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__label__cc | 0.612588 | 0.387412 | Pests, Diseases and Weeds
Animal pests and diseases
Avian Influenza or Bird Flu
Global avian influenza outbreak situation update
Bird biosecurity
Global avian influenza outbreak situation updateCurrently selected
Information for recreational shooters
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is aware of the multiple outbreaks worldwide of H5 related highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses in poultry. These outbreaks have resulted from a new H5N8 strain of the virus that emerged in poultry and many wild bird species in Asia in 2014. They include:
H5N1 in China and Vietnam
H5N2 in North America and Taiwan
H5N6 in China, Laos and Vietnam
H5N8 in China, Europe, Japan, North America, South Korea and Taiwan.
These viruses are not known to easily cause disease in humans, however a small number of people infected with H5N6 have been reported in China since late 2014.
The multiple H5N2 and H5N8 HPAI outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry flocks worldwide have serious socioeconomic and animal health impacts. The current outbreak in the United States alone has been confirmed in more than 46 million birds with HPAI.
Information about the situation in the United States is available on the US Department of Agriculture website, while further information on the global HPAI situation is available on the World Organisation for Animal Health website.
Australia’s chief veterinary officer has been in contact with Australian poultry groups to keep them aware of the current avian influenza situation.
Avian influenza and risks to Australia
It is not uncommon for wild birds in Australia or migratory birds coming to Australia to carry low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI).
Australia has previously had outbreaks of avian influenza in commercial poultry – all of which were successfully eradicated. These outbreaks were not caused by the strains that have recently emerged and are currently causing concern in the United States and Asia.
While the likelihood of these overseas H5 HPAI viruses entering and becoming established in Australia is low, it is a timely reminder that all bird owners and poultry producers put good biosecurity measures in place to prevent avian influenza, and other endemic diseases, in their birds.
Good biosecurity to protect your birds
Observations from the United States have seen huge difficulties in eradicating and controlling the spread of the viruses in commercial flocks.
Good biosecurity practices are the key to preventing the spread of avian influenza in poultry species and are critical in combating any incursion.
Poultry producers should review and enhance their biosecurity plans and practices, particularly those around preventing contact with wild birds (including through poultry drinking water, as wild bird contact with water for poultry is a known path for avian influenza virus transmission).
National Farm Biosecurity Manual – Poultry Production
Other bird owners (with pet, show or racing birds) also need to practice good biosecurity. See the bird biosecurity page for simple tips on preventing avian influenza and other diseases in your birds.
Importantly, if your birds are showing signs of disease or you see large numbers of dead birds, report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line14 |
__label__cc | 0.68125 | 0.31875 | Amalgamated Printers' Association
…AN ORGANIZATION COMPOSED OF LETTERPRESS PRINTING ENTHUSIASTS
About The APA
APA Historical Pages
How The APA Was Named
Early APA History
Previous Wayzgoose Cities
Annual APA Wayzgoose Info
Amalgamated Printers’ Association
(Last revision on March 2006)
Article I / General
Article II / Membership
Article III / Activities
Article IV / Printing Specifications
Article V / Official Business
Article VI / Elections
Article VII / Officers, Board, Terms & Tenure
Article VIII / Duties of Board Members
Article IX / Amendments to the Rules
Article I: General
The name of the organization is Amalgamated Printers’ Association, abbreviated APA.
The purposes of APA are:
To foster interest in the art of letterpress printing.
To encourage excellence in printing.
To provide a means for collective exchange of members work, promoting mutual communication and improvement of skills.
Article II: Membership
Membership is limited to 150.
A partnership of two or more qualified persons at the same address may choose to be recognized as a single membership, provided they so advise the Secretary-Treasurer. In case of death of one partner, membership reverts to the surviving partner(s).
Qualifications for membership are an interest in printing as a hobby, possession of or access to letterpress printing equipment, and a working knowledge of letterpress printing.
Induction:
A candidate for membership may apply to the Secretary-Treasurer. The application must be endorsed by a sponsor who has been an APA member in good standing for the last two years, and must be accompanied by a specimen of the candidate’s letterpress printing.
A waiting list of applicants shall be maintained by the Secretary-Treasurer, and qualifying candidates shall be inducted in order of application.
A candidate shall be notified when his name reaches the top of the waiting list and a vacancy occurs, and invited to join by remitting dues, which at the discretion of the Secretary-Treasurer may be pro-rated.
Permanent membership numbers shall be consecutively assigned to all members at the time of induction. If a previous member rejoins, the original number shall be used by that member.
Upon acceptance of dues copies of the APA Constitution and Membership Directory shall be sent to the new member, and the sponsor shall be notified.
A new member is on probationary status until he prints a Proprietor’s Card for distribution in the Bundle, which must be done within three months of acceptance. It is encouraged that this include a brief introduction of the member, relating qualifications, background and shop information.
Dues:
Annual dues shall be in an amount determined by the Board. Members living outside the United States are asked to voluntarily contribute more than their dues to offset the extra postage in mailing their bundles.
Renewal notices shall be distributed annually in the January Bundle, with dues payable by March 1.
The Vice President shall attempt to personally contact any member delinquent as of March 15. The Secretary-Treasurer shall terminate by written notice any member delinquent as of April 1.
Participation:
All members shall actively participate in APA by publication of at least four separate and different letterpress printed items per calendar year for distribution in the Bundle. Members may not submit more than two pieces for the December bundle.
Each letterpress-printed contribution to Treasure Gems may be counted toward this requirement, provided that Treasure Gems is distributed to all members. If Treasure Gems is not distributed to all members, only one such contribution may be counted toward this requirement.
Items produced as joint ventures shall be counted at half-credit for each participant.
Items produced by a partnership shall be counted as if the partners were a single member.
At the discretion of the board member responsible for checking participation, publications with multiple sheets bound together may be counted as more than one item.
In the event a member in good standing suffers a disability or other hardship, a written request for waiver of the required participation may be filed with the Vice President. If he and the President agree, a waiver may be granted for the current calendar year only, after which the member may reapply.
Members shall receive the monthly Bundle.
Subject to specific registration and fees, members are entitled to participate in all APA activities.
Article III: Activities
The Bundle is a packet mailed monthly to all members for the collective exchange of printing specimens. It may also contain announcements, reports, ballots, and other official business or unofficial items submitted by members for the general interest.
Treasure Gems is a cooperative book published annually in May, containing works of members contributed on a voluntary basis. It is coordinated by a volunteer member other than the Mailer.
The Wayzgoose is an informal annual convention held on a summer weekend and coordinated by a volunteer host financially responsible only to those who register and attend.
Other activities such as cooperative calendars, contests, field trips, newsletters, keepsakes, awards, etc., may be initiated by any member.
Article IV: Printing Specifications
Except for educational materials approved by the Vice President or official business, members are required to only submit letterpress-printed pieces for the bundle.
Variable dimensions, thickness or weight of stock in one item is discouraged.
Items sent to the Mailer shall be suitably packed, and marked to indicate intended distribution if other than the current month.
Items requiring folding, binding, or similar operations shall be so serviced before shipment to the Mailer.
Identification and contents:
Each piece submitted for distribution shall clearly indicate the name of the member who printed and/or contributed it. Neither the name of the press nor the assigned APA number constitutes the name of the member, but such further identification is encouraged.
In the spirit of the free press, there are no restrictions to subject matter, but APA is not intended as a forum for material of inflammatory or controversial nature.
Should the propriety of an item be questioned, the Mailer shall withhold distribution of it and refer the matter to the Vice President, who shall render a decision with due promptness.
Proprietor’s Card:
Each member shall print a 3″x5″ Proprietor’s Card for distribution to other members, with the following format recommended:
Name of member in the upper left hand corner with the last name first.
Assigned APA number, name of press, mailing address, telephone number, and salient facts about member’s interests and equipment.
Month and year the member joined APA in the lower right corner.
A. Month and year the Proprietor’s card was issued, reissued or revised in the lower right corner.
When new members join APA, each member is requested to welcome them by mailing a Proprietor’s Card.
Members are encouraged to reissue Proprietor’s Cards occasionally, especially in case of significant changes.
Monthly Bundle:
For a regular Bundle, items shall not exceed 6″x9″ flat, or 5.5″x8.5 folded.
For the special November Bundle, items shall not exceed 8.5″x11″ flat, or 8″x10″ folded.
Members shall furnish 155 copies to the Mailer of each item intended for Bundle distribution.
Except for official association notices or variances approved by the Vice President, all items submitted for the bundle must be printed via the letterpress process.
Treasure Gems
Items submitted for publication in Treasure Gems shall be 4.5″x6,” preferably printed both sides, and sent to the special coordinator, not the Mailer.
Use of stock thicker or heavier than text grade is discouraged.
Deadlines and particulars shall be published in the Bundle by the coordinator as appropriate.
Article V: Official Business
Items of official business may be printed by any Board member, or any lay member or outside source duly designated by a Board member.
Costs of paper, binding, typesetting, shipping or similar services performed within or outside APA membership on official business may be borne by APA funds. Such expenditures must be approved by the President.
Reimbursement for personal labor, consultation, coordination, travel, or similar expenses to any Officer or member from APA funds is strictly prohibited.
A fee determined by the Board of Directors shall be paid to each of the Secretary-Treasurer and the Mailer, over and above itemized expenses, to cover incidental costs.
Article VI: Elections
Nominations shall be by petition from the candidate seeking office. The Petition must be endorsed by another member in good standing for the last two years. The Petition shall be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer by August 1 of even numbered years.
Balloting is by mail in duplicate distributed in the September Bundle. Vote recorders shall be the Secretary-Treasurer and the Senior Director. A recorder who is running for office shall be replaced by an alternate appointed by the President. Ballots received by either recorder after October 15 will be considered invalid.
Results of the election shall be published in the November Bundle. If in the judgment of the President, the two sets of ballots disagree sufficiently to obscure the outcome, another balloting shall be conducted promptly.
Special elections for official business may be held any time as required, following the same sequence set forth above.
In any contest the candidate or choice receiving the greatest number of valid votes shall be the winner.
In case of tie vote the outcome shall be determined by a majority of the Board.
If there are no contested races for APA offices, the President, with the approval of the Board, may declare those who filed for an office the winners without an election.
Article VII: Officers, Board, Terms & Tenure
The four elected officers are President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Mailer: they are elected for two year terms, taking office on January 1 of odd-numbered years. These officers shall not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.
The three directors are elected for staggered six-year terms, one each to take office concurrently with the elected officers. Directors may not serve consecutive terms.
The Archivist shall be appointed by the President, with the advise of the Board, and serve for an indefinite term.
The holders of the above eight offices shall constitute the Board.
No member may hold more than one office simultaneously.
Should the office of the President become vacant, it shall be assumed by the Vice President.
Other vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the President, and ratified by at least two other Board members.
Directors so appointed shall serve until the next general election, at which time a Director shall be elected to finish the vacated term.
At the next general election such appointees, or Vice President assuming the office of President, shall not be construed to be in conflict with the tenure rules set forth in this article.
Article VIII: Duties of Board Members
The President is the chief spokesman and serves as Chairman of the Board. He shall be the alternate signator for the APA bank account. He shall ensure that the constitutional duties of all officers are discharged as specified.
The Vice President shall assist with the coordination of duties of all Board members, and with particular regard to:
Making every effort to contact all members whose dues are delinquent as of March 15.
Evaluation of the propriety of questionable Bundle contributions.
Membership petitions for activity waiver.
The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for APA funds and membership records, with particular regard to:
Processing applications from prospective new members.
Collecting membership dues.
Advising Vice President promptly of all members whose dues are delinquent as of March 15.
Processing election petitions from members seeking to run for office or sponsor a constitutional amendment.
Arranging ballot distribution for general and special elections.
Maintaining a current membership list.
Maintaining proper bank accounts.
Publish or have published an annual report in the February bundle, to include a financial statement from the previous year, changes in the membership, and any other pertinent official business.
Maintain and publish or have published the current APA Constitution as required.
Publish or have published annually in the September bundle a notice reminding members that the November bundle will accept large items.
Publish or have published a current membership directory annually in the June bundle.
Publish or have published annually in the January bundle a dues notice.
The Mailer is responsible for distributing monthly Bundles, with particular regard to:
Printing 6.5”x9.5” or larger envelopes, at the mailer’s descretion, for mailing regular monthly bundles and 9”x12” envelopes for the November bundle. The mailer may use any kind of envelope he/she sees fit for mailing.
Normally mailing the Bundles between the 10th and 15th day of each month.
Withholding distribution of items of questionable propriety, and referring them to the Vice President.
The Archivist shall:
Receive and file an extra monthly Bundle.
Collect historical papers, pictures, clippings, journals, and similar items concerning APA.
Maintain a log of Bundle contributions to determine compliance with the activity requirement.
Publish a report annually in the September Bundle, listing by membership number only, all members who have not yet met activity requirement for the current year. For each such member, the report shall list the number of qualifying and non-qualifying items published both year-to-date and for the previous calendar year.
File a year-end activity report with the president and secretary-treasurer within 10 days upon receipt of the December bundle.
The Directors provide continuity for APA, and with the officers, comprise the Board, which sets policy.
Article IX: Amendments to Constitution
Any member may begin amendment proceedings by publishing a proposal in the Bundle, gaining supportive petitions from at least fifteen other members, and submitting the proposal and required support to the Secretary-Treasurer.
A majority of the board may begin amendment proceedings by publishing a proposal in the Bundle and submitting it to the Secretary-Treasurer.
When either of the above procedures is duly completed, the Secretary-Treasurer shall promptly conduct a special election for the proposed amendment.
About The Amalgamated Printers’ Association
All-Time Membership List
All-Time Officer List
Early History of the APA
Reprints from Type & Press
Wayzgoose Photo Galleries
How to Contact the APA
Contact the APA
Update Your Membership Information
Contact the APA President
Contact the APA Vice President
Contact the APA Secretary-Treasurer
Contact the APA Mailer
Contact the APA Website Manager
APA Links
2019 Wayzgoose, Nashville, TN
2018 Wayzgoose, Denver, CO
2017 Wayzgoose, Los Angeles, CA
Other Letterpress Links
Briar Press – A Letterpress Resource
Letterpress Things
Letterpress Printers of the World
Resource Guide for Letterpress
Subscribe to APA Updates via Email
Enter your email address to receive notifications of new updates by email.
Recent APA Updates
2019 APA Wayzgoose Website is Online… March 25, 2019
Latest Round of Reinstated & New Members… February 17, 2019
New Mailer Address Reminder…. February 8, 2019
2019 Membership Roster Changes January 22, 2019
In Memoriam of W. Gale Mueller, APA #575 September 6, 2018
Welcome two more new members!! September 6, 2018
Welcome Our Newest Member! June 24, 2018
Membership Changes for March… March 23, 2018
Loss of another member: Neil Salkind #880 March 23, 2018
Annual Dues Payment Reminder… February 17, 2018
All APA Updates
All APA Updates Select Month March 2019 (1) February 2019 (2) January 2019 (1) September 2018 (2) June 2018 (1) March 2018 (2) February 2018 (1) January 2018 (2) August 2017 (1) April 2017 (1) March 2017 (1) January 2017 (5) October 2016 (1) September 2016 (4) August 2016 (1) July 2016 (2) February 2016 (2) January 2016 (2) March 2015 (1) January 2015 (3) November 2014 (1) April 2014 (1) December 2013 (1) November 2013 (2) October 2013 (1) September 2013 (3) August 2013 (3) June 2013 (1) March 2013 (2) January 2013 (3)
Administrative Functions | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line16 |
__label__wiki | 0.619884 | 0.619884 | Home » Newswire » Highway interchange gives Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation access to cut-off land – CBC
Highway interchange gives Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation access to cut-off land – CBC
by ahnationtalk on January 15, 201971 Views
Community developing land and hopes to open gas station and convenience store later this year
A new interchange on Highway 104 gives Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation near Antigonish, N.S., access to reserve land that’s sat unused for decades.
Federal and provincial politicians gathered with the community leadership for an official opening Tuesday morning.
The Trans-Canada Highway divided the community when it was built in the early 1960s. Now the new infrastructure allows the community to access about 200 hectares of land to the south of the highway that had been cut off.
Chief Paul Prosper called it a “historic celebration.”
“It’s really nice to see things come around from denial of basic certain rights related to access to sort of a reconciliation approach where there is recognition of the rights of our community,” he said.
Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/highway-104-paqtnkek-mi-kmaw-nation-interchange-1.4978591
Lands, Mainstream Aboriginal Related News
http://atlantic.nationtalk.ca/story/highway-interchange-gives-paqtnkek-mikmaw-nation-access-to-cut-off-land-cbc | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line19 |
__label__cc | 0.582439 | 0.417561 | ETB Travel News > Africa > Sydney Opera House: Charming Leo
Sydney Opera House: Charming Leo
Leo at the Sydney Opera House Playhouse.
Now on at The Sydney Opera House, Leo is living proof that the best ideas are often the simplest. One man, no words, three walls, and a floor―but which are the walls and which is the floor?
Cleverly employing a film screen the same size as the set, Leo takes spatial perception to a new level. Handsome French acrobat William Bonnet entertains the audience with his deft performance, leaving spectators to wonder which way is up when switching attention from the man in the flesh to the same live action shown on the screen. In a world where computer-generated effects and Photoshop are the norm in visual presentation of film and imagery, the absence of trickery and manipulation in Leo only adds to the enjoyment of Mr Bonnet’s talent, which combines the silent but communicative facial expressions of his countryman Marcel Marceau with the athleticism of an Olympic gymnast. More than just a series of physical moves with musical accompaniment, Leo has a storyline that charms the audience as it develops throughout the hourlong production.
Leo is a show for the whole family, a rare piece of theatre that entertains both children and adults at the appropriate levels of comprehension. If looking for an Opera House experience that delivers a high degree of satisfaction for a bargain price, Bonnet as Leo is your man. Why not make a day of it and take a VIP tour of the Sydney Opera House before the performance?
Sydney Opera House Playhouse
until 13 July 2014
LeoSydney Opera House
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Lysis Machado, The Perfect Guide In Rio
Skyscanner sees the future of aviation and airports
Booking.com creates the world’s fi... | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line24 |
__label__wiki | 0.625894 | 0.625894 | CCXLI Suka said, The declarations of the Vedas are twofold. They once Jay down the command, Do all acts' They also indicate the reverse, saying, Give up acts' I ask, Whither do persons go by the aid of Knowledge and whither by the aid of acts I desire to hear this. Do tell me this. Indeed, these declarations about knowledge and acts are dissimilar and even contradictory' Bhishma continued, Thus addressed, the son of Parasara said these words unto his son, I shall expound to thee the two paths, viz, the destructible and the indestructible, depending respectively upon acts and knowledge. Listen with concentrated attention, O child, to me, as I tell thee the place that is reached by one with the aid of knowledge, and that other place which is reached with the aid of acts.
The difference between these two places is as great as the limitless sky. The question that thou hast asked me has given me such pain as an atheistic discourse gives to a man of faith. These are the two paths upon which the Vedas are established; the duties acts indicated by Pravritti, and those based on Nivritti that have been treated of so excellently By acts, a living creature is destroyed. By knowledge, however, he becomes emancipated. For this reason, Yogins who behold the other side of the ocean of life never betake themselves to acts. Through acts one is forced to take rebirth, after death, with a body composed of the six and ten ingredients. Through knowledge, however, one becomes transformed into that which is Eternal, Unmanifest, and Immutable. One class of persons that are however of little intelligence, applaud acts. In consequence of this they have to assume bodies one after another ceaselessly.
Those men whose perceptions are keen in respect of duties and who have attained to that high understanding which leads to knowledge, never applaud acts even as persons that depend for their drinking water upon the supply of streams never applaud wells and tanks. The fruit that one obtains of acts consists of pleasure and pain, of existence and non-existence. By knowledge, one attains to that whither there is no occasion for grief; whither one becomes freed from both birth and death; whither one is not subject to decrepitude; whither one transcends the state of conscious existence whither is Brahma which is Supreme, Unmanifest, immutable, ever-existent, imperceptible, above the reach of pain, immortal, and transcending destruction; whither all become freed from the influence of all pairs of opposites Like pleasure and pain, etc, as also of wish or purpose Reaching that stage, they cast equal eyes on everything, become universal friends and devoted to the good of all creatures. There is a wide gulf, O son, between one devoted to knowledge and one devoted to acts. Know that the man of knowledge, without undergoing destruction, remains existent for ever like the moon on the last day of the dark fortnight existing in a subtle but undestroyed form. The great Rishi Yajnavalkya in Vrihadaranayaka has said this more elaborately. As regards the man devoted to acts, his nature may be inferred from beholding the new-born moon which appears like a bent thread in the firmament
Know, O son, that the person of acts takes rebirth with a body with eleven entities, for its ingredients, that are the results of modification, and with a subtile form that represents a total of six and ten The deity who takes refuge in that material form, like a drop of water on a lotus leaf, should be known as Kshetrajna Soul, which is Eternal, and which succeeds by Yoga in transcending both the mind and the knowledge Tamas, Rajas, and Sattwa are the attributes of the knowledge. The knowledge is the attribute of the individual soul residing within the body. The individual soul, in its turn, comes from the Supreme Soul The body with the soul is said to be the attribute of jiva. It is jiva that acts and cause all bodies to live. He who has created the seven worlds is said by those that are acquainted with what is Kshetra and what is Kshetrajna to be above jiva | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line28 |
__label__wiki | 0.555554 | 0.555554 | Pablo Henriquez
Is Canadian government cash helping to back El Salvador’s harsh abortion law?
Is Canadian government cash helping to back El Salvador's harsh abortion law?
Federal funding supports prosecutors enforcing what some have called the most draconian abortion law anywhere
Evan Dyer · CBC News
In the end, Imelda Cortez's story was too much even for El Salvador's famously harsh courts. Her case was making news around the world, and DNA had confirmed that the newborn she was accused of attempting to murder was the product of rape by a 70-year-old stepfather who'd abused her throughout her childhood.
Cortez, 20, the daughter of a poor rural family, insisted she didn't know she was pregnant until she entered an outhouse and a child came out.
Continued: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/el-salvador-abortion-trudeau-ottawa-1.5153265
Evelyn Beatriz Hernández Cruz
FESPAD
Fundacion de Estudios para la Aplicacion del Derecho
Imelda Cortez
jailing women for stillbirth
Maricela Albizuri
Marie-Claude Bibeau
Maryam Monsef
Omar Flores
prosecuting women for abortion
Ricardo Langlois
Sonia Poulin
total abortion ban
In El Salvador, a 20-Year-Old Faces Prison Time After Giving Birth to Her Stepfather’s Baby in a Latrine
Imelda Isabel Cortez Palacios is just one of dozens of women in El Salvador who have been imprisoned following birth complications or miscarriages. But her case has taken on greater significance because at the hospital, she informed health professionals that her stepfather had raped her repeatedly between the ages of 12 and 19.
Kathy Bougher
On April 17, 2017, Imelda Isabel Cortez Palacios, then 19, gave birth to a baby girl in the latrine at her family’s home in the small community of Jiquilisco, La Paz, El Salvador. Cortez says she did not know she was about to give birth; instead, she told her lawyer, in the latrine she “felt something come loose.” She screamed for help before she fainted and started to hemorrhage heavily.
Her mother took her to the local public hospital, where medical personnel determined she had given birth. Because there was no baby or fetus present, they notified police. At the home, the baby was rescued from the latrine without any injuries.
Continued: https://rewire.news/article/2018/04/11/el-salvador-20-year-old-faces-prison-time-giving-birth-stepfathers-baby-latrine/
Agrupación Ciudadana por la Despenalización del Aborto
Angelica Rivas
Berta María Deleón
Imelda Isabel Cortez Palacios
Laura Aguirre
Maria Luz Nóchez
rape and abortion
sexual assault and abortion | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line31 |
__label__cc | 0.510253 | 0.489747 | Primordial deities
Titans and Olympians
Aquatic deities
Chthonic deities
Personified concepts
Other deities
Asclepius, god of
Leto, mother of
Apollo and Artemis
Pan, shepherd god
Asclepius (Greek Template:Polytonic also rendered Aesculapius in Latin and transliterated Asklepios) was the god of medicine and healing in ancient Greek mythology, according to which he was born a mortal but was given immortality as the constellation Ophiuchus after his death. His name means "cut up".
Coronis (or Arsinoe) became pregnant with Asclepius by Apollo but fell in love with Ischys, son of Elatus. A crow informed Apollo of the affair and he sent his sister, Artemis, to kill Coronis. Her body was burned on a funeral pyre, staining the white feathers of the crows permanently black. Apollo rescued the baby though and gave it to the centaur Chiron to raise. Phlegyas, Coronis' father, was irate and torched the Apollonian temple at Delphi and Apollo killed him.
Chiron taught Asclepius the art of surgery, teaching him to be the most well-respected doctor of his day. According to the Pythian Odes of Pindar, Chiron also taught him the use of drugs, incantations and love potions. In The Library, Apollodorus claimed that Athena gave him a vial of blood from the Gorgons. Gorgon blood had magical properties: if taken from the left side of the Gorgon, it was a fatal poison; from the right side, the blood was capable of bringing the dead back to life.
Asclepius was killed from a thunderbolt from Zeus. The exact reason varies but it was definitely punishment for violating the natural order of the world by bringing the dead back to life. According to some, the catalyst was his acceptance of money in exchange for resurrection. In others, Zeus killed him after Athena asked him to resurrect Hippolytus. Zeus killed Asclepius and, in some versions, re-killed Hippolytus.
When Zeus killed Asclepius for raising the dead and violating the natural order of things, Apollo killed the Cyclopes in response. They had fashioned Zeus' thunderbolts, which he used to kill Apollo's son, Asclepius.
Zeus placed Asclepius in the sky as the constellation Ophiuchus ("serpent-bearer").
During the Trojan War, Asclepius was on the side of the Greeks. He healed Philoctetes from a snake-bite.
In honor of Asclepius, snakes were often used in healing rituals. Non-poisonous snakes were left to crawl on the floor in dormitories where the sick and injured slept. Starting about 300 BCE, the cult of Asclepius grew very popular. His healing temples were called asclepieion; pilgrims flocked to them to be healed. They slept overnight and reported their dreams to a priest the following day. He prescribed a cure, often a visit to the baths or a gymnasium.
Hippocrates, the legendary doctor, may have begun his career at an asclepieion on the island of Cos.
Asclepius was married to Salus (or Epione) and with her fathered five daughters: Aceso, Iaso, Panacea, Aglaea and Hygieia, and three sons: Machaon, Telesforos and Polidarius. His most famous sanctuary was in Epidaurus in Northeastern Peloponnese.
His attributes included the rod of Asclepius and the cock.
Socrates' last words as reported in Plato's Phaedo are a reminder to Crito to sacrifice a cock for him to Asclepius.da:�skulap de:Asklepios el:Ασκληπιός es:Asclepio fr:Ascl�pios it:Asclepio nl:Asclepius pl:Asklepios sl:Eskalup
Retrieved from "http://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Asclepius"
Categories: Greek gods | Health gods
This page was last modified 11:57, 17 Jun 2005. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line32 |
__label__wiki | 0.708954 | 0.708954 | This page was originally published on Tuesday 06 April, 2004.
Wednesday 07 April, 2004 >>
Email this article to a friend: North America Sport
Salvador's goal in overtime improves Blues' playoff hopes
Houston Chronicle, Sun 28 Mar 2004
If the St. Louis Blues make it to overtime, their opponents are in trouble. Bryce Salvador scored 1:50 into the extra period for a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, moving St. Louis back into playoff position. The Blues' 11th overtime victory of the season ties the NHL record set by Calgary in 1999-2000. "We were going for it," Salvador said. (WorldPhotos.com)
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__label__cc | 0.590221 | 0.409779 | 16th & 17th Century
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» Enemy on The Euphrates
Brand: Ian Rutledge
Enemy on The Euphrates
by Ian Rutledge
Publisher Saqi
Enemy on the Euphrates : The Battle for Iraq 1914-1921
Between July 1920 and February 1921, in the territory known as Mesopotamia (now the modern state of Iraq), an Arab revolt came perilously close to inflicting a shattering defeat upon the British Empire. A huge peasant army besieged British garrisons with sand-bagged entrenchments and bombarded them with captured artillery; columns and armoured trains were ambushed and destroyed; and well-armed gunboats were sunk or captured. Britain's quest for oil was central to its Middle East policy during the Great War and one of the principal reasons for its continuing occupation of Iraq.
With around 131,000 Arabs in arms at one stage of the conflict, however, the British were very nearly driven out. Only a massive infusion of Indian troops and the widespread use of aircraft prevented a total rout. Enemy on the Euphrates is the definitive account of the most serious armed uprising against British rule in the twentieth century.
Bringing central players such as Winston Churchill, T. E. Lawrence and Gertrude Bell vividly to life, Ian Rutledge's masterful account is a powerful reminder of how Britain's imperial objectives sowed the seeds of Iraq's tragic history.
A Quest In The Middle East
Battles On The Tigris
Official History of The Campaign in Mesopotamia Volume 1
Official History of the Campaign in Mesopotamia Volume II | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line49 |
__label__cc | 0.534281 | 0.465719 | Giant Caplico: Strawberry Chocolate
On paper, mixing ice cream and candy seems like a no-fail idea. Kids like candy. Kids like ice cream. And the kid inside all of us likes both.
.... And then there's this.
Surprisingly, this sugary snack only has 16 grams of sugar, and it's only 180 calories. But when you eat it, it feels like you ate double.
It's basically the coating of the strawberry Pocky and chocolate Pocky whipped extra thick and poured into an ice cream cone. It's overkill to an adult's tongue, but some say their kids like it. If you're over the age of 13, I recommend washing this down with a little Tums.
Chocolate PeJoy ~ A little slice of heaven
While the above commercial may be stretching things a bit on the chocolaty river claim, PeJoy really is a Thailand treat.
It's actually a blend of chocolate and malt, wrapped in a thin, plain biscuit stick. The filling is thicker than frosting, and two bites in, delivers on a rich taste.
One serving is one whole box at 270 calories, but does contain in each serving 4 grams of protein, along with 6% of your daily source of calcium and 4% of your daily need of iron, which makes it slightly more healthy than a candy bar. Plus, the sticks themselves keep you fuller longer than a candy bar, so you're not tempted to keep searching for the next snack.
The best way to enjoy PeJoy and to get the most out of it's flavor, is to eat it slowly and enjoy with a cup of Malt Ovaltine. This brings out the background hints of malt.
INGREDIENTSWHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (INTERESTERIFIED VEGETABLE OIL (PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM OIL, RAPESEED OIL), TOCOPHEROLS), WHOLE MILK POWDER, COCOA MASS, SHORTENING (PALM OIL, TOCOPHEROLS, CITRIC ACID), MALT EXTRACT, COCOA POWDER, CONTAINS 1 PERCENT OR LESS OF: SALT, LEAVENING AGENT (SODIUM BICARBONATE), LECITHIN, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, POLYGLYCEROL POLYRICINOLEATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PAPAIN.
CONTAINS: WHEAT, MILK AND SOYBEANS.
MANUFACTURED IN A FACILITY THAT USES PEANUTS AND ALMONDS.
Strawberry Pocky
Strawberry Pocky comes in a variety of different packages. The most common package is a light pink box with a little baggie of the biscuit sticks inside, but for different occasions, Strawberry Pocky can be sold in dark pink boxes like the one seen here, light pink bags, white-pink boxes for Valentine's Day or White Day, and on occasion, in a Hello Kitty box, though the latter so far has only been sold in Japan and in Thailand.
The biscuit sticks themselves are more like a faintly-sweet cracker, but the strawberry coating is a great combination of sweetness and tart flavors. The coating reminds me of Strawberry cereals. It has a sharp Frankenberry taste that is very nostalgic, making it a perfect replacement for the Halloween cereal during the months it isn't on store shelves.
Dieters will be happy to know that it's low calorie, so you can eat a whole box of it and not destroy your diet. It's great for on the go snacking and fits snugly in the car.
Of course, if you're a big strawberry fanatic, Glico makes a GIANT version of this as well, with little bits of Strawberry stuck to the sticks for added flavor.
Strawberry Pocky is the perfect tag-along for Spring snacking, especially if you plan to be in Japan during the Sakura viewing. It's light pink color is as easy on the eyes as the taste is in the mouth.
WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (INTERESTERIFIED SUNFLOWER OIL, PLAM OIL, LECITHIN, TOCOPHEROLS, CITRIC ACID),, LACTOSE, WHOLE MILK POWDER, MARGARINE (VEGETABLE OIL (REFINED PALM OIL, HYDROGENATED PALM OIL) SALT, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, TOCOPHEROLS, BHA, BETA-CAROTENE COLOR) CONTAINS 1 PERCENT OR LESS OF: ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, BEET RED COLOR, SALT, STRAWBERRY POWDER, LECITHIN, TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE, YEAST, MONOGLYCERIDE, POLYGLYCEROL POLYRICINOLEATE, LEAVING (SODIUM BICARBONATE), POLYGLYCEROL POLYRICINOLEATE, PAPAIN
CONTAINS: WHEAT, MILK AND SOYBEANS
Chocolate/Original Pocky
Pocky is arguably one of the most iconic snacks shown in anime, but few really know the history of the pre-packaged snack food. Created in 1966 by Ezaki Glico, most of the Pocky we see in North America comes from California and Thailand, but the snack originates from Japan. You can find a more robust version of it's history on pocky.com which is jazzed up with a large HD video in the background.
Original Pocky comes in a red box and has more than a dozen snack sticks. Each stick is a super thin cracker tube with a wheat aftertaste. The tubes are dipped in a very dark chocolate, and then placed in a wrapper, followed by the box. Sometimes, a stick will have a little extra chocolate at the tip, which has a satisfying texture, like eating less than 1/16th of a bite-size Hershey bar.
A regular-sized box of Pocky counts as one serving. Considering that one whole box is just 190 calories, that's not so bad, as it makes the snack 50 calories less than the average candy bar, which can set you back 240 calories. Pocky is sweet, but despite it's thin size can also satisfy a light hunger pang.
The ingredients for Pocky may not be the most healthy, but it's a great travel-sized snack, and also makes for less-messy eating. Below are the ingredients:
WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, CHOCOLATE LIQUOR, VEGETABLE OIL (INTERESTERIFIED SUNFLOWER OIL, PALM OIL, LECITHIN, TOCOPHEROLS, CITRIC ACID), WHOLE MILK POWDER, MARGARINE, (VEGETABLE OIL (REFINED PALM OIL, HYDROGENATED PALM OIL) SALT, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, TOCOPHEROLS, BHA, BETA-CAROTENE COLOR) CONTAINS 1 PERCENT OR LESS OF: COCOA BUTTER, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SALT, LECITHIN, TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE, YEAST, MONOGLYCERIDE, LEAVING (SODIUM BICARBONATE), POLYGLYCEROL POLYRICINOLEATE, PAPAIN
MANUFACTURED IN A FACILITY THAT USES PEANUTS, ALMONDS
Egg/Tamago
Ezaki Glico Co.
JFC International
Kasugai
Litchi/Lychee
Nongshim Co LTD
Shirakiku
White Gourd
Wismettac
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Arvin Jones Accepts 2019 NSBE Lifetime Achievement in Industry Award
April 5, 2019 admin
At the National Society of Black Engineers’ (NSBE) 45th Annual Convention held in Detroit, General Motors’ Arvin Jones received the 2019 NSBE Lifetime Achievement in Industry Award. The manufacturing executive director for Propulsion Systems and Casting Operations was able to retire from GM after 42 years of dedicated service. During his time at the company, Jones…
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__label__cc | 0.553245 | 0.446755 | Front Porch Punditry » News » National News » Back in the Zone: Michigan Students Challenge Campus Speech Zone Policy
#1 | Back in the Zone: Michigan Students Challenge Campus Speech Zone Policy Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:57 am
ThirstyMan
Admiral James O. Richardson - Moderator
Location: Concord MA
By Jana Minich Posted on: | December 08, 2016
On a public university campus, meant to be a “marketplace of ideas”, it seems particularly ironic that university officials can threaten to arrest a student for peacefully exercising their right to free speech in order to advocate… for free speech.
Another irony is labeling .02% of a public campus as “free speech zones” while still requiring approval for the messages spoken therein.
And yet, Michigan’s Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) “Speech Zone Policy” does just that. On top of that, GVSU can also censor messages based on viewpoint or simply refuse to ever respond to a free speech request, since there is no time period in which school administrators must approve or deny a request to speak in the speech zone.
To make matters worse, those who violate this policy face punishments ranging from warnings to suspension and even expulsion.
These types of policies are a gross violation of students’ constitutional rights. That’s why Alliance Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit against GVSU on behalf of two students who ran afoul of this bad policy.
GVSU students Tim McKeeby and Joe Tucker found themselves at odds with the Speech Zone Policy while peacefully speaking with other students about constitutional rights. These students never harassed or harmed anyone; they didn’t even block the sidewalk. Still, when Tim and Joe left the small space reserved for “free speech” to talk to students in another area of campus, school police officers informed them that they would be arrested if they dared to speak outside of the speech zone.
The final irony in this story is that Joe had later watched belligerent post-election protestors as they flagrantly violated the speech policy—and no one from the university stepped in to stop them. It seems the speech policy is less about peace and more about controlling the marketplace of ideas.
University Officials Cannot Decide Which Viewpoints to Allow and Which to Ban on Campus
Other universities have similarly attempted to run roughshod over free speech, like University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire and Iowa State University. These schools seem to think that controlling the conversation is part of the administration’s job. But universities should be microcosms of a robust marketplace of ideas, a place where students can encounter new and different viewpoints and enjoy their constitutional rights.
Share this post on social media to spread the word about the continued attempts by universities to control the conversation and exclude certain viewpoints.
https://www.adflegal.org/detailspages/bl...ech-zone-policy
And here's the official statement from the Dean of Students at GVSU...
Context for Free Speech
If you have spent time at Grand Valley, you may have noticed, on occasions, people gathered to express their ideas and opinions on a myriad of issues. GVSU is a community of scholars. Like most universities, our basic purposes are to advance, to disseminate, and to apply knowledge. An essential condition for achieving these purposes is freedom of expression and communication. Without this freedom, effective sifting and testing of ideas ceases, and teaching and learning are diminished.
Sometimes individuals or groups express ideas that offend others in the GVSU community. The question has been asked, why do we let this happen on our campus? Grand Valley is a public university, and as such it is obligated to uphold the tenets of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects free speech. In addition, as a community, we believe a basic condition for achieving a liberal education includes freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas through open communication. To that end, the university has developed policies and procedures to help distinguish protected speech from unacceptable behaviors.
Lawful, non-disruptive public demonstrations are permitted at Grand Valley and are protected by the First Amendment, without regard for the point of view being expressed. Under the First Amendment, we cannot restrict these demonstrations based upon content. Under civil and criminal law, as well as university policies, an individual or group may not: deny free expression to others who are engaged in peaceful discourse or dissent, deny any person's freedom of movement on university property, obstruct ingress and/or egress with respect to buildings or public areas, endanger or threaten to endanger any person on university property, or otherwise disrupt the ability of any person to participate and enjoy the benefits of campus life.
While GVSU safeguards individuals’ constitutional rights and protected speech, we are also committed to inclusion and equity. The way that people are treated at Grand Valley matters. We want everyone to be treated with dignity and respect and take responsibility for their words and actions.
Anytime anyone in the Grand Valley community feels belittled, disrespected, or isolated because of who they are, the entire university community is diminished. Bias incidents are directed toward an individual or group because of their real or perceived race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, religion, familial status, marital status, disability, age, height, weight, or veteran status.
While these acts do not necessarily rise to the level of a violation of the student code, university policy or the law, they may contribute to creating an unsafe, negative or unwelcome environment.
Grand Valley has developed the Bias Incident reporting process to help us identify incidents that have an adverse impact on the inclusive learning environment on campus and to provide avenues for providing individual support, educational dialogue and constructive responses to address bias incidents. Bias incidents can be reported at www.gvsu.edu/bias. In cases where it is determined that harassment has occurred, the university’s Anti-Harassment Policy can be utilized at www.gvsu.edu/gvmanual under Policies and Procedures. Grand Valley is an exciting academic community where ideas are openly and rigorously shared and debated. While we may not agree or even like each other always, the university strives to be a place where people share thoughts freely, where people learn from each other, and where mutual respect and caring for one another is evident even when we must agree to disagree because of differences in thinking – indeed, this makes Grand Valley a “special” place for learning.
Eileen G. Sullivan
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
and Dean of Students
http://www.gvsu.edu/dos/context-for-free-speech-8.htm
"It’s a movement comprised of Americans from all races, religions, backgrounds and beliefs, who want and expect our government to serve the people, and serve the people it will." Donald Trump's Victory Speech 11/9/16
INSIDE EVERY LIBERAL IS A TOTALITARIAN SCREAMING TO GET OUT -- Frontpage mag
#2 | RE: Back in the Zone: Michigan Students Challenge Campus Speech Zone Policy Mon Dec 12, 2016 2:42 pm
Grand Valley is an exciting academic community where ideas are openly and rigorously shared and debated.
Except for those ideas we don't like.
the university has developed policies and procedures to help distinguish protected speech from unacceptable behaviors.
hmmm ... by implication speech with which the pc administration does not agree is an 'unacceptable behavior' have any of these people ever read the first amendment ???
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__label__wiki | 0.759326 | 0.759326 | Front Porch Punditry » News » Donald J. Trump » Victims of Illegal Alien Crime Given a Voice: ‘Every One of Our Children’s Deaths Have Been Preventable’
#1 | Victims of Illegal Alien Crime Given a Voice: ‘Every One of Our Children’s Deaths Have Been Preventable’ Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:16 am
Victims of Illegal Alien Crime Given a Voice: ‘Every One of Our Children’s Deaths Have Been Preventable’
by Michelle Moons3 Jul 2017Washington, D.C.4,651
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A diverse group of Americans whose loved ones are dead by the hands of illegal alien criminals had the opportunity to tell their stories in front of cameras from inside the White House just days ago when President Donald Trump honored them at a roundtable event.
Kate’s Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act passed the U.S. House last week with the full Davis-Oliver Act still waiting for a vote. Davis-Oliver would enhance the ability of the federal government and immigration authorities to enforce immigration law and crack down on sanctuary cities. Kate’s Law and No Sanctuary for Criminals are portions of Davis-Oliver. These bills were discussed at the White House meeting but got scarce coverage in the mainstream media, a phenomena these “Angel” families have experienced for years.
Trump dedicated his most recent weekly address to these families. The President pointed out that many of those responsible for killing these Americans have extensive criminal records and had been repeatedly deported, yet were in the U.S. at the time of taking an American life.
“If the government had simply enforced our immigration laws, these Americans would still be alive today,” said Trump. He spoke of two bills passed this week in the House and called for the U.S. Senate to vote on them and get them to his desk for signing “as soon as possible.” He thanked Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte for moving the bills forward, while referencing “other crucial legislation that will soon be considered as well.” This likely includes the Davis-Oliver Act.
Trump called on members of both parties to stand with these victims of illegal alien crime, “either vote to save and protect American lives or vote to shield and comfort criminal aliens who threaten innocent lives, and they’ve been shielded too long.”
“The foundation of freedom is rule of law,” said Trump who looked forward to the 4th of July, Independence Day. He asked Americans to remember those families who have an “empty seat at the table this year” and asked all to pledge to “protect, defend, and save American lives.”
Trump asked the families to tell their stories as the clicks of cameras could be heard in the background.
Sitting next to Trump was Jamiel Shaw Sr. Shaw told of the murder of his teenage son Jamiel Shaw Jr. “He was living the dream. That was our dream, ya know. And it was squashed out.”
Julie Golvach spoke of her son Spencer Golvach who was shot and killed in January 2015 while sitting in his vehicle waiting for a spotlight to change. The illegal alien who killed Spencer had been deported multiple times before he murdered the 25-year-old young man and another man in a shooting spree. He wounded three police officers before a Harris County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed him, according to the Texas Tribune.
Mary Ann Mendoza lost her son Sgt. Brandon Mendoza of the Mesa police department when an illegal alien, drunk to three times the legal limit and high on meth, drove the wrong way on a highway and hit and killed Brandon. The individual also perished as a result of the crash. “I’m tired of our politicians not caring about their fellow Americans,” said Mendoza. “When did it ever become more important to our elected officials to protect illegal criminals in our country and not care about us?”
Melissa Oliver spoke of losing her father, Sacramento sheriff’s Deputy Sheriff Danny Oliver, and the illegal alien who had been deported twice before killing him and had a criminal record. “This senseless crime has affected my family in many ways that are unexplainable, the pain is tremendous, and it’s something we’ll never get over.”
Michelle Wilson-Root’s daughter Sarah Root was killed shortly after graduating from college. Root recounted for a Congressional committee that the illegal alien was street racing while drunk to allegedly four times the legal limit when he rear-ended Sarah’s vehicle and killed her. Edwin Mejia spent only four days in jail before posting bail and taking off on the run. He was believed to have fled back to Honduras. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement added Mejia to it’s “Most Wanted” list in March of this year.
Root said at the White House meeting:
Legal immigrant Sabine Durden shared the story of her son Dominic who was killed by an illegal alien who had been twice convicted of driving drunk. The illegally present Guatemalan national was given just 90 days in jail.
Steve Ronnebeck lost his son Grant when an illegal alien came into the convenience store where Grant worked and shot and killed the 21-year-old young man. In 2015, Ronnebeck told Breitbart News, “The man pulled a gun, Grant offered up the cigarettes and the man executed him, shooting him in the face. Stepped over his body, grabbed two more packs of cigarettes and fled.” Grant’s killer is a self-professed member of the Sinaloa cartel. The alien had a criminal background including burglary, which Ronnebeck has said was pleaded down from home invasion and a week-long sexual assault.
Juan Pina told the story of his 14-year-old daughter Christy Sue Pina who was “strangled, stabbed, raped, sodomized. Her nude body was thrown in an artichoke field in the middle of winter” in 1990. The field was in Castroville, California. Accused killer Arsenio “Archie” Leyva fled to Mexico again and has been fighting extradition since he was found there in 2015.
Laura Wilkerson recounted the killing of her 18-year-old son Joshua. “In November of 2010, he was systematically tortured, brutally beaten, murdered, and then his body set on fire after death. From somebody who shouldn’t have been in this country. Josh was a good kid.” Wilkerson said he was about to graduate from high school and had aspirations of joining the Air Force as his older brother had.
Breitbart News reported on The National Day of Remembrance (National Day of Remembrance for Americans killed by illegal aliens) event in November 2014 and again in 2015 after the Trump press conference. Despite organizers’ statement in 2015 to Breitbart News that they had informed several media outlets, no other media outlet showed up.
On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Kate’s Law, named for criminal alien victim Kate Steinle, and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act which includes Grant’s Law and Sarah’s Law. Grant’s Law is named for Grant Ronnebeck and Sarah’s Law is named for Sarah Root. The future of the bills as they move on to the U.S. Senate is uncertain. Many continue to hope that the House will pass the substantial Davis-Oliver Act, which despite the passage of these other laws, is still waiting for a vote.
On the day last week that these two bills passed the House, the “Big Three” television networks — ABC, CBS, and NBC — dedicated a massive 12 minutes and 14 seconds to Trump’s tweets about MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski, yet only NBC’s Lester Holt covered passage of the two bills and even then only gave it 26-seconds, according to NewsBusters. Fox News did report that both bills passed with some measure of bipartisan support.
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/...en-preventable/
No doubt they were too busy micro analyzing and trashing Trump's latest tweet !
#2 | RE: Victims of Illegal Alien Crime Given a Voice: ‘Every One of Our Children’s Deaths Have Been Preventable’ Wed Jul 05, 2017 2:23 pm
And what has this got to with Russia, I ask?
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__label__cc | 0.586766 | 0.413234 | How To Change Recurring Decimals Into Fractions
Converting Terminating and Repeating Decimals to Fractions (A)
Welcome to The Converting Terminating and Repeating Decimals to Fractions (A) Math Worksheet from the Fractions Worksheets Page at Math-Drills.com. This Fractions Worksheet may be printed, downloaded or saved and used in your classroom, home school, or other educational environment to help someone learn math.... It is possible to convert fractions into decimals. As a fraction really means 'divide the
How do you convert 0.7 (7 repeating) to a fraction? Socratic
Namely, to convert a repeating decimal into a fraction, multiply the repeating decimal by some power of 10—that is, by 10, 100, 1000, or whatever is needed—so that we can then subtract the repeating decimal part off of this new number. For example, to turn 0.444… into 4/9 we just multiply 0.444… by 10 to get 4.444…, then subtract 0.444… from this to get 4—a number without a... Convert a Pure Recurring Decimal into Vulgar Fraction To convert a pure recurring decimal into a vulgar fraction, (1) Remove the number left to the decimal point, if any. (2) Write the repeated figures only once in the numerator without the decimal point.
How do I change a fraction into a recurring decimal
Namely, to convert a repeating decimal into a fraction, multiply the repeating decimal by some power of 10—that is, by 10, 100, 1000, or whatever is needed—so that we can then subtract the repeating decimal part off of this new number. For example, to turn 0.444… into 4/9 we just multiply 0.444… by 10 to get 4.444…, then subtract 0.444… from this to get 4—a number without a how to clean washing machine waste pipe 9/03/2008 · To write a recurring decimal use bar notation (where you write the answer and place a bar over the decimals that repeat): 5 divided by 12 = 0.416666666...
How do you change repeating decimals into fractions
27/05/2018 · A repeating decimal, also known as a recurring decimal, is a decimal number that has a digit or digits that infinitely repeat at regular intervals. Repeating decimals can be tricky to work with, but they can also be converted into a... how to change the reticule 27/05/2018 · A repeating decimal, also known as a recurring decimal, is a decimal number that has a digit or digits that infinitely repeat at regular intervals. Repeating decimals can be tricky to work with, but they can also be converted into a...
Conversion of Mixed Recurring Decimals into Vulgar Fractions
Recurring Decimals transum.org
Converting fractions to & from recurring decimals by
In this video we learn how to convert recurring decimals to fractions. Start off by writing out the decimal with the dot next to it to show that it's recurring. This means that the number goes on forever and doesn't stop. To convert this to a fraction, write down the number as the numerator. On the bottom you will put the number 9 always. Now, you can divide these two numbers with each other
Converting fractions to decimals is just another way of expressing division. The same tools you use to divide whole numbers help you turn a fraction into a decimal. In addition, you can use a few shortcuts to make the process simpler to understand.
How to convert a repeating decimal into a fraction Let's name our number a = 0.135135135... and multiply it by a power of 10, then subtract the original a and the new number so that the repeating decimal parts cancel each other in the subtraction.
Convert a Pure Recurring Decimal into Vulgar Fraction To convert a pure recurring decimal into a vulgar fraction, (1) Remove the number left to the decimal point, if any. (2) Write the repeated figures only once in the numerator without the decimal point.
27/05/2018 · A repeating decimal, also known as a recurring decimal, is a decimal number that has a digit or digits that infinitely repeat at regular intervals. Repeating decimals can be tricky to work with, but they can also be converted into a...
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POLITICS: Framed
Ace with an incisive post on the media and the Tea Party movement.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 3:05 PM | Politics 2010 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
POLITICS: 8-K? What's An 8-K?
Coming as it does somewhat within my area of professional expertise, this is perhaps the most alarming example yet of the complete ignorance of the Obama Administration and Capitol Hill Democrats regarding how business operates - and to think these same people will be voting on overhauling financial services regulation:
The White House political and legislative operations were said to be livid with the announcement by several large U.S. companies that they were taking multi-million or as much as a billion dollar charges because of the new health-care law, the issue was front-and-center with key lawmakers. By last Friday, AT&T, Caterpillar, Deere & Co., and AK Steel Holding Corp. had all announced that they were taking the one-time charges on their first-quarter balance sheets. More companies were expected to make similar announcements this week.
"These are Republican CEOs who are trying to embarrass the President and Democrats in general," says a White House legislative affairs staffer. "Where do you hear about this stuff? The Wall Street Journal editorial page and conservative websites. No one else picked up on this but you guys. It's BS."
On Friday White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and Obama senior advisor Valerie Jarrett were calling the CEOs and Washington office heads of the companies that took the financial hits and attacked them for doing so. One Washington office head said that the White House calls were accusatory and "downright rude."
The companies are taking the charges because in 2013 they will lose a tax deduction on tax-free government subsidies they have had when they give retirees a Medicare Part D prescription-drug reimbursement. Many of these companies have more than 100,000 retirees each. AT&T may have more than three-quarters of a million retirees to cover.
"Most of these people [in the Administration] have never had a real job in their lives. They don't understand a thing about business, and that includes the President," says a senior lobbyist for one of the companies that announced the charge. "My CEO sat with the President over lunch with two other CEOs, and each of them tried to explain to the President what this bill would do to our companies and the economy in general. First the President didn't understand what they were talking about. Then he basically told my boss he was lying. Frankly my boss was embarrassed for him; he clearly had not been briefed and didn't know what was in the bill."
It isn't just the President who didn't understand his own proposal. Late Friday, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and Rep. Bart Stupak, chairman of the Oversight and Investigations panel, announced that they would hold hearings in late April to investigate "claims by Caterpillar, Verizon, and Deere that provisions in the new health care reform law could adversely affect their company's ability to provide health insurance to their employees."
Read the whole thing. H/T Moe Lane. Then, read Mark Steyn's explanation of the specific change at issue and why it's likely to change corporate behavior:
In 2003, Washington blessed a grateful citizenry with the Medicare prescription drug benefit, it being generally agreed by all the experts that it was unfair to force seniors to choose between their monthly trip to Rite-Aid and Tony Danza in dinner theatre.
However, in order to discourage American businesses from immediately dumping all their drug plans for retirees, Congress gave them a modest tax break equivalent to 28% of the cost of the plan.
Fast forward to the dawn of the ObamaCare utopia. In one of a bazillion little clauses in a 2,000-page bill your legislators didn't bother reading (because, as Congressman Conyers explained, he wouldn't understand it even if he did), Congress voted to subject the 28% tax benefit to the regular good ol' American-as-apple-pie corporate tax rate of 35%.
For the purposes of comparison, Sweden's corporate tax rate is 26.3%, and Ireland's is 12.5%. But just because America already has the highest corporate tax in the OECD is no reason why we can't keep going until it's double Sweden's and quadruple Ireland's.
I refer you to the decision last year by the donut chain Tim Hortons, a Delaware corporation, to reorganize itself as a Canadian corporation "in order to take advantage of Canadian tax rates." Hold that thought: "In order to take advantage of Canadian tax rates" - a phrase hitherto unknown to American English outside the most fantastical futuristic science fiction.
Ask yourself this: If you impose a sudden 35% tax on something, are you likely to get as much of it? Go on, take a wild guess. On the day President Obama signed ObamaCare into law, Verizon sent an e-mail to all its employees warning that the company's costs "will increase in the short term."
And in the medium term? Well, U.S. corporations that are able to do so will get out of their prescription drugs plans and toss their retirees onto the Medicare pile. So far just three companies - Deere, Caterpillar and Valero Energy - have calculated that the loss of the deduction will add a combined $265 million to their costs.
There are an additional 3,500 businesses presently claiming the break. The cost to taxpayers of that 28% benefit is about $665 per person. The cost to taxpayers of equivalent Medicare coverage is about $1,200 per person. So we're roughly doubling the cost of covering an estimated five million retirees.
Now, let me explain this real simple: If you do something that's going to cost a company a lot of money, they have a whole lot of legal reasons why they have to tell their shareholders that sooner or later. And, if they're being prudent, they will tell them sooner rather than later when it starts showing up in the company's cash flow and the stockholders panic. Dennis the Peasant goes through this in a bit more detail, and he and Erick and Ace all look at Waxman's plan to drag the disclosing CEOs before a Congressional committee to explain why they are daring to inform their shareholders of the impact that the new regulations, specifically the withdrawal of tax breaks, will have on their business.
At least honest leftists would admit that yes, they were doing something genuinely harmful to publicly traded employers, although honest leftists would next try to pass even more laws to prevent the companies from doing anything to pass on the costs to employees, customers and/or taxpayers so as to preserve enough return to shareholders to enable the company to keep raising capital to stay in business. But in the happy-fairy-land of guys like Obama and Waxman, there are never any costs or tradeoffs to heaping new taxes and regulations on businesses in the middle of a recession, and no behavioral incentives changed when you meddle with the tax code.
The level of ignorance here is staggering. George W. Bush understood this stuff. Sarah Palin understands this stuff. Yet, these people whose self-image depends on telling themselves how much smarter than Bush and Palin they are, are continually taken by surprise by these things.
UPDATE: Ben Domenech looks at how Waxman is banking on intimidation but may end up getting more than he bargained for by calling witnesses who have no realistic choice but to contradict him.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 6:56 PM | Business | Law 2009-14 | Politics 2010 | Comments (25) | TrackBack (0)
BASEBALL: Roto Madness
Some of this blog's readers are not going to be interested in what follows, but I know some of you are fellow fantasy baseball players interested in my annual draft - which took place today - so click below the fold.
I never did get to go through how I managed to miss out on winning my league last year despite having, at quite reasonable prices, the MVP, Cy Young and - off the waiver wire - Rookie of the Year (Mauer, Greinke and Bailey), plus Victor Martinez and Justin Verlander at good prices as well (I got them, Greinke and Mauer for less than $20 apiece; this year, the four would have set you back $119); but the answer mostly begins and ends with spending $40 on Grady Sizemore. Anyway, it came down to checking my blackberry to watch the boxscore unfold in game 163, and when neither Mauer nor Denard Span hit enough homers to get me back to first - where I'd been as late as game 160 or 161, if I recall rightly - I fell short.
This year's team was a classic of good news, bad news. The good news: I saved my money and ended up with four solid starters, as many as four possible closers, and everyday players at all but one position (2B), all but one or two of them with some power. The bad news: I saved too much money to the end, have too few stars and too few steals, and am sort of at sea for a fifth starter.
Here's the roster, with prices (traditional AL 4-category Roto league, $260 budget, 12 teams.
C-Matt Wieters $18
C-Adam Moore $8
I overpaid a little for Wieters because we were running to the end of quality catchers, not because I'm overconfident that he'll bust out; Moore was one of my last picks when I was burning extra cash.
1B-Lyle Overbay $4
3B-Kevin Kouzmanoff $11
CI-Brandon Wood $6
All everyday players with pop, cheap.
2B-Alberto Callaspo-$10
SS-Cliff Pennington-$7
MI-Yuniesky Betancourt-$11
Poor cash management: Betancourt was my last buy on whom I blew my remaining stack of cash, and Callaspo also came near the end. Callaspo will play regularly only until Gordon returns, but at least he should contribute a good batting average. Pennington will run a bit.
OF-Josh Hamilton $24
OF-Nick Swisher $11
OF-Magglio Ordonez $14
OF-Nolan Reimold $15
OF-Delmon Young $14
I'm happy with my outfield, all regulars with some power at reasonable prices, some undervalued veterans (Ordonez) and some youths with growth potential (Young).
DH-Jack Cust $7
Power, but won't help in any other way.
P-Jeff Niemann $11
P-John Lackey $18
P-Jake Peavy $20
P-David Price $12
P-Derek Holland $2
P-Bobby Jenks $19
P-Kerry Wood $5
P-Jon Rauch $6
P-Jason Frasor $7
Wood is supposed to be out 6-8 weeks, but he is in Cleveland for no other reason than to close. Frasor won the Toronto closer job, a note I saw this morning before the draft. Rauch has the inside track on closing in Minnesota. Unfortunately, the starters are a little shaky and Holland has been sent back to AAA, so my reserve draft was partly concerned with finding people to get innings and wins until Wood and Holland arrive.
1-Ben Revere
2-Tommy Hunter
3-Andy Sonnanstine
4-Matt Tolbert
5-Juan Cruz
6-Jeremy Accardo
7-Trevor Crowe
8-Mitch Maier
9-Armando Galarraga
10-Wilson Betemit
« Close It
Posted by Baseball Crank at 10:46 PM | Baseball 2010 | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
BASEBALL: 2010 AL Central EWSL Report
Part 3 of my preseason previews is the AL Central; this is the third of six division previews, using Established Win Shares Levels as a jumping-off point. Notes and reference links on the EWSL method are below the fold; while EWSL is a simple enough method that will be familiar to long-time readers, it takes a little introductory explaining, so I'd suggest you check out the explanations first if you're new to these previews. I've also resurrected for this season the team ages, which are weighted by non-age-adjusted EWSL, so the best players count more towards determining the age of the roster.
Prior previews: the AL West & AL East.
Some players are rated based on less than three seasons or given a rookie rating. Key:
+ (Rookie)
* (Based on one season)
# (Based on two seasons)
Raw EWSL: 241.50 (94 W)
Adjusted: 252.03 (97 W)
Age-Adj.: 243.37 (94 W)
WS Age: 29.05
2010 W-L: 94-68
Raw EWSL
Age Adj
Justin Morneau
Orlando Hudson
JJ Hardy
Brendan Harris
Michael Cuddyer
Denard Span#
Delmon Young
Jason Kubel
Jose Morales*
Nick Punto
Alexi Casilla
Scott Baker
Nick Blackburn#
Kevin Slowey
Francisco Liriano
Carl Pavano
Jon Rauch
Matt Guerrier
Jose Mijares*
Jesse Crain
Clay Condrey
Subjective Adjustments: None, but given Justin Morneau's usual durability, unless Jason Kubel spends a good deal of time hurt or in the field, Jim Thome's not going to approach 11 Win Shares.
Also on Hand: Position players - Matt Tolbert, Jacque Jones, Ben Revere. Revere, a 22-year-old center fielder, may not make an appearance for a while, but he's a career .337/.396/.430 hitter in the minors, where he averaged 70 stolen bases per 162 games. That's all A ball and lower, so don't get too excited just yet, but a guy who can hit .379/.433/.497 and steal 44 bases in 83 games at age 20, as Revere did in Class A Beloit in 2008, is one to watch. Revere has hit .325 this spring in big league camp, but is headed for AA to work on his defense, which reading between the lines suggests that he'll end up as a left fielder.
Pitchers - Pat Neshek, Glen Perkins, Ron Mahay, Brian Duensing, Bobby Keppel, Anthony Swarzak, Rob Delaney. Also Joe Nathan, of course, but Nathan's having Tommy John surgery today, so Opening Day 2011 is an optimistic timetable.
Analysis: Despite the costly loss of Nathan, which likely leaves the closer job either in Rauch's hands or a combination of Rauch and Guerrier, the Twins remain the class of the field due mainly to Mauer and a solid infield. I already had Mauer approaching historic levels as a two-way catcher when I wrote my Hall of Fame catchers column in February 2009, and that was before he led the AL in batting, slugging and OBP. Fact: Mauer has now had 600 plate appearances in a season three times, and won the batting title all three. Fact: No other AL catcher has ever won a batting title; Mauer has as many as all NL catchers combined (Deacon White did win the 1875 National Association title as a catcher, and White and King Kelly won batting titles while doing some part-time catching in 1877, 1884 & 1886). But Mauer caught only 26% of opposing baserunners last season, by far a career low; like some of the other great catchers, he may end up with his best offensive and defensive seasons a little mismatched.
Delmon Young's progress remains agonizingly slow, but guys like him have been known to creep forward with little apparent improvement and then suddenly kick up to another level; he's still only 24, and I'd wait to see his 2010, 2011 and maybe 2012 before writing him off as a potential star. But the slow pace of Young's improvement, combined with Denard Span's success and Revere's potential, probably contributed to the decision to cut bait on also waiting for Carlos Gomez to progress, even if it meant losing the last tangible tie to the Santana trade. Anyway, adding Hudson and the offensively erratic Hardy should stabilize the infield.
The big question, as is so often true, is the rotation. Liriano has struggled badly enough that there's been talk of converting him to relief, and don't be surprised if that possibility is explored with Nathan out; Duensing could end up replacing him in the rotation. Assuming the old Liriano doesn't resurface, Baker and Slowey should be the anchors. Slowey posted a 5:1 K/BB ratio last season, but coughed up as many homers as walks, and was shut down after July 3 to have surgery on bone chips in his wrist; in Slowey's last two starts with the injury he surrendered 11 runs and 3 homers in 6 innings, ballooning his ERA from 4.04 to 4.86. Slowey's 0.56 spring ERA suggests he may be all the way back. Blackburn, like Baker and Slowey, has amazing control - the Twinkies and the Cardinals were the only major league teams to walk fewer than 3 men per 9 innings last year - but with his low K rate will depend more on the defense, and thus should benefit most from the arrival of the O-Dog.
Punto and Harris are still grappling over who gets to give away the third base job to the other; Casilla, who I have listed here as an outfielder solely because there was no room to list him as something else, is competing with Tolbert for the backup infield job.
Rauch currently holds the single-season record for most saves (18) by a pitcher who is taller than 6'10". Because you needed to know that.
AJ Pierzynski
Gordon Beckham*
Alexei Ramirez#
Mark Teahen
Juan Pierre
Andruw Jones
Ramon Castro
Omar Vizquel
Mark Kotsay
Jayson Nix*
Jake Peavy
Mark Buehrle
Gavin Floyd
Freddy Garcia
Bobby Jenks
Matt Thornton
Scott Linebrink
Tony Pena
JJ Putz
Subjective Adjustments: None.
Also on Hand: Position players - Brent Lillibridge, who had a horrible 2009. Alejandro de Aza. 24-year-old catcher Tyler Flowers, who improved his career minor league batting line to .293/.406/.495 last season, handled AAA pitching just fine, and got a quick cup of the big league coffee in September. Kenny Williams seems more concerned with Flowers batting .188 in that 10-game trial...I expect him to take over for Pierzynski at some point, but that could be next year unless Pierzynski gets dealt in July.
Pitchers - Sergio Santos, Greg Aquino, Randy Williams, Daniel Hudson, Carlos Torres, Freddy Dolsi, Scott Elarton.
Analysis: As has been the case for a few years now, I'm a little unclear on what the White Sox think they are doing, other than just muddling through in a weak division. On the upside, the double play combination is young and talented, the power hitters are still sort of in their prime other than Jones, the top 4 in their rotation should - if Peavy's healthy - stand up well to anybody but the Red Sox, the bullpen's fairly deep, and as noted there seems to be an orderly succession plan behind the plate. On the downside, Pierre is likely to return to being an offensive millstone and is ill-suited to a power park like whatever they're calling Comiskey these days, and there are serious perennial questions about the attitudes of Quentin, Rios and Jones - if you could give one of those guys Pierre's attitude, you'd be in much better shape (I'm not clear on why Rios is seen as the center fielder here over Pierre). The Jones signing is a gamble, but when you acquire a DH who is 33, overweight and has hit .207/.304/.393 the past three seasons, you need a better Plan B than ... Mark Kotsay? Please tell me they're never gonna wake up one morning with Vizquel as the starting DH.
On balance this looks like a team that can make a run at the division if the Twins stumble and things break well with the rotation (including Garcia, who has a lot to prove after three seasons lost to injury) and the outfield.
Subj. Adj.: 201.25 (80 W)
Gerald Laird
Miguel Cabrera
Scott Sizemore+
Adam Everett
Brandon Inge
Magglio Ordonez
Austin Jackson+
Johnny Damon
Carlos Guillen
Alex Avila*
Ramon Santiago
Ryan Raburn
Clete Thomas#
Rick Porcello*
Max Scherzer#
Jeremy Bonderman
Nate Robertson
Jose Valverde
Joel Zumaya
Bobby Seay
Zach Miner
Ryan Perry*
Subjective Adjustments: The 1.581 multiplier for pitchers age 21 and under is based on a sample of 9 seasons, two of them Felix Hernandez and most of them guys who had not, as Rick Porcello did last year, started 31 games in the majors. Projecting him to leap to 21 Win Shares seemed unrealistic even for optimists about Porcello, who after all struck out only 89 batters last year. I trimmed him down -3 to 18.
Overall, the Tigers are heavily dependent on guys without an established profile; they're the only team in the AL starting two pure rookies (Scott Sizemore and Austin Jackson).
Also on Hand: Position players - Jeff Larish.
Pitchers - Dontrelle Willis, who's had a great spring and isn't out of contention for a rotation slot just yet. Armando Galarraga, deposed from the rotation but still hanging around. Fu-Te Ni, Phil Coke, Daniel Schlereth, Eddie Bonine.
Analysis: The Tigers' question marks start with replacing Curtis Granderson, especially defensively. Jackson is currently penciled in as the heir, although they could still go with Clete Thomas. Sizemore is actually the better hitter at this stage than Jackson (.308/.389/.500 between AA and AAA last season; Jackson's career slugging percentage in the minors is .410), but is two years older, and second basemen with questionable gloves are not always the most likely guys to develop as hitters.
Cabrera is reportedly sobered up and slimmed down; we'll see how much that matters and how long it lasts. My guess is that it's not going to affect his hitting much, but of course being in shape and not hung over is likely to help his baserunning, defense and long-term durability. In a way, it seems almost quaint to see a player whose issue is alcohol.
Much of the rest of the offense is creaky, nonexistent (Everett) and/or likely to struggle in Detroit (Damon).
The pitching staff could be impressive if Scherzer finally has a healthy season and Zumaya holds up. Bonderman's ceiling now looks a lot lower than it once did. And getting Dontrelle back on track could help.
Jason Kendall
Billy Butler
Chris Getz*
Yuniesky Betancourt
Alex Gordon
David DeJesus
Rick Ankiel
Scott Podsednik
Jose Guillen
Brayan Pena
Alberto Callaspo
Mike Aviles#
Gil Meche
Luke Hochevar#
Robinson Tejeda
Brian Bannister
Joakim Soria
Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Davies
Roman Colon
Also on Hand: Position players - Mitch Maier, last year a frequent starter in the outfield. Wilson Betemit, Willie Bloomquist, Brian Anderson, Vance Wilson.
Pitchers - Where to begin? Bruce Chen (yes, that Bruce Chen), Jorge Campillo, Phil Humber, Brad Thompson, Victor Marte, Josh Rupe, Matt Herges, 37-year-old Yasuhiko Yabuta (who actually pitched much better in his second crack at American minor leaguers in 2009), Rule V pickup Edgar Osuna, Bryan Bullington.
Analysis: A little hope, but not much. Donald Zachary Greinke was so good in so many ways last year that he has to be considered an elite pitcher and not a one-year fluke, but even the elite don't repeat seasons like that. Gordon, once a hyped "next George Brett" by the same people who used the same tag on Hank Blalock, starts the season on the DL, which puts Callaspo at third. Butler is the trendy pick for a breakout, and for good reason: from June 10 to the end of the season he batted .312/.374/.526 with 34 doubles in 101 games, including a blistering stretch of .346/.418/.596 with 45 RBI in 53 games from August 4 to September 30. That may be partly a matter of being a second-half hittter, but it does seem that Butler's making real progress. He also had ridiculous home/road splits: .362/.415/.612 in KC, .240/.307/.372 on the road. Getz had a .324 OBP last year as a rookie, and should improve enough on that to actually be useful.
Then, there's the ugly side, the guys who have neither present nor future. The acquisition of Podsednik is like the White Sox acquisition of Pierre: cheered by Roto players but mostly an investment in a season that's unlikely to be repeated. Both guys remain useful fourth outfiielders miscast as starting corner outfielders. The Royals remain desperate enough for starting pitching that they've considered using Kyle Farnsworth in the rotation. Kendall is durable and ends their experiment with sub-.300 OBPs behind the plate, but he's old, slow, punchless and can't throw. Betancourt's only 27 and has been declining for two years now (from a peak when his OBP was .308). Guillen remains a 34-year-old headache who's been paid $24 million the past two years to bat .257/.305/.415 and block Butler from DHing. Expectations should be limited accordingly.
Maybe they should get Dontrelle; he could probably use some advice in coming back from anxiety problems from Greinke and Ankiel.
Lou Marson+
Russell Branyan
Luis Valbuena*
Asdrubal Cabrera
Jhonny Peralta
Shin-Soo Choo
Grady Sizemore
Michael Brantley*
Travis Hafner
Mike Redmond
Matt LaPorta*
Trevor Crowe
Andy Marte
Jake Westbrook
Fausto Carmona
Justin Masterson#
Aaron Laffey
David Huff*
Rafael Perez
Joe Smith
Tony Sipp*
Jeremy Sowers
Subjective Adjustments: None, but Brantley and LaPorta should produce more than that with more playing time (LaPorta may be platooned with Branyan).
Also on Hand: Position players - Anderson Hernandez, Austin Kearns, Mark Grudzeilanek, Brian Bixler, Chris Gimenez, and smooth catching prospect Carlos Santana.
Pitchers - Chris Perez, Jensen Lewis, Scott Lewis, Anthony Reyes, Tom Mastny, Hector Rondon, Carlos Carrasco, Mitch Talbot. Carrasco and Talbot are seen as in the rotation mix not far down the road.
Analysis: I see Baseball Prospectus has the Indians at 79-83. I get where some of the difference comes from: BP, as it often is with unproven players, is bullish on Masterson and LaPorta and has Brantley, Hafner and Westbrook valued relatively more than EWSL does. I'm not going to argue methods here - EWSL isn't a fine-tuned system like PECOTA, but its blunter approach can be summarized as: show me. Because to meet their PECOTA projections, all of those guys will have to do more in the majors than they've established as a baseline the past three seasons in the majors.
On a gut level, I'm conflicted. On the one hand, most divisions end up with a doormat, and the Indians have the look of a team with a complete mess of a starting rotation and an uneven offense beyond Sizemore and Choo. On the other hand, this division isn't overflowing with the kind of tough competition that hangs a 3-15 record on a team in one or more of its head-to-head matchups. Consider: the Indians last year went 4-14 vs Detroit but 16-20 against the Twins and White Sox; the Royals were 6-12 last year against the Twins but 17-19 against the other two. By contrast, the Orioles last year were 15-39 against NY, Boston and Tampa (including 7-29 against the top two) and the Blue Jays were 17-37 against the trio. Cleveland must look at the Blue Jays and think, there but for the grace of God...speaking of which, one major similarity this team has to Toronto is the destructive effects of a huge contract for a declining player in a collapsing economy, although Hafner's deal is not nearly the long-term millstone that Vernon Wells' is.
POSTSCRIPT: If you're wondering, the AL records, with all adjustments factored in, add up to an average of 82 wins per team, which is actually fairly consistent with the AL's aggregate record in the age of interleague play.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, EWSL is explained here, and you should read that link before commenting on the method; 2010 revisions to the age and rookie adjustments are discussed here.
Bear in mind as always that (1) EWSL is a record of past performance, adjusted by age to give a probabalistic assessment of the available talent on hand; it is not an individualized projection system - EWSL tells you what you should reasonably expect to happen this year if there are no surprises, rather than shedding light on how to spot the surprises before they happen; (2) individual EWSL are rounded off but team totals are compiled from the unrounded figures; and (3) as demonstrated here, here, here, here and here in some detail, nearly all teams will win more games than their EWSL total because I'm only rating 23 players per team. (I'm not convinced going to 24 or 25 would make the system more useful, since it would tend to overrate teams that stuff their back bench slots with aging ex-regulars). That said, I also don't adjust for available playing time, since as a general rule, teams that have excess depth of players with established track records are better off than those that are stretching to cover their whole roster with guys who have proven they can do the job. The line for each team's estimated 2010 W-L record adds EWSL plus 39.42 Win Shares, which is the average number of Win Shares by the rest of the team's roster (i.e., the players other than the 23 listed before the season) over the teams I have tracked the past five seasons (it went up this season, as the average team's EWSL in 2009 undershot its final win total by 41.82 Win Shares).
As always, the depth charts here are drawn from multiple sources (my starting points are the depth charts at Baseball Prospectus.com and RotoTimes, modified by press reports and my own assessments) to list the guys who will do the work (e.g., if there are two guys battling for a fifth starter spot I'll often list one of them with the relievers if I think they'll both end up pitching; in some cases I will list a guy who is starting the year on the DL or in the minors), but I take responsibility for any errors. It's still a fluid time for rosters.
Check out prior years' AL Central reports for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 12:00 PM | Baseball 2010 | Baseball Studies | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
BASEBALL: 2010 AL East EWSL Report
Part 2 of my preseason previews is the AL East; this is the second of six division previews, using Established Win Shares Levels as a jumping-off point. Notes and reference links on the EWSL method are below the fold; while EWSL is a simple enough method that will be familiar to long-time readers, it takes a little introductory explaining, so I'd suggest you check out the explanations first if you're new to these previews. I've also resurrected for this season the team ages, which are weighted by non-age-adjusted EWSL, so the best players count more towards determining the age of the roster.
Prior preview: the AL West.
Raw EWSL: 296.33 (112 W)
Adjusted: 298.90 (113 W)
Age-Adj.: 266.84 (102 W)
2010 W-L: 102-60
Kevin Youkilis
Dustin Pedroia
Marco Scutaro
Adrian Beltre
JD Drew
Mike Cameron
Jason Varitek
Mike Lowell
Jeremy Hermida
Jed Lowrie#
Josh Beckett
Clay Buchholz
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Jon Papelbon
Hideki Okajima
Ramon Ramirez
Daniel Bard*
Tim Wakefield
Subjective Adjustments: None, but bear in mind that EWSL is valuing Lowell, Varitek and Hermida based on being everyday players in 2009, Lowrie in light of extensive playing time in 2008. That's not irrational - teams with that kind of depth often end up needing it, especially Hermida when you consider the injury histories of Drew and Cameron. But in the end, there won't be at bats enough for all of them.
Also on Hand: Position players - Bill Hall (another recently deposed regular!), Josh Reddick, Tug Hulett.
Pitchers - Manny Delcarmen, Joe Nelson, Boof Bonser, Kason Gabbard, Dustin Richardson, Brian Shouse, Fabio Castro, Michael Bowden.
Analysis: This Red Sox team doesn't look offensively strong enough to me to be a real 100-win team, but they and the Yankees are doubtless the strongest teams in the game by a healthy margin, in Boston's case due to their depth, pitching and defense. The rotation has some question marks, especially Matsuzaka and the durability of Lackey, but as with the rest of the roster there are fallbacks. Maybe the biggest vulnerable keystone is Mike Cameron, the oldest guy in the starting lineup and a key to improving Boston's outfield defense; a Drew-Ellsbury-Hermida outfield is not nearly as solid afield.
EWSL recognizes that Lester is really the star of the pitching staff now, and without the tougher road of pitching in Fenway in the AL East, he might be right there with Lincecum, Greinke, King Felix, Santana and maybe Halladay and Sabathia as the game's very best pitchers; as it is, he's at least in the next tier with Verlander, Lee, Wainwright, Haren and Carpenter. But of course Beckett remains the big-game ace.
I remain...I think the proper word is incredulous, rather than skeptical, at Scutaro as a major league everyday shortstop at age 34, but he's built up to this gradually, he's a solid enough bat and defensively the Sawx have Beltre and Pedroia to help cover his sides.
The Defending World Champion Hated Yankees
Mark Teixeira
Nick Swisher
Curtis Granderson
Brett Gardner#
Francisco Cervelli*
Ramiro Pena*
Randy Winn
Marcus Thames
AJ Burnett
Javier Vazquez
Phil Hughes
Joba Chamberlain
Damaso Marte
Alfredo Aceves#
David Robertson#
Subjective Adjustments: None. Winn has the same issue as some of the Red Sox bench, but he's sharing time with Gardner, and while 20 Win Shares seems optimistic for the pair, it's not crazy. Also, the Yankees will need bench depth (both Winn and Marcus Thames) with Nick Johnson in the starting lineup.
Also on Hand: Position players - Mike Rivera, Kevin Russo, Jamie Hoffman.
Pitchers - Jonathan Albaladejo, Chan Ho Park, Sergio Mitre, Kei Igawa, Boone Logan, Royce Ring. Chad Gaudin was released this morning.
Analysis: At every turn, the Yankees have a stronger offense and more impressive-looking frontline talent than the Sox, but they're also older (except in center field) and subject to more uncertainties.
Hughes was named the fifth starter today, sending Joba back to the bullpen. Your guess is as good as mine how long either of those assignments will last, although at some point the Yankees need to make a long-term commitment what they're doing with those two guys. I think the die has been cast now to try Hughes as far as he will go as a rotation starter, but Joba is more enigmatic. He may even need a change of scenery.
A-Rod's streak of consecutive 100-Run/100-RBI seasons ended last year at 11, second only to Lou Gehrig's 13. In 14 major league seasons, he's either driven in 100 runs, scored 100 runs, or (12 times) both, every year.
The re-signing of Joe Mauer in Minnesota, the aging and injuries to A-Rod, and the continuing uncertainty around Joba means that there remains no heir apparent to Rivera, Jeter or Posada. When those guys go, this may be a more different team than anyone now envisions.
Dioner Navarro
Carlos Pena
Jason Bartlett
Evan Longoria#
Matt Joyce#
BJ Upton
Carl Crawford
Pat Burrell
Kelly Shoppach
Willy Aybar
Gabe Kapler
Hank Blalock
James Shields
Matt Garza
Jeff Niemann*
David Price*
Wade Davis*
Rafael Soriano
Dan Wheeler
JP Howell
Grant Balfour
Andy Sonnanstine
Subjective Adjustments: None, but Matt Joyce and Wade Davis, if healthy all year, should well exceed their previously established major league performance.
Also on Hand: Position players - Perennial SS prospect Reid Brignac, Desmond Jennings (who is supposed to be Carl Crawford 2.0, although at the same age, Crawford was entering his fourth season as a major league regular), Sean Rodriguez.
Pitchers - Randy Choate, Joaquin Benoit, Lance Cormier, Winston Abreu, Dale Thayer. Abreu's an interesting "prospect" case: a 33-year-old Dominican who entered the Atlanta system in 1994 (before Chipper Jones' first season as a regular), he's crapped out in brief major league trials (7.31 ERA in 44.1 innings for four teams over three seasons), has pitched in Mexico and Japan - but since 2006, he's thrown 168.2 innings at AAA with a 1.93 ERA and eye-popping peripherals: 5.40 H/9, 0.54 HR/9, 3.00 BB/9, 12.68 K/9.
Analysis: The Brewers had a wonderful collection of talent in the 1978-83 period, but somehow they only put together the one magical pennant (plus a postseason appearance in the scrambled season of 1981). Somehow, they often ended up third. Will that be the fate of these Rays? The good news is, there still seems to be a fair amount of potential upside/bounce-back here. Their Win Shares age marks them as the youngest team in the division (if Baltimore is hoping to rebuild to where the Rays are now, they need to build back in time). BJ Upton, David Price, Pat Burrell, Dioner Navarro and Andy Sonnanstine could hardly have had more disappointing seasons in 2009, and James Shields was off his game as well; Price and Wade Davis could potentially arrive in a hurry. On the other hand, a Navarro-like dropoff could easily plague the three Rays who played massively above expectations last season: Ben Zobrist, Jason Bartlett and Jeff Neimann (Zobrist Win Shares the last three seasons: 1, 8, 27). Check out how Tampa's infield, powered by Zobrist and Bartlett, stacked up last season against their division rivals:
Average starting infielder, 2009:
(Poor Nick Green has the honor of dragging down the Red Sox. Note the low GIDP total for the Rays despite Longoria hitting into 27 despite batting third behind Crawford all year, mostly with Upton or Bartlett leading off - that high a total suggests that it's in the team's interests for Crawford in particular to run more ahead of him to avoid that this year, although as it is he ran 76 times last season). Niemann is perhaps unfairly lumped in that group, as he had a fine minor league record, and his signature skill (a low HR rate) has persisted at every level; if he can bump up his K rate even a little from 6.2 K/9 last season (it was 9.1 for his minor league career), he could be a star.
Boy, this division has some 24-year-old pitchers, doesn't it?
Navarro sounds as if he'll be reasonably ready to start the season despite a horrific spring training collision with Jacque Jones, who's fighting tooth and nail for a roster spot on the Twins.
Matt Wieters*
Garrett Atkins
Brian Roberts
Cesar Izturis
Miguel Tejada
Adam Jones#
Nolan Reimold*
Luke Scott
Chad Moeller
Ty Wigginton
Felix Pie
Robert Andino#
Kevin Millwood
Jeremy Guthrie
Brad Bergesen*
Brian Matusz*
Chris Tillman*
Mike Gonzalez
Cla Meredith
Koji Uehara*
Mark Hendrickson
Also on Hand: Position players - Jeff Salazar, Lou Montanez, Michael Aubrey.
Pitchers - Matt Albers, Dennis Sarfate, Alfredo Simon, Will Ohman.
Analysis: In another division, I'd be guardedly optimistic; the Orioles finally seem to be getting their rotation together, their outfield is reasonably young and talented, Wieters still looks like an eventual superstar if not the immediate one everybody predicted last season, and the infield and bullpen are at least anchored mostly by competent veterans (Gonzalez, like Soriano with the Rays, was heisted from a Braves franchise disproportionately disgusted with its bullpen help). Granted, there are trouble signs: Millwood has been terrible this spring, Markakis could just as easily turn into Ben Grieve rather than Carl Yastrzemski, Reimold may not repeat last season's pleasant surprise, and any of the trio of Matusz, Bergesen, and Tillman could easily go the way of so many promising young pitchers. But the main problem the Orioles face is 54 games on their schedule with the Beasts of the East.
I swear, I will spend the next several years muttering "e before i spells Greinke, i before e spells Wieters."
Tejada has averaged 27 GIDP per year the past four seasons, leading the league five times in six years; he hasn't yet cracked Jim Rice's surprisingly durable single-season record of 36.
Luke Scott's Win Shares the past three seasons: 11, 11, 11. That's an established performance level.
John Buck
Lyle Overbay
Alex Gonzalez
Edwin Encarnacion
Vernon Wells
Travis Snider*
Jose Molina
Jeremy Reed
Randy Ruiz*
Ricky Romero*
Shaun Marcum
Scott Richmond*
Brandon Morrow
Marc Rzepcynski*
Jason Frasor
Scott Downs
Jeremy Accardo
Kevin Gregg
Shawn Camp
Subjective Adjustments: None. This is all there is, folks. But Snider should beat 8 WS if he's in the lineup all year.
Also on Hand: Position players - Raul Chavez, Joey Gathright, Jorge Padilla, Jarrett Hoffpauir.
Pitchers - Plenty of about the same quality as the guys listed above: Brian Tallet, Brett Cecil, Dana Eveland, David Purcey, Jesse Carlson, Dustin McGowan, Jesse Litsch.
Analysis: 2010 marketing slogan: "Hey, we already paid them." Marcum, who did not throw a pitch last season, has been named to start Opening Day, replacing the departed (liberated?) Roy Halladay. The Yankees, Sox and Rays may be tough places to break in as a young starting pitcher given the pressures, but Baltimore and Toronto are even less enviable, especially Toronto without Millwood: the youngsters (in Richmond's case, not even young) have to carry the front of the rotation on top of facing all those tough opponents.
The Jays aren't so desperately under-talented - there's at least a plausible gap-filler at most every position, and the bullpen's deep enough in decent arms that they should eventually be able to figure out which ones are going to pitch well this year - but in this division, with so little front-line talent and an unproven rotation, I'll be surprised if they avoid 100 losses.
You can compare the prior AL East roundups for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 1:00 PM | Baseball 2010 | Baseball Studies | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
BASEBALL: 2010 AL West EWSL Report
Part 1 of my preseason previews is the AL West; this is the first of six division previews, using Established Win Shares Levels as a jumping-off point. Notes and reference links on the EWSL method are below the fold; while EWSL is a simple enough method that will be familiar to long-time readers, it takes a little introductory explaining, so I'd suggest you check out the explanations first if you're new to these previews. I've also resurrected for this season the team ages, which are weighted by non-age-adjusted EWSL, so the best players count more towards determining the age of the roster.
Subj. Adj: 216.33 (85 W)
Adam Moore+
Casey Kotchman
Jack Wilson
Chone Figgins
Ichiro Suzuki
Franklin Gutierrez
Milton Bradley
Rob Johnson*
Ryan Langerhans
Eric Byrnes
Felix Hernandez
Cliff Lee
Erik Bedard
Ian Snell
Ryan Rowland-Smith
David Aardsma
Sean White
Brandon League
Shawn Kelley*
Subjective Adjustments: As I did last season, I'm trying to be very sparing with introducing purely subjective adjustments into what is intended to be an objective system, but sometimes you have to have a sanity check. I'm docking 2 Win Shares from Adam Moore, the Mariners' rookie catcher, because I can't quite value the combination of him and weak-hitting #2 catcher Rob Johnson as being cumulatively worth 20 Win Shares, and given the choice between the two, I prefer to dock the guy who is less proven. That said, Moore's career line in the minors is .301/.369/.483; even factoring in the very large adjustment from a Class A hitters' haven like High Desert to Safeco, that suggests a guy who will bring noticeably more pop than the punchless Johnson.
Also on Hand: Position players - Jack Hannahan, Matt Tuiasosopo, Corey Patterson, Mike Sweeney, Mike Carp, Josh Bard, Michael Saunders.
Pitchers - Luke French, Jason Vargas, Yusmiero Petit, Garrett Olson, Kanekoa Texeira, Randy Messenger, Ryan Feierabend. French appears to be the favorite to take Bedard's rotation slot until when and if Bedard is ever ready to pitch, and with Cliff Lee starting the season shelved with an abdominal strain, the staff may need to dig deeper than that. French put in three very undistinguished seasons in the Tigers' system before reeling off 13 excellent starts at AAA Toledo last year, posting a 2.98 ERA and improving his K/BB ratio to 3.6 from 1.47, earning him a promotion. He had a 3.38 ERA but weak peripherals with Detroit before arriving in Seattle, where he surrendered a ghastly 2.1 homers per 9 innings in 38 innings of work. So, French should be regarded as a work in progress.
Analysis: Probably no team moved as aggressively or with as clear a plan in mind in the offseason as the Mariners, a franchise adrift for much of the past 6 years despite occasional youth movements and spurts at overachieving contention-like records (last season's 85 wins exceeded their Pythagorean record - i.e., their record as predicted from runs scored and allowed - by 10 games). The reason was obvious: they saw an opportunity and a limited window to grab it. The opportunity came in the form of the Angels' free agency losses - John Lackey, Chone Figgins, Vlad Guerrero, on the heels of last year's losses of Francisco Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Jon Garland and Garret Anderson. It's cold comfort to Angels fans that many of those guys were declining commodities unlikely to match their prior production in Anaheim; the point was that that prior production will be hard to replace, leaving the team that dominated this division to the tune of five division titles in six years suddenly vulnerable. At the same time, with star Ichiro Suzuki now 36 and Felix Hernandez subject to the usual concerns about how long a very young pitcher can stay on top before he breaks down, the team had a sense of urgency about seizing this opportunity.
The Mariners' plan wasn't brilliant, but you can accomplish quite a lot just by knowing what you want to do and sticking with it. They snagged Figgins from the Angels, which killed two birds with one stone, depriving the Angels of his services and importing a slap hitter more suited to Safeco than departing underachieving slugger Adrian Beltre. Even if Figgins can't sustain his improvement in walks last season, he'll be a solid addition in the short run. Casey Kotchman was brought in to soften the blow of Russell Branyan's departure, and while Kotchman is a fairly punchless hitter, he's just hitting age 27 and he and Milton Bradley are both guys who similarly don't depend on the home run for their offensive value (Kotchman may end up platooned with Ryan Garko at first). Ditto for stretch-drive acquisition Jack Wilson at short and scrap heap claim Eric Byrnes.
On the pitching side, bringing in Cliff Lee was part of a larger project (along with last season's addition of Ian Snell) to prop up the Mariners' low team strikeout rate (only Felix Hernandez notched more than 90 Ks last season), rendering them less dependent on repeating last season's AL-best-by-a-wide-margin .712 Defensive Efficiency Rate, and enable the team to re-sign the rehabbing Erik Bedard without having to bank on him as the #2 starter.
Not everything fit the pattern, of course; the team re-upped 40-year-old Ken Griffey jr. to DH (assuming Bradley can play left), after Griffey hit .214, albeit with a really freaky home-road split in which he mauled opposing pitchers at Safeco but was utterly helpless on the road. But Griffey is apparently supposed to provide veteran leadership. If he falls on his face in a "Willie Mays, 1973" way, the Mariners don't have a ton of hitting depth to cover the LF/DH spots, especially if Bradley is, as usual, frequently unavailable. Griffey is the most extreme example of a division-wide trend: the average AL West DH is 36 years old this season.
Clearing 90 wins by more than a hair will be an uphill battle for Seattle unless Lee, Bedard, and Snell suddenly all get healthy and back to top form at once - like the rest of this division, the Mariners are out of the wild card race before the season starts, when you look at the AL East - but this team has definitely made the moves necessary to swipe a division title if one can be had in the high 80s.
Mike Napoli
Kendry Morales
Howie Kendrick
Erick Aybar
Brandon Wood#
Bobby Abreu
Torii Hunter
Juan Rivera
Hideki Matsui
Jeff Mathis
Macier Izturis
Reggie Willits
Freddy Sandoval+
Jered Weaver
Ervin Santana
Joel Pineiro
Brian Fuentes
Fernando Rodney
Brian Stokes
Jason Bulger*
Kevin Jepsen*
Subjective Adjustments: None, although I expect Brandon Wood to finally establish himself as a reputable major league hitter after cracking 160 home runs in a long minor league career that saw him bat .272/.338/.497, .296/.375/.595, and .293/.353/.557 over the past three full seasons at AAA. Also, one assumes that Kendry Morales will do better than 12 Win Shares, but I don't argue with EWSL's bias against guys like Wood and Morales whose recent history still includes flopping in extended trials against big-league competition.
Also on Hand: Position players - Robb Quinlan.
Pitchers - Scot Shields, Sean O'Sullivan. The stability of the Angels, even with all the free agent losses, is reflected in how few battles for roster spots and starting jobs they have this spring; if everybody's healthy, you'll know who their players are.
Analysis: Mike Scioscia also knows what he's doing, though I'm starting to worry he's suffering from Gene Mauch/Buck Rogers Syndrome, where the ownership assumes he can keep winning without having to supply him with quality players. Notice, as is often the case with the Angels, the focus on prime talent: the roster above includes two 25-year-olds, three 26-year-olds, five 27-year-olds, a 28-year-old, and three 29-year-olds - more than half the roster in that age cohort, and except for the outfield (where Abreu's age remains a concern) the age is mostly concentrated in the bullpen. That's a similar distribution to the one I noted in the 2002 World Champs.
That said, the Angels' fate will rest with the health of their starting rotation, especially the power pitchers. Kazmir needs to rebound, and recent reports are not optimistic about Ervin Santana. And I remain skeptical that Pineiro can keep his walk and home run rates sufficiently microscopic to survive his inability to strike anybody out. If Weaver and Saunders end up as this team's 1-2 starters, they're in trouble and could easily sink below .500.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Chris Davis#
Ian Kinsler
Elvis Andrus*
Julio Borbon*
Vladimir Guerrero
Taylor Teagarden*
Joaquin Arias#
Endy Chavez
Scott Feldman
Rich Harden
Tommy Hunter*
Derek Holland*
Frank Francisco
CJ Wilson
Darren O'Day#
Darren Oliver
Naftali Feliz*
Subjective Adjustments: A primary reason why I added subjective adjustments was what I think of as the Khalil Greene problem, since he's one of the first (but not the last) second-year shortstops to exhibit it: EWSL assesses a very young hitter as having a lot of rapid room for growth, but as a result it tends to overvalue second-year hitters who are (1) under age 25 and (2) have a disproportionate amount of their value in their gloves. Nobody improves that much defensively from a good start in one year. So, rather than 21 Win Shares, I've trimmed back Elvis Andrus by 2 Win Shares to 19, which is still +2 from last year's total of 17.
Also on Hand: Position players - Esteban German, Max Ramirez, Brandon Boggs, Toby Hall. Ramirez is the third of Texas' troika of hugely hyped young catchers, but he had a .234/.323/.336 train wreck of a season at AAA last year, and with Saltalamacchia and Teagarden scuffling at the major league level, suddenly nobody's talking about this as the second coming of the Giants' McCovey vs Cepeda problem.
Pitchers - Colby Lewis (who's been in Japan and may end up in the rotation), sometime closer Chris Ray, Edwar Ramirez, Matt Harrison, Dustin Nippert, Doug Mathis.
Analysis: The story has been the same for years: the sun is rise, the sun is set, and there's no pitching in Texas yet. Have we finally turned a corner? Certainly, this team's pitching doesn't present the ghastly hue that doomed past Rangers squads to the cellar. Last season's 4.57 team ERA was actually better than the league average, especially when adjusted for the park. Scott Feldman's one-season improvement suggests a guy who can serve as an innings-eater (though 0.9 HR, 3.1 BB & 5.4 K/9 are decent numbers, but don't foretell much more room for growth, esepcially after two seasons of being pounded). Whether he stays in middle relief or becomes a Joba Rules-style starter, Naftali Feliz has an enormous upside as a power pitcher. Young control/groundball starter Tommy Hunter had a good ERA last season, while Derek Holland, who struggled, struck out more than twice as many as he walked (7.0 K, 3.1 BB, but a frightening 1.7 HR/9) following a fairly spectacular tour through the minor leagues (career rates of 0.4 HR, 2.6 BB, 9.9 K, albeit mostly in A ball). Rich Harden - who's only a year older than Feldman - is on hand, bringing the same gambler's chance to Texas that Bedard and Snell bring to Seattle, Kazmir and Santana to Anaheim, and Ben Sheets and Justin Duchscherer to Oakland. For once, there's some hope. But in the short run, the pitching will have an uphill battle to match last season with the departure of staff ace Kevin Millwood, the dependence on young pitchers and potentially erratic setup men and the mercurial Harden.
(UPDATE: It currently looks like the Rangers will be trying CJ Wilson in the rotation and McCarthy in the bullpen, but we'll see how long that experiment lasts.)
The offense was more unreliable last season. Kinsler's 30-30 numbers made Roto fans happy, but a .253 batting average just isn't enough in a park like Texas. Andrus was adequate and promising, but still isn't an offensive plus. Davis needs to arrest his strike zone problems before his career vanishes. And one of the catchers needs to step up.
Vlad Guerrero was a good gamble - he fell off last season and could be almost done, but guys with his talent and track record have been known to bust out with one last gasp around this age, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see him notch a season like Andres Galarraga's first year in Atlanta, Juan Gonzalez' first year in Cleveland, Frank Thomas' first year in Oakland, or Gary Gaetti's 1995 with Kansas City.
Kurt Suzuki
Daric Barton#
Cliff Pennington*
Kevin Kouzmanoff
Ryan Sweeney#
Coco Crisp
Rajai Davis
Jack Cust
Landon Powell*
Jake Fox*
Gabe Gross
Eric Patterson*
Ben Sheets
Brett Anderson*
Dallas Braden
Trevor Cahill*
Andrew Bailey*
Brad Ziegler#
Michael Wuertz
Craig Breslow
Joey Devine#
Also on Hand: Position players - Travis Buck, a supposedly healthy Eric Chavez.
Pitchers - Gio Gonzalez, Vin Mazzaro, Lenny DiNardo, Brett Tomko, Jerry Blevins, Clayton Mortenson. Also Josh Outman, the obligatory Tommy John rehab case.
Analysis: Sure, Billy Beane's vaunted "Moneyball" savvy and bargain-hunting skills are widely revered. Sure, he's spun silk from a sow's ear repeatedly with Chad Bradford- and Scott Hatteberg-style scrap heap finds. Sure, every year when I do my post-season EWSL wrapups, the A's are at or near the top of the list of teams getting the most Win Shares from guys not even on their preseason 23-man lineup, attesting to Beane's ongoing ability to retool his teams on the fly.
But look back at the glory days of Beane's A's and you'll notice something else: Jason Giambi won the MVP Award in 2000 and was the runnerup the following year, batting .338/.476/.653 over those two seasons; Miguel Tejada won the award in 2002 and averaged 30 HR and 116 RBI from 2000-2003. Barry Zito won the Cy Young Award in 2002, going 23-5. Ben Grieve was Rookie of the Year in 1998, Bobby Crosby in 2004, Huston Street in 2005. Tim Hudson went 20-6 in 2000, and finished 2d, 4th and 6th in the Cy Young balloting over a four-year period. Mark Mulder had 21- and 19-win seasons back to back, finishing second in the Cy Young balloting in 2001. Eric Chavez averaged 100 RBI per year from 2001-2005. In short: the A's had stars, big ones, most of them homegrown along with star-level seasons from acquisitions like Jermaine Dye, Matt Stairs and John Jaha.
That's what's missing now from a team whose best everyday player is...Kevin Kouzmanoff? Kurt Suzuki? Ryan Sweeney? Rajai Davis? Ugh. You can hold together a battleship with duct tape, but you need a battleship first.
The A's have the usual array of young pitchers, granting that none of the starters are blazing from the minor league gate as Hudson and Zito did, and Sheets and Duchscherer are rolls of the dice. The bullpen could be outstanding, but beware of their various aches and pains: Bailey was a great surprise last season but spring soreness could portend a guy who takes a step back after flying too close to the sun for a year, and Breslow and Devine are also various shades of banged up. I expect Beane to press enough buttons to keep Oakland around .500, but for more than that, they need to wish upon a star.
Check out previous AL West previews from 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
POLITICS: Unflexible
There will be many more things coming out about Obamacare as we finally get a fix on what was in the massive final bill, like the provisions exempting senior Congressional staff from its provisions or Jim Webb's worry that some military plans were not properly exempted from the bill.
Francis Cianfrocca looks at the foolishness of Obamacare slashing the tax exemption for flexible spending accounts. Health savings accounts and other flexible spending accounts, combined with high-deductible health plans, are one of the few ways we have to impose price discipline on care itself, and that's being replaced by a plan that puts massive upward pressure on the price of insurance, at the demand side by mandating its purchase by everyone and on the cost side by imposing a battery of restrictions on insurers' ability to evaluate risk or provide choice in what kind of coverage can be included in a plan. Personally, I recently switched my family to a high-deductible plan to avoid the rising rates of full-service plans, and on top of its various other bad effects the bill will limit my ability to use pretax funds to pay for healthcare; lots of people will be in the same boat, especially small business owners and employees and others among the self-employed who may not work for large organizations.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 3:29 PM | Politics 2010 | Comments (17) | TrackBack (0)
LAW: Triple FAIL
Here's the opening of the syllabus of today's lone Supreme Court opinion, United Student Aid Funds, Inc. v. Espinosa, No. 08-1134, a unanimous decision written by Justice Thomas:
A plan proposed under Bankruptcy Code (Code) Chapter 13 becomes effective upon confirmation, see 11 U. S. C. ss1324, 1325, and will re-sult in a discharge of the debts listed in the plan if the debtor completes the payments the plan requires, see s1328(a). A debtor may obtain a discharge of government-sponsored student loan debts only if failure to discharge that debt would impose an "undue hardship" on the debtor and his dependents. ss523(a)(8); 1328. Bankruptcy courts must make this undue hardship determination in an adversary proceeding, see Fed. Rule Bkrtcy. Proc. 7001(6), which the party seeking the determination must initiate by serving a summons and complaint on his adversary, see Rules 7003, 7004, 7008. Respondent Espinosa's plan proposed repaying the principal on his student loan debt and discharging the interest once the principal was repaid, but he did not initiate the required adversary proceeding. The student loan creditor, petitioner United, received notice of the plan from the Bankruptcy Court and did not object to the plan or to Espinosa's failure to initiate the required proceeding. The Bankruptcy Court confirmed the plan without holding such a proceeding or making a finding of undue hardship. Once Espinosa paid his student loan principal, the court discharged the interest. A few years later, the Department of Education sought to collect that interest.
If you're keeping score at home:
(1) The debtor failed to use the proper procedure to request the discharge of his interest obligations;
(2) The creditor failed to object when given notice of this defective proceeding; and
(3) The court failed to make the necessary findings to justify the discharge.
Can't anybody play this game?
Sensibly enough, after being presented with this train wreck of mutual malpractice, the Court decided to let sleeping dogs lie, holding that the creditor couldn't go back later on and reopen the judgment, having failed to object at the time (the creditor had argued, and the Ninth Circuit had agreed, that the court's failure to make the hardship finding was equivalent to acting without jurisdiction and thus voided the judgment even without a timely objection).
Posted by Baseball Crank at 10:10 AM | Law 2009-14 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
BASEBALL: The Top Ten (Twelve, Actually)
Continuing my warmup posts on Established Win Shares Levels, since I have kept you all waiting for the team previews, here's how the method, with the updated 2010 age adjustments, values the top 10 players (actually twelve, as I'm listing the guys who are essentially tied at 26 EWSL) in the game in terms of established performance level adjusted by age. EWSL is explained here. Chart below the fold.
Age%
EWSL
Hanley Ramirez
Prince Fielder
Note that two of these guys, Upton and Longoria, are rated based on two rather than three years' worth of playing time. Upton in particular is given a heavy dose of high expectations based on historic growth rates for players his age, but of course some of that is due to the fact that guys his age are often transitioning from half-season rookie seasons to full-time jobs.
As usual, bear in mind as well that the age adjustments are blanket; the system treats Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder as typical of their ages, regardless of body type, etc. That said, if this isn't actually a list of the game's 12 most valuable players to have entering the 2010 season, it's probably not that far off.
If you're wondering, Felix Hernandez and Zack Greinke are the only pitchers rated at 20 EWSL or greater, while the top-rated reliever is Joakim Soria.
BASEBALL: EWSL 2010 Age and Rookie Baselines
It's time once again, however belatedly, for my annual division previews using Established Win Shares Levels, which are explained here. Before we get to rolling out the 2010 EWSLs, I have to update the age adjustments and rookie values I use each year. These are based on the data I have gathered over the past six seasons, and so with each passing year, one would hope they become progressively more stable and useful in evaluating the established talent base on hand for each team entering each season. As a reminder: EWSL is not a prediction system. It's a way of assessing the resources on hand. Time, chance, and mid-season replacements happen to all.
First up is the age adjustments; I've reformatted the table a bit from year to year. See my writeups on the age adjustments following the 2004 season - also here - 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 seasons. Here's the 2009 age adjustments (i.e, how each age of non-pitcher or pitcher stacked up to their un-age-adjusted EWSL), and the totals for 2004-09 - in some ways, if you study these sorts of things, the numbers accumulated over this many seasons become interesting in themselves:
It was a tough year for the 28-year-olds and the over-35 crowd, but the 30- and 35-year-olds had a banner year, confounding prior trends of age 35 being a dramatic falloff. The 30-year-olds were bolstered by players like Nick Johnson and Victor Martinez rebounding from injury, while the 35-year-old cohort was strong in depth - Jeter, Tejada, Helton, Ichiro, Damon, Abreu, Casey Blake. That said, history still cautions to beware of 35-year-olds.
Then, the pitchers:
Tough year all around, with the rot setting in as early as age 27 - the dramatic falloff in pitchers in their late 20s is driven heavily by injuries - while the age 34-36 survivors, though few in number, prospered, though other than Chris Carpenter it was mostly low-expectations relievers.
Finally, the rookie adjustments:
Type of Player
# in 2009
WS in 2009
WS 2004-09
Everyday Players
Bench Players (Under 30)
Bench Players (Age 30+)
Rotation Starters
Relief Pitchers
Not a whole lot of alteration to historical patterns there.
POLITICS: No Quarter: How Left-Wing Blogs Seek To Destroy Rather Than Debate
If you have been reading or writing blogs for some time, you may recall the early, heady days of the blogosphere back around 2002-03. Many of us old-school bloggers started back then (I started writing baseball on the web in May 2000, and political blogging in August 2002; RedState wouldn't be founded until the summer of 2004). The blog world was a small town in those days, where everybody knew everybody, nobody was too big to respond to emails, comments or trackbacks (remember trackbacks?), and for all the fire of political debate, there was a broad-based sense that blogs constituted a community of interest that crossed party lines. Bloggers were glad to see recognition given to blogs and bloggers, engaged in debate across ideological lines, and in some cases informal alliances sprung up, as when blogs on the right and left alike united to drive media interest in ousting Trent Lott as GOP Senate Majority Leader after the 2002 elections over his comments about Strom Thurmond. Sites like The Command Post, which followed the blow-by-blow of the Iraq War, featured contributors from both sides of the political spectrum (myself included, along with others who would later become contributors at RedState). I don't want to overstate the degree of comity or idealize that era, but there was at least some degree of prevailing ethos that bloggers - amateurs using the internet to gather news and offer citizen punditry - had something in common even when their partisan and ideological interests diverged.
Those days are long, long gone. The coordinated and utterly predictable left-wing assault on CNN's hiring of RedState leader Erick Erickson over the past few days is merely the latest illustration of how the left side of the blogosphere sees it as its role not to debate conservative bloggers and pundits, but to destroy us and preclude us from being heard. Nobody on our side of the aisle should be under any illusion about the depths of personal enmity harbored towards us by the left blogs, nor the fact that they will spare no effort to go after us personally. These are not good people, they are not our friends, and they mean us harm.
It's debatable when and why the change came in the blogosphere, although it's clear it was driven from the Left - in many ways, with a few exceptions like Erick and the HotAir and BigGovernment sites, the right-wing blogs are the same collection of amateur part-timers, with the same leadership and the same demeanor and methods as we had in 2002. Partly it was the Left's increasing bitterness after their thumping in the 2002 elections exposed the fiction of their view that Bush's victory in 2000 was an illegitimate aberration. Partly it was the increasing partisan temperature that came with the Iraq War. Partly it was the nature of the Online Left as people: dissatisfied with the existing order of society, often childless and thus with more time on their hands and fewer checks on perpetual immaturity, apt to treat the personal as political and the political as personal, and frequently irreligious and tending to put politics in the place where others put religion. Perhaps the influence of Markos Moulitsas as the leading figure in the left-wing blogosphere could be blamed as well, although I regard the explosive growth of Daily Kos more as a symptom than the underlying cause.
But most likely the largest cause of all was money and the lust for power. With its party leadership discredited and its official organs subject to campaign finance laws that don't regulate blogs, the Left began pouring serious money and man-hours into the blogosphere after the 2002 elections. Billionaire George Soros (also a chief funder of think tanks like John Podesta's Center for American Progress, founded in 2003) was the most prominent of these donors/investors, but hardly the only one; Arianna Huffington was another. Left-wing interest groups like SEIU and other unions mustered advertising dollars for major left-blogs, effectively putting them on retainer. That gave the blogs the tools to do activism, polling, fundraising, investigative muckracking, and simply to generate a lot of ways to go after people and waste their time. Daily Kos, TPM, MediaMatters, ThinkProgress.org, the Huffington Post...these sites were increasingly staffed by full-time employees, tasked with taking out people on the Right, in MediaMatters' case explicitly focused on conservative pundits. One by one, major left-bloggers became professionalized. Moulitsas lived off "advertising" revenue, Glenn Greenwald (already independently wealthy) got hired by Salon, Kevin Drum by Washington Monthly, Ana Marie Cox by Time, Phil Carter got paid by Slate and the Washington Post, people like Matt Yglesias, Ezra Klein and Oliver Willis got blogging jobs straight out of college, funded by various combinations of employment by supposedly non-partisan mainstream media organizations (the Washington Post, the Atlantic Monthly) and left-wing funders; others like Jane Hamsher and John Aravosis also apparently work full-time as bloggers. Today, the WaPo employs both Klein and TPM veteran activist Greg Sargent; Washington Monthly employs Steven Benen; HuffPo employs a variety of people, including Klein's former co-blogger Nico Pitney. And a host of left-wing bloggers are regulars on MSNBC, a putatively major cable news network. By contrast, sites like RedState and the New Ledger are staffed almost entirely by volunteers with day jobs outside politics.
The professionalization of the Online Left created a sense of entitlement - left-bloggers tended not only to crusade for their policy goals, but to work for a personal seat at the table for themselves and their colleagues, becoming an interest group of their own and thus even more personally invested in the accretion of power to their own side. Moulitsas and Jerome Armstrong even wrote a book entitled "Crashing the Gate" about their drive to gain power within their party. Today, left-bloggers are feted at the White House. One of the most incendiary left-wing bloggers, Matt Stoller, got a job working for Florida Congressman Alan Grayson.
What disappeared along the way was any semblance of a sense that left-wingers should debate the Right, or even accept as legitimate the existence of conservative bloggers and pundits as participants in public debate. An early sign of this came when the Washington Post hired Ben Domenech, another of RedState's founders, in 2005. Never mind that WaPo was trying to pair him with a liberal writer, or that WaPo has always had a liberal editorial page and many more liberal than conservative op-ed writers; the Online Left started a viciously gleeful, single-minded crusade to get Ben fired, coming up with one ridiculous attack on him after another. Unfortunately, they eventually found one that stuck (some plagiarized movie reviews from his college-age years), he had to leave the job, and WaPo never replaced him with another conservative blogger. Yet when the paper hired Klein (who had volunteered with the Dean campaign in 2004) and Sargent, and essentially presented them as nonpartisan pundits (as compared to the "Red America" tagline on Ben's columns) conservatives complained and continue to poke fun at them (I know I have), but never made anything like a similarly coordinated effort to get them fired. Not that we couldn't have spent time digging through their archives for choice tidbits like Klein Tweeting "f**k tim russert. f**k him with a spiky acid-tipped d**k" (although Klein has prudently buried most of his old blogs, see here, here and here).
The effort to not only disagree with conservatives but agitate to have them driven from the public square is endemic with these paid, professional left-bloggers. Sargent, Greenwald and Benen complain constantly about Dick and Liz Cheney being permitted on TV and covered in the press. Left-bloggers pressed MSNBC for some time to get rid of Pat Buchanan, despite (1) the network's overwhelming leftward tilt and (2) the fact that Buchanan isn't even a particularly good or representative spokesman for the GOP or conservatives. They campaigned to get Lou Dobbs, a populist who's similarly only vaguely conservative, off CNN. There's been a long-running campaign to attack the advertisers for Glenn Beck, and with a fair amount of success despite Beck's sterling ratings. The common thread is that the Online Left isn't content to debate these people; they want them to be defunded, unemployed and unheard by the public, while they themselves reap funding from like-minded donors and interest groups.
(In the extreme example, conservative blogger Jeff Goldstein received sufficiently threatening emails towards his then 2-year-old son from a mentally disturbed left-wing stalker that he obtained a restraining order against her.).
Which brings us to the energy and bile that these paid tools of the left have directed at CNN - which is trying to reach out to the viewers that have consistently made rival FOX News the cable-news ratings champ - in an open effort to get Erick's hiring rescinded and ensure that CNN's viewers are not exposed to his opinions. The volume of material churned out by the left blogs, especially the paid ones, is too massive for me to excerpt or link it all here, but I'll offer a few samples:
-An organized campaign to flood CNN, especially its Twitter feed and those of its employees and on-air personalities, with complaints, and to pressure its advertisers to try to get Erick fired, was ginned up by nasty, foul-mouthed left-blogger Shoq. The campaign includes a "DumpCNN" Twitter feed (at last check: 89 tweets just since Tuesday). Some sample tweets from Shoq and DumpCNN:
"@CNN JOINS REDSTATE.COm The best fascist website on the intertubes. http://bit.ly/cGgxS1 cc @stevebruskCNN"
"CLICK to send letter to @samFeistCNN & @jonKleinCNN, demanding they abort absurd Erickson idea. http://bit.ly/cq2GCn"
".@CNN and @johnKingCNN @samFeistCNN You'll be happy to know that 2 of your biggest sponsors are watching.. with great discomfort."
"Shoq .@jonKleinCNN @samFeistCNN When @Stopbeck began, they had handful of ppl on Facebook for months. It's cost Fox 100+ sponsors."
".@stopbeck @dumpCNN Email me the list of CNN sponsors. They should know what is coming. c c @samFeistCNN @jenCNNpr"
"After @CNN starts losing sponsors, perhaps they'll fill the void by entertaining us with hologram magic."
"I think we should block ALL CNN twitter accounts"
"Why undermine our effort by supporting CNN? RT @janehamsher: I'll be on the online premiere of @JohnKingCNN tomorrow..."
-Eric Boehlert, paid staffer for Media Matters, has griped at length about Erick's hiring on his Twitter feed and the MMFA website, comparing him unfavorably to such solons of non-partisan news commentary as former Clinton campaign staffers Paul Begala and James Carville (while ignoring entirely why CNN wanted Erick - not just as an effort to win back viewers from Fox but because of his growing influence as an activist voice for the next generation of Republicans). Boehlert promoted the "DumpCNN" twitter feed and tweeted complaints at CNN. Perhaps Boehlert's most hilarious tweet was his claim that "the weird part is the Left doesn't have an Erick Erickson for CNN to hire; somebody that hateful and unethical to pontificate." (Apparently he's forgotten, among too many other examples to cite here, Moulitsas' famous reaction of "screw them" to the death of American contractors in Iraq).
For more MediaMatters attacks on Erick's hiring, see here, here, here, and here. This is an extensive deployment of paid resources to attack a single hire of a commentator.
-Moulitsas' initial reaction on Twitter was a lame joke, before stepping up to gripe, "HIs dream job is Al Qaida. CNN just a stepping stone." See also this, this, and a handful of retweets of other people.
-Greenwald similarly started off with something lame, then got gradually unhinged:
"[I]if CNN is pro-Terrorist, and Erickson works for them, shouldn't he be accusing himself of treason and want himself tortured?"
"Where's Liz Cheney and Bill Kristol when you need them? Wonder what they think about Erick Erickson working for a pro-Al-Qaeda outlet?"
"Is CNN balancing Erick Erickson with some Democrats' Pol Pot?"
-Salon was similarly apoplectic: "What was CNN thinking with latest hire?" The Salon article called Erick a "spinner," which is kind of a ridiculous argument considering that CNN already employs Begala and Carville; Begala is the Platonic embodiment of spin. But the Salon article nonetheless admitted that "Erickson is remarkably well plugged into the Republican establishment these days, and is a good barometer of where tea partiers will end up -- he was one of the earliest supporters of both Doug Hoffman and Marco Rubio, for example."
-Cox's reactions here and here.
-Willis pestered Ed Henry of CNN on Twitter here, here, here, and declared here, "feel like ed henry is reading now and realizing what a mistake he made defending erickson. heh." More Willis tweets here, here, here, here, here and here.
-Benen tweeted that "CNN's Erickson hire marks a genuinely sad for American journalism" and went after Erick's hiring at length from his paid position at Washington Monthly here, naturally with the disclaimer he always adds, when arguing against putting conservatives on television, that of course he's not against putting conservatives on television, just whoever he happens to be writing about in a given post.
-Greg Mitchell, formerly of the defunct Editor & Publisher, complained about CNN even wanting to recapture viewers disenchanted with the network's reputation for disdain for conservatives and conservative viewpoints: "Why are those "the very people" John [King] hopes to reach?"
-Atrios, at one time a prominent left-wing blogger, whined, "dear cnn, "the best political team" by definition cannot include someone as stupid as erick erickson" Atrios then went on to tweet his complaints to CNN's Twitter feed while passing along something Erick supposedly wrote "Three days before CNN hires" him, although the post was obviously dated 2008.
-Crooks and Liars went after Erick at length here:
Red State is the heavily-funded, longstanding arm of the Republican wingnut online noise machine. Erickson is a propaganda-spinner, a liar and a troll.
I don't know where these guys get their ideas about RS' funding. If we were enormously well-funded, I think I'd know about that. The post that had to be edited for failing even Crooks and Liars' low standards for accuracy when it claimed:
When I worked for CNN Interactive, RedStaters were paid to troll our political discussions and disrupt them, especially during the Clinton impeachment proceedings. Back then, CNN locked them off the site. Now they pay them to troll in real time, on the air.
RS, of course, wasn't founded until 2004, and Erick's still the only paid blogger on the site; the idea that we could pay people to comment on the CNN website is ludicrous on its face. (The post now claims that "Freepers" were paid to do this, but as far as I know, FreeRepublic has never had that kind of cash either).
-More examples from lower-level left-wing blogs here ("What in the hell is CNN thinking? And John King? Is he harboring a grudge against Glenn Greenwald and to get back at him has employed someone who would be more at home in the hate talk ghetto?"), here, here (for a reaction of " shocked discuss"), and here.
Conservatives, of course, have our own grievances with media bias, but one longstanding difference is that we generally don't argue against major outlets employing liberal commentators who are labeled as such; the problem more typically is a 1-2 punch of not pairing them with good, or any, representatives from the Right, while passing off liberals and former Democratic staffers as objective journalists. It might be a good thing for the networks and major newspapers to put more bloggers, from both sides, on the air and in print, and let the consumer decide. But to the Left, that means only bloggers from their side need apply, and you risk an organized campaign against your sponsors if you try to give a conservative blogger a job. This is a mindset that goes all the way up to the President of the United States, who despite receiving mostly worshipfully deferential press coverage during his run for the presidency was and is obsessed with Fox News.
Ironically, while most of the ire directed at Erick has been fueled by a handful of his more bomb-throwing posts (I don't dispute that he's provocative, and has even used the "f" word on very rare occasions his tweets, albeit never on RedState, which has an anti-profanity site policy we all support), many of the people doing the complaining produce vast volumes of far more offensive and foul-mouthed stuff; they just rely on the fact that nobody on the Right has paid staff with the time to comb through it all. Meanwhile, besides being a hugely influential activist, Erick's been campaigning actively both against corruption in the GOP establishment and things like birtherism at the grassroots, and has taken his share of flak for those stands. As a city councilman, he's also an elected official dealing with the problems of government at the ground level. But then, none of this is really about Erick at all; it's a replay of the attacks on Ben and will be repeated again whenever a conservative (an actual one, not a neutered yes-man like David Brooks) gets televised or published outside of explicitly conservative media. And especially when it's a conservative blogger. They're not interested in debate. They're only interested in destroying us.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 12:33 PM | Politics 2010 | Comments (27) | TrackBack (0)
POLITICS: Legislative Make-Believe
Andrew Hyman walks through why the "Slaughter Solution" - i.e., pretend to have passed the Senate healthcare bill through the House without actually voting on the language of the same bill that passes the Senate, in flagrant violation of the Presentment Clause of Article I of the Constitution - is not at all like other "deem and pass" procedures used in the past. Of course, it's debatable whether some of the prior maneuvers are entirely kosher under Article I either, but one thing about the "Gephardt rule" discussed by Hyman (the name of which should identify which party cooked it up in the first place) is that at least it doesn't involve the House changing its own rules mid-stream after different bills have passed the House and Senate; when the vote is taken under that rule, everyone already knows what the procedure will be and must calculate and justify their political position accordingly. (Worse yet, the reconciliation procedure the Democrats are proposing presupposes that if parts of the deemed-passed bill are stripped out by the Senate, there will be no opportunity for the House to see the bill again, meaning that House members are being asked to buy a pig in a poke).
Besides it being terrible politics to use such obvious gimmickry, "deem and pass" seems politically pointless - nobody's going to buy that their Congressman who voted for the rule didn't effectively vote for the bill - and legally dangerous, since the Supreme Court has twice in the past quarter century (INS v. Chadha and Clinton v. City of New York) affirmed that it will strike down violations of the Presentment Clause, when the resulting enactment is challenged by citizens, states or municipalities adversely affected by its terms. The Court doesn't like to get involved in the internal affairs of Congress, but if there's one thing in Article I that's so basic that any viewer of Schoolhouse Rock will remember it and the Court will enforce it, it's that the same bill has to pass both houses before it becomes a law. I cannot possibly imagine a worse outcome for the Democrats than moving heaven and earth to pass Obamacare, and incur the political price for doing so, only to have it struck down by the Supreme Court - perhaps after they have lost their commanding majorities in Congress - on the grounds that they essentially cheated by changing the rules in the middle of the game to pass something that wouldn't pass under the traditional rules.
POLITICS: The Right To Surf
Meet John Smith. John is a surfer by trade. He dreams of competitive surfing; his walls are decorated with posters of famous surfers. But he has just one problem: here in his home town of Dubuque, Iowa, he can only surf small streams and brooks. "Sometimes, I just stand there on my board, waiting and waiting for some kid to throw a rock so I can have a ripple to surf on," says Smith, a vacant, far-away look coming into his grey eyes. "I bring a book with me to kill time. It's sad and frustrating. We don't have access to high-speed, high-volume waves here in Dubuque. My kids ask me when we're going to get them. I tell them, I just don't know."
But help is on the way: the Obama Administration promises to use billions of dollars in stimulus funds to build professional-quality wave machines in every zip code by 2014, to help connect surfers like John Smith to the world wide wave culture.
Seriously, this CNN sob story about lack of high-speed internet access in some markets is not much better. We'd all like to see more high-speed broadband, but since when is it a right guaranteed by the federal government? And is Uncle Sam really not spending enough money already on things we might want but don't need?
BASEBALL: Wrong Place, Wrong Time
Lee at Gettysburg, Napoleon at Waterloo; historians will forever debate whether they erred at critical junctures by misunderstanding or misjudging the lay of the land. In a similar vein, Morgan Ensberg says on his blog that he was mis-positioned by Phil Garner at a key moment in the 2005 NLCS due to an optical illusion from Garner's vantage point in the Minute Maid dugout.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 5:44 PM | Baseball 2010 | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
POLITICS: UnlikelyVoter.com
Good friend and RedState colleague Neil Stevens has launched Unlikely Voter, a new poll-analysis site. Go check it ouand get in on the ground floor of what is sure to be a busy site this election season. The initial explanatory post looks at the Specter/Sestak Senate primary race in Pennsylvania.
Neil is RS' resident tech/math guy, and aims to provide some mathematical rigor to the space already inhabited by RealClearPolitics' multi-poll averaging and Nate Silver's fivethirtyeight.com; while both of those sites are useful, RCP is an apples-and-oranges snapshot rather than an analysis site, and Silver's site, while superficially impressive, is too often driven by advocacy and in some cases apparent vendettas against particular polling firms, and tends at times to overstate the degree of certainty in its models, which tend to assume that all trends will continue indefinitely (like when Silver constructed a polling model predicting approval of same-sex marriage in 2009 by the following states: Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Nevada, Washington, Alaska, New York, Oregon) or tend to predict things like legislative votes that can't reliably be predicted with mathematical models.
We really have never had a satisfactory replacement in this space for Gerry Daly's site, and hopefully Neil will fill that gap.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 2:27 PM | Politics 2010 | Poll Analysis | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
BASEBALL: VORP Speed Ahead, Mr. PECOTA!
Joshua Fisher, in the course of a useful primer on sabermetric stats, makes a point I've come back to again and again:
Our arrogance comes from the strength of our position; we're right about baseball and we know it. The problem is that things have become almost cultish; our alphabet-soup language poses a formidable barrier to entering the club. And that's where these primers come in. If we can walk people through the silliness of pitcher wins and ERA, they'll greet FIP with open arms. That's the plan.
But I'm not sure it works as elegantly as we'd like. I believe we've reached a sort of saturation point with advanced stats. Most anyone who wants to know about WAR is already plugged in. And the primers, while enjoyable, accurate, and insightful, are still lessons. I don't know about the rest of you, but I got into sabermetrics because I enjoyed discovery. There's a fine line between learning and being taught, and the former is much more enjoyable than the latter.
What's more, at the end of the day, do we really care if the people we watch the game with know the differences between UZR and Dewan Plus/Minus? Does it matter if they can discuss the merits and flaws of SIERA? Do our friends need to carry run expectancy charts in their briefcases?
I say no. What's important about sabermetrics isn't the statistics, but the approach to the game.
This has long been one of my two major critiques of Baseball Prospectus, much as I respect and value what BP brings to the table (the other is the ceaseless hyping of prospects without adequate perspective about how often super-prospects stumble and face a learning curve even when on their way to great careers): too much advanced math too close to the surface, too many non-obvious acronyms (WXRL sounds like a radio station to me), too many boutique stats with non-obvious scales (quick: what's the typical WARP for an All-Star? An MVP?). That's all well and good if you are writing a trade journal for professional GMs, and sometimes that seems to be what BP aspires to, but it's impossible for even an educated BP reader to translate this stuff quickly and cleanly to neophytes. And it often leaves one with a false sense of certainty about inherently imprecise inquiries, while the opaque nature of the numbers renders their inner workings impervious to analysis by most outsiders, who simply have to take the workings of the formulae on faith. Personally, I never use any math on this site more complex than algebra; partly that's my own mathematical limitations, and I recognize that there are times when a regression analysis would come in very handy, but if you start with the assumption that your readers come to be entertained and enlightened rather than have all arguments settled for all time, it's sometimes worth trading some level of precision for more easily understood measurements. That's a lesson Bill James, not just the greatest original thinker among baseball analysts but also the greatest popularizer of the form, has never forgotten, and I try to adhere to his example.
BASEBALL: 2009 EWSL Wrapup By Team
Further to the process of looking back at 2009's Established Win Shares Levels reports in preparation for 2010, here's how the 2009 teams stacked up. The first column is the number of EWSL by team (recall that my preseason reports collect only 23 players, so I'm always going to be a little short); the second is the number of win shares earned by those 23 players in 2009 (whether on that team or not); the third is the difference between the two; fourth is team wins; fifth is the total number of WS for the team's players minus those earned by the 23 guys I identified before the season; the last column is total team WS minus EWSL.
2009 WS
WS-EWSL
Unsurprising that the Mets were the biggest underachievers. Also unsurprising that the A's were near the top, as happens nearly every year, in Win Shares earned by players not on the preseason depth chart, topped only by the Mariners.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 12:34 AM | Baseball 2010 | Baseball Studies | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
BASEBALL: Say Goodbye, Part I
Part of the process of compiling my annual Established Win Shares Levels-driven preseason previews is looking back at the prior season. Let's start with a look at the mortality of baseball careers: a list of the players from the 2008 previews who didn't make it into anybody's previews in 2009, by how they did in 2009:
10 or more Win Shares: These guys seriously returned to the land of the living, in Hughes' case making his mark on his second try as a prospect.
Adam Kennedy, David Aardsma, Scott Podsednik, Tony Gwynn, Angel Pagan, Jonny Gomes, Jason Hammel, Phil Hughes, Jason Frasor
5-10 Win Shares: These guys re-established themselves as major leagers.
Carl Pavano, Clay Buchholz, Jason Nix, Robinson Tejeda, Mike Sweeney, Lance Cormier, Omar Vizquel, Danys Baez, Josh Anderson, Scoyy Eyre, Miguel Batista, Justin Miller, Gabe Kapler, Shawn Camp
1-4 Win Shares: Some of these guys are just scrubs who flit on and off the 23d roster slot; others returned briefly from injury; others were winding down Hall of Fame careers.
Tim Hudson, Freddy Garcia, Brian Stokes, Brett Tomko, Jack Hannahan, Brendan Donnelly, Jason Jennings, Josh Bard, Pedro Martinez, Claudio Vargas, Brian Anderson, Bartolo Colon, Matt Herges, Andy Marte, Jeremy Sowers, Josh Fogg, Rich Vanden Hurk, Chad Gaudin, Tyler Walker, Robb Quinlan, Matt Albers, Brayan Pena, Luis Ayala, Tim Redding, Billy Wagner, Kyle Kendrick, Tom Gorzelanny, Brian Shouse, Jeremy Accardo, Ryan Langerhans, Paul Bako, Juan Castro, Kip Wells, Dustin Moseley, Ramon Ramirez, John Smoltz, Josh Barfield, Matt Belisle, Randy Flores, Juan Rincon, Alejandro de Aza, Doug Brocail, Tony F. Pena, Tony Abreu, Kevin Cash, Kevin Cameron, Nomar Garciaparra, Edgar Gonzalez, Eliezer Alfonzo, Jamie Burke, Garrett Olson, Kevin Frandsen, Chad Bradford, Jason Isringhausen, Esteban German, Julian Tavaraz, Paul Byrd, Luis Hernandez, Eric Milton, Matt Murton.
0 Win Shares: Most of these guys barely played and are all but finished as big leaguers.
Rich Hill, Jimmy Gobble, Vinny Chulk, Dontrelle Willis, Taylor Tankersley, Aaron Boone, JR Towles, Joel Peralta, Jason Repko, David Riske, Marlon Anderson, Angel Berroa, Casey Fossum, Shelley Duncan, Ian Kennedy, Chris Denorfia, Jeff Salazar, Emil Brown, Shawn Hill, Chris Burke, Brian Barton, Joaquin Arias, Russ Adams, Brian Burres, Alex Cintron, Wil Ledezma, Jorge Sosa, Fernando Cabrera, Lenny DiNardo, Rodrigo Lopez, Sergio Mitre, Guillermo Quiroz, So Taguchi
Did Not Play: Aside from a few guys rehabbing major injuries, nearly all these guys' careers have now ended.
Antonio Alfonseca, Moises Alou, Tony Armas, Rick Bauer, Robby Hammock, Brad Hennessey, Paul McAnulty, Brian Broussard, Aaron Fultz, Norris Hopper, Jacque Jones, Daryle Ward, Juan Salas, Jake Westbrook, Jeff Francis, Dan Ortmeier, Scott Proctor, Jason Wood, Toby Hall, Clay Hensley, Ryan Shealy, Oscar Villereal, Chris Capuano, Callix Crabbe, Wes Littleton, Pat Neshek, Bobby Kielty, Jose Valentin, Kei Igawa, Pablo Ozuna, Franquelis Osoria, Brian Babcock, Noah Lowry, Ron Washington, Joaquin Benoit, Jason Botts, Adam Loewen, Shawn Marcum, Dustin McGowan, Matt Chico, Javier Valentin, Dmitri Young, Armando Benitez, Gary Bennett, Ryan Bowen, Ambiorix Burgos, Sean Casey, Juan Castillo, Gustavo Chacin, Shawn Chacon, Brady Clark, Humberto Cota, Jose Cruz Jr., Ray Durham, Damion Easley, Jim Edmonds, Brad Eldred, Morgan Ensberg, Johnny Estrada, Brian Fahey, Eric Gagne, Lee Gardner, Justin Germano, Jay Gibbons, Marcus Giles, Gary Glover, Chris Gomez, Luis Gonzalez, Mark Grudzielanek, Orlando Hernandez, Jason Hirsh, Tadahito Iguchi, Chuck James, Geoff Jenkins, Dan Johnson, Byun Hyung Kim, Mike Lamb, Jason Lane, Jon Lieber, Esteban Loaiza, Paul Lo Duca, Kameron Loe, Ruddy Lugo, Hector Luna, Rob Mackowiak, Tom Mastny, Macay McBride, Adam Melhuse, Kevin Mench, Trot Nixon, Josh Paul, Jay Payton, Wily Mo Pena, Odalis Perez, Andy Phillips, Mike Rabelo, Mike Redman, Al Reyes, Dave Roberts, Kenny Rogers, Kirk Saarloos, Rudy Seanez, Richie Sexson, Ben Sheets, Andy Sisco, Chris Snelling, Scott Speizio, Scott Stewart, Mark Sweeney, Frank Thomas, Scott Thorman, Mike Timlin, Steve Trachsel, Jason Tyner, Jose Vidro, Ryan Wagner, Brad Wilkerson, Vance Wilson, Matt Wise, Jake Woods.
Again: some of these last two lists are guys who will be back, but most won't, and while there are plenty of names there of guys who were real or potential stars at one point or another - 20-game winners, 100-RBI guys, World Series heroes, ERA champs, hot prospects - and few of them left on their own terms.
It's a tough business.
BLOG: Ramping Up
Regular readers have undoubtedly noticed that things have been quiet about here lately. Partly that's work and family time commitments, and partly I've been using Twitter more for links and one-liners, and doing more longer-form posts for the blog, but I'm also at the point of the year where I'm ramping up on the preseason baseball previews, which require a lot of development time. I've also got something else baseball-related in the works that took a lot of time and won't be out for a bit.
I'll be back to talk about good news for the Mets, if there ever is any.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 12:46 PM | Baseball 2010 | Blog 2006-14 | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
POLITICS: Taranto Sinks Paul Krugman's Battleship
Krugman couldn't have walked into this one any worse if he tried.
POLITICS: Stark Raving Chairman
So, with the ethically-challenged tax-evading Charles Rangel temporarily stepping down from running the House's tax-writing committee (Ways and Means; this as opposed to the tax-evading Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, who's in charge of enforcing the tax code, and the head of the Senate's tax-writing commitee, Max Baucus, who for variety's sake had a sex scandal involving a staffer/girlfriend he tried to get appointed US Attorney), the Democrats have turned to the next in line by seniority, 79-year-old San Francisco paleoliberal Fortney "Pete" Stark. What could possibly go wrong? Brian Faughnan collects some of the greatest hits of the craziest man in Congress here; I've looked previousy at Stark's lunacy here; Moe Lane asks whether Stark's memory problems are the result of lack of integrity, generalized confusion or something genuinely wrong with him here.
BASEBALL: One More Thing
Looking over the Biblical array of misfortunes plaguing the Mets last season (and I'm still kicking myself that that column didn't even get to the Tony Bernazard fiasco, which turned out to be a gift that keeps on giving), you'd be forgiven for thinking the Mets had covered pretty much everything that could possibly go wrong.
But no! We didn't have a performance-enhancing drug scandal! Which we have now, with Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes questioned in an FBI investigation of an HGH-dealing doctor (how HGH could help Reyes, in particular, is beyond me; HGH, which helps build mass but doesn't actually aid any sort of performance, is arguably useful to guys already using steroids to add muscle mass; while steroids can help sprinters too - think Ben Johnson - a player looking mainly to improve his fast-twitch lean muscles would have no need I can think of for HGH).
Anyway, yet another story I really would rather avoid. Can't anybody here just play this game?
POLITICS: Ezra Klein, Underpants Gnome
Should President Obama politicize the Federal Reserve? If so, what would he accomplish? Ezra Klein of the Washington Post seems to think he should, and that this would somehow magically create jobs - but you would look long and hard for an explanation of how this would work.
For those of you unfamiliar with his work, Klein is the Washington Post's resident left-wing blogger (as opposed to its resident left-wing activist, Greg Sargent, or its resident right-wing bloggers or activists...of which it employs none) and one of the prime examples of a paid, professional left-wing blogger who has never held a job besides blogger/pundit. Klein is well-read, wonkish and earnest to a fault - he's perhaps the last man in Washington who takes government financial projections at face value - but often comically insulated from how the world works, and why. I follow his Twitter feed in large part for the entertainment value of watching him attempt to navigate the most mundane daily tasks - he gives off the impression of a man who can't brush his teeth in the morning without a position paper telling him how. I suppose in some ways I was like that myself once, but then I went to law school, got married, got a job, kids, a house, a mortgage...the sort of things that force you to engage the world at a level other than theory.
Anyway, Klein posted yesterday on his enthusiasm for a piece by Neil Irwin, also in the WaPo, on the opening of a third vacancy at the Fed and what it could mean for monetary policy going forward. Klein writes:
When people talk about the need for Democrats and the administration to focus on jobs, nothing they could get through Congress could plausibly be half as important as maximizing their long-term impact on the composition of the Federal Reserve....
Kohn's resignation is the fifth possible opening on the Federal Reserve Board. Two other possible slots were filled: The first went to Daniel Tarrulo, a banking expert who advised the campaign and is now overseeing banking regulation at the Fed. The second was Ben Bernanke's renomination, and whatever you think of the merits of reappointing Bernanke, it certainly did not represent the administration's decision to try to leave their imprint on the Federal Reserve.
Every smart economic observer I know is baffled by the administration's failure to nominate anyone for the two slots that have been empty for months. Those are votes and arguments that the administration could have put at the Fed's table and has simply chosen not to...I'm not versed enough in this stuff to have any candidates in mind. But the critique of the administration's strategy on jobs that I find compelling is that they've not had any coordinated strategy when it comes to the Federal Reserve.
Klein further enthused on Twitter that his post was "something major the Obama administration actually could do about the jobs situation, but hasn't." Except, nowhere does he actually get around to explaining how the Obama Administration putting its "imprint" or "impact" or "arguments" on the Federal Reserve Board would change Fed policy, let alone create jobs where none exist today. It's Underpants Gnomes logic: Step one: appoint left-wingers to the Fed. Step two: ??? Step three: Profit!
To get even a vague idea of how Klein expects this to work, you have to dig into the 18th through 21st paragraphs of Irwin's story:
At the moment, Fed officials are unified behind a policy of ultra-low interest rates to support the economy. But as the economy improves, some officials, especially presidents of regional Fed banks, are likely to be more eager than Bernanke to raise interest rates and drain the money supply, even at the risk of slowing the recovery. There are early signs of those pressures emerging, including a decision by Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig to dissent at the last policymaking meeting, preferring not to promise to leave rates low for an "extended period."
New Obama appointees could push the center of gravity of the committee in the president's preferred direction. Fed watchers generally expect the president to favor appointees who would be in line with Bernanke's thinking or perhaps even more tilted toward worrying about unemployment as opposed to inflation.
Some liberal economists argue that the president should quickly appoint Fed governors who would be inclined to leave rates low for longer to try to get growth going again, even if it comes at the cost of mild inflation.
At the same time, an appointee who is viewed as too soft on inflation or too close to the administration could cause problems. If financial markets doubt the Fed's willingness to combat inflation, either because of appointees' economic views or because of a perception that they want to boost growth in the run-up to the presidential election, interest rates could rise. That would slow the economy.
You see here a glimmer of why Klein is hesitant to come right out and say what he thinks. First, we have the already unsavory suggestion that the Fed should be treated as just another bureaucracy to be captured by the Left through the appointment of ideologues to supposedly non-partisan "career" positions. Klein doesn't seem to know what a central bank is. The Fed can act rapidly and in incredible size during a crisis, and without checks and balances (aka, Republicans). At a time when the Left feels hemmed in by the traditional political process at every step, the Fed looks like the one institution that can be the archetypical "man of action." The Fed needs that independence - it's core to the mission of an inflation-fighting central bank - but it's also the reason Congress allowed the Fed to be formed only with great trepidation and after 100 years of bitter debate, why its long, staggered terms tend to resist partisan Fed-packing, and why it's emergency powers should be narrowly circumscribed and not extended into an ongoing, wholesale economic-emergency state that supplants political decisionmaking by the elected branches rather than a traditional central bank focused laser-like on a stable currency.
On the merits, Klein's invocation of Irwin's piece is even more menacing. The unnamed "liberal economists" mentioned here are essentially arguing for an inflationary policy of keeping interest rates artificially low, rather than focusing on keeping the currency stable, which is supposed to be what central bankers' job is. While economic observers are divided on the importance of various contributing factors to the recent financial crisis, many smart observers argue that the Fed made the problem worse by keeping interest rates artificially low for too long, thus artificially reducing the cost of borrowing to invest in real estate, thus artificially inflating the asset bubble in real estate (at a minimum, the Fed did nothing to prevent the dynamics of an asset bubble from playing out the way asset bubbles do). The policy that Irwin describes with some skepticism, but which Klein apparently views as a godsend, runs the risk of repeating the exact same mistake and reinflating the same bubble. There are signs that we already have that problem; whether that worries you or not, we shouldn't be advocating putting people on the Fed with an ideological agenda of exacerbating that process.
That's the optimistic scenario. As Irwin notes, the pessimistic scenario is based on the fact that banks that lend at low rates get blindsided when inflation devalues their returns on those loans - thus, while easy money can cause inflation, fears of easy money causing inflation can simultaneously drive up interest rates and stifle job growth. That's called stagflation - inflation plus high interest rates and high unemployment - and while Ezra Klein isn't old enough to remember it from the Jimmy Carter era, in which interest rates cracked 20%, those of us who are do not want a Fed that thinks it's an acceptable risk to run. (Indeed, it was the Fed under Paul Volcker that played a crucial role, along with the Reagan Administration, in breaking the back of stagflation and setting the stage for the booms of the 1980s and 1990s, even at the short-term cost of making the recession even worse).
Some degree of politics in Fed appointments is inevitable, and moreso given the vast powers the Fed has accrued in recent years. But Obama's reappointment of Ben Bernanke, the Fed chair appointed by George W. Bush, and his grudgingly bipartisan confirmation by the Senate, is a reminder that even in the hyper-partisan Obama Era, there are some parts of the government in which nearly everyone recognizes that it's still dangerous to put ideology and partisan self-interest above predictability and stability. Klein's suggestion that Obama tilt the Fed towards the abyss of asset bubbles or stagflation is a reminder that a lack of common sense and experience can be a dangerous thing.
Posted by Baseball Crank at 12:15 PM | Politics 2010 | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
BASEBALL: The Age of Innocence
As usual, Joe Posnanski is mostly spot-on.
I do think steroids are worse than amphetamines in baseball, although it's a matter of degree. First of all, I'm no doctor but my guess is that using steroids year-round is worse for you than using amphetamines on game days. Relatedly, why we at least feel instinctively that steroids are a bigger deal is that they actually change the structure of your body, or help doing so, as opposed to just being a more extreme version of legal stimulants like caffeine.
But I agree completely with the broader point: there never was an age of innocence in baseball. At most, there was an age of maturity - the generation who played in the late 40s and early 50s, the age of guys 5-10 years older than Willie Mays, seem to have been a more serious and mature generation of players, not by nature but by experience, so many of them having experienced World War II. Among other things, the breaking of the color line would probably have been harder if so many of the players of that era hadn't had that experience. But it was hard nonetheless. And that generation still had its share of all the sins of baseball and society from the 1870s to the present day, just leavened a bit with hard experience. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line67 |
__label__wiki | 0.656549 | 0.656549 | Trend Forecasting & Brand Identity
Cecile Poignant » Gun for peace
Gun for peace
We do speak a lot of guns and gun control, sadly there are always tragic disasters that remind us how fragile a human life is and how violent guns can be. Some signals make me think that we are trying to do something against that human drama.
Gun control a never-ending fight
In a show of support for gun control, Yoko Ono recently tweeted a photo of the bloodied glasses John Lennon wore the day he was murdered with this message : “Over 1,057,000 people have been killed by guns in the USA since John Lennon was shot and killed on 8 Dec 1980″ . Ono is an activist for many causes, she turned her attention to gun violence with a series of tweets that all included this image, which was also used on the cover of “Season of Glass” in 1981. She is really speaking loudly to her 4 millions followers on Twitter and giving power to the fight for gun control.
USA is ranked for the highest gun ownership rate in the world. To reduce the number of weapons on the street in cities, Los Angeles, Boston, Detroit, San Francisco have a gun buyback program . Last december, a one-day gun buyback event in Los Angeles gathered 2,037 firearms, including 75 assault weapons and a rocket launcher! The total was nearly 400 more weapons than were collected in a similar buyback earlier this year. People bring their firearms and each participant received $200 cash for each gun turned in.
Instead of following the ‘gun buyback’ model that has been implemented in the United States and Australia as a way of getting weapons off the street, Uruguay’s “Armas para la Vida / Weapons for Life” program is taking a different approach. Instead of getting cash, residents turning in their unregistered weapons will each receive either a new bicycle or a low-end computer.
Those initiatives are great, is it possible to do more? Some people thought the answer is yes.
Up-cycling as a solution
Jessica Mindich is a former lawyer, about a year ago, she was at a conference and ran into the Mayor of Newark. They spoke about Newark’s no-questions-asked gun buyback program, which was founded in 2009. The program needed money, and the Mayor didn’t know what to do with the weapons the city had amassed. “I know what to do with your guns,” Mindich said. Turn them into jewelry. She has transformed recycled pistols, rifles and shotguns into a line of sleek bangle bracelets, some dotted with tiny diamonds: “The Caliber Collection” .The word Newark is inscribed on the inside. Each bracelet has a serial number that corresponds with one of the actual guns taken off the city’s streets. Since the end of November, she has received over 1,000 orders from places as far as Brazil, Malta and New Zealand. Twenty percent of the proceeds will go directly to the gun buyback program in Newark, she said.
Will you wear a “Caliber Collection” bracelet? The message is very direct and make a permanent reminder of the gun crime your jewel was associated with…. Is it disturbing or just a really strong message?
“The Caliber Collection”
This is not the only signal : New York based social entrepreneur Peter Thun set up Fonderie 47 in 2009 with the humanitarian ambition of reducing the number of assault rifles and arms around the world. LinkedIn billionaire Reid Hoffman is the investor of this company. Fonderie 47 purchased confiscated AK47s from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and transform them in jewelries. This year, the luxury brand teamed up with French-born jewellery designer James de Givenchy, nephew of fashion designer Givenchy, to produce a collection of ten limited edition pieces. They are crafted from AK47 steel, sustainably sourced 18-carat gold and conflict-free diamonds.The sale of each Fonderie 47 piece funds the destruction of a specific number of assault rifles in Africa through NGO partnerships. More than 25,000 assault rifles in Africa has been destroyed yet. This is a real new statement for a Luxury Brand and an optimistic sign for the future.
By James de Givenchy for Fonderie 47
Are bullets still sexy ?
There are still products for customers in love with bling, the Bernardo & Co ammo-shaped cufflinks are certainly the next eye-catching product in this segment. A very exclusive and covetable item with just the simple idea that men love weapons …
By Bernado & Co
Artya a very famous Swiss Watch maker have a line of products called “The Son of a Gun” .
For some guys there is nothing more masculine than an art watch with bullets… Artya’s clients range from musicians to rich people who enjoy this kind of product by finding it slightly subversive. The old myth which combines strength and weapons to virility is still powerful and attractive for some people.
By Artya “The Son of a Gun”
The positive signs are there but still quiet fragile.The future depend on the pressure we will, as citizens, put on our politicians to ask them to change the way we look at weapons.
Back from Milan
← Is bed the new desk?
Back from Milan →
A Poetic Fashion Brand From a Remote Island
The Monotony Of The White Cube
The future of fashion & mobility // POWER
“Storm Warner” an interview on travel …
The future of fashion & mobility // FREEDOM
The return of crafts
Colours!
BLACK ….
Frostie Dancing !
This essay by Junichiro Tanizaki was first published in 1933. It evokes the delights of darkness and the Japanese intimate taste for shadow.Tanizaki selects for praise all things delicate and nuanced. Objects that are refined by shadows and by the patina of age.An attitude of mindfulness.
Although Daniel Tammet is only 33, as an autistic savant with Asperger's syndrome, he has already lived an unusual life. "Born on a blue day" is his story. A rare and fascinating window inside the mind of a unique human being living with synesthesia.
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__label__wiki | 0.545128 | 0.545128 | PLIC/1/0453 Mathew Murphy, 2 Francis Street, Drogheda, Louth. Murphy Francis Street; Drogheda Claim for £12 3s 6d for non delivery owing to delay or loss in transit of one box. Deemed consequential loss. Nil payment recommended by Committee.
PLIC/1/0637 Patrick J Smith, Mornington, Drogheda, County Louth. Smith Mornington; Drogheda; Louth Claim for £29 18s 6d for boxes of goods damaged in transit. Deemed consequential loss. Nil payment recommended by Committee.
PLIC/1/0759 William Hopkins Jordan, Roseville, Drogheda, County Louth, representing FW Brittain Limited. Hopkins Jordan FW Brittain Limited; JJ Keating, cycle and motor dealer Drogheda; Louth; Abbey Street Claim for £55 for delivery van at JJ Keating, cycle and motor dealer, Abbey Street, Dublin. Payment of £50 recommended by Committee.
PLIC/1/0832 Mary Finglas, 60 Francis Street, Drogheda, County Louth. Finglas Amiens Street Railway Station [Connolly Station] Francis Street; Drogheda; Amiens Street Claim for £10 1s 6d for loss of 1 box of salmon destroyed or lost at Amiens Street Railway Station [Connolly Station], Dublin. Payment of £10 1s 6d recommended by Committee.
PLIC/1/1549 George Henry Pentland, Blackhall, Drogheda, County Louth. Pentland Blackhall; Drogheda; Louth; Henry Street Claim for damage to building at 16 Henry Street, Dublin by fire and Crown forces. See PLIC/1/538.
PLIC/1/2704 George Henry Pentland, Blackhall, Drogheda, County Louth. Pentland Harrison and Company, cooks and confectioners Blackhall; Drogheda; Louth; Henry Street Claim for £2,200 for damage to premises and loss of security for rent at 17 Henry Street, Dublin. This particular claim was also made by Harrison and Company, cooks and confectioners. See PLIC/1/4583.
PLIC/1/2705 George Henry Pentland, Blackhall, Drogheda, County Louth. Pentland Blackhall; Drogheda; Louth; Henry Street Claim for £2,174 for damage to premises and loss of security for rent at 18 Henry Street, Dublin. See PLIC/1/2290.
PLIC/1/2706 George Henry Pentland, Blackhall, Drogheda, County Louth. Pentland Blackhall; Drogheda; Louth; Henry Street Claim for £4,300 for damage to premises and loss of security for rent at 19-20 Henry Street, Dublin. See PLIC/1/2290.
PLIC/1/2708 George Henry Pentland, Blackhall, Drogheda, County Louth. Pentland Blackhall; Drogheda; Louth; Henry Street Claim for £2,033 for damage to premises and loss of security for rent at 26 Henry Street, Dublin. No details regarding action taken.
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__label__cc | 0.566104 | 0.433896 | August 2017 Michigan School Garden Newsletter
Save the Date for the 9th National Farm to Cafeter...
FW: Michigan Department of Education Press Release...
CORRECTION: Seed Grants Up to $6k Awarded to Six M...
Seed Grants Up to $6k Awarded to Six Michigan Loca...
Here is our "Back to School" issue – hope you're ready!!
Good classroom management in the garden makes a big difference
Set your class up for success in the garden by following these tips.
by Kaitlin Wojciak
For students, teachers and parents alike, it's hard to believe that the beginning of the school year is upon us! The good news is that the first month (and sometimes longer) of the school year is prime school garden time. If your school garden benefitted from summer care and tending, there are likely many fall season crops ready for harvest, just in time for students returning to school to experience and enjoy. If you didn't have a care plan in place for the summer, or it didn't go according to plan, most locations in Michigan have enough time to seed and harvest some quick maturing fall crops such as radishes, spinach, lettuces and peas.
An important aspect of incorporating the garden into your school day and curriculum is classroom management. As a teacher, parent, or volunteer, having a plan for how to manage time spent with students in the garden can be the difference between a fruitful educational experience and a hectic ride, attempting to find some semblance of order.
Whether your students are just experiencing their first garden activities or are seasoned garden participants, it is important to revisit acceptable behavior in the garden as you plan and discuss your first outside lessons. These tips from Life Lab's Gardens for Learning curriculum can help set up good guidelines and rules for time spent in the garden classroom.
Establish garden rules prior to spending time in the garden. It can help to also have the rules posted in the garden, and phrase them positively. Some examples are:
Stay on the pathways
Ask before you pick
Give your neighbor some room
Have a tool training before going into the garden. Share the tools that you'll be using, their purpose, and a short demonstration of how to safely use them. Emphasize keeping tools below your waist, and not running with tools in hand. Some teachers have found it helpful to demonstrate using the tools in front of their students and asking for feedback (showing some unsafe behaviors as well).
Find some help. At least one other adult volunteer is a must. Student parents and/or Master Gardener volunteers from your local Michigan State University Extension office can often provide assistance. This would allow one of you to leave if there is an emergency and have the rest of the class remain supervised. More hands are better, especially if you plan to have smaller group hands-on activities, which is what makes the garden such an effective teaching tool.
Try out smaller group activities to maximize hands-on activities and learning. Providing clipboards for students can make garden activities such as data collection more manageable as well.
Create a designated seated space. Especially when the class will be outside for a longer period of time, it is helpful to have a comfortable area where everyone can gather, listen and learn without being crowded and not being able to see or hear clearly.
Experienced garden teachers and leaders will have tips and tricks of their own – be sure to ask others who have been leading activities in the garden to share their wisdom. Sometimes a small tip can turn into a big difference in improving the learning environment in the garden.
Social and Emotional Health Are Important Benefits of School Gardens
School gardens can provide social and emotional health benefits to both students and teachers.
A teacher surprised me several years ago by telling me that she had noticed "real improvements in the social and emotional health of her students after they had a class in the school garden." At the time, I remember thinking this was very positive, but I regarded it as anecdotal. Since then I have read several studies that confirm the real and significant social and emotional health benefits for both the students and the teachers from school gardens.
While the academic benefits of school gardens for students have become more widely accepted in recent years, the social and emotional benefits are often overlooked. This oversight is significant, as social and emotional health are often prerequisites for academic achievement.
The following studies show improvements in social metrics we know to be vital to students' feelings of well-being and therefore, ability to learn. For example, a study by Habib and Doherty in 2007 show that large number of students report "that they feel 'calm,' 'safe', and 'relaxed' in the school garden". Additionally, children who work in gardens are more likely to accept people different from themselves, according to Dyment & Bell, 2006. Moreover, a study of third, fourth and fifth graders by Robinson & Zajicek in 2005 showed that students participating in a garden program had increased self-understanding, interpersonal skills and cooperative skills when compared to non-gardening students. All of those studies show improvements in pro-social behavior that is important to children being happy with themselves and with others.
Equally as important, students involved with school gardens generally take pleasure in learning and show positive attitudes toward education (Canaris, 1995; Dirks & Orvis, 2005). This study indicates that children that participate in school gardens enjoy their learning experiences and develop healthy attitudes towards learning.
Additional studies also show that school gardens can be a factor in teachers' well-being. According to Skelly & Bradley (2000), teachers who worked in schools with garden programs had higher workplace morale and increased "general satisfaction with being a teacher at that school. Collectively, these studies indicate that schools with gardens contribute to a more emotionally healthy place. And isn't that what we all want for our children and schools?
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Captain Planet Foundation – Due September 30th for spring and summer projects
Project Produce Fruit and Veggie Grants for Schools – distributed on a rolling basis
Any district or independent school participating in the National School Lunch Program is eligible.
Must be submitted by district food service director.
These grants are $2,500 and can assist with offering educational activities in the lunchroom, encouraging students to try new veggies and fruits.
Target Field Trip Grants – Open from August 1, 2017 – October 1, 2017 (CST)
K-12 public, private or charter schools in the US that maintain a 501 (c)(3) or 509(a)(1) tax-exempt status
Must be submitted by a teacher, educator, principal, paraprofessional or classified staff of the above institutions
Awards are $700 to contribute to an educational field trip experience
Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grant – Open from September 1st through October 31st, 2017 (CST)
K-12 Schools, 501(c)(3) non profits working in partnership with K-12 schools, or a 501(c)(3) non profit organization.
Awards are $2,000
Informational webinars are available at the above link
Save the Date: 9th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
April 26-27, 2018 // Cincinnati, OH
Save the date for the 9th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
<http://www.farmtoschool.org/our-work/farm-to-school-cafeteria-conference>,
coming to Cincinnati, Ohio, April 26-27, 2018! Hosted by the National Farm
to School Network, The National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is the only national gathering of
stakeholders from across this movement, making it the premiere opportunity
to learn, network and collaborate with likeminded leaders from across the
country. Learn more and sign-up for updates at farmtoschool.org/conference.
GLSI 2017 Great Lakes Place-based Education Conference
The Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative invites you to join us for the 6th annual Place-Based Education Conference. Come experience a three day conference designed to inspire and support a community of educators around the power of place-based learning.
Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 8:00 AM EST
-to-
Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 1:00 PM EST
Eastern Michigan University Student Center
900 Oakwood St.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
North American Association of Environmental Educators Professional Development
http://naturalstart.org/resources/professional-development
*Please note the my new office location
Save the Date for the 9th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference!
The National Farm to School Network has revealed the location of the next National Farm to Cafeteria Conference. See below for more info, and save the date!
April 26-27, 2018 in Cincinnati, OH
Save the date for the 9th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, coming to Cincinnati, Ohio, April 26-27, 2018! Hosted by the National Farm to School Network, this biennial event will convene more than 1,200 movement leaders working to source local food for institutional cafeterias and foster a culture of healthy food and agricultural literacy across America. Cafeterias in schools, early care and education settings, universities, prisons and hospitals serve more than 40 million Americans every day, placing the farm to cafeteria movement at the forefront of the fight to end obesity and strengthen local food systems and economies. The National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is the only national gathering of stakeholders from across this movement, making it the premiere opportunity to learn, network and collaborate with likeminded leaders from across the country. Learn more and sign-up for updates at farmtoschool.org/conference.
FW: Michigan Department of Education Press Release - MI Legislature Expands Program Serving Locally-Grown Food in Schools
Please see the Michigan Department of Education press release below and attached about the expansion of the 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids and Farms Pilot Program!
Michigan Legislature Expands Program Serving Locally-Grown Food in Schools
LANSING—Schools in three regions of Michigan have the opportunity to learn the difference a dime can make in their efforts to serve students Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans. That's due to the expansion of a popular pilot program in the state's School Aid Budget that Governor Rick Snyder signed into law earlier this summer.
Legislators expanded the pilot program, called 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids and Farms, from $250,000 in state funds to $375,000 for the upcoming school year. A third, six-county region is being added where schools are eligible to apply for funds via competitive grants, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced today.
Schools in 29 counties in Michigan Prosperity Regions 2, 4, and 9 now can apply for the match incentive funding of up to 10 cents a meal to purchase Michigan-grown produce. The program is designed to provide fresh, locally-grown produce to students while investing in state agriculture.
In addition to 23 counties in west and northwest lower Michigan, six new counties have been added to the pilot in the Washtenaw region.
State Sen. Darwin Booher, of Evart, the original legislative champion of the program, said the results of the first year of the state pilot were compelling. Last school year, food service directors who served 48,000 students in the 16 grant-winning school districts provided nearly 50 different Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans to their students.
"We hopefully will see an increase in the number of schools requesting the 10 Cents a Meal program," Sen. Booher said. "I look forward to seeing this as a big part of our future in our state and in our schools. I'd like to feed 1.4 million kids fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the great state of Michigan. We want this to go statewide."
State Superintendent Brian Whiston agreed that the timing was right for the expansion of the pilot program.
"Schools are serving a greater variety of fruits and vegetables and that is exactly what Michigan farmers grow," Whiston said. "Additionally, surveys show that school food service directors want to purchase more local produce, and Michigan farmers are interested in selling it to schools."
In its first year, the program stimulated sales for at least 86 different farms in 28 counties and 16 additional businesses such as processors and distributors, according to a report to the Legislature by MDE, which administers the program.
Food service directors named 30 new foods that they tried in meals.
"The kids are now asking, 'Any new fruits or veggies to try?' They keep me on my toes," one food service director said in an MSU Center for Regional Food Systems survey for the project.
The MDE report is filled with stories and quotes from food service directors, educators, farmers, and other local food businesses such as distributors impacted by 10 Cents a Meal. The full report, quotes, stories, and resources that can help schools be successful in applying for and utilizing 10 Cents funds are available atTenCentsMichigan.org.
MDE receives support for this program from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, and Prosperity Region offices, which for the upcoming year are Networks Northwest, Grand Valley Metro Council, and the Region 2 Planning Commission.
Diane Golzynski, Michigan Department of Education, GolzynskiD@michigan.gov;
Diane Conners, Groundwork Ctr for Resilient Communities, diane@groundworkcenter.org;
Colleen Matts, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, matts@msu.edu;
Matt McCauley, Networks Northwest, mccauley@networksnorthwest.org.
Editor's Note: A map of Michigan's Prosperity Regions can be found here:http://www.michiganworks.org/files/resources/Prosperity_Map1_430346_7.pdf
These are the counties where schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program, are eligible to apply:
Prosperity Region 2 - Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford
Prosperity Region 4 - Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa
Prosperity Region 9 – Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, and Washtenaw
The following 16 school districts were part of the first year of the state pilot project: Boyne Falls Public, Frankfort-Elberta Area, Glen Lake Community, Leland Public, Manistee Area Public, Northport Public, and Traverse City Area Public schools in northwest lower Michigan (Prosperity Region 2); and Coopersville Area Public, Forest Hills Public, Grand Haven Area Public, Montague Area Public, Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System, Muskegon Public, Oakridge Public, Ravenna Public, and Whitehall District schools in west Michigan (Prosperity Region 4).
The MDE 10 Cents a Meal report and additional information on the program is available athttp://www.tencentsmichigan.org/.
Ten+Cents+A+Meal.pdf
This email was sent to mhill@tbaisd.org using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Education · 608 W. Allegan Street, P.O. Box 30008 · Lansing, MI 48909
CORRECTION: Seed Grants Up to $6k Awarded to Six Michigan Local Food Councils
The earlier version of this news release included incorrect links for Ottawa Food and the Oakland County Food Policy Council. Please reference the corrections below.
Contact: Liz Gensler, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems: (517) 353-1914 | gensler@msu.edu
Andrea Weiss, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems: (517) 432-0283 | sextona1@msu.edu
Seed Grants Up to $6k Awarded to Six Michigan Local Food Councils
Funds will help local food councils to advance local and statewide food systems goals
East Lansing, MI –The Michigan Local Food Council Network has awarded seed grants to six local food councils across Michigan. This is the second round of seed grants funded by the Network in 2017. The grants will help the following new and existing food councils and food policy councils build their capacity and accomplish their goals:
Local Food Alliance of Northern Michigan
Muskegon County Local Food Council
Northwest Michigan Food and Farming Network
Oakland County Food Policy Council
Ottawa Food
Western Michigan Food Recovery Council
For the Michigan Local Food Council Network, a local food council is defined as a group of people who regularly convene to assess and recommend practices and policies that affect one or more aspects of the food system in a defined geographic area.
The seed grants will provide up to $6,000 to each council. Councils will use the funds for activities like: hiring a coordinator, conducting a needs assessment survey, strengthening data collection and communication and forming a new food council. Councils funded by seed grants will use an equity lens, working to ensure that their membership reflects the ethnic and racial diversity of the community or communities they serve.
"Muskegon County is actively engaged in many efforts to get our population healthy, and 'Good Food' is certainly a part of the solution," said Dorothy Griswold of the Muskegon County Local Food Council. "We are hoping the seed grant funding will help catalyze more efficient collaboration between the existing organizations as well as expand the vision of local food as tool for both economic and community development."
The Michigan network is co-coordinated by Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems and ENP & Associates. These organizations developed the seed grant program with input from network members, who expressed that seed grant funding would substantially help their food councils to advance local and statewide goals. The first round of seed grants was awarded in January 2016.
"Our goal is to develop a strong network of local food councils covering all parts of Michigan. We were pleased to offer this second round of seed grants to help more councils get started and to assist existing councils in expanding or accelerating their good food work," said Liz Gensler, Michigan Local Food Council Network co-coordinator and outreach specialist at the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems. "These seed grants have local impacts and have ripple effects across the state as ideas and innovations are shared among councils through the Network."
More information about the Michigan Local Food Council Network is available on its webpage: http://foodsystems.msu.edu/our-work/local_food_council_network/
The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) engages the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in developing regionally integrated sustainable food systems. CRFS extends MSU's pioneering legacy of applied research, education and outreach by catalyzing collaboration and fostering innovation among the diverse range of people, processes and places involved in regional food systems. Our vision is a thriving economy, equity and sustainability for Michigan, the country and the planet through food systems rooted in local regions and centered on Good Food: food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable. Learn more at http://foodsystems.msu.edu and connect on Twitter and Facebook: @MSUCRFS. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line90 |
__label__wiki | 0.671905 | 0.671905 | A Visit with the Seed Squad: We’re Not in Paris Anymore
By Annie Tomlin / October 24, 2017
Doylestown, PA, home of Seed Phytonutrients’ headquarters, is a far cry from L’Oréal’s glossy offices in New York City and Paris. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.
After a decade spent working as a beauty editor, I’ve come to expect certain things from the headquarters of any cosmetics company. Lots of black and white surfaces, for instance—invariably glossy and always miraculously unspoiled by fingerprints. The higher the office floor, the more powerful the designer-clad employee, who typically arrives breathlessly late for meetings via chauffeured town car.
So you can imagine my shock when industry veteran Shane Wolf offered to give me a ride—via pick-up truck—to the HQ of his latest venture, a skin- and haircare line called Seed Phytonutrients. Then again, Wolf isn’t doing anything by the book with this particular launch. Every synthetic-free shampoo and hand salve relies on the potent extracts of organically grown seeds and comes packaged in the most environmentally friendly materials possible. Oh, and the brand’s executive suites? They sit some ninety miles southwest of Manhattan, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, population 8,830.
Shane Wolf, lead farmhand at Seed Phytonutrients.
Photo by Aliza Eliazarov.
For Wolf, who grew up on a Kansas farm, the project hits close to home, quite literally. In 2013, he and his husband purchased ten acres outside Doylestown, where the couple tends chickens, goats, and rescued draft horses. But Wolf is far from the only Seed staffer (or “farmhand” in company parlance) with an ardor for sustainable agriculture. Lead marketing farmhand Brad Farrell credits his passion to years pitching in at his uncle’s cider mill in New York’s Catskill Mountains. Mariko Rex, also in the marketing department, became an expert on the healing powers of horticultural oils following her husband’s cancer diagnosis (he’s now in remission, thankfully).
The Seed Phytonutrients HQ, located in Doylestown, PA.
Of Seed’s unusual location, Farrell explains, “The access to farmers is one of the main reasons we’re in Doylestown. If we want to check on a seed plot or ask a question, we’re five minutes away from a farm.” Operations farmhand Jen Woodworth agrees. “We can feed off the local culture and vibe,” she says. “Being in a small town allows us to be ourselves and find our own identity.”
Sample packaging on display at the Seed Phytonutrients HQ.
Though some of the Seed crew splits its time between Doylestown and L’Oréal’s glossy, fingerprint-free Manhattan digs, everyone seems enamored with small-town living. “This is a wonderful community,” Wolf says. “Friendly people, plenty to do—it’s just a nice place to be.” Think Mayberry with money: spotless streets, carefully tended lawns, and charming independent businesses. The Seed office, a neat and unassuming storefront that once served as the local Obama campaign headquarters, is flanked by containers of marigolds, sea holly, and phlox.
Jen Woodworth, operations farmhand at Seed Phytonutrients.
Another upside to Seed’s relatively rural address involves immediate, on-the-ground input from the back-to-the-land audience it’s trying to reach. Partnerships with an area salon and organic grocery store have provided consumer commentary that feels far more intimate than anything an impersonal focus group might deliver. Plus, Doylestown is downright adorable.
Photos from inside the Seed Phytonutrients HQ. “We’re about inclusion,” says Shane Wolf, lead farmhand at Seed Phytonutrients.
Inside the Seed storefront, reclaimed wood planks cover the walls, and a well-worn hutch displays the full product line. As Wolf walks me through space, he enthusiastically shares the provenance of each detail. “We built that shelving unit in my barn and loaded it into my truck with a tractor,” he says with a grin.
The overarching effect is friendly and warm, pointedly so. An “All Are Welcome” sign stands close to the entrance. “We’re about inclusion,” Wolf explains, drawing my attention to the all-gender restroom. Putting Seed’s feel-good ethos into practice is, apparently, a priority. The office recycles, of course, and composts, too. (Wolf schleps the day’s waste to his farm’s compost pile, then brings a clean container back the next morning.) Ferns and succulents are planted in organic soil, and the cleaning products are made with essential oils. “I love that I come to work and everything is sustainable, from our mission to the food we eat,” Rex says.
A display in Seed’s Doylestown office.
No synthetic chemicals are allowed in the office, and even the cleaning products are made with essential oils. “I know the staff thinks I’m crazy sometimes,” Wolf admits. “And maybe I am. But I really believe that we have to start changing and doing things for our planet.”
Mariko Rex, marketing farmhand at Seed Phytonutrients.
Photo by Credit: Aliza Eliazarov.
For Mariko Rex, Seed’s marketing farmhand, the brand’s mission is personal: After her husband was diagnosed with cancer (he’s since recovered), she became passionate about using products that were as close to nature as possible. “I’m focused on health and wellbeing at this stage in my life,” Rex says. “I love that I come to work and everything is clean, from the sustainability aspect to the food we eat.”
Shane Wolf shares a laugh with the marketing team at the Seed HQ.
Indeed, the employee kitchen serves organic snacks, drinks, and happy-hour supplies. “The wines are organic, even biodynamic,” Wolf says. “They're harder to find, and they cost more, but you know what? Some farmer needs me to buy this to keep growing organic grapes.” Suddenly, Wolf catches me eyeing a foam can koozie, and breaks into an impish grin. “It’s a funny story,” he admits. A certain Seedster—Wolf kindly refuses to reveal her identity—is addicted to Diet Coke, a beverage non grata here, and relies on koozies to conceal the habit. “I was sure she was drinking organic sodas,” he recalls. “Then I inspected the recycling bin. I’m slowly converting her.”
“This organic and natural lifestyle is at my core.” Nah, Doylestown will probably never become a global beauty capital on the scale of Paris or New York, but if the Wolf has his way, the bucolic village will revolutionize the way we view the beauty biz.
Farm Life,
Our Story,
Those Gorgeous Hudson Valley Seed Company Art Packs? This Is How They’re Made
By Annie Tomlin / January 02, 2018
Hear from the designers who created Seed Phytonutrients’ custom collection. The imagery on most seed packets tends toward the literal, whether a...
It’s Our Earth Day Birthday!
We take a look back on the past year to share with everyone the incredible feats we have been able to accomplish together. Read till the end for a... | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line94 |
__label__wiki | 0.781263 | 0.781263 | Africa Media Review : Volume 1, Number 2, 1987
By Quaidoo, Isaac Obeng
Format Type: PDF eBook :
Title: Africa Media Review : Volume 1, Number 2, 1987
Author: Quaidoo, Isaac Obeng
Volume: Volume 1, Number 2
Subject: Journal, Africa, Africa Media Review
Collections: Periodicals: Journal and Magazine Collection (Contemporary), Africa Media Review
Quaidoo, I. O. (1987). Africa Media Review : Volume 1, Number 2, 1987. Retrieved from http://community.worldlibrary.in/
Description: Africa Media Review is a peer-reviewed academic journal covering communication theory, practice, and policy in Africa. It is a collaborative publication between the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) based in Dakar, Senegal and the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Africa Media Review : Volume 11, Number ... (by Africa Media Review)
Africa Media Review : Volume 5, Number 3... (by Odhiambo, Lewis)
Africa Media Review : Volume 6, Number 1... (by Africa Media Review)
Africa Media Review : Volume 3, Number 1... (by Quaidoo, Isaac Obeng) | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line103 |
__label__wiki | 0.645358 | 0.645358 | Commander Strax
Strax as in The Name of the Doctor
Played by: Dan Starkey
Tenure 04/06/2011-present
First appearance A Good Man Goes to War (regular)
Last appearance Deep Breath (regular)
Number of series 1
Appearances 4 stories
source TARDIS Wikia
Considering he’s a member of a clone race, Commander Strax is a remarkable individual. We’ve seen the Doctor encounter many Sontarans and whilst every other member of this belligerent species has been guided by a single-minded passion for war, Strax is a nurse. And a good one. We’ve witnessed him save the life of a child in a warzone, give medical advice to a weary soldier and Strax even had himself gene-spliced so he could be fit for all nursing duties. When baby Melody appeared to need a feed he proudly declared, ‘I can produce magnificent quantities of lactic fluid!’
He told a puzzled Captain Harcourt why he was helping those he would normally attempt to destroy. ‘I serve a penance to restore the honour of my clone batch,’ he explained. ‘It is the greatest punishment a Sontaran can endure… to help the weak and the sick.’ It’s strongly implied that the Doctor invented this ‘punishment’ and was responsible for Strax’s switch from military commander to medic.
But the warrior within Strax still remains and he is no pacifist. At the Battle of Demons Run he threw himself into the fight with a gutsy enthusiasm and his bellicose background is never far from the fore, even when he’s addressing his patients. When one Of them asked if he was going to be okay, Strax cheerily replied, ‘Of course you will, my boy! You’ll be up and about in no time! And perhaps one day, you and I shall meet on the field of battle and I shall destroy you for the glory of the Sontaran Empire!’
Strax helped the Doctor defeat The Great Intelligence in 1892 and during this adventure we saw how much he relishes working alongside him. Although exasperated by the Time Lord’s ‘retirement’ he was delighted when the game was once more afoot and even felt comfortable teasing his friend about his brief impersonation of Sherlock Holmes!
The Doctor next encountered his Sontaran comrade in Yorkshire, 1893 when fighting the evil Mrs Gillyflower and the monstrous Mr Sweet. Strax was once again assisting Madame Vastra and seemed content to take orders from the Silurian. He was able to save Jenny and the Doctor from the so-called ‘attack of the supermodels’, racing into battle with laser blasting and a familiar roar of ‘Sontar-ha!’
During the course of that adventure we also found out a little about how Strax views himself. When Vastra told Jenny, ‘Sweetville’s proprietor holds recruit drives for her little community. She’s only interested in the fittest and the most beautiful.’ Strax immediately came back with, ‘You may rely on me, madam…’
Back to Recurring characters page
Series 7 DVD Set | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line108 |
__label__wiki | 0.579303 | 0.579303 | Mega Cartridge — the 14.5x114mm (From Russia with Love)
Photo courtesy Elardus de Lang, Truvelo Manufacturers Armoury, South Africa.
Believe it or not, here is a cartridge that makes a .338 Lapua Magnum look like a toy. The 14.5x114mm cartridge was designed as a MG and rifle-fired anti-materiel round. To translate from the metric system to caliber and inches, the round is a mammoth .57 caliber which measures 4.49 inches to the case mouth, and 6.13 inches overall. That jumbo-sized case holds a whopping 655 grains of powder. Commonly-loaded projectiles weigh 920-1030 grains. The 993gr armor-piercing projectile has a muzzle velocity of approximately 1006 meters per second (3300 fps) and can penetrate 30-32 millimeters of RHA steel at a range of 500 meters.
The top photo comes from Elardus De Lang, a Forum member who works at the Truvelo Manufacturers Armoury in South Africa. Elardus also provided an impressive video showing the massive 14.5x114mm being shot from prone with a Truvelo-built bolt-action rifle. Elardus tells us: “Here is a video, with a slow-motion ending, of our 14.5x114mm anti-materiel rifle being fired in our indoor testing facility. This caliber is a true beast! It propels a 993gr Armor-Piercing Incendiary bullet to 3300 fps, burning 480 grains of powder in the process. [This shows] that rifles of that power level can actually be shootable. The concussion indoors is something to experience……every shot feels like you are being punched in the face, and the heat from the muzzle flash actually hits you like a wave!”
14.5x114mm Cartridge Design and Dimensions
The 14.5×114mm has 42.53 ml (655 grains H2O) cartridge case capacity. The exterior shape of the case was designed to promote reliable case feeding and extraction in bolt action rifles and machine guns alike, under extreme conditions. Cartridges typically use lacquered steel cases, but some countries also use brass cases.
All dimensions are in millimeters (mm). Americans would define the shoulder angle at alpha/2, or 22.5 degrees. The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 455 mm (1:17.91″) with eight lands/grooves. According to official guidelines, the 14.5×114mm can handle up to 360 MPa (52,213 psi) piezo pressure.
14.5x114mm Cartridge History
The 14.5×114mm (.57 Cal) is a heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge used by the Soviet Union, the former Warsaw Pact, modern Russia, and other countries. It was originally developed for the PTRS and PTRD anti-tank rifles, but was later used as the basis for the KPV heavy machine gun that formed the basis of the ZPU series anti-aircraft guns that is also the main armament of the BTR series of armoured personnel carriers from the BTR-60 to the BTR-80 and for heavy anti-material sniper rifles. The cartridge was designed in 1939 and first issued in 1941.
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F-Class Team USA Invites Shooters to Championship Quest
How would you like to represent the United States in top-level International Shooting competitions? Well, if F-Class is your game, here is your opportunity. F-Class Team USA will be conducting try-outs for the United States squads who will represent our country in F-TR and F-Open divisions (plus Under-25) at the 2021 World Championships. The try-outs are open to any competitive shooter with a class-compliant rifle and the will to win. Team leadership expressly welcomes newcomers.
Initial and primary tryouts are planned during the 2018 U.S. National Championships in Raton, NM, and the 2019 SW Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. There may also be an early 2019 tryout date at Butner, NC.
Dan Bramley Invites Shooters to Team USA F-Class Try-Outs
Official Invitation to Team USA F-Class Try-Outs
To the F-Class Community–
On behalf of Team USA 2021, we are pleased to invite the best of USA F-class to consider joining our effort for the 2021 World Championships in Bloemfontein, South Africa. We are reaching out with this invitation to provide some general information on our plans for 2021 and for upcoming try-out dates for the unified Team USA: F-TR, F-Open, and Under 25.
We are moving forward with F-Open, F-TR, and Under 25 unified as one USA F-class 2021 Team. This will allow us to take advantage of each team’s strengths and provide needed purchasing power and coordination for event and logistic costs. We also believe this will help encourage and grow our sport. We will share ideas, event/facility dates and best practices within this unified team, however, individual team segments will make their own decisions. Therefore, please direct your responses and inquiries to the appropriate team leadership.
Being part of Team USA is a major commitment of time and resources. We do have wonderful and sizable sponsorship partners who we thank and rely on for moderating individual team member costs. However, due to the location of this World Championship effort, one can expect to help cover a commensurate level of the costs.
We are now moving into the USA “development team” stage of the process. This team is open to newcomers… there are many newer names showing up on the top of leader-boards and many new teams that are making positive impacts. If you are interested in being part of Team USA, please consider making that commitment. We would like to hear from you by March 23, 2018.
Team Time Expectations
Attendance at SWN and US Nationals will be expected for 2019 and 2020. We will also likely expect the final team to attend the Berger SWN in 2021 or have an alternative site for a final practice prior to our trip. We will try to have afternoon or evening team sessions during these events however we may have team days just prior or after these events to maximize the use of individual travel dollars and time. We will also likely have additional team training dates in 2019 and 2020, likely on east coast ranges to facilitate best availability for all.
Shooting/Coaching Position Opportunities
We are equally passionate about developing coaching/shooting teams for winning gold medal efforts in both the Richardson Cup (8-man) and Rutland Cup (4-man) World Championship Events. Obtaining a shooting or coaching spot on one of these teams is an absolute gauntlet of a commitment and consistent strong results will be required as the USA is blessed with wonderful depth. We encourage all, with proven success in our sport, to test themselves at this highest of levels.
Team Try-Out Dates and Locations
Initial and primary tryouts are planned during the 2018 US National Championships in Raton, NM and the 2019 SW Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. There may also be an early 2019 tryout date at Butner, NC.
If you are interested in further information, please contact our Team USA leadership:
Dan Bramley, Captain USA F-Open
usrifleteam2021fopen [at] gmail.com Phil Kelley, Jr., Captain USA F-TR
usarifle2021 [at] gmail.com
Rick Jensen, Captain USA U25
U25USAFclass [at] gmail.com
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F-Class Team Worlds: USA Wins F-TR, Australia Wins F-Open
Photo Credits Laura Perry(top) and Kelly McMillan (bottom)
The 2017 F-Class World Championships wrapped up August 17 with the final day of Team competition. Over the past two days, 8-shooter squads competed in the major international challenge match while 4-shooter teams vied for honor in the Rutland match. Team USA F-TR stole the show with a stirring come-from-behind victory over a very strong Australia F-TR squad. Not to be denied, Aussie F-Open shooters countered America’s F-TR success with a solid win for Australia in the 8-shooter F-Open match. It was Deja Vu… this result was a replay of the 2013 Worlds, where Team USA won the F-TR Team Title, while Team Australia won F-Open.
CLICK HERE for full 2017 F-Class World Championships Team and Individual Results
F-TR World Champions: Team USA, Richardson Trophy — Score: 3400-264V
PERRY, LAURA, AL — 419v31
DROELLE, JOHN, MI — 418v27
BARNHART, ALAN, MI — 433v36
HOGG, TRACY, NC — 424v31
KLEMM, IAN, WI — 426v39
RODGERS, DEREK, NM — 435v39
RORER, JEFFREY, NC — 429v35
POHLABEL, DANIEL, OH — 416v26
GROSS, RAYMOND, MI
HARDIN, CARLTON, GA
PHILLIPS, PAUL, MI
LENTZ, DANIEL, WI
LITZ, BRYAN, MI
FULMER, SCOTT, NY
REEVE, KENT, NC
BOYER, DOUGLAS, MI
F-Open World Champions: Team Australia, Farquharson Trophy — Score: 3511-342V
DAVIES, ROD — 441v45
CARTER, PETER — 437v37
LARSEN, PETER — 442v38
LOBERT, MARTY — 437v43
POHL, ADAM — 440v48
BRAUND, STUART — 431v39
BUNYAN, BRETT — 440v40
NUGENT, TIM — 443v52
MCGOWAN, CRAIG
BRAUND, RICHARD
WAITES, MICHAEL
LAZARUS, STEVE
REID, JOSH
FERRARA, BEN
TILLACK, LOWELL
DOBSON, DAVID
Team USA — Three-time World Champions deliver a come-from-behind win at the 900 meter line.
Along with winning F-Open, the Aussies did well in the 8-man F-TR competition, finishing second overall with a score of 3394-237V, six points behind Team USA F-TR (3400-264V). Third in F-TR was Team South Africa, with 3376-250V.
Team Canada (3506-346V) finished second in F-Open, while Team USA (F-Open) finished third with the interesting score of 3500-350V (that’s not a misprint). We believe Calvin Waldner of Canada had the top individual F-Open score for the match — 444-51V.
The F-TR Team Battle — It Paid to Wait
The top two F-TR squads, Team USA and Team Australia, followed very different strategies. The Australians got off to a quick start, while the Americans waited… and waited … and waited. Being patient and waiting for more readable and stable wind conditions proved a winning strategy for the Yanks who overcame a 9-point deficit to finish with a six-point margin as time closed down in the firing period.
Team USA Captain Ray Gross reports: “The match came down to the last yard line. The Australians were up 11 points to start the day and the Canadians were 6 points behind. We made up 2 points at 700m and shot even with the Australians at 800m, leaving us 9 points down going into the final 900m stage.
The Aussies chose to start shooting right away in what looked liked easy conditions and we waited, hoping for better. While we waited the team stayed focused and ready. Luck was on our side, it calmed down and the shooters and coaches performed flawlessly, making up the nine points and finally pulling ahead in the last few minutes of the match.
We were the last team on the line shooting and everyone was behind us watching. After two days of very close competition, the match was not decided until our last two shooters. Our last shooter started with only 12 minutes left in the match and he finished his string of 15 shots in about five minutes. He only dropped two points giving us a six point victory.
We were so focused on delivering our best performance that we weren’t sure how the other teams had finished. After the last shot the Australian captain came over and congratulated me. They had been watching our score after they had finished and knew that we had won the match. Our gritty determination had paid off and it had been one of the most exciting matches that I’ve ever been a part of. Everyone on the team should be proud that they did not let our slim chances discourage them going into that last yard line. They stayed focused and each delivered a top performance.”
American F-Open Squads Dominate 4-Shooter Rutland Match
In the F-Open Rutland competition for 4-shooter teams, American squads dominated, taking the top 4 places. Team USA Blue (1758-177V) won the Rutland title, edging Spindle Shooters by a slim one-point margin. In third place was Team USA Red followed by the Texas State Rifle Association team.
In F-TR Rutland competition, Team “Da Bulls” secured a very convincing win. Da Bulls’ 1709-131V score was a full 14 points ahead of Team KP Ballistics. This was sort of an American victory… though Da Bulls did have one Canadian “ringer” on the squad, Stephen Ireland of Toronto. Runner-up KP Ballistics was just the opposite — KP had all Canadian members except one Yank, Wade Fillingame of New Hampshire.
Above Team Da Bulls member James Crofts waives “good-bye” from the Connaught Ranges in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The next F-Class World Championships will be held in South Africa in 2021. ICFRA Web Page for 2021 FCWC.
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6.5 Creedmoor — Norma’s Cartridge of the Month
6.5 Creedmoor (right) shown with .308 Win (left) and .243 Win (center) for comparison.
Though most popular for competition applications (PRS and XTC), the 6.5 Creedmoor is also a capable hunting cartridge. This month Norma spotlights the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge and outlines the game-harvesting capabilities of Norma 6.5 Creedmoor factory ammunition.
Origins of the 6.5 Creedmoor
Dave Emary, senior engineer at Hornady, asked fellow competitive shooters about their “wish list” for a mid-sized round with long-range potential. It needed to offer efficiency, good ballistics, fine accuracy, and reliable feeding from a magazine. To achieve these goals, Emary necked the .30 T/C to .264 caliber (6.5 mm). The shoulder on this case is well to the rear, so long bullets with high ballistic coefficients can be used in short actions. The efficient Creedmoor case and its modest powder charge deliver hard hits on big game while keeping recoil modest.
Hunting with the 6.5 Creedmoor
by Wayne van Zwoll
I learned about the 6.5 Creedmoor by way of a rifle from Todd Seyfert at Magnum Research. The Remington 700 action wears a carbon-fiber barrel with a Krieger stainless core. GreyBull Precision added a stock and a modified 4.5-14X Leupold scope. Its 1/3-minute elevation dial is calibrated specifically for 130-grain boat-tail spitzers at Creedmoor velocities. “Spin the elevation dial to the distance in yards, and aim dead-on.” said GreyBull’s Don Ward. Prone with a sling, I was soon banging steel at 500 yards.
By the charts, the 6.5 Creedmoor is a superb cartridge for deer-size game. But I caught only a late elk season with this new rifle. The 6.5×55 and .260 had taken elk for me; surely the Creedmoor would as well. Alas, the close shot I’d wanted, to ensure precise bullet placement, didn’t come. When on the final evening Don and I spied a bull far off, there was no approach. “Your call,” he shrugged. “The air is dead-still.” I snugged the sling, prone, and dialed to the yardage. Ribs spot-lit by a sinking sun, the bull paused. Craaack! The animal spun, sprinted and fell. That shot was twice as long as any I’d ever attempted at elk.
Whitetail hunting with a Ruger 77, then a trip to sub-Saharan Africa with a T/C Icon, kept the 6.5 Creedmoor in my ammo pouch. The T/C dropped a Vaal Rhebok at 250 yards, in stiff wind (photo below). Shorter pokes on a variety of game produced consistently quick kills. I found the Creedmoor’s limit with an eland.
A high ballistic coefficient helped a Creedmoor bullet slice stiff wind 250 yards to this Vaal Rhebok.
Since then, I’ve seen several animals brought to bag by the 6.5 Creedmoor. And I’ve used it in a variety of rifles on paper and steel targets to 1,200 yards. It has become one of my favorite cartridges for deer-size game. Its mild report and recoil make it easy to shoot accurately. It seems an inherently accurate cartridge too. I’ve punched half-minute groups from production-class rifles. The proliferation of hunting loads for the 6.5 Creedmoor includes none better than Norma’s 130-grain Scirocco. This sleek, polymer-nose bullet, with its 15° boat-tail and a G1 ballistic coefficient over .550, flies very flat. In expansion and penetration tests, it opens reliably down to 1,750 fps, and drives straight and deep. A bonded bullet, it stays in one piece after high-speed impact, routinely retaining more than 80 percent of its original weight.
READ FULL 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge of the Month Article >>>
Story Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
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Safari Club International Convention Underway in Las Vegas
The 45th Annual Safari Club International (SCI) Convention is underway now at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The big event opened February 1st, and concludes Saturday the 4th. Over 20,000 hunters and sportsmen are expected to attend this year.
$10 Million in Auction Items This Year
The SCI show is famed for its fund-raising auctions. At this year’s Convention, over $10 million worth of exotic firearms, once-in-a-lifetime hunts, and fine collectibles will be auctioned. Net proceeds from the auctions are used by SCI to promote conservation and game management efforts worldwide. Here’s a past auction item, a Krieghoff Double Rifle valued at $84,000. This ‘Legends of the Hunt’ double rifle, chambered in .470 Nitro Express, is custom engraved by master engravers Michael Oke and Andreas Scholz. The stock is exhibition-grade Turkish walnut with ebony pistol grip and fore-end tip. There are gold barrel bands and gold accents on the express sight blades and double triggers.
Over 1000 Exhibitors from 33 Countries
This is a huge event, with over 1000 exhibitors from 33 countries and six continents. Notably, hundreds of top guides and outfitter services are showcased in the Outfitters Hall. The SCI convention also features many firearms manufacturers and custom gun builders. In the Gun Maker’s village prestigious European gun makers and engravers display their work.
The SCI convention boasts “the largest display of wildlife art at one venue anywhere in the world” according to Ammoland.com. The work of 55 artists and 110 taxidermists will be on display.
Hunt of a Lifetime — What Would You Hunt and Where?
A couple seasons back, Sierra Bullets asked its staffers about their dream hunting destinations. The Sierra techs, all avid hunters, were polled about their favorite hunting venues. Here are their answers to the question: “If you could hunt anything, anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you hunt?”
Photo courtesy Kirabo Safaris, South Africa
Africa topped the list of “dream hunting locations” by a landslide. Canada and Alaska were both picked twice, with other destinations each favored by one staffer:
Africa 6 votes (Kudu, Eland, Cape Buffalo, Leopard, Lion, Plains Game)
Canada 2 votes (Moose, Black Bear)
Alaska 2 votes (Dall Sheep)
Wyoming 1 vote (Antelope)
US Rocky Mountains 1 vote (Elk)
Argentina 1 votes (Doves)
Australia 1 vote (Non-specific)
Carroll Pilant (Ballistics Technician): “Back to Africa for kudu and eland.”
Rich Machholz (Ballistic Technician): “African Cape Buffalo with my longtime friend Lloyd in Zimbabwee.”
Tommy Todd (Chief Ballistician): “Free Range African plains game”
Photo courtesy Namibia Hunting Safaris.
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U.S. Shooters Help South Africans After Match Ammo Seized
Story Based on Report by NSSF
American shooters, along with Brownells and Redding, are providing help to the South African Palma (Target Rifle) team members, who will be competing at the Long Range World Championships at Camp Perry in early August, 2015. The ability of the South Africans to compete has been jeopardized by the unexpected seizure of their pre-shipped match ammo by U.S. Customs and ATF. We don’t know why the Feds seized the South Africans’ match ammo, but without it, the South African Team’s ability to participate in the Long Range World Championships has been threatened.
To rectify this situation, American F-TR and Palma shooters, backed by Brownells and Redding, have secured reloading equipment (presses, dies) and ammo components (brass, bullets, powder) so that the South Africans can assemble the needed .308 Win ammo on their arrival in the USA at the end of July.
According to industry sources, the shipment of match ammo for the South African Palma team was seized at the U.S. port of entry by U.S. Customs and ATF agents. When Ray Gross, captain of the U.S. F-TR rifle team, learned about this, Ray contacted Geoff Esterline, Product Category Manager at Brownells. Esterline immediately turned to Robin Sharpless, Executive VP of Redding Reloading, for help.
“I won’t go into the full list of presses and accessories we’ve gathered up, but I can say it’s extensive,” Sharpless told NSSF. “A member of the U.S. F-TR team who lives near Camp Perry has agreed to take our shipment and those from Brownells and the other companies providing brass, powder and bullets so that, when the South African team arrives in the U.S. during the last days of July, they can get started immediately on hand-loading. The U.S. team is even building benches for the press setups, so the South African team should be able to knock this out and get to the more important task at hand, and that is shooting at Camp Perry.”
The 2015 Palma Match and Long Range World Championships will be held August 3-15, in conjunction with the annual NRA National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.
Ray Gross reports: “The folks who deserve credit for this are the members of the U.S. Palma Team, Ryan Henning, Geoff Esterline of Brownells, and the folks at Redding. Members of the Palma team had donated much of the needed equipment within hours of U.S. Palma Team Captain Dennis Flaharty putting the word out.
My contribution was limited to a few emails to Brownells. They coordinated with Redding to provide the remaining equipment. This is a great example of international shooting camaraderie, but my part in it was very small.”
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South African Team Wins Int’l High Power Championships
Story by Lars Dalseide for NRABlog
Protea is the top team trophy at the South African International High Power Championships. Named after the South Africa’s National Flower, the International Protea is shot over three ranges measuring out at 300, 600 and 900 meters. Keeping with the earlier team matches, it was South Africa that powered past England and the United States to claim the hometown title.
Photos by 2013 England Rifle Team
Teams from South Africa, England, the United States, Wales and Ireland readied in the early South African sun for their 8:00 am start. “These are the smallest targets,” American shooter Anette Wachter explained on her website (30CalGal.com). “The winds were up and tricky at all meter lines.”
With twelve shooters per team gunning for a perfect match score of 1800, it started at 300 meters. England held tighter than the rest finishing with 597. Right on the Brits’ heels were South Africa at 595 and the United States at 593. That’s when South Africa made its move.
But things changed at the 600 meter line. England dropped ten points at 600 meters. Both South Africa and the United States dropped five each. That left South Africa in command with a two point lead over the United States. The hometown advantage would be even more apparent in the final round (900m).
On the back of perfect scores from Bona and Brand, South Africa finished on top with final score of 1769.193. England was practically perfect at 900 meters to finish second while the United States ended up in third. “What a heart break,” Wachter wrote. “But we fought hard. Coaches Emil, Steve and Norm did a great job. The saying is that as a shooter on a team your only job is to pull the trigger. But ‘just pulling the trigger’ is scary.”
Parag Patel Wins Individual Honors
Though South Africa walked away with most of the team titles, it was an Englishman who won the overall individual championships. Mr. Parag Patel, a consultant surgeon at St. George’s Hospital in London, finished his South African tour as the tournament’s top shooter. Parag won the South African Championships, their most coveted prize which is made up of the Grand, the State President’s second Stage and the State President’s Final. As a reward for winning the South African title, he was driven off the range in a vintage 1934 Ford. Click Here to see Parag with the 2013 England Rifle Team.
The tournament now complete, teams are all returning home. For some it’s an incredibly short drive and for others it’s an unbelievably long plane ride. All in an effort to keep in game shape for the next Palma Rifle World Championships in Camp Perry, Ohio.
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Team South Africa Wins America Match and Team USA is Second
Bloemfontein, South Africa — The South African Rifle Team jumped out to an early lead in yesterday’s America Match at the General de Wet Range. Gaining ground in each of the four relays, the South Africans’ final tally reached 2362.251 before teams from the U.S. and England fired their final shot. By then, South Africa was in the clubhouse with a 13 point win.
The America Match is a four-round team competition shot at 300, 600, 800 and 900 meters. Made up of eight-man teams, each has the opportunity to score up to 600 points per round. Shot last year during the NRA Long Range High Power Rifle Championships in Camp Perry, this is the first America Match win for South Africa.
Having Long Range High Power Rifle Fun in the African Sun
Though one may try, it is truly impossible to simulate game day situations in practice. All the preparation in the world will never prepare you for the tension or adrenaline spike that accompanies real life. The distractions are even greater when competing in South Africa.
Not only is there the incredibly long plane ride, a new culture to embrace and new cuisines to devour, there’s also the local wildlife to consider. Don’t believe me? Then listen to what Alex Williams had to say on the England Rifle Team website:
Aside from keeping a beady eye on the targets, there were several opportunities to cop a look at the local wildlife – dawn is heralded by the cooing of pigeons and the squeaking of hundreds of small starlings. Zebras and elegant giraffes festoon the grasslands on the drive from the hotel to the range. Springbok prance through the fawn coloured savannah startled by the passing minibuses. Dinner also provides an opportunity to sample some of the local wildlife, which generally appears medium-rare.”
Redemption via the Rifle Awaits
Though the American Match holds a special significance to those of us here in The States, American shooters have to toss those results aside. Same goes for the the English, the Welsh and the Irish. After all, they are only three days into ten day of competition. There are plenty of victories left to be had.
Having the home field advantage has played well into the South African’s hands so far. The heat, the elevation (4,500 feet above sea level) and familiarity with the surroundings makes aiming that rifle all the more favorable for the locals. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Things can change.
Yesterday’s match saw Team USA finish second. Under the leadership of Head Coach Norm Anderson, along with coaches Emil Praslic and Steve Harding, Team USA’s shooters (including Lane Buxton, Brandon Green, Michael Storer, Ty Cooper, Bob Gill, Nate Guernsey, Anette Wachter and Dave Crandell) are sure to find their mark soon enough.
Thanks to Anette Wachter and James Watson for contributing to this post … both with pictures (Anette’s) and information. Follow Anette’s coverage of her long range high power shooting saga at www.30calgal.com.
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SHOT Show Report: GS Custom Bullets from South Africa
GS Custom Bullets has been producing high-quality hunting and target bullets in South Africa since 1993. GS Custom Bullets specializes in monometal solids. For hunters, the GS solids have proven extremely effective on game animals, including the biggest species on the African continent. The GS match bullets are CNC-machined to very exacting tolerances, offering superior concentricity and uniformity. The large match bullets feature drive bands for reduced engraving force, and an extremely slippery shape for exceptionally high ballistic coefficients. GS has made a special 1,100-grain 50-caliber projectile that has a calculated G1 BC of 1.85! This bullet, launched at 3400 fps, can stay supersonic out to 4,000 meters — that’s 2.49 miles!
Gerard Schultz, founder of GS Custom Bullets, holds a number of patents on his bullet designs. Currently GS Custom is selling to the American market through its South African website, GSCustom.co.ZA. However, this year GS Custom hopes to expand production to North America, starting a production facility in the USA. The North American effort will be lead by Gerard Schultz’s daughter, Gina, and her husband Anthony. They can be contacted through GSCustomUSA.com. We met with Gina and Anthony at SHOT Show in Las Vegas and learned more about these remarkable bullet designs. The video is worth watching. These are no ordinary bullets.
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Greatest Hits: Machining Art from John Loh
LINK: John Loh Rest Donated for World BR Championships
Can a rest be a work of art? Yes, it can — when crafted by John Loh of JJ Industries. John, one of the great guys in the sport, donated this rest to support the U.S. Team at the BR Worlds in South Africa.
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Early Results from World Benchrest Championship
The World Benchrest Championships are underway right now at the Krokodilspruit Range in Pretoria, South Africa. The 100m matches have been held and Team USA A is currently in the lead. Daily updates (with photos) are available on the WBC10.co.za website.
Today, the 25th, 200 meter competition begins. So far, Gene Bukys (USA) won the HV100 meter with Roland Igle (FRA) second and Chris Harris (USA) third. Gene also nailed a 2.74mm small group (0.108″). In the Team standings the USA A team leads with Australia A in 2nd place and Italy in 3rd place. In the 2-Gun competition, Gene Bukys (USA) now leads the field, with Wayne Campbell (USA) in 2nd place and George Carter from Canada in 3rd place.
Individual and Team match results are tabulated daily and posted online. You can download current results on the WBC10 Downloads page. Photos courtesy Renier, WBC10.co.za.
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Loh Rest Benefits Team USA at World Championship
John Loh of JJ Industries has generously donated a complete front rest to be sold at the World Benchrest Championship (WBC-10) held at the Krokodilspruit Range in Pretoria, South Africa, June 22-29, 2009. Proceeds from the sale will be used to defray the expenses of the USA Benchrest Team. The rest will be on display at the World Championships next week, and sold to the highest bidder.
This WBC-10 Special Edition rest is based on John Loh’s impressive, 18-lb JJ Ultra Front Rest, sold for $879.95 commercially. John has added some unique upgrades for this one-of-a-kind, 22-lb Special Edition. The center shaft is beefier, with a larger diameter. All the knobs (other than the bearing bronze rear adjuster) are crafted from machined aluminum. Loh front rests are already noted for allowing super-smooth and precise vertical and horizontal adjustments, and the larger center column makes this special unit even better. The rest comes with a 3″-wide Edgewood front bag fitted with a spacer block with bubble level. The side plates for the top bag are inscribed with “TEAM USA” and “World Benchrest Championships – South Africa 2009″ is engraved on the front of the base plate.
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South Africa Hosts World Benchrest Championship June 22-29
The 2009 World Benchrest Championship (WBC-10) will be held at the Krokodilspruit Range in Pretoria, South Africa June 22-29, 2009. WBC-10 includes matches at 100m, 200m, and 300m. Complete information on the upcoming event are available at the WBC10 website, wbc10.co.za. A handy FAQ Page provides answers to questions about accommodation, transport, and South African firearms laws. CLICK HERE for WBC10 Event Schedule.
Listed below are the names of the team members who will represent the United States at the 2009 World Benchrest Championship (WBC-10) in South Africa this June:
Team 1 – Ed Adams, Wayne Campbell, Gene Bukys, Tony Boyer
Team 2 – Larry Costa, Mike Ratigan, Bill Summers, Joe Krupa
Team 3 – Chris Harris, Don Nielson, Cecil Peterson, Tim Oltersdorf
First Alternate: Gary Sinclair
Honorary Team Captain: Walt Berger
Krokodilspruit is a modern multi-purpose shooting range situated approximately 23 kilometers north of Pretoria and is the home range of the Gauteng Benchrest Shooting Association. June is the first month of winter in South Africa, but this area has little rainfall in winter.
Something New for 300 Meter Stage?
Most American short-range Benchrest matches are shot at 100 and 200 yards only. WBC-10 includes a 300m match on Saturday, June 27th. As South Africa is known for strong and challenging winds, it will be interesting to see if some competitors try heavier, higher-BC bullets at 300m rather than the typical 60-70gr flatbase 6mm bullets used at 100 and 200.
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Report from South Africa: Ty Cooper wins Individual Match, South Africa Wins Team Comps
Spc. Tyrel Cooper of the USAMU won the individual championship at the South African Bisley Union (SABU) 80th Anniversary Match. For the past two years, Ty has been one of the best long-range shooters in the world. In 2008 he won the Target Rifle Overall Aggregate at the Spirit of America Match. Congrats to Ty for outstanding shooting in South Africa!
Shooting in very challenging wind conditions, the host South Africans took first place in both the Invitational 8-man team match (score: 2314-209v) and the SABU Int’l Anniversary 12-man team match (score: 3516-350v). The United States 12-man team finished second with a 3469-303v score. Reporting on the Anniversary Team Match, Walt Walter reported to the NRA Blog: “At 800 meters, South Africa extended their lead in ‘very very difficult’ wind conditions. Almost all of the time allowance was used with sighters from later firers being fired early to assist the coaches with their wind calling. Once again, South Africa used their local knowledge to increase their lead with some excellent shooting and equally good wind calling. Going back to 900 meters, the wind remained just as tricky and with the South Africans averaging solid 70s scores, they finished an impressive 49 points of the USA.”
Individual Ranking TEAM Ranking Anniv. Match
1. Ty Cooper (USA) 208-20v
2. Alwyn McLean (Ireland) 208-15v
3. Jane Messer (England) 207-25v
4. Andy Wilde (England) 206-22v
5. David Luckman (England) 206-20v 1. South Africa 3516-350v
2. USA 3469-303v
3. England 3461-293v
4. Ireland 3442-274v
5. Wales 3419-255v
Note: In South Africa, the “v”-count is equivalent to the “X”-count in North America.
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U.S. National Rifle Team Competes in South Africa
The United States National Rifle Team, supported by the NRA, has traveled to South Africa to participate in the South African Bisley Union matches and their national championships, held at Bloemfontein, South Africa, March 26 – April 4. This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the South African matches. This will be a fullbore competition for Target Rifle class and F-Class at distances from 300 to 900 meters. There will also be a series of .303 club matches as well as Junior matches.
The team is led by Team Captain Dennis Flaherty of California; Vice Captain Dan Simpson of New Hampshire; and Vice Captain Tom Whitaker, also from California. SFC Emil Praslick III, U.S. Army, will function as Head Coach during this tour. Ian Cheesman and Robert Steketee round out the team officers with Ian as Adjutant and Robert functioning as the South Africa Touring Trip Team Adjutant.
During the first week there will be individual matches culminating in a 12-man team match to determine the top National team in the 80th Anniversary matches. After an overnight in Johannesburg the Team traveled to Bloemfontein on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday will be training days with the individual matches to begin on Thursday, March 26th.
CLICK HERE to download 80th Anniversary Match Schedule and Info Forms.
This report is courtesy the NRA Blog and H.J. “Walt” Walter, NRA Board Member.
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__label__cc | 0.680945 | 0.319055 | Home | Videos | International | Thousands of people asked to evacuate due to heavy rain in Japan
Thousands of people asked to evacuate due to heavy rain in Japan
Tens of thousands of people in northeast Japan were told to evacuate their homes on Sunday as heavy rain caused major flooding and cut some rail links. Almost 25,000 people in the Akita prefecture were ordered to evacuate and around 65,000 more people were advised to leave or told to prepare to leave the area.
India, Japan call for stable Indo-Pacific region
Trump to meet Japan, S Korea leaders for urgent talks on North Korea
India to join countries with high-speed trains
Death toll in Nepal floods climbs to 123
Flood situation in North-Eastern States worsens | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line117 |
__label__wiki | 0.835298 | 0.835298 | Round 14, 1925
Carlton vs Melbourne
Venue: Princes Park
1st 2nd 3rd Final
Carlton 3.1 3.3 6.7 6.9.45
Melbourne 2.0 6.7 9.10 18.14.122
Melbourne win by 77 points
Goalkickers: Harry Davie 13, Harry Moyes 3, Hugh Dunbar 1, Ivor Warne-Smith 1
Milestones:
Returning from a break for a state game Melbourne made up for a disappointing loss to Collingwood a fortnight earlier by teeing off on historical rivals Carlton.
Wet conditions didn't hinder the Redlegs, nor did the fact that neither the injured Chadwick or Mollision could play at 100%, and a Carlton side who had fallen on hard times, were beaten comfortably. Despite taking a lead into quarter time and still being within striking range at the start of the last quarter the Blues fell victim to an avalanche in the final term which saw them concede 9.4 while scoring just two behinds.
Carlton had a strong breeze in the first quarter and failed to take advantage, only kicking three goals of their own and allowing Melbourne two. In congested, scrambling play Melbourne's defenders smothered many Carlton attacks and left them with a disappointingly slender seven point lead.
The visitors started their use of the wind poorly, missing several easy shots, but by the end of the term Harry Davie had four. Davie, who just two weeks before had been the victim of speculation that he should be residentially tied to Richmond, would go on to kick 13.5, including eight in the last term and three out of bounds. It remained the record for goals in a game at Princes Park until the ground closed to AFL football in 2005.
Again Carlton failed to use the breeze to their advantage in the third quarter, but Melbourne made no mistake in the last as they racked up a huge win. Most of Davie's goals came from 40 to 60 yards out and at the end of the game he was carried off the ground by his teammates to the applause of supporters of both teams.
His haul fell just one short of the then league record of 14 goals in a match. It contributed to Melbourne's greatest ever victory over the Blues, but the score fell three points short of their all-time historical record set against St Kilda in 1901.
It was Melbourne's fourth win of the year in wet conditions. Davie was best alongside Lilley and Taylor.
Melbourne 12.17 d. Carlton 7.8
Goals - Dunin 2, Crossin 2, Jones 1, Ewer 1, Hazel 1
Best - Unknown
Argus - 24/08/1925
Football Record R15 1925
Football Record R2 1926
Blueseum match report
Created by Supermercado. Last Modification: Wednesday 31 October 2018 14:43:08 AEDT by Supermercado. (Version 10)
Kevin Maher
Shane Rossborough
Paul Mihan
August 1891 match vs Port Melbourne
Ned Keyburn
Peter Bardoel
Tony Keenan
Semi Final 1926
Fred Sleeman | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line118 |
__label__cc | 0.740538 | 0.259462 | "A blend of Vocal, Veena and Nagaswaram" : Violi...
"Samaja Varagamana" : Vidwan M.D. Ramanathan
Vidwans: M.D. Ramanathan, Trichy Sankaran, M. Chandrasekharan, M.S. Manjunath
Vidwan M.D. Ramanathan, known as MDR to all music lovers, is a rare star in the Carnatic firmament. His creativity and unique interpretations always earned Oohs and Aahs from the knowledgeable.
Jon Higgins, who shone briefly and impactfully in Carnatic music, was once asked why he, as a westerner, had not chosen western music for a career. His answer was insightful and, paraphrased, stated that in Carnatic music, your musical idea is more important than your voice. In western classical music, if you don't have the right kind of voice, you will not succeed as a vocalist. This is not true in Carnatic music.
But what if one were endowed with a baritone voice that would be the envy of a Pavarotti or a Bocelli? And were also blessed with a delightful musical sensibility and the creative instincts of a composer? And inherited the lineage of Thyagaraja-Patnam-Poocchi-Tiger? That was MDR. The first and foremost alumnus of the Kalakshetra Shiromani course, he was anointed by Tiger Varadachar as his successor and was a favourite of Rukmini Devi. He taught for many years in Kalakshetra, and came across to his students and others as a high soul who dwelt in the far orbits of musical creativity and shunned pettiness. He was a scholar and composer of delightful, nuanced kritis like “Thyagarajagurum Ashraye” in Kedaram.
This chronicler ( R. Sachi and click to see companion post on MDR ) first heard MDR in Mysore's famed venue Bidaram Krishnappa Ramamandiram in the mid-sixties. A childlike personality, MDR bowed down before the Pattabhi Rama picture, touching his ears with crossed hands (as one does traditionally in front of Ganesha), tucked the “Sevanthige” flower into his tuft, and got ready to serve a great feast of music in the company of Lalgudi and TVG. MDR fans always found ample humour in his concerts, what with his mannerisms, his surprisingly deep voice, and his tendency to toy with musical ideas creatively.
MDR invariably attracted “class” accompaniment. His low sruti was a challenge much like inclement weather to the violin and mridangam, but accompanists delighted in his truly rich sruti-aligned idiom and the measured gait of his music. The apt words to describe his magnificent laya would be “Samaja Varagamana”- words Thyagaraja uses to describe how Krishna (Thyagaraja has composed VERY few songs on deities other than Rama) walked with the dignity of a caparisoned elephant.
SRI SRIKANTIAH's RECOLLECTIONS
"..Sri M.D.Ramanathan was of course a fond disciple of Tiger Varadachar,and he followed the tradition set by his guru... always keeping his sruti low... his style of singing always had a great fan following..."
"... during MDR's visits to 'Parvathi', I would drive him on a few occasions to the Chamundi Hills, for Goddess Chamundeshwari's darshana in the mornings...One morning... in Parvathi... MDR decided to just sing informally, with no accompaniment... 'Mukhari' Raga and 'Ksheenamai' kriti... this informal rendering was simply an unforgettable experience for me...his rendering of Kharaharapriya ( which is featured in the posted concert ) is indeed excellent..."
"...It appears Sri Maharajapuram Santhanam and others contacted Sri Yesudas for his benefit concert for MDR when MDR was unwell... but before it could happen, MDR passed away..."
" now, I am thinking about Trichy Sankaran, too, who has accompanied MDR, here...he has made his great mark in mridangam playing... carrying on the excellent and soft mridangam playing style of his guru Sri Palani Subrahmanya Pillai. He had started to accompany quite a few senior artistes at Parvathi during the Ramanavami music festivals in the 70's ... but he decided to depart for Canada and settle down there as a distinguished Professor of Indian music... in this context, I must also tell you of a very touching thing about Sankaran's guru Sri Palani Subrahmanya Pillai...during one of his informal visits to Parvathi, he expressed his desire to take rest in Mysore for a month, and wanted to stay in the adjoining guest house of Parvathi... but it was not meant to be...as we were trying to make arrangements ... he just passed away...very very sadly..."
A SIDE NOTE
In many a picture of "Parvathi" posted on our blog (including the one above), one may have likely seen a familiar figure, ever wearing a white turban and found generally seated in the front row of a concert. To the uninitiated and at a cursory glance the person would appear as a self-effacing individual, at best a hard core Rasika. But not to those who knew of him. As the popular news paper The Hindu remembered him in an obituary "He was one of the greatest minds in Indian Philosophy and Sanskrit Literary traditions". He is none other than Mysore's famous Sanskrit scholar Prof.G.N.Chakravarthi, a recipient of the Sediyapu Award, Veda Rathna Award, a national award instituted by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and Kannada Rajyotsava Award. Ever a fixture in "Parvathi", including being friend and teacher to many of its members, he was always affectionately referred to in his lifetime as 'Meshtre' (the quintessential teacher!).
[ 01. Vanajakshi – Atatala varnam – Pallavi Gopala Iyer 02. Rama nipai – Kedara – Thyagaraja 03. Angarakam ashrayamyaham – Suruti – Muthuswami Dikshitar 04. Samaja Varagamana – Hindola – Thyagaraja 05. Lekana ninnu – Asaveri – Thyagaraja 06. Tatwameruga tarama- Garudadhwani – Thyagaraja 07. Pakkala nilabadi – Kharaharapriya – Thyagaraja 08. Sringaram Kshitinandini – Navarasa Sloka Ragamalika/Kadaikan-Begada 09. Paripalaya paripalaya – Reetigowla – Thyagaraja 10. Rama Rama – Nilambari – Thyagaraja 11. Jojo Sri Rama (utsava sampradaya) – Reetigowla – Thyagaraja 12. Mamava Pattabhi Rama – Manirangu – Muthuswami Dikshitar 13. Nati mata – Devakriya – Thyagaraja 14. Tillana – Hindustani Kapi – M.D. Ramanathan 15. Mangalam – Sowrashtra- Thyagaraja ]
Labels: K.S. Manjunath, M. Chandrasekharan, M.D. Ramanathan, Trichy Shankaran | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line121 |
__label__wiki | 0.707109 | 0.707109 | 14 March 2017 -- Obligatory Mass Day for Members of the Order March 20th.
March 14, 2017 by Pasquale Menna
3/14/17: Next Monday, March 20th, is an Obligatory Mass Day for Members of the Order.
It is the anniversary of the death of HRH Prince don Ferdinando Maria di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, Duke of Castro. (The other 2 Obligation days are 4/23 the Feast of St George and 9/14 the Exaltation of the Holy Cross).
Members of the Order collectively in their local communities or individually are obliged to attend Holy Mass on the 20th of March since it is the Memorial Mass intention for Prince don Ferdinando and all other deceased Grand Masters and Sovereigns of the Order.
Details will be posted when regional information is provided. There will be an Official Mass in conjunction with the Missa Cantata for the Feast of St Joseph at the Church of OL of Mount Carmel, Newark, NJ as previously announced with Prayers offered for our deceased Grand Master.
More information will follow.
March 14, 2017 /Pasquale Menna
12 March 2014 -- The Order will Celebrate The Feast of St. Joseph
3/12/17: Order will Celebrate Feast of St Joseph.
On March 20th, at 7PM, the members of the Delegation will gather to pray on the transferred Feast of St. Joseph.
A Solemn Missa Cantata for the Feast of St Joseph will be celebrated by our Chaplain, Very Rev. Msgr. Cav. Joseph Ambrosio at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 259 Oliver Street, (Ironbound Section), Newark, NJ. Members are to wear Church Mantle. Clergy Participants are to wear Choir Robe, Mozzetta and Decoration. Participants should arrive at 6:30 PM to vest in the Rectory.
Following the Mass, Msgr. has graciously invited us to a reception where we will have the traditional Zeppole di San Giuseppe, Sfinge and espresso.
Participants should email me at: Chancellor@constantinianorderusa.org
22 February 2017 -- The Order Mourns the Death of His Eminence, Desmond Cardinal Connell
2/22/17: The US Delegation, our Prior, His Eminence Cardinal McCarrick and Delegate, Cav John M Viola, mourn the death yesterday of our esteemed confratello, His Eminence, Desmond Cardinal Connell, Archbishop Emeritus of Dublin, Primate of Ireland, Bailiff GC of Justice of our Order and our Chief Chaplain of Ireland. His Late Eminence since 2002 was a strong and visible participant in the life of the Order through the UK-Ireland Delegation.
A message of sympathy and unity has been extended by the US Delegation to our dear confratelli of the UK-Ireland Delegation on all our behalf and especially by Cardinal McCarrick on the loss of a dear brother of the College of Cardinals.
13 February 2017 -- Appointment of Nob. Dr. Robert dei Baroni LaRocca as Vice Delegate
2/13/17: It is with great pleasure that the US Delegation welcomes its Vice Delegate. HE our Delegate, Cav. John M. Viola has appointed our confratello, Nob. Dr. Robert dei Baroni LaRocca as Vice Delegate effective immediately. He has been a long standing member of the Delegation, having been decorated as Commander in 1981; Knight Commander in the grade of Justice in December 2016 and served with loyalty and distinction during the term of Delegate David Garrison. LaRocca was a member of the National Council of the Order as the representative of HRH Prince Carlo di Borbone.
He brings a wealth of information to the deliberations of the Order and a lifetime of dedication to the Sacred Order, its works and loyalty to the Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.
27 January 2017 -- Birthday Wishes to HRH Prince Carlo-Saverio of Borbone-Parma
January 27, 2017 by Pasquale Menna
1/27/17: Our recognized legitimate collateral order, the Sacred Angelic Constantinian Order of St George of Parma celebrates today the Birthday of its Prince Grand Master, HRH Prince Carlo-Saverio of Borbone-Parma, Duke of Parma & Piacenza, Head of the Bourbon-Parma dynasty. He is the eldest son of the late Duke of Parma and Carlist heir, Prince Carlo-Ugo di Borbone-Parma and Princess Irene of the Netherlands. The King of the Netherlands is his first cousin.
The Sacred Angelic Constantinian Order of St George was recognized as a legitimate collateral Order, having its origin in the Farnese inheritance. Once King Carlo di Borbone was crowned King of Naples and Sicily, he abdicated as Duke of Parma & Piacenza to his younger brother, Prince Filippo. The Order was moved to Naples, but also continued in Parma. In the aftermath of the Congress of Vienna, Treaties were signed by the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Duchy of Parma that recognized the autonomy of the Sacred Military COSG and the Sacred Angelic COSG as separate and independent of the other with GM is the Monarchs of the Two Sicilies and Parma respectively. That relationship has continued.
January 27, 2017 /Pasquale Menna
19 January 2017 -- Commemoration of the Death of HM Queen Maria Sofia Amalia of the Two Sicilies.
Today sadly commemorates the death in 1925 of one of the most iconic historical figures in the modern European century that was a living testament to fidelity to the people who acclaimed her their monarch.
Her late Majesty, Queen Maria Sofia Amalia of the Two Sicilies, born, Duchess in Bavaria, married King Francesco II of the Two Sicilies, "the Good" in 1859. The young popular sovereigns soon shared the turbulence of invasion, international conspiracy, treachery and abandonment that followed the brutal invasion of the Two Sicilies by 150,000 Piedmontese troops without a declaration of war. The Queen, forever knows as the "Heroine of Gaeta" defied offers of sanctuary and stood on the ramparts of the Fortress of Gaeta for months caring for the wounded and dying Neapolitan troops. She was everywhere challenging the Piedmontese cannons. Her bravery stiffened the resistance of the loyal forces until resistance could only be had at the price of the wholesale slaughter of the civilian population of the Faithful City of Gaeta.
The Queen and King continued to encourage the civilian popular resistance in the the Kingdom during their forced retreat to the Papal States until 1870. Irregular forces in the Kingdom were inspired in their sacrifices to liberate their homeland until 1885; it is a period that was marked by forced immigration, repression of the peasantry, massive executions of the civilian population and enslavement of the Two Sicilies troops who had surrendered under the promised guise of amnesty.
Maria Safia was tireless in her pleas to the monarchs of Europe to recognize the plight of the enslavement of the Two Sicilies. She adamantly refused to recognize the legitimacy of the unitary state and died a proud Queen of the Two Sicilies in Munich in 1925.
Her life has been heralded by international authors as diverse as Marcel Proust and Gabriele D'Annunzio. The pre-eminent Italian anti fascist philosopher from Naples, Benedetto Croce has labeled her the best and most exemplary Queen that Naples every had. Modern Italian author Luigi Barzini referred to her as the most courageous Neapolitan in modern times. Most importantly, the people of Naples still recognize her as the Queen in their hearts and to this day, the name "Sofia" is the most popular female baby name in Naples.
We could write for hours on the life and tragedy of Queen Maria Sofia, but on this day its more important to thank God that she lived and died one of our consorelle.
The Constantinian Order had been the prerogative exclusively of males. After the death of HM King Francesco II, his brother and heir, HRH Prince Alfonso II, Count of Caserta, changed the statues of the Order and bestowed the dignity of Dame Grand Cross on HM Queen Maria Sofia. She thus became the FIRST female member of the Order.
Eternal Rest Grant o Lord unto our Queen and Consorella as she lies in state at the Basilica of Santa Chiara alongside King Francesco II and their only child, the infant, Princess Maria Pia Cristina.
Pasquale Menna
Chancellor, US Delegation
16 January 2017 -- Canon Barwig Promoted to Knight Grand Cross
1/15/17: On the occasion of the ceremonies marking the 85th birthday of Prior Emeritus, Very Rev Canon Regis Norbert Barwig, our Delegate announced that our Grand Master, HRH Prince Carlo di Borbone delle Due Sicilie has decorated Canon Barwig as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I of the Two Sicilies in recognition of his lifetime of dedication to the Order and his personal loyalty to the Royal Family. He is already decorated as Knight Commander of Ecc. Grace and holds the Gold Benemeriti medal of the Constantinian Order and is a Knight of Francis I, among his many other accolates.
31 December 2016 -- May all Blessings and Grace be with all as we enter a New Year!
December 31, 2016 by Pasquale Menna
Confratelli, Consorelle, Amici!
His Royal Highness, Prince Carlo di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, the entire Royal Family, our Prior, His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, and our Delegate, Cav. John M. Viola, extend the warmest Best Wishes to all our members, family and loved ones for a Happy New Year.
May all Blessings and Grace be with all as we enter a New Year.
It is fitting to recall our Order's connection on this the last day of our year. It is the feast of St. Pope Sylvester I. It was in great part due to the friendship of Emperor St Constantine the Great with Pope Sylvester that persecution of religion ended in the Roman Empire. The Emperor issued the Edict of Milan, which tolerated freedom of religious practice after requests from St. Helena and Pope Sylvester.
December 31, 2016 /Pasquale Menna
28 December 2016 -- A Note of Sympathy on the Death of Fr. John McGuire from T.R.H. the Duke and Duchess of Castro
26 December 2016 -- US Delegation Mourns the death of the Order's Chaplain, Knight of Ecc. Grace, the Very Rev Fr John P. McGuire, OP.
12/26/16: Our Delegation mourns the death overnight of our Chaplain, Knight of Ecc. Grace, the Very Rev Fr John P. McGuire, OP. A respected greatly loved member of the Dominican Order, Father was a reassuring, warm presence in any gathering. He was a personal friend of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Castro from the days when the Princess was at NYU and Fr McGuire was the NYU Chaplain. He assisted at the marriage of TRH in Monaco and at the Baptism of HRH the Duchess of Calabria & Palermo at the Paletine Chapel of the Royal Palace of Caserta. A leader in inter-faith understanding, for decades he was the face of the Catholic Church at NYU and Greenwich Village through his stewardship of St Joseph's Church in the Village. A Chaplain of Malta and the EOHS, he greatly valued his Chaplaincy of the SM Constantinian Order and always generously offered the use of St Joseph's for services. A friend and a giant spiritual man, he will be greatly missed.
In Hoc Signo Vinces.
23 December 2016 -- A Christmas Greeting from the Grand Master of the Constantinian Order of St. George to all Confratelli and friends.
THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES
PRINCE CARLO AND PRINCESS CAMILLA DI BORBONE DELLE DUE SICILIE
THE DUCHESS OF CALABRIA & PALERMO, THE DUCHESS OF CAPRI
GRAND PREFECT, PRINCESS BEATRICE DI BORBONE DELLE DUE SICILIE
HIS EMINENCE THEODORE CARDINAL MC CARRICK
HIS EXCELLENCY CAV. JOHN MICHAEL VIOLA
Extend to all Knights and Dames of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and to all Knights and Dames of the Royal Order of King Francis I a most Blessed and Holy Christmas 2016.
May the Grace and Spirit of the Incarnate Son of the Father be a source of light and hope to all of us, our families and loved ones as we celebrate the joy of the Nativity.
May the Peace of Bethlehem bless all traditions to work together for tolerance and reconciliation in a challenging world.
A Blessed Christmas 2016
19 December 2016 -- US Delegation Congratulates confratello, Vincent Viola, a Knight of Merit in our Order, on his nomination today by the President-elect as Secretary-designate of the Army
12/19/16: Congratulations to our distinguished confratello, Vincent Viola, a Knight of Merit in our Order, on his nomination today by the President-elect as Secretary-designate of the Army. No finer nor better candidate could have been proposed. He brings keen intelligence, a background in the military with recognized accomplishments and self made success in the world business and commerce. A proud son of Two Sicilies immigrants, he is the patriarch of a dutiful family of principled leaders in our country. We congratulate him and are overjoyed for our consorella, Dama Theresa Viola; our delegate, HE Cav. John Viola, confratello Cav. Michael Viola and Travis Viola and all other members of such a wonderful family. We are graced and blessed by their presence in our lives and our Order.
15 December 2016 -- US Delegation honors Prior Emeritus the Very Rev. Fr. Regis Norbert Barwig in Chicago
12/15/16: SAVE THE DATE: Our beloved Prior Emeritus, the Very Rev. Fr. Regis Norbert Barwig, Commander of Ecc. Grace and Knight of Francis I will be honored for his lifetime of service to the church and Order on the occasion of his 85th Birthday the weekend of January 14-15, 2017 at the Church of St John Cantius and events at the Drake Hotel, all in Chicago. Please save the date and check our E-Mail Order notification news for further details. We owe Fr Barwig and enormous debt of gratitude for his introduction of the Order and its growth in union with our late Delegate of happy memory, David Garrison. Many of us look forward to wishing our Prior Emeritus a very Happy Birthday and a Thank You.
12 December 2016 -- US Delegation welcomes the Constantinian UK Delegate, H.E. Anthony Bailey to New York
12/12/16: A warm welcome to NYC to His Excellency, the UK and Ireland Delegate, our esteemed confratello, Anthony Bailey on his arrival to our city today. We look forward to meeting tomorrow.
12 December 2016 -- US Delegation participates in Feast of Saint Lucy
12/12/16: Members of the US Delegation in NYC are reminded that the Order will be participating in the Liturgy for the great Feast of St Lucy - so dear to all Sicilians especially. The Mass will be at the Church of the Most Precious Blood on Baxter Street in Little Italy at 6 PM. Church Mantles have been authorized by our Delegate.
25 November 2016 -- US Delegation congratulates Baron Dr. Robert A. LaRocca on his new appointment
11/25/16: The Delegation congratulates our distinguished confratello, Baron Dr. Robert A. LaRocca, MD on his appointment as a Knight of Justice in our Sacred Order. The announcement was communicated by our Grand Prefect, HRH Princess Beatrice di Borbone of the Two Sicilies, on behalf of HRH Prince Carlo. Baron LaRocca, of Ft. Lee, NJ, is a descendant of a distinguished noble family of the Two Sicilies, and had for many years, served as our Delegation's Vice Delegate. He continues to participate in all our activities and his advice and counsel as well as personal friendship is appreciated.
24 November 2016 -- Their Royal Highness Prince Charles and Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies extend Thanksgiving greetings to US Delegates
11/24/16: Their Royal Highness Prince Charles and Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, in a communique released today, have extended Thanksgiving greetings to all members of the US Delegation as we celebrate Thanksgiving and have specifically extended their thanks for all that we collectively do for our Order, humankind and the care which we have for each other. Happy Thanksgiving Day.
21 November 2016 -- Delegation commemorates Anniversary of the wedding in 1832 of HM King Ferdinando II of the Two Sicilies and HRH Princess Maria Cristina of Savoy in Genova
Anniversary of the wedding in 1832 of HM King Ferdinando II of the Two Sicilies and HRH Princess Maria Cristina of Savoy in Genova. From this blessed union was born HM King Francesco II of the Two Sicilies, "il re buono" - the "Good King".
4 November 2016 -- US Delegation sends warm wishes to its Grand Master on his name day.
11/4/16: Feast of St Charles Borromeo: Our Delegation extends a warm and happy Name Day greeting to our Grand Master, HRH Prince don Carlo di Borbone delle Due Sicilie on the occasion of his Name Day. May St Charles protect and guard HRH always.
31 October 2016 -- US Delegation extends condolences to Prince and Princess Duccio Corsini
10/31/16: The delegation extends condolences to Prince and Princess Duccio Corsini on the tragic death by auto accident in London of their 21 year old son, Prince Filippo Corsini. The Corsini Princely family, mediatized princes of the Holy Roman Empire from Florence have numbered a Pope, military leaders and a saint among their Florentine and Roman ancestors. The late Prince Filippo died while on a bicycle which was struck by a lorry. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line126 |
__label__cc | 0.647849 | 0.352151 | Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Thermophoresis of a spherical p...
Core reader
Thermophoresis of a spherical particle: modelling through moment-based, macroscopic transport equations
2 Problem formulation
2.1 Thermophoresis on a sphere by a uniform temperature gradient in the far field
2.2 Uniform flow past a sphere
2.3 Equivalent Stokes–Fourier system of equations
3 Solution applying the method of multipole potentials
3.1 Particular solutions
3.2 Solution of the homogeneous equations
3.3 Final field expressions – system of equations for the integration constants
4 Results and discussion
4.1 Thermophoresis on a heat-conducting sphere
4.1.1 Flow and temperature fields
4.1.2 Thermophoretic force
4.2 Uniform flow past a heat-conducting sphere
4.3 Thermophoretic velocity
5 Concluding remarks
Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Volume 862
10 March 2019 , pp. 312-347
Juan C. Padrino (a1), James E. Sprittles (a2) and Duncan A. Lockerby (a1)
1School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
2Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
© 2019 Cambridge University Press
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2018.907
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 January 2019
Figures:
Figure 1. Sketch for the problem of thermophoresis on a sphere ( $G^{\ast }=\unicode[STIX]{x2202}T^{\ast }/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}z^{\ast }|_{\infty }$ , the far-field temperature gradient) or uniform flow past a sphere ( $G^{\ast }=U_{0}^{\ast }$ , the far-field gas velocity). The sphere’s radius is denoted by $a^{\ast }$ . In both cases, the flow field is axisymmetric with respect to the $z^{\ast }$ axis. Unit vector $\text{k}$ points in the direction of the positive $z^{\ast }$ semi axis. The spherical coordinate system $\{r^{\ast },\unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}\}$ , with origin at the sphere’s centre, is depicted.
Figure 2. Profiles of (a) radial velocity, (b) polar velocity, (c) density deviation and (d) temperature deviation in the gas as functions of the radial coordinate for the problem of thermophoresis of a sphere with a uniform temperature (i.e. $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ ). Results are obtained from the R13 exact solution, the numerical solution of Sone (2007) and his asymptotic expression for $k\rightarrow 0$ . Sone’s results are for a hard-sphere gas. Knudsen number $Kn$ is related to parameter $k$ as $Kn=\sqrt{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{1}k/2$ , with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{1}=1.270042427$ from Sone (2007).
Figure 3. Speed contours and velocity streamlines in the case of thermophoresis of a sphere for $Kn=0.02$ and 0.2, and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ computed with the exact solution from R13. Far-field temperature gradient points to the right.
Figure 4. Temperature contours and heat-flux streamlines in the case of thermophoresis of a sphere for $Kn=0.02$ and 0.2, and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ computed with the exact solution from R13. Between the contour levels 0 and 1.0 ( $-1.0$ ), the levels shown correspond to 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 ( $-0.1$ , $-0.3$ and $-0.5$ ); then they increase by 0.5 (decrease by $-0.5$ ). Far-field temperature gradient points to the right.
Figure 5. Sketch of the thermal-stress slip flow on the surface of a sphere (gas motion from hot to cold). The thin lines represent isothermal surfaces in the gas; the thick line represents the sphere’s surface (with uniform temperature $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}$ ) and the dashed line is the axis of symmetry.
Table 1. Coefficients used in expression (4.3) for the thermophoretic force on a sphere modelled with R13.
Figure 6. Dimensionless thermophoretic force from various theories as a function of Knudsen number for a heat-conducting spherical particle in a gas with a constant temperature gradient in the far field. Plots correspond to particle-to-gas thermal conductivity ratios of (a) $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ , (b) 10 and (c) $22.4\times 10^{3}$ . The experimental data of Bosworth & Ketsdever (2016) for ABS spheres ( $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=10$ ) and of Bosworth et al. (2016) for copper spheres ( $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=22.4\times 10^{3}$ ) are included in (b) and (c), respectively. The model by Sone & Aoki (1983) assumes a uniform temperature in the entire sphere ( $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ ). Predictions from Waldmann’s (1959) model, valid for the free-molecule regime ( $Kn\gg 1$ ) and independent of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ , are also included. The thin-dashed line indicates the zero-force level.
Figure 7. Profiles of (a) radial velocity, (b) polar velocity, (c) density deviation and (d) temperature deviation in the gas as functions of the radial coordinate for the problem of streaming flow past a sphere with a uniform temperature (i.e. $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ ). Results are from the R13 exact solutions obtained here and from Torrilhon (2010), the numerical solution of Sone (2007) for $k=0.1$ , and his asymptotic expression for $k\rightarrow 0$ . Sone’s results are for a hard-sphere gas. Knudsen number $Kn$ is related to parameter $k$ as $Kn=\sqrt{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{1}k/2$ , with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{1}=1.270042427$ from Sone (2007); $k=0.055$ and 0.33 correspond to $Kn=0.05$ and 0.3, respectively.
Table 2. Coefficients used in expression (4.7) for the drag force on a sphere caused by a slow, streaming flow modelled with R13.
Figure 8. Drag force acting on a sphere due to a streaming flow non-dimensionalized with Stokes’ drag versus Knudsen number resulting from the R13 moment equations for particle-to-gas heat conductivity ratios $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ . Results from Torrilhon (2010) with R13; from Young (2011) with G13 using (a) Maxwell–Smoluchowski’s set of coefficients and (b) an alternative set (see appendix D); from Sone (2007) using a model Boltzmann equation, and from experiments (Goldberg 1954; Allen & Raabe 1982) are also included.
Figure 9. Dimensionless thermophoretic velocity $Ma$ divided by product $\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2}KnEp$ as a function of Knudsen number from the R13 moment equations and from other models in the literature. The thin-dashed line indicates the zero-velocity level. Except for Waldmann–Epstein’s formula, the results are obtained for solid-to-gas heat conductivity ratios $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ , 10 and $22.4\times 10^{3}$ .
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We consider the linearized form of the regularized 13-moment equations (R13) to model the slow, steady gas dynamics surrounding a rigid, heat-conducting sphere when a uniform temperature gradient is imposed far from the sphere and the gas is in a state of rarefaction. Under these conditions, the phenomenon of thermophoresis, characterized by forces on the solid surfaces, occurs. The R13 equations, derived from the Boltzmann equation using the moment method, provide closure to the mass, momentum and energy conservation laws in the form of constitutive, transport equations for the stress and heat flux that extend the Navier–Stokes–Fourier model to include non-equilibrium effects. We obtain analytical solutions for the field variables that characterize the gas dynamics and a closed-form expression for the thermophoretic force on the sphere. We also consider the slow, streaming flow of gas past a sphere using the same model resulting in a drag force on the body. The thermophoretic velocity of the sphere is then determined from the balance between thermophoretic force and drag. The thermophoretic force is compared with predictions from other theories, including Grad’s 13-moment equations (G13), variants of the Boltzmann equation commonly used in kinetic theory, and with recently published experimental data. The new results from R13 agree well with results from kinetic theory up to a Knudsen number (based on the sphere’s radius) of approximately 0.1 for the values of solid-to-gas heat conductivity ratios considered. However, in this range of Knudsen numbers, where for a very high thermal conductivity of the solid the experiments show reversed thermophoretic forces, the R13 solution, which does result in a reversal of the force, as well as the other theories predict significantly smaller forces than the experimental values. For Knudsen numbers between 0.1 and 1 approximately, the R13 model of thermophoretic force qualitatively shows the trend exhibited by the measurements and, among the various models considered, results in the least discrepancy.
Thermophoresis refers to the force and, potentially, motion experienced by solid particles or surfaces exposed to gas under rarefied conditions and in the presence of a temperature gradient. This phenomenon seems to have been first noted by Tyndall (1870) while observing the spatial redistribution of ambient dust in the proximity of a heated surface. Commonly, the thermophoretic force has been assumed to point from the hot to the cold region, that is, opposite to the temperature gradient. This condition has been labelled as ‘positive’ thermophoresis. On the other hand, a reversal of the force direction, known as ‘negative’ thermophoresis, has also been predicted and – although rarely – observed, as discussed below. Thermophoresis belongs to a class of phenomena promoted in a gas away from thermodynamic equilibrium, which occurs when the collisions between gas molecules are insufficient. Among the various effects in this class are the velocity slip and temperature jump at solid walls and liquid–gas interfaces, transpiration flow, thermal stress, Knudsen layers and heat flux without temperature gradients (Sone 2007; Struchtrup & Torrilhon 2008). Review papers (Talbot et al. 1980; Bakanov 1991; Zheng 2002) and book sections (Sone 2007) have been written on the subject of thermophoresis. In particular, Young (2011) presented a comprehensive examination of the various theories on particle thermophoresis at arbitrary Knudsen numbers under the light of experimental data, and concluded that the accuracy of the measurements and the interval of Knudsen numbers explored are such that confirmation of the validity of the theories could not be achieved.
The main measure of departure from local thermodynamic equilibrium in a gas is the Knudsen number, defined as the ratio of the mean free path between collisions and a characteristic macroscopic length scale. Typically, it is accepted that for Knudsen numbers below 0.01 the Navier–Stokes equations and the Fourier law for conductive heat flux are reliable. Beyond this threshold, because departure from equilibrium may be significant, predictions from these models become doubtful and models from kinetic theory, based on the Boltzmann equation for the molecular velocity distribution function, take precedence. For Knudsen numbers of order unity or higher, solution of the Boltzmann equation either directly or by means of stochastic techniques such as the direct simulation Monte Carlo method (DSMC) of Bird (1994) are computationally tractable, in general. On the other hand, in the interval of Knudsen numbers between, roughly, 0.01 and 1 such computations become increasingly expensive (Torrilhon 2016).
Since for gas flows confined in micro- or nano-devices the Knudsen number may lie in the transition regime or beyond, it is important to resort to models capable of describing, at least qualitatively, rarefaction effects when designing or analysing such systems. Other examples include the transport of particles or droplets by a gaseous stream, or of bubbles by a liquid, when the size of these solid or fluid objects lies in the micrometre or nanometre range. Although the Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations of classical hydrodynamics can be extended into the transition regime for Knudsen numbers beyond 0.01 by including slip and jump effects in the boundary conditions, not all rarefaction effects occurring in the bulk can be captured by this approximation (Mohammadzadeh et al. 2015; Torrilhon 2016). Another aspect relevant to modelling micro- or nano-flows is that, for such small scales, the flow Reynolds number is typically smaller than one, so that neglecting inertia is an admissible assumption.
Efforts to model thermophoresis or related phenomena can be traced back for more than a century. The first theory on gas motion induced by temperature gradients was due to Maxwell (1879). His analysis stems from kinetic theory. Later, Epstein (1929) presented a theory for the thermophoretic force on a spherical particle for small Knudsen numbers based on the continuum approach that takes into account thermal slip as well as the particle’s thermal conductivity. Waldmann (1959) derived a model valid in the free-molecule regime (large Knudsen numbers) that has been widely applied. Brock (1962) improved Epstein’s theory to develop an expression for the thermophoretic force for Knudsen numbers ${\lesssim}$ 0.1. Talbot et al. (1980) proposed a correlation for the transition regime by modifying the coefficients in Brock’s expression such that Waldmann’s free-molecule regime expression was approached at large Knudsen numbers.
A commonly used route to study gas flow in the transition regime from first principles, since numerical solutions of the Boltzmann equation can be computationally very costly, has been the analysis of linearized versions of the Boltzmann equation with simpler models for the collision term. Some of the simpler models applied to the problem of thermophoresis of a spherical particle include the Bhatnager, Gross, and Krook model (BGK) (Sone & Aoki 1983; Yamamoto & Ishihara 1988; Takata et al. 1993; Sone 2007) the S model (Beresnev & Chernyak 1995) and the hard-sphere model (Sone 2007).
An alternative approach to model rarefied gas flow is the use of macroscopic transport equations derived using moment methods. In the original moment method, introduced by Grad (1949), the distribution function in the Boltzmann equation was expanded in Hermite polynomials and the macroscopic variables describing the flow were represented as moments (integrals) of this distribution. For the first approximation beyond the Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations, in total, thirteen moments are needed for the same number of fields, namely, mass density, macroscopic velocity vector, temperature, heat-flux vector and deviatoric stress tensor (symmetric and trace free), yielding Grad’s 13-moment equations (G13). The pressure appears through an equation of state, typically, the ideal gas law. Dwyer (1967) presented a theory for the thermophoretic force on a spherical particle based on Grad’s moment method predicting, for the first time, reversed thermophoresis. Recently, Young (2011) noted that Dwyer did not account for the totality of the stress and heat-flux coupling terms in the temperature jump boundary condition. Young corrected this and rederived the expression for thermophoretic force from the G13 equations. He then modified this result to present an interpolation formula that fits Waldmann’s expression for large Knudsen numbers and, by introducing values for the thermal creep, velocity slip, and temperature jump coefficients cited by Sharipov (2004) based on solutions of model Boltzmann equations, also matches results from kinetic theory for small Knudsen numbers.
A notorious deficiency of the G13 equations is their inability to describe Knudsen layers, that is, regions adjacent to solid surfaces where rarefaction effects are conspicuous. Struchtrup & Torrilhon (2003) regularized Grad’s 13-moment equations (R13) by adding second-order derivatives to the closures. Starting with the Boltzmann equation, R13 equations are best derived using the order of magnitude method (Struchtrup 2005a ; Struchtrup et al. 2017). The R13 equations are equipped with a set of boundary conditions which are valid at walls or gas–liquid interfaces without mass transfer (Torrilhon & Struchtrup 2008) or at evaporating and condensing interfaces (Struchtrup & Frezzotti 2016; Struchtrup et al. 2017). In contrast to G13, these equations can partially capture the structure and effects of the Knudsen layer. Because they involve the typical variables describing fluid flow and heat transfer at the macroscopic level, interpretation of results may be facilitated by inspecting specific terms in the differential equations, contributing to a good physical understanding. In addition, the extension of tested, well-established numerical techniques in computational fluid dynamics to this system of equations may be achieved straightforwardly. Also, because the boundary conditions have been derived for sharp surfaces of discontinuity, R13 equations can be applied to two-phase systems involving a rarefied gas and a liquid sharing an interface whose instantaneous position is another unknown in the problem. With R13, the limit of continuum models to give meaningful results when rarefaction effects are important has been pushed to a Knudsen number of approximately 0.5 in the transition regime (Torrilhon 2016; Struchtrup et al. 2017). Early advances in the development of moment methods, with emphasis on R13, can be found in the textbook by Struchtrup (2005b ); more recent developments and applications of R13 have been compiled in the reviews by Struchtrup & Taheri (2011) and Torrilhon (2016).
To the best of our knowledge, application of R13 to investigate transport phenomena involving spherical or near spherical particles in rarefied environments is limited to the analytical work of Torrilhon (2010) on the slow flow of gas past a sphere, and to the numerical treatment of the same problem by Claydon et al. (2017) using a mesh-free method. The application of R13 to model thermophoresis on a spherical particle has not yet been pursued. After recognizing the complexity of the R13 equations in comparison to G13, Young (2011) carried out the modelling of this problem with the latter. In the conclusions of his article, he recommends ‘solving the R13-moment equations in order to study reversed thermophoresis in greater detail’.
The aim of this work is to obtain the thermophoretic force acting on a sphere surrounded by a rarefied gas exposed to a uniform temperature gradient far from the sphere using the R13 equations and taking into account heat conductivity inside the sphere. In addition, we compute the thermophoretic velocity of the sphere when this is free to move under the thermophoretic force. This velocity corresponds to the balance between the thermophoretic force and the drag caused on the sphere in its motion by the surrounding gas. To model the drag, we expand the scope in Torrilhon’s (2010) work with R13 to include the thermal conductivity of the solid (i.e. a non-isothermal sphere), even though the drag has been shown to be fairly insensitive to changes in this parameter (Sone 2007). Instead of using the form of the solution for classical Stokes flow past a sphere to write the ansatz for the equations (cf. Torrilhon 2010), we apply a somewhat more general approach, namely, the method of multipole potentials. We present closed-form expressions for the thermophoretic force and the drag resulting from R13. We compare predictions for the thermophoretic force from this model with results from simplified models of the Boltzmann equation used in kinetic theory and from other systems of moment equations. We include in the comparison the new experimental data by Bosworth et al. (2016) for both positive and negative thermophoresis.
The content of this paper is organized as follows. In the next section, we separately formulate the problems of thermophoresis of a spherical particle and of slow flow of a rarefied gas past a sphere and introduce the main tool of analysis, the regularized 13-moment equations, or R13, and their boundary conditions for the gas–solid interface in linearized form. We then rewrite the system of equations in a different form, more convenient for the solution method of the following section. In § 3, we describe the solution of the system of equations; the procedure involves the method of multipole potentials. Next, § 4 begins by discussing results for the problem of thermophoresis on a sphere, including spatial profiles for the macroscopic field variables, contour plots and streamline patterns and the thermophoretic force, exploring the effect of the solid-to-gas thermal conductivity ratio. For the force, we compare results from R13 with recent experimental data showing reversed thermophoresis and with other models from the literature. Then, we present results for the drag force arising from the gas flow past a sphere from R13 considering the sphere’s heat conductivity and compare with theoretical predictions from the literature, including Torrilhon’s (2010) R13 results in the case of an isothermal particle, which serves as validation of the solution method implemented here. The section closes presenting results for the thermophoretic velocity from R13 and other models. Finally, § 5 contains some concluding remarks.
In this section we formulate mathematically two problems involving a sphere in a rarefied gas. First, we consider the problem of thermophoresis of a spherical particle with the gas far from the sphere at rest with a uniform temperature gradient. Second, we detail the problem of a uniform flow past a sphere with no temperature gradient imposed in the far field. The results of these two problems will be combined later to obtain the thermophoretic velocity of a sphere.
Consider a gas at rest with uniform, constant pressure $p_{0}^{\ast }$ and temperature $T_{0}^{\ast }$ surrounding a sphere of radius $a^{\ast }$ at the same temperature and motionless with respect to the laboratory frame. Under these conditions, the gas is in equilibrium with vanishing heat flux and deviatoric stress. In energy units, the temperature in this state is given by $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}^{\ast }=R^{\ast }T_{0}^{\ast }$ , where $R^{\ast }$ is the gas specific constant. Suppose that this state of equilibrium is disturbed by imposing, far from the sphere, a temperature field, $T_{0}^{\ast }+z^{\ast }(\unicode[STIX]{x2202}T^{\ast }/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}z^{\ast })_{\infty }$ , with $(\unicode[STIX]{x2202}T^{\ast }/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}z^{\ast })_{\infty }$ constant, and where plane $z^{\ast }=0$ passes through the sphere’s centre (figure 1). The viscosity and thermal conductivity coefficient of the gas evaluated at the equilibrium state are denoted by $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{0}^{\ast }$ and $k_{0}^{\ast }$ , respectively. The thermal conductivity coefficient for the sphere’s material is denoted by $k_{s}^{\ast }$ (constant). The gas is assumed to be ideal, so that in the equilibrium state the gas density is $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{0}^{\ast }=p_{0}^{\ast }/\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}^{\ast }$ . Assume also that the ratio of the gas molecules’ mean free path to the sphere radius is such that rarefaction effects cannot be ignored. On the basis of this ratio, we introduce a Knudsen number
(2.1) $$\begin{eqnarray}Kn=\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{0}^{\ast }\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}^{\ast \,1/2}}{p_{0}^{\ast }\,a^{\ast }}.\end{eqnarray}$$
Note that, from kinetic theory, a commonly used definition for the gas mean free path in the undisturbed state is $(\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2)^{1/2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{0}^{\ast }\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}^{\ast \,1/2}/p_{0}^{\ast }$ . In definition of (2.1), we have dropped the factor $(\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2)^{1/2}$ for simplicity.
In what follows, we consider the governing equations for a monatomic gas composed of Maxwell molecules. In this case, the Prandtl number $Pr=2/3$ . From the well-known definition of $Pr$ , a useful relationship between the gas thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity can be obtained (Struchtrup 2005b )
(2.2) $$\begin{eqnarray}k_{0}^{\ast }=\frac{5}{2}\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{0}^{\ast }R^{\ast }}{Pr}=\frac{15}{4}\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{0}^{\ast }R^{\ast }.\end{eqnarray}$$
For a monatomic gas, the ratio of specific heats is $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}=5/3$ (e.g. see Young 2011).
With the aim of modelling flow and heat transfer phenomena in a rarefied gas, we consider the conservation laws for mass, momentum and energy, supplemented by the constitutive equations for the deviatoric stress and heat flux from the R13 theory, and the associated augmented set of boundary conditions for a gas–solid interface. We are interested here in the steady-state gas flow and temperature fields, in the gas and solid, resulting from the far-field temperature gradient and gas rarefaction. Assuming that the dimensionless group $a^{\ast }(\unicode[STIX]{x2202}T^{\ast }/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}z^{\ast })_{\infty }/T_{0}^{\ast }\ll 1$ , we can model the transport phenomena using the linearized version of the governing equations written in terms of deviations from the equilibrium state. The non-dimensional form of these deviations can be written as
(2.3) $$\begin{eqnarray}\left.\begin{array}{@{}c@{}}p=p^{\ast }/p_{0}^{\ast },\quad \unicode[STIX]{x1D703}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}^{\ast }/\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}^{\ast },\quad \unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}^{\ast }/\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{0}^{\ast },\\ \text{u}=\text{u}^{\ast }/\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}^{\ast \,1/2},\quad \text{q}=\text{q}^{\ast }/(p_{0}^{\ast }\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}^{\ast \,1/2}),\quad \unicode[STIX]{x1D748}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{\ast }/p_{0}^{\ast },\end{array}\right\}\end{eqnarray}$$
for the pressure, temperature, density, velocity, heat flux and deviatoric stress, respectively, in the gas. The deviatoric stress is symmetric and trace free. Length is non-dimensionalized with the sphere’s radius $a^{\ast }$ . The temperature deviation in the sphere $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}^{\ast }$ is non-dimensionalized as that for the gas. The dimensionless form of the temperature gradient defines a new dimensionless group, the Epstein number – coined by Young (2011) after P. S. Epstein, a pioneer in the study of thermophoresis of spherical particles, who presented the first theory on the subject (Epstein 1929). It is given by
(2.4) $$\begin{eqnarray}Ep=\frac{a^{\ast }(\unicode[STIX]{x2202}T^{\ast }/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}z^{\ast })_{\infty }}{T_{0}^{\ast }}.\end{eqnarray}$$
Note that the non-dimensional pressure and temperature fields in the gas are given by $1+p$ and $1+\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ , respectively, whereas the temperature in the sphere is $1+\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}$ . On the other hand, $\text{ u}$ , $\text{q}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ in (2.3) determine the actual velocity, heat flux and deviatoric stress in the gas.
The linearized, steady conservation equations of gas, momentum and energy are
(2.5a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{u}=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.5b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D735}p+\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.5c ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{q}=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
whilst the R13 constitutive equations for the deviatoric stress and heat flux are given by (Struchtrup 2005b ; Lockerby & Collyer 2016; Torrilhon 2016)
(2.6a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \left(1-{\textstyle \frac{2}{3}}Kn^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}\right)\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}-{\textstyle \frac{4}{5}}Kn^{2}\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}}=-2Kn\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\text{u}}-{\textstyle \frac{4}{5}}Kn\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\text{q}}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.6b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \left(1-{\textstyle \frac{9}{5}}Kn^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}\right)\text{q}=-{\textstyle \frac{15}{4}}Kn\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}-{\textstyle \frac{3}{2}}Kn\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}. & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
The overbar in expressions (2.6) denotes a symmetric and trace-free tensor; $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}$ denotes the Laplacian operator. The temperature in the spherical particle satisfies the classical steady heat equation
(2.7) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x0394}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}=0.\end{eqnarray}$$
Far from the sphere’s surface, the imposed disturbance is represented by the uniform temperature gradient $Ep\,\text{k}$ , where $\text{k}$ designates the unit vector pointing in the direction of the positive $z$ semi-axis. It is convenient to write the problem in such a way that deviations from the base (equilibrium) state vanish in the far field. For this purpose we introduce the transformations
(2.8a-c ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}=\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}+Ep\,z,\quad \unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}=\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}_{s}+Ep\,z,\quad \text{q}=\check{\text{q}}-{\textstyle \frac{15}{4}}Kn\,Ep\,\text{k},\end{eqnarray}$$
whereas the rest of the variables are left unchanged. With (2.8), expressions (2.5)–(2.7) remain invariant in form. On the other hand, the boundary conditions do change after using (2.8). Note that subscript ‘ $s$ ’ will be used to denote quantities in the solid sphere.
Equations (2.5)–(2.7) will be solved subjected to the following boundary conditions taken from Struchtrup et al. (2017) in the absence of phase change (see also Struchtrup & Frezzotti 2016) at the solid–gas interface $r=1$ , with $r=|\text{x}|$ , where $\text{x}$ is the position vector with origin at the sphere’s centre. The quantities at the interface corresponding to the liquid in Struchtrup et al. (2017) are, in the present work, associated with the solid (sphere). Note that in this case, boundary conditions (37)–(41) in Struchtrup et al. (2017) reduce to the wall boundary conditions (33)–(37) in Torrilhon & Struchtrup (2008) if the gas flow is two-dimensional. In all these equations for the boundary the accommodation coefficient has been set equal to one and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ , $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}$ and $\text{q}$ have been substituted according to (2.8).
The generalized slip condition is
(2.9) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\,n}=\,-\left(\frac{2}{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}\right)^{1/2}\left[(u_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}}-u_{s,t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}})+\frac{1}{5}\left(\check{q}_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}}-\frac{15}{4}Kn\,Ep\,\text{k}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{t}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\right)+\frac{1}{2}\text{m}_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\,nn}\right].\end{eqnarray}$$
The generalized temperature jump condition is
(2.10) $$\begin{eqnarray}\check{q}_{n}-\frac{15}{4}Kn\,Ep\,\text{k}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{n}=-\left(\frac{2}{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}\right)^{1/2}\left[2(\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}-\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}_{s})+\frac{1}{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{nn}+\frac{5}{28}\text{R}_{nn}\right].\end{eqnarray}$$
The generalized interface conditions for higher moments are
(2.11) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \text{m}_{nnn}=\left(\frac{2}{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}\right)^{1/2}\left[\frac{2}{5}(\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}-\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}_{s})-\frac{7}{5}\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{nn}-\frac{1}{14}\text{R}_{nn}\right], & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.12) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \text{m}_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}n}=-\left(\frac{2}{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}\right)^{1/2}\left[\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}}+\frac{1}{14}\text{R}_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}}+\frac{1}{5}\{(\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}-\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}_{s})-\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{nn}\}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}\right], & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.13) $$\begin{eqnarray}\text{R}_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\,n}=\left(\frac{2}{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}\right)^{1/2}\left[(u_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}}-u_{s,t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}})-\frac{11}{5}\left(\check{q}_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}}-\frac{15}{4}Kn\,Ep\,\text{k}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{t}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\right)-\frac{1}{2}\text{m}_{t_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\,nn}\right].\end{eqnarray}$$
Furthermore, the solution must also satisfy the non-penetration condition
(2.14) $$\begin{eqnarray}u_{n}=0,\end{eqnarray}$$
and the interfacial linearized energy balance (Young 2011)
(2.15) $$\begin{eqnarray}\check{q}_{n}+{\textstyle \frac{15}{4}}Kn\,(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}-1)Ep\,\text{n}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{k}=-{\textstyle \frac{15}{4}}Kn\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\,\text{n}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}_{s},\end{eqnarray}$$
where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ is the solid-to-gas thermal conductivity ratio $k_{s}^{\ast }/k_{0}^{\ast }$ . Here, indices $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$ can take a value of 1 or 2; $\text{n}$ is the unit vector normal to the interface pointing into the gas; $\text{t}_{1}$ and $\text{t}_{2}$ represent two mutually orthogonal unit vectors tangential to the interface, and subscripts $n$ , $t_{1}$ and $t_{2}$ denote components in the corresponding normal or any of the two tangential directions, respectively. In these interfacial conditions one must set $u_{s,t_{1}}=u_{s,t_{2}}=0$ . Regarding the far field, all deviations from the basic equilibrium state must vanish as $r\rightarrow \infty$ .
Boundary conditions (2.14) and (2.15) hold for the interface between a fluid and an impenetrable solid. Their counterparts for a fluid–fluid interface are given by the conditions for mass and energy conservation presented, for instance, in appendix A of Struchtrup et al. (2017) – note that in their expression (A5), the internal energy should be written instead of the enthalpy.
The interfacial conditions contain the components of the higher-order moments $\text{R}$ and $\text{m}$ , a rank-two and rank-three tensor, respectively. These are defined as
(2.16a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \text{R}=-{\textstyle \frac{24}{5}}Kn\,\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\check{\text{q}}}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.16b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \text{m}=-2Kn\,\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}}. & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
The full nonlinear expressions for the heat flux $\text{q}$ , deviatoric stress $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ and higher-order moments $\text{R}$ and $\text{m}$ that lead to (2.6) and (2.16) can be found in Struchtrup (2005b , see chapters 7 and 9) – there, a third (scalar) higher-order moment is also present that contributes nothing to the linear equations when $\text{q}$ is divergence free. Once these equations are linearized, relations (2.16) are then used to eliminate $\text{R}$ and $\text{m}$ resulting in (2.6).
It is important to note that because $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ , $\text{R}$ and $\text{m}$ are trace-free tensors, we have that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{nn}=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{t_{1}t_{1}}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{t_{2}t_{2}}$ , $\text{R}_{nn}=-\text{R}_{t_{1}t_{1}}-\text{R}_{t_{2}t_{2}}$ and $\text{m}_{nnn}=-\text{m}_{t_{1}t_{1}n}-\text{m}_{t_{2}t_{2}n}$ . Using these constraints, we can easily show that boundary condition (2.11) can be obtained by writing (2.12) twice, first for $\text{m}_{t_{1}t_{1}n}$ and then for $\text{m}_{t_{2}t_{2}n}$ , and adding the resulting expressions. Therefore, it suffices for the solution to satisfy only one of these equations provided (2.11) is also satisfied.
Since these boundary conditions will be applied to a spherical interface, it is fitting to introduce a system of spherical-polar coordinates $(r,\unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\unicode[STIX]{x1D711})$ with its origin, $r=0$ , located at the centre of the solid sphere (figure 1). Here, $0\leqslant r<\infty$ , $0\leqslant \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\leqslant \unicode[STIX]{x03C0}$ , and $0\leqslant \unicode[STIX]{x1D711}<2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}$ . Semi-axis $\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}=0$ coincides with the positive $z$ semi-axis. To these coordinate directions correspond unit vectors $\hat{\text{r}}$ , $\hat{\unicode[STIX]{x1D751}}$ and $\hat{\unicode[STIX]{x1D753}}$ , respectively; these triplet forms an orthogonal set. Thus $\{\hat{\text{r}},\hat{\unicode[STIX]{x1D751}},\hat{\unicode[STIX]{x1D753}}\}$ take the place of the set $\{\text{n},\text{t}_{1},\text{t}_{2}\}$ when writing the boundary conditions. The problems considered here are axisymmetric, so quantities do not vary in the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}$ direction.
Finally, if needed, the gas density deviation from its value at equilibrium can be computed from the linearized form of the ideal gas equation of state, $p=\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ .
Suppose that instead of prescribing a far-field temperature gradient, the state of equilibrium of the gas described in the previous section is disturbed by imposing, far from the sphere, a uniform flow with constant velocity $U_{0}^{\ast }$ in the $z^{\ast }$ -direction. We can model this flow, including rarefaction effects, by using the linearized conservation laws, R13 constitutive relations and boundary conditions written for the disturbances, provided the dimensionless (Reynolds) number $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{0}^{\ast }U_{0}^{\ast }a^{\ast }/\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{0}^{\ast }\ll 1$ . Again, steady state will be assumed. Our work will extend Torrilhon’s (2010) efforts on this problem by including heat conduction throughout the sphere. Furthermore, we will present an expression for the drag force over the sphere from our analytical solution – a closed-form expression for the drag was not given in Torrilhon’s work. Combining this expression for the drag with that for the thermophoretic force will result in the thermophoretic velocity when these two forces balanced each other.
For convenience, we transform the original problem to the equivalent one of the disturbance flow resulting from a sphere translating with dimensionless velocity $-Ma\,\text{k}$ in a fluid at rest far away from the sphere. Here, $Ma$ is a pseudo Mach number
(2.17) $$\begin{eqnarray}Ma=\frac{U_{0}^{\ast }}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}^{\ast \,1/2}}.\end{eqnarray}$$
The actual Mach number can be obtained by multiplying $Ma$ by $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}^{-1/2}$ , with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}$ the specific heat ratio.
We thus set $\text{u}=\check{\text{u}}+Ma\text{k}$ , so that $\check{\text{u}}\rightarrow 0$ as $r\rightarrow \infty$ . The governing equations and boundary conditions for this problem are obtained from those in § 2.1 by writing $\check{\text{u}}$ instead of $\text{u}$ , dropping the ‘ $\check{~}\,$ ’ from $\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}$ , $\check{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}_{s}$ and $\check{\text{q}}$ and setting $Ep=0$ , ${\check{u}}_{s,t_{1}}={\check{u}}_{s,\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}=-Ma\,\text{k}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\hat{\unicode[STIX]{x1D751}}$ and ${\check{u}}_{s,t_{2}}={\check{u}}_{s,\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}}=0$ . In addition, instead of (2.14) we must have
(2.18) $$\begin{eqnarray}{\check{u}}_{n}=-Ma\,\text{k}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{n}.\end{eqnarray}$$
Hereinafter, we drop symbol ‘ $\check{~}\,$ ’ unless otherwise noted.
We shall proceed to rewrite the linearized R13-moment equations introduced previously as an equivalent Stokes–Fourier set of equations supplemented by non-homogeneous elliptic equations for the pressure, heat flux and deviatoric stress. To this alternative system of equations, we can apply, somewhat straightforwardly, analytical tools used successfully in scalar and, more notably, vector equations appearing in slow flow hydrodynamics. By introducing the auxiliary variables
(2.19) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D755} & = & \displaystyle \text{u}+{\textstyle \frac{2}{5}}\text{q},\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.20) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D701} & = & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D703}-{\textstyle \frac{2}{5}}p,\end{eqnarray}$$
it can be readily shown that expressions (2.5)–(2.6) can be written as the equivalent Stokes–Fourier system
(2.21a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D755}=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.21b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D72E}=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.21c ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D734}=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.22a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \unicode[STIX]{x1D72E}=-2Kn\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D755}}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.22b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \unicode[STIX]{x1D734}=-{\textstyle \frac{15}{4}}Kn\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
coupled with the set of equations
(2.23) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle (\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2})p=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1},\quad \unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}=(5/6)^{1/2}Kn^{-1}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.24) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle (\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{2})\text{q}=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D734},\quad \unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}=(5/9)^{1/2}Kn^{-1}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.25) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle (\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2})\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D72E}+{\textstyle \frac{4}{5}}Kn^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}p},\quad \unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}=(3/2)^{1/2}Kn^{\,-1}. & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
Furthermore, because of (2.21a ) and (2.21c ), (2.21b ) and (2.22b ) lead to
(2.26) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x0394}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(2.27) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x0394}\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
and, with (2.22a ), expression (2.21b ) becomes
(2.28) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x0394}\unicode[STIX]{x1D755}=Kn^{-1}\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}.\end{eqnarray}$$
Equations (2.21a ) and (2.21c ) result from (2.5a ), (2.5c ) and from the divergence of (2.6b ). Expression (2.21b ) is obtained by taking the divergence of (2.6a ), using (2.5b ) to eliminate $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ in favour of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}p$ , collecting the terms containing this vector and introducing $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}$ defined in (2.23). Finally, expressions (2.24) and (2.25) are simply (2.6a ) and (2.6b ) written in terms of auxiliary variables $\unicode[STIX]{x1D734}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D72E}$ , respectively. Rewriting the R13-moment equations in a way that includes the more familiar form of (2.21) or, more recognizably, (2.26)–(2.28), will facilitate the application to this set of equations of analytical methods used in the solution of the equations for Stokes flow in vector form. We shall extend these methods to (2.23)–(2.25), which include a rank-two tensor, second-order differential equation.
In this section, we seek solutions for the flow disturbances in the gas that vanish in the far field alongside temperature profiles inside the sphere which are coupled through the set of conditions prescribed at the sphere’s surface.
Consider partial differential equations (2.26)–(2.28) and (2.23)–(2.25) for the gas, and (2.7) for the temperature in the solid particle. Based on this, scalar fields $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}$ , $\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}$ are harmonic functions. For fields $\unicode[STIX]{x1D755}$ , $p$ , $\text{q}$ , $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ , their solutions will be written as the sum of the solution of the homogeneous equation plus a particular solution of (2.28) and (2.23)–(2.25), respectively (e.g. see Lamb 1932; Leal 2007). The solutions of the homogeneous equations will be found with the method of multipole potentials. After these fields have been determined, the velocity and temperature fields $\text{u}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ can be obtained from expressions (2.19) and (2.20), respectively.
Starting with (2.28), to find a particular solution we let
(3.1) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D71B}_{i}^{(p)}=Kn^{-1}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{i}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1},\end{eqnarray}$$
where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{i}$ is a vector field to be determined and the subscript $i$ denotes Cartesian index notation. Computing
(3.2) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x0394}\unicode[STIX]{x1D71B}_{i}^{(p)}=Kn^{-1}(\unicode[STIX]{x0394}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{i})\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}+2Kn^{-1}\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{i}}{\unicode[STIX]{x2202}x_{j}}\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}}{\unicode[STIX]{x2202}x_{j}},\end{eqnarray}$$
after using the fact that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}$ is harmonic, and comparing this result with the left-hand side of (2.28), namely, $Kn^{-1}\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}x_{i}$ , we find $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{i}=0$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{i}/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}x_{j}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ij}/2$ , where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ij}$ is the Kronecker delta. Therefore, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{i}=x_{i}/2$ and (Leal 2007)
(3.3) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D755}^{(p)}={\textstyle \frac{1}{2}}Kn^{-1}\text{x}\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1},\end{eqnarray}$$
with $\text{x}$ the position vector from the centre of the sphere. Next, for (2.23) and (2.24), solutions $p^{(p)}$ and $\text{q}^{(p)}$ can be readily found by inspection by using the fact that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}$ are harmonic functions. This leads to
(3.4) $$\begin{eqnarray}p^{(p)}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.5) $$\begin{eqnarray}\text{q}^{(p)}=-{\textstyle \frac{15}{4}}Kn\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D701},\end{eqnarray}$$
respectively.
Finally, solution $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(p)}$ for (2.25), after eliminating $\unicode[STIX]{x1D72E}$ with (2.22a ), can be found by letting
(3.6) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(p)}=2Kn\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}\,\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D737}}+{\textstyle \frac{4}{5}}Kn^{2}\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}\,\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}},\end{eqnarray}$$
such that vector field $\unicode[STIX]{x1D737}$ and scalar field $\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}$ satisfy, respectively,
(3.7a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle (\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2})\unicode[STIX]{x1D737}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D755}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.7b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle (\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2})\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}=p. & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
After adding and subtracting $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}$ to the left-hand side of (3.7b ), we seek solutions of (3.7) of the form
(3.8a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D737}=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D755}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}+m\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.8b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D702}=p/(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2})+n\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}. & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
Substitution of (3.8) into (3.7) results in $m=-Kn^{-1}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{4}$ and $n=-(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3})^{2}/(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2})$ , so that
(3.9a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D737}=-{\textstyle \frac{1}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{4}}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D755}+Kn^{-1}\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}), & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.9b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D702}=\frac{1}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}}\left(p-\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}\right), & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(p)}$ is given by (3.6) with (3.9); it is symmetric and trace free.
The form of the solutions of the homogeneous equations associated with (2.28) and (2.23)–(2.25) is constructed by means of the method of multipole potentials. This method is presented in the context of classical hydrodynamics and applied to problems of low Reynolds number flows in Leal (2007, chap. 8) as well as thoroughly discussed and used in a wider range of problems of mathematical physics in Hess (2015, chap. 10). In the former, it is named as the method of superposition of vector harmonic functions. The most illustrative example discussed in those sources is perhaps the problem of Stokes flow past a sphere. As we shall see, a significant advantage of the method of multipole potentials concerning our problem is that we can obtain the solution of the deviatoric stress $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ without going through the complexity of writing and solving differential equations for its scalar components in spherical coordinates. The general definitions of multipole potential tensors, the form of the first few of them and properties relevant to this work are presented in appendix A.
Because the governing equations and boundary conditions are linear in the perturbation fields, and the non-homogeneous terms in the boundary conditions must be linear in $G\text{k}$ , with $G=Ep$ or $G=Ma$ for the problems in §§ 2.1 or 2.2, respectively, the homogeneous solutions are constructed by adding products of multipole potentials with vector $G\text{k}$ . From the set of all multipole potential tensors, the method of multipole potential guides the selection of those potentials that should be used to construct the solution. Only those multipole potentials that conform to the rank of the unknown field (i.e. whether it is a scalar, a vector, a rank-two tensor, etc.), its symmetry, and its parity (i.e. whether it is a true scalar, true vector or true tensor or a pseudo-scalar, pseudo-vector or pseudo-tensor), after their product with $G\text{k}$ can be part of the solution. Regarding the parity attribute, in general terms, the components of a true scalar, vector or tensor change sign when subjected to an improper rotation, such as a reflection or inversion – e.g. changing the coordinate system from right-handed to left-handed – in order to continue properly describing an unchanged physical situation (Arfken et al. 2012, chap. 3). For a so-called pseudo-scalar, vector or tensor, their components do not change sign accordingly. For instance, the angular velocity is a pseudo-vector. A deeper look at this aspect and, in general, at the method of multipole potentials for constructing solutions of physical quantities is beyond the scope of the present article. For detailed discussions and a list of enlightening examples, the reader may referred to the cited books by Leal (2007) and Hess (2015).
Following these considerations, using Cartesian index notation, and letting $G_{i}$ be the components of vector $G\text{k}$ , we can write for the solutions
(3.10) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}=A_{1}G_{j}X_{j}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.11) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D701}=B_{1}G_{j}X_{j}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.12) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D71B}_{i}=C_{1}G_{i}X_{0}+C_{2}G_{j}X_{ji}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D71B}_{i}^{(p)}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.13) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle p=a(r)\,G_{j}X_{j}+p^{(p)}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.14) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle q_{i}=b(r)\,G_{i}X_{0}+c(r)\,G_{j}X_{ji}+q_{i}^{(p)}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.15) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{ij}=f(r)\,\left[{\textstyle \frac{1}{2}}(G_{i}X_{j}+G_{j}X_{i})-{\textstyle \frac{1}{3}}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ij}\,G_{k}X_{k}\right]+g(r)\,G_{k}X_{kij}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{ij}^{(p)}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
where terms with superscript ‘ $(p)$ ’ are given by (3.3)–(3.6); $A_{1}$ , $B_{1}$ , $C_{1}$ and $C_{2}$ , are constants to be determined by the boundary conditions, and fields $X_{0}$ , $X_{i}$ , $X_{ij},\ldots \,$ , denote the descending multipole potentials listed in appendix A. Note that in (3.13)–(3.15) we use functions of the radial coordinate $a(r)$ , $b(r)$ , $c(r)$ , $f(r)$ and $g(r)$ , instead of constants as for (3.10)–(3.12), because the solutions of the homogeneous equations for $p$ , $\text{q}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ , must satisfy modified Helmholtz equations rather than Laplace equations. The descending multipole potentials satisfy Laplace equation for $r\neq 0$ . In the present problem, $r=0$ is outside the gas domain.
For the interior of the sphere, the temperature profile is given by the ascending multipole potential
(3.16) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}=D_{1}r^{3}G_{j}X_{j},\end{eqnarray}$$
which introduces another constant, $D_{1}$ . Both the equivalence in tensor rank and parity between the left- and right-hand sides of (3.10)–(3.16) determined the type of products employed between the external perturbation vector $G_{i}$ and the multipole potential tensors in these expressions.
Because $\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}$ is harmonic, equation (3.5) yields $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{q}^{(p)}=0$ . With the divergence-free vector $\text{q}=\text{q}^{(h)}+\text{q}^{(p)}$ , where superscript ‘( $h$ )’ denotes the homogeneous solution, we are left with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{q}^{(h)}=0$ . Similarly, one can show that taking the divergence of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(p)}$ using (3.6) results in $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(p)}=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}p$ . Therefore, since $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(h)}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(p)}$ , and because of expression (2.5b ), we must also have $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(h)}=0$ . Note in (3.15) that, by construction, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(h)}$ is also symmetric and trace free.
Taking the divergence of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D755}$ using (3.12) and (3.3), setting it equal to zero and using the definitions of the multipole potentials from appendix A results in
(3.17) $$\begin{eqnarray}C_{1}={\textstyle \frac{1}{2}}Kn^{-1}A_{1}.\end{eqnarray}$$
With $\text{q}^{(h)}$ from (3.14), setting $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{ q}^{(h)}=0$ yields this constraint for functions $b(r)$ and $c(r)$
(3.18) $$\begin{eqnarray}r^{2}b^{\prime }+2c^{\prime }-rb=0.\end{eqnarray}$$
Furthermore, the vector equation $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(h)}=0$ , with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(h)}$ from (3.15), leads to
(3.19a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle 2r^{2}f^{\prime }-rf+18g^{\prime }=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.19b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & 32r^{2}f^{\prime }+rf-18g^{\prime }=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
so that $f^{\prime }(r)\equiv 0$ and $g^{\prime }(r)=rf(r)/18$ . Substitution of expressions (3.13)–(3.15) for $p$ , $\text{q}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ into (2.23)–(2.25), respectively, and invocation of property (A 7) from appendix A, lead to the following ordinary differential equations
(3.20a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle a^{\prime \prime }-2r^{-1}a^{\prime }-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}a=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.20b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle b^{\prime \prime }-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{2}b=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.20c ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle c^{\prime \prime }-4r^{-1}c^{\prime }-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{2}c=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.20d ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle f^{\prime \prime }-2r^{-1}f^{\prime }-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}f=0, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.20e ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle g^{\prime \prime }-6r^{-1}g^{\prime }-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}g=0. & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
Using $f^{\prime }(r)\equiv 0$ in (3.20d ) yields $f(r)\equiv 0$ ; hence, from above, we have that $g^{\prime }(r)\equiv 0$ and (3.20e ) results in $g(r)\equiv 0$ . We thus find that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(h)}(\text{x})\equiv 0$ . Therefore, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(p)}$ , given in (3.6) which, in turn, makes use of expressions (3.10), (3.12) and (3.13). The solution of (3.20b ) is well known. Obtaining exact solutions for (3.20a ) and (3.20c ) is discussed in appendix B. These solutions can be written as
(3.21a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle a(r)=E_{1}\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}(r-1)](1+\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}r), & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.21b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle b(r)=F_{1}\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}(r-1)], & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.21c ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle c(r)=F_{2}\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}(r-1)](1+\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}r+\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{2}r^{2}/3), & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
where only the solution that decays for large $r$ has been retained. Substitution of (3.21b ) and (3.21c ) into the divergence-free condition for the heat flux (3.18) results in
(3.22) $$\begin{eqnarray}F_{1}=-{\textstyle \frac{2}{3}}\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{2}F_{2}.\end{eqnarray}$$
Note that one could have also written explicit expressions for $f(r)$ and $g(r)$ from solving (3.20d ) and (3.20e ) in a manner similar to that followed to obtain (3.21), only to find out that, after enforcing $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(h)}=0$ , the associated integration constants would be equal to zero, thus yielding $f=g\equiv 0$ .
According to the R13 theory, the structure of the Knudsen layer near a boundary is partially determined by the factors $\exp (-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{i}^{2}r)$ in the solution ( $i=1,2,3$ for the present case). The contribution with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}$ vanishes in this case resulting from the vanishing of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{(h)}$ . The factor containing the exponential with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}$ is present in the pressure, temperature and, through the pressure, in the deviatoric stress. On the other hand, the factor containing the exponential with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}$ occurs in the heat flux and velocity. All these features were already noted by Torrilhon (2010) in the solution for the special case of slow flow past an isothermal sphere.
We can now write the final form of the exact solutions for the field variables. The pressure deviation in the gas $p$ can be computed from (3.13), using (3.4) and (3.10). The temperature deviation $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ is found from (2.20), with (3.11) and (3.13). The expression for the gas velocity $\text{u}$ is obtained from (2.19), using (3.12) and (3.14), together with (3.3), (3.10), (3.5) and (3.11). The heat-flux vector $\text{q}$ is computed using (3.14), (3.5) and (3.12), whereas the stress tensor $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ is determined from expressions (3.15) and (3.6), with (3.9), (3.10), (3.12) and (3.13). The temperature deviation in the solid $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}$ is given by (3.16). After substitution of (3.17), (3.21) and (3.22), the final expressions for the deviations are
(3.23a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle p & = & \displaystyle A_{1}Gr^{-2}\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}+E_{1}Gr^{-2}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}r+1)\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}(r-1)]\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.23b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D703} & = & \displaystyle {\textstyle \frac{1}{5}}(2A_{1}+5B_{1})Gr^{-2}\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}+{\textstyle \frac{2}{5}}E_{1}Gr^{-2}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}r+1)\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}(r-1)]\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\qquad\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.23c ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle u_{r} & = & \displaystyle Kn^{-1}Gr^{-3}(A_{1}r^{2}-3Kn^{2}B_{1}+2KnC_{2})\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle -\,{\textstyle \frac{4}{5}}F_{2}Gr^{-3}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}r+1)\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}(r-1)]\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.23d ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle u_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}} & = & \displaystyle -{\textstyle \frac{1}{2}}Kn^{-1}Gr^{-3}(A_{1}r^{2}+3Kn^{2}B_{1}-2KnC_{2})\sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle -\,{\textstyle \frac{2}{5}}F_{2}Gr^{-3}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{2}r^{2}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}r+1)\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}(r-1)]\sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.23e ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle q_{r} & = & \displaystyle {\textstyle \frac{15}{2}}KnB_{1}Gr^{-3}\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}+2F_{2}Gr^{-3}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}r+1)\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}(r-1)]\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.23f ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle q_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}} & = & \displaystyle {\textstyle \frac{15}{4}}KnB_{1}Gr^{-3}\sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}+F_{2}Gr^{-3}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{2}r^{2}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}r+1)\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}(r-1)]\sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.23g ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{rr} & = & \displaystyle \displaystyle \frac{2}{5}Gr^{-4}(5A_{1}r^{2}-12Kn^{2}A_{1}-30\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{-2}A_{1}+30KnC_{2})\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}+\displaystyle \frac{8}{15}\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \times \,Kn^{2}E_{1}Gr^{-4}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{3}r^{3}+4\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}r^{2}+9\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}r+9)\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}(r-1)]\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.23h ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r} & = & \displaystyle -{\textstyle \frac{6}{5}}Gr^{-4}(2Kn^{2}A_{1}+5\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{-2}A_{1}-5KnC_{2})\sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle +\,\frac{4}{5}\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}}Kn^{2}E_{1}Gr^{-4}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}r^{2}+3\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}r+3)\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}(r-1)]\sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.23i ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s} & = & \displaystyle D_{1}Gr\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}.\end{eqnarray}$$
From the solution for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ , we find that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}}=-\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{rr}/2$ , a result already obtained by Torrilhon (2010) from an entirely different route. We also find that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}r}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}}=0$ , because of the problem symmetry.
To compute the higher-order moment tensors $\text{R}$ and $\text{m}$ defined in (2.16a ) and (2.16b ), respectively, we first calculate rank-two and rank-three tensors $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\text{q}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ , respectively. We compute these gradients by means of a popular symbolic algebra and calculus computer package (Wolfram Mathematica), leading to expressions that we do not reproduce here for the sake of space. An alternative path to $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ is to extract components $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{rr}$ , $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}$ from $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ , compute their gradients and combine them with the dyads and the gradients of the dyads formed by the spherical coordinate unit vectors. Another option is to apply the formulae for the components in spherical coordinates of the gradient of a rank-two tensor field given in Torrilhon (2010). Once $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\text{q}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ has been determined, their corresponding symmetric and trace-free tensors are computed from the formulae in appendix C. The expressions for the components of $\text{R}$ and $\text{m}$ needed in the boundary conditions are
(3.24a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \text{R}_{rr} & = & \displaystyle 108Kn^{2}B_{1}Gr^{-4}\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}+{\textstyle \frac{48}{5}}KnF_{2}Gr^{-4}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \times \exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}(r-1)](\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{2}r^{2}+3\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}r+3)\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.24b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \text{R}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r} & = & \displaystyle 54Kn^{2}B_{1}Gr^{-4}\sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}+\frac{12}{5}KnF_{2}Gr^{-4}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \times \exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}(r-1)](\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{3}r^{3}+3\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}^{2}r^{2}+6\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}r+6)\sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.24c ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \text{m}_{rrr} & = & \displaystyle -{\textstyle \frac{48}{5}}KnGr^{-5}(10\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{-2}A_{1}+4Kn^{2}A_{1}-r^{2}A_{1}-10KnC_{2})\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle +\,\frac{16}{25}\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}}Kn^{3}E_{1}Gr^{-5}\exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}(r-1)]\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \times \,(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{4}r^{4}+7\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{3}r^{3}+27\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}r^{2}+60\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}r+60)\cos \unicode[STIX]{x1D717},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.24d ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \text{m}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}rr} & = & \displaystyle -{\textstyle \frac{8}{5}}KnGr^{-5}(30\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{-2}A_{1}+12Kn^{2}A_{1}-r^{2}A_{1}-30KnC_{2})\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \times \sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}+\frac{32}{25}\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{3}^{2}}Kn^{3}E_{1}Gr^{-5}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \times \exp [-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}(r-1)](\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{3}r^{3}+6\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}^{2}r^{2}+15\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{1}r+15)\sin \unicode[STIX]{x1D717}.\end{eqnarray}$$
Torrilhon (2010) also gives formulae for components $\text{R}_{rr}$ , $\text{R}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}$ , $\text{m}_{rrr}$ and $\text{m}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}rr}$ directly in terms of derivatives of the components of the heat flux and stress, which can be used to derive expressions (3.24).
Regarding the boundary conditions, from the solutions we also find that $\text{R}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}=\text{R}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}}$ , and $\text{m}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}=\text{m}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}r}$ . Because of this, and referring to the discussion at the end of § 2.1, we have that by enforcing (2.11), constraint (2.12) can be dropped entirely. Moreover, equations (2.9) and (2.13) provide constraints for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}$ and $\text{R}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}$ whereas they are trivially satisfied for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}r}$ and $\text{R}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}r}$ . Therefore, including (2.10), (2.14) and (2.15), in total, we are left with six scalar boundary conditions.
Substitution of the solutions for the various fields into these boundary conditions leads to a system of six linear algebraic equations for the six unknowns $A_{1}$ , $B_{1}$ , $C_{2}$ , $D_{1}$ , $E_{1}$ and $F_{2}$ . For the problem of a sphere exposed to a uniform temperature gradient in the far field, this system may be written as
(3.25a ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}-18Kn(256\sqrt{2}Kn^{4}+64\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}Kn^{3}-8\sqrt{2}Kn^{2}+5\sqrt{2})A_{1}-135\sqrt{2}Kn^{3}B_{1}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad +\,180Kn^{2}(24\sqrt{2}Kn^{2}+6\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}Kn+\sqrt{2})C_{2}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad -\,18Kn^{2} [\!216\sqrt{2}Kn^{3}+18(4\sqrt{15}+3\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}})Kn^{2}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad +\,9\sqrt{2}(\sqrt{15\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}+8)Kn+4\sqrt{15}+15\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}\!]E_{1}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad -\,4\sqrt{2}(9Kn^{2}+3\sqrt{5}Kn+5)F_{2}=-135\sqrt{2}Kn^{3},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.25b ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}-84\sqrt{2}Kn(32Kn^{2}-9)A_{1}+30Kn(270\sqrt{2}Kn^{2}+105\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}Kn+28\sqrt{2})B_{1}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad +\,2520\sqrt{2}Kn^{2}C_{2}-840\sqrt{2}KnD_{1}-42(54\sqrt{2}Kn^{3}+18\sqrt{15}Kn^{2}+12\sqrt{2}Kn-\sqrt{15})E_{1}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad +\,40[54\sqrt{2}Kn^{2}+3(6\sqrt{10}+7\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}})Kn+10\sqrt{2}+7\sqrt{5\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}]F_{2}=1575\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}Kn^{2},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.25c ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}-42Kn(1280\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}Kn^{3}+224\sqrt{2}Kn^{2}-120\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}Kn-33\sqrt{2})A_{1}+30\sqrt{2}Kn(135Kn^{2}-7)B_{1}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad +1260Kn^{2}(40\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}Kn+7\sqrt{2})C_{2}+210\sqrt{2}KnD_{1}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad -\,21[\!2160\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}Kn^{4}+18\sqrt{2}(20\sqrt{15\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}+21)Kn^{3}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad +\,18(7\sqrt{15}+45\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}})Kn^{2}+\sqrt{2}(35\sqrt{15\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}+144)Kn+13\sqrt{15}+25\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}\!]E_{1}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad +\,40\sqrt{2}(27Kn^{2}+9\sqrt{5}Kn+5)F_{2}=0,\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.25d ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & & \displaystyle -18\sqrt{2}Kn(256Kn^{4}-8Kn^{2}-5)A_{1}+135Kn^{3}(72\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}Kn+13\sqrt{2})B_{1}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad +\,180\sqrt{2}Kn^{2}(24Kn^{2}-1)C_{2}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad -\,72Kn^{2}(54\sqrt{2}Kn^{3}+18\sqrt{15}Kn^{2}+18\sqrt{2}Kn+\sqrt{15})E_{1}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad +\,4[\!648\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}Kn^{3}+9(13\sqrt{2}+24\sqrt{5\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}})Kn^{2}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}\quad +\,3(13\sqrt{10}+60\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}})Kn+65\sqrt{2}+20\sqrt{5\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}\!]F_{2}=-1485\sqrt{2}Kn^{3},\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.25e ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}A_{1}-3Kn^{2}B_{1}+2KnC_{2}-{\textstyle \frac{4}{15}}(3Kn+\sqrt{5})F_{2}=0,\end{eqnarray}$$
(3.25f ) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & & \displaystyle \hspace{-10.0pt}{\textstyle \frac{15}{2}}Kn^{2}B_{1}+{\textstyle \frac{15}{4}}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}Kn^{2}D_{1}+{\textstyle \frac{2}{3}}(3Kn+\sqrt{5})F_{2}=-{\textstyle \frac{15}{4}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}-1)Kn^{2}.\end{eqnarray}$$
For the velocity problem, the left-hand sides of expressions (3.25) remain the same, whereas the right-hand sides for (3.25a ), (3.25b ), (3.25d ), (3.25e ) and (3.25f ) become, respectively, $180\sqrt{2}Kn^{2}$ , 0, $-180\sqrt{2}Kn^{2}$ , $-Kn$ and 0. The solution of this linear system of equations is found by means of a computer symbolic algebra package. The expressions for the coefficients are exceedingly large and are not reproduced here. They depend on the parameters $Kn$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ . Once these coefficients are determined, the field variables can be computed at any position $(r,\unicode[STIX]{x1D717})$ , for given values of parameters $Kn$ , $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ and $Ep$ (or $Ma$ ), using (3.23).
In general terms, the main attributes of the solution method proposed here are twofold. First, it replaces an a priori knowledge of the exact dependency of the various scalar fields, including spherical-coordinate components of vectors and tensors, on the polar angle – e.g. from the classical solution of Stokes flow past a sphere – with the rather more general constraint of a dependency of the various tensor fields (scalar, vectors and rank-two tensors) on the external perturbation vector $\text{G}$ multiplied by a few multipole potentials appropriately chosen. Second, instead of dealing with the components of the Laplacian of the stress tensor in spherical coordinates and with the scalar differential equations carrying them, we solve a second-order differential equation for the stress in compact, tensor form.
This section contains three parts. First, we discuss predictions from our solution of the R13 moment equations for the problem of thermophoresis of a spherical particle presented in § 2.1. In particular, we show flow and temperature profiles for the sphere’s surroundings contrasted with results from kinetic theory and then compare predictions for the thermophoretic force from our solution to those from other theories as well as recently published experimental measurements. Second, we present results from R13 and other theories for the problem described in § 2.2, that is, the drag force due to a uniform flow past a sphere taking into account the particle-to-gas heat conductivity ratio. In both sub-sections, we present profiles of velocity components, density and temperature in a neighbourhood of the spherical surface. Third, the solutions from these two problems are coupled in the balance of the thermophoretic force by the drag acting on the sphere when this is free to move giving rise to the sphere’s thermophoretic terminal velocity. We show predictions from R13 and other theories for this quantity.
Note that the results presented here for the temperature deviations in the gas and solid, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{s}$ and the gas heat flux, $\text{q}$ , correspond to the variables on the left-hand sides of expressions in (2.8). These are obtained after transforming back from the fields given in (3.23), which represent the variables with ‘ $\check{\,}$ ’.
Examining the response of some of the variables modelled with the R13 equations to changes in the Knudsen number $Kn$ and solid-to-gas conductivity ratio $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ near the surface of the sphere is of interest. In figure 2, we show the profiles of the velocity components, density and temperature deviations as functions of the radial coordinate starting at the surface of the sphere, $r=1$ , obtained with the R13 exact solution derived here, the numerical solutions of the linearized Boltzmann equation by Sone (2007) for a hard-sphere gas, and his asymptotic expression for small Knudsen number. Curves are presented for an isothermal sphere, i.e. $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ , and $Kn=0$ , 0.090, 0.180, 0.269 and 0.539, corresponding to Sone’s $k=0$ , 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.6, respectively – the relationship between $Kn$ and $k$ is given in the figure’s caption. Predictions from the theories depict typical rarefaction effects, namely, velocity slip (figure 2 b), and temperature jump (figure 2 d) at the sphere’s surface. When $k\rightarrow 0$ , and $k=0.1$ , R13 agrees well with the results from kinetic theory; however, as $k$ increases the differences between the two models becomes noticeable, suggesting that R13’s quantitative description of the Knudsen layer near the surface of the sphere begins to become incomplete for $Kn\gtrsim 0.1$ .
Contour plots of gas speed (normalized by $Ep$ ) and velocity streamlines are presented in figure 3 for combinations of $Kn=0.02$ and 0.2 and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ . The temperature gradient points from left to right. Note that except for the case of $Kn=0.02$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ , the gas flow near the sphere is in the direction of the temperature gradient. Following the reasoning by Sone (2007), this flow is driven by the force exerted by the solid surface on the gas in this direction. This force is the reaction to the momentum transferred onto the sphere’s surface by the gas in the opposite direction, that is, from the hot to the cold region. This corresponds to a scenario of normal or ‘positive’ thermophoresis. For the combination $Kn=0.02$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ , on the other hand, the situation is inverted, and the gas flow is from hot to cold. This case is thus known as reversed or ‘negative’ thermophoresis. We shall discuss this phenomenon below with reference to the macroscopic transport equations of the previous section and, in particular, the boundary condition for slip. This is followed by a quantitative investigation of the net thermophoretic force acting on the sphere with special attention to its change in direction. Another feature shown in figure 3 is that for $Kn=0.02$ , the maximum speed in the case $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ is approximately one order of magnitude smaller than in the case $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ , and nearly two orders of magnitude smaller than the other two cases corresponding to $Kn=0.2$ . One may thus expect that, among the four cases considered, the smallest net force on the sphere should be attained in the case $Kn=0.02$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ .
Contour plots of gas temperature deviation (normalized by $Ep$ ) with streamlines for the heat-flux vector in the gas and within the solid sphere are shown in figure 4 for four cases with $Kn=0.02$ and 0.2 and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ . The heat-flux vectors point to the left, opposite to the temperature gradient. In the cases where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ , figures show no temperature deviation inside the sphere. In contrast, for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ , a non-zero temperature gradient is observed in the spherical particle, with the temperature varying linearly with the axial coordinate. In the two cases with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ and also in the case where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ and $Kn=0.2$ , temperature jumps across the spherical surface are evident. Enhancing the gas rarefaction by increasing $Kn$ for fixed $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ increases the temperature jump across the spherical surface. For instance, with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ , there are more contour lines inside the sphere for $Kn=0.02$ than for 0.2, pointing toward a smoother temperature gradient in the latter, whereas the opposite takes place in the gas, as the isothermal lines are more bent for $Kn=0.02$ than for 0.2. This yields a greater temperature jump at a given point of the sphere’s surface ( $z\neq 0$ ) in the case with higher $Kn$ .
Another notable feature in figure 4 is that lines of constant temperature intercept the surface of the sphere at various points in the two cases where $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ as well as for $Kn=0.2$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ , indicating the presence of a temperature gradient in the tangential direction. Under rarefied conditions, it is known that this temperature gradient induces gas motion along its direction (i.e. from cold to hot) near the solid surface, an effect known as thermal creep or thermal transpiration (Maxwell 1879; Kennard 1938; Sone 2007; Mohammadzadeh et al. 2015). This is the type of flow depicted by the streamlines in the corresponding plots of figure 3. On the other hand, for $Kn=0.02$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ , the isothermal lines in the gas tend to wrap the sphere’s surface resulting in temperature gradients that essentially vanish in the tangential direction on the gas side of the sphere’s surface. This points toward a hindering of the thermal creep in comparison with the other cases, in accord with the small velocity magnitudes and, more importantly, the reversal in the direction of the streamlines shown for the same case in figure 3. In fact, this reversed flow, now from the hot to the cold region, occurs because another type of flow, the so-called thermal-stress slip flow (Sone 2007; Young 2011), becomes dominant over the thermal creep. The thermal-stress slip flow represents a Knudsen number higher-order effect and, even though it is also induced by changes in the gas temperature distribution, is of a different nature from the thermal creep.
From his asymptotic analysis of the linearized Boltzmann equation for a gas that deviates slightly from a state of uniform equilibrium at rest, Sone (2007) identified that the slip flow in the slip boundary condition was determined by the term proportional to $-\text{t}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{n}$ multiplied by a positive constant when the boundary surface has a uniform temperature or in the absence of thermal creep (here $\text{t}$ and $\text{n}$ are unit vectors tangential and normal to the bounding surface, respectively). Because $\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ multiplied by a constant is one of the terms in his expression for the stress tensor, he designated this flow as thermal-stress slip flow. As discussed by Sone (2007), if the boundary temperature is constant then $-\text{t}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{n}=-\text{t}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}(\text{n}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703})=-\unicode[STIX]{x2202}(\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}n)/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}s$ , where $s$ is the arc length. Then, if the isothermal surfaces in the gas are not parallel to the solid boundary (also of constant temperature), i.e. the component of the temperature gradient normal to the boundary ( $\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}n$ ) changes along it, when the boundary temperature is higher (lower) than that in the gas, a flow is promoted in the direction in which the isothermal surfaces converge (diverge). This is exemplified by the contour plots in figures 3 and 4 for $Kn=0.02$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ , and figure 5 sketches this behaviour for clarity. The thermal-stress slip flow is the primary cause of a negative thermophoretic force.
Recalling the generalized slip boundary condition (2.9), rewritten here for convenience in a slightly different form
(4.1) $$\begin{eqnarray}u_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}-u_{s,\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}=-\frac{1}{5}q_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}-\left(\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}{2}\right)^{1/2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}-\frac{1}{2}\text{m}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}rr},\end{eqnarray}$$
setting $u_{s,\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}=0$ and using the expressions from the analytical solution obtained with the R13-moment equations, we investigate the contribution of each of the terms on the right-hand side of (4.1) to the gas slip velocity $u_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}$ on the surface of the sphere, $r=1$ , and selected $\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}$ values. Considering for this exercise the conditions of figures 3 and 4, we have that for the cases of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ and also for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ and $Kn=0.2$ , where thermal creep is predominant, the greater contribution in absolute value is from the first term on the right-hand side, giving a negative value (flow from cold to hot), whereas for the remaining case of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ and $Kn=0.02$ , exhibiting thermal-stress slip flow, the larger value is positive and results from the shear-stress term $-(\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2)^{1/2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}$ . In all cases, the last term in (4.1), a Knudsen number higher-order term, results in a significantly smaller absolute value in comparison. Using now the balance equation for the heat flux (2.6b ) for $q_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}$ when the flow has the direction of the temperature gradient or the balance equation for the deviatoric stress (2.6a ) for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70E}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}$ when the flow has the opposite direction – after moving the terms with derivatives of $\text{q}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}$ , of higher order in $Kn$ , to the right-hand side – we found that in the former, the term $(3/4)Kn\,\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}$ carries the largest weight whereas in the latter, the term proportional to $Kn(\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\text{ q}})_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}$ is predominant. Note that this term and not the shear stress from classical hydrodynamics, $-2Kn(\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\text{ u}})_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}$ , is the leading contributor in this case. Examination of the term proportional to $Kn(\overline{\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\text{ q}})_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}$ by substitution of (2.6b ) for $\text{q}$ when the slip flow is from hot to cold revealed that, as expected, the major role in this situation is played by the term $-3(\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2)^{1/2}Kn^{2}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703})_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}r}$ ( ${\approx}-3(\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2)^{1/2}Kn^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x2202}^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}r\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}$ when $\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}/\unicode[STIX]{x2202}\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\approx 0$ ) in agreement with the argument of Sone (2007) for the thermal-stress slip flow and the illustration in figure 5. From a microscopic perspective, Sone (2007) emphasizes that for either thermal creep or thermal-stress slip flow, the gas motion is induced by the difference in the velocity distribution functions of the molecules colliding with the solid boundary and those leaving it. The different nature of the flow and force between thermal creep and thermal-stress slip flow is affected by the fact that, before impinging onto the solid boundary, particles starting within a mean free path essentially keep the attributes of their origins, and the temperature distribution in the gas surrounding the boundary is notably different in one case or the other.
The thermophoretic force acting on the sphere is obtained by integrating over the surface of the sphere the projection of the total stress vector at $r^{\ast }=a^{\ast }$ onto direction $\text{k}$ , i.e. $(-p^{\ast }\hat{\text{r}}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D748}^{\ast }\boldsymbol{\cdot }\hat{\text{r}})\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{k}$ . Young (2011) introduced the dimensionless thermophoretic force
(4.2) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}=\frac{1}{Ep\,Kn}\frac{F_{T}^{\ast }}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{0}^{\ast }\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}^{\ast \,1/2}a^{\ast }},\end{eqnarray}$$
where $F_{T}^{\ast }$ denotes the dimensional thermophoretic force. From our solution of the R13 equations for the pressure and the deviatoric stress, we obtain the exact expression
(4.3) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}=-12\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}\,\frac{\mathop{\sum }_{m=0}^{7}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{m}^{(0)}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{m}^{(1)}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC})Kn^{\,m}}{\mathop{\sum }_{m=0}^{9}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{m}^{(0)}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{m}^{(1)}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC})Kn^{\,m}},\end{eqnarray}$$
and coefficients $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{m}^{(0)}$ , $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{m}^{(1)}$ , $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{m}^{(0)}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{m}^{(1)}$ are given in table 1. For the particular case of an isothermal sphere, we simply compute the limit $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ in this expression, resulting in $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}=-12\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}\sum \unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{m}^{(1)}Kn^{m}/\sum \unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{m}^{(1)}Kn^{m}$ , with index $m$ spanning the same ranges as in (4.3).
Results from (4.3) are plotted as $-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}/(2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})$ versus $(\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2)^{1/2}Kn$ for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ , 10, and $22.4\times 10^{3}$ in figure 6. The highest $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ value is chosen motivated by one of the experimental data sets depicted in the figure (see below). We also include predictions from various models based on the linearized Boltzmann equation, namely, by Sone & Aoki (1983) for an isothermal sphere using the BGK equation – denoted in their work as the Boltzmann–Krook–Welander (BKW) equation – by Beresnev & Chernyak (1995) using the S model, and by Sone (2007) for a hard-sphere gas. Results from G13 and from its modification represented by Young’s (2011) interpolation formula are also added. In addition, values from Waldmann (1959) formula, valid for large $Kn$ and insensitive to changes in $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ , are presented. This formula as well as the expressions for the dimensionless thermophoretic force from G13 and Young (2011) are presented, for completeness, in appendix D.
In figure 6 we included the experimental results on thermophoresis recently presented by Bosworth & Ketsdever (2016) for spheres made of the polymer acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and by Bosworth et al. (2016) for spheres of copper. In the latter, data include observations of reversed or negative thermophoresis. In the experiments, they set the sphere in the mid-plane between two copper plates and placed the entire assembly in a vacuum chamber filled with argon. Rarefied conditions were attained by reducing the pressure to values significantly below the atmospheric pressure. The force was generated by keeping one plate at the ambient temperature while the other plate was heated uniformly to a higher temperature. To plot the data in figure 6 – originally presented as dimensional force versus pressure – we used an ambient temperature of 24.5 $^{\circ }$ C (Bosworth, R. & Ketsdever, A. 2017 Private communication.) and a temperature difference between plates of $35~~\text{K}~\text{m}^{-1}$ , a distance between plates of 0.40 m, a particle radius of 0.0254 m, a gas specific constant of $208~\text{J}~\text{kg}^{-1}\,\text{K}^{-1}$ and a gas viscosity of $2.295\times 10^{-5}~\text{Pa}~\text{s}$ at the mid-plane temperature (NIST 2017). The solid-to-gas heat conductivity ratios were estimated to be $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=10$ and $22.4\times 10^{3}$ for the ABS and copper spheres, respectively. In practice, in the copper case, such a large value would correspond to an isothermal sphere ( $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ ). To account for Knudsen number effects in the temperature gradient by the mid-plane between the plates, we adopted the model in chapter 4 of Sone (2007) based on the linearized Boltzmann equation for a hard-sphere gas. These gas rarefaction effects include a lower temperature gradient in the mid-plane with respect to the nominal value, gas–wall temperature jumps at the plates’ surfaces and noticeable deviations from linearity in the temperature profile in regions near the walls (Knudsen layers). These effects are evident, for instance, in figure 5 in Bosworth et al. (2016), obtained using DSMC. This corrected value of the temperature gradient was used to compute the Epstein number $Ep$ for each experimental point. We obtain values of $Ep$ in the order of $3.0\times 10^{-3}$ for the experimental data sets.
For $\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2}\,Kn\lesssim 0.1$ , figure 6 shows that the thermophoretic force from R13 tends very closely to the results from models of the linearized Boltzmann equation. In contrast, G13 significantly under-predicts these results. As demonstrated in the figure, this discrepancy is corrected in Young’s (2011) interpolation formula, obtained from G13 after fitting the thermal creep, velocity slip and temperature jump coefficients from the so-called Maxwell–Smoluchowski values (e.g. see Kennard 1938; Nguyen & Wereley 2002; Gu & Emerson 2007; Young 2011) with those resulting from solutions of model Boltzmann equations compiled by Sharipov (2004). Young argues that changing these coefficients in the boundary conditions of G13 is needed to compensate for the inability of this model to reproduce the Knudsen layer. On the other hand, our analytical result from R13 gives the correct prediction without changing the original numerical factors appearing in the various terms of both the boundary conditions and bulk equations, i.e. with no fitting. Whereas the new set of coefficients adopted by Young (2011) for G13 works well for the thermophoretic force on a sphere for very small $Kn$ , they might not be applicable to situations other than for which they were fitted (e.g. for different geometries).
When $Kn\rightarrow 0$ we have from (4.3) for R13 that
(4.4) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7} & \!=\! & \displaystyle -12\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}\!\left[\frac{1.13776419}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+2}-1.03507976\frac{(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}^{2}+8.34774566\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+6.22407475\times 10^{-1})}{(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+2)^{2}}Kn\right]\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle +\,O(Kn^{2}),\end{eqnarray}$$
whereas in the special case $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ (isothermal sphere), we find the following asymptotic result when $Kn\rightarrow 0$ ,
(4.5) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7} & = & \displaystyle 39.0215875\,Kn-1043.54657\,Kn^{2}+O(Kn^{3}).\end{eqnarray}$$
Note from these expressions that for very small $Kn$ and finite $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ , $-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}$ tends to a positive constant, indicating positive or normal thermophoresis. On the other hand, after passing the limit $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ , the asymptotic result shows that $-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}$ tends to zero linearly with $Kn$ through negative values corresponding to slightly reversed thermophoresis. A similar trend can be observed in the asymptotic formulae by Sone (2007).
Within the interval $0.02\lesssim \sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2}\,Kn\lesssim 0.2$ , figure 6(c) shows that the experimental data for the copper sphere exhibits negative or reversed thermophoresis, $-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}<0$ . The reversed net force direction, such that it is now from the cold to the hot region for large values of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ , is mainly caused by the thermal-stress flow near the sphere’s surface. In this figure, R13, G13, Young’s formula and the models by Sone & Aoki (1983) and Beresnev & Chernyak (1995) predict negative thermophoresis. In particular, the contour plots for $Kn=0.02$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ in figures 3 and 4 show the various features that characterized a scenario of negative thermophoresis, such as the reversed flow direction and the absence of temperature changes in the gas side along the solid surface, in comparison to the other cases considered. Nonetheless, whilst R13 agrees well with the benchmark Boltzmann solutions (for hard spheres and the S-model), both predict force magnitudes significantly smaller than the experimental values; a discrepancy which at present we cannot explain. Referring again to the values of $Kn$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ considered in figure 3, the force magnitude in the case $Kn=0.02$ and the largest $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ , according to figure 6, is notably smaller than for the other cases, which seems to correspond with the fact that the velocity magnitude in this case is also one or more orders of magnitude smaller than in the others.
Expressions of thermophoretic force for R13 and G13, as well as Young’s interpolation formula exhibit a critical $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ above which reversed thermophoresis occurs for some bounded $Kn$ interval. For R13, this threshold is $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=87.17$ , whereas for G13 it is a much lower ratio, perhaps less likely to actually occur, of 10.93. In the case of Young’s interpolation formula the threshold is $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=26.05$ . For larger, but finite values of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ , the corresponding curve of $-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}/(2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})$ will intercept the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}=0$ axis at two points, and in both $Kn>0$ . The maximum negative value of $-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}/(2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})$ occurs when $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ . From the R13 model, this is $-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}/(2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})=-0.068$ at $Kn=0.024$ ; for G13 it is $-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}/(2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})=-0.321$ at $Kn=0.087$ , and for Young’s formula it is $-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}/(2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})=-0.180$ at $Kn=0.049$ . Negative thermophoresis cannot occur for $Kn\geqslant 0.054$ for R13, $Kn\geqslant 0.251$ for G13 and $Kn\geqslant 0.130$ for Young’s formula; these critical values are attained with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ . This upper limit of $Kn$ will decrease for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}<\infty$ . The critical magnitudes of Knudsen numbers listed in this paragraph were instrumental in choosing $Kn=0.02$ and 0.2 for the contour plots in figures 3 and 4.
For $0.2\lesssim \sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2}\,Kn\lesssim 1$ , R13 shows qualitatively the best performance among the models derived with the moments method for both the copper and polymer (ABS) data. In particular, for $\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2}\,Kn~\lesssim ~0.4$ , its predictions agree with the experimental points for the copper’s sphere. It is likely coincidental that R13 performs better with respect to the experimental data than the benchmark models of Beresnev & Chernyak (1995) and Sone (2007) from kinetic theory. G13 depicts a rather unsatisfactory performance, as its maximum is significantly shifted to higher $Kn$ values. When $Kn>1$ , Waldmann’s formula matches the experiments, as expected. For larger $Kn$ values, the various model Boltzmann equations approximate well the experiments. G13 significantly over-predicts these values, although it tends to zero in the same asymptotic manner as Waldmann’s formula, that is, as $Kn^{-1}$ when $Kn\rightarrow \infty$ (see appendix D), but evidently with an incorrect coefficient. By construction, Young’s formula matches Waldmann’s for large $Kn$ . On the other hand, for R13, as $Kn\rightarrow \infty$ , we obtain from (4.3) that
(4.6) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}=-3.80431806Kn^{-2}-\frac{5.46577139\,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}-5.32067322\times 10^{-1}}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\,Kn^{3}}+O(Kn^{-4}),\end{eqnarray}$$
and thus goes to zero faster than Waldmann’s.
For large $Kn$ ( $Kn>1$ , say), heat conductivity ratio $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ plays a fairly inconsequential role. In this regime, according to figure 6, R13 under-predicts both the experimental force as well as Waldmann’s results. It is known that for such large values of $Kn$ , models such as G13 and R13 are not expected to give the correct quantitative result (Torrilhon 2010).
Profiles of the gas velocity components, density and temperature deviations as functions of the radial coordinate computed with the R13 exact solution of the previous section are presented in figure 7 for the case of a uniform flow past a stationary sphere with a thermal conductivity ratio $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ (isothermal sphere). For $Kn=0.05$ and 0.3, our solution is validated as its predictions match very well the exact solution of Torrilhon (2010) obtained from his most recent Wolfram Mathematica code (see § 5.3 in Claydon et al. 2017). Good agreement is also observed, in general, between our solution and results from the asymptotic expressions of Sone (2007) when $Kn\rightarrow 0$ ( $k\rightarrow 0$ ) and his numerical solution of a kinetic theory model for $Kn=0.090$ ( $k=0.1$ ).
The drag force acting on the sphere is computed from the same surface integral mentioned in the previous sub-section but using the pressure and deviatoric stress fields obtained from the solution of the problem of slow flow past a sphere. In dimensionless form, this drag force from R13 may be written as
(4.7) $$\begin{eqnarray}\frac{F_{D}^{\ast }}{F_{\text{Stokes}}^{\ast }}=\frac{2+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+\mathop{\sum }_{m=1}^{7}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{m}^{(0)}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{m}^{(1)}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC})Kn^{m}}{2+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+\mathop{\sum }_{m=1}^{9}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{m}^{(0)}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{m}^{(1)}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC})Kn^{m}},\end{eqnarray}$$
where $F_{\text{Stokes}}^{\ast }$ denotes Stokes formula for drag on a sphere, $F_{\text{Stokes}}^{\ast }=6\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{0}^{\ast }U_{0}^{\ast }a^{\ast }$ and coefficients $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{m}^{(0)}$ , $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{m}^{(1)}$ , $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{m}^{(0)}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{m}^{(1)}$ are given in Table 2. For the special case of the drag on an isothermal sphere due to a streaming flow, expression (4.7), in the limit of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ , reduces to $F_{D}^{\ast }/F_{\text{Stokes}}^{\ast }=(1+\sum \unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}_{m}^{(1)}Kn^{\,m})/(1+\sum \unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}_{m}^{(1)}Kn^{\,m})$ , where $m$ takes the same values as in (4.7). It should be noted that Torrilhon (2010) showed the curve of drag versus Knudsen number resulting from his analysis, but did not present a closed-form expression for this force.
As $Kn\rightarrow 0$ , the drag can be computed from
(4.8) $$\begin{eqnarray}\frac{F_{D}^{\ast }}{F_{\text{Stokes}}^{\ast }}=1-1.30731306Kn+\frac{3.51286149+1.41122879\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}}{2+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}}Kn^{2}+O(Kn^{3}).\end{eqnarray}$$
Furthermore, when $Kn\rightarrow \infty$ , we have from (4.7) the expression
(4.9) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \frac{F_{D}^{\ast }}{F_{\text{S tokes }}^{\ast }} & = & \displaystyle 4.86486844\times 10^{-1}Kn^{-2}-2.50036697\times 10^{-1}Kn^{-3}\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle -\,\frac{1.03874711\times 10^{-3}+6.79151242\times 10^{-2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}Kn^{4}}+O(Kn^{-5}).\end{eqnarray}$$
Figure 8 shows the dimensionless drag force as a function of $Kn$ for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}=4$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ . We added results extracted from the work by Torrilhon (2010) for an isothermal sphere. The curves match each other very well. This clearly indicates that the drag force is insensitive to changes in the solid-to-gas thermal conductivity ratio, a tendency already noted by Sone (2007) from his analysis based on the linearized Boltzmann equation in chapter 4 of his monograph. For small and large $Kn$ , this trend becomes evident in expressions (4.8) and (4.9), respectively. The matching with Torrilhon’s results serves as validation of the solution method adopted in our analysis. In addition, we included predictions from Young’s (2011) solution for an isothermal sphere of the G13 equations using Maxwell–Smoluchowski values for the thermal creep, velocity slip and temperature jump coefficients, as well as with the coefficients extracted by Young from the work of Sharipov (2004) (see appendix D). For the interval shown, no significant difference is noted between these two sets. We included also predictions from kinetic theory by Sone (2007) for a hard-sphere gas and an isothermal sphere. Whereas G13 over-predicts the results by Sone, the R13 tendency is to under-predict them, although with a smaller difference. For $Kn\lesssim 0.4$ , R13 approximates Sone’s curve very well. For each of the models, as in the case of R13, changing $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ from infinity to 4 produced no significant changes. Figure 8 also includes experimental data by Goldberg (1954) (extracted from Torrilhon, 2010) and by Allen & Raabe (1982) (extracted from Claydon et al., 2017). Predictions from both R13 and Sone (2007) under-predict the drag, with the former resulting in the largest difference.
The thermophoretic velocity is the velocity of a moving particle driven by the thermophoretic force, when this force is balanced by the drag; that is, when the net force on the particle vanishes. Setting $F_{T}^{\ast }+F_{D}^{\ast }=0$ , and using expression (4.2) for $F_{T}^{\ast }$ , we readily have for the dimensionless velocity
(4.10) $$\begin{eqnarray}Ma=-\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}}{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F9}}Ep\,Kn,\end{eqnarray}$$
expressed as the pseudo Mach number. Previously, $Ma$ was a prescribed parameter and now it is the unknown. Here, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F9}$ , a dimensionless quantity introduced by Young (2011), is equal to $6\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}F_{D}^{\ast }/F_{\text{Stokes}}^{\ast }$ . In general, it is a function of $Kn$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ . The expression for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F9}$ from the G13 theory is given in appendix D.
With (4.3) and (4.7) for the non-dimensional thermophoretic force and drag, respectively, relation (4.10) provides an expression for the thermophoretic velocity according to R13. Figure 9 shows results from this expression normalized with factor $\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2}\,Ep\,Kn$ as a function of $\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2}\,Kn$ for different values of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ . This figure includes predictions from G13 and from solutions of model Boltzmann equations (Beresnev & Chernyak 1995; Sone 2007), and from the combination in (4.10) of Waldmann’s formula for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}$ and Epstein’s formula for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F9}$ intended for the free-molecule regime of large $Kn$ (see appendix D). The velocity from this model is independent of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ .
From figure 9 we note that R13 predicts the correct values given by the model Boltzmann equations for $\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2}\,Kn\lesssim 0.2$ . For greater values of $\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2}\,Kn$ , the agreement deteriorates. For $Kn\rightarrow \infty$ , R13 predicts a constant value, as is the case with the Waldmann–Epstein formula and with the results from kinetic theory, but with a smaller magnitude. G13, on the other hand, although also tending to a constant value, shows significant discrepancies with the other theories considered. Even though R13 is outside its limits of applicability for $Kn>1$ , it provides a reasonable engineering tool in that it has the correct asymptotic behaviour and, quantitatively, its differences with the benchmark models from kinetic theory and Waldmann–Epstein’s formula are not significantly large.
In this work, we investigated theoretically an instance of the phenomenon of thermophoresis, a term that refers to the forces on and motions of objects caused by temperature gradients when these objects are exposed to rarefied gases. In particular, we considered the problem of thermophoresis of a spherical particle, obtaining an analytical solution by solving the R13 moment equations, a model that provides a macroscopic description of rarefied gas flows up to the transition regime for Knudsen numbers smaller than one. Besides writing expressions for the field variables describing the fluid flow and heat transfer problem, by integration of the total stress on the surface of the sphere, we obtained a closed-form expression for the thermophoretic force as a function of the Knudsen number, dimensionless temperature gradient (Epstein number), and solid-to-gas heat conductivity ratio.
Employing the closed-form expressions for the field variables in the gas obtained here, we plotted their profiles in a neighbourhood of the sphere alongside predictions from a model Boltzmann equation from the literature. This comparison revealed that up to a Knudsen number of about $0.1$ , based on the sphere’s radius, the agreement between these solutions is very good thereby showing that the solution based on R13 is capable of fully describing the Knudsen layer for this particular physical situation in this range of Knudsen numbers. We also showed contour plots of speed and temperature including velocity and heat flux streamlines for various conditions. These figures exhibit the interplay between the various mechanisms involved in the complex process of thermophoresis, namely, the more common gas thermal creep toward the hot region caused by a temperature gradient in the gas parallel to the solid surface and, under very specific conditions in the slip regime that include a highly thermally conductive solid, the reversal of the flow direction resulting from the now dominant mechanism of slip flow driven by thermal stresses.
We extended the same modelling approach with the R13 equations to obtain an analytical solution for the drag by considering the problem of a heat-conducting spherical particle in a uniform, slow gas stream, thereby extending the analysis by Torrilhon (2010) for an isothermal sphere. Predictions from the new solution are insensitive to changes in the solid-to-gas thermal conductivity ratio and agree very well with the results of Torrilhon, who used a different method to obtain his solution. For Knudsen numbers smaller than $0.4$ , R13 approximates reasonably well kinetic theory results for hard spheres. We then computed the thermophoretic velocity of the spherical particle when this can move driven by the thermophoretic force. The expression for the velocity results from balancing the thermophoretic force with the drag resistance exerted by the surrounding gas on the sphere. For Knudsen numbers smaller than $0.2$ , approximately, values for the thermophoretic velocity from R13 show good agreement with those from two models of the Boltzmann equation.
Results from the new thermophoretic force model derived with the R13 equations were compared with results from G13 and from various models based on the linearized Boltzmann equation, such as BGK and the S model, and with data from very recent experiments, for a wide range of Knudsen numbers. For Knudsen numbers below approximately $0.1$ , R13 results match predictions from the model Boltzmann equations. In this interval, the various theories considered, including R13, under-predict significantly the experimental measurements of reversed thermophoretic force for a metallic sphere (highly thermally conductive). For Knudsen numbers lying between $0.1$ and $1$ , approximately, the graphs from R13 follow qualitatively the experimental curves for both low and high solid-to-gas thermal conductivity ratios, and in general its predictions show, although important, the least differences with the experimental data. Surprisingly, solutions of models of the Boltzmann equation taken as benchmark demonstrate larger discrepancies with the experiments.
There are more involved macroscopic models based on the moments method, such as the R26 equations of Gu & Emerson (2009), that exhibit higher accuracy in the transition regime. Nevertheless, modelling phenomena in rarefied gas dynamics with the R13 equations may provide perhaps the best compromise between a sufficiently complex mathematical description capable of capturing the most significant features not only in the bulk but also near the boundaries (Knudsen layer) and an analytically tractable set of equations. In any case, the exact solution presented here can be useful in the step of validation of numerical tools developed for the R13 equations simulating flow and heat transfer phenomena occurring either in the interior of or external to complicated geometries.
We acknowledge the support of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (grant nos EP/N016602/1, EP/P020887/1, and EP/P031684/1) and the Leverhulme Trust (Research Project Grant). We also acknowledge and are thankful for informative communications from R. Bosworth and A. Ketsdever from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, regarding their experiments. We are grateful to Dr L. Gibelli at the University of Warwick for fruitful discussions.
Appendix A. Multipole potentials
We define in this appendix some concepts from the theory of multipole potentials and briefly review some of its properties relevant to the work presented in the main body of this paper. For a more detailed discussion of the fundamentals of the method and its application to a variety of problems, the reader is referred to the textbooks by Leal (2007, chap. 8) – who names it as the method of superposition of vector harmonic functions – and Hess (2015, chap. 10). The material included in this review is taken from the latter.
The multipole potentials can be defined as tensorial solutions of the Laplace equation. There are two classes of multipole potentials, namely, descending and ascending potentials. The descending multipole potentials tend to zero when $r\rightarrow \infty$ and diverge when $r\rightarrow 0$ , where $r\equiv |\text{x}|$ and $r^{2}=x_{m}x_{m}$ . The descending multipole potentials are defined by
(A 1) $$\begin{eqnarray}X_{ij\cdots \ell }\equiv (-1)^{\ell }\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x2202}^{\ell }}{\unicode[STIX]{x2202}x_{i}\unicode[STIX]{x2202}x_{j}\cdots \unicode[STIX]{x2202}x_{\ell }}r^{-1}=-\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x2202}}{\unicode[STIX]{x2202}x_{\ell }}X_{ij\cdots (\ell -1)}.\end{eqnarray}$$
The first two descending potentials are given by
(A 2) $$\begin{eqnarray}X_{0}=r^{-1}\end{eqnarray}$$
(A 3) $$\begin{eqnarray}X_{i}=-\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x2202}}{\unicode[STIX]{x2202}x_{i}}X_{0}=r^{-3}x_{i},\end{eqnarray}$$
with the second potential being known as the dipole potential. The quadrupole and octupole potential tensors are
(A 4) $$\begin{eqnarray}X_{ij}=3r^{-5}(x_{i}x_{j}-r^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ij}/3),\end{eqnarray}$$
(A 5) $$\begin{eqnarray}X_{ijk}=15r^{-7}x_{i}x_{j}x_{k}-3r^{-5}(x_{i}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{jk}+x_{j}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ik}+x_{k}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ij}),\end{eqnarray}$$
respectively. The rank-four multipole potential tensor is
(A 6) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle X_{ijk\ell } & = & \displaystyle 105r^{-9}x_{i}x_{j}x_{k}x_{\ell }-15r^{-7} (x_{j}x_{k}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{i\ell }+x_{i}x_{k}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{j\ell }+x_{i}x_{j}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{k\ell }\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle +\,x_{i}x_{\ell }\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{jk}+x_{j}x_{\ell }\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ik}+x_{k}x_{\ell }\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ij} )+3r^{-5}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{i\ell }\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{jk}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{j\ell }\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ik}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{k\ell }\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ij}).\end{eqnarray}$$
Multipole potentials satisfy
(A 7) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x0394}(g(r)X_{ij\cdots \ell })=(g^{\prime \prime }-2\ell r^{-1}g^{\prime })X_{ij\cdots \ell }=r^{2\ell }(r^{-2\ell }g^{\prime })^{\prime }X_{ij\cdots \ell }.\end{eqnarray}$$
This property is helpful in solving differential equations with elliptic operators. Multipole potential tensors are symmetric in any pair of indexes and, because they solve Laplace equation, also vanish after contracting any pair of indexes.
Finally, for problems in interior domains, the so-called ascending multipoles are needed. They arise because in (A 7), the factor $g^{\prime \prime }-2\ell r^{-1}g^{\prime }=r^{2\ell }(r^{-2\ell }g^{\prime })^{\prime }=0$ not only for $g=1$ – leading to the descending multipoles – but also for $g=r^{(2\ell +1)}$ . Therefore, Laplace equation is also solved by
(A 8) $$\begin{eqnarray}r^{(2\ell +1)}X_{ij\cdots \ell },\end{eqnarray}$$
which are known as ascending multipole potentials. They are zero at $r=0$ and, for $\ell >0$ , diverge when $r\rightarrow \infty$ .
Appendix B. Solution of the ordinary differential equations
Consider the real-valued function $\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}(x)$ . The ordinary differential equations in (3.20a ) and (3.20c ) can be represented in the generic form
(B 1) $$\begin{eqnarray}x\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}^{\prime \prime }-2n\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}^{\prime }-\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}^{2}x\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}=0,\end{eqnarray}$$
where $n=0,1,2,\ldots$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}$ is a given parameter. The exact solution of this differential equation can be extracted from the handbook of solutions of ordinary differential equations by Zaitsev & Polyanin (2002) (page 219). It can be written as
(B 2) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}=x^{n+1/2}[{\mathcal{A}}_{0}J_{n+1/2}(\text{i}\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}x)+{\mathcal{B}}_{0}Y_{n+1/2}(\text{i}\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}x)],\end{eqnarray}$$
where $J_{n+1/2}$ and $Y_{n+1/2}$ are the Bessel functions of half-integer order of the first and second kind, respectively, $i$ is the imaginary number, and ${\mathcal{A}}_{0}$ and ${\mathcal{B}}_{0}$ are arbitrary constants. With the relations (e.g. Arfken et al., 2012, chap. 14; or Abramowitz & Stegun, 1972, chap. 9)
(B 3) $$\begin{eqnarray}J_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}(\text{i}x)=i^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}I_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}(x),\end{eqnarray}$$
(B 4) $$\begin{eqnarray}Y_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}(\text{i}x)=i^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}+1}I_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}(x)-\frac{2}{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}i^{-\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}K_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}(x),\end{eqnarray}$$
where $I_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}$ and $K_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}}$ are the modified Bessel functions of the first and second kind, respectively, and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}$ may be a complex number, and introducing the modified spherical Bessel functions (notice the different scaling factors in these definitions)
(B 5) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & & \displaystyle i_{n}(x)=\sqrt{\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}{2x}}I_{n+1/2}(x),\end{eqnarray}$$
(B 6) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & & \displaystyle k_{n}(x)=\sqrt{\frac{2}{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}x}}K_{n+1/2}(x),\end{eqnarray}$$
we can write solution (B 2) as
(B 7) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}=x^{n+1}[\,{\mathcal{A}}_{0}i_{n}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}x)+{\mathcal{B}}_{0}k_{n}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}x)].\end{eqnarray}$$
This result indicates that the substitution $\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}(x)=x^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D700}}\tilde{\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}x)$ in (B 1) with the choice $\unicode[STIX]{x1D700}=n+1$ leads to the modified spherical Bessel differential equation for $\tilde{\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}}$ , an expression that, unlike (B 1), is rather well-known. Because $i_{n}(x)$ grows unbounded whereas $k_{n}(x)$ tends to zero when $x\rightarrow \infty$ , we set ${\mathcal{A}}_{0}=0$ in order to use (B 7) to represent the solutions of (3.20a ) and (3.20c ) in the main body of the document. Finally, we can write $k_{n}$ in terms of elementary functions with the relations
(B 8) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle k_{0}(x)=\frac{\exp (-x)}{x}, & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(B 9) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle k_{1}(x)=\exp (-x)\left(\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{x^{2}}\right), & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(B 10) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & \displaystyle k_{2}(x)=\exp (-x)\left(\frac{1}{x}+\frac{3}{x^{2}}+\frac{3}{x^{3}}\right), & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
which can be extended with the recurrence formula $k_{n-1}(x)-k_{n+1}(x)=-(2n+1)k_{n}(x)/x$ (Arfken et al. 2012). Using (B 9) and (B 10), we can obtain the expressions in (3.21a ) and (3.21c ), respectively.
Appendix C. Expressions for trace-free symmetric tensors
For a rank-two tensor $\text{Q}$ , the associated symmetric trace-free tensor is given by
(C 1) $$\begin{eqnarray}\overline{\text{Q}}={\textstyle \frac{1}{2}}(\text{Q}+\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{Q}\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}})-{\textstyle \frac{1}{3}}\text{Q}\boldsymbol{ : }\mathbf{1}\mathbf{1},\end{eqnarray}$$
where $\mathbf{1}$ is the (rank-two) identity tensor and $\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}$ , with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}=$ 1, 2 and 3, denotes a set of orthonormal basis vectors. A repeated subscript in a term implies summation. Note that $\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{Q}\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}$ is just the transpose of $\text{Q}$ and $\text{Q}:\mathbf{1}$ its trace.
For a rank-three tensor $\text{A}$ , the corresponding symmetric tensor $\widetilde{\text{A}}$ is
(C 2) $$\begin{eqnarray}\widetilde{\text{A}}={\textstyle \frac{1}{6}}(\text{A}+\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{A}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}+\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{A}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}+\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{A}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}+\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\text{A}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}+\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\text{A}\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}),\end{eqnarray}$$
and the corresponding symmetric trace-free tensor $\overline{\text{A}}$ is
(C 3) $$\begin{eqnarray}\overline{\text{A}}=\widetilde{\text{A}}-{\textstyle \frac{1}{5}}(\widetilde{\text{A}}\boldsymbol{ : }\mathbf{1}\,\mathbf{1}+\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}\widetilde{\text{A}}\boldsymbol{ : }\mathbf{1}\text{e}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}+\mathbf{1}\widetilde{\text{A}}\boldsymbol{ : }\mathbf{1}).\end{eqnarray}$$
We have written these expressions in vector notation starting with the expressions in Cartesian index notation for symmetric and trace-free tensors given in appendix A.2 of Struchtrup (2005b ). For completeness, we show them here. The components of $\widetilde{\text{A}}$ are
(C 4) $$\begin{eqnarray}\text{A}_{(ijk)}={\textstyle \frac{1}{6}}(\text{A}_{ijk}+\text{A}_{ikj}+\text{A}_{jik}+\text{A}_{jki}+\text{A}_{kij}+\text{A}_{kji}),\end{eqnarray}$$
and the components of $\overline{\text{A}}$
(C 5) $$\begin{eqnarray}\text{A}_{\langle \text{i}jk\rangle }=\text{A}_{(ijk)}-{\textstyle \frac{1}{5}}(\text{A}_{(imm)}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{jk}+\text{A}_{(jmm)}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ik}+\text{A}_{(kmm)}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{ij}).\end{eqnarray}$$
Appendix D. Thermophoretic force and drag from Grad’s 13-moment method and from other approaches
Following Young’s (2011) work, the non-dimensional thermophoretic force and velocity drag resulting from Grad’s 13-moment method G13 are given by
(D 1) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}(Kn^{\prime },\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC})\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \quad =\frac{-12\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}[K_{tc}(1+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}C_{e}Kn^{\prime }+3\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}Kn^{\prime \,2}/\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})+3C_{m}Kn^{\prime }(1-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}C_{e}Kn^{\prime })]}{(1+3C_{m}Kn^{\prime })(2+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+2\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}C_{e}Kn^{\prime }+9\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}Kn^{\prime \,2}/\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})-(K_{tc}+9C_{m}Kn^{\prime })6\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}Kn^{\prime \,2}/(5\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})},\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
(D 2) $$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle & & \displaystyle \unicode[STIX]{x1D6F9}(Kn^{\prime },\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC})\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle \quad =\frac{6\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}[(1+2C_{m}Kn^{\prime })(2+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+2\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}C_{e}Kn^{\prime })+(9-2K_{tc})\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}Kn^{\prime \,2}/\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}]}{(1+3C_{m}Kn^{\prime })(2+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+2\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}C_{e}Kn^{\prime }+9\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}Kn^{\prime \,2}/\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})-(K_{tc}+9C_{m}Kn^{\prime })6\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}Kn^{\prime \,2}/(5\unicode[STIX]{x03C0})},\nonumber\\ \displaystyle & & \displaystyle\end{eqnarray}$$
respectively, where $Kn^{\prime }=\sqrt{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/2}\,Kn$ . For the results presented in this paper, the thermal creep, velocity slip and temperature jump coefficients take, respectively, the Maxwell–Smoluchowski values, namely, $K_{tc}~=~3/4$ , $C_{m}~=~1$ and $C_{e}~=~15/8$ (Young 2011). It should be said that the first closing parenthesis in the numerator of (D 1) and the factor $Kn^{\prime }$ after coefficient $C_{m}$ in the numerator of (D 2) as well as the second closing parenthesis in the denominators of both (D 1) and (D 2) are missing in Young’s (2011) article (see his formulae (32a) and (32b)). When passing the limit $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\rightarrow \infty$ in (D 2), we recover the factor obtained by Lockerby & Collyer (2016) in their formula (5.5), who have already noted the typographical errors in Young’s paper for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F9}$ .
The interpolation formula presented by Young (2011) for the thermophoretic force is
(D 3) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}(Kn^{\prime },\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC})=\frac{-12\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}\left[K_{tc}(1+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}C_{e}Kn^{\prime })+3C_{m}Kn^{\prime }(1-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}C_{e}Kn^{\prime })\right]}{[1+3Kn^{\prime }\exp (-C_{int}/Kn^{\prime })](1+3C_{m}Kn^{\prime })(2+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}+2\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}C_{e}Kn^{\prime })},\end{eqnarray}$$
with $K_{tc}~=~1.10$ , $C_{m}~=~1.13$ , $C_{e}~=~2.17$ and $C_{int}=0.5$ .
For completeness, we add the expressions used in this paper for the free-molecule regime ( $Kn^{\prime }\gg 1$ ). For the non-dimensional thermophoretic force, Waldmann (1959) obtained
(D 4) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}=-2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}/Kn^{\prime },\end{eqnarray}$$
whereas, for the drag caused by a free stream past a sphere, Epstein (1924) obtained
(D 5) $$\begin{eqnarray}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F9}=\frac{8\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}{3Kn^{\prime }}\left(1+\frac{\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}}{8}\right).\end{eqnarray}$$
These expressions are extracted from table 1 of Young’s article.
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__label__wiki | 0.762387 | 0.762387 | This Just In: Virgil Abloh Likes His Sneakers Dirty
Our chat with the designer as he launches his Nike collab.
By: Leah Faye Cooper
“Super good” is how veritable It designer Virgil Abloh described how he was feeling on day one of Off-Campus, the Nike installation and speaker series celebrating his Ten Icons Reconstructed collaboration with the brand. The same could be said about the venue (a sprawling industrial-like space on Wall Street), the crowd (we spotted Cov alums Joe Holder, Matthew Henson, and Rachael Wang there) and the discussion between Abloh, Phoebe Lovatt and Nike VP of footwear design Andy Caine that we sat in on.
“I was a kid who would sleep with a Jordan 5 at the end of the bed just so I could see it in the morning,” Abloh said at one point during the panel, later telling us his teenage strategy for getting his hands on the sneakers: “Talking my parents into spending that much money on a pair of shoes.”
We guess that similar negotiations are taking place right now, as the collaboration is being pre-released during fashion weeks in New York (September 9–13), London (September 18–22), Milan (September 21–25), and Paris (September 26-30). (Though if you can’t convince Mom and Dad this go-round, kids, there’ll be another drop in November.)
Off-Campus features a pop-up with collaboration-inspired Nike merch, as well as an exhibit of Abloh’s sneaker designs. The installation is in New York through September 8 before heading to London September 14–17.
The reconstructed Nikes, Abloh told us, came about the same way all of his designs do: dreamed up over conversations with friends (“I’m always only half-listening,” he admitted), concepted with notes and images he stores on his iPhone, then crafted—or in this case, recrafted—with tools such as X-ACTO knives, Sharpies, and zip ties. The results are translucent uppers, soles emblazoned with “AIR,” and white, black, and blue colorways. Like the apparel Abloh is known for, there’s a streetwear-meets-high-fashion aesthetic at play—one that Abloh believes has staying power, even in the frenetic, ever-changing fashion industry.
“I think it’s the way forward,” he said. “It’s something that’s naturally already been happening, now we’re just seeing someone underline it.”
Using the success of Abloh’s Off-White line as a barometer—as well as the social media fervor surrounding the Nike collaboration—The Ten are primed to become iconic yet again. Though you won’t see Abloh making too much of a fuss about that.
“I’m numb to it,” he says of seeing people in his designs. “I notice it, [but] I’m not that into signs of approval. I’m in my own space so I’m more inspired by actually [designing]. What happens afterwards is just a consequence.”
Something else he doesn’t pay much attention to? Keeping his own sneakers in pristine condition. When we asked for his expert tips on cleaning a pair of Nikes, he didn’t have any.
“I like them dirty,” he said. “That’s just my vibe.” | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line130 |
__label__wiki | 0.902998 | 0.902998 | FCK just can’t seem to lose at the moment (photo: FCK)
November 29th, 2016 12:42 pm| by Christian W
When FC Copenhagen take on Viborg at the Telia Parken Stadium, they won’t just be trying to extend their commanding nine-point lead in the Superliga. They’ll be looking to make history.
The Lions have been devouring their opposition for months now and are now just one win away from tying the Superliga record for the most unbeaten games in a row.
Arch-rivals Brøndby set the record back in 1991 with 21 games – which FCK have since matched in 2000 and 2006 – and a win or draw against Viborg tonight will see them equal that record for a third time.
Since losing 2-4 away to Hobro at the end of last season – FCK had already won the league at that point – the Copenhagen club have won 15 and drawn five out of their 20 games this season.
“The stats are a little surreal, but we’ve always been good at Parken, as you can see when we play in Europe,” FCK coach Ståle Solbakken told Ekstra Bladet tabloid.
“I think the mental aspect counts for something. Even though we have gone behind, we know we have a chance to come back.”
READ MORE: FC Copenhagen keep insane home record going
838 days and counting
Another surreal statistic is the club’s home form. FCK haven’t lost a Superliga match at home since 15 August 2014. That’s an unbelievable 838 days ago – the longest ongoing streak in Europe.
Only HNK Rijeka from Croatia come close with a streak of 801 days, followed by Olympiacos (Greece, 728 days), Borussia Dortmund (Germany, 606), FK Rostov (Russia, 578) and Juventus (Italy, 465).
And that’s good news for FCK, because in order to set a new Superliga record for the most games in a row without losing, they’ll need to take points from their next two games. And both of them, against Viborg tonight and Randers on Saturday, will be at home.
“It’s not something we have discussed, but at FC Copenhagen it is implied that we must win every match,” William Kvist, FCK midfielder and club stalwart, told Ekstra Bladet.
“Our ambitions mean we must get a result at home, and the pressure we are capable of putting opponents under is simply greater at Parken than it is away.”
Lions still in knockout hunt following goalless draw
FC Copenhagen can't break down Leicester
FC Copenhagen streak ends against Leicester City
FC Copenhagen in talks to leave the Superliga
FC Copenhagen keep insane home record going
Heroic ten-man Lions earn point in Portugal
FC Copenhagen draws dream group in Champions League | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line131 |
__label__cc | 0.561221 | 0.438779 | info@carsbyrick.com
Cars By Rick
Posted by: admin Posted on: June 18, 2019
The first, the Jeep Cherokee , a model that has difficulty entering our Spanish market but will not be for its qualities and benefits. This model has a gate that now integrates the space for registration and whose new design seeks to increase the sense of perceived quality in the interior with front seats leather and heated steering wheel. In its exterior design , transmits the essence of the brand with its grill of 7 curved grooves providing an aerodynamic look. In addition, you will feel safe at all times with its revolutionary LED daytime running lights and night bixenon headlights with 18 “wheels. An all-rounder that we can find in the market with a price from € 33,800.
Another of its most prominent differences are the measures. Both have a similar appearance but when putting it in the garage will have to take into account its dimensions.
Jeep Cherokee:
Height: 1,669 mm
Width without mirrors: 1,859 mm
Trunk: 412 liters
Trunk with the seats folded down: 1267 liters
Motorization and Traction
Regarding the engine, the new Jeep Cherokee has a total traction system and a turbocharged version of 2 liters and 140 HP with a manual transmission. It also has a gasoline version V6 of 271 HP and with two types of traction:
Traction system 4×4 Jeep Active Drive I
4×4 Jeep Active Drive II Traction System
First, the new Cherokee Jeep incorporates state-of-the-art systems such as:
Uconnect system
Sound equipment Alpine
Alert in case of lane change
Front collision warning
Blind camera
Parksense
The majority will be limited to family excursions and work-week traffic, the Cherokee has the Jeep brand name and a handsome exterior as selling points. Its optional powertrains are highlighted by a V-6 that can tow up to 4500 pounds and a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine that improves fuel efficiency. The Cherokee also has an impressive ride, but its acceleration performance is mediocre and every model suffers from subpar fuel economy and limited cargo space. Those who want the most rugged, most recognizable ute will appreciate this Jeep portable rv cover.
Jeep Cherokee Pricing and Which One to Buy
Latitude: $26,040
Altitude: $29,385
Limited: $32,245
Trailhawk: $35,190
High Altitude: $34,240
Overland: $37,990
Engine, Transmission, Performance, and Towing
The standard four-cylinder engine and optional V-6 are joined by an all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It makes 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque (56 more than the V-6) and slots at the top of the powertrain pyramid. While we’ve yet to test the new engine at the track, we’ve spent time with it during our first drive. We found the turbo four to be lackluster compared with the V-6 due to its dull responses to throttle inputs; the new four-cylinder Cherokee also has less towing capacity (4000 pounds maximum towing capacity versus the V-6 Cherokee’s towing capacity of 4500 pounds). While the nine-speed automatic transmission has been revised for 2019, it was hesitant to make deliberate downshifts.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Cherokee has among the worst fuel economy in its compact-crossover and SUV segment, according to both the EPA and our real-world testing. While we’ve yet to subject either four-cylinder version to our highway fuel-economy test, their EPA estimates aren’t much higher than those for the V-6. Although the six is unchanged for 2019, the standard nine-speed automatic has mild updates that coincide with Jeep’s efforts to reduce the crossover’s weight. Compared with the last Overland we subjected to our testing regimen, the latest version earned 25 mpg highway—or 1 mpg more than before.
Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo
With supportive seats and easy-to-use controls, the Cherokee’s cabin is comfortable. An attractive dashboard that mimics the larger and more expensive Grand Cherokee’s layout helps cultivate an upscale feel. However, given that the Cherokee is larger on the outside than many of its competitors, we’d expect it to feel more spacious on the inside. Small windows and high windowsills contribute to the feeling of confinement. The Jeep’s available Uconnect infotainment system is among the best in the business, with well-organized menus and ample features. Starting on the Latitude Plus trim, every model adds two USB ports on the back of the center console for use by rear-seat passengers. Now that every Cherokee has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, too, all that’s missing is a way to have it read your thoughts. The Cherokee’s cargo area is smaller than most vehicles this size, and interior cubby storage is average at best. It’s more difficult to load items into the rear than into some of its rivals due to the Jeep’s high lift-over height. For 2019, the rear cargo area is now about three inches wider, which increases cargo volume behind the rear seats by three cubic feet, up to 28 total. Still, that’s significantly smaller than top rivals such as the Ford Escape (34 cubes) and the Honda CR-V (39).
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2019 Cherokee has not been crash tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Jeep offers a full range of optional driver-assistance features, but most of them are only available on the more expensive models that are equipped with an optional package, meaning you’ll spend more than $30,000 for the safest Cherokee. Key safety features include:
Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Available blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Competitors such as the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson are the only rivals that offer significantly longer powertrain warranties. The Jeep Wave program is standard and Overland and Trailhawk models, but customers of lesser Cherokees can opt-in by paying a fee.
Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
Complimentary maintenance is covered for four visits over 2 years
The 2019 Cherokee is an update of the model that Jeep launched in 2014 ( more information ). This 4,62 meters long SUV receives changes in appearance (especially in the exterior) and more elements of safety and comfort. It can be very effective outside the asphalt, it is comfortable on the motorway and has a wide interior, of normal quality and with several practical solutions. It is already on sale from 44 200 euros with a diesel engine of 194 HP and traction on the front wheels. The most affordable version with all-wheel drive costs 50 800 euros ( all prices ). The standard equipment is abundant from the access version. At the moment, the only available engine is a 2.2-liter diesel engine that now gives 194 hp of power (six less than in the model it replaces, due to the modifications that have been made to adapt it to the regulations of Euro 6D Temp emissions) and that is always associated with a nine-speed automatic gear change. In 2019 Jeep will add to the range another variant of the same engine, with less power (150 hp, can also be chosen with manual transmission), and also a new gasoline engine of 2.0 liters and 270 hp. The Cherokee is available with front-wheel drive (now also with automatic transmission) or three all-wheel drive systems. Automatic gear shifting works smoothly; Jeep says it has been revised to offer a more uniform response and reduce fuel consumption. For the few references that we could take, the consumption seems good (around 8.0 l / 100 km making frequent accelerations, in a route of about 200 km that included areas with many slopes).
The cabin is very well insulated from the noise produced by the rolling and the contact of the body with the air, making it a comfortable car to travel. The suspension holds the body well and gives a good level of comfort, although it seems a bit hard in compression. With the unit with the basic total traction system (without reducer or slope descent control), we made a small off-road circuit of little difficulty, but that served to check the proper functioning of the electronic delivery system of the pair between both axes. In Driving Impressionsof the 2014 model we delve into all the details of this vehicle.
MULTI MEDIA SYSTEM
The available multimedia systems are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and can be associated with a 7 or 8.4 inch screen. According to Jeep, both have more resolution and the system is now faster. There are many practical slots holes, but in the new model has disappeared a hole that was located in front of the shift lever and instead there is a narrower and longer
The interior is made of materials of normal quality, but we do not think that this is a reason for discarding its more luxurious alternatives or, simply, with a higher quality of adjustments, such as the Mazda CX-5. The space is good for both front and back occupants (comparative table of interior measurements). Again, the section Impressions of the interior of the 2014 model is fully applicable to the Cherokee 2019. The assistants of help to the driving of series are very numerous: braking of emergency with reconomiento of pedestrians , notice by involuntary change of lane , detector of objects in the blind spot , system of alert by crossed traffic rear and rear camera of aid to the parking . The Limited level has a parking assistance system and an active speed controller . The Moparcompany sells more than 90 accessories for the Cherokee. The customer can choose which ones he wants to install before the delivery of the vehicle or install them after the purchase. Among them there are trims, cargo separators, luggage racks and supports for bicycles, canoes or surfboards, for example. Mopar has also developed a mobile application (Mopar Connect) that is complemented by the UConnect multimedia system. Among other things, it allows you to consult different vehicle data (such as the location or level of fuel and battery). It also gives access to various functions, such as roadside assistance (also after a collision),
There are two new colors for the body (out of a total of ten). They are called Olive Green and Pearl White. We have used our insurance comparator to calculate a full-risk policy for a Cherokee with the 194 hp engine and Limited equipment level. As the 2019 Cherokee still does not appear in our database (it will soon do so), we have taken as reference the 2014 model. The policy holder is a 40 year old man who lives in the city of Madrid, carries out up to 30,000 km a year and Park the car in a community garage. Both the lowest price (430 euros) and the best ratio between quality and price (7.9 points out of 10) are offered by the Mapfrecompany, which insures the vehicle for 430 euros.
Copyright © 2019 by www.carsbyrick.com - All rights reserved. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line145 |
__label__wiki | 0.785815 | 0.785815 | Ailing Gardens of North Bengal
The East India Company in late 1850s started to show interest in the production of CTC or black tea in Dooars region – particularly in Alipurduar (previously a part of Siliguri, but now a separate district) in northernmost part of West Bengal.
Situated on the foothills of the Himalayas, the town is still a gateway to Bhutan and North Eastern states of India. This town located in the Dooars region is known for its 3Ts – Tea, Tourism and Timber, since the colonial period.
Several British companies like Duncans and Andrew Yule in the 19th century took over huge acres of lands, started cultivating tea gardens and manufactured strong-flavoured CTC tea.
A huge workforce was required at that time to kickstart the estate. The companies started bringing tribal clans from the neighboring states of Jharkhand and Odisha.
If you take an errand to these establishment, you would notice that a large chunk of the workers here belong to Oraon, Munda and Santhal tribes, originally from Jharkhand.
Our grandfathers, fathers were made to settle here during that time. They were given free ration, medical facilities, school for children, transportation, shelters near the garden. They did not know what was happening outside this tea garden world as we had all the facilities in this region, said social activist Mohammad Nazimuddon, whose father and grandfather worked in the gardens.
My father used to say that the British forced the tribesmen to migrate to this place and were even beaten and tortured to work here. But slowly we became used to the occupation and learnt the art of leaf plucking. This became our only home now, he said.
The tea produced from this region and the tea leaves from Darjeeling became a rage in Britain in those days. The demand started pouring in for Dooars tea as people loved its strong taste and flavor.
The movement and transportation of labour continued in Dooars which led to a vast settlement of colonies and tea gardens. Women became experts in leaf plucking and men were mostly employed for maintenance of the gardens, including pesticide control.
Be it the top management of the tea industry or an ordinary garden worker, people left civil service posts to work as managers for these tea growing estates as it was considered a more noble profession in that era.
“Wealthy fathers preferred marrying their daughters to tea estate managers, more than IAS or IPS officers. Working in the tea industry was considered a respectful job. The condition of the labourers started improving and they lived a happy life too,” said Nazimuddon, a resident of Chamurchi tea garden.
Once regarded as a well-paid profession, the present generation of the tea workers is struggling to find and survive on different livelihood options.
Many years after independence and globalization, the tea gardens in the dooars of West Bengal are at a standstill. Of the total 210 tea gardens in the region (considering Alipurduar & Jalpaiguri Districts), only 45 are in working condition – fully or partially.
The Union and State governments are trying to revamp the estates. But this will take time.
Many decades after independence, the West Bengal government took over the land holdings of the tea estates in Darjeeling and Dooars region and thereafter, gave portions of the estates to tea-making companies and various stakeholders on lease basis.
From big tea-producing companies like Duncans Group to royal families setting up their tea gardens like Madhu, there was a flood of stakeholders showing interest in the profit-making business (but most of them apparently had no previous expertise or experience of running tea business). The expansion of the tea industry was visible.
But the start of the new millennium bade bad news for the industry.
The producers were badly hit by the high cost of production in the CTC tea market where the demand was growing huge. The entry of low cost Chinese CTC tea in the market adversely impacted the industry.
The Manager at the still-running Andrews Yule tea estate (only one Tea Company that was undertaken by the Centre Government) says, “There are products (in the market) which are almost the same what we produce in our tea sectors. The extra tea demand in the market is met through the cheap quality tea with their products starting from as low as Rs 60. Market is getting flooded with these products. This has destroyed the future of the tea sector.”
Unable to bear the production costs, the tea companies in the dooars gradually refused to provide facilities like school, healthcare and transportation to the workers, and demanded from the state government to support them in giving them ration and other necessary facilities which were earlier provided by the companies alone.
“The private companies, even if they made profit, did not re-invest to secure themselves during crisis or transformation period,” the manager says.
Once an ordinary tribal woman, Now a Sarpanch
I was born with God’s curse | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line147 |
__label__cc | 0.650893 | 0.349107 | Sun May 15, 2016 6:5
Nasrallah: No Security in Region without Iran's Assistance to Anti-Terrorism Campaign
TEHRAN (FNA)- Secretary-General of Hezbollah resistance group Seyed Hassan Nasrallah in a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian appreciated Tehran for helping the regional states in fighting against terrorist groups and establishing security in the region.
"If the resistance forces had not sacrificed their lives in the fight against the Zionist regime and terrorism and if the martyred Iranian military advisors (in Iraq and Syria) had not extended their cooperation, there would have been no security left in the region," Nasrallah said during the meeting in Beirut on Sunday.
He also praised Iran for its efforts to settle the crises in the region politically.
Nasrallah blasted certain states for sowing discord among Muslims, and underscored the necessity for the Muslim world to keep vigilant against the Zionist regime's moves.
Iran has pioneered in helping the regional states' fight against terrorism, specially Iraq and Syria, and has demanded the regional and world states to partner in the war on against terrorist groups.
In relevant remarks in April, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said Iran and Italy can cooperate in the war against terrorism and extremism.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his accompanying delegation in Tehran.
“A number of European countries used to support certain violent terrorist groups for some time and today the dangerous and overarching wave of terrorism has reached Europe too,” the Leader added.
Ayatollah Khamenei cited Washington's financial and arms support for terrorist groups as an obstacle to the eradication of terrorism, adding, “There is authentic and accurate information about aid by the US for ISIL, and certain other terrorist groups. Even now that they have formed an anti-ISIL coalition certain American organs are helping ISIL in one way or other.”
The Leader criticized major propaganda apparatuses in the world for spreading anti-Islam sentiments under the pretext of “actions committed by certain wicked and terrorist” elements.
©2013 Fars News Agency. All rights reserved | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line162 |
__label__cc | 0.749244 | 0.250756 | Flap’s Links and Comments for August 19th through August 22nd
Posted August 22, 2011 Flap
These are my links for August 19th through August 22nd:
NLRB and Labor Department regulations spell trouble – An obscure federal body, the National Labor Relations Board, along with the U.S. Department of Labor recently proposed regulations that will dramatically change how union representation elections are conducted.
If finalized, these rules will significantly reduce the availability of legal counsel for employers and will limit the ability of employers to exercise their First Amendment rights to free speech.
Here is how these rules working together will negatively affect businesses.
One afternoon in 2012 a small-business owner receives notice from the NLRB that a local union has filed a petition for a unionization election. The owner had no idea that union activity was occurring and is shocked to learn that his whole world could dramatically change in just two weeks.
The owner calls his long-time lawyer seeking legal advice on what he should do to keep the union out of his family business. The owner thinks he needs to give a speech to his employees and asks for help. The lawyer says, "Sorry, I'd love to help you edit a speech, but if I do so then, under the Labor Department's new 'persuader' regulation, I'll have to publicly disclose all of my labor relations clients and what they paid me last year. I can't do that because I'd lose them as clients."
So, the business owner goes without legal advice. Since he hasn't been in this situation before, he doesn't know all the ways to get into trouble with the NLRB. He inadvertently commits a couple "unfair labor practices" by doing something as simple as disciplining an unruly employee.
Read it all
South Carolina Governor Haley: NLRB is a ‘rogue agency’ – Gov. Nikki Haley on Wednesday blasted the National Labor Relations Board as a “rogue agency” for taking action against Boeing Co. for allegedly union busting by building a $1 billion plant in South Carolina.
Appearing on “Fox & Friends,” Haley said she strongly supports Boeing, which has been accused by the NLRB of locating the plant in South Carolina, where unions are weak, and shifting workers there to retaliate against employees in Washington state for past strikes at the aircraft maker’s facilities.
Haley said she thinks the NLRB is out of bounds and wants to prevent the same thing from happening in other states.
“I’m a governor that’s committed to making sure this doesn’t happen to other governors,” she said.
Haley, a Republican, blamed President Barack Obama for the NLRB action against Boeing.
“For a president who claims he’s about job creation, he’s done nothing but try to kill all our American jobs,” she said.
Boeing, which is building the 787 Dreamliner at the South Carolina facility, has said there’s no basis for the NLRB case.
Indeed they are.
Political dispute over Boeing plant escalates – The Republican-led battle against the chief federal labor agency is escalating, with the head of a key congressional oversight panel and the top lawyer for the National Labor Relations Board accusing each other of flouting constitutional and legal constraints.
The fight is ostensibly over the NLRB's bid to prevent Boeing from opening a jet-manufacturing plant in South Carolina. But GOP lawmakers are portraying it as Exhibit A in their case against President Barack Obama's alleged regulatory overreach.
The dispute began in April when NLRB acting general counsel Lafe Solomon said there was potential merit in a complaint by Boeing's main union that the aerospace giant built the North Charleston, S.C., factory in retaliation for past strikes at its large plant in Everett, Wash., near Seattle.
Boeing says it decided to make 787 Dreamliner planes in South Carolina, a right-to-work state, because of legally protected business factors.
Among the factors Boeing cites are the South Carolina state government's granting of $900 million in tax breaks, and concerns over delays in completing deliveries to airlines around the world that have ordered more than 800 of the next-generation aircraft.
The dispute is now before NLRB administrative law judge Clifford Anderson. In June, he rejected Boeing's motion to dismiss it and is hearing evidence from the Chicago-based firm and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
As the Presidential campaign comes to South Carolina this will be an issue.
Burbank Man Arrested for Feeding Pigeons Posing Risks to Airplanes at Bob Hope Airport » Flap’s California Blog – Burbank Man Arrested for Feeding Pigeons Posing Risks to Airplanes at Bob Hope Airport
Welcome to Flap’s California Blog » Flap’s California Blog – Welcome to Flap’s California Blog
North Carolina Free Clinic Treats About 2,700 Dental Patients | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) Dentistry – North Carolina Free Clinic Treats About 2,700 Dental Patients
President 2012: Former New York Governor George Pataki to Run for President? | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – President 2012: Former New York Governor George Pataki to Run for President? #tcot #catcot
Flap’s Dentistry Blog: Convicted Murderer Charged With Soliciting Murder Over Loan for Dental Work – Convicted Murderer Charged With Solicitng Murder Over Loan for Dental Work
Day By Day August 20, 2012 – Open Season | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Day By Day August 20, 2012 – Open Season #tcot #catcot
Day By Day August 21, 2011 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Day By Day August 21, 2011 #tcot #catcot
@Flap Twitter Updates for 2011-08-21 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – @Flap Twitter Updates for 2011-08-21 #tcot #catcot
Flap’s Links and Comments for August 19th on 12:31 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Flap’s Links and Comments for August 19th on 12:31 #tcot #catcot
Gregory Flap Cole: "@CEP_Observer You do know …" « Deck.ly – @CEP_Observer You do know I am no longer in private practice? Yes, they are and are important for screening… (cont)
foursquare – Home after the long run. Now time for some Lock Up, Hard Time and Kool-Aid (@ Home)
foursquare – Post 14 mile run with Alice, Tara, Nancy, and Mary (@ Ronnie's Diner w/ 3 others)
Shocker: California State board finds very few pay tax on out-of-state goods – As Amazon.com gathers signatures to reverse a new online tax collection law, the state Board of Equalization said Friday that a mere 0.42 percent of personal income tax filers paid use tax on their 2009 out-of-state purchases.
The board, which administers sales and use tax collection in California, issued a new four-page review of use tax behavior in 2009. The state collected $10.4 million in use tax payments from personal-income tax returns that year.
Under long-standing California law, taxpayers are supposed to self-report use tax on remote purchases from out-of-state businesses, though very few do so. Democrats passed a different law in June that attempted to force out-of-state retailers like Amazon.com to collect those taxes.
BOE researchers found that wealthier taxpayers participated in greater frequency and paid more use tax to the state. Their report showed that 1.12 percent of households making more than $100,000 in adjusted gross income paid use tax, compared to 0.15 percent of those reporting between $0 and $30,000. It also showed that those above $100,000 paid on average $311 in use tax, compared to $76 for those making between $0 and $30,000.
What a shocker!
Jerry Brown removing GOP appointees from key water panel – In his latest move to reverse GOP appointments, Gov. Jerry Brown will replace former Sen. Dave Cogdill and water agency leader Paul Kelley on a key panel that will shape decisions on water storage and a possible Delta canal, the governor's spokesman confirmed Friday.
Cogdill was the chief GOP legislative negotiator on the historic 2009 water deal that placed an $11 billion bond on a future statewide ballot and reconstituted the California Water Commission. His subsequent appointment by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to the nine-member commission was considered part of the bipartisan deal struck that year by lawmakers and the former Republican governor.
Kelley is a former Sonoma County supervisor and former director of the Sonoma County Water Agency. A Republican, he serves as president of the Association of California Water Agencies, a key player in the 2009 water talks.
Brown and Republican lawmakers have been at odds, particularly since talks broke down over a state budget deal in June. Republicans have accused Brown of rescinding past promises made by Democrats in bipartisan agreements and see the Cogdill move as the latest example.
So, what else is new?
Jerry Brown is a cry-baby partisan who failed as Governor the forst time and is failing today.
Older Americans with a College Education Have Better Emotional Health After Age 65? | Smiles For A Lifetime – Temporary (Locum Tenens) Dentistry – Older Americans with a College Education Have Better Emotional Health After Age 65?
Flap’s Dentistry Blog: There is an APP for Your Dental Lab Prescription Dentists: Dental Rx – There is an APP for Your Dental Lab Prescription Dentists: Dental Rx
#catcot#tcotBoeingBrownCaliforniaHaleyNLRBPinboard LinksTaxesWater
⟵Day By Day August 22, 2011 – Odds
President 2012: Mitt Romney Expanding His Presence in California – Quadrupling Size of La Jolla Home⟶ | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line166 |
__label__wiki | 0.643336 | 0.643336 | Shari Anderson - Israel's richest woman - says she sees future
But the biggest jolt comes from the woman in the executive chair: Arison -- billionaire ($2.7 by Forbes's most recent estimate), perhaps the richest woman in the Middle East, a major force in Israeli philanthropy -- claims that she can see the future.
This is much bigger than a parlor trick. In her new book published this summer in Israel, the 51-year-old Miami native says she felt the Indonesian tsunami sweeping over the land two months before it happened and sensed Hurricane Katrina pummeling New Orleans. In an interview, Arison says she also "saw the writing on the wall" before the global economic crash. Reading about Arison's extrasensory perception makes you ache for a heads-up, maybe a blog entry or a tweet or a phone call to Brownie or Greenspan or somebody who might have helped.
Arison explains that she has finally dropped the fear that has held her back from doing more about what she has perceived. Armed with the insight gained through work with Florida-based psychiatrist Brian Weiss, a proponent of regression therapy and the exploration of (take your pick) deep memories or past lives, she says she is ready to go public with her visions and bring together her spiritual and business goals.
"Dr. Weiss told me during these meetings that one day I will have a significant role in world peace, but at that time I did not know what he was talking about and I could not cope with the idea," Arison writes in "Birth: When the Material and Spiritual Come Together," published in Hebrew as a hybrid memoir, corporate vision statement and collection of speeches. A possible English edition is in negotiation, according to an Arison representative.[...]
Ethiopian crisis - halacha not racism
There are a number of conflicting versions of this story circulating. But so far it would seem that there is a major halachic problem - not racisim. Furthermore these are Falash Mura who had converted to Christianity in Ethiopia, not the Beta Yisroel See also Tzitz Eliezer
JPost is reporting that Rav Ovadiya Yosef is demanding that the students be accepted.
Shas spiritual mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef threatened Monday to fire any school principal from Shas's school system who refused to receive Ethiopian students.
In parallel, Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shlomo Amar announced that it was forbidden to send Ethiopian students to the secular school system.
"If I was brought into this world only to help the Ethiopians that is enough for me", said Yosef on Monday morning during a meeting with Amar in his home in Jerusalem's Har Nof neighborhood, according to Amar's spokesman.
Amar's spokesman said that the chief rabbi ruled that it was forbidden to integrate the Ethiopians in secular state schools because many were Falashmura who were still in the process of converting to Judaism. [...]
Haaretz reports That Chief Rabbi Amar - says that they can't be accepted because of unnamed halachic reasons
Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar said Monday that Ethiopian students could not be accepted into religious schools in Petah Tikva because of "halakhic reasons." [...]
Torah law is used as long as society functions properly/Igros Moshe
Igros Moshe(C.M. 2:68): … The Torah reserves capital punishment for those sins which are very serious such as murder, kidnapping, sexually prohibited relations and idolatry. The perpetrator in these cases is unrestrained and is capable of doing whatever disgusting and cruel acts in the world that are in his heart that he thinks are for his benefit. However the death penalty is not administered out of hatred to evildoers or fear for the welfare of society because Bava Metzia (83b) tells us that G‑d will punish transgressors. That in fact is the halacha as poskened by the Rambam (Hilchos Chovel u’Mazik 8:9) as well as all other poskim. So on the one hand the purpose of capital punishment is to let people know the severity of these prohibitions so that they will not transgress them. On the other hand the laws of capital punishment emphasize the importance of each soul and other concerns. Therefore we are commanded that only the Sanhedrin with proper semicha can judge these cases. Only the greatest people in Torah scholarship and other knowledge receives this semicha. In addition to their knowledge they also need to have perfected their character and be very humble as well as G‑d fearing people. They also need to hate money and love the truth as well as wonderful people who are beloved by all…They don’t have any imperfections or bad reputations and they are very merciful. That is why very old people are not appointed judges because they have forgotten the stress of raising children. Also people without children are not appointed because they lack mercy to some degree and they will be too angry at those who have committed sins. Even these great and good people cannot judge unless they constitute a Sanhedrin of 23 people. However it is not enough there are 23 such people to make a Sanhedrin. They also need to have before them 3 rows of very great Torah scholars who are not yet great enough to be part of the Sanhedrin – but are almost great enough. This is to protect the Sanhedrin from making a mistake in judgment. That is because when these three rows of scholars think that the Sanhedrin is mistaken in their ruling of innocence they will protest and will not listen at all to their words. Another safeguard against making a mistake is that they do not convict based on circumstantial evidence – no matter how convincing. They only convict a person based on two valid witnesses who have not the slightest bias in the matter... Furthermore the witnesses are warned concerning the severity of the sin of false testimony as well as the seriousness of the sin of murder so that they are very afraid of mistakenly convicting or mistakenly declaring the suspected murderer innocent. Even with all of this the witnesses also have to warn the person against murder and the suspected murderer has to acknowledge the warning by saying that even though he is aware of the seriousness off the crime he is still doing it. As a consequence of all these safeguards, only once in many years would someone be convicted of murder. In addition it was impossible to judge capital cases unless the Temple existed and that the Sanhedrin of 71 of the greatest scholars was in session on the Temple Mount. In fact capital cases were not judged even in those countries where the king gave the Jews permission to judge their own people according to the law of the Torah. As a consequence of these two factors there were almost no Jewish murderers because of the awareness of the severity of the prohibition of murder and because they were educated by means of the Torah and the punishments of the Torah to understand the seriousness of the crime. They were not simply afraid of punishment in the sense of getting caught but were afraid of the crime itself. However this use of the Torah system to run society was only when the crime of murder was not common but was simply the result of someone’s great lust or some quarrel concerning money or honor. But when people killed simply because it was viewed as an insignificant thing and the murderer was simply a callous and cruel person or similarly if there was a great deal of murders and wickedness – then a different system of law was utilized that was concerned with the pragmatic question of stopping killing and the goal became saving the society
Chareidi parking lot protests
See also YNET JPOST
When will haredi protests in Jerusalem end?
Police refer to violent weekend in capital as 'a step up,' mayor and haredim holding steadfastly to their opinion in regards to opening of parking lot, but expert says there is a chance for calm after High Holidays
The haredi community's protests over the opening of a parking lot in Jerusalem on Shabbat continued this weekend, and as things look now, there is no end in sight. The past two days were particularly violent – a young ultra-Orthodox man was run over by a car, six policemen were lightly injured and about 16 demonstrators were arrested.
Haredi sources have vowed to "continue the protests until Nir Barkat capitulates and closes the parking lot," but one of the Jerusalem mayor's associates told Ynet on Saturday night that "the parking lot will remain open, and violence will definitely not change this."[...]
Insistence on only Torah law would destroy society
There are many sources which explicity reject Rav Menashe Klein's view
Beis Yosef(Choshen Mishpat 2:2): The Rashba (3:393) states: It appears to me that if the witnesses are believed by the judges then the judges are permitted to administer physical or monetary punishment according that which they deem appropriate. This is necessary to preserve society. Because if you would insist that everything has to follow the law of the Torah and only punish according to the Torah in cases of beatings and similar cases – the result is that the world would be destroyed. In other words, society would be destroyed if you were always required to have 2 male Jewish witnesses and forewarn the criminal in order to convict a person of a crime. This is what is meant in Bava Metzia (30b): Yerushalyaim was only destroyed because they insisted on following the Torah law. This is certainly true outside of Israel where monetary fines are not administered according to Torah law. As a consequence of the inability of Torah law to punish those who don’t take committing crimes seriously - they would break down the walls that protect society and as a result the world would become lawless and destroyed….
Fear of Chareidi takeover
For context, please note that this video originally appeared on July 19, 2009 on Israel TV Channel 1 & JPost.com
Artzeinu - A blog about Eretz Yisrael 1
This is a guest posting.
Web 2.0, The Aliyah Revolution, and Nefesh B'Nefesh
"I told her we were planning on making Aliyah. do you know what she answered? She said, "Oh, people still do that?"..... Fast forward one whole year. Four hundred people just made aliyah with an organization [NBN] that didn't exist one year ago. People who never would have thought of making aliyah are sudden thinking about it. And many people are really doing it." Laura Ben-David, An Aliyah Journal
I truly believe that there is an Aliyah Revolution going on in today's times. I think it started with Nefesh B'Nefesh and was bolstered by Blogs (like the Aliyah Blog) that show that is possible to live and be happy in Israel and other organizations that provide information about making aliyah (like Kehillot Tehilla).
When I first lived in Eretz Yisroel in 2000, only 9 years ago, none of these resources existed. And when I left in 2003, I still felt that there were few resources for the person wishing to live his life in Israel. It was hard to find out about careers, resources, communities, etc. Now, that has all changed. [...]
Rule #1: Avoid displeasing Muslims
The publicly funded Multicultural Center's (Werkstatt der Kulturen) decision to remove educational panels of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Hajj Muhammad Amin al-Husseini, who was an ally of Adolf Hitler, from a planned exhibit, sparked outrage on Thursday among a district mayor, the curator of the exhibit, and the Berlin Jewish community.
The curator, Karl Rössler, told The Jerusalem Post that it is a "scandal" that the director of the Werkstatt, Philippa Ebéné, sought to censor the exhibit.
"One must, of course, name that al-Husseini, a SS functionary, participated in the Holocaust," said Rössler. [...]
Rav Sternbuch: Elul - getting a fresh start
Anti-Obamacare ad rejected by ABC & NBC
Fox News Bloomberg News - Cardiolgists and Oncologists fight medicare cuts
Questions from a cohen with a non-Jewish girl friend
I received permission to post the following from a young American Jew with some difficult questions.
Hello Rabbi,
I am a Kohen seeking answers to important questions. Any advice or wisdom you can bestow upon a very concerned soul who is yearning for answers would be immeasurably appreciated. About my background: I was losely raised in a Conservative setting, and at this point, I am cautiously interested in becoming more observant. I did not first go to Israel until three years ago. This was my first exposure to Orthodox Judaism and the significance of my status as a Kohen. Unfortunately, and this is the basis for my letter, I think that I have contracted the herpes virus. I want to learn if there are any halachic implications when one contracts such a virus, and if so, what those implications are.
For example, am I no longer a Kohen? If I have a son in the future, can I still pass on my Kohen status? Can I still have Kidushin with a Jewish woman? Practically speaking, how will dating work for me in the Orthodox world should I decide to turn Frum?
My circumstances also present other complicated issues. Unfortunately, I was not raised in a strong Jewish setting, and as such, the notion of only dating Jews was not instilled in me. Consequently, I have been dating a non-Jew for several years. I am in love with my girlfriend. However, based on my exposure to Judaism, I have become "in love" with Judaism, and thus, I am considering breaking off the relationship. Yet if as a result of contracting the virus I am Halachikally barred from marrying or having Jewish children, then what is the point of breaking up? Moreover, even if I am not Halachikally barred from marrying, as a practical matter, how will I find a Jewish woman that will marry me me with my condition?
Rav Menashe Klein: How does calling an abuser a rodef - permit calling the police?
I had previously posted the teshuva of Rav Menashe Klein and child abuse. However there the concern was his insistence on following the strict letter of Torah law concerning witnesses. In our recent discussion of labeling an abuse a rodef he raises another important point - how does calling an abuser a rodef permit calling the police?
Notice the following discussion in the Rema and then read Rav Klein's teshuva.
Shulchan Aruch(C.M. 35:14): A woman is not a valid witness…Rema: All those who are invalid witnesses are invalid even in circumstances where Jewish men are usually not found. However all this is according to the strict letter of the law, but there are those who say that there is an ancient decree that regarding a place where men are not normally found such as the women’s section of a synagogue or any other circumstances where only women are typically present and not men. This decree also applies in regards to facts that woman pay attention to and men don’t - such as to testify that “this woman wore these clothes.” In these cases a woman’s testimony is believed (Terumas HaDeshen 353 and Aguda asara yuchsin). Therefore there are those who say that even one woman or a relative or child is believed concerning physical abuse or the shaming of a talmid chachom or other disputes and informing. That is simple because it is not normal to invite valid witnesses nor is there time to summon them to these events (Maharik 179, Maharam M’Rizborg, Kol Bo #116). These alternative witnesses are only believed when they claim that they are certain of what they are saying (Maharik 93).
Rav Menashe Klein (Mishneh Halachos 16:58): … Shulchan Aruch (C.M. 388:9) writes that it is prohibited to cause a Jew to be handed over to the secular government whether physically or his money - even if he is a wicked person and even if he irritates and causes someone distress. It would seem from this statement of the Shulchan Aruch that it is prohibited to report a person to the police. Nevertheless in Nishmas Avraham (C.M. part 4 page 207) he cites in the name of Prof Avraham Sofer that Rav Eliashiv, the Tzitz Eliezer, R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach classify a molester as a rodef (pursuer) and that they rule that it is permitted to report the molester to the police. However I don’t have this book to see what they actually said….
Concerning the issue of whether it is permitted to give him over to the secular courts (see Shulchan Aruch 388:9). But this that you want to say that he is a rodef (pursuer); I don’t know what you mean. In the case of the rodef we have an established principle that if we can stop him by damaging one of his limbs then he should be stopped that way. Therefore in our case we can say that after the matter has been clarified that he in fact committed the crime, nevertheless he can be stopped by firing him from the school and therefore he will not have the opportunity to do the crime again. Since the administration can stop him in this manner they have no right to punish him by given him to the secular government since he is no longer a rodef. Furthermore if he is now pursued after he has been fired then the victim becomes the rodef and the rodef becomes the victim. If it has been clarified before proper witnesses then there is an alternative way of dealing with him by firing him – it is prohibited to hand him over to the government. And surely in the case where the facts have not been clarified by proper witness as I said before – but only by means of circumstantial evidence. Nevertheless he does not have the status of a wicked person except by means of proper witnesses. So surely it is prohibited to hand him over to the police and to have him imprisoned. (Also because in the case of imprisonment when he is freed he will be like he was before.) Nevertheless after he has committed a transgression we have no ability give him a punishment of flogging because we don’t have a beis din with proper semicha. We do have the ability to make various decrees but what ever is done must be done according to the Torah and with a proper beis din. Nevertheless in a situation where all the clarifications of facts have not been done according to the Torah as we have written, even though it is possible to fire him from the school – but G‑d forbid to hand him over to the police and have him imprisoned.
Therefore I am extremely upset that there are rabbis that have decided to give permission in all cases to go to the civil courts. There are cases of people who have come to me where a child who learns in the school and has various problems with the teacher and has accused the teacher of pursing him in a disgusting manner. Even though there is no previous history of such a thing and he has acted like any other religious teacher. Nevertheless they go to a rav who tells them immediately to call the police. That is in my humble opinion a very serious prohibition. Concerning this the Shulchan Aruch (C.M. 26) says that a person who goes to the secular courts is a wicked person and is like one who blasphemes and raises his hand against the Torah of Moshe. The Rema adds to the Shulchan Aruch and says to punish anyone who assists in this endeavor. Thus one who rules that one should go to the secular courts is included in one who assists in this endeavor. In addition he is giving permission to be a moser and to go to the secular courts which is included in cherem – G‑d forbid.
EJF declares world-wide war on intemarriage
Eternal Jewish Family Blog
The Eternal Jewish Family International (EJF) has launched a major initiative on three continents to stem the tide of soaring intermarriage in Jewish communities in the US, Israel and Europe. Eternal Jewish Family is partnering with the largest and most successful kiruv (outreach) organizations, such as Ohr Somayach — Jerusalem, Hidabroot, Lev L'achim and Nefesh Yehudi in reaching out to large numbers of Jewish youth "with a direct message on the threat of intermarriage to themselves, their families, and the Jewish future". In the US, Eternal Jewish Family will team up with Gateways in reaching vulnerable youth. "This epidemic of intermarriage can only be confronted with 'straight talk' about the dangers of intermarriage", said Rabbi Leib Tropper, Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Yaakov/Horizons and the chairman of the Rabbinical Board of Eternal Jewish Family. "We can no longer afford to beat around the bush in the hope that the anti-intermarriage message will somehow penetrate". In many instances, Eternal Jewish Family will be cosponsoring seminars and Shabbatonim for the Jewish youth where special sessions will be devoted to the dangers of intermarriage. The first such Shabbaton in March was held in Baden, Austria in a joint program with Nefesh Yehudi for more than 100 Israeli medical students in Central and Eastern Europe. Eternal Jewish Family will be joining the outreach (kiruv) organizations in many similar seminars in the coming months.
Down's Syndrome - Disaster or mixed blessing?
A friend confided to me that she was concerned about her sister, who had just given birth to a little girl with Down Syndrome.
"I'm worried about her state of mind. She seems to be in denial, behaving as if the baby was normal. I'm wondering how she will cope when the reality hits."
I ventured that denial might be a necessary stage in the acceptance process.
"It's too big a thing to embrace all at once," I surmised, "and so she has gone into shock, like people do after a traumatic event. It shields her from the full force of what has happened, but that doesn't mean she isn't coming to terms with it inside." [...]
America's rising debt
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Altering Torah laws when they become a problem
Meiri(Sanhedrin 17a):… It is necessary that the members of Sanhedrin should be very intelligent and sharp in all matters. This is expressed by saying that a person is not appointed to the Sanhedrin unless he is a talmid chachom who knows how to declare spiritually clean that which the Torah says is spiritually impure. It seems to me that the explanation for this is that if they see problems being created by any of the Torah laws in their generation – they should be able to create new halachos and to add and subtract from the Torah for the time of the emergency and be able to find justification for their words from the Torah itself. Similarly the Gaonim wrote that according to the Talmud that the rabbanim and Gaonim have the power to create new decrees and regulations in a general or specific manner in order to remove serious problems according to what they see in their times – even with just a weak legal justification. However the great commentators have written that the Talmud has only given this power to the major transmitters of Tradition or for those who are masters of correct reasoning and clear logic. Only they have the right to remove or add or interpret. In fact this barrier is locked before the majority of people and it is only the greatest scholars of the generation who possess the great knowledge and sharpness and analytical skills necessary along with the clear cut understanding and deliberate judgment – who are permitted to do it …
Circumcision as a weapon against AIDS
Public health officials are considering promoting routine circumcision for all baby boys born in the United States to reduce the spread of H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS.
The topic is a delicate one that has already generated controversy, even though a formal draft of the proposed recommendations, due out from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by the end of the year, has yet to be released.
Experts are also considering whether the surgery should be offered to adult heterosexual men whose sexual practices put them at high risk of infection. But they acknowledge that a circumcision drive in the United States would be unlikely to have a drastic impact: the procedure does not seem to protect those at greatest risk here, men who have sex with men.
Recently, studies showed that in African countries hit hard by AIDS, men who were circumcised reduced their infection risk by half. But the clinical trials in Africa focused on heterosexual men who are at risk of getting H.I.V. from infected female partners. [...]
Sweden's "when did you stop beating your wife" standard of journalism
YNET YNET (humor altert)
Boström explained that he had not meant to imply that IDF soldiers were killing Palestinians for their organs. "Even the Palestinians don't say that," he said
"What they said is that when the Israeli army returned the bodies, 62 of them had been autopsied and 20 Palestinian families I spoke to were certain that their sons' organs had been harvested."
But Boström admitted he had no evidence of such deeds, as the bodies returned to the families were never examined to determine whether organs had been taken. "As far as I know no one examined the bodies," he said. "All I'm saying is that this needs to be investigated."
Rodef and the right of self-defense
One of the difficult issues in dealing with abuse is the issue of rodef (pursuer) and the associated issue of self-defense. Rodef has acquired a problematic status because Rabin's assassin used the concept as justification for killing Rabin.
1) Is rodef a commonsense expression of the right to self-defense or is it a special halacha which we would only have because of a Torah verse and Chazal's explanation.
2) Does the status of rodef require a beis din or can anyone make the decision (extra-judiciarly) and consequently kill or maim someone who is a threat?
3) Does rodef require a clear and present danger or is it enough for a reasonable person to suspect that his life is at stake.
4) Can anyone stop a rodef or is it only permitted for the potential victim.
5) A pregnant woman who is having a difficult birth which endangers her life is allowed to kill the baby - but only until it's head comes out. At that point the baby is no longer considered a rodef - but Heaven is. What is the distinction?
6) If abuse doesn't cause the victim to commit suicide or involve a sin punished by kares or death - is the abuser still a rodef and thus can be killed or maimed if that is the only way to stop him?
7) Does it matter which of the sources the law of rodef is derived 1) Rape of a betrothed maiden (Sanhedrin 73a). 2) Burglar breaking into one's home (Sanhedrin 72b). 3) Don't stand idly by the blood of your brother (Vayikra 19:16) 4) Two men who are fighting (Devarim 25:11). 5) Difficult labor (Shulchan Aruch 425:2) 6) Commonsense- self defense.
8) Does the threat have to be direct or can it be indirect?
9) If the rodef model is used - can the abuser only be threatened before committing abuse - or even afterwards.
10) What is the difference between viewing abuse as rodef and viewing it a threat to public welfare?
11) Is the status of rodef severely limited by the laws of modern secular society? For example can anyone maim or kill someone trying to commit rape [of a man woman or child] according to secular law?
Geirus - R' Eisenstein's observations
The item on the left is a transcript of R' Eisenstein's comments from the 2007 Washington convention as it appeared in the Yated magazine section.
Observations from an interview in Bakehila August 13, 2009 page 6 - (my translation)
1) "A large part of invalid geirim originate in Israel"
2) Regarding those who were converted by R' Druckman - "It is necessary to correct the statement that they were invalidated retroactively. There was no disqualification of the geirus. Does anyone really think the thousands of geirim from these special courts accepted to do mitzvos? Go and see that that the absolute majority continued to live as non-Jews immediately after the conversion. Even those converts who genuinely accepted to do mitzvos are in fact invalid because this beis din that they used was invalid. You will note that in the case that caused all the upset - the woman did not even observe the first Shabbos. Is this called conversion?"
3) It is only Reform and Conservative conversions which are not such a problem because everyone knows that they are not the paper they were written on. The real problem is the Orthodox rabbis..."
4) "It is not just once or twice but much more than that in yeshivos and Beis Yaakovs that it has been revealed cases of young people whose mother had an invalid conversion. The problem is revealed when they want to get married and they turn to us to examine the conversion. But how many cases are not revealed? From the time that kiruv organizations have done their holy work the numbers of these cases have constantly increased. This is also from baalei teshuva who come to marry with us and then it is discovered that they are not Jewish."
5) "In most cases where it is discovered that these people who mistakenly thought they were Jews we convert them secretly. However there have been cases of a young lady about to be married and it is discovered that her mother was not converted properly. So even though we convert them according to the halacha - but since the chasan was a cohen - the engagement is destroyed."
Circumstantial evidence & lashon harah
Shabbos (56a): But Samuel maintained: David did not pay heed to slander, [for] he saw self-evident things in him,22 For it is written, And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, etc.23
This gemora is used as the justification that if there is clear circumstantial evidence then it is not considered lashon harah to believe negative things about another.
Semag (Negative #10) :If a person sees in another aspects and circumstantial evidence which seems to validate the claim then it is proper to believe and accept that which is said as is stated in Shabbos (56b)…
Shulhan Arukh haRav(O.C. 156:10): One who accepts lashon harah is punished more than the one who says it unelss he sees clear cirucmstantial evidence.
However the Chofetz Chaim(Hilchos Lashon Hara, kelaI 7:10-11): takes a much more stringent view
חפץ חיים (הלכות אסורי לשון הרע - כלל ז:י-יב): י. וְאִם יֵשׁ עָלָיו (כב) דְּבָרִים הַנִּכָּרִים, שֶׁנִּרְאֶה עַל יְדֵי זֶה, שֶׁמַּה שֶּׁמְּסַפְּרִין עָלָיו הוּא אֱמֶת, דִּינָא הָכֵי (הַדִּין כָּךְ), אִם יֵשׁ בָּעִנְיָן הַזֶּה, אֲפִלּוּ אִם הַדָּבָר אֱמֶת, (כג) לְשָׁפְטוֹ לְצַד זְכוּת, אוֹ בְּעִנְיְנֵי שְׁלִילַת הַמַּעֲלוֹת, אוֹ בְּכָל שְׁאָר הַפְּרָטִים, הַמְבֹאָרִים לְעֵיל בְּסָעִיף ז', לֹא שַׁיָּךְ בָּזֶה דְּבָרִים הַנִּכָּרִים, דְּוַדַּאי אָנוּ מְחֻיָּבִין לְדוּנוֹ לְכַף זְכוּת (כד) כֵּיוָן שֶׁהוּא אִישׁ בֵּינוֹנִי כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִתְבַּזֶּה עַל יְדֵי זֶה בְּעֵינֵינוּ וְכַנַּ"ל, אֲבָל אִם הוּא דָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אֵין לִמְצֹא צַד זְכוּת עַל הָעוֹשְׁקוֹ, (כה) מֻתָּר לְהַאֲמִין וּלְקַבֵּל:
[הגה"ה - וּבְכָל זֹאת צְרִיכִין לְהִזָּהֵר מְאֹד וְלַחֲקֹר בְּשֶׁבַע חֲקִירוֹת, אִם הֵם בֶּאֱמֶת דְּבָרִים הַנִּכָּרִים, וְלִזָּהֵר בְּכָל הַתְּנָאִים שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לָזֶה וּכְדִלְקַמָּן, כִּי הַיֵּצֶר מַטְעֶה אֶת הָאָדָם בָּזֶה מְאֹד וּמַרְאֶה לוֹ כַּמָּה דְּבָרִים הַנִּכָּרִים שֶׁהֵם אֱמֶת, כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּאֲמִין בָּזֶה וְיִלְכְּדֶנּוּ עַל יְדֵי זֶה בְּרֶשֶׁת שֶׁל עֲוֹן קַבָּלַת לָשׁוֹן הָרָע, וְעַל כֵּן אַל יְמַהֵר לְהָקֵל בָּזֶה]:
יא. וְדַוְקָא אִם הֵם נִכָּרִים מַמָּשׁ, דְּהַיְנוּ (כו) שֶׁהֵם מַגִּיעוֹת לְעִנְיַן הַסִּפּוּר, וְגַם רָאָה אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הַנִּכָּרִים בְּעַצְמוֹ. אֲבָל אִם הֵם רְחוֹקִין מִזֶּה רַק הוּא כְּעֵין דָּבָר הַנִּכָּר קְצָת, אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא רָאָה אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הַנִּכָּרִים בְּעַצְמוֹ (כז) רַק שְׁמָעָן מִפִּי אֲחֵרִים, אֵין לוֹ בָּזֶה שׁוּם יִתְרוֹן כְּלָל:
יב. וְדַע, דַּאֲפִלּוּ דְּבָרִים הַנִּכָּרִים מַמָּשׁ, אֵינוֹ מוֹעִיל רַק לְעִנְיַן, שֶׁעַל יְדֵי זֶה יִהְיֶה מֻתָּר לְהַאֲמִין בְּעַצְמוֹ אֶת הַדָּבָר שֶׁמְּסַפְּרִין לוֹ, אֲבָל לְעִנְיַן לֵילֵךְ אַחַר כָּךְ וּלְסַפֵּר דָּבָר זֶה לַאֲחֵרִים, לֹא מְהַנֵּי (לֹא מוֹעִיל) דְּלֹא עָדִיף, מֵאִם רָאָה בְּעַצְמוֹ דְּבַר גְּנוּת עַל חֲבֵרוֹ, (כח) שֶׁאָסוּר לְסַפֵּר אַחַר כָּךְ לַאֲנָשִׁים, וּכְמוֹ שֶׁמְּבֹאָר לְעֵיל בִּכְלָל ד' סָעִיף ג' וְד'. וְדַע עוֹד (כט) דִּבְכָל אֹפֶן אָסוּר לִסְמֹךְ עַל הֶתֵּר זֶה שֶׁל דְּבָרִים הַנִּכָּרִים מַמָּשׁ (ל) לְהַפְסִידוֹ עַל יְדֵי זֶה בְּמָמוֹן (לא) אוֹ לְהַכּוֹתוֹ:
Rav Moshe Sternbuch - Elul
Obamacare & Death Counseling
Washington Post Charles Krauthammer
Let's see if we can have a reasoned discussion about end-of-life counseling.
We might start by asking Sarah Palin to leave the room. I've got nothing against her. She's a remarkable political talent. But there are no "death panels" in the Democratic health-care bills, and to say that there are is to debase the debate.
We also have to tell the defenders of the notorious Section 1233 of H.R. 3200 that it is not quite as benign as they pretend. To offer government reimbursement to any doctor who gives end-of-life counseling -- whether or not the patient asked for it -- is to create an incentive for such a chat.
What do you think such a chat would be like? Do you think the doctor will go on and on about the fantastic new million-dollar high-tech gizmo that can prolong the patient's otherwise hopeless condition for another six months? Or do you think he's going to talk about -- as the bill specifically spells out -- hospice care and palliative care and other ways of letting go of life? [...]
EJF - why are they desperate for praise?
R' Tropper's Blog - A strange comment which leaves out the essential point i.e., the Bedatz has severely condemned the EJF
Rabbi Tropper, is it true that someone from the Badatz spoke with Hagaon Rav Dovid Feinstein, shlit"a regarding Eternal Jewish Family?
Yitzchok R. Philadelphia, Pa
Rabbi Leib Tropper Responds:
It was reported to me by this Rav from the Badatz that he spoke with Hagaon Rav Dovid, shlit"a and Hagaon Rav Dovid, shlit"a said positive things about Eternal Jewish Family. This same respected Rav from the Badatz spoke with Hagaon Rav Reuven Feinstein, shlit"a. This happened to my recollection, close to 2 years ago.
Another Rav in Flatbush called me who is very close to Rav Dovid, Shlit"a and told me that he also spoke with Rav Dovid, shlit"a and that only nice things were spoken.
This Rav in Flatbush also reported this conversation to Rav Nochum Eisenstein, shlit"a.
Harav Yom Tov Stern also heard the same from this Rav who is from the Badatz.
Doctors who deliver bad news
[...]Most doctors do not excel at delivering bad news, decades of studies show, if only because it goes against their training to save lives, not end them. But Dr. O'Mahony, who works at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, belongs to a class of doctors, known as palliative care specialists, who have made death their life's work. They study how to deliver bad news, and they do it again and again. They know secrets like who, as a rule, takes it better. They know who is more likely to suffer silently, and when is the best time to suggest a do-not-resuscitate order.
Palliative care has become a recognized subspecialty, with fellowships, hospital departments and medical school courses aimed at managing patients' last months. It has also become a focus of attacks on plans to overhaul the nation's medical system, with false but persistent rumors that the government will set up "death panels" to decide who deserves treatment. Many physicians dismiss these complaints as an absurd caricature of what palliative medicine is all about.
Still, as an aging population wrangles with how to gracefully face the certainty of death, the moral and economic questions presented by palliative care are unavoidable: How much do we want, and need, to know about the inevitable? Is the withholding of heroic treatment a blessing, a rationing of medical care or a step toward euthanasia?[...]
Lockerbie Bomber freed for compassion!
The Scottish government announced Thursday that it was freeing the only person convicted in the Lockerbie bombing, permitting Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, a 57-year-old former Libyan intelligence agent, to return home on compassionate grounds after serving 8 years of a 27-year minimum sentence on charges of murdering 270 people in Britain's worst terrorist episode.
The decision to release him early on compassionate grounds was made against strenuous American opposition after Mr. Megrahi's lawyers said he had little time left to live because he is suffering from terminal prostate cancer.
The announcement at a news conference by Scotland's Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill, came almost 21 years after a bomb smuggled onto Pan Am Flight 103 exploded at 31,000 feet over the Scottish town of Lockerbie on Dec. 21, 1988, killing 259 people on board and 11 on the ground.
Of the dead, 189 were Americans. The Scottish decision was certain to provoke anguished protest from American families of the victims who had demanded that he serve his full sentence. [...]
EJf - June 2009 conference in Jerusalem
EJF Blog
IT WAS BY ALL accounts an unprecedented gathering of leading kiruv rabbanim from around the world, as well as rabbanim in cities and towns throughout Israel. The event took place from June 15–17, 2009 at Jerusalem's Inbal Hotel. The sponsor was the Eternal Jewish Family International, which is in the midst of a major global expansion of its activities to support rabbanim and batei din involved with intermarried couples who genuinely strive for a halachic conversion to Judaism. It also assists kiruv organizations that are on the front lines in the fight against assimilation, such as the co-sponsors of the event: Arachim Ohr Somayach Hidabroot Lev L'achim Shuvu Nefesh Yehudi In the U.S., it also includes the Gateways organization.
The rabbanim deliberated on such topics as "Worldwide Assimilation: Today's Spiritual Holocaust", "Building Barriers Against Fictitious Conversions to Judaism," Anti-Semitism and Assimilation: Cause or Effect?", and "Determining the Status of Certain 'Jews' in the Community". The rabbanim, who represented numerous cities around the globe, expressed their deepest concern over the grave issue of world-wide assimilation. In addition, they addressed a growing problem in Israel where many young people return from study abroad with non-Jewish spouses. Kiruv experts spoke of the dangers facing Israeli youth in Israel. They resolved to step up the educational efforts to hopefully thwart this growing trend. The tone of the historic conference was set by Eternal Jewish Family's chairman, Menachem Yitzchak (Tom) Kaplan who noted that "in my wildest dreams I could not imagine such a rapid and broad acceptance by rabbanim all over the world of the vision we laid out with the help of the leading Torah authorities". Kaplan said that he was "committed to do whatever it takes to take on assimilation and problematic conversions to Judaism wherever the problem exists". Rabbi Leib Tropper, the organization's chairman of the Halachic Committee, spoke of the successes of Eternal Jewish Family in "raising the bar on conversions to Judaism and successfully uniting rabbanim and dayanim from disparate backgrounds in preserving kedushas yisroel". The theme of kedushas yisrael was also addressed by some of the notable gedolei yisrael and leading rabbanim who participated in the conference. [...]
When cancer changes your appearance
I have survived over 40 years of ill health. Even so I have learned to live a life of chronic patienthood where I am not dominated by illness. I have managed to focus on goals that have nothing to do with illness. Living life for me is learning to surf above the uneven terrain of my health.
My health history is so involved I have created a Google document to keep track of it. I've had three kidney transplants, a pancreas transplant, 27 years of Type 1 diabetes, and four-plus years of metastasizing cancer. I've broken my leg, elbow, wrist, both feet, hands, skull and ribs (yes, I might be accident prone from time to time). Plus, I've coped with all the secondary illnesses that waltz along with these problems, including osteoporosis, gastroparesis, cataracts, gallbladder failure, impacted bowel and chronic bleeding.
Today, my most obvious issue, a side effect of treatment for head and neck cancer, is chronic facial swelling, also known as moon face. The removal of several lymph nodes from my neck and subsequent radiation treatments have rendered my lymphatic system unable to drain fluids from my head. I get up each morning and remind myself that I'm going to be swollen, tired and nauseous. So if I get something done, like epoxy the hatches of the kayak I'm building, it's a great day. Or if I get through all my (liquid) food, it's a great day. Or if one of our cats comes up to say hello, rubs itself on my leg and settles down for a nap near me … yep: great day! [...]
Is child abuse pikuach nefesh?
Roni commented to a previous post - I am making it a separate post & moved other comments
Shalom!
Lean"d regarding 2 (and then 3), it is clear lefu, rihatoh that at best the C is applicable:
I have to check all M"M; but lefm ruhatoh it is barur, that there are two cases of refuah. a) where there is no sakanah whatsoever, b) where there is chashash sakonoh, especially if it is a safek or sfek sakanah.
It would appear clearly, that whereever there is a sakanah or safek sakanah, that we have an issue of pikuach nefesh! where it is much more than avedat gufoy!
The m"m that you cite are mostly for a) cases where there is no sakanat nefashot. A proof for that is: that at the beggining of YD 336 it says (after it states that it is reshut, it adds that it is ) Mitzvah "ubichlal pikuach nefesh!". It seems pashut that pikuach nefesh does not require the parsha and obligation of of "hashvat aveda"; it is a chiyuv on it's own.
It would appear that the reference that are cited later in the posskim (or the rishonim) refer to a situation where there is clearly no sakanat nefashot; there it is under the parsha of "hashavat gufoy"; but if it is akin to "roeh chaveroy toveah bayam..." or nochrim having a bad thought on a Jew (CM 426) then it falls under "loy taamod al dam reecho" and if it is a case of sakanat nefashot it falls under pikuach nefesh.
Wrt to three: It seems clear that there is an additional obligation of "atrichoy veoygureh" (to add tircha and hire experts) that is not under the general obgliation of a regular "hashavat gufoy".
the question will have to be analyzed what is the geder of molestation: "pikuach nefesh" sakanat nefesh or just "hashvat gufoy" (I would tend to a go with the former. But let's hear the discussion on it).
Regarding Chemdat Shlomoh. I don't have the mareh mekomot in my mind now, but I remember a LOT OF ACHRONIM MATMIHA ON THIS PATICULAR CHEMDAT SHLOMOH and disagreeing harshly with him.
Bechavod uvrachah,
Cognitive therapy and the army
The Army plans to require that all 1.1 million of its soldiers take intensive training in emotional resiliency, military officials say.
The training, the first of its kind in the military, is meant to improve performance in combat and head off the mental health problems, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide, that plague about one-fifth of troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
Active-duty soldiers, reservists and members of the National Guard will receive the training, which will also be available to their family members and to civilian employees.
The new program is to be introduced at two bases in October and phased in gradually throughout the service, starting in basic training. It is modeled on techniques that have been tested mainly in middle schools.
Usually taught in weekly 90-minute classes, the methods seek to defuse or expose common habits of thinking and flawed beliefs that can lead to anger and frustration — for example, the tendency to assume the worst. ("My wife didn't answer the phone; she must be with someone else.") [...]
Segregating women on buses
NA'AMAT women's organization chairwoman pushes for limit against segregation on public transport. 'It's unthinkable that women in a democratic country are violently pushed to the back of a bus,' says Women's Lobby chairwoman
A Transport Ministry's committee convened Tuesday to discuss whether to legalize segregation between men and women on public transportation lines. Meanwhile women's organizations are joining the struggle against the separation.
Since the petition on the matter was filed to the High Court of Justice in 2007 by the Israel Religious Action Center and author Naomi Ragen, a wide front has been formed for battling the matter. Dozens of leading public figures have signed the petition calling on Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz to come out against the phenomenon, including Israel Prize Laureates A. B. Yehoshua and Haim Guri. [...]
Changing entrenched attitudes
Yirmiahu wrote:
Recently, Rabbi Daniel Eidensohn mentioned that he was interesting in exploring "how to actually change entrenched attitudes which have no halachic basis." As it turns out I had recently been skimming a book from fifty or sixty years ago on Public Relations, called "Public Relations"* which addressed this issue (albeit without direct reference to ideas without halachic basis).
Public Opinion is not a mere collection of individual opinions. It has its own dynamic which should be taken into account if one hopes to be an influence. While we are interested in how these principles are applicable to a specific sociological group, we should bear in mind that they apply generally as well. Indeed as individuals these principles likely factor into our opinion making more than we would like to imagine, and almost certainly factor into how many who share our opinions reached their conclusion. Hopefully such a recognition will help us consider the role of these principles in Public Opinion without developing a spirit of condescension.
Initially we need to consider what we mean by "public", "A public is comprised of people who are engaged in a common enterprise with similar interests and are conscious of their mutual dependence" (page 26). Public Opinion is the position taken on a controversial issue by the public. In any given public there are members of various education, aptitude, and temperament. At times Public Opinion is driven by the higher, more reasoned opinions of the knowledgeable and educated. But even the knowledgeable and educated can be swayed by emotion or otherwise make poor judgments, and as a result direct Public Opinion, or allow it to be directed by those less equipped to make such decisions, in a less well thought out direction.
Now people display certain patterns of thought and behavior with respect to the "public" they identify with which influences how "Public Opinion" is developed: For the rest of the post click on this link
Abuse - reporting exempts from responsiblity?
R' Pinchos Yehoshua HaKohain wrote:
Dear Rabbi Eidensohn,
I would like to follow up on some Shakla v'Tarya from 13 July. (It is copied below). I would like to present 3 points:
1) Shomer SheMosar L'Shomer is not applicable here.
2) It is a case of Hashovas Aveida
3) What are the parameters of Hashovas Aveida and how they would apply in our context.
1) Shomer SheMosar LeShomer would not seem to be applicable here.
Either according to Abaye, that the reasoning is because "Ain Reztoni SheYehe Pikdoni b'Yad Acher" or whether according to Rovo that it is because of "At M'Hemnis Li b'Shevuoh, v'Haich Lo M'Hemnis Li", b oth reasons see that the underlying principle is a contractual agreement (a shibud) that binds the shomer, because of the contract undertaken, with the owner of the property. In our situation there has occurred no contractual arrangement between the victim and his erstwhile rescuer/interventionist.
Whether there is an Isur aspect of "Osur L'Shomer Limsor l'Shomer" is discussed in the Acharonim - please see Aruch haShulchon 291:45,46 and Pischei Choshen vol 2, 4:1:1). B ut even if there is an Isur aspect, it flows from being "Maavir Al Daas Baalim" - a Gezel/Gneiva parameter which would not be applicable in our scenario in a strictly Halocho legal sense. (Musar/ethical/moral considerations need to be considered separately)
The following sources and analysis, I believe,support this position: Click on this link for the rest of the posting
EJF - universally accepted conversions?
Anonymous comment on your post "EJF's Enhanced Web site":
I am converting through EFJ (monsey, NY) and I would like to know whether those beit dins are kosher and my conversion will be kosher. Thanks
Fair use vs copyright infringement
[[Friday update]] Matzav.com has so far refused to comply with my request to remove my translation. They have simply taken it off the main page and placed in the "Torah World" section. They insist that since they have credited me with the translation they can publish it on their site. This is clearly a copyright infringment. I responded that they can keep it on only if they remove half of the answer in the teshuva and publish a link to this blog.
Just noticed that one of my posts was published in full on another blog without even a link to the original. However I was given credit for the post. As far as I can ascertain - one should not publish a complete article without permission. How much of an article constitutes fair use is a matter of debate. I did request that the posting be removed.
This problem is discussed in a cogent article on JTA entitle "Steal this post!" by Daniel Sieradski
[...] One phenomenon that appears to be accelerating the decline of at least some Jewish news organizations is the rise of a group of Jewish news aggregation Web sites, predominantly serving the ultra-Orthodox community, which copy and republish in-full, without permission or payment, content from more prominent Jewish news sources, robbing them of both desperately needed licensing fees and revenue-generating Web site traffic. [...]
EJF's Enhanced Web site
Everything except written teshuvos justifying their approach
To accomplish their mission of education, the Eternal Jewish Family (EJF) has significantly updated the web site at www.eternaljewishfamily.org. This includes adding the Eternal Jewish Family e-News with regular updates on developments within the organization and geirus (conversion to Judaism). It is part of the first phase of a new comprehensive Web site that will be a comprehensive guide to universally accepted conversions in intermarriage. [...]
Obamacare & the great 'prevention" myth
Washington Post - Charles Krauthammer
In the 48 hours of June 15-16, President Obama lost the health-care debate. First, a letter from the Congressional Budget Office to Sen. Edward Kennedy reported that his health committee's reform bill would add $1 trillion in debt over the next decade. Then the CBO reported that the other Senate bill, being written by the Finance Committee, would add $1.6 trillion. The central contradiction of Obamacare was fatally exposed: From his first address to Congress, Obama insisted on the dire need for restructuring the health-care system because out-of-control costs were bankrupting the Treasury and wrecking the U.S. economy -- yet the Democrats' plans would make the problem worse.
Accordingly, Democrats have trotted out various tax proposals to close the gap. Obama's idea of limits on charitable and mortgage-interest deductions went nowhere. As did the House's income tax surcharge on millionaires. And Obama dare not tax employer-provided health insurance because of his campaign pledge of no middle-class tax hikes.
Desperation time. What do you do? Sprinkle fairy dust on every health-care plan, and present your deus ex machina: prevention. [...]
Jewish Law & copyright
JLaw R' Israel Schneider
In our highly advanced technological age, the duplication of original works of authorship has become almost effortless. While at one time, manuscripts or books had to be copied laboriously by hand, it is now possible within several minutes to produce high quality reproductions of entire works. Similarly, audio tapes, videos, and computer programs can all be reproduced quickly, effectively, and cheaply. The purpose of this essay is to explore the halachic implications of making or using unauthorized duplications and to inquire if there are precedents which could serve as grounds for the protection of an author's or creator's proprietary rights.
Halachic literature is rich in detailing the rights - and limitations - of an author to his original work. Not surprisingly, the People of the Book were constantly involved in determining what type of protection could be granted to an author or publisher. [...]
EJF proselytizes in Europe
Five Towns Jewish Times
[...] In a dramatic development that Rabbi Shlomo Baksht calls "nothing short of a miracle," a growing number of intermarried couples are seeking to complete a process that will lead to a universally accepted conversion. With the strong infrastructure of shuls, yeshivos, mikvaos, and kosher restaurants, these couples will be able to function as fully committed Torah Jews. More than 20 such couples, which includes a Jewish spouse who is "on the way to becoming a ba'al teshuvah," will participate in a seminar sponsored by EJF on September 6–8.
The Odessa seminar is modeled after the many successful similar seminars in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. A large percentage of participants eventually proceed to a halachic conversion, according to Rabbi Tropper. Like participants in other countries, many of these couples have at some point undergone a problematic conversion and eventually recognize that their conversion is not recognized by halachic authorities.
A similar seminar for couples is being planned for Munich in November. At each of the seminars, EJF's world-class lecturers present different aspects of Judaism. In addition to Rabbi Tropper, some of the lecturers include Rabbi Mordechai Neugroschel, Rabbi Doron Kornbluth, Rabbi Yonoson Rosenblum, Rabbi Shimon Grilius, and Rabbi Noach Hertz.[...]
Rav Sternbuch - Appreciating small mitzvos
Priority 1 - Upcoming Events
Priority 1
Converts of San Nicandro Italy
Time Sep 15, 1947
All over the world next week, the ram's horns of Rosh Hashanah (beginning of the New Year) will call faithful Jews to the Ten Days of Penitence that end with Yom Kippur. No prayers will be more fervent than those from the 80-odd ex-Catholics of San Nicandro, Italy.
The conversion of San Nicandro began almost 20 years ago with dark-eyed, sallow Donato Manduzio. Invalided by shrapnel in World War I, Donato had lain for years on a miserable straw mattress in an attic room. At first he wept bitterly that he could not join in the daily life of his native San Nicandro Garganico (pop. 20,000). But gradually, the sounds of women singing as they carried water in copper vessels on their heads, the cries of the black-hatted mule-drivers, the hammering of cobblers in the tiny, dark shops (Donate had been a cobbler himself) lost their attraction for Donato. He heard them no more, because he was too busy reading the Bible.
Along with the sounds of workaday life, Donato also closed his ears to church bells. Bible study had led him to question the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.
On the day that Manduzio was able to leave his bed, a Protestant preacher happened to be addressing a meeting in San Nicandro's square. As the preacher attacked the dogmas of Catholicism, Donato suddenly lifted one of the two sticks on which he was leaning, and shouted: "You have demolished the Catholic Church for me. I am a Catholic no longer."[...]
Self-Converted Ugandan "Jews"
History of Ugandan "Jews" (click this link)
Obamacare - Myth & Facts /CBS News
Mary Robinson's Medal of Freedom
Barack Obama's decision to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Mary Robinson has generated unexpected but emotionally charged opposition. Appointed by then-U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan as high commissioner for human rights in 1997-2002, Ms. Robinson had a controversial but ineffective tenure. (Previously, she was president of Ireland, a ceremonial position.)
Criticism of Mr. Obama's award, to be officially bestowed tomorrow, has centered on Ms. Robinson's central organizing role as secretary general of the 2001 "World Conference Against Racism" in Durban, South Africa. Instead of concentrating on its purported objectives, Durban was virulently anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, and at least implicitly anti-American.
So vile was the conference's draft declaration that Secretary of State Colin Powell correctly called it "a throwback to the days of 'Zionism equals racism,'" referring to the infamous 1975 U.N. General Assembly resolution to that effect. President George W. Bush (whose father led the 1991 campaign that repealed the U.N.'s "Zionism is a form of racism" resolution) unhesitatingly agreed when Mr. Powell recommended the U.S. delegation leave the Durban conference rather than legitimize the outcome.
Ms. Robinson didn't see it that way then, and she has shown no remorse since. In late 2002, she described Durban's outcome as "remarkably good, including on the issues of the Middle East." [...]
Chasidic cop's undercover drug sting
A few months ago, Israeli police planning a sting were hard-pressed to find a convincing small-time dealer who could buy large quantities of drugs without arousing suspicion. In the end, they settled on a novel solution: a Hasidic man who would claim he was buying for students at his yeshiva.
The case ended up netting the arrests of 15 men in the Israeli town of Lod. The arrested will face trial next month on charges of possession and supply of illegal substances. The operation was given the name Ketoret Samim, a double entendre referring both to drugs in modern Hebrew and to a talmudic mixing of incense in ancient Hebrew. The operation's success was thanks to footage recorded from cameras secreted in the long black coat of Shlomo Treitel, a 34-year-old Hasid from Netanya who is a community police officer.
"My wife didn't know what I was doing, but when I told her, she said that she knows I'm guided by our rebbe, so I won't come to any harm," he told the Forward.
On some 30 occasions, and spending $14,000 altogether, Treitel went to dealers in Lod, notorious for its Arab-controlled drug trading. He bought hard and soft drugs. His story was that the students in his yeshiva were ba'alei teshuvah (secular Jews who have turned to more observant lives), and he had come to the conclusion that he could well cash in on their habits by becoming a small-scale dealer. [...]
Rav Wozner - informing on tax cheats
Rav Wozner(Shevet HaLevi 2:58):Concerning someone who works for the tax department and he discovers someone cheating the government and is required by law to report it to the justice department. He wants to know whether he is considered an informer (moser) according to halacha or do we say that “the law of the land is the law” and thus he would not be an informer? Answer: Concerning the issues of taxes – there is no halachic authority who denies that this is included in the principle “the law of the land is the law.” This is true even for those who disagree with the Rema (C.M. 369:8) as to the nature of “the law of the land is the law.” See the Shach and Levush and the responsa Hashiv Moshe… Concerning the issue of reporting the tax cheat to the government see Bava Metzia (83b) concerning R’ Eliezer the son of Rav Shimon bar Yochai. The gemora reports that he reported thieves to the government. This is proof that where the government has authorized a Jew to report thieves that it is permitted. Even though he was criticized “how long are you handing the people of our G‑d to be killed” – because the punishment for thieves in those days was death. This is relevant also for a similar criticism from Eliyahu Hanavi to R’ Yishmael which is reported in that gemora. However the actual halacha seems that even when it results in the death penalty it is considered “the law of the land is the law.” See the Ritva on that gemora which is found in the Shita Mekubetzes. The Be’er HaGola (C.M. 388) writes that it has already become accepted practice that the leaders of the community supervise that there should not be any fraud or deception against the secular government. The community leaders have announced that it was permitted to publicize and reveal those men who were cheating the government. A person who wishes to escape paying taxes owed to the government and another Jew reveals this – this is not considered the crime of informing. Even though the Rema states that revealing this information is bad because it is like returning a lost object to a non‑Jew – but that is only concerning an individual non‑Jew. But that which is applicable to the government and the tax auditor was appointed to discover fraud – there is no prohibition in revealing the fraud. However it is best if a person should not work as a tax auditor which requires revealing this type of information. Even though revealing the information is permitted – it is not a pious thing to do as we see from the Yerushalmi. Also look at the Responsa of the Alshech who states that a person is not considered an informant for those things required by the law of the land….
Economy - raising $12 Trillion debt cap
Mesira to preserve and protect a just society
R' Breitowitz has an excellent shiur concerning the natue of mesira and its relevance when a just government is involved (Aruch HaShulchan) or the laws are more severe than the Torah (Rav Moshe Feinstein) and its connection to dina demalchusa dina (Rav Wosner) and the need for laws for the well being of society.
Judge rules against rabbi's widow in Torahs case
LATimes April 9, 2009
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has thrown out a religious court's decision to award four disputed Torahs to an Orthodox rabbi's widow who claimed that the scrolls had been stolen by her late husband's assistant.
The religious court, known in Hebrew as a beis din, ruled in January that the four Torahs belonged to Rita Pauker of North Hollywood. The scrolls had been in the care of her late husband's assistant, Rabbi Samuel Ohana, for more than a decade.
Pauker argued that a handwritten agreement between her late husband, Norman, and Ohana proved that the scrolls were lent to Ohana for only two years. Ohana maintained that Rabbi Pauker gave the Torahs to Ohana's Sherman Oaks congregation in 1998 after Pauker's own synagogue closed.
After the religious court ruled, Ohana refused to turn over the Torahs to Pauker. Instead, he appealed to a higher court in Israel. Pauker, meanwhile, took the case to the civil court system in Los Angeles, seeking to enforce the local religious court's ruling.
On Monday, Superior Court Judge Zaven V. Sinanian ruled in Ohana's favor based on what he believed may have been a conflict for one of the three religious judges, Rabbi Nachum Sauer.[...]
The severe sin of going to a non-Jewish court II
Shulchan Aruch(C.M. 26:1): It is prohibited to have a non‑Jewish court make judgments in a dispute between Jews. This is so even if they make judgments based on Jewish law and even if the litigants agree to accept their judgment. Who ever used the non‑Jewish court is a rasha (wicked person). It is as if he has denigrated the Torah of Moshe. Rema: The Jewish court has the right to excommunicate and ostracize those who utilize the authority of non‑Jews. Similarly there can be various punishments enacted against someone who goes to a non‑Jewish court – until they retract….
Shulchan Aruch(C.M. 26:2): If the non‑Jews are the controlling power and the litigant is powerful in his own right and therefore the person can not recover what is his by the authority of the Jewish court – he should first summon his opponent to the Jewish court. If his opponent refuses to go – he should obtain permission from the Jewish court and then use the non‑Jewish court to recover what is his from his opponent. Rema: The Jewish court has the right to go to the non‑Jewish court and to testify that one person owes the other money. All this is only if one of the litigants refuses to obey the Jewish court. Otherwise it is prohibited for a Jewish court to give authorization for Jews to have their dispute presented to a non‑Jewish court
The severe sin of going to a non-Jewish court I
Rabbeinu Bachye (Shemos 21:1): Even though the sin of murder is serious, but the sins of stealing and profaning G‑d’s name (chilul Hashem) are even more severe than it. That is because a murderer is forgiven when he repents as we saw concerning Caine. However repentance doesn’t erase the sin of stealing because it is first necessary to return what was stolen. If it isn’t returned then the thief is never forgiven. Similarly with chilul HaShem – repentance doesn’t help because it is a more serious crime then kerisus or capital punishment. Our Sages (Yoma 86a) say that if a person does a sin punishable by kerisus or capital punishment and he repents that the combination of repentance and Yom Kippur initiates while suffering completes the process of atonement of the sin…However a person who has committed chilul Hashem, then repentance and Yom Kippur as well as suffering do nothing. His sin is only atoned through his death. Thus these two sins of theft and chilul Hashem are more serious than murder and both are included in the sin of going to a non‑Jewish court to adjudicate disputes. Chilul HaShem is included because it is unquestionably a profanation of G‑d’s name by giving honor to idolaters and glory to non‑Jews by using their services…. Theft is involved since by ignoring Torah laws and winning a judgment in a non-Jewish court it is complete theft. However the winner of the dispute doesn’t view himself as a thief and therefore he doesn’t return what he won. Consequently he is never forgiven.
Marranos: Split Identity and Modernity
Forward - Review of "The Other Within" by Yimiyahu Yovel
[...] Most Marranos initially took on Christianity as a superficial skin, but they could not keep up the pretense, year in, year out, of going to church and confession, venerating saints, without internalizing some of its beliefs. Similarly, they may have intended to stay loyal to Judaism, but it was impossible to practice a religion only partially, and in secret, without losing most of its essence.
The result, he says, was that most Marranos practiced a hybrid religion. "Judaizers" consciously tried to preserve elements of Judaism, often passed down through the women of the house who became quasi-rabbis, or gleaned, ironically, from lists of Jewish beliefs published by the Inquisition for informers. But while they may have lit Sabbath candles in secret, only pretended to eat the ubiquitous Iberian pork or mentally annulled their actions in church, theological confusion abounded. For example, Judaizers believed that Judaism was the true path "to salvation." The intent may have been Jewish, but the framing theology — salvation — was Catholic. Similarly, the Marranos had a patron saint: Queen Esther, herself a hidden Jew.
At the other end of the spectrum, Marranos who accepted their new Christian faith were still influenced by their Jewish background. The Inquisition records show Marranos who preferred to baptize their children on a Saturday, because of their “affection” for the day, and New Christian monks who, because they had a clinging distrust of the polytheistic or idolatrous beliefs these practices implied, rejected the Trinity and disdained the sacrament, without intending to return to Judaism. [...]
Brain injury and identity
Adam Lepak looked over at his mother and said, "You're fake."
It was a Tuesday in July, late, and Cindy Lepak could see that her 19-year-old son was exhausted. Long days like this one, with hours of physical therapy and memory drills — I had a motorcycle accident, I hit my head and have trouble remembering new things, I had a motorcycle accident — often left him making these accusations.
"What do you mean 'fake,' Adam?" she said.
He hung his head. "You're not my real mom," he said. His voice changed. "I feel sorry for you, Cindy Lepak. You live in this world. You don't live in the real world."
Doctors have known for nearly 100 years that a small number of psychiatric patients become profoundly suspicious of their closest relationships, often cutting themselves off from those who love them and care for them. They may insist that their spouse is an impostor; that their grown children are body doubles; that a caregiver, a close friend, even their entire family is fake, a duplicate version.
Such delusions are often symptoms of schizophrenia. But in the last decade or so, researchers have documented similar delusions in hundreds of people who are not schizophrenic but have neurological problems including dementia, brain surgery and traumatic blows to the head.
A small group of brain scientists is now investigating misidentification syndromes, as the delusions are called, for clues to one of the most confounding problems in brain science: identity. How and where does the brain maintain the "self"? [...]
3rd group of Ethiopians request aliyah
While the story of the Falash Mura is known to most Israelis, the public is generally unaware of the difficulties another Ethiopian community that claims to have Jewish ancestry – the Tigray, is facing in immigrating to Israel
The Ethiopian community in Israel has recently launched a campaign to bring to Israel some 2,000 Tigray who have relatives in Israel.
The main difference between the Falash Mura and the Tigray lies in their geographical origin. The Falash Mura are Jews who converted to Christianity in the mid 19th century as a result of social and economic pressure. Most of them live in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. The Tigray live in northern Ethiopia in a region that borders Eritrea and Sudan, and their Jewish roots are unclear. [...]
Web attack against Twitter - aimed at one blogger
A "massively co-ordinated" attack on websites including Google, Facebook and Twitter was directed at one individual, it has been confirmed.
Facebook told BBC News that the strike was aimed at a pro-Georgian blogger known as Cyxymu.
The attack caused a blackout of Twitter for around two hours, while Facebook said its service had been "degraded".
Google said it had defended its sites and was now working with the other companies to investigate the attack.
"[The] attack appears to be directed at an individual who has a presence on a number of sites, rather than the sites themselves," a Facebook spokesman told BBC News.
"Specifically, the person is an activist blogger and a botnet was directed to request his pages at such a rate that it impacted service for other users."
Botnets are networks of computers under the control of hackers.
The machines were used to mount a so-called denial-of-service (DOS) attack on Thursday. [...]
Settlers sue State over Hebron evacuation
Hebron's Jewish settlement filed a lawsuit against the State of Israel on Friday over damages caused during the evacuation of disputed structures in the city's wholesale market.
In the suit, the settlers rely on a 2006 agreement reached with the IDF regional command, stating that Jewish residents of the disputed structures would vacate them, while leaving any stationary property.
That agreement was subsequently annulled, leading to the 2007 evacuation, in which police removed doorposts and knocked down plaster walls in order to prevent the settlers from returning to the structures. [...]The suit came as the most recent episode in a series of attempts to reclaim the structures, which were built on Jewish-owned land that was inhabited by Jews until 1929, when Arabs massacred many members of the local community and the survivors fled. [...]
Gay supporters attacked for putting posters up in Mea Shearim
A group of youngsters putting up posters in Jerusalem condemning the deadly shooting spree in a Tel Aviv gay community center last week was attacked overnight Thursday by haredim in Mea She'arim. After a short chase down the alleyways of the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood, the group and an Army Radio reporter who was with them managed to get away.
The head of the group that was putting up posters all around the capital said they had aimed to raise awareness for the attack in every section of Israeli society.
"The moment it comes to murder, this ceases to be just a haredi society, but part of an entire society that needs to understand that lines have been crossed," he told Army Radio. "Murder is something that needs to be shouted about." [...]
Secular vs. Religious Israel - documentary
Be aware that there are a few non tzinius pictures
Obama's healthcare critiqued
Muslims protest soccer club song
Muslims are on the rampage against an old German soccer club song that includes the lyrics, "Mohammed was a prophet who knew nothing of football." The German soccer club 'Schalke 04' responded that Mohammed lived long before soccer was invented and that it sees no problem with the song.
The "White and Blue, How I Love You" song was written in 1924 and has been the official hymn of the club for decades, but the rising Muslim population in Europe has made it a more powerful force against anything that they consider offensive. They have staged dozens of protests, sometimes violent, concerning alleged offenses to the religion. Several people were killed two years ago in riots over a cartoon that depicted Mohammed with a bomb in his turban. [...]
Abuse:House arrest continues for mother accused of starving child
Court rules 'starving mother' to remain under house arrest
Jerusalem District Court rules that mother accused of starving her toddler son will remain under house arrest. Prosecution believes mother must be held in official detainment facility until end of legal proceedings, consider appealing to Supreme Court. Haredi community threatens to riot if mother returned to jail
The mother suspected of starving her three-year-old son will remain under house arrest until further notice. The Jerusalem District Court ruled Friday to keep the woman's remand conditions as is. The ultra-Orthodox community threatened to renew riots should the mother be returned to a detainment facility.[...]
EJF story of conversion of intermarried couple
Five Towns Jewish Times - Rochel Weinstein Director of Communications for Eternal Jewish Family International.
Sitting in a church as a young girl, Linda felt distant to the environment and rituals. The other congregants had come to express faith in their religion; she was there to please her grandmother. Young Linda grew up without much spiritual satisfaction, yet deep within was an inherent belief in the existence of G-d. Linda never imagined that one day it would manifest itself within every corner of her life.
It all started with her Jewish fiancé, David. Based on similar interests in classical music, a mutual friend introduced them and the professional orchestra players formed an immediate bond. Religious barriers were non-existent: Linda considered herself on a spiritual quest that had nothing to do with her religion of origin; David's intrinsic disinterest in Judaism meant that they would date for months before Linda would casually discover that he was Jewish. While this detail shocked Linda, it simultaneously planted within her the desire to learn all she could about the mysterious religion of her future husband.
A visit to the library was the first step. But the only information available lacked the meaningful spiritual dimension she desperately sought. Intrigued by the family dynamics of Jewish intermarriage, Linda was startled to discover that many children raised with two religions eventually keep neither, since the choice of a religion is often equated with the choice of a parent. Based on her research, there was no question that she would want to raise their children with one consistent religion—Judaism. Now all she had to do was convince not only her future husband but also her Lutheran family that this was, indeed, the right thing to do.[...]
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Tax fraud schemes steal millions
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$100 million bonus - should it be paid? | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line173 |
__label__cc | 0.660859 | 0.339141 | Italy court overturns paedophile conviction because 11-year-old girl 'in love'
ndtv Italy's highest court has overturned the conviction of a 60-year-old man for having sex with an 11-year-old girl, because the verdict failed to take into account their "amorous relationship".
Pietro Lamberti, a social services worker in Catanzaro in southern Italy, was convicted in February 2011 and sentenced to five years in prison for sexual acts with a minor. The verdict was later upheld by an appeals court. But Italy's supreme court ruled that the verdict did not sufficiently consider "the 'consensus', the existence of an amorous relationship, the absence of physical force, the girl's feelings of love". [...]
Lying for Shalom – the Sake of Peace by Rabbi Yair Hoffman
5 Towns Jewish Times “Of course, I did my homework, Mom..”
“No, honey, that donut wrapper belonged to a co-worker to whom I gave a ride.”
“Yes, I will go on the treadmill this afternoon as soon as I come home while you are shopping.”
“No dear, that dress does not make you look fat.”
We have all heard the expression before – mutar leshanos mipnei HaShalom – one is permitted to, well, “change” or obscure the truth in order to maintain the peace. And lately, it seems that we hear it more and more.
A number of questions arise about this concept. Is it still something that we should avoid doing – or is it possibly a Mitzvah? Is it an across the board heter? Do people have complete carte blanche in these areas? Or are there, perhaps, some caveats?
Firstly, let’s look at the source. The Talmud (Yevamos 65b) cites Rabbi Eelaah in the name of Rabbi Elazar the son of Rabbi Shimon. Rabbi Elazar derives this principle – that one may “change” to maintain the peace from the fact that the brothers told Yoseph that Yaakov their father had instructed them to tell Yoseph to forgive their sin against him. In fact, Yaakov did not leave any such instruction. Rav Nosson even goes further – it is not just that permission is granted – it is even a Mitzvah! How do we know this? Because Hashem instructed Shmuel the prophet to lie to Shaul the king by telling him that he was bringing something to slaughter to Hashem. In fact, Shmuel was going to anoint Dovid as king in his stead. [...]
Perhaps the real reason why the Poskim who rule like Rabbi Nosson and yet do not use the language of “Mitzvah” is so that one not get accustomed to lying as a way of life. Let’s not forget as well that in the first three illustrations above, the lying is, in fact, very counterproductive. In illustration number one the mother wants the son to do well in school. In illustrations two and three the wife is concerned for her hsuband’s well-being. It seems pretty clear that the permission to “change”was never granted to lead a decadent lifestyle. When it says that one can change to maintain peace it never meant just to avoid arguments when the other person is, in fact, correct. Such uses of this Gemorah undermine the true meaning of Torah and are an abuse and mischaracterization of the very ideals espoused in this ruling of halacha. The conclusion is that the only recommended use of the leniency is for illustration number four. And yes, there is no doubt that this is a Mitzvah.
Should the wife be sacrificed for the marriage or the marriage sacrificed for the wife's happiness?- there is a third way!
Guest post Ploni December 27, 2013 at 7:13 PM
update December 30, 2013 - Ploni added important clarifications that I put in the comments section
Michelob says:
" If a woman says she's done, very rarely will you be able to hold a gun to her head and live happily ever after. ... If she is not into it, and is dragged to the therapist kicking and screaming, you are both wasting your time and energy.
Michelob; Your words are very rational, BUT ONLY TO A CERTAIN POINT.
The fellow here does indeed seem to be faced with two very unpalatable choices:
A. Be over and done with it.
B. Fight for fairness, family integrity, reputation, the fact that someone so close to him is waging a smear campaign & using tools that clearly include some extremely serious Halachic & Hashkafic transgressions.
But in actuality, I think that there's actually a THIRD option, too:
To understand the third option, we need to "back up" a bit, and we need to ponder:
What's REALLY behind the current epidemic of broken homes. We read comment after comment of hair-raising מעשה רשעות. How can it be?
Men & women that have lived & built lives together for decades, been through so many joys and sorrows... to have everything disintegrate before their very eyes.... the men here grapple to understand the sudden change - in reality & feel understandable wrath & frustration...
These women [usually] weren't evil when these men married them. What did someone surreptitiously put into their woman's drinks? What changed these women into veritable WITCHES? The man knows that he WASN'T abusive, and if he was, nobody's interested in telling him where he went wrong, and how he should fix it...
I posit that behind this phenomena there is usually ONE simple motivator:
THE WOMAN IS SEARCHING FOR HAPPINESS, OR AT LEAST SEARCHING TO ESCAPE HER OWN EMOTIONAL TURMOIL, whether depression, anxiety, etc, etc.
She cried out & expressed her pain to others; perhaps relatives, perhaps strangers ... and those "helpers" connected her with "professionals", and those "professionals" based on their own inflated egos, personal vendettas, political agendas, etc. KNEW the source of the woman's pain.
The "professional" instinctively knew whom to blame:
THEY BLAMED THE WOMAN'S PAIN SQUARELY ... ON THE HUSBAND.
These "professionals", trained in the art of influencing others, succeeded in changing the woman's world-view. The woman's friends, influenced by popular writings, easily concurred... empathized with her... offered her "resources" in her "plight"....
But they forget to hear the husband's side of the story..... So self assured were they in their world-view, that it wasn't necessary to hear his side.
But everything I've written thus far isn't really my main point, because even if they HAD attempted to mediate between the two... even if the woman HAD gone to therapy ... chances are that it would be too late - as the damage had already been done.
And this leads me to what I believe is the REAL solution....
Please read on...
Concerning men & women that have lived & built lives together for decades, been through so many joys and sorrows … & the woman was convinced that it’s time to go…. I posited that …
THE WOMAN IS SEARCHING FOR HAPPINESS, OR AT LEAST SEARCHING TO ESCAPE HER OWN EMOTIONAL TURMOIL, whether depression, anxiety, etc, etc. … and that her pain is being blamed on HER HUSBAND.
The woman’s mindset seems to be that “happiness” is something she needs to receive from the outside - her husband, or “someone” needs to “give” it to her, and that she “deserves” to receive it… Once the marriage is irrevocably broken, perhaps she feels that her husband CAN’T and / or surely doesn’t want to give it…..
Might she be mistaken?
Could it perhaps be that…?
… The only AUTHENTIC happiness she’ll ever have is the type she’ll find INSIDE HERSELF. Perhaps someone can convince her to stop looking OUTSIDE for something missing INSIDE?
Perhaps she’s looking for the wrong KIND of happiness… and the RIGHT kind is actually free for the taking?
Here are the 5 types of happiness, according to Martin Seligman (I’m cheating a bit, because he talks about well-being, while I’m calling them happiness).
Perhaps she should stop looking for types 1 & 3, and start looking for types 2, 4 & 5?
In fact, maybe they can still … look…. Together?!
1- Positive emotion: pleasure, rapture, ecstasy, warmth, comfort, and the like. A life lived with these aims; he calls the “pleasant life.”
2- Engagement: is about flow - being one with the music, time stopping, and the loss of self-consciousness during an absorbing activity. Engagement is different, even opposite, from positive emotion; for if you ask people who are in flow what they are thinking and feeling, they usually say, “nothing.” A life lived with these aims; he calls the “engaged life.”
3- Relationships: He doesn’t explain it here, but I think it seems self-explanatory.
4- Meaning and purpose: belonging to and serving something that you believe is bigger than the self. Humanity creates all the positive institutions to allow this: religion, political party, being Green, the Boy Scouts, or the family. A life lived with these aims; he calls the “meaningful life.”
5- Accomplishment: success and mastery. People try to achieve just for winning’s own sake
DT. An example a couple came to me seriously considering divorce. The husband though a brilliant and successful talmid chachom and businessman was very focused on the lack of respect he got from his wife and children. He had become very controlling - insisting for example that the whole family sit attentively for a half an hour drasha every Friday night. His wife took the children's side when they got bored in the middle and left the table. The wife objected to the control he insisted over every aspect of her life and that of the children. At the same time he had become very hurt by her criticism and claims that he was unreasonable and out of touch with normal human feelings. In short the husband and wife blamed each other for their unhappiness and that of the children. The obvious solution was they should get divorced after 20 years of marriage. But they couldn't do that because several of the children were either looking for a shidduch or would soon start.
Solution. I suggested that the husband was too focused on getting respectful for his genuine spirituality from his family in a manner which was inappropriate. I suggested he spend more time with genuinely spiritual people that would appreciate his insights and analysis. That he did and his need to control and demand respect eased up. At the same time he became more sensitive to his family and realized that he was not presenting appropriate material and issues for them to be able to appreciate. This backing off actually produced the respect he had been craving all along.
At the same time both the husband and wife felt that the other would let lose an emotional attack at inappropriate moments - such as at the Shabbos table or at a time when they didn't feel up to defending themselves. The normal response was to yell back which only escalated the conflict. I suggest a simple technique. No matter how strong their upset - they could not lecture their spouse if the spouse raised up an index finger to signal now was not the time - but later. Surprisingly that was really all that they needed to create a sense of control and respect and the yelling and screaming disappeared.
In sum, this family of genuinely loving and generous people - who were imbued with deep spiritual feelings - was self-destructing because their spiritual and psychological needs were not being fulfilled through each other. A rather minor adjustment from 2 sessions created the proper conditions for mutual growth and appreciation. It didn't solve everything - but it did enable them to get nachas from each other and for the children to regain respect for their parents.
Posted by Daas Torah at 8:00 PM 162 comments : Links to this post
A.D.H.D. Experts Re-evaluate Study’s Zeal for Drugs
NY Times Twenty years ago, more than a dozen leaders in child psychiatry received $11 million from the National Institute of Mental Health to study an important question facing families with children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Is the best long-term treatment medication, behavioral therapy or both?
The widely publicized result was not only that medication like Ritalin or Adderall trounced behavioral therapy, but also that combining the two did little beyond what medication could do alone. The finding has become a pillar of pharmaceutical companies’ campaigns to market A.D.H.D. drugs, and is used by insurance companies and school systems to argue against therapies that are usually more expensive than pills.
But in retrospect, even some authors of the study — widely considered the most influential study ever on A.D.H.D. — worry that the results oversold the benefits of drugs, discouraging important home- and school-focused therapy and ultimately distorting the debate over the most effective (and cost-effective) treatments.
The study was structured to emphasize the reduction of impulsivity and inattention symptoms, for which medication is designed to deliver quick results, several of the researchers said in recent interviews. Less emphasis was placed on improving children’s longer-term academic and social skills, which behavioral therapy addresses by teaching children, parents and teachers to create less distracting and more organized learning environments.
Recent papers have also cast doubt on whether medication’s benefits last as long as those from therapy. [...]
Medication helps a person be receptive to learning new skills and behaviors,” said Ruth Hughes, a psychologist and the chief executive of the advocacy group Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. “But those skills and behaviors don’t magically appear. They have to be taught.”[...]
A subsequent paper by one of those, Keith Conners, a psychologist and professor emeritus at Duke University, showed that using only one all-inclusive measurement — “treating the child as a whole,” he said — revealed that combination therapy was significantly better than medication alone. Behavioral therapy emerged as a viable alternative to medication as well. But his paper has received little attention. [...]
Most recently, a paper from the study said flatly that using any treatment “does not predict functioning six to eight years later,” leaving the study’s original question — which treatment does the most good long-term? — largely unanswered.
“My belief based on the science is that symptom reduction is a good thing, but adding skill-building is a better thing,” said Stephen Hinshaw, a psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley, and one of the study researchers. “If you don’t provide skills-based training, you’re doing the kid a disservice. I wish we had had a fairer test.”
Withholding A Get: Between Leverage And Extortion
Jewish Week All too commonly, we read about a man who refuses to grant his wife a Jewish writ of divorce (a “get”). We are told her story, culminating in her demand for a get and a plea to help pressure the recalcitrant husband to grant it. As for the man’s version of events – they do not matter; according to the approach promoted by the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (“agunah” refers to a woman chained to a failed marriage by a husband unable or unwilling to grant her a get) and numerous others, it is never justified for a man to withhold a get as leverage during the divorce settlement.
The zero-tolerance attitude toward get-withholding is an adaptation of Jewish law to a relatively new social reality. This in itself does not make it wrong; on the contrary, new circumstances demand that the application of halachic norms be reconsidered. Yet this attitude implicitly adopts certain core attitudes toward marriage and divorce that are largely alien to Jewish tradition. It behooves us to consider whether it is possible to retain the traditional system but tweaking it to prevent abuse, instead of adopting the regnant divorce paradigms relegating the get to a mere religious technicality. [...]
Mutual consent implies, by definition, the ability to withhold consent, which is inherently a form of leverage within divorce negotiation. This sort of leverage is present in many negotiations and works against the party most eager to reach an agreement; a thirsty man is willing to pay a higher price for a bottle of Coca Cola. Of course, there is a point at which leverage becomes extortion, and that point must be defined, but we must take care not to treat leverage as though it is extortion.
The mutual-consent paradigm seems reasonable in principle, but in practice the traditional system of Jewish divorce has become unacceptable. Despite the best efforts of the medieval rabbis, the playing field is not really level. The deck is stacked against women in several ways. This imbalance has become a central issue as awareness of it has grown and demands for an equality in divorce have become almost universal.
Another reason for the turn against traditional norms of Jewish divorce is the adoption of a unilateral divorce paradigm. This has shifted perceptions about the nature of marriage and the process of its dissolution. The marriage is deemed over once one spouse deems the differences between the spouses unbridgeable. Under this paradigm, withholding a divorce is perceived as a denial of one’s basic rights and freedoms, and if the purpose is withholding is to negotiate a more favorable division of the marital pie, it becomes extortion. The same act that is a legitimate tool of negotiation under the mutual-consent paradigm is a weapon under the unilateral paradigm. [...]
Posted by Daas Torah at 10:11 AM 103 comments : Links to this post
Schlesinger Twins: Debate in House of Commons?
Jewish Telegraph Graham Stringer MP is to ask Foreign Office minister David Liddington to make representations to Austria about the case of Manchester tug-of-love mother Beth Alexander.
He will also seek a debate in parliament when the Commons returns in January. Mother of four-year-old twins, Beth, who is estranged from her Viennese husband, has access to the children for only six hours a week and on alternate Sundays.
Now, a leading Australian educationist has joined in the calls to right the injustice many feel she has suffered at the hands of the Austrian courts. Rabbi James Kennard, who was head of Manchester's King David High School Yavneh, has hit out at Vienna Chabad which forbids Beth to see her children at their kindergarten, or even to be kept abreast of their progress - or lack of it, as she insists.[...]
Why secular Israeli's don't care about Chareidi poverty
NY Times In mid-December, a report by the National Insurance Institute and the Central Bureau of Statistics reported that Israel’s poverty rate was shamefully high: 23.5 percent. It found that one-fifth of families — and one-fifth of retirees — in Israel are officially poor, as well as one-third of children.
Israel’s income gap is one of the highest in the world (following Chile, Mexico, Turkey and the United States). Israel, as O.E.C.D. reports have already indicated more than once, somehow manages to be a “start-up nation,” with high economic growth; yet, at the same time, it remains a backward nation with many extremely poor families. [...]
Two segments of Israel’s population stand out as the poorest of the poor: “ultra-Orthodox Jews” and “Muslim-Arabs.” Unemployment rates for ultra-Orthodox Jews (mostly ultra-Orthodox men) and Arabs (mostly Arab women) are very high. So are birth rates. The result: 59 percent of the ultra-Orthodox (also known as Haredim) are poor. Similarly, 58 percent of Arab Israelis are poor. Other groups with notably high rates of poverty are the elderly and new immigrants — but the numbers for these two groups are much lower, 23 percent and 17 percent, respectively.[...]
For middle-class Israelis to care, the message from the state should be quite different — one that could be called compassionate cruelty. The state should be telling its citizens: We don’t much care if the poor-by-choice get even poorer and get even less from the state. We don’t much care about poverty rates that take everybody into account without much consideration of personal and communal decisions and their consequences. But we will ensure that those willing to work and pay their dues are properly assisted, and the government will make sure that they are the only ones to be raised above poverty level on the government’s dime
הח"כ החרדי שגרם ליהודי אנגליה להזיל דמעה
חבר הכנסת הדהים השבוע את יהודי הממלכה כשעמד בלבוש חרדי על בימת כנס 'לימוד' ונשא דברים בעד ברית הזוגיות, אוטובוסים בשבת ולימודי ליבה. "סוף-סוף מישהו שבא לאחד", הגיבו בקהל, "זו ישראל שכולנו רוצים להאמין בה
כשמאות מיהודי בריטניה נכנסו לאולם ההרצאות באוניברסיטת ווריק שבעיר קובנטרי הם היו פסימיים. הם באו לשמוע הרצאה של "חבר הכנסת החרדי ממפלגת יש עתיד", הרב דב ליפמן, וכבר הכינו את השאלות הנוקבות על נושאי דת ומדינה, גיור, 'נשות הכותל', ברית הזוגיות ועוד. אך שום דבר לא הכין אותם לכך שליפמן יסכים איתם בכל אחד מהנושאים, ויותר מכך - יגרום להם להתרגש ואפילו להזיל דמעה כשדיבר על נושאי דת ומדינה אקטואליים ברוח שהייתה שונה מאוד ממה שהמאזינים ציפו לו.
ליפמן דיבר על כל הנושאים הבוערים בישראל, והציג עמדה מורכבת ומתקדמת בענייני דת ומדינה ובנושאים שבין דתיים לחילונים. כשדיבר על ברית הזוגיות השיב להומוסקסואל שישב בקהל ש"התורה מתייחסת למעשה בחומרה, אך היא אינה אומרת שצריך להתנהג לאנשים כאלה בצורה לא נאותה"; כשתמך בהפעלת תחבורה ציבורית בשבת אמר ח"כ ליפמן שהוא רגיל לכך שיש תחבורת ציבורית בשבת, ו"זה לא מפריע לי ברמה האישית"; על לימודי הליבה הוא אמר ש"אם בארה"ב גדולי הרבנים החרדים מעודדים לימודים של מתמטיקה ואנגלית - למה לא בישראל?"
במהלך הנאום הצדיק ליפמן את זכותן של נשים להתפלל בכותל, הסביר את הבעיה הגדולה של השתלטות החרדים על שכונות עירו, בית-שמש, וסיפר על חוויית העלייה המרגשת שלו. "אני אמנם אופטימי מאוד, אבל לא נאיבי", אמר ליפמן כשנשאל אם טרם למד את חוקי המשחק בכנסת ישראל. עם תום נאומו עמדו הנוכחים בקהל על רגליהם ומחאו כפיים במשך דקות ארוכות.
BOO-AH ! Letting go of a dead marriage
A response to a commenter on MH's post about divorce-impasse by Faithful
I would like to relate to a commenter named "M", who wrote, on December 26, on MH's post:
The bottom line here is that we must fight DIVORCE itself. We must stop the divorce racket. We must stop divorce-on-demand. We must encourage and push and even pressure couples to remain married and not divorce.
Many many many Gedolim and even sociologists have said divorce is far far too easy and far far too frequent. Rav Avigdor Miller zt"l said many times that 99% of divorces in the Orthodox community were avoidable and should not have happened.
My perspective is very fresh and very real, having been dragged into the Israeli state divorce courts, kicking and screaming, over the last three years, with the claim that I can't grant my wife of over 25 years a unilateral divorce if she refuses to first go to counseling with me about it. Now, for the first time, just this week, my wife has agreed to consider the counseling.
The surrealism of how "the system" was intent on ramming a divorce down my throat reached its zenith about a month ago, when I went to visit the great, virtually mythic sage of Bnei Brak – HaRav Chaiim Kanievsky. I'm not in the camp of those who revere his every word and gesture, but I have a neighbor who is, in a quite sober way, and offered to take me to him for a quick question and answer on my tortured topic. He offered to write it up for me in Hebrew and to present to him as a brief note, in order to respect the Rav's proverbial penchant for curt.
So we did. His note basically said: "this avreich has had a long and blessed marriage, with successful chareidi kids, bli ayin ha'ra, but now his wife suddenly wants out. She even turned to a notorious modern orthodox feminist organization to help her heap wild claims against him in the state rabbinical court. He wants advice."
We get to his apartment on motzei Shabbos and are amazed to easily walk in to see him. He's hunched over his shtender, of course, learning. Note is presented, he asks a tiny clarification: Am I a Cohen? I say no. Not whatsoever. He frowns and makes a wave of dismissal. "So what do you need this for? Let her go."
I'm taken aback. I respond under my breath, and my neighbor will repeat it loud enough so he can hear it, that I'm worried about the integrity of my family, about my reputation, about the fact that someone so close to me is waging a smear campaign against me in court, with the help of some quasi-religious ideologues. And last but not least – I still feel love for her.
He frowns some more and tells me to daven. Then says the clincher: "BOO-AH"!
Whoa. It felt like a bad joke, with a razor blade. My neighbor urges us to leave, and while on the way out explains: Its short for "Bracha v'Hatzlocho!"
B-oo-ah.
Ok. Gottit. But it really didn't feel ok. So I let it sink in, eventually realizing how symbolic it was. It's actually riveting in its clarity. The message: "I couldn't give a damn! You shouldn't either."
Truly mind-boggling to get such a message from a "Gadol". But there it was. "Why hold on to a woman who doesn't want you? Why not just let her go already. Boo-ah!"
To be sure, many far from Gadolim say it too. I heard divorce court judge say: "it doesn't matter if she's right, and it doesn't matter if you feel your life and that of the children will be seriously diminished if the marriage is dismantled the way she wants. If she wants out, you’re ABUSING HER to stand in her way!!"
Now let's get this clear. I'm not trying to knock Gadolim, chv"sh, and I certainly am not trying to belittle the idea that there are times to move on past a dying marriage. But I am devastated to realize that men within our holiest communities are being warned, on one extreme, that if their wife might feel that she is fed up with him – run after her and say: "here dear, please take this Get, with my blessing."
On the other extreme –"Booh-ah". Spit on the marriage, and move on.
Now, my friends – this is the rub. While I agree with the claim that women have the right to end an unhappy marriage, and men certainly have the right to sneer back, that's only if that's ALL she's seeking. Unfortunately, many women are claiming much more. They are using hyper sensitivities over how halacha makes them unfairly vulnerable, in order to demonize their man. For women with deep wounds in relation to the men of their childhood – that feels reeeel good. The Kabbalists call it klippa.
Klippa, literally peel, is an energy which obstructs our capacity to deal with the "fruit" of a spiritual challenge. In our case, this klippa of divorce-on-demand mania deflects genuine problem solving intentions into dog-eat-dog legalities. Like when your formally very good friends and rabbonim, who once fully supported your pursuit of Sholom Bayis, start whispering: "why do you need this hassle?"
My response, over and over again, is: "Because it's a MITZVAH. Sholom Bayis is in fact a MAJOR Mitzvah. Then there's the possibility, like in our case, that a marriage b'kedusha has an established positive track record which screams against the ethic that when the going gets rough – escape! How about the profound ingratitude to our Creator it is to chuck out such a blessing like a marriage without serious examination of the issues that led to its breakdown? Last but not least - I believe that divorcing with all the slander and demonization that my wife wants would cause irreparable damage to the kids and quite possibly our future generations."
They all hear. But eventually they sigh and say: "But is it really worth the hassle?"
And I know, deep inside, in their religious conscience, that they agree with my position. Some even admire it. It's just that in their outer, more "realistic" side, they can't resist the klippa of saying… BOO-AH.
My Experience with the Doubtful Mamzer by Rav Dovid Eidensohn
Doubtful Mamzer
Pa. court reverses church official's landmark conviction for sexual abuse
USA Today A Roman Catholic church official who has been jailed for more than a year for his handling of priest sex-abuse complaints had his conviction reversed and was ordered released Thursday.
In dismissing the landmark criminal case, a three-judge Superior Court panel unanimously rejected prosecutors' arguments that Monsignor William Lynn, the first U.S. church official ever charged or convicted for the handling of clergy-abuse complaints, supervised the welfare of any particular child.
Lynn, 62, is serving a three- to six-year prison sentence after his child-endangerment conviction last year. His lawyers will try to get him released as early as Thursday from the state prison in Waymart.
Prosecutors had argued at trial that Lynn reassigned predators to new parishes in Philadelphia while he was the archdiocese's secretary for clergy from 1992 to 2004. [...]
Making raped teens relive trauma is therapeutic
AP [JAMA article] It almost sounds sadistic - making rape victims as young as 13 relive their harrowing assault over and over again. But a new study shows it works surprisingly well at eliminating their psychological distress.
The results are the first evidence that the same kind of "exposure" therapy that helps combat veterans haunted by flashbacks and nightmares also works for traumatized sexually abused teens with similar symptoms, the study authors and other experts said.
After exposure therapy, 83 percent no longer had a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. They fared much better than girls who got only supportive counseling - 54 percent in that group no longer had PTSD after treatment.
Girls who got exposure therapy also had much better scores on measures of depression and daily functioning than girls who got conventional counseling [...]
Dr. Helmreich's interviews with various Roshei Yeshiva
Interviews With Roshei Yeshiva
Allan Katz - summary - the differences between conditional and unconditional parenting
Guest post from Allan Katz
I posted a summary- chart on the differences between conditional and unconditional parenting - ( short !!)
I think it is relevant to the parenting discussion. I don't mind parents or mechanchin choosing different educational or discipline styles that focus on different things - compliance or autonomy/ intrinsic motivation. But not to confuse the goals or the parenting philosophy involved
Here is a chart summarizing the differences between conditional and unconditional parenting
http://tinyurl.com/p43lhnn
Differences between Conditional and Unconditional Parenting
Conditional Parenting
Focus Behavior
View of Human nature Negative
View of Parental Love A privilege to be earned
Strategies '' Doing to '' - control via rewards , punishments etc
Unconditional Parenting
Focus Whole child ( including reasons, thoughts, feelings )
View of Human nature Positive or balanced
View of Parental love A gift
Strategies '' Working with '' ( collaborative problem solving )
Conditional Parenting or Typical View of Difficult Children:
Guiding Philosophy: “Children do well if they want to”.
Explanation: Children’s difficult behavior is attention-seeking or aimed at coercing adults into “giving in”.
Goal of treatment: Induce children to comply with adult directives.
Tools of treatment: Use of reward and punishment programs to give children incentive to improve behavior.
Emphasis: Reactive focus on management of problematic behavior after it has occurred.
Unconditional Parenting -Dr. Greene,Ablon Collaborative Problem Solving Approach View:
Guiding Philosophy: “Children do well if they can”.
Explanation: Children’s difficult behavior is the byproduct of a learning disability in the domains of flexibility, adaptability, and frustration tolerance.
Goal of treatment: Teach children lacking cognitive and emotional skills.
Tools of Treatment: Teach children and adults how to work towards mutually satisfactory solutions to problems underlying difficult behavior.
Emphasis: Proactive focus on solving and preventing problems before they occur.
Erosion of trust is the root of all Divorce impasses.
guest post by MH
I am a man who for the past year has been personally enveloped in a contentious disputed divorce initiated by my wife. In recent weeks I have met and spoken to several men who for one reason or another are refusing to give their wives a religious divorce, effectively creating a religious equivalent to, self-directed and self- imposed civil contempt.
What I personally learned early on in the divorce process is that when a woman today asks for a divorce, what they are really trying to accomplish is to divorce from the husband not only themselves but their children, property and future earnings. In the secular courts a man has no voice, with a few lies and twisted truths a woman can easily accomplish her divorce, effectively reducing the man to visitor status (often supervised) in his children's life and financial ruins.
The question begs how the situation erodes to the point where a husband refuses to give his wife a religious divorce?
The answer can be summed up into three words “erosion of trust”.
Jewish law dictates that a man does not have to give his wife a divorce just because she demands it, this is a power and property given to man by G-d and no one has the right to question G-d. If we chose to be religious then we chose to abide by G-d’s laws period!
There are situations where a legitimate Beis-Din can try to coerce a man to grant his wife a divorce but it seems legitimate Rabannim are scarce, the laws regarding those situations are very strict and the correct lawful coercion methods are very limited and mostly ineffective.
A common theme among all the men I have spoken to whom are in this (Agunah \ civil contempt) stalemate situation, have all with their own words and stories described to me a similar process. They were all forced unwillingly to travel a path in the gender biased secular courts that systematically and effectively destroyed them personally whilst simultaneously eroding any and all trust in their wives to the point where they can no longer trust them at all. Just like the civilized world has learned that we cannot negotiate with terrorists, trusting their wives has become impossible much akin to terrorists.
The secular courts open door policy to all women especially to the orthodox women that they see as repressed, creates a state where once trust has evaporated a man has almost no other alternative other than to use the one G-d gave him.
The deeper a man proceeds into the bowls of the corrupt, skewed and gender biased secular courts, the more the trust erosion proceeds uninhibited. There is a point during this process that I have termed uncivil-divorce critical mass, once that point is reached there seems to be almost no way to return and trust has probably gone for good.
Without trust negotiations are futile. Without trust there is no point in arguing because without trust the wife is viewed as a terrorist and therefore any and all attempts to negotiate is futile. If a woman has tasted the sweet waters of the secular divorce court very little can be done to stop her from returning even after mutually agreed settlement's.
The solution to all these divorce stalemates on both sides of the sexes is to prevent the erosion of trust before it can even begin and in the cases that it has already occurred to try and fix the trust breach before attempting to negotiate or mediate a settlement.
Posted by Daas Torah at 10:14 PM 117 comments : Links to this post
To Correct or Not to Correct by Rabbi Yair Hoffman
5 Towns Jewish Times
“Er Zogt!”
“No he didn’t. I was listening!”
“Whaddya talking about? It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. Why are constantly butting your nose into..”
Most of us have heard this conversation countless times in Shuls across the country. The conversation deals with the Shabbos morning reading of the Torah and addresses the issue of whether it is necessary to correct the reader of the Torah or not.
The Shulchan Aruch (Orech Chaim 142:1) writes, “If he read and erred, we make him go back.” The Ramah adds the qualification that it is only if it changes the meaning of the matter. If there is no change in meaning, however, we do not make the correction.
What is an example of changing the meaning? If the error was changing Yaaseh to Ye=awe-she, or vice versa, we do correct it. [...]
If it is a Shabbos morning and it is a Bar Mitzvah bochur who is reading, the shul should make every effort that on the Gabbaiim in the front standing next to the Bar Mitzvah bochur should be correcting. Young men are usually quite embarrassed when they are the recipients of corrections.
So what should we do during the weekday? The issue, of course, should be presented to the Rav of each respective Minyan. However, here are some suggested guidelines: If the reader is a person who will not be embarrassed, and he is not just saying this but really means it, then he should be corrected in order to fulfill the latter part of the Biur halacha. If there is any question whatsoever, however, then we should not do so. If there are not ten verses otherwise, then we should make the correction.
Rav Herschel Schacter: A ridiculous heter/ Freeing agunah by mekach taus
Rav Schachter - the posek for ORA - provides a cogent discussion of the pitfalls of using mekach taus to free an aguna.
It is important to keep in mind that Rav Moshe Feinstein clearly states that the negative condition must be preexisting and so severe that no reasonable person would tolerate it - and the spouse must leave immediately upon discovering it. In addition a psak of mekach taus based entirely upon negative reports from the wife - without the husband being directly evaulated by a neutral expert therapist - is clearly invalid and indicative of biased poskim.
Making a Farce of the Halacha
Torah Web.org The Ramban writes (in the introduction to his sefer Milchamos Hashem) that the study of Talmud is not like mathematics. In Talmud study, a halachic analysis is not a geometric proof and its validity need not be contingent upon accurate application of hard logic to unassailable axioms; nor is a halachic analysis deemed invalid only upon demonstration of incontrovertible logical errors or fallacious assumptions. What is significant in halacha is the approval or disapproval of halachic experts, implying the reasonableness or unreasonableness of the argument. One must have a strong tradition in psak halacha (rendering of legal decisions) or one can float so far off as to develop the most ridiculous ideas, all in the name of halacha.
The Torah prescribes the divorce procedure such that the husband must participate voluntarily. When he refuses to participate, his wife has no other means to be free of her husband, and while she remains legally married to him she may not marry another man. This situation, though unfair and tragic for the wife, is essentially the creation of a man who has shown himself to be an evil criminal, and is abusing his wife in this contemptible way. He has made her a virtual agunah as the husband alone has the authority to free her. Over the many years of our history the rabbis have done whatever they could for any woman so trapped in this lamentable predicament. Unfortunately, no categorical or general solution to the problem emerged.
About forty years ago an Orthodox individual proposed a solution. He reasoned that the woman requires a divorce only if she is married. Although annulment is not an option, it may be possible to find cause to invalidate her marriage by finding a fatal flaw in her wedding. For example, the wedding requires that the groom give the bride an object of sufficient value, one that the groom is entitled to give, while declaring his intent to thereby marry her, without deceit in any of the particulars, all under the watchful eyes of legitimate witnesses. If any of these conditions are not met then the wedding is fatally flawed. Likewise, if the bride or groom deceives the other in a material way, the other may legitimately claim that the entire wedding was under false pretenses and thus void. Thinking along these lines, the individual referred to above argues that if the bride and groom had realized that their personalities were incompatible, they would never have agreed to get married. Hence, the marriage was effected in error, lacking the requisite da'as (awareness) for a wedding, and no Get is needed to separate them because they were never married. At the time, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik declared this suggestion ridiculous. As the years went by, the ridiculous has become the sublime. [...]
To declare a marriage a kiddushei ta'us because the wife didn't realize that the husband would be unsuccessful in holding down a job and earning a living is simply unacceptable. To invalidate a kiddushin due to ta'us the halacha requires an extraordinary mum gadol (very significant defect), with a very obvious umdana d'muchach (compelling assumption) that no reasonable woman would agree to marry such a man (see Teshuvos Beis Halevi, vol. 3, pg. 23). [...]
Moreover, even in the case of a sale that was canceled because of a mum, the Rambam wrote (Mechira 15:3) that if the purchaser continued to use the item after having discovered the mum, he cannot later claim mekach taus. Continued use of the item indicates that the level of the ta'us is insufficient to warrant voiding the transaction. Likewise, it is transmitted in the name of Hagaon Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l, that even in the rare case of an unusual mum gadol, through which the wife would be able to remarry without a get because of the ta'us on her part at the time of the wedding, if the woman didn't walk away from the marriage immediately upon discovering the mum, the halacha of ta'us cannot be applied.
Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Chaim (Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan) published an essay in the Yeshiva publication, Beis Yitzchak (5758), explaining the mistakes of these "batei din", and cautioning the agunot not to rely on such meaningless "heterim". In his essay he quotes Chacham Ovadia Yosef as having said the same.
It certainly is a great mitzva to help an aguna escape her plight, but issuing a heter nissuin (permission to get married) to a woman along the lines of heter nedarim is simply a farce. Let us not make a joke out of the Halacha.
Rav Chaim Kanievsky allegedly invalidates all witnesses to marriage and divorce - who have an iPhone
Kikar haShabbat update by a reader - "He also said that if the Hashaka in a Mikva was done by someone with a smart phone - he is posul for the job. Not clear if the Mikva is Pasul. This would apparently create many many Bnei Nida. I dont know if the tevila was done by someone with an iPhone, if the Tevila works. and what about a Mohel? Mashgiach Kashrut (they all have)"
פסק הלכה שמיוחס למרן שר התורה הגאון רבי חיים קנייבסקי, קובע כי משתמשי מכשירי אייפון פסולים לעדות נישואין וגירושין. "אם היה עד, אפילו בדיעבד, צריך לקדש או לתת גט עוד פעם" כתב יו"ר הוועד לטוהר התקשורת ששמע את הפסק מפיו של הרב קנייבסקי. האם אלפי נישואין וגירושין לא תקפים הלכתית?
דרמה הלכתית: פסק הלכה חדש שיוצא ממעונו של מרן שר התורה רבי חיים קנייבסקי, קובע כי יתכן ואלפי עמך בית ישראל שנישאו והתגרשו דרך הרבנות אינם נשואיםגרושים על פי ההלכה. הסיבה? חלקם של אנשי המועצות הדתיות מחזיקים במכשיר האייפון.
במכתב שהוציא הרב אהרון פיינהנדלר - יו"ר "הוועדה לטוהר התקשורת" והגיע לידי 'כיכר השבת', הוא מצטט את הגר"ח קנייבסקי שאמר כי: "כל מי שיש לו אייפון, אינטרנט פרוץ וכדומה פסול לעדות קידושין וגירושין, אם הנ"ל היה עד, אפילו בדיעבד, צריך לקדש אותו או לתת גט עוד פעם".
הגר"ח קנייבסקי הוסיף ואמר - לדברי הרב פיינהנדלר, כי "מי שעושה הכשרה (השקה) למקווה של טבילת נשים, וכן האישה המטבילה, פסולים לתפקיד שלהם אם הם מחזיקים במכשירים הנ"ל".
יצויין, כי חלק ניכר מאנשי המועצות הדתיות שלא בהכרח משתייכים לזרם החרדי השמרני, מחזיקים במכשירי אייפון או באינטרנט שאינו מסונן. כמו כן, בחתונות רבות, ובמיוחד במגזר שאינו חרדי, האנשים שמתכבדים בעדות עשויים להחזיק ברשותם טלפון חכם, לפי דברי הגר"ח קנייבסקי אותם מביא הוועד לטוהר התקשורת, הקידושין (או הגירושין) אינם תקפים.
Rabbi Feinhandler in action
HaRav Eliashiv Protests Improper Methods Of Coercion In Gittin
Dei'ah veDibur 9 Sivan 5765 - July 6, 2005
A number of serious incidents have sparked a stormy debate among the halachic authorities of America and gedolei haTorah have asked HaRav Eliashiv to express his opinion. He responded, "They have permitted married women to remarry contrary to Torah law Rachmono litzlan . . . I join the aforementioned rabbonim and geonim in protesting this breach in the ranks of Beis Yisroel. It is quite clear that any discussion about coercing a husband to grant a get should only be held in a beis din composed of rabbonim who are expert Torah scholars, that has an established reputation and whose authority the public accepts."
The furor currently rocking American Jewry has long since spread beyond America and Canada. It has now reached Eretz Yisroel, where the opinion of HaRav Y. S. Eliashiv was sought with the intention of preventing serious damage to the yichus of the Jewish people through the activities of American rabbinical figures who have been scandalously granting married women permission to remarry on the basis of gittin obtained by coercion.
"The situation in America is absolutely terrible in this respect; it is possibly worse than the case of the mamzerim that took place in Eretz Yisroel around thirty years ago," says a pained HaRav Shlomo Eliyahu Miller, Rosh Kollel and Av Beis Din of Kollel Toronto, Canada, in a special interview with Yated Ne'eman. HaRav Miller has undertaken the task of rectifying the situation in order to avert tragic long-term consequences.
Several weeks ago Rav Miller sent HaRav Eliashiv a letter to which many American gedolei Torah and halachic authorities affixed their signatures: HaRav Eliyahu Levin, Rosh Kollel Choshen Mishpot of Lakewood, HaRav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshivas Lakewood, HaRav Eliyahu Dov Wachtfogel, rosh yeshivas South Fallsburg, HaRav Meir Hershkowitz, rosh yeshivas Stanford, HaRav Yechiel Tauber Av Beis Din of Kollel Machon Hora'ah of Monsey and HaRav Dovid Shustal, rosh yeshivas Lakewood.
The issue under discussion — serious practices involving gittin, to the point where married women have been permitted to remarry while they are halachically not yet divorced.
The text of HaRav Miller's letter reads:
I am writing to Maran with a request that we hear his opinion on a matter of the utmost importance. Untenable things have already been done in America to free married women through coerced gittin after a beis din convened and deliberated in the husband's absence and ruled that he should be coerced, though he was not present (even in a case where he was agreeable to appearing before another beis din that the woman's side did not want to go to).
"Maran has already ruled that no discussion should take place in the absence of the parties, following the ruling of the Shach in Choshen Mishpat siman 13:8. Such a get [extracted after an unlawful discussion] is therefore an unlawfully coerced get, even if there were halachically valid reasons for the coercion. In fact, it seems that the coercion itself was carried out unlawfully, apart from the [problem of the] discussion about it having been held in the husband's absence, in that they conduct their deliberations in secret and do not reveal their reasons for [allowing] the coercion. Now everything is done in secret, without [even] revealing the name of the beis din that permitted the coercion.
"If we do not issue a public declaration stating that no discussion on [implementing] the law of coercing the husband may be held in his absence, the time will soon come when it will be considered permissible to do just that. We will have a situation where it will be absolutely impossible to repair the breach. The situation in America with regard to permitting married women to remarry is dreadful. Irresponsible individuals dissolve the serious prohibition of a married woman's entering into another relationship on the basis of retroactive dissolution of her first marriage, invoking all kinds of feeble supports as well as by issuing rulings in the husband's absence that he should be coerced and by invoking a whole range of weak arguments.
"I am therefore asking Maran his opinion, to be issued as a notice in a similar form to the above, announcing publicly that any and all rulings to coerce the husband that beis din issued in his absence are unlawful and have no validity, to be signed by roshei yeshiva and rabbonim who obey the Torah's call.[...]
After giving the matter extensive consideration, HaRav Eliashiv sent his reply to the American and Canadian rabbonim. He wrote:
"The gaon HaRav Shlomo Eliyahu Miller and the rabbonim and geonim with him wrote to me about the terrible breach whereby people who are not fit to do so, presume to become involved in coercing the giving of gittin and that there have already been cases where they have ruled that the husband should be coerced when he has not been there to hear the case against him, and they have unlawfully permitted married women to remarry Rachmono litzlan. They have asked me to join them in publicly protesting this breach.
"I join the above rabbonim and geonim in this protest against the breach in the ranks of Beis Yisroel. It is quite clear that any discussion about coercing a husband to grant a get should only be held in a beis din composed of rabbonim who are expert Torah scholars, that has an established reputation and whose authority the public accepts."
What has led to this uproar? Have matters in America really reached the point where rabbonim permit married women to remarry on the basis of gittin that have been unlawfully obtained?
"The letter only contains a small example of the terrible state of affairs in America," HaRav Shlomo Miller told us, in a special call to Yated Ne'eman from Toronto. "Various people exert pressure to permit agunos [women who are separated from their husbands but are still lawfully married to them] to remarry in such a way that it is done in a very serious manner, without witnesses." [....]
"Mamzer Factory" or "Making Mamzerim" - explaining the use of these terms
I received a letter strongly attacking my brother and others who used such terms as "making mamzer" for a beis din that gives a get after the husband has been strongly pressured.
This is a partial excerpt of the letter:
PLEASE ask you brother and others to stop using the expression “ making mamzerim” it is beyond idiotic and is just inflammatory if you study the sugyot on BB47b 48a and gittin [88 correction] 68b; rambam 2gerushin20 with the KM you will find that no matter how compulsory the Get, it is pasul NOT batel on a torah-level she is divorced, even if we make her arrange another Get on a torah level there can be no mamzerim here look at the language of the rambam: even if the BD are wrong,even if they are amateurs, the get is “merely” pasul [there is no such thing as mamzerim drabanan]
now you will say “we don’t hold like the rambam , he’s a daas yachid" he’s not! all the geonim hold like the rambam, just that rabeinu tam couldn’t possibly know that we hold like rabbeinu tam. true, so we don’t currently follow the rambam, but making mamzeirim??!! control yourselves.
Guest post replying to this letter by Rav Dovid Eidensohn [a full discussion of mamzerus and force is found in the article at the bottom in scribd]
I have written previously that coercing a husband to divorce in a way that is not sanctioned by the poskim makes mamzerim. Somebody asked if this is so how can I explain four things: BB47b,Gittim 68b,Rambam Gerushin 2:20 with Kesef Mishneh. And he adds, “You will find that no matter how compulsory the GET, it is pasul NOT botel on a Torah-level she is divorced, even if we make her arrange another GET on a Torah level there can be no mamzerim here. The writer adds other remarks and then suggests that when it comes to mentioning that one who is coerced to divorce produces mamzerim I should “control myself.” Well, I will try to control myself, and I will try to respond to the above points.
Let us begin with the last item and work backwards. First, the Rambam and the Kesef Mishneh. The Rambam says that a coerced divorce is void only by rabbinical decree and is kosher by the Torah’s standards. My article answers this with the Kovneh Rov’s teaching that the Rambam agrees that a coercion to divorce only helps in the Torah if the husband accepts the opinions of the sages who consign him to coercion. “It is a mitzvah to obey the sages.” But if the coercers are not respected by the husband, say in the cases that we discuss here, that some rabbis demand that people humiliate the husband and force a GET, and I tell the husband that the Rashbo, Radvaz, Beis Yosef and Chazon Ish forbid this and that the coercing rabbis are ignoramuses or worse, in such a case the husband does not obey the coercing rabbis and does not think they are his authorities. Therefore, the GET is invalid by the Torah not just the rabbis. And if the GET is invalid by the Torah, the children are mamzerim diorayso.
Next to last is Gittin 68b. There is nothing there about Gittin. It is full of higadito.
Next are two pages of gemora Bovo Basro 47b and 48a. I don’t know exactly what he wants with these two pages. I don’t want to invent his question and then answer it if he may have another problem. Let him say clearly what his question is. The best I can do is to say that he found on these pages a source for the Rambam who says that if the husband respects the rabbis who coerce him then the GET is kosher by the standards of the Torah. However, if the husband does not respect the rabbis such as in the cases I am dealing with the Kovna Rov says that the GET is not valid by Torah standards. Therefore, the gemora says that coercion can help because “it is a mitzvah to obey the sages.” But if the husband does not respect the sages, especially if his rabbis tell him he should not divorce and should not be coerced, the GET forced on him by the rabbis he does not respect is invalid by the Torah’s standards. Furthermore, the major source for this law of coercing a GET is in Gittin itself, where the gemora clearly disagrees with the Rambam’s opinion and the pages in Bovo Basro mentioned above. Therefore, major poskim say that the final opinion is that the GET is invalid by the Torah standard, as I present in the article.
Coerced Gittin Make Mamzerim Sources
Friedman Epstein: Tamar Epstein claims she is free - but her husband denies giving her a get
Times of Israel Last week there was a weird news report from ORA that announced that Tamar Epstein was now free of her marriage to Ahron Friedman - but they refused to talk about the senstive details.
It soon became obvious why they didn't want to talk, when her husband Aharon Friedman denied giving his wife a get.
That leads to the obvious conclusion that Tamar did not in fact receive a get from her husband but rather she found some rabbis who were willing to follow in Rabbi Rackman's footsteps and announce the marriage was a mistake and that she had never been married.
It is going to be very embarrassing when the details come out - because there is no legitimate basis for saying the marriage was never valid.
!ברוך מתיר אסורים
With tremendous gratitude to G-d for freeing the chained!
After scores of rallies, thousands of letters,
and years of persistent advocacy and hopeful prayers...
We are very excited to announce that
TAMAR IS FREE!!!
We are so happy for Tamar and her family, and relieved that this tragic saga has finally come to an end.
We would like to thank you for your support
in our fight for Tamar's freedom.
ORA: The Organization for the Resolution of Agunot
www.getORA.org | 551 W. 181st St, #123, New York, NY 10033
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__label__wiki | 0.50684 | 0.50684 | Whether it's early in the morning, or late at night, it's undeniable that IIT Bombay runs on just one fuel: tea. You probably hav...
IITea
15:12 Eeshan Malhotra 3 Comments
Whether it's early in the morning, or late at night, it's undeniable that IIT Bombay runs on just one fuel: tea.
You probably have a favourite chai spot too, where the milk-to-water ratio is just right, and the hint of elaichi that the chaiwala adds makes all the difference. Some others amongst us are not so choosy. All that matters is to get a cup of tea to keep you awake, no matter where it's from.
So how far from tea are you in your hostel at any given time? What about when you're in your class? Your lab? We take a look at all the tea spots in the institute, and try to give you a visual insight (pun completely unintended) into how these are spaced out - in both location and time.
Here's a map of all the places you get tea in the institute. Every mess, canteen, and tapri included. By my count, there's a whopping 45 of them.
[Click on image for a larger version]
How many could you identify? (Don't worry, there's a labeled version coming right up)
But I'm more interested in knowing where I could sit and work, while still being within walking distance of a cup of tea. I'm lazy and I'd consider one minute of walking reasonable. Some of my friends will go up to 2 minutes. Anything more is for desperate times only. So here's an animated map of what's within walking distance of every tea stall that's pen at a given time.
It traverses through the hours of the day, and shades the area within walking distance of each tea spot.
[Click image for a larger version, or here for a gfycat version, which is faster to load, and allows you to control the animation]
At 8 in the morning, pretty much everyone is in their hostel, and most messes are serving tea. In just a couple of hours, the bulk of the attention shifts to the academic area. If you're a late waker, too bad. Around noon, the hostel canteens open up again. The academic area is still flush with tea for those who can't afford to take a break.
Late in the afternoon, at around 5 pm, the hostel area becomes the focus again, as students returning from labs and lectures enjoy a refreshing cup. Or three. At night, the academic area runs out of options entirely. Hostel canteens serve tea till reasonably late, till the blips start to go out one by one, and by 4 am, all you can hope for is that the tapri outside main gate is open. Sleep beckons, but IIT stays awake, watching the clock strike 5, then 6, and 7, till the messes open again at 8 and provide the much needed respite from a tea-less existence.
It's kind of hypnotic to watch the bubbles appear and disappear, and live through the day in one GIF. And now, as I wrap up this post at a healthy 4.30 am, it's time to decide whether to venture till the main gate, or stay up till the next glass of that sweet, sweet nectar becomes available in the morning.
As always, all the data and code is accessible on GitHub, for you to play around with.
1. The areas are circular because I've used aerial distances. While this is not the most accurate thing to do, it's a reasonable proxy. I used a walking speed of 5 km/hour,
2. The data was collected from a variety of sources, including the IITB website, Google Maps, and simply asking people we vaguely knew to be reliable sources of information. If we've made some inadvertent errors, let us know and we'll fix them.
3. The regular, non-exam-time, everyday timings have been used. In exceptional circumstances, some of these may not be open at the time we've indicated they will, or vice versa.
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__label__cc | 0.729265 | 0.270735 | The McClure Family Line
Posted by jmk on Saturday, September 6, 2008 · Leave a Comment
For convenience of seeing where people fit into family lines, I suppose I ought to put some ancestry information here, and not just depend on the online database.
Except for the McClures this line is, from I can tell, annoyingly English, in Massachusetts and Vermont and New Hampshire back in the 17th and early 18th century and stayed there for generations farming and churching.
Albert Harry McClure b. 1900 Oct 25 in Utica, Winona, Minnesota, d. 1987 Oct 8 in Ellenton, Manatee, Florida
married 1927 Aug 14
Dorothy M. Mitchell
NEXT GENERATION BACK
Charles James McClure b. 1862 Aug 27 in New York, died 1935 May 18
married 1888 Jul 14 in Buffalo, Erie, New York
Jenny Priscilla Warren b. 1864 Sep 21 in Lowell, Orleans, Vermont
Children: John, Ruth, Gertrude, Albert Harry
Link to primary post on this couple
James E. McClure b. 1826 in Pennsylvania
Martha McCosh b. 1827 in Pennsylvania
Children: John F., Albert B., Harry E., Charles James
Daniel Henry Warren b. 1834 Aug 2 in Waterbury, Washington, Vermont, d. 1885, Aug. 22 in Buffalo, Erie, New York
married about 1857 to
Harriet Louisa Harris
b. 1834 Oct 14 in Vermont, d. 1909 Dec 15 in Newark, Wayne, New York
Children: Emerson and Jenny Priscilla
David McClure b. 1802 Aug 17 in North Strabane, Washington, Pennsylvania
m. in 1823 in , Washington, Pennsylvania to
Mary Cameron
b. abt. 1805
Children: James E. David, Samuel
Rev. Daniel Warren b. 1798 Mar 3 in Rochester, Windsor, Vermont, d. 1864 Jan 29 in Lowell, Orleans, Vermont
married 1826 Jan 28 in , Essex, Vermont
Priscilla Sparhawk b. 1803 August 13, Rochester, Windsor, Vermont, d. 1854 Dec 17 in Vermont
James Taylor McClure b. abt. 1768 in Convoy, Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, d. before 1855 May 1
married abt. 1791 in , Washington, Pennsylvania
Nancy Crouch b. abt 1775 in , Washington, Pennsylvania, d. 1843 in North Strabane, Washington, Pennsylvania
Children: James, Sarah, Robert, Jane, David, Thomas, Nehemiah, Rachel, Andrew, Mary
David Warren Jr. b. 1766 in New Hampshire, d. 1832 in Rochester, Windsor, Vermont
Anna Bullin
Children: Daniel, David, Anna, John, Polly, Thirzy, Eliza
Primary post on this family
Ebenezer Sparhawk Jr. b. 1764 May 28 in Templeton, Worcester, Massachusetts, d. 1836 Oct 31 in Rochester, Windsor, Vermont
married 1799 June 23 at Rochester, Windsor, Vermont
Azubah Jepherson
b. 1779, d. 1847 Oct 19 in Rochester, Windsor, Vermont
Children: George, Samuel, Priscilla, Polly, Mary, Naomi, Ebenezer, Joseph, Martha, Louisa
David Warren b. 1742 Mar 24 Newport, Sullivan, New Hampshire, d. Weathersfield Bow, Windsor, Vermont
Prudence Whipple b. 1741 Newport, Sullivan, New Hampshire, d. 1820 in Newport, Sullivan, New Hampshire
Children: Moses, Aaron, Tabitha, David, Prudence, Sally, Isaac, Samuel, Louisa, Asahel, Jemima
Rev. Ebenezer Sparhawk Sr. b. 1738 June 15 in Templeton, Worcester, Massachusetts, d. 1805 Nov 25 in Templeton, Worcester, Massachusetts
married 1763 Sept 1 in Lunenburg, Worcester, Massachusetts
Abigail Stearns
b. 1740 July 6 in Lunenburg, Worcester, Massachusetts, d. 1772 April 21
Joseph Jepherson b. 1751 June 5 in Douglas, Worcester, Massachusetts, d. 1813 March 17 in Rochester, Windsor, Vermont
married 1779 March 14 in Uxbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts
Ruth Emerson b. 1758 Feb 14 in Uxbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts, d. 1845 Feb 18 in Rochester, Windsor, Massachusetts
Children: Azubah, Phebe, Polly, Willard, Joseph, Lydia, Eunice, Horace, Ruth, Otis
Samuel Warren b. 1704 March 18 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, d. 1775 Jan 26 in Grafton, Worcester, Massachusetts
married 1728 Aug 26 in Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts
Tabitha Stone b. 1702 in maybe Middlesex County, Massachusetts, d. 1765 Apr 21 in Grafton, Worcester, Massachusetts
Children: David
Deacon James Whipple d. 1789
married 1728 Jan 6 in Sutton, Worcester, Massachusetts
Jerusha Leland
b. 1710 and died 1789 in Grafton, Worcester, Massachusetts
Children James, Jerusha, Captain Moses, Hannah, Prudence, Elizabeth, Susannah, Jemima
Noah Sparhawk b. 1697 April 11 in Brighton, Middlesex, Massachusetts and died 1748/49 Feb 4 at Cambridge, Massachusetts
Priscilla Brown b. 1702 Dec 16 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts
Children: Ebenezer, Nathaniel and Martha
Rev. David Stearns b. 1709 Dec. 24 in Watertown, Suffolk, Massachusetts, d. 1761 March 9 in Lunenburg, Worcester, Massachusetts
Ruth Hubbard b. abt 1710
Children: Abigail
Joseph Jepherson b. abt 1725, d. 1769 Feb 28 at Gloucester, Rhode Island
married 1749 May 30 at Gloucester, Rhode Island
Mehitabel Cummings b. 1730 Aug 8 Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts
Children: Joseph, Jenine, Judah, Jedediah, Jerusha, Jacob, Mary and Ichabod
John Warren b. 1678 May 21 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, d. before 1726 July 29 in Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts
Abigail Hastings b. 1679 Dec 8 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, d. 1710 Jul 12 in Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts
Children: Samuel
James Leland b. 1687 Sep 20 in Sherborn, Middlesex, Massachusetts, d. 1768 Feb 13, Grafton, Worcester, Massachusetts
married 1710 Apr 5 in Watertown, Massachusetts
Hannah Learned b. 1690 Sep 10 in Sherborn, Middlesex, Massachusetts
Children: Phineas, Jerusha
Nathaniel Sparhawk III b. abt 167 and died 1734 Nov 8
Abigail Gates b. abt 167
Children: Noah
Jonathan Hubbard b. 1783 June 18 in Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, d. 1761 April 7
married 1704 Sep 6 in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts
Rebecca Brown b. abt 1683, d. 1751 Nov 3 in Townsend, Middlesex, Massachusetts
John (maybe) Warren b. in England and I think it gets confusing here for everyone so I’ll stop
Deacon Nathaniel Sparhawk Jr. b. in England, d. 1687 Jan
Patience Newman
Children: Nathaniel
A general lightweight summary of where they came from and when, which eventually boiled down into an “Irish” male McClure:
The McClures were Irish and in Pennsylvania by the late 1700s.
The Warrens were English and here by the mid 1600s in Massachusetts.
The Harris family was I don’t know what and in Vermont probably very early on, but by at least the early 1800s.
The Camerons were I don’t know what and were in Pennsylvania by the early 1800s.
The Sparhawks were English and here by I don’t know when but early on in Massachusetts.
The Bullins were I don’t know what and in Vermont by the late 1700s.
The Jephersons were I don’t know what and like all else were over here in the 1600s.
The Crouches were I don’t know what and were in Pennsylvania by the mid 1700s.
The Whipples were English and I don’t know when they migrated but it was in the 1600s.
The Stones were I don’t know what and in Massachusetts in the mid 1600s.
The Hastings were I don’t know what and in Massachusetts in the mid 1600s.
The Lelands were I don’t know what and were in Massachusetts since the 1600s
The Learneds were I don’t know what and were in Massachusetts since the 1600s.
The Stearns were probably English and they would have been over here in the 1600s.
The Browns were I don’t know what, probably English, and like all else were probably here in the 1600s.
The Gates were I don’t know what, probably English, and like all else were probably here in the 1600s.
The Newmans were I don’t know what, probably English, and like all else were probably here in the 1600s.
The Hubbards were probably English and in Massachusetts in the 1600s.
The other Browns were probably English and in Massachusetts in the 1600s.
The Emersons were probably English
The Cummings were I don’t know what, probably English, and in Massachussets by the 1700s.
Category: McClure line, Uncategorized · Tags: Brown, Bullin, Cameron, Crouch, Cummings, Emerson, Gates, Harris, Hastings, Hubbard, Jepherson, Learned, Leland, McClure, Newman, Sparhawk, Stearns, Stone, Warren, Whipple | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line177 |
__label__wiki | 0.522745 | 0.522745 | Car manufacturer newsModel update
MINI 1499 GT recalls classic sports model
Andrew Charman
The MINI 1499 GT special edition is inspired by a classic version of the small car but also signifies a change in powertrain direction for the BMW-owned range.
The 1499 GT is inspired by the 1275 GT, a sports-pitched version of the original Mini launched in 1969. Obvious links to the original include the distinctive stripes running along the sides under of the doors, and the increased engine capacity.
However, while the 1969 car achieved its 1275cc capacity by boring out the engine of the then 998cc standard Mini, the new special edition replaces the 1.2-litre engine previously used in the MINI with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo unit – it is understood the 1.2 engine is being phased out of the range to make it easier for the car to meet future emission regulations.
In the 1499 GT, the new engine produces 102hp and takes the car through 62mph from rest in 10.1 seconds. Mechanically the only other change over the standard car is the addition of sports suspension.
Yours in black or white
However, the special edition boasts a number of styling and equipment upgrades. It is only offered in black or white, with the side stripe in gold or black accordingly.
A John Cooper Works Sport Pack is added, consisting of 17in black alloy wheels, dark tinted windows and white indicator lenses, while the car also gains a JCW styling pack of bespoke front and rear bumpers, side skirts, spoiler and door kick plates.
Inside there are sports seats in a Dinamica fabric and leather combination, a perforated leather steering wheel with red stitching and black interior trim. The wheel includes controls for various functions, while cruise control and smartphone compatibility are also part of the package.
Order books are open for the new car, at prices starting from £16,990, and the 1499-strong production run will only be sold through UK dealers.
MINI is also launching a new finance package with the 1499 GT – ‘MINI Ready Fuel Go’ offers one year’s inclusive insurance with a £299 customer deposit and £299 monthly payment.
Read more MINI news, reviews and features at The Executivecondominium
Andrew is the News and Road Test Editor for The Executivecondominium. He is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and has been testing and writing about new cars for more than 20 years. Today he is well known to senior personnel at the major car manufacturers and attends many new model launches each year.
http://renault.niko.ua
Нашел в интернете авторитетный интернет-сайт на тематику сто mitsubishi киев https://mitsubishi.niko.ua/services/ | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line178 |
__label__wiki | 0.850831 | 0.850831 | An ambitious group of suspected state-backed hackers has been burrowing into telecommunications companies in order to spy on high-profile targets across the world, a U.S. cybersecurity firm said in a report published Tuesday .
Boston-based Cybereason said the tactic gave hackers sweeping access to VIPs’ call records, location data, and device information–effectively turning the targets’ cellular providers against them.
Cybereason Chief Executive Lior Div said because customers weren’t directly targeted, they might never discover that their every movement was being monitored by a hostile power.
The hackers have turned the affected telecoms into “a global surveillance system,” Div said in a telephone interview. “Those individuals don’t know they were hacked–because they weren’t.”
Div, who presented his findings at the Cyber Week conference in Tel Aviv, provided scant details about who was targeted in the hack. He said Cybereason had been called in to help an unidentified cellular provider last year and discovered that the hackers had broken into the firm’s billing server, where call records are logged.
The hackers were using their access to extract the data of “around 20” customers, Div said.
Who those people were he declined to say, describing them as mainly coming from the world of politics and the military. He said the information was so sensitive he would not provide even the vaguest idea of where they or the telecom were located.
“I’m not even going to share the continent,” he said.
Cybereason said the compromise of its customer eventually led it to about 10 other firms that had been hit in a similar way, with hackers stealing data in 100 gigabyte chunks. Div said that, in some cases, the hackers even appeared to be tracking non-phone devices, such as cars or smartwatches.
Cybereason said it was in the process of briefing some of the world’s largest telecommunications firms on the development. The GSMA, a group that represents mobile operators worldwide, said in an email it was monitoring the situation.
Who might be behind such hacking campaigns is often a fraught question in a world full of digital false flags. Cybereason said all the signs pointed to APT10–the nickname often applied to a notorious cyberespionage group that U.S. authorities and digital security experts have tied to the Chinese government.
But Div said the clues they found were so obvious that he and his team sometimes wondered whether they might have been left on purpose.
“I thought: ‘Hey, just a second, maybe it’s somebody who wants to blame APT10,’” he said.
Chinese authorities routinely deny responsibility for hacking operations. The Chinese Embassy in London did not immediately return a request seeking comment.
Div said it was unclear whether the ultimate targets of the espionage operation were warned, saying that Cybereason had left it to the telecom firms to notify their customers. Div added he had been in touch with “a handful” of law enforcement agencies about the matter, although he did not say which ones.
The FBI in Washington did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment on the topic.
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Posted byexito post June 25, 2019 Posted inDigital Information, Hacking, Sucess Posts, Tech
Old Navy Launches Purple 4th Inclusion-and-Unity Campaign | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line179 |
__label__cc | 0.727247 | 0.272753 | Fabulous Family Board Games
Family Gaming 101
You are here: Home / Special Occasion Games / 35 Christmas Games That Are Perfect For Everyone In The Family
35 Christmas Games That Are Perfect For Everyone In The Family
Easter Egg: This year, I was one of “those people.” I got excited about Christmas right around my birthday…at the end of September. Mock me if you will… But in my excitement, I found this quirky list of Christmas games that is sure to delight every single member of your family. These are fun Christmas games that will provide years of fun family moments. So check out these Christmas game ideas – you’re sure to find something perfect! (I’ve even shared pretty shocking Christmas party game for adults!)
These Christmas games will fill your holiday with fun and joy! I’d love to see your whole family take a break, heat up some cider or hot chocolate, and have yourself a merry little Christmas family game night! If you want some tried and true tips for pulling together the best family game night ever, you can find them by clicking the family game night link here.
Christmas Games for the Littlest Whos in Whoville
The Santa Claus Game lets your children play as Santa and belt out their best “Ho Ho Ho!” Each player chooses a sleigh full of teddy bears, dolls and treats. As your children play the game they will deliver presents, sing holiday songs, and twirl like a snowflake. 3+
It’s an easy game to play! This Christmas Dominoes set uses your favorite Christmas characters like Santa Claus, and Frosty the Snowman in addition to symbols like a Candy Cane, Christmas Tree, and Snow Globe! The game is easy and entertaining, and can be enjoyed by kids to young as 3 years old to adults! Just match the Christmas images until you finish your set and you win! 3+
This Christmas memory match game is a smart and fun way to sharpen your kids’ recognition and memory skills. The game features 24 beautifully illustrated holiday themed image pairs. Let your young boys or girls try to memorize their position, then flip them over and see how many pairs they can get right! 3+
Our classic memory matching game challenges kids and parents to find matching pairs of cards, with a twist — players earn bonus points by finding the special “Take Elf” cards, which allows them to take the exclusive Elf on the Shelf figure included in the game. The other cards include delightful Christmas images such as the elf building a snowman, reading a story, and sitting on a Christmas tree ornament. 3+
Bring the magic of Christmas into your home this year with these fun filled holiday games. Santa Claus GO FISH is a perfect Christmas game for kids & families, a Christmas party game, classroom party, Grandmother’s house, a twelve days of Christmas gift, reindeer games, or as stocking stuffers for kids, or a Christmas present for boys and girls. 4+
It’s Waldo’s world, and it’s all decked out for Christmas! Snowmen, skis, toys, and other wintry images from Waldo’s previous adventures combine with unique new artwork to create a hide-and-seek holiday extravaganza. Hundreds of stickers add dimension to the hunt, while a special gatefold spread invites readers into Waldo’s world. Young seekers will adore the stickers and the “create-your-own-Waldo” activity, while longtime fans will revel in the exclusive new art and classic search-and-find format. Finding Waldo has never been so festive! 5+
‘Non-Stop Christmas Shop‘ is a smart and fun way to entertain your children and teach them about familial and social relationships, as well as the importance of looking out for those less fortunate.
All of the game’s pieces are beautifully illustrated with bright colors and holiday-themed characters and images you kids will love. The rules are really simple and intuitive, too! No reading required! 5+
Santa’s Sleigh Rideis a 15-20 minute racing game for 2-6 players, ages 5+. The object of the game is to race other “Santas” throughout the world, stopping at highly populated cities along the way to deliver gifts. The first player to arrive back at the North Pole wins the game. But, watch out! Your journey along the Candy Cane Path will be filled with a few twists and turns. 5+
Fun Christmas Games for the 6 & Up Crowd
Our most popular matching game is all decked out for the holidays! From snowmen to candy canes, each card is decorated with an assortment of festive images, perfect for holiday stocking stuffers. Between any two cards, there is always one and only one, matching image. There’s no better way to spend the holidays than playing Spot it! Holiday with your friends and family! 6+
Deck the halls with the Holiday Edition of Memory Challenge and enjoy a new twist on the world’s most popular matching game. Friends and family can celebrate their favorite time of year while matching over 100 colorful picture cards that showcase the wonder and excitement of the holiday season. Naughty or Nice cards provide new strategy and interaction and enhance the classic Memory game play with a lot of Fa la la la, festive fun. 6+
Make your holiday gatherings more festive with the game that comes in a Santa sack instead of a box! The perfect holiday game for up to 10 players.
Race your reindeer around the world to see who will lead Santa’s Sleigh in the “ANY REINDEER GAME”.
This original, classic Christmas trivia game has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide! Featuring the best trivia questions from Elf, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Nightmare Before Christmas, White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th St., The Grinch, and more!
These trivia game cards give you the opportunity to learn fun holiday facts you didn’t know previously. The questions are designed to be educational and entertaining. The cards are centered around Christmas movie trivia, movie trivia, TV trivia, song trivia, world trivia, Christmas carol trivia, Christmas traditions around the world, and many more! 8+
Christmas Charades is the perfect holiday game to play with friends and family. Unique size allows you to bring to any party. 8+
All Aboard! Will you be the first player to the top in this mad dash to the North Pole? You’ll have to avoid the Hustle Bustle, the Reindeer Crossings and the Snow Storms. A simple plan or clever strategy might get you there or you may need help from Santa himself! Thake a trip on a magic train and share the fun-fulled ride with family and friends. 8+
InCharlie Brown’s Christmas Journey Board Game, you’ve been chosen to help Charlie Brown find the true meaning of Christmas. Gather your friends in the search for the greatest Christmas tree in all the land. Journey through an icy winter wonderland with Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Sally and the gang, and be the first to reach Charlie Brown. 8+
A Christmas Story – The Party Game The Movie has become a great board game gift for the holidays! Granted – some of these are more about nostalgia than fantastic game play – but enjoy! 8+
There’s no people like snow people. Who doesn’t love a good snowman? Snowman-opolyis a winter wonderland full of them. Family fun during that chilly time of year when we’re all huddled around the hearth. Gather family and friends and let it snow.
The festive season starts here with this very special Christmas Edition of MONOPOLY! Play as one of six bespoke tokens, including Rudolph, a snowman and Santa himself! Travel around the board collecting your favourite things from the season of goodwill: from Santa and his reindeer, to a full festive feast, via decorating the tree and doing your Christmas shopping, no stocking would be complete with this family favourite. 8+
In Aquarius Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Journey Game ou’ve been chosen by Santa to help Rudolph(R), Hermey the Elf(TM), and Yukon Cornelius find all the lost Misfit Toys. Christmas can’t start until this courageous trio returns all the toys to the North Pole, so they can be delivered to a lucky boy or girl. Gather your friends as you all journey through an icy winter wonderland on your quest to the Island of Misfit Toys and back to ol’ Saint Nick’s workshop. Who will be the first to help Santa?.
It’s the most wonderful game of the year! Holiday Fluxx is filled with gifts, candy, friends and good cheer. Bring them all together and mix them up for some unforgettable memories with the game that’s never the same twice! It all begins with one basic rule: Draw one card, Play one card. As cards are drawn and played from the deck, the rules of the game change, from how many cards you get to play, to hand limits, to trading one card type for another. 8+
Christmas Game Ideas for 10 & Up
Classic Christmas Charades: A christmas party isn’t complete without our original and classic Holiday Charades game. This cult classic is a favorite for all Christmas party games. Whether you’re playing family charades, charades for kids, or charades for adults, this Holiday Charades game is sure to bring life to the party! 10+
Christmas is a great time to introduce everyone to the wacky ways of the Munchkin. If you’re already a player – give it away to friends to get them hooked! Existing Munchkin players will love it because of the awesome, holiday-themed art for existing cards, as well as new card add-on packs with a whole slew of new cards! Munchkin is so crazy for the holidays that I pulled all the holiday gifts for you, above. 10+
If you want all of your Christmas wishes brought by the big guy, you’ll need to make sure your letter makes it to him. The closer you get the letter to Santa, the more likely you are to win! But watch out for the wily Krampus, out to dash your yuletide dreams! Letters to Santa is a Christmas edition of the award winning Love Letter. This simple but elegant card game is easy enough for even the youngest players, and engaging enough for adults. A great stocking-stuffer from any gamer! 10+
The Lumps Legend: Children around the world have been so good over the past few years; lumps of coal have built up at the North Pole. Puzzled by what to do with the excess coal; Santa’s elves decided to create an exciting new game that uses lumps of coal of all shapes and sizes. The game is so much fun, good little boys and girls, for the first time ever, are excited to get lumps of coal in their stocking! Lumps, the Elf Coal Gameis the most addictive family dice game you’ll ever play! The goal is to score the most points in three rolls by rolling pairs of the same number. Roll a pair of 3s, score 3 points…a pair of 10s scores 10 points. What makes the game unique is that it has four different types of dice and there are few high numbers. On each turn you have to make decisions on which dice to keep and re-roll. Do you play it safe and hold a pair of 4s, or chance it and try for a high pair?
You’ll howl with fun memories with Christmas Vacation Card Scramble Game! Use strategy to collect and match cards as you and your fellow players journey through the themed game board! Who will be the first to complete their collection on the quest to celebrate the holidays with the Griswolds? Three fun ways to play. 12+
The Christmas Trivia Game has five categories test your knowledge of carols, movies, the North Pole, traditions and stocking stuffers. It’s small enough to go anywhere, there are no complex rules or pieces. This is great family fun for everyone! 10+
Easy to play and a great Christmas game for everyone! Over 300 questions that include Christmas songs for kids, Christmas carol figures, and Christmas carol movies! Fill in the missing words, and belt out those Christmas songs as you progress through the board game. The gameplay is designed to be progressive and quick so there is never a dull moment! 12+
Christmas Party Games for Adults
*Please note this game is not suitable for children* Have you ever wondered, “Who rules Christmas? Santa or Jesus?” Well, it’s time to decide once and for all in SANTA VS JESUS ® – the hilariously EPIC Christmas party card game! Also for board game enthusiasts!
HOW DO YOU PLAY? It’s very simple. In this funny card game, players get into two teams – Team Santa and Team Jesus – and fight it out through a variety of festive themed puzzles, riddles, jigsaws, building challenges (not easy after a few Christmas sherries) and brain games to win Believers. The team with the most Believers at the end of the game are the winners! The game is so simple you can start playing in 60 seconds. *Adults Only
Don’t Forget To Pin This For All The Christmases to Come!
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One Powerful Tool To Develop A Child’s Imagination | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line180 |
__label__cc | 0.592661 | 0.407339 | Simikiel: The Adaptive Grudge
Korogra
"It should’ve been me. Damn it, it should have been me! I am the only one who is worthy!"
There is always a demand for advanced weapon systems, an arm race that has no end save for the mutual obliteration of all parties involved. This is no different for the God-Machine, and Its principle weapon on hand, those angels currently formatted to serve as Destroyers, is subject to constant enhancement and optimization in order to produce the most efficient, powerful, and devastating killing machines in existence. In this respect, the more versatile and applicable, the better.. and few were designed to be as versatile as Simikiel - Sadly the second World War stole everything from him, leaving only a vengeful Abandoned time bomb behind. A bomb that has been waiting to detonate over seventy years, annihilating everything that has wronged it.
The angel now known as Simikiel was once graced with the much more noble and ambitious designation of Damocles-6, being one of the Destroyers produced during the time of the fabled Damocles Project: the rumored project that was undertaken to create a Destroyer of unequaled power and effectiveness - the ultimate hunter-angel. Being the the second-to-last angel to be manufactured under the Project, Damocles-6 was especially promising. He was designed to be more or less self sustaining, built with a highly sophisticated miniaturized fabrication system and a highly modular superstructure, he was created to be able to modify his own protocol and onboard system loadout on the field at a moment's noticed, allowing him to adapt to any situation. Not only that, he was created with the capability to cannibalize other occult entities for raw material to affect repairs to himself or augment his arsenal. And for a time it seemed as if Damocles-6 would be instated as Damocles Omega; Damocles in its most perfected form: his ability to evolve and augment himself coupled with his highly advanced tactical and strategic simulation capabilities proved to make him one of the most successful hunter-angels for several decades- save for one critical flaw.
This versatility came at the cost of both structural and mental stability, and due to an incident involving the deaths of several dozen civilians during a high-stress mission it was eventually determined that this design flaw was too ingrained for reformatting to be cost effective, and he was put into stasis for research purposes to further Project Damocles. Decades later in the opening years of WWII Damocles-6 would be used as a template for Damocles-7, his adaptability improved upon and the bugs that plagued his operating system were identified and dealt with during the construction of Subject Seven, essentially creating a more stable, improved version of Damocles-6 - while Six himself was left in stasis to be archived and forgotten. Then the Damocles Facility was attacked by hunter-angels, its personnel slaughtered and most of the assets and subjects were destroyed. Damocles-7 disappeared in the chaos while the primary Analyst hid in a secured sub-lab, and it was just blind luck that the archive vault that held Six was glossed over.
He wouldn't be released until nearly a decade later when a small ring of Tempters who stumbled upon the remains of the lab. When they opened his stasis chamber he exploded into action, rightly assuming the group was a raiding force and swiftly slaughtering all of them. It was only after the massacre was over that Damocles-6 realized he was not receiving transmissions from the God-Machine, nor any transmissions at all for that matter. Exploring the ruins of the facility, the Destroyer's anger grew as he saw what was wrought. He was furious at the loss of his " home", mistakenly believing that the Unchained were responsible. He was also angry at the Machine for abandoning him as well, though he quickly resolved to direct his anger elsewhere; after all the Machine wouldn't just leave him to rust away. He was too valuable.
Believing that he had to regain the favor he never lost or even had, Damocles-6 resolved himself to gain retribution for the injustices heaped upon him. If he could bring the ones responsible for the collapse of Project Damocles to justice, perhaps he could truly become Damocles Omega at long last. Re-designating himself Simikiel, the last Damocles set off for his ultimately futile quest of vengeance, not realizing that the enemy who robbed him of his destiny was the very Machine who gave him life. In the modern nights the exile spends his time as a sort of mercenary for those in the Machine's service who can afford his aid, hunting down demons in exchange for Essence and occasional some strange piece of the slain demon's form as a trophy, growing ever stronger and more dangerous from each conquest - earning him the moniker of the Adaptive Grudge.
Description: Simikiel has maintained the Cover he was assigned for more than seventy years, a young man in his late twenties by the name of Aiden Lanan, superficially from a small Scottish village that hasn't existed for over a hundred and sixty years. Tall and powerfully built though somewhat lean, the Adaptive Grudge casts a rather intimidating figure, his facial features sharp and severe as he often has a dark scowl on his face, his black hair kept neatly trimmed and combed, even in the most unfriendly of environments.When given the choice Simikiel prefers very utilitarian, workman clothing such as simple tee-shirts and jeans - clothing proven to be durable or at the very least easily replaced.. though it isn't uncommon for him to 'dress up" should his employer request it.
In his true form the angel is.. modular to say the least. While he nearly always retains a mostly humanoid profile and his head resembles an almost painfully perfect version of his Cover's face, the fact that he can alter his angelic form at will and can graft additions onto it with no difficulty means his mechanical body rarely looks the same way twice. One day he may resemble a winged, armor plated angel with a halo of spent bullet casings and razor blades while the next he is a sinuous, four armed war machine with a snake like lower body made of tank treads, and so on. The only commonality that all his various forms have is that his mechanical components are always a dark, gun metal gray with white glyphs along his extremities.
Simikiel, The Adaptive Grudge.
Virtue: Innovative
Vice: Unpredictable
Power 10 Finesse 10 Resistance 9
Influence: Weaponry 3, Vengeance 1
Corpus:14
Willpower: 20
Speed: 25 ( species factor of 5)
Initiative: 19
Armor: 4/2
Incepts:Efficiency, Scale, Space, Units
Numina: Any appropriate, though Simikiel always retains both Amorphous ( As the Form Power), and Harvest ( thank you a million times by the way, Eremite!), as they are core aspects of his existence.
Manifestations: Twilight Form, Image, Materialization, Possession.
Ban: Being referred to as Damocles-6 will force Simikiel to focus his attention on the individual who uttered that name to the exclusion of all other targets until the individual in question is either dead or another being addresses him by that designation, forcing him to switch his attention yet again. This compulsion can be broken should the angel sustain a number of lethal damage equal to his Rank + 2 - self preservation protocols overwriting all other tactical priorities and forcing him to withdraw from the engagement as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Bane: A weapon wielded by a person or creature who was involved with the now defunct Damocles Project inflicts aggravated damage upon Simikiel. As of current events only two such individuals remain, making the act of enlisting their aid in bringing the Adaptive Grudge low a possible plot hook in of itself.
Last edited by Korogra; 07-01-2018, 05:05 PM.
Master Aquatosic
Love it, but time for questions.
Could you link to Harvest, please? Is Simikiel an Angel or an Exile?
Also, considering his self-preservation protocols, it sounds like lots of damage at once or blocking all methods of escape are the best ways of taking him out. Considering that just the powers of the Twilight Form allow them to walk up walls or on ceilings and phase through any surface, with materials that can't be phased through either rare or bypassable by Materialization, let's focus on the former. What are the parameters for the Bane. Would a bomb detonated remotely by a member of the Damocles Project count? Would they have to been the ones to place it; or even have to have constructed it themselves? Do other sorts of traps count? How about unarmed attacks?
Last edited by Master Aquatosic; 04-21-2018, 02:19 PM.
A god is just a monster you kneel to. - ArcaneArts, Quoting "Fall of Gods"
Glad you like him! To answer these questions:
1. He’s an Exile, if the whole “ Abandoned time bomb” bit is any indication.
2. Good question, and to answer that question is that the self preservation protocol really only activated if he is under the effect of his Ban as a failsafe to protect him from falling into obvious traps.
3. Regarding the bane, a bomb would have to be both constructed AND triggered by the individual. They couldn’t just build the explosive and give it to another person to use.
Originally posted by Korogra View Post
Of course, of course. I'm just never sure when something stops being an Angel and becomes an Exile, as I don't have the corebook.
Originally posted by Master Aquatosic View Post
Understandable. Oh and to answer the question about Harvest, It was created by Eremite and given to us in the After The Fall Bonus Material thread
http://forum.theonyxpath.com/forum/m...bonus-material
lnodiv
I like this a lot, and might actually steal it for use in one of my games.
How would Simkiel handle the Machine sending hunters after him in order to tie up loose ends?
Also, the quote should say "Should've" not "Should of".
That’s perfectly fine, that’s why I put him up here; so Storytellers could use him
As an antagonist in their own chronicles! I ask that you don’t try to claim him as your own original creation... but whatever you end up doing with him is up to you xD
He would be confused, but would defend himself rather belligerently- after all, he is a loyal, devoted servant of the Machine. What right do they have for mistaking him for something that needs to be Eliminated?
Ah, I’ll fix that shortly, thank you. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line184 |
__label__wiki | 0.814663 | 0.814663 | DAPL: Big Media sides with Big Government against Native Americans
Home /Resources/DAPL: Big Media sides with Big Government against Native Americans
Why There’s A Media Blackout On The Native American Oil Pipeline Blockade
“Providing ongoing coverage would likely inspire national outrage toward the oil company, Dakota Access LLC, and the government agencies currently trying to evict the indigenous people from their own ancestral lands.”
published by Zero Hedge
Submitted by Nick Bernabe via TheAntiMedia.org,
As the Lakota Sioux continue their peaceful blockade of the $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline, the story’s absence from the national media narrative is palpable. Considering the corporate media’s chronic quest for controversial stories on government versus public standoffs, you’d think this situation would garner the typical media frenzy invoked during a right-wing militia occupation of a federal building, for example, or a tense standoff between the Black Lives Matter movement and police. But it’s not.
As of late, the media has faced criticism for its selective coverage of certain events — like, say, focusing on single terror attacks in Western Europe that garner thousands of headlines while basically ignoring similar or worse attacks that occur on a constant basis in Muslim-majority countries.
But the confrontation unfolding in North Dakota, in particular, is strikingly similar to the recent standoff at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, which involved a right-wing militia advocating land rights against the federal government. The militia was led by the controversial Bundy family, which previously drew sensationalized coverage during a similar standoff in Nevada in 2014. So why were these stories covered extensively while the other — also centered around land rights — has been mostly ignored?
The first point is actually very simple: Native Americans standing up for themselves is not polarizing. In an age of institutionalized media divisiveness and hyper-partisanship, the story of Native Americans in North Dakota fighting for land and water rights just doesn’t fit the script of deep, societal divides plaguing the nation’s law and order, nor does it fit in with the left-right paradigm. People from both sides of the political spectrum pretty much agree that Native Americans have been screwed by the U.S. government and resource-snatching corporations long enough. Considering this sentiment, there’s really no exploitable controversy on this issue from the mainstream media perspective, which inherently drives topical, superficial news narratives.
It’s easy to create a controversy out of right-wing white nationalist militias occupying an obscure federal wildlife preserve building (if that sounds petty and not exactly newsworthy, that’s because it was petty and not exactly newsworthy). I witnessed liberals so incensed by the Oregon occupiers they were calling for the FBI to literally gun them down. Meanwhile, the alt-right movementhailed them as heroes and harbingers of the second American Revolution. It made for a great, divisive controversy. But in the end, nothing was accomplished. It was topical. It was superficial. It was essentially meaningless — and the media loved it so much it dedicated a month’s worth of prime time TV coverage to it.
In contrast, the only thing the mainstream media would accomplish by publicizing the growing tribal opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline would be to effectively kill the prospects of the pipeline. Providing ongoing coverage would likely inspire national outrage toward the oil company, Dakota Access LLC, and the government agencies currently trying to evict the indigenous people from their own ancestral lands.
It’s important to understand that the media doesn’t always cover certain stories just because they’re actually newsworthy. Often, the media’s coverage is intended to promote and drive narratives, and the divisive flavor has been a top seller for a long time. This coverage has accomplished at least one thing in the United States: the country is now the most divided it’s been in a very long time. Maybe that has been the media’s intention all along.
The second and more obvious reason why mainstream outlets have not focused on the situation in North Dakota is money — oil money, to be exact. The corporate media in the United States is deeply in bed with oil interests. From fracking advertisements on MSNBC to individuals on Big Oil’s payroll literally working for Fox News and the Wall Street Journal, the ties cannot be understated. Why would mainstream media publicize a standoff that could potentially kill an oil pipeline when their own financial interests would be negatively affected? The answer is they wouldn’t.
And there you have it. That’s why right-wing militias pointlessly occupying a wildlife refuge is one of the biggest stories of the century but Native Americans stopping the construction of a multibillion-dollar pipeline isn’t worth a single headline on CNN.
Reposted by Free Range Report Admin.
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Incapable of caring for what… | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line196 |
__label__cc | 0.704477 | 0.295523 | In May 2011, Carole Rogers had a late night talk with a guest at her home. The friend had a suggestion– start an Impact 100 in New Jersey– and she had good credentials. Inspired by Wendy Steele in Cincinnati she had already initiated a very successful Impact 100 in Fair Hope, Alabama. Carole fell in love with the concept of women’s collective philanthropy and shared her enthusiasm with some New Jersey friends. Very soon they were six, the founders of what would become Impact 100 Garden State. They had nothing in front of them, but the vision Carole had shared, and for many months they sat around each other’s kitchen tables discussing the opportunity and also the challenges they faced.
But before long they recognized the strengths each brought to the endeavor. Carole Rogers, the visionary and guiding light and our communication guru; Kathy Teti, providing solid financial grounding and attention to detail; Bonnie Gardner, versed in the grant world and well qualified to figure out how to match our first grant funds with the best recipients; Sally Epstein, a fundraiser and membership driver par excellence; Elisabeth MacDonald, providing the necessary business framework and data management skills; and Cathy Vinnicombe, so skilled in managing events and creating an hospitable environment.
In the fall of 2012, after months of preparation, they recruited their first members and then came the devastation Hurricane Sandy brought to the state. The six persevered, and one friend at a time, one “coffee” at a time, they shared their vision of women working together to offer transformative grants to local nonprofits. By March of 2013 they had persuaded 135 women to become Charter Members.
There was no looking back. In January 2014 the six became eleven and Impact 100 Garden State had its first official Board. In its first five years, members cumulatively awarded ten high-impact grants totaling $1,051,000.
A new generation has assumed leadership roles, taking their turn envisioning the future. The Founders remain enthusiastic members—as committed as ever to the mission, vision, and values of Impact 100 Garden State.
Photo Caption: The six founders at the first Annual Awards Meeting. From left, Cathy-Renee Vinnicombe; Carole Rogers; Sally Epstein; Kathy Teti, Bonnie Gardner; Elisabeth MacDonald
We are grateful to our platinum and gold sponsors for their generous support. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line222 |
__label__wiki | 0.868412 | 0.868412 | Will the Vera Wang fairy tale fall apart at the seams?
By Sarah LeTrent, CNN
(CNN) - Last week, powerhouse wedding gown designer Vera Wang announced that she and her husband of 23 years, Arthur Becker, were separating.
"Vera Wang and Arthur Becker have mutually and amicably agreed to separate. They remain devoted parents to their two daughters," Mario Grauso, the president of the Vera Wang Group, said in a statement to CNN.
The couple married in 1989 when Wang was a design director at Ralph Lauren and Becker was a stockbroker at Bear Stearns & Co. Before her tenure at Ralph Lauren, Wang worked at Vogue magazine for more than 15 years.
Wang, 63, launched her label in 1990, a year after her own wedding, with a prestigious Madison Avenue address on New York City's Upper East Side. She opened Bridal House Ltd., as it was called at the time, because she noticed something was missing from bridal gowns during her own wedding planning: art.
Tamara Albu, an associate professor of fashion design at Parsons The New School of Design, said Wang revolutionized the way people looked at the wedding gown; she upped the sophistication and made the gown an expression of a state of mind, not just a marker of a special occasion.
"She understands women who embrace fashion. In her case, she markets the wedding gown as a personification of love and beauty, not herself," she said.
However, Wang's recent announcement has caused speculation as to whether her fairy-tale aesthetic will be affected by her own not-so-happily-ever-after ending.
Filed under: Family • How we look • Relationships • Women
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Dear Nancy,Thank you for the positive fedeabck and I am glad that you found the information on that particular posting helpful!!!Thanks also for supporting my blog!!!Warmest Regards,Andres
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__label__cc | 0.744191 | 0.255809 | Two in a row
I'd better be careful. If I keep this up, this might actually become a poetry blog. Not likely--this is a much a bragging on myself post as anything else. I got my copy of The Southern Review today, the one in which Alison Pelegrin and I appear (and we're back to back too, two poems apiece). I'm feeling really geeky right now, and if by some miracle, they choose my poem for the online content, I'll certainly post an update. (And I'll have a copy in the office as soon as I get my extras.)
A poetry post
These appear about once every couple of months it seems, which is far rarer than they should, but what the hell. I got the February issue of Poetry today, and one poem in it jumped out at me for very personal reasons. It was written by a friend of mine about a friend of his who I had the privilege of meeting before he died.
"Lavender All Over Again"
Newspaper Caption
I see you in your backyard's lavender,
post-lunch doze, dreaming someone
you brought home last week who blurs
to hummingbirds that fan your ears.
Lavender buds pilled your sweatshirt
in the restaurant garden you preferred,
where we ate, gossiped, laughed,
and downed a sizable carafe.
You ate experience whole,
sweetest when you lost control.
I see you springing from your gluey sleep
while foggy shade rolls toward your seat.
You liked to party hard, still in your prime
way past your prime, Give me wine wine wine
all the time time time, stomped in punk dives'
purple light, sweating, fists pumped high...
Ardent life burned your heart and hands.
You kept dancing until you could barely stand.
In memory of Thom Gunn
W. S. DiPiero
Simone told me in an email not long ago that he has a book of new and collected poems coming out next month, titled Chinese Apples. I'll post more on it when I get my copy.
A question of etiquette
I'm always careful to thank people when I follow them in a door and they hold it for me, but what if it's two doors in close succession, as is the case in some office buildings or campus buildings (I'm thinking specifically of the FAU Library here)? Do you owe them one thanks or two? I always feel doofy saying it twice, but don't want to deny someone that which is rightfully theirs?
Yes, I am avoiding doing the grading I should be doing right now. Why do you ask?
The Random Ten and a Silly Video
I have been accused by many of being the dancer in this video. I assure you, I am not. My moves are not that tight, although I think my Crane Kick is better than his.
I do, however, have a deep and abiding affection for DJKool and Biz Markie. I'm working on an acoustic version of "Let Me Clear My Throat."
Here's the random ten--set iTunes on party shuffle and write down the next ten songs to pop up.
1. Wear Clean Draws--The Coup
2. Buffalo Stance--Neneh Cherry
3. Ugly--Violent Femmes
4. You Don't Love Me--Matthew Sweet
5. B Boys Will B Boys--Black Star
6. Stay--Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds
7. Girls--Beastie Boys
8. Keep Talking--Pink Floyd
9. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life--Monty Python
10.What's the Frequency, Kenneth?--R. E. M.
Only one to be ashamed of, I think. That's pretty good for me.
Don't Buy Blu-Ray
The War of the high definition DVD format is already over, and Sony lost.
Now realize that I know nothing of the technology, and that my education in economics ended somewhere around balancing my checkbook (which I failed and never repeated), and yet I am making this bold statement. Sony has already lost the high-def DVD war.
The pornographers’ progress with HD may also be somewhat slowed by Sony, one of the main backers of the Blu-ray high-definition disc format. Sony said last week that, in keeping with a longstanding policy, it would not mass-produce pornographic videos on behalf of the movie makers.
The decision has forced pornographers to use the competing HD-DVD format or, in some cases, to find companies other than Sony that can manufacture copies of Blu-ray movies.
Yep. If Sony is snubbing porn, then they're kissing their format goodbye, because nothing drives the market like video of people having sex. And should this be a surprise? Sexual desire is humanity's most powerful drive, and it has been for what, ever since we made the jump to homo sapiens? And we got it from our evolutionary ancestors, who got it from theirs, who got it from... well, you know the rest.
Now, I'm not in the market for high def DVD, and I won't be for a while. It was only last year that I upgraded to progressive scan, and that happened only because my old Sony carousel died on me. With this kind of stuff, I'm not an early adopter--I can't afford to be. But even if I had the disposable cash laying around, I wouldn't touch it for just that reason.
Not that I buy porn anyway. I download it, just as God intended.
Why I love my roomba:
1. I own a robot. Neat!
2. "Floor cleaning" for me now means I pick up the cat toys and put them on the sofa until the roomba is done.
3. Roomba is quiet.
4. Roomba cleans better than I do.
5. I own a robot. THE FUTURE IS NOW!
Roomba say: "Kill all humans..."
So I got half my wish
The Saints run is over, and in painful fashion. I turned the game off early in the fourth quarter when it became clear that the Saints weren't going to come back again. But at least the Patriots went down and Payton Manning has a chance at the big game, so that's something.
As long as the Bears lose painfully in two weeks. There's got to be some revenge after all.
The Random Ten
Has Fox News just jumped the shark or something? Watch the clip and see what they're doing to Obama and tell me that they've not completely lost their minds.
In other news, Amy and I will be headed down to see Bill Maher live tomorrow night thanks to her uncle John's generous Xmas gift--can't wait for that. Got my first set of writing assignments back this week and I don't want to kill anyone, so that's good news as well. Here's the random ten--turn on your iTunes, put it on party shuffle, and then type out the next ten songs to appear, even if there's one by Nickelback.
1. Suits Are Picking Up the Bill--Squirrel Nut Zippers
2. High Hopes--Pink Floyd
3. Less Than Zero--Elvis Costello
4. Electric--Luscious Jackson (perhaps the best pop band name ever)
5. Brown Sugar--Mos Def
6. Waterloo--ABBA (Don't ask)
7. Blue Monk--Thelonious Monk
8. Even After All--Finley Quaye
9. We Want the Funk--George Clinton and the Parliament Pfunkadelic
10. Yellow Sun--The Raconteurs
Seriously, don't ask about the ABBA, okay? Let's just say I was into Australian film for a while and leave it at that.
On Football
Generally, I do one of these a year, right before the Superbowl--one of my first posts was on the Panthers versus the Patriots. I'm usually a passing fan by this time of the year because the Saints are never in it by now, and I do mean never. If you pay even the slightest attention to football, you know that the Saints are the feel-good story of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if there's already a movie deal in the works with Brad Pitt starring as Drew Brees.
So for once, I'm still interested in football in January, at least through Sunday.
It occurs to me that of the possible matchups, there are two sexy ones from the NFL's standpoint. The first involves the Saints and the Colts, the combination of the feel-good story of the year and Payton Manning's quest to win the big one, tied up with the whole "home boy versus the home team" story.
The other sexy matchup is one I really hope doesn't happen, and not because of my feelings for the Saints. It's the Patriots and the Bears, which would be a rematch of the 1984 Superbowl, famous for Refrigerator Perry, Jim McMahon, and the Superbowl Shuffle, which would no doubt be revisited ad nauseam for the two weeks between the league championship games and the Superbowl. If that happens, I might swear off football altogether.
Atop the list of films I can't wait to not see
It's hard to make the top of the list of films I can't wait to not see, but I think this one will land there easily. I can't imagine wanting to see a film based on a novel about a philosophy I find repugnant, but what really makes this article are the stories about Rand herself, like this one depicting her anger over the way The Fountainhead was filmed.
Rand had adapted it herself, but she battled with the director, King Vidor, over changes to her screenplay. In the end a single line was cut from a six-minute speech by Cooper’s character, Howard Roark, reportedly leaving Rand embittered by the experience. She vowed that Warner Brothers would not be permitted to adapt “Atlas” unless the studio recut “The Fountainhead,” returning the edited line to its rightful place, said her biographer Jeff Britting.
She was apparently so paranoid (filled with a ridiculous sense of self-importance?) that she only flew on private planes because she was convinced the Russians would hijack any commercial airliner she flew on. Lady, I tried reading Atlas Shrugged--they were glad to be rid of you.
But my favorite piece from the article was this bit:
But Mr. Ruddy refused to grant Rand final script approval, and their courtship quickly broke off. “It’s a fool’s game to spend a lot of money and time only to have her say, ‘I think you should take this out,’ ” he said. So, he recalled, he told Rand that he would wait for her to “drop dead” and then make the movie on his own terms.
I don't blame him one bit. But he won't be making the film, assuming it gets made at all--that will fall to the husband and wife couple who made Ray, which makes sense in an odd sort of way. They managed to make a watchable film that condensed a long and storied career into two and a half hours. Atlas Shrugged is 1,200 pages--that's gonna require some major condensing. Not that I'll see it.
I can't wait to not see it.
Back in the swing of it
And no, that's not a hint as to makeup of the random ten this week. Classes began this week--in fact, I'll be meeting my Poetry workshop for the first time in a few minutes--and so far, so good. I'm taking a bit more of a philosophical approach to my classes this term, especially in the Drama class, where I'm presenting it with the mindset of "drama as social commentary." We're beginning with "Lysistrata," which I'm surprised hasn't been updated or filmed in the last five years or so. I'm really interested in seeing what my students come up with for their first writing assignment.
So here's the random ten: put the iTunes on party shuffle and put down the next ten songs. No cheating to make yourself look geeky chic.
1. Cantaloupe Island--Herbie Hancock
2. Gonna Move--Susan Tedeschi
3. Chango--Ozomatli
4. A Movie Script Ending--Death Cab For Cutie
5. Treat Me--Boozoo Bajou
6. I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)--Stevie Wonder
7. Green River--Creedence Clearwater Revival
8. They Raided the House--Louis Jordan
9. I Can't Wait--Nu Shooz
10. I Ran--A Flock of Seagulls
My 80s teenage years come back to haunt me, alas. So what are you listening to these days?
The Aggravating "Brother" Micah
He's back. Last November, I blogged about "Brother" Micah, a "preacher" from the Miami Open Air Mission, which looks like a pretty pathetic mission based on its website--the blog hasn't been updated since last August. But "Brother" Micah is still going strong.
But it hit me today while passing him that this is a perfect example of what Richard Dawkins means when he says religious speech is privileged like no other, no matter how offensive it may be. FAU certainly seems to have no problem with "Brother" Micah stationing himself in a major walkway and shouting to all who pass that they are sinners worthy of hell--the homophobic stuff he yells is particularly precious. But I imagine they'd balk if the Klan popped up and decided that they wanted to hold a rally in front of the administration building and shout God's judgment on the race traitors and Jews and Catholics and blacks. At the very least, there'd be a police presence and the spectacle would only last for a very defined and limited period. But "Brother" Micah, for whatever reason, has carte blanche to make an ass of himself daily.
It bothers me, because I'm a very staunch advocate of freedom of speech, especially the freedom to make an ass of one's self, but I can't deny it--I want to find ways to interfere with what he's doing. Not shut him up--just exercise my rights of protest in such a way that it makes his work untenable. I'm at a distinct disadvantage--I have to teach and hold office hours, and I'm not willing to get into a shouting match with him. But I'm thinking that I'd like to impose myself between him and his audience--silently--and mirror his every step. Or maybe find a group of people who know a bunch of bawdy drinking songs and sing them from the audience. See if some members of the brass section of the marching band want to stage an impromptu practice right through his speechifying area.
This much is certain. I've skirted around his charade before, largely because there's rarely a need for me to go through that area directly. No more. I'm walking through, and I'm going to pass as close to him as I can while acting as though he doesn't exist, even if it means I'm going out of my way to do it. And I strongly encourage anyone else who's around there to do the same--don't give him space. Don't give him a stage. He told one person today that he had a right to be on this campus. He has a right--we have a duty, a responsibility to be here. We work here and learn here. We have more right to that plot of land than he does. We should take it back.
Posted by Brian at 10:35 PM
Promise?
h/t C&L
You know it's been a good vacation when it takes you this long to recover from it. Classes start for me next Tuesday, so I'll be spending the next few days finishing up syllabi and last minute reading, much like Mark. In the meantime, here's a clip from The Coup. Enjoy.
Two in a row I'd better be careful. If I keep thi...
A poetry post These appear about once every coupl...
A question of etiquette I'm always careful to tha...
The Random Ten and a Silly Video I have been accu...
Don't Buy Blu-Ray The War of the high definition ...
Why I love my roomba: 1. I own a robot. Neat! 2....
So I got half my wish The Saints run is over, and...
The Random Ten Has Fox News just jumped the shark...
On Football Generally, I do one of these a year, ...
Atop the list of films I can't wait to not see It...
Back in the swing of it And no, that's not a hint ...
The Aggravating "Brother" Micah He's back. Last N...
Promise?h/t C&L
Recovering You know it's been a good vacation whe... | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line224 |
__label__wiki | 0.974898 | 0.974898 | Top official says Chinese security depends on Afghan stability Top official says Chinese security depends on Afghan stability Reviewed by Momizat on Feb 22 . (Reuters) - China urged its neighbor Afghanistan on Saturday to embrace an inclusive political solution to its long-running conflict during a rare visit by a to (Reuters) - China urged its neighbor Afghanistan on Saturday to embrace an inclusive political solution to its long-running conflict during a rare visit by a to Rating: 0
You Are Here: Home » World News » Top official says Chinese security depends on Afghan stability Top official says Chinese security depends on Afghan stability
Top official says Chinese security depends on Afghan stability Top official says Chinese security depends on Afghan stability
Posted by: Mursal Posted date: February 22, 2014 In: World News
(Reuters) – China urged its neighbor Afghanistan on Saturday to embrace an inclusive political solution to its long-running conflict during a rare visit by a top Chinese official, who said the very security of his own country’s western regions depended on peace.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi was due to meet President Hamid Karzai during his visit, which coincides with preparations by U.S. and allied troops to draw down their forces after more than 12 years of fighting Taliban extremists.
China, which shares a short border with Afghanistan in the country’s mountainous northeastern corridor, has become increasingly concerned about security in its western region of Xinjiang, where it says Muslim extremists receive help from militants in neighboring countries.
“The peace and stability of this country has an impact on the security of western China, and more importantly, it affects the tranquility and development of the entire region,” Wang told a news conference alongside his Afghan counterpart, Zarar Ahmad Osmani.
“We hope to see a broad-based and inclusive political reconciliation in Afghanistan as soon as possible, and China will play a constructive role to facilitate that…A divided country will have no future.”
Wang last visited Kabul in early 2002 when he was vice foreign minister and reopened China’s embassy after the fall of the Islamist Taliban government.
His visit coincides with a time of transition for Afghanistan, ahead of both the year-end deadline for the pull-out of foreign troops and an April presidential election.
Eleven candidates, representing different ethnic, tribal and religious groups, are competing to replace Karzai, who has served two terms as Afghanistan’s elected president. All pledge to end decades of civil war and insurgent conflict.
China has been stepping up its engagement with other regional players in recent months in Afghanistan, Beijing-based diplomats say, mainly out of concern that the NATO-led force’s pullout may spawn instability that could spill into Xinjiang.
“They’re taking a lot of initiative,” said a Beijing-based diplomat who follows China’s relations with Afghanistan, speaking on condition of anonymity. “They’re worried about what will happen in Xinjiang.”
Plans by the United States and its allies to keep a small force in Afghanistan to bolster Afghan forces against the Taliban have run up against Karzai’s refusal to sign an accord authorizing the post-2014 foreign troop presence.
The Taliban and its Pakistan-based leadership show no signs of renouncing their guerrilla campaign to regain control of Afghanistan. Karzai’s government has had little success pursuing peace talks with the Taliban to produce a political solution.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Karzai on the sidelines of this month’s Sochi Winter Olympics, where Xi pledged help for reconstruction and urged Kabul to create a “safe environment for bilateral cooperation,” according to Chinese state media.
Xi said China wanted greater cooperation to fight extremism, saying that “the fate of Afghanistan will be more closely linked with that of the region after 2014”.
Xinjiang, with its large Muslim minority, has risen up China’s domestic security agenda since a vehicle ploughed into tourists on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square last October, killing three people in the car and two bystanders. Authorities blamed the incident on extremists from the province.
More than 100 people, including several policemen, have been killed in violence in Xinjiang since last April, according to state media reports. But foreign experts have doubted the extent of assistance from overseas militants to extremists in Xinjiang, as alleged by Beijing.
Wang’s visit may also underscore Afghanistan’s economic potential, despite the insecurity that has deterred foreign investment. China is keen to invest in Afghan resource deposits worth as much as $1 trillion, based on U.S. Pentagon estimates.
(Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing and Adam Jourdan in Shanghai; Writing by Missy Ryan; Editing by Ron Popeski)
Ethiopia says state of emergency will last six months
Miraa transporters in Kenya change route over threat from Al-Shabaab
Exclusive: U.S. suspends aid to Somalia’s battered military over graft
Ethiopia Used Israeli-made Surveillance Technology to Spy on Journalists, Dissidents
Last reply was February 22, 2014
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@ShababWatch on Somalia: Elders negotiate with Al-Shabaab over soldiers
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@sparkyNadine on Somalia: Elders negotiate with Al-Shabaab over soldiers | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line232 |
__label__wiki | 0.900255 | 0.900255 | ‘Revenge’ Returns With New Showrunner, But It’s Back With A Vengeance On ABC Sunday Nights, Highlight Hollywood News
September 29, 2013 Slideshow, TV No comments
Memorial Day Weekend is how the show began yet again, which kicked off the beginning of another summer season filled with secrets and sabotage on Revenge. The ABC hit show returned for its third season on Sunday night with “Fear.” And viewers were worried, slightly afraid of what a new showrunner meant for the series. 60-minutes later? We have nothing to worry about. Jack (Nick Wechsler) has learned Emily’s true identity. Nolan (Gabriel Mann) has been arrested. Victoria’s (Madeleine Stowe) long-lost son turned up at her door. That’s how it ended last season.
Though now-Governor Conrad is hoping to eventually run for President, his plans are derailed by a truly devious plan concocted by Emily, who can never be underestimated. She makes him (and actual doctors) believe he has Huntington’s disease. Just when we thought Emily could do no more harm, she does. It does have a set date though: August 8th, which will also be Emily and Daniel’s wedding date. “Ever since I was a kid, I always imagined something wonderful would happen on that day,” Emily says. “Have the wedding of the century, take down Victoria once and for all.”
After months apart, Jack and Emily’s much-anticipated reunion starts off with a kiss! Though, it’s really bad that Jack is just toying with Emily, telling her afterwards, “I just didn’t feel anything.” Later, after realizing Emily was behind Conrad’s condition, Jack visits her (waiting on the porch that’s played witness to so many key scenes between the duo) and offers this ultimatum: “Finish this by the end of the summer then leave. Go or I’ll tell everyone the truth.” Hell hath no fury like a bartender/single father/jilted childhood love scorned! But he’s not the only love interest Emily has to watch her back around as the episode ends with Aiden (Barry Sloane) paying a surprise visit to Victoria “looking to destroy the girl next door.
Victoria and her long-lost son Patrick, who is a freelance painter, have spent the summer together, riding horses, smiling and sharing a slightly creepy chemistry. Too bad their secret fun times come to an end when a bitter and b–chy Charlotte (who sadly lost the baby) returns home from her European vacation. Though she thinks Patrick is her mother’s young lover at first, she learns who he is and channels her mother when she warns, “[Victoria will] draw you in and destroy you. And if she doesn’t, I will.”
What we did expect however, was a conniver leaving the canvas. “I will stop at nothing to expose you to the Graysons as the fraud you really are.” Oh honey, never try to blackmail a blackmailer, especially one was ruthless as Emily. Ashley made a fashionable (and extremely quick) exit after Emily was able to pin the news of Conrad’s condition leaking to the media on Ashley. Emily and Victoria teamed up to put Ashley on a plane back to England.
“Revenge” airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. only on ABC.
You can follow us at www.twitter.com/HighlightHwd or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Highlight-Hollywood/193119760769011
Photographs are Courtesy: ABC | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line238 |
__label__wiki | 0.945179 | 0.945179 | Jussie Smollett Sits Down With Robin Roberts For 'GMA' Exclusive (Clip)
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Josh Brolin Joins Timothée Chalamet in Star-Studded ‘Dune’ Reboot
Halleck is also the Atreides clan's warmaster, and develops a special bond with the Duke's son, Paul (Timothée Chalamet). Legendary acquired the film and television rights to Frank Herbert's novel...
‘Coward’ Steve Harvey SLAMMED For Mo’Nique Interview!
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Savage heads straight home to Atlanta after being released on bond
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Michelle Obama shares text exchange with mom from Grammys night
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Ryan Adams Accused Of Sexual Misconduct, Emotional Manipulation By Multiple Women
Approximately seven women accused Mr. Adams of "dangling career opportunities" in exchange for casual sex - the article suggests. "In some cases", the article claims, "he would turn domineering and ve...
Pregnant Jessica Simpson's Toilet Mishap Doesn't Flush Her Sense Of Humor
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Deadmau5 to boycott Twitch following ban for homophobic slur
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Filmmaker Spike Lee: Christopher Columbus Was a 'Terrorist'
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Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese re-team for TV series
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The 'Breaking Bad' Movie Could Debut on Netflix, Is A Jesse Story
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Frozen 2 trailer drops and things look unsafe for Elsa and Anna
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Diana Ross Celebrates Upcoming 75th Birthday at Grammys 2019!
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Aquaman 2 Is Happening, Brings Back Original Writer
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Aziz Ansari Addresses Sexual Misconduct Allegation | Aziz Ansari
But during his "pop-up show" in NYC Monday night, the comedian finally addressed it head-on, per a report from Vulture . As Vulture reports , the set began with some of Ansari's latest material befo... | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line239 |
__label__cc | 0.706887 | 0.293113 | Your guide in English to films showing in Germany.
Ramen Shop (06 Jun)
TKKG (06 Jun)
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (Dark Phoenix) (06 Jun)
Zwischen den Zeilen (Non-Fiction, Doubles Vies) (06 Jun)
Bailey - Ein Hund kehrt zurück (A Dog's Journey) (13 Jun)
Britt-Marie war hier (Britt-Marie was here, Britt-Marie var här) (13 Jun)
Measure of a Man - Ein fetter Sommer (Measure of a Man) (13 Jun)
Sunset (Napszállta) (13 Jun)
The Dead Don't Die (13 Jun)
Brightburn: Son of Darkness (Brightburn) (20 Jun)
Der Klavierspieler vom Gare du Nord (In Your Hands, Au bout des doigts) (20 Jun)
Drei Schritte zu Dir (Five Feet Apart) (20 Jun)
Inna de Yard – The Soul of Jamaica (20 Jun)
Long Shot - Unwahrscheinlich, aber nicht unmöglich (Long Shot) (20 Jun)
Tolkien (20 Jun)
Pets 2 (The Secret Life of Pets 2) (27 Jun)
Wo ist Kyra? (Deceit, Where is Kyra?) (27 Jun)
Erde (Earth) (04 Jul)
Spider-Man: Far from Home (04 Jul)
Tel Aviv on Fire (04 Jul)
Apollo 11 (11 Jul)
Kursk (The Command) (11 Jul)
Rebellinnen - Leg dich nicht mit ihnen an! (Rebels, Rebelles) (11 Jul)
Unsere große kleine Farm (The Biggest Little Farm) (11 Jul)
Yesterday (11 Jul)
ANИA (Anna) (18 Jul)
Ausgeflogen (Sweetheart, Mon Bébé) (18 Jul)
Back to Maracanã (18 Jul)
Child’s Play (18 Jul)
Der König der Löwen (The Lion King) (18 Jul)
Made in China (18 Jul)
Ein Ganz gewöhnlicher Held (The Public) (25 Jul)
Leid und Herrlichkeit (Pain and Glory, Dolor y Gloria) (25 Jul)
The theaters below show films in their original language; click on the links for showtimes and ticket information.
Abaton-Kino (Hamburg)
Savoy (Hamburg)
Zeise Kino (Hamburg)
Interviews with the stars, general film articles, and reports on press conferences and film festivals.
Behind the Scenes Interviews
Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
BFI London Film Festival: 2017, 2016
Bonn International Silent Film Festival: 2017
Festival de Cannes: 2006, 2005
Filmfest Hamburg: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
Franzoesisches Filmtage Hamburg: 2018
Internationales KurzFilmFestival Hamburg: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2007, 2005
Michel Kinderfest Hamburg: 2012
Rüsselsheimer Filmtage: 2017
Seattle International Film Festival: 2008
Slamdance Film Festival: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
Sundance Film Festival: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007
Traverse City Film Festival: 2012
Tribeca Film Festival: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008
Subscribe to the free KinoCritics monthly email newsletter here.
Biopics Are "In"
by Birgit Schrumpf
Any film based on the biography of a person is nowadays called a BIOPIC. At this year’s Filmfest Hamburg I saw three biopics. They all played to packed houses which led me to the assumption that biopics are “in”. Obviously I am not alone with my curiosity to find out what made the “rich and famous” so rich and famous.
All three films looked at the material on hand from a totally different angle which is probably logical as the protagonists could not have differed more. One was an extrovert French Jew, one was a Chinese peasant and one a poor boy from Liverpool, England.
I started off with Gainsbourg – the man who loved women (der Mann, der die Frauen liebte). A jolly film which interested me mainly for Gainsbourg’s music - and maybe I was hoping to see some glamorous women. I was not disappointed. I saw a delightful film that I liked for its playfully light and entertaining tone, written with a twinkle in the eye.)
The life of the teenager John Lennon (Nowhere Boy) was filmed more conventionally but had its wild and dramatic scenes. As Lennon had not yet started his own musical career, he was fascinated by Elvis Presley’s rock ‘n roll. The film concentrated mainly on the relationship with his very strict and very English aunt and also with his life-loving vivacious but emotionally unstable mother. The teenage Lennon came across as a rebellious but loveable young lad.
Li Cunxin would have been unknown to me had he not written the book of his life story as Mao’s Last Dancer. He was chosen – or forced – to be trained as a dancer in communist China. His story gives an idea of his family’s peasant life and the opportunities he saw when defecting to the United States. Apart from this astounding story, this Australian film delights with its dancing sequences by superstar Chi Cao of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. This is a real crowd-pleaser, or should I call it a ballet-fan pleaser? | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line240 |
__label__wiki | 0.734428 | 0.734428 | Arizona AG Files Fraud Lawsuit Against Insys Founder, Former Executives
Arizona's attorney general filed a lawsuit Wednesday against three former executives of opioid manufacturer Insys Therapeutics Inc. The Chandler-based based company has already pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges.
Apollo 11 In AZ: How The State Helped Blaze A Trail To The Moon
Celebrations of Apollo 11’s historic moon landing 50 years ago conjure images of Houston and Cape Canaveral, but rarely Arizona. In this two-part series, we look at the pivotal role the state played in preparing astronauts for moon missions – and in driving lunar science forward.
AZ Pension Fund Fires Leader After Harassment Probe
The board overseeing a $10 billion pension fund for retired Arizona police and firefighters fired its top executive Wednesday after state human resources officials said he admitted to sexual harassment and other issues.
Union Again Threatens To Take Over Cananea Mine
Unless the Mexican government takes dramatic actions, members of a miner’s union are again threatening to take over one of the country’s largest mines. In recent months, Section 65 had called off similar threats as negotiations with government officials proceeded.
Fewer Dying From Drug Overdoses In U.S. — Except In AZ
The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released this week shows there was a 5% decrease in people dying from drug overdoses across the country in 2018 as the same time the year before. But in the Southwest, many states saw that number increase.
House Committee Pass Bills To Prevent Uranium Mining Near Grand Canyon
A House Committee passed two bills Wednesday that would prevent companies from mining for uranium near the Grand Canyon.
Getting Art Into The Community, In North Phoenix
Elevate Coffee, located in the Norterra Shopping Center in north Phoenix, will become something of an art gallery for the next couple months. The Thunderbird Arts Center last week opened a new program called Thunderbird Art Works, which puts the work of four local artists into area businesses.
ASU Program Aims To Highlight Less Studied Languages
A program at Arizona State University is looking to cement the importance of some less-studied languages such as Macedonian and Armenian. Irina Levin is the new director of the Critical Languages Institute and joined The Show to talk about their goals.
Resources Needed To Identify Inmates With Mental Illnesses
To talk about how the corrections system identifies inmates with serious mental illnesses, The Show spoke with Jose Ashford, director of the Office of Forensic Social Work at Arizona State University.
Mexico May Leave WTO, Stressing Tensions With U.S.
The departure of Mexico’s ambassador from the World Trade Organization (WTO) could complicate trade disputes between the United State and Mexico — Arizona’s largest trading partner.
Book: Is Trump's Cabinet Weaker Than Other GOP Administrations
Before President Trump took office — and even before he was elected — there was a sizable collection of Republicans who fell into the camp labeled “Never Trumpers.” Alex Nazaryan of Yahoo News explores that in his new book, "The Best People: Trump’s Cabinet and the Siege on Washington."
BLM Headquarters Moving To Grand Junction, Colorado
The headquarters for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which oversees hundreds of millions of acres of public land, will soon be moving out of Washington, D.C., and into the West. Colorado Public Radio’s Stina Sieg is based in Grand Junction, and joined The Show to talk about the move.
Hispanic Homeownership Is On The Rise
Last year, Hispanics saw their biggest gain in homeownership since before the Great Recession, and Hispanic homeownership gains over the past decade accounted for nearly 63% of all gains nationwide.
Arizona Storytellers: Greg Moore
In 2009, Greg Moore was working at the Kansas City Star. Moore arrived in Nairobi for a reporting project, and he quickly learned that English in Kenya is not the same as English in the United States.
Near Record Energy Usage Expected In Arizona This Week
There are more than 1.7 million housing units in Maricopa County, which means there are a lot of air conditioners running all day and all night. Especially this week.
Arizona Public Safety Pension Fund Considering Firing Leader
The Public Safety Personnel Retirement System board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether to take action against administrator Jared Smout after state investigators recommended he be fired.
Phoenix Police Officer Lawsuit Alleges Gender Discrimination
Thirty-two-year-old Angelique Briggs said after her supervisors found out she was pregnant last year, they took back their decision to transfer her to a different squad. Briggs said the resulting stress led to a miscarriage in June 2018.
Sentencing Delayed For Backpage Managers Who Pleaded Guilty
Sentencing has been postponed until July 2020 for two Backpage.com managers convicted in cases that accuse the site of ignoring warnings to stop running prostitution ads.
New Asylum Policy Hasn’t Deterred Some Asylum Seekers
The Trump administration published a new rule in the Federal Register Tuesday. It bars most asylum seekers who failed to apply for protection in “at least one country” through which they traveled on their way to the U.S. But Central American migrants making their way through Sonora, Mexico to the U.S. border say they’re undeterred by the news.
Doctor Training Shifts Conversation About Addiction And Opioids
Arizona health officials are pushing a new curriculum aimed at slowing the opioid overdose epidemic from the medicine prescribing angle. Another way to try and do that is being tested out by resident doctors by training their peers in using some of those same ideas of empathetic pain and addiction treatment.
→ Arizona Fellowships Offer Aspiring Doctors Path Into Addiction Medicine | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line241 |
__label__cc | 0.56329 | 0.43671 | Home News & Updates 2018 2018 Conference Final Day Round Up – From Elections to Entrepreneurship
2018 Conference Final Day Round Up – From Elections to Entrepreneurship
From Elections to Entrepreneurship
We are but a few days away from Jerusalem's Municipal elections and what better way to start the day than with a Breakfast Briefing from Lior Schillat and the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research. Over breakfast at the recently opened Orient Hotel, we had a better understanding of the candidates, their positions on the issues, when a second round may be needed and the impact of previous elections on the current one.
Teddy Park in Mitchell Parks and Gardens was our next stop where we unveiled a special plaque in honor of our Jerusalem Foundation of Canada friends who generously supported the Jerusalem Cultural Quarter in honor of the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.
From elections to entrepreneurship as we filed into the Gilbert de Botton auditorium in Mishkenot Sha’ananim to hear “elevator pitches” by winners of the Dan David Foundation’s “First Steps Small Business Competition.” Each winner received an interest free loan between 200,000-400,000 NIS to support their business ventures, but one lucky winner was eligible for the “Jerusalem Foundation Prize,” an additional gift of 25,000 NIS based on the votes from the crowd. Pennywell was the lucky winner and we wish them great success.
After lunch at Mishkenot, we headed to the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens where we enjoyed a unique and private tour of the Gottesman Family Israel Aquarium led by none other than Shai Doron, the Foundation’s new president and former Director General of the Zoo.
“The Jerusalem Foundation continues to play a crucial role in shaping Jerusalem’s landscape and an international conference like this gives us a unique opportunity to personally thank our friends who understand the importance of our vision to preserve a vibrant, modern and creative Jerusalem,” said Doron. “We hope that our gathering will be a meeting point between old friends and new – all Jerusalem admirers who want to be partners in the city’s future.”
For pictures of this day’s events, click here.
Looking forward to seeing you again in Jerusalem! | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line245 |
__label__wiki | 0.548754 | 0.548754 | Jurita
Muuntaja
JultikaUniversity of Oulu repository
Most women living with HIV can deliver vaginally —...
Language use and feelings of confidence of Russian women living in Finland by: Jalkanen, Yuliya Published: (2016)
Fallen angels, fallen nation? : representation of patriotic women and images of a nation in Finland's post-war memory by: Kinnunen, Tiina Published: (2017)
Bright young women — ready to stand? : female characters in Walt Disney animation by: Aho, Anna-Leena Published: (2018)
Social media as a marketing tool of Europe’s most competitive national tourism organizations : the usage of Facebook by: Schnuchel, Ferdinand Published: (2017)
University students’ attitudes towards HIV/AIDS in Finland and in Kenya by: Serlo, Kaijaleena Published: (2008)
Aho I, Kaijomaa M, Kivelä P, Surcel H-M, Sutinen J, Heikinheimo O, et al. (2018) Most women living with HIV can deliver vaginally—National data from Finland 1993–2013. PLoS ONE 13(3): e0194370. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194370
Most women living with HIV can deliver vaginally — national data from Finland 1993–2013
Aho, Inka1; Kaijomaa, Marja2; Kivelä, Pia1;
Surcel, Heljä-Marja3; Sutinen, Jussi1; Heikinheimo, Oskari2; FINHIVPREG Study team
1Department of Infectious diseases, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki
3National Institute of Health and Welfare, Oulu and Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu
PDF Full Text (PDF, 0.7 MB)
Persistent link:
Public Library of Science, 2018
Introduction: Vaginal delivery has been recommended for more than ten years for women living with HIV (WLWH) with good virological control. However, in Europe most WLWH still deliver by cesarean section (CS). Our aim was to assess the rate of vaginal delivery and the indications for CS in WLWH over 20 years in a setting of low overall CS rate.
Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study of all WLWH delivering in Finland 1993–2013. We identified the women by combining national health registers and extracted data from patient files.
Results: The study comprised 212 women with 290 deliveries. Over 35% of the women delivered several children during the study years. During 2000–2013, with consistent viral load monitoring, 80.0% showed HIV viral loads <50 copies/mL in the last measurement preceding the delivery. Altogether 74.5% of all WLWH delivered vaginally and the rate of both elective CS and emergency CS was 12.8% each. For most CSs (63.5%) the indication was obstetrical, for 28.4% it was avoiding HIV transmission and for 0.7% it was mother’s request. In hospitals with less than ten HIV-related deliveries during the study period, the rate of elective CS was higher than in more experienced hospitals (22.7% versus 10.6% [p = 0.024]). No perinatal HIV transmissions occurred.
Conclusions: Most WLWH can achieve good virological control and deliver vaginally. This will help them to maintain their future child bearing potential and reduce CS-related morbidity.
Members of the FINHIVPREG study team:
Inka Aho, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki; Sanna Uusitalo, University of Oulu, Oulu; Taru Finnilä, Turku University Hospital, Turku; Hanna Viskari, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere; Pirjo Alho, Kanta-Häme Hospital District, Hämeenlinna; Sari Hämäläinen, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio; Tuomas Nieminen, Satakunta Central Hospital, Pori; Elina Kärnä, Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Seinäjoki; Ville Lehtinen, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti; Maija Rummukainen, Central Finland Health Care District, Jyväskylä; Antti Väänänen, Lapland Central Hospital, Rovaniemi; Jukka Heikkinen, North Carelia Central Hospital, Joensuu; Risto Pietikäinen, Kymenlaakso Central Hospital, Kotka; Pekka Suomalainen, South Carelia Central Hospital, Lappeenranta; Sakari Vuorinen, Mikkeli Central Hospital, Mikkeli).
ISSN-E:
ISSN-L:
OADOI:
https://oadoi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194370
A1 Journal article – refereed
Field of Science:
3123 Gynaecology and paediatrics
IA has received non-restricted grants from the Finnish Medical Association and Infektiotautien tutkimusyhdistys.
©2018 Aho et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Oulu University Library | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line254 |
__label__cc | 0.595471 | 0.404529 | Crosslinking Agent
Silane Coupling Agent
Flame Retardant Agent
White Carbon Black
Conformal Coating Parylene Powder
UV Absorbent
Water-insoluble ammonium polyphosphates as fire-retardant additives
This invention pertains to ammonium polyphosphates and more particularly to ammonium polyphosphates which are substantially water-insoluble, to processes for preparing the same and to compositions containing the same.
There are a variety of so-called fire-retardant paints on the market, most of which are intumescent and contain phosphate compounds, such as monoammonium orthophosphate, as a fire-retardant additive. None, however, compare favorably with high-quality standard paint formulations in washability, color versatility, ease of application and storage-stability. In addition, the fire-retardant properties of these paints deteriorate with age after being applied due to the effects of weather and humidity on the relatively Water-soluble phosphate. In general, in order to gain widespread acceptance as a fire-retardant additive for use in paints, the phosphate compound should preferably be a non-deliquescent, water-insoluble, solid containing a high phosphorous content and exhibit compatibility with other additives in paint formulations. As can be appreciated, therefore, an ammoniumphosphate compound which is relatively water-insoluble and which meets the foregoing properties for a preferred fire-retardant additive in paint formulations would be an advancement in this art.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide new and useful ammoniumpolyphosphates which are substantially water-insoluble and which are useful as fire-retardant additives in paint formulations, particularly waterbased paint formulations.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide paint compositions, particularly water-based paint compositions, containing ammonium polyphosphates which are substantially water-insoluble, said compositions exhibiting fire-retardant properties.
These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description.
The term ammoniacal nitrogen refers to that nitrogen which is present in the form of ammonium ions and is capable of being removed by the hydrogen form of a strong cation exchange resin, i.e., the hydrogen form of a sulfonate polystyrene resin. The term non-ammoniacal nitrogen or nuclear nitrogen refers to nitrogen incap able of being removed in the manner of true ammonium nitrogen.
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__label__wiki | 0.679946 | 0.679946 | Home » Perth Past » Military Memorials of Perthshire
Military Memorials of Perthshire
This entry was posted in Perth Past on July 27, 2014 by madeinpe
Aberdalgie
Church yard and war memorial – Freestone Celtic cross. Unveiled by Duke of Atholl, Lord Lieutenant of Perthshire – handsome cross at Aberdalgie – the monument erected by the parishioners in memory of the 12 men of the parish who fell in the war – c. 29 November 1920.
Taybridge Road – Black Watch memorial – sandstone sculpture by W. Birnie Rhind (1887) includes large statue of a Black Watch Soldier and regimental battle honours.
“THE BLACK WATCH MEMORIAL / THE REGIMENT / THE ‘HIGHLAND WATCH’ (OR SIMPLY ‘THE WATCH’ WAS ESTABLISHED FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF / COMMISSIONS FROM KING CHARLES II IN 1667 FOR CERTAIN CLAN CHIEFS TO RAISE INDEPENDENT / COMPANIES ‘TO BE A CONSTANT GUARD FOR SECURING THE PEACE IN THE HIGHLANDS’ AND ‘TI WATCH UPON THE BRAES’ / THE DARK TARTANS WORN BY THE MEN OF THESE COMPANIES TO DISTINGUISH THEM FROM THE / ‘RED SOLDIERS’ LED TO THEM BECOMING KNOWN AS FREICEADAN DUBH OF THE ‘THE BLACK WATCH’ / THISE COMPANIES DISBANDED IN 1717 AND STARTED UP AGAIN IN 1725. / STARTING OUT AS THE 43RD REGIMENT OF THE LINE IT BECAME THE 42ND HIGHLNAD REGIMENT IN 1749 / ON THE REDUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL 42ND REGIMENT / IN 1970 THE REGIMENT WAS GIVEN THE FREEDOM OF THE BURGH OF ABERFEIDY / THE MONUMENT / THE BLACK WATCH MEMORIAL WAS UNVIELED ON THE 14TH NOVEMBER 1887 BY GAVIN-MARQUIS OF BREADALBANE / (…) HAVE BEEN SET UP ON THE ACTUAL SITE OF THE ORIGINAL ‘MUSTER’ IN 1740 ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RIVER. / HOWEVER THAT AREA IS SUBJECT TO FLOODING AND THE ‘NEAREST PRACTICABLE SITE’ WAS CHOSEN INSTEAD. / (…) DEPICTING A SOLDIER WEARING THE OLD REGIMENTAL UNIFORM COST ABOUT £500 (RAISED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION) / (…) LIGHTENING SPLIT THE STRUCTURE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. THE REPAIRS AND INSTALLATION OF A LIGHTENING CONDUCTOR COST £200.”
“Grassed area off the B846 Road that goes across the River Tay via the (General) Wade Bridge. Cairn stone 70’ – Black Watch soldier on a cairn. “Memorial was hit by lightning causing the memorial to be split from top to bottom. The memorial was repaired and fitted with a lightning conductor at a cost of £200.” Built c. 1887, unveiled 14 November 1887 by Marquis of Breadalbane – public subscription £500. Lengthy inscription detailing the history of the Black Watch.
A827 – Bridgend War Memorial – ‘1922 classical arch memorial commemorating WW1 and WW2 and forming gateway to Den of Moness. Stugged and squared red sandstone rubble with matching ashlar dressings. Deep rock-faced base course. Moulded arch with relief carved crossed swords and shield to each spandrel, flanking piers with inset tablets each inscribed with Roll of Honour, smaller 1939 and 1945 tablets below those of WW1 with relief carved dates 1914 and 1919 above, all surmounted by cornice and deep stepped blocking course. Flanking buttress-type walls each with stepped cope and decorative finial; 2-leaf ironwork gates.’ Unveiled c. 3 June 1922. Gateway to park – lychgate 20’ by 30’ by 6’. 1914-1919: “For King and Country” – Names “Air Son Righ Ims Duthaich” – Names. 1939-1945: names. WWI – 15 names. WWII – 65 names. Also, lists some casualties who perished after 1919 and 1945.
Abernethy
Main Street (School Wynd)– war memorial (Mercat Cross) by Mills & Shepherd (1920) in form of Market Cross, stepped octagonal base, chamfered shaft, coats of arms on capital. Elevation S. N. M. R. – stands on the site of the former Town House; formerly listed as War Memorial Cross.
Abernethy Golf Club
Granite cross, centre of the ninth fairway: ‘Celtic style wheel cross on tapering shaft and square plinth.’
Almondbank
Main Street – cenotaph of pink granite (c. 1920).
Almond Valley
Sundial on raised platform (both stone) “Tyne Tryeth” – Names – “To commemorate the men of Almond Valley who fell in the War 1914-1919.” ‘Sundial set into front of shaft of stone column. Column is stepped at top, names and inscription carved into shaft underneath sundial. Wider stone base. Sundial consists of stone tablet with decorative carving at top and inscription in incised lettering. Gnomen is at 45 degree angle and casts shadow mostly in one direction. Time lines also incised at angle. WWI – 43 names.
Airlie Street – war memorial by James Riddel (1921) includes statue in bronze by Kellock Brown featuring a sword-wielding woman and the figure of Victory. ‘Seated female bronze on ashlar plinth with bronze panels.’ Bamff Road. Sculptured cast figure on stone pedestal –“shield at base of plinth”. Sculptured cast/figure. Stone pedestal with metal figure.
Market Square – South African war memorial in polished granite (c.1905) featuring an obelisk in Neo-Egyptian style – w. boundary of Market Square. The memorial is to the Earl of Airlie (Lieutenant Colonel 12th Lancers) killed in action at Diamond Hill, South Africa 11 June 1900 age 44; Nigel Neis Ramsay (Lieutenant 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders) killed at Magersfontein 11 December 1899 age 28; and Charles Wedderburn Ogilvy (Trooper of the Fife and Forfar Light-Horse 20th Company, I.Y.) died at sea age 38 on his way to South Africa – Second Boer War. The monument was unveiled by the Marquis of Breadalbane c. 5 August 1901.
WWI cairn unveiled Prince of Wales 1 October 2006: “Alfred Anderson, who died in 2005 aged 109, was the last surviving participant in the 1914 Western Front Christmas Truce. He was a veteran of the Black Watch.”
‘Obelisk on plinth framed by pillows.’
St Ninian’s Road – St Ninian’s (Episcopal) – memorial tablet in bronze with relief of Lieutenant Nigel Neis Ramsay d. 1899 Black Watch.
Ardoch/Braco
A822: Stone cross on LHS when driving south. “In memory of the men of Ardoch Parish who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1919 ‘Their name liveth for evermore’ Names World War 1939-1945. Names.” ‘Celtic cross on stone plinth of rough cut stones with inset tablets bearing names, on a square stone base in the centre of the paved area.’ WWI – 22 names. WWII – 9 names. ‘Square base surmounted by stone black tapered plinth , tapering shaft and Celtic cross. A tablet is set into the front face of the plinth with WWI names. The WWII names have been added to the blockwork of the base of the plinth. The lettering is in black. Memorial is set within a small landscaped garden. Celtic knotwork design is carved on the front of the cross with an inverted sword in the centre.
High Street – Former Auchterarder Parish Church – WW2 memorial gateway by R M Mitchell (1948) features a Celtic cross finial and regimental coats of arms. “Erected in grateful and reverent memory of the sons of Auchterarder who laid down their lives to save their country, in the Great War, 1914-1919. The City is on a hill, cannot be hid, and they shall keep the glory and honour of the nation.” Names – 81 men. At the side of the church in Main Street at the side of the town hall.
Balinluig/Mid-Atholl
Aberdeen Granite Cross beside village street. “In memory of the Mid-Atholl men who fell in the Great War 1914-1919.” “In memory of the Mid-Atholl men who fell in world war 1939-1945.” Names. “Lean cu dluth Ricliu-do shinn sia.” WWI – 36 names; WWII – 6 names. Unveiled 14 August 1921 by the Duke of Atholl; cleaned in 1990. In small garden surrounded by railings. Cross.
’30 foot cross in small garden surrounded by railings: “In memory of the Mid-Athollmen who fell in the Great War 1914-1919.” Names. An additional plaque: “In memory of Mid-Athollmen who fell in world war 1939-1945.” Names. ‘Celtic cross on plinth bearing WWI names on three sides, and two separate additional WWII name tablets, the second only bearing one name; below on the front a two-stepped base with a railing fence with a small flight of stairs leading up to it from the pavement.’ WWI – 36 names; WWII – 7 names.
Bankfoot
Cairneyhill Road and Main Street – ‘rustic cairn’ war memorial (1921)
Bendochy
Bendochy Parish Church – war memorial gateway (lych-gate) by Reginald Fairlie, architect (1921 or 1922) featuring ‘Pelican in Piety’ carving – Markethill – ‘stugged ashlar with polished dressings simple round arch with pelican panel above.
Blair Atholl
B8079 – Blair Atholl memorial – ‘paved hemicycle with standing stone: bronze plaques c. 1920.’
Village Square – stone of remembrance: “In memory 1914-1919” Names. “In memory of those who gave their lives in the Second World War.” Names. WWI – 47 names. WWII – 15 names. Unveiled 18 May 1924 by the Duke of Atholl.
Blair Atholl & Struan Parish Church – WWII memorial – Book of Remembrance – 15 names. Bronze Plaque 2’ by 4’ by 6’’ WWI – 24 names. Unveiled 16 October 1923 by the Duke of Atholl.
Blair Castle WWI Hospital – display cabinet in cafeteria – bronze plaque 260 mm by 250 mm: “To record the use of this building as an auxiliary hospital during the Great War and the thanks of the Scottish Branch British Red Cross Society to the generous donor April 1919.” ‘The plaque is in a glass display case along with the relics of the Duke of Atholl’s family’s WWI service.’ There is an identical plaque in Dunrobin Castle.
Blairgowrie & Rattray
Allan Street/Wellmeadow Gardens – war memorial by Reginald Fairlie (1920) ; market cross design featuring a ‘Pelican in Piety’. In front of the war memorial is a bronze statue by sculptor Alexander Carrick, a soldier with folded arms. ‘3-stage pelican-finialled, octagonal WW1 memorial with 2-stage WW2 memorial. Ashlar. The WW1 memorial: 7 octagonal steps lead to square base and tall plinth with inset bronze panels, to NE with “Blairgowrie and Rattray Roll of Honour” … relief carved “1914-1919”.’ The WW2 memorial: ‘low square plinth projecting from base of WW1 memorial at SE steps. Bronze panel with Roll of Honour to each face, surmounted by continuous ribbon frieze worded “Also in the Second World War” “1939-1945” and surmounted by full-size bronze figure of mourning soldier. Further inscription at base worded “Korean War 1950-53”.’
Bridge of Balgie
Glen Lyon NN570460: Cairn of rough-hewn stone – tablet bears the name of inscription and names. Whole stands at roadside up a number of steps.”
Bridge of Earn
Station Road – by the public hall and institute ‘a red sandstone Celtic cross war memorial’ c. 1920.
Bridge of Gaur
Braes of Rannoch Church – ‘on the w. wall, a stone war memorial of c. 1920, an image niche containing the figure of a soldier with arms reversed.’
Bridgend War Memorial – ‘1922 classical arch memorial commemorating WW1 and WW2 and forming gateway to Dens of Moness. Stugged and squared red sandstone rubble with matching ashlar dressings. Deep rock-faced base course. Moulded arch with relief carved crossed swords and shield to each spandrel, flanking pieces with inset tablets each inscribed with Roll of Honour, smaller 1939 and 1945 tablets below those of WW1 with relief carved dates 1914 and 1919 above, all surmounted by cornice and deep stepped blocking course. Flan king buttress-type walls each with stepped cope and decorative finial; 2-leaf ironwork gates.’ Unveiled 3 June 1922.
Caputh
A984 – Caputh War Memorial – ‘Gothic cross, ashlar on circular stepped base. Low screen wall with panels of names of the fallen.’ “To the memory of the men of Caputh who gave their lives for their country in the Great War 1914-1919.” “Their name liveth for evermore.” ‘Stone cross surmounting stepped stone base; below – stone wall bears names of the fallen two-stepped stone platform.’ 51 names.
Caputh Parish Church – Brass plaque: “To the glory of God and in memory of Archibald David Younger son colonel Kinloch of Gourdie born September 1869. He joined the volunteer Hotchkiss Detachment of the Natal artillery at Pietmaritzburg October 1899 and was killed in the attack on Wagon Hill at Ladysmith January 6th 1900 whilst gallantly defending his gun under a hail of bullets with an unfortified position against the Boers for his Queen and country erected by his soldiers and sisters.” 1220 mm by 737 mm.
Cargill (Burrelton)
‘Stone cross surmounting pediment of rough-hewn stone names on tablet on pediment on black lettering. Single step platform.’ “Cargill, 1914-1918, In memoriam. Names”
Clunie
North of Village Hall: ‘Raised ground north of the village hall.’ “1914-1919 Clunie Parish. In proud memory of Names who gave their lives for King and Country. 1939-45. Names.” ‘Stone cairn: tall tapering cairn of rough-hewn stones. It has a small rectangular tablet set on the front face with the dedication and names. It is within an area of trees and rather overgrown ground.’ WWI – 9 names. WWII – 2 names.
Clunie Churchyard: United Free Church. “ Jesus said: blessed are the pure in heart. Such was Isobel Hislop wife of Rev. Alex Aytoun Young. She died 18th Oct. 1905 aged 47. Soul of my soul. I shall meet thee again. And with God be the rest. Alexander Aytoun Young M.A. 2nd Lieut. 2nd Balck Watch Killed at the Battle of Mushaidie, Mesopotamia, 14th March 1917 aged 22. Alexander Aytoun Young Minister of this parish for 36 years. Died 19th August 1927, aged 74.” ‘Addition to a family memorial. The lettering is in white and surrounded by an inscribed border.’
Comrie
War Memorial Institute – Bridgend, Dalgincross, Field of Refuge – built R. Ewan (1895) as Bridgend Temperance Hotel, adapted as institute after WW1 … “War Memorial Institute” in good cast-iron lettering.
Stone Cross: “To the Glory of God and in Proud and Grateful Remembrance of the men of the parish who fought and fell for right and freedom in the Great War 1914-1919.” – Names. “Mighty be Sacrifice.” ‘Wheel cross of stone surmounting three-staged tapering stone plinth. Inscription and names on each of the three tiers of plinth.’ WWI – 46 names; WWII – 12 names.
Coupar Angus
Abbey Church, Queen Street – ‘a war memorial window (a Knight receiving the Crown of Life) by James Ballantine (1920).
Coupar Angus Public School: “… and grateful remembrance of the former pupils of this school who fell in the Great War 1914-1918.” – Names. Tablets and stone wall. ‘Curved wall with tablet or plaques. Either side of wall is doorway. In front of curved wall are wrought iron gates.”
Comrie Street – ‘Lorimerean war memorial of c. 1920’ – ‘cornice of thistles and coats of arms.’
Comrie Road – ‘War memorial with boundary walls, railings and gate.’ ‘Peter MacGregor Chalmers, architect, Peter Crear, Crieff builder, 1921, 3-stage cross finialled octagonal WW1 memorial with WW2 inscription. Cullaloe stone 24’ 6” high.’ Memorial: battered octagonal base each with cast bronze plate containing names of fallen, surmounted by relief carved band with inscription “In proud and grateful memory to those who fell in the Great Wars 1914-18 1939-45”. Stepped 2nd stage reducing to slender octagonal shaft banded with regimental emblems, symbols of the colonies and Nursing Services giving way to heavily carved capital bearing Scottish Arms, St Andrews Cross, Arms of Perth County, and Burgh of Crieff, alternating with Scottish thistles. Whole surmounted by cross. Boundary walls and ironwork railings and gate. Unveiled by Major General Bannatine Allason 20 November 1921. The memorial commemorates 168 men and 2 women (members of the Army Nursing Services).’ The inscription has been altered to include WW2. ‘Junction of Burrell Street and Comrie Road – town centre – stone sandstone cross and bronze plaques – tall tapered octagonal base surmounted by octagonal shaft with carved capital and Latin Cross. Names on cast bronze plaques placed on the side of the base. Iron railings surround the memorial with entrance gate on the roadside. On four facets of the cross are carved the Scottish Arms, the St Andrews Cross, the arms of the county of Perth and the arms of the Burgh of Crieff. The other facets of the capital have the Scottish thistle carved on them. Two carved bands on the shaft bearing the badges of the regiments most represented on the Roll of Honour and designs symbolising the colonies and nursing services.’ 250 Names. Also, Korean War (1950-3) – 1 name; Malayan Emergency (1948-60) – 2 names; WWI – 170 names; WWI civilians – 2 names. The WWI plaque is in poor condition. Unveiled 20 November 1921 by Major-General Bannatine-Allason.
Perth Road – St Columba’s (Episcopal) Church war memorial c. 1920 with gate piers, gates, and boundary walls. ‘Celtic cross WW1 red sandstone. Carved inscription “1914” “1918”. The cross richly carved with interlaced patterns, pierced wheel and centre flower.’ A modern site occupies the site of the 1875 St Columba’s (Episcopal) Church.
Burrell Street – ‘fixed to s. gable of No. 19 … a carved early Victorian heraldic achievement of the royal coat of arms, its base bearing the painted inscription 6/7 BN THE BLACK WATCH.’
Morrisons Academy: Formal photograph of some old boys killed during WWI – 29 names. Also, oak board of military distinctions 660 mm by 340 mm bearing names of those who have won military distinctions. Includes Victoria Cross, DSO, DFC, MC, Legion of Honour, Croix de Guerre, MM, and those mentioned in despatches. Also, a WWII memorial: oak board 660 mm by 340 mm bearing names of fallen in gilt lettering – 31 names. “During the Second World War 1939-1945 three masters and three hundred and twenty seven old boys are known to have served in His Majesty’s Forces. Of those, one master and thirty old boys have fallen and their names are recorded.” – Names.
Crook of Devon
Main Street – ‘in front of the Institute war memorial of c. 1920, a craggy stone with a foliage-carved panel.’
Dalnaglar Castle – ‘in front of the entrance, a stone statue of Field-Marshall Lord Clyde dressed in kilt and cloak by J. H. Foley c. 1860.
Dunkeld WMA still to do!
Dunkeld Cathedral – ‘a white marble monument by J. G. Lough 1847 to Major-General Sir Robert Henry Dick – relief showing Dick’s death at the Battle of Sobraon. The monument was originally in Logierait Parish Church 1848 until movement to Dunkeld Cathedral in 1854.’ ‘A white marble bas relief within a stone Gothic-style tabernacle. The central figure is of a Highland soldier with his dead and wounded comrades, flags, cannon etc. at his feet. The theme is heroic sacrifice. Many of the memorials, like this one, were executed to a very high standard.’ 2156 mm by 280 mm.
Dunkeld Cathedral – Black Watch Monument (42nd Highlanders) in white marble by John Steell 1872 – relief Black Watch officers ‘searching for a missing comrade among tumbled corpses.’ Based upon lines in the Ingoldsby Legends: ‘But a sombre sight is a battlefield/To the sad survivors sorrowing eyes.’ ‘Ceremony of unveiling the monument which has been erected in Dunkeld Cathedral by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the regiment who fell in the war from the creation of the regiment to the close of the Indian Mutiny … monument in the vestibule of the Cathedral, at the east end of the choir. ‘It is the largest mural monument ever erected in Scotland. The architect is William Steell, son of John Steell, sculptor.’ A detachment of 42nd Highlanders perform the ceremony – the monument was handed over to care of the Duke of Atholl. Other troops taking part in the ceremony: Royal Perthshire Rifle Militia and Athole Highlanders. ‘The top base bears the words: “In memory of South African heroes” and the lower base “Erected by public subscription”.’ Unveiled c. 3 April 1872.
“THE OFFICERS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRIVATE SOLDIERS/ FROM THE CREATION OF THE REGIMENT TO THE CLOSE OF THE INDIAN MUTINY 1859/ THE 10 INDEPENDENT COMPANIES OF THE FREAGADAN DUBH OR BLACK WATCH/ WERE FORMED INTO A REGIMENT ON THE/ 25TH OCTOBER 1739 AND THE FIRST MUSTER TOOK PLACE MAY 1740, IN A/ FIELD BETWEEN TAYBRIDGE AND ABERFELDY/ HERE `MONG THE HILLS THAT NURSED EACH HARDY GAEL OUR NATIVE MARBLE/ TELLS THE SOLDIERS TALE/ ART’S MAJIC POWER EACH PERISHED FRIEND RECALLS AND HEROES/ HAUNT THESE OLD CATHEDRAL WALLS/ ERECTED BY THE OFFICERS OF THE CORPS 1872/ FONTENOY FLANDERS TICONDEROGA MARTINIQUE GUADELOUPE HAVANNAH EGYPT CORUNNA FUENTES D’ONOR PYRENEES NIVELLE NIVE ORTHES TOULOUSE PENINSULA WATERLOO ALMA SEVASTOPOL LUCKNOW”
Black Watch Training Centre – High Street – built 1950
Scottish Horse Regiment Museum – High Street – next to Black Watch Training Centre – mid-nineteenth century building.
5 Chalmers Street/Perth Road – war memorial – ‘1919 5-step octagonal base Celtic freestone cross on rock podium with inscribed tablets.’
Stone cross and granite tablets. ‘These four tablets were added in memory of those who died in the war.’ Tron Square? “1939-1945 erected by the grateful inhabitants of Dunning and District in grateful memory of the men from this neighbourhood who fell in the Great War”. ‘Rough-hewn plinth surmounted by a tapering shaft and Celtic cross. Dedicatory tablets set into four sides of plinth with additional tablets for WWII placed above the WWI tablets on the shoulders of the plinth. The whole stands on a large five-stepped base and is set within a paved area.’ ‘Celtic knotwork design carved front face’ WWI – 36 names; WWII – 13 names. ‘Other faces names’ ‘Front steps bottom to top 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918. Stone cross – granite tablets. ‘Rough-hewn plinth surmounted by a tapering shaft and Celtic cross. Dedicatory tablets set into four sides of the plinth with additional tablets for WWII placed above the WWI tablets on the shoulders of the plinth. The whole stands on a large five stepped base and is set within a paved area.’ ‘Celtic knotwork design carved on the front face of the cross.’ See Courier & advertiser 3 July 2004 – article on Cameron Walker who is commemorated on the memorial.’ See tinyurl.com/kub94v
Errol Parish Church – WWII memorial window – ‘David Pouring Out as an Offering to God the Water Brought him by his Soldiers from Bethlehem; the Pelican in Piety; the Phoenix’ 1947
Fortingall
War memorial, churchyard and gate. Celtic Cross, granite, c. 1920.
Glenalmond College WMA STILL TO DO!
Memorial Library – ‘commemorating Old Boys killed in the South African War’ by A. G. Heiton 1904-6.
The Chapel – ‘Gothic oak dado designed as a First World War memorial to J. Ninian Comper (1922).
The Chapel – South African War memorial by A. G. Heiton executed by James Powell & Sons (1905). ‘Mosaic of three arches, the outer two enclosing the names of the fallen and the interlocked triangles emblematic of the college’s dedication to the Holy Trinity; at the centre a figure of St Andrew.’
Glenfarg
Rough-hewn stone column surmounted by small boulder. Metal plaques on shaft of column. Tapering stone base.
Grandtully
‘Tapering obelisk of rough-hewn stone surmounting tapering stone pedestal. Stone pedestal bears names and inscription on tablets in black lettering. Dates of wars in relief on shaft of obelisk.’ 30’ stone obelisk. “1914 1919 The men of Strathtay & Grandtully who gave their lives in the war. Names. 1939-1945. Names.” WWI -21; WWII -8.
Inchture
‘Stone Cross surmounting square-set stone pedestal three-stepped stone base.’
Kenmore Parish Church: Church of Scotland. “To the Glory of God and in the sacred memory of the men of Kenmore Parish who fell in the Great War. Names. ‘Their name liveth for evermore’ Air son dia os duthaich. [For our God and country]. 1914 1919. 25’ granite cross. ‘Small Celtic style wheel cross. Crossed sword at the base. WWI – 36. Unveiled 22 May 1921.
Kettins
Stone pillar/column. “Our glorious dead 1914-1919” names “Their name liveth for evermore” “Our Glorious dead 1939-1945”. Names. ‘Stone column, rounded at top with metal plaques attached to front. Plaques bear inscription and names of fallen of WWI. Memorial stands on stone platform. Memorial is surrounded by further wall and iron gates.’ WWI – 23 names; WWII – 3 names.
War memorial unveiled 29 October 1920.
Killin Parish Church: Stained glass memorial within the church – WWI and WWII. Scroll alongside window.
Beside A827 approaching Killin from the west: memorial 1914-1919 “To the Glory of God and in Honoured Memory of” Names “1939-1945” Names. ‘Kilted Highland soldier with full kilt and slung rifle, on rough stone base. In low walled enclosure.’ WWI – 6; WWII – 28. Sculptor Alexander Carrick (check).
Kinclaven
Kinclaven Churchyard War Memorial Lychgate ‘Round arched rubble with slated roof and w.i. gates, 1919, Reginald Fairlie, architect. ‘Above entrance 1914 1919 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name.” tablet one: “In proud and loving memory of the men of this Parish who gave their lives for right, freedom and honour.” Names. Tablet two: Names “Faithful unto Death.” Stone and wrought iron. ‘Stone lychgate with decorative wrought-iron gates two dedicatory tablets placed on the left and right hand sides of the inside of the gate and additional inscription carved above the entrance.’ WWI – 14. Unveiled 1 August 1920 by the Duke of Atholl. By Reginald Fairlie.
Kinloch Rannoch
War memorial. Cairn: “In grateful memory of the men of this District who gave their lives in the war of 1914-1918.” Names. “Bnasaich iad air ar son-ne” Stone tablets and cairn. WWI – 28; WWII – 15.
Kirkmichael
On A294 between Pitlochry and Kirkmichael: granite. Small Celtic style wheel cross. WWI – 9.
Longforgan
Main Street – War memorial c. 1920 ‘red sandstone pillar with a blocky Greek cross-xxx’ and Celtic cross relief. 38 Castle Road – c. 1920 war memorial ‘pink polished ashlar blocks forming slightly tapered pier, set upon square plinth and wide octagonal base, surmounted by mannered, cuboid cross.’ ‘Aggressively modernistic war memorial.’ Ames. “For the Brave and to commemorate the names of those honoured in this parish of Longforgan who fell in the Great War 1914-1919” ‘Stone column – square set stone pillar with inscription carved on shaft of column. Column stands on square-set pediment which bears WWI inscription octagonal base.’ WWI and WWII.
Luncarty
‘Stone cross surmounting three-tiered stone-base. Set back from the road and surrounded by low wall and metal fencing.’
Madderty
Stone Obelisk. ‘Madderty Parish War memorial xxxx 1914-1919. Names. 1939-1945 Names. “Their Name Liveth for Evermore”. Metal plaque. ‘Obelisk of rough-hewn stone. Metal plaque on shaft bears names and description in black lettering.’ WWI and WWII.
Meigle
Ardler Road leads to Victory park, a cricket field entered through a rounded-headed war memorial arch of hammer-dressed stone under a gambrel roof, designed by John Bruce & Sons in 1921.’
Arch: “In grateful memory 1939-45” ‘Stone tablets. Large stone archway topped with tiled roof.’ Set into columns of the archway the names and inscription. WWI – 16 names; WWII – 8 names (?).’
Pillar/column. “In glorious memory of those sons of Methven who gave their lives for their King and Country in the Great War.” Names. ‘Column set into stone tablet inset in column bears names and inscription. Low columns at either side of main memorial bears dates of WWI.
Milnathort
Obelisk – memorial stone (local stone). 6.1 m by 6 m square base. ‘Surmounted by bursting grenade with flanking walls bearing WWII panels.’ WWI – 43 names; WWII – 22 names. Unveiled 20 November 1921 by Lieutenant-General Sir Francis J. Davies.
Monzievaird
Monzievaird and Strowan Parish Church – ‘south side of the graveyard, the War Memorial, designed by Reginald Fairlie and executed by Alexander Carrick in 1920. Square based of Cullaloe sandstone ashlar with inscription tablets of Kemnay granite. On the front of the stepped top, a relief of the Pelican in Piety; bronze ringed cross filial.’
Kirkmichael Road, A924 – c. 1920 – ‘Celtic Cross war memorial, granite battered base with names of fallen preceded: “From this district, who gave their lives for their King and Country in the Great War 1914-1918” “Their name liveth for evermore” “Cha till lad tuilleah”. Battered shaft giving way to Celtic Cross with centre boss.
Muthill
Main Street – Cross on Main Street towards end of town at junction with minor road. “In memory of the men of Muthill who gave their king and country during the Great War 1914-1919 and in thankfulness to God for the victory their valour helped to win. Let those who came after them see to it their names are not forgotten.” War Cross – 31 names.
St John’s Kirk: ‘In 1918 a public meeting decided that, as a memorial to the men of the city and county of Perth who had been killed in the First World War, St John’s Kirk should be restored to its medieval appearance and the interior reconstructed as a single church. Robert S. Lorimer was appointed architect of the work, partly a scholarly relaxation and partly a celebration of the quality of early twentieth century craftsmanship was begun in 1923 and completed in 1925.’
Within the St John’s Kirk: ‘Crimean war monument to men of the 90th Light Infantry (Perthshire Volunteers) on the east wall of the south choir aisle by Samuel Manning Junior, 1857-8 of marble, with high reliefs of a mourning private soldier and officer flanking the inscription panel. “In memory of their comrades who fell during the Crimean War, 1854-1855; and, as a tribute to their gallantry, this monument is erected by the officers of H.M’s 90th Light Infantry Perthshire Volunteers AD MDCCCLVII”. A white marble tablet and a Sicilian marble plinth. Four names.
Within the St John’s Kirk: In the north west recess of the Shrine Chapel, war memorial designed by Lorimer and executed by Donaldson & Burns, 1923-6. Painted stone inscription panel set in a moulded frame, its sides crossed by hands bearing the names of the theatres of war, the top carved with two angels who hold a shield bearing a Saltire; a base, the royal arms.
Within the St John’s Kirk: North nave aisle: east bay – Two soldiers of the Black Watch with St Michael and St Andrew.’
Atholl Crescent: ‘To the NE, near the bank of the Tay, 51st Highland Division Monument by Alan B. Herst, 1995. Bronze statue of a girl handing a rose to a piper of the Division. On the sides of granite pedestal, bronze reliefs of battlefield scenes. Also, Co-operative War memorial and SPCW memorial. Further to the NE, the 90th Light Infantry (Perthshire Volunteers) Monument by David Beverdige & Son, 1895. Polished granite obelisk on two-stage Ægypto-Greek pedestal.’
St Ninian’s – Commemorative Memorial – war memorial c. 1875.
St Ninian’s – Memorial window and brass tablet unveiled at St Ninian’s Cathedral c. 6 May 1903. The memorial is by Hart, Sons, Poard & Company (Ltd) of London – “To the glory of God and in memory of the following officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) who fell in the South African Campaign, 1899-1900-1901-1902-1903. This brass is erected by the women of the diocese and by friends of the regiment.” Includes Wauchope.
Atholl Street – St Andrew’s and St Steven Parish Church Hall – war memorial.
St Stephen’s United Free Church – ‘a commemorative service to dedicate and unveil a war memorial to the members of St Stephen’s UF Church, Perth, 32 in number who fell in the Great War … brass tablets set in a beautifully carved panel of oak, the names of the fallen occupying the centre place’ – c. 17 May 1921.
St John’s East – A beautiful stained glass window and mural brass tablet, erected to the members and adherents of St John’s East who fell in the war … the tablet bears the name of 28 men.’ Unveiled c. 17 May 1921.
St John’s East – A Black Watch memorial unveiled c. 27 February 1905: ‘To the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) who fell serving in the South African War’ – north wall.
Jeanfield Recreation Ground – unveiling of fountain to commemorate men from the district who fell in the Great War. Names of 70 men inscribed in panels. Unveiled by F. Norie Miller c. 4 October 1920.
West United Free Church – unveiling of memorial – brass tablet built in the vestibule of the church c. 18 October 1920.
Kinnoull Parish Church – unveiled – marble and bronze mural tablet to the memory of 26 members and adherents of the congregation who fell in the Great War. Unveiled c. 21 March 1921.
St Mark’s Church – brass memorial tablet with the names of 13 men unveiled c. 21 March 1921.
Railway Station – Bronze Plaque – “To the immortal memory of the Perth General Station Join Staff who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1919” – Names.
Balhousie Castle and Grounds: A memorial to the Black Watch soldiers who died in Iraq – Cross of Remembrance –“To the Glory of God and in Proud Memory of those soldiers of 1st Battalion the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) who gave their lives in service of their country. ‘Their names liveth for evermore’ 2003 – Names – 2004 – Names.” Caithness Stone 10’ Celtic Cross Iraq (2003-2009) 9 Names unveiled c. 7 April 2008.
Balhousie Castle and Grounds: A stone of remembrance. “The Black Watch commemorates in this memorial home the 8000 officers non-commissioned officers and men of the regiment who gave their lives for King and country in the Great War 1914-1918. Their names liveth for evermore.” Rectangular stone of remembrance with badge of regiment over inscription.
Balhousie Castle and Grounds: 1st Battalion Black Watch – Names of 12 soldiers incorporated into a tablecloth of intricate crochet work – fabric – WWI – see Perthshire Courier 10 November 2007.
Balhousie Castle and Grounds: Stone of Remembrance – “The Black Watch commemorates in this memorial home the undying memory of the officers non-commissioned officers and men of the regiment who gave their lives for King and country in the world war 1939-1945 – Greater love hath no man.” WW2 – rectangular stone with regimental badge.
AK Bell Library – City of Perth Book of Remembrance – Golden Book or Roll of Honour. Front Page: “To the Glory of God and in Grateful memory of those of the city of Perth who fell in the World War 1939-1945.” Placed in a glass case – was Bowerswell Memorial Homes.
51 Atholl Road – 1922 further inscribed with memorial c. 1945, 3-stage Celtic Cross war memorial. Bull-faced Aberdeen granite approximately 20’ high. Panels with WW1 Roll of Honour, base with WW2 Roll of Honour.
Powmill
A823 – Powmill, Moubray Village Hall – including war memorial and boundary walls ‘Timber chimneypiece to NW rising into classical pedimented timber war memorial with “Mowbray Hall memorial of Our Own Boys who fell” over frieze with six medallions each inscribed with name of the fallen; this surmounts large panel with “Roll of Honour/Powmill District and those associated with this Hall who served with the Armed Forces of the Crown during the war 1914-1918” and names of the fallen with further inscription at bottom right.’ ‘Fossoway War memorial Panel.’
Rossie Priory
1 km NE of Baledgarno. ‘At the W gable, a facsimile made in 1863 of the monument which had been erected c. 1840 in Malta to Graham Hay St Vincent de Ros Kinnaird , commander of HMS Rapid, †1838. Classical, with Roman, Doric corner columns and an urn finish.’
Opening of a hall gifted to Scone Parish Church in memory of Captain Alexander Macduff of the 1st Battalion of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders who was killed at Ypres in April 1915 – opening c. 18 October 1920.
Spittal of Glenshee
Glenshee Parish Church – on the north wall. “1914-1919. To the Glory of God and in honour of all from the parishes of Persie and Glenshee who served in the Great War and in memory of the following who fell.” Names. Bronze plaque. Granite backboard. ‘Rectangular plaque mounted onto a granite backboard. Inscription in relief with list of fallen in two columns. Decorative foliate border on the plaque.’ WWI – 27. Unveiled 11 September 1921. ‘This memorial is one of four identical ones erected around the parish due to the large geographical area covered by the parish. The other memorials are located in Persie Parish Church (now redundant), Cray United Free Church and Netherton Church.
St Fillans
Brown coloured stone pillar 30’ by 2.5’. ‘In small park at end of Loch Earn, across from main road at St Fillans.’ “Erected by the inhabitants of this district in commemoration of those who fell in 1914-1919. Their name liveth for evermore.” Names.
St Madoes
St Madoes & Kinfauns Pariah Church: Granite pink cross outside the entrance to the church. “To the memory of those from the parish of St Madoes who fell in the war 1914-1919. Names. Their name liveth for evermore.” ‘Celtic cross in pink granite, set on a rectangular plinth and two steps. The dedicatory inscription is engraved on the shaft of the cross, while the names are engraved on the front face of the plinth. An additional dedication is engraved on the front face of the first step.’ WWI – 12. Unveiled June 1921.
St Martins (Balbeggie)
Stone cross. ‘Wheel cross of stone surmounting tapering plinth. Inscription on shaft of cross. Names on plinth. Base of rough-hewn stone. Carving on head of cross. WWI – c. 15 names.
Perth Road – war memorial; Stanley – St Columba (Episcopal) – Perth Road – ‘A mission church, by Spiers & Company, 1898. ‘North of the church, the village war memorial of c. 1920 – stone statue of a killed soldier. Stone ‘figure of Scottish serviceman with kit and rifle hung over left shoulder. Figure surmounts stepped stone pediment. Top level ofn pediment is of smooth stone and bears plaque. Lower layer is rough-hewn and bears further plaque. Stepped base.’
Strathtay
Unidentified Road Junction: NN900530 – 30’ stone obelisk. “1914. 1919. The Men of Strathtay & Grandtully who gave their lives in the war. Names. 1939-1945. Names. ‘Tapering obelisk of rough-hewn stone surmounting tapering stone pedestal. Stone pedestal bears names and inscriptions on tablets in black lettering.’ ‘Dates of wars in relief on shaft of obelisk.’ WWI -21. WWII -8.
Tibbermore
Parish Church war memorial window to woman who served in WW1 – stained glass window. Commonwealth War Grave.
Weem
Weem Parish Church: Stone cross and stone plinth. “1914-1919 To our immortal dead. Names. ‘Cha do thill ach an cliu’ Their fame alone has returned. Nothing returned but their fame. In grateful and everlasting remembrance of the boys from Weem and Killiechassie who died for their King and country in the Great War. 1939-45. Name.’ ‘Celtic cross on a tapering base set on a gravel surround and lawn. There is celtic knotwork on the cross with an inverted sword on ths shaft. The lettering is in black.’ WWI – 7. WWII – 1.
← Jeanfield & Wellshill Cemetery ~ Additional War Graves
Cemeteries of Perth → | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line262 |
__label__cc | 0.62618 | 0.37382 | Dating Sim + Horror
January 15, 2016 May 3, 2019 admin
Old notebooks I started keeping a journal my freshman year in college, and kept the habit for years afterward. I’m still not sure whether it was a good habit or a bad one. A few months ago, when I sat down to write an afterword for the Prince of Persia graphic novel , I pulled out those old notebooks and started to browse through them, figuring it might help me wrap my mind around Prince of Persia’s year history. The story of how Prince of Persia came to be, and almost didn’t. It occurred to me that as a case history, a time-capsule view of the videogame industry as it was in the s, this was a story others might find interesting too. So even though the last thing I need is another hobby — especially one that involves spending more time at the keyboard — I’ve begun posting those old journal entries, a kind of blog from the past, starting in Check out the “Old Journals” and let me know what you think. If enough people are interested, I’ll keep posting — ideally, at least through the end of , when
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Since the Baby Boomer Generation now makes up a large part of the audience this story will resonate with both parents and children. Caleb Kris Lemche lives in the extraordinarily beautiful mountainous wilds of British Columbia with his father Jim Michael Hogan , barely surviving on the meager income of their woodworking shop. Into their lives returns an old friend of Jim’s from the hippie days of expatriation: Matthew Matt Craven returns from the US as a man of means by way of ecotourism and plans to build a lodge on the lake near Jim and Caleb.
Tension exists between Jim and Matthew, but Caleb sees Matthew as a financial savior of his business as Matthew consents to have Caleb and Jim unbeknownst to Jim make furniture prototypes for the lodge. Caleb appears wedded to his hometown, dating only women who live there and traveling little – a factor that encourages many people to advise Caleb to make the break from his family and seek his own identity.
Ken Levine, as part of his tribute to Lee at his blog,, offered these final words: ” Lee Baby Sims deserved more recognition. He deserved to be in whatever Halls of Fame the radio industry concocts. hosting Dick Clark’s daily syndicated tv dance show, Shebang, as well as an appearance on The Dating he was responsible for all Dodgers.
Harry Gumbert is the winner. Nishizawa throws pitches and Noguchi, This one comes against the Tigers in an 8 – 4 win at Detroit and ties Hayes for the major league lead in homers with Pat Seerey of Cleveland and Howie Schultz of the Dodgers. The visiting Giants beat the Reds , 7 – 6, on a pinch homer by colorful Danny Gardella.
Gardella had started the day by leaving a suicide note in his hotel room for his roommate Nap Reyes. There is great confusion in the 2nd inning, when Irv Hall and George Kell bat out of turn for the A’s: Kell, batting 6th in the lineup card handed to umpire Eddie Rommel , comes up in place of Hall, who is batting 5th.
He strikes out, so Tigers manager Steve O’Neill does not point out the mistake, validating Kell’s at-bat. Hall singles, O’Neill appeals, and Rommel calls him out to end the inning.
NFL Draft Results
If you are in a shallower league where the likes of Kirby Yates or Ty Buttrey both of whom are available in the majority of ESPN leagues are either on waivers or on your bench, it may be time to consider a switch. Speaking of Buttrey, he converted his fourth save on Tuesday night, and all of his saves have come within the last 12 days. During that period, Jose Alvarez is the only other Angels reliever to receive a final-inning save chance.
In closing out a win over the Tigers on Tuesday night, Hildenberger allowed a run on two singles, raising his post-Rodney ERA to 6. He has allowed seven runs over his last three appearances, including a five-run debacle against the Royals last Friday. However, Paul Molitor has stuck with Hildenberger through more than a month of on-again, off-again struggles.
On her main channel, PressHeartToContinue, Dodger uploads a variety of series, such as Gaming Newz, which she uploads every Sunday. She also does Let’s Plays of various games, including dating sims like Hatoful Boyfriend and past streams of games like Dark Souls II, .
So Ween broke up back in May this is the year of seemingly one-hit-wonder bands breaking up after decades of playing. This song from the album Pure Guava was my introduction to them, and it is weird and kind of irritating and strangely catchy and perfectly encapsulates Ween. The melody is simple and poppy, but the vocals are, if not sped up, then crazily falsettoed.
The other fun thing about Ween is that in addition to pretty much none of their albums sounding alike, pretty much none of their songs sound alike. A nice trick, that. I blame it all on my time constraints. GR had lots of locations and historical photo-op type things. When we left off, JR was trying to persuade Bast to help him out some more. Bast barely says anything but JR is on a roll: JR is also going on about the kind of massive tax breaks he and Bast will be able to declare.
And Bast is a musician, what does he know about money, right? Although his ultimate plan potentially ingenious, but practically preposterous is that they buy one share of all the big stocks, get their prospectuses and read them all. And if anyone is doing anything illegal they can file a class action suit like they did with Diamond Cable.
AHS Daylily List for Flower Shows
Latest News Recent News Anthony DeSclafani racked up six strikeouts over five innings of three-run ball in a losing effort against the Pirates on Friday night. The Pirates jumped on him early, scratching out a pair of runs in the first inning before Elias Diaz tacked on a solo homer in the fourth. The year-old right-hander finishes a disappointing season with a record, 4. He’s an intriguing buy-low commodity heading into drafts, as he’ll be another year removed from Tommy John surgery which should lead to more consistency and better results overall.
Buehler (ribs) will throw a simulated game Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. Buehler threw a bullpen session Friday which potentially set him up to start against the.
Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email A new campaign has revealed that half the sugar consumed by children comes from unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks – while suggesting that parents look out for snacks containing no more than calories at a time. Experts at Public Health England PHE warned that, on average, children are consuming at least three unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks a day, with around a third consuming four or more.
Its new Change4Life campaign encourages parents to “Look for calorie snacks, 2 a day max,” to help them offer healthier snacks in a bid to tackle the obesity epidemic that is seeing a third of children leave primary school overweight or obese, the Mirror reports. Half of children’s sugar intake, currently around seven sugar cubes a day, comes from unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks, leading to obesity and dental decay, PHE said.
This is while the recommended daily maximum is no more than five cubes of sugar for four to six-year-olds and no more than six cubes for seven to year-olds. Each year children are consuming almost biscuits, more than cakes, buns and pastries, around portions of sweets and nearly 70 of both chocolate bars and ice creams – washed down with more than juice drink pouches and cans of fizzy drink.
Read More This simple app will let you see how much sugar your kids are eating and drinking Public Health Wales has welcomed the recommendations from Public Health England, saying it supports ” action that helps parents and children to have a healthy balanced diet”. Diet is a very important part of this, and we are encouraging parents to make sure they give their children healthier snacks such as fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy balanced diet every day, and giving only milk or water to drink.
Making sure that children get an opportunity to play outdoors every day, and limiting the time they spend in front of a screen will also help them to grow up healthy and happy. Making sure they get enough sleep will also help.
How To Make A Sim Dating Game
Kershaw tossed seven stellar innings and Justin Turner launched a tiebreaking homer in a win against the visiting Astros. The three-time Cy Young Award winner struck out 11 and allowed only three hits, including Alex Bregman’s game-tying homer in the fourth inning. Taylor became the first player to homer in his first career World Series at-bat since teammate Chase Utley did it for the Phillies. Bregman knotted the score three innings later but the Dodgers regained the lead on a two-run blast by the red-hot Turner in the sixth.
Preston Tucker, Lucas Sims, and Matt Wisler were all dealt to the Reds for Duvall. It’s hard to see Sims or Wisler in the longterm plans, and Tucker was the guy replaced by Duvall.
He was working evenings. One night, I was fascinated by a rather lengthy story he was sharing about a James Taylor song he was about to play. It seems that James had been in a mental institution and met a woman there who became a close friend and inspiration. If I recall correctly, Lee went on to share that the magnetic woman died and many other details about their friendship. It was the inspiration for the song. As the tale went on, it was pretty impossible to tune out.
The fable ended with the James Taylor song Lee was talking about. Sometime later, I was talking with Lee on the phone and asked him how he collected all these great stories and mentioned the James Taylor piece in particular. Lee Simms…unique and unrepeatable. Lee Baby was so nice to me and so kind. He and his lady took me out to eat in Honolulu on my first trip there in and I first met him when he was considering a gig at TEN-Q. I will never forget his wacky sense of humor.
I am really bummed. However, it was interesting and a sign of the times that other than Mark Wallengren who is a member of PPB, there was no one there from Clear Channel.
You seem to be using an unsupported browser. Please update to get the most out of Flickr. Flickr at its best is a place to connect, to discover, and to evolve as photographers and lovers of photography. Here, together, this newly-independent community can shape the future of photography itself. Photo by Mathias Appel Flickr Pro is better than ever. The only limit is your imagination.
The New York Mets defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7 – 3, in 19 innings at Dodger Stadium. The Mets’ Rusty Staub gets five hits, including the game-winning double, and George Stone pitches six shutout innings in relief for the win.
Original Sin is that many women play it. I never had any doubts about this because I saw my partner play D: OS for many hours. My feeling that many women play D: OS is further reinforced by the people I meet at trade-shows. I never really questioned this number because it fit with the split I saw for events like PAX. Interesting, I always thought …. So I went to our Facebook page. I went WTF again! What about my scientifically sound and completely unbiased sampling results from those fan encounters at trade shows?
Could it really be so low? So I delved into the Steam analytics. The women who play our games will play the hell out of them, but they will only take an active interest when the games are released or about to be released.
Latest On Yasiel Puig
Share Winona plays a washed-up ageing ballerina in Darren Aronofsky’s dark and edgy psycho-thriller. Ryder admits she could relate to the part of a women struggling to hang on to her prime and her career as she ages in the cut throat, backstabbing world of ballet. I’m at that age I’ve been warned my whole life about.
The evolution of online dating, modern dating apps, putting your best digital self forward and more on this week’s episode of Ear Biscuits.
France epitomizes this trope, with his character being mainly defined by his constant flirting with , undressing of , and feeling up the other nations. Just how successful he is at actually getting farther than stripping them is up to debate though, seeing that most of the other nations show far more interest in keeping their distance from him than anything else.
Greece might somewhat fit this trope, being said to be the most sexually active country around surpassing even France , but his promiscuity isn’t his main defining character trait unlike with France, so he comes across as more of a sleepy , laidback , somewhat spacey cat lover who just happens to be really good at getting laid. In fact, pretty much any and every nation can fall into this trope in fanworks that equate all forms of international relations with the sexual kind. B Gata H Kei: Yamada wants to become this, intending to get sex friends in high school.
The Tsundere mixed signals she sends out and her own sexual insecurity have so far prevented this, as will probably the genuine feelings for Kosuda she developed. Chika seems to be this. It is extremely heavily implied especially in the manga that she has sex with those boys that give her gifts, and there are quite a lot of them. Whether she means she doesn’t know anything about sex, or just never worried about messing up, is left to the reader.
During a flashback in chapter 78 of Blue Exorcist , it is implied that Shura constantly threw herself at men when she was younger. When Shiro tells her she should have more respect for herself, she takes her top off and shoves her breasts in his face. All are royalty, and obviously many have born him children.
Dating Girl Sims
She is just definitively gorgeous. While she is certainly beautiful, one must say that she is kind of a neglectful and mean person. Her looks, topped with her British accent, really do dissuade people from thinking so, but it’s true. Once she does finally die, during a round, instead of using that time to let the dog out, she continues playing all the while ensuring the dog that they will go out soon.
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Sexy tanks???
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__label__cc | 0.604316 | 0.395684 | Nectar in a Sieve
Kamala Markandaya
18Jul, 2019 by Kamala Markandaya 663 Comments
Nectar in a Sieve Named Notable Book of by the American Library Association this is the very moving story of a peasant woman in a primitive village in India whose whole life was a gallant and persistent battle to
Title: Nectar in a Sieve
Author: Kamala Markandaya
Named Notable Book of 1955 by the American Library Association, this is the very moving story of a peasant woman in a primitive village in India whose whole life was a gallant and persistent battle to care for those she loved.
[PDF] ↠ Unlimited ↠ Nectar in a Sieve : by Kamala Markandaya ↠
Kamala Markandaya 446 Kamala Markandaya
Title: [PDF] ↠ Unlimited ↠ Nectar in a Sieve : by Kamala Markandaya ↠
Posted by:Kamala Markandaya
About “Kamala Markandaya”
Pseudonym used by Kamala Purnaiya Taylor, an Indian novelist and journalist A native of Mysore, India, Markandaya was a graduate of Madras University, and afterwards published several short stories in Indian newspapers After India declared its independence, Markandaya moved to Britain, though she still labeled herself an Indian expatriate long afterwards.Known for writing about culture clash between Indian urban and rural societies, Markandaya s first published novel, Nectar in a Sieve, was a bestseller and cited as an American Library Association Notable Book in 1955 Other novels include Some Inner Fury 1955 , A Silence of Desire 1960 , Possession 1963 , A Handful of Rice 1966 , The Nowhere Man 1972 , Two Virgins 1973 , The Golden Honeycomb 1977 , and Pleasure City 1982 1983.Kamala Markandaya belonged to that pioneering group of Indian women writers who made their mark not just through their subject matter, but also through their fluid, polished literary style Nectar in a Sieve was her first published work, and its depiction of rural India and the suffering of farmers made it popular in the West This was followed by other fiction that dramatized the Quit India movement in 1942, the clash between East and West and the tragedy that resulted from it, or the problems facing ordinary middle class Indians making a living, finding inner peace, coping with modern technology and its effects on the poor.
663 thoughts on “Nectar in a Sieve”
“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth.”----Leo TolstoyKamala Purnaiya Taylor, a.k.a, Kamala Markandaya, the late Indian internationally bestselling author, had penned a terrific yet extremely honest tale of a woman's struggling yet endearing life right after India's independence in her book, Nectar in a Sieve which marks as a pioneering book in Indian literature, that outlines the importance of a woman's simplicity, her sacrifices, her unconditional love f [...]
Jeanette"Astute Crabbist"
Oh, man, talk about grimsville!! I think I'll just run along now and lay my head on that old railroad track! These characters are just born to suffer and endure and work their tails off and all for what? Nothing, because they get screwed every time they start to get some hope back. Screwed either by Mother Nature or by their fellow human beings. Imagine seeing your child die from starvation and feeling relieved because you won't have to watch him suffer anymore!Grimmest of all is that there are [...]
booklady
At its heart, Nectar in a Sieve is a story about suffering and our response to it. The protagonist is an aging Indian woman looking back over her long life and reflecting on her fate as well as her choices. Much that happened to her, she had no say in. She was a child bride of an arranged marriage. In some respects, Providence was kind to her; in many others cruel.But it would spoil the book to tell Rukmani’s tale before you read it. You need to experience it through her own sparse prose narra [...]
Beautiful and touching, Nectar in a Sieve follows a young Rukmani who is married to Nathan, a tenant farmer, when she is only twelve. The marriage, of course, is arranged. The story focuses on the growth of her family and the struggles a tenant farmer and his family must face in a developing India. I had one minor issue with this bookat is that there wasn't more.The story should be depressing because the family has to scrape by to survive. And I mean really scrape bywith very little extra ever c [...]
John Wiswell
A tale of utter hopelessness in the face of colonial or capital evil. The only inspiration one could draw from this is to hate to hate economic development, hate outsiders, or become determined to not be like these people, who can't or won't do anything to prevent ruin. Unfortunately in this desperation there is also little sense of love or bonding, such that the reader can only understand that it is terrible for people to be torn apart or turned against each other, rather than feel it as they r [...]
Ashwini Ragunathan
One should go over the epigraph "Work without hope draws nectar in a sieve, And hope without an object cannot live". Each page in this book depicts the sufferings faced by a family (let's say a group of people, a village or surrounding as a whole). Each character in this book suffers a lot. One would have guessed it from the title. The story evolves around Rukmani. Rukmani is portrayed as a simple traditional Indian woman. Nathan, Rukmani's husband is a farmer. The age-old ethics followed by Ind [...]
Meh. Whatever. The husband dies. Who cares. He cheated on her a zillion years ago and I won't forgive him. The End.
A Don
I just finished reading the novel,Nectar in a Sievewritten by Kamala Markandaya. The author, born in the highest caste in India but lived mainly in England, writes about the tale of a family's struggles with poverty and globalization. Being Markandaya's first published novel,Nectar in a Sieveis a worldwide best-seller and has been translated into seventy languages. Markandaya takes us to rural India set in mid-1900's, with the reflection of main character, Rukumani, taking the reader from her ea [...]
This book was basically the diary of the main character, Rukmani. From the get go the emotions were raw and real. This is a very realistic story that follows the life of Rukmani and her struggles throughout it. Anyone who likes autobiographies would enjoy reading this book.
Laura Harrison
This was required reading for me in high school. I just adored it. So well written, powerful and emotional. It is still one of my favorite books after all these years. I consider it a must read.
The back cover honestly doesn't do it justice. It was soooooooo good!
Nectar in a sieve isn't a story but collection of memories of days past and present. Set in a village in southern India, this is story of a woman and the hardships she faces with her family when the country is in the brink of industrialization and stepping out of decades of colonialism. Markandaya times the novel in this time of change in a community that solely thrives on outcome of monsoon season. The dichotomy isn't played to its strength with narration never taking into the contrasting natur [...]
Death, theft, prostitution and tenant farming. How could these elements be woven into a tale that inspires, evokes sadness, and creates pathos? Only one tale, spun so well, could this be made possible; that book is Nectar in a Sieve. Kamala Markandaya, authoress extraordinaire, can create emotions no one knew they could feel for written text and hardback cover. Markandaya lived no hard life herself, so the way she weaves a tale with such authority, such knowledge, and such passion about a family [...]
Nectar in a Sieve, written by Kamala Markandaya, is a wonderful novel that lets the reader peek inside the heart of Indian culture. Markandaya, the author of A Handful of Rice and Some Inner Fury, is actually named Kamala Purnaiya Taylor; she was raised in Mysore, India but she later moved to Britain after India declared its independence. Nectar in a Sieve follows the life of an average lower-class Indian, looking at the effects of globalization and the conflict between traditional and rural Ind [...]
One of the best readings on colonial India. Told from the POV of a village woman from the day of her marriage until late in her life. Students seem to really enjoy the straight forward and simple narrative. I first read this as part of my junior english class in 1995, thanks Mrs. Thomson. It has to be the first female protagonist that I actually like to read about. I read the book in two nights, seven days ahead of schedule. I would also have to say that the relationship between Irrawady and her [...]
I found this to be beautifully written, with characters that were believable and admirable. I always appreciate the opportunity to see life from the honest viewpoint of another culture. This book was a firm reminder of how impossibly difficult life is for so many people.
Preeti Gupta
The best book I have ever read, hands down, and I have read many 1000s of books. I have no connection to this author whatsoever, I just happened to love her writing. I also read Handful of Rice, which was also very good, but this one was the best!
I really disliked this book.
Kohana Mukherjee
If it wasn't for my English Honors syllabus, I don't think I would ever come across this novel, and would have read it in one sitting.Kamala Markandaya remarkably, in much simple language draws a beautiful, bitter-sweet and tragic portrait of the people who struggle to just live and evade hunger in their day to day life, in her novelNectar in a Sieve and the way she paints their fortunes trodden in misery, that lasts longer and longer than the joyous memories they had once lived through- only gr [...]
Shiloah
A beautiful and painful book. I truly feel it is important to walk in another's shoes for a little while, and what a better way to do that than in a book? I do not think or react in the way the protagonist does, and I learned much from the book. I also was that much more grateful for my life and for the natural quest in me to do something "else"---something different---something more. By book two, I was so grateful to see her do this too, though on a smaller scale. Definitely a classica classic [...]
I thought I had finished my freshman year reading list earlier this year until this work surfaced at a library sale. While it was an award winning book in 1955, it didn't do much for me in 1971, and it didn't do all that much now. This is described as one woman's struggle for survival in India. To me it is one woman's struggle with misfortune some inflicted by her parents, some by her children, some by her husband and yet more by the world around her. Not an overwhelming work in my mind.
Read during my #lostinthewoodsreadathon! Course required reading.
readingformysanitySet in rural India at the dawning of a new age, Kamala Markandaya's Nectar in a Sieve tells the story of one woman's quest for happiness and peace amidst heartache and hardship. Despite attempts to ignore comparisons, one is indelibly reminded of Pearl S. Buck's classic The Good Earth. The heroine, Rukmani, is a sort of female Wang Lung, who narrates the rise and fall of her family as India grows and changes around them.The story begins with Rukmani remembering her past, alread [...]
I originally had no idea what this book was about before reading it, so I had zero expectation aside from the line on the cover saying, "very moving." After 50 pages, I still was not quite sure; I gathered it follows a struggling Indian family during British colonization. To be more specific, it seemed a routine of raising crops and keeping a family together while also trying to do the best for your children's futures (proper weddings and dowries, for example). But as the book continues, the pur [...]
Anushree Thareja
'To those who live by the land there must always come times of hardship, of fear, and of hunger, even as there are years of plenty We live by our labours from one harvest to the next, there is no certain telling whether we shall be able to feed ourselves and our children, and if bad times are prolonged we know we must see the weak surrender their lives, and this fact, too is within our experience. In our lives there is no margin for misfortune.'Nectar in a Sieve portrays a poignant picture of ru [...]
Kike Ramos
Español / EnglishEn esta historia seguimos a Rukmami, una chica de la India que se casa a los 12 años, y la acompañamos hasta su edad adulta casi entrando a la madurez. Vemos como se enfrenta a los retos de criar hijos, lidiar con vecinas y, sobre todo, sobrevivir como una campesina rural ante la modernización del pueblo mas cercano.Como la mayoria de los libros que escojo de la biblioteca tan solo porque el título me llama la atención y la sinopsis no suena mal, este me encantó. Una nove [...]
Laura Palmer
Nectar In a Sieve by Kamala MarkandayaKamala Markandaya really brings to life the struggles of life in a small village in India. Published in 1954, Nectar In a Sieve really elaborates on the daily life of an Indian woman.In Nectar In a Sieve, the main character, Rukmani marries a tenant farmer, Nathan. The book follows their life together as a married couple. Rukmani and Nathan soon start a family and as the family grows, there are many challenges the family must overcome; poverty, drought, and [...]
Ian C
I recently concluded my reading of Kamala Markandaya's Nectar in a Sieve. Markandaya has written many books such as Two Virgins, Shalimar, and The Nowhere Man. Nectar in a Sieve tells the tale of a woman who is married to an Indian man at a very young age, and of their life together as she matures. One thing I found very intriguing about Nectar in a Sieve was the insight into Indian culture. It was thrown in almost casually, as if common. In fact, that is what made it stand out to me. It was as [...]
Vatsala
4.5 Stars.Some books are going stay forever with us. This is one of such books. The story of Rukmani and Nathan. A tale of endurance and poverty. Apart from Rukmani and Nathan - well formed characters like Ira and Kenny are so realistic that in the end one will start missing reading about them and how they fared. I especially missed reading more about Kenny and Selvam and their hospital. In my view this book should be recommended to be studied as part of syllabus for schools in India, to make ch [...]
Priscilla Herrington
Kamala Markandaya wrote Nectar in a Sieve in 1954; the Signet Classic edition was printed in 2002 with a forward by Indira Ganesan. Ganesan considers the book "a seminal work in Anglo-Indian fiction."Rukmani is Markandaya's narrator and heroine. Although neither beautiful nor wealthy, Rukmani is married to a man whose love for her remains constant. This is a true blessing, as Rukmani and her husband, Nathan, suffer poor harvests and other misfortunes, eventually losing everything. Even their bea [...]
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__label__cc | 0.731552 | 0.268448 | Zix Corporation Introduces Personal Financial Lexicon for ZixVPM
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__label__cc | 0.748732 | 0.251268 | by Ahreeman X » Tue Mar 14, 2017 9:22 am
Nicholas Ginex vs. Ahreeman X: Philosophy of Existence Debate
Ongoing Online Philosophical and Scientific Debate
Food for Seekers Brains!
Return of Ahreeman X
Theory of Everything explains the fundamental question of philosophy:
How has everything started to exist?
Who Created the Multiverse?
The Conservation Law of Matters and Energies in physics teaches us that all matters and energies were never born and will never be destroyed, yet they have always been changing from one form to another eternally. This is not a theory but a law of physics. In other words, the Multiverse has always been there and it will always be here forever ….
Hard to picture?
Look at the whole universe (and all universes) as a graph. If we draw this graph:
It will not look like a line with eternal beginning and ending.
It will not look like a circle with a beginning point and an ending point.
It will look like a moving “Snake” which his body is a series of circle loops:
Crawling Snake Graph of the Multiverse
These circle loops almost close and form perfect circles, but the key word is almost! These circle loops are eternal. They come from Forever and they will go to Forever. Each circle loop almost closes to form a circle and in that case it seems like someone like a God must have created this loop; however, each circle loop never actually closes down. Two ends of the each circle loop reaches up to a microscopic range to each other but never touches each other and forms a circle. Therefore, these series of snake-like circle loops continue forever ….
The actual graphic diagram of the Multiverse is in fact looks like a Snake with his body in to many unclosed circle loops moving from one point to another. Have you seen the way a snake moves from one point to another? That is the desired shape that I am talking about. But picture this snake as an eternal snake from both ends!
Greetings G Nex:
Nicholas, did you also know that there is a Muslim Santa Clause?! His name is “Sandy Khalas”! They call him Sandy Khalas because due to living in desert, his claws are sandy; also he often shoots the final shot in infidel’s brains when he says “Khalas” (finished, relax, end of the story in Arabic)! His actions on Christmas are pretty much the same as Santa Clause except that, he comes down the chimney in a Terrorist 3 holed black Ski Mask (2 for eyes and 1 for nose) and a head to toe black jump suit. Instead of bringing presents, he takes all the presents, and cash too, puts a hejab on family’s dog and convert her to Islam, eats the cookies, drinks the milk and leaves a Quran instead, then he blows up the Christmas tree before he goes back up the chimney! Very few infidel kids have seen him in person because if they are not dressed Islamically correct, he tends to 50 lashes them and read a Sourah of Quran to them on not to eat Pork Chops during the Holidays!
How can you tell if Sandy Khalas has been in your house?
Because after a week gradually your son recites verses of Quran, grows a beard and wears a beanie hat! Also your daughter starts wearing head scarf, completely covers her head and asks you to buy only Halaal snacks!
So Sandy Khalas comes, eats the cookies (make sure cookies are Halaal), drinks the milk, takes all the cash, and if you’re bad, sometimes he shoots you and makes you Khalas (finishes you so you can relax for eternity)! He is Sandy and Khalas you (end of the story), praise be Upon Allah!
…. And that is the legend of “Sandy Khalas”!
Yes, the consciousness evolves like everything else evolves, the same as a child evolves, the Universal Intelligence of millions of years ago is way different than the Universal Intelligence of today and tomorrow! The only absolute element is “change” and “Change” can cause “Evolution” which without it everything stagnates like the “Islamic Doctrine”!
“The only thing I like to clarify is that Universal Intelligence is a new term with many different ways to interpret it. First, what level of intelligence are we talking about and in what way is it universal?”
Level of intelligence is relative to the time period in history of the universe or universes. As you stated, it evolves. The reason it is universal is that technically “Universal Intelligence” is the combine consciousness of all elements, the combine intelligence of all creatures, all and all in universal harmony. Together they build the “Universal Intelligence” which creates a system of function in the universe or universes.
If you look at each element as a micro perspective, you do not see the universality of the intelligence; however, if you look at the system with a macro perspective, then you see the totality of the system as a functioning order. There is an order within all the chaos. That is the beauty of it.
The God as I referred to it as a “Spirit” is not “The Creator”, because as I stated in my thesis, “Spirits” cannot exist without “Matters” and “Energies”; however, I do recognize the existence of “Spirits” as the third element. Unlike you, I do not recognize elements such as “Thought” as energy or brain waves because the definitions of Energy is way different than Thoughts.
I believe Spirits exist yet Matters created them and energies created them and without them, spirits cannot exist. I created God and not vice versa.
Philosophical Corner!
Religion, Living in Fantasy
Yes but this morality and moral codes come from Man, not Spirits or God because Man created the concept of God or the Spirit factor got created by Matter and Energy. This is why some moral codes make semi sense like Christianity but some moral codes are bizarre like Islamic codes! In other words, mind of Jesus was way different than the mind of Muhammad!
Human physical functionality maybe similar but human mind due to brain complexity is far different (as the result of experiments done by aliens). I imagine you are not a fan of Ancient Astronauts Theory?! But you have to admit in case of the Missing Link, it makes sense! Something happened to create the jump and sudden evolution in that time period, the missing link!
No not me. Nothing is hovering! My point is that Spirits are the third element and they are not energies. If they were energies, they could also exist inside inanimate objects such as Rock!
But on the other hand, consciousness is also relative. It comes in many forms. When you see an incest eating plant, at first glance it does not move but then when a fly sits on it, it moves and eats the fly! So is it conscious? What you consider unconscious such as plants and inanimate objects, could may as well be conscious but they move and groove in a slower paste. The Rock looks inanimate to us because it is slower than us; we look inanimate to a spirit because it is faster than us but all and all we are parts of Universal Intelligence which runs the universe. Just because something does not move (in your eyes) and you cannot measure the motion and sense within it (at your functioning speed), it does not mean that it is dead because there are energies and matters everywhere and consciousness is relative the same as Time is relative (Einstein)! You should have imagination and explore possibilities. What was Sci Fi yesterday, today is Scientific Fact. Who knows about tomorrow?
OK picture this (traditional way):
“Evil Eye” is a concept in which one due to jealousy and evilness, bad eyes you and you get ill or something bad happens to you; therefore, you wear or display “Evil Eye” jewellery, Talisman, decor or totems to mirror the Evil Eye’s dark power back to the sender to damage him to not to harm you.
Now look at it this way (logical way):
“Evil Eye” is about Bad Energy or shall we say “Negative Energy” which is intentionally or unintentionally sent by someone towards you. They may send it without even know that they are sending it because they simply have bad vibes, negative energy and dark energy. This could be due to jealousy towards you, envy to you or because they are in a Dark Place and state of mind. What you do is try to change this negative energy to positive energy so it does not harm you. You use tools and methods to reflect this negative energy to the sender so he can harm himself; therefore, you escape the negativity.
Negative or Positive Energy exists.
This is more of a logical explanation than the first scenario. Same goes for consciousness. At this point, we cannot measure consciousness within a Black Hole or Anti Matter but we see some evidence of activity and execution. Could it be that in the future we may measure this consciousness? Black Hole and Anti Matter as universal elements of today such as the wind and cloud, can very well be consciousness factors of tomorrow which can cause negative energy in their interaction with other beings such as human! There goes your “Evil Eye” history!
It is all relative and I do not believe it is Mumbo Jumbo. I also do not believe Occult is Mumbo Jumbo.
One of the most self sufficient and scientifically advanced systems in the history of the globe’s (Nazi Germany) leaders did not believe in Mumbo Jumbo! They were maybe Evil but not in to Mumbo Jumbo.
How about Robotics? We have already created Artificial Intelligence and tomorrow at the point of Singularity, if not careful, Artificial Intelligence can take over control from Human! Computers and Robots can take over simply because they are more logical than human and less emotional than human. So what are they? Where would they fit in your universe? Conscious? Matters and Energies? What does that make us? God? But then again This God will be weaker than its Creation! So could our God be weaker than us? Could we be superior to our God, who created us but we surpassed him? Think about it?
“Dr. X, in response to my analogy of the atom being very similar to our solar system”
Very good observation on the similarity
Universal Intelligence should not be looked at as an intelligence which is the same quality or quantity everywhere; however, it should be comprehended as the combine intelligence of all intelligent forms of animated or inanimated (as long as we cannot be sure if there is no intelligence within them) elements. It is universal as a specific quantity and quality everywhere but it is universal because it covers all intelligence everywhere in the universes or at least our universe.
“Therefore, even God, if we were to believe in such an entity as UI, had to have been a baby and grew over the period of infinity to become a consciousness that pervades the universe.”
Now, as you believe I might be infected with Middle Eastern thought pattern on spirits and assume they are hovering like Jinns, I also know that you are infected with the most basic human concept which assumes:
If there is a creation,
Then there must be a creator!
No there is no creator as a God. No creator created the universe.
There is a big difference between Universal Intelligence and God. Even though this existence (shall we call it) had evolved through the years (millions and billions of years) and it is constantly evolving (like everything else), yet this entity is not a single creator because it is the combine intelligence of all intelligent forms around the universe. The interaction between “All” intelligence makes the whole system to function.
You look at it as an Abrahamian Version of God but I look at it as a Scientific Entity. Even though you are a scientist and an engineer, yet subconsciously you categorize it as “A Spirit” or “A God”. Get my drift? Your God functions and operates as a Spirit (even though he is Energy)!
Now for something totally different!
Universal Intelligence, the same as all intelligent forms, can evolve, mutate or devolve in a manner that a specie can adopt and survive, mutate and evolve or not adopt and become extinct or mutate and devolve! But when a specie evolves or devolves, this process happens to that specie; however, when you expand this to UI, then you must consider that in this UI, many species evolve, many devolve, many survive and many extinct, yet in all, UI changes status towards evolving, devolving, mutating and surviving, but UI can never be born or be extinct. UI is eternal, no beginning and no end.
Quality of UI
Consciousness is a quality and a status of existence.
Universal Intelligence is a collective of Consciousness from “All”.
Universal Intelligence has always been there and will always be there. It came from eternity and it will be until infinity.
Even though you still have issues with the “Scientific Law” (not theory):
Conservation Law of Matters and Energies, which states:
“Matters and Energies were never created and will never destroy but they continuously change from one form to another (and to each other).”
Which is still puzzling because how and why can a scientist (like you) have an issue with a scientific law (not theory)?
So it is pretty hard to pinpoint the very first element to be energy or matter because they both have always been there.
Have in mind that there is a very thin line between describing certain entities as matters or energy! In certain forms, an element may seem like both or look like one and act as the other or vice versa. That thin line can be vanished in some cases because Matters and Energies in many occasions look and act pretty similar. Or one maybe about to transfer to the other form so it is pretty hard to tell which is it?
“Dr, X, we are in close agreement except that “Spirits” are the inherent embodiment of consciousness that is able to express itself in organic life,”
Yes indeed, you put that in wonderful words, so scientifically correct and so logical.
Do not go sentimental on me G Nex!
It is true; one should make a difference to the society before he dies. This difference comes in many forms and one form is affecting the lives of others, especially the lives of intelligent life forms (such as you) and not necessarily Cattle (like Followers of Muhammad)! Go figure!
“Muslims worry too much about Jinns, which is an indication of their mental development. At least they believe in one-universal God Allah.”
Abrahamian Gods
Allah is far from God or Universal Intelligence. What kind of God requires worship, requires Rights, have mood changes, threatens, gets angry and destroys, gets psychotic and gets revenge or banish civilizations. Allah is a twisted creation from the mind of Muhammad but in that manner, all Abrahamic Gods including Yahweh the Jew God have all these human like emotions, mood swings and anger!
This is why the whole concept of God as a Supreme Spirit in Abrahamic Religions particularly Allah is comical and made belief for simple minds or religious people.
Universal Intelligence is a scientific approach and science age definition for a primitive term such as God.
God is a storybook fairytale for adults but Universal Intelligence is a comprehensive interactive phenomenon which you and I are parts of it.
“Universal Intelligence (UI) is a concept because nobody knows what this intelligence is.”
Yes we do and yes you do too! I prove it that you do too!
“ Does it exist as it does in a human being, a bird, or an ant?”
It exists in “All” and furthermore, it is “All”, the combination of “All”!
“The level of UI is, at least to me, a consciousness that exists at all levels of development from the smallest atom to a complex galaxy with many stars and life forms. Yes, UI and consciousness may be thought as being energies. But they exist at many different levels until consciousness reaches its highest level, the ability to think and reflect on the universe itself. This may be the crowning glory of UI or consciousness that started as a baby, only simple atoms, that after many trillions of years developed the high form of intelligent being that is able to think about who or what created it.”
You have just answered yourself! First you asked a question, then you made a statement that no one knows, next you answered yourself and proved to yourself that your question was flawed and your primary line of reasoning was primitive. In a way you answered yourself with much intellectual prejudice! I think you have just evolved, made a mental mutation, a jump and you have become a Higher Form of Intelligence! Therefore, now your contribution to the Universal Intelligence is at a higher level and a higher frequency!
I, as the representative and the “Harbinger of Universal Intelligence” named Ahreeman, thank you for your Self Evolution and Total Contribution to human consciousness advancement and Universal Intelligence progression!
I, the Harbinger of UI
“I have to show your complement because you made my day to credit me as being a philosopher.”
I did not credit you or make or declare you a philosopher; thus, you are a philosopher. Maybe you did not know it or doubted it. I just brought this fact out from your soul and psyche and dragged it out to life; therefore, I now declare you:
Philosopher G Nex, formerly known as a Mythical Being, the Saint Nicholas!
Now after removing my sword from the top of your head and declaring you (not a title) a philosopher, I also bless you in the name of Father (from Under), the Son (Ahreeman) and the Dark Holy Spirit (the Raven) connecting the two! Now that was the Dark version of Trinity! Thus I am on the Dark Side!
“We both agree that it did not all start with the Big Bang.”
No it did not. I am for a “Snake Theory” almost connecting loops of snake’s body but not actually touching. It is a snake like graph from eternity until infinity, a never beginning and never ending universe of transforming elements, no beginning, no end, no big bang, no god!
Beautifully stated. We will create advanced robots, androids, artificial intelligence and so on but can we recreate the human experience? I doubt if we can ever!
To create consciousness maybe not that hard but to create the Soul is dead hard!
Now go figure the definition for the element of “Soul”!
Here we go again: Energy, Matter, Spirit, Chopped Liver, Cheetos Puff, Fragrance, ..... yet another G Nex Ahreemanic philosophical debate! Praise the Lord! Have mercy on people’s souls!
The Nun and the Priest at the corner forming crosses on their chests while whispering gently in repetition:
Have mercy on my soul
Have mercy on my soul …..
Can’t take anymore of these 2 thus I am getting brain-ache due to all this philosophy!
Have mercy on my souuuuuuuuuuuuul …..
Salman was the Mazdakite Marxist brain and author behind Quran. I believe that Muhammad was extremely intelligent and despite the fact that he could not read or write, yet he transformed all the Islamic Doctrine to Salman and Ali to put on paper. Others believe that Muhammad could read and write and then there are others who believe that Quran was written decades later after Muhammad.
222 Years of Struggle for Independence of Iran
IPC Iran Online Library is the largest Iranian Online Library in both English and Persian which is like UI evolving and getting more and more completed! In the future, after we are all gone, it will still remain on the net, even if not on the server, on the Internet Archives and it will show traces of once existed “Great Civilization” named IPC which tried to advance the human civilization more and more towards Evolution of Perfection and Knowledge.
https://archive.org/
Nicholas:
‘There are only 2 types of Muslims:
Yes, the worst part is that majority of Muslims have never read Quran but believe in it and defend it to death! How idiotic is that?
“It is true that Islam is far worse that Nazism and Communism for their objective is for Islam to dominate the world with an outdated and poorly written document titled, The Qur’an.”
No, Islam is far worse than Nazism and Communism because:
I. Islam poses as a Religion and has the power of Religion behind it to carry a herd of ignorant followers behind it as cattle.
II. Islam has political correctness and liberals in the west behind it who ignorantly give it legitimacy as a legitimate religion with rights to coexist with!
III. Islam believes in Taqiyah (justified lies) which makes any Muslim to pose and act as chameleon to make the infidels to believe in “Islam Religion of Peace” and “Moderate Muslims” and so on which will be the end of the Western Civilization. As in practice, you can see what Islam is doing to Europe but Hopefully, Trumpism is stopping it to occur in America! A year ago when we did the last part of this debate during the Obama Era, hope was slim but now after Trump presidency, there exists hope for Western Civilization and Persian Civilization because as I always states: Regime change in Iran requires Regime change in America! Well, one down, one to go!
Islam, a Dangerous Political Ideology!
Yes But still I insist that in a way, we do live another life as energy, and matter changes form and we become released energy joining all universal energy or shall we color it in a way that our intelligence becomes a part of the “Universal Intelligence.
Existence is existence and who came back from afterlife to report the measurements of it? Who knows what will happen? Afterlife is nothing like what Abrahamian Religions describe as Heaven and Hell or Reincarnation as Hindus report; however, there is an afterlife as energy and matter.
One’s matters will be reincarnated as other living forms (worms and maggots eat your dead body and you become them, they fertilize the soil which grows grass and cow eats grass and you become cow) and your energy leaves this earth and joins other energies. Further studies are needed to see possible more advance testifies of what happens afterlife or how advance will be this afterlife but I can assure you that there will be afterlife and you become matter and energy and you will not be vanished from this universe! Now this afterlife may not be what Muahammad or Jesus or Moses predicted but there is an afterlife, a more logical one that Ahreeman predicted!
I did not say that your thoughts will be transferred to UI as the present form but in some form of energy. How primitive or advance it may be, presently we do not have the proper tools to measure but one thing is for sure, they will not be as they are now in your brain!
However, if you want to be a party pooper and destroy religious people’s hopes and dreams and 72 virgins, then be like that and see where does that take you? In depth of infidel hell, that is where it takes you, ... you irredeemable infidel!
“The idea that our brain waves enter the universe and may be part of Universal Intelligence is valid; but only while we are alive and well. Matter and Energy will create other forms of inorganic and organic matter, but never will these forms possess the original thoughts that were created by former living entities.”
Yes but they can produce far more advance beings, thought patterns and intelligence which can contribute to the UI. We simply do not have the proper tools to measure that yet!
We simply do not know what will occur, how advanced of transaction will be this transformation of us at the moment of death and afterlife? There is life after death because death is not absolute and life continues. How this afterlife may suit people now and how they may like it is another issue but surely there is life because life never ends but it changes forms. Death in itself is another form of life. Matters survive and energies survive but they change forms. I conclude that there will be life, not as this consciousness exists now but maybe higher or lower consciousness! Nothing disappears and everything survives.
Actually parts of this survival will join UI and some parts will become a shining star! Technically speaking that is!
No, even though the logic was scientific but naming it God due to respect or no respect, colors it theological and religious! This is not God but this is a scientific entity of collective consciousness named Universal Intelligence. It did not create everything, it will not destroy everything but it is every thing! It is ever existing everything and it is the force behind creation of every thing as we know it and much more that we do not know. It is the engine behind the element as we define as “Creation” which in fact it is an oxymoron because nothing gets created or destroyed; therefore, it is best to be referred to as “Transformation”! UI is the force behind “Transformation” of the Universe and Transformation of Earth and Creatures as we know it to now and to the future forms.
I am UI, you are UI and UI is “All”. This concept may be too hard to comprehend for human, but the fact is that “UI” is “All”. UI is collective of All Intelligence existing.
A Traditional Creator needing human mind can hardly digest this scientific logic!
Interesting how you define Morality. Interesting perspective. Morality has nothing to do with religion, God and spirits. Morality has everything to do with human concept of creating functioning societies to interact and socialize as a necessity to seek good interaction with others.
“Brother X, it appears that you are a believer in a Spirit. If so, you might as well as define that Spirit as God. Or, you may believe that all humans have spirits because they have a mind that is capable of thought that creates the idea of a Spirit. You indicated that many classical and modern philosophers define the spirit as an element because you cannot see or feel it. That is, it is not part of the 5 senses. I say, so what. Why does thought have to be tasted, heard, touched, seen or smelled?”
Because that is the scientific way and method!
“Thought cannot be any of the 5 senses because thought consists of transmitted waves, which are devoid of the 5 senses.”
Waves can be measured with 5 senses indirectly (with tools). Therefore, thoughts are not waves, they may act as waves and travel as waves but they are not energy waves. That is why we define them as Spirits (many philosophers and scientists). Why? Because we cannot measure them with 5 senses or identify them with 5 senses.
“I believe I have already expressed what is thought, mind and consciousness.”
Yes but that is not the scientific definition of thoughts. It cannot be proved scientifically.
“I do not equate Consciousness with Spirit. It is energy that is created by the body whereby the heart sustains the flow of blood and nourishment to the brain that allows the mind to create thoughts. So yes, I believe that the concept of a Spirit is a figment of our imagination just as is the concept of God.”
But scientifically speaking, my method is the best scientific method to scientifically prove that Man made God and not vice versa. This is factual proof to turn a theologician in to a scientist, a holy man in to an atheist.
“Now, Brother X, you accuse me of picking and choosing my own scientific laws because I deviate from the theory of Conservation of Matter and Energy.”
But you do!
“This makes me sound like a deranged person.”
No it makes you sound like a stubborn scientist who is trying to get away with something unscientific to prove his point of view!
“To this accusation I can only say, there are exceptions to any law.”
No not scientific laws because they are not theories.
“For I believe that for anything to exist there must be a beginning. To say Energy and Matter always existed makes no sense to me. There is a beginning for everything.”
Because that is how traditional human mind works, it is limited to believe in a creator and a creation. Even the most scientific minds like you still have the old theological concept built deep into his psyche to believe in this traditional concept. It is theism and makes you a theist and we must reject it by scientific anti theism which makes you an atheist which is an anti theist.
One question sir:
Who created your god?
Dango ate your god!
Do you see the problem with this?
And who created the god who created your god?
And ......
Eventually you must come up with the answer or state that your god is eternal and infinite which in your case, your god is pure energy, so to declare that, it makes you a believe in the scientific law, the Conservation Law of Matters and Energies. Do you see the fallacy in your logic which is in fact illogic?
The Creator factor is illogical and unscientific. For a scientific person such as you, this is a No No!
“I will agree with you that my theory is hypothetical and is not based on scientific laws.”
Actually your theory is hypocritical because you are a scientist and an engineer and your theory is LaLa Landish! But then again, I seen worse!
“But nevertheless, I cannot agree that Matter always existed with Energy. These are two very different entities or things.”
Actually in a many occasions, they come very close to each other to the point that sometimes one cannot distinguish between the two! For instance, at the point of transformation from one form to another, fractions and particles of matter become very close and could be mistaken with some energies (certain cases).
Other times, they seem like two different elements!
“I guess we have the classical argument, which came first the chicken or the egg?”
Santa Clause did!
Actually for you it is the case of Chicken or Egg?
For me they always co existed and Ol’ McDonald ran them in the farm!
“The simple answer is that there was a Consciousness that existed in the beginning that started out as a baby as it created matter from its energy sources. This baby became a creator as it found it could create great bodies of stars and planets, which eventually gave birth to organic life forms. So yes, the Creator was a child that after trillions of years, was able to give rise to matter that could sustain life. You can call this initial Consciousness the Creator or God; I have no problem with that. I do believe that it is this Consciousness that pervades the Universe. Other people, because they do not like the word God because of the stigma it connotes after having been misled by corrupted religious organizations, I agree that they should call this Consciousness – Universal Intelligence, which infers it has the ability to create as well. So, in essence, we can call Consciousness the Creator.”
You see, if you look at it and define it in that perspective (which is not scientific but it is your theory), then not that you defy the Conservation Law of Matters and Energies, yet somewhat you defy Einstein’s Relativity and Darwin’s Origin of Species. Your Creator once again becomes a Godlike figure which created everything.
You are just putting a coat of science on top of this creator by calling it energy, also you are putting a coat of evolution on this creator by calling it a baby at the beginning, yet the concept of creation still exists.
This complete theory is not scientific. It may be logical to you but scientifically it is flawed. And then you have the nerve to tell me that UI may not make sense?!
Universal Intelligence is far different than your Evolved Baby Creator. UI did not create anything but aided them to evolve. Also no one created UI and no one can destroy it.
I look at this issue from a philosophical materialistic point of view and a scientific point of view.
Yes, your god and UI are both intelligent and are consciousness but the quality of UI is not a single entity or a person. UI is a collective of billions of intelligence in universe that they all work together and co exist. They do not create things but they evolve things.
Your creator is a single entity like a person (in your case energy) who was a baby and now grown and created everything. This is the same as God but not in spiritual form.
You behave, think and act as a theist but with a scientific coating of your ideas. You defy laws and theories of science and bring this theory to life without any scientific backing. This is why I refer to what you are doing as mix and matching theories and laws as it suits you. Christian Scientists (oxymoronic) also do that!
This is where science becomes hypocrisy! This is where you become a hypocrite! In other words, you are a creationist in disguise with a scientific coat of paint on your ideas and maybe that is why you are so keen on Jesus and past prophets where as a scientist I have no respect for them!
I do not have a theory. I believe in Dialectical Materialism and Philosophical Materialism and Pure Science. Science is my God. My Universal Intelligence is compatible with scientific laws and theories. I may get symbolic at times and go Sci Fi at times but I do not mix and match laws and theories of science as they suit me nor I reject scientific facts and theories.
So in this manner, even though many of our common grounds brings us close philosophically, yet fundamentally your Energy Baby God Concept is a world apart than UI.
At the end of the day, I am a Materialist and even though you do not believe in Spirits, yet your Creator sounds, acts and defines as one! Still you believe in a creator but I believe in Science and nothing but Science.
What I am trying to do is to make UI scientifically compatible.
Again, who created your creator and who created the creator of your creator?
It is not logical! It is not scientific!
But I still take your theory over the Church and Pope!
“It was a long time before you found enough space from all your projects and responsibilities to respond to my last set of comments. We learn and explore ideas together and that is what I enjoy with you. Call it the romance of the minds.”
As long as we don’t call it a Bromance or a Gay Romance!
“If you were a woman, I would find you very intriguing in other ways.”
Did you just call me a Crossdresser?
“ Being able to express my thoughts to you, where I have not had the pleasure with others, has helped me to better articulate ideas that I normally don’t talk about. This is good because I also learn more about myself as well as you, another human being that is a gift to me.”
We better stop it right there because I think you are coming out of the closet!
You know what I have just noticed?
These philosophical debates of ours have been going on for years! It takes a year to respond back and each post is 15 pages long! For a lengthy debate, well anticipating debate and time consuming debate, I notice that a ton of people follow these debates! Obviously people who follow this thread are Free Thinkers, Heavy Thinkers and Deep Thinkers because if they were not, then they would have not been following this for years!
This thread is very intriguing, educational and explosive for us and for all to explore, think and learn from. This is a type of thread which is making people to think and that is exactly my intention. It is always great to debate with you and hear new approaches and concepts from you. Surely you are a polished and knowledgeable mind to explore and consort with.
By the end of each 15 or 17 pages long post, I know I get brain-ache hopefully not brain damage! Just imagine how the readers feel!
Philosophy is a tough subject to read, follow, learn and debate, yet I have to admit that it is mind blowing, educational and addictive.
This is a thread for Deep Thinkers to follow and for us to enjoy.
Good debate and always a pleasure picking your mind. The readers love this debate (you can tell by the traffic) and one day we should publish it as an online book.
I bet with you that:
Zarathustra Spitmata’s spirit
Friedrich Nietzsche’s spirit
Bertrand Russell’s spirit
Charles Darwin’s spirit
Albert Einstein’s spirit
Gene Roddenberry’s spirit
Carl Sagan’s spirit
Stephen Hawking’s soul
Neil deGrasse Tyson’s soul
.... and the rest of the Greats’ spirits and souls are at this point of time and place looking down at us and they are with us, praising our efforts and action to conduct this philosophical and scientific debate to evolve the mental capacity and thought patterns of humanity. They are all telling us:
by Nicholas Ginex » Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:52 am
Response by Nicholas Ginex » Tues March 14, 2017
Dear Dr. Ahreeman,
This morning I was about to practice my songs for an April Showers gig at a Senior Care Center, Seaside Terrace in Fountain Valley. But after reading your opening greeting I had to forego practice and respond to your exceptional sense of humor about the Muslim Santa Clause, appropriately titled, The Legend of “Sandy Khalas.” Once again you made me laugh. It’s great to start the day with laughter. I must say your rendition of Santa Claus should be a Muslim classic for adults and children of any country.
I liked your response to my thoughts about consciousness, a universe phenomenon. To me, it is somewhat like a baby that grows and behold, after many trillions of years it has created life from inorganic matter that is capable of thinking. I liked your reasoning about intelligence of the universe whereby you wrote:
The level of intelligence varies with respect to the complexity of the life form created. True, Universal Intelligence exists, but in many forms and at many different levels, depending of the evolution of the life form to finally articulate thoughts and transfer knowledge and experiences to other life forms. Yes, there is a complete system that is in harmony with all the elements created by Universal Intelligence, but this intelligence exists at many levels.
With respect to your statement that, “Spirits cannot exist without matters and energies,” My position is that there are no “Spirits” that exist in the universe. Just as there is no God but a spirit conceived by man in the universe. You wrote,
This statement is in agreement with me in that just as you create God so do you create the idea of a “Spirit.” It is our thoughts that create Spirits and God, where God is another form of spirit visualized by the human being. Therefore, “Spirits” is not a third element in the Universe. It is the combination of atoms that form elements and substances that finally evolve into organic life that is capable of thinking. The higher life forms, like human beings, are capable of thought to reach out into the Universe and try to understand how it all happened. This is the crowning glory of the Universe; that its own creations may come to understand how and why “IT” exists.
Dr. X, you wrote that you believe aliens have provided the missing link or DNA in humans to create the jump and sudden evolution in a distant time period as follows:
I need to state that it is foolish to believe some aliens conducted experiments that advanced man to another level of evolution and have something to do with the Missing Link. Yes, it is possible for alien visitors to conduct experiments for a small segment of people somewhere in Africa. But this theory falls apart when one considers that there are millions of human beings that evolved on many continents of our earth. It is known that humans with advanced brain functionality exist not only in Africa but in other lands, which means the aliens could NOT have tampered with the DNA of all the other races around the globe.
As you so aptly pointed out, evolution produces change into ever higher complex life forms. Let us give credit to the human beings that invented light, the computer, machines that take us to into space, and TV where we are able to see an image emanating from another point. Scientists and physicists have been able to obtain greater understanding of the atom and its sub particles. These are human achievements borne out of the thoughts of the human mind and no alien had anything to do with these marvellous inventions.
But what has not been defined is how energy, be it gravitational, magnetic and electrical, originated as a force. You wrote that Spirits are a third element and they are not energies. I agree with you but in what way is a Spirit or Spirits a third element? It you consider “Spirit” as a form of consciousness that may be a possibility. But a Spirit that designs the end products of each element in the Universe is not believable, at least to me. For then, you will be defining some sort of God that is designing and controlling the development of the Universe.
Dr. X, you stated,
My point is that Spirits are the third element and they are not energies. If they were energies, they could also exist inside inanimate objects such as Rock!
And then wrote,
But on the other hand, consciousness is also relative. It comes in many forms. When you see an incest eating plant, at first glance it does not move but then when a fly sits on it, it moves and eats the fly! So is it conscious?
Yes, the plant feels sunlight and enjoys rain. The fly has a level of consciousness that is able to respond to its senses. You can tell when a plant, tree or flower is happy. However, like the fly-eating plant, there are different levels of consciousness. Is there consciousness in a rock? No. A rock is an inorganic form versus an organic form that has some kind of moving parts or apparatus that sustains its life. Elements by themselves, iron, silver, gold, and rocks, which are inanimate, do not think. There needs to be some level of fluid in organic form to allow it to function and with an evolved mind, able to conceive thought, not simply a reaction like a fly-eating plant (although a lower level of consciousness).
In humans and higher order animals, the mind is sustained by fluid that brings food and oxygen and thus allows it to conceive thought. Thoughts are formulated within the mind by the constant interaction of cells in its memory, whereby learned experiences, words, and feelings are remembered to piece together, hopefully, common sense and useful ideas.
I humbly would like to reiterate my former comment on this topic about Spirits, which you quoted and is provided again below:
Dr. X, I liked your thoughts about the “Evil Eye” as bad or negative energy. In the same way, positive energy exists, whereby you can feel when somebody likes you or is in sink with your thoughts. Some call that “love.” As you know, love exists in different degrees depending on the mental and physical relationship between two people. Yes, there is some form of energy or consciousness that is transmitted that may harm or provide solace from another person. So yes, I believe in mental telepathy, whereby ones thoughts can be sent over long distances and felt by the person that has some connection mentally and physically.
I was impressed that you ended the – of + energy with a quote from me. I will repeat it with a small update to the final sentence.
“Therefore, I still believe Energy came before Matter for it is this Energy that possesses the initial birth of consciousness. That is why I feel it begins as a baby, not knowing exactly how it will create its highest form of intelligence. But this Energy did somehow learn how to create Matter for without matter the complex forms of inorganic and organic entities cannot be created. Yes, Energy and Matter co-existed eternally for an infinite period but it was Energy that precipitated the process – at least in my mind. Finally, I equate this Energy as possessing a consciousness that develops and creates its crowning purpose in its life-type existence. That is, its will to exist, which has become a part of all living matter.”
Hence, the strong desire to reproduce. It is a will inherent in Energy, which drives Consciousness in the Universe to create matter and from that platform, create organic matter that reaches a level of intelligence that is able to look back into the Universe. The crowning glory of the Universe is that it has created highly intelligent entities that are able of revering its magnificent creations of galaxies consisting of stars, pulsars, and black holes. Last but not least, the Universe will achieve its purpose when all self-thinking entities, such as humans and aliens revere its magnificence.
Dr. X, you posed some thought provoking questions and they deserve to be quoted below.
How about Robotics? We have already created Artificial Intelligence and tomorrow at the point of Singularity, if not careful, Artificial Intelligence can take over control from Human! Computers and Robots can take over simply because they are more logical than human and less emotional than human. So what are they? Where would they fit in your universe? Conscious? Matters and Energies? What does that make us? God? But then again. This God will be weaker than its Creation! So could our God be weaker than us? Could we be superior to our God, who created us but we surpassed him? Think about it?
There is reason to believe that Robots can exceed the intelligence of the human mind and may decide to control its creator, man. But an essential element the Robot does not have is the inherent will to reproduce, sexual reproduction that life forms are born with. The Robot will certainly become highly intelligent but will eventually wear out like any material without the capability to reproduce itself. You counter with the idea that it can manufacture another Robert to take its place. But the old Robot will have to reprogram all the information it possesses in the created or baby Robot. This will not be an easy process because ideas build upon former ideas and the baby will not be able to digest or connect the billions of data that exists in its parent Robot.
However, I could be wrong because just as we can transpose information or data from one computer to another, the Robot will very likely do the same thing with its baby Robot so that it may be successful in sustaining Robots indefinitely. Good questions Dr. X, but I do not believe we humans are dumb enough to give the Robot that much power to duplicate itself.
Dr. X, I do not like the term Universal Intelligence, “because it covers all intelligence everywhere in the universes or at least our universe.” What is this UI? UI varies with different levels of elements, be they inorganic or organic and therefore, it is not “universal.” Yes, to say UI exists as the total existence of intelligence everywhere makes it “universal” is ok but somewhat misleading because it is not the same everywhere or universal. Yes, the Universe possesses Intelligence but at many different levels, which therefore, cannot be quantified.
Whereas, "Consciousness" exists everywhere but at different levels and like a baby, it matures as it evolves into higher life forms. Yet, down to the very atom that makes up life forms, there is a “Consciousness” that has the will to evolve; and as it gains expression in life forms, it is able to articulate thought; thought that is based upon data received by the senses of the life form it exists in. In simple terms, higher forms of life have the brain capacity to store ideas in memory and thoughts are conceived but the life form must be alive and functioning. Like my father always said, “When you’re dead, you’re dead.”
Dr. X, thank you for quoting me at the end of this UI topic for it provides a personal thought that may have some value. It is repeated below:
"Therefore, even God, if we were to believe in such an entity as UI, had to have been a baby and grew over the period of infinity to become a consciousness that pervades the universe."
I should take the opportunity to have our IPC members reflect on the article I wrote on, Does Consciousness Pervade the Universe? You provided it as an IPC post under the link,
Dr. X, I need to clarify my belief about God. I do not know God for like the great Egyptian priests, they believed He was incomprehensible, mysterious, and unknowable. This idea about God, to me, is different in that I believe in evolution beginning with the atom and its smallest sub particles. The various combinations of atoms have made the many elements and substances that form inorganic and organic entities, which possess a certain level of consciousness. That consciousness has the will to create higher life forms that finally, after trillions of years, are able to reach back out into the universe and try to learn how it all started. This is the crowning glory of our Universe. And this evolved consciousness in man has given it the creativity to believe it is a Spirit or God that is involved with the evolutionary process.
Dr. Ahreeman, we partially agree on the term Universal intelligence. You believe in the basic law of the conservation of energy,
As a consequence of this law, you believe that:
As I have discussed above, I do not believe matter and energy always existed, at least not matter and energy as we have come to learn about. I believe that with everything, there is a beginning, which is why I do not agree that UI has always been there. Just as the atom evolved from sub-particles and has inherent energy, we have learned it exists with gravitational, electrical and magnet properties, which all began at a very low level of evolution. The galaxies, stars and plants did not exist in the beginning but were born out of the vast sea (space) of the universe that contained minute particles that somehow were able to coalesce together.
Universal Intelligence, therefore to me, did not evolve the intelligence we today experience as consciousness. It took trillions upon trillions of years to have atoms produce matter that makes up the galaxies that exist with stars and planets. Only after the stars and planets were formed did organic life forms appear and evolve to higher levels of physical being and intelligence. Therefore, I conceive UI like consciousness; in the beginning it was like a baby that finally evolved to much higher levels of matter with ever stronger gravitational, electrical and magnetic properties.
So, perhaps we agree on UI as also having a beginning for it came to exist as matter and energy evolved. But to say it has always been there in the form it exists today appears to be an error in analysis. But we agree, that UI does evolve like the matter it is part of and constantly changes.
I was honoured that you accepted my conclusion, “Dr, X, we are in close agreement except that “Spirits” are the inherent embodiment of consciousness that is able to express itself in organic life,” Your response was,
Dr. X, you presented a quote in which I tried to define UI and I was impressed that it was consistent with what I wrote in the last few paragraphs. It is presented again because since you consider yourself as the “Harbinger of Universal Intelligence,” it appears we are in agreement that UI somehow is a form of consciousness that may be considered as a Spirit or God (which is a spirit mankind visualizes in human form).
The UI quote is presented above because you gave me another compliment that deserves to be set below:
I think you have just evolved, made a mental mutation, a jump and you have become a Higher Form of Intelligence! Therefore, now your contribution to the Universal Intelligence is at a higher level and a higher frequency!
I, as the representative and the “Harbinger of Universal Intelligence” named Ahreeman, thank you for your Self Evolution and Total Contribution to human consciousness advancement and Universal Intelligence progression
Dr. X, once again you bring a smile on my face by declaring me a philosopher. You sure know how to lift my spirit with your declaration:
Now after removing my sword from the top of your head and declaring you (not a title) a philosopher, I also bless you in the name of Father (from Under), the Son (Ahreeman) and the Dark Holy Spirit (the Raven) connecting the two! Now that was the Dark version of Trinity! Thus, I am on the Dark Side!
I don’t laugh easily but your sense of humour is astounding!
Reflecting on your term, Universal Intelligence, I have some reservations about it. We both agree that UI is like Consciousness, which I believe pervades the universe. However, the reason I dislike the term Universal Intelligence is that intelligence connotes the ability to think and make decisions. I do not believe that UI is capable of thinking, the ability to generate thought. However, I like the term Consciousness because one may be conscious but not be able to think; just as one who is alive but unable to think due to physical injury or just totally relaxing.
Yes, as thinking individuals, our thoughts may be transmitted into space, the Universe. But that does not mean intelligence is added to the Universe. Such thoughts drift out into space without any way to be connected as intelligence for use because unlike our brains, which store conceived thought, there is no way for another intelligence to retrieve it. Ideas are made up of thoughts and unconnected thoughts into space may make no sense. Therefore, I rather refer to the evolving process in space as Consciousness that exists at different levels in all matter. Perhaps, Universal Consciousness may be more appropriate that Universal Intelligence.
Dr. X, you stated that the IPC Iran Online Library will,
In the future, after we are all gone, it will still remain on the net, even if not on the server, on the Internet Archives and it will show traces of once existed “Great Civilization” named IPC which tried to advance the human civilization more and more towards Evolution of Perfection and Knowledge.
Your marvellous IPC website may never be accessed in the Internet Archives by interested users in Persian history or know of the works of all the wonderful artists, philosophers and inventors, including yours.
I recommend that before you leave this very challenging world, that you leave your IPC associates in charge of preserving the wealth of information by having dollars endowed to preserve your website on-line for at least 50 to 100 years. There will be a need for your website to be accessible by other aspiring minds who understand and appreciate the valuable amounts of human works you have so diligently posted or hosted on IPC. Knowledge is a valuable gift and you should try to make it accessible for the next 100 years.
Back to our philosophical debate. Dr. X, after I stated, “After we die, as energy we are no longer independent-thinking energies. Only fragments of generated wave thoughts may still linger in space.” you wrote,
Yes. But still I insist that in a way, we do live another life as energy, and matter changes form and we become released energy joining all universal energy or shall we color it in a way that our intelligence becomes a part of the “Universal Intelligence."
Once dead, the energy that was generated by our body and mind no longer exists. Yes, our material body may decay but will not live on as energy to join Universal Intelligence. Just as quasars have stars that explode one another and energy is released to start the creation of other stars and planets, our own personal energy that is made up of the experiences, feelings and sensations stored in the brain no longer exists to join the UI.
Therefore, I do not glorify UI as benefitting from the energy I once possessed. However, something may be said that during our lifetime, thoughts are transmitted into the universe and yes, in that way, becomes part of UI. So, I disagree that there is an afterlife as energy and matter. Instead, there is a totally new beginning for energy and matter to create other life forms. Who knows, such energy and matter may become a rock, or an ant, a flower, tree, bird or animal. But certainly, no more Nick Ginex or Professor Ahreeman will form. We may become some kind of other alien or life form in a distant galaxy never to enjoy the intellectual discourse and friendship we have today.
Jeepers! Dr. X you made me laugh again after I read,
Dr. Ahreeman, you hold on to the wonderful idea that,
surely there is life because life never ends but it changes forms. Death in itself is another form of life. Matters survive and energies survive but they change forms. I conclude that there will be life, not as this consciousness exists now but maybe higher or lower consciousness! Nothing disappears and everything survives.
Yes, I agree that matter and energy changes form but so what. If I no longer exist as Nicholas Ginex the philosopher, writer, singer and Pope, then I do not care what I become in the next million or trillion years.
After I was quoted by you with the statement, “The energy forces that began as a baby but has grown to attain its crowning achievement – life forms it could be proud of. The respect given to this Consciousness is to name it God – the Creator of all there is.” You responded by writing,
No, even though the logic was scientific but naming it God due to respect or no respect, colors it theological and religious! This is not God but this is a scientific entity of collective consciousness named Universal Intelligence. It did not create everything, it will not destroy everything but it is everything!
In the same way you refer to the scientific entity of collective consciousness as Universal Intelligence, I simply gave it a name called God. Yes, I agree with you that it is not the God humans have conceived but the energy forces that somehow possess a consciousness that have the will to create matter and life forms. For me, I prefer to give UI an honorable name called God because UI is nothing more than an idea, just as is God. To me, UI and God is the same entity because it has the ability to evolve organic and inorganic matter. Forget about the God term as used by religious people as being something that can be visualized. God, like UI, is incomprehensible, mysterious, and unknowable; at least, until scientists figure out if indeed it were sub-particles that were able to form the first atom. The first creation of UI or consciousness may be the atom for it possesses gravitational, electrical and magnetic properties.
Dr. X, after reading your long dissertation whereby you stated,
I believe in Dialectical Materialism and Philosophical Materialism and Pure Science. Science is my God. My Universal Intelligence is compatible with scientific laws and theories.
I was able to laugh again to see you agree with me that UI is in fact Consciousness for that is why the element of Intelligence exists. I still believe that the entire Universe began with the formation of sub-particles that form atoms that became the building blocks of matter and all life forms. Therefore, I do NOT believe in God as our fellow humans do. I believe that there was a beginning whereby sub-particles, after trillions and trillions of years, were able to coalesce into atoms that scientifically we have concluded that all matter and life forms are made up of atoms.
Please do not get excited in thinking that I believe in some Creator God. I believe that Consciousness pervades the Universe and is able to evolve (create is a dirty word) matter that can eventually produce life forms with the heat of a star. We are both on the same wave length but I refuse to think that stars and planets existed in the beginning. I believe that all matter was formed by sub-particles that eventually evolved to fill the Universe with stars and planets that are capable to sustain life.
The problem You appear to have is you have a stigma to call UI and Consciousness - God. Alright, to make you happy, I will refrain calling UI and Consciousness God because it is a phenomenon that pervades the Universe. Therefore, I do NOT have the Creator people refer to as God.
Dr. X I felt it was necessary to repeat your last few thoughts in our debate.
Dr X, great minds think alike!! I also felt that there is so much thought that the average person is never exposed to that it would be worthwhile to publish our philosophical debate on-line. It would be nice for IPC readers to explore new avenues of thought in a book that has a table of contents.
Thank you for engaging me into the wonders of your mind.
Nicholas. A devoted Brother.
Re: Nicholas Ginex vs. Ahreeman X: Philosophy of Existence
by Nicholas Ginex » Sun Jul 15, 2018 7:47 pm
Ongoing Online Philosophical and Scientific Debate that
Features the Electron and the Beginning of the Universe!
To Dr. Ahreeman X Sun July 15, 2018
Our last discussion on was placed on IPC, March 14, 2017. Knowing you are involved in many matters, I thought I should take the initiative to continue our philosophical debate.
For our IPC readers to step into our discussion easily, a good start would be to read the following two articles. Brief in content they allow those who have ever wondered how the universe began to be introduced to ideas that may stimulate their interest. The articles are on IPC via:
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/philosophy/consciousness-pervade/index.htm
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/philosophy/everything-beginning/index.htm
Everything Has a Beginning – Even the Universe
The link above introduced the core idea that atoms evolve inorganic and organic matter. This idea is presented below:
The article hypostatized that the universe began with development of a fundamental unit that is the basic building block of all matter – the atom. Over an undetermined period of billions or trillions of years, the atom and its sub-particles appear to inherently possess a consciousness to evolve matter at higher complexities with a purpose to create intelligence that can reach out to understand its creation - the universe. This hypothetical idea that matter, created by atoms that determine inorganic and organic outcomes can assume high levels of consciousness may have some merit because we are proof as thinking products of our universe.
Two days ago, I inadvertently found on the Internet an extraordinary scientific paper that supports the philosophical idea that the universe had a beginning. It delves deeper into the structure of the atom and indicates that the electron is the fundamental unit that first appeared in space and is responsible for not only evolving the atom but inherently responsible for electromagnetic and gravitational forces. The paper was introduced by an article, New Physics Study Finds The Real “God” Particle. It was recently published July 11, 2018 by Arjun Walia, and may be read on the link:
https://www.collective-evolution.com/2018/07/11/new-physics-study-finds-the-real-god-particle/
Arjun wrote his article based upon a scientific study, which may be read in its entirety below. It was written by Mr. Paramahamsa Tewari and published online March 13, 2018 by Physics Essays 31, 1 (2018).
https://www.tewari.org/uploads/3/9/2/2/39220475/16tewari.pdf
The scientific study is suited for physics majors with a mathematical background in differential equations and calculus. Arjun introduced the paper with the following brief thoughts:
The Facts: A study published in Physics Essays shows how matter is created out of the non-material. There is energy in what we call "empty" space and it can also be used to generate energy. The acknowledgement of the non-material is a big step for science.
Reflect On: Why has non-material science been shunned by the mainstream community when it has such strong validity? These concepts are now moving out of the theoretical realm, and being confirmed. It opens up metaphysical and spiritual realities as valid.
I take exception to the last sentence by Arjun that, “It opens up metaphysical and spiritual realities as valid.” Yes, the paper utilizes quantum physic findings that transcends previous beliefs in the evolution of our universe but does not verify a spiritual reality as valid. Mainstream communities and religious institutions shun the scientific progress that matter evolves out of the non-material. They believe in a spiritual reality due to beliefs instilled by religious indoctrination in the belief in spirits or God. The scientific paper presumes no spiritual reality but findings that the universe began without any intelligence but the very small entity physicists call an electron.
Dr. Ahreeman, I bring this paper to the attention of our IPC readers for discussion of its findings. My previous articles, cited above, dealt with the philosophical ideas that everything has a beginning and, in some way, there is a consciousness that is directing the development of the universe to evolve life forms capable of thought. The paper intrigued me for its new findings are compatible with my hypothetical idea that everything has a beginning – even our universe.
At this point, not to be overbearing with the academic findings of the scientific paper, I would like to present a few findings that gives credence to the fact that non-material forces might actually govern the universe and that factors associated with consciousness may be a key role in the creation of matter. Arjun presented some of the scholarly thoughts of Nikola Tesla, one of our greatest minds, they are:
“The day science begins to study non-physical phenomena, it will make more progress in one decade that in all the previous centuries of its existence.” – Nikola Tesla
“All perceptible matter comes from a primary substance, or tenuity beyond conception, filling all space, the akasha or luminiferous ether, which is acted upon by the life-giving Prana or creative force, calling into existence, in never-ending cycles all things and phenomena.”– Nikola Tesla, Man’s Greatest Achievement, 1907
Arjun wrote that, “For years, science has assumed that empty space is just that, empty space, but this isn’t true, and as John Wheeler, one of the world’s pioneering quantum physicists once emphasized, “No point is more central than this, that space is not empty, it is the seat of the most violent physics.” Fast forward to today and we now know that energy can be extracted from this “empty” space, that we can tap into this ether.”
It is to be noted that Max Planck, theoretical physicist who originated quantum theory and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918, wrote, “I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness. Everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as existing, postulating consciousness.”
Above, I indicated that a spiritual reality does not exist at the quantum level. What is reasonable, is that empty space has electrons that can develop atoms, which become the building blocks for all inorganic and organic matter. To believe a consciousness is capable of directing the development of electrons into complex atoms that assumes an intelligence, which, over billions of years, evolves the birth of millions of stars is an illogical assumption. Over billions of years, no intelligence (consciousness) can “see” into the future with an objective to create conscious thought in living life forms.
It would appear reasonable to deduce that the evolution of consciousness in our universe occurred in baby steps. Complex thought, now capable in scientific minds and displayed in the Physics Essays 31 paper referenced above, could not exist at the fundamental level of an electron. Yes, consciousness exists at many levels, but for intelligence to be capable of constructing thoughts for further action is only found in organic matter. That is, plants and highly evolved life forms, such as bees, birds, sea life, animals, and human beings. These living life forms possess various levels of consciousness.
At this juncture, I would like to present some of the findings by Paramahamsa Tewari who died soon after acceptance of his paper by Physics Essays 31 in 2018. At the age of 80, Tewari passed away on November 27, 2017 in his hometown region close to Varanasi, India. An Engineering graduate from Benares Hindu University, he had a career over four decades with NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India) where he retired as Executive Director. Tewari was an physicist and inventor who won early commendation by Nobel Laureates in physics for his revolutionary Space Vortex Theory. On a personal note, he was committed to the broad upliftment of society, particularly the underprivileged, and meaningful employment for talent. Animal cruelty prevention was a cause dear to his beliefs. With people, he was personable and interested in their individuality.
To begin Tewari’s scientific contribution in quantum physics with his discovery of the electron as the fundamental mass that evolved the universe, we need to comprehend his use of a vacuum-vortex.
vacuum-vortex. Is the structure of the electron where vacuum is emptiness and vortex refers to a whirling or circular motion that tends to form a cavity or vacuum in its center. Generation of electrostatic, electromagnetic, and gravitational fields are shown to arise from the vacuum-vortex structure of the electron.
Mr. Tewari postulates, “that the universal substratum of space with nonmaterial properties has real existence— and is provided by deriving the basic properties of the electron (mass, charge, gravity, etc.) from the vacuum space vortex structure of the electron, and by explaining its behavior in physical as well as quantitative terms, as experimentally observed.
Note that nonmaterial signifies a mass-less, density-less, incompressible, nonviscous and continuous fluid and vacuum space the absolute vacuum with nonmaterial properties without matter and fields and is termed as “vacuum space” or “vacuum,” or “space.”
Mr. Tewari provides three postulates that supports his theory.
1. The medium of vacuum space, throughout the universe, is an eternally existing, nonmaterial, incompressible, continuous, isotropic fluid substratum.
2. The medium of vacuum space has a limiting flow velocity equal to the speed of light relative to the absolute vacuum.
3. The medium of universal vacuum space is eternal and inherent with motion.
Evolution of the Electron.
Without going into the equations and graphical figures presented by P Tewari, he shows that the creation of an electron requires a breakdown of the flow of the fluid medium of vacuum space (also referred to as space), which creates a spherical void. The space-vortex structure with a fixed volume of a dynamically stable void at its center is defined as the fundamental particle of matter. The properties of “electric charge” and “mass” of the fundamental particle, and the “energy fields” associated with its structure are derived in his paper.
It would not be productive for me to try to present Mr. Yewari’s theory that reveals the process of the creation of a stable electron and its known properties of mass and charge. Such a task needs to be completed by a highly scientific and disciplined mind to present his theory in a simple and readable format that simplifies use of differential equations and calculus. My purpose is to give the reader some idea why the electron is the first particle to initiate the formation of complex atoms and later, after many billions of years, begin the evolution of the universe.
In the Ahreeman-Ginex debate of February 26, 2015, I was able to introduce IPC readers to an Internet blog titled, The Material Universe is Made of Waves by Gabriel LaFreniere. It was developed iteratively from October 4th, 1942 through April 11, 2012. His blog presentations offered a whole new approach that spherical waves exhibit all of the electron's properties and is actually an electron. LaFreniere’s blog preceded the paper by P Tewari and provides another way of understanding, in an easy and readable manner, how the electron is the fundamental particle of the universe. It may be accessed via the link,
http://www.rhythmodynamics.com/Gabriel_LaFreniere/matter.htm
What was admirable about Gabriel’s blog was his ability to lead the reader with words that explained many of his equations used to verify his hypothetical theory. He created a total of 34 blogs, which includes the electron, proton, the Big Bang as being incorrect, and the Theory of Evolution. His last topic was a conclusion, which I am compelled to provide below in order to illustrate his ability to explain that everything has a beginning, even the universe. Enjoy his writing style below. It is a testament that a great mind can impart knowledge in simple terms no matter how complex.
34. Conclusion by Gabriel LaFreniere
Our world is solely made out of electrons.
We must admit to the obvious:
Matter Is Made of Waves
This site is exhaustive enough so far and it is updated regularly. Because I have been putting up with general indifference for more than six years, I must pursue research alone. It would be much easier as a team, with specialists in waves, magnetic fields, nuclear physics, etc. It would also be good to verify mechanical effects on standing waves through laboratory experiments.
The quark subject being under study, I will certainly, one day, succeed in writing a passably good description of protons and neutrons. I might be on the verge of making a surprising discovery that would have eluded scientists. But for now, it seems that all the properties of matter have already been discovered and recorded.
These ideas originated years ago.
For the most part, the ideas contained in these pages have existed well before the year 2000. It is mainly because of supposed photons that it took so long to bear fruit. The efforts needed to escape such a swamp are unimaginable. Those photons were incompatible with the theory, which was named the Theory of Absolute to counter the theory of Relativity. In a certain measure, it is Lorentz's unfinished and unwritten theory. These ideas are of course protected by copyright :
La théorie de l'Absolu, © Luc Lafrenière, may 2000
La matière est faite d'ondes, © Gabriel Lafrenière, june 2002.
In conclusion.
It is obviously a major discovery. We could have feared a resulting Apocalypse, for example some kind of "gravity bomb". But not at all. Fire will still burn the same way it always has.
Anyone knowledgeable in standing waves could rapidly reach the same conclusions. The wave forming the electron turned out to be surprisingly simple. Starting from there, everything falls into place. Everything can be explained. There are never any anomalies. Never any exceptions. Complex equations are not necessary, and Euclid's geometry is sufficient. We are very far from the decidedly weird ideas of General Relativity.
It is possible that I am mistaken. On your part, if your intelligence allows you to doubt all this, it also demands you verify it. I would challenge you to firstly examine my Time Scanner, which is certainly the best tool in order to understand well the Doppler effect, then the Lorentz transformations, and finally, Relativity. If you still do not admit that this device is fantastic, forget about all the rest.
You cannot rightfully reject this hypothesis without having first studied it. You cannot rightfully pontificate on the unknown from the height of your university studies or overly vast experience.
Let me remind you that most phenomena mentioned here are as yet unexplained. So you should look for plausible hypotheses, and in my judgment this one is especially interesting because it is simple.
Imagine: just electrons!
I was unable to attain a biography of Gabriel LaFreniere. However, an Internet search was found that documents correspondence between him and Geoff Haselhurst. To learn about these two outstanding minds, the following link may still be on the Internet. It provides their discourse about matter originating from standing waves:
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Physics-LaFreniere-Wave-Diagrams.htm
Geoff Haselhurst believes that the electron is just a spherical standing wave in space. That we “are all very complexly evolved vibrating space - interconnected with all other matter in the universe.” He is a philosopher dedicated to know the truth about things. Born in Perth, Western Australia on November 10, 1959, he obtained a degree in Education at the Nedlands College of Advanced Education. He later taught math, became an inventor, developed an electronic manufacturing company and sold it in 1991 to devote his time to philosophical thought to investigate the truth of reality. His biography is presented on:
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Haselhurst-Biography.htm
In honour of these two outstanding contributors who have revealed the role of the electron, a photo of them is presented below.
---------Photo of Gabriel LaFreniere and Geoff Haselhurst-----------
Dr. Ahreeman, I conclude this discourse with some philosophical thoughts that may give food for further discussion. It is hoped that many IPC members join this intriguing debate about consciousness and the beginning of our universe. The mathematical proofs by the physicists are challenging but we can continue the debate solely based upon logical thought.
Did the Electron Evolve Consciousness?
It is logical to hypothesize that the electron gave rise to consciousness because consciousness does not exist without matter. An obvious example is that the mind, which creates conscious thought in a human being is dependent upon the brain. The mind functions because the brain, matter, consists of many cells that has the ability to store all incoming data derived from the five senses including mental images that are retrieved to compose thought. Therefore, it is matter, however minuscule, such as the electron, that allows for the creation of thought.
In the beginning, consciousness evolved as the electron found ways to combine into more complex forms. The electron inherently possesses consciousness, albeit, at a very low level like the initial formation of thought in a baby. It had no idea what it wanted to build in the future. But the electron was able to evolve the atom and provide the flexibility of forming more complex atoms into different molecules, which exist as inorganic and organic matter throughout the universe.
Can we say that consciousness, in the beginning was very advanced within an electron? Was the electron smart enough to conceive that someday, after billions of years, it will evolve organic life that can think with fluid thoughts and reach back out to understand the universe like human beings can? The logical answer to this question is no.
It is not possible for the electron to have had the objective to create the universe by creating billions of stars capable of sustaining life. It was through trial and error, after many billions of years, that on Earth, Mother Nature developed both inorganic and organic matter and finally created intelligent life from single cell organisms. The consciousness mankind possesses today is due to the many thousands of years of previous generations that contributed to the knowledge we have inherited by the written word. The history of man reveals that it was through his own consciousness and the experiences of life that such qualities as truth, integrity and love evolved. These qualities may become the saving grace for continued success for human beings to exist in the many billions of years yet to come.
Regarding the Qualities of Truth, Integrity and Love
Along with the greatest advances in science, our educators, at every level of instruction, including our universities, must teach the qualities of truth, honesty, and sincerity for they are the basis for integrity and the gift of genuine love we can provide for one another. Presently, our educational system has failed for we have educated journalists and writers that willingly produce fake news to confuse people about the facts needed to make logical decisions. It may be asserted that integrity and truth are ignored, no longer emphasized in our institutions of higher learning. Such qualities that improve the nature of mankind should not be solely the responsibility of religious organizations. History reveals that religious wars, and the reality of Islamic terrorism, verifies that religious followers can easily be indoctrinated with bigotry, hatred, violence, and the killing of innocent people with different beliefs. This sad reality shows many religions have failed to infuse our young minds with the qualities of love, truth and integrity.
Consciousness, the Universe and God
Back to my philosophical conclusion, consciousness is inherent in electrons. In the sea of space, electrons coalesced to form atoms that through billions of years, created a universe with billions of stars. Our star, the sun, graciously provided the warmth that led to the evolution of mankind. Beginning at a simplistic level in the electron, consciousness evolved to its highest levels in human beings. As they faced the challenges of surviving on earth, humans created God in order to live harmoniously among themselves and with neighboring communities. Religious organizations then evolved to instill truth, love and commandments that help mankind to successfully attain wholesome lives in an ordered environment. Many religions were successful by inculcating the promise of eternal life after death with their envisioned conception of God.
Many people no longer believe, or even want to have an extended life in eternity with a God that was conceived by man. From a realistic view, what would they do with their time over millions of years? Would they exist as spirits or as physical beings that can do something constructive? In the next stage of moral and intellectual development, mankind needs to accept science and understand that they must be taught the qualities of truth, integrity, love for one another, and to respect all life both on earth and our universe. God, a created concept, does not need to be loved; and for those who insist on a God, He would rather have His creations love one another then Him.
Mankind needs to think whether there is a purpose in the universe and how to use the precious gift of life. As science reveals our ignorance, mankind can no longer regard an external God to direct his or her life. It is only through knowledge of our universe and instilling the qualities of truth and love that mankind will live wonderful lives and better understand how to be gracious inhabitants of the universe.
The evolution of mankind’s belief in God, the reverence for truth, and ability to love one another, is presented in Future of God Amen. This book is available on IPC via the link below.
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/philosophy/amen/index.htm
I would be remiss to not refer those who are interested in learning more about a unique history of man's beliefs in a God that we announce every day; His name is Amen. The following link provides a Home Page that presents overviews and book reviews of this one-universal God. On the Home Page, the book is accessed via the icon AMEN.
http://www.futureofgodamen.com
Dr X, great minds think alike!! There is much thought in our debate that the average person is never exposed to. It would be worthwhile to publish our philosophical debate on-line to present the new-scientific ideas we briefly touched upon. Perhaps our debate should be presented in a book. It would be an awesome task and if you feel it would be worthwhile, we may be able to jointly published it as an IPC book.
I look forward to your thoughts about consciousness and the electron being the fundamental particle that verifies my philosophical conclusion that, Everything Has a Beginning – Even the Universe.
Nicholas. A philosophical Brother who is honoured to be your friend.
by Ahreeman X » Mon Mar 04, 2019 9:01 am
Ahreeman the Rogue One
It has been a long time and now we will get into it again. Also, I am hoping that soon I will publish a piece related to this issue (if time allows); however, for now, this would do. I am posting this post here because it has direct relation with the topic.
With all due respect and you do comprehend that I have a lot of that for you, allow me to state a few observations about you and the subjects of your interest.
You get obsessed with certain issues and then you go compulsive about them. Next, you become overzealous about the issue and you get hooked on it. Some people tell me that I am obsessive compulsive but you give a new definition to the term! My obsessive compulsiveness is due to being a perfectionist, a germophobe and a neat freak but you just get fixated on an issue.
While you get fixated on an issue, you keep on writing articles about it. The first one, maybe the second one is interesting but then you keep on repeating yourself and you go fanatical about it. You simply will not let go!
Then you insist that they get published in IPC Website. Of course, I have clarified this issue for you and all, many times before, but once more for all’s sake, I will clarify it:
Write for IPC
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/write-for-IPC/index.htm
So, You Want to be an Author?
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/features/author/index.htm
I encourage everyone to write articles and post them in the IPC Club Forum:
IPC Club Forum
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/club/
This way, readers will read them, get informed and if they want, they respond to it. IPC Club Forum is an open forum for all to post. Everyone has the right to free speech and to post in IPC Club Forum. We encourage all to post their articles and posts in the IPC Club Forum.
If any of these articles are of use to us and our goals, then we will publish them in the IPC Website:
This is how we do it. This is how we operate.
In your case, we have published many of your articles and books in IPC Website, simply because you are a talented author, free thinker and scholar.
We will not publish every book or article which you release. We will only publish what we want to publish. Of course, this does not register with you; therefore, you bombard me and Cat with e-mails insisting for everything that you write to be published! You keep on revising the articles, repeating the e-mails and insisting on every single one! You even get mad and dictate if you will not get your way!
To respond to your mass of e-mails, allow me to clarify these facts.
If you want my opinion, then I will give it to you right here so not only you but everyone to get informed about the issue.
This is not about not publishing your articles because they were 10 pages and now that you reduced them to 5 pages, they will be OK. I do not care about the length of the articles and books. I have designed, formatted, edited and published lengthy books and articles from you before; therefore, the length is not the issue.
The issue is the content of what you get obsessed with! For instance:
First, you wanted to “Reform Islam” and you repeatedly released articles such as:
Revise the Quran to Stop a World Crisis
You even dragged our friend Ali Sina to this and had a trade of e-mails with him which possibly in the future we will publish that as an online debate here.
You got so into the concept of Reforming Islam that you even suggested for Muslims to use Bahaism as a role model to reform Islam! Now that was truly way out there! Of course, I explained to you that Muslims would rather kill the Reformer than to Reform Islam, and they rather die than to Reform Islam by role modeling Bahaism!
Then I responded to you:
Baha’i versus Islam on Revision of Quran
After your obsessive compulsion with Reforming Islam, you went overzealous with “Exposing Islam”:
Expose Quran with Worldwide Communication
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/islam/expos ... /index.htm
As usual you repeatedly posted material in this new manner!
You keep repeating yourself and getting overzealous about an issue which in many situations you are not a veteran expert in them but once you are informed about the flaw of your new interest topic and your cause, then you become 180 Degree on the opposite side and then you become advocate for the total opposite! From Reforming to Exposing Islam!
Now your next obsession was an interesting issue!
The Electron Began the Universe
The Electron Began the Universe Thread
You got obsessed with this issue because of our past debates on this issue which is posted right here under this debate topic.
Now this part is very important so please focus:
I said, in a general sense (Macro Aspect), Multiverse has no beginning or end because of the “Conservation Law of Matters and Energies”.
But of course, is a specific sense (Micro Aspect), every thing including our solar system,
Milky Way Galaxy, Our Universe and the Multiverse does have a beginning point (in their present form).
Important Fact of Science
Due to complicated transitions, interactions and events, entities get to have a beginning and an end but this does not mean that they were created and/or destroyed. Every entity and element have always existed and will always exist but they only change forms.
Change of Forms is not the same as Creation or Destruction.
Possible Example:
Todays Earth will become tomorrows 3 meteorite rocks due to a crash by a comet!
Micro Aspect: Earth is technically destroyed and meteorites were technically created.
Macro Aspect: In Reality and General Sense, nothing was created and nothing was destroyed because Earth had transformed to 3 meteorites. No matter or energy destroyed or created but they changed forms and amounts from one form to another but the total amount remains the same.
The Irony of Your Illogical and Unscientific Flawed Thought Pattern
As a scientist, you surely make some unscientific statements such as:
It is so ironic that you do not believe in the “Law of Physics” (not theory) which clearly states:
“Matters and Energies has never been and will never be created or destroyed but they only change from one form to another.”
But you believe in your new cause to fight which is pure “theory”:
Disclose UFO Technology for Humanity
Military Industrial Complex Withholds Zero-Point Energy
You even drag the President of United States in to it!
(I bet with you Trump is right now reading this and cracking up because he reads a lot of my material!)
Quantum Mechanics is a theory
Quantum Physics is a theory
Zero Point Energy is a theory
Space Travel via harvesting Zero Point Energy is a theory
Aliens having the scientific knowledge to harvest Zero Point energy is a theory
Yet you believe in them!
I am not denying the possibilities but then again everything is possible!
Actually, I believe in Zero Point Energy but I do not believe that with our present science, we can harvest it as fuel to use for space travel. I am also keen on Quantum Physics but you must be very careful with the “Laws of Physics” and “theories of Physics”.
Then you write about the far-fetched matters and episodes of some pseudoscientist, author, defense minister or celebrity who can telepathically communicate with an Alien and print the dialogue as an essay!
There is a very thin line between scientific possibility and fantasy!
Alien Factor and Ancient Alien Scientific Theory
I am talking about the scientific “theory” (not fact) that logically Aliens exist because it is simply ignorant to believe that we are alone in the Multiverse!
Earth is one planet in the Solar System
Our Solar System is one solar system in the Milky Way Galaxy
Our Milky Way Galaxy is one galaxy in our universe
Our Universe is one universe in the Multiverse
Our Earth is microscopic in comparison to the Multiverse. How arrogant and ignorant to believe that we are alone! This defies the mathematics, physics, astronomy, logic and evidence. That is why I believe that Aliens exist and furthermore we are the genetic engineered results of their biological experimentation on Earth with their DNA and Apes’ DNA.
The Philosophical and the Scientific Theory - Part One: Macro-analysis
The Philosophical and the Scientific Theory - Part Two: Micro-analysis
Part One: The Basic Concepts
Part Two: Parallel Universes
These are scientific theories based on scientific evidence, logic and mathematical possibilities.
Alien Existence Climate Change Fantasy
Environmentalist Wackos, Global Whiners (Global Warmers) and Climate Change Conspirators who created this liberal religion (Climate Change) for financial gains like Al Gore and Clintons, also scientifically challenged imbecils such as Alexandra Ocasio Cortez (AOC) and other liberal buffoons who parrot what she says, are role models for Alien conspiracy Theorists who believe and advocate the existence of aliens to promote clean energy, environmental issues and green movement. Zero Point energy is a part of it. These people have an agenda.
According to Al Gore’s predictions, Earth had to be destroyed 10 years ago! According to AOC, Earth will be destroyed in 12 years! These people sound like Religious Doom and Gloom “The End is Near” Coco Nuts! There is nothing scientific about “Climate Change Catastrophe” that liberals preach, yet the brain-dead millennials due to their studies at the Socialist Professors’ classes believe in it!
The Doom and Gloom Scenario that liberals preach is a fantasy for likes of Al Gore and So-called Scientists to make big bucks!
So, as you see, there is a big difference on why I believe in Alien Factor and why joe and Shmoe or Hassan and Hussein believe in Green energy creator aliens!
These environmentalist wackos are now escaping from wind and solar to zero-point energy!
There is a very thin line between wacked jobs and alien theorists!
History of Nicholasian Scientific Flip Flops
So, the point is that primarily you fought me tooth a nail about the Alien Factor, then you became an Alien Factor Advocate and next, you went beyond the theory into conspiracy! You simply went overboard! As usual 180 Degree Switch!
Once you cross the line between “scientific theory” into “Out There Fantasy”, then you become an overzealous obsessive-compulsive fanatic!
No Nicholas, I still say that as a Scientist, you cannot pick and choose your Scientific Facts! Facts are facts. You cannot deny a law of physics and then believe in far fetched theory fabricated by Environmentalist Wackos!
You do understand that you are not Santa Clause, right?
You may act as him during Christmas but you really are not him!
Come back to Earth Nicholas, let go of the Aliens!
Next thing you know, you will start communicating with the Greens and get into the Green Movement! Instead of Zero Point Energy Fantasy, focus on Fossil Fuel, Oil, Gas and Coal which Trump is exploring and he made us the greatest harvester and exporter of energy in the world.
Let go of Wackos on YouTube and Funny Pages. Stop trading e-mails with Ex Canadian Ministers and US Generals on Weed! Let go of Al Gore’s leg and focus on Reality.
You get so fixated on issues to the point of being overzealous and fanatical about them.
You also love to mix and match, pick and peekaboo your scientific facts and theories.
No Nicholas, nothing has ever been created or destroyed.
No Nicholas, Abdullah did not communicate with a Green!
No Nicholas, Zero Point Energy can only be achieved via eating too much dates, bananas and walnuts together which boosts sexual power (now don’t you go and try it and if you do, patent it under my name, Persian Style)!
And no Nicholas, you may play Santa Claus on Christmas but you really are not him!
You are a scientist, so act like one or at least try to!
by Nicholas Ginex » Tue Mar 05, 2019 3:17 pm
by Nicholas Ginex >> Tues Mar 5, 2019
Thank you for your analysis of my temperament being “overzealous about an issue and then get hooked on it.” Yes, I must admit that on certain issues I get compulsive; especially when I find that an individual, organization, or the media/political establishment lies and resorts to fake news. As you know, the military-industrial complex has used the national media for over 70 years to convince the American people that UFOs and extraterrestrials are not real.
I do not like being lied to and in short, being made a fool. Hence, I fight back with objectivity and facts to surface the truth. In a way, I am very much like you who also has an obsessive-compulsive drive to preserve your Persian culture, history, and endearing ways unique to Persians.
Regarding my most recent topics that deal with UFOs and extraterrestrials, I keep learning more about the findings of men and women who have dedicated their lives to the truth about visitors from outer space. Only yesterday, I came across a book by Fred Stecking and his son Glenn titled, We Discovered Alien Bases on the Moon. I was astounded to learn that these two were astronomy enthusiasts that made significant sightings on the moon.
Would you believe that in November 1970, with a 12.5-inch reflector, they sighted 3 cigar-shaped objects on the base of a crater Archimedes, which is approximately 50 miles in diameter. According to their survey, the cigar-shaped structures were least 32 miles long and about 2.8 miles wide. Wow!!
They concluded that whoever they are still living there on the moon, or using it as a base. The economic aspects of the construction of such a colossal vehicle must have been solved long ago. Our largest ships are insignificant compared to the UFOs that were seen on the moon.
No nation on earth could build such a vehicle, not only because of financial inability, but because of the lack of the required materials and labor. There would not be enough funds to construct even one giant carrier ship found to be 18 miles long and 2.5 miles wide. Astonishing!!
You may view a photo of a huge cigar shaped object clearly shown following a definite path in an orbit along the edge of Saturn’s ring. Click on the link below then scroll down (1 inch) to the image for the Cigar shaped- Cylindrical Craft.
Photo attributed to AS16-120-19238. Picture taken by Apollo 16.
Now, even though I recently read Fred Stecking’s book and learned of other discoveries he sighted on the moon, I will refrain to write additional articles about UFOs and ETs for IPC. I believe that the four articles I wrote for IPC about UFOs and extraterrestrials is adequate to educate and motivate people around the world of intelligent beings from outer space. What I would like for people to understand is that they have been deceived and lied to whereby they have been deprived of the most significant development of this era – zero-point energy.
Below are the four articles on UFOs and ETs written by the author.
Understanding the Extraterrestrial Mind - Nov 6, 2018
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/features/extraterrestrial-mind/index.htm
Reveal Extraterrestrial Culture, History, and Beliefs - Dec 28, 2018
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/features/extraterrestrial-culture/index.htm
Disclose UFO Technology for Humanity - Jan 10, 2019
Military Industrial Complex Withholds Zero-Point Energy - Mar 3, 2019
Back to the March 4th, 2019 Ongoing Online Philosophical and Scientific Debate.
I liked your clarification of the articles I wrote, such as Revise the Quran to Stop a World Crisis (viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1990). I wrote about a solution that we both know is untenable. But I wanted to make it clear that it was the Qur’an that is indeed the source of the terrorism problem and unless it is revised, terrorism and World War III will be the eventual outcome. I believe that was a realistic point of view that the world needed to know. I’m sure you agree that although my solution of revising the Qur’an is untenable, to understand the consequences was an important matter.
The next article you appeared displeased with was, Expose Quran with Worldwide Communication. Yes, you are correct in that Muslims and their leadership are so indoctrinated that revision of the Qur’an becomes an impossibility. That was why I wrote that people around the world need to get smart and expose the Qur’an for it abominable verses that incites hatred, bigotry, violence and the killing of people who have other beliefs.
By embarrassing the Muslim leadership with truth about what’s in the Qur’an, I thought it would be a good idea to educate people and Muslims to learn that only fools would believe in a religion that extolls hate and murder of our sisters and brothers.
Dr. Ahreeman, you reflected on my next obsession, Everything has a Beginning – Even the Universe. Now, we are in the realm of philosophy.
I like your view that, “Due to complicated transitions, interactions and events, entities get to have a beginning and an end but this does not mean that they were created and/or destroyed. Every entity and element have always existed and will always exist but they only change forms.”
That is, in a nutshell, “Change of Forms is not the same as Creation or Destruction”.
This view has merit. But the universe is expanding, which means that energy exists throughout space and is why billions of galaxies with their billions of stars exist. One can conceive that it all began with one galaxy or in parallel, many galaxies formed in the sea of energy – space. That is why I am so interested in quantum physics. For I believe it was the electron that initiated the first atom, then elements, then compound molecules which coalesced into stars, planets and galaxies.
When a quasar, pulsar, or black hole explodes, emits gases, radiation, and matter back out into space, there is the eventual opportunity of cloud formation which gives birth to new stars and even another galaxy. But it is noted that all of the energy and matter is expelled into space. This does not mean that space, itself, does not have energy from which an electron is formed (created) which can then go on to create different atoms, which form (create) elements and matter that then make up the universe. Please note that the electron is the master particle that is part of every atom and element. This is verified by The Periodic Table of Elements.
How does it happen that an electron is formed out of energy existing in space? Is it some kind of consciousness? Today, we have recently learned that space contains energy. Aliens use zero-point energy to propel their spaceships. Therefore, in infinite space there is energy, which forms infinite galaxies. That is why I believe matter was never always in space. Matter formed from energy existing in space. At least, that is my philosophical conclusion.
Now I will discuss the Alien Factor and Ancient Alien Scientific Theory. We both believe that Aliens exist. However, I find it hard to believe that we are the genetic engineered results of their biological experimentation on Earth with their DNA and Apes’ DNA.
We both know that the DNA of humans is closely linked to the DNA of not only apes, but all living animals, birds and fish. Even flowers and trees have a set of DNAs that is linked to humans. Are you saying that the aliens engineered humans? If so, did they also engineer all the other living entities on earth with DNA? I am a very humble man and believe that the dog, cat and monkey has complete sets of DNA as humans but we are more evolved. To dismiss the development of humans from apes, the animal kingdom, is to be arrogant that we are special and different. Yes, humans are evolving and perhaps in another 1,000 years, may be able to develop telepathic capabilities.
Our next topic of discussion, Alien Existence Climate Change Fantasy.
Dr. Ahreeman, you indicated that “Environmentalist Wackos, Global Whiners (Global Warmers) and Climate Change Conspirators who created this liberal religion (Climate Change) . . . . believe and advocate the existence of aliens to promote clean energy, environmental issues and green movement. Zero Point energy is a part of it. These people have an agenda.” You also wrote, ”These environmentalist wackos are now escaping from wind and solar to zero-point energy!”
You must be kidding!! Wackos are not bright enough to even know zero-point energy exists and don’t know that it has already been developed by the U.S. military-industrial complex with the successful implementation of Interstellar Flying Objects (IFOs).
Actually, the Climate Change people you speak of have no clue about zero-point energy. They, like many politicians and fake news media, are not knowledgeable about the existence of UFOs and extraterrestrials. To say they have an agenda concerning zero-point energy is false.
The Democrats never once alluded to zero-point energy and are not educated enough to know they have been made fools of with their New Green Deal policies that provides the primary goal to transition the United States' economy to 100 percent renewable energy within 10-12 years and guaranteeing jobs for all. They want to redirect research funds from fossil fuels and other dead-end industries toward research in wind, solar and geothermal. They are too stupid to mention or advocate the benefits of zero-point energy.
Next topic, History of Nicholasian Scientific Flip Flops.
Dr. Ahreeman, you wrote, “So, the point is that primarily you fought me tooth a nail about the Alien Factor, then you became an Alien Factor Advocate and next, you went beyond the theory into conspiracy! You simply went overboard! As usual 180 Degree Switch!
No Nicholas, I still say that as a Scientist, you cannot pick and choose your Scientific Facts! Facts are facts. You cannot deny a law of physics and then believe in far-fetched theory fabricated by Environmentalist Wackos!”
Jeepers!! Dr. Ahreeman, you believe, as I, that aliens exist. I do not deal with “Out There Fantasy.” As you know, I am a seeker of truth. I do not like lies and certainly would not deceive anybody with lies. You cannot deny that extraterrestrials and IFOs exist. My facts are verifiable facts. We are finding out that there are scientific theories that once useful are not able to stand up against the new discoveries made by Nikola Tesla.
I bet many of our IPC readers would be surprised to learn what I have by reading Fred Steckling’s book. I was not only surprised, I was astounded that there are extraterrestrial IFOs over 18 miles long and 2.5 miles wide. Certainly, we have been kept ignorant of what’s out there on our moon with the excuse that people are too stupid to understand we are not alone in the universe.
One may ponder Mr. Steckling’s last two lines of his book:
“And as a scientist said, ’If we one day land on a planet somewhere, do not be surprised if someone comes to you and shakes your hand ”. The wealth of evidence suggests safely out that they have come long ago, to shake his hand.” (Excuse the English. His book came about from a German translation.)
I always smile when you bring up my Santa Claus days. Those were beautiful moments in my life; to look straight into the faces of my four daughters and marvel at their expressions of wonderment. Dr. Ahreeman, I am contented here on earth and sorry, I will not let go of the study of Aliens. We could learn so much from these intelligent beings and not to pursue acquiring their knowledge is a fool’s choice.
Isn’t it ignorance for our military to not learn about the culture, history and beliefs of captured extraterrestrials? Are our people so indoctrinated that they are afraid to learn about other beliefs? Have our religious leaders been involved with shutting down any knowledge of other beliefs originated by aliens? Can it be that our people and religious leaders cannot accept the challenge of learning other ideas that have stood the test of millions of years, which allowed an alien people to thrive and not blow themselves up?
Dr. Ahreeman, you also wrote, “Next thing you know, you will start communicating with the Greens and get into the Green Movement! Instead of Zero Point Energy Fantasy, focus on Fossil Fuel, Oil, Gas and Coal which Trump is exploring and he made us the greatest harvester and exporter of energy in the world.”
I know you were only trying to be funny because you know I am not that stupid to believe in the Green Movement. However, there is no doubt that I believe in zero-point energy as an answer to replace most, not all, of fossil fuels. I believe we may never want to get rid of gas and coal because can we live without using gas to cook a boiled egg in water or enjoy a steak over hot wood/coals?
Intelligent phasing in of zero-point energy will certainly eliminate pollution emissions from cars, trucks, planes, factories and homes. It will allow entrepreneurs to design the new ways to utilize energy that is cheap (from air) and usher our civilization into a new era of space travel.
But, unfortunately, first we have got to get our educational and religious institutions to tell the truth about the beginning of life on our planet and discover who we are in relation to intelligent life that exists in the universe. This, unfortunately, is a tall order for we humans. Like indoctrinated Muslims, we will find it hard to change our perspectives on life and accept other beings from outer space.
Dr. Ahreeman, you showed a disconcerting side of you by writing, “Let go of Wackos on YouTube and Funny Pages. Stop trading e-mails with Ex Canadian Ministers and US Generals on Weed! Let go of Al Gore’s leg and focus on Reality.”
First, it is an insult to even mention Al Gore’s leg and then accuse the Canadian Minister Paul Hellyer and the many military officers of being on weed. They have been honest and courageous to testify about the top-secret operations in hundreds of miles of underground tunnels to develop IFO technology, namely, zero-point energy.
Second, I need to refute your statement, “No Nicholas, nothing has ever been created or destroyed.” What you are saying is that matter always existed, only changes form. Does this mean the entire universe started with the same amount of energy and mass and only changes form? I sincerely believe “Everything Has a Beginning.” Matter did not exist in the beginning. Where did it come from? Space is the answer where there is infinite energy and to me, it was the electron that began the beginning of matter throughout the universe. AMEN.
Dr. Ahreeman, I am not a scientist. I am a philosopher who tries to explore the world with facts. Ideas are built upon facts and I congratulate the engineer Paramahamsa Tewari and the Persian author, poet, philosopher, and great Islamic historian and scholar, Anwar Shaikh.
Anwar wrote that consciousness is an inherent force in organic matter. Born in Gujrat, Punjab, India, Anwar lived between the years 1928 and 2006. His thoughts on consciousness and quantum physics compliments this author’s idea about the beginning of the universe, namely, “Everything has a beginning, even the cosmic universe”. But does consciousness have an ultimate goal in the creation of life-forms to serve a purpose? I would like IPC readers to visit the article I wrote for IPC titled, Everything has a Beginning, Even the Universe. It resides at:
Dr. Ahreeman, you are a treasure in my life. For you bring out thoughts from my brain that I would never conceive on my own. Thank you.
And I am always cheered that you still love me like a baby. But I hope you enjoy a grown baby in a physical way. After all, enjoy the physical as well as the mental gifts you have been blessed with. To have one without the other is a great loss. Yea, I have been fortunate to have both. But, approaching my 84th birthday on August 27, I find I only have the luxury to think and philosophize. Still, I am happy because I have you.
Last edited by Nicholas Ginex on Thu Mar 07, 2019 12:59 pm, edited 8 times in total.
by Ahreeman X » Tue Mar 05, 2019 7:06 pm
Greetings Nicholas
You need to go over your links. If you cannot display a picture, then at least display the link so people can click on it and see the picture. Also make sure all the links work which none of them do! I think you mistakenly used BB code for image on a link and now the image doesn’t show! Just go over all your links and make sure they work.
So, you are talking about him:
Fred Steckling Talks About UFOs On the Moon
https://youtu.be/qFekqBaNfy0
Fred Steckling
And you are talking about this:
Have you ever listened to George Noori?
Coast to Coast YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVmlEo ... 5aPz8EvP0A
https://www.coasttocoastam.com/
Coast to coast George Noori
https://www.coasttocoastam.com/pages/george-noory
George Noori - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Noory
George Noori has the most popular Talk Radio Show at Midnight. Some of his guests are interesting and some are out there. His listeners are the same. I bet with you he had various episodes on Fred Steckling and many shows on similar people like Fred Steckling.
George Noori show is for midnight ramblers interested on topics such as UFOs and Paranormal.
Do not believe everything you read and remain skeptic.
George Noori spent a lifetime of research on these issues.
George Noori is also an Ancient Alien Theorist and along with Erich von Däniken and Giorgio A. Tsoukalos they are the top dogs on this field. Well, as you know Erich von Däniken started all of this by writing the Chariots of Gods. The others are his disciples.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erich_von_D%C3%A4niken
Giorgio A. Tsoukalos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_A._Tsoukalos
the point is that when you listen to the Coast to Coast and when you watch Ancient Aliens on History Chanel or YouTube, much of it makes sense but a lot of it is also Out There!
Regarding Matters and Energies, I do not say that but Law of Physics says that. But then again you are known for your pick and choosing your scientific laws.
When we say the amount does not change, you should look at it as an infinite amount, not a finite amount. We are talking about Multiverse and all the energies and matters in it. Maybe upon your perspective of a very limited area of our solar system, at one time matters did not form or it seems like universe is expanding but this is only according to a limited perspective of you and human beings. I am speaking of Multiverse and all the actions and reactions in it.
When it seems like at a time there is no matter here, but there is matters elsewhere. Even if at one time only energy existed and the matter formed, still on the macro level, the amount was the same. You do not believe in Spirits as an entity but Spirits, Matters and Energies, all the same, they transform from one form to another.
Look at it this way,
When energy gives consciousness to matter, it creates a spirit.
About Genetic engineering, no Aliens did not genetic engineered all animals like they done humans; however, originally, they had something to do with the first single cell amoebas or creature becoming alive!
About Alien Factor believers who go overboard, many of them are Environmentalist Wackos. They do have an agenda. You just did not study deep enough about them to discover their agenda.
About Energy,
Every action causes a reaction equal to it but n opposite direction. This can be the answer to your next source of energy and how to create or harvest it. Think about it.
I studied much on time and Time Travel. I researched a lot about it and travelled the world to the hot spots to study it. Check this out:
Time Travel is about Speed and Gravity.
- If you go faster than speed of light away from earth and back, you will age a few months but earth ages a few hundred years.
- If you go to the edge of a Black Hole (Gravity) and back to earth, same thing will happen.
You can Time Travel by speed and gravity.
The door to time travel to the future is wide open but despite your belief, the door to time travel to the past is also open but only by a crack. And when you travel to the past, not necessarily you will change history, actually you cannot affect he history. You are just a visitor, cannot even affect your younger self. Now this is all in case of travel to the same universe (parallel universes). This is all Quantum Physics speaking of course.
Your future energy source for space travel will most likely come from Action/Reaction, Wormholes, teleporting, leaping, warp speed, dematerializing, negative energy and dark matter than Zero Point Energy. Think about it.
It is much easier to Time Travel than to Far Space Travel. Chew on that if you can!
Now go fix your links and For God’s sake review what you post after posting it and fix it up.
I leave you with this:
“The Further and Greater your Dreams are, the Further and Greater your Efforts will become.”
It is always a pleasure philosophizing with you. I cherish these moments.
by Nicholas Ginex » Fri Mar 08, 2019 4:01 pm
Greetings Dr. Ahreeman,
I cleaned up my links and was able to find an http that provided a photo of Fred Stecking’s sighting of 3 cigar-shaped objects on the moon’s crater Archimedes. In addition, I added the 4 articles written about UFOs, ETs and zero-point energy.
Thank you for the links to learn about George Noory who has his coast-to-coast AM videos on paranormal phenomena, which includes UFOs and aliens.
I already follow your warning about not believing everything you read and to remain a skeptic. What I look for is evidence and apply logic. Where evidence does not exist, then I try to use logical thought that takes me into the realm of philosophy. However, here too, I try to base my logic on what evidence is available and knowledge that has not surfaced with given facts. For example, the Periodic Table of Elements verifies that the electron is always part of an atom. This observation has been overlooked by scientists whereby one may conclude that it is the electron that is the fundamental particle of all matter and, in fact, may be the mastermind of every formed atom that creates the elements identified in the Periodic Table.
Regarding Eric von Daniken, he has certainly provided food for thought that aliens have visited earth over many thousands of years. Another ancient alien enthusiast, Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, has provided much speculation in his search for the existence of aliens. As you pointed out, much of their findings make sense but also, much consists of fabricated ideas that are possible but not backed up with facts.
You will note that I have great respect for those who have actually obtained factual evidence, such as Fred Stecking’ photos of actual space craft on the moon and observations that are highly plausible and written in his book, We Discovered Alien Bases on the Moon. Over the past 70 plus years, the military industrial complex has used the national media to convince Americans that UFOs and ETs are a hoax. Fortunately, the vast amount of information on the Internet has revealed the deceit and disinformation perpetrated by the U.S. military.
Today, we have a Space Force that is managed by the same military industrial complex that has kept secret their development of craft for interstellar travel, which I refer to as Interstellar Flying Objects (IFOs). More importantly, they continue to keep secret their development and implementation of zero-point energy.
The Space Force program recently authorized by President Trump, is still largely under the control of personnel that supervised and controlled all IFO development. This can be a threat to the stability and control of highly destructive weapons. So much so, that they may be arrogant enough to challenge ET capabilities. The reason this threat is possible is that they have not tried to educate the U.S. public about the culture, history, and beliefs of extraterrestrials. Their limited mentality is governed with an excuse that the public is not smart enough to learn about whole new belief systems. That is, the public is too stupid to overcome their religious bias and accept new information that challenges their beliefs.
Regarding Matters and Energies
The scientific principle that matter and energy are interchangeable is an accepted axiom of the Conservation of Energy, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, i.e. in an isolated system, the total energy before transformation is equal to the total energy after transformation (into matter and vice versa).
This principle is valid but what came first, energy or matter, or did both always exist together in space? Whether we consider our galaxy or billions of galaxies in our universe, both energy and matter exist together. This is fundamental because we see that pulsars, quasars and black holes contain matter but they can also explode dispersing radiation, gases, particles and energy back out into space causing great cloud formations. After billions of years, through the forces of gravity, within the clouds stars and planets form. This an easy example of how energy is transformed from particles at the subatomic levels, gases, and radiation, etc., to coalesce from an energy into matter.
However, let us inquire how did the interchangeable states between matter and energy begin? Did matter exist in the beginning or was it energy? It could not be matter because the question arises, if matter consists of atoms that consists of subatomic particles, where did the particles come from? Therefore, energy must have existed first before matter evolved.
But if energy existed before matter, it exists in space. Is it possible that space contains energy? This appears to be true for out of space the first fundamental particle is formed, the electron. It is my belief that Everything has a Beginning Even the Universe and I presented why this is a logical conclusion in the discussion presented in the Philosophy of Existence article below.
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/club/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=1816&p=8857#p8857
The article gives credence to the fact that non-material forces, that is energy, might actually govern the universe and that factors associated with consciousness may be a key role in the creation of matter. It is apropos to present two phenomenal quotes by Nikola Tesla.
“The day science begins to study non-physical phenomena, it will make more progress in one decade that in all the previous centuries of its existence.”
“All perceptible matter comes from a primary substance, or tenuity beyond conception, filling all space, the akasha or luminiferous ether, which is acted upon by the life-giving Prana or creative force, calling into existence, in never-ending cycles all things and phenomena.”
It was Paramahamsa Tewari, an Engineering graduate from Benares Hindu University, who has provided one of the greatest contributions to quantum physics with his discovery of the electron as the fundamental mass that evolved from space and, in parallel with other electrons through billions upon billions of years, created the universe. I will not repeat myself that it is the electron that exists with every atom that forms the elements we identify in the Periodic Table of Elements. But it becomes apparent that energy came before matter from the primary non-material substance of space.
To this day, although Mr. Tewari won early commendation by Nobel Laureates in physics and the Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded 111 times, he has yet to receive this distinguished honor. The scientific communities have been remiss in not providing the Nobel Prize to Mr. Tewari in appreciation of his outstanding Space Vortex Theory, which reveals the birth of the electron. Perhaps, an even greater omission was overlooking a Physics Nobel Prize to Nikola Tesla.
Dr. Ahreeman, you indicated a belief in “Spirits as an entity but Spirits, Matters and Energies, all the same, they transform from one form to another.” The belief in Spirits as an entity appears to derive from teachings in the existence of God, which is a Spirit form created by man. To clarify your belief, you wrote, “When energy gives consciousness to matter, it creates a spirit.” This belief is purely hypothetical for at what point does energy give consciousness to matter? Is it at the fundamental particle level, such as the electron, or does the transformation occur at the atom or element level of matter?
Consciousness is due to thought that originates from a living entity, be it an amoeba, flower, tree, fish, bird, or animal life. It is inconceivable that a rock, a nonliving thing, is capable of thinking. It would appear that Spirits are formed in living matter and become more advanced in highly evolved entities like human beings and animals. However, it is more probable that the concept of a Spirit is man-made, just as the many different forms of gods that have been conjured in the minds of men.
About Genetic Engineering
Dr. Ahreeman, another belief that I cannot agree with is your statement, “About genetic engineering, no Aliens did not genetic engineered all animals like they done humans; however, originally, they had something to do with the first single cell amoebas or creature becoming alive!” I must admit, Dr. Ahreeman, I believe you purposefully wrote that to goad me into responding to the idea that aliens had something to do with engineering humans.
If indeed aliens engineered single-cell life like the amoeba, then they indirectly engineered all living entities. However, I definitely believe in evolution and that all life forms developed without the assistance of aliens.
I have given thought to this alien idea of modifying or engineering life forms. Consider, we already believe aliens have existed for millions of years and have evolved into highly intelligent beings. It is possible, that their drive for survival via the reproductive process (sex) has waned (diminished) because they have been successful in extending their longevity. Over many thousands of years, they may have lost the sexual desire of procreation. It may be this possibility that they may like to recapture the excitement and pleasure experienced during sex.
For such a possibility of gaining back their sexual appetite, it may be why there are reported abductions of humans. Aliens may be experimenting to improve their own physical attributes. Why? Just look around and one must admit that the human race has many beautiful and handsome specimens. To obtain the beauty of a human woman or man can be a strong incentive and if successful, they can once again enjoy the physical excitement of sexual contact. This idea may be somewhat egocentric on my part, but could be a reality why aliens are extracting DNA from humans. The possibility for cloning alien DNA with human DNA to derive a viable, beautiful and intelligent being can be a strong incentive.
About Energy
Dr. Ahreeman I agree with the scientific and logical finding that every Action causes a Reaction. To say it is an equal reaction may be partially correct for the reaction or transformation may produce several outcomes. In regard to Energy, I agree with Nikola Tesla and have written extensively that energy exists in space from which the fundamental particle, the electron emanates from. There was no Action in space but the birth of negative electrons. It is known that electrons may also be positive and neutral from which a miniature system of the atom becomes a reality. With all atoms, one or more electrons revolve around the nucleus, which contains the protons and neutrons. And behold, all inorganic and organic matter is made up of atoms. It may be concluded that the electron is the mastermind for it is always part of the atom. Again, I refer the reader to the Periodic Table of Elements.
Therefore, my conclusion about energy is that it exists in space, came before matter, and is able to transform into matter by evolving electrons. This capability of energy into matter becomes a reality through the space vortex theory as developed by Paramahamsa Tewari. For more about Mr. Tewari’s space vortex theory it is presented in the following link:
http://www.nicholasginex.com/tag/big-bang-versus-space-vortex-theory/
There is much to learn about time travel. Unlike physical objects, time is not easily expressed as a physical coordinate in space. Yet, it is fundamental in measuring how long an object takes to get from one point to another. Unfortunately, I do not know how time is related to the speed of light even though we are able to measure it.
To be able to go back in time appears to be a physical impossibility since it would mean that as light travels through space one would have to interject oneself somewhere along its path. To me, this is not possible for light leaves a trail and to say reality exists somewhere along its previous path is difficult for me to comprehend. Yet, there are scientists who believe one can go back in time and perhaps, they may be able to explain how it is possible.
However, I would never get too close to a black hole for every atom of my body would be torn apart. Even light is drawn into a black hole due to its tremendous strength of gravity.
Speed expresses momentum and gravity expresses a force. To use gravity as a force to travel through space is hard to conceive because it, like a black hole, only attracts mass not propel it. But yes, to arrive in another time zone depends upon the speed of an object. Concerning gravity, it is the ability to use technology that allows weightlessness or antigravity to become lighter than a feather.
With antigravity, it is possible to break through the gravity barrier and attain high rates of speed. From what I have been able to gather about propulsion, it is the ability to achieve weightlessness and use zero-point energy obtained from space that enables extraterrestrials to travel throughout space. Dr. Ahreeman, I cannot agree with your belief that, “Your future energy source for space travel will most likely come from Action/Reaction, Wormholes, teleporting, leaping, warp speed, dematerializing, negative energy and dark matter than Zero Point Energy.”
The military industrial complex has been very successful in keeping the knowledge and application of antigravity and zero-point energy from the American people. The U.S. military has already developed use of zero-point energy and antigravity with Interstellar Flying Objects (IFOs). They have been successful in suppressing knowledge of the existence of ETs and have made a great percentage of Americans believe in that UFOs and ETs are a hoax. However, the Truth about IFOs and ETs is becoming a reality whereby the people will no longer be made into fools.
The Dream to be Left With.
Dr. Ahreeman, I was pleased and energized after reading your thought below:
“The Further and Greater your Dreams are, the Further and Greater your Efforts will become.” (Ahreeman X)
It seems that when I thought I had everything I would like to inform and educate other people about I find that there is more for me to learn and pass on. The mind is a wonderful thing and those willing to use it will find great pleasure to construct thoughts they never thought possible. But it is through curiosity and desire to know about ourselves and the universe that allow us to enter into the next era of human development. Only through knowledge obtained by education and introspection are we able to relieve ourselves of biases, hatred and violence towards others. When that happens, we will be accepted by extraterrestrials. That will be a wonderful experience. Image how much more we will learn.
Until our next debate, AMEN.
Your Brother in Spirit, Nicholas
by Ahreeman X » Sat Mar 09, 2019 2:23 pm
The Other Side of the Coin
Greetings Brother Ginex
How do you like the way that I use Star Wars Lingo and Titles to display the topics of each of our posts in regards to this debate, under the right column “Updates” on IPC Website’s homepage?
Still, I am more of a Trekki (Star Trek) because it is more thought provoking and many Star Trek concept inventions came true in real life inventions such as
Phaser Ray Gun
Talking Computers
Flat Screen Monitors
Universal Translator
Communication Badges
3D Food Replicator
Warp Speed Ejection
So on …
Gene Roddenberry was a visionary far advanced from his time. He was like Carl Segan of Sci Fi.
Star Trek is logical, Scientific and Realistic Sci Fi; Star Wars is more like a childish Western but titles have some punch in to them!
Matters, Energies and Spirits
Allow me to emphasize on the:
“Matters and Energies have never been and will never be created or destroyed but they only change from one form to another.”
“let us inquire how did the interchangeable states between matter and energy begin? Did matter exist in the beginning or was it energy?”
It does not matter because they are all the same, just changing forms to one another.
What came first is a problem for you and this is due to the human nature which is always looking at the philosophical issues with a “Creationist Perspective” of who created what and which one came first.
Look at the issues with a “Scientific Lens”. Everything is related, everything is relative, and everything is interconnected. Mater, energy and spirit, all the same and connected.
Look at spirit as a biproduct of energy and matter, not as a mumbo jumbo paranormal entity such as God in Bible! Look at Spirit in the form of “thought”, pure thought.
“It is my belief that Everything has a Beginning Even the Universe”
Yes, but again, it does not mean that due to this beginning or end, the 3 elements of universe have ever been created or destroyed. Your particular “thing” was created or destroyed but its matters, energies and spirits just changed forms and the general amount of each in the macro aspect stayed the same.
Look at the Multiverse with a Macro Lens. Become above the Micro View of a particular creation or destruction of each element. Look at the big picture. In general, man tends to look at the elements and entities with a Micro View and Micro Perspective. Man cannot comprehend beyond this point and into the Macro Perspective. In your case, you tend to look at the issues with a scientific and Big Picture point of view and perception but still, you are a man and this holds you back to human’s limited mind and disability to grasp the Macro Perspective.
That is why I state:
No Creation
No Destruction
No Creator
No Destroyer
No Devil
Man is not capable to grasp this! Man is always looking for a creator for a creation!
Specifically, Religious people and Theists cannot look beyond the double walls on both sides of their temples blocking them to see the Big Picture.
“Dr. Ahreeman, you indicated a belief in
‘Spirits as an entity but Spirits, Matters and Energies, all the same, they transform from one form to another.’
The belief in Spirits as an entity appears to derive from teachings in the existence of God, which is a Spirit form created by man.”
What have I told you above? Define Spirit as:
Every element which is not matter or energy. Ex: Thought, Soul, Psyche, Ghost
None of these elements are matters or energies but they cannot exist without matters and energies because they are bi products of matters and energies. There is nothing paranormal or supernatural about these elements. The only reason that some refer to these elements as paranormal is because:
Science has not explained them yet
Science is just beginning to explain them
Science has already explained them but the public is not aware
Philosophically, Definition of Spirits is nothing new. I did not come up with it. I first read about it decades ago when I was a spring chicken.
George Politzer: Elementary Principles of Philosophy
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/library/per ... osophy.pdf
Iran Online Persian Library
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/library/per ... /index.htm
Of course, you must read the English version.
Eventually I have read more and more about it and perfected my theory (my version).
“To clarify your belief, you wrote,
‘When energy gives consciousness to matter, it creates a spirit.’
This belief is purely hypothetical for at what point does energy give consciousness to matter? Is it at the fundamental particle level, such as the electron, or does the transformation occur at the atom or element level of matter?”
It is a scientific theory. It is not purely hypothetical. Do you call theory of relativity of Einstein “Purely Hypothetical”?
“at what point does energy give consciousness to matter?”
At the point of Singularity.
Singularity is when machines will become so intelligent that they become conscious.
Same way,
Living Creatures became so intelligent that they become conscious.
This point did not occur in a second. Million years of evolution caused it.
But there is a but, that there are always leaps, jumps, missing links which we have been searching for them for millenniums!
That missing link could be Aliens.
“Is it at the fundamental particle level, such as the electron, or does the transformation occur at the atom or element level of matter?”
I would go with element level because energy enforces matter to change to spirit. However, when totally different form of entity was created, then the fundamental particle level kicks in too! It becomes a combination of the two. It becomes a totally different entity, yet still similar and coherent with his other brothers, matter and energy. In a way, they are all the same and they all change form and together build the Multiverse.
Again, you are stereotyping the same old concept of Spirits borrowed from scripture. Look at the spirits as a scientific entity such as Thought. The element of Thought exists but it is not matter or energy.
Why it becomes complicated in humans?
Because human has a more complicated brain lobes and structure (matter), so human thought is more advanced.
There is no specific point that human has become so smart. It took millenniums from ape to primate to Neanderthal to homo-sapiens to homosexual!!!!
It was not by a snap of finger!
“Dr. Ahreeman, another belief that I cannot agree with is your statement,
‘About genetic engineering, no Aliens did not genetic engineered all animals like they done humans; however, originally, they had something to do with the first single cell amoebas or creature becoming alive!’
I must admit, Dr. Ahreeman, I believe you purposefully wrote that to goad me into responding to the idea that aliens had something to do with engineering humans.”
Leaps, jumps and drastic changes in evolution at specific points in history of man are still unexplained and that is why, “Ancient Alien Theory” concludes that these leaps (Missing Links) are indeed Genetic Engineering via Aliens. It is a scientific theory, not law of science.
All lifeforms created via chemical and physical interactions; however, Aliens could have a role in it (leaps).
Why is it so hard for man to see Genetic Engineering in it?
Already we are Genetic Engineer designer babies who are smarter, more beautiful and more athletic (Super Babies). It is hush hush, but the Wealthy is already experimenting with it, the same as cloning.
Nazis were doing it back in 1940s via Master Race. So, if it has been done before (Nazis) and it is being done now (Designer Babies) and it will be done in the future (DNA Manipulation by will of the parents), then why is it so hard to accept that Aliens done it? That is why you are here?
“Over many thousands of years, they may have lost the sexual desire of procreation.”
Possible, because when brain evolves, you pay more attention to inventing, philosophizing, creating, researching, experimenting and writing than having sex!
If you have nothing better to do, then you just breed from morning to night like rabbits! That is why majority of humanity have so much sex, because they do not have the brain to do anything else! Now aliens are much more advanced than humans, so their heads become gigantic and their genitals shrunk!
Now wouldn’t that be a hoot if Aliens, while lab experimenting with genetics on primates, did not only use biology, chemistry and DNA in tubes, but they also had some wild orgies with elementary humans because they turned them on!
Hey, you know what they say:
It is not about beauty but it is about something new!
Whatever turns you on!
“Unfortunately, I do not know how time is related to the speed of light even though we are able to measure it.“
Actually, faster than speed of light!
Speed and Gravity are everything to time travel. Theory of Relativity of Einstein well explained it.
The faster you travel in space and back, the longer time has passed on Earth but with you, it was only been a short while.
“To be able to go back in time appears to be a physical impossibility since it would mean that as light travels through space one would have to interject oneself somewhere along its path. To me, this is not possible for light leaves a trail and to say reality exists somewhere along its previous path is difficult for me to comprehend.”
Picture, if you warp speed or stargate speed in your space travel. If this magnifies to the point of hundreds and thousands of years in the future, when you come back, where are you coming back to? Are you coming back to present? Who’s present?
Isn’t it true that you are really coming back to the past? Hundreds of years in the past?
But your point is that if we can travel to the past, your past with the young you? Yes, that is also possible without affecting the history but it is a slim possibility which takes a lot of explaining and scientific babble to display here and I have no time. It is already under study and experimentation.
“With antigravity, it is possible to break through the gravity barrier and attain high rates of speed. From what I have been able to gather about propulsion, it is the ability to achieve weightlessness and use zero-point energy obtained from space that enables extraterrestrials to travel throughout space. Dr. Ahreeman, I cannot agree with your belief that,
‘Your future energy source for space travel will most likely come from Action/Reaction, Wormholes, teleporting, leaping, warp speed, dematerializing, negative energy and dark matter than Zero Point Energy.’
I believe various methods which I stated are having a higher chance of possible space travel than Zero Point Energy.
“The military industrial complex has been very successful in keeping the knowledge and application of antigravity and zero-point energy from the American people. The U.S. military has already developed use of zero-point energy and antigravity with Interstellar Flying Objects (IFOs).”
You have no solid evidence that Zero-Point Energy has ever been harvested by man or anyone. It is third party he said she said.
Military is experimenting with it but that does not mean that they are flying it.
‘Dr. Ahreeman, I was pleased and energized after reading your thought below:”
‘The Further and Greater your Dreams are, the Further and Greater your Efforts will become.’
Your dreams are indeed far and I can see that your efforts are getting farther.
Do you know what is the problem with humanity?
Humanity by majority puts so much time into entertainment and entertaining themselves. They put less time in exercising their brains. That is why they have limited brains and thought patterns. Some have bird brains and reptilian reactions. Simple minds, simple pleasures.
Eat, Sleep, Sex and that is the definition of life and great life for humans. Their brain capacity cannot go further than that! They have limited minds and that is why they are God Fearing, Sinning, Perverts who do everything they consider as sins in private and then they go to Church to beg for forgiveness to buy a space in heaven!
There was this girl, I remember, who used to say:
“If one day, I wake up and see that there is no God, I don’t think that I want to live in that world!”
Think of the depth of stupidity in this statement!
With liberals, its Climate Change Religion.
With Republicans its Christianity Religion.
Forget Muslims, they don’t even count because they are backward fanatics.
That is why as a scientist and a Free Thinker, I flip my finger to both because both are unscientific but they try to make their Climate Change Fantasy or God, scientific. This is where Climate Change Catastrophe and Intelligent Design comes from! Ignorance is a bliss!
Buddy, I lost my faith in humanity a long ago!
You still have your faith in humanity?
In hope for better days
by Nicholas Ginex » Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:43 pm
Nicholas Response to Dr. Ahreeman’s Post of March 9th, 2019
Your response made my day for you were able to make me laugh at least three times. That is good as I don’t laugh easily unless there is real humor. The topic was Genetic Engineering where I found you to be a very funny person.
I will begin with what made me laugh. It had to do with the topic Genetic Engineering by aliens and your response to my writing, “Over many thousands of years, they (aliens) may have lost the sexual desire of procreation.” Your response was,
My first laugh came here because, in a way, it seemed to describe me. Your next line was,
Though logical, I laughed again . It seems we agreed with my belief that aliens may be abducting humans to regain their sexual appetite by using human DNA.
Then after presenting why such a possibility exists you made the following remark, which made me laugh a third time.
Returning to Matters. Energies and Spirits
Now, I must say, you seem to have a hang-up on the belief in Spirits, which you defined as being,
“Every element which is not matter or energy. Ex: Thought, Soul, Psyche, Ghost,”
I like to keep my philosophical conception of energy and matter simple and is why I do not entertain the belief in an element you refer to as a Spirit. In your definition, you provided all man-made words and left out god as an element. But also, there is the element of consciousness, which some scientists believe pervades the universe. Psyche includes the idea of mind, mentality, and consciousness. In the link below, I wrote about consciousness. There are those in the medical and scientific professions that believe it can contribute to healing powers, telepathy, and transporting one’s awareness to communicate with aliens. Titled, Does Consciousness Pervade the Universe?, it may be accessed via:
http://iranpoliticsclub.net/philosophy/ ... /index.htm [/url]
I will concede that thought exists as a brain wave that can travel and be accepted by another individual. However, thought is generated by a living organism at various levels, such as a bird, animal, human beings and even insect-eating plants. Fortunately, we humans are capable of transferring our thoughts onto paper and continue to learn from those who came before us. Without the ability to communicate in writing, I dare say, our thoughts may be reduced to the mental acuity of an animal or caveman.
Thought is not an entity, such as the imagined idea of a soul. There is no scientific evidence that a soul exists, just as there is no evidence that a god exists. These are man-made concepts. To believe a soul is part of a trinity, consisting of Energy, Matter and Soul is false. It is tantamount in believing the soul is a third entity, such as the Catholic belief in the Holy Ghost, which is the soul of God characterized as a third person.
Dr. Ahreeman, in defense of your belief in spirits, you wrote,
Of course, you did not come up with the concept of spirit, a soul, or ghost. These are all manifestations borne out of fear by our ancestors who finally created the belief in one universal god. The indoctrination of a belief in God is so strong that we even speak His name when we announce Amen at the end of a prayer, a successful outcome, or express a concluding sentiment we strongly believe in.
Although I do not believe in a soul, I do have reservations about an unknowable, incomprehensible, and mysterious entity – God. The Law of Conservation between energy and matter is a scientific fact, whereby they never are destroyed but only transfer from one state to another, or exists partially in both states. Still, the question arises, if energy first existed, how did it evolve to later transfer some of its energy into matter? This question is presently unanswerable. Perhaps, sometime in the future, our illustrious and highly intelligent extraterrestrials may provide the answer.
We know energy exists in space, and the brilliant inventor, Nikola Tesla stated:
We also know that matter evolved or can be transformed (created) from energy. Paramahamsa Tewari, an electrical engineer verified with his space vortex theory how matter evolves with the birth of the fundamental particle, the electron. Our readers may verify that the electron is part of the creation of every atom that forms the elements identified in the Periodic Table of Elements, which may be accessed in the article below.
http://www.nicholasginex.com/2018/08/21/did-the-electron-begin-the-universe/
A review of elements listed in the Periodic Table of Elements verifies that the electron may be the mastermind in the creation of atoms. For every element, one or more electrons revolves around the nucleus of protons and neutrons of its atom. The above article concludes that the electron may be the fundamental particle that is responsible for creation of inorganic and organic matter in the universe.
Dr. Ahreeman, now that I have clarified my belief that energy came first, I cannot agree with you that
This is not a philosophical issue or problem for me that is due to a “Creationist Perspective.” As you know, I am an evolutionist and do not believe in creation by an unknown entity many refer to as God. My evolution belief is what drives me to philosophically conclude that energy came first, and to me, that does matter in terms of understanding the beginning of the universe.
Dr. Ahreeman, you must forgive me for appearing to badger you about your belief in a Spirit. Take another look at what you wrote about the spirit,
Thought is not a spirit but a product of the brain to formulate what one sees, hears, or feels about something. Thought arises as brain waves that are able, as electromagnetic energy, to travel from one’s mind to another or just dissipate in space. If, as you say, it is not destroyed but is transformed into energy or matter, it becomes part of the universe and may be why I subscribe to the idea that Consciousness Pervades the Universe as presented in the article below.
Dr. Ahreeman, you insist to support the idea of a trinity by stating in response to my belief that “Everything has a Beginning Even the Universe.”
I will not dispute the law of conservation of energy as it appears very logical that energy and matter exist and are interchangeable. However, I cannot subscribe to the belief of the trinity of three elements, even if the spirit is later conceived out of matter. To say the spirit existed with energy is to lean towards the idea of God being part of, or intrinsic with, energy. I do not know the answer to that possibility. But certainly, a spirit, if it exists, must have some organic ability to formulate thought and that only becomes possible in matter that has evolved into a brain.
Dr. Ahreeman, you give me credit for being able to “to look at the issues with a scientific and Big Picture point of view and perception,” but then you fault me, that because I am a man, my mind is limited and unable to grasp the Macro Perspective. You went on to state there is
“No Creation, No Destruction, No Creator, No Destroyer, No God. No Devil.”
You then made the conclusion that,
From the observation that there are multiple religions and conceptions of gods, it seems that you are correct about man looking for a creator. But we are here to present an alternate point of view based upon scientific discovery and logical thought that may advance our knowledge about the beginning of our universe. Right now, we are immersed in outdated teachings and are ignorant of such knowledge. That is why our scientists and astrologists still believe in the Big Bang. A very stupid or outdated idea when one considers the vastness of our universe and the billions of galaxies that are billions of light years apart with some one hundred times bigger than our Milky Way.
Dr. Ahreeman, you have clarified your view about the Trinity by redefining the Spirit as:
None of these elements are matters or energies but they cannot exist without matters and energies because they are bi products of matters and energies.”
Gee whiz, Dr. Ahreeman you sure hold on to this belief in Spirits. As I wrote before, Thought, Soul, Psyche, Ghost are not entities. They are constructs of the mind and you may be subject to believing in them because such entities are similar to the entity “god” that you emphatically deny. Gee, if you can deny the concept of God you should be able to deny the belief in a Spirit.
You may gain a lot of friends and agreement in your belief in a Spirit if you simply substitute God for Spirit. But you are unable to do this because you do not believe in a Creator. I must admit, I am not knowledgeable to believe in a Creator. Such a belief is based upon faith and if it works for many people, so let them believe. We know that a belief can strengthen one’s outlook in hard times and if the belief in God helps, so be it. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as they do not go about killing people in the name of God – like fanatical Muslims who follow a corrupt religion.
The Point of Singularity.
Dr. Ahreeman, you attempted to answer my question, “at what point does energy give consciousness to matter?” Your answer was,
The use of the word “Singularity” means nothing to me, especially after I heard it being associated with the “Big Bang.” I don’t believe in the Big Bang and instead, believe in multiple big bangs that have occurred in many parts of our universe. Only a fool could believe that billions of galaxies, many 10 to 100 times bigger than ours, and billions of light years apart, all came from one explosion. When you consider the mass of all of the galaxies in the universe, it is a very stupid idea.
I do believe, based upon logic and scientific facts, that living creatures exist on planets throughout the universe. I also believe that consciousness is inherent in the electron, which somehow, is the mastermind in evolving many elements consisting of different configurations of atoms. It appears to me that there is a will in the creation of elements to form matter that begins through gravity to form stars, galaxies and planets so that organic life forms can evolve. Philosophically, I believe that the purpose of the inherent will of the electron is to produce products of intelligent life forms that may someday acknowledge the beauty and vastness of the universe. If God or a Spirit is the underlying force of that consciousness, it is a mystery to me. Again, someday an extraterrestrial may be able to give us a plausible answer.
Dr. Ahreeman, your answer as to when consciousness or thought occurs to change matter to spirit was at the element level, which is the combination of one or more atoms. Here again, I cannot agree with the idea of a spirit at any level because thought is created through an organism that has a brain capable of thinking and creating waves of energy that can traverse in space. Spirits are conceptual that originated in the minds of men. I don’t believe in Spirits at all. But if you believe in Spirits it’s ok as long as it satisfies your beliefs about life. Since I also have no belief in a hereafter, I have no belief in a soul. I believe in my father’s words, “When you’re dead, your dead.” No more brain waves can be generated, period.
Many people believe in God for the possibility that they may, by leading a righteous life, join God in heaven upon death. This idea is foolish because even if it were so, what would one do with millions of years, an eternity, when one no longer has a material body to make things. It would no longer be necessary to worship God because one has already achieved worthiness to be with God. But also, why should only mankind be privileged to join God in heaven? What about the wonderful pet dogs and cats, beautiful birds, fragrant flowers, ants, roaches, and butterflies?
The Catholics have come up with a solution for eternal life by believing that when Jesus, Son of God, reappears on earth all righteous people and souls from the dead will be joined with him in the New Kingdom on earth. But that would mean an over population when one considers the millions of people who have worshipped and died in their belief of God. So many people, that would make it impossible to live on earth. Here again, when one thinks of the possibilities with a little bit of logic, one finds the idea of eternal life with God not only ridiculous but could be very boring as there would be no incentive to achieve great things when you’re well taken care of.
Dr. Ahreeman, you seem to believe that Aliens have had a role in genetically engineering the human species. Just because we are experimenting with cloning and DNA, it does not mean aliens have done so to engineer humans. I have already addressed this topic at the beginning of this response and it seems we are in agreement that humans and all of earth’s life forms have evolved without the help of aliens. If you are an evolutionist, you certainly agree that all life forms originated from the elements of our beautiful earth and the heat from our sun.
Time is a measurement and not an entity and does not therefore go faster than the speed of light. The ability to travel through space at various speeds, that can even exceed the speed of light, depends upon how it is possible to access and manipulate gravity and energy in space. Our sneaky, untrustworthy military industrial complex has already been able to duplicate space travel upon back engineering the space crafts, Interstellar Flying Objects (IFOs), developed by extraterrestrials. This means that the military industrial complex has figured how to achieve antigravity weightlessness and utilize zero-point energy accessed from space.
The belief in our future source for space travel coming from wormholes, teleporting, dematerializing, negative energy, and dark matter may not materialize into reality. However, space travel has been studied and achieved by our distinguished scientists and engineers in underground top-secret compartments managed and controlled by the military industrial complex. They have already accomplished the capability of space travel with the extraction of energy from space as zero-point energy and the ability to control gravity.
To dismiss the achievement of space travel by our military, now under the Space Force created by President Trump, is to not acknowledge that over 70 plus years of back engineering extraterrestrial space travel technology has not been achieved. This is a poor assessment of what our military industrial complex already knows about zero-point energy and antigravity. This technology exists and is kept secret from our government and the American people.
Below is a statement from the website of Mark McCandlish, an internationally-recognized artist who has specialized in aviation and conceptual art within the defense and aerospace industries for the last thirty years. He has had dozens of sightings since 1966 and feels certain that zero-point ET technology has been co-opted by an unknown group, which can only be associated with the military industrial complex. This group has top-secret control of this technology. By keeping it hidden from the American people they are able to exert tremendous leverage in world politics, finance and international conflicts; such organized control has existed over the past five decades. Below, his website states:
“Is there a Secret Space Program?
Zero Point Energy: The power source behind the Secret Space Program and Trump Card of the Break-away Civilization. How the back-engineering of off-world technology created powerful leverage for corporations to take over control of world government, establish an internationally-manned, secret space program and break-away civilization. Based on eye-witness accounts and insider information, Mr. McCandlish takes the audience through a series of revelations as to how remarkable breakthrough technology, may have been back-engineered from recovered or captured off-world vehicles, enabled aerospace and defense-related corporations to hijack control of governments world-wide, create a special access only, secret space program and develop a break-away civilization with its own goals and agenda.”
Below is one of his drawings he was able to construct upon having seeing space crafts on U.S. military Air Force bases.
Dr. Ahreeman, you wrote,
In my investigation of the achievements by the military industrial complex top-secret operations, I have concluded that they have achieved space travel capabilities using zero-point energy. The article below reports that ET UFO technology must be disclosed for the benefit of humanity around the world.
http://www.nicholasginex.com/2019/01/26/disclose-et-ufo-technology-for-humanity/
The following YouTube video presents proof that the military industrial complex has in fact developed and engineered zero-point energy and antigravity to fly an IFO into space. It is titled, ARV Alien Reproduction Vehicle ZERO POINT ENERGY Reverse Engineered Technology.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15SncixLHao
The above video, included an interview dated January 19, 2010, with Jan Harzan, Director of MUFON in Orange County. Jan said that back in March 23, 1993, Ben Rich, the second Director of Lockheed's Skunk Works from 1975 to 1991, stated at an UCLA Alumni Club,
“We now have the technology to take ET home.
Mr. Harzan stated that during a question and answer session, Ben Rich stated,
“We now know how to travel to the stars.”
During the interview questioning period, Ben Rich pointed to an individual and asked,
“Is it possible to travel to the stars?”
The gentleman answered he did not know but it would take a long time. Ben answered,
“You can do it in your lifetime.”
Later, after the interview, Jan Harzan asked Ben Rich the question,
“How does the technology work?”
Ben replied,
“How does ESP work?"
Jan said,
“I don’t know, all points in space-time are connected.”
Ben gave a reply that makes one ponder.
His answer was,
Boyd Bushman, a Senior Lockheed Martin Research Scientist involved with secret UFO propulsion systems indicated that as early as 1959 the military industrial complex developed and engineered an IFO. This may be verified by viewing the video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzwOFCSFms4
The above videos conclusively reveal that the military industrial complex has developed, engineered, and has successfully flown IFOs using ET UFO technology consisting of zero-point energy and antigravity. A man with a vision and love for humanity, Ben Rich said at the March 3, 1993 UCLA Campus School of Engineering presentation that,
“It is time to end all secrecy on this, as it no longer poses a national security threat, and make the technology available for use in the private sector.”
Ben’s statement was spoken 26 years ago and the cheating, power-hungry military industrial complex still has not released the greatest technical discovery that will lift mankind into a new era never before achieved on earth.
What is the problem with humanity?
Dr. Ahreeman, there is much truth in your assessment that the majority of humans spend much time on entertainment and less time using their brains. However, there is a segment of humanity gifted with the ability to think. They are the ones that are the teachers of morality, spend time instructing and informing others of the challengers that need to be overcome to make a better world.
The key to all problems is the respect for truth and to acquire knowledge by self or instructive education. Education is key to solve the problems of bias, bigotry and violence. When misguided people, like the Muslims are educated enough to realize that they have been made into fools, slaves that are subject to a corrupt ideology, then they will be able to help make our world a better one.
Dr. Ahreeman, I don't believe you have lost faith in humanity. You are one of our hopes for a better tomorrow. Never give up. You showed a glimmer of hope for better days by writing,
Your displeasure with humanity was similar to Jesus in Matthew 22, when he spoke in parables telling the chief priests and Pharisees,
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son.
The king sent his servants to invite all of his subjects to the wedding. His subjects did not come so he again sent his servants to tell his followers that he they are requested to come for he even killed some of his oxen and fatlings to prepare dinner for them. Still, his followers made light of the invitation. Many went back to their farms and place of business, and some others mistreated and killed the king's servants.
When the king heard what happened, he was wroth with anger and ordered his armies to destroy the murderers and burn their city. To justify his order, he told his servants that the wedding was ready but they that were invited were not worthy. The king then said to his servants,
"Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid them to the marriage."
So the servants went out into the highways and gathered as many as they found, both good and bad; and the wedding was furnished with guests.
When the king entered the wedding be saw a man who did not have on a wedding garment. King questioned the man,
"Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?"
The man was speechless and the king said to his servants,
"Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into the outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Then Jesus said the most memorable words of his parable,
"For many are called, but few are chosen."
Dr. Ahreeman, this parable may be compared to your quote,
Jesus’ parable demonstrates that they who do not follow his words of morality and righteousness will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Such wisdom may be compared to the many people in life that do not take advantage of knowledge simply because of laziness, indulgence in entertainment and pleasing their sexual appitites. This is why your quote is similar to that of Jesus Christ. Self-indulgence leads to arrogance and stupidity.
I end by announcing the one-universal God conceived by men, | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line278 |
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A Lao American Teen’s Take on Kneeling and the National Anthem
Published by littlelaosontheprairie
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The United States has used these words as a foundation for building society as we know it. But does life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness apply to everyone regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or color? Based on how polarizing the debate has become, one might start to think the answer is more complicated than just a straight yes or no. The answer, of course, depends on many factors; such as, how a person is raised, personal experiences, natural disposition, etcetera. According to Colin Kaepernick, a former National Football League (NFL) player for the San Francisco 49ers, our country is not respecting these words. Because of this, many athletes and American citizens are choosing not to participate in national traditions. Recently, the actions of a few NFL players, including Kaepernick, ignited large-scale controversy over the American flag and whether not participating in the Pledge of Allegiance and/or national anthem should be construed as disrespectful. Both sides make some fair points, but it is a person’s constitutional right …
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Lao Chess on the Rise!
Published by Bryan Thao Worra
When it comes to chess in Southeast Asia, most people think of that highly problematic Murray Head song, “One Night in Bangkok” from the 80s musical Chess, and chess queens might not excite you the way it would others. Last month, the Laos Chess Federation made a strong showing to change that perception, hosting the 1st Laos International Open from January 3rd to 7th in Vientiane. Chess is an Asian strategy game over 1,500 years old, depicting the conflict between two rival armies, with each piece capable of unique moves to capture the other’s pieces. The goal is to place your opponent’s king into a situation where it is impossible for him to move safely, known as checkmate, from an Arabic term, shah mat, meaning “the King is dead” or “the King is helpless.” Today, it’s a game popular around the world, including Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and the US. Well-known players of the 20th century include Garry Kasparov and Bobby Fischer. Although chess is widely believed to have begun in India, India’s first modern Grandmaster, Viswanathan …
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Stanislav Pozdnyakov: “We think that the IOC should consider the List of 28 athletes to participate in the 2018 Games”
First Deputy Vice-President of the ROC in his interview named 15 athletes and coaches, for whom the ROC will request personal invitations to the Olympic Games 2018.
As you know, according to today’s CAS decision, doping bans on 28 Russian athletes were withdrawn, said Stanislav Pozdnyakov. Penalties imposed by the Oswald Disciplinary Commission, were canceled with all the ensuing consequences, including the return of fairly won medals at the Olympic games in Sochi.
The verdict of the CAS means the charges of violating anti-doping rules were dismissed, and therefore this criteria of the IOC no longer has anything to do with them. In this regard, we believe that the IOC should now return to the issue of the participation of these athletes in the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
ROC addressed the IOC with a request to send individual invitations to the following athletes and coaches no later than 2 February: Alexander Tretyakov, Elena Nikitina, Maria Orlova (all Skeleton), Alexander Legkov, Evgeniy Belov, Maxim Vylegzhanin, Alexander Bessmrtnykh, Evgenia Shapovalova, Natalia Matveeva (all Ski Race), Olga Fatkulina, Alexander Rumyantsev, Artyom Kuznetsov (Speed Skating), Tatiana Ivanova, Albert Demchenko (both Luge) and Sergei Chudinov (Skeleton).
I will explain why these 15 people were chosen. We had consultation with the Federation of Winter Sports, which has analyzed the List of 28 thoroughly. Those sports I mentioned were proposed by the federations for the list to for the list of athletes to receive personal invitations. Other athletes in respect of which CAS took a positive decision, or have already ended their sport careers or are unable to qualify.
— Earlier the ROC together with national federations decided not to fill quotas which were intended for the athletes who didn’t receive invitations from the IOC, First Deputy Vice-President. In light of new circumstances, we ask the IOC and the international federations to reconsider their decisions on redistribution of Olympic quotas in favor of other NOCs and return them to Russian athletes.
I would also like to comment the press release of the IOC on the CAS decision. Among other things, it says that the IOC reserves the right to refer the case to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
However, article 61 of the Olympic Charter says that any dispute related to the Olympic Games is to be settled by the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The same is declared in article 11.2.1 of the IOC anti-doping rules of 2014.
It appears that he IOC has given the CAS the final say in all matters related to the Games. The IOC, in first place, must respect and follow the CAS decisions. Otherwise, by appealing the CAS decisions in Switzerland, the IOC will express its lack of confidence to the CAS and cast discredit on the above-mentioned provisions of the Olympic Charter and IOC anti-doping rules. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line303 |
__label__wiki | 0.544185 | 0.544185 | Home Games Fortnite is Getting a Spectator Mode in February
Fortnite is Getting a Spectator Mode in February
Darrel S. Rivers
Everyone thought that Fortnite was just a trend and that the game will lose all its popularity in under a year. Well, it looks everyone was wrong. Fortnite is much more than a simple trend and the game’s popularity keeps growing every single day. In fact, there are so many people who play Fortnite that Netflix has admitted that Fortnite is its biggest threat and not other streaming services such as HBO Go or Hulu.
Nonetheless, the reason why Fortnite keeps getting bigger is simple. The game is always improving through a constant stream of regular updates that Epic Games releases on a weekly basis. Talking about Fortnite updates, Epic Games is reportedly working on a spectator mode for the game.
Fortnite Spectator Mode
Fortnite is packed with tons of features, but the one that it’s missing right now is a spectator mode. From the looks of it, Epic Games who is the developer behind the massive hit knows that players are asking for a spectator mode and it is already working on one.
Epic Games has sent out multiple invites to content creators from YouTube and Twitch to attend a private event. The event takes place in Los Angeles, California and it’s where the features of the new spectator mode will be showcased.
Private Los Angeles Event
From what we can tell, the spectator mode is in beta right now and Epic Games is adding the finishing touches. What’s great about this is that Fortnite is asking content creators who love the game to come and see it so that they can offer some insight. Let’s hope that other gaming companies see this and realize that the best advice that they can get is from their pro players.
Expected Release Date
Even though Epic Games has yet to announce an official release date for the spectator mode, we believe that it will arrive at the end of February. The private Los Angeles event takes place in the first week of February and after the testing phase is done, the mode will be released through an OTA (over the air) update.
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Darrell is a blogger who likes to keep up with the latest from the tech and finance world. He is a headphone and mobile reviewer and one of the original baker's dozen editorial staff that founded the site. He is into photography, VR, AR, crypto, video games, science and other neat things.
Elden Ring Takes Over E3 2019 – The Collaboration Between Dark Souls Creator and George R.R. Martin
Fallout 76 Will Feature a “Battle Royale” Mode – Bethesda Admits Guilt for Bad Launch
Elden Ring Takes Over E3 2019 – The Collaboration Between Dark...
Fallout 76 Will Feature a “Battle Royale” Mode – Bethesda Admits...
Nintendo E3 2019 Reveals Full Press Conference Runtime and Exciting Game... | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line306 |
__label__wiki | 0.930486 | 0.930486 | MusicNewsHip-Hop
Lil Pump and XXXTentaction Release Skrillex-Produced Single “Arms Around You”
By Lainey Rickard • 9 months ago
XXXTentacion and Lil Pump just left everyone in the dust. The artists threw a curveball this week with ground-breaking new single “Arms Around You” (feat. Maluma & Swae Lee). Listen to this Latin-influenced track on these digital retailers via Tha Lights Global/Warner Bros. Records.
“Arms Around You” burst onto the scene with production work from Mally Mall, Skrillex and JonFX. This song brought a life back through music, with the passing of XXXTentacion. Lil Pump, a friend of XXXTentacion, reached out to his mom, Cleopatra Bernard, in a creative plan to leave XXXTentacion’s mark on the hip-hop world. This track takes alternative, Latin, pop and hip-hop vibes to a whole new level. You can hear X sing, “Arms around you / Te amo mami / Let me hold you / Wrap my arms all around you…” Lil Pump, Cleopatra, and collaborators like Maluma and Swae Lee pieced this fragile track together with care. You can see the lyric video to this commemorative single here.
Lil Pump recently accomplished the most popular global debut for a hip-hop video for “I Love It” with Kanye West. This earth-shattering video accumulated over 76 million views in less than a week. Co-directed by Kanye and executive producer Spike Jonze, this video sparked an #ILoveItChallenge on social media and gained even more popularity through talk shows like Ellen and The Late Late Show with James Corden. Lil Pump didn’t stop there though; he opened up for the BET awards with a medley performance of his most popular tracks. Lil Pump has also collaborated with big names like Lil Uzi Vert and even Gucci Mane. Billboard confirmed that Pump is on its most desired list of “21 Under 21 2018: Music’s Next Generation.”
XXXTentacion has become wildly successful with his creations. His second album, ?, peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 while going platinum. He profited 3.2 million in sales and collected 5.2 billion global streams. The buck certainly doesn’t stop there – inside the record is “SAD!” (4x-platinum), “MOONLIGHT” (2x-platinum), and “CHANGES”(2x-platinum).
XXXTentacion was awarded the “Best New Hip Hop Artist” at the BET Hip-Hop awards along with “Favorite Album – Soul/R&B” for 17 at the American Music Awards.
Listen to these artists: Lil Pump / XXXTentacion / Skrillex / Maluma / Swae Lee
Follow these artists: Lil Pump / XXXTentacion / Skrillex / Maluma / Swae Lee
Skrillex Hip Hop R&B lil pump XXXtentacion lainey rickard swae lee maluma mally mall jonfx
MusicHip-Hop
Tee Grizzley Drops Latest Track “Win”
ElectronicMusicNews
Marshmello Debuts Posthumous Collaboration With Lil Peep] | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line309 |
__label__wiki | 0.983672 | 0.983672 | Car accessories >
Channel 5 the new home of F1?
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has claimed that he would approach Channel 5 if the BBC decided to abandon its coverage of the sport.
The BBC's current contract to show F1 racing expires at the end of the 2012 season, and there's speculation that budgetary considerations could lead the corporation to not renew or even to pull out early.
Ecclestone told the Sunday Telegraph that if that were to be the case, then he would approach Channel 5, owned by Richard Desmond, in order to keep the sport on a free-to-watch channel.
'I can't see see how the BBC could cancel. We could probably sue them,' he said. But the F1 supremo emphasised that he has 'no problem' with the BBC and would if possible keep F1 coverage with the network.
'Let's wait and see about the BBC because at the moment they want to make a noise,' he said.
Formula One,
Channel 5,
broadcasting F1
BBC Formula one: live this weekend.
Keep fighting, say McLaren to Button and Hamilton
BBC and Sky Sports to share F1 coverage
New things coming to Freeview
Chris Evans salary could see him become one of BBC's top earners | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line310 |
__label__wiki | 0.693095 | 0.693095 | Reconstructing the accumulation history of a saltmarsh sediment core: which age-depth model is best?
Wright, Alexander J. and Edwards, Robin J. and van de Plaasche, Orson and Blaauw, Maarten and Parnell, Andrew and van der Borge, Klaas and de Jonge, A. and Roe, Helen M. and Selby, Katherine and Black, Stuart (2017) Reconstructing the accumulation history of a saltmarsh sediment core: which age-depth model is best? Quaternary Geochronology, 39. pp. 35-67. ISSN 1871-1014
Saltmarsh-based reconstructions of relative sea-level (RSL) change play a central role in current efforts seeking to quantify the relationship between climate and sea-level rise. The development of an accurate chronology is pivotal, since errors in age–depth relationships will propagate to the final record as alterations in both the timing and magnitude of reconstructed change. A range of age-depth modelling packages are available but differences in their theoretical basis and practical operation mean contrasting accumulation histories can be produced from the same dataset. We compare the performance of five age-depth modelling programs (Bacon, Bchron, Bpeat, Clam and OxCal) when applied to the kinds of data used in high resolution, saltmarsh-based RSL reconstructions. We investigate their relative performance by comparing modelled accumulation curves against known age–depth relationships generated from simulated stratigraphic sequences. Bpeat is particularly sensitive to non-linearities which, whilst maximising the detection of small rate changes, has the potential to generate spurious variations, particularly in the last 400 years. Bacon generally replicates the pattern and magnitude of change but with notable offsets in timing. Bchron and OxCal successfully constrain the known accumulation history within their error envelopes although the best-fit solutions tend to underestimate the magnitude of change. The best-fit solutions of Clam generally replicate the timing and magnitude of changes well, but are sensitive to the underlying shape of the calibration curve, performing poorly where plateaus in atmospheric 14C concentration exist. We employ an ensemble of age-depth models to reconstruct a 1500 year accumulation history for a saltmarsh core recovered from Connecticut, USA based on a composite chronology comprising 26 AMS radiocarbon dates, 210Pb, 137Cs radionuclides and an historical pollen chronohorizon. The resulting record reveals non-linear accumulation during the late Holocene with a marked increase in rate around AD1800. With the exception of the interval between AD1500 and AD1800, all models produce accumulation curves that agree to within ∼10 cm at the century-scale. The accumulation rate increase around AD1800 is associated with the transition from a radiocarbon-based to a 210Pb-dominated chronology. Whilst repeat analysis excluding the 210Pb data alters the precise timing and magnitude of this acceleration, a shift to faster accumulation compared to the long-term rate is a robust feature of the record and not simply an artefact of the switch in dating methods. Simulation indicates that a rise of similar magnitude to the post-AD1800 increase (detrended increase of ∼16 cm) is theoretically constrained and detectable within the radiocarbon-dated portion of the record. The absence of such a signal suggests that the recent rate of accumulation is unprecedented in the last 1500 years. Our results indicate that reliable (sub)century-scale age-depth models can be developed from saltmarsh sequences, and that the vertical uncertainties associated with them translate to RSL reconstruction errors that are typically smaller than those associated with the most precise microfossil-based estimates of palaeomarsh-surface elevation.
© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. The published paper is available at
relative sea-level reconstruction; saltmarsh; age-depth model; Bayesian statistics;
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Research Institutes > Hamilton Institute
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2017.02.0
Andrew Parnell
Quaternary Geochronology
https://www.sciencedirect.com/ | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line312 |
__label__cc | 0.705615 | 0.294385 | drm/i915: Add wait_for in init_ring_common
[linux-2.6.git] / COPYING
2 NOTE! This copyright does *not* cover user programs that use kernel
3 services by normal system calls - this is merely considered normal use
4 of the kernel, and does *not* fall under the heading of "derived work".
5 Also note that the GPL below is copyrighted by the Free Software
6 Foundation, but the instance of code that it refers to (the Linux
7 kernel) is copyrighted by me and others who actually wrote it.
9 Also note that the only valid version of the GPL as far as the kernel
10 is concerned is _this_ particular version of the license (ie v2, not
11 v2.2 or v3.x or whatever), unless explicitly otherwise stated.
13 Linus Torvalds
15 ----------------------------------------
17 GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
18 Version 2, June 1991
20 Copyright (C) 1989, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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288 REDISTRIBUTE THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES,
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290 OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
291 TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY
292 YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER
293 PROGRAMS), EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
294 POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
296 END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
298 How to Apply These Terms to Your New Programs
300 If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest
301 possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it
302 free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.
304 To do so, attach the following notices to the program. It is safest
305 to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively
306 convey the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least
307 the "copyright" line and a pointer to where the full notice is found.
309 <one line to give the program's name and a brief idea of what it does.>
310 Copyright (C) <year> <name of author>
312 This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
313 it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
314 the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
315 (at your option) any later version.
317 This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
318 but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
319 MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
320 GNU General Public License for more details.
322 You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
323 along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
324 Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
327 Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.
329 If the program is interactive, make it output a short notice like this
330 when it starts in an interactive mode:
332 Gnomovision version 69, Copyright (C) year name of author
333 Gnomovision comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details type `show w'.
334 This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it
335 under certain conditions; type `show c' for details.
337 The hypothetical commands `show w' and `show c' should show the appropriate
338 parts of the General Public License. Of course, the commands you use may
339 be called something other than `show w' and `show c'; they could even be
340 mouse-clicks or menu items--whatever suits your program.
342 You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or your
343 school, if any, to sign a "copyright disclaimer" for the program, if
344 necessary. Here is a sample; alter the names:
346 Yoyodyne, Inc., hereby disclaims all copyright interest in the program
347 `Gnomovision' (which makes passes at compilers) written by James Hacker.
349 <signature of Ty Coon>, 1 April 1989
350 Ty Coon, President of Vice
352 This General Public License does not permit incorporating your program into
353 proprietary programs. If your program is a subroutine library, you may
354 consider it more useful to permit linking proprietary applications with the
355 library. If this is what you want to do, use the GNU Library General
356 Public License instead of this License. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line317 |
__label__wiki | 0.631467 | 0.631467 | Connecticut College Drops Owls in Game One of Citizens Bank Tourney
Connecticut Col.
Me.-Presque Isle (2-4) 30 31 61
Connecticut Col. (3-3) 44 47 91
Pts: Michael Warner - 22
Reb: 3 Players (#14, #24, #32) - 5
Ast: Derek Healy - 4
Pts: Matt Vadas - 18
Reb: Zuri Pavlin - 17
The UMPI Owls traveled 500 miles to compete in the Citizens Bank Tournament in New London, Connecticut this weekend and in game one, the effects of that travel appeared to hamper the Blue & Gold from competing with co-host Connecticut College, losing 91-61.
The home standing Camels started the game with a 10-0 run that ballooned out to a 44-30 half-time lead for Connecticut College, despite 11 points in the first stanza from Owls senior captain Michael Warner. Warner connected on 3 long range bombs from beyond the arc in the first half, but only freshman Sean Manganti, adding 7 points, could muster more than a single field goal for the travel weary squad from Presque Isle.
The Owls quickly showed some fight after the halftime talk from new UMPI Baseball Coach Mike Pankow, subbing for veteran head coach Jim Casciano, who was home fighting his own battle with a flu that had limited Casciano's contact with his team much of the week. The Owls scored the first 4 points of the second half to cut the Camel Lead to 10, at 44-34, but the Owls just could never get their collective foothold to make a serious comeback attempt.
Connecticut College continued to pull away and went on a 7-0 run midway through the second half to take complete control of the game with a 68-44 lead with 10:30 to play in the game. The Camels enjoyed a 60-30 rebounding advantage against the Owls and has 26 second-chance points off of 22 offensive rebounds for the game.
Warner was the only Owl in double figures, finishing with 22 points including five treys and 5 boards. Freshman Thiago Conceicao added 9 points and 5 rebounds for UMPI.
UMPI (2-4) will next play St, Joseph's of NY (2-4) at 2pm Sunday in the consolation game of the Tournament. St. Joseph's lost earlier in the day to the Coast Guard Academy 72-59. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line321 |
__label__cc | 0.623403 | 0.376597 | Cancer treatment to be delivered to lungs - Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication
Cancer treatment to be delivered to lungs
Surface acoustic waves propagate along the surface of the nanofabricated Respire® device, leading to the atomisation of drug solutions into a fine mist suitable for inhalation.
A schematic of the SAW nebulisation mechanism which propagates along the substrate and leaks energy into the liquid film to nebulise the meniscus. Collection of the aerosolised DNA or antibodies is accomplished by placing the device within a conical tube.
In treating diseases such as lung cancer, tuberculosis, cystic fybrosis and asthma, a large range of intravenous drugs are directed at the lungs but inefficiently delivered. This has led to significant research into devices that can deliver drugs to the lungs effectively and efficiently. A device under investigation for the generation and delivery of aerosolised drugs is the Respire® system.
At present, many large drugs directed at the lung, including antibodies, are injected intravenously because of the lack of effective inhalation devices. The Respire® inhalation system would enable a portable way of delivering large macromolecular drugs straight to the lungs where they are needed, creating a high local concentration of active drug in the lung to improve patient outcomes.
MCN Technology Fellow, Christina Cortez Jugo from Monash University and colleagues from RMIT University are investigating the formation of inhalable droplets of clinically significant drugs including monoclonal antibodies for cancer therapy and asthma. Promising results show that these fragile drugs remain stable and active after atomisation, paving the way for further testing of their efficacy in treating disease.
The device, developed by Professors James Friend and Leslie Yeo, was fabricated at MCN using standard photolithography techniques. The technology is based on surface acoustic wave (SAW) atomisation. When power is supplied to the miniature device, waves akin to nano-earthquakes travel along the device causing the destabilisation and atomisation of liquid droplets in its path. A fine mist suitable for inhalation is formed.
The group atomised a solution of monoclonal antibodies targeted against the epidermal growth factor receptor, which is over-expressed in lung cancer. The stability, immunoactivity and function of the atomised antibodies were characterised using gel electrophoresis, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. The results indicate that the Respire® system provides a feasible means of delivering active antibodies as a fine inhalable mist to the lung. Collaboration with Dr. Manuel Ferreira at the Queensland Institute for Medical Research is in place to test the device for the biodistribution and efficacy of the atomised antibodies.
In collaboration with Dr. Manuel Ferreira, the group will be undertaking biodistribution and efficacy studies of inhaled antibody formulations in mice. In addition to monoclonal antibodies, the Respire® system is also being investigated for the inhalable delivery of nanomedicinal formulations and nucleic acid drugs, including small interfering RNA or siRNA for gene silencing applications. Access to the capabilities and expertise at MCN will continue to be important to facilitate the ongoing and future work in this project.
You can read more about this project in Enabling practical surface acoustic wave nebuliser drug delivery via amplitude modulation, published in Lab on a Chip. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line334 |
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__label__wiki | 0.982141 | 0.982141 | File A Patent
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United States Patent 9,149,959
Bogue October 6, 2015
Manufacturing of small film strips
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for forming films. In particular, the present invention relates to the formation of films on a substrate via the use of individual pumps to deposit individual wet film products onto a substrate. A method of forming film products includes: providing a reservoir housing a film forming matrix, pumps in association with the reservoir, and orifices; feeding the wet film forming matrix from the reservoir to the pumps; dispensing the film forming matrix from each of the pumps through an orifice; and depositing wet film products onto a substrate. An apparatus for forming film strips includes: (a) a reservoir for housing a film forming matrix; (b) pumps associated with the reservoir; (c) a plurality of orifices, with each orifice being associated with a pump; (d) a substrate; and (e) a means for moving the substrate through the apparatus.
Bogue; Beuford A. (New Carlisle, IN)
Bogue; Beuford A.
MONOSOL RX, LLC (Warren, NJ)
Family ID: 1000001382177
Appl. No.:
12/909,995
Filed:
Prior Publication Data
Document Identifier
US 20120100202 A1 Apr 26, 2012
Current U.S. Class: 1/1
Current CPC Class: B29C 41/28 (20130101); A61K 9/006 (20130101); A61K 9/0014 (20130101); A61K 9/7007 (20130101); A61K 9/7084 (20130101); B29C 47/0021 (20130101); B29C 47/0066 (20130101); B29C 47/025 (20130101); B29C 47/065 (20130101); B29C 47/0816 (20130101); B29C 31/06 (20130101); B29C 47/0004 (20130101)
Current International Class: A23L 1/00 (20060101); B29C 47/00 (20060101); B29C 47/02 (20060101); B29C 47/06 (20060101); B29C 47/08 (20060101); A23G 3/02 (20060101); B29C 41/28 (20060101); A61K 9/00 (20060101); A61K 9/70 (20060101); B29C 31/06 (20060101)
References Cited [Referenced By]
5360629 November 1994 Milbourn et al.
5965154 October 1999 Haralambopoulos
6344088 February 2002 Kamikihara et al.
7425292 September 2008 Yang et al.
2005/0019588 January 2005 Berry et al.
2006/0169205 August 2006 Liu et al.
2007/0281003 December 2007 Fuisz et al.
2009/0181075 July 2009 Gordon et al.
2010/0092545 April 2010 Yang et al.
2012/0263865 October 2012 Bogue
101668519 Mar 2010 CN
93/05212 Mar 1993 WO
Google search page for NPL search; added Feb. 7, 2013. cited by examiner .
Pneumatic Driven Liquid Pumps; brochure published by Haskel Milton Roy on Oct. 2009; downloaded Feb. 7, 2013 (24 pp). cited by examiner .
Google search result for definition of "manifold": Vocabulary.com; 3 pages; accessed Sep. 22, 2013. cited by examiner .
International Search Report PCT/US2011/57233 Dated Feb. 10, 2012. cited by applicant .
Written Opinion PCT/US2011/57233 Dated Feb. 10, 2012. cited by applicant .
EPO Communication dated Sep. 11, 2014, with accompanying extended European search report including supplementary European search report and European search opinion for EP 11 835 203.8, Date of Completion of Search: Jul. 31, 2014. cited by applicant .
Chinese Office Action (in Chinese) for Chinese Application No. 201180056133.5 dated Nov. 15, 2014. cited by applicant.
Primary Examiner: Palenik; Jeffery T
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP
1. A method of forming a plurality of individual film products, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a reservoir housing a film forming matrix; (b) providing a plurality of individual volumetric pumps connected to said reservoir; (c) providing a manifold comprising a plurality of orifices, wherein said manifold comprises a first side and a second side, wherein each orifice extends from said first side of said manifold to said second side of said manifold, wherein each orifice is in fluid communication on said first side of said manifold with one of said individual volumetric pumps which is its own individual volumetric pump; (d) feeding said film forming matrix from said reservoir to said individual volumetric pumps; and thereafter (e) dispensing a predetermined amount of said film forming matrix from each of said individual volumetric pumps through said orifice in fluid communication therewith from said first side of said manifold to said second side of said manifold; and thereafter (f) depositing a plurality of individual wet film products directly onto a substrate from each of said orifices.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said substrate is a backing film.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said substrate moves in a first direction from said plurality of orifices to a drying apparatus.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the drying apparatus is a drying oven.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said substrate is continuously moved in a first direction from said plurality of orifices to a drying apparatus.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein steps (d)-(f) are repeated.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein an individual wet film product is extruded onto a region of said substrate onto which no individual wet film product has already been extruded.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said individual volumetric pumps dispenses about 4 microliters to about 250 microliters per stroke.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said film forming matrix is at least 25% solids.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step: (g) drying said plurality of individual wet film products to form a plurality of dried individual film products.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said plurality of dried individual film products are die cut.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the dried individual film products is about 1000 mg or less.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein said individual volumetric pumps are piston pumps.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein said individual volumetric pumps are variable speed piston pumps.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein said individual volumetric pumps are variable stroke piston pumps.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein said individual volumetric pumps are dual piston pumps.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said orifices is a slot die.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein said individual film products are for the delivery of a desired amount of an active, and wherein each individual wet film product comprises an active in an amount which varies by no more than about 10% from said desired amount of said active.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the film forming matrix is extruded through said orifice in step (e).
21. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the individual wet film products is about 2000 mg or less.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate is for packaging the individual film products.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is pressurized.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the individual volumetric pumps are connected to the reservoir by a feed line.
25. A method of forming a plurality of individual film strips, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a reservoir housing a film forming matrix; (b) providing a plurality of individual metering pumps connected to said reservoir; (c) providing a manifold comprising a plurality of orifices, wherein said manifold comprises a first side and a second side, wherein each orifice extends from said first side of the manifold to said second side of said manifold, wherein each orifice is in fluid communication on said first side of said manifold with one of said individual metering pumps which is its own individual metering pump; (d) feeding said film forming matrix from said reservoir to said plurality of individual metering pumps; and thereafter (e) dispensing a predetermined amount of said film forming matrix from each of said individual metering pumps through said orifice in fluid communication therewith; and thereafter (f) depositing a plurality of individual wet film strips directly onto a substrate from each of said orifices.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein said substrate is a backing film.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein said substrate is continuously moved in a first direction from said plurality of orifices to a drying apparatus.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the drying apparatus is a drying oven.
29. The method of claim 25, wherein an individual wet film strip is extruded onto a region of said substrate onto which no wet film strip has been extruded.
30. The method of claim 25, wherein said film forming matrix is at least 25% solids.
31. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step: (g) drying said individual wet film strips to form a plurality of dried individual film strips.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one dried individual film strip is rolled and stored for future use.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one dried individual film strip may be cut into individual film products.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein each of the dried individual film strips is about 1000 mg or less.
35. The method of claim 25, wherein each of said orifices is a slot die.
36. The method of claim 25, wherein each of said individual wet film strips is extruded into a narrow stripe on said substrate.
37. The method of claim 25, wherein said individual wet film strips are for the delivery of a desired amount of an active, and wherein each individual wet film strip comprises an active in an amount which varies by no more than about 10% from said desired amount of said active.
38. The method of claim 25, wherein the film forming matrix is extruded through said orifice in step (e).
39. The method of claim 25, wherein each of the individual wet film strips is about 2000 mg or less.
40. The method of claim 25, wherein the substrate is for packaging the individual film strips.
41. The method of claim 25, wherein the reservoir is pressurized.
42. The method of claim 25, wherein the individual metering pumps are connected to the reservoir by a feed line.
43. An apparatus for forming a plurality of individual film products, comprising: (a) a reservoir for housing a film forming matrix; (b) a plurality of individual volumetric pumps connected to said reservoir; (c) a manifold comprising a plurality of orifices, wherein said manifold comprises a first side and a second side, wherein each orifice extends from the first side of the manifold to the second side of the manifold, wherein each orifice is in fluid communication on said first side of said manifold with one of said individual volumetric pumps which is its own individual volumetric pump; (d) a substrate; and (e) a means for moving said substrate through said apparatus.
44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said reservoir is pressurized.
45. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said individual volumetric pumps are rotating piston pumps.
46. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein each individual volumetric pump discharges about 4 microliters to about 250 microliters per stroke.
47. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein each individual volumetric pump has a varying stroke capacity.
48. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein each individual volumetric pump has a varying speed capacity.
49. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the individual film products are small film products.
50. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising a drying apparatus.
51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the drying apparatus is a drying oven.
52. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein each of said orifices is a slot die.
53. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the individual film products are wet individual film products which are each about 2000 mg or less.
54. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the individual film products are dried individual film products which are each about 1000 mg or less.
55. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the substrate is for packaging the individual film products.
56. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the individual volumetric pumps are connected to the reservoir by a feed line.
57. A method of forming a plurality of individual film patches, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a substrate comprising a sheet comprising a dissolvable polymeric material, said sheet having a top surface, wherein said substrate continuously moves in a first direction; (b) providing a reservoir housing a wet film forming matrix, said wet film forming matrix comprising a second polymeric material and an active; (c) providing a plurality of individual volumetric pumps connected to said reservoir; (d) providing a manifold comprising a plurality of orifices, wherein said manifold comprises a first side and a second side, wherein each orifice extends from the first side of the manifold to the second side of the manifold, wherein each orifice is in fluid communication on said first side of said manifold with one of said individual volumetric pumps which is its own individual volumetric pump, wherein each orifice is separated from each other by a gap; (e) feeding said wet film forming matrix from said reservoir to said individual volumetric pumps; and thereafter (f) dispensing a predetermined amount of said film forming matrix from each of said volumetric pumps through said orifice in fluid communication therewith from said first side of said manifold to said second side of said manifold; and thereafter (g) depositing said predetermined amount of said wet film forming matrix directly onto said top surface of said sheet from each of said orifices to form a plurality of wet film products; and (h) drying said wet film products to form a plurality of multi-layer film patches comprising a first layer comprising said sheet and a second layer comprising a dried film product.
58. The method of claim 57, wherein steps (e)-(g) are repeated.
59. The method of claim 57, wherein said first layer has a slower rate of dissolution than said second layer.
60. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step: (i) cutting said first layer to provide an individual film patch, wherein said individual film patch comprises one dried film product.
61. The method of claim 60, wherein a top surface of said first layer of said individual film patch has either a larger width or a larger length than said second layer, and wherein at least a portion of said top surface of said first layer is not in contact with said second layer.
62. The method of claim 61, further comprising the step: (j) placing said individual film patch onto the skin of a user, wherein said second layer is in contact with the user's skin and wherein at least a portion of said top surface of said first layer is in contact with the user's skin.
63. The method of claim 61, further comprising the step: (j) placing said individual film patch onto the mucosal tissue of a user, wherein said second layer is in contact with the user's skin and wherein at least a portion of said top surface of said first layer is in contact with the user's skin.
64. The method of claim 57, wherein the film forming matrix is extruded through said orifice in step (f).
65. The method of claim 57, wherein each of the wet film products is about 2000 mg or less.
66. The method of claim 57, wherein the dried film product is about 1000 mg or less.
67. The method of claim 57, wherein the sheet comprising a dissolvable polymeric material is present on a packaging substrate.
68. The method of claim 57, wherein the sheet comprising a dissolvable polymeric material further comprises an active.
70. The method of claim 57, wherein the individual volumetric pumps are connected to the reservoir by a feed line.
71. A method of forming a plurality of individual film products, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a reservoir housing a film forming matrix comprising at least one polymer, at least one solvent, and a desired amount of at least one active; (b) providing a plurality of individual volumetric pumps connected to said reservoir; (c) providing a manifold comprising a first side, a second side, and a plurality of orifices, wherein each orifice extends from the first side of the manifold to the second side of the manifold and wherein each orifice is in fluid communication with one of said individual volumetric pumps on said first side of said manifold; (d) feeding said film forming matrix from said reservoir to said individual volumetric pumps; and thereafter (e) dispensing a predetermined amount of said film forming matrix from each of said volumetric pumps through said orifice in fluid communication therewith from said first side of said manifold to said second side of said manifold; and thereafter (f) depositing a plurality of individual wet film products directly onto a substrate from each of said orifices; wherein the amount of active in each of the individual wet film products varies by no more than about 10% from said desired amount of said active.
72. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step: (g) drying said plurality of individual wet film products to form a plurality of dried individual film products.
74. The method of claim 71, wherein each of the individual wet film products is about 2000 mg or less.
75. The method of claim 71, wherein the substrate is for packaging the individual film products.
The present invention relates to methods for forming films. In particular, the present invention relates to the formation of films, in particular, small film strips, on a substrate via the use of individual pumps.
The use of films for the administration of active agents, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetic and other materials, is becoming increasingly popular. Such films should have a fairly uniform size, and a substantially uniform distribution of components. The substantially uniform distribution of components is quite important when the films include pharmaceutical components, to ensure accurate dosages.
Films may be formed in any desired fashion, and in some cases it may be useful to form a film on the surface of a substrate. The use of a substrate to form film not only provides ease in processing but may also aid in packaging the film products. Typically, a wet film-forming matrix is deposited onto the surface of a substrate, and then dried to form the resulting film, which is then sized and cut into individual film strip products. Unfortunately, however, such typical processes result in a great deal of wasted film due to the sizing and cutting process.
Further, traditional processing methods use one pumping mechanism with multiple slot dies or other orifices. Such methods have a tendency to dispense a wet film forming matrix unevenly through orifices, giving irregular and non-uniform dosages. In addition, in the case of film matrices having a high solid or particle content, the orifices may have a tendency to become blocked. The use of one pumping mechanism for multiple orifices may not provide enough pressure to release the blocked orifice, resulting in certain orifices dispensing higher amounts of the film-forming matrix. Thus, the end result of such traditional processing is a potential for uneven dosaging and products that lack compositional uniformity.
The present invention seeks to solve the problems incurred with traditional film processing, such as by providing a method that continuously produces film products without the need for sizing the film products, while at the same time providing uniform film dosages.
In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a plurality of individual film products, including the steps of: (a) providing a reservoir housing a film forming matrix; (b) providing a plurality of individual volumetric pumps in association with the reservoir; (c) providing a plurality of orifices, where each orifice is associated with an individual volumetric pump; (d) feeding the film forming matrix from the reservoir to the individual volumetric pumps; (e) dispensing a predetermined amount of the film forming matrix from each of the volumetric pumps through an orifice associated therewith; and (f) extruding an individual wet film product onto a substrate.
Other embodiments of the present invention may provide a method of forming a plurality of individual film strips, including the steps of: (a) providing a reservoir housing a film forming matrix; (b) providing a plurality of individual metering pumps in association with the reservoir; (c) providing a plurality of orifices, where each orifice is associated with an individual metering pump; (d) feeding the film forming matrix from the reservoir to the plurality of individual metering pumps; (e) dispensing a predetermined amount of the film forming matrix from each of the metering pumps through an orifice associated therewith; and (f) extruding an individual wet film strip through the orifice onto a substrate.
In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for forming a plurality of individual film products, including: a reservoir for housing a film forming matrix; a plurality of individual volumetric pumps associated with the reservoir; a plurality of orifices, each orifice being associated with a volumetric pump; a substrate; and a means for moving the substrate through the apparatus.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a plurality of individual film patches, including the steps of: (a) providing a substrate including a first polymeric material, the substrate having a top surface, where the substrate continuously moves in a first direction; (b) providing a reservoir housing a film forming matrix, the film forming matrix including a second polymeric material and an active; (c) providing a plurality of individual volumetric pumps in association with the reservoir; (d) providing a plurality of orifices, where each orifice is associated with an individual volumetric pump, where each orifice is separated from each other by a gap; (e) feeding the film forming matrix from the reservoir to the individual volumetric pumps; (f) dispensing a predetermined amount of the film forming matrix from each of the volumetric pumps through an orifice associated therewith; (g) extruding the predetermined amount of the film forming matrix onto the top surface of the substrate as the substrate moves in the first direction to form a plurality of individual wet film products; and (h) drying the individual wet film products to form a plurality of patches including a first layer of substrate and a second layer of dried film products.
FIG. 1 is a depiction of one embodiment of the present invention that is capable of forming individual film products.
FIG. 2 is a depiction of a second embodiment of the present invention that is capable of forming individual film strips.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are depictions of film patches formed by an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a depiction of a further embodiment of the present invention that is capable of forming a substrate and a plurality of individual film products on the surface of the substrate.
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses designed for forming film products, including film products that include at least one active composition. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of forming film products on a substrate, while maintaining the uniformity of content and the structural integrity of the individual film product. Further, the invention provides a method and apparatus for forming film products that minimizes the amount of waste typically required in film processing. Film systems embody a field of technology that has major advantages in areas of administering drug, medicament, and various other active and agent delivery systems to an individual in need thereof. In order to provide a desirable final product that exhibits advantageous characteristics and desirable properties, including uniformity of content, the processing and manufacturing of film strips and film technology is technologically demanding and cumbersome.
As used herein, the terms "pharmaceutical", "medicament", "drug" and "active" may be used interchangeably, and refer to a substance or composition useful for the prevention or treatment of a condition. The terms may include pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, cosmetic agents, biologic agents, bioeffective substances, and the like.
It will be understood that the term "film" includes delivery systems of any thickness, including films and film strips, sheets, discs, wafers, and the like, in any shape, including rectangular, square, or other desired shape. The film may be in the form of a continuous roll of film or may be sized to a desired length and width. The films described herein may be any desired thickness and size suitable for the intended use. For example, a film of the present invention may be sized such that it may be placed into the oral cavity of the user. Other films may be sized for application to the skin of the user, i.e., a topical use. For example, some films may have a relatively thin thickness of from about 0.1 to about 10 mils, while others may have a somewhat thicker thickness of from about 10 to about 30 mils. For some films, especially those intended for topical use, the thickness may be even larger, i.e., greater than about 30 mils. In addition, the term "film" includes single-layer compositions as well as multi-layer compositions, such as laminated films, coatings on films and the like. The composition in its dried film form maintains a uniform distribution of components through the processing of the film. Films may include a pouch or region of medicament between two films.
The term "patch" as used herein is intended to include multi-layered film products, where the first layer (or "backing layer") is a film product that has a slower rate of dissolution than the second layer (or "active layer"). Patches described herein generally include the first and second layers adhered or laminated to each other, where the second layer has a smaller length and/or width of the first layer, such that at least a portion of the surface of the first layer is visible outside of the second layer (including, but not limited to, the design shown in FIG. 3B and described in further detail herein).
Films formed by the present invention may be suitable for administration to at least one region of the body of the user, such as mucosal regions or regions within the body of the user, such as on the surface of internal organs. In some embodiments of the invention, the films are intended for oral administration. In other embodiments, the films are intended for topical administration. As used herein, the term "topical agent" is meant to encompass active agents that are applied to a particular surface area. For example, in one embodiment, a topical agent is applied to an area of the skin. In other embodiments, the topical agent may also be applied to mucosal areas of the body, such as the oral (e.g., buccal, sublingual, tongue), vaginal, ocular and anal areas of the body. In still other embodiments, the topical agent is applied to an internal organ or other body surface of the user, such as during surgery, where the agent may be removed or left within the body after surgery is complete. In other embodiments, a topical agent is applied to a hard surface, such as a particular surface area in need of treatment. In other embodiments, the films of the present invention are ingestible, and are intended to be placed in the mouth of the user and swallowed as the film disintegrates.
The medicament may be dispersed throughout the film, or it may be deposited onto one or more surfaces of the film. In either way, it is desirable that the amount of medicament per unit area is substantially uniform throughout the film. The "unit area" is intended to include a suitable unit area, such as the area of one typical dosage unit. It is desired that the films of the present invention include a uniformity of component distribution throughout the volume of a given film. Such uniformity includes a substantially uniform amount of medicament per unit volume of the film, whether the medicament is within the matrix of the film or coated, laminated, or stabilized on one or more surfaces thereof. When such films are cut into individual units, the amount of the agent in the unit can be known with a great deal of accuracy. For the films formed herein, it is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the resulting film is not required to be exactly 100% uniform. All that is required is that the film be "substantially uniform", i.e., a slight amount of non-uniformity is understood to be acceptable. "Substantially uniform" may include, for example, a film that is about 90% uniform in content from one region of the film to another, or a film that is about 95% uniform in content from one region of the film to another, and most desirably about 99% uniform in content from one region of the film to another.
It is desirable that any individual film products formed by the present invention (i.e., products having a substantially similar mass and volume) be substantially uniform in content with respect to each other. That is, the individual film products (including individual dosages of approximately equal sizes) formed by the present invention should have approximately the same content composition as each other film product. Of course, it will be understood that some deviation is to be expected during the manufacturing process, but desirably the individual film products should be at least 90% uniform in content with respect to each other. In other words, "substantially uniform" may mean that individual film products should vary by no more than about 10% with respect to each other. In some embodiments, "substantially uniform" may mean that individual film products should vary by no more than about 5% with respect to each other.
Uniformity of medicament throughout the film is important in administering an accurate and effective dose of medicament to a user. Various methods of forming uniform films, as well as various polymers, additives and fillers, may be used, including those methods and materials described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,425,292, 7,357,891 and 7,666,337, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. Any number of active components or pharmaceutical agents may be included in the films discussed herein. The active component(s) may be disposed within any layer of film products formed herein or they may be placed onto one or more surfaces of the film products.
Examples of useful drugs include ace-inhibitors, antianginal drugs, anti-arrhythmias, anti-asthmatics, anti-cholesterolemics, analgesics, anesthetics, anti-convulsants, anti-depressants, anti-diabetic agents, anti-diarrhea preparations, antidotes, anti-histamines, anti-hypertensive drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-lipid agents, anti-manics, anti-nauseants, anti-stroke agents, anti-thyroid preparations, anti-tumor drugs, anti-viral agents, acne drugs, alkaloids, amino acid preparations, anti-tussives, anti-uricemic drugs, anti-viral drugs, anabolic preparations, systemic and non-systemic anti-infective agents, anti-neoplastics, anti-parkinsonian agents, anti-rheumatic agents, appetite stimulants, biological response modifiers, blood modifiers, bone metabolism regulators, cardiovascular agents, central nervous system stimulants, cholinesterase inhibitors, contraceptives, decongestants, dietary supplements, dopamine receptor agonists, endometriosis management agents, enzymes, erectile dysfunction therapies, fertility agents, gastrointestinal agents, homeopathic remedies, hormones, hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia management agents, immunomodulators, immunosuppressives, migraine preparations, motion sickness treatments, muscle relaxants, obesity management agents, osteoporosis preparations, oxytocics, parasympatholytics, parasympathomimetics, prostaglandins, psychotherapeutic agents, respiratory agents, sedatives, smoking cessation aids, sympatholytics, tremor preparations, urinary tract agents, vasodilators, laxatives, antacids, ion exchange resins, anti-pyretics, appetite suppressants, expectorants, anti-anxiety agents, anti-ulcer agents, anti-inflammatory substances, coronary dilators, cerebral dilators, peripheral vasodilators, psycho-tropics, stimulants, anti-hypertensive drugs, vasoconstrictors, migraine treatments, antibiotics, tranquilizers, anti-psychotics, anti-tumor drugs, anti-coagulants, anti-thrombotic drugs, hypnotics, anti-emetics, anti-nauseants, anti-convulsants, neuromuscular drugs, hyper- and hypo-glycemic agents, thyroid and anti-thyroid preparations, diuretics, anti-spasmodics, uterine relaxants, anti-obesity drugs, erythropoietic drugs, anti-asthmatics, cough suppressants, mucolytics, DNA and genetic modifying drugs, and combinations thereof.
Examples of medicating active ingredients contemplated for use in the present invention include antacids, H.sub.2-antagonists, and analgesics. For example, antacid dosages can be prepared using the ingredients calcium carbonate alone or in combination with magnesium hydroxide, and/or aluminum hydroxide. Moreover, antacids can be used in combination with H.sub.2-antagonists.
Analgesics include opiates and opiate derivatives, such as oxycodone (commercially available as Oxycontin.RTM.); ibuprofen (commercially available as Motrin.RTM., Advil.RTM., Motrin Children's.RTM., Motrin IB.RTM.), Advil Children's.RTM., Motrin Infants'.RTM., Motrin Junior.RTM., Ibu-2.RTM., Proprinal.RTM., Ibu-200.RTM., Midol Cramp Formula.RTM., Bufen.RTM., Motrin Migraine Pain.RTM., Addaprin.RTM. and Haltran.RTM.), aspirin (commercially available as Empirin.RTM., Ecotrin.RTM., Genuine Bayer.RTM., and Halfprin.RTM.), acetaminophen (commercially available as Silapap Infant's.RTM., Silapap Children's.RTM., Tylenol.RTM., Tylenol Children's.RTM., Tylenol Extra Strength.RTM., Tylenol Infants' Original.RTM., Tylenol Infants'.RTM., Tylenol Arthritis.RTM., T-Painol.RTM., Q-Pap.RTM., Cetafen.RTM., Dolono.RTM., Tycolene.RTM., APAP.RTM., and Aminofen.RTM.), and combinations thereof that may optionally include caffeine. Other pain relieving agents may be used in the present invention, including meperidine hydrochloride (commercially available as Demerol.RTM.), capsaicin (commercially available as Qutenza.RTM.), morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride (commercially available as Embeda.RTM.), hydromorphone hydrochloride (commercially available as Dilaudid.RTM.), propoxyphene napsylate and acetaminophen (commercially available as Darvocet-N.RTM.), Fentanyl (commercially available as Duragesic.RTM., Onsolis.RTM., and Fentora.RTM.), sodium hyaluronate (commercially avialble as Euflexxa.RTM.), adalimumab (commercially available as Humira.RTM.), sumatriptan succinate (commercially available as Imitrex.RTM.), fentanyl iontophoretic (commercially available as Ionsys.RTM.), orphenadrine citrate (commercially available as Norgesic.RTM.), magnesium salicylate tetrahydrate (commercially available as Novasal.RTM.), oxymorphone hydrochloride (commercially available as Opana ER.RTM.), methocarbamol (commercially available as Robaxin.RTM.), carisoprodol (commercially available as Soma.RTM.), tramadol hydrochloride (commercially available as Ultracet.RTM. and Ultram.RTM.), morphine sulfate (commercially available as MS Contin.RTM.), metaxalone (commercially available as Skelaxin.RTM.), oxycodone hydrochloride (commercially available as OxyContin.RTM.), acetaminophen/oxycodone hydrochloride (commercially available as Percocet.RTM.), oxycodone/aspirin (commercially available as Percodan.RTM.), hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen (commercially available as Vicodin.RTM.), hydrocodone bitartrate/ibuprofen (commercially available as Vicoprofen.RTM.), nepafenac (commercially available as Nevanac.RTM.), and pregabalin (commercially available as Lyrica.RTM.).
The present invention may further include agents such as NSAIDs, including etodolac (commercially available as Lodine.RTM.), ketorolac tromethamine (commercially available as Acular.RTM. or Acuvail.RTM.), naproxen sodium (commercially available as Anaprox.RTM., Naprosyn.RTM.), flurbiprofen (commercially available as Ansaid.RTM.), diclofenac sodium/misoprostol (commercially available as Arthrotec.RTM.), celecoxib (commercially available as Celebrex.RTM.), sulindac (commercially available as Clinoril.RTM.), oxaprozin (commercially available as Daypro.RTM.), piroxicam (commercially available as Feldene.RTM.), indomethacin (commercially available as Indocin.RTM.), meloxicam (commercially available as Mobic.RTM.), mefenamic acid (commercially available as Ponstel.RTM.), tolmetin sodium (commercially available as Tolectin.RTM.), choline magnesium trisalicylate (commercially available as Trilisate.RTM.), diclofenac sodium (commercially available as Voltaren.RTM.), diclofenac potassium (commercially available as Cambia.RTM. or Zipsor.RTM.), and misoprostol (commercially available as Cytotec.RTM.). Opiate agonists and antagonists, such as buprenorphine and naloxone are further examples of drugs for use in the present invention.
Other preferred drugs for other preferred active ingredients for use in the present invention include anti-diarrheals such as loperamide (commercially available as Imodium ADC), Imotil.RTM., Kaodene.RTM., Imperim.RTM., Diamode.RTM., QC Anti-Diarrheal.RTM., Health Care America Anti-Diarrheal.RTM., Leader A-D.RTM., and Imogen.RTM.), nitazoxanide (commercially available as Alinia.RTM.) and diphenoxylate hydrochloride/atropine sulfate (commercially available as Lomotil.RTM.), anti-histamines, anti-tussives, decongestants, vitamins, and breath fresheners. Common drugs used alone or in combination for colds, pain, fever, cough, congestion, runny nose and allergies, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, chlorpheniramine maleate, dextromethorphan, dextromethorphan HBr, phenylephrine HCl, pseudoephedrine HCl, diphenhydramine and combinations thereof, such as dextromethophan HBr and phenylephrine HCl (available as Triaminic.RTM.) may be included in the film compositions of the present invention.
Other active agents useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to alcohol dependence treatment, such as acamprosate calcium (commercially available as Campral.RTM.); Allergy treatment medications, such as promethazine hydrochloride (commercially available as Phenergan.RTM.), bepotastine besilate (commercially available as Bepreve.RTM.), hydrocodone polistirex/chlorpheniramine polistirex (commercially available as Tussionex.RTM.), cetirizine hydrochloride (commercially available as Zyrtec.RTM.), cetirizine hydrochloride/pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (commercially available as Zyrtec-D.RTM.), promethazine hydrochloride/codeine phosphate (commercially available as Phenergan.RTM. with Codeine), pemirolast (commercially available as Alamast.RTM.), fexofenadine hydrochloride (commercially available as Allegra.RTM.), meclizine hydrochloride (commercially available as Antivert.RTM.), azelastine hydrochloride (commercially available as Astelin.RTM.), nizatidine (commercially available as Axid.RTM.), desloratadine (commercially available as Clarinex.RTM.), cromolyn sodium (commercially available as Crolom.RTM.), epinastine hydrochloride (commercially available as Elestat.RTM.), azelastine hydrochloride (commercially available as Optivar.RTM.), prednisolone sodium phosphate (commercially available as Orapred ODT.RTM.), olopatadine hydrochloride (commercially available as Patanol.RTM.), ketotifen fumarate (commercially available as Zaditor.RTM.), and montelukast sodium (commercially available as Singulair.RTM.); and anti-histamines such as diphenhydramine HCl (available as Benadryl.RTM.), loratadine (available as Claritin.RTM.), astemizole (available as Hismanal.RTM.), nabumetone (available as Relafen.RTM.), diphenydramine HCL (available as TheraFlu.RTM.) and clemastine (available as Tavist.RTM.).
Films of the present invention may further include Alzheimer's treatment medications, such as tacrine hydrochloride (commercially available as Cognex.RTM.), galantamine (commercially available as Razadyne.RTM.), donepezil hydrochloride (commercially available as Aricept.RTM.), rivastigmine tartrate (commercially available as Exelon.RTM.), caprylidene (commercially available as Axona.RTM.), and memantine (commercially available as Namenda.RTM.); anemia medication, such as cyanocobalamin (commercially available as Nascobal.RTM.) and ferumoxytol (commercially available as Feraheme.RTM.); anesthetics, such as antipyrine with benzocaine (commercially available as Auralgan.RTM., Aurodex.RTM. and Auroto.RTM.); angina medication, such as amlodipine besylate (commercially available as Norvasc.RTM.), nitroglycerin (commercially available as Nitro-Bid.RTM., Nitro-Dur.RTM., Nitrolingual.RTM., Nitrostat.RTM., Transderm-Nitro.RTM.), isosorbide mononitrate (commercially available as Imdur.RTM.), and isosorbide dinitrate (commercially available as Isordil.RTM.); anti-tussives such as guaifensin; anti-Alzheimer's agents, such as nicergoline; and Ca.sup.H-antagonists such as nifedipine (commercially available as Procardia.RTM. and Adalat.RTM.).
Actives useful in the present invention may also include anti-asthmatics, such as albuterol sulfate (commercially available as Proventil.RTM.), ipratropium bromide (commercially available as Atrovent.RTM.), salmeterol xinafoate (commercially available as Serevent.RTM.), zafirlukast (commercially available as Accolate.RTM.), flunisolide (commercially available as AeroBid.RTM.), metaproterenol sulfate (commercially available as Alupent.RTM.), albuterol inhalation (commercially available as Ventolin.RTM.), terbutaline sulfate (commercially available as Brethine.RTM.), formoterol (commercially available as Foradil.RTM.), cromolyn sodium (commercially available as Intal.RTM.), levalbuterol hydrochloride (commercially available as Xopenex.RTM.), zileuton (commercially available as Zyflo.RTM.), fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (commercially available as Advair.RTM.), albuterol sulfate/triamcinolone acetonide (commercially available as Azmacort.RTM.), dimethylxanthine (commercially available as Theophylline.RTM.), and beclomethasone (commercially available as Beclovent.RTM., Beconase.RTM., Qvar.RTM., Vancenase.RTM., Vanceril.RTM.); angioedema medication, such as Cl esterase Inhibitor (human) (commercially available as Berinert.RTM.) and ecallantide (commercially available as Kalbitor.RTM.); and antibacterial medications, such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (commercially available as Bactrim.RTM.), mupirocin (commercially available as Bactroban.RTM.), metronidazole (commercially available as Flagyl.RTM.), sulfisoxazole acetyl (commercially available as Gantrisin.RTM.), bismuth subsalicylate and metronidazole/tetracycline hydrochloride (commercially available as Helidac Therapy.RTM.), nitrofurantoin (commercially available as Macrodantin.RTM.), norfloxacin (commercially available as Noroxin.RTM.), erythromycin ethylsuccinate/Sulfisoxazole acetyl (commercially available as Pediazole.RTM.), and levofloxacin (commercially available as Levaquin.RTM.).
The present invention may further include one or more antibiotics, including amoxicillin (commercially available as Amoxil.RTM.), ampicillin (commercially available as Omnipen.RTM., Polycillin.RTM. and Principen.RTM.), amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (commercially available as Augmentin.RTM.), moxifloxacin hydrochloride (commercially available as Avelox.RTM.), besifloxacin (commercially available as Besivance.RTM.), clarithromycin (commercially available as Biaxin.RTM.), ceftibuten (commercially available as Cedax.RTM.), cefuroxime axetil (commercially available as Ceftin.RTM.), cefprozil (commercially available as Cefzil.RTM.), ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (commercially available as Ciloxan.RTM. and Cipro.RTM.), clindamycin phosphate (commercially available as Cleocin T.RTM.), doxycycline hyclate (commercially available as Doryx.RTM.), dirithromycin (commercially available as Dynabac.RTM.), erythromycin (commercially available as E.E.S..RTM., E-Mycin.RTM., Eryc.RTM., Ery-Tab.RTM., Erythrocin.RTM., and PCE.RTM.), erythromycin topical (commercially available as A/T/S.RTM., Erycette.RTM., T-Stat.RTM.), gemifloxacin (commercially available as Factive.RTM.), ofloxacin (commercially known as Ocuflox.RTM., Floxin.RTM.), telithromycin (commercially available as Ketek.RTM.), lomefloxacin hydrochloride (commercially available as Maxaquin.RTM.), minocycline hydrochloride (commercially available as Minocin.RTM.), fosfomycin tromethamine (commercially available as Monurol.RTM.), penicillin with potassium (commercially available as Penicillin VK.RTM., Veetids.RTM.), trimethoprim (commercially available as Primsol.RTM.), ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (commercially available as Proquin XR.RTM.), rifampin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide (commercially available as Rifater.RTM.), cefditoren (commercially available as Spectracef.RTM.), cefixime (commercially available as Suprax.RTM.), tetracycline (commercially available as Achromycin V.RTM. and Sumycin.RTM.), tobramycin (commercially available as Tobrex.RTM.), rifaximin (commercially available as Xifaxan.RTM.), azithromycin (commercially available as Zithromax.RTM.), azithromycin suspension (commercially available as Zmax.RTM.), linezolid (commercially available as Zyvox.RTM.), benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin (commercially available as BenzaClin.RTM.), erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide (commercially available as Benzamycin.RTM.), dexamethasone (commercially available as Ozurdex.RTM.), ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone (commercially available as Ciprodex.RTM.), polymyxin B sulfate/neomycin sulfate/hydrocortisone (commercially available as Cortisporin.RTM.), colistin sulfate/neomycin sulfate/hydrocortisone acetate/thonzonium bromide (commercially available as Cortisporin-TC Otic.RTM.), cephalexin hydrochloride (commercially available as Keflex.RTM.), cefdinir (commercially available as Omnicef.RTM.), and gatifloxacin (commercially available as Zymar.RTM.).
Other useful actives include cancer treatment medications, including cyclophosphamide (commercially available as Cytoxan.RTM.), methotrexate (commercially available as Rheumatrex.RTM. and Trexal.RTM.), tamoxifen citrate (commercially available as Nolvadex.RTM.), bevacizumab (commercially available as Avastin.RTM.), everolimus (commercially available as Afinitor.RTM.), pazopanib (commercially available as Votrient.RTM.), and anastrozole (commercially available as Arimidex.RTM.); leukemia treatment, such as ofatumumab (commercially available as Arzerra.RTM.); anti-thrombotic drugs, such as antithrombin recombinant lyophilized powder (commercially available as Atryn.RTM.), prasugrel (commercially available as Efient.RTM.); anti-coagulants, such as aspirin with extended-release dipyridamole (commercially available as Aggrenox.RTM.), warfarin sodium (commercially available as Coumadin.RTM.), dipyridamole (commercially available as Persantine.RTM.), dalteparin (commercially available as Fragmin.RTM.), danaparoid (commercially available as Orgaran.RTM.), enoxaparin (commercially available as Lovenox.RTM.), heparin (commercially available as Hep-Lock, Hep-Pak, Hep-Pak CVC, Heparin Lock Flush), tinzaparin (commercially available as Innohep.RTM.), and clopidogrel bisulfate (commercially available as Plavix.RTM.); antiemetics, such as granisetron hydrochloride (commercially available as Kytril.RTM.) and nabilone (commercially available as Cesamet.RTM.), trimethobenzamide hydrochloride (commercially available as Tigan.RTM.), and ondansetron hydrochloride (commercially available as Zofran.RTM.); anti-fungal treatment, such as ketoconazole (commercially available as Nizoral.RTM.), posaconazole (commercially available as Noxafil.RTM.), ciclopirox (commercially available as Penlac.RTM.), griseofulvin (commercially available as Gris-PEG.RTM.), oxiconazole nitrate (commercially available as Oxistat.RTM.), fluconazole (commercially available as Diflucan.RTM.), sertaconazole nitrate (commercially available as Ertaczo.RTM.), terbinafine hydrochloride (commercially available as Lamisil.RTM.), ciclopirox (commercially available as Loprox.RTM.), nystatin/triamcinolone acetonide (commercially available as Mycolog-II.RTM.), econazole nitrate (commercially available as Spectazole.RTM.), itraconazole (commercially available as Sporanox.RTM.), and terconazole (commercially available as Terazol.RTM.).
Active agents may further include anti-inflammatory medications, such as hydroxychloroquine sulfate (commercially available as Plaquenil.RTM.), fluticasone propionate (commercially available as Cutivate.RTM.), canakinumab (commercially available as Llaris.RTM.), amcinonide (commercially available as Cyclocort.RTM.), methylprednisolone (commercially available as Medrol.RTM.), budesonide (commercially available as Entocort EC.RTM.), anakinra (commercially available as Kineret.RTM.), diflorasone diacetate (commercially available as Psorcon.RTM.), and etanercept (commercially available as Enbrel.RTM.); antispasmodic medication, such as phenobarbital/hyoscyamine sulfate/atropine sulfate/scopolamine hydrobromide (commercially available as Donnatal.RTM.); antiviral treatment, such as oseltamivir phosphate (commercially available as Tamiflu.RTM.); anti-parasites medication, including tinidazole (commercially available as Tindamax.RTM.); appetite treatment mediations, such as megestrol acetate (commercially available as Megace ES.RTM.), phentermine hydrochloride (commercially available as Adipex-P.RTM.), and diethylpropion hydrochloride (commercially available as Tenuate.RTM.); arthritis medications, including leflunomide (commercially available as Arava.RTM.), certolizumab pegol (commercially available as Cimzia.RTM.), diclofenac sodium (commercially available as Pennsaid.RTM.), golimumab (commercially available as Simponi.RTM.), and tocilizumab (commercially available as Actemra.RTM.); bladder control medication, such as trospium chloride (commercially available as Sanctura.RTM.), desmopressin acetate (commercially available as DDAVP.RTM.), tolterodine tartrate (commercially available as Detrol.RTM.), oxybutynin chloride (commercially available as Ditropan.RTM. or Gelnique.RTM.), darifenacin (commercially available as Enablex.RTM.), and solifenacin succinate (commercially available as VESIcare.RTM.); blood vessel constrictors, such as methylergonovine maleate (commercially available as Methergine.RTM.); plasma uric managers, such as rasburicase (commercially available as Elitek.RTM.); iron deficiency anemia medications, such as ferumoxytol (commercially available as Feraheme.RTM.); lymphoma medications, such as pralatrexate (commercially available as Folotyn.RTM.), romidepsin (commercially available as Isodax.RTM.); malaria medication, such as artemether/lumefantrine (commercially available as Coartem.RTM.); hyponatremia medication, such as tolvatpan (commercially available as Samsca.RTM.); medication for treatment of von Willebrand disease (commercially available as Wilate.RTM.); anti-hypertension medications, such as treprostinil (commercially available as Tyvaso.RTM.), tadalafil (commercially available as Adcirca.RTM.); cholesterol lowering medication, including paricalcitol (commercially available as Altocor.RTM.), pitavastatin (commercially available as Livalo.RTM.), lovastatin, niacin (commercially available as Advicor.RTM.), colestipol hydrochloride (commercially available as Colestid.RTM.), rosuvastatin calcium (commercially available as Crestor.RTM.), fluvastatin sodium (commercially available as Lescol.RTM.), atorvastatin calcium (commercially available as Lipitor.RTM.), lovastatin (commercially available as Mevacor.RTM.), niacin (commercially available as Niaspan.RTM.), pravastatin sodium (commercially available as Pravachol.RTM.), pavastatin sodium with buffered aspirin (commercially available as Pravigard PAC.RTM.), cholestyramine (commercially available as Questran.RTM.), simvastatin and niacin (commercially available as Simcor.RTM.), atenolol, chlorthalidone (commercially available as Tenoretic.RTM.), atenolol (commercially available as Tenormin.RTM.), fenofibrate (commercially available as Tricor.RTM.), fenofibrate (commercially available as Triglide.RTM.), ezetimibe/simvastatin (commercially available as Vytorin.RTM.), colesevelam (commercially available as WelChol.RTM.), bisoprolol fumarate (commercially available as Zebeta.RTM.), ezetimibe (commercially available as Zetia.RTM.), bisoprolol fumarate/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Ziac.RTM.), and simvastatin (commercially available as Zocor.RTM.).
The actives included herein may also include chronic kidney disease medication, such as paricalcitol (commercially available as Zemplar.RTM.); contraceptive agents, including etonogestrel (commercially available as Implanon.RTM.), norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol (commercially available as Loestrin 24 FE.RTM.), ethinyl estradiol, norelgestromin (commercially available as Ortho Evra.RTM.), levonorgestrel (commercially available as Plan B.RTM.), levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (commercially available as Preven.RTM.), levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol (commercially available as Seasonique.RTM.), and medroxyprogesterone acetate (commercially available as Depo-Provera.RTM.); COPD medication, such as arformoterol tartrate (commercially available as Brovana.RTM.) and ipratropium bromide, albuterol sulfate (commercially available as Combivent.RTM.); cough suppressants, including benzonatate (commercially available as Tessalon.RTM.), guaifenesin, codeine phosphate (commercially available as Tussi-Organidin NR.RTM.), and acetaminophen, codeine phosphate (commercially available as Tylenol with Codeine.RTM.); medication for the treatment of diabetes, including pioglitazone hydrochloride, metformin hydrochloride (commercially available as ACTOplus Met.RTM.), bromocriptine mesylate (commercially available as Cycloset.RTM.), liraglutide (commercially available as Victoza.RTM.), saxagliptin (commercially available as Onglyza.RTM.), pioglitazone hydrochloride (commercially available as Actos.RTM.), glimepiride (commercially available as Amaryl.RTM.), rosiglitazone maleate, metformin hydrochloride (commercially available as Avandamet.RTM.), rosiglitazone maleate (commercially available as Avandaryl.RTM.), rosiglitazone maleate (commercially available as Avandia.RTM.), exenatide (commercially available as Byetta.RTM.), chlorpropamide (commercially available as Diabinese.RTM.), pioglitazone hydrochloride, glimepiride (commercially available as Duetact.RTM.), metformin hydrochloride (commercially available as Glucophage.RTM.), glipizide (commercially available as Glucotrol.RTM.), glyburide, metformin (commercially available as Glucovance.RTM.), metformin hydrochloride (commercially available as Glumetza.RTM.), sitagliptin (commercially available as Januvia.RTM.), detemir (commercially available as Levemir.RTM.), glipizide, metformin hydrochloride (commercially available as Metaglip.RTM.), glyburide (commercially available as Micronase.RTM.), repaglinide (commercially available as Prandin.RTM.), acarbose (commercially available as Precose.RTM.), nateglinide (commercially available as Starlix.RTM.), pramlintide acetate (commercially available as Symlin.RTM.), and tolazamide (commercially available as Tolinase.RTM.).
Other useful agents of the present invention may include digestive agents, such as sulfasalazine (commercially available as Azulfidine.RTM.), rabeprazole sodium (commercially available as AcipHex.RTM.), lubiprostone (commercially available as Amitiza.RTM.), dicyclomine hydrochloride (commercially available as Bentyl.RTM.), sucralfate (commercially available as Carafate.RTM.), lactulose (commercially available as Chronulac.RTM.), docusate (commercially available as Colace.RTM.), balsalazide disodium (commercially available as Colazal.RTM.), losartan potassium (commercially available as Cozaar.RTM.), olsalazine sodium (commercially available as Dipentum.RTM.), chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride, clidinium bromide (commercially available as Librax.RTM.), esomeprazole magnesium (commercially available as Nexium.RTM.), famotidine (commercially available as Pepcid.RTM.), lansoprazole (commercially available as Prevacid.RTM.), lansoprazole and naproxen (commercially available as Prevacid NapraPAC.RTM.), amoxicillin/clarithromycin/lansoprazole (commercially available as Prevpac.RTM.), omeprazole (commercially available as Prilosec.RTM.), pantoprazole sodium (commercially available as Protonix.RTM.), metoclopramide hydrochloride (commercially available as Reglan.RTM. or Metozolv.RTM.), cimetidine (commercially available as Tagamet.RTM.), ranitidine hydrochloride (commercially available as Zantac.RTM.), and omeprazole, sodium bicarbonate (commercially available as Zegerid.RTM.); diuretics, including spironolactone, hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Aldactazide.RTM.), spironolactone (commercially available as Aldactone.RTM.). bumetanide (commercially available as Bumex.RTM.), torsemide (commercially available as Demadex.RTM.), chlorothiazide (commercially available as Diuril.RTM.), furosemide (commercially available as Lasix.RTM.), metolazone (commercially available as Zaroxolyn.RTM.), and hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene (commercially available as Dyazide.RTM.).
Agents useful herein may also include treatment for emphysema, such as tiotropium bromide (commercially available as Spiriva.RTM.); fibromyalgia medication, such as milnacipran hydrochloride (commercially available as Savella.RTM.); medication for the treatment of gout, such as colchicine (commercially available as Colcrys.RTM.), and febuxostat (commercially available as Uloric.RTM.); enema treatments, including aminosalicylic acid (commercially available as Mesalamine.RTM. and Rowasa.RTM.); epilepsy medications, including valproic acid (commercially available as Depakene.RTM.), felbamate (commercially available as Felbatol.RTM.), lamotrigine (commercially available as Lamictal.RTM.), primidone (commercially available as Mysoline.RTM.), oxcarbazepine (commercially available as Trileptal.RTM.), zonisamide (commercially available as Zonegran.RTM.), levetiracetam (commercially available as Keppra.RTM.), and phenytoin sodium (commercially available as Dilantin.RTM.).
Erectile dysfunction therapies useful herein include, but are not limited to, drugs for facilitating blood flow to the penis, and for effecting autonomic nervous activities, such as increasing parasympathetic (cholinergic) and decreasing sympathetic (adrenersic) activities. Useful agents for treatment of erectile dysfunction include, for example, those agents available as alprostadil (commercially available as Caverject.RTM.), tadalafil (commercially available as Cialis.RTM.), vardenafil (commercially available as Levitra.RTM.), apomorphine (commercially available as Uprima.RTM.), yohimbine hydrochloride (commercially available as Aphrodyne.RTM., Yocon.RTM.), and sildenafil citrate (commercially available as Viagra.RTM.).
Agents useful herein may further include eye medications and treatment, such as dipivefrin hydrochloride (commercially available as Propine.RTM.), valganciclovir (commercially available as Valcyte.RTM.), ganciclovir ophthalmic gel (commercially available as Zirgan.RTM.); bepotastine besilate (commercially available as Bepreve.RTM.), besifloxacin (commercially available as Besivance.RTM.), bromfenac (commercially available as Xibrom.RTM.), fluorometholone (commercially available as FML.RTM.), pilocarpine hydrochloride (commercially available as Pilocar.RTM.), cyclosporine (commercially available as Restasis.RTM.), brimonidine tartrate (commercially available as Alphagan P.RTM.), dorzolamide hydrochloride/timolol maleate (commercially available as Cosopt.RTM.), bimatoprost (commercially available as Lumigan.RTM.), timolol maleate (available as Timoptic.RTM.), travoprost (commercially available as Travatan.RTM.), latanoprost (commercially available as Xalatan.RTM.), echothiophate iodide (commercially available as Phospholine Iodide.RTM.), and ranibizumab (commercially available as Lucentis.RTM.); fluid controllers, such as acetazolamide (commercially available as Diamox.RTM.); gallstone medications, including ursodiol (commercially available as Actigall.RTM.); medication for the treatment of gingivitis, including chlorhexidine gluconate (commercially available as Peridex.RTM.); headache medications, including butalbital/codeine phosphate/aspirin/caffeine (commercially available as Fiornal.RTM. with Codeine), naratriptan hydrochloride (commercially available as Amerge.RTM.), almotriptan (commercially available as Axert.RTM.), ergotamine tartrate/caffeine (commercially available as Cafergot.RTM.), butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine (commercially available as Fioricet.RTM.), butalbital/aspirin/caffeine (commercially available as Fiorinal.RTM.), frovatriptan succinate (commercially available as Frova.RTM.), rizatriptan benzoate (commercially available as Maxalt.RTM.), isometheptene mucate/dichloralphenazone/acetaminophen (commercially available as Midrin.RTM.), dihydroergotamine mesylate (commercially available as Migranal.RTM.), eletriptan hydrobromide (commercially available as Relpax.RTM.), and zolmitriptan (commercially available as Zomig.RTM.); influenza medication, such as haemophilus b conjugate vaccine; tetanus toxoid conjugate (commercially available as Hiberix.RTM.); and heart treatments, including quinidine sulfate, isosorbide dinitrate/hydralazine hydrochloride (commercially available as BiDil.RTM.), digoxin (commercially available as Lanoxin.RTM.), flecainide acetate (commercially available as Tambocor.RTM.), mexiletine hydrochloride (commercially available as Mexitil.RTM.), disopyramide phosphate (commercially available as Norpace.RTM.), procainamide hydrochloride (commercially available as Procanbid.RTM.), and propafenone (commercially available as Rythmol.RTM.).
Other useful agents include hepatitis treatments, including entecavir (commercially available as Baraclude.RTM.), hepatitis B immune globulin (commercially available as HepaGam B.RTM.), and copegus/rebetol/ribasphere/vilona/virazole (commercially available as Ribavirin.RTM.); herpes treatments, including valacyclovir hydrochloride (commercially available as Valtrex.RTM.), penciclovir (commercially available as Denavir.RTM.), acyclovir (commercially available as Zovirax.RTM.), and famciclovir (commercially available as Famvir.RTM.); treatment for high blood pressure, including enalaprilat (available as Vasotec.RTM.), captopril (available as Capoten.RTM.) and lisinopril (available as Zestril.RTM.), verapamil hydrochloride (available as Calan.RTM.), ramipril (commercially available as Altace.RTM.), olmesartan medoxomil (commercially available as Benicar.RTM.), amlodipine/atorvastatin (commercially available as Caduet.RTM.), nicardipine hydrochloride (commercially available as Cardene.RTM.), diltiazem hydrochloride (commercially available as Cardizem.RTM.), quinapril hydrochloride (commercially available as Accupril.RTM.), quinapril hydrochloride/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Accuretic.RTM.), perindopril erbumine (commercially available as Aceon.RTM.), candesartan cilexetil (commercially available as Atacand.RTM.), candesartan cilexetil/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Atacand HCT.RTM.), irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Avalide.RTM.), irbesartan (commercially available as Avapro.RTM.), amlodipine besylate/olmesartan medoxomil (commercially available as Azor.RTM.), levobunolol hydrochloride (commercially available as Betagan.RTM.), betaxolol hydrochloride (commercially available as Betoptic.RTM.), nebivolol (commercially available as Bystolic.RTM.), captopril/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Capozide.RTM.), doxazosin mesylate (commercially available as Cardura.RTM.), clonidine hydrochloride (commercially available as Catapres.RTM.), carvedilol (commercially available as Coreg.RTM.), nadolol (commercially available as Corgard.RTM.), nadolol/bendroflumethiazide (commercially available as Corzide.RTM.), valsartan (commercially available as Diovan.RTM.), isradipine (commercially available as DynaCirc.RTM.), Guanabenz acetate. (commercially available as Wytensin.RTM.), Guanfacine hydrochloride (commercially available as Tenex.RTM. or Intuniv.RTM.), losartan potassium/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Hyzaar.RTM.), propranolol hydrochloride (commercially available as Indera.RTM.), propranolol hydrochloride/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Inderide.RTM.), eplerenone (commercially available as Inspra.RTM.), ambrisentan (commercially available as Letairis.RTM.), enalapril maleate/felodipine (commercially available as Lexxel.RTM.), metoprolol tartrate (commercially available as Lopressor.RTM.), benazepril hydrochloride (commercially available as Lotensin.RTM.), benazepril hydrochloride/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Lotensin HCT.RTM.), amlodipine/benazepril hydrochloride (commercially available as Lotrel.RTM.), indapamide (commercially available as Lozol.RTM.), trandolapril (commercially available as Mavik.RTM.), telmisartan (commercially available as Micardis.RTM.), telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Micardis HCT.RTM.), prazosin hydrochloride (commercially available as Minipress.RTM.), amiloride, hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Moduretic.RTM.), fosinopril sodium (commercially available as ZZXT Monopril.RTM.), fosinopril sodium/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Monopril-HCT.RTM.), pindolol (commercially available as Visken.RTM.), felodipine (commercially available as Plendil.RTM.), sildenafil citrate (commercially available as Revatio.RTM.), Nisoldipine (commercially available as Sular.RTM.), trandolapril/verapamil hydrochloride (commercially available as Tarka.RTM.), aliskiren (commercially available as Tekturna.RTM.), eprosartan mesylate (commercially available as Teveten.RTM.), eprosartan mesylate/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Teveten HCT.RTM.), moexipril hydrochloride/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Uniretic.RTM.), moexipril hydrochloride (commercially available as Univasc.RTM.), enalapril maleate/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Vaseretic.RTM.), and lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide (commercially available as Zestoretic.RTM.).
The present invention may include agents useful in the medication for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, such as amprenavir (commercially available as Agenerase.RTM.), tipranavir (commercially available as Aptivus.RTM.), efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir (commercially available as Atripla.RTM.), lamivudine/zidovudine (commercially available as Combivir.RTM.), indinavir sulfate (commercially available as Crixivan.RTM.), lamivudine (commercially available as Epivir.RTM.), saquinavir (commercially available as Fortovase.RTM.), zalcitabine (commercially available as Hivid.RTM.), lopinavir/ritonavir (commercially available as Kaletra.RTM.), fosamprenavir calcium (commercially available as Lexiva.RTM.), ritonavir (commercially available as Norvir.RTM.), zidovudine (commercially available as Retrovir.RTM.), atazanavir sulfate (commercially available as Reyataz.RTM.), efavirenz (commercially available as Sustiva.RTM.), abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine (commercially available as Trizivir.RTM.), didanosine (commercially available as Videx.RTM.), nelfinavir mesylate (commercially available as Viracept.RTM.), nevirapine (commercially available as Viramune.RTM.), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (commercially available as Viread.RTM.), stavudine (commercially available as Zerit.RTM.), and abacavir sulfate (commercially available as Ziagen.RTM.); homocysteiene removers, including betaine anhydrous (commercially available as Cystadane.RTM.); medications, such as insulin (commercially available as Apidra.RTM., Humalog.RTM., Humulin.RTM., Iletin.RTM., and Novolin.RTM.); and HPV treatment, such as Human papillomavirus vaccine (commercially available as Gardasil.RTM.) or human papillomavirus bivalent (commercially available as Cervarix.RTM.); immunosuppressants, including cyclosporine (commercially available as Gengraf.RTM., Neoral.RTM., Sandimmune.RTM., and Apo-Cyclosporine.RTM.).
Agents useful in the present invention may further include prolactin inhibitors, such as bromocriptine mesylate (commercially available as Parlodel.RTM.); medications for aiding in stress tests, such as regadenoson (commercially available as Lexiscan.RTM.); baldness medication, including finasteride (commercially available as Propecia.RTM. and Proscar.RTM.); pancreatitis treatment, such as gemfibrozil (commercially available as Lopid.RTM.); hormone medications, such as norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol (commercially available as femHRT.RTM.), goserelin acetate (commercially available as Zoladex.RTM.), progesterone gel (commercially available as Prochieve.RTM.), progesterone (commercially available as Prometrium.RTM.), calcitonin-salmon (commercially available as Miacalcin.RTM.), calcitriol (commercially available as Rocaltrol.RTM.), Synthroid (commercially available as Levothroid.RTM., Levoxyl.RTM., Unithroid.RTM.), testosterone (commercially available as Testopel.RTM., Androderm.RTM., Testoderm.RTM., and AndroGel.RTM.); menopause medication, such as estradiol/norethindrone acetate (commercially available as Activella.RTM.), drospirenone/estradiol (commercially available as Angeliq.RTM.), estradiol/levonorgestrel (commercially available as Climara Pro.RTM.), estradiol/norethindrone acetate (commercially available as CombiPatch.RTM.), estradiol (commercially available as Estrasorb.RTM., Vagifem.RTM. and EstroGel.RTM.), esterified estrogens and methyltestosterone (commercially available as Estratest.RTM.), estrogen (commercially available as Alora.RTM., Climara.RTM., Esclim.RTM., Estraderm.RTM., Vivelle.RTM., Vivelle-Dot.RTM.), estropipate (commercially available as Ogen.RTM.), conjugated estrogens (commercially available as Premarin.RTM.), and medroxyprogesterone acetate (commercially available as Provera.RTM.); menstrual medications, including leuprolide acetate (commercially available as Lupron Depot), tranexamic acid (commercially available as Lysteda.RTM.), and norethindrone acetate (commercially available as Aygestin.RTM.); and muscle relaxants, including cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride (commercially available as Flexeril.RTM.), tizanidine (commercially available as Zanaflex.RTM.), and hyoscyamine sulfate (commercially available as Levsin.RTM.).
Agents useful herein may also include osteoporosis medications, including ibrandronate sodium (commercially available as Boniva.RTM.), risedronate (commercially available as Actonel.RTM.), raloxifene hydrochloride (commercially available as Evista.RTM., Fortical.RTM.), and alendronate sodium (commercially available as Fosamax.RTM.); ovulation enhancers, including clomiphene citrate (commercially available as Serophene.RTM., Clomid.RTM., Serophene.RTM.); Paget's disease treatment, such as etidronate disodium (commercially available as Didronel.RTM.); pancreatic enzyme deficiency medications, such as pancrelipase (commercially available as Pancrease.RTM. or Zenpep.RTM.); medication for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, such as pramipexole dihydrochloride (commercially available as Mirapex.RTM.), ropinirole hydrochloride (commercially available as Requip.RTM.), carbidopa/levodopa (commercially available as Sinemet CRC), carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone (commercially available as Stalevo.RTM.), selegiline hydrochloride (commercially available as Zelapar.RTM.), rasagiline (commercially available as Azilect.RTM.), entacapone (commercially available as Comtan.RTM.), and selegiline hydrochloride (commercially available as Eldepryl.RTM.); multiple sclerosis medication, such as dalfampridine (commercially available as Ampyra.RTM.) and interferon beta-I b (commercially available as Extavia.RTM.); prostate medication, including flutamide (commercially available as Eulexin.RTM.), nilutamide (commercially available as Nilandron.RTM.), dutasteride (commercially available as Avodart.RTM.), tamsulosin hydrochloride (commercially available as Flomax.RTM.), terazosin hydrochloride (commercially available as Hytrin.RTM.), and alfuzosin hydrochloride (commercially available as UroXatral.RTM.).
Films of the present invention may further include psychiatric medications, including alprazolam (available as Niravam.RTM., Xanax.RTM.), clozopin (available as Clozaril.RTM.), haloperidol (available as Haldol.RTM.), fluoxetine hydrochloride (available as Prozac.RTM.), sertraline hydrochloride (available as Zoloft.RTM.), asenapine (commercially available as Saphris.RTM.), iloperidone (commercially available as Fanapt.RTM.), paroxtine hydrochloride (available as Paxil.RTM.), aripiprazole (commercially aavialbe as Abilify.RTM.), guanfacine (commercially available as Intuniv.RTM.), amphetamines and methamphetamines (commercially available as Adderall.RTM. and Desoxyn.RTM.), clomipramine hydrochloride (commercially available as Anafranil.RTM.), Buspirone hydrochloride (commercially available as BuSpar.RTM.), citalopram hydrobromide (commercially available as Celexa.RTM.), duloxetine hydrochloride (commercially available as Cymbalta.RTM.), methylphenidate (commercially available as Ritalin, Daytrana.RTM.), divalproex sodium (Valproic acid) (commercially available as Depakote.RTM.), dextroamphetamine sulfate (commercially available as Dexedrine.RTM.), venlafaxine hydrochloride (commercially available as Effexor.RTM.), selegiline (commercially available as Emsam.RTM.), carbamazepine (commercially available as Equetro.RTM.), lithium carbonate (commercially available as Eskalith.RTM.), fluvoxamine maleate/dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride (commercially available as Focalin.RTM.), ziprasidone hydrochloride (commercially available as Geodon.RTM.), ergoloid mesylates (commercially available as Hydergine.RTM.), escitalopram oxalate (commercially available as Lexapro.RTM.), chlordiazepoxide (commercially available as Librium.RTM.), molindone hydrochloride (commercially available as Moban.RTM.), phenelzine sulfate (commercially available as Nardil.RTM.), thiothixene (commercially available as Navane.RTM.), desipramine hydrochloride (commercially available as Norpramin.RTM.), benzodiazepines (such as those available as Oxazepam.RTM.), nortriptyline hydrochloride (commercially available as Pamelor.RTM.), tranylcypromine sulfate (commercially available as Parnate.RTM.), prochlorperazine, mirtazapine (commercially available as Remeron.RTM.), risperidone (commercially available as Risperdal.RTM.), quetiapine fumarate (commercially available as Seroquel.RTM.), doxepin hydrochloride (commercially available as Sinequan.RTM.), atomoxetine hydrochloride (commercially available as Strattera.RTM.), trimipramine maleate (commercially available as Surmontil.RTM.), olanzapine/fluoxetine hydrochloride (commercially available as Symbyax.RTM.), imipramine hydrochloride (commercially available as Tofranil.RTM.), protriptyline hydrochloride (commercially available as Vivactil.RTM.), bupropion hydrochloride (commercially available as Wellbutrin.RTM., Wellbutrin SR.RTM.), and Wellbutrin XR.RTM.), and olanzapine (commercially available as Zyprexa.RTM.).
Agents useful herein may also include uric acid reduction treatment, including allopurinol (commercially available as Zyloprim.RTM.); seizure medications, including gabapentin (commercially available as Neurontin.RTM.), ethotoin (commercially available as Peganone.RTM.), vigabatrin (commercially available as Sabril.RTM.), and topiramate (commercially available as Topamax.RTM.); treatment for shingles, such as zoster vaccine live (commercially available as Zostavax.RTM.); skin care medications, including calcipotriene (commercially available as Dovonex.RTM.), ustekinumab (commercially available as Stelara.RTM.), televancin (commercially available as Vibativ.RTM.), isotretinoin (commercially available as Accutane.RTM.), hydrocortisone/iodoquinol (commercially available as Alcortin.RTM.), sulfacetamide sodium/sulfur (commercially available as Avar.RTM.), azelaic acid (commercially available as Azelex.RTM., Finacea.RTM.), benzoyl peroxide (commercially available as Desquam-E.RTM.), adapalene (commercially available as Differin.RTM.), fluorouracil (commercially available as Efudex.RTM.), pimecrolimus (commercially available as Elidel.RTM.), topical erythromycin (commercially available as A/T/S.RTM., Erycette.RTM., T-Stat.RTM.), hydrocortisone (commercially available as Cetacort.RTM., Hytone.RTM., Nutracort.RTM.), metronidazole (commercially available as MetroGel.RTM.), doxycycline (commercially available as Oracea.RTM.), tretinoin (commercially available as Retin-A.RTM. and Renova.RTM.), mequinol/tretinoin (commercially available as Solage.RTM.), acitretin (commercially available as Soriatane.RTM.), calcipotriene hydrate/betamethasone dipropionate (commercially available as Taclonex.RTM.), tazarotene (commercially available as Tazorac.RTM.), fluocinonide (commercially available as Vanos.RTM.), desonide (commercially available as Verdeso.RTM.), miconazole nitrate/Zinc oxide (commercially available as Vusion.RTM.), ketoconazole (commercially available as Xolegel.RTM.), and efalizumab (commercially available as Raptiva.RTM.).
Other agents useful herein may include sleep disorder medications, including zaleplon (available as Sonata.RTM.), eszopiclone (available as Lunesta.RTM.), zolpidem tartrate (commercially available as Ambient, Ambien CR.RTM., Edluar.RTM.), lorazepam (commercially available as Ativan.RTM.), flurazepam hydrochloride (commercially available as Dalmane.RTM.), triazolam (commercially available as Halcion.RTM.), clonazepam (commercially available as Klonopin.RTM.), barbituates, such as Phenobarbital.RTM.), Modafinil (commercially available as Provigil.RTM.), temazepam (commercially available as Restoril.RTM.), ramelteon (commercially available as Rozerem.RTM.), clorazepate dipotassium (commercially available as Tranxene.RTM.), diazepam (commercially available as Valium.RTM.), quazepam (commercially available as Doral.RTM.), and estazolam (commercially available as ProSom.RTM.); smoking cessation medications, such as varenicline (commercially available as Chantix.RTM.), nicotine, such as Nicotrol.RTM., and bupropion hydrochloride (commercially available as Zyban.RTM.); and steroids, including alclometasone dipropionate (commercially available as Aclovate.RTM.), betamethasone dipropionate (commercially available as Diprolene.RTM.), mometasone furoate (commercially available as Elocon.RTM.), fluticasone (commercially available as Flonase.RTM., Flovent.RTM., Flovent Diskus.RTM., Flovent Rotadisk.RTM.), fluocinonide (commercially available as Lidex.RTM.), mometasone furoate monohydrate (commercially available as Nasonex.RTM.), desoximetasone (commercially available as Topicort.RTM.), clotrimazole/betamethasone dipropionate (commercially available as Lotrisone.RTM.), prednisolone acetate (commercially available as Pred Forte.RTM., Prednisone.RTM., Budesonide Pulmicort.RTM., Rhinocort Aqua.RTM.), prednisolone sodium phosphate (commercially available as Pediapred.RTM.), desonide (commercially available as Tridesilon.RTM.), and halobetasol propionate (commercially available as Ultravate.RTM.).
Films of the present invention may further include agents useful for thyroid disease treatment, such as hormones TC and TD (commercially available as Armour Thyroid.RTM.); potassium deficiency treatment, including potassium chloride (commercially available as Micro-K.RTM.); triglycerides regulators, including omega-3-acid ethyl esters (commercially available as Omacor.RTM.); urinary medication, such as phenazopyridine hydrochloride (commercially available as Pyridium.RTM.) and methenamine, methylene blue/phenyl salicylate/benzoic acid/atropine sulfate/hyoscyamine (commercially available as Urised.RTM.); prenatal vitamins (commercially available as Advanced Natalcare.RTM., Materna.RTM., Natalins.RTM., Prenate Advance.RTM.); weight control medication, including orlistat (commercially available as Xenical.RTM.) and sibutramine hydrochloride (commercially available as Meridia.RTM.).
The popular H.sub.2-antagonists which are contemplated for use in the present invention include cimetidine, ranitidine hydrochloride, famotidine, nizatidien, ebrotidine, mifentidine, roxatidine, pisatidine and aceroxatidine.
Active antacid ingredients include, but are not limited to, the following: aluminum hydroxide, dihydroxyaluminum aminoacetate, aminoacetic acid, aluminum phosphate, dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate, bicarbonate, bismuth aluminate, bismuth carbonate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth subgallate, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth subsilysilate, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, citrate ion (acid or salt), amino acetic acid, hydrate magnesium aluminate sulfate, magaldrate, magnesium aluminosilicate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium trisilicate, milk solids, aluminum mono-ordibasic calcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium tartrate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium aluminosilicates, tartaric acids and salts.
The pharmaceutically active agents employed in the present invention may include allergens or antigens, such as, but not limited to, plant pollens from grasses, trees, or ragweed; animal danders, which are tiny scales shed from the skin and hair of cats and other furred animals; insects, such as house dust mites, bees, and wasps; and drugs, such as penicillin.
In one particular method of forming a film, a wet film matrix is deposited onto the surface of a substrate. Any desired substrate may be used, including, for example, mylar, paper, plastic, metal, foil, and combinations thereof. The substrate may be laminated if desired. Further, the substrate may be chemically treated on one or more surfaces prior to depositing the wet film matrix thereon. Desirably, the substrate is substantially flat, but is flexible to allow for rolling, such as for storage or for packaging of the formed film products. The substrate may include one or more dams, such as that disclosed in Applicant's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/711,883, filed Feb. 24, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. In some embodiments, the substrate may include a pre-formed sheet of dissolvable and/or ingestible film, where the wet film-forming matrix is deposited onto the sheet, providing a multi-layered film product. In still other embodiments, the substrate may include a plurality of pre-formed film products on its surface, and the wet film matrix is deposited onto the surface of the pre-formed film products.
The substrate may have any length and width desired, depending on the size of the apparatus used to process the film. The length of the substrate is not critical, since the substrate may generally be fed into the film-forming apparatus on a continuous basis and sized by the user accordingly. The width of the substrate is sized to be fed into the apparatus used, and may vary as desired. The width of the substrate typically determines the width of the film product that can be prepared on that substrate. For example, a plurality of film strips or individual film products may be prepared on the substrate, arranged in a substantially side-by-side manner, and the cumulative width of those film strips or products dictates the desired width of the substrate. It is typical then that the batch size determines the cumulative width of the film, which in turn determines the optimum width of the substrate. The width of the individual film strips or products may be relatively small, for example, ranging from about 2 mm to about 30 mm. The width of individual film strips may be from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 20 mm. It may, in some instances, be desired that the individual film strips include a width that is greater than 30 mm. It should be understood that the "width of the individual film strips" is intended to be an average width, and there may be some variation between individual film strips formed via the present invention.
There may be deposited on the substrate any number of individual film strips or products. In some embodiments, there may be deposited between about 2 to about 30 individual film strips or products on a substrate, the film strips or products arranged in a substantially side-by-side fashion with a gap separating adjacent film strips. In some embodiments, there may be between about 10 to about 20 individual film strips or products on a substrate. It may be desired, for example, during a test run or other experimental procedure, that only one film strip or product be deposited on the substrate. Desirably, the width of the substrate is at least 1 inch wider than the cumulative width of the dried film strips or products and any gaps therebetween. Having a substrate wider than the cumulative width of the dried film strips or products and gaps therebetween is useful in processing the product(s), as it allows some tolerance during the process.
In use, a wet film-forming matrix is deposited onto the top surface of the substrate, as will be described in further detail below. In a preferred embodiment, the wet matrix is deposited onto the substrate via extrusion, however, the wet matrix may be deposited onto the substrate via any means desired, including coating, casting, spraying, or other means. The wet matrix may be deposited in one continuous strip or stripe, which results in a dried film stripe, and which is then capable of being cut into several smaller individual dosages. Alternatively, the wet matrix may be deposited in discrete amounts, such that the deposited wet matrix has a width and length that is capable of being dried to form an individual film product having the desired width and length.
Once deposited on the surface of the substrate, the deposited wet matrix may be dried through any desired drying means, including but not limited to those methods set forth in the patents and applications previously incorporated by reference above. For example, the film matrix may be rapidly dried in an oven so as to provide a viscoelastic mass within the first about 0.5 to about 4.0 minutes, thus "locking in" the components of the film forming matrix. The resulting viscoelastic mass may then be further dried to provide the final film product. One benefit of drying a film product on the surface of a substrate is that the film may be dried quickly and efficiently, resulting in a film that has a substantially flat form. Further, the film may become adhered to the surface of the substrate during drying, which aids in packaging and dispensing the end product. If desired, the resulting dried film product and the substrate upon which it has been deposited may be die cut and packaged together, thereby minimizing the requirement to remove the film product from the substrate prior to packaging. It may be desirable, for example, for the film product to remain adhered to the substrate, and the film product/substrate product be provided to an end user. For example, the present method may be useful in forming a continuous stripe of film product, which may be rolled and dispensed through an apparatus such as that described in Applicant's co-pending application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/711,899, filed on Feb. 24, 2010, entitled "Device And System For Determining, Preparing And Administering Therapeutically Effective Doses", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
With reference to the Figures, the present invention provides a system and method for efficiently and continuously producing film products, especially individual film products or film stripes, with minimal waste. The film products formed through the present invention provide high content uniformity and therefore provide film products having highly accurate dosages. In one embodiment set forth in FIG. 1, a film forming apparatus 10 is provided. The film forming apparatus 10 includes a substrate 20. As explained above, the substrate may be formed from any desired materials, including, for example, mylar, paper, plastic, metal, foil, and combinations thereof. The substrate 20 may be laminated if desired. Further, the substrate 20 may be chemically treated prior to depositing a wet film matrix thereon. Desirably, the substrate 20 is substantially flat, but is flexible to allow for rolling.
In some embodiments, the substrate 20 may include a pre-formed sheet of film (such as an ingestible film or other biocompatible film product that may be applied to one or more body surfaces). The pre-formed sheet of film may be self-supporting and fed through the apparatus, or it may be pre-formed onto another substrate, whereby both are fed through the apparatus. The substrate 20 includes a top surface and a bottom surface (not shown). In this embodiment, a wet film matrix is capable of being deposited onto the top surface of the substrate 20. In embodiments where the substrate 20 is a pre-formed sheet of film, the deposition of a wet film forming matrix thereon provides a multi-layered film product, where the pre-formed film is a first layer (or "backing layer"), and the deposited film forming matrix forms a second layer (or "active layer"). It may be useful that the first layer not include an active, while the second layer includes an active, although both layers may include an active. The resulting multi-layered film may then be sized and cut to provide individual multi-layered film products.
In still other embodiments, the substrate 20 may be a sheet of a non-ingestible product (i.e., paper, mylar, etc.), which includes on its top surface a plurality of pre-formed ingestible film products formed thereon. In this embodiment, a wet film matrix may be deposited onto the top surface of the pre-formed film products. This embodiment forms a multi-layered film product without the need for further sizing or cutting the multi-layered film products. In further embodiments, described in further detail below, the apparatus 10 may include a means for forming a first layer of film product on the top surface of the substrate 20 prior to depositing a second layer (or layers) of film product onto the deposited first layer of film product.
The substrate 20 may be stored as a continuous roll of substrate 20 prior to use. In use, the first end (not shown) of the substrate 20 is fed into the apparatus 10 in the direction designated by arrow A. During use, the substrate 20 may continuously travel in the direction A, during which time a wet film matrix is deposited onto the top surface of substrate 20, and led along the direction A during the drying process, as will be described in further detail below. The substrate 20 may travel at any desired rate of speed. The rate at which the substrate 20 travels may be altered as necessary to suit the drying needs of the film-forming material in view of the desired oven temperature. For example, if a longer drying time is desired, the substrate 20 may travel at a slower rate of speed through the apparatus 10. If a shorter drying time is required, the substrate 20 may travel at a higher rate of speed through the apparatus 10. In addition, in some embodiments, the rate of speed may control the thickness of the wet film products deposited thereon. For example, in an extrusion process, a faster rate of speed of the substrate 20 may result in a thinner wet film product deposited thereon, and vice versa.
The substrate 20 may be any desired length or width, as explained above. Desirably, the width of the substrate 20 is sufficient to allow the deposition of a plurality of individual film products arranged in a substantially side-by-side pattern. For example, the substrate 20 may be wide enough to allow deposition of between about 2 to about 30 individual film products, arranged substantially side-by-side. The individual film products may have a gap between adjacent film strips, so as to allow for easier processing and distribution.
The apparatus 10 includes a reservoir 30, designed to house a predetermined amount of film forming matrix. The film forming matrix includes any desired film forming components, including, for example, polymers, solvents, sweeteners, active agents, fillers, and the like. Useful components for a film forming matrix include those disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0037055, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in entirety. The reservoir 30 may include more than one separate housings or compartments to store the various components of the film forming matrix. For example, it may be desired to store the active component in a separate container than solvents or polymers until immediately prior to deposition onto the substrate 20. The reservoir 30 is preferably pressurized, such that it may effectively force the film forming matrix housed therein through the apparatus 10.
In some embodiments, the apparatus 10 is capable of extruding a film forming matrix, as will be explained in further detail below. In such embodiments, it may be desired that the film forming matrix have a high viscosity and/or a high solids content. For example, the film forming matrix may include at least 30% solids content, or it may include at least 25% solids content, or alternatively, it may include at least 20% solids content. In other embodiments, the matrix may be a slurry or suspension of solids in a fluid carrier. The apparatus 10 and methods described herein allow for processing of such a film forming matrix having a high solid content without fear of clogs or blockages in the system. Alternatively, the film forming matrix may have a low solid content, and may have a lower viscosity, if desired. It is preferable that the film-forming matrix have a sufficient viscosity so as to generally maintain its shape upon disposition onto the surface of the substrate 20.
Attached to the reservoir 30 is a feed line or tube 40, which is in fluid connection with the reservoir 30 and connects the reservoir 30 to a plurality of volumetric pumps 50, 50'. The feed line 40 may be made of any desired material, and may have any thickness or radius desired. It is preferable that the feed line 40 have a sufficient radius so as to effectively transport the film forming matrix from the reservoir 30 to the volumetric pumps 50 without blockage, clogging, or exhibiting a sufficient pressure drop as to insufficiently supply material to the pumps. The apparatus 10 may include any number of volumetric pumps 50 desired, depending upon the number of individual film products that the user wishes to produce. In one embodiment, each volumetric pump 50 in the apparatus 10 will be used to form film products, and thus the number of volumetric pumps 50 used may dictate the number of film products formed. The volumetric pumps 50 are desirably arranged in a side-by-side pattern in the apparatus 10. The feed line 40 desirably feeds the film forming matrix from the reservoir 30 to the volumetric pumps 50 in a parallel fashion, thus allowing each volumetric pump 50 to be fed with the film forming matrix on a substantially equal basis.
The volumetric pumps 50 may be any type of pumping apparatus desired by the user. Desirably, the volumetric pumps 50 are each of approximately equal size and shape, and are capable of dispensing substantially the same amount of film forming matrix therefrom. It is particularly desired to use a pump 50 that is capable of dispensing a known amount of matrix per each pumping cycle. Further, the pump 50 should be capable of being re-filled with film forming matrix after a pre-determined amount of film forming matrix has been dispensed via pumping. In particular, it is desired that the pump 50 be re-filled with substantially the same amount of film-forming matrix after each pumping cycle. Thus, each pumping cycle (which includes one dispensing of film forming matrix and one re-filling of film forming matrix) should include a substantially constant amount of film forming matrix. As can be understood, regardless of the type of pump used, it is important that the pumps 50 provide an accurate and consistent dispense of the wet film matrix, so as to ensure substantial uniformity between and among each of the resulting film products.
In one embodiment, the volumetric pumps 50 are piston pumps. If desired, the volumetric pumps 50 may include dual piston pumps, where, as the pump 50 dispenses the volume of film-forming matrix, the pump 50 concurrently is re-filled with another volume of film-forming matrix. In other embodiments, the volumetric pumps 50 may include gear pumps. For formation of film-containing patches, dual piston pumps are particularly desired. The apparatus 10 may include a combination of at least one piston pump, at least one dual piston pump, at least one gear pump, and combinations thereof. Piston pumps and dual piston pumps are especially preferred, since such pumps have "suck back" capability and are thus able to prevent or reduce the amount of drool after the wet film matrix has been pumped therefrom. Further, piston pumps and dual piston pumps provide the ability to continuously load and extrude the wet film forming matrix as the substrate 20 moves. These pumps are efficient and further avoid the requirement of having a head manifold move back and forth, as in typical systems.
In some embodiments, the volumetric pumps 50 may have variable stroke and/or variable speed settings. That is, the volumetric pumps 50 may have a variable stroke, allowing the user to be able to change the stroke associated with the pump 50 to suit the particular needs. In some embodiments, the volumetric pumps 50 may dispense anywhere from about 4 microliters per stroke to about 100 microliters per stroke. Further, the volumetric pumps 50 may be variable speed pumps, to allow the user to set the particular speed desired for the particular film product being formed. For example, if a longer drying time is desired by the user, the volumetric pump 50 may be set to a slower dispensing speed, allowing for a longer process and thus a longer drying time. Alternatively, for a shorter drying time, a higher speed pump may be desired. The speed and stroke of the volumetric pumps 50 may be related to the speed at which the substrate 20 travels through the apparatus 10.
The volumetric pumps 50 used herein should be sized appropriately to provide the desired film volume. In particular, the volumetric pumps 50 should be sized to fill and dispense sufficient amount of film forming matrix to form one individual film product having the desired volume. For example, in one embodiment, the desired resultant dried individual film product may be about 1 mg to about 20 mg in total weight. In some embodiments, the dried individual film product may be 60 mg in total weight or less. It is to be understood that the weight of a wet film product will be higher than the resulting dried film product, due to loss of certain volatiles. The volumetric pumps 50 should be capable of dispensing about 3 microliters to about 250 microliters per pumping cycle, or alternatively 250 microliters or less per pumping cycle. For transdermal systems, the desired resultant individual dried film product may be about 10 mg to about 2000 mg in total weight. Thus, the volumetric pumps 50 should be capable of dispensing about 30 microliters to about 10 milliliters per pumping cycle to provide the desired resulting dried film weight.
In another embodiment, the volumetric pump 50 can be a positive displacement pump. Examples include a progressive cavity pump also known as a progressing cavity pump, eccentric screw pump or even just cavity pump. One specific example of this type of pump is the Moyno.RTM. pump (manufactured by Moyno, Inc.). Additional positive displacement pumps include gear pumps, rotary lobe pumps, piston pumps, diaphragm pumps, screw pumps, hydraulic pumps, vane pumps, regenerative (peripheral) pumps and peristaltic pumps. Systems of the present invention may include one or more than one of the aforementioned volumetric pumps 50.
Each of the volumetric pumps 50 is desirably associated with a coating head manifold 60, which includes a plurality of orifices 70, 70'. Desirably, each volumetric pump 50 is associated with one individual orifice 70. The volumetric pump 50 is in fluid communication with the orifice 70 with which it is associated, thus allowing the film forming matrix to be pumped from the pump 50 through the orifice 70. In one particular embodiment, the orifices 70 are slot dies, but the orifices 70 may be any other opening or die desired. The orifice 70 is desirably sized so as to allow the formation of the desired film product.
The orifices 70 are desirably in communication with the substrate 20, such that when a particular amount of wet film forming matrix is dispensed through the orifice 70, the wet film forming matrix is deposited onto the top surface of the substrate 20. Thus, in one embodiment, the manifold 60 has a first side 65A and a second side 65B, with the orifice 70 extending through the manifold 60 from the first side 65A to the second side 65B. The pump 50 is in communication with the first side 65A of the manifold. The wet film matrix is pumped from the reservoir 30, through feed line 40, through the pump 50, through the orifice 70, and deposited onto the substrate 20, which, during operation, is traveling in the direction A. It is particularly desirable that the wet film matrix be extruded through the orifice 70 directly onto the substrate 20, and thus the wet film matrix should have sufficiently high viscosity and/or solids content so as to allow for extrusion. In addition, the wet film forming matrix should have a sufficient viscosity so as to generally maintain its shape and size after deposition onto the surface of the substrate 20. It is contemplated, of course, that the matrix may alternatively have a lower viscosity, and that the matrix may be simply flowed through the orifice 70 onto the substrate 20. The substrate 20 may have discrete dams, wells or pockets formed therein, between or into which the wet film forming matrix may be deposited.
In one embodiment, a plurality of individual wet film products 80, 80' is deposited onto the surface of the substrate 20 in a substantially side-by-side manner. The individual wet film products 80 are deposited onto the substrate 20 as the substrate 20 moves through the apparatus 10, and preferably, each individual wet film product 80 is extruded onto a region of the substrate 20 where no individual wet film product 80 has already been extruded. Thus, the substrate 20 may have a plurality of individual wet film products 80 deposited along its length and its width. Each individual wet film product 80 is sized so as to provide the desired final dried film product. The speed at which the substrate 20 travels during the deposition of the wet film product 80 thereon may dictate or control the size of the wet film product 80. In particular, the thickness of the wet film product 80 may be controlled by the speed of the substrate 20, where a faster moving substrate 20 may provide a thinner wet film product 80, and vice versa.
During use, each pump 50 dispenses a plurality of individual wet film products 80 onto the substrate 20 in a lane (85A, 85B, 85C). Each lane (85) includes a plurality of individual wet film products 80. Desirably, each of the individual wet film products 80 has a substantially uniform size, shape, and content. In this fashion, the known dosage amount between each of the individual wet film products 80 can be known with a great deal of accuracy. The individual wet film products 80 may be deposited directly onto a non-film substrate 20, or the individual wet film products 80 may be deposited onto a substrate 20 that is a pre-formed film (thus forming a multi-layered film product). It is desired that the volumetric pumps 50 repeatedly dispense the individual wet film products 80 onto the surface of the substrate 20, so as to form the lane 85 of individual wet film products 80.
Any number of individual wet film products 80 may be deposited onto the surface of the substrate 20. The number of lanes 85 of wet film products 80 depends upon the number of pumps 50 and orifices 70 in the apparatus 10. For example, if the apparatus 10 includes five pumps 50 and orifices 70 associated therewith; there will be five lanes 85 of wet film products 80 formed on the substrate 20. Any number of pumps 50 and orifices 70 may be used in the apparatus 10, and desirably there may be between about 2 and about 30 pumps 50 and orifices 70 in the apparatus 10. Therefore, there may be between about 2 and about 30 lanes 85 of individual wet film products 80 formed on the substrate 20. Depending upon the speed and rate of the pump 50 and the substrate 20, there may be any number of individual wet film products 80 per each lane 85. As depicted in FIG. 1, there is desirably a slight gap between each individual film product 80 in the lane 85, and there is a slight gap between each adjacent lane 85. Gaps between individual wet film products 80 may aid in the processing and later packaging of the resultant film product.
As explained above, the substrate 20 may include an ingestible film product pre-formed thereon, where the wet film products 80 may be deposited directly onto the top surface of the pre-formed film product. The pre-formed film product on the substrate may be a continuous sheet of film. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the substrate 20 may have a plurality of individual film products pre-formed on the surface thereof, and the wet film matrix is deposited onto the surface of the individual film products that have been pre-formed on the substrate 20 (so as to form multi-layered film products). In this fashion, multi-layered film products may be formed with little to no cutting and sizing required, as the multi-layered individual film products may simply be removed from the substrate 20 when dried.
The individual wet film products 80 may be any shape desired, including square, rectangular, circular, or other desired shapes. The individual wet film products 80 may be any size desired, depending upon the size of the resulting dried film product desired. In some embodiments, the wet film products 80 may be small film products, i.e., being approximately 1 mg in mass each. The individual film products 80 may be larger, if desired, such as between about 1 mg and 200 mg in mass per individual film product. The individual film products 80 may be 200 mg or less, or alternatively 100 mg or less. For transdermal systems, the individual film products 80 can range from about 10 mg to about 2000 mg, or alternatively 2000 mg or less, or 1000 mg or less.
As explained above, the substrate 20 moves in the direction A during the manufacturing process. The rate of speed of the substrate 20, as well as the rate of speed of the pumps 50, determines the number of individual film products deposited onto the substrate 20 during the processing. After the individual film products 80 have been deposited onto the substrate 20, the substrate continues to move in the direction A towards a drying apparatus 90, such as an oven. The wet film products 80 may be dried via any desired manner, such as those drying methods described above. After the drying process has been complete, the plurality of dried individual film products may be removed from the substrate and packaged for distribution. Alternatively, the substrate 20 with dried film products may be rolled and stored for future use.
In yet another embodiment, the dried individual film products may be die cut, along with the substrate 20, to be packaged for distribution. Particularly in embodiments where the substrate 20 includes a pre-formed film thereon, cutting the dried individual film products may be useful, so as to form a cut multi-layered film product. Desirably, when the dried film products are to be cut from the substrate 20, the substrate 20 and any pre-formed film product thereon may not include any active component. As such, the leftover material from which the individual film products are cut may be discarded without wasting potentially expensive materials, including actives.
In an alternative embodiment, depicted in FIG. 2, the apparatus 110 may be used to form a continuous stripe or lane of film product 180. The formation of a continuous stripe of film product 180 may be useful, for example, in apparatuses that dispense a continuous roll of film, such as described above. Further, the formation of a continuous stripe of film product 180 may be beneficial for storage, packaging, and/or distribution purposes. As with above, the wet film strip products 180 are deposited onto a substrate 120, which may be a non-film substrate (i.e., mylar, paper, etc. as described above) or may include a pre-formed film thereon. The substrate 120 moves through the apparatus 110 as described above, in the direction marked by the arrow A.
The apparatus 110 includes a reservoir 130 as described above, which may be pressurized. The reservoir 130 is designed to house a film forming matrix. If desired, the reservoir 130 may include more than one compartment, thus being capable of housing various film forming components separately until just prior to formation of the film products, i.e., keeping solvents and polymers separately housed from active components.
A feed line 140 is in connection with the reservoir 130, and connects the reservoir 130 to a plurality of volumetric pumps 150, 150'. The volumetric pumps 150 may be any pumping mechanism desired, and preferably should be a pumping mechanism that allows for continuous and even dispensing of a wet film matrix therefrom. By dispensing an even and continuous amount of wet film matrix, uniform stripes of film product 180 may be formed on the surface of the substrate 120. It is particularly desired that each stripe of film product 180 include a substantially uniform amount of content per unit area, especially including a known amount of active per unit area. Each stripe 180 should have substantially the same thickness, width and viscosity, so as to provide a substantially uniform final film product. Thus, the volumetric pumps 150 should be capable of dispensing a substantially uniform and continuous amount of wet film product. In a desirable embodiment, volumetric film pumps 150 are gear pumps or metering pumps. Any known gear pumps and/or metering pumps in the art may be used.
There may be any number of volumetric pumps 150 in the apparatus 110, desirably arranged in a substantially side-by-side manner as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, there is a space or gap between each volumetric pump 150, which aids in the processing and subsequent collection and packaging of the film products. The size of the gap between adjacent volumetric pumps 150 should be large enough to allow for ease of manufacture, but need not be so large that it reduces the number of pumps 150 available in the apparatus 110.
The number of volumetric pumps 150 dictates the number of stripes of film product 180 formed by the apparatus 110. For example, there may be between about 2 to about 30 volumetric pumps 150 in the apparatus, and more particularly between about 10 to about 20 volumetric pumps 150 in the apparatus. Each volumetric pump 150 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 130 via feed line 140, such that the film forming matrix is provided from the reservoir 130 to the pumps 150 on an even and continuous basis during operation. During operation, the amount of film forming matrix provided to the volumetric pump 150 located closest to the reservoir should be substantially equal to the amount of film forming matrix provided to the volumetric pump 150 located furthest from the reservoir. This ensures that the resulting stripes of film product 180 have substantially uniform content throughout the stripe 180.
Each volumetric pump 150 is associated with a first side 165A of a manifold 160, such that the film forming matrix may dispensed through the manifold 160. The manifold 160 includes a plurality of orifices 170 extending therethrough. The orifices 170 extend through the manifold 160 from the first side 165A to the second side 165B. In a preferred embodiment, each orifice 170 is in fluid communication with one volumetric pump 150, such that the film forming matrix may be dispensed from one volumetric pump 150 through one orifice 170. Thus, the number of orifices 170 should be equal to the number of volumetric pumps 150. In a desired embodiment, the orifices 170 are slot dies, but the orifices 170 may be any desired opening through which a wet film forming matrix may be fed. It is further desired that each orifice 170 be approximately the same size as each other, including approximately the same height, width, length and shape. In this fashion, the resulting stripe of film product 180 dispensed will each have a substantially uniform shape, size and content.
During use, the volumetric pumps 150 each dispense a wet film forming matrix through the manifold 160 via an orifice 170. The wet film forming matrix is deposited from the orifice 170 directly onto the surface of the substrate 120. During the processing, the substrate 120 is moved along the apparatus 110 in the direction A. It is particularly desirable to use volumetric pumps 150 that are capable of continuously dispensing the film forming matrix during the manufacturing process, so as to form a continuous stripe of film product 180.
The speed of movement of the substrate 120, in conjunction with the dispensing rate of the volumetric pumps 150, controls the amount of wet film forming matrix deposited onto the surface of the substrate 120. It may be desired that the substrate 120 move at a slow rate, for example, if the wet film forming matrix is highly viscous. Alternatively, it may be desired that the substrate 120 move at a faster rate, for example, if the wet film forming matrix is less viscous. The substrate 120 moves in the direction A from the manifold 160 to a drying apparatus 190, such as a drying oven or other means for drying the wet film matrix. The speed of the substrate 120 and the size of the drying apparatus 190 will dictate the length of time that the wet film product 180 is dried in the drying apparatus 190. For example, with a faster moving substrate 120 and/or a shorter drying apparatus 190, the wet film product 180 will be dried for a shorter length of time than it would with a slower moving substrate 120 and/or a longer drying apparatus 190.
The individual stripes of wet film products 180 are desirably arranged in columns (i.e., 185A, 185B, 185C) along the length of the surface of the substrate 120. It is particularly preferred that the stripes of wet film product 180 be arranged in a substantially side-by-side manner, with a sufficient space or gap between adjacent lane 185 to aid in the processing and subsequent collection/packaging of the film product. There may be as many columns 185 as is desired, with each column 185 being formed by an individual volumetric pump 150 and associated orifice 170. In addition, the space between each adjacent column 185 is approximately equal to the space between adjacent orifices 170 in the apparatus 110. Each column 185 of film material is desirably a continuously deposited lane of wet film matrix, such that, after drying is complete, the individual column 185 of dried film product may be collected and packaged. For example, it may be desired that the individual column 185 be removed from the substrate 120 and rolled, where it may be housed in a dispensing apparatus for use by an end user. Alternatively, the column 185 may be cut along with the substrate 120 to provide a continuous stripe 185 of film with a substrate backing. Further, the stripe 180 of dried film may be cut into individual film products of approximately equal size and shape, each individual film product being one dosage unit.
In one particular embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the apparatus may be useful in forming a series of individual, multi-layered products. For example, the individual multi layered products may include active-containing patches. The apparatus represented by FIG. 1 and described above is particularly useful in forming individual, multi-layered products, such as patches. In this embodiment, the substrate 210 may include a sheet of ingestible and/or dissolvable film 220 (also referred to herein as a "first layer"), which forms a backing layer for an active-containing layer. In some embodiments, the sheet of ingestible film 220 may be the substrate 210, such as if the sheet of ingestible film 220 is self-supporting and capable of being fed through the apparatus itself. It is preferable that the first layer 220 be made of a mucoadhesive, biocompatible, dissolvable material. It may be desired that the first layer 220 is a slow-dissolving film sheet. By "slow-dissolving", it is intended that the sheet 220 has a longer dissolution rate than the rate of the active-containing layer (described below) adhered thereto. The first layer 220 may be formed on a separate substrate, such as mylar, paper, or other non-ingestible backing layer described above. The first layer 220 may be pre-formed and dried, it may be undried, or it may be partially dried. For example, the first layer 220 may be a visco-elastic mass of film-forming material.
The first layer 220 has a first surface 225. During processing, as described above, a plurality of individual active-containing wet film layers 230 (also referred to herein as a "second layer") are deposited onto the first surface 225 of the first layer 220. Desirably, the active-containing wet film layers 230 are made of a biocompatible polymeric material, which dissolves at a faster rate than the first layer 220. As explained above, the active-containing wet film layers 230 are desirably deposited through a plurality of volumetric pumps in a substantially side-by-side manner, with a desired gap between adjacent active-containing wet film layers 230.
After the individual active-containing film layers 230 have been deposited onto the first layer 220 and dried, the two layers (220, 230) should be sufficiently adhered to each other such that they do not become separated. The drying process alone may sufficiently adhere the two layers 220, 230 to each other, or there may be an adhesive composition applied between the first layer 220 and the active-containing film layer 230.
Once the active-containing film layer 230 (and the first layer 220, if necessary) has been sufficiently dried, the first layer 220 may be sized and cut. In one embodiment, the sheet of dissolvable film 220 is cut in a first direction 240 (between adjacent active containing film layers 230) and in a second direction 250 (between adjacent active containing film layers 230) that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction 240, so as to form a series of individual multi-layered products 260. As can be seen in FIG. 3B, the multi-layered product 260 includes a first layer 220 and second layer 230 adhered thereto. The first layer 220 is desirably slower-dissolving than the second layer 230. The second layer 230 desirably includes at least one active component. If desired, the first layer 220 may include at least one active component, which may be the same or different than the active component in the second layer 230.
In one embodiment, it is preferred that the second layer 230 be sized smaller than the first layer 220, i.e., that the length and/or width of the second layer 230 be smaller than the length and/or width of the first layer 220 with which it is associated. In this fashion, at least a portion of the first side 225 of the first layer 220 is exposed beyond the sides of the second layer 230. It is especially preferred that a portion of the first side 225 of the first layer 220 is exposed around the entire periphery of the second layer 230. For example, as depicted in FIG. 3B, the second layer 230 may have a smaller length and width than the first layer 220, and the second layer may be deposited generally in the center of the first layer 220. Thus, the first side 225 of the first layer 220 is exposed around the entire periphery of the second layer 230. Alternatively, the width and/or length of the first layer 220 and second layer 230 may be approximately equal. In another embodiment, one or more sides of the first layer 220 and second layer 230 may be flush with each other.
It is preferable that at least the first side 225 of the first layer 220 be made of a mucoadhesive material, such that it may be sufficiently applied to a mucosal surface of the body of the user and adhere thereto. For example, the resulting multi-layer product 260 may be applied to any skin surface of a user, such as, for example, a mucosal surface, including oral, nasal, optical, vaginal, or anal surfaces of the user, or may be applied to an internal body organ such as during surgery. In this embodiment, the individual multi-layered product 260 may be applied by a user to a skin surface, such that the first side 225 of the first layer 220 is in contact with the skin surface and substantially adhered thereto. In this embodiment, the active-containing layer 230 is directed towards the skin surface of the user. If the second layer 230 dissolves at a faster rate than the first layer 220, the second layer 230 may be allowed to fully dissolve in the direction of the skin surface of the user, allowing full absorption of any active(s) contained in the second layer 230 into the user's body.
It will be understood, of course, that the multi-layered film product embodiment described above may be formed with a continuous stripe of active-containing film product (as depicted in FIG. 2 and described above), as opposed to individual active-containing film layers 230. In such an embodiment, the product may be cut in such a fashion such that two opposing sides of the first surface 225 of the first layer 220 are exposed beyond the stripe of second layer.
In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the apparatus 310 may include a first film-forming region 310A and a second film-forming region 310B. In such embodiments, the first film forming region 310A may include a first reservoir 315, which houses a first film forming matrix. The first film forming matrix generally includes film-forming components as described above, and may include an active or it may be active-free. The apparatus 310 includes a substrate 320, which is made from a non-ingestible material, such as mylar, paper, and other materials described above. The substrate 320, as with other embodiments described above, moves through the apparatus 310 in the direction represented by the arrow A, i.e., from the first film forming region 310A to the second film forming region 310B. The first film forming region 310A includes a first manifold 325, which is in fluid connection with the first reservoir 315, and is intended to deposit a continuous sheet 330 of first film forming material onto the substrate 320 during use. Optionally, there may be a first drying apparatus (not shown) disposed at a location after the first manifold 325 but before the second film-forming region 310B.
During use, the apparatus 310 deposits the sheet 330 of first film forming material onto the substrate 320, forming a first layer of film forming material. It may be desired that the sheet 330 of first film forming material be immediately dried before entering the second film forming region 310B. Alternatively, the sheet 330 of first film forming material may be partially dried before entering the second film forming region 310B, for example, to form a visco-elastic mass of film material.
The first layer of film forming material 330 (whether dried, undried, or partially dried) travels through the apparatus 310 into the second film forming region 310B. The second film forming region 310B may include the components and methods described above with respect to the embodiments depicted in FIG. 1 or 2. For example, the second film forming region 310B includes a second reservoir 340, which is in fluid communication with a second feed line 345. The second feed line 345 is in communication with a plurality of volumetric pumps 350. The plurality of volumetric pumps 350 is in communication with a second manifold 355, which includes a plurality of orifices 360. As explained above, desirably, each orifice 360 is associated with one volumetric pump 350. The second film forming region 310 deposits a plurality of wet film products 365 onto the first layer of film forming material 330 in a substantially side-by-side manner in a series of columns (i.e., 370A, 370B).
The first layer of film material 330 and the plurality of wet film products 365 travel through the apparatus 310 into a drying apparatus 375, which may be a drying oven. The wet film products 365 (and the first layer of film, if necessary) are dried, such as by the drying methods described above.
Once sufficiently dried, the resulting multi-layered film products (including the first layer 330 and the plurality of now-dried film products 365) may be sized and cut as desired, or alternatively may be stored for future use. The first layer 330 and film products 365 are desirably adhered to each other, which may be achieved simply through the drying process or there may be an adhesive composition applied between the first layer 330 and the film products 365 prior to deposition thereof.
The present invention takes into account, and is premised on the understanding of, a number of issues that may adversely impact the flow of material through a slot die, which may result in changes in flow of the material. Slight changes in certain parameters may undesirably alter the content uniformity of the resulting film, in particular the uniformity of active, which is produced across a plurality of slot dies fed from a single pump. Uniformity of content among individual films or dosages, particularly uniformity of active, is especially important in film manufacturing. The present invention minimizes or all together eliminates the potential problems associated with use of a single pump, as will be explained below.
In typical systems and in the present invention, a preferred slot die is a rectangular orifice having three dimensions: height (B), width (W) and length (L). The length (L) is understood to be the length of the orifice from the front of the die to the back, depicted in FIG. 1 as the length from the first side 65A and a second side 65B. The flow through a rectangular die, such as the slot die of the present invention, may be defined by the Hagen-Poiseuille equation:
.times..times..times..mu..times..times. ##EQU00001##
In the above equation, Q is the volumetric flow rate, P is the pressure, and .mu., is the viscosity of the fluid being flowed through the die. When multiple orifices are being flowed through in typical apparatuses, such as a slot die coater with a single pump feeding a manifold with multiple slot dies, the flow rate may be adversely impacted by many factors. Even slight variations in these factors may have a significant impact in the flow rate, and thus the content of films formed by the apparatus. The potential adverse impact of such a system is reduced or eliminated through the present invention.
For example, pressure changes may impact the flow rate, since flow is proportional to the pressure at the entrance to the slot in the slot die. If a substantially uniform flow across multiple slot dies is desired, it is important to have a substantially equal pressure level at the entrance to each slot die. To achieve this equal pressure level across all dies, a manifold design with one single pump feeding to it must prevent the flow inside the manifold from being disturbed by external forces. That is, the flow within such a manifold must not be disturbed by changes in temperature, viscosity, or non-uniform dispersions or clumping of components in the fluid being flowed.
In addition, the height of the slot die may have an affect on the flow rate of the fluid being flowed through. Flow is proportional to the height of the slot, which is typically the narrowest dimension of the slot die, to the third power. Since this is typically the smallest dimension, any variability in this dimension from slot to slot will have a potentially high impact on the percentage of variability in the flow rate of the matrix as it is fed to each of the slot dies. To counter this problem, it would be critical that each of the slot dies in the apparatus have the same height dimension as each other. Even a 3% difference in height between adjacent slot dies in the apparatus would result in a nearly 10% variation in flow rate.
Another factor that may affect the flow rate is the viscosity of the fluid being flowed through the dies. Flow rate is inversely proportional to the viscosity, such that changes in the localized viscosity due to forces such as temperature or non-homogeneity (clumping of particles in the matrix) will impact the flow rate through that slot, and subsequently the flow rate through to the remaining slot dies. Even a slight change in the flow rate may adversely affect the uniformity of content, including active content, of the films formed by subsequent slot dies.
In the present invention, the flow rate through each individual slot die is determined and controlled by the flow exiting the individual volumetric pump attached to an individual slot die. The present invention overcomes the above problems by using a plurality of individual pumps associated with individual slot dies. The pressure may be kept at a substantially constant level among each individual pump. In addition, since each slot die is associated with an individual pump, variations in the height between adjacent slot dies will have no affect on each other. Finally, use of individual pumps may easily take into account viscosity changes and minimize any potential affect based on variations therein.
While the above problems may potentially be solved through the use of a single pump-fed manifold directed to a plurality of individual slot dies, such an apparatus would need to include: a manifold that is not affected by any external forces; identical slot dies; and a viscosity of the flowed matrix that is completely uniform with no drop in viscosity from the first slot die to the last slot die. Such an apparatus would be cumbersome and difficult to achieve.
As can be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the present invention substantially solves the problems associated with such single-pump apparatuses by providing a system and method that provides each slot die with its own individual pump. The present system allows for greater control and stability between and among the slot dies in the system. The potential issues set forth in the Hagen-Poiseuille equation above are rectified with the present invention in an efficient and controlled manner. The result is a more predictable and uniform product among each slot die in the system.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the steps described above may be modified in various ways or performed in a different order than described above, where appropriate. Accordingly, alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure.
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__label__wiki | 0.568639 | 0.568639 | plan 222El Carmen, (Province of Matagalpa, Municipality of Matiguas, Nicaragua) integral gravitydrinking water project.
by Agua Para la Vida (APLV) in Nicaragua
Implementation Dates: Oct 2009 to Jun 2010
and Sanitation - Community
Community Contribution: $24,889
A gravity water project delivering 70 liters/day per inhabitant and a latrine to all individual houses and school, education for maintenance, long term hygiene and sanitation, the preservation and reforestation of the watershed. Will make possible drinki
The population uses mostly running water from ravines including that in the private property of near-by ranch-owners. We have verified that these are extremely polluted. There are no previous sytems. But there exists fairly near an abundant spring that allows delivering water not only to Quirragua but to two other villages at a lower elevation.
El Carmen, Proviince of Matagalpa, Municipality of Matiguas, Nicaragua
Carmen_s...
Secondary Focus: Sanitation - Community
74 families , 56 women . 298 children
Present population survey is by APLV
Children from surroundings of village attend this school and water and latrines will be available there.The number of additional children not belonging to the village itself is estimated.
The whole village population +the outside children attending school. See description of benefits
Hygiene education, a program that stretches over several years reaches all homes and is incorporated in the school. Capacity building is inherent in the organization of the village prior to project. Fish farming made possible by water system is under study for this project.
The presence of this abundant spring which is unusually easy to protect from pollution and drying up suggest a gravity system as the obvious first choice. These systems are the specialty of APLV which has designed and help build 60 of them- all presently functioning. The basic components are a spring-catching and protecting construction, a buried conduction line to a holding tank evening out the supply over the day, and a distribution network leading to individual water taps all by gravity.
APLV has developed advanced design tools for such systems which have performed excellently
Once the community is ready, (which this one is) the project will be carried out in one stage.
The community has been organized. Families have each individually signed a commitment to work the required number of men-days. A CAPS (committee charged both to organize the daily work schedule during construction and to learn and provide maintenance after construction) has been formed. Monthly rates per family have been established to cover maintenance and its tools. The project is kept under observation by APLV for 4 to 6 months and is thereafter formally handed over to the community as its owner. The spring has been formally handed over to that community and to the other two ( Quirragua and San Isidro) by its former owner
The proTject is endorsed and facilitated by the municipality of Matiguas which has pledged a
a modest financial contribution as well (see below)
Reforestation is one component of our training of the community. Monitoring of baby health and measurement of the impact of our program on baby development is another. The amelioration of the diet of the farmers thru fish farming is contemplated.
This undertaking should of course be the responsibility of the local and central governments. While municipalities are just beginning to contribute to such projects, their resources allow them to be only minor contributors. However they may play an important role for instance in helping enforce the national law guaranteeing communal access
to springs and other sources of water as well as using their facilities (trucks) for material transport. Both are the case with the municipality of Matiguas
The maintenance costs are totally assumed by the community thru monthly payments collected by the CAPS. The CAPS is responsible for the management of the fund. Maintenance costs are minimal and estimated at 70/month. There are no operating costs except for maintenance. This is the advantage of spring-fed gravity systems. But APLV periodically insures that the maintenance committee (CAPS) is working properly and collects the necessary funds for maintenance. The ownership of the system and of its springis that of the community itself.
This is the external cost. Including the community contribution it is: $98011
see budget attachment in description document
The municipality of Matiguas, 2954
APLV’s general funds, 2215
Community Contribution Amount: $24,889
Contribution of 5650 man-days of work @ 4$ per day: 22600
Monetary contribution (part payment of individual water stands, food for technical personnel, tools for maintenance): 2289
Implementing Organization:
Rajesh Shah of Peer Water Exchange
To reduce review time only one of a similar group of applications is being reviewed. The fate of this application is linked to a very similar one by APLV: http://peerwater.org/apps/217
To reduce review time only one of a similar group of applications is being reviewed.
The fate of this application is linked to a very similar one by APLV:
http://peerwater.org/apps/217
by Peer Water Exchange
El Carmen, (Province of Matagalpa, Municipality of Matiguas, Nicaragua) integral gravitydrinking water project. complete_successful Sep 2010 $0 | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line341 |
__label__cc | 0.724698 | 0.275302 | Promo for Radio 2 on BBC TV
R2OK! Forum Index -> Television
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:18 am Post subject: Promo for Radio 2 on BBC TV
Can anyone tell me who the girl with long dark hair is on this trailer?
I believe it's Claudia Winkleman (sp?).
It's not exactly what you'd find most of the time on Radio 2 is it? I wrote on the webpage something similar, and guess what it hasn't appeared on the page as yet anyway. I suppose they are only publishing favourable comments!
A total waste of time and money IMHO!
Last edited by Helen May on Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:10 am; edited 1 time in total
Jonathon Ross, Claudia Winkleman, Chris Evans, Russell Brand, Dermot O'Leary.
Whose Dream Team is that, I wonder?
Hers!!! http://www.pictogame.com/play/game/UGgdpwBcy4VD_kick-girl
Although we have Jim Moir to thank (or not, as the case may be) for Wossy.
Last edited by Lord Evan Elpuss on Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
I quite like the advert -( they are the best bits on telly... well apart from Al Murray). I didn't know all the folks in it but it was interesting- I first saw it at about 2 mins to 7 on Wednesday evening( or at least I think I did- I may have dreamed it)- I was well confused cos Chris was just fisnishing up drivetime - I put the telly on for channel 4 news and there he was on the telly in the studio- It was like ... woah what's occuring here then? I thought maybe that particle accelerator thing had jumbled things up.
The studios look really untidy and discombobulated though..... sort it out Guv...
It's on the radio 2 home page if anyone wants to see it.
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:35 am Post subject:
The ad is quite brilliant - and probably cost a bob or two - but has little relevance to the bit of Radio 2 that broadcasts during the day, or most of the evening, come to that.
Who used to use "discombobulated"?
Yeah it would have been nice Ron, to see some of the presenters we know and love...maybe they were thinking too much of a good thing can sometimes be bad. Just imagine if Alex had been in the ad.... there'd be women from all over the country abandoning their homes and children in favour of a Greenpeace style camp in Portland Street- all just to get a look at the love legend on his way home from work- it would be chaos out there.
Hmmm thinks ... discombobulated? maybe Sk but I'm not sure. Interestingly there is no "combobulated" so once you become discombobulated- you're stuck there!
The station doesn't need to keep promoting Wogan, Bruce, Vine & Wrighty shows as they are in well established No 1 slots.
The trailer played out on the station airs Wogans, Bruce and Wrighty Voices.
I would like to see a Janice Long, Alex Lester, Bob Harris, Pete Mitchell and Sarah Trailer.
Why don't they air trailers for Russell Davies, Desmond Carrington, Paul Jones, Malcolm Laycock? I mean this because no other UK station plays their type of music. Their audiences could double overnight, and audience is what Lesley wants, eh?
But double all those audiemces might be less than a million so I guess not enough for Lesley to rave about.
I suppose everyone in UK who is into swing, Broadway, jazz and blues do KNOW about the R2 shows so the trailers would achieve nothing; that's probably what Lesley thinks too.
I supposed she's realised the "proper" audience for Radio 2 have switched off so thought she'd better go for a different age group. The woman has no sense at all.
Lesley Douglas is not in touch with "all her presenters". Blinkered vision imho.
MadeinSurrey
Location: The Beautiful South
I was gobsmacked by that trailer - if Dame Lesley wants to put people off R2 she's going the right way about it!!
It contained all the people I loathe on Radio 2. All the people she should be getting rid of, not wasting money promoting.
It seems to me that Dame Lesley is all about alienating loyal audiences. She's done that on both Radio 2 & 6 music. She certainly trailers the rubbish shows on both stations the most. This is what should be happening to Lesley. http://www.pictogame.com/en/play/game/S1QLR8GtEbhI_my-western-kick-girl
It’s just an advert. Adverts are like that. Take any commercial/retail organisation’s advert and it will have many similar facets. There’s always something familiar – instantly recognisable- so you know whose advert it is… in this case they use Chris Evans – everybody knows him – he’s familiar, warm and trustworthy – so immediately you think, ah – I know what this is about – it’s about Radio 1! Then they introduce the products that aren’t really selling that well…Russell Brand .. ad a touch of eye candy for the boys- Claudia Winkleman.. throw in a throbbing hunk for the girls- Dermot O’leary …. You know what they say? Sex sells: plug that product that just won’t move off the shelf again, Russell Brand, oh and again, Russell Brand, give it a bit of Wossy, who wouldn’t want that? Mix the whole lot with a fab score, and Bob’s your uncle…
Ian Robinson
Location: Chorley, Lancashire
Hmm. Not sure I agree there, Rachel. Surely they've just picked the telly people regardless of whether they're good or rating well or not?
I agree with Ian on this.
Rachel honey, If Evans is "familiar, warm and trustworthy" I am definitely a Dutchman!!
I think thats rubbish she is in touch with her presenters. I don't think she's blinkered at all. It's for a trailer ( Not advert ) to promote it "different every time?", not a DJ sitting behind the desk pressing vaders and buttons. I would expect in time all will eventually get an airing? Not hung out to dry
Although it would be good to air a trailer with the older ones and younger ones side by side? The station isn't just for younger listeners, but females will be attracted too it?
I think Rachel has a point, mix up a couple of well knowns , Ross & Evans, with the newish ones no-one can be bothered with,
...and add a bit of music and make it sound 'cool' for the younger audience.
............but why not try something to attract older listeners who have become disillusioned Nod?
I've no idea, they don't seem to be heading that way with R2, all things on R2 seem to be heading for the younger audience..it would be good to cater for some older listeners and leave R1 to the younger listeners.
I can't see why they can't have a playlist of old records, in particular old albums, then they could play some tracks that are seldom played. Lets face it they can't be any worse than some of the new stuff that gets aired so many times a day!
They could call it the D list and reduce the number of plays of the A list.
They do have a playlist of older records, but just don't make public. It seems to include Brown-Eyed Girl, Born to Run, Doctor My Eyes, Maggie May, Year of the Cat, and Desperado.
LOL at Ian.
It does seem that way at times.
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:24 am Post subject:
It really does, H & I!
When you think of the wealth of fabulous tracks that are never heard on R2, it makes you weep. I had to cringe when Dear Ken played WOTW again yesterday, that one really needs a rest.
MadeinSurrey wrote:
Well it’s good to have you here, Willem Van-Oranje , you can call me honey, any time. Ok , I concede a minor defeat, in that , yes, Chris Evans is no Andrex Puppy, on that, I have no doubt, but he does have that warm Battersea Power Station – oh good! I know where I am now feeling, about him. Heading to Waterloo on a train via the South West Line , you can look out of the window , any time , and you’ll see either; green fields; or back gardens , some of them nice, some proudly displaying the leftovers of a burned-out Mondeo, but all of them, pretty much the same. You could be anywhere. Then, there like your best friend, waiting for you at Heathrow arrivals, is Battersea Power Station, and you just know you’re on the right train. That’s all I was trying to say really.
Last edited by Rachel on Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:41 am; edited 1 time in total
waiting for you at Heathrow arrivals, is Battersea Power Station, and you just know you’re right train. That’s all I was trying to say really.
Rachel, The only likeness I can find between Evans & Battersea power station is that said power station had a helluva lot of hot air coming out of it in it's heyday. Evans still does. I just wish they would hurry up and find an alternative outlet for it.
Helen May wrote:
Great idea, but they just seem to play old singles and only a very limited list of them as others have said.
At least 2 of the 6 'old' songs I listed above have been played today (and I've only listened to Ken and Jeremy). Chances of Van the Man turning up on Steve Wright are high, I reckon.
gfloyd
Location: Here, There, Everywhere.
With advertising, you want to attract people to a product who have not used it before. Since everybody in the country knows about Wogan, Kennedy & Bruce I cant see why they would be included. Also everybody knows about the middle of the road daytime music & presentation. So its the unknown bits that need to be promoted.
Although really I think it just shows that the BBC still has too much cash as it seems to make a new ad every few months.
His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....
gfloyd wrote:
And every ad seems to include Ross, Brand and Evans. Is there anyone left who doesn't know they're on Radio 2?
Still, at least it's not nearly as bad as those Radio 4 promos. Yoko Ono rambling on? What were they thinking?
I noticed on the R2 advert today on R2 (not TV) they have now included TW & KB !!. They must be listening !!
nod wrote:
You are very closely, as I said above "you can hear Mr Wrights singing voice.
R2OK! Forum Index -> Television All times are GMT | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line344 |
__label__cc | 0.528885 | 0.471115 | admin-letbri / January 20, 2015
Have a short story about your garden, gardening, gardeners, plants? Send it to Backyard Blogger
by Richard Burke
Gardens are about more than plants. Many gardeners go out of their way to locate plants and other features in their yards to attract birds and butterflies.
The past couple of days, we’ve had a flurry (not snow) of activity around our backyard pond, most notably a flock of cedar waxwings. The pond is a central feature of our garden, complete with koi that remain in it year around, with the help of a pond heater, and water plants such as pond lilies and marsh marigolds, which started blooming about the same time the cedar waxwings came this week.
We’ve had the pond for over a dozen years, but we’ve seen waxwings here only occasionally. This is the first year they’ve persisted.
Monday they started, rushing in for a drink – about 15 to 20 of them – and then quickly fleeing for a nearby mature tree. One had plucked a couple of juniper berries and swallowed them. They returned after I went for a morning meeting, but Marlene noticed a couple had stayed behind the second time. One was dead on the back patio beside the garage. probably after flying into the window. The other one just sat on our back step, not moving a lot. There was no apparent damage, but it may have been dazed after likely flying into a window at the back of the house.
When I returned home about three hours later, it still sat on the step. Hadn’t budged from its original perch, but was moving its head. We didn’t want to touch it in case it had an injured wing and were concerned we could further hurt it. So, we went golfing, hoping it would recover and fly away. By dinner time, it was still there, but had moved about a foot.
Now, we started to worry about its fate because we have cats coming through our yard every night. As well, magpies, crows and raptors like sparrow hawks frequent the neighbourhood. So, we consulted one neighbour, Mike, a fisheries biologist who, we reasoned, may have some broader wildlife knowledge. He suggested we put it in a box lined with a towel and put it in our greenhouse with some water nearby for the night. That would give us more options in the morning because places like a local wildlife office would be open with possible advice.
I had a shoebox with some old bills in it, but it seemed small. We called neighbour Joanne, who said she had a cat-carrying box. I went out the back door to go get it, looked at the waxwing and said, “Don’t worry, we’re trying to take care of you.” With that, it turned its head to the right, then back to the left, flapped its wings and away it went, up into an evergreen across the alley. This after eight hours sitting on the the step and pooping a few times.
We really felt we had connected with this wonderful wildlife specimen and were relieved when it flew off.
It was time for a celebratory glass of wine.
Green over white
Hanging on in November
Oldman Rose Society garden worth a trip to Pincher Creek
Irresistible wildflowers → | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line357 |
__label__cc | 0.596739 | 0.403261 | Ideas for 10 year old to earn money job,good life affirmations 2014,5 tips to increase brain power foods,free ways to make real money online xbox - For Begninners
Category: Earn Money Online
As you already know, this website is LOADED, smothered, covered, fluffed, dipped in, AND chocked full of a ton of different easy ways to make money for kids. My “How kids can make money selling old books” post will tell you everything you need to know about how children and adolescents can go about trading their old books for some moola!
While I don’t have a post for this one yet, this might be one of the most CLEVER ones on this list! We’re always here to help, and these top 5 ideas should get you started out fairly quickly. Poor white Americans’ current crisis shouldn’t have caught the rest of the country as off guard as it has. Sometime during the past few years, the country started talking differently about white Americans of modest means.
What to make of the combination of bedazzled femininity and ferocious athleticism that defines women’s gymnastics? At that point the gathered women began sharing their nerves-before-competition stories, talking over each other with giddy mentions of the shaking hands and near-vom experiences that came when they finally—finally—found themselves on the Olympic stage. In 2006, Donald Trump made plans to purchase the Menie Estate, near Aberdeen, Scotland, aiming to convert the dunes and grassland into a luxury golf resort.
That’s what has usually happened whenever a large proportion of Americans have been upset with the distribution of their country’s wealth.
In one of the biggest moments of Hillary Clinton’s convention speech, the Democratic nominee promised that under her presidency, “Wall Street, corporations, and the super-rich are going to start paying their fair share of taxes.” The crowd went wild. This idea, that the wealthiest Americans have been helped along financially by their ability to shortchange the tax system, is a popular view at a time when the divide between the richest and everyone else continues to grow. Hundreds of photographers have gathered in Rio to follow the action in the Olympic arenas, swimming pools, racetracks, and more.
Little-known Evan McMullin finally takes up the mantle of anti-Trump conservative, three months before the election. There are three months until Election Day, and anti-Trump Republicans finally have their man—even if they’ve never heard of him.
His hugely hyped new album had another false release date, but his week of construction left a lot to puzzle over. One week ago, The New York Times broke what might have been one of the biggest pop-music stories of the summer.
The story coincided with the arrival of an “endless” video showing Ocean performing carpentry work. The Republican nominee’s latest round of proposals included some surprises, as well as plenty of less-surprising GOP orthodoxy. Among his major proposals is to streamline income tax brackets—of which there are currently seven—to three tiers, in which no American would pay more than 33 percent to the federal government. On July 20, Donald Trump shocked the Western politico-military establishment when he told The New York Times that the United States would protect Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the three formerly Soviet Baltic countries that joined NATO in 2004, from a Russian attack only if they have “fulfilled their obligations to us.” In one fell stroke, Trump proposed to jettison the alliance’s foundational Article 5, which guarantees collective defense, in favor of some impromptu financial calculus.
Billy Durant created General Motors in 1908 by consolidating Buick Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Pontiac. There are 1.6 Billion people in the world without electricity [that means no refrigeration, too].
Studies find that married couples with a rich vocabulary of teasing nicknames and formulaic insults are happier and more satisfied. CHALLENGE #150: What do the ancestors of these have in common: rye, oats, turnips, radishes, beets, leeks and lettuce? HUMOR [?]: The economic crisis appeared worse in Asia as Japanese banks are the latest to be hit. Now ya know: In the Palace of Versailles, Marie Antoinette demanded a system of locks so she could bolt her bedroom doors from her bed, furthering rumors of infidelity. Someone who is saturnine [SAT-ur-nyn] might be sad, gloomy, melancholy, sullen, morose, sour, surly, sardonic, and slow to shift moods. Since the 1970s, the government of Bhutan bases decisions on Gross National Happiness rather than GNP.
After being home schooled, he started at the University of Glasgow at age 10 and was the top of his class in mathematics, logic and classics. If you've ever invented a new word, you've created a neologism [nee-ALL-uh-jiz-um] and you are a neologist.
In 1824, after a series of financial embarrassments, his family moved to a a€?mean, small tenement,a€? and he dropped out of school, at 12, for 10-hour days at a shoe-blacking factory.
CHALLENGE #150 was: What do the ancestors of these have in common: rye, oats, turnips, radishes, beets, leeks and lettuce?
CHALLENGE #151: In 1970 in NYC, 127 people started something that has become a major attraction to foreigners. FACTOID: Equality of people and natural resources was the reason so many western states look rectangular.
Peculiarities: Pikes Peak is spelled without an apostrophe by law, according to the CO legislature in 1978. CHALLENGE #151 was: In 1970 in NYC, 127 people started something that has become a major attraction to foreigners. CHALLENGE #152: He refused a seat at Forda€™s Theater the night Lincoln was shot [1865], but was present at the assassination of Garfield [1881] and McKinley [1901].
Featured Quote: a€?Markets need certainty and predictability, and the administrationa€™s actions have actually increased uncertainty and unpredictabilility. BIG Q #65 : An industrial farm with 5,000 hogs produces as much waste as a town with 20,000 people. Ornery is a dialect use of ordinary and has also been spelled awnry, o'nary, onery, onry, ornary, and ornry. As children, we typically feel slightly older than we really are, but around age 25-30 we begin to think of ourselves as younger.
CHALLENGE #152 was: He refused a seat at Forda€™s Theater the night Lincoln was shot [1865], but was present at the assassination of Garfield [1881] and McKinley [1901]. BIG Q #66: Can we really understand our own religion without a deep and sympathetic understanding of at least one other? HUMOR [?]: Did you hear that Somali pirates were issuing a new ransom-backed security to buy Citigroup? Gore's Law:A As an online climate-change debate grows longer, the probability that denier arguments will descend into attacks on Al Gore approaches one. Conservative Republican Presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover [some of our worst until now] appointed eight Justices to the Supreme Court.
Deuteronomy means a€?2nd lawsa€™: the 5th book of the Bible containing a recapitulation of the Ten Commandments and much of the Mosaic Law.
CHALLENGE #154: What do the following have in common:A Eugene Oa€™Neill, William Burroughs and his wife, Charles Mingus, Allen Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Charlie Parker and Sid Vicious?
Bonus Q: How much new debt and new obligations were piled up in 8 years by the Bush administration?
EXTRA Bonus Q: a€?I never felt that anxious any other time during my presidency, curiously enough.a€? GWB said about what?
Words that sound like what they mean: sarcastic, grisly, moist, esoteric, effervescent, awkward, delicious. Unlike a politician, a statesman must have: a bedrock of principles, a moral compass, a vision, ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision. Remember Bill Clintona€™s farewell speech where he truthfully said he was leaving the country a€?on track to be debt-freea€? by the end of 2009? POLISH is pronounced two ways, depending on whether or not the first letter is capitalized.
EXTRA Bonus Q answer: When asked by People magazine what moments from the last 8 years he revisited most often, W talked passionately about the pitch he threw out at the World Series in 2001. CHALLENGE #154 was: What do the following have in common:A Eugene Oa€™Neill, William Burroughs and his wife, Charles Mingus, Allen Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Charlie Parker and Sid Vicious?
Featured Quote: Multiculturalism is having conversations of respect across significant differences. Now ya know: More than 90% of known chemicals contain carbon--and, therefore, are part of a€?organica€™ chemistry. Peculiar--The origin of the word: from the Latin meaning a€?private propertya€™ from pecu a€?cattlea€™ meaning cattle as private property.
CHALLENGE #156: He had alcoholic parents, flunked kindergarden, was a poor student, stammered badly and was dyslexic, but excelled at sports and drama class.
BIG Q #69 : Why were two of the greatest teachers [who never wrote a book], Socrates and Jesus, executed on trumped-up charges? HUMOR [?]: A very elderly gentleman (mid 90s), well dressed, hair groomed, great looking suit, flower in his lapel, smelling slightly of a good after shave, presenting a great image, walks into an upscale cocktail lounge. The QWERTY keyboard was designed in 1873 to force typists to type as slowly as possible since typewriters at the time easily jammed.
The major killers of humanity throughout our recent history--smallpox, flu, TB, malaria, plague, measles, cholera and AIDS--are infectious diseases that evolved from diseases of animals. CHALLENGE #156 was: He had alcoholic parents, flunked kindergarden, was a poor student, stammered badly and was dyslexic, but excelled at sports and drama class. BIG Q #70 : Does an absolute morality exist; are some things always right or wrong in all times, places and circumstances? Now ya know: The Athenian trial, of Socrates for example, lasted no more than one day, with 501 jurors--they were the rules in the democracy of Athens.
Every time an animal eats a plant or another animal, the conversion of food biomass into the consumera€™s biomass is typically 10% efficiency: it takes 10,000 pounds of corn to grow a 1,000-pound cow.
Medieval Islam had far higher literacy rates than contemporary Europe and assimilated the legacy of classical Greek civilization such that many classical Greek books are now known to us only through Arabic copies. In 2006, the FBI had 33 agents with a€?some proficiencya€™ in Arabic, while the NYC Police Dept. The sole foreign domesticated mammal adopted in Australia was the dog [from Asia around 1500 BC] and became the wild dingo. The earliest attested precursors of ceramics are fired clay figurines made in the area of modern Czechoslovakia, 27,000 years ago.
CHALLENGE #158: Carefully weigh 200 pounds of nutrient-rich soil and plant a sapling in it.
There are more interviews to follow, and if you like this please visit the archive for more. I was very happy to speak to Michael Swan at the JALT conference in Nagoya in November 2010, and now you can listen to what he had to say too! I recommend Michael’s excellent website, which is well stocked with articles on these topics and many more. Although I earn my money up at the university, my main job these days seems to be teaching of young learners. It is preferable, I think, if you can keep some consistency with phonics…especially in the early stages of trying to read.
I used an Edirol R-09HR digital voice recorder for the sounds, and a lo-fi video camera called a Digital Harinezumi (get one now if you can, because they will go out of production soon) for the visuals, but that’s just because I like the effects and I like playing with video. If you have flip video cameras or the equivalent, and your young learners are old enough, you could do the same thing in class time. Check out Barbara Sakamoto’s great use of voicethread to make class alphabet book online. Should the reader wish to become principled, he has to submit to a kind of coruscating doubt not dissimilar to the process adopted by Descartes. With the combined admonitory talents of a worried parent and a sergeant-major, Lewis asks us to reconsider some of the most cherished assumptions in ELT. Don’t we, he urges, over-value explanations, structure, product and speaking? Do we know why? Shouldn’t we, perhaps, stress the importance of exploration, lexis, process, and listening just a little more instead? In fact, shouldn’t we ask more questions, and stop rehearsing answers for which we can provide little or no philosophical or empirical underpinning? Eh? Paul Nation is a researcher, teacher and teacher trainer best known for his research into vocabulary learning and acquisition. He presented twice at the ETJ Chubu Expo on Sunday, and between presentations was kind enough to answer a few questions. I also attended the first of Paul’s presentations, in which he emphasised the importance of a balanced curriculum of four strands. A vocabulary test in which the students merely have to vomit the words onto the page, and once purged walk away fresh with no memory of the incident, is no good to anyone.
Learner Autonomy – Are students more likely to learn words if they are relevant, personal and useful?
Learner Training – Is it better to teach students how to study vocabulary, rather than teach them vocabulary? I’ll point you in the direction of two excellent resources, and bear in mind that quite a few academics offer pdf downloads of scholarly articles on their websites these days.
There is some evidence that antonyms and synonyms cause interference, if BOTH words are new. If you feel this image is in violation of our Terms of Service, please use the following form to have it manually reviewed by a staff member. 18 June, 2013 31 Comments Although this blog is mainly about avoiding fake, processed foods my life doesn’t stop there. The Work for Hire Chores are chores in which the kids earn EXTRA money doing chores that I normally would do. The chores go from Sunday to Sunday and any money leftover goes towards the next weeks chores. I am so happy to say that our Work for Hire Chore Chart system has gone viral with over 100,000 pins, shares and likes on social media! You can now download the Work for Hire Chart and implement it today in your own house! It’s been revised, enhanced and even is broken down by age group! I really enjoy using this system, even as my kids get older, and I think you will too. Please let me know your thoughts and comments!
If your kids don’t complete all the basic chores – do you prorate your base salary? To each their own… But eventually they have to learn about earning a living and money management.
It probably costs you $1 when it’s on sale at the local grocery store, especially during halloween. At the same price ($0.25) the candy (valued at only a staggering $0.05) would bring you $25!!! You could even MAKE your own candies and save even more money, all you have to do is look up the recipes and buy the ingredients. He and the estate’s owner, Tom Griffin, sat down to discuss the transaction at the Cock & Bull restaurant. According to a Gallup poll, 63 percent of Americans say the distribution of money and wealth is unfair, and just over half favor higher taxes on the rich. Today’s entry encompasses fencing, basketball, handball, swimming, diving, eventing, table tennis, archery, and much more.
Frank Ocean, “the innovative and enigmatic R&B singer, is set to release his next album, Boys Don’t Cry, on Friday through an exclusive deal with Apple Music, according to a person with knowledge of the release plans,” wrote Ben Sisario and Joe Coscarelli. But because the stream was posted without mention of an imminent album, it seemed likely that the Times’ source, “who was not authorized to discuss the release plans and therefore spoke on condition of anonymity,” was someone high-up at Ocean’s label, or in Ocean’s creative camp, or at Apple.
Then, during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention two days later, he declared NATO “obsolete” for failing to “properly cover terror,” adding that "many member countries [are] not paying their fair share [into the alliance]. Such a personality is like that of someone born when the planet Saturn was rising, according to the ancient Romans. Fields, Charlie Chaplin, James Brown, Billie Martin and Nicolas Ceausescu have what in common? What do the following have in common: Strawberry Fields, Solitaire, May Day, Tiffany Case and Jinx?
Some other such words: JOB, LIMA, RAINIER, READING, NICE, NATAL, MALE, SAID, WORMS, EWE, and BAD. You arena€™t the first doctor to sleep with one of his patients and you wona€™t be the last a€“ and youa€™re single.
And, 150 years after publication of a€?Origin of Species,a€? the majority of Americans dona€™t believe we evolved.
By November 1923 a dollar was worth 630 billion marks, a loaf of bread cost 140 billion marks, and Germany was disintegrating under the strain..
We discussed grammar and how it should be approached by teachers, ELF and errors, and changes in methodology over the years he has been involved in teaching. But on the other hand I wanted to use words which they know and which have some meaning for them. Once I had enough audio, I clipped together the parts I needed in Garageband, then trimmed the video to fit the length and edited them together in iMovie. You should check, but here in Japan I think just about every family has access to rudimentary video equipment, be it a mobile phone, smartphone, a feature of a point-and-shoot digital camera, or a full-on camcorder.
Send each team out with a camera and have them look for a complete alphabet around the school. Concrete nouns are obviously easier, but cataloguing abstract nouns, adjectives and verbs will force students to be creative.
As you would expect we discussed vocabulary, and Paul’s answers were thoughtful and optimistic for the directions that language teaching is taking. Teachers need to ensure that students participate in meaning focused input and output, in language focused learning (deliberate study) and in fluency development activities in equal measures. As the students are focussing mainly on their extensive reading, and thus encountering completely different vocabulary, it seemed a good fit. For example, it may well be wrong to teach left and right together – fix one concept first, then introduce the next.
The rule, however, is the kids HAVE to complete their Daily Personal Chores BEFORE doing any Work for Hire. This motivates them to complete their daily chores. I think I”m going to try this, but do you have any ideas what I can do so the bigger kids aren’t the only ones earning?
These will provide nearly instant results if you are successful, but you must pay very close attention and read about how to do each one. Explain to them why you’re deciding to do this, and let them know how much you love dogs. If you have upgraded to some hot new technology, you would be wise to sell your old stuff in order to get top dollar for it.
Admitting defeat way before you really get your roots growing essentially kills the business before it is even born.
There was much discussion of “white working-class voters,” with whom the Democrats, and especially Barack Obama, were having such trouble connecting.
Griffin recalls that Trump was a hard-nosed negotiator, reluctant to give in on even the tiniest details. A Mormon from Utah, he went to Brigham Young University and later got an MBA from the Wharton School of Business—an alma he shares with Donald Trump. The unauthorized breaking of silence was a reminder that even for a talent as singular as Ocean—and even in an era when physical distribution and long-lead promotion are no longer essential steps in the album-release process—no major musician fully works alone. He also suggested halting any new federal regulation on finance, doing away with TPP, and bringing back the Keystone pipeline project. The word has two parts: neo-, from the Greek neos (new), and -logism, from the Greek logos (word, speech). They shrewdly cornered the market on a black, sticky substance to cover the roads they were building.
We discussed writing and vocabulary, teacher development, and his extensive experience of both teaching and learning languages around the world. I asked them what they liked, what they play with, what they could see around the house and so on to prompt them. If you are confident that your young learners have access to the technology, get the parents involved too.
Although Paul is primarily a researcher, he is a great communicator of serious ideas with humour and clarity (a point I was trying to make in the interview, but listening back it sounds like I told him he needs to buck up a bit…. Each student would compile a list of new words encountered in their reading (or anywhere else), and check for synonyms, definitions, antonyms, translations, word family and collocations. Well, I found this system by a fellow blogger named Carmona at Homemade By Carmona and I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you as well.
Each has a link to follow for more information, so dive in and make sure you’re ready to go!
This is exactly why personal and private status updates are such valuable gold to companies, businesses, artists, and organizations. You can usually post and have these items gone by the next day, sometimes even within a few hours. Never mind that this overbroad category of Americans—the exit pollsters’ definition was anyone without a four-year college degree, or more than a third of the electorate—obliterated major differences in geography, ethnicity, and culture. But, as Michael D’Antonio writes in his recent biography of Trump, Never Enough, Griffin’s most vivid recollection of the evening pertains to the theatrics.
He joined the CIA and after serving a stint in intelligence went to work for Goldman Sachs. He promises to override what he deems overreaching executive orders and to repeal Obamacare, saying that doing so will create 2 million more jobs.
Samurai Bank is soldiering on following sharp cutbacks.A Ninja Bank is reported to have taken a hit, but they remain in the black. I did one letter at a time, then stitched them all together and added a drum loop from Garageband to top it off.
Give each student a letter or two for homework, and have them record a segment and email it in to you. Both are chock full of reading, but if you wander about halfway down each I’d recommend two particular articles (citations after the jump).
I also pointed out that they should check how useful a word is before studying it – most modern dictionaries (certainly the electronic ones my students use) will tell you if a word is amongst the top 1000, 2000 or 3000 words in spoken or written English. Use the checklist below, and if you say no to 3 or more, it’s time for the book to go. However, sometimes their owners become too busy during certain parts of the year, career changes, or family changes. Selling your old cell phones describes this in more detail, but you can also sell them to a machine that many different grocery and department stores have. The label served to conjure a vast swath of salt-of-the-earth citizens living and working in the wide-open spaces between the coasts—Sarah Palin’s “real America”—who were dubious of the effete, hifalutin types increasingly dominating the party that had once purported to represent the common man. It was as if the golden-haired guest sitting across the table were an actor playing a part on the London stage. He hasn’t gone full Putin and hunted shirtless on horseback with his press pool, but he has alluded to the size of his penis from the stage of a presidential primary debate. But, 500 staff at Karate Bank got the chop.A Analysts report that there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank where it is feared that staff may get a raw deal. However, you could do something similar in far less time if you use a video camera with a built-in audio channel. Nation suggests self-selection of vocabulary, and Schmitt recommends a system of whole-word study. If you answer yes to 3 or more of the following, then these types of businesses are looking to buy your updates so your friends can hear good words about them!
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__label__wiki | 0.538733 | 0.538733 | Mar-07-2008 12:19 TweetFollow @OregonNews
Oregon Home Invasion Robbery Suspects Arrested in Boise and Ontario
Salem-News.com
Investigators say two other suspects related to this investigation were arrested in November.
Photo of Tucker courtesy: Ada County Sheriff's Office
Photo of Mercer courtesy: Malheur County Sheriff's Office
(ONTARIO, Ore.) - Police say two suspects wanted in connection with a November 2007 home invasion robbery of an Ontario-area residence were arrested Thursday in Boise and Ontario. Investigators say they are seeking any additional information regarding the suspects that could help in the ongoing investigation.
Oregon State Police Sergeant Mark Duncan says the arrests were made on warrants issued after the investigation of a home invasion robbery that happened last November 22nd in the 3900 block of Highway 201 in Ontario.
Oregon State Police were assisted during this investigation by Malheur County District Attorney's Office, Malheur County Sheriff's Office, Ontario Police Department, Nyssa Police Department, and Idaho State Police Criminal Investigation Unit.
Idaho State Police arrested 38-year old Andrew Aaron Tuck of Boise, near a Boise-area restaurant yesterday. Tucker was taken into custody and lodged in Ada County Jail with no bail as a Fugitive from Justice based upon an Oregon arrest warrant charging. He faces 2 counts of Burglary in the First Degree, 4 counts of Criminal Conspiracy, Aggravated Theft in the First Degree and 2 counts of Robbery in the Second Degree.
Also yesterday, Oregon State Police arrested 55-year old Muoi Thi Mercer of Fruitland, Idaho at the Ontario Area Command office. Mercer is also known as Muoi Thi Stone, according to police.
She was lodged in the Malheur County Jail with bail set at $150,000, charged 2 counts of Burglary in the First Degree, 4 counts of Criminal Conspiracy, Aggravated Theft in the First Degree and 2 counts of Robbery in the Second Degree.
Investigators say two other suspects related to this investigation, 26-year old Rocky Javonnie Vitale and his cousin, 25-year old Zachariah Joel Vitale, were arrested by Mesquite, Nevada Police Department during a traffic stop November 25th 2007.
Anyone with information about the suspects that would assist with the investigation is asked to contact OSP Detective Ken Pecyna at (541) 889-6469.
Ontario | Oregon | Idaho | Most Commented on
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__label__cc | 0.592115 | 0.407885 | Yes yes I know, it's been a while since the last GRAYnomad chronicles. It's not that I haven't been writing, it's mostly that we're in central Australia, and there's just nowhere to upload the site. I've been lucky to be able to read some email on one of those internet booth things.
Roll on high-speed and cheap satellite communications.
We haven't been entirely out of touch though, we did watch some of the royal wedding between Tasmanian girl made good, Mary Donaldson, and her Danish prince.
On the surface this looks like a real fairly tale, and of course in many ways it is, but what a life she's signed up for. From now on her time is not her own, she'll be expected to be patron of this, sponsor of that, and benefactor to something else. She'll have to say the right things, to the right people, at the right functions, about subjects she probably has no interest in. In general she'll have to be "Royal" and perfect all the time, for the next 70 years.
Now I'd love the kind of money and resources she'll have access to, but not at that price.
Living on the road is not all beer and skittles, but nobody ever tells us what to do (well maybe the occasional ranger), we can walk along any beach we like without bodyguards, we can wear old tracksuit pants without being slammed in Who Weekly, and we can sleep in without missing a function and snubbing the Royal Society for the Preservation of Royal Societies.
Ours is a lifestyle that's about as free as they get in western society, and we aren't swapping it for anything.
Good luck Mary, send me an email and let me know how it's going. Of course I may be out of range, but I'll get back to you eventually.
Mon 24 May 2004
It's a beautiful sunny day over our campsite,
The truck in our campsite in a field, with the Elder Range in the background
but we can see that the weather is not so good towards Wilpena in the north, and the forecast is not great, so we sit tight.
Tue 25 May
Having thought that there was nothing much to photograph here, I find a meat ant nest. These are largish ants, about 6mm long.
An overview of the area around the ant nest. Note the lug marks from our tyre, we drove right over them.
Ants emerging from the nest hole.
This ant is carrying an unfortunate termite. I'd say that termite is on the menu tonight.
While this one has some rubble, presumably from recent excavations in the nest (nothing to do with the fact that we drove over the nest I'm sure). Note the tiny particles adhered to the larger one.
And this one's burden is a tiny ant grub.
Ants greet the nest's door guard.
I must say it's fascinating to watch these tiny creatures go about their business. I spent several hours, over three days, with my camera shoved in their faces. They are incredibly cute, but look at the chompers on them, I'm sure glad they're only 6mm long.
Wed 26 May
Today I go for a walk along the nearby creek bed. It's totally dry, as are all the creeks around here, but there are some interesting plants growing here nevertheless.
Who says plants ain't got brains. Note the tiny mantis.
Cracked mud on the creek bed.
Looking towards the Hawker airfield and Wilpena Pound.
The Hawker township nestled at the base of the hills
After a somewhat late start, and a quick drive back to Hawker, we decide to camp somewhere along the road today.
Strange conical hill without a single stick of vegetation. The Elder range appears blue in the background
Most lookout areas here nave "no camping" signs, but the best one of all doesn't, so we pull in.
The site is about 20k from Wilpena, on the banks of the Arkaba Creek, although, as I've mentioned before, all the creeks here are dry at present, despite the rain.
With plenty of gum trees and mountains in the background this is classic Flinders country.
A typical Flinders Range gum-tree-in-front-of-mountain shot.
An old farm building in the evening light, with the mountains in the background.
A dead emu and some thistles, with the mountains of Wilpena Pound in the background.
Trees on the banks of Arkaba Creek.
Wothahellizat catches the last rays.
The evening light changes quickly on the hills. These shots taken just minutes apart
We meet a nice young couple from the Sunshine coast.
Michael and Jackie are their names (hereinafter referred to as M&J) and we get on well. Michael is a photographer but, like me, has worked at many things over the years. Jackie is a chef who does a marvellous impersonation of the stereotypical arrogant French chef.
"There only one difference between God and a chef", she say's with a guttural voice and mock French accent, "God knows that he's not a chef".
By the time we've chatted all morning we decide it's too late to go into Wilpena.
Instead I go a wandering.
Cute little heart-shaped plants, only about 15-20mm high.
Up close to a bur. It's no wonder these little suckers get stuck in your socks.
I find a dead kangaroo, the poor thing appears to have become tangled in a fence, and starved to death.
A dead kangaroo trapped in fence. This must be the saddest scene I've ever encountered.
We learn from fellow campers, who have a newspaper, that the rain is due to continue until Friday.
More conventional camping, compared to us that is
Wed 2 Jun
We've had a serious slack attack for the past week or so. It's taken ten days to get the 50k from Hawker to Wilpena, and we're still not there.
It's as though there's some subconscious reason we don't want to enter the Flinders ranges.
It has been raining a lot though, and the road is dirt after Wilpena, as is the Oodnadatta track after that. With all this rain it's possible the roads are closed, and we have no phone reception here to find out.
Chris points out that the trees look nice in the rain, so I head off with my camera and umbrella.
Great colours and shapes in the gum trees.
Abstract close-up of a single drop on the end of a leaf.
Refractions of other leaves in water drops.
Drops look like tiny jewels on the leaves
Thu 3 Jun
We drive into Wilpena pound resort this morning to be told that all the roads north from here have been closed by the rain.
The most likely option is to drive down to Port Augusta and head up the bitumen from there.
Or we could sit for another couple of days in the hope that the weather clears enough for the roads to open.
TIP: When they close these outback roads they do so for a reason. So, even if you're a crash-hot mud driver, don't go on them until it's clear. The locals don't like having the road rutted by careless drivers, and you won't like the fine, last I heard it was $1000 per wheel.
We decide to sit, but not right here at $16.50 a night, so we drive back to our spot just outside Hawker.
The afternoon light on the Wilpena Pound mountains
Fri 4 Jun
The news is still not good. The police drop by today and informed us that the roads are still closed, with people trapped in William Creek and other places on the Oodnadatta track.
Lake Eyre, normally a dry salt pan, has spilled out over the road for a distance of nearly a kilometre.
We've pretty much decided to skip the Oodnadatta track and go up to the Alice on the bitumen, but just in case, we drop into the BP service station on the way through Hawker.
They have the latest road reports, and they're all bad.
That's it, we're outa here.
We head off to Quorn (pron. Corn), and from there will go to Port Augusta and up the Stuart Highway to the Territory.
Before long we encounter a roadworks sign, and just off to one side an encampment. It doesn't look much like a road gang's camp though, with tents and flash-looking cars.
About two-hundred yards past the camp Chris spots a graveyard in middle of the fields. We stop, and I leg it across the paddock to photograph the lonely cemetery.
There's no obvious reason for a cemetery to be here, but it was common for remote stations to have their own burial plots, and I assume that's what this is.
There's a strange mixture of ornate headstones and simple crosses made from star pickets. The majority of the headstones have the name "Pearce" engraved, the crosses have nothing but "RIP" painted on the rusting steel.
The lonely cemetery with a mixture of ornate headstones and simple crosses
Maybe the headstones belong to landowners, and crosses to workers.
When I return Chris is talking to a young fellow with a two-way radio. It seems that he is in charge of clearing the road for a film being shot by the occupants of the camp we just passed.
It's a horror film called "Wolfe creek massacre" or some such. As the name implies the film is set in and around the Wolfe Creek meteorite crater, but said crater is way up in the Kimberley area of Western Australia, a long way from here.
Apparently the mountains around here look close enough though, and shooting here saves them moving the entire crew up north.
We drive past the cameras, waving and smiling inanely, well you never know, they may need some footage of happy campers.
Some time later we pull into Quorn for lunch, and wander around the town.
Quorn is a fairly typical outback town, with amazingly wide streets, and shop awnings nearly as large.
There are some immaculately restored buildings here
Then it's down the Pitchy Ritchy Pass and into Pt Augusta.
Apparently the local yahoos often remove the first character from each word on the sign that reads "Pitchy Ritchy Pass", creating a slightly different message. Think about it :-)
We buy some magazines in Pt Augusta, but there's nothing else here for us, so we hit the road.
Soon after leaving town we're passed by a road train, the first we've seen in a year or so. You only see these huge vehicles in central Australia, so we feel that we're finally on our way into the outback.
A road train, this one with three trailers.
We camp in a rest area about 30k up the Stuart Hwy.
Sun 6 Jun
We continue up the road today, pulling into Woomera for a short visit, then moving on to Lake Hart.
It's interesting to see most of the lakes around here actually have water in them. Most so-called "lakes" in central Australia are dry almost all the time. But with the rain we've been having, it seems they are filling up.
Lark Hart at sunset.
Mon 7 Jun
Up early to view the sunrise, then we drive.
A motorhome camped at Lake Hart
We've got no real plans, except to keep heading north.
At one point I think I'm hallucinating. Looking into the wing mirror I see a huge water tank a few hundred metres behind us. I'd swear we haven't passed any tanks. I look again. By now it's closer, and I see that the tank is being carried on a truck.
We pull into Glendambo for lunch, then carry on.
A sense of humour displayed at the entrance to the Glendambo community.
The tank I saw in the rear view mirror
An hour or so later we pull up again, this time for a cuppa in a rest area.
For a couple of days now we've been seeing some very seriously "off-road" looking vehicles on trailers heading north. We assume there's something on, but don't know what. While in the rest area some of these vehicles pull in and park next to us.
We get talking. It seems that the Finke Desert Race is on next weekend. This is a similar, albeit smaller, event to the Baja race in California. It might be worth a detour to Finke to watch the action.
We carry on, still searching for the warmth, although, I have to say, we must be getting pretty close, having ditched both our jackets and jumpers. When the shorts and sandals come out we can stop.
The area is saturated. I've never seen central Australia like this, it's normally as dry as that dead dingoe's skull we saw in last night's campsite.
There's surface water everywhere, just lying around (which is what surface water does I suppose) as though the earth doesn't know what to do with it.
Eventually we pull into a rest area about 80k from the opal-mining town of Coober Pedy.
Maybe the earth around here doesn't know what to do with water, but Chris does. As soon as we've stopped she's washing tea towels, and within minutes they're strung up in the window, like so many Tibetan prayer flags, catching the day's final drying rays.
Emergency radio telephone near the rest area.
Sunset from the truck's roof
Tue 8 Jun
Chris is woken by a road train that pulls into the rest area. As she cannot get back to sleep, she decides we should be driving.
Good thing as it happens, I get some nice photos of the small lakes along the side of the road.
Typical Coober Pedy danger sign.
The land around here is saturated.
Wothahellizat and Chris wait for me to take photos.
Before long we pull into the parking area on the highway just outside Coober Pedy.
An old blower greets travellers to Coober Pedy
I get a bike out and we head into town.
There's some weird machinery here.
Ventilation for an underground motel.
Street scene around the town.
The Serbian Orthodox underground church.
Wind generator lies idle while diesel generators provide the town's power.
Almost a scene from Mad Max, you can see why they made much of the film here.
Building a new home, Coober Pedy style. Left photo, front entrance to the underground part and looking right through to the back. There's rooms inside to the right, behind the rock face. They have openings, as seen in the right photo.
None too friendly sign outside derelict house
While in the shops we encounter a family we camped with the other day. Apparently they pulled off the road a couple of days ago, just outside Port Augusta. Their bus immediately became bogged, but they knew that we were not far behind and waited for us to arrive, figuring that we could pull them free.
As well we could have, if only we hadn't pulled over for the night just a few kilometres away.
Eventually they received help from a nearby farm.
M&J have been in town all day was well, they park nearby just before sunset and we sit around with a few drinks.
Sunset from the rest area.
Leave Coober Pedy but only get about 7k when I spot the anthill-like piles of tailings that the area is known for.
I pull over for some shots.
Mine tailing heaps on the northern side of town look like ant nests
It's a pretty muddy off the side of the road, and I'm reminded of the people in the bus who became bogged.
Fortunately we have an extra four driven wheels, I engage 6x6 and we climb the bank and back onto the road.
Later, as the sun gets low, and just a few kilometres short of Cadney Roadhouse, we spot some eagles near the road.
Wedge tailed eagles perch in the trees near the road.
Eagle shows what he thinks of being photographed. To borrow a line from Monty Python, "I defecate in your general direction".
Arrive at Cadney just as the sun sets. There's free camping here for one night, so that's how long we'll stay. I do however go over to the bar for a $3 beer, just to support them.
The Cadney Park roadhouse
Thu 10 Jun
Corellas feed on the roadside melons.
These melons can be seen all along the highway.
A Solanum flower.
As we pull over in Marla for coffee we notice M&J leaving the caravan park.
They pull in next to us, three hours later we're still chatting. Looks like it's going to be another short day.
Eventually they head off. We have lunch and do the same.
After a while I find that I'm nodding off, so we pull into a Agnas Creek rest area for a quick wake-up walk. I get talking to some campers fixing a tyre. Their compressor is broken so we use ours to inflate the newly fixed wheel.
We continue.
Wedge tailed eagle on the side of the road
Just on sunset we pull into the Marryatt River rest area but, it looks too crowded, so we decide to drive a bit further.
As we cross the bridge however Chris points out a nice open area on the northern side of the river. Then we notice that M&J are already there.
We have a nice evening sitting around the fire with our friends.
Fri 11 Jun
M&J move on but we decide to stay another day.
Flying ant of some description
Sat 12 Jun
From Marryatt it's a quick drive up to Kulgera, crossing the SA/NT border in the process.
It's been nearly two years since we left the Territory, it's great to be back.
Lunch at Erldunda, then we turn off to Uluru (Ayers Rock).
After just a few kilometres we see a calf in the bushes just off the road. There's no sign of any other cattle, and we think that maybe the little fellow is lost.
We carry on, getting another 40k before pulling over for the night. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line375 |
__label__cc | 0.670231 | 0.329769 | Strange Dog Joins Couple On Hike — Then They See What’s Written On His Name Tag
There are a number of elements that can make a hike memorable. Maybe, for instance, you spent quality time with a loved one, or the fresh air and nature helped you decompress from a week’s worth of stress. Recently, though, a Seattle man embarked a truly one-of-a-kind hike.
Thanks to his charity work, the avid hiker spent many days navigating the area’s gorgeous trails with colorful characters at his side. However, on a hike in 2018, a mysterious animal joined the excursion — and made it the most memorable hike ever!
When 40-year-old Scott Brown moved to Seattle with his wife back in 2012, it didn’t take long for the outdoors lover to involve himself in the local non-profit, “Recovery beyond Paradigm.”
With the organization, Scott, an avid hiker, connected those struggling with drug and alcohol addictions to nature, taking them on hikes to help with their recovery processes.
In April 2018, he, his wife Get Naka, and a small group of recovering men and women, prepared for a hike into Teneriffe Falls near North Bend, Washington. They hadn’t even left the parking lot when Scott spotted something.
At the entrance of the snow-covered trailhead, a curious dog watched the hikers preparing for their expedition. Scott figured he belonged to residents of one of the houses across the street.
The dog looked friendly enough and content. Most importantly, he did look familiar with his surroundings — not lost. Scott pointed the dog out to his wife. “I made a joke… that it was a bear,” he said.
When the hikers finally embarked on the 7-mile long hike, however, the dog joined the pack of humans. Did he have a milk bone addiction he was trying to shake and thought the support of others in recovery would help?
Scott and his crew navigated a few hundred yards down the trail, and the dog kept up with them every step of the way. Scott laughed. “Well,” he said, “I guess he’s coming with us.”
The dog proved a perfect hiking companion. When Scott, his wife, or any of their fellow hikers paused for a picture, the dog stopped and waited. When the group started moving again, the dog followed.
In fact, hiking the trail came so naturally to the pooch, he eventually took the lead! “He took the lead anywhere from a couple feet to way out in front, out of sight,” Scott said of the pooch.
Eventually, the hiking party reached the waterfall, where Scott took photos not of the serene landscape, but of the new friend he made along the trail. Still, he had a handful of questions.
Like, who was this dog and where had he come from? Why was he acting like the lost member of a sled dog team? How was he so supremely confident on the snowy trails? To better understand their hiking partner, Scott’s friend checked the dog’s tags for a name…
The dog wore blue tags that featured heavily chipped-away writing on each side, and Scott’s friend read his name was Smokey — like the old bear that warned us of forest fires — and learned a few other details about this mysterious dog.
See, the front of his tags said, “Hi, I’m Smokey. I live nearby so please don’t take me. I like to follow hikers sometimes.” Then, the friend flipped the tag over and read the back!
“Don’t worry,” the name tag, “I’ll go home when I get tired. My people love me a lot. Thanks for being nice!” Dying with laughter, Scott’s friend relayed the messages to Scott.
Scott didn’t believe him…until he checked the tags for himself! “And, sure enough,” he said, “coolest thing ever.” It seemed this wasn’t the first time Smokey tagged along for a hike! You have to wonder, though…
What happened in the dog’s past that the owners went out and bought those tags for him? Scott thought about this as the dog led him and the hikers back up the trailhead.
On the way back, Smokey proved just as good. He only barked once, when Scott made a semi-dangerous climb along a half-frozen embankment. “He seemed very protective for someone he just met,” Scott said.
Smokey walked with the hikers all the way back to the parking lot and sat in the cold with his new friends until they were changed out of their hiking gear and ready to hit the road. And then?
Smokey “calmly walked across the road and back into the neighborhood,” Scott said, “At the corner, he gave out a quick bark at us then continued on back home, I assume.” How cool!
If someone told Scott the dog was actually an ancient spirit sent to protect him, he might’ve believed it. Smokey proved to be an incredible — if not mysterious dog — and he made the hike one to remember! | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line381 |
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San Francisco Bay Guardian Archive 1966–2014
Home Volume 48 [2013–14] Volume 48 Number 36 Rolling along
Rolling along
arts@sfbg.com
THEATER Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s groundbreaking 1927 musical, Show Boat, transformed one of Broadway’s major theatrical forms from a light and episodic operetta-style divertissement into a red-blooded American art form. Wedding spectacular entertainment (its producer was none other than super-showman Florenz Ziegfeld) with a full-fledged drama, Show Boat‘s expanded canvas came nearer the realm of classical opera, as all elements of the production, beginning with the music, orbited tightly around the story — which in addition to humor and hijinx sported complex characters and serious social content.
Since 1927, opera and musical theater have continued to grow closer at various points — most famously in the work of crossover composers like George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein. San Francisco Opera’s co-production of Show Boat, the first time the company has essayed the legendary musical, turns out to be a wonderfully successful case in point: a crowd-pleasing hybrid of musical-theater style, sharply delineated drama, rousing choreography (from Michele Lynch), and full operatic glory (including an appropriately-sized orchestra and chorus). It’s a muscular production with a light step and buoyant spirit that shows off the best in a story that not only affirmed a common humanity among those up and down the ladder of social status, but also registered the injustice and violence of the American racial caste system in tones boldly progressive for the time.
Of course Show Boat, for all its socially and artistically progressive aspects, was still a product of the 1920s. And while it has been revived many times, the dialogue and other details have also undergone revisions to keep pace with social attitudes, conventions, and sensitivities, especially with regard to race. The SF Opera production under Maestro John DeMain follows DeMain and General Director David Gockley’s former collaboration on the historic 1982 revival for the Houston Grand Opera, which restored for the first time since 1927 significant sections of the original dialogue and score. The opera opens on a beautiful riverside quay awash with Technicolor hues (in perhaps indirect homage to the 1951 MGM film version), while the backside of the ship rises from the stage at the War Memorial Opera House like a delicate three-layer cake in the first of set designer Peter J. Davison and lighting designer Mark McCullough’s consistently atmospheric scenic environments.
Based on the 1926 novel by celebrated author and Algonquin wit Edna Ferber (who with frequent collaborator George S. Kaufman brought The Royal Family to Broadway the same week that the musical version of Show Boat set sail), the story spans the 1880s to the 1920s and revolves around the crew and passengers of the Cotton Blossom, a Mississippi show boat plying the river’s shoreline inhabitants with melodrama and comic fare. The boat’s operator is the warm-hearted Cap’n Andy Hawks (played by Broadway and local legend Bill Irwin in a memorable SF Opera debut) and his wife, the pants-wearing disciplinarian Parthy Ann (a comically fierce and ultimately redeeming Harriet Harris). Their innocent daughter and the story’s heroine, Magnolia (played with affecting pluck by a radiant Heidi Stober, the fine American soprano), falls for a rakish riverboat gambler named Gaylord Ravenal (baritone Michael Todd Simpson in a suave and graceful performance), whom she weds and follows to Chicago.
Magnolia and Gaylord’s doomed marriage, but enduring romance, makes up the central storyline, while a significant secondary plot involves the downward career of the talented actress and singer Julie La Verne (given a sultry and wrenching interpretation by soprano, and esteemed SF Opera regular, Patricia Racette). In an early scene, Julie’s husband, Steve (Patrick Cummings), fights with his wife’s spurned suitor (James Asher) and the latter takes revenge by tipping off the local sheriff (Kevin Blackton) to the illegality of their marriage under the state’s anti-miscegenation law. In this way we learn that Julie is of mixed-race ancestry. A bickering but loving African American couple among the Cotton Blossom‘s crewmembers, Queenie (the regal soprano Angela Renée Simpson) and Joe (bass Morris Robinson in a robust, beautifully measured performance), are also significant supporting characters. Indeed, the most of the show’s great songs are associated with these secondary characters, not least “Ol’ Man River” and “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.”
The show itself strikes a knowing stance with respect to narrative, making good fun of the stilted melodramas put on by Cap’n Andy while reveling in the backstage intrigue and the characters’ own double-playing onstage (a situation that nicely serves the woo-pitching in the number “Make Believe”). Even the fight that breaks out on the dock between Steve and Pete at the outset of the play gets co-opted by Cap’n Andy, who in a hasty bit of diplomacy tells the crowd it was just a preview of the night’s entertainment onboard. This covering is also an uncovering, however, since it hints at the complex relationship between the stories onstage and real life in all its messiness.
Of course, what “real life” the musical expresses is still very much idealized as well as stylized. But the SF Opera production proves there’s still a pulse to the 1927 narrative, and it’s as vital as the enduring score with which it’s intimately bound. With panache but also keen sensitivity, the show conveys Ferber’s original emphasis on the shared humanity of rich and poor, white and black, and the compassion a bird’s eye perspective on it all can breed. In Show Boat, absurd melodramas and life’s everyday triumphs and failures play out alongside each other as so many ripples on the surface of a deep and indifferent river — a dark and mysterious universe that, in the image of the show’s great recurring theme, just keeps rollin’ along. *
Through July 2, $24-$379
War Memorial Opera House
301 Van Ness, SF
www.sfopera.com
Pub date June 3, 2014
WriterRobert Avila
SectionTheater
IssueVolume 48 Number 36
The San Francisco Bay Guardian Archive is a project of and hosted by 48 Hills, the official publication of the non-profit San Francisco Progressive Media Center.
Contact us: info@48hills.org
© 48hills | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line382 |
__label__cc | 0.670018 | 0.329982 | Breaking the internet with great fundraising ideas - I Wish I'd Thought Of That 2016
Sue Kershaw
Ken Burnett, founder of SOFII.
This year’s I Wish I’d Thought Of That (or #IWITOT as it’s known by the cool kids) was trending on Twitter in London on Wednesday 30th November! No easy feat for a small independent fundraising event.
The brilliant concept of IWITOT is that the presenters don’t talk about their own work, but instead focus on the fundraising of others. Cynicism is left at the door along with egos and we can all share our passion for the sector.
Rather ironically, we wish we'd thought of IWITOT as it's not our idea but came from the London event sponsors Open! The ethos of IWITOT is perfect for SOFII – the spreading of great fundraising ideas and the encouragement of young, fresh, untested talent. SOFII has also been running an audition process for three speakers places at IWITOT for the last few years called I Want To Talk At That (IWTTAT). It’s a great opportunity for tomorrow’s rising stars of fundraising to share a platform with today’s gurus.
It can get tiresome to see the same faces and the same case studies presented at fundraising conference after conference. IWITOT has tremendous variety every time. It’s modern, fun, sometimes emotional, very high on inspiration and is also very popular with younger social media savvy fundraisers leading to lots of online chatter and banter that adds to the excitement.
Some common themes emerged from this year’s IWITOT. The first was about using innovative technology to enable existing behaviour such as Blue Cross and their use of trained dogs wearing jackets with contactless payment devices sewn in (Tap Dogs); digitising the point-of-sale collection tin as with Pennies; and the use of virtual reality and immersive experiences by WWF UK with Thumbs Up For Tigers.
Another common theme was putting your donors and beneficiaries at the heart of your communications – sometimes the same individuals can be both – and not letting your organisation’s brand obscure the message. This was true of heart-breaking campaigns like Emmy & Jake’s Tandemonium for the Royal Marsden and Tommy’s #misCOURAGE.
Alfie Waldron, copywriter at Open, one of three audition winners and the winner of the audience vote.
And who could fail to fall in love with Jean Bishop ‘the Bee Lady’ who’s raised over £100k for Age UK? Audition winner Alfie Waldron of Open won the IWITOT audience vote for best fundraising idea by sharing Jean’s story.
Other examples of charities giving their donors the opportunity to tell their own story and exploit the power of social media included Knickers Model’s Own for Cancer Research (a daughter’s personal challenge in honour of her mother) and the Helen Titchener (nee Archer) Rescue Fund that leveraged the plight of a fictional BBC Radio 4 character to raise money for the charity Refuge.
Also included in IWITOT were: Bernie Sanders Barnstorming peer-to-peer, Innovista’s 2014 Annual Report, NSPCC’s Legacy Mind Map, a chilly social experiment for Norway SOS Children’s Villages, Sightsavers See The Miracle campaign, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Do It In A Dress challenge event from One Girl, and not forgetting Hoxton Street Monster Supplies shop where due to a rather inconvenient curse, all profits go to the Ministry of Stories, a creative writing and mentoring charity for young humans.
And finally, Santa arrived at IWITOT riding a reindeer. Oh no he didn’t! Oh yes he did! NSPCC’s successful Letter to Santa campaign was brought to life by a speaker in full costume. A joyfully seasonal note to end an afternoon of fundraising inspiration.
Julia Ammon, trusts & statutory fundraising officer at the National Deaf Children's Society, won the best sign of the day.
We'll be producing case studies or write-ups of each of the IWITOT ideas and uploading them to these pages in the next few weeks so keep checking back to share more of the learning.
IWITOT London 2016 has been the seventh time that SOFII has run the format. We’ve also helped other fundraising associations run their own versions in Ireland, Sweden, France and Australia.
SOFII is a free service run by fundraisers for fundraisers. BUT it only works if it’s well-fed in terms of lots of material to share with other fundraisers on the website and gifts of money that our small team can stretch for a very long and effective way. We need you to share the best of your work. Because if you share it with the rest of us fundraisers, we can all learn from your success and say ‘I Wish I’d Thought Of That!
Sue Kershaw, development director of SOFII 02/12/16
© SOFII 2016
Save the date for the best event about fundraising of the year!
I Wish I'd Thought Of That #IWITOT is returning to London on Thursday 21st Februrary 2019.
Getting donor-centred fundraising right: the conclusion of the lightbulb moments.
The best of donor-centric fundraising is here - we've kept the best of the last of the lightbulb moments for now.
Say hello to SOFII’s updated direct mail showcase
With a fresh new look and great organisation by categories, the SOFII direct mail showcase is the place to go for the best content on direct mail and door drops.
SOFII's WoW! series is here!
We've launched an exciting and inspirational new series, World-changers at Work. Here's how you can explore the new content and get involved.
These are the voices that drive the WoW! project: interviews and conversations with people who every day are making a difference.
About the author: Sue Kershaw
More from Sue Kershaw
Want to join the rebels with a cause?
I Want To Talk At That IWITOT
Ask Direct rejoins SOFII as a business partner
UNESCO: Empowering Local Radios with ICTs
Bloomerang joins SOFII as a business partner
Durham Cathedral in LEGO: innovative buy-a-brick fundraising
Good news for SOFII’s future
Who Gives a Crap: the ‘sit down’ | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line385 |
__label__wiki | 0.668361 | 0.668361 | News > Looking back at Sonic Acts Academy 2018
Looking back at Sonic Acts Academy 2018
From 23 to 25 February, Sonic Acts took up residence in Amsterdam-Noord for the second edition of Sonic Acts Academy – a new platform geared towards unpacking the processes of artistic knowledge. Across three days, we turned to a diverse community of artists, teachers, tutors, mentors, thinkers and tinkerers, to exchange ideas and push for alternate pathways in the field of education and knowledge production. In the weekend prior to the Academy, festivities were already getting under way, with a celebration of the work of Swedish composer, philosopher, poet, mathematician, and visual artist Catherine Christer Hennix (1948). The celebration was part of a long-term research trajectory – initiated in 2017 by Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and Sonic Acts – with a mission to diversify the canon of sound art. On Friday 16 February, we witnessed the world premiere of Hennix’s new sound piece Blue(s) in Green to the 31 Limit – echoed by a second performance of the piece the following day, and a symposium on Sunday 18 February with Marcus Boon. In a poison-green lit Teijin Auditorium, an electronic drone buzzed with fluttering overtones. The dizzying sound field was augmented by experienced improvisers Benjamin Duboc, Rozemarie Heggen, Hilary Jeffery, and Marcus Pal, who performed alongside the composer in an exploration of concepts of space; specifically, while continuing their ongoing experiments in micro-tonality and just intonation, the musicians attempted to halt our experience of space-based phenomena, and they succeeded.
Catherine Christer Hennix at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Photo by Pieter Kers.
Later that week, artists Mario de Vega and Victor Mazón Gardoqui led a hands-on workshop at the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten, exploring disruptive technologies. Participants learned methods of translating wireless architecture into material sound and used media intervention as a means to explore, control and interrupt local signals and radio transmissions. As the Academy edged closer, two films were screened at EYE Filmmuseum on 20 and 22 February, accompanied by Q&A sessions with their respective filmmakers. The subject of experimental feature Spell Reel – simultaneously a tribute, documentary and an excavation – was a trove of so-called revolutionary films shot to chronicle Guinea-Bissau’s war of independence from Portugal in the 1960s and 70s; from isolated villages in Guinea-Bissau to European capitals, the silent reels are now the place from where people search for antidotes for a world in crisis. The second film, Time Passes, was a documentary-like film by artist Ane Hjort Guttu. Time Passes centred on a controversial Norwegian art project, highlighting the potential and limitation of politically engaged art. Both films offered a fitting bridge to conversations that would characterise the Academy’s main programme over the days to come, contributing to debates about artist responsibility and education’s role in understanding and engaging with reality.
Spell Reel at EYE Filmmuseum. Photo by Pieter Kers.
Indeed, as society rapidly changes under the pressure of economic, technological, and political expansions, understanding and engaging with reality becomes especially important. On a local level, one noticeable change can be seen in the expansion of Amsterdam’s current markets to Amsterdam-Noord, where the Academy this year was principally located. On the ferry to the north, across the river IJ, the public was welcomed to the Academy by two screens displaying the Academy’s visual design by studio The Rodina; once there, the Academy’s venues, such as Dansmakers Amsterdam and Paradiso Noord, Tolhuistuin – industrial remnants repurposed as cultural destinations – set an appropriate backdrop to topics presented throughout the programme. On Friday 23 February, the Academy officially opened at Dansmakers Amsterdam, with an energetic programme of talks and performances. Educator and curator Nora Sternfeld delivered the keynote lecture on the topic of artistic and curatorial research; sound artists Jennifer Walshe and Mario de Vega came together again for a live improvisation to Walshe’s film An Gléacht; and we closed the evening with the world premiere of Maria Bozinovska Jones’ performative piece Fascia 171208180222, with an AV and laser set together with musician J.G. Biberkopf. Earlier in the day, just down the road, Academy visitors could experience an experimental environment envisioned especially for the occasion by students of the ArtScience Interfaculty (KABK). Entitled Sensing the Place, the environment was the outcome of a collaborative research project between KABK and Sonic Acts, in which students examined different ways of mapping and understanding a space based on their senses. To round off the evening, we travelled to Paradiso Noord, Tolhuistuin, for the first of the Academy's two night-programmes: a continuation of the ongoing series of monthly club nights Progress Bar. The line-up for Friday night’s portion promised little interest in comfort, and it certainly fulfilled. With artists Wartone, Anni Nӧps, Geng, Violence, Dreamcrusher, Swan Meat, Moor Mother, M.E.S.H, Kilbourne and Born in Flamez, Progress Bar welcomed dancers to tread into a dark confrontation with noise, alienation and resistance, while reconsidering the potential of club space as a realm not merely intended for dancing. Just as Sonic Acts Academy opts for an inclusive community, involving those who resist, Progress Bar similarly aims to represent radical equality, communality and hopefulness, engaging a growing community of artists, academics and activists who occupy clubs for a better politics. During the night, visitors ventured into the strange sci-fi worlds of two installations: 3049 by patten and Hidden Layers by Shadow Channel students. Situated in adjacent rooms to the club, both installations were saturated with radical proposals for a new future.
Violence at Progress Bar. Photo by Pieter Kers.
At its core, Sonic Acts Academy 2018 was focused on the critical examination of knowledge production in the field of art, and much of this took place at Dansmakers during the two-day symposium on Saturday and Sunday. Offering an experimental setting free of institutional pressure and privileged classrooms, the first day of the symposium set forth to address the function of art and the artist from various dynamic perspectives. Among the many lectures, panel talks, and artist presentations, Birgit Bachler discussed the challenges and opportunities of creating and evaluating artworks and design artefacts within a more-than-human context; and Sasha Litvintseva and Daniel Mann attempted to define the assemblage of forces that converge around sinkholes, with a presentation that included a screening of their film Salarium – exploring topics such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, climate change, tourism and spirituality. The results of a number of speculative ‘festival’ modules devised together with different educational institutions were also presented, including Logistical Nightmares – an initiative of the Centre for Research Architecture at Goldsmiths, University of London – which explored the increasing ubiquity and prominence of logistics as a model for organising social life and politics at a global scale; Continuum – an alliance of the departments of Product Design, Graphic Design, and Interaction Design at the ArtEZ Academy of Art and Design, Arnhem – which mapped new fields of work in design education; and a panel with students and scholars from the National Research School in Media Studies, in which they explored the necessity of the present for art. On Saturday night, we returned to Paradiso Noord, Tolhuistuin, for the second half of a twofold Progress Bar programme, where Juha, PARADISE, Lyzza, Linn de Quebrada, Dinamarca, Ase Manual, DJ Lycox, DJ Haram and Drippin staged a diverse array of sounds, derived from locales such as the streets of Lisbon and the parties of Sao Paulo. In contrast to the previous night, Saturday night’s line-up stepped up the intensity on the dance floor, as each artist brought a frantic energy that persisted into the early hours. Both nights, however, were framed equally by awe-inspiring light and stage design, with an extensive LED architecture developed by media artist Karl Klomp. On Sunday, the second day of the symposium delved beneath the surface of the everyday to expose the possibility and necessity of alternative perspectives. Through shared journeys and personal narratives, both imagined and real, we found ways for knowledge production to be challenged, decomposed, and rethought. An early highlight was Christina Kubisch’s presentation Magnetic Attacks: Forty Years of Electromagnetic Investigations, with which the sound artist discussed her ongoing project Electrical Walks – a series of public sound walks with headphones that receive electromagnetic signals from the environment and convert them into sound. Jennifer Walshe’s presentation Imaginary Histories was another focal point, as Walshe followed on from her performance at the Academy Opening by making a case for how research can contribute to creating entirely fictional art and worlds.
Hidden Layers at Paradiso Noord, Tolhuistuin. Photo by Pieter Kers. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line386 |
__label__wiki | 0.667044 | 0.667044 | The first System of Rice Intensification (SRI) trial in Zambia, and possibly the first in Southern Africa, was initiated in late 2005 by Henry Ngimbu, voluntary agricultural advisor to the Esek Farmers’ Cooperative Society. Their 12.5 x 12.5 meter plot yielded 96 kg of dried paddy (6.144 t/ha) in Solwezi, North-Western Province, an area where the average rice yield is 1-2 t/ha. Motivated by its members’ success, the cooperative hosted a National SRI Launch and First SRI Harvest in Solwezi on June 30, 2006, attending by 300 persons including the Permanent Secretary for the North-Western Province. The next year, the Esek Farmers’ Cooperative Society won second prize for its SRI work at the North-Western Province Agricultural, Commercial, Mining and Industrial Show. With a grant from the American Embassy, Henry subsequently trained farmers in other parts of Zambia, including Zambezi province.
In November 2009, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Zambia engaged Henry Ngimbu to train farmers in its COMACO program in the Eastern Province, where a major conservation and development effort is underway to conserve wildlife in the Lwanga protected area with farmers assisted to increase their agricultural production as an alternative to poaching (see COMACO video). WCS hired Henry as a full-time Rice Grower Specialist starting in June 2010 to expand upon the training that he did for COMACO farmers the previous year. He also undertook several trainings in Musele ADP on behalf of World Vision during 2010.
In early 2010, a new NGO which Ngimbu created, Centre for SRI Initiative (CSRII), was given legal recognition by the government. In February 2011, CSRII received funding from the American Embassy to train 300 farmers in the Zambezi District of the Northwestern Province in SRI methods (see final report). At the same time, COMACO’s Value Chain Program, organized an official SRI launch in Chinsali district of the Northern Province which symbolized the Zambian Government’s support for SRI farming practices in Zambia. During January 2013, the System of Crop Intensification Institute (SCII) was founded. Later that year, SCII sent Henry Ngimbu to Cameroon to help get SRI established in that country.
During 2019, the COMACO Program reported that it has promoted the SRI to over 35,000 rice farmers, helped Zambia move toward self-sufficiency in rice, and is making plans to export rice in the future.
Progress and Activities
COMACO Promotes SRI to Over 35,000 Rice Farmers[March 11, 2019] As of 2019, COMACO has reportedly extended the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to over 35,000 rice farmers in Zambia. COMACO believes that SRI methods have the potential of increasing rice yields is 3-4 fold and also allows farmers to achieve this increased production without having to use any chemicals. According to the it recent newsletter, COMACO’s SRI promotion is making Zambia more self-sufficient in rice. COMACO is making plans to export rice in the near future and acknowledges S3P (Ministry of Agriculture) and the Royal Norwegian Embassy for their help in supporting this initiative.
CSRII Obtains Rice Milling Equipment from US Embassy to Improve Market Access for SRI Rice[June 1, 2015] Henry Ngimbu reported that the US Embassy has continued to recognize successful SRI efforts taking place in Zambia by providing funds to the Centre for System of Rice Intensification Initiative (CSRII) to purchase rice milling equipment. The rice mill is intended to improve market access for rice grown with SRI methods by small scale farmers in rural communities. Many of the farmers associated with the rice mill are the same ones who began practicing SRI farming in Zambia as early as 2006 with technical assistance from Norman Uphoff’s original SRI program at Cornell University. Henry and others from CSRII attended a signing ceremony at the US embassy in Lusaka on June 1. Olivia Vent, Lotus Foods SRI consultant, and Craig Zarnosky, Peace corps in Solwezi, Zambia, provided additional input for the proposal. (See announcement in the Zambia Daily Mail.)
SRI-Rice Director of Programs Assists COMACO in Zambia[May 15, 2014] Erika Styger traveled to Zambia April 15 – May 1, 2014, to work with the NGO Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) on a rice production systems diagnostic in the northern and eastern regions of Zambia. The report indicates that SRI be improved and expanded in the COMACO area. Styger also assisted in the design of a four-year SRI project funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy. Henry Ngimbu, who has worked with SRI-Rice on projects in Zambia and elsewhere in Africa, joined the group.
SRI Expertise from Zambia Helps Put Cameroon on the Global SRI Map[February, 2014] With the assistance from Zambia’s System of Crop Intensification Institute (SCII), Cameroon became one of the first countries in Central Africa to adopt SRI. An initiative by the British NGO Skills for Development brought Henry Ngimbu from Zambia as an SRI trainer/monitor/evaluator for three short-term assignments during the 2013. Cameroon’s first-year demonstration trials, which were managed by three women’s clubs in Ndop, Cameroon, had yields ranging from 4.0 tons/ha to 12.8 tons/ha (average 8.2 tons/ha) as opposed to their previous paddy yields of 3-4 tons/ha; only 6% of the members had previously ever achieved yields more than 5 tons/ha. Henry is shown at right (in blue shirt) attending the inaugural ceremony to launch SRI in Cameroon that was held December 5, at Njama-Njama Park in Ndop farms, Cameroon. (See report for more information).
System of Crop Intensification Institute (SCII) has New Chairman[March 21, 2013] Dr. Kaumba Godfrey Chinyama was selected as the new chairman for Zambia’s System of Crop Intensification Institute (SCII), which was founded in January 2013. Dr. Chinyama has a PhD in Physics and over twenty years experience as a university lecturer and researcher at the University of Zambia in Lusaka and Copperbelt University in Kitwe, Zambia. He is currently Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Physics in the School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the Copperbelt University in Kitwe, Zambia. His experience will help SCII to realize its vision to make better use of SRI research outcomes for the benefit of resource-limited people in Zambia and other nations.
New System of Crop Intensification Institute (SCII) Extends SRI Principles to Other Crops in Zambia[January 2013] Based on the success of using SRI methods for rice production through the Centre for System of Rice Intensification Initiative (CSRII) that was founded in 2010, a new organization that has been formed in Zambia to extend SRI principles to other crops. The System of Crop Intensification Institute (SCII), which is being launched by Henry Ngimbu, will focus on rice as well as sunflower, soybean, jatropha, maize, sesame, tomatoes, and castor. (See announcement.)
The Centre for System of Rice Intensification Initiative (CSRII) Makes Progress on U.S. Embassy Grant in Northwestern Province The Centre for System of Rice Intensification Initiative (CSRII), which was founded in 2010 by Henry Ngimbu, was awarded funds from the United States Embassy in Zambia to carry out several workshops in the Zambezi District in the Northwestern Province. Through the U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program in Zambia approximately 300 farmers, 200 of which were women, were trained in SRI methods at the workshops between May and August, 2011. The trainings, which involved 12 farmer groups from 6 catchment areas, also introduced farmers to additional implements such as the rotary weeder and the planting distance marker (see progress report for details). During April 2012, Ngimbu forwarded a PowerPoint presentation from a mid-term report about activities in the West Bank of the Zambezi district (at right). The project will conclude in August 2012.
Official SRI Launch and Field Days in Chinsali District in the Northern ProvinceFollowing successful rice establishment of the 2010-2011 SRI paddies in the Chinsali district, the Rice Value Chain Program, a sub-sector of COMACO programs based there, organized an official launch for the SRI. On February 17, 2011, Mr. Miximo Chitambi, Chinsali District Commissioner in the Office of the President and guest of honor, cut the ribbon at the the Mumbi farm (photo at right – click to enlarge). The occasion symbolized the Zambian Government’s support for SRI farming practices in Zambia. (See WCS/COMACO report.)On February 17-19, mid-season SRI Field Days were conducted in several parts of Chinsali district in conjunction with the official SRI launch. The significance was seen in tillers where SRI had average of 30 tillers at 42 days from transplanting, while only an average of 3 tillers in 62 days from broadcasting. Farmers were amazed to see Mr. Chilufya’s SRI farm which produced an average of 70 tillers about 60 days from transplanting.
In addition to helping to acquire seed and to mill and market rice, a major thrust of the SRI strategy had been to develop and make available more location-specific technologies. Farmers have developed and modified various tools on almost all the SRI farms. The Field Days provided an opportunity to participants to observe simple but effective farm tools, such as weeders and farm markers developed for providing precision spacing between hills for planting seedlings shown below.
Marker for spacing transplants Another view of the marker Implement for weeding Tool to prepare fields
As better results are being observed using compost in the project area, SRI farmers also learned more about this type of input, which both adds nutrients to the soil slowly and improves soil structure. Compost composition includes biomass (e.g. rice straw, plant trimmings and other plant material) with some animal manure added if available. Biomass suggestions included, among others, banana leaves, which can add more potassium, cuttings from leguminous shrubs to add nitrogen, and other plants such as tithonia and Afromomum angustifolium, which are thought to increase phosphorus availability. (See WCS/COMACO report for more information.)
World Vision Sponsors Farmer-Field School SRI Workshops in Musele ADPSeveral World Vision training workshops on System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Best Practices and Group Work Dynamics were undertaken using the Farmer-Field School (FFS) approach on November 1-5, 2010, in Musele ADP, Zambia. The purpose of the workshops was for participants to acquire skills in SRI-based farming practices, to develop strategic plans for improved productivity in their paddy rice crop, and to develop good group dynamics. World Vision will continue to work with farmers who want to use SRI to improve rice productivity and to develop sustainable livelihoods. In the Musangeji rice farming block, about 100 participants, primarily women, from different villages were trained during the 2-3 November training. In addition to limited market opportunities, low yields are associated with present practices, in which paddy seed is broadcast, with no seed selection, water control or weeding. On November 1, training at Kisasa Zone farming block (see photo at right) was provided to two groups of 15 members each. The third training was held at Kanzala Fish Farming Cooperative Society situated near the boundary between Solwezi and Mwinilunga districts. Twelve of the thirteen cooperative society members participated in the November 4-5 SRI training workshop. The members, who have constructed over twenty fish ponds at Kanzala area, decided to take the opportunity to harness the water flowing out of the ponds for use in irrigated rice farming.
COMACO Expands SRI ExtensionThe Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Zambia has hired Henry Ngimbu as a full-time Rice Grower Specialist starting in June 2010, to expand upon the training he did for WCS in Mfuwe in November 2009. (Seedbed construction carried out at the training is shown at right. Click on the photo to see additional photos).COMACO stands for Community Marketers for Conservation, an initiative which has now 30,000 members, farmers who pledge to give up poaching in the wildlife-rich Lwanga reserve, a huge area about 60 x 450 miles in extent. The program and its successes are described in a video produced by the National Geographic Society.
Henry pioneered SRI in Zambia in the North-Western Province working with a farmers’ cooperative in Solwezi in 2005-06 to test and demonstrate methods. Henry expanded his SRI work into Zambezi Province in 2006-07.
Centre for System of Rice Intensification Initiative Established in ZambiaOn February 1, 2010, Henry Ngimbu received the certificate of incorporation from the Government of Zambia for a new NGO to promote SRI knowledge and use. The Centre for System of Rice Intensification Initiative (CSRII) now has a mandate to commerce operations in this country.
For 2005-2007, see Zambia archives
Reports and Articles
COMACO. 2019. Photos that tell our stories: Latest from the field. COMACO Newsletter. March. [COMACO has promoted SRI has to over 35,000 rice farmers and plans to help export rice in the near future]
2015. 4 community-based organisations awarded $35,000. Zambia Daily Mail, June 3.
Styger, Erika. 2014. Rice production diagnostic for Chinsali (Chinsali District, Northern Province) and Mfuwe (Mwambe District, Eastern Province), Zambia. SRI-Rice website. September. (51p., 2.45MB pdf) [A report on a July 2014 trip by Erika Styger, SRI-Rice, for the non-profit Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) company in Lusaka, Zambia, and the David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future at Cornell University.]
Aune, Jens B., Nagothu Udaya Sekhar, Kjell Esser and Mehreteab Tesfai. 2014. Noragric Report No. 71 Opportunities for Support to System of Rice Intensification in Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi. Norwegian University of Life Sciences website. April. (37p. pdf) [Report commissioned by NORAD under the NMBU – Norad Frame Agreement]
Ngimbu, Henry. 2013. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Zambia. HCD Connect website. June 25.
Ngimbu, Henry. 2011. Progress Report for the U. S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program: Scaling up SRI farming practice of paddy rice growing for better productivity and increased income to sustain the livelihoods of 300 farmers in the Zambezi District of the Northwestern Province of Zambia. System of Rice Intensificationwebsite. December 25. (11p., 361 KB pdf) [Final report for a grant to the Centre for System of Rice Intensification Initiative (CSRII) by the U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program in Zambia]
Ngimbu, Henry N. 2011. Rice Value Chain Program: Official launch of SRI And mid-term farming season field days in Chinsali district Progress report 17-19th February, 2011. System of rice Intensification website. November 16. (14p., 503KB). [Report by the Value Chain Program Coordinator on February 17-19, 2011, activities in Chinsali district for Wildlife Conservation Society and Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO)]
Ngimbu, Henry N. 2010. Report on System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Improved method of rice growing training workshop conducted at World Vision – Zambia Musele ADP. System of rice Intensification website. November 16. (13p., 825KB). [Report of November 8-12, 2010, trainings by the SRI Specialist for the Centre for System of Rice Intensification Initiative for the World Vision Zambia Musele Area Development Project]
2010. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) training progress report. System of rice Intensification website. September 30. (9p., 798KB). [Report of August/September 2010 trainings at the SRI Farmer Field School, Chinsali district in Zambia, prepared by the Rice Grower Specialist for Wildlife Conservation Society and Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO)]
(Notes: Click here to see most of the below SRI Zambia presentations on slidehare.net. Transcripts are at the bottom of each presentation. There is a “full screen” button at the lower right corner of the presentation to enlarge the presentation. If you have trouble viewing the slideshow, make sure you have a current version of Flash installed and JavaScript enabled.)
2012. The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program in West Bank of Zambezi District: Meeting the principal objectives
– PowerPoint presentation by Henry Ngimbu, Centre for SRI Initiative (CSRII), for the SSH Program. April. 16 slides.
2007. Highlights of the Agricultural Show hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Zambia in Northwestern Province.
-PowerPoint presentation by Henry Ngimbu, Esek Farmers’ Cooperative Society. 16 slides (826KB pdf)
2007. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Initiative in Zambia, Southern Africa
-PowerPoint by Henry Ngimbu presented at the Organization of Rural Associations for Progress (ORAP) Workshop, Bulawayo, June 11-12, 2007. 20 slides.
-PowerPoint by Henry Ngimbu presented (on behalf of the Esek Farmers’ Cooperative Society and The River Between Trust North-western Province, Zambia) at the Innovation Africa Symposium (IAS). November 20-23, 2006. 21 slides.
2006. Launch of SRI in Zambia and First Harvest, 30th June, 2006
-PowerPoint of preliminary SRI report by Henry N. Ngimbu, Esek Farmers’ Cooperative Society. 17 slides.
2006. Results from First SRI Harvest in Zambia, Southern Africa
-PowerPoint by R. Makalicha and H. Ngimbu, Esek Farmers’ Cooperative Society, on their 2005-2006 SRI work (draft). 14 slides. [available as PowerPoint on slideshare or as a downloadable pdf file]
2015. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) A farmer’s sure way to rice farming and high crop yields. It’s Wild (COMACO) website. 2p. [A step-by-step guide for SRI techniqes adapted for floodplains and Dambo basin in the Community Marketers for Conservation (COMACO) project area in Zambia.]
2007. Operationalizing the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). System of Rice Intensification website. [Revised from earlier manual/guide for explaining and undertaking SRI, updated with reference to Zambia.] (17 p., 89 KB pdf)
SRI-Rice Zambia Photo Collection (provided by Henry Ngimbu)
Available in slideshow format at the top of the page. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line391 |
__label__cc | 0.629486 | 0.370514 | Independence Publishing, TLR
› Cover Reveal
Love Chatter
Stephanie on YouTube
Stephanie is excited to finally reveal the cover of her newest novel,
A Gift and a Curse...Renata's Story
Q: When you were thinking of what you wanted for this cover what did you envision?
Stephanie: When I envisioned the cover I always knew I wanted it to be two-sided. I hate boring looking covers where it's just a half naked guy and a girl, so I'm always trying to push the envelope with my covers. I really wanted something different and special. Essentially, Renata has so many layers to who she is and I wanted a cover that really showcased the difficult decisions that she will face in the novel.
Q: What did it take to get to the final cover?
Stephanie: My cover artist, Josh and I have worked together on all my books. We're pretty much to the point now where I can just ramble off the mess I see in my head and somehow he goes back to his sketch pad and makes what I say a reality. I'm a word person so it's hard for me sometimes to switch to the visual side of things. This particular cover was a lot like when we did Skye. That cover was tough because we had to get Skye just right and we wanted to show this strong woman on the cover and it was a lot of elements that came with that one. So, Renata, like Skye went through MANY different versions. We started with wildflowers on the left side, Renata has been changed a few times, the font and spacing of the title and my name changed, Renata's hair has literally been in about twenty different styles and we also had to change her features a couple of times as well.
Q: Talk to us about the eyes?
Stephanie: When I talked to Josh, I told him that I wanted Carson (Renata's love interest) to be somewhere on the cover. We kind of did that imagery on Sable and it worked really well. Josh is very creative like me and he takes on this project like his own and I think he also wanted to do something different. So, he put Carson on the cover but all you see are his eyes. I personally loved it as soon as I saw it, because I've read the book...(LOL) and it just makes sense to me. I'm really funny about faces on covers so outside of Skye my readers should pretty much expect to NEVER see faces on any of my books. I prefer for my readers to create their own person in their head based off my descriptions in the book.
Q: So are you going to give us anything about what exactly is the gift and the curse Renata is facing? And can we get some hints on the meaning behind the two sided cover?
Stephanie: Well, I'll give you one detail and that's it... YOU HAVE TO READ THE BOOK!
Currency: US Dollars
Team Churchill LLC
Attn: Independence Publishing, TLR
Henrico, VA 23242
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__label__cc | 0.556892 | 0.443108 | Smack Dab: A Middle Child's Blog
If you are a Middle Child, know a Middle Child, or ever felt like a Middle Child, you might enjoy this.
Middle Child's Day Parade Seeks Grand Marshal
The Holiday Season is here -- Middle Child’s Day is August 12! Like I’ve always said, Middle Child’s Day is like Christmas in August. Just without any of the presents. Or celebrating. And certainly none of the attention. In any case, preparations for our special day are in full swing.
As founder of the International Middle Child Union, I am proud to announce we are now accepting applications for a chance to be Grand Marshal of the 2019 Middle Child’s Day Parade. Imagine how great it would feel to have huge crowds of adoring onlookers giving you their undivided attention. It’s every forgotten Middle Child’s dream come true!
Unfortunately, applicants will definitely have to imagine the feeling because -- big surprise -- there is no Middle Child’s Day parade. But look on the bright side. Unlike the Thanksgiving Day or the Rose Bowl Parade, being the Grand Marshal of the Middle Child’s Day Parade will take very little of your time. Still, we need to be prepared for the day Middle Child’s Day finally gets the recognition we’ve long been seeking.
When we do get our parade, we’ll have to move fast -- before someone changes their mind. We’ll need a Grand Marshal already in place to take their place atop our brand new I.M.C.U. float. (FULL DISCLOSURE: said float also doesn’t exist yet. But when it does, it will be brand new. Unless, of course, it’s a hand-me-down. Which there’s a very good chance it will be.)
Interested applicants are encouraged to e-mail the I.M.C.U. with a brief explanation of why they should be Grand Marshal. Or if you know a qualified Middle Child, tell us why they deserve consideration. Reach us at:
midkidgrandmarshal@gmail.com
Maybe nothing else we do in our lives will get us the attention we feel we’re lacking, but being the Grand Marshal of a parade? Surely that would change everything. But probably not.
COMING SOON: THE 2019 MIDDLE CHILD’S DAY PLAYLIST
Posted by SmackDabBlog at 1:08 AM No comments:
Labels: Christmas, Grand Marshal, International Middle Child Union, Middle Child's Day, Middle Child's Day Parade
Middle Child Music Notes
I like to consider myself somewhat of a music savant. I can accurately whistle a scary amount of songs, many of which I’m not even sure how I know. I can usually “Name That Tune” in four notes or less. But when my brother-in-law, a fellow Smack Dab Middle Child (2nd of three boys), recently asked if I remember Janice McClain’s 1979 Disco hit, “Smack Dab in the Middle,” I came up empty.
Was I losing my Middle Child music mojo? And of all songs not to remember, how could it be that one? How could I not remember? I mean, I spent a lot of time at discos in the 70’s. Ohhh, maybe that explains my memory loss. But where was I... oh, yeah... after searching for the song online, it all came back to me. I was struck with a severe case of Saturday Night Fever and found myself lost in a Disco Inferno wanting More, More More. And while I was disappointed to learn my Latin Hustle is not what it used to be, my journey of disco discovery did yield a pleasant surprise: a second song called “Smack Dab in the Middle” -- and not some disco one hit wonder, either. This second Smack Dab song was actually the first, written by R&B musician/songwriter Jesse Stone, recorded and released in 1955 under his performing alias, Charlie Calhoun and his Orchestra and Chorus.
While Stone's best known composition was “Shake, Rattle, and Roll,” the rock and roll classic made famous by Bill Haley & His Comets, his “Smack Dab in the Middle” is no slouch. 68 different cover versions of the song are listed at secondhandsongs.com -- Count Basie with Joe Williams, Connie Francis, Nancy Wilson, George Jones and Johnny Paycheck, The Chambers Brothers, Buster Poindexter and many others all took a shot at it. Oooh, make that 69. I found another one by a group called Almost Blue. Ray Charles probably had the most success with his 1964 cover. It remained on Billboard's Hot 100 for seven weeks.
I realize it’s hardly the most covered song of all time. According to many lists, that honor belongs to The Beatles’ “Yesterday,” with more than 2,000 recorded cover versions. But The Independent ranked the Rolling Stones “(I can’t get no) Satisfaction” at number five with 98 recorded covers, so “Smack Dab” isn’t that far behind. If a few more covers are uncovered, who knows -- it might be in the Top 20! And I never even knew it existed until a few weeks ago? Sounds to me like a classic case of musical Middle Child Syndrome.
Posted by SmackDabBlog at 9:47 PM No comments:
Labels: Count Basie, Janice McClain, Jesse Stone, Latin Hustle, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome, Ray Charles, Saturday Night Fever, Smack Dab in the Middle, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones
The World's Worst Middle Children
Profiles in Middledom: #6 in a series, featuring Middle Children (real-life or otherwise) who have earned their place in the pantheon of birth order oblivion.
From the “Tell Me Something I Didn’t Already Know” Department, more bad news for Middle Children -- like we needed more bad news. According to a recent report, “Research Shows That Middle Children Are Most Likely To Be Troublemakers.” Okay, I suppose that’s not the most horrible thing in the world. You can be called a lot worse things than a troublemaker. But a second report on the findings provides a decidedly more gloomy outlook: “Study Finds That Second-Born Children Are More Likely To Be Criminals.” Yikes! That’s quite a leap. From troublemaker all the way to criminal? Isn’t there some kind of middle ground? How about menace? Or rabble-rouser? Scalawag even. Heck, I’d even settle for pain in the ass!
Granted, not all second-borns are Middle Children, and vice versa, so many of us are spared this fate. But here are some that definitely weren’t.
THE SUPREME MIDDLE CHILD: Kim Jong Un has established himself as a fearsome killing machine. His “Greatest Hits” include having one of his vice premiers shot by anti-aircraft guns for
dozing off in a meeting. Another vice-minister was forced to stand on a spot targeted for a mortar round during military exercises and blown up. And when an apartment building in Pyongyang collapsed killing hundreds, the Supreme Leader had the engineers and architects who designed the building executed by firing squad. An ex-girlfriend met the same fate. And according to reports, a special envoy to the United States and four foreign ministry officials were also “terminated” after the recent Hanoi summit with the U.S. didn't go exactly according to plan.
Even relatives are not spared. His Uncle was executed for “dreaming different dreams.” Now that's what I call a bad dream. To remove any trace of his existence, he also had his Uncle’s entire family eliminated. Oh, and a deputy security minister who was an ally of his Uncle was also executed. By flamethrower. But even more criminal -- Dennis Rodman is one of his best friends.
THE ULTIMATE INSTIGATOR: It’s not uncommon for Middle Children to stir the pot in search of attention. “Stop starting up with your brother!” “Leave your sister alone!” I heard it all the time when I was growing up. Sure, maybe Middle Children know a thing or two about pushing buttons, but Gavrilo Princip has earned his rightful place as a world class agitator. When he assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg in 1914, it sparked World War I.
THE WRATH OF THE MIDDLE KHAN: Genghis Khan was one of the most brutal and murderous leaders the world has ever known, responsible for the deaths of as many as 40 million people. After one particularly gruesome massacre, the piles of his victims bones were mistaken for mountains. He once disposed of an enemy leader by having molten silver poured into his eyes and ears. That’s one pissed off Mid Kid.
Of course, you don’t become such a deeply feared and twisted figure overnight. His murderous ways can be traced back to his youth, when Genghis killed his half-brother for not sharing his food with him. Even from the grave, the Great Khan remained a deadly force. To keep his burial place a secret, he left instructions that everyone involved in burying him was also to be killed.
COULD THERE BE A WORSE NURSE? When 48 people died over the course of five years in the early 1900’s at the Archer Home for Aged People, an investigation revealed the deceased were actually murder victims, killed with arsenic or strychnine. The trail led to Middle Child serial killer Amy Archer-Gilligan, and not just because her second husband was one of the deceased. It seems many residents began dying only after being convinced to name her in their life insurance policies. And it couldn’t have helped her case when residents of the town reported she purchased unusually large amounts of arsenic to control rats she said were at the nursing home. Oh, there was a rat at the nursing home alright.
SOME MID KIDS REALLY NEED TO BE WANTED: Middle Children have lots of reasons to act out, but Middle Child Jesse James took it to a whole other level. Along with big brother Frank and their infamous gang, he robbed banks, stagecoaches, trains, and did pretty much whatever he felt like doing -- killing almost 200 innocent people along the way. So brazen were these badass bros, they are credited with being the likely culprits in the first daylight armed bank robbery in the United States during peacetime.
Ironically, Jesse was killed by a member of his own gang who hoped to collect a reward on James' head. Instead, he was charged with first degree murder, indicted, pled guilty, sentenced to death by hanging, and then granted a full pardon -- all in one day. Oh, that’s fair.
THE ESCAPE ARTIST: The U.S. Department of Treasury called Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera (a.k.a. El Chapo) “the most powerful drug trafficker in the world.” Forbes magazine said he was “the biggest drug lord of all time” -- even bigger than Pablo Escobar. But only in his reach and influence. El Chapo, Spanish for “Shorty,” was just 5’6” tall. Still, he was a big time killer, claiming the lives of 2,000-3,000 people.
As difficult as it was for authorities to capture El Chapo, it was equally difficult keeping him that way. Over the years, he staged escapes that would make fellow Middle Child Harry Houdini proud. After his first arrest, Chapo broke out of prison by hiding in a laundry cart. After his second arrest, he escaped again, this time through an elaborate tunnel system he had built under his maximum security prison. He was arrested for a third time in 2016, and has not escaped. Yet.
NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE MIDDLE CHILD HALL OF SHAME.
Send qualified candidates to midkidmusings@gmail.com, and I’ll add them to the list.
Posted by SmackDabBlog at 10:08 PM No comments:
Labels: Amy Archer-Gilligan, Archdule Franz Ferdinand, Dennis Rodman, El Chapo, Gavrilo Princip, Genghis Khan, Harry Houdini, Jesse James, Kim Jong Un, Middle Child
The Joke's On Us
When I was forwarded a couple of articles recently about a YouGov study that found the youngest sibling is the funniest in the family, I have to admit, I thought it was some kind of joke. A bad joke. I mean, I know that wasn’t the case in my family. I was definitely the stand-up sibling. The family fool. I once put raisins up my nose to make my sister laugh. Now that's funny. (It wasn’t so funny when I started laughing along with her and inhaled the raisins, but that’s another story for another post.) Granted, this study was conducted in the UK, so maybe things are different over there. And the study actually found that the youngest sibling is more likely to think they’re the funniest. There’s a big difference between thinking you’re funny and actually being funny, so that’s some consolation. But that’s not what was really disturbing about these reports.
One of the articles was titled “The Youngest Sibling Is the Funniest, Study Finds, But Older Siblings Aren’t Forgotten.” Uhmm, I’ll tell you who is forgotten. How about the Middle Child!? The article mentions oldest children, younger children, even only children. But there’s NOT ONE WORD about Middle Children. Nada. Zilch. In fact, the entire YouGov study is focused solely on oldest and youngest sibs, as if the Middle Child doesn’t even exist. Now that is truly funny.
The second article, “Your younger sibling is funnier than you (at least that’s what they say),” suggests there might be evidence to back up the claim. It cites Dr. Kevin Leman, New York Times best-selling author of “The Birth Order Book” and countless other titles dealing with birth order and parenting. In “My Youngest, There’s No One Like You,” Dr. Leman asserts that most comedians are the youngest children in their families. He lists Drew Carey, Jim Carrey, Charlie Chaplin, Billy Crystal, Ellen De Generes, Whoopi Goldberg, Goldie Hawn, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, and Jon Stewart to prove his point.
Now, I’ve got no bones to pick with Dr. Leman. In fact, he reached out and offered encouragement for my #MidKidStrike back in 2013. So it is with all due respect that I take issue with the good Doctor’s claim. Granted, he put together an impressive team. I’ll give him that. I’m sure he spent more time than me researching the topic, but in the short amount of time I did spend, I was able to put together a pretty powerful lineup as well.
My Middle Child roster includes Judd Apatow (WATCH), Johnny Carson, Dana Carvey (WATCH), Dave Chappelle (WATCH), James Corden, Kevin James (WATCH), Martin Lawrence (WATCH), David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Ray Romano, and Amy Schumer. Take that! And I’m putting Jon Stewart (WATCH) on my team, too. Even though he was the youngest child from his father’s first marriage, his father had two more sons from a second marriage, so he’s technically a Middle Child. I’m sure I could find even more, but I’ve got better things to do with my time. Okay, maybe I don’t, but that’s beside the point.
I don’t know why any of this should even bother me anyway. What if Dr. Leman in right -- so what? Who cares if most comedians really are youngest siblings? That hardly means most younger siblings are the funniest in the family, no matter what they think. Besides, there are way more youngest siblings that aren't comedians. So there. The whole thing is ridiculous. I’m laughing so hard, I’m crying.
Or maybe I’m just crying.
Enjoy a few more laughs with these Middle Child comedians:
ChondaPierce; Rich LaLa; Romesh Ranganathan.
Labels: Amy Schumer, Conan O'Brien, Dana Carvey, Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Dr. Kevin Leman, James Corden, Johnny Carson, Judd Apatow, Kevin James, Martin Lawrence, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome, Ray Romano
Spam Callers: the Middle Child Dilemma
I am a prime target for spam callers. I see a number I don’t recognize pop up on my phone, and I start to get anxious. “Don’t pick it up,” I tell myself. “It’s spam. You know it’s spam,” I remind me. And I totally know I’m right. It’s probably that cheery lady who scares the shit out of me every time she calls when she says she’s from my credit card company, but then assures me everything is okay however “time is running out to take advantage of these great rates.” Or it’s likely that guy from some mysterious tech company who creepily claims to know “there’s something seriously wrong with your computer.” I hope it’s not the guy who greets me with a “Hi!” so lifelike and with just the right amount of pause built in before he says anything else that I actually say hello back and then feel totally demoralized when I realize I’m conversing with a machine. They’re the worst. Or it could be that woman who keeps calling me from Belarus. I know it’s one of them, or someone else I have absolutely no need to speak with. So I’m not going to take the call. Not gonna do it.
But then my Middle Child insecurity kicks in. What if it’s not credit card lady, computer dude, that really friendly robot, or my Slavic sweetheart? What if this number I’ve never seen before is someone I actually do know? Maybe they got a new number and the very reason they’re calling me is to let me know that if I see this number, I should know it’s them, and not some spammer. Or maybe it’s someone I used to know. Maybe it’s an old childhood friend who has spent hours upon hours and tracked me down after all these years and desperately wants to reconnect. I’m just going to ignore their call after all the hard work they went through to find me? That’s messed up! How would I feel if someone did that to me? As you might have guessed, pretty terrible. With each ring, the doubt builds and temptation grows until it’s too much for me to resist. And that’s how they get me. Every. Single. Time.
It’s quite pathetic, but totally understandable. It’s also nothing new. This goes all the way back to when I was a child -- before cell phones were even a thing and were just some crazy idea on “The Jetsons” or “Get Smart.” Back then, I was obsessed about getting mail. I wrote in a previous post about how I was always writing letters to politicians, tourism departments, television networks -- even NASA -- just so I could be assured of receiving a daily dose of postal attention in return. I couldn’t wait to get home from school so I could check the mail. There were even days when I pretended to be sick just so I could be home when the mail arrived. So is it really any wonder that I have a hard time not answering when my phone rings, even though I know there’s no reason to?
If I’m being totally honest, I actually look forward to those calls. I like engaging my new spam-calling buddies. “Where are you calling from?” I’ll inquire. “What time is it there? How’s the weather? Can you hold on a sec while I finish eating dinner?” If they offer to call back at a more convenient time, I’ll insist it’s no bother while chewing loudly into the phone. One time, my imaginary meal got caught in my throat and I had a raging faux choking attack. That was fun.
I particularly enjoy flipping the script on my newfound phone friends. After answering questions about everything from how many cars I own to how many TVs are in my house, I asked one curious caller if he would now answer a few questions, then I proceeded to inquire about his TV viewing habits, home ownership, airline preference, and more. He actually was answering my questions, until he got so frustrated he told me -- wait for it -- “I don’t have time for this!” And he hung up on me. I thought that was particularly ironic.
While most people happily sign up for the “DO NOT CALL” list, I'll pass. Instead, telemarketers will probably place me on their own “DON'T BOTHER CALLING THIS GUY ” registry. But I hope not.
Labels: Belarus, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome, NASA, robo-call, spam call
There Is No Hope, Man
Middle Children are always looking for recognition. It’s like our birthright. Our raison d'être. Of course, simple name recognition would be a great starting point. But all too often, you hear the all too familiar Mid Kid mantra: “They don’t even remember my name.” Sure, this can happen to anyone, but to a Middle Child it’s particularly debilitating. Just more proof that we don’t matter. More evidence of our invisibility. I cannot count the times when my mother, meaning to call out to me, would first call each of my siblings’ names before arriving at mine. Or what about the teachers at school that repeatedly confuse you with a sibling. It’s not just limited to family. There’s always that deflating feeling when you’re speaking with someone you’ve met before, whose name you remember, but you just know they have no idea what your name is. Even worse, I had a secretary (back when they were called secretaries), that always answered my phone, “Bob Hopman’s office.”
I have always said Middle Child Syndrome is the gift that keeps on giving. You can be happily going about your day, minding your own business, when suddenly -- and without warning -- it will rear its ugly head. You might innocently stumble upon something from your past that you never before realized adds yet another page, or in this case another post, to your Middle Child story. Like the other day when I was flipping through my college yearbook. It’s been quite a few decades since I
graduated, and in all that time I never noticed this poke in the eye -- but there it was, literally staring
me in the face, right next to my Senior portrait. Bruce S. Hopeman.
Nope, not me.
I suppose it could’ve been worse. I mean, they could’ve called me Bob S. Hopeman. I guess I should be grateful? It's just a typo, right? But, still. I know I shouldn't take it personally. Bad proofreading is nothing more than an oversight. But that's the last thing a Middle Child needs more of.
Like I said, this certainly wasn’t the first time I lost out in the name game. I wrote in a previous post about not even getting top billing on my own birth announcement. Sure, I was given short shrift, but at least they spelled my name right! One could argue that aside from being born, what had I really done to deserve more than a mere mention anyway. But this is a whole other story. I mean, I worked my ass off in college and graduated summa cum laude, for what --so this Hopeman guy can steal the show? I do all the work and he gets all the glory? What a load of BS. And now I have to wonder -- did they make this same error on my diploma? Did I even legitimately graduate, or did my misnomer get my degree? It’s a hopeless feeling. Or should I say hopless.
Labels: Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome
Tourism Gets a Case of Middle Child Syndrome
Introducing “The Middle Child Travel Guide.”
The Spring/Summer travel season is here, and millions of eager explorers are ready to schlep their Samsonites to every corner of the globe. (Can globes even have corners?) If Conde Naste Traveler’s list of “The 10 Most Popular Cities of 2018” is any indication, most of these spirited sightseers will hardly be taking the road less traveled. Perennial favorites London, Paris, and New York City are once again among the top tourist targets. Slightly more valiant voyagers will lug luggage to Bangkok, Dubai or maybe Singapore. Oh, sure -- the favorites get all the attention. Every year it’s, “London, London, London!” “Oooh, Paris is so pretty in the spring!!” Meanwhile, dozens of deserving destinations go unnoticed. Cast aside, like Fodor’s forgotten Middle Child.
Thanks to “The Middle Child Travel Guide,” now these overlooked options will get the attention they desperately deserve. Imagine Smack Dab travel experts all around the world bringing you the scoop on the best of the next best places to visit. Of course, you’ll have to imagine, because no way do I have that kind of budget! Instead, I will travel the internet and compile reports from people who have actually been there. And since even those destinations everyone knows and loves have sights that go unnoticed, I’ll make sure they get a chance to bask in the limelight, too.
Of course, your input will help make “The Middle Child Travel Guide” even better. If you know of any destinations that are sorely in need of more tourist love, or if you know of sights that don’t get seen enough, let me know and I’ll make sure to include them in a future post. (E-mail me at midkidmusings@gmail.com, or comment below.) For now, we’ll start with a destination in France that’s not Paris. Incroyable!
Lyon: France's Enfant du Milieu
Middle Children know what it’s like always being compared to a more beloved sibling. So how can France’s third largest city compete with the home to three of the top ten most popular tourist attractions in the world according to TripAdvisor? Well, while the Eiffel Tower casts a looooong shadow, Lyon is no slouch when it comes to memorable monuments. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with more than 160 buildings classified as Historic Monuments, including its very own (and less crowded) Notre Dame -- which according to Anthony Bourdain “is simply a more beautiful church.”
It's All a Facade: those buildings aren't real. It's a mural!
Paris may have some of the greatest museums in the world, but in Lyon you don’t have to even enter a building to see amazing artwork -- it’s actually on the building. CitéCréation has more than 150 trompe-l’oeil murals on buildings all around town. Paris has none. The Seine is a lovely river, but Lyon has two -- the Rhône and the Saône. That also means Lyon has twice as many Left Banks and Right Banks. But who’s counting?
Lyon also has their own unique version of a bistro. They’re called bouchons. In all of France there are only about 20 officially certified bouchons -- all in Lyon. And speaking of food, Lyon is the home of the late Paul Bocuse, a.k.a. “The Pope of French Cuisine.” In fact, many call Lyon “The Culinary Capital of France.” It’s certainly worth finding out if they’re right.
Paris does kick Lyon’s ass when it comes to crowds. It’s one of the most crowded cities in the world. Lyon, on the other hand, is five times smaller than Paris and much less crowded. Oh, and it’s less expensive. Of course, you don’t have to choose between the two. Lyon is under 5 hours from Paris by car, around 2 hours by train, or you can catch a non-stop flight and be there in less than an hour.
For even more reasons why Lyon deserves your attention, check out these links:
“Which Is Better, Paris or Lyon?”
“Seven Ways Lyon Is Better Than Paris”
“15 Reasons To Choose Lyon Over Paris”
“10 Reasons Why Lyon Is Better Than Paris”
“8 Reasons Why Lyon Is Way Cooler Than Paris”
And here’s a link to the Lyon tourism site.
DISCLAIMER: “The Middle Child Travel Guide” isn’t a REAL book. I created that cover,
but the background image is a planner available from Chronicle Books.
Labels: Anthony Bourdain, bouchon, France, London, Lyon, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome, Middle Child Travel Guide, Paris, Paul Bocuse
Share Your #middlechildmoment!
It seems Middle Children have a way of letting the world know we’re Middle Children, without saying a word. A former co-worker sent me this dead giveaway, an obvious #middlechildmoment. If the middle swing wasn’t enough of a clue, the wardrobe choice removes any remaining doubt -- no ifs or ands. Just plenty of butt.
Send your #middlechildmoment to me at midkidmusings@gmail.com, and I'll post it here on the blog, at the Smack Dab page on Facebook, and on Twitter @midkidmusings.
CLICK HERE to see another classic #middlechildmoment
Posted by SmackDabBlog at 10:53 AM No comments:
Labels: #middlechildmoment, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome
I.M.C.U. Calls for Special Prosecutor
An open letter to Robert Mueller
Labels: International Middle Child Union, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome, Robert Mueller, sibling collusion, special proesecutor
Middle Child DOUBLE Jeopardy!
I’m starting to wonder if Alex Trebek is a Middle Child. (He’s not, by the way.) For the second time in less than six months, there was some Middle Child action on “Jeopardy!” Back in November during the Teen Tournament, we were a mere mention in the “SIBLINGS” category. (WATCH HERE)
But on March 19 (Season 35/Ep. 137), we graduated to the big leagues -- we got a whole category! And this was a game with real grownups, not a bunch of annoyingly smart teens. The category was “TV’s MIDDLE CHILD,” and if you’re a regular reader of this blog you’ve seen all the answers before. I mean questions. (SPOILER ALERT: Jan Brady was not one of them!) In case you missed it, here’s the only part of the show that mattered:
Okay, so it wasn’t the most challenging category, but that’s not the point. We’re making progress. First an answer, then a category -- it’s only a matter of time before we get a whole board! Oh wait, we already have. CLICK HERE to play “Middle Child Jeopardy!”
Labels: Alex Trebak, Jeopardy!, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome
A Toast to Famous Irish Middle Children
Profiles in Middledom, St. Patrick’s Day Edition: #5 in a series, featuring Middle Children (real-life or otherwise) who have earned their place in the pantheon of birth order oblivion.
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I was going to compile a list of the world’s most famous Irish Middle Children. To keep the list to a manageable size, I figured I would only include Middle Children who were actually born in Ireland. And speaking of manageable size -- I thought finding famous Irish-born Middle Children would be pretty easy, what with all the talk over the years about “large Irish families.” But it turns out, that’s not the case so much anymore. According to the Irish Independent, “Just 40 or 50 years ago, families with seven or more children were a normal part of daily life.” In 1971, around 15,000 families had six or more children -- by 2015 there were just 3,000. While the fertility rate in Ireland was 4 in 1963, today it’s under 2. The world rate is around 2.5. But I digress. The list, right -- the list.
Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness: he made
a name for himself, one pint at a time.
While St. Patrick himself was not a Middle Child, I still was on my way to compiling a list of some pretty impressive names: poet/playwright Oscar Wilde; explorer Ernest Shackleton; singer Shuhada' Davitt (formerly Sinead O’Connor); “Dracula” author Bram Stoker; actor Liam Neeson. But then I came across an Irish Middle Child so fitting for my St. Patrick’s Day tribute, suddenly it seemed like no others mattered. (What Middle Child hasn’t felt like that before?) A name as synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day as shamrocks and, depending on where you live, green bagels: Guinness. Yeah, that Guinness. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, Baronet of Ashford, to be specific. Grandson of the founder of the company responsible for brewing Ireland’s most famous drink. In 1855, he assumed control of the brewery, developed a booming export business, and is credited with making the stout brand famous worldwide. So much so, he was reported to be the richest man in Ireland in his day. And the rest is Middle Child history.
Fortune magazine says, “Walk into your local liquor store and you could be forgiven for thinking St. Patrick’s Day was created by Guinness. It’s the day for Ireland’s favorite beer to shine -- and 13 million pints of the stout will be consumed in those 24 hours.” Of course, what good would a Middle Child success story be without a dose of MidKid whining, moaning, and self-loathing. So here goes.
While Guinness is always on various lists of “Best Irish Beers to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With,” it’s not the most popular beer in the U.S. on St. Patrick’s Day. According to the YouGovBrandIndex, that honor goes to... Corona. ¡Ay caramba! Sadly, Guinness is no longer even the best selling brew in Ireland. Holland-born Heineken owns that title. Oh well, at least the bottle is green.
To find out more about overlooked Middle Child brews, read our “Middle Child Beer Guide.”
If you want a real Middle Child Beer for St. Patrick’s Day, read “Here's to the Middle Child!”
Labels: beer, Benjamin Guinness, Bram Stoker, Corona, Guinness, Heineken, Liam Neeson, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome, Oscar Wilde, Sinead O'Connor, St. Patrick, St. Patrick's Day
The Difference Between Being “A” Middle Child and “The” Middle Child
The Golden Rule of birth order:
If you’re not the first or the last,
you’re in the middle!
Not every Middle Child necessarily knows they’re a Middle Child. I’ve written about this before, urging Sarah Jessica Parker to embrace her Middle Child status, but I’m pretty sure the message isn’t getting through. Case in point: I was speaking to a radio host who told me there were no Middle Children in his family. I asked how many siblings he had and was told he was the second of four. When I informed him that meant there are actually two Middle Children in his family and that he was one of them, it was like I turned his world upside down! So if MidKids themselves aren’t even aware of their status, why would I think non-Middles would know any better?
If my sister-in-law is any indication, they do not. The oldest of four girls, she didn’t realize her very own sister (my wife) was one of two Middle Children. “There can only be one Middle Child per family,” she informed me. And then there’s the former co-worker and father of five (and Middle Child himself) who was telling me a story about his own Middle Child. When I told him he actually had three, he said, “I never thought of it that way.” Aaargh. It’s an epidemic, I tell you!! But changing someone’s understanding of what it takes to be a Middle Child is no easy task.
If I asked you, “Who was the Middle Child on The Brady Bunch?” your answer would likely be Jan. Of course, you’d be right. And wrong. Sure, she’s “a” Middle Child, but not “the” Middle Child. She’s the Middle Brady sister and probably the world’s most iconic MidKid, but what about Peter, the Middle Brady boy? He’s no less a Middle Child, and it doesn’t end there. There were six siblings in the blended Brady brood, so after Carol and Mike got hitched, Marcia and Bobby became Middles along with Peter and Jan. In fact, Greg and Cindy were the only ones who weren't ever Middle Children.
And what about “Malcolm in the Middle?” Yes, he was “a” Middle Child, but far from being “the” Middle Child. Malcolm was actually one of three brothers in the middle. It was just him and Reese until the end of season four when baby Jamie came along, then Dewey became one too. I guess “Malcolm, Reese, & Dewey in the Middle” wasn’t as catchy a title. So Malcolm got top billing, and Reese and Dewey were relegated to the trash heap of TV Middle Children. Talk about Middle Child Syndrome.
When you’re “the” Middle Child, you’re on your own. It’s two against one. You’re outnumbered, on an island unto yourself. I have long argued it is the truest form of Middle Child, and also the worst. On the other hand, when you’re “a” Middle Child, at least you have company. That’s probably a good thing, because misery does love company. With four siblings, it’s a level playing field. Two on two. A house divided. And when there are five or more siblings (gasp), the Middles are the majority. Multiple siblings get to be “a” Middle Child, but no one sibling is “the” Middle Child -- except when there’s an odd number of siblings. Then one lucky sib gets to be the Middle Middle Child -- the birth order equivalent of a double whammy.
Don’t pay for some fancy
Middle Child testing kit:
Take our FREE test!
I created a Middle Child hierarchical classification diagram in a previous post, but so many other factors impact how much of a Middle Child you end up being. I’m sure the number of Middle Children in your family has something to do with it. I would think the more Middle Children there are in a family, the less likely you might be to feel like a Middle Child. But that’s just scratching the surface. For instance, there has to be a difference between someone who becomes a Middle Child when they are eight years old versus someone who is two years old. Sure, you got all those extra years of being the beloved baby, but maybe that actually makes it worse when all that adoration is stripped away from you? Maybe it’s better to have the attention band-aid ripped off before you have the chance to get used to all the love.
And what about blended families? Two birth orders get melded into one, and like the Brady’s, everything changes. I even spoke with someone who was the first born daughter then became a Middle Child when her parents adopted an even older daughter.
Of course, if you don’t even know you’re a Middle Child, none of this will even matter, which brings us right back to square A. So to determine if you’re “the” Middle Child (or even “a” Middle Child), take this simple test:
1. Are you the oldest sibling in your family? If you answered YES, congratulations. You dodged a birth order bullet. You are DEFINITELY not a Middle Child. Go bask in parental praise and plaudits.
If you answered NO, proceed to question 2.
2. Are you the youngest sibling in your family? If you answered YES, you hit the jackpot. You’re the beloved baby! Have fun doing all the things your older siblings weren’t allowed to do.
If you answered NO, too bad. You’re a sandwiched sibling -- like it or not.
Labels: Bobby Brady, Dewey Wilkerson, Jan Brady, Malcolm in the Middle, Malcolm Wilkerson, Marcia Brady, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome, Peter Brady, Reese Wilkerson, Sarah Jessica Parker, The Brady Bunch
This Day in Middle Child History: March 7
On this day in 1970, former Yugoslavian (now Slovenian) ski jumper and Middle Child Vinko Bogataj crashed, rolled, splayed, and tumbled his way into sports history. The footage of his infamous mis-jump at the 1970 World Ski Flying Championships in Oberstdorf, West Germany, aired every week for decades on the opening of “ABC’s Wide World of Sports.” No matter how many times you see it, it's still hard to keep from cringing.
While “the thrill of victory” was accompanied by various clips over the years, “the agony of defeat” was a constant -- Bogataj remained a steadfast symbol of colossal calamity and disastrous disappointment. He suffered a mild concussion and broken ankle after the crash, not to mention a seriously bruised ego. And to add insult to injury -- pun absolutely intended -- Bogataj was totally unaware of his newfound infamy for more than a decade following his crash.
"I am the greatest... Yugoslavian
ski jumper ever featured on the
opening of Wide World of Sports."
According to ESPN, he had no idea he was a sports celebrity and was completely surprised when he was asked to attend the “Wide World of Sports” 20th anniversary celebration in 1981. So just imagine what he was thinking when “he received the loudest ovation of any athlete introduced at the gala, and attendees such as Muhammad Ali asked him for his autograph.”
Bogataj did return to competition the year after his crash, but sadly his career was all downhill.
How could I let this special day pass without paying a twisted tribute?
That’s right, I could not.
Labels: ABC Wide World of Sports, ESPN, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome, Muhammad Ali, Vinko Bogataj
Give Us Our # Back!
Rapper J. Cole Makes #middlechild Trend on Twitter
I was so psyched when I saw #middlechild popping up everywhere on Twitter recently. “All my hard work is paying off,” I thought. “Finally, we’re getting some attention.” So you can imagine how disappointed I was to learn that all the fuss wasn’t really about MidKids at all, but about the release of rapper J. Cole’s latest track titled “Middle Child.” Disappointed, but hardly surprised.
According to Genius.com, “Cole envisions himself in the center of the old and new generations of hip-hop, therefore making him the ‘Middle Child’ of rap.” The lyrics couldn’t be any clearer:
“I'm dead in the middle of two generations
I'm little bro and big bro all at once.”
Tell me about it. It doesn’t get any more Middle Child than that. But once again, we’ve been reduced to a mere metaphor! And just to rub more salt in the wound, Cole only has an older brother and no younger siblings. Ugh. I mean, if you’re going to hijack our hashtag, couldn’t you at least be a real Middle Child?
I don’t know, maybe it’s a good thing. The track is Cole’s biggest hit yet. It dropped on January 23, and by the week of February 9, it had already reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #2 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. And the highly anticipated music video just dropped on Feb. 25, sparking a whole new #middlechild surge.
So maybe I should be thanking Cole -- make him an honorary Middle Child or something. I mean, borrowed Middle Child buzz is better than no Middle Child buzz at all, right? But on the other hand-- can’t we even have our own hashtag!? We have to share that, too? #sounfair.
Since J. Cole took our tag, I figured it was fair to rip off his rap for my “Middle Child” parody.
Labels: J. Cole, Middle Child, Middle Child Syndrome, rap
New Zealand Deals With Middle Child Issues
I.M.C.U. backs #getNZonthemap campaign.
Mapmaker, mapmaker, make me a map...
with New Zealand on it!
Recently, I learned of a global crisis crying for attention. Well, actually more like just a globe crisis.
As reported by multiple media outlets, including a recent episode of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” it seems New Zealand is frequently left off of world maps. Granted, most people probably already have no idea where New Zealand is, but this only makes matters worse. (Actually, maybe that explains why people have no idea where it is.)
Exactly how big of a problem is it? There’s a subgroup on Reddit called “MapsWithoutNZ” and a “World Maps Without New Zealand” Tumblr where you can find New Zealand-less maps from Ikea, the World Health Organization, and from other places all over the map. Oooh, sorry New Zealand. That was probably insensitive. Even New Zealand’s own government website left New Zealand off the map! I mean, really. The problem is so serious, the Prime Minister of New Zealand launched the #getNZonthemap campaign to help get her country back where it belongs.
Something’s missing, alright!: Even
New Zealand’s website left New
Zealand off the map, for godsakes!!
As the founder of the International Middle Child Union I knew it was time to act, so I have an important message for the people of New Zealand: we feel your pain! After all, Middle Children know all too well what it feels like to be left out. Forgotten. Wiped off the map, so to speak. So how can we stand by and watch an entire country get the Middle Child treatment? That’s right, we cannot!
That’s why today, the I.M.C.U. is announcing its full support for New Zealand’s efforts to regain its rightful place in the world. Or at least on the maps of the world. We’ll be reaching out to millions of Middles and spreading the word on social media to “Stop Treating New Zealand Like A Middle Child!” (Not that it means much. I mean, I can’t even get Middle Children to recognize Middle Child’s Day. But it’s the thought that counts, right?)
I am calling on Middle Children all around the world to stand with New Zealand as they struggle with this cartographic catastrophe and seek the recognition they deserve. It's a horrible injustice for a nation with more sheep than people to be treated like the black sheep in this way. Ironic, sure, and maybe even a little bit funny -- but a horrible injustice nonetheless.
In closing, I’d like to echo the words of the late, great Middle Child John F. Kennedy -- and I’m paraphrasing here: “All Middle Children, wherever they may live are citizens of New Zealand, and, therefore, as a Middle Child, I take pride in the words Ich bin ein Kiwi! -- I am a Kiwi!”
Labels: Ikea, Jacinda Ardern, John F. Kennedy, John Oliver, kiwi, kiwi fruit, Middle Child, middle child issues, Middle Child Syndrome, Middle Child's Day, New Zealand, sheep
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Let's move Middle Child's Day to July 2 -- the smack dab middle of the year!
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INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE CHILD UNION IN THE NEWS:
Check out the Smack Dab Channel for the complete collection of media appearances and videos.
MIDDLE CHILD NITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS/MIDDLE CHILD BOWL: Beloit, WI - WBEL/AM
MIDDLE CHILD PRES. CANDIDATES: Denver, CO - KHOW/AM
MID KID VALENTINE'S DAY: Las Cruces, NM - KMVR/FM
MID KID HOLIDAYS: Minneapolis, MN - WCCO/AM; Indianpolis, IN - WIBC/FM
HALLOWEEN/OCCUPY MID KID'S DAY: Indianpolis, IN - WIBC/FM; Congressman Ron Kind Endorsement: Lacrosse, WI - WLFN/AM; Lacrosse, WI - WLFN/AM;
MIDDLE CHILD'S DAY: ; ABC Radio News; Las Vegas, NV -KLUC/FM; Portland, OR - KXL/FM; Oklahoma City, OK - KTOK/AM; St. Cloud, MN - WJON/AM; Pittsburgh, PA - KDKA/AM; Seattle, WA - KIRO/FM; Lacrosse, WI - WLFN/AM; Milwaukee, WI - WTMJ/AM; Racine, WI - WRJN/AM; Traverse City, MI - WTCM/AM; Indianapolis, IN - WIBC/FM; Lafayette, LA - KPEL/FM; Las Cruces, NM - KMVR/FM;
MIDDLE CHILD APPRECIATION NIGHT: Lowell Spinners - WCAP/AM Nashua, NH; River City Rascals - KSSZ/FM Columbia, MO; Appalachian League - WFHG/FM Bristol, VA; Ft. Myers Miracle - WFWN/FM Ft. Myers, FL; Acadiana Cane Cutters - KPEL/FM Lafayette, LA
MIDDLE CHILD'S DAY PREVIEW: Lacrosse, WI - WLFN/AM; Indianapolis, IN - WIBC/FM; Racine, WI - WRJN/AM;
FATHER'S DAY: Milwuakee, WI - WTMJ/AM; Lafayette, LA - KPEL/FM; Indianapolis, IN - WIBC/FM
INDY 500: Las Cruces, NM - KMVR/FM; Lafayette, LA - KPEL/FM; Indianapolis, IN - WIBC/FM
MID KID EASTER: Indianapolis, IN - WIBC/FM; Lafayette, LA - KPEL/FM; Las Cruces, NM - KMVR/FM
MIDDLE LEAGUE BASEBALL: Indianapolis, IN - WIBC/FM; Milwuakee, WI - WTMJ/AM
ST. PATRICK'S DAY : Indianapolis, IN - WIBC/FM
ACADEMY AWARDS: Milwuakee, WI - WTMJ/AM; Indianapolis, IN - WIBC/FM
VALENTINE'S DAY: Las Cruces, NM - KMVR/FM
OLYMPIC CURLING CRUSADE: Jacksonville, FL - WTLV/NBC-TV; Indianapolis, IN - WIBC/FM; Las Cruces, NM - KMVR/FM
MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME BOWL: Indianapolis, IN - WIBC/FM; Las Cruces, NM - KMVR/FM
MIDDIE AWARDS: Lafayette, LA - KPEL/AM
CHRISTMAS EVE: Pensacola, FL - WNRP/AM; Las Cruces, NM - KMVR/FM; Racine, WI - WRJN/AM
THANKSGIVING: Milwuakee, WI - WTMJ/AM; Las Cruces, NM - KMVR/FM
MIDDLE CHILD PARTY: Denver, CO - KHOW/AM; Bellingham, WA - KGMI/AM
MID KID STRIKE: Cedar Rapids, IA - KWWL/TV; Charlotte, NC - WCNC/TV; Cincinatti, OH - WLW/AM; Des Moines, IA - WOW/FM; Findlay, OH - WBVI-FM ; Fredericksburg, VA - WFLS/FM ; Houston, TX -KTRH/AM, KTBZ/FM; Las Cruces, NM - KMVR/FM ; Lafayette, LA - KPEL/AM, KATC/TV; Los Angeles, CA - KHHT/FM; Morgantown, WV - WVAQ/FM; Pensacola, FL - WNRP/AM ; Phoenix, AZ - KPHO-TV ; Philadelphia, PA - WOGL/FM ; Pittsburgh, PA - KDKA/AM, WBZZ/FM; Portland, OR - KGW/TV; Racine, WI - WRJN/AM; Reading, PA - WEEU/AM; Seattle, WA - NWCN/TV; Sioux City, IA - KTIV/TV; Spokane, WA - KREM/TV; Springfield, IL - WYMG/FM; St. Louis, MO - KXFN/AM; Tampa, FL - WBTP/FM; Topeka, KS - WIBW/AM; Waco, TX - KWKT/TV; Washington D.C. - WTOP/FM; Toronto, ONT - CFRB/AM; Victoria, BC - KOOL/FM; The Herald Sun (Australia); iVillage.com; MSN; Relevant Magazine; UPI; The Miami Herald; The Sun Sentinel; The Bergen Record; The Syracuse Post Standard; The Staten Island Advance; The Columbus Ledger Enquirer; Jezebel; The Epoch Times; Vanity Fair; OMGGhana; The Today Show; The Post-Searchlight
We have been the forgotten children of the family for too long. It's time we stopped being middle children and started being Middle Children. It's time we joined together to help fight Middle Child Syndrome. It's time the world knew that August 12th is Middle Child's Day. (You didn't know either? This is much worse than I thought.)
SmackDabBlog
I was a born a perfectly normal child, but my life changed forever the day my little sister was born. That was the day I became a Middle Child. My best days were behind me. I was two years old.
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__label__cc | 0.647928 | 0.352072 | South Oldham Little League 2007 All Star Report... 11 year old "National" Team
Kentucky Little League District 2 National Tournament Runner-ups!
11 Year Old National All-Star Team
6/30/07 St. Matthews American 16 SOLL 9 SOLL shot out of the gate and led 8-5 in the 4th inning vs. the defending 10 year old state champions but was unable to hold on.
7/2/07 SOLL 15 St. Matthews National 7 SOLL got excellent pitching performances from Jonathan Blair and Bryce Norwood and was aided by the offense, led by Austin Metcalfe who went 3 for 3 and put the game out of reach with a 2 run home run in the 5th.
73/07 Valley Sports 4 SOLL 1 Despite a terrific pitching performance by Mike Chakiry in going the distance....the SOLL All-Stars could not muster any offense in the close loss.
7/4/07 SOLL 4 North Oldham 3 Behind a combined 4 hitter from starter Austin Metcalfe and relievers Noah Frantz and Jonathan Blair, the SOLL All-Stars broke a 2-2 tie in the 5th with a 2 run homerun from Austin Metcalfe to secure the win.
The team finished pool play with a 2-2 record and secured a #3 seed in the double elimination district tournament
7/5/07 St. Matthews American 11, SOLL 7 After spotting the defending state champions a 8-0 lead....SOLL fought back but was unable to complete the comeback.
7/6/07 SOLL 4 St Matthews National 2 Patrick O'Neil pitched a complete game 4 hitter and was aided on offense by Mike Chakiry who went 2-3 with a double and triple and drove in 3 runs in the win.
7/7/07 SOLL 15 St. Matthews American 5 SOLL sent the defending state champions packing and set up a championship game vs. Valley Sports. As usual the pitching was awesome headed by starter Mike Chakiry and reliever Jonathan Blair. The offense finally exploded with a total team effort of 18 hits in the 5 inning game.
7/8/07 Valley Sports 6 SOLL 5 The 11 year old national team came up just short in the championship game. The coaching staff wants to personally thank each and every player on the team. We could not have asked for anymore out of these boys. 8 games in 9 days is a lot to ask out of these young men.....but they came thru like champions. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line405 |
__label__wiki | 0.842047 | 0.842047 | Noynoy leads partial, unofficial tally of PPCRV May 10, 2010, 7:57pm
Noynoy leads partial, unofficial tally of PPCRV
May 10, 2010, 7:57pm
Liberal Party standard bearer Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Monday made an early lead in among his competitors in the presidential race, while Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay is leading among the vice presidential hopefuls in the partial and unofficial tally of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).
Initial tally returns as of 7 p.m. Monday showed that Aquino was leading the pack of presidential aspirants with a total of 86,990 out of the 2,214,129 votes or 34.94 percent.
Aquino was followed by Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) presidential candidate former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada with 67,425 votes or 27.11 percent and Nacionalista Party bet Manuel “Manny” Villar with 55,639 votes or 22.37 percent..... MORE
Source: The Manila Bulletin
URL: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/256784/noynoy-leads-partial-unofficial-tally-ppcrv
PGMA, presidential bets heave sigh of relief May 10, 2010, 6:24pm “Hay Salamat!”
PGMA, presidential bets heave sigh of relief
“Hay Salamat!”
So declared President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after a new poll machine successfully read and counted her ballot in a polling place here in the country's first automated elections.
The President, widely considered a shoo-in congresswoman in the second district of Pampanga, cast her ballot early Monday morning at the Clustered Precinct 1-A at the Lubao Central Elementary School after hearing a mass for peaceful and credible elections.
With a swarm of local and foreign poll observers and media monitoring her every move, the President, clad in an aqua sleeveless blouse and gray pants, checked her name at ers' list and then entered the designated polling precinct at around 7:08 a.m.... MORE
URL: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/256765/pgma-presidential-bets-heave-sigh-relief
Confusion mars automated polls By MANILA BULLETIN NEWS TEAM May 10, 2010, 6:08pm
Confusion mars automated polls
But military officials say it’s generally peaceful
By MANILA BULLETIN NEWS TEAM
Widespread reports of precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine malfunction, vote-buying, voter disenfranchisement, and violence triggered chaos in the country’s first automated elections Monday.
Despite this, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) described the first 12 hours of the election day as generally peaceful and manageable.
PCOS glitch
In Isabela, ABS-CBN News reported that as of noon Monday, 65 PCOS machines were defective, while six of the seven spare PCOS machines in Bocaue, Bulacan have already been used after regular voting machines malfunctioned.... MORE
URL: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/256763/confusion-mars-automated-polls
Noynoy leads partial, unofficial tally of PPCRV Ma...
PGMA, presidential bets heave sigh of relief May 1...
Confusion mars automated polls By MANILA BULLETIN ... | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line410 |
__label__wiki | 0.809236 | 0.809236 | A terrible mistake EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 04/22/2012
A terrible mistake
There seems to be something terribly wrong with the policy tack Noynoy is taking on the territorial dispute with China, in that instead of the conflict calming down to a level where negotiations are possible, the situation is headed to a critical boiling point.
It is the President’s call on what moves the government will take amid the conflict which is an age-old dispute and not necessarily a source of concern, if handled intelligently and professionally.
The country also has territorial issues with neighbors other than China but it seems that Noynoy has made it among his obsessions that encompass his perceived political enemies, domestic and abroad, to take a hardline stance against China..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20120422com1.html
The mouse that roars FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 04/22/2012
The mouse that roars
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
Noynoy and his foreign office, along with his defense and military chiefs, are at pains to portray themselves before the Filipinos at least, that they will not take the bullying of China sitting down.
The trouble is, Noynoy and his boys are no different from the mouse that roared but that ended up being swallowed by the huge lion.
The Noynoy administration certainly knows it is no match for China even in that claimed stand-off. The truth is, the Philippines blinked some time ago during the first few days of the stand-off when, after sending its antiquated American warship that gave the Philippines the early edge in that the Philippine soldiers were able to get into the Chinese fishing boats with their illegal marine catch, blinked by quickly pulling out of Scarborough Shoal, with the lame excuse of its having to return to port to refuel..... MORE
Caught on tape: Chilling new video of US border patrol beating immigrant to death
A new video shows Anastacio Hernadez-Rojas lying on the ground in the fetal position, circled by at least a dozen federal agents as one repeatedly shocks him with an electric stun gun.
The video was shot by a passer-by and was obtained by the lawyer for the Hernandez-Rojas family as they push on with their wrongful death suit against the US government.
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) aired the video and an interview with the woman who shot it as part of a new documentary. In May 2010, Seattle resident Ashley Young was crossing a bridge from Mexico to the United States. In the "Need to Know" report, Young said that she saw the man lying on the ground was handcuffed..... MORE
URL: http://rt.com/usa/news/mexico-border-patrol-death-video-649/
Security Council changed prerogatives in Syrian crisis – Churkin to RT
The latest resolution on Syria, unanimously passed in the Security Council, may finally put things “on the right track” in the troubled country, Russia’s envoy to the UN exclusively told RT.
RT:The Security Council has just agreed to boost the number of observers. Do you think this time around the mission will be a success?
Vitaly Churkin: We certainly hope so. In fact we are very pleased with the outcome of today’s vote, which happened less than two hours ago. It was Russia who took the initiative in introducing the draft yesterday morning. And it took us just 26 hours to bring it to fruition, to the unanimous vote of the Security Council on a rather complex resolution, both politically and technically, no mean feat by Security Council standards, let me tell you..... MORE
URL: http://rt.com/news/churkin-un-resolution-syria-interview-652/
UN Security Council votes to send 300 observers to Syria (w/ Video)
UN Security Council votes to send 300 observers to Syria
The UN Security Council has unanimously voted to pass a resolution increasing the number of ceasefire observers in Syria to 300. Meanwhile, the first wave of observers reached war-torn Homs.
The resolution is aimed at enforcing a truce in the conflict between the Syrian government and the opposition, which was signed last week, but has been broken numerous times since.
The final text was a compromise between two rival versions of the resolution proposed by Russia and the European Union, achieved after hours of negotiation on Friday night..... MORE
URL: http://rt.com/news/un-security-council-monitors-syria-635/
I am the boss, not you, Filipino people NO NONSENSE Jacinto ‘Jing’ Paras 04/22/2012
I am the boss, not you, Filipino people
Jacinto ‘Jing’ Paras
It is indeed ironic that during his oath-taking at the Luneta as President of the Republic, President BS Aquino said “You are my boss,” but at the Power Summit in Davao he told his audience, “you pay more or else there will be more blackouts in Mindanao.” This means that Mr. BS Aquino is after all not the servant of the people which he initially wanted to portray, but he is the boss and dictator as he dictates on the people of Mindanao what to do, instead of doing what the people had requested him to do which is to solve the power crisis that has gripped Mindanao.
The Power Summit which was held in Davao recently which was supposed to find solution to the power crisis in Mindanao, turned out a to be a big disappointment to the disgust of the attendees and stakeholders who expected a solution to the recurring blackouts lasting eight to 10 hours daily in Mindanao.
No less that the President was there to preside and this has provided hope to the people because the highest official was attending the summit and would provide an answer to the nagging question of how to solve the lack of electricity in their area..... MORE
Unfair to SM TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 04/22/2012
Unfair to SM
Larry Faraon, OP
Poets do exaggerate. But poets need not overreact when poems “as lovely as a tree” are being “earth balled.” Obviously, the issue of SM City Baguio’s environmental “sin” has been stretched beyond poetic justice to overkill, leading to blatant injustice and unfairness to the SM conglomerate.
The environmental “messiahs,” ill-equipped with misinformation rushed too early to the streets carrying banners depicting SM as environmental fiends? Amid chants of, “we cut it all for you” and “greedy” in full media spreadsheets and screens.
The ranting caused misplaced bias and “rushed” judgments leading to the court issuance of a temporary environmental protection order (Tepo). Then surprisingly, there is the Catholic diocese of Baguio joining the fray by suspending the Eucharistic celebrations held regularly in the mall lobby as if SM is some sort of an ecclesiastical entity being slapped with church canonical sanctions..... MORE
Climate change or earth change VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 04/22/2012
Climate change or earth change
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
Which is what? Is it climate change that causes Earth change? Is it Earth change that affects climate change? Or is one simply giving rise to the other? Or are they in fact one and the same composite natural phenomenon?
This issue is not really unlike the interesting — and allegedly — profound century old question: Which is first, the hen or the egg? Round and round the answers go. If the chicken is first, then where is the egg it came from? If the egg is first, then where is the chicken that laid it?
The matter of climate change has been long since hogging the attention of people the world over. Foreign and local media continuously bring to focus either the great wonder of or the big fear about the changing climate all over the globe. Initiated by a known and familiar political figure in North America, he said that the ongoing change in the climate has been the origin of the large and significant movements of the soil — especially in the form of frequent strong earthquakes — not to mention the frequent deluge of water that causes frequent and destructive floods which in turn annihilates rice fields, roads, bridges and so on..... MORE
China’s PLA paper warns of armed confrontation By Rocky G. Nazareno 04/22/2012
COMMENTARY SAYS US-RP WARGAMES FAN RISKS OF CONFLICT
China’s PLA paper warns of armed confrontation
By Rocky G. Nazareno 04/22/2012
As Malacañang maintained yesterday that the government has been consistent with its position of not adding any more tension in its standoff with China over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a newspaper of China’s People Liberation Army (PLA) warned military exercises being held between Philippines and United States forces “have fanned risks of armed confrontation over the disputed area.”
Presidential deputy spokesman Abigail Valte, nevertheless, stressed that the Aquino administration had done its commitment to “de-escalate tension” in the area.
Valte issued the statement after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) tagged as an “aggravation” a move by China to send a large patrol vessel to Panatag Shoal last Friday..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20120422hea1.html
US forces being tapped for anti-insurgency bid 04/22/2012
US forces being tapped for anti-insurgency bid
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) called President Aquino a liar as the leftist group bared the true intention of Balikatan, the joint military exercises between the US military and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Citing pictures taken by Reuters showing the exercises geared towards US involvement in local counter-guerrilla operations in the Philippines, the CPP said the President and his military leaders concealed the real objective of Balikatan.
“Clearly, Aquino and his military spokesmen are lying when they claim that the Balikatan exercises are only meant to boost the external defense capabilities of the Philippines,” said the CPP..... MORE
4 new purple crab species found in Palawan 04/22/2012
4 new purple crab species found in Palawan
Four new species of freshwater crab, bright purple in colour, have been discovered in the biologically diverse Philippines, by a team led by Hendrik Freitag, of Germany’s Senckenberg Museum of Zoology.
The tiny crustaceans were found in streams in remote areas of the Palawan island group.
“They are semi-aquatic and hide in burrows at the stream bank, which are usually found under boulders and roots,” Freitag said in a paper published in the latest edition of the National University of Singapore’s Raffles Bulletin of Zoology.
“Their eggs hatch directly into juvenile crabs and the creatures emerge at night to forage under water,” Freitag added..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20120422nat8.html
Task Force formed to arrest Ecleo 04/22/2012
Task Force formed to arrest Ecleo
Caraga police regional director Chief Supt. Reynaldo Rafal on Saturday said the Police Regional Office-13 has formed a task force to arrest convicted killer Ruben Ecleo, Jr., Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) supreme leader and Dinagat Island representative.
Rafal said the Task Force was in response to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Nicanor Bartolome’s order for Ecleo’s the immediate arrest.
“The task force will focus on the arrest of Ecleo,” Rafal told the Philippine News Agency..... MORE
House bill sets time interval before presumption of death By Charlie V. Manalo 04/22/2012
House bill sets time interval before presumption of death
By Charlie V. Manalo 04/22/2012
A lawmaker has proposed a one-year prescription for a person missing due to extraordinary forces of nature under the New Civil Code on the declaration of presumptive death needed for estate settlements.
“This bill seeks to help the victims to settle their successional rights over the estate of their departed loved ones who were declared casualties of a natural calamity without the unnecessary delay in the settlement of their estate,” said Kasangga Rep. Teodorico Haresco, author of House Bill 6015.
The bill seeks to amend Section 2, Article 391 of the New Civil Code on the Declaration on Presumptive Death..... MORE
‘Boy Bayong’ to help solve problem of plastic bags 04/22/2012
‘Boy Bayong’ to help solve problem of plastic bags
“Boy Bayong,” the EcoWaste Coalition’s favorite mascot for ecological and sustainable lifestyle, will stage a comeback amid the clamor for solutions to the plastic garbage crisis.
As part of the Earth Day 2012 festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines today, April 22, “Boy Bayong” will greet and inspire the public to “think out of the plastic bag” and embrace eco-alternatives to the ubiquitous symbol of our throw-away culture: plastic bags.
“The fragile state of our environment requires a key revision to our inconsiderate consumption and disposal habits that tend to view Mother Earth as a boundless source of raw materials to be extracted and consumed and as a dumping ground for leftover toxics and wastes,” said Roy Alvarez, president of EcoWaste Coalition..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120422met4.html
Higher penalty sought for theft of nat’l library, museum properties 04/22/2012
Higher penalty sought for theft of nat’l library, museum properties
Describing the penalty for robbing a national library and national museum as outdated, a solon is proposing the imposition of higher penalty for those convicted of stealing a property belonging to the two government institutions.
Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, author of House Bill 5774, justified his proposed measure, saying the accompanying fine is outdated considering the fact that the artifacts in a museum are priceless.
Under Article 311 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), the penalty for stealing properties from the national library and national museum is arresto mayor and a fine of not more than P500..... MORE
A terrible mistake EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 04/...
The mouse that roars FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivare...
Caught on tape: Chilling new video of US border pa...
Security Council changed prerogatives in Syrian cr...
UN Security Council votes to send 300 observers to...
I am the boss, not you, Filipino people NO NONSENS...
Unfair to SM TABLETS OF STONE Larry Faraon, OP 04...
Climate change or earth change VIEWPOINTS Archbish...
China’s PLA paper warns of armed confrontation By ...
US forces being tapped for anti-insurgency bid 04...
4 new purple crab species found in Palawan 04/22/...
House bill sets time interval before presumption o...
‘Boy Bayong’ to help solve problem of plastic bags...
Higher penalty sought for theft of nat’l library, ... | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line411 |
__label__wiki | 0.855876 | 0.855876 | Free the Chief Justice Written by Herman Tiu Laurel Monday
Free the Chief Justice
Written by Herman Tiu Laurel
Since the gates opened on the jockeying for the position of Philippine Supreme Court (SC) chief justice (CJ), the horses that have entered the race have reached ridiculous numbers.
That was the prevailing sentiment we got over lunch with some media men and politicos, where one top editor of a major daily even exclaimed, “How many are now in the race? Sixty? The noise in the jostling for the CJ post is now like a market place!”
It happened just a day after lawyers Bono Adaza and Alan Paguia, along with Jojo Borja and myself, filed a petition before the SC — at the height of last week’s rains — for it to issue a “Certiorari and Prohibition with a Prayer for a TRO, Writ of Preliminary versus President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III and the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC)” to stop the continuing malpractice of the presidential appointment of the chief magistrate, which debases and subjugates the highest judicial official of the land and the supposedly independent body he or she leads.
Sadly, there were no press or media people who covered the filing last Tuesday, partly due to the heavy rains and widespread flooding. The chief of reporters of Destiny Cable’s Global News Network (GNN), for instance, texted that his people were constrained from covering the event as they were assigned to various flood relief centers. And while the same must have been true for the other media outfits, we decided to bring the campaign to the media kapihans in order to better inform the public on the issues involved.
At the Friday Rembrandt media forum, both Adaza and Paguia presented the case while I distributed a press statement announcing the launching of the Movement for Chief Justice Independence (MCJI), a campaign to generate public awareness and support for freeing the Chief Justice from presidential influence and control through the current malpractice of presidential appointment.
While the petition was jumpstarted when a number of volunteers pitched in for the cost of its filing, the media support was even more impressive.
In all the forums we pitched this proposal to, we never failed to elicit the support of all those in attendance. On the legal question, Adaza and Paguia presented indisputable evidence by first citing the provisions of the Constitution and then asking any doubters to point to any statement assigning to the JBC the power to nominate and to the President the power to appoint the CJ.
As Paguia repeatedly stresses, since it is a question of fact, all the legal doubters need to do is point to any constitutional proviso that grants such powers — when, in fact, there is absolutely none.
Thus, Adaza writes, “The reason why other Presidents got away with violating the Constitution is due to the fact that no citizen had questioned their authority. Now, there are citizens who are concerned with the rape of the Constitution by public officials and the drift of the rule of law in this country, that there is need to stop this unconstitutional practice in the national interest.”
To this writer’s surprise, some newspapers carried the item last Friday suggesting that our petition was dismissed, with some even saying “one down, two to go,” referring to the three petitions questioning the current conduct of the nominations by the JBC. If that were true, it would only indicate uncharacteristic haste and, therefore, betray a fear of something in our petition — for how could it be dismissed in three days when the SC justices hardly have enough time to study the many petitions pending before them for close to six months?
Thankfully, a careful reading indicates that only the petition of a certain Famela Dulay, whose arguments do not coincide with ours, has been dismissed, which means that our fight goes on.
Ever since we aired our appeal for support, many more have come to our aid. In addition to all those we acknowledged in a previous column, our heartfelt thanks also go out to Mr. Poem Gratela, as well as a doctor and a rural banker who requested not to be named. We also thank this donor from Bicol who thoughtfully sent us delicacies from his native province. Rest assured that your being part of this movement fuels us to continue pursuing this case. And as we await official action, we will never be deterred by any attempt at misinformation or disinformation.
The logic of ending the malpractice of the President appointing the CJ must prevail if we are to uphold the independence of the Judiciary and the principles of “separation of powers” and “checks-and-balance.” Only then can we begin to enhance the dream of an authentic democracy for our nation.
Even so, there are other advocacies that we must take the cudgels for, such as the water issue.
Last Saturday, we heard the presentation of Gloria Dalida and Rodolfo Javellana Jr. of Water for All Refund Movement (Warm) on their petition vs Manny Pangilinan, the Consunji Group, and a long list of respondents on the scam in our privatized water services, which is as huge a scam as that in the power sector. Hopefully, we’ll have them on our GNN show in the coming days to link them up with all our fellow electricity advocates.
So as we jostle in the legal arena, there must be similar action in other fronts to make for a holistic and authentic democratic order. Our nation must unite against the exploitation and oppression of the local and global oligarchs, who conspire to squeeze the people into abject poverty and helpless prostration. We must not wait any longer.
(Watch Destiny Cable GNN’s HTL edition of Talk News TV, Saturdays, 8:15 to 9 p.m., with replay at 11:15 p.m., this week with senatorial candidate Joey de Venecia; visit http://newkatipunero.blogspot.com)
(Reprinted with permission from Ka Mentong)
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1287-free-the-chief-justice
Show of force: Syria conducts major drills amid Western pressure (VIDEO)
Syria`s military has launched a series of large-scale exercises starting with naval maneuvers in the Mediterranean Sea. The move is thought to be targeted at the West to demonstrate Syria`s capacity to defend its borders.
On Saturday Syria`s naval forces engaged in a military exercise whereby they repelled an aggressive attack at sea. The warships in tandem with launch vehicles fired several missiles, all of which hit their targets with high precision, the country`s SANA agency reports.
The exercise was attended by high profile military officials, including Syria`s Defense Minister Gen. Dawood Rajha.
Air and ground forces are also expected to join the exercise, which will continue over the next few days..... MORE
URL: http://www.rt.com/news/syria-major-military-exercise-674/
Russia and Iran must participate in Syria solution - Annan (w/ Video)
Russia and Iran must participate in Syria solution - Annan
Kofi Annan said on Saturday that despite Washington’s harsh rhetoric, there was ‘no alternative’ to Russia’s participation in a diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis. He also said Iran was ‘an actor that cannot be ignored’.
In an interview with Le Monde on Saturday, UN special Syrian Envoy Kofi Annan said that the “evidence suggests his plans for peace had not yet succeeded”, and that there was “no guarantee” that negotiations would ever be successful.
He also, however, stressed that there was no other alternative besides cooperation on a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the crisis..... MORE
URL: http://www.rt.com/news/russia-iran-syria-annan-664/
Written by Jonathan de la Cruz
Instead of the promised multibillion-peso redevelopment of that sorry blot called Smokey Mountain after Edsa I, what we have is a monument to folly. Far from being transformed into a dynamic enclave of the empowered dis-possessed, it has turned for the worse. Instead of just hosting a “mountain of garbage,” it now also hosts a “coal mountain” as Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones exposed recently.
Worse, the residents of the unfinished model community now have to contend with paying exorbitant fees for their basic utilities like power and water courtesy of the concessionaires which were only too happy to “re-connect” the families to the basics at the cost of an arm and a leg.
It appears that only the contractor/developer — the Reghis Romero Group of Companies — not the residents has its fortunes turn for the better. Such has been the sad turn of events that the Romero Group has been able to parlay that original contract into multibillion-peso other joint ventures with government including, by some magical arrangement, putting up a coal yard at its reclaimed Harbour Centre despite the existing Writ of Kalikasan issued by the Supreme Court on such undertakings within the Manila Bay influenced areas..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1288-deadly-mix-at-smokey-mountain
Crying for justice Written by Charlie V. Manalo Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Crying for justice
Written by Charlie V. Manalo
Just when they thought they had finally claimed justice, compensated for the long years of work they had rendered the now defunct Pantranco, union members of the Pantanco Employees Association (PEA) and the Pantranco Retrenched Employees Association (PANREA) suffered another stab in the back, ironically coming from the very institution supposed to protect them: the government of the republic.
Last May 21, after almost three decades of trying to claim their separation pay from the defunct bus line, members of the PEA and the PANREA were finally able to dispose of Pantranco’s 489 expired bus franchises which they had acquired a payment for their claims from the company sequestered by the government during the term of President Noynoy Aquino’s late mother, Cory Aquino, to several bus companies, owned by the Hernandez family.
However, as the sale of the expired franchises had time and again, since 1993, been denied by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the latest of which was in Jan. 5 this year, the sale had been questioned, prompting Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas to enter the picture and blocked the sale.
Reportedly, Roxas blocked the sale of the expired bus franchises based on the provisions of the law prohibiting the trade of franchises commercially. Again, legal minds are one in saying franchise is merely a privilege and not a commodity..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1338-crying-for-justice
By CHERYLL D. FIEL
DAVAO CITY — The phrase “breast milk is still best for babies” has become a byword in commercials and labels on infant formula milk thanks to the Milk Code which mandates this marking on the packaging of formula milk.
The Milk Code, known as Executive Order 51, is now on its 25th year. The Code encourages the practice of breastfeeding for infants. A study shows that four of 10 mothers provide their infants breast milk, a practice that health experts cite to have reduced infant mortality and increased protection from illnesses. The Code also limits marketing and commercials of formula milk to children aged three and up.
But these labels might soon be erased as House Bill 3396 seeks among others to amend restrictions in the Code and allow aggressive marketing of infant formula milk catering to infants as young as six months.
The amendments have breastfeeding advocates in Davao fighting to stop the bill. Mommy Sense, a Davao-based breastfeeding support group gathered last June 16 to point out that the bill may erode the gains in the advocacy on breastfeeding and add burden to Filipino families to put up with the cost of formula milk.
The draft bill, “An Act Promoting Comprehensive Program on Breastfeeding Practices and Regulating the Trade, Marketing and Promotions of Certain foods for Infants and Children,” has the following amendments:
• removing marketing restrictions on formula milk products
• removing the mandated labels on milk products that promote breast milk and cite the dangers of formula feeding
• disentitle working mothers in which their salaries will be deducted due to lactation breaks of 40 minutes per day
• allow direct advertising or giving of samples or supplies in hospitals and other health institutions, or mother-baby events.
Alexandria Hao and Lyn Tan, co-founders of Mommy Sense, said these amendments undermine the benefits of breast milk which are far and wide..... MORE
URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/07/06/watering-down-the-milk-code/
Arman: caring brother, conscientious activist, defender of the oppressed
Ka Arman: caring brother, conscientious activist, defender of the oppressed
Arman Albarillo dedicated his life to caring for his family, but the extrajudicial killing of his parents by soldiers led to his political awakening, which made him embrace an extended family: the oppressed.
MANILA – Nanay Pacing, a petite woman in her 50s, broke into tears as though she lost a son.
“It is difficult to accept that we have lost him,” the old woman said at the wake of Arman Albarillo, former secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Tagalog (Bayan-ST) and in 2009, a New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla who died in an encounter last June 30 in San Andres, Quezon, south of Manila.
“It is because of him that we still have a roof above our heads,” Nanay Pacing, one of the residents of sitio Kabute in Real, Calamba, Laguna, said during the tribute for Arman in a church in Quezon City.
She narrated how they met. It was during the early part of January 2008 when the houses of some 100 families were demolished. They sought temporary shelter at the nearby covered court. “Not one among the barangay or municipal officials offered us help. One day, while we were at the City Hall, Ka Arman saw some of us crying. He went to us, inquired about our situation and started organizing us,”
Nanay Pacing related. At that time, Arman was secretary general of Bayan-ST.
“Four years passed by and despite the harassment by soldiers encamped inside our community, we stayed put because of what Ka Arman taught us –that we have rights, too,” Nanay Pacing said.
It is not surprising how Arman was able to win the hearts of the poor. He knew poverty like the palm of his hands.
A caring brother
Before becoming an activist, Arman was an ordinary worker. Born from a peasant family in San Teodoro, Mindoro Oriental, Arman had helped augment the family income since he was 17. Together with his eldest brother, Arman worked as a construction worker in Makati.
“He would go home only during special occasions,” Bonsai, one of Arman’s four sisters, said. He has three brothers.
Like a typical big brother, Bonsai said, Arman was “quite strict” especially with the way his sisters dress. “He was so conservative; he did not want us to wear sleeveless, short skirts or any of that kind. We were only able to put lipstick when he was not around,” Bonsai said, smiling.
“Whenever we had problems and we turned to him, he would not mince words to warn us against making wrong decisions,” Bonsai said. “Yet, after scolding us, he would also make us laugh.”
Bonsai said she would not forget what her kuya (older brother) did on her wedding day. She was crying so hard minutes before the ceremony because the hair stylist cut her hair short. “Kuya Arman went to me and said, ‘Ne, stop crying. It’s okay’ and he carried me on his arms until I stopped crying,” Bonsai recalled. She was 24..... MORE
URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/07/08/ka-arman-caring-brother-conscientious-activist-defender-of-the-oppressed/
Written by Angie M. Rosales
NO EFFORT TO AMEND CONSTITUTION WITHOUT NOY BACKING — JOKER
Efforts to tinker with the Constitution have been resurrected and a meeting between Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte has been scheduled to discuss possible changes that can be introduced in the 1987 Charter, Sen. Joker Arroyo said.
Arroyo added the move is gaining ground in the Senate, with him acceding to proposals to introduce changes in Constitution.
Arroyo also perceives Malacañang as being behind the revived discussions on the possibility of initiating moves for Charter change (Cha-cha) to take off when Congress reopens its third regular session this month.
The senator, however, appeared amenable in revisiting not only the economic provisions but also the present structure of government “where the President is more powerful now than (under) the previous constitutions.”
“For 25 years, this 1987 Constitution, we have not touched it. By every reasoning, we should change it. The Constitution (was amended) in 1986 (because) it was in response to the difficulties we had during the martial law,” Arroyo said..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/1322-aquino-allies-revive-cha-cha
Tribune photo
Even before the Palace releases today the details of the Executive Order (EO) on mining signed by President Aquino last Thursday, various groups assailed it as being no different from previous policies that do not address the root of the conflict between mining operations and the communities where the projects are located.
Instead, the new mining policy could make conflict caused by the industry even worse, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said, adding the new EO on mining is no different from other past policies.
Bastes said the new EO is expected to create more division between the local stakeholders and the government.
According to Aquino’s deputy spokesman Abigail Valte, small-scale mining operations and revenue sharing between the national and local governments will be the highlights of the signed EO that is seen to define the national policy in an industry from where the government gets significant part of its total annual revenue.
Valte described the new mining EO as a product of consultations with stakeholders of the mining sector. She added that the EO has had a number of revisions during the period in which it was being drafted by the environment cluster created by the President to solicit inputs from various sectors which have something to do with the mining industry, whether they be pro or against it..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/1320-groups-blast-mining-eo-as-rehash-of-old-policies
Written by Mario J. Mallari
Malacañang is keeping its lips sealed tightly over the details of the executive session President Aquino called last Thursday that included the entire Cabinet and two top senators to supposedly formulate plans to address the deadlock between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
For now, we’re taking it under wraps, Aquino’s deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said on media queries about the result of the top-level meeting.
Valte said that the public can deduce what transpired at the meeting through the moves that the Aquino administration will now take to address the dispute.
“Well, people will always speculate. But it is best if we just wait until concrete steps are being taken. That I suppose will be the time that we can talk about it,” Valte said.
“What we’re saying is that the public would eventually see what transpired at the executive session and learn of the government decision on the China conflict. Of course, that will be talked about. But as of the moment, everything is under wraps,” Valte reiterated.
A Palace critic in the Senate supported the virtual news blackout and President Aquino’s order for his underlings to refrain from making statements that may aggravate the country’s territorial dispute with China, adding that the Executive should instead use quiet diplomacy to resolve the tension.
“It’s good that President Aquino zipped up the lips of his officials. Everybody is talkative. Everybody is an expert in diplomacy. Matters like this, require quiet diplomacy, restraint,” Sen. Joker Arroyo said...... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/1319-palace-imposes-news-blackout-on-china-row
Written by AFP and PNA
The Philippines has stepped up screening of airport arrivals to prevent the entry of a mysterious disease that has killed 60 children in Cambodia since April, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said on Saturday.
“We are more vigilant in screening passengers at the country’s international airports because of this latest news and there will be no let-up until this has been contained,” Ona told reporters.
He stressed that there were no travel restrictions to Cambodia despite the alert.
The unidentified disease has killed 60 young children in Cambodia in three months, the World Health Organization (WHO) said earlier this week as it raced to identify the cause.
The symptoms include high fever and severe chest disease symptoms with some children showing signs of “neurological involvement,” the WHO said..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/1313-rp-airports-on-alert-vs-mystery-cambodian-disease
Two million eel fingerlings bound for HK seized at NAIA
Written by Conrado Ching
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confiscated some two million eel fingerlings bound for Hong Kong at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
BFAR Director Asis Perez said the shipment of 46 boxes containing the elvers was brought to the Miascor Cargo early Sunday morning for shipment to Hong Kong on board a Cathay Pacific flight.
The cargo forwarders, identified as Expertrans Philippines Inc., abandoned the shipment at the warehouse after receiving reports that they lacked import permits.
Customs examiners got suspicious about the cargoes, which were all labelled as “perishable items-foodstuff,” forcing them to inspect the contents..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/1277-two-million-eel-fingerlings-bound-for-hk-seized-at-naia
QC gov’t regulates use of plastic bags all over city
The administration of Quezon City Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista has stepped up the no-nonsense implementation of an ordinance that calls for the regulation on the use of plastic bags all over the city.
Determined to inculcate in the minds of the residents the need to follow the measure to the letter, city officials led by Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte hosted last Friday a forum aimed primarily at informing the public of how to reduce the city’s production of plastic waste.
“This is Quezon City’s commitment in building a truly green and sustainable city,” said the vice mayor who was accompanied by key city officials in welcoming the forum participants at the QC Hall Bulwagan.
Compared to other cities adopting a total ban on plastic use, Belmonte said the city government has just favored to regulate the use of plastics to give residents ample time to integrate the system in their behavior or attitude.
“Going green must not only be lip service. There has to be attitude and behavioral change,” Belmonte said.
Councilor Dorothy Delarmente, author of ordinances SP-2140, otherwise known as the “QC Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance” and SP-2103, and the city’s task force on plastic bag reduction have joined efforts to mount the forum which highlights the local government’s determined effort to regulate the use of plastic bags in the city, especially in QC-based business establishments..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/1279-qc-gov%E2%80%99t-regulates-use-of-plastic-bags-all-over-city
Posted by Jesusa Bernardo at 9:30 AM 0 comments Links to this post
NPC head lambasts order evicting two press corps from DoJ building
The National Press Club (NPC) has condemned the decision of the Department of Justice (DoJ) to evict from its building premises the two recognized press corps based on an alleged report by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) that members of the press have become a “security threat” to its officials.
“We find the DoJ’s action suspicious; this is a ‘cloaked censorship’ aimed at restraining the media from gathering information, especially from officials and personalities who are connected with the office of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima,” NPC president Benny Antiporda said.
He noted the two press corps at the DoJ main building, Jucra (Justice and Court Reporters Association) and Juror (Justice Reporters Organization), have been staying on the same floor where the office of De Lima is located so they can immediately gather news on important issues that need the immediate reaction of the justice secretary.
The Jucra has been holding office at the DoJ since 1977 while the Juror has also been given accommodation by the department since the 1980s, during the time of President Corazon Aquino..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/1276-npc-head-lambasts-order-evicting-two-press-corps-from-doj-building
Another suspect in assassination try on Tribune’s reporter falls in Pasig
Written by Tribune
Another gunman behind the slay try on the Daily Tribune reporter Fernan Angeles last March was arrested but not by the task force created to go after the newsman’s assailants but by the lowly cops assigned to the community precinct.
Junior Ambor, also known as Junior Buang and Junior Praning, was arrested with several other individuals following a call complaining against a group of armed men along Baltazar Street in Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City bullying residents, extorting money from people and poking guns at those who refused to give.
Angeles, who has resumed writing for the Tribune since May, was advised by community precinct commander Senior Insp. Cesario Tubog to come to the police station to identify one of the suspects they arrested. As it turned out, one of their hauls was positively identified as the one who fired the second shot that hit Angeles in the back.
Tubog personally led the team that went to arrest Ambor and his gang. Seized from Ambor was a short firearm of unknown caliber..... MORE
URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/1275-another-suspect-in-assassination-try-on-tribune%E2%80%99s-reporter-falls-in-pasig | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line412 |
__label__cc | 0.735173 | 0.264827 | The Fallacy (and Animal Hell) of Eternal Bliss Gua...
Emancipation of the Water (New York City)
Waiting Out the Storms (Reply) - New York City
Cruel Joke -- On Us (New York City)
Emerald City it is Not (New York City)
"Buddy, Can You Spare Some Leashes?" (Reply) New Y...
A Message of Perpetual Despair -- Reply
The Sanitization of Michael Vick (Reply)
The Fallacy (and Animal Hell) of Eternal Bliss Guarantees (New York City)
(Picture Left: "Adidi" -- Lovely and loving Australian Cattle Dog mix rescued from death at the pound. Can she find her forever home today? We can make no predictions.)
While one is loath to count chickens before they hatch, if all goes well today, we might get our first inquiry-derived adoption of the summer.
When I say, "inquiry derived" I refer to those adoptions that occur as result of people calling specifically to adopt, as opposed to those who foster first and then elect to adopt a foster dog or cat.
We were fortunate over the summer to have several fosters turn into adoptions. But, as far as inquiry derived, it was a complete shutout in terms of successful adoptions that actually worked out.
At least two dogs were shortly returned from adoptions.
They failed to bring "instant bliss" to their adopters.
In one case, the family didn't even bother to call us, but simply returned the dog back to the boarding/training facility where he had been staying. They only had Leo two days, but claimed he "growled." He has never growled either with any of us in the organization or with the people handling and caring for him over the past four months. -- Go figure.
Dogs can often be nervous when suddenly going into a new environment -- especially when that environment is a busy, active home with four kids.
But, "patience and understanding" seem in short supply these days. People are accustomed to bringing home new TVs, laptops and video games and expecting them to perfectly work right away. (Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way with animals.)
People also expect rescues to magically solve any and all kinks a dog might come with. But, even when we send dogs to reputable and experienced trainers to work out any "behavioral or training issues" that doesn't mean that adopters bear no responsibility for whether an adoption works out or not. Its important that adopters LISTEN to any advice they are given when adopting and also UNDERSTAND that any animal going to a new environment is going to experience stress and will need some time to ADJUST.
One or two days is not long enough for "adjustment to change" for about 99% of all animals (and for humans for that matter.)
I quite frankly, don't know where people get this insane idea of "instant bliss."
Or, perhaps I do......
Much of it comes from media and ironically enough, even a number of so-called, animal educational shows.
The greatest offender of these is a program aired on the Animal Planet network, entitled, "From Underdog to Wonderdog."
On the program, four Pollyanna-rish Yuppies "rescue" a dog (usually with minor medical or behavioral issues) from a shelter or rescue organization. They then embark on a grand plan to entirely "make over" the dog:
The groomer grooms the dog. The Vet Tech attends to any minor medical issues. The "trainer and behaviorist" irons out any behavioral kinks and the carpenter (yes, I did say, CARPENTER) goes to the pre-selected adopters home to perform "renovations" and create a kind of doggie/human heaven.
I am not sure how the producers of this show finds their adopters. But, apparently, they find the adopters BEFORE the dog. They then seem to seek (from shelters or rescues) the right dog to FIT THE ADOPTER'S desires or demands!
Then it merely becomes a project of "making over" the dog to fit the human requirements and apparently making over the home as well (the structural home that is, not the people in it.)
Usually at the culmination of this "happy ending" show, the adopters are also given a year's supply of free dog food and other supplies as well.
From what I have seen, the human adopters have to do nothing at all, other than just show up.
Unfortunately, this seems to be what many, if not in fact, most potential adopters "expect" these days.
They expect guarantees of instant and eternal bliss. They expect rescues to take care of any and all potential medical issues, spay/neuter, behavioral "tests," grooming and most of all, to somehow program the animal to tailor "fit" their particular lifestyles and desires.
Any day now, I expect an inquiring adopter to ask when we are sending the carpenter to renovate their home and what brand of free dog food we will supply for the year.
Just last week, one person requested a "Yorkshire Terrier" from us and asked when we could send the dog to Virginia. Another woman told me she needed us to deliver the dog to her in Rochester as she is "not comfortable" driving to New York City.
Surely, the carpenter and free dog food questions cannot be far behind!
Shows like, "From Underdog to Wonderdog" (no matter how "well intentioned") do a great deal of damage to the missions and goals of true animal rescue and placement.
Other shows like "DogTown," while educational in the sense of imparting knowledge on dog behavior and training also, unfortunately, add to this perception that it is up to the shelter or rescue organization to produce and program perfect, "adoptable" dogs who will never bring a moment of stress or grief to their potential adopters or require any sacrifice on their parts.
The problem with these shows and goals is that they are, first of all, UNREALISTIC because ultimately, the success or failure of an adoption depends mostly upon the individual relationship and interactions between dog and adopters. They also depend upon the adopters' abilities to ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY.
Unfortunately, the more responsibility rescue organizations and shelters take on, the less responsibility the public is ultimately going to accept.
That is, in fact, the present day HELL for animals we are creating with all our "good intentions" and willingness to take on ALL responsibility -- including sending carpenters to adopters homes.
Even the "Millionaire Matchmaker" can't program or guarantee relationship or marital bliss for anyone. She can only attempt to steer certain people towards other people with the hope or anticipation that something meaningful may develop between them.
Quite frankly, that is all we can do in rescue, as well. -- PCA
Posted by PCA at 5:21 AM No comments:
It was surprising this year, that with all the budget cuts (often in important areas -- like animal shelters) heaped on our fine city, the Department of Parks and Recreation still managed to keep the summer lap swimming open at outdoor city pools and even held its annual Swimming Awards Pool Party.
But, perhaps there is good reason for that.
While lap swimming and awards parties might seem trivial to some, the reality is that for many people during depressive times, (free) exercise opportunity and fun events are sanity savers.
Take these things away and more people are likely to require costly treatments for depression, anxiety or addiction disorders.
What thus might seem like an unnecessary "frill" is actually a cost effective and saving measure.
Things are rarely as they appear.
I personally believe that if I didn't have the emancipation of swimming to look forward to most evenings of the summer, I would have totally flipped out.
With the lone exception of the water, this has been a summer from hell. -- Especially for the animals of New York City.
Whether the issue was rounding up and gassing hundreds of Canadian Geese living near the airports, passing a "No dogs over 30 lbs" rule in city housing projects, reinstating a convicted dog fighter and killer to the NFL or killing about 500 cats and dogs a week in our city animal shelters, it has been a truly grim couple of months to be sure.
Add to those things, the almost sheer impossibility of finding patient and understanding foster or adoptive homes for animals either facing death in shelters or languishing in no-kill facilities or boarding kennels and yes, it was all a kind of "hell."
But, through it all, there was the welcoming of the cool, embracing waters each night, the challenge of racking up laps and watching them turn into miles and the daily sightings of ducks and geese peacefully gliding across the north pond in Central Park located near Lasker Pool.
That is what in fact, "kept it together" for me personally over the summer -- those things and my two dogs and the cats in my home.
The annual Awards Pool Party was held this past Wednesday night and I attended with two of my rescue colleagues (and friends), Carrie and Firouzeh. It was quite wonderful for a couple of hours to be in an environment where seemingly, all was right and "normal" in the world. Good friends, up people, tasty food, beverages, music, a relay race among the teams representing the pools around the city (I was on the team representing Lasker. We didn't win, but came in a respectable fourth or fifth.) and finally, the awards themselves, as represented by trophies and tee-shirts.
I won both a tee-shirt and a trophy. While wonderful for the symbolism, achievement and memory they represent, they are not what matter ultimately. What matters is the joy in getting to this event in the first place. What matters is the journey. What matters is the support and cheer from truly loyal and wonderful friends.
I wouldn't have missed the pool party for anything.
And, judging by the hundreds of new people who signed up for lap swimming this season at Lasker pool alone (probably many of whom were forced to cancel expensive gym memberships) its obvious that the lap swimming sessions served an important purpose for many more people than just myself.
Or, perhaps all of this is best said in a sonnet that was printed in back of the program brochures we received at the party:
The pool is long and blue and cool.
I dive into the soothing depth, the wet.
I cut the water, arms a knife, a curving slice,
a turn, another lap, a breath, a pull and earth below is not allowed to hold my body down
And I am flying free of ground, my cells expand, my spirit grows and melts into the chlorine blue.
I feel the stretch of spine and soul, I reach to touch some goal, its just beyond my fingertips at last, another lap, if I could just not need to breathe.....now slow, I gasp and kick.
Against the heavy claim of land-locked life, so hard, so harsh, so shallow, short and dry.
(posted by sbpoet)
So true, all of the words -- especially those in the last two lines.
But, for the emancipation of the water, where would be I?
But, for the life-sustaining quenching, caressing and nourishment qualities of the water, where would be any of us? - PCA
Posted by PCA at 5:13 AM 2 comments:
Betty writes: I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Reply: Thank you so much for your supportive comment, though I must apologize for in fact, neglecting this blog of late.
I guess one could say, I am, for the moment, "waiting out the storm."
It is, in fact comparable to something I experienced last night:
The weather forecast last night in NYC was for spotty thunderstorms and rain showers.
Nevertheless, determined, if possible to get some lap swimming in, I headed to the outdoor public pool located at the north end of Central Park.
Only about a dozen people or so showed up for the evening lap swim session due to the foreboding weather. The dark skies overhead were threatening, but when the session began at 7PM, there was no rain. We all hoped it would remain that way.
But, it was not to be.
After jumping in the pool and swimming 6 laps, the lifeguards suddenly blew the whistle as there were bolts of lightening in the skies. All swimmers immediately had to exit the water.
A few minutes later, the rain started to come down and presuming that the session would be canceled, most swimmers left the pool to return home.
But, the official rule of outdoor public pools is that whenever there is lightening, all swimmers have to leave the water for at least 45 minutes, but the facility remains open. If the weather clears and there is no further lightening, swimmers can return to the water.
The skies were dark and the rain came down consistently for about 45 minutes. But, there was no further lightening.
I was considering "giving up" and going home as most other swimmers had done, but then I noticed a small break in the skies and even the peek-a-boo of a setting sun!
Could it be? Was there hope of the rain finally ceasing and the weather clearing?
It indeed seemed there was!
Sure enough, the rain stopped, the skies suddenly seemed to clear and once again the lifeguard took the chair and signaled it was OK for (all three of) us to go back in the water!
It was a few minutes after 8PM and there was only a half hour left of the swim session.
But, what an incredible half hour it was!
How fantastic is it to have a huge, 60 meter pool practically to one's self under a soft, moonlit sky?
It's sheer heaven!!
When the whistle finally sounded for the end of the session, I had swum almost a mile. But the joy was not so much in actual laps swum, but in the fact, we were able to swim at all!
What just a half hour before seemed it could not happen due to storms, lightening, dark angry clouds and rain pouring down, actually did!
One just needed to wait it out........
Well, this summer has been like one long and seemingly hopeless thunderstorm for the animals.
Dark skies and rain coming down relentlessly in the forms of horrifying and seemingly endless "Euth lists" from our city shelters and almost a total absence of adopters (or "sun").
More than once over this summer have I considered just "giving up" on this "hopeless cause" and accepting what appears to be the grim daily machine of animal abandonment and killing, as well as all the lies and "spin" that keep this well oiled machine mostly hidden from the public.
But, last night's storm and swim experience gives one pause for thought.
After all, if one could "wait out the storm" to later experience a clearing sky, beautiful blazing, red sun and cool embracing waters, why not wait out the dark storms of callous animal treatment, abandonment and killing cloaked in obfuscation, secrecy and cotton candy fluff?
Hopefully, "this too, shall pass."
There will be a new Director coming soon to the AC&C (or, really an old one returning.)
This is not yet cause for celebration. It doesn't mean the rain has stopped or the skies have cleared.
But, there is perhaps that first crack in the blackened skies to show there might be some sun not far behind.
That only the skies would open up to expose and finally release all the toxic secrets, lies and "spin."
"Let the sunshine in!"
But, for the moment, to simply wait out the storms.......PCA
"We have an 8-year-old cat who we need to put up for adoption because we're relocating."
The call came in the other day, ironically, mere moments after I had just been discussing this type of situation with another woman working in a shelter.
"You know, Ma'am, I just got off a call with a colleague and we were discussing the dilemma of those people who move and look for shelters or rescues to dump their pets. When did it become acceptable in our culture to move and not take our animals with us?"
The woman was clearly insulted and indignant with my use of the term, "dump."
"You don't understand! We're not looking to DUMP our cat! We are seeking a loving home for her!"
"I apologize, Ma'am, but regardless of what term we use....'Put up for adoption, surrender or dump,' the reality is that 'moving' is the number one reason pets die in shelters. We just don't have the all the 'loving homes' to send these animals to."
This is a call that did not obviously go well.
After it ended, I asked myself if I could have been a little more empathetic to the woman or, at the very least, offered her some suggestion or remedy?
Well, not really.
I don't believe in trying to "dump" these calls on other rescues or no kill shelters who I know are in the same boat I am in.
Nor, do I believe in trying to sugarcoat the realities to people.
Could I have been a bit more "sensitive" or "diplomatic?"
But, the reality IS, that "moving" is indeed, the #1 reason why abandoned pets die in shelters.
How does one in fact, "sugarcoat" that FACT?
Moreover, why should we?
Last week, I was reminiscing with a good friend about how, "when we grew up" shelters were primarily places one went to look for a lost pet. They were not perceived as dumping grounds for animals when our families might move.
When did cultural attitudes change on this?
Now, admittedly things can appear much rosier in retrospect than they actually were.
Nor, were we, as children or teens fully aware of actual shelter realities during the 50's or 60's when we grew up.
Truthfully, millions more cats and dogs were killed in shelters during these periods because, primarily, we didn't have spay/neuter in the "good old days." The sheer overpopulation of cats, dogs and strays caused our shelters to be little better than slaughterhouses for pets.
But, did people routinely (yes, I am going to use the term) "dump" their pets in pounds for things like "moving" and "no time for?"
I don't recall anyone doing that who I knew. Rather, I recall my own family and the people in my neighborhood keeping their animals for life.
City shelters were perceived as yes, places to seek out a lost pet or institutions that took in strays. --- Nothing more.
But, modern animal shelters are seemingly perceived as a great deal more. They are places that "hold" the animals (at least for a while) of the arrested, the ill, the evicted, the cruel or the deceased.
They are places that "evaluate" and "Behavior Test" animals and are expected to offer accurate "predictions" and guarantees on how any animal will behave in any situation (Not, in fact, possible.)
They are places that now fully vaccinate and neuter animals (because we can't trust the public to do these things) and are expected to give guarantees for eternal bliss, health and long life spans for adopted pets. (This despite the fact most people don't keep pets for the natural lives of the animals. )
I recall the first time I adopted a dog from the city pound. The shelter told me nothing, did almost nothing with the animal and guaranteed nothing. "If it doesn't work out, bring the dog back" was all I was told. -- I had Sheppie for the next 16 years.
Yet, despite all the new and greater responsibilities of shelters (and rescues), about 6 million pets still continue to be killed in shelters each year. This despite spay/neuter availability, advances in veterinary medicine and greater understanding of animal behavior and training.
What's gone wrong?
Could it be that in accepting and taking on so much responsibility for animals, we have, in essence, relieved the public of seemingly any and all responsibility for its pets?
Could it be that in trying to make or keep everyone "happy" or even giving fully vetted animals away for "free," we have created a situation in which little true happiness is found? -- or at least that happiness and fulfillment that occurs when people truly love, sacrifice for and commit to something in life -- including their pets?
Last night I was speaking with a colleague in cat rescue who related a story to me.
"I got my first cat adoption inquiry in months today!" Christina said.
"Congratulations!" I said sincerely. "I can't even remember our last cat adoption offer!"
"Well, the congratulations is premature, " Christina added. "I rescued the cat last year. He's a wonderful cat who has only one eye. The woman insisted that she should not have to pay any adoption fee for what she referred to as a 'deformed' animal. Can you imagine that? It was like she was seeking 'damaged goods' marked down in a bargain basement!"
"Oh my God," was all I could answer to that. "That's like some sort of cruel joke."
The question is: Is this "cruel joke" now played on us, something that we in fact created the day we said to the public that it no longer had to feel any responsibility for pets -- including taking their animals with them when people "move?" ---PCA
Posted by PCA at 12:38 PM No comments:
Not only is the ASPCA consistently raking in millions of dollars from across the country, but it also has an abundance of volunteers.
Considering that many dogs are busting bladders at our Animal Care and Control shelters (often coming down with Urinary Tract Infections as result) or sitting in dirty cages while the few volunteers scramble to walk and clean out cages, is too, a disgrace. (There is shortage of salaried Kennel Staff to walk or deal properly and humanely with the number of animals arriving at AC&C shelters.)
Yesterday, I spoke with a very knowledgeable woman who works at another shelter. She too, expressed dismay that considering all the monies of the ASPCA (and NSAL) there is not sufficient spay/neuter van to cover the entire city. If we make spay/neuter services easy, affordable and convenient for people, more pet owners WOULD neuter their pets (or the stray cats in their yards). Considering that 80% or more of the animals coming into the city shelters are NOT fixed, obviously, this is a huge, unaddressed problem.
Until it is properly addressed, forget all the crap about NYC EVER going "no kill."
It is no small irony that we have a beautiful, state of the art "no kill" (ASPCA) shelter on East 92nd Street where cats lounge leisurely in kitty condos and dogs are walked 4 or 5 times a day and a windowless, converted warehouse on 110th Street where water pours down the sides of the building, sunlight or fresh air never enters its confines and thousands of animals become sick, "euthanized" and dismissed, due to the depressing, stressful and unhealthy conditions.
As noted, this building was never constructed as an animal shelter in the first place.
The ASPCA signed off on it years ago, (and thus, seemingly "sold out" the animals) because 110th Street in Harlem was MEANT to be the place where animals quietly go to die.
Almost 20 years later the AC&C is STILL the place where most animals go to die and the building itself is still the warehouse that a thousand "renovations" can never a shelter make.
"Put lipstick on a pig, it is still a pig."
But, in the case of AC&C, the city and powers that be are not even trying to put "lipstick" on it.
The so-called "Adoption Wards" are a garage with cages in it.
And matters will only get worse once they go back to doing still more "renovations" on the first floor!
Am I the only one seeing the injustice, deception, irony, cruelty, waste of taxpayer money and most of all, misrepresentation to the public of all this?
Its seemingly like the "Wizard of Oz."
A beautiful ("no kill") Emerald City (as represented by the ASPCA). And a mighty wizard who grants all things and wishes to all people (all the false promises of perfect animals and eternal bliss). But, behind the curtain is a weathered, tiny little man with no power at all.
In the late 90's we were promised by the powers that be, "new shelters" in the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens.
That did not occur. (We, however did build two new baseball stadiums!)
We don't even have a real and whole, All Admittance animal shelter in Manhattan. (In its present form, the Manhattan AC&C is HALF a functioning building that is operating under the guise of "animal shelter.")
That needs to change.
You see, the "power" is within all of us to do what we have to in order to demand and create the real changes and the real shelters that the animals and the people of NYC need and deserve
"Emerald City" we are not. -- PCA
Posted by PCA at 10:44 AM 1 comment:
"Buddy, Can You Spare Some Leashes?" (Reply) New York City
Abagale has left a new comment on your post "Messengers of Bad News":
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Reply: Thank you for your supportive comment and for caring about animals.
Some regular readers might wonder why I have not been writing lately about the shelter situation in NYC or recent rescues.
Contrary to what might be presumed, there is, in fact, much going on, but most of it is under the radar screen and cannot be written of at this point.
City shelter Intake numbers, as well as Euthanasia stats, unfortunately rise dramatically during the summer months. That is especially true for cats and kittens this time of year and tragically, is to be expected.
What is not to be expected however, is the "sanitizing" (denial) way our city shelter officials (or PR people) apparently have chosen to respond to and deal with the problem.
In recent weeks disturbing and misleading press statements have come to light which give many of us familiar with shelter realities pause for great concern.
Without going into details, suffice it to say it is not unlike the "marshmallow fluff" way Michael Vick was dressed up, "handled" and his words carefully scripted in order to look and sound good to the public.
Situations like these cause one to wonder if our country isn't in fact mostly being run by PR Agents and "handlers" these days rather than competent, responsible people capable of dealing with and communicating tough realities?
Its no small wonder that so many millions of Americans are on medications these days for "depression."
We don't know who and what to trust or believe anymore.
Yesterday, I was at the Manhattan shelter with Carrie, one of our foster volunteers to pick up a sweet, Shepherd mix dog named "Adidi" (Pictured above)for rescue.
While there, we noticed water pouring down from the sides of the two-story building as if construction or repair workers might be installing a swimming pool on the second floor of the Manhattan animal shelter!
For more than one year now, the entire second floor of the Manhattan "shelter" has been closed for so-called "renovations." ("Renovations" have been occuring on this building since the day it opened in the early 90's.)
Two spanking new Manhattan high rises on the Upper East Side have been built in less time than that.
I put "shelter" in quotes because the fact is that the building located at 326 East 110th street in Manhattan was never built as an animal shelter in the first place!
It was some kind of windowless warehouse before being purchased by the city in the early 1990's to serve as an "animal shelter" when the ASPCA got out of its Animal Control contract with the city of New York.
It seems, killing tens of thousands of pets a year wasn't good for the ASPCA's "PR image."
For sure, the decision to get out of Animal Control was indeed fruitful for the ASPCA's "image" as it has gone on to raise hundreds of millions of dollars, while not having to worry over picking up the city's grungy strays (although the ASPCA likes to use these animals in tear-jerking commercials in order to raise even more money!)
Let's hear it for great PR firms!
It is a fantastically strange twist of irony that the organization that does not officially deal with "strays" (ASPCA) raises millions of dollars off the misery of these animals while the shelter (AC&C) whose official duty IS to take in strays seems to deny the very existence of these animals!
"Intake is down!" "Euthanasia is down!" (though not true for cats). "....not euthanizing healthy animals for space!" (The latter statement represents not only "spinning" of the truth but downright mangling of it.)
The gut wrenching pictures (of downtrodden strays) are thus presented by the state of the art organization with its fancy buildings, millions of dollars in assets and slick PR firms, while the marshmallow, "Disneyworld" fluff is presented by the City shelter system with its run down, disease-producing, decrepit buildings and hundreds of "strays" and dumped pets in its shelters any day of the year.
Last week, the city Animal Control shelters were scrounging around for dog leashes. This, while millions of donation dollars continue to pour into the large, lucrative, well heeled organizations such as represented by the ASPCA and North Shore Animal League.
Dare Animal Control to ask the wealthy shelters to "spare some leashes?"
Or, perhaps some buckets to collect the raging waters pouring down the sides of of the 110 th Street "swimming pool?"
Or, to borrow singer, Sarah McGlaukin to sing the true woes and miseries of those thousands of animals entering -- and dying in our city Animal Control shelters.
Posted by PCA at 4:36 PM 5 comments:
In a message dated 8/2/2009 3:05:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Laurie writes:
The words chosen by countless bloggers and editors are shameful attempts to manipulate the debate, and this technique would never be tolerated unless the victims themselves were seen as inconsequential.
Reply: You bring up an excellent point. That is, that the technique would not be tolerated were it not for the victims being viewed as inconsequential.
Who, after all cares about Pitbulls?
Vick expressed regret for letting people down.
Corporate sponsors will find other athletes to endorse. No harm to them, other than possible, momentary embarrassment.
The Atlantic Falcons have already found another Quarterback.
The real victims of Vick's sick aberrations were, of course the dogs, untold numbers of whom died or were deliberately killed and others who were saved, but at tremendous costs -- especially to other dogs.
But, there are other victims, as well.
And no, the editors and sportswriters don't like to talk of these things.
In picking up the banner to defend someone, it is important to not only sanitize the bad deeds (as noted) but seek excuse for them, as well.
"He had a rough childhood or grew up in a tough neighborhood." "He watched a movie or video that made him do strange things." He had a few drinks." "He ate a Twinkie."
In Vick's case, its the "rough childhood, tough neighborhood" that seems to serve as the main excuse. (We're not sure if he ate Twinkies or not.)
But, the bottom line is that it is perhaps the kids from tough neighborhoods, who, (almost as much as the dogs that Vick and cohorts tortured and killed) are also, real victims here.
What Vick's defenders seem to be really saying is that, "You can take the kid out of the tough neighborhood, but you can't take the tough neighborhood out of the kid."
Or, "Once a victim, always a victim."
In other words, if growing up in a ditch, so to speak, there is no real hope one can ever really rise out of it and lift him or herself up -- even if later finding fame and fortune.
But, as said yesterday, it is Vick himself who chose to throw himself back in the ditch.
And even after almost two years in jail and loss of millions of dollars in corporate sponsorships, Vick still cannot seemingly admit to the barbarity, violence and wrongness of his actions against other living beings.
What does that say to the countless young boys (particularly those from impoverished backgrounds) who might look up to Vick as a sports star or one to emulate?
He may put on a slick suit, read words off a Teleprompter or even don a football uniform again.
But, he is still Michael Vick from the impoverished, "dog fighting" ghetto (where he grew up) who has apparently, never really left it.
The kids, thus have nothing genuine and inspirational to look up to. They become "victims" almost as much as the dogs.
The message of perpetual despair is, "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." -- PCA
In a message dated 8/1/2009 4:50:48 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, xxxxxxx writes:
Recently, someone posted on the list that Michael Vick was sorry for what he had done.I have never heard him apologize for what he did to those poor dogs.I have read statements where he apologized for letting people down.He said what he did was "immature".Does anyone know of any statements he made expressing remorse for the sadistic way he treated the animals?
Reply: I have read and seen the same things you have. And yes, you are correct to observe that no where in his communications does Vick even mention dogs, let alone the egregious crimes he and his cohorts committed against these gentle and human-loving animals.
What seems to be happening is what some might call, "The Sanitization of Michael Vick."
Totally orchestrated by lawyers, handlers and perhaps one or two people from HSUS, Vick's words are carefully measured and calculated to present a man "sorry" for unknown and unmentioned "mistakes" and one who can make the housewives of Marin County and elsewhere "feel good."
That some in this movement and even on this list *buy* this slick public relations ploy (admittedly at its very best) is disturbing.
Referring to Michael Vick's crimes as "mistakes" is like referring to the acts of rapists and pedophiles as "mistakes."
Recruiting Michael Vick to be any kind of "spokesperson" against the abuse of pitbulls is like recruiting OJ Simpson to be a spokesperson against spousal abuse.
Vick has had more than two years to reflect upon and speak (or write) about his crimes.
But, so far all we see is a sanitized and PR created version of his former self.
The blood of uncounted animals has been carefully and meticulously washed off of Vick's hands. The mention of forcing dogs to fight or the beating to death or hanging of dogs has been stricken from all communications.
But, make no mistake.
Just as there are chemicals that detect blood even when carefully washed off of walls following murder scenes, the blood is still on Vick's hands as the stain of non-remorse seems still to be in his heart.
Show me the book Vick has written decrying his former acts of violence and the viciousness of dog fighting or show me the videos of Vick talking to young people in the ghettos about his crimes and perhaps I will change my tune.
But, for now we need to see through all the PR slop and attempts to sanitize Michael Vick for the sake of self-aggrandizement and money-making and do whatever we can to see to it that this "fallen from grace sports hero" remains in the dirt and muck where he put himself and where he still belongs despite the polished suits and "cleaned up" hands. --PCA
Posted by PCA at 5:09 AM 1 comment: | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line413 |
__label__cc | 0.598701 | 0.401299 | The Rise of the Iron Age Kingdoms
The Bible's Prehistory, Purpose, and Political Future
Dr. Jacob L. Wright, Emory University
Notes taken by Edward Tanguay on June 7, 2015 (go to class or lectures)
continuity, king, armies, construe, judges, Pentateuch, lowlands, writing, Rachel, warlords, Levant, history, archeological, ceramic, Philistines, military, Samuel, Jacob, different, battles, rural, composite, complex, poorer, produced, United, disappeared, periodization, Rehoboam, Bronze, urban, state, enemies, Ishbaal, Canaan, sophisticated
most Biblical archeologists and historians of ancient Israel no longer work with the periodization of the Biblical narrative
Biblical narrative
the patriarchs
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
the matriarchs
Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel
exodus from Egypt
conquest of Canaan
have instead recognized that the Biblical narrative is a composite piece
was composed over time from sources that reflect many different understandings of Israel's history
look at a wide range of evidence
the important is the archeological record
many sites throughout the southern Levant
there is a dichotomy between the lowlands and the highlands
corresponds to significant changes at the end of the late Bronze age throughout the Iron Age (e.g. 1000 BC - 600 BC range)
from ceramic pottery remains
can identify a continuity from Iron Age I (1200-1000 BC) to Iron Age II (1000 BC - 586 BC, or the conquest of Judah)
lack of decorations
absence of imported wares
the Iron Age begins as a poorer period than the earlier Bronze Age
during the early Iron Age, the culture of the lowlands was much more sophisticated than the highlands
but the poorer populations from the highland sites grew into a sophisticated society with formidable armies that conquered many territories
period of the judges and united monarchy
few scholars think anymore in terms of the patriarchs, matriarchs, exodus, and conquest
but they do think in terms of
period of the judges
from Book of Judges
period of the United Monarchy
from Books of Samuel
the Book of Judges, Samuel, and Kings
written by authors that are living at a time that is closer to the time about which they writing
describe a reality that is more complex and realistic
unlike the legends in the Pentateuch and the Book of Joshua
United Monarchy (1050-930 BC)
the United Monarchy was formed when there was a large popular expression in favor of introducing a king to rule over the previously decentralized Israelite tribal confederacy
rulers were: Saul, Ishbaal, David, and Solomon
on the succession of Solomon's son, Rehoboam, in 930 BC the biblical account reports that the country split into two kingdoms
Kingdom of Israel (north)
Kingdom of Judah (south)
if we want an accurate understanding of the history of Israel
we need to think critically about the way the authors of the Book of Judges construe the period of the Judges that follows the age of Joshua and which precedes the period of the United Monarchy
a more responsible way to approach Israel's history is to look for signs of state formation and centralization
we can see a continuity from Iron Age I (1200-1000 BC) to Iron Age II (1000 BC - 586 BC, or the conquest of Judah)
we see extreme changes in rural settlements in the same region
almost all of the small settlements disappeared at the end of Iron Age I
Iron Age II was when we start to witness the rise of centralized states in the highlands
most of the new rural settlements did not continue from the earlier period of Iron Age I
suggests that a military threat was prompting the settlements in the countryside to seek refuge in larger, fortified places
perhaps by the Philistines along the coast
this was supported by the European historical model that states are caused by common enemies
and from the Biblical accounts from the Book of Samuel, which depicts Israel's first king Saul in battles with the Philistines
it might be more accurate to think also in terms of a wide variety of warlords in the hill country fighting amongst themselves
in any case, by the time this process of ran its course, it had produced the kingdoms of Israel and Judah
urban centers that grew up in the Iron Age and reached their peak in the 8th century and for Judah in the south in the 7th century
Jokneam
Shikmona
Tirzah
Beth Shemesh
absense ⇒ absence
formidible ⇒ formidable
Pentetuch ⇒ Pentateuch
The Merneptah Stele: The Oldest Reference to Israel
Canaan as Outback between Mesopotamia and Egypt Civilization Centers
The Three Centers of Early Jewish History
The Amarna Letters and Egypt's Presence in Canaan During the New Kingdom
The End of Egyptian Imperial Control
Maps of Historical Biblical Regions
Interview with Bill Deaver
Israel, Judah, and the Campaign of Shishak
The Omride Dynasty
725 BC: The Fall of Israel to Assyria
The Kingdom of Judah and Sennacherib
The Fall of Judah
The History of Israel According to Genesis and Exodus
Archaeological Theories on the History of Israel
Bronze Age vs. Iron Age Material Culture
History of the Central Highland States
Judah After the Babylonian Conquest
Factors Leading to the Depopulation Of Israel
The Elephantine Papyri
Judahite Communities in Babylon
Ezra-Nehemiah and Haggai on Temple Rebuilding
The Biblical Project
From the Bible to the Sumerian King List
Genesis Chapter 26: Isaac, Abimelek and Rebekah
The Biblical Authors' Portrayal of Women and Heroism
The Bible's Treatment of Heroic Death
Portrayal of Death in the Bible | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line414 |
__label__wiki | 0.705034 | 0.705034 | Tech Snaq
Fundings and Exits
Singapore’s Saleswhale raises $5.3M to bring AI to sales and marketing teams – TechCrunch
April 23, 2019 by admin 0 Comments
Saleswhale, a Singapore-based startup that uses AI to help marketers and salespeople close deals, has announced a Series A round worth $5.3 million.
The investment is led by Monk’s Hill Ventures — the Southeast Asia-focused firm that took part in Saleswhale’s seed round in 2017 — with participation from existing backers GREE Ventures, Wavemaker Partners and Y Combinator. That’s right, Saleswhale is one a select few Southeast Asian startups to have been through YC, it graduated back in summer 2016.
Saleswhale — which calls itself “a conversational email marketing platform” — uses AI-powered “bots” to handle email. In this case, its digital workforce is trained for sales leads. That means both covering the menial parts of arranging meetings and coordination, and the more proactive side of engaging existing leads.
Back when we last wrote about the startup in 2017, it had just half a dozen staff. Fast-forward two years and that number has grown to 28, CEO Gabriel Lim explained in an interview. The company is going after more growth with this Series A money, and Lim expects headcount to jump past 70; Saleswhale is deliberating opening an office in California. That location would be primarily to encourage new business and increase communication and support for existing clients, most of whom are located in the U.S., according to Lim. Other hires will be tasked with increasing integration with third-party platforms, and particularly sales and enterprise services.
The past two years have also seen Saleswhale switch gears and go from targeting startups as customers, to working with mid-market and enterprise firms. Saleswhale has over one hundred customers that include recruiter Randstad, educational company General Assembly and enterprise service business Unit4. As it has added greater complexity to its service, so the income has jumped from an initial $39-$99 per seat all those years ago to more than $1,000 per month for enterprise customers.
SalesWhale’s founding team (left to right): Venus Wong, Ethan Le and Gabriel Lim
While AI is a (genuine) threat to many human jobs, SalesWhale sits on the opposite side of that problem in that it actually helps human employees get more work done. That’s to say that SalesWhale’s service can get stuck into a pile (or spreadsheet) of leads that human staff don’t have time for, begin reaching out, qualifying leads and sending them on to living and breathing colleagues to take forward.
“A lot of potential leads aren’t touched” by existing human teams, Lim reflected.
But when SalesWhale reps do get involved, they are often not recognized as the bots they are.
“Customers are often so convinced they are chatting with a human — who is sending collateral, PDFs and arranging meetings — that they’ll say things like ‘I’d love to come by and visit someday,’ ” Lim joked in an interview.
“Indeed, a lot of times, sales team refer to [Saleswhale-powered] sales assistant like they are a real human colleague,” he added.
Note: The original version of this article has been corrected to reflect that Monk’s Hill Ventures participated in Saleswhale’s seed round, it didn’t lead it. While we have adjusted that the startup has over one hundred customers rather than “hundreds.”
Banking startup N26 raises another $170 million at $3.5 billion valuation – TechCrunch
Qualcomm hit with $271M EU fine over predatory pricing of baseband chips – TechCrunch
Dejbox wants to deliver food to offices in business districts at scale – TechCrunch
City Pantry, the UK corporate catering marketplace, has been acquired by Just Eat for £16M – TechCrunch
Computing pioneer and LGBT icon Alan Turing will grace the £50 note in 2021 – TechCrunch
VComply raises $2.5 million seed round led by Accel to simplify risk and compliance management – TechCrunch
FaceApp gets federal attention as Sen. Schumer raises alarm on data use – TechCrunch
Altitude Angel launches an API for safer drone flights – TechCrunch
Instagram will now hide likes in 6 more countries – TechCrunch
Twitter officially launches its ‘Hide Replies’ feature, initially to users in Canada – TechCrunch
Note 10 pics, pricing and release date reported
Let us, or China will – TechCrunch
Pax Labs CEO Bharat Vassan and serial founder Keith McCarty are coming to Disrupt SF – TechCrunch
SoftBank Vision Fund partner David Thevenon is coming to Disrupt Berlin – TechCrunch
TikTok is being investigated in the U.K. for how it handles children’s data and safety – TechCrunch
Sam Lessin and Andrew Kortina on their voice assistant’s workplace pivot – TechCrunch
Currencycloud, the API for cross-border payments, has raised ~£32M in first part of a Series E round – TechCrunch
Atlan raises $2.5M to stop enterprises from being so bad at managing data – TechCrunch
In-depth with Freada Kapor Klein – TechCrunch
TED 2018: Facebook, Google are ‘behavior modification empires’
Ninja played more Fortnite with Drake, who gave him $5,000 for winning a game
Mark Zuckerberg testifies to US Congress over Cambridge Analytica, Russia, bias
Apple ordered to pay patent troll more than $500 million in iMessage case
Consumers don’t trust Facebook at all [new survey data]
Mark Zuckerberg says Palmer Luckey wasn’t fired because of anti-conservative bias
Dick Durbin asks Mark Zuckerberg awkward questions about privacy
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__label__wiki | 0.989305 | 0.989305 | Imran Khan threatens to dissolve KP Assembly
March 3, 2015 Monitoring Desk Top Stories
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that he would dissolve Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly if any attempt was made to buy his MPAs for Senate’s elections.
According to reports that Khan said that he would meet his MPAs in Peshawar tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss the issue of upcoming Senate’s elections.
“I will tell MPAs that anybody found guilty of selling his/her vote will be put behind bars,” he said. Khan said that PTI would take strong action against those selling their conscience for money. “We will cleanse the party of sold out MPAs.”
To a question, he said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak spoke to Asif Ali Zardari first on phone. “We asked Zardari to refrain from buying our MPAs,” he said.
Imran Khan will return to parliament: Khursheed Shah Subramanyam Jaishankar meets PM Nawaz Sharif | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line420 |
__label__wiki | 0.977082 | 0.977082 | Pakistani aircraft reach quake-hit Nepal as death toll tops 2,000
April 26, 2015 The Pioneer News Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani aircraft carrying relief supplies have reached quake-hit Nepal to aid in relief efforts as further aftershocks jolt the neighbouring Himalayan nation, the Pakistani foreign office said on Sunday.
A spokesperson for the Pakistani foreign office said the aircraft may also bring between 10 to 15 Pakistani citizens back from Nepal.
Further aftershocks as death toll tops 2,000
Pakistan’s aircraft reached Nepal as rescuers in the mountainous country search frantically survivors of a massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake that have so far killed more than 2,000 people.
The USGS said a 6.7-magnitude aftershock struck again on Sunday Monday, with climbers reporting the tremor triggered more avalanches on Mount Everest.
The latest quake struck northeast of Kathmandu near the border with China at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), the US Geological Survey said.
The effects of the aftershocks were felt as far off as New Delhi in India and well as in Peshawar. No casualties or damages were reported from the tremors felt in Pakistan.
Pakistan sends special search and rescue teams, relief items
In a statement on Saturday, the foreign office and the military’s public relations wing said Pakistan would dispatch relief goods and rescue teams to the neighbouring country on Sunday morning.
“To provide relief to the earthquake victims in Nepal, four C-130 aircraft carrying 30 bedded hospital, special search and rescue teams and relief items will (be) dispatched to Nepal tomorrow (Sunday),” said a statement from the ISPR.
The rescue team sent to Nepal would include a “30-bedded hospital comprising Pakistan army doctors team of specialists which include surgical, medical, orthopedic, gynecologist, anesthesiologist, child specialist, radiologist and paramedics,” said the statement.
“An urban search and rescue team of Pakistan Army which is highly specialised for rescue during natural disasters is being sent,” it added.
The rescue team is equipped with ground penetrating radars, concrete cutters, and is specially trained to search for people trapped in rubble with the help of sniffing dogs, it said.
Food items being dispatched include 2000 meal ready-to-eat packs, eatables, water bottles, medicines, 200 tents, 600 blankets and other necessary items.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier called his Nepali counterpart H.E. Sushil Koiralato extend condolence and sympathies on the devastations caused by the earthquake.
He said that the Pakistani ambassador is coordinating with Nepal’s Foreign Ministry to extend every possible assistance to the earthquake-devastated country.
party needs young generation to take off their political struggle: Zardari Blast in Sibi kills at least four | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line421 |
__label__cc | 0.623802 | 0.376198 | <em>BOLTON WATCH</em> News: Joint Venture Between <em>Talking Points Memo</em> and <em>The Washington Note</em>
As TWN reported a few weeks ago, we are preparing to launch a new zone in the blogosphere dedicated to reporting on the work and activities of recess-appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton.
I’ve been keeping my powder dry on Bolton since his confirmation as Ambassador Bolton deserved a chance to prove his confirmation critics wrong and to demonstrate that he was going to bring to a more credible edge a reality of U.N. reform and improved American diplomacy in that institution.
Regrettably, Bolton has done the opposite and proved those of us who had serious concerns about his objectives correct.
Just to be clear — we aren’t out to create a Bolton-bashing space. He has the job now. This is about making sure he does his job. Cheney’s crew loves to use the United Nations as a punching bag during elections. If the UN becomes an issue in 2006, then we need to be sure that the “whole story” is being told.
This effort is about John Bolton disrupting his own AMERICAN negotiators trying to achieve diplomatic ends that the Secretary of State and her staff have set. This is about last minute major disruptions in fragile diplomacy that Bolton undermines in the name of reform — but actually seems designed and patterned to stop the reform process.
Bolton Watch will work to keep a record of Bolton’s work and activities, his diplomatic pattern, and his statements and the contradictions between what he does and what he has testified to Congress that he is doing.
Among many of the objectives that we have with Bolton Watch, one of them will be to give Secretary of State Rice a hand in managing this turbulent and often destructive ambassador. She said she’d manage him — but we feel that she may not always know what John Bolton is up to.
We’ll give him credit when he deserves it. But the bottom line is that his days are numbered.
The failure to get confirmation in the Senate means that John Bolton can only serve through the end of this Congressional session — and that means that by mid-January 2007, John Bolton will need a new job. He can’t be recess appointed again.
Josh Marshall, proprieter and publisher of Talking Points Memo and TPM Cafe, is the person who deserves the most credit for my entry into blogging. He nudged me for two years to launch TWN and I finally did it.
Well, the new space for Bolton Watch will be housed at TPM Cafe with links back to both TWN and TPM.
The launch date for Bolton Watch has now been set for January 23rd.
Those of you who have donated to help support Bolton Watch, thank you very much. Your financial support has enabled us to broaden our team for this and to get some other folks on board to do some of the research and writing.
If more of you want to support this project, which TWN greatly appreciates, feel free to use the PayPal link at the right hand corner of the blog — or to send contributions to:
The Washington Note/Bolton Watch
More soon.
Congress vs. The White House: There’s Supposed to be a Constant Battle
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M. E. T. College of Education, Kanyakumari District
M.E.T. Engineering College, Kanyakumari District
Malankara Catholic College, Kanyakumari District
Mar Ephraem College of Engineering, Kanyakumari District
Moderator Gnanadasan Polytechnic, Kanyakumari District
Morning Star Polytechnic, Kanyakumari District
Nanjil Catholic College of Arts and Science, Kanyakumari District
Narayanaguru College of Engineering, Kanyakumari District
Noorul Islam University, Kanyakumari District
NVKSD College of Education, Kanyakumari District
Reuben Group of Colleges, Kanyakumari District
S. T. Hindu College of Education, Kanyakumari District
Satyam College of Engineering and Technology, Kanyakumari District
Scott Christian College (Autonomous), Kanyakumari District
Sivaji College of Engineering and Technology, Kanyakumari District
Sree Ayyappa College for Women, Kanyakumari District
St. John’s College of Arts & Science, Kanyakumari District
St. Xavier’s Catholic College of Engineering, Kanyakumari District
Udaya College of Arts and Science, Kanyakumari District
Udaya School of Engineering, Kanyakumari District
University College of Engineering (Anna University Campus), Kanyakumari District
Vins Christian College of Engineering and Technology, Kanyakumari District
Women’s Christian College, Kanyakumari District
BPC College, Privom, Kerala
Caarmel Engineering College, Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Christian College, Kaatakada, Kerala
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala
Elijah Institute of Management Studies, Trissur, Kerala
Government Arts & Science College, kozhinjampara, Kerala
Government Arts College, Trivandrum, Kerala
Government Brennen College, Thalassery, Kerala
Government College Mokeri, Calicut, Kerala
Government College, Attingal, Kerala
Government College, Kariavattom, Kerala
Government College, Mananthavady, Kerala
Government Law College, Trivandrum, Kerala
Government Sanskrit College, Trivandrum, Kerala
Government Victoria College, Palakkad, Kerala
H.H. The Maharaja’s College for Women, Trivandrum, Kerala
HRD Centre (UGC), Trivandrum
Ilahia College of Engineering and Technology, Muvattupuzha, Kerala
KNM Government Arts and Science College, Kanjiramkulam, Kerala
Mar Thoma College of Science and Technology, Ayur, Kerala
Marian College, Kuttikannam, Idukki District, Kerala
Marthoma School of Management and Technology, Perumbavoor, Kerala
Mary Matha Arts & Science College, Mananthavady, Kerala
Milad-E-Sherief Memorial College, Kayamkulam, Kerala
MMNSS Arts College, Kottiyam, Kerala
Mohandas College of Engineering and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala
NMSM Government College, Kalpetta, Kerala
NSS College, Rajakumari, Kerala
SN College, Punalur, Kerala
Sree Narayana Gurukulam College of Engineering and Technology, Kolenchery, Kerala
Sree Neelakanta Government Sanskrit (SNGS) College, Pattambi, Kerala
Sri Vyasa NSS College, Thrissur, Kerala
Sri. C. Achutha Menon Government College, Thrissur, Kerala
St. Thomas College, Ranny, Kerala
St. Xavier’s College, Thumba, Kerala
TKM College of Arts and Science, Kollam, Kerala
University College, Trivandrum, Kerala
University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Kerala
VTM NSS College, Dhanuvachapuram, Kerala
Indian Overseas Bank, Rural Self Development Programme
Police Inservice Training Centre, Tirunelveli Range
Rotary Club of Marthandam Queens
SCMI, Bangalore
Tamilnad Mercantile Bank
The Salvation Army NGO, Nagercoil
White Lake Technology Solution Pvt. Ltd.
Win Nissan
Win Suzuki
YMCA, Nagercoil
Youth Training Center
Comorin International School
CSI Matriculation Higher Secondary School
Home Church English Primary School
KABD Matriculation Higher Secondary School
LHL CBSE School
Ponjesly Public Matric Higher Secondary School
Schram Academy, Chennai
Sree Narayana Guru Higher Secondary School
St. Aloysius Girls Higher Secondary School
St. Joseph’s CBSE School
St. Jospeh International School (DMI Group)
St. Lawrence Higher Secondary School
D. B. Pampa College, Pathanamthitta, Kerala
All Saints’ College, Trivandrum
BAM College, Pathanamthitta
Government Arts & Science College, Elanthoor, Kerala
NSS College, Pandalam, Kerala
Government Higher Secondary School, Thalapathy Samudram
Government Higher Secondary School, Vallioor
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Copyright all right reserved to Vantage | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line467 |
__label__cc | 0.547631 | 0.452369 | The Classics Theatre Project
Directed by Van Quattro
Assistant Director – Gretchen Hahn
Stage Manager – Nat McBride
Fight Choreographer – Dean Wray
Executive Producer – Gregory Patterson
Supervising Producer – Joey Folsom
Associate Producer – Leslie Patrick
May – Sasha Maya Ada
Eddie – Joey Folsom
Martin – Braden Socia
Chris Messersmith – The Old Man
Reviewed by Chris Hauge, Associate Critic for John Garcia's THE COLUMN
There are times when a show finishes and I lean to my wife and say, “Wow! This is why I love live theatre! This is what theatre is all about!” The Classics Theatre Project’s (TCTP) production of Sam Shepard’s emotionally brutal and timeless play “Fool For Love” was one of those times. TCTP has given us a brilliantly directed cast, leading us with passion, violence and humor through a story where love, pain and emptiness are forever linked.
Sam Shepard’s play premiered in 1983 and was a Pulitzer Prize Finalist for that year, takes place in a seedy motel room on the edge of the Mojave Desert. Shepard’s time placement is present day but the relationship between the two main characters could happen during any day and any time. In this motel room we meet Eddie (Joey Folsom) and May (Sasha Maya Ada). Eddie has just travelled thousands of miles to return to May after having left her for the mysterious countess. May is enraged by his return. For the next 90 minutes we watch two people wrestle with whether the pain of separation from one another is less than the pain of being together. They stage this fight in front of the past (represented by The Old Man played by Chris Messersmith) and the present (Martin played by Braden Socia, a man coming over to take May to the movies and caught in the middle of this violent reunion). And the audience is left to deal with the consequences.
There is no one listed as set designer for the production, but I wish to thank the company for the motel room that was constructed within the confines of the Margot Jones black box theater. It is sparse and past its time. Near the edge of the set is sand and an animal skull to suggest the desert and the desolation within and without the walls of this room. The Old Man sits a lawn chair at the edge, commenting on the proceedings. No one is credited for sound and light design, but both must be noted for the emphasis every time a door was slammed, or a car drove up behind the room’s curtains. The atmosphere provided for this drama by set, light and sound is excellent.
I saw another production of this play many years ago. The emphasis in that production was on the sexual tension between May and Eddie. The show produced by TCTP emphasizes the anger and pain that lives within the relationship of the two main characters and it is a valid interpretation. Eddie and May kiss and grope but it seems like two people trying to use sex to block out the inner pain that both feel rather than a pursuit of sexual fulfillment. And amidst this angst, the director and cast have given us an ample amount of humor to ease the journey through this twisted relationship. It is a testament to the talent that produced this show that it is so entertaining and fulfilling.
Van Quattro has assembled an extremely talented cast and guided them through turbulent dramatic territory. The show never seems long during its, roughly, 90 minutes running time. And the movement through a restricted space is fluid and appropriate to the mood.
Joey Folsom as Eddie is lanky and likable and easy to rile. He moves through the room with ease and menace. His Eddie is driven by his need for May and the pain of his upbringing that has followed him all his life. Mr. Folsom is completely at home in the skin of Eddie. His monologue near the end of the play show his mastery of the power and poetry of Shepard’s writing.
May is Eddie’s love and bane and Sasha Maya Ada achingly brings her to life. Driven to leave by all her instincts, May cannot fight her addiction to Eddie. And Sasha Maya Ada shows the toll that this constant push and pull has taken on her life. Reluctant to leave yet knowing her relationship with Eddie will never be stable, May is suspended in amber and is unable to be anything other than miserable. Tackling a role like this requires great courage and Sasha Maya Ada has more than enough for this role. She is wonderful to watch.
Watching these violent proceedings is The Old Man. With a raspy voice and a connection to both May and Eddie, The Old Man comments on the past and present of the two while maintaining his own innocence of any complicity with what is going on. Chris Messersmith gives the character an amiable facade that never completely masks the self-deception and cruelty that has been the hallmark of his life and relationships. Mr. Messersmith gives a powerful and revealing performance.
The man coming to take May to the movies and ends up caught up in an evening of tequila and revelations is Martin, played with humor and befuddlement by Braden Socia. Mr. Socia is such a lovable presence that you understand why May would agree to go out with him. Martin represents the kindness and acceptance that is foreign from the whirlwind of her relationship with Eddie. He provides a ballast for the audience; something normal to hold onto amidst the storm raging around him. And Mr. Socia provides laughs with his reactions and delivery and makes the events onstage easier to handle.
Sam Shepard’s play is not easy to watch, but it’s power and passion will stay with long after you have left the theatre. TCTP has given us an example of why theatre exists and why some plays are worthy of being revived again and again. Head over to Fair Park and find out for yourself.
Produced by The Classics Theatre Project
March 6 – March 30, 2019
Thursday-Saturday – 8:00 PM
Sunday, March 24, 2019 – 2:00 PM
Margo Jones Theatre, 1121 1st Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210
Fair Park (When you get to the gate, let the gate attendant know you are going to the Margot Jones Theatre and you will be directed to parking for the event).
For tickets and information to TheClassicsTheatreProject.com. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line475 |
__label__wiki | 0.53626 | 0.53626 | RED HOT PATRIOT: THE KICK-ASS WIT OF MOLLY IVINS
by Margaret and Allison Engel
Director – Scott Davis
Lighting Design – Kyle Harris
Property Design – Kristin Burgess
Sound Design – Danica Bergeron
Stage Manager – Set Johnson
Lindsay Hayward – Molly Ivins
Laird Thompson – News Room Helper
Reviewed by Angela Newby, Associate Critic for John Garcia's THE COLUMN
As Molly Ivins struggles to write a journalistic piece about her father, the audience is taken on a journey through her life and career. First produced by Philadelphia Theater Company in 2010, Molly was played by Kathleen Turner and directed by David Esbjornson.
Runway Theater Presents does an amazing job bringing the life and times of Molly Ivins to the stage that is perfectly timed with the current events of our society’s political realm. Director Scott Davis brings this play together and hits the mark to show the social injustices not only that Molly Ivins dealt with, but how we as an audience are to deal with the ones around us today. Each and every element worked seamlessly together and the results were outstanding.
Kyle Harris’s lighting design played off of the patriotic red, white, and blue elements. The back lights of blue highlighted the newspaper clad projection screen, while the main lights were red to cast the lower points of Molly’s life. Yet, it was the two white spotlights, one over her desk, and one over the secondary desk that truly let the work of Molly Ivins shine through. Harris did an amazing job bridging Molly’s life story with the lighting to create an effect that enhanced the performance on the stage.
Property design by Kristin Burgess was the epitome of a journalist work area. While the set was simple, it was the props that showed the spirit behind Molly. From the balls of rejected manuscripts around the floor to the black and white photos, each element was carefully picked to depict different parts of her life. Each prop was used throughout the monologue and only added to the uniqueness of this play, including the Shiner beer bottle!
Danica Bergeron’s sound design was beautiful. Molly Ivins’ career was focused around the politics, especially in Texas. The country music was incorporated to not only show the feel of Texas, but also to depict mood and the undertones behind the storyline. Each element that needed sound was perfectly timed and well executed.
Lindsay Hayward, as Molly Ivins, was spectacular. Hayward’s spunky personality was an ideal match for Molly Ivins. Ivins’ iconic red glasses were constantly in use by Hayward either on her face, in her hands, or on her head. Hayward’s facial expressions were varied and matched the mood and tone of each part of the play wonderfully and brought completeness to the show. She was easily able to interact through eye contact and questions with the audience that brought a familiarity and realness of Molly Ivins to the audience.
The News Room Helper, Laird Thompson, was a unique part in which Thompson’s role was to hand Molly Ivins important news updates. His completely somber attitude and blank stares was exactly what this character needed to show the transitions in the play.
Runway Theatre Presents Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass wit of Molly Ivins is the perfect night out for those that love history, writing, and the wonderful wit of Molly Ivins. Come in and enjoy the interaction with Molly as she wades through the movers and shakers of the political world and gives you the answer to, “What would Molly say?”
Runway Theatre, 215 North Dooley St., Grapevine, TX 76051
Runs through April 16th
**This show does contain adult language. Friday–Saturday at 8:00pm and Saturday matinee at 3:00pm. Tickets are $25 for General Admissions and $20 for Runway Members. For info and tickets go to www.runwaytheatre.com or call the box office at 817-488-4842. | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line476 |
__label__cc | 0.505184 | 0.494816 | Javascript is not activated on your browser. Please activate Javascript or contact your administrator.
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y Dedicated to a true gentleman, who inspired us and pushed us forward for so many years: the one and only Richard Biancale z
Select your gravity data
Choose your geographical area
Plot time-series
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This website allows you to plot time-series of gravity data from the GRACE mission. By monitoring Earth Gravity field's variations, the GRACE mission allows scientists to recover mass transport at the surface of the Earth, such as hydrological cycles, ice-loss and so on. Read more about GRACE...
You can see some examples of use in the left column at the bottom of the page!
Select your data center: CNES/GRGS in Toulouse, France, GFZ in Potsdam, Germany, AIUB in Bern, Switzerland, TUGRAZ in Graz, Austria, CSR in Austin, Texas, JPL in Pasadena, California, TONGJI in Shanghai and HUST in Wuhan, China. Choose your release number and get ready for data analysis! Read more about the data...
Drag and drop the marker on any point you like. Alternatively, enter its latitude and longitude, or its address! Draw rectangles, triangles and polygons to plot average signal over custom-designed areas, or predefined hydrological basins! Display a background gravity map to see the areas of interest. More info...
Plot and export your graph!
Plot your graph. Compare series. Zoom in by drawing a rectangle on the graph. Edit the titles. Export your graph in png, jpg or pdf, and reuse it for your scientific presentations!
New features!
You can now save and share your work with a simple link! Use the share icon below. You can also plot individual images of GRACE solutions, as well as various statistics. Click on the "Solutions" or "Statistics" arrows below!
y Plot GRACE solutions z
Plot GRACE time-series over a geographical area Time-series Statistics
Plot GRACE statistics
Functional Data center and version Date
You can use this website freely for your studies and scientific presentations
Please add the following mention to your work: "Made with thegraceplotter.com, courtesy of CNES/GRGS"
About the GRACE Mission
Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) is a joint mission between NASA and DLR (German Space Agency), which was launched in 2002, and is still in orbit as of December 2013. GRACE is made of a pair of satellites, following each other on a polar orbit (89°), at an altitude of approximately 500 km and a distance of 220 km. The main instrument is the K-Band Ranging system, an electromagnetic link in the K/Ka band, which allows to measure the distance variations between both satellites with a precision of the micron level (a tenth of a human hair!).
The KBR instrument, with all other onboard systems, allows to detect variations of Earth's gravity field and thus the movements of mass at the Earth's surface, such as hydrological cycle, ice-loss, earthquakes. By monitoring Earth's gravity field, GRACE is a very unique tool for global climate measurement.
More detailed information about the GRACE mission can be found at the following official links: NASA, CSR, JPL, DLR, GFZ.
Click on the links to see interesting examples of using the GRACE Plotter:
Sumatra Earthquake: the tsunami of 2005, seen by gravity.
Iceland: geographical extraction, trend, and ice melt.
Predefined hydrological basins: Amazon and Congo.
Spherical harmonics: plot the time series of coefficients.
Periodic regression: adjustement of annual and semiannual signals.
Several groups are producing gravity field models from the GRACE data. On this website you will find time series from the following groups:
CNES/GRGS: French National Space Center / Research Group for Space Geodesy, in Toulouse, France.
AIUB: Astronomical Institute at the University of Bern, in Switzerland.
CSR: Center for Space Research in Austin, Texas.
GFZ: German Research Center for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany.
HUST: Huazhong University of Science Technology, Wuhan, China.
JPL: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in Pasadena, California.
TONGJI: Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
TUGRAZ: Technical University of Graz in Austria.
Latest update: July 14th, 2019.
The time series are obtained from the spherical harmonics coefficients provided by the datacenters, and downloaded from the ICGEM.
For equivalent water heights and geoid heights, the mean of the series is removed, and the coefficients are then converted into 1°x1° equivalent water heights grids or geoid grids in order to plot time-series.
Grid conversion
Except for CNES/GRGS, the conversion to grids takes into account spherical harmonic coefficients from degree 2 to degree 90, with C20 replaced by the official TN-07 C20 SLR time-series. For CNES/GRGS, grids takes into account coefficients from degree 2 to 80, without C20 replacement since CNES/GRGS solutions already contain SLR data (Lageos 1&2 / Starlette / Stella up to degree 30). Grid values are computed at the center of pixels, i.e. (89.5°,-179.5°) for the top-left grid point and (-89.5°,179.5°) for the bottom-right.
Background maps
GRACE gravity maps (trend, annual and semiannual amplitude of equivalent water heights) are obtained through a regression on the global series of harmonic coefficients. DDK5 filtered coefficients are used (except for CNES).
CNES/GRGS solutions are ready to use and do not need any filtering. For other groups, unfiltered and DDK5 filtered solutions are available (see Kusche et al, 2009 for filtering info).
Geographical extraction
Single point extraction: barycentric computation from the values at the 4 surrounding grid points. Rectangles and polygons: average over grid points situated inside the contour. Basins: average over grid points from mask file (press "Show data" button for mask info). In every case, grid values are weighted by cos(latitude), in order to obtain per surface unit values (cm/m²).
Note about Google Maps Projection
Google Maps use Mercator Projection, which means that the poles are at the infinity upwards and downwards. Google cuts the map view at around +/- 85.01 degrees. However, one can still enter manually coordinates of points between 85 degrees and 89.5 degrees (+/-) in the form for data extraction.
Analytic models are adjusted on time series through a least squares process. The so-called "Periodic model" includes a linear component, an annual component and a semiannual component. The "Advanced model" has a polynomial component instead of linear, and polynomial-modulated annual and semiannual components. In both case, components can be displayed using "Periodic+" and "Advanced+".
The GRACE Plotter, by CNES/GRGS, version 4.1.2.
Concept and development by
Géode & Cie / Stellar Space Studies.
This website is an extension of the CNES/GRGS website. See legal notice (in French).
This project has received funding from CNES and from the European Union.
Data produced by CNES/GRGS, AIUB, CSR, GFZ, HUST, JPL, TONGJI, TUGRAZ. DDK filtering applied by ICGEM.
Highcharts used under single website License.
jQuery used under MIT License.
All fonts used under SIL OFL License.
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under Grant Agreement No. 637010, European Gravity Service for Improved Emergency Management, EGSIEM (2015-2017).
Click on the legend of the series to activate/deactivate the series on the graph!
Regressions: use periodic+ and advanced+ to show the components of the adjusted model!
Use bias and scale if you wish to visualize different quantities on the same graph (equivalent water heights and geoid heights).
Save and share your work with a single click! No need to setup an account or mess around with passwords anymore. Just click on the "Share" button, that's it!
This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google Inc. (Google). Google Analytics uses “cookies”, small text files that are stored on your computer and allow your use of the website to be analysed. The information generated by the cookie (including your IP address) is transmitted and stored by Google on a server in the United States. Google uses this information to evaluate your use of the website, to compile reports on website activity for its operator and to provide further services related to the use of the website and the Internet. Google may also transfer this information to third parties, provided this is legally permitted or as long as these third parties are processing the data on behalf of Google. Under no circumstances will Google link your IP address with data collected as part of other Google services. You can prevent the installation of cookies by adjusting the appropriate settings in your browser software; however, we must point out that if you do so, you may not be able to take full advantage of the functions on our website. By using this website, you consent to Google processing the data obtained about you in the manner and for the purposes stated above.
© CNES/GRGS 2013-2019 | cc/2019-30/en_middle_0081.json.gz/line480 |
__label__cc | 0.720379 | 0.279621 | Movie Review: Bird Box …or… A Quiet Place with Cthulhu
By Central Scrutinizer on January 10, 2019 in Movie Reviews
Release: December 14, 2018
Director: Susan Bier
Screenplay: Eric Heisserer
Starring: Sandra Bullock as Malorie Hayes, Trevante Rhodes as Tom, Vivian Lyra Blair as Girl, Julian Edwards as Boy
Warning: Reviews May or May Not Contain Spoilers
A woman sternly scolds two unknown children that the three of them are about to go on a trip down the river, and that they are not make no noise and not to remove their blindfolds during said trip for fear of attracting and seeing unknown creatures (an admonishment that the filmmakers seem to forget a mere few minutes later, because this is the loudest quiet trip down the river I’ve ever seen). While the three blindly float down the river in a rowboat, the film cuts back to five years earlier. We see the events of a cataclysmic event wherein unseen creatures invade and cause all who look upon their incomprehensible forms to go insane and commit suicide. After a trip to the doctor goes sideways, Malorie finds herself holed up inside of a house with a small group of survivors. The film cuts back and forth like this frequently, showing scenes of the trio of Malorie and the children lazily floating down the river and long stretches of tedious, tedious backstory.
If the concept of an indie horror flick about a small group of people having to be extremely quiet to avoid certain death at the hands of terrible creatures sounds familiar to you, that’s because you saw it in mid 2018 when it was called A Quiet Place. I would go so far as to call Bird Box the film that A Quiet Place could have easily become if John Krasinski had allowed that film to become mired in too much tedious and unneeded backstory. Rather than being a single, cohesive, focused narrative, the reliance on far too much world building and the flash forward-flashback structure make Bird Box feel like two separate films edited together with a meat axe and a quart of Elmer’s glue into a meandering, pointless mess of a film that carries on for half an hour too long. I will give the filmmakers some kudos for not showing the monster. It’s much better to have the creature be implied than to show it and have it be some mediocre looking creature rendered in subpar CGI. The film looks good. It has the visual atmosphere of something that could be legitimately creepy. However, it just never gets there. Like many of these more recent attempts at highbrow horror, they sprung for some actors with legitimate talent, so the performances are at least decent. They’re just wasted on an unfocused and bogged down story. Given the screenwriter, I’m not surprised. Heisserer has a seeming proclivity for scripts that are mediocre to bad, yet wrapped in a thick layer of pretension.
Essentially A Quiet Place with Uncle Cthulhu and Papa Yog-Sothoth and a hacky writing and editing job, if you haven’t seen Bird Box, you’re not missing much. This one can definitely be filed under the skip it file.
TagsBird BoxCosmic HorrorNetflixPost Apocalyptic
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__label__wiki | 0.752327 | 0.752327 | THE INTENSE LIFE OF ALEX COX
September 14, 2018 October 22, 2018
The director of Repo Man Tells as little
as possible to the IRS
You would think Alex Cox was American. With films like REPO MAN, STRAIGHT TO HELL, WALKER and FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS to his credit, he would appear to be a cynical American white boy filmmaker. But looks, as they say, are usually deceiving. Born in England in 1954 Cox studied at UCLA on a Fullbright where he won two Jack Nicholson Awards for screenwriting. In 1984, his first full length film, REPO MAN opened at the Berlin Film Festival and from there on it was movies, movies, movies. Of course he is technically an American. Cox was given honorary citizenship in Tucson, Arizona along with his producer, Lorenzo O’Brien for their work on WALKER.
Anchor Bay just re-released Repo Man, one of the most fun, thought provoking films of the 1980’s. It took our hope away, but gave us a really good soundtrack, Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton. (2 for 2, hey boys and girls?) It also lampooned lower class America’s love of cars, indifference to nuclear war and the downsizing of compassion.
So, anyway, Cox is English and back in the UK. I had to email him there for my interview and got back some very English answers.
CA: First of all, I love your web site, alexcox.com. What do you think of the Internet and its possibilities as far as art and communication are concerned?
AC: The Internet seems best of all as a means of political communication. It was one of the only places one could find opposition to the bombing of Serbia; it is at the forefront of opposition to the new American war against Colombia.
CA: It’s been said that where there is a great capacity for good there is a great capacity for evil. Do you think this holds true for the Internet?
AC: I try not to think in these simplistic terms. Good is invariably used as a synonym for “people who think like us”; evil are those who disagree, such as the president of Yugoslavia.
CA: You refer to yourself as an Anarcho-Socialist, what do you mean by that?
AC: Anarchist in that that is the only morally justifiable system, offering the most freedom. Socialist because I think utilities such as water, telephone, the railway, the airways, are too societally important to be allowed to fall into the hands of private companies. State ownership – as in the US Government’s ownership and subsidy of Amtrak – is the only sensible alternative.
CA: How would you balance the non-government stance of the anarchist and the hands on stance of socialism?
AC: With difficulty.
CA: What kind of title would you give the emerging Internet society?
AC: Self-regarding.
CA: What do you think of the English Monarchy?
AC: Very little; another bunch of rich gangsters, no?
CA: That said, why do you think people are so willing to be lead by gangsters? What is the basis for the fascination?
AC: They are not asked if they want to be led or not. They are presented with a fait accompli, enforced by guns and money.
CA: Where did you company name, Commies from Mars Associates, come from?
AC: A comic book.
CA: Your editorial on the site talks about the Digital Millennium and Sonny Bono Copyright Acts and how they have extended copyright terms for corporate owned works from 75-95 years. Do you see anyway that artists can break the bonds of corporate servitude, not just for the money but for the dignity?
AC: Artists might have to fight against the notion of intellectual property rights since they are inevitable ceded to the aformentioned multinationals. Alternately they would have to fight in unison to retain them.
CA: Do you see artist ever organizing in such a manner that they could overcome the corporate stranglehold on their work?
AC: This remains to be seen.
CA: Speaking of artists dignity, what’s happening with the writers credit on FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS? On the ever fallible Internet Movie Database, the film lists Terry Gilliam and Hunter Thompson as the writers and your writers credits have the film listed as yours. What’s up?
AC: Ask the IMD where they get their information. They will probably correct it, or give you an answer why.
(for more info on this go to http://www.pscweb.com/repo/ and check it out under, “What’s happening with FEAR AND LOTHING…”)
CA: I noticed while looking at your films that Rudy Wurlitzer did the script for WALKER. He also did the script for another under the radar film, TWO LANE BLACKTOP. Have you ever seen it and what did you think of it.
AC: It’s really good. Very funny. It has aged brilliantly, mainly thanks to the character of GTO and the performance by Warren Oates.
CA: Oates was fabulous and Harry Dean Stanton had a marvelous cameo as the gay hitchhiker Oates picks up as well. Was this the first thing you ever saw Stanton in?
AC: First time I learned HD’s name was in THE MISSOURI BREAKS. I am sure I’d seen him previously.
CA: At the time it came out, Walker was a great education to me about how fleeting fame can be. Here’s a man who was a hot topic in his time who has all but disappeared in ours. Can you think of any politicians that will probably happen to from our time?
AC: Clinton, Bush, Gore, Blair.
CA: If you could make a film about a political celebrity from the past ten years, who would it be?
AC: George Bush Sr.
CA: What do you find noteworthy about him that you would want future generations to know about?
AC: That he ran the US Government for eight years while pretending to be vice president and managed to conceal that he was a) running the show and b) fluent in Mandarin.
CA: Let’s talk about the new release of Repo Man. What do you think of the DVD format?
AC: Good, no?
CA: It was an eclectic film, mixing aliens, atoms and automobiles to form an anti nuclear message. How did you come to include such a strange mix of culture and counter culture?
AC: Those were my interests at the time. Mainly nuclear war, actually, but also patterns of synchronicity. I was never very keen on cars.
CA: You’ve made quiet a few film/shorts/docs about important political subjects, but Repo Man, this quirky pop film about punks and nuclear threat seems to have made the biggest mark in the market for you, why do you think that is?
AC: Good producers, good soundtrack, fortunate production circumstances.
CA: What do you think of the worlds fascination with aliens? Where do you think the need to believe in the unprovable originates?
AC: Unscrupulous media barons such as Rupert Murdoch; the CIA and US Airforce and their need to conceal “black” aviation projects behind a cloak of mumbo-jumbo.
CA: What about the world’s fascination with nuclear war?
AC: It would be odd if people were not fascinated by this subject.
CA: I was listening to an NPR story today about the reality show Survivor. They had a shrink on who was discussing the fact that the really nice, good people were being kicked off the island and the least likable person would probably win because they manipulated the others. The main point was that people who are amoral are more successful over all than people who are immoral or moral based. How would you classify Otto’s morality? (forgive me, I miss college).
AC: Otto has no morality. He is a blank page. He will do anything.
CA: Where did you meet Harry Dean Stanton?
AC: At a pizza restaurant in Los Angeles in 1979. I was trying to persuade him to act in my student film (he didn’t).
CA: What made you decide to cast him in Repo Man?
AC: Dennis Hopper wasn’t available.
CA: The tag line “it’s 4am, do you know where your car is?” is funny on so many levels, especially in relation to the way American’s feel about their cars and children. Repo Man makes a mockery of, well of many things, but definitely of American parenting, was that intentional or just a bi-product of the artistic process?
AC: It was all intentional.
CA: Speaking of nuclear power, you’ve written several Godzilla comics for Dark Horse. How did that come about?
AC: They wrote and asked me if I’d write some. So I did…
CA: Are you a Godzilla fan?
AC: Yes. Though I am a bigger fan of King Kong!
CA: What has King Kong got that Godzilla hasn’t?
AC: A hairy (sorry that’s all that came through cyberspace…ED)
CA: I noticed that on your favorite film list on your web site there aren’t many recent films. What is, say, your favorite film of the last five years, in the English language?
AC: Don’t have one.
CA: What’s going on with your new project, A Hard Look? Is it TV or film?
AC: It’s a documentary about the EMMANUELLE films for Channel 4.
CA: And finally, what do you feel is your proudest accomplishment?
AC: WALKER.
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