a flat tire just outside of Selma. They wait for another ambulance. The police surround the second ambulance and question them. They refuse to provide escort. The nearest hospital that will treat him from Selma is Birmingham. His injuries are too great; he is removed from life support and dies two days later. His death became the lightening rod President Johnson needed to pass the Voting Rights Act.
In the eulogy that Martin Luther King gave he attempted to answer the question of not who but rather what killed him. He states: “James Reeb was murdered by the indifference of every minister of the gospel who has remained silent behind the safe security of stained glass windows. He was murdered by the irrelevancy of a church that will stand amid social evil and serve as a taillight rather than a headlight, an echo rather than a voice.”
The truth is what killed James Reeb is the same that killed 6 million Jews and 3 million political prisoners and homosexuals in Germany. It is the same that created the genocide in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur. It is the same for threats against sexual minorities in Uganda and Gambia—where homosexuality is seen as a worse threat than hunger, disease, and abject poverty.
If you received a phone call to act on behalf of justice, would you answer yes? These are also dangerous times. Every generation has to answer the call before them. The Sharps and others answered the call in the 1940’s. Reeb and other clergy answered the call in the 1960’s.
And closer to home it is the same people who stand by indifferently as people’s rights are eroded away under the guise of religious freedom in Mississippi to allow businesses to discriminate against sexual minorities or here in Alabama to allow nurses and doctors to refuse to treat a woman who has an abortion, regardless of reason.
There really is no difference between the death sentences for being gay in Uganda and refusal to sell to a gay person in Mississippi. It is only a matter of degree of the indignity suffered. They are rooted in the same ignorance, the same intolerance, the same hatred against humanity’s diversity.
And while we can easily point to the atrocity of what is happening in Uganda or in Syria or in Ukraine as being dangerous times, it is harder, much harder to point out what makes living in America today as also living in dangerous times. We are like the frogs in the pot of water with the water slowly increasing in temperature and when it hits boiling it will be too late for us to jump out.
What makes this time dangerous is the very eroding of the values that we have based this nation upon. The Supreme Court has made it easier to undermine the protections of the voting rights act. The Supreme Court has ruled money equals speech. The Supreme Court has weakened the Affirmative Action mandates. Alabama passes legislation that allows medical personnel to discriminate against patients whose choices offend someone’s religious doctrines. Mississippi passes legislation that allows businesses to discriminate against sexual minorities under the false guise of religious freedom. Yet we remain passive like those frogs in tepid waters. The Democratic process is a core principle to our faith yet we take it for granted and assume it is safe from harm.
I see a lot of feigned outrage in society today. People outraged that the owner of a sports team declared his bigotry. People outraged that a sheriff in New Hampshire called the President the N word. People outraged over the racist remarks of a rancher. A group of students up in arms over the denial of admittance to a sorority on campus but not one ounce of outrage when the student government refuses to officially integrate the Greek system. Feigned outrage over one person’s slight not one protest over the institutional racism that sways power over others. Hypocrites! We as a nation are more concerned about the blatant surface appearances of racism than the hardcore insipid reality of it that courses through our veins. Symbolic rage while the system churns on its racist oppressive policies unabated.
These are dangerous times. We don’t need to travel across the world or even across the country to address it, the call is right here in Tuscaloosa.
Sixty years ago this month we commemorate the anniversary of a major integration victory that declared that separate is not equal in education. Central High School became the pride of post Brown v Board of Education. It was fully integrated with successful students of all races. The school district proclaimed that they were successful for a generation in integration and therefore no longer needed the court mandated integration ruling. Tuscaloosa claimed they would continue integration without being told but Tuscaloosa lied. Tuscaloosa voted to build two high schools and then gerrymandered the district to not only racially but economically segregate Central. The students in Central High School are being prepared not for a better life but for a life of continued poverty and very likely for prison. Central’s top students are not even able to qualify on college entrance exams.
We live in a nation where 1 in 3 black males born today will spend time in prison. We live in a nation where 1/3rd of black students between grades 7 and 12th grade are suspended or expelled from school. Tuscaloosa because of gerrymandered district lines has created a disproportionate number of whites and middle class blacks to attend the wealthier North Ridge and Paul Bryant schools. Central High is 99% black and predominantly poor. 80% of their students qualify for the federally funded school lunch program. Tuscaloosa’s 2012 Demographic study for a school district that told the Supreme Court that they could ensure integration of all of their schools, does not even mention the racial or economic breakdown in this report. Tuscaloosa has lied again. Where is the outrage over this injustice? But keep one pledge out of a sorority and we are up in arms over the indignity.
These are dangerous times not because of the potential of loss of life, though if we continue on this path of oppression it could result in this, but because of the loss of our moral compass as a people.
I never quite understood the scripture verses where it states that our fight is with principalities and powers, until now. It is not the spiritual warfare against demons as our Christian siblings believe, but rather against those human made systems that rob humanity from reaching its full potential. Racism is a power and the system in which it flourishes is the principality.
The principalities and powers of yesterday included fascist governments. Today they include the superficial righteous who parade their holy scriptures with no true understanding of the words or the spirit of love those scriptures contain. They hide behind the feigned outrage over the symptoms of racism while encouraging the real forces of racism and oppression to press on unfettered and unaccounted.
It is up to us to answer the call even in the midst of these dangerous times to call out the false outrage and point towards the heart of the matter. Even to do this takes courage because the temptation is to go with the flow and join the chorus du jour but this is the task before us to root out injustice where ever it grows. From east to west, north and south, we are called to speak to our Unitarian Universalist principles in a nation that has forgotten the true meaning of our founders’ words of inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and which are echoed in the words of our pledge: liberty, and justice for all.
The only way these words can become true in America is if we seek to ensure that our neighbor, regardless of their creed, race, sexual / gender identity or class has at their disposal all the resources necessary to reach their full potential. When my neighbor does not have the resource then I become the poorer for it.
This is the call that the Sharps answered. This is the call that James Reeb answered. They went to ensure their neighbor is treated the way they would want to be treated. This is the way of love. This is the mantle that is laid down before each of us. Will we pick that mantle up in these dangerous days? I pray that we will in our own way and according to our own conscience.
Martha Sharp is said to have asked her grandchildren, ‘What important work are you going to do for the world?’
Dangerous Times was delivered to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tuscaloosa, AL by Rev. Fred L Hammond 18 May 2014 (c)
on May 18, 2014 at 2:18 pm Comments (2)
Tags: Alabama, Brown v Board of Education, Central High School, Czechoslovakia, gays in Uganda, genocide, Holocaust, Jimmy Lee Jackson, Mississippi, Nazi Occupied Europe, Racism, Religious Freedom Acts, Resegregation, Rev. James Reeb, Rev. Waitstill and Martha Sharp, Righteous among the nations, Selma to Montgomery march, Tuscaloosa AL, Unitarian Univeralist Association, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
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Tag Archives: grand slam
In Appreciation of Aisam-ul-Haq
The unlikely alliance of Sub-Continent duo continue to dominate the doubles court. The sixteenth seeded South Asian duo beat the Argentine pair of Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zeballos 7-6 (7-5) and 6-4. The nation surrounded by controvercies, allegations, and disasters have now something to cheer about. If you are sports fan like me, than this must be somthing a moment of celebration for you, as it was for me particularly few hours ago when I was static few an hours in front of my TV. After a disasterous performance by the national cricket team in their last T20 match against England, the US Open found to be a way out for me.
Tennis tends to slip under the radar in cricket-mad Pakistan but Qureshi has already raised the sport’s profile by breaking new ground for his country after reaching the US Open mixed doubles final and semi-finals of the men’s doubles event. It is in the history of the game that any Pakistani has reached this far. Despite the criticism earlier in his current double partnership three years ago, Qureshi remains unbowed by any negativity and has always maintained that sport was above caste, creed or politics.
“I know how important my performances are right now for my countrymen. I am eager to give them something to celebrate about after the floods and cricket scandal,” Qureshi told a local television channel from New York.
Qureshi, who holds several national tennis records, has formed a formidable partnership with Bopanna and the pair are currently ranked 15th in the ATP team rankings. Their successful run on the US tour circuit continued in the third round as they faced Daniel Nestor of Canada and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia on Sunday.
In their quarterfinal, Qureshi and Bopanna took to the court against one of the tournament favourites under the scorching mid-day sun. The number two seeds looked set to dominate from the beginning as they earned three break points but the Indo-Pak duo held firm to avoid a break of serve. With the confidence of saving break points, Qureshi and Bopanna then looked to gain advantage, which came in the form of a break of serve against Nestor. The South Asian pair held on to the advantage and bagged the first set 6-3.
“I am really proud to become the first Pakistani to reach the knockout stage of a grand slam event but my job is still not finished as yet,” he said.
In this desperate times, Pakistani fans may have found an unlikely hero, country needed the cheer, Aisam surely has provided it. The pair now surely has the prayers and hopes of many for his last leg.
Tagged as aisam, aisam ul haq, double us open 2010, grand slam, semi finals, tennis, us open 2010
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Tag: Dunnington
Friday Night Dialogues: Returning art stolen by Nazis
by Dave Roggie
COURTESY PHOTO | ‘Portrait of Wally,’ a 1912 painting by Austrian artist Egon Schiele, was among the art stolen by the Nazis during World War II. In July 2010, the Leopold Museum in Austria, which had obtained the painting in 1954, agreed to pay $19 million to the heirs of the work’s rightful owner after The New York Times published a story on the painting’s ownership history in the late 1990s while it was on loan to The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
World War II ended over 70 years ago, yet attorney Raymond Dowd still fights for the return of stolen art on behalf of the families of Holocaust victims.
On Friday, June 30 at 7 p.m., Mr. Dowd, a partner in the law firm of Dunnington, Bartholow, and Miller in New York City, will appear at Friday Night Dialogues at the library to talk about how looted art bankrolled the Nazi war machine and share information on the legal efforts to return art to the rightful owners in spite of opposition from some of the world’s most prominent museums and art collectors. He will offer insight into the unique world of stolen art and his tenacity in returning these pieces — often after decades. (more…)
‘Portrait of Wally', and Miller i, Bartholow, Dunnington, Egon Schiele, Friday Night Dialouges, Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act, looted art, Nazis, Shelter Island Library, the Leopold Museum
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By Svante E. Cornell
The U.S. and Turkey
A Road to Understanding in Syria?
Getting to better relations with Turkey will not be easy. But it's far from impossible.
Click for full article
In early June, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu announced an agreement on a “roadmap” for the departure of Syrian Kurdish forces from the north Syrian town of Manbij. This agreement, which appears to call for joint U.S.-Turkish management of the area, ameliorates one of the major irritants in Turkish-American relations. Given the depth of disagreement and distrust between Washington and Ankara, it will not return the relationship to any real or imagined glory days. What it will do is help alleviate the compact sentiment in Turkey that the U.S. is conspiring against it. It makes it possible for the U.S. to begin to re-engage Turkey—which, perhaps counter-intuitively, may make it easier, not harder, to check some of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s worst instincts.
This February, the Turkish-American relationship reached rock bottom. Turkish troops had moved into the town of Afrin in northern Syria, and threatened to carry their military mission into Manbij, where U.S. troops were located, supporting the very Syrian Kurdish forces that Turkey sought to dislodge from its border. A top U.S. general stated the U.S. would “respond aggressively” to any Turkish attack on Manbij. This led President Erdoğan to threaten its NATO ally with an “Ottoman slap.” The prospect of a direct military confrontation between the U.S. and Turkey, unthinkable only a few years ago, now seemed a distinct possibility. The situation was somewhat defused in mid-February by former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s diplomacy, which laid the groundwork for the “roadmap” announced by Pompeo.
The February standoff raised the very real prospect of a total breakdown in America’s alliance with Turkey. It has been long since the two sides behaved like allies. Only recently, President Erdoğan defined his country’s stance as “anti-imperialist,” while a mouthpiece for his government put the matter more succinctly: “Turkey is emerging as a new power center opposing the United States.” Given this attitude, some Americans might say “good riddance.” But the total loss of Turkey would be similar in strategic terms to America’s loss of Iran as an ally in 1979; it would further reduce America’s influence across the Middle East and beyond. This, no doubt, is what has led Moscow to work overtime to accelerate the breakdown of Turkish-American relations: in order to reap the benefits thereof.
What makes Turkey crucial is its geographic position: it lies at the confluence of the Balkans, the Black Sea, the Caucasus, Iran, the Middle East, and the Eastern Mediterranean. By definition, given the size of Turkey’s population, economy, and military, its stance is key to U.S. interests in all these theaters. Cooperation with it could amplify and reinforce U.S. goals; its opposition would make achieving these all the more difficult. The simple fact is there are no good alternatives to Turkey. The U.S. military base in Incirlik could conceivably be moved to facilities in Romania, Jordan, Georgia, and/or Iraqi Kurdistan; perhaps it should. But the U.S.-Turkish relationship is deeper than simply a matter of military bases, and no country, or combination of countries, could readily compensate for a loss of Turkey as an ally.
This is not to say that the U.S. should follow a policy of appeasement. Quite to the contrary: for far too long, the U.S. has operated under the assumption that it needs Turkey more than Turkey needs America—a notion that is true only if Washington allows that to be the case, and which ignores the immense leverage the U.S. has on Turkey in the military, security, and economic fields. Turkey’s slide into increasingly authoritarian and Islamist governance, and its pursuit of policies at odds with American interests across the Middle East, is a matter to be taken very seriously. Its hostility to America and its allies—particularly Israel—which Turkish leadership frequently exhibits, needs to be checked, and American leverage applied when needed. But America needs to play a long game in Turkey, looking beyond the current political leadership.
Whether or not anything beyond a tactical accommodation can be reached with Erdoğan’s government, it is in the U.S. interest to restore its relationship with Turkey as a country. This will not be easy: Turkey is more nationalistic than ever, and perceptions of the U.S. as a hostile actor are deeply engrained. But there is a key distinction: Turkey’s Islamists, Erdoğan included, are ideologically predisposed to see America as an enemy. Other political forces in the country, Turkish nationalists included, are not immune from anti-Americanism. Yet it is not hard-wired into their identity. Seeking a common language and common interests with Turkey’s Islamists is a lost cause and foolhardy at best; doing so with Turkish nationalists has worked in the past, and could work again.
In order to devise a policy along these lines, it is imperative to distinguish among the various problems in the bilateral relationship. While there are numerous contentious issues, the serious problems can be boiled down to three distinct sets of issues. In some of these, the controversy is between the U.S. and Turkey as a whole; in others, it is between the U.S. and Erdoğan’s government. In a long-term policy, the U.S. would accordingly need to apply different tactics. The first area of disagreement concerns Syria and the Kurds, issues that can hardly be distinguished from one another. The second area relates to the role of U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gülen, whom Erdoğan accuses of staging a coup attempt in 2016. And finally, the third set of contentious issues stems from Erdoğan’s Islamism and anti-Western approach.
The controversy over Syria is, to Turkey, not primarily about Syria. It relates to Turkey’s own Kurdish problem, the most serious issue the country has faced since the republic’s creation in 1923, which in turn intersects with America’s engagements in the Middle East since the 1990 Gulf War. As detailed in a February 2018 article in TAI, Turkish and American interests in the Middle East began to diverge just as the Cold War ended. America’s interventions in Iraq, both in 1990 and 2003, had the effect of significantly worsening the threat posed by the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), an organization both the U.S. and EU classify as a terrorist organization. Matters are even worse in Syria: there, the U.S. directly cooperates with the People’s Protection Units (YPG), a militia force that the U.S. Director of National Intelligence describes as “the Syrian militia of the PKK.”
America’s approach to the Kurdish issue has been ambivalent. On one hand, the U.S. was once a strong supporter’s of Turkey’s efforts to counter the PKK, a murderous Marxist-Leninist organization built around the personality cult of its leader, Abdullah Öcalan. The U.S. played a key role in helping Turkey apprehend Öcalan in 1999, and used to put significant pressure on European states to crack down on PKK activities on their soil. But from 2003 onward, the U.S. came to view the Kurds of northern Iraq—themselves opponents of the PKK—as America’s most reliable allies there. This was not an insurmountable problem for Ankara, especially since Erdoğan himself embarked on an effort to court the leadership of Iraqi Kurdistan. In Syria, the logic of U.S. policy was similar to that in Iraq: the Syrian Kurds appeared to be the only reliable fighting force that could be used on the ground to confront ISIS.
The key difference was that the YPG was, as America acknowledges, a subsidiary of the PKK. Even this proved tolerable to Ankara because, as former U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Baghdad James Jeffrey puts it, “We told the Turks that the Kurds were temporary, tactical, and transactional to defeat ISIS.” But once ISIS was on the ropes, the Pentagon this January doubled down on its relationship with the YPG and announced its intention to create a “Border Security Force” consisting mainly of YPG fighters.
This may have made sense to U.S. Central Command, which is preoccupied with the situation in Syria and Iraq, and in securing America’s role on the ground without having to commit thousands of troops that America’s domestic opinion would scarcely permit. And Centcom, in any case, has little love lost for Turkey: memories of the Turkish refusal to allow U.S. troops to open a northern front against Saddam Hussein in 2003 have not faded, and many senior U.S. officials continue to blame Ankara for some of what went wrong in Iraq. But this mixed messaging on Syria’s Kurds comes at a high price. Hatred for the PKK, whose campaign of terror has killed thousands since 1984, is near-universal in Turkey. The notion that America is in cahoots with a PKK subsidiary infuriates Turks of every political persuasion, with the possible exception of the pro-Kurdish HDP, itself not devoid of PKK linkages. And why would America set up a border force in Syria? To Turks, the only conclusion is that the U.S. is seeking to contain and undermine Turkey.
By inadvertently fueling such suspicions, the U.S. is effectively helping Erdoğan shore up support among otherwise skeptical Turks, who rally around the flag and leader against this perceived foreign threat. Pompeo’s roadmap begins to address this problem.
The Gülen Factor
Why, are so many Turks so suspicious of America? Part of the answer lies in Erdoğan’s promotion of conspiracy theories, which we will get to shortly. But an equally important reason is the Gülen factor. Since 1999, this reclusive preacher has resided in self-imposed exile in the Poconos mountains of Pennsylvania, from where he directs a large and opaque global network of schools and civic associations. His disciples have been focused on infiltrating the Turkish state since the 1970s, a fact that led Erdoğan to strike a tactical alliance with Gülen in the early days of his tenure, which helped him tremendously in consolidating power. Erdoğan fancies himself the embodiment of Turkey’s Sunni Muslims. Since Gülen, too, is a Sunni Muslim, Erdoğan assumed the Gülenists would remain loyal to him. But over time, it became clear that Gülenists were pursuing their own power and influence, and were not going to defer to Erdoğan. This led to an overt power struggle between the two—in effect, an Islamist civil war for control over the Turkish state. Not without reason, Erdoğan blames Gülen for orchestrating the July 2016 coup attempt which led to the death of over 200 people and to the bombing of the country’s parliament.
The notion that Gülen is a CIA creation has been widespread in Turkey for decades now. How else, Turks wonder, would such an obscure network be able to spread globally, so that it at one point operated schools in 160 countries? And why would an Islamist cleric choose the United States as his residence? Seeking to rebut such conspiracies is a fool’s errand. But again, these are not fringe beliefs among Turkey’s Islamists. They are held compactly across almost every political and social strata in Turkey. Thus, any sign that the U.S. is protecting Gülen serves the purpose of shoring up support for Erdoğan. Particularly following the failed 2016 coup, even die-hard secularist opponents of Erdoğan have rallied to his support, with a simple logic: Erdoğan is the only person who has the strength and force to root out the Gülenists from Turkey’s state institutions, and make sure they could never again get close to power.
Does this mean the U.S. should simply hand Gülen over to Erdoğan and close down all his activities in America? The U.S. is a nation of laws, and Gülen a Permanent Resident of the United States. Leaving aside the question whether Gülen could be expected to receive a fair trial in Turkey—a doubtful proposition at best—Turkey’s extradition request does not appear to have provided enough evidence to tie Gülen to the coup attempt or any other criminal offenses. Erdoğan’s government considers the Gülen Network a terrorist organization, and applies collective punishment to everyone it considers part of the network, and would like the U.S. and Europe to do the same. But as EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove noted, “You need not only circumstantial evidence . . . but concrete substantive data which shows that they were involved.” Similarly, the U.S. cannot take legal action unless evidence shows the individual involvement of a particular person in coup planning.
Circumstantial evidence can, however, lead the U.S. to re-evaluate its approach to the Gülen network. It does have redeeming qualities—few Islamic clerics have taken out full-page ads to condemn ISIS and jihadi terrorism, for example. But given the amount of evidence linking the network to the coup, and its involvement in the jailing of secularist Turks on fraudulent grounds, this network can hardly be considered an asset to U.S. interests. Not staying at that, there are serious allegations that the many Gülen-affiliated charter schools in the United States have engaged in systematic fraud that is under FBI investigation.
Any sign that the U.S. is taking accusations against the Gülen network seriously, and investigating its activities in the United States, would go a long way toward managing the widespread perception that the U.S. is protecting what most Turks consider a terrorist organization. That, in turn, would play an important role in rebuilding trust for the United States in Turkish society—and rob Erdoğan of a tool to whip up anti-American hatred.
The final, and deepest, bone of contention between the U.S. and Turkey is the increasingly Islamist direction of President Erdoğan’s tenure. Erdoğan started out as a politician who parted with the Islamism of his predecessors, even setting up a new party that split off from the old-school Islamists of the past. But as he consolidated power, he gradually returned to the Islamist rhetoric of his youth, and adopted an increasingly autocratic approach to ruling the country. By necessity, U.S. foreign policy must deal with autocrats everywhere; but in Turkey’s case, the authoritarian tendency has been coupled with a growing anti-American posture in Turkish foreign policy, coupled with a decidedly anti-Zionist, and frequently anti-Semitic rhetoric and approach to Middle Eastern affairs.
Erdoğan’s tendencies were visible already in the early days of his tenure, as he embraced Hamas following its power grab in 2006. No wonder: Turkey’s Islamist movement, from which Erdoğan stems, is heavily colored by the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Hamas is a branch. After the Arab upheavals of 2011, Turkey increasingly adopted an ideological, sectarian foreign policy that sought to assist the Muslim Brotherhood, and other Islamist organizations, in securing power across the Middle East and North Africa. This put Turkey directly at odds with U.S. interests, as it egged on Muhammad Morsi in his ill-fated attempt to grab power through unconstitutional means in Egypt, and supported extremist groups in the Syrian civil war. Of even more concern, perhaps, has been Ankara’s naked hostility to the State of Israel, and Erdoğan’s recurrent promotion of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, also a legacy of the ideological environment that formed him as a politician. In recent months, Erdoğan has even lashed out at the reforms being carried out in Saudi Arabia, decrying the very notion of “moderate” Islam, while his party’s mouthpiece drums up conspiracy theories of American attempts to rob Muslims of their hold on the holy sites of Mecca and Medina.
Syria and Gülen are important issues, but they are just that—concrete issues where state interests may diverge, and where it is possible, through diplomacy and other means of statecraft, to overcome differences. By contrast, Erdoğan’s ideology is a much deeper impediment, an existential challenge to the Turkish-American alliance. If this ideology becomes hegemonic in Turkey, the alliance is doomed.
Happily, this is not destined to happen. Erdoğan has, without doubt, made Turkish public opinion more anti-Western and anti-Semitic than it was before he assumed power. But the societal resistance to Erdoğan’s Islamization efforts is remarkable, not least in the field of education, as Turkish parents stubbornly refuse to send their children to the underperforming religious schools that Erdoğan’s education ministry favors. Erdoğan also finds it increasingly difficult to obtain the support of more than just shy of half of the population. In spite of his control of administrative resources, superior funding, and near-saturation level of supportive media coverage, it is a testament to society’s resistance that in the current election campaign, his victory is not a foregone conclusion. The main opposition candidate, Muharrem Ince, could well win a second round, if the election is conducted fairly—a big if.
Indeed, within the Turkish state—whose institutions have begun to reassert their influence, particularly over foreign policy—there is considerable reluctance to embrace Erdoğan’s Islamist ideology. In other words, both within state and society, Erdoğan’s ideology is polarizing, in sharp contrast to society’s strong support for his stance on Syria and on the Gülen movement.
This has obvious implications for the United States. First, the U.S. should take Turkey’s interests on Syria and on the Gülen issue into account. This does not mean meeting every Turkish demand. But it does mean seeking accommodation on these issues, where Erdoğan enjoys the support of a near-consensus of Turkey. By contrast, on issues where his position is most polarizing—which happens to be the issues that in the long term will matter most to the United States—that is where the U.S. should push back assertively.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has to do a much better job at reaching beyond Erdoğan, and finding ways to talk to other actors and institutions in Turkish society. The Roadmap in Syria provides such an opportunity: it could help Centcom develop relations with Turkey’s military, as European Command has done for decades. This won’t be easy at first, but could prove crucial in the long term. The U.S. must also reach out to nationalist political parties and organizations in Turkey, which all too often get swept up in anti-American rhetoric—which Americans have hardly tried to mitigate.
But just as Syria was the most acute crisis that threatened a direct confrontation between Turkey and the U.S., it is also in Syria that the restoration of a relationship with Turkey, and of American influence in the country, could begin. This will only succeed if the Trump Administration takes a long-term and strategic approach that centers on Turkey, the country, as opposed to Erdoğan, the person. Pompeo’s roadmap could be the start of such an approach.
Svante Cornell is Director of the American Foreign Policy Council’s Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, a co-founder of the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Stockholm, and a Policy Advisor to JINSA’sGemunder Center for Defense and Strategy.
Read 4644 times Last modified on Thursday, 18 October 2018 20:08
Mevlut Cavusoglu
USTurkish relations
TurkishAmerican relations
CACI and CSIS Forum: Azerbaijan in a Changing Caucasus: Developments in Foreign and Domestic Policies
The West Should Stand Stronger with Georgia
More in this category: « Erbakan, Kısakürek, and the Mainstreaming of Extremism in Turkey Erdogan Wins Reelection »
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New Macross Anime in the Works
Macross fans get ready to get excited because news has come in that a new Macross anime project is in the planning stages.
The recent Macross Frontier rebroadcast in Japan confirmed a new series had been green-lit but now the new series is finally in the works.
During an interview with Mantan Web, Shoji Kawamori, the franchise’s co-creator, confirmed that the upcoming project is in the planning stages and he has begun working on it.
While he didn’t reveal much in the way of plot for the new series he did confirm that the role of music has been worked out for the new series, what exactly that may be however is anyone’s guess at this point.
Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming Macross anime project as it comes to light.
Tagsmacross • macross frontier
1 comment on “New Macross Anime in the Works”
Pingback: New Macross Anime Received a Green Light | Otaku Kokka
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Wednesday, July 17, 2019 5:44 am
Home Faith Missions But For the Grace of God
But For the Grace of God
Del Duduit
Every Wednesday since the summer of 2015, Ashley has visited the Ashland Community Kitchen to serve food to people who are in need.
The talented photographer not only sees life through her Nikon lens, but she examines her own heart and internal needs during these moments.
Ashley serving one of the many who comes for a meal at the Ashland Community Kitchen.
“I love coming here,” she told me with a big smile. “I feel like I’m contributing.”
A divorce three years ago invited unwanted and negative feelings about herself. She decided to become involved in something outside of her own and her children’s personal needs. “I wanted to feel positive about me.”
She enjoys talking to people and is a curious person by nature.
The exploration of the human condition and meaningful conversation draws her back each week.
The desire to engage in worthwhile dialogue is sometimes more nutritious than a meal.
“Some just want to talk,” she said. “Everyone has a story to tell.”
The 90 minutes she spends each Wednesday leads to a self-examination of her own circumstances.
“I don’t think any of us are that far removed from being here ourselves,” she noted. “I found that out after I went through my divorce. I was emotionally vulnerable, and financially too.”
It makes me wonder what happened in their lives to bring them here.
— Ashley
She takes the time to smile and talk to a client who might be a former teacher or an engineer who has come upon bad times. The past doesn’t seem relevant — the current does.
When she enters the back door of the kitchen and ties an apron around her waist, she puts down her camera and focuses on life’s big picture.
There is no judgment or a rush to any conclusion. She simply helps and puts aside the notion to form any opinion, looking at the person instead of the tattered shirt or gruffly and desperate face.
Ashley taking time to listen.
“It makes me wonder what happened in their lives to bring them here,” she said. “I don’t know what they’ve been through, but I know it’s been something.”
The need:
I sat and talked with a few “clients” who made their way into the kitchen to eat.
Tyler and Lilly, a young couple from Pikeville, Kentucky, came in for lunch.
“This place is a Godsend,” Tyler said between bites of turkey and mashed potatoes. “We are here because we need help right now, but I plan to find a job and get us back on our feet.”
Then I strolled over and sat with Robert, who is a regular customer.
He has been on disability for “as long as I can remember” due to a diagnosed mental disorder and said he would “starve to death I guess” if not for the kitchen. His words were few and far between.
A place where customers can get clothing
A few moments later, I sat down next to a woman with her mother who sobbed as she told me her son-in-law, and father of her three grandchildren was heading off to prison. The kitchen not only provides meals for her and her daughter and grandchildren but a place of comfort from the unfriendly world outside of its walls.
“We can get what we need here,” she said. “We can get clothes and other stuff. It’s tough, but we’re gonna be okay.”
The mission:
The Ashland Community Kitchen started to make a difference in the early 1980s.
At that time, the city of Ashland, located along the northern Kentucky shore of the Ohio River, struggled economically. Many people were not able to find jobs or food. Unemployment was high, and so were tensions. Several Christian women met the challenge head-on and started a soup kitchen.
You can’t paint everyone with the same brush.
— Todd, executive director of the ACK
Today, the ACK serves about 9,000 meals a month to those in need.
Todd, a local businessman, pastor, and executive director of the Ashland Community Kitchen and The Neighborhood, said the cause is great and diverse in the river city of about 22,000 people.
“You can’t paint everyone with the same brush,” he said. “Some people come here because of addiction, and some are here because of poverty.”
When I spoke to Todd, he had just finished a conversation with a male client who told him he was on food stamps and going to food banks, but he was still in need of more nourishment.
Stories like that lead the kitchen to serve more evening meals to people who are hungry.
“We serve about 1,800 dinners a month or 60 each night,” he said.
However, a report a few months ago on WSAZ told viewers that homeless numbers were shrinking.
Todd did not directly refute the story, but he is seeing an influx of homeless people. “All I can say is that we are feeding more people each month.”
The hope:
Woody has been in and out of prison most of his life. The 61-year-old went from “rocking a sign” on 13th Street and Winchester Avenue, to a job at the ACK.
Woody at the Ashland Community Kitchen
He drives the rescue truck to pick up food donations from Walmart and Kroger and brings them back to the kitchen for distribution.
People of faith took it upon themselves to witness to the homeless man a few years ago.
Woody said they would come down and “aggravate” him in such a way that he saw his need was more than food. He needed a Savior.
“My wife and I wanted to get clean and wanted to live right,” he said. “God has been good to us.”
He went from pushing a wheelchair, which held his life belongings, and walking on a prosthetic leg, with a tennis shoe duct taped to it for balance, to the promise of a perfect body and a home in Heaven one day.
“I’ve been clean almost two years and gave my heart to the Lord,” he said. “I’m happy now because I love myself because He loved me.”
The help:
Dave and Stella have been volunteering for years at the kitchen.
Stella and Ashley talk before lunch.
They are both retired and see the daunting need in their community.
“I have time, and I want to help,” he said. “People are hurting out there.”
Dave has observed over the past few weeks an increase in the number of people coming in for a meal.
“We have our regulars, but I’ve noticed more new faces which tells me there are more homeless in the area,” he said. “I see more backpacks and bags that tells me people are on the move.”
For now, he and his wife will continue to do what they can to help and pray for an answer to the ongoing problem of people who have no place to call home.
“I know there has to be a solution, but it must be much higher than I can comprehend,” he said.
The support:
The kitchen is a full circle of love. The clients take home basic needs for survival while the volunteers leave with a sense of temporary satisfaction. The organizers and behind-the-scene folks provide an extension of hope for all involved. They need each other and help one another in some way to fill the voids.
The Grace:
I was definitely impacted by the few moments of my life I took to sit and talk with these people who are at rock bottom. I am certainly not happy about their circumstances, but I am pleased that their needs are being met by kind and compassionate people from the community.
I feel unworthy of my blessings from God, but I accept them. I truly know they could be gone in a heartbeat. My visit reinforced my gratefulness for what I possess and stirred an awkward desire to do more to help.
I thank God for choosing to bless me with a loving family and a good job to help me provide for our needs. I am also grateful that God has allowed me to be an award-winning writer and published author. I have everything I could ever want or need.
Yet I am aware: “There but for the grace of God go I.” — John Bradford
The Lord’s grace is seen through the Ashland Community Kitchen and through Todd, a businessman/pastor. Grace is evident in Woody’s life, and it abounds in Dave and Stella.
Grace is bestowed on Ashley who now makes her heart vulnerable instead of her emotions and finances. And grace will be what all the others need who enter the kitchen to find food and a smile.
Ashley was right when she said, “everyone has a story to tell.” Everyone does indeed.
Arrogance has no place in life and needs to be replaced with humility. I need to help more and judge less.
People’s stories need to be heard.
What about you? Do you go out of your way to help those in need, or do you ignore them?
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. (Proverbs 28: 27 KJV)
For more information on the Ashland Community Kitchen or to help, visit their website here.
http://www.delduduit.com
Del Duduit is the Editor of Southern Ohio Christian Voice. He is an award-winning writer, freelancer, blogger, speaker, and author of Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful. (http://bit.ly/BuckeyeBeliever). He lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie, and they attend Rubyville Community Church. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.
Mylee’s Mission Will Touch your Heart
Wellspring Living Praises Sex Trafficking Survivors
World Vision Sends High Desert Mom to Ethiopia
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After A Long & Difficult Decision, Steely Dan Have Made Up Their Mind About Their Upcoming Tour….
Kevin Mazur / Getty
It’s been nearly a week since the tragic passing of Steely Dan guitarist and co-founder Walter Becker. The band have been mourning the loss of their beloved member and friend, and recently had to make a difficult decision: to carry on, or take a break.
Well, the band have recently confirmed that they will carry on, and have announced a brief tour, that will sort of act as a memorial to Walter. The band will take on 11 shows in October, and is expected to hit east coast cities in the United States, before hopping across the pond and playing in the UK. Keyboardist Donald Fagen has been on tour with his solo act, so all of this will take place in the midst of his solo tour. Shortly after Becker’s death, the band and Fagen released a statement about the life of Walter and the future of the band.
“I intend to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can with the Steely Dan band.“- Fagen said.
It’s good to hear they are keeping their word and maintaining the tradition. See the dates of their upcoming tour down below!
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Archive for the ‘Bollywood’ Category
Why India Matters to Spotify, and Why it May Not Deliver
There are two key reasons for such weak uptake to date:
1. Music plays a different role in India:Bollywood and devotional are two of the most widely listened to music genres, neither of which are mainstays of subscription services, nor streaming music consumption in general.
2. Income levels are low:the average per capita income is $553 a month, with the luxury of a music subscription far out of reach for most Indians, other than urban elites. Spotify’s $1.80 price point in India may sound cheap, but relative to average income, it is 9.3 times more expensive than $9.99 is in the US. So, Spotify would need to be priced at $0.19 to be the same relative affordability as in the US, which coincidentally is the price for its day pass.
Warner Music and Spotify have been involved in a rather unseemly and very public spat this week over Spotify’s India launch. I’ll leave for someone else, the discussions of the potential implications of a blanket license for songwriter rights in India for an on-demand streaming service. Suffice to say, the words ‘can of worms’ come to mind. Instead, I am going to focus on why India matters so much to Spotify.
The next one billion, perhaps…
Spotify’s Daniel Ek has made much of addressing the next one billion internet users as part of Spotify’s long-term opportunity. Given the fact that China is effectively off the table for now and that sub-Saharan Africa is probably a generation away from being a major streaming market, India is the key component of that next one billion.
Europe and North America accounted for 69% of Spotify’s subscriber growth in 2018. While this…
3. März 2019 at 21:21
Veröffentlicht in Bollywood, Business, English, Hören und Sehen, Internet, Medien, Musik, Spotify
Tagged with Bollywood, English, India, Mark Mulligan, music business, music industry, Music Industry Blog, Spotify, streaming
Looking back at the 13th Indian Film Festival (Indisches Filmfestival) Stuttgart (#IFFStuttgart)
Since 2005, I have been visiting the Indian Film Festival / Indisches Filmfestival Stuttgart (my 2016 preview) almost every year. Here are short Twitter reviews of the 18 movies I was able to watch this year (sorted by rating, the highest one would have been 5 stars/*****):
.@ParchedTheMovie (IND/USA 2015): Powerful drama about emancipation of four rural Indian women. ****½ https://t.co/1rkgstGpCu #IFFStuttgart
— Peter Jebsen (@pjebsen) July 21, 2016
Veröffentlicht in Bollywood, English, Events, Filmfestivals, Kino, Stuttgart, YouTube
Tagged with #IFFStuttgart, Bollywood, cinema, English, Filmfestivals, Indian Film Festival, indisches filmfestival, Kino, movies, stuttgart
My movie selection for the 13th Indian Film Festival (Indisches Filmfestival) Stuttgart (#IFFStuttgart)
For the first time in years, I was able to thoroughly prepare for the Indian Film Festival / Indisches Filmfestival which starts in Stuttgart/Germany today.
Tagged with #IFFStuttgart, Bollywood, cinema, English, Filmfestivals, Indian Film Festival, indisches filmfestival, Kino, movies, stuttgart, Tannishtha Chatterjee
Deepa Mehta at 15th River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival (#R2RFIFF) / Looking back at Stuttgart’s #IFFSTR15
Deepa Mehta at the 7th Annual Canadian Filmmakers’ Party 2012 (Photo: Canadian Film Centre / Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license)
Announced today: Indo-Canadian film director and screenwriter Deepa Mehta will be the guest of honour at this year’s River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival in beautiful Florence/Italy (from December 5 to 11, 2015) – always my favourite movie fest of the year.
From Deepa Mehta’s Wikipedia entry :
[She is] most known for her Elements Trilogy, Fire (1996), Earth (1998), and Water (2005); among which Earth was sent by India as its official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and Water was Canada’s official entry for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, making it only the second non-French-language Canadian film to put forth for consideration in that category (the first being Zacharias Kunuk’s 2001 Inuktitut-language feature, Atanarjuat), and the first to receive an Oscar nomination. She also co-founded Hamilton-Mehta Productions, with her husband, producer David Hamilton in 1996. She was awarded a Genie Award in 2003 for the screenplay of Bollywood/Hollywood. In May 2012, Mehta received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, Canada’s highest honour in the performing arts.
Veröffentlicht in Bollywood, English, Filmfestivals, Florenz, Kino
Tagged with #IFFSTR15, #R2RFIFF, Deepa Mehta, firenze, florence, florenz, Indian Film Festival, Indian Film Festival Stuttgart, river to river, River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival, selvaggia velo
Looking back at River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival 2014 … and some Florence tips
This year, I was only able to enjoy River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival for five days. But it was my tenth time in a row – and I got to see a particularly fascinating special guest (Irrfan Khan – you can watch more videos of his Q&A sessions here).
15. Dezember 2014 at 9:25
Veröffentlicht in Bollywood, Filmfestivals, Florenz, Kino
Tagged with #getrivered, #R2RFIFF, English, firenze, florence, florenz, Irrfan Khan, river to river, River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival, selvaggia velo
Movie Talk with Irrfan Khan @River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival (Videos)
For the visitors of River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival Irrfan Khan was the perfect guest: charming, funny and outspoken. I shot some clips during the Q&A sessions for the movies „Qissa“ (with director Anup Singh) and „Paan Sing Tomar“, hosted by festival director Selvaggia Velo.
Veröffentlicht in Bollywood, English, Filmfestivals, Florenz, Hören und Sehen, Kino, Twitter, Videos, YouTube
Tagged with Anup Singh, film festival, Irrfan Khan, Paan Singh Tomar, Qissa, river to river, River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival, selvaggia velo
Irrfan Khan at 14th River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival / Looking back at last year’s #R2RFIFF
Irrfan Khan (Photo: http://www.bollywoodhungama.com / Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license)
Just announced: Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan will be the guest of honour at this year’s River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival in beautiful Florence/Italy – always my favourite festival of the year.
The festival will hold a special tribute to Khan who next appears in Colin Trevorrow’s „Jurassic World“. There will be screenings of his films „Qissa“, „The Namesake“ and „Paan Singh Tomar“, plus seven episodes of the third season of the HBO series „In Treatment“.
According to Wikipedia, Irrfan Khan has appeared in more than 30 Bollywood films (as of 2013). Khan’s English-language mainstream work includes character roles in movies like „New York“, „I Love You“, „A Mighty Heart“, „Slumdog Millionaire“, „The Amazing Spider-Man“, and „Life of Pi“.
Tagged with #R2RFIFF, firenze, florence, florenz, Indian Film Festival, Indian Film Festival Stuttgart, Irffan Khan, river to river, River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival, Rom, Roma, Rome, selvaggia velo, Tannishta Chatterjee
13th River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival: From Ganges to Arno … and Tiber! #R2RFIFF
Shabana Azmi (Photo: Bollywood Hungama / License: CC BY 3.0)
My final (and favourite!) film festival of the year always is the lovely River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival in Florence/Italy (flickr photo album). This year (2013), its 13th edition will take place from Friday, November 22, until Thursday, November 28, at beautiful Cinema Odeon on Piazza Strozzi, followed by a weekend in Rome (November 29 to December 1) at Nuovo Cinema Aquila, via L’Aquila 68).
The programme has just been released today.
Following 2012’s special guest Amitabh Bachchan (video below), this year’s guest of honour will be Shabana Azmi (photo). Wikipedia: „(…) She made her film debut in 1974 and soon became one of the leading actresses of Parallel Cinema, an Indian New Wave movement known for its serious content and neo-realism. (…) Azmi has appeared in over 120 Hindi films in both mainstream and independent cinema, and since 1988 she has acted in several foreign projects.“
Tagged with #R2RFIFF, Amitabh Bachchan, firenze, florence, florenz, Indian Film Festival, Indian Film Festival Stuttgart, river to river, River to River. Florence Indian Film Festival, Rom, Roma, Rome, selvaggia velo, Shabana Azmi, stuttgart
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Home | SPSCC gains national recognition
SPSCC gains national recognition
By Lisa Pemberton
South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) has been named one of the top 50 community colleges in the country by College Choice, a web site that offers college and university rankings and other resources for students and their families.
The Olympia-based college was ranked No. 41 on a list of “best community colleges for 2016-17,” based on academic quality, diversity and equity and return on investment, according to a news release from SPSCC.
“Our school’s academic quality and integrity are driven by the standards created by and implemented through our dedicated full- and part-time faculty,” Michelle Andreas, SPSCC vice president of instruction, said in the release. “…We are fortunate to have faculty who put student learning above all else.”
SPSCC, which operates campuses in Olympia and Lacey, enrolls more than 6,000 students each quarter. This is the second year in a row that the college has received a national recognition, according to SPSCC spokeswoman Kelly Green. It made the Aspen Institute’s top 150 last year, she said.
Lisa Pemberton: 360-754-5433, @Lisa_Pemberton
A top 50 community college graphic
SPSCC in the News
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Rape and Murder of Young Comedian Highlights Australia's Sexual Violence Issue
© Flickr/ Yasser Alghofily
The rape and murder of 22-year-old Australian comedian Eurydice Dixon as she walked home at night in Melbourne has highlighted the wider issue of ‘disturbingly high’ incidences of violence against women in Australia.
Dixon's body was found in a football field around 2.40 am June 13, mere hours after she'd performed a set at a city bar. Authorities state Dixon was attacked in the suburb of Carlton North, sometime after leaving a bar in central Melbourne around 22:30 ACT June 12, a few hundred meters from her home. At midnight, she'd sent a text message to a friend saying"I'm almost home safe, HBU [how about you]."
Jaymes Todd, a 19-year-old local, handed himself to police the next day, and was charged with the rape and murder of Dixon. The court has prohibited publication of images of Todd, after his lawyer argued he was vulnerable in custody, and media coverage could affect the reliability of witness statements. He will be tried October 3.
https://t.co/1oEVLYjCZw pic.twitter.com/CqUUcnXyqT
— Elly Baxter (@ellybaxterpr) June 14, 2018
"She had a great passion for women's issues and social justice issues, and drew upon them a lot in the material she produced as a comic," fellow comedian Nicky Barry told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
An online fundraiser for Dixon's family has received over US$39,600 (A$53,000) in donations.
‘Disturbingly High'
Dixon's death has precipitated a wider discussion in Australia about violence against women. In 2017 Australia's human rights commission concluded the country is home to a "disturbingly high" rate of violence against women, with one in five having endured sexual violence or threats since the age of 15.
Pls people don’t blame her for walking in a park at night, as is our society’s default position. BLAME HER ATTACKER. Women should be able to walk safely in our streets and parks. Rest in peace Eurydice Dixon.
— Chloe Booker (@chloebooker) June 14, 2018
"Violence against women takes many forms, including family and domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, violence in residential settings and online violence and harassment…5.3 percent of women experienced some form of violence in the last 12 months, and 40.8 percent had experienced some form of violence since the age of 15. Most instances of violence against women were perpetrated by someone known to them: around 74 percent of women who experienced violence in the last 12 months, and 87 percent of women who experienced violence since the age of 15, reported the perpetrator was someone they know," the report stated.
Beautiful, clever, funny Eurydice Dixon at her gig at Highlander last Tuesday. RIP. #eurydicedixon pic.twitter.com/ivcbL2DmSs
— Paula Ferrari (@paulaferrari_oz) June 14, 2018
dThe commission also alleged sexual harassment, particularly in the workplace, remains a significant problem in Australia with one-third of women having been sexually harassed since the age of 15 and many women, especially young women, experiencing violence and harassment online. This includes dissemination of private images or materials without consent, and violent, sexualized abuse and harassment. Women who advocate on women's rights issues, including family and domestic violence, appear to be at particular risk of the latter form of online harassment.
I will not raise my girls in a world where travelling home at night is deemed “risky” behaviour. Women have the right to move freely in this country. Freedom is a right not a privilege.
— PatriciaKarvelas (@PatsKarvelas) June 14, 2018
In 2012, Jill Meagher was raped and murdered in a Melbourne suburb — the coroner's report concluded authorities could've prevented her death, by revoking her killer's parole as soon as he breached it.
Meagher went missing during a night out with colleagues — her body was discovered six days afterward buried on the outskirts of Melbourne. Adrian Bayley, who had a history of violent sex attacks, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum jail term of 35 years for her murder. The coroner pointed to failings by Australia's Community Correctional Services as being fundamental in her slaying, suggesting "a more rigorous, risk-averse approach" by authorities would've resulted inj the cancellation of Bayley's parole.
My thoughts with friends & family of Eurydice Dixon. Never met but from all accounts a funny, friendly, warm woman with the world at her feet. This feels close to home & it breaks my heart. Time for courts to get tough on murderers/sex offenders & for men to take responsibility.
— Peter Helliar (@pjhelliar) June 14, 2018
Bayley had been on parole for previous rapes when he raped and murdered Meagher, and was also on bail pending appeal of a three-month sentence after attacking a man outside a pub the year prior. At the time, he'd already served eight years' jail for 16 counts of rape against five women.
Sexual Violence Cases Surge in France After Famous Figures Scandal
'Absolution Prayers': Victims of Vatican Priests' Sexual Violence Demand Justice
Daesh Uses Sexual Violence as Terror Tactics in Iraq - UN
New Western Australia Anti-Protest Law Violates Human Rights – Watchdog
sexual violence, crime, sex crime, rape, Australia
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The troubled history of the Airbus A380
The troubled history of the Airbus A380 - Essay Example
This report presents an analysis and evaluation of the role of systems and operations management at Airbus and its integration within the business. People, technology and organizational issues involved in potential improving the operations at Airbus are analyzed in light of the existing problems…
Author: kubcamren
Extract of sample "The troubled history of the Airbus A380"
Download file to see previous pages In addition, Soft Systems Methodology allows to identify analyze multiple levels of the problem with purpose of finding the most effective solutions that take into account relationships and dependencies that might not be clearly seen using the Hard Systems Methodology. The analysis and evaluation have shown that the role of systems and operations management is underestimated by Airbus management in the process of managing separate projects and overall business operations. In addition, effective systems and operations management strategies have not been integrated within the company well enough due to lack of organization, strong leadership and communication, among other factors. Business process reengineering, total quality management, Lean and Six Sigma approaches to improvement have been analyzed with the purpose of determining the most effective for Airbus to use. The analysis has shown that business process reengineering would be the most appropriate for Airbus approach because it implies implementing radical changes within rather narrow time frames. Rapid changes, in their turn, show to be the most effective in attempts to radically improve organizational performance. It is recommended that Airbus uses business process reengineering approach for improving its systems and operations management. Furthermore, decision making and supporting systems, such as transaction processing systems, management information systems and decision support systems should be incorporated into organizational operations in order to align information systems and operations management of the company. Introduction Airbus is, as the company writes about itself, a technology-oriented organization that created its first jet in 1974 (Airbus.com, 2011). In 1991 the company started working an idea of creating a super-large passenger aircraft. The jet would become the largest airplane ever made. Consequently, the work on its creation was sure to be complex and demanding. However, it took the company 14 years, since 1993 when Airbus started working of the development of the ‘super jumbo’, for the new aircraft to take off in full service in 2007 (Slack, Chambers and Johnstone, 2010). As Slack, Chambers and Johnstone (2010) report, it took the company so many years to, finally, complete the project, because of a number of problems within the organization. Most of them, such as weak organization of production processes, poor leadership or use of incompatible software by different departments, are related to of systems and operations management practices of Airbus. Therefore, the goal of the given report is to determine and analyze how systems and operations management concepts are used by the company and how systems and operations management is integrated into the business. Soft Systems Methodology will be used for analyzing the situation and making recommendations about how the Airbus information systems and operations management should be updated to support and improve their business efficiency. Furthermore, people, technology and organisational issues involved in improving the operations at Airbus will be assessed and analyzed in order to clarify how in particular Airbus can improve its business processes through the update and improvement ...Download file to see next pagesRead More
Analyze The Role of Communication In
Operations Management And Decision Making
Operations Strategy Of Boeing And Airbus
Soft Systems Methodology
Transaction Processing Systems
Troubled
Troubled System
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Concept Revew section 1
Name ______________________________ Class ___________________ Date __________________
Skills Worksheet
Concept Review Section 11.1
Section: Measuring Motion
1.Select the quantity that has changed—velocity or speed—for a car that travels
north at 88 km/h and then turns east while continuing to move at 88 km/h.
Explain your answer.
2. Explain how you can use a speedometer and a clock to tell how far you have
traveled in a car if the car’s odometer is not working. (Hint: Assume you are
traveling at a constant velocity.)
3. Calculate the distance a plane flies on a 7.95-hour flight from Chicago to
London. Assume a constant speed of 800.0 km/h.
4. Determine a skier’s velocity in kilometers per hour if it takes her 1.7 minutes
to ski down a 1.67 km slope.
5. Describe how you could use two photographs taken at different times to prove
that the moon is in motion.
Page 369: 1-3 on the back of this paper.
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Holt Science Spectrum
Motion In One Dimension
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Crossword 07/29/09, Science Spectrum 2008 Name _____________________ Date __________ ACROSS
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CHEN3600 – Computer-Aided Chemical Engineering Spring 2012 Chemical Engineering Department HW 5
Millikan Oil Drop Apparatus Introduction Theory
Problem Set 1 Due: see website for due date
Types of Graphs Warmup
u 3test_b - Sacred Heart Academy
Linear Motion Homework
Vel Graph quiz
Homework Packet
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Statutes > Mississippi > Title-25 > 5 > 25-5-9
§ 25-5-9. Form of petition.
The removal petition shall be in substantially the following form:
REMOVAL PETITION
(WARNING. - It is a misdemeanor, punishable by fine and imprisonment, for any person to sign any removal petition with any name other than his own, or knowingly to sign his name more than once to such petition, or knowingly to sign such petition when he is not a qualified elector.)
Date: ________
TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
We, the undersigned qualified electors of ________ County, State of Mississippi, respectfully demand that ________, holding the office of ________ in said county, be removed from office by the governor for the following reasons, to wit: (Setting out the reasons for removal in not more than two hundred words); that a special election, after lawful notice, be called to permit the qualified electors of said county to vote on the question of whether or not the said officer shall be removed;
That we each for himself say that: I am a qualified elector of said county, and my voting precinct is correctly written after my name, and that it was stated to me prior to the signing of said petition that after signing the same I would not be permitted to remove my name from said petition.
NAME VOTING PRECINCT
1. ______________ ______________
Sources: Codes, 1942, § 4054-02; Laws, 1956, ch. 188, § 2, eff from and after passage (approved January 20, 1956).
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Saving time and space: Special pre-shredder reduces scrap in aluminium foundry to manageable sizes and optimises intralogistics process
Implementation of a sophisticated safety concept for the monitoring of container filling levels
In the light alloy foundry at the BMW Group's plant in Landshut, all scrap products such as punching waste and sprue systems are recycled and then remelted. For this purpose, the die-cast parts were previously collected in containers without being shredded and were removed from the basement of the foundry with considerable use of manpower. In the course of a renewal of the casting cells in the foundry hall, the work processes were optimised and more efficient processes set up. Erdwich Zerkleinerungs-Systeme GmbH was awarded the contract to design a plant that enabled the collection and shredding of the foundry's aluminium waste directly from the press. For this task, the recycling expert adapted the RM 1350 pre-shredder to the local conditions. On-site shredding means that the containers with scrap parts and punching waste have to be transported far less frequently to a large container, which contributes to a significant increase in operating efficiency. In cooperation with the technical department of the BMW Group, Erdwich also developed a sophisticated safety system for monitoring the condition of the machine.
The light alloy foundry at the BMW Group plant in Landshut is one of the most modern foundries in the world. Every year, around five million aluminium casting components, such as engine components or structural components for the vehicle body, are produced there using five different casting processes, with a total weight of 84,000 tons. As in all areas of the company, the aluminium foundry works with maximum efficiency in order to keep the scrap rate as low as possible. In the past, the regularly occurring scrap was collected in containers without being shredded, removed from the basement and then returned to the melting process. The cast aluminium parts had dimensions of up to 2,000 x 1,400 mm and therefore took up a lot of space in the collection containers. This, in turn, meant that the containers had to be emptied frequently, which required a great deal of time and manpower. In the course of reconstruction measures in the foundry hall, during which the casting cells were replaced one after the other, it was planned to optimise the recycling process.
New plant achieves significant increase in efficiency
Erdwich Zerkleinerungs-Systeme GmbH from Igling in Upper Bavaria, which has decades of experience in the construction of recycling plants, got the order to plan and commission the metal shredder. This was particularly beneficial for the project in Landshut, as Richard Adelwarth, project manager at Erdwich Zerkleinerungs-Systeme GmbH, reports: "When we visited the site, it quickly became clear that the solution required in the tender would not have the desired effect. We therefore carried out many trials and consulted another company in the industry, with whom we regularly work on larger projects in order to be able to offer an optimum solution.” Erdwich finally made a machine available with which a typical production process was executed.
The recycling experts designed a machine based on the RM 1350 pre-shredder. This machine is characterized by fast and easy maintenance, long service life, optimum shredding and high throughput. To date, seven systems with soundproof enclosures have been installed for the eight casting cells and punch presses in the plant. "Loading takes place in free fall, that means the moulds, which are to be returned to the melting process, now fall from the pressing plant directly into the hopper of the pre-shredder and then into a container measuring 1,400 x 1,400 x 900 mm," explains Adelwarth. When the container is full, it is transported outside, emptied into a large container; and this in turn is brought to the smelter. The shredding process has reduced the volume of cast parts by 50 to 60 percent, which means that the disposal containers have to be emptied far less frequently and thus require less time and manpower.
Sophisticated safety system developed together with BMW Group technicians
The pre-shredders were adapted to the special conditions prevailing on site. The drives of the machines, for example, had to be mounted on one side instead of the usual two. The reason for this was the columns of the building, which were located in the area of the installation site and therefore required a narrower design. In addition, the crushing tools themselves and their arrangement within the cutting chamber were adapted to the local conditions.
Over and above this, the standard version of the RM 1350 already has a safety system. This includes a PLC control system with automatic reverse and cut-out control, so that the machine is protected from damage in the event of overload or bulky solid parts. In addition, each shaft is equipped with an energy-optimized frequency converter, which ensures that the two cutting gear shafts are driven separately. This enables optimum adaptation to the shredding process. Together with the technical department of the BMW Group, the safety system was extended by new features. "Both the filling level of the removal box located in the basement and the monitoring of the shredder itself are now displayed transparently, so that a quick response can be made if necessary," explains Adelwarth.
Further optimisation potential available
As soon as all casting cells have been replaced, a conveyor belt system could be installed in a further expansion stage in order to further optimize the disposal process. Thereby, the shredded rejects would no longer to be collected in containers that have to be removed and emptied by hand - instead, the rejects would be transported directly into the large container via a conveyor belt. In this way, scrap products and punching waste from all casting cells can be disposed of simultaneously and without additional logistical effort. For the current expansion stage, all necessary alterations were quickly implemented so that Erdwich was able to meet the requirements placed on the machines. As a result, the work processes were considerably accelerated.
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Travel Photography: Landscapes, Aerials, & Skylines with Ian Shive
Photograph Print-Worthy Urban Landscapes
Award-winning outdoor photographer Ian Shive shows how to capture the cityscapes and backdrops of your travels. He'll discuss composition, gear and how to successfully capture iconic skylines and viewpoints with a fresh perspective. Round out your portfolio with scenic landscapes that are print worthy.
Learn how to get started w/ travel photography
Understand how to sell your images
Ian Shive is a photographer, author, film and television producer, conservationist, and innovative businessman. He has worked with some of the most important outdoor organizations including the Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, the Environmental Defense Fund, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2001, he was honored with the prestigious Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography.
In addition to his photography, Shive is a filmmaker and cinematographer whose work has appeared on television, in film festivals, and in multimedia campaigns throughout the United States. In 2015, Shive led a team of filmmakers and scientists on a groundbreaking expedition in Cuba for a segment on Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week.” He recently partnered with the Sierra Club to produce two films for a national conservation campaign, “Chasing the Distance” and “The Land We Defend,” and with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to document America’s urban wildlife refuges and the Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, timed to coincide with the 75th commemoration of the Battle of Midway. He is currently directing a new film, Hidden Pacific, which will bring the Pacific Ocean’s protected and remote national wildlife refuge islands and marine national monuments to giant screen and IMAX® theaters.
The National Parks: Our American Legacy (2015) and The National Parks: Our American Landscape (2011), two of Shive’s best-selling photography books, have played a role in shaping environmental diplomacy efforts throughout the world and heightened awareness of our national parks and the National Park Service. His images of majestic landscapes, intimate portraits of nature, and people enjoying the outdoors have appeared in Outside, National Geographic, Sunset, Travel + Leisure, the New York Times, and many other well-known media outlets. In his role as a conservationist, Shive has lobbied before Congress numerous times, including as part of a team on behalf of the impact on the environment by the border fence in Mexico, and he has twice presented his images to capacity crowds at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
A studied and innovative pioneer of new standards in photography, motion picture, and protecting the rights of photographers, Shive extended his mark on the photography industry as the founder and CEO of Tandem Stills + Motion, a leading visual media company that provides premium photographs, film footage, and digital asset management for the nature, outdoor adventure, healthy living, and travel industries. Shive is based in Los Angeles.
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HEXO $5.055 ( 0.5%)
XXII $1.945 ( -0.26%)
Technical420 Site Search
Returned 145 result(s).
Spectrum Therapeutics, the medical division of Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) is pleased to announce a partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association. The initiative, a first of its kind for a leading cannabis company and a national mental health organization, will see the CMHA in collaboration with…
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Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) is pleased to highlight recent developments that are fueling its international progress in emerging medical cannabis and CBD markets. The Company's global three-prong strategy includes a focus on building best-in-class global GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) infrastructure, advancing clinical research programs and best-in-class education and sales programs…
Spectrum Therapeutics provides update on its global clinical research program and unveils pharmacovigilance program
Spectrum Therapeutics ("Spectrum"), the medical division of Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) (the "Company" or "Canopy Growth") is pleased to share an update on its efforts to develop and commercialize validated cannabis medicines through clinical trials. Demand for cannabinoid-based medicines is emerging around the world. With a highly…
Canopy Growth subsidiary and Canopy Rivers portfolio company Vert Mirabel now fully licensed by Health Canada
Les Serres Vert Cannabis Inc., a subsidiary of Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) and a portfolio company of Canopy Rivers Inc. (TSXV: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF) has received its final cultivation licence from Health Canada. All 700,000 sq. ft. of operating space at Vert Mirabel is now licensed for…
Canopy Growth acquires established skincare and well-being company This Works®
Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) (the "Company" or "Canopy Growth") has finalized an all-cash transaction to acquire This Works for a purchase price of £43 million (CDN $73.8 million). Founded in 2004, This Works has cemented itself as a global leader in natural skincare and sleep solutions with…
Canopy Growth Announces Offtake Agreement With PharmHouse
Canopy Growth Corporation ("Canopy Growth" or the "Company") (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) is pleased to announce today that has signed an offtake agreement with PharmHouse Inc. ("PharmHouse"), a 49 per cent-owned joint venture of Canopy Rivers Inc. (TSXV: RIV) (OTC: CNOPOF). Under the terms of the agreement, PharmHouse has agreed to…
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Cooperation in the EU and at other international forums/
Nordic Cooperation/
Nordic cooperation aims to promote common Nordic interests and values. Official Nordic cooperation takes place through the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Nordic cooperation involves Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland as well as the self-governing territories Åland, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands.
The Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, leading this work, rotates on an annual basis. Iceland will hold the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2019. Iceland’s three priority areas are youth, sustainable tourism and the marine environment. The Nordic priorities of gender equality, digitalisation, sustainable development, and the UN’s sustainable development goals will all be integrated into the presidency projects.
Two Councils of Ministers deal with economic affairs and employment
The Nordic cooperation matters involving the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment are considered at the Nordic Council of Ministers for Sustainable Growth (MR-VÆKST) and the Nordic Council of Ministers for Labour (MR-A). The latter Council also discusses matters falling under the mandate of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Nordic ministers and public officials meet regularly in inter-governmental, regional and bilateral events to discuss topical Nordic issues and implement common measures. In many sectors, cooperation is pursued even outside the inter-governmental sphere (e.g. Nordic Investment Bank) and in collaboration with the Baltic States and other countries.
Committees of Senior Officials, working under the Councils of Ministers, prepare matters for the ministers and are responsible for implementing and developing measures in their sectors. Specialised joint Nordic research institutes work under the Committees of Senior Officials and produce research for use in Nordic policymaking. The Nordic Institute for Advanced Training in Occupational Health is set up by the Council of Ministers for Labour and operates in Helsinki.
The following departments of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment are active in the Nordic cooperation: Regions and Growth Services, Innovations and Enterprise Financing, Energy, and Employment and Well-functioning Markets.
Riikka Aaltonen (Innovations and Enterprise Financing) riikka.aaltonen(at)tem.fi
Maria Kekki (Energy) maria.kekki(at)tem.fi
Leif Ehrstén (Regions and Growth Services) leif.ehrsten(at)tem.fi
Lippe Koivuneva (Employment and Well-functioning Markets) lippe.koivuneva(at)tem.fi
Nordic Council
Councils of Ministers (MR-VÆKST and MR-A
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Category: Environment
Cultural Events, Environment 21 Jun 2019
This year, the northern summer solstice falls on June 21 at 11:54 a.m. ET. South of the Equator, this same moment marks the unofficial beginning of winter. Solstices occur at the same time around the world, but their local times vary with time zones.
Solstices occur because Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted about 23.4 degrees relative to Earth’s orbit around the sun. This tilt is what drives our planet’s seasons, as the Northern and Southern Hemispheres get unequal amounts of sunlight over the course of a year. From March to September, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted more toward the sun, driving its spring and summer. From September to March, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away, so it feels autumn and winter. The Southern Hemisphere’s seasons are reversed.
On two moments each year—what we call solstices—Earth’s axis is tilted most closely toward the sun. The hemisphere tilted most toward our home star sees its longest day, while the hemisphere tilted away from the sun sees its longest night. During the Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice—which always falls around June 21—the Southern Hemisphere gets its winter solstice. Likewise, during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice—which falls around December 22—the Southern Hemisphere gets its summer solstice.
You can also think about solstices in terms of where on Earth the sun appears. When it’s a summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun appears directly over the Tropic of Cancer, the latitude line at 23.5 degrees North. (That’s as far north as you can go and still see the sun directly overhead.) During the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice, the sun appears directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, the Tropic of Cancer’s southern mirror image.
Earth is not the only planet with solstices and equinoxes; any planet with a tilted rotational axis would see them, too. In fact, planetary scientists use solstices and equinoxes to define “seasons” for other planets in our solar system. READ MORE: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/what-is-summer-winter-solstice-answer-might-surprise-you/
Filed under: Cultural Events, science, SUMMER SOLSTICE, Weather
African American Issues, Commentary, Cultural Events, Environment, Lifestyle 22 Jan 2019
Gladys Knight, Ahead of Super Bowl Anthem Date, Criticizes Colin Kaepernick
The soul singer Gladys Knight, who will be singing the national anthem at this year’s Super Bowl in Atlanta, seemed to criticize Colin Kaepernick in a statement published by Variety on Friday.
Kaepernick is the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback whose refusal to stand during “The Star-Spangled Banner” — and decision to kneel instead — to protest police brutality has made him a divisive figure nationwide, earning him praise from civil rights groups, but scorn from many conservatives, including President Trump.
“I understand that Mr. Kaepernick is protesting two things, and they are police violence and injustice,” Knight wrote to Variety. “It is unfortunate that our national anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the national anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone.”
The statement continued: “I am here today and on Sunday, Feb. 3, to give the anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life.”
This is the latest twist at the intersection of politics, sports and music that has surrounded this year’s Super Bowl. Kaepernick is still in the middle of an ongoing arbitration case regarding a grievance he filed against the N.F.L. He has accused the league’s owners of colluding to keep him out of the league after not being signed last season.
His protests during the anthems became a cultural flash point, even though he wasn’t in the league. Other N.F.L. players began kneeling to support Kaepernick, as did celebrities off the field. Last fall, Nike made Kaepernick the face of a prominent advertising campaign.
This year’s Super Bowl became particularly fraught because of the halftime show. Some high-profile artists, including the rapper Cardi B, said they would not be willing to perform, in a show of solidarity with Kaepernick. Last year, Jay-Z rapped in one of his songs: “I said no to the Super Bowl, you need me, I don’t need you.”
Earlier this week, the N.F.L. announced the halftime acts would be Maroon 5 and the rappers Travis Scott and Big Boi. Scott’s decision to participate, in particular, received backlash, including from prominent African-Americans like Al Sharpton. Variety reported that Kaepernick and Scott spoke before the announcement and described the conversation as “cordial and respectful.” But on Wednesday, several posts critical of Scott appeared on Kaepernick’s Twitter account.
Perhaps anticipating the criticism, Scott announced on Sunday, in conjunction with the halftime billing, that he and the league were teaming up on a $500,000 donation to Dream Corps, a social justice group.
Filed under: Colin Kapernick, Gladys Knight, national anthem, nfl, sports, superbowl
Environment, TECHNOLOGY NEWS, Trending Right Now 24 Aug 2018 24 Aug 2018
As California firefighters battled the state’s largest wildfire, Verizon throttled their data
A Northern California fire department says Verizon slowed its wireless data speeds to a crawl last month, rendering some of its high-tech tracking equipment almost useless as firefighters battled the largest wildfire in state history.
In an August 20 court filing, Santa Clara County Fire Chief Anthony Bowden said his department relies on internet services to keep track of fast-moving fires and coordinate resources and efforts among emergency personnel.
“The Internet has become an essential tool in providing fire and emergency response, particularly for events like large fires which require the rapid deployment and organization of thousands of personnel and hundreds of fuel engines, aircraft, and buIldozers,” Bowden wrote.
This requires a lot of data. Bowden wrote that his department’s OES 5262 mobile communication center sent and received five to 10 gigabytes of data through a wireless router each day while tracking the response to the Mendocino Complex Fire.
That fire has burned 406,532 acres in Northern California.
Service slowed to dial-up speed
The department had an unlimited government plan with Verizon, but the company would slow, or “throttle,” data speed once the agency crossed a certain threshold, Bowden wrote.
“In the midst of our response to the Mendocino Complex Fire, County Fire discovered the data connection for OES 5262 was being throttled by Verizon, and data rates had been reduced to 1/200, or less, than the previous speeds. These reduced speeds severely interfered with the OES 5262’s ability to function effectively,” Bowden wrote.
Santa Clara County Fire Capt. Bill Murphy told CNN that the department’s connection speed dropped to what you would expect from a dial-up service, making simple tasks like sending an email or updating a Google document almost impossible.
Verizon: ‘We should have lifted speed restriction’
The document included an email chain that showed that the fire department had been working with Verizon to solve the throttling problem before the Mendocino Fires started and that Verizon did not lift the data caps until the fire department paid for a more expensive plan.
In a statement to CNN, Verizon spokeswoman Heidi Flato said the company made a mistake.
“Regardless of the plan emergency responders choose, we have a practice to remove data speed restrictions when contacted in emergency situations,” she said in an email. “We have done that many times, including for emergency personnel responding to these tragic fires. In this situation, we should have lifted the speed restriction when our customer reached out to us.”
She said Verizon is reviewing the situation and “will fix any issues going forward.”
Bowden said that his firefighters had to use other agencies’ internet connections or their own personal devices to keep their communication system running.
Bowden’s statement is included in an addendum to a brief in a federal lawsuit to overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of net neutrality rules.
Flato told CNN that this is a customer service issue. “This situation has nothing to do with net neutrality or the current proceeding in court,” she said.
An FCC spokeswoman stressed the importance of cooperation.
“It’s important for communications providers and public safety agencies to work together closely to ensure that agencies have communications services that meet their needs, especially in emergency situations. In addition, we strongly encourage communications providers to waive data allotments in situations involving emergency response,” she said.
Firefighters found workaround
Murphy said that firefighters were able to work around the problem by using their own devices, but he is concerned about what will happen if others see their data throttled during an emergency.
“We’re putting a lot of information out there for the public to receive and the expectation is that they will get it in a timely fashion,” he said. “We believe it’s very important that the public have unrestricted access so they can get the information we need them to get.”
Murphy says the department still uses Verizon and has added a second provider to ensure redundancies in their system.
Filed under: california fires, data speeds slowed, firefighters, santa clara, throttle, verizon
CIVIL LIBERTIES, Environment, Healthcare 12 Jul 2018 12 Jul 2018
Why People With Disabilities Want Bans On Plastic Straws To Be More Flexible
It was a hot day at the zoo when Jordan Carlson’s son, who has motor-planning delays, got thirsty. “We went to the snack bar and found out they had a ‘no straw’ policy,” Carlson says. “It was a hot day and he couldn’t drink.”
Their only option was to leave the park and look for a business that sold drinks with a straw. Without one, her son can’t drink beverages. At home they use reusable straws and she tries to keep some on hand when they leave the house, but “I’m human and sometimes I forget,” Carlson explains. People with disabilities have to be much more conscious of what businesses and communities offer, Carlson says.
On social media, many people are ecstatic about the crush of cities and businesses pledging to ban plastic straws once and for all. Ever since a video showing a sea turtle with a straw stuck up its nose went viral, campaigns like #StopSucking for a strawless ocean have gained considerable traction. Seattle this month implemented a citywide ban on plastic straws, Starbucks announced on Monday that it will phase out the use of plastic straws by 2020, and many other municipalities and businesses are likely to follow suit. As one Twitter user posted, “My waiter asked ‘Now, do we want straws OR do we want to save the turtles?’ and honestly we all deserve that environmental guilt trip.”But for many people with disabilities, going without plastic straws isn’t a question of how much they care about dolphins or sea turtles; it can be a matter of life or death.
There are many alternatives to plastic straws — paper, biodegradable plastics and even reusable straws made from metal or silicone. But paper straws and similar biodegradable options often fall apart too quickly or are easy for people with limited jaw control to bite through. Silicone straws are often not flexible — one of the most important features for people with mobility challenges. Reusable straws need to be washed, which not all people with disabilities can do easily. And metal straws, which conduct heat and cold in addition to being hard and inflexible, can pose a safety risk.
“Disabled people have to find ways to navigate through the world because they know it was not made for us,” says Lei Wiley-Mydske, an autism activist who has autism herself. “If someone says, ‘This does not work for me,’ it’s because they’ve tried everything else.”
“Also, what if you decide on the spur of the moment to go have a drink with friends after work but forgot your reusable straw that day?” adds Lawrence Carter-Long, communications director for the national Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund. “[That] doesn’t leave a lot of room for spontaneity — something nondisabled folks get to largely take for granted.”
On social media, many people have responded to claims that people with disabilities need plastic straws by asking what people did before plastic straws were invented. “They aspirated liquid in their lungs, developed pneumonia and died,” says Shaun Bickley, co-chair of the Seattle Commission for People with DisAbilities, a volunteer organization that’s supposed to advise the city council or agencies on disabilities issues.
How much plastic straw and stirrer pollution is out there? Scientific estimates vary. One report suggests they make up more than 7 percent of the plastics found in the U.S. by piece. By comparison, the same report found plastic bottle caps alone accounted for nearly 17 percent. But straws make up a much smaller percentage of pollution by weight.
Environmentalists have latched onto a figure stating that Americans use over 500 million plastic straws every day — a number that was derived from phone calls made by a 9-year-old boy in 2011. Despite its frequent repetition, there’s uncertainty over the accuracy of that figure.
In a post detailing how the plastic straw became the cause du jour for those who love the oceans, Dune Ives, executive director for the Lonely Whale Foundation, wrote, “We found plastic water bottles too endemic, plastic bags already somewhat politicized, and no viable alternative for the plastic cup in ALL markets.” So they chose plastic straws, a “playful” alternative and a “‘gateway plastic’ to the larger and more serious plastic pollution conversation.”
Most of the plastic in the ocean does come from land, says Darby Hoover, senior resource specialist for the Natural Resources Defense Council. She notes that because plastic breaks up into smaller and smaller particles, it can be hard to tell what it used to be in some cases.
“Straws are maybe not the biggest source of either plastic pollution or disposable plastic we consume, but they’re in there,” Hoover says.
And for many people who want to consume less plastic, she says, straws are low-hanging fruit.
Yet in general Hoover says that she’s wary of outright bans on things. “I personally think we as a country use way too many disposable water bottles. That said, there are times when I’m caught somewhere, don’t have a reusable bottle, and want the option to have water and not a sugary drink.”
“They key is breaking habits,” Hoover says. “Is something a habit because you truly need it or because you got used to doing it that way?”
Carter-Long says he’s sympathetic to environmental concerns about plastic pollution, but any public policy aiming to reduce the use of straws needs to make accommodations for people who might need them. Ideally, he says, “each restaurant owner [would] follow their own conscience, maybe keep a stockpile of plastic straws in their store rooms for people to use who need them.”
A spokesman for Seattle Public Utilities confirmed to NPR that the city’s new plastic straw ban does include a waiver allowing restaurants to give disposable, flexible plastic straws to customers who need them for physical or medical reasons. But Carter-Long and Bickley say there doesn’t seem to be widespread awareness of the exemption.Bickley says he asked over a dozen Seattle chain restaurants – including McDonald’s and Chipotle – “if they had plastic straws available for people with allergies or need, and they told me no.”
And just because an exemption is written into law doesn’t mean businesses will comply, even if they know about it. “So many businesses try to get around already ignoring things with ADA [the Americans With Disabilities Act] until someone says, ‘I need a ramp or wider hallway or ramp in bathroom or Braille menu,’ ” says Jordan Carlson. “Sometimes you need to bring a lawsuit just to have your voice heard.”
Although Bickley serves on a commission that is supposed to advise Seattle’s city agencies on disability issues, he says no one consulted the group before passing the plastic straw ban.
Dianne Laurine, who lives in Seattle, has cerebral palsy, is quadriplegic and has no use of her extremities. “She is old enough to remember a time before plastic and everybody just used rubber straws,” Laurine’s caretaker, Bill Reeves, says on her behalf, since she has a severe speech impediment.
“They ended up being disgusting, hard to clean. The advent of plastic in the 1950s changed her life,” Reeves says.
When asked what it felt like when the straw ban went into effect without consulting those with disabilities, Laurine audibly repeated one word, “Awful. Awful. Awful.”
“You’re putting this burden on disabled people to come up with a solution. You’re not asking companies that manufacture straws to come up with a version that works for us,” autism activist Wiley-Mydske says. “You won’t even take the bus instead of driving your car somewhere,” she says, adding, “How many of you are willing to die for the environment?”
Filed under: disabled, plastic pollution, plastic straws, resuable straws, straw ban
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Talent development in Irish football
Using evidence and research to develop elite footballers
Older blogs
Journal publication: ‘Somewhat united: primary stakeholder perspectives of the governance of schoolboy football in Ireland’
Relative Age Effect in UEFA u17 Championships 2019
May 9, 2019 May 15, 2019 / talentdevelopmentinirishfootball
After a quick analysis of the current Republic of Ireland u17 squad for the European Championships (being held in May 2019) resulted in much discussion on twitter regarding implications and recommendations, I decided to expand that analysis by looking at every squad in the tournament (and providing this very brief overview!).
What team and players?
Sixteen teams qualified for the finals of the tournament. Listed on the official tournament programme are the players who had played more than 2 qualifying games for each of the 16 teams (thus might vary slightly from final panels). This was a total of 344 players. The number of players used per squad varied from 26 (Spain) to 15 (England).
Year born?
The vast majority of the players were born in 2002. There were 14 2003s, with Iceland having the most with 3 players born in 2003, with Spain, Czech Republic, Greece and the Netherlands having played 2 2003s throughout their qualifying campaign. These players were predominantly midfielders and forwards (but did include 3 defenders).
What is the Relative Age Effect?
The relative age effect (RAE) refers to a preference for selecting athletes born earlier in the age-band due to enhanced maturational factors (Baxter-Jones, 1995). A child with a chronological age of 12 years may possess a biological age of between 9 and 15 years (Borms, 1986). Grondin, Deshaies and Nault (1984) first identified the relationship between birth date and success in their study of the National Hockey League where they identified an over representation of players born at the start of the year which they attributed to the 1st January cut-off date used in hockey. Youth born early can have participation and performance advantages compared to youth born later in the age bands.
Players advanced in biological maturity generally perform better than those that are less advanced (Beunen et al., 1988; Malina et al., 2004), which can lead to a systematic exclusion of later maturing boys within team sports (Ostojic et al., 2014; Philippaerts, et al., 2006). The advanced physical (Gaston & Bennet, 2014; Gil et al., 2013; Delorme & Raspaud, 2009; Malina, Bouchard, & Bar-Or, 2004), cognitive (Jimenez & Pain, 2008; Bisanz, Morrison, & Dunn, 1995) and social (Dhuey & Lipscomb, 2008; Thompson et al., 2004) development of these older players can lead to increased propensity for this relatively older population to be chosen for representative squads and teams. Using these factors as markers for potential future performance can result in a biased view of potential and can facilitate recruitment into advanced teams or structures for earlier maturing individuals (Delorme, et al., 2010). A focus on short term success over longer term development can lead to a selection bias towards those players born earlier in the year, thus creating unfair advantages within a development system, as these advantages are perpetuated throughout the key developmental stages of a youth athlete (i.e. through access to better coaching facilities, higher competition and exposure to scouts). You can read more about it here.
Why is constructed in quarters?
To allow for ease of analysis and cross-study comparisons, the 12 months of the year are collapsed into 4 quarters. The 3 months immediately after the selection cut-off date are known as quarter 1 (i.e. January, February, March), quarter 2 comprises of April, May, June, quarter 3 is July, August, September, finally quarter 4 represents the end of the year (October, November, December).
Dates of birth
As you can see below, 47% of players who represented teams at the u17 European Championships were born in the 1st 3 months of the year, with 6% comprising the final quarter. When broken down, this is 57 players born in January down to a low of 3 players born in December.
Do all squads have a similar make-up?
As can be seen below, the range of early born players within each squad varies. The Netherlands (who are the reigning champions at u17 level) display one of the largest recorded percentages of quarter 1 births seen in youth football research, with 62% of their players being born in the first 3 months of the year.
Why are there 2 England inclusions?
English youth leagues and academies run a different cut-off date to other European nations (September 1st v January 1st). Due to this, a high volume of births of academy players are usually seen in the months of September, October and November. This can often skew general RAE research by bumping up the number of players in quarter 3 and 4. So out of interest, ‘England’ is the regular comparison to other European countries using Jan 1st as the start of the year, while ‘England*’ relates to their tournament squad (hence why there are a few extra players, but I’ve exclude one player who didn’t go through the UK development pathway) using Sept 1st as the start of the year.
The breakdown of quarters from all countries can be seen below (with a 5th section for 2003s).
Does it vary by position?
Consistent with other research, defenders have a strong RAE. Midfield shows a significant RAE in this analysis. Research on midfielders can vary, with it showing the greatest RAE in most European leagues, except Premier league where it was the only position which was not affected by the RAE (again this could be due to the skewing of data), whereas in the Bundesliga the opposite effect occurred, as the position of midfielder was the only one which showed the RAE (Salinero et al. 2013). RAE was only present in forwards in the Premier League (Salinero et al. 2013). The impact is somewhat lesser in forwards than other positions in this study. Often positional RAE is impacted by culture, style of play, tactics etc and varies within positional groups (i.e. central defender v full-back).
Youth football has an issue with physicality biasing perceptions of potential. The discussion regarding RAE is a lot more complex than purely dates of birth. Being born in quarter 1 (January, February, March) doesn’t mean you are necessarily more mature than an athlete born in quarter 4 (October, November, December) and indeed there are many January borns who are late maturing and many December borns who are early maturing. While early maturing players may gain initial selection and training advantages (Johnson et al. 2017), a danger exists where he/she may rely on physical dominance, perhaps not diversifying skills or not experiencing any ‘rocky road’ (Collins & McNamara, 2012) in development and can be overtaken when others catch up (if anyone else has managed to stay in the system!). Below is a graph of Man Utd and Aspire academy research on biological maturity of players).
Added this to the RAE reversal which is seen in some professional leagues (where the difference in numbers between quarters narrows or sometimes disappears), it is quite a complex discussion which needs input from all stakeholders in development (the athlete themselves, Governing Body, administrators, coaches, parents). Thus, the wider discussion should be focused not on when someone was born but on how to provide adequate challenge and opportunities for all. How can we ensure enough initial opportunities for later maturers on development pathways, yet also challenge our early maturers technically and tactically.
How to reduce?
There is no silver bullet. Potential strategies must be relevant and applicable to the context. Early competitive structures can drive up the RAE so Governing bodies should reflect on their structures, also consider how flexible those structures are. For example, is playing up or down an option? Both can be effective if managed carefully. Commit to implementing strategies to try to reduce the potential drop-out and narrowing of talent pools (enforcing quotas have been trialed, rotating cut-off dates, supporting complementary strategies e.g. bio-banding or average age tournaments). Keep as many players in the talent pool as possible and give as many opportunities as possible. Is awareness of the impact of maturation a component on coach education programmes? Awareness helps to reduce the impact of RAE and emphasis on maturation.
Thank you for reading this short snippet of RAE literature! You can contact me via email on laurafinnegan82@yahoo.co.uk and I’ll be happy to chat more!
Baxter-Jones, A., 1995. Growth and development of young athletes: Should competition levels be age related?. Sports Medicine, Volume 20, pp. 59-64.
Beunen, G., Malina, R., Van Hof, M. & Simons, J., 1988. Adolescent growth and motor performance: A longitudinal study of Belgian boys. Champaigh, IL: Human Kinetics.
Bisanz, J., Morrison, F. J. & Dunn, M., 1995. Effects of age and schooling on the acquisition of elementary quantitative skills. Developmental Psychology, Volume 31, pp. 221-236.
Borms, J., 1986. The child and exercise: An overview. Journal of Sport Sciences, Volume 4, pp. 3-20.
Collins, D., and MacNamara, Á (2012). The rocky road to the top: why talent needs trauma. Sports Med. 42, 907–914. doi: 10.1007/BF03262302
Delorme, N. & Raspaud, M., 2009. The relative age effect in young French basketballers: A study on the whole population. Scandanavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, Volume 19, pp. 235-242.
Delorme, N., Boiché, J., & Raspaud, M. (2010). Relative age effect in elite sports: Methodological bias or real discrimination? European Journal of Sport Science, 10(2), 91–96. doi: 10.1080/17461390903271584
Dhuey, E. & Lipscomb, S., 2008. What makes a leader? Relative age and high school leadership. Economics of Education Review, Volume 27, pp. 173-183.
Gil, S. ., Badiola, A., Bidaurrazaga-Letona, I., Zabala-Lili, J., Gravina, L., Santos-Concejero, J., … Granados, C. (2013). Relationship between the relative age effect and anthropometry,maturity and performance in young soccer players. Journal of Sport Sciences, 1–9. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2013.832355
Grondin, S., Deshaies, P. & Nault, L., 1984. Trimestres de naissance et participation au hockey et au volleyball.. La Revue Quebecoise de l’Activite Physique, Volume 2, pp. 97-103.
Johnson, A., Farooq, A. & Whiteley, R. (2017) Skeletal maturation status is more strongly associated with academy selection than birth quarter,Science and Medicine in Football, 1:2, 157-163, DOI: 10.1080/24733938.2017.1283434
Jimenez, I. P., & Pain, M. T. (2008). Relative age effect in Spanish association football: Its extent and implications for wasted potential. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26(10), 995–1003. doi: 10.1080/02640410801910285
Malina, R., Bouchard, C. & Bar-Or, O., 2004. Growth, maturation and physical activity. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Ostojic, S.M., Castagna, C., Calleja-González, J., Jukic, I., Idrizovic, K. & Stojanovic, M. (2014) The Biological Age of 14-year-old Boys and Success in Adult Soccer: Do Early Maturers Predominate in the Top-level Game?, Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal, 22:4, 398-407, DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2014.944303
Philippaerts, R. et al., 2006. The relationship between peak height velocity and physical performance in youth soccer players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(3), pp. 221-230.
Salinero, J., & Pérez, B., & Burillo, P., & Lesma, M. (2013). Relative age effect in european professional football. Analysis by position. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 8 (4), 966-973.
Thompson, A., Barnsley, R. & Battle, J., 2004. The relative age effect and the development of self-esteem. Educational Research, 46(3), pp. 313-320.
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Fairy Tales - Early Colour Stencil Films from Pathe
BFI # BFIDV529 [DVD]
We are now taking advanced orders for this release
The official release date is 3rd December 2012
DVD - Region 2 only
Commissioned exclusive work from Fennesz, Chris Watson, Oren Ambarchi, BJNilsen, Hildur Gudnadottir, Sarah Nicolls, Jana Winderen, Michael Esposito, Leif Elggren, Maia Urstad, Achim Mohné, Tom Haines & Chris Branch (members of The London Snorkelling Team), Pascal Wyse, Marcus Davidson, Joachim Nordwall & Henrik Rylander, Philip Jeck, Sohrab
Once upon a time, during the belle epoque in turn-of-the-century Paris, a short-lived film form called scenes de feeries, or fairy films, was becoming popular thanks to the Pathe Frerer company. In jewel-like colours the films, made to appeal to young and old alike, recreated the theatrical spectacles of the age with their fantastical settings, dancing girls, mythical beasts, supernatural beings and a plethora of stage tricks enhanced by the techniques of the new medium of film.
Presented here with original hand-colouring, each film is accompanied with a newly commissioned soundtrack by recording artists from the leading experimental music label Touch. Contributions from such acclaimed composers as Chris Watson, BJ Nilsen, Hildur Gudnadottir and Fennesz combine with the beautiful images to create a unique and unforgettable experience.
* Barbe-blue (1901, 11 minutes); Georges Melies' telling of the Bluebeard tale with music by SAVX.
* Little Red Riding Hood (1922, 8 minutes): Anson's Dyer animation made for Hepworth Picture Plays with music by Rosy Parlane.
* La Danse du diable (Sint-Lukas versions): nine alternative scores by students from Sint-Lukas Brussels University College of Art and Design.
* Fully illustrated booklet with film notes and credits.
Film notes written by Bryony Dixon. Extra films notes written by Michael Brooke.
Music notes written by Mike Harding.
Disc Production Credits:
Films curated by Bryony Dixon
Music curated by Mark Harding
Producer Upekha Bandaranayake
Artwork manager Marianthi Makra
The BFI would like to acknowledge the enthusiasm and generous help of everyone who contributed to this release. Special thanks to Mike Harding, Bryony Dixon, Michael Brooke and Douglas Weir.
Thanks also to Esha Gupta (re:fine), Stephen Ford and Nikos Tzerbinos (IBF), Ian Vickers (Eureka! Design Consultants)
NitrateVille.com:
Presented here with original hand-colouring, each film is accompanied with a newly commissioned soundtrack by recording artists from the leading experimental music label Touch. Contributions from such acclaimed composers as Chris Watson, B.J. Nilsen, Hildur Gudnadottir and Fennesz combine with the beautiful images to create a unique and unforgettable experience.
cine-vue.com:
Once upon a time, long, long ago, everything - including film - seemed more innocent. A classic example of this are the live action fairytales filmed by the Pathé Frères company at the dawn of 20th century cinema, now rereleased by the BFI. Their plots - if indeed two dancers cavorting in-front of flat scenery as in Valse excentrique (Eccentric Waltz, 1903) constitutes a plot - may appear naive when watched now. However this innocence belies the bizarre beauty of what are often no more than stage productions put on film, where the heroic princes, bewitching maidens and wicked witches which peopled these weird tales come alive in a rainbow of primary colours.
Often involving dancers appearing as beautiful insects, as in Métamorphose du papillon (Metamorphosis of a Butterfly, 1905), or stories which favoured not so bright young men falling foul of an array of evil creatures in hellish settings as in L'Antre de la sorcière (The Bewitched Shepherd, 1906), these celluloid gems mesmerised their audiences through trick photography and elaborate settings. Directed by such pioneers of European cinema as Ferdinand Zecca, the footage was painstakingly hand or stencil coloured by hundreds of women at Pathé Frères' state of the art colouring factory.
Lasting between one and sixteen minutes films like Cendrillon ou La pantoufle merveilleuse (Cinderella, 1907) gave short, sharp shocks to the senses, like vibrant firework displays ending in a blaze of neon glory. Made before advent of the modern rental system, these films were produced in vast quantities and then bought by exhibitors who would play them many times in order to make any kind of profit.
Many of the transfers were made pre-digital in standard definition, and frequently straight from nitrate copies in order to retain the original stencil colouring. Archivists have purposefully avoided digital clean-up processes to retain the historical importance of the films, and the resulting wear and tear of many prints, including those used by the BFI, is obvious, though this if anything only adds to their appeal.
Set to specially commissioned music by contemporary recording artists such as the Swedish sound artist BJ Nilsen, the eclectic use of everything from underwater microphones to the spoken word adds quirkiness to the freaky fairytales unfolding before your eyes. Typically, the BFI have enhanced the release with a host of extras including a lavishly illustrated booklet that brings depth to the disc's enjoyment. [Cleaver Patterson]
mondo-digital.com:
The salvaging of early treasures from our movie history around the world has produced some miraculous finds in recent years, ranging from a once-lost tinted copy of Georges Méliès' "Trip to the Moon" to a few lucky silent features once thought extinct. If you love seeing how fantastic cinema really began, then you can also add this BFI collection to the list, a frequently dazzling collection of scènes de féeries, or fairy films. These miniature fantasies created in the first decade of the twentieth century run anywhere from one to around seven minutes, translating the spectacles of the theater stage to the movie camera with hand-tinted colors accentuating such elements as magical creatures, transformations from humans into natural elements like butterflies and flowers, and even adaptations of familiar biblical stories and fairy tales.
Theater was obviously the dominant public art form when Pathé commissioned these projects, which often feature startling bits of visual trickery later adapted by other filmmakers (including nifty miniature people in glass bottles, later used to memorable effect by James Whale in Bride of Frankenstein). Strange and beguiling, these are surviving films (some missing little snippets of footage, but you can still get the idea) existing in the BFI archives and collected here to find a new audience. The presentation here is chronological, starting with 1901's "Un drame au fond de la mer" ("Drama at the Bottom of the Sea"), in which two divers descend into a painted depiction of the ocean's depths. 24 more films follow (not counting the extras), many directed by Ferdinand Zecca, Gaston Velle, and Segundo de Chomon. The highlights are many, with the second film being one of the best: "Les sept châteaux du diable" ("The Devil's Seven Castles"), an 11-minute rendition of "Faust" with the devil dragging the hero down to the River Styx. It's a gothic, impressive piece of artistry whose aesthetic is elaborated upon in another short, a 1902 version of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" complete with wild painted tableaux, posing women, and Arabian-inspired dancing.
"Japonaiseries" is a beguiling little demonstration of a Japanese magic performer, aided by some fun cinematic sleight of hand. The hallucinatory "La danse du diable" (translated overseas as "Weird Fancies" for some reason) features a demon conuring women and star fields in a weird precursor to Busby Berkeley, while the striking "La poule aux oeufs d'or" ("The Hen that Laid Golden Eggs") features wild superimpositions and other in-camera effects to turn the familiar morality story into a freaky 11 minutes complete with a shot of Satan's face emerging from one of the titular eggs. You also get to see actors playing Christians tangling with what look like very real, very dangerous lions in "Martyrs chretiens" ("Christian Martyrs") from 1905, while a bat transforms into a dancing woman in "Loie Fuller" and "L'album merveilleux" ("The Wonderful Album") is a quirky bit of supernatural gimmickry with an enchanted picture book bringing figures to life.
Other highlights include "L'antre de la sorciere" (Anglicized as "The Bewitched Shepherd"), which features a sorceress dazzling a jilted shepherd with visions of skeletons and gender-changing phantasms; the sweet "La fée printemps" ("Fairy of Spring"), about a country couple longing for children during winter time; an expressionistic, 16-minute version of "Cinderella," a nifty 12-minute version of "The Blue Bird" with surprisingly ambitious costumes and effects, and a 14-minute adaptation of "Sleeping Beauty," all offering unique twists on the familiar tales; the ghoulish "Le spectre rouge" ("The Red Spectre") with a skeleton-faced alchemist performing demonic tricks including the aforementioned miniature people in glass bottles; and a really creepy gathering of devils when a girl is lured from a cemetery into the underworld in "La legende du fantome" ("The Black Pearl"). Some of the other shorts are basically fragments or slightly odd dance routines, though they have their points of interest as well, too.
Considering the age and history of these films, the BFI DVD is a welcome treat for almost all of them. Only a tiny handful are taken from black and white prints, as most of them have the original color tinting and look pretty great. The constant barrage of wild, stylized hues is an intense experience after a few minutes, and it's a bit surprising that someone in the late '60s didn't think to stitch some of these together into a feature, slap on some psychedelic music, and market it to teens looking for another state of consciousness. The shorts have soundtracks composed by a variety of different Touch artists, some of whom have appeared on other BFI releases, including Philip Jeck, Fennesz, Chris Watson, Jana Winderen, Marcus Davidson, Leif Elggren, Sarah Nicholls, Maia Urstad, BJ Nilsen, Sohrab, and the London Snorkelling Team, among others. The disc also features a handful of additional shorts from other studios: "Au pays de l'or" ("In the Land of the Gold Mines"), a vignette about dwarves hoarding gold underground much to the surprise of an interloping maiden; " Georges Méliès' eerie 11-minute adaptation of the macabre "Bluebeard' fairy tale, complete with an avant garde score by SAVX; and a British 1922 take on "Little Red Riding Hood" from Anson Dyer. "La danse du diable" also features multiple score options for a string of very different viewing experiences. The liner notes booklet is especially useful here as Bryony Dixon contributes a thorough essay about the history of these films and their cultural influences, while Mike Harding offers a write up called "Scoring the Past" about the process of creating accompaniment for these films. Each film also gets a brief written set of notes which help identify the recurring filmmakers, producers, and visual motifs running through multiple titles. Perhaps the main essay sums the entire fascinating disc best with a few choice final words: "Very pretty - and a bit weird."
The Quietus (UK):
The abiding image of the silent movie accompanist is that of the lone pianist improvising on the spot to a flickering projection. This is the picture which we've encountered time and again, whether it be on the cinema screen, in documentary recreations or perhaps even in real life. And yet it's also one that is slowly slipping away. The art form remains – Neil Brand and John Sweeney being among those who continue to play at silent film festivals and Southbank screenings in such a fashion – but the parameters are widening. Think of any major silent-era presentations from the past couple of decades and it's more than likely that they'll be high profile affairs involving contemporary performers. In 1993, for example, the National Film Theatre played host to Nick Cave, who had teamed with Dirty Three for the occasion, as he accompanied Carl Theodor Dreyer's silent masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc. In 2004, at a free concert in Trafalgar Square, the Pet Shop Boys unveiled their brand new score for Battleship Potemkin with the aid of a full symphony orchestra. Last year Air did much the same at the Cannes Film Festival, although the film this time around was George Méliès' A Trip to the Moon.
The Air soundtrack is an interesting case insofar as their score became as much a news event as the silent classic it accompanied. The Méliès film was a big deal, having recently undergone an 11-year restoration process which, frame-by-frame, had preserved an original hand-painted print. A Trip to the Moon hadn't looked this lovely in over a century, and yet you could be forgiven for thinking it a mere afterthought. In some quarters the press coverage was heavily centred on Air, while those of us here in the UK wishing to own the film on DVD without going down the import route had just a single option: to buy the attendant LP where it appeared on a bonus disc, a move which only seemed to reinforce its relative standing. (A standalone release did eventually emerge, but that was a mere fortnight ago; the Air album has been available since February.)
Air came to A Trip to the Moon having previously scored an entire feature – Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides – in 1999. Such a transition has become increasingly common over the years with a number of well-known composers making the switch. Michael Nyman, after numerous Peter Greenaway collaborations and that very famous score for The Piano, approached Dziga Vertov's experimental tour de force Man with a Movie Camera in 2002. Simon Fisher Turner took a longer route, starting out in Derek Jarman features before slowly transitioning into Jean Genet's Un Chant d'amour (a film which, despite being made in 1950, was shot silent and never had an official soundtrack) and the recent, highly prestigious gig of scoring The Great White Silence, a major restoration project for the British Film Institute's National Archive.
Speaking of the BFI, they've been instructive in commissioning so many of these pairings, whether it be Nitin Sawhney on the recent re-release of Alfred Hitchcock's The Lodger (Sawhney having previously scored a number of television documentaries as well as Mira Nair's The Namesake) or James Bernard – the man responsible for all of the truly great Hammer horrors with their soundtracks – bringing his distinctive touch to one of the absolute classics of the genre, FW Murnau's Nosferatu. Furthermore, the BFI's DVD label has often supplemented these high-profile affairs with their own comparatively low-key, but arguably all the more leftfield offerings.
In truth the more unlikely collaborations make up just a portion of the BFI's silent movie output on disc. As well as releasing the majority of the projects already mentioned (the Nyman, the two Fisher Turners, the Bernard), they have also served up a number of conventional affairs. Indeed, when it came to issuing the complete surviving works of British early cinema pioneer RW Paul, the lone pianist (embodied in this case by Stephen Horne) made for the perfect choice. Similarly, the big names have a tendency to put in regular appearances: Neil Brand accompanying Charles Dickens adaptations or the experimental colour films of Claude Friese-Greene; Carl Davis playing along to Chaplin. Sheffield outfit In the Nursery have also arguably entered the mainstream after finding themselves in charge of Electric Edwardians, a touring programme and subsequent DVD devoted to the turn-of-the-century actualities of Mitchell & Kenyon, one of the major film finds of recent memory.
The more surprising commissions have run in parallel to these releases and tended to catch the viewer completely unawares. While the pairing of Davis with Chaplin, say, is hardly going to raise any eyebrows, the same cannot be said for some of the more recent DVDs. When the BFI brought Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dali's L'Age d'or and Un Chien Andalou to Blu-ray last year, the latter was accompanied by an exclusive Mordant Music soundtrack. Buñuel had originally intended his surrealist short to be screened alongside a pair of tangos and excerpts from Richard Wagner's Tristan and Isolde. Now it came with sampled animal noises and moments of sheer intensity; the visual assault on the senses finding its aural match. Just as confrontational were The Erotic Films of Peter de Rome. Their maker had previously screened them to friends while playing Miles Davis or James Brown records, but for this release the BFI opted for the talents of Cyclobe's Stephen Thrower and Zombi's Steve Moore, in doing so finding unexpected bedfellows. Sometimes the BFI discs have surprised simply because such instances crop up in strange places. Saint Etienne, for example, can be found nestled in a compilation of documentaries from the Central Office of Information. Magazine's Dave Formula, meanwhile, was brought in to score a number of silent sex education shorts.
The latest offering from the BFI is certainly among the most idiosyncratic yet. Entitled Fairy Tales: Early Colour Stencil Films from Pathé, this new DVD takes 25 short films from the early 1900s and pairs each of them with one of the recording artists on Touch Records' impressive roster. Thus Chris Watson accompanies Métamorphose du papillon (Metamorphosis of a Butterfly), a two-minute piece of dance and primitive special effects. We also find Philip Jeck performing live to a 1907 adaptation of the Cinderella story; Christian Fennesz scoring La Peine du talion (Tit for Tat), a cautionary tale involving vengeful butterflies; Marcus Davidson taking on a brief record of the once-famous ballroom dancers Boldoni and Solinski, and so forth.
As Touch's Mike Harding makes clear in his liner notes, some of these choices were natural fits. Davidson, to name just one, works in ballet so it was easy to allocate him two of the dance-based shorts. Yet such options can only last so long meaning that, across the 25 titles, some less serendipitous pairings had to take place. Furthermore, the scope of both the films themselves (though all, to a greater or lesser extent, contain fantastical elements as the Fairy Tales moniker no doubt suggests) and the various musicians and composers results in an incredible sense of variety. The performers differ wildly in terms of their training, their backgrounds, their nationality, their influences, and so on, and with that comes a much more apparent sense of surprise. After all, when you commission a single artist to compose a new soundtrack you know roughly how the end results will sound based on their previous works. But when you commission an entire record label you're opening up these films to a much broader spectrum of possibilities.
The BFI's sole remit before handing the films over to Touch was simply that the integrity of the original works be respected. Other than that the various composers could create their own rules. Part of the pleasure in viewing Fairy Tales comes from discerning the quirks and influences at play, in detecting those elements which seemingly gave birth to the soundscapes on offer. Few of the artists foreground melody – only experimental pianist Sarah Nicholls seems to favour this route – instead opting for less immediate solutions. The primal noises throughout Leif Elggren's offering, Ali Baba et les quarante voleurs (Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves), would appear to recall those of a cave opening to the command of ‘open sesame'. One of Harding's own contribution, for Le Spectre rouge (The Red Spectre) and in partnership with Michael Esposito, makes use of period projectors to create a kind of mock-diegetic environment. Jana Winderen went as far as to record her soundtrack for Un Drame au fond de la mer (Drama at the Bottom of the Sea) underwater.
The Winderen piece is as good an example as any as to how these compositions can really make their stamp on the material. Though barely a minute in length, it manages to create the kind of mood in which we are drawn to the more uncanny elements such as the corpse in the corner of the screen. This effect is repeated time and again throughout Fairy Tales in terms of making aspects of early filmmaking techniques which once seemed so quaint – all those dancing girls, disappearing acts and rudimentary make-up effects – now appear decidedly strange. When placed in the hands of a pair such as Joachim Nordwall and Henrik Rylander we are given the soundtrack to an ever-worsening nightmare or a ritual akin to Kenneth Anger's Invocation of My Demon Brother (which famously came with an improvised synth soundtrack courtesy of Mick Jagger) and that can be a fascinating experience. Of course, such elements have to exist in the original films in order for us to detect them, but oftentimes it is as though they've lain dormant for more than a century.
Had these Fairy Tales come with the lone pianist as their accompanist would we be saying the same thing? And how will casual buyers and silent movie purists react to having been lured in by the safe title and understandable expectations for the quaint? Some of these soundtracks infuriate rather than fascinate, but that is surely an unavoidable side effect of mounting such a project in this manner – and I strongly suspect that the infuriate/fascinate split is entirely subjective. Importantly, this new release has us asking these questions and looking at these films in a different light. Of course, the naysayers can always turn down the volume, but in doing so they're also turning down the challenge. [Anthony Nield]
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Northeast Jamat commemorates Earth Day with service events
In a speech made in Ottawa in 2013, Mawlana Hazar Imam stated that Muslims have a “responsibility and obligation, as good stewards of God’s creation, to leave the world in a better condition than we found it."
Discovering Islam in New York City: a tour of its Muslim History
Muslims have been a part of New York City, even before New York was a city. Records show that Muslims arrived in the area as part of the Dutch settlement, New Amsterdam, since the 1600s. Today, there are now over 300 registered mosques in the City. This is how the Muslim Tour of Harlem, a historic neighborhood in New York, begins. Katie Merriman, a doctoral student of religious studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill escorted a group of New York City Ismailis on a tour of 400 years of Muslim history in New York. On a three-hour walking tour, participants expanded their knowledge of how Muslims have contributed to their city and continue to do so.
Discussion on the History and Significance of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
The Ismaili Council for the Northeast and the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) hosted a panel discussion exploring the history and significance of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA). The standing-room-only event on October 4, 2018, closed out a three-month exhibition of “Design for Diversity” at BSA Space which highlighted the winners and shortlisted works from the 2014-2016 cycle of the AKAA.
Mission Moon: Ismaili Students Strive to Reach the Stars
“Six- to nine-year-olds are like sponges, they are so smart and absorb everything going on around them. It’s the perfect age to expose them to new hobbies and interests.” -Shamrin Virani, Project Manager, Northeast
Celebrating Navroz at Manhattan’s Children's Museum
A Navroz Celebration for New York City, through crafts and music activities that showcase the diversity of expression in the Ismaili community.
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AHL pieces move in Columbus-Chicago swap
July 1, 2015 theahl
The Columbus Blue Jackets, parent club of the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters, on Tuesday acquired left wing Brandon Saad, center Alex Broadhurst and defenseman Michael Paliotta from the Chicago Blackhawks, parent club of the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs, in exchange for forwards Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano, Jeremy Morin and Corey Tropp and a fourth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Broadhurst, 22, tallied six goals and eight assists for 14 points in 29 AHL games for Rockford last season, and added one assist in seven Calder Cup Playoff games. A 2011 draft pick by the Blackhawks, Broadhurst had an impressive rookie campaign in 2013-14, totaling 16 goals and 29 assists in 75 games with the IceHogs.
Paliotta, 22, enters his rookie season in 2015-16 after completing his senior season at the University of Vermont this past spring. He made his pro debut with the Blackhawks, earning an assist in his only NHL game.
Dano, 20, was a first-round draft pick (27th overall) by Columbus in 2013. He split last season between the Blue Jackets and the Springfield Falcons, registering 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points in 39 AHL games. He also had eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points in 35 NHL contests.
Morin, 24, spent most of last season in the NHL, totaling two goals and four assists in 43 games split between Chicago and Columbus. Morin also played three games in Rockford, tallying one goal. The five-year pro has 22 points in 82 career NHL games, along with 81 goals and 77 assists for 158 points in 208 AHL outings, all with Rockford.
Tropp recorded 40 points and 113 penalty minutes in 76 games as a rookie with the AHL’s Portland Pirates in 2010-11. He has gone on to appear in 148 NHL contests with Buffalo and Columbus.
Anisimov was an AHL All-Star in 2009, when he notched 37 goals and 44 assists for 81 points in 80 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack. He has skated in 412 NHL games with the New York Rangers and Columbus, totaling 86 goals and 106 assists.
Saad, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Chicago, played 31 AHL games with Rockford in 2012-13, registering eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points.
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← Fields of the Nephilim, Paradise Lost to headline new Whitby event
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“The Night Brother” by Rosie Garland – guest review
Posted on July 28, 2018 by The Blogging Goth
Rosie Garland’s latest novel, The Night Brother, is out now in paperback. Guest reviewer Dr Claire Nally (Northumbria University) looks at why the book is a unique journey into late-Victorian and Edwardian Manchester…
Rosie Garland might be best known to goths as singer with The March Violets, or perhaps because of her cabaret and spoken word alter-ego, Rosie Lugosi, Lesbian Vampire Queen. However, Garland is also an accomplished prose writer, with her first novel, The Palace of Curiosities (2013) followed by Vixen (2014). Both of these historical novels play with magic realism, gender non-conformity and sexual difference, so in this respect, Garland’s latest novel, The Night Brother (2017) follows in a similar pattern.
Previous reviews of Garland’s work have established a flattering comparison with Angela Carter, and it is easy to see why, given that Garland’s historical fiction also reflects upon subjects like gender, sexuality, and otherness. However, such a comparison also deflects from the uniqueness of the author’s voice. In The Night Brother, which is a split narrative from the perspective of two characters – Gnome and Edie – the subtle nuances of language are obvious. We meet Gnome as an adolescent boy, and his narrative voice is swaggering, informal, and full of mild billingsgate, braggadocio and slang. He is not, however, entirely without sympathy. Confined to a night-time world of street pedlars, city markets, fairs, and the friendship of prostitutes, his world-view is clearly one of survival.
Edie is an entirely different specimen, and the prose carefully mirrors her character. Edie’s language is more tentative, and formal in register, lyrical and literary in style. This is not to say she is a pushover: she takes great delight in telling a drunk in her mother’s pub to ‘Get your filthy paws off me’ when his hands wander up her skirt, telling him that she will grab his ‘wizened meat and two veg and saw off the whole damned lot.’ In such instances, we also have a tantalising glimpse into the crux of the story, that Edie and Gnome have more in common than familial bonds.
Rosie Garland, Manchester Histories Festival at Manchester Art Gallery, photo by Paul Sherlock
Edie is drawn into the counterculture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century through her friendship with Guy Heywood, who introduces her to the underground Manchester queer scene, complete with police raids, intolerance and (by necessity) dual identities – the novel opens in 1894, but a year before Oscar Wilde’s high-profile arrest for gross indecency. These queer narratives are often recovered by Neo-Victorian writers (think Sarah Waters as an obvious example), but Garland is also doing something subtly different.
Edie’s participation in the suffrage movement, through her friend Abigail Hargreaves, takes her to the heart of civil unrest in the period: she attends a speech by Mary Gawthorpe (suffragette, trade unionist and editor) in Albert Square only to become embroiled in scenes of police brutality and riot. These sections of the novel are precisely detailed, and obviously penned by a long-time resident of the city. The painstaking geography of the novel is easily verifiable in all its multitudinous character: the bustle of Deansgate, the Oxford Road corridor and the ‘fortunate young ladies attending Owen’s College’, Manchester Museum, and thence to the leafy quiet of the suburbs. However, at the heart of the narrative is also a queer love story – Edie’s growing relationship with Abigail is subtly and sympathetically handled, without any of the sensationalism we may associate with aspects of Neo-Victorian fiction.
The ‘secret’ at the heart of the story places the book in the magic realist tradition – insofar as it uses an essentially realist narrative arc (with hints of the coming-of-age bildungsroman tradition) but also participates in fantastical elements which we are invited to accept as an everyday part of the world. This seems to be a political gesture as well as an aesthetic decision: we should accept Edie and Gnome’s complex identities as part of human diversity, as much as it is important to do the same for sexual difference.
Garland’s work is literary and erudite, but despite its intellectualism, it is also a gripping yarn, a political polemic about rights and freedoms for men, women and those in-between, and a compelling but affectionate historical portrayal of Mancunian life.
The Night Brother by Rosie Garland is out now in paperback from The Borough Press (HarperCollins), £8.99: https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9780008166137/the-night-brother/
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TV ReviewsWayward PinesSeason 1
Wayward Pines: “Cycle”
Wayward PinesSeason 1
"Cycle"
You can’t be brought back to life in the town of Wayward Pines, but that doesn’t mean you can’t live on. When Ben Burke comes to in the final moments of the show, he’s shocked to realize he’s been out for more than three years. Unfortunately, it’s far from the worst shock he suffers. If it’s true that some things never change, then the town that David Pilcher built is running exactly according to plan. It’s a place once more ruled by fear, by intimidation—only, if the bodies strapped to poles and hanging from nooses are any indication, the atmosphere is much, much worse. David Pilcher was right; his ideas did live on. Mrs. Fisher taught her students well. It’s a shame she didn’t live long enough to bear witness to their ascension to power.
In this final installment of Wayward Pines (yes, there’s chatter about a second season, but for now, let’s treat it as the one-and-done event series it was intended to be), everything comes full circle. The aptly named “Cycle” reveals the nature of this upheaval as just that—another spin around the wheel of boom and bust that seems to define the last remaining human outpost. The series ended in properly ironic Twilight Zone fashion, a fitting epilogue for a story so indebted to Rod Serling’s narrative trickery.
Mea culpa: There was nary a clone to be found. In hindsight, some of the things we all picked up on as clues look more like weird and/or inconsistent dialogue and story, leading me to guess the show’s flaws would be much more apparent under a repeat viewing of the whole thing. But the entire series flew along at such a breakneck pace, and with such verve and wit, that those dangling plot threads and inexplicable moments are forgivable. A show this fun, with such good performances and tight narrative momentum, can be forgiven for tossing out some half-baked and under-explained assumptions here and there.
The weaknesses in the finale overwhelmingly began and ended with Pilcher and the children. The decision to round up every single volunteer, with the intent of putting them back in storage, doesn’t make a damn bit of sense, even if Pilcher’s narcissism has driven him into Dick Cheney-esque levels of paranoia and arrogance. Similarly, Pilcher’s apparent conviction, shared with the young men of Wayward Pines, that there would come a “day of reckoning” implies that he was training his young charges to forcefully take over from the adults regardless. Adults who, we now know from nurse (!) Amy, have all been stuck back into storage. But let’s chalk these story beats up to “David Pilcher went nuts” and move on. After all, it seems to be the same conclusion some of his guards came to, given they let Pam back out of hibernation approximately 45 seconds after she went into it.
The final fight and overrunning of the town by Aberrations was flagged from miles away—literally, in this case, as we watched the red dots on a scanner flood towards the town. And the carnage, while not exactly epic in scale (all Main Street, all the time), was suitably grisly. Big Bill meets his maker, albeit off camera. Our good friend Arlene is saved by Kate, which is as close to a happy ending as this show could offer, knowing that all the survivors end up in cold storage anyway. But the two hospital moments were especially nice—the Abie coming from behind to grab the doctor, and a shotgun blast from Ethan blowing the Abie threatening his family right out of frame—and overall the direction was solid, although it felt like director Tim Hunter was hampered by the need to cram in so much plot during this last installment. The abrupt commercial breaks were practically afterthoughts, frantic cuts made in the middle of trying to crank out all the moments that got shoehorned into this very busy hour of television.
But the upshot of that rushed pace was the way that no one lingered too long on their final moments. We didn’t get any of the common “get on with it!” scenes where characters reflect on the gravity of their situation, or how far they’ve come. (The closest was Kate’s great undersell to Theresa: “Sometimes things just work out, I guess.”) And as such, each character gets the send-off they deserve, with one final statement of purpose illuminating their (now bleakly tragic) viewpoints.
Ethan Burke got to play the hero, one final chance to protect the innocent lives around him. How fitting that the means of his sacrifice is setting off a bomb. He began this story haunted by his failure to prevent the Easter bombing, and his last act is almost the inverse: Triggering a massive detonation to save people, not endanger them. His peace comes from the memories of his family, and Matt Dillon plays it with the proper gusto, the “going down with the ship smile” that has always been second nature to the actor. It was clear Dillon knew exactly what kind of show he was on from the get-go. His befuddled and frustrated boy scout behavior was infused with a sense of play; he hammered home the straight man role so hard, it was clear he was in on the joke, and loving it.
Kate Hewson was finally able to cut loose and be a hero, too. Once Ethan and she were on the same side, it quickly became apparent why the resistance chose her as their leader. Smart, capable, and handy with an automatic weapon, the show’s second-most-important Secret Service agent stepped up and helped take down Pilcher and his goons. With the exception of her flashbacks episode, there was never that much to Kate’s character. She was a good person caught in a bad situation, and she refused to let it crush her spirit. If anything, she was a little too ready to storm the barricades. Her husband of almost a decade did just die, after all.
But she fought on, and before her discovery of the hibernation chambers at the end of the episode, Kate got a chance to utter her mission statement: “I’m better with more information.” That was her guiding light throughout, and she never wavered from it, even when we thought she was just another cowed victim of the town’s scare tactics. Her moments with Pam at the end reveal her strength of mind, and Carlo Gugino is superb at playing a badass. If anything, the show bent over a little too far in the direction of letting her kick ass: It was fun watching her smash in an Abie’s head in the back of her shop, but it wasn’t really a necessary scene.
Pam Pilcher ended up having to put a bullet in her brother, and yet she, too, maintained her mission statement right to the end. “If we work together…I believe we can succeed. We have to,” she tells Kate, finally putting aside their differences in the name of survival. Pam tried her best to reign in her vainglorious brother’s impulses, but eventually his megalomania was too much. David’s sister was always doing her best to keep maintaining the greatest good for the largest number of people, a position that leads to hard choices, and illiberal ones. But that final guarded optimism makes her another tragic sacrifice on the altar of Pilcher’s God complex, and Mrs. Fisher’s brainwashing.
Melissa Leo killed it, you guys. There’s no other way to say it. There were other excellent performances on this show, but I can’t imagine anyone had as much fun as Leo did. For the first half of the season, she deliciously spat out mustache-twirling menace, and in the back half, she got to walk it all back. It was an electric thing to watch. I’d call it scenery-chewing, but since Wayward Pines itself is essentially a giant furniture-mulching factory, it’s more accurate to call what she’s doing a perfect embodiment of the series’ tone.
The other Burkes were somewhat underutilized. Ben was a means of getting exposition out—the show would send him somewhere, he’d learn something, and then he’d keep it to himself. True, Charlie Tahan didn’t help matters much with a mostly one-note performance, but the character didn’t get many moments to shine. Until, of course, that final reveal, as Ben walks through town, a callback to the very first episode, when the elder Burke similarly stumbled his way through Wayward Pines, earning odd looks and feeling dazed. Poor Amy doesn’t seem too happy, either. So much for young love!
Theresa really stepped it up in the last couple of episodes. Shannyn Sossamon got some nice scenes toward the end, especially with Hope Davis (another MVP of the series, one who should really win some kind of special achievement in acting award for managing to make nearly an entire episode of plot exposition one of the most gripping things I’ve seen on TV this year). Theresa Burke felt like a character whose larger arc had to be sacrificed in the interest of keeping the show fleet, so she ultimately functioned more as a conduit for plotting, as did her son.
But damn, was this show fun. It was a high-wire act from start to finish, and the fact that it wasn’t brought down by the accumulated weight of ridiculousness and “can you top this?”-style narrative trickery should be thought of as a testament to the show’s quality, not an excuse for breezy it’s-fine-for-what-it-is dismissals. It’s not easy to make gonzo storytelling consistent, let alone consistently compelling. The lack of bad episodes alone should merit Wayward Pines respect. The fact that it had a clear template with which to work—including a beginning, a middle, and an end—is a big help, too.
The story is ultimately one of humanity in a nutshell. Whether there are ten thousand or ten billon people in the world, the show argues, makes little difference. We are fated to deal with variations on our fundamental flaws over and over again. In the case of Wayward Pines, it’s more allegorical than fearsome—the show’s a morality play, not a threat—and the cyclical nature has as much to do with the old saw about those who fail to learn from history as it does some sort of immutable human nature. It’s also an allegory of the passing of generations: The young will always bury the old, either in ritual or through more direct means. But the show isn’t too bogged down in such ethical or existential matters. It’s too busy having fun with just how weird the world can be. Don’t let the strange things bother you; the oddness is what makes life interesting. Don’t forget, there are no crickets in Wayward Pines.
Thank God Mrs. Fisher finally listened to Ben and helped Ethan. I was going to be so annoyed at her if she kept acting crazy during the Aberration apocalypse.
“I warned you revealing the truth would be the death of Wayward Pines.” Yeah, David, but you didn’t say that’s because you’re a wackadoo.
I was surprised at the shift into a firefight. When they came back from commercial into the fifth act, Ethan and Kate just started mowing down guards right out of the elevator. Very efficient, guys.
Ben’s apology to Ethan was perfectly teenage: “Uh, sorry, I said some stuff.”
Thank you, commenters, for reminding me: Ben getting hit on the head was super hilarious.
This ends the final review of Wayward Pines. I want to thank you all for watching this show together over the past couple of months. It’s been a blast reading the comments and debating theories with you. I’ll still check in here for the next few days, but you’re also welcome to find me on Twitter, where I will happily continue to talk about Ethan’s hilarious crouch-run from episode three until the end of time. God, what a neat show.
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Twin Valley School District » Departments » Business Office » Open Records
As of January 1, 2009, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, under Governor Edward G. Rendell, requires government agencies, including school districts, to comply with the new regulations as set forth by the Right-to-Know Law Act 3 of 2008. To view the law click HERE. The new law fundamentally changes the way people access public records of their government and the way the government processes those requests. To learn more about the Right-to-Know Law and the Office of Open Records, visit the website at http://openrecords.state.pa.us. To obtain public records from the Twin Valley School District, please download the form found in the link listed below and complete it in its entirety. The completed form may be sent using the contact information additionally found below.
Visit www.openrecords.pa.gov
The Right-to-Know Law requires the Office of Open Records to create a Uniform Request Form that must be accepted by all Commonwealth Agencies. To request information under the Right-to-Know Law from the Twin Valley School District, you must download the appropriate form by visiting the PA State Office of Open Records site: (https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/RTKL/HowToFile.cfm).
Click Here for Right-to-Know Request Form
You may also visit the Twin Valley School District Administration Office located at 4851 N. Twin Valley Road, Elverson, PA 19520 to obtain a form.
Twin Valley Open Records Contact Information
The Right-to-Know Law requires that each government agency appoint an Open Records Officer. The Open Records Officer will be the assigned person to receive requests submitted to the Twin Valley School District, track the District's progress in responding to requests and to issue interim and final responses under the act. For Right-to-Know information requests, you may submit the completed form in person, via fax transmittal, U.S. Mail, or by emailing to the contact information below:
Mr. Richard Henderson
4851 N. Twin Valley Road
Elverson, PA 19520
Email: openrecords@tvsd.org
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COSMOS GLOBAL: South America (In the Land of Maya and Inca)
SHOW Works
Cosmos Global: In the Land of Maya and Inca
Ullman, Frank - Television Director
Scarson, Peter O. - Producer
Catalogue Number: CDG-DVD-117
Myths, secrets and mystery surround the archaeological sites of the Maya and Inca in both Middle and South America. The city of Teotihuacan is no exception. The founding of this ancient and historically important city probably dates back to the 2nd or 3rd century AD, when construction of the mighty Sun Pyramid, crowned by a temple, was completed.
The rain god Tlaloc and the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl were the major deities in the flourishing ancient city, in some parts of which the magnificent decoration and beautiful reliefs of various sanctuaries have been preserved to the present day.
In Chichen Itza, the association between the beautifully-decorated ancient monuments and temples and their function as a place of human sacrifice is more than evident. Heavy stone tables and human-shaped sacrificial altars, such as the Chac Mool, create a rather disturbing and mysterious ambience, and even today little is known of the true nature of the horrifying rituals that once took place there.
Despite its rather modest size, the magnificent Tulum, located in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean coast, is still one of the most popular and well-known Mayan sites in the world. Tulum was once entirely surrounded by a massive defensive wall with towers and battlements. In the 14th century, the small port developed into one of the most important trading centers in the region.
The desolate and extensive desert in southern Peru hides one of the most spectacular secrets of Nazca culture, the legendary and mysterious geoglyphs engraved on the surface of the desert. There are illustrations of various animals that measure 100 meters and further images that extend for several kilometers. The precision and huge dimensions of these lines is simply breathtaking. For some time, it was believed that they could only be discerned from the sky, but they can be seen from the neighboring hills.
Perhaps at some time in the future and with the help of more archaeological discoveries, there will be further revelations with regard to the mysteries of the Inca people. However, in this region, each discovery leads to a new mystery!
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Leaders Gather in Stockholm for World Water Week
Sustainability Water quality Environment
by Alice Mitchell
26 August 2015, at 1:00am
SWEDEN - World leaders, water experts and development professionals have gathered in Stockholm to discuss and jointly find solutions to the worlds several escalating water crises, during World Water Week 23-28 August 2015.
The 2015 World Water Week, themed Water for Development, welcomes over 3,000 participants from more than 120 countries to the Swedish capital, representing governments, academia, international organisations, civil society, the corporate sector, and many others.
The role of water for development cannot be overestimated - for drinking, food production, hygiene and biosecurity. However, it is also central to economic and social development, sustainable growth, and a prerequisite for healthy ecosystems.
In a statement marking the event, Shenggen Fan, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute said: "Water not only quenches our thirst, but is at the very foundation of our ability to feed the world.
"About 84 per cent of global consumptive use of water goes toward agricultural purposes.
"Today, in the face of a growing global population and climate change that threatens farmers’ ability to grow food, it’s more important than ever that we work to achieve sustainable management of water as well as food security—key elements of the Sustainable Development Goals.
"One starting point will be to find ways to encourage sustainable, efficient, and equitable water use."
This year, a decision on the Sustainable Development Goals will be followed by a new climate deal at COP21 in France. Water’s role in these processes, and in development, is crucial.
With water availability severely altered by climate change, and a growing world population needing more food and demanding more goods and services, time is not on our side.
“From the Horn of Africa, over the Sahel, to São Paulo, California and China, people’s perseverance is being tested.
"We can no longer take a steady water supply for granted. The many local water crises today combine into a severe global water situation of great concern to all of us,” Torgny Holmgren, Executive Director of Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) told the opening session of the meeting.
In his opening address, the Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven said: “When the international community is shaping a new sustainable development agenda, water management and allocation must be at its heart. Not only as a separate goal but as an essential vehicle for development and health.”
Painting a very serious picture when talking about climate change and the effect it has on his small island nation, the President of the Marshall Islands, Christopher J. Loeak said: “We are a country contemplating a future where we are literally being wiped off the map of the world.
"As the leader of my country I cannot look my people in the eyes and with good conscience say that everything will be OK, when I know the world continues to travel down a very destructive path.”
President Loeak underlined the great importance of reaching an ambitious climate agreement during the upcoming COP21 in France.
The Prime Minister of Jordan; Abdulla Ensour, described the extreme pressure his country is under due to the combination of water scarcity and a very large refugee population, and emphasised the importance of regional cooperation over water.
Peru’s Minister of State for Environment and President of the COP20, Manuel Gerardo Pedro Pulgar-Vidal Otálora, echoed the words of several of the speakers and added weight to the argument that water must be made a key player in the climate debate.
During World Water Week, three prizes are awarded, to recognize excellence in the water world. On Sunday, the Stockholm Industry Water Award was awarded to CH2M, a Colorado-based global service and engineering company, for developing and advancing methods to clean water, and increasing public acceptance of recycled water.
Tomorrow, 25 August, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize will be awarded to one national team out of the 29 competing nations by HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
On Wednesday 26 August, the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize will be awarded to Rajendra Singh of India, for his innovative water restoration efforts, improving water security in rural India, and for showing extraordinary courage and determination in his quest to improve the living conditions for those most in need.
The prize will be awarded to Rajendra Singh by HM Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, during a ceremony in Stockholm City Hall.
Alice Mitchell
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Lecture Podcasts
DiverseCity onBoard
Laurier Events
Donors Management Panel
Community Dialogue Series
Former Board of Directors
Milton K. Wong Lecture
Our Whole Society
Vancouver Human Rights Lecture Series
The Laurier Institution
The Laurier Institution Annual General Meeting 2018
Please RSVP by November 8 to [email protected]
Vancouver Immigration Summit: Reducing Poverty for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The Vancouver Immigration Summit provided an opportunity for refugees, asylum seekers, policy makers and community groups to identify the multiple barriers facing refugees and asylum seekers […]
2018 Milton K. Wong Multiculturalism Lecture: It’s a Brown New World. Now What?
This decade has brought us a global refugee crisis and a return to authoritarianism on scales not seen since the Second World War. Whether in Europe […]
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT This decade has brought us a global refugee crisis and a return to authoritarianism on scales not seen since the Second World […]
Honoring the Founder of The Laurier Institution, Milton K. Wong
To mark Canada’s 150th birthday, we are counting down to Canada Day with profiles of 150 noteworthy British Columbians.
There are twice as many people with the surname Wong — an estimated 60 million globally — as there are Canadians, but this son of a tailor from Chinatown was one of a kind. Admired by just about everybody, Milton K. Wong was a man with the shrewd acumen of a financial wizard, the kindness, compassion, and generosity of a true humanitarian, and he saw the big picture like a visionary philosopher.
And, recalls his niece, Joanna, in Wong Family Feast, a warm narrative that tells her family’s rich history with a combination of recipes, recollections, and reminiscences, he baked a stupendous apple pie. It was so popular that he could — and did — raffle them to raise money for charities.
“Us and Them: Diversity, Division and a World of Difference”
The Laurier Institution and the Canadian Embassy in South Africa are pleased to invite you to a public lecture by renowned writer and thinker, Sisonke Msimang. […]
Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership: What’s Really Happening In Metro Vancouver?
Keynote speaker: Anne Giardini, O.C., Q.C., Chancellor at SFU, who will address the question: Why is diversity Canada’s strength? Wednesday, March 29, 2017 | Trout Lake […]
Jennifer Reddy
Currently, Jennifer Reddy is the Associate Director of SFU’s Leadership and Community Building Programs. “Like many others, I am working towards an inclusive world where people […]
About The Laurier Institution
The Laurier Institution was founded in 1989 by business and community leaders to advance and disseminate knowledge about the economic and social implications of Canadian diversity.
The Laurier Institution is a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization. Our research and educational activities are funded by membership fees, donations, sponsorships, and project-based funding.
c/o SFU Harbour Centre
Suite 3300 – 515 West Hastings Street
Canada V6B 5K3
Email : info@thelaurier.ca
© 2018 The Laurier Institution. All Rights Reserved.
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Stanislas Roux-Vaillard
I FORMS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION
Intellectual property protection and enforcement in France is heavily affected by international treaties and multilateral agreements.
French law on intellectual property rights is the result of national statutory and regulatory provisions, statutory provisions implementing international and multilateral agreements and European regulations having direct effect in France as a Member State of the European Union.
In this respect, France is a party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of 20 March 1883, which introduces key mechanisms such as the priority right. France is also a party to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works of 9 September 1886.
Under these two main international conventions, France is a party to a number of special agreements. Some of these allow for an international filing of application for registered intellectual property rights: for patents, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) of 19 June 1970; and for trademarks, the Madrid Agreement concerning the International Registration of Marks of 14 April 1891 and the Madrid Protocol of 27 June 1989.2
France is also a party to regional agreements. The substance of the Strasbourg Convention on the Unification of Certain Points of Substantive Law on Patents for Invention of 27 November 1963, drafted under the authority of the Council of Europe, is found in the Munich Convention on the Grant of European Patents of 5 October 1973, also known as the European Patent Convention and revised in the EPC 2000, which entered into force on 13 December 2007. Under these conventions, European patents administered at the European Patent Office (EPO) may designate France and be enforceable in France. Since 1 May 2008, because of the entry into force of the London Protocol, a French translation of the description of the patent is no longer required, provided that it is available in one of three official EPO languages (German, English and French).3
As a Member State of the European Union, France implements and enforces EU legislation, for example Council Regulation (EC) No. 207/2009 of 26 February 2009 on the Community trademark, which sets a unitary trademark protection for all the Member States. Directives also aim at harmonising national laws and in this respect, Directive 2004/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the enforcement of intellectual property rights has notably helped improve means of enforcement of intellectual property rights in France.
Under the World Trade Organization, France also implemented the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) signed on 15 April 1994.
The implementation of these international rules and the articulation of French law and notably French intellectual property law with these international rules is codified with French national substantive law in the French Intellectual Property Code (CPI).
French law as codified in the CPI provides for specific provisions regarding several intellectual property rights, among which are utility patents, supplementary protection certificates for some utility patents, utility certificates, trademarks, designs, semiconductors, plant varieties, geographical indications, manufacturing secrets, authors’ rights, neighbouring rights and database producer rights.
The intellectual property rights most commonly relied upon are utility patents, designs, trademarks and authors’ rights.4
i Patent protection
Subject to registration, utility patents allow for obtaining exclusive rights over a new invention showing the inventive activity of the inventor and allowing for industrial application. Utility patents are aimed at protecting technical features. National French patents and European patents designating France have effect in France from their date of application and for a period of 20 years.5 The main counterpoise for granting exclusive patent rights to a patent holder is the disclosure of the content of the patent application and the granted patent to the public. After the 20-year term, the patent rights expire and the patent content falls in the public domain.
ii Design protection
Subject to registration, designs allow for protecting new forms showing new and individual character. Designs aim at protecting the appearance of the whole or a part of a product. Registered national, international and Community designs are protected for a period of five years as from the date of the filing of the application. The term of protection may be renewed for one or more periods of five years each, up to a total term of 25 years from the date of filing. Unregistered Community designs are protected for a period of three years from the date of first disclosure of said design. Registered and unregistered designs may also enjoy protection under authors’ rights, given that they meet the specific requirements under authors’ rights in France.
iii Trademark protection
Subject to registration, trademark law allows for reserving a sign with distinctive character for identifying a good or a service. National, international and Community trademarks have effect in France and allow for reserving a right over a sign on their date of application and for a term of 10 years renewable without limits. Trademarks may consequently remain valid and enforceable for an unlimited period of time. Trademarks may, however, become generic or be revoked for non-use.
iv Authors’ rights protection
There is no copyright per se in France, only authors’ rights. There are no formalities of registration required with any French office to enable an author to protect his or her work and benefit from the exclusive rights over such a work. Authors’ rights result solely from the creation of the work itself. The work must be an original work of authorship. Authors’ rights combine both proprietary economic rights6 and moral rights.7 The proprietary economic rights last for the entire life of the author and end 70 years after the year of his or her death.8 The moral right is imprescriptible. Authors’ rights may be difficult to evidence owing to the lack of formal requirement for their protection.
v Trade secrets protection and other exclusive data
In addition to these main intellectual property rights and other rights codified in the CPI, other valuable assets and information may be protected by civil and criminal law, as well as specific regulatory provisions.
Trade secrets are not subject to a legal definition under French law and no specific provisions relate directly to them yet9 but they are often recognised and protected in court decisions under French civil or criminal law. The definition of a trade secret as provided by Article 2(1) of Directive (EU) 2016/94310 will become part of French law once said Directive is duly implemented in France and is already a guide for French courts. Basically, information will qualify as a trade secret if: (1) it is not generally known; (2) it has commercial value because it is a secret; and (3) reasonable steps have been taken under the circumstances to keep it secret.
Other specific regulations allow for protecting specific valuable data such as data found in marketing authorisations.11 For medicinal products authorised by the French health authorities with application for authorisation submitted after 30 October 2005, Article 10.1 of Directive 2001/83/EC as amended by Directive 2004/27/EC and as implemented into French law grants the holder of the marketing authorisation of the reference medicinal product at least eight years of data exclusivity: protection over the results of the holder’s preclinical tests and clinical trials from the initial authorisation of the reference medicinal product, which means that the applicant for a marketing authorisation of a generic product cannot rely on them until that period has elapsed.12
ii RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
The international agreement establishing a European Unitary patent system including a unitary patent and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) has now been ratified by 15 participating Member States. The ratification by Germany and by the United Kingdom (despite respectively a constitutional complaint and Brexit) are still awaited and expected in 2018 for the patent package to enter into force. The UPC is a specific supranational jurisdiction for existing European patents and for future Community patents litigation and this jurisdiction will have its own set of procedural rules.
On 13 December 2017, Law No. 2017-1840 was passed, ratifying the Protocol on privileges and immunities necessary for the exercise of its functions by the UPC in France.
III OBTAINING PROTECTION
Article L611-10 CPI provides that inventions that are new, that show inventive activity and that are susceptible of industrial application are patentable. There is, however, no general positive definition of the ‘invention’ under French law.
In practice, products and processes that provide technical means for solving a technical problem are, as a general rule, patentable. Nevertheless, some subject matters are excluded from patentability.
Article L611-10, Section 2 CPI provides a list of what are not inventions: discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods; aesthetic creations; plans, principles and methods applied to intellectual activities, games or business as well as computer programs; and presentations of information. Article L611-10, Section 3 specifies that exclusion should apply only when the subject matter of the patent is one of the above per se. When the same is included in a larger array of patentable means, then the exclusion to patentability does not apply.
In this respect, pure business methods are not patentable in France. However, a larger process including a business method may be patented if the means other than the business method are claimed and patentable.
Similarly, computer software per se is excluded from patentability and is protected under authors’ rights in an amended version as compared to literary and artistic works.13 However, nothing precludes obtaining a patent for a process including the use of software or a programmed computer to enable its implementation.14
Article L611-19 CPI excludes from patentability plant varieties that may be protected by a special title under Regulation (EC) No. 2100/94. Animal breeds are also excluded. Inventions involving plants and animals but not limited to a particular variety or breed are patentable except products obtained from biological processes for obtaining plants and animals, as well as their parts and genetic components. Furthermore, it is stated that processes involving microorganisms and products obtained through such processes are patentable.
In the field of genetics, Article L611-18 CPI15 states, as a principle, that the human body itself or the mere discovery of a part of the same cannot be patented. Processes for cloning humans, processes for modifying the genetic identity of mankind, the commercial or industrial use of human embryos, and gene sequences cannot be patented. This nevertheless allows for patenting the vast majority of biotechnology-related inventions (both processes and products). As an example, a patent over ‘cloned DNA sequences, hybridisable with genomic RNA of the LAV’ has been held valid.16
As to methods for treating patients, Article L611-16 CPI states that they are not patentable. The same Article makes it clear that products for implementing methods for treating patients are patentable.
Where a patent application is for military or mixed civil-military subject-matter, the applicant must notify the Ministry of Defence within eight days of filing.17
As to the nature of the rights vested in the patent holder, it is a right to exclude others from doing a certain number of actions, including manufacturing, importing and selling products or processes listed on the claims of the patent.18
Patent rights are granted for 20 years from their date of filing. However, in some limited cases, the protection conferred by the patent may be extended.
In this respect, under Regulation (EC) No. 469/2009 of 6 May 2009 patents over drugs are subject to a possible extension of protection in the form of a supplementary protection certificate (SPC).19
Besides the above tentative list of patentable subject matters, most inventions nowadays are improvements rather than pioneering inventions; in a 2011 decision, the Court of Appeal of Paris20 held that an improvement patent is one reproducing an ‘essential feature’ of a prior invention.
IV ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS
i Possible venues for enforcement
Patent enforcement in France is for courts to ascertain. Since 2 November 2009, the civil First Instance Court of Paris has exclusive jurisdiction over patent cases.21 This allows for some harmonisation of case law in patent cases at first instance level.22
Actions for nullification of a decision of the INPI (an administrative decision) remain the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal of Paris.
In theory, upon a showing of intent, patent infringement amounts to an offence,23 allowing a case to be brought before the criminal courts. A criminal and a civil case over the same facts may be brought in parallel but the procedural interaction of the two may bring much complexity to the case.24
Patent holders may voluntarily limit the scope of the claims of their title, notably post-grant.25 The limited patent retroactively becomes the only patent that ever existed. The application for voluntary limitation has to be filed with the INPI. The INPI decides on the grant of the voluntary limitation within a few months. Cumulating several voluntary limitations is allowed.26
When civil proceedings on the merits regarding the validity and possibly infringement of a patent as granted are pending, the initiation of a limitation procedure at the INPI does not automatically trigger a stay of the civil proceedings. However, the dual consideration of the retroactive effect of the limitation and the possibility of an appeal against the decision of the INPI on the limitation should, in most cases, lead judges to stay civil proceedings on the merits before ruling on validity. This is the line followed by the Court of Appeal of Paris,27 which also made clear, in one of its first decisions on voluntary limitation post-grant, that despite statutory uncertainty, voluntary limitation application before the INPI is available both for national French patents and for European patents designating France.28
Since 2009, voluntary post-grant patent limitation has proved to be a valuable strategic tool for patent holders involved in litigation over the validity of a patent.
ii Requirements for jurisdiction and venue
Law No. 2011-525 of 17 May 2011 vests exclusive jurisdiction in the civil first instance courts for all civil actions and requests over patents even when they address a related issue of unfair competition.29 As regards patents, since 2 November 2009 exclusive jurisdiction had already been vested specifically in the First Instance Court of Paris. Civil actions over patents include infringement actions, nullification actions and declaratory suits for non-infringement.
To sue for infringement, a patent holder must notably evidence that it has title, ownership and that the patent is enforceable by payment of maintenance fees. An exclusive licensee may also, upon authorisation by the patent holder, initiate a patent infringement case. A non-exclusive licensee may join the procedure initiated by the patent holder to recover damages for its own loss.30 To sue for patent nullification a third party must show that it has a personal interest in seeking patent nullification (e.g., being a competitor on the French market needing freedom to operate).31 To initiate a declaratory suit for non-infringement, a party must show that it is using its invention industrially in the European Union or that it is effectively and seriously preparing to do so.32
iii Obtaining relevant evidence of infringement and discovery
Under French civil procedure, the burden of proof regarding the facts on which a claim is based lies on the claimant.
Infringement may be proved by any evidentiary means. This includes bailiff reports, bailiff purchases (i.e., purchases made by an independent party under the scrutiny of a bailiff reporting under oath on the actual sale on the market) and documentary evidence.
There is no equivalent to the US discovery or to the UK disclosure in France, but as regards intellectual property rights, and specifically patents, French law provides for a specific means of obtaining evidence, the infringement seizure. The infringement seizure is a highly effective evidence-gathering mechanism whereby a patent holder, suspecting an infringement of its rights, applies ex parte for an order of the presiding judge of the First Instance Court of Paris authorising a bailiff and possibly an independent person knowledgeable in the art, to enter any premises where the evidence of the infringement could be found (notably the premises of a competitor) to seize the allegedly infringing product, or to describe, take pictures or videos and copy any information as listed in the presiding judge’s order.
This evidence-gathering procedure is performed under the liability of the patent holder. Consequently any abuse resulting in gaining access to information not directly related to the seizure of sample products or the description of the allegedly infringing product or process will be penalised: evidence gathered beyond the scope of the presiding judge’s order will be inadmissible and the patent holder may have to compensate the seized party for any loss resulting from the abuse.33
Where the infringement-seizure takes place on the premises of a competitor, the latter will often have any information seized put in sealed envelopes, to protect confidentiality. However, confidential information may be held by a third party. This is the case with seizures of the open and closed (not publicly available) part of drug master files handed to the French health authorities for obtaining a marketing authorisation. In such a case, the Court of Appeal of Paris34 has indicated that confidential information must remain accessible to the plaintiff willing and needing to evidence infringement but that ‘it is necessary to reconcile the conflicting interests of the parties, i.e. the search for evidence of infringement and the protection of confidential information; there is a need to assess proportionality of the [evidence-gathering] measures taken with the necessary protection of confidentiality’. Consequently, if the French health authorities did not request that information seized on its premises be kept confidential awaiting a sorting ordered by a court, it remains possible for the competitor of the patent holder to seek in court the concealment of such evidence.
In a telecoms case where the seized party was likely to benefit from a licence over the patent at stake, the Court of Appeal of Paris held that when applying ex parte for an order of the presiding judge of the First Instance Court of Paris, due process commanded that the patentee let the judge know of the likely existence of a licence.35
In addition or as an alternative to the infringement seizure, it is possible36 to have the court order that an alleged infringer provide some information on the extent and origin of the infringement. The Court of Cassation has had the opportunity to decide that such right of information may be applied for and ordered before trial, while a case on the merits is pending and before trial regarding infringement.37
iv Trial decision-maker
In France, the third chamber of the First Instance Court of Paris specialises in intellectual property and has exclusive jurisdiction in France for patent cases. The third chamber is divided into four sections of three judges. These judges do not have a technical background. There is no jury system in French courts and fact-finding is for the judges to carry out.
At trial, patent cases will usually be heard by the three judges belonging to the section to which the case was assigned. If necessary, the court may, during the proceedings on the merits, appoint an expert from the court list of experts to clarify specific issues in a report filed before trial. This is not, however, often the case.
v Structure of the trial
Since the procedure in civil cases in France is mainly conducted in writing, judges will read the briefs filed by the parties to understand and decide a case. The trial is an opportunity for lawyers to emphasise and synthesise the key issues of the case. Judges will usually listen to the oral arguments of each party one at a time and ask few or no questions. Judges rely heavily on documentary evidence and information gathered during the saisie-contrefaçon. Witnesses are, in practice, never heard by French courts and party-appointed experts’ affidavits are given relative weight and experts are never examined or cross-examined.
French civil procedure does not set specific standards of proof in patent cases. Patents are always presumed valid. In patent nullification cases, the Court of Appeal of Paris38 has indicated, as regards evidencing insufficient disclosure leading to nullity, that it ‘must be established beyond a reasonable doubt and that the doubt should benefit the patent holder’. This should also be applicable to other grounds for judicial nullification of a patent.
vi Infringement
To correctly assess infringement, claims will first be construed. Claim construction is made in light of the description and drawings.39 Additionally, the Court of Cassation has had the opportunity to decide that even if there exists no ‘file-wrapper estoppel’ as such in France, limitations made during prosecution of the disputed patent should nevertheless be taken into account to assess the scope of the granted patent.40
French law lists acts that when performed without the consent of the patent holder amount to infringement, including manufacturing, importing and selling the patented products or processes.41 An offer for sale, defined as any presentation of a product or its prototype, which may result in potential or actual clients disregarding the patented invention, is also an act of infringement.42
Infringement may be found by literally reading the claims of the patent or by applying the doctrine of equivalents. Indirect infringement also triggers the liability of the person offering essential means for implementing the invention, even where the essential means are consumable supplies.43
Claim construction and infringement (and nullity counterclaims) are all dealt with and decided at the same time.
vii Defences
The most common defence to infringement is the invalidity of the patent, often resulting in a counterclaim for patent nullification. Nullity is most often sought for lack of inventive step and lack of novelty of the patented subject matter. Lack of novelty requires a single piece of prior art determining form and function of the invention and achieving the same result.44 A demonstration for lack of inventive step allows for the combination of several relevant pieces of prior art and the general knowledge of the person skilled in the art.45 However, it should also be demonstrated that the person skilled in the art charged with assessing the inventive step over the prior art had good reason to combine the selected pieces of prior art.46 In assessing inventive step, the Court of Appeal has followed the exact approach of the EPO, from the selection of the most relevant prior art to the ‘could or would’ approach.47 Other grounds for nullity can serve as defences against infringement, notably undue extension of the granted patent as compared to the application as filed or insufficient disclosure of the invention even if French courts have traditionally been flexible in assessing the latter.48
Under French law, ownership is not a defence to infringement.49
Other common defences are the personal prior use right developed independently earlier than the priority date of the disputed patent and patent rights exhaustion. As regards the latter, it occurs where the patented product has been put on the market with the, possibly implicit, consent of the patent holder.50
A defence specific to the pharma industry is the Bolar provision, construed broadly in France, following which acts even outside of France, to gain regulatory approval for any medicinal products, are exempt from patent infringement.51
viii Time to first-level decision
It usually takes roughly 24 months to decide a patent infringement and validity case on the merits on first instance.
ix Remedies
Patent holders may choose to seek a preliminary injunction in an expedited prima facie case before seeking a finding of infringement on the merits.
The requirements for a grant of a preliminary injunction52 are that the patent holder shows the patent is granted, that it is enforceable at the time the preliminary injunction is sought, that there is a prima facie case of infringement or of clear threat of infringement.53 The defendant to the injunction may challenge the prima facie nature of the infringement notably by evidencing a prima facie case of nullity of the patent. In a standard-essential patent case where the parties were discussing the FRAND terms of a licence, the presiding judge of the First Instance Court of Paris rejected a preliminary injunction request, since it would have had disproportionate consequences on the business of the defendant.54 Preliminary injunctions are usually requested in summary proceedings (inter partes) but may also be sought on ex parte petition. The Court of Appeal of Paris, however, decided that an injunction requested ex parte cannot be ordered unless specific factual circumstances make it reasonable not to hear the defendant in inter partes proceedings.55 Preliminary injunctions are decided within a few months and even within a few weeks where urgency commands it.
On the merits, patent holders will mainly seek a permanent injunction56 and compensatory damages. There are no exemplary or punitive damages in France.
Courts focus on the rightholder’s economic loss to assess damages. Damages mainly amount to lost profits,57 corresponding to a lost royalty58 or the gross margin of the patent holder on the infringing turnover. Alternatively account of profits is available and has been awarded by a French court where it allows a greater compensation than lost margin or lost royalty.59
When given sufficient supporting evidence regarding costs, courts order that attorneys’ fees be fully borne by the defeated party.60
Other available measures include the recall from the channels of commerce or the destruction of the infringing products as well as the publishing of the decision in full or in part.
x Appellate review
The Fifth Chamber of the Court of Appeal of Paris has two sections that specialise in patent cases. Each section has three judges. These judges do not have a technical background.
Appellate review in France is de novo on both facts and law. New evidence may consequently be added at the appellate level but not new legal claims. Appeal decisions are usually rendered within 24 months.
xi Alternatives to litigation
Alternative dispute resolution is available to reach an outcome in patent litigations. Ad hoc mediation allows for reaching a settlement. Additionally, French patent law now clearly states that the exclusive jurisdiction of the First Instance Court of Paris ‘does not preclude the use of arbitration’.61 This was in practice already the case as regards patents, but the statutory change clarifies the situation.
V TRENDS AND OUTLOOK
On 19 February 2018, a draft bill of Parliament for the implementation into French law of the Directive on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information (trade secrets) against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure, was filed with the Lower Chamber of the Parliament. The proposed bill offers to strengthen the protection of trade secrets in France notably by allowing easier gathering of evidence of an unlawful disclosure and by allowing interlocutory measures for presenting or stopping any unlawful disclosure. Courts deciding trade secrets cases could limit the disclosure of a piece of evidence, hold hearing behind closed doors and redact decisions to ensure confidentiality. Member States of the EU must implement the Directive into their national law by 9 June 2018.
1 Stanislas Roux-Vaillard is a partner at Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP.
2 Other ratified conventions are: regarding designs, the Hague Convention of 6 November 1925; and regarding the filing of microorganisms, the Budapest Treaty of 28 April 1977.
3 The claims are still available in three official languages of the EPO.
4 Geographical indications, such as appellations of origin are also widely used almost exclusively for foodstuffs, given that the specificities of the land of their region of origin provide some of their characteristics.
5 According to the statistics made available by the French patent and trademark office (INPI), the EPO and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), 16,250 national French patents were applied for in 2017. During the same period, French entities applied for 10,559 European patents (directly at the European Patent Office or through the PCT route). Further, of the 243,500 international applications filed under the PCT, 8,012 were filed by French entities.
6 Notably the rights to perform, copy, display and adapt.
7 Mainly the right to disclose the work or right of withdrawal, the right to be named as the author and the right to have the work and its destination unaltered.
8 Since Law No. 97-283 of 27 March 1997.
9 With one exception, relating more specifically to the protection of a secret manufacturing process as defined at Article L152-7 of the French Labour Code: ‘The fact of revealing or attempting to reveal a manufacturing secret by any director or salaried person of the company in which he is employed shall be punishable by imprisonment of two years and a fine of €30,000. The Court may also order as an additional penalty for a period of not more than five years the prohibition of civic, civil and family rights provided for by Article 131-26 of the Penal Code.’
10 Article 2(1) of Directive (EU) 2016/943 defines ‘trade secret’ as follows: ‘information which meets all of the following requirements: (a) it is secret in the sense that it is not, as a body or in the precise configuration and assembly of its components, generally known among or readily accessible to persons within the circles that normally deal with the kind of information in question; (b) it has commercial value because it is secret; (c) it has been subject to reasonable steps under the circumstances, by the person lawfully in control of the information, to keep it secret’.
11 The current regime on data exclusivity and market exclusivity in marketing authorisations is governed by Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 6 November 2001, as amended by Directive 2004/27/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 31 March 2004.
12 The same articles provide for a 10-year period of market exclusivity protection during which the generic product cannot be launched onto the market. The market exclusivity period can be extended to a maximum of 11 years under specific requirements.
13 Law No. 85-660 of 3 July 1985 codified in the CPI allows the application of authors’ rights protection to computer programs.
14 As decided by the Court of Cassation: ‘A process cannot be denied patentability on the sole basis that one or more of its steps are performed by a computer controlled by software.’ Moreover, the court held that ‘excluding the patent field processes involving the execution of a computer program would “exclude from the field of patentability most important recent inventions”’. Court of Appeal of Paris 15 June 1981, PIBD 1981. 285, III, 175.
15 Article L611-18 CPI mainly implements into French law Directive 98/44/EC of 6 July 1998 on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions.
16 Court of Cassation, 23 November 2010, Case No. 1194, Institut Pasteur v. Chiron Healthcare & Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics.
17 Decree No. 2017-553 of 14 April 2017.
18 Article L613-3 CPI.
19 SPCs allow for compensating the time lost between the filing of a patent and the grant of a marketing authorisation needed to put the drug on the market (up to five years).
20 Court of Appeal of Paris, Division 5-1, 30 March 2011, No. 09/06333, Conté, PIBD 2011, 940-III-340.
21 Decree No. 2009-1205 of 9 October 2009, which entered into force on 1 November 2009, states that disputes regarding patents are now the exclusive jurisdiction of the First Instance Court of Paris and on appeal the Court of Appeal of Paris. (See Article L615-17 and Article D631-2 CPI.)
22 Such exclusive jurisdiction of the Paris courts does not extend to trade secret cases (see Court of Cassation, 16 February 2016, Case No. 14-24.295).
23 See Article L615-14 CPI; however, this route is almost never used, mainly because: (1) a criminal case is not controlled only by the parties but also by the French state, which is a party to the proceedings, independently deciding its own behaviour in the case; and (2) criminal courts are not used to grant high damages in patent cases.
24 Court of Appeal of Paris, Division 5-1, 12 February 2014, No. 11/01882, Donerre v. BOS.
25 Voluntary limitation post-grant was introduced into French law by Act No. 2008-776 of 4 August 2008, which entered into force on 1 January 2009 and Decree 2008-1471 of 30 December 2008.
26 Court of Appeal of Paris, Division 5-1, 12 February 2014, No. 12/16589, Anne Duquesnoy v. Hermès Sellier.
27 Court of Appeal of Paris, Division 5-2, 21 October 2011, Ateliers LR Etanco SAS v. SFS Intec Holding AG.
28 Stanislas Roux-Vaillard and Loïc Lemercier, ‘Limitation of patents in France: three years on’, Propriété Industrielle 2012, étude 2, p. 22; Emmanuel Py: ‘Details on the voluntary limitation procedure of the patent: the case of the European patent designating France’, Propriété Industrielle 2011, comm 70; Pierre Véron and Isabelle Romet: ‘Patents: strengthening by limitation – voluntary limitation of granted French national patents is now possible’, IIC, 31 December 2009.
29 See Article L615-17 CPI.
30 See Article L615-2 CPI.
31 Court of Appeal of Paris, Division 5-2, 17 February 2012, Case No. 11/09940, Omnipharm Limited v. SAS Merial.
33 Court of Cassation, 26 June 2012, Case No. 11-18.971, Tordo Belgrano & FTI v. Inglese, Metimexco and Morey Production.
34 Court of Appeal of Paris, 6 December 2011, Cipla v. AstraZeneca, PIBD 957, III, 150.
35 Court of Appeal of Paris, 28 January 2014, SFR, Huawei Technologies France, Bouygues Telecom v. High Point.
36 See Article L615-5-2 CPI.
37 Court of Cassation, 13 December 2011, Case No. 10-28.088, Puma v. Barnett.
38 Court of Appeal of Paris, 13 January 2012, Case No. 10/17727, SAS Sandoz v. Eli Lilly & Company.
39 Court of Cassation, 23 June 2015, Case No. 13-25082, Core Distribution Inc v. Castorama.
40 Court of Cassation, 23 November 2010, Institut Pasteur v. Chiron Healthcare; see also: First Instance Court of Paris, 20 September 2011, Case No. 10/02548, SEPPIC v. IMCD.
42 Court of Cassation, 5 July 2017, Case No. 15-20554, Bell Helicopter v. Airbus Helicopters.
43 Court of Cassation, 8 June 2017, Case No. 15-29378, SCA Tissue France v. Sipinco & Global Hygiène.
44 Court of Cassation, 14 May 2013, Case No. 11-27.686, Heidelberg Postpress v. Bobst.
45 Court of Cassation, 11 January 2017, Case No. 15-17.134, Reckitt Benckiser Plc v. Arrow génériques.
46 Court of Appeal of Paris, Division 5-2, 13 January 2012, Case No. 10/17727, SAS Sandoz v. Eli Lilly & Company.
48 Court of Cassation, 13 November 2013, Case No. 12-14.803, Paul Robert Industrie SAS v. Hutchinson France, Paulstra.
49 A dispute over ownership of a French patent gives rise to a specific action for claiming back ownership (Article L611-8 CPI); lack of ownership of a European patent when filed is ruled by Article 138 paragraph 1(e) of the European Patent Convention, which is applied by the Court of Cassation as being actionable only by ‘the true owner of the patent or his successor’ and not any alleged infringer. See Court of Cassation, 14 February 2012, Case No. 11-14288.
50 In a preliminary ruling (Order from the presiding judge of the First Instance Court of Paris, 8 December 2011, Samsung v. Apple), the presiding judge of the First Instance Court of Paris found that owing to the circumstances of the case, an agreement in the mobile technology sector, where parties to the agreement had specified that the document should not be interpreted as a licence, was in fact a licence and had exhausted the rights of the patent holder.
51 Order from the presiding judge of the First Instance Court of Paris, 15 December 2014, Case No. 14/58023, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland v. Lilly France.
53 The presiding judge may order that the claimant place a bond to compensate the defendant for any undue negative consequence originating from the preliminary injunction, if the court ultimately finds in favour of the defendant.
54 Order from the presiding judge of the First Instance Court of Paris, 29 November 2013, Case No. 12/14922, Ericsson v. TCT Mobiles; see also: Order from the presiding judge of the First Instance Court of Paris, 8 December 2011, Case No. 11/58301, Samsung v. Apple.
55 Court of Cassation, 16 September 2014, Case No. 13-10189, Sanofi v. Novartis.
56 Court of Cassation, 12 May 2015, Case No. 14-13024, Mr. Pelletier v. Accordiola France.
57 Courts have awarded damages for the ‘springboard effect’, which are included in the calculation of right holder’s loss of profits. The springboard effect allows the court to take into account part of the turnover made by the infringer after the infringing situation stopped, on account of the market share unduly gained during the infringement.
58 Owing to the judicial context of the royalty determination, leaving the infringer with no room for negotiation, French courts increase the contractual rate by a few points.
59 Court of Appeal of Paris, 7 November 2012, Case No. 11/14297, Quest Technologies Inc v. Sarl AHT Sud; First Instance Court of Colmar, 20 September 2011, No. 10/02039, Sté MBI v. Sté Gyra et Sté Prodis.
60 See Article 700 of the French Code of Civil Procedure in light of Article 14 of Directive 2004/48/EC. For example, Court of Appeal of Paris, Division 5-2, 13 January 2012, Case No. 10/17727, SAS Sandoz v. Eli Lilly & Company.
61 Law No. 2011-525 of 17 May 2011, which includes Article 196, notably amending the provisions of Article L615-17 CPI.
Other chapters on France
The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Review
The Class Actions Law Review
The Complex Commercial Litigation Law Review
The Corporate Tax Planning Law Review
The Financial Technology Law Review
The Foreign Investment Regulation Review
The Private Wealth & Private Client Review
The Projects and Construction Review
The Public-Private Partnership Law Review
The Real Estate Law Review
The Restructuring Review
The Securities Litigation Review
The Sports Law Review
The Tax Disputes and Litigation Review
The Trademarks Law Review
The e-Discovery and Information Governance Law Review
All titles on France
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Cobra Kai Series and Impulse Coming to SDCC
EntertainmentSteven Vargas July 9, 2019 0
If you’re one of thousands of people heading to San Diego Comic-Com next weekend, you should work in a visit to Ballroom 20 for YouTube’s Cobra Kai series. Many of the main characters will be on hand, including the producers. YouTube is, also, bringing their other series Impulse to the event. Their location will be at the Indigo Ballroom at Hilton San Diego Bayfront.
The Cobra Kai series panel will be a nice one, as it is one of the final panels of the day on the first day of the convention. Get there a bit early because seating is very limited in Ballroom 20. One of their early years, The Walking Dead was held in that room and no one got in for hours. Just so you have been warned.
Here are the official SDCC panel descriptions for Cobra Kai and Impulse:
COBRA KAI: Past, Present and Future
Join the cast and creators of the hit YouTube Original Series COBRA KAI which launched its second season last spring to another round of fanfare and critical acclaim. From its iconic roots in The Karate Kid film franchise, to the current YouTube series, fans can learn the moves it took to bring these popular characters back for a new generation– and try to wrestle free the surprises in store for its upcoming third season.
WHEN: Thursday, 7/18/19, 4:45PM – 5:45PM
WHERE: Ballroom 20
PANELISTS: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Martin Kove, Xolo Maridueña, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, Hayden Schlossberg
MODERATOR: Perri Nemiroff, Collider
IMPULSE Season 2: The Genre-Bending Teleporter Drama from YouTube Originals
After getting more than 31 million views on the pilot, the critically-acclaimed YouTube Original series IMPULSE is back for a thrilling new season. Join stars Maddie Hanson, Daniel Maslany, Sarah Desjardins and Enuka Okuma, alongside showrunner Lauren LeFranc (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) to go deep on the story thus far–and the drama to come.
WHEN: Saturday, 7/20/18, 2:00PM – 3:00PM
WHERE: Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
PANELISTS: Maddie Hasson, Sarah Desjardins, Enuka Okuma, Daniel Maslany, Lauren LeFranc
MODERATOR: Jacqueline Coley, Rotten Tomatoes
Posted in Entertainment, NewsTagged cobra kai, impulse, san diego comic con, sdcc, sdcc 2019
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I Can't Decide If This Is the Best or Worst Christmas Album I've Ever Heard
Filed to: Christmas MusicFiled to: Christmas Music
Hip-Hop & R&B Christmas Gold
“Merry Christmas, motherfuckers,” is the opening line of Hip-Hop & R&B Christmas Gold, a 29-song compilation of hip-hop spins on Christmas songs you remember and R&B renditions you think you remember. Before the album’s 109 minutes are up, you’re treated to a club version of “Jingle Bells” by Freak Nasty (they’re best known for “Da Dip,” though their “Jingle Bells” sounds more like Quad City DJ’s “C’mon ‘N Ride It”); multiple references to macaroni and cheese; more Christmas puns than you’ve ever imagined (Baby Bash’s “Christmas Treez” alone contains both the titular pun and “Triple X-mas from Texas”); the Ying Yang Twins intoning like Cookie Monster to the tune of “Frère Jacques” (“Merry Christmas / Merry Christmas / Ho ho ho / Santa where my present? / Santa where my present? / I been good / I been good”); and a disarmingly G-rated, New Orleans bounce-style take on “Santa Baby” by “My Neck, My Back” artist Khia.
That ain’t the half of it. With a roster that also includes acts like Force M.D.’s, J-Kwon, and Camp Lo, Hip-Hop & R&B Christmas Gold feels less like a Christmas gathering and more like a family reunion that’s scraping at the recesses of your memory and testing the limits of your nostalgia. If you’ve been dying to hear what “Jingle Bells” sounds like in the hands of N2Deep, who last charted in 1992 with “Back to the Hotel,” well, this is the compilation for you and your singular experience on the planet. I bet you can’t believe this day has come!
I’m not quite sure what the rest of us are to do with this. Interspersed between the hip-hop tracks that merely invoke well-known Christmas songs are covers, but they’re more like covers of covers actually. Karyn White (“Superwoman,” “Romantic”) does “What Child Is This?” in the style of Vanessa White’s perennial favorite, while Blu Cantrell (“Hit ‘em Up Style”) redoes Mariah Carey’s housey “Joy to the World” without a choir or the Three Dog Night interpolation (which unlike the Christmas song, isn’t public domain). That change is there, Blu just kind of fakes her way through it. Rose Royce (“Car Wash,” “Wishing on a Star”) do the Temptations’ “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” (“Hey Santa!”) but they don’t have the production budget to replicate the lush blast of Motown. Much of the production here is Coby to the originals’ Sony.
And yet, there’s a wider range of discourse about Christmas on Hip-Hop & R&B Christmas Gold than on any Christmas album I’ve ever heard. The sentiment regarding the holiday ranges from ecstatic (Az Yet’s acapella arrangement of “Angels We Have Heard On High” is so ornate it’s got excelsis in excess) to nihilistic (“Fuck Christmas, fuck all holidays,” goes Onyx’s “Jingle Bells, Shotgun Shells”). Multiple songs are about negotiating poverty with this season consumerist gratification. Many are as bleak as Onyx’s take, but leave it to Afroman (“Because I Got High”) to provide the positive spin in “Christmas Time”: “If you don’t have no money, here’s some gifts you can give that are sweeter than honey: give the gift of love, spend some precious time, sing some Christmas carols, even bust a rhyme.” And then there’s a dubstep breakdown.
It’s a weird comp that frequently goes for the nu-classic vibe of TLC’s “Sleigh Ride” or Boyz II Men’s “Let It Snow” or Run D.M.C.’s “Christmas in Hollis,” but never quite manages such heights. The stuff on Hip-Hop & R&B Christmas Gold is to its inspirations and source material what a mall Santa is to actual Santa, what taping a branch on your dog’s head is to owning a pet reindeer. Listening to this in sequence for almost two hours (at the gym, no less) reminded me of working retail. Everyone hustles extra hard this time of year, I guess.
Some Pig. Terrific. Radiant. Humble.
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GTA to transport audience to the wonderful world of Oz with classic musical
October 5, 2018 by J.K. Devine
Performances of "The Wizard of Oz" will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6-10 and Nov. 13-17 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and Nov. 17. All shows will be in Hosch Theatre, 429 Academy St., in Gainesville, Georgia. A discounted preview performance will be 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, with tickets available Oct. 22. Tickets are $28-$30 for adults, $26-$28 for seniors and $18-$20 for students. The preview show costs $15. UNG students, faculty and staff may purchase tickets at a discounted price, too.
Before the creation of Netflix, DVDs and video cassettes, Jim Hammond looked forward to one popular movie broadcast on television as a child. It was the 1939 film classic "The Wizard of Oz."
"For a child, it was the event of the year," said Hammond, chair of the theatre department at the University of North Georgia (UNG). "It was the Super Bowl to us."
This fall, the Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA) aims to bring the same anticipation and excitement for the film when it presents "The Wizard of Oz" as the first MainStage production of the season. GTA is a nationally acclaimed collaboration of UNG, Brenau University, theater professionals, and the northeast Georgia community.
Based on the American children's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, the stage version tells the story of Dorothy Gale's farmhouse being blown over the rainbow to the magical land of Oz. There Dorothy encounters munchkins, a good witch and a bad witch. She also befriends a scarecrow, a tin man and a lion, who accompany her on an adventure to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard.
Performances of "The Wizard of Oz" will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6-10 and Nov. 13-17 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and Nov. 17. All shows will be in Hosch Theatre, 429 Academy St., in Gainesville, Georgia. A discounted preview performance will be 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, with tickets available Oct. 22.
Tickets are $28-$30 for adults, $26-$28 for seniors and $18-$20 for students. The preview show costs $15. UNG students, faculty and staff may purchase tickets at a discounted price, too.
A free stage tour for a behind-the-scenes look will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 23. A free opening night reception catered by Luna's will be in the lobby following the Nov. 6 performance. A question-and-answer session with the cast and crew will follow the Nov. 13 show.
Beth Kendall, GTA marketing manager, expects the show to sell out early and encourages people to get their tickets sooner rather than later.
Hammond said the musical will not only entertain the audience but will challenge the students performing it.
"We will have a company come in to rig the theater to help the witches fly," he said. "They will teach our students how to use the equipment. And monkeys and witches will fly."
With munchkins, monkeys, witches, and a farm girl wearing ruby red slippers, audience members can capture the excitement of an era gone by, Hammond said.
"We are not there to create a musical," he said. "We are there to create an experience."
"The Wizard of Oz" is not the only theatrical production scheduled for November. The GTA's Discovery Series will present "Waiting for Godot" from Nov. 9-12 in the Ed Cabell Theatre on UNG's Gainesville Campus.
Based on Samuel Beckett's existential classic, "Waiting for Godot" begins with two men on a barren road by a leafless tree. Vladimir and Estragon, characterized as "tramps," contemplate hopelessness and what to do with themselves as they wait for assistance from Godot.
Hammond explained the Discovery Series offers a completely different feel compared to the MainStage production. It gives audiences a choice.
"Our goal is to create a smorgasbord of different types of experiences because everyone has different tastes," Hammond said.
The Discovery Series is an alternate and often more experimental stage featuring smaller-scale professional productions and contemporary scripts. The free performances are general admission seating on a first-come-first-served basis. Vouchers are handed out at 6:30 p.m. the night of the performance with doors opening at 7:10 p.m.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the GTA website.
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Sigma Tau Delta replenishes books in Military Resource Center
Visual arts faculty member invited to Icheon Ceramics Festival
J.K. Devine
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The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Ben Jonson
The performance archive documents the performance and adaptation of Jonson’s plays down to the present. It consists of a complete calendar of all known revivals and numerous adaptations on film, TV, and radio; individual essays on each play for which a stage history can be written; an essay discussing several key adaptations; and a selection of images from productions, primarily drawn from the archives of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Show more
The calendar below is a listing of amateur and professional productions of Ben Jonson's plays and their adaptations from the earliest performances to the present. ‘Adaptation’ has been taken to mean any production that makes substantial alterations to an original Jonson play-text (as it exists in the folios of 1616 or 1640-41), or that uses a play by Jonson as a jumping-off point for a new work. It does not include productions that make occasional cuts and modernisations, or that relocate the action to a more recent setting leaving the text largely intact.
Inevitably, the listings for the period down to 1800 depend on information derived from The London Stage 1660-1800, eds. W. Van Lennep, E. L. Avery, A. H. Scouten, G. W. Stone, and C. B. Hogan (11 vols., 1960-79, Carbondale, IL). They also include numerous references to The London Stage. We are very grateful to the publishers for permission to draw on this data. With respect to modern and amateur productions, some of the information has come by word-of-mouth and is therefore difficult to verify. Corrections and updates are welcome, and can be directed to [email protected].
Karen Britland is responsible for the listings down to 1776, Eugene Giddens for the listings from 1776 to the present, and Nick Tanner is responsible for the listings of twentieth- and twenty-first century adaptations. The editors are grateful to Karin Brown, Librarian of the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, for making her data on recent Jonson revivals available to us. Show less
Go to the performance archive essays
View the performances images
Non-Adaptation (1)
Epicene (1)
St John (1)
Red Bull Theatre, St John's Street, Clerkenwell, London (1)
Red Bull Company (1)
Michael Mohun (1)
performance-play:Epicene
performance-type:Non-Adaptation
performance-location:St John
1 Epicene, Red Bull Theatre, St John's Street, Clerkenwell, London, c. 6 June 1660, Red Bull Company
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Gino Severini: Transitioning with Time
By Annilin Severns
Gino Severini began his artistic development as a prominent Futurist. Through the events surrounding the first World War, Severini became one of the artists involved in the Return to Order, or a return to traditional artistic techniques. As the social and historical context shifted throughout the progression of the early twentieth century, Severini transposed his style into something more appropriate while maintaining his subtly charged perspective through other mediums in his art.
Futurism was an idea created to encourage the growing idea of war. By using abstract shapes and sharp colors, artists were able to transform the way art was viewed. No longer was it just something to look at, it now had political meaning and purpose. Futurism strived to put people on edge and create an atmosphere of confusion, anger and discontent with the world in which they lived. “The unifying principle was a passion for speed, power, new machines and technology and a desire to convey the ‘dynamism’ of the modern industrial city”.[1]The desire to be a modern, industrial country not only encouraged artists, but it also encouraged the citizens to embrace Futurism.
Severini was one of the main Futurist artists and developed many paintings. Dynamic Hieroglyphic of the Bal Tabarin shows the chaos associated with Futurism. At first, the eye does not know where to focus. There are different shapes and lines and colors that do not necessarily flow together. After analyzing, it becomes evident that this embodies the movement and ideas of dancing and socializing. The words “polka” and “valse” are visible—both are types of dancing. There is no clear face of the two people dancing; instead it is broken up and pixilated representing the fluidity of movement. The brightness of the painting and the “carnival atmosphere” were to remind “that the Futurists’ revolt was against the deadly dullness of the nineteenth-century bourgeois morality.”[2] It overwhelms the viewer by contrasting a common thing (dancing) with the concept of time. Severini uses these ideas to further the development of Futurism. He demonstrates these scientific, mechanical concepts throughout his art during his time in Italy.
Futurism was “conceived precisely as a global ideology of art, called on to play a political role within a more encompassing social transformation.”[3] As a subculture, the Futurist movement did not impact the majority of the European population. However, their platform encouraged the development of World War I. The artists involved gradually began to move away from the Futurist ideology as they began to see the destruction the war created. There was no longer an artistic need for the glorification of war. With the conflicting ideas of past, violence, and present, destruction, a movement emerged as bridging the gap between the two ideologies.
Severini’s Red Cross Train Passing a Village demonstrates the dichotomy of past normalities with new ideas. This painting demonstrates the Futuristic focus of movement with the train and the smoke. It is relatively disoriented, since the focus is from inside the train, which opens a new dimension of perception. The overall nature of the painting is very Futurist, but there are still some contrasting elements that make this painting step away from Futurism as a whole. The color palette exemplifies bright colors as they manifest themselves into the painting and moves away from traditional Futurist colors. The subject of the painting also strays from Futurism as it shows the destruction. The foothold of the painting is a train rushing to take care of those injured in the war. It negatively shows the impact of the war, which Futurist artist tended to encourage. This painting marks the beginning of the trend away from Futurism. No longer are the artists sure that the ideas of Futurism are what Europe needs, and that uncertain nature proves evident through this painting.
The Return to Order developed after the devastation caused by of World War I. The chaos and charged views that went into art of the Futurist movement was a main contributor to the war ideology. Instead of creating a new way to redevelop the future, the involved artists looked to the past. Traditional images emerged as focuses for painting. Less saturated colors and less abstract ideas emerged. Meanings became hidden behind the traditional and more realistic perspectives being represented in the art. It was a movement to distance the more advanced culture from the culture of the less advanced. The less advanced being the less modernized by machine—eastern Europe. “The conversion of the futurists…involved not only a renewed veneration of the cultural tradition of the past…but also a new iconography of haunting, pointlessly assembled quotidian objects painted with meticulous devotion to representational conventions.”[4] The Return to Order created a platform for which art to develop as it moved away from the chaos associated with Futurism.
Severini’s art during the Return to Order was very traditional and composed. He painted Two Pulcinello and Pierrot the Museum to manipulate the characters into something more. The subjects “can be identified as ciphers of an enforced regression. They serve as emblems for the melancholic infantilism of the avant-garde arts who has come to realize his historical failure.”[5] The character’s “historical failure” parallels to the historical failure of Futurism—a point Severini made to embrace the push for a new stylistic trend. His paintings are more than just beauty, as associated in traditional art, but instead delve further into the realm of interpretation. He painted Maternity which is a take on the traditional pose of the Madonna. The color palate is not vibrant and there is not a lot of visual depth. Instead, the focus is on the deeper meaning behind the brush strokes and behind the beauty—which encompasses the whole idea of the Return to Order. He maintains he conscientious awareness of the changing political role but shadowed such thoughts by the traditional aspect the Return to Order encouraged.
Severini’s strides manifest themselves into the subconscious confliction of right and wrong. The differentiation of styles are not directly “right” or “wrong,” but it is how they relate to Severini that transforms his style of painting throughout the twentieth century. Towards the end of the modern era, however, Severini’s art mirrors that of other artists in the Return to Order—thus showing the changes compared to the chaotic nature of his earlier works.
Arnason, H. H., and Elizabeth C. Mansfield. History of Modern Art: Painting Sculpture Architecture Photography. 6th ed. Prentice Hall: New York, 2009.
Buchloh, Benjamin H. D. “Figures of Authority, Ciphers of Regression: Notes on the Return of Representation in European Painting.” Art World Follies 16 (1981): 45, http://www.jstor.org/stable/778374
Dempsey, Amy. Art in the Modern Era: A Guide to Styles, Schools and Movements 1860 to the Present. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2002.
Ottinger, Didier, ed. Futurism. Paris: Centre Pomidou, 2009.
[1] Amy Dempsey, Art in the Modern Era: A Guide to Styles, Schools and Movements 1860 to the Present (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2002), 88.
[2] H. H. Arnason and Elizabeth C. Mansfield. History of Modern Art: Painting Sculpture Architecture Photography. 6th ed. (Prentice Hall: New York, 2009), 214.
[3] Didier Ottinger, ed., Futurism (Paris: Centre Pomidou, 2009), 43.
[4] Benjamin H. D Buchloh, “Figures of Authority, Ciphers of Regression: Notes on the Return of Representation in European Painting,” Art World Follies 16 (1981): 45, http://www.jstor.org/stable/778374
[5] Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, 45.
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Current Regents
Christina Melton Crain
CHRISTINA MELTON CRAIN, ESQ., Dallas, Texas, was appointed to a six-year term on The University of Texas System Board of Regents by Governor Greg Abbott in March 2019 and was confirmed by the Texas Senate on April 17, 2019.
She is the Founder and President/CEO of Unlocking DOORS®, an innovative Dallas-based reentry organization providing a road to success for countless men and women wanting to start over after involvement in the criminal justice system through a unique model called “Reentry Brokerage®”.
Regent Crain currently serves on the Academic Affairs Committee; the Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management Committee; the Facilities Planning and Construction Committee; and the Health Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Board for Lease of University Lands.
In her law practice, she specializes in child/juvenile representation, mediation and legislative issues. She served as the 100th President of the Dallas Bar Association, as well as a former president of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, the Dallas Women Lawyers Association and a former Director of the State Bar of Texas.
Regent Crain is the former Chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice and is the first and only woman to lead the nine-member board. While at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, she implemented many successful programs, such as TDCJ GO KIDS and the widely recognized AMACHI Texas mentoring initiative. She has a Texas State prison facility named in her honor - the Christina Melton Crain Unit in Gatesville, Texas.
Her additional service to the State of Texas includes Board President - Trinity River Authority of Texas Board of Directors; Public Member - Public Transportation Advisory Committee; Director, Texas Correctional Managed Health Care Committee; and, Texas Lieutenant Governor's Representative - Texas Supreme Court Rules Committee. Current community service includes: U. T. College of Liberal Arts Advisory Committee - Life Member; Dallas County Criminal Justice Advisory Board - Reentry Subcommittee Chair; Safer Dallas Better Dallas Executive Committee. Past community service includes U. T. Dallas Center for Vital Longevity Advisory Council; Texas Exes Council for The University of Texas at Austin; Dallas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees; Texas Lyceum Board of Directors; Baylor Health Care System Foundation Board of Directors; Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star Executive Board of Directors; Texas Regional Board of Directors for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; Patriot PAWS Service Dogs Board of Directors; and multiple leadership roles in the Junior League of Dallas.
Regent Crain has received numerous honors and rewards including the Silver U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor for Voluntarism; The University of Texas at Austin’s Young Texas-Ex Award; Oklahoma City University School of Law Distinguished Alumni Award; the Texas Corrections Association Ellen Halbert Victims Advocacy Award; naming as a Texas Monthly Super Lawyer and to D Magazine's Best Women Lawyers in Dallas; and recent recognition by both the Dallas Business Journal with its 2017 Women in Business Award and Altrusa International of Richardson Foundation, Inc.'s Outstanding Women of Today Award in the nonprofit category.
Regent Crain is a third-generation Dallasite and attended Kimball High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in government from The University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law. In her spare time, Regent Crain is a professional singer.
Office - Board of Regents
David J. Beck
Kevin P. Eltife
R. Steven Hicks
Jodie Lee Jiles
Janiece Longoria
Nolan Perez
Kelcy L. Warren
James C. "Rad" Weaver
Daniel R. Dominguez, Student Regent
Former Regents
Regents' Outstanding Teaching Awards
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The Left Attempting To Tear Down History
Thread: The Left Attempting To Tear Down History
August 16th, 2017, 04:58 #1
All around the nation, Leftists are now attempting to tear down historical monuments to the Confederacy in an attempt to erase history. Understandable as it was the Democrat party that held slavery as an institution and opposed equality of the races.
With as widespread and virulent as this "sudden" movement is, it cannot be a coincidence.
Starting this thread to document the efforts of the left to erase and rewrite history.
Re: The Left Attempting To Tear Down History
Protesters in Durham Topple a Confederate Monument
Chanting “No K.K.K., no fascist U.S.A.,” the protesters slung a rope around the Confederate soldier’s neck and pulled.
The crowd stepped back, out of the way, and the soldier came crashing to the ground in a heap of crumpled metal.
From Charlottesville, Va., to New Orleans, officials have removed or considered removing Confederate monuments, to sometimes-violent backlash. But in Durham, N.C., on Monday night, opponents of the relics took matters into their own hands.
Shortly after 7 p.m., the protesters — part of a group of more than 100 that included anti-fascists and members of organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America, the Workers World Party and the Industrial Workers of the World, according to The News & Observer of Raleigh — toppled a statue of a Confederate soldier that had stood in front of the old Durham County Courthouse for nearly a century above the inscription, “In memory of the boys who wore the gray.”
The figure fell headfirst, still attached to a piece of its pedestal, and the crowd — men and women, black and white, mostly young — erupted in whoops and cheers. Some protesters ran over and began kicking the statue. Others took photos beside it.
The Durham Police Department said in a statement that it had made no arrests because the episode had occurred on county property, which is under the jurisdiction of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Members of the sheriff’s office filmed the protest as the statue came down, The News & Observer reported, but the office did not respond to a request for comment on Monday night, and it was not clear whether its officers had made any arrests.
Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, wrote on Twitter, “The racism and deadly violence in Charlottesville is unacceptable, but there is a better way to remove these monuments.”
The do-it-yourself removal prompted strong reactions on social media, with many expressions of support but also at least one person who likened it to the Islamic State’s destruction of historical artifacts.
The 15-foot monument, depicting an armed, uniformed Confederate soldier, was dedicated in 1924, six decades after the Civil War.
About two and a half hours after the statue was toppled, Charlie Reece, a member of the Durham City Council, posted screenshots on Twitter of an email exchange between him and a resident.
“Please consider removing the Confederate statue in downtown Durham,” the resident, whose name Mr. Reece redacted, wrote at 6:20 p.m.
“With respect,” Mr. Reece replied at 9:32, “I don’t believe there is a Confederate statue in downtown Durham any longer.”
#BREAKING Protesters in #Durham topple confederate monument downtown pic.twitter.com/a3BNIavyxC
— Derrick Lewis (@DerrickQLewis) August 14, 2017
Abrams Calls For Removal Of Confederate Faces Off Stone Mountain
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams called for the removal of the giant carving that depicts three Confederate war leaders on the face of state-owned Stone Mountain, saying it “remains a blight on our state and should be removed.”
“We must never celebrate those who defended slavery and tried to destroy the union,” Abrams said in a series of tweets posted early Tuesday, a response to the deadly violence sparked by white supremacist groups in Charlottesville, Va.
Removing the faces of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson would take a monster of a sandblaster and require a change in state law. The Georgia code has a clear mandate for the memorial, saying it should be “preserved and protected for all time as a tribute to the bravery and heroism of the citizens of this state who suffered and died in their cause.”
Lawmakers and civil rights groups have called for the removal of Confederate symbols at the memorial for years. After the 2015 shooting deaths of nine black worshipers by a white supremacist in Charleston, several legislators pushed for a boycott until Rebel flags at the site come down.
Georgia leaders have embraced recent changes to distance the state from its Rebel history.
Gov. Nathan Deal quietly struck Confederate Memorial Day from the state’s official holiday calendar and removed the statue of a segregationist leader from the state grounds. State-issued license plates featuring the Rebel emblem have been altered, though only slightly. Statues and paintings of Confederate leaders in the statehouse are facing fresh criticism. And the state is set to unveil a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. outside the Capitol this month.
Abrams faces state Rep. Stacey Evans in next year’s Democratic primary, and the race has quickly turned testy. She has faced criticism for refusing to rebuke protesters who chanted “support black women” at Evans at a progressive conference over the weekend.
Four high-profile Republicans are in the race, and several were critical of her stance. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said the state has taken “great strides” to add exhibits that give a more inclusive view of the Civil War.
“Instead of dividing Georgians with inflammatory rhetoric for political gain,” he said, “we should work together to add to our history, not take from it.”
Birmingham Covers Confederate Monument As City Considers Removal
Birmingham Mayor William Bell, on Tuesday afternoon, ordered the Confederate monument at Linn Park covered while legal options to remove it are being considered.
This move comes just hours after Birmingham City Council President Johnathan Austin, earlier on Tuesday, asked Bell to defy Alabama law and remove Confederate monuments from city parks.
"We need to take them down," he told the mayor during the city council's weekly meeting. "We will deal with the repercussions after that."
The monuments are "offensive to our citizens," Austin said.
The monument was temporarily covered in plastic this afternoon. The plastic was later removed. Around 9 p.m., city crews arrived at the park to replace the covering with plywood.
Austin readdressed the controversial issue days after a woman was killed and more than 19 people were injured Saturday when an Ohio man drove a car through a crowd of people in Charlottesville, Va. protesting neo-Nazis and white nationalists. The violent protests stemmed from that city's efforts to remove a Confederate monument.
Austin issued this statement after learning of Bell's order:
"Thanks to Mayor Bell for coming around to understand the pain caused by the continued presence of these monuments. I appreciate his commitment to upholding the laws.
"However, more than 50 years ago in a cell just a few blocks from where we sit today, Dr. (Martin Luther) King (Jr.) instructed us on the importance of identifying and defying unjust laws. In a letter from the Birmingham jail, he advised us, 'Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.' There is nothing more degrading than slavery, or the rejection of the fundamental principle that all men are created equal. The so-called 'lost cause' of the Confederacy degraded African Americans and any celebration of that gives life to that cause. I call on Mayor Bell to reject the degradation of the citizens he was elected to serve. Mr. Mayor, tear down those statues."
Two years ago, the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board unanimously approved a resolution to ask city attorneys to research the removal of the 112-year-old monument to Confederate veterans at Birmingham's Linn Park.
Save Our South, a nonprofit organization that aims to "preserve history and provide a voice for Southerners," filed a lawsuit to prevent the removal.
During Tuesday's city council meeting, Bell said he is looking to challenge state law prohibiting local governments from moving historical monuments on public property.
Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill into law in May. Breaking the law could result in a $25,000 fine.
Within a short time of Austin's suggestion on Tuesday a Gofundme account was established by a group called "People of Birmingham" with a goal of $25,000 to pay the state fine for the removal of the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Birmingham Alabama's Linn Park. As of early afternoon, $180 had been raised.
Bell said the monument at Linn Park was put there with private funds.
But, the mayor said he wouldn't break the law and remove it.
"I am not in the business to break the law, I am charged to protect," he said, but adding that he will challenge the law.
Bell told Austin that he and the rest of the city council could "disregard the law just as well and go and take it down."
During Tuesday's meeting, Austin gave Bell a few options to consider in the removal of the monument. He said order the removal immediately, or ask the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Department to remove it.
He said the mayor could also ask for legal advice from the city law department. No matter their answer, Austin said Bell should remove the monument and deal with the repercussions later.
Austin also suggested Bell could submit an application to the state and ask permission to remove the monument.
"If they say no, we still take them down," he said.
The 52-foot memorial at Linn Park was commissioned by the Pelham Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and dedicated in 1905.
Apparently Al Sharpton wants the Jefferson Memorial removed next...
Some idiots even vandalized the Lincoln Memorial...
Lincoln Memorial Vandalized With Red Spray Paint
Someone vandalized the Lincoln Memorial, the National Park Service said.
The words "F--- law" were found written in red spray paint early Tuesday on a pillar at the monument that overlooks the Capitol building and National Mall, NPS said Tuesday afternoon. The graffiti was found about 4:30 a.m.
"It's frustrating, not only for the Park Service but certainly for the visitors that come here, that anyone would vandalize any of our iconic memorials. Especially the Lincoln Memorial. Especially with everything that's going on now -- the calls for unity and people to come together," NPS spokesman Mike Litterst said.
"To go to the site of the memorial to Abraham Lincoln and do that, that's disappointing," he said.
A child visiting the memorial said, "They vandalized the Lincoln Memorial, this beautiful masterpiece."
It was not immediately clear if the vandals were caught on surveillance cameras, the NPS spokesman said. The crime is a federal offense.
Work to remove the words is underway. A preservation crew is using a "mild, gel-type architectural paint stripper" to remove the paint without damaging the stone. The crew is applying a layer of the gel, rinsing it, checking how effective it was and repeating as necessary.
On Tuesday evening, the words were covered by thick paper.
The work is expected to extend for a week.
News4 spotted additional damage to the Lincoln Memorial Tuesday afternoon. Someone appears to have carved "M + E" on the same pillar where the red spray paint was found. The letters were thought to have been there for a while. While the paint can be removed, the carving is permanent.
Additional vandalism, in silver spray paint, was found on a sign on the 1400 block of Constitution Avenue, NPS said. Any words were indecipherable.
In February, someone vandalized the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, D.C. War Memorial and Washington Monument with permanent marker.
That graffiti was small scrawlings that appeared to say: "Jackie shot JFK;" "blood test is a lie, leukemia, cancer HIV get a second option;" and "9/11/01 ... pilots fly planes into WTC."
Kevin Hall, a U.S. serviceman who took his family to the Lincoln Memorial after the vandalism in February, said he took it personally.
"I served the greatest air force in the world, but to come here to see that is like a slap in our face," he said.
Defacing a national monument or memorial is rare but not unheard of. The most significant case in recent memory was a bizarre incident in 2013, when a woman threw green paint on the Lincoln Memorial and later at the Washington National Cathedral. She was arrested but later found incompetent to stand trial.
In that case, it took crews nearly a month to clear the green paint from the Lincoln Memorial, but NPS staff are skilled in the tricky removal process of graffiti removal.
Anyone with information on the recent crime is asked to contact U.S. Park Police at 202-610-7515.
Confederate Statue Removed From Downtown Gainesville
A monument to fallen Confederate soldiers in downtown Gainesville was brought down Monday and carried away quietly by workers hired by the group that placed it there 113 years ago.
Construction workers removed the statue, nicknamed “Old Joe,” from the front of the Alachua County Administration Building. A representative of the Kirby Smith Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy was on hand, but declined to comment. The statue now stands in Oak Ridge Cemetery near Rochelle, southeast of Gainesville.
Removing the statue from prominence has been hotly debated for more than a year, but in the end no protesters showed up. Gainesville police were parked around the corner, waiting, just in case.
Those who watched the monument come down around noon whipped out their cellphones to record what they called — for better or worse — history.
Gainesville resident Melissa Wokasch, 41, wiped tears away as she watched workers chip away at the statue’s base.
“It’s about time,” she said. “I think this should have been done a long time ago. I think there’s a greater sense of urgency now than ever.”
Friday, white nationalists held a torch-lit march at the University of Virginia, protesting the removal of a Confederate monument there. The next day, violence erupted during protests in Charlottesville, leaving three dead and more than 30 injured.
A candlelit vigil was held Sunday on the steps of Gainesville’s City Hall, just across the street from the county building, where more than 300 people showed support for those injured in Charlottesville.
The decision to move the statue here was settled more than a month ago when the United Daughters of the Confederacy agreed to take it after other groups had declined it.
Prominent symbols of the Confederacy became increasingly controversial since June 17, 2015, when Dylann Roof opened fire in an historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine people gathered for a Bible study. Roof said he was trying to start a race war.
Most who strolled through Gainesville’s downtown Monday were in support of Old Joe being removed.
County officials said they didn’t know where the statue would go. “It’s not going to a county property,” county spokesman Mark Sexton said.
The Gainesville Sun located it based on a tip from a reader. The 5.5-acre cemetery on State Road 234 is owned by a group of trustees, according to property records. Its oldest headstones predate the Civil War.
Trevor Holt, 24, a Gainesville resident, said he was disappointed that the statue was being brought down, because it’s a piece of history. “It’s been here forever and now all of a sudden people have a problem with it,” he said.
Holt said he doesn’t consider it a symbol of racism and believes the removal was expedited to keep up with other government bodies removing Confederate statues.
“It is whatever you make it to be,” he said. “I think it’s more of the history of this town and what this town has been though.”
County Commissioner Robert Hutchinson said the removal of the statue is not about rewriting history.
“The history is the history and I don’t think we are trying to reinterpret it any more than the statue is trying to reinterpret it,” he said.
He said the commission always wanted to remove Old Joe, but was unsure who would take it. He said he never wanted it demolished and believes it’s better-suited to a museum or veterans park.
“The solution, which should have been obvious from the beginning, was simply to give it back to who gave it to us,” he said.
The statue was unveiled in Jan. 19, 1904, the birthday of Gen. Robert E. Lee, to music from the Gainesville Orchestra followed by speeches.
O.T. Davis Monument Company was in charge of the removal, hired by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and worked through the rain Monday to ensure the job was complete.
Construction workers arrived at the county building around 9:30 a.m. The statue was detached in several pieces, a process that took more than four hours.
Workers jack-hammered around the base, then unscrewed three half-inch bolts and pulled off the copper soldier with a small crane. Workers then used the crane to lift parts of the pedestal into a truck.
Preparations to remove Old Joe began Sunday as Jeffrey Monroe, a private contractor, began sawing the base of the statue to make Monday’s workload lighter.
His brown boots were caked with debris as he wielded a noisy power saw around the statue’s base.
Monroe, 50, said he didn’t care if the statute stayed or was removed; he was just doing his job.
Ian Mitchell, a 24-year-old graduate student at the University of Florida, carried a small American flag and watched the process from the corner of the street.
“These weren’t American soldiers,” Mitchell said. “These were people fighting for a cause they believed in, against the U.S. government and on the wrong side of history ... There’s no valor in the Confederate soldier. This is nothing to be celebrated here and this isn’t a piece of history.”
City Commissioner Harvey Ward said he was glad to see Old Joe go, too, adding that his great-great-great-grandfather was a Confederate soldier in the Civil War.
Ward said the statue was erected to honor a “lost cause.” But for some, he said, it’s a “painful reminder of injustice.”
“These statues didn’t pop up at the end of the Civil War to honor veterans,” Ward said.
Amanda Wagner-Perlkey, 37, said the statue stands for oppression and was erected to remind people that whites are superior to blacks and needed to go.
Hutchinson said he believes the removal cost about $15,000. He said he hopes the UDC adds a historical plaque to the statue, wherever it goes.
The county has no plans at the moment for any type of replacement in that spot, but a lynching-victims memorial could soon be put up near the Public Defender’s Office at 151 SW Second Ave., he added.
Also Monday, Jacksonville City Council President Anna Lopez Brosche said in a news release that the city will begin working to remove all Confederate monuments, markers and memorials from public property.
Just had to do it under cover of night...
Crews Remove Baltimore's Confederate Statues Overnight
Baltimore's four Confederate monuments have come down faster than previously thought.
Baltimore's mayor and City Council members differed over how to remove the city's four Confederate monuments, but crews removed all four statues early Wednesday.
"I thought that there was enough grandstanding, enough speeches being made. Get it done. I spoke with the Council on Monday morning. I spoke with the president of the City Council. I said, 'With the climate of this nation, that I think it's very important that we move quickly and quietly,'" Pugh said during a news conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
"I did what was right for my city," Pugh said.
About a dozen city crews and private contractors were seen in Wyman Park, removing the Lee and Jackson Monument. Crews started getting ready around midnight Tuesday. By 3 a.m., a crane hoisted the monument from its pedestal. By 3:45 a.m., the monument was transferred to a flatbed truck.
The Roger Taney statue in Mount Vernon had already been removed by the time 11 News arrived at 2:30 a.m.
Pugh decided in June to remove the Confederate monuments then decided Tuesday to do it overnight.
The mayor said removal began around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and ended around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. She watched in person. The monuments have been taken somewhere outside the city.
She suggests plaques take the place of the statues to explain what used to be there and why they were removed.
The mayor advises others who are considering removing Confederate statues to do it quietly and quickly.
"I think any city that has Confederate statues are concerned about violence occurring in their city, and I just think that Baltimore, right in the midst of getting the consent decree completed, this is not something that is needed," Pugh said.
On Monday night, the City Council cited events in Charlottesville, Virginia, when it adopted a resolution calling for the immediate destruction of Confederate monuments.
Baltimore's four Confederate monuments included a Confederate women's monument in Bishop Square Park, a monument for soldiers and sailors on Mount Royal Avenue, the Lee and Jackson Monument in the Wyman Park Dell and a statue of Roger Taney that sits just north of the Washington Monument.
Pugh has said that she has talked with contractors about logistics, contacted the Maryland Historical Trust for permissions and identified Confederate cemeteries to send some statues to.
Finally! Some return fire!
Alabama AG Sues Birmingham, Bell Over Confederate Soldiers And Sailors Monument Barriers
UPDATE 3 PM AUG. 16, 2017: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Wednesday his office has filed a lawsuit in the Jefferson County Circuit Court against Mayor WIlliam Bell and the City of Birmingham for violating state law by constructing barriers to cover the monument in Linn Park.
“In accordance with the law, my office has determined that by affixing tarps and placing plywood around the Linn Park Memorial such that it is hidden from view, the Defendants have ‘altered’ or ‘otherwise disturbed’ the memorial in violation of the letter and spirit of the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act,” said Attorney General Marshall. “The City of Birmingham does not have the right to violate the law and leaves my office with no choice but to file suit.”
Bell responded to the news Wednesday afternoon with a statement sent to news media via his spokesperson April Odom:
We look forward to the court system clarifying the rights and power of a municipality to control its parks absent state intervention.– Mayor William Bell
City workers arrived at Linn Park just before 10 p.m. Tuesday night with large wooden walls and nail guns to cover the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument on orders from Birmingham Mayor Williams Bell.
The monument stands at the entrance of the park at the end of 20th Street North, and it was given to the city by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1905, according to Bhamwiki.
Mayor Bell’s order came in the wake of violence perpetrated by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend, which left one person dead and many others injured. The violence began with protests over the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Mayoral candidate Frank Matthews had objections to the covering of the confederate monument in Birmingham. Matthews shadowed city workers late last night, protesting against the covering. He argued that the monument should not be covered now because it was not covered after the murder of nine black churchgoers by a self-avowed white supremacist in Charleston, South Carolina back in 2015.
“No, this is not rabble rousing. I’m speaking to what is wrong,” Matthews said. “You didn’t take it down when nine people was killed. Nine black people in a church.”
Despite Matthews’ protest, the work continued on covering the monument. According to April Odom with the city’s office, the Mayor is exploring legal options for removing the monument.
August 17th, 2017, 16:07 #10
Wow, seems like politicians are just tripping over themselves to appease. This is somewhat local to me.
Had been there 90 years and is suddenly a issue because it's in a right of way. Talk about a chickenshit excuse...
Sign Placed Where Controversial Confederate Monument Removed In Franklin, Ohio
A Confederate monument that that has been at a corner in Franklin was removed overnight.
Our news partners at WCPO reported the stone monument of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that was located at Dixie Highway and Hamilton Middletown Road was missing when they arrived before 3 a.m. today.
This news outlet has left messages for Franklin Twp. and Franklin officials for comment on who removed the large stone monument and where it was taken to overnight.
The 90-year-old stone monument was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to honor the general and Dixie Highway, which was a major north/south route before the advent of interstate highways.
The monument was a point of contention between the city of Franklin and Franklin Twp. officials on Wednesday about ownership of the monument and if officials in either jurisdiction weere going to remove it in light of recent events in Charlottesville and other communities across the nation.
After the township and Warren County officials determined the monument was on a city-owned easement, city officials announced Wednesday evening that monument would be removed as Right of Ways need to be clear for safety reasons. Acting City Manager Jonathan Westendorf hoped to have the monument removed before a planned demonstration by a Dayton-based racial justice organization.
Hours after city of Franklin officials announced the planned removal of the monument, Township Administrator Traci Stivers issued a press release acknowledging the city’s decision to remove the monument from the city-owned Right of Way.
“At this time, we are unsure when or where the monument will be relocated. Rest assured, however, discussion regarding this monument will take place and a statement will be issued at such a time that a determination is made,” Stivers said.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
UPDATE @ 6:53 a.m.
Franklin Twp. Administrator Traci Stivers informed this news outlet that no one from the township removed the Confederate monument overnight.
Acting City Manager Jonathan Westendorf said, “city public works crews were authorized to remove the monument last night.. The monument was removed overnight to assure the safety of the crews performing the work and preserve the security of the monument as well as — which is intact.
Westendorf said the order to remove the monument was given to the public works department at the same time the press release was issued Wednesday night.
“It was not initially clear if our crews would be able to remove the marker due to its size,” he said. “When public works crews determined that the work could be performed within the safe working limits of our equipment, the work proceeded.”
UPDATE @ 10:46 a.m. (Aug. 17):
A makeshift sign was placed on the site where a controversial Confederate monument was removed in Franklin.
The sign reads, “We do not negotiate with terrorist. BLM is a terrorist organization.”
A confederate flag is also featured on the sign, which was on the property around 10:45 a.m.
Activists Replace Statue Of Robert E. Lee With Statue Of A Pregnant Black Woman In Baltimore
Activists erect a statue called "Madre Luz," a pregnant black woman, in front of where a statue of Civil War Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson once stood in Baltimore. The city removed the Lee and Jackson statue early Wednesday morning.
Last Sunday, Baltimore activists placed a statue stylized as “lady liberty of black power,” in front of a statue of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson riding horses side by side according to WUSA-TV.
The Lee and Stonewall statue was removed on Wednesday by city officials, but the activist’s statue still remains.
According to WUSA, the statue of Lee and Jackson was one of four Confederate statues removed by Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh. Pugh said she ordered the removals of the statues as a matter of public safety after the violence seen in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday.
The clash between leftist radicals and white supremacists in Charlottesville began as a protest over the removal of a statue of Lee.
Pugh said the statues are safely in storage, but did not disclose the location. The mayor suggested that the statues could be relocated to Confederate cemeteries in the future.
Artist Pablo Machioli and a few of his friends erected a papier-mache statue of a pregnant black woman holding her fist into the air, to stand in front of the Lee and Jackson statue. The statue is adorned with a rainbow sash, a baby on her back, and her raised fist is coated in gold glitter.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the statue is called “Madre Luz,” or “Mother Light” in Spanish.
According to City Paper, Machioli first erected the statue in front of the Lee and Jackson statue in 2015. The idea came from Machioli’s friend, Silverman Andrews, who wanted to “create attention” about social justice issues like white supremacy and racism in art, and to celebrate the 2016 Baltimore riots.
Originally, the statue was supposed to be an image of abolitionist Harriet Tubman throwing a brick at Lee and Jackson. Machioli did not want a statue depicting violence, and instead created “Madre Luz.”
“Madre Luz” was placed in front of the Lee and Jackson statue after its creation. It was removed and impounded in less than 24 hours, and Machioli was fined $75. Afterward, Machioli moved the statue to his home at the Copycat Building, a warehouse converted a space where artists live and work. It stayed there for the next two years.
According to the Baltimore Sun, Machioli and his friends brought the statue back to stand in front of the Lee and Jackson monument on Sunday, following the events of Charlottesville. Though the Lee and Jackson monument is gone, “Madre Luz” still stands. The statue is not sanctioned by the city, but has not been removed by city officials.
The Baltimore Sun reported that “Madre Luz” has been knocked over and vandalized several times. Each time, Machiol and his friends return to repair it.
Fucking retards... This is the level of abject idiocy we're facing.
Lincoln Statue Found Burned on Chicago's South Side: Alderman
An Abraham Lincoln was damaged and burned in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood late Wednesday, Ald. Ray Lopez said.
The statue was found burned near 69th Street and Wolcott, authorities said.
"What an absolute disgraceful act of vandalism," Lopez wrote on Facebook along with an image of the charred structure. He encouraged anyone who has information on what happened to contact police or his office "immediately."
Police did not immediately have information on what happened.
The statue, a bust of Lincoln, was erected by Phil Bloomquist on Aug. 31, 1926.
It is one of many that have been vandalized across the country in wake of the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia and the president's comments that followed.
On Tuesday, someone vandalized the Lincoln Memorial, writing "F--- law" in red spray paint on a pillar at the monument.
Cities and states accelerated their plans to remove Confederate monuments from public property Tuesday as the violence over a Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville moved leaders across the country to plan to wipe away much of the remaining Old South imagery.
The changes were publicized as President Donald Trump defended Confederate statues in wide-ranging remarks.
"This week it's Robert E. Lee. I notice that Stonewall Jackson's coming down," Trump said during a visit to Trump Tower in New York. "I wonder, is it George Washington next week, and is it Thomas Jefferson the week after? You know you really do have to ask yourself, where does it stop?"
Trump took to Twitter Thursday morning to call out a Republican senator who had criticized his equivocal remarks on bigotry and hatred, and to lament at "the history and culture of our great country being ripped apart" by removing "beautiful statues and monuments" honoring Confederate leaders.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery To Take Out Confederate Memorial After Public Demands Removal
Many people urged the Hollywood Forever Cemetery to remove a Confederate memorial on the property, and the group which owns the stone piece chose to do so Tuesday.
The memorial has been at the cemetery since 1925, but the decision to remove it came in a matter of hours because of growing outrage after the Charlottesville, Virginia chaos and threats of vandalism.
"It just ignited here, where we started getting a lot of calls, a lot of emails, a lot of social media posts and online petitions asking us to remove it," president and co-owner of the cemetery, Tyler Cassity, said.
Not many people knew about the monument until the Los Angeles Times published an op-ed, sparking the massive call for its removal. All across the country, the call to remove Confederate statues and monuments has grown.
But this is a unique case, cemetery officials said, because the monument is not on public property and is owned by the Long Beach chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
"Not only is it private property, but it's private property within private property with bodies buried there to be remembered. So to erase a part of their past, regardless of whatever personal feelings I have, professionally I can't do that," Cassity said.
The cemetery reached out to the group, who asked to have the monument removed before any serious damage was done. Earlier Tuesday, someone had vandalized the bronze plaque with graffiti.
Officials said more than 30 grave markers of the Confederate soldiers and their families buried around the site will remain, but the massive stone monument will be gone.
"The Daughters said we are a benevolent organization. We didn't seek this attention. We don't want to be part of this uproar," Cassity said.
The monument will be taken down and put into storage until the group can decide what to do with it. The cemetery has started to receive threats of protests and rallies from the other side of this debate.
Gettysburg Stands Firm: Battlefield Says All Monuments Staying Put
Officials at the Gettysburg National Military Park said Wednesday that the monuments at the expansive Pennsylvania battlefield will stay despite unrest over Confederate memorials.
"These memorials, erected predominantly in the early and mid-20th Century, are an important part of the cultural landscape," battlefield spokeswoman Katie Lawhon told the Hanover Evening Sun.
Gettysburg was the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, from July 1-3, 1863.
There are more than 1,300 memorials at the park- ranging in size from tiny stone markers for smaller regiments' positions, to the massive Pennsylvania State Monument that includes a cupola for visitors.
The park also has several streets named after soldiers on both sides, including the Union's Daniel Sickles and Winfield Scott Hancock, and the Confederacy's Ambrose Wright.
The National Park Service's policy on battlefield monuments states that the feds are "committed to safeguarding these unique and site-specific memorials in perpetuity, while simultaneously interpreting holistically and objectively the actions... they commemorate."
Farther south in Richmond, Va., gubernatorial candidate Ralph Northam (D-Accomac) said he will press for several Confederate statues along the city's Monument Avenue to be taken down.
However, Northam said he would "defer to the city" on how to proceed in doing so, according to the Richmond Post-Dispatch.
Democratic Mayor Levar Stoney said a commission established to "add context" next to the monuments is preferable to taking them down, the paper said.
Protest In Downtown Columbus, OH Calls For Removal Of Christopher Columbus Statue
Protesters took to City Hall today urging leaders to remove the statue of Christopher Columbus, which they say is a symbol of white supremacy.
The organization, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) led the event with speakers, music and several moments of silence in solidarity with Charlottesville.
“We just hope for change,” said Stacey Little, representing the People’s Justice Project. (Really?)
“Columbus being the city that it is, it’s supposed to be so progressive, supposed to be so smart, should take this moment and this time to do what’s right,” Little said.
She’d like to see the statue removed but Little and others there told 10TV the cause is bigger than the statues.
“I think it gets to the heart of what our nation is founded on, how we’re going forward, how we’re going to treat our citizens and I think change needs to come and it’s groups of people like this on all walks of life talking and pulling that together,” said Zach Ballew, who drove to Columbus from Athens with his 11-year-old daughter, Magnolia.
“We’re here because we believe that right now our country is having a conversation that is a long time coming and I think this is kind of a point where we’re really talking about oppression and issues that affect a lot of people,” Ballew said.
Mayor Andrew Ginther also released a statement via email regarding the protest.
“I support the removal of monuments celebrating the Confederacy, but I would urge people to remember that the disturbing and tragic events that unfolded in Charlottesville were not about statues, but about persistent racism in our country. There are many perspectives on the Christopher Columbus statue, but let’s not be distracted from the need to address the real problem: the racial divide in our community and across the country.”
Oldest Christopher Columbus Statue In The World In Vandalized In Baltimore
Aimed at explorer’s role in “genocide and exploitation,” vandals say, action follows city’s removal of Confederate monuments
Baltimore’s 225-year-old monument to Christopher Columbus, said to be the oldest in the country and the world dedicated to the explorer that is still standing, has been severely vandalized.
A video posted today shows someone smashing the inscription at the base of the 44-foot-tall obelisk located at the intersection of Harford Road and Walther Avenue, across from Herring Run Park.
This morning the words on the statue – Sacred to the Memory of Chris. Columbus Oct. XII MDCC VIIIC – were unreadable, a hole smashed in the stone.
“Racism: Tear it down,” one sign leaning on the monument base says.
“The future is racial and economic justice,” said another sign that was lying in the grass.
The vandalism comes in the wake of intense controversy, across the country and in Baltimore, over monuments to the Confederacy and the city-ordered removal of four Confederate-related monuments last week.
Baltimore’s Columbus Memorial, now smashed, once read: “Sacred to the Memory of Chris. Columbus Oct. XII MDCC VIIIC. “
In the video, one person smashes the monument with a sledge hammer as another holds a sign. An unidentified narrator explains why the action was being taken:
“Christopher Columbus symbolizes the initial invasion of European capitalism into the Western Hemisphere. Columbus initiated a centuries-old wave of terrorism, murder, genocide, rape, slavery, ecological degradation and capitalist exploitation of labor in the Americas. That Columbian wave of destruction continues on the backs of Indigenous, African-American and brown people.
“Racist monuments to slave owners and murderers have always bothered me. Baltimore’s poverty is concentrated in African-American households, and these statues are just an extra slap in the face. They were built in the 20th century in response to a movement for African Americans’ human dignity. What kind of a culture goes to such lengths to build such hate-filled monuments? What kind of a culture clings to those monuments in 2017?”
Just under two minutes, the video was posted on the YouTube channel, Popular Resistance. It appears to have been filmed early this morning.
There are two other monuments to Columbus in Baltimore, one located at Druid Hill Park, the other at the edge of Little Italy.
It was unclear this morning if they had been vandalized as well.
Columbus Debate Reignited
Baltimore Police this morning said they were checking out the reported vandalism and warned that the perpetrators will be prosecuted.
“It’s dangerous and it’s also unnecessary,” spokesman T.J. Smith said at a media briefing, noting Tuesday night’s city-ordered removal of the Confederate monuments. “It’s something that has a process and the process was seen last week.”
Meanwhile reaction was swift in a city that has been abuzz with the issue of offensive monuments since the recent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va. to protest the removal of a Confederate monument there.
“A lot of people are very upset about it, I’m upset about it,” said Bill Martin, president of Associated Italian-American Charities of Maryland
“I’m hoping it’s just a random act and hopefully not part of some bigger idea,” said Joe DiPasquale, president of the city’s Italian American Civic Club. “We’re going to be talking to the police about protection for all the statues in the city.”
By coincidence, the club’s regular weekly meeting happens to be tonight, said Di Pasquale, owner of DiPasquale’s Italian Marketplace in Highlandtown.
“It’s going to be a hot one,” DiPasquale predicted.
Online commenters were less restrained. “These crazy kooks will be exhuming our ancestors’ remains next,” one man wrote on Facebook.
“A slippery slope,” one warned. “Stop! Live and Let Live!” another agreed.
“We wouldn’t be having this issue if this had been Columbus’ point of view,” another shot back.
“Destruction is inappropriate? Did anyone bother to tell Columbus that?” longtime activist and blogger James MacArthur wrote, adding the hashtags #BaltimoreUprising, #PartII and #TakeThat.
A man who answered the phone at the Little Italy Lodge 2286 in the 900 block of Pratt Street called the idea that Columbus should not be honored “ridiculous.”
“You cannot believe the things that are said about him, he did not do those things,” the man said.
Pushing his son in a stroller near the bashed-in monument this morning, Dan Meyers said he was “of two minds about it.”
“Columbus did bring together Europe and America. That was a major accomplishment,” said Meyers, who lives in the Arcadia neighborhood. “But he did some horrible things to Native Americans.”
Scott: Not the Way to do it
Because of the national debate over whether the Italian explorer who landed on American shores is worthy of veneration, several cities have changed the name of the Columbus Day holiday, a national holiday since 1934.
Seattle, Minneapolis and Berkeley, Calif., for example, have already changed the name of the second Monday in October from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.
Baltimore would have made that change as well, under legislation proposed last year by 2nd District City Councilman Brandon M. Scott.
Scott said today said he still thinks Baltimore should not honor the circumnavigator but disapproves of the destruction of the monument to him.
“As you know, I don’t think we should be celebrating Columbus in any fashion, but vandalism is not the way to go about it,” Scott said.
Scott said he was not ready to offer an opinion on what should happen to the city’s three Columbus monuments because he was not sure if they are all on public property.
“But I think people need to know what those statues to him mean to Native American people and African-American people,” he said. “He represents the dawning of slavery and exploitation in this country.”
Once Stood in a Parking Lot
Even before the latest controversy, the Columbus monument has had a somewhat tortured history.
According to Baltimore Sun coverage from the 1990s, it was erected in 1792 by a Frenchman, the Chevalier d’Anemours (or d’Anmour), at Belmont, his estate near Harford Road and North Avenue.
“In 1887, Belmont became the Samuel B. Ready School,” wrote reporter Robert A. Erlandson. “It moved to West Baltimore in 1938 to make way for Sears Roebuck’s huge store, which is now the Eastside District Court.”
Originally erected in 1792, the Columbus obelisk was moved to its present location in northeast Baltimore near Herring Run Park in the 1960s.
“The obelisk, considered too fragile to be moved, was left behind on what became a Sears parking lot,” Erlandson noted.
But that obscurity didn’t last.
Under Mayor Theodore R. McKeldin, the monument was moved its present leafy green setting in Northeast Baltimore. A bronze plaque notes that it was re-dedicated on October 12, 1964.
November 2nd, 2017, 04:27 #17
George Washington’s Church To Tear Down Memorial Honoring First President
George Washington was one of the founding members of Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia, buying pew No. 5 when the church opened in 1773 and attending for more than two decades whenever he rode north from Mount Vernon to do business in town.
This weekend, the church announced it was pulling down a memorial plaque to its onetime vestryman and the country’s first president, saying he and another famous parishioner, Robert E. Lee, have become so controversial that they are chasing away would-be parishioners.
While acknowledging “friction” over the decision, the church’s leadership said both plaques, which are attached to the front wall on either side of the altar, are relics of another era and have no business in a church that proclaims its motto as “All are welcome — no exceptions.”
“The plaques in our sanctuary make some in our presence feel unsafe or unwelcome. Some visitors and guests who worship with us choose not to return because they receive an unintended message from the prominent presence of the plaques,” the church leaders said in a letter to the congregation that went out last week.
The decision was also announced to parishioners on Sunday.
The backlash was swift, with the church’s Facebook page turning into a battleground. Some supporters praised the church for a “courageous” stand, while critics compared leaders at the Episcopal church leaders to the Taliban or the Islamic State.
Church leaders said they debated for a long time, and the Rev. Noelle York-Simmons, the rector, said in an email to The Washington Times that the vote by the vestry was unanimous. The plaques will come down by next summer, when leadership determines another place for them.
For now, the Lee memorial, about the size of a grave marker, stands to the right of the altar, reading in gold lettering, “In Memory of Robert Edward Lee.” The Washington plaque to the left says: “In memory of George Washington.”
They were erected in 1870, just months after Lee’s death, and were a bit of a sensation at the time, earning mentions in newspapers from Massachusetts to San Francisco. The accounts said the memorials were paid for by subscription of citizens of Alexandria.
The church also has small metal markers on the Washington family pew and at the location where Lee was confirmed, but there is no other information or comment posted on the two men’s lives in the church.
Lack of other details was part of the problem for leaders, who said the memorials didn’t explain the two famous parishioners’ memorial presence.
“Because the sanctuary is a worship space, not a museum, there is no appropriate way to inform visitors about the history of the plaques or to provide additional context except for the in-person tours provided by our docents,” the church leaders said.
It’s not clear that the church could divorce itself from Washington even if it wanted to. The website touts itself as “a church where George Washington worshipped” and displays a picture of its famous patron.
As an original benefactor, Washington bought pew No. 5 when the church opened in 1773. He was a vestryman and contributed to the church throughout his life, according to the Washington Papers project. His family considered the church important enough to him that it donated one of his Bibles after his death.
Lee attended Christ Church beginning at age 3, when he moved from Stratford to Alexandria. The church was so integral to his family that Mary Custis Lee, his daughter, left the church $10,000 in her will upon her death in 1918. That money was used to begin the church’s endowment.
Church leaders did not say whether they will attempt to return the $10,000 gift from Lee’s daughter.
The church’s senior and junior wardens didn’t answer questions about the decision, and neither did Ms. York-Simmons, the rector.
Instead, she emailed a brief statement saying the decision was by “unanimous vote” of the vestry.
“The new display location will be determined by a parish committee. That location will provide a place for our parish to offer a fuller narrative of our rich history, including the influence of these two powerful men on our church and our country,” she said in the email. “We look forward to this opportunity to continue to learn more about our own history and find new ways to introduce it to the wider community.”
In recent years Lee monuments have been under scrutiny. Violence broke out in Charlottesville this year surrounding a Lee statue that the city is trying to take down.
In the wake of those clashes, a church Lee attended in Lexington, Virginia, where he spent his last years, voted to change its name from R.E. Lee Memorial Church to Grace Episcopal Church.
And the Washington National Cathedral removed a stained-glass window with an image of Lee.
Washington memorials had been spared such recriminations.
Christ Church, though, said the two men were inextricably linked in history and had to be considered together, since they were erected together and visually balance each other.
In their letter to parishioners, the church’s leadership praised Washington as “the visionary who not only refused to be king but also gave up power after eight years, and a symbol of our democracy.” Lee was described in less-glowing terms, as a longtime parishioner who for some “symbolizes the attempt to overthrow the Union and to preserve slavery.”
“Today our country is trying once again to come to grips with the history of slavery and the subsequent disenfranchisement of people of color,” the leaders wrote.
Despite his generosity to Christ Church, Washington was a more regular attendant at Pohick Church, which stands south of Mount Vernon. A staffer at Pohick said they have no plans to delete Washington from their church.
January 2nd, 2018, 00:16 #18
Confederate Statues Removed From Memphis Parks
Memphis' Confederate statues are no longer standing.
City council voted unanimously to immediately remove Confederate statues from both city parks at Wednesday's meeting.
By 11 p.m. Wednesday, both the Jefferson Davis and Nathan Bedford Forrest statues were out of sight.
The city sold Health Sciences Park and Memphis Park to nonprofit organization Memphis Greenspace, Inc. for $1,000 each.
Immediately after the parks were purchased, the statues of Nathan Bedford Forrest and Jefferson Davis were removed.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said that the removal of the statues was all privately funded and completely legal.
For months, the city of Memphis has looked into multiple ways to remove the statues. City leaders explored all legal options and even took their case to the state of Tennessee.
Wednesday night, they decided to use a so-called "legal loophole" that allowed them to remove the statues right away.
City councilman Berlin Boyd has long supported the removal of the statues.
"As we are aware, everyone is passionate. No matter what side of history you may be on, we want to create an environment that is inclusive and available for all Memphians," Boyd said.
At 9:01 p.m., the Nathan Bedford Forrest statue was lifted off of its pedestal.
Lee Millar from Sons of Confederate Veterans was on WMC Action News 5 to talk about the statues being removed.
Millar said his group believes the city is breaking the law by removing the statues.
"I think it's a disgusting display by the city council and by the mayor to destroy some of Memphis' history, especially this sham of a sale. We're not through fighting," Millar said.
Millar said he was not at liberty to say what the next move the Sons of Confederate Veterans will take, but said there will be imminent action.
"The city cannot sell land without a hearing, bidding it out and permitting other opportunities for others to do so," Millar said. "But by selling it to a non-profit or anybody else, that's a clear violation of the Heritage Protection Law."
Millar said the actions were a blatant attempt to circumvent the law, violating state cemetery law because the statue is the headstone of the graves of Nathan Bedford Forrest and his wife.
Deidre Malone, the president of the Memphis branch of the NAACP, issued the following statement:
"Today history is being made with the removal of the Nathan Bedford Forrest and Jefferson Davis statutes from what are now privately-owned parks. The NAACP Memphis Branch took a position early on stating that we wanted the monuments removed and a legal process followed. The Memphis City Council and Mayor Jim Strickland heard the voices of the people who wanted these removed and legally made it happen. Groups like the NAACP and #Takeemdown901 led by Tami Sawyer have been heard."
Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dorsey Hopson said he drove by Health Sciences Park to see the removal for himself. He wrote on his Twitter, "Shows what we can do when we stand tall together on the side of decency and what we know is right. Great work Memphis! Let's take poverty down next."
Shortly after 10 p.m., crews arrived in Downtown Memphis to remove the statue of Jefferson Davis.
Wednesday night, Mayor Strickland issued a statement on the statues' removal, saying in part:
It’s important to know why we’re here: The Forrest statue was placed in 1904, as Jim Crow segregation laws were enacted. The Davis statue was placed in 1964, as the Civil Rights Movement changed our country. The statues no longer represent who we are as a modern, diverse city with momentum. As I told the Tennessee Historical Commission in October, our community wants to reserve places of reverence for those we honor.
The Tennessee Historical Commission denied our waiver in October. The state initiated mediation last month. But it has not been successful. That led us to today’s outcome.
It’s important to remember what I’ve said all along: I was committed to remove the statues in a lawful way. From the beginning, we have followed state law -- and tonight’s action is no different. The Historical Commission was not the only legal avenue.
So if you’ve spoken up on the statues the past few months, no matter which side, I issue this challenge: Take that energy and apply it to the hard challenges our residents face every single day. Volunteer to be on the front lines. Mentor a child to make a 1-on-1 impact on a life. Help teach a kid to read.
Don’t just talk about it -- take action in improving the quality of life in every home, on every block, in every single neighborhood of this great city.
That’s the work Memphians have entrusted to us, and I’m determined to not let them down.
This is an important moment in the life of our city. People from all walks of life came together to make today a reality. Let us move forward from this moment committed more than ever to a united and determined Memphis.
Today showed us just how successful we can be when that happens.
Click here to read Mayor Strickland's complete statement.
By 11 p.m., the Jefferson Davis statue had been removed.
A small bronze bust of Confederate Army Captain J. Harvey Mathes, which stood near the statue of Jefferson Davis, was also removed.
Congressman Steven Cohen (D-TN) applauded Strickland and the actions taken to remove the statues. He had the following statement:
“I commend Mayor Strickland and the City Council for finding a way to legally remove statues from an era that is not representative of Memphis today and have remained an affront to most of the citizens of Memphis,” Cohen said.
“As we approach the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, it’s important that these relics of the Confederacy and defenders of slavery don’t continue to be displayed in prominent places in our city. Hopefully, the Forrests will be returned to their rightful and preferred burial spot – Elmwood Cemetery.”
July 5th, 2019, 23:56 #19
Apparently destruction of Confederate monuments is passe...
Forward!
Something San Francisco This Way Comes
West Coast craziness coming to a community near you
The San Francisco School Board last week authorized $600,000 in spending to destroy a mural depicting George Washington at a high school named for him.
“It’s rude and disrespectful to people’s cultures,” a junior at the school told the San Francisco Chronicle. The school board president agrees. “I think the images are really harmful,” Stevon Cook explains. “But I do understand the sensitivity about it being art. It’s a difficult position to be in.” The board’s vice president, Mark Sanchez, maintains, “Painting it over represents not only a symbolic fresh start, but a real fresh start.”
The censorship follows the removal of an “Early Days” statue, which depicted an American Indian lying at the feet of a Spanish cowboy and Catholic missionary, outside the San Francisco Public Library in September. The city’s Historic Preservation Committee voted unanimously to remove it, and the Arts Commission dubbed the 2,000-pound sculpture “disrespectful, misleading, and racist” in unanimously voting to censor it. The school board similarly found no opposition in its ranks in voting to paint over the Washington mural — despite a New Deal program funding it, a Communist artist painting it, and its message in depicting slavery and a dead Indian as clearly critical of Washington.
The Free Speech Movement called the Bay Area home in the 1960s, and a decade earlier, Allen Ginsberg published his racy poetry through the City Lights bookstore’s publishing arm. A place that once imagined itself as a safe harbor from censors now looks to Savonarola and Mullah Muhammad Omar as guides. Unsurprisingly, Google, Twitter, and other tech companies headquartered in the area follow, and lead, the intolerant zeitgeist.
Counterintuitively, the people with the most to gain from the tolerance of others often exhibit the least tolerance to others. Telling people what to do remains a more universal impulse than live-and-let-live. Everyone wants toleration (or something more). Not everyone tolerates.
While San Francisco bans the foremost Founding Father, it celebrates those who aided and abetted a notorious city resident who demanded that even his mother call him “Father.” As discussed more comprehensively in Cult City: Jim Jones, Harvey Milk, and 10 Days That Shook San Francisco (ISI Books, 2018), many buildings, bridges, and boulevards in the city bear the names of those who tarnished the city by burnishing the name Jim Jones.
Carlton B. Goodlett, whose name now gives city hall its street address, claimed that Jonestown “gives people hope,” shows that “dreams come true,” and represents “the wave of the future” upon traveling to the jungle concentration camp a few months before Jones ordered its inhabitants to kill themselves en masse. Two days after the carnage, Dr. Goodlett continued to run interference for his friend and former patient. Describing Jones as “a man who really attempted to practice the dogmas of Christianity,” Goodlett insisted that “the good works of a man as well as his rascality — they are not interred with his bones.”
When evidence of Jones’s abuse and insanity mounted, Harvey Milk used his office to provide the cult leader credibility. “Such greatness I have found at Jim Jones’ Peoples’ Temple,” he assured Guyanese Prime Minister Forbes Burnham. “Rev. Jones is widely known in the minority communities here and elsewhere as a man of the highest character, who has undertaken constructive remedies for social problems which have been amazing in their scope and effectiveness,” he explained to President Jimmy Carter, urging him not to intervene on behalf of parents wanting their kidnapped son returned from Guyana (he returned in a coffin). In a letter to Carter cabinet secretary Joseph Califano, Milk called Jonestown “a beautiful retirement community,” characterized Peoples’ Temple as transforming criminals into good citizens, and bizarrely called a group that imported food into its agricultural project until the end and counted starving individuals in its ranks as “alleviating the world food crisis.” San Francisco honors Milk with a terminal at its airport, a school, and a square all named for him.
Willie Brown compared Jim Jones to Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi, among others. He encouraged Fidel Castro to regard Jones’s 1977 trip to Cuba as a state visit, as though the cult leader’s stature rose to the level of a national leader. “I have worked with Jim for several years,” Brown wrote Castro, “and consider him a close personal friend and a highly trusted brother in the struggle for liberation.” The western half of the Bay Bridge now goes by the “Willie L. Brown Jr. Bridge.” Whatever Brown’s many accomplishments and considerable charms, he acted as an enabler to the greatest villain in the city’s history.
The city that whitewashes Washington similarly honors Jones boosters Herb Caen, Rep. Phil Burton, and others. Their roles in empowering the vilest figure in the history of the city should serve as if not an automatic disqualifier in public honors at least a factor that gives pause. But in San Francisco playing a central role in the founding of the United States makes one unfit, not playing supporting and leading parts in the rise of the man responsible for killing over 900 Americans.
Clearly, this culture war does not stop at the San Francisco city limits, and the culture warriors do not fix aim merely at controversial figures in U.S. history, such as Confederate generals. They seek to erase nearly all of U.S. history and erect a new pantheon of greats consisting of ideologues who flatter progressive sensibilities. This isn’t patriotism but politics.
Nike pulling the release of its Betsy Ross flag sneakers, Charlottesville’s city council voting to end a holiday honoring longtime favorite son Thomas Jefferson, and the widespread contempt exhibited in response to a patriotic parade in the nation’s capital on the occasion of the nation’s birthday suggests that the winds of the Bay Area blow east. Something San Francisco this way comes.
Charlottesville, VA Drops Thomas Jefferson's Birthday As Holiday
Charlottesville, Virginia, will no longer celebrate Thomas Jefferson’s birthday as an official city holiday and instead will observe a day recognizing the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans.
The city council voted Monday night to scrap the decades-old April 13 holiday honoring the slave-holding president and Founding Father. Charlottesville will now mark Liberation and Freedom Day on March 3, the day U.S. Army forces arrived in the city in 1865.
Charlottesville has been grappling publicly for years with how to tell its history of race and discrimination. Those efforts intensified after white nationalists gathered in the city in 2017 for a rally that descended into deadly violence.
The legacy of Jefferson, the nation’s third president, author of the Declaration of Independence and founder of the University of Virginia, has been a component of that ongoing debate.
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ArtistsExhibitionsArt FairsNewsBooks & EditionsGallery11R Archive
23 East 73rd St
March 28 – May 11, 2018
Installation ViewsThumbnailsBack
Press Release Artists Books & Editions Press
Van Doren Waxter is pleased to announce John McLaughlin: Constructions, on view at the gallery’s 23 East 73rd location from March 28 through May 11, 2018.
The exhibition focuses on eight works on paper executed in 1973 that have never been shown before and as art historian and critic Phyllis Tuchman writes in a new scholarly essay prepared exclusively for the show, “are revelatory about a direction McLaughlin’s art might have been taking.” Numbered consecutively and made of construction paper and Scotch tape, the collages, or what McLaughlin termed ‘constructions,’ resemble compositions that closely hewed to his paintings. This is the fourth exhibition of works by the artist the gallery has mounted since 2010 and will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue.
“Because McLaughlin emphasized the abstract nature of his art, it may be heretical to propose that something else could be taking place,” writes Tuchman. “That they were executed late in his career, perhaps at a time when the artist was addressing new concerns, cannot be overlooked.”
McLaughlin made ‘constructions’ to determine the spacing and interaction of forms and to assign colors in advance of making paintings or prints in a different, and often larger scale. The artist’s choice of colors is specific: predominantly white and black with the exception of yellow and green in two of the eight collages, leading Tuchman to suggest “that such black and white forms exist in a landscape setting,” thus opening a new channel of discourse on the artist’s methodology which was integral to everything he made. She also asserts in her essay that “commentators have overlooked how McLaughlin appropriated the geometrically shaped elements” that make each Japanese scroll painting dating from the 15th century unique.
In his constructions, the use of black and white unmasks the question of what is foreground or background, light or absence of light, compression or expansion. The artist considers the possibilities of what constituted a successful composition by cutting and arranging squares and strips of paper adhered with miniature pieces of tape. One sees his preoccupation with the vertical and the horizontal as may relate to body (unrightness) or landscape (division of horizontal space).
To date, the gallery has presented exhibitions in 2010, 2013, and 2016 devoted to McLaughlin’s paintings as a seminal figure in West Coast abstraction in post WW II California. His work evolves from his deep interest and knowledge of Sesshu Toyo, a 15th Century Japanese artist and Zen monk, whose approach to ink painting introduced the concept of “emptiness” or the “marvelous void” into Japanese painting. Sesshu was deeply influential to McLaughlin in determining the use of rectilinear space as a “neutral structure” in his own hard-edge paintings. In 2015, the gallery presented Marvelous Void, the first exhibition to feature a selection of McLaughlin’s geometric abstractions alongside two early Japanese ink paintings that exemplify Sesshu’s concept.
Art historian and critic Phyllis Tuchman will speak about this rare group of collages on Saturday, April 28 at 3:00 p.m. at the gallery’s uptown location, 23 East 73rd Street. The talk is part of the Madison Avenue Gallery Walk presented by Artnews and is free and open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, visit Artnews or email information@madisonavebid.org.
John McLaughlin was an American abstract painter born in Sharon, MA in 1898 and died in Dana Point, CA in 1976. In 1935, McLaughlin and his wife Florence Emerson (descendant of Ralph Waldo Emerson) moved to Japan where they lived for three years. Upon their return in 1938, McLaughlin established a business dealing Japanese prints. It was around this time that he decided to start painting, which was brought to a halt just a few years later with the start of the War. Fluent in Japanese, McLaughlin was recruited as a translator by the Army during WWII. After the war, McLaughlin settled in Dana Point, California, where he started painting full time in 1946. Entirely self-taught, the artist continued to paint, with considerable success in his later career, until his death in 1976. He was the subject of a major retrospective at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (November 13, 2016-April 16, 2017).
23 East 73rd Street New York, NY 10021
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Sting is sailing 'The Last Ship' to Broadway...
The English singer is invigorated by the creative challenge of his first Broadway musical, 'The Last Ship.' He's got an album of some of the songs, and a tour with Paul Simon is planned.
On a recent weekday afternoon, Sting was sitting in a Burbank dressing room, quietly reading on a tablet computer as he waited to make an appearance on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."
A chat with Leno wasn't the English singer's only reason for being in L.A.; two nights earlier, he'd entertained a crowd of celebrities and show-biz executives at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's annual Art + Film Gala. Asked how the gig went, Sting put down the tablet, took off his glasses and reported that no one had asked for his or her money back.
"It's a very well-heeled audience, you know," he continued. "But they like to be told what to do. They feel a bit stuffy in their posh clothes, so you say, 'Look, stand up, and if you wanna dance, just do it.'"
Soon Sting, 62, will put his work in front of other well-heeled audiences.
Next fall, the frontman of the Police, one of rock's most successful bands, is set to hit Broadway with a new musical called "The Last Ship." With songs by Sting and a book co-written by a pair of Tony Award winners in John Logan and Brian Yorkey, the show depicts the decline of the shipbuilding industry in Wallsend, the seaside town near Newcastle, England, where Sting grew up.
It's full of the folk music of northeastern England - not unlike Sting's 1991 solo album "The Soul Cages" - and of the region's factory-working people.
"It's about the place I come from," said Sting, who's also a producer on the project. (He doesn't plan to appear onstage.) "I think these songs have been gestating for a long, long time."
But "The Last Ship" also pulls from a rich theater-music tradition the singer said he "absorbed through osmosis" as a child from cast recordings of Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals. To demonstrate, he picked up a small acoustic guitar in his dressing room and strummed an augmented chord with a kind of unsettled feel.
"You don't often hear that in pop music," he said.
In September, Sting released an album of his own performances of songs from the show, his first record of original material since "Sacred Love" in 2003.
He hadn't been quiet over the intervening decade. There was a set of tunes from the English Renaissance, a jazzy holiday album and a collection of orchestral versions of old hits like "Roxanne" and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." (The Police also toured in 2007 and 2008.)
Yet Sting admitted that those projects had kept him busy during a long stretch of writer's block.
"I'd been wondering whether I'd lost the mojo," he said. "But it turns out I just needed to stop writing about me. Once I said, 'OK, I'm gonna tell somebody else's story,' I freed up and the songs poured out in a very quick way."
A blockage like the one he experienced can be useful to a songwriter, he added: "You need to be on input some of the time, to have something to say before you say it."
Though it fulfills the narrative needs of a Broadway score - something Sting said he had to learn from his co-writers and the show's Tony-winning director, Joe Mantello - "The Last Ship" has dark textures and surprising melodic turns that distinguish it from other current musicals, most of which Sting said he had little interest in.
In the album's title track, he sings of "a strange kind of beauty / It's cold and austere," and that goes some way toward describing these songs. Rob Mathes, who produced the record with Sting, recalled devising a string part for "Practical Arrangement," a stirring plea from one character to another.
"It was very pretty, not cheesy at all," Mathes said of what he'd written, yet three weeks after they'd recorded it, Sting called him.
"He was, like, 'I don't know about the strings - it feels like a carpet on the music,'" the producer said. "He'd decided he wanted brass instead, something less sweet. No one else would have said that."
For all his artistic quirks, though, Sting knows he's a superstar, a guy whose decades of tabloid-scene celebrity - remember the claims about tantric sex? - mean that "The Last Ship" will be under scrutiny from the moment it opens in Chicago in June on its way to New York.
"There is no out-of-town tryout for this," he said, acknowledging that he and his collaborators will be "tinkering" with the show through the final rehearsal, even as Sting hits the road for a five-week North American arena tour with Paul Simon. (That show is to stop Feb. 15 at the refurbished Forum in Inglewood.)
Sting didn't say it, but Simon is one of the many pop stars who've found Broadway to be a tough gig. In 1998, Simon's "The Capeman" famously closed after only 68 performances, costing its investors a reported $11 million.
But Sting said that at this point in his career, he finds the creative challenge invigorating.
"It's tough," he said of the theater. "And it should be tough. But no one's gonna kill me." He laughed. "Let's maybe not quote that."
(c) The Los Angeles Times by Mikael Wood
The 12 Days of Christmas - Rally for the Rainforest at our Online Christmas Auction...
'The 12 Days of Christmas', the RFUK's fabulous and exclusive public auction of gifts donated by celebrities, luxury labels and esteemed Foundation friends, returns for a fourth fantastic year! Open to everyone through an RFUK pop-up shop on eBay, the 12 day auction, running from November 20 to December 1, will offer various gleaming goodies for every savvy shopper ready to raise funds to protect the world's rainforests. The auction can be found at www.ebay.co.uk/12days.
Launching the careers of two 'Northern Stars'...
Alan Hayward, an archivist at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums has written an extremely interesting blog relating to Sting that is about the day that he saw the Queen Mother passing by to launch a ship, which he has referred to in a number of recent interviews and during the Last Ship performances at New York's Public Theatre. To read the blog and see some great photographs from the visit and launch of the 'Northern Star' visit http://www.twmuseums.org.uk...
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FBI Doesn’t Know How Many Americans It Spies On
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., listens to U.S. Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism testify at his nomination hearing to be the next Director of the Central Intelligence Agency before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Feb. 7, 2013.
Chris Maddaloni—CQ-Roll Call,Inc.
By Denver Nicks
New details emerged Monday on how many Americans are spied on by the National Security Agency and Central Intelligence Agency, in a letter that also revealed how few records on domestic surveillance are held by the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
A letter to surveillance-reform hawk Sen. Ron Wyden (D—Ore.) from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence made public Monday revealed that the NSA approved searches of the content of communications of 198 “U.S. person identifiers”—a number associated with the phone, computer, etc. of an American citizen or legal immigrant — and 9,500 searches of meta-data for U.S. person identifiers. The Central Intelligence Agency conducted “fewer than 1900″ queries associated with U.S. person identifiers, according to the letter.
But the FBI could present no hard numbers on how many American citizens it spies on, according to the letter. “The FBI does not track how many queries it conducts using U.S. person identifiers,” the letter says. In fulfilling its mandate as a domestic law enforcement agency, the letter says, “the FBI does not distinguish between U.S. and non-U.S. persons for purposes of querying Section 702 collection.”
Wyden slammed what he termed a “huge gap in oversight” in surveillance of American citizens. “When the FBI says it conducts a substantial number of searches and it has no idea of what the number is, it shows how flawed this system is and the consequences of inadequate oversight,” Wyden said in a statement.
The letter from ODNI comes after a June 5 hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee to discuss the USA FREEDOM Act, a bill to reform domestic surveillance revealed by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and others, in which Wyden pressed National Security Agency Deputy Director Rick Ledgett to say how many “warrantless searches for Americans’ communications have been conducted” under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Section 702 of FISA regulates the monitoring of foreign communications. Though the NSA is officially prohibited from targeting the communications of innocent Americans, due to the nature of global communication in the 21st century and the scale of the mass collection, American citizens’ communications can be swept up in the surveillance dragnet. Other intelligence and law enforcement agencies can query data collected by the NSA for information about their investigations.
As a vocal proponent of reform legislation to curtail the NSA’s surveillance of Americans, Wyden was displeased with the ODNI’s response to his request. “The findings transmitted to me raise questions about whether the FBI is exercising any internal controls over the use of backdoor searches including who and how many government employees can access the personal data of individual Americans,” Wyden’s statement said. “I intend to follow this up until it is fixed.”
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A List of Hidden References You Might Have Missed in Taylor Swift's 'Ready For It' Video
By Cady Lang
Taylor Swift has laid low and avoided social media for much of the past year (even skipping her annual star-studded 4th of July bash). But it’s conceivable that she’s just been spending this whole time conjuring up ways to imbue her new music videos with cryptic messages. When she debuted t=”Look What You Made Me Do,” the first video off her upcoming album Reputation, it was replete with visual clues and lyrics about what the pop princess might think about the various narratives spun around her celebrity. Now it appears her latest music video, for the single “Ready For It,” is taking a similar tack.
While the “Look What You Made Me Do” video is a bonafide diss track with images to back it up, the “Ready For It” video’s romantic bent includes plenty of clues that point to Swift’s current relationship status, proving that even if the Old Taylor “can’t come to the phone right now because she’s dead,” when it comes to her reincarnation, old habits (specifically, a predilection for being in love) might still die hard.
Below, we’ve rounded up a list of hidden references you might have missed in the new video.
Swift’s use of numbers as icons could be a valuable clue as to whom the song is about.
Swift’s obsessions with numbers borders on numerology; the pop princess has a history of sending secret messages to fans using her favorite numbers. So it’s not surprising that the “Ready For It” video opens with a shot of Swift clad in a black hoodie, standing outside of a door that’s graffitied with the numbers 89 and 91. As any casual T-Swift fan will tell you, 1989 is not only the name of one of Swift’s most popular albums, but also the year she was born. A more observant Swiftie will be quick to note that the year 1991 is the year in which Swift’s boyfriend Joe Alwyn was born.
The numerical references continue with the keypad she uses to unlock a door in the video. She presses the number “21,” which fans were quick to point out is Alwyn’s birth date.
She might be hinting at her next music video with the (literal) writing on the wall.
As Swift enters a dark alleyway, there’s more graffiti on the walls, including romantic messages like “All Eyes On Us,” “UR Gorgeous,” “This Is Enough,” “I Love You In Secret,” and, of course, her lucky number “13.” While many of the messages might speak to the relative secrecy with which she and Alwyn have conducted their relationship (at least, in comparison to Hiddleswift season,) the “UR Gorgeous” phrase could also be a hint that her next music video will be for the single “Gorgeous.” The phrases could also be upcoming song lyrics.
Swift is hiding her messages for fans in different languages now.
Before the video’s release, longtime Swift collaborator and “Ready For It” director Joseph Kahn tweeted out that part of the video would be in Chinese.
Once the video debuted, fans were quick to point out that a sign above Swift’s head in one scene included the Chinese characters for the “Year of the Earth Snake,” the zodiac year in which Swift was born. Swift’s use of snake iconography in promoting this album is especially significant because it appropriates the Slytherin imagery she was pelted with on social media following her spat with Kanye West.
Those aren’t the only messages that Swifties found. Another observer pointed to two more messages in Chinese that reference Swift’s new album.
While another translated one of the Chinese signs as reading “Joseph.”
Speaking of Kahn, on one wall, his name appeared to be displayed with a halo drawn above it.
Swift may be reminding fans that she’s liberated from her past “reputation.”
One of the most buzz-worthy visuals in the video is of Swift meeting a sort of fembot version of herself. While one might want to draw a parallel between an “old” Taylor (who, as you might remember, can’t come to the phone right now because she’s dead) and a “new” Taylor, some fans are suggesting that the touchscreen pane of glass between the two of them represents a cage which, when shattered by fembot “new” Taylor, signifies the agency she’s now claiming from the media and the narratives that have surrounded her in the past.
But actually, let’s talk about Swift as a fembot.
Fembot Swift could be a very prescient visual manifestation of the new Swift, who presumably did away with her old self. The decision to make her a kind of robot speaks to the invincibility she may want to project as she sheds past narratives and reputations. Interestingly enough, her hair as fembot Swift is longer and wavier, much like it was when Swift first arrived on the music scene. Is this a clue that Tay wants to return to a simpler time before she became a celebrity fixture?
It’s worth noting that both this fembot form and the video’s visuals in general are heavily influenced by sci-fi movies. A connoisseur of the genre doesn’t have to look too hard to spot references to movies like Ex Machina, Ghost in the Shell, Tron and Blade Runner.
Swift’s emergence as a stronger, albeit robotic, being echoes another Swift music video, 2014’s “Bad Blood.” It’s also worth noting that similar visuals appeared in the music video of her arch-nemesis Kanye West’s 2009 video for “Stronger,” and this isn’t the first time she has appeared to reference West’s work.
Kahn confirmed that Swift’s fembot persona is, indeed, a robot with a clever twist on the pseudonym she used as a ghostwriter on her ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris’ track, “This Is What You Came For.”
Speaking of Calvin Harris…
Swift may still be mining her feelings for her ex.
Throughout the music video, lightning bolts play a prominent part in the visuals, a choice that parallels the equally prominent lightning bolts used by Calvin Harris in the graphics for “This Is What You Came For,” the song that became a major point of conflict after the pair broke up and Swift dramatically revealed that she was the song’s ghostwriter, Nils Sjoberg.
Swift is revisiting the past in order to look to the future.
If the visuals of this album are any indication, Swift is looking to the past to speak to her future in the Reputation era. In this video, she references not only “Bad Blood,” but also “Out of the Woods,” “White Horse,” and “Blank Space,” the last of which is an especially significant choice, given that it overtly referenced the way her romantic life has been portrayed in the media. The video also follows “Look What You Made Me Do,” which explicitly referenced Swift’s past in her journey to shed it.
Swift on a white horse references not only her song “White Horse,” but her music videos for “Blank Space” and “Bad Blood.” In a sense, however, if this song is really about her romantic relationship now, it could speak to the romance of the relationship, as suitors in fairy tales often ride in on “white horses.”
Swift could also be using the visual language to communicate her feelings about celebrity.
In the final shot of the video, Swift is seen on what appears to be the hangar of the private jet from her “Look What You Made Me Do” video. In the shot, graffiti that reads “They’re burning all the witches” is scrawled prominently on the front of the hangar. This could speak to the what fans came to call a “witch hunt” for Swift on social media after Kim Kardashian exposed Swift’s conversation with Kanye West about “Famous,” or the scrutiny the pop star — and her model-filled squad for that matter — has faced regarding her romantic liaisons.
Write to Cady Lang at cady.lang@timemagazine.com.
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Season 20 Episode 17 | 56m
In Out of State, two native Hawaiians sent thousands of miles away to a private prison in the desert find a community of other native Hawaiians and discover indigenous traditions from a fellow inmate serving a life sentence. After finishing their terms and returning to Hawai'i, the men both find life on the outside a struggle and wonder if it’s possible to ever go home again.
Expired: 06/05/19
Season 20 Episode 17
Season 20 Season 19 Season 17 Season 16 Season 15 Season 14 Season 13 Season 12 Season 9
Three rural healthcare providers make a difference in the lives of their patients.
S20 Ep15 | 1h 20m 53s
Out of State premieres on Independent Lens on Monday, May 6, 2019.
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Read how these coaches are connecting with and changing the lives of their students in disadvantaged areas. Then watch WRESTLE on PBS.
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Howard Attebery had many vocations but microbiology was tops on the list.
Elizabeth Whelan
A Man of Science and Romance Inspires the Next Generation
Heather Hamacek
Thursday, March 16, 2017 - 10:05am
When Howard Attebery moved to the Island at age 91 to be with the woman he loved, he brought his first love, that of microbiology, with him.
He married and moved in with Cynthia Riggs and the home library at their West Tisbury home was turned into his lab. The centerpiece of the lab was a high-tech binocular microscope with the capability to hook up to a television monitor, under which Mr. Attebery would study the cellular habits of drops of pond water.
Mr. Attebery died this February at the age of 94, but his lab equipment and his memory will live on at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School in its new home in the new Vernon Jordan science wing. Ms. Riggs and Mr. Attebery’s son Mark decided to donate the equipment and his research papers to the charter school.
Science teacher Jane Paquet will lead a demonstration with Mr. Attebery’s microscope at the charter school at 1 p.m. on March 24. Ms. Riggs, Mark Attebery, his wife Jennifer and their children Luke and Sophia will all be attending.
Mr. Attebery was many things, among them a dentist, a photographer and a romantic. But he always identified as a microbiologist.
In the home they shared for five years, Ms. Riggs recalled Mr. Attebery putting a few drops of water from their fish pond onto a slide and calling her over to have a look. In the water, shown on a 24-inch LG television screen hooked up to the microscope, was a little wiggling creature that looked like a bear. As she watched, the figure began to change.
“All of a sudden, it started wriggling, writhing and squirming, and I asked what’s happening? And he said, ‘I think you’re about to see something that not a lot of people get to see, and that is this is going to divide,’” Ms. Riggs said. “So I watched it, and this little bear stretched and stretched and stretched and all these wiggly things inside started straightening out, it started thinning out like an hour glass and all the sudden it went snap, and there were two of these little bears.”
Mr. Attebery always loved to share science, Ms. Riggs said, and he also loved kids, so it’s fitting the equipment will be going to students.
Paul Karasik, former development director at the school who helped facilitate the donation, said the microscope will be a powerful teaching tool.
“The fact that this esteemed and very elderly scientist would donate this equipment for very young children who are entering into their interest in science and kindling an interest in science, it continues Howard’s legacy through the tools of science,” he said. “There’s something beautiful about that.”
When Mr. Attebery arrived to the Vineyard, he devised a plan to test all the Island freshwater ponds for a protozoa common in Texas, Ms. Riggs said. He finished about five ponds before running out of steam.
“There are only one hundred to go,” she said. Perhaps the students at the charter school will be able to finish his experiment, she added. “I think that would be a neat project for the kids to do.”
Whatever projects the microscope is used for in the future, it will fit right in with the new science wing, which was dedicated at the start of the school year.
“We have a brand new facility, including a brand new storage area to keep such a beautiful and delicate piece of equipment,” said Mr. Karasik.
Ms. Riggs said donating the equipment to the school will help the spirit of Howie live on.
“That’s going to keep Howie going for generations, long after I’m gone,” she said.
Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School
Jim O'Mara, Vineyard Haven
The beauty of biology compared to some sciences is that you can see it and touch it, stimulating interest and imagination. What a fantastic gift and a great tool for teachers. The sciences are never going out of style and in Massachusetts where so much of the economy is based on science what an opportunity to link what students will see through the lens with careers that are nearby. What a fantastic legacy.
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Finding a Place to Flourish
Home is the first word that comes to mind when I think about my time spent at the charter school.
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The Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School graduation is Sunday, June 2 at 1:30 p.m. on school...
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Tag Archives: brain damage
Watchin’ Stuff
Another Schumacher film, 8mm tries to take on the then-topical subject of snuff films. As a thriller it’s decent enough, though a bit heavy-handed. Cage also does some pretty bad acting, but I guess that’s to be expected, isn’t it?
Recently got it into my head to try some of these modern ghost house movies again after seeing the interesting looking trailer for Insidious 4: Dance of the Keymaster or whatever it’s called. Saw this one back around when it came out because everyone and their mother said it was “the most terrifying horror movie ever”, but then it turned out to be another average haunted house movie, so I’ve pretty much ignored all the sequels and spinoffs and other ghost house movies by the same director.
Trying it again, my opinion hasn’t changed a whole lot. It’s decent, but doesn’t really do much new or memorable for the haunted house genre. Still, I continued on…
I think this one was a good deal better. They got a little more creative with the story, threw some more nice creature effects in, and the atmosphere seemed a lot closer to creepy in general. The nun demon was pretty cool and apparently she’s now got her own spinoff movie coming by the director of The Hallow (one of the best recent horror movies), which I might have to actually go see in the theater this time.
The first spinoff of The Conjuring, which felt about the same as the first Conjuring. It’s another average haunted house movie with a few interesting bits, but it’s pretty slow paced and doesn’t really do anything new or exciting.
But again, I liked the sequel much more. Better story, more characters (the previous movie focused almost entirely on a single person), and a lot more creepy scenes and demon appearances. Good times. There was also a quick cameo by the nun from The Conjuring 2. They’re starting to build a whole little universe around all these nutty demonic entities, and that’s sure fine by me.
Do you know how many Amityville movies there are? This is apparently the NINTH one just since the 2005 remake! That makes for a total of 18 Amityville movies. What the fuck? I was never much of a fan of the series. I didn’t really like the original. Amityville 2: The Possession was pretty good, but then it was just a constant stream of garbage after that until that 2005 remake which was pretty good too. I haven’t touched any of the other straight to video garbage after that because they just look unbelievably bad. It seems that Blumhouse now owns the rights to Amityville though, and they have a sort of decent track record for horror movies. Well…they’ve done about an equal number of good ones and terrible ones, which is sadly a pretty good ratio by modern horror production standards.
Anyway, this one looked like it might be halfway decent for once, but guess what? IT WASN’T! ISN’T THAT SHOCKING? Sigh. It wasn’t terrible, I’ve seen much, much worse, but it’s not something I’d ever bother watching again. Supposedly it was originally rated R and got 13 minutes cut out of it to make a PG-13 rating for more mainstream appeal, because you know, all the kids love completely unpromoted Amityville movies…
Pretty decent comedy/heist movie. Kind of dry, not-laugh-out-loud comedy, but still managed to have a suitably entertaining plot. Not much else to say about it. Suitable if you’re looking for a new comedy.
From the director of the Basket Case movies comes this film that I assumed was from the 90’s, but shockingly turned out to be from 2008. What an awful, awful movie. This director is known for his incredibly twisted and trashy films, but this one takes the cake. A woman talks into the camera and excitedly explains that she has 7 clits and so needs to have sex constantly, but ends up getting so violent during that she usually kills the guy, and also magically has 2 hour long pregnancies each time that make her pop out little mutant babies that she just leaves lying where they popped out.
Really, it’s not all that different from the crazy plots of the Basket Case movies, but where those had a lot of goofy creature effects to gawk at, this just has a woman who can’t act very well talking into the camera a lot and having a lot of really badly acted sex scenes. The production quality is just horrible by relatively modern standards and it all just put me off before the movie could even be bothered to get around to introducing the guy with the mutant super dick for her to fall in love with like the movie’s descriptions say.
Another one from the director of Basket Case, this one’s from the 80’s and seems to have a budget more fitting of its time period. It’s cheap and completely ridiculous, but it still manages to do more with its limited budget than Bad Biology did. This one is the story of a man who finds a strange little creature which begins to inject amazing psychedelic drugs directly into his brain. Unfortunately, the drug is severely addictive and the creature happens to have his own addiction to eating human brains.
It’s not a great movie, but it’s…certainly something to see. Definitely unique and memorable, if a little rough around the edges.
Haven’t seen this one in quite a while. Brainscan is a painfully 90’s horror movie with a sci-fi twist that has a semi-sociopathic Eddie Furlong dealing with a CD-ROM horror game that seems to have come to life and taken over his world through the use of truly nonsensical technology that you could only see in a 90’s movie. It all has a kind of 90’s FMV game feel to it too. I don’t know that anyone who didn’t have a fixation with bad old FMV games could actually appreciate this one. It’s pretty ridiculous, but I like it anyway.
I don’t know why this was lumped in with my pile of crappy old horror movies. I guess because it was directed by Lamberto Bava, but it’s just a cheap action/drama film about a cop-turned-vigilante who carries around his signature weapon of…a futuristic shotgun with a high-tech scope on it. Who puts a scope on a shotgun? Ridiculous. Not that it matters much, because as soon as we’re shown this fancy gun, he puts it away and doesn’t touch it again until almost the end of the movie. Anyway, instead of him gunning down criminals in the city like you’d think, it’s about the guy’s life after he got caught and did time for gunning down a criminal, and how he tries to go live a quiet life afterwards in a backwoods country town, but ends up getting into a war with a bunch of hick locals over their questionable deer hunting tactics. Then his long lost daughter shows up and then gets raped and killed by the hicks, because of course she does. I guess in the end this is just another one of those “exploitation” films and I’ve never seen one of those that I’ve liked. This one’s no different. It’s not funny-bad, it’s just bad-bad.
Well, that does it for this time, and hey, I made it all the way through the B’s in my big pile of recent horror crap! Only 24 more letters worth to go…
4 Comments Posted in Movies Tagged 8mm, amityville awakening, annabelle, annabelle creation, bad biology, blastfighter, brain damage, horror, logan lucky, Movies, the conjuring, the conjuring 2, watchin' stuff
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Legality of Indian Claim on Kashmir
Following the World War-II, there has been an unremitting resistance by the people of Subcontinent against the ruling British colonial power. Under the swelling pressure of the people of subcontinent, the British Government finally had to announce the partition of the Subcontinent on June 3, 1947. However, the British Parliament formally passed “The Indian Independence Act-1947” on July 17, 1947. As per provision of Article-I of the Independence Act, India was to be partitioned into two Dominions namely “India” and “Pakistan” from 15th day of August 1947.
However, Article 7 of the Indian Independence Act very clearly states that from 15th August 1947, “the suzerainty of His Majesty over the Indian states lapse and with it lapses all treaties and agreements in force at the date of the passing of this Act between His Majesty and the rulers of Indian states”. Consequent upon this, all powers and functions, which were exercisable by the British Government in relation to the Princely States, also ceased.
All agreements of British governments with either rulers or states also lapsed on 15th of August 1947. Since the state of Jammu and Kashmir was a Princely State with a special autonomous status, therefore, it can be very conveniently said that on 15th day of August 1947, the Maharaja Sir Hari Singh was not the permissible ruler of the state of Jammu and Kashmir as all his treaties with British India lapsed on that day. Once he was not a ruler of the state, he had no right to sign the instrument of accession (if at all he signed that) with the new Indian dominion. This title to the state was granted to him by the British Government (East India Company) under the Treaty of Amritsar (Kashmir Sale deed) signed on 16 March 1846 and lapsed on the appointed day of 15th August 1947.
Besides, on July 25, 1947 in his address to special full meetings of the Chamber of Princes held in New Delhi, Lord Mountbatten categorically told all princes of Princely States that they were practically free to join any one of dominions; India or Pakistan. He however clarified that, while acceding to any dominion they could take into account geographical contiguity and wishes of the people. In case of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, either of the above factors was favouring state’s accession to Pakistan, but Maharaja Hari Singh did not accept this basic precondition of accession.
Indian claim that its forces landed Srinagar Airport on October 27, 1947, only after signatures on Instrument of Accession by Maharaja and the Indian government is also fallacious. Indeed, a heavy contingent of Patiala State was involved in fighting against the Kashmiri rebellions in Uri Sector on 18 October 1947, which means that they were very much inside the State`s territory much earlier than October 27, 1947.
On 24 October 1947, Kashmiris formally declared their independence from Dogra Raj and established their own government with the name of Azad (Free) Kashmir Government. Following this Maharaja Hari Singh sent his deputy Prime Minister Mr. R.L. Batra to New Delhi for Indian military assistance to his Government against those revolted and tribal from NWFP who joined their brethrens against a tyrant rule. He (Batra) met the Indian Prime Minster and other prominent Indian leaders and requested for assistance without making any mention or promise of state’s accession to the Indian Union. The Indian government instead sent Mr. V.P Menon (Indian Secretary of State) to Kashmir to assess the situation on the spot by himself on 25 October 1947.
After assessing, the situation in Kashmir Mr. V.P Menon flew back to New Delhi on 26 October 1947, together with Kashmiri Prime Minster Mr. Mahajan, who met top Indian leadership, seeking military assistance. He was refused to get that until state’s formal accession with India. On this Kashmiri Premier threatened the Indian leadership that if immediate military assistance was not granted, he would go to Lahore for negotiations with Pakistani leadership over the future status of the state. In a parallel development, Sheikh Abdullah met Indian Premier, Jawaharlal Nehru, on the same day, October 26, 1947, who agreed to despatch military assistance to the Kashmir government.
As stated by Mahajan, the Kashmiri Prime Minister, that V.P. Menon accompanied him to convince Hari Singh for accession of the State with India on 27 October 1947. Under the compulsion, Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession on the same day i.e. 27 October 1947, which was later taken to Lord Mountbatten (Indian Governor General), who also signed that on the same day (27 October), which was practically difficult. V.P. Menon, however, states that all these formalities of signatures were completed on 26 October 1947, which is impracticable. This version, however, seems concocted as even contradicted by pro Indian Kashmiri Premier. Both however are unanimous on one point that Indian state forces landed at Srinagar airfield in the morning of 27 October 1947 and a battalion of Patiala State received them there, which was already there. Read more of this post
Filed under America, Europe, Geopolitics, History, human rights, India, Islam, Kashmir, Pakistan, World Tagged with 1947, East India Company, Freedom, freedom struggle in kashmir, Hindu Extremists, hinduvta, human rights, human rights violations in kashmir, India, Indian atrocities in kashmir, Indian government, Indian Occupied Kashmir, Indian state terrorism in kashmir, Jammu, Jawaharlal Nehru, Kashmir, Kashmir dispute, kashmir is burning, Kashmir Issue, kashmir muslims, Kashmir protests, Kashmir valley, Kashmiri Prime Ministers, Kashmiri rebellions, Maharaja Sir Hari Singh, Mr Alexander Symon, Mr. Mahajan, Mr. R.L. Batra, Muslims of Subcontinent, occupation of kashmir by indian forces, Pakistan, pandit kak, Partition, Patiala State, plebiscite, Sheikh Abdullah, the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Treaty of Amritsar, UNO, UNSC resolutions, V.P. Menon
Yasin Malik threatens return of militancy in Kashmir
Kashmiri Protests
NEW DELHI: Indian-administered Kashmir risks a return to militancy and violent protests if New Delhi fails to push a stalled peace process in the disputed region, one of the state’s most influential separatist leaders said on Tuesday.
Yasin Malik’s comments came amid a spurt in militant attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir in the last week, combined with diplomatic limbo between India and Pakistan.
Talks over Kashmir between the Congress party-led government and separatist groups broke down in 2006.
While at least 150,000 people have been killed since the start of an insurgency in 1989, the region has gradually become free of violence in the last few years.
Huge and mostly peaceful protests by pro-separatist Kashmiris in 2008 and 2009 sparked hopes New Delhi may try to reignite a peace process, but both sides made little progress amid mutual suspicion and New Delhi’s fraught ties with Islamabad after the Mumbai attacks.
“The need of the hour is to restore the credibility of the dialogue process,” Yasin Malik, head of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front which pushes for a peaceful campaign for Kashmiri independence, told Reuters during a conference in New Delhi.
“It has taken us so many years with a very hard effort to bring a transition from violent movement to non-violent movement. This transition needs to be respected … If Kashmiris are not given respect they could fall back to a violent past.” Read more of this post
Filed under Kashmir Tagged with India, Indian Occupied Kashmir, Islamabad, Kashmir dispute, Kashmir protests, Kashmir violence, Kashmiri muslims, New Dehli, Pakistan, Yasin Malik
Indian police kill two in Kashmir demo
Indian troops have killed two suspected militants in Kashmir during clashed on Sunday, as demonstrators held the second day of protests over the death of a Muslim youth.
The suspected militants were killed during clashes with Indian troops in the southern Reasi district, army spokesman Biplab Bath told AFP.
The clashed erupted during demonstrations over the Friday incident in Srinagar, in which Inayat Ahmad was fatally shot by India’s paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force. Eight others sustained injuries when the police used tear gas to push the crowd back.
Chanting anti-India slogans, hundreds of Kashmiris stormed the streets in defiance of a police ban on demonstrations following the death of the 16-year-old.
“They killed our son. What was his fault? He was killed on his way home from school,” a protesting relative told Press TV on Saturday.
Over the past two decades, the conflict in Kashmir has left over 47,000 people dead by the official count, although other sources say the death toll could be as high as 90,000.
“We are protesting against the Indian occupation as we do not want to live with India. We are occupied here. We are showing the world that we want to be free and want to be independent,” another Kashmiri demonstrator was quoted as saying on Saturday.
Filed under Kashmir Tagged with India, Indian Held Kashmir, Indian Occupied Kashmir, Indian state terrorism, Islam, Kashmir, Kashmir dispute, Kashmir protests, Kashmiri muslims, Pakistan
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Chaotic Kabul
Afghan security forces gather at the scene of attack in central Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Jan. 18, 2010. Taliban militants struck the heart of the Afghan government in Kabul on Monday, prompting fierce gunbattles after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the presidential palace. (Ahmad Massoud/AP Photo)
It is quite obvious from yesterday’s incidents that the huge US-led ISAF force of over 100,000, has failed even to secure the Afghan Capital Kabul against attacks from the resistance. All they have done during the past eight years or so in the country is to cause widespread havoc, kill people by the tens of thousands, lay waste vast tracts of land and pulverise mountains.
Characteristic of guerrilla tactics, fighters of the Afghan resistance suddenly emerged from nowhere to strike at principal official buildings in Kabul on Monday, after they had reportedly quietly slipped into the Capital. There were explosions near the southern gate of the Presidency and a huge pall of smoke circled overhead. Smoke was also seen near the Central Bank and the Justice and Finance Ministries, and Kabul’s only four-star hotel Serena and two shopping centres were on fire. There were chaotic scenes, as the people ran away from the directions from where the noises of exploding rockets and grenades and gunshots were being heard. NATO and international forces, working with the Afghan security, were busy trying to secure the area, as the Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid warned that as many as 20 of his men were engaged in the fighting that, latest reports suggest, has left 10 dead and many more injured. Officials maintain that among the dead are four suicide bombers.
To be exact, the resistance fighters did not have to come from anywhere; they are the ordinary Afghan citizens, who are determined to drive out the occupation forces, and might as well be living in the city. To cloud this reality, however, they are called Taliban – terrorists in the US and allies’ terminology.
And if the world had thought that the freezing winter of the country would dampen their fighting spirit, it was badly mistaken. In fact, by the time summer sets in, the 37,000-odd US and NATO surge that would most probably be in place by then to augment the strength, would find a revitalised resistance ready to face the new challenge.
The solution clearly is not the surge but withdrawal without further delay. The resentment caused by the presence of foreign forces in the country has been swelling the ranks of resistance fighters. One hopes that the Americans intend living up to their declarations, as repeated by Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke, that negotiations should be held with the Taliban. They must acknowledge the fact that there is little distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Taliban when it comes to the urge for independence. The only right course for them is to leave Afghanistan and let the people work out a system of governance that reflects the country’s ethnic mix and suits them best, and for Pakistan to stop fighting its own people and settle differences through negotiations.(The Nation)
Filed under World Tagged with Afghan capital, Al-Qaida, central kabul, Chaotic kabul, good and bad, Holbrooke, ISAF, Kabul attack, karzai regime, mountains, NATO, negotiations, new challenge, News, Obama Administration, occupation forces, ordinary afghan citizens, Pakistan, Politics, presidency, resistance fighters, Serena on fire, so-called War on Terror, Taleban, Taliban, Terrorism, terrorists, troops surge, US, US and allies, War in afghanistan, Winter, withdrawl from afghanistan
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'Why does our freedom scare you so?'
Madeleine Pownall watches Lipstick Under My Burkha.
An unapologetically feminist film, Lipstick under my Burkha has taken five months for the Central Board of Film Certification to allow it to be screened in Indian cinemas, after previously (and publicly) branding it as ‘lady oriented’ with ‘abusive words and audio pornography’. The film’s formula is relatively straightforward: take four women, follow their lives and highlight the injustices that they face. Throw in an ample seasoning of humour, a healthy dose of outrage and plenty of brilliant one-liners and something quite unique is created. Lipstick under my Burkha emerges as a social and political commentary that is written, directed and enacted by the women at the heart of the inequalities it discusses. Social media has branded it the #lipstickrebellion and this is rather apt. It is rebellious, and prompts the audience to consider a question asked by one of the female protagonists staring dead-pan down the camera lens: ‘Why does our freedom scare you so?’
The film follows four women, each attempting to find their own place in India’s patriarchal society. The story begins with Rehana (Plabita Borthakur), a bright-eyed college student who shoplifts lipsticks from the mall after school and dreams of Hollywood. By day, she dutifully plays the role of desexualised, obedient daughter working in her parent’s burkha shop. By night, she strips off her burkha (a rather obvious but effective symbol of her oppression) and dances on her bed listening to her idol – Miley Cyrus. Leela (Aahana Kumra) a slightly wilder and more passionate character, dreams of love and sex. Shirin (Konkona Sen Sharma), a mother of three living under the thumb of her manipulative husband, works as a saleswoman and is forced to hide her successful career from her tyrannical husband. These women continuously grapple with sexuality and identity, and are products of the shift from body-for-others to body-for-self that exists within Indian ideals (George, 2002).
These women’s stories are insightful and colourful. However there is one narrative that transforms Lipstick under my Burkha from an enjoyable film about oppression to a full-frontal political and social masterpiece. The story of Usha (Ratna Pathak) is the apex of the movie’s plot. As a more mature maternal figure in the community, she is assumed by all to be asexual. She refutes this, spending her evenings hunched over the pages of an erotic novel. Armed with a new-found sense of agency, she brazenly decides to start swimming lessons after becoming smitten with the local swimming teacher. This prompts a series of giggling late-night phone calls, and she delights in the anonymity of her lust. Gilligan (1982) discusses the interplay between female identities that are both maternal and sexual. Using Gilligan’s words, Usha attempts to 'restore sexual symmetry', finding a middle ground between the two (seemingly) mutually exclusive realms of motherhood and sexuality. However, as we later learn, these attempts are met harshly when her full identity is revealed.
In Woman, Body, Desire in Post-Colonial India: Narratives of Gender and Sexuality (2002), Jyoti Puri acknowledges that Indian women’s narratives are significantly shaped by their body and sexuality. Indeed, she also notes how women increasingly 'internalise, reproduce and challenge strategies of social control'. Lipstick under my Burkha has all the makings of a kick-ass feminist fantasy – until the ending. The characters eventually find themselves rejected from society, and (quite literally) thrown out of their homes. They rejoin and end up sat cross-legged together sharing a cigarette. This gives the ending of the film a rather solemn and sympathetic feel. Despite the growing evidence of a 'restructuring and reorientation of women's roles' in India (Dhawan, 2005), the prominence of female oppression is still very much real.
I saw this film at the Bradford Literature Festival in a small but comfortable theatre in the city’s media museum. Surrounded by men and women in both burkhas and jeans, there was an overwhelming sense of community that rippled through the audience when the credits began to roll. I believe it is left to psychologists to trasform these messages into real social change. Lipstick under my Burkha won’t end female oppression, but it’s as good a place as any to start.
“This film is our film. Seeing Lipstick Waale Sapne, we dare to dream free.” – Shristi Malhotra for Feminism in India
- Reviewed by Madeleine Pownall, an undergraduate at the University of Lincoln. She blogs at http://thoughtbubblesblog.co.uk
George, A. (2002). Embodying identity through heterosexual sexuality-newly married adolescent women in India. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 4(2), 207-222.
Dhawan, N. (2005). Women's role expectations and identity development in India. Psychology and Developing Societies, 17(1), 81-92.
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Arquivos Mensais: junho \30\UTC 2019
por Prof. Dr. Ozimo Gama em 30 de junho de 2019 | Deixe um comentário
The association between GERD and obesity has generated great interest, because obesity has been indicated as a potential risk factor for reflux disease. A directly dependent relationship has been reported because an increase in body mass index has mirrored an increase in the risk of GERD. The incidence of reflux in the obese population has been cited as high as 61%. The pathophysiologic mechanism underlying the link between obesity and GERD has not been fully elucidated and seems to be multifaceted. As the number of obese patients is increasing, so is the volume and variety of bariatric procedures. The effect of bariatric surgery on preexisting GERD or newly developed GERD differs by procedure.
GERD AFTER ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been used as a standalone reflux procedure. Mechanisms of the antireflux effect of RYGB include diverting bile from the Roux limb, promoting weight loss, lowering acid production in the gastric pouch, rapid pouch emptying, and decreasing abdominal pressure over the LES. Several studies have examined the relationship between GERD and RYGB. Studies have also analyzed symptomatic relief by using questionnaires before and after the procedure. One study has examined further the incidence of esophagitis postoperatively on endoscopy. Merrouche and colleagues showed a 6% incidence of esophagitis on endoscopy after RYGB; however, the preoperative incidence was not mentioned.
Pallati and colleagues also examined the GERD symptoms after several bariatric procedures by using the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database. GERD score improvement was highest in the RYGB group; 56.5% of patients showed improvement of symptoms. The study concluded that RYGB was superior to all other procedures in improving GERD. The proposed but unproven mechanisms included a greater weight loss and a decrease in the amount of gastric juice in the proximal pouch. The study, however, did not show any objective measures of GERD improvement. Another study by Frezza and colleagues showed a significant decrease in GERD-related symptoms over the 3-year study after laparoscopic RYGB, with decrease in reported heartburn from 87% to 22% (P<.001). The authors proposed that, in addition to volume reduction and rapid egress, the mechanism of how this procedure affects symptoms of GERD is through weight loss and elimination of acid production in the gastric pouch. The gastric pouch lacks parietal cells; thus, there is minimal to no acid production and also, owing to its small size, it minimizes any reservoir capacity to promote regurgitation.
Varban and colleagues examined the utilization of acid-reducing medications (proton pump inhibitor and H2-blockers) at 1 year after various bariatric procedures. The groups reported that at 1 year after RYGB, 56.2% of patients would discontinue an acid-reducing medication that they had been using at baseline. Interestingly, the group also showed that 19.2% of patients would also start a new acid-reducing medication after RYGB. Given the number of studies that have reported improvement in GERD symptoms after RYGB, this procedure is now widely accepted as the procedure of choice for treatment of GERD in the morbidly obese patient. Although no increased risk is conferred to patients with a body mass index of 35 kg/m2 or higher who undergo fundoplication for GERD the recommendation and practice of many surgeons is to perform a laparoscopic gastric bypass in lieu of fundoplication owing to its favorable effect on other comorbid conditions. In addition, advocates of the RYGB are promoting a conversion to an RYGB instead of a redo fundoplication.
In a recent study, Stefanidis and colleagues followed 25 patients who had previous failed fundoplication, which was taken down and converted to an RYGB. Patients were followed with the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index and the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Sale. The revision surgery led to resolution of GERD symptoms for a majority of the patients. The authors concluded that an RYGB after a failed fundoplication has excellent symptomatic control of symptoms and excellent quality of life. However, owing to the technical challenges of the procedure and the potential for high morbidity, it should only be performed by experienced surgeons.
GERD AFTER SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY
Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), which was originally described as a first stage of the biliopancreatic diversion, is a relatively new treatment alternative for morbid obesity. It has become popular owing to its technical simplicity and its proven weight loss outcomes. Although it has many positive effects on obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, the association between GERD and SG remains controversial. Although some studies have reported improvement in GERD symptoms after SG, the majority of studies have reported an increase in GERD symptoms. The International Sleeve Gastrectomy Expert Panel reported a postoperative rate of GERD symptoms after SG in up to 31%; however, others cited increased GERD prevalence after surgery between 2.1% and 34.9%.
Studies Showing an INCREASE: Several studies have shown an increase of GERD after SG at various time points. The comparison between different studies is difficult owing to variations in the definition of GERD. Although some have utilized the use of proton pump inhibitors as a diagnostic tool, others have used the definition of typical heartburn and/or acid regurgitation occurring at least once per week. Few studies used objective data to define reflux.
Tai and colleagues examined symptoms of GERD and erosive esophagitis at 1 year after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The groups concluded that there was a significant increase in the prevalence of GERD symptoms and erosive esophagitis (P<.001), in addition to a significant increase in the prevalence of hiatal hernias (P<.001), which was higher in patients who presented with erosive esophagitis after LSG. Others have shown a similar increase of GERD at 1 year. Himpens and colleagues compared adjustable gastric banding (AGB) and SG at 1 and 3 years after procedures. GERD seemed de novo after 1 year in 8.8% and 21.8% of patients with AGB and SG, respectively. At 3 years, however, rates changed to 20.5% and 3.1% in the ABG and SG groups. Another study followed patients for more than 6 years and reported 23% to 26% of patients reporting frequent episodes of GERD. Various mechanisms have been postulated to cause symptoms of GERD after LSG. As SG alters the gastroesophageal anatomy, it has been hypothesized that the anatomic abnormalities created contribute to the development of GERD in patients.
Lazoura and colleagues showed that the final shape of the sleeve can influence the development of GERD. The group showed that patients with tubular pattern and inferior pouch (preservation of the antrum) did better in terms of regurgitation and vomiting compared with a tubular sleeve with a superior pouch. Others have also suggested the importance of antral preservation to avoid GERD development. An increase in acid production capacity can cause reflux in the case of an overly dilated sleeve, whereas impaired esophageal acid clearance can lead to reflux in a smaller sleeve. Formation of a neofundus can in an effort to avoid fistulas may also lead to development of GERD. Daes and colleagues further concentrated on describing and standardizing the procedure to reduce GERD symptoms. The authors identified 4 technical errors that led to development of GERD after the procedure: relative narrowing at the junction of the vertical and horizontal parts of the sleeve, dilation of the fundus, twisting of the sleeve, and persistence of hiatal hernia or a patulous cardia. By ensuring careful attention to surgical technique and performing a concomitant hiatal hernia repair in all patients, they reduced the rate of postoperative GERD to only 1.5%. The group concluded that hiatal hernia is the most important predisposing factor.
Studies Showing REDUCTION: Several studies have reported either decreased or no association between GERD and LSG. Interestingly, in some of these studies, GERD improvement has been reported as a secondary outcome. Rawlins and colleagues reported an improvement of symptoms in 53% of patients, but de novo GERD in 16% of patients. A multicenter prospective database review examined GERD in all 3 major bariatric procedures and reported improvement in all. The authors used medication use to define GERD. A small portion of patients reported worsening GERD, which was highest in the SG group. Sharma and colleagues also reported an improvement of GERD as assessed by symptom questionnaires, as well as improvement in grade of esophagitis on endoscopy. The possible mechanisms for improvement of GERD postoperatively are faster gastric emptying, reduction in gastric reservoir function, gastrointestinal hormonal modifications, decrease in acid secretions, and decrease in weight. Daes and colleagues reported a decrease in incidence of GERD by using a standardized operative technique and concomitant repair of hiatal hernia.
Owing to conflicting reports about the association between GERD and LSG, this procedure is controversial in patients with preexisting GERD. If LSG is considered in this population, hiatal hernia repair and meticulous technique are essential. We would like to emphasize the importance of preoperative testing to define the anatomy and evaluate preexisting GERD, esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, or the presence of hiatal hernia.
Publicado em: Cirurgia do Aparelho Digestivo | Marcado:BARIATRIC SURGERY, gerd, obesity
In the healthy adult, the pancreas is a soft, retroperitoneal glandular organ, lying transversely and oblique and draped over the vertebral column at the level of L1–L2 vertebrae. The bulk or volume of the pancreas varies and increases during the first 2–3 decades of life but progressively atrophies with aging. The pancreas is divided into five parts: the head, neck, body, tail, and uncinate process. The neck, head, and uncinate process are encompassed by the C-loop of the duodenum, to the anatomic right of the midline, and are in intimate relationship with the superior mesenteric vessels medially. The body extends laterally to the anatomic left, posterior to the stomach, with the tail terminating in the splenic hilum.
The organ is surrounded by a thin capsule that is loosely attached to its surface. Most of the anterior surface of the pancreas is covered with peritoneum, except where it is crossed by the root of the transverse mesocolon, as well as where there is direct contact with the first part of the duodenum and the splenic hilum. The head of the pancreas is the thickest part of the gland. Anteriorly, it is related to the origin of the transverse mesocolon. Posteriorly, the head is related to the inferior vena cava (IVC), the right gonadal vein near its entrance into the vena cava, and the right crus of the diaphragm. The common bile duct runs either on the posterior surface of the pancreatic head or is embedded within the parenchyma of the gland.
The transitional zone between the head and the body of the pancreas is termed the neck. It is defined by its anatomic location anterior to the formation of the portal vein (usually by the confluence of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins).It is approximately 2 cm wide and usually the most anteriorly located portion of the pancreas. Anteriorly the neck is covered by peritoneum and is related to the pylorus superiorly. Its posterior aspect is grooved by the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and the portal vein (PV).
The anterior body of the pancreas is covered by the peritoneal layer that constitutes part of the posterior wall of the lesser sac. Toward the inferior border of the pancreas, the peritoneal layer is reflected anteroinferiorly to form the superior leaf of the transverse mesocolon. The posterior surface of the body lies on the fusion fascia of Toldt in the retroperitoneum, the so-called bloodless plane of Treves. The posterior body is related to the abdominal aorta and the origin of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), the left crus of the diaphragm, the left renal vein, the left kidney, and the left adrenal gland, from right to left.
The pancreas has important relationships to major blood vessels, of relevance to surgery of the pancreas. The splenic vein runs along the posterior surface of the gland in a groove of variable depth, sometimes almost entirely embedded within the pancreatic parenchyma. The celiac trunk and its branches emanate along the superior border of the body, with the common hepatic artery running to the right and the splenic artery to the left. The inferior border of the pancreas is crossed posteriorly by the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV), typically at its confluence with the splenic vein, and it serves as a useful landmark for identification of the former vessel on cross-sectional imaging.
The tail of the pancreas is the relatively mobile, left-most part of the pancreas that is confined between the layers of the splenorenal ligament together with the splenic artery and the origin of the splenic vein. It is 1.5–3.5 cm long in adults and may extend variably to the hilum of the spleen in 50% of cases and may extend posterior to vessels in the hilum. This makes the tail of the pancreas vulnerable to injury during splenectomy and needs to be visualized prior to ligating the splenic vessels. The uncinate process can be considered as a distinct part of the pancreas due to its different embryologic origin and its location extending posterior to the superior mesenteric vessels.
It extends in the plane between the superior mesenteric vessels anteriorly and the aorta posteriorly. Superiorly, it relates to the left renal vein. It lies immediately superior to the third part of the duodenum, such that tumors arising in the uncinate process can compress the former leading to duodenal obstruction. The main pancreatic duct of Wirsung begins at the tail of the pancreas and runs through the body roughly midway between the superior and inferior border. It receives multiple small ductules throughout its course that drain the pancreatic parenchyma, thus increasing progressively in diameter from 1 mm in the tail to 3 mm in the head. It deviates inferiorly and posteriorly in the head as it courses toward the main ampulla. The pancreatic duct and bile duct are usually separated by the transampullary septum before joining in a “Y” configuration within the duodenal wall.
The terminal part of the two ducts is surrounded by a complex circular arrangement of smooth muscle fibers known as the sphincter of Oddi. The sphincter of Oddi is anatomically distinct from the muscular layers of the duodenum, and it has a dual function: (a) to regulate flow of biliary and pancreatic secretions into the duodenal lumen and (b) to impede reflux of intestinal content into the pancreatobiliary ductal system. The accessory duct of Santorini runs superior and parallel to the duct of Wirsung. It drains part of the head of the pancreas into the minor duodenal papilla, roughly 1–2 cm proximal to the ampulla of Vater. The pattern of fusion of the main and accessory ducts is variable and can be entirely separate (pancreas divisum).
Publicado em: Cirurgia do Aparelho Digestivo | Marcado:Abdominal Surgical Anatomy
Obesity is one of the most significant health problems worldwide, and the prevalence has been increasing over the past decade. Despite improvement in the performance of bariatric surgery, complications are not uncommon. These complications vary according to baseline patient characteristics, the duration of time since the operation, and the type of bariatric surgery performed. Endoscopy is the cornerstone in the diagnosis of postoperative complications after bariatric surgery, and may even be performed in the early postoperative course. With an increasing number of patients being referred for endoscopic evaluation following bariatric surgery, it is essential to develop an understanding of the anatomic changes for optimal assessment and appropriate treatment of these patients.
Early and late dumping syndrome occurs not uncommonly in patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery when large quantities of simple carbohydrates are ingested. Early dumping typically occurs within 15 minutes of ingestion and has been attributed to rapid fluid shifts from the plasma into the bowel from hyperosmolality of the food. Late dumping occurs hours after eating and results from hyperglycemia and the subsequent insulin response leading to hypoglycemia. When hypoglycemia is severe, treatment with a low carbohydrate diet and an alphaglucosidase inhibitor may be effective. Furthermore, restoration of gastric restriction using an endoscopic approach to reduce the aperture of the GJA has also demonstrated to be effective in management of this condition.
The initial management of dumping syndrome is dietary modifications. Recommendations include consuming smaller meals by dividing daily calorie intake into six meals and delaying liquids at least 30 min after meals Rapidly absorbable simple carbohydrates should also be avoided. Adjuncts to diet modification include pectin and guar gum, which slow down gastric emptying by increasing food viscosity. Acarbose, which interferes with carbohydrate absorption in the small intestines, has also proven to relieve symptoms in small studies. After dietary modifications, medications such as somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide) alleviate symptoms by delaying gastric emptying and small bowel transit time, as well as inhibiting gastric hormones and insulin secretion. Multiple studies have evaluated both short- and longterm somatostatin therapies, with results showing sustained symptom control in patients refractory to dietary modifications. In severe cases refractory to medical management, surgical interventions, such as narrowing of the anastomosis, conversion of the prior bariatric surgery, and using jejunostomy parenteral feeding, may help. Follow-up with gastrointestinal specialists and the patient’s bariatric surgeon is strongly recommended if dumping syndrome is suspected.
An important metabolic complication which is attracting increasing interest is postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (PHH), characterized by hypoglycemic symptoms developing 1–3 h after a meal accompanied by a low blood glucose level. This condition should be distinguished from early dumping syndrome where symptoms develop within minutes to 1 h after a meal of caloric dense food, caused by the rapid and unregulated emptying of food into the jejunum, which induces rapid fluid entry into the small bowel. Early dumping often occurs early in the postoperative period, most commonly after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, whereas PHH may develop months to years after surgery.
Symptoms related to post-PHH usually develop late after surgery in contrast to early dumping. Symptoms are wide ranging, but are usually related to Whipple’s triad: symptomatic hypoglycemia, a low plasma glucose level, and resolution of symptoms after the administration of glucose. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include anxiety, sweating, tremors, palpitations, confusion, weakness, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision, disorientation, and possibly loss of consciousness.
Because of variability in degree of symptoms and the absence of a clear pathophysiology, management of this condition can be challenging. Fortunately, a significant percentage of patients with milder forms of the condition can be managed with dietary modifications consisting of frequent small meals with a low glycemic index. This requires supervision by a dietitian and long-term patient compliance. Additional benefit has been obtained by the addition of acarbose, an α glucosidase inhibitor in doses 100–300 mg. Successful management has been also reported in case reports or small case series with diazoxide, calcium channel blockers, and somatostatin analogues. The role of GLP-1 in the pathogenesis of this condition is supported by the observation that infusions of GLP-1 antagonists corrected hypoglycemia in these patients. These agents are investigational at present, but provide opportunity for additional future treatment approaches. For patients with persistent symptoms despite medical treatment, reversal of the bariatric procedure should be considered. Partial pancreatectomy, although used in the past, is now not recommended because of the significant morbidity and poor long-term symptom control. Postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia is an important, potentially dangerous late complication of metabolic surgery. Successful diagnosis and management of this condition requires multidisciplinary specialty resources and essential long-term follow-up capabilities.
Publicado em: Cirurgia do Aparelho Digestivo | Marcado:BARIATRIC SURGERY, gastrectomy, obesity
Bariatric procedures differ in their ability to ameliorate T2DM, with intestinal bypass procedures generally associated with greater glycemic control and remission rates than purely restrictive procedures. There has been until now a paucity of data from RCTs comparing the efficacy of various bariatric procedures to treat diabetes. The recently published RCT by Schauer et al. also indicates superior efficacy of RYGB over sleeve gastrectomy in the treatment of diabetes in obese individuals. On the other hand, BPD produced greater remission of diabetes in morbidly obese patients compared to RYGB (95 % versus 75 %) in the RCT reported by Mingrone et al.
Sleeve Gastrectomy as Metabolic Surgery
Karamanakos et al. showed that LSG suppressed fasting and postprandial ghrelin levels and attributed this decrease in ghrelin to improved postoperative satiety and greater weight loss at 1year compared to LRYGB. The LRYGB group in this study had an initial decrease in ghrelin levels after surgery, but these levels returned to normal levels within 3 months. Lee et al. studied the treatment of patients with a low body mass index and type 2 diabetes mellitus between the two groups. LRYGB is reportedly more effective than LSG; they conclude that both procedures have strong hindgut effects after surgery, but LRYGB has a significant duodenal exclusion effect on cholecystokinin. The LSG group had lower acylated ghrelin and des-acylated ghrelin levels but greater concentrations of resistin than the LRYGB group. In addition to evaluations of ghrelin, there are now several small studies demonstrating that gastric emptying is increased after sleeve gastrectomy. The loss of a large reservoir in the gastric fundus and body and preservation of the antral pump provide a reasonable explanation for this finding. A secondary effect of earlier distal bowel stimulation with nutrients after meals due to increased gastric emptying time may be similar to the effects seen after gastric bypass.
Several mechanistic studies have demonstrated early and exaggerated postprandial peak levels of Peptide YY3–36 and GLP-1 after LSG. GLP-1 is an incretin that stimulates insulin production and releases from pancreatic islet cells, and the increased PYY3–36 results in satiety and reduced food intake. Karamanakos et al. have independently shown that the sleeve gastrectomy does have the effect of increasing the transit time of chyme despite an intact pylorus as measured by increased postprandial PYY levels.
Peterli et al. performed a randomized prospective trial with 13 LRYGB and 14 LSG patients to investigate the potential mechanism of LSG focusing on foregut and hindgut mechanisms. They found marked improvement in glucose homeostasis 1 week after surgery in both groups. This improvement was associated with early, exaggerated increases in GLP-1 secretion at 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively in both groups. In addition to changes in GLP-1, PYY3–36 increased significantly and ghrelin was suppressed in both groups. It is unclear whether PYY3–36 has a direct effect on glucose homeostasis or if its effects are exhibited via appetite reduction and concomitant weight loss. Preoperatively, some patients had a blunted PYY3–36 and GLP-1 response suggesting some “resistance” to these gut hormones in obese patients. These findings suggest that the LSG should not be viewed merely as a restrictive procedure but also as a procedure that has neurohormonal and incretin effects.
Gastric Bypass versus Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Ramon et al. compared the effects of LRYGB and LSG on glucose metabolism and levels of gastrointestinal hormones such as ghrelin, leptin, GLP-1, peptide YY (PYY), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) in morbid obese patients. This prospective, randomized study confirmed that the postprandial response of ghrelin, GLP-1, and PYY was maintained in patients undergoing LSG for 12 months after surgery and was similar to the LRYGB group results. A prospective, randomized study by Woelnerhanssen et al. compared the 1-year results of LRYGB and LSG for weight loss, metabolic control, and fasting adipokine levels. The authors confirmed a close association of specific adipokines with obesity and with the changes observed with weight loss after two different bariatric surgical procedures. The concentrations of circulating leptin levels decreased by almost 50 % as early as 1 week postoperatively and continued to decrease until 12 months postoperatively and adiponectin increased progressively. No differences were found between the LRYGB and LSG groups regarding adipokine changes.
How to choice a procedure?
The choice of procedure is an important determinant of outcome with a decreasing gradient of efficacy predicted from BPD, RYGB to SG and then
LAGB. Other factors that have been positively correlated with diabetes remission are percentage of excess weight loss (% EWL), younger age, lower preop HbA1c, and shorter duration of diabetes (less than 5 years). Severity of diabetes, as judged by preop treatment modality, has also been noted to be a significant factor.
Schauer et al. have reported in their series of 191 obese diabetic patients (the majority of whom were on oral agents or insulin) a diabetes remission rate of 97 % in diet-controlled, 87 % in oral agent treated, and 62 % in insulin-treated subjects. This was also confirmed by a recent retrospective analysis of 505 morbidly obese diabetic patients who underwent RYGB. In this study, a more recent diagnosis of T2DM and the absence of preoperative insulin therapy were significant predictors of remission, independent of the percentage of EWL.
Dixon et al. have recently identified diabetes duration < 4 years, BMI > 35 kg/m2, and fasting c-peptide concentration > 2.9 ng/ mL as three clinically useful cutoffs and independent preoperative predictors of remission after analyzing the outcomes of 154 ethnic Chinese subjects after gastric bypass. C-peptide > 3 ng/mL has also previously been shown to be an important predictor of diabetes resolution after sleeve gastrectomy in non-morbidly obese diabetic subjects by Lee et al.
Publicado em: Cirurgia do Aparelho Digestivo | Marcado:BARIATRIC SURGERY, obesity, Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), or longitudinal gastric resection, consists in a resection of the greater curvature of the stomach. In bariatric surgery, it was introduced by Hess in 1988 and by Marceau in 1990 as a component of the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS). Resecting the greater curvature of the stomach was aimed at reducing the risk of ulcer at the level of the duodeno-ileal anastomosis of the BPD/ DS. In fact, for those authors, the amount of stomach removed was estimated to be roughly 60% and the restriction was moderate. With a view to reducing the mortality associated with laparoscopic BPS/DS in super-super-obese patients, Regan et al. described a 60-French (F) bougiecalibrated isolated sleeve gastrectomy (ISG) as a first step in a two-stage program of laparoscopic BPD/DS in 2000. Since then, primary ISG has gained popularity in a staged surgery program for high-risk patients. Although medium- to long-term results are not known, and some technical details are still being discussed, the good short-term results obtained regarding weight loss, as well as co-morbidity and the acceptable rate of complications, have broadened the indications for primary ISG and assured its place in the armamentarium of bariatric surgical procedures. In June 2007, a position statement on SG as a bariatric procedure was endorsed by the ASMBS, and in October 2007 the First International Consensus Summit for Sleeve Gastrectomy was held in New York City.
As expected, the operation is restrictive (satiety occurs very quickly). Indeed, with the current calibration of the sleeve, its volume is less than 10% of the entire stomach and its distensibility is 10 times less than that of the resected stomach and fundus. Nevertheless, after 6 months, patients can cope with a mug-sized meal (200 ml) of solid food. Even if the size of the meal is small, the volume of the remaining stomach is larger by far than after purely restrictive procedures (gastric banding, vertical banded gastroplasty). Melissas et al. demonstrated an accelerated gastric emptying of solid food into the duodenum and the intestine at 6 and 24 months, and this could explain some enterohormonal changes . In addition to these mechanical effects, SG has hormonal effects. This operation is “anorexigenic”; the patients feel little hunger and have only a mild interest in eating. Most of them could skip a meal each day for at least 1 year after surgery. The fundus is known to be the major source of ghrelin, an orexigenic hormone. It has been proved that the level of ghrelin is dramatically reduced after the currently performed SG with the entire fundus resected, and to a higher degree than with gastric banding or gastric bypass. Other hormonal changes have been noted, such as a rise in the level of fasting PYY or GLP1, a hormone that induces also a feeling of satiety. This latter point has yet to be assessed in human beings. These incretin modifications could play a role in the remarkable short-term effects observed on diabetes. Thus it appears that LSG is a multifactorial procedure with a mild restrictive aspect and a complex neurohormonal aspect.
Acute pancreatitis is a common intra-abdominal inflammatory condition of varied aetiology. The disease is mild in the vast majority of patients and has a favourable outcome. The acute severe form of the disease on the other hand is a lethal form with a high mortality and morbidity. A number of strategies have provided clinical benefit in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Of these, nutritional management is by far the most effective. SAP is associated with persistent end-organ failure, commonly respiratory, circulatory and renal. Treatment is targeted to support these organs. As of now there is no definitive therapy for acute pancreatitis. Patients are managed with fluids, analgesics, antibiotics and nutritional supplements besides adequately treating local complications such as pseudocyst and walled-off pancreatic necrosis by suitable interventional methods, be it endoscopic or percutaneous. The focus here is nutritional support in the management of SAP.
Which Form of Nutrition: Parenteral or Enteral?
This depends largely on the functional integrity of the stomach and small intestine. Patients of SAP often have poor gastric emptying and paralytic ileus, which is made worse with the use of narcotics. Moreover, local complications of pancreatitis (peripancreatic fluid collections) can have a pressure effect on the stomach and/or duodenum. As a result oral feeds may not be possible in these patients. Patients on ventilator support also cannot be given oral feeds.
Enteral feeding through the nasogastric or nasojejunal tubes is often not tolerated by patients because of discomfort. In addition, these tubes often get displaced or withdrawn. Reinsertion of the tubes, under endoscopic or radiological guidance, is cumbersome in such patients. All these factors favour parenteral feeding. The distinct advantage of enteral nutrition is that it prevents mucosal atrophy and transmigration of bacteria (an important causeof sepsis in SAP). Also, enteral feeding augments intestinal motility and is cheaper than parenteral preparations. Enteral nutrition improves motility in patients with paralytic ileus. The relative merits of these forms of nutritional therapy have been evaluated in a systematic review. Eight published randomized trials including a total of 348 patients were included. Enteral feeding was given through a nasojejunal tube and parenteral nutrition through a catheter placed in a central vein. Enteral nutrition was shown to reduce mortality, multi-organ failure, systemic infection and surgical intervention in comparison with parenteral nutrition. The length of hospital stay too was shown to be reduced. In view of these, enteral nutrition appears to be a better option while managing patients of SAP and has been recommended by the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association and International Association of Pancreatology.
When should enteral feeding be started?
Patients with mild acute pancreatitis can usually be started on oral feeds in 2–3 days. Those with moderately severe acute pancreatitis can be started on oral feeding only after a variable period and hence should receive enteral nutritional support. Early enteral feeding has been shown to avoid end-organ failure in a large series of patients (1200).
Enteral feeding started within 48 h of onset of illness was associated with organ failure in 21% of patients as opposed to 81% when enteral feeding was started after 48 h. This benefit of early enteral feeding has also been shown in a recent meta-analysis. However, there was no benefit in mortality with early enteral feeding. In yet another randomized controlled trial, early enteral feeding (within 24 h) was compared with on-demand enteral feeding after 72 h.
The primary endpoint of this study was major infection or death. The study did not detect any significant difference in the primary endpoint in either group (early or on-demand feeding). However, it did show that patients receiving on-demand nutrition tolerated oral feeds without using a tube.
Nasogastric or Nasojejunal
Should the feed be administered in the stomach through a nasogastric (NG) tube or in the jejunum through a nasojejunal (NJ) tube? Gastric feeding is thought to increase pain and aggravate pancreatitis due to food-induced pancreatic stimulation. In view of this, NJ feeding is practised. However, placement of a NJ tube is cumbersome and needs a skilled endoscopist or radiologist. It causes more inconvenience to patients. A nasogastric (NG) tube is thus an alternative. A number of studies have been published comparing NG and NJ feeding. The results of these studies can be summarized as follows: There was no difference in mortality. Feeds were equally tolerated in the two groups and NG feeding is simple. NG feed was not shown to increase pain and is thus as good as NJ feeding. A meta-analysis subsequently published showed no difference in mortality, hospital stay and infection rate between the two groups. Both forms of feeding were equally well tolerated. NJ feeding thus is not advised in the management of most patients with SAP. However, it still has a place when the patient has a high risk of aspiration. Also, patients on a ventilator and those not tolerating NG feed should be fed through NJ tube. The other issue concerning enteral feeding in SAP is the composition of the feed.
Type of Formulation
Various commercially available formulations include (1) polymeric formulations comprising complex lipids, carbohydrates and proteins and (2) elemental formulations comprising simple amino acids, carbohydrates and free fatty acids. Other formulations used are glutamine-rich feeds and feeds with probiotics, fibres, etc. Immuno-nutrition using arginine, glutamine and polyunsaturated fatty acids has been evaluated in multiple studies and compared with standard feeding. A metaanalysis showed some benefit in mortality but not for prevention of infection, end-organ failure or inflammatory response. This benefit was not seen with the use of probiotics or fibre-based feeds. A systematic review did not show any benefit of immuno-nutrition or probiotics. It also showed that polymeric formulations are as well tolerated as oligomeric ones (elemental).
Publicado em: Clínica Cirúrgica | Marcado:acute pancreatitis
In the epoch of minimally invasive management of biliary and pancreatic disorders, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combined with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) has become a prevalent procedure all over the world. Even though ES is a safe procedure, it carries a small but significant number of serious complications which include pancreatitis, bleeding, cholangitis and perforation. As per old literature, ERCP-related perforations were reported in 0.5–2.1% of sphincterotomies with a mortality rate of 16–18%. However, the improvement in the experience and skill of the endoscopy specialists combined with advancements in technology have reduced the incidence of perforation to <0.5% over the years. Sphincterotomy (56%) and guidewire manipulation (23%) are widespread causes of perforations related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). There is a dearth of evidence-based strategies with respect to the proper management of ERCP perforations. While one set of investigators promote on-demand conservative and surgical management, based on a clinical course, the others support operative repair in all cases on account of the complications associated with the delayed operative intervention.
INDICATIONS OF SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
1. Large extravasation of contrast at the time of ERCP defined as incomplete dissipation of contrast after 1 min on follow-up plain film.
2. If there is only a small amount of contrast extravasation, where there is complete dissipation after 1 min of ERCP, on follow-up plain film, then a UGI with contrast injection on fluoroscopy is performed in 2–8 h. If this shows extravasation, we recommend surgical exploration.
3. Follow-up CT scan showing a collection due to perforation in the retroperitoneum or intraperitoneum.
4. Retained hardware unable to be removed by endoscopy along with perforation.
5. Massive subcutaneous emphysema.
6. Failure of conservative management.
A delay in diagnosis or in surgery will lead to death. The reason is that there is a massive autodigestion of body tissues which is due to a constant release of enzymes, and this eventually leads to sepsis. The principle of treatment by surgery is the same as endoscopic treatment. Any case that is suspected to have ERCP-induced perforation is kept nil by mouth, and the gastric contents are decompressed by Ryles tube and intravenous antibiotics.
This is done by diverting bile, enteric and pancreatic juices away from the site of perforation. However simple drainage will also cause the juices to flow through the perforation site and body cavities before draining out of the tubes. This could be avoided by diverting the juices through well-controlled different paths which could be done by the following procedures:
1. T-tube in CBD;
2. Placement of duodenostomy tube—lateral/end duodenostomy;
3. Duodenal diverticulization;
4. Pyloric exclusion;
5. Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy.
The disadvantage of using Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy is that if the edges are inflamed, then the sutures will not hold properly. However other procedures can be used even when the edges are inflamed. Even though duodenostomy appears to be simple, a part of gastric and duodenal contents pass across the perforation site.
Duodenal diverticulization involves three things: (1) tube to divert duodenal and pancreatic juice, (2) T-tube in CBD to divert bile and (3) distal
gastrectomy and Billroth II anastomosis to provide an alternate pathway for food and gastric juice, thereby preventing these from passing through the site of perforation. Although this procedure has been proved to be successful, it is less widely used due to its complex nature. Pyloric exclusion is a simpler form in which the pylorus is closed by purse string by long-standing absorbing sutures like PDS 2.0 instead of distal gastrectomy. Similar to duodenal diverticulization, T-tube drainage of the CBD and loop gastrojejunostomy are done. The duodenal perforation is closed over a duodenostomy tube.
Whenever there is collection which is localized to the retroperitoneum, retroperitoneal surgical approach can be carried out. Advantages of this procedure are (1) it permits gravitational drainage, (2) avoids septic complication of the peritoneal cavity, (3) directs retroperitoneal necrosectomy with post-operative washes and (4) avoids complex intra-abdominal surgeries. However the disadvantage of this procedure is that it can be used only for retroperitoneal-contained perforations.
Publicado em: Cirurgia do Aparelho Digestivo, Clínica Cirúrgica | Marcado:ercp
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Category Tennis Enigmas
Tennis Enigmas: Bobby Reynolds
Who is Bobby Reynolds and why should we care?
At 31, Reynolds on paper is just another tennis journeyman. His highest ATP ranking is 63 with a 22–62 match record. He has 0 titles and has never gone past the 3rd round at a Grand Slam and he gets a whole blog post dedicated to him!
The curious case of Bobby Reynolds begins way back in 2003 as a junior destined for stardom. He led the Vanderbilt Commodores to the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship final , and was named the tournament’s MVP. That same year, he finished the season number one in the nation in singles. He was also named ITA National Player of Month a record three times in ’03, and named Southeastern Conference Player of Year in ’03, finishing his final season with a 46–7 singles record. He owns school records for career wins (99) and single-season wins (46 in ’03).
I doubt any US tennis player past or present has a good a college career than that.
World Team Tennis to the Rescue
With Reynolds match closing help, the Washington Kastles went on a 34 match winning streak, which although we’re talking WTT, is still a hell of a streak, that few teams achieve. He was the only member of the team to participate in each of its 34 straight victories and he was also the league’s most valuable player last season. Memories of college?
Coach (Murphy) Jensen says: “He’s the Roger Federer of World Team Tennis. He’s the closer. He’s the meat and potatoes, the ham sandwich and the scrambled eggs. The guy just has so much to give the game, and the atmosphere and the format out here perfectly suits that type of player.”
The difference in Reynolds during the 3 weeks of WTT is that he’s pumped. He’s getting a regular paycheck, playing in front of big crowds, winning matches and loving the comeraderie. “Every point matters in team tennis,” Reynolds said. “You just feel like you’re so much more focused.” This is a far cry from the grind of Challengers or an early exit at the hand of a top seed.
Not many players can be described as legends of the game, but if we’re talking Collegiate Tennis or World Team Tennis, Bobby Reynolds is the man.
By 009 Posted in Tennis Enigmas
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Category Archives: Books
100th Anniversary, Books, Broadway, Centennial Celebrations, Everything Else, NYC, Plays, playwrights, Theatre Greats, Theatre History, Theatre News
Saving The Drama
We can’t tell you how happy we were when we heard the news that the “Hamilton Team” were purchasing The Drama Book Store to prevent it from closing permanently. In a recent New York Times article, the new owners—Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Jeffrey Seller; and James L. Nederlander—cited the book store as having played an important role in their lives and we couldn’t agree more!
We have lost count of the numerous times in our 100 years that we have frequented the Drama Book Store looking for our next inspiration for our 228 plays on Broadway. We were deeply saddened to hear that it might close and breathed a huge sigh of relief when the news broke last month that it would be saved!
We understand that the book store is currently closed while the new owners search for a new home. And when they do, you can bet we’ll be one of the first in line celebrating.
To read more about it, click here and here.
Thank you Hamilton Team for your wonderful help in saving this immeasurable support network for the theatre district. We salute you!
Philip & Marilyn Langner
Tagged bookstore, Broadway, Hamilton, James L Nederlander, Jeffrey Seller, Lin-Manuel Miranda, NYC, The Drama Book Shop, theatre bookstore, theatre history, Thomas Kail
Books, Everything Else, Recommendations
A True American Hero
We have a big event to discuss with you today. It concerns whom we are calling America’s Hero of the Century: Senator John McCain.
He spent over 5 years in a POW camp in North Vietnam (and we’re still wondering how in God’s name could we have gone to war with a country 10,000 miles away that no one ever heard of and managed to kill over 58,000 of our soldiers!?!)
In today’s political climate, it is something we should take to heart. And one of the things that Senator McCain is known for is standing up to whomever he feels is wronging the people of America, whether it be short-sighted presidents or dissidents in the US Senate, even if they are in the same party!
Through it all, Senator McCain refuses to give up on the American people and works tirelessly for them, which is why we consider him to be THE AMERICAN HERO OF THE CENTURY.
We are writing to you today because he has just published a new book –- his memoirs, which we urge you to read.
To order his book from Amazon, click on the picture below:
Philip & Marilyn
Tagged Amazon, America, American Politics, books, John McCain, politics, POW, Senator John McCain, Vietnam War
Biographies, Books, Everything Else, Recommendations
The Nazi Officer’s Wife
Today rather than recommend a play, we are going to tell you about a marvelous book called The Nazi Officer’s Wife.
It is a terrific read that tells the story of a young Jewish woman. It is the story of her life in Vienna just before Hilter came to power through the end of the Second World War.
This book takes you on her journey—as a young woman at university to the slow demoralization and loss of everything familiar to her—including her family—as Hilter escalated his anti-Semitic laws in Germany, Austria, and conquered countries.
Even if you are not interested in WWII, this is an amazing tale about one woman’s journey and struggle to survive against all odds.
You can order it from Amazon by clicking on this link.
Best regards—and reading!
Tagged Amazon, Austria, books, Germany, Hilter, Nazi, reading, The Nazi Officer's Wife, World War Two, WWII
Books, Productions, Recommendations, Summer Theatre, Theatre History
An American Theatre
Today we want to tell you about a book that we absolutely love!
It’s called An American Theatre: The Story of the Westport Country Playhouse by Richard Somerset-Ward. It has a forward by Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman.
We are absolutely amazed by this book because it has thousands of details about the Westport Country Playhouse. We cannot imagine how anyone could have found so many events that happened over a 70-year period! It even tells a story about how one certain Philip Langner forgot his lines in The Girl of the Golden West, which starred June Havoc!
While we certainly have an emotional tie to the Westport Country Playhouse, we think that anyone interested in theatre or theatre history will appreciate how detailed this book is about the story of summer theatre from the second oldest summer playhouse in the country.
You can order your copy from Amazon.
Westport was wonderful—the most fun we’ve ever had!
Also if you’re interested in visiting the Playhouse this summer, here is their list of shows:
The Invisible Hand (July 19-August 6)
What the Butler Saw (August 23-Sepember 10)
Click here to order tickets!
Happy summer theatre-ing!
Tagged Amazon, Camelot, Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman, Philip Langner, Richard Somerset-Ward, summer theatre, The Invisible Hand, Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, Westport Playhouse, What the Butler Saw
Acting, Awards, Books, Broadway, Musicals, NYC
Hamilton Rising!
Hamilton continues to be perhaps the most stunningly successful play of our lifetimes!
The big news yesterday was that it received 16 Tony Award Nominations—the largest number in Tony History, which goes back 70 years!
For all of us in the theatre, we don’t recall any initial success as big as this.
The closest that come to mind are Fiddler on The Roof and My Fair Lady. Of course, it is hard to compare these plays accurately, as all of the great hits prior to Hamilton occurred in the pre-social media/internet world and did not have the instant world-wide publicity and acclaim that Hamilton enjoys.
Today we wanted to share with you another manifestation of Hamilton’s popularity:
The book “Hamilton Revolution,” which is a behind the scenes look at making the musical and written by Hamilton author Lin-Manual Miranda and cultural critic Jeremy McCarter, is flying off the shelves!
In fact, the New York Times quips (quite correctly) that getting the book isn’t any easier than getting a ticket! The book, which came out on April 12th, is now in its second printing and it estimated to have 400,000 copies in print by the summer!
It seems we just can’t get enough! Congrats to Miranda and the entire cast and crew of Hamilton on their 16 Tony nominations!
Tagged Alexander Hamilton, books, Broadway, Hamilton, Hamilton Rising, Jeremy McCarter, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Musicals, New York City, nominations, NYC, Tony Awards
Books, Broadway, Musicals, NYC, Recommendations, Theatre History, Theatre Tales
The Secret Life of the American Musical
We wanted to tell you today about a wonderful book that we’ve read about in The Washington Post.
The book is called THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN MUSICAL: How Broadway Shows Are Built by Jack Vietal.
According to The Post:
Viertel offers such examples throughout, making related but different points. His close analysis of craft doubles nicely as an account of the American musical’s evolution over the past century.
We know Jack—and have worked with him on plays in the past. His backstage anecdotes are what really bring this book to life!
It is currently on sale at Amazon. If you love Broadway musicals or Broadway history, then we think that this is a book you will absolutely love!
Tagged Amazon, American Musicals, American Theatre, Broadway, Broadway history, Jack Viertel, Musicals, NYC, Recommendations, theatre history, USA, Washington Post
Biographies, Books, Broadway, Recommendations
Book Update
Back in July, we told you about a book coming out this October written by dear family friend, John C. Wilson called Noah, Tallulah, Cole and Me: A Memoir Of Broadway’s Golden Age.
It’s getting rave reviews and has nearly sold out on Amazon! It really is quite spectacular—and something that everyone who loves Broadway should read!
One reviewer commented:
Readers of Broadway history might well remember the name John C. Wilson: longtime manager, gatekeeper and comrade of Noël Coward; producer of plays with Gertie, Kit, Tallulah and the Lunts, as well as Olivier and Gielgud; and director, within a year, of the original “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Little has been known of Jack Wilson until now, with the discovery of his unpublished and forgotten 1958 autobiography, “Noël, Tallulah, Cole, and Me.” Thomas Hischak has put the pages in order and filled in the gaps, resulting in an absorbing and fascinating description of thirty years of Broadway and West End history, guided by an unassuming fellow from Trenton who was thrilled and surprised to be in the center of it all.
—Steven Suskin, author of Show Tunes and The Sound of Broadway Music
You can go online and order from Amazon—but hurry before they run out! With the holidays around the corner, it would also make a fantastic gift for the Broadway lover in your life!
—The Theatre Guild
Tagged Amazon, books, Broadway, Golden Age of Broadway, John C. Wilson
Books, Everything Else, Movies, Vintage
We Still Give A Damn!
We were reading in our AARP Magazine a fabulous article about Gone With The Wind. This incredible movie from 1939 still holds the title of the best movie ever made! We salute Gone With The Wind on 75 years of amazing and unparalleled entertainment!
Here’s another great article from the LA Times by Susan King that we thought we’d share with you about this iconic American movie:
Audiences still frankly give a damn about the lavish Civil War epic “Gone With the Wind” 75 years after its release.When adjusted for inflation, the Oscar-winning romance remains the domestic box-office champ with a gross of $1.6 billion. The 220-minute Technicolor film received a record 13 Oscar nominations, winning eight competitive Academy Awards, including best film, actress (Vivien Leigh), supporting actress (Hattie McDaniel) and director (Victor Fleming). With a production cost estimated between $3.85 million and more than $4 million, it was the longest and most expensive Hollywood sound film of the time.More than 30 million copies of Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, on which the film was based, have been sold. The film has been re-released eight times, been a staple on television since the 1970s and a bestseller on video, DVD and now Blu-ray.
Celebrations of the film’s diamond anniversary include an exhaustive exhibit at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, Austin, a new collector’s edition Blu-Ray and several books including Life’s “Gone With the Wind: The Great American Movie 75 Years Later.”
Despite criticism and controversy over the film’s racial stereotypes — the slaves in the film are happy, and McDaniel’s Mammy is a welcome member of the family and loyal servant — “Gone With the Wind” continues to have a special, if troubling, place in the hearts of American filmgoers.
“The film was and I think continues to be a pop cultural phenomenon,” said Richard Jewell, professor at USC’s School of Cinematic Art. “It’s one of the few movies that lived up to the book.”
Long before social media, the buzz surrounding the film version of “GWTW” was astonishing. After independent producer David O. Selznick brought the rights to the book, “GWTW” fans waited on every story coming out of Hollywood about the production, particularly about who would play the willful and beautiful Scarlett O’Hara, the belle of the Tara plantation.
Though such stars as Joan Crawford, Carole Lombard and Katharine Hepburn were among those considered to play Scarlett — about 1,400 actresses were interviewed — Selznick chose British actress Vivien Leigh, who had made a few films, to play the lead role.
Fan favorite Clark Gable was selected to play Rhett Butler, the rakish Charlestonian who pursues her, and British actor Leslie Howard was cast as Scarlett’s obsession, the glum Ashley Wilkes. Olivia de Havilland, best known for ingenue roles opposite Errol Flynn, landed the plum role as Wilkes’ sweet cousin and wife, Melanie, and McDaniel was chosen to play the O’Haras’ beloved and opinionated Mammy.
Jewell noted the film was brilliantly cast. “Clark Gable was absolutely the right person to play Rhett Butler. Every actress in Hollywood wanted to play Scarlett. The fact that they went with a relatively unknown and she turned out to be the incarnation of Scarlett. It’s like a baseball team when one day every one gets a hit.
“It’s a testament to the old studio system where producers were the most important factor in most cases. Selznick kept that film together. It was Selznick’s vision more than Victor Fleming’s. To me he is one of the greatest producers of all time.”
But as Missy Schwartz, editor of the Life “GWTW” book and a senior editor at Entertainment Weekly, pointed out, “you can’t watch it without 21st century eyes. You have to address race. It’s problematic, there is no question. It is just not the reality [of slavery].”
The conversation about “GWTW’s” treatment of slavery, race and a benign antebellum South was particularly heated over the last year with the release of 2013 best picture Oscar winner “12 Years a Slave,” which depicted the brutality of slavery.
Todd Boyd, professor of critical studies at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, told The Times this year that “the entirety of the history of African Americans in Hollywood has been problematic, and I think in some ways still is. A lot of people looked at those movies as sort of an authentic representation of what African Americans were like.”
Jim Crow laws were in full force in the South 75 years ago. McDaniel and the other black cast members couldn’t attend the premiere in Atlanta on Dec. 15, 1939. Gable had threatened to boycott the premiere but was persuaded by McDaniel to attend. The Life book reveals that during production, Gable had also protested when he learned there were segregated toilets on one of the sets, promising not to return if they were still there the next day. They weren’t.
African Americans protested the film when it opened in major cities. Black playwright Carlton Moss stated in the Daily Worker found Mammy’s love for the white family “that has helped to keep her people enchained forever” particularly reprehensible.
Jewell noted that a lot of films from the Golden Age of Hollywood make one “uncomfortable” because of depictions of race and other issues. “But they need to be screened and talked about, as a way to measure the kind of attitudes that existed at that point, which was 75 years after the end of the Civil War. These kind of stereotypical depictions of black people need to be put in a historical context so people will have a better appreciation of how far we have come.”
TCM host and film historian Robert Osborne believes “GWTW” has endured because of its emotional resonance.
“It’s about survival,” he said. “It hit the world in the ’30s when Europe was going to war and just before we went into the war. Also, everybody has had somebody in their life that they loved more than they loved them back.
“I think the brilliant thing about the story is that there are little samplings of every part of us in it. It doesn’t matter if it was set during the Civil War. It’s a relevant movie about emotions.”
Tagged Clark Gable, classic, Gone With The Wind, Hattie McDaniel, Hollywood, Leslie Howard, Margaret Mitchell, movies, Olivia de Havilland, Scarlett O'Hara, Vivien Leigh
Books, Theatre Guild Productions
The Magic Curtain
The Magic Curtain is the autobiography of my father, Lawrence Langner, founder of The Theatre Guild. It is filled with great stories about the theatre, his life, the world as he saw it, and of course, there are tons of pictures!
We found it recently on Amazon (of course—you can find everything there!) and I thought I’d pass along the link (click on the book below), if you were interested!
Tagged Amazon, Lawrence Langner, The Magic Curtain, Theatre, Theatre Guild, theatre history
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The purpose of the book of Ezeiel is largely dependant on the author and date of writing. If, as some late liberal scholars attest, it was written very late (circa 200 BC) then the book itself falls apart as being completely unnecessary. The careful structure of the book itself, and its recording specific dates, only makes sense if it were written for the people of the exile. As a book of history alone, which is what it must be if the late date is considered, makes all the hope and consolation passages unnecessary and moot.
Author and Date of Writing
One should recognize that the vast majority of Biblical scholars reject the idea that Ezekiel was written by someone else after the restoration of Israel. Here's why: Ezekiel carefully affixed dates to his own birth, (1.1), The beginning of his ministry (1.2, which works out to July 31, 593 BC), and of other events and visions that he had during his life (8.1 - September 17, 592; 20.1 - August 14, 591; 40.1 - April28, 573; and a host of other dates in 24.1, 26.1, 29.1 and 17, 30.20, 31.1, 32.1 and 17, and 33.21).This kind of historic accuracy is unprecedented in Scripture and nearly every other ancient text. Such specificity, especially of dates for visions Ezekiel had, points to an authentic text written about 570 BC.
The events described in the book match events during the time described, and Ezekiel is very open about his own life and ministry, writing with a frankness that points to an authentic text and not some historical fiction written several centuries later. There simply isn't enough evidence to displace both Jewish and Christian traditions which hold to the priest and prophet Ezekiel as the author of the book.Paul Benware, formerly a professor of Old Testament at Moody Bible Institute, makes this important note in his Survey of the Old Testament:
Ezekiel lived in Babylon during those final days of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. It is important to note that chapters 1-24 of Ezekiel were given before the final overthrow and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. These chapters speak of the sin and unbelief of Judah and are very stern pronouncements. But after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC Ezekiel's messages change dramatically to prophecies of hope and consolation (chapters 33-48). The ministry of Ezekiel pivots on that key historical event of the fall of Jerusalem.
Structure of the Book
i. Introduction, chapters 1-3
ii. Prophecies of Judah's Judgment, chapters 4-24
iii. Prophecies of Gentile Nation's Judgment, chapters 25-32
iv. Prophecies of Israel's Restoration, chapters 33-39
v. Prophecies of Israel's Reestablishment, chapters 40-48
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Blu-Ray Review: ‘Okko’s Inn’ Makes a Compelling Case for the Best Animated Feature Lineup
Alan French July 1, 2019 0 Comments
One of the toughest moments in any person’s life can be the first time you lose a loved one. The journey from sadness to acceptance can be difficult, but life can move on. Animation has often been used to open up conversations with children and young adults about the emotional impacts of death, and how life can continue. Bambi, Up and many other films have tackled this phenomenon to create fulfilling experiences. Okko’s Inn, the latest film from SHOUT! Factory and GKIDS Animation, offers one of the most emotionally rewarding films of 2019. With a fresh approach to the fruitful territory, we have an early contender for a slot in the Best Animated Feature race at Oscar.
Okko’s Inn follows a young girl Oriko “Okko” Seki after she loses her parents in a car accident. She goes to live with her grandmother Mineko, who runs a small inn in the countryside. Shortly after arriving, she meets a ghost named Uri-bo and the two become friends. Through her time with Uri-bo, she begins to experience a supernatural world around her, while finding her place as the new junior innkeeper of the inn and living her life after the death of her parents.
Directed by Kitaro Kosaka, Okko’s Inn thrives thanks to a blend of superb animation and excellent storytelling. Using “Waka Okami wa Shōgakusei!” by Hiroko Reijo as its source material, the story unfolds with excellent pacing and character building sequences. Rather than getting bogged down in the grief that surrounds the film, Kosaka allows his characters to openly explore the ways in which grief can manifest itself in many forms. It also brings to life the reality of how we experience life after death. Even as depression and dread take over, moments of joy can creep into our lives. Okko’s balances these lighthearted and fun moments with some heartbreaking and tear-inducing reveals. Okko‘s balance rewards its audience with cathartic and empathetic moments that will stay with you long after the movie.
The animation also pushes a stylized and complete vision to the screen. Many Western audiences will shorthand the footage as the Ghibli house style, but Kosaka’s choice to utilize CGI in dynamic footage makes for some genuinely great shots. Every cent of the budget is present on the screen and the footage is gorgeous as a result. The use of the ghosts for spectacular and unworldly actions also gives the animators a real chance to play with the physics of the world. It also offers the audience a view of unusual angles that would not otherwise be available.
The quality of the Blu-Ray is stunning and offers a very comprehensive look at the making of the film. A pair of great interviews Kosaka and Seiran Kobayashi (The Japanese voice of Okko) make for some excellent behind the scenes visions. A Q&A from the premiere helps sell the cultural impact of the story and creates an excellent visual to show American audiences the appeal of the story.
Overall, the Blu-Ray release of Okko’s Inn gives audiences plenty of reason to rush out and buy it. Not only does it contain an excellent film, but the special features help sell the complete experience. Okko’s Inn will give audiences plenty of reasons to cheer. It also brings you on a journey of self-discovery and emotion. Okko’s should be an early contender for Best Animated Feature, and thanks to the Blu-Ray, we have plenty of obvious campaign materials on hand. If GKIDS and SHOUT! play their cards right, they could be looking at a film destined to catch on with audiences around the world.
Grade: (★★★)
What did you think of Okko’s Inn? Do you think it can make a run for Best Animated Feature? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Okko’s Inn releases on Blu-Ray and DVD on July 2nd, 2019.
Check out more of our movie review and pieces here.
CategoriesAnimation, Feature, Reviews
TagsBest Animated Feature 2020, GKIDS, Okko's Inn, Shout! Factory
Review: Child’s Play: Let the Luddite Rebellion Begin
Review – Spider-Man: Far From Home
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Hall of Famer, pioneering manager Frank Robinson dies at 83
Posted 3:01 PM, February 7, 2019, by Associated Press
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 09: Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson throws out the first pitch before the Atlanta Braves play the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 9, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, the first black manager in Major League Baseball and the only player to win the MVP award in both leagues, has died. He was 83.
Robinson had been in hospice care at his home in Bel Air. MLB confirmed his death Thursday.
Robinson hit 586 career home runs and won the Triple Crown while leading the Baltimore Orioles to their first World Series championship in 1966.
An All-Star outfielder in 12 seasons, his legacy extended far beyond the batter’s box.
Robinson fulfilled his quest to become the first African-American manager in the big leagues when the Cleveland Indians hired him in 1975. In his first at-bat as their player-manager, he hit a home run.
Robinson also managed San Francisco, Baltimore and Montreal. He became the first manager of the Washington Nationals after the franchise moved from Montreal for the 2005 season.
Later, Robinson spent several years working as an executive for MLB.
Robinson was the NL MVP with Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966. The Reds, Orioles and Indians have retired Robinson’s No. 20 and saluted him with statues at their ballparks. He’s also in the Nationals’ Ring of Honor.
Filed in: Sports
Cubs Blog
Cubs Game Notes For Friday @ Cincinnati
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cubs News Sports
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Watch Javier Baez’s epic video before the MLB All-Star Game
cubs Sports
Cubs drop series opener to Astros
Ye Olde Slugfest: Yanks top Red Sox 17-13 in MLB Euro debut
Nicky Delmonico walk-off home run lifts White Sox over Red Sox 6-4
Mistakes in the 9th lead to 6-5 Cubs loss in Pittsburgh
Cubs Game Notes For Thursday @ LA Dodgers
Angels honor Tyler Skaggs, combine for no-hitter
Cubs erupt after Maddon’s ejection to rip Pirates 11-3
White Sox Blog
White Sox Game Notes For Monday @ Baltimore
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Netflix Egypt Today All New Releases Get American Netflix
How to watch On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) on Netflix Egypt!
Sorry, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is not available on Egyptian Netflix, but you can unlock it right now in Egypt and start watching! With a few simple steps you can change your Netflix region to a country like USA and start watching American Netflix, which includes On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
We'll keep checking Netflix Egypt for On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and this page will be updated with any changes.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
on Netflix Egypt?
On Her Majesty's Secret Service is not available in Egypt BUT it can be unlocked and viewed!
Classic Action & Adventure, Movies based on Books, Action & Adventure, British Movies, Classic Movies, Action Thrillers, Spy Action & Adventure
Director(s): Peter Hunt
George Lazenby takes on the role of 007, who tracks his archnemesis to an Alpine retreat where he's brainwashing a bevy of beauties to do his bidding.
George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas, Gabriele Ferzetti, Ilse Steppat, Angela Scoular, Lois Maxwell, Catherine Schell, George Baker, Bernard Lee, Bernard Horsfall, Desmond Llewelyn, Yuri Borionko, Virginia North
Watch "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" on Netflix in Egypt
There is a way to watch On Her Majesty's Secret Service in Egypt, even though it isn't currently available on Netflix locally. What you need is a system that lets you change your Netflix country. With a few simple steps you can be watching On Her Majesty's Secret Service and thousands of other titles!
Watch "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"!
Ffolkes
The Painted Veil
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What's New on Netflix Egypt
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Dr. Who (Dalek films)
Doctor or The Doctor may refer to:
Personal titles
Doctor (title), the holder of an accredited doctoral graduate degree
Professionals frequently referred to as "doctor"
Doctor (Black Cat)
Doctor (Hellsing)
The Doctor (Star Trek: Voyager)
Doctor (Wildstorm)
Cobra Commander or The Doctor
The Doctor or Scalpel, a character in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Fuyuhiko Date or The Doctor, a character in Cave Story
Doctor (film), a Malayalam film by M. S. Mani
Doctors (TV series), a BBC soap opera (2000–Present)
The Doctor (1991 film), a movie starring William Hurt
The Doctor (2013 film), a television film about the life of Julius Erving
The Doctor (1952 TV series), a 1951–1952 NBC nonfiction series
The Doctors (1963 TV series), a 1963–1982 NBC soap opera
The Doctors (1969 TV series), a 1969–1971 BBC medical drama
The Doctors (2008 TV series), an American talk show
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Doctor
The First Doctor is the initial incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by the actor William Hartnell from 1963 to 1966. Hartnell reprised the role once, in the tenth anniversary story The Three Doctors (1973), although due to his failing health the story was written so he would not have to appear very extensively.
Within the series' narrative, the Doctor is a centuries-old alien Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels in time and space in his TARDIS, frequently with companions. When the Doctor is critically injured, he can regenerate his body; in doing so, his physical appearance and personality change. Hartnell's Doctor is the Doctor's "original" form. The regeneration plot device was introduced when Hartnell needed to leave the series, and consequently has extended the life of the show for many years.
His original companions were his granddaughter Susan (Carole Ann Ford) and her schoolteachers Ian Chesterton (William Russell) and Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill). Hartnell's version of the Doctor was also the basis for the character played by the actor Peter Cushing in the 1965 and 1966 Dr. Who films, which do not share a continuity with the television series.
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/First_Doctor
Dr. Who is a character based on the BBC science-fiction television series Doctor Who. Although based on the Doctor appearing in the TV series, the film version of the character is fundamentally different.
The character, portrayed by the actor Peter Cushing, appeared in two films made by AARU Productions: Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965), which was based on the televised serial The Daleks (1963), and Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. (1966), based on The Dalek Invasion of Earth (1964). Plans for a third film, to be based on the serial The Chase (1965), were abandoned following the poor box office reception of the second film.
Cushing made no mention of the films in his autobiography, although he kept a collection of newspaper clippings about them in a scrapbook.
Dr. Who, as portrayed by Cushing, is an eccentric inventor who claims to have created his TARDIS in his back garden. He is a gentle, grandfatherly figure, naturally curious and sometimes absent-minded, but at the same time is not afraid to fight for justice. He is shown to have a keen and somewhat juvenile sense of humour, and a strong sense of adventure with a will of iron and very strong morals.
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Dr._Who_(Dalek_films)
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Latest News for: Aggressive doctor
Pseudomonas common cause of OT-induced infections: Doctors
The recent case of 24 patients developing drug reaction owing to contamination of pseudomonas colony of bacteria at Minto hospital is not a rarity, say city doctors ... Infections due to pseudomonas can lead to sepsis that need to be treated aggressively as it has high mortality rate,” said Dr Ballal....
California doesn’t have enough doctors. To recruit them, the state is paying off medical school debt
San Francisco Examiner 17 Jul 2019
In exchange, doctors must pledge that at least 30% of their caseloads will be devoted to Medi-Cal patients for five years ... Federal, state and local governments have increasingly turned to loan forgiveness programs as the competition for doctors has become more aggressive nationwide....
California doesn't have enough doctors. To recruit them, the state is paying off medical school debt
Finger Lakes Times 16 Jul 2019
Parents of girl, three, who has been given just a 20 per cent chance of survival after her brain cancer spread to her spine launch desperate appeal for cutting-edge treatment
But in February this year, while the family were celebrating Mrs Lawson becoming pregnant again, Anna's doctors phoned from the hospital with devastating news. Anna's cancer had returned in her spine and was more aggressive – something they noticed in routine scans ... She is pictured with her parents Elizabeth, 33, and Ben, 32, at the beach....
Former TV reporter finds new career as nurse, alongside his son
Statesville Record & Landmark 15 Jul 2019
... received a diagnosis of an aggressive form of breast cancer ... After a lumpectomy, Tina and her doctors decided the cancer was aggressive, and she had a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and months of chemotherapy that left her sick for several days after each session, Larry said....
Drs. Oz & Roizen: Recovering from a fall; smart treatment of teen Type 2 diabetes
Union Leader 14 Jul 2019
... more aggressive therapy to dodge complications as she gets older ... So, yes, she and her doctor should tackle the diabetes aggressively, using both lifestyle changes (nutrition and physical activity) and medication, in order to avoid big trouble by the time she’s in her mid-20s....
Kidney Cancer Diagnosis made former KRGV Anchor Letty Garza go into Survival Mode
Texas Border Business 14 Jul 2019
Letty decided to visit her doctor, a general practitioner, who recommended an ultrasound to find out more ... She still remembers vividly, when she and her husband together heard those horrible words from the urologist, “You have cancer.” Letty told Mega Doctor News that it was Renal Cell Carcinoma Papillary 2. “It’s a very aggressive type of cancer....
Death of two doctors leads to medical strike in Bolivia
Press TV 13 Jul 2019
The strike comes after two doctors lost ......
Inspired by his wife’s battle to overcome breast cancer, former WXII-TV journalist follows in son’s ...
News & Record 11 Jul 2019
About 15 years ago, Tina Rehrig, Larry’s wife and Logan’s mother, received a diagnosis of an aggressive form of breast cancer ... After a lumpectomy, Tina and her doctors decided the cancer was aggressive, and she had a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and months of chemotherapy that left her sick for several days after each session, Larry said ... ....
V&A to mount major Iran exhibition in face of US sanctions
The Art Newspaper 10 Jul 2019
On 19 May, the US leader tweeted ... Members of the Sackler family and its company Purdue Pharma are accused in multiple US lawsuits of fuelling the opioid crisis by aggressively marketing the prescription painkiller OxyContin and misleading doctors and patients about its addictive qualities—allegations that the company denies ... Hunt told Radio 4 that ... ....
Summer heat brings special health risks for pregnant women
Petoskey News-Review 08 Jul 2019
"Having a temperature of 101 or higher and flu-like symptoms isn't necessarily dangerous for you or your fetus, but you should be seeing your doctor," Langen said. "Pregnant women get sicker a lot faster, so we tend to be a little more aggressive about treating fevers in pregnancy than we would a normal healthy person." ... ....
Proposal makes July 4 extra special
The Bryan Eagle 07 Jul 2019
In February 2001, an article on the then-3-year-old appeared in The Eagle, featuring a heartwrenching image of a thin, bald toddler who was undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of muscle cancer. Katrenia Stringfellow said she remembers the day in the fall of 2000 when a doctor made a visit to the family home to share the bad news....
Proposal makes July 4 extra special for Kurten woman
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(YouTube).
Female candidate in Saudi Arabia records campaign ads on Snapchat while riding shotgun in car
Progress. It can be so nebulous. Take for example the opening seconds of the documentary below. A female candidate for elected office in Saudi Arabia is recording short campaign messages using Snapchat. She’s among 900 women who are the first female candidates to be allowed to run for public office.
“I’m happy, I’m very happy,” she says.
Yet, progress, being the nebulous thing that it is in Saudi Arabia, can also seem like it’s not happening at all. Keep in mind, Fedya is riding shotgun because women in Saudi Arabia are banned from driving. Her son Nasser is behind the wheel, and he had to take the day off from work so she could be driven around. That nebulous version of progress in the ultraconservative kingdom provides the tension throughout New York Times video journalist Mona El-Naggar‘s eye-opening and at times dark documentary, Ladies First: Saudi Arabia’s Female Candidates. There are almost double the number of women college graduates as male college graduates there, but few choices exist for women in what is a male-dominated society influenced by strict religious interpretation. The documentary is longish for the internet — it runs nearly 38 minutes — but the weekend is coming up. So take some time and give it a watch. Well worth the time.
Saudi Arabia’s investment in Uber just another way to keep women from driving, some say
Uber hugely successful in Saudi Arabia, thanks to ban on women driving
Where women in Saudi Arabia are allowed to get behind the wheel and drive
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(Yui Mok/Press Association/Handout via REUTERS)
Rolling Stones hailed for tribute to slain politician Jo Cox
A cover version of the Rolling Stones’ iconic 1969 hit “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” has been recorded as a tribute to slain British MP Jo Cox — and the Stones have waived their royalty rights for the song. Cox died in June after from injuries she suffered when she was shot and stabbed in a brazen daylight attack in her West Yorkshire constituency. Last month, her murderer, Thomas Mair, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the brutal crime.
The tribute song will also serve as a fundraiser for the charity set up in Cox’s memory and is performed by Ricky Wilson of the Kaiser Chiefs, K.T. Tunstall, David Gray, Steve Harley of Cockney Rebel, and the cross-party parliamentary band MP4 — a diverse group of musicians meant to send a message of peace and unity, according to The Telegraph.
Musicians Ronnie Wood, Charlie Watts, singer Mick Jagger and musician Keith Richards perform during Desert Trip at the Empire Polo Field on October 14, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Of course, with the Stones waving the royalty fees for the song, it will now be able to raise more funds for the Jo Cox Foundation, which in turn will provide financial support for charities that were close to Cox’s heart.
The kind gesture by the legendary rockers, which was personally authorized by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, was not lost on members of British Parliament.
Pete Wishart, the Scottish National party’s leader in the House of Commons, said, “I’m sure the leader of the house would also like to join me in thanking Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for waiving their royalties to their piece of ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want,’ ensuring that even more money goes to the Jo Cox Foundation,” during a session on Thursday. Wishart is a member of the band MP4.
Read the full story at The Guardian and The Telegraph.
Slain MP Jo Cox’s final words revealed at murder trial
Actor and screenwriter Tracy Brabin succeeds slain MP Jo Cox in victory of love over hate
Murdered MP Jo Cox remembered with program to train hundreds of women for political life
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Man’s plot to dump tons of LSD in L.A. water supply thwarted by police
Los Angeles, CA | A former employee of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has been arrested this week after allegedly attempting to poison the city’s water supply with a potentially dangerous synthetic hallucinogen.
Alexander S. Crow, 43, a former chemist and employee of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, is accused of trying to dump massive quantities of 251-NBOMe, a synthetic hallucinogen drug mimicking the effects of LSD, into Los Angeles’s water supply.
Crow is a member of the non-profit organization Psychedelic Rainbow Warrior Peace Force, a Los Angeles-based group which promotes the use of “legal hallucinogenic drugs” and “world peace” according to their website.
According to Police Chief P.J. Jackson of the LAPD, Crow was first intercepted by security agents after breaking into a restricted area of the LADWP with a modified milk truck tanker carrying an estimated 11,600 gallons or 43,900 liters of the synthetic hallucinogen 251-NBOMe.
Psychedelic terrorist
Since the arrest, several members of the Psychedelic Rainbow Warrior Peace Force have openly collaborated with the LAPD, some even admitting they had heard of Crow’s plans to introduce hallucinogenic drugs into the city’s water supply but had dismissed it as a “delusional fantasy.”
“He’d ramble on for hours about ways to introduce hallucinogens into the water supply and how he wanted the Russian government to finance his plans. We just laughed it off as mad talk” explains Matt Sheen, a spokesman for the organization.
“He hoped that by pouring massive quantities of synthetic LSD into the water supply he would awaken the universal love within each of us, thus destroying the capitalist economy of the United States in a matter of hours and setting the stage for a new worldwide communist revolution,” he explained.
Crow had cut all ties with the non-profit organization since last October after he claimed he had received a major anonymous bitcoin donation in the millions of dollars to work on his project.
Crow also told members of the organization that the Russian government was probably behind the large sum, although he did not present any proof of this at the time, members told police.
Alexander S. Crow was an assistant chemist at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power from 2003 to 2011 after which he was allegedly fired for substance abuse problems at work according to family members.
1 Comment on "Man’s plot to dump tons of LSD in L.A. water supply thwarted by police"
Keith Michael Berryhill | March 5, 2019 at 3:29 am | Reply
[251-NBOMe] to me reads as a phone number describing a primarily human:black neighborhood, Area Code Virtual Bomb. (The guy sends out a [probably comparable to laserWriting the Phone Line Switchboard Network] with instructions for “smart”MATTER to return to report findings) and… what do you know.. there is intelligence there. He definitly gets more from the white neighborHOODS though (since we’re smarter) “not the only drug that, likely, is made of people.”
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Gilbert, Elizabeth
Beloved author Elizabeth Gilbert returns to fiction with a unique love story set in the New York City theater world during the 1940s. Told from the perspective of an older woman as she looks back on her youth with both pleasure and regret (but mostly pleasure), City of Girls explores themes of female sexuality and promiscuity, as well as the idiosyncrasies of true love. In 1940, nineteen-year-old Vivian Morris has just been kicked out of Vassar College, owing to her lackluster freshman-year performance. Her affluent parents send her to Manhattan to live with her Aunt Peg, who owns a flamboyant, crumbling midtown theater called the Lily Playhouse. There Vivian is introduced to an entire cosmos of unconventional and charismatic characters, from the fun-chasing showgirls to a sexy male actor, a grand-dame actress, a lady-killer writer, and no-nonsense stage manager. But when Vivian makes a personal mistake that results in professional scandal, it turns her new world upside down in ways that it will take heryears to fully understand. Ultimately, though, it leads her to a new understanding of the kind of life she craves - and the kind of freedom it takes to pursue it. It will also lead to the love of her life, a love that stands out from all the rest. Now eighty-nine years old and telling her story at last, Vivian recalls how the events of those years altered the course of her life - and the gusto and autonomy with which she approached it. "At some point in a woman's life, she just gets tired of being ashamedall the time," she muses. "After that, she is free to become whoever she truly is." Written with a powerful wisdom about human desire and connection, City of Girls is a love story like no other.
Publisher: New York, New York : Penguin Audio, p2019.
Edition: Unabridged.
Characteristics: 12 compact discs (15 hours) :,digital ;,12 cm.
Additional Contributors: Brown, Blair - Narrator
Read more reviews of City of Girls at iDreamBooks.com
Entertainers — Fiction.
Romance Fiction.
Theaters — Fiction.
Young Women — Fiction.
Manhattan (New York, N.Y.) — Fiction
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Randy Orton Pulled from Tonight’s WWE Live Event
By Amish Patel - December 27, 2014
– Randy Orton was scheduled to work tonight’s WWE live event at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island but it was announced at the start of the show that he would not be appearing.
Orton returned from filming WWE Studios’ The Condemned 2 at last night’s live event from Madison Square Garden and defeated Kane. He also did a run-in during the main event of the show.
Orton was backstage in Long Island tonight but there’s no word yet on why he missed the show. We’re waiting on confirmation on why he did not wrestle and will keep you updated.
Tags: Long Island, Madison Square Garden, work, wrestle
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Flagler County Sheriff Says More Space Is Needed Now
Palm Coast, FL – Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly is still waiting for more workspace for his employees more than a year after he completely evacuated the East Moody Boulevard location because of mold and other health hazards last June.
In an effort to move things along, Staly wrote a letter to the Flagler County Board of Commissioners, reiterating the information that the Florida Attorney General’s Office has stated that the county is under a duty to provide office space at no charge to county constitutional officers. Staly added in the letter: “The current temporary arrangement is not even remotely adequate and my employees cannot continue to operate in these conditions.”
In the letter to the County Commissioners, Staly said that his employees’ ability to serve the community is severely impaired due to a shortage of space. The Operations Center had 35,000 square feet of space as opposed to the current space of less than 6,000 square feet to work in. He said the new facilities being built in Palm Coast and Bunnell are great long term solutions but his office needs space now.
Staly said that there is more space available in the Courthouse. The problem is that the extra space is divvied up between other county agencies. He said it is the County’s responsibility to find the space for the Sheriff’s Office and that he believes the County Commission is in violation of the law by not making the space available.
An expensive lease for temporary space is not recommended by Staly. He said that’s not in the best interest of the taxpayer. Staly went on to say that this situation can no longer be allowed to continue with no resolution in sight. It’s time to take real action with a realistic temporary and cost-effective solution.
The Flagler County Commission has a discussion of the Sheriff’s office space on the agenda for their next regular meeting on Monday, July 15 at 5 p.m.
Source:: News Daytona Beach
Southern Stone Communications
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October 23, 2018 Neil TitleyUncategorized, Uruguay
The Atenao Bookshop, Buenos Aires
2015 October: Wednesday
At 11am I boarded the ‘Buquebus’ jetfoil ferry that regularly sailed between Montevideo and Buenos Aires. The estuary of the River Plate was over 100 miles wide at this point and the voyage took two hours. I knew that Argentina provided the first real link between Wilde and my current location. This link was arguably the greatest Argentinian writer of the twentieth century, the magic-realist Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986). It was Borges who coined the immortal description of the Falklands War as being ‘a fight between two bald men over a comb’.
He seemed to have had a lifelong obsession with Oscar Wilde. Aged nine, he had translated Oscar’s story ‘The Happy Prince’ into Spanish. Then in his later years he had made a habit of staying at the Hotel d’Alsace in Paris where Wilde had died – at 13, Rue des Beaux-Arts. Today there is a plaque at the hotel recording his frequent visits between 1977 and 1984. His most famous statement about Wilde was: ‘the trouble with Oscar is that he is always right.’
On the River Plate
The ferry terminal at Puerto Madero dock was situated right in the heart of Buenos Aires – in Londoners’ terms, the equivalent of sailing up the Thames and disembarking at Trafalgar Square. Immediately one felt the difference. Montevideo was a city but a laid back unhurried one; BA had the vibrant fast-forward zip of a major metropolis.
My new contact was waiting for me in the arrivals hall. He was called Hugo and was the director of my BA venue, the Suburban Theatre. Given all the Uruguayan reservations about ‘ostentatious and arrogant’ Argentinians, I was pleased to find that Hugo certainly did not fit the stereotype. In his late forties, he had a calm humorous face and a pleasantly inventive wit. I was not surprised when he told me that he had recently directed a production of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ – his own use of irony reminded me very much of the English. He said that he had adapted Wilde’s characters into upper class Argentinians, while the butler Lane was portrayed as a sassy Paraguayan maid. I felt immediately at ease with Hugo.
A street in Buenos Aires
After I had been installed in a comfortable service flat in the heart of the city, Hugo led the way on a tour of some of BA’s sights. He explained that Argentina had always prided itself on being the most Europeanised of all South American countries. Once the city had been a splendid example of European Art Nouveau and Deco architecture but in recent years much of it had been destroyed and replaced with modern and sometimes hideous new development. A survivor though was situated just around the corner on Florida St, a pedestrianised, stylish thoroughfare that was home to some of BA’s fanciest shops. One of these shops was entirely unexpected – a vast emporium that covered almost an entire city block but now was empty and deserted. It was just possible to make out the rusting insignia over its closed and bolted doors: ‘HARRODS’.
The Buenos Aires branch of Harrods
Hugo explained that this had been the only other branch in the world of the iconic London store. It had opened in 1914 and had matched the original in luxurious splendour, boasting marble staircases and even its own jazz orchestra to beguile its customers. When the Egyptian businessman Mohammed Al-Fayed had bought the London shop, the BA owners had refused to sell their Argentinian license to him. The ensuing court battles led eventually to the closure of the store in 1989. One of the very few occasions on which the building had been open in the subsequent quarter of a century had been to play host to a tango festival.
Florida St was also the location of the Kavanagh Building, an Art Deco skyscraper that overlooked the Plaza San Martin. When built in 1935 it had been the tallest building in South America but like Harrods it had become the focal point for battle. Its construction had been funded by a wealthy Irish heiress called Corina Kavanagh. She had fallen in love with the son of an aristocratic family who lived on the opposite side of the Plaza. Her wealth had not made up for her lack of breeding and she was ignominiously rejected. In revenge she ordered that the Kavanagh Building should be constructed in front of the church that the aristocrats had built on the Plaza. Thus they would be prevented forever from enjoying the view of their hallowed edifice from their own home.
Floridita Street, Buenos Aires
The centre of the city was dominated by an immensely wide boulevard known as the 9 de Julio Avenue. A large number of the streets in both BA and Montevideo were named after dates – presumably highly meaningful ones at some point but now rendered redundant by time. Thus a traffic direction might be: “Take a left along the Thirteenth of October, then right along the Twenty Sixth of August, and then another right along the Ninth of November’. Or alternatively: “I tried to drive along the Twenty Ninth of February but it’s blocked by road works for the next four years.”
The Opera House, B.A.
The most spectacular sight on 9 de Julio was the Teatro Colon, the opera house that had been built in 1908. We joined a tour around its interior – one of its upper foyers had been decked out to resemble the Versailles Hall of Mirrors. The main theatre had more seating than Covent Garden and no less a critic than Luciano Pavarotti had proclaimed it as being one of the top five auditoriums in the world. I suppose that it was not surprising given the waves of Italian immigration that Buenos Aires should have a glorious opera house.
Interior of the Opera House, B.A.
In the evening we were joined by a foursome from Montevideo, including Jonathan and Beatrice, who had arrived to make sure that I was baptised in the glories of the Argentine tango. Hugo led the way through the cobbled lamp-lit streets of old Buenos Aires to the Bendita Milonga, reputedly one of the best clubs in the country. Once inside, we acquired a table situated strategically between the dance floor and the bar, and the drinks began to flow.
To begin with, things were quite slow. A group of about twenty Swedish tourists were being taught the rudiments of tango by an elegant but ill-tempered lady who barked at us for silence if we spoke above a whisper. Each time this happened, her flock would stop to stare at us reproachfully. The atmosphere began to improve with the arrival of the live orchestra – three violins, two double basses, three squeezeboxes, a pianist, and a singer. They were called El Afronte and Hugo said they were among the most popular bands in BA. Their first number was the signal for the more experienced locals to rise from their floor-side tables and begin to dance.
The Tango Club, Buenos Aires
To my untutored eye the standard was excellent. The tango is an amazing activity – basically it is walking with your partner in time to the music. This is done while breast to breast and often cheek to cheek (at least it is in the Argentine). But beneath this fixed stance the feet are getting up to some very complex activity – slick back kicks, and slow glides, amongst others. There seemed to be a total lack of ageism – white-bearded grandfathers embraced twenty somethings without embarrassment. Neither did it seem especially sexist either. At one point two young women began to tango together – it had a subtler quality to the male/female partnerships – the girls moved in a more sinuous fashion, coiling around each other like snakes.
Surprisingly not once in the whole evening I did see any collisions between couples. Although this was probably because I had declined the opportunity to join them on the dance floor.
The Tango Club, B.A.
The final tango was performed alone by a professional couple and was mesmerising. The evening had been like stepping back into the 1940s – that Rita Hayworth cracked mirror glamour, the music that ached with loss, and the sense that time was nudging your elbow.
The comparison with the musical ‘Cabaret’ was inevitable; in fact, they played the number ‘Welkommen’ several times over the speakers. Hugo said that for a time the club had tried to introduce table telephones a la Cabaret so that clients could phone each other across the room to request dances. They were forced to cancel the experiment as the phones rarely worked or kept connecting the wrong people.
2015 October: Thursday
My guide for the day arrived at 11am. Ana Justo was a large woman in her seventies who had a wonderfully expressive face that brimmed with life. While her promised tour of the city was literally washed out by a relentless rainstorm, Ana herself proved to be so interesting that she was a more than adequate compensation for BA. After a mutual decision to abandon the tour, we squelched into a restaurant called the Florida Garden. Ana said that this had been a favourite place when she had been a child. The waiter who arrived to serve us was himself about 70 years old and the two fell into reminiscences of the grandeur that had once been old Buenos Aires.
Ana Justo in B.A.
But, as I discovered, Ana was not simply a relic of the old days. She had been a very fine singer in her day and had been an adviser to the director Alan Parker when he came to Argentina to make the 1996 film ‘Evita’. He had not been well received as the subject of his film was still toxic in the country. On one hand, Eva Peron’s supporters were suspicious that Parker might attempt to trash their heroine, while her detractors suspected he might idolise her. The atmosphere grew so tense that Parker decided to use Budapest as a substitute location. But one scene had to be set in BA – the renowned one where Evita sings ‘Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina’ from the balcony of the Casa Rosada. Shot during the night with 4000 extras in the street below, Ana said it was an unforgettable occasion – recreating history at the exact spot where the real Evita had stood just forty odd years earlier.
Ana also had met the star of the film Madonna and on another occasion had sung for Princess Diana. As we chatted on, I found out that Ana had a son who owned a restaurant in Camden Town, London – roughly a ten minute bus ride from my home.
It was towards the end of our meeting that she revealed her most surprising link. She was the grand-daughter of the 23rd President of Argentina, Agustin Justo, who came to power following a military coup in 1932 and remained President till 1938. He had preceded the Perons by only eight years. Although a controversial figure – his administration was part of what became known as ‘The Infamous Decade’ – he had, being at heart a liberal, at least resisted the drive towards out-and-out fascism. Ana had fallen out with the current administration, as they had changed the name of a BA road that previously had been called ‘Justo’ after her grandfather. It was now something dreary like ‘The Seventeenth of May’ or any of the other 365 days on offer.
Buenos Aires street
2015 October: Friday
Hugo arrived at the flat at 6pm to take me to tonight’s venue. The Suburban Theatre was well named as it was a good train journey away from BA city centre. Travelling north-west parallel to the river, we passed through one station called Belgrano (stirring an awkward memory for a Brit in Argentina). On arrival in the pleasant suburb of San Isidro, we walked a short distance to the theatre.
San Isidro Theatre – NJT with Alastair
As with the Montevideo Players, the frontage was entirely anonymous – and again the interior was a delight. The walls of the foyer bar were covered in playbills representing the fifty years of the theatre’s productions. Then, through a set of curtains, lay the auditorium. The stage was exceptionally wide and faced by four tiers of chairs that seated about seventy.
By 9 30pm the audience began to arrive and I greeted them individually in the foyer. They were almost entirely British ex-pats – an elderly and very friendly crowd – and as with the Anglo Theatre the show was a sell-out. Everything looked fine until I walked on stage.
And then somehow I lost it.
I simply don’t know what happened to my performance. The audience were excellent, easily picking up the subtlest of jokes and palpably receptive to the nuances of the script. But something in my brain did not function. I could find excuses – it was hot, I was tired, and crucially there was absolutely no echo in the auditorium whatsoever. It had a dead oppressive sound that I had not noticed before and it threw me. In the end however, it was my fault. I kept losing concentration and fluffing lines I had never fluffed before. My gods were just not with me tonight.
I revived a bit during the Q and A session and in response to the last question said that Oscar had been a flawed human being. “But maybe we all are. And that’s why we like him.”
The San Isidro Theatre, B.A.
2015 October: Saturday
On our final walk down to the terminal to catch the ferry back to Uruguay, we happened to pass the memorial to the Argentine victims of the Falklands War. It was set in parkland and consisted of a long wall inscribed with the names of the thousand or so mostly young conscripts who died there. Hugo seemed embarrassed by the sight: “I’m sorry. I did not bring you here deliberately.”
The War Memorial to the Argentine dead of the Falklands War
Every nation picks up a cartoon image in the eyes of other nations. When it comes to the Argentinian stereotype of the UK, it seems that the Brits are regarded as pirates. Looking at the historical perspective, one can see their point. From the days of raiding the treasure ships of the Spanish Main to the intermittent assaults on the cities of the River Plate, the British do not have a good record. Ana Justo had told me that when the BA press had attacked Alan Parker they referred to him as ‘El Pirato’.
This stirred a memory of a story told to me by my Royal Navy brother who was stationed in the South Atlantic around the time of the Falklands. A very young officer, a sub-lieutenant aged nineteen, was given the task of sailing to a remote bay on the islands to investigate reports that its garrison of Argentine soldiers might be on the verge of surrender. He was given a captured fishing boat and a crew of twelve to carry out the mission.
Being a prankster at heart and knowing full well of Britain’s buccaneering reputation, the sub-lieutenant dressed his crew as pantomime pirates, sporting bandanas, eye patches, and cutlasses, while breaking out the flag of the skull and crossbones at the masthead. The Argentine garrison was so flabbergasted at the sight of this bizarre apparition that they surrendered without question. The sub-lieutenant was hauled up in front of his admiral after the incident but the matter was allowed to drop amidst guffaws from the wardroom.
Leaving the Harbour, Buenos Aires
Next week on Tuesday 30 October – back to Uruguay and a rural encounter with a boar named Rodney.
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Perspectives on Human Nature in ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Moby-Dick’ Essay
Rating: Strong Essays
Romantic literature, at its very essence, attempts to deal with the subject of human nature (Wang, 2011). Both Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ and Herman Melville’s ‘Moby-Dick,’ being Romantic texts, each offer their own perspective on the true essence of humanity. While their perspectives are largely similar due to the era they originated in, with both reasoning that humanity possesses an excessive pride in the desire to exceed its limits that is capable of immense devastation and corruption of others (Penguin Group, 2011; Ross, 2001), they are also somewhat different when it comes to the ability characters possess to recognise the damage they cause (eNotes.com, 2010; Macmillan Publishers Ltd., 2010), a separating factor that differentiates just how destructive each author believes human nature can be (Kim, 2011).
Beginning with the similarities ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Moby-Dick’ possess in terms of their reflections on the human condition, the protagonists of each, Victor and Ahab respectively, both possess an evident hubris that causes them to elevate themselves to the role of God in a desire to take control of their surroundings (Penguin Group USA, 2011; Ross, 2001). This quality is evident in Victor particularly during the early stages of the novel where he wishes to excel natural limits by removing death from the world (Harris, 2008). As literary scholar Michael Cummings (2009) explains, “Victor Frankenstein believes he has the right as a scientist to pursue truth and knowledge even when his quest ventures into the domain of the divine.” However, because Victor’s pride in himself causes him to possess this belief, he subsequently fails to consider the moral impacts of his activities and thus his creation eventually wrecks dest...
...kenstein, viewed November 11, and 12, 2011,
• Ross, J, 2001, Moby Dick Themes, viewed November 11, and 12, 2011,
• Shelly, M, 1831, ‘Frankenstein’, in Shelly, M, Stoker, B, & Stevenson, R. Frankenstein; Dracula; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Signet Classics), Published in 1978 by the New American Library Inc., New York.
• Shmoop Editorial Team, 2008, Queequeg in Moby-Dick, viewed November 12, 2011,
• SparkNotes Editors, 2002, Moby-Dick: Context, viewed November 12, 2011,
• Wang, C, 2011, On the Features of the Active Romantic Literature, viewed November 11, 2011,
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Essay about Authors' Conceptions of Human Nature
- Authors' Conceptions of Human Nature Philosophers, politicians, and writers throughout all of the western world and across all of our written history have discovered the importance of knowing human nature. Human nature is responsible for our definitions of abstract concepts that are surprisingly universal across the western world like justice, equity, and law. Human nature must also be carefully studied in an effort to understand, obtain, or maintain power within society. Finally, human nature must also be carefully understood so as to protect it from being manipulated and to understand its place in society.... [tags: Human Nature Philosophy Essays]
The 1984 Upheaval in Bhopal The Worst Industrial Accident in History
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About Impetigo
Paint Color Schemes
A Cry for Deliverance
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Happy 66th, Bruce
by Dave Gourdoux
Last Wednesday was the 66th birthday of a personal favorite of mine, Bruce Springsteen. I could go on and on about why I think he's so great, knowing I'd get a lot of heads nodding in agreement and just as many eyes sarcastically rolling - I understand how split people are about Bruce. It seems like everyone has an opinion, usually strongly held, that he is either a genius or a hack. I am obviously in the first camp.
But enough of that - I thought what I'd do today instead is select what I feel are some of the most underrated songs in the Bruce catalog.
My only rule was to limit myself to songs that have officially been released under his name - this eliminates the hundreds of hours of bootleg recordings out there. I've tried to list them in the order they were recorded, but that gets tough when I include things from Tracks and The Promise, which were released much later than the songs on them were recorded. Also, you might wonder about my criteria for determining what's underrated and what's not; I wonder about that, too. I guess these are just great songs that for one reason or another aren't held in as high regard by the general populous as I think they should be (note: the key words here are "general populous." In other words, not Bruce fanatics. Every Bruce fanatic in the world holds "Incident on 57th Street" in high regard - it only makes my "underrated" list because it's not as familiar to Joe Q. Public as "Born in the U.S.A." or "Badlands," or "The Rising." It's in this regard that I consider the song "underrated.") Anyway, without further ado, here goes:
I've created a Spotify playlist of my selections if you want to listen along as you read; just copy and paste this URL into a window on your browser:
https://open.spotify.com/user/1257178086/playlist/4cMNXPO6hZP5kCRMHWPVjB
"Incident on 57th Street," from The Wild, the Innocent, and the E-Street Shuffle (1973)
Springsteen found his distinctive voice on this, the fifth track on his second album. It's the best example in his early works of his ability to break down the distance between the performance and the listener. As he tells the story of Spanish Johnny and Puerto Rican Jane, it sounds like he's crawled out of your speakers and is in the room with you. It's an intimacy that's rarely experienced, and it's one of Springsteen's greatest gifts.
Live versions close with an emotional and gorgeous guitar solo that reaches into your chest and rips out your heart.
"Restless Nights," from Tracks, recorded in 1977
An outtake from the Darkness on the Edge of Town sessions, "Restless Nights" is the best portrayal of insomnia ever. The music, dominated by an other-worldly organ riff from Danny Federeci, haunting harmony vocals from Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt, and Springsteen's jittery, strung-out electric guitar is so atmospheric as to be hypnotic. The lyrics feature "whispering trees" and "dark rivers" and work perfectly with the music.
Now I pray darling for the night
we'll dance down these darkened halls
once again to fall
into a dream
"Loose Ends," from Tracks, recorded in 1977
Another Darkness on the Edge of Town outtake, "Loose Ends" features Springsteen's incredible ear as a songwriter. His ability to encapsulate all the rules of different genres into his own unique vision is what sets Springsteen apart from other songwriters. This is where the frequent comparisons to Bob Dylan fall flat and are mistaken - Springsteen was never the poet or innovator that Dylan is. What Springsteen can do so remarkably well as both songwriter and performer is move seamlessly between genres and styles.
It helps to have the great E-Street Band as the instrument through which Springsteen's gifts are expressed. "Loose Ends" may be the band's finest moment, creating a Phil Spector-ish "wall of sound" featuring one of Clarence Clemons' finest sax solos, drummer Max Weinberg's perfect fills, the amazing blend of Roy Bittan's piano virtuosity, and Danny Federici's instinctive organ playing and Springsteen's voice as he sings:
Our love has fallen around us like we said it never could
we saw it happen to all the others but to us it never would
how can something so bad come from something that was so good,
I don't know ...
"Streets of Fire," from Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978
It's easy to criticize "Streets of Fire" for being overwrought and unsubtle, and it's true; in his vocals on this one Bruce does over-emote. But that doesn't change the fact that the song is lean and mean in its description of a guy who's found himself alone in a strange and dangerous place, "strung out on a wire across streets of fire":
I live now only with strangers
I talk to only strangers
I walk with angels that have no place
Springsteen's magnificent guitar solo is one of his best as the song conjures up a world of darkness and menace.
"Talk to Me," from The Promise, recorded in 1978
Bruce plus horns equals magic. "Talk to Me" is another example of Springsteen's mastery of genre, a combination of Tin Pan Alley, wall of sound, frat rock, and blue-eyed soul. It opens with a simple little guitar and drum riff, the guitar is soon joined by piano, and then the horns kick in, and that moment is pure perfection. The hooks in the melody and the tightness of the rhythm section bring to mind the Memphis Stax Records sounds of Wilson Pickett or Otis Redding or Sam and Dave.
"Drive All Night" and "Wreck on the Highway," from The River, 1980
Most of the many critics who dismiss Springsteen are reacting to the broad reach of his anthems, like "Born to Run," "Badlands," and "Born in the U.S.A." Taken out of the context of Springsteen's catalog, they find them to be jingoistic and bombastic exercises in promoting a false mythology. Only when considered within the context of his larger body of work, when the anthems are placed side to side with intimate ballads and poignant stories, does the astonishing range of Springsteen's vision become evident.
"Drive All Night" and "Wreck on the Highway" close out the album The River. "Drive All Night" is an amazing love song, simultaneously epic and intimate, dark and romantic. Springsteen's vocal is pure and heartfelt and gut wrenching, and Clemons' sax solo is possibly his best (right up there with "Jungleland").
"Wreck on the Highway" closes out the album, and takes place in the same dark and rainy night that the singer of "Drive All Night" is trying to drive through. The narrator of the song is telling us about a crash he comes upon while driving on a cold and rainy night. He tries to get help for the "young man lying by the side of the road" even though he knows it's too late for help.
An ambulance finally came and took him to Riverside
I watched as they drove him away
and I thought of a girlfriend or a young wife
and a State Trooper knocking in the middle of the night
to say "your baby died in a wreck on the highway."
Time goes on, and the narrator is still haunted by the images. The song concludes with:
Sometimes I sit up in the darkness
and I watch my baby as she sleeps
then I climb back in bed and I hold her tight
I just lie there awake in the middle of the night
thinking about the wreck on the highway.
Then a couple of drum beats are heard, and the song comes to an abrupt end, only to start again, with just the rainy dark sounds of acoustic guitar and piano fading into the void.
"Used Cars," from Nebraska, 1982
Springsteen has famously written some of his most powerful songs about his relationship with his father, and how his failures and neurosis dominated Springsteen's childhood and shaped how he views the world as an adult. "Used Cars" is a short memoir about his childhood, and the endless parade of cheap used cars his dad would bring home. The song is about the pain and humiliation his father's failures caused:
Now the neighbors come from near and far
as we pull up in our brand new used car
I wish he'd just hit the gas and let out a cry
and tell them all they can kiss our asses goodbye
The song ends with some poignant imagery, and a measure of compassion for his father:
My dad he sweats the same job from morning to morn
me, I walk home on the same dirty streets where I was born
up the block I can hear my little sister in the front seat,
just a-blowing that horn
the sounds echoin' all down Michigan Avenue.
"Valentine's Day," from Tunnel of Love, 1987
This is my all-time favorite love song, even though in the end the narrator's still alone, and it's unclear whether he'll ever reunite with the object of his love.
The song begins with a guy driving alone in a "big, lazy car" at night on a "spooky old highway." He's scared and nervous, with "one hand steady on the wheel and one hand trembling " over his heart, which is "pounding like it's gonna bust right on through." He doesn't know what's driven him out there, other than "tonight I miss my baby, tonight I miss my home." It's clear that he's been apart from both for some time.
Then he reveals what really has him so frightened:
They say if you die in your dreams
you really die in your bed
but honey last night I dreamed my eyes rolled
straight back in head
and God's light came shining on through
I woke up in the darkness scared and breathing
and born anew
After dreaming of his own death, he wakes with images of death fresh in his consciousness. Terrified, it's only memories of love that can still the nightmarish images of dying alone:
It wasn't the cold river bottom I felt rushing over me
it wasn't he bitterness of a dream that didn't come true
it wasn't the wind in the grey fields I felt rushing through my arms
no, no, baby,
baby, it was you
The themes of love, death and loneliness continue in the closing verse, where the key word is "lonely."
So hold me close
honey, say you're forever mine
and tell me you'll be my lonely Valentine
Whether the epiphany experienced by the dream is enough to resolve the differences that split the couple apart is left unresolved. This is testimony to Springsteen's artistic integrity; he prefers to leave the central question the song asks unanswered, rather than tie things up in a nice little bundle.
"Brothers Under the Bridge," from Tracks, recorded 1993(?)
Since the '70s, Springsteen has been a quiet and consistent advocate for Vietnam veterans. Vietnam and its impact on the psyche of the country has been a central theme not only in Springsteen's art but in his life as well, as he lost two close friends, including the drummer in his first band. The disproportionate cost of the war that was paid by the working class has informed the lens through which he views the world.
"Brothers Under the Bridge" is a great example of the cinematic quality of Springsteen's story songs. It is obviously influenced by the work of the novelist Bobby Ann Mason. The song tells the story of a Vietnam veteran who's withdrawn to living with his "brothers" in the "dry brush" of the California hills, and the daughter who's been searching for him.
I come home in
seventy-two
You were just a beautiful light
in your mama's dark eyes of blue
I stood down on the tarmac
I was just a kid
me and the brothers under the bridge
Come Veteran's Day
sat in the stands in my dress blues
I held your mother's hand
when they passed with the red, white and blue
One minute you're right there,
then something slips ...
The music fades and the song ends, again, unresolved, the only explanation that"something slips," and it's another example where saying nothing says everything.
"My Beautiful Reward," from Lucky Town, 1992
One of Springsteen's most poetic songs, about a man searching for, and finally finding, peace. It closes with one of my favorite verses:
Tonight I can feel
the cold wind at my back
I'm flying high over grey fields
my feathers long and black
Down along the river's silent edge I soar
searching for my beautiful reward.
"Highway 29," from The Ghost of Tom Joad, 1995
Another of Springsteen's mini movies, this is, simply put, a GREAT song. The scenes we're given and the detailed visuals are amazingly vivid. The story, about a shoe salesman and the higher class woman who have a fling that goes terribly wrong, is complex and suspenseful.
The bank robbery the guy commits is described in images that are incredibly lean and vivid:
It was a small town bank
it was a mess
well, I had a gun
you know the rest
Money on the floorboards
shirt was covered in blood and she was crying
her and me we headed south
down Highway 29
They hit the road, the woman now a hostage, when sudden realization hits the narrator:
The winter sun
shot through the black trees
I told myself it was all something in her
but as we drove I knew it was something in me
Something that'd been coming
for a long, long time
and something that was here with me now
on Highway 29
The song ends with this vivid but enigmatic verse:
The road was filled with broken glass
and gasoline
she wasn't saying nothing
it was just a dream
the wind come silent through the windshield
all I could see was snow and sky and pines
I closed my eyes and I was running
yeah, I was running, then I was flying
"Nothing Man," from The Rising, 2002
The Rising is an album inspired by 9/11 that chronicles the time immediately after, when the trauma was still fresh in our psyche. Songs like the title track "Empty Sky" and "You're Missing" deal with the loss and vulnerability that was felt. "Nothing Man" is often overlooked, and I can't understand why. To me, it's the best song on the album, and one of the best ten or so songs Springsteen's ever released.
"Nothing Man" is told from the point of view of a first responder who is having difficulty dealing with the trauma and guilt he feels. The song begins in the surrealistic days after with the narrator reading about himself and his "brave young life" in his hometown paper. Then he explains, in deceptively simple terms, how profoundly his world has changed in ways that others can't see:
everybody acts the same
everybody acts like nothing's changed
Friday nights
the club meets at Al's Barbecue
the sky is still
the same unbelievable blue
It's that last line, about the "unbelievable" sky, that really resonates. I remember watching the twin towers fall against a perfect blue and cloudless sky, and I remember looking up at the sky here in my Wisconsin home, and it was just as blue and cloudless. I remember that for the rest of the month of September it seemed as if the sky remained unchanged, blue and perfect and devoid of airplanes.
For the narrator of the song, however, everything has changed, and the blue sky only reminds him of the horror he witnessed. Haunted by the images of what he saw and riddled with survivor's guilt, he's coming undone:
You can call me Joe
buy me a drink and shake my hand
You want courage
I'll show you courage you can understand
the pearl and silver
resting on my night table
it's just me, Lord,
I pray that I'm able
Darling, with this kiss
say you'll understand
I am the nothing man
The courage he is praying for is the ability to take the gun on his night table and end his own life. It's heartbreaking, especially when the lyrics are juxtaposed against a lovely melody, and the "doo--doo doo--doos" Springsteen sings in closing the song are pure and haunting.
"All the Way Home," from Devils and Dust, 2005
"All the Way Home" is a simple but effective little rocker that asks the question can romance and innocence survive heartbreak and cynicism? It's about a middle-aged guy trying to pick up a middle-aged woman at a bar, and hoping against all odds to recapture some small scrap of the innocence time has taken from them both.
Now you got no reason to trust me
my confidence is a little rusty
but if you don't feel like being alone
baby, I could walk you all the way home
In the last verse, "closing time" is referring to more than the bar closing. The singer is realizing that time is running out, and there might not be many more opportunities. There's a hint of desperation in his words:
Now it's coming on closing time
bartender, he's ringing last call
these days I don't stand on pride
I ain't afraid to take a fall
so if you're seeing what you like
maybe your first choice he's gone
well, that's all right
But in that desperation, in the longing for something long lost, there's dignity and heroism. It's the refusal to let past circumstances and future likelihoods destroy his longing. It's hope when all seems hopeless. This is another of Springsteen's recurring themes - the ability of good and simple people to hold on to their humanity against oppressive and corrosive forces of time and fate.
"Gypsy Biker," from Magic, 2007
Springsteen has been incredibly prolific in the 21st century, releasing no fewer than seven albums. My favorite of these is the 2007 release Magic, which I think compares favorably to his best albums from the seventies and eighties. Songs like "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" and "Long Walk Home" are instant Bruce classics. Right up there with them is "Gypsy Biker," a guitar and harmonica blues rocker about the tragic death of a solider in either Iraq or Afghanistan (he does't specify which) and the cost of war to friends and family back home.
After getting word of the death, the motorcycle club the soldier belonged to has their own private ceremony in which they ritualistically say goodbye:
We rode into the foothills
Bobby brought the gasoline
we stood around in a circle
as she lit up the ravine
The spring hot desert wind
rushed down on us all the way back home
The song ends with a description of the effect the death has on those who were close to him:
To the dead it don't matter much
about who's wrong or right
you asked me that question
I didn't get it right
You slipped into your darkness
now all that remains
is my love for you, brother
lying sill and unchanged
To them that threw you away
you ain't nothing but gone
my gypsy biker's coming home
Now I'm out counting white lines
counting white lines and getting stoned
Springsteen has written several songs detailing the difficulties vets have after returning home ("Born in the U.S.A," and "Shut Out the Light" as examples), but "Gyspy Biker" is the first to focus on the survivors of those who don't make it back.
"Hunter of Invisible Game," from High Hopes, 2014
An amazing little gem of a song that manages to be charming and haunting while at the same time describing a post-apocalyptic, dystopian future, Springsteen can't betray his own ultimate faith in the human spirit:
There's a kingdom of love waiting to be reclaimed
I am the hunter of invisible game
"The Wall," from High Hopes, 2014
Springsteen's reaction to Robert McNamara's (Lyndon Johnson's Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War) apology for his part in perpetuating the disastrous quagmire the war became. To put it bluntly, Bruce didn't appreciate it very much. What he created in reaction is a lovely and heartbreaking short prayer that takes place in Washington D.C., contrasting the halls of power with the names of those lost on the Vietnam War Memorial, "the Wall."
On the ground dog tags and wreaths of flowers
and ribbons as red as the blood
red as the blood you spilled
in the central highlands mud
Now limousines rush down Pennsylvania Avenue
rustling the leaves as they fall
and apology and forgiveness got no place here at all
here at the wall
Well, you've made it this far; I'd love to hear what you think. What did I miss? What did I get right or wrong?
And here's to Bruce: Happy birthday and best wishes for many more. As he once said, we'll "need a good companion for this part of the ride."
Posted by DJ Gourdoux at 10:00 AM
Labels: Dave Gourdoux, music
Christopher Nolan's Memento
Back in 2003 or so, I was teaching a film appreciation course. Each day was devoted to a specific aspect of filmmaking (cinematography, writing, sound, etc.). I'd start the class with a brief summary of the topic of the day and some notes about its various techniques. Always leaving room for questions, the first part was mostly lecture-based. I'd show samples of these techniques to give the students an idea of what to look for in the next part of the class, which was to watch an entire movie.
One of the days focused on editing, which I'm very partial to, since most of my film career has been as an editor; it was also what I concentrated on in film school. Determining which film for each aspect was always tough since there are so many to chose from. For the editing class, however, it was very easy. I chose Christopher Nolan's 2000 film, Memento.
Anyone who's already seen the film will understand immediately why I chose this film. Editing is crucial to the way the story is told. In fact, the timeline is basically played out backwards, possibly to disorientate the audience. You see, the main character, Leonard (Guy Pearce), suffers from anterograde amnesia, which prevents him from creating new memories. I imagine Nolan, along with his editor, Dody Dorn, decided to mix up the order of the timeline to make it easier to relate to such an unusual impairment.
Guy Pearce as "Leonard"
It's a great way to tell a story, especially if it's in the realm of mystery. And that's where the editing and story take a huge leap. Leonard isn't just dealing with his memory in a dramatic role, he's also trying to find his wife's killer. He's devised some techniques to help him remember things, mostly based on being systematic with his daily routines. He also tattoos major clues to his body. Lastly, he carries around his trusty Polaroid camera where he can make real-time "memories" of the things most of us take for granted, like the car he drives, hotel he's staying in, and even people he meets. (I admit I use this technique whenever I park in the airport.)
The film can essentially be broken into two main sections which are distinguished by color and black-and-white cinematography. The color photography is played out backwards and is the bulk of the film. The black-and-white photography takes place in a room with Leonard on the phone. Throughout the black-and-white scenes, the audience is listening to Leonard talk to someone about an insurance case he once investigated. As an insurance agent, it was Leonard's job to dismantle cases that were deemed fraudulent. The case in question is of Sammy Jankis. Sammy suffered from the same affliction as Leonard (before Leonard's accident, of course). Leonard goes on to explain the case in detail, and with this story we can study Leonard's current dilemma. But more important is how this part of the film helps break up the color part of the story. And it makes sense that the black-and-white "Sammy" section is told chronologically, because this is a memory before Leonard's condition.
After watching Memento for the first time, I was curious to know how I was able to understand everything despite the broken timeline and the backwards storytelling. I later watched it again, but this time I put on the commentary track on the DVD. The director and editor explained the use of sound cues to tie scenes together.
Editor Dody Dorn
Here's how the film is played out: a scene would start at a certain point then stop just after something exciting or after a revelation. It would be followed by the black-and-white "Sammy" section of the story. The following color scene ends from the beginning of the previous color scene. It's a little hard to explain and people have actually created diagrams. Wikipedia has a great one. Needless to say, it can get tricky to understand the first couple times, which is why so many people have created diagrams.
But more important than a diagram is the trick Nolan and Dorn used for the audience. The beginning of one scene would have a recognizable audio cue. This could be a line of dialogue such as someone shouting out "Lenny" in a very specific tone. The following color scene would end with this audio cue so that it would be easier for the audience to piece together the scenes. It's so simple, yet ingenious. It's no surprise that Dody Dorn was nominated for an Academy Award for this film. Unfortunately, she didn't win. (Personally, I thought she deserved it more than the actual winner, editor Pietro Scalia for the film Black Hawk Down.)
But beyond the impeccable editing, Memento also boasts some talented performances by a surprisingly small cast. In recent years, Nolan has expanded his films with large casts and blockbuster spectacles such as The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, and Interstellar, to name a few. With Memento, however, he compacted his characters to three main actors: Guy Pearce as "Leonard," Joe Pantoliano as "Teddy," and Carrie-Ann Moss as "Natalie". There's also the "Sammy" character played by Stephen Tobolowsky.
Stephen Tobolowsky as "Sammy Jankis"
Tobolowsky has very few lines in the film, but he makes them count. In the little time he gets onscreen, Tobolowsky makes his character sympathetic by showing how his disease can bring out an unpleasant side of someone who's normally mild-mannered. And given the fact that he doesn't have much time to show who he was compared to who he's become, it's a true testament to Tobolowsky as a dramatic actor, especially for someone who's normally found in comedies.
Like the "Sammy" character, the other characters play a large role in Leonard's distrust. No one around him is reliable, and with short-term memory, Leonard is often found on the wrong end of the stick. His relationship with "Natalie," a damaged woman with ambiguous motives, makes for an unusual partnership. Carrie-Anne Moss does an excellent job portraying a sad, but possibly vindictive, character. Her role provides the question of what guilty means. Is guilt based on a point of view, or is there no such thing as innocence?
Director Christopher Nolan and Carrie-Anne Moss as "Natalie"
Then there's "Teddy," played by the underrated Joe Pantoliano. As Leonard's friend, or foe, depending again on a point of view, Teddy is Leonard's sidekick. Leonard thinks his mission in life is to find his wife's killer, and Teddy has been helping Leonard out with the case. But who is fooling who? Is any of Teddy's information reliable? Is Leonard fooling himself thinking he can solve this case? Is Teddy merely enabling Leonard's desperation because he feels sorry for him? When there's no one to trust, how can a mind ever find structure?
Joe Pantoliano as "Teddy"
One of my favorite traits of Christopher Nolan is the psychological aspect of his films. Of course, when you talk about a Nolan screenplay/story, you usually have to give half the credit to his brother Jonathan "Jonah" Nolan. Memento was based on his short story "Memento Mori". It was one of his first collaborations with Christopher, but definitely not the last. He went on to write the screenplays for The Prestige, Interstellar, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. I love films that deal with the mind, and the Nolan brothers know just how to do it right.
I think if I had to choose, I'd pick Memento as their best example of a psychological story. Surrounding a character with untrustworthy people and situations, with the addition of short-term memory, is unique as is. But then to use editing to enhance that feeling of disorientation is beyond excellence. This was my first taste of Christopher Nolan, and I've gone on to become a big supporter of all his films. There are times when I wish he'd go back to small casts and lower-budgeted films, but maybe that's just me. He is, after all, doing quite well at the box office, which means other people are digging what he's doing.
For more information on Memento, visit the film's IMDb page: www.imdb.com/title/tt0209144
TRIVIA: Leonard uses a Polaroid 690 camera throughout the film.
Posted by Jav Rivera at 9:00 AM
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Home Practice: Journalism, essays and criticism
Practice: Journalism, essays and criticism
Guy Rundle
Reportage & collected journalism;
Known for his wild wit and irreverent commentary, Guy Rundle is one of Australia's most virtuosic minds.
Practice distils his best writing on politics, culture, class and more. In it, Rundle roves the campaign trails of Obama, Palin and Trump; rides the Amtrak around a desolate America; bails up Bob Katter and Pauline Hanson; and excavates the deeper meanings of True Detective and Joy Division.
Insightful and hilarious, Practice reveals Rundle as among Australia's sharpest and most entertaining minds, with a genuinely awe-inducing range and an utterly inimitable voice. There is only one Guy Rundle.
By: Guy Rundle
Imprint: Black Inc
Guy Rundle is the award-winning author of numerous books, including Inland Empire- America at the End of the Obama Era, A Revolution in the Making- Robots, 3D Printing, Robots and the Future, 50 People Who Stuffed Up Australia (with Dexter Rightwad), Down to the Crossroads- On the Trail of the 2008 Election and two Quarterly Essays, The Opportunist- John Howard and the Triumph of Reaction and Clivosaurus- The Politics of Clive Palmer. He has written four hit stage shows for the satirist Max Gillies; has co-written two musicals, All Het Up and Silly Season, the revue Absent Presences and the album Paradoxical Sleep; and was a writer, producer and deviser of numerous TV shows, including Full Frontal, Get A Life, Shark Bay, Comedy Inc. and Vulture. Rundle's writing has appeared in most major Australian publications, as well as The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, Private Eye, Spiked, Jacobin and Penthouse. He served as co-editor of radical bimonthly Arena Magazine for fifteen years and has been a long-time correspondent-at-large for Crikey. His awards include an AWGIE for outstanding contribution to Australian comedy and The Age Non-Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2008.
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Moms and kids rally for climate action in Washington
by: Raquel Martin
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Gathering near the U.S. Capitol Thursday morning, more than 500 moms and kids rallied to urge Congress to take action to stop climate change.
It was the sixth annual Play-in for Climate Action, where moms and youth climate strikers from 25 states said things need to change before it’s too late.
“We want 100% clean energy by 2050 or else we’re doomed,” demonstrator Karin Stein said.
She said the effects of climate change are already at play in her home state of Iowa, where there was devastating flooding this spring.
“My heart breaks. I see local economies disrupted,” she said.
Alexandria Villasenor, 14, of California, is leading the charge. She said members of her generation are the ones who will pay the price if nothing changes.
“We do have a Congress full of climate (change) deniers, and so we really have to push for change,” she said.
Organizers said the event isn’t about scaring kids, but rather about teaching them about the importance of taking care of the planet.
“When I was their age, that was not on my mind and so it gives me hope for the future,” Rep. Donald McEachin, D-Va., said of the youth protesters.
He was among several Democrats who stopped by the rally.
“I believe that the environment is the single most important issue of the 21st century,” McEachin said.
He said that unlike the Republican-controlled Senate, the Democrat-controlled House is ready to act. But House action is unlikely to make it past President Donald Trump.
On Monday, the Republican president said Democrat proposals like the Green New Deal are job killers.
“These radical plans would not make the world cleaner,” Trump said during a press conference. “Their plan is estimated to cost our economy nearly $100 trillion.”
Activists disagree and they say they’ll be back in Washington for a play-in every summer until their goal is met.
“We can do it and we absolutely must,” Stein said.
More Washington, D.C. Bureau Stories
by Brie Jackson / Jul 17, 2019
WASHINGTON (Nexstar) -- Censorship is normally a bad thing in a nation that values freedom of speech.
Republicans have been complaining recently that Google, Facebook and Twitter have been censoring conservative opinions and Republicans.
Families who’ve lost loved ones in semi crashes go to DC to fight for safer roads across country
by Jessi Turnure / Jul 17, 2019
WASHINGTON DC (NEXSTAR) - Families who have lost loved ones in semi-truck accidents traveled to the nation's capital to fight for safer roads across the country.
A steel bar can mean the difference between life and death.
Effort to make animal abuse a federal crime getting bipartisan support
by Trevor Shirley / Jul 16, 2019
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Furry friends all across the country could soon have new protections from the federal government - and lawmakers say it's about time.
The effort to make animal abuse a federal crime is getting a lot of support on both sides of the aisle. Congressional lawmakers say with all the division in government, there's nothing that unites people like protecting animals. They're hoping that's enough to get a new bill passed into law.
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Rock fall injures visitors at Zion National Park
Posted: Jun 4, 2018 / 02:57 PM UTC / Updated: Jun 5, 2018 / 01:19 AM UTC
ZION NATIONAL PARK (News4Utah) – A man is in the hospital and popular-trail closed after a rock fall in Zion National Park.
Marcia Goldberg is from the Florida Keys and was visiting Zion with her family for the first time on Monday.
Their guides told them about the rock on the Riverside Walk Trail, also known as the Gateway to the Narrows.
“And the first question was: Was anybody hurt?” said Goldberg.
“[Someone] was seriously hurt, and has a very serious leg injury.
… Our law enforcement EMT’s were there, and took him away from that area, and into a waiting ambulance and into St. George,” said John Marciano, Zion National Park’s Public Information Officer.
The paved trail is one of Zion’s most frequently visited.
As the rock fell, it broke into smaller pieces.
“Some of which were the size of softballs, another basketball-sized. … Should this rock not have broken up, or did break up into bigger pieces and fallen on the trail, it could have been a catastrophe. It’s a geologically active park, and we all need to be vigilant and know what’s going on around us, while we visit this beautiful natural phenomenon,” said Marciano.
“There’s always some risk anytime you’re dealing with Mother Nature. There’s things out of your control,” said Goldberg.
Geologists visited the site of the rock fall this morning.
Officials say the trail should be open by Tuesday afternoon.
by JEREMY REHM, Associated Press / Jul 17, 2019
NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists say they nearly eliminated disease-carrying mosquitoes on two islands in China using a new technique.
But it's not clear whether this will be practical for larger areas or how expensive it'll be.
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