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Israel shoots dozens of Palestinians in the 19th maritime march in Gaza
GAZA, PALESTINOW.COM — A number of Palestinians were injured with live Israeli fire as Israeli forces suppressed the 19th weekly naval march in the northern besieged Gaza Strip, on Monday afternoon.
Palestinian Health Ministry affirmed that 11 protesters were injured during the Israeli attack.
The attack was carried out when thousands of Palestinian protesters gathered at the northern borders of the Gaza Strip to take part in protests in an attempt to break the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.
Some 20 boats arrived to the northern border to participate in the 19th naval march.
However, Israeli war boats opened live fire and tear-gas bombs at the protesters, PIC reporter said.
Commenting on the attack, Ahmed al-Mudalal, member of the National Committee for Breaking the Siege, which organized the naval march, said the naval marches will not be stopped until its goals are achieved, referring to breaking the Israeli siege and allowing Palestinians the right of return as refugees to their original homelands.
The Gaza Strip has been under an inhumane Israeli siege since 2007 and witnessed three wars since 2008. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and poverty.
Tensions have been running high near the border fence since March 30, which marked the start of a series of protests dubbed “The Great March of Return.”
The deadly clashes in Gaza reached their peak on May 14, the eve of the 70th anniversary of Nakba Day, or Day of Catastrophe, which coincided this year with Washington’s relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem.
More than 220 Palestinians have so far been killed and over 22,000 others wounded in the renewed Gaza clashes, according to the latest figures released by the Gaza Health Ministry.
Israel bill to prevent early release of Palestinian resistance passes first reading
On: 11 december 2018 By: KhamakarPress
Megiddo prison in Israel
The Israeli Knesset yesterday passed the first reading of a bill which will prevent prisoners convicted on “terror” charges of requesting early release.
The bill – which will prevent prisoners convicted of murder or attempted murder in “terrorism” cases from having their sentences shortened – passed its first reading in the Knesset yesterday with 57 votes in favour and 12 against. The bill must pass two more Knesset votes before being written into Israeli law, the Times of Israel reported.
According to Arutz Sheva, the explanation for the bill reads as follows: “The terror wave that began in September 2015 [the Jerusalem Intifada] and still continues requires increased deterrence vis-à-vis terrorist operatives. There is no doubt that not allowing the reduction of the punishment would be a more significant and effective deterrent than the current situation in which accessories to terror and terrorists who murdered Jews could be released from prison without having served the time imposed upon them in its entirety.”
“Therefore, it is proposed that those convicted of terrorism and security offenses not be released on probation and not be entitled to a reduction of a third of their imprisonment,” the bill adds.
Though the bill does not explicitly mention Palestinians, it is widely understood that it will be used to deny them the rights afforded to other prisoners. Israel regularly uses the charge of terrorism against Palestinians, meaning they will be denied the same rights as Jewish Israeli inmates who are rarely convicted of terror offences.
READ: Israel arrested 337,000 Palestinians since 1987
Israel currently holds 5,554 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, among which are 482 administrative detainees who are being held indefinitely without charge. According to the Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, better known as Addameer, 489 prisoners are serving a sentence above 20 years and 540 are serving life sentences.
Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons are also known to be mistreated during their detention. Last week it emerged that Palestinian prisoners are being diagnosed with medical conditions late because of a lack of health care in Israel’s jails, with NGO the Prisoners’ Centre for Studies saying that 12 per cent of prisoners are diagnosed with hypertension and 2.7 per cent are diabetic. Four Palestinian prisoners have died so far this year while in Israeli custody, including 57-year-old Hussein Hassani who died as a result of complications in his health condition which he developed in Israeli jails and the medical negligence which ensued.
In the Israeli political context, yesterday’s bill represents the first time the Knesset has been able to overcome the factional infighting that has led to the postponement of a number of crucial debates in recent weeks, including the so-called “cultural loyalty bill” and the Haredi draft law. Since former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman resigned last month – in doing so taking his Yisrael Beiteinu party out of the coalition – the government has been left with a precarious one-seat majority that has made it difficult to pass contentious bills.
READ: Solidarity campaign launched in support of Palestinian Israa Jaabis
Category: MEMO, Terrorism Leave a comment/
Twitter enforcing Israel’s gag order on botched Gaza operation
In this photo illustration, The Twitter logo is displayed on the screen of an Apple Inc. iPhone 5 in this arranged photograph on September 25, 2016 in Paris, France
Twitter is thought to be enforcing Israel’s gag order on details of its botched operation in Gaza, instructing a number of media outlets to remove posts revealing the identity of Israel’s undercover operatives.
The Electronic Intifada (EI) – a Chicago-based media outlet which reports on Israel-Palestine – revealed yesterday that it had received a message from Twitter instructing it to delete a tweet linking to a story about Israel’s undercover operation in the besieged Gaza Strip in November.
The story in question included an image of Israeli soldiers who had posed as humanitarian workers in order to carry out the secret operation. The image was one of several published by Hamas – the group which governs the Strip – across social media, prompting the office of Israel’s military censor to issue a rare statement instructing Israeli citizens not to share the images. The censor claimed that doing so was “liable to endanger human lives and cause harm to [Israel’s] security”.
Although Israeli media outlets are required to comply with the country’s military gag orders, this censorship does not extend to international media outlets. As a US-based organisation, EI is therefore exempt from these restrictions, leading it to believe that Twitter acted at the behest of Israel which has been scrambling to prevent the spread of the images.
OPINION: Israel’s death squads endanger humanitarian aid workers
In its instructions to EI, Twitter failed to give a credible reason for ordering the tweet to be deleted. EI explained: “In its notice to The Electronic Intifada, Twitter asserted that The Electronic Intifada’s tweet violated the “The Twitter Rules” [which detail what content can be published on the platform] but provided no specific explanation of how it did so.”
EI added that a number of other media outlets and individual users had also been targeted, including Palestinian outlet Quds News Network which had its account temporarily locked by Twitter “after publishing what it had called ‘reports on the botched Israeli clandestine operation’ in Gaza”. A former health minister in Gaza, Dr. Basem Naim, told EI that he also had his Twitter account locked “because of a tweet with the photos of the special Israeli force” that raided Gaza. “He said access to his account was restored after he removed the tweet,” EI added.
Israel is no stranger to utilising social media outlets to quash any information it deems to be against its interest. In June, Israel’s Security Minister Gilad Erdan called on Twitter to close the accounts of “terrorist” groups, which he said included Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Lebanese group Hezbollah. Erdan wrote in a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and its executive chairman, Omid Kordestani, that “giving terrorist organisations the freedom to operate and disseminate messages of incitement through your network is a violation of the Israeli law”.
READ: Mark Zuckerberg’s joining Israeli Facebook group raises a storm of questions
“If Twitter does not respond to the Israeli demand, it will be subject to legal measures that Israel may take against it,” Erdan added.
Yet Twitter has largely resisted such Israeli pressure, unlike its rival Facebook which has frequently bowed to Israel’s demands to censor content perceived to be pro-Palestinian. In October it emerged that Israel had bid to obtain spying systems which monitor social media users’ private messages. Israeli media reported that the system was expected to monitor all information exchanged through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, targeting keywords like “terror”, “resistance”, “nationality” and “religion”.
In July, the Israeli Knesset passed the first reading of the so-called “Facebook Bill” which would authorise Israel’s court to issue orders to delete internet content “if it harmed the human safety, public, economic, state or vital infrastructure safety”. Israel’s Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked has met with Facebook representatives to discuss coordination, after threatening the platform that failure to comply with the country’s deletion orders could result in fines or a block on Facebook being used in Israel.
Solidarity campaign launched in support of Palestinian Israa Jaabis
Palestinian prisoner Israa Jaabis suffered burns after a faulty cooking gas cylinder in her car burst into flames
PLO’s Committee for Prisoners and Freed Prisoners launched a solidarity campaign for burns victim Israa Jaabis who is being held in an Israeli jail.
Entitled “Freedom and Treatment: A Right for Prisoner Israa”, the campaign has been setup to pressure occupation forces to provide Israa with medical care to tend to her wounds.
In a statement, the Committee called for Palestinians to get involved in the campaign, which is also being run on social media.
According to the statement, the campaign would include sit-ins, meetings and press conferences to be held in front of human rights and media organisations to highlight the plight of Palestinian prisoners to them.
“Decent treatment and proper medical care are basic rights for prisoners,” the Committee said, stressing that “the Palestinian prisoners are deprived of these rights inside the Israeli jails.”
READ: Israel calls to cut Palestinian prisoner treatment costs from PA taxes
Jaabis, 32, was arrested in October 2015 after a faulty cooking gas cylinder in her car burst into flames 500 metres from an Israeli checkpoint in the occupied West Bank.
She was severely wounded in the blaze, suffering 65 per cent burns across her body, including wounds to her face and hands. After she was arrested, she was taken to Hadassah Medical Centre where eight of her fingers were amputated.
Israeli occupation forces accuse Jaabis, who has a ten-year-old son, of attempting to harm Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint near the site of the explosion.
READ: Israel cuts hot water, family visits for female Palestinian prisoners
Category: MEMO, Politics Leave a comment/
Jewish groups call for Palestinian president’s death
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a cabinet meeting in Ramallah, West Bank on 14 May 2018
Radical Jewish groups today called for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to be killed.
Posters placed by the groups at the entrance of the illegal Jewish settlement of Yitzhar near the occupied West Bank city of Nablus were inscribed with a phrase reading “supporter of terrorists” – in reference to Abbas and called for his death.
US-sponsored peace talks between the PA and Israel collapsed in 2014 over Israel’s refusal to halt settlement building in the occupied West Bank.
On Monday, Israeli forces raided Ramallah and the main office of the official Wafa news agency allegedly to find footage of a shooting which injured seven illegal settlers in a nearby settlement on Sunday.
READ: The political system of Mahmoud Abbas
Israeli settlers also vandalised several Palestinian vehicles in the town of Betien, east of Ramallah, local residents reported.
The settlers also sprayed racist anti-Arab slogans on cars and walls of homes in the area and hurled stones at passing vehicles near the checkpoint of Bet Eil, the resident said.
169 Structures Demolished in East Jerusalem This Year
11 DEC5:29 AM
A family demolishes their own home in Silwan, December 8, 2018
POSTED BY: AHMAD JARADAT DECEMBER 11, 2018
Israeli authorities have demolished a total of 169 structures in East Jerusalem this year – a 20 percent increase compared to 2017.
This month, Israeli authorities have demolished or demanded that Palestinians demolish a total of seven Palestinian-owned structures in occupied Jerusalem.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian Territories, Israeli authorities have demolished a total of 169 structures in East Jerusalem this year as of December 3, which represents a 20 percent increase in such demolitions compared to 2017.
On Monday, December 3, 2018, Ahmad Siam demolished his stockroom and garage in the neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem, reports the Wadi Hilweh Information Center. Israeli authorities provided Siam with an order demanding that he demolish the structures within 48 hours or else face high fines. Israeli authorities claim the structures lack Israeli construction permits.
The following day, Tuesday, December 4, 2018, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned home and four stores in different areas of East Jerusalem.
Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned home in the Jabal al-Mukaber that housed 12 people. Jerusalem-based activist Rasim Obaidat told the Alternative Information Center, “during the demolition of the home the village was transformed into a military compound. Dozens of police and soldiers closed all entrances to the village, stopped cars and checked the IDs of passengers.” The police also prevented Palestinian journalists from covering the event and forced students at a nearby school to stay inside until the demolition was complete. The process took two hours.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center reports that the Israeli municipality demolished the home under the pretext that it lacks Israeli construction permits.
In Sur Baher that day, Israeli forces demolished two stores. Mohammed Abu Tair, the owner of the stores, said he had no warning of an impending demolition. Israeli authorities allege the stores lack Israeli construction permits.
Finally, in Beit Hanina on Tuesday, Israeli authorities demolished two Palestinian-owned warehouses.
Only days later, on Saturday, December 8, 2018, a Palestinian family demolished their own home in Silwan to avoid paying high fees to the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem. According to the Wadi Hilweh Information Center, 14 members of the Hashimeh family lived in the home, including seven children. The house belonged to the family for 20 years. Israeli authorities ordered the house demolished by December 10 citing a lack of Israeli construction permits, the Palestinian News and Info Agency reports.
The Israeli municipality zones only 8 – 13 percent of East Jerusalem for Palestinian residential construction. As a result, many East Jerusalem residents are forced to build without permits to avoid overcrowding. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel found that 20,000 homes in East Jerusalem – 39 percent of all homes in East Jerusalem – lack Israeli construction permits.
Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem are the target of Israeli settlement plans, which aim to link four concentric circles of settlements, starting with the Old City, followed by the “Holy Basin” (Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah, a-Tur, Mount Zion, and the Kidron Valley), Jerusalem’s annexation border, and finally the West Bank.
Adalah: Israel Fails to Investigate, Initiate Prosecutions Relating to 2014 Offensive on Gaza
Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel has submitted a report on the lack of Israeli domestic accountability mechanisms to UN Independent Commission of Inquiry examining 2018 protests in the Gaza Strip.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced, late Wednesday, that significant progress has been made on the preliminary examination into Israeli military actions in the 2014 war and 2018 protests in the Gaza Strip. In a report just submitted to the United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2018 Protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (COI), Adalah highlighted Israel’s inaction and persistent unwillingness to conduct genuine investigations into grave incidents of suspected war crimes against unarmed Palestinian civilians in both 2014 and 2018.
In its 25-page report filed on 21 November 2018, Adalah concludes that Israel’s persistent unwillingness to conduct genuine investigations or to initiate prosecutions relating to the 2014 Gaza war stresses the need for international intervention to provide remedies and accountability for Palestinian victims of the 2018 protests.
CLICK HERE to read the report [English]
The report analyzes key recommendations and other findings made by three Israeli domestic bodies, the Turkel Commission (2013), the Ciechanover Team (2015), and the State Comptroller’s Office (2018). These bodies have consecutively reviewed and produced findings about the state’s investigatory mechanisms, and all of them identified multiple grave flaws within that system. Although the reports’ recommendations fell short of the requirements of international law, they nevertheless remain unimplemented by the Israeli government.
Adalah’s report follows an initial report to the COI concerning the legal work undertaken by Adalah and Al Mezan from 30 March until the end of May 2018. Adalah’s representatives subsequently met with the members of the commission and investigators to discuss Adalah’s findings and conclusions regarding the lack of Israeli domestic accountability mechanisms for Palestinians in Gaza.
WHAT’S IN ADALAH’S REPORT?
Adalah’s report reviews Israel’s failed policies, practices and investigatory mechanisms in relation to the actions of its military in the 2014 war. According to official UN reports, Israeli troops killed 2,251 Palestinians, the vast majority of whom were civilians, including 299 women and 551 children, and destroyed 18,000 homes and other civilian property, including hospitals and vital infrastructure.
Adalah believes that information on the 2014 war is crucial to the COI in fulfilling its mandate relating to the 2018 protests “to make recommendations, in particular on accountability measures, all with a view to avoiding and ending impunity and ensuring legal accountability, including individual criminal and command responsibility, for such violations and abuses, and on protecting civilians against any further assaults.”
The lack of a sound and functional domestic investigatory system in Israel upholds the culture of impunity that permeates all echelons of Israel’s military and civilian apparatus that determines policy and conduct towards Gaza.
Adalah and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights filed complaints into 28 cases of suspected international humanitarian law violations – including war crimes – committed by the Israeli military in 2014. To date, only three investigations have been opened; of these, two have since been closed and one remains pending. Adalah received no response in five cases; 13 cases were closed without the opening of an investigation, and six are allegedly still under examination. All of these cases involve the killings of Palestinian civilians, including women and children, and extensive damage and destruction to civilian property and infrastructure. No indictments have been issued in any of the cases.
WHAT ARE ADALAH’S CONCLUSIONS?
Israel’s system of investigating suspected international law violations by its military is unfit for purpose and falls far short of compliance with international standards of independence, impartiality, effectiveness, promptness and transparency;
The chronic failings of its investigatory system allows illegal conduct by Israeli military personnel to continue with a wide margin of impunity;
For six years, Israeli domestic bodies have issued reports and recommendations for improvements to the investigatory system, all of which have both fallen short of the requirements international law, and remain ink on paper, in what appears to be an empty exercise designed to present a facade of action and good intentions;
According to Israeli official data, over 91% of the “exceptional incidents” received by Israel’s Military Advocate General involving alleged IHL violations in Gaza in 2014 have not been investigated, and no commander or soldier was prosecuted for grave violations of IHL;
Thus, Article 17 of the Rome Statute may give authority to the ICC to open investigations into these matters, in fulfillment of the principle of complementarity.
The ongoing situation of inaction at the domestic level and the demonstrated, persistent unwillingness of Israel to conduct genuine investigations or to initiate prosecutions create a pressing need for international actors to step in to provide remedies and accountability for Palestinian victims of the 2018 protests.
(photo: Palestinians search through the rubble of their destroyed homes hit by Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip in August 2014. UN Photo/Shareef Sarhan)
Opinion/Analysis 12/03/18 Information War between Palestinian Resistance and Israel Heats Up after Botched Raid
Israeli Army Orders A Palestinian To Halt Construction Of His Home
11 DEC1:57 PM
Israeli soldiers invaded, Tuesday, the al-Walaja village, west of Bethlehem city in the occupied West Bank, delivered an order instructing a Palestinian to halt the construction of his home, and summoned three home owners for interrogation.
Local media activist Ibrahim Awad said dozens of soldiers invaded the town, and handed the order to Mustafa Fayez Abed-Rabbo.
He added that the army is alleging the Palestinian is building his 100 square/meter home without a permit from the Israeli Civil Administration office, in the occupied West Bank.
The soldiers also summoned three other Palestinians for interrogation regarding their recently built homes in Ein Jweiza area, in al-Walaja.
It is worth mentioning that al-Walaja has been subject to constant Israeli violations, including the illicit confiscation of lands and the demolition of homes and property, as part of Israel’s illegal colonialist activities in that area.
Most of the Palestinians in al-Walaja are refugees, and their village was among hundreds of villages and towns, which were destroyed and depopulated before and after Israel was established in the historic land of Palestine.
On Tuesday morning, the soldiers invaded the al-Jiftlik Palestinian village, in the Central Plains of the occupied West Bank, demolished one home and abducted its owner.
In early September of this year, the soldiers demolished four homes, and injured sixteen Palestinians, in al-Walaja.
Israeli Forces Shoot Dead Palestinian in West Bank
Israeli soldiers stand at the scene of attempted car ramming attack, in Hebron in the occupied West Bank June 2, 2018
A Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli forces on Tuesday near the flashpoint city of Hebron in the south of the occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials said.
Official Palestinian news agency Wafa identified the dead man as Omar Awwad, 27, and said he was shot by Israeli forces near Hebron.
The health ministry confirmed he had died after being taken to hospital.
Israeli police said a man was shot after his car “drove towards border police” at a checkpoint.
“Shots were fired at the suspect vehicle. No injuries to officers,” spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said in a statement, adding that the incident was being investigated.
Israeli forces in the West Bank have been on high alert since Sunday evening, when seven Israelis were wounded in a shooting at the entrance to a West Bank settlement.
Following that attack, Israeli forces carried out raids in the West Bank city of Ramallah in search of the gunmen, including into the offices of the official Palestinian news agency.
Speaking Tuesday at the opening of an interchange near an Israeli settlement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned this week’s shooting and promised to “hunt down those responsible for the attack and make them pay.”
Netanyahu said the attackers intended to push Israel out of the West Bank but that Israel would deepen its ties to the territory under his leadership.
“As long as I am prime minister, not even one Jew will be uprooted from his home. Not only will they not be uprooted from their homes, they will build more homes,” he said at the event, about a half-hour’s drive from the site of Sunday’s shooting.
Category: Asharq al-Awsat, Terrorism Tagged Terrorism Leave a comment/
ILLEGAL ISRAELI SETTLER ATTACKS, OCCUPATION RAIDS AFTER DRIVE BY SHOOTING
Illegal Israeli settlers have attacked with impunity villages and traffic in many parts of the occupied West Bank after 7 illegal Israeli settlers were injured in a drive by shooting late on Sunday December 9th. In this they are again acting as the militia arm of Israel’s occupation forces, which have raided towns and villages largely in the same areas.
The attacks have taken place mainly along main traffic routes around Nablus and Ramallah, but have included attacks in the Salfit district and in the Ramallah-area villages and the city of Hebron also. Illegal settlers have done the attacks mainly from the safety of Israel’s occupation forces’ protection, like at the Huwwara checkpoint in the Nablus district, where they damaged property at a scrap yard and also besieged a house belonging to Ahmad Lufti, throwing stones at it. Mainly the settlers have blocked roads and thrown stones at passing cars.
The shooting took place on a highway near the illegal colony outpost of Ofra when a group of illegal settlers were standing at bus stop. They were shot at from a passing car. According to @ShehabAgency the gunfire lasted only six seconds. 4 teenagers all aged 16 suffered light injuries, 2 adult men suffered moderate injuries and a 21-year-old pregnant woman suffered serious-to-critical injuries. Her baby was delivered via Caesarean section and survived unharmed and is in a good condition.
Unconfirmed early claim in social media was that occupation soldiers would have been with the illegal settlers on the bus stop and would have survived unharmed. This seems to have been wrong, as were claims in the immediate aftermath that up to 11 illegal settlers would have been injured.
The town of Silwad was blocked and invaded by Israeli occupation troops in the aftermath, which raided outskirts of the city of Ramallah and the nearby village of Abu Qash and Surda taking footage from security cameras with them. The entrace to the town of al-Bireh was also closed by occupation forces. These raids led to confrontations with local youths and in Ramallah vast tear gas clouds drifted not only in the streets but atop the city itself.
The illegal colony outpost of Ofra have been established by illegal Israeli settlers themselves without approval from Israel’s regime, which then provided it with services it doesn’t provide to occupied Palestinians in the area, from electricity to water and sewage – and occupation forces’ protection. Now Israeli regime is expected to wave it’s Zionist magic wand and to ‘legalize’ Ofra to placate the illegal settler movement.
Israeli occupation has revealed a video of the shooting which can be seen online. In our sources, follow the link to Maan News article and roll down to watch it. Although most news articles assume there were several people in the car, based on how the driver seem to have some trouble with controlling the vehicle it could be that there was only one person who steered with one hand and used a gun with the other.
Meanwhile 4 Palestinians were shot and wounded with rubber-coated steel bullets by occupation forces when they escorted illegal Israeli settlers to the so-called ‘Joseph’s tomb’ near the city of Nablus. The illegal Israeli settlers and Israel’s regime claim the site is a tomb of Old Testament figure Joseph, although the first record of it is as a Samaritan shrine in the early middle-ages and the current building is only from the year 1868.
Category: Ipnotglobal, Terrorism Leave a comment/
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Home » Dating » Going to School With Social Anxiety Disorder
Going to School With Social Anxiety Disorder
But I definitely shocked him with my opening statement. As someone who hates interviews, my performance on a date was never going to be great. For example, some of my closest friends thought I was an ice queen when we first met. If I really like a person — in a romantic way or not — I tend to be aloof and avoid eye contact. But back to my first date with my husband: I arrived at the train station at least 10 minutes early, sweating buckets, and debated whether or not I should get out of there before I made a fool of myself. But soon enough, I was sat in a bar with him, my temperature running high. What do you do? This took the edge off my nerves. Not the best solution, but what can you do.
CBT Therapy for shyness, social phobia, ABCT
By Derek Lowe 26 March, According to this new survey , depression and anxiety are far more common among graduate students than in the general population. Moving from that to depression is not such a huge jump, either. All of us who have been through grad school have seen people who sort of freeze up at some point in their progress.
I remember people who were always just about to start something, just about to figure out what went wrong with the last thing which was spread out into a bunch of inconclusive samples around their hoods , just about to really start making some progress.
Anxiety disorders are a set of related mental conditions that include: generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD.
Jim by Thomas A. He could trace his shyness to boyhood and his social anxiety to his teenage years. He had married a girl he knew well from high school and had almost no other dating history. He and his wife, Lesley, had three children, two girls and a boy. At our first meeting, Jim was very shy and averted his eyes from me, but he did shake hands, respond, and smile a genuine smile.
A few minutes into our session and Jim was noticeably more relaxed. After I got married, my wife started taking over all of the daily, family responsibilities and I was more than glad to let her. If there was a parent-teacher conference to go to, Lesley went to it.
Social Anxiety UK
We want anyone suffering from an anxiety disorder to have access to all the resources they need to understand and overcome their condition. This website provides the latest and most relevant information by working directly with distinguished doctors, therapists, scientists, and specialists to keep you on the cutting-edge of research and advancements in the field, while keeping our content approachable for the average reader. Our goal is to bridge the understanding gap that exists between mental health professionals and those actually dealing with anxiety disorders.
Hundreds of millions of people worldwide have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or related mood or mental health issue. In fact, some studies have estimated the number to be over 1 billion! And the majority of those diagnosed or struggling with an anxiety disorder don’t receive treatment or have access to the information, treatment, or tools they need during their journey to recovery.
Jim was a nice looking man in his mid’s. He could trace his shyness to boyhood and his social anxiety to his teenage years. He had married a girl he knew well from high school and had almost no other dating history.
How does your social anxiety affect how close you can become to those around you? The truth, however, is that how we get along with each other is a complex, multi-layered thing — just as likely to be impacted by anxious thoughts or phobias as any other aspect of life. In fact, because of both the external pressures of the expectations portrayed by modern media and the internal pressures that come with becoming close to someone else, relationships can provide a playing field for strong negative thoughts and emotions.
That reaction then reinforces the feeling that relationships and intimacy are a dangerous area and makes us more suspicious to enter into them again. Even within a relationship, the fear of intimacy can cause destructive behaviour — predicated on a desire to avoid being hurt. But the way we react can differ: Once those negative thoughts about a relationship have started to spiral because of anxiety, there can be a tendency to try to control a partner to reduce our own insecurities.
This may manifest itself in holding back small parts of a relationship or be as grand as rejecting the whole thing, but what starts as a method to avoid feeling hurt always turns into a way of hurting your partner and harming the relationship. This can be as passive as ignoring our partner or as aggressive as turning every argument into a screaming match, but the insecurities which come with being anxious about your relationship in general are governing your responses here — not your disagreement with your partner.
In many ways this is the most insidious way in which anxiety and the fear of intimacy can sabotage a relationship.
How Does Social Anxiety Affect Intimacy
You can help by adding to it. October Medication[ edit ] Anti-anxiety and antidepressant medication is commonly prescribed for treatment of social anxiety disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs such as sertraline, fluvoxamine and paroxetine are common medications which alleviate social phobia successfully in the short term but it is not certain if they are useful in the long-term[ citation needed ]. Also the MAOI moclobemide works well on treating social phobia in the short term[ citation needed ].
This brochure discusses symptoms, causes, and treatments for social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia), a type of anxiety disorder associated with intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others.
Therefore, we have decided to create a community where people feel safe and comfortable in not only sharing their inner-most thoughts, struggles and afflictions, but also success stories, advice and recommendations. So why not lend a hand and help each other? As a member of the Anxiety Social Net, you will be able to create your own profile that can only be seen by other members. Also, you will have the chance to keep a diary of how you feel, what you have done and accomplished throughout the day.
As most of our members would agree, you will find that keeping a diary can be very helpful to you and other people you would like to share it with. Moreover, as a member you will have the opportunity to expand your horizon by meeting new and interesting people who are not there to judge you but only to help and empathize with what you are going through Here at Anxiety Social Net, we never leave you alone because we believe that healing can be done together.
We give each other the strength and motivation to fight and defeat this invisible monster. So stop being lost in the dark. Turn on a light of hope for yourself and others who are suffering from anxiety disorders. Join our website and become a member today! The Anxiety Social Net Team.
Social Phobia/Anxiety Case Study: Jim
Specific issues Behavior can mask the symptoms Teen anxiety may often be expressed through defiance and avoidance, especially in boys but also in girls, appearing to be bad behavior. Truancy, mild drug use, and oppositional or argumentative behavior at home. If parents are not tip toeing around the teen anxiety than they are engaging in conflict over the teens behavior, thus leading to a stressful and uncomfortable home life and at time contributing to depression.
Dating Teen anxiety can be caused by life stressors, especially if the teenager was already prone to stress.
According to this new survey, depression and anxiety are far more common among graduate students than in the general population. This should surprise no one at all, but it’s good to have some quantitative data on the problem. There are limitations to the study – for one thing, it’s quite.
Unfortunately many people who are suffering depression go undiagnosed and untreated. If you are so depressed that your motivation is low and you feel hopelessness about the possibility of overcoming your social anxiety, it may interfere with treatment. Therefore, sometimes depression needs to be treated before social anxiety can be tackled. Symptoms of Depression lowered mood, feelings of sadness or emptiness changes in sleep Depressed people may have difficulty falling asleep and typically wake up in the middle of the night and have difficulty resuming sleep.
Other depressed people find that they are sleeper longer than is usual for them at night or that they are having increased sleep during the daytime. Depression can be treated. Tips for relieving depression Do not rely solely on medication to alleviate or cure your depression. Some people will find that although medication gives them some relief from their symptoms of depression, they still have lowered mood and need to add other treatment strategies.
Is There a Relationship Between OCD and Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Entering a room in which people are already seated Returning items to a store Eating in front of others Using a public restroom Social anxiety disorder symptoms can change over time. They may flare up if you’re facing a lot of stress or demands. Although avoiding situations that produce anxiety may make you feel better in the short term, your anxiety is likely to continue over the long term if you don’t get treatment. When to see a doctor See your doctor or mental health professional if you fear and avoid normal social situations because they cause embarrassment, worry or panic.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Causes Like many other mental health conditions, social anxiety disorder likely arises from a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors. Possible causes include Inherited traits.
Apr 17, · Social anxiety disorder is more than a fleeting feeling of shyness. It’s a mental illness that can disrupt the regular flow of life, making everyday tasks and responsibilities seem impossible.
Does social anxiety lead you to avoid dating? Take our quiz Does social anxiety lead you to avoid dating? See if Joyable can help. Take our quiz Social Anxiety and Dating: Experiencing anxiety around dating is common. Men and women alike worry about whether their date will find them funny enough, smart enough, or attractive enough. They stress over what to wear, where to go, and what to talk about.
Panic, Worry What Is Anxiety? In some cases, however, worry becomes excessive or chronic and can cause sufferers to dread everyday situations. The condition of steady, pervasive anxiety is called Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Other anxiety-related disorders include panic attacks—severe episodes of anxiety that occur in response to specific triggers—and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is marked by persistent intrusive thoughts or compulsions to carry out specific behaviors such as hand-washing.
Anxiety so frequently co-occurs with depression that the two are thought to be twin faces of one disorder.
Anxiety, or extreme apprehension and worry, is a normal reaction to stressful situations. But in some cases, it becomes excessive and can cause sufferers to dread everyday situations.
According to a recent study released by non-profit Anxiety UK, over half of the social media users polled said Facebook, Twitter and other networking sites had changed their lives — and 51 percent of those said it’s not been for the better. Forty-five percent of responders said they feel “worried or uncomfortable” when email and Facebook are inaccessible, while 60 percent of respondents stated “they felt the need to switch off” their phones and computers to secure a full-fledged break from technology.
In other words, it’s not being on social networks that makes people anxious. It’s being away from them. Data also revealed that two-thirds of respondents had difficulty sleeping after using social media, and 25 percent admitted to difficulties in relationships because of “confrontational online” behavior, per the Telegraph. While the study consists of a small sample size, Salford’s data backs up other information on social media addiction.
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***WHITE NOISE -AN ELECTRIC STORM -UK 1969 -UNMISSABLE CLASSIC ELECTRONIC PSYCH WEIRDNESS!! ***
An Electric Storm is justly renowned among techno boffins as one of the first albums to fuse pop and electronic music before the advent of the Moog synthesizer. But you don't have to be versed in the language of sine waves and oscillators to enjoy this mostly delightful and hugely inventive album. For although the White Noise were almost exclusively composed of virtuoso knob twiddlers and tape splicers moonlighting from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, luckily they were no slouches when it came to penning a decent tune. There's also anarchic humor at play on the manic "Here Come the Fleas," which contains more edits in its two minutes than the whole of Sgt. Pepper's.Yet it's the retro-futurist textures that still grab the ear most. These are sounds that will be familiar to anyone who knows the soundtrack of Forbidden Planet or the early series of Doctor Who, but they had never before been deployed in the service of pop music, nor have they since. And whereas the Moog would supplant all of these primitive, time-consuming techniques of sound generation and manipulation within the year, it also destroyed much of electronic music's spirit of adventure in the process. How could you boldly go where no man had gone before when your sound universe was suddenly overlaid by tram lines and route maps? So although most of the songs that make up the first half of An Electric Storm are pretty much your standard-issue polite British psychedelia (the somewhat embarrassing United States of America-style orgy of "My Game of Loving" aside), the way they're dressed up still sounds innovative decades later. Sometimes songs dissolve into bleeps, whooshes, and gurgles that hurtle between your speakers, but compared to the extended guitar and organ solos that were common currency at the time, they are the very essence of restraint. That said, restraint was put to the sword on the final two tracks, the 12-minute "The Visitations" and the seven-minute "The Black Mass: An Electric Storm in Hell." The former is a decidedly spooky "Leader of the Pack"-style drama with a supernatural twist. The biker, having departed this life, attempts to make one last attempt to cross over and console his grieving beloved, only to fall agonizingly short. If you can suspend your disbelief -- and persuade yourself that the biker's departing spirit doesn't sound like a cappuccino machine -- it's spine-tingling stuff that you won't dare listen to with the lights off. Which is more than can be said for the concluding track, a would-be satanic jam session botched together in a hurry to meet Island's suddenly imposed deadline.
1. "Love Without Sound" – 2:57
2. "My Game Of Loving" – 3:38
3. "Here Come The Fleas" – 2:31
4. "Firebird" – 2:43
5. "Your Hidden Dreams" – 4:25
6. "The Visitations" – 11:45
7. "The Black Mass: An Electric Storm In Hell" – 7:04
AAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHH!
Labels: 60's, Psychedelic, White Noise
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I have been asked on numerous occasions what it is that makes me so passionate about history and in particular the history of civil aviation in South Africa. The main reason is simple: as I matured I realised the importance of events that ran before us and as a result of my late father, who flew as navigator on Wellington Bombers in WWII and was interested in old cars, I developed an interest in “things of old”.
I joined the South African Airways Museum Society in 1992. At the time I was involved in the television production industry and was fortunate enough to be contracted to make a documentary on the Junkers Ju 52/3m which was in her fledgling years of being operated by the South African Airways Historic Flight carrying nostalgia seekers on Sunday morning scenic flights over Johannesburg. I am sure many remember her sonorous drone over the city and suburbs.
I was in awe of the Museum Society and the band of dedicated volunteer enthusiasts and their preservation efforts, and of the SAA Historic Flight and my general interest in things of old was quickly cemented into one subject, that of old aeroplanes and the history of civil aviation in South Africa.
The news of the impending return to civil service of a Douglas DC-4 Skymaster to be followed shortly thereafter by a Douglas DC-3 was received with great delight and I sunk my spare time into getting more involved with the Museum Society as well as making video productions of the DC-4 and DC-3.
I was elected Chairman of the SAA Museum Society in 1998 and ran for 8 years in office. During that time many exciting new projects were undertaken, the most notable of which was the acquisition of the Boeing 747-244 named Lebombo and the establishing of Museum facilities at Rand Airport in Germiston, just east of Johannesburg. The Museum houses a wonderful collection of aircraft, artefacts, photographs, books, videos and documentation which depict the broad spectrum of South African civil aviation history.
Out of the eleven aircraft that the museum currently owns, three are serviceable; two Douglas DC-4 Skymasters and a Douglas DC-3 Dakota. These aircraft are all classic propeller driven airliners that started their careers in the mid 1940s and still ply their trade carrying tourists to exotic destinations in Southern Africa. The aircraft are operated on behalf of the Museum by Skyclass Aviation. For more detailed information on the operation of the Museum’s Classic Airliners visit www.flyskyclass.com
The South African Airways Museum Society plays an important role in the future of civil aviation in South Africa for it provides a valuable resource for the youth who may well become future employees of the aviation industry as a result of a visit to the Museum’s facilities., They will be able to whiteness firsthand some aviation machines of the past, as well as read up on the development of aviation and this may well spark off a career in what is truly a fascinated and most rewarding industry.
I have been most privileged to have been involved in continuing to build on the foundations laid down in the early 1970s by individuals who saw the need for an aviation museum, one that would preserve the past and link it to the future.
History plays an important role in the decisions we make that govern our future and I therefore feel it is imperative that young and old as well as commerce and industry are acquainted with the past. If we don’t know where we have come from then how can we guide ourselves into the future.
John Austin-Williams
Public Relations and Media Liaison Officer
South African Airways Museum Society
www.saamuseum.co.za
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Hobbit, The: The Desolation of Smaug
Reviewed by: Bill Hunt
Review Date: Apr 08, 2014
2013 (April 8, 2014)
New Line/MGM/Wingnut Films (Warner Bros.)
Film/Program Grade: B
Video Grade: A+
Audio Grade: A+
Extras Grade: B-
The problem with middle chapters, in the classic dramatic sense, is that there’s no beginning and generally little resolution. The story usually starts abruptly, with events already well underway, and it often ends with a cliffhanger. The added problem of J.R.R. Tolkien’s original book version of The Hobbit is that it was largely written as a children’s story, with little of the dramatic weight and stakes of his later The Lord of the Rings novels.
Modern Hollywood films have, of course, turned the deficiencies of “middles” into strengths. Throw your audience directly into the mix from the get-go, dare them to catch up, and shock them by raising the stakes. The Empire Strikes Back is the classic pop culture example, though Peter Jackson has used this to his advantage too, first in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and how here with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Thankfully, he’s also tried to make up for the lack of dramatic stakes in the original novel by much more directly tying the events of this film into those we know are coming in The Lord of the Rings.
As a result of all this, I’m pleased to say that The Desolation of Smaug is a better and more engaging cinematic experience than An Unexpected Journey. It’s less ponderous, it never once stops to break into song. It’s more familiar too – Orlando Bloom’s Legolas makes an appearance and factors strongly in the story here, and a certain dark lord (opaquely referred to as the Necromancer in the last film but we all knew who he really was) finally shows his fiery eye. Refreshingly, the film has a strong female character too in the form of Evangeline Lilly’s Tauriel, an original creation of Jackson and co-writer Fran Walsh. It also helps that this film features a great on-screen “level boss” in Smaug to pay off the action. Not only is he arguably the most fully realized fire-breathing dragon in the history of cinema, but he’s voiced with a serious side of relish by actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays off Martin Freeman’s Bilbo Baggins perfectly (to the delight of Sherlock fans everywhere).
Yes, there are still moments where the film plays out a little too much like a video game (in this case, it’s a sequence in which the dwarves barrel-ride down a rushing rapids while a seemingly endless supply of orcs and elves battle to the death all around), Gandalf disappears for far too much of the film (a product of the original novel, unfortunately, though Jackson does his best to justify this in the story in a way Tolkien doesn’t bother), and yeah… once again, fifteen axe and sword-swinging characters charge through all kinds of fantasy dangers and only one gets so much as a scratch. You just kind of have to set any issues you might have with the realism of this aside – again, it’s a product of the fact that these films are based on a children’s book. Still, in spite of its issues, The Desolation of Smaug is an undeniably fun film.
Warner’s Blu-ray release includes it on a single BD disc, with original aspect ratio (2.40.1) 1080p video and 7.1 DTS-HD MA audio in English (Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is also available in French, Spanish, and Portuguese, with subtitles in English SDH, French, Spanish, and Portuguese). The video quality and clarity is spectacular, with rich color, deep and detailed blacks, and abundant detail. Only a few times (specifically in the aforementioned barrel sequence) does the image really betray the fact that it was shot on HD video rather than film, though – as was the case with the first Hobbit film – the extreme clarity resulting from its High-Frame Rate image capture might be a little off-putting to some. Sonically, this presentation is terrific with a big wide sound field, terrific bass, precise imaging, and smooth and immersive use of the surround and surround back channels. I have no complaints on the A/V score at all – this is demo-quality material, just as you’d hope and expect.
The only extra on Disc One is the New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth, Part 2 featurette (7:11), which follows the cast and crew around the country as they show where scenes were filmed and rave about the landscape. That’s fine because it allows for maximum data rates in the image and sound of the film itself.
Disc Two delivers about two and a half hours of additional bonus content, starting with the Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set documentary (40:36). It’s in two parts – The Company of the Hobbit (18:10) and All in a Day’s Work (22:25). Together they give you a look at what a typical day was like working behind-the-scenes on the production for the cast and crew, from the first pre-dawn make-up call for the actors to the camera crews packing up the cameras for the night and getting the gear ready for the next day (just as the construction crew comes in for an overnight shift of set building for the next day’s filming). More behind-the-scenes content is available in the form of additional online Production Videos (continued from the last theatrical cut Blu-ray), including #11: Introduction to Pick-Ups Shooting (9:06), #12: Recap of Pick-Ups, Part 1 (8:20), #13: Recap of Pick-Ups, Part 2 (8:46), and #14: Music Scoring (10:28). Moving on, those of you who watched the live In the Cutting Room online event (from back in March 2013) will be pleased to know that it’s included here in full (37:52). Jackson and actor Jed Brophy take you on a tour of Weta Digital’s post production facility and mo-cap stage, ending in the cutting room where they answer fan-submitted questions and reveal a few surprise guests. Disc Two round off with Ed Sheeran’s I See Fire music video (the closing credits song – 5:42), a trio of trailers for the film including an extended 3-minute preview, a promo for the Unexpected Journey: Extended Edition Blu-ray, and promo trailers for the LEGO: The Hobbit and The Hobbit: Kingdoms of Middle-Earth videogames. All of this content is in full HD, with audio in English and optional subtitles in English SDH, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. It’s not a voluminous package of bonus content, but – aside from the game trailers – it’s all enjoyable, very much in keeping with the previous film BDs, and it’s certainly stuff diehard fans would want to have.
The Blu-ray set also includes a DVD version of the film (with no extras other than the New Zealand featurette) and an UltraViolet digital download code. If you buy the Blu-ray 3D combo, you also get the film in 3D HD split over a pair of BD discs.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug feels much closer to the big screen Rings trilogy in terms of tone and spirit. Fans of this cinematic world should more than get their money’s worth here, and even non-fans ought to enjoy the action, humor, and visuals. The Blu-ray release delivers the A/V goods with some nice bonus content too. Best of all, while there are special SKUs with Steelbook packaging and swag, it appears that there’s no retail-exclusive disc-based content that you have to chase down. Just buy the disc anywhere you like secure in the knowledge that you’re getting everything. (I’m sure Warner Home Video wanted to do retail-exclusive bonus content, so our thanks to you for talking them out of it, Peter.)
I’ll certainly be curious to see what’s added to this film to the Extended Edition Blu-ray later this year (look for it in November), and I’m looking forward to seeing how Jackson finishes this story off with the final film, There and Back Again, come Christmas. Meanwhile… here’s your Theatrical Cut. Buy and enjoy.
- Bill Hunt
48 fps, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bilbo Baggins, Blu-ray Disc, Desolation of Smaug, Dwarves, Gandalf, HFR, Ian McKellen, Legolas, Martin Freeman, Orlando Bloom, Peter Jackson, Smaug, Stephen Fry, Tauriel, theatrical cut, There and Back Again
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NYS DEC Announcement
New York State governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS DEC made a major announcement on June 7, 2019, regarding the FMC plant in Middleport and the current ongoing arsenic cleanup in and around the village.
Click on the following links to download the announcements that were published in news media or other entities:
Orleans Hub
Lockport Union Sun & Journal
Gov Cuomo's office
FMC Corp.
These announcements, for the most part, paint FMC as the bad guys and New York State as the heroes. FMC has basically waved the white flag. The DEC had made doing business in the state and especially in Middleport very difficult with increased and excessive inspections, cited violations and fines. Since acquiring DuPont's agricultural business, FMC wanted to move that activity to the Middleport plant and plans to expand the facility with capital improvements. FMC believes that with this settlement, the working environment between themselves and New York State will improve allowing them to continue in Middleport.
The agreement is a new Order of Consent that includes various fines and commitments as listed in the announcements. Another one that was not included in the announced material is that in any year there is remediation effort by FMC, the company must spend 10 million dollars on that effort or be fined.
Law suits between FMC and New York State DEC have been dropped.
The DEC will continue the cleanup in the Air Deposition area including the school which should end at the conclusion of the 2020 construction season. Starting in 2021 FMC will do all the remediation work with over-site by the DEC. These areas will include Culvert 105, the Jeddo Creek Tributary from Francis St. to Lyndonville (if necessary) and areas east and north of the village.
It remains to be seen if this agreement will improve the working relationship between FMC and New York State.
Posted by: BillA on Jun 08, 2019 - 01:24 AM
2019 Phase 5 Air Deposition Area Anouncement Update
On April 18, the DEC updated their remediation plans for 2019 construction season.
Phase 5 of the Roy-Hart school remediation project will begin in April. Areas to the south, west, and north of the high school and areas north of the middle school will be cleaned up. This includes all that area in front of both schools to the State St. right-of-way. The first work to be done will most likely be removal of the trees along State St. Approximately 12,000 cubic yards of soil will be removed. All the work continues to be performed under the over-site of the DEC without FMC involvement. For now, cost will be paid for from The New York State Superfund.
Phase 5 of the Air Deposition Area will also begin in April. Up to 33 properties will be cleaned up this year. The areas includes:
The north side of State St. between Hammond Parkway and Butler parkway.
Both the east and west side of East Ave.
The first two properties on the east side of Butler Pkwy from State. (The other properties on this street have “No further action required” status except for the two on either side at the end of the street next to the canal [as of 2018]. Their status may have changed for 2019.)
The grassy island within the circle in Hammond Pkwy.
The residential property immediately east of the Middle School on State Rd.
The east and west sides of Maple Ave. between State and Park.
The north side of Park Ave. between Maple and Vernon.
Two properties on the south side of State Street east of Maple. (The third property forms a break point as it has 'No further action required” status.)
The east side of Vernon Street between Park and State.
Required restoration work not completed during the 2018, Phase 4 effort.
Some properties within these areas will not be remediated as they have “No further action required” status and some may be properties whose owners refuse. The DEC will work with owners to determine what must be removed and how the property will be restored. Work will be conducted by National Vacuum Environmental Services Corporation of Niagara Falls under the over-site of the DEC on weekdays generally between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Full time air monitoring will be employed.
After this year's phase, all that will remains in the Air Deposition Area is State Street between William and Vernon and two feeder streets north of State (William and Washington). All properties on Robertson St. have “No further action required” status. Also, some fields east of the village remain to be done pending owner approval.
To download the DEC announcement for Phase 5 of the Air Deposition Area cleanup, click here.
Posted by: BillA on Apr 19, 2019 - 07:14 PM
FMC Update Meeting
On Tuesday, December 4, 2018, FMC held an information meeting to bring community officials up to date on plant activities and the remediation process in and around Middleport. Officials from the village a long with the Supervisors from the towns of Yates and Hartland attended.
A new remediation project coordinator was introduced. Elizabeth (Liz) Madara will be assuming those duties replacing Nick Schapman. Nick came on board just a year ago. Liz has a background as an environmental consultant.
The DEC will continue to remediate the Air Deposition Area and the school yard in Middleport during 2019 and 2020 without FMC. Although the Agency has announced only one more phase for school remediation, it was thought that there is too much area to cleanup for it to be completed in 2019, so there may be some amount of work to do in 2020. It was also mentioned that the school has some issues with the DEC plan concerning accessibility to certain areas of the campus during the remediation process.
After the Air Deposition Area is completed it is believed the DEC will be remediating Culvert 105 between Sleeper St. and the sewage treatment plant along with any areas of the culvert not already done between Sleeper and the canal. This activity will also be performed without FMC. There is no schedule for this. The culvert south of the canal will be done as individual properties that the underground culvert passes through are remediated.
FMC continues to work with the DEC and EPA on Jeddo Creek and its tributary that runs through Middleport. FMC has submitted the Corrective Action Measures for the tributary but the DEC/EPA have asked for revisions. The two sides could not come to an agreement so they are in dispute resolution. It is now doubtful that any work can begin in 2019.
A proposal for the eastern area of the FMC plant (past proposed site for the CAMU) was submitted to the Agencies on December 29, 2017, but there has been no feedback.
The Administrative Judge is continuing to review the submitted briefs supporting or opposing the Hazardous Waste Management Facility Permit Application. These briefs were to be submitted by last spring. The permit, if so ordered, will replace the AOC (Administrative Order of Consent) that FMC and the Agencies are currently working by and will continue to until the status of the permit is resolved.
FMC had begun some sampling activities along the Jeddo Creek north of Pearson Rd but stopped when hunting season began . They will resume next spring. Any sampling results obtained so far have been submitted to the Agencies.
FMC has added three new product lines at the Middleport plant and are in the process of adding a fourth. These lines are from product acquisitions from Dupont. There was a 55% increase in production of their product Command. FMC has invested 3 million dollars in plant improvements in 2018 and plan to invest 8 million in 2019. There is also a plan on the table to construct a building to house new labs and offices. The intent is to become more than just a manufacturing site. They would like to be able to demonstrate products to potential customers at the plant.
Posted by: BillA on Dec 06, 2018 - 12:57 AM
Roy-Hart School Phase 5 Remediation
The DEC has announced the final phase of remediation at the Royalton Hartland Middle and High School. Instead of two more phases over the next two summers, the remaining areas at the schools will be remediated beginning this month, November, 2018, in one phase. Completion is expected to be November, 2019. As a contingency, there may be some work left for the summer recess of 2020. Approximately 16,600 cubic years of soil will be removed from mainly in front of the two schools, and to the west and behind the high school.
Preparation and the installation of a work area fence behind the high school will begin in November with major soil removal beginning in April, 2019, continuing through October, 2019. Soil removal will begin behind the high school, moving to the front of both schools during summer recess to minimize the impact on the function of the school. During school hours, work will not begin before 8:00 AM. Air monitoring will be performed during work hours.
To view the DEC flier describing the activity click here.
Posted by: BillA on Nov 08, 2018 - 05:44 PM
Latest Update 11/2/18
The DEC has sent letters requesting access for sampling and potential remediation to around 70 property owners in the Air Deposition Area. These residential properties are the last in that area that have not been previously remediated or their owners declined aside from the school and agricultural fields. The properties run along State Street from Hammond Parkway to Vernon St. and include the side streets along the way (East Ave., Butler, William, Washington, Maple and Vernon Streets). In addition, three residential only property owners east of the school have received letters requesting permission. The properties on and bordering Roberson St. have clear or No Further Action Required status. There are about 37 properties scattered along the area that also have received clear letters.
The DEC want to get permission, if they can, on these remaining properties so they can sample and develop plans for remediation over the winter. However only about 30 properties will be remediated in 2019 with the rest being done on 2020. It should be noted there will probably be some owners who will refuse. Although the request for access from the DEC includes sampling and remediation, owners are still allowed to opt out at any time during the process. They may write on the agreement what they are agreeing to before signing and returning the request.
There is no way to know at this time how many owners will refuse but there most likely will be some. Note that for this year's activity, the refusal rate on Main St., south of South St., was above 50% who declined. However that rate on Hammond Parkway was around 10%.
On another front, FMC sent letters during the summer to property owners along the Tributary and its flood plain north of Pearson Rd to Mill Rd near Marshall in Orleans County. Theses areas are refereed to as Operable Units 7 and 8. The intent is to gain access to survey boundaries and mark drainage areas as well as gain knowledge of the property's history. FMC has already filed a preliminary sampling plan with the DEC. Unlike the Air Deposition Area, FMC is executing the survey and sampling. It remains to be seen who does any subsequent remediation.
The DEC has not announced their plans for next year's activity at the school, but it's most likely the areas in front of the two buildings will be remediated. Remaining would be areas west and south of the high school. The DEC has planned on two more phases at the school.
Roy-Hart Phase 4 Remediation
The DEC mailed a fact sheet to area residents the week of June 24 describing their planed activity for Phase 4 of the cleanup of contaminated soil at the Royalton-Hartland school in Middleport for the summer of 2018.
They planed on starting mid June but there has not been much activity as of June 30. The excavation work and back fill is suppose to be completed by September. Restoration will be performed during the fall.
Some 8300 cubic yards of soil will be removed east and south of the Middle School along with the existing playground area. A temporary fence will surround the work area. The truck route during the summer while school is out will run through the parking area north of the middle school from the gym to the building housing the cafeteria. During fall when school is in session the truck route will run only through the parking area in from of the gym. It appears trucks will be loaded in these parking areas. The work area will be reduced when the school starts in the fall.
Dust monitoring equipment will be placed around the work area but it was not mentioned where in the fact sheet.
A letter to community members from the school superintendent was included with the DEC fact sheet. Dr. Stopinski stated that the school is committed to replace the playground as part of their “Long Range Plans” so it is unclear when this will happen and if it will be paid for by the school or the DEC as part of the latter's restoration. It was mentioned that part of the restoration would include site work for new tennis and pickleball courts along with a new access driveway to the field hockey field and a parking area next to the field.
To view the fact sheet click here.
Posted by: BillA on Jun 30, 2018 - 06:31 PM
NYS Court of Appeals Rules on FMC Law Suit
On May 1, 2018, the New York State Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in favor of the DEC and against FMC's law suit claiming the latter should have been able to arbitrate the DEC's decision to proceed with cleanup in the Air Deposition Area with their selected corrective measure (CMA9). In agreeing with the DEC, the court determined that their decision to remediate unilaterally was cost effective, dismissed FMC's claim and directed FMC to pay for the cleanup effort both past and future. The Court claimed state law permits the DEC to act unilaterally if they determine their decision is cost effective and FMC offered no proof it wasn't.
This decision is somewhat of a surprise since the lower court, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court, ruled unanimously in FMC's favor.
FMC is looking into their next move but believe they will still have the opportunity to dispute their liability to pay for the cleanup. This will probably have to be in federal court.
The DEC has spent about 20 million dollars so far in the cleanup effort and estimate the total will be from 58 to 69 million for the Air Deposition Area including the school grounds. To date this money has come from the state supperfund. Before the DEC unilateral cleanup began, FMC spent about 200 million dollars on studies and cleanup such as various RFI's and CMS's, cleaning up the school football field, east side of South Vernon St, south side of Park Ave, etc.
The DEC will begin Phase four of the six phase cleanup of the school yard in May. The work will be east of the middle school. The existing playground will be replaced with a new, improved one meeting 2018 standards and new tennis courts and a parking lot will be built in the area.
The next phase of residential property cleanup will also begin in May.
Posted by: BillA on May 06, 2018 - 07:42 PM
DEC Announces 2018 Activity
The DEC announced its plans to continue remediation of private properties in the Middleport village during the 2018 construction period.
The areas to be done are:
The "N&O block" which is the area bounded by Park Ave. on the north, the railroad on the south, Maple Ave. on the east and Main St. on the west. This does not include St. Stephens Church which has already been remediated.
The "S block" which is what is left to be done on the west side of Vernon St. between South St. and Telegraph Rd.(three properties) and the east side of Main St. between South and Telegraph excluding the two properties already remediated in 2003.
The "G block" which is Hammond Parkway including those properties on State St and the east side of East Ave.
However many properties within these blocks are not up for remediation because they have received "clear letters or no further action required". For example, in the N Block, only one property on Main St. (the large brick apartment house) and the two properties on Vernon behind the apartment building are up for remediation. All the rest are clear. On Main in the S block, six owners have refused and one (perhaps a new owner) has received a request from the DEC without a reply so far. This leaves only six properties that will be remediated this year in that block. Even though the DEC announcement included the east side of East Ave. in the G block, only those ranch houses within the Hammond Parkway development will be up for remediation this year but of the five properties bordering State St. in the G block, three are clear and the owner of one has refused, leaving only one to be remediated.
The properties along Telegraph Rd. are clear and all but two properties along west side of Main St. between Francis St. and Telegraph Rd. are clear. Of the latter two, one will be remediated this year and the owner of the second has refused.
After this year there will be roughly 60 properties remaining to be remediated mostly along State St., its feeder streets and Main and Vernon St. between State and Park. However many in these areas have received clear letters. About 30 properties are done each year so maybe after this year only two more years remain and the Air Deposition Area will be done (except for those properties along State between the village line and the county line).
In their announcement, the DEC stresses that remediation is voluntary and property owners have the ability to decline. Indeed a number of owners have declined.
The DEC also announced separately the remediation at the Junior/Senior High School will continue in 2018. The remediation effort will involve the eastern portion of the school property (east of the Junior High to the property line and north of the already remediated field hockey field up to the road (Rt 31E).
To view the DEC announcement on residential cleanup click here.
FMC's Home Value Assurance Program Extended
FMC announced they have extended their Home Value Assurance Program until December, 2021. There have been no changes made to the program. To view a pamphlet describing the program click here.
FMC has not updated their online pamphlet so this download is for the program dated 2016 to 2018. However aside from the dates and FMC contact, the information is the same.
Posted by: BillA on Mar 27, 2018 - 07:45 PM
NYS State Court of Appeals Hearing
The NYS Court of Appeals heard the case of FMC verses the DEC on March 21, 2018. A decision should be rendered in about 60 days. To view a summary of the case argued click here.
To veiw a Youtube video of the arguments made before the court click here. This video runs about 30 minutes.
The six judges on the bench (one was absent) seemed to be well informed and prepared even though some of their questions were more historical than pertaining to the case at hand.
The attorney for the DEC stated the contamination in the school yard and properties surrounding the plant was from overflow runoff from the lagoon or western impoundment area between 1981 and 2008. However we know that the much of the area currently being remediated was contaminated by airborne particles released from the plant before FMC discontinued using arsenic in 1974. It appears the DEC's case has some fallacies.
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An Open Letter To Musicians Hiring Trackers
Dear Musician hiring a tracker:
I've bit my tongue for the solid part of a decade on this, but today was a dark day. I received a call from a tracker regarding a single from a new artist. While listening to the song, I started asking simple questions... "Where is this artist from? What's their story?" - while neither of those questions would determine whether or not the song would be added, it would be nice to get a back story on the performer I was listening to.
The "tracker" then replied with "We sent that in a press release, I don't know. You'd have to ask my boss". As the conversation progressed, I admitted that I was going to give about as much interest to this song as the tracker was giving it. They followed with, "So is that a 'pass'?"... to which I regrettably had to say, "Yes".
Now, I'm not the be-all end-all of Music Directors, and today happened to be a day where I had a LOT of things on the go. Still, when I have the time to really look into an act, I will - and I have a long list of people who can attest to me listening to their songs on the phone with them or in person to try and offer whatever advice I might have - good or bad.
One thing I've ALWAYS appreciated is that when an artist takes the courage, time, and MONEY to release a song to radio, they do so in the hopes of accomplishing their goals. If any feedback I give can help with that, I've done my job.
There is nothing sadder than witnessing an act, big or small, get duped into being told their song is "radio ready", when realistically it probably doesn't stand a chance.
I won't go into much more detail because it isn't fair to the artist who trusted these people with their money and their brand, but I will say this... Please... for the love of all things holy... DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
3 EASY steps to picking someone to toss money at to represent you:
1) What is their track record?
2) When was the last time they actually got a song to chart on a chart that actually matters?
3) What kind of REALISTIC feedback are they offering you?
Remember, if you're going about this yourself, you are the boss. Start with those 3 questions and go from there!
Some of the BEST trackers I know in the business turn down more songs than they take... others take everybody they can and "make no promises". Can you imagine any other business besides a casino that would tell you that? "Well, thanks for all this cash, but I don't like your odds"... While there's no guarantees in life, a good tracker will at least give you some realistic expectations, rather than toss their hands up and give an "I dunno!"
In keeping with my own personal beliefs that people don't go to work and say "How can I screw up someone's life today?", I'm simply saying, 'watch out for yourself'.
There are many new trackers out there that are putting in the work and while they may not have big success on commercial radio, they still put in the effort and form those relationships necessary to better represent artists. They should be commended, and if you do a little bit of legwork, you will find them.
Keep making music, keep doing what you do, and keep reminding yourself, "I'm in charge here".
Some of my tracker friends who are still waiting for feedback on songs - you know it's coming. As for the person that called me today...
If you're representing an act whose money you're taking and you can't even tell me what damn city they're from... just get out... NOW.
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30 Years Since the Very First Mile High Comics Retail Store
It's Gold Watch Time. By the time that you read this column, it will be just about exactly 30 years since I opened the very first Mile High Comics retail store. In the traditional view of American business employment practices (which I'll grant you are rapidly fading away...), once you've completed your third decade in a particular field of endeavor, it's time to retire. Before, however, I give you the wrong impression of my topic for this month's column, no, I have no intention of leaving the world of comics. Quite the opposite, in fact, as I am presently enjoying my work very, very much. Like most people who pass important milestones in their lives, however, this particular bridge that I am crossing has caused me to reflect upon exactly how I got here in the first place. Those internal musing have brought up more than a few memories of a life 30 years in the distant past that I thought that at least a few of you might find at least somewhat interesting, so that's the story that I'm going to relate to you in this particular column.
In early 1974 my life was miserable, at best. I was in my second year of studies at the University of Colorado in Boulder, struggling in vain to fit into the preppy fraternity environment that then dominated the Business School's Finance Department. I was funding my schooling entirely through an Army ROTC scholarship, which paid for all my tuition fees, and books, but only granted me a monthly living allowance stipend of a meager $100. Despite my having unearthed a tiny room in a local rooming house that was only 8' X 15' (the room was so narrow that the bed had to be near the ceiling on an elevated platform...), my monthly rental cost still consumed 70% of my living allowance. That left me a sum total of $30 per month for food, clothing, medicine, etc. With no part time jobs available for starving college students during those recession-filled days, I had no choice but to try and make it through each month by severe economizing. Just as an example, I was able to buy food for the entire month by purchasing broken bags of lentils, beans, and rice from the discount cart in the back of our local grocery store, and then boiling them in a huge cooking pot with a single whole chicken. I then ate the resulting thick chicken stew seven days a week, three meals a day. That concoction gave me all the vitamins and protein that I needed to survive, but the taste sure got old after a while.
Adding to my misery during that period was the fact that I was suffering severely from depression. I inherited bipolar disorder from my mother, but I was never treated for its negative effects until about ten years ago, when I was in my late 30's. One cause of my depression in 1974 was the fact that I had to rely on the army to be in school. Not only did my liberal/libertarian political views not endear me to anyone else in my ROTC corps at the university, but I also knew full and well from watching the career of my stepfather (who spent 37 years in the army as a Master Sergeant) that the army could frequently be a capricious and heartless organization. Despite the lure of steady employment (and that promise of retiring on 3/4 pay after 30 years...), my heart was telling me that there was no way that I should stick with the army as a career. That put me in a real dilemma, however, as I was estranged from my parents, and had no other way to pay for my schooling. The deal with an ROTC scholarship at that time was that you could join for the first two years of your schooling with no obligation to serve in an active duty capacity in the military, but once you entered into the third year of your contract, you were then obligated for four years of active duty service, and two more years in the reserves. That being the case, I had to make the decision by the middle of May, 1974 to either stay in the army as a lifetime career, or leave the university.
In the end, I split the difference. I went to my ROTC Commanding Officer, and asked him for a one-year leave of absence. I explained that I was suffering from a great deal of internal conflict about whether or not to make the army a career, and needed some time to explore other options. Specifically, I told him that I was going to go on the road and sell comic books at comics conventions for the Summer, and see where that led me. To my extreme surprise, my request was granted. I left the Commanding Officer's office with a lightness in my step that I hadn't felt in many, many long months. For at least the next three months, I was free!
My next move was to contact my parents and to let them know that I was, as I had done the previous year, going to hitchhike around the country to comics shows. By this time, my mother had been released from the mental institution where she had been kept under lock and key for a substantial part of the first two years I spent in college. The doctors had created a Lithium/Tegretol/Valium cocktail for her that balanced her brain chemistry enough for her to be able to plan a four month long trip back to our home village, in Germany. When I told her about my plans to hitchhike around the country she became quite agitated at the thought of the risks, and insisted that I instead use her 1963 Chevy Impala sedan while she was in Germany. That generous offer on her part turned out to be a Godsend, as that old Chevy could be packed with 16 full frying chicken boxes (six in the trunk, six double stacked in the back seat, and four double stacked on the bench seat in the front). For those of you who don't remember such things, frying chicken boxes were the comics storage unit du jour all through the early 1970's. Long whites had yet to be invented, but these really strong waxed boxes with sturdy handles could easily hold two rows of 250 comics each. They were a beast to clean of clinging residual chicken fat, and you had to use copious amounts of baby powder to help keep down the remaining smell, but they were readily available for free on my grocery stores loading docks. Free was really important to me in those days, when even a single dollar could make the difference between eating, or going hungry.
The minute that finals were over, I hit the road toward my first show, which was a one-day affair put on at the downtown YMCA in Chicago. My working capital to start the trip was my $70 security deposit from my little room in the boardinghouse. after mailing money ahead for my table fee, and setting aside a gas/oil allowance, I then used most of my remaining money to fill the floor of the back seat with dented cans of food (beans, corn, peas, etc.) from the discount cart, and a couple loaves of day-old bread. Right from the beginning the first leg of my trip was an adventure. I stopped for the night in a small campground in central Nebraska, only to be awoken in the middle of the night by the hammering of a policeman's flashlight against the side window of the Impala. It had been raining steadily when I pulled in to park, but the rain had apparently picked up quite a bit after I went to sleep. As a result, the cop was there to tell me to pull out immediately, because the stream next to the campground was flooding. When I looked out the window, I was shocked to see that my car already had a 12" stream of water flowing around the tires! Since it was by that time already near dawn, I just pulled out onto I-80, and continued on my way to Chicago.
Once I arrived in the city, I drove to the YMCA. I had never been there before, and was quite surprised to discover that it was a small high rise of about twenty stories. What caused me great concern, however, was when I realized that this particularly YMCA (unlike the one in Denver...) was essentially a skid row flophouse. From the minute I walked in the door, I realized that I was being viewed as potential prey by many of the denizens. With the little hairs on the back on my neck standing straight on end, I rented a room, and then made a deal with one of the doormen to haul my comics up in the elevator to my room for $5. By the time I succeeded in stacking my 16 chicken boxes in my little room I was pretty freaked out. Each trip up the elevator had attracted more attention, and I could tell that wheels were spinning in the minds of some of the very bad guys hanging out in the lobby. Before you think me to simply be overly paranoid, bear in mind that I was by no means unfamiliar with the dangers of traveling alone, having hitchhiked over 10,000 miles during the previous two years. I had no other place to stay that night, however, so I quickly took a shower in the communal bathroom, and then barricaded myself in my seedy room by stacking my chicken boxes across the doorway. That night I also didn't get much sleep, as the center of that little high rise had a hollow core. The top floor had been reserved for women, which inspired many of the more aggressive males to climb up to the roof and shout obscene suggestions to the women in the floor below well into the night. When that didn't work, the drunks then amused themselves by throwing their empty wine bottles down the center of the building, just so they could hear the explosive echoing noise caused by their destruction reverberate upwards. Dante would have been overwhelmingly impressed by the sheer despair that permeated that high rise from Hell.
I awoke early the next morning to a bright and sunny day. After a quick shower, I went down to my car for some food. Having no money to pay for parking, I had slid the old Impala into a tiny spot under the El, a few blocks from the YMCA. The minute I opened the rear door, I knew something was wrong. Someone had been in my car! All the food had been moved, and a small polaroid camera that I had received as a gift just before leaving on my trip was gone. Bizarrely enough, however, my food and sleeping bag were still there, and the thief had locked all the doors for me. All facts considered, it could have been far worse.
Once I had eaten, I found the convention dealer's room. My memories of that particular evening are dim, but I do recall that it was a fairly nice little meeting room, and that enough fans came that day that I was able to gross about $125. That certainly paid my table fee of $10, my gas to the show (which was only 28.9 cents a gallon!) and the $12 cost of my room. Where my problems arose, however, were with the "friendly" bellman who had helped me with my comics the night before. While he had been happy to help me haul my comics down the elevator to the dealer's room for another $5 in the morning, his attitude totally changed when he hung around and saw money changing hands for old comics. When the show closed down all the other dealers left very quickly (duh...), and I found myself once again alone in the YMCA. This time, however, the bellman wanted $10 to move my comics back up to my room. With no other alternatives, I had no choice but to pay him. Having extorted that $10 from me on Sunday evening, the bellman followed the usual pattern, and upped his price to $20 to haul my comics down to the lobby on Monday morning.
With a sinking heart, I made a trip back to my car. If I was forced to pay the greedy bellman that $20 to move the boxes, my profits from the weekend would be gone. Two blocks from the YMCA, a solution dawned that proved to be not only very simple, but also turned out to provide a model for much future problem solving. On the way to where my car was parked was a small industrial supply company that featured a row of various styles and sizes of gleaming hand trucks in their small show window. Having never been in such a place in my life, I trepidatiously entered the dimly lit interior, and asked the gnarled old clerk how much they needed for their smallest model. Ten minutes later, for the same $20 which I would have had to pay the bellman, I walked out as the proud owner of a wonderful little green hand truck that could haul four chicken boxes at a time! I would pay the bellman no more!
Before I left that horrible YMCA, however, I had one more lesson to learn. When I arrived at the YMCA with my little hand truck, the bellman tried to stop me from taking it upstairs to my room. He claimed that "union rules" precluded anyone but hotel staff from using mechanical devices to move "luggage" in the elevators. Now up until that time, I mostly been a pretty laid back kid. I wasn't exactly timid, but following the path of least resistance had proven very worthwhile during my years spent in Army junior high schools and high schools. As I frequently discovered, pushing your luck with the kids who came from the abusive families that pervaded the Army at that time was a bad idea, as they would beat the tar out of you for simple amusement. In this case, however, I felt that I simply had no choice but to stand up for my rights, so I got into that bellman's face and told him in no uncertain terms that I was going to move my own comics. If he had a problem with that, he could try and get the hotel management to try and stop me. While he muttered threats against me under his breath as he walked away, he finally backed off and let me into the elevator. I had won my first battle!
Please send your e-mails to chuck@milehighcomics.com, and your letters to:
Mile High Comics, Inc.
Attn: Chuck Rozanski
2151 W. 56th Ave.
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Merlin (Series Five)
The fifth series of Merlin begins with the two-parter episode Arthur's Bane, which takes place three years after the events of the series four finale The Sword in the Stone. Morgana hasn't been seen or heard of during this time and King Arthur, with his wife Guinevere at his side, has been reigning over Camelot. The kingdom has entered into a golden age of peace and prosperity. The characters have developed too. Merlin seems more confident and, as series five progresses, we see that he's certainly become more ruthless. Arthur may not be a perfect king but he's clearly a great one. Gwen has matured a lot too and has become a strong and confident woman and queen. She's had a badass makeover too! Now that she's no longer a maid, Gwen finally gets a wardrobe to rival Morgana's from the first three series of the show. Gwen gets some fabulous dresses in this series - which I'm sure Angel Coulby enjoyed wearing.
However, trouble is now brewing in the Frozen Lands of the North. Gwaine, Percival and several of Camelot's finest knights are on patrol there when they're captured by Saxons. Can you guess who the Saxons are working for? Yep, Morgana's back! Still looking fabulous in black, still determined to kill Arthur and reign over Camelot, and still looking for any old excuse to get Gwaine's shirt off. Morgana is a lot more mentally unhinged than she was in series four though and this seems to be because she was imprisoned and chained up in a pit for two years with only the dragon Aithusa for company. Morgana then forces the knights of Camelot to dig in the mines beneath the fortress of Ismere. This is because she's searching for a key which she believes is Arthur's "bane". When he finds out what's happened to the knights, Arthur rides out to rescue them with Merlin and a handful of remaining knights. Morgana isn't the only villain of series five though. On the way to Ismere, Merlin meets a dying druid who terrifies him with a vision of Arthur's death at the hands of Mordred. And sure enough, Merlin and Arthur encounter Mordred again. Mordred helps Arthur to defeat Morgana and is rewarded for his efforts by being knighted at Camelot. Merlin is greatly troubled by this and doesn't trust Mordred, despite Mordred's continual acts of kindness towards both himself and Arthur.
Now that I've seen every series of Merlin, series four and series five are tied as my favourites of the show's run. Series four is probably the best series overall because it's the most consistently enjoyable and there aren't really any bad episodes; whereas series five starts off brilliantly and ends brilliantly but takes a dip in quality during the middle episodes because of the "Evil Gwen" storyline.
I don't want to go into too much depth with the best episodes of the series because at least two of them, probably more, will feature in "My Top 10 Merlin Episodes" list. I have to say though that series five gets off to the best start of any of the other series of the show. As it's become tradition, the show kicks off with the epic two-parter episode Arthur's Bane and wastes no time in getting back into the action. I was hugely impressed by these episodes. The scenes in the Frozen Lands of the North looked fantastic! Usually when Arthur, Merlin and the knights go off on a quest it looks like they're just riding around in the same Welsh countryside they're always riding around in. But not this time. It really felt like the characters had gone to a different land this time and like they'd gone on a proper quest. I particularly approve of the decision to use real wolves and not CGI ones. CGI wolves never look good! I loved seeing Gwen's growth in character in these episodes as well. She's clearly the character who has developed the most in the gap between series four and five and I loved it when she worked out that Sefa was the traitor. It took Arthur the whole of series three to work out that Morgana was a traitor and then the whole of series four to work out that his shifty uncle Agravaine was up to no good. But not Gwen. It took her less than 45 minutes to work out what Sefa was up to! Gwen's crafty too. Her decision to hang Sefa was really just a means of luring Ruadon to Camelot and it paid off. There's so much that I loved about these episodes actually. Liam Cunningham was great as Ruadan. There are some nice homages: there's a scene where Arthur and Merlin are hiding from Morgana which is very reminiscent of a scene in The Fellowship of the Ring when the Hobbits hiding from the Nazgul. There's also another scene where Merlin and Arthur get caught in a trap which reminded me of a scene from Return of the Jedi. There are some hilariously gratuitous scenes of half-naked men too! It seems Morgana used the quest for Arthur's bane as an excuse to open up Albion's first strip club! Also, these episodes may hint that series five is going to have the darkest tone yet but there's still humour in them. The scene where Merlin juggles in front of Arthur is funny and the incredulous look on Arthur's face while he does so is priceless. Trivia: Colin Morgan spent four months learning how to juggle in preparation for that scene. The only really bad thing about these episodes is that the Euchdag looked awful. It looked like a cross between the blue aliens from those Argos adverts and the "alien" Mr Burns from that Simpsons/X Files crossover episode! Seriously, what the hell was that?!
After these two opening episodes we then get The Death Song of Uther Pendragon. This is an awesome episode. It has a genuinely creepy and eerie atmosphere and is all the better for not featuring Morgana. Strangely enough though this episode is probably the funniest of the series as well. There are some hilarious Merlin/Arthur scenes that still don't lessen the impact of the ghost scenes. Other quality episodes in the first half of the series include The Disir and The Dark Tower. The Disir is a frustrating but brilliant episode. In this episode Mordred risks his life for Arthur and gets badly wounded. Arthur feels guilty so he asks the Disir, the highest court of the Old Religion, to persuade them to spare Mordred's life. But the Disir say they'll only grant Arthur's request if he accepts magic in Camelot. Arthur then seeks Merlin's advice about this and Merlin advises against accepting magic because he fears Mordred's part in Arthur's downfall... and in doing so Merlin ends up setting the future events in place. The scene where Arthur asks for Merlin's advice at the campfire is really powerful. You can just see the internal conflict and tension that's going on within Merlin. Does he reveal his magical powers to Arthur, convince Arthur to embrace magic, and bring all of his dreams of freedom and acceptance to reality? Or does he protect his friend? It's a beautifully acted scene by Colin Morgan. Ultimately Merlin decides that Arthur's life is more important to him than magical liberation. This episode was quite frustrating to me when I first saw it because it pretty much killed my hopes that we'd get an early magic reveal in the series, but when I reflected about the episode afterwards I realised how good it was. It's tragic that Merlin ends up making a terrible decision out of love for his friend. The Dark Tower is an excellent episode as well. In this episode Morgana kidnaps Gwen and psychologically tortures her. Gwen's brother Elyan is then killed when the knights show up to rescue Gwen. I loved the dark, fairy tale vibe of this episode. We get a damsel in distress locked away in a tower, an impenetrable forest of thorns, a fairy guide, an enchanted sword and an evil witch. Angel Coulby is outstanding in this episode too. She gives one of her best performances in the show and really sells Gwen's anguish and emotional torment.
Series five of Merlin certainly gets off to a great start and for the first six episodes or so I was really pleased with where it was going. But then there's a drop in quality because we get the "Evil Gwen" storyline. At the end of The Dark Tower it turns out that Gwen has been enchanted by Morgana and is now helping her to overthrow Camelot. Initially I thought this storyline had great potential but I quickly got frustrated with it. The Evil Gwen episodes are by no means BAD. They're just... meh. They're essentially filler episodes and don't do enough to drive the main story arc of the series forward. The show pretty much reverted back to its series three form with these episodes. We had a "Traitor in Camelot" again and the storyline felt like a retread of Morgana and Morgause's plotting back in series three. The writers even seemed to be deliberately evoking this. This was especially frustrating because by then it had been confirmed that series five was going to be the last series of the show. You really want a show to be moving forward in its last series instead of taking two steps back. I was very disappointed with the reveal of Morgana and Aithusa's captor as well. Considering how powerful Morgana is supposed to be I wanted her captor to be more that just some random warlord. Yes, he was a very nasty and sadistic warlord and he thoroughly deserved his death but I was still disappointed. We never found out how Morgana eventually escaped from the pit either. These Evil Gwen episodes did have their moments. It was hilarious to see Colin Morgan camping it up as a sassy old woman in With All My Heart. Merlin's anguish when he thought he'd failed to save Arthur in A Lesson in Vengeance was a great bit of acting by Morgan too. But I still wanted more from the episodes themselves.
My main issue with series five in general is that Mordred is very badly underused for most of it. This is baffling when you consider how important Mordred's character is to the show's endgame! It's also frustrating that Mordred is underused because Alexander Vlahos is clearly a very talented actor. Asa Butterfield is an exceptional child actor and he gave a brilliant performance as Young Mordred in series one and two. He somehow managed to be cute and creepy at the same time. Any actor who replaced him was going to have some very big shoes to fill. Finding Alexander Vlahos was a fantastic bit of casting then. Vlahos has clearly borrowed some of Butterfield's mannerisms but he still gives his own take on the character. Vlahos doesn't quite have Butterfield's amazingly piercing blue eyes but he really does look like he could be an older version of Butterfield's Mordred. Vlahos gives a brilliant performance as Mordred too (particularly so when you consider that he hasn't really been given that much to work with). His scenes with Colin Morgan are especially great. They get progressively more tense as the series goes along. I loved Mordred's character too. I liked that they actually made him quite sympathetic for the majority of the series.
I really wish that those episodes which dealt with the Evil Gwen episodes had been used to focus on Mordred more instead. Vlahos does a brilliant job with what he's been given to work with but the character could have still done with more development. I'd have loved it if Mordred's character and his relationships with Arthur and Merlin could have been explored in more depth throughout the series. I loved Mordred's scene with Merlin in The Disir for example, the one where Mordred catches Merlin making a marked grave for the sorcerer. It's a lovely scene and I wish we'd gotten more moments like that in the show. You get the sense that Merlin and Mordred would have probably been great friends had it not been for the prophecy about Mordred killing Arthur. It would have been really cool if we'd seen Mordred using magic more too. Also, I'd have loved it if the knights had gotten more to do in the series. Their characters have been very underdeveloped throughout the whole show and we never really learnt all that much about them apart from Lancelot and Gwaine. A standalone episode that focused on the knights and fleshed them out more would have been so much fun to see. I was really hoping that the producers would decide to give their own spin on the "Gawain and the Green Knight" story in this series and that would have been a good way of giving the knights more to do. Morgana's relationship with Aithusa could have done with some more fleshing out in this series as well.
Thankfully though the Evil Gwen storyline is resolved and we get the brilliant final episodes, the two-parter episode The Diamond of the Day. I have to talk about these episodes. In the first of these two episodes, Morgana has now allied herself up with Mordred and has finally found out who Emrys is. Morgana then decides to rob Merlin of his powers so he'll be helpless to save Arthur when Morgana's allies, the Saxons, fight against Camelot at the Battle of Camlann. Morgana succeeds in stripping Merlin of his powers so Merlin goes on a quest to the Crystal Cave in the Valley of the Fallen Kings in the hope of regaining his magic. Morgana finds out what Merlin is attempting to do though, and after a tense conversation with Merlin she traps him in the cave. However, Merlin has a vision of his dead father Balinor and his magic is restored. Merlin is then able to warn Arthur about Morgana's plans through a dream and escapes from the cave in his Emrys disguise. I really enjoyed this episode. I really loved that Merlin and Gwaine finally got some time together again. Merlin and Gwaine's friendship was one of my favourite things about series three but after that we barely see them together again. Arthur's speech before the battle was great too. It's not exactly Henry V but it's still pretty rousing and was very well delivered by Bradley James. The scene where Merlin talks to Arthur in his sleep is great. Balinor's reappearance was great to see too but I wish John Lynch's name hadn't been put in the opening credits. I think the scene would have had so much more of an impact if we hadn't known that Balinor was going to appear again. Merlin and Morgana's confrontation was also a lot of fun and Merlin's anguish when he realised that there was no way out of the cave was very well acted by Colin Morgan. How stupid was Morgana though for trapping Merlin in the cave instead of trying to kill him right there and then! She's like the worst sort of Bond villain! Morgana, you've been searching for Emrys for so long and he's right there! Powerless! Don't go for the slow and agonising death! Don't trap him in the cave that he went to so he could get his powers back in the first place! OK, I'm very glad that Morgana didn't kill Merlin on the spot but still... it annoys me when characters do stupid things just because it's convenient to the plot.
The second part of The Diamond of the Day is even better though. I was not expecting Merlin to be to be a total BAMF by creating a lightning storm that stopped the battle within minutes! And I certainly wasn't expecting Arthur to get stabbed and Mordred to be killed barely six minutes in! I was literally thinking "Flipping Heck! What are they going to do now?!" It turned out though that having Arthur stabbed so quickly was a brilliant decision because it allowed the episode to be very much focused on Merlin and Arthur's relationship. Merlin takes Arthur on a quest to heal in the waters of Avalon and we get plenty of Merlin/Arthur scenes on the way, which is just what the fans would have wanted. Arthur's reaction to Merlin's magic reveal is PERFECT, absolutely perfect. He acts exactly the way you'd expect. He's disbelieving at first, then he's angry and confused, and then he slowly moves towards acceptance throughout the episode. I really loved that Arthur was obviously more angry that Merlin had been lying to him for years rather than the fact that Merlin had magic. Arthur's eventual acceptance towards Merlin's was extremely well-handled and it didn't feel rushed or forced at all. I was very much relieved by this because I was beginning to think that they'd hold the magic reveal off until the final scene! Instead it was wonderful to watch Arthur coming to terms with Merlin's powers throughout the episode. By the time it got to Arthur's final scene you could tell that if Arthur had lived that he would have been just as close to Merlin, probably more so, and that they would have had fun fooling around with Merlin's magical powers. It wasn't to be though. Arthur died : ( But as sad as it was I thought that was all for the best. There are one or two funny scenes in the final episode but I loved how dark and emotional it was on the whole. I loved how they stuck to traditional mythology by having Arthur die. Even though Merlin has taken liberties with the traditional Arthurian mythology it has incorporated the key elements. I know the finale didn't please everyone though. I browsed Tumblr and Twitter after watching the finale and there were loads of teenagers bitching and whining about it: that it was "crap" and that they didn't understand it. Well you should know your ancient legends, kids! That's how it was written! Merlin and Arthur's final scenes are deeply moving and really quite beautiful. I can't be the only one who got teary-eyed when Arthur said to Merlin "I don't want you to change. I want you to be always you". And if I'd been told beforehand that Arthur's last request to Merlin would be "just hold me" and that he'd then die in Merlin's arms I'd have found that pretty funny. But I didn't. I was actually moved. Gwaine being tortured to death off-screen by Morgana was a heartbreaking moment as well.
Speaking of Morgana, her death was the only thing I'd change about this episode. She died far too quickly and I really wish Merlin and Morgana had had a proper magical battle. I'd have liked lightning bolts raining down from the sky, Darth Vader style death choking, fireballs being thrown, daggers being thrown telekinetically, even a few non-magical punches and slaps. Instead we just get Morgana knocking Merlin backwards with magic and then Merlin getting up and stabbing her with Excalibur. I was like "Wait! What?! Is that it?!" I am really glad that the episode mostly focused on Merlin and Arthur of course but Morgana deserved a much better send off than this! I think the final episode could have really done with being 60 minutes in length rather than 45. It would have given them time for a proper magical battle between Merlin and Morgana whilst still giving us plenty of Merlin and Arthur scenes. I'm glad that Morgana didn't take Arthur to Avalon though. In most of the traditional Arthurian tales, Morgana, now feeling guilt and remorse over her evil deeds, redeems herself by taking Arthur's dead body to Avalon. I was glad that this didn't happen in Merlin. Her character was too far gone in my opinion and a moral turnaround would have been far too unbelievable. Another thing that I really liked about this episode is that Gwen had obviously worked out that Merlin had magical powers by the end. Although in fairness Gaius did give her some fairly big hints! Hey! Gaius didn't actually die in this! I was convinced that either he or Merlin's mother would die in this series. I really loved the final episode of Merlin and I believe it did the show justice. It may not be 100% flawless but it came very close. I was disappointed that we never got a Merlin-Morgana showdown and I'm still not sure how I feel about the modern-day epilogue but I loved it overall.
Merlin has come to a definitive end now but I guess there's still room for a potential follow-up spin-off with Merlin and Arthur that's set in the modern-day. I think that's unlikely though. The producers of the show have always been pretty open about the fact that they had a five-year plan for the show but there were rumours at the beginning of series five that they might do a sixth series and/or a film. Apparently this didn't happen because the actors wanted to do other things. Some newspapers reported that the show had got cancelled but that's not true. It just wasn't recommissioned. I'm glad that Merlin ended when it did too. Don't get me wrong, I love the show and there would have been enough of Arthurian lore for them to have drawn from and made a sixth series. They could have had Morgana getting killed off at the end of series five with Mordred replacing her as the main villain for series six. He could have been out to kill Arthur and avenge Morgana's death before the show ended with the finale that we got for series five. However it's far better for a show to go out on a high and leave you wanting than for it to drag out for years, get steadily worse, lose its actors, and stay past its welcome date (a la The Simpsons). I will really miss Merlin though and the BBC really need to follow it up with something great. It would be nice if it was of a similar genre and geared towards the same audience too. How about a pirate show?
Again, I really love Merlin. It really has become one of my favourite TV shows. I might have been embarrassed to admit that around series one but I'm not now. Sure Merlin was never historically accurate and was more inspired by than directly based on traditional Arthurian mythology. Sure the show had its flaws. The special effects were sometimes laughable. The storylines in series one were often formulaic and predictable. Morgana's turning to the dark side was rather poorly handled although Katie McGrath did a great job playing her. There are many things about the show that you can mock: the legendary incompetence of Camelot's guards, Morgana's evil smirks in series three, etc. But I can very easily forgive Merlin's flaws because it had just had so much going for it. Merlin was hugely entertaining and so much fun. It had loads of humour and never took itself too seriously but it could still be very emotional when it needed to be. It had enormous heart and genuinely loveable characters. It had two beautiful settings in Chateau de Pierrefonds and the Welsh countryside. It had plenty of eye candy. The show improved with each series too. The storylines became better and started to incorporate more from the traditional legends - but the show also had the imagination to meddle with the mythology in an interesting and creative way. Having Merlin as a contemporary of Arthur who lives in a world where magic is banned is pretty darn inventive!
The show had an excellent regular cast of actors and managed to get some very impressive guest stars. We got Charles Dance, Warwick Davis, Pauline Collins, Miriam Margoyles, Gemma Jones, Liam Cunningham, Emilia Fox, Santiago Cabrera, Asa Butterfield, John Lynch, Lindsay Duncan and many more. The show was exceptionally blessed with its leading actors though. How fortunate we were that we got to see Colin Morgan and Bradley James as its leading actors! Both are excellent actors, especially Morgan. He has such a range as an actor. He can be hilariously funny but it's his acting in the dramatic, emotional scenes that really showcases just how great an actor he is. If I had my way he'd have got a BAFTA nomination. Morgan and James had an amazing chemistry between them and it was obvious that the two of them got on really well and that they genuinely loved working with each other. The show would have really struggled if that hadn't been the case because Merlin is essentially a platonic love story. The Merlin-Arthur bromance is usually the thing that fans love most about the show.
I'll be following the careers of the Merlin actors with great interest now. I'll be checking out the other things they've done and I hope they all go on to have brilliant careers. So far I've only seen Asa Butterfield's Hugo (which is brilliant BTW). I know that Eoin Macken (who played Gwaine in Merlin) has landed a role in a US pilot. Angel Coulby is going to be acting (and singing!) in a BBC2 drama called Dancing on the Edge. The new Doctor Who companion Jenna Louise Coleman and Janet Montgomery (who played Princess Mithian in Merlin) are both going to be in it as well. The trailer looks quite good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcqnCz5chXs. Alexander Vlahos has been in a Big Finish radio drama series called The Confessions of Dorian Gray which sounds very interesting. Bradley James was in the film Fast Girls and that got quite good reviews. And now I think I'll close my review with this lovely picture I found : )
Labels: adaptations, anthony stewart head, bbc, colin morgan, fantasy, merlin
The Hobbit: an Unexpected Journey (2012)
I saw The Hobbit! Well, The Hobbit Part One anyway. I saw it on Thursday and even took the day off work to see it. I've been a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings ever since I was a kid and I loved Peter Jackson's film trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. It was a book that many believed to be unfilmable until Jackson proved everyone wrong. I've been looking forward to the screen adaptation of The Hobbit for years and this is no exaggeration! And I loved this first film! It's fantastic! I'd read mixed reviews before going into the film. Some of the critical reviews had argued that it was slow-paced and too long, that it would only please Tolkien fans, and that the 48-frames-per-second-thing made the film look cheap and like a BBC mini-series. I was disappointed to read these criticisms and even I was beginning to have doubts about the quality of the film. I was a bit afraid when I found out that The Hobbit, which isn't a very long book by any means, would be made into three films. Pan's Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro was originally supposed to direct The Hobbit at one point (with Peter Jackson producing) and it was supposed to be a two-picture project. But then del Toro pulled out, Jackson stepped in, and an extra film was announced. I was afraid that these Hobbit films would be padded out to death; and even in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy some of the battle scenes went on for too long and became boring. To me a third film seemed like a cynical cash-in from a greedy Hollywood studio. Yet I still wasn't put off seeing the film despite my growing doubts. Boy, am I glad that I still saw this film!
I didn't find the film overly long at all. Even though the film is almost three hours long it really didn't feel like it. The time just flew by! Yes, the film gets off to a slow start but that wasn't a bad thing in my eyes. I loved that they actually devoted quite a bit of time to the Shire scenes. I think they spent exactly as long there as they needed to to introduce the characters, explain what their quest is, and give Bilbo the chance to decide he would quite like to go on a adventure after all. But after Bilbo leaves the Shire the pace really picks up and you get plenty of action. And as for the criticism that it will only appeal to Tolkien fans, well, I am a long-time fan of the book so of course I'm biased. And the most positive reviews I've read of the film have been from Tolkien fans. Yet I actually think that this film is likely to be more accessible to people who haven't read The Hobbit then the LOTR films were to people who had never read that book. The Hobbit is fast-paced and there's more humour than there was in the LOTR films. And as for the criticism that the 48 frame rate looks cheap and like a BBC production... well, I saw the film in 2D not 3D so I didn't see the 48 frames per second version. I saw it in the standard 24 frames. I can't comment on whether the film looks cheap or not in 3D then but I thought it looked fantastic in 2D. It's full of spectacle and looks great. Yes, some of the CGI is a bit ropey (I'll get on to that later) but overall the film is stunning.
The film doesn't start in the same way as the book. It begins with a prologue - narrated by Older Bilbo - where we learn the backstory of the Dwarves. We see their homeland in all its glory and then see how it was destroyed by Smaug. This prologue is awesome! We see Erebor, Young Thorin, and a brief glimpse of Smaug. We see Thranduil (Legolas's father) who is played by Lee Pace. We even get a glimpse of the Arkenstone which becomes important later on in the story. After this prologue we then get another scene that isn't featured in the book. We get a scene of Older Bilbo (played by Ian Holm) at the Shire as he writes The Hobbit. We then see him interacting with Frodo (played by Elijah Wood) as they're getting ready for the birthday party that we see at the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring. It's a lovely scene and it was even poignant to see how innocent Frodo still is. The scene then transitions to Younger Bilbo (now played by Martin Freeman) meeting Gandalf.
The film does take detours from the book. The book is focused purely on Bilbo and the Dwarves' quest but the film includes things that are mentioned in the appendices in LOTR. We see things that happen off-page in Tolkien's book like Gandalf's concerns about the Necromancer. These additions didn't bother me at all because they did actually happen in the background of Tolkien's book. Jackson hasn't made them up. And I bet if Jackson hadn't put these additions in there would have been critics moaning about Gandalf's absences never being explained! We also get a new enemy called Azog in this film. He's an Orc that killed Thorin's father at Khazud-Dum and is out to kill Thorin on a personal vendetta because Thorin chopped his arm off. I don't remember Azog but apparently his character is mentioned in the appendices and was killed off by Dain Ironfoot. I could take or leave this addition myself.
One aspect of the film that I really loved was that it definitely got the humour and the light-hearted tone right. The Bag End scenes are very funny. I especially loved Bilbo's horrified reaction at possibly being incinerated by a dragon and Bofur's response that a dragon is basically a furnace with wings : D And I LOVED that they kept the lines from the book about Bilbo hooting like an owl and that one of Bilbo's ancestors invented the game of golf. Oh and I loved that they kept Gandalf's "Good Morning" lines too; they were oh so brilliantly delivered by Ian McKellen.
There are so many things that I loved about The Hobbit. We even got songs! I laughed out loud when the Dwarves sang "Blunt the Knives" and the "Misty Mountains Cold" song is very haunting and powerful. It helps that Richard Armitage has a great baritone voice. Howard Shore's music is fantastic yet again. I loved all of the breathtaking location shots of New Zealand. I liked Gandalf explaining why he chose Bilbo for the quest by mentioning the exploits of Bilbo's ancestors. I thought that was a very nice touch. I especially loved the "Riddles in the Dark" scene. This has always been my favourite part of the book and it was my favourite part of the film. Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis were just brilliant and these scenes are funny, chilling and tense. It was wonderful to see old settings again - the Shire and Rivendell - and to see old characters return too. In addition to Frodo and Older Bilbo, we get Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond and even Saruman again. All of the actors get right back into character again and I loved their appearances.
The White Council
We do get a lot of new characters and actors in this film of course. Martin Freeman was excellent as Bilbo. Originally Freeman had to turn the role down because it clashed with filming Sherlock; but Jackson liked Freeman so much that he changed the dates of the production just to accommodate him. You can see why. Freeman gives a lovely, engaging performance. Even thought this film has a wider scope and isn't as focused on his character as the book is he still gives an excellent performance. He's funny and brings real heart to the role. He shines especially in the Bag End scenes, the Stone Trolls scene, and the Riddles in the Dark scenes. Richard Armitage is also outstanding as Thorin Oakenshield. When I first read that he'd been cast as Thorin I was quite surprised. I think Armitage is a great actor. I've loved him ever since I saw him as John Thornton in the BBC's North and South; but I thought the Bard's role would be a more obvious choice for him. But Armitage gives a superb performance. They tone down his good looks and he gives a real sense of nobility and gravitas. Thorin is obviously flawed but he still comes across as sympathetic and honourable. I loved Sylvester McCoy - a former Doctor! - as Radagast the Brown too. I really don't get that some critics have compared him to Jar Jar Binks. McCoy gives a delightful performance and is a ton of fun to watch! I really enjoyed his performance.
Gandalf and Radagast the Brown
Then of course there are the other Dwarves. Balin gets quite a bit of screentime in this film which I was pleased about. Now people who haven't read Tolkien's book will know who he is when the Fellowship stumbles into his tomb in The Fellowship of the Ring. They might find that scene a lot more poignant. I also really enjoyed Dwalin, Ori, Bofur, Kili and Fili; especially Bofur and Kili. Bofur is played by James Nesbitt and he gets some great lines. Kili is played by Aidan Turner of Being Human fame and is the "sexy Dwarf". He also seems to be the Legolas of the group (because he's an archer) and he gets an especially badass moment. There's this scene where the Dwarves are crouched behind a rock hiding from a Warg. Thorin gives Kili a silent nod and this dude then stands up, turns 180 and bangs it in the throat with an arrow. Awesome! We didn't learn very much about the other Dwarves, which I suppose is a bit of a shame, but then again most of them aren't very well fleshed-out in Tolkien's book either. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better in the subsequent films and I'm sure they'll all have their moments. I'd especially like Bombur to get more screentime in the other films. He's used as comic relief in Tolkien's book but I don't think he got a single line in this film. I'd like Gloin to get some more screentime in the other films too since he's Gimli's father. I also can't wait to hear Benedict Cumberbatch's voice as Smaug and the Necromancer (aka Sauron) in the other films! We only see brief glimpses of Smaug and the Necromancer in this film.
Bofur
Kili
Is The Hobbit a flaweless film? Is every scene exactly what I imagined in my head when I read the book? No and no. The Hobbit isn't perfect. I was a bit annoyed that the Dwarves called Khazud-Dum "Moria" in the film. No! They would NEVER use the Elvish word for it! Also some, but not all, of the CGI looks a bit ropey. I loved the eagles and I thought Gollum looked great but I wasn't that keen on the Wargs and the Orcs. In the LOTR films the Orcs were played by actors who were made up to look like Orcs. But in this film it seems they mostly used CGI. This was a mistake in my opinion because the Orcs looked great in the LOTR films. I wasn't very keen on the glimpse of the Necromancer that you see in the Dol Guldur scene either. The effect wasn't great and the scene was far too brightly lit. I'd have liked a much more sinister and darker-looking scene. Bilbo was a bit too eager and excited to leave the Shire too I thought. He leaves on his own and I'd have preferred it if Gandalf had gone back to fetch him like he does in the book. I could have also done without Bilbo being covered with Troll snot and Radagast the Brown having bird crap on his hair. No just... no.
These are only small complaints and my feelings on this film are mostly very, very positive. It was a great Christmas present! : ) It is absolutely fantastic fun, the actors are great and very well-cast, and it's just an extremely entertaining film. I've loved the book since childhood and I thought this film was brilliant. I know I will watch it again and again and it deserves a lot of awards. Ignore the negative reviews! Go see it for yourself and make up your own mind! An extra incentive if you're a Les Miserables fan is that you get to see the trailer for the upcoming film! I'm only disappointed that The Desolation of Smaug won't come out until this time next year and There and Back Again comes out - I think - in the summer of 2014.
Labels: adaptations, benedict cumberbatch, fantasy, j.r.r. tolkien, martin freeman, richard armitage, the hobbit
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Protein Synthesis (Quiz 4)
How is protein synthesis similar to the catalysis of a reaction by an enzyme? Protein synthesis is a series of chemical reactions in which molecules are brought into contact with one another and chemical bonds are formed and broken. The key event in protein synthesis is the formation of bonds between adjacent amino acids in the protein and the breaking of bonds between the same amino acids and the tRNA molecules that first bring the amino acids to the ribosomes. The function of the ribosome is to bind the tRNA molecules and then move through the ribosome. As the tRNAs are moved, the ribosome’s configuration brings the amino acids into contact and then severs the bonds between tRNA and amino acid. In a general sense, RNA is acting as an enzyme that catalyzes the reactions that form the amino acid chain.
1 Transcription is characterized by...
A) a messenger RNA molecule synthesized from the DNA molecule in the nucleus.
B) a transfer RNA molecule synthesized from the DNA molecule in the nucleus.
C) a ribosomal RNA molecule synthesized from the DNA molecule in the nucleus.
D) the blueprint of the RNA molecule used to bind amino acids together to form proteins.
E) the binding of enzymes to their substrates to produce products.
2 Translation is characterized by...
3 Which of the following is a true statement concerning protein synthesis?
A) translation occurs in the nucleus and transcription occurs in the cytoplasm.
B) transcription occurs in the nucleus and translation occurs in the cytoplasm.
C) translation occurs in the nucleus and transcription occurs in the mitochondria.
D) transcription occurs in the nucleus and translation occurs in the mitochondria.
E) for every RNA produced, there is an enzyme or enzyme product produced.
4 The products of protein synthesis are exclusively enzymes and enzyme products.
5 The sequence for protein synthesis is translation, then transcription.
Home > Biology 1 > Chapter 17 > Protein Synthesis (Quiz 4)
Restriction Endonuclea...
Protein Synthesis (...
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Trump applauds far-right social media provocateurs
By KEVIN FREKING and MARCY GORDON | Thu, July 11, 2019 08:34 EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump used a White House conference Thursday to applaud far-right social media provocateurs even as he conceded that some of them are extreme in their views.
Trump, who has weaponized social media to eviscerate opponents and promote himself, led a "social media summit" of like-minded critics of Big Tech, excluding representatives from the very platforms he exploits.
The president used the event to air grievances over his treatment by Big Tech, but also to praise some of the most caustic voices on the right, who help energize Trump's political base.
"Some of you guys are out there," he told them. "I mean it's genius, but it's bad."
Trump singled out for praise James O'Keefe, the right-wing activist whose Project Veritas organization once tried to plant a false story in The Washington Post. In May 2010, O'Keefe and three others pleaded guilty in federal court to a misdemeanor in a scheme in which they posed as telephone repairmen in Sen. Mary Landrieu's New Orleans district office.
"He's not controversial, he's truthful," Trump insisted of O'Keefe.
Playing to the friendly crowd in the East Room, Trump was at ease, joking about everything from his spelling in tweets (blaming his thumbs, not his brain, for any mistakes) to his hair (saying the rainy weather at his July 4 outdoor speech at least proved his hair was real.)
"With amazing creativity and determination, you are bypassing the corrupt establishment, and it is corrupt," Trump said. "And you're bypassing the very, very corrupt media."
In lengthy remarks, he said: "You're challenging the media gatekeepers and corporate censors to bring the truth to the American people. ... You communicate directly with our citizens without going through the fake news filter."
Earlier Thursday, Trump sent a stream of Twitter messages lashing out at social media companies and the press, familiar targets that resonate with his conservative base.
The meeting represented an escalation of Trump's battle with companies like Facebook, Google and even his preferred communications outlet, Twitter, where he has an estimated 61 million followers. The president has claimed, without evidence, that the companies are "against me" and even suggested U.S. regulators should sue them on grounds of anti-conservative bias.
He announced Thursday that he is directing his administration to explore "all regulatory and legislative solutions to protect free speech and the free-speech rights of all Americans."
And Trump said he is inviting executives from major social media platforms to join him at the White House over the next month or so.
The firms already are under closer scrutiny than ever by regulators and in Congress following a stream of scandals, including Facebook's lapses opening the personal data of millions of users to Trump's 2016 campaign. A bipartisan push for new data privacy legislation has emerged in Congress. Regulators at the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission are pursuing antitrust investigations of Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon.
Trump unleased a volley of Twitter messages Thursday leading up to the conference. The targets were familiar — "certain companies," the press and his Democratic rivals. The president predicted, without foundation, the demise of the press and the social media platforms if he loses to a Democrat in 2020.
After the conference, Trump published a series of tweets slamming Bitcoin and other types of digital currency — including Facebook's recently announced Libra.
Among the other conservative organizations participating in the White House meeting were Turning Point USA, a nonprofit; PragerU, short for Prager University, which puts out short videos with a conservative perspective on politics and economics; the Media Research Center; and the Heritage Foundation, a Washington think tank.
Accusations commonly leveled by conservatives against the social media platforms include anti-religious bias, a tilt against abortion foes and censorship of conservative political views.
Trump has made it a priority to reach out to voters who oppose abortion. The anti-abortion groups Live Action and Susan B. Anthony List say Twitter has blocked their advertising. Twitter policy prohibits paid ads with content "that is inflammatory or provocative and is likely to evoke a strong negative reaction."
Lila Rose, president of Live Action, said at the event that her group has been banned from advertising on Twitter while Planned Parenthood is allowed to do so. Pinterest also suspended the group from its platform, she said.
"This double standard and bias is a growing problem in big tech," Rose said.
While some Silicon Valley company executives may lean liberal, they have asserted that their products are without political bias.
Representatives for Facebook, Google and Twitter have declined to comment specifically on the White House meeting. The Internet Association, the industry's major trade group representing Facebook, Google and dozens of other companies, said online platforms "are the best tool for promoting voices from all political perspectives in history."
"Internet companies are not biased against any political ideology, and conservative voices in particular have used social media to great effect," the group's president Michael Beckerman said in a statement Thursday.
Facebook has banned extremist figures such as Alex Jones of Infowars and Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam. Twitter has banned hate speech on the basis of someone's race, gender and other categories. Twitter broadened its policy this week to include banning language that dehumanizes others based on religion, and the company said it may also ban similar language aimed at other groups, such as those defined by gender, race and sexual orientation.
"I've never seen evidence of tech firm bias against conservatives," said Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., who has been sharply critical of the big companies because of their market dominance and effect on competition. He leads a House Judiciary subcommittee that has opened a bipartisan probe into the tech giants' market conduct.
"If someone wants to show me some empirical data, instead of some alt-right member's paranoid claims, I'd appreciate it," Cicilline said in a statement Wednesday.
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March 16, 2018 / michael mccaffrey
The following article is republished from St. Patrick's Day 2015
Estimated Reading Time : 7 Minutes
I am Irish-American. Most of my best friends are Irish. Among the loveliest of the plethora of lovely ladies in my prodigious gaggle of gorgeous girlfriends are Irish. I love the Irish. I love being Irish. But...I do not love St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick's Day is the day people of all types get to embody the most base and degrading stereotypes of the Irish. They dress in kelly green, wear "Kiss Me I'm Irish" pins, get roaring drunk and vomit all over themselves and anyone unfortunate enough to be within vomit radius. For some reason I can't quite understand, stereotyping of the Irish is permitted by our culture which is so quick to take offense when other groups or nationalities are stereotypically portrayed. Ironically, in attempting to celebrate Irishness, people end up being incredibly and disgustingly disrespectful to the Irish and what it means to be Irish.
Irishness, contrary to common beliefs, is not about leprechauns, shamrocks and pots o' gold. Nor does it entail wearing green, getting drunk and puking. Rather, Irishness is a complex combination of fierce defiance, intellectual curiosity, contemplative melancholy, and roguish charm that outwardly manifests itself in artistic, cultural and spiritual works of immense depth and genius.
So, as an actual tribute to the Irish, instead of drinking green beer and eating corn beef and cabbage today, I recommend you dive into the plethora of fantastic Irish works of art. Whether in the form of music, literature or film, true Irish culture is worth exploring in order to get a sense of who the Irish really, truly are, and what has made them that way. Go read the works of James Joyce, Sean O'Casey, W.B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw or Seamus Heaney. Go listen to some traditional Irish music, or put on some Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher or U2. Or, since this is an acting coaching website...go and watch a great Irish film!
With that in mind, here are a list of my favorite Irish films which I thoroughly encourage you to watch. Instead of going to a crowded bar and being surrounded by idiotic jackass phony-Irish wannabes and taking the risk of getting covered in your own vomit, or worse, someone else's, sit down and watch these films and come to understand the heart and soul of the greatest people on earth.
TOP FIVE IRISH FILMS
1. BLOODY SUNDAY directed by Paul Greengrass :
Bloody Sunday (2002) is the true story of the 1972 shootings of innocent protestors in Derry in the occupied six counties, by British Army paratroopers. The film is masterfully directed by Paul Greengrass, who later went on to direct some of the Bourne films and United 93.
Through the dynamic use of handheld camera, Greengrass creates an intimacy and immediacy that is riveting, and that impacts the viewer on a visceral level. In addition to Greengrass, lead actor James Nesbitt does spectacular work as Ivan Cooper, the organizer of the peaceful protest that ends is bloody slaughter. Nesbitt's performance is the centerpiece of an outstanding ensemble.
Bloody Sunday may be difficult to watch, but it is a truly great film that is must-see.
2. HUNGER directed by Steve McQueen :
Hunger (2008), is the story of the 1981 hunger strike by Bobby Sands and other members of the I.R.A. at the H.M.S. Maze prison. This is Steve McQueen's first feature film, which he later followed with Shame and the Academy Award winning 12 Years a Slave.
McQueen proves right out of the gate that he is an artistic and creative master as a director with Hunger. The visuals of the film have such a unique grit and texture to them that they can, and often do, tell the story all by themselves. Along with McQueen's brilliant direction, Hunger boasts Michael Fassbenders tour-de-force portrayal of Bobby Sands, which elevates the film to a transcendent work of genius. Fassbender's performance in Hunger is as intricately crafted and delicately human as any captured on film in the last twenty years.
Again, Hunger is not for the feint of heart. It is a brutally unforgiving film. Yet, it is such a finely crafted film, that it takes its much deserved space in the pantheon of great Irish films.
3. JIM SHERIDAN FILMS - IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER (1993), IN AMERICA (2003), MY LEFT FOOT (1989), THE FIELD, (1990), THE BOXER (1997)
Jim Sheridan is the Grand Master of Irish filmmakers. No other director has been as consistently great as Sheridan. In fact, Sheridan's work is so superlative that I couldn't pick just one film to put in my top five, so I gave him a top five list all to his own.
In the Name of the Father (1993): Based on the true story of the Guilford Four, four people wrongly convicted for the 1974 Guildford Pub bombing by the I.R.A. which killed five people. Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Gerry Conlon, a wayward Irish youth who gets blamed for the bombing, as does his father, family members and friends. Day-Lewis' gives a powerhouse performance that propels this film to the tops of the Sheridan list.
In America (2003) : A semi-autobiographical film about the Sullivan family, husband Johnny, his wife Sarah, and their two daughters, Christy and Ariel who move to New York City from Ireland in 1982 in the wake of the death of their young son Frankie. Samantha Morton stars as Sarah and earned an Oscar nomination for her stellar performance, as did Djimon Hounsou in a supporting role as their HIV positive neighbor. The entire cast, particularly the two young actresses, Sarah and Emma Bolger, are outstanding. In America is a deeply moving, and insightful look into the struggle to find forgiveness and peace in a new land.
My Left Foot (1989) : The film that put Sheridan on the map, is the story of Christy Brown, an Irishman born with cerebral palsy, who can only use his left foot. Brown overcomes his obstacles and becomes a writer and painter. Daniel Day-Lewis won his first Best Actor Oscar for his remarkable work in the lead, and Brenda Fricker won a Best Supporting Actor as Bridget Brown, Christy Brown's mother. An excellent film buoyed by sterling performances.
The Field (1990) : The story of an old Irish farmer, Bull McCabe, trying to hold onto a strip of land, his family and tradition. McCabe is played by Richard Harris, who earned an Oscar nomination for his fine performance. Have you noticed a pattern? Actor's get Oscar nominations when they are directed by Jim Sheridan, which is why so many great actors want to keep working with him.
The Boxer (1997) : The story of a boxer recently released from prison, who was a former member of the I.R.A. Once again Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Danny Flynn and is really incredible as the boxer trying reform his ways in the ever more complex world of "The Troubles". Emma Watson plays Maggie, Flynn's former girlfriend, and gives a subtly compelling performance. Day-Lewis' continuous commitment to realism in the portrayal of a boxer wins the day, as his seamless portrayal is as spot on as any in film history.
4. ONCE directed by John Carney
Once (2007), is an Irish musical film about the trials and tribulations of a Dublin singer/songwriter street musician as he tries to make a career in the music business. The "guy", played by Glen Hansard, meets and falls for a piano playing Czech immigrant "girl", played by Marketa Irglova. The two lead actors have a phenomenal chemistry and charm. The music is heartbreakingly good. Once is joyously exhilarating in its artistic spirit, its musical power and its heart felt honesty. An absolute gem of a film.
5. THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY directed by Ken Loach
The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006), is the story of two brothers, Damien and Teddy O'Donovan who join the Irish Republican Army and fight in the Irish War of Independence (1919-1922) and the Irish Civil War (1922-1923). Cillian Murphy stars as Damien and gives the strongest performance of his fine career. The film excels due to Murphy's complex work and also because of director Loach's clear, detailed and specific dramatic explanation of the wars for Ireland and what caused them and why. Definitely worth your time if you enjoy Irish history.
In the spirit of the day, I leave you now with the words of one of the great Irish poets.
Had I the heaven' embroidered cloths,
- He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven by W.B. Yeats
And thus concludes my St. Patrick's Day sermon. Go forth, spread the word and try to remember what it actually means to be Irish today. Sláinte Mhaith!!
March 16, 2018 / michael mccaffrey/ Comment
Cultural Criticism, Media, Film
St. Patrick's Day, Irishness, Ireland, U2, Rory Gallagher, Van Morrison, W.B. Yeats, Seamus Heaney, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Jim Sheridan, Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Watson, Steve McQueen, Hunger, Bloody Sunday, Once, The Troubles, I.R.A., My Left Foot
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Plane Crash Hikes In Colorado
A moderate six-mile hike through the National Forest leads to a fascinating array of wreckage from a World War II-era B-17 bomber. Just outside of Colorado Springs on Almagre Mountain, adventurous hikers can find the old wreckage of a UH-1 Huey helicopter. Just north of Rocky Mountain National Park, the 67,500-acre Comanche Peak Wilderness features alpine meadows, rugged cirques, and mountain streams—but not Rocky Mountain's crowds. View all crashes on a map. Southwest Colorado plane crash near Pagosa Springs kills two - The Denver Post Two people are dead after a single-engine plane crashed Friday morning about seven miles south of Pagosa Springs, authorities say. The shock of seeing papers floating through the air, the shock of seeing a giant mass of steel wrench and groan until it collapsed to the ground. The crash was the third in the El Yunque forest since 2001. An Indian-American pilot and/or his passenger in Colorado were likely taking selfies when the pilot lost control of the plane, causing it to crash, and killing them both last spring. An eerie October hike to downed B-17 and old mine site Originally published October 7, 2015 at 4:01 pm Updated October 9, 2015 at 9:25 pm Hike to an old plane crash and spooky tunnels in Olympic. The flight originated from Belen, New Mexico, with the intended destination of Denver, Colorado. “The plane struck an unoccupied shed (and) it caught fire after crashing,” he said. The plane crashes, leaving them severely injured & at the mercy of the same animals they are trying to save. On Monday, September 25, 1978, San Diego was overcome by catastrophe. Difficult to Very Difficult hike. That B-17, off course after a navigational error, crashed into a mountainside a quarter mile from the Old Flowers Trail in Roosevelt National Forest. John Denver singing on his deck in Aspen:. Three people have been killed after a plane flying from Scottsdale to Telluride, Colorado crashed near Payson. Check out our top 10 list below and follow our links to read our full in-depth review of each online dating site, alongside which you'll find costs and features lists, user reviews and videos to help you make the right choice. One of them was thrilled to see Indy on the trail. This hike, to the crash site of a TWA airliner, is one of the ‘go to’ hikes in the Sandia Mountains. Small Plane Crash In Arizona Mountains Takes The Lives Of Four People Wednesday, January 04, 2017 PAYSON, Ariz. That pilot took the proper route north over Wyoming. The Forest Service officially named the mountain in honor of the plane crash in 1946, the same year a local veterans group placed a plaque with the names of the crew on the east side of the ridge. I am celebrating my 50th year by hiking 50 different trails. Route 160, but there's still plenty to do. It has been reported that there were more casualties from training during WWII than there were from combat. When it comes to exciting and historic Colorado hikes, there is no beating the incredible trail that leads you straight to an old plane crash. Lake Number 4, fairly non-descript but for the amazing plane crash on its NE corner. LAS VEGAS (AP) — Two more people have died from injuries suffered in a May 17 plane crash near Laughlin on the Nevada-Arizona line, bringing the death toll to three. The hut is named after Frances Bailey who died in a plane crash in 1989. Three people have been killed after a plane flying from Scottsdale to Telluride, Colorado crashed near Payson. Colorado & Wyoming Aircraft Wreckchasing This site is dedicated to those men and women of the US Armed Forces who lost their lives training to protect us. Where I work the TV in the breakroom is always on CNN. Franklin Aircraft Engines, from Franklin Aerospace, Franklin Engine Parts & Service. Colorado & Wyoming Aircraft Wreckchasing This site is dedicated to those men and women of the US Armed Forces who lost their lives training to protect us. Because of rain beginning to fall, I stopped exploring the area and began by return hike back. With fairly short trails of 3-4 miles, various hikes can be found in transformed reservoirs in the town of Palmer Lake. plane crash,aviation accidents and incidents. Alpine hike past Crown Point on the Browns Lake Trail 941 to the intersection with the Old Flowers Trail, then a hike through forest and alpine meadows above timberline to the site of a B-17 bomber that crashed while on a training flight during WWII. Root was the manager of the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport in Atchison, which. Harrison Plane Crash from Palmer Lake is a 11 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Palmer Lake, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. 565, W 104° 58. Places and things seen on hike: Stormy Peaks Trail, Stormy Peaks B-17 Crash, Pingree Park, Moose, Twin Lake Reservoir Trail, Hourglass Fire, Twin Lake Reservoir, Fall Mountain, Comanche Peak, Twin Lake Road, FDR 234, FDR 220, Parry's Primrose, Colorado Columbine, Geyer Onion, Stormy Peaks, Sugarloaf Mountain, Ramsey Peak, Fall Mountain. Members of the Project Remembrance Team recently documented the crash site of American Air Lines DC-3 NC-21799, lost in bad weather on March 3, 1946. 18 flight on Stormy Peaks and another B-17 that crashed just six miles away on June 13, 1944. Len Wallace hikes a mountainside off Cucharas Pass, searching for the wreckage of a military plane that crashed in 1944. La Plata County Search and Rescue members help one of the plane s passengers to the safety of a helicopter on Jan. John Denver died tragically in a plane crash on October 12, 1997. com receives compensation. For the town. Hike to 1965 T-33 crash site near Allenspark Colorado. 4 Colorado Hikes That Lead To Aircraft Crash Sites. It was the worst airline disaster up to that time, and its cause. The crash occurred near the junction of the Medano Pass primitive road and the Medano Lake Road on the morning of June 8th. These trails range from 1. I actually spun the tires on my Cherokee this weekend for the first time in more than a decade. The 1971 Colorado Aviation Aero Commander 680 crash claimed the life of highly decorated World War II veteran Audie Murphy and five other people on May 28, 1971. The total altitude gain is about 2,000-2,500' and is about 4-5 miles round trip. 1 person dead after 2-car crash near Smoky Hill and Chambers… APS ponders $40 million 2019 budget hike, fewer students and more… Cherry Creek school board won’t fill Willman seat vacancy. Could these rounded areas be evidence of dinosaur activity? I've seen this same thing at Dinosaur Ridge west of Denver. He recorded and released over 300 songs, many of which he wrote himself. What’s scary is that it's rumored that there were 21 children in this plane crash. Lake Number 4, fairly non-descript but for the amazing plane crash on its NE corner. Section Hikers - Section hikers faces. Back in the 50's, a plane crashed directly into the front cliff of the snowies, killing all on board (including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir). With a second vehicle, this loop can be combined with 3,434-foot Mount OJI. He hopes his 550-mile journey will. plane crash,aviation accidents and incidents. The general location of this crash site is familiar to me; I have hiked in this area in the past. He was survived by his brother Ron, mother Erma and three children, Zak, Anna Kate and Jesse Belle. 7/4/16 - Fatal ATV Crash on County Road 243 in Garfield County 6/29/16 - Body in Colorado River identified as Jonathan Carl Rounsaville of Glenwood Springs 6/28/16 - Dr. Morgan believes this is the first fatal plane crash in the city in about 15 years, he said. On the return hike, I chatted with a few section-hikers making their way to camp at Bearfence Hut. wants to buy Triplicate, Pilot. 14 likes · 37 were here. Near Palmer Lake, Colorado. Plane crash map Find crash sites, wreckage and more. Payson: Searchers in Arizona found the bodies of four members of a family Tuesday in the wreckage of a small plane that crashed on a flight from Scottsdale to Telluride, Colorado, officials said. SF Plane Crash. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. Hiking Safety. Josh Humphreys was flying back to Utah from Telluride, Colorado, with veteran pilot Mike Burton in their gyroplane — a kind of helicopter, airplane combination — when it crashed in a remote. 27 crash near Berthoud. Posts about B-24 crash site written by Peter Skiba. Hiking and backpacking is permitted year around. Reg Acc date. Harrison Plane Crash from Palmer Lake is a 11 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Palmer Lake, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. West of the crash site, Andy McLandrich and Rachael Britton were hiking the hogback when they heard the crash and turned in time to see the explosion. Prior to going I requested a friend send me the GPS Lat/Lon coordinates for a B25D Mitchell Bomber that crashed into Sharp Top Mountain in 1943. Standing at 9,423 feet, the peak offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and offers a challenging, yet rewarding climb. Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182 was midair when it collided with a Cessna 172 aircraft, which is a private plane. The aircraft's passengers were on a business trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Martinsville, Virginia, aboard an Aero Commander 680 Super twin engine aircraft owned and operated by Colorado Aviation Co, Inc. - On May 20, while on a hike near Emerald Canyon at Colorado River Mile 104, members of a private boating trip found the wreckage of an airplane with human remains inside. Schulz, Roseanne Barr,. Feb 13, 2019- Greyrock Trail in Ft. Remains of pilot, 2 American tourists found on remote mountainside. The crew all survived the impact, but the plane was abandoned and still lies there after 4 decades. The 1956 Grand Canyon mid-air collision occurred on Saturday, June 30, 1956 when a United Airlines Douglas DC-7 struck a Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation over the Grand Canyon in Arizona, resulting in the crash of both planes, 128 fatalities, and no survivors. Visiting the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The first Grand Canyon river trip slide show I ever saw was in the dim smelly bowels of a small raft company warehouse. 4 dead following plane crash in rugged Arizona mountains. Gonzalo Arijon, a neighbor and friend of many of the survivors, has put together a documentary called "Stranded: I Have Come from a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains" that retells the story and illuminates it with commentary from all the survivors. Airlines downgrade 2019 forecast amid trade spats, fuel hike A flight makes its final approach as it lands at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Sept. The bypasses were not much easier so the Rubicon parked early and we finished the trail in my Bronco. Two men are dead after their small plane crashed into a reservoir in northern Colorado. It was a fitting decoration, since the Longs enjoyed hiking and camping in the rugged outdoors every bit as much as they loved flying over it. The hike up goes off-trail a bit to an unnamed lake at 11,575 feet at the foot of Jasper Peak (itself not formally named but well known in Colorado by that moniker). “It is with broken hearts that we announce the deaths of four of our cherished and beloved family members who perished in a plane crash in Garfield County, about 10 miles north of Glenwood. Three survivors of a Colorado plane crash were calling cross-country skiier Frank Marics their guardian angel Thursday morning. A sightseeing plane pilot survived two crashes in the snowy Colorado Rocky Mountains after his plane crashed with two passengers aboard; he went to get help, and returned in a rescue helicopter. Collectively these crashes resulted in the loss of more than 15,599 lives (Mireles 2006). West of the crash site, Andy McLandrich and Rachael Britton were hiking the hogback when they heard the crash and turned in time to see the explosion. Police say the Cessna 210 crossed a four. Officials in a release Tuesday identified. Up from Novio Falls near the Butterfly Trail on Mt. He also came down a little more healed from the plane crash on Oct. Two Oregon companies want to buy most of Western Communications’ … Country Media Inc. National Park Service officials say 66-year-old Peter Francis Schwab of Healdsburg was last seen Friday on a river trip on the Colorado River. The group had been hiking in the Idaho. — A single-engine plane trying to make its way through a valley along Interstate 70 west of Denver crashed Monday, killing three people. The plane crashed back in 1973 for unknown reasons, although the leading culprit was an empty fuel tank. That's a pity, because it is a very enjoyable short hike, with one very good viewpoint, plenty of pretty woods studded with greenstone outcrops, and the remnants of a small plane that crashed on the mountains from the 1960s. Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182 was midair when it collided with a Cessna 172 aircraft, which is a private plane. Alaska State Troopers spokesman Tim DeSpain told the Anchorage Daily News that the. The actual confluence is not in view, as it is hidden behind two buttes of Kaibab limestone (Chuar and Temple), which became infamous in 1956 as the site of a plane crash resulting from a mid air collision, an accident that caused the deaths of 128 people. Visit abandoned places, take in a bit of history, see some wildlife, visit enormous trees and more. Whittling down a list of Colorado’s best day hikes to a mere twenty is a daunting task. It voided one case against him on the grounds that the Colorado Civil Rights Division did not give Mr. Colorado, and had never made It took nearly an hour for rescuers to hike to the crash site once it was. B25 Mitchell Plane Crash on Sharp Top Mountain My wife and I visited the Peaks of Otter area near Bedford, VA on Nov 1, 2008. Hiking / Backpacking. (AP) – A search team is on the way to the wreckage of a plane that apparently crashed west of Trinidad in southern Colorado. Massive fractures. I actually spun the tires on my Cherokee this weekend for the first time in more than a decade. Plane crash map Find crash sites, wreckage and more. Colorado Car Seat Laws and Safety. Today, traces of the tragic plane crash still remain on the mountain near Silver Plume, Colorado. “It is with broken hearts that we announce the deaths of four of our cherished and beloved family members who perished in a plane crash in Garfield County, about 10 miles north of Glenwood. One of the main attractions is a Plane Crash. After the Plane Crash—and the Cannibalism—a Life of Hope "Every day, when I look at myself in the mirror, I thank God the same old jerk is still staring back at me," says Roberto Canessa. The Honolulu Medical Examiner has identified the last two victims of a deadly plane crash on Oahu's North Shore that killed 11 people. PHILADELPHIA (CBS)–Two people were pulled from the water after their small plane crashed in Colorado. Unlike the Sharp Top Mountain site, the San Gorgonio one is well-known and a memorial has been built there. We wanted to look for this plane that we had heard was in the area of Radar Hill in Tofino. Deep Eddy began life as a swimming hole where springs. If exploring the wreckage, be respectful and don’t tamper or salvage with the site. ] Schauer mentioned organizing hike to safety. A single-engine plane has been found wrecked in a remote area of the Grand Canyon, its lone occupant long dead, and authorities said on Tuesday they believe the crash may date back to 2011. Plane crash map Find crash sites, wreckage and more. The crash took place about two miles west of Kremmling in a hayfield owned by the Grand River Ranch. Scottsdale attorney Eric Falbe, 14-year-old daughter. Massive fractures. None may be as fascinating or sobering as the wreckage of the 1970 Wichita State University crash. These were just two commercial aircraft en-route to their destinations. Hiking to the canyon floor is generally a 7- or 9. Three Air Force men bailed out and landed on the north side of the river about thirty miles south of Grand Canyon Village. This accident claimed twenty-seven lives. The hut is named after Frances Bailey who died in a plane crash in 1989. HONOLULU (AP) — The Latest on a fatal plane crash in Hawaii (all times local): 3:30 p. By: Spencer McKee As one of the wildest landscapes in the country, there are tons of unique Colorado hikes that you'll have a hard time comparing to anything else you'll find in the country. Continental Express Flight 2286 crashed due to the pilot using cocaine and the co-pilot unable to land the plane. According to the Boulder County Sheriff, three people were on board a single-engine Cessna when the plane lost power. The "Tells Peak" B-17C Crash Site Posted by Tim On December 25th, 2010 / 20 Comments UPDATED 7/17/17 This is a story about a trip to the B-17C bomber that crashed in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California in November 1941, a month before the Pearl Harbor attack. After impact, both planes began to fall toward earth. 13 of this year will mark the 10th anniversary of the death of singer/songwriter John Denver in a plane crash, and since he brought Colorado all kinds of attention with his smash. Small Plane Crash In Arizona Mountains Takes The Lives Of Four People Wednesday, January 04, 2017 PAYSON, Ariz. “It is with broken hearts that we announce the deaths of four of our cherished and beloved family members who perished in a plane crash in Garfield County, about 10 miles north of Glenwood. A hike to the top of Silverthorne, Colorado's Buffalo Mountain, with mountain goats. 8 Killed in Colorado Plane Crash. The wreck itself is mashed into a boulder but is very recognizable. Wichita State University football team plane crash, Silver Plume, Colorado. 1775' vertical ascent. A visit the Navy A-6 airplane crash site in Christmas Valley. At the time, it was the worst aviation. We did not have that permission, so we went as high as the trail would allow, where East Baldy Trail #95 connects to West Baldy Trail #94 at about 11,175 feet of elevation. Signs of WWII crashes linger in northern Colorado wilderness a network of trails leading to the site of the 1943 plane crash. Gonzalo Arijon, a neighbor and friend of many of the survivors, has put together a documentary called "Stranded: I Have Come from a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains" that retells the story and illuminates it with commentary from all the survivors. PAYSON (AP) — Searchers in Arizona found the bodies of four members of a family Tuesday in the wreckage of a small plane that crashed on a flight from Scottsdale to Telluride, Colorado. Norm just wanted to get out and hop some rocks. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. What you need to know this weekend after the Colorado and Llano River flooding. GRAND COUNTY, Utah -- Rafters on the Colorado River helped an injured pilot to safety Tuesday after a plane crashed into the water. This trail gives you everything you are looking for in Colorado. 14 of Colorado's Weirdest Hikes | OutThere Colorado When it comes to hiking in Colorado, why not go for the unique hikes? Hike to a volcano, see dinosaur tracks, find castle ruins, or see plane crash sites. A commuter plane carrying 17 people crashed in a mountainous area near here Tuesday night, killing eight and forcing several. Salty snacks like peanuts and crackers are also lightweight boosters, as is trail mix. It was a dark and stormy night in 1943 when a B-24 bomber slammed into the mountains above Trinidad. Each route Dziezynski selected sets itself apart with notable features including: the site of a ghost town, a waterfall, an airplane wreck, a great meadow for wildflowers or wildlife spotting. SF Plane Crash. Heinzen, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. A single-engine plane has been found wrecked in a remote area of the Grand Canyon, its lone occupant long dead, and authorities said on Tuesday they believe the crash may date back to 2011. Standing at 9,423 feet, the peak offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and offers a challenging, yet rewarding climb. sure people know why they’re hiking there and what it meant. It’s quite a curious aircraft to be in the mountains, and the cause of the crash is unknown. A truly beautiful hike following Ice Cave Creek and Levi Creek, then following a ridge to the Harrison plane crash. If that comes off like a big, fat, humblebrag, well it is. 5"), but go directly up the hill directly west. The victims' names and hometowns had not been released, but at least three of the passengers were believed to be Alpine Bank empoyees on their way to a company Christmas party. Whittling down a list of Colorado's best day hikes to a mere twenty is a daunting task. Colorado has 53 14ers, more than 600 13ers, and hundreds of other peaks that can be reached without special equipment or expertise. ” The rock ‘n’ roll stars’ plane crashed after taking off from Mason City, Iowa, on Feb. Associated Press Forty-six years later, we cannot imagine. These were just two commercial aircraft en-route to their destinations. - Crews are still searching for survivors after a single-engine plane crashed 25 miles south of Denver. Plane Crash, Ironclads , located near Lyons, Colorado is a 5. – Searchers in Arizona found the bodies of four members of a family Tuesday in the wreckage of a small plane that crashed on a flight from Scottsdale to Telluride, Colorado, officials said. 03/30/2018 'Accident waiting to happen' Rod Vaughan returns to scene of Waihi plane crash 03/30/2018 Man's legs severely injured in hotel escalator accident 03/30/2018 Texas woman jailed for five years for 'accidental' voter fraud 03/30/2018 Dead lawyer's family to appeal prosecutor immunity ruling. Lakewood, CO - APRIL 25: Fiery crash on I-70 near Colorado Mills Parkway shuts down highway in both directions. This will probably be the last time Rick Stephens attempts to bike across Kansas and Colorado to remember his friends who died in a plane crash on Oct. Home Highlights on Morocco Joint French-Moroccan investigation to determine cause of Colorado CEO Plane crash. Pilot who honored veterans ID'd in deadly Fredericksburg plane crash The Ann and Roy Butler hike and bike. It's quite a curious aircraft to be in the mountains, and the cause of the crash is unknown. TREE-TOP FLIER Snow Fall: The Plane Went Down With His Wife, His Kid and a Secret. Back in the 50's, a plane crashed directly into the front cliff of the snowies, killing all on board (including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir). Reilly, Memphis, Texas, Pilot. It's a Regular size geocache, with difficulty of 2, terrain of 4. Daiber, are trapped inside the submerged cabin of the plane and drown. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips and is best used from May until October. Hiking Trails Colorado Springs - Sidney Harrison Trail The Sidney Harrison Trail is located northwest of Monument, Colorado in the Pike National Forest. Thanks to unpredictable weather and mountainous terrain, Colorado is home to hundreds of reported military plane crash sites - not to mention all the unreported civilian crashes. A piece of the tail from the TWA plane at the crash site in 1956, photo by NPS. B-17 Plane Crash. Six US Navy airmen killed in a plane crash during World War Two at Mount Beacon near New York City are being honoured through memorial hikes to the mountain. Two dead after plane crash in Colorado reservoir. Saturday into the Colorado River near Loma. With fairly short trails of 3-4 miles, various hikes can be found in transformed reservoirs in the town of Palmer Lake. The plane crashes, leaving them severely injured & at the mercy of the same animals they are trying to save. COLORADO SPRINGS — No one was seriously hurt when a single-engine plane with three people crashed landed on the east side of Colorado Springs on Sunday. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a plane crash in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that killed three people. One of three men killed in a Navy plane crash on Wednesday was a University of Colorado graduate and had been a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity in Boulder. Most of these crashes happen because of engine failures or fuel starvation. Northern Colorado’s most well-known World War II-era crash sites include the Oct. Climbing to the Crash Site: A Survivor. Standing at 9,423 feet, the peak offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and offers a challenging, yet rewarding climb. The group had been hiking in the Idaho. Reporter: 21-year-old Dylan Schuetz plumbing 100 feet while hiking in Colorado last week with two of his friends. In the four hike/raft trips I have made, operating on the river has been very challenging. com receives compensation. Home; These crashes are believed to be within Colorado, but we couldn't find an exact location. He was survived by his brother Ron, mother Erma and three children, Zak, Anna Kate and Jesse Belle. Even though John and Annie divorced in 1982, he kept possession of the home in Aspen until his untimely death in a plane crash on October 12 of 1997. The Denver’s home in Aspen was completed by 1975 – along with a nearby guest house on the property. The shock of seeing a plane crash into a building, on purpose. Plane crash kills pilot to try to take crews to a landing site four miles from the plane crash site. com, a database that maps World War II-era training crashes. Officials believe the pilot was the only person on the plane, Lt. Authorities say the men were in their single-engine Cessna. When people think trails and hiking, they often look north to New Hampshire or west to Colorado. I actually spun the tires on my Cherokee this weekend for the first time in more than a decade. 4 dead following plane crash in rugged Arizona mountains. A single-engine airplane has crashed near the highest peak in Texas, causing an explosion and scattering debris across an area half a mile w…. Click here to view the top 10 most amazing hikes from Discovery Channel. Collectively these crashes resulted in the loss of more than 15,599 lives (Mireles 2006). He didn’t crawl away. DENVER – As the weather warms up here in Colorado, hundreds and thousands of hiker will head up to climb some of Colorado’s most majestic peaks. GEORGETOWN, Colo. Continental Express Flight 2286 crashed due to the pilot using cocaine and the co-pilot unable to land the plane. I am celebrating my 50th year by hiking 50 different trails. -- An Air Force Thunderbird jet crashed south of Colorado Springs just after a flyover for a graduation of Air Force Academy cadets where President Barack Obama had spoken. Fort Collins Library Articles: Thanks to this site for helping to find the crash site. As you might guess, parts are scattered all around the area where these photos were take, and plenty of plant growth since 1957. As the crow flies, the debris field is less 0. 8 injured , 1 critically, after lightning hits near group of Colorado hikers — Eight people were injured , one critically, after lightning struck near a group of hikers at Devils Head in Colorado on Sunday afternoon. By AUDREY McAVOY and ANDREW SELSKY, Associated Press. (AP) — Searchers in Arizona found the bodies of four members of a family Tuesday in the wreckage of a small plane that crashed on a flight from Scottsdale to Telluride, Colorado, officials said. One man almost landed in the Colorado, the other two came down on a bluff several hundred feet above the river. There was light snowfall in the region at the time of the crash. Standing at 9,423 feet, the peak offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area and offers a challenging, yet rewarding climb. Mark Villani has an update. Saturday, about a half-mile from the Essex County. This trail includes the opportunity to view the wreckage of a 1952 plane crash (from the final flight of Captain Sydney Harrison, a veteran of WWII and the Korean War). The outdoor adventures found along the parkway include a multitude of trails, visitor centers, and stunning overlooks. On Monday, September 25, 1978, San Diego was overcome by catastrophe. The crew all survived the impact, but the plane was abandoned and still lies there after 4 decades. The 1956 Grand Canyon mid-air collision occurred on Saturday, June 30, 1956 when a United Airlines Douglas DC-7 struck a Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation over the Grand Canyon in Arizona, resulting in the crash of both planes, 128 fatalities, and no survivors. A visit the Navy A-6 airplane crash site in Christmas Valley. At least one passenger is dead after the incident and no ground injuries. There's A Hike In North Carolina That Leads You Straight To An Abandoned Crashed Plane. It has been reported that there were more casualties from training during WWII than there were from combat. Hiking in all seasons, hiking in many different states, day hiking and weekend backpacking, hiking with kids, hiking and photography, etc, here are all our hiking posts. If that comes off like a big, fat, humblebrag, well it is. The "Tells Peak" B-17C Crash Site Posted by Tim On December 25th, 2010 / 20 Comments UPDATED 7/17/17 This is a story about a trip to the B-17C bomber that crashed in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California in November 1941, a month before the Pearl Harbor attack. That accounts for almost *HALF* of the 275 aerial crash casualties.
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Field to Fork: Cheese, From The Pasture To The Cave, At Consider Bardwell
Photography by Morgan Ione Yeager
Goats eating grass. At Consider Bardwell Farm in West Pawlet, Vermont, this is where the cheese begins.
At Consider Bardwell Farm in West Pawlet, Vermont, the cheese is made in the way that, in a moment of reverie after a taste of spring Mettowee – their fresh, creamy, grassy chevre – one would imagine their cheese being made. Yes, at Consider Bardwell, after the morning milking, goats frolic in dewy pastures spread across a lush plain unfurled at the foot of rolling mountains. In a century-old barn, fresh-faced locals stir milk with paddles in gleaming stainless steel vats, and separate curds from whey. Upstairs, wheels of cheese in many sizes age in cool, pungent caves. And twice a week, the finished rounds are gently loaded into a truck, to fly south across the ribbons of blacktop, out of the mountains, down the Hudson’s eastern shore, to Brooklyn. Other places too, throughout the Northeast, and to many of the finest cheese shops and restaurants nationwide.
A taste of this cheese at Eastern District, a friendly neighborhood cheese shop in Greenpoint, launched idyllic daydreams of summertime in Vermont. We quickly decided to make a trip north, to visit this farm, to meet the people who make this cheese, to learn a little about what they do, and why they do it.
The Farmers
Our day at Consider Bardwell begis early on a drizzly morning with farm managers Margot Brooks and Alex Eaton, as they prepare to lead the goats, waiting eagerly by the pasture gate for their morning milking, to the barn. Margot and Alex fell in love in college, and now collaborate on the neverending work of managing the farm’s animals and fields.
The farmers. Margot and Alex met in college at St. Lawrence University. Margot grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York. Alex grew up in Vermont, never setting foot on a farm. He followed Margot to Consider Bardwell, where they now work together managing the farm's animals and fields.
So Margot, Alex, how did you guys end up here, doing this?
Margot: I grew up in upstate New York, on my family’s dairy farm. My dad’s was the fifth generation to be farming there. When I was growing up it was my dad and his brother and their father – my grandfather – who were doing the farming. They were milking around ninety cows. It was a 900 acre farm. It was a conventional farm in that they were selling their milk into the commodity market. But they were never conventional in the sense that they always pastured their cows and believed strongly in that.
The day starts early on the farm. The goats are milked twice a day, at 5:45am and 4:30pm. In the morning, they eagerly wait for Margot to lead them to the barn for milking.
I came to Consider Bardwell after college. I went to St Lawrence University, and that’s where I met Alex. I was a biology major, and I wanted to learn how to make cheese so that I could hopefully someday go back to my family’s farm to start a creamery to make cheese to help make ends meet.
In college I was studying a lot of conservation biology – looking at biodiversity and how nature works in the environment – and every time I went home I’d feel more and more pulled back to that land where I’d grown up. I thought it would be the perfect place to implement some of the land management and animal husbandry practices that I’d been learning about.
My dad had an interest in changing the approach on the farm a little bit too. He found selling the milk into the big commercial commodity markets a little frustrating, I think. All the milk the farm was producing was hauled away in big trucks to dairy plants where it was mixed with milk from all over the place, heavily processed, and packaged for sale. After all the work that went into producing the milk, he didn’t love that complete disconnection from the end product.
Ready to go.
But as it turned out, my own vision and my dad’s vision just didn’t line up with my uncle’s. It became clear through a lot of discussions that it wasn’t going to work like I’d hoped it might. At that point my dad started looking at other farm properties, trying to find a place where we could maybe work together, but it’s really hard to find an affordable farm property where you can start an operation big enough to support two families. So after a lot of time looking at properties and considering all the options, we just weren’t sure how it was going to work out.
And then one day a goose showed up here at the farm. It was a crazy looking blind goose, and it was squawking loudly and making a racket. Eventually we figured out that it must have come from the neighbor’s farm, just over the hill there. When we brought the goose back to them, we found out that they were looking to sell their property. It was a little fifty acre farm that hadn’t been worked in years. I told my parents, and they got in touch with them, and about five months later they bought the farm next door and moved here.
Last May they partnered with Consider Bardwell on twenty Jerseys, put them out on pasture, and started milking. They sell their beautiful raw milk directly to customers on the farm and we use it in the creamery here for making cheese.
As soon as Margot opens the gate, the herd trots up the hill to the barn, and lines up for milking. There's a pecking order in the herd. The goats line up in the same order to await milking every day.
And so it all worked out, and I’ve been able to work with my dad after all. It’s kind of amazing. We never would have imagined that it would have happened this way. He’s able to farm on a much smaller scale, which is something he’d always wanted to do. And after farming for twenty seven years, he’s finally able to have that connection to the milk he produces that he’d never had before. And I think that means a lot to him. It’s so great to have him here.
What about you Alex?
Alex: I grew up in Vermont, with absolutely no farming background. I think my only connection to farming is that my great grandfather once had the largest sheep farm in Vermont. Then there was some great flood that came and wiped out his entire flock and he started running moonshine, which somehow led to a position in the state legislature. [laughter.]
The goats in the barn, waiting their turn to be milked.
When I heard that story as a kid, it got me mildly interested in sheep, but I had no thoughts of ever becoming a farmer until I met Margot in college. When I met her I was like, “You mean, you’re a real farmer!?”
I moved here to be with her the summer after we finished college and we’ve been here ever since.
Tell us about what you do on a daily basis.
Alex: We’re the farm managers, and in that role we take care of the goats and the other animals on the farm – we’ve got chickens and pigs too. We milk the goats twice a day, we move them around to keep them on fresh pasture, we take care of them when they need taking care of, and we manage the pastures. That’s a big part of it – all summer long we’re mowing the fields and haying to stock up on hay to feed the animals all winter.
Margot readies the milking apparatus. Eighteen goats are milked at a time in the milking parlor.
Margot: When it’s time to milk, we bring the goats up to the barn from pasture, and when we’re done we bring them back. We milk twice a day, at 5:45am and at 4:30pm. Each milking shift takes about two and a half hours, including the cleanup.
They’re always eager to be milked in the morning. They’re usually waiting for me, and when I open the gate they’ll just run right up to the barn. There’s a hierarchy, a pecking order in the herd. They’ll usually line up in pretty much the same order for milking every time.
We have a milking parlor where we can milk eighteen goats at a time. We have eighty six milking goats right now, and twenty four dry ones. So we bring them into the parlor eighteen at a time, give them some grain to munch on as a little treat, hook them up to the machine and start milking.
Spring is the time of peak lactation because the goats have just given birth. We get about a gallon a day, or 8.7 pounds from each in spring, across both milkings. December is the slowest time for milk – then you average about three pounds of milk per goat, per day. And they’re completely dry for a few months in winter, when they’re pregnant before giving birth again in early spring.
In the milking parlor. Consider Bardwell's cheese is made with raw milk, so cleanliness is critical. The goats' teats are dipped in iodine and the milk lowest in the udder, which often has a higher bacteria count, is squeezed off before milking begins..
Everything is tracked very carefully. We know exactly how much milk we’re getting from each individual goat at every milking. Herd management is an important part of what we do. The herd size is static. It can’t just keep growing. The size of the herd is calibrated exactly to the amount of milk we need to produce to make exactly the amount of cheese that we can store in our caves and sell. Every part of the operation of the farm has to fit together just right in order for us to be able to stay in business.
You mentioned pasture management. How does that work?
Margot: We have three hundred acres to manage, and it’s all about the pasture – the grass. The goats are out on pasture from spring through mid-October. We move them endlessly from one patch to the next, and all summer long we work very hard cutting hay for the winter months. All our pasture, our hay, is certified organic.
The goats, however, are not certified organic, and that’s because we want to be able to treat them if they’re sick. We feel strongly about that. If a goat gets sick and has to go on meds they’re removed from the milking herd until every trace of antibiotics has passed from their system. But we rarely have to treat goats with antibiotics – it hasn’t happened yet this year.
You can see why the goats are eager to be milked. The goats produce the most milk after giving birth in spring, and the amount of milk they produce declines steadily until winter when, pregnant again, their milk dries up completely.
Alex: We have about two hundred acres that we use for hay, and we cut that all summer. We have about forty acres that are used for summer pasture for the goats. We just keep moving them around from one patch to another all summer, creating temporary paddocks with portable fencing.
They eat best when they’re inspired by new pasture. So we use smaller paddocks and move them more frequently. The goats eat better that way, it makes for better grass, and it helps keep the parasites down too, because they’re not spending a lot of time walking around in their own manure.
We’re always looking for ways to improve pasture management. Ideally you want to rotate all of the different types of animals on the farm through each section of pasture, because each different type of animal grazes differently and adds different nutrients to it through their manure. If you get the process right, you get really healthy grass, which means really healthy animals whose grazing and manure gives you really healthy grass again…[laughter.]
Margot with her dad, Dan Brooks. After a long search for a way to work together, Margot's parents ended up purchasing the farm adjacent to Consider Bardwell, where they have a herd of Jerseys that produce much of the cows' milk for Consider Bardwell's cows' milk cheeses.
And you know, the goats really love being out on pasture. You can see it. The best part of the day is after the last milking is done, letting them out on pasture and watching them do their thing. They’re happy to be there.
And what about goat meat?
Margot: We always say, “Where there’s milk, there’s meat.” That’s the reality on any dairy farm, anywhere. It’s part of the cycle, and there’s no way around it. Animals produce milk because they’ve recently given birth. That’s how nature works. We have a herd of goats that produce the milk that’s used to make our cheese.
The goats in our milking herd continue to produce milk each year because they’re giving birth each year. Each of those milking goats gives birth to two kids, and almost all of those go to meat. Only a few of the kids each year, the ones bred from the most productive milkers, are kept as replacement animals for the herd.
Dan Brooks with two of his Jerseys. Jerseys aren't typically used on dairy farms, as they yield less milk than Holstiens. But their milk is richer and more flavorful. Dan sells raw milk, which is 5% butterfat, on his farm.
Most goat dairies can’t keep the kids. There’s such a small market for high-quality goat meat here that they can’t afford raise them for meat. So most goat dairies take the kids to auction, and most of them end up on feedlot operations that raise them as cheaply as possible. The vast majority of goat meat sold here is low quality feedlot meat.
Alex: The problem is that we need more of a demand for goat meat here in the U.S., and for high quality goat meat from animals raised in a sustainable way. We’ve been working with Heritage Foods, which is based in Brooklyn, and that’s been absolutely huge for us. We’ve been selling our meat at Greenmarkets for years, but Heritage has been working really hard to promote goat meat from farms like ours, to create a broader market for it here. And it’s been working. It’s allowed us to start keeping our kids on the farm, raising them for meat in the way we think is right.
Margot: It’s made the farm way more sustainable. We don’t have to compromise our ethics anymore when it comes to that part of the cycle.
Alex: A lot of people want to cover their ears when we tell them we’re raising goats for meat, but that’s the reality of any goat farm, or any dairy farm of any kind. Goat meat is a good thing, and we’re proud of it.
Life on the pasture.
You spend a lot of time with goats. Do you like goats?
Margot: I love goats. I grew up on a dairy farm with cows, but I’ve always preferred goats. [laughter.] I got a goat in the third grade and I was obsessed with her. They have a lot of personality. They’re very smart, which can make them more difficult to manage, but I like that intelligence. I like their presence. If you just sit with them they have a way of being with you that’s very connected and affectionate.
They’re not always sweet. They can be huge assholes. But when they’re happy they’ll kick up their heels and dance a little bit. And I love that. [laughter.]
After milking, we join Leslie Goff, Consider Bardwell’s head cheesemaker, in the creamery, to learn a little something about the making of the cheese. The creamery is in the same barn building as the milking parlor, just adjacent to it, but the spaces are separated by the farm equivalent of an airlock – the creamery’s sparkling cleanliness stands in stark contrast to the cheerful muck that accompanies the goats wherever they go.
Head cheesemaker Leslie Goff began working at Consider Bardwell at the age of fifteen. She now manages the making and aging of all the farm's cheese.
So Leslie, how did you end up making cheese for a living?
I grew up a few miles away from here, just over the border in Granville, New York. I started working here part time when I was fifteen years old – working with the goats – the kind of thing Margot and Alex do now. That was six years ago. We only had twenty goats then. It was a lot smaller. I did that for two years, and in winter I came inside to help with the cheesemaking.
I learned a lot about cheese making, and when the head cheesemaker eventually left, I ended up taking her spot. Everything has grown a lot over the past few years. It’s been kind of crazy. At first I was just helping to make the cheese. Now I manage all the cheesemaking, the aging…the whole process.
And so it begins. Every 'make' begins with milk. The milk is heated and rennet is added to trigger the formation of curds. Cultures are added to control the cheese's acidity and develop flavor.
Tell us how it all works. How do you actually make the cheese?
Production has been going through the roof. We’re making cheese six days a week now, in thirteen or fourteen batches. It seems like it never stops.
It all starts with the milk. We make both cows’ and goats’ milk cheeses here. The goats’ milk is pumped right in here from the milking parlor next door. The cows’ milk comes in every day from our three partner farms, including Margot’s dad’s, right next door. All the cows are pastured, just like our goats.
There’s a lot of heavy note taking going on here. [laughter.] When the milk comes in, we check the temperature. We sample it to test for antibiotics. We make notes regarding the weather, time of year, time of day of the milking – all so we can study the information later and so we can trace every wheel of cheese back to the exact batch of milk it was made with. Lots of analysis.
Cheesemaker Kate Turcotte at work in the creamery.
The process for making each cheese is very precise, and varies from type to type. In general, we start by filling one of these big stainless steel vats with milk. Then we stir the milk with big paddles to blend in the cream, and we begin to heat it. We generally heat the milk to about ninety five degrees for a soft cheese. Milk for hard cheeses is cooked again to evaporate even more of the water content.
As the milk heats, we watch the temperature. There’s a precise time and temperature at which we add the culture to each cheese. Each culture is made from strains of bacteria that work together in specific ways to control the acidity of the cheese, which has a big effect on its final flavor. Some cultures come from very old cheesemaking operations in France. Others come from other places. We use several different cultures here, and we have specific culture cocktails for each of our cheeses. The cheesemaking process is very precise, but it’s also always changing. We have a big recipe book, but the recipes are always being adjusted just a little bit here or a little bit there.
After adding the cultures, the milk is left to ripen for a while, and then we add the rennet. Most rennet comes from the stomach lining of cows, but we use microbial rennet that’s made with strains of mold – it’s vegetarian. The rennet is what starts the coagulation of the milk – it starts the formation of the curds.
Here, cheesemaker Anastasia Gaszynski flips a mass of curd that after brining, drying, and aging, will become a wheel of Dorset, one of Consider Bardwell's cows' milk cheeses.
When the curds have thickened to the appropriate degree, we scoop them out of the vat into molds and let them drain. They’ll sit drying for a while – usually until the following day, and then are put in a brine for a few hours.
Kate readies a few wheels of Pawlet for brining. "In the world of cheese, getting a job at Consider Bardwell is like getting into Harvard," says Kate.
After brining, the cheesemaking process ends, and the aging process begins. The cheese sits on wire racks to dry for a few days, and when they’re absolutely dry, they go into the cave to age.
It takes more experience to really understand the aging process than it does to learn how to make the cheese. It can easily take a year to understand it properly. Each cheese ages for a different amount of time. Humidity and temperature for each cheese are critical, and the key is keeping them constant at all times. It requires a pretty exhaustive attention to detail. Each cheese has its own cave with ideal conditions for that specific cheese, and each cheesemaker focuses on a specific cheese and a specific cave in order to stay on top of it all.
And then there’s washing. Some of our cheeses are washed as they age and some aren’t. Washing the cheese usually gives it a stronger flavor, and washes vary by content and frequency for each cheese.
Leslie checks wheels of aging cheese in one of the farm's caves. Maintaining precise temperature and humidity levels in the cave are critical to the aging process.
So there are a lot of factors that work together to determine the flavor of a cheese. We can use the exact same recipe for a cheese three times, with cows’ milk from three different farms, and when we do that we find that the cheese made with the milk from each farm tastes slightly different. Because the environment on each farm is slightly different. The grasses the animals are eating are slightly different. And the flavors change as the seasons change, because what they’re eating changes. The cultures matter – there’s a specific culture of cocktails for each cheese and that affects the acidity and flavor. The temperature and humidity of the cave, the amount of time the cheese spends in the cave, and the type and frequency of the wash all affect the flavor too.
So, cheese is pretty complicated. [laughter.]
The Monger
After our crash course in cheesemaking with Leslie in the creamery, we wander the farm grounds with Poul Price, Consider Bardwell’s New York City sales manager, as he does some errands before his trip back to the city the following day. Poul lives in Bushwick, but visits the farm as often as he can.
Poul manages Consider Bardwell's NYC Greenmarket sales, which account for the single largest source of sales for the farm's cheese. He lives in Bushwick, but makes frequent trips to the farm.
So Poul, how goes the business of selling cheese?
Sales are the best they’ve been yet. If things continue to go as well as they have been, this will be our fourth profitable year. Of course, Angela, the owner, bought the farm about twelve years ago. When you do things the way we do them here, with a commitment to doing everything right at every step of the process, it takes a while to build up. Angela started with six goats in 2001. Real dairy operations on a commercial level didn’t start until 2004 or 2005, and they’ve been ramping up ever since.
Where does most of the cheese go? Where’s it sold?
The single largest source of sales for us is at the New York City Greenmarkets. They don’t necessarily account for the majority of all sales, but they’re the single largest source.
And we like that, because being at those markets allows us to really explain what we’re doing and why it matters – what makes Consider Bardwell cheese special. It’s much harder to communicate that to customers if you’re not there in person. In the retail environment, you give that information to one person who passes it on to their employees, who then pass it on to the customers, so you’re often four times removed from the customer at that point. It’s hard to get the story through that many links in the chain.
The farm recently opened a store, where they sell their cheese, eggs and meat on the honor system.
But at the markets, most of our cheesemongers have been up here to the farm at least once. They have a real understanding of what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and why that matters.
What do you find yourself explaining most to shoppers at the markets? What don’t people understand about the what, how and why of what you do up here?
One thing that’s always true in any context is that people like to see things in black and white. When it comes to cheese, they might want all organic, or purely grass fed, or not grass fed. They don’t necessarily understand the complexities that factor into producing a great cheese in the most responsible, efficient and sustainable way possible, which is what we go to great effort to do here at Consider Bardwell.
For example, our goats are not entirely grass fed. Some people find that scandalous. [laughter.] Yes, our goats are out on fresh pasture all the time, but we give them a little grain when they’re being milked. It’s a treat for them. They like it. It keeps them healthy. If an animal is eating on pasture and being milked twice a day? We find they benefit from the added nutrition of a little grain. And it helps them to continue to produce a certain amount of milk while doing the work of feeding on pasture, which helps us to keep the price of our cheeses within reason, which allows more people to buy it, which sustains the farm.
Poul takes some fresh farm eggs from the store to bring to the farm's NYC Greenmarket stands the following weekend.
Same with antibiotics. All of our cheese is completely antibiotic free. But if one of our goats gets sick, we’re going to take her out of the milking herd and treat her. If we wanted to be certified organic, we’d have to sell that animal or put her down. That doesn’t seem right to us. So it’s kind of ironic – the way you have to treat your animals in order to be certified organic is actually not sustainable. It treats animals like they’re disposable. And animals aren’t disposable. If our animals get sick we’re going to help them get better.
Another thing we often have to explain is the meat thing. We’re raising over a hundred goats now for meat, and we sell that meat at the markets. Some people are horrified by that. It’s important to us that people understand that what happens at any farm is a whole process. Anytime you’re creating milk to create cheese, you’re going to have extra offspring that don’t fit into the dairy part of the business. Those extra offspring are going to go to meat one way or another. Here, we’d rather raise them on the farm in the way we think is right rather than send them to a feedlot. It’s just how it all works.
The fact that cheese is seasonal comes up a lot too. At the markets, I’ll have the Rupert, one of our cow’s milk cheeses, made with milk from last August next to the Pawlet made with milk from December. You can see that the Rupert has a vivid yellow color, and the Pawlet is a milky white. The difference in color is caused by the difference in what the cows are eating at those times of year.
Poul sets up the Consider Bardwell Greenmarket stand at the Williamsburg/McCarren Park market. They also have stands at the Carroll Gardens and Cortelyou markets each week.
In December, they’re eating dry hay, which is just the dried-out grass from our fields that we collect all summer. It’s grass, but it’s dry, so it doesn’t have the live grass nutrients that give the summer milk that yellowish hue. What the animals are eating at any time of year affects the flavor of their milk, which affects the flavor of the cheese. On our farm, since the animals are pastured, they’re eating different things all year. So it’s seasonal, and a lot of people are surprised by that.
What, to you, is unique about Consider Bardwell? What sets it apart?
The coolest thing to me about Consider Bardwell is how young and dedicated the staff is. All the cheesemakers are under 25. They’re really passionate about what they do. Alex and Margot are in their twenties. The innovation and critical thinking that they bring to managing the animals and the fields is amazing. We’re on the cutting edge of cheesemaking technology and processes, at the same time as being totally committed to doing things ethically and sustainably, and in the way we feel is right. I think right now at Consider Bardwell, we’re raising up the next generation of cheesemakers in the Northeast. I think the stuff we’re setting in place now will last for generations.
We finished the day chatting with Angela Miller, a literary agent to some of New York’s top culinary talent, as Margot, Alex and Poul prepared dinner for a few of the farm crew. Angela and her husband Russell Glover, an architect, purchased the property, then in a state of serious disrepair, twelve years ago. Since then, they, and partner Chris Gray, have built Consider Bardwell, largely by hand, into one of the nation’s finest dairy farms and creameries.
Angela, a lifelong New Yorker and literary agent to some of the city's finest chefs, purchased the property with her husband Russell Glover twelve years ago. They've built it from a tiny operation into one of the nation's finest dairy farms and creameries. The farm now supports seven families and produces 80,000 pounds of cheese a year.
So Angela, how did you end up here?
My parents both came from farms, but they weren’t farmers themselves. They bought a farm in Pennsylvania when I was a teenager. A ‘gentleman’s farm.’ We’d grow our own vegetables – that was all, really. But it planted that romantic notion in my head that stayed with me for all those years in New York City.
We thought about buying a farm in Vermont in 1984, but we didn’t, because life was too crazy – the city life and raising a kid and all that. We bought this farm in 2000. On a whim.
We were here for Thanksgiving. We had just sold a co-op in the city and had some money that we’d never had before jangling in our pockets. We were staying with friends. We were looking at properties. My husband Russell is an architect, so I’d always thought I’d like to live in a house that he designed and built himself.
At the end of the long day, Margot heads home. But the work on a farm never stops. Tonight, she and Alex will be hosting a few of the farm crew for dinner - not an uncommon end to a good day's work.
We couldn’t find any property to look at, but I noticed this place listed on the realtor’s bulletin board and I said, “What’s that?” The realtor said, “Forget it. It’s three hundred acres. An old dairy farm. Defunct. Disgusting. A mess.” He wouldn’t show it to us because he thought it was a waste of time.
We came over here ourselves the next day. I knew nothing about the history of the place. It stank of oil, because the oil burner had recently exploded. I could hear the gunshots of hunters in the woods all around us. I was from New York City. I was terrified. [laughter.] But there was some kind of magic about the place. I don’t know what the magic was, but it was there, and we bought it the next day.
We didn’t have a clear idea of what we were going to do with it. My husband’s a city boy from London. I’ve spent my whole adult life in New York. I thought, “Hey, maybe I can have a horse!” [laughter.] But it did feel in some way like whatever we did decide to do, the sky would be the limit with this place.
Margot and Alex live in one of the original farm buildings across a pond from the main house. In their kitchen, Poul slices some bread to accompany a cheese plate.
Over the next few months we learned that the farm had been the first cheese cooperative in the state of Vermont, founded in the 1860s by a man named Consider Bardwell. Cheese has always been one of my favorite things. I wanted to open a cheese shop on the Upper West Side when I finished college, but I didn’t have any money to do it, of course. [laughter.] So it all kind of coalesced around cheese. The history of the place and my own interest in cheese made it seem like an obvious path.
I was working with Max McCalman, who was the cheese guy for Artisanal Cheese and Picholine. He had done a book about cheese, where he’d travelled around Vermont. I told him about the idea of starting a creamery to make cheese, and I asked him, “Max, do you think I’m crazy?” [laughter.] He was supportive. He kind of nurtured my cheese fantasies.
I started researching it. I thought we’d have sheep, not cows. I didn’t even think about goats. I started going to dairy conferences. I did two years worth of studying farming at U.V.M. – every course, every workshop I could think of.
The fruits of much labor. All the work is for this. Some of the finest cheeses being made on the east coast.
We started working with dairy inspectors on plans for building the creamery and caves in the existing barn structure. We couldn’t build a new building because we didn’t have any money to do it. They helped us figure out how to organize it all so that it would be legal when we were ready to start production. Russell, being an architect, was able to design and build everything with his own hands.
Eventually, a lot of people, some of the farmers from around here, even some of the old time farmers who don’t do things the way we do them, came out to help us get things going.
I imagine that a couple of New Yorkers coming in to start a goat farm in rural Vermont might draw some skepticism. How did the community react?
It was a bumpy start. I had one guy who had been haying on the property. He’d come in and cut hay to feed his animals in winter, and he’d been paying the previous owner rent to do that. I assumed he was going to continue, and that that would help me pay the taxes on the place.
For dinner, a freshly-killed chicked from the farm's own flock roasts on Margot and Alex's grill.
Two weeks before the haying season began he came here and said, “I don’t need your hay. I’m not helping you guys from New York. You don’t know anything. You come here, you buy our farms. I would never pay you rent. You should just burn the place down for all I care!”
I was like, “You, sir, are sitting in my dining room!” [laughter.]
I know him now. The relationship is fine. For years we just got down there and worked. Russell built the creamery and all the caves in the old barn by hand. I was milking and they could see that I was willing to work, and when they saw that many of them were willing to help.
Another guy whose family has been farming for generations would come and help us mow hay. You have to keep haying the land or your pastures go bad. He did a great job of haying, and I’d buy hay from him. One day he came to the back porch and said, “You know, I really didn’t want to sell you any hay because I really don’t like people from New York. But I see that you people work, so I’ll sell it to you.” [laughter]. I almost fell over backwards!
Margot sets the table on a soft summer night.
We also pursue and have gotten grants for committing land to be preserved and that sort of thing. And the local farmers tend not to like that. They think we’re crazy and that we should be protecting the rights of future generations to use the land in whatever way they want.
So it was a little bit of a rough start, but things are working well now.
And how has it grown? Was it difficult to get established?
Our very first cheesemaker had almost no experience. He and his wife had worked at Murray’s Cheese and had done some training in Europe. But his wife was also a chef and she’d been a line cook at Craft with the guy who became chef de cuisine at Per Se, and because of that our fresh goat cheese was on the menu at Per Se the first week we started making it. They opened those doors for us, and that was hugely important.
You know, I’m a literary agent. I represent Mark Bittman from the Times, and Jean Georges Vongerichten and Marcus Samuelsson and a number of people like that. But I would never approach them about the cheese. The other guys would. If they liked it, I might deliver it, but it wouldn’t have been appropriate for me to try to get them to buy it. [laughter.] But we didn’t have to go and prove that we were real people, and that really does help.
Dining with a view on Margot and Alex's porch. The main house, barn, and outbuildings are just across the pond.
It’s all taken a while, but things are on the right track. We haven’t yet been able to make enough cheese to meet demand. We haven’t yet found that scary sweet spot where we have more cheese sitting around than we can sell. We’ve increased production from 68,000 pounds of cheese last year to 80,000 pounds this year. Oh the poor cheesemakers…they’re always the ones who suffer. [laughter.] If we can stabilize at 100,000 pounds per year, we’ll be in a good place.
We have to keep asking ourselves, “Who are we? What do we want to be? Where are we going? “ We don’t want to be a factory. We have a lot of people to support. The farm is supporting seven families now, which amazes me. It’s become a real community. Chris and Leslie have the creamery running really well. All of the cheesemakers are in their twenties and are very passionate about what they do. Margot and Alex are very creative, and skilled and dedicated to caring for the animals and the land. Our cheese is very good, and our sales guys have done a wonderful job getting it out into the world.
But it’s not easy making money on cheese. We’ve begun to make it work. It would be nice to take a rest from always increasing production, and always developing the infrastructure you need to increase production, but we’re not quite there yet.
Meanwhile, Back in Brooklyn…
Back in Brooklyn, we stop by Eastern District, a cheese and beer shop in Greenpoint, to taste, and talk Consider Bardwell, with owner and cheese maven Beth Lewand.
Beth Lewand of Eastern District.
So Beth, I understand you’re a big fan of Consider Bardwell. Can we taste a few of their cheeses?
We love Consider Bardwell. They do pretty amazing work. These are a few of my favorite Consider Bardwell cheeses – the Manchester, the Rupert, and the Pawlet.
The Manchester is their aged goats’ milk cheese. It’s firm, smooth, with a little bit of crumble, but it’s not too dry. It’s got a nice tangy flavor. Not overly strong or barnyardy, because they use really fresh milk. It’s got some nice salt to it. I like it very much on its own. I sometimes recommend it to people as a substitute for ricotta salata if they’re looking for something like that. Although it’s aged, it’s got a nice clean flavor like a fresh cheese.
I like to pair it with dried apricots. The tangy, fresh, salty flavors of the cheese contrast nicely with the rich, sweet, stone fruit flavor of the dried apricot.
Next up is the Rupert, one of their cows’ milk cheeses. One thing I really like about the Rupert is that I think you really can notice the difference in the seasonal flavors. Rupert always has a lot of rich complex flavors to it. Sometimes it tastes a little more beefy, oniony, meaty. What we have right now is something with a little more of a vegetal taste. It tastes of the grass and herbs that the cows are eating. It’s a little floral, and fresh. Some cheesemakers try to control flavor for consistency. Consider Bardwell lets them be, and I like that.
I like to pair the Rupert with Kelso pilsner. I wouldn’t pair it with just any pilsner. But the Kelso pilsner has a very full flavor – lots of malt and hops, so it can stand up to the complex, strong, and grassy flavors of the summer Rupert.
Beth pairs the Pawlet with pickles, the Rupert with Kelso of Brooklyn's pilsner, and the Manchester with dried apricots.
The last cheese one we’ve got is the Pawlet, which is one of their more powerful washed-rind cheeses. The Pawlet is another cows’ milk cheese. It has that great funky smell and flavor, without being overwhelming. It has a nice milky flavor balanced by some saltiness and bitterness from the washed rind. It’s got a nice springy texture and it’s really great for melting – It’s perfect on a grilled cheese sandwich.
And it pairs really nicely with pickles. The spice of the pickles works well with the slightly funky and bitter flavor of the cheese, and the sweetness of the pickles compliments the sweetness of the milk.
We love Consider Bardwell’s cheeses. We really like that they allow the variations in seasonal flavors in the milk from the pastured animals to come through. And we really like Poul. He’s one of the only people we know who likes cheese and beer as much as we do. [laughter.]
Consider Bardwell’s cheeses can be found in Brooklyn at the Williamsbug/McCarren Park, Carroll Gardens, and Cortelyou Greenmarkets each week, as well as at Bedford Cheese Shop and Marlow & Daughters in Williamsburg, Eastern District in Greenpoint, BKLYN Larder in Park Slope, and Stinky Bklyn in Carroll Gardens.
All photography by Morgan Ione Yeager, who persevered even when rain at 5am dashed her dreams of photographing goats frolicking in the fields in dawn’s golden light, forcing her to shoot from inside a garbage bag instead. All rights reserved.
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This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Cheese, Consider Bardwell, Eastern District, Field to Fork, Morgan Ione Yeager, Photo Feature, Profiles. Bookmark the permalink.
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The Graduate School of Arts has approximately 300 enrolled PhD students, with around 200 of them at Campus Aarhus and around 100 at Campus Emdrup north of Copenhagen.
The Graduate School is organized in the following eight PhD degree programmes:
Anthropology, International Area Studies and the Study of Religion
Art, Literature and Cultural Studies
History, Archaeology and Classical Studies
ICT, Media, Communication and Journalism
Language, Linguistics and Cognition
Theology, History of Ideas and Philosophy
The Graduate School offers a three-year PhD programme after obtaining a two-year Master's degree (5+3) and a four-year PhD programme with enrolment after one year of Master's level studies (4+4). In addition, the graduate school offers a three-year business-oriented industrial PhD programme after obtaining a two-year Master’s degree.
Successful applicants for PhD scholarships (4+4 or 5+3) will be employed within the relevant research environment normally placed at the department where the principle supervisor is employed (Campus Aarhus or Campus Emdrup).
For detailed information about application announcements and deadlines please see the open calls of the Graduate School of Arts.
Read more about the activities and organisation of the Graduate School, Arts in the Annual Report.
300 PhD students
8 PhD degree programmes
Three-year programme (5+3)
Four-year programme (4+4)
New PhD projects
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Hacking evolution screening technique may improve most widespread enzyme
This media release was originally published on the Realising Increased Photosynthesis Efficiency (RIPE ) website and has been written by Claire Benjamin
Plants evolved over millions of years into an environment that has dramatically changed in the last 150 years since the Industrial Revolution began: carbon dioxide levels have increased 50 percent stimulating a gradual rise in average global temperatures. While natural adaptation has been unable to keep up, scientists have developed tools to simulate millions of years of evolution in days to help plants adapt.
Published by the Journal of Biological Chemistry, researchers report a novel screening strategy that enabled them to identify, for the first time, a much more efficient form of the enzyme Rubisco, which catalyses the first step of fixing carbon dioxide en route to creating plant biomass in photosynthesis.
Rubisco is the most abundant protein on the planet, and you could argue, the most important one, because this enzyme plays an essential role in photosynthesis, the process in which organisms transfer light energy into chemical energy.
“We’ve shown that we can improve Rubisco’s efficiency, its ability to differentiate carbon dioxide from oxygen ––that’s the real buzz,” said lead author Spencer Whitney, Chief Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, at the Australian National University. “Our Rubisco is faster and has a higher affinity for carbon dioxide. In the past, this determination took about two weeks, but our new screening system cut that time more than in half.”
Using directed evolution, often described as evolution in a test tube, the team tested 250,000 mutant Rubiscos from cyanobacteria in E. coli bacteria engineered so their survival depends on the efficiency of the enzyme. “Finding answers on how to improve Rubisco is like looking for a needle in a haystack,” Whitney said. “The beauty of this system is that it allows us to get rid of all those pieces of hay.”
Eighteen Rubisco mutants survived the screen, eleven of which were found to be much more efficient at fixing carbon dioxide. “We found these mutations are localized to a previously unexplored region of this plant like Rubisco” said Dr Robert Wilson, co-inventor of the new system. “Now the hope is to make similar tweaks to improve Rubisco in crops and increase their growth and yield.”
This work was funded by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis and an Australian Postgraduate Award to Robert Wilson. The research was undertaken in association with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supported Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project.
The paper “An improved Escherichia coli screen for Rubisco identifies a protein-protein interface that can enhance CO2-fixation kinetics” is published by the Journal of Biological Chemistry (doi: 10.1074/jbc.M117.810861). Co-authors include Robert H. Wilson, Elena Martin-Avila, and Carly Conlan.
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Oshkosh Corporation Celebrates 100 Years of Making a Difference
OSHKOSH, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 2017-- Oshkosh Corporation, (NYSE:OSK) is celebrating its 100th year in business in 2017. This historic event celebrates 100 years of making a positive difference in people’s lives around the world.
Throughout the 2017 calendar year, several marketing elements will be deployed including a new 100 Year Anniversary logo, videos, social media and web graphics, a special 100 year anniversary website, a new promotional products e-store and much more. Additionally, the Company will host multiple events to highlight this exciting milestone, including ringing the closing bell on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, May 4, 2017.
“100 years ago, our founders designed two innovations that changed the world. Their patents gave people the confidence to drive places they didn’t think possible; and today – we’re still innovating to make a difference in people’s lives. 2017 marks 100 years strong for us, and we couldn’t be more excited about the future,” said Wilson R. Jones, Oshkosh Corporation president and chief executive officer.
Oshkosh Corporation was founded in 1917 by William Besserdich and B.A. Mosling. Besserdich and Mosling designed two innovations to help improve mobility. The first patent was a transfer case that is responsible for transferring the power from the front axle to the rear. The second patent improved the steering and drive capacity of the front axle.
Since that time, Oshkosh Corporation has grown in size, capabilities and footprint. Products in the Oshkosh Corporation family of brands respond to emergencies, save lives, help others reach new heights and serve the world around us. Today, Oshkosh Corporation has more than 13,000 team members around the world and is truly a different integrated global industrial.
Founded in 1917, Oshkosh Corporation is 100 years strong and continues to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh brings together a unique set of integrated capabilities and diverse end markets that, when combined with the Company’s MOVE strategy and positive long-term outlook, illustrate why Oshkosh is a different integrated global industrial. The Company is a leader in designing, manufacturing and servicing a broad range of access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency, military and specialty vehicles and vehicle bodies under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®.
Today, Oshkosh Corporation is a Fortune 500 Company with manufacturing operations on four continents. Its products are recognized around the world for quality, durability and innovation, and can be found in more than 150 countries around the globe. As a different integrated global industrial, Oshkosh is committed to making a difference for team members, customers, shareholders, communities and the environment. For more information, please visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
Vice President of Global Branding & Communications
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London and Seoul two of the new race tracks in the next season of Formula e
There are even more new things, comming in action with 2019-2020 season
The Formula E series is slowly but surely gaining recognition and is looking forward to a step forward in the coming year, with two German car giants, Mercedes-benz and Porsche joining the series. That's not the only news that's coming up. In fact, there is a new racing calendar coming up next year, which will be even more extensive than this year, as there are two new races coming to the calendar in Europe and Asia.
As can be seen from the calendar approved in Paris yesterday by representatives of the FIA Motorsport Association, the next year of the formula E series will also be hosted in London – something that was said a while ago – and Seoul. The South Korean race will be on in May, while London race, being interesting due to partially covered track is going to be held in July, which also means that the double race will be the end of the season there. Otherwise, the season will begin just like the current one in the Arabian Ad Diriyah, only now, as in London, there will be two races running in a row.
However, the two top innovations are far from the only ones that Fia is preparing in the coming season. Second generation drivers – these will be in service for at least three years, so at least until the end of the eighth season-will receive an additional 10 kilowatts of power from 2019-2020. Their power will therefore be 235 kilowatts instead of the existing 225. At the same time, every time a safety car is on the track, or the yellow flag will be in throughout the course, it will take away a kilowatt hour of electricity, thereby preventing tactics and slow driving and, consequently, saving electricity.
Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Deputy CEO of Formula E, said: “Next season promises to be the most exciting and eagerly-anticipated in the short history of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. More races and new faces, with the incredible new additions of Seoul and London, as well as the inclusion of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Looking at the list of cities and capitals backing Formula E and the electric movement, it’s the longest and most comprehensive calendar to date. Alongside the tweaks made to the sporting regulations, the racing has the potential to be even more intense and unpredictable than ever. We have three rounds remaining this season and a title fight that’s wide open, but I already can’t wait to get started again in Ad Diriyah in November.”
June 15, 2019 Driving photo: Fia
fia formula e london seoul
Bern is the last confirmed venue of Formula E 2018/19 championship
The Swiss capital Bern became the last venue filling the calendar of next season Formula E championship. It will host a Julius Baer Swiss E-Prix, which is scheduled to take place on June 22 next year.
Formula E and Jaguar to launch support series
Jaguar has today unveiled plans for a fully-electric support series to run alongside select races in the FIA Formula E Championship from season five - titled the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY.
Succesfull first 1.000 kilometers behing Porsche's Formula E team
German car manufacturer to step in the series in the 2019/2020 season.
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Duncan Campbell
Paul Ray
Episode 37: Paul Ray – Co-Creating a New Wisdom Culture
Coleman Barks (click on his name at right for Living Dialogues program), poet and leading American translator of the world-centric poet Rumi, has observed that “we are trying to create a civilization without elders to lead us”. That is not to say that this new civilization – or wisdom culture – will be without elders, but as I take it, only that in these literally unprecedented 21st century times we must become our own elders. Collectively we can do this by recognizing that only through mutually informing and respectful dialogue, between generations, between men and women, between different ethnicities, between different spiritual traditions and approaches, between private enterprise and government, etc. can we collaboratively bring forth a new wisdom culture. To meet the demands of interpenetrating globalization, peak oil, and global warming, such a culture must be planetary in scope, capable of holding the exploding worldwide diversity in a larger creative and cooperative whole. To do this, we also have to grow up, to mature beyond what Paul Ray in this dialogue describes as the narcissistic, self-centered adolescent economic model that currently dominates in many spheres. We here elaborate on what I have said in many of these dialogues -- that we can do this by activating an energizing remembrance of a deeper felt sense of unity that is part of our collective past, together with the individual creativity and innovation of our modern mind, to co-create the new structures and content of a transformed culture.
SUBSCRIBE HERE FOR FREE TO LIVING DIALOGUES AND IN THE COMING
WEEKS HEAR DUNCAN CAMPELL’S DIALOGUES WITH OTHER GROUND-BREAKING TRANSFORMATIONAL THINKERS LISTED ON THE WEBSITE WWW.LIVINGDIALOGUES.COM. TO LISTEN TO PREVIOUS RELATED DIALOGUES ON THIS SITE, SCROLL DOWN ON THE LIVING DIALOGUES SHOW PAGE HERE -- OR CLICK ON THE NAME OF A GUEST ON THE LIST AT THE RIGHT -- TO HEAR DUNCAN’S DIALOGUES WITH DR. ANDREW WEIL, MATTHEW FOX, COLEMAN BARKS, RUPERT SHELDRAKE, JOSEPH CHILTON PEARCE, DEEPAK CHOPRA, CAROLINE MYSS, VINE DELORIA, JR., MICHAEL DOWD (THE UNIVERSE STORY OF THOMAS BERRY AND BRIAN SWIMME), STANISLAV GROF, RICHARD TARNAS, MARC BEKOFF AND JANE GOODALL, RICHARD MOSS, PAUL HAWKEN, AND OTHER EVOLUTIONARY THINKERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
To order a full transcript of this program you can contact me at my website: www.livingdialogues.com or at [email protected]. Many thanks again for your attentive deep listening in helping co-create this program. All the best, Duncan
Living Dialogues Website
Cultural Creatives
Wisdom University
Duncan Campbell: From time in memorial, beginning with indigenous councils and ancient wisdom traditions, through the work of Western visionaries such as Plato, Galileo and quantum physicist David Bohm. Mutually participatory dialogue has been seen as the key to evolving and transforming consciousness, evoking a flow of meaning, a dia flow of logos meaning beyond what any one individual can bring through alone.
So join us now as together with you the active deep listener, we evoke and engage in Living Dialogues.
Welcome to Living Dialogues. I’m your host Duncan Campbell and with me for this particular dialogue I’m truly delighted to have once again as my guest Paul Ray. Author with his wife Sherry Anderson of the ground breaking book The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People are Changing the World. Paul welcome once again here to Living Dialogues.
Paul Ray: Oh it’s so good to be back with you Duncan.
Duncan Campbell: It really is Paul. I’ve been deeply inspired by the work of you and Sherry as have I know many people. All of us yearning for similar kinds of transformations in the world and yet having many diverse paths to get there and different personal styles and so on. One of the things that I’ve come across since you and I last talked at the time of the publication of the paperback edition of your work was a quotation by our mutual friend Coleman Barks [sp] who said at one point that in observing the modern mind he feels that we are trying to invent a civilization without elders and that has never been tried before and in his own life, he is bringing through the spirit and the wisdom of the great Persian poet Rumi from the 13th century and he is as relevant we might say today perhaps even more so as he was then.
This is an example of how we are trying to call back in some kind of ancestral wisdom or ancestral spirits into our present world and yet the problem remains that the modern culture in a sense is so fascinated with novelty and innovation and a certain kind of individualistic creativity that the honoring of elders, the honoring of tradition, the honoring of the old altogether is a problem. A problem of consciousness and it’s one that I think we all feel intuitively and yet it’s only together I think that we can find our way out of this and so perhaps we can talk about what you’ve been talking about in your own presentations around the country and around the world and that is how to create a true wisdom culture in our time.
Paul Ray: Well as it happens I am in the midst of writing a new book called Creating A Wisdom Culture, strange you should ask.
Duncan Campbell: It just in synchronicity I actually didn’t even know that.
Paul Ray: Yeah one of the key things about traditional cultures of course is that they are typically not literate so everything depends on memory and the elders are the keepers of wisdom. You can have really terrible traditions for elders where they’re the ones who remember every slight, every injustice, every bad thing that was ever done to us. That kind of elder we do not need. What we want are the keepers of wisdom is really to start developing a clear cut picture of what it is that the next culture after the commercial getting and spending, materialistic culture is let go of.
We’ve been on a very rapid economic and population growth path in the world for the last several hundred years and we got to have a leveling off of old population and we got to have a new pattern which is ecologically sustainable where you can have increasing levels of well being without using up the planet. That means the population growth has to slow, come to a stop, actually have fewer people after awhile so you have a population decline back to what’s sustainable for the long run either that or we’ll have a crash.
Part of that development is a development of a wise perspective which is a longer term perspective. One of the things the elders were really responsible for is getting past the adolescent pattern of reasoning that so dominant in Western culture today and taking a long term perspective and taking a perspective of what’s good for everybody’s children. The native American pattern used to say “Do what’s good for the seventh generation.” That’s a classic way of putting it, but there’s lot of wisdom themes about what’s the wisdom needed for our time. It’s probably going to be a new wisdom. It’s probably going to be more sophisticated than the wisdom of the past but wisdom is going to be what’s needed.
Duncan Campbell: Then I think that’s obviously one of the themes that is a real harbinger of this wisdom culture that there’s a psychological and spiritual path that needs to be awakened in all of us to let go of certain kinds of attachments and arguments with one another and arguments with the world. That really is a different way of embracing tradition as you point out.
Paul Ray: Yes, it’s like the Middle East has to get past that old business of never to forgive, never to forget. Yeah what we’re looking at is the emerging pattern is linking our future oriented perspectives to our deep collective past. So we draw from the themes of what was here before industrialism but now we don’t have to do it just inside of our Western cultural tradition. We can pick up cultural themes from countries anywhere in the world because there’s going to be a certain number of cultural universals who we are going to want to draw from.
I don’t know how many people who are listening have come across that book Guns, Germs and Steel but in there Jared Diamond talks about why was that so much more cultural inventions came in Asia and of course the answer was you can carry food and seeds and trade goods and all sorts of inventions back and forth across Asia on an East West pattern but you can’t carry them back and forth North South across Africa or South America. That is a very major issue in why the particular countries of the world, some of them have enormous numbers of inventions because they were recombining ideas, traits, possibilities from many, many cultures in the world.
Jared Diamond actually started that book Guns, Germs and Steel with this highly intelligent guy from Papua New Guinea who is obviously smarter than Jared Diamond and he comes from a low primitive tribal culture. He is obviously smarter than most Westerners because he’s had a very tough survival pattern in the mountains of New Guinea. But the thing about New Guinea of course is they were in the stone age because they were completely isolated from the rest of the world. There was no stuff to recombine from other cultures because you didn’t even deal with your neighbors 20 miles away.
We are now at a point where we can draw from spiritual traditions. Everywhere in the world, people are using co housing ideas that come from Denmark from 25 years ago. We’re going to lift that into American culture and it’s going to probably make a difference. So this inclusiveness, the willingness to draw from all kinds of people and to be concerned about what happens with humans and nature alike, that’s much wider, that’s new, that’s the wisdom culture of the next level of civilization. On the other hand the willingness to reach way back into the past for items, justifications, myths and think forward into the future is partly new and also in a way kind of ancient and reassuring.
I like to use the term “drawing the bough” for this. The more you want to have an invention go into the future, the more you have to reach for symbols and myths and structures back into the past and that creates tension. If you say, “I want to shoot an arrow into the future.” You got to grab hold of the bough right here in the present but have your other arm that’s pulling the air reach back into the past and that will give you the energy to propel you forward.
Duncan Campbell: So Paul what do you see as some of the challenges going forward in that perspective? I think you’ve rightly termed our modern civilization adolescent and in fact that reminds me of Dwaine Elgin [sp] in his work in which he says that in all the presentations he makes around the world, he often asks a question at the beginning of his presentation to whatever audience, whether they’re in Asia or Latin America or Africa or United States, Europe.
He says, “If we think of the development of the species on a planetary basis as the development of a single consciousness like the development of a human being, an individual human being. What stage do you think we are as a species? Are we at the toddler stage? Are we at the childhood stage, the adolescence stage, the mature parent stage, the elder stage?” He says about three quarters of the time, people all over of the world intuitively: a) understand the question and b) immediately say adolescent.
Perhaps we can define what some of those features are because there’s both positive and negative aspects to the adolescent phase of development and what would be the initiation that we might describe that we are going through as a species into a mature adulthood to create something new and to create a culture that could be enduring, a wisdom culture.
Paul Ray: Oh that’s very good. That notion that people intuit worldwide that we are adolescent species is very, very crucial one because willing to take a longer term time perspective is something adolescents have a hard, hard time with and something corporations have a hard time with and politicians have a hard time with. So we’ve got reward structures put in place in the West and in the industrial urban civilization that are adolescent reward structures. They favor short term perspectives over long term perspectives. One of the things you can say about maturity is that it is a wider, more encompassing kind of consciousness.
Schumacher who wrote Small is Beautiful also did another book that I really love called A Guide For the Perplexed. In here he updates a medieval concept called Adaequatio. Is this explanation adequate to the problem is one way the medieval scholastics put it but the key idea of Adeaquatio the way Schumacher put it is the lesser awareness is never able to encompass the greater awareness.
So an adolescent for example has a hard time understanding mature love between adults. Adolescents have a hard time encompassing longer time horizons. Adolescents have a hard time understanding how noble purpose could be a life commitment and indeed the adolescent has a very self centered view point. Now that’s developmentally appropriate, they just don’t out grow it but the think you know about adolescents is not only raging hormones but it’s a time of very intensely self centered kind of development and getting the adolescent to learn how to take wider perspectives, more idealistic perspective and all is in fact a crucial thing.
One of the great evils of our time is that the corporate community and a lot of the libertarian community wants to insist on the crucial importance of selfishness and self centeredness as what’s rational and that of course is a very destructive kind of thing in the history of Western culture. Our mutual friend Elizabeth Saturist [sp], the evolutionary biologist talks about the Western culture as the psychology of the weeds which grow very rapidly into disturbed spaces but the climax for us has very little extra energy available because all the niches are filled. The weeds on the other hand are using up resources very rapidly for a very fast transition.
That kind of a weedy path of development once things fill in and become a complex and interdependent is no longer what you want. So the weed mentally is like the adolescent mentally. The fully developed climax forest which has very, very sophisticated interconnections is the more mature part and that’s what we’re moving towards. So that much more mature part will have spiritual principles that are things that are in many cases not about up, up, and away into the clear, white spaces, but about what’s good for all of us? What’s good for all life? That goes right back to our classic notion of what’s the elder concern? Concern for all the children of the world, no one excluded. It’s also accepting change and it’s going after philosophical depth. What we’re looking at here is the idea that there is a new kind of wisdom needed for our time. That’s not trivial, it’s a new kind of wisdom.
Duncan Campbell: And I think even hallowed elders in our time like Joe Campbell recognizing that he was at the end of an era and that indeed the age of the hero and the hero’s journey that he described so beautifully by bringing in and weaving together sources from many traditions around the world was in a sense coming to an end. That we’re embarking now on something beyond the individual hero’s journey of going off and having the isolated vision and bringing it back into the collective. Even in the native tradition you now have the beautiful vision of black elk doing the same and coming back and saying that I understood more than I saw and I saw more than I can say and bringing that gift back to the collective.
Yet there are many of us feel that what is characteristic of this particular next evolutionary leap is a co creation of the vision that it will be coming through many people together and each person will have a piece of it so that it is a real dialogue and creation of community and a community of people humble enough not to attach to the proprietariness of the particular vision that they would understand that it is something larger than all of us that is coming through all of us collectively is already a movement away from the hero’s journey as traditionally conceived.
I remember on this program talking with Sam Keen a number of years ago an American philosopher. He had just written a book called Hymns to an Unknown God and he was talking about how in his view that the time of King Arthur was a proto-typical, modern heroic journey where the individual knight would ride into the forest alone into the darkest part, knowing that this was the challenge that had to be met in order to search for the grail.
At this time although each one of us is on our individual steed if you will or individual energetic consciousness, we don’t ride into the forest alone but we can ride into the forest together and together evoke a larger collective vision and create at a time when really there are no direct elders in modern culture.
Paul Ray: Also we’re not out there to kill dragons, we’re out there to build something new together.
Duncan Campbell: Exactly.
Paul Ray: What I’d like to talk about exactly this image that you’re talking about is that each one of us cannot imagine the whole of a new civilization. It’s too big to hold in any one mind but each one of us can help build one of the facets of a new civilization. Kind of like a fuller dome or bee’s eye which has thousands and thousands of facets in the bee’s eye. In fact I’ve done brain storming with citizen groups where they clearly see this after awhile is that no one of them can encompass the whole complexity but together we do indeed invent something that’s an image of a desirable future, an image of a new guiding story for ourselves. That’s quite remarkable, you can get that sense of having to create it together and having to trust so that all of us together will do the job that in fact we are all needed now.
Duncan Campbell: And in fact that could be one of the ways of answering the question we rhetorically posed earlier in this dialogue is, what would be the description of the kind of initiation that awaits us as we are moving from adolescence in this stage of human evolution into a deep and more mature wisdom culture that could sustain the species on the planet? One thing that has come to my mind for many years is this image diamond culture. As you described, a bee’s eyes having thousands of facets like a diamond wisdom or consciousness emerging that would have literary countless facets. Each one of us would understand that we were a facet of the whole and would have bring through whatever clarity that we can in our own life, in a collective way and yet at the same time a sense of remembering a collective deep wisdom in the species that would take us again beyond argument, beyond polarity. The very kind of either, or reductive mentality that was at the core of scientific revolutions in the West that allowed us to deconstruct if you will certain material reality and then reconstruct it in ways that invented the steam engine and the airplane and the laws of physics.
That kind of the use of rational divided consciousness in either or to promote inventiveness is now something that has become in a sense a kind of trap and that we can go beyond that in a more poetic and more evocative way of letting revelation if you will come to us out of a larger, alive universe rather than continue to try to master in a reductive way a universe seen to be in the modern mind as inert and unenchanted and something that we can fashion for our own benefit. So in a way it really I think at it’s core involves a kind of remembrance of a deeper, spiritual unity if you will. That is part of our collective past as a species.
Paul Ray: That’s right. Looking for the spiritual level as a collective enterprise means that you probably don’t have just one prophet either. Just like you don’t have just one hero leader who will do it all in our behalf. You don’t have just one prophet, you have the ability to get guidance and perceive things in a prophetic mode as something that can get passed around the room almost. That leadership is present in the room, that’s what hierarchy is as an idea is about. That’s what it is when you really go into a community that’s got a spiritual base is that you start realizing that it doesn’t just all hang on the guru and his insights or the prophet or on the unique holy book. In fact what we’re doing is coming to a kind of consciousness which is got this collective co creation.
One of the things that I thought was fascinating that came up recently in the new, engaged Buddhism is that they’re starting to say, “Oh my try of the Buddha of the future is the collective Buddha, not a single individual Buddha.” That’s a typical insight, a little glimmer of what’s starting to emerge with the new guiding story of our time.
That’s an interesting issue is the sense that there’s a guiding story and it’s not going to be handed to us by the ancestors, it’s not going to be handed to us by a hero author writing in a garret somewhere but we are going to create that new story ourselves. It’s going to say something like this, humanity is all one people living on small, fragile planet. We have to care for our home, we have to care for our home and we have a wonderful diversity of spiritual insights and arts and foods and philosophies and we should be celebrating that rather than fighting over it.
Every culture has a facet of some larger truth that we can’t comprehend until we hear from all of us. That the real spiritual center will hold because it’s everywhere. That unthinking modern production and consumption are rather immature responses to the world because we are deprived of our real satisfactions and other people are struggling with physical deprivation because of it. So the idea that maybe if some of us are oppressed, all of us are going to turn out to be oppressed together. The inner life is going to have to be more satisfying, much more important so that the commercial life doesn’t destroy the planet. The technologies are only good if they are placed in a wisdom context rather than a context of maximizing profits and production and so on.
It’s that kind of new story that some of the novelistic have to create perhaps and the great artist has to hit those themes but that’s the kind of thing we are looking at. I predict we’re going into a time the next 20 years of crisis, upon crisis, upon crisis. That we are going to be looking at global warming that is going to be triggering this whole series of crisis of disease and water shortages and outbreaks of extreme weather, droughts, and floods and monster storms across the Atlantic with hurricanes and like that.
In that time of instability, what happens of course is just like a rite of passage, initiation for an adolescent, part of the old ego structure has to fall apart and a new more mature ego structure has to happen. First the old ego has to get stripped away and then you get to be nobody and nothing for awhile. You get to lose some of the old highly integrated structures before you go to the next level. Tightly organized living systems don’t just take on a new kind of organization, you have to delegitimate some of the government stuff, you have to delegitimate some of the corporate stuff. Some of that has to lose control, some of that has to be taken away.
For full transcript, please contact Duncan Campbell
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Sailing Magazine
Clubs, Classes, Results
Sailor of the month
Talking Sailing
Magnetic North Shifting by 30 Miles A Year
This map shows the location of the north magnetic pole (white star) and the magnetic declination (contour interval 2 degrees) at the beginning of 2019.
Pic Courtesy of NOAA NCEI/CIRES
The magnetic pole is moving faster than at any time in human history, causing major problems for navigation and migratory wildlife writes BRYAN NELSON.
Magnetic north in the Arctic Circle is shifting so quickly now that it’s affecting navigation.
Whenever you hold a compass, the needle points to magnetic north near the North Pole. For centuries, magnetic north has led navigators and explorers around the world.
But the magnetic north pole is currently shifting at a faster rate than at any time in human history.
“It’s moving at about 50 km (30 miles) a year. It didn’t move much between 1900 and 1980 but it’s really accelerated in the past 40 years,” Ciaran Beggan, of the British Geological Survey in Edinburgh, told Reuters.
A five-year update of the World Magnetic Model was due in 2020, but the U.S. military requested an early review, according to Beggan. The latest update was released on 4 February 2019 and shows the magnetic field shifting further west.
The changes are causing major problems for aviation, navigation and migratory animals that use the Earth’s magnetic field to orient themselves. Some airports have had to change the names of their runways to better correspond to their current direction relative to magnetic north.
Ever since the magnetic north pole was first discovered in 1831, geologists have been tracking its progress. Unlike true north (which is marked by the Earth’s axis), magnetic north is constantly on the move due to changes in the planet’s molten core, which contains iron. Throughout most of recorded history, the pole has been positioned at or around Canada’s icy Ellesmere Island, but if it keeps moving at its current rate, it won’t be long before it sits above Russia instead.
The thing that really makes the pole’s current movement so unusual, however, the speed at which it’s shifting. In the last decade alone, movement has increased by a third, throwing off compasses by roughly 1 degree every five years.
Changes that fast have already caused major headaches for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. In 2011, Tampa International Airport in Florida renamed all of its runways, which are named after the degree at which they point on a compass. Similar changes were made to runways at Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach.
The shifting pole may also become a grave concern for migratory wildlife, such as birds, turtles and other sea creatures that use Earth’s magnetic field to navigate over great distances. It’s unclear if these animals are capable of recalibrating their navigational instincts to compensate for the changes.
However, the moving pole won’t really affect our everyday lives such as using our smartphones or GPS devices. “It doesn’t really affect mid or low latitudes,” Beggan said. “It wouldn’t really affect anyone driving a car.”
Will the north pole eventually flip?
But some experts believe that it may be the beginning of a complete pole reversal, according to the Independent.
The rapid shifting of the pole’s position has prompted some experts to speculate that the Earth’s entire magnetic field may be preparing to “flip,” whereby all compasses invert and point south instead of north. It may sound radical, but in geological time, pole reversals are relatively common. Though they typically occur once every 400,000 years or so, it’s been 780,000 years since the last flip.
Scientists disagree on how a pole reversal would effect ecosystems around the world, but some alarmists warn of a planet-altering catastrophe, whereby earthquakes and monumental tsunamis threaten the Earth for decades. Though such radical doomsday prophecies cannot be completely ruled out, the vast majority of scientists offer more tempered predictions, says NASA.
“Reversals typically take about 10,000 years to happen,” said Jeffrey Love of the U.S. Geological Survey. “And 10,000 years ago civilisation did not exist. These processes are slow, and therefore we don’t have anything to worry about.”
Reproduced from Mother Nature Network HERE
Sailing website
Youth Worlds. It’s A Highly Competitive World Out There
Book Review. Sport: Greed & Betrayal
Youth Worlds. RSA Off to A Satisfactory Start
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Procedure, Spain
An expert must be an expert
Miquel Montañá (Clifford Chance)/ March 20, 2014 /1 Comment
On 22 October 2013 the Provincial Court of Barcelona (Section 15) handed down a controversial judgment revoking a patent due to lack of inventive activity relying on a technical report prepared by an expert acknowledged not to be an expert in the technical field of the invention. According to the judgment “[…] for an expert to be able to provide the point of view of the person skilled in the art – necessary in this case to assess the inventive activity -, it is not essential for the expert to be an expert but that, due to his training and experience, he is capable of putting himself in the position of the «person skilled in the art».”
This point of view is at odds with the conclusion reached by the Supreme Court in another case and, more recently, by the Court of Appeal of Navarre in its very recent judgment of 11 February 2014, whereby this Court reversed a judgment of 5 July 2012 from the Commercial Court of Pamplona which had revoked another patent due to lack of inventive activity. The Judge relied on the opinion of another expert who was not an expert in the technical field of the patent at hand either. After noting that the expert was not really an expert, the Judge concluded that “In spite of the above observations, one may say that, with the limitations of this lack of expertise, the statements of Mr. X are not devoid of logic.”
In the aforementioned judgment of 11 February 2014 the Court of Appeal of Navarre disagreed with this point of view on the following grounds:
“The appealed judgment takes as a reference, to reach its logical inference regarding the non-existence of inventive step, the criteria of a person who is not skilled in the art. It accepts the criteria set forth in the expert report submitted by the plaintiff, despite the fact that, as the judgment itself indicates, the person is “not an expert in pain relief therapy” but instead a chemical engineer and expert in patents.
The appellant submitted not one (as incorrectly indicated in the appealed judgment) but two expert reports on the questioned inventive step. The first was written by a person who can indeed be considered a person skilled in the art (professor of pharmacology, “expert in analgesia” according to the judgment), but whose impartiality was challenged by the opposing party, leading to the judgment assessing said expert report “with due precaution”. The second was issued by a doctor in biochemistry, specialised in patents, who cannot be considered an expert in analgesics either. Both concluded that inventive step did exist in the examined patent.
Therefore there is no expert report in the proceedings that includes the criteria of a true person skilled in the art (an expert in combinative analgesia) whose impartiality has not been questioned and that indicates the reasons which, once sieved using the rules of logic and experience, may infer that in fact, said expert, on the patent’s priority date, confronted with the technical problem of obtaining a combination such as tramadol and paracetamol to be administered orally that maintains its analgesic effects but with a decrease in side effects, would have obviously or evidently reached the solution included in the invention patented by the appellant.
And the burden of proving this corresponded to the plaintiff (Article 217.2 of the Spanish Civil Procedure Act), who failed to do so, since its expert report did not provide the criteria of a true person skilled in the art, which would have been sufficient to uphold the appeal.”
In view of the conflicting views expressed by the Court of Appeal of Barcelona and the Court of Appeal of Navarre in the two judgments discussed, it will be for the Supreme Court to confirm whether or not, as already announced in a judgment of 8 April 2013, the expert must be an expert. The judgment of 22 October 2013 is not final and, therefore, there is a possibility that it may end-up having the same fate as the judgment of 5 July 2012 now revoked.
Facts and figures about Swiss patent litigation: Press release concerning the annual report 2013 of the Swiss Federal Patent Court
Simon Holzer (Meyerlustenberger Lachenal Ltd. (MLL))/ March 24, 2014
The wording of Prayers for Relief: A complicated Swiss affair
Magnus Stiebe says:
It seems to me that some Courts appear to confound the concept of “expert” with the concept of the hypothetical “person skilled in the art”, referred to as “experto en la materia” or “expert in the art” in Spanish (actually, maybe this is the reason for the confusión?). If I have understood the above correctly, the Appeal Court of Navarra seems to require the parties to use experts who are human beings (this appears to be a requirement in order to be able to act as an expert in Court) and, at the same time, the fictious “person skilled in the art”. Sounds weird to me. I must say that the statement of the judge of the Provincial Court of Barcelona makes more sense to me.
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Tag: Hy Averback
The Adventures of Maisie – Ann Sothern
Ann Sothern as Maisie
The Adventures of Maisie was a radio comedy series starring Ann Sothern as underemployed entertainer Maisie Ravier. The radio series was actually a spin-off of Sothern’s successful Maisie movie series (1939-1947). The series was broadcast on CBS Radio, NBC Radio, the Mutual Radio Network, and on Mutual flagship radio station WHN in NYC.
Sponsored by Eversharp, series one ran on CBS Radio from July 5, 1945 to March 28, 1947, airing on Thursdays at 8:30pm during the first two months, then moving to Wednesdays at 9:30pm (1945-46), then Fridays at 10:30pm (1946-47). The supporting cast included Hy Averback, Arthur Q. Bryan, Hans Conried, Virginia Gregg, Peter Leeds, Johnny McGovern and Sidney Miller. John Easton was the announcer, Harry Zimmerman and Albert Sack supplied the music, and John L. Greene was the producer. Tony Sanford directed scripts by Samuel Taylor and others.
The series was heard on the Mutual Radio Network from January 11 to December 26, 1952 and it was syndicated from 1949 to 1952 with Pat McGeehan as Eddie Jordan. Bea Benaderet and Elvira Allman portrayed Mrs. Kennedy. The supporting cast included Averback, Conreid, Leeds, McGovern, Lurene Tuttle, Ben Wright, Sandra Gould and Jeffrey Silver. Harry Zimmerman led the orchestra with John Easton and Jack McCoy announcing.
The show popularized the 1940s catch phrase, “Likewise, I’m sure.”
The Adventures of Maisie – The Department Store Clerk (24th November 1949)
The Department Store Clerk
Previously a beauty, Sothern had a bout of hepatitis which left her with a bloated, overweight appearance from
The Beautiful Ann Sothern
the waist down. From this point on, she wore black, high-waisted flaring dresses to hide her appearance. In addition, she suffered an injury to her back after a fall during a stage production which left her disabled.
In 1965, she was heard as the voice of Gladys Crabtree (the car) in the short-lived series My Mother the Car, which co-starred Jerry Van Dyke. That year she appeared in the title role of “The Widow Fay” episode of ABC’s western series The Legend of Jesse James, starring Christopher Jones in the title role of the outlaw Jesse James. Sothern was married to actor Roger Pryor from 1936 until May 17, 1943. Less than a week after her divorce, she married actor Robert Sterling. The couple had one daughter, actress Tisha Sterling, before divorcing six years later. In 1987, Sothern retired from acting and moved to Ketchum, Idaho, where she spent her remaining years.
On March 15, 2001, Sothern died from heart failure at 92. She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for motion pictures.
The Adventures of Maisie – The Phony Doctor (22nd December 1949)
The Phony Doctor
Listen to Ann Sothern and the Adventures of Maisie on the American Comedy Channel from the ROK Classic Radio Old Time Radio Network!
Happy Listening 🙂
The Grave of Ann Sothern (1909 - 2001)
Ann Sothern
American Comedy, OTRAlbert Sack, Ann Sothern, Arthur Q. Bryan, Bea Benaderet, CBS Radio, Eddie Jordan, Elvira Allman, Eversharp, Gladys Crabtree, Hans Conried, Harry Zimmerman, Hy Averback, Jerry Van Dyke, John Easton, Johnny McGovern, Maisie Ravier, Mutual Radio Network, NBC Radio, Pat McGeehan, Peter Leeds, Roger Pryor, Sandra Gould, Sidney Miller, The Adventures of Maisie, The Widow Fay, Virginia Gregg
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In September 2018, I was the keynote speaker at IT Arena. Below is a summary of what I covered. [This article originally appeared on the IT Arena website]
Semyon Dukach is known for his angel investments. Startups who have received a generous check from him include Milewise, CoachUP, Amino, as well as Ukrainian-founded Petcube, and Preply. A year ago, Semyon together with his business partner Eveline Buchatskiy founded One Way Ventures – a VC fund for immigrants. Driven by extraordinary experiences of fellow immigrant founders, Dukach believes that people should be free to work and create value anywhere, regardless of borders. In September 2018, Semyon Dukach was the keynote speaker at IT Arena.
Growing up in the 70s, Semyon Dukach was already anti-system in mind. In the prime of his youth, he worked on early virtual reality at IBM, studied payment protocols at MIT, and traveled around the world winning millions with his blackjack team. However, finding situations where he could make a big difference, things that would bring value and scale turned out to be his biggest passion. Looking back on his experience as an angel investor, former Managing Director at Techstars Boston, and now Managing Partner at One Way Ventures, Semyon talks about what makes an attractive startup for investment, and why immigration reminds an entrepreneurial experience.
Immigrants are extraordinary
I think it’s very lonely to be a CEO. You can’t really share your fears with the team, or you’re not going to have a team. I really enjoyed helping others, and that shaped my career as an angel investor. I enjoyed making a big impact on a founder so much that at some point, I really made looking for this opportunity my main goal as an angel. I tried to make a bunch of investments, just to get to know people and see where I could make a big difference. As soon as I realized I couldn’t make a big difference, I pulled back and ignored the company.
At One Way Ventures we only invest in immigrant founders. There’s kind of a backlash against immigrants in the world today, and the borders are going up again with visas, and all that nonsense. We needed an initial filter for the team. I observed that immigrant founders are just much more likely to build big companies. Statistically, it’s true. It’s almost double the rate of creating a unicorn by someone who has not been an immigrant.
Immigrant experience predisposes your success in building a technology company. It has to do with perseverance and grit and not having much to fall back on. Having gone through the entrepreneurial journey of your own immigration, you’re more prepared to build a business and to operate in a confusing environment where you don’t know all the rules because you’ve already learned a new culture and new language.
The criteria for us: it has to be an actual immigrant. Founders or one of the founders should be a person who actually moved and settled in a different country, with the intention of not going back.
We really believe that immigrants make stronger startup founders than people who haven’t had that experience. They are more selected. They aren’t ordinary people, they are more extraordinary.
Founders who come from abroad deserve to have a special fund. VC fund for people who think globally. Who believe that being born anywhere you’re free to work anywhere, regardless of borders and where you happen to be. We’re globalists. We believe in humanity, not in an individual country.
A strong team makes a strong company
We talk to founders and make an assessment about them, especially the CEO. It’s quite subjective, but there are certain things we look out for. You have to be able to tell a powerful story and communicate in a way that’s exciting to people. You have to be inspirational. People need to follow you. Because to build a strong company you need to recruit amazingly strong people to work for you, people who could start their own companies or get very high-paying jobs. I need to see evidence that you can do that, and I need to believe that you’re not going to give up or sell for a few million dollars as soon as you can. I need to believe that you want to build something large.
One of the most important things – you have to absolutely love your customers. You don’t have to have a product yet, but you need to know who you’re building it for and why. And you have to genuinely care. I really care about helping startup founders succeed. I want that kind of empathy in my founders towards their customers too. I won’t invest in people who don’t know who their customers are. They need to believe this is important, they have to want to build the thing not just to succeed themselves, but for the customers to be successful. That has to motivate them. To take away the pain, or perhaps to create a joy for people, either way. The team is 90% of it.
You have to have something special
I don’t look for founders who want to make the world a better place in a way that I want to make it a better place. I’d gladly invest in founders doing what they believe and that I don’t really understand.
We needed to have some filter and the immigrant story is scalable, but in the long run, I want it to be not so much about immigrants, but about people who think globally – people who are not so much patriots of a country, but patriots of the world. That’s the impact I want to leave after I’m dead. I’m only considering things that could be at least many hundreds of millions in value in terms of the market. It has to be defensible. You can be in a big market, but you have to have some defensibility, you should not only show that you can gain initial traction, but once you become somewhat successful you can’t just be copied and destroyed by competition. You have to have something special, something unique, which often comes back to the team. If the team actually has the people who are unique in the world, like 5 people who are in a top 20 in the field – that’s one way to be defensible, another way is being first in the marketplace, or having patents, etc.I’m not gonna invest in anything that revolves around gambling, casinos, alcohol or drugs. I don’t think it really makes the world a better place, so I’m not gonna encourage it. Right now, I’m really sick of influencer marketing, automation marketing, and marketing of all sorts. It’s temporary, I’m just overfilled with it at the moment.
Technical confidence matters
You need to have a technical ability to execute. We are not going to invest in someone who will just pay an outsourcing organization to build everything for them (with our money). You have to have a bold vision, passion for your customers, but you also need to have some way of protecting it, something unique technically. We want to back startups that are going to become market leaders, not me toos.
As an investor, you have to be a curious person. I take an interest in the world, and I form theses around how the world is changing. Right now, we’re doing a lot of things with machine learning, probably half of our investments have to do with ML, but it’s not the thesis of the time, it’s just a current interest. I agree that we’ve been doing a lot of hard science, tough tech recently, because it’s certainly easier to meet defensibility requirement.
For the right founder, you might really invest in the story but you need to have some evidence that the customers are gonna buy it and the team can build it. For the right founder, we will invest in almost anything.
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The headline is one of our favorite quotes by J.J. Tolkien
If I were to list the top three interview questions we are asked by the press (and just about anyone else) they would be "What is your favorite country?", "What is your budget?", and "How do you decide where to go next?" If you click on the More Media tab on our website you'll see we've answered those questions many times, in many languages - but to be honest, the answers aren't always easy.
Especially the first two - one, because declaring a favorite country is a moving target. We've loved many different places for some very different reasons - although when pressed, our answer turns out to be......Croatia. The second one is challenging because we don't want to discourage potential nomads by sharing numbers that might seem out of reach - even though we travel frugally. We do share our average Airbnb budget of $90 per night, but all of the expenses can be scaled up or down depending on the level of comfort required, how often a person travels from place to place, the form of transportation, and the cost of living in a particular country.
One of our best decisions was to travel with our trusty bed pillows - a little piece of home.
As for the third question, How do we decide where to go next? We ask ourselves that very same thing all the time! When we left Seattle four years ago this week, we bought round-trip tickets from Seattle to Paris for a six month trial run. If we didn't like our new lifestyle, we'd pick up where we left off back home. We knew we'd concentrate our initial travels in Europe, familiar territory to us, so we charted a course that took us to our favorite counties and added a few new ones. We returned to Seattle for Christmas as planned, and by New Year's Day, we'd bought tickets to return to Europe. We were excited to continue our lives as Senior Nomads and seek new and further destinations. So, where to this time?
This was the start of choosing places that fit a criteria. Michael follows current events like he was managing the international news desk at CNN - he particularly keen on politics and sports. I am interested in the food and culture of the places we visit, especially graphic design and urban planning. So together we decided to learn more about post WWII Europe as well as the rise and fall of the Soviet Union. There would be plenty to keep us busy for the next year! And, as it turns out, well beyond. We've visited 67 countries and 200 cities to date, and are about to mark our 1,000 night spent in an Airbnb.
WE'D LIKE TO OFFER YOU A $40 CREDIT ON YOUR FIRST AIRBNB! CLICK HERE.
Our itineraries have taken us to the far reaches of Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey, Israel, The Balkans, The Baltics, The Caucasus, The Middle East, Africa, Cuba, and just recently Central Asia to visit Kazakhstan and Kyrgystan.
Keeping track of our flight from Dubai to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Where?
You may already know this, but on the Senior Nomad "org chart" Michael is our Chief Travel Planner. He does the research, books the transport, organizes the paperwork, and keeps our phones and electronics up and running. He is also CFO and minds the budget and pays the bills, skills he honed as a professional sports events promoter. Often he will have multiple spread sheets open, and, armed with a Diet Coke and a few cookies seems to truly enjoy the challenges of making this little enterprise work.
Doing a little travel planning before we left last February for Africa and "the Stans"
My titles include Chief Provisioner, Entertainment Director and Cook. That means I am looking ahead for places where there might be a football match, a particular historical site, or something "newsworthy" taking place. Last year we spent two weeks in London because we wanted to watch the run-up to the Brexit vote and it's aftermath. And we visited Amsterdam, for the 3rd time, so Michael could attend the 2016 European Athletics Championships.
Airbnb Experiences are an interesting way to see "behind the scenes" of a city. Here we are on a tour of street art in Paris that ended with time in the studio of the famous artist Mr. Pee.
Michael has attended at least two dozen football matches around the world.
Stocking up on pineapple in Zanzibar at four for a dollar!
We make our best decisions on destinations as a team, with each of us having a say in where and why we want to stick a pin in the map. This isn't always a smooth process. I like my travel to include fresh markets, art museums, historical sights and good coffee. Michael's needs for creature comforts are fewer, and he puts his pin in places that are often in the news or off the beaten track. For example, we were finishing up our time in Africa and wanted to visit The Middle East. Several of those countries come with specific warnings from The US State Department that American citizens should avoid them. Take Iran - Michael was very keen to go there. I was reluctant, but willing since it suppose to be an amazing country until I scanned the warnings. They included some ominous lines like "have your affairs in order" and "have a ransom plan in place" before you go, because, apparently our government would not be able to help us if we ran into trouble there because we do not have an embassy there.
Personally, I don't think terrorists have any use for the likes of us - but I'd like to see my grandchildren again, so we compromised and spent time in Beirut, Lebanon (a place we both loved) Amman, Jordan and Dubai in UAE. Luckily, we've already spent time in Turkey, Israel and Qatar - places we would probably avoid in the current climate. We are also glad we had three weeks in Cuba last year since Mr. Trump seems to be eager to make it harder, not easier, to visit.
Michael talking politics with Evilio, one of our hosts in Cuba.
That all adds up to some serious travel planning! For those interested in the logistics, it goes like something like this. Ideally, we try and have our plans in place 6 to 8 weeks ahead. That doesn't always work, and as I write this we don't have a place to stay just two weeks from now! But that's an exception - mostly because we are in Stuttgart, Germany and there are more ways to travel around Europe, and more Airbnbs to choose from than, say in Kyrgyzstan. Our average stay in each city is 7-10 days.
Here's an Airbnb in Fishhoek, South Africa we were very sad to leave.
The view was just one of the reasons...
There is also some method to all this madness. We try and sequence our travel so we are not zig-zagging across continents, and we spend time in more affordable countries like Armenia and Belarus to make up for budget-busters like Norway and Switzerland.
Michael uses two apps that are critical to our planning - Rome2Rio and Skyscanner. Rome2Rio serves up all you need to know to get from one city to the next anywhere in the world! Options include trains, planes, ferry boats, buses, autos (including ride-sharing), along with current schedules and estimated costs. Skyscanner is just one of many flight sites but it is Michael's favorite. More than once we've used the feature where you type a city in the FROM: field and "everywhere" in the TO: field and it will entice you with flights by ascending price to dozens of destinations around the world. It's how we ended up in Athens and Jerusalem without much planning because the flights were so cheap!
We've used many different forms of transportation, but this was a first (and I mean that for Michael). On horseback in Petra, Jordan.
And of course, we have a system down for finding our next Airbnb "home". I dedicated two chapters to the process in our book Your Keys, Our Home but the basic criteria includes finding an entire house with a decent kitchen, wireless internet, a big table where we can work, eat and play games, a washing machine, and a location close to the center of the city so we can use public transportation and reach our goal of walking 10,000+ steps day.
For research on destinations Michael loves the World Fact Book which can be found online. It is a comprehensive look at statistics for every country in the world put together by the US Government. Well actually by the CIA :) We both use Wikitravel, Lonely Planet, and TripAvisor as a guides. It's also fun to look at expat sites for a city to get some insider tips on how to really "live" somewhere. Here's an example for Munich.
One way to save money is to take flights at odd hours - usually in the middle of the night. So that makes ice-cream for breakfast at the airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia seem normal.
I guess the fourth question we are asked most often is "How long will you keep doing this?" And I know most of you know the answer. "As long as we are learning something everyday, having fun, staying close to budget, and still in love". So far so good, so that means we will be scouring our world map for places in the news for a while longer.
Did I mention Michael is also Head Sherpa? Have bags will travel - wherever that might be!
We are currently in Stuttgart, Germany, looking forward to some less challenging travel. We will work our way through Germany, Austria and Switzerland and at least have lunch in Liechtenstein so we can cross it off the list as the only country in Europe we haven't visited.
Finally, we will reach France for a two-week visit with Mary and Gregoire and three of our five grandchildren in their new home in Samois Sur Seine. Now there's something worth planning for!
Debbie and Michael
A Feast in the Middle East
Let there be Lions
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Coaster Name Changes at Carowinds and Kings Dominion
Flying Ace Aerial Chase, the Vekoma suspended family coaster at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, will be sporting a new name and color scheme for 2018. Taking its name from a play on the town in North Carolina where Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first flight, the coaster will now be known as Kiddy Hawk.
The iconic Rebel Yell and Ricochet roller coasters at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, are getting new names as well. In the process of "re-energizing" the park's Apple Grove area, Ricochet is becoming Apple Zapple, and Rebel Yell will be renamed Racer 75.
The park says the name Racer 75 is a nod to the roller coaster's 1975 opening at the park, as well as recognition for ACE, which was founded in 1978 after a roller-coaster-riding event on the coaster. The new name is also a reflection of its design, a racer-style roller coaster.
The name-change isn't the only thing new for the old Rebel Yell. The park will continue to replace sections of track as a commitment to maintaining the iconic ride. As part of this work, riders can expect a smoother experience as they race through the course.
Photo by: Michael S. Horwood. View full-sized image.
Photo by: Jeff Johnson. View full-sized image.
Photo by: Tom Rhodes. View full-sized image.
Photo by: Steve Gzesh. View full-sized image.
Web site for Carowinds
Census details for Carowinds
Web site for Kings Dominion
Census details for Kings Dominion
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Home » Site Index » DailyNews
Yemen Group Vows Small - Scale Attacks
by CBC News
Al-Qaeda's Yemen-based wing is reported to have what it calls a "strategy of a thousand cuts" to hurt the U.S. economy with frequent small-scale attacks.
In an online magazine, the group al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said such methods against U.S. targets would be a cheap way to "bring down America."
The group said it can play on what it calls the "security phobia that is sweeping America."
The strategy, also referred to as Operation Hemorrhage, could further weaken the U.S. economy by increasing security costs, the group said.
The new threat was published Saturday in a special edition of Inspire magazine, an English-language propaganda publication produced by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
Printer toner cartridges containing explosives were intercepted in central England and Dubai before they could be detonated or arrive at their reported destination, a synagogue in Chicago.
The chair of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday he believes the group will try to carry out more inexpensive, small-scale attacks. Adm. Mike Mullen said the group has grown and is dangerous, and counterterrorism efforts should focus on its activities.
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Alyse Kotyk
Alyse Kotyk is a Vancouver-based writer and editor with a passion for social justice and storytelling. She studied English Literature and Global Development at Queen's University and is excited by media that digs deep, asks questions and shares narratives. Alyse was the Editor of Servants Quarters and has written for the Queen's News Centre, Quietly Media and the Vancouver Observer. She was rabble's 2015-16 news intern.
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rabble spoke with Megaphone Executive Director, Sean Condon, about its recent report on homeless deaths in B.C. and what can be done, especially by the provincial government, to end homelessness.
B.C. now has the lowest minimum wage in Canada
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P.E.I. announces it will soon provide abortion services
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Youth-led environmental movement seeks climate justice in Canada
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Supporters stand in solidarity with sexual assault survivors after Ghomeshi verdict
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Peaceful Black Lives Matter protest turns violent with police force
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Mamisarvik Healing Centre will remain open with funding from federal government
The Mamisarvik Healing Centre, a healing centre for Inuit people across the country, was set to close at the end of March due to lack of funding, but has received funding from the federal government.
Site C protesters continue hunger strike as food security, environmental concerns persist
Kristin Henry has gone on hunger strike in front of B.C. Hydro to protest the building of the Site C dam project. The fact that it could also contribute to food insecurity in that area is not lost.
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Thousands expected at 'Love Never Fails' convention at Lubbock C
Thousands expected at 'Love Never Fails' convention at Lubbock Civic Center
Saturday, July 6, 2019 11:33 AM EDT
photo from Jehovah's Witness website
Thousands of people are expected to attend the "Love Never Fails" convention in Lubbock. It's part of the Jehovah's Witnesses global convention.
More than 6,000 attendees are expected at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center over the next two weekends. The ministry reports it will bring an economic impact of more than $4 million locally.
If you would like to attend, it will continue Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7. There is no cost of admission. The Lubbock program is in Spanish. More information available at this website.
There will be another convention here next weekend.
More than 14 million people are expected to attend these world-wide conferences. There are more than 8.5 million Jehovah's Witnesses in more than 200 countries.
Local NewsMore>>
Hayhoe named to National Museum of Natural History Advisory Board
Katharine Hayhoe has been named by the Smithsonian Institute’s Board of Regents to the advisory board of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Investigators seeking 20-year-old suspect in Saturday murder
Hassan Abdurahman, 20
The Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit is searching for 20-year-old Hassan N. Abdurahman in connection to the murder of 67-year-old, Larry Fawver on July 13.
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Aaneta - CA Los Angeles, Culver City 90232
Women's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers in United StatesWomen's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers in California Women's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers in Culver City, CAWomen's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers in 90232 Culver City, CA All businesses in California StateAll businesses in Culver City, CAAll businesses in 90232 Culver City, CA
Aaneta entered the industry of Women's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers in 2004 and has grown to employ 1 to 4 people, generating an annual revenue of $50.000 to $99.999. The NAICS classifies this business under the code 316992, which describes it as a Women's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers. For further clarification, the SIC classifies this business under the code 3171 and described it as a Women's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers. The business provides service to the B2B market.
To acquire more information, please contact Valeria Markowicz Full Name Report by calling (310) 279-5560 Full Phone Report during business hours. You can also write to the business’ Single Location at 10555 Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City, California CA 90232. You can also visit the company’s website at . View this business’ social media profiles on Twitter or on Facebbok .
Company: Aaneta
Representative: Valeria Markowicz Full Name Report
Place of Business: 10555 Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232
Type of Service: Women's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers
NAICS Number: 316992
Market Type: B2B (Business to Business)
Began: 2004
Income/Year: $50.000 to $99.999
Aaneta is a company operating from Los Angeles, California providing professional Women's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers and relevant B2B variables. It was founded in 2004 and registered with the SIC code 3171 as Women's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers, and with the NAICS code 316992 as Women's Handbags and Purses Manufacturers.
With a current employee count of 1 to 4, Aaneta has gone to report making $50.000 to $99.999 per annum on its journey towards growth. This company invites you to contact its representative Valeria Markowicz Full Name Report at (310) 279-5560 Full Phone Report for related queries, or to locate its Single Location using the coordinates 34.006575,-118.392514.
The Single Location can also be found at the street address 10555 Jefferson Boulevard in Culver City, California 90232 and can be engaged online through the company website at , the company Twitter , and Facebook page .
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Ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, but it also crucial to accelerating sustainable development. It has been proven time and again, that empowering women and girls has a multiplier effect, and helps drive up economic growth and development across the board.
HERE YOU CAN WATCH A RECORDING OF WEBINAR SDG5 Hosted by Materahub
Gender equality and women’s empowerment have advanced in recent decades. Girls’ access to education has improved, the rate of child marriage declined and progress was made in the area of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, including fewer maternal deaths. More girls are now in school compared to 15 years ago, and most regions have reached gender parity in primary education. Women now make up to 41 percent of paid workers outside of agriculture, compared to 35 percent in 1990.
Affording women equal rights to economic resources such as land and property are vital targets to realizing this goal. So is ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health. Today there are more women in public office than ever before, but encouraging women leaders will help strengthen policies and legislation for greater gender equality.
Catia Caponero, founder of the Matera women collective presented the association's activities with particular attention to the issue of violence against women, which is one of the objectives to be fought to ensure greater inclusion and integration of women in society. In fact, the data show that from January 1st to October 31st 2018 the female suicides rose to 37.6% of the total homicides committed in our country (they were 34.8% the year before), with a 79.2% of female suicides family members (80.7% in the first ten months of 2017) and 70.2% of couples' feminicides (65.2% in January-October 2017).
Vanessa Vizziello, President of the RiSvoltadi Matera association presented us topics of LGTB and gender equality. Italy is in 118th place in a ranking with 144 countries for participation and economic opportunities, while it is at 46th for political representation. Regarding the work situation, about 62% of Italian women are paid less than men and many of them do not hold managerial and leadership positions. The objective of RisVolta is precisely that of intervening on the various social groups without discrimination of any kind through a greater openness and participation of the community of Matera.
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Facebook may be building social network for the enterprise
Submitted by adminsnn on Tue, 11/18/2014 - 04:48
Facebook may be expanding from a social website where users share photos of their favorite sandwiches and pets, to a network focused on business users.
The company, which runs the world's largest social network, is preparing to launch a network for the enterprise, according to a report in the Financial Times.
Facebook said it would have no comment on the report.
Reportedly dubbed Facebook at Work, the site is being designed to retain the same Facebook look and feel, including groups and a newsfeed. However, it would also enable users to separate their personal social network, with posts about their wild Saturday night and their kids' antics, from their work network.
With such plans, Facebook would be lining itself up to compete with LinkedIn, a popular business-oriented social network, where professionals connect with each other, profile companies and colleagues and job search.
If the reports of Facebook at Work are accurate, LinkedIn isn't the only company in the social network's crosshairs.
The Financial Times also reported that the new network would enable users to collaborate on shared documents.
That's a direct threat to Google, with both Google Drive and Google Docs, as well as to Microsoft with its SharePoint collaboration tool set and Yammer enterprise social network and Cisco with its collaboration tools.
"Facebook does need to expand its portfolio, and enterprise is a great place for them to gain traction in a market that has real value," said Brian Blau, an analyst with Gartner. "Businesses are lukewarm to social collaboration and enterprise social networking. It's not a given that any vendor will have success. Many haven't and, to me, that means Facebook has a long road ahead to see how they can best fit into the enterprise."
Source: computerworld.com
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TAPS Public Transit
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The TAPS Equal Employment Opportunity Policy is currently being revised. If you would like to offer comments on this policy, please send email to teresafoster@tapsbus.com
I. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S POLICY STATEMENT, 2
II. POLICY, 3
III. ANNUAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, 3
IV. DISSEMINATION OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, 4
V. RESPONSIBILITIES, 4
A. TAPS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, 4
B. EEO OFFICER, 5
C. DEPARTMENT HEADS AND SUPERVISORS, 5
VI EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PRACTICES, 6
A. RECRUITIMENT, 6
B. SELECTION AND HIRE, 8
C. PROMOTION, 8
D. TRAINING, 8
E. TERMINATION AND DISCHARGE, 8
F. WAGES AND SALARIES, 9
G. EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES, 9
H. SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY AND PRACTICES, 9
I. TAPS FACILITIES & BENEFITS, 10
J. DISTRIBUTION TO CONTRACTORS, 10
VII. GENERAL, 11
VIII. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE, 11
A – UTILIZATION ANALYSIS – FEBRUARY 2014, 13
I. Chief Executive Officer‘s Policy Statement
The Texoma Area Paratransit System (TAPS) provides Demand Response, Commuter Shuttles, and Fixed Route Transit services for the Sherman-Denison Urbanized Area, McKinney Urbanized Area and the rural areas of Cooke, Fannin, Grayson, Collin, Wise, Clay and Montague Counties. Our Mission Statement is to provide safe, reliable, convenient and accessible transportation to the citizens and visitors of the service area. We are committed to meeting the diverse needs of the community while exceeding customer expectations in a cost-effective and responsible manner. The TAPS team is professional, knowledgeable and proud to serve our customers. In the exercise of this Mission Statement we are equally committed to Equal Employment Opportunities throughout our organization.
TAPS will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment due to race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sex, age, except where sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification, bona-fide disability or any other legally-protected status. As required by law, we will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified applicant or employee.
We will keep these tenets in mind in recruitment, selection, placement, promotion, training, compensation, and participation in social and recreation programs.
Teresa Foster, Chief Finance Officer, been appointed to serve as our EEO officer for TAPS. She will be responsible for ensuring that we comply with all EEO responsibilities
We are committed to an Affirmative Action Program including goals and timetables for good-faith efforts to achieve full utilization of minorities and women at all levels and segments of TAPS’s workforce where deficiencies may exist.
Please be reminded that all management personnel share in this responsibility and will be assigned specific tasks to assure compliance is achieved. The performance of managers and supervisors will be evaluated on their contribution to the success of the EEO program the same way as their performance on other TAPS goals is evaluated.
Employees and applicants will have the right to file complaints alleging discrimination with the appropriate official(s). All such reports will be thoroughly investigated. No adverse action or retaliation will be taken or permitted against any employee who reports issues of workplace discrimination or harassment.
Brad Underwood
II. Policy
Texoma Area Paratransit System (TAPS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It shall provide equal employment opportunity to its employees and applicants for employment on the basis of fitness and merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sex, age, except where sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification, or handicap. This policy shall be followed in recruiting, hiring, promotion into all position classifications, compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, returns from layoffs, demotions, termination, TAPS-sponsored training programs, educational leave, social and recreational programs, and use of TAPS facilities. Any person employed by Texoma Area Paratransit System who fails to comply with this policy is subject to disciplinary action.
Where necessary, this policy is to be extended in order that TAPS be in compliance with the following federal restraints: the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1871, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1974, the State and Local Fiscal Assistance (Revenue Sharing) Act of 1972, the Age Discrimination in the Employment Act of 1975, the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970, Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The adoption of this EEO plan by the Board of Directors is a reaffirmation of adherence to and promotion by the Board of the policy of nondiscrimination in all action affecting TAPS employees. The guidelines, and objectives contained in this plan are designed to assist TAPS and all of its employees adhering to that policy.
III. Annual Goals and Objectives
The TAPS Chief Executive Officer, with the assistance of the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, shall annually perform the following activities necessary to prepare and update the goals and objectives of the Affirmative Action Plan for Equal Opportunity:
A. Analyze current staff and staffing patterns to determine the racial and sex composition of TAPS employees and of the local area workforce in order to establish benchmark ratios of race and sex.
B. Based on the ratios developed under A. above, establish short range (less than 1 year) employment goals and objectives to address any areas of under-utilization of minorities or females and/or which would further equal employment opportunity for TAPS employees or the projected work force.
C. Based on the ratios developed under A. above, establish longer range (1-5 years) employment goals and objectives to address any areas of under-utilization of minorities or females and/or which would further equal employment opportunity for TAPS employees or the projected work force.
IV. Dissemination of Policies and Procedures
The TAPS Equal Employment Opportunity Program will be communicated in the following manner:
1. Copy of full EEO Plan to each department head and to each employee requesting one.
2. EEO/AA policy in employee handbooks and manuals
3. Discussion at appropriate supervisory meetings covering the subject of recruitment, employment, training, promotion and transfer employees
4. EEO/AA policy is posted on designated employee bulletin boards at TAPS.
1. Notification to recruitment sources and community groups.
2. Employment advertising includes EEO statement.
3. EEO/AA policy posted on website.
4 Statement included on employment application
The dissemination of TAPS’s EEO/AA policy is not limited to the above referenced items. As considered appropriate, TAPS utilizes whatever means necessary to convey the organization’s commitment to equal employment opportunity.
V. Responsibilities
A. TAPS Chief Executive Officer
Ultimate responsibility for the implementation of this policy and the TAPS’s affirmative action program rests with the TAPS Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer’s responsibilities may include:
1. Assisting in identifying problem areas and establishing agency and unit goals and objectives;
2. Being actively involved with local minority organizations, women’s and handicapped groups, community organizations and community service programs designed to promote EEO;
3. Participating actively in periodic audits of all aspects of employment in order to identify and to remove barriers obstructing the achievement of specified goals and objectives;
4. Holding regular discussions with managers, supervisors, and employees to assure the agency’s policies and procedures are being followed;
5. Reviewing the qualifications of all employees to assure that minorities, disabled persons, and women are given full opportunities for transfer, promotions, training, salary increases, and other forms of compensations;
6. Participating in the review and/or investigation of complaints alleging discrimination;
7. Conducting and supporting career counseling for all employees;
8. Participating in periodic audits to ensure that each agency unit is in compliance (e.g., EEO posters are properly displayed on all employees bulletin boards).
B. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer
The Chief Finance Officer will assume the position of the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer and perform the following duties and functions:
1. Developing and recommending an EEO policy, a written program, and internal and external communication procedures;
2. Assisting management in collecting and analyzing employment data, identifying problem areas, setting goals and timelines, and developing programs to achieve goals;
3. Designing, implementing, and monitoring internal audit and reporting systems to measure program effectiveness and to determine where
progress has been made and where further actions is needed;
4. Reporting periodically to the Chief Executive Officer on the progress of each unit in relation to the agency’s goals;
5. Serving as a liaison between the agency, Federal, State and local governments, regulatory agencies, minority, disabled and women’s organizations, and other community groups;
6. Assuring that current legal information affecting affirmative action is disseminated to responsible officials;
7. Assisting in recruiting minority, women and disabled applicants and establishing outreach sources;
8. Concurring in all hires and promotions;
9. Process employment discrimination complaints.
C. Department Heads and Supervisors
Each member of management and supervision is responsible within his/her area of responsibility for conducting activities in a manner which will ensure compliance with the policy and the Affirmative Action Programs. Furthermore, each is made to understand that his/her work performance in the area of equal employment affirmative action is being evaluated.
VI. Equal Employment Opportunity Practices
A. Recruitment
Applicants for employment are considered and placed without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, handicap, or age; the TAPS displays equal employment opportunity notices in conspicuous places available to all employees and applicants for employment. Employment application forms are in compliance with applicable federal laws. A copy of our EEO Policy may be obtained from the EEO Officer or any manager. Routinely, applications and supporting documents screened by individual managers for evaluation. Those applicants deemed most adequately suited for the position are either asked to submit additional supporting data and are further evaluated, or are asked to submit themselves for an interview. Before a formal offer is made, the EEO officer is consulted to ascertain that a good faith effort has indeed been made. This is accomplished by the EEO Officer obtaining evidence that the applicant pool from which the selection (hiring) was made had been established without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, handicap, ancestry, age or religion. If this cannot be vouched, the EEO Officer may object to the hiring. In order not to affect adversely the employment opportunities of minorities and women, managers are especially urged to follow the TAPS policy and equal employment opportunity commitment, and to develop a better understanding of the characteristics of the minority and women work force and the conditions, problems and expectations of minority groups and women.
The recruitment of persons to fill vacancies will be accomplished without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, handicap, ancestry, age or religion. TAPS will maintain contacts with various minority, feminine and handicapped groups and organizations concerning manpower resources and requirements when necessary.
1. The EEO Officer will continue to have primary responsibility for recruitment activities with direct assistance from department heads.
2. Whenever practical all job openings will be advertised in the news media. They will also be advertised in the minority news media as well as with those organizations and institutions catering predominantly to females and minorities. Where the visual media (such as posters or flyers) is used, all pictures shall include minorities and females. Advertising in the news media may not be done when more than 5 current (three months or less) applications are on file for a position that becomes vacant; also, when selections can be made from a pre-selected standing list of qualified applicants.
3. The latest job listing will be posted in such a manner that all employees and potential employees have equal access to this information.
4. Communications will be maintained with educational institutions and vocational schools for recruitment, including predominantly minority and female institutions.
5. Positions above the entry level will be advertised in-house only for one week. If qualified applicants are found from within the organization, selection will be from that group without the position being advertised in the local news media.
B. Selection
The selection of persons to fill job vacancies will be accomplished through approved procedures. Persons will be hired without regard to non-merit factors following a completely objective appraisal of each eligible individual interested in the position.
C. Promotion
Promotion will be proposed in accordance with applicable rules, on a nondiscriminatory basis. The procedure used in selecting persons for promotion will be evaluated periodically to ensure that they are realistic and relevant. Any employee who feels he or she has not been accorded fair and impartial treatment regarding employment will be offered an opportunity to discuss this problem.
1. Continued emphasis will be placed on the TAPS’s educational assistance programs.
2. Training programs shall be designed to upgrade the skills of employees so that they can improve performance in their present position.
3. On-the-job training will be designed so that employees have an opportunity to acquire skills needed to qualify for a better position with the TAPS.
4. Employees with managerial ability will be encouraged to acquire skills on- the-job or through more formalized training prior to their advancement into a management position.
D. Training
The TAPS shall provide training annually to all employees with responsibilities under this plan including the TAPS Chief Executive Officer, the EEO Officer and all Department Heads.
E. Termination and Discharge
An employee may resign by presenting a written notice of resignation to the employee’s supervisor.
An employee may be dismissed for unsatisfactory performance of duties, for disciplinary reasons, for other just causes, or for reduction in workforce. The employee may receive monies due upon dismissal.
Employees may be paid upon termination for accumulated vacation leave on a pro-rata basis. Medical and life insurance will be paid through the effective date of termination of the employee.
Termination Appeal Procedures: Any TAPS employee who feels that he or she has been wrongfully terminated has the right to appeal the employment termination decision, either verbally or in writing, to his or her immediate supervisor.
If the situation is not resolved at the immediate supervisor’s level within five (5) working days, the employee has the right to submit a written notice of appeal to the EEO Officer. The EEO Officer must respond to the employee in writing within five (5) working days.
The EEO Officer will be apprised of all verbal and written appeals.
F. Wages and Salaries
TAPS complies with the Equal Pay Act of 1963 which requires all employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act to provide equal pay for men and women performing similar work.
G. Employees with Disabilities
It is the policy of TAPS not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of physical or mental disability in regard to any position for which the employee or applicant for employment is qualified. TAPS takes affirmative action to employ, advance in employment and otherwise treat qualified individuals with known disabilities without discrimination based upon their physical or mental disability in all employment practices. TAPS will attempt to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, unless such accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the conduct of its business. TAPS also commits to engaging in an interactive process with the person requesting the accommodation (or their representative), as needed, to determine an appropriate accommodation.
H. Sexual Harassment Policy and Practices
TAPS will not tolerate sexual harassment of its employees by anyone supervisors, other employees or clients. Persons harassing others will be dealt with swiftly and vigorously.
Normal, courteous, mutually respectful, pleasant, non-coercive interactions between employees that are acceptable to both parties are not considered to be sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment as defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is:
1. unwelcome or unwanted sexual advances;
2. requests and demands for sexual favors;
3. verbal abuse or kidding that is sexually oriented and considered unacceptable by another individual;
4. engaging in any type of sexually oriented conduct that would unreasonably interfere with another’s work performance; and
5. creating a work environment that is intimidating, hostile, or offensive.
Sexual harassment includes a wide range of behaviors, from the actual coercion of sexual relations to unwelcome offensive comments, jokes, innuendos, and other sexually-oriented statements and unwelcome emphasizing of sexual identity. It can occur between employees, and between employees and members of the public, including vendors, visitors, passengers, or others with whom employees come into contact while working for TAPS.
Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, is illegal and prohibited. Any employee, who feels he or she is the victim of workplace harassment, or who witnesses unlawful harassment or abuse, whether from management, co-workers, or third parties, should promptly report the matter to their supervisor or manager. All such reports will be thoroughly investigated. No adverse action or retaliation will be taken or permitted against any employee who reports issues of workplace harassment.
It shall be the responsibility of the EEO Officer to advise any employee who feels she or he has been sexually harassed of the proper procedure for handling the complaint.
I. TAPS Facilities and Benefits
1. Equal opportunity shall be assured to all TAPS employees for proper use of TAPS facilities.
2. The benefits and conditions of employment as outlined in the TAPS Employee Handbook shall be monitored to assure that they continue to be equally available to all employees.
J. Distribution to Contractors
In addition to the other provisions of this plan, each subcontractor will be provided a copy of this plan and will be informed of the TAPS’s overall EEO policy.
VII. General
Race/sex records will be kept on the following:
a. applicants
b. hiring
c. terminations
d. promotions
e. transfers
f. training
g. complaints of discrimination
Records on the subjects listed above will be maintained by the EEO Officer. They will be reviewed periodically to ensure that actions taken by the organization are consistent with EEO and Affirmative Action Policy. Records of correspondence with the various recruitment contacts (minority, female, handicapped organizations) will also be maintained. A file of all job advertisements will continue to be kept by the Personnel EEO Officer. At least annually all department heads and supervisors will be provided training in EEO/Affirmative Action subjects including interviewing techniques.
All management personnel will be responsible for monitoring employee placement, assignment of duties and work sites to ensure that assignments are made on a non-discriminatory basis.
Exit interviews will be scheduled with each employee who terminates with the TAPS.
VIII. Complaints
It is TAPS’s policy to provide a pleasant working environment for all employees. The complaint procedure outlined below will address discrimination complaints regarding race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status.
Utilization of this complaint procedure will not in any way jeopardize current or prospective employment status.
Complaint Procedures are as follows:
1. The EEO Officer will receive all written complaints of discrimination. These complaints may be direct from the employee or referred from a supervisor or manager who has received a complaint from an employee.
2. All discrimination complaints filed under this procedure will be accepted f or investigation up to and including 30 days after the date of the alleged discriminatory act.
3. All complaints will be properly recorded and signed by the complainant. Employees will be advised and counseled as to other avenues of redress including, but not limited to, the following:
– Texas Workforce Commission, Civil Rights Division
– U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
4. All complaints will be investigated and processed by the EEO Officer within 30 days of receipt.
5. The complainant will receive written notification regarding the results of the investigation and the final disposition of the complaint including remedial actions to be taken.
6. If the complainant disagrees with the findings and decisions of the EEO Officer, he/she will be advised and counseled as to other avenues of redress including, but not limited to, the following:
7. The EEO Officer will take necessary steps to ensure the confidentiality of all discrimination or harassment complaint records and of any counseling done in the course of the complaint procedure.
TEXOMA AREA PARATRANSIT SYSTEM
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM
UTILIZATION ANALYSIS – FEB 2014
Equal employment opportunity assumes that the workforce of any given business concern should mirror the race and sex composition of the population. A major factor in assessing equal employment opportunity is the skill availability of the labor pool. Equal Employment Opportunity legislation (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended) and subsequent executive orders (Executive Order 11246, as amended), require that Federal contractors and subcontractors certify that they do not discriminate with respect to employment and the conditions thereof. Furthermore, business concerns contracting with the Federal government must take affirmative action to achieve and insure equal employment opportunity.
The assessment below views the total TAPS workforce, provides a job classification breakdown according to minorities and non-minority females and the availability of minorities and non-minority females in the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
A. TAPS Public Transit Workforce
The TAPS workforce consists of approximately 200 employees representing three occupational groups: management, bus operators, and maintenance staff. It is the policy of TAPS to promote from within.
as of February 10, 2013
American Indian/Alaskan
Asian/Pacific Islander
B. LABOR MARKET
As can be seen in Appendix H, in 2010 the U.S. Census Bureau showed 24.5 percent of the TAPS service area population is minority and approximately 34 percent of the minority population (8.4% of the total population) identifies itself as being Asian. The next largest minority group is the African American population, comprising approximately 30 percent of the minority population (7.3% of the total population). This is following closely by group which identifies itself as “other” minority who make up approximately 21 percent of the minority population (5.2% of the total population). The minority labor force is relatively small but not insignificant, and is consistent with the norm for comparable communities. The male:female ratio of the population is approximately 50:50.
The TAPS workforce is considered small, but is experiencing rapid growth. All goals will be considered during the hiring process for all open positions, whether they be new positions or the result of job attrition among the current staff.
C. GOALS
Through the assessment of the current levels of minority and female employment within TAPS and the availability of minorities and women, as shown in the Exhibits, quantifiable patterns emerged. Due to the small numbers of individuals involved in the percentage, a variance of 1-10 is considered to be within proper utilization levels.
The Goals below are based below are based on current and past workforce and reflect the occupations represented by each.
Transdev, along with TAPS; now serves our 6 county region.
Join us at the Community Workshop for the Moving Forward: 2045 Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Transportation Plan next Thursday, July 18th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Click the link below for more information
No-Show Policy
Rider Rules
Title VI and LEP Plan
ADA Complaint Policy
Helpful Resources from Outside Agencies
Grayson Co Health Clinic
North Central Texas Council of Governments
Texas Veterans Commission
Texoma Council of Governments
Texoma Seniors Resources
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HomeFeaturesNewsSri Lanka heads for an uncertain future – Ranga Jayasuriya.
Sri Lanka heads for an uncertain future – Ranga Jayasuriya.
Image: Left groups wants Sirisena to be prosecuted for political coup he staged. (c)S.Deshapriya..
As a year of political upheaval and economic stagnation is winding down, Sri Lanka is entering into an uncertain 2019. Politics is as toxic as it has ever been in recent times. The illwill between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, expressed in the most overt gesticulations, is bound to overshadow government policy. The public euphoria over the rollback of the Constitutional coup evaporated in no time. Most tellingly, the appointment of corruption-tainted Ravi Karunanayake to the Cabinet effectively gave the middle finger to the saner people, civil society and democracy activists.
The UNP has so far restrained its temptation to form a farcical ‘national government’ so as to avoid a restriction set by the Constitution, which under the 19th Amendment set a limit of a 30-member Cabinet of Ministers, unless when there is a national government. An earlier plan to form a national government between the sole member of the SLMC and the UNP was abandoned, fearing a predictable public outrage.
The UNP is also expected to seek legal opinion over whether the government is entitled to have a 32-member Cabinet (30 plus the president and prime minister) instead of 30. All this is to reward its members in order to keep them satiated, so that they would not be tempted to pole vault to the Opposition. Thus, after the much hype about democracy and the will of the people, Sri Lankan politics is back to its usual ugliness.
“The UNP is also expected to seek legal opinion over whether the government is entitled to have a 32-member Cabinet instead of 30”
Both main political parties, UNP and SLFP have regularly found themselves at the receiving end of the devastating consequences of J.R Jayawardene’s Machiavellian machinations of Sri Lanka’s political fabric. Jayawardene went to an extreme and shameful length hitherto existent culture of political patronage and bribe and entrenched it in the Sri Lankan political life.
A bloated Cabinet is one way to extend a network of political patronage. India with 1.2 billion people has 27 Cabinet Ministers, Japan has 20 Cabinet Ministers, Britain has a Prime Minister plus 21 Cabinet Ministers.
Whereas Sri Lanka has a history of rewarding nearly all members in the government with some form of ministerial portfolio so that they would be entitled to the accompanying fringe benefits. Such positions have not enhanced efficiency but eaten into the public coffers. The latest economic data of the 3rd quarter is proof of pervasive economic stagnation.
The economic growth in the 3rd quarter had slumped to an historic low of 2.9 per cent, against 3.7 per cent of equally mediocre growth in the same quarter of the previous year. So the economy has been in a slow death even before the October 26 trigger of a political crisis. Now, with an aggravated political crisis, and its economic implications in the final quarter of this year, the economy is set to record another below four per cent annual growth for the fourth consecutive year.
While efforts for economic restructuring might have an impact on low growth numbers, the government’s repeated inability to proactively engage in economic development is the main factor for the sub-par economic performance. Unlike the Rajapaksa regime, which to give the devil its due, played a major role as a catalyst of economic development, which any emerging market economy should do, this government solely relied on market forces. However, market forces did not take their own course of action due to other extraneous factors and the prevailing economic and political uncertainty. All in all, economically speaking, the whole life span of the yahapalanaya government was four lost years for the country.
These adverse economic and political conditions are unlikely to improve in the coming year. If any, they are bound to get worse. The president who is waiting to settle his scores with Mr. Wickremesinghe is likely to obstruct the latter’s economic policies at any given opportunity.
Similarly, any moves to impeach the president would likely compel him to prorogue Parliament, triggering another political crisis. Personal prejudices between the executive and legislature will hold back the progress of the country, and the government’s economic agenda in the coming year. The only winner in this equation is Mahinda Rajapaksa. He is ridiculed now for taking power through the backdoor. However, he was the one who could have romped home in an election, if the constitutional coup led to a snap general election.
He is down, but not out. As the Opposition Leader, he is now more formidable. Post-coup political conditions serve him as well. He is likely to receive presidential patronage, if the courts belatedly launch investigations into allegations of corruption during the Rajapaksa regime. Even the courts will be disinclined to lock horns with the president ever too often.
The only memorable legacy of yahapalanaya will be its role in strengthening the independent institutions in the country. However such institutions can not function in a vacuum. Public discontent over multiplicity of reasons, all of which have roots in the disillusionment over perceived economic stagnation, has unleashed far- reaching political changes from America to Philippines. Sri Lanka is not immune to that.
The UNP has already failed to capitalize on the popular support it received during the constitutional crisis. It is in the process of squandering much of that political capital.
“The only memorable legacy of yahapalanaya will be its role in strengthening the independent institutions in the country”
It is also unlikely to make a noticeable improvement in the economy any time soon- or even during the two years of its remainder of the term.
Political uncertainty will take a toll on economy. Economic stagnation in turn would take a toll on democratic reforms.
The year 2018 was one of political upheaval, sinister machinations, undelivered promises and economic decay. Sadly though, as political and economic factors stand, 2019 is unlikely to be different.
Follow @RangaJayasuriya on Twitter .
-Daily Mirror
Tags: #CoupLK, Accountability, Democratic governance, Reconciliation, Sri Lanka, Tamil rights, UNHRC
Previous post Sri Lanka coup hastens prosecution of Rajapaksa envoy to Washington
Next article UK to support Sri Lanka’s accountability commitments to the UN Human Rights Council
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Zeitgeist: Superman’s First Comic Sells Online for $1m
February 24, 2010 / Culture, Media, Stuff / 18 Comments / 0
Action Comics No.1 (1938), the first appearance of Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster.
Earlier this week Action Comics No. 1, which features the first appearance of Superman, sold online for a record-breaking $1m (£640,000).
This event marks an important cultural milestone in media for a few different reasons, all centered on some notion of populism.
1. Internet commerce. The comic was sold through one of the many successful but niche, mom’n pop auction websites borne by the internet age — ComicConnect.com. Unprepared for heavy traffic after news of the sale spread, the site was down yesterday, except for a press release.
From this perspective, Action Comics No. 1’s sale highlights how far internet e-commerce has come. Less than five years ago, making purchases on the internet was a scary thought to many, especially those 55 and older. And the notion that someone would spend up to a $1m on a less-than-secure-looking, website for a comic book would be laughable.
Shortly after I wrote this post, Detective Comics No. 27 (1939), which features the first appearance of Batman, exceeded Action Comics No.1's sale price, going for $1.08m.
ComicConnect.com’s big sale is indicative of a broader trend toward trusting non-big brand e-commerce sites, a sentiment ushered in by trailblazers like eBay and innovated by upstarts like Threadless. As trust in online purchasing burgeons and apprehension dissolves, the internet’s democratization of information will have increasingly populist effects on e-commerce, providing a relatively level playing field for any who aim to sell their wares to the internet’s vast audience.
2. Comic books as high art. Long before recent ventures into new formats, comic books were one of the first popular forms of multimedia art, combining elements of literature and visual art in one medium. For much of their history, however, comic books have been regarded and treated as a low-brow form of children’s literature. But, with the conceptual treatment of mass-produced art in the pop art movement, some artists (like Roy Lichtenstein) took style elements from the medium’s early practitioners and elevated it through their own critically-acclaimed work.
Separately, as many who witnessed comic books’ maturation as a medium are now grown up, academia and other ‘elite’ cultural arbiters have started to treat comic books with some intellectual respect, instead referring to them as ‘graphic novels.’ Action Comics No. 1’s sale marks an important step in elevating a medium to high art: someone paying a boatload of money to acquire a piece of it. Roughly tripling the past highest paid sum for a comic book, the purchase puts comic books in the big league. Hell, auction house Christie’s online hub places the upper end of the price filter for paintings at $600k.
3. The story of Superman and his creators. After five years of failure and waiting, Jerry Siegel and Joel Schuster published Action Comic’s No.1 through National Allied Publications. As two young Jewish men in the American midwest during the early stages of WWII, Siegel and Schuster aimed to create a just and powerful embodiment of their frustration with a world that they perceived as unjust and unlistening to the plights of the powerless. Each, too, had personal stories that contributed to Superman’s inception. Siegel’s father was killed in an armed robbery, and Schuster was refused from military service due to his horrible eyesight.
The rise of Superman’s importance in popular culture, evidenced by Action Comics No.1’s sale, is indicative of a broader ideological trend — the valorization of the outcast martyr. An alien stranded on earth, Superman was raised by human parents to desire the attainment of social justice. As some Superman scholars note:
Among the things that made Superman popular was his fight for social justice, rather than law and order. The Superman of late 1930’s had no qualms about doing all sorts of illegal things in order to right what he felt were wrongs. This included getting confessions out of crooked politicians by threatening to injure or kill them, kidnapping and forcing weapon makers into fighting on the front lines of a war and trapping a Mining Company owner and his rich friends in an unsafe mine that his employees worked in. Some people would criticize Superman and superheroes in general because of these types of stories, saying they taught “might makes right” and were fascist.
And further, as others note, Superman’s experience resembles, in some ways, the plight of unpopular teenagers in high school and Jewish people trying to adapt to an anti-Semitic society. Like their presentations of self to society at large, the character is Clark Kent, and Superman puts on a ‘mask’ (glasses & street clothes) as his disguise as a normal person.
To end, I’ll leave you with a favorite painting of Superman by Alex Ross, one of my favorite ‘graphic novel’ artists. As my vernacular would suggest, I’m a bit of a comic book geek (, which would also explain why I’d write this post…).
Alex Ross' version of Superman.
Note: This post was written days before the sale of Detective Comics No. 27, which features the first appearance of Batman. While Batman’s story is certainly less populist in content (given Bruce Wayne’s elite upbringing and place in life), points 1 and 2 of this post remain extremely relevant. Not only that, but many might posit that, like Superman, ‘Bruce Wayne’ is Batman’s disguise, and Batman is the true character.
The transaction was conducted through the auction site ComicConnect.com. Stephen Fishler, the co-owner of the site and its sister dealership, Metropolis Collectibles, orchestrated the sale.
Fishler said the seller was a “well-known individual” in New York with a pedigree collection and the buyer had previously bought an Action Comics No1 of lesser importance.
“It [Action Comics No1] is considered by most people as the most important book,” said John Dolmayan, the comic book enthusiast and dealer best known as the drummer in the rock band System of a Down. “It kind of ushered in the age of the superheroes.”
Dolmayan, who owns Torpedo Comics, paid $317,000 for an Action Comics No1 issue on behalf of a client last year.
action comics, action comics no. 1, alex ross, cambridge university, christie's, comicconnect.com, e-commerce, ebay, jerry siegel, joel schuster, multimedia comics, national allied publications, pop art, populism, roy lichtenstein, superman, threadless, wwII
Jan Streitburger
Very in depth and interesting post. When I first heard of the sale I immediately thought of it's archival nature. I'm a print designer and watercolor painter and use only acid free paper when painting. I am use to seeing comics only on newsprint. Not sure what the stock was in 1938, but my guess is not 100% acid free rag. I picture the buyer keeping their purchase in an air controlled light free space. Glad print is popular again and worth 1M!
Thanks for the well written read.
Thanks for both reading the blog and the kind words. I'm glad that you found it interesting.
I've also often wondered how older, less archive-friendly works like these stay in such good condition over time. I think your intuition on how they are preserved is probably right. A bit of cursory research revealed that, during the grading process of the comic book's condition, they are also placed in a sealed sleeve, which I imagine must also be airtight.
Here's a link with information about the process.
Thanks again, Jan, and hope you continue following the blog!
My most recent blog post: 'Zeitgeist: Superman’s First Comic Sells Online for $1m'. http://tinyurl.com/supermanpost
Detective Comics No. 27 (1939), starring the debut of Batman, just sold for $1.08m, outdoing Action Comics No.1's sale for $1m.
http://www.theage.com.au/world/holy-12-million-batman-20100226-p94w.html
Heritage Auction Galleries says a 1939 comic book in which Batman makes his first appearance has been sold at auction in Dallas, Texas, for $US1,075,500 ($A1.21 million) - a record for a comic.
Detective Comics No. 27 was sold on Thursday on behalf of an anonymous consignor. The buyer also wished to remain anonymous.
Barry Sandoval, director of operations of Heritage's comics division, said the consignor bought the comic in the late 1960s for $US100.
On Monday, a copy of the first comic book featuring Superman sold for $US1 million in a sale between a private seller and buyer.
The comic was a 1938 edition of Action Comics No. 1.
Great post. It's true that graphic novels and comic books have become "mature" and is now accepted by mainstream society as a form of ART. The same can be said for films-- people used to sneer at the concept of film as "art" when films first appeared as a form of ENTERTAINMENT for the mass audiences.
Thanks for the kind words, DIMA, and thanks for following the blog.
You're absolutely right about films, though I tend to think that many practitioners of film-making took their medium more seriously than comic book writers and artists.
I think it's probably fair to say that, unlike filmmakers, comic book writers, in particular, did not see the full creative potential of their medium. Comic artists, on the other hand, were constrained by the printing limitations of the day; their depth of their artistry was often lost in the poor quality of older printing presses. Even know, this problem persists, though to a lesser degree.
Also, I think the demographic for comic book creators was initially much different than filmmakers. Whereas filmmakers had an extremely broad audience, comics were initially geared toward a younger audience. Thankfully, as mentioned, treatment of the medium has matured.
Thanks again for reading, and I hope to hear from you again!
GiggleMeThis
The art is better than ever. The paper is better than ever. But nothing beats nostalgia like old comic creators and the ilk. Great story.
Thanks for reading, GGMT.
I certainly agree that the artistry and quality of materials of graphic novels/comic books is better than ever. My nostalgia, however, leans toward reading comics from the early 90's, during the height of X-Men titles and the rise of Image Comics.
It wasn't until later in life that I began to go back toward older issues, and then immersed myself in the work of the Modern Age of Comics -- e.g., Moore, Miller.
Oh and could you change the Superman picture to the Detective #27 instead? So many thanks...
While I don't think I'm going to change the Superman picture, given the focus of the post, I'm happy to add the picture of Detective Comics No. 27 and post-script note about the Action Comics No. 1's sale price being superseded.
No problem, and thanks for reading!
#fdp94w http://theage.com.au/world-p94w.html - thoughts on cultural implications of big comic sales online: http://tinyurl.com/supermanpost
BillyAustinDillon
I really enjoyed your piece - came across your pop art reference. I look forward to more articles from you and have linked to this story. :)
BAD, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the piece, and thanks for following the blog.
I'm glad you enjoyed the pop art reference, and look forward to your comments in the future.
this post is very usefull thx!
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later
roclafamilia
Helpful blog, bookmarked the website with hopes to read more!
Laurinda Inabinett
Personally I'm impressed by the quality of this. Generally when I come across these sort of things I like to post them on Digg. This article probably won't do well with that crowd. I'll take a look around your site though and submit something else.
After skimming through a lot of articles and blog posts, finally I got what I am looking for. Well, I need to bookmark this post so I can have a good reference for future queries. Great website dude!.
Leave a Reply to Steven Cancel
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Gastrointestinal Parasites in Cats
by chandler | Jul 18, 2018 | Cat, Cat Care, Cat Wellness | 0 comments
Most people are aware that their pets have worms, but just what are these worms, where do they get them and how do you get rid of them? When pet owners talk about worms, they are really talking about all gastrointestinal parasites. And there are several gastrointestinal parasites that commonly affect our dogs and cats.
ROUNDWORMS
Roundworms are visible in your pet’s stool or vomit. They are long and thin, similar to thin spaghetti. This parasite can pass through the placenta (only in puppies), through the milk (puppies and kittens) or be ingested (puppies and kittens). Some animals become infected after ingesting another animal with roundworm eggs. It is thought that nearly all puppies are born with roundworms since they pass through the placenta. In kittens, most become infected after nursing.
The roundworm that affects dogs is Toxocara canis. The roundworm that affects cats is Toxocara cati. The roundworm Toxascaris leonina is shared between dogs and cats. The roundworm eggs are very resistant to chemicals and weather and remain infective in the soil for years, which can result in repeated reinfection.
Typically, the eggs are found on the soil or grass. As the dog or cat walks by, the eggs are picked up on the animal’s fur. During normal grooming, the animal then ingests the eggs. After reaching the stomach, the eggs hatch. The developing larvae continue to mature in the small intestines and become adults in about three to four weeks. At this point, the mature worms are able to reproduce and shed more eggs. These eggs pass out the intestines in the feces. Once in the soil, the eggs will become infective in about one week.
WHIPWORMS
Whipworms are another type of gastrointestinal parasite that affects dogs. The most common whipworm is Trichuris vulpis and it is a significant cause of large bowel diarrhea. The whipworm eggs are quite resistant and can live in the environment for up to five years.
Typically, a dog becomes infected after ingesting eggs from the environment. The eggs then hatch once they reach the stomach. It takes about three months for the eggs to mature to adults and being shedding eggs. The adults then burrow into the small intestine and feed on blood and tissue. The eggs are intermittently passed in the feces and become infective in about one month. Since the eggs are not shed all the time, repeated fecal examinations may be necessary to diagnose whipworm infection.
Ancylostoma caninum is the most common hookworm in the dog. Ancylostoma tubaeformeis the most common hookworm in the cat. The eggs are relatively susceptible to cold weather and the eggs are usually destroyed after a hard freeze. Hookworm infection can occur as the worms pass through the placenta, are spread during nursing, penetrate through the skin or are ingested.
After ingestion, the eggs hatch in the stomach and develop into adults into about two weeks. If the larvae penetrate the skin, it takes about four weeks for the larvae to mature. Once mature, the worms begin reproducing and shed eggs in the feces. It then takes two to eight days until the eggs are infective. The adult worms attach to the lining of the small intestine and feed on blood. In a severe infection, profound anemia can occur.
There are a variety of medications used to kill hookworms.
GIARDIA
Giardia are pear-shaped, one-celled organisms that infect the small intestine of dogs and cats. Most cases of Giardia in young animals cause explosive, watery diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss and an unkempt appearance. Adult animals are capable of harboring the infection without showing clinical signs.
The eggs are susceptible to chemical disinfection. Once ingested, the infective cysts develop in the small intestine. Diarrhea can begin as early as five days after exposure and cysts can appear in the feces one to two weeks after exposure. Most domestic animals contract Giardia from drinking contaminated pond or stream water.
TAPEWORMS
Tapeworms are very common in dogs and cats and, despite what you may think, rarely cause illness. Most people see the tapeworm egg packets as they pass out the rectum and crawl on the animal’s fur. These egg packets, referred to as proglottids, contain multiple eggs and appear about six to eight weeks after ingestion of an infective tapeworm egg. In order to become infective, the tapeworm egg is either ingested by a rodent, rabbit or flea. The egg then matures and becomes infective. Eggs or egg packets eaten after they pass out in the stool are not infective and do not result in more tapeworms.
There are two types of tapeworms, Taenia and Dipylidium. Taenia tapeworms are acquired when an animal ingests an infected rabbit or rodent. Dipylidium tapeworms are acquired when an animal ingests an infected flea. Once the tapeworm egg is ingested, it hatches in the stomach and begins to invade the walls of the intestines. The worm then matures to a larva and then to an adult. About 35 to 80 days later, the adults begin to shed egg packets, which pass in the stool. The adult tapeworm can survive in the intestine for about seven to 34 months.
Animals infected with tapeworms may scoot on the floor since the egg packets tend to crawl on the skin, causing itchiness.
COCCIDIA
Coccidia are intestinal protozoa that invade and infect the lining cells of the small intestine. There are many species of coccidia and almost all domestic animals can become infected. Of the numerous types that infect dogs and cats, Isospora is the most common. Coccidia spread when an animal eats infected fecal material or an infected host, such as a small rodent. Many researchers maintain that virtually all dogs and cats have been infected with the organism at one time or another during their life.
Most coccidial infections are harmless, cause minimal symptoms and are eliminated by normal body defense mechanisms. More serious coccidial infections cause severe watery or bloody diarrhea and are often seen in high-density confinement situations such as kennels, catteries and pet shops.
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Adventure holidays >
Alternative holidays
Countries where prostitution is legal
According to Chartsbin, there are 77 countries in the world where prostitution is legal, 11 where it is restricted and 5 where there are no laws regarding it whatsoever. Then there are the countries where it is illegal by law but it is still very much present in society. Here is a look at how prostitution differs in legality from country to country.
FlickreviewR - Wikimedia
A few of the countries where prostitution is legal are highly regulated. Austria, for example, requires each prostitute to be registered, have regular health examinations and pay taxes on all income. Turkey also requires prostitutes to be registered and have ID cards stating the date of health checks noting any STDs. Prostitutes in Singapore are required to carry a health card and are obligated to have periodic health checks.
There are many countries, especially in Asia where prostitution is illegal by law but still allowed and even sometimes partially regulated. In Thailand, for example, prostitution is illegal but the country is a very well known destination for sex tourism. Prostitution is illegal in Japan but non-coital services are accepted. And in Bangladesh, female prostitution is legal but male prostitution is illegal.
Benin, Armenia, Brazil, Canada, Slovakia and a few other countries all have legal prostitution, but other co-morbid aspects, such as pimping or operating a brothel, are illegal. If caught in any of these illegal activities in Armenia for example, violators can receive 1-10 years in prison.
In the UK, prostitution is legal, but kerb crawling and soliciting in public places, pimping, owning a brothel and other various activities are illegal. It is also seen as an offence if one pays for sex with a prostitute who has been 'subjected to force'. In January of 2015, paying for sex was officially criminalized in the UK.
Countries where prostitution is legal,
legal prostitution countries,
prostitution,
legal prostitution
Bizarre bunga bunga baci
Oh la la! Non non non!
Bunga bunga bungles
’Ukraine is not a brothel’
Oldest banger on the block
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Paging Dr. Violin?
Free Jan. 24 concert will bring out the musical talents of U-M medical and science community
Posted by U-M Life Sciences Orchestra on January 19, 2016
Dr. Jenna Devare, an ear, nose & throat surgeon in training, “scopes” her violin
If you could see Dr. Ellen Janke or Dr. Jenna Devare in action in a U-M operating room, you’d probably notice how confidently they handle the complex equipment of 21st Century surgery.
You’d see how every operation is a team effort, with surgeons, anesthesiologists, residents, nurses and technicians each playing their part to help every patient.
But if you come to Hill Auditorium this Sunday afternoon, you can see Dr. Janke and Dr. Devare engaged in another kind of teamwork: the kind it takes to play in a 70-member symphony orchestra.
Dr. Ellen Janke checks her violin’s “vital signs”
Together with dozens of other medical and scientific professionals and students from around the university, they’ll present a free concert as the U-M Life Sciences Orchestra.
The LSO will kick off its 15th season of blending music, medicine and science with works by two of the most famous composers from Scandinavian countries: Jean Sibelius, from Finland, and Edvard Grieg of Norway. An overture by Beethoven will start things off.
Both doctors, and other LSO musicians, brought their instruments to work for these fun photos taken by another LSO member, retired physician and viola player Dr. Bern Mueller.
The team, the team, the team
Carl Engelke, who is working toward both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees at the Medical School, is the LSO’s lead trumpet player
The entire LSO “team” has been rehearsing for this performance every Sunday night since October, giving them a weekly release from the demands of caring for patients, performing research or studying technical fields.
When they come to the LSO’s Sunday evening rehearsals, the orchestra’s doctors, nurses, dentists, graduate students, medical students, engineers and research staff leave behind their workplace identities and ranks.
And when U-M conducting student and LSO Music Director Roberto Kalb raises his baton, they become musicians above all else. Kalb is working toward his doctorate in orchestral conducting at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance. He’s assisted by Jacobson Woollen, a master’s degree student in the same program.
The LSO is one of the signature offerings of Gifts of Art, a program of the U-M Health System that brings visual and performing arts into many areas of the medical campus. And for many LSO members, it’s the only chance they get to express musical skills and talents they’ve been developing for years.
Medical student Whit Froehlich checks his cello in for “care”
“Since childhood, music has always been an important part of my life,” says Devare, who is training to become an ear, nose and throat surgeon. “The LSO provides me with a wonderful opportunity to continue making beautiful music and to collaborate with U-M physicians, scientists, and trainees in a new context, helping to balance my life as an otolaryngology resident. I am lucky to be a part of such a multitalented group!”
Janke, an anesthesiologist, says, “I never cease to be amazed by the musical talent that exists within the Health System, and in the broader reaches of the life sciences. It is an utter privilege to play in this orchestra. And I love it when I see colleagues in the audience!”
Carl Engelke, a trumpet player who is working toward dual degrees in medicine and biomedical science at the Medical School, agrees. “Music has always been a very important part of my life,” he says. “Since I joined in 2011, the LSO has been a wonderful way to keep playing music with others even during the busiest times of medical school and graduate school.”
Olivia Palmer, a graduate student in engineering, and LSO violinist, in her lab
Take the next step:
Learn more about the LSO Concert, which begins at 4 p.m. and is free with no tickets required
See what all the LSO’s members do in “real life”
Find out about Gifts of Art, the UMHS program that sponsors the LSO and much more
The U-M Life Sciences Orchestra, founded in 2000, is part of the Gifts of Art Program, which brings arts and music to the U-M Health System. The LSO includes dozens of faculty, staff, students, alumni and family members from across the U-M medical and science community, and is conducted by students from the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance. The LSO gives two free concerts a year, and holds annual auditions in September.
Tagged: Event, music
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Memory of Gustavus III, King of Sweden
View the V&A API .json response
Acquired in 1907 (the spelunker thinks)
Boulton, Matthew
List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1905 - 1908. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1907, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, 1909, p. 34
1793 (made)
Memorial medal, bronze, for Gustavus III, King of Sweden (1771-1792), by Konrad Heinrich Küchler, Birmingham, England, 1793
Height: 0.3 cm, Diameter: 5.6 cm
British Galleries, room 118e
Manufactured by Matthew Boulton (born in Birmingham, 1728, died there in 1809) at the Soho Mint, Birmingham; designed by Conrad Heinrich Küchler (active 1763-1821). Given by Mrs Glinn.
British Galleries: Boulton's manufactory produced not only coins but also a series of medals. Some of the best were designed by the Swiss medallist Jean Pierre Droz (1746-1832) and the Dutch medallist Conrad Heinrich Küchler. One medal was made to commemorate Gustavus III, King of Sweden, who was assassinated in 1792. Two others marked Admiral Lord Nelson's great victories at The Battle of the Nile in 1795 and at Trafalgar in 1805. Boulton himself presented a cheaper version to everyone who had taken part in the battles. [27/03/2003]
British Galleries, room 118e, case 2
With memorial inscription for Gustavus III, King of Sweden (1746-1792) 'GUSTAVUS. III. D : G. REX SVECIAE' 'TAM MARTE QUAM MERCURIO' 'HEU MALE PEREMPTUS' 'NATUS D.XXIIII JAN. MDCCXXXXVI. SUCC. D. XII. FEB. MDCCLXXI. TRUCID: D. XVI MART. MDCCXCII. OB. D. XXIX SUP. MENS. ET AN'
Memorial medal
The obverse shows the bust in profile to the right of the King, wearing armour and a fur-lined mantle, with the abbreviated Latin inscription which can be translated as 'Gustaf III by the Grace of God King of Sweden'. The reverse shows a rectangular sarcophagus surmounted by a crowned vase on which rays from a constellation descend. On the right is the figure of Fame, and behind her symbols of Peace. On the left a naked boy points to the scene of Gustaf's assassination depicted on the front of the sarcophagus.
2006AM6065
Manufactured by Matthew Boulton at the Soho Mint, Birmingham
Object type This medal was struck in memory of Gustaf III, King of Sweden (born 1746; reigned 1771-1792). The obverse shows the bust in profile to the right of the King, wearing armour and a fur-lined mantle, with the abbreviated Latin inscription which can be translated as 'Gustaf III by the Grace of God King of Sweden'. The reverse shows a rectangular sarcophagus surmounted by a crowned vase on which rays from a constellation descend. On the right is the figure of Fame, and behind her symbols of Peace. On the left a naked boy points to the scene of Gustaf's assassination depicted on the front of the sarcophagus. People Gustaf III was a dominant, indeed autocratic, ruler, whose political actions became increasingly unpopular among the Swedish nobility. A conspiracy to murder him was hatched by a group of aristocrats in 1792. At a fancy dress ball held at the Royal Opera in Stockholm on 16 March 1792, J.J. Anckarström shot the King in the back. The wound was fatal, and Gustaf died on 29 March. People Conrad Heinrich Küchler (active 1763-1821) worked for Matthew Boulton (1728-1807), the Birmingham industrialist and entrepreneur. Küchler was Belgian by birth, but settled in Britain in about 1790, and worked for Boulton at the Soho Mint until about 1806.
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VOICES Resiliency Symposium | Speakers
Priscilla Dass-Brailsford, EdD, MPH
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Adjunct Faculty Georgetown University
Priscilla Dass-Brailsford, a graduate of Harvard University is currently Chair of the Department of International Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington DC campus and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, Department of Psychiatry. She is a licensed psychologist who studies the effects of trauma, specifically interpersonal violence, disasters and other stressful events and focuses on whether individuals from historically oppressed or stigmatized groups experience unique stressors or exhibit culturally specific coping processes.
Prior to moving to DC, Dr. Dass-Brailsford coordinated a Community Crisis Response team for the Victims of Violence program at Cambridge Health Alliance, in MA that responded to affected communities in the aftermath of violence and trauma. Besides numerous other publications, she is the published author of two books: A Practical Approach to Trauma: Empowering Interventions (2007) and Disaster and Crisis Response: Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina,(2009). Dr. Dass-Brailsford has presented both nationally and internationally and she is an APA Fellow in Divisions 17, 35, 45 and 56.
John Feal
Founder and President
The FealGood Foundation
John Feal founded the Fealgood Foundation was founded in the wake of 9/11. The foundation assists First Responders and other people who have been physically or mentally injured as a result of their rescue, recovery and clean up efforts at the WTC site after 9/11. FealGood Foundation (FGF) advocates for First Responder rights. John Feal and FGF provide financial assistance, medical and legal contacts, and other advocacy needs.
On September, 12, 2001, John and his team of Construction Demolition experts were called to Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan to aid in the cleanup and recovery mission. While supervising his team, roughly 8,000 pounds of steel came loose from the huge pile and crushed his left foot. After 11 weeks in the hospital, doctors amputated half of John's left foot. John went through years of surgeries and innumerable hours of therapy; as well as extensive hospital stays and mounting medical expenses.
Once out of the hospital, John made it his mission to alleviate the Heroes of 9/11 from the burdens he experienced and created the FealGood Foundation. John's team at the foundation made it their mission to ensure that every United States Senator, Congressman and Congresswoman knew the FealGood Foundation's name, their determination and their inflexibility to never accept "No" for an answer.
On December 22rd, 2010, just three days before Christmas and while holding the US Senate & Congress from starting their holiday break, John and his team of Responders and Volunteers watched the proud moment of a unanimous vote by the entire Senate to pass HR 847.
John and The FealGood Foundation have now made it their mission to assure transparency in the James Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation law. John spreads himself between fund-raising for important causes directly related to the responders and all those affected by 9/11 and its aftermath, to lobbying the many sub-committees involving the Zadroga law and holding forums to ensure that responders know their rights as they pertain to the law. John has now been influential in the passing of two bills since 2004, and continues to strive with his grass roots activism.
Adriana Feder, MD
Director, Trauma and Resilience Program
Associate Director for Research, WTC Mental Health Program
Dr. Adriana Feder’s research has focused on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and resilience in trauma-exposed populations, including the conduct of clinical, epidemiological and translational research studies in diverse samples of trauma survivors, including WTC rescue and recovery workers, Vietnam repatriates, trauma-exposed African American populations, primary care patients after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and survivors of the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, and more recently in high-risk adolescents.
As Associate Director for Research at the WTC Mental Health Program at Mount Sinai and Director of the Trauma and Resilience Program at Mount Sinai, Dr. Feder has been Principal Investigator (PI) of five CDC/NIOSH-funded studies on the longitudinal course and biomarkers of PTSD and resilience in WTC rescue and recovery workers, including an ongoing randomized clinical trial of Internet-based psychotherapies with pre-/post-treatment saliva genomic biomarkers, and a recently funded neuroimaging study in WTC responders. Dr. Feder also has extensive experience in the conduct of clinical trials in patients with mood and anxiety disorders as Co-Investigator of NIH-, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)-, and Industry-funded clinical trials at the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program (MAP) at Mount Sinai, and was awarded a NARSAD Independent Investigator Award from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation as PI, to conduct a trial of repeated ketamine administration in patients with chronic PTSD.
Mary Fetchet
Founding Director
Voices of September 11th
Ms. Fetchet co-founded Voices of September 11th (VOICES) in 2001 following the death of her 24 year old son Brad in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, to provide long-term mental health care and resources for all those impacted and to promote public policy to make the country safer.
Her unique background as a mother of a victim, along with 23 years of expertise as a clinical social worker has influenced VOICES innovative approach to creating a new paradigm in providing long-term support services for victims’ families, survivors and responders. Using social work practices, she developed a wide array of programs that provide continuity of care and promote resiliency in the lives of those impacted. Today, Ms. Fetchet is equally dedicated to assisting communities impacted by other acts of terrorism and mass violence, both in the United States and abroad. Notably, Ms. Fetchet established VOICES Center of Excellence for Community Resilience to share best practices and lessons learned.
A 1994 graduate of Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW), and 2013 CUSSW Hall of Fame recipient, prior to 9/11 Ms. Fetchet worked as a clinical social worker at an outpatient mental health clinic as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing mental health treatment for adults. In addition to her caseload, she launched the clinic’s awareness campaign to promote the national days for depression and anxiety screenings, and also facilitated groups for individuals suffering from anxiety disorders. Several years prior to 9/11, she attended the presentation by a mother who lost her daughter in the Oklahoma City bombing, who talked about the far reaching impact on the victims and the community-at-large. The compelling presentation motivated her to examine the research findings related to the response to the Oklahoma bombing, and to become part of the clinics response team that provided individual and community support following traumatic events. Her unique background established a foundation for her life’s work today.
In the days following the attack and the death of her son, Ms. Fetchet visited the Family Assistance Center that was temporarily set up in New York City for the 2,977 victims’ families to gather and obtain information. The visit to the Center reinforced the magnitude of the loss, the challenges families faced in receiving up-to-date information and the complicated processes they had to navigate during a time they were grieving. Drawing upon her professional background as a clinical social worker, her firsthand experience as a mother of a victim, and her understanding of the impact of the Oklahoma City bombing, she established Voices of September 11th (VOICES), along with Beverly Eckert who lost her husband in the attacks. VOICES began with weekly support groups for Connecticut families and has evolved into an internationally recognized non-profit organization with a committed staff of professionals providing a wide range of services for all those impacted by 9/11 – victims’ families, survivors and responders. More recently VOICES is assisting individuals and communities impacted by other tragedies.
Under Ms. Fetchet’s leadership, VOICES has provided over 160,000 hours of social service support for 9/11 families, survivors and responders. Using social work practices, she developed and implemented a wide array of community-based programs that provide continuity of care and address the immediate and long-term emotional needs of those impacted. Programs are based on an ongoing assessment of the evolving needs with a focus on providing support services that promote healing and resilience. Recognizing the importance of peer-to-peer support, in 2002 she launched VOICES Always Remember conference that is held annually in New York City on September 10, the eve of the anniversary. VOICES has convened 24 conferences for victim’s families, survivors and responders, as well as academic symposiums for mental health and victims’ service providers.
As a family member, Ms. Fetchet recognized the importance of commemorating the 2,977 lives lost and assisting families through the emotional, but therapeutic process of documenting their loved ones lives. Under her leadership, VOICES launched the 9/11 Living Memorial Project in 2005, and worked with 9/11 families for over a decade to create an extensive collection of over 84,000 photographs and personal keepsakes documenting the 2,977 lives lost on 9/11 and stories of survivors. The Living Memorial is hosted on the VOICES website. In addition, copies of the extensive collection of 84,000 photographs have been gifted to the 9/11 Memorial Museum where it is now a core component of the In Memoriam Exhibit.
In 2011, VOICES began working with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to promote the World Trade Center Health Program that is providing medical and mental health treatment for survivors and responders who are suffering from 9/11-related illnesses due to their exposure in Lower Manhattan following the attack. Ms. Fetchet led the planning and guided staff in the outreach effort. In September 2017 VOICES began its 6 year on the outreach project, where she is overseeing the efforts to promote awareness and assist the Survivor population.
Ms. Fetchet is a strong advocate for the rights of victim's families, survivors and responders, as well as public policy reforms to make the country safer. As a 9/11 family member, she worked closely with the New York City Medical Examiner, Dr. Charles Hirsch, to develop standardized procedures for the notification of human remains. The procedures empowered families to determine when, if and how they want to be notified of their loved ones remains, a process that continues to this day. She recognized the challenges families faced in applying for the Victim's Compensation Fund at a time when they were grieving, and provided information and guidance. When the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation was established to plan the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site, she joined the Family Advisory Committee to advocate on behalf of the families for an appropriate Memorial. Recognizing the systemic government failures that led to the attacks on September 11, Ms. Fetchet was a founding member of the 9/11 Family Steering Committee, a dozen 9/11 families who worked tirelessly campaigning for the establishment of the 9/11 Commission. Once the Commission was established and their report was release, she continued for many years in advocating for the implementation of the recommendations. Working collaboratively with the 9/11 Commissioners and elected officials their efforts led to sweeping governmental intelligence reforms. Ms. Fetchet testified before the 9/11 Commission and the United States Congress on four separate occasions.
Today, Ms. Fetchet is equally committed to assisting communities impacted by other acts of terrorism and mass violence, both in the United States and abroad. Through VOICES Center of Excellence for Community Resilience, she is establishing public/private partnerships, educational initiatives, community response training, and research projects to document best practices and help communities effectively plan for the long-term needs of victims’ families, survivors, responders and the affected community at large. She is part of three important international committees - Kenova Investigation, Victim Focus Group (UK) which is ensuring a victim-centered approach to supporting families during the investigation into the circumstances related to the murder and torture of their loved ones; International Framework for Dialogue and Information Sharing (EU), an ongoing international working group that is working collaboratively to share lessons learned to assist the international community in preparing for and responding to acts of mass violence; and an honorary member of the Leadership in CounterTerrorism Alumni Association (LinCT).
Ms. Fetchet has led the creation, and co-authored three important publications:
Preparing For After: How to Help Victims of Mass Violence, a resource kit identifying best practices in preparing for and responding to traumatic events, based on extensive research conducted in communities impacted by acts of mass violence – the Oklahoma City bombing, the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and the shootings at Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois University and Tucson, Arizona.
“Investigating the Long-term Impact of Bereavement due to Terrorism: Factors that Contribute to Trauma, Grief, Growth and Resilience”, a research study examining the long-term needs of family members of those who died on 9/11/2001 and in the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182.
VOICES of Experience: Helping Communities Heal After Traumatic Events, a two-day training based in part on VOICES Preparing for After and subsequent research findings related to recent acts of mass violence and natural disasters. The training assists community stakeholders in planning for, responding to and recovering from traumatic events, taking into consideration the immediate, short-term and long-term requirements for recovery.
n expert on the long-term needs of victims’ families, survivors and responders, as well as trauma-informed mental health care, preparedness, and national security reforms, she has made hundreds of appearances on national television and at conferences in the U.S. and abroad, and contributes regularly to print and radio. Ms. Fetchet has received numerous awards for her work, most notably induction into the Hall of Fame at Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams Making a Difference feature (2006) and ABC News Person of the Year.
Barry Mascari, EdD, LPC, LCADC
Dr. J. Barry Mascari is Chair of the Counselor Education Department at Kean University and is a New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Disaster Response Crisis Counselor. He is a Fellow of the American Counseling Association and co-edited the book Disaster Mental Health Counseling: A Guide to Preparing and Responding in its fourth edition. Dr. Mascari has over 35 years of counseling experience in schools and outpatient treatment.
He was a member and Chair of the NJ counselor licensing board for 10 years, the CACREP Board, and former President of the American Association of State Counseling Boards. He lobbied for licensed in NJ for 10 years and co-authored the bill passed in 1993. He is considered the “father” of 20:20 The Future of Counseling, a collaborative initiative between AASCB and ACA that resulted in the common definition of counseling. While AASCB President he advocated for inclusion of CACREP disaster and trauma standards for national credentialing. Dr. Mascari was a founder of the New Jersey Council on Divorce and Family Mediation, co-authoring a seminal work in family mediation. He has appeared on radio and television, most recently on Ohio Public Radio following the Ohio State incident of violence.
Connie Palmer, LCSW
Clinical Training Director, Imagine
Connie Palmer is a licensed clinical social worker who is an experienced teacher, therapist and school counselor with more than thirty years of experience working with youth and their families. She is currently the Clinical/Training Director for Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss in Westfield, NJ.
She presents seminars on various topics such as: grief and loss, resilience, shame, parenting, anti-bullying, depression and anxiety.
Priyanka Upadhyaya, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, WTC Health program, Bellevue
Dr. Priyanka Upadhyaya is a clinical psychologist at the World trade center environmental health center at Bellevue hospital which is one of three clinical centers of excellence dedicated to the integrated assessment and treatment of individuals who were present in the New York city disaster area.
Dr. Upadhyaya provides individual, group psychotherapy, mentors and supervises social workers and doctoral psychology students. She presents on various aspects of trauma informed care at case conferences and seminars, conducts community outreach workshops and in house staff training and education workshops. Dr. Upadhyaya is also part of initiatives to transmit health messages across the survivor and responder population through social media and online newsletters and participates in department wide research initiatives. Her interests and areas of expertise include evidenced based treatment of trauma, mindfulness and meditation, reducing barriers to mental healthcare, post traumatic growth and resilience.
Dr. Jane Webber
Lecturer in the Counselor Education Department
Dr. Jane Webber is a Lecturer in the Counselor Education Department at Kean University, Union, NJ and a NJ Licensed Professional Counselor. She is also a NJ certified Disaster Response Crisis Counselor. Dr. Webber was a member of the American Counseling Associaton Task Force for Crisis Response Planning and served on the Advisory Committee for Emergency Preparedness for the 2009 CACREP Standards.
She has written numerous articles and chapters, and co-authored the chapter Healing Trauma Through Humanistic Connection, in the award-winning book Humanistic Perspectives on Contemporary Counseling Issues. She co-edited the ACA Foundation publication, Terrorism, Trauma, and Tragedies: A Counselor's Guide to Preparing and Responding from its beginning after 9/11, and a soon to be published Journal of Counseling & Development (JCD) article analyzing the publication (or lack) of articles on trauma and disaster in counseling journals. She is Guest Editor of the JCD Special Section on Traumatology.
Dr. Webber has served as Chair of the ACA Foundation, North Atlantic Region, International Committee, Human Rights Committee, Public Awareness and Support Committee, and President of the NJ Counseling Association. Jane is frequently interviewed on disaster and trauma issues, including National Public Radio and Counseling Today Online. She received the Ph.D. from Seton Hall University, the M.Ed. from The Pennsylvania State University, and the BA from Manhattanville College.
Leigh Wilson, MD
Medical Director for the Queens WTC Health Program
Dr. Wilson has been the medical director for the Queens World Trade Center Health Program since April of 2013. She is board certified in Internal medicine, Preventive Medicine, and Occupational and Environmental Medicine. She completed her Fellowship in Occupational Medicine at Yale -New Haven in 2012. In addition she holds a Master's in Public Health from UCLA in Industrial Hygiene.
Mandi Zucker, MSW
Program Director, Imagine
Mandi, MSW, CT, Grief Recovery Specialist, has been the Program Director at Imagine since 2012, overseeing all aspects of program development and management. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Child Development and New York University with her Master’s in Social Work and has since earned a certificate in Thanatology and a certificate in Grief Recovery.
She is a lead responder for the Union County Traumatic Loss Coalition, serves on the membership committee for the National Alliance for Grieving Children and on the Community Health Advisory Council for Overlook Medical Center.
Prior to working at Imagine, Mandi had extensive experience working with children in the public school system as well as in hospice settings working with people of all ages at the end of their lives and through bereavement.
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Home > Catholic Encyclopedia > R > Book of Ruth
Book of Ruth
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One of the proto-canonical writings of the Old Testament, which derives its name from the heroine of its exquisitely beautiful story.
The incidents related in the first part of the Book of Ruth (i-iv, 17) are briefly as follows. In the time of the judges, a famine arose in the land of Israel, in consequence of which Elimelech with Noemi and their two sons emigrated from Bethlehem of Juda to the land of Moab. After Elimelech's death Mahalon and Chelion, his two sons, married Moabite wives, and not long after died without children. Noemi, deprived now of her husband and children, left Moab for Bethlehem. On her journey thither she dissuaded her daughters-in-law from going with her. One of them, however, named Ruth, accompanied Noemi to Bethlehem. The barley harvest had just begun and Ruth, to relieve Noemi's and her own poverty, went to glean in the field of Booz, a rich man of the place. She met with the greatest kindness, and following Noemi's advice, she made known to Booz, as the near kinsman of Elimelech, her claim to marriage. After a nearer kinsman had solemnly renounced his prior right, Booz married Ruth who bore him Obed, the grandfather of David. The second part of the book (iv, 18-22) consists in a brief genealogy which connects the line of David through Booz with Phares, one of the sons of Juda.
Place in the canon
In the series of the sacred writings of the Old Testament, the short Book of Ruth occupies two different principal places. The Septuagint, the Vulgate, and the English Versions give it immediately after the Book of Judges. The Hebrew Bible, on the contrary, reckons it among the Hagiographa or third chief part of the Old Testament. Of these two places, the latter is most likely the original one. It is attested to by all the data of Jewish tradition, namely, the oldest enumeration of the Hagiographa in the Talmudic treatise "Baba Bathra", all the Hebrew manuscripts whether Spanish or German, the printed editions of the Hebrew Bible, and the testimony of St. Jerome in his Preface to the Book of Daniel, according to which eleven books are included by the Hebrews in the Hagiographa. The presence of the Book of Ruth after that of Judges in the Septuagint, whence it passed into the Vulgate and the English Versions, is easily explained by the systematic arrangement of the historical books of the Old Testament in that ancient Greek Version. As the episode of Ruth is connected with the period of the judges by its opening words "in the days. . .when the judges ruled", its narrative was made to follow the Book of Judges as a sort of complement to it. The same place assigned to it in the lists of St. Melito, Origen, St. Jerome (Prol. Galeatus), is traceable to the arrangement of the inspired writings of the Old Testament in the Septuagint, inasmuch as these lists bespeak in various ways the influence of the nomenclature and grouping of the sacred books in that Version, and consequently should not be regarded as conforming strictly to the arrangement of those books in the Hebrew Canon. It has indeed been asserted that the Book of Ruth is really a third appendix to the Book of Judges and was, therefore, originally placed in immediate connection with the two narratives which are even now appended to this latter book (Judges 17-18; 19-21); but this view is not probable owing to the differences between these two works with respect to style, tone, subject, etc.
As the precise object of the Book of Ruth is not expressly given either in the book itself or in authentic tradition, scholars are greatly at variance concerning it. According to many, who lay special stress on the genealogy of David in the second part of the book, the chief aim of the author is to throw light upon the origin of David, the great King of Israel and royal ancestor of the Messias. Had this, however, been the main purpose of the writer, it seems that he should have given it greater prominence in his work. Besides, the genealogy at the close of the book is but loosely connected with the preceding contents, so it is not improbably an appendix added to that book by a later hand. According to others, the principal aim of the author was to narrate how, in opposition to Deuteronomy 23:3, which forbids the reception of Moabites into Yahweh's assembly, the Moabitess Ruth was incorporated with Yahweh's people, and eventually became the ancestress of the founder of the Hebrew monarchy. But this second opinion is hardly more probable than the foregoing. Had the Book of Ruth been written in such full and distinct view of the Deuteronomic prohibition as is affirmed by the second opinion, it is most likely that its author would have placed a direct reference to that legislative enactment on Noemi's lips when she endeavoured to dissuade her daughters-in-law from accompanying her to Juda, or particularly when she received from Ruth the protestation that henceforth Noemi's God would be her God. Several recent scholars have regarded this short book as a kind of protest against Nehemias's and Esdras's efforts to suppress intermarriage with women of foreign birth. But this is plainly an inference not from the contents of the book, but from an assumed late date for its composition, an inference therefore no less uncertain than that date itself. Others finally, and indeed with greater probability, have maintained that the author's chief purpose was to tell an edifying story as an example to his own age and an interesting sketch of the past, effecting this by recording the exemplary conduct of his various personages who act as simple, kindly, God-fearing people ought to act in Israel.
Historical character
The charming Book of Ruth is no mere "idyll" or "poetical fiction". It is plain that the Jews of old regarded its contents as historical, since they included its narrative in the Septuagint within the prophetic histories (Josue- Kings). The fact that Josephus in framing his account of the Jewish Antiquities utilizes the data of the Book of Ruth in exactly the same manner as he does those of the historical books of the Old Testament shows that this inspired writing was then considered as no mere fiction. Again, the mention by St. Matthew of several personages of the episode of Ruth (Booz, Ruth, Obed), among the actual ancestors of Christ (Matthew 1:5), points in the same direction. Intrinsic data agree with these testimonies of ancient tradition. The book records the intermarriage of an Israelite with a Moabitess, which shows that its narrative does not belong to the region of the poetical. The historical character of the work is also confirmed by the friendly intercourse between David and the King of Moab which is described in 1 Samuel 22:3-4; by the writer's distinct reference to a Jewish custom as obsolete (Ruth 4:7), etc.
In view of this concordant, extrinsic and intrinsic, evidence, little importance is attached by scholars generally to the grounds which certain critics have put forth to disprove the historical character of the Book of Ruth. It is rightly felt, for instance, that the symbolical meaning of the names of several persons in the narrative (Noemi, Mahalon, Chelion) is not a conclusive argument that they have been fictitiously accommodated to the characters in the episode, and more than the similar symbolical meaning of the proper names of well known and full historical personages mentioned in Israel's annals (Saul, David, Samuel, etc.). It is rightly felt likewise that the striking appropriateness of the words put on the lips of certain personages to the general purpose of edification apparent in the Book of Ruth does not necessarily disprove the historical character of the work, since this is also noticeable in other books of Holy Writ which are undoubtedly historical. Finally, it is readily seen that however great the contrast may appear between the general tone of simplicity, repose, purity, etc., of the characters delineated in the episode of Ruth, and the opposite features of the figures which are drawn in the Book of Judges, both writings describe actual events in one and the same period of Jewish history; for all we know, the beautiful scenes of domestic life connected in the Book of Ruth with the period of the judges may have truly occurred during the long intervals of peace which are repeatedly mentioned in the Book of Judges.
Author and date of composition
The Book of Ruth is anonymous, for the name which it bears as its title has never been regarded otherwise than that of the chief actor in the events recorded. In an ancient Beraitha to the Talmudic treatise "Baba Bathra" (Babylonian Talmud, c. i), it is definitely stated that "Samuel wrote his book, Judges, and Ruth"; but this ascription of Ruth to Samuel is groundless and hence almost universally rejected at the present day. The name of the author of the book of Ruth is unknown, and so is also the precise date of its composition. The work, however, was most likely written before the Babylonian exile. On the one hand, there is nothing in its contents that would compel one to bring down its origin to a later date; and, on the other hand, the comparative purity of its style stamps it as a pre-exilic composition. The numerous critics who hold a different view overrate the importance of its isolated Aramaisms which are best accounted for by the use of a spoken patois plainly independent of the actual developments of literary Hebrew. They also make too much of the place occupied by the Book of Ruth among the Hagiographa, for, as can be easily realized, the admission of a writing into this third division of the Hebrew Canon is not necessarily contemporary with its origin. But, while the internal data supplied by the Book of Ruth thus point to its pre-exilic origin, they remain indecisive with regard to the precise date to which its composition should be referred, as clearly appears from the conflicting inferences which have been drawn from them by recent Catholic scholars.
Commentaries.--Catholic: CLAIR (Paris, 1878); VON HUMMELAUER (Paris, 1888); FILLION (Paris, 1889); VIGOUROUX (Paris, 1901); CRAMPONI. Protestant: WRIGHT (London, 1864); KEIL (Leipzig, 1874): BERTHEAU (Leipzig, 1883); OETTLE (Nordlingen, 1889); BERTHOLET (Freiburg, 1898); NOWACK (Goettingen, 1902).
APA citation. Gigot, F. (1912). Book of Ruth. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13276a.htm
MLA citation. Gigot, Francis. "Book of Ruth." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13276a.htm>.
Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Thomas M. Barrett. Dedicated to Ruth Peterson.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. February 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, D.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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Home / Press Releases / Read Press Release
Hogan Lovells Advises Ares on Unitranche Financing of Acquisition of Majority Stake in Synthon Holding B.V.
Related: Hogan Lovells
Hogan Lovells has advised Ares in relation to the unitranche facilities provided to BC Partners for the acquisition of a majority stake in Synthon International Holding B.V., a global market leader in the development of complex Generics, from its parent company Synthon Holding B.V.
BC Partners will partner with Synthon’s founder Dr. Jacques Lemmens, who will remain a shareholder in the Company. The Company will be carved out from the Parent and continue to operate under the Synthon brand. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the coming months.
This is the second transaction in which we have advised Ares on deals with BC Partners; in 2018 we advised Ares Management in relation to the unitranche and PIK facilities provided for the acquisition of VetPartners by BC Partners and the refinancing of the VetPartners Group.
The Hogan Lovells team was led by Partners Jo Robinson and Wouter Jongen.
Gus Faucher, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of The PNC...
by Augustine (Gus) Faucher
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AHA News: Diabetes Remains Dangerous Despite Modern Medicine
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20, 2019 (American Heart Association News) -- Despite medical advances, having diabetes is still linked to a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, new research shows.
It's long been known that diabetes -- a condition that causes blood sugar to rise -- increases the risk of death from multiple causes. Past research showed people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop and die from cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease, heart failure, heart attack and stroke.
But there has been little research looking into diabetes-related mortality among patients getting routine care in the modern era of reducing cardiovascular disease risk. For the new study, published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers from several Veterans Affairs hospitals looked at data from more than 960,000 people -- including nearly 330,000 with diabetes -- who received routine primary care from 2002-2014 in the VA Healthcare System.
After analyzing an average eight years' worth of data for each patient, researchers concluded that while diabetes-related deaths were lower than they were in the 1980s and 1990s, diabetes still had a major impact on higher death rates. The study found diabetes was associated with a 16 percent increase in dying from any cause and an 18 percent increase in dying from cardiovascular disease.
The study also showed that for people who had diabetes, an A1C level of 6 percent to 6.9 percent was associated with the lowest levels of death, regardless of how old they were. An A1C test measures a person's average blood glucose control for the past two to three months.
"I think that's notable, because it shows age alone isn't that informative. Treatment decisions are a lot more complicated than just basing decisions on someone's age," said Dr. Sridharan Raghavan, the study's lead author.
Raghavan, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said that while the exact relationship between A1C levels and mortality rates -- and how to use A1C measurements to guide care -- remains unclear, doctors should watch the levels closely in patients with diabetes.
"Even if we don't understand the relationship, it can still tell us something about a person's overall health and risk of mortality," he said.
Dr. David Aguilar, a cardiologist who wasn't involved in the study, said the research was limited by being an observational study of mostly male military veterans. But he said the results added to the body of evidence for treating diabetes to lower mortality risk.
"It shows that we're doing better, but it also reminds us of the importance of glucose control. We need to treat people according to guidelines and get their hemoglobin A1C levels to less than 7 percent if they can tolerate that safely," said Aguilar, an associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
Aguilar, who wrote an editorial that accompanied the study, called for future studies that explore the best strategies to lower cardiovascular risk with newer diabetes medications. Raghavan said more research is needed to pinpoint which patients are best able to lower their mortality risk by maintaining specific A1C levels.
Both agreed that education is key to dropping the risk even further. Aguilar pointed to "Know Diabetes by Heart," a new initiative launched by the American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association to raise awareness about the link between the two diseases.
According to a recent Harris Poll, only about half of people 45 and older with Type 2 diabetes recognized their risk for a heart attack or stroke. About 26 million American adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, and an additional 92 million have prediabetes, a condition that increases the risk for Type 2 diabetes.
"You can actually mitigate a lot of the mortality risk related to diabetes by controlling cardiovascular risk factors like smoking and cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels," Raghavan said.
Aguilar said doctors need to have frank discussions with patients about the relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and talk about how exercise and maintaining a healthy weight decreases heart disease risk.
"It's not just about blood sugar," he said. "Health care providers have to focus on a comprehensive approach and discuss all the different issues and strategies that will empower the patient to lower their risk."
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Diabetes
Cranial Neuropathies
Pregnancy and Medical Conditions
Diabetes- Measuring Glucose at Home
Prevention Guidelines for Men 18 to 39
30 Million Americans Now Have Diabetes
A Weak Grip May Signal Future Health Trouble -- Even in Kids
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Keith Knudsen
Le Mars, Iowa, U.S.
Kentfield, California, U.S.
Rock, Country rock, Southern rock
Musician, songwriter
Drums, vocals
Keith Knudsen (/kəˈnuːdsən/ kə-NOOD-sən; February 18, 1948 – February 8, 2005) was an American rock drummer, vocalist, and songwriter. Knudsen was best known as a drummer and vocalist for The Doobie Brothers. In addition, he founded the band Southern Pacific with fellow Doobie Brother John McFee.
2.1 With the Doobie Brothers (studio albums)
2.2 With Southern Pacific
Knudsen was born in Le Mars, Iowa. He began drumming while attending Princeton High School in Princeton, Illinois, where he graduated in 1966. After short stints playing in a club band and the Blind Joe Mendlebaum Blues Band, he became the drummer for organist/vocalist Lee Michaels. He played in The Hoodoo Rhythm Devils from late 1972 through mid 1973. He never did any formal studio recording with them, but recorded a live Texas Special on KSAN-FM in San Francisco with the Hoodoos and Johnny Winter. His big break came in 1974 when he was invited to join The Doobie Brothers, replacing the departing Michael Hossack. Knudsen joined the band during the recording of the 1974 Top 10 platinum album, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. He made his recording debut with the Doobies on What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits in 1974, performing backing vocals over instrumental tracks that included Hossack.[1]
Knudsen did not get behind the drum kit in the recording studio until Stampede in 1975. Knudsen was co-drummer with John Hartman and later Chet McCracken until the Doobies disbanded in 1982. His contribution to the group's vocal harmonies in the studio and in concert was as crucial as his drumming.
After the Doobies disbanded in 1982, Knudsen and fellow Doobie John McFee formed the country rock band Southern Pacific.[2] The group was successful in the country charts but disbanded in the early 1990s. By then the two men had formed a writing partnership and despite not rejoining the group at that time, co-wrote the song Time Is Here And Gone with Doobies' percussionist Bobby LaKind, featured on the Doobies reunion album Cycles in 1989.[3]
Knudsen organized a one-off Doobies reunion in 1987 to raise funds for the National Veterans Foundation. After Southern Pacific folded, both he and McFee rejoined the Doobie Brothers on a full-time basis in 1993. Ironically, Knudsen found himself drumming alongside Michael Hossack, whom he had replaced all those years ago. Of the multiple pairings of Doobie Brothers drummers over the decades, Knudsen's time-keeping partnership with Hossack lasted the longest.
He featured prominently as a songwriter on the album Sibling Rivalry (2000), which was, at the time, only the band's third studio album since reuniting. He also featured on the albums Rockin' Down the Highway: The Wildlife Concert (1996), and Live at Wolf Trap (2004). In 2005 he played drums on Emmylou Harris Shores Of White Sand off the All I Intend To Be record.
Though Knudsen was a frequent backing vocalist for the Doobie Brothers, he did not sing lead on many released Doobies tracks. On "Double Dealin' Four Flusher" (from Stampede) he is heard trading brief lead vocal lines with Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston. (The box set Long Train Runnin': 1970–2000 has an early rehearsal version of this song, called "Shuffle," with vocals only by Simmons and Knudsen.) Knudsen can also be heard singing lead on songs from the 1982 Doobie Brothers Farewell Tour ("Don't Start Me To Talkin'" from Farewell Tour; "Listen To The Music" from the Farewell Tour video and the album Live at the Greek Theater 1982). Sibling Rivalry features two later, and very different sounding, Knudsen lead vocals.
Knudsen died of pneumonia in Kentfield, California, at the age of 56. He was living in Northern California with his wife, Kate, and his daughter Dayna at the time of his death.[4]
Discography[edit]
With the Doobie Brothers (studio albums)[edit]
What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974) (US #4)
Stampede (1975) (US #4)
Takin' It to the Streets (1976) (US #8)
Livin' on the Fault Line (1977) (US #10)
Minute by Minute (1978) (US #1)
One Step Closer (1980) (US #3)
Sibling Rivalry (2000)
With Southern Pacific[edit]
Southern Pacific (1985)
Killbilly Hill (1986)
Zuma (1988)
County Line (1989)
^ Selvin, Joel (February 10, 2005). "Keith Knudsen—Doobies' drummer". San Francisco Chronicle.
^ Goldsmith, Thomas (1998). "Southern Pacific". In Kingsbury, Paul (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Country Music: The Ultimate Guide to the Music. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 497–498. ISBN 978-0195176087.
^ "The Doobie Brothers". bay-area-bands.com. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
^ "Keith Knudsen, 56; Drummer Played for Doobie Brothers, Southern Pacific". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 9, 2005.
Keith Knudsen at AllMusic
Keith Knudsen discography at Discogs
Keith Knudsen on IMDb
Keith Knudsen at Find a Grave
John McFee
John Hartman
Tiran Porter
Michael Hossack
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter
Bobby LaKind
Cornelius Bumpus
Willie Weeks
John Cowan
Ed Toth
Marc Quiñones
Bernie Chiaravalle
Dale Ockerman
Guy Allison
Toulouse Street
The Captain and Me
What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits
Livin' on the Fault Line
World Gone Crazy
Rockin' down the Highway: The Wildlife Concert
Best of The Doobie Brothers Live
Live at Wolf Trap
Best of The Doobies
Best of The Doobies Volume II
Listen to the Music: The Very Best of The Doobie Brothers
Divided Highway
The Very Best of The Doobie Brothers
"Listen to the Music"
"Jesus Is Just Alright"
"Long Train Runnin'"
"China Grove"
"Black Water"
"Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)"
"Takin' It to the Streets"
"It Keeps You Runnin'"
"Little Darlin' (I Need You)"
"Echoes of Love"
"What a Fool Believes"
"Minute by Minute"
"Real Love"
"Wynken, Blynken & Nod"
"You Belong to Me" (live)
"The Doctor"
"Dangerous"
Book:The Doobie Brothers
Grammy Award for Record of the Year
"Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" by Domenico Modugno (1959)
"Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darin (1960)
"Theme from A Summer Place" by Percy Faith (1961)
"Moon River" by Henry Mancini (1962)
"I Left My Heart in San Francisco" by Tony Bennett (1963)
"Days of Wine and Roses" by Henry Mancini (1964)
"The Girl from Ipanema" by Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz (1965)
"A Taste of Honey" by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (1966)
"Strangers in the Night" by Frank Sinatra (1967)
"Up, Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension (Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, Lamonte McLemore, Ron Townson) (1968)
"Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel (Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon) (1969)
"Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" by The 5th Dimension (Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, Lamonte McLemore, Ron Townson) (1970)
"Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel (Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon) (1971)
"It's Too Late" by Carole King (1972)
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack (1973)
"Killing Me Softly with His Song" by Roberta Flack (1974)
"I Honestly Love You" by Olivia Newton-John (1975)
"Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain & Tennille (Daryl Dragon, Toni Tennille) (1976)
"This Masquerade" by George Benson (1977)
"Hotel California" by Eagles (Don Felder, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Randy Meisner, Joe Walsh) (1978)
"Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel (1979)
"What a Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers (Jeffrey Baxter, John Hartman, Keith Knudsen, Michael McDonald, Tiran Porter, Patrick Simmons) (1980)
"Sailing" by Christopher Cross (1981)
"Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes (1982)
"Rosanna" by Toto (Bobby Kimball, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, David Hungate, Steve Porcaro) (1983)
"Beat It" by Michael Jackson (1984)
"What's Love Got to Do with It" by Tina Turner (1985)
"We Are the World" by USA for Africa (1986)
"Higher Love" by Steve Winwood (1987)
"Graceland" by Paul Simon (1988)
"Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin (1989)
"Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler (1990)
"Another Day in Paradise" by Phil Collins (1991)
"Unforgettable" by Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole (1992)
"Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton (1993)
"I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston (1994)
"All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow (1995)
"Kiss from a Rose" by Seal (1996)
"Change the World" by Eric Clapton (1997)
"Sunny Came Home" by Shawn Colvin (1998)
"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion (1999)
"Smooth" by Santana (Rodney Holmes, Tony Lindsay, Karl Perazzo, Raul Rekow, Benny Rietveld, Carlos Santana, Chester Thompson) featuring Rob Thomas (2000)
2001−present
"Beautiful Day" by U2 (Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr.) (2001)
"Walk On" by U2 (Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr.) (2002)
"Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones (2003)
"Clocks" by Coldplay (Guy Berryman, Jon Buckland, Will Champion, Phil Harvey, Chris Martin) (2004)
"Here We Go Again" by Ray Charles & Norah Jones (2005)
"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day (Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, Frank Edwin Wright III) (2006)
"Not Ready to Make Nice" by Dixie Chicks (Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison) (2007)
"Rehab" by Amy Winehouse (2008)
"Please Read the Letter" by Alison Krauss & Robert Plant (2009)
"Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon (Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill, Nathan Followill) (2010)
"Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum (Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood) (2011)
"Rolling in the Deep" by Adele (2012)
"Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye featuring Kimbra (2013)
"Get Lucky" by Daft Punk (Thomas Bangalter, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo) featuring Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers (2014)
"Stay with Me" (Darkchild version) by Sam Smith (2015)
"Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars (2016)
"Hello" by Adele (2017)
"24K Magic" by Bruno Mars (2018)
"This Is America" by Childish Gambino (2019)
Tim Goodman
Glen Hardin
Kurt Howell
Jerry Scheff
Notable singles
"Thing About You" (with Emmylou Harris)
"Perfect Stranger"
"Reno Bound"
"A Girl Like Emmylou"
"Killbilly Hill"
"Don't Let Go of My Heart"
"Midnight Highway"
"New Shade of Blue"
"Honey I Dare You"
"Any Way the Wind Blows"
"Time's Up" (with Carlene Carter)
"I Go to Pieces"
"Reckless Heart"
Burnin' Daylight
MusicBrainz: dd7870fa-1250-4499-94c1-b4ace6238236
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keith_Knudsen&oldid=883649591"
American rock drummers
Songwriters from Iowa
American male singers
The Doobie Brothers members
People from Le Mars, Iowa
Deaths from pneumonia
Southern Pacific (band) members
American people of Norwegian descent
Infectious disease deaths in California
20th-century American singers
20th-century American drummers
American male drummers
Singers from Iowa
20th-century male singers
Find a Grave template with ID different from Wikidata
Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers
This page was last edited on 16 February 2019, at 18:51 (UTC).
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William Baillie (cricketer)
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (September 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
William Baillie (12 November 1838 – 17 March 1895) was an English cricketer who played for Gloucestershire. He was born in Duntisbourne Abbots and died in Paddington.
Baillie made a single first-class appearance for the side, during the 1870 season, against Marylebone Cricket Club. From the lower-middle order, he scored 7 runs in the only innings in which he batted, as Gloucestershire won the match by an innings margin.
William Baillie at Cricket Archive (subscription required)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Baillie_(cricketer)&oldid=862387728"
English cricketers
Gloucestershire cricketers
People from Cotswold District
Sportspeople from Gloucestershire
Articles lacking in-text citations from September 2017
Use British English from February 2016
Pages containing links to subscription-only content
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HOMEABOUTWILDFILM TUITIONENDORSEMENTSACCOMMODATIONCONTACT
"Many of life's most treasured moments are those shared in friendship with animals"
Robert Brown is recognised as one of the worlds outstanding Natural History cameramen; and was one of the founders of the highly acclaimed Television New Zealand Natural History Unit
After buying his first movie camera at the age of ten, he started filming. By the age of sixteen he had one numerous awards both in New Zealand and Internationally.
In the Seventies, Robert joined Television New Zealand and along with a journalist and sound recordist, gained hard won approval from the New Zealand Wildlife Service to film a documentary about the endangered Takahe (a flightless New Zealand rail). The resounding success of the film gave impetus to the idea, to create a film unit specialising in natural history. In 1977, the TVNZ Natural History Unit was born, with Robert as cameraman.
It was at this time his work was viewed by the head of the BBC Natural History Unit and he was offered a bursary to train with the Unit in Bristol, United Kingdom.
Robert was also awarded a Queen Elizabeth the Second, Arts Council grant, re-enforcing his potential.
As a result, Robert was invited to return to the BBC Natural History Unit, each northern summer, as he was now concidered one of the worlds finest behavioural camera specialists.
In the 1980s his camera skills were acknowleged in New Zealand when he won a Feltex Television Award for craft excellence. At this stage Robert set up Wildfilm New Zealand, freelance filming, still working for Natural History New Zealand, as well as National Geographic, Discovery and extensively for the BBC, in particular,
Sir David Attenborough's "The Trials of Life", "The Living Planet", and "The Life of Birds".
Robert continues his specialist work in all parts of the world and has filmed extensively in the Antarctic, Arctic, Sub Antarctic Islands, Asia, India, Siberia, South America, United Kingdom,Papua New Guinea, throughout the Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand.
Apart from his filming, Robert is a Teaching Fellow at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Tutoring the Masters Course in natural history filmmaking.
Wildfilm Tuition
Wildlife Film making / Photography Workshops
"I have worked with Robert over the last 20 years on projects such as "The Living Planet", "The Trials Of Life", and "The Life Of Birds", and have come to greatly admire his enthusiasm, temperament and specialist wildlife camera skills. I feel these workshops run by Robert will greatly benefit those wishing to learn more about the craft of nature photography."
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LAY OF THE LAND NEWSLETTER > Fall 2001
DRS Featured in Art Exhibit
Desert Research Station operates through fall season
The CLUI’s desert research station was featured in the exhibit Post-Landscape: Between Nature and Culture at the Pomona College of Art, from September 4 to October 21, 2001. The exhibition also included video, paintings, sculpture and photographs by artists such as Kim Abeles, Sandow Birk, Laurie Brown, and Skeet McAuley.
The CLUI furnished display panels describing the desert environment of Southern California, and the DRS. The museum assisted with coordinating volunteers to keep the DRS open to the public during regular hours, supporting its fall season, and handouts with a directional map to the DRS were available as part of the display. As with its inauguration at the Museum of Contemporary Art last year, by partnering with other cultural organizations in this manner, the DRS can continue to draw people out of exhibits about the landscape, and into the greatest exhibit of all, the landscape itself.
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LAY OF THE LAND NEWSLETTER > Spring 2003
State Focus: West Virginia
In case one needs more evidence of the fact that West Virginia is defined by its mountains, consider that: it is the most mountainous state east of the Rockies; the state’s nickname is the “Mountain State,” and of the 13 states defined as having Appalachian territory, West Virginia is the only state entirely within this boundary.
This distinctive topography has dominated the state's social and economic history. West Virginia University historian James Alexander Williams cites the incompatibility of the state’s cherished terrain with the needs of the modern industrial economy as the central theme of its history. Playing upon the state’s motto, Mountaineers are Always Free, Williams writes that the mountains come with a price: “Whether or not mountaineers were always free, they were almost always poor. Consequently…they have tried in every age to find their way around, over, under, or through the barriers to economic prosperity that the mountains raised.”
The evolution of mainstream development in the Mountain State is largely a history of land-moving technology, a movement from railroad tunnels and deep mining to the large-scale “cut and fill” of Interstate highways and mountaintop removal mines—as well as site clearing for office parks, shopping centers, and industrial areas. As a poor state, with energy and natural resources, near the nation’s largest metropolitan centers, West Virginia has also been industrialized in places, with major chemical complexes, power plants, and steel mills, most of which are left over earliy 20th century investments made by companies that now concentrate their efforts elsewhere. Partially because it is near the federal arc of Washington DC, and partly through the successful efforts of the state’s notorious pork-barrelist Senator Byrd, West Virginia is home to a number of curious and superlative federal facilities as well.
Here are some unusual and exemplary West Virginia land uses, recently investigated by CLUI field researcher Zelig Kurland, for the Center’s Land Use Database.
Mining Sites
Tygart River Coal Mine
A large and state-of-the-art underground mine that is now closed, Tygart River is owned by Peabody Energy, the nation's largest coal producer. It covers an area of more than 20 square miles, beneath which underground corridors are laid out in a grid pattern. The mine was closed in 1995, and all of its 368 employees were laid off. Many underground mines in central West Virginia have closed recently due largely to changing air quality standards that favor “low-sulphur” coal from western states and southern Appalachia, which burns more cleanly. Coal operations in those regions tend to remove their coal more cheaply using strip-mining techniques instead of tunnels.
Sample Mine
The Arch Coal Company's Sample Mine may be the largest surface mine in West Virginia, with an output of 5.5 million tons of coal annually. This is a “mountaintop removal” mine, the Appalachian equivalent of the open pit and surface mines of the West, that is typical in southern West Virginia. The coal industry increasingly uses dynamite and crane-like earthmoving machines known as draglines to displace dirt from mountaintops and expose the coal seams below. The “fill” is then dumped into adjacent valleys. In the early 1980s, a typical valley fill contained about 250,000 cubic yards of rock and dirt. With the expanded use of draglines and larger trucks, fills can now contain 100 million cubic yards or more.In the West Virginia, more than 300,000 acres of forest have been felled and 470 miles of streams have been buried by mountaintop removal operations.
The Institute Plant. CLUI photo by Zelig Kurland
Institute Plant
One of two major chemical plants operated by Dow Chemical in West Virginia, the Institute plant was originally constructed by the military in 1943 to produce synthetic rubber for the war. In 1947 it was purchased by Union Carbide. The plant site is now owned by Aventis CropScience (which had acquired the French firm Rhone-Poulenc), with Dow Chemical, which merged with Union Carbide in 2001, and the Bayer Corporation as major tenants. Specialty chemicals are produced here for use in industrial applications (such as leather tanning, biocides, coatings) and consumer products (shampoos, carpeting, crayons, garden hose, antifreeze). Just over a decade ago, the plant attracted attention because it also produced methyl isocyanate, the chemical that was accidentally released at Union Carbide's Bhopal, India plant in 1984, killing an estimated 3,800 people.
South Charleston Plant
The other major Dow plant is the South Charleston Plant. Opened in 1925 by the Union Carbide Corporation, this plant was a successor to Carbide's Clendenin, WV plant, which opened in 1920 and was the company's first commercial ethylene plant. In 1927, Carbide purchased Blaine Island, then 80 acres of melon patches and beach recreation, to accommodate an expansion of the plant. Most of the plant is now owned by Dow Chemical, which merged with Union Carbide in 2001. More than 500 different chemicals and plastics are made here, including polyvinyl acetate (used for automotive moldings and chewing gum) and fluids.
John Amos Power Plant
According to the plant's owner, American Electric Power, this 2,900 megawatt plant burns five million tons of coal per year, which “equates to roughly 500 coal mining jobs,” and can power two million homes. Unit 3, completed in 1973, was the first 1,300 megawatt power plant in the United States. As of 1998, the plant was ranked among electrical utility facilities by the EPA as the second-highest producer of emissions in the nation (second to the Bowan Steam Electric Generating Plant in Bartow, GA).
Moorefield Poultry Processing Plant
The more than 1,800 workers in this plant slaughter, process, and pack one million pounds of meat per day (1.7 million chickens per week). The plants capacity was doubled in 1993 by WLR Foods Inc., which later merged with Pilgrims Pride to become the second-largest U.S. poultry producer. Chicken from this 265,000 square foot facility is used domestically by fast-food chains and shipped overseas to 64 countries, including China and Jamaica. During the 1990s, the size of the poultry industry in West Virginia tripled, making it the biggest agricultural crop in the state. Chickens are raised on contract by hundreds of farmers throughout the Potomac Valley; typical chicken houses contain 20,000-30,000 birds. The industry generates about 155,000 tons of chicken droppings per year, and 2,000 tons of carcasses from chickens that die before butchering.
Federal Sites
The largest steerable antenna, at Green Bank. CLUI photo by Zelig Kurland
Green Bank National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Green Bank is an extensive and historic radio astronomy site, with numerous large dish antennas. One of the three major facilities for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, along with the Very Large Array near Socorro, New Mexico, and a group of ten dishes distributed from the Virgin Islands to Hawaii known as the Very Long Baseline Array. The Green Bank Telescope, the largest fully-steerable radio telescope in the world, was dedicated in 2000 and replaces a 300-foot telescope that collapsed in 1988. Facilities also include the Tatel Telescope, used in 1960 for the first-ever Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Headquarters for the NRAO is in nearby Charlottesville, Virginia.
Sugar Grove Naval Communications Center
Sugar Grove is a secretive military communications center, with a two-story underground facility, operated primarily by the Navy. One function may be to monitor microwave communications for the National Security Agency. It is located within the National Radio Quiet Zone, a 13,000 square mile zone established by the FCC in 1958 so that this facility--and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank --could operate in an area with little radio disturbance.
Relocated Congressional briefing room at the Greenbrier. CLUI photo by Zelig Kurland
Greenbrier Government Relocation Facility
Planned by the Eisenhower Administration and completed in 1961, this formerly secret underground bunker was designed to house members of Congress and their staffs during (and after) nuclear attack and is located below the Greenbrier Resort Hotel. Construction of a new hotel wing and expansion of its golf course served as cover for the bunker's construction. Portions of the bunker, including an exhibit hall and two lecture halls (intended for use by the houses of Congress) were used by the hotel. The blast door leading to these areas, which can withstand a modest nuclear blast 15-30 miles away, was concealed by what hotel guests were told was an “expansion joint.” In 1992, the bunker's cover was blown by a Washington Post reporter tipped by sources who saw the bunker as outdated and unrealistic. The Greenbrier Resort Hotel now gives tours of the 112,544-square-foot facility to hotel guests and the public.
Morgantown Engineering Technical Center
A fossil fuel R&D lab, set up in coal country, operated by the Department of Energy. One of two government owned fossil energy labs in the country (the other is the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center in Pennsylvania), which are now merged into one entity, the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The Morgantown center employs around 300 people on a 131 acre site.
IRS Martinsburg Computing Center
The Internal Revenue Service's National Computer Center was dedicated in 1961. Data from taxes filed at the IRS's ten regional service centers is transmitted over secure phone lines to the center, which maintains IRS “master” files and electronically examines returns for tax fraud.
FBI Fingerprint Data Center
The FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System Data Center is the world's largest storehouse of fingerprints; its database includes the fingerprints of more than 43 million Americans. On an average day, 40,000 sets of prints--including those of suspects in custody and of applicants for casino, day-care, and federal jobs--are searched against the database. Matches are made by computer, and then verified by examiners, who are required to evaluate at least 30 sets of prints an hour. Each month, about 8,000 fugitives are identified by the center.
Alderson Federal Prison Camp
Opened in 1927, Alderson was the first Federal women's prison in the United States. Famous inmates at Alderson have included Billie Holiday, Tokyo Rose, Axis Sally and would-be Gerald Ford assassins Sara Jane Moore and Squeakie Fromme. The original design was a horseshoe-shaped configuration of 14 cottages.
Transportation Sites
New River Gorge Bridge. CLUI photo by Zelig Kurland
New River Gorge Bridge
The last link in Appalachian Corridor L, completed in 1977, this 876 foot tall bridge, which weighs 88 million pounds, is the world's largest single arch steel span and the second-highest bridge in the United States. (The Royal Gorge Bridge over the Arkansas River in Colorado is higher.) It eliminated the 40-minute drive through mountain roads formerly required to cross the New River. On the third Saturday each October ("Bridge Day"), the bridge is open to pedestrians and it is legal to parachute from the bridge deck to the river below.
Personal Rapid Transit System
Designed to demonstrate the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) concept: an extensive network of guideways and small vehicles that would carry passengers, on-demand, directly to their chosen destination. First opened for service in 1975, the PRT's five stations connect the West Virginia University main campus with two suburban campuses and Morgantown's central business district. The distance between the two end stations is about 3.6 miles, and each car seats eight passengers. Riders press a button to specify their destination when they enter a station, and then wait for the next car to their destination. Each station is “off-line,” meaning that it can be bypassed by cars travelling to other stations.
The former highway tunnel entrance, now used for access to a long, narrow disaster training facility. CLUI photo by Zelig Kurland
Inside the tunnel, a Boston “T” railway car and other tools and props. CLUI photo by Zelig Kurland
Memorial Tunnel/Center for National Response
The tunnel opened in 1954 as part of the West Virginia turnpike, a two-lane road that required the movement of 30 million cubic yards of earth. In 1987, the tunnel was bypassed by an "open cut" that displaced earth from a 371 foot cut in the mountain to a 311 foot deep fill in the adjacent valley (which replaced the bridge that had projected from the south entrance to the tunnel). This cut moved 10 million cubic yards of earth, and yielded about 300,000 tons of coal from the mountain. Since being bypassed, the tunnel has become an unusual testing and training facility. From 1993-95, fires were set in the tunnel to test ventilation designs for Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel project. Starting in 2000, it has been used by the Center for National Response to train local, state, federal, and military response units. Sets have been constructed within the tunnel, including a post-blast rubble area, a subway station, illicit drug laboratories, and a highway incident scene.
And Finally one last Curious Cultural Site
The Hare Krishna’s Palace of Gold. CLUI photo by Zelig Kurland
New Vrindaban and Prabhupada's Palace of Gold
The New Vrindaban community was founded in 1968 as part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) founded by Srila Prabhupada. It is a spiritual center and pilgrimage site for Hare Krishnas and other Hindus and, along with the nearby Palace of Gold, a tourist attraction for everyone else. The mughal-style palace was built from 1973-79 by unskilled Krishna devotees, who used “do-it-yourself” books to guide the construction of the palace's marble inlaid walls and ceilings, crystal chandeliers, teakwood furniture, and stained glass windows. The community center grounds include a man-made pond, statues, guest cottages, a health food store, a snack bar, and an organic garden; a schedule of festivals is maintained on the community's web site.
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On Adria Sauceda’s Murder
by Tina in victims
Thanks to a commenter for saying what needs to be said about Adria’s murder:
“I’m Mexican, I live in Mexico and I don’t understand why the inmates’ families want mercy when they didn’t show any with their victims. They took away their lives, they took away all their dreams and hopes. They should be grateful they are going to die via lethal injection, not in a bizarre way their victims did.”
Heartbreaking photos of the child:
And the young woman, before she died:
And her parent’s hands, holding her:
Vision 21: The Good, The Bad, and The Creepy in the DOJ’s New Crime Victim Initiative
by Tina in "Restorative Justice" Movement,Academicians on Crime,Federal Policy,Prisoner "Re-Entry",The Crime Experts,victims
The Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice is busy promoting Vision 21 Transforming Victims Services, the DOJ’s sweeping “new” agenda for providing “services” to victims of crime. I’m using the scare quotes here because I don’t trust Eric Holder to do anything about crime other than politicize it.
Vision 21 is certainly a paean to identity group activism and identity group representation and identity group “outreach.” True to form, the DOJ leaves no stone unturned in their efforts to kick the justice system further down the road of pure identity-based balkanization.
But the most troubling thing I’m seeing at first glance is the emphasis on providing “services” to victims in lieu of getting justice for them. It looks like Vision 21 is providing multiple opportunities for activist organizations to exploit crime victims for other ends. The involvement of groups such as the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Soros-funded, pro-offender VERA Institute for Justice suggests to me that one of the primary intentions of Vision 21 is to neuter the voices of real crime victims who demand real consequences and real sentences for violent and repeat offenders. And, sure enough, Holder’s handpicked leaders have been floating anti-incarceration messaging in the endless “stakeholder forums” that inevitably accompany such initiatives.
Expect to hear a lot about how victims “want to be heard and included more than they want prosecutions.” Expect offenders to be counted as sort of “co-victims” of crime. Expect a lot of talk about the restorative justice movement, which was long ago hijacked by advocates for criminals and is now used primarily to keep offenders out of prison, rather than making them take responsibility for their crimes. The “criminals are victims too” activists who hijacked restorative justice and profit from the vast “criminal re-entry” service industry are running the show at the DOJ.
Visin 21 is certainly a full-employment vision for the criminology profession. And putting criminologists in charge of anything relating to crime victims is like sticking puppies in tiger cages. But feeding the criminologists has been a primary goal all along. Laurie Robinson’s tenure at the DOJ was dedicated to systematically subjugating the criminal justice system to the academic criminologists, in order to, of course, take all that vengeful punishment and incarceration stuff out of the equation (except in the cases of so-called hate criminals).
Now Mary Lou Leary is carrying the full-employment-for-criminologists ball. FYI, “smart on crime” here means hopefully not incarcerating anyone, no matter what they do, unless Eric says it’s a hate crime:
This focus on careful analysis is one of the Justice Department’s top priorities. We are committed to promoting programs and approaches that are “smart on crime.” Under the leadership of Attorney General Eric Holder, I can assure you that this is more than a mere buzzword. For this Department, being smart on crime means resisting knee-jerk reactions, investing in solid research, and ensuring that evidence is translated so it is useful to all of you on the frontlines.
Get it? This is supposed to be a statement about victim programs, but Leary is talking “knee-jerk reactions.” They’re helping crime victims avoid “knee-jerk reactions,” like wanting their offenders behind bars. This will be accomplished with science.
On the positive side, The National Crime Victim Law Institute and other highly credible crime victim advocates are also involved in Vision 21. And the initiatives to professionalize and expand evidence collection is money well-spent.
Insult to Injury: Feds Say Family of Murdered Border Agent Brian Terry “Not Victims”
by Tina in Arizona,Federal Policy,victims
It’s a little known irony that crime victims often have to fight for the “right” merely to be considered victims in the eyes of the court.
It’s different for criminals. When someone commits a crime, their rights expand exponentially. The worse the crime, the more legal protection the offender receives. Foremost among the special rights granted only to offenders is the right to relentlessly appeal one’s case, a right that swells to parodic dimensions, subsidized in nearly every case by the taxpayers. If the victim or their survivors are taxpayers, they pay for it, too.
So when some convicted rapist and killer appeals his sentence for the fifteenth time on the grounds that he was discriminated against when the prosecutor deigned to mention the future the murdered girl would never have (such speech is strictly regulated by judges, lest it “incite” jurors), then that dead girl’s parents, if they pay taxes, are literally forced to help pay the tab for their daughter’s rapist and murderer to stand in some courtroom disputing the metaphysical dimensions of their losses, for his gain.
Meanwhile, victims don’t have any right to demand that the courts even try their case in the first place.
They’re also helpless as the court decides who will be granted “standing” as victims at the outset. This is an important decision because only victims with standing may offer impact statements or be informed of future parole hearings. In other words, without standing at the start of the legal process, victims are permanently barred from testifying to keep their offender behind bars.
In an extremely unusual move requested by federal prosecutors, the family of murdered Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry has been denied standing in the case of Jamie Avila. Avila is charged with buying the gun that made it into the hands of Brian Terry’s killer — a federal crime.
But it wasn’t just any gun. The gun that killed Terry was one of the guns involved in Operation Fast and Furious, a disastrous federal scheme to sell American guns to Mexican drug dealers in order to track the guns. And because of this, the Terry family is caught in a political controversy.
Agent Brian A. Terry, killed in Arizona in December, 2010
Ordinarily, the Terry family’s request for standing would be routine, and prosecutors would be the ones supporting it, while the defense would be the ones trying to silence and exclude the victims. But the Justice Department and the federal prosecutor assigned to the Avila case, who are deeply involved in the Operation Fast and Furious scandal, are the ones trying to deny the Terrys’ standing.
So we have a Justice Department that is trying to defend its own conduct in Fast and Furious deciding that the victims of their actions don’t count as victims:
In a surprise move in a controversial case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona is opposing a routine motion by the family of murdered Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry to qualify as crime victims in the eyes of the court. The family asked to intervene as victims in the case against Jamie Avila, the 23-year-old Phoenix man who purchased the guns allegedly used to kill Terry. Such motions are routinely approved by prosecutors, but may be opposed by defense attorneys. However in this case, U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke argues because the family was not “directly or proximately harmed” by the illegal purchase of the murder weapon, it does not meet the definition of “crime victim” in the Avila case. Burke claims the victim of the Avila’s gun purchases, “is not any particular person, but society in general.”
How does a U.S. Attorney justify doing such a thing? A former U.S. Attorney in Florida named Kendall Coffey suggests that Burke may be trying to avoid further embarrassment and exposure to lawsuits. Burke himself is expected to be called before Congress to explain the debacle, even as he prosecutes the Avila case:
“The government’s already been put on notice that they might be facing a wrongful death action by the family. And you have to wonder if the government’s efforts to deny the family the status of ‘crime victims’ is part of a strategy to avoid legal responsibility for some of the tragic mistakes of Operation Fast and Furious,” [Coffey] said.
Are political considerations outweighing the right of the Terry family to be heard at parole hearings, to consult with prosecutors, and to weigh in at sentencing? This is an unfolding story that deserves more attention than it will probably receive. Besides the Fox News story, former Congressman Tom Tancredo seems to be the only person commenting on this astonishing move by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Phoenix {link broken}. [Update 8/12/11/11:39: Patrick Richardson has more here]
There are politics, and there is justice. This case is roiling with politics, but you can be sure the defendant’s rights will be respected nonetheless. The same cannot be said for the treatment of Terry family. Victims have precious few rights in the justice system without prosecutors withholding them for political reasons.
But making justice subservient to politics is precisely what Eric Holder does. We have never had an Attorney General less suited for the job.
Splitting (Other People’s) Hairs (Or Their Throats): David Oshinski, Amy Bach, Jimmy Carter, and Terry Gross Whitewash Wilbert Rideau’s Crimes
by Tina in Academicians on Crime,Louisana,media coverage of crime,Pro-Criminal,The Guilty Project,victims
This is Wilbert Rideau, Academy Award nominee, George Polk award winner, George Soros grant recipient, Jimmy Carter Center honoree, American Bar Association Silver Gavel winner, Grand Jury prize winner at Sundance, NPR commentator, journalist, Random House author, Terry Gross pal, friend of the famous and the rich . . . you get the picture.
Oh yeah, he also kidnapped three innocent people during a bank robbery in 1961, shot them all, and then stabbed the one young woman who couldn’t escape him after he “ran out of bullets,” as the second victim played dead and the third hid in a swamp. He plunged a butcher knife into Julia Ferguson’s throat as she begged for her life. Rideau later went on to claim that she wasn’t technically begging for her life, as part of Johnny Cochran’s successful 2005 bid to get him out of prison, but in this conveniently forgotten video, he tells a very different — and shocking — story about the crime.
When you read about people being released from death row, think of Rideau. The real grounds for his release are typical — a gradual wearing-down of the justice system, manipulation of technicalities, re-trial after re-trial as victims and witnesses die or get forgotten — as, all the while, powerful activists and journalists make heroes out of the men who destroyed innocent people’s lives.
Rideau is unusual only because so many powerful and famous people decided to anoint him mascot status. Terry Gross can’t stop aurally wriggling in his presence. I tried to find a photograph of Julia Ferguson, but she has been entirely forgotten.
Random House, by the way, has been promoting Rideau’s book tour as an inspirational life story without mentioning his crimes. Here is their warm and fuzzy description of their author. The Jimmy Carter Center Facebook page, meanwhile, says that Rideau “has lived a more productive life in prison than most do outside.” They write off the murder of Julia Ferguson as “a moment of panic during a botched bank robbery.” Of course, it took more than “a moment” to hold up a bank at gunpoint, kidnap three people, drive them into the swamp, shoot them, chase them, catch one and slaughter her, but then again, that’s just former President Carter speaking up for justice from his human rights center again.
I don’t know anything about the author of this site, Billy Sinclair, but in addition the video he posts, he has a lot to say about the myths that reporters have invented, or swallowed whole, regarding Rideau. As a fellow con and former colleague of Rideau, it’s especially interesting to read Sinclair’s take on Rideau’s self-aggrandizing tale of prison yard life — particularly because these stories are ostensibly what make the murderer so valuable to those of us who have, according to the Carter Center, wasted our lives by not bothering to kill anyone and then make up award-winning prison yard stories from behind bars.
I guess they don’t have video technology at the New York Times yet. Nor New York University, where Rideau apologist David Oshinsky pens his prose. I don’t know Jimmy Carter’s excuse, since he’s been on tv. I guess one dead girl isn’t one too many dead girls too much to Carter.
Meanwhile, in the New York Times, NYU Professor David Oshinksy has just published a disturbingly dishonest review of murderer Wilbert Rideau’s book, In the Place of Justice. The paper also ran a second worshipful review by Dwight Garner. What’s striking about the two pieces (besides their redundancy — indicating the cult hero status of vicious killers like Rideau among denizens of the Times) is the lengths they go to in pretending to recreate Rideau’s brutal crime while leaving out or actually denying important facts. If this is the new journalism — paying lip service to crimes before getting down to the main task of stroking the criminals — well, I’ll take the old journalism that simply denied the existence of the crime and the victims whole-cloth.
For it’s actually less degrading for victims and survivors to be ignored than to be forced to play bit parts in salacious spectacles like this one. But beyond the little matter of human decency, the fact that Wilbert Rideau’s record is being increasingly whitewashed as time goes on speaks to the culpability of NPR, and the New York Times, and academic institutions like NYU that sponsor people like Oshinsky and Amy Bach, who calls the fatal injury to Julia Ferguson’s throat a “one inch cut.” They’ve gone far beyond merely twisting the record to suit their purposes this time. They’re publishing lies.
In the Place of Justice is not, as reasonable people might assume, a title that refers to what happened when activists got Rideau out of prison on a fourth try in 2005 — despite his undisputed kidnapping/murder of a young bank teller and shooting of two other victims in 1961.
No, it’s Rideau’s opinion of having to be locked up for such a triviality in the first place.
The murderer’s view is shared by scores of journalists and academicians who consider the skin color of Rideau’s victims (they were white) to be more significant than Rideau’s decision to shoot them (scores of minority murderers of other minorities do not receive such breathless adoration). David Oshinski is only the latest in a long line of apologists who shamelessly rewrite history in order to advocate certain murderers’ side — an act that used to accurately be called racism, when it was just as wrongfully committed for the other side, but is now labeled “justice” when committed on behalf of vicious killers like Rideau. Devaluing some people’s lives is justice, you see; devaluing others’ is injustice: that is where we are now.
We should have the integrity to acknowledge that, because it is preventing us from valuing all lives.
So the history prof (perhaps knee-deep in student essays that skim, not plumb, facts) must have decided this time that enough time has passed without the victims being heard from to pretend that the facts of Rideau’s crime were genuinely in doubt again. Of course, the surviving victims weren’t given taxpayer-subsidized NPR gigs to flog and manipulate the airways for decades, either. Oshinski’s description of the crime, laid in the fertile manure tilled by NPR and other activists, is as dishonest a performance as I’ve seen in print in a long time:
The details of his crime would be contested for decades. There is agreement that Rideau robbed a bank at closing time, kidnapping the male manager and two female tellers. Rideau claimed he was about to release them when one of the women bolted out of the car and the manager tried to overpower him. Rideau opened fire, hitting all three as they fled. When one of the women rose to her feet, he writes, “I grabbed the knife, stabbed her and ran to the car.” The surviving victims told a different story, insisting that Rideau had used his weapons at close range and that the woman he killed had begged for her life. [bold added]
Remember: passive language reeks cover-up of someone’s pain, and the killer’s culpability.
“There is agreement.” And, “He was about to release them.” “Opened fire, hitting all three.” “The surviving victims told a different story.” Distance, lie, distance, minimalization, misrepresentation. In Oshinski’s version, the only fact we know is that Rideau robbed a bank and kidnapped three people: the rest is disputed, the professor claims. Are there no standards in academia anymore? Doesn’t this man have colleagues courageous enough to measure his words against the actual record? You know, fact-check the historians representing their fine institution?
Of course the scores of activists who swarmed to Rideau’s cause were deeply invested in using whatever means possible to advance the idea that the details were contested.
That is, if by contested one means: self-satisfied people standing around cocktail parties one-upping each other at denying the victims’ suffering in an endless game of burnish-the-progressive-credentials. But facts denied here aren’t really in dispute. And the real story of Rideau’s release is very different from what Oshinski claims.
Let’s be clear about what Oshinski is playing at here: he is pretending that all that really matters — to the historical record as well as in the courts — is whether Rideau managed to shoot the people he was torturing when they were close to him or a little less close. For good measure, he casts doubt on whether a dying girl begged for her life. How nice.
I’ll be a little more direct in my review of his review : such agitprop denial of other people’s suffering is a moral obscenity. For the New York Times to publish it is shameless.
For, of course, Rideau “told a different story” from the people he killed and tried to kill (except when he didn’t). That story was rejected repeatedly until one jury committed nullification in 2005 because they believed that the history of racial discrimination was more important than Rideau’s actions in taking one life and trying to end two others. So be it — that’s on their souls — and another blot on the jury system. But the fact of what Rideau actually did to his victims was not contested. Now it has been rewritten by two different men in the Times last week, the latest stage in the long rewriting on the victims’ backs.
Journalism as human rights violation. Journalism as denial. How much denial? When a vehemently pro-criminal reporter like Adam Liptak bothers to report a less glowing story about the killer you’re whitewashing, you know you’re knee-deep in it. Here is Liptak, writing in 2005:
Mr. Rideau has never denied that he robbed a Gulf National Bank branch in Lake Charles on Feb. 16, 1961, that he kidnapped three white employees of the bank or that he shot them on a gravel lane near a bayou on the edge of town. Two of the employees survived, one by jumping into the swamp, the other by feigning death. But Mr. Rideau caught and killed Julia Ferguson, a teller, stabbing in her in the heart. The two sides at the trial last week agreed on those basic facts.
So what is not in dispute is that the shot victims tried to hide from Rideau, that he hunted them down and slaughtered the one he caught by stabbing her through the heart (heart? throat?). Oshinski looks at this and natters on about “close range” versus distance. How dehumanizing. Does he have a daughter with a beating heart, I wonder?
Julia Ferguson’s parents did, at one time.
Liptak, of course, betrays far less interest in Ferguson’s heart than in the ways the legal system granted Rideau endless opportunities for appeal, and the superness of Rideau’s journalistic talents, but at least he gives the D.A. his say:
Rick Bryant, the Calcasieu Parish district attorney, said the jury had ignored the evidence. “The verdict makes no sense,” he said yesterday. “It’s a subtle jury-nullification type of thing. The jury basically said, there is still a conviction and he’s done a lot of time.”
Of course, the victims and other witnesses lacked the vast resources heaped on Rideau all these decades. One victim was dead, the other too ill to testify. That gives people like Oshinski more leverage to cover up the crimes committed against them. Here is Liptak’s recounting of Rideau’s defense. It’s not much of defense, really, and it’s a stark injustice that anyone fell for it, insomuch as it really mattered to the jurors at all:
Mr. Rideau said his initial plan was to lock up the employees at the bank and take a bus out of town with the $14,000 he had stolen. When that was foiled by an ill-timed phone call from the bank’s main branch, he said, he came up with a second plan. He would drive the employees far out of town in a teller’s car and escape as they walked back. But they jumped from the car before he could accomplish that, and he started shooting. “If I had intended to kill those people, eliminate witnesses, I would have done it right there in the bank,” Mr. Rideau testified on Thursday, according to The Associated Press. “It never entered my mind that I was going to hurt anybody.”
How dare those people try to save their own lives, rather than submit to murder by a future famous prison journalist.
Mr. Bryant said the prosecution had been at a disadvantage throughout the trial. “It’s very difficult to try a case that’s 44 years old,” he said. “We had 13 witnesses who were unavailable, including the two eyewitnesses, and we had to present them by reading transcripts.” One of the survivors of the crime died in 1988, and the other was too ill to attend the trial.
You won’t read about it in the Times or from the pen of any of Rideau’s admirers at NYU, but his former prison co-editor punches more holes in Rideau’s claims of non-premeditated murder in one blog post about the suitcase he brought with him to rob the bank than the collective talent of our nation’s courts, universities and newspapers can fend off in the millions of dollars and thousands hours they have poured into his defense [“WILBERT RIDEAU’S UNEXPLAINED SUITCASE “].
And the lamented blogger crimgirl does a far better job of explaining why Rideau actually got out of prison in 2005 than all the ex-presidents and all the law school professors you can squeeze onto all the pages of all the news that’s fit to print. I don’t know anything about “crimgirl,” and she doesn’t seem to be blogging anymore, which is a shame:
[A]fter the [1961] confession, Rideau was found guilty by a southern all-white, all-male jury. It’s probable the jurors were racist, corn-fed Klanners; however, this doesn’t negate the fact that Rideau committed the crimes. The verdict was eventually overturned because the confession’s broadcast had tainted the jury pool. In the years to come, two more trials and two more guilty verdicts were overturned on the grounds of racial bias and other jury selection violations. In 2005, a fourth trial took place. The prosecution said he murdered a woman in cold blood, and should spend life in prison. Rideau argued that he killed her, but he didn’t murder her.A racially mixed jury was selected in Lake Charles, LA. To ensure jury nullification, Johnny “Chewbacca” Cochran was hired to lead the defense team. Cochran played up the strengths of their case:
In prison Wilbert Rideau had published an award-winning prison-bashing magazine, co-authored a Criminal Justice textbook, shared an Academy Award nomination for an anti-prison documentary, become a sought-after lecturer, and gained many high-profile supporters who fought for his freedom.
Racist officials were racist.
Thirteen prosecution witnesses were now dead.
In a major victory for the defense, the judge only allowed the jury to consider verdicts that would have been available in 1961: Premeditated murder (life without parole) or manslaughter (21 years). If they had gone by 2005 law, he would have almost certainly been sentenced to life without parole, the sentence for killing someone in the commission of a felony.
Let’s be very clear about what people like David Oshinski and Terry Gross (see below) did to the victims of this crime. They made their killer into a civil rights hero — for killing them and for refusing to regret it. That’s the version of “rehabilitation” actually operating here. And it makes a mockery of any notion of real rehabilitation, or real remorse. Wilbert Rideau was released from prison by biased jurors who ignored many undisputed facts because he had been turned into a cultural hero by academicians and journalists working as accessories to cover up the details of his victims’ suffering. In other settings, this is called a war crime — an act of historical denial.
Here, it’s called punching your ticket for tenure.
If there is any doubt that Rideau was released because he does not regret destroying lives, read on:
Theodore M. Shaw, the director-counsel of the N.A.A.C.P. Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which also represented Mr. Rideau, said he found it hard to reconcile Mr. Rideau’s crime with the thoughtful and accomplished man he has become. “I’ve never lost sight of the fact that when Wilbert was 19 he did something incredibly stupid and tragic,” Mr. Shaw said. “On the other hand, he’s not the man he was then. It’s a story of redemption.” Mr. Shaw pointed to Mr. Rideau’s journalistic work as proof of his transformation. As editor of The Angolite, a prison newspaper, Mr. Rideau won the George Polk Award, one of journalism’s highest honors. “The Farm: Angola, U.S.A.,” a documentary he co-directed, was nominated for an Academy Award.
In other words, if Rideau had not kept protesting the alleged injustice of people not believing his story that his victims were lying, then he’d still be serving time for the lives he destroyed. But because he’s never shown actual remorse, he’s a cultural hero and a free man.
Mr. Bryant, the prosecutor, said Mr. Rideau’s achievements were irrelevant. “Rideau’s actions were driven by greed,” Mr. Bryant said, referring to the robbery. “It’s not like he’s been some sort of civil rights pioneer. He’s a crook.”
But fast-forward five years, and now even these protestations have been cleansed from the record. Rideau is a civil rights pioneer, full stop. All that’s left is people like Oshinski trying like heck to finish brushing even the slightest unpleasantry into the dustbin of history, insinuating that the victims’ families are the actually dangerous people based on crimes they didn’t in fact, ever commit against Rideau himself, and painting Rideau as a jailhouse saint — you know, like the ones in the movies Oshinski likes to cite:
An hour’s drive northwest from Baton Rouge sits the Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola, the largest maximum security prison in the United States. On the site of a former slave plantation, it currently houses close to 5,000 inmates and covers more ground, at 18,000 acres, than the island of Manhattan. Surrounded on three sides by the Mississippi River, its stunning physical isolation and distinctive antebellum feel have provided the backdrop for numerous feature films and documentaries, including “Dead Man Walking,” “Monster’s Ball” and “The Farm” . . . Slight of frame, weighing barely 120 pounds, Rideau seemed like easy prey. What spared him physically, he believes, was the respect he earned for repeatedly dodging the electric chair. And what saved him emotionally, he insists, were the books he devoured in his solitary death row cell. “Reading ultimately allowed me to feel empathy, to emerge from my cocoon of self-centeredness and appreciate the humanness of others. . . . It enabled me finally to appreciate the enormity of what I had done.”
No, there are no victims here, just professors and journalists and their convict-heroes reading, writing, carrying out mutually gratifying acts of affirmation:
[Rideau] saw prison life as a delicate negotiation. Convicts “possess the power of disobedience, rebellion, disruption, sabotage and violence,” he writes. “A peaceful maximum security prison owes its success to the consent of its prisoners, a consent that comes from mutual understanding and reasonable common-sense accommodations at almost every level of interaction” . . . The new Angola owed much to Rideau’s skills as editor, gadfly and ombudsman. While in prison, he became a national celebrity, appearing on “Nightline” with Ted Koppel and winning journalism’s coveted George Polk Award. Rideau is hardly modest about it all . . . In 2005, the man Life magazine had featured as “The Most Rehabilitated Prisoner in America” was granted yet another trial.
Well, why should such an accomplished man be modest? Heck, why doesn’t Oshinski just go all the way and say that Rideau’s victims carelessly tripped into the bullets exiting his gun? Maybe because Terry Gross’ tonsils would get in his way. Here is Gross’ version of her radio colleague and pen pal Rideau’s crimes:
Wilbert Rideau was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 1961. At the age of 19, he’d robbed a bank. When he realized the police were on the way, he took three hostages. After one of the hostages got out of the car, he killed one hostage and shot the other two. He described this as an act of panic, not premeditated murder. As an eighth-grade dropout from a poor family, he couldn’t afford a lawyer and didn’t understand his rights.
How . . . dishonest. What’s especially creepy is the way Gross imagines the scene only from Rideau’s perspective: “[w]hen he realized the police were on the way, he took three hostages . . . After one of the hostages got out of the car, he killed one hostage.” This is in no way an accurate description of the crime. It apes Rideau’s claims that he did not intend the victims’ harm, nor that he intended to kidnap them, and it reduces the death scene to an actuarial nonentity. Gross seems irked that she must even recount this little aside.
It takes a particularly cold and inhumane chewy-voiced NPR reporter to reduce the death scene to such cold prose.
But the death-scene is just a lagniappe, compared to the toe-curling pleasures that follow:
TERRY GROSS: Wilbert Rideau, welcome back to FRESH AIR. The other times we have spoken, you have been in the penitentiary, and it so great to talk to you knowing you are a free man. Thank you for the conversations and for the reports you did for us from prison. . . .
GROSS: Wilbert, we’ve spoken several times before while you were in prison. We spoke by phone. And the book really filled me in on the details of what you went through during your four trials and how many times you were treated unfairly.But before we talk about how unfairly you were treated, I just want to acknowledge that you really did commit manslaughter, and that Julia Ferguson was killed. You did create a lot of suffering. You’ve never denied the act, but you have said that you never intended to kill anyone. You wanted money. You bought a gun to rob a bank, thinking it was the only way to get a new life was to get money and get a way out of your life. In the middle of the robbery, the phone rang. One of the tellers picked it up and tipped off the caller there was trouble. Knowing the police were on the way, you took three hostages and fled. What did you think the hostages would accomplish for you? [bold added]
Would accomplish for him? Accomplish? Darn those hostages. They just didn’t live up to their potential.
Mr. RIDEAU: I wasn’t thinking. That was the problem. I didn’t know what to do. I mean, understand, when people commit crimes, they’re expecting to get away. I mean, even in all the – it was desperation that drove me to do this, but even in my desperation, I mean, you don’t expect to get caught.
In other words, Wilbert Rideau feels less responsible for killing someone because he was certain he would not be held responsible for robbing a bank. Had he known he would be held responsible for robbing a bank, he wouldn’t have done it, and nobody would have died. Now there’s an idea.
If people expected to get caught, nobody would ever commit crimes. And I didn’t know what I was thinking. I was just – all I knew was that everything had been shot to hell. Everything – you know, it was out of control. And I had no control, and I was scared to death, I mean, because I’m sure they were scared to death, too. But I didn’t have any – all I knew was just get out of that place in a hurry, and I hoped to be able to drop them off someplace and let them walk back. But it didn’t turn out that way.
GROSS: No, the police started chasing you. One of your victims jumped out of the car, and you say you panicked and just shot one of them.
Well, thanks for clearing that up, Terry. How probing. If only those lazy victims had worked harder to avoid the path of dear Wilbert’s bullets — but then, NPR wouldn’t have such a stimulating commentator for Gross to natter with. If only the police hadn’t tried to stop an armed criminal who cruelly took three innocent people hostage, then Wilbur wouldn’t have had to shoot three people, then get out of his car and stab one of them for good measure.
If only the hostages and the police had accomplished more in the service of Wilbert Rideau.
There’s more, of course, of Gross simpering at the feet of Rideau, praising his prose quality, his special insights, his terrible suffering, the tragedy of people misunderstanding him. There’s always more, once you get the pesky victims out of the way, stomp their throats out so they can’t utter a peep.
But what is strange, and ironic, and utterly unnoticed by Gross and Oshinski and all the other prisoner fetishists eagerly sweating their turn in the wings, is that when you read Wilbert Rideau’s work, what Rideau is actually saying is that he doesn’t want to be anywhere near any of the sick bastards he knew in prison, including the sick bastard that he was, and he certainly doesn’t want people like them walking the streets. At the end of the day, his is a pro-incarceration argument:
GROSS: Give us a sense of what you faced when you left solitary confinement and joined the general population, and you were appalled by the barbarity that you witnessed. And I should say that the penitentiary at Angola had a reputation as being one of the most bloody prisons in the United States at that time.
Mr. RIDEAU: There was violence literally every day. You had people getting killed and gang wars. You had drug traffickers rampant. You had sexual violence…
GROSS: Sexual slavery.
Mr. RIDEAU: Enslavement of prisoners. Right, sexual slavery, as well. I mean, you know, if – guys would rape you, and you would – that was a process that redefined you not as a male, but as a female, and also as property. And whoever raped you owned you, and you had to serve him for – I mean, as long as you were in prison, unless you killed him or he gave you away or sold you or you got out of prison. And that’s the way it functioned.
GROSS: You wrote an article about sexual violence in prison that is one of your best-known articles. And I think that one won an award, didn’t it?
Mr. RIDEAU: It did, the George Polk Award, and it was also nominated for a National Magazine Award.
GROSS: Mm-hmm. So when you got into general population, you’re relatively short. What did you do to protect yourself as a small man entering general population? Yeah.
Mr. RIDEAU: Well, the first thing is I was looking for a weapon. In fact, when I went before the initial classification board, the chief of security told me that, you know, he asked if knew anybody. I said no. And he said, well, you’ve got to get you a weapon, and either that or go into a protective custody cell. Well, I just spent all those years in a cell. I wasn’t going back to a cell, and I figured that, you know, I would try to make a life in the jungle. And the first thing I knew I had to do was get a weapon, and I looked around for people I knew, and I saw some of the guys who were on death row before who had already gotten off, and they told me, you know, I wouldn’t have to worry about that. And that was a peculiarity due to the fact that I was on death row. Prosecutors and media had so – you know, they so demonize people on death row, you know, as being the worst of the worst, until not only do they kind of scare society about these guys, but they also scared the prisoners. It was kind of perverse, but it spared me that whole – I didn’t have to worry about that.
OK, let’s review: prisoners in Angola are violent rapists who prey on the weak, enslave each other, and routinely kill. Yet Rideau survived unscathed because prosecutors “demonized” men on death row to such a degree that all these raping, killing monsters in the general population feared him despite his diminutive size.
While this story makes little sense, it is the type of thing that makes Terry Gross simper: “Mm-hmm.” Which is the entire point, really. The point of Rideau’s fame is that he gives people like Terry Gross the type of victimization they can revel in. For, testifying about his victimization at the hands of other criminals is actually what Rideau is all about, little as that makes sense when you step back from it and remember Julie Ferguson. Rideau says certain things happened to him; he complains of being victimized, and reporters and academicians eat it up uncritically because it feeds their fantasy life.
They don’t write purple prose about there being two sides to the story of any of Rideau’s stories. They don’t minimize his allegations of victimization in prison or reduce it to a few stingy lines written in teeth-gritting passing. They give him awards for denouncing the suffering they’re simultaneously denying that his victims experienced at his hands. This is a sickness, pure fetish, and it has passed for acceptable behavior for far too long.
Rodney Alcala’s Criminal Appeals: Is Alcala Smart, Or Is The System Stupid?
by Tina in Appeals,California,Courts,Death Penalty,Pro-Criminal,Recidivism,Rehabilitation,sex crime,Technicalities,The Guilty Project,Therapeutic Jurisprudence,victims
Much is being made about Rodney Alcala’s allegedly superior intelligence. I don’t buy it any more than I buy it when defense attorneys wave a piece of paper in the courtroom and claim their client is mentally challenged and thus deserves a break. It’s just theater. Alcala’s a haircut with cheekbones: his IQ, whatever it might be, matters far less than the pro-offender sentiments of the era when he was first tried, and re-tried.
It certainly didn’t take a rocket scientist to play the California criminal justice system for a fool back in the 1970’s. Unfortunately, in many ways, the same is still true.
Here are ten specific breaks the system gave Alcala, breaks that either enabled him to add to his body count or torment the families of his victims. Such breaks weren’t reserved for serial killers with MENSA memberships, which is why places like L.A. were so fatal for all sorts of women.
How fatal? Seven, or fifty, or even 100 women and girls, depending on how much evidence Alcala provides and the police uncover with the massive public appeal for assistance now underway. Again, I have to ask: why weren’t these pictures distributed to the public decades ago? Why were families forced to sit in limbo while authorities had hundreds of photos linking a known sadistic rapist and murderer to scores of unidentified women and girls? I’m sure the police, given adequate resources, would have worked these cases. But we’ve never given police adequate resources. We still don’t charge even serious offenders with the totality of their known crimes.
Still it’s a tribute to reformers that some (though not all) of these fatal justice system errors would not occur today.
#1: Judicial Leniency, Indeterminate Sentencing Sets a Killer Free, 1971
Rodney Alcala was 25 in 1968, when he was caught in the act of raping and beating an eight-year old child to death. That’s a chilling number, 25. Kidnapping from a public place, the brutality of the rape, the extreme violence — all are hallmarks of an experienced, brazen killer who had escalated his behavior long before that crime. If Alcala conformed to typical patterns (and there’s no reason to believe he did not), he probably started sexually victimizing girls and women around the time he reached puberty, a full decade before he attacked “Tali S.” That’s potentially a lot of unnoticed crimes:
His first known attack was in 1968, when he abducted a second-grade girl walking to school in Hollywood, using a pipe to badly bash her head and then raping her — only to be caught red-handed because a Good Samaritan spotted him luring the child and called police. When LAPD officers demanded he open the door of his Hollywood apartment on De Longpre Avenue, Alcala fled out the back. Inside, police found the barely-alive, raped little girl on Alcala’s floor. It took LAPD three years to catch the fugitive Alcala, living under the name John Berger in New Hampshire — where the glib and charming child rapist had been hired, disturbingly, as a counselor at an arts-and-drama camp for teenagers.
Attempted murder, plus kidnapping, plus rape of a child, plus absconding. Seems like he’d never see the light of day again. Unfortunately, for future victims at least, pro-offender psychologists and other activists had so infiltrated the criminal justice system in California that the horror of Alcala’s crime was ignored by the courts. From the moment he appeared in some California judge’s courtroom, he ceased to be a (failed) killer and child rapist. He became a client and recipient of social services, a victim needing guidance, rehabilitation, “education,” and counseling. It’s a soul-sickening travesty, one that deserves more exposure:
When Alcala was caught hiding out under the assumed name Berger on the East Coast [in 1971], a conviction for brutally raping a child in California was not a guarantee of a long prison sentence. California’s state government of that era had embraced a philosophy that the state could successfully treat rapists and murderers through education and psychotherapy. The hallmark of the philosophy was “indeterminate sentencing,” under which judges left open the number of prison years to be served by a violent felon, and parole boards later determined when the offender had been reformed. Rapists and murderers — including Alcala — went free after very short stints. He served a scant 34 months for viciously raping the 8-year-old, who is known in official documents only as “Tali” . . . Deeply controversial, “indeterminate sentencing” was ended by then-governor Jerry Brown. But by that time, Alcala was free. . . . Retired LAPD Detective Steve Hodel, who investigated Alcala’s rape of Tali, recalls, “My impression was that it was his first sex crime, and we got him early — and society is relatively safe now. I had no idea in two years [he would be out] and continue his reign of terror and horror. I expected he was put away and society was safe. … It is such a tragedy that so much more came after that.”
“Education and psychotherapy.” For raping and trying to kill a little girl. It is important to understand that these highly educated “experts” were not simply trying to grope towards to some psychological discoveries that would only be discovered later.
Knowledge that murder is bad, for example, pre-dates 1971.
As I’ve written previously, I believe Alcala would have received a more severe sentence if he had just bludgeoned the little girl, instead of raping her and bludgeoning her. I suspect the rape actually acted as a mitigating factor, turning him into a victim in the eyes of the people empowered to run our courts. For when a prison psychiatrist found him “considerably improved” and ready for release less than three years after being convicted of attempted murder and child rape, that psychiatrist was undoubtedly referring to the fad psycho-sexual therapies in use at the time — and still being promoted by many academicians and practitioners today. Like Dr. Richard Rappaport, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCSD Medical School, San Diego, who testified in Alcala’s most recent trial that Alcala should not be held responsible for serial sex murder because he just can’t help enjoying . . . sexual murder.
#2: Parole Board Leniency, 1974
It takes two to tango: a judge who refuses to hold a sick predator responsible for his crime by giving him an indeterminate sentence, and then a parole board that decides the “rehabilitation’s taken.” Who served on that parole board in 1974, the one that decided to cut Alcala loose? I’d love to see the transcript. If anyone would send it to me, I’ll post it. This wasn’t some gray-area first offense. I wonder why the media hasn’t sought out these people and asked them why they let Alcala go. As public servants, the parole board members should feel obliged to revisit such a devastating error. A year’s worth of such decisions would make interesting reading — and yet one more interesting corrective to mythic beliefs that our country is too harsh on criminals.
#3: Prosecutorial/Judicial Leniency, Not Believing a Victim, Failure to Punish Recidivism, 1974
After the parole board cut him loose, it took Alcala two months to get caught with another child. Two months. Or, possibly, less:
In 1974, two months after he got out of state prison, Alcala was found at Bolsa Chica State Beach with a 13-year-old girl who claimed he’d kidnapped her. He was convicted only of violating parole and giving pot to a minor, however . . .
A convicted, violent, child rapist is found with a 13-year old girl who tells police she has been kidnapped. What happens next? Somebody doesn’t believe the child. Who? The judge? The prosecutor?
#4: Parole Leniency, 1977
Alcala served another short sentence, and was apparently declared “re-reformed.” Then a parole officer cut him some breaks. It makes you wonder: was there anyone, anywhere in California’s criminal justice system, outside police themselves, who harbored a negative attitude towards violent offenders?
[T]wo years later, upon his second release from prison, the law went easy on Alcala again. His parole officer in Los Angeles permitted Alcala, though a registered child rapist and known flight risk, to jaunt off to New York City to visit relatives. NYPD cold-case investigators now believe that one week after arriving in Manhattan, Alcala killed the Ciro’s nightclub heiress Ellen Hover, burying her on the vast Rockefeller Estate in ritzy Westchester County.Orange County Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy, who hopes during the current trial to put Alcala permanently on death row for Samsoe’s 1979 murder and the slayings of four women in the Los Angeles area, says: “The ’70s in California was insane as far as treatment of sexual predators. Rodney Alcala is a poster boy for this. It is a total comedy of outrageous stupidity.”
#5: Social Leniency, 1977 – 1979: The Polanski Effect
It really does take a village. Between the time Rodney Alcala was released from prison on his second child offense charge, and when he was captured after the murder of 12-year old Robin Samsoe, it seems that nobody he encountered (outside the police) felt it was right to judge him for — oh, little transgressions like trying to murder a young child he was raping, or being a suspect in several other murders, or being investigated in the Hillside strangler cases, or ending up on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. Surely, FBI agents and other detectives approached Alcala’s co-workers and employers when he was being investigated for these crimes; surely his family and friends and professional acquaintances knew about the rape and beating of the 8-year old child.
So why did the L.A. Times choose to hire him anyway? Why didn’t his supervisors there act on the knowledge that he was circulating his home-made child porn to co-workers? Why did the Dating Game producers allow a child-rapist on their show? Why did Alcala have such success in high-end social circles, in the art world, and with celebrities such as Roman Polanski? Well, that one’s pretty easy to answer.
Was Alcala’s social success, in fact, based on his status as a “sexual outlaw,” being “persecuted by the pigs”? Such was the argot in newsrooms and art circles, after all. Funny how all the people who knew him then are so tight-lipped now: it sounds as if he really got around, between slaughtering young women:
1977 Ellen Hover, Jill Barcomb (18), Georgia Wixted (27)
1978 Charlotte Lamb (32), Monique H. (15), Jill Parenteau (21). And more to come.
#6: Yet More Judicial Leniency, and Help From Mom, 1979
Another kidnapping and rape, another lost chance to get Alcala behind bars. The police catch ’em and the courts let ’em go, leaving two more girls dead. This type of behavior from the bench, sadly, continues today:
Alcala’s alleged reign of terror might have been halted in early 1979, when a 15-year-old hitchhiker called police from a motel in Riverside County to report she had just escaped from a kidnapper and rapist. Although Riverside police quickly charged Alcala with kidnapping and rape, a judge set his bail at just $10,000, paid by his mother. While free, police say, Alcala killed 21-year-old computer keypunch operator [Jill] Parenteau five months later in her Burbank apartment. The killer cut himself climbing through her window, and prosecutors now say Alcala’s rare blood type has been matched to the blood remnants. Six days after Parenteau’s slaying, Robin Samsoe disappeared, a child-snatching that sent fear rippling through safe, quiet Southern California communities. Samsoe’s friend Bridget told police the two swimsuit-clad girls were approached that day by a photographer who asked if he could take their pictures. The man was scared off by a suspicious neighbor, but shortly after that, Bridget lent Samsoe her yellow bicycle so that Samsoe could make it to ballet class. Samsoe was never seen again. Detectives circulated a sketch of the mysterious photographer to the media, and a parole officer recognized his parolee Alcala. Twelve days after she vanished, on July 2, 1979, Samsoe’s skeletal remains were found by U.S. Forestry Service rangers. Alcala was arrested on July 24 at his mother’s house in Monterey Park.
#7: Criminal Appeals, 1984
Alcala was found guilty of murdering Robin Samsoe in 1980 and was sentenced to death. But that verdict was overturned in 1984 by the California Supreme Court. The court found that the jury had been “unduly prejudiced” when prosecutors introduced information about about the rape and attempted murder of the 8-year old child in 1968.
Evidence of prior crimes is sometimes admissible at certain times, so long as the priors are materially similar to to crime being tried. For instance, is raping and trying to murder an 8-year old girl at all similar to raping and murdering a 12-year old girl? There’s a four-year difference in the ages of the victims there, and a higher success component on the whole “murder” thing. I’m sure, however, that the California Supreme Court could not have overturned Alcala’s death sentence on such a frivolous distinction. It must have been some other frivolous distinction.
This time, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals got a piece of the action. They decided that, because one witness’ testimony from a previous trial was read from the stand without the witness being in the room, the entire second trial, which doubtlessly cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of taxpayer dollars to re-try, simply had to be tossed out because of this.
What’s the matter with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals? Richard Posner says they’re just too large for their own good, with too many different justices thinking together, and he’s got a well-known large brain that thinks in perfect unison with itself. Me, with my quotidian little intellect, I think they just never saw a serial killer appeal they couldn’t bleed for, since they don’t have to, like, literally bleed, like the victims. Not a very elegant argument, I know, but maybe it would pass muster before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
#9: Alcala’s Exclusive Access to the Courts, 1979 – 2010
With his denim pantsuit aesthetic and not-very-bright courtroom performances, Alcala doesn’t really present as a brain trust. But he doesn’t need to be one. And defendant can tie up the courts — and further devastate victim’s families — with frivolous lawsuits and endless appeals designed to catch certain activist judges’ eyes:
Alcala has spent his time behind bars penning You, the Jury, a 1994 book in which he claims his innocence and points to a different suspect; suing the California prisons for a slip-and-fall claim and for failing to provide him a low-fat diet; and, according to prosecutors, complaining about a law that required he and other death-row inmates to submit DNA mouth swabs for comparison by police against unsolved crimes. Alcala is still as cocky as ever — bold enough to represent himself in the trial for his life, now unfolding in Orange County. And why not? He has a talent for mining legal technicalities and has repeatedly enjoyed success with appellate judges.
Orange County prosecutor Matt Murphy likens Alcala to a video game villain that keeps coming to life and says that the appellate courts have hit restart on this real-life murderous villain’s rampage through the system. The families of the victims as well as those close to the investigation criticize the decisions as misguided political statements by justices who opposed the death penalty and ignored the facts of the case. For Murphy, who tried the latest Samsoe case, each decision to overturn stripped away more evidence from his arsenal against Alcala. And for Robin Samsoe’s family, the legal setbacks have altered the course of their lives, ripping through like aftershock upon aftershock following a devastating earthquake. . . Samsoe’s mother [Maryanne Connelly] spoke eloquently about the hardships she has endured in the 31 years since her daughter’s murder, waiting for justice that never came. . . Meanwhile, her daughter’s killer has spent most of his life in prison, and has perfected the art of working the system to his advantage, filing lawsuit upon lawsuit when he felt his rights were violated while in custody – such as a civil suit against an investigator who did not respond to a request for discovery within 10 days. In fact, a contempt case against the Orange County Jail is still pending. . . Connelly wonders where her rights were, while the man who killed her daughter became comfortably institutionalized. This inequity has become the rallying cry of all the victims’ families, as well as victim’s rights advocates, who say the system has coddled a vicious killer while failing victims’ loved ones.
If the victims’ families had the same rights as Alcala, they could sue him for mental cruelty. Where such a trial could be held is a difficult question, because his co-defendant would be the justice system itself.
#10: Turning the Courtroom into His Last Killing Field, 2010, and Beyond
“He was blowing kisses at me across the courtroom, and I thought I was going to lose my mind,” Connely said. “And I thought I was going to go crazy, you know. And I reached into my purse and I was going to grab it, you know, and I thought, ‘I can’t do this.'”
That’s Marianne Connelly, speaking recently about Alcala’s 1980 trial for the murder of her daughter: back then, she once brought a gun to the courtroom to shoot Alcala. I doubt anyone would have blamed her then, and they certainly wouldn’t blame her now, after thirty more years of sitting in courtrooms watching Alcala toy with her, and other victims, for fun.
Where was the judge while Alcala was blowing kisses at his victim’s mother? Did that judge feel his hands were tied, thanks to our perverse appeals system? Or did he simply not care? Why did he allow the defendant to behave that way?
This unique, public humiliation and torture of crime victims is one thing that has not changed in 30 years. From the most recent trial:
Robin’s brother Tim Samsoe, 44, said the worst thing was watching Alcala perk up in court every time he got the chance to see old photographs of his alleged victims. “You see the gleam in his eye,” said Samsoe. “He’s enjoying this again.”
According to prosecutors, Alcala always enjoyed torturing his victims:
[Orange County Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt] Murphy told the packed courtroom that Alcala took his time terrorizing his victims by choking them with his bare hands, waiting for them to wake up at least once, then strangling them again — sometimes using shoelaces or panty hose. “It is a staggeringly horrific way to die,” exclaimed Murphy. “There is ample evidence the women put up some resistance….He gets off on it. It was fun.” Once they were dead, Alcala allegedly [he has since been found guilty] would then pose their bodies.
Now the only victims he has access to are the relatives of the women and children he killed:
Robert Samsoe, who was 13 when his little sister was slain, tells L.A. Weekly, “I don’t have any faith in the system. Some people, they are just afforded all the chances in the world. Alcala has cost the state of California more than any other person because of his lawsuits. And they treat him like a king. Everybody is walking on pins and needles around him.
Alcala dragged out his latest trial for weeks, representing himself, attacking victims, rambling on and enjoying himself. If this judge felt he simply had no power to prevent such behavior, he should now take steps to do something about the warped system of which he is a part. When is enough enough?
At the trial’s close, Alcala forced family members to listen to a recording of Alice’s Restaurant, a move that nearly drove one columnist to violence. Frank Mickadeit, of the OC Register, wondered how family members could hold themselves back:
To make the family and jurors listen to somebody, even Guthrie, sing: “I wanna kill. Kill. I wanna, I wanna see, I wanna see blood and guts and veins in my teeth”? I guarantee you, that made nobody in the room think about how horrible Alcala’s death might be, as was apparently his intent. . . In all the years I’ve covered trials, I’ve never once wanted to personally wreak vengeance on a defendant. I can dissociate along with the hardest of professionals. But at Minute 50 on Tuesday, Murphy got me to go to that unprofessional place, where the father, brother and uncle lives. I think it might have been one young woman’s morgue-photo – a head that was missing a third of its face because Alcala had bashed it away with a rock. I stared hard at the back of Alcala’s tan sports coat, where the collar met the unruly mass of gray curls that cascades down his back (Arlo-like, if you must know), and I thought hard about that 15 feet between me and that thin neck. A cat-like leap, a bound, a forearm-lock, a snap – he’d never see me coming. The burly deputy sheriff between us would, though, so there was no chance even if I had indulged my momentary fantasy. I looked to my left. Immediately across the aisle from me was Robert Samsoe, Robin‘s brother – roughly my age and size. He was wearing jeans, penny loafers and white socks, and I could see his right foot tapping nervously during these last 10 minutes of Murphy’s closing. The photo of another victim, her lower lip torn away, flashed up. Murphy hadn’t even begun recounting Robin’s death yet. . . Mercifully, there are no morgue photos of Robin, at least not in the sense that there are of the other murder victims. When they found Robin, just a skull was left – albeit a disfigured one from where Alcala had bashed in her teeth. Robert Samsoe didn’t leap out of his chair and break Rodney Alcala’s neck, as part of me would have like to have seen.
Of course he didn’t. The victims figured out long ago that they are not actually people, with human rights, including the right to dignity, in the eyes of the law. The only person in that courtroom whose rights were being protected was Rodney Alcala.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Rwanda and Columbine: The Politics of Forced Reconciliation
by Tina in Colorado,Crime and Justice Blog,Pro-Criminal,Rwanda,victims
Occasionally, in response to something I write, I receive an e-mail advising me that, for the good of my soul, I had better stop judging criminals (or criticizing, or even joking about them) and train myself to vigilantly “forgive” them instead. For example:
Life is too short to walk around with this kind of hate inside. Anger and bitterness is a poison that destroys the pot it is kept in.
There is more at work here than anonymous sanctimony and poor grammar. There is presumption: presumption that forgiveness does not exist unless it is broadcast like a cheap pop song; presumption that crime victims as a group must be regulated and policed, that they are the dangerous creatures, more dangerous than the offenders who committed crimes against them.
Why is it that people who incontinently think only the best of criminals leap to believe the worst about people who are victimized? I suppose the simple answer is that they must, in order to justify their choices. Victims must be distrusted, lest people feel restrained from showering trust and affection on offenders.
Crime must be disappeared in order to legitimate sentimental feelings towards the criminal.
The Ur-text of such sentimental pathology surely is the film Dead Man Walking. In order to promote herself as an extremely special harvester of extremely hardened souls, Sister Helen Prejean ran roughshod over quite a few facts and suffering innocents, both in her real life and through her artistic collaboration with the vile Susan Sarandon, who’s never met an unrepentant murderer she couldn’t love, lust for, or name her unborn baby after.
Such exercises have little to do with the exercise of actual forgiveness, which is perfectly capable of existing without the interventions of activist nuns, United Nations reconciliation committees, or federal grant-subsidized “restorative justice” professionals.
In fact, I know a great many crime victims, and exactly none of them are burning up on the inside because they cannot escape the carping furies in their souls (Aeschylus was such a hack).
On the other hand, crime victims do burn understandably hot over never getting their day in court, or not seeing their offender held accountable, or watching him walk free to offend again. In other words, it isn’t feelings of vengeance that drive crime victims crazy: it’s denial of justice.
Yet that message doesn’t register with the reconciliation professionals. They are too busy finding ways to level moral distinctions between offenders and victims, if not tip the scales completely. The “restorative justice” movement itself started out as a program to push offenders to take responsibility for their crimes and make amends — but like many similar programs, it quickly devolved into mere advocacy for inmates. Scratch the surface of most reconciliation programs and you will find nothing more than anti-incarceration activists deflecting resources that are supposed to aid crime victims.
Reconciliation and forgiveness are nice words. Closure is a lovely, if overused concept. But we have turned these words into burdens we hang around the necks of people on the receiving end of crime. And this has been done in order to benefit criminals in ways that may not really benefit them at all.
I recently read two interesting books that confront, in vastly different settings, the politics of forgiveness. Columbine, by Dave Cullen, examines the 1999 Colorado massacre by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold; The Antelope’s Strategy, by Jean Hatzfeld, is an account of the government-and-NGO-enforced reconciliation of Tutsi survivors with Hutu murderers a decade after the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Although rural Rwanda and suburban Columbine are vastly different places, I came away from these books with an eerie sense that the Colorado and Rwandan murderers were speaking in a single voice. Eric Harris, sitting in his basement in Colorado taping messages about the slaughter he’s about to commit, sounds chillingly like the leaders of the Hutu killing parties as they recount their daily forays to catch and kill the Tutsis who had escaped the killing of the previous day. There is the same degree of nihilistic, cheerful premeditation and ambitions of slaughter. Both Cullen and Hatzfeld seem aware that “root cause” theories, forensic psychology, and even their own considerable powers of explanation can only take them so far in explaining any of these killers’ deepest motives.
Evil, which is frequently overlooked in discussions of crime, is given its due. So is not knowing — not being able to make sense, after a point.
Columbine was marketed as a corrective to media misrepresentations, but even so, I was surprised by the vast differences between the Columbine story as it played out in the national press and the story Dave Cullen uncovers. Of course, I knew about the mythology that sprang up around victim Cassie Bernall: reporters had already eagerly discounted that pro-Christian-faith story, as Cullen shows. But it appears that they were far less cautious with their own favored narratives (secular faith systems, one might say).
It was bullying, the media breathlessly reported, that drove Harris and Klebold to kill, and the victims they targeted were none other than the stereotypical high school bullies who taunted them for being different. Columbine, according to many members of the press, was yet more proof of the terrible consequences of picking on people, and not respecting differences, and the horrors of “jock culture,” and feeling alienated in high school, and so on. This tale, encouraged by “anti-bullying” professionals, took on a life of its own, and few in the media bothered to question the presumptions underlying it.
But it was not true, not only because the killers were not relentlessly bullied, but because the crime they tried to carry out would have killed many hundreds of random students and rescue workers, had the detonators worked in the bombs they set. The shootings were random, also, as Cullen proves through an excruciating march through crime scene evidence.
Yet in the interest of promoting a narrative that spread blame to “everyone” for the murders, and additionally laid special blame on jock-types (an acceptable bias), the press played down the story of the bombs and largely invented the story about revenge against specific targets.
These misrepresentations were hardly random. The victims were tarred with culpability; Harris and Klebold were unburdened of it. Even though the “bullying” story was a complete fabrication, anti-bullying “tolerance” activists received a massive payday from the $3.8 million dollar fund set up to compensate victims, a payday several times larger than the largest payouts given to the most critically wounded students or the families of the dead. Some students with lesser injuries didn’t even receive enough money to cover their medical costs, while tolerance trainers raked in the cash for a “crime of bullying” that didn’t really happen and wouldn’t rise to the level of a misdemeanor crime if it had.
So although Harris and Klebold were not victims of bullying, their non-existent suffering was thus “reimbursed” at a far higher rate than the real suffering they inflicted on any of their victims. And that is an important untold story of Columbine, though, strangely, after going to great lengths to decimate the false “bullying” narrative, Dave Cullen doesn’t question the use of victim funds to perpetuate the bullying story.
What did this payday to “tolerance trainers” actually purchase? Most likely, to tell the surviving students — and their families, and the families of the dead, and the community at large — that they were all responsible for the social alienation that culminated in the loss of their loved ones. By paying for tolerance programs, authorities were essentially pleading guilty, on behalf of others, to the crime of intolerance. Intolerance towards whom?
People who are “different.” People who feel victimized by society. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold? Who else?
What might a sane, fact-based response to Columbine look like? It certainly wouldn’t include paying people a dime to sensitize innocent survivors to minor social offenses that didn’t occur in the first place. Money would have been better spent examining the actual warning signs displayed by the killers, Eric Harris in particular. Harris was a textbook psychopath who had accumulated a long rap sheet — or would have, had multiple reports of violent threats, stalking, and explosives-based vandalism, in addition to car theft charges, been taken seriously. Instead, probation and classroom records show that he easily adopted the stance of a remorseful and prison-scarred youth (after just a few hours in jail), even earning admiration from one teacher because he’d “learned so much” from the enriching experience of being arrested.
But grieving victims who asked how the two killers could plan a massacre and stockpile and stage multiple weapons and guns without detection found themselves on the wrong side of a grief industry — and intertwined anti-bullying industry — that insisted that questions like these were simply the wrong questions to ask. It is practically impossible, in the current atmosphere, to blame crime solely on the offenders. Everyone else is expected to ritualistically absorb some portion of blame — or stand accused of failing to heal, find closure, or audibly forgive.
But what happens when the scale of the crime is so large that many people are responsible, so many that imposing justice is practically impossible? In 1994, more than half a million ethnic Tutsi were systematically slaughtered by Hutu militias in Rwanda, a genocide that spared only 300,000 Tutsi in a country of nearly 7 million. In 2003 the surviving Tutsi learned that the government would be releasing tens of thousands of Hutu being held for the murders. Already forced to live alongside Hutu who had failed to stop the killings, or even participated in them, Tutsi survivors would now be pressured to participate in tribunals designed to “reconcile” victims with many of the killers who had led the genocide. Imprisoned Hutu who willingly confessed (often to extremely minor parts of their activities) were allowed to return home to live alongside the people they had tried to kill and whose family members they succeeded in killing.
At the heart of the prison releases was a demographic argument: Rwanda needed imprisoned farmers to return to work, and Hutu women and children needed their men to sustain family life. But the releases also reflected another demographic reality: in an overwhelmingly Hutu nation, the government was more than willing to push the Tutsi genocide into the past.
Tutsi were already experiencing the nearly unbearable difficulty of living alongside people who had tried to kill them and had raped and murdered most members of their families. Survivors spend months fleeing from armed men who hunted them repeatedly, day after day, and returned home in the evenings to loot, feast, and rest for the next day’s hunt: entire villages preyed on their former, and future, neighbors. Given the scale of the attacks and their small numbers, Tutsi who survived the genocide had long-ago settled for symbolic justice and uneasy promises of safety.
But now, forced “reconciliation” was literally supplanting what little justice had actually been delivered. Few of the Tutsi who speak in The Antelope Strategy harbored any illusions about the effects of pardoning mass numbers of killers. They can hardly afford wishful talk about “closure.” They live in fear that reconciliation will embolden the Hutu and, ironically, inflame anti-Tutsi sentiment, leading to outbreaks of violence.
Antelope Strategy is, in part, an extraordinary exploration of the limits of rehabilitation and forgiveness:
Claudine Kayitesi: “In the courts injustice gobbles up justice. Obviously, not every killer deserves execution — but still, some of them, after all. Those who burned babies alive, who cut and cut till their arms ached, who led expeditions of a thousand hunters — those should really have disappeared from our lives. The state has decided to save them. If someone had asked for my opinion? I would have sent the propagandists and the major leaders to the firing squad. That wasn’t done; foreigners exerted influence, and the authorities proved flexible to favor national reconciliation. For us, it becomes impossible to relieve our grief, even with full bellies. Basically, justice is not worrying about the feelings of survivors.”
Berthe Mwanankabandi: “What’s the use of looking for mitigating circumstances for people who butchered day after day after day and even on Sundays with their machetes? What can you mitigate? The number of victims? The method of hacking? The killers’ laughter? Delivering justice would mean killing the killers. But that would be like another genocide, and would bring chaos. Killing or punishing the guilty in some suitable way: impossible. Pardoning them: unthinkable. Being just is inhuman. . . This is not a human justice, it’s a politics of justice. We can only regret that they never show either sincerity or sorrow.”
Innocent Rwililiza: “The other Tutsi, from the diaspora [who fled to refugee camps], make sure the survivors never take revenge. . . The diaspora Tutsi don’t forget anything — either the terror of their flight, or the wretchedness of of exile, or the massacres of their families. They are neither traitors nor ingrates. But it suits them to present the genocide as a kind of human catastrophe, a dreadful accident of history, in a way requiring formidable efforts of cooperation to repair the damage. They invented the policy of reconciliation because seven out of ten Rwandans are Hutus. It’s a terrible thing, after a genocide: a demographic majority that snatched up the machete. Reconciliation would be a sharing of trust. The politics of reconciliation, that’s the equitable division of distrust.”
Usually, western legal philosophy focuses only on the ethical limitations of punishment, not the ethical limitations of mercy. The Tutsi who speak in the book are not universally negative, but they cannot afford to be naive. It is not just in places like Rwanda that we are too quick to forgive murderers:
Francine Niyitegeka: “With age, the scars are healing from my skin. . . But although I am relieved, I am never at peace. Deep down, I , too, feel oppressed by walking behind the fate that was set for me. Someone who saw herself in muddy detail as a corpse in the papyrus lying among all the others, comparing herself to all those dead, always feels distressed. By what? I cannot say; I don’t know how to express it even to myself. If her spirit has accepted her end, if she has at some point understood that she will not survive, such a person has seen an emptiness in her heart of hearts that she will never forget. The truth is, if she has lost her soul even for a moment, then it’s a tricky thing for her to find a life again.”
Columbine Dave Cullen (2009, Hatchette Book Group)
The Antelope’s Strategy: Living in Rwanda After the Genocide Jean Hatzfeld (2007, Farrar Straus and Giroux)
Outrage: How, Precisely, Did Delmer Smith “try to go straight”?
by Tina in Florida,media coverage of crime,Pro-Criminal,sex crime,The Guilty Project,victims
The Sarasota Herald Tribune, a newspaper with an addiction to excusing, or at least minimizing, the behavior of the most violent criminals, just did it again.
In a front-page story on Delmer Smith, the brutal South Florida serial killer and rapist charged with yet another woman’s death last week, the paper boldly asserts that Smith “tried to go straight” after his release from prison. Did he, really? Is there proof for this fascinating claim? They don’t offer any: they just say it’s so.
Down here in the real world, Smith was committing extremely violent rapes within weeks of being released from prison. Confronted with such facts, why would any newspaper leap to limning the silver lining of the rapist’s character?
Habit, I suppose. In the moral universe of the SHT newsroom, all ex-cons are automatically presumed to be earnest practitioners of self-reform . . . until they’re not, and sometimes even after that. In Smith’s case, the distance between the prison door and his first known violent attack is actually extremely short. Released in October 2008, he attacked and beat a female jogger a few weeks later and then immediately committed a violent home invasion and sexual assault of two additional women. Escalating attacks followed.
The Herald Tribune, however, doesn’t bother to mention this inconveniently compressed time-line. How could they, and simultaneously resuscitate the beloved theme of felons and second chances? It’s as if they laid all those brutalized women alongside a story they like to tell about crime and punishment — a story in which hope springs eternal for the rehabilitation of any criminal — and chose the story, over the reality.
They had little to work with, far less than a widow’s mite, but that didn’t stop them. It’s Valentine’s Day Week, after all:
Delmer Smith III spent much of his life in prison before finally being set free in 2008. Upon his release he moved in with his wife in Bradenton, a woman 23 years his elder that he met as a prison pen pal. For a brief spell, Smith, 38, seemed to be living within the law, seeking work as a personal trainer, a mechanic and at a grocery store.
Poor Delmer. Such hopes and dreams. If only society had been more welcoming to him, why, then, it might have taken him more than one holiday sales season to start raping and killing women. You see, it’s all our fault.
The Tribune story is drawn largely from claims made by Smith’s geriatric jailhouse pen pal and ex-beau — you know, one of those pathetic women who seeks excitement, attention, and romance by getting involved with violent prisoners. Women like this regularly cross the line from accommodating to abetting. That, and the decision to shack up with violent felons in the first place, ought to make reporters wary, but it’s amazing what can be overlooked in the rush to non-judgment. The Tribune allows this woman to prattle on, behind a veil of anonymity, about her romance with Smith on the same week another victim’s family has been forced to publicly re-live the murder of their wife and mother:
[Smith’s] wife — a 61-year-old woman who no longer lives in the area but asked that her name not be used for fear of retribution — first befriended Smith almost 10 years ago. Another inmate was writing to the woman’s friend and asked if Smith could contact the Bradenton woman by phone. A few days later, he called and their relationship took off. Over the years, they wrote back and forth, including a Valentine’s Day card she still has. One day he called and proposed. She agreed and the woman says they had a ceremony in the penitentiary.
Their relationship “took off.” She still has his Valentine’s Day card. How touching. I’m glad we all know that, because it sort of humanizes him, doesn’t it?
Given their track record (see here, here, and here), I’m actually surprised the Tribune didn’t go even farther — interviewing, say, a forensic psychologist for hire or a “re-entry” expert to offer up platitudes about how we all have to work harder to make offenders feel welcome once they’ve paid that pesky debt to society. Meanwhile, the paper’s official antipathy towards all types of post-incarceration monitoring — expanded DNA sampling, registration lists, living restrictions –blinds them to the fact that, in the absence of such laws, Smith might still be on the loose.
No, you couldn’t possibly go off message (especially in a news story) and acknowledge that expanding the DNA database really does saves lives (when administered properly, that is). Better to stick with the usual song-and-dance about ex-cons turning over new leaves, though it hardly fits the facts. The reporter, and his editors, should apologize for this stomach-churning exhibitionism.
The Guilty Project, Wayne Williams: Still Guilty. And the Role of Child Prostitution in his Murders.
by Tina in Atlanta,Child Molestation,Georgia,media coverage of crime,Pro-Criminal,The Guilty Project,victims
To name all defendants Innocent Until Proven Guilty is a beloved tradition, and an ethical one, at least so long as the pontificating guardians of the reputations and feelings of criminals are willing to let it go once their clients have, in fact, been proven guilty.
Yet this is almost never the case. Defense attorneys express a touching faith in the wisdom of the public and juries . . . until precisely the moment a guilty verdict is reached. Then, like lovers scorned, they denounce everything about their former paramours: their intelligence, their morals, their identities, their actions, their collective and individual races. All are fodder for the endless second act of criminal justice: the post-conviction appeal.
It’s never over, as victims know, particularly when it comes to notorious defendants. In the weird rubric of prisoner advocacy, the most heinous criminals attract the loudest cries for reconsideration. Attention-seeking activists and lawyers seize on the worst of the worst to prove their own superior compassion, or to thumb their noses at society in the biggest way. And so the garden-variety mugger must line up behind the child murderers and serial rapists.
Susan Sarandon won’t be playing your religious confessor in the Hollywood version of your life if all you did was steal a few cars, no matter how badly you feel about having done it afterwards. Rape and murder a few kids, though, and she might come calling.
And that brings us to Wayne Williams. Thanks to the notoriety of the Atlanta Child Murders (at least those Atlanta child murders), Williams possesses all the best in serial killer accessories: a team of lawyers laboring (on our dime) to endlessly re-try his case; internet nuts issuing manifestos that nobody can ever really know if anybody is ever really guilty; miniseries and media attentions, breathless stories about DNA testing that disappear from the news when they fail to exonerate, and so on.
The thirty dead children and young men identified as possible ACM victims are themselves a mere accessory to Williams’ drama. The police continue to seek the killer or killers of several of these victims. They are (literally) damned if they do and damned if they don’t, as they were throughout the terrible period when children kept turning up dead, but they do it anyway, because the police are tasked to behave professionally despite the unprofessional nature of the accusations hurled their way.
There are probably police serving in metro Atlanta today who were children in southeast and southwest Atlanta neighborhoods at the time when the murders took place. Did that experience inspired them to become officers?
Few serious books have been written about the Atlanta Child Murders. There is The List by Chet Dettlinger and Jeff Prugh, and an interesting academic study by Bernard Headley, The Atlanta Youth Murders and the Politics of Race. Now there is a third, The Atlanta Child Murders: The Night Stalker, written by the prosecutor who proved Williams’ guilt, Jack Mallard.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution ran an interview with Mallard this week. It is strangely contentious: the reporter seems to be more interest in arguing with Mallard over Williams’ guilt than asking him questions about his book:
Between 1979 and 1981, 30 young African-Americans between ages 9 and 28 were either killed or declared missing in what was known as the “Atlanta Child Murders” case. The victims’ bodies were found in wooded lots, vacant buildings or the Chattahoochee River.
Williams received a life sentence 28 years ago this month for killing two of the victims, but he was implicated in at least a dozen others. He has said for years that he’s innocent. The doubt that shrouded the case has fueled articles and books by people who still question whether Williams was the sole killer.
Well, not really. That’s not the question the keeps popping up in appeal after appeal for Williams. Williams’ advocates are specifically actually arguing that he is innocent of the two crimes for which he was convicted.
Oddly, the reporter interviewing Mallard tells readers to “Judge for yourself,” presumably regarding Williams’ guilt. What an odd way to begin an interview with the prosecutor in a settled case:
Now, finally, Mallard has heeded the urgings of others and weighed in with his new book, “The Atlanta Child Murders: the Night Stalker.” Though a bit pedantic, the book lays out the prosecution’s strategy, from presentation of evidence to cross-examinations. Here, Mallard, 75 and retired, talks about guilt, doubt and closure. Judge for yourself.
Q: Reading this book, it almost feels as though you’re retrying the case right there in the courtroom. But in writing this did you look back and see things you might have done differently or mistakes you might have made?
Ah yes, he is a prosecutor who successfully convicted someone, so he must have been making mistakes. Nobody ever challengingly demands of defense attorneys whether they made mistakes.
A: As a longtime prosecutor, what I would do is map out a trial plan, like writing a screenplay; everybody has a part. If you work up the right trial plan, then you expect things to go as you planned it. This trial went according to plan.
Well, we can’t have that, can we? It sounds as if Mallard simply stands by the verdict.
Q: You relied heavily on verbatim testimony for dialogue in this book and you included a few updates. But why didn’t you talk with any of Williams’ original defense attorneys, at least those who are still around?
A: I knew it wouldn’t serve any purpose. [They’ve] always thought that Wayne was innocent.
In other words, verbatim testimony just isn’t verbatim enough, Mr. Mallard: you should have gone to the other side and given them a platform to call you a liar. Because, of course, they do that for you whenever they climb onto their soapbox, don’t they? No? Well, you should do it anyway.
Q: Williams was basically convicted on the basis of carpet fibers and dog hairs found on the victims, which you argued could only have come from Williams or his home. There are still doubting Thomases out there who think the fiber and hair evidence was suspect in some way. Do you think you finally assuaged any doubt about that evidence with the book?
A: Yes, and I think I mention in [the book], had cameras been allowed in the courtroom — you can look at these fibers and compare them in living color in photographs like the jury did — people would really not be suspicious as to whether or not you can identify a fiber.
Q: Yes, but there are still doubters out there, some who’ve suggested that maybe the fibers were somehow planted or inadvertently transferred by a lab technician in the case.
A: Well, you either believe in law enforcement and scientists or you don’t. What you read on the Internet, that’s not evidence. That’s not tested in a court of law. So much of it that is completely fiction.
Q: OK then, consider me a doubter . . .
Wow. That pretty much speaks for itself. And here’s what it is saying: I’m a partisan for the defense, inappropriately assigned to challenge you and your crazy “guilty verdict” ideas. Next, due to my biases, I’m going to get the legal issue completely wrong:
Q: OK then, consider me a doubter, because after reading your book, I could see how he could have committed more than half of the 30 killings that were investigated as part of the case. But there were at least five cases that just didn’t seem to fit, in particular the killing of the two little girls, Angel Lanier and LaTonya Wilson. All the other cases involved boys and young men. Do you think he killed the two girls?
A: No, no, no. The two girls should never have been on the list. There was no scientific evidence at all, no trace evidence linking them to Wayne Williams. There’s 25 of them that had trace evidence to Wayne Williams.
There were 25 dead youths and boys linked to Williams through the evidence. The state tried the two strongest cases. They investigated the h*ll out of those murders, using federal money and assistance. In the end, they could not try every case. That is a function of the pricey mess the defense bar has managed to make of rules of evidence and criminal procedure. When you destroy the very meaning of seeking the truth with all available evidence, you make it financially and pragmatically impossible to convict murderers like Williams for every offense. So the state did what they had to do, convicted him of the two strongest cases, and closed the ones in which they were confident that he was the killer.
The inclusion of girls on the highly politicized victim “List” has nothing to do with Williams’ guilt. As Mallard points out, he does not believe they should have been on that particular list in the first place.
Q: Well what about the other five? What do we do with them?
A: They’re still open. If one day there’s ever any evidence, even the girls, they potentially can be cleared. It happens all the time.
Q: Was Wayne Williams your most formidable opponent?
A: He probably was in the sense that he was the lengthiest cross-examination. He was on the stand about three days. He was prepared and he was smart and he was hard to pin down. But he kept contradicting himself and the jury saw right through it. He probably cooked his own goose by taking the stand.
Q: Do you think your book will help the victims’ families heal, or will it just upset them?
A: I don’t think it will hurt, but the families I really feel for. They’ve been used by the defense in the support of Williams in his appeals. When victims’ families are supporting the defense, that’s somewhat unusual.
Q: Have you talked with any of them in the years since the trial?
A: No, I haven’t kept up with them.
Q: Ever visit the grave sites of any of the victims?
A: No. I don’t like graveyards.
Mallard comes across as somebody who did his job, didn’t suffer fools, and doesn’t play romanticized games with serious issues like child murder. How refreshing.
Q: You make a direct appeal in the book to Williams, imploring him to confess to the killings. Have you heard from him?
Q: Why did you make that appeal to him?
A: Well, if he wants to do something to help humanity he could do it by helping these mothers settle in their own minds that the killer is not still out there. He knows there’s nobody else out there.
Now, back to the irrelevant questions about the victims who weren’t linked to Williams:
Q: Is it possible that somebody else could have been responsible for the remaining five deaths we talked about earlier?
A: It’s possible, because we don’t have any direct evidence connecting Williams to them. Those, I would say, we don’t know.
Q: Will you write another book? You’ve been involved in several other high-profile cases that could be good reads.
A: Several cases would make good writing, but I’m not sure I want to get into that again. I want to enjoy the remaining years I have.
By, like, not being repeatedly pummeled by inaccurate gotcha’s by a reporter who doesn’t bother to have her facts straight.
Angel Lanier and LaTonya Wilson’s murders were, of course, not irrelevant. Nor were the murders of other youths who met violent ends in the same time and place. One of the many tragedies of the ACM controversy is that Lanier, Wilson, and other victims are still being used by the media and various activists to advance other agendas. It’s clear that the AJC reporter mentions these murdered girls only to attempt to poke holes in Williams’ conviction for the uptenth time. Why doesn’t somebody revisit the girls’ lives, and deaths, as if they themselves mattered?
Why are we continuing to obsess over Wayne Williams at all, when we should be talking about child prostitution, an ongoing crisis that created the conditions in which young adults and children were extremely vulnerable to predators like Wayne Williams thirty years ago?
Child prostitution, or, better, child-and-youth sexual exploitation, is the great unspoken subtext of the Atlanta Child Murders story. Not all the victims were involved in trading money for sex, but many reportedly were. And when a community accepts, or cannot stop, such behavior, every child is in danger.
That’s the point of H.B. 582/S.B. 304, the important Georgia child prostitution prevention bill sponsored by Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford). Thirty years after so many youths lost their lives on city streets where the existence of a wild west “sex trade” drew predators targeting both boys and girls, it’s far past time to leave Wayne Williams to rot in prison and turn our attention to preventing similar murders in the future.
Go to this site to learn how to support the legislation.
Trials Without Truth: The Library Rapist
by Tina in Courts,Crime and Justice Blog,Florida,victims
Defense attorneys in Tampa Bay are attempting to derail the trial of accused two-time rapist Kendrick Morris. They are demanding that DNA evidence identifying Morris as the rapist in two extremely violent sexual assaults be thrown out because, they allege, police collected it improperly.
Of course, there is no other way for them to defend their client: his DNA matches the two rapes. So Morris’ lawyers are treating the courtroom like a casino craps table, not a serious truth-finding forum, a sadly reasonable presumption on their part, in fact. Warped rules of evidence, piled one upon the other, create countless opportunities for keeping important facts from being considered by judges and juries.
What remains, once enough evidence has been suppressed, is something like kabuki-theater, in which the alleged word choice of a police officer seeking a DNA sample from a dangerous suspect is deemed more important than the facts of the brutal rape itself, or the suffering of the victim, or the community’s safety.
Or the integrity of the court.
Nobody pretends they’re doing anything other than playing games with the truth, because they don’t need to pretend. A vast choir sings the praises of gaming facts through suppression of evidence. The loudest voices, of course, are those of the law school professoriate. When I attended law school, I did not stay long enough to enroll in the criminal law classes, but that was hardly necessary: my property law professor and contracts law professor and legal writing instructor waxed on endlessly about the virtues of defending criminals, by hook or by crook, as it were.
It’s a cult, and a deeply satisfying one, in which reality need rarely impinge. Until, of course, it is your daughter pulling up to drop off some library books on a school night who encounters one of the inevitable consequences of our lenient criminal justice system.
Since I started writing this blog, I’ve noticed something strange. I regularly hear from pro-offender activists who are enraged that I would deign to criticize even the sleaziest of defense tactics, as if any act on the part of the defense is some pure Platonic good hovering spotlessly over the crude, bemerded masses demanding justice.
That isn’t the strange part. I expected that.
What is strange is that many of these commenters then go on to melodramatically assert that they would like to see the particular criminal I happen to be describing locked up for life, or tortured, or killed. It’s as if they’re trying to relate (or overcompensate) by saying: Well, that guy, he should fry — no, he should be beaten up, then castrated, then killed. But other than that, it’s fair game to do anything to get your client off, and all the other predators deserve second chances.
I’m confused by this. Do they really not see that oaks grow from little acorns, and recidivism grows from the little seeds they plant in the minds of young criminals every time they help them game the system? Do they really not see that, as we let larger and larger swaths of recidivists off the hook for everything short of murder, we’re creating more murderers — particularly if we keep telling these young offenders that they’re the real victims, and the people they victimize are not?
The really offensive thing about Kendrick Morris’ defense is that there are absolutely no consequences for filing some 76 pages of false accusations against the officers who investigated the Bloomingdale library rape. Morris’ lawyers know he’s guilty, so they’re screaming police abuse. Throw everything at the wall; malign the reputations of a couple of decent public servants along the way, just to see what sticks.
The victims I hear from are far more sober and rational about the justice system — in contrast to the way they are depicted in the news, and in defiance of the way they are treated. Like late-stage cancer patients, they are aware that their hopes will probably not survive the trial process. Even when offenders are made to pay for their crimes, the victims are made to pay, too. And after any trial is over, an army of activists stand at the ready to take up the inmate’s cause, no matter what horrors he has perpetrated.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We have handed our criminal justice system over to partisans for criminals, and now we must take it back.
Media Bias in Crime Reporting: Hank Asher, the St. Pete Times, and Journalists’ Favorite Armed Robber (of the Week)
by Tina in Academicians on Crime,California,Florida,media coverage of crime,Pro-Criminal,The Crime Experts,The Sentencing Project,victims
Two stories today underscore the media’s fundamental prejudices — prejudice against those who try to uphold the law, and prejudice for offenders.
In the St. Petersburg Times, there was a follow-up story to Susan Taylor Martin’s highly personal hatchet job on Mark Lunsford, father of murder victim Jessica Lunsford. Back in November, Martin sneeringly attacked Lunsford for, among other things, having the temerity to earn $40,000 a year working as an advocate for child predator laws although, as she observed, he holds “only” a high school diploma. She also criticized Lunsford for comping a $73 celebration at Outback Restaurant on the night the man who raped and murdered his daughter was convicted for her death.
You know, comping . . . one . . . meal. Like journalists like Ms. Martin do when they attend nicely-heeled journalistic ethics conferences, and civil rights banquets, and other activities approved by the Central Committee for the Maintenance of Media Elitism.
See my previous post on the article here.
Now Martin has returned to the subject of Lunsford’s employer again, publishing a less lurid but hardly objective “follow-up report” on Hank Asher, the computer mogul who hired Lunsford as a lobbyist. The article purports to address Asher’s work in data mining to support anti-terrorist, child predator, and foster care investigations, but Martin cannot seem to resist indulging her weird obsession with the lifestyles of people who advocate for, rather than against, law enforcement. The photo caption once again mentions the price of Asher’s house and the fact that he owns a jet; the story is largely a re-hash of ground covered in her earlier story.
Maybe someone at the Times decided that Martin’s November slash job on Asher and Lunsford was so far outside the bounds of acceptable reporting that they’re doing a make-over. If this is it, well, the third time around, they need to send in someone who isn’t so busy examining the silverware:
Data-mining whiz Hank Asher, who has a private jet and a $3 million mansion, rents part of the Boca Raton office park where IBM once made personal computers.
We actually know that already, because such details were prominently featured in the Nov. 11 story. You don’t see the Times obsessing over the personal income of people with whom they see eye-to-eye, like defense attorneys and prisoner advocates. You don’t see them questioning the motives of former elected officials who dedicate themselves to the defense bar after retiring from public service. But anyone who works, instead, to put child predators behind bars — well, surely they must be hiding something. Read the rest here.
On the flip side, criminologists and journalists are mourning the death of their favorite armed bank robber. No point in lingering over little details like what it felt like to be his victim when he held the gun to their head, though. John Irwin, you see, was not only an armed felon who fell into crime for the noble reason that he found it stimulating — he then went on to become a criminologist and anti-incarceration activist, serving on the board of the radical anti-incarceration Sentencing Project, organizing a “prisoner’s union” to hijack more of our tax dollars for frivolous lawsuits, and most recently celebrating his media-approved adventures in anti-victim advocacy with an autobiography titled Rogue.
Of course, the media is reverential towards this type of contemptuous behavior toward the law, and against crime victims. The innocent person whose brains Irwin threatened to blow out for kicks and giggles was, of course, not consulted:
John Irwin had the usual choice when he got out of Soledad Prison in 1957 after a five-year stretch for armed robbery: Do more crime, or remake his life. He chose rebirth – with a passion. Over the next half century, Mr. Irwin became one of the nation’s foremost advocates for compassionate reform of the prison system, the author of six heralded books dissecting criminal justice, and a tenured sociology professor at San Francisco State University. . .”John was fearless about being honest about the realities of crime and justice,” said Naneen Karraker, a national advocate for prison reform. “He had the courage to see things differently from the common way.
That would be “compassion” towards predators, not their victims, and “fearless” and “courageous” as in spewing the journalist-and-academic approved party line opposing incarceration for all offenders, even the most violent and dangerous, no matter the cost to society.
Among other “fearless” acts, Irwin started something called the Convict Criminology Movement, in which inmates and ex-cons got tax dollars to get college degrees, and a leg up in getting hired as college professors — while their victims received nothing, of course, and thus ended up subsidizing their predators’ educations and careers. Nice. The man who raped me got one such utterly fake prison-house degree, which helped enable him to get out of prison early (for the third time) and get back to his true calling raping elderly women.
Thanks, John Irwin.
How many people have been raped and murdered by convicts who should have been in prison but were out on the streets because of Irwin’s campaigns? There’s no way to ever know.
But to call such activism “courageous” in the virulently anti-victim, pro-offender, anti-incarceration circles Irwin moved in is absurd. Anyone who thinks being an ex-con would in any way be a detriment to the tenure process hasn’t spent much time being “fearless” on college campuses over the last 30 years. There is nothing courageous about telling the choir exactly what they want to hear.
East Coast Rapist, DeKalb County Rapist: Serial Rapists and DNA. It Works. If You Bother to Use It.
by Tina in Atlanta,California,Connecticut,Crime and Justice Blog,DNA Databasing,Florida,Georgia,Michigan,Rape,Recidivism,Rhode Island,sex crime,Sex Offender Registries,victims,Washington D.C.,Wisconsin
(Hat tip to Pat)
In 2007, I stood by the mailbox of the house I once briefly rented in Sarasota, Florida, contemplating the short distance between my house and the house where my rapist grew up, less than a mile, and a strikingly direct path over a well-worn shortcut across the train tracks.
I had just spent several months and many hundreds of dollars to get copies of the police investigation reports for my rape and some of the court records of the man who was accused of, but never prosecuted for the crime. Every time he was sent away on another sex crime conviction, the police closed all the other rape cases they attributed to him. In 1987 he was tried for one sexual assault, and at least six other cases were shelved, including mine.
Such was the economy of justice in 1987: rapes were not deemed important enough to expend the court resources to try every known defendant for every crime. This attitude arose not from the police but from the legal establishment and, by extension, the public. It was an accepted status quo, not just in Sarasota, but everywhere.
To behave as if each rape victim actually deserved justice and every woman deserved to be safe from offenders was not anybody’s priority for spending money in 1987. The same can still be said today, though attitudes have spottily improved. We’ve never spent enough money to thoroughly investigate and prosecute more than a fraction of all crimes.
Criminals know this, though the public remains largely oblivious.
I remember being astonished when the police told me the D.A. would not be prosecuting my case, even though there was evidence and a rape kit. A few months later, the first rape case in the United States using DNA evidence would be won in Orlando, a mere hundred miles and three jurisdictions away. There, the D.A. had decided to be aggressive and use this new technology already in use in Britain, and he succeeded. But more than a decade would pass before DNA evidence was even routinely collected and databased in most states.
A lot of people slipped through the cracks unnecessarily during that decade, including my rapist. Sentenced to 15 years for his 1997 crime, he walked out of prison seven years later, the beneficiary of both the state’s unwillingness to fully fund prisons and activists’ efforts to get every convict back onto the streets as quickly as possible. He immediately returned to raping elderly women, his preferred victims, and wasn’t back in prison until 1998. At least the prisoner activists, and the defense bar, were happy.
Before the statute of limitations ran out on my case, I had offered to return to Florida to testify against my rapist. to try to keep him behind bars for a longer period of time. The state had the ability to test the DNA in my rape kit. I hired a private detective and reached out to the then-current Sarasota County D.A. They practically laughed at me for having the audacity to suggest such a thing and said they didn’t have the money to go back and try old cases. So Henry Malone walked, and more elderly women were raped.
Have things changed, even now? Yes and no. Two serial rape cases in the news show both progress and stagnation.
The stagnation is in DeKalb County, Georgia, the eastern part of metro Atlanta. I know the area well: I worked there and lived nearby for much of two decades. A serial rapist is on a real tear in DeKalb, raping at least three women since October and possibly three more since the last week of September. Police officials told reporters that they had requested rush DNA tests on the three unknown cases from the state lab and were waiting for results. But when CBS News Atlanta went to the state lab to find out why the tests weren’t done yet, the head of the DNA testing unit told reporters that no such request had been made.
I’m generally sympathetic to the police — less so to police brass, who sometimes rise through the ranks due to politics, not professionalism (there are some great precinct sergeants in Dekalb County, though). But now that the mistake has been made, the executive command ought to be out in front, showing the public that they are serious about doing everything they can do, as quickly as they can do it, to catch this rapist. Six, or even three rapes in a few months is escalating behavior, and he threatens his victims with a gun.
Ironically, the police caught several other fugitives while searching for this rapist. It’s all about resources: we live knee-deep in wanted felons and under-investigated suspects, and our elected officials pretend that this is a perfectly normal way to live.
Meanwhile, police in the Washington D.C. area are using the media to appeal to the public to help them find the “East Coast Rapist.” There should be more publicity. This rapist has been active for at least 12 years: DNA tests reveal a pattern of travel between the D.C. suburbs, Connecticut, and Rhode Island during that time.
So there is a chance that somebody else knows the identity of the rapist because of his changing locations. Profilers used to assume that serial rapists and serial killers were loners, but this, like so many other presumptions (ie. serial killers are usually white men, serial offenders pick only one type of victim) have been proven to be false.
The Washington Post has an interactive map listing the locations and dates of the East Coast rapist’s attacks in today’s paper:
The rapist may have been in prison for some other crime between 2002 and 2007, and even 2007 and 2009. You have to figure that officials in Washington D.C., Connecticut, and Rhode Island have already submitted DNA to the national database, so if he had ever been convicted of a sex crime, or even served time for some other felony in most states, his DNA would be on record somewhere.
But who knows? Maybe he was committing sex crimes in one of the many places where DNA samples don’t get processed properly, like Wisconsin and Michigan and California. Maybe he’s supposed to be behind bars but hasn’t been picked up yet because nobody is bothering to keep track of thousands of offenders who have absconded on bail, the situation in Philadelphia.
It’s all about resources. Twenty-two years after the first use of DNA in convicting a serial rapist, there should be no backlogs. Rape is too important. Thousands of offenders shouldn’t still be walking out of prison after skipping their DNA tests, through deceit or carelessness. Every one of these cases represents a denial of justice to someone.
Too bad criminal justice activists and law professors and university president-types don’t get all worked up when the person being denied justice is the victim, instead of the offender.
When I purchased the transcripts from some of Henry Malone’s many perambulations through the courts (and how nice that I had to pay, and pay a lot, for them), I was astonished to read the details of one hearing that was held at Malone’s behest because he demanded reimbursement for a fine related to his car, which had been impounded when he was arrested for sexual assault. The judge and the defense attorney seemed amused by his bizarre demand. I don’t find it so funny. Imagine what we paid for the judge to read that demand, for the lawyer to research the claim and represent Malone in court, for the court reporter, and the security guards, and everything else that went into assuring that Henry Malone would get to be heard in court over an inane and dismissible whim.
The same courthouse where I had been denied the chance to face Malone for raping me because nobody wanted to bother spending the money to try him for more than one rape. Criminals have rights the rest of us can’t dream of. It’s all about the resources, and every last dime goes to offenders; they get everything they want, whenever they want it, out of the courts, while their victims wait out in the cold.
Martez McKibben, Young Working Man Murdered in Another Robbery Turned Violent
by Tina in Atlanta,Crime and Justice Blog,victims
Martez McKibben
I received the following notice from several people in Atlanta:
21-year-old Kavader [Martez] McKibben was murdered Friday night while working at the Moreland Package store. He was killed while two men committed an armed robbery – they shot him even though he’d already given them the money they asked for. It all sounds too similar to the way John Henderson was murdered not even one year ago.McKibben was known by many in our community and has been described as the guy who was never in a bad mood and was always nice to everyone; was a pleasure to talk – had a good heart and a warm smile.
We will be gathering in the parking lot of the package store tomorrow night [that would be tonight] at 7 to show our support of his family and friends. The Moreland Package store is located near the intersection of Moreland Ave and Wylie St – beside the old Texaco gas station and across from the new Goodfella’s Pizza. Please join us, bring some friends and your candles, and let’s show our support for this sweet young man’s family and friends. We will also be collecting money for his family to use to pay for funeral expenses. If you’d like to donate, please bring a check with you to the vigil and we’ll let you know who to make it out to once we’re there.
Amanda Blocker
I don’t know if I ever met Kavander, but the older Asian man who owned the store was always kind to anyone who walked in the door, as were his employees. You set a tone, and people rise to the occasion, and that’s how the social contract keeps going. I often went to the convenience store across the street, and the laundromat a block south, and the Mexican restaurant down from the package store, the one in the holler.
I mention these places because all of them get hit repeatedly by criminals. When you think about it, there are few places where people haven’t had their lives threatened by common criminals along that strip of Moreland, and, frankly, emanating out from it in every direction, throughout the city.
McKibbon’s mother also worked in the package store, for 20 years. What will she do now? Shaun Yu, the store owner, talks about watching McKibbon grow up in this amazingly sad Fox 5 interview. Yu remembers the young man as a child of 10 and talks about the sense of humor the two shared.
When will enough be enough? Judges in Atlanta act as if their courtrooms are private fiefdoms; prosecutors are too busy playing politics for their own professional advancement to bother expending political capital by asking for the money they need to do their jobs properly.
Certain professional activists fat with grant dollars don’t pause to consider the consequences as they waddle towards the nearest microphone to lash out at the police or underhandedly encourage adolescents to “stop snitching” (until, of course, they get that grant from the Chief to encourage snitching instead).
Meanwhile, decent, hard-working people like Martez McKibben and his boss, and all the other working people up and down Moreland Avenue are left to fend for themselves, as if they’re living in some post-apocalyptic movie, paid for with their own tax dollars.
‘How dare you complain?’ the politicians and police chiefs and newspaper editors sneer. ‘It’s the big city, kiddies, crime happens. Not where we live, of course, in our Inman Park mansions and gated penthouses with private patrols and security guards. Didn’t we tell you it’s just a perception of crime? The numbers are down, you hysterics. Our pals in academia say they’re down, so how dare you complain about it.’
Go light a candle for Kavander McKibben tonight. Give his family some money to help bury a young man who was just starting his life. Another one gone, one of five in another bloody Atlanta weekend.
The Possibilities of Realpolitick: Now That Kasim Reed or Mary Norwood Have Won the Atlanta Mayoral Election, What Will They Do?
by Tina in Atlanta,Crime and Justice Blog,Judges,victims
Regardless of who wins, they will have to address the betrayal of the public that marked Shirley Franklin and Richard Pennington’s last years.
Choosing a new police chief will be part of that. But there are deeper problems. Most, if not all of the people pictured below would be alive today if not for the radical leniency shown to repeat offenders in Atlanta’s courts.
A new mayor is limited in his or her power to directly impact the justice system. But they control some purse strings, and as representatives of the city to the Georgia legislature, they can make it a legislative priorities to change the sentencing loopholes that still enable judges to go easy on recidivists and first-time offenders guilty of violent crimes.
People are dying because of this leniency. What’s more important?
And as a prominent voice in politics, the new mayor can promote an ethic of selecting judges who view the courts as a place where everyone comes for justice, not a place where offenders go to be showered with attention, or just let go.
At the end of the day, 90% of the problems in our justice system boil down to resources and priorities. What will the next mayor prioritize? Or will he or she do nothing, as Franklin and Pennington did?
Look at these beautiful, kind faces.* Pray for their families.
*I am sorry this gallery is far from complete. These are pictures I have been keeping of murder victims killed in Atlanta since I started this blog. There are others.
Journalistic Ethics Week, Part 3: Mark Lunsford, Class Warfare, and Victims’ Rights at the St. Pete Times
by Tina in Crime and Justice Blog,Florida,media coverage of crime,victims
When the A.C.L.U. manufactures an utterly frivolous legal issue that costs the state millions of dollars to litigate, the St. Petersburg Times views that as money well-spent in the interest of “ensuring the health of our democracy.” When A.C.L.U.-associated lawyers profit from lawsuits arising from the group’s activism, the St. Petersburg Times doesn’t complain. It’s all in the interest of ensuring the health of our democracy, you see, and if lawyers turn a few million dimes “keeping the system honest,” well, power to the people.
When health-care non-profits accept funding from hospitals and medical and drug companies that stand to profit from their activism, the St. Petersburg Times doesn’t smell a rat: they smell roses. As they should. Actually, they usually don’t even notice such transactions, since this is the way non-profits simply do business.
When non-profit executives draw six figure salaries and drive around in nice cars and get reimbursed for their expenses and hotel bills and meals — when they organize high-overhead charity balls and hold conference in nice resorts and buy expensive office furniture — the St. Petersburg Times doesn’t shove microphones in their faces and demand to know how much the office rugs cost, let alone the board’s last business lunch, complete with wine.
When someone from the social register who otherwise does good deeds displays personal failings, the St. Petersburg Times might report their DUI or announce their departure from some charity. But they don’t follow such flawed people around, gleefully documenting their every error.
But when crime victims, especially those from the wrong side of the tracks, like Mark Lunsford, do any of these things, from making a living to comping a single meal, the St. Petersburg Times goes on the warpath. And in doing so, they reveal an embarrassing elitism and an even more embarrassing inability to separate their antipathy for Lunsford’s cause (stricter sentencing and monitoring of sex offenders) from their allegedly objective scrutiny of his professionalism.
I’m used to the snickering double standards expressed by journalists towards activists for victims’ rights. But even I was surprised by the tone Times senior correspondent Susan Taylor Martin used in attacking Mark Lunsford. And I was doubly surprised that Martin felt entitled to rip into a local computer mogul for subsidizing Lunsford’s recent lobbying:
HOMOSASSA — Since his daughter Jessica was raped and murdered in 2005, Mark Lunsford has become one of America’s best-known child advocates. With the help of donations to his nonprofit foundation, Lunsford has lobbied nationwide for tougher laws against criminals who prey on children.
But unknown to most, Lunsford has had another source of income for the past two years — a Boca Raton company that could profit from the very child-protection measures Lunsford has sought to enact. . .
In an affidavit filed in a paternity case, Lunsford disclosed he is paid $4,000 every other week — more than $100,000 a year — by Technology Investors and its multimillionaire founder, Hank Asher.
Asher, who created databases used to track sexual predators and other criminals, is developing new technology to help in the fight against child molesters.
“Unknown to most.” Where was it unknown where it needed to be known? Lunsford’s name appears openly in conjunction with Asher and others working on child exploitation issues. And why, precisely, shouldn’t Asher subsidize Lunsford? Any “conspiracy” resides only in Susan Martin’s head: she seems to feel that there is something wrong with Hank Asher hiring Lunsford to lobby. And, like, letting him sit next to him in his car:
Asher did not respond to calls seeking comment. Lunsford, who rode in Asher’s Mercedes during a media tour of company headquarters in December, says he sees nothing wrong with their arrangement.
Let’s see, who else engages in such nefarious activities? Mercedes-driving! Letting people sit next to you in your Mercedes? Paying for lobbying that will financially enrich the person paying for the lobbying? Why, who on earth would do that?
Everyone.
Everyone does, from the Cancer Society, to the Sierra Club, to the NAACP, to the anti-incarceration moonbats. Lawyers and investors who profit from environment lawsuits and regulations underwrite environmental lobbying. Companies that manufacture diversity curricula pay activists who demand more diversity education in the schools and workplaces. Drug companies are the largest donors to patient associations lobbying for prescription drug coverage. Doctors and hospitals support groups like the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, another non-profit founded by a bereaved family member and staffed by bereaved family members who surely earn salaries for their work representing the cause.
And it’s not just money for lobbying that get spread around: there are many ways to monetize activism, by which I mean earning a salary for doing it. Every other tenured academician who holds any position on crime (or medicine or civil rights or politics) is not only pulling a nice salary for their research but also tapping into lucrative grants, consulting contracts with government agencies, speaker’s fees, oh the list goes on and on and on, but Susan Martin apparently doesn’t mind any of this.
You don’t see her going after Barry Scheck for making money off his Innocence Project work. You don’t see her suggesting that anyone is inappropriately profiting from tragedy when technology firms that make DNA testing supplies use Scheck’s activism to make the case that the government should subsidize their research and buy their products.
She only minds these things when it’s an issue she opposes. Like enhancing sentencing and monitoring of sex offenders. Then she views the entire project with abject suspicion:
Asked what he does for Asher’s company, Lunsford says: “It’s not what I do for them, it’s what they do for me.” The steady pay, he says, enabled him to dissolve his foundation last year and concentrate on what he likes best — lobbying for Jessica’s laws, not raising money.
Who does Susan Martin think she is, demanding to know “what [Lunsford] does for Asher’s company”? He gets money from them to lobby, like a million others do.
Anti-incarceration biases clearly color Martin’s view of a relationship that would seem utterly unremarkable to her if the politics were different. But her elitism utterly blinds her, driving her, and others at the paper, to make serial allegations about Mark Lunsford over amounts of money so small that they wouldn’t cover the fringe benefits for even one executive at many non-profits:
[Asher’s financial support] is the latest revelation about a man [Lunsford] who has been hailed as a hero but whose handling of the foundation’s finances has also raised questions about the line between advocacy and personal enrichment.
Here are some of Martin’s accusations of “enrichment”:
Immediately after Couey’s March 18 arrest and the discovery of Jessica’s body, almost $50,000 in donations poured into a trust set up for the Lunsfords at a local bank.
“They wrote to help with our bills or to use however you wish,” says Lunsford, who bought a used truck.
Oh no, he bought a used truck. If only he’d bought a violin, or donated the money to NPR.
Lunsford says some of the money went into the nonprofit foundation he set up that spring with the help of Joe Boles, a nephew who briefly served as a foundation director.
While in Sarasota for a 2005 fundraiser, Boles and a girlfriend got into a drunken, violent fight at a Hyatt hotel. “Blood was literally on all of the walls, furniture and bedding,” police said.
The $4,789 in damages were billed to a foundation credit card; Boles disappeared and never repaid the money.
OK, so four years ago, Lunsford’s nephew got drunk and made an ass of himself. The foundation paid the damages, as it should, which came to less than $5,000. What are you going to do, string Lunsford up?
I’ve worked as a non-profit fundraiser. I’ve worked as a political consultant. I even spent five years on the other side of the table, as an event worker. In some capacity or another, I’ve worked or attended scores of non-profit events. Let me just observe that while bloody brawls are hardly typical of non-profit fundraisers (I won’t say the same for political events), money still can and does get wasted in a million different ways that people like Susan Martin would never dream of disputing, let alone disputing repeatedly over time.
For example, should all non-profits give up their expensive office suites, the flower arrangements at their special events, the corporate cars for executives? I could go on, but I won’t. To rant on and on and on about this $5,000 and other penny-ante expenses, which the Times has done for years, more than smacks of bias. And speaking of bias:
That incident went unnoticed at the time as attention focused on Lunsford’s metamorphosis from trucker with a high-school eduction to impassioned child advocate.
“Trucker with a high-school education.” Nice. Notice how Martin keeps pretending that there is some objective Greek chorus “paying attention to” Mark Lunsford, when it is really just her, and her peers, scrutinizing his every step.
This is not a brief for Mark Lunsford. I have reservations about him based on allegations that arose about child porn on his computer. But given the media’s attitude towards the subject of victim advocacy, I have little faith that I have ever opened a newspaper and read an accurate account of him.
What I definitely don’t care about is Lunsford receiving a perfectly ordinary salary for important advocacy work. But Susan Martin cares. Apparently, she finds the following remuneration for the following work excessive:
[Lunsford] helped win quick passage in Florida of the nation’s first Jessica’s Law, which imposed tougher penalties on child molesters and required many of those released from prison to wear tracking devices for the rest of their lives.
Lunsford moved on, persuading legislators in more than 40 states to pass their own Jessica’s Laws.
That is called: “work.”
There were fundraising bike rallies, appearances with Oprah and Bill O’Reilly, talk of book and movie deals. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist called Lunsford “a great man” and donated $63,812 from his inaugural to the foundation.
“It was rock star status,” says Cheryl Sanders, a cousin of Lunsford who served as foundation treasurer.
“He liked that lifestyle. He’d never seen so much money in his life.”
Here’s the really funny thing: if he were used to that type of money, and knew how to play to the media, we wouldn’t be hearing about it, either. If he spent it in the right restaurants, and made the right types of appearances, for the right causes — even falling-down drunk — it wouldn’t make headlines:
In the three years of the foundation’s existence, Lunsford drew salaries totalling $118,800 and was reimbursed for travel costs, either by the foundation or by organizations that invited him to speak.
$118,000 divided by three is nearly $40,000 a year. How dare a trucker with a high school education earn $3,277 a month? “Reimbursed for travel costs . . . by organizations that invited him to speak”? Wow, stop the presses! Even after we bought him that used truck?
[Cheryl] Sanders [a cousin who served as foundation treasurer] wondered about some of the expenses charged to a foundation credit card — $1,435 for furniture from Kane’s, $73 for drinks at Outback after Couey was sentenced to death (the restaurant “comped” the rest of the meal, she says) and gas for travel not related to the foundation.
This is the best they can do? $73 to celebrate Couey’s sentencing? “Gas for travel not related to the foundation”? Does Susan Martin actually think non-profit executives don’t routinely write off cocktails and green fees, not to mention entire trips, to a power of 100 of that night at Outback, as entertainment expenses, and donor grooming, or to celebrate a legislative victory, or thank staff for their performance? That is half a bill for one lunch to introduce a new employee or any of the thousands of other entirely ordinary corporate activities non-profits engage in, and yet, because this particular man did it (at Outback!), the St. Petersburg Times is making it a federal case.
Seventy-three dollars. Years ago. What did Couey’s lawyers eat that night, fat on the taxpayer’s dime after weeks of milking the system in the most despicable ways?
Whenever I read an article like this, I wonder what type of salary the paper’s reporters expect for their own kids, once Junior gets that degree in Social Justice from Yale and heads out to earn a living doing advocacy work on right types of causes.
I also wonder at how absolutely secure reporters are in their presumptions about everything from class to their apparently over-rated faith in the objectivity of their reporting.
But at the bottom of all of this lies a truly corrosive attitude towards all crime victims who dare to speak out. There is one standard for victims’ rights associations and another standard for the A.C.L.U.; one standard for scrutinizing prosecutors and another for scrutinizing the defense bar.
Remember the movie Reversal of Fortune, the dramatization of Alan Dershowitz’s courageous and principled defense of Claus Von Bulow (written by Alan Dershowitz)? Remember the gritty basketball/bull sessions in which Dershowitz lectures his law students that he takes clients like Von Bulow even though Von Bulow is scum so he can subsidize his real work selflessly representing oppressed members of the underclasses — that is, if by “selflessly” he actually means “getting paid absurd amounts by an Ivy League school when not being jetted around the world first class to get paid even more money for offering my opinions on criminal justice, which happen to conform perfectly with the opinions of this cheering squad of reporters hanging onto my every word?
Everybody gets paid for their activism.
Even journalists.
October 6, 2009 8:36 am
DNA Could Have Stopped Delmer Smith Before He Killed, But Nobody Cared Enough To Update the Federal Database
by Tina in California,DNA Databasing,failures to prosecute,Florida,Hate Crime,Just Not Putting the B******s Away,media coverage of crime,Rape,Recidivism,sex crime,The Guilty Project,victims,Wisconsin
This is Delmer Smith, who is responsible for a recent reign of terror on Florida’s Gulf Coast that left women from Venice to Bradenton terrified of violent home invasions, murder and rape:
Delmer Smith gave a DNA sample to the Feds 15 years ago, when he was incarcerated in Michigan on federal bank robbery charges. And then what did the Feds do? Well, in fairness, they were super busy not watching Phillip Garrido as he repeatedly raped and impregnated the child he was holding captive in his backyard.
So the feds apparently did nothing with Delmer Smith’s DNA. Now a slew of women have been raped, and at least one murdered, crimes that could have been easily prevented if the feds had done what they were supposed to do and entered Smith’s DNA into the appropriate database.
But they couldn’t be bothered, just like the states so often can’t be bothered, just like Florida couldn’t be bothered fifteen years ago when they let my rapist walk out of prison to commit more rapes of frail, elderly women because they didn’t bother to link him to other crimes using DNA from kits they were supposed to test, but didn’t.
In precisely the same neighborhoods Delmer just tore through: Sarasota, Venice, North Port.
This time, to be clear, it wasn’t the Florida courts that screwed up: it was federal authorities. Funny how they all screw up in precisely the same way, though: serial neglect of serial criminals who rape and kill again. How much do they screw up? Well, I’m understandably tuned in to this little piece of Florida’s West Coast, but it takes about fifteen minutes on Lexis-Nexus to find similar “mistakes” in every state. We are letting extremely violent criminals slip through the cracks, and nobody seems outraged about it: nobody seems to be trying to plug the many holes in the system, or even to try to figure out what those holes are.
What to do? Although police are usually the ones singled out when a serial offender is on the loose, their actions are rarely the reason recidivists are free. Blame the courts — from lax prosecutors to lenient judges, to the hash the defense bar has made of our criminal justice system. Also blame parole boards, and legislators and governors who refuse to fund prosecutions and prisons at realistic levels.
Finally, blame the activists who will do anything to get certain offenders out from behind bars, all the while banging the drum that “America is a prison state: we incarcerate too many people for too long. . .” Any cursory review of crime reports, arrests and convictions shows that precisely the opposite is true: we incarcerate too few people, and we let them go too soon.
People still routinely get a few months in jail for molesting a child, or probation for shooting someone. But how do we make this visible, when prosecutors and judges want to hide their actions, and reporters won’t report on it?
It’s Time for a “Guilty Project”
Failure to Update DNA Database
Delmer Smith: suspected in a dozen home invasions, several rapes, one or more murders, all thanks to the failure of federal authorities to enter his DNA profile in the CODIS database. Too bad the F.B.I. sent a profiler down to Florida tell the cops that the killer was probably a male with anger issues, instead of making sure CODIS (which is the FBI’s responsibility) was up to date. How many other violent offenders have slipped through the cracks in CODIS? Does anybody know?
Serial Judicial Leniency, Failures to Prosecute, Failures to Enforce Parole, Failure to Correct DNA Deception, Failure to Update DNA Database
Walter E. Ellis, arrested at least a dozen times, including two (or three) attempted murders; convicted of several serious crimes, including attempted murder; repeatedly released early, despite multiple parole violations; received merely three years for nearly killing a woman with a hammer; charges apparently dropped for attacking another women with a screwdriver . . . and Wisconsin authorities didn’t bother to get a DNA sample from Ellis at the time they discovered that the sample supposed to be his had been “donated” by another inmate, a child rapist. 12,000 other convict samples are currently missing from Wisconsin’s list.
Serial Judicial Leniency, Failure to Update DNA Database, Reliance on Inaccurate Profiling(?)
John Floyd Thomas, first convicted of rape in 1957, arrested multiple times, convicted of rape again, released early again, now suspected of killing as many as 30 elderly women, avoided giving a DNA sample when he was required to do so, apparently without any consequences. True Crime Report is attributing his ability to elude capture to inaccurate profiling indicating a white killer, but I’m not sure about that because there were surviving victims thought to be linked to the serial murders.
Prior to these belated DNA matches, the only one of these three men who served any substantial time in prison was Smith, and that was for robbing a bank, not assaulting a woman. Authorities in Milwaukee can’t even figure out what happened to one of Walter Ellis’ previous attempted murder charges for an attack on a woman.
Just trying to kill women still doesn’t count for much, it appears.
The flagrant acts of these men, and of thousands of others — the lack of consequences they experience that enables them to attack multiple female victims — all beg the question: why aren’t serial crimes targeting women counted as hate crimes against women?
Why aren’t the resources of the hate crimes movement — the public outrage, the state and federal money, the well-funded private opposition research, the media attention, the academic and activist imperatives — brought to bear on cases where the people being targeted are women?
The answer is shameful. Hate crimes leaders and opposition researchers don’t want their movement “distracted” by the the fact that women are far and away the most common category of victims targeted because of their identities. These activists want to keep the focus on the picture they are painting of America, on race and ethnicity and sexual orientation, so they don’t want their statistics “overwhelmed” by a whole bunch of woman victims.
Consequently, activists who otherwise fight to get certain crimes counted as hate crimes fight even harder to keep any serial crime against women from being counted as hate — as the media laps at their heels, quiescent as a warm gulf tide.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has been a central player in this ugly little deception for more than a decade now, so don’t expect changes anytime soon, especially with journalists’ self-enforced code of silence.
However, to give Holder credit where credit is due, he does advocate expanding the federal DNA database, an unpopular position to take in the current administration.
There is a personal silver lining in the Delmer Smith case. The man who had the temerity and insight to finally put my rapist away for life is the same man who had the temerity and insight to catch Smith before he killed more women. It was a cognitive leap and real police work, apparently done by linking Smith to the sexual assaults after he got caught in an unrelated crime, a violent bar brawl. And then locking him up on federal parole violations until a DNA sample could be tracked down.
Thank you, Venice Police Captain Tom McNulty, for taking yet another bastard off the streets. That’s policing.
How Many Women do You Need to Slaughter Before it Becomes a Hate Crime?
by Tina in Academicians on Crime,Hate Crime,sex crime,The Hate Crime Racket,victims
Let’s see. According the the silence of the “experts” in the face of Walter E. Ellis’ crimes, apparently it’s some number higher than seven. And counting.
So what constitutes a hate crime against women? Nothing, in practice. Not selecting and slaughtering woman after woman after woman. Not scrawling hate words across a murdered woman’s body. Not ritualistically destroying a woman’s breasts or sex organs. Not spreading fear among other women through your attacks. Not inflicting “excessive” violence, “overkill,” whatever that means.
All those things are indicators of hate when they’re done to other types of victims, the experts tell us. But they’re not indicators of hate when they’re just directed at women.
Here is the Anti-Defamation League weighing in on Walter Ellis’ systematic targeting, stalking, and murder of women . . . silence.
Here is the Southern Poverty Law Center . . . silence.
Here are esteemed “hate crime experts” James Allen Fox and Jack Levin, who shamefully worked overtime to insinuate that the crimes of the Pennsylvania gym murderer, George Sodini, were something other than hate crimes — after Sodini posted hate-filled screeds against women on-line, then opened fire on a random group of women, killing three and wounding others . . . silence.
Here is the National Organization for Women weighing in on Ellis’ stalking and killing of women. Whoops, sorry, they haven’t uttered a peep about Ellis, even though investigators are sifting through evidence of the murders of 20 more female victims in addition to the 9 already tied to Ellis.
The N.O.W. is too busy for such things. For example, they are currently busy making the case that teen vitamins are sexist:
According to the One-A-Day website, among the the “top health concerns of moms and teens” are the fact that teenage girls need to have healthy (read: aesthetically pleasing) skin, while teenage boys should have healthy muscle function. In case potential consumers aren’t picking up the difference, the vitamins come in color-coordinated boxes, the pills themselves have been dyed pink or blue, and “for Her” and “for Him” appear on the boxes in fonts that were clearly chosen to convey feminine or masculine vibes.
In reality, most of the actual ingredients of the two products are the same, working toward the same ends: supporting a healthy immune system, bone strength and energy. The issue here is not the contents of the pills, but rather the way in which these differences are marketed. The message sent to girls is that looks are paramount, and by contrast, their own strength is unnecessary or irrelevant. Likewise, boys are encouraged to be active and adventurous — there’s even a Major League Baseball logo on the boys’ box, while the girls’ box features a breast cancer awareness ribbon. But, why shouldn’t girls be concerend [sic] with having healthy muscles? And surely boys would like healthy skin, too, right?
While having sex-based differences in nutrition is understandable — women typically need more iron, for example — the method of packaging and advertising that Bayer employs is insulting. Not to mention, promoting these sex stereotypes to girls and boys during their teenage years lays a foundation for a lifetime of buying into rigid gender roles.
Pay no attention to the 29+ murdered women in Milwaukee, ladies. Nothing to see here, move along, move along.
The Good Kids in the Crossfire
by Tina in Atlanta,California,Crime and Justice Blog,Detroit,victims
I was going to write about good kids getting killed in the crossfire when I got up this morning. Then I read the Atlanta Journal Constitution and realized there was nothing to add:
One person was in custody Thursday in connection with the early morning shooting death of a Spelman College student hit by a stray bullet on the campus of nearby Clark Atlanta University. . . The victim, Jasmine Lynn, of Kansas City, Mo., was “walking southbound on James P. Brawley when she was struck in the chest by a stray round from a group of individuals involved in a physical altercation on Mitchell Street,” Atlanta police Lt. Keith Meadows said. . .
According to Lynn’s Myspace page, the 19-year-old sophomore was majoring in psychology and minoring in business. She was a 2008 graduate of Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in Kansas City.
And this, from the Los Angeles Times last week:
It’s Always the Good Kids: That’s The Sad Part About It
Samuel Leonard, a 22-year-old black man, was shot and killed in the 1700 block of West Century Boulevard in Gramercy Park on Saturday, Aug. 22, according to Los Angeles police. . .
This afternoon friends and neighbors of Leonard gathered at memorial set up at the site of his shooting. Surrounded by caution tape, the display included 22 votive candles, more than 10 bouquets, two pictures, and a handful of stuffed animals.
Albert Tyson, 45, said he lived across the street from Leonard and had known him since he was 14 or 15 years old. “He was a good kid,” Tyson said. “He didn’t get into any trouble. He didn’t use drugs.”
Tashika Brackens, 32, lived down the street from Leonard. She said her husband was friends with him, and he would frequently drop by her home to say hello to her two young daughters or ask what they were making for dinner. “He would talk to anybody. He was real friendly,” she said. “I had seen him that morning…. I think someone was just jealous he had a good job and a good car.” She said Leonard worked at LAX in the baggage claim department but wanted to get a job with her as a bus driver and, eventually, to go back to school. “It’s always the good kids, that’s the sad part about it,” she said. “I just don’t understand, just don’t understand.”
Albert Tyson had this extraordinary thing to say about the memorial for Leonard:
Though there were several visitors to Leonard’s memorial, people did not linger. “People get shot up at memorials now,” Tyson said. “I don’t want to stay too long.”
Rochelle Riley is a columnist for the Detroit Free Press. She has written two editorials in as many weeks that are must-reads on the current crime crisis:
More than 1,100 people have been shot in this city! And 215 have died! That’s 215 faces families won’t see. That’s, most likely, 215 funerals. . . We have to find a way to stop letting reports of violence and death pass by like commercials in the daily drama of our lives.
Detroit has a new Police Chief who seems to be making a difference, instead of denying the problem:
[Detroit Police Chief Warren] Evans says if Detroiters don’t muster up some righteous indignation about the crime that’s sweeping the city, it will be harder for his department to stay ahead of it. “People have got to get indignant,” he said. . . On Friday, Evans met with every ranking person in the DPD — inspectors, commanders, assistant chiefs, deputy chiefs — and assigned each of them to take five citizen complaints and go meet with the person who filed it. “They’ll talk about the problem, and we’ll check it out. That will have a tremendous impact. … If people see someone with four stars, five stars, two stars out there answering complaints that will say a whole lot more to people than lip service.”
The chief doesn’t know what kind of crime it would take to wake people up, to stir some righteous indignation. But he’s bracing for it. In the meantime, he said, “I don’t want people living in denial about where we’re at.”
Imagine having a Chief of Police who talks like that.
Today’s column by Rochelle Riley:
The problem has been like a tropical storm that changes to a hurricane and catches us off guard.
For years, we’ve made excuses.
For years, we’ve looked the other way.
For years, we’ve pronounced other things more important. But what is more important than children committing murder?
Continue reading here.
A True Friend To Crime Victims
by Tina in Crime and Justice Blog,victims
Dominick Dunne died today at 83. Dunne became a vocal critic of the justice system after his daughter’s killer was sentenced to a mere six and a half years for her murder — and served less than five. Dunne’s daughter, Dominique, was only 22 years old when she was killed.
After burying his only daughter, Dunne lived another 26 years. He used those years to expose the ways crime victims are denied justice in America. In doing so, he was considered a traitor or hysteric by many in the elite circles he moved in, where killers are showered with PEN grants and praise, and victims are considered bourgeois, vengeful, and, worst of all, déclassé.
Dunne stayed in the room, even when he was rubbing shoulders with people like Norman Mailer and Susan Sarandon, who named her son after unrepentant spree killer Jack Abbott (Sarandon attended Abbott’s trial and {content corrected} called Abbott a genius; Mailer had used his celebrity to get Abbott released prior to his last murder, even though Abbott promised him that if he did, he would kill again).
It must have cost Dunne a lot to stay in the room with people like that. We’re all lucky he did.
Dominick Dunne Dominique Dunne, murdered at 22
Jack Henry Robbins, named after killer Jack Henry Abbott, with his mother, who named him.
Crime Denial at the New York Times, Part 1: Regarding the Torture of (Some) Others
by Tina in Child Molestation,Crime and Justice Blog,Crime Denial,Florida,media coverage of crime,Parole,Pro-Criminal,Sex Offender Registries,victims
The New York Times is the most important newspaper in America, and that is unfortunate, for in their pages, ordinary criminals are frequently treated with extreme deference and sympathy, even respect. Some types of criminals are excluded from this kid-glove treatment, but that is a subject for another day. For the most part, ordinary (property, drug, violent, sexual) criminals comprise a protected class in the Times. Even when it must be acknowledged that someone has, in fact, committed a crime, the newsroom’s mission merely shifts to minimizing the culpability of the offender by other means.
There are various ways of doing this. Some have to do with selectively criticizing the justice system: for example, the Times reports criminal appeals in detail without bothering to acknowledge congruent facts that support the prosecution and conviction. They misrepresent the circumstances that lead to (sometimes, sometimes not) wrongful convictions while showing no curiosity about the exponentially higher rate of non-prosecution of crimes.
Then there is their intense personal interest in — advocacy for — offenders. They pen long profiles of criminals, detailing their difficult childhoods, their self-reported rehabilitation, their suffering in prison, and the social conditions that allegedly “drove them” to victimize others. These stories rarely include more than passing mention of offenders’ crimes, if they even do that.
Here is the crux of the problem arising from their pro-offender biases: you cannot easily empathize with both a rapist and his victim, so the victim must be erased, or maligned, and the crime erased, or minimized, in order to enhance the reporter’s fictional vision of the criminal.
It is as if these people labor in irony-poor air beneath a giant, pulsating edition of Camus’ The Stranger.
In addition to sloppy ethics, this allegiance to one side of the story leads to sloppy reporting. Sloppy reporting is hardly the worst sin, but it is one that might embarrass them more deeply than the act of reducing victims to one-dimensional, inhuman flotsam.
That part, after all, is entirely intentional.
Last Thursday, the Times ran a typical crime-denying story about the travails of sex offenders who have been released from prison and now live in a homeless settlement under the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami. The sex offenders’ advocates say that they are living in tents under the causeway because local laws restrict convicted sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of zones where children gather, and they can find no other place where they may reside legally.
The Times reporter spoke with two of the approximately seventy sex offenders who live under the bridge. He did not bother to note that there are hundreds of registered sex offenders who actually live in apartments near the bridge and throughout the city. You can see the location of registered sex offenders living either on or near the Julia Tuttle Causeway at the Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators website. Go to “neighborhood search”; enter “3400 Biscayne Blvd., 33137″ (an address near the bridge), and choose “five mile radius” and “map” to view the entire downtown. The men dwelling under the bridge appear on the left shore of the causeway.
Some of the men living in apartments have been registered quite recently, so I don’t know why it is that they have housing while others are “forced to” reside under the bridge. Is it a question of money and not just the living restrictions law? Are they addicts who would be homeless anyway, and that is the only place where they can live while homeless? Is it simply getting harder for offenders to find housing because they have to register their addresses now, and landlords are understandably hesitant to accept them as tenants because then their other tenants and neighbors have access to their criminal records? Is the housing problem caused by sex offender registration laws, as much as by sex offender living restriction laws? What are the additional circumstances, not reported by the media, that end in an offender moving under the bridge? Such questions are not addressed in the many news stories about the poor-sex-offenders-living-under-the-bridge.
There are thousands of homeless people in Miami: the ones who are not sex offenders, however, are not currently a pet cause in the national press.
The sight of so many sex offenders in one place is startling: it is no solution for them to live there, of course. But then, when you expand the search area on the sex offenders website to see the sex offenders living throughout the city, something else becomes startling, as well. Some streets seem filled with offenders. There are seven hundred registered sex offenders in downtown Miami alone. When you look at that map, at flag upon flag until the city disappears beneath them, you can understand why people said: “Enough. We don’t want any more of them near us.”
That is another thing you will not read in the New York Times.
The A.C.L.U. is using this sex offender encampment to challenge living restriction laws, and so “Julia Tuttle Causeway” has become a sort of national rallying cry for activists who oppose placing restrictions on where convicted sex offenders may live. These activists unabashedly include reporters who have done an especially poor job of covering the living restrictions issue from all sides.
For example, one reporter writes that there is “no proof” that living restrictions prevent crime, and then another reporter repeats that as fact, yet they do not bother to write about instances of convicted offenders being picked up and returned to prison for refusing to stay away from restricted zones. They never discuss cases where family members tried, and failed, to have a threatening offender returned to prison but could not because, prior to these laws, the bar was often too high to do so. Parole officers were hesitant to act without adequate power, or they were sympathetic to the offender, or apathetic, their apathy aided by vague laws. For one tragic example, see the Silver Comet Trail killer, here and here.
Now, large numbers of convicted sex offenders who would have flown under the radar before the registration laws and living restriction laws went into effect have instead been removed from the streets for violating the terms of their release. Of course, there is no way to count the number of potential sexual assaults that are headed off by enforcing this part of offenders’ sentences. But that is part of the story, if you actually report the story objectively.
Enforcement of living restrictions is complicated. At what point do restrictions become too onerous? Too cost-inefficient? How many men are returning to prison for violating them? How many of these men attacked additional victims while they were breaking the laws? Are strict registration rules, without living restrictions, perhaps the better choice?
Or do living restriction laws offer poor communities the only chance to avoid becoming dumping grounds for huge numbers of sex offenders, even if it is a piecemeal, inefficient approach?
The Times doesn’t care to answer such questions. Faced with a complex subject, they retreat to their preferred narrative, that the men living under the Julia Tuttle Bridge are victims of government oppression:
Under the bridge on Thursday, tents and plywood shacks competed for space with rusty bicycles, a skinny cat, and a beige lawn chair. In a sign of the camp’s bereft permanence, a yellow electrical cord attached to a generator snaked through the camp flat against the ground, pounded by countless footsteps.
Bereft permanence. And make that completely innocent victims: otherwise, the narrative grows muddy. But how do you make the case that these seventy convicted sexual offenders are innocents deserving of sympathy? Shockingly, rather than reporting their official records, the reporter does this by allowing the offenders he interviews to describe their own crimes:
Patrick Wiese, 48 . . . said he served time in prison after having his stepdaughter touch him inappropriately. . .
Look at how carefully the reporter crafts this phrase: “after having his stepdaughter touch him inappropriately.” Having her . . . touch . . . inappropriately. A whisper of a crime. A transitory moment, a merely “inappropriate” gesture, and now he lives under a bridge, poor man, poor Humbert Humbert, three solid years of the countless pounding footsteps and extension cords and relentless sun.
Of course, that is not what really happened.
Here are the crimes for which Patrick Wiese was convicted: three counts of molesting a child under the age of 12 over a period of nine months. The disposition is available on-line. Why would a reporter fail to check the record?
Or rather, which is worse: failing to check the official record, or checking it and then intentionally misrepresenting it?
I have a hard time believing that the Times wouldn’t bother to do a simple, on-line fact check, so I think the reporter looked at Patrick Wiese’s record and tried to figure out how to make Wiese sound as “innocent” as possible, even though the only way of doing so would be to collude in obfuscating — denying — his repeated sexual assault of a young child.
The Times, after all, wanted its readers to see only one thing: a bridge, with broken men huddled beneath it, abused by the world, not abusers. And so the reporter, doing his job, denied through careful omission repeated instances of sexual torture in the interest of advancing this agenda.
You know, like Rumsfeld did with Abu Ghraib.
Only when Abu Ghraib happened, the Times howled to the heavens. Then, they took a stand in favor of total transparency. They rejected arguments about the safety of the troops in wartime, calling them a smokescreen for a political agenda. They published an “important,” line-in-the-sand essay in which Susan Sontag raged over the horror of subjecting male prisoners to sexual abuse, titled “Regarding the Torture of Others.” They published scores of other articles exploring every aspect of those violations, slowly, graphically, outragedly.
Add to that, ironically. For when this Times reporter was required by routine standards of journalistic accuracy to note the repeated sexual assault — the repeated sexual torture — of a child, “under twelve,” the Times allowed that crime to be swept under the carpet in the interest of advancing their agenda.
Some victims of repeated sexual abuse are just more important than others, I suppose.
It would have taken one sentence to present a correct record of Patrick Wiese’s crimes. Not only should the Times have done that, but given the subject of the article, they should have noted his denial of the serious nature of his crime alongside the official record documenting it. The article, after all, was supposed to be about measures taken to address recidivism by sexual offenders.
How do you justify talking about recidivism policy while denying the recidivist nature of the crimes committed by the very person you are using to illustrate the subject?
Consider the particular horror of this instance of child sexual abuse. The victim was a child, under twelve; she was forced to live with her rapist. He had access to her all of the time; she was also forced, for months, or years, to behave as if the rape was not happening. She had to go to sleep at night with him in the house. She was told by him that she was the one who was guilty of touching him. She was told that “touching” him (one must assume sexually manipulating him) was a minor thing, nothing to take seriously or tell. And then, after enduring the horror of repeated assault, then police interviews, and frightening exams, and a terribly frightening trial, a reporter comes along and says to the world precisely what the rapist said to her: “She touched him.” “Yeah, it was inappropriate. Touching.”
I know several victims of childhood sexual assault, and this type of denial on the part of others is every bit as soul-corroding as the assaults themselves.
Consider this, too: anyone who works with childhood sexual abuse victims will tell you that prosecuting abusers is incredibly difficult because circumstances make it very easy to avoid leaving the types of physical evidence that can hold up in court. After all, offenders live with their victims; they often dress them and undress them and bathe them and lie down next to them in their beds, so unless a child-victim is so severely injured that he or she is brought to the hospital directly following an assault in which semen was left behind, or the victim is infected with a traceable venereal disease, there is little chance of proving forcible rape. Oral sodomy is even more difficult to prove.
So when I see an offender with a record of one or three instances of “inappropriate touching,” I suspect that’s the tip of the iceberg. I suspect the conviction is the result of a plea bargain agreed to just to get the sick bastard away from the child and onto a registry, which is the most victims can reasonably hope for in the courts these days, as jurors increasingly demand DNA evidence or actual photographs of the crime.
One would think the amount of denial of crime that is built into our criminal justice system would be enough: enough of a burden to place on victims; more than enough of a burden to place on a child who has been forced to live with her abuser until somebody finally forced him to live somewhere else. Like under the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami.
But in the newsroom of the New York Times, there is never enough crime denial, never enough opportunities to bury what has been done to victims in order to make the offenders the only real victims in sight.
The New Normal: Detroit
by Tina in Academicians on Crime,Citizens Fight Back,Detroit,Pro-Criminal,The Crime Experts,victims
Seven teens were shot last week outside a school offering summer classes in Detroit. Three were in critical condition. A week earlier, another girl was shot in the chest outside another school.
Now the police are having trouble getting anyone to cooperate with them. “The taboo against snitching is worse than the taboo against shooting,” the Detroit Free Press reported yesterday.
In response to the shootings, ministers in Detroit have invented another “community outreach” initiative. It has an unfortunate name: MADE Men (Men Affirming Discipline and Education), and it probably has a fund-raising initiative up and running. Such are the economics of outreach. An identical effort started a few years ago after another round of school shootings folded not long after it was announced.
I’m sure the ministers mean well, and it is hard to imagine what else they could do under the circumstances, but I wish, for once, the adults would forgo the whole clever naming thing and just start doing what they say they’re going to do: get more involved in the schools. When you create an organization and hold a press conference, that’s just time you’re not spending actually working with kids. That’s making it all about you, and your organization, and your leadership. And, frankly, there have been decades and decades of such failed efforts. People are weary of the rigmarole: crisis — press conference — fund raising — then nothing.
Just start volunteering for the P.T.A. already.
It’s worth noting that, as I wrote about here, the AAAC (Academic/Activist/Advocacy Complex) has invented a formula mathematically proving that crime is not all that bad in Detroit because Detroit has the type of population that actually ought to be committing even more crime. I’m sure that’s a comfort.
Is Detroit a terminal case of the logical consequences of the academic anti-incarceration ethic (AAIE!!!) that is currently sweeping the federal government? On the backs of the seven youngsters shot outside school last week, and in the face of the many people who must know something about the crime but refuse to “snitch” to the police, yes, it is.
An Important Law Georgia Still Does Not Have: Arrestee DNA Databasing
by Tina in Alternative Sentencing,Burglary is a Violent Crime,Child Molestation,Crime and Justice Blog,crime statistics,DNA Databasing,failures to prosecute,Florida,Georgia,media coverage of crime,Pro-Criminal,Rape,Recidivism,Sex Offender Registries,Tools for Activists,victims
Back in the 1990’s, Georgia Lt. Governor Mark Taylor made it a priority to build the state’s DNA crime database. He did this long before other states got on board, and for many years Georgia was rightly viewed as a leader in using DNA to solve violent crimes. Taylor was driven by his strong commitment to victims of rape and child molestation who had been denied justice. He did not heed the civil rights and convict rights lobbies who tried to stir up hysteria over using DNA to solve crimes (ironically, these same activists are howling over the Supreme Court’s utterly reasonable decision last week not to enshrine post-conviction DNA as a blanket, federal right, when 46 states already guarantee it, as even Barry Scheck admits: don’t believe virtually anything you read about this case on the editorial pages).
Taylor’s leadership on DNA databasing yielded an extraordinary number of database “hits” long before other states got their databases up and running. In 1998, only convicted and incarcerated sex offenders were required to submit DNA samples in Georgia, yet 13 repeat-offender rapists were immediately linked to other sexual assaults, and scores of “unidentified offender” profiles were readied to be used if those offenders were finally caught and tested.
The convicted-and-imprisoned-sex-offenders-only database also revealed a chilling reality: many of the prolific rapists whose DNA matched other sex assaults had only ever been convicted of non-sex crimes such as drug crimes, burglary, and robbery.
Any prosecutor of a certain age will tell you that, before DNA evidence, it was so difficult to prosecute rapists that prosecutors often made the choice to allow rapists to plead to non-sex offenses such as burglary just to (temporarily) get them off the streets. This strategy was directed at serial, stranger sex offenders who were known to the cops but managed to avoid conviction because the public was so resistant to finding anyone guilty of rape. Taylor’s database made this injustice to victims visible.
Unfortunately, the types of injustice (to victims) and justice (against offenders) the database revealed was of little interest to the media.
Nevertheless, for several years, Georgia’s DNA database quietly withstood efforts by “civil rights” activists to shut it down. In 2000, the legislature expanded DNA testing to all incarcerated felons: 70 crimes were immediately solved, including serial rapes committed by convicts who had no prior rape convictions.
In 2007, the legislature expanded the database again, adding felony probationers — that weird category, the existence of which should splash some cold water on heartfelt feelings that we are far too harsh in sentencing and imprisoning criminals. In the real world, even violent felons still routinely walk away with nothing more than probation for their crimes.
As of a year ago, thanks to the expansion of the database, 12 of these “felony probationers” were linked to serious crimes through DNA. That’s 12 fewer violent offenders on the streets.
Still, no paper. Few headlines. Fewer editorials. And, eventually, Georgia began to fall behind other states in DNA databasing.
As I write this, Florida Governor Charlie Crist has briefly emerged from his offender-kumbaya-fervor to sign a bill requiring all people arrested for felonies to submit DNA samples for analysis — just like they submit photographs and fingerprints. Florida now joins 20 other states that are using DNA to investigate and solve crimes (Denver D.A. Mitchell R. Morrissey has a good website explaining the use of DNA in the courts).
But Georgia still languishes on the list of states that do not require DNA samples to be drawn upon arrest for a felony. Here is a chart comparing state laws from the DNA Resource Report.
In 2008, the Georgia Legislature did pass Senate Bill 430, which started out as a felony arrestee DNA database bill but got watered down through the legislative process. It emerged as little more than a statement affirming that prosecutors may ask the GBI to check a suspect’s DNA sample against the existing database so long as “the sample was obtained through a search warrant, consent of the suspect, court order, or other lawful means.” Then it concludes: “The bureau [GBI] shall not add a DNA profile of any such suspect to any DNA data bank except upon conviction.”
In other words, a bill that started out attempting to add felony arrestees to the state database morphed into a bill specifically restricting arrestee DNA from being added to the state database. I’d like to know the story behind this watering-down, particularly as it occurred at the same time when other states were successfully expanding their DNA databases to include felony arrestee samples under certain conditions.
Why did Georgia fold? Is there another bill in the works?
If you still aren’t convinced that arrestee DNA databasing is an urgent need, take a look at the website for DNA Saves, the organization Dave and Jayann Sepich started after their daughter Katie was raped, strangled and set on fire in New Mexico in 2003. Her offender was arrested and convicted of several other crimes, but his DNA had never been databased, so her murder went unsolved and he went free to continue attacking women for three years after Katie’s death.
How many victims of murder and rape in Georgia would have been protected by such a law?
Meanwhile, here is a statement from FDLE commissioner Gerald Bailey to the St. Petersburg Times correcting some of its inaccurate and fear-mongering press on the issue of arrestee DNA:
A valuable tool in fighting crime
Your editorial regarding the new Florida Department of Law Enforcement DNA database legislation failed to provide the public with a full picture.
This initiative, once funded, will expand Florida’s DNA database to include samples from persons arrested for felonies. The process is no different from the way Florida already stores and handles fingerprints from arrests. Like the current law on fingerprints, the DNA legislation has provisions for removal of the file when a person arrested for a felony meets certain requirements.
The database in its current form has been a great investment for our citizens; every month it generates an astounding 230 hits. These hits match an unknown DNA sample left at a crime scene to a known felon whose DNA is already on file, or links two or more unsolved crimes. It’s an invaluable investigative tool.
Including felony arrests means more samples in the DNA database and more crimes solved. It also means crimes will be solved faster and, most important, crimes will be prevented. Taking DNA at the first felony arrest ensures that DNA is taken from those offenders who evade felony conviction time and time again. It ensures that DNA from the first felony will be matched to that offender’s next crime, halting further victimization and saving lives.
Florida becomes the 21st state to take samples from felony arrestees. There is no other tool that can prevent violent crimes as efficiently and effectively as this. The Legislature got it right. Our citizens expect this level of protection. I think they deserve it.
Gerald Bailey, commissioner, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tallahassee
I certainly deserved it: too bad it wasn’t there to help me in Florida when I needed it. Worse, too bad it still doesn’t exist to protect victims in Georgia.
That Perception of Crime Thing
by Tina in Academicians on Crime,Federal Policy,Florida,Pro-Criminal,The Crime Experts,victims
I stop by the convenience store near my house a few times a week. It is the only store for a few miles in either direction, on a rural stretch of highway. There’s a stop light, the divided highway, a single train track, the convenience store, and then 55+ trailer parks, tomato fields, and cow pastures leading out to the bay. If you drive south on the highway, you hit the county line.
In other words, it is a perfect target for crime. Easy-in, easy-out, with little traffic and a good view of the people coming and going. The women who work as cashiers there are world-weary. They are bitter and fatalistic about the fact that they keep getting robbed. When I spoke with one of them a few weeks ago, she seemed a little embarrassed that she was even upset about the latest armed robbery. She looks like somebody who has had few breaks in life and has learned not to complain. She stands less than five feet tall and might weigh 100 pounds soaking wet, as they say. Like most of the store’s employees, including the security guard they have hired, she is a senior citizen. Once you get to be in your sixties, it’s hard enough to find work.
Frustration was visible in her eyes as she described the robbery-before-the-last-one. She gets up and goes to work every day, and then she has to deal with constant worry when she gets there.
The store is part of a chain, and the owners have spent significant amounts of money on security, which, of course, gets passed on to all of us. They installed cameras and hired a security guard. Now there are signs in English and Spanish telling customers that the cashiers will not change large bills and that cash is deposited into a locked safe during business hours. The next step, I suppose, is bulletproof glass, but the employees will still have to come out from behind the glass to stock shelves. It is no way to live, sitting behind bulletproof glass. And (shades of Florida, and the generational divide) what will happen when the cashiers need to go outside to smoke their cigarettes?
Apparently, the robbers never get much cash, but this does not stop them from coming back. The cashier looked jumpy as she told me this. She is angry that these men would rob working people. She is angry that her life is being put on the line for a handful of twenties and a few rolls of change. “They took quarters,” she said, disgusted.
Meanwhile, last Monday, Attorney General Eric Holder spoke before the National Institute for Justice about ways the Justice Department is working to reduce the stigma of having a criminal record. “Prisoner re-entry” is the feel-good buzzword of the year. The feds are gearing up to spend massive amounts of taxpayer dollars on programs to help criminals “re-enter” society (I worked for a man who got a grant from the City of Atlanta to do this: he was supposed to teach repeat offenders how to produce rap videos as “job-training.” I suppose it is a silver lining that he did not really bother to do the work).
Now the Justice Department is sponsoring research that looks to me to be laying the groundwork to conceal criminal records from prospective employers — on the unsurprising grounds that employers tend to choose non-criminal over criminal applicants for any given job. The idea that people who do not have criminal records actually merit a leg-up over people who have committed crimes is not the type of idea that gets bandied around in research circles, of course.
Attorney General Holder feels the problem lies not with the character of people who commit crimes but with the way the public perceives people with criminal records. He said:
Most employers perform criminal background checks on everyone they consider hiring and have varying levels of concern about the criminal records of prospective employees. That means that people with criminal records are always vulnerable to being turned down for a job. In many cases, employers may want to hire an otherwise qualified person, but they feel that his or her criminal record suggests a future risk of criminal conduct. Without some ability to assess whether a person with a criminal record presents a greater risk than someone else, they prefer to err on the side of caution and pass him or her over.
This new research – which is preliminary and ongoing – has found that there may well be a point at which someone who has committed a crime is no longer at any greater risk of committing a future crime than someone who has never committed a crime before.
Why not let employers decide whether or not an ex-felon seems to have reformed himself enough to merit being trusted with a job? Is it now out of bounds to suggest that acknowledging one’s criminal past is part of rehabilitation? Holder apparently feels it is within the mission of the Justice Department to reform (conceal?) the reputation of people with criminal records, even at considerable cost to the rest of us — the employer who is liable if someone they hire robs them or harms someone else while on the job; the safety of employees who are not made aware that their co-workers are ex-felons.
What Attorney General Holder did not say is more telling than what he did say. He did not mention punishing criminals as deterrence, of course (such talk is strictly taboo). He did not address the needs of people who have been victimized. What he chose to speak about was the needs of ex-cons and his desire to change the way other people perceive them.
How exactly, one might ask, would researchers determine the “point at which someone who has committed a crime is no longer at any greater risk of committing a future crime than someone who has never committed a crime before”? This sort of stuff smacks of manufacturing desired results. Can anyone imagine criminologists announcing, at this stage of the game, that their “preliminary and ongoing” research has actually revealed that employers are taking unacceptable risks when they hire people with criminal records? No, the point of funding this research is to support the Attorney General’s stated goal of “prisoner reentry.” The table is set in advance. Statistical justifications will doubtlessly follow.
To put it another way, the head of the law enforcement branch of our government has nothing to say to the hard-working convenience store clerk down the road from me who keeps getting robbed at her job because he has chosen, instead, to offer job assistance to the men who keep robbing her.
Five Ugly Pieces, Part 5: Around Atlanta
by Tina in Alternative Sentencing,Atlanta,Community Sentencing,Crime and Justice Blog,Crime Denial,failures to prosecute,Georgia,Just Not Putting the B******s Away,Pro-Criminal,Sentencing,victims
Some mop-up for the week:
The Silver Comet Trail murder case is moving along despite efforts by the defense to derail it. Tragically, Michael Ledford’s mother had tried to get her son put back in jail before Jennifer Ewing was killed:
The mother said her son should already have been locked up and his probation revoked on July 25, 2006, the day Jennifer Ewing was beaten to death just off the popular Silver Comet Trail in Paulding County.
She said she pleaded with authorities in early July to get her son off the streets but the probation officers only told him to “behave.”
“It they got him off the streets … that lady would be alive. They let this happen,” Mihlaek testified in her son’s death penalty trial.
“They promised to do something legally. They didn’t and now it’s too late,” she said.”
Ledford’s brother also asked authorities to do something about his brother:
Mark Ledford testified family members had called his brother’s probation officers several times to report his drinking and his penchant for staring at women. Drinking would have been grounds for revoking his probation. But he was never arrested.
He spent 10 years incarcerated for a 1991 rape and was serving 10 years on probation when Ewing was attacked.
Ledford’s mother and brother did everything they could do to keep women safe. And when their warnings went unheeded, and Ledford came home covered in blood, they called the police and turned him in.
Not so with the mother of Jonathan Redding, the teen charged in the killing of bartender John Henderson. Redding’s family released a statement this week:
[Jonathan Redding] is not the monster that he has been portrayed to be but was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jonathan has strong family values and ties, and we feel he is currently a victim of the judicial system.
The wrong place at the wrong time.
Now defense lawyers in the Silver Comet Trail trial are trying to argue that Ledford is a victim of gender discrimination:
Sixteen people — 12 jurors and four alternates —were seated Friday to hear the Paulding County death penalty case against Michael Ledford, charged with murdering a Sandy Springs woman biking the popular Silver Comet Trail. . . .
The jury is dominated by men — only four women were among the 16 chosen as jurors or alternates — so Ledford’s attorneys filed a motion accusing prosecutors of gender bias because they struck so many women.
This type of thing would be laughable if it were not so costly. Our trial system has become a joke, with the courts tilted so far towards the defense that every trial is a chilling reminder of how easy it is for murderers and rapists to walk free.
Meanwhile, in DeKalb County, a story that fell off the radar deserves a second look. WSB-TV was the only news source that looked into this case:
Officer Accused of Exchanging Threatening E-Mails With Teen
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Officials with the DeKalb Police Department said a 15-year veteran of their department and an 18-year-old girl were exchanging e-mails that threatened her family.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Amanda Rosseter spent the day digging through the officer’s personnel file and she found two offenses of conduct unbecoming – both within the past four months, and both over contact and e-mails with teenage girls.
DeKalb County police confirmed Kevin Sowell resigned two weeks ago after the department said it would fire him for two offenses – including a string of e-mails that threatened a young girl’s family.
Sowell was allowed to resign instead of being fired, and, according to WSB, as of April 24, no other action had been taken regarding his possibly criminal conduct:
The first offense allegedly took place in January. Sowell was suspended after he “developed a friendly relationship with a 16-year-old child,” according to officials. According to his file, after the girl’s parents requested that he discontinue contact, he continued with the child in person, by e-mail, and by a cell phone he purchased for her.
Just two months later, the second offense allegedly occurred. The internal affairs memo said, “The content of the messages was threatening in nature and spoke of violent acts towards the female’s parents” and said he “admitted to sending the correspondence.”
And another report noted, “They were both planning to harm her parents and sister-in-law. Instead of discouraging her, he responded in a manner that encouraged further thoughts on the act to harm.”
The Village Voice’s True Crime Report has some interesting commentary about George Zinkhan, the UGA marketing professor who murdered his wife and two others before killing himself. According to True Crime, Zinkhan had a troubling history at University of Houston, serially harassing female students and junior faculty. At the time Zinkhan came to UGA, he was the subject of a federal lawsuit at UH for “persistent sexual harassment.” Apparently, this did not negatively affect UGA’s decision to hire him. What a surprise.
Finally, yesterday, I received a copy of the full transcript from the indictment of Joshua Norris, the Morehouse student who emptied a gun into another Morehouse student and walked away with probation, apparently because the prosecutor got caught up in Judge Marvin Arrington’s otherwise admirable campaign to address the problem of crime among minority youth.
The transcript is in yesterday’s comments thread. What is striking to me is the utter lack of attention to the crime itself — it seems that Arrington, and everyone else in the courtroom, have entirely forgotten that Norris is standing before them because he tried to commit murder, firing a gun six times outside a nightclub and striking the victim three times.
Judge Arrington and the prosecutor seem far more interested in debating the relative merits of different community service positions for Norris than addressing the law, or the crime. The prosecutor, who is supposed to be representing the public, and the victim, apparently feels that it would be inappropriate for Norris to demean himself by picking up garbage with other probationers, because his is a special case:
Prosecutor Thompson: HE NEEDS TO BE IN SOME TYPE OF A PROGRAM WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.
Judge Arrington (?): WHAT DO YOU CALL THAT, CATHY, COMMUNITY SERVICE?
Staff Attorney: BIG SISTER AND BIG BROTHER?
Prosecutor Thompson: THERE’S 240 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, AS PART OF THE PLEA, YOUR HONOR.
Judge Arrington: NOW, MIZELL, I WANT YOU TO FIND A CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAM FOR THIS YOUNG MAN. I DON’T WANT NO –
Mr. Mizell: THAT WON’T BE POSSIBLE WITH THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, YOUR HONOR.
Judge Arrington: WHY?
Mr. Mizell: HE HAS TO DO THE COMMUNITY SERVICE THAT’S DIRECTED BY THE
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. I HAD -— THEY HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH PEOPLE DOING OTHER THINGS, OTHER THEN WHAT THE DEPARTMENT MANDATES.
Judge Arrington: WHAT DO THEY MANDATE IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE?
Mr. Mizell: HE WOULD DO IT, ACCORDING TO THE -— WHAT WE HAVE SET UP, NOW. AND THAT’S THEY PICK UP PAPER, THEY WORK IN SALVAGE PLACES, BASICALLY. ALTHOUGH, THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES –
Prosecutor Thompson: I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO REQUEST AND HIS LAWYER SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM OUT TO THE CAREY STEEL PITTS HOME THAT IS WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE PARENTS. IT’S A FACILITY WHERE THEY CAN LIVE ON SITE AND THEY EAT THREE SQUARES A DAY. NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT OF THEM GO ON TO COLLEGE. . . . IT’S A GREAT PROGRAM.
Judge Arrington (?): I DON’T NEED NOBODY OUT THERE PICKING UP SOME PAPER. MIZELL, YOU AND I CAN DO THAT ON SATURDAYS, PICK UP SOME PAPER. BUT I’D LIKE TO — WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF YOUR PROGRAM, YOUR YOUTH PROGRAM?
Mr. Mizell: I BELIEVE THE PROGRAM, THE REGIONAL CIRCUIT TEAM, IS S.G.
Judge Arrington: WHERE IS SHE LOCATED?
Mr. Mizell: SHE IS LOCATED IN THIS BUILDING. . . .
Judge Arrington: YOU THINK IT’S POSSIBLE I CAN GET HER UP HERE? YOU ACT LIKE YOU’RE SCARED?
Mr. Mizell: NOT LIKELY, SIR.
Prosecutor Thompson: YEAH.
Mr. Mizell: NOT LIKELY.
Judge Arrington: WHY NOT?
Mr. Mizell: I CAN PASS THAT MESSAGE ON TO HER.
Prosecutor Thompson: HE NEEDS TO BE IN A PROGRAM THAT HAS SOME SUBSTANCE, SOME MEAT.
There is so much that is wrong with this, it is difficult to know where to begin. But setting aside the appalling spectacle of a prosecutor buddying up with a murder defendant, talking about how ordinary community service is simply below his dignity, and the judge buddying up with a murder defendant, playing the “stay in school, son” game, and the absolute erasure of the victim from this entire process, there is a little matter of the law.
The victim stated that he was not informed of this deal and not permitted to make a statement in court. Statements made by the defense attorney in this hearing support the victim’s claim, because the defense attorney himself seems surprised that Prosecutor Thompson has offered only community service, and not prison time, for the attempted murder:
Defense Attorney Brian Steel: ON BEHALF OF MR. NORRIS. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. WHEN WE CAME HERE TODAY, IT WAS A PRISON OFFER. I HEARD WHAT HE SAID, AND I WANT TO THANK HIM. I, ALSO, WANT THE COURT TO KNOW THAT MR. NORRIS IS AN EXTREMELY BRIGHT YOUNG MAN.
And the crown goes to: Mr. Georgia, Joshua Norris.
So what happened in the courtroom is the prosecutor broke the law. And then Judge Arrington seconded the breaking of the law. And nobody in that room spoke up and reminded these people that the (absurdly low) minimum mandatory sentence for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is one year in prison, which Arrington mentioned in the reading of the charges, then ignored. This is why legislatures have to pass minimum mandatory sentences. But what good is the law if the judge ignores it?
What a joke. What a travesty.
Georgia also has a victim’s rights law. This law provides the following rights, clearly denied to Joshua Norris’ victim:
To be notified of each stage in the judicial process to include pretrial hearings, bond, arraignment, motions hearings, pleas of guilty, trial, sentencing and appeals
To be notified of any arrest, release, possibility of release, or escape of the accused or any change in custodial status
To give opinions regarding release from custody or bond issues
To have access to a private waiting area during court proceedings
To offer input on plea negotiations or sentence hearings or conditions
What on earth is happening in the Fulton County Superior Court? Can crime victims sue the state for denying them their legal rights? This victim ought to try.
Five Ugly Pieces, Part 4: Britteny Turman, Grace Dixon, and Frank Rashad Johnson Denied Justice in Atlanta
by Tina in Alternative Sentencing,Atlanta,Crime and Justice Blog,failures to prosecute,Georgia,Judges,Just Not Putting the B******s Away,Outrage of the Week,Recidivism,Sentencing,Starving the Courts,victims
On Sunday, May 10, the Atlanta Journal Constitution published an article by Bill Torpy that raises troubling questions about what is going on in Atlanta’s courtrooms. Like this April 10 story by Steve Visser, Torpy’s story focuses on an element of the justice system that receives less attention than policing but is arguably far more responsible for the presence of dangerous felons on Atlanta’s streets: the choices, both legal and administrative, made by Atlanta’s judges.
We invest judges with extraordinary power. We allow judicial discretion in all sorts of sentencing and administrative decisions. Legislators have tried to limit judges’ discretion in recent years by imposing minimum mandatory sentence guidelines and repeat offender laws. But Georgia’s sentencing guidelines still give judges far too much latitude to let criminals go free. Also, far too many judges have responded to this legislative oversight (aka, the will of the people) by simply ignoring the intent, and even the letter, of those laws.
Not long ago, I was sitting in a Tampa courtroom listening to a request to overturn a particularly egregious lapse in judicial discretion in the case of Richard Chotiner. Chotiner is a former nurse who used his status as a caregiver to sexually assault a developmentally disabled young man. He was convicted of the crime and sentenced to fifteen years behind bars. Then the judge let him go, to wait out his appeals as a free man. To say that this decision was unusual is an understatement; nonetheless, facing criticism, the judge dug in. Next, he allowed Chotiner to remove his ankle monitor on some trumped-up claim of needing to undergo physical therapy, and then refused to require Chotiner to put the monitor back on after the “therapy” was completed. It’s hard to see the judge’s decision to remove the ankle monitor as anything other than a petulant reaction to being criticized in the first place.
In other words, this judge decided that his ego was more important than the victim’s peace of mind, public safety, or justice itself. And when another judge was called upon to re-evaluate the first judge’s lack of judgment, Judge Number Two said that while he would not have let Chotiner go, he certainly was not going to second-guess the brillant legal mind of his esteemed colleague, etc. etc. etc.
Chotiner is still on the loose, though Judge Number Two actually did second-guess Judge Number One’s decision to remove his ankle monitor and ordered it put back on. I suppose we weren’t supposed to notice that logical inconsistency while swooning in abject gratitude that one of these Apollonian deities had deigned to throw a few scraps the victim’s way.
Now, thanks to Bill Torpy’s article, Atlantans can watch a similar Olympian battle of wills not unfold in the Fulton Superior Court. Expect other judges not to act to rein in the behavior of Judge Marvin Arrington, who once again completely forgot that he isn’t yet presiding over a fake television courtroom. Expect the chief justice to not speak out in the face of yet another miscarriage of justice, and to not look into the chain of events that put yet another attempted murderer back on Atlanta’s streets. They are, after all, judges. The rest of us should mind our place.
This time, Arrington released a violent criminal who shot a fellow Morehouse student three times with a handgun. He then treated the court to another episode of what goes on in his mind, saying:
[The attempted murderer] needs to have a curfew. He needs to be in a dorm where you can get some study time. Take organic chemistry and physics. Make him some A’s . . . All of them got cars. Don’t need no dern car. They need a MARTA card.”
Let me attempt to summarize. If you have repeatedly shot a person with a handgun, what you need to do is not go to jail, but study more and take public transportation. That should fix it.
Just like the judge who wouldn’t judge another judge in Tampa, Arrington did feign some harsh words for the defense. He actually cut the defense attorney off in mid-sentence (!), declaring:
“No more excuses. He doesn’t have any reason to give for not being successful.
“Where is the mama?
“Better put your arms around him and make sure he goes in the right direction. If he comes back here, I’m going to put him in jail. J-A-I-L.”
Then, after spelling out the word J-A-I-L in harsh tones for emphasis, Arrington let Joshua Brandon Norris go free.
OK, I’m not being completely fair to Marvin Arrington. As Torpy’s article explains, an inexperienced prosecutor, and thus the prosecutor’s boss, D.A. Paul Howard, agreed to the crazy plea deal in this case (Allowing a plea in a case of attempted murder means that the sentencing law needs to be changed. Or, conversely, enforced, with penalties accruing to judges who fail to follow the law). But regardless of the prosecutor’s actions, it is still Arrington’s courtroom.
Of course, there were reports of other crimes by Norris. Serious ones. Like, gun stuff. Like grinding a bar glass into a girlfriend’s face. Such things are apparently meaningless, however, in the halls of the bizarro-world of the Fulton Superior Court, where shooting somebody gets you sent to study hall, and aiming a gun at two women gets you — well, nothing. Here is Torpy’s article. I’ve quoted from it extensively because it is important — please go to the website and read the whole thing:
Tale of two students with a twist
Shooting victim won’t be Morehouse Man, but suspect to earn degree.
By Bill Torpy
Joshua Brandon Norris is expected to graduate soon and become a Morehouse Man, with all its prestige. At 22, he’s had a good run during his time at Morehouse College. He drove a Hummer, co-owned a fashion store at Perimeter Mall and owns a stylish $450,000 townhouse.
He also shot another student.
Quite a lifestyle for someone whose dad is a cop in Nashville (see below). That must be some clothing store.
Across the country, Frank Rashad Johnson, the victim, attends Sacramento City College and lives with his mother, trying to save money. He, too, wanted to be a Morehouse Man.
“My great-uncle was a classmate of Martin Luther King’s,” Johnson said. “It has a long history of exemplary students and good men. It was my dream school.”
But all that fell apart when he was shot three times outside a school-related Halloween party near Atlantic Station in 2007. Police reports say Norris was kicked out of a nightclub, had words with Johnson after bumping into him outside, then shot the fellow Morehouse student during a struggle in the street.
Pause on this for a moment. One shot, two shots, three shots, six shots in all. In a public place.
Completing a Morehouse degree is vital to Norris. Fulton County Judge Marvin Arrington ordered him to do so after he pleaded no contest to a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The deal calls for six years of probation and comes with first-offender status —- meaning Norris’ record will be wiped clean if he stays out of trouble.
“You’re getting the break of your life,” Arrington said during the Jan. 27 hearing.
Arrington was accepting a plea offered by the prosecution and the defense. But he could have done any one of a number of things. Instead, he went off on his routine about staying in school, as if the situation were somehow not real, a pantomine, or an after-school special. It’s crazy, how the courts have been hijacked by this type of foolishness.
The arrangement constitutes a bizarre twist of fate for Johnson.
“I sit at home, still recovering from my wound, painfully aware my Morehouse dreams have become a nightmare,” Johnson wrote to Fulton District Attorney Paul Howard after hearing about the deal. “My victimizer (and almost murderer) received a closeted, secretive, back-door slap on the wrist and is now back at Morehouse, moving forward with his educational aspirations without having paid any price for his crime.”
This is the person who is not at Morehouse. The president of Morehouse chose an attempted murderer over this young man, the victim of his crime. Nice message to send, President Franklin.
[District Attorney Paul] Howard recently investigated how the case was handled after receiving questions from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I am uncomfortable with the quality of the prosecutorial services provided … in this matter,” Howard wrote the family. Reid Thompson, the prosecutor who cut the deal, resigned.
Howard surely must have approved the plea deal. And so, this must be routine. If the public cannot count on its prosecutors to demand justice, then they have no protection against violent criminals.
The case is an example of how a relatively new prosecutor got caught up in Arrington’s crusade to save young black men. Of an overworked department dealing with a hard-charging defense attorney. Of a victim not getting his just due in court. And, says Johnson’s family, of a young man once again escaping serious criminal charges.
I’d like to know more about how Arrington’s crusade to save young black men ended up with someone who tried to kill a young black man receiving a get-out-of-jail-free card for a serious, violent felony, while the actually endangered young black man who didn’t try to kill anybody got the shaft.
And nearly killed. But it gets worse.
The deal came after Thompson, a former Fulton police lieutenant who became an attorney in 2005, heard Arrington’s up-by-your bootstraps message in court weeks earlier, according to a transcript of the hearing. Last year, Arrington removed whites from his courtroom to lecture black defendants on proper behavior.
“We’ve got this young man who’s coming back to Morehouse now, he’s close to graduation,” Thompson told Arrington. “Sending him to state prison for two years, I don’t think that would be in the state’s best interest. Hopefully, this will be the lesson he needs.”
This is the prosecutor speaking. That’s insane. He resigned? He should return his salary. But I imagine there will be a reward system in place for him in academia somewhere. And why, precisely, was the choice between two years in prison or no time at all? This was attempted murder, firing a weapon in a public place. The Code of Georgia does not allow for “attainment of a college degree” as punishment for this crime:
Georgia Code, 16-5-21
(a) A person commits the offense of aggravated assault when he or she assaults:
(1) With intent to murder, to rape, or to rob;
(2) With a deadly weapon or with any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury; or
(3) A person or persons without legal justification by discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle toward a person or persons.
(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) through (i) of this Code section, [not applicable] a person convicted of the offense of aggravated assault shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 20 years.
Can anyone explain to me how it is that Judge Arrington, and D.A. Paul Howard, agreed to quietly circumvent this law? Why aren’t they resigning? It really is time for new blood at the D.A.’s office.
[The victim, Frank Rashad] Johnson complains his voice remained silent during the hearing. Actually, not only was his voice absent, but a version opposite of what police reports said happened that night was presented. In the hearing, [Prosecutor] Thompson said [victim] Johnson was kicked out of the nightclub before a fight started outside. And the defense attorney picked up from there, telling the judge Johnson and his friends surrounded his client’s Hummer and threatened him.
But several police reports in the court file say it was Norris who was kicked out of the party, one that Johnson never entered. And the reports say Norris returned to his vehicle after arguing with Johnson, then drove back, slammed on his brakes and got out with a gun.
The prosecutor makes the defense’s case, contradicting police reports.
Meanwhile, back in the victim’s world:
Johnson said prosecutors repeatedly told him they were up against a “prestigious” attorney. “I think they were intimidated by him,” he said. “It infuriates me I was never able to give anyone my sense of outrage or my story.”
Here are the details of the crime. I also doubt it’s the only such case in the Fulton courts. If you’re searching for the reason why innocent people keep getting killed in Atlanta, here it is:
According to police reports, witnesses said the events of Oct. 31, 2007, unfolded this way:
Norris and his girlfriend were escorted out of a Halloween party at LITKitchen. Norris bumped into Johnson, who was waiting outside. The two exchanged words and Norris walked to his Hummer, drove back and screeched to a halt —- a point nearly every witness mentioned.
Witnesses said Norris jumped out and pushed the gun at Johnson’s face. Johnson struggled with Norris as he fired at least six shots. Three bullets hit Johnson in the leg. Norris fled.
Norris turned himself in a week later after conferring with a lawyer and was released on bond.
Norris’ identity was known. Why did it take a week to get him? Was he hiding? Was his father, a Nashville cop, involved in hiding him? And since he was on the run for a week, why the hell did a judge let him free on bond, instead of holding him to make sure he didn’t run again?
Who, precisely, let Norris bond out? To do this:
Eight months passed, and then last summer, Fulton prosecutors moved to revoke Norris’ bond after learning he was accused of smashing a glass in his ex-girlfriend’s face at a Nashville bar. She received severe cuts in her forehead requiring eight inches of stitches, police reports said.
The victim’s aunt, Kelly Carr, told police “when she went to the ER her niece told her Brandon had done this to me.” The aunt also said, “the victim is scared of the suspect because he is out on bond for attempted homicide” and Norris’ stepfather, Daniel Turner, a Nashville cop, “pulled her from the room and said his son, wanted to see/speak with [the victim].”
An officer reported this to internal affairs, which investigated and cleared Turner. The victim was “completely uncooperative,” Nashville police reported.
The victim was scared out of her mind. And why not? It’s not as if anybody was protecting her. Only people like Norris get protection from this system. Victims learn to shut up.
During Norris’ bond revocation hearing in Fulton last August, the woman testified she was cut when a fight broke out in the Nashville bar while she walked toward Norris’ table. He was cut in the hand in the same fight, according to testimony. Prosecutors later dropped the matter.
Which prosecutor dropped the matter? What is happening in Paul Howard’s office? The scariest part is that this level of dysfunction cannot be unique.
How many Joshua Brandon Norrises are walking Atlanta’s streets? Why isn’t Paul Howard screaming from the rooftops for more resources, if things have gotten so bad that he does not ever try to put attempted murderers away? Why isn’t the Mayor helping him? Why isn’t the Chief of Police? Why aren’t they standing in the city council, and the county commission, and the state legislature, every single day, pleading for the resources to keep killers off the streets?
But in the end, the decision gets made by the sitting judge: Marvin Arrington. And then his peers do what judges do when other judges fail to enforce the law: they do nothing.
Of course, there’s more:
In another case in Fulton court files, Clark Atlanta University students Britteny Turman and Grace Dixon say Norris pulled a gun on them during a traffic dispute near Morehouse in November 2005. The women, in recent interviews, said Norris screamed profanities and followed them in their car for several blocks.
“He was laughing like it was funny when [he waved his gun and] we both ducked,” Turman said.
“I don’t understand why he didn’t get kicked out of Morehouse,” Dixon said. “He shouldn’t have been there to do this to somebody else.”
The two say they heard no follow-up from Fulton solicitors. Morehouse officials declined to answer questions about Norris.
In fairness, Marvin Arrington never said anything about saving young women.
Asked about Norris’ plea deal in the shooting, Arrington said he has “close to 100 cases a week” and doesn’t remember it. But he recalled the Nashville assault case when Norris came before him during the plea hearing.
“This is the young man who was whipping a young lady?” the judge asked.
Then he let him go. Told ’em to study hard.
Johnson [the shooting victim] last month got a letter from Morehouse President Robert M. Franklin after the Johnson family repeatedly contacted the college after the plea deal.
Franklin suggested Johnson return. “Your matriculation would be a wonderful triumph over adversity,” he wrote.
Johnson aspired to becoming a Morehouse Man, as have three generations of relatives. But he has soured on that.
“Honestly, I don’t want to do that; I don’t feel safe there,” he said. “The situation is all backward to me.”
Is anything stopping Paul Howard from prosecuting Norris for his armed attack on Britteny Turman and Grace Dixon?
When the judge in Tampa let Richard Chotiner walk away from a sexual assault conviction, television host Bill O’Reilly stepped in to protest Chotiner’s release. I hope that O’Reilly would be similarly interested in the release of Joshua Brandon Norris, and the grotesquely raw deal delivered to his victims, Britteny Turman, Grace Dixon, and Frank Rashad Johnson. They have a right to justice.
The Right Rat: Groundless Accusations Towards Victims of Crime
by Tina in Academicians on Crime,Pro-Criminal,The Crime Experts,victims
Yesterday, I wrote about the hysteria that arises when crime victims seek modest rights, such as the right to know when their offender will be cut loose from prison (a shifting proposition — never shifting further ahead, either), or the right to offer a victim-impact statement at the same time the convicted offender is permitted to parade his supporters before the sentencing judge.
It is a measure of society’s disdain for the rights of victims that, even when such laws are on the books, they are spottily enforced and treated like an afterthought, not a rule of law. Our courts are in far worse shape than most people realize, as evinced by my earlier post today. The first causalities of this chaos, inevitably, are crime victims.
In 1997, the U.S. Department of Justice released a study showing just how rarely victims’ rights laws were being enforced. A large majority of victims — 63% in states with strong victims’ rights laws, 74% in states with weak laws — were not being informed when convicted offenders were released on bail. Half of the victims in “strong law” states were not informed of plea agreement negotiations, even though prosecutors were required by law to notify them. 25% of victims in “strong law” states were being denied their legal right to present a victim impact statement at sentencing.
These actions were violations of the law, perpetrated by the justice system against people who had already been victimized. But they aroused no protest from the types of people who normally scorch the earth to find reasons to accuse authorities of not abiding by the law. Such silence gives the lie to organizations like the A.C.L.U., and others, who claim to defend individual rights. It really is true that they only care about the rights of some people — namely, criminals.
The rest of us, and especially crime victims, can lose every right on the books, and they could not care less.
This irrational hatred of people victimized by crime is likewise a powerful force in academia. It is tossed off casually, the hallmark of any hegemonic prejudice. If one levies wild, virulent claims and there is no response at all to them, then those around you are also in very deep.
In 2007, David P. Barash, a psychology professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, castigated faceless, nameless crime victims in a feature story he published in the Chronicle of Higher Education (October 5, 2007, by subscription only) Titled “The Targets of Aggression, ” the article was ostensibly about something he names “redirected aggression” (actually a much older and less novel concept — vengeance), which Barash loosely defines as any reaction whatsoever to harm, other than no reaction at all:
Jesus urged us to love our enemies, and, if slapped, to turn the other cheek. But for millennia — before Jesus and after — human beings and their animal brethren have been far more likely to respond to pain and injury with a retaliating barrage of the same sort, generating yet more injury, more pain.
True enough, I suppose, if viewed with a wide angle lens, a very wide one indeed. Such is the vague pudding of evolutionary psychology.
Barash wanders widely in his piece, from the Illiad to Bosnia (perhaps not so far at all), but he returns repeatedly to intimate violence — the calculus of crime and justice. And whenever he arrives at the matter of crime, he joins the vast army of academicians who now refuse to include within their calculations any consideration of the idea that crime victims might be motivated by some emotion other than pure, murderous vengeance.
This world-view is both sentimental and cold-blooded. It posits that there is no difference between a sociopath preying on a weaker individual and a victim seeking protection and justice. “Are all victimizers themselves previous victims?” Barash asks, failing to ask if there is some social space — say, civilization — where all people do not behave like rats in a cage, and thus the distinctions between victims and victimizers are more nuanced than not.
But what is particularly jarring about Barash’s methodology — and is a typical flaw of most evolutionary psychology arguments — is his obvious preference for some of the caged rats he summons. When considering criminals, he muses vaguely about their possible traumas, affording the most benign, empathetic view of their motives for preying on innocents:
If people who seek to hurt others are doing so because they have themselves been hurt, does that diminish their responsibility or guilt? Should we pity the poor perpetrator? Are all victimizers themselves previous victims? And what if they are? Does that let them off the hook? When does passing the pain become passing the buck?
When considering crime victims, however, he can barely contain a pointed contempt:
We might also want to reconsider “justice” and ask what is really going on when victims demand punishment, nearly always claiming, of course, that they are not out for revenge. But, in fact, aren’t they insisting — although not in so many words — that their pain be offloaded onto someone else? Once the wheels of pain have begun to spin, what really seems to matter is that someone — anyone — must suffer, must be made to “pay.”
Wow, we are suddenly a long way from scholarly musings, Dorothy. No hazy gates of Troy anymore, either. These victim-people sound like real bad seeds. Better get out of town before sunset.
Barash continues:
By the same token, consider the fact that crime victims typically resent the presence of exculpatory evidence, which is likely to lead to an acquittal: If their interest were simply in seeing justice done, shouldn’t they applaud any information that makes it less likely that an innocent person might be punished, and thus more likely that the criminal justice system will instead spend its energy on finding the real culprit?
I would love to see the lab experiment that demonstrates “the fact that crime victims typically resent the presence of exculpatory evidence.” What did they do, show the rats Twelve Angry Men on tiny little screens? Seriously, how can Barash make such an allegation — that victims want innocent men to suffer and don’t care about justice? Where is the evidence? This is a serious, and historically pointed, and — oh, the irony, the return of the repressed — false accusation.
More extremely complicated rat experiments:
It appears that the accumulated burden of physiology, evolution, and cultural expectation is so great that redirected aggression typically feels better than no response at all. Revealingly, there is a deep insistence on the part of victims and their families that — by virtue of their suffering — they are entitled to a defendant’s punishment almost without regard to the matter of guilt.
There is, is there? Says who?
This isn’t just bad thinking, or bad writing, or bad science: it is bad faith. Really, what is the Chronicle doing, publishing this type of insupportable slur, directed at an entire population?
David Barash is not the first evolutionary psychologist to collapse into existentialism-with-a-dollop-of- Discover magazine, and he certainly is not the first to end up hobbled by the same infantile romanticizing of bad guys that hobbled existentialism in all of its previous incantations.
But it still remains shocking that somebody can make light intellectual work of slaughters throughout history, tripping good-naturedly across battlefields, then pull up short in righteous indignation at the perfect boogeyman his fantasy has created — the entirely imaginary psychotically vengeful victim of crime.
Bloody Outrage: Another Murder That Could Have Been Prevented — Updated
by Tina in Child Protection/Foster Care,DNA Databasing,failures to prosecute,Florida,Judges,Just Not Putting the B******s Away,Sentencing,Sex Offender Registries,The Guilty Project,The Pew Center,victims
CORRECTION TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE: A reader informed me that the names of judges currently presiding over a court division in Florida attach to previous cases from that division — therefore, the judge listed online may not be the same judge who meted out a previous sentence in that division. I have corrected the following story to reflect this.
Why this happens is another issue. There ought to be real transparency in court proceedings, and it shouldn’t require a trip to the courthouse or a phone call to sometimes-unresponsive clerks to discover how a particular judge ruled on a particular case — who let a sex assailant and child abuser go free, to kill another victim, for instance.
Corrections are underlined. If anyone can provide the names of these judges, please let me know. I can’t access the dockets — although I pay these judges’ salaries, and so do you.
In the St. Petersburg Times this morning:
Sex offender accused of pregnant St. Petersburg teen’s death
Polk County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a 36-year-old St. Petersburg man for the murder of a pregnant teen whose body was found Monday in Davenport.
Aurelio Martinez, (left) a registered sex offender, was arrested at about 7 a.m. on a second degree murder charge for the killing of 17-year-old Bria Metz.
I looked up Martinez’ sex offender record. In October, 1997, in Dade County (Miami), Martinez was convicted of burglary with assault and battery and sexual battery. He was also convicted of probation violation because he was on probation at the time of the attack.
Serious stuff, right? Burglary, assault and battery, sexual assault? So what did the presiding judge do? He or she sentenced him to probation. Probation for burglary, assault, a sex crime, and violating probation.
I guess the judge figured Martinez was getting good at probation. He’d been been on it for so long.
There’s a problem, though: the judge was not supposed to sentence Martinez to probation for these crimes. There’s another problem, too. Because some judge let Martinez go, probably in violation of Florida sentencing law, Martinez was free to commit felony child abuse with injury to the child in 2003.
In November, 2003, in Hollywood, Florida (Broward County), Aurelio Martinez and Amy Andrea Young were charged with child abuse, presumably of Ms. Young’s child. Police actually filed two charges against Martinez: felony child abuse and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Judge Carlos Rodriguez presided, the weapons charge apparently disappeared (of course), and Martinez was sentenced to three years in prison.
Here is where it gets confusing, at least from what can be seen on-line. The child abuse and assault with a deadly weapon crimes were committed on 11/2003. Martinez was sentenced in 7/2005, twenty months later. Was he in prison during that time? Or was he on probation again, until he violated that probation as well? Broward County wants me to pay for access to that part of the website — the charge is five dollars simply to find out Martinez’s sentence. That’s nuts.
[Note to Howard C. Forman, Clerk of Courts, Broward County: I already pay for that website. It’s called taxes.]
My guess is that Martinez was in jail awaiting sentencing. It would be nice to think so — nice to think that the judge hadn’t given him probation again, for beating a child. In any case, he entered the state prison system in 7/2005 and got out 25 months later, which is either two years behind bars or nearly four years behind bars, depending on what happened in 2004.
In 2006, during the time he was in prison, he was also sentenced to one year and three months in the 1997 “burglary/assault-and-battery/sexual assault” charge in Dade County. Maybe he was going to get out early from the child abuse charge, and they finally decided to give him some time for “burglary/assault-and-battery/sexual assault/parole violation.” Or maybe it took them several months to figure out that he was on probation in another county for serious felony charges.
If they did decide to give him a bit of time for the sexual assault, finally, it wasn’t much, and it was served concurrently with the felony child abuse sentence.
Are you enraged yet? I’m enraged. Probation for a sex crime, even after violating probation, and then less than two years for the sex crime after his probation was revoked because he’d violated probation a third time and committed felony violence against a child, and he still didn’t even serve all of that sentence? Do we have absolutely no standards? And still, the academicians and activists and the Pew Foundation whimper:
“We’ve got too many people behind bars. We’re a fascist state.”
But, of course, it gets worse.
Let’s start at the beginning. Only, we can’t do that, because juvenile records are sealed. Oh, well. Aurelio Martinez’s first adult charge, unsurprisingly, occurred months after his 18th birthday. Funny how that happens: I wonder what he was doing before he aged out of juvenile. The 1991 charge was for loitering and resisting arrest. It was dropped. Whatever. It didn’t take long for Martinez to get into serious trouble. In 1994, he was convicted of felony burglary, felony grand theft, felony possession of burglary tools, and carrying a concealed weapon.
You know where this is going. Three felony convictions? Probation, of course. Some judge let him go. One year of probation, starting 12/15/94. What was this judge thinking? What is he thinking today, after the murder?
Another charge against Martinez was decided by the judge that day — it has a different case number and different filing date. I’m not sure if it is a totally separate offense. In any case, felony armed burglary in that case was dropped (thank you, plea bargains), felony cocaine possession and concealed weapon charges were disposed with probation, and probation violation was disposed with terminating probation. But at the end of the day, Martinez walked out of court on probation anyway.
“But we’re a fascist state. We’re so hard on criminals.”
Imagine being the police officer who had to arrest Martinez, knowing full well he was armed, that he had used weapons, that he had a record.
Imagine being the social worker walking into his home a few years later to try to rescue a child. We send unarmed child protection workers into homes where there are armed felons. We expect unarmed child protection workers to challenge the authority of armed felons.
“But we’re a fascist state.”
Nobody asks judges to do what we ask of unarmed child protection workers and police officers. Perhaps if we asked them to confront the violent people they send back into the community in the communities they send them to, sentencing patterns would change.
What is the matter with our judges? In this case, it looks very much like at least one judge broke the law. But even if he didn’t — even if there was some loophole that permitted that judge to let Martinez walk free — why, in his judgment, did that seem like the right thing to do? How does any judge justify putting armed felons back on the streets, with no time served?
If no judge broke the law in releasing Martinez, clearly there are still problems with our repeat offender laws and minimum mandatory laws that need to be resolved by the legislature.
Because we can’t trust judges to keep us safe.
At least Martinez had to register as a sex offender in 1998, an act that placed his DNA on record and reminded him that his DNA would be in the state database, so if he committed another sexual assault, he could be identified. How many rapes have sex offender registries prevented this way?
But this raises another enforcement issue: is anybody enforcing the sex offender registry laws? In 2001, in Broward County, Martinez violated the registry rules. Adjudication was withheld — in other words, nobody did anything. And then he brutalized a child.
The record so far:
1991: Aurelio Martinez turns 18 and his subsequent crimes become public record.
1994: A judge lets Martinez walk on a fistful of serious, felony charges, including armed burglary.
1997: Another judge lets Martinez walk on even more serious, felony charges, including sexual assault, probation violation, burglary, concealed weapons.
2005: Judge Carlos Rodriguez slaps Martinez on the wrist for felony child abuse charges, drops other weapons charges, and chooses to not use his authority to enhance Martinez’s sentence in any way, despite his record, the unadjudicated sex offender registry violation, and the other times he has violated probation by committing violent crimes.
2007: Freed a few years later, Martinez violates probation again and flees.
2009: By his own admission, Martinez murders pregnant, 17-year old Bria Metz by strangling her.
Another question: did anybody know that Martinez was in St. Petersburg? If so, why wasn’t he picked up before Metz died, but only afterwards? From today’s St. Pete Times:
Martinez, who is currently in the Pinellas County Jail on violation of probation stemming from a 2003 child abuse case, told detectives he was with Metz was at his home the night she disappeared.
Metz wanted money, Martinez told detectives, and he drove her to her grandmothers. The two argued about money and began fighting after Metz threatened to expose their relationship to law enforcement.
Martinez told detectives that he grabbed Metz’ neck and held her for three to five minutes.
Serial judicial leniency claims another life. Bria Metz joins Eugenia Calle, and how many other victims of murder, killed despite numerous chances to put their murderers away?
“Defendants Have the Right to Remain Silent. . . Victims Have the Right to be Heard”
by Tina in Academicians on Crime,Atlanta,Citizens Fight Back,crime statistics,failures to prosecute,Federal Policy,media coverage of crime,prosecution statistics,The Crime Experts,victims
I found this quote on the website for the Larimer County, Colorado District Attorney’s office. It is a neat sentiment: well-intentioned, not overly ambitious. It is, in other words, a fitting description of the aims of victims’ rights laws.
It is also utterly untrue.
The “right to be heard” is not a right in the ordinary sense of the term. It is not actually enjoyed by the vast majority of crime victims. There is no criminal court where victims may go to plead with authorities to take up their case, if theirs is one of the vast majority of crimes that go un-prosecuted for any one of a hundred reasons.
Other than murder, there is far less than a guarantee that even serious crimes will be taken up by the court. And prosecution rates for murder are far less than most people would imagine: authorities in Houston last week announced that they were stepping up efforts to “do something” about 600 murder cases that had foundered despite identifying a suspect:
More than 600 accused killers from the past four decades have yet to see the inside of a Harris County courtroom for their crimes, according to the Harris County district attorney’s office.
Records show that a handful of those jumped bail, fleeing the area before they could be prosecuted. But most were suspects who were never arrested, said Assistant District Attorney Russell Turbeville. . .
The push to find the fugitives was sparked in part by the case of Tho Minh Quach, who was charged with murdering his neighbor more than 20 years ago, but who disappeared and now will never stand trial because investigators did not try hard enough to find him.
One county, forty years, six hundred un-prosecuted murder suspects. How can this be?
In reality, virtually all crimes result in nobody being held accountable, a situation that has taken an extraordinary toll on hundreds of millions (yes, hundreds of millions) of crime victims since criminologist Milton S. Eisenhower lamented the 1 1/2% incarceration-for-crime rate in 1969. Here is Eisenhower speaking in 1970, twenty-two years before crime rates peaked in the early 1990’s:
There remains one very obvious reason for mounting crime in our society: the increasing failure of law enforcement agencies to cope with it. Consider the grim statistics. Probably 10 million serious crimes were committed in the United States last year. About half of these crimes were never reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Only 12 percent of those 10 million crimes resulted in the arrest of anyone. Only 6 percent resulted in the conviction of anyone, and this 6 percent included many pleas to lesser offenses. Only 1 1/2 percent resulted in the incarceration of anyone. And of those who were incarcerated, most will return to prison another time for additional offenses. As Lloyd Cutler . . . remarked on these statistics: ‘It would be hard to say that crime does not pay. The sad fact is that our criminal justice system, as presently operated, does not deter, does not detect, does not convict, and does not correct.’ (Violence: The Crisis of American Confidence, ed. Hugh David Graham, Johns Hopkins Press, 1971)
Hundreds of millions of victims of unresolved crimes walk the streets, and yet, virtually nobody, not even a fraction of a percent, resorts to vigilantism — this despite hysterical claims by mostly-liberal commentators that we must remain vigilant to hold back the horrifying threat posed to society by emotionally wounded, vengeful victims of crime.
I have long wondered why it is that so many people to the left of the political center despise and fear victims so much more than they despise or fear criminals themselves. Self-loathing, I think lies at the root of this phenomenon, self-loathing busked up by education at the hands of other self-loathing people who are entirely convinced that our justice system is over-reaching and cruel.
To say that the types of statistics mentioned above do not enter into classroom discussions of justice is to wildly understate the case. The only type of literature taken seriously in the classroom is the literature of the wrongly accused (too numerous to mention), or rightfully-accused-but-persecuted-anyway (Orestes, Oedipus Rex, The Crucible, The Stranger, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Clockwork Orange: how the mighty have fallen).
There is also the litmus test, administered with fierce regularity, that one must show the right type and quantity of empathy for criminals before you may speak about criminal justice at all. This is the price of the ticket — no similar admission fee exists regarding victims, save a few politically sanctioned types.
In the face of such orthodoxy, or rather, repression of facts, perhaps it isn’t surprising that so many people agree, with so very little evidence, that crime victims are too powerful, when they are actually legally powerless.
The exception to this powerlessness, now, consists of being allowed to offer a victim impact statement after the accused has been found guilty of the crime, during the time when his representatives may plead for lenience from the judge. Even this right, however, is strongly opposed by those who feel that the presence of victims in courtrooms represents a sort of perversion of pure justice. Character witnesses for the convict, such people argue, are only right, to keep the vengeful passions of the public in check, but character witnesses against them are — just awful.
When victim advocates began pushing for Victims’ Rights Laws in the 1980’s, reaction was extreme. These laws were written to provide extremely limited rights to the small fraction of victims whose cases actually made it into a courtroom, including the right to be notified about hearings, the right to be notified when one’s offender is up for parole or is being released, and the right to make a victim impact statement before the judge. Victims’ rights laws do not in any way impede on the vast rights afforded defendants before, during and after prosecution: in fact, their modesty underscores the degree to which victims have fewer rights than the public itself, let alone criminals.
Nevertheless, defense attorneys, law professors, and editorial writers (defenseattorneyslawprofessorseditorialwriters) behaved as if granting victims even extremely limited rights to speak in the sentencing phase of the judicial process was tantamount to bringing back witch-burnings, fueled, of course, with trampled copies of the Bill of Rights.
Tom Teepen, a nationally syndicated columnist based in Atlanta, compared the 1999 Victims Rights Amendment to a murderer stalking an innocent and endangered United States Constitution: “The Constitution has just ducked another bullet, but beware the ricochet”; “You can’t be sure this monster won’t walk again,” he wrote, and, nastily:
You almost have to feel sorry for the politicians working the law-and-order hustle. Crime has been falling sharply for several years. . . It is, in short, getting hard to sell criminals to the electorate.
This, in a year when there were 15,000 murders, 90,000 reported rapes, and nearly a million aggravated assaults.
Teepen never writes about criminals with such sneering contempt. His colleague, Cynthia Tucker, has written movingly about crime victimization at other times, but she called the Victims’ Rights Amendment “a crime in itself,” and accused victims of wanting too much:
The system has already kicked in on behalf of the victim — conducting an investigation, arresting a suspect, proceeding to take the suspect to trial.
Gee, thanks. Except when it doesn’t, which is nearly all of the time.
Tucker went on to accuse all politicians who speak up for victims of “pandering” to society’s hatefulness, prejudice, and barely-suppressed violence, then accused the public directly of wishing to undermine all rights of the accused. That the public, let alone victims, might be innocent of nefarious intentions until proven guilty is not the way this game gets played:
This latest bit of pandering by the vice president [Gore] is disgusting but not surprising. It has become an article of faith among centrist Democrats that a tough law-and-order stance in essential to win elections. . . . As hard as it is for most Americans to accept, a suspect is innocent of a crime until convicted by a jury of his peers (or until he pleads guilty).
In twenty years of advocating for and working with crime victims, I have never met a victim who wanted to undermine the justice system or see the wrong person go to jail for a crime. Such accusations are sheer hysteria, and like most hysteria, they arise from a reality that is inverse to the charge.
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Terms: scientific equipment -- laboratory
Terms: Electricity
Terms: Subjects
Leeds & Northrup Company, Philadelphia (60)
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation, Newark, NJ (18)
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (12)
Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London (12)
D. Appleton and Company, New York (7)
G. Masson, Éditeur, Paris (5)
Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper, London (5)
Cruft Laboratory, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (4)
E. & F. N. Spon, London (4)
Longmans, Green, and Co., London (4)
Burndy Library, Norwalk, CT (3)
John Murray, London (3)
Leeds & Northrup, Philadelphia (3)
Longman, London (3)
The Leeds & Northrup Company, Philadelphia (3)
Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, PA (3)
"The Electrician" Printing and Publishing Company, Ltd., London (2)
Baldwin and Cradock, London (2)
Burndy Library, Inc., Norwalk, CT (2)
Charles Scribner's Sons, New York (2)
Daniel Davis, Jr., Boston (2)
George Knight and Sons, London (2)
Harriet Wynter Arts & Sciences, London (2)
Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA (2)
Johann Ambrosius Barth, Leipzig, Germany (2)
Leeds & Northrup Co., Philadelphia (2)
MacMillan and Co., London (2)
MacMillan and Co., London and New York (2)
Palmer House, Chicago (2)
Pitkin Pictorials, London (2)
Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, London (2)
The Gaertner Scientific Corporation, Chicago (2)
Universal Scientific Company, Inc., Vincennes, IN (2)
Éditions du Journal Suisse d'Horlogerie et de Bijouterie, Neucha (2)
"The Electrician," London (1)
A. Lahure, Imprimeur-Éditeur, Paris (1)
Advance Electronics Company, Inc., Passaic, NJ (1)
Agrupamento de Estudos de Cartografia Antiga, Lisbon (1)
Allen B. Du Mont Laboratories, Inc., Passaic, NJ (1)
Allen B. DuMont Laboratories, Inc., Passaic, NJ (1)
Electricity (407)
Subjects (103)
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Galvanometers (18)
Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation (15)
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C5-C1 (14)
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Bridges (12)
Leeds & Northrup (10)
C5-D2 (9)
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Circuits (7)
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J. A. Fleming (6)
physics -- electromagnetism (6)
Abhandlungen zu der Lehre von der Reibungselektricität
An Account of Some Remarkable Applications of the Electric Fluid to the Useful Arts
Acoustics Research Laboratory Final Report: 1946-1970
Advanced Theory of Electricity and Magnetism: A Text-Book for Colleges and Technical Schools
Advertising, Class, and the Inner Workings of a Great Watch
Aeronautica: Objets d'Art, Prints, Air Mail
The Age of Electricity: From Amber-Soul to Telephone
Alphabet of Electricity for the Use of Beginners
The Alternate Current Transformer in Theory and Practice
Altwissenschaftliche Instrumente: Katalog bearbeitet von Max Engelmann
"Amber Forever!": Electricity on the Merrimack in New Hampshire
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Virginia Beach, Virginia Information
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Beach,_Virginia
"Virginia Beach" redirects here. For other places with the same name, see Virginia Beach (disambiguation).
Independent city in Virginia
Independent city
Aerial view of Virginia Beach
"The Resort City", "Neptune City"
Landmarks of Our Nation's Beginning
Location in Virginia
VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA Latitude and Longitude:
None ( Independent city)
Incorporated (as town)
Incorporated (as city)
Council-manager
Bobby Dyer ( R)
• Independent city
497.50 sq mi (1,288.52 km2)
244.72 sq mi (633.83 km2)
10 ft (3 m)
1,840.58/sq mi (710.65/km2)
• Metro
1,725,246 ( 37th)
UTC−5 ( EST)
UTC−4 ( EDT)
1500261 [4]
Virginia Beach is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 437,994; [5] in 2018, it was estimated to be 450,138. [6] Although mostly suburban in character, it is the most populous city in Virginia and the 44th most populous city in the nation. [7] Located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is included in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. This area, known as "America's First Region", also includes the independent cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, as well as other smaller cities, counties, and towns of Hampton Roads.
Virginia Beach is a resort city with miles of beaches and hundreds of hotels, motels, and restaurants along its oceanfront. Every year the city hosts the East Coast Surfing Championships as well as the North American Sand Soccer Championship, a beach soccer tournament. It is also home to several state parks, several long-protected beach areas, three military bases, a number of large corporations, Virginia Wesleyan University and Regent University, International headquarters and site of the television broadcast studios for Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment, and numerous historic sites. Near the point where the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet, Cape Henry was the site of the first landing of the English colonists, who eventually settled in Jamestown, on April 26, 1607.
The city is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having the longest pleasure beach in the world. It is located at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the longest bridge-tunnel complex in the world. [8]
1.1 Recent history
3.1 Religion
7 Parks and recreation
8 Government
11.1 Transportation
11.1.1 Walkability
11.2 Utilities
11.3 Healthcare
13 Sister cities
14 In popular culture
Find sources: "Virginia Beach, Virginia" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2019) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Main articles: History of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Timeline of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Princess Anne County, Virginia
A Chesepian home
The Chesepian were the historic indigenous people of the area now known as Tidewater in Virginia at the time of European encounter. Little is known about them [9] but archeological evidence suggests they may have been related to the Carolina Algonquian, or Pamlico people. They would have spoken one of the Algonquian languages. These were common among the numerous tribes of the coastal area, who made up the loose Powhatan Confederacy, numbering in the tens of thousands in population. The Chesepian occupied an area which is now defined as the independent cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. [10]
Princess Anne County (1691–1963), now extinct, with Virginia Beach from 1895 Virginia map
In 1607, after a voyage of 144 days, three ships headed by Captain Christopher Newport, and carrying 105 men and boys, made their first landfall in the New World on the mainland, where the southern mouth of the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. They named it Cape Henry, after Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King James I of England. These English colonists of the Virginia Company of London moved on from this area, as they were under orders to seek a site further inland, which would be more sheltered from ships of competing European countries. They created their first permanent settlement on the north side of the James River at Jamestown. [11]
Adam Thoroughgood (1604–1640) of King's Lynn, Norfolk, England is one of the earliest Englishmen to settle in this area, which was developed as Virginia Beach. At the age of 18, he had contracted as an indentured servant to pay for passage to the Virginia Colony in the hopes of bettering his life. He earned his freedom after several years and became a leading citizen of the area. In 1629, he was elected to the House of Burgesses for Elizabeth Cittie [ sic], one of four "citties" (or incorporations) which were subdivided areas established in 1619. [12]
In 1634, the Colony was divided into the original eight shires of Virginia, soon renamed as counties. Thoroughgood is credited with using the name of his home in England when helping name " New Norfolk County" in 1637. The following year, New Norfolk County was split into Upper Norfolk County (soon renamed Nansemond County) and Lower Norfolk County. Thoroughgood resided after 1634 was along the Lynnhaven River, named for his home in England.
Lower Norfolk County was large when first organized, defined as from the Atlantic Ocean west past the Elizabeth River, encompassing the entire area now within the modern cities of Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. [12] It attracted many entrepreneurs, including William Moseley with his family in 1648. Belonging to the Merchant Adventurers Guild of London, he immigrated from Rotterdam of the Netherlands, where he had been in the international trade. He settled on land on the north side of the Elizabeth River (Virginia), east of what developed as Norfolk.
Following increased settlement, in 1691 Lower Norfolk County was divided to form Norfolk and Princess Anne counties. Princess Anne, the easternmost county in South Hampton Roads, extended from Cape Henry at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, south to what became the border of the North Carolina colony. It included all of the area fronting the Atlantic Ocean. Princess Anne County was known as a jurisdiction from 1691 to 1963, over 250 years. [13]
Cape Henry from the air, facing east-southeast
In the early centuries, this area was rural and developed for plantation agriculture. In the late 19th century, the small resort area of Virginia Beach developed in Princess Anne County after the 1883 arrival of rail service to the coast. The Virginia Beach Hotel was opened and operated by the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Railroad and Improvement Company at the oceanfront, near the tiny community of Seatack. The hotel was foreclosed and the railroad reorganized in 1887. The hotel was upgraded and reopened in 1888 as the Princess Anne Hotel. [14]
In 1891, guests at the new hotel watched the wreck and rescue efforts of the United States Life-Saving Service for the Norwegian bark Dictator. The ship's figurehead, which washed up on the beach several days later, was erected as a monument to the victims and rescuers. It stood along the oceanfront for more than 50 years. In the 21st century, it inspired the pair of matching Norwegian Lady Monuments, sculpted by Ørnulf Bast and installed in Virginia Beach and Moss, Norway. [15]
The resort initially depended on railroad and electric trolley service. The completion of Virginia Beach Boulevard in 1922, which extended from Norfolk to the oceanfront, opened the route for automobiles, buses, and trucks. The passenger rail service to the oceanfront was eventually discontinued as traffic increased by vehicle. The growing resort of Virginia Beach became an incorporated town in 1906. Over the next 45 years, Virginia Beach continued to grow in popularity as a seasonal vacation spot. The casinos were replaced by amusement parks and family-oriented attractions. In 1927 The Cavalier Hotel opened and became a popular vacation spot.
Virginia Beach gained status as an independent city in 1952, although ties remained between it and Princess Anne County. In 1963, after voters in the two jurisdictions passed a supporting referendum, and with the approval of the Virginia General Assembly, the two political subdivisions were consolidated as a new, much larger independent city, retaining the better-known name of the Virginia Beach resort. [16]
The Alan B. Shepard Civic Center ("The Dome"), a significant building in the city's history,[ why?] was constructed in 1958, [17] and was dedicated to the career of former Virginia Beach resident and astronaut Alan Shepard. [18] As the area changed, the Dome was frequently used as a bingo hall. The building was razed in 1994 [17] to make room for a municipal parking lot and potential future development.
Virginia Beach Town Center
Real estate, defense, and tourism are major sectors of the Virginia Beach economy. Local public and private groups have maintained a vested interest in real-estate redevelopment, resulting in a number of joint public-private projects, such as commercial parks. Examples of the public-private development include the Virginia Beach Convention Center, the Oceanfront Hilton Hotel, and the Virginia Beach Town Center. The city assisted in financing the project through the use of tax increment financing: creating special tax districts and constructing associated street and infrastructure to support the developments. The Town Center opened in 2003, with related construction continuing. The Convention Center opened in 2005. [19] [20]
The city has begun to run out of clear land available for new construction north of the Green Line, an urban growth boundary dividing the urban northern and rural southern sections of the city. [21] Infill and development of residential neighborhoods has placed a number of operating constraints on Naval Air Station Oceana, a major fighter jet base for the U.S. Navy. While the airbase enjoys wide support from Virginia Beach at large, the Pentagon Base Realignment and Closure commission has proposed closure of Oceana within the next decade. [22]
On May 31, 2019, a mass shooting happened at a municipal government building in Virginia Beach. A former employee entered the building and shot indiscriminately, killing 12 people and injuring 4 before dying from a gunshot wound from the police. [23]
The Chesapeake Bay shore
Virginia Beach is located at 36°51′02″N 75°58′40″W / 36.8506°N 75.9779°W / 36.8506; -75.9779 (Virginia Beach). [24]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 497 square miles (1,290 km2), of which 249 square miles (640 km2) is land and 248 square miles (640 km2) (49.9%) is water. [24] It is the largest city in Virginia by total area and third-largest city land area. The average elevation is 12 feet (3.7 m) above sea level. A major portion of the city drains to the Chesapeake Bay by way of the Lynnhaven River and its tributaries.
The city is located at the southeastern corner of Virginia in the Hampton Roads area bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The Hampton Roads Metropolitan Statistical Area (officially known as the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA) is the 37th largest in the United States, with a total population of 1,707,639. The area includes the Virginia cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Williamsburg, and the counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Surry, and York, as well as the North Carolina county of Currituck. While Virginia Beach is the most populated city within the MSA, it actually currently functions more as a suburb. The city of Norfolk is recognized as the central business district, while the Virginia Beach oceanside resort district and Williamsburg are primarily centers of tourism.
Virginia Beach from space
When the modern city of Virginia Beach was created in 1963, by the consolidation of the 253 square miles (660 km2) Princess Anne County with the 2 square miles (5.2 km2) City of Virginia Beach, the newly larger city was divided into seven boroughs: Bayside, Blackwater, Kempsville, Lynnhaven, Princess Anne, Pungo, and Virginia Beach.
Virginia Beach has many distinctive communities and neighborhoods within its boundaries, including: Alanton, Aragona Village, the largest sub-division in Tidewater when completed, Bay Colony, Bayside, Cape Henry, Chesapeake Beach, Croatan Beach, Great Neck Point, Green Run, Kempsville, Lago Mar, London Bridge, Lynnhaven, Newtown, The North End, Oceana, Ocean Park, Pembroke Manor, Princess Anne, Pungo, Red Mill Commons, Sandbridge, Thalia, and Thoroughgood. [25]
Virginia Beach, VA [26]
Climate chart ( explanation)
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Metric conversion
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
The climate of Virginia Beach is humid subtropical ( Köppen: Cfa). For the Trewartha update system the climate is the northern limit of Cf ( subtropical) which corresponds to the ecology of the area, going much further north than the Köppen classification. [27] [28]
Winters are cool and snowfall is light. Summers are hot and humid. The official weather statistics are recorded at Norfolk International Airport on the extreme northwestern border of Virginia Beach. The mean annual temperature is 59.6 °F (15.3 °C), with an average annual snowfall of 5.8 inches (150 mm) at the airport to around 3.0 inches (76 mm) in the southeastern corner around Back Bay. [29] Average annual precipitation (the large majority rainfall) is high, ranging between 47 inches (1,200 mm) at the airport to over 50 inches (1,300 mm) per year at Back Bay. The wettest season is summer, specifically July to early September, with August the single wettest month, averaging over 5.5 inches of rain. From October to June, average monthly precipitation is remarkably consistent, ranging between 3.1 and 3.7 inches. The highest recorded temperature to date was 105 °F (41 °C) in July 2010, and the lowest recorded temperature was −3 °F (−19 °C) in January 1985, both being recorded at Norfolk International Airport. [30]
Additionally, the geographic location of the city, with respect to the principal storm tracks, is especially favorable which is why it has earned the reputation as a vacation destination. It is south of the average path of storms originating in the higher latitudes, and north of the usual tracks of hurricanes and other major tropical storms, with the exception of Hurricane Isabel in 2003. [31] Because of the moderating effects of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach is the northernmost location on the east coast in which many species of plants (both subtropical and tropical) will reliably grow. Spanish moss, for example is near the northernmost limit of its natural range at First Landing State Park, and is the most northerly location where it is widespread. Other plants like Sabal minor, Sabal palmetto, Pindo Palm (in protected locations), and Oleander are successfully grown here while they succumb to the colder winter temperatures to the north and inland to the west.
Climate data for Norfolk International Airport, Virginia (1981–2010 normals, [a] extremes 1874–present [b])
(36) 100
Mean maximum °F (°C)
Mean minimum °F (°C)
(−9.3)
(−15) −3
(86) 3.12
(83) 46.53
(6.1) 2.0
(0.51) trace 0
(0) trace 1.2
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)
10.4 9.5 10.6 10.1 10.6 9.9 11.1 10.1 8.8 7.6 8.5 9.8 117.0
1.6 1.3 0.4 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.6 4.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours
171.5 175.2 229.3 252.8 271.7 280.1 278.3 260.4 231.4 208.3 175.7 160.4 2,695.1
Percent possible sunshine
Average ultraviolet index
2 4 5 7 8 10 9 9 7 5 3 2 6
Source #1: NOAA (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990) [30] [32] [33]
Source #2: Weather Atlas [34]
Map of racial distribution in Virginia Beach, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: White, Black, Asian, Hispanic or Other (yellow)
1840 7,285 −20.0%
1790-1960 Population as Princess Anne County
1930 1,719 103.2%
1970 172,106 2,027.1%
1980 262,199 52.3%
2000 425,257 8.2%
Est. 2018 450,138 [2] 2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [35]
1790-1960 [36] 1900-1990 [37]
1990-2000 [38]
Racial composition
White 67.7% 80.5% 90.0% 95.5%
— Non-Hispanic Whites 64.5% 78.8% 88.9% [41] n/a
Black or African American 19.6% 13.9% 9.1% 4.5%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 6.6% 3.1% 1.3% [41] (X)
Asian 6.1% 4.3% 0.7% −
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Virginia Beach was as follows: [39]
White or Caucasian: 67.7% ( Non-Hispanic White: 64.5%)
Black or African American: 19.6%
Native American: 0.4%
Asian: 6.1% (4.0% Filipino, 0.5% Chinese, 0.4% Indian, 0.4% Vietnamese, 0.3% Korean, 0.2% Japanese)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.1%
Some other race: 2.0%
Two or more races: 4.0%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 6.6% (2.2% Puerto Rican, 1.9% Mexican, 0.3% Dominican, 0.2% Panamanian, 0.2% Salvadoran, 0.2% Cuban, 0.2% Colombian)
As of the census of 2000, [3] there were 425,257 people, 154,455 households, and 110,898 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,712.7 people per square mile (661.3/km²). There were 162,277 housing units at an average density of 653.6 per square mile (252.3/km²).
There were 154,455 households out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.14.
The age distribution was 27.5% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,705, and the median income for a family was $53,242. Virginia Beach had the 5th highest median family income among large cities in 2003. [42] The per capita income for the city was $22,365. About 5.1% of families and 8.2% [43] [6] of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
7.1% of the people under the age of 65 years are disabled while 8.6% people don't have health insurance. [6]
The city of Virginia Beach has a lower crime rate than the other regional cities of Hampton Roads, Newport News, Norfolk, and Portsmouth, which all exceed national average crime rates. In 1999 Virginia Beach experienced 12 murders giving the city a murder rate of 2.7 per 100,000 people. For 2007, Virginia Beach had 16 murders, for a murder rate of 3.7 per 100,000 people. That was lower than the national average that year of 6.9. The city's total crime index rate for 2007 was 221.2 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average of 320.9. [44] According to the Congressional Quarterly Press '2008 City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America, Virginia Beach, Virginia ranks 311th in violent crime among 385 cities containing more than 75,000 inhabitants. [45]
Violent crimes per 100,000 citizens
Virginia Beach (2009)
Murder 3.7 6.9
Rape 20.2 32.2
Robbery 127.3 195.4
Assault 98.6 340.1
Burglary 495.2 814.5
Automobile Theft 134.4 526.5
34.4% of the city's population is affiliated with religious congregations, compared to the 50.2% nationwide figure. There are 146,402 adherents and 184 different religious congregations in the city. [46]
28% Catholic Church
14% Southern Baptist Convention
13% United Methodist Church
12% Charismatic Churches Independent
33% Others
Tourism at the beach boosts Virginia Beach's economy
Virginia Beach is composed of a variety of industries, including national and international corporate headquarters, advanced manufacturers, defense contractors and locally-owned businesses. The city's location and business climate have made it a hub of international commerce, as nearly 200 foreign firms have established a presence, an office location or their North American headquarters in Hampton Roads. Twenty internationally-based firms have their U.S. or North American headquarters in Virginia Beach, including companies like STIHL, Busch, IMS Gear, and Sanjo Corte Fino. Other major companies headquartered in Virginia Beach include Amerigroup, the Christian Broadcasting Network and Operation Blessing International. Other major employers include GEICO, VT and Navy Exchange Service Command. [47] Virginia Beach was ranked at number 45 on Forbes list of best places for business and careers.
Tourism produces a large share of Virginia Beach's economy. With an estimated $857 million spent in tourism related industries, 14,900 jobs cater to 2.75 million visitors. City coffers benefit as visitors provide $73 million in revenue. Virginia Beach opened a Convention Center in 2005 which caters to large group meetings and events. Hotels not only line the oceanfront but also cluster around Virginia Beach Town Center and other parts of the city. Restaurants and entertainment industries also directly benefit from Virginia Beach's tourism. [47]
Virginia Beach has a large agribusiness sector which produces $80 million for the city economy. One hundred-seventy-two farms exist in Virginia Beach, mostly below the greenline in the southern portion of the city. Farmers are able to sell their goods and products at the city's Farmer's Market. [48] [49]
A VF-41 F-4J over NAS Oceana in the late 1960s
Virginia Beach is home to several United States Military bases. These include the United States Navy's NAS Oceana and Training Support Center Hampton Roads, and the Joint Expeditionary Base East located at Cape Henry. Additionally, NAB Little Creek is located mostly within the city of Virginia Beach but carries a Norfolk address. [50]
NAS Oceana is the largest employer in Virginia Beach; it was decreed by the 2005 BRAC Commission that NAS Oceana must close unless the city of Virginia Beach condemns houses in areas designated as "Accident Potential Zones." This action has never been the position of the United States Navy; indeed, the Navy had not recommended NAS Oceana to the BRAC Commission for potential closure. The issue of closure of NAS Oceana remains unresolved as of May 2008 [22][ dubious – discuss]
Both NAS Oceana and Training Support Center Hampton Roads are considered to be the largest of their respective kind in the world. Furthermore, located in nearby Norfolk is the central hub of the United States Navy's Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk Navy Base. [51] [52]
54% of the 171,000 people working in Virginia Beach live in the city, 12% live in Chesapeake, and 10% live in Norfolk. An additional 99,600 people commute from Virginia Beach, with 35% going to Norfolk and 23% going to Chesapeake. In 2016, 3.9% of residents were unemployed. [53][ verification needed]
Main article: Culture in Virginia Beach
Adam Thoroughgood House, before 1957 restoration
The city is home to several points of interest in the historical, scientific, and visual/performing arts areas, and has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art features regularly changing exhibitions in a variety of media. Exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, photography, glass, video and other visual media from internationally acclaimed artists as well as artists of national and regional renown. MOCA was born from the annual Boardwalk Art Show, which began in 1952 and is now the museum's largest fundraiser. By operating at a national standard, MOCA received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 2010.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center (formerly the Virginia Marine Science Museum) is a popular aquarium near the oceanfront that features the 300,000-gallon Norfolk Canyon Aquarium, containing sand tiger, nurse and brown sharks, as well as sting rays and other large open-ocean dwellers. There is also a 70,000-gallon sea turtle aquarium, sea turtle hatchling laboratory, hands-on ocean exploration exhibits, jellyfish and octopus aquariums, and even a life-size model of a humpback whale. Other features include the Owls Creek salt marsh and a nature trail. [54]
One of the World's Largest collections of World War I and World War II aircraft is located at the Military Aviation Museum in the Pungo area of Virginia Beach. [55]
The Virginia Beach Amphitheater, built in 1996, features a wide variety of popular shows and concerts, ranging from Kenny Chesney to Taylor Swift to Coldplay to Ozzfest. The Sandler Center, a 1200-seat performing arts theatre, opened in the Virginia Beach Town Center in November 2007. [56] Virginia Beach is home to many sites of historical importance and has 18 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Such sites include the Adam Thoroughgood House (one of the oldest surviving colonial homes in Virginia), the Francis Land House (a 200-year-old plantation), the Cape Henry Lights and nearby Cape Henry Light Station (a second tower), Bayville Farm, De Witt Cottage, Ferry Farm Plantation, Dr. John Miller-Masury House, Adam Keeling House, Old Donation Church, Pembroke Manor, Pleasant Hall, Shirley Hall (Devereaux House), Thomas Murray House, U.S. Coast Guard Station (Seatack), Upper Wolfsnare, Weblin House, and Wishart Boush House, and Wolfsnare. [57]
The Edgar Cayce Hospital for Research and Enlightenment was established in Virginia Beach in 1928 with 60 beds. Cayce was a psychic from Kentucky who claimed healing abilities and made prophesies. Cayce is known as the father of the "New Age" movement of the 1960s. Cayce resided in Virginia Beach until he died on January 3, 1945. His followers are still active in Virginia Beach. The 67th street facility features a large private library of books on psychic matters, and is open to the public. The traditional beach-architecture headquarters building features massage therapy by appointment. Atlantic University was opened by Cayce in 1930; it closed two years later but was re-opened in 1985. Atlantic University was originally intended for study of Cayce's readings and research on spiritual subjects. [58]
The city's largest festival, the Neptune Festival, attracts 500,000 visitors to the oceanfront and 350,000 visitors to the air show at NAS Oceana. Celebrating the city's heritage link with Norway, events are held in September in the oceanfront and Town Center areas. [59] Every August, the American Music Festival provides festival attendees with live music performed on stages all over the oceanfront, including the beach on Fifth Street. The festival ends with the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. [60]
Virginia Beach Neptunes
ALPB Baseball Wheeler Field 2014
Virginia Beach City FC
NPSL Soccer Virginia Beach Sportsplex 2014
Since Norfolk contains the central business district of Hampton Roads, most of the major spectator sports are located there. While the Hampton Roads area has been recently considered as a viable prospect for major-league professional sports, and regional leaders have attempted to obtain Major League Baseball, NBA and NHL franchises in the recent past, no team has yet relocated to the area. [61] Hampton Roads is the second largest metropolitan area in the United States without a club in a major professional sports league, after the Austin metropolitan area.
The Norfolk Admirals won the AHL Calder Cup in 2012.
The Virginia Destroyers, a UFL franchise, played at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex until the league's collapse in 2012. Two soccer teams, the Virginia Beach Piranhas, a men's team in the USL Premier Development League, and the Hampton Roads Piranhas, a women's team in the W-League play at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. The Virginia Beach Sportsplex contains the central training site for the U.S. women's national field hockey team.[ citation needed]
The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Championships, an annual contest of more than 100 of the world's top professional surfers and an estimated 400 amateur surfers. This is North America's oldest surfing contest.[ citation needed]
There are eleven golf courses open to the public in the city, as well as four country club layouts and 36 military holes at NAS Oceana's Aeropines course. Among the best-known public courses are Hell's Point Golf Club and Virginia Beach National, the latter of which hosted the Virginia Beach Open, a Nationwide Tour event from 2000 to 2006. [62] Also, the Kingsmill Resort hosts the Kingsmill Championship, an annual LPGA Tour tournament.
Virginia Beach is host to a Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon each year on Labor Day weekend in conjunction with the American Music Festival. It is one of the largest Half Marathons in the world. The final 3 miles (4.8 km) are on the boardwalk. [63]
In 2012, Virginia Beach was one of several cities trying to lure the Sacramento Kings to play there. [64]
Virginia Beach is home to 210 city parks, encompassing over 4,000 acres (1,600 ha), including neighborhood parks, community parks, district parks, and other open spaces. Each park is unique and offers something for everyone, from wide open spaces to playgrounds, picnic shelters, and ballfields. [65]
Mount Trashmore Park is clearly visible from I-264 when traveling to the oceanfront. The park is 165 acres (67 ha). The hill is 60 ft (18 m) high and over 800 ft (240 m) long, and was created by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil. It is the highest point in Virginia Beach. The park also features two lakes: Lake Windsor and Lake Trashmore. Lake Trashmore is stocked with fish, but is unsanitary to fish in. Residents can also take advantage of a skate park. [66]
A Japanese-style moon bridge in the Miyazaki Japanese Garden, Red Wing Park
One of the major parks is Red Wing Park, a 97 acres (39 ha) park in east-central part of the city, very close to Oceana Naval Air Station. This land became a park in 1966. A unique feature of this park is the Miyazaki Japanese Garden, which is a result of its interactions with its sister city Miyazaki, Japan. Other features include: the Reba S. McClanan Fragrance Garden, 5 picnic shelters with charcoal grills, tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball court, 2 volleyball courts, handball/racquetball court, horseshoe pits, two playground areas, shared-use paths, gardens, picnic areas with charcoal grills, dog park, open fields, vending machines, public restrooms, a playground, wooded areas. [67]
Another major park in the city is Great Neck Park, a 70 acres (28 ha) park located in the Lynnhaven District. Facilities include five large group shelters, mini-shelters, family picnic tables and grills, three playgrounds, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, vending machines, walking trails, four baseball fields, as well as a gazebo located at the end of a scenic walkway overlooking the Lynnhaven River. [68]
People riding a rental surrey on the boardwalk
The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1938, is an 8,000-acre (32 km2) fresh water refuge that borders the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Back Bay on the west. The barrier islands feature large sand dunes, maritime forests, fresh water marshes, ponds, ocean beach, and large impoundments for wintering wildfowl. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [69]
First Landing State Park and False Cape State Park are both located in coastal areas within the city's corporate limits as well. Both offer camping facilities, cabins, and outdoor recreation activities in addition to nature and history tours. [70] [71]
Munden Point Park is a rural park located in the deep southern end of the city, [72] right on The North Landing River. It is owned and maintained by the city of Virginia Beach. The park features five shelters, three baseball fields, a boat ramp, boat rentals, three playgrounds, horseshoe pits, five volleyball courts, and light hiking trails. An outdoor amphitheatre is fully equipped with electrical outlets and is available for reservations of weddings, outside classroom activities and other events. Restrooms, parking, vending machines, playgrounds, gardens, and barbecue grills are also available for use. Canoes, boat ramps, and disc golf courses may also be rented to go. [73]
Local law prohibits the use of profanity along the boardwalk. This sign along Atlantic Avenue indicates this law.
Additionally, the famous 3 miles (4.8 km) boardwalk at the oceanfront is often packed with fascinating entertainment, outdoor cafes, concerts and people. Made of concrete, the boardwalk links forty hotels and other attractions and has a bike path. [74]
Naval Aviation Monument Park was formally dedicated on May 6, 2006, by the Hampton Roads Squadron of the Naval Aviation Foundation Association. Planned since 1997 in partnership with the City of Virginia Beach, the park features heroic-scale statuary and reliefs to tell the history of Naval Aviation. [75]
Pleasure House Point is an 118 acres (48 hectares) park of undeveloped land on the shore of the Lynnhaven River. Located just south of the Lesner Bridge and the Chesapeake Bay, it includes oyster beds, wetlands and a maritime forest.[ citation needed] The location was the site of a planned condo development that collapsed in 2008. It was acquired by the City of Virginia Beach with help from the Trust for Public Land and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in 2012. [76] It is one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the Lynnhaven River and will be preserved for future generations. It is also the location of the Brock Environmental Center which provides hands-on educational programs for students to learn about the Chesapeake Bay. [77]
Lastly, of course, are the city's abundant and ample indoor recreational facilities, which often include basketball and racquetball courts, weight and fitness training rooms, and swimming pools. These centers also play host to many special programs for children, youth and adults. The Bayside facility, for example, offers classes in yoga and pilates, as well as various types and styles of dance, not to mention seasonal offerings for young children and senior citizens.
Virginia Beach's extensive park system is recognized as one of the best in the United States. In its 2013 ParkScore ranking, The Trust for Public Land reported that Virginia Beach had the 8th best park system among the 50 most populous U.S. cities. [78] ParkScore ranks city park systems by a formula that analyzes the city's median park size, park acres as percent of city area, the percent of city residents within a half-mile of a park, spending of park services per resident, and the number of playgrounds per 10,000 residents.
Unlike most large independent cities in Virginia, Virginia Beach has consistently backed Republican Party presidential candidates since 1968. However, their margins of victory have diminished in recent years. John McCain & Donald Trump only managed to win a plurality of the city's votes in 2008 & 2016, winning the city despite losing statewide.
Presidential election results [79]
2016 48.4% 98,224 44.8% 91,032 6.8% 13,763
2012 50.5% 99,291 48.0% 94,299 1.6% 3,051
2008 49.9% 100,319 49.1% 98,885 1.0% 2,045
1992 50.0% 68,936 32.2% 44,294 17.8% 24,555
1988 68.9% 76,481 30.4% 33,780 0.7% 757
1964 44.9% 10,529 55.0% 12,892 0.1% 21
1960 42.5% 986 56.1% 1,301 1.5% 34
1956 53.3% 1,355 43.7% 1,111 3.0% 77
1952 59.8% 1,310 40.2% 881
Virginia Beach was chartered as a municipal corporation by the General Assembly of Virginia on January 1, 1963. The city currently operates under the council–manager form of government. [80] The city does not fall under the jurisdiction of a county government, due to state law. Rather, it functions as an independent city and operates as a political subdivision of the state.
The city's legislative body consists of an eleven-member city council. The city manager is appointed by the council and acts as the chief executive officer. Through his staff, he implements policies established by the council. [81]
Members of the city council normally serve four-year terms and are elected on a staggered basis in non-partisan elections. Beginning in 2008, general elections are held the first Tuesday in November in even-numbered years. In previous years, elections were held the first Tuesday in May in even-numbered years. All registered voters are eligible to vote for all council members. Three council members and the mayor serve on an at-large basis. All others are elected by district (and must live in the district they represent): Bayside, Beach, Centerville, Kempsville, Lynnhaven, Princess Anne, and Rose Hall. [80]
The mayor is elected to a four-year term through direct election. The mayor presides over city council meetings, and serves as the ceremonial head and spokesperson of the city. A vice mayor is also elected by the city council at the first meeting following a council election. [81]
Citizens of Virginia Beach also elect five constitutional officers, and candidates for these offices are permitted to run with an affiliated political party. Three of these offices deal substantially with public safety and justice: the sheriff, commonwealth's attorney, and the clerk of the circuit court. The two other offices are concerned with fiscal policy: the city treasurer and the commissioner of the revenue.
Virginia Beach is located entirely in the Virginia's 2nd congressional district, served by U.S. Representative Elaine Luria (Democrat).
The current building of Frank W. Cox High School
According to the U.S. Census, 28.1% of the population over twenty-five (vs. a national average of 24%) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 90.4% (vs. 80% nationally) have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Prior to 1969, separate schools were maintained for black and white students. Before 1938, black students who wished to attend school past seventh grade had to travel to Norfolk, and pay tuition to attend Booker T. Washington High School. In 1938, the first high school for blacks, the Princess Anne County Training School was built. In 1961, in order to avoid the stigma of the term "training school", the school was renamed Union Kempsville High School at the request of the black community. When the public schools integrated in 1969, Union Kempsville was closed. [82] [83] [84]
The city of Virginia Beach is home to Virginia Beach City Public Schools, one of the largest school systems in the state (based on student enrollment). Virginia Beach City Public Schools currently serves 69,735 students, and includes 56 elementary schools, 14 middle schools, 12 high schools which include Landstown, Princess Anne, Green Run, Green Run Collegiate, Cox, Tallwood, Salem, First Colonial, Kellam, Kempsville, Bayside, and Ocean Lakes High Schools as well as a number of secondary/post-secondary specialty schools and centers such as the Advanced Technology Center (ATC), which provides courses for those trying to gain a place in the technology field. Ocean Lakes maintains a rigorous math and science academy; Bayside houses a health sciences academy, with courses in medical microbiology, genetic medicine, and pathophysiology. Salem High school houses the Visual and Performing Arts Academy, preparing students for jobs in the Fine and Performing Arts. Landstown High School contains a Technology Academy, which helps prepare students for jobs in Business Marketing, Information Technology, and/or Engineering. First Colonial High School is home to the Legal Studies Academy, with courses such as Forensic Science, Intro to Law, and Legal Research and Writing, preparing students for jobs in the law field. Tallwood High School has recently founded a world studies academy, Kempsville High School began their Entrepreneurship and Business Academy in 2017, and Princess Anne, the oldest high school in the city, is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme school. Princess Anne used to host a special program for pregnant high schoolers in the area. The program for pregnant girls was moved off of Princess Anne's campus and into a section of the alternative school, Renaissance Academy, which was completed in late 2009. [85] With only 8 girls going on to the new program at the Academy, Virginia Beach set to defund the program in 2010. [86] Specialized courses are offered at all these academies, even though they occasionally overlap courses offered at other specialized centers, such as Landstown and the ATC — less than 1-mile (1.6 km) away. [87]
There are also a number of private, independent schools in the city, including Norfolk Academy, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School and Parish, The Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, Cape Henry Collegiate School, Catholic High School (formerly Bishop Sullivan Catholic and, before that, Norfolk Catholic), Baylake Pines School, and Virginia Beach Friends School. [88]
Association for Research and Enlightenment
Virginia Beach is home to two universities: Regent University, a private university founded by Christian evangelist and leader Pat Robertson, which has historically focused on graduate education but has recently established an undergraduate program as well. [89] Atlantic University, associated with the Edgar Cayce organization, the Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE), offers M.A. degrees in Transpersonal Studies, with many New Age subjects thanks to its Edgar Cayce link. [58] Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University are in nearby Norfolk and both the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech operate satellite campuses in Virginia Beach. [90] [91] [92] [93] Tidewater Community College, a major junior college, also has its largest campus located in the city. [94] Virginia Wesleyan College, a private liberal arts college, is located on the border with Norfolk with the physical address of the school being in Norfolk, but the majority of the campus being in Virginia Beach. [95] ECPI University's main campus is located here as well. Additional institutions of higher education are located in other communities of greater Hampton Roads. [96]
The Virginia Beach Public Library System provides free access to accurate and current information and materials to all individuals, and promotes reading as a critical life skill. The library supports the educational and leisure needs of Virginia Beach citizens with a system of area libraries, a Central Library, a Bookmobile, a virtual library, the South Rosemont Youth Library, the Wahab Public Law Library, the Municipal Reference Library and the Special Services for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. The Library has a collection of more than 1 million items including special subject collections. [97]
The Virginian-Pilot, based in Norfolk, is the daily newspaper for Virginia Beach. Other papers include Veer and the New Journal and Guide. Inside Business focuses on local business news. [98]
Virginia Wesleyan College publishes its own newspaper, The Marlin Chronicle. [98]
The Norfolk-Virginia Beach area is served by a variety of radio stations on the FM and AM dials, with towers located around the Hampton Roads area. [99]
Virginia Beach is also served by several television stations. The Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News designated market area (DMA) is the 42nd largest in the U.S. with 712,790 homes (0.64% of the total U.S.). [100] The major network television affiliates are WTKR 3 ( CBS), WAVY-TV 10 ( NBC), WVEC 13 ( ABC), WTPC-TV 21 ( Trinity Broadcasting Network), WGNT 27 ( CW), WTVZ-TV 33 ( MyNetworkTV), WVBT 43 ( Fox), and WPXV 49 ( ION Television). The Public Broadcasting Service station is WHRO-TV 15. Virginia Beach residents also can receive independent station WSKY broadcasting on channel 4 from Camden County, North Carolina. Some can also receive PBS affiliate WUND 2 ( UNC-TV), Home Shopping Network affiliate W14DC-D from Portsmouth, Daystar Network religious television station WVAD-LD TV 25 from Chesapeake and RTV affiliate WGBS-LD broadcasting on channel 7 from Hampton. Virginia Beach is served by Cox Cable. DirecTV and Dish Network are also popular as an alternative to cable television in Virginia Beach. In addition a large portion of the city is served by Verizon FIOS.
Virginia Beach serves as the headquarters for the Christian Broadcasting Network, located adjacent to Regent University. CBN's most notable program, The 700 Club originates from the Virginia Beach studios. [101] [102] In 2008, Virginia Beach became the home to the Reel Dreams Film Festival.[ citation needed]
Main article: Transportation in Virginia Beach
A Hampton Roads Transit bus on Pacific Avenue in Virginia Beach.
Virginia Beach is primarily served by the Norfolk International Airport ( IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF), which is now the region's major commercial airport. The airport is located near Chesapeake Bay, along the city limits straddling neighboring Norfolk. [103] Seven airlines provide nonstop services to twenty five destinations. ORF had 3,703,664 passengers take off or land at its facility and 68,778,934 pounds of cargo were processed through its facilities. [104] Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport also provides commercial air service for the Hampton Roads area. [105] The Chesapeake Regional Airport provides general aviation services and is located five miles (8 km) outside the city limits. [106]
Virginia Beach Airport is a small, grass runway facility catering to private aircraft owners.
Rail-wise, Virginia Beach is served by Amtrak through the Norfolk and Newport News stations, via connecting buses. The Norfolk line runs southwest toward Suffolk, Virginia, then turns northwest toward Petersburg, Richmond (Staples Mill Road), and points beyond. The Newport News line runs west along the Virginia Peninsula to Williamsburg, Richmond (via the downtown Main Street and the suburban Staples Mill Road stations), and points beyond. A high-speed rail connection at Richmond to both the Northeast Corridor and the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor are also under study. [107]
Greyhound/Trailways provides service from a central bus terminal in adjacent Norfolk. The Greyhound station in Virginia Beach is located on Laskin Road, about a mile west of the oceanfront. Bus services to New York City via the Chinatown bus, Today's Bus, is located on Newtown Road. [108]
The city is connected to I-64 via I-264, which runs from the oceanfront, intersects with I-64 on the east side of Norfolk, and continues through downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth until rejoining I-64 at the terminus of both roads in Chesapeake where Interstate 664 completes the loop which forms the Hampton Roads Beltway. Travelers to and from Virginia Beach can access the Hampton Roads Beltway in either direction from I-264 in Norfolk to use a choice of the two bridge-tunnel facilities to cross Hampton Roads to reach the Peninsula, Williamsburg, Richmond and points north. Other major roads include Virginia Beach Boulevard ( U.S. Route 58), Shore Drive ( U.S. Route 60), which connects to Atlantic Avenue at the oceanfront, Northampton Blvd ( U.S. Route 13), Princess Anne Road ( State Route 165), Indian River Road (former State Route 603), Lynnhaven Parkway, Independence Boulevard, General Booth Boulevard, and Nimmo Parkway. Streets in the oceanfront hotel and entertainment district are arranged in a fairly regular, grid like pattern, with Atlantic Avenue parallel to the shoreline, then Pacific Avenue, and Arctic Avenue going further inland.
The city is also connected to Virginia's Eastern Shore region via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT), which is the longest bridge-tunnel complex in the world and known as one of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World. The CBBT, a tolled facility carries U.S. Route 13. [109]
Transportation within the city, as well as the rest of Hampton Roads is served by a regional bus service, Hampton Roads Transit. [110] An extension of The Tide light rail system from Norfolk to the oceanfront is currently being studied. [111] For years, Virginia Beach residents have debated on whether or not to extend The Tide from Norfolk into its borders with the apparent divide falling between younger and older residents and the potential cost to Virginia Beach taxpayers. [112] In November 2016, residents voted on a referendum proposing that would extend the light rail from Norfolk to Virginia Beach with 57% against the rail extension and 43% for the extension. [113]
A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Virginia Beach 39th most walkable of fifty largest U.S. cities. [114]
Water and sewer services are provided by the City's Department of Utilities. Virginia Beach receives its electricity from Dominion Virginia Power which has local sources including the Chesapeake Energy Center (a gas power plant), coal-fired plants in Chesapeake and Southampton County, and the Surry Nuclear Power Plant. Norfolk headquartered Virginia Natural Gas, a subsidiary of AGL Resources, distributes natural gas to the city from storage plants in James City County and Chesapeake.
Virginia Beach receives its water from Lake Gaston. The Virginia Tidewater area has grown faster than the local freshwater supply. The river water has always been salty, and fresh groundwater is no longer available in most areas. Currently, water for the Tidewater area is pumped from Lake Gaston, which straddles the Virginia-North Carolina border along with the Blackwater and Nottoway rivers. The pipeline is 76 miles (122 km) long and 60 inches (1,500 mm) in diameter. Much of its follows the former right-of-way of an abandoned portion of the Virginian Railway. [115] It is capable of pumping 60 million gallons of water per day(60MGD), Norfolk and Chesapeake are partners in the project. [116]
The city provides wastewater services for residents and transports wastewater to the regional Hampton Roads Sanitation District treatment plants. [117]
Virginia Beach is served by Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. The former Sentara Bayside Hospital, now known as Sentara Independence, has been modified to a stand alone Emergency Department and outpatient treatment center. Sentara Leigh Hospital is just across the city line in Norfolk. [118] Beach Health clinic offers basic medical services for uninsured residents of Virginia Beach.
Derrick Nnadi, NFL defensive tackle
Felicia Barton, semi-finalist on American Idol
Genesis the Greykid, artist, creative, poet, writer
Rudy Boesch, retired Navy SEAL and contestant on Survivor
Bill Bray, MLB player [119]
Curtis Bush, kickboxer
Jason Dubois, MLB player [120]
Gabby Douglas, Olympic gymnastics gold medalist
Herman Goldner, mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida [121]
Percy Harvin, NFL player
Daniel Hudson, MLB player [122]
Bubba Jenkins, NCAA Division I wrestling national champion and MMA fighter [123]
BJ Leiderman, composer of themes for NPR shows
Michael Hearst, author, musician, and composer
Marc Leishman, professional golfer
Evan Marriott, actor in Joe Millionaire [124]
Bob McDonnell, former Governor of Virginia [125] [126] [127]
Ryan McGinness, artist
Shawn Morimando, MLB player [128]
Lenda Murray, IFBB professional bodybuilder [129]
Juice Newton, singer, songwriter
Pusha T, rapper
Neil Ramírez, MLB player [130]
J.R. Reid, NBA player
Pat Robertson, television preacher
Todd Schnitt, radio personality
Rhea Seehorn, actress known for role as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul
Scott Sizemore, MLB player [131]
Mark Ruffalo, Oscar-nominated actor; raised in Virginia Beach
Chris Taylor, MLB player
Ian Thomas, MLB player [132]
Travis Wall, choreographer and contestant on So You Think You Can Dance
Matthew E. White, songwriter and producer
Pharrell Williams, rapper, singer, record producer, composer and fashion designer
Matt Williams, MLB player [133]
Lil Tracy, rapper, singer and songwriter
Ryan Zimmerman, MLB player [134]
Virginia Beach's Sister Cities are: [135]
Moss, Norway since March 25, 1974
Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyūshū, Japan since May 25, 1992
Bangor, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom since May 6, 2001
Olongapo, Philippines since July 6, 2015
Virginia Beach has two Friendship City: [135]
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua since January 13, 2013
Waiblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany since 2016
In popular culture
In 2015, in honor of the game's 80th birthday, Hasbro held an online vote in order to determine which cities would make it into an updated version of the Monopoly Here and Now: The US edition of the game. Virginia Beach, Virginia received the fourth highest number of votes in the online contest, earning it a green spot on the board. The top Boardwalk spot went to Pierre, South Dakota. [136]
Geography portal
Virginia portal
List of people from Virginia Beach
National Register of Historic Places listings in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Norwegian Lady Statues
Virginia Beach Fire Department
Virginia Beach Department of EMS
Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad
Wash Woods at False Cape
Virginia Beach shooting
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Virginia Beachat Wikipedia's sister projects
Travel guide from Wikivoyage
Places adjacent to Virginia Beach, Virginia
City of Norfolk Northampton County
City of Chesapeake
Currituck County, North Carolina
False Cape State Park
Mount Trashmore
Munden Point
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Naval Air Station Oceana
Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek
Fort Story
Adam Keeling House
Adam Thoroughgood House
Atlantic Fun Park
Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum
Cape Henry Light
Cape Henry Memorial
Ferry Plantation House
Francis Land House
Lynnhaven House
Motor World
Ocean Breeze Water Park
Tidewater Arboretum
Upper Wolfsnare
Virginia Aquarium
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum
Alanton
Croatan Beach
Great Neck Point
Green Run
Kempsville
Kings Grant
Lynnhaven
Pembroke Manor
Pungo
Sandbridge
Seatack
Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Metropolitan Area
South Hampton Roads
Virginia Peninsula
Battle of Hampton Roads
Note: Cities are independent, not being part of any county
Richmond (capital)
Seal of Virginia
Allegheny Mountains
Atlantic Coastal Plain
Cumberland Mountains
Delmarva Peninsula
Middle Peninsula
Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians
Southwest Virginia
Tennessee Valley
Western Virginia
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford
Staunton-Waynesboro
Norfolk-Virginia Beach
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Greensville
Nottoway
MusicBrainz: 21834e17-8606-4e10-af5c-76d5d668eba9
Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Virginia_Beach,_Virginia&oldid=906459717"
Beaches of Virginia
Cities in Virginia
Seaside resorts in the United States
Surfing locations in the United States
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VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA
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Home » Nations » Spain » Heads of State » Regency: 1823
Regencia del Reino durante la cautividad del Rey
25 May 1823 - 1 Oct 1823 Pedro de Alcántara de Toledo Salm-Salm de Silva y Salm, duque del Infantado, duque de Lerma, duque de Pastrana, marqués de Távara, conde de Villada (Presidente de la Regencia) (x)
25 May 1823 - 1 Oct 1823 Antonio María Ponce de León y Dávila Carrillo de Albornoz, duque de Montemar, marqués de Castromonte, marqués del Águila y de Montemayor, conde de Garciez y de Valhermoso
25 May 1823 - 1 Oct 1823 Joaquín de Ibáñez Cuevas y de Valonga, barón de Eroles, marqués de la Cañada-Ibáñez
25 May 1823 - 1 Oct 1823 Juan de Cavia González, obispo de Osma
25 May 1823 - 1 Oct 1823 Antonio Gómez Calderón (x)
Installed in Madrid with approval of Louis-Antoine de France, duc d'Angoulême (son of future Charles X), commander-in-chief of the French army, which invaded Spain (7 Apr 1823) to restore absolutism; initial list of Regency members was drafted by the Consejo de Castilla (Council of Castile) and Consejo de Indias (Council of the Indies), which refrained from direct appointment of the regency as it was considered to have not been in compliance with the laws of the kingdom; the Regency was appointed by declaration of Duc d'Angoulême (25 May 1823) and solemnly installed at the ceremony in the Real Palacio (26 May 1823); governed in the name of Fernando VII recognized as sovereign retained in captivity by the revolutionary forces (in Seville until 12 Jun 1823; in San Fernando [Isla de León, an island near Cádiz] 15 Jun 1823 - 1 Oct 1823); appointed the ministry (decrees of 26 May 1823 and 27 May 1823); exercised the functions of provisional head of state until Fernando VII was permitted to abandon San Fernando after the defeat of the liberal forces; president of the Regency, Duque del Infantado, met the king in person at Puerto de Santa María (1 Oct 1823), thus effectively ending the term of the Regency; official proclamation on transferring the supreme authority to the "sacred hands of our King" ("á las sagradas manos de nuestro Rey") was published on 7 Oct 1823 in Gaceta de Madrid. Information sources: [1][2][3][4]
[1] Decretos y resoluciones de la Junta Provisional, Regencia del Reino y los expedidos por Su Magestad desde que fue libre del tiránico poder revolucionario, comprensivo al año de 1823 (Madrid: Imprenta Real, 1824). Tomo VII. PP. 2-146.
[2] Gaceta de Madrid, jueves 29 de Mayo de 1823. Núm. 2. PP. 2-3.
[3] Gaceta extraordinaria de Madrid, del lunes 2 de Junio de 1823. Núm. 4. P. 9.
[4] Gaceta de Madrid, martes 7 de Octubre de 1823. Núm. 93. PP.343-344.
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MIDDLE EAST – ISLAM
United Nations says more than 25,000 foreigners joined Islamic terror militias
In a report, UN experts warns that Syria and Iraq have become a "finishing school" for thousands of foreign fighters, mostly from Tunisia, Morocco, Russia but also France. Defeating the Islamic state could lead to the dispersal of experienced fighters across the world.
New York (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The flow of foreign fighters into the Middle East to join terrorist groups is “higher than it has ever been historically.”
More than 25,000 foreign fighters have travelled from at least 100 countries to areas such as Iraq, Syria, Libya and Pakistan. This poses an immediate and long-term threat to global security, according to a UN report.
The number of foreign fighters has "risen sharply", increasing by 71 per cent between the middle of 2014 and March 2015.
Syria and Iraq have also become a "veritable finishing school for extremists", with some 22,000 foreign fighters operating in those two countries.
The groups that benefited the most from these “terror migrants” are al Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State (IS) group.
The report, by experts monitoring UN sanctions against al-Qaeda, warned that defeating IS in Iraq and Syria could lead to the dispersal of experienced fighters across the world.
In fact, an additional 6,500 fighters are present in Afghanistan and hundreds in Yemen, Libya and Pakistan.
A high number of foreign fighters have come from Tunisia, Morocco, France and Russia. But there has also been an increase in the number of those coming from the Maldives, Finland and Trinidad and Tobago.
Pope talks about the Middle East, the Holy Land and the food crisis with Bush
Malaysia taking back jihadists from Syria with caution
Ramos-Horta loses E Timor presidential election, Guterres and Ruak in runoff
UN’s first summit for the world’s 65 million refugees
Support for Christians' human rights in the Middle East in a joint statement signed by 53 States
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During Lab Animal Week, ADI Highlights Lack of Science Behind Suffering
Posted: 15 April 2011. Updated: 15 April 2011
LOS ANGELES 15th April, 2011 –To tie in with the launch of Worldwide Laboratory Animal Week (17 – 24 April 2011), Animal Defenders International (ADI) would like to remind the US public of the pitfalls of animal experimentation and inform them of the sophisticated alternatives now available, including cutting edge human based alternatives to animal research.
This week of action is to commemorate the suffering of the one hundred million animals that are tortured, mutilated and killed in laboratories all around the world each year and to raise awareness that laboratory animal research is both cruel, and bad science.
According to the latest US statistics, nearly one million animals were tortured, mutilated and killed in US laboratories in 2009. Animals are only counted once, regardless of the number of times they are used and of similar concern is the fact that two of the most frequently used species in laboratories- rats and mice – are not even recorded in the US. So, the actual figures for animals used in US labs will be significantly higher than those published.
Jan Creamer, President of ADI said: “ADI is dedicated to bringing attention to the cruel, wasteful and unnecessary experiments performed on these defenseless animals and want people to reflect on their suffering during this week. Every year in the US millions of animals suffer and die in experiments needlessly that can never be trusted for research purposes.
“The fundamental flaw of animal research is that each species responds differently to substances, making animal tests unreliable as a way to predict effects in humans. Yet animal research can be replaced by advanced scientific techniques that are quicker, more cost effective and more reliable.
“ADI is calling on US Citizens to spare a thought for the millions of animals currently suffering and languishing in laboratories the length and breadth of the USA and is calling on Congress to include all animals used in experiments in the figures so that we get a true picture.
In addition, we also call for an end on cosmetics and household products testing on animals and regulations to ensure that where there is an alternative available, then it must be used.”
There are many alternatives to the use of animals which are more reliable and are based on better science. These include tissue and cell cultures, computer modelling and analysis, as well as epidemiological studies of human disease, transmission, genetics and environmental factors. These types of studies have been successful in the past, for example showing the link between smoking and cancer. Also, scientists are developing advanced non-animal techniques which are becoming increasingly sophisticated, such as 3D models containing different tissues providing a better representation of the actual situation in a living human. These cultures can be used for drug testing and to study cell mechanisms.
Matt Rossell, ADI’s Campaigns Director said: “Animal experiments are unreliable, unethical, unnecessary, and the misleading results have even harmed human health. Alternative methods can provide robust, relevant and accurate results faster and more cost effectively, without animal suffering. Contrary to what you might be told by animal experimenters, the majority of medical and scientific research does not involve animals. Today there is a wealth of sophisticated techniques including computer modelling, tissue cultures, epidemiological studies and clinical studies, all of which have direct relevance to people. And, there is a long history of medical progress without the use of animals.”
For more information about laboratory animals, and the alternatives, and how you can help, please visit: http://www.adiusa.org, or email: usa@ad-international.org, telephone 001 323 935 2234.
Creamer said: “This campaign for Lab Animal Week clearly outlines the flaws of animal experimentation and promotes the benefits of non invasive, ground breaking advanced non-animal testing techniques. Let’s push forward the development and adoption of sophisticated scientific techniques to replace out of date animal tests, decrease the use of animals in animal tests and show a determination and will to replace animal use with advanced, non-animal techniques.”
For further information please contact: ADI Campaigns Director, Matt Rossell, Tel: 323-804-9920, email mattrossell@ad-international.org or Agnes Huff, PhD, tel: 310-641-2525 or ahuff@ahuffgroup.com
In the USA, The Animal Welfare Act defines an “animal” as “any live or dead dog, cat, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, or any other warmblooded animal, which is being used, or is intended for use for research, teaching, testing, experimentation, or exhibition purposes, or as a pet. This term excludes birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus, bred for use in research”. Therefore not all animals would be recorded in statistics of animal use. .” http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/awr/awr.pdf - accessed 14/04/11
According to the latest statistics for the fiscal year 2009, a total of 979,772 animals were used. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/efoia/downloads/2009_Animals_Used_In_Research.pdf - accessed 14/4/11.
Animals are only counted once, regardless of the number of protocols in which they are used. Animals used over numerous years are counted once in each fiscal year. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/policy/policy17.pdf - accessed 14/4/11
About Animal Defenders International
With offices in Los Angeles, London and Bogotá, Animal Defenders International campaigns to protect animals in entertainment; replacement of animals in experiments; worldwide traffic in endangered species; vegetarianism; factory farming; pollution and conservation. ADI also rescues animals in distress worldwide. ADI-gathered evidence has led to campaigns and legislative action all over the world to protect them.
ADI’s Mission
To educate, create awareness, and promote the interest of humanity in the cause of justice, and the suppression of all forms of cruelty to animals wherever possible to alleviate suffering, and to conserve and protect animals and the environment.
http://www.adiusa.org
http://www.ad-international.org/adi_world/
http://www.YouTube.com/AnimalDefenders
6100 Wilshire Blvd., #1150, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Tel: 323-935 2234. Fax: 323-935-9234.
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BRASACC does not personally recommend any individual book, but below is a list of books which you may find helpful or informative. To jump to a specific group of books, click the link below
Partners, Family and Friends
Professionals and Helpers
Police, Law and Court Proceedings Information
Books for Women and Girls
Publisher: Vermilion
Author(s): Ellen Bass & Laura Davies
The Courage To Heal: A Guide For Women Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse is based on the experiences of hundreds of child abuse survivors. The book profiles victims who share the challenges and triumphs of their personal healing processes. Inspiring and comprehensive, it offers mental, emotional and physical support to all people who are in the process of rebuilding their lives. The Courage to Heal offers hope, encouragement and practical advice to every woman who was sexually abused as a child
Woman-to-Woman Sexual Violence: Does She Call It Rape?
Publisher: Northeastern University Press
Author(s): Lori B. Girshick
In a work that is sure to stir controversy, Lori B. Girshick exposes the shocking, hidden reality of woman-to-woman sexual violence and gives voice to the abused. Drawing on a nationwide survey and in-depth interviews, Girshick explores the experiences and reflections of seventy women, documenting what happened to them, how they responded, and whether they received any help to cope with the emotional impact of their assault. The author discusses how the lesbian community has silenced survivors of sexual violence due to myths of lesbian utopia, and considers what role societal homophobia, biphobia, and heterosexism has played in this silencing. Ranging from date and acquaintance rape, to domestic sexual abuse by partners, to sexual harassment in the workplace, these harrowing stories provide a fuller understanding of woman-to-woman sexual violence than exists anywhere else.
The courage to be me: A story of courage, self-compassion and hope after sexual abuse
Publisher: NB Research Ltd.
Author(s): Dr. Nina Burrowes
Available from Amazon (Paperback)
Amazon (Kindle Edition)
Dr. Nina Burrowes’ Website (Read Online Free)
How do you rebuild your life after sexual abuse? Join a group of women as they share their stories of courage, self-compassion and hope after rape and sexual abuse. Find out how coming together and learning about recovery helped them on their journey. Using a combination of illustration, storytelling and research data The courage to be me has been written to send a message of hope to the millions of people who are living with the impact of rape or sexual abuse.
Books for Men and Boys
Victims No Longer
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Author(s): Mike Lew & Ellen Bass
The first book written specifically for men, Victims No Longer examines the changing cultural attitudes toward male survivors of incest and other sexual trauma. Now, in this Second Edition, this invaluable resource continues to offer compassionate and practical advice, supported by personal anecdotes and statements of male survivors. Victims No Longer helps survivors to:
Identify and validate their childhood experiences
Explore strategies of survival and healing
Work through issues such as trust, intimacy, and sexual confusion
Establish a support network for continued personal recovery
Make choices that aren’t determined by abuse
Psychotherapist Mike Lew has worked with thousands of men and women in their healing from the effects of childhood sexual abuse, rape, physical violence, emotional abuse, and neglect. The development of strategies for recovery from incest and other abuse, particularly for men, has been a major focus of his work as a counsellor and group leader. Thoroughly updated and revised, and including an expanded Resources section, Victims No Longer educates survivors and professionals about the recovery process — speaking to the pain, needs, fears, and hopes of the adult male survivor.
Leaping upon the Mountains: Men Proclaiming Victory over Sexual Child Abuse
Publisher: North Atlantic Books, U.S.
Author(s): Mike Lew & Richard Hoffman
Presenting the first real investigation of what male sexual assault survivors themselves identify as most important during various stages of recovery, Leaping upon the Mountains contains powerfully moving contributions from hundreds of men of all ages and backgrounds throughout the United States and 45 other countries. It is not a work of fiction, but a compilation of many truths, many realities—a quilt pieced together from men’s experiences—forming an impressively triumphant pattern. Taken together, they state, lucidly and forcefully, that recovery work produces changes that are real, important, and permanent. Leaping upon the Mountains is a celebration of successful recovery.
Readers of Leaping upon the Mountains will discover:
Insights and resources for all stages of recovery
Encouraging and inspiring messages from other male survivors
A large updated resource section providing concrete help to survivors and professionals
Ways of reconnecting with their own strength and creativity
Books for Partners, Family and Friends
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers;
Author(s): Laura Davies
Focusing on people who were sexually abused as children, and based on interviews and her workshops for partners across the country, Laura Davies offers practical advice and encouragement to all partners – girlfriends, boyfriends, spouses and lovers – trying to support the survivors in their lives while tending to their own needs along the way. She shows couples how to deepen compassion, improve communication, and develop an understanding of healing as a shared activity. Addressing partners’ most important questions, this book answers common questions about sexual abuse, introduces key concepts of working and growing together, includes strategies for handling suicidal feelings, regression and hopelessness, offers practical advice on healing with distancing, control, trust and fighting, provides guidelines for coping with flashbacks, lack of desire, differences in sexual needs and frustration, and explores the struggles, triumphs and courage of eight partners. Laura Davis is a co-author of “The Courage to Heal” and author of “The Courage to Heal Workbook”.
If The Man You Love Was Abused: A Couple’s Guide To Healing
Author(s): Marie H. Browne with Marlene M. Browne
The scars left on the hearts and souls of childhood abuse survivors run deep. They require time, patience and loving support to heal. Finally, “If the Man You Love Was Abused” offers a lifeline for the men who suffered childhood abuse, and the people who love them. This book will teach readers to: get the support that the survivor needs; make sure loved ones don’t neglect their own needs; and, determine when, and how, to seek professional help.
Books for Professionals and Helpers
Breaking Free: Help for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (Insight)
Publisher: Sheldon Press
Author(s): Carolyn Ainscough and Kay Toon
This manual updates the first edition, and investigates all the effects of child sexual abuse, which often persist into adult life – guilt and shame, depression and anxiety, eating disorders, fear of relationships and sexual problems. It includes discussion of female abusers, and draws on accounts of survivors who want their voices to be heard, offering a positive and optimistic approach to help survivors break free from the past.
Surviving Secrets
Publisher: Open University Press
Author(s): Moira Walker
In recent years considerable attention has been paid to the subject of abuse in childhood. Less attention has been paid to what happens to the vast number of women and men who have reached adulthood with this experience haunting them. Moira Walker overviews the experience and its implications, dealing with physical, sexual and psychological abuse. An essential part of the content is based on interviews with survivors of child abuse, voicing their views on the effects of the experience and the effectiveness of the help offered. At the same time Surviving Secrets seeks to understand the context in which abuse takes place, the society which itself contains and sustains abuse at various levels. It is a moving account of the experience and effects of childhood abuse and a handbook for those in the caring professions, in voluntary organizations and elsewhere who are helping survivors of abuse.
Police, Law and Court Proceedings Information Books
From Report to Court
Publisher: Rights of Women
Author: Cathy Halloran
Available from Rights of Women in PDF Format and Amazon
From Report to Court: A handbook for adult survivors of sexual violence was first published in 2004. Funded by the Home Office, it was commissioned by Rape Crisis and written by Cathy Halloran with contributions from Rights of Women.
The book has been written to provide information and support to people who have experienced sexual violence, as well as to their families, friends and the organisations that support them. It explains the different stages of the legal process, from the point of deciding whether or not to report the incident to the police, through to the trial, verdict and sentence. From Report to Court also sets out the relevant law and the obligations the different agencies in the criminal justice system have to survivors of sexual violence.
Your rights your body your life: a young person’s guide to sexual violence and the law
Publisher: The Havens
Author: Hannah Camplin, (Legal Officer at Rights of Women)
Available from Rights of Women in PDF Format
This legal guide has been written to provide you, as a 13 -17 year old, with information and support if you have experienced sexual violence. It will tell you about the law that can help you when someone acts in a sexually violent way towards you. It will also tell you about the legal process should you choose to tell the police what has happened to you.
Put forward originally as an idea by Parminder Sidhu, former Young Person’s Worker at the Haven Paddington, the information in this guide is given so you know what to expect from the police and the courts.
Crown Court Bench Book: Directing The Jury
Publisher: The Judicial Studies Board
Author: Mr Justice Pitchford
Available from The Judiciary of England and Wales
In 2010 the Judicial Studies Board published the Crown Court Bench Book setting out specimen directions for use by judges in the Crown Court.
Chapter 17 The Trial of Sexual Offences – is particularly useful for prosecutors, addressing myths, stereotypes and generalisations that may influence jury members in their deliberations. Trial advocates should be reminded to suggest appropriate directions from the Bench Book to the trial judge for inclusion in his/her summing up to the jury.
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New public plaza to liven U.’s presence downtown
By Greg Jordan-Detamore
Senior Staff Writer
Melk Landscape Architecture / Urban Design (top)
A number of initiatives, including the creation of a new public plaza (top) from a parking lot (bottom) are underway to transform the Jewelry District.
Greg Jordan-Detamore / Herald
By now it’s obvious — the University is proudly “Building Brown.” But what is less obvious is the University’s rapid development on the other side of the river, away from the daily lives of students.
The new Medical Education Building at 222 Richmond St. will be completed in July. A month later, the University plans to wrap up its conversion of a nearby parking lot to a public plaza, featuring terraced wood flooring and red maple trees. Built with expectations of outdoor concerts, dance and yoga classes, movie screenings and farmers’ markets, it will be a “livable urban space,” said Edward Wing, dean of medicine and biological sciences. Food vendors and lunch trucks will gravitate to the space, he added.
Designs reflect the dreams of both University administrators and city planners, who consider the Jewelry District a source of hope in an economically stagnant city. Fueled by the relocation of Interstate 195, the Jewelry District — also called the “knowledge district” — is projected to be a hot spot for educational and medical institutions. Brown’s Alpert Medical School will be a “keystone” in the area, Wing said. Administrators hope Providence will rival neighboring University- and hospital-fueled research activity in Cambridge and New York City.
Ship Street square
The new, one-third-acre square will serve more as a public gathering place than as a recreational area, said Richard Spies, executive vice president for planning and senior adviser to the president. Plazas like the one planned “are the kind of spaces that work great on college campuses,” he said, suggesting it could serve a purpose akin to that of the Main Green, “where a lot of things can happen formally or informally.”
He said he hopes the square creates “a sense of community, a sense of engagement of the neighborhood.” Construction will likely begin in May, said Michael McCormick, assistant vice president for planning, design and construction.
“Ship Street square is going to be here very quickly,” McCormick said. “We want to do this now so people start thinking of the Jewelry District as a cool place to be.”
The square will sit across the street from the Medical Education Building, near several other University-owned buildings in the district, including a molecular medicine research laboratory, a future police substation and the future home of the Office of Continuing Education. The area will be linked to the East Side by a pedestrian bridge and possibly a new transit line, both in the planning stages.
‘A big, big leap forward’
Construction on the Medical Education Building is going “very well,” with a majority of the exterior work done and the focus now shifted to the interior, said Stephen Maiorisi, vice president for Facilities Management.
The 134,000 square-foot building is slated to be finished July 12, with an opening ceremony Aug. 15, the first day of classes for the Med School, Wing said.
The building includes a sunlit atrium, two 150-seat lecture halls, an “almost all digital” library, administrative offices, three “case study rooms” for demonstrations, 16 seminar rooms and an anatomy suite, Wing said. A clinical skills suite has rooms which are “exactly like doctors’ offices, so (students) can practice their skills.”
Medical students will be sorted into three academies, giving students “time to build relationships for all four years,” said Peter Holden, director of biomedical facilities planning and operations.
The top floor will have space for a fitness center, Holden said, and will have a rooftop terrace, which will be illuminated at night. The ground floor will have a cafe — “one of the only eatery spaces on this side of the Jewelry District” — which will be open seven days per week.
The building represents a tripling of the Med School’s usable classroom space, Wing said. It is the first specifically dedicated to the Med School, he added. It also places the school close to the hospitals, to which third- and fourth-year medical students commute “all the time.”
“It’s such a big, big leap forward for the Medical School,” he said.
The Med School — the only one in Rhode Island — will be expanding its enrollment as a result of this increase in dedicated space. There are currently 96 students per class, but the class size will increase to 108 this fall and will stabilize at 120 next year, Wing said.
All Med School classes will be moved to the Medical Education Building, Maiorisi added, which will free up some classroom space on campus for undergraduates.
Developing the district
Outside the building’s walls, the fabric of the district is changing rapidly.
The narrow sidewalk on Richmond Street between Ship and Elm streets will be widened to 13 feet from its present four to five feet to make the area more pedestrian-friendly, McCormick said. Presently, the sidewalk is “so small that they had to put the parking meters in the middle of the sidewalk,” Spies said. The area is “just not people friendly.”
The University will plant trees along the street and install better lighting and emergency blue light phones. The trees will reduce the perceived scale of the street and “help hide the parking garage,” McCormick said.
The price tag for the public plaza and streetscape improvements is $2 million, and they will be completed in the fall, Wing said.
And the University has its eyes on further expansion in the district. It recently acquired the 41,000 square-foot building at 198 Dyer St. for about $6 million.
“At least for a period of time, it will house the Office of Continuing Education,” Spies said. The Office of Residential Life will move to the Office of Continuing Education’s current space in Graduate Center, and ResLife’s current space on the first floor of Wayland House will be converted to dorm rooms, he said.
Given the size of the building, “we may very well look for another tenant for that space,” Spies said.
The University acquired its first building in the Jewelry District at 70 Ship St., which is home to the Med School’s Laboratories for Molecular Medicine, in 2004.
The Department of Public Safety and the Providence Police Department will share a new police substation at 43 Elm St., McCormick said, which will help DPS increase its presence in the Jewelry District.
The University bought seven buildings in the Jewelry District in 2007, one being the site of the new Medical Education Building, Spies said.
Brown will eventually occupy all of the buildings, but some are being leased out for a short-term use, Wing said.
The teardown of the old I-195 viaduct is “happening fast,” Spies said. “A couple of the roadway bridges” are still standing, but “it looks very different than it did three months ago,” he said.
Creating connections
Despite the University’s development in the Jewelry District, one hurdle remains — getting there. As the bird flies, the district lies only a half mile from the Main Green. It is easily walkable from campus, but administrators have recognized the need for further transit infrastructure. Several initiatives by both the city and state will help close the gap.
“My dream about it is that you don’t ever take your car,” Spies said.
Perhaps the most high-profile link between the two banks of the river will be a new pedestrian bridge that will rise on the piers of the old I-195 bridge. Under the leadership of then-Mayor David Cicilline ’83, the city announced a winner of a design competition for the bridge in December 2010.
Now, Mayor Angel Taveras is reevaluating the decision between the competition’s two close finalists. “The new mayor wants to reexamine that and make sure it’s the right decision,” McCormick said.
“You can’t make a wrong decision,” Spies said of the bridge desi
gn. The best thing to do is to make a decision soon and “get on with the fundraising.”
Details of the bridge’s funding have not yet been worked out, McCormick said.
At the western foot of the pedestrian bridge, a 4.5-acre park will be developed by the city as part of the I-195 relocation project. “It adds hugely to the attractiveness of that whole area,” Wing said.
Public transportation improvements are also being studied. The Providence Core Connector Study is currently considering options for transit, such as a streetcar line, to serve the district.
A preliminary route has been selected, traveling from Thayer Street through Kennedy Plaza and the Jewelry District to Rhode Island Hospital. Some issues, such as how to connect the route to the train station, are still being explored, McCormick said.
Officials from the study will make a public presentation April 25 and a locally preferred alternative will be selected this summer, according to the group’s website.
Meanwhile, Brown’s expansion in the Jewelry District is marching on.
“It’s a vision becoming reality, which doesn’t happen overnight and doesn’t happen with just one building,” Spies said.
“By next fall, we’ll have a whole new environment down there,” McCormick said. “This transformation of the Jewelry District we’ve been talking about for many years will be visible.”
Check out http://blogdailyherald.com/2011/04/13/a-thousand-words-hard-hat-tour-of-med-ed/ for photos from The Herald’s hard hat tour of the Medical Education Building.
Topics: Campus planning, Jewelry District, Med School, Transportation
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Act up!
Home » news aggregator » categories
In These Times - October 18, 2018 - 8:57pm
When democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won the June 26 Democratic primary for New York’s 14th Congressional District, her election made national news, launching her into the spotlight as the new standard bearer for the Left in the electoral arena.
Since that victory, other open democratic socialists have won primaries across the country, including Rashida Tlaib in Michigan, Sarah Smith in Washington and Julia Salazar in New York City. This new class of left challengers may soon gain company from California’s Bay Area, where another democratic socialist, Jovanka Beckles, is running in a high-profile election for District 15 State Assembly.
The November 6 election pits Beckles, a Bernie Sanders supporter and former Richmond city council member who currently serves as the town’s vice mayor, up against Buffy Wicks, an Oakland resident, state director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and former adviser in the Obama White House.
Wicks, who during her time as a Clinton state director was referred to as “Buffy the Bernie Slayer” has also been endorsed by former President Obama. Beckles, meanwhile, has the support of Our Revolution, an offshoot of Sanders’ 2016 campaign. The race conjures obvious parallels to the 2016 Democratic presidential primary. But Beckles is quick to point out that it’s all about issues and policy, not re-litigating the past.
“We’re Democrats. We’re working people. We need to not allow others to separate [or] divide us,” Beckles tells In These Times. “For me, this is not about Hillary versus Bernie. This is about money and outside interests coming in and telling us what we need as opposed to allowing leaders, particularly leaders of color, to have to a seat at the table. This is about whether or not we are going to have a top-down kind of leadership versus a bottom-up leadership.”
For her part, Wicks is not ceding the ground of progressivism. She tells In These Times: “Fundamentally, I think we progressives need to stand up for what we believe in and be bold about that; not be afraid to stand up for progressive ideology [and] advocate for the things that we believe in. Now is the time for us to really dig into the progressive mantle and stand strong by those values.”
But Beckles, who came in second to Wicks in the June primary, has the backing of a number of high-profile progressive groups including the Working Families Party and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), along with Our Revolution, more than a dozen environmental groups and over 20 labor unions.
Not everyone is on board. Ahead of the primary, East Bay Express, an Oakland based weekly newspaper, endorsed Buffy Wicks and Dan Kalb, claiming Beckles “had the fewest ideas for solving California's problems.”
Beckles, however, is not bothered by these criticisms. “I know that when you’re coming from a place of modern politics, I think it might be hard to give credit to someone who is being a revolutionary [and] being innovative,” she says. Indeed, Beckles is running on a solidly left-wing platform, including Medicare for All, universal affordable housing, a $20 statewide minimum wage, a 36-hour work week, free public college and a Green New Deal.
Born in Panama, Beckles moved to the Bay Area after college in 1989. Witnessing social injustice throughout her career as a mental health professional shaped her decision to get involved with local politics. She became the first openly lesbian member of Richmond City Council when she was elected in 2010. Her campaign was supported by Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), a grassroots coalition most known for challenging Chevron’s oil refinery and holding the fossil-fuel giant accountable to the city’s residents. In retaliation for her role reigning in the power of Chevron, the corporation spent over $3 million in ads to defeat Beckles and other opponents during the 2014 election cycle.
During her time on the council, Beckles has supported minimum-wage increases, protections for renters and the “Ban the Box” ordinance, which provides formerly incarcerated people with more equal opportunities in employment and education. She has also worked to improve community relations with the Richmond Police Department, an entity she has openly criticized.
Beckles says she wants to gain a larger platform in order to support policies that will help California’s most marginalized communities. Richmond City Council’s progressive policies can only go so far without changes in state legislation. The city passed rent control in 2016, for example, but it faces limitations with current state laws.
Not surprisingly, housing has been one of the focal points of the primary election. Beckles was the only candidate who ran on repealing Costa-Hawkins, a 1994 law that restricts rent control in California. Skyrocketing rents are an issue plaguing the state, especially longtime residents in Richmond and Oakland who are being displaced by thousands of people who have been priced out of San Francisco over the last decade. Wicks, meanwhile, has called for reforming the law.
The question of whether or not to repeal Costa-Hawkins will be put to voters in November through the Proposition 10 ballot measure. If passed, Prop 10 would allow California cities like Richmond to pass rent control ordinances and expand them to single-family homes and new construction.
Beckles believes Wicks buys into the argument that repealing the law will make housing worse. But she doesn’t. “What it’s going to do is stop people, particularly people of color, poor working people, from being displaced,” says Beckles. “When you see people working 40 hours a week having to live in their cars, on the streets, or on the Berkeley Marina, that is a huge red flag. We are in a crisis. Reforming Costa-Hawkins is not going to end this crisis. Repealing it is.”
One of the challenges facing Beckles’ campaign is fundraising, since she does not accept corporate donations. Her largest campaign donations to date have come from labor groups, according to Berkeleyside.
“We’re not going to be able to raise as much money as the other candidate, taking money from the 1%,” she says. “When the greater class invests in a candidate, you better believe they are looking for a return on their investment. They are not investing in me. They are investing in my opponent, and they are doing that for a reason.”
So far, Wicks has raised $1.2 million, 73 percent of which is from in state. A website set up by East Bay DSA has tracked where her donations have come from. By contrast, Beckles has so far raised $381,500, 95 percent of which is from in state.
But with all the progressive energy behind Beckles, why was Wicks able to outperform her in the primary?
Steve Early, Richmond resident and author of Refinery Town: Big Oil, Big Money, and the Remaking of an American City, thinks he knows. “There’s certainly a type of Democratic Party voter in one of the more left-leaning districts in the state, who [is] probably more comfortable with a nice policy wonk, Obama administration alum like Buffy rather than somebody like Jovanka,” says Early.
Abigail Gutmann-Gonzalez, Vice Chair of the East Bay chapter of DSA, concurs. “Buffy Wicks is a democratic establishment insider. She knows what to say. She has the policy language down right,” she says.
With just a few weeks left before the election, Early, who followed Beckles’ previous campaigns, predicts Wicks’ big business donors will attempt to smear Beckles. And it wouldn’t surprise him if those whose financial interests were threatened by Beckles’ accomplishments in Richmond seize the opportunity to join in.
Richmond Mayor Tom Butt endorsed Wicks, which was not a complete surprise considering the tensions between him and Beckles. While he has spoken against some of the harassment thrown at Beckles over the years, he has made his disdain for her known through his online newsletter. On April 26, he wrote, “I cannot in good conscience recommend that anyone vote to send her to the California Assembly where she would most surely be an unmitigated disaster.”
Beckles says she sees why Butt would go with Wicks rather than supporting her, given that the two do not agree on most issues, including passing Proposition 10. “He puts profit over people, unlike me. I put people over profit,” she says.
Gutmann-Gonzalez notes that Beckles stood in solidarity with University of California workers (AFSCME Local 3299) during their strike in May. “She is standing up for the interests of working people,” Gutmann-Gonzalez says. Beckles, who is a member of East Bay DSA, was endorsed by the organization in 2017, and they have since supported her campaign with 250 volunteers.
Beckles has been gaining momentum and recently scored the endorsement of powerful House Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). Her supporters hope that her volunteer-powered campaign, progressive credentials and bold vision are enough to help put her over the top next month.
“Jovanka is a working Teamster,” says Early. “She used to come work in the streets. [She] was part of that, you know, radical group in Richmond that took on Chevron. You can look at the same record and, depending who you are, you get nervous or start cheering her on.”
Beckles’ politics are not the only significant factor in this election. “My perspective as a black woman on the Left is so important and valuable in this race,” Beckles says.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, current AD-15 Assemblyman Tony Thurmond is the only black representative of the Bay Area in state government. If Beckles doesn’t win in the race to replace him, a demographic that makes up seven percent of California’s population will not have a representative who looks like them.
“I think we [people of color] really need to be able to have a seat at the table if we are going to successfully create the kind of laws that benefit us, level the playing field, and bring about equity and justice for all,” Beckles says.
Categories: Newswire
truthout - October 18, 2018 - 4:22pm
In this business, you eventually become enured to Monday mornings that are the mental equivalent of a car accident. You get used to it, mostly, until a morning comes along that is more cognitively akin to a plane crash on the interstate during rush hour, and you find yourself wondering again if investing in a time-share on Neptune might be an idea whose time has come. That was this past Monday, in the form of a painting that falls somewhere in the shade between “Dogs Playing Poker” and Revelation 6:1-8.
Those watching Lesley Stahl help Donald Trump self-immolate during their “60 Minutes” interview on Sunday night spotted it first, right there on the wall above the vat of Starburst candies: a pastel creamsicle nightmare rendering of Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Calvin Coolidge, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush sharing a drink and a hearty Republican belly laugh with The Donnybrook himself.
Cue the squealing tires and shattered safety glass; I saw this thing before I could so much as blow on my first cup of Monday morning coffee, and I’m still trying to come to grips with the experience.
The internet had a field day, of course. Before Tuesday even had a chance to put its pants on, Twitter was bursting with Photoshop jobs that turned Missouri artist Andy Thomas’s annihilation of time and history into a legitimate cultural phenomenon.
One recreation has Trump sitting with Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, Bill O’Reilly and other noteworthy perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment unmasked by the #MeToo movement. Another has Trump replaced by a miniaturized version of the baby blimp that has been following him around the world. Still another puts Plaid Shirt Guy over Trump’s right shoulder once again, looking appropriately astonished.
Yes, all in good fun, and next week some other poor slob’s magnum opus will become a punchline for half a billion online wiseasses, and Mr. Thomas’s tender attempt at whatever he was reaching for with this thing will be last week’s forgotten funny meme.
That’s a damned shame, because much of what we need to know about Donald Trump, the Republican Party and why we are all mired in this towering, disheartening mess is right there in that painting, staring us down with every eye-bruising brush stroke. It is a paint-by-numbers history lesson we should all take deeply to heart if we want to understand the strange ground we stand upon.
Nixon, Reagan and W. Bush made Donald Trump possible.
One could spend a bag of lifetimes parsing the collected failures of the individuals featured in the painting – yes, even Honest Abraham Lincoln, who had unfriendly newspaper editors arrested by the score – but I choose to stick to three of the presidents I have personally endured.
The administrations and legacies of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush combine to tell a long, sorry tale of corruption, greed, brazen lies, abused power and religious fundamentalism gone wild that, in whole and in part, put us where we are today. Remove any one of those men from that painting, and from history, and Donald Trump would likely be just another late-night punchline you slept through, again. Nixon, Reagan and W. Bush made Donald Trump possible.
It is telling, and perhaps deliberate, that the painting finds Donald Trump seated at the right hand of Nixon. Who better than the Beast of San Clemente to frame the groaning reality of this White House? Richard Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” – courting brazen segregationists like South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond while stoking racial animosities wherever he and his fixers could find them – won him two presidential elections and greased the rails for every Republican presidential nominee to follow.
The construction of a Republican Electoral College fortress in the South began with Nixon and remains standing, very nearly brick for brick, to this day. Trump’s victory in 2016 happened because of that fortress. If he wins re-election in 2020, he will have Nixon’s deeply racist campaign strategy to thank once again. Beyond that, Nixon’s disdain for the rule of law, combined with his venomous hatred of the press, set the tone for the latter half of the 20th century and laid a precedent Trump has followed practically to the note.
Though he never served a day in prison for his crimes, thanks to a pardon from one of the other fellows featured in the painting, Richard Nixon was ultimately forced to pay a steep price for his transgressions. The same cannot be said for Ronald Reagan, whose administration sold missiles to Iran and used the proceeds to fund an illegal war in Central America. The Iran/Contra scandal was a vast, sweeping international affair for which the president eluded punishment by dint of 124 separate “I don’t remember” replies during the congressional inquiry.
Vivid public dishonesty by that president set yet another precedent Trump has taken full advantage of over the course of two long years. Lie straight to their faces, goes the thinking, and dare them to do something about it. The juggernaut rolls on.
Reagan’s most indelible imprint on the country, the one Trump has taken greatest advantage of, is cultural. He oversaw a rollicking festival of across-the-board deregulation while preaching the polluted gospel of trickle-down economics that endures to this day. Donald Trump came of age in the Reagan era, and learned the dark arts of the con man by watching the master in the White House.
Anyone who can say with a straight face that Trump has not benefitted from the mainline injection of racism into conventional Republican politics should immediately apply for a gig at the White House.
More than anything else, Reagan’s courting of what became known as the “Religious Right” changed the face of the country. Conservative Protestant evangelical leaders like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and Billy Graham actively helped solidify and expand the religious fervor of the Republican base, creating one of the most reliable voter blocs in modern US history. Their legendary loyalty to the GOP, even in the face of myriad scandals and shameful episodes, has proven to be one of Donald Trump’s great strengths.
Another lasting Reagan legacy that Donald Trump has capitalized on is the muscular approach Reagan’s strategists took to Nixon’s racist “Southern Strategy.” Reagan adviser Lee Atwater, the infamous Southern Republican political operative who showed Karl Rove the ropes, explained during a 1981 interview the long, sure process of making virulent racism mainstream by hiding it in plain sight.
“You say stuff like, uh, forced busing, states’ rights, and all that stuff,” said Atwater, “and you’re getting so abstract. Now, you’re talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you’re talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is, Blacks get hurt worse than whites. ‘We want to cut this,’ is much more abstract than even the busing thing.”
Anyone who can say with a straight face that Trump has not benefitted from the mainline injection of racism into conventional Republican politics should immediately apply for a gig at the White House. From Nixon to Reagan to Trump, the Republican “Southern Strategy” traded in the white robes of the Klan for a suit, a tie and some buzzwords to obscure the truth. The strategy has proven to be highly effective for the Republican Party, and toxic to the rest of the country, particularly to communities of color.
Sixteen years before the ascendancy of Donald Trump, George W. Bush adopted every fetid, discredited Nixon/Reagan ploy as his own. The 2000 GOP primary in South Carolina was a festival of racist gutter tactics that set Bush on course for the presidency, thanks entirely to the lessons Rove absorbed at Atwater’s knee. Bush survived the 2000 general election and was re-elected four years later, thanks in part to the thick white walls of that electoral fortress Nixon and Reagan built in the Southern states.
Like Nixon and Reagan, Bush had little use for the truth, and less use for observing the democratic norms that hold the republic together. Like Reagan, Bush embraced the power of the evangelical Christian right to the continued detriment of all. Nixon and Reagan lied about wars, but Bush lied us into a pair of wars that grind on to this day. Like his predecessors, George W. Bush paid no legal price for his serial crimes and astonishing dishonesty.
The rank racism of the “Southern Strategy.” The nonsense and classism of trickle-down economics. The grim fusion of politics and extremist evangelical Christianity. The bold power of the shameless lie. It has all flowed from Nixon to Reagan to Bush and finally to Trump, the inheritor of that poisoned estate. But for them, we would not have him. It’s all there in the painting, if you find your way to see it.
The post The Terrible Trump Portrait That Explains Everything appeared first on Truthout.
Following the news this week that under President Donald Trump, the federal deficit exploded to $779 billion in the 2018 fiscal year, the president said Wednesday that he would demand a five percent budget cut from each of his cabinet secretaries.
Stressing that the administration would “continue with the tax cuts, because we have other tax cuts planned,” Trump suggested the deficit was the result of spending on various programs at the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and other government agencies.
“It’s not as tough as you think, and frankly there’s a lot of fat in there,” Trump told reporters.
The president’s comments echoed those of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who explicitly blamed the rising deficit on social safety net spending on Tuesday.
The pro-Social Security group Social Security Works took Trump’s remarks as a direct attack on the program as well as Medicare and Medicaid.
Translation: Gut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security https://t.co/P2ML9tXsQ8
— SocialSecurityWorks (@SSWorks) October 17, 2018
As radio host Thom Hartmann warned Wednesday, “The billionaire fascists are coming for your Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. And they’re openly bragging about it.”
The newest threat to safety net programs comes less than a year after the Republican Party pushed through their $1.5 trillion tax plan, which offered an average $33,000 tax break to each of the wealthiest Americans and just $40 to the poorest, according to analysis by the Tax Policy Center.
Social Security Works President Nancy Altman seized on the GOP’s attacks on programs that millions of people rely on as a call to arms for voters who care about protecting healthcare and incomes for the most vulnerable Americans.
“The shocking part of McConnell’s statement, and those made by other powerful Republicans, is not the content, but the timing,” Altman wrote at Common Dreams on Wednesday. “Right-wingers have opposed Social Security and Medicare ever since they were first created. But because these programs enjoy overwhelming support from the American people, including voters of all political affiliations, they do not normally talk about their plans for benefit cuts three weeks before an election. If this is how they are talking now, imagine how emboldened they will be if they ride out the blue wave and keep control of Congress!”
In a video posted on Twitter, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) delved into the history of Social Security, which despite strong support from Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s, has come under attack by a GOP increasingly beholden to corporate interests in recent decades.
Eisenhower defended the program in a letter in 1954, predicting the assault President George W. Bush would wage on Social Security as well as Republicans like House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and McConnell.
“Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history,” Eisenhower wrote. “There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes that you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid.”
During his 2016 campaign, the video notes, Trump promised voters he would not cut Social Security benefits.
But, the narrator says, “his party, with his backing, has spent the last two years doing everything they can to reach onto our pockets, steal our money, and give it to their pay masters on Wall Street. The problem is that that tiny, reactionary splinter group now controls the entire Republican Party.”
Did you know we once had a Republican president who expanded Social Security? Maybe today’s Republicans should listen to what he had to say about the program, instead of trying to destroy it. pic.twitter.com/moczgsKsIq
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 17, 2018
On Monday Sanders, the Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, also released a report on just four major Republican policies and actions which have caused the federal deficit to explode, and outlined programs that the GOP’s spending could have strengthened if not for ballooning military spending and tax cuts for the rich and corporations.
“Instead of spending nearly $1 trillion on the military and tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations, the federal government could have paid for any of the following proposals — multiple times over for some — in Fiscal Year 2018 and still balanced the budget,” Sanders wrote.
If Americans vote with the intention of protecting the social safety net, the report suggests, they could help usher in a government that would be more likely to “Provide high-quality early care and education for children from birth to kindergarten” (estimated cost: $140 billion) and “Eliminate child poverty by simply boosting the income of all families with children (and children who do not live with their families) over the poverty line” (estimated cost: $69 billion) — mere fractions of what Republicans have happily spent in recent years on the Pentagon and tax cuts.
The post Trump’s Post-Midterm Plans: Cut Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid appeared first on Truthout.
Feminist Daily News - October 18, 2018 - 3:00pm
In a letter sent last Friday, a group of Senators, led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), sent a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos calling on the Department to engage in meaningful consultation with survivors before proposing new Title IX rules that could impact the rights of student survivors of sexual harassment and assault. Related posts:
Denying Justice to Campus Sexual Assault Survivors Saves Colleges Money
Unaccompanied Migrant Children Transported at Night to Tent City
“The thing I hate about the job is the wear and tear on your body,” caregiver Allena Pass says. “It breaks you down: the aches and pains and soreness. The frustration you have when you have people in the home that can’t help and won’t help. When you have people in the home that are never satisfied no matter what you do or how you do it. I know what I’m doing, and I know I’m doing right.”
“I want the public to appreciate me and treat me with respect because I treat my job with respect,” Pass says. She’s one of the many caregivers profiled in a new report, Pay, Professionalism, and Respect: Black Domestic Workers Continue the Call for Standards in the Care Industry, a collaboration between the Institute for Policy Studies and We Dream in Black, a project of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.
The report authors spoke with black domestic workers across Durham and Atlanta, conducting citywide surveys to examine the challenges and desires of caregivers across the industry. Georgia and North Carolina were singled out as they have some of the highest number of domestic workers in the United States, as well as some of the lowest levels of pay in the industry.
Common threads run through many of the workers’ stories, including wage theft and inadequate compensation, job precarity, and lack of workplace protections. The caregivers share story after story of injuries on the job, and many of them describe working through the pain. A majority of workers in the survey — 57 percent in Durham and 55 percent in Atlanta — said they’d worked while sick, and workers in both cities cited injuries and health issues as a concern.
“I have torn ligaments, plus I have nerve pain from lifting and pulling,” said Durham healthcare worker Lurika Wynn. “Sometimes, I will go to these clients’ homes or even the facility in pain, but I’ve got to try to help [clients get] up. Yes, I have injuries to my back from this job. I’m never going to [get workers’ comp] for it. When this back is done, I’m out.”
The lack of workplace protections compounds the issue. “Despite the similarities to other professions that provide care and service, domestic workers are not afforded the pay, protections, or respect that they deserve for the critical services they provide and the skill with which they perform their duties,” write study authors Kimberly Freeman Brown and Marc Bayard.
Along with agricultural workers, domestic workers were excluded from the labor protections of the 1930s. The right to unionize was never extended to domestic workers. They weren’t given social security benefits until 1950, and had to organize to even receive a minimum wage and overtime pay 1974. Even still, live-in workers were exempt from receiving overtime pay, and home health care aides weren’t afforded minimum wage rights until 2015.
To this day, domestic workers aren’t covered by OSHA or civil rights employment laws, which only extend to businesses with more than 15 employees. They’re also denied the right to collectively bargain. The report draws a connection between the lack of workplace connections and the intertwined histories of domestic work and slavery.
“Domestic service, in many ways, became emblematic of racial inequality,” historian Pramila Nadasen wrote in the report. “African American domestic workers continue to encounter inequality in the labor market and experience systematic underpayment and racial and gender harassment. Like earlier generations, they also organize and fight back, refusing to submit to any situation they deem unjust.”
Black women in the field elevate their industry, the report says, both by setting standards for care that go far beyond what they’re paid to provide and by organizing for better working conditions. Two-thirds of domestic workers surveyed in both Atlanta and Durham said they didn’t have any work contracts, and about a third of respondents in both cities said they were asked to do work outside the scope of their job. In the face of these informal working arrangements, the report documents the professionalism the caregivers demonstrate every day on the job.
“Sometimes you don’t get things done at home. Sometimes your bills don’t get paid because you had to work,” Joan Samuel Lewis, a certified nursing assistant, said. “You go in when it’s dark and you come out when it’s dark. That’s for years. There’s no holiday; there’s no Christmas. You have to give up all of who you are and your life to fit your clients’ needs.”
“I don’t think the public sees us as people. That is what I want to change. You have to be someone that cares in order to do that kind of work—because I don’t think people see it as even a worthy profession,“ Lewis says. “People’s perceptions make me feel bad enough for me to change it. That’s one of my goals: to change it.”
We Dream in Black organizers share their stories and their hopes for the care industry.
Black domestic workers have a long history of organizing for better working conditions in their industry, which is even more remarkable given the often all-consuming nature of their work and their lack of legal protections. Nadasen cites strikes and worker actions dating back to the 1880s that have changed the nature of the industry. As the report recommendations make clear, offering more workplace rights and protections and strengthening the ability of domestic workers to collectively bargain are essential.
“Sometimes it’s hard to organize other domestic workers because they fear losing their jobs if their employers find out they’re a part of it,” home health caregiver Jasmine Okokhere told the authors.
“Then I ask them, “Do you have health insurance?” And they say no. And I say, “That’s one of the things we’re fighting for.” Then I’m like, “Do you get holiday pay? Do you get time off?” They’re like, “No. If my child is sick then I have to stay home with my child and I don’t get paid.” And I’m like, “See? We’re fighting for all of those things.”
There’s quite a lot to fight for, as the report’s surveys show. More than 90 percent of respondents in both cities said they had workplace concerns, ranging from low pay to fear of being reported to immigration authorities or police. But many of the caregivers said their collective power kept them hopeful.
“Our voices can make a change if we all come together as one; and that’s what we’ve done. That’s what we’re doing. We’re not stopping until we get what we want,” certified nursing assistant Sonia Myers said.
“We are just as important as anybody who is a millionaire, or a doctor or a lawyer. We are more than just the help.”
The post Black Domestic Workers Demand Better Pay, Professionalism and Respect appeared first on Truthout.
This story was originally published by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit news organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more at revealnews.org and subscribe to the Reveal podcast, produced with PRX, at revealnews.org/podcast.
A private company in charge of transporting families separated at the US border earned a lucrative new contract from ICE while it was under investigation for housing immigrant children in vacant office buildings.
Records show that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement gave MVM Inc. a new contract worth nearly $200 million on July 20, just days after Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting found that the defense contractor held children overnight in two vacant office buildings in Phoenix.
Some children held overnight in the buildings – which had no kitchens, showers or yards – were among those separated from their families under President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy.
On July 11, ICE said its contract with MVM “does not allow for children to be in these facilities more than 24 hours.” The agency said it would be reviewing MVM.
But nine days later, it awarded MVM a new five-year contract worth $185 million for translation and interpretation services, records show.
ICE previously had given the contract to MVM two other times, but both times the contract was voided because of problems. In August 2017, when the company was first awarded, three other contractors protested, saying MVM could not fulfill the needed interpretation services. ICE modified the contract and awarded it to MVM again in June 2018. However, after another protest from competitors, ICE soon rescinded the contract because it gave MVM $10 million more than was called for in the bid.
The third time MVM received the contract came after ICE had launched its investigation into MVM’s office buildings. That bid is also under protest from another vendor that lost out.
In early July, Reveal discovered that MVM detained immigrant children in two office buildings in Phoenix, in possible violation of the company’s own policies. Neither office building was listed among shelters that are licensed to operate through the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement or on Arizona’s child care licensing website.
According to ICE, its transportation contract with MVM did not allow the private company to hold children overnight but allowed MVM to use its offices as “waiting areas” for children awaiting same-day transport.
Following Reveal’s investigation, MVM admitted to holding children overnight in at least one of the vacant offices.
In an email dated July 16, Jennifer Elzea, a spokeswoman for ICE, said the agency was “looking into whether anything occurred that was outside the realm of our contract” with MVM. Neither she nor the contractor would provide copies of the contract. ICE has denied Reveal’s Freedom of Information Act request to view the contracts.
In a follow-up email July 26, Elzea did not respond to questions regarding the most recent translation and interpretation contract with MVM, stating, “You are welcome to FOIA for any contract documents.” She did not respond to subsequent emails.
The Arizona Department of Health Services actively regulates other facilities in the state that are currently licensed. However, a July 12 letterfrom the department said it “does not have the authority or influence to compel the federal government to change their practices or initiate an investigation.”
In a Sept. 17 letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen and ICE Acting Director Ron Vitiello, US Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., requested “a thorough investigation of the treatment of unaccompanied children in MVM custody and suspend their contract pending the outcome of the investigation.”
MVM, founded by three former US Secret Service agents in the late 1970s, has supplied guards to CIA facilities in Iraq and the Guantanamo Bay Migrant Operations Center and provided protection to former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. One of its vice presidents is a former CIA special agent and former acting director of the US Marshals Service.
Records indicate that since 2014, the Virginia-based company has received contracts with ICE worth up to $248 million to transport children. Most recently, MVM has become the main transportation contractor under the federal government’s zero-tolerance border policy.
Arizona state Sen. Steve Farley, a Democrat, questioned the state’s lack of action in clamping down on MVM’s continuing business with ICE.
“Why aren’t you shutting them down? Children are at risk,” he said.
The post ICE Gave $185 Million Deal to Defense Contractor Under Investigation appeared first on Truthout.
As 2018 ends, it can be overwhelming (and even exhausting) to try to reflect on the events of the year. Donald Trump entered the second year of his presidency and continued his upheaval of the White House; the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre horrified us all and sparked a national movement; the US continued to aid and abet human rights abuses across the Middle East; millions more refugees fled their homes worldwide; and the climate crisis deepened. This and much more has had a traumatic effect on the global consciousness. And while each event may seem to crush us under its weight, there are moments of hope.
The 2019 Syracuse Cultural Workers’ Peace Calendar brings these moments to light. Each month reminds and educates us on the resistance that remains stalwart in the face of such tumultuous and uncertain times. The calendar has sought to do this for 48 years not just with powerful images, but also with inclusive, multicultural holidays, lunar cycles and 13 native moons.
Opening the year is a stunning photo from choreographer Camille Brown’s BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play. The performance interweaves original music and dance to tell the complex story of Black womanhood in the US, where so often Black women are portrayed as one-dimensional. The image is joyous and boundless as it begins the new year.
A photo from choreographer Camille Brown’s BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play.Syracuse Cultural Workers
Other photographs and collages represent landmark events, such as the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and the Palestinian Right of Return. A gorgeous illustration by Hal Cameron depicts an Indigenous elder passing language on to a child, reminding us that we must still fight against assimilation and colonization as the American holidays approach.
Bookending the calendar is a Syracuse Cultural Workers collage of an expansive tree, with vast networks of boughs and branches representing The Charter for Trees, Woods and People. As an initiative that began in 2015 in the United Kingdom, the charter seeks to unify more than 70 organizations and 300 local groups to protect plant life for the mutual benefit of humanity. The collage reminds us of the interconnectivity of all life on Earth – that peace means understanding and helping each other achieve it. Closing the calendar with this image illustrates the unity in all the images that came before it.
“Refugees” artwork for August in the Peace Calendar.Syracuse Cultural Workers
When finding peace seems fruitless, or it seems that power will never bend its ear to listen to our voices, we must remember that we are not alone. Collectively, our voices are heard and amplified by one another. We need only to look at a calendar and remind ourselves, with each passing day, that we are in this struggle together.
The post This 2019 Peace Calendar Reminds Us That We Are Not Alone appeared first on Truthout.
If you only have time for one political book this season, I have just the one for you: Ben Fountain’s Beautiful Country Burn Again. It’s the boldest, bravest and most bracing book about politics that I have read this year. Fountain has a solid following for his fiction. Both his novel, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk — which received the National Book Critics Circle Award — and his collection of short stories, Brief Encounters with Che Guevara, were best-sellers. In 2016 The Guardian asked him to cover the presidential election, a new experience for him. From the roadkill express of the Iowa caucuses to the spectacle of Donald Trump’s victory, he tracked the strange mutation of American politics that surely has George Orwell turning in his grave and our founding fathers wishing for a second chance. Here is a feast of sparkling prose, picturesque profiles, historical perspective, sharp insights, and eureka moments — Donald Trump taking down Senator Ted Cruz for the latter’s smarmy dismissal of “New York values,” for example. But here, too, is a finely spun analysis of how the two major parties lost their way, opening for an outlier like Trump the opportunity of a lifetime. Fountain has given us an original, informed and deeply felt take on the forces and stresses bearing down on America. He came up to New York from his home in Dallas recently, and I talked with him about Beautiful Country Burn Again. I have edited our exchanges for continuity and clarity.
Bill Moyers: There’s an emotional current running through your book that makes me want to know what you were feeling as you followed the candidates across the country in 2016.
Ben Fountain: I was feeling what I think a lot of Americans were feeling — equal parts confusion, frustration and anger, and at times hopefulness. But mostly confusion. Why were things happening the way they were? How did we get to this point? We were in uncharted waters. Donald Trump was doing and saying things no conventional candidate would have been able to get away with. So I had a lot of questions. And when The Guardian invited me to do a series on the election, I jumped at the opportunity. Now I had the excuse to dive as deeply as I could into the why of all this. Is this an aberration in American history and culture? Or is it the logical culmination of certain veins of American life?
I knew your work as a writer of fiction but was not aware of your interest in real-time politics. With this book you have reality reading like a good novel.
Well, I’ve just done what I’ve always tried to do in writing, and that is to be as disciplined and rigorous as I can in seeing the situation for what it is and finding the language to portray accurately what I’ve seen.
Were you entirely on unfamiliar ground as you started tracking the candidates?
When you launch into a book, you discover that you know things you didn’t know you knew. In a way, you’re digging into your own past, your own memories, your own experience. I come from a family that’s been involved in politics in North Carolina for several generations. My grandfather was in the state legislature. His brother was lieutenant governor. One of my cousins was in Congress for 30 years, and others were judges, county commissioners, and the like. Their wives were political wives, and they were at least as savvy as the men. So politics was in the air I breathed growing up.
Was there anything about national politics in 2016 that made you think of the politics you remembered in North Carolina?
The role played by religion in 2016 — the way it was used and abused to manipulate the electorate. And the role of money — especially money under the table, dark money. I call it black money (LAUGH). But like everything else now, politics on a national level has been blown up to cartoon proportions. The media show. The lights, bells and whistles. Highly refined professional expertise. The millions — I mean, billions — of dollars. It has exceeded human scale.
Why the title — Beautiful Country Burn Again?
I was reading excerpts from Joan Didion’s very fine book South and West and came across the line “Beautiful country burn again,” which I think she wrote in reference to that season’s wildfires in California, and it struck me as a kind of lament. And I thought, Oh, that’s it — that seems like the right title for a book about our current situation.Later I found out Didion had borrowed it from her fellow Californian Robinson Jeffers, from his poem “Apology for Bad Dreams”:
…Beautiful country burn again, Point Pinos down to the
Sur Rivers
Burn as before with bitter wonders, land and ocean and the
Carmel water.
Those words captured my mood, my feeling about what was happening in 2016. I felt that if America wasn’t yet literally burning, we might be on the cusp of its burning.
What made you think of fire as a metaphor for America today?
The partisan divide has become so stark, you can imagine a conflagration is coming. Working people and middle-class people in America are feeling more beleaguered than they have since the Great Depression. It’s harder to make ends meet. It’s much harder to get ahead and achieve some measure of financial security and psychological security. It used to be middle-class denoted a certain level of security. If you worked hard, played by the rules, applied your time and talents, then you could reasonably expect a decent living wage, educational opportunities for your kids, and a secure income in old age. That was the social contract. The last 25, 30 years, that social contract’s been shredded. The working and middle classes are working harder than ever and falling farther behind. Meanwhile, corporate profits soar, the stock market soars, and the one percent gets an ever-bigger slice of the pie. That’s not a situation that can be sustained long-term in a genuine democracy. Something’s got to give.
What Is Behind Trump’s Triumph?
You write of the election: “This wasn’t Democrats versus Republicans as much as the sad, psychotic, and vengeful in the national life producing a strange mutation, a creature comprised of degenerate political logic.” A Frankenstein?
(Continues reading) “The logic of this politics requires ultimately that the monster turn on its maker. It would be hard to devise a more spectacular conflict than this high-functioning creature of American schizophrenia versus the very system that brought him to power.”
Yes. Trump was elected — whatever you want to say about Russian bots coming from St. Petersburg, or Russian operatives possibly colluding with his campaign, 63 million Americans voted for Trump. He was duly elected according to our system. He’s a creature of our electoral system and our politics. And by every indication so far, he certainly seems capable, certainly willing to do extreme damage to our constitutional system in order to stay in power.
How do you think that might play out?
Obviously if Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation is allowed to continue to its rightful end — if we learn Trump broke the law or there was collusion or some kind of conspiracy with foreign elements to influence the election — will he bow to the law or will he use all the power at his disposal to defy the law? And that’s the very essence of our constitutional system. As we know, the founders were suspicious of concentrations of power. Will this president take more than his constitutionally allotted share of power going forward? In other words, will he defy the law? And what will Congress do if he does? Congress isn’t even doing its basic job of routine oversight at this point. And if a criminal case arises from all this, and comes before the Supreme Court, will the Supreme Court rule according to the law or to partisan politics?
So, yes, I think Trump potentially represents an existential crisis to the constitutional order. We aren’t there yet, and we may not get there. But I do not see him going quietly. This guy fights like a Comanche when his power and privileges are challenged.
You make it clear in the book: Donald Trump did not come out of nowhere.
That’s right. He’s not an alien. He’s homegrown. American politics and culture produced him.
So you write: “The scorched-earth tactics of the campaign, the wholesale retreat into fantasy, the daily outbreaks of absurd and disturbed behaviors, it seemed the only proper way to view these was as symptoms of tremendous stress. [And] whatever the trajectory of the forces and stresses in play, it seemed certain Trump would deepen and accelerate their trajectory.” What were the sources of that “tremendous stress”?
First is something I indicated a moment ago: the tremendous disparity in income and wealth that’s come about in the past 40 years and the basic, pervasive sense that the system is not fair. Fundamental fairness has been lost. When Trump — and Bernie Sanders, for that matter — said, “The system is rigged,” that rang true for great numbers of Americans. It spoke to their absolutely legitimate sense of grievance. And when you speak a truth like that, and say it over and over with what seems like real sincerity, well, that’s powerful stuff in politics. Millions of Americans are living precarious lives, and they’re looking around for the reason.
Second, white America — mainstream white America — has had its way for most of the history of the United States. In the last 50 years, as we have all seen, things have begun to change. Powerful voices are setting the historical record straight, making clear the degree to which American prosperity has rested on the backs of people of color, and at their expense. Uncomfortable truths are being presented to mainstream white America, and that’s bound to present a challenge to some people’s identity and sense of personal integrity.
We’re finally scraping the whitewash off our mythologies, and that’s painful for those whose lives were framed by those mythologies.
Yes, the paradigm of what it means to be an American is changing, and it needs to change if we’re going to have a realistic idea of ourselves and our history. There’s the old paradigm of mythic whiteness — John Wayne, on his horse: the big white guy who tames the frontier. Well, the reality was — is — much more complex and problematic than that. But a lot of white folks have felt demeaned and put-upon, especially by so-called “elites” — educated opinion, the intellectuals, the scholars and writers who are bringing historical truths to light and insisting that they be reckoned with. Not only do a lot of white people feel threatened by this, they feel insulted, condemned. That’s a fraught psychological state to live in.
People want their John Wayne back.
Oh man, do they. I saw it everywhere on the campaign trail: Trump gave a huge swath of white America back to itself. Gave them psychological, emotional affirmation as an antidote for all the anxiety, all the resentment they’d been feeling. He told them: “You aren’t bad; you’re good. Actually, you are the real America.” That kind of affirmation is powerful medicine in politics.
The Ghost of George Wallace
Backlash thrives on it. Think of the backlash after the emancipation of the slaves. Demagogic politicians rallied a defeated and sullen South to put the chains back on black people — all those segregationist laws of Jim Crow. Lynching that continued into the 20th century. Statues erected to Confederate warriors to preserve the memory of the “Lost Cause.” And then the backlash in our time against the Supreme Court’s order to desegregate the schools, against passage by Congress of civil rights and voting rights legislation, against the struggle and victories of the civil rights movement. Whites fled to the suburbs, opened private religious schools, created federal housing policies that institutionalized segregation on economic grounds.
And you were around when George Wallace [governor of Alabama] ran for president on a blatantly racist platform: “Segregation now. Segregation tomorrow. Segregation forever.” Literally blocked the door to black students trying to enroll in the University of Alabama. He was a major force in mid-century American politics, and both parties had to figure out how to neutralize or even co-opt his considerable support.
George Wallace blocking the doors of the University of Alabama, June 11, 1963. (Library of Congress)
Wallace ran for president four times — someone called him “the most influential loser” of the century. The backlash he both fomented and exploited became the core of Richard Nixon’s Southern strategy in 1968, inviting disenchanted whites to make their new home in the Republican Party.
And then Trump comes along some 40 years after Wallace’s last campaign, and rides Wallace’s message all the way to the White House. Who would have thought he’d be the guy to take up Wallace’s legacy? A guy from up north, a classic “Yankee,” in Southern parlance, a loudmouthed, swaggering, abrasive New York City real estate tycoon. But somehow he took up Wallace’s “Lost Cause” and became a hero to the South. You and I remember that for generations, Southerners had it in for Yankees. One of the worst things you could say about someone in the South was “He’s a Yankee. Come down from up north.” But early in his candidacy, in August of 2015, this Yankee filled a football stadium in Mobile, Alabama, with 30,000 to 35,000 supporters. In August, in Alabama. Can you imagine what the temperature was like that day? (LAUGH) Yet 30,000 Southerners came out for Trump, the guy from Sodom and Gomorrah!
He had a message: “You were wronged. You were right. Let’s go back and make the South great again.”
Variations on themes from the past. You know I don’t like facile comparisons of Trump to certain historical figures, but sometimes the parallels are basically hitting you over your head, you just can’t ignore them. Look at the history, the psychological state of Germany that prepared the way for Hitler. Ever since losing World War I, Germans had walked around in something of a daze, asking each other, “Why did we lose? Were we weak? Or were we betrayed by our leaders?” There was this very real existential crisis in the German psyche. Then along comes this powerful, charismatic, spellbinding demagogue who told them: “You didn’t lose the war. You weren’t weak. Your leaders betrayed you. Real Germans are strong and good. And you are real Germans.”
Donald Trump used the same psychology, and he coupled it with one of the oldest plays in the American power-grab book — blatant racism. Well, often blatant, usually thinly veiled, but everybody knew what he was talking about. Trump was only slightly less open in his racist rhetoric than Wallace.
J.R. Comes Home
So he’s less an aberration than a culmination —
— Of a certain strand of American life, yes. Well, several strands. We can’t discount the con man strand, for one. I found myself wondering how many tricks Trump poached from J.R. Ewing [the star of the TV series Dallas in the ’70s, played by Larry Hagman]. The creators of that hit saga had intended for J.R.’s “good” brother Bobby to be the star, but J.R. — a snake and bastard who cheated on his wife — stole the show. The man truly did not give a shit about anyone else. Yet the audience took to the villain — loved him. You can imagine Donald Trump watching J.R. and thinking, I can work with this. Just be myself. People loved J.R. not in spite of his nastiness and greed but because of it.
Donald Trump plays Donald Trump. And the applause meter goes bonkers. Being nakedly who he is — and winning — seemed to liberate him in his own mind from the contempt shown him by Manhattan snobs. He could be — to use your term — the “consummate New York asshole” and still win primaries. Still win the nomination. Still win the presidency. Why mask his real nature behind good manners when meanness pays off? Take that, Goldman Sachs!
What’s incredible is that this “consummate New York asshole” became the hero of the heartland. Southerners, Midwesterners, rural Westerners, they felt something genuine in Trump. He was giving them easy-to-digest explanations for why they felt so bad and beleaguered, why they’d been falling behind economically for years. Cultural explanations, in addition to the “system is rigged” line. He never missed a chance to rail on “political correctness,” and he loaded up that phrase with a tremendous amount of baggage — university professors, policy wonks, people of color, Black Lives Matter, Hollywood, eastern liberals, and so on. A real grab bag of bogeymen who’d been tearing down the “real” America for the past 20 or 30 years. And of course Hillary Clinton got lumped in there as well, and you could feel the anger and resentment toward her that Trump was able to channel. Those chants of “Lock her up!” — he was doing some powerful cheerleading there.
And the crowd roars back — in your words — “like Romans watching lions sink their teeth into Christian flesh.” You say this may be the most powerful medicine in politics, the leader who delivers a man to his natural self.
And his supporters loved him for it. There was tremendous confusion and angst coming to a boil in America by 2015, 2016, and Trump tapped into it with amazing instincts. The way he spoke to it, harnessed it, that became the most important thing about him. Anybody who cared to look could see he was the most blatant kind of phony in so many respects. Talked family values, quoted the Bible, all that, and he’d made his career as one of the most flamboyant libertines of our time. Divorces and affairs that were front-page news. His use and abuse of women. Genius business guy, but then there were all those bankruptcies in his past, all the partners and employees he’d left high and dry, and that $900 million loss he took on his taxes one year. Big on the military, but he ran as hard as he could from the Vietnam War. Big patriot who loves Vladimir Putin — how do you explain that? And he held himself out as a champion of working people, but he was offering nothing concrete that would really help working people in terms of wages and unions and secure, affordable healthcare.
And none of this was hidden.
It was all right out there — right in our faces, so to speak. And people, a critical mass of the American people, bought it. It makes you wonder about the state of our collective psyche, how easily we’re taken in when we’re hearing what we want to hear. Classic con man dynamic, that’s definitely at work here. But the bond he created with people at his rallies had a lot more to do with emotion and raw attraction than anything that might be called rational thought. He came across as authentic in spite of all the obvious contradictions in himself. He could brag and spew insults and swear and spout the most outrageous sorts of lies; they gave him a pass on it. It made him seem real. This wasn’t politics as usual, and what a huge relief that was for millions of people. Politics as usual the last 20 or 30 years certainly hadn’t done them much good, but here was a guy who seemed to be offering something different.
Yet 63 million people voted for him.
Yes. Yes. He certainly managed to convince millions of people that he really does care about them. And apparently they very much wanted to believe. They focused on the things that gave them a reason to believe and let everything else fall to the wayside.
There’s something else at work here — what you call the Fantasy Industrial Complex, the FIC. You say it “challenges our grasp of reality as nothing ever has.”
Well, (SIGH) humans have always had a talent for fantasy and escape —
— And a talent for distraction.
Yes. To daydream, imagine, and these days to project ourselves inside the fantasy lifestyle we see in all the advertisements and commercial propaganda touting expensive fashions, homes, resorts — all that. But I’m convinced that all these screens that surround us everywhere going 24/7 with movies, TV, internet, email, texts, tweets, news, ads, celebrities, politics and all the rest, I think the overall effect is that it numbs us out and dumbs down. It’s always been hard enough for humans to grasp reality as it is, but with the Fantasy Industrial Complex saturating our lives it’s harder than ever for us to see and understand the world as it actually is. Facts, lies, fantasy, reality — it’s all the same to the maestro of our mighty Fantasy Industrial Complex. Where does one begin and the other end?
Yeats got it right: “We had fed the heart on fantasies / The heart’s grown brutal from the fare.”
That says it all. Well, Yeats had the modern age vibed out before anyone else, didn’t he. Fantasy has become the air we breathe. And when the FIC kicks into high gear, with all the corporate power that’s behind it, all those resources and money, all that brainpower, it takes a supreme effort of will on the individual’s part to distinguish advertising and propaganda from facts, from the truth of a situation.
You said in The Guardian recently that Trump’s presidency has been pretty much what you expected: loud, boastful, bullying, reckless, ruder than the worst-bred minor royalty, tetchy as a wolverine in heat. But the main thing to note, you wrote, is the very most main thing: He’s still going.
Yeah, no matter what his opponents throw at him, he just keeps rolling. They go high, they go low, nothing works. He’s a kind of new breed of political Superman; he eats kryptonite for breakfast and just gets stronger.
He’s brought the Republican Party to its knees. And he owns it now. Lock, stock and barrel.
So much of the news coverage portrayed his campaign as a challenge to the establishment of the Republican Party, the way the Republican Party had conducted itself the last 50 years. But, come on, he was simply doing the same thing, talking the same game Republicans have been doing for years, but he did it better. He’s absolutely a virtuoso of the politics of paranoia and racism, cultural resentment, xenophobia, misogyny and all the rest that the GOP has prospered on for the past 50 years.
What IS a New Democrat?
Yet he would have lost, I’ll wager, if the Democrats had kept their house in order and their priorities straight. Your take on how both parties paved the way for Trump is tough and true, but your account of how the Democrats piled on the people they once represented is one for the ages, in no small part because of your eye for details. Your chapter “Hillary Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” is wicked in its particulars. You might have painted a big mural on the wall — and there is an impressive scope to your story — but it’s the pimples of guilt that are most revealing. Like how establishment Democrats, seeing Republicans raise so much money from the oligarchs, set out to tap into the loot by developing close relationships with big donors and big business. For one thing, they organized an outfit called the Democratic Leadership Council [DLC] with an “executive council” that included corporate behemoths such as ARCO, Chevron, Merck, DuPont, Microsoft, Philip Morris, Koch Industries. Among the trustees would eventually be the longtime chief political operative for Charles and David Koch. His nickname was “the Pirate.” I might think you had made that up if I hadn’t seen note 11, page 255.
Thank you. But let me make this point: In one sense the so-called New Democrats of the Clinton years were traditional Democrats in that they were still strong for civil rights, for cultural diversity, sensitive to sexual orientation and ethnicity. But in terms of rock-bottom economics, of all those people really hurt, even ruined, under globalization and the reckless financialization of the American economy, establishment Democrats became more and more like Republicans: They stopped making the case for government. Republicans were perfectly happy to wage class war against the constituencies Democrats nominally represent. Democrats didn’t exactly become pacifists, but — well, let me put it this way: Those eight years of Bill Clinton’s New Democrats served the party’s traditional constituency of the working class, the middle class, minorities, the poor and immigrants about as well as the second coming of Herbert Hoover.
One might say Democrats pulled up their roots on Main Street and repotted them on Wall Street, where Hillary Clinton plucked plenty of posies before and during the 2016 campaign.
Just as Bill Clinton left office in January 2001, Hillary arrived in the Senate to continue the work. She continued to be a star speaker at DLC events — even led its American Dream Initiative, which called for a strict pay-as-you-go budget process in Washington.
Watching her campaign in 2016, what was your impression?
Well, I was constantly reminded — her campaign made sure of that — that she’s done a lot of very good, genuinely good things for people. Starting with her early working life, she was a trench warrior on behalf of progressive politics. She was one of those young women who went out and knocked on doors to register voters in South Texas. She did advocacy for juveniles in South Carolina’s prison system. She went looking for underprivileged kids in Boston, trying to get them into the school system. That is not showboat work. That is work that comes from the heart. But (SIGH) you have to balance all those good works with the overriding fact that she has consistently aligned herself with big money, big corporations, big banks. And you have to lay the increasing economic insecurity of working and middle-class people to that same corporate elite. She didn’t understood why people might resent her earning millions of dollars for speaking to Wall Street firms. In her book What Happened, she said she never thought people would think that she would “sell out” a lifetime of principle and advocacy by making speeches for the one percent. But what she failed to see was that people viewed those speeches not as Hillary “selling out” but as Hillary doing business as usual. She was prospering — obscenely — in a morally bankrupt system that she played a large and active role in creating.
In the middle of the campaign, you pause and reflect on Memorial Day celebrations in a chapter of the book called “Doing the Chickenhawk with Trump.” You have a very moving meditation in the book on Memorial Day celebrations and what politicians say on such occasions. You express your disgust with talking fast and loose in a time of endless war, and what you write is a beautiful reflection on the sacrifice and suffering of our fighting men and women. You invoke one of my favorite all-time journalists, the eccentric and brilliant Ambrose Bierce, who survived some of the worst of the slaughter in the Civil War only to have his skull broken “like a walnut” by a sniper’s ball, and lived to write about combat with horrifying honesty. You quote Ernest Hemingway’s contempt for cant in A Farewell to Arms. You take on the warmongering of Washington’s armchair warriors — some by name — who loosely suggest sending 50,000 American troops to Syria. And you pour boiling water on politicians who have never seen war up close but orate on Memorial Day as if they had repulsed the enemy single-handedly. And during the campaign when Trump, asked in one debate what he would do about Syria, replies that he would “listen to the generals,” you fume: “Screw that. How about we listen to the sergeants, lieutenants, and captains who wore those boots on the ground the past fifteen years. The ones who’ve left the military, who are free to speak their minds and have no stake in the business-as-usual business of American war.”
Well, it’s one of the most profane aspects of our public life, the way the military gets used and abused by politicians to show how tough and patriotic they (the politicians) are, and a lot of these same politicians ran as hard from the military as they could when they were young. The hypocrisy is mind-bending; it’s more a form of schizophrenia than hypocrisy, and Trump is one of the worst offenders. And we get it every Memorial Day: politicians making speeches about courage and country and “the supreme sacrifice” — it’s so hollow it makes you want to puke. I mean, who gave our politicians permission to speak for the violently dead, as I call them in the book? I think we’d do a lot better — have a better chance of understanding ourselves and our history and our wars — if we make the politicians shut up for that one day, at least, and look to writers and poets who experienced war firsthand, then devoted heart and soul to finding the correct words, the true words, for describing the reality of their war. Put aside the fantasy and try for reality, at least on that day. That day of all days.
Is It a Plutocracy Yet?
I must say, you found some of the correct words to sum up the state of our democracy today. You’ve also been searching for “the correct and true words” to describe the state of our democracy today. I sense you want to be honest and call it what it is: a plutocracy.
I think if we aren’t there, we’re very close. Certainly the scale of money in our politics now, especially after the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, is astonishing. It’s an ocean of black money floating out there, and they have blocked us from even knowing where it comes from. Certain organizations no longer have to reveal the identity of their donors. How do we ever know who’s giving all this money, who are the politicians working for? There’s no accountability without knowing who’s paying the bills. And where does this leave the everyday citizen?
Since the conservative Supreme Court declared money to be speech, without money they’re left speechless. And unrepresented.
Because these donors score big on the policy outcomes they want. They have access. Influence. They have a lot of money to put behind candidates of their choice, and they have a lot of money to throw against candidates they oppose. For me, the American identity is at its core a political identity, one based on the foundational principle of equality. But for the principle to be fulfilled, to be the lived reality of the country, requires equal citizenship stature for all. Equality before the law, in other words; the laws of the land as established and revised by genuinely representative government — not a government responsive mainly to donors. Equality is the foundational, guiding principle of the United States, and it’s right there in the Declaration of Independence. So how equal can citizens be if they’re not making enough to support a family, despite working two or three jobs, and with so little time to devote to civic and political duties? This is the reality. Does that citizen have equal stature with the CEO of a Fortune 500 company? With Sheldon Adelson? Of course not.
Your chapter “The Long Good Deal” prompts the question: Are the assumptions of hypercapitalism — what we’re experiencing today — compatible with democracy?
I think there is always going to be, at best, a real tension there. Can democracy thrive alongside a freewheeling capitalist economic system? Or will these great concentrations of power and wealth overwhelm democracy by virtue of their enormous power and influence?
Trump was right: The system is rigged. Big money, cartels and conglomerates, big media, huge investment banks, giant hedge funds, billionaires — these control so much of what goes on in this country. Ordinary Americans no longer have much agency over their lives. Oh, they can still vote, still say what they want to say, get together to protest. But the real power is somewhere else: Follow the money.
All you have to do is look at recent history. Start before the crash of 2007–2008. At, say, the deregulation of banks and banking that began under Ronald Reagan, with Democratic support. For 50 years since the Great Depression, there had been no major upheavals in American finance — from the early 1930s to the late 1980s. That was a testament to the soundness of the New Deal structure of banking and finance regulation that Franklin Roosevelt ushered in back in the 1930s — those safeguards that prevented reckless speculation by banks and Wall Street really worked. The 1980s came, and Washington took apart the regulatory structure of the savings and loan industry. Congress passed new rules that made it okay for the S&Ls to invest depositors’ money in very risky endeavors. Guess what? By the end of the decade, there was no savings and loan industry. It had freewheeled itself into oblivion. Boomed and busted all in the space of about six years. Taxpayers were out billions of dollars to make up for the loss.
That should have been a signal to us that the laws and regulations developed under the New Deal worked. They served a real purpose, and they were successful for over a half century in protecting taxpayers and depositors and the stability of the banking system. But under Reagan, deregulation became the mantra. For both parties, it should be noted. Deregulation continued into the 21st century as investment banks and commercial banks made tremendous amounts of money on high-flying speculation. Then we get to 2007–2008 and boom! The crash. The capitalists went too far, as capitalists will always do if they’re left to their own devices. The result? The worst financial crisis, the worst recession, since the Great Depression, and the global financial system was almost destroyed. Yet within a year or two the banks were doing great again, the bankers were pulling down huge bonuses again, while working people were still trying to climb out of the wreckage. So in 2016 Trump and Bernie Sanders were telling the truth: The system is rigged.
You write that Lincoln in the Civil War and Roosevelt in the economic crash of the 1930s had the vision and strength of will to lead the country out of two incarnations of hell. Will we be that lucky next time?
I hope we don’t get there. But if corporate power is allowed to operate unchecked, it will always go too far. The capitalists will overreach, and there will be blowback. History shows us that plainly enough. So I fear we’re due soon for an existential crisis. I think the plutocracy has so much power at this point that nothing short of a major upheaval is going to change things. If anything is going to change, pretty much everything is going to have to change at the same time, much like Roosevelt with the New Deal. There were tremendous changes wrought then in American society in what was a bloodless revolution. And that’s one of the miracles of the New Deal, that it was in fact a bloodless revolution. And, by the way, it saved capitalism. One example: FDR didn’t nationalize the banks; he gave them a holiday. And New Deal initiatives produced much of the infrastructure that we rely on to this day: the roads, waterways, bridges, sewers and water mains, courthouses, libraries and power grids. You could say that the New Deal was so successful that it’s become invisible. So many of the things we take for granted — from electricity to roads to the internet to the technology in our computers and cell phones — had their origins in the philosophy and framework of the New Deal.
Today, corporate power and concentrations of wealth have such a hold over our economic system that for the country to wrest some of that power from them, it can’t be incremental. It will take a political revolution.
“A Deep and Mighty Transformation”
James Baldwin saw a “deep and mighty transformation” as the country’s only hope. At the beginning of your book, you remind us that twice before in our history, the United States has been faced with a crisis so severe it was forced to reinvent itself to survive: First was the struggle over slavery, culminating in the Civil War, and second was the Great Depression, which as you just said led to President Roosevelt’s New Deal and the establishment of America as a social-democratic state. Now you argue that we may be facing a third existential crisis, one that will require a “burning” of the old order as America attempts to remake itself. I failed to mention at the start of this interview that the subtitle of Beautiful Country Burn Again is Democracy, Rebellion, and Revolution. Is that what you foresee — and can we get such change peacefully?
Rebellion happens in the streets — barricades, protests, uprisings, all of that. I think revolution takes place first in the mind, with ideas, vision and imagination. Oppressive and manipulative power structures try to limit our imaginations as to what is possible. And I think the American imagination has been stunted the last 40 years by a very aggressive sales program on behalf of free-market fundamentalism and hard-core capitalism. So part of the revolution, a good part, has to happen up here, where we think and imagine. We have to realize there are alternatives, that it wasn’t always this way and it doesn’t have to be this way.
Thank you, Ben Fountain.
Glad to be here.
The post Moving Toward Plutocracy: Bill Moyers Talks to Ben Fountain About the Trump Age appeared first on Truthout.
Shaky video footage of screaming “alt-right” members has become so familiar at this point that journalist Sandi Bachom’s video footage of a group of Proud Boys’ violent assault in New York City last week might easily have been ignored as it surfaced. Instead, it has gone viral in what has become another flashpoint in recent white supremacist street violence.
The Proud Boys, a far-right street gang known for their public displays of violence, are seen running to surround counterprotesters on the ground. They hit and kick people, letting their friends edge into the crowd so they can get their pummeling in, all against a flurry of homophobic slurs. “Kick this motherfucker” and “Are you brave now, faggot?” can be heard as they kick a crouched person desperately trying to block what might have become lethal blows. As they start to dissipate, one Proud Boy calls out “Uhuru,” a Swahili resistance word that means “freedom” that has been appropriated by the group in a mocking tone.
Bachom captured the video while following the group down the street as they carried on screaming and insulting their victims, anticipating what was likely to come next after having observed the group’s actions across the US for two years now.
“They were like frat boys, yelling and taunting people,” Bachom told Truthout, recalling how the event brought back memories of the violent, far-right “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she was seriously injured during melees with white nationalists brandishing poles and shields. “They were just roaming the streets, and the cops were alongside of them. They had a police escort.”
Inciting Violence
The attack that occurred on October 12 came just after the Metropolitan Republican Club hosted an appearance of Proud Boys co-founder Gavin McInnes at their Manhattan clubhouse. McInnes has become a controversial figure after leaving Vice Media to write for white-nationalist publications, like VDare and American Renaissance, and to host a talk show that features white nationalists like Jared Taylor, founder and editor of American Renaissance. As the “alt-right” came into full swing, McInnes hung on the edge of the movement, forming the Proud Boys as a multiracial, far-right crew at the same time as open racialists were mixing with Trumpians.
As the larger “alt-right” fizzled, losing almost all its online platforms after Charlottesville, the Proud Boys managed to grow, in part, because it was no longer restricted to white men. The group’s politics are a confusing mix of civic nationalism, what they call “Western chauvinism“; anti-immigrant extremism; conservative traditionalism; and the veneration of violence as a key component of both masculinity and “Western pride.” This has led to more than two years of confrontations in spaces occupied by leftists across the country, where Proud Boys have continually attacked them in gang-style roundups.
McInnes’s speeches have long been protested. For instance, last year, student groups chased him out of the halls of New York University in one high-profile incident. This year, the night before McInnes’s event at the Republican Club, anarchist symbols were spray painted onto the building. A note was also left, reading, “The Metropolitan Republican Club chose to invite a hipster-fascist clown to dance for them, content to revel in their treachery against humanity.”
McInnes’s talk was on far-right Japanese murderer Otoya Yamaguchi, who stabbed socialist leader Inejiro Asanuma to death in 1960 with a sword. McInnes had promised on social media to re-enact the killing, calling it “inspirational.” Protesters gathered outside the venue, decrying the New York Republican Party leadership’s willingness to allow the Proud Boys in as a part of an acceptable range of discourse.
The Proud Boys, not willing to be one-upped by opponents, responded with aggression, singling out protesters for pointed attacks. McInnes, meanwhile, got out of his car to raise a sword into the air in a clear message to his supporters: The left must be dealt with through violent means – even political assassination.
On October 12, near Third Avenue and 83rd Street, more than a dozen Proud Boys caught up with protesters and unleashed such a display of violence that they didn’t even attempt to hide from the several onlookers and journalists who were shooting photos and videos, demonstrating the brazenness for which the group has become notorious.
This pattern has only intensified as Proud Boy chapters continue to crop up across the country. In Portland, Oregon, the group has become associated with Patriot Prayer, another far-right Trumpian organization with open white nationalists in their ranks. Patriot Prayer members have forced themselves into liberal cities, and once there, link up with Proud Boys who confront counterprotesters and residents with guerilla-style attacks.
In Portland, this has resulted in dozens of clashes, including several where Proud Boys have come prepared with body armor, intentionally rushing counterprotesters and leaving them hospitalized. The violence has spilled over into the larger community, as the gang has made a habit of going into spaces where they might encounter any opposition at all and using even the smallest protest against them as a signal to strike with impunity.
The “New” Street Violence
For places like Portland, Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul and other cities, the Proud Boys’ violent pattern rings familiar. In the 1980s and early 1990s, neo-Nazi skinhead gangs claimed entire neighborhoods as their turf, controlling music venues, bars and street corners. The skinhead gang phenomenon grew in the wake of de-industrialization and an effort by the white power movement to create a new line of recruits with a militant attitude ready to engage in “lone wolf” violence. They recruited among the most disaffected areas of the white working class. While their violence was distinct, these gangs signaled where the fascist movement was at the time: alienated but still violent.
Today, the far right has become more complicated, convoluted and disparate than it once was, but has a clearer path to power. The “alt-right” created, first, an intellectual veneer, and then a cultural space for far-right ideas. Far-right populist movements, including the Proud Boys, carved out a large space in the world of trollish blogs that flourished after Trump’s election.
Today, it is not uncommon for far-righters to create a multiracial subculture, even if it seems antithetical to their actual political goals. The rightward wave across US and Europe has allowed for anti-immigrant, anti-liberal and reactionary politics to be shared in a temporary alliance. While hardcore white nationalists will never cross the racial aisle, there remains a large periphery around them who will, making it much easier to grow right-wing populism’s political game while using the cover of plausible deniability for the racism of the far right.
In this new world, we have seen a dramatic shrinking of the neo-Nazi skinhead phenomenon. In Portland, Oregon, the 1988 killing of Ethiopian student Mulugeta Seraw by members of East Side White Pride brought a lawsuit by the Southern Poverty Law Center against White Aryan Resistance, a white-power organization that had been propping up the violent growth of skinhead gangs. The lawsuit, along with anti-fascists’ years of political organizing in its aftermath, proved a critical blow against the movement.
Another factor that led to the skinheads’ decline was the inherent instability inside of the white power community that left many members in jail, out of work or dead. Skinhead organizations were founded entirely on street violence, and while the impulse toward male rage built on resentment still churns, today’s white supremacists have easier outlets than completely dropping out of society, as required by the neo-Nazi movement.
The Proud Boys, with their focus on camaraderie and strengthening male identity through violence, appears to fill the same void while dropping some of the previous barriers to entry so that more men feel comfortable in joining in to the group’s culture of violence. Now the pace of Proud Boys attacks is speeding up, showing a clear pattern of targeting marginalized communities, the larger left and anyone who refuses to give them open access to any space they choose.
Ready to Fight
The Proud Boys have been open about their motivations. In New York, a video posted presumably by a member of the Proud Boys in advance of McInnes’s speech, shows members admitting that they wanted to attack the protesters who were chanting across the street. “I want to go over there and instigate it, but the cops are here so we’ll be nice,” says a man behind the camera. He gets into a physical confrontation with a protester seconds later.
After McInnes’s speech let out, about 30 Proud Boys streamed out of the venue single-file, with bystanders reporting that they seemed drunk and amped-up by talk of the murder of Asanuma. “They wanted to do harm,” Bachom said. “They were an angry mob. They were a gang.” One video shows the Proud Boys taunting protesters as they left along with a police escort leading them away down the street, who then witness the attack. The video continues with the group mocking their victims, and posing for a group photo while flashing a hand signal that many claim is a code for “white power.”
Three fascist skinhead gang members, including Joe Bola and Dennis Davila of the ultra-violent 211 Bootboys crew, were caught joining the fight. Davila is best known for running the hate-music clearinghouse United Riot Records, which publishes compilations from the neo-Nazi skinhead festival “Oi!fest.” The third skinhead in the street fight goes by “Irv,” who often runs with a largely Latino skinhead crew who previously participated in the clashes at Charlottesville. His gang is another testament to the kinds of tacitly multiracial alliances in the skinhead world that target gender minorities, immigrants and Muslims. McInnis himself has been photographed with Bola, suggesting that the collaboration between the Proud Boys and Bola’s far-right skinhead gang is likely more than coincidence.
“They were hyped-the-fuck-up to begin with,” says freelance photojournalist Shay Horse, who caught photos of the attack and the later shot of the Proud Boys flashing hand gestures. “It wouldn’t shock me if we find out about more attacks that happened later in that evening.”
While the Proud Boys’ violence was pronounced and shocking, the mainstream right wing paid it little mind. Fox News ran a report focusing exclusively on the vandalism that occurred the night before while airing footage of McInnes brandishing a sword at protesters but providing no context. New York Republican Party Chairman Edward Cox blamed the violence on the Democratic Party, saying, “Democrats need to cease inciting these attacks,” and alleging some connection between anarchist protesters and the Democratic National Committee. His comments only further extend the GOP’s cover for the street gang.
While the injuries from Proud Boys’ attacks are entirely visible and well-documented, conservatives have become entrenched in a heated contest of victim-blaming counterprotesters. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have called for video of the incident to be reviewed and for potential prosecutions of Proud Boys based on video evidence. Mayor de Blasio recently tweeted, “Hate is never welcome in NYC and we will punish those responsible.”
Portland Patriots
The following day after the assault in New York, a separate Proud Boy chapter joined Patriot Prayer in a flash-mob-style action in downtown Portland, Oregon, attempting to subvert local police accountability actions organized by Don’t Shoot PDX. In a suddenly announced rally and march that brought out 40-odd participants, including both suited Proud Boys and flag-waving conservatives, they demanded that Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler step down for what they allege is soft-peddled policing around protesters in the city.
Proud Boys began attacking counterprotesters quickly after taking the streets. Video of the event later showed mass brawls interlaced with police pepper spray. Patriot Prayer members wielded clubs, making contact with protesters being thrown to the ground in what could accurately be called a gang beating, as counter-demonstrators curled themselves into the fetal position while Proud Boys surrounded and stomped them. In the world of the neo-Nazi skinhead gangs, this would have been called a “boot party”; for the Proud Boys, it has been labeled “self-defense.”
“What you saw in NYC was just a warm-up for [that day] in Portland,” said journalist Mike Bivins, whose videos provide a close-up view of the barrage. At one point, the police began a late-stage intervention, firing pepper balls into the crowd while four Proud Boys were doubling down on a trapped anti-fascist protester.
Gangland
The Proud Boys’ violence reflects both a tone shift in US conservatism and their own importance in the world of street fighting, taking on the mantle that was carried by far more publicly reviled organizations like Volksfront and the Hammerskin nation. While the attacks from Proud Boy gang members have not turned into fatalities yet, there has been a steady pattern of escalation and an internal culture of denial when it comes to the consequences of their incitements.
“All we needed for one gun to go off…. It would have been a bloodbath. That’s what I am afraid is coming,” Bachon says, echoing a common feeling about what could be next if Proud Boy tactics intensify.
While other white supremacist groups have dissipated somewhat after Charlottesville, the Proud Boys are steadily absorbing angry recruits looking for a “fight club” aimed at the marginalized.
While continuing to foster relationships with more traditional fascist skinhead gangs and new white nationalist crews like the Rise Above Movement, the Proud Boys have been given a pass by most law enforcement institutions. The soft approach taken by police to the Proud Boys — in comparison to how they have treated counterprotesters in Portland and at the recent “Unite the Right 2” event in Washington, DC — reveals law enforcement’s belief that the gang poses little threat, and has left many wondering where to turn.
Those involved in last week’s attack were identified quickly, both by law enforcement and anti-fascist organizers, and the NYPD said they were set to charge nine of the Proud Boys involved. As of Monday, three arrests have been made.
While the marginalization of white power gangs has helped leftist activists target and eliminate many of them over time, the cover supplied by the more mainstream conservative right may actually undermine efforts to secure communities against Proud Boy incursions and to halt their attacks before they begin to engender a body count.
The post The Proud Boys Have Revived Far-Right Gang Terror With GOP Support appeared first on Truthout.
The Uptown People’s Law Center and the MacArthur Justice Center filed a lawsuit on October 17 that alleges Illinois prisons are censoring correspondence and publications that have been mailed to prisoners by Black and Pink, a prisoners’ rights organization focused on supporting incarcerated LGBTQ and HIV-positive people.
Jason Lydon founded Black and Pink in 2005 after his own incarceration and was the national director of the group until 2017. “Prisoners are entitled to communication with people on the outside and are entitled to knowledge and stories that validate their humanity,” Lydon told Truthout. “This lawsuit is about ensuring that.”
Black and Pink, which seeks the abolition of the prison system, produces several publications for prisoners featuring writing and artwork by incarcerated people. Nationally, Black and Pink distributes a monthly newsletter to tens of thousands of prisoners; in Illinois, there are hundreds of subscribers.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Chicago chapter of Black and Pink, alleges that Black and Pink publications and correspondence — including its Stop Solitary Zine, introductory letters, chapter updates, newsletters, and birthday and holiday cards — have been banned from several Illinois prisons since at least 2016. Lindsey Hess, the media administrator for the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), stated in an email to Truthout that “the publication has not been banned at any IDOC facilities.” It’s not clear which publication Hess was referring to, and further communication to the IDOC had not been responded to at the time of publication.
“Prison is isolating in general,” said Alan Mills, the executive director of the Uptown People’s Law Center. This isolation, which is particularly acute for LGBTQ prisoners, Mills says, is why it’s critical that Black and Pink “be able to communicate with people inside who desperately need that support.”
The censorship of Black and Pink in Illinois prisons has taken several forms, according to the lawsuit. Items from the organization have been marked “Return to sender, unable to forward,” “Contraband,” “Black & Pink-Banned Correspondence” or “Correspondence not approved.”
“Getting mail from people shows [that] someone on the outside is paying attention to what is going on,” said Kim Sammons, a volunteer with Black and Pink Chicago. “Prisons do a lot of work to dehumanize people. Any kind of connection is important.”
The lawsuit alleges that Western Illinois and Danville facilities informed prisoners a holiday chapter mailing, which included holiday cards, was rejected by stating: “We are discouraging communication between our prisoners and the Pink & Black [sic] organization, so we cannot allow the receiving of more propaganda.”
According to the lawsuit, people incarcerated at several prisons — including Western Illinois, Centralia, Danville, Decatur, Dixon and Big Muddy River — were told: “The [Stop] Solitary Zine promotes violence with strong language and strange artwork found on several pages. If we suspect that mail being sent to prisoners is encouraging any sort of rebellious attitude, we must keep that mail from them.”
The censorship, Mills said, has been “totally random,” as Black and Pink publications have been banned at some prisons in Illinois but not at others.
This is far from the first time LGBTQ publications have been censored in prisons. In 2016, the ACLU of Kentucky demanded that the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex end its ban on publications that “promote homosexuality.” In response, the Department of Corrections rescinded the ban.
“To us, it was just a very clear First Amendment violation,” said Amber Duke, communications director for the ACLU of Kentucky. Duke said the organization first learned of the policy when prisoners reported that their issues of LGBTQ publications like Out and The Advocate were being confiscated when they arrived in the mail.
A 2015 national survey of more than 1,000 prisoners conducted by Black and Pink found that just 20 percent of prisoners reported having access to “LGBT affirming books.” Of the respondents to the survey, 65 percent identified as LGBTQ before their incarceration.
While prisoners’ First Amendment rights are limited, they are “not annihilated,” explained David Fathi, director of the ACLU National Prison Project.
“The most clearly prohibited government misconduct under the First Amendment is viewpoint discrimination, which is suppressing literature or advocacy or speech because the government doesn’t like the point of view that’s being expressed,” said Fathi. “That’s something the government can virtually never do. To the extent that prisons are suppressing LGBT advocacy materials, that is presumptively unconstitutional.”
Targeting publications like those produced by Black and Pink is indicative of the broader experience of LGBTQ prisoners who experience higher rates of sexual violence, harassment and solitary confinement, according to Naomi Goldberg, policy director of Movement Advancement Project, a think tank that works to advance equality for LGBTQ people. Of the respondents to Black and Pink’s survey, 85 percent reported being held in solitary confinement.
Those who bear the brunt of this abuse are people of color who are disproportionately represented in the prison system, notes Goldberg, who is the author of “Unjust: How the Broken Criminal Justice System Fails LGBT People of Color.”
“[Censorship] is one data point of many around the harassment and discrimination [LGBTQ prisoners] experience,” Goldberg told Truthout. “Just as staying connected to family and friends is really important for people who are incarcerated, staying connected to a community is really important.”
Building community to combat the isolation imposed upon LGBTQ and HIV-positive prisoners, Lydon says, is at the core of Black and Pink’s mission.
“[Black and Pink] is a reminder that they’re cared for,” said Lydon. “It’s a reminder to everybody that they’re not forgotten.”
The post Illinois Prisons Sued for Unconstitutional Ban on LGBTQ Literature appeared first on Truthout.
How Pro-War Democrats Use Russiagate To Bloat the Military—And Why That’s Dangerous
In These Times - October 18, 2018 - 12:23pm
There is no doubt this moment calls for a powerful mobilization against the Trump administration and the ruling-class, white-supremacist interests it represents. But establishment Democrats' strategy of hitching their “resistance” campaign to Russiagate is misguided and dangerous. By demanding Trump prove he’s tough on Russia, the same Democrats who warn that Trump is dangerous and unhinged are asking him to oversee an even more bellicose foreign policy. The net effect has been to push the U.S. government to take a more confrontational stance toward Russia and other geopolitical foes and—ultimately—expand its military empire.
Whatever one thinks about the aims and scope of Russian interference, the evidence is undeniable: Democrats’ overwhelming focus on Russia has led directly to a significant—and measurable—military buildup. The $716 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2019 is massive, marking an $81 billion increase over 2017 (adjusted for inflation). The bill explicitly targets Russia and China. From the outset, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle cited the threat of Russian interference to argue in favor of the NDAA. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, gushed, “This bill continues the absolutely critical work of pushing back against President Putin.” Smith, who earlier that month called for an impeachment investigation of Trump, appeared eager and willing to hand the president a giant check for war.
Bipartisan lawmakers handed a major victory to Trump by passing the defense bill, which includes $6.5 billion to fully fund the “European Deterrence Initiative” to build the military capabilities of European states near Russia. The legislation also instructs Secretary of Defense James Mattis to conduct a feasibility study on whether a “permanently stationed United States Army brigade combat team in Poland would enhance deterrence against Russian aggression.”
Most alarmingly, the NDAA earmarks $21.9 billion for nuclear weapons programs and $65 million to develop “a lowyield nuclear warhead for submarine-launched ballistic missiles.” This is another win for the Trump administration, which has called for more “flexible” and “loweryield” nuclear arms, largely to counter Russia. (The United States and Russia own over 90 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons.)
This confrontational positioning has ramifications far beyond Russia. In July 2017, for example, the House and Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of bipartisan legislation that bundled sanctions against Russia with sanctions against Iran and North Korea—even at the risk of upending the nuclear deal with Iran. To justify this move, Democrats cited Russian interference in the 2016 elections. Sen. Dianne Feinstein told The Intercept, “I just looked at the sanctions, and it’s very hard, in view of what we know just happened in this last election, not to move ahead with [sanctions]."
Meanwhile, other election scandals, from voter suppression to the fact the electoral college overrode the popular vote, garner far less scrutiny and outrage. As for collusion with foreign governments, leaders of the “resistance” aren’t exactly lining up to examine evidence that Trump’s transition team colluded with the Israeli government to defend illegal settlements in Palestine.
The nonstop specter of Russian “active measures” has all but ended any discussion of post-Snowden reforms to curtail dragnet government surveillance. The threat of our permanent national security state was, for decades, something the Left cared about. Now the FBI and CIA, we’re told by some ostensibly left media, are our allies.
There may well be something to the Russian influence story and the Trump administration should, of course, be held to standards of utmost transparency on this and every other matter. But Democrats and their loyal pundits are pegging their anti-Trump strategy to Russiagate, and not to the multitude of other scandals, precisely because Russia is a historic geopolitical foe—a convenient bad guy that can be invoked to demand the heightened national security state many centrist Democrats were already calling for. Some of these resistance heroes, like Sens. Chuck Schumer and Feinstein, brought us the war in Iraq, the occupation of Afghanistan, the war on Yemen and the intervention in Libya.
At times, Trump indeed expresses a strange affection for Putin—an affection animated, at least in part, by a Steve Bannon-esque love of strong white men. But then he turns on a dime and threatens escalation against Russia and its allies. It’s a bankrupt politics to reflexively advocate the opposite of whatever Trump says; we must look beyond the inflammatory rhetoric and examine the material policies our government is implementing. A sober assessment reveals that heightened tensions with Russia are fueling a measurable U.S. military buildup backed by Republicans and Democrats. Within this tinderbox, the Left should reject any expansion of U.S. empire, and challenge any “resistance” campaign that pushes Trump toward militarization.
Van Dyke’s Guilty Verdict Was Made Possible By Decades of Activism Against Racist Policing
On October 5, 2018, a Cook County jury comprised of one Black woman, three Latina women, an Asian man, and seven whites returned a verdict of guilty of second-degree murder against Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke. The jury also found Van Dyke guilty of 16 counts of aggravated battery — one for each of the 16 shots that Van Dyke fired into Laquan McDonald’s body over a 14-second period, all but two while he was writhing on the ground. The jury found that Van Dyke believed that he had the right to kill Laquan but that this belief was not reasonable, thereby convicting him on a charge of second-degree murder. The conviction carries a 4-to-20-year sentence with probation as an option. Meanwhile, each aggravated battery count — classified as aggrieved because the batteries were committed with a weapon — carries a 6-to-20-year non-probationable sentence. Hence, according to criminal defense experts, the most likely minimum sentence for Van Dyke would be 12 years, with a very unlikely maximum of 90 years.
The convictions were a victory for activists who waged the “Justice for Laquan” campaign in the streets and at the courthouse for nearly three years after the shocking video of police murder came to public light. Indeed, many Chicagoans applauded the verdict as just. However, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), true to its racist history, called the trial a “sham” and a “disgusting charade,” and the verdict “shameful,” saying the jury was “duped into saving the asses of self-serving politicians at the expense of a dedicated public servant.” In the Southwest Side Mount Greenwood neighborhood, where many of Chicago’s white officers live, blue ribbons supporting the police were tied to almost every tree and light pole, and according to the Chicago Sun-Times, one resident went so far as to call Van Dyke a “political prisoner.”
The verdict was front-page news over the weekend, and the Chicago Sun-Times published an article claiming that “Van Dyke’s trial is now destined to be listed alongside other key Chicago police controversies, including the face-off with demonstrators outside the 1968 Democratic Demonstration, the 1969 police shooting of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton, and decades of alleged torture committed by the so-called midnight crew overseen by Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge — who died during the first week of Van Dyke’s trial.”
I came to Chicago in the summer of 1968, a week after what the Kerner Commission called a “police riot,” and have been involved in the legal struggles that arose from the notorious events referenced by the Sun Times ever since. From that perspective, a deeper look into Chicago’s racist police history and its connection to the Laquan McDonald case is warranted.
The Murder of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark
On December 4, 1969, 14 heavily armed Chicago police officers assigned to the office of Cook County State’s Attorney Edward Hanrahan, conducted a murderous predawn raid on a West Side apartment where numerous Black Panther Party (BPP) members were staying. Firing more than 90 shots from shotguns, machine guns and pistols, the raiders murdered the 21-year-old chairman of the Black Panther Party, Fred Hampton, as he slept in his bed. They also killed Peoria BPP leader Mark Clark, and wounded several other Panthers. A massive police cover-up followed, as did outrage in the African American community. The cover-up featured blatantly false police reports, perjured testimony, fabricated ballistics reports, and a slanderous official publicity campaign. President Richard Nixon’s Justice Department, led by John Mitchell of Watergate infamy, investigated but refused to indict any of the police raiders or the prosecutors who planned and approved the raid, but renewed protests led to the appointment of a Cook County special prosecutor.
Hampered by the chief judge of Cook County and a rigged grand jury, the special prosecutor was not able to obtain murder or attempted murder indictments, but rather only indictments for obstruction of justice against the raiders and State’s Attorney Hanrahan, who was running for re-election as Mayor Richard J. Daley and the Democratic machine’s chosen candidate. The case was assigned to a Democratic machine judge, and the raiders waived the jury and proceeded to trial before the judge. The special prosecutor rested his case the week before the 1972 election, and the judge dutifully granted a verdict for the defendants, thereby giving Hanrahan a clean record before the voters went to the polls. As was the case with the brutal police officers who victimized demonstrators and reporters at the Democratic National Convention, none of the perpetrators of the deadly violence went to jail. This reinforced the racist reality that Chicago police officers — acting with Cook County prosecutors, unblinkingly backed by the Police Union, and protected by Cook County judges and the police code of silence — could act with absolute impunity when it came to policing Chicago communities of color.
However, the mass movement in the African American community that had formed around the murders of Hampton and Clark returned its own verdict, voting Hanrahan out of office. Ten years later, this movement was largely responsible for electing Chicago’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington.
Jon Burge and Chicago Police Torture
Also, in 1972, Chicago police detective Jon Burge and his midnight crew of “asskickers” began a 20-year reign of terror in Chicago’s African American communities, torturing more than 125 people of color with electric shock, suffocation, mock executions, and other forms of racist brutality during interrogations. Prosecutors participated in the interrogations, falsely denied knowledge of the brutality, and used the confessions obtained to send the victims to prison and, in some cases, to death row. Ten years later, in 1982, the state’s attorney of Cook County, Richard M. Daley, who was Richard J. Daley’s son, was officially informed about the torture but chose to ignore it, leading to a second decade of torture and wrongful convictions. For their part, Cook County Judges uniformly rejected the mounting evidence of torture presented in their courtrooms.
In 1989, the cover-up was pierced, thanks in large part to a federal civil rights trial, an anonymous police source, and an investigative reporter. Activists led protests that compelled Burge’s firing in 1993, but no prosecutors, federal or Cook County, sought to prosecute Burge or his crew, and the police department and then Mayor Richard M. Daley suppressed, then rejected, an internal report that condemned the torture as “systematic.” Undeterred, the Fraternal Order of Police continued to defend Burge and his men and held them up as heroes.
The battle to expose the torture scandal and to seek justice for the victims continued, and nearly a decade later, in 2002, a Cook County special prosecutor was appointed, but he had close ties to the Daley machine. After a four-year investigation that cost Cook County taxpayers more than $7 million, the special prosecutor returned no indictments, instead releasing what was widely considered to be a whitewashed report.
Once again, the failure to indict occasioned outrage and disgust, so the Chicago City Council and the Cook County Board of Commissioners held highly publicized public hearings and issued resolutions calling for a federal investigation, a call that was underscored by similar findings made by the United Nations Committee Against Torture. This time the US Attorneys’ Office took heed, but the statute of limitations had long since expired on the torture itself. As a result, in October of 2008, the Feds indicted Burge for lying, under oath, about the torture that he had masterminded, and for obstruction of justice.
In front of a fair and impartial federal judge, Burge and his lawyers, who were paid handsomely by the Fraternal Order of Police, were forced to take their chances with a predominantly white federal jury. Five Black torture survivors powerfully told their stories, and were subjected to a transparently racist grilling by Burge’s lawyers. A Burge associate, testifying under a grant of immunity, demonstrated the power of the police code of silence by backing off from his prior grand jury testimony, in which he had admitted to witnessing Burge torturing one of his victims. Burge, sometimes tearful, denied everything from the stand.
Nonetheless, swayed by the enormity of the underlying torture, the jury convicted Burge of perjury and obstruction of justice in June of 2010. The following January, the judge, while condemning the police department, the state’s attorneys’ office, and the Cook County judiciary, sentenced Burge to four and a half years in the federal penitentiary. None of Burge’s confederates were ever prosecuted for their crimes.
Meanwhile, the struggle against torture continued. An intergenerational and interracial movement formed, and, largely as a result of its activism, the City of Chicago granted a historic package of reparations to the survivors.
Parallels to the McDonald Case
When we view the McDonald case through the lens of Chicago history, we can identify many parallels. We see outrageous and overtly racist police violence; a cover-up that is exposed despite the best efforts of the police involved; and the complicity of police superintendents, mayors, prosecutors and other high-ranking officials in the cover-up. We see the police code of silence reaching into the Burge and Van Dyke trials, with police partners and associates defying the prosecutors who granted them immunity in an attempt to aid their fellow officers. We see racism as the elephant in those court rooms, unspoken by the prosecutors, but fanned at every opportunity by the defense, which depicted the victims at every opportunity as subhuman monsters. We see a powerful and racist police union that has defended the indefensible for the past 50 years, exalting Burge and Van Dyke, paying for their defenses, and intimidating police witnesses in the courtroom when they are summoned to testify against their fellow officers.
But we also see that even a predominantly white jury can summon the courage to do the right thing, at least when the police crime is so enormous and the proof so clear as it is in the Burge and Van Dyke cases. Most importantly, we also see the power of public outrage, community activism and Black-led multiracial movements that march, demonstrate, disrupt and demand a seat at the table. These forces must continue to march forward, so long as the fundamentally racist criminal injustice system represses and incarcerates communities of color.
This story first appeared at Truthout.
Major Voter Suppression Efforts Surface in Georgia
As early voting kicks off, allegations of voter suppression are rising out of Georgia as voters choose between former-state house Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp in the tight race for governor. As Secretary of State, Kemp is responsible for crafting and carrying out voting policies in the state. Related posts:
Today is the 53rd Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
Voters Are Choosing Progressive Women of Color
Again, Judges Rule North Carolina’s Congressional District Map Unconstitutional
The Complex and Frustrating Reality of Recycling Plastic
Global consumers now use a million plastic bottles every minute, 91 percent of which are not recycled. Our growing consumption of single-use plastic is evident in the form of ever-expanding landfills, as well as pollution on our sidewalks, along roadways and in natural ecosystems. Plastic that is littered or blown out of waste bins makes its way into storm drains, streams and rivers. Ultimately, up to 8 million metric tons of it enter the world’s oceans every year.
Scientists aren’t sure how long it takes for plastic to fully biodegrade—estimates range from 450 years to never, National Geographic reported in its June issue, which is devoted to the mounting plastic pollution problem. But we know enough to know that the staggering 9.2 billion metric tons of plastic produced since the 1950s isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. At this rate, our oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050.
Many now consider ocean plastic pollution an existential threat on par with climate change, but it seems like it should be an easy one to fix. Plastic is recyclable, after all, so why can’t we just recycle it? It turns out it’s not as simple as it sounds.
Around two-thirds of the plastic that enters the ocean from rivers is carried by only 20 waterways—the majority of which are on the Asian continent, where access to waste collection and recycling is often limited. Even in countries with established waste management infrastructure, the picture remains bleak: Less than 10 percent of the plastic used in the United States is recycled, according to the most recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data. Figures improve for select plastic materials—for example, around 30 percent of polyethylene terephthalate, commonly used to package household staples like bottled beverages, condiments and personal care products, is recycled—but even these rates remain woefully out of balance with our increasing reliance on single-use plastic.
To make matters worse, fluctuating demand for recycled material and consumer confusion about what is recyclable make it harder for US collection programs to remain economical. If nothing changes, municipal recycling programs across the country may be forced to scale back or even shut down—hastening our collision course with a new paradigm defined by toxic seas.
This grim reality begs the question: How can developing markets—which now produce roughly half of the world’s plastic—hope to establish effective recycling infrastructures if countries like the US are still unable to get it right? What’s holding us back from recycling more plastic, and what can we do to save our oceans before it’s too late?
The Cost of Confusion
For decades, PR campaigns and public service announcements touted the ease of recycling. “Just move your hand over a few inches,” spokesman after spokesman said, “and throw that plastic, metal or paper into the recycling bin instead of the trash.”
Our oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050.
The reality of recycling is far more complicated—even in nations like the US, where curbside programs have steadily proliferated since 1980. Neighboring communities can have vastly different recycling programs, and educational campaigns that hinge on industry jargon often do little to ease confusion for residents.
“Most people have the attitude that if they just put it in the blue bin, it will get taken away and somebody will figure out what to do with it, but putting something in the blue bin and actually recycling it are two very different things,” said David Biderman, CEO and executive director of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).
Motivated by good intentions, people throw everything from plastic shopping bags to garden hoses into their curbside carts. According to Biderman, on average, 10 to 15 percent of the material sent to US recycling centers is not recyclable, and it eventually makes its way to local landfills. “You may divert material on the front end, but it’s still going to a landfill in the back end,” Biderman said. “Meanwhile, someone is getting paid to do that processing.”
The results of widespread confusion can be prohibitively expensive for municipalities—and wasted work time is only the tip of the iceberg. Materials like those aforementioned bags and hoses can become tangled in sorting machinery, causing plants to shut down the processing line while workers remove obstructions by hand. If miscellaneous materials are not sorted out, or if containers are contaminated by food waste residue, the quality of the bulk scrap drops—and so does the price it will fetch on the open market.
Less than 10 percent of the plastic used in the United States is recycled.
The landscape is complicated even further by the wide variety of plastics now used to package foods, beverages and other household goods. Packaging manufacturers increasingly favor more lightweight plastics, which carry their own benefits. Namely, opting for lighter-weight packaging means a manufacturer uses less plastic and can ship more product in a smaller amount of space, cutting down on transportation-related emissions. But lightweight plastics are often not recyclable, even though they appear to be, and more of them are entering the recycling stream.
“The goal of a recycling program is to generate saleable material. Paper, plastic and metal can only be sold into the marketplace if it satisfies certain standards, and one of those standards is that it not contain other material,” Biderman said. “When the stream becomes contaminated, the material may not be able to be sold, or it will be sold at a lower price—which makes recycling programs less effective and efficient if they’re not breaking even or making money.”
“On the Brink of Disaster”
On a partly cloudy afternoon in May, recycling haulers and processors from across California converged on the Capitol building to warn lawmakers about a “recycling crisis.” US recyclers process around 66 million tons of material every year, a third of which is exported. Until recently, China was the largest purchaser of bulk plastic, paper and other recyclable materials leaving the United States, but new regulations have recycling programs “on the brink of disaster,” the haulers said.
At the start of this year, in an attempt to reduce local environmental problems associated with handling over 45 million tons of foreign waste annually, China imposed what some call an impossible purity standard on imported recyclables. Mixed paper and plastics found to have more than 0.50 percent foreign material by weight are rejected, and barges are forced to return to the United States or ship their load to other ports, mostly elsewhere in Asia, where they are sold at a lower price.
Relatively low oil prices make it cheaper to produce plastic from virgin material, further decreasing demand for recycled feedstocks.
“We have a major challenge right now, because the largest export market for American recyclables has basically been shut off,” Biderman said. “India, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia have ramped up some of their imports of American recyclables, but it’s still less than half of what China was taking.”
This shift comes as relatively low oil prices make it cheaper to produce plastic from virgin material, further decreasing demand for recycled feedstocks. “Plastic prices are down across the board,” Biderman told us. “Material is moving in most instances, but it’s moving at very low prices.”
California haulers are pushing for dramatic policy changes to help them adapt and told lawmakers they must do more to educate consumers about what is recyclable, but they aren’t the only ones feeling the pinch. At the start of May, Portland, Oregon, was forced to raise its waste-hauling rates for the first time in five years as it struggles to find new buyers for bulk plastic and other materials.
Portland haulers transport recyclables to regional depots, where they are sorted, baled and prepared for export. In years past, the modest fees they received helped to offset hauling costs for residents, but falling prices are leaving haulers in the red. “It hinges on the broader lack of recycling markets,” Bruce Walker, Portland’s solid waste and recycling program manager, said of the rate increase.
“The contamination issue is not solely responsible—there’s a vast oversupply [of recyclables] in the US right now, so if you’re looking at supply and demand, that contributes to lower prices—but contamination certainly plays a role,” Walker said. “Residents can help the program by keeping non-recyclable materials out, but it’s difficult to get that message across with so many very similar types of plastics that enter the household.”
The Role of Corporations
In the United States, the cost of recycling plastic and other household waste falls on cities—and their taxpayers. But as municipal programs seek new buyers for bulk scrap, many wonder whether the companies that produce single-use packaging should bear more responsibility for recycling it. “For too long, packaging companies have been externalizing the costs of their packaging on local governments,” said Biderman. “They’re changing how they package material and expecting local governments to pick up the tab for it.”
“For too long, packaging companies have been externalizing the costs of their packaging on local governments.”
Walker agreed, underscoring the power of US companies to take the financial heat off municipal recycling programs. “If American manufacturers and brand owners were willing to package products using recycled materials, we would be in a much better situation. Unfortunately, those commitments aren’t readily apparent.”
That’s beginning to change, albeit slowly. Launched in 2003, The Recycling Partnership uses funding from companies like PepsiCo and Starbucks to improve municipal recycling infrastructure. It tests contamination reduction and other best practices in the field with partner cities, such as Atlanta, Chicago and Denver, and makes them available to communities across the country. Last year, it joined the Association of Plastic Recyclers to get companies more actively involved. Their campaign, dubbed Recycling Demand Champions, asks companies to recognize that their demand for recycled plastic is vital to the health of US recycling programs and calls on them to purchase more of the material.
Top brands like Target, Procter & Gamble, Campbell Soup Co. and Coca-Cola signed on to the initiative and pledged to use more recycled plastic, primarily to replace virgin material in industrial items like trash cans, pallets and tote boxes. This type of application is typical for plastic; unlike other materials such as aluminum and glass, plastic is downcycled far more often than it’s used for new bottles or other containers. So, while initiatives like this one can help recyclers make ends meet and ensure less plastic goes to landfill, they do little to stem the demand for virgin plastic in packaging.
Some companies are going even further. French bottled water giant Evian, for example, plans to use 100 percent recycled plastic bottles by 2025—one of the most aggressive corporate goals on record. Meanwhile, others are looking beyond plastic for products and packaging. UK supermarket chain Iceland will become the world’s first supermarket to eliminate single-use plastic in its branded products within five years. Home-delivery startup ThreeMain says its cleaning products—packaged in aluminum bottles—will eliminate more than 80 percent of the plastic associated with home cleaning. Even toy company Lego may start making its iconic building blocks from sugarcane instead of plastic.
This is all positive, but businesses can do more—and their stakeholders are letting them know it. In response to mounting protest from NGOs, Coca-Cola pledged to “collect and recycle 100 percent of its packaging” by 2030, though Greenpeace says the company is still “dodging the main issue” of its increasing plastic use and pledged to keep the pressure on. Earlier this year, a group of 25 institutional investors with a combined $1 trillion in assets called plastic pollution a clear corporate brand risk and said they will engage consumer goods companies to fight the problem—beginning with PepsiCo, Nestle, Procter & Gamble and Unilever. Shareholder pressure also swayed McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts to move away from polystyrene cups. In announcing victory in the foam cup fight, the shareholder advocacy nonprofit As You Sow declared, “Shareholders [are] stopping the flow of plastics at the source: giant global corporations.”
Cities across the country are taking action to clean up their recycling streams and preserve the viability of their programs. California instituted a statewide ban on plastic carryout bags in 2016, and cities from Chicago and Boston to Austin, Texas, have their own bag bans on the books. A handful of cities, including Portland, Minneapolis and Washington, DC, ban foam takeout containers. New York City may soon be the latest to ban plastic drinking straws, joining the likes of Seattle, Miami Beach and Malibu, California.
As with any other issue, citizens who are concerned about plastic waste and recycling can contact their representatives and voice support for similar legislation, although bans alone can’t solve the problem. “How many items are we going to have to ban?” Walker asked rhetorically. “That’s not a comprehensive approach either … though in my opinion there needs to be some consideration in other cities with respect to these items that pose problems to the recycling system.”
A massive problem like plastic pollution requires a multi-pronged approach that includes source reduction, reuse and recycling.
Even if you feel you know what is recyclable in your community, take the time to visit your local recycling program’s website and review the list of accepted materials. Make sure all recyclable materials are clean and dry before placing them in the bin to avoid contributing to contamination. For materials that are not accepted curbside, use third-party searches like Earth911 or RecycleNation to find drop-off or mail-back recycling options near you.
If your community has yet to establish a curbside program—or if you live, work or attend school at complexes that do not provide recycling—step up to make your voice heard. Connect with the waste management companies that service your area and contact your political representatives, as well as your local solid waste services director and staff, advised Jon Johnston, a retired EPA program leader who now sits on the board of the environmental nonprofit Keep America Beautiful.
Beyond a push for legislation, the plastic problem calls for individuals to take personal ownership of how they contribute. “Single-use plastics are a convenience, but at a resource cost,” said Lucas Mariacher, zero waste coordinator for the city of Phoenix. “The goal should always be to minimize waste disposal by reducing resource consumption [and] reusing resources. Recycling should really be the last resort.”
Is recycling enough to stem the tide of plastic entering our oceans? Not by a long shot, but a massive problem like plastic pollution requires a multi-pronged approach that includes source reduction, reuse and recycling—and we need everyone from governments and companies to individuals in the game.
“I would caution you against expecting or wishing that there be a recycling market for everything,” said Robert Reed, spokesperson for San Francisco’s recycling and compost collection company, Recology. “The consistent advice from environmentalists is ‘refuse’ single-use plastics. Refuse plastic straws. Carry a metal water bottle and refuse plastic water bottles … Refuse is the new R word.”
The post The Complex and Frustrating Reality of Recycling Plastic appeared first on Truthout.
Flint Legionnaires’ Disease Survivors Speak Out: “Every Day Is a Challenge”
Jassmine McBride’s mother calls her “a miracle.”
The 30-year-old woman is among the 90 or so residents of Flint, Michigan, who survived Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially deadly lung infection. And while the news focused mainly on the ones who died, families like the McBrides now feel lost and forgotten.
Forgotten is how many residents said they feel four-and-a-half years after Flint’s lead-tainted water crisis began, and six months after Republican Gov. Rick Snyder declared the water safe and stopped distributing free bottled water to people who have no trust in their government.
“It hurts. It really does hurt that you have people with that much power not even seem like they care,” Jassmine said last week about politicians who claim all is fine in Flint. “You can still smell the water. It’s still affecting people. We still bathe or brush our teeth with bottled water. It’s just hard, it really is, to have none of those people come around and say they are sorry.”
She sat in a chair on the porch, a blanket tucked around her. She’s tired all the time. She has lesions on her face and neck, tubes coming out of her, and she can barely walk without crutches. She wonders if she will ever lead a normal life.
Jassmine was 26 when she was diagnosed in August 2014 with Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal type of pneumonia. This was at the height of the water crisis in the “Vehicle City,” once the prosperous birthplace of General Motors, but which has struggled with poverty and pollution since GM left. The Snyder administration hushed up the public health crisis for months while lead-tainted water slowly poisoned the city’s 100,000 residents, who are largely poor or Black.
The city was under state control in April 2014 when Snyder’s administration switched the water source from Lake Huron to the highly corrosive Flint River, while failing to add anti-corrosive agents to treat the water in order to save about $2 million a year. Poor corrosion control allowed lead to leach from older pipes, and a lack of chlorine disinfectant and high levels of iron increased the likelihood of legionella bacteria growth, Michigan Radio reported.
In 2014 and 2015, Genesee County saw the largest outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in at least a decade. After reports of high lead levels and public outcry, Snyder switched Flint’s water source back to Detroit’s in October 2015.
Jassmine has diabetes and went for a checkup at the McLaren Flint Hospital, where they found her iron and oxygen levels low. They admitted her in August 2014, but her health rapidly deteriorated.
“I was in Lansing when they called me from the hospital and said, ‘We don’t have time, do we have permission to resuscitate her?’” her mother Jacqueline McBride, 49, told reporters last week in Flint.
Jassmine almost died. She said she doesn’t recall much from that time, “being on life support and all,” but said she was shocked when she regained consciousness in October and found she had been hospitalized for more than two months. “I never even heard of Legionnaires.’ ‘What’s that?’ I said.”
Legionella and Denials
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by a waterborne bacteria called Legionella pneumophila. The bacteria exists naturally in freshwater systems but becomes a problem when it is can grow and multiply. Warm water with depleted levels of disinfectant foster that growth, and people get sick by inhaling mist or vapor from contaminated water systems. That’s how the McBrides thinks Jassmine contracted it.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has repeatedly blamed McLaren, saying that most of the reported legionella cases originated in the hospital. Officials from the hospital group slammed that report, calling it erroneous and an effort by the state to shift blame for the water crisis, Michigan Radio reported.
The disease is on the rise in the United States, and the Flint outbreak is the third largest outbreak in US history, with at least 87 people infected and 12 dead over two years, Science magazine reported.
A February report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences estimated that 80 percent of Legionnaires’ cases during the outbreak can be attributed to the change in Flint’s water supply — a claim that the state health department has disputed.
It’s still unclear how many people actually contracted Legionnaires’ disease at the time, since the symptoms mirror pneumonia. Reports indicate a dramatic increase in pneumonia deaths in Genesee County since the 2014 switch. A recent Frontline investigation suggests that some of the 119 deaths from pneumonia during the time the city relied on Flint River water should likely be attributed to Legionnaires’ disease.
Michael Moore’s documentary on the water crisis claims county officials were told to falsify blood lead test results, and records indicates the county failed to connect 85 percent of lead-poisoned children with follow-up care, according to MLive.
“A Scary Transition”
Once a happy, active woman who loved shrimp and potatoes, sang in church, and enjoyed dancing, Jassmine became bedridden. She spent two months sedated in the intensive care unit as doctors tried to control the infection. She started physical therapy in October 2014 and was in-and-out of the hospital until December, learning how to do basic things like eat and walk with tubes coming out of her.
“You don’t really think about those things until you lose them. It was a real challenge to learn to breathe on your own and do dialysis, which wipes you out,” Jassmine said. “Even with the breathing machine, I felt I couldn’t breathe. I was afraid to lie down. It was a scary transition.”
She used to drink gallons of water a day before she fell ill. Because of water retention and bloating issues, she was forced to cut down to two bottles a day. Dialysis gets rid of excess fluid and waste in the body, but it is nowhere near as effective as healthy kidneys. In the later stages of chronic kidney disease, normal amounts of fluid can build up in the body and become dangerous. Going over the recommended fluid allowance can cause swelling, increase blood pressure, and make breathing difficult.
Jassmine broke her ankle and said it never healed right; it still hurts to walk. “Every day is a challenge,” she said.
Four years later, every day is still a challenge for the mother and daughter who live in a small yellow house in Flint’s blighted north side, which is dotted with overgrown yards and abandoned homes. Like countless others in Flint, they struggle to pay their high water bills and escalating medical bills.
Jassmine uses crutches but struggles to walk more than a few yards, and uses an oxygen tank because her lungs were permanently damaged. She requires dialysis three times a week, a process that she described as long and exhausting. She cannot attend college but is trying to take online classes.
Her mother said she never gave up hope, not even when doctors warned that Jassmine might not make it. She know her daughter was lucky to come home — after all, she said, 12 of the Flint residents who contracted Legionnaires’ did not.
Where Is Justice?
More than a dozen state and city officials face criminal charges for failing to alert the public about the risks of legionella until well after the outbreak had subsided.
Among them is Nick Lyon, the former Michigan health director, who is being tried for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the Legionnaires’ deaths and denies criminal wrongdoing.
To add insult to injury, the state’s top medical officer, Dr. Eden Wells, was just awarded the highest individual honor given by the local public health community in Michigan despite facing involuntary manslaughter and other charges related to the Flint water crisis.
The state continues to fail Flint residents, many of whom say they have no trust in government. Snyder not only stopped the free bottled water distribution in April but allowed Swiss conglomerate Nestlé to nearly double the amount of water it pumps from a spring in the north of the state to 400 gallons per minute for a paltry annual fee of $200. Nestlé is continuing to provide free bottles of water to Flint residents until December.
Meanwhile, the Genesee County Health Department now has the authority to investigate and address the legionella cases in Flint. Pamela Pugh, who has been serving in the new position of chief public health advisor for the past two years, told Rewire.News that it has been a challenge; she has been barred from attending some state meetings.
“Mayor [Karen] Weaver and the administration recognizes that our residents still live with the devastation of what has happened and fear of the unknown impacts. There is no safe level of lead to consume and very little information on the impact of the biological pathogens they were exposed to, so those that were exposed, are left wondering what this means for themselves and their children,” she said in an email.
The mayor agrees there is work to be done, although the quality of water has improved since she declared a public health emergency in December 2015. The city continues to replace affected lead pipes, and Weaver continues to call for bottled water availability and properly installed filters in Flint homes.
“Mayor Weaver maintains that Flint residents did not cause the man-made water disaster, therefore adequate resources should continue being provided until the problem is fixed and all the lead and galvanized pipes have been replaced and interior plumbing and fixtures are replaced,” Pugh said.
The city is continuing to work to address Flint’s decades-old water concerns and improve communications with residents, she added.
The US Conference of Mayors meets in Flint on Friday to discuss ways to combat the water crisis, according to news reports. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has announced a $480,350 donation to pay for ultraviolet filtration systems in all 12 Flint school buildings and the district’s administration building by January 2019.
Meanwhile, the McBrides remain strong in their faith and are determined to beat the odds. They don’t wish anyone ill, but they are amazed that no one from Flint or the state has ever reached out to help them. (When asked why the McBride family has not heard from the city, Pugh said it’s “highly likely” that the city has not been given access to the McBrides’ information. Snyder’s office did not respond for comment.) What’s hardest for Jassmine are the continued denials of wrongdoing on TV, even as 15 city and state officials face trials.
Snyder’s term is up this year, and Flint residents said they don’t have much faith in the two longtime state government officials vying for his seat: Democrat Gretchen Whitmer of Lansing and the Republican state Attorney General Bill Schuette.
Both have talked about the importance of providing safe water to Flint, but residents there are fed up with promises and lies. Flint residents also worry about new water problems they have heard about, including PFAS contamination in the Flint River, which was discovered before 2014 but covered up by the state, as MLive reported.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manmade chemicals that don’t break down and can lead to adverse human health effects, according to the EPA.
But the Flint water crisis continues to be a talking point for politicians vying for power. Whitmer says she has a plan to invest $3 billion in a Rebuild Michigan Bank to expedite the replacement of lead pipes across the state, and she wants to restore bottled water for Flint residents. Schuette did not respond to emails seeking comment. Some residents claim he was among the officials who ignored the water crisis and has a history of ignoring complaints from the people of Flint.
Asked whether they plan to vote in November, the McBrides responded with an emphatic “Yes.”
The post Flint Legionnaires’ Disease Survivors Speak Out: “Every Day Is a Challenge” appeared first on Truthout.
Why I’m Sick and Tired of Hearing About Russiagate
In These Times - October 17, 2018 - 11:00am
I'm a recovering Russiagate addict. Not so long ago, I awaited the latest Russiagate tweet from Seth Abramson as eagerly as a new installment of Serial. These days, I roll my eyes and scroll on.
I’m not a skeptic. I don’t doubt that Russia hacked the Clinton campaign, trolled social media or attempted to access election machines. This is entirely consistent with what we know of Russia, which, according to a 2017 Newsweek investigation, hacked both the McCain and Obama campaigns in 2008 and has continued phishing attacks on U.S. officials and politicians ever since, accessing the Joint Chiefs of Staff email system in 2015. Nor is Russia a newcomer to online manipulation. A former employee of Russia’s “troll factory”—the Internet Research Center in St. Petersburg—told NPR of creating fake social media accounts in 2014 to sow discord in the United States.
Nor would I be surprised if Donald Trump made backroom deals with Russia. Trump has never met an oligarch he didn’t want to do business with, including one described by a U.S. diplomat as “notoriously corrupt, even for Azerbaijan.”
What I question is the proportion of Russiagate coverage and amount of hope that liberals vest in it. In July and August, the New York Times ran 16 front-page stories about Russia and Rachel Maddow discussed it in 30 episodes of her MSNBC show. The Times also ran a breathless 12-page special report in September that calls Russia’s 2016 cyber-meddling “unprecedented”—ignoring the many precedents. Much of this reporting focused on the minutiae of the Mueller investigation.
Ultimately, the front page of the Times is limited real estate, and devoting it to Russiagate sidelines other Trump administration scandals unfolding in real time. During July and August, the National Labor Relations Board laid plans to restrict union organizing, the Department of Defense successfully lobbied for a $716 billion budget, and the Office of Management and Budget moved to penalize immigrants who use welfare. None of these stories made the front page.
What also galls is that the media focus on Russian influence contains a whiff of self-absolution. Recall that, as of March 2016, the Trump campaign had received $1.9 billion in free press, according to media firm SMG Delta; the next-highest was Hillary Clinton at $746 million. Les Moonves, then-chief of CBS, joked that Trump’s candidacy “may not be good for America, but it’s damn good for CBS.” The campaign invested little in ground operations or advertising. Would it have taken off without the media’s help?
Of course, the media cannot be separated from its eager consumers. Many of us wish to wake up from the nightmare of November 2016. The Mueller investigation, with its Watergate parallels, seems to offer that hope.
But here lies another, subtler danger of Russiagate. The fantasy of Mueller as savior relies on an inherent faith in the system. The wheels of justice are turning; we need only sit back and wait, and the aberration will be corrected.
But what if 2016 was no aberration? What if something is rotten in U.S. democracy? One clear sign is the dismal voter participation: 56 percent in the presidential race, 10 to 30 points lower than recent turnouts in much of Europe. To isolate Russia’s influence is to ignore long-gathering storms: the Republican suppression of the vote; the Democratic establishment’s failure to field a candidate who could credibly speak to growing rage over inequality and endless war; the misogyny and xenophobia that Trump was able to exploit; and the widespread disillusionment with our political system that made voting for Trump—or staying home—an attractive “fuck you” move.
In an election decided by 77,744 votes in three states, almost anything can be said to have tipped it. Our democracy should be healthy enough to stand up to Russia’s predictable, often ham-handed meddling. (How much sway should a “Hillary is Satan” Facebook post really have over public discourse?) To properly inoculate ourselves may mean something indeed unprecedented: insistent organizing for transformational change, whether that’s the public financing of elections, the restructuring of our political system for real participatory democracy or the fundamental redistribution of wealth and power. One crucial piece of any of this is a responsible and responsive media.
Trump Considering New Family Detention and Separation Policy
On Friday, the Washington Post reported that rather than reviving the forced separation policy that separated over 2,500 children from their parents in May and June, the Trump administration is considering a new family separation plan called the Binary Choice. Related posts:
6 Year Old Sexually Abused in Immigration Detention Told to Stay Away from Assailant
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia Have Been Getting Away With Murder for Years
March 2015 marked a decisive phase in what is now a more than three-year war in Yemen. Saudi Arabia, in coordination with members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, initiated a military operation against Yemen’s capital of Sana’a in an effort to dislodge any fragment of Houthi presence while also fomenting a tide of psychological warfare that would signal the ruthless course of action to come. Yemen’s infrastructure was so thoroughly upended by coalition attacks that within a year and a half of the initial salvo, the local population was struck by the worst cholera outbreak ever recorded in modern history. Today, with an aerial and naval blockade choking off aid supplies, the number of Yemenis who are entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance is over 22 million. The catastrophic impact on mental health in Yemen has resulted in psychological trauma, including a surge in suicide rates. Despite worldwide condemnation, U.S.-backed coalition airstrikes have continued—targeting hospitals, medical facilities, religious sites, and even gatherings of mourners.
While the media landscape is saturated with concern for the whereabouts and likely demise of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose reported disappearance has thrown the Kingdom’s advocacy campaign into overdrive, concern for Saudi Arabia's military offensive in Yemen has taken a backseat. Still, the bloodshed in Yemen has not abated for a moment, with American weapons lighting the way.
In August, after striking a school bus in Yemen’s Saada province—resulting in the deaths of 44 Yemeni children—the Saudi-led coalition apologized and admitted—to some extent—that “there were mistakes made in abiding by the rules of engagement.” This admission, while rare, was made in an effort to thwart international pressure against Saudi Arabia's military operations—a feeble exercise of propaganda that is inconsequential as its war machine rages on.
The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is a deliberate and orchestrated blaze fueled by petrodollars and the U.S. military. Without the profitable relationship that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies have had with the United States, with exchanges of military packages crossing all partisan lines, what is unfolding in Yemen would not have been possible. The laser-guided bomb used in the school bus attack that drew, arguably, some of the most striking opprobrium against Saudi Arabia, was made by none other than U.S. weapons-manufacturer Lockheed Martin. In 2016, after the intentional bombing of a community hall in Sana’a filled with mourners, fragments of a 500-pound bomb produced by Raytheon were found amongst the debri. At the time, Human Rights Watch reported that “at least two air-dropped munitions penetrated the roof of the hall and detonated a few minutes apart.” At least 140 were killed, and 525 were injured.
While the response of the United States to the actions of Saudi Arabia, under this administration and those before it, has been confined to a mixture of either bureaucratic silence or mournful, yet deceptive neutrality, the government's material interests have been clear from the beginning: The road to war in Yemen is paved with U.S. munitions and direct military assistance. In the war on Yemen, coalition yets are refueled in the air by American planes and weapons provided by U.S. arms sales. A month after coalition strikes pounded a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital and destroyed a potato factory in 2016, then-President Obama stood before the United Nations General Assembly and stated that “[a]cross the region’s conflicts, we have to insist that all parties recognize a common humanity and that nations end proxy wars that fuel disorder.” This wasn't merely a display of imperial sanctimony but another show of American callousness; impenetrable, and unwavering.
The investigative authority of the Saudi-led military coalition—after tasking itself with probing the school bus attack in August—made an unambitious request in September that “coalition forces should initiate legal action” against those responsible. Pockmarks from air raids and cluster bombs—the latter of which are prohibited by the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which the United States and Saudi Arabia never signed—litter Yemen and further intensify conditions of human-made devastation. Saudi Arabia's “Decisive Storm” in Yemen is being fought by air, sea and land, with critical support from the United States, beyond simple logistics and weaponry. In May it was revealed that American Special Forces, which now operate in 70 percent of the world's countries, are assisting Saudi Arabia in a secret mission designed to help bring an end to the coalition's stalemate. In September, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo certified to Congress that “the governments of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are undertaking demonstrable actions to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure resulting from military operations of these governments.” Nearly one month later a coalition airstrike killed four civilians at a bee farm in al-Hudayda, Yemen’s fourth largest city.
Saudi Arabia and the United States are putting on a duplicitous show of regret and moderate assurance in order to undermine even the most short-lived occasions of public disapproval. Taking to The Washington Post, Chris Murphy, junior Democratic Senator for Connecticut and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, coupled his denunciation of Saudi Arabia's actions in Yemen with the argument that has been used time and time again to undermine criticism of the country's actions: that the Kingdom is “an important counterterrorism partner,” one whose relationship the United States should not abandon. And yet, there is no dog and pony show that can distract from the whole of these crimes, each one climbing in ferocity. The apologies and investigations buy time between military operations and a tightening blockade that threatens to further isolate Yemen and destroy whatever infrastructure remains. So long as the war continues, without material consequences for both Saudi Arabia and its allies, the propaganda efforts will follow.
Trump’s Space Force Is No Joke
In the rush to heap scorn upon the Trump administration, the president’s critics sometimes miss the forest for the trees. Such was the case in June when Donald Trump announced the creation of the socalled Space Force, a sixth branch of the U.S. military.
Critics mocked the idea as “ridiculous,” “stupid” and part of an “imaginary space war.” “There’s no threat in space! Who are we fighting?” asked Stephen Colbert. Vox wondered if the Space Force would carry lightsabers.
It was easy to miss that the idea is not uniquely Trumpian—and poses a real threat. For all intents and purposes, a space force already exists in the form of the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), a 36,000-person division of the Air Force that’s been operating since 1982.
Where Trump’s proposal differs is that it forms an entirely new military branch devoted to space, something James Clay Moltz, associate professor at the Naval Postgraduate School and author of The Politics of Space, says is “largely unprecedented.”
According to Vice President Mike Pence, the Space Force would include a new centralized command structure for space operations that would take over satellite-based military tasks such as surveillance and navigation for ground troops, as well as monitoring and tracking missile launches, all currently performed by the AFSPC. It’ll also take charge of any offensive capabilities developed for space, such as anti-satellite weapons (ASATs), introduce an “elite group of joint war-fighters” to support the rest of the armed forces, and oversee a new agency dedicated to developing “cutting-edge warfighting capabilities” for space.
The proposal is viewed by the space-savvy in the military as “either unwise, unnecessary or premature,” Moltz says—and almost certainly expensive. It’s on the basis of its potential wastefulness and redundancy that critics such as Defense Secretary James Mattis, ex-astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly, Air Force secretary Heather Wilson and other members of the military have assailed the idea.
But there’s a much bigger debate to be had. International conflict in space is no longer a plotline ripped from a sci-fi paperback. A space war is becoming more and more likely.
THE GEOPOLITICS OF SPACE
U.S. military dominance in space is really about maintaining military dominance back on Earth. Space infrastructure, particularly satellites, is key to the U.S. military’s global reach, servicing everything from navigation to weapons targeting to communications. A 2018 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) trumpets: “Space capabilities enable the American way of warfare.”
The global space arms race began with the Cold War, when both the United States and the USSR began testing ground-based anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons. Reagan’s Air Force became the first to test one on a spacecraft, destroying an old observation satellite in 1985. (Reagan also, infamously, attempted to put in place the so-called “Star Wars” program, which would have used spacebased lasers to shoot down incoming Soviet nuclear warheads.)
The 1990 Gulf War—known now as the first “space war”—made U.S. empire and satellites inseparable. With 24-hour satellite support, U.S. forces could not only communicate across broad channels, but map out terrain, observe and predict enemy actions, and use new guided, “smart” weapons that were, in theory, less indiscriminate. Satellites make today’s drone warfare possible.
While the United States and Russia have adhered to what Laura Grego, senior scientist in the Global Security Program of the Union of Concerned Scientists, calls an “unofficial moratorium” on stationing dedicated weapons in space (as opposed to ground-based systems that target spacecraft), the United States—and, increasingly, its rivals—continue to invest in other forms of space militarization.
The United States leads the way in satellite capacity and space military technology, and has opposed past demilitarization efforts. In 2006, the George W. Bush administration blocked a UN resolution on arms control in space, issuing a National Space Policy that pledged to resist “new legal regimes or other restrictions,” including arms control agreements, on U.S. use of space. In response to this and other steps by the United States, other countries have moved to shore up their own space capabilities.
China tested an ASAT in 2007, and both it and Russia have increasingly invested in counter-space capabilities, such as ASAT technology and jamming GPS receivers. China and Russia’s advances left Washington spooked. In 2014, the Pentagon invested an extra $2 billion into classified offensive space programs. In 2015, the “emerging threats” of Russia and China were used to justify a $3 billion add-on for national security space capabilities, as officials openly talked about fighting a war in space.
We’re still a long way, however, from ray guns and X-wing dogfights. While in-orbit ASAT weapons exist, for the time being any space conflict would be fought from the Earth. For example, all three countries have capacity to disrupt enemy satellites by jamming them with their own, or to hack into a satellite’s ground operation.
But increased reliance on satellites for warfare— not to mention everyday life—opens up “a critical vulnerability,” warns the CSIS. Space infrastructure is fragile, vulnerable to hacking and able to be brought down by other spacecraft intentionally ramming into it, by ground-based ASAT missiles or even by loose pieces of debris.
Because space is unfamiliar terrain, nations don’t know how to interpret others’ behavior. According to Cassandra Steer, an independent consultant on space security and former executive director of the McGill University Centre for Research on Air and Space Law, when the United States and its allies have run war games centered on space, they can quickly escalate to nuclear war.
“If one major power thinks the other is about to take out its satellites, it could take reciprocal action, or even launch a conventional or nuclear attack,” says William Hartung, director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy.
And as space becomes increasingly cluttered with spacecraft, the chance of accidental calamity increases. Pentagon officials warn that space is becoming increasingly crowded. The U.S. alone operates 859 government and commercial satellites, nearly one in five of which are military.
For the first time, two satellites collided in February 2009, producing a “debris cloud” that added to the approximately 500,000 pieces of debris currently in orbit, threatening to tear through spacecraft and add yet more debris to this total. The destruction of spacecraft by ASAT tests, too, adds to the debris.
The more debris in orbit, the greater the threat to the nonmilitary use of space that makes modern life possible. Traffic lights, banking systems, telephones, the internet, plane travel—all rely on satellites whose destruction could suddenly leave us in the dark.
“If we have no information and we’re in a blackout, people hit the panic button,” Steer says. “And that may mean an actual weapons button.”
BACK TO EARTH
Given these dangers, many diplomats and activists are pushing to declare space a weapon-free global commons. But there’s been little movement on any legally binding agreement. Although “weapons of mass destruction” have been banned in space since the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, international regulation is sparse.
In 2008, Russia and China put forward a draft treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space (PPWT), which lacked a specific verification regime and included a carve-out for the kind of ground-based ASAT weapons both countries had been testing. Still, flawed as it was, Project Ploughshares called the PPWT “undoubtedly the most substantive effort thus far” to make weapon-free space a matter of international law. The United States, however, said it couldn’t support such a “fundamentally flawed” proposal.
Many analysts say a treaty is unlikely in the near future, and look to other avenues of demilitarization.
A more realistic solution, Steer says, is non-binding instruments like guidelines that regulate conduct in space, which can work due to political buy-in and reciprocity. These norms might include, for example, best practices on approaching another country’s spacecraft.
The United States could be amenable to such agreements. John Hyten, commander of the U.S. Strategic Command and a proponent of the Space Force, has urged the creation of “international norms of behavior in space.”
“Very few military off icers are enthusiastic about weaponizing space,” James Moltz says. “That said, many in the military are skeptical that war and weapons can be kept from space forever.”
SPACE PROFITEERS
The deeply vested interests involved—interests that have the ear of U.S. politicians—also make it difficult to roll back or halt the militarization of space.
The National Space Council, a group of cabinet members who shape U.S. space policy, has a “users’ advisory group” whose members include the CEOs of Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and other corporations.
The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), a trade group that counts these and other companies as members, funded the 2018 CSIS report calling for government investment in national security space assets, and has called for greater national security investment in space at the annual Space Symposium.
The Symposium, now in its 34th year, embodies the close ties between industry and government on space policy. Co-sponsored by the AIA and its defense contractor members, the Symposium provides an opportunity for industry to network with representatives of think tanks and educational institutions, foreign leaders, and military, national security and other government officials.
This year’s event in April saw speeches from Vice President Mike Pence, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, U.S. senators and Air Force officials. The current AFSPC commander, Lee Levy, declared that plans for warfighting in space were no longer simply a discussion, and that the U.S. military needed to “gain and maintain space superiority.”
Industry influence extends to the politicians who advocate further space militarization. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), reportedly instrumental in selling Trump on the Space Force, has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the defense industry. Reps. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), both big boosters of a more aggressive space policy, represent districts populated by the defense industry and have raked in similarly large donations.
The Space Force contributes to this build-up, further entrenching militarization and feeding money to defense contractors. “President Trump’s enthusiasm for the Space Force,” Hartung says, “creates a danger that existing norms, like keeping weapons out of space, are more likely to be set aside.” He says the resulting space arms race “could spark a general war.”
Yet before efforts to rein in weaponization can gain momentum, public awareness must be raised, a task made harder by widespread media derision of Trump’s Space Force proposal. Conflict in space is a clear and present danger. We need to take it seriously.
To Address the Climate Crisis, We Must Completely Rethink How We Produce and Consume Food
The clock on climate upheaval is ticking fast with little time to lose, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) made frighteningly clear last week. “Limiting global warming to 1.5ºC would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society,” the October 8 report warned. Yet just one month earlier, the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) brushed over what may be the most critical “aspect of society,” making only marginal mention of the crisis’s top cause.
Tucked away in a pastry-laden conference room in a downtown San Francisco office building, a “high-level roundtable” of international leaders discussed something pivotal to the fate of the planet yet sidelined by the summit: food and agriculture.
Led by New Zealand’s ambassador to the United States, Tim Groser, and top representatives from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Resources Institute and others, the roundtable posed the challenge, “How can we make agricultural climate action more attractive?”
Food and agriculture represents the single-biggest producer of greenhouse gas emissions—at between 19 and 29 percent including associated deforestation, more than any other sector in the global economy. Yet, “agriculture is always the last at the party,” noted Groser, former chair of the World Trade Organization agriculture negotiations process, during the roundtable. Other GCAS panels explored issues of deforestation, land use and food production systems—but these pivotal issues were largely absent from the summit’s main stage events, and were barely mentioned in the protests and teach-ins surrounding the summit.
The roundtable, hosted by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, featured a dissonant blend of urgency and lack of clarity: There was no consensus around how to rapidly reduce food’s greenhouse gas emissions, which stem chiefly from industrial agriculture’s removal of forests and other carbon sinks, alongside ballooning meat and dairy production. Livestock production alone spews 14.5 percent of all the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
A failing food system
“The way we produce food is failing us,” said Zitouni Ould Dada, deputy director of the UN FAO’s climate and environment division, in an interview after the event. “The whole system of land use has to change. We need to produce food with the land we have.”
The roundtable raised a host of food and climate crises and challenges:
In a survey of 174 countries by the World Resources Institute, just nine had targets for reducing methane emissions from their food production.
Despite heaps of evidence showing industrial livestock is a top climate threat, global meat and dairy production and consumption continue to soar.
Massive food waste is a major hunger and climate problem: according to the UN FAO, a full one-third of all food is wasted or lost, and “if food wastage were a country, it would be the third largest emitting country in the world.”
As the FAO’s Dada explained, “We are trying to get production to shift toward efficiency because we know there is so much food wastage, from the time you sow the food to the time you have it on your plate,” including long-distance transportation, storage and processing. “Instead of producing more, we can produce more efficiently.”
The roundtable clarified a key dilemma: with nations dependent on trade, exports and economic development to maintain economic growth—and that growth invariably spurring greater meat consumption—how can countries fill their economic coffers while slashing food-related emissions?
As the world’s top exporter of goat and sheep meat, and a major beef producer, New Zealand illustrates this tension between trade and emissions reduction. The far-flung island nation faces a “very acute problem when it comes to our emissions program,” Groser acknowledged.
But, with global meat consumption rising and livestock’s climate hoof-print clear, how would top beef exporters reduce their climate harm while maintaining income for those nations and their farmers? When this reporter posed the question to the roundtable, Groser dodged the core challenge of production and consumption. “Production is not the problem,” he responded. “The problem is the how, the sustainability of production.”
While debate persists between better meat and no meat, more sustainable ranching has been on the rise, including grass-fed, smaller-scale and rotational grazing systems. Scientists and activists continue to debate the emissions reductions and carbon storage potential of these alternatives, but there is little question that producing and consuming less livestock would reduce food’s climate impact.
Unfortunately, the big picture of meat and dairy is grim. Global per capita meat consumption continues to rise (with the United States and other industrial “developed” nations leading the way)—and with it comes climate-wrecking deforestation, along with methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
When asked about using national policy such as subsidies or other incentives to propel more sustainable food production, the roundtable offered meager response. Groser said there are efforts in that direction, but he stressed the contradiction of governments trying to price carbon in the marketplace while also subsidizing carbon production.
For Groser, the dilemma exemplifies “the enormous sensitivity of agriculture” in climate reduction, particularly for nations that rely on agriculture and exports to survive. According to the EPA, agriculture comprises 9 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—though given farming’s relatively small chunk of the U..S economy, “it is a disproportionately GHG-intensive activity,” the USDA Economic Research Service has noted. New Zealand, meanwhile, generates half of its emissions from agriculture, Ireland 30 percent, France 20 percent, and Uruguay around 80 percent, according to Groser. “There’s no incentive structure for anyone to worry about agriculture other than France, Ireland and New Zealand.”
Like the summit itself, the roundtable focused far more on market-driven approaches than on how governments can regulate or fundamentally change the market systems that require relentless growth and profits. Gail Work, CEO of One Earth Ventures, touted lab research suggesting “we can increase the size of cows and the volume of milk while reducing pollution.” Manish Bapna, executive vice president of the World Resources Institute, emphasized using “market forces” to sway corporate supply chains to address deforestation—but, he added, “what we’ve seen is not nearly enough progress.” Any notion of the public sector spurring or supporting more rapid change was missing from the roundtable conversation.
As the latest IPCC report spells out, aggressively tackling the climate crisis would have “clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems,” and “could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society.” While given short shrift by the climate summit and the movement protests surrounding it, critical efforts are afoot to shrink food’s outsized role in climate change. From institutions such as schools and hospitals reducing their meat consumption, to global farmer movements pushing agroecology farming systems that boost resiliency while reducing emissions, there are signs of hope.
The chief question is whether this progress can be radically and rapidly expanded. For that to happen, the issue must be more heartily embraced by high-profile climate summits, world governments and the climate movement, as a central component of both the crisis and its solutions.
Jewish Women's Call for Peace: A Handbook for Jewish Women on the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict (Fire
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Media in the Press 20.1.11
POST-graduate journalism student, Orla Ni Sheaghdha, from Edinburgh Napier University reviews the media stories in today’s newspapers…
Reports the Daily Record (page 4), Trinity Mirror boss, Sly Bailey, has expressed concern over News Corporation being allowed to take full control of BSkyB. She is quoted as saying at the Oxford Media Convention: “Jeremy Hunt [Culture Secretary] thinks this deal won’t change anything. We need to educate him. This deal is bad news for our democracy.” The article also reports that broadcasting regulators, Ofcom, have handed Hunt a report into whether the deal raises public interest issues.
Elsewhere, concerns have been raised by BBC director-general, Mark Thompson over technological resources for free-to-air TV. Thompson is quoted in The Herald (page 3) – also speaking at yesterday’s Oxford Media Conference: “The universal delivery of high-quality free-to-air content faces immediate threat and a future which is by no means certain.” The Herald ends with a list of the innovations, according to Mr Thompson, brought about by the BBC’s research and development labs including Freeview, Freesat and the iPlayer.
Also in The Herald (page 4): Jeremy Hunt has unveiled plans for new local television channels. Firms interested in running the new TV channels are invited to register by March 1. A spokesperson for the Herald & Times Group is quoted as saying that the company is considering the proposals. Licences for local TV services will be issued before the end of next year and it is hope there will be between ten and 20 such TV services by 2015.
Sky is due to broadcast the Queen’s Christmas message in 2011 and 2012, according to this morning’s papers. The Scottish Sun reports (page 15) that Sky will join the BBC and ITN on a rota to produce the broadcast, which has been in place since 1997. Simon Cole, deputy head of Sky News is reported as saying it is a “great honour” to produce the broadcast in the years of two royal weddings and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Gail and Tommy Sheridan are also featured in the papers this morning. The Daily Record says (page 5) the pair are seeking an inquiry into how the BBC acquired CCTV footage of them being interviewed by police. Just before Christmas, in the immediate wake of Tommy Sheridan having been found guilty of perjury during his successful defamation case against the News of the World five years ago, BBC Scotland broadcast footage of each being interviewed by police.
The pair’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, is quoted in the article: “I am not aware of any warnings given to individuals when cautioned by the police that information given to them may be used in a future BBC documentary.” The Herald also reports on the story (page 5). It is stated that the couple are also making a formal complaint to broadcasting regulator, Ofcom.
And finally, the 85th anniversary of the invention of television is to be marked with a new online TV channel. The Daily Record (page 17) reports that URTV Helensborough, the birth place of TV inventor John Logie Baird, will be launched next week – as announced on allmediascotland. URTV chief Jo de Sylva is quoted in the piece: “We’ll provide news, views and entertainment to communities at a level most broadcasters can’t compete with.” The paper reports that it is the first of a network of local channels planned for towns across Britain.
By Administrator · January 20, 2011 · Comments Off
« STV and UTV in simulcast first
Council chief stands up for his corporate communications team »
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Home Who is Who Dr. Walter GEHR
Dr. Walter GEHR Chief, Counter-Terrorism Legal Services Section I, Terrorism Prevention Branch, Division for Treaty Affairs, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Vienna
1999-2002 President of the Assembly of States of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO). In December 2001, he was the first person to join the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) of the United Nations Security Council as an expert. He subsequently became the spokesperson of the CTC s expert team. Together with his colleagues, he assisted the CTC in monitoring the worldwide implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) which had been adopted shortly after the events of September 11th.
He is now Chief of the Legal Services Section I of the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna and carries out technical assistance missions.
In the last six years, he was Chairman of several regional workshops on international cooperation against terrorism and transnational organized crime (e.g. in Khartoum (Sudan), Helsinki (Finland), Praia (Cape Verde) and at the headquarters of the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna. He also chaired UNODC s Regional Workshop on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism which took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and in Minsk, Belarus, with the participation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the 1540 Committee of the UN Security Council.
He also led missions, inter alia, to Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria and Peru and provided inputs to the counter-terrorism efforts of the African Union, the European Union and of the G8. He also participated in visits carried out by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate in Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. He is also lecturer at the International School of Nuclear Law (ISNL) in Montpellier, France
International Nuclear Law Association (INLA)
La Convention sur les armes chimiques et le droit international - Annuaire Français de Droit International (together with W. Lang), 1992
La question de la responsabilité exclusive - la réponse de l Autriche - Nuclear Energy Agency (2000), Reform of Civil Nuclear Liability, Budapest Symposium 1999
Briefing to Member States on the preparation and submission of reports, 4 April 2002 (Website of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council, htttp://www.un.org/Docs/sc/committees/1373/gehr.html)
The Universal Legal Framework against Nuclear Terrorism, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Nuclear Law Bulletin No. 79, 2007
03: Global contracts, economic crisis and rebuilding trust
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Master of Arts in Practical Theology and Ministry
Students/Alumni
Joel Wilcox, PhD
jwilcox@barry.edu
Professor Joel Wilcox joined the Barry Faculty in 2004. He has a BA in Art History from the University of California at Irvine, an MA in Philosophy from the Johns Hopkins University, and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Wilcox wrote a dissertation in Greek philosophy that provided the basis for a book entitled The Origins of Epistemology in Early Greek Thought (Edwin Mellen Press, 1994). He specialized in Greek philosophy for many years, authoring papers such as "Barbarian Psyche in Heraclitus" (The Monist, October 1991) and "Whole-Natured Forms in Empedocles' Cosmic Cycle" (in Before Plato, SUNY Press, 2001).
For some time Dr. Wilcox's research has focused on topics in Asian philosophy and Environmental philosophy, due to the relevance of these areas to contemporary issues. Publications in these areas include "The Metaphysics of Tolerance" (in Religion and the Politics of War, Cambridge Scholars Press, 2006), "Sunyata and the Rights of Non-Humans" (Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion,October 2008) "Ghandian Nonviolence as a Response to Jihadist Terrorism" (in Politics, Pluralism and Religion, Cambridge Scholars Press, 2010), “Human Rights and the Environment” (in Perspectives on Value and Reality, Cambridge Scholars Press, 2013), and “Is Human Behavior Natural” (in Perspectives on Culture, Value and Justice, Cambridge Scholars Press, forthcoming 2015).
Dr. Wilcox has given dozens of presentations on topics in Aesthetics, Asian philosophy, Environmental philosophy and Greek philosophy. Some examples are “Is Human Behavior Natural” (Vaasa, Finland, 2014), “Human Rights and the Environment” (Barry University, 2011), “Aesthetic Experience on the Bold Coast: Finding a Middle Way Between Cognitivism and Formalism” (Frederickton, Canada, 2011), “Religion and Morality” (Davis and Elkins College, 2011), "Ecosystemic Health and Human Wellbeing” (Davis and Elkins College, 2010), "Sustainable Religion" (Portland, Maine, 2009), "Human Rights and the Environment" (Bethany College, 2007), "Virtue East and West: Confucian and Aristotelian Approaches to Morality" (Burlington, Vermont 2006), "Socrates and the Delphic Oracle" (New York City, 2003), "Duality and Discursive Thought" (University of Hawai'i, 1998) and "Phronesis in Aristotle's Political Theory" (Ierissos, Greece, 1994).
Dr. Wilcox has given dozens of presentations on topics in Asian philosophy, Environmental philosophy and Greek philosophy. Representative examples are "Ecosystemic Health and Human Wellbeing (Davis and Elkins College, 2010), "Sustainable Religion" (Portland, Maine, 2009), "Human Rights and the Environment" (Bethany College, 2007), "Virtue East and West: Confucian and Aristotelian Approaches to Morality" (Burlington, Vermont 2006), "Socrates and the Delphic Oracle" (New York City, 2003), "Duality and Discursive Thought" (University of Hawai'i, 1998) and "Phronesis in Aristotle's Political Theory" (Ierissos, Greece, 1994).
Allied Faculty
Barry University - College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Theology and Philosophy - Master of Arts in Practical Theology and Ministry
Email: theology@barry.edu
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Declining sense of ownership and lack of budget impedes Water Safety Plan progress in rural areas
Phub Gyem & Sonam Pem, Thimphu
Even today, over 400,000 people in rural areas do not have access to safe drinking water. This is because the government is facing challenges in implementing the water safety plan, due to lack of budget.
Water safety plan was implemented in 2006 in the country to create a sense of ownership. Water safety plan ensures safe supply of water right from the source till the consumer point. The plan has achieved 100 percent urban coverage but it is yet to reach more than 90 percent of the rural areas.
According to Rinchen Wangdi, Chief Engineer with Public Health Division, Ministry of Health, 100 percent coverage has been achieved in urban areas as the number is less.
“For rural areas due to more number, basically after building the capacity they will have to do it on their own”.
He added that over the years sense of ownership has also declined in the village level. “Our people tend to depend on the government even for a minor repair, for example to change the water tap. I think it is important to have such concept to inculcate the sense of ownership”.
The government also does not have money to conduct the water safety plan workshops to create awareness among the people. As a result, the communities don’t see immediate benefit of the plan. The regional level advocacy will begin as soon as the health ministry gets the fund.
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19, November 2018
Khashoggi Affair: Germany bans 18 Saudis from entering Schengen zone 0
Germany has imposed travel bans on 18 Saudi nationals suspected of having links to the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom’s diplomatic mission in Turkey’s Istanbul early last month.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas made the announcement on Monday, saying the 18 Saudi citizens had been banned from entering the country’s territory as well as Europe’s Schengen passport-free zone over Khashoggi’s killing.
“As before, there are more questions than answers in this case, with the crime itself and who is behind it,” Maas said on the sidelines of a European Union meeting in Brussels, adding that he had discussed the decision with his British and French counterparts prior to the announcement.
Berlin has “decided that Germany should impose an entry ban on 18 Saudi citizens, who are presumed to be in connection with this deed, in the Schengen information system,” Maas told reporters.
Mass’ office later announced that it could not release the names of those sanctioned Saudi nationals due to Germany’s privacy laws, but said the members of the 15-strong squad accused of carrying out the killing and a further three suspected of organizing the brutal act had been given entry bans.
The Schengen Area comprises 22 EU countries and four non-EU countries. Britain is not part of the passport-free Schengen zone but shares intelligence through Shengen Information System (SIS) for law enforcement purposes.
Germany has already imposed a ban on selling weapons to Riyadh until the circumstances of Khashoggi’s killing are fully cleared up.
The United States also imposed economic sanctions on 17 Saudi nationals last week, including suspected members of the alleged hit squad and senior advisers to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – who is alleged to have been involved in the killing of the 59-year-old critic.
US media reported on Saturday that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) believed with “high confidence” that the Saudi crown prince directly ordered the killing.
bin Salman ordered Khashoggi murder
Saudi Arabia is facing global criticism over Khashoggi’s killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.
Khashoggi, a prominent commentator on Saudi affairs who wrote for the Washington Post’s Global Opinions section, had lived in self-imposed exile in the US since September 2017, when he left Saudi Arabia over fears of the Riyadh regime’s crackdown on critical voices.
The 59-year-old was seeking to secure documentation for his forthcoming marriage when he entered the Saudi consulate, but never came out despite Riyadh’s initial claim that he exited the mission less than an hour after completing his paperwork.
The Saudi kingdom, after denying the murder for several days, finally admitted that Khashoggi had been killed in the consulate during an interrogation by rogue operatives that had gone wrong after diplomatic pressure grew tremendously on Riyadh to give an account on the mysterious fate of its national.
I’m choking: Khashoggi’s last words revealed
However, Saudi Arabia said that it did not know the whereabouts of Khashoggi’s body, which is widely believed to have been dismembered.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the assassination was ordered at the “highest levels” of the Saudi government, but stopped short of pointing the finger of blame at the crown prince.
Turkey wants the 15-man team that it says killed the journalist to be tried there.
Source: Presstv
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FDA approves Medtronic’s ‘artificial pancreas’ for diabetes
Home FDA approves Medtronic’s ‘artificial pancreas’ for diabetes
Medtronic Plc won U.S. approval on Wednesday for an “artificial pancreas” that is the first device to automatically deliver the right dose of insulin to patients with type 1 diabetes, freeing them from continually monitoring insulin levels throughout each day.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in its approval of the device, the MiniMed 670G, hailed it as a breakthrough.
The device offers type 1 diabetics “greater freedom to live their lives without having to consistently and manually monitor baseline glucose levels and administer insulin,” Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, director of the FDA’s medical device division, said in a statement.
Analysts said the FDA approved the device six months sooner than expected. However, it will not be available until the spring of 2017.
The MiniMed 670G is the first device that allows a glucose sensor to communicate with an insulin pump and automatically regulate the insulin flow. The device is approved for those aged 14 and older.
The device measures glucose levels every five minutes and automatically administers insulin as needed. Patients will still need to instruct the device to deliver extra insulin for meals and notify the device when they exercise – which lowers glucose levels.
About 1.25 million American children and adults have type 1 diabetes, a condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin – a hormone needed to obtain energy from food.
Patients take insulin injections at various times of the day. But blood sugar can drop to dangerously low levels if too much insulin circulates in the bloodstream, requiring patients to frequently or continually monitor their insulin levels throughout the entire day.
“This device will mean peace of mind, in knowing a person will be in normal blood sugar range a great majority of the time,” said Derek Rapp, chief executive officer of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which has spent $116 million on research in the artificial pancreas field.
Rapp, who has a college-age son with type 1 diabetes, said his son as a child had to be awakened many times each evening so his finger could be pricked for a blood sample, to ensure his blood sugar level was in an acceptable range. If too low, his son would be given fruit juice or a snack. If too high, he would be given insulin.
“It is a major news event that a system of this kind has been approved – the first time a pump will administer insulin as a result of information it receives from a sensor,” Rapp said.
The Medtronic device includes a coin-size sensor with a protruding needle that is slipped under the skin and continually monitors glucose levels. It is held in place with a sticky backing. The other main component is an insulin pump, often worn on the side of the abdomen, which has tubes that lead to a catheter that delivers the insulin.
Insulin pumps are currently used by more than a third of U.S. patients with type 1 diabetes, but they require manual adjustment to administer the needed insulin dose. Many patients also wear sensors that continually monitor their glucose levels.
Several insulin pump makers, including Johnson & Johnson , Tandem Diabetes Care Inc and Insulet Corp, are teaming up with sensor maker Dexcom Inc to develop devices like Medtronic’s but are several years behind, according to Jefferies analyst Raj Denhoy.
He said the Medtronic system is a big step for patients, but the Holy Grail would be a completely automatic artificial pancreas that does not need any intervention, including for meals or exercise. Such a product is probably at least five years away from development, he said.
Although Medtronic has not announced a price for the MiniMed 670G, Denhoy estimated it may cost $5,000 to $8,000, with the annual cost of disposable sensors another few thousand dollars.
(Editing by Bernard Orr and Leslie Adler)
Wed Sep 28, 2016
Source: http://www.reuters.com/
September 28, 2016 / Pharma News
Arena Pharmaceuticals Completes Enrollment in Ralinepag Phase 2 Clinical Trial for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
November 7 (Mon) – 8(Tue), 2016, The 42th Symposium on progress in organic reactions and syntheses
U.N. Calls Antibiotics in Food a Health Crisis on Par With AIDS
Ignorance, Bliss, and the Pharmaceutical Industry
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Cinepoetics – Center for Advanced Film Studies
Information about data transfer when using Google Search™
Cinepoetics Lectures
D. N. Rodowick
David N. Rodowick is Glen A. Lloyd Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago. Before that, he taught at the Yale University, the University of Rochester and at King’s College, University of London. He also was the Director of the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts at Harvard University.
David Rodowick is one of the internationally leading film philosophers and a central figure in the reception of the work of Gilles Deleuze. In addition, his special research interests include philosophical approaches to contemporary art and culture, the history of film theory, and the impact of new technologies on contemporary society. David Rodowick is also an experimental filmmaker, video artist, and curator.
The numerous seminal publications by Rodowick include Elegy for Theory (Harvard University Press, 2015), Philosophy’s Artful Conversation (Harvard University Press, 2015), The Virtual Life of Film (Harvard University Press, 2007) and Gilles Deleuze's Time Machine (Duke University Press, 1997). His newest book is called What Philosophy Wants from Images and will be published by University of Chicago Press in 2017.
For the Center for Advanced Film Studies Cinepoetics, the exchange with leading scholars from all over the world is of profound importance.
The fellow program is designed to support academics in their research on audio-visual images and enables them to bring their experience and expertise into the center in order to engage in critical dialogue.
The program is flexible in that it facilitates short-term collaborations as well as longer, project-oriented stays. In addition to inviting exceptional scholars (Senior Fellows) working in the field of research, project-specific calls for proposals explicitly address young academics (Research Fellows and Junior Fellows).
Furthermore, within the framework of selected project foci, the presence of Artists in Residence allows for productive debates with filmmakers and professional artists.
Former Fellows
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Justin Bieber performs on a balcony in Paris
Nothing can stop Bieber Fever — not even a glass wall the pop star walked into backstage during one of his concerts Thursday! The "Boyfriend" singer, 18, finished his performance before a Paris crowd, but passed out after he left the stage. TMZ reported that doctors cleared Bieber, but revealed that he suffered a concussion.
However, the Biebs appears to be feeling much better today! On Friday, he gave a mini-concert on the balcony of his record label's office in the romantic City of Light. Bieber, who invited Twitter followers to the performance ahead of time, sang songs like "Baby" and "One Time" with the help of a megaphone as fans watched. "Loved singing with all of you," Bieber wrote on Twitter after his set.
Following his balcony concert, Bieber headed to hang out with a couple of famous names. He tweeted, "about to meet up with big bro's @KanyeWest and @JayZ and WATCH THE THRONE here in PARIS! Then Im performing after...." The singer is touring Europe as he gears up for the release of his new album called — what else from a guy who calls his fans Beliebers? — Believe. The new collection of songs hits stores June 19, but you can pre-order it from Bieber's website as part of several packages being offered. Die-hard fans, for instance, can buy the limited edition platinum package that includes a deluxe version of the album, as well as a T-shirt, a poster, a bracelet, and a framed autographed photo for the bargain price of $120.
Bieber's travels to promote the album have already taken him to Norway. In Oslo, TMZ reported dozens of girls were injured and 14 were taken to the hospital for treatment after a crowd gathered for a free Bieber concert became out of control. He turned to his Twitter account to try and calm the crowd. "NORWAY - please listen to the police. I dont want anyone getting hurt," he wrote. "I want everything to go to plan but your safety must come first ... for the show to happen u must all listen to the police. we are all concerned for your safety and i want what is best for u. please listen." The Canadian heartthrob did eventually perform on Wednesday. His next scheduled show is June 9 at venue that can hold a whopping 90,000 people: London's Wembley Stadium.
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Selected WorksThumbnailsArtworksVideoBack
Red, 1981
Slideshow Thumbnails Back to Artworks
Astman, Barbara
Red Series, Untitled (badminton racquet), 1981
14 x 11 in. (36 x 28 cm)
Red Series, Untitled (banana and apple), 1981
4 x 3.9 ft. (1.2 x 1.19 m)
Red Series, Untitled (book and coffee mug), 1981
Red Series, Untitled (bottle and glass), 1981
Red Series, Untitled (box of cookie cutters), 1981
analogue colour print
Red Series, Untitled (hammer and trowel), 1981
Red Series, untitled (paint roller and tray), 1981
Red Series, Untitled (picture frame), 1981
Red Series, Untitled (ping pong paddle), 1981
Red Series, Untitled (red pencil), 1981
Red Series, Untitled (telephone and coffee mug), 1981
Red Series, Untitled (watering the pineapple), 1981
Red Series, Untitled (table fan), 1981
Red series, Untitled (mouth), Red, 1981
10 x 8 in. (25 x 20 cm)
Barbara Astman, Red series, 1981
The Red series represents a visual breakthrough on several levels: symbology, content and form. In this iconic series, Astman is again posed frontally. This time she is amidst a carefully balanced composition of household objects, each has been spray-painted red. As the background objects suspend midair, they assume something more than their original mundane functionality.
Barbara composes her series using a saturated quality of red, imbuing her objects with a variety of connotations ranging from playful to vaguely threatening. Using a fluorescent light, her skin acts as a cool surface. The result creates an unusual resonance that transforms the photographic medium into something that recalls a painting.
The use of text has been eliminated from these ektacolour murals. Without words one cannot be certain of their own individual interpretations of the piece. Nevertheless, the Red series evoked a strong response. Some viewers felt that the work had feminist overtones, while others simply enjoyed the graphics, and associations made with the colour red.
Biography CV Exhibitions Press
BARBARA ASTMAN belongs to a visionary group of artists who have continued to radicalize visual culture since the early 1970s by defining new ways of seeing. Over four decades, she has explored a wide range of photo-based media and produced work that has received national and international recognition. She is represented in important public, corporate and private collections including the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris; Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto; Deutche Bank, New York; and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Her artist’s archives are held in the E.P. Taylor Research Library & Archives, AGO.
Astman has an extensive and prestigious solo exhibition history, most recently the two-part Looking: Then and Now (Corkin Gallery, 2016) and BarbaraAstman: I as artifact. The latter featured a new series accompanied by a comprehensive publication (McIntosh Gallery, 2014). In May 2011, her installation, Dancing with Che: Enter through the Gift Shop (Kelowna Art Gallery, 2013) toured across Canada. And her touring retrospective, Barbara Astman: Personal/Persona – A 20 Year Survey, was curated by Liz Wylie (Art Gallery of Hamilton, 1995). Astman has been included in major group exhibitions, such as: Toronto: Tributes + Tributaries, 1971-1989 (AGO, 2016), Living Building Thinking: Art and Expressionism (McMaster Museum of Art, 2016), Look Again: Colour Xerography Art Meets Technology (AGO, 2015), Herland (60 Wall Gallery, New York, 2014), Light My Fire Part I: Some Propositions about Portraits and Photography (AGO, 2013), and Beautiful Fictions (AGO, 2009). Canadian Art featured a profile of her career in its Spring 2014 issue.
Astman was commissioned to create an installation for the inaugural exhibition at the Koffler Gallery (Toronto, 2013). She has completed several public art commissions, including the Murano on Bay in Toronto, comprised of 217 windows with photo-based imagery (2010); a public art installation for the Canadian Embassy in Berlin, Germany (2005); and a floor installation for the Calgary Winter Olympics (1987).
Active in the Toronto arts community, Astman has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including the AGO Board of Trustees (2009-2013). Currently, she is the Chair of the Art Advisory Committee, Koffler Gallery, Toronto and President, Board of Directors, Prefix (ICA) Institute of Contemporary Art, Toronto. In addition, she has co-curated an installation titled The Emergence of Feminism: Changing the Course of Art, featuring work by Joyce Wieland, Suzy Lake and Lisa Steele (AGO, 2008).
Astman holds degrees from the Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Craftsmen, and Ontario College of Art. She has been a professor at OCAD University, Toronto since 2001.
Text by Georgiana Uhlyarik, Fredrik S. Eaton Curator of Canadian Art, AGO. For more information, please visit www.barbaraastman.com.
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2005 Hall of Fame Inductee
Luke 'Leon' Coffee
Luke “Leon” Coffee - Biography
World-famous Rodeo Clown, Leon Coffee has a list of accomplishments that continues to grow. A United States Army veteran, bullfighter, and "man in the can," the lifetime gold card member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), (joined in 1973) has TV, rodeo commentary, documentaries, color commentaries, commercials, and even movies (including 8 Seconds, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys and Jericho, 2001) to his credit. He has been featured in print and on the covers of many leading newspapers and magazines. He has worked the National Finals Rodeo in four different decades, two different centuries, and two different millenniums with his familiar green hat and happy face. A mule act has also captured the attention of thousands.
Coffee has delighted crowds and helped protect contesting cowboys for over 30 years. He has repeatedly been selected as a barrel man and bullfighter for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, NV. Leon Coffee was named PRCA Clown of the Year in 1983 and has continued to be honored for his humor by being one of the top three candidates for Clown of the Year from 1984-2001. In February 2004, Leon was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Belton, Texas, for his more than thirty (30) years of service to the rodeo industry. Coffee has participated in major annual rodeos throughout Texas. He was selected as the barrel man for the inaugural Pace Championship event in Las Vegas, NV, in 2000. Coffee celebrated his 25th year of participating in Nampa, Idaho’s 90th Annual Snake River Stamped in July 2005. He has also performed at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, that has earned the nickname as the “Daddy of ‘em All”. Some of Leon’s additional achievements are: Lone Star Circuit Finals Rodeo bullfighter 1980, '82; USSTC Cup Finale (Dallas) barrel man 2001-02; Pace Classic (Dallas) barrel man 2003; USSTC Cup Finale (Las Vegas) barrel man 2000; Wrangler Bullfight Tour Finals barrel man 1999; and Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo 1980-82, '92, '96, '97.
With all the traveling he has done since 1977, Leon Coffee still makes time to visit the children's wards at local hospitals as he works the rodeos across the country. He has participated in the Adirondack Stampede Charity Rodeo (ASCR) in Glen Falls, NY, where the majority of the proceeds from the ASCR are donated to charities to help kids and families in the Glen Falls area. When asked about his career, this Blanco, Texas, native, famed rodeo clown, bullfighter and barrel man says “I wouldn’t trade what I’ve done for a million dollars…”
Born: October 11, 1954 in Blanco, Texas
NFR: (5) 1979, '84, '91, '94, '97 (alternate 1983, '93, '98)
Family: Wife, Traci, Daughters, Leigh Ann, Brandy Lynn; Son, Luke Anthony
Other Occupation: Horse trainer, farrier
Special Interests: Karate, fishing, hunting, tie-down roping, bulldogging
Specialty Acts: mule act called Hippie Motorcycle
Style of Dress: green hat, multi-colored shirt, Wrangler baggies
PRCA Membership: 1973
Back to the Hall of Fame
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Sign up for our Email Newsletter.
Copyright © 2008, National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame,
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© 2018 National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum - 2029 North Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76164
Phone: (817) 534-8801 -|- Email: info@cowboysofcolor.org
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Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration
of October 31, 1958,
as revised at Stockholm on July 14, 1967,
and as amended on September 28, 1979
[Establishment of a Special Union; Protection of Appellations of Origin Registered at the International Bureau]
Articles have been given titles to facilitate their identification. There are no titles in the signed French text.
The countries to which this Agreement applies constitute a Special Union within the framework of the Union for the Protection of Industrial Property.
They undertake to protect on their territories, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the appellations of origin of products of the other countries of the Special Union, recognized and protected as such in the country of origin and registered at the International Bureau of Intellectual Property (hereinafter designated as "the International Bureau" or "the Bureau") referred to in the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (hereinafter designated as "the Organization").
[Definition of Notions of Appellation of Origin and Country of Origin]
In this Agreement, "appellation of origin" means the geographical name of a country, region, or locality, which serves to designate a product originating therein, the quality and characteristics of which are due exclusively or essentially to the geographical environment, including natural and human factors.
The country of origin is the country whose name, or the country in which is situated the region or locality whose name, constitutes the appellation of origin which has given the product its reputation.
[Content of Protection]
Protection shall be ensured against any usurpation or imitation, even if the true origin of the product is indicated or if the appellation is used in translated form or accompanied by terms such as "kind," "type," "make," "imitation," or the like.
[Protection by virtue of Other Texts]
The provisions of this Agreement shall in no way exclude the protection already granted to appellations of origin in each of the countries of the Special Union by virtue of other international instruments, such as the Paris Convention of March 20, 1883, for the Protection of Industrial Property and its subsequent revisions, and the Madrid Agreement of April 14, 1891, for the Repression of False or Deceptive Indications of Source on Goods and its subsequent revisions, or by virtue of national legislation or court decisions.
[International Registration; Refusal and Opposition to Refusal; Notifications; Use Tolerated for a Fixed Period]
The registration of appellations of origin shall be effected at the International Bureau, at the request of the Offices of the countries of the Special Union, in the name of any natural persons or legal entities, public or private, having, according to their national legislation, a right to use such appellations.
The International Bureau shall, without delay, notify the Offices of the various countries of the Special Union of such registrations, and shall publish them in a periodical.
The Office of any country may declare that it cannot ensure the protection of an appellation of origin whose registration has been notified to it, but only in so far as its declaration is notified to the International Bureau, together with an indication of the grounds therefor, within a period of one year from the receipt of the notification of registration, and provided that such declaration is not detrimental, in the country concerned, to the other forms of protection of the appellation which the owner thereof may be entitled to claim under Article 4, above.
Such declaration may not be opposed by the Offices of the countries of the Union after the expiration of the period of one year provided for in the foregoing paragraph.
The International Bureau shall, as soon as possible, notify the Office of the country of origin of any declaration made under the terms of paragraph (3) by the Office of another country. The interested party, when informed by his national Office of the declaration made by another country, may resort, in that other country, to all the judicial and administrative remedies open to the nationals of that country.
If an appellation which has been granted protection in a given country pursuant to notification of its international registration has already been used by third parties in that country from a date prior to such notification, the competent Office of the said country shall have the right to grant to such third parties a period not exceeding two years to terminate such use, on condition that it advise the International Bureau accordingly during the three months following the expiration of the period of one year provided for in paragraph (3), above.
[Generic Appellations]
An appellation which has been granted protection in one of the countries of the Special Union pursuant to the procedure under Article 5 cannot, in that country, be deemed to have become generic, as long as it is protected as an appellation of origin in the country of origin.
[Period of Validity of Registration; Fee]
Registration effected at the International Bureau in conformity with Article 5 shall ensure, without renewal, protection for the whole of the period referred to in the foregoing Article.
A single fee shall be paid for the registration of each appellation of origin.
[Legal Proceedings]
Legal action required for ensuring the protection of appellations of origin may be taken in each of the countries of the Special Union under the provisions of the national legislation:
at the instance of the competent Office or at the request of the public prosecutor;
by any interested party, whether a natural person or a legal entity, whether public or private.
[Assembly of the Special Union]
The Special Union shall have an Assembly consisting of those countries which have ratified or acceded to this Act.
The Government of each country shall be represented by one delegate, who may be assisted by alternate delegates, advisors, and experts.
The expenses of each delegation shall be borne by the Government which has appointed it.
The Assembly shall:
deal with all matters concerning the maintenance and development of the Special Union and the implementation of this Agreement;
give directions to the International Bureau concerning the preparation for conferences of revision, due account being taken of any comments made by those countries of the Special Union which have not ratified or acceded to this Act;
modify the Regulations, including the fixation of the amount of the fee referred to in Article 7(2) and other fees relating to international registration;
(iv)
review and approve the reports and activities of the Director General of the Organization (hereinafter designated as "the Director General") concerning the Special Union, and give him all necessary instructions concerning matters within the competence of the Special Union;
determine the program and adopt the biennial budget of the Special Union, and approve its final accounts;
adopt the financial regulations of the Special Union;
establish such committees of experts and working groups as it may deem necessary to achieve the objectives of the Special Union;
(viii)
determine which countries not members of the Special Union and which intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations shall be admitted to its meetings as observers;
(ix)
adopt amendments to Article 9 to Article 12;
take any other appropriate action designed to further the objectives of the Special Union;
(xi)
perform such other functions as are appropriate under this Agreement.
With respect to matters which are of interest also to other Unions administered by the Organization, the Assembly shall make its decisions after having heard the advice of the Coordination Committee of the Organization.
Each country member of the Assembly shall have one vote.
One-half of the countries members of the Assembly shall constitute a quorum.
Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (b), if, in any session, the number of countries represented is less than one-half but equal to or more than one-third of the countries members of the Assembly, the Assembly may make decisions but, with the exception of decisions concerning its own procedure, all such decisions shall take effect only if the conditions set forth hereinafter are fulfilled. The International Bureau shall communicate the said decisions to the countries members of the Assembly which were not represented and shall invite them to express in writing their vote or abstention within a period of three months from the date of the communication. If, at the expiration of this period, the number of countries having thus expressed their vote or abstention attains the number of countries which was lacking for attaining the quorum in the session itself, such decisions shall take effect provided that at the same time the required majority still obtains.
Subject to the provisions of Article 12(2), the decisions of the Assembly shall require two-thirds of the votes cast.
Abstentions shall not be considered as votes.
A delegate may represent, and vote in the name of, one country only.
Countries of the Special Union not members of the Assembly shall be admitted to the meetings of the latter as observers.
The Assembly shall meet once in every second calendar year in ordinary session upon convocation by the Director General and, in the absence of exceptional circumstances, during the same period and at the same place as the General Assembly of the Organization.
The Assembly shall meet in extraordinary session upon convocation by the Director General, at the request of one-fourth of the countries members of the Assembly.
The agenda of each session shall be prepared by the Director General.
The Assembly shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
[International Bureau]
International registration and related duties, as well as all other administrative tasks concerning the Special Union, shall be performed by the International Bureau.
In particular, the International Bureau shall prepare the meetings and provide the secretariat of the Assembly and of such committees of experts and working groups as may have been established by the Assembly.
The Director General shall be the chief executive of the Special Union and shall represent the Special Union.
The Director General and any staff member designated by him shall participate, without the right to vote, in all meetings of the Assembly and of such committees of experts or working groups as may have been established by the Assembly. The Director General, or a staff member designated by him, shall be ex officio secretary of those bodies.
The International Bureau shall, in accordance with the directions of the Assembly, make the preparations for the conferences of revision of the provisions of the Agreement other than Article 9 to Article 12.
The International Bureau may consult with intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations concerning preparations for conferences of revision.
The Director General and persons designated by him shall take part, without the right to vote, in the discussions at those conferences.
The International Bureau shall carry out any other tasks assigned to it.
[Finances]
The Special Union shall have a budget.
The budget of the Special Union shall include the income and expenses proper to the Special Union, its contribution to the budget of expenses common to the Unions, and, where applicable, the sum made available to the budget of the Conference of the Organization.
Expenses not attributable exclusively to the Special Union but also to one or more other Unions administered by the Organization shall be considered as expenses common to the Unions. The share of the Special Union in such common expenses shall be in proportion to the interest the Special Union has in them.
The budget of the Special Union shall be established with due regard to the requirements of coordination with the budgets of the other Unions administered by the Organization.
The budget of the Special Union shall be financed from the following sources:
international registration fees collected under Article 7(2) and other fees and charges due for other services rendered by the International Bureau in relation to the Special Union;
sale of, or royalties on, the publications of the International Bureau concerning the Special Union;
gifts, bequests, and subventions;
rents, interests, and other miscellaneous income;
contributions of the countries of the Special Union, if and to the extent to which receipts from the sources indicated in items (i) to (iv) do not suffice to cover the expenses of the Special Union.
The amount of the fee referred to in Article 7(2) shall be fixed by the Assembly on the proposal of the Director General.
The amount of the said fee shall be so fixed that the revenue of the Special Union should, under normal circumstances, be sufficient to cover the expenses of the International Bureau for maintaining the international registration service, without requiring payment of the contributions referred to in paragraph (3)(v), above.
For the purpose of establishing its contribution referred to in paragraph (3)(v), each country of the Special Union shall belong to the same class as it belongs to in the Paris Union for the Protection of Industrial Property, and shall pay its annual contributions on the basis of the same number of units as is fixed for that class in that Union.
The annual contribution of each country of the Special Union shall be an amount in the same proportion to the total sum to be contributed to the budget of the Special Union by all countries as the number of its units is to the total of the units of all contributing countries.
The date on which contributions are to be paid shall be fixed by the Assembly.
A country which is in arrears in the payment of its contributions may not exercise its right to vote in any of the organs of the Special Union if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding two full years. However, any organ of the Union may allow such a country to continue to exercise its right to vote in that organ if, and as long as, it is satisfied that the delay in payment is due to exceptional and unavoidable circumstances.
If the budget is not adopted before the beginning of a new financial period, it shall be at the same level as the budget of the previous year, as provided in the financial regulations.
Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4)(a), the amount of fees and charges due for other services rendered by the International Bureau in relation to the Special Union shall be established, and shall be reported to the Assembly, by the Director General.
The Special Union shall have a working capital fund which shall be constituted by a single payment made by each country of the Special Union. If the fund becomes insufficient, the Assembly shall decide to increase it.
The amount of the initial payment of each country to the said fund or of its participation in the increase thereof shall be a proportion of the contribution of that country as a member of the Paris Union for the Protection of Industrial Property to the budget of the said Union for the year in which the fund is established or the decision to increase it is made.
The proportion and the terms of payment shall be fixed by the Assembly on the proposal of the Director General and after it has heard the advice of the Coordination Committee of the Organization.
In the headquarters agreement concluded with the country on the territory of which the Organization has its headquarters, it shall be provided that, whenever the working capital fund is insufficient, such country shall grant advances. The amount of those advances and the conditions on which they are granted shall be the subject of separate agreements, in each case, between such country and the Organization.
The country referred to in subparagraph (a) and the Organization shall each have the right to denounce the obligation to grant advances, by written notification. Denunciation shall take effect three years after the end of the year in which it has been notified.
The auditing of the accounts shall be effected by one or more of the countries of the Special Union or by external auditors, as provided in the financial regulations. They shall be designated, with their agreement, by the Assembly.
[Amendment of Article 9 to Article 12]
Proposals for the amendment of Article 9, Article 10, Article 11, and the present Article, may be initiated by any country member of the Assembly, or by the Director General. Such proposals shall be communicated by the Director General to the member countries of the Assembly at least six months in advance of their consideration by the Assembly.
Amendments to the Articles referred to in paragraph (1) shall be adopted by the Assembly. Adoption shall require three-fourths of the votes cast, provided that any amendment to Article 9, and to the present paragraph, shall require four-fifths of the votes cast.
Any amendment to the Articles referred to in paragraph (1) shall enter into force one month after written notifications of acceptance, effected in accordance with their respective constitutional processes, have been received by the Director General from three-fourths of the countries members of the Assembly at the time it adopted the amendment. Any amendment to the said Articles thus accepted shall bind all the countries which are members of the Assembly at the time the amendment enters into force, or which become members thereof at a subsequent date, provided that any amendment increasing the financial obligations of countries of the Special Union shall bind only those countries which have notified their acceptance of such amendment.
[Regulations; Revision]
The details for carrying out this Agreement are fixed in the Regulations.
This Agreement may be revised by conferences held between the delegates of the countries of the Special Union.
[Ratification and Accession; Entry into Force; Reference to Article 24 of Paris Convention (Territories); Accession to the Original Act of 1958]
Any country of the Special Union which has signed this Act may ratify it, and, if it has not signed it, may accede to it.
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Any country outside the Special Union which is party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property may accede to this Act and thereby become a member of the Special Union.
Notification of accession shall, of itself, ensure, in the territory of the acceding country, the benefits of the foregoing provisions to appellations of origin which, at the time of accession, are the subject of international registration.
However, any country acceding to this Agreement may, within a period of one year, declare in regard to which appellations of origin, already registered at the International Bureau, it wishes to exercise the right provided for in Article 5(3).
Instruments of ratification and accession shall be deposited with the Director General.
The provisions of Article 24 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property shall apply to this Agreement.
With respect to the first five countries which have deposited their instruments of ratification or accession, this Act shall enter into force three months after the deposit of the fifth such instrument.
With respect to any other country, this Act shall enter into force three months after the date on which its ratification or accession has been notified by the Director General, unless a subsequent date has been indicated in the instrument of ratification or accession. In the latter case, this Act shall enter into force with respect to that country on the date thus indicated.
Ratification or accession shall automatically entail acceptance of all the clauses and admission to all the advantages of this Act.
After the entry into force of this Act, a country may accede to the original Act of October 31, 1958, of this Agreement only in conjunction with ratification of, or accession to, this Act.
[Duration of the Agreement; Denunciation]
This Agreement shall remain in force as long as five countries at least are party to it.
Any country may denounce this Act by notification addressed to the Director General. Such denunciation shall constitute also denunciation of the original Act of October 31, 1958, of this Agreement and shall affect only the country making it, the Agreement remaining in full force and effect as regards the other countries of the Special Union.
Denunciation shall take effect one year after the day on which the Director General has received the notification.
The right of denunciation provided for by this Article shall not be exercised by any country before the expiration of five years from the date upon which it becomes a member of the Special Union.
[Application of the Original Act of 1958]
This Act shall, as regards the relations between the countries of the Special Union by which it has been ratified or acceded to, replace the original Act of October 31, 1958.
However, any country of the Special Union which has ratified or acceded to this Act shall be bound by the original Act of October 31, 1958, as regards its relations with countries of the Special Union which have not ratified or acceded to this Act.
Countries outside the Special Union which become party to this Act shall apply it to international registrations of appellations of origin effected at the International Bureau at the request of the Office of any country of the Special Union not party to this Act, provided that such registrations satisfy, with respect to the said countries, the requirements of this Act. With regard to international registrations effected at the International Bureau at the request of the Offices of the said countries outside the Special Union which become party to this Act, such countries recognize that the aforesaid country of the Special Union may demand compliance with the requirements of the original Act of October 31, 1958.
[Signature, Languages, Depositary Functions]
This Act shall be signed in a single copy in the French language and shall be deposited with the Government of Sweden.
Official texts shall be established by the Director General, after consultation with the interested Governments, in such other languages as the Assembly may designate.
This Act shall remain open for signature at Stockholm until January 13, 1968.
The Director General shall transmit two copies, certified by the Government of Sweden, of the signed text of this Act to the Governments of all countries of the Special Union and, on request, to the Government of any other country.
The Director General shall register this Act with the Secretariat of the United Nations.
The Director General shall notify the Governments of all countries of the Special Union of signatures, deposits of instruments of ratification or accession, entry into force of any provisions of this Act, denunciations, and declarations pursuant to Article 14(2)(c) and Article 14(4).
[Transitional Provisions]
Until the first Director General assumes office, references in this Act to the International Bureau of the Organization or to the Director General shall be construed as references to the Bureau of the Union established by the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property or its Director, respectively.
Countries of the Special Union not having ratified or acceded to this Act may, until five years after the entry into force of the Convention establishing the Organization, exercise, if they so desire, the rights provided for under Article 9 to Article 12 of this Act as if they were bound by those Articles. Any country desiring to exercise such rights shall give written notification to that effect to the Director General; such notification shall be effective from the date of its receipt. Such countries shall be deemed to be members of the Assembly until the expiration of the said period.
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KUMBHA POLICE & POTLIWALA(PB)ENGLISH
Harish Kumar, an IPS officer, was born on 10th November, 1959, in a village named Janish Nagar, which is purely a rural environmental area at Thana Ajitmal, Tehsil Auraiya, District Etawah (now in Tehsil Ajitmal and Distt Auraiya). His father Mr. Jagannath Prasad, was serving in The Animal Husbandry Department. His mother Mrs. Bhagwati Devi was a house wife. Like the other mothers she was among his biggest well wishers. Mr. Harish Kumar received his primary education up to class 7 from Kashi Market, District Kanpur. Passed Intermediate and Graduation examination from Ajitmal degree college and received a Masters degree in political science from Christ Church College, Kanpur. Studying at the Foolbagh Public Library (Kanpur) and 'BBC, London' had special contribution and impact in his life. He has been engaged in the Reserve Bank of India at the post of Coin note Tester for about 5 years in Kanpur.
HARISH KUMAR
DPB code
Harish Kumar, an IPS officer, was born on 10th November, 1959, in a village named Janish Nagar, which is purely a rural environmental area at Thana Ajitmal, Tehsil Auraiya, District Etawah (now in Tehsil Ajitmal and Distt Auraiya). His father Mr. Jagannath Prasad, was serving in The Animal Husbandry Department. His mother Mrs. Bhagwati Devi was a house wife. Like the other mothers she was among his biggest well wishers. Mr. Harish Kumar received his primary education up to class 7 from Kashi Market, District Kanpur. Passed Intermediate and Graduation examination from Ajitmal degree college and received a Masters degree in political science from Christ Church College, Kanpur. Studying at the Foolbagh Public Library (Kanpur) and 'BBC, London' had special contribution and impact in his life. He has been engaged in the Reserve Bank of India at the post of Coin note Tester for about 5 years in Kanpur. At the same time he was preparing for PCS exams and was posted to the Labour Commissioner's office in Kanpur on the post of Assistant Labour commissioner. Mr. Harish cracked PPS cadre exam from Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission in the year 1986 batch and in the Police department served the posts of an upper police superintendent at Jalaun, Kanpur, and Bijnor. At Lucknow, Banaras and Kanpur as the STF, CBCID, PAC. In December, 2012 he was promoted in Indian Police Services (IPS). He served the posts of police superintendent at the DPC Gorakhpur, Police Academy Moradabad, police superintendent and in DG office, Superintendent, Human Rights, Unnao. Currently DIG/Superintendent of Police, District-Unnao.
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calories in syrups
syrups nutrition facts
protein in syrups
carbs in syrups
fat in syrups
sugar in syrups
sodium in syrups
potassium in syrups
saturated fat in syrups
cholesterol in syrups
magnesium in syrups
iron in syrups
fiber in syrups
calcium in syrups
zinc in syrups
vitamin a in syrups
vitamin c in syrups
vitamin d in syrups
vitamin k in syrups
vitamin b12 in syrups
vitamin b6 in syrups
folic acid in syrups
phosphorus in syrups
niacin in syrups
thiamine in syrups
Home / Nutrition / Riboflavin / syrups
Amount of Riboflavin in Syrups
Welcome to the nutritional riboflavin content in 17 different types of syrups, ranging from 1.27 mg to 0 mg per 100g. The basic type of syrups is Syrups, malt, where the amount of riboflavin in 100g is 0.393 mg.
0.393 mg of riboflavin per 100g, from Syrups, malt corresponds to % of the riboflavin RDA. For a typical serving size of 1 cup (or 332 g) the amount of Riboflavin is 1.3 mg. This corresponds to an RDA percentage of %.
The percentage of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for riboflavin is based on a 1.7 mg RDA level for a mature adult.
Top ten syrups products high in riboflavin
Below is a summary list for the top ten syrups items ranked by the amount or level of riboflavin in 100g.
1. Syrups, maple : 1.27mg
2. Syrups, malt : 0.393mg
3. Syrups, sorghum : 0.155mg
4. Syrups, chocolate, fudge-type : 0.091mg
5. Syrups, table blends, corn, refiner, and sugar : 0.047mg
6. Syrups, chocolate, HERSHEY'S Genuine Chocolate Flavored Lite Syrup : 0.04mg
7. Syrups, corn, high-fructose : 0.019mg
8. Syrups, table blends, pancake, with 2% maple : 0.017mg
9. Syrups, table blends, pancake, with 2% maple, with added potassium : 0.017mg
10. Syrups, table blends, cane and 15% maple : 0.014mg
Following on from the ten top syrups items or products containing riboflavin we have a more comprehensive break down of Syrups, malt, and the highest item containing riboflavin which is Syrups, maple. We also give a comparison of average values, median values and lowest values along with a comparison with other food groups and assess the effects of storage and preparation on the 17 types of syrups.
At the bottom of the page is the full list for the 17 different types of syrups based on the content in different servings in grams and oz (and other serving sizes), providing a comprehensive analysis of the riboflavin content in syrups.
Syrups, malt - Nutritional Content and Chart
The full nutrition content, RDA percentages and levels for Syrups, malt should be considered along with the riboflavin content. This food profile is part of our list of food and drinks under the general group Sweets.Other important and riboflavin related nutrients are Calories, Protein, Fat and Carbohydrate. For this 100g serving in your diet, the amount of Calories is 318 kcal (16% RDA), the amount of Protein is 6.2 g (11% RDA), the amount of Fat is 0 g and the amount of Carbohydrate is 71.3 g (55% RDA). The nutritional content and facts for 100g, which includes Calories, Protein, Fat and Carbohydrate is shown in the RDA chart below as percentages of the recommended daily allowance along with the riboflavin levels in syrups.
Our proprietary nutritional density score gives a nutritional value out of 100 based on 9 different vitamins, minerals and macro nutrients. Syrups, malt has a nutritional value score of 13 out of 100.
Amount of riboflavin per 100 Calories
100 calories of syrups, malt is a serving size of 0.31 g, and the amount of Riboflavin is 0.12 mg. Other important and related nutrients and macronutrients such as Fat, in 100 Calories are as follows; Protein 1.95 g (3.46% RDA), Fat 0 g (0% RDA), Carbohydrate 22.42 g (17.3% RDA). This is shown in the riboflavin RDA percentage chart below, based on 100 Calories, along with the other important nutrients and macro nutrients.
Content per Typical Serving Size 1 cup (or 332 g)
For the food Syrups, malt the typical serving size is 1 cup (or 332 g) which contains 1.3 mg of Riboflavin. In terms of the gram weight and total content for this serving the Calories content is 1055.76 kcal, the Protein content is 20.58 g, the Fat content is 0 g and the Carbohydrate content is 236.72 g. The percentages are shown below in the riboflavin chart, for the typical serving of riboflavin and the related and important nutritional values.
Macronutrients in Syrups, malt
The amount of protein, fat and carbs from this food described above is measured in grams per 100g and grams in a typical serving size (in this case 1 cup or 332 g), although it is also useful to give the number of calories from protein, fat and carbohydrate which are the most important macronutrients. For this serving in your diet here are the macronutrient calories. From protein the number of calories is 79.6 (kcal).The number of calories from Fat is 0.0 (kcal).The total calories from carbohydrate is 975.3 (kcal).
Milligrams of riboflavin in syrups (per 100g)
This list of 17 types of syrups, is brought to you by www.dietandfitnesstoday.com and ranges from Syrups, maple through to Syrups, dietetic where all food items are ranked by the content or amount per 100g. The nutritional riboflavin content can be scaled by the amount in grams, oz or typical serving sizes. Simply click on a food item or beverage from the list at the bottom of the page to give a full dietary nutritional breakdown to answer the question how much riboflavin in syrups.
The list below gives the total riboflavin content in the 17 items from the general description 'syrups' each of which show the riboflavin amount as well as Calories, Protein, Fat and Carbohydrate. Below, is the top 17 food items shown in the riboflavin chart. This gives a quick and easy dietary comparison for the different items, where each item is listed at the bottom of the page with a nutritional summary.
The corresponding nutritional value for syrups based on our density score out of 100 (ranked by the amount of riboflavin per 100g) is shown in the below nutritional density chart.
The corresponding Calories for syrups ranked by the amount of riboflavin per 100g is shown below in the syrups calories chart.
Average Content for syrups
The average (or more correctly the arithmetic mean) amount of riboflavin contained in 100g of syrups, based on the list below of 17 different items under the general description of syrups, is 0.12 mg of riboflavin. The averages for the different nutrients are as follows; the average amount of Calories is 255.94 kcal, the average amount of Protein is 0.77 g, the average amount of Fat is 0.71 g and the average amount of Carbohydrate is g.
The median value of Riboflavin is found in Syrups, table blends, pancake, with 2% maple, with added potassium which in 100g contains 0.017 mg of Riboflavin. For this serving the amount of Calories is 265 kcal, the amount of Protein is 0 g, the amount of Fat is 0.1 g and the amount of Carbohydrate is 69.6 g.
Highest riboflavin Content per 100g
Using the list below for the 17 different syrups nutrition entries in our database, the highest amount of riboflavin is found in Syrups, maple which contains 1.27 mg of riboflavin per 100g. The associated percentage of RDA is %. For this 100g serving the Calories content is 260 kcal, the Protein content is 0.04 g, the Fat content is 0.06 g, the Carbohydrate content is 67.04 g.
The lowest amount of riboflavin in 100g is in Syrups, dietetic which contains 0 mg. This gives as percentage of the recommended daily allowance % of the RDA. For this 100g serving the amount of Calories is 40 kcal, the amount of Protein is 0.8 g, the amount of Fat is 0 g, the amount of Carbohydrate is 49.2 g.
The difference between the highest and lowest values gives a riboflavin range of 1.27 mg per 100g. The range for the other nutrients are as follows; 220 kcal for Calories, 0.76 g for Protein, 0.06 g for Fat, 0 g for Carbohydrate.
Highest Amount of riboflavin per Serving
Please remember that the above gives an accurate value in 100g for high riboflavin foods in your diet. For example 100g of Syrups, malt contains 0.393 mg of riboflavin. However, there are other factors to consider when you are assessing your nutritional requirements. You should also take into account portion sizes when you are considering the riboflavin nutritional content.
The food with the highest riboflavin content per typical serving is Syrups, maple which contains 4 mg in 1 cup (or 315 g). For this serving the Calories content is 819 kcal, the Protein content is 0.13 g, the Fat content is 0.19 g and the Carbohydrate content is 211.18 g.
From the list below you can find a full nutrition facts breakdown for all foods containing riboflavin which can be scaled for different servings and quantities. We have also sorted our complete nutritional information and vitamin database of over 7000 foods, to give a list of riboflavin rich foods.
Syrups List, riboflavin Content per 100g
1. Syrups, maple - Riboflavin
1.27 mg 260 kcal (13%) 67.04 g (52%) 0.06 g (0%) 0.04 g (0%)
4 mg 819 kcal (41%) 211.18 g (162%) 0.19 g (0%) 0.13 g (0%)
0.25 mg 52 kcal (3%) 13.41 g (10%) 0.01 g (0%) 0.01 g (0%)
2. Syrups, malt - Riboflavin
Riboflavin Calories Carbohydrate Fat Protein
0.393 mg 318 kcal (16%) 71.3 g (55%) 0 g (0%) 6.2 g (11%)
1.3 mg 1055.76 kcal (53%) 236.72 g (182%) 0 g (0%) 20.58 g (37%)
0.08 mg 66.78 kcal (3%) 14.97 g (12%) 0 g (0%) 1.3 g (2%)
3. Syrups, sorghum - Riboflavin
0.155 mg 290 kcal (15%) 74.9 g (58%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0.51 mg 957 kcal (48%) 247.17 g (190%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0.03 mg 60.9 kcal (3%) 15.73 g (12%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
4. Syrups, chocolate, fudge-type - Riboflavin
0.091 mg 350 kcal (18%) 62.9 g (48%) 8.9 g (14%) 4.6 g (8%)
0.28 mg 1064 kcal (53%) 191.22 g (147%) 27.06 g (42%) 13.98 g (25%)
0.03 mg 133 kcal (7%) 23.9 g (18%) 3.38 g (5%) 1.75 g (3%)
5. Syrups, table blends, corn, refiner, and sugar - Riboflavin
0.15 mg 1008.04 kcal (50%) 265.12 g (204%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
6. Syrups, chocolate, HERSHEY'S Genuine Chocolate Flavored Lite Syrup - Riboflavin
0.04 mg 153 kcal (8%) 34.56 g (27%) 0.97 g (1%) 1.4 g (3%)
Typical Serving size of 2 tbsp (or 35g):
0.01 mg 53.55 kcal (3%) 12.1 g (9%) 0.34 g (1%) 0.49 g (1%)
7. Syrups, corn, high-fructose - Riboflavin
0.019 mg 281 kcal (14%) 76 g (58%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0.06 mg 871.1 kcal (44%) 235.6 g (181%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0 mg 53.39 kcal (3%) 14.44 g (11%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
8. Syrups, table blends, pancake, with 2% maple - Riboflavin
0.017 mg 265 kcal (13%) 69.6 g (54%) 0.1 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0.05 mg 834.75 kcal (42%) 219.24 g (169%) 0.32 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0 mg 53 kcal (3%) 13.92 g (11%) 0.02 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
9. Syrups, table blends, pancake, with 2% maple, with added potassium - Riboflavin
10. Syrups, table blends, cane and 15% maple - Riboflavin
0.014 mg 278 kcal (14%) 69.52 g (53%) 0.1 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0.04 mg 875.7 kcal (44%) 218.99 g (168%) 0.32 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0 mg 55.6 kcal (3%) 13.9 g (11%) 0.02 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
11. Syrups, grenadine - Riboflavin
0.01 mg 268 kcal (13%) 66.91 g (51%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0 mg 53.6 kcal (3%) 13.38 g (10%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
Other serving sizes 1 tsp (or 6.7g):
0 mg 17.96 kcal (1%) 4.48 g (3%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
12. Syrups, table blends, pancake, with butter - Riboflavin
0 mg 59.2 kcal (3%) 14.82 g (11%) 0.32 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
13. Syrups, corn, dark - Riboflavin
0.009 mg 286 kcal (14%) 77.59 g (60%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0.03 mg 938.08 kcal (47%) 254.5 g (196%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
14. Syrups, table blends, pancake - Riboflavin
0.03 mg 734.76 kcal (37%) 193.02 g (148%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0 mg 46.8 kcal (2%) 12.29 g (9%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
15. Syrups, table blends, pancake, reduced-calorie - Riboflavin
0.003 mg 165 kcal (8%) 44.55 g (34%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0.01 mg 396 kcal (20%) 106.92 g (82%) 0 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
16. Syrups, corn, light - Riboflavin
0 mg 283 kcal (14%) 76.79 g (59%) 0.2 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
0 mg 965.03 kcal (48%) 261.85 g (201%) 0.68 g (1%) 0 g (0%)
0 mg 62.26 kcal (3%) 16.89 g (13%) 0.04 g (0%) 0 g (0%)
17. Syrups, dietetic - Riboflavin
0 mg 40 kcal (2%) 49.2 g (38%) 0 g (0%) 0.8 g (1%)
0 mg 96 kcal (5%) 118.08 g (91%) 0 g (0%) 1.92 g (3%)
riboflavin and Nutritional Values - Top 221 Foods
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Radio Maria is a non a governmental organization (NGO) with a spiritual mission. It broadcasts contemporary Catholic messages in keeping with the doctrines of the church through a network of radio stations throughout the world. It makes a consistent effort to resound globally the call of the gospel for the conversion of the whole world.
Born in 1983 as a parish radio at Erba in Italy, Radio Maria has by now spread over fifty four countries with its specific mission to carry the message of Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus to the whole world. The growth of Radio Maria has been dramatic ever since its origin as a parish radio station in Arcellasco d'Erba, in the province of Como in the Diocese of Milan. Thanks to the collaboration of the determined and committed individuals with different ecclesiastical backgrounds, in 1987 Radio Maria was redesigned in three years' time. Soon it made such a seminal impact all over Italy that in 1990 Radio Maria was considered to be a Italian national network. Challenging its obscure birth and energized by its holy mission, today this wireless instrument of evangelization, counting thirty in number, has grown leaps and bounds all over the world ushering in a spiritual renaissance.
Radio Maria in India
To realize the dreams of thousands of Radio Maria listeners, with the blessing of Msgr. Joseph kariyil, the bishop of the diocese of Cochin, Radio Maria Association (India) has launched its fraternal station at Aroor, Kerala. Today, the majority of Indian Catholics who reside in Kerala and abroad can listen to Radio Maria in their mother tongue, Malayalam with the help of internet.
Follow Link: http://www.radiomaria.org.in/
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bobcat goldthwait comedy Edinburgh International Film Festival god bless america joel murray Review tara lynne barr
Review: God Bless America (EIFF)
http://www.culturefix.co.uk/2012/06/review-god-bless-america-eiff.html
Bobcat Goldthwait established himself as one of the most exciting comedy directors in recent years after his excellent 2009 film, World's Greatest Dad. His latest film, a biting satire on contemporary culture entitled God Bless America, proves equally as enjoyable.
Frank (Joel Murray) has just lost his job, he is divorced and has just been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Growing continually disillusioned by the ever growing idiocy of our society, Frank decides to rid the world of some of its most obnoxious citizens. After taking out a repellent reality television star, Frank discovers he has an admirer - sixteen year old Roxy (Tara Lynne Barr). The pair venture out on an obscure road trip full of strangely feel good serial killing.
It is hard not to sympathise slightly with Goldthwait's view of contemporary culture, regardless of how extreme it is. This is perfectly captured in the opening where Frank flicks through television channels, capturing society's obsession with fame, celebrities and social networking. Frank falls asleep watching a contestant being exploited on reality singing contest 'American Superstars' and wakes up to see the said contestant, the talking point of Breakfast Television. Other delights that Frank witnesses include "Tuff Girls" where one girl throws a bloodied tampon at another. This may be a rather extreme and blatant depiction of contemporary culture, but there is an alarming truth in Goldthwait's message.
Goldthwait's film is consistently amusing and boasts an enjoyably twisted feel good quality. We all harbour a small hatred for the people that talk in cinemas, extreme religious fundamentalists and obnoxious children, so it is hard not to be on Frank's side throughout. Of course, you could compare God Bless America to a drunken Grandparent's rant - complaining about all the things that annoy them, as Goldthwait does have a tendency to preach to the viewer, regardless to how thought provoking some of his points may be. This is completely evident in God Bless America's limp finale where it appears Goldthwait's message has stretched as far as is possible - it is the equivalent of the drunken Grandparent now falling asleep.
One of the strongest elements of God Bless America is they dynamic between the characters of Frank and Roxy. To Frank, Roxy provides a welcome alternative to his vile daughter - sharing his distaste of American culture. Roxy finds an escape from the tedium of her everyday life in the company of Frank. What results is a completely charming, relationship between the two - bonding over their various hates in society.
Joel Murray's understated performance is particularly fascinating, with the actor managing to capture Frank's struggles as a man who has been told he does not have long to live, alongside his growing hatred towards society and his somewhat sociopathic tendencies - yet still be completely likeable. After a shaky start, it is hard to find yourself not warming to Tara Lynne Barr's performance - with the eager young sociopath becoming quite endearing. God Bless America is a thoroughly entertaining watch, which may also help challenge the way we look at contemporary culture. Goldthwait's message ultimately runs out of steam in the end, despite magnetic lead performances from Joel Murray and Tara Lynne Barr throughout.
Originally posted on The People's Movies
bobcat goldthwait, comedy, Edinburgh International Film Festival, god bless america, joel murray, Review, tara lynne barr
tara lynne barr 3529870095826914442
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Google’s History- Launched In 1998
Google’s History- Launched In 1998, the Google company was launched in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin to market Google Search, which has become the most widely used web-based search engine.
Page and Brin, students at Stanford University in California, developed a search algorithm – at first known as “Back Rub” – in 1996. The search engine soon proved successful and the expanding company moved several times, finally settling at Mountain View in 2003.
This marked a phase of rapid growth, with the company making its initial public offering in 2004 and quickly becoming one of the world’s largest media companies.[the_ad id=”3389″]
The company launched Google News in 2002, Gmail in 2004, Google Maps in 2005, Google Chrome in 2008, and the social network known as Google+ in 2011, in addition to many other products. In 2015, Google became the main subsidiary of the holding company, Alphabet Inc.
The search engine went through numerous updates in attempts to combat search engine optimization abuse, provide dynamic updating of results, and make the indexing system rapid and flexible.
Search results started to be personalized in 2005, and later Google Suggest auto completion was introduced.
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Google has engaged in partnerships with NASA, AOL, Sun Micro systems, News Corporation, Sky UK and others. The company set up a charitable offshoot, Google.org, in 2005. Google was involved in a 2006 legal dispute in the US over a court order to disclose URLs and search strings, and has been the subject of tax avoidance investigations in the UK.[the_ad_placement id=”b”]
Google began in 1996 as a research project by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, both PhD. students at Stanford University.
In the search of a dissertation theme, Page had been considering—among other things—exploring the mathematical properties of the World Wide Web, understanding its link structure as a huge graph. His supervisor, Terry Wino grad, encouraged him to pick this idea (which Page later recalled as “the best advice I ever got” and Page focused on the problem of finding out which web pages link to a given page, based on the consideration that the number and nature of such back links was valuable information about that page (with the role of citations in academic publishing in mind).
In his research project, nicknamed “Back Rub”, Page was soon joined by Brin, who was supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship. Brin was already a close friend, whom Page had first met in the summer of 1995, when Page was part of a group of potential new students that Brin had volunteered to show around the campus.
Both Brin and Page were working on the Stanford Digital Library Project (SDLP). The SD LP’s goal was “to develop the enabling technologies for a single, integrated and universal digital library” and it was funded through the National Science Foundation, among other federal agencies.
Page’s web crawler began exploring the web in March 1996, with Page’s own Stanford home page serving as the only starting point. To convert the back-link data that it gathered for a given web page into a measure of importance, Brin and Page developed the Page-Rank algorithm.
While analyzing Back Rub’s output—which, for a given URL, consisted of a list of back-links ranked by importance—the pair realized that a search engine based on Page Rank would produce better results than existing techniques (existing search engines at the time essentially ranked results according to how many times the search term appeared on a page).[the_ad_placement id=”nn”]
Convinced that the pages with the most links to them from other highly relevant Web pages must be the most relevant pages associated with the search, Page and Brin tested their thesis as part of their studies, and laid the foundation for their search engine.
Steven Paul Jobs- Successful Story
Hollywood-Brief History
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by Shad Engkilterra
(EnviroNews World News) — Yamal Peninsula, Siberia — When rain started falling on the reindeer herd in the arctic region of Yamal Peninsula in Siberia in November of 2013, it is unlikely the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) themselves thought anything of it. After all, harsh weather conditions mean little to animals evolved to live in deep snow and high winds. However, when the rain falling through the unseasonably warm air hit the cold ground of the tundra, it froze solid when temperatures dropped. The ground, and more importantly, the food supply for the animals, hardened like a rock. The herd’s hooves couldn’t break through the ice and 61,000 animals perished from starvation. Their demise was slow and certain; their food source just inches from their mouths, yet so far away — unobtainable and unreachable.
The most cynical of people might wonder what the big deal is – after all, it’s just a bunch of wild animals. However, the dead reindeer weren’t alone in their plight. They formed the economic and cultural background of the indigenous Nenets, who use the animals for meat, trade and transportation. In this case, the nearest slaughter house was too far away to save any of the meat or fur, and hence, the nomads had to burn the bodies.
This group of people not only lost their livelihoods, but also their way of life. Without the reindeer, the nomadic tribe has no way of pulling their belongings across 700 miles of land. They had to adapt to being fishers until they could rebuild the herd of semi-domesticated reindeer.
Nenets Woman Herding Reindeer — Photo: Denis Sinyakov, Reuters
“The suggested link between sea ice loss, more frequent and intense ROS [rain-on-snow] events and high reindeer mortality has serious implications for the future of tundra Nenets nomadism,” researchers wrote in a study titled “Sea ice, rain-on-snow and tundra reindeer nomadism in Arctic Russia.”
Nenets Woman in Reindeer Sleigh — Photo: Associated Press
This is not the only event where rain-on-snow has killed a large number of animals. In 2006, there was a similar occurrence that claimed 20,000 animals, and herders said there have been events like this about once a decade, highlighting episodes in 1947, 1954, 1974 and 1996. However, researchers are concerned there’s more ROS dilemmas to come. As sea ice in the arctic melts, and the world warms due to anthropogenic climate change, more rain will fall in the north and it will turn to ice as the temperature drops later in the year, leaving more herds stuck starving out in the cold.
Reindeer Herd on Yamal Peninsula
Nenets Reindeer Herder
The warming also brings with it the threat of herd-wide anthrax infection. The last Anthrax outbreak was in 1941. The bodies of the dead animals froze in the tundra and kept the pathogen locked away. With temperatures climbing ever northward, those bodies are beginning to thaw releasing the anthrax into environment — and according to researchers, in August of 2016, some of that anthrax from 1941 got liberated from the permafrost, infecting several indigenous community members, and killing a 12-year-old boy.
Reindeer Grazing Near Nenets Settlement — Photo: Vasily Fedosenko, Reuters
Scientists have suggested a solution to both problems: Mobile slaughterhouses will be able to cull the infected animals quickly and safely. They could also kill the animals who would otherwise starve when the next rain-on-snow event hits the region.
Just don’t tell your children Santa won’t be coming ‘round because climate change is killing all the reindeer. Rest assured, Santa will find another way to get there.
Shad Engkilterra - Journalist, Author
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President Faust prepared this article in the months before his passing on August 10, 2007. The power to change is very real, and it is a great spiritual gift from God. Each one of us has been given the power to change his or her life. As part of the Lord’s great plan of happiness, we have individual agency to make decisions.
We can decide to do better and to be better. In some ways all of us need to change; that is, some of us need to be more kind at home, less selfish, better listeners, and more considerate in the way we treat others. Some of us have habits that need to be changed, habits that harm us and others around us. Sometimes we may need a jolt to propel us into changing.
A dramatic change came to Saul when he was on his way to Damascus. Saul had been “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” ( Acts 9:1). As he was on his way to Damascus, a light from heaven shone about him.
“And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” ( Acts 9:4–5).
Perhaps Saul’s heart had been softened when the mob cast Stephen out of the city and stoned him and laid their clothes at Saul’s feet. But there was no doubt on the road to Damascus when he heard the voice of the Lord, which said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”
“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” ( Acts 9:6). Saul was blind when he arose and had to be taken to Damascus, where his sight was restored to him and he was baptized. He immediately began to preach “Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” ( Acts 9:20). Saul, who later became known as Paul, experienced a change that was total, absolute, complete, and unwavering until his death.
Change through Conversion
Doubtless you have not had such an experience happen to you, and neither have I! Conversion for most of us is much less dramatic but should be as compelling and meaningful. New converts to the Church usually experience a spiritual feeling at the time of their baptism. One described it this way: “I will never forget the emotion inside my soul; to be clean, to start fresh as a child of God. … It was such a special feeling!”1 [Vivian Ford, “Ask and Ye Shall Receive,” No More Strangers, 4 vols., ed. Hartman Rector Jr. and Connie Rector (1971–90), 3:175.]
True conversion changes lives. One young woman wrote how unhappy her home life had been when she was a little girl. She wrote, “I felt it keenly when my mother and younger brothers and sisters suffered from the savage temper of a drunken father.” When she was 14, someone told her that one of God’s commandments was to honor her parents. In pondering how she could do this, she was impressed to study, to become a good student, and to be the best daughter in town.
Nothing much changed in the home, but she still felt to continue with her objectives and at age 18 left home to undertake some special studies. Three weeks later she went home to visit, and she recalled:
“My mother met me crying. I thought something terrible had happened, but she hugged me and said, ‘Since you went away to study, your father hasn’t had anything to drink.’
“… My mother said that the night I left, some Mormon missionaries had come. …“My father became like a little child. I could see repentance and humility in his eyes. He had changed completely. He had given up smoking and drinking all
at once, and tried to keep the commandments the missionaries taught him. He treated me like a queen, and he treated my mother and my brothers and sisters like royalty.
“… Our whole family was baptized. … My father, at age 40, became the best father in the world.”2 [Estilla Ayala, “The Change in My Father,” Ensign, Feb. 1975, 42, 43.]
The power of the gospel can indeed change our lives and take us from sadness and despair to happiness and joy.
Change through Repentance
Transgression brings pain and sorrow. But there is a way out of “the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity” ( Mosiah 27:29). If we will turn to the Lord and believe on His name, we can change. He will give us the power to change our lives, the power to put away bad thoughts and feelings from our hearts. We can be taken from “the darkest abyss” to “behold the marvelous light of God” ( Mosiah 27:29). We can be forgiven. We can find peace.
A few years ago Elder Marion D. Hanks, now an emeritus General Authority, recounted an incident that happened to a man who repented and changed his life overnight:
“He had taken his son to the home of a family who was providing a place for him to stay while he participated in a baseball tournament. The young man seemed reluctant to go with his father to the home of his benefactor, and the father began to wonder if the people had mistreated his son. The boy half cowered behind his father as they knocked on the door. Once they were inside, however, his son was warmly greeted by the host family, and it was obvious he loved them very much.
“Later after picking up his son, the puzzled father asked him to explain his strange behavior. … His son’s answer [was]:
“‘I was afraid you might forget and swear at their house, Dad. They don’t swear in their house; they are really nice people. They talk nice to each other and laugh a lot, and they pray every time they eat and every morning and night, and they let me pray with them.’
“Said the father, ‘It wasn’t so much that the boy was ashamed of his dad; he loved me so much that he didn’t want me to look bad.’
“This father, having resisted a generation of earnest people who had tried to help him find a better way of life, had been touched by the sweet spirit of his own young son.”3 [“Fitting into Your Family,” New Era, June 1991, 8.]
The power to change became so strong that this father not only returned to Church activity but became a stake leader.
Change through Recovery from Addictions
Another kind of change I wish to address is recovery from enslaving habits. They include disorders associated with alcohol, drugs, tobacco, eating, gambling, unworthy sexual behavior, and viewing pornography. I quote from a recently published book on debilitating addictions: “Substance abuse is a leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States. The misuse of drugs ruins families, costs billions in lost productivity, strains the healthcare system, and ends lives.”4 [Lynn R. Webster and Beth Dove, Avoiding Opioid Abuse While Managing Pain (2007), 11.] It is a curse on society.
There are many kinds of addictions, and it is difficult for someone who has one of these serious addictions to change because some of them are mind-altering. A recent article on addiction said, “In the brains of addicts, there is reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, where rational thought can override impulse behavior.”5 [Michael D. Lemonick and Alice Park, “The Science of Addiction,” Time, July 16, 2007, 44.] Some addictions can control us to the point where they take away our God-given agency. One of Satan’s great tools is to find ways to control us. Consequently, we should abstain from anything that would keep us from fulfilling the Lord’s purposes for us, whereby the blessings of eternity may hang in jeopardy. We are in this life for the spirit to gain control over the body rather than the other way around.
Any kind of addiction inflicts a terrible price in pain and suffering, and it can even affect us spiritually. However, there is hope because most addictions can over time be overcome. We can change, but it will be difficult.
We begin by making a decision to change. It takes courage and humility to admit that we need help, but few, if any of us, can do it on our own. The Church has an addiction recovery program that has been adapted from the original Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous into a framework of the doctrines and beliefs of the Church. These 12 steps are found in A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing, which is available to priesthood leaders and other members.
A complete change in lifestyle may be necessary. We must desire with all our hearts, minds, and strength to overcome these harmful addictions. We must be prepared to renounce totally and absolutely our participation in any of these addictive substances or practices.
Many people have been able to change their drug habits. A mother of three, Susan used drugs only on the weekends in an effort to hide her problem from her children. But the children found out anyway and begged her to stop. After three years, with some special help and the support of her children, particularly her seven-year-old son, she did stop. Looking back she recognized that Heavenly Father had pulled her through this and had prepared her for hearing the gospel. She said:
“The gospel changed my heart, my appearance, my attitude, and my feelings. And I learned to pray. Whenever I have a problem, I go to Heavenly Father and say, ‘Help me.’ And he sees me through it. … Now when I walk, I walk with my head high because I know Heavenly Father’s beside me every step of the way.
“Oh, it’s a new day. I lost a lot of things by wanting to be in this drug world—I lost my apartment, my son almost died in a fire, I lost my marriage, I lost happiness completely. But I got it back. Heavenly Father gave me another chance to start again. I’m new now—brand new all inside and out.”6 [Quoted in LaRene Gaunt, “Testimonies from the Inner City,” Ensign, Apr. 1992, 40.]
Each new day that dawns can be a new day for us to begin to change. We can change our environment. We can change our lives by substituting new habits for old. We can mold our character and future by purer thoughts and nobler actions. As someone once put it, “The possibility of change is always there, with its hidden promise of peace, happiness, and a better way of life.”7 [Joseph Walker, “The Miracle of Change,” Ensign, July 1992, 12.]
Addictions are offensive to the Spirit. While some addictions require professional clinical help, let us not overlook the spiritual help available to us through priesthood blessings and through prayer. The Lord has promised us, “My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” ( Ether 12:27). Let us remember that the power to change is very real, and it is a great spiritual gift from God.
I testify that through repentance and subsequent righteousness and by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate change can come to our bodies so that they “may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” ( Philippians 3:21).
President James E. Faust (1920–2007)
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
Vivian Ford, “Ask and Ye Shall Receive,” No More Strangers, 4 vols., ed. Hartman Rector Jr. and Connie Rector (1971–90), 3:175.
Estilla Ayala, “The Change in My Father,” Ensign, Feb. 1975, 42, 43.
“Fitting into Your Family,” New Era, June 1991, 8.
Lynn R. Webster and Beth Dove, Avoiding Opioid Abuse While Managing Pain (2007), 11.
Michael D. Lemonick and Alice Park, “The Science of Addiction,” Time, July 16, 2007, 44.
Quoted in LaRene Gaunt, “Testimonies from the Inner City,” Ensign, Apr. 1992, 40.
Joseph Walker, “The Miracle of Change,” Ensign, July 1992, 12.
Tags: change, Conversion, James E. Faust, repent
There is no News Today
4 Things a Person Must Learn to Do
Are you an Eagle or a Hog?
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Designing of a Novel Indoline Scaffold Based Antibacterial Compound and Pharmacological Evaluation Using Chemoinformatics Approach
Author(s): Aarushi Singh, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India Neeraj Kumar, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India Damini Sood, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India Snigdha Singh, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India Amardeep Awasthi, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India Vartika Tomar, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India Ramesh Chandra*. Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India
Journal Name: Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Antibiotic resistance is not only a global public health threat but also a huge economic burden to our society that urgently needs to be addressed by improved antibiotics and continuing development of novel molecules to treat resistant bacterial infections. Nowadays combination therapies offer a competent approach to counteract antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Better knowledge of mechanisms of antibiotic resistance has lead to the finding of new alternatives to antibiotic therapy. Hence, in this article, we report a novel series of indoline derivatives and their computational study as potent antimicrobials. The present study investigates the indoline based derived library interaction with DNA gyrase B enzyme to be used as a potential antimicrobial drug. Computational approaches were employed to carry out the molecular interactions and pharmacological studies. In this study, we have compared indoline with its derivatives and have found that compound 13 (1m) resulted in the strong binding with the highest score (-9.02 kcal/mol) in the designed library where indoline showed (-6.43 kcal/mol). Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation run also confirmed the strongest interaction of a compound and target protein with less RMSD and RMSF deviation of the complex. Notably, the compound was also found to possess the good pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetic properties.
Keywords: Indoline derivatives, Molecular docking, Molecular dynamics simulation, Pharmacological evaluation, Chemoinformatic, RMAs.
Title:Designing of a Novel Indoline Scaffold Based Antibacterial Compound and Pharmacological Evaluation Using Chemoinformatics Approach
Author(s):Aarushi Singh, Neeraj Kumar, Damini Sood, Snigdha Singh, Amardeep Awasthi, Vartika Tomar and Ramesh Chandra*
Affiliation:Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, Drug Discovery & Development Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Keywords:Indoline derivatives, Molecular docking, Molecular dynamics simulation, Pharmacological evaluation, Chemoinformatic, RMAs.
Abstract:Antibiotic resistance is not only a global public health threat but also a huge economic burden to our society that urgently needs to be addressed by improved antibiotics and continuing development of novel molecules to treat resistant bacterial infections. Nowadays combination therapies offer a competent approach to counteract antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Better knowledge of mechanisms of antibiotic resistance has lead to the finding of new alternatives to antibiotic therapy. Hence, in this article, we report a novel series of indoline derivatives and their computational study as potent antimicrobials. The present study investigates the indoline based derived library interaction with DNA gyrase B enzyme to be used as a potential antimicrobial drug. Computational approaches were employed to carry out the molecular interactions and pharmacological studies. In this study, we have compared indoline with its derivatives and have found that compound 13 (1m) resulted in the strong binding with the highest score (-9.02 kcal/mol) in the designed library where indoline showed (-6.43 kcal/mol). Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation run also confirmed the strongest interaction of a compound and target protein with less RMSD and RMSF deviation of the complex. Notably, the compound was also found to possess the good pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetic properties.
Aarushi Singh, Neeraj Kumar, Damini Sood, Snigdha Singh, Amardeep Awasthi, Vartika Tomar and Ramesh Chandra*, “Designing of a Novel Indoline Scaffold Based Antibacterial Compound and Pharmacological Evaluation Using Chemoinformatics Approach”, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry (2018) 18: 2056. https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026619666181129125524
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Archive | March, 2014
Five Movies of 2013 That Were a Complete Waste of Time
How good a movie is doesn’t always depend on the budget and star cast. There is a lot more required, keeping in mind that various components need to be work together to appeal to the masses and for the movie to be successful in the box office. The past year saw the release of several movies that were considered by audiences to be a waste of time. Here are 5 of them:
1. After Earth
The movie, even with a massive budget and a renowned cast, was unable to satisfy moviegoers. The lack of emphasis on storytelling and its similarities and nods to other movies like Star Trek made it seem like a rip-off.
2. Movie 43
Even though the movie featured an impressive arsenal of celebrities, the movie failed to qualify as even worth watching. The comedy was nothing more than offensive jokes with gross out humor.
3. Grown Ups 2
The movie does nothing more than to cash in on overly used puns and jokes. There is no plot to which one could actually relate. The movie is about four guys and their confrontations in everyday life that has no logic or rationality whatsoever.
4. RIPD
For Ghostbusters fans it is nothing more than a reincarnation of what was envisioned in the 80s. The film is more of a cat and mouse chase that takes place in suburban areas without any logic. There is a lack of a strong plot which only seems to worsen as the movie progresses.
5. The Hangover Part III
The moral of the story is that alcohol and drug abuse are deadly and lead to uncomfortable situations. The essence has been carried out through the series. Frankly, it has no innovation and just seems as nothing more as an attempt to cash in on the franchise with an unnecessary sequel.
These are five movies from 2013 that were a complete waste of time.
The Beatles Vs. the Rolling Stones – Who’s the Better One?
The battle between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones has continued for more than half a century. Both have managed to develop a huge fan-base, which makes it all the more difficult to decide which one is the best. The Beatles were a pop band while the Rolling Stone was a rock band. So the question that comes to every music lover’s mind is which band is better? Read on to find out.
A Look at The Beatles
If you look closely, both these bands have a lot in common. For example, both are English bands that gave music a whole new dimension in the 20th century. However, it was only the Beatles that continued setting the standards every time they performed.
Furthermore, the Beatles are the ones that initially perfected the genre of rock n roll in the mid 60’s, while the Rolling Stones just followed in their footsteps. So, as you can see, the Beatles were the innovators. Another fact that established their legacy was that they broke up as soon as they started to stumble. This helped them considerably in preserving the reputation they built in their prime.
A Look at The Rolling Stones
Now let us take a look at the aspects where The Rolling Stones transcends the Beatles. The early break-up of the Beatles meant that the Rolling stones had more time to live in their prime. It was during this period that they released their classic album Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street, which gave them a slight edge over the Beatles.
Another aspect where this band surpasses the Beatles is live stage performance. The Rolling Stone set an impeccable record of delivering the best onstage performance in that era, something that the Beatles never managed to achieve.
So there you have it, two of the best bands battling for supremacy. As you can see, there’s no apparent winner. Both of the bands were fantastic in their own respect. However, only you can determine the winner according to your taste.
4 Movies You Just Never Get Bored Watching
Movies have proven to be a recognized medium of portraying art in its finest form. The genres are unlimited with room for innovation and limitless possibilities. There are times when movies that offer so much in so many areas that watching it more than once will enhance the experience. These evergreen movies are the sources from which directors take inspiration and create their own masterpieces. Here are 4 movies you just never get bored watching:
1. Back to the Future
Based on the concept of time travel, this movie has been enjoyed and praised by the masses for its concept. The movie is entertaining due to its diversity and is much more than just a science fiction movie. The concept of time travel and the ripple affect along with laughs every now and then make it a movie worth watching over and over.
2. Spiderman
For every superhero fan, there is no other equal to Spiderman. Targeting all age groups, the movie is a spectacle. The movie is much more than an action movie as it explores important life lessons. It is a story of how an individual can bring about change with a little courage. Nonetheless the movie will leave the audiences leaping from their seats at Spidey’s feats and action.
3. Jurassic Park
Almost every child is fascinated by dinosaurs. Jurassic Park is the ultimate dinosaur movie in every sense of the word. The movie is a combination of suspense and thrills and keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats.
4. E.T
For all those questioning the possibility of alien existence, E.T feeds their fantasies with its own perspective on how other worldly beings look and behave. The movie captures the emotion and connection of the bond between alien and his earthly guardian. It is a story so touching that it will melt your heart.
These are 4 movies you just never get bored watching.
Tags: sony xperia z2, sonymobile
Sony Xperia Z2 – the Perfect Tab
When it comes to sheer elegance and sleekness, Apple’s iPad Air takes the spotlight. But if you accidentally drop it into a bathtub, it will quickly turn into an inoperative and useless slab, wont it?
And this is exactly where Sony’s Xperia Z2 tab excels. Not only does it possess an awe-inspiring design, but is also completely waterproof (an impeccable combination). This model is the replacement/upgrade of the existing Xperia Tablet Z. Here are some features that make the Xperia Z2 tab such an incredible piece of technology:
Hardware Configuration and Features
In order for a tablet to be successful, it must possess an advanced hardware configuration and this is exactly what Sony has done. This tab comes with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor (2.3GHz) and 3GB RAM. So as far as performance is concerned, the Xperia Z2 delivers a swift and smooth user experience.
In addition, it features the latest android OS i.e. KitKat 4.4.2. You will also see a number of Sony additions such as video and music streaming services, PlayStation Mobile store, etc. Gamers will be delighted to know that this tab gives the option of attaching your PS3 controller to play games.
This tab comes with a stunningly clear and glossy 10.1-inch full HD screen and a display resolution of 1920×1200 pixels. So be it gaming, web browsing or watching movies, the Xperia Z2 delivers an unparalleled performance level.
If there’s a tab that can truly compete with the iPad Air (design-wise), it’s this one. As said earlier, the Xperia Z2 flaunts a beautiful, sleek and light body. It is only 6.4mm thick and weighs approximately 426g. The front design is pretty similar to the previous model, i.e. a glass and button-free front. The backside is made of matte black plastic, with little Sony branding in the centre.
This model is expected to hit the market on the 1st of April with a starting price of £545 in the UK. So keep your eyes open!
Photo courtesy of Sony
Tags: gamepad, gaming gadget, s console, samsung gamepad
Samsung Gamepad – a Must for Serious Gamers
Ever wondered why modern smartphones feature such large screens and powerful hardware configurations? Quite simple, the goal is to make gaming more fun and exhilarating. Since the very inception of Android phones, game designers recognized this platform as the perfect launch pad for creating a gaming device. And the speculation turned out to be quite true.
With high-end games such as Real Racing 3, NOVA 3, Need for Speed Most Wanted, etc, Android is well on its way to claiming the title as the “best portable gaming device” (something that could very well render Sony’s PSP obsolete). Now it’s true that all Android games are available for the IOS users too, however, the factor that puts the Android gaming experience above IOS gaming is its considerably large screen size. After all, it’s much more exhilarating to play games on 5.5-inch screen than on a 4-inch screen isn’t it?
Interesting, Samsung’s latest Android gamepad will take your overall gaming experience to a whole new level. This gamepad has a shiny black plastic design. Moreover, it connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. You’ll need to install an app called “S Console” prior to connecting the gamepad with your phone. This app will convert the button presses into data that the game can comprehend and will also help figure out which games are compatible with the gamepad on the Google Play Store.
At present, there are approximately 46 games in the Google Play Store that are compatible with the controller device, some of which are Sonic 4, Asphalt 8, Metal Slug 3 and Crazy Taxi. The list is expected to increase with the passage of time. Coming to its design, there are a couple of analogue sticks, d-pad, four-face buttons, two triggers and a start button positioned in the centre.
This gamepad can be brought for $90, which is a pretty good deal. Now if you happen to be a casual gamer, you are better off doing without a gamepad. But for serious gamers, it’s a must have!
Tags: acer chromebook, c720p
Acer’s Chromebook C720P – a Great Choice
With the recent proliferation of smartphones and tablets, the popularity of laptops has started to decline somewhat. This situation propelled laptop manufacturers to come up with modern and more convenient options, so as to maintain their existence in today’s highly competitive market. And this led to the creation of chromebooks. These are basically superfast and small-sized computers loaded with a wide diversity of apps.
At present, there are a large number of high-end chromebooks available in the market, one of which is Acer’s latest C720P model. Not only is it extremely powerful, but you can buy it at an affordable price. Here are some reasons that make this chromebook such a fantastic choice:
The C720P is pretty light and sturdy in appearance. This too (like its predecessor) features a simple plastic body and comes with a chiclet-style keyboard. The factor that makes typing so convenient is its shallow keystroke depth. In addition, it’s responsive and moderately-sized track pad makes the overall experience all the more pleasant for you.
Hardware Capacity
The C720P may not be as stylish as other chromebooks, but in terms of performance level it’s a probably the best budget chromebook you’ll come across. It features a dual-core, 1.4GHz Intel Celeron 2955U processor, 2GB of DDR3 RAM and Intel HD Graphics Card (128 MB). So whether it is casual gaming, heavy browsing or running Microsoft applications, you’ll always experience smooth and superfast performance.
One of the notable upgrades of the C720P is in terms of its display size and quality. This model flaunts a beautiful 11.6-inch touchscreen with a display resolution of 1,366×768, which is pretty much the standard for chromebooks.
The C720P is priced at $299.99. Honestly speaking, it is quite difficult to find another chromebook of the same caliber in this price range. It possesses a powerful machine, typing-friendly keyboard, a clear touchscreen along with loads of OS options. In short, it’s the complete package.
Photo courtesy of Acer.
LG G Pro 2 – a Gigantic and Powerful Smartphone
When speaking of smartphones, the first thing comes to mind in the display screen. After all, this is what modern smartphones are all about! The bigger the screen, the better the experience! So keeping this in mind, LG has launched its latest smartphone, the “LG G Pro 2”, with a truly huge HD screen, along with a variety of exciting features. All those contemplating buying the Samsung Note 3 or other similar smartphones should definitely take a look at LG’s latest creation before making a decision.
The LG G Pro 2 features an amazingly clear 5.9-inch full-HD IPS screen with a display resolution of 1920×1080. If games, movies and web browsing are the activities you intend to enjoy on your smartphone, this model will serve your needs exceptionally well. Furthermore, this model is available in five different colors which include titan (black), white and silver. One potential downside with regards to its design is that it has relatively sharp edges, which makes it uncomfortable to hold.
Hardware Specification
This smartphone comes with a powerful 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, Adreno 330 GPU and 3GB RAM. So, its advanced hardware configuration ensures a smooth and swift performance while gaming, watching movies and other heavy activities. In addition, the LG G Pro 2 is available in two internal storage options, i.e. 16 and 32 GB. Note: there is provision for external storage (slot).
Camera Performance
The LG G Pro 2 features a 2.1-megapixel front camera and a staggering 13-megapixel rear camera. As far as camera performance is concerned, it captures amazingly clear and vivid pictures with incredible detail.
The LG G Pro 2 is a fantastic choice for people who prefer large screen smartphones. Along with a delivering a superfast performance, it comes with loads of exciting camera features and a pretty good battery life. It is only after the price is revealed can a conclusion be reached regarding whether or not this phone is worth buying.
Photo courtesy of LG
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Avellaneda–Lanús
Area: 98 km²
Statistics: 50 parishes, 76 priests (59 diocesan, 17 religious), 32 deacons, 95 lay religious (18 brothers, 77 sisters), 10 seminarians (2015)
Ecclesiastical Province: Buenos Aires
Neighbouring Dioceses: Lomas de Zamora (↙), Buenos Aires (↖), Quilmes (↘)
Patron Saint: Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (August 15), Santa Teresa de Jesús (October 15)
Address: Ameghino 907, B187OCVS, Avellaneda, Argentina
1961.04.10: Established as Diocese of Avellaneda / Avellanedien(sis) (Latin) (from Metropolitan Archdiocese of La Plata and Diocese of Lomas de Zamora)
1976.06.19: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Quilmes
2001.04.24: Renamed as Diocese of Avellaneda–Lanús / Avellanedien(sis)–Lanusen(sis) (Latin) (gained territory from Diocese of Lomas de Zamora)
Cathedral: Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Avellaneda, Buenos Aires
Lomas de Zamora (↙), Buenos Aires (↖), Quilmes (↘)
Bishop (2001.04.24 – ...): Bishop Rubén Oscar Frassia (73)
Bishops of Avellaneda–Lanús (Roman Rite)
Bishop Rubén Oscar Frassia (73)
Bishop of Avellaneda–Lanús (Argentina)
Adveniat regnum tuum
Born: 1945.12.01 (Argentina)
Titular Bishop of Cæciri (1992.02.26 – 1993.07.22)
Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina) (1992.02.26 – 1993.07.22)
Bishop of San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina) (1993.07.22 – 2000.11.25)
Bishop of Avellaneda (Argentina) (2000.11.25 – 2001.04.24)
Bishop of Avellaneda–Lanús (Argentina) (2001.04.24 – ...)
Bishops of Avellaneda (Roman Rite)
(see above)
Bishop Rubén Héctor di Monte (later Archbishop)
Con María su madre
Titular Bishop of Iomnium (1980.06.13 – 1986.03.24)
Auxiliary Bishop of Avellaneda (Argentina) (1980.06.13 – 1986.03.24)
Archbishop of Mercedes–Luján (Argentina) (2000.03.07 – 2007.12.27)
Bishop Antonio Quarracino (later Cardinal)
Ipsi gloria
Born: 1923.08.08 (Italy)
Created Cardinal: 1991.06.28
Bishop of Nueve de Julio (Argentina) (1962.02.03 – 1968.08.03)
Secretary General of Latin American Episcopal Council (1979 – 1983)
President of Latin American Episcopal Council (1983 – 1987)
Metropolitan Archbishop of La Plata (Argentina) (1985.12.18 – 1990.07.10)
President of Episcopal Conference of Argentina (1990 – 1996)
Metropolitan Archbishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina) (1990.07.10 – 1998.02.28)
Ordinary of Argentina of the Eastern Rite (Argentina) (1990.11.20 – 1998.02.28)
Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria della Salute a Primavalle (1991.06.28 – 1998.02.28)
Bishop Jerónimo José Podestá ▼
Unum simus ut mundus credat
Titular Bishop of Horrea Aninici (1967.12.02 – 1971)
Bishop Emilio Antonio di Pasquo
Evangelizare pauperibus misit me
Bishop of San Luis (Argentina) (1946.11.02 – 1961.06.14)
Former Prelates
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Rubén Héctor di Monte (later Archbishop) (1980.06.13 – 1986.03.24)
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How entertaining? ★★★★★
This article is a review of LETHAL WEAPON.
Murtaugh, “God hates me. That’s what it is.”
Riggs, “Hate him back; it works for me.”
Two lines not exactly in the yuletide spirit but nevertheless LETHAL WEAPON is one of the all time great Christmas movies, as well as action movies and “buddy” movies. Christmas is as integral to the plot as the banter and action. As a backdrop it is used to compliment, contrast and highlight the film’s themes.
Suicide runs throughout the film. It is no coincidence here that the festive season has the highest rate in the calendar. Gibson’s Riggs is a suicidal ex-special forces homicide detective unable to cope without his wife. In the sequel we find out she was mistakenly murdered instead of him. The film begins proper when Murtaugh (Glover) is partnered against his wishes with Riggs and assigned to investigate a prima facie suicide. A porn actress has dropped from a penthouse suite of an apartment block on to a parked car. Later we discover that it not only turns out to be murder but the victim is the daughter of one of Murtaugh’s Vietnam colleagues. As they delve deeper a particularly deadly gang (Shadow Company) trading in heroin begins to be connected to the burgeoning body count.
The act of taking one’s life is also dealt with in the blackest of humour bordering on the uncompassionate. A rooftop office jumper is seen as a nuisance and is then forced to carry out his original wishes. He lands on a waiting airbag handcuffed to Riggs. He has no new found respect for life afterwards. One of the most important members of Shadow Company eventually uses a grenade to end it all.
Another staple of Christmas is children and family. Riggs’ loneliness is in sharp contrast to the bubbly home-life of Murtaugh. The festive spirit tempers some of the harsher elements of the film as it is used to add to the forces bringing Riggs into the fold of the Murtaugh family. However, children are in constant danger. The initial catalyst for the case is the daughter of a friend and her death is used as punishment for the sins of the father. Murtaugh’s own daughter is kidnapped and used as collateral to discover what our dynamic duo know. The murder of one of the police leads, the prostitute Dixie (Lycia Naff), is witnessed by children. In the director’s cut of the film, Riggs’ first call to arms is at a schoolyard sniper shooting.
The way the police and criminals act is in sharp contrast to the spirit of Christmas. The shear mercilessness on display is breath-taking in places, from the bone-crunching climatic martial arts smack-down (writer Shane Black denies scripting the cheering on of Riggs by the watching LAPD as he fights Joshua (Busey) – I guess pre-Rodney King and O.J. Simpson the director and producers thought it was acceptable), to the Riggs-Murtaugh desert rescue and the helicopter funeral assassination. Let’s not forget the torture of Riggs and Murtaugh, and the original theatrical release’s introduction of Riggs the cop as he carries out a sting on drug-dealing Christmas tree purveyors.
However, all is not doom and gloom - yuletide as apocalypse. The moments of levity come with the excellent banter which reinforces, no matter how obliquely, the comradeship of the time of Noel.
Murtaugh, “Is there anyone you’ve met that you haven’t killed?”
Riggs, “I haven’t killed you yet.”
Murtaugh, “Don’t do me no favours.”
Riggs, “I won’t.”
When LETHAL WEAPON was released nothing quite as visceral had been seen like it before in the action genre. It became a template for Hollywood that is still being used to this day (e.g. this year’s THE MAN with Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy). What made the movie so appealing was the Gibson-Glover axis; effectively a bickering married couple of opposites that shared a common sensibility toward the importance of their job. Their races were never an issue, more their ages and physicality. Virtually everything is seen from their perspectives so we are discovering as they are – it is a detective story after all, and not just a series of action set-pieces. The enjoyable 48 Hours may have been earlier but the relationship of the leads is as prisoner and captor not of equals. The following year DIE HARD used Christmas as a similar context for the ensuing carnage.
Gibson’s cup over-flows with charisma and was rightly catapulted to the leading-man A-list, and Glover too has real presence and comic-timing. As the poster accurately surmises,
“Two cops.
Glover carries a weapon…
Gibson is one.
He’s the only L.A. cop registered as a Lethal Weapon.”
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FINRA Sanctions Oppenheimer & Co. $2.9 Million for Unsuitable Sales of Non-Traditional ETFs and Related Supervisory Failures
WASHINGTON — The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced today that it has fined Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. $2.25 million and ordered the firm to pay restitution of more than $716,000 to affected customers for selling leveraged, inverse and inverse-leveraged exchange-traded funds (non-traditional ETFs) to retail customers without reasonable supervision, and for recommending non-traditional ETFs that were not suitable.
In August 2009, in response to FINRA Regulatory Notice 09-31, which advised broker-dealers of the risks and inherent complexities of certain non-traditional ETFs, Oppenheimer instituted policies prohibiting its representatives from soliciting retail customers to purchase non-traditional ETFs, and also prohibited them from executing unsolicited non-traditional ETF purchases for retail customers unless the customers met certain criteria, e.g., the customer had liquid assets in excess of $500,000. Oppenheimer, however, failed to reasonably enforce these policies; thus, representatives continued to solicit retail customers to purchase non-traditional ETFs and continued to execute unsolicited non-traditional ETF transactions even though the customers did not meet Oppenheimer’s stated criteria. From August 2009 through September 30, 2013, more than 760 Oppenheimer representatives executed more than 30,000 non-traditional ETF transactions totaling approximately $1.7 billion for customers.
Brad Bennett, FINRA Executive Vice President and Chief of Enforcement, said, "Written procedures are worthless unless accompanied by a program to enforce them. While Oppenheimer’s procedures prohibited solicitation of non-traditional ETFs, the absence of any meaningful compliance effort resulted in its representatives continuing to solicit unsuitable non-traditional ETF purchases, including a number involving elderly investors.”
In addition, FINRA found that Oppenheimer did not establish an adequate supervisory system to monitor the holding periods for non-traditional ETFs. The firm failed to employ any surveillance or exception reports to effectively monitor the holding periods for non-traditional ETFs, so certain retail customers held non-traditional ETFs in their accounts for weeks, months and sometimes years, resulting in substantial losses.
FINRA also found that Oppenheimer failed to conduct adequate due diligence regarding the risks and features of non-traditional ETFs and, as a result, did not have a reasonable basis to recommend these ETFs to retail customers. Similarly, Oppenheimer representatives solicited and effected non-traditional ETF purchases that were unsuitable for specific customers. For example:
An 89-year conservative customer with annual income of $50,000 held 96 solicited non-traditional ETF positions for an average of 32 days (and for up to 470 days), resulting in a net loss of $51,847.
A 91-year conservative customer with an annual income of $30,000 held 56 solicited non-traditional ETF positions for an average of 48 days (and for up to 706 days), resulting in a net loss of $11,161.
A 67-year conservative customer with an annual income of $40,000 held two solicited non-traditional ETF positions in her account for 729 days, resulting in a net loss of $2,746.
In concluding this settlement, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. neither admitted nor denied the charges, but consented to the entry of FINRA’s findings.
Investors can obtain more information about, and the disciplinary record of, any FINRA-registered broker or brokerage firm by using FINRA's BrokerCheck. FINRA makes BrokerCheck available at no charge. In 2015, members of the public used this service to conduct 71 million reviews of broker or firm records. Investors can access BrokerCheck at www.finra.org/brokercheck or by calling (800) 289-9999. Investors may find copies of this disciplinary action as well as other disciplinary documents in FINRA's Disciplinary Actions Online database. Investors can also call FINRA’s Securities Helpline for Seniors at (844) 57-HELPS for assistance or to raise concerns about issues they have with their brokerage accounts and investments.
FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation and complementary compliance and technology-based services. FINRA touches virtually every aspect of the securities business – from registering and educating all industry participants to examining securities firms, writing rules, enforcing those rules and the federal securities laws, and informing and educating the investing public. In addition, FINRA provides surveillance and other regulatory services for equities and options markets, as well as trade reporting and other industry utilities. FINRA also administers the largest dispute resolution forum for investors and firms. For more information, please visit www.finra.org.
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Action
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More Texans are killed by drunk drivers than any other state
Saturday, April 27, 2019 6:56 PM EDT
Lanae Gwin's husband was killed by a drunk driver in November 2017.
"My goal is if I can save one life, even one life, it will be worth it. I don't want anyone to ever go through the pain of what we've gone through with this tragedy," she said.
Gwin said the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Memorial Walk honors people's lives that were senselessly taken, but serves as a reminder to others of the dangers that can occur.
"Our main goal is to get awareness out to people that drinking, even a small amount, and driving they never mix," she said. "I'm not saying don't drink, what I'm saying is call an Uber, call a cab, call a friend, call a family member, never get behind the wheel when you are drinking."
More people are killed in Texas by impaired drivers than any other state in the U.S. Lead Victim Specialist Dawn Bevan said the numbers are staggering.
"You know, about one person every hour is killed. So just while we're here at this walk today for three of four hours, that's three or four lives that are lost in this state," she said.
She believes impaired driving is preventable. She said by changing the mindset of society the number of deaths could drop.
"Just plan ahead for a sober ride home. So, get an Uber or a taxi, make a plan. Get a group of friends, you can pitch in and share a ride together. But make sure you have a designated driver to get you home safely," she said.
Gwin said families are impacted by drunk driving, long after the crash. MADD provides support groups for those struggling with grief.
"It's a hard way to have to meet friends but the friends we meet there are forever our friends because we all have the same grief, we're on the same grief journey," she said. "And we've all lost a family member to a tragic, very avoidable accident."
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« Aussie Irish “the poor relation” asserts Irish Echo | Main | Global Irish Economic Forum: thoughts from participants »
Global Irish Economic Forum: first thoughts
By Noreen Bowden | September 18, 2009
Here at the Global Irish Economic Forum, the media is getting relatively little access to the happenings. While the opening speech was open to the press as well as being streamed online, the sessions are closed.
What are we missing out on? The plenary session was called, optimistically, “The global economy: positioning Ireland for the upturn”. It featured Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, HSBC CEO Brendan McDonagh, Retired Intel CEO Craig Barrett and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce on the panel. Next, attendees were divided among eleven breakout working groups to discuss economic topics undisclosed to the media.
As for the opening speech, it was about what one would expect from Taoiseach Brian Cowen for such a gathering: congratulatory talk about the fact that this is the first such gathering of global business talent for the benefit of Ireland, a determination that this would be the start of an ongoing process, hope that this effort would ultimately result in the restoration of a prosperous Ireland.
Among the more interesting aspects was the fact that article 2 of the Constitution is looming large in the Taoiseach’s mind. The pertinent quote, which became part of the constitution after the Irish people voted to change the document in 1999, is “the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage”. The Taoiseach cited the article in his opening remarks to media, noting its appropriateness as one of the culminations of the peace process after the role that the diaspora had played in it. “This weekend we give renewed impetus to this assertion”, he said in his speech that opened the conference. Considering how profound an event is constitutional change, and how little the implications of this change have been discussed over the last decade, it is worth watching to see if this remains part of the discussion.
The Taoiseach also cited the “six million people on the island of Ireland”, yet the North looks a bit underrepresented here. The Chair of Invest NI is attending, but there are no Northern politicians here to match their counterparts from the Republic. One wonders if the Taoiseach’s words reflect any intention to move toward greater joint engagement on the issue of the Diaspora.
The number of women is disappointing – looks like a little more than ten percent of those in attendance are women, yet statistics show that emigration has been fairly equally divided between men and women in recent decades.
One Response to “Global Irish Economic Forum: first thoughts”
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'Not even God can please everyone' – Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has stressed that he does his utmost to please as many people as possible, but feels it is impossible to keep everyone satisfied.
The 27-year-old has divided the opinions of fans all over the world, and often receives hostile receptions from opponents’ supporters.
“Not even God can please everyone. I always try to be a good person who the majority of people like. But showing too much humility is a flaw. People either hate me or love me,” the attacker told Globo.
“I always try and work hard in order to be the best at what I do. In my opinion, everybody should have the objective to be the best at what they do, regardless of his or her profession.”
Meanwhile, former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has nothing but praise for the player, and feels that he deserved to have been recognised as the world’s best on more than one occasion.
“He’s a player who always wants to win. He never wants to come second, but always wants to be the best. He’s a very complete player and always professional.
“For me, he should have won the Fifa Player of the Year award at least three times.”
The Portugal international is one of three players still in the running for the 2012 Fifa Ballon d’Or alongside Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.
This entry was posted in Club news on 07/01/2013 by mirsinho.
← Higuain: I am happy to be back playing Van Persie is the best player in the world after Messi & Ronaldo, says Joe Cole →
8 Premier League Defenders Who Are Better Than Harry Maguire
Transfer Rumours: Arsenal Respond to Tottenham Hijacking, Otamendi Eyes Valencia Return & More
Billy Gilmour: 7 Things to Know About the Chelsea Wonderkid Impressing in Pre-Season
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August 10 is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 143 days remaining.
2 Births
3 Deaths
4 Holidays and observances
612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire. Destruction of Nineveh.
955 - Battle of Lechfeld: Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor defeats Magyars, ending 50 years of Magyar invasion of the West.
1492 - Alexander VI is elected Pope.
1519 - Ferdinand Magellan's 5 ships set sail from Seville to circumnavigate the globe.
1792 - French Revolution: Louis XVI of France is arrested and taken into custody.
1809 - Ecuador declares independence from Spain.
1821 - Missouri is admitted as the 24th U.S. state.
1846 - The Smithsonian Institution is chartered by the United States Congress after $500,000 was given for such a purpose by scientist Joseph Smithson.
1856 - In Louisiana, a hurricane kills about 400 people.
1861 - American Civil War: Battle of Wilson's Creek - The war enters Missouri when a band of raw Confederate troops defeat Union forces in the southwestern part of the state.
1877 - Asaph Hall discovers Deimos.
1893 - At Augsburg, Rudolf Diesel's prime model ran on its own power for the first time. Because of this, August 10 is the International Biodiesel Day.
1913 - Second Balkan War ends: Delegates from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, and Greece sign the Treaty of Bucharest, ending the war.
1920 - World War I: Ottoman sultan Mehmed VI's representatives signed the Treaty of Sevres which divides up the Ottoman Empire between the Allies.
1944 - World War II: American forces defeat the last Japanese troops on Guam.
1945 - World War II: Japan agrees to the Potsdam Conference terms of unconditional surrender, ending the war.
1948 - Candid Camera makes its television after being on radio for a year as Candid Microphone.
1949 - US President Harry S. Truman signs the National Security Bill, streamlining the defense agencies of the United States government, and replacing the National Military Establishment with the United States Department of Defense.
1954 - At Messena, New York, the ground breaking ceremony for the St. Lawrence Seaway is held.
1969 - A day after murdering Sharon Tate and four others, members Charles Manson's cult kill Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
1977 - In Yonkers, New York, 24-year-old postal employee David Berkowitz ("Son of Sam") is arrested for a series of killings in the New York City area over a year's period.
1981 - The head of John Walsh's son Adam is found in Hollywood, Florida. This event will later prompt the United States Congress to pass the Missing Children's Act, giving the Federal Bureau of Investigation greater authority to track the disappearance of children. It also makes Walsh a national spokesman against crime and eventually leads to the establishment of America's Most Wanted.
1988 - Japanese American Internment: US President Ronald Reagan signs the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, providing $20,000 payments to Japanese-Americans who were either interned or relocated by in the United States during World War II.
1990 - The Magellan space probe reaches Venus.
1995 - Oklahoma City bombing: Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols are indicted for the bombing. Michael Fortier pleads guilty in a plea-bargain agreement for his testimony.
1397 - Albert II of Habsburg, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
1821 - Jay Cooke, financier (+ 1905)
1874 - Herbert Hoover, President of the United States (+ 1964)
1898 - Jack Haley, actor (+ 1979)
1900 - Wolfgang Pauli, physicist (+ 1958)
1902 - Norma Shearer, actress (+ 1983)
1902 - Curt Siodmak, science fiction author (+ 2000)
1912 - Jorge Amado, novelist
1923 - Rhonda Fleming, actress
1928 - Jimmy Dean, country and western singer
1940 - Bobby Hatfield, singer, the Righteous Brothers
1943 - Ronnie Spector, singer
1947 - Ian Anderson, musician (Jethro Tull)
1960 - Antonio Banderas, actor
1967 - Riddick Bowe, world champion boxer
1976 - Dave Whiting, Cynthia's husband
612 BC - Sinsharishkun, Assyrian king
258 - Saint Lawrence, martyr
1653 - Maarten Tromp, Dutch admiral
1862 - Shusaku Honinbo, Go player
1945 - Robert Goddard, rocket scientist
1963 - Estes Kefauver, United States Senator from Tennessee
1997 - Conlon Nancarrow, composer
2002 - Kristen Nygaard, computer scientist
Roman Empire - Festival in honor of Ops
Ancient Latvia - Labrenca Diena held
August 9 - August 11 - July 10 - September 10 -- listing of all days
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December\n
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Humorless Post, Volume Three
So, while Charlie Sheen is dominating the media with his choice to destroy his life, some other people are having their lives destroyed without their consent -- and in at least one case, by the court. Jezebel reports that a Canadian judge decided that a convicted rapist didn't deserve jail time because the victim was dressed provocatively. You heard me: convicted rapist, no jail time, because her shirt was too tight. Kenneth Rhodes met a 26 year-old woman in parking lot and then, when she willingly accompanied him into the woods, raped her. But the judge thinks Kenneth Rhodes isn't a rapist. No, he's just a "clumsy Don Juan." Right. The judge explained, "This is a different case than one where there is not perceived invitation...This is a case of misunderstood signals and inconsiderate behaviour."
I'm pretty sure that a judge just called a rape "inconsiderate behaviour" and a violent sex criminal a womanizer.
In case you were wondering, the woman was wearing a tube top, high heels, and (gasp!) makeup. Well, you should have said so, Judge Robert Dewar! Everyone knows that is the universal sartorial sign for "force me to have sex with you." Following the (lack of) sentencing, the victim said she feels like "a prisoner in her own home." Well, she should have thought about that before she...wore clothes. If you are as enraged as I, don't worry; the judge ordered the rapist to write an apology letter to his victim. Because, I don't know about you, but after someone commits a violent crime against me and then blames me for it, I like to keep up correspondence. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Labels: Canada, Rape, Revolting, Women, WTF
The thing I tell myself at a moment like this is, "okay, that's one more hateful judge that has now been exposed to the world and soon will be off the bench"
I would never wish that that judge be at a gym one day, in his "workout" shorts, and become the object of his own thinking... Really.
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Need a Summary of the New Tobacco Law and a Look at its Impact on Retailers?December 29th, 2009
By Ricardo Carvajal & David B. Clissold – The most recent issue of the Food and Drug Law Journal contains an article on the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (“Tobacco Act”) authored by Hyman, Phelps & McNamara’s (“HPM’s”) Ricardo Carvajal, David B. Clissold, and …
In Memoriam – Stephen H. McNamaraDecember 28th, 2009
Our colleague and friend, Stephen H. McNamara passed away on December 28, 2009 of complications from cancer at the age of 66. Steve is survived by Caroline, his wife of 43 years, and his children, Matthew (Veronica) McNamara, and Deborah (Nicholas) Hutchins and six grandchildren. Steve was …
Article Examines Trends in FDA’s Use of Class-Wide REMSDecember 27th, 2009
By William T. Koustas – As FDA becomes more comfortable with the authority provided to it by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 (“FDAAA”), the frequency of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (“REMS”) being applied to an entire class of drugs is …
Healthcare Reform Update: Senate Passes Amended Bill with Drug/Device Rebates and Fees Largely Intact and New Fraud and Abuse ProvisionsDecember 24th, 2009
By Alan M. Kirschenbaum, Kurt R. Karst & J.P. Ellison – On Thursday morning, the U.S. Senate passed, by a 60-39 vote, H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Last weekend, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) unveiled a 383-page Manager’s Amendment to the bill. …
FDA Finalizes Guidance on the Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes to Support Labeling ClaimsDecember 23rd, 2009
By Nisha P. Shah – On December 8, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") issued its final, non-binding guidance for industry on “Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: Use in Medical Product Development to Support Labeling Claims.” A draft guidance was published in February 2006. The final …
Suit Challenges HHS Exclusion Process After Person Has Been ConvictedDecember 23rd, 2009
By William T. Koustas & John R. Fleder – A new lawsuit challenges the government’s ability to exclude individuals from participating in federal health care programs after a person has been convicted of a Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”) misdemeanor. Michael Friedman and Howard R. Udell …
Update: Court of Appeals Upholds Lower Court’s Ruling in HiFi’s Reclassification Petition Denial CaseDecember 22nd, 2009
By Carmelina G. Allis – Earlier this month, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit rendered a summary order affirming the District Court’s judgment for dismissal of the case. We previously reported that FDA had moved to dismiss HiFi DNA Tech, LLC’s (“HiFi’s”) …
CPSC Votes to Lift the Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products and Extend the Stay for OthersDecember 21st, 2009
By Michelle L. Butler – The Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC” or “Commission”) has now voted to lift the stay of the testing and certification requirements for certain products and extend the stay for others. The Commission issued a press release last Friday regarding the decision, …
Citizen Petition Requests FDA’s Confirmation that Prescription Prenatal Vitamins are GRAS/EDecember 20th, 2009
By Riëtte van Laack– Earlier this month, a citizen petition was submitted to FDA requesting that the Agency issue an order confirming that prescription prenatal vitamins containing 1-4 mg folic acid, either alone or in combination with other vitamins and minerals, and used to reduce the …
District Court Decision Acts to Preserve 180-Day Exclusivity Eligibility; An Interesting Solution Around a Forfeiture Catch-22December 17th, 2009
By Kurt R. Karst – A recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Eastern Division) presents an interesting solution to a concern about the forfeiture of 180-day exclusivity when a company submits an ANDA containing both a Paragraph IV Certification …
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act – Stay of Enforcement of Certain Testing and Certification Requirements Likely to be LiftedDecember 17th, 2009
By Michelle L. Butler – On December 16, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC” or “Commission”) posted on its website a draft Federal Register notice that would announce the Commission’s decision to revise the terms of its stay of enforcement of certain testing and …
FDA Announces New Chief Counsel – Ralph S. TylerDecember 16th, 2009
By Kurt R. Karst – Earlier today, FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg announced in an Agency-wide e-mail that Ralph S. Tyler has been appointed to serve as FDA’s Chief Counsel. Mr. Tyler, who is currently serving as Insurance Commissioner of the State of Maryland, will …
Draft Nutrition Standards Proposed for Marketing Foods to ChildrenDecember 16th, 2009
By Cassandra A. Soltis – At the Federal Trade Commission’s ("FTC’s") conference yesterday on food marketing and childhood obesity, officials from the FTC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the United States Department of Agriculture unveiled tentative proposed …
Physician Reporting Obligations: New Jersey’s Proposed Conflict of Interest Regulations Go a Step FurtherDecember 15th, 2009
By Carrie S. Martin – New Jersey’s Attorney General recently endorsed a report prepared by the Division of Consumer Affairs (the “Division”), recommending certain restrictions and obligations on physicians and industry to limit potential conflicts of interest. Many of the recommendations are similar to those …
The Medicines Company Initiates an 11th Hour Push for ANGIOMAX Patent Term Extension; Petitions PTO to Adopt a Rule of Construction for Determining NDA Approval DateDecember 15th, 2009
By Kurt R. Karst – Tick tock! Tick tock! Like sand through the hourglass so too are the days that The Medicines Company (“TMC”) has to convince Congress or the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) to allow a Patent Term Extension for U.S. Patent …
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Ancient giant shark tooth goes missing in Australia
March 13 2018 12:41:00
SYDNEY – Agence France-Presse
A giant fossilised tooth from a prehistoric shark has gone missing from a supposedly secret location at a remote Australian World Heritage site, and wildlife officials want it back.
The well-preserved tooth, which could be valuable to collectors, is an estimated 2-2.5 million years old and belonged to a Megalodon, regarded as one of the largest and most powerful fish to have ever lived.
“It had quite defined features on it, so you could see the serrated edge of the shark’s tooth, it was probably one of the better specimens we knew of,” said Arvid Hogstrom from Parks and Wildlife in Western Australia.
One of just a few Megalodon specimens in the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, “very few people” knew of its location, he added, without elaborating on exactly how many.
“It is not something someone would have stumbled across and they have been required to put a bit of effort in to get it out of the rock as well,” he said.
“We presume... an amateur collector [has taken it] or someone that just wants to have a fossil sitting on their mantelpiece.”
Hogstrom said that his team had been working on protecting the fossil, which is some 10 centimeters long, by concealing it with rocks while considering a range of options for its longer-term perseveration.
“But unfortunately someone has beaten us to it,” he said.
“It is in such a remote location and we just don’t check the site every day, we are not exactly sure when it disappeared but we got a report on Friday.”
Megalodon, which can grow up to 15 meters long, are believed to have become extinct 1.6 million years ago.
Australia, shark, prehistoric, tooth, missing
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E.J. (Doc) Stewart
Coach Info:
Position: Head Coach
Alma Mater: Western Reserve
Graduating Year: 1903
Nebraska Head Coach, 1916-17
Nebraska Record: 11-4-0 (.733)
Edward .J. "Doc" Stewart continued Nebraska's success after he arrived from Oregon State by winning two Missouri Valley Conference titles, but gave up the position when he left for World War I following the 1917 season.
He also served as basketball coach for three seasons, compiling a 29-23 (.558) record.
Stewart came to Nebraska from Oregon State, where he coached the Beaver men's basketball team from 1911 to 1916. He also coached the OSU baseball team in 1912, and from 1913 to 1916 he was the head coach of the Beaver football squad, compiling a 15-5-1 record. He had also previously coached at Purdue and Allegheny College.
In his two seasons at Nebraska, he posted an 11-4-0 overall record that included a 7-0 victory over Notre Dame in Lincoln on Oct. 20, 1917. His only losses came at the hands of the Fighting Irish and Kansas in 1916. The loss to the Jayhawks ended Nebraska's 34-game unbeaten streak that dated back to a Oct. 19, 1912 loss at Minnesota. Stewart's only other losses came to Michigan and Syracuse in 1917.
Stewart joined the war effort after his 1917-18 season at Nebraska, but returned to coaching after the war at Clemson. As the head coach of the Tigers in 1921 and 1922, Stewart posted a 6-10-2 overall record.
In 1923, he took over the football and men's basketball coaching duties at Texas. As UT's head football coach from 1923 to 1926, Stewart amassed a 24-9-3 record that included an undefeated 1923 season.
Stewart enjoyed amazing early success as a coach at Texas. He led the Longhorn basketball team to a 23-0 record and a Southwestern Conference Championship in 1923-24, after coaching the football team to an 8-0-1 season as well in 1923.
However, his next three basketball and football teams did not enjoy similar success and he was dismissed following the 1926-27 season. He ended his coaching career during the 1927 and 1928 football seasons at the University of Texas-El Paso, where he managed a 5-6-3 record on the gridiron.
Stewart played baseball, basketball and football at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio, and attended medical school at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, where he graduated in 1903. He also played baseball at Western Reserve and served as a sports writer for the Morning Gleander and Evening Independent in Massilon, Ohio.
Stewart's many interests made him a popular figure during his tenure at the University of Texas. Stewart, who was a medical school graduate, was a former sports writer and a piano enthusiast. He also owned an automobile dealership and was offered a job in the Texas English Department should he ever decide to quit coaching.
He also founded Camp Stewart for Boys in Hunt, Texas in 1924. The camp, which is now over 80 years old has facilities spread over 500 acres of Texas Hill Country. Camp Stewart is 81 miles North and Northwest of San Antonio and 16 miles west of Kerrville. He also started Camp Mystic for Girls.
Stewart died tragically when a deer-hunting companion shot and killed him on Nov. 18, 1929.
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Two of the biggies slated for a February release are Murder 3 and ABCD: Any Body Can Dance, directed by Remo D’Souza.
There are reports that Karan Johar is planning a period drama and that Ranbir Kapoor will play the lead role in the film. While Shah Rukh Khan isn’t likely to star in the film, Saif Ali Khan will probably be playing the second lead. There are also chances that Kareena will be doing a cameo.
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and Yash Raj Films have teamed up to make Kapur’s ambitious venture, Paani, which has been in the docks for a while. The film is likely to go on the floors mid-2013.
Salman Khan may star with Tabu and Naseeruddin Shah in the Hindi remake of the Telugu hit, Stalin, titled Radhe. The film will be directed by Salman’s brother, Sohail Khan. Tabu and Naseer have been contacted apparently on Salman’s insistence, who feels that they will lend a touch of class to the movie.
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MainOpEdsWomen's Rights in Saudi Arabia?!
Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia?!
Is Saudi Arabia's the next capital of Islamic feminism? Look at these cartoons from the Saudi Women Revolution Facebook page! They've got a long way to go...
Prof. Phyllis Chesler, 28/02/11 12:28
Prof. Phyllis Chesler
INN:PC
The writer is a Ginsburg-Ingerman Fellow at the Middle East Forum, received the 2013 National Jewish Book Award,.authored 18 books, including Women and Madness and The New Anti-Semitism, and 4 studies about honor killing, Her latest books are An American Bride in Kabul, A Family Conspiracy: Honor Killing and A Politically Incorrect Feminist.
In the midst of a Middle East meltdown, in the midst of the most dangerous mayhem and madness, can a feminist and human rights revolution really be brewing in…Saudi Arabia? We know that Saudi Arabia is exceptionally barbaric towards its women and to all progressive thought. Women are not allowed to drive, and they cannot travel, accept employment, or open a bank account without the approval of a male relative. In addition, Saudi women must be fully veiled from head to toe and from front to back, and they must submit to arranged child marriage and to polygamy.
Sharia law rules. Thus, adultery, choosing a husband of one’s own, or refusing to marry, might be privately punished by solitary confinement, beatings, or being honor murdered. Adultery or failure to veil might lead to execution by the religious police or by the state.
Given the extraordinary and fast-paced events taking place in the Middle East, the Saudi King just promised some concessions. They are only economic concessions: He has offered to share more of his bounty with his people in terms of pay raises, affordable family housing, and unemployment benefits. In short, he is offering his long-suffering people a 37 billion dollar bribe.
Why has he done so? What does King Abdullah fear? A number of things: First, a possible Shi’ite takeover of the region.
About 40 years after Mohammed’s death, a huge religious war, a violent split, took place between what are now the two main branches of Islam: Sunni and Shi’a.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Bahrain are the only Muslim countries with a Shi’ite majority; the more than 50 other Muslim countries (except for Oman, which is Ibadi) have Sunni majorities.
Syria is ruled by a Shi’ite family but has a Sunni majority, and southern Lebanon and eastern Saudi Arabia have Shi’ite majorities.
The protestors in Bahrain are mostly members of its Shi’ite majority, who “demand more say in the Sunni-ruled island. Riyadh would be worried if unrest in Bahrain, where seven people were killed and hundreds wounded last week, spread to its own disgruntled Shi’ite minority in the oil-rich east.”
What else might King Abdullah fear? His people chanting: “Down with the Dictator” and calling for his exile or his death.
But, believe it or not, King Abdullah might actually have an honest-to-goodness homegrown reformation-revolution on his hands, one that is not Islamist, and one that is not only seeking economic rights. Saudis have begun to demand political, human, and women’s rights as well.
Egyptian, Libyan, and Bahraini protestors have not been calling for the kinds of rights that the Facebook website Saudi Women Revolution (which I have previously written about here and here) are demanding. Apparently, another Saudi group which calls itself “Saudi Youth for Justice” is demanding additional legal and political rights. Two days ago, I received an email which reads:
“We (The youth of the Saudi Arabia) hope this letter finds its way to the public. We are going to protest and carry on demonstrations like our brothers in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and Tunisia. We are demanding political and economical reform. Our first priority is to fight corruption and to transfer the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy and commonwealth realm. We have no intention of causing trouble in the region or any kind of economic damage to any nation or country. If the Saudi government tries to stop us by using force we might wind up in civil war which will lead to high gas prices. We don’t want this to happen. Please spread our letter to the world, and urge all the world’s governments and especially the Saudi government to let us protest and carry on political reform peacefully. We are responsible people.”
They are not asking for the King to abdicate. They are envisioning a constitutional monarchy which will provide some check on the King’s absolute power.
Since I first wrote about Facebook’s Saudi Women Revolution website, almost 600 “fans” have joined. It is still only a virtual “revolution.” But they are now posting some fairly hilarious, fairly tragic, but rather powerful cartoons. For example, behold the following cartoons:
Man: “You’re her guardian…go ahead and sign here!”
Baby: “Can I give you a footprint instead?”
"Cover your tongue!"
“"Who gave you permission to put my daughter in a mixed room?
This website (Saudi Women Revolution) and the Saudi Youth for Justice group are not the same people who, according to the Associated Press, have promised a “day of rage” in the Kingdom on March 11th. Days of Rage are also being planned in Iraq(February 25th) and Syria (March 15th).
Muammar al-Qaddafi has claimed that his people have been fed hallucinogenic drugs in their coffee by none other than Bin Laden. He is saying that after him—comes the Islamist, al-Qaeda-run deluge. The eminent Steven Emerson suggests that indeed an al-Qaeda ally lurks in the shadows, namely the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG). The apparently genuine (virtual) reformers in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere have another scenario, a more peaceful change, one that embraces an Islamic version of human and women’s rights.
President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton ought to take a stand on behalf of such potentially real reformers.
We have, so far, failed the brave reformers in Iran. Tomorrow, Iranians will conduct a panel and afterwards a rally outside the United Nations on behalf of Iranian women. It is not too late for America to signal its strong support for those Muslims and ex-Muslims who truly wish to enter the modern world, not in terms of bombs, cell phones, and other deadly weapons but in terms of universal, western, Enlightenment values and rights.
I wish to acknowledge my assistant Nathan Bloom’s translation from the Arabic.
Article also appeared on FrontPage Magazine
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MainAll NewsInside IsraelDefense Minister Hopes for Gay Marriage in Israel
Defense Minister Hopes for Gay Marriage in Israel
Ya'alon praises US Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states, calls for Israel to 'follow in US footsteps.'
Shimon Cohen, 28/06/15 09:11
Moshe Ya'alon
Yonatan Sindel/Flash 90
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon (Likud) praised on Friday the US Supreme Court's decision to allow same-sex marriage in the United States.
"The Supreme Court of the United States made an important, just and historic decision today," Ya'alon wrote on his Facebook page. "Every personal has the right to marry and have children, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Ya'alon then expressed hope for a similar ruling to be made in Israel in the future.
"I hope additional countries, including Israel, will follow in the footsteps of the United States and grant this basic right to all."
By a five to four majority, the US Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the US Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage.
While many celebrated, US conservatives protested the decision, which now requires all 50 states to recognize same-sex marriage as legal.
Prior to the SCOTUS ruling, gay marriage was banned in 13 states.
Tags:Moshe Yaalon, SCOTUS, same-sex marriage
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DuPont Circle, DC Real Estate
DuPont Circle lies at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue, P Street and 19th Street. DuPont Circle was located in the “Old City” portion of Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s plan, but most of the physical development did not occur until after the Civil War. Improvements of the area started in the 1870s with the intentions of creating a posh region and residential neighborhood.
The circle, originally called Pacific Circle, was renamed in 1882 after a statue of Samuel Francis DuPont was placed in the middle of the traffic circle. The DuPont statue remained in the circle until it was moved to Wilmington, DE in 1920 and was replaced by a double-tiered fountain created by the architects of the Lincoln Memorial.
Behind the main traffic circle you will find row houses built in the Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque revival style on beautiful tree-lined streets. There are countless restaurants, shops, art galleries and museums that are nestled between the headquarters of non-profit and other advocacy groups.
DuPont Circle is perhaps most famously known for “Embassy Row,” where you will find the most embassies in one area along Massachusetts Avenue. The embassies open up their doors every Halloween for children for the annual embassy trick-or-treating event.
Warm weather brings people from all over the city to DuPont Circle. People picnic in the circle or wander the streets to window shop and admire the architecture. One of the more unique restaurants in DuPont Circle is Kramerbooks & Afterwords, which is D.C.’s first combination bookstore and café.
DuPont Circle is one of the most sought after places to live in the city. It is a center for weekend nightlife and is one metro stop from Woodley Park/Adams Morgan and Farragut North.
DuPont Circle is the home to its own Metro station with Red line service. Metro buses frequent this corridor. Driving isn’t difficult however parking may be a little sparse.
View all DuPont Circle Listings
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1727 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE NW #802
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by Carlo Cestra
The Pola was a Zara-class heavy cruiser of the Italian Regia Marina operating during the Second World War.
She was the last of four ships in this class (Zara, Fiume e Gorizia were the other three), built in the Odero Terni Orlando shipyard in Livorno in 1930 she entered service in 1932.
At the beginning of 1928, the Italian Regia Marina, not to be disadvantaged compared to the other navies, needed to build new cruisers whose could be used with the Trento-class ships, while waiting until the economic resources of the Italian state allowed it to get new battleships or to renovate old ones like Cavour or Giulio Cesare.
Since there was a halt in building and the study of projects, the only existing one was what the Navy Ministry had prepared was for a Trento-class cruiser in which the thickness of the armour was increased to 150 mm.
In fact, it was necessary to produce other cruisers more resistant to combat to the lighter ones, too vulnerable to constitute the core of the support units.
Keeping unchanged the armament and reducing slightly the speed it seemed possible that the vessels can be built without exceeding the standard displacement of 10,000 tons set by the Treaty of Washington.
Anyway the instructions for the study of these cuisers were not to determined from the beginning the displacement and not to be tie up to the limit imposed in Washington for the heavy cruisers.
It was also important that the new heavy cruisers had extensive vertical and horizontal protection, but also a robust hull structure. It was decided to equip them with a main armament of eight 203 mm guns, as on the Trento-class cruisers, and to provide them with an effective operating speed of 32 knots.
To increase the protection of the new cruisers, providing them with a 200 mm armour without exceeding 10,000 tons, it was necessary to reduce the main armament to six 203 guns. This could be possible if there had been the economic resources necessary to order three ships, but at that time, it was hard to obtain it quickly. So the Italian Regia Marina ordered just two cruisers with sixteen guns instead of twelve, with an armament of eight 203 guns and reduced protection of 150 mm of armor.
In 1928 it was decided to build the first two Zara-class cruisers (namely Zara and Fiume) and later in 1929 the Gorizia and finally in 1930 the Pola. The building of the Pola cost 114 millions and 700.000 liras. Pola, at the end of the building, like the other three cruisers of the same class, all entered into service between 1931 and 1932, turned out to be 12,000 tons, although officially reported of 10,000 British tons.
Her motto was “I dare in any undertaking”.
Design, propulsion and armour
Compared to the Trento-class, the Zara-class had a more squat hull, in fact their length was reduced by 14 metres, and it was less suitable for high speed. She had a big bridge structure, that included the fore bridge, the turret and the bow–funnel.
To give them good seakeeping they were equipped with a prow-castle and this solution, compared with the flush-deck of the Trento-class, had the advantage of a considerable saving of weight. The bow was straight ahead to the waterline and it had an arched and very flared shape up to the foredeck.
The stern was very rounded and the rudder was semi-compensed and similar to the Trento ones.
The hangar for the storage of the two floatplanes was built into the hull structure at the bow of the first 203 turret. An elevator lifted the floatplane on the castle bridge where the “Gagnotto” catapult was placed, which extended to the extreme bow.
The ship was protected with a armoured belt that was 150 mm thick amidships. Her deck armor was 70 mm thick in the central portion of the ship and reduced to 20 mm at either end. The gun turrets had 150 mm thick plating on their faces and the barbettes they sat in were also 150 mm thick. The main superstructure had 150 mm thick sides.
The Pola was designed to function as a squadron flagship, so her forward superstructure was larger than that of her sisters, and was faired into the fore funnel.
The vertical protection consisted in a partial belt 150 mm thick at water-line and 100 mm in the lower side part. It continued between the two extreme turrets where it ended with a deck girder 120 mm thick. In height the armored belt reached the protected bridge 70 mm thick. The sides above the belt armor had 30 mm thick to the main deck, that was protected by steel plates 20 mm thick. The turrets and the 203 mm barbettes had 150 mm armor, as was also the armored structure for the direction of the shot. The steering –gear deck of the rudder was protected by a 20 mm bridge.
The engine was made up of eight water-pipe boilers with Thornycroft overheaters. They produced steam to the maximum operating pressure of 25 kg/cm2 with a 60° overheating. The disposition of the boilers was in separated rooms: two at the bow of the prow engine and another one laterally from this; four in the center of the ship between the two groups of engines and another one laterally from the stern group. The boilers fed two “Parsons” steam turbines that fed power to a couple of three blade “Scaglia” screws.
Her engines were rated at 95,000 sh (71,000 kW) and produced a top speed of 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph).
The cruiser was built as a flagship with a larger superstructure to accomodate an admiral’s staff.
She had a crew of 31 officers and 810 men.
Focke-Wulf Ta 154 “Moskito”
Mi-24D/W
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About KJIM
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Korean J Intern Med > Volume 34(4); 2019 > Article
Sun, Lee, Yim, Won, and Ko: The impact of sarcopenia on health-related quality of life in elderly people: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Korean J Intern Med 2019;34(4):877-884.
Published online: November 27, 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2017.182
The impact of sarcopenia on health-related quality of life in elderly people: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Der Sheng Sun1, Hyunyong Lee2, Hyeon Woo Yim3, Hye Sung Won1, Yoon Ho Ko1
1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Uijeongbu, Korea
2Clinical Research Coordinating Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
3Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
Correspondence to Hye Sung Won, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 271 Cheonbo-ro, Uijeongbu 11765, Korea Tel: +82-31-820-5247 Fax: +82-31-847-2719 E-mail: woncomet@catholic.ac.kr
Yoon Ho Ko, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 271 Cheonbo-ro, Uijeongbu 11765, Korea Tel: +82-31-820-3985 Fax: +82-31-847-2719 E-mail: koyoonho@catholic.ac.kr
Received May 18, 2017 Revised July 11, 2017 Accepted August 4, 2017
Copyright © 2019 The Korean Association of Internal Medicine
The purpose of the study is to investigate the associations between sarcopenia and health-related quality of life in elderly men and women in Korea.
In a cross-sectional study using data from 2008 to 2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 4,937 adults aged 60 years and older who underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan were included in the study. Sarcopenia is defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle index of two standard deviations or more below the mean for young, healthy reference populations. The health-related quality of life was measured using the EuroQol-5 dimension questionnaire.
The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 6.6% in these Korean people over the age of 60 years: 11.1% for men and 3.2% for women. Sarcopenic men tended to have lower income, lower physical activity, lower body mass index, and smaller waist circumference compared with nonsarcopenic men. Sarcopenic women tended to have higher body mass index and larger waist circumference compared with nonsarcopenic women. Sarcopenic men showed higher impairments in mobility, self-care, usual activities, and pain/discomfort compared with nonsarcopenic men. Women with sarcopenia also showed higher impairments in mobility, self-care, usual activities, and anxiety/depression compared with nonsarcopenic women. Sarcopenia showed an association with impairments in selfcare for men, and with impairments in self-care, usual activities, and anxiety/depression for women, after adjusting for other confounding factors.
There is a significant association between sarcopenia and impaired health-related quality of life in this elderly Korean population, and these results differ between men and women.
Keywords: Sarcopenia; Aged; Quality of life
The world is rapidly moving into an aged society. As life expectancy is extended, the health and socioeconomic burden of ageing-related problems are increasing exponentially. In recent years, the interest in the quality of life (QOL) of elderly people has also increased. Many experts and older people believe that the QOL is more important than length of life. QOL is a broad multidimensional concept. The World Health Organization defines the concept of QOL as ‘individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standard and concerns’ [1]. The elderly are generally vulnerable due to declining physical and mental capabilities, and therefore health-related quality of life (HRQOL) may be most important issue. As a result, it is challenging to improve their life by investigating factors related to HRQOL in the elderly.
There have been many advances in knowledge about aging processes. Aging is accompanied by many changes in body composition, and one of these is sarcopenia [2]. Sarcopenia is defined as a decrease of skeletal muscle mass and function, and has emerged as one of the most common problems in the elderly population [3]. The estimated prevalence of sarcopenia ranges from 5% to 13% among people aged 60 years and over, increasing to as high as 50% in people over the age of 80 years [4].
Originally, Baumgartner et al. [5] defined sarcopenia as being two standard deviations below the normal appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by height squared. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), an accurate and reliable method to distinguish fat, bone, and lean body mass, is the most widely used method for measuring muscle mass in sarcopenia research [6].
In recent years, there has been a strong interest in the study of sarcopenia, and evidence for its significance and impacts in the elderly has been growing [6]. Sarcopenia can have detrimental effects on physical and functional activities and on the quality of life in elderly groups [7]. However, most studies about the relationship between sarcopenia and QOL have been conducted in Western populations, and few studies have been undertaken among the elderly in Korea. Therefore, here we aimed to investigate the impact of sarcopenia on QOL among elderly Koreans using nationally representative data.
We used data obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV to V) from 2008 to 2011. This was a cross-sectional study conducted every year by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sampling units were registered households selected through a stratified, multistage probability-sampling design considering geographic area, gender, and age, based on data from the Population and Housing Census and the Korean registered population. Therefore, the sample was representative of the noninstitutionalized civilian Korean population. Among 37,753 individuals who participated in the survey, 4,937 adults aged 60 years and older who underwent a DXA scan were included. This survey was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (IRB: 2008-04EXP-01-C, 2009-01CON-03-2C, 2010-02CON-21-C, 2011-02CON-06-C). And all the participants in this survey signed an informed consent form. The data are available on the website (http://knhanes.cdc.go.kr/) [8].
The KNHANES consisted of three components: a health survey, a nutritional intake survey, and a health examination. The health survey included information on smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, mental health, comorbidity, educational and economic status, and HRQOL. Current smokers were defined as those who had smoked greater than 100 cigarettes in their life and who currently smoked cigarettes. Heavy alcohol drinking was defined as consuming seven or more standard drinks a week for men, and five or more standard drinks a week for women. Physical activity levels were divided into three categories: (1) high, vigorous activities that make the subject breathe hard for 20 minutes at least 3 days a week; (2) moderate, activities that make the subject breathe a little harder for 30 minutes at least 5 days a week; and (3) low, common daily activities that do not require much effort.
The HRQOL was measured using the EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D), which is the most commonly used standardized questionnaire for measuring health outcomes [9,10]. The EQ-5D consists of the EQ-5D descriptive system and the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). The EQ-5D descriptive system comprises five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, anxiety/depression, and pain/discomfort. Each dimension has three levels: no problems, some problems, and extreme problems. The EQ-5D descriptive system can be converted into a weighted health state index score by applying scores from the EQ-5D preference weights elicited from general population samples. The EQ-5D index score ranges from states worse than dead (–1) to full health (1), anchoring death at 0. For this study, Korean population weightings were used to convert the results to an EQ-5D index score. The EQ-VAS records the respondent’s self-reported health on a vertical, VAS from 0 (worst imaginable health) to 100 (best imaginable health).
Health examinations included anthropometric measurements, blood and urine tests, chest X-rays, ophthalmic and oral examinations, and bone mineral density measurements using DXA scans. All physical examinations were performed by a specially trained examiner who followed a standard procedure. Waist circumference was measured in the horizontal plane midway between the iliac crest and costal margin at the end of a normal expiration. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.
Study variables
We measured the total body fat tissue and lean soft tissues in kilograms using DXA scans. Lean soft tissue mass was separated into trunk and appendicular components, and appendicular lean mass was calculated as the sum of lean soft tissue mass in the arms and legs. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was obtained by dividing absolute muscle mass by squared height (kg/m2). According to Baumgartner’s criteria, we defined sarcopenia as an appendicular SMI of two standard deviations or more below the mean for young, healthy reference populations [5]. According to this definition, the cut-off values were 6.03 kg/m2 in men and 4.14 kg/m2 in women.
Total body fat percentage was calculated as the weight of total body fat tissue divided by total body weight. Women with > 38% total body fat and men with > 27% total body fat were classified as obese [11].
To investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and HRQOL, we used the EQ-5D questionnaire including the EQ-5D descriptive system, the EQ-VAS, and the EQ-5D index score. The EQ-VAS and EQ-5D index score are presented as the mean ± standard error and some or extreme problems reported in the EQ-5D descriptive system were categorized as indicating an impaired HRQOL.
Data are expressed as percentages or as the mean ± standard error. Student t tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables were used to evaluate significant differences. Multivariable adjusted logistic analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association of sarcopenia with HRQOL. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). A p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
Prevalence of sarcopenia
A flow diagram for the study population is shown in Fig. 1. Among 4,937 adults over the age of 60 years, 324 had sarcopenia: an overall prevalence of 6.6%. In terms of age groups, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 4.6%, 7.3%, and 15.7% in adults aged 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and ≥ 80 years, respectively. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 11.1% for men and 3.2% for women, so men had a higher prevalence of sarcopenia than did women.
Baseline characteristics associated with sarcopenia
Table 1 summarized the characteristics of these elderly men and women according to the presence of sarcopenia. The mean age was higher in men and women with sarcopenia than in those without sarcopenia. Sarcopenic men tended to have a lower income, lower physical activity, lower BMI, and smaller waist circumference than men without sarcopenia. On the other hand, sarcopenic women tended to have a higher BMI and greater waist circumference than women without sarcopenia. In other words, sarcopenic obesity was more common in elderly women than in men. The prevalence of sarcopenia was lower among obese men and women based on total body fat percentages compared with nonobese men and women. There were no differences in smoking status, heavy drinking rates, comorbidities except pulmonary disease between sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic subjects.
Associations between sarcopenia and health-related quality of life
Table 2 showed the HRQOL using EQ-5D according to the presence of sarcopenia. In this descriptive system, sarcopenic men showed higher impairments in mobility, self-care, and usual activities, and more pain/discomfort compared with nonsarcopenic men. Sarcopenic women also showed higher impairments in mobility, self-care, and usual activities, and more anxiety/depression compared with nonsarcopenic women. The mean EQ-VAS and EQ-5D index scores were significantly lower for sarcopenic men and women compared with nonsarcopenic subjects.
Table 3 showed the results of a multivariate regression model used to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on HRQOL. We determined three categories as factors that could affect the HRQOL: (1) age and obesity; (2) lifestyle; and (3) comorbidities. We analyzed the association between sarcopenia and HRQOL after adjusting for each factor. After adjusting for age, BMI, and total body fat mass, there was a significant association between sarcopenia and worse EQ-VAS and EQ-5D index scores in these elderly men and women. Within the EQ-5D descriptive system, impairments in self-care for men and in self-care and usual activities, and more anxiety/ depression for women were associated with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia showed an association with worse EQ-VAS, impairments in self-care for men and in self-care and usual activities, and more anxiety/depression for women, even after adjusting for all three categories. The adjusted odds ratios for self-care were 1.99 and 4.49 for sarcopenic men and women, respectively.
Our study showed that 11.1% for men and 3.2% for women over 60 years of age were sarcopenic, and sarcopenia had a significant association with the HRQOL in Korean elderly people.
The prevalence of sarcopenia has been reported at about 5% to 10% in those over 60 years of age, but it varies according to age, ethnicity, definition of sarcopenia, and disease status. Globally, the prevalence of sarcopenia has been reported to be higher in men. Kim et al. [12] reported that the prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly Korean population in 2012 was 12.4% for men and 0.1% for women.
The pathogenesis of sarcopenia is considered multifactorial: decreased physical activity; age-related mitochondrial dysfunction; loss of motor neuron end plates; weight loss; loss of anabolic hormones; and increases in proinflammatory cytokines have been implicated [6]. Sarcopenia caused by these various degenerative facts leads to a negative impact on general health in elderly populations. Sarcopenia is known to be associated with poor physical performance and functional decline. It can then lead to disability and increased risks for many comorbidities and hospitalization [13]. In our study, those with sarcopenia had significantly lower scores on the EQ-VAS and the EQ-5D index score. After adjusting for other factors known to be related to HRQOL, sarcopenic men had higher rates of some or extreme problems in self-care, and sarcopenic women had higher rates of some or extreme problems in self-care, usual activities, and anxiety/depression.
Two other studies on sarcopenia in the Korean population were reported previously. Koo et al. [14] investigated the impact of sarcopenia and obesity on pulmonary function and HRQOL in male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Both sarcopenia and obesity were independent risk factors for worsening lung function. The results showed that sarcopenia was associated with poorer QOL and obesity was related to better QOL. Another study showed the association of sarcopenic obesity with several indices of psychological health and QOL [15]. They reported that sarcopenic obesity was associated with adverse psychological health and lower QOL compared to normal population. Unlike the previous two studies, our study focused on the effect of sarcopenia on HRQOL in the Korean elderly population, regardless of comorbidities. We also analyzed men and women separately, because the effect of sarcopenia may be different in men and women. As a result, we confirmed that there is a significant association between sarcopenia and HRQOL in the elderly, and the impact of sarcopenia on HRQOL seemed to be greater in women than in men. One of the causes for higher impact on women’s HRQOL may be a higher incidence of sarcopenic obesity in women.
In addition to sarcopenia, obesity is one of the important changes in body composition that accompanies aging processes. Normal aging is associated with a progressive increase in visceral abdominal fat mass [16]. Obesity has been shown to be linked to a higher risk for disability and comorbidity and a decreased quality of life in the elderly [17]. Obesity and sarcopenia might interact to potentiate their detrimental effects on physical disability, morbidity, and mortality [18,19]. In our study, women with sarcopenia had an increased waist circumference and a higher BMI than women without sarcopenia. In other words, unlike elderly men, elderly women showed a tendency for sarcopenic obesity. This difference between men and women might affect gender differences in the association between sarcopenia and HRQOL, so more research is needed to clarify the significance of sarcopenic obesity and the mechanisms that might generate gender differences.
This study has some limitations. First, the definition of sarcopenia is based only on the muscle mass. Since Baumgartner et al. [5] originally defined sarcopenia as an excessive loss of muscle mass associated with aging processes, international groups have provided revised definitions of sarcopenia including an evaluation of both muscle function and mass [3,20]. Our study was conducted using data from a nationwide survey that did not include an evaluation of muscle function. Second, it was not possible to analyze the effect of sarcopenia on HRQOL in the population with specific comorbidities such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and hypertension. This is the cross-sectional study that measures the proportion of a population with a particular exposure or disease at a single point in time. Therefore, the disease status of each participant is all different, and this makes it difficult to evaluate the effect of sarcopenia in homogeneous group of patients with specific diseases. Although these are limitations to the study, the results could be significant in terms of evaluating the associations between sarcopenia and HRQOL, targeted toward a representative elderly Korean population.
In conclusion, sarcopenia has become a major adverse health condition of elderly subjects and contributes to deteriorations in their physical and functional health. We found that there was a significant association between sarcopenia and impairments in HRQOL in the elderly Korean population. Therefore, efforts to treat and prevent sarcopenia might improve the quality of life for elderly people, and approaches considering gender differences in sarcopenia and obesity might be needed.
1. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 6.6% in Korean people aged 60 years or older, and sarcopenia was more common in men than in women.
2. Sarcopenia was associated with impairments in self-care for men, and with impairments in self-care, usual activities, and anxiety/depression for women.
3. Sarcopenia has shown a more negative impact on self-care among women than among men (adjusted odds ratio 1.99 for men and 4.49 for women).
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
The statistical consultation was supported by a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea (HI14C1062).
Flow diagram for the study population. KNHANES, Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; DXA, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Baseline characteristics of study population according to sarcopenic status
Men (n = 2,160)
Women (n = 2,777)
No sarcopenia (n = 1,925)
Sarcopenia (n = 235)
Sarcopenia (n = 89)
Age, yr 68.5 ± 0.17 72.6 ± 0.58 0.001 70.3 ± 0.18 72.1 ± 0.94 0.064
60–69 1,107 (61.6) 82 (38.1) 0.001 1,403 (49.6) 39 (42.3) 0.210
70–79 706 (33.1) 105 (40.2) 1,043 (39.0) 32 (39.1)
≥ 80 112 (5.7) 48 (21.7) 242 (11.4) 18 (18.6)
Income status 0.001 0.466
Low 753 (37.7) 120 (53.9) 1,337 (50.8) 52 (60.7)
Low–moderate 529 (29.1) 60 (24.5) 642 (23.9) 20 (18.5)
Moderate–high 346 (18.0) 30 (13.1) 380 (14.3) 8 (10.3)
High 276 (15.1) 20 (8.4) 287 (11.1) 9 (10.5)
Current smoker 508 (28.4) 77 (33.8) 0.152 122 (4.8) 4 (3.4) 0.536
Heavy drinking 199 (15.9) 20 (16.8) 0.809 18 (2.0) 0
Physical activity 0.001 0.328
Low 1,493 (77.7) 208 (89.6) 2,202 (83.2) 75 (84.2)
Moderate 176 (8.3) 8 (3.0) 236 (8.0) 8 (11.0)
High 256 (13.9) 19 (7.4) 250 (8.8) 6 (4.7)
Body mass index, kg/m2 23.7 ± 0.09 20.7 ± 0.27 0.001 24.3 ± 0.08 25.2 ± 0.43 0.034
Underweight (< 18.5) 42 (2.2) 62 (25.2) 0.001 84 (3.0) 6 (5.5) 0.010
Normal (18.5–22.9) 776 (39.5) 128 (53.3) 902 (32.8) 18 (14.9)
Overweight (23–29.9) 1,077 (56.7) 44 (21.0) 1,573 (59.0) 60 (72.9)
Obese (≥ 30) 30 (1.6) 1 (0.5) 129 (5.2) 5 (6.7)
Waist circumference, cm 86.1 ± 0.25 78.3 ± 0.79 0.001 83.5 ± 0.25 86.2 ± 1.14 0.017
Total body fat massa 0.047 0.001
Obese 427 (22.0) 33 (14.1) 692 (26.5) 3 (2.3)
Cancer 122 (5.9) 21 (6.9) 0.550 157 (5.8) 3 (2.6) 0.147
Hypertension 1,116 (58.3) 139 (58.5) 0.957 1,703 (64.4) 39 (67.4) 0.564
Diabetes 403 (20.4) 55 (23.3) 0.381 525 (20.5) 22 (25.1) 0.426
Hyperlipidemia 221 (12.3) 20 (6.5) 0.015 624 (23.4) 22 (25.1) 0.741
Pulmonary disease 616 (32.5) 56 (22.4) 0.007 390 (13.8) 7 (6.0) 0.017
Values are presented as mean ± standard error or number (%).
a Obesity is defined as > 27% for men and > 38% for women.
Health-related quality of life according to sarcopenic status
EQ-5D descriptive systema
Mobility 491 (25.7) 98 (42.8) 0.001 1,260 (48.9) 53 (65.2) 0.004
Self-care 141 (6.6) 40 (18.5) 0.001 393 (15.3) 27 (35.0) 0.001
Usual activities 336 (17.5) 72 (31.7) 0.001 817 (31.4) 42 (54.1) 0.002
Anxiety/depression 556 (28.3) 79 (34.4) 0.109 1,286 (47.7) 50 (61.0) 0.017
Pain/discomfort 178 (8.7) 34 (15.8) 0.003 523 (19.7) 23 (26.2) 0.215
EQ-VAS (0–100) 72.76 ± 0.55 61.97 ± 2.19 0.001 66.03 ± 0.57 58.97 ± 3.58 0.055
EQ-5D index score 0.91 ± 0.004 0.83 ± 0.02 0.001 0.83 ± 0.005 0.74 ± 0.03 0.003
Values are presented as number (%) or mean ± standard error.
EQ-5D, EuroQol comprising five dimensions; VAS, visual analogue scale.
a Some or extreme problems in the EQ-5D descriptive system were used as cut-off points for determining impaired health-related quality of life.
Multivariate regression analysis to evaluate the association between sarcopenia and health-related quality of life
Model 3c
EQ-5D descriptive system
Mobility 1.44 (0.93–2.25) 1.44 (0.93–2.23) 1.38 (0.89–2.14) 1.11 (0.46–2.64) 1.15 (0.4–82.74) 1.08 (0.45–2.63)
Self-care 2.01 (1.03–3.95)d 2.05 (1.03–4.09)d 1.99 (1.01–3.92)d 4.04 (1.40–11.67)d 4.11 (1.41–11.99)d 4.49 (1.53–13.13)d
Usual activities 1.01 (0.57–1.80) 1.00 (0.57–1.78) 0.98 (0.56–1.73) 2.91 (1.24–6.83)d 3.09 (1.32–7.26)d 3.16 (1.29–7.73)d
Anxiety/depression 1.02 (0.62–1.67) 1.02 (0.62–1.68) 1.00 (0.61–1.64) 2.36 (1.08–5.13)d 2.43 (1.13–5.24)d 2.37 (1.09–5.14)d
Pain/discomfort 1.15 (0.60–2.18) 1.12 (0.59–2.12) 1.06 (0.57–1.98) 1.13 (0.40–3.20) 1.15 (0.40–3.25) 1.10 (0.38–3.16)
EQ-VAS (0–100) –8.11d –6.40d –6.12d –7.46d –13.50 –13.75
EQ-5D index score –0.06d –0.03 –0.03 –0.08d –0.03 –0.03
The EQ-5D descriptive system results are presented as odds ratio (95% confidence interval). Values for EQ-VAS and EQ-5D index score are beta-coefficients for sarcopenia when non-sarcopenia = 0.
a Adjusted for age, body mass index, and total body fat mass.
b Model 1 + adjusted for smoking and drinking habits, and amount of physical activity.
c Model 2 + adjusted for comorbidities.
d p < 0.05.
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Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with early tooth loss: results from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V to VI
Validation of the Friedewald formula for estimating low density lipoprotein cholesterol: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009 to 2011
Prevalence and risk factors for reduced pulmonary function in diabetic patients: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 July;32(4)
Relationship between pulmonary function and bone mineral density in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016 September;31(5)
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SES-14 Goes Operational to Serve the Americas
SES’s geostationary satellite with its wide-beam and high throughput capabilities will capture attractive growth opportunities in video, maritime and aeronautical markets across the Americas
News provided by SES S.A.
LUXEMBOURG--(Business Wire / Korea Newswire) September 04, 2018 -- SES announced today that the high-powered SES-14 satellite, positioned at 47.5 degrees West, is now serving Latin America, the Caribbean, North America, North Atlantic and West Africa.
The all-electric satellite, which has both C- and Ku-band wide-beam coverage and Ku-band high throughput spot beam coverage, is SES's second hybrid satellite to serve the Americas, with the first being SES-15.
SES-14's C-band and Ku-band wide beams and high throughput capabilities are serving various markets. The satellite is expanding the reach of SES’s second cable neighbourhood in Latin America, and provides new capacity for direct-to-home services. It is also delivering more high-speed connectivity to the dynamic aeronautical market and other traffic-intensive applications in the maritime and cellular backhaul markets.
The satellite also carries a hosted payload for NASA’s Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission. GOLD will provide unprecedented imaging of the Earth’s upper atmosphere from geostationary orbit to deepen scientists' understanding of the boundary between Earth and space.
SES-14 at 47.5 degrees West is replacing and augmenting services currently provided on NSS-806. The license to operate at this Brazilian orbital location was the result of SES’s successful participation in a spectrum auction in 2014.
Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer at SES, said, “Thanks to the Airbus, Arianespace and SES teams, SES-14 is able to fulfil its planned satellite mission of bringing better picture quality TV content to people across Latin America, as well as delivering high-speed broadband services to airline passengers flying over the Americas and North Atlantic routes. Enterprises and communities within the region will also be able to access the reliable connectivity provided by SES-14. SES-14 is key to SES's future growth trajectory and is part of our ongoing strategy to develop innovative capabilities for specific and growing markets.”
SES-14 was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. SES-14 was built by Airbus Defence and Space and is an all-electric satellite. The satellite also features a Digital Transparent Processor (DTP), which increases payload flexibility and will provide customised connectivity solutions to SES's customers.
About SES
SES is the world’s leading satellite operator with over 70 satellites in two different orbits, Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). It provides a diverse range of customers with global video distribution and data connectivity services through two business units: SES Video and SES Networks. SES Video reaches over 351 million TV homes, through Direct-to-Home (DTH) platforms and cable, terrestrial, and IPTV networks globally. The SES Video portfolio includes MX1, a leading media service provider offering a full suite of innovative services for both linear and digital distribution, and the ASTRA satellite system, which has the largest DTH television reach in Europe. SES Networks provides global managed data services, connecting people in a variety of sectors including telecommunications, maritime, aeronautical, and energy, as well as governments and institutions across the world. The SES Networks portfolio includes GovSat, a 50/50 public-private partnership between SES and the Luxembourg government, and O3b, the only non-geostationary system delivering fibre-like broadband services today. Further information is available at: www.ses.com
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Takeda Shareholders Approve Resolutions Related to the Proposed Acquisition of Shire plc
News provided by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
December 06, 2018 13:40 KST
OSAKA, JAPAN--(Business Wire / Korea Newswire) December 06, 2018 -- NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) (“Takeda”) today announced the results of the shareholder votes at its Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (“EGM”) regarding the recommended acquisition of Shire plc (“Shire”) (“the Acquisition”).
Takeda’s proposal to delegate to the Takeda Board the decision regarding the offering terms for the issuance of the new Takeda shares required to implement the proposed Acquisition was approved as originally proposed by at least 88 percent* of the votes exercised in respect of this proposal. The Takeda shareholder approval condition required for the Acquisition to be implemented has therefore been satisfied.
“We are delighted that our shareholders have given their strong support to our acquisition of Shire,” said Christophe Weber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Takeda. “With shareholder approval secured, we are looking forward to closing the acquisition in the coming weeks to create a more competitive, agile, highly profitable, and therefore more resilient company, poised to deliver highly innovative medicines and transformative care to patients around the world.”
The Acquisition remains subject to approval by Shire shareholders at meetings expected to be held later today, and to the sanctioning of the Shire scheme of arrangement by the Jersey Court at a hearing expected to be held on January 3, 2019. Subject to receipt of the necessary Shire shareholder approvals and the sanction of the scheme of arrangement by the Jersey Court, it is expected that completion of the Acquisition will take place on January 8, 2019.
In addition, Takeda’s proposal to appoint three of Shire’s existing external directors (namely Ian Clark, Olivier Bohuon and Steven Gillis) to the Takeda Board with effect from closing was also approved as originally proposed (such directors will be external directors and “Directors who are not Audit and Supervisory Committee Members”). Each of these appointments was approved by at least 87 percent* of the votes exercised in respect of this proposal.
Takeda is in the process of calculating the detailed shareholder vote results from the EGM and expects to release the final voting results without delay.
* Note: This figure is presented based on the number of votes exercised in favor of the proposal as a percentage of the approximate number of total votes exercised in respect of this proposal (in each case, to the extent such figures could reasonably be ascertained by the time of this announcement).
About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and neuroscience therapeutic areas plus vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of innovation. Innovative products, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, as well as Takeda’s presence in emerging markets, are currently fueling the growth of Takeda. Approximately 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with Takeda’s partners in health care in more than 70 countries.
For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com/newsroom/.
This Announcement is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise nor will there be any sale, issuance, exchange or transfer of securities of Shire or Takeda pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.
This Announcement contains certain statements about Takeda and Shire that are or may be forward looking statements, including with respect to a possible combination involving Takeda and Shire. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Announcement may be forward looking statements. Without limitation, forward looking statements often include words such as “targets”, “plans”, “believes”, “hopes”, “continues”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects” or words or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty, because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and the factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this Announcement could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the possibility that a possible combination will not be pursued or consummated, failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the possible combination if it is pursued, adverse effects on the market price of Takeda’s ordinary shares and on Takeda’s or Shire’s operating results because of a failure to complete the possible combination, failure to realise the expected benefits of the possible combination, negative effects relating to the announcement of the possible combination or any further announcements relating to the possible combination or the consummation of the possible combination on the market price of Takeda’s or Shire’s ordinary shares, significant transaction costs and/or unknown liabilities, general economic and business conditions that affect the combined companies following the consummation of the possible combination, changes in global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory forces, future exchange and interest rates, changes in tax laws, regulations, rates and policies, future business combinations or disposals and competitive developments. Although it is believed that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct and you are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as at the date of this Announcement.
Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shire’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Shire’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, in each case including those risks outlined in ‘ITEM1A: Risk Factors’, and in Shire’s subsequent reports on Form 8-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings (available at www.Shire.com and www.sec.gov), the contents of which are not incorporated by reference into, nor do they form part of, this Announcement. These risk factors expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this Announcement and should also be considered by the reader.
All forward-looking statements attributable to Takeda or Shire or any person acting on either company’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. Except to the extent otherwise required by applicable law, neither Takeda nor Shire undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
No profit forecasts or estimates
Unless expressly stated otherwise, nothing in this Announcement (including any statement of estimated synergies) is intended as a profit forecast or estimate for any period and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share or dividend per share for Takeda or Shire, as appropriate, for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share or dividend per share for Takeda or Shire, as appropriate.
This Announcement contains information about products that may not be available and in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs, including the ones under development.
Publication on Website
In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Code, a copy of this Announcement will be made available (subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in restricted jurisdictions) on Takeda's website at www.takeda.com/investors/offer-for-shire by no later than 12 noon (London time) on December 6, 2018. The content of the website referred to in this Announcement is not incorporated into and does not form part of this Announcement.
Disclosure requirements of the Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel‘s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.
Takeda (Investor Relations)
Takashi Okubo
takeda.ir.contact@takeda.com
Takeda (Media - inside Japan)
Kazumi Kobayashi
Kazumi.Kobayashi@takeda.com
Takeda (Media - outside Japan)
Tsuyoshi Tada
Tsuyoshi.Tada@takeda.com
Elissa Johnsen
Elissa.Johnsen@takeda.com
Finsbury (communications support to Takeda)
(U.K.) Rollo Head / James Murgatroyd
(U.S.) Kal Goldberg / Chris Ryall
All releases from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
Takeda Continues Ongoing Inclusion in the FTSE4Good Developed Index & MSCI ESG Leaders Index
Takeda Unveil New Data from the PROPEL Study at ISTH 2019, Reinforcing the Potential Benefit for Personalized Prophylaxis with ADYNOVATE in Severe Hemophilia A
Takeda to Demonstrate Global Leadership in Hematology at ISTH 2019
Takeda Completes Sale of Xiidra® to Novartis
Takeda Selects Five New Partnerships for Annual Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program, Supporting Disease Prevention to Improve Health in Developing and Emerging Countries
Takeda Pharmaceutica...
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
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Bourriaud to curate Istanbul Biennial
22.01.2019 | News
16TH Istanbul Biennial opens in September 2019, curated by Nicolas Bourriaud
The 16th Istanbul Biennial, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, and sponsored by Koç Holding, will take place from 14 September to 10 November 2019. (Media preview: 10–13 September, Professional preview: 12–13 September)
The 2019 Istanbul Biennial will be curated by the French art historian, curator and scholar, Nicolas Bourriaud, and is entitled The Seventh Continent.
One of the most visible effects of this new geological era, characterised by the impact of human activities upon the planet is the so-called Seventh Continent. A third of the size of the United States but completely uninhabited, it was discovered in the North Pacific in 1997 by the American oceanographer Charles Moore, a vortex in the sea covering an area of 3.4 million square kilometres contaminated by 7 tons of floating plastic waste.
Nicolas Bourriaud, one of the co-founders of Palais de Tokyo, Paris, and current director of the Montpellier Contemporain, said: “The 16th Istanbul Biennial will highlight today’s art as an enquiry about global life, a sum of studies about human effects upon the earth. Due to the increasing interconnections between cultures, the development of transportation, the migratory flow, the old centres now shelter a multitude of micro-cultures. The natural elements drift away together, reduced to particles and waste.”
The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) has organised the Istanbul Biennial since 1987. The biennial aims to create a meeting point in Istanbul, in the field of visual arts between artists from diverse cultures and the audience. The Istanbul Biennial is one of the most established and respected biennials in the world. Each year a guest curator is appointed by an international advisory board to develop the conceptual framework and select the artists and projects that are invited to participate.
Nicolas Bourriaud, born in 1965, is a curator and writer. He is the director of Montpellier Contemporain (MoCo), an institution he created, gathering the La Panacée art centre, the École supérieure des Beaux-Arts and the future MoCo Museum, which will be opened in June 2019. He was the director of the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris from 2011 to 2015. From 2010 to 2011, he headed the studies department at the Ministry of Culture in France. He was Gulbenkian Curator for Contemporary Art at Tate Britain in London from 2007 to 2010 and founder advisor for the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in Kiev. He also founded and co-directed the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, between 1999 and 2006.
The 2019 Istanbul Biennial Advisory Board members are Iwona Blazwick, Director, Whitechapel Gallery, London; Ayşe Erek, Director of Design Research Graduate Programme, Kadir Has University, Istanbul; Yuko Hasegawa, Chief Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo and Agustín Pérez Rubio, independent curator, former Artistic Director of Museo de Art Latinoamericano, Buenos Aires.
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