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Families of flotilla martyrs call for lifting of Gaza siege
Families of the nine peaceful activists who were martyred on May 31 when Israeli commandoes attacked on Mavi Marmara international flotilla, which was taking humanitarian aid to Gaza called Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza at a news conference held in İstanbul on Dec. 7.
The news conference, which was held at the headquarters of the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation in İstanbul, was attended by Derya Kılıçlar, wife of martyred peace activist Cevdet Kılıçlar, Ahmet Doğan, father of martyred peace activist Furkan Doğan, Refika Yıldırım, wife of martyred peace activist Necdet Yıldırım, Çiğdem Topçuoğlu, wife of martyred peace activist Çetin Topçuoğlu, Saniye Bengi, wife of martyred peace activist Ali Haydar Bengi, Muhammed Ensari, brother-in-law of Bengi, İsmail Songür, son of martyred peace activist Cengiz Songür, İsmail Bilgen, son of martyred peace activist İbrahim Bilgen, Hasan Yaldız, brother of martyred peace activist Fahri Yaldız and IHH President Bülent Yıldırım.
Martyr families said the Mavi Marmara incident cannot be covered up only through Israel’s offering an apology and paying compensations for the victims. “Our relatives became martyrs for the sake of removal of the blockade on Gaza. Our hearts will be consoled if only the blockade on Gaza is lifted.”
Last week, Turkey put aside tensions in diplomatic relations with Israel, and under orders by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, rushed to send fire fighting aircraft to assist in the battle against Israel’s biggest-ever fire that has killed around 40 people. Following Turkey’s move, it is said that Turkish and Israeli relations will enter a period of reconciliation and Israel will offer an apology to Turkey for the Mavi Marmara attack and pay compensations to the victims. As the most important parties of the case, martyr families voiced their demands and expectations about Israel at the news conference.
The martyr families said they were offended by Turkey’s sending fire fighting aircraft to Israel and asked why Turkey did not send any aircraft while the Mavi Marmara ship was being attacked by Israeli soldiers in international waters.
A symbolic apology and compensation unacceptable
Associate Professor Ahmet Doğan, father of Furkan, said a symbolic apology and compensation to be offered by Israel would not be sufficient alone.
Noting that his son sacrificed his life for the elimination of the blockade on Gaza, he said: “ My son was on that ship for the lifting of Gaza siege. He had only one goal: to take humanitarian aid to Gaza. He became a martyr for the sake of this goal. An apology will not make us forgive Israel. If Israel is to offer an apology, this should not be a symbolic one. As far as I understand, they will not make a sincere apology. It seems as if they will offer a symbolic apology for the attack. We can never accept such an apology.”
A compensation not a price for the blood of martyrs
About the compensation that needs to be paid to victims and martyr families by Israel, Doğan said: “It will be wrong to see a compensation to be paid by Israel as a price for the blood of the martyrs. As far as I follow Israeli press makes mention of a little sum of a compensation. As martyr families, we do not need the money that will come from Israel; however, paying a compensation is a part of the punishment that Israel should be given. The amount of the compensation to be paid by Israel should be a very large sum that will hurt it. We are not playing a game here. Israel committed a big crime which cannot be covered up by a symbolic apology or compensation. What Israel did was a massacre, willful manslaughter and brutality. We expect it to confess to having committed this crime.”
About the fire fighting aircraft that were sent to Israel by Turkey, Doğan said: “Sending of the fire fighting aircraft to Israel is the right thing from a humanitarian and Islamic point of view; however, we have been offended by this move. We have been a little bit saddened. These are just my personal emotions. At the end of the day, we are humans and have emotions. Although bureaucracy and diplomacy are done free of emotions, we would expect our emotions to be taken into consideration.”
Those soldiers should be tried
Martyr Kılıçlar’s wife, Derya, also said Israel’s offering and apology and paying compensation for the victims will not be sufficient to close the Mavi Marmara attack case.
“What Israel did is exactly a massacre. The perpetrators of this attack should be punished. Just as when people commit crimes, they are tried; Israel should also be tried for the crimes it committed. We want the trial of the Israeli soldiers who committed the massacre. And we want the removal of blockade on Gaza.”
About Turkey’s sending fire fighting aircraft to Israel, she said: “Turkey’s move to send fire fighting aircraft to Israel saddened us. I really wonder why not any aircraft were sent to Mavi Marmara on the day of the attack. I offer my thanks to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. Our prime minister has showed an unprecedented attention to the plight of Palestinians that no other Turkish prime minister has showed; however, this is not enough. The blockage on Gaza should be lifted.”
We were deeply hurt when Israel awarded medals to its soldiers
Wife of martyr Yıldırım, Refika said although she has been going through difficult days since the killing of her husband, she is very proud of being the wife of a martyr.
“Our husbands took part in the aid convoy to win Allah’s sake. When Israel gave medals to soldiers who raided the Mavi Marmara, we were hurt once again. Our hearts will be consoled when we see that the perpetrators of this attack are punished properly and when the Gaza blockade is lifted. We want our demands to be fulfilled,” said Yıldırım.
Çiğdem Topçuoğlu who was on board the flotilla with her husband said: “My husband was martyred just next to me. I closed his eyes with my own hands. This is a case of which I am proud. My heart is burning like the forests of Israel. If the Turkish aircraft sent to Israel to help extinguish its forest fires, had been sent for our help, we would perhaps be suffering less now. But we were left alone there.”
Muhammed Ensari, brother-in-law of martyr Bengi, also called for the removal of Gaza siege, saying that this will be the only thing that will console his heart.
Martyr Yaldız’s brother Hasan said: “My brother had only one goal, which was to build a park for the orphans in Gaza. I want to see that park.”
Songür and Bilgen also called for the removal of Gaza blockade in addition to Israel’s offering an apology and paying compensation for the victims.
Yıldırım: Israel should pay a large sum of compensation
For his part, IHH President Yıldırım said Israel should pay a large sum of compensation for the victims, offer an apology to the families of the victims as well as to Turkey and to the entire world and it should immediately remove the blockade on Gaza. Yıldırım also said a new flotilla that will be sent to Gaza on 31 May 2011 should see that the blockage is lifted.
Noting that Israel is currently making some efforts to normalize its relations with Turkey, Yıldırım said: “At this news conference we would like to share the way these efforts are perceived by us as well as our expectations and the expectations of the martyr families from Israel.”
Stressing that Turkey has stood up for Turks and others on board the Mavi Marmara, Yıldırım offered his thanks to all the state officials who supported the Mavi Marmara being mainly President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.
“We were very honored by the stance they took against Israel. Israel was already placed into a difficult position due to this attack and released us immediately in order to save itself from international pressure. It sent our ships months later. They gave great damage to our ships and their engines. Now, they say they will offer an apology and pay compensation. They will do this. In return, they want relations with Turkey as they were before.”
Yıldırım recalled that a report prepared by the UN Human Rights Council about the Mavi Marmara attack found out that Israel committed willful murder on the flotilla.
“The report found that Israel violated international law and human rights by committing heavy crimes such as willful killing, torture and maltreatment of persons, violating persons’ physical integrity rights, detaining and arresting persons arbitrarily, confiscating persons’ belongings and restricting freedom of expression. While it committed so many crimes, what will be the punishment that will be given to Israel? When one kills a person in Turkey, does anybody say let the murderer pay compensation so that he/she can escape trial. Those who committed and masterminded the murders need to be arrested and tried. Furkan’s father will go to the United States and file a case against Israel there because Furkan was a US citizen. No lawsuit has yet been filed against Israel in Turkey. When I took a look at the newspapers yesterday, I saw news saying that Israel will offer an apology to the families of the martyrs and pay compensations for the victims. It is said that the compensation Israel will pay will be between $50,000 and $200,000. If the compensation amount remains so little, this will not mean that Israel has paid any compensation.”
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Entries in Steven Moll (1)
Reality TV Gone Wrong -- American Adventurers Detained in Russia
Stockbyte/Thinkstock(MOSCOW) -- A team of aspiring reality TV stars ran into the reality of foreign laws after they were detained crossing into Russian waters without authorization.
The American team was filming a series called Dangerous Waters Friday when they were detained by Russian authorities after crossing the Bering Strait, the body of water that separates Russia from Alaska, on their personal watercraft.
In an initial video posted on the show’s Facebook page shortly after they were detained, team leader Steven Moll sounded hopeful, saying, “We have to work through some laws, Russian laws, in order to move forward.”
But just a few hours later they posted an update saying they may be detained for a few days.
Moll’s wife told the Sacramento Bee that the crew was greeted by a Russian tank and armed guards as they approached the shore. She said the Americans had Russian visas, but were told there was a problem with their documentation.
Moll, who is producing and marketing the series, and his five companions had planned to travel from Alaska to Vietnam for the second season of a reality TV series that promised to take viewers to dangerous and remote locations only accessibly by personal watercraft.
“Keep your fingers crossed, we’re going to Russia,” Moll said in a YouTube video posted shortly before their departure.
Last year for the show’s first season they completed a 4,500-mile journey from Seattle to Russia on their Sea-Doos.
Family members of the detained crew said they were being treated well and were allowed to walk around the Russian military base, but were not allowed to leave. They said the men faced possible fines and were scheduled to appear in court.
As their detention continued over the weekend, Moll grew increasingly frustrated.
“We want to leave. They won’t let us leave,” he said in another video posted on YouTube. “All we really want to do is get some fuel and head back to the United States. This is ridiculous.”
By Monday the team posted an update saying they had finally been given permission to depart, but only back to the United States and not to the south as they had hoped.
“Russian authorities say they will give us permission to depart back across the Bering Strait tomorrow! Northern route now,” they wrote.
Monday, July 9, 2012 at 7:34PM by Carmen Cox Permalink
tagged Dangerous Waters, Reality Show, Russia, Steven Moll in World News General
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"Side Effects" dance performance at the London School of Pharmacy
Side Effects is a unique collaboration with The School of Pharmacy, University of London and The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, investigating social pharmacy questions through intergenerational community workshops, performance and audience responses. Five dancers aged between 20 and 75 fuse choreography and story inspired by our medical histories. The company, dANTE OR dIE, consists of a former pharmacist, pharmaceutical researcher and a former GP among others.
On Thursday, 17th February dANTE OR dIE will present this new performance at The London School of Pharmacy followed by a discussion chaired by Professor Ian Bates.
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Home » Blogs » Charles Gaba's blog » UPDATED x2: In which I apologize to FOX News' Bret Baier (yes, you read that right)
UPDATED x2: In which I apologize to FOX News' Bret Baier (yes, you read that right)
Fox News cited an unnamed "independent expert" to cast doubt on the veracity of recent Affordable Care Act enrollment numbers, which have exceeded 16 million Americans and are reported to have driven the largest reduction in uninsured persons in 40 years.
...On the March 16 edition of Special Report with Bret Baier, host Bret Baier briefly reported on the enrollment numbers, offering the unevidenced claim that "an independent expert says the reality is fewer than 10 million people have signed up."
I suppose I could write a lengthy screed explaining 8 ways from Sunday how utterly full of garbage that is (i.e., if you don't include Medicaid, don't include sub26ers on their parent's plan, don't include off-exchange enrollments and don't bother including the 14 states running their own exchanges), but really...why bother? FOX has literally pulled a number out of their ass here. I can do the same thing:
"FOX News claims that none of their on-air personalities have molested goats. But an independent expert says that at least 40% of them have."
See how easy that was?
UPDATE: Well whaddya know? Bret Baier himself apparently took offense to my speculating about his posterier being the unidentified source, so he's personally responded:
@Federalist_10 @charles_gaba here u go. http://t.co/QGAzPQxDvp
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) March 19, 2015
And sure enough, here's Fox's source:
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 16 million Americans have gained coverage since President Barack Obama's health care law took effect five years ago, the administration said Monday.
But measuring a different way, an independent expert who took into account insurance losses during some of those years had a much lower estimate: 9.7 million.
The Department of Health and Human Services estimated that 16.4 million adults have gained health insurance since the law's major coverage provisions began taking effect in 2010.
The lower independent estimate is based on a large daily survey called the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.
...According to the HHS estimate, 14.1 million adults got their insurance after the law's big expansion began at the end of 2013. HHS said it used Gallup-Healthways data to arrive at that figure.
...Gallup's lower number was computed in a different way.
Dan Witters, research director for the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, said his survey shows the uninsured rate declined from 16.3 percent in early 2010 to 12.3 percent this year among adults 18-64. That translates to about 9.7 million fewer uninsured adults over that time period.
OK. First of all, credit where due: Mr. Baier has indeed given his source, and the source certainly is a reputable one...interestingly, the same Gallup poll that HHS is using.
So, thanks for that, and I'm actually going to do something I never thought I'd do: Apologize for being rude to FOX News. There, I said it.
So, how on earth can the same data from the same source generate such different results?
Well, as I've noted in the past, it really depends on whether you're going by the monthly, quarterly or annual numbers, since the uninsured rate jumps around a lot. In this case, the "early 2010" rate of 16.3% appears to be from this Gallup survey:
The close to 300,000 surveys Gallup has conducted so far in 2010 find an average of 16.3% of Americans reporting being uninsured at the time they were interviewed. More Americans on average have government healthcare and fewer have employer-based coverage so far in 2010 compared with 2009 and 2008.
I should also note that I was a bit surprised to see Mr. Witters give the age range surveyed as "18 - 64" when Gallup's own survey methodology clearly states it as being over 18 only, with no upper age limit:
Results are based on telephone interviews conducted Jan. 2-Feb.28, 2014, as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index survey, with a random sample of 27,855 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is ±1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
If you go by the starting point of the ACA being signed into law (March 2010), Gallup does indeed have the uninsured rate being 16.3%, vs. 12.3% as of February 2015. That's a drop of 4 percentage points. what does that mean in actual numbers? Well, bear in mind that the national population has grown from around 309 million total in 2010 to around 320 million as of early 2015; those 11 million additional people confuse the comparison a bit. Also remember that again, these surveys don't include children under 18, which make up around 24% of the total population, and whose uninsured rate has always been lower than the population as a whole.
Still, the main reason for the discrepancy is that the HHS Dept. blended together 7 quarters of data for their baseline (Q1 2012 - Q3 2013), or a starting point of 20.3%, ending with 13.2% in Q1 2015. Then they went back and added the 2.3 million "sub26ers" (19-25 year olds) from prior to Q3 2013 to get their 16.4 million number.
Note that I actually found this a bit questionable on Monday.
So, here's what it looks like when you list all of the quarterly Gallup polls in a row. To me, if you're going to use the Gallup-Healthways index as your data source (and HHS claims to have used it for their primary source), all this "blending" stuff seems a bit disingenuous. Instead, I'd just go with the actual quarterly Gallup surveys and compare the starting and ending points. This gives the following:
If you start with March 2010 (when the ACA was actually signed into law, then the total population was around 309 million, 24% of which was under 18, leaving around 235 million adults. 16.3% of that is 38.3 million.
If you end with February 2015, the total population was around 320 million. 76% of that is around 243 million adults. 12.3% of that is 29.9 million...a net reduction of around 8.4 million, which is indeed even less than Mr. Witters stated.
This is exactly why I found starting with the signing of the law so questionable in the first place. As you can see, the uninsured rate jumped around a lot between 2010 and 2013. For that matter, it's a bit silly to use March 2010 as the base point since even the earliest provisions of it took several months to actually get implmented; the "sub26er" rule didn't kick in until October 2010, if I recall, and it's not like every one of those 2.3 million young adults pounced on it all at once.
That doesn't mean that those 2.3 million "sub26ers" shouldn't "count", but in terms of the total NET uninsured rate going down due to the Affordable Care Act, that didn't clearly kick into effect until the 4th quarter of 2013, when the ACA exchanges and Medicaid Expansion enrollments started up.
If you use that as your starting point (Q3 2013, just before the exchanges launched), Gallup had the uninsured rate at 18.0% of all 242.7 million adults...or around 43.7 million people, give or take. That's a net uninsured reduction (including population growth) of 13.8 million (remember, HHS claimed 14.1 million since 10/1/13 in thier report on Monday, which is well within the MoE here).
So, in conclusion:
I was right to question the "16.4 million since 2010" figure
I was right to tout the "14.1 million since October 2013" figure
I was right to call FOX out for not citing their source in their news report (Baier really should have just said "...according to Dan Witters, research director for the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index" instead of "...an independent expert", especially since that's a pretty credible source, after all), however...
...I was wrong to be quite so nasty about it in my original post.
According to a study by PolitiFact, FOX News lies 60% of the time*, so I had strong reason to suspect they made this claim up. This appears to be among the 40% of the time that they actually tell the truth...with one important caveat:
Here's the thing: Mr. Witters didn't say that "fewer than 10 million signed up". What he said was that by their methodology, Gallup finds that the net reduction in the uninsured since March 2010 is "fewer than 10 million". That may sound like a minor distinction, but it's not.
*UPDATE: Some have pointed out that the "lies 60% of the time" figure itself may be questionable, since obviously PolitiFact can't track every single factual statement made by FOX. Fair enough. Here's 50 specific statements made on FOX News which PolitiFact has confirmed as being "false", "pants on fire" or "mostly false".
The total number of people who have "signed up" (for Exchange-based QHPs, Off-exchange QHPs, Medicaid expansion, SHOP policies, etc.) since October 2013 is over 33 million people. It's just that over half of these people were switching from other types of coverage.
In short, my beef with FOX and Baier here is 1) they didn't cite the source (when they easily could have, ironically) in the first place, and 2) they conflated "signing up" with "net reduction in the uninsured" which are two very different numbers.
Still, again, credit to Mr. Baier is due: I questioned both the identity and credibility of his source, and he provided both.
UPDATE x2: I see that the FOX Nation folks have spotted my apology. Welcome, I guess.
Since this post seems to have turned into a Thing® today, I should also reiterate something else that I noted on Monday:
On the other hand, note that today's report and data does not include children under 18, which means that the net reduction since 2013 could be as many as 900K higher, or a total reduction of 15 million uninsured in just the past year and a half.
...The irony here is that they could have touted the "35% reduction in the uninsured rate" just as loudly if they had used October 2013 as the starting point. According to Gallup, in Q3 2013 the adult uninsured rate was 18.0%, and was down to 12.3% as of February 2015. That's a reduction of 31.7%, and doesn't include children under 18 or the 2 million or so exchange enrollees whose policies started on March 1st (as well as a bunch more Medicaid/CHIP enrollees). Throw those into the mix and I'm pretty confident that the overall insured rate is indeed down 35% since just 10/1/13.
Still, the overall trend is clear: Any way you slice it, the Affordable Care Act is succeeding at the first of its two major goals: Reducing the number of uninsured Americans by as many as possible.
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Online Course in Curating/Research at cARTcLab / Hungary
April 23, 2013 at 6pm to April 24, 2013 at 7pm – Budapest, Hungary The cARTcLab online program was established in Budapest, 2012. The lab aims to provide as much information and experience about contemporary art as possible both for people (who are) employed within… Organized by CARTC | Type: workshop
Artsadmin’s Artists' Bursary Scheme
February 19, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – London UK Artsadmin’s Artists' Bursary Scheme has been running since 1998 and has supported over 150 artists working individually or collaboratively in Live Art. The 2012 Bursary Scheme is generously supported… Organized by ArtsAdmin | Type: funding
Arts Council England - Artists' international development fund
February 20, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – United Kingdom The Artists' international development programme is a £750,000 fund, jointly funded by the British Council and Arts Council England. The programme offers early stage development opportunities for i… Organized by Arts Council England | Type: funding
Arts Council England - Grants for the arts
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 12pm – United Kingdom You can now submit your application to Grants for the arts online using our online application. The latest version of the application pack includes: the Grants for the arts application form guidanc… Organized by Arts Council England | Type: funding
Arts Council Wales
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – Wales, UK Our vision is of a creative Wales where the arts are central to the life of the nation. Our priorities are: supporting the creation of the best in great art encouraging more people to enjoy and tak… Organized by Arts Council Wales | Type: funding
Arts Council Ireland
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – Ireland Arts organisations, artists, and groups (i.e. a non-profit organisation or community group or those working in the health andeducation sector) may apply for financial support from the Arts Council. … Organized by Arts Council Ireland | Type: funding
Creative New Zealand
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – New Zealand Creative New Zealand is the national arts development agency. We aim to be a catalyst in the development of a flourishing arts environment in New Zealand by investing in artists and arts organisation… Organized by Creative New Zealand | Type: funding
Visual Arts Sea Grant Programme of Rhode Island
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to May 24, 2013 at 7am – Rhode Island, USA The Visual Arts Sea Grant Program of Rhode Island was established in 1988 to encourage New England professional visual artists to address the issue of the environment of the ocean and its coastal com… Organized by The University of Rhode Island | Type: funding
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – Northern Ireland With awards ranging from £500 to £10,000, Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Small Grants scheme is particularly useful for entry-level companies. The organisation also offers incentives for groups l… Organized by Arts Council of Northern Ireland | Type: funding
Arts Trust Scotland
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – Scotland, UK So you've got a great idea - a sculpture, an installation, a painting, a play, a book, a screenplay or maybe something else - but you need a little money to take your idea from blank page to reality.… Organized by Arts Trust Scotland | Type: funding
Arts Funding Grants 2013 | The Australia Council for the Arts
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – Australia The Australia Council for the Arts is the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body. Each year, we deliver more than $160 million in funding for arts organisations and individual artists… Organized by The Australia Council for the Arts | Type: funding
Wellcome Trust Arts Awards
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – UK Arts Awards support imaginative and experimental arts projects that explore biomedical science. The scheme aims to: stimulate interest, excitement and debate about biomedical science through high-q… Organized by Wellcome Trust | Type: funding
William H. Johnson Prize
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to October 31, 2013 at 7pm – California, USA The William H. Johnson Prize is awarded annually to an early career African American artist. For our purposes,"early career" is a flexible term that should be interpreted liberally to include artists… Organized by William H. Johnson Foundation for the Arts | Type: funding
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation's Grant Scheme
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – New York, USA Purpose The Pollock-Krasner Foundation's dual criteria for grants are recognizable artistic merit and demonstrable financial need, whether professional, personal or both. The Foundation's mission is… Organized by Pollock-Krasner Foundation | Type: funding
Call for applications | Aaron Siskind Foundation Individual Photographer’s Fellowship
March 1, 2013 at 8am to May 24, 2013 at 6am – New York, USA 2013 Individual Photographer's Fellowship Grant Information and Application Guidelines Application Period: March 1 - May 24, 2013 Application Deadline: May 24, 2013 at 11:59 pm Mountain Time Gene… Organized by Aaron Siskind Foundation | Type: funding
A Tribute to David Bowie HAUPTSTRASSE The Berlin Years 1976 - 1978
March 16, 2013 at 7pm to May 18, 2013 at 6pm – Egbert Baqué Contemporary Art On January 8th 2013, his 66th birthday, David Bowie surprised the whole world by publishing on the Internet a video with the new song Where Are We Now, a touching wistful retrospect of his Berlin yea… Organized by Egbert Baque Contemporary Art | Type: group, exhibition
UNESCO Aschberg Bursaries for Artists
March 18, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – Paris, France The UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists Programme promote the mobility of young artists in order to enrich their personal perspectives, to develop their creative project, enabling them to engage in… Organized by UNESCO | Type: funding
LAYER ON LAYER
March 19, 2013 at 3pm to May 19, 2013 at 6pm – DE GARAGE STEFAN ANNEREL Layer on Layer solo exhibition March 24 – May 19 2013 Open from Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm and by appointment We kindly invite you to the Opening on Sunday March 24,… Organized by DE GARAGE, Mechelen | Type: solo, exhibition
Call for Art - Theme “SeaScapes” Online Art Competition
March 24, 2013 to April 26, 2013 – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery announces an art call for the gallery’s 3rd Annual “SeaScapes” Juried Art Competition for the month of April 2013. The gallery invites all 2D artists (inclu… Organized by johnrmath | Type: online, art, gallery
Exhibition "face to face"
March 30, 2013 to April 28, 2013 – Pietrasanta, Italy Exhibition "face to face" 30 March - 28 April 2013 @ Grage Bonci, Italy P.zza della Repubblica 3 - 55045 Pietrasanta (LU) www.garagebonci.it info@garagebonci.it +39 331 7671163 --Artists-- Gia… Organized by Grage Bonci | Type: exhibition
Paradise is the New Hell
April 1, 2013 to April 27, 2013 – Irakleitou 3 Athens Greece batagianni gallery "...The circus is a type of art of action with concrete images. Everything in the circus happens in "real". The dancer is dancing with "real danger" on a real rope, and the tamer… Organized by filippos tsitsopoulos | Type: installation, photography, video
Register for The Lumen Prize 2013 | Call for entries open 1st April
April 1, 2013 at 8am to July 1, 2013 at 7pm – Wales, UK The Lumen Prize is an international award that celebrates the very best fine art created digitally. Our goal is to focus the world’s attention on this exciting, emerging genre of fine art through an… Organized by The Treberfydd Foundation | Type: competition
April 1, 2013 at 6pm to June 30, 2013 at 7pm – miami florida group exhibition iHORIZON ARTS MIAMI Organized by shula ross | Type: exhibition
That Perfectly Arranged Mouth, paintings by Katharine Colona Hopkins
April 5, 2013 to May 12, 2013 – 440 Gallery Brooklyn, NY -- Fueled by her efforts to find resolution with death and suffering, Katharine Hopkins has appropriated artistic traditions of the 17th century in a fresh, contemporary manner. Her lat… Organized by 440 Gallery | Type: exhibition
Celeste Prize 2013
April 8, 2013 at 6pm to July 31, 2013 at 7pm – Celeste Network Join Celeste Prize by 31 July 2013. It's your opportunity to have your work picked by our team of international curators and be part of a talent scouting environment. Artists from around the world ca… Organized by Celeste Network | Type: open, call
The Bodging Project
April 10, 2013 at 10am to June 2, 2013 at 5pm – The Harley Gallery The Bodging Project27 March – 2 June 2013 The Bodging Project’s creative adventures and woodworking experiments will be showing at The Harley Gallery, Welbeck from 27 March to 2 June. Visit to explo… Organized by The Harley Gallery | Type: exhibition
Cass Sculpture Foundation
April 11, 2013 at 6am to November 3, 2013 at 7am – West Sussex, UK COME AND EXPLORE THE FOUNDATION'S 26 ACRE GROUNDS AND 80 SCULPTURES SET AMONGST THE WEST SUSSEX COUNTRYSIDE AND SPRAWLING WOODLAND. 2013 Re-opening The Cass Sculpture Foundation re-opens for its ne… Organized by CASS SCULPTURE FOUNDATION | Type: exhibition
Grey art exhibitions
April 13, 2013 at 10am to April 26, 2013 at 10pm – grand indonesia shopping town Visual Art Exhibition Theme: Grey More than 29 Artists from ASRI / ISI Jogjakarta Painting and sculpture / installation May 13 to 26, 2013, 10:00 to 22:00 Grand Indonesia Shopping Town Exhibition Hal… Organized by talentaorganizer | Type: visual, art, exhibition
Colori e suoni delle origini
April 13, 2013 at 6pm to April 30, 2013 at 7:30pm – Palazzo D'Accursio Sala Ercole Colori e suoni delle origini OPERE DI ANDREA BENETTI E MUSICA DI FRANK NEMOLA a cura di Silvia Grandi 10/30 aprile 2013 http://www.andreabenetti-foundation.org http://www.andreabenetti.com Comu… Organized by DAR Dipartimento Arti Visive, Performative, Mediali - Università di Bologna | Type: mostra, e, performance, musicale
Art in Mind | Day Dreams
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to May 4, 2013 at 6pm – The Brick Lane Gallery DAY DREAMS Preview: Wednesday 24th April 6 -8.30pm JUDGE |CLAUDIA BLAESI |CHRISTIE ALMOND|DOMENICO MAZZILLI| JACK HARDWICKE| JADRYK BROWN |GAIL FRANCIS-TIRON |AGATA BALTYZAR |SASA SAASTAMOINEN |RODR… Organized by The Brick Lane Gallery | Type: art, exhibition
New York School of Visual Arts | Computer Art Course
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to January 31, 2014 at 7pm – New York Computer art is often considered a creative discipline that is driven by machines, not people, by technicians, not artists. Nothing could be further from the truth. Like all visual arts, success is f… Organized by New York School of Visual Arts | Type: workshop
New York School of Visual Arts | Visual & Critical Studies Course
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to January 31, 2014 at 7pm – New York Visual and critical studies courses at SVA are designed to engage and challenge students in areas beyond a single medium of expression and creation. The dynamic course offerings reflect our rapidly e… Organized by New York School of Visual Arts | Type: workshop
Paris Summer Academy - Performing Arts & Dance Course
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to February 28, 2014 at 7pm – Paris, France ORIANTHEATRE Dance Company in partnership with Centre de danse du Marais is organizing a one month intensive Performing Arts Academy in Paris. Paris Summer Academy is an international Academy and it… Organized by Orian Theatre | Type: workshop
New York School of Visual Arts Animation Course | Film, Video and Animation Information Session
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to January 31, 2014 at 8:30pm – New York SVA is an art and design school in New York City offering animation classes through its continuing education program. Our animation courses blend the practical, the theoretical and the creative, and… Organized by School of Visual Arts New York | Type: workshop
Master Courses at the International Academy of Arts Vallauris
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – Vallauris, France The International Academy of Arts is located in the old city of Vallauris, nearby Sophia-Antipolis and 20 minutes away from the International Airport of Nice-Côte d'Azur. Master Courses / Summer Ac… Organized by The International Academy of Arts | Type: workshop
Berlin School of Photography
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to January 31, 2014 at 7pm – Berlin, Germany The Berlin School of Photography offers photography workshops designed to learn a new skill and to live and explore Berlin through the eyes of the camera. We do assignments at major attraction sites… Organized by Berlin School of Photography | Type: workshop
New York School of Visual Arts | Design Course
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to January 31, 2014 at 7pm – New York There is no shortcut to great design. It starts with comprehensive training to hone your talents into a skill set you'll use to articulate concepts. Of the myriad pieces of graphic design you'll come… Organized by New York School of Visual Arts | Type: workshop
Typography Summer School
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to January 31, 2014 at 7pm – London and New York Typography Summer School is a meeting place for graduates of graphic design, wanting to bridge the gap between student and professional and learn more about typography. The school brings together lea… Organized by Typography Summer School | Type: workshop
New York School of Visual Arts | Film & Video Course
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to January 31, 2014 at 7pm – New York The art of filmmaking—writing, cinematography, music, editing, sound—can inspire and influence people and the world around us. It takes talented, passionate, creative individuals to work in this fasc… Organized by New York School of Visual Arts | Type: workshop
New York School of Visual Arts | Fine Arts Course
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to January 31, 2014 at 7pm – New York The School of Visual Arts is proud of its long history as a proving ground for new voices in the field of fine arts. In our studios and workshops, artists develop new means of expression. Fine Arts… Organized by New York School of Visual Arts | Type: workshop
New York School of Visual Arts | Illustration & Cartooning Course
April 24, 2013 at 6pm to January 31, 2014 at 7pm – New York SVA is an art and design school in New York City offering illustration and cartooning courses through its continuing education program. From illustration and cartooning basics to advanced techniques… Organized by New York School of Visual Arts | Type: workshop
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Brunei celebrating World Braille Day
by James Kon
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ANN) - Members of the public who sense something wrong with their vision or eyes are advised to go for a check-up at any of the eye clinics in health centres throughout the country.
Individuals who experience a sudden loss of visual functions meanwhile should head to emergency services to seek immediate treatment.
Early detection of visual anomalies is very important because some of the cases of visual impairment are preventable and curable. In the case of glaucoma for example, early detection gives the sufferer a chance to preserve the majority of his or her vision for a long period of time.
The importance of having regular eye check-ups and early detection of eye problems was underscored by an eye consultant at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital Pengiran Dr Noor Affizan binti Pengiran Haji Abd Rahman during an interview on the sidelines of the World Braille Day celebration at the hospital.
“The majority of glaucoma patients in Brunei come to us very late and their visual functions have regressed so much that no matter what we do, the patient could still go completely blind,” she highlighted.
She said World Braille Day celebration “is marked annually on January 4 after the day was proclaimed at the United Nations General Assembly in November 2018, as a means of realising fully the human rights of visually-impaired and partially-sighted people, and bringing written language to the forefront as a critical prerequisite for promoting fundamental freedoms”.
She pointed out that across the world there are around 39 million people that are blind, and another 253 million have some sort of vision impairment.
Braille, she noted, provides a tactical representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols so blind and partially-sighted people are able to read the same books and periodicals as printed and available in standard text form.
In the local context, the majority of visual impairments are due to genetics, while among the older generation, glaucoma and diabetes are common, Pengiran Dr Noor Affizan said.
“This is one of the main concerns because there are many diabetic patients in Brunei,” she added.
“Examples of other age-related visual problems include retinal degeneration (retinopathy). This normally afflicts people between 12 and 80 years old.”
Brunei Darussalam National Association of the Blind (BDNAB) President Muhammad Hamzi bin Omar meanwhile stated his hope that people will go for an eye check-up at least once a year.
“I am hoping that the BDNAB will be able to set up a training centre for the blind within five years, however at present the association lacks funding,” he said. “Hopefully members of the public or companies can come forward to donate to the association to achieve its target of having its own training centre.”
Held at the hallway of the Eye Centre of RIPAS Hospital, the celebration was officiated by the guest of honour Deputy Permanent Secretary (Professional) at the Ministry of Health (MoH) Dr Haji Zulaidi bin Haji Abdul Latif.
This year’s celebration was held with the cooperation of the Special Education Unit, Ministry of Education; the BDNAB; and the Braille Company.
The aim of the celebration is to raise public awareness on the importance of Braille as the written language for people who are visual-impaired, and to give the public the opportunity to gain information and advice on eye problems and techniques on proper eye care.
CEO of RIPAS Hospital Saidah binti Haji Wahid as well as staff and officers of the MoH and RIPAS Hospital were also present at the celebration.
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The Beatles 50 Years Ago Today : Friday, February 28, 1964
Studio One, BBC Piccadilly Studios, London
Following the success of their initial "bank holiday" special - From Us To You, broadcst on December 26, 1963, the BBC booked the group to headline a second such program, taped this day and transmitted in the Light Programme under the same title between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon on Easter Monday, March 30th. Recording took place between 6:30 and 9:00 pm (inclusive of rehearsal time) at the Corporation's studios at 201 Piccadilly, central London. (Other guests in the show, booked by the BBC but supposedly at the invitiation of the Beatles, included Acker Bilk, the Swinging Blues Jeans and Vince Hill. They were all taped at a different session).
The Beatle's contribution was the usual mixture of music and with, the latter surfacing in the form of light-hearted interviews with the program's host Alan Freeman. Recordings made especially for the show were "You Can't Do THat", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Till There Was You", "I Wanna Be Your Man", "Please Mister Postman", "All My Loving", "This Boy" and "Can't Buy Me Love". Additionally, the show opened and closed with an a 55-second recording, "From Us To You" - however, this was not the version recorded on December 18, 1963 for the first such "bank holiday" special, but a new rendition taped at this February 28th session. (The two subsequent From Us To You shows - taped on May 1 and July 17, 1964 - repeated this new version).
Reaction to the program was mixed. A BBC audience research report noted, among others, two widely different opinions from members of the public. A security guard considered the Beatles "vastly over-rated; their performance was decidedly amateur, and their entertainment value nil", while a solicitor, self-described as being "over-20", stated "How can anyone fail to like them? Their music is so gay and uninhibited, and they themselves are full of joie de vivre."
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James Vincent McMorrow at Commodore Ballroom
Monday 28th, November 2016 / 10:10
in • British Columbia, • Live Reviews, CITY, REVIEWS
By Sheena Antonios
James Vincent McMorrow at Commodore Ballroom.
Photo: Justin Uitto
VANCOUVER — Amongst the monsoon and Amber Alerts Vancouver was experiencing, James Vincent McMorrow played at the Commodore Ballroom. This was the Irish singer-songwriter’s third performance in Vancouver celebrating his newest album We Move. It is arguably his most celebrated album to date – it received international praise when released in September. At first, one is tempted to interpret this album as romance driven due to the R&B styles and McMorrow’s soulful vocals. However, at closer listen one may interpret it as almost entirely self-reflective and depicting McMorrow’s unapologetic acceptance of himself.
To walk into this show three songs late would have been a colossal shame although still not a disappointment. McMorrow spent the first three songs building up the energy within himself and the crowd in order to release a full-fledged emotional rollercoaster about 15 minutes in. The artist largely stuck to tracks from the touring album however, the usual suspects from his older work did make an appearance such as the cover “Higher Love” and his cult classic, “We Don’t Eat,” which was suitably his pre-encore finisher.
There was an element of authenticity that came from McMorrow and his band that is so often dulled when artists are coming to the end of a tour. He was unarguably present and engaged during his performance. Furthermore, his music has a unique ability to leave you stimulated despite sounding undoubtedly melancholy. McMorrow is one of those rare artists that manages to sound better during live performances than recorded ones. Something that is achievable when the sounds are well balanced and the vocalist is particularly talented – as is very true with McMorrow.
There were two tracks that really stood out in terms of energy on and off stage. The first was the aforementioned turning point in the show, “Killer Whales“ and genuinely transformed the performance from good to great. The emotion evoked whilst performing this song triggered wondering if this particular song holds a special spot for McMorrow. The second honourable mention, “A Thousand Times,” is a song written to be performed live and was very well received by the crowd.
There was an undeniable sense of gratitude emitted by McMorrow throughout the show perhaps due to the correlation with American Thanksgiving. Fans who have seen him in Vancouver in previous years might have found it calming that he no longer fills the space between songs with jokes and chatter but feels comfortable performing in a strictly musical way. James Vincent McMorrow is undeniably a very emotionally intelligent person and this came across during his set in Vancouver. McMorrow personifies many feelings the current generation is trying to cope with, “People listening to my songs and believing that I’m out in the forest all day long, thinking about trees. Because I’m actually at home, trying to convince myself to go out and get milk.”
Also notable during this show is that in the second verse of “Higher Love” McMorrow suddenly asked his band to “cool it for a second” while he personally checked on a girl in the front of the crowd who appeared to have fainted. McMorrow won some brownie points with the Vancouver crowd as he reminded everyone to stay hydrated. Come visit again soon, James.
BC, British Columbia, Commodore Ballroom, James Vincent McMorrow
← Top three Project Wild finalists highlight Alberta’s progressive country community Thee Oh Sees, Alex Cameron at Rickshaw Theatre →
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A Philosopher's Blog
Philosophical Essays on Many Subjects
Dr. LaBossiere
Democrats at Work Part Deux
November 14, 2013 by Michael LaBossiere 235 Comments
Since the original Democrats at Work post has so many comments, I thought I’d add another for fresh commentary on the wickedness of the Democrats. And fellow travelers. Remember, you can’t spell “Democrat” without “rat.”
Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: apple, Democratic, fruit, Jean-Paul Sartre, Les Deux Magots, Paris, United States, wordpress
ajmacdonaldjr says
If you’ll note, as I’ve said, the propaganda from the Right is making Obama out to be the incarnation of evil, when, in fact, he’s not. If anyone in US history is the incarnation of evil it is G H W Bush, with D Cheney a close second. Israel, Israel, Israel, is the paradigm to see all US politics through, and the Right is hardcore Zionist and militarist, whereas the Democrats are not as hardcore (although still Zionist and militarist). Obama is keeping us out of war in Syria and Iran and the Right is furious.
T. J. Babson says
The sleepy begin to awake…
magus71 says
They still think it’s government role to provide healthcare to everyone. I don’t, mostly because that system will never be as good as what we had. Just as with other less damaging laws, Obamacare will not be repealed. It stands for everything liberals stand for. They are fully invested and repealing it will be an admission they were wrong.
It will be decades before people really see. When they see their lives ruled by dogma and not thought. Kind of like life in the Army.
WTP says
In the interest of diversity, here’s an Aussie academic who, “like most academics works seven days a week”. His Sundays are described here. Brutal.
http://blogs.news.com.au/images/uploads/faceofmelbourne.png
What say you, Magus?
The woman fled from the police not once, but twice. She was stopped for speeding, refused to sign the ticket. In Maine, you can go to jail for refusing to sign.
Not sure what New Mexico state law or department policy says about police shooting at the tires of vehicles. We couldn’t do it where I worked.
I guess the implication is that the police endangered the kids but shooting at the tires of the van, but somehow the mom bears no responsibility for fleeing from a lawful arrest.
I was sued twice while I was a cop. Most cops get sued. Both times were the plaintiffs lied like crazy. Both times they lost. But eventually the lies probably would have won out if I’d stayed 20 years working the street. I should have counter-sued. If I were these cops I’d sue the woman for putting them through so much mental pain, claim I couldn’t sleep for months because of this. The same kind of BS the criminals come up with.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2013/1119/Minivan-shooting-video-Why-New-Mexico-police-fired-on-family
The mother posed no danger to anybody. There was really no reason to shoot at the van. Seems to me the cops were very quick to escalate the level of violence.
One cop.
This is how the police used to deal with hardcore criminals, which I realize this woman is not. But it does put things in perspective. Old Tactic: Form a posse and ambush.
Bonnie and Clyde’s fate:
The mother was pulled over for speeding. We don’t know how fast or possibly driving erratically? Her later behavior is certainly erratic. One could argue she posed a danger to her children. When I first saw references to this video on Ace of Spades I think, I wasn’t able to watch it but the description was such that she was simply speeding and then pulled away. The tv news only showed the clip of the cop firing at the car. I like the vid title of “shoot up minivan”, as if he was aerating the vehicle like in some bogus John Kerry speech. Having now seen the whole video, her reaction, her teenage son’s behavior, it’s not so clean cut. None of this would have happened if she and especially her son would have just stayed in the car, taken the ticket, and argued their point in court. That phrase, “just stayed in the car”, has a certain familiar ring to it…hmmm…
Given the recent BS by NM police forcing an enema on a guy, which was completely wrong, I suspect that there’s now an effort to focus as much attention on NM police as possible, especially NM being a border state … One with the word “Mexico” in it.
read the CSM link I posted. She was doing 71 in a 55, got stopped, and issued a ticket. She refused to sign and ran from police twice. People have lost the idea that the cops can use force to arrest them, even for small infractions. They can bust your window out to extract you from your car is such a case. The policeman who shot says he was trying to stop the van by shooting the tire. I wouldn’t have done it and he’ll probably be fired for being stupid.
Note the cop who fired was black, so I guess the race card can’t be played. Pity.
Officer Montoya? Well, black Hispanic soooo…? Also interesting how they cut the video. In your link the officer says that he’s already cutting her a break because her license is expired. Seems suspect right there.
My favorite story from people is: “he pulled me over and didn’t *even* give me a ticket.”. I ask them if they’d been happier if he gave them a ticket.
Ok, bad recollection on my part. The cop does tell her to get out of the vehicle because she fled the scene, still her and her “childs” behavior are threatening and erratic.
Surprisingly, drug paraphernalia was found in the van. i’m sure it had nothing to do with their erratic behavior.
In the early 90s I lived in Santa Fe for 3 years. There was an incident where a guy broke up with his girlfriend and was wandering around outside in his underpants and carrying a steak knife. He was surrounded by 8 cops, and they ended up shooting him dead.
BTW don’t ever speed in New Mexico. There are speed traps everywhere. Even airport security is about twice as ridiculous as everywhere else.
Ok, forgive the snark and light bigotry, but He was surrounded by 8 cops, and they ended up sooting him dead. Isn’t this what used to be called a Polish/Italian firing squad?
AKA circular firing squad.
This is about all I could find on the incident:
Tom Lujan, who as a Santa Fe police officer in 1993 shot and killed Francisco
“Pancho” Ortega, has killed another man in the line of duty.
Lujan, 28, now a deputy with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, shot
Mark Owen at Owen’s mobile home in the mountains east of Albuquerque about 11
p.m. Saturday. Owen, according to a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s department,
had been involved in an alcohol-related accident earlier Saturday night.
Sheriff Joe Bowdich has determined that the shooting was justified, his
spokeswoman Ronnie Sparks said Monday. She said the investigation into the
matter is “ongoing” and that her department would forward a report on the
shooting to Albuquerque District Attorney Jeff Romero.
During the investigation six years ago into Lujan’s first line-of-duty
shooting, a storm of controversy erupted in Santa Fe.
On July 3, 1993, Lujan shot and killed Ortega, 28, who was brandishing a
knife while wandering on Hickox and Alicia streets.
Ortega, a man with a history of mental problems, had used the steak knife to
cut himself.
All eight of the officers at the scene reported that Ortega charged Lujan and
another officer before Lujan and another officer fired. A medical investigator
reported that all four shots that hit Ortega were fired by Lujan, who had at
least three previous complaints of excessive force lodged against him.
The shooting sparked a protest march and tension-filled meetings during one,
angry west-side residents confronted the City Council, demanding justice for
Ortega.
A Santa Fe grand jury in 1993 determined that there was not enough evidence
to indict Lujan on criminal charges
But Ortega’s family, which sued the city for wrongful death, won a $505,0000
settlement from the city.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.thebird.copwatch/yVIdszNqBuo
Here on Ft. Drum one of my soldiers was arrested at his home, handcuffed in front of his family and placed in a cell stripped of his shoes and belt. Why? He placed garbage in a dumpster not assigned to his housing area.
My favorite cop book of all time: Night Dogs by Kent Anderson. Anderson is a former Special Forces Sergeant who fought in Vietnam and then went on top serve in the Portland Oregon PD during the 70s.
In the book, one character says that the two most important characteristics of a good cop are compassion and common sense. I tried to keep that in mind the whole time I worked at the PD.
http://www.amazon.com/Night-Dogs-Kent-Anderson/dp/0553578774/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385128604&sr=1-1&keywords=night+dogs
Magus, can you really be sued personally as a policeman? Isn’t the city sued? Did you have to pay for the legal expenses?
Both. People usually sue the city because it has deep pockets. Check out what happened to the LA PD Officers during the infamous Hollywood Assault Rifle bank robbery. One guy lost a million dollars to the family of one of the robbers; he was in charge of the scene and refused to allow ambulances into the perimeter because he was not sure all of the shooters were accounted for. One shooter bled out and the family sued and won.
Our PD had a union. The union paid for the lawyer, as part of their contract. Made me sympathetic to unions in some ways.
Unions are a good thing in that they serve a good purpose in situations such as you were in. I’m a supporter of collective bargaining as a right. The problem I see is that there is very little competition in union representation. Some of this is due, in some unions (teamsters cough, cough), to mob influence. Competitive bidding by different unions would be the ideal, but the practical aspects are likely the rub.
Comment in Mike’s filter…..
Every year I spend a week or two in a medium sized town in Belgium. In over 10 years I have yet to even see a policeman.
This week I visited New Mexico. During a 2 hour drive, I passed 3 speed traps and saw about 5 other police cars lurking here and there.
You guys are in denial if you don’t think we are becoming a police state.
You’re in denial if you think Belgium, capital of Europe(TM), is some paragon of freedom.
Is your objection to laws against speeding or simply the enforcement of such? Yes, we have too many laws. And I’m not too happy with the police lately. But I have more to fear from a meddling, nanny state and one robs me to pay tribute to the ignorant masses than I do of my local po-po.
We’ll be lucky is Belgium hasn’t introduced aspects of Sharia law. It’s already headed that way. Mark Steyn writes about it in America Alone. People laughed of course: It can *never* happen here.
With European birth rates being what they are, and immigration without
When Steyn wrote his book in 2006, half of the leaders in Brussels Parliament (I believe it was the Parliament or some equivalent), were Muslim. And of course, Brussels is the seat of the European Union.
This is real, not just the fantasies of neo-Nazis.
Guys, what we are seeing in many parts of the West including America, is an odd brew of a government that thinks it should be involved and in control of too many aspects of life, but a government at the same time, so wimpy that it cannot stand up to those who vow its destruction. Thus, those inclined to obey the law are the most oppressed.
To a large degree I agree with TJs concern about the NSA, but in fact the NSA is part of our need to get things done without any danger, and it does not get the same results as the best intelligence source: Human sources (HUMINT). As with drones, we can feel we are getting things done without exposing ourselves to danger. Our HUMINT is awful, just dreadful.
*With European birth rates being what they are, and immigration without integration.
What The NSA is up to cannot possibly scare me as to what the academic/journalistic community does to real people on a regular basis. You have to dig and use considerable imagination to feel the damage the NSA has done. Most all of that is reversible given a sane, rational societal environment. But how regularly does sh*t like the Duke 88 occur? Read this reflection on what happened 7 years ago and explain to me why the NSA should chill me more. What substantially has changed?
http://pjmedia.com/rogerkimball/2013/11/24/aftermath-of-the-duke-lacrosse-rape-case/2/
WTP, the Duke 88 are indeed spineless weasels, but at the end of the day they are completely powerless and nobody really cares what they say or think.
In my view, anger should be focused on the District Attorney’s office. Prosecutors have enormous power and not much accountability, and when they abuse their power as in this case it undermines the whole system. I suspect this is just the tip of the iceburg and DA’s all over the country abuse their authority all the time to the detriment of our justice system.
I don’t know about “completely powerless”. Those kids were put through the wringer, even ones who were not present for the “party”. Their lives disrupted, probably 10’s to 100’s of $K in legal fees. The obviously wrong and guilty Duke 88 continue to teach, publish, etc. Seems any one of them, or any journalist who hyped the story, is far more powerful than either of us combined. Not to mention the Duke University president or the staff at Syracuse who hold significant power over others. Granted, it’s not direct government power but they certainly had influence over the DA.
Lives are disturbed and in some cases ruined by these over-zealous PC types. It’s like a religion with them in their hyper sensitivity and witch hunts, etc. Can you point me the equivalent, concrete damage done by the NSA? And I mean the NSA itself, not any prosecutors and such who, via their own discretion…as you somewhat indicate is the problem above, use the knowledge from the NSA?
Again, I’m not comfortable with some of what the NSA has done, but much of this is more a result of advances in technology rather than nefarious wrong doing. Of course this is a whole other topic for discussion re what marketers do all the time as well and I don’t want to get sidetracked there right now.
I don’t, which is why I think the contrast with the US is important. I’m beginning to think we are not nearly free as we like to think we are.
“Is your objection to laws against speeding or simply the enforcement of such?”
I was driving at 7:00 in the morning on a road with practically no traffic. The only point of a speed trap was to raise revenue for the police department.
Nothing to see here:
I am not holding Belgium up as some sort of model. I am just pointing out that we do not have to have police monitoring us everywhere and at all times.
Glen Reyonalds:
Here’s a thought experiment: imagine that activists, concerned with official misconduct, install license-plate readers on private property to track the location of every car belonging to the police department or a politician and upload the locations to a public database. The result: a map of where the police go, and where they don’t—along, perhaps, with politicians’ visits to motels or strip clubs.
Given that police often respond with hostility to simply being videotaped, I expect that a venture like this would prompt an outcry, and probably some efforts to shut it down. But this is precisely what officialdom is doing to citizens.
We now know that federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are using automated license-plate scanners, mounted on everything from telephone poles to police cars, to build a huge database of where people are driving. This might seem like a small intrusion compared with the electronic spying carried out by the NSA. But not all threats to privacy involve the tracking of emails and other communications.
Right now, the law suggests that license-plate scanners don’t invade your privacy because they record only events that occur in public. After all, anyone could see you driving down the road or parked in front of a motel. But if officials add up enough bits of information like that, they gradually can construct what the ACLU has termed a “single, high-resolution image of our lives.”
There’s a legal term for this idea: the mosaic theory. The New York Times ran a story last year about how a man angrily confronted a Target store manager to complain that the company was sending his teenage daughter coupons for baby goods. Were they trying to encourage her to get pregnant? Nope. Target’s data-mining operation had found a strong correlation between purchases of about 25 items—scent-free lotions, certain nutritional supplements, and so on—and different stages of pregnancy. The teenager’s purchases had fit the pattern. The father apologized to Target a few days later, when it turned out that his daughter was, in fact, pregnant.
Law enforcement agencies may not know or care what toiletries you buy, but they can access credit reports and property tax records, which are public information. Setting that aside, simply tracking our movements can erode our privacy. The Supreme Court recently held that police need a search warrant to attach a GPS tracker to an individual’s car, even though the device would just be recording travel along public roads. The decision turned largely on the idea that placing a locating device on your car is a trespass on your property. But five justices also suggested some sympathy to the mosaic theory as a legal argument; whether the court actually adopts such an approach will have to wait for a later case.
The Supreme Court, though, isn’t the first step in protecting privacy; it’s the last. If people are unhappy with the notion of having their movements, email, Web searches, and other behavior tracked, there’s nothing to stop Congress, or state legislatures, from limiting this sort of activity, both on the part of private businesses and, more significantly, on the part of law enforcement. When it comes to protecting your rights and privacy, there’s no reason to wait for courts to act.
And while we’re at it, maybe we should enable the public to return the surveillance favor. In his prophetic 1998 book, The Transparent Society, David Brin wrote that technology was going to make it almost impossible to stop snooping. But, he suggested, if the government and corporations want to spy on us, they should let the public know what they are doing, too, by letting us track their data. We can set up Web feeds from every police headquarters, for a start. Today, we’re living in Brin’s world, or at least we’re halfway there. Big organizations are already watching individuals—perhaps it’s time to open things up in the other direction.
Read more: How License-Plate Scanners Are Eroding Our Privacy – Popular Mechanics
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Visit us at PopularMechanics.com
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/industry/how-license-plate-scanners-are-eroding-our-privacy-16172152?click=pp
Radley Balko:
According to an ACLU report released in July (PDF) on jurisdictions where the technology is already in place, just .005 percent of license plates scanned revealed evidence of a serious crime. Over 99 percent of those scanned had done nothing wrong at all. Yet all that data is still collected and stored. Some jurisdictions have policies requiring police agencies to delete it after a specific amount of time, but the ACLU report also found that many police agencies don’t abide by such guidelines.
Ultimately, that data can then be used in any number of ways. The ACLU report includes a quote from the police department in Scarsdale, New York stating that the use of this technology “is only limited by the officer’s imagination.” He’s right. And you ought to be worried about it.
Reynolds’ piece in Popular Mechanics ends with a call to turn the tables — to use the surveillance state to monitor law enforcement and the government. That of course is already happening with smart phone cameras, although law enforcement officials are doing everything they can to stop it — just read the blog of photographer and activist Carlos Miller for a few days. When a federal judge suggested that NYPD officers wear cameras mounted on their uniforms, surveillance state champion Mayor Michael Bloomberg perversely declared the idea a violation of police officers’ civil rights — a statement that as well as any other illustrates Bloomberg’s twisted concept of the proper relationship between the government and the governed. When I interviewed Jim Pasco, executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police in 2010, he expressed a similar sentiment: “Police officers don’t check their civil rights at the station house door.”
Most recently, police groups in Boston are protesting a proposal to put GPS devices on squad cars. It seems that police don’t want the public to know where they are, even while they’re on the job, getting paid by taxpayers, driving a car provided by taxpayers.
The watchers keep coming with new and innovative ways to watch us. But they sure as hell don’t want to be watched themselves.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/20/next-stop-on-the-train-to_n_4309261.html
Democrats=Eternal Dupes
Magus, you do realize that the intellectual/academic classes snicker at your naivety in buying into what is obviously right-wing propaganda? Simply McCarthyism and John Bircher paranoia.
Yes, I realize this. But I also have come to realize how well documented all of this is. I myself bought into the arguments, at some level, posed by the anti-anti-Communists, because I never really studied it and I tend to avoid things that reek of conspiracy. But now, the evidence is overwhelming as to what really happened and how it continues to affect America 60 years later. The Soviet archives have been opened and things like the Venona Papers match up with the things that McCarthy and Whittaker Chambers said. The people who defected tell it like it is, was, too.
The Venona Papers show there were approximately 450 Soviet agents in America during those times, many of them in high level government positions. Fact: Every single person McCarthy accused of being a Communist, was in fact a Communist.
I am not infected by Red Fever. What I find fascinating is that something like this could work. The Communists controlled half the world at one point. Their methods were incredibly cunning and they were tireless. They did the opposite of what we consider a revolution, because they did not start with the grass roots, they start with society’s elites, its academics, its political figures. They attacked the social institutions that keep a society together and resistant to Communism: religion, family, every classic value was intentionally attacked, picked out as a target. The ACLU was one way the Communists changed America. It was founded by Communists.
Yeah, I suspect there’s a few KGB, possibly even Putin, kicking themselves that if they just held out a little longer…But either way socialism is always destined to fail relative to freer societies. If you can contain them, the socialists eventually run out of other people’s money. As I may have related here before, spoke with a West German fighter pilot who got into intelligence services near the end of the cold war. He debriefed many of the East German pilots after the wall came down and learned that they were getting something like less than 1 hour of flight time a month. They would have been cannon fodder for West German and American pilots.
Sorry, meant to post another video from this series. In another video Bezmenov states that the Soviet strategy was to replace natural social orders and connections that people have (family, friends etc) and replace them with bureaucratic entities, like social workers. This was initiated with a paycheck from the government. This was the hook.
This reminds me of the legend of Kung Fu Dim Yak. A Dim Yak expert could supposedly strike you, and you may die a month later. We’re dying decades later.
Wait…Dim Yak is fake?!?!?!?! But I saw that in an episode of Quincy back in the 70’s. And Tarantino used it in Kill Bill (or so I’m told). And the internet tells me it was used in a Dan Brown novel. Makes you wonder who you can trust anymore.
He was found not guilty. The system worked at some level. The problem is showing this is any more prevalent than it ever was. You should have heard the stories from the old-timers at my PD on how things got done in the 70s.
I knew an old Chicago cop from the 30’s & 40’s. As a kid he saw Al Capone throw money, pocket change, to the children as he went into court. He had slab pictures of dead mobsters. And he had some stories that he told my father that my father related second hand. I suspect that dad and he shared a certain level of understanding of how nasty the real world is, between Dad’s WWII experiences and our neighbor’s work as a beat cop fighting the mob in Chicago.
What say you, WTP?
ACLU Files Lawsuit Against New Mexico Police For Allegedly Spraying Mace On Woman’s Genitals
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit that, if true, would stand as one of the most grotesque and vicious cases of police abuse in recent memory. Marlene Tapia says that she was arrested and forced to strip naked for a contraband examination. The officers at the Metropolitan Detention Center (Bernalillo County New Mexico) claimed that she had a plastic baggie in her vagina and, according to the lawsuit, forced her to bend over and as punishment sprayed mace inside of her vagina.
The lawsuit identifies the officer who sprayed the mace as Blanca Zapater and said that she sprayed the mace twice.
Peter Simonson, the Executive Director of ACLU of New Mexico has publicly denounced the actions for its “maliciousness.” The woman was in pain for weeks.
Reports say that the officer who sprayed the mace has been “disciplined” but what does that mean? If this is true, why would the officer not be fired and criminally charged?
We have obviously not heard the side of the police in the case, but the ACLU is not known to file frivolous lawsuits.
If the allegations are true, this would constitute a form of torture. It would raise serious questions not only about the potential criminal charges for the officer but the terminations of supervisors who felt that this was a mere matter for “discipline” rather than termination. If discipline was ordered, it would appear to confirm that the mace was not used for self-protection. If so, why was it used?
http://jonathanturley.org/2013/11/26/aclu-files-lawsuit-against-new-mexico-police-for-allegedly-spraying-mace-on-womans-genitels/
As stated, we have yet to hear the police side of the story. You will also note that I express contempt above for the NM police who forced an enema, basically anal rape, on a drug suspect. But even in that instance the full story that later came out wasn’t entirely as originally presented.
Also, We have obviously not heard the side of the police in the case, but the ACLU is not known to file frivolous lawsuits. I’m not so convinced of the latter part of this statement. The ACLU has shown considerable leftist influence. I gave up on them back in the 70’s when the son of Soviet diplomats or some such attempted to defect and the ACLU, which is forever taking sides protecting the rights of children against their evil parents or our evil oppressive school systems, took the side of the parents/Soviets.
And again just like the NSA, I see the academic/journalism front a far greater threat to our society. The police are moving up to a close second. But still looking for justification to fear the NSA as opposed to the people behind the Duke 88, the Bush/Rather/Mapes story, the Zimmerman lynching, the PC BS witch hunts on college and public school campuses, etc. etc. etc.
TJB says
WTP, I agree that there is a serious lack of intellectual diversity in academia. However, I don’t understand how an English professor can be a greater threat than an out of control cop, or even worse, an out of control DA.
Who inspired the out of control DA? Where did he get the idea that in spite of the evidence (or lack thereof) before him, a bunch of white lacrosse boys from an elite school simply must be racist rapists?
The ACLU picks its cases to match its politics. It was founded by true Communists in the 20s. It maintains its fight against classical American values.
“The ACLU was founded in 1920 by an agnostic named Roger Baldwin who said, “I am for socialism, disarmament and ultimately for abolishing the state itself. … communism is the goal” (1992 Policy Guide of the ACLU). Baldwin’s family was Unitarian and rejected the deity of Christ”
http://www.wnd.com/2011/04/284469/.
The ACLU pretends to be a great defender of freedom, but it actually works very hard to eliminate our freedoms. It’s against the freedom of parents to pass their values on to their children; it’s against the freedom of the Boy Scouts to set standard rules of conduct for their leaders; and it’s against the freedom of churches to proclaim the uncensored Word of God – the freedoms our forefathers died for. The ACLU is pro-abortion, pro-porn, pro-child porn, pro-polygamy and anti-Christmas.
Magus above….
I am not a fan of the ACLU. However, they are not always wrong.
I just don’t see any excuse for the police to spray Mace inside a woman’s vagina.
There are a million cases to choose from. Here is another:
I’d fire the cops simply for being fat @$$es, and yes this seems to be a problem. But otoh, how often do people in police custody try to harm themselves so they can later claim police brutality? Surely Magus knows. I would also argue that the taser was doing less harm than what the man was doing to himself. AGAIN, not condoning the behavior but I don’t see this as a severe case. These onesy-twosey incidents, IMO, pale in comparison to the damage of the PC mentality, etc. that is ingrained into our society literally millions of times a day by leftist educators and biased-but-presented-as-neutral journalists. From the all-fighting-is-wrong mentality that has given rise to the current bullying problems, to the open-classroom idiotic concept of the 70’s, to the racism-is-everywhere mentality, the problems with a significant portion of the ACLU (see Magus above)…I could go on and on and sometimes do…
There are many things that bother me about the PC mentality. Here are 3:
1) They believe that some people should be accorded special rights because they belong to certain favored groups. I think everyone should have the same rights.
2) They believe that is OK to shout down speech that they don’t agree with. I don’t believe in suppressing speech.
3) They are always very quick to claim that anyone who disagrees with them must be motivated by racism. How can you possibly have a reasoned debate and reach an agreement with someone who believes you are a racist?
The primary message of Orwell’s 1984 is that political correctness is the aim of all totalitarian regimes. Orwell was trying to make the point that while intellectuals like to believe themselves above it all, they are in fact incredibly conformist, craven and will believe almost anything.
As Yuri Bezmenov states in the video series I posted, the Communist Party wanted to change the very essence of thought in America. They did this in part by making certain types of thought and speech unthinkable. It does not even enter in to many peoples’ minds to think a certain way. As he states, when the objective is achieved, you can show the people all the facts in the world, but they will not see the truth. Not until they are lined up against the wall and gunned down.
What do you guys think about this? This happened at the base I’m stationed at.
http://www.stripes.com/news/us/fort-drum-aviation-unit-released-from-seven-day-lockdown-amid-outcry-from-families-1.254694
The CO should be relieved of his command.
Thank you. And perhaps this is why I am less sensitive to some of the issues you write about. This story does not shock me, but I know it is bad. I see things like this daily. But there is little media focus on how poorly soldiers are treated.
Funny. An aviation battalion with bayonets. The Army’s so jacked up, you can’t imagine. Yet, I reenlisted, determined to ride the tiger.
Sheesh…It’s like Captain Queeg and the strawberries or Jimmy Cagnie and the palm tree villain.
OK, boys…so I’m of two minds here. On the one hand, as a lifetime civilian I’m a bit uneasy with having a say. But OTOH, I can’t help channeling my old man. Seems obvious to me the situation is got out of hand and thus the mixed messages up the command chain. And as the one wife said, who signed for the stuff in the first place.
Yet, OTOH, and I see Magus you have replied before I finished this and you understand deployment and having a family, as army life goes there are worse stupidities. Something inspired the Caine Mutiny and Mr. Roberts.
But this is what happens when people have limited choices and doubly so when so much of their personal lives are under the control of a central command structure.
On the whole, I agree whoever the CO driving this situation, especially any other leader who had direct responsibility for the goods that went missing on both the sending and receiving sides, needs some serious adjustment in his leadership training. Seems the sort of thing you should get busted a rank or two for, but as I say I’m a lifetime civi, so grain of salt…
One problem I have with the decision, is what did the CO hope to gain from it? I mean, are they searching the quarters of all the soldiers before they are released? No.
I agree with your assessments about central command. I make this point often, trying in vain to remind the officers that NCO are supposed to have more power in the US Army at the small unit level than any NCO in the world. Im not so sure, however.
My feeling is that these are guys who are back from deployment and should be getting a little R & R and quality time with their families. To bust their chops over some missing bayonets and scopes is way out of line.
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/413563/Caine-Mutiny-The-Movie-Clip-Missing-Strawberries.html
I didnt understand your Captain Queeg reference. I have the Cain Mutiny in my kindle but have never read it. I watched the movie clip about the lost strawberries. Really, there are many instances in the Army that I could relate that are just like this.
Just checking Wiki on Fort Drum…there’s this:
With the outbreak of World War II, Pine Camp was selected for a major expansion. An additional 75,000 acres (304 km²) of land was purchased, displacing 525 local families. Five entire villages were eliminated, while others were reduced from one-third to one-half their size.
Thoughts about those 525 families, TJ?
The land was purchased and the families were forced to move due to the war. I have no problem with this.
Don’t get me started on Kelo, however. From Wikipedia:
Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005)[1] was a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States involving the use of eminent domain to transfer land from one private owner to another private owner to further economic development. In a 5–4 decision, the Court held that the general benefits a community enjoyed from economic growth qualified private redevelopment plans as a permissible “public use” under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.
Maybe it’s just the booze, the fire log, and the chilly FL weather of 50 F, but happy Thanksgiving to Democrats, socialists, and Mike, AJ, TJ, Magus, Nal, FRE, and anybody else I might have missed. F’n sentimentalism will one day be the death of me…if the booze don’t get me first…;)
Happy Thanksgiving, WTP! And don’t forget biomass, wherever he may be…
Question for you philosophers: Is marriage a democracy? Should it be? Does it work best when both have equal say, or when one has more say?
Discuss…..
There is no one blueprint for marriage, and successful marriages can come about in many different ways. I think the key ingredients are:
1) there has to be agreement on how responsibilities and labor are divided
2) there has to be agreement on how important decisions are made
3) there has to be a willingness to forgive and overlook small things
Yes, I agree with all. And can we agree that all of these are less so than they were, say, in 1930? But the feminists and other leftists would say that they don’t like the exact nature of of the decision-making process from that time.
I argue, that during that time, there was little confusion as to what a husband’s or wife’s responsibilities were.
Yes, clearly the “traditional” marriage of the 1930s was to some extent successful. However, lots of people were trapped in unhappy marriages. Also, I suspect that many “traditional” marriages were more egalitarian in practice than the couple let on in public.
Michael LaBossiere says
Depends on the specific marriage. It should be, in the sense that decisions relating to the marriage should be made by both people. In many cases, one person will tend to handle the decisions in one area-which is fine as long as this is agreed upon.
So it is a democracy. It must be agreed upon….There seems to be no dispute resolution system now, as there was in the past. I work for the Stability Operations Information Center, in my first deployment to Afghanistan. One of the fundamental aspects of stability and peace in a nation is a system for dispute resolution. My premise is that our modern marriages have no way to resolve disputes, since both parties have equal say. Why doesn’t the army work like this? Would that work?
Discussion would presumably be the dispute resolution system for a marriage. But, I’m divorced, so my understanding of how to make a marriage work has been shown to be lacking.
I don’t think the problem couples face is the equal say problem. They seem to fail for other reasons, like money problems.
The army would not work with an equal say for everyone primarily because of combat-to fight effectively as a unit, there must either be great teamwork in which everyone understands what needs to be done and does it or a leader who can make that happen. I suppose that if a married couple faces a life and death situation, then it would make sense for the most competent partner to take over to save them both. But in day to day life, democracy seems to be the most sensible option between people who are supposed to be equal in status.
Of course, one could use the Socratic argument about decision making based on expertise. That is, the partner who is the expert and knows what is right to do should make the decision on the grounds that s/he will most likely make the best decision. This argument also counts against democracy as a political system.
The practical problem is determining who has the better decision making capacity in the specific area.
What alternatives do you propose?
“They seem to fail for other reasons, like money problems.”
That’s an equal say problem. In my grandfather’s day, he had ultimate say on what could be purchased. His judgement was accepted by my grandmother.
Patriarchy, like every civilization in the history of the world before 40 years ago. The husband should be enlightened but the final arbiter on matters in contest. Part of that enlightenment would include the acknowledgement of expertise in certain areas by the wife. The husband would have power, but ultimately be responsible for bad choices. The two can have equal status but different roles. Two cars approaching each other in the same lane leads to a crash.
But history shows women have severe problems with money and spending, even many women admit this. And since money is a huge problem in many modern marriages, this seems important. In my opinion, women and men are not the same in their decision making processes.
I realize of course that my view is not popular, even among “conservatives”. In this regard I’m rightly termed a reactionary. But a rather excellent study shows that women’s suffrage resulted in massive increased in government. Give a woman the opportunity to spend, and she likely will. Money and spending are to women what sex is to men.
http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~iversen/PDFfiles/LottKenny.pdf
Interesting hypothesis and certainly testable.
And I can see that some don’t like my idea. For them I can say that perhaps the women would have stayed back on the Titanic, while the men populated the life boats? I doubt it. Women have been pampered even in the most conservative western societies. The moment they meet true equality they recoil and cry foul.
So until your proposed egalitarianism can sing along with the men on their way to open Davey Jones’ Locker….
“Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!”
…I think my system is better than yours. I also say that you should consider Augustine’s maxim: “Peace flows from order”, and ask yourself what order the modern female nag has brought to the family structure.
See you on the ocean floor.
Our future. Great job, liberals. Tearing down all structure, all hierarchy, all transcendentalism, all tradition. We’ll pay dearly.
Women who run around naked to protest the hypersexualization of women.
My experience has been that for every crazy thing, there is always X number of people who do that. X is a number greater than 0.
Too bad I can find most of these people at university.
I think this may bode worse for our civilization:
Take a good hard look at a vulva and you’ll find a place to keep your knitting supplies …
http://youtu.be/q6RZZf6HMzo
At least she knows women should knit.
In some ways, this is a logical result of a cultural focus on consumption and acquisition of material goods.
If you mean that in the sense that the parents’ focus is on acquiring attention for themselves to sell a book by exploiting, and possibly even “inspiring” themselves, the quirks of a small child, thus enabling themselves to consume and acquire material goods, then yes. But I suspect Mike is regurgitating standard Po-Mo BS as such is expected by the culture of academia. It’s how they get the meager resources they can swindle to enable them to consume and acquire material goods.
When were those halcyon days when people turned up their noses at consumption and acquisition of material goods, again? Ah, yes…they were back in the day when there was little innovation because the elites, be they the royaly or the priesthood, taxed the commoners so that the said elites could consume and acquire material goods while convincing the masses that consumption and acquisition of material goods just wasn’t good for them. Thus there was little excess resources for said masses to invest in themselves and create wealth for themselves, thus reducing demand for consumption and acquisition of material goods. Thomas Malthus Uber Alles.
I bet a large percent of these people are on welfare.
I agree that people have always pursued material goods. But can you imagine your father scrambling after a Cabbage Patch Kid like these people? As you’ve described your father, and as a vet of WWII, I’m sure he understood the things that were really important, unlike the spoiled masses that now only know how to take and complain.
These types remind me of a scene in a book called The Last Centurion, in which a character relates a scene he saw on CNN after hurricane Katrina: A fat woman was wading through a pool of water, yelling and screaming at the camera about the government. Meanwhile, a skinny black guy is directing people to areas where people can get safe and get food. Guess which person the media focused on?
These people are the same types that want the government to intervene if their cable goes out after they fail to pay the bill. They need the boot.
Oh, without a doubt. We used to shake our heads at those annual news stories about Black Friday. Now I have no way of knowing this, but as you suggest, I would suspect those going ape-sh*t on Black Friday are mostly the minions of the left. I don’t see many doctors, engineers, bankers, etc. in those mobs. We as kids didn’t get everything we wanted for Christmas. That was just the way it was. He’ll, we didn’t have cable tv or Odessy 2000. You got what you got and there was no whining about other people having more. Someone always will have more than you and others will have less. You help those with less and make yourself useful to those with more. People who lived through the real Depression, like many of my aunts and cousins still living, scoff at all this whining and philosophical BS trying to paint the good times as bad and the bad times as good. Only fools would turn it all upside down. Fools who never new the REAL bad times.
But where is the idea of human dignity going? I see the food lines in the Great Depression photos and most of the men have suits on, tattered though they may be. The Occupy Wallstreet types have no dignity, laying in a street like dogs. Neither do people crawling over each other for trinkets.
See, I don’t buy the “times change” bit. We KNOW dignity when we see it. Those men had dignity. They couldn’t wait to find a job and get out of that line. They hated standing in that line. Dignity can be had at the lowest level, the guy who pumps gas, the woman who serves coffee.
Dignity definition:
:a way of appearing or behaving that suggests seriousness and self-control
: the quality of being worthy of honor or respect
We know it when we see it, and we know what is not dignifying to humans. It doesn’t even really have to do with different cultures that much. A half-naked Aztec warrior in a painting can be dignified. Now, if a Westerner tries to shock by dressing half-naked, we think them undignified.
I’m not hopeful about our future. I’ve gone through a TS Eliot transformation, and I think I have more reasons to worry than he did. I don’t like the way Mike blows it all off as mere passing fancies that have always happened. They haven’t always happened. People have not always been as idiotic in America as they now are.
Human dignity comes and goes. I think you’re seeing a romantic picture of those food lines. While many of those men had dignity, many did not. People fell into alcohol and opium and other addictions. The Volstead Act gave rise to a criminal class of bootleggers and worse. When the Depression hit, many people who were living beyond their means or were living on the excesses of a post-Great War economy had to adjust, get some dignity or die. A lot of people died. Those who did not let it kill them were made stronger. As well with the war that followed. The Nazis and the Japanese thought we had a very decadent society, what with our boozing (prohibition or not), jazz music, etc. They took us as weak and thus a paper tiger. I think you can find parallels to the lead up to WWI as well.
I think the basic difference is that in the past, our society expected people to behave in a more dignified manner. These days we make excuses for destructive behavior. We blame everyone but the individual who fails to respect themselves.
Just watched the Grinch for the umpteenth time. What I take from that story is that while the Whos understand the true meaning of Christmas is more than just the stuff, the Grinch still returns all their stuff so they can have a traditional Christmas. The stuff doesn’t make Christmas, but it doesn’t take away from it either. What I see when the usual anti-stuff crowd comes out of the woodwork every year now, is a group of people who only see the stuff. They are cynics who, as Oscar Wilde – quite the cynic himself, know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
“who Oscar Wilde said..”
I also see the problems evident in these videos as all interconnected. Some don’t seem to see the same thing. The same blanketing mindset in involved or influenced all of it. Even though they depict people of different backgrounds and tendencies.
Yes, and how did that focus come about? You and I have different ideas on the roots of that. Materialism has its roots in meaninglessness. An entire generation taught that they need revolution because some have more than they do. Communism=Materialism. The entire Leftist worldview is based on materialism. We’re assured that crime is caused by poverty. Dialectical materialism….Most “capitalists” are simply doing what free people do; buying and selling to and from people they choose. Unlike Marx’s view of a business man, profit is not the end all, be all.
And this has been my argument on everything in regards to your articles on giving more free stuff: I’m not about making money at all costs. I believe in things greater and beyond myself. But I know what the Left is about, it’s about denying things beyond materialism, mocking tradition, mocking a deeper meaning to life itself. It’s about envy and destroying what it. And so this is the result.
Interesting, “The F Test”, designed by Adorno from the Frankfurt School (Marxist). It’s supposed to measure a person’s tendency toward fascism. I scored 3.6, .2 points below the average male in 1950.
http://www.anesi.com/fscale.htm
I got 3.6 also. “Fun” but I wouldn’t grant it too much credence.
“I wouldn’t grant it too much credence”
I don’t either, but I must admit that I saw the cleverness in some of the thinking put int to the questions. And I would have guessed that you and I would have scored higher than TJ.
An issue here, is where one thinks force should be employed to change aspects of society, Homosexuality for instance. I have no desire to employ force to change the behavior, but I think it’s harmful to the individual and society. I also think it’s purported cause and psychological roots are a lie. Gay parades are an assault on dignity, not a real fight for freedom. They already have freedom. They want to dominate by shocking us into submission, not merely be free.
Personally, I think homosexuality is just the way some people are. While I understand why society has issues with it, from what I have seen for many gay people that is just who they are. OTOH, the glorification of the lifestyle beyond simple acceptance is a problem. And forcing such an attitude on people of more conservative values is no better than forcing heterosexuality on people who are by nature, gay. Shutting down city streets for gay pride parades is nearly as ridiculous as shutting them down for ginger-pride or Italian pride or any number of ethnic-specific celebrations. Being proud of who you are does not require you to force yourself on others. And the excesses involved in many of these celebrations are nothing more than an in-your-face assault on the very society that they expect to accept them for who they are. Seems very counter-productive unless they are really designed to inflame rather than enlighten. I suspect the latter.
Also, in regard to “who they are”, I do feel there are many people who are not naturally gay but do adapt the behavior either out of jaded sexuality (Mick Jagger/David Bowie types) or simply for attention (many lesbians seem to fit this category). I believe human sexuality is far more complex than what has been considered the norm in the past but discussion of it, from both extremes, and lacks the acknowledgment that there is much that cannot be understood with what we now know. Not just in regard to one human to another, but also the complexities of an open tolerance of homosexuality means to a society over several generations. Such would be an interesting thing for philosophers to explore, but they’re too busy selling socialism and their secular religion to be bothered.
duh…”I suspect the latter” should be “I suspect the former”.
I think it’s the same reason people join gangs; a sense of family and identity.
Also, the pleasure in having a special group. Not saying these are complete answers but I think they’re involved.
I knew a girl once who I think preferred guys but became gay after spending time in jail. She had a hard edge and just wasn’t very attractive to guys. In her case I think it was a choice to either have gay sex or no sex at all.
And how easily do humans fool themselves? She could fool herself, I believe, in to believing it was the way she was born, if only to protect her ego. It’s not just about sex, but the desire to be wanted.
My sister is a lesbian. She is pretty, and extremely intelligent (earned the Joshua Chamberlain scholarship in high school and attended an elite college). She outed herself at Bowdoin College, an extremely liberal college where it was actually encouraged. As with myself, our father was relatively absent from her life. As with my father and myself, she has a very sensitive and artistic personality, and I believe those types of personalities can easily get pulled in directions that aren’t good for them.
magus above
Well, as I was alluding to above, I think women can cross that boundary more easily for numerous reasons. I believe beauty is even more alluring to women than it is to men and if you look at historic and, going much further back, biological norms, multiple women competing for a single man, harems, polygamy, etc. it’s not all that surprising.
I read an article quite a few years back that suggested the hyper sexuality we see in the entertainment media and in advertising, a sexuality aimed at men but thus featuring women, attributed to a rise in lesbianism and/or bisexuality predominating on the female side. Not just in the acceptance of such, but in causation. And not just at a conscious level but subconsciously as well. Don’t recall the specifics or where I read it but it was a rather compelling case.
Also meant to add in the original reply that sidetracked us onto gay issues…I believe, as is repeated ad nausium by shrinks…not that they can’t be right once in a while, that many men are suppressing gay tendencies. I had a roommate twenty years ago or so, and ex-football player, who spent waaaay too much time on his personal appearance and neatness, over compensated on the physical side by picking unnecessary fights with strangers, and, while he had a very attractive, intelligent girlfriend attending college 2 hours away, would bring home the skankiest old hags on occasion. Like he had to prove to himself he was straight by having to bring something, anything home. Now that I think of it, he still owes me 20 bucks for an unpaid utility bill. The b*stard.
2.4. I am a “liberal airhead.”
Problem is that I am anti-authoritarian. I wish liberals were anti-authoitarian, but they are not.
LOL. Well, the classifications provided are created by those who did not make the test. I think we can now know that you are not a fascist.
Damn, TJ. I tried to answer each question individually with the most liberal perspective that I ever recall myself holding as a young man. I still only scored 2.63333333 or some such.
Just try the test with the idea of “which answer gives the individual the greatest freedom” and see what you get.
Or try “What would Thomas Jefferson do?”
Very few of my answers would have been influenced by “greatest freedom” unless you consider those in regard to children or youth. Granting children unfettered freedom is likely to result in they’re having fewer freedoms as adults, but YMMV I suppose. As for Jeff. “grant a handful of your slaves freedom in your will” was not one of the questions. Not big on watering trees with the blood of tyrants either.
Jefferson sounds like quite a radical by today’s standards. Probably quoting him is enough to get you targeted by the NSA…
And more hoaxes. You can’t make this stuff up…well apparently you can…
Tirado’s republished confessional in The Huffington Post received more than 4 million views and was featured by MSNBC host Touré. He was clearly moved by the plight of this woman.
“Poverty is sticky,” the MSNBC host opined. “It clings to you, leaves physical markers on the body.” He singled out a portion of Tirado’s essay that was particularly sympathetic.
I have missing teeth and skin that looks like it will when you live on b12 and coffee, and nicotine, and no sleep. Beauty is a thing you get when you can afford it and that’s how you get the job you need in order to be beautiful.
“When so much politics is about battling over whether to give one more crumb to the poor or give them none, we are going in the wrong direction,” Touré asserted.
But an investigation into Tirado’s background by the Houston Press’ Angelica Leicht revealed that the blog post’s author is a private-school-educated Democratic activist who wildly exaggerated her circumstances. She owns a home as the result of her parent’s generosity. She has worked in politics since 2004 and has called herself a private political consultant since 2010.
She’s married to a Marine, has met President [Barack] Obama while interning for a politician (who obviously wasn’t disgusted by those rotten teeth), and has plenty of time to visit Las Vegas on vacation. And blog about her privileged life on WordPress.
She speaks both German and Dutch, and has a well-rounded political blog that ended in 2011. It’s also a blog where she quite plainly references being paid to win races.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/huffposts-gut-wrenching-poverty-editorial-that-went-viral-a-hoax/
It says a lot that people don’t want to pretend to be rich, they want to pretend to be poor. I remember when I was in school, I was too ashamed to go to the front of the class when they asked who needed free lunch certificates. It’s called dignity. Liberals should try a dose of it.
DENVER, Oct. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Sweden has become the first western nation to recommend a lower-carbohydrate higher-fat, diet – in alignment with the Atkins™ approach to eating – as part of an effort to reduce the national prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and to improve markers of heart health. This bold move stems from a literature review of 16,000 studies on diet and obesity, published by Swedish government advisors at the Council on Health Technology Assessment. This published report was released by the Council in September and the Swedish government announcement followed shortly thereafter.[1]
Swedish advisors recognize that the oft-recommended low-fat diet is failing in the fight to stop or reverse obesity trends that have reached epidemic proportions across the globe. The Swedes will now pursue this lower-carbohydrate, higher-fat approach citing the many potential benefits it may offer: reducing body weight, lowering blood sugar and improving good cholesterol. Essentially, the Council suggests that a diet moderately-low in carbohydrate (40% of total calories) would see some of these improvements and a greater increase in good (HDL) cholesterol without having any adverse effects on bad (LDL) cholesterol, while an even lower carbohydrate intake (20% of total calories) would result in more benefits including improved blood sugar levels for individuals with obesity and diabetes and marginally decreased levels of triglycerides.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/sweden-shifts-national-dietary-guidance-150000641.html
The ideologues cannot fight reality forever. The science is becoming overwhelming. Anyone with blood sugar or weight problems will almost assuredly gain great benefits from keeping carbohydrates to under 100 grams a day. I’ve never seen it not work with the troops I’ve trained.
Just make them run more, as God intended.
That would help.
Not that I disagree with the anti-carb theory, but there’s a big genetic factor involved here. What is good for Swedes may not be as good for Celts or Hispanics or sub-Saharan Africans or various mixtures of races. Such caveat would also apply in regard to the traditional diet of that culture.
Next to go–Man-made global warming and its supposed apocalyptic ending.
“And the media play along. For example, it somehow wasn’t front-page news that committed believers in man-made global warming recently admitted there’s been no surface global warming for well over a decade and maybe none for decades more. Nor did we see warmists conceding that their explanation is essentially a confession that the previous warming may not have been man-made at all.
That admission came in a new paper by prominent warmists in the peer-reviewed journal Climate Dynamics. They not only conceded that average global surface temperatures stopped warming a full 15 years ago, but that this “pause” could extend into the 2030s.
Mind you, the term “pause” is misleading in the extreme: Unless and until it resumes again, it’s just a “stop.” You don’t say a bullet-ridden body “paused” breathing.”
http://nypost.com/2013/12/05/global-warming-proof-is-evaporating/
And then finally, somewhere near the end of history, Darwinism.
“It makes as much sense to call a man a trousered ape as it does to call a dog a barking cabbage.” ~EF Schumacher.
Except chihuahuas.
The Caveman.
There is a lot to be said for avoiding processed crap.
I suppose there is some merit to looking at the (allegedly) natural diet of humans and determining whether or not that is a better diet for humans. Of course, what animals eat in the wild is not always what is best for them-it is just what they can locate and acquire.
But, the marketing is clever and the usual crowd of fad diet folks are embracing their inner whatever.
So, TJ…still think the NSA is a greater threat to your pursuit of happiness than the typical university staff/faculty?
So Mr. Strange got his day in court and was treated fairly. But he had already been punished for the unproven crimes. Auburn expelled him after a campus tribunal found him “responsible” for committing the catchall offense of “sexual assault and/or sexual harassment.” A letter from Melvin Owens, head of the campus police, explained that expulsion is a life sentence. If Mr. Strange ever sets foot on Auburn property, he will be “arrested for Criminal Trespass Third,” Mr. Owens warned.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303615304579157900127017212
These are guidelines promulgated by the DoJ. Universities are lapdogs of the federal government as they are totally dependent on federal dollars.
Cop out. Universities kick and scream when the rights of faculty or staff are abused in manners far less threatening than this. And while the up-front investigation may be forced upon the university, if they had any sense of decency and self-respect they would honor the findings of a true court of law and challenge the feds to contradict what a court has decided. After being found innocent there is no justification for expulsion, let alone a life-time ban from Auburn property. I doubt actual criminals face such.
Also…can you find an excuse for this little exercise in PC over at arch-rival ‘Bama this time…
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303560204579248310814819096?mod=WSJ_Opinion_MIDDLETopOpinion
And further more, can you name me a college campus from which terrorist bomber Bill Ayers has been banned? I suppose there might be one or two, but for the most part? Of course he was never convicted of anything either. Though he did admit to planting a bomb in the Pentagon and other activities.
#All worthy of criticism and mockery. But the problem of the universities can be easily fixed if the Republicans would grow some cojones and start tying federal funding to thinks like allowing ROTC to recruit on campus, etc.
And how are those Republicans going to keep getting elected if the general voting population is so heavily influenced by an academea and media that will demonize them for doing so? Witness our very host’s attitudes, opinions, and selective silence in regard to these stories and his attitude to Republicans with balls to object to what is going on? He educates a couple hundred students a year. Students many of whom are already steeped in a culture leaning significantly left.
WTP, I agree that because the university shapes the minds of our future leaders it is important to pay attention to what goes on there.
Most of what goes on at universities is the usual stuff: professors teaching, students texting and Facebooking.
Again with the hand wave. The point is WHAT are they teaching and how truly open are they to discussions from students. In my university days I had a statistics professor who was dead wrong about the Monty Hall problem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Hall_problem). This was math. It was repeatable, verifiable, etc. Yet he refused to yield to the few underling students who tried to point out to him what he didn’t understand.
As many of FIRE’s (and other college classroom) videos show, there is significant amount of intolerance, intimidation, and indoctrination that goes on either overtly, as seen in videos, or more subtly, in the more ethereal subjects. THIS is the problem.
http://youtu.be/cHh1WV-81gE
The part about the Harvard president getting tossed for suggesting women may not be as scientifically inclined as men says it all. If this stuff ever comes to my doorstep, I’ll renounce my citizenship, I’ll make sure I go to jail.
That Harvard president was Lawerence Summers. Former treasury secretary under Clinton, he had Democrat credibility and a fair amount of Republican support. He was the leading candidate for the next Federal Reserve Chairman but was pushed aside in favor of the new heir apparent Janet Yellen, who would be (and thus simply must be) the first woman to occupy that position. She is a solid Keynesian thus her position on monetary policy is considerably to the left. Summers withdrew his candidacy stating “I have reluctantly concluded that any possible confirmation process for me would be acrimonious and would not serve the interest of the Federal Reserve, the Administration or, ultimately, the interests of the nation’s ongoing economic recovery.”
This is the same guy who wrote “Three Felonies a Day.”
I do agree that we are less free than we have ever been, and I am concerned with some of the NSA’s activity. My biggest concern has to do with the laws passed to ensure political correctness and those that enable the government to arrest you for what are historically very minor incidents. Plus, of course, the vice of government regulation and taxes on business combines with the moral and social decay of our population.
Since I work in the S2 section and handle aspects of security for my battalion, I get to see the blotter which shows what people are arrested for. Yesterday, I saw that a soldier got arrested for having a domestic argument with his wife in front of the children. One of my soldiers was arrested out of his home because he put garbage from his house in a dumpster assigned to another building complex other than his own. My former OIC, a Captain, was arrested last year for driving with an outstanding fine that he had no way of knowing he owed, since the bill was sent to his home of record, and he being in the military did not get.
The army has now instituted “courtesy patrols” inside the commissary and PX and other areas on various bases in which soldiers walk around noting and correcting soldiers who commit minor regulation infractions, such as walking while talking on cell phones, and putting hands in pockets. They are also going after spouses for “wearing slutty clothes”. So the army created an internal police force to spy on soldiers who break rules that have no moral force at all. I have no moral qualms about hands in pockets, though I have always avoided it, even in my police days when it was not against the rules.
This stuff has really been bothering me since I returned from deployment. Am I not a free man? Mike has stated that free countries like America should not take hard line security measures against groups like al-Qaeda since this violates the very freedom we represent. Why must people in the army be less free than the people they protect?
I’m tires of the nonsense. I wish I hadn’t reenlisted last year.
Oh, I could relate a few stories about diversity in the corporate world. The short form…had a Hungarian and a Russian coworkers on our team. Both got out of their respective countries before the wall came down. Rumor had it the Russian guy, who had been (I think) a major in their missile development program. As our boss was instructing us on yet another diversity training class we would need to attend and to what it would entail, the Russian looked at the Hungarian guy, smiled,and said “Just like old times, eh?”.
something got deleted…the Russian guy, according to rumor, had defected with some interesting information.
Great story. We’re making a mockery of our heritage.
“Within 2 hours and 15 minutes of initially being contacted by MRFF, the nativity scene had been promptly removed,” Loebe’s statement read. “MRFF wants to congratulate the Air Force on acting so swiftly to reverse this egregious violation and hopes that in the future they will ensure that no such violations continue to occur.”
http://charlotte.cbslocal.com/2013/12/10/air-force-base-takes-down-nativity-scene-following-complaint/
Phyllis May of Redmond, Wash. says she is “appalled and shocked and embarrassed all at the same time” about the incident that happened on Dec. 3.
May has a small business selling unique sock monkey dolls. She says she and her husband were on their way from St. Louis to Sea-Tac and she had a couple of monkeys and sewing supplies with her in a carry-on bag.
“His pistol was in there,” she says of the sock monkey “Rooster Monkburn,” a take-off on John Wayne character “Rooster Cogburn” from the film “True Grit.”
May and her husband were going through the screening process when she noticed that one of her bags was missing.
“And the (TSA agent) held it up and said ‘whose is this?’” she said. “I realized oh, my God this is my bag.”
May said the TSA agent went through the bag, through the sewing supplies and found the two-inch long pistol.
“She said ‘this is a gun,’” said May. “I said no, it’s not a gun it’s a prop for my monkey.”
“She said ‘If I held it up to your neck, you wouldn’t know if it was real or not,’ and I said ‘really?’” said May.
The TSA agent told May she would have to confiscate the tiny gun and was supposed to call the police.
“I said well go ahead,” said May. “And I said really? You’re kidding me right, and she said no it looks like a gun.”
“She took my monkey’s gun,” said May, who has retained her sense of humor.
“Rooster Monkburn has been disarmed so I’m sure everyone on the plane was safe,” she said. “I understand she was doing her job but at some point doesn’t common sense prevail?”
http://www.king5.com/news/local/TSA-agent-confiscates-sock-monkeys-toy-pistol-234986321.html
Per usual, the Left can’t stand freedom.
“Women’s groups are considering legal action to get it banned arguing that it promotes gender violence.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/10511139/Book-on-submissive-wives-becomes-hit-in-Spain.html
That is true, like Gollum, they hates it.
If this was Booooooosh, imagine how the chattering classes would chatter…
http://www.jammiewf.com/2013/u-s-embassy-in-london-unveils-creepily-oversized-obama-tapestry/
Seems like something Comrade Stalin would have done. How appropriate.
Ooooh! Hyperbole!! Hyperbole!!!
I wonder if these kids were ever spanked? Or do you think they got Democrat discipline?
You know, they used to say if, as a white person, if you’re walking down the street and cross to the other side upon encountering a black or group of black people, you were racist. Wonder what a philosopher would say about such behavior.
As for the spanking, highly unlikely either way. This screams fatherless-family. No responsible man would tolerate such behavior in their son.
And there is a concerted effort by the left to claim the “knockout game” is not real–just an urban legend.
Riiiight…
All wrong-doings and catastrophic cultural memes in black society are urban legends. Didn’t you hear?
There is nothing impossible about the idea that there is such a game. Not sure how widespread it is, though.
After the next inevitable apocalypse, men will be desperately needed again! Oh, sure, there will be the odd gun-toting Amazonian survivalist gal, who can rustle game out of the bush and feed her flock, but most women and children will be expecting men to scrounge for food and water and to defend the home turf. Indeed, men are absolutely indispensable right now, invisible as it is to most feminists, who seem blind to the infrastructure that makes their own work lives possible. It is overwhelmingly men who do the dirty, dangerous work of building roads, pouring concrete, laying bricks, tarring roofs, hanging electric wires, excavating natural gas and sewage lines, cutting and clearing trees, and bulldozing the landscape for housing developments. It is men who heft and weld the giant steel beams that frame our office buildings, and it is men who do the hair-raising work of insetting and sealing the finely tempered plate-glass windows of skyscrapers 50 stories tall.
Every day along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, one can watch the passage of vast oil tankers and towering cargo ships arriving from all over the world. These stately colossi are loaded, steered, and off-loaded by men. The modern economy, with its vast production and distribution network, is a male epic, in which women have found a productive role—but women were not its author. Surely, modern women are strong enough now to give credit where credit is due!
Read more: It’s a Man’s World, And It Always Will Be | TIME.com http://ideas.time.com/2013/12/16/its-a-mans-world-and-it-always-will-be/#ixzz2nhNVEB16
That was Camille Paglia BTW.
You’ll like this one TJ, Feminist Object Oriented Coding. Because the word “object”, you see…
http://www.frontpagemag.com/2013/dgreenfield/are-you-ready-for-a-feminist-programming-language/
I just engaged in some flame wars on Time’s comment log. In particular, with a person named Jaimie, whom as far as I can tell, is a transsexual that hated men so much he/she became a women. He/she is spewing all the normal leftist feminist propaganda, and perhaps even a bit more. Such people must be ruthlessly put in their places.
No, not Jaimie!
Here’s a democrat idea…sign up for Obamacare and win a free bag of pot. Mike might note that even this clown of a columnist points out, in support of Obamacare, that life isn’t fair…
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-16/make-obamacare-cool-or-make-it-hurt.html?alcmpid=view
Don’t know if this is Democrats At Work or Hyperbole…I know if GOPers predicted such, it would be “hyperbole”, but as this has manifested in reality, it’s simply Democrats At Work…I suppose I’m cool then…
The Democratic research group American Bridge apologized on Monday for following Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) at a memorial service over the weekend.The organization, dedicated to digging up opposition research on GOP candidates, said the mistake happened after a miscommunication and it does not usually attend those types of events.
http://www.jammiewf.com/2013/classy-shady-david-brock-groups-stalks-kelly-ayotte-at-a-new-hampshire-memorial-service/
Reason number whatevs as to why the NSA is the least of my worries:
DC District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle yesterday ordered the Obama Administration to release a copy of an unclassified presidential directive, and she said the attempt to withhold it represented an improper exercise of “secret law.”
The Obama White House has a “limitless” view of its authority to withhold presidential communications from the public, she wrote, but that view is wrong.
“The government appears to adopt the cavalier attitude that the President should be permitted to convey orders throughout the Executive Branch without public oversight– to engage in what is in effect governance by ‘secret law’,” Judge Huvelle wrote in her December 17 opinion.
“The Court finds equally troubling the government’s complementary suggestion that ‘effective’ governance requires that a President’s substantive and non-classified directives to Executive Branch agencies remain concealed from public scrutiny,” she wrote.
My own emphasis added.
http://blogs.fas.org/secrecy/2013/12/ppd-secret-law/
Authoritarian regime. TJ is correct that the NSA is dangerous in evil hands–just like a gun. We should jail those who use the gun improperly, not get rid of the gun.
Enjoy the Decline.
And I agree with that. However, priorities. As to TJ’s point below, if a cop stands on a street corner and observes what is going on in the community, is he spying? If he stops a specific person who is acting suspiciously yet not at that moment committing a crime, is that an intrusion on their privacy? I presume there are some rules as to what a cop can/should interfere. This is subject is probably more relevant in big city areas where cops are more likely to walk a beat as opposed to the drive-by most of us get.
Also, TJ, I agree that you’re not arguing that it’s your biggest worry, but in the context of the other things going on, like what I posted above, where is the outrage? Not you, specifically, but in the general paranoia-based community?
The problem is that the people who voted for Obama have not yet fully come to grips with the extent that he has betrayed them.
Nor are many of them ever likely to. For a significant number it was like a religious experience. Once they went all-in, they pretty much became lifers. Did you see Baba Wawa’s recent comments in regard to The Messiah (PBUH)?
“We should jail those who use the gun improperly, not get rid of the gun.”
Also, it is a good idea to keep guns out of the hands of stupid and incompetent people (and organizations).
There is no need for our government to spy on us. They work for us–we don’t work for them.
And I never argued that the NSA should be anyone’s biggest worry.
The biggest worry should be the unsustainable fiscal path we are on. It is like we are on the Titanic heading for the iceberg and the Captain has decided not to even try to steer away from it because the passengers might panic.
“Almost Orwellian”—that’s the description a federal judge gave earlier this week to the massive spying by the National Security Agency (NSA) on virtually all 380 million cellphones in the United States.
In the first meaningful and jurisdictionally grounded judicial review of the NSA cellphone spying program, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee sitting in Washington, D.C., ruled that the scheme of asking a secret judge on a secret court for a general warrant to spy on all American cellphone users without providing evidence of probable cause of criminal behavior against any of them is unconstitutional because it directly violates the Fourth Amendment.
Readers of this page are familiar with the purpose of that Amendment and the requirements it imposes on the government. The Framers intended it to prevent the new government in America from doing to Americans what the British government had done to the colonists under the king.
The British government had used general warrants—which are not based on individualized probable cause and do not name the place to be searched or the person or thing to be seized — to authorize British soldiers to search the colonists wherever they pleased for whatever they wished to seize. The reason for the Fourth Amendment requirement of individualized probable cause and specificity in the warrant is to prevent the very type of general warrant that the NSA has claimed is lawful. The reason for preventing general warrants is that they have become an instrument of tyranny.
http://reason.com/archives/2013/12/19/federal-judge-finally-acknowledges-nsa-i
I suppose my basic point is I object to the language being used. I don’t consider it spying if a computer program analyzes information without having any “knowledge” or conscious power to do anything with that information. Now there is a great fuzzy area at what point a “hit” is found and how the request for a warrant is justified and requested. I agree these are areas of concern, but the hyperbole that “the government is listening in on EVERYBODY’s phone calls” does not do the discussion justice and is a distraction from the real issue. And due to the significant noise to signal ratio along with the political turgidity (as polite a word as I could find) I don’t see much point in spending much time on it. People need to settle down and focus on the real issue at hand. This is not a black-and-white situation. It certainly would make for an interesting philosophical discussion. Know any place where a man could find such?
I might also note, and always wanted to ask a lawyer or law enforcement person this, about a similar fuzzy area of law. When a fugitive appears at the home of a close relative, how much time passes before the relative is guilty of “harboring” such? If your wayward son appears on your doorstep at 2 AM, must you notify the police before sunrise? Does anyone see similar parallels here or am I out on a limb?
WTP, let’s say I believe that an employee or group of employees inside the NSA decided to help Obama’s re-election by listening in to all of the Romney campaign communications and sending this intelligence to the Obama campaign.
Can you give me any grounds for assurance that this did not happen?
Heard the same argument when Bush originally started the program. It’s like Magus says above, the NSA is dangerous in evil hands–just like a gun. We should jail those who use the gun improperly, not get rid of the gun.
I don’t like the idea of limiting freedom to use a tool, even the government’s freedom, based on the possibility that someone could misuse that tool. There is nothing to stop a cop from knocking down your door in the middle of the night without a warrant. But does that mean the police shouldn’t have battering rams?
Every day this government threatens and harasses individuals and private corporations using far more overt measures. For the last couple of years I have been prohibited from purchasing the home owners’ insurance coverage that I would like from the company I would like to purchase it from because a REPUBLICAN (well, not no longer) governor and similar legislature (though with all-in support of the Dems and only partial GOP) decided that it costs too much. Not that the company was insolvent in any way. Sh*t like this affects our daily lives. The NSA, not so much.
So what conclusions do you draw about the NSA from the fact that they don’t have a clue as to what data Snowden was able to access?
To what level of incompetence does an agency have to sink before it deserves a housecleaning?
The conclusion I draw is our security clearance apparatus is flawed relative to the population we have. It’s slim pickings out there trying to find people who:
1) want to work in a very security-oriented environment
2) have the skills desired for working in such an environment
3) (lastly and most importantly) are trustworthy
At base, and I’ll admit this is a bit of a cop-out, this is a society problem. Too many people with too many problems, even putting the idiotic drug prohibition overhead aside. Also, our security check processes are overwhelmed both by the volume of jobs that require clearances and the work involved (or I should say, should be involved) in clearing such people. I am quite sure only spot-checking is being done for anything less than TS. Part of this problem is due to many programs requiring greater clearances than is necessary, combined with post-9/11 BS where agencies such as the TSA and FBI cannot accept a DoD Secret clearance as completely adequate anymore, so each has its own bureaucracy duplicate part of the job. This isn’t a specific risk but it taxes resources that would best be applied elsewhere.
It’s not just the NSA. Heads should be rolling over this stuff.
A Department of Energy network breach earlier this year that allowed hackers to download sensitive personal information for 104,000 people was the result of a decade-old patchwork of systems, some that hadn’t installed critical security updates in years, according to a federal watchdog.
July’s successful hack on the department’s Employee Data Repository database was at least the third one to occur since 2011, DOE Inspector General Gregory H. Friedman wrote in a recently published review of the breach. The hack resulted in the exfiltration of more than 104,000 individuals’ personally identifiable information (PII), including their social security numbers, bank account data, dates and places of birth, user names, and answers to security questions. The department expects to incur costs of $3.7 million setting up credit monitoring and in lost productivity. That figure doesn’t include the costs of fixing the vulnerable systems.
The inspector general review recited a litany of failures that allowed hackers to penetrate system defenses. Chief among them is the fact that none of the 354 database tables containing social security numbers were encrypted. Using strong cryptography to protect such “at rest” PII has long been considered a best practice in government and corporate data security. The department’s management information system (MIS) that allowed access to the DOEInfo databases also failed to require common security enhancements, such as two-factor authentication or a department-issued virtual private network.
http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/12/how-hackers-made-minced-meat-of-department-of-energy-networks/
Another guy I’m subscribing to, Bernard Chapin. A “conservative libertarian” as he puts it. And hilarious.
TJ, you’ll be dismayed to note that the trend our society is taking is magnified twn-fold in the military. Historically, radicals have always used the military to change society, and not only through force of arms.
http://soldiercitizen.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/go-tell-the-spartans-here-lays-mickey-mouse/
Nice post. Maybe “Pajama Boy” is now running the Army.
http://hotair.com/archives/2013/12/18/the-obligatory-well-at-least-obama-understands-who-his-target-audience-is-post/
ugg. The URL is not posting the video I want. He did a vid on Pajama Boy.
I had heard it as “a communist is just a socialist in a hurry”. Heh.
In the interest of being fair and balanced, here’s a Republican at work:
Joe drives to Obama’s house, which is located in a very nice neighborhood and where it’s clear that all the residents make more than $250,000 per year.
Joe arrives and takes his tools into the house. Joe is led to the room that contains the leaky pipe under a sink. Joe assesses the problem and tells Obama, who is standing near the door, that it’s an easy repair that will take less than 10 minutes.
Obama asks Joe how much it will cost. Joe immediately says, “$9,500.”
“$9,500?” Obama asks, stunned, “But you said it’s an easy repair!”
“Yes, but what I do is charge a lot more to my clients who make more than $250,000 per year so I can fix the plumbing of everybody who makes less than that for free,” explains Joe. “It’s always been my philosophy. As a matter of fact, I lobbied government to pass this philosophy as law, and it did pass earlier this year, so now all plumbers have to do business this way. It’s known as ‘Joe’s Fair Plumbing Act of 2009.’ Surprised you haven’t heard of it.”
In spite of that, Obama tells Joe there’s no way he’s paying that much for a small plumbing repair, so Joe leaves. Obama spends the next hour flipping through the phone book looking for another plumber, but he finds that all other plumbing businesses listed have gone out of business. Not wanting to pay Joe’s price, Obama does nothing. The leak under Obama’s sink goes unrepaired for the next several days.
A week later the leak is so bad that Obama has had to put a bucket under the sink. The bucket fills up quickly and has to be emptied every hour, and there’s a risk that the room will flood, so Obama calls Joe and pleads with him to return. Joe goes back to Obama’s house, looks at the leaky pipe, and says, “Let’s see – this will cost you about $21,000.”
“A few days ago you told me it would cost $9,500!” Obama quickly fires back.
Joe explains the reason for the dramatic increase. “Well, because of the ‘Joe’s Fair Plumbing Act,’ a lot of rich people are learning how to fix their own plumbing, so there are fewer of you paying for all the free plumbing I’m doing for the people who make less than $250,000. As a result, the rate I have to charge my wealthy paying customers rises every day.
“Not only that, but for some reason the demand for plumbing work from the group of people who get it for free has skyrocketed, and there’s a long waiting list of those who need repairs. This has put a lot of my fellow plumbers out of business, and they’re not being replaced – nobody is going into the plumbing business because they know they won’t make any money. I’m hurting now too – all thanks to greedy rich people like you who won’t pay their fair share.”
Obama tries to straighten out the plumber: “Of course you’re hurting, Joe! Don’t you get it? If all the rich people learn how to fix their own plumbing and you refuse to charge the poorer people for your services, you’ll be broke, and then what will you do?”
Joe immediately replies, “Run for president, apparently.”
Camille Paglia:
Robertson has been suspended from Duck Dynasty due to comments he made to GQ that have been deemed “anti-gay.” According to Paglia, the culture has become too politically correct.
“To express yourself in a magazine in an interview — this is the level of punitive PC, utterly fascist, utterly Stalinist, OK, that my liberal colleagues in the Democratic Party and on college campuses have supported and promoted over the last several decades,” Paglia said. “This is the whole legacy of free speech 1960’s that have been lost by my own party.”
Paglia went on to point out that while she is an atheist she respects religion and has been frustrated by the intolerance of gay activists.
“I think that this intolerance by gay activists toward the full spectrum of human beliefs is a sign of immaturity, juvenility,” Paglia said. “This is not the mark of a true intellectual life. This is why there is no cultural life now in the U.S. Why nothing is of interest coming from the major media in terms of cultural criticism. Why the graduates of the Ivy League with their A, A, A+ grades are complete cultural illiterates, etc. is because they are not being educated in any way to give respect to opposing view points.”
“There is a dialogue going on human civilization, for heaven sakes. It’s not just this monologue coming from fanatics who have displaced the religious beliefs of their parents into a political movement,” she added. “And that is what happened to feminism, and that is what happened to gay activism, a fanaticism.”
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/19/paglia-duck-dynasty-uproar-utterly-fascist-utterly-stalinist/#ixzz2o12zUKHI
You guys probably think I rant about gays a lot. This is exactly why. It has nothing to do with me wanting to control their behavior. It has everything to do with them being a chosen demograph of the Left, which means they will try to control me. They will mercilessly reach for power. They will crush everyone that does not toe their line. They are, for the most part, Leftists, which means to me they’re anti-American.
There are those who do grab onto victimization issues in order to use them as tools in politics. They speak of wars against X and persecution, while lashing out.
But, most folks are too busy doing their own stuff to do that. I’m reasonable confident that most of the gays have no interest in what you do or desire to control you. But, maybe I am wrong. We’d need some input from the Gay Illuminati on this.
So why was Robertson fired?
Another Robertson, Pat Robertson was fired by MSNBC, too. As if they didn’t know Pat Robertson’s view before they hired him, In fact, they hired him because of those views.
Meant Pat Buchanan.
This story that just won’t die, mostly because the media loves it, is the problem with conservatism. Whenever conservatism gets any traction on the policies that conservatism, by its very meaning, should concern itself with, the media and the dems know they can count on waving some social “conservative” issues in their faces and they will abandon all previously supposed “principles” and go after that red meat every time. It’s definitely a sign of our times that this grey-beard foul mouthed bigoted douche bag who at one time abandoned his family for drink and who knows what else would become some sort of representative of the conservative cause. You’ll notice that obummer, who couldn’t seem to keep his nose out of every local social, race, etc. issue is quiet on this one. Oh, I’m sure that db wants to jump all over it, but someone (James Carvelle, I presume) is emphasizing the political maxim of never get in your enemy’s way when he’s destroying himself.
Geez, wtp, who EVER would have guessed that a Christian evangelical would think being gay is a sin? Ripping on him for his problem with alcohol–back in the 1970s–seems a bit much. If the American population falls for this red meat we deserve what the liberals are bringing us. Was he supposed to lie about his thoughts in the interview? Or he supposed to see the liberal light and join in the gay orgy?
Magus above. Did you read Robertson’s whole quote on the issue? I feel the EXACT same way he does. Count me as foul-mouthed and bigoted.
Oh that’s only a drop in the bucket in regard to this idiotic posturing crap. A&E plays coy with the “gee, we had no idea” angle and deserves far more abuse than it has taken on this issue as well.
Look, I don’t object to the guy expressing his opinion that he believe’s homosexuality is a sin. I object a little to the way he expresses it and a whole lot to the passive-aggressive victimization angle he and many of his supporters take. Yet a the same time denying doing the same. The reasoning is much like the sort of passive-aggressive crap that Mike puts up here. And there’s a difference between “having a problem with alcohol” and abandoning your family, kicking your wife and kids out of the house, committing crimes and disappearing into the woods. Such a person, should they recover, would do well to show a significant amount of humility the rest of their life. And not the preachy kind. In my experience, such people are not to be trusted. The preachy kind, I mean, not those who turn their lives around and show a significant degree of humility.
While it is sometimes wrong to judge a book by its cover, such is a cliche that I find quite wanting itself. Of the many subcultures (sorry, can’t find the proper word for it) from Goths to Bikers to Metrosexuals to Greybeards, I find the greybeards to deviate the least from their group. Oh, they might have different politics, religions, or whatevs but they pretty much all boil down to a whiny yet preachy p/a personality. Any problem they encounter in life is manifested as an attack on their “honor” or their “down-to-earthiness”. Learned much of this from playing pool with a number of them but also from couple I’ve known personally. A former brother-in-law was one. Used to quote the Bible when it suited him but he was a good distance from honorable. I know the thought pattern, seen the meme repeated many times over.
As for your request, I would not find you foul mouth and bigoted. While we only know each other through this and your blog, I would be mighty surprised if you were to expound on the pleasures of a woman’s vagina being preferable to a man’s anus. Such a vulgarity shows a considerable lack of class and character. It’s locker room talk that would turn heads in many locker rooms. Gave me the creeps to even type it out and I’m quite far from prudish. I do not find it bigoted to view homosexuality as a sin. I disagree that it is such, but it is not bigoted to express one’s opinion. The manner some people express their opinions does reveal something about their character, however. Guilty as charged, I suppose. And to be clear, I do not agree with the degree of anti-Phil crap that is out there either. As I said, there is much hypocrisy to go around on this issue.
Give Phil Robertson a chance, he may not be who you think he is. He admits all the wrongs he did. He tries to show people that even someone as bad as he was had hope, and it wasn’t a government program.
OK, so found time to watch the video. I wish I could say I learned something new, but it was nothing I haven’t seen time and time again. Let me give you an idea of where I’m coming from. I went to public school for elementary and high school, but attended a fundamentalist Presbyterian school for my middle school years. We were a family that went to church every Sunday and had pretty much a live-and-let-live attitude. Homosexuality, while considered a sin and wrong, just wasn’t much of a subject in our house. Nor many of the other “sins”. Responsibility overrode all else. At this parochial school, now we were 11-12-13-14 year olds mind you, at certain times like chapel and bible class, we were encouraged to tell our stories of being “saved”. It seemed like every one of my middle and upper-middle class classmates had a story about how they were on the road to perdition but had some sort of divine intervention in their lives and how Jesus saved them from horrible moral corruption. Granted, this was south Florida in the drug hey-days but I knew these kids from 6th grade on so their “bad times” would have had to occur before I knew them. Adults encouraged this and never was anyone questioned. I specifically remember looking around a room of 25 or 30 students and how many of them did NOT have such a story to tell. I’d like to say I counted 5 but I can only recall 3 of us and that includes myself. In high school drugs were quite available. It was here that I encountered such stories as those related above that actually were for real. So many kids got messed up on drugs and alcohol. They were generally the type where everything was about them. Annoying bastards. My friends and I drank and smoked the occasional weed. But nothing to the excess of such braggarts. Then these druggies, as we called them, would one by one get religion. The joke was “I used to be f’d up on drugs and alcohol and now I’m f’d up on Jesus Christ”. While they were now no longer a threat to society, they were just as annoying as ever.
Some of what grates in this video are things like how a man could get to college, etc. yet claim he “didn’t know anything about Jesus” and such. Living in 1950’s south? Even if his parents never went to church, etc. he had to go to school somewhere. I’m almost certain they had prayer in his school. Hell, they lived in a “parish”. I don’t mean to judge but this stuff is just BS. I don’t trust people to BS in the name of Jesus.
Then there’s the stuff about “the law got after me” and “that’s the devil in him”. Classic responsibility dodges I’ve heard from recidivists many times.
I guess what it boils down to is that I was raised to do what is expected of me in life all the time. Yes, there are wild oats to be sowed when young, but use your head. And if you f up your life but manage to recover, show some humility. Don’t go preaching how to live to people who had the goddam common decency to behave themselves while you were off making misery. “Good ole country folks from Louisiana”…who crave attention.
And again, A&E is full of BS with their story, etc. I was never a Paula Dean fan, found her quite annoying, but where was all this outrage over companies dropping her products over something she said far more innocently many, many years ago? Is it because she’s (supposedly, I wouldn’t know) a Democrat? Then it’s nothing but politics. Hell, when I got kept after “diversity training” class and lectured by an ignorant woman in front of my coworkers (who I might add knew far less about the subject than I did) many years ago after simply rolling my eyes too many times, it was understood that if you didn’t like such you didn’t have to work there. BS of course, but there’s nothing new about this sh*t. There have been plenty of opportunities in the past to address this issue with far more respectable people. The DD folks are just playing into the hands of the media and the left who need a distraction from Obummers numerous miserable failures.
To clarify, the who I might add knew far less about the subject than I did applies to the lady teaching the class, not my coworkers. We were an already diversified staff of Americans (black and white), Indians, Chinese, Pakistanis, Vietnamese, Jamaicans, yadda-yadda-yadda.
There are plenty of Christians walking around who people just think are “nice” people but have to real idea they’re practicing Christians. As for the types that preach to people who are able to do right without religion, this very issue was brought to the attention of Jesus by the pharisees, that Jesus was hanging out with sinners instead of people considered righteous. Jesus’ reply was that it was the sick who needed doctors. I myself have written that people who maintain themselves without a spiritual source are stronger than me, I admit this. On the other hand, I beleive my beliefs make me stronger than the average person who doesn’t consider these things at all. Paul exorts all Christians to have a “sober” mind. To me, this means being able to communicate to people why you believe what you do, that means science, philosophy history, the whole thing. It’s not just about “getting saved.” People in the modern world will usually not respond to that sort of talk, because it sounds stupid to them. Of course, Paul says such talk will sound foolish to many people. So I don’t do it. Above all, it’s important to remain humble. Paul admitted he was nothing.
“Why the graduates of the Ivy League with their A, A, A+ grades are complete cultural illiterates, etc. is because they are not being educated in any way to give respect to opposing view points.”
Mike, what say you?
The people at the Ivy League schools don’t talk to me, so I cannot say what they are up to.
In my classes, I present various historical and current views in part so students can get a picture of how there are many different view points that can be defended rationally. I also stress that views should be given the respect they are due. But, I do argue that not all opinions are equally good. Some are crap and calling crap crap does respect the crap.
To help students see matters from different perspectives, my Ethics paper requires the student to argue at length for their position on a moral issue. The student then has to present a substantial objection against their view and then reply back to it with a developed argument.
Do you think you understand why some people believe there is a war on Christmas?
I do-propaganda, the tendency of people to put far too much weight on the negative, media coverage creates the spotlight effect, plus the odd pleasure people often feel at seeing themselves as persecuted victims.
It is an extremely irrational belief-Christmas is the dominant holiday and almost everyone likes it. Heck, even non-Christans are into it. I’d say that Christmas won America. Saying there is a war on Christmas is like saying there is a war on sports or TV.
“It is an extremely irrational belief-Christmas is the dominant holiday and almost everyone likes it.”
That has nothing to do with whether there is a war of Christmas. Cultural Marxims targets cultural hegemony. Standard Gramsci theory. Mike does not understand that Marxist theory changed when the Frankfurt School folks moved from Germany to New York and took root at Columbia University. Economic determinism is no longer the focus: Culture is.
Christmas is bad.
Classic family is bad.
Classic sexual norms are bad.
White people are bad.
Men are bad.
Understand the enemy.
Mike’s logic is like saying that because the US military is the most powerful in Afghanistan, there is no war against it in that country.
I think the “war on Christmas” needs to seen in the broader context of the “war on traditional values.”
Also, while I agree that everybody loves Christmas trees, presents, and even Christmas music, not everybody is happy if too much “Christ” gets put in Christmas or too much “holy” is put into the holidays.
Interesting philosophical question there, TJ. Can a teacher teach that which he does not fundamentally understand himself, possibly due to a certain lack of self-awareness? I learn a lot from my dog, yet his prospects of attaining tenure are quite slim.
All gay, all the time. Half naked gay men used to sell Obamacare. The least presidential president ever.
http://www.mrconservative.com/2013/12/29357-video-panders-to-half-naked-gays-to-spread-obamacare-enrollment-message/
Progressives, where will they stop?
Teddy Roosevelt busted Standard Oil. The Obama administration? It’s making the world safe from rapacious piano teachers.
Every month, it seems, brings a new story of this presidency leveling the intimidating powers of the federal government against some law-abiding citizen. Now comes a terrifying tale of how the Federal Trade Commission, a governmental Goliath, crushes an average David—because it can.
In March of this year, a small nonprofit in Cincinnati—the Music Teachers National Association—received a letter from the FTC. The agency was investigating whether the association was engaged in, uh, anticompetitive practices.
3 felonies a day, WTP.
A health insurance provider is sending 20-something activists out on the streets of Denver in their underwear to persuade young people to ‘get covered.’
The resulting photos and video footage, which the organization published on Instagram this week, has a protest flavor that comes complete with a Twitter hashtag: #getcoveredCO.
And U.S. taxpayers are footing the bill for the risque street performances through a federal government loan.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2442710/Colorado-Obamacare-activists-STRIP-underwear-persuade-people-covered.html#ixzz2oy90Zf18
More losers with no human dignity. Get out of my country. You suck. I’m tired of playing patty-cakes with these spoiled vermin.
I wouldn’t say “no human dignity”. You still need to find some room lower on the scale for these people.
http://www.shotbuzz.com/category/news/peta
I’m sure they’re very well educated, though. Including those who thought this was a good idea.
I can’t stand these types. I have more respect for the homeless drunk. He’s tougher and asks less of society.
I hate slactivism. I hate anyone trying to make innately difficult things easy. They are trying to steal valor. Screw them.
You need to see it like a “sex Jihad”
Gotta admit, I do like the line “government so small it can be vaginally inserted”
http://youtu.be/MpRA5H3iuMQ
Yup. The enemy. And I’m tired of identifying them otherwise. The choice is between victory and destruction, not war and peace. Pacifism hands control to those who are not pacifists. They’re not pacifists, so neither am I.
Interesting. Can’t remember the exact nature of the other time this happened, but we discussed that every so often one notices a phenomenon and talks or writes about it, only to find later that there is an actual term for it. In this case, I have written in the past on my observation that our government has turned into a strange monster which violates all the rules a good government should follow, that is it fails to adequately punish criminals and exterior enemies and targets law abiding citizens because they are easy targets.
The term for this is Anarcho-Tyranny.
http://en.metapedia.org/wiki/Anarcho-tyranny
apollonian says
World Still Lost In Un-Real Abstractionism–We’re Up Against Satanism, Nothing Less
Actually, the best term is SATANISM, the culture of DEATH, built upon the culture of lies.
It’s not not not not not “left” vs. “right,” both of these controlled by the topmost Satanist powers (behind the US Federal Reserve Bank COUNTERFEIT scam), both sides of this false paradigm pushing “good-evil” moralism/Pharisaism.
Note then destruction of TRUTH is effected by the fallacious/delusionary “good-evil” of Kant an Plato, lately by Leo Strauss (the “noble lie”).
Thus “good-evil” delusion ushers in SUBJECTIVISM which destroys Aristotelian objectivity, necessary foundation for TRUTH.
“[F]ails to … punish criminals”?–ho hooo ho, Magus, it REWARDS and encourages them–have u observed MSNBC pushing anti-white, anti-Christian “knock-out game” by the blacks? Did u hear about the cop who gave rectal exams slap on wrist 2 yrs?–see http://www.infowars.com/cop-gets-two-years-for-illegal-anal-cavity-searches/. Have u noted the recent assault against “Duck Dynasty” Christianity?–see http://www.infowars.com/ae-caves-phil-robertson-back-on-duck-dynasty/.
See, what absolutely RULES for this society, including now for all the world?–LIES, the primary weapon being US Fed COUNTERFEITING scam (literally–it’s just legalized by vote of paid-off politicians). See RealityZone.com and Mises.org for definitive expo on Fed.
Thus when u control the money-supply, U RULE, period–and these criminals are determined to maintain their grip. Hence Fed powers fund all the terrorism, keeping the suckers and morons afraid and willing to give-up their rights, the stupid fools. And now we have AGENDA-21 “de-population” GENOCIDE as official program for world gov.
People gotta get a clue–TO SAVING THEIR VERY LIVES–it’s Satanism, nothing else or less, on the march, and the purpose is genocide by all the various means.
“Anarcho-tyranny”?–this is far toooooooooooooo abstracted–get real, get practical–it’s Satanism, literally, just as I analyze, above.
Not sure if this qualifies as Democrats at “Work” buuuuut…
Students at PS 106 in Far Rockaway, Queens, have gotten no math or reading and writing books for the rigorous Common Core curriculum, whistleblowers say.
The 234 kids get no gym or art classes. Instead, they watch movies every day.
“The kids have seen more movies than Siskel and Ebert,” a source said.
The school nurse has no office equipped with a sink, refrigerator or cot.
The library is a mess: “Nothing’s in order,” said a source. “It’s a junk room.”
No substitutes are hired when a teacher is absent — students are divvied up among other classes.
A classroom that includes learning-disabled kids doesn’t have the required special-ed co-teacher.
About 40 kindergartners have no room in the three-story brick building. They sit all day in dilapidated trailers that reek of “animal urine,” a parent said; rats and squirrels noisily scamper in the walls and ceiling.
NO GYM OR ART: With no phys-ed or art classes, students are left to watch movies, including “Alvin and the Chipmunks” and “Fat Albert.”
NO SPACE: Without enough space in the main brick building, kindergartners are taught in what sources say are rat-infested trailers.
Principal Marcella Sills is a frequent no-show; The Post found she missed every day of school last week but one.
And the principal — Marcella Sills, who joined PS 106 nine years ago — is a frequent no-show, sources say.
Sills did not come to school last Monday. On Tuesday, she showed up at 3:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, The Post found her at home in Westbury, LI, all day before emerging at 2:50 p.m. — school dismissal time. Wearing a fur coat, she took her BMW for a spin.
She showed up at school Thursday, but not Friday.
When Sills, 48, does go to work, it’s rarely before 11 a.m. — and often hours later, say sources familiar with her schedule.
“She strolls in whenever she wants,” one said.
The school hasn’t had a payroll secretary in years.
A Department of Education spokesman said Sills was required to report her absences and tardiness to District 27 Superintendent Michelle Lloyd-Bey but would not say whether Sills did so last week.
Lloyd-Bey did not return a call. Sills hung up on a reporter.
When she is out, an assistant principal is left in charge. Yet Sills, who gets a $128,207 salary, also pockets overtime pay — $2,900 for 83 hours in 2011, the latest available records show.
“This school is a complete s- -thole, but nobody in a position of power comes to investigate. No one cares,” a community member said.
http://nypost.com/2014/01/12/no-space-no-books-no-leader-no-clue-at-citys-worst-elementary/
What are the chances that any of these people are *not* Democrats?
Also, French socialists (after all, what’s the difference?) at work:
With French unemployment officially at over 10.5%, unofficially probably higher, Hollande put on his clothes, slunk out of his latest female friend’s apartment and stood before the national enquiring minds of not only the French press but the international media as well, plaintively asking:
“How can we run a country if entrepreneurs don’t hire?” he said. “And how can we redistribute if there’s no wealth?”
Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/01/_how_can_we_redistribute_if_theres_no_wealth.html#ixzz2qabH79A7
Original news source:
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304049704579320463225234676?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304049704579320463225234676.html
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a centenary
of Learning
by Terra Sprague
graduated 2009
studied MEd in Educational Leadership, Policy & Development, Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
from , USA, Republic of Armenia
I would like to develop a research profile that looks at transitional small states.
Before coming to Bristol I was first and English language arts teacher in the United States in the Midwest and then I got into the development education scene by joining the United States’ Peace Corps and going to the Republic of Armenia, where I lived for three years. I was working as an English language arts teacher doing teacher training and also working as a freelance consultant helping an organisation to do vocational education development.
During that time of three years of living there, learning the language, working with Armenians I came to be aware of the ways that development practises were affecting the education system there; the practises of large scale organisations and the way they introducing education reforms and I got interested in education development. So I started looking for a way to pursue that avenue. My intention was that when I went to Armenia was that I would go for three years and then return to the US, go back to teaching English language arts but being there put me on a completely different trajectory. Being here at Bristol, at the Graduate School of Education, has helped me to continue on to that different path.
There is a Research Centre for Comparative and International Studies here that does research in different countries about policy development and influences of international organisations upon those. There is the EdQual Project that focussed on educational equality in low income countries and there is also Education in Small States Research Group here that ties in really neatly to my experience in Armenia which is a very small and transitional state. So just those particular aspects were really close to what I was doing in Armenia and I felt that I could relate to, and become part of, the community here.
I am interested in educational assessment, so my own research focuses on the changing nature of assessment policies, testing and the way we evaluate students. There is a strand of work here, an assessment centre for that so it’s that multidisciplinary; it’s the assessment aspect, it’s the development, it’s the comparative studies and it all comes together here at Bristol.
What I would like to do is develop a research profile that looks at transitional small states, so countries like Armenia that are coming out of the post Soviet era but that are also small states. So I have been able to identify a niche area to work in. That’s where I see my future going, in academia but also maintaining those ties and relationships to the development organisations that my experience here as allowed me to pursue.
When I was looking for a Master’s programme, the idea was that my husband was going to stay in Armenia and start a business and I was going to just come to the UK, do my Master’s degree in a year and then return to Armenia. But I ended up getting pregnant with our daughter, just before we left Armenia, so that changed plans dramatically. We had never envisioned staying here and I think that Bristol has just been a good place for us both academically and we have found a community here and it’s been a really good fit for us all around. So that I hope that we can continue on here for quite a long time.
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The Parsee of India & Shambhala
"In the 10th Century AD..... a small band of Iranian Zoroastrians decided to leave Iran because they were finding life oppressive. It is said that they took with them an urn containing their sacred fire, the symbol of the religion. It is not clear whether they had a specific destination in mind but after hazarding many dangers by land and sea they finally settled in the Gujerat province of India. Many moved down to Bombay during the time of the British occupation, where a significant proportion of them made their names and fortunes. They became known as the Parsees and clung tenaciously to vestiges of their Iranian culture. Yet they gradually lost the language, the dress and the food of the Iranian Zoroastrians and at one point even a working knowledge of religious rituals.".....http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/rss/22-1_109.pdf
"A Parsi or Parsee is a member of the larger of the two Zoroastrian communities in the Indian Subcontinent, a member of the other being an Irani. According to tradition, the present-day Parsis descend from a group of Zoroastrians of Iran who immigrated to India during the 10th century AD, to avoid persecution by Muslim invaders who were in the process of conquering Persia/Iran. At the time of the Arab invasion of Persia, the dominant religion of the region was Zoroastrianism. The Iranians rebelled against the Arab invaders for almost 200 years; in Iran this period is now known as the "Two Centuries of Silence" or "Period of Silence".After many failed attempts to free the country from Arab domination, the Iranians were forced to either pay heavy taxes (Jizya) or to convert to Islam, the latter being the ultimate goal of the new rulers and thus the easier way.During this time many Iranians who are now called Parsi rejected both options and instead chose to take refuge by fleeing from Iran to India.
"the split occurred when the Aryans were apparently located at around 50 degrees North latitude somewhere in Northern Eurasia. Later, the Iranian-Aryans migrated further Southwards and finally settled in the Iranian Plateau (Persia), while the Indo-Aryans took a different route and finally settled in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of North India. The split was complete, even physically/geographically."
http://tenets.zoroastrianism.com/didnot33.html
In Zoroastrian tradition, life is a temporary state in which a mortal is expected to actively participate in the continuing battle between truth and falsehood. Prior to being born, the urvan (soul) of an individual is still united with its fravashi (guardian spirit), and which have existed since Mazda created the universe. During life, the fravashi acts as a guardian and protector. On the fourth day after death, the soul is reunited with its fravashi, in which the experiences of life in the material world are collected for the continuing battle in the spiritual world. For the most part, Zoroastrianism does not have a notion of reincarnation, at least not until the final renovation of the world. Followers of Ilm-e-Kshnoom in India believe in reincarnation and practice vegetarianism, two principles unknown to Orthodox Zoroastrianism.
COYAJEE, SIR JEHANGIR COOVERJI (b. Bombay, 11 September 1875, d. Bombay, 14 July 1943), Parsi economist and student of ancient Iranian mythology. ......His Cults and Legends of Ancient Iran and China (Bombay, 1936; reviewed in JAOS 57,1937, p. 198; tr. J. Dūstḵᵛāh as Āʾīnhā wa afsānhā-ye Īrān wa Čīn-e bāstān, Tehran, 1976; 2nd ed., Tehran, 1362 Š./1983) is a collection of ten articles on ancient Iranian mythology, dealing mainly with parallels between myths of the two cultures and with Parthian materials in the Šāh-nāma. Studies in the Shāhnāmeh (Government Fellowship Lectures, Bombay, 1940; reviewed in Review of English Studies 16, 1940, pp. 332; cf. Rypka, Hist. Iran. Lit., pp. 54-55; tr. M. Ḡarawī as Pažūheš dar Šāh-nāma, Tehran, 2536 = 1356 Š./1977; tr., J. Dūstḵᵛāh as Pažūhešhā-ī dar Šāh-nāma, Isfahan, 1371 Š./1992), based on lectures given at the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute (q.v.) in 1938, was focused on the relationship between legends of the Šāh-nāma and Babylonian, Greek, and western European mythology, including the legends of the Holy Grail.
John Hopkins.....Northern New Mexico….November 2012
The Hephthalites & Bactria (500 AD)
Chan Buddhism, Zen & Shambhala
Cintamani: The Wish Fulfilling Gem
Shambhala in the Mahabharata (500 BC)
Early Shambhala Researchers (987 AD -1820 AD...etc...
Greek Buddhism in Bactria (180 BC)
Shamis-en-Balkh, Sam-bala & Historical Shambhala
Okar Research Maps... Ancient Central Asia
Ancient Khorasan: Land Where The Sun Rises (2000 ...
Ancient Tibet (1196 BC - 950 AD)
Ancient Buddhist Kingdom of Khotan (600 AD)
The Tibetan Muslims of Skardu Baltistan
King Ashoka (Maurya: 324-187 BC)
Masculine Deities in Ancient Central Asia (600 BC)...
Zurvanism: Zurwan-Mithra, Sun God and the God of ...
Pamir Mountains and Uighur Khocho (800 AD)
The Europoid Yuezhi in Bactria (200 BC)
Shamanism in Ancient Central Asia (500 BC)
Taoism & Ancient Shambhala (600 BC - 600 AD)
Japanese Shinto & Ancient Shambala (6th C. BC)
Gandharan Style Greek - Buddhist Art (5th C. BC - ...
Confucius & the Shambhala Tradition (551–479 BCE)...
Kingdom of Gandhāra (1st-5th C. AD)
Fravashis, Zhidag, Gandharvas, Dralas
Shiwa Okar, Shenlha Okar and Akar Werma
'Od gSal Lha & The Shambhala Deities
Vajra Caste, Secular Shambhala & The Kalachakra
Rimé Movement & Non-Sectarianism (19th C. AD)
Feminine Deities in Ancient Central Asia
Ancient Historians in Bactria (400 BC)
Balkh and the Genghis Khan Destruction (1220 AD)
Ancient China & the Four Sons of Heaven
Greek/Bactrian Buddhism (200 BC)
King Gesar...Phrom and Tazig (743 AD)
Shambhala: Tribes, Clans and Castes
gZi-brjid: The Ziji & Shenrab Miwo (1847 BC?)
Nava Vihara in Balkh: Sun Temple/Fire Temple/Monas...
Etymology: Sakya, Shaka, Shakya, Saka, Sacae
Shambhala Research....Partial References ...Novemb...
Pliny the Elder (23 AD) & Bactrian Geography
Chitral & Oddiyana Kashmir
The Kalash People & Ancient Shambhala
Tantra in Central Asia (400 AD)
Kalkin Kings of Sambhala (277 BC)
Rigden Kings of Shambhala (881 BC)
Ancient Languages & Linguistics
Shambhala and the Kingdom of Oddiyana
Sacred Feminine & Ancient Shambhala
Human Feminine & Ancient Shambhala
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Introductory Resources
Karl Barth-Archiv
Legacy Management
Dr. Hinrich Stoevesandt
in-memorium
Karl Barth Conference
Translators' Seminar
Graduate Student Colloquium
Bibliographies and Collections
Current Books
2000-2012 Books
KB Gesamtausgabe
Syllabi Repository
Karl Barth Society of North America
Karl Barth Society of Germany
Karl Barth Society of Japan
Korean Society of Karl Barth
Digital Karl Barth Library
KBSNA
The Barth Translators’ Seminar exists to foster the English-language reception of Karl Barth’s literary corpus by providing support and guidance for qualified translators and through facilitating the publishing of as yet unavailable Barth resources for the church and academy. The Seminar emerged out of the Center for Barth Studies regular conferences in response to the concern both for continual improvement of the quality of Barth translations as well as the encouragement of new translations. In light of the universally recognized significance of Barth’s work as the premier Reformed theologian of the twentieth century, it is a matter of both urgency and stewardship that his work be made available in reliable translations for the theological work of both the church and the academy. The resources of the Barth Center have proven to be an invaluable resource for the work of the participating translators. In its annual sessions, the Seminar has developed standards for translation and provided expert guidance to active translators. Publication of the first volumes resulting from this work of the Seminar is now imminent.
David Chao
David C. Chao is a PhD candidate in theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. He has degrees from Yale University (BA), Regent College (MDiv), and Princeton Theological Seminary (ThM). He has published in Zeitschrift für dialektische Theologie, is co-editor of a three-volume work on Karl Barth’s conversations (1959-1968), and taught at Princeton Theological Seminary and Princeton University. He is currently completing a dissertation on the relation of nature and grace in Karl Barth’s doctrine of providence. His research interests include Protestant and Catholic dogmatics (especially as they pertain to issues of nature and grace), Reformed theology (classical and modern), and Asian American theology. David is Program Manager for the Barth Translators’ Seminar and is also a Translation Fellow.
Clifford B. Anderson
Clifford B. Anderson is an Associate University Librarian for Research and Learning and Professor of Religious Studies at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. He holds a M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School and a Ph.D. and Th.M. in Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He also earned a M.S. in L.I.S. from the Pratt Institute. Anderson is the co-author of two edited volumes (both with Bruce L. McCormack) on Karl Barth: Karl Barth and American Evangelicalism (Eerdmans, 2011) and Karl Barth and the Making of Evangelical Theology (Eerdmans, 2015). He is also the translator (with Dagmare Houniet) of Tjitze Kuiper’s Abraham Kuyper: An Annotated Bibliography, 1857–2010 (Brill, 2011).
Matthew J. Aragon Bruce
Matthew is currently Assistant Professor of Religion at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. He holds a MDiv (2006) and PhD (2014) from Princeton Theological Seminary and a MTh (2007) from the University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on modern and medieval theology, with particular interest in Karl Barth and Thomas Aquinas. His present major project is a monograph entitled: Theology without Voluntarism: Karl Barth and Thomas Aquinas on the Love and Freedom of the Triune God.
John Burgess
John P. Burgess (Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1986) is the James Henry Snowden Professor of Systematic Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. His publications include The East German Church and the End of Communism, Why Scripture Matters, and Encounters with Orthodoxy, as well as numerous articles in professional journals and popular magazines. In 2004-05, Burgess spent a sabbatical year in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2011, he was a Fulbright Scholar in Moscow, Russia, and in 2012 continued his research in Russia as a Henry Luce III Foundation Theology Fellow. In 2014-15, he was a research fellow at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey. He is currently working on a translation of essays by Wolf Krötke, a major contemporary German interpreter of Barth and Bonhoeffer.
Terry L. Cross
Terry Cross teaches in the areas of theology and philosophy. A specialist in the work of Karl Barth, he completed his doctoral work in systematic theology. Prior to his work at Lee University, Cross was a pastor for twelve years and a high school teacher of Latin and history. He was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award at Lee University in May 2000 and the Excellence in Scholarship Award in May 2001. He is the author of Dialectic in Karl Barth’s Doctrine of God, Answering the Call in the Spirit: Pentecostal Reflection on a Theology of Vocation, Work, and Life. Currently, Cross is completing a book on ecclesiology entitled, The Church: A People of God’s Presence and Power. Cross graduated from Lee in 1978, earning the first of several degrees. He later received the M.A. in Church History and the M.Div. in Theology from Ashland Theological Seminary (Ohio). From Ashland, he moved to Princeton Theological Seminary, where he received the Th.M. in Doctrinal Theology and the Ph.D. in Systematic Theology (1991). In the summer of 2002, Cross became the dean of the School of Religion. Terry and his wife, Linda, have one daughter, Tara. Aside from golf, tennis, and racquetball, he enjoys genealogy and Latin.
Sven Ensminger
Sven is originally from Germany. A graduate of the University of St Andrews, he received his Masters from Yale Divinity School before returning to the UK for his doctoral studies. His doctoral thesis under the supervision of Gavin D’Costa, Karl Barth’s Theology as a Resource for a Christian Theology of Religions is published by T&T Clark/Bloomsbury. Sven is the author of numerous book reviews and articles. His current research focuses on the theological virtues
Karlfried Froehlich
Dr. Karlfried Froehlich, son of a Lutheran minister, received an M.A. deegree from Drew University in 1961 and his doctorate in Theology summa cum laude from the University of Basel, Switzerland, in 1963. From 1960-1967 he taught New Testament and church history at Drew, and joined the faculty of Princeton Theological Seminary in 1968 where he held the Benjamin B. Warfield chair of Ecclesiastical History from 1982 to 1992. Dr. Froehlich has lectured widely in the United States and abroad. In 1995 he delivered the Hein-Fry Lectures in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in 1997 the Warfield Lectures at Princeton Theological Seminary. His special interest is the history of biblical interpretation, especially in the Middle Ages, Christian iconography, and ecumenism. A lay theologian in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Dr. Froehlich has been active in church work on many levels. He was a member of the American Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue team from 1970-1990, of the U.S. Lutheran-Reformed Conversations from 1988 to 1992, and has participated in numerous national and international consultations. He is a member of the American Society of Church History, of the Mediaeval Academy of America, and of the American Theological Society where he was president in 1995. His publications include Understanding the New Testament (with H.C. Kee and F.W.Young, 1965 and 1973), Biblical Interpretation in the Early Church (Fortress Press, 1984), a four-volume edition of the Latin Bible with the standard medieval commentary, the Glossa ordinaria, 1992, The Bible as Word of God in a Post-Modern Age (with T.E. Fretheim; 1998), and Sensing the Scriptures: Aminadab’s Chariot and the Predicament of Biblical Interpretation, 2014. A volume of his essays, entitled Biblical Interpretation from the Church Fathers to the Reformation was published in 2010 as vol. CS951 of Ashgate’s Variorum Series.
David Gilland
David Gilland is Lecturer in Systematic Theology at the Technische Universität in Braunschweig, Germany, a post which he has held since 2017. He was previously Lecturer at Leuphana University in Lüneburg, Germany. He completed his doctorate in divinity at the University of Aberdeen, UK, in 2010 under the supervision of John Webster. A revised version of David’s doctoral thesis was published by T&T Clark in 2013 as Law and Gospel in Emil Brunner’s Earlier Dialectical Theology, which traces Brunner’s earlier theological development and the build-up to his debate with Karl Barth on nature and grace in 1934. In addition to his work with the Barth Translator’s Seminar, David is also nearing the completion of a translation of the ‘Karl Barth–Emil Brunner Correspondence’ for T&T Clark. Beyond teaching and translation, David is currently researching and writing on the interrelation between Christian theology and human rationality, focusing in particular on interdisciplinary and ecumenical approaches to theological anthropology.
Matthias Gockel
Matthias Gockel teaches Systematic Theology at the University of Basel, having previously taught at Friedrich-Schiller-University in Jena. He is interested in the intellectual, social, and cultural history of modern Protestant theology. His current research focuses on the doctrine of God’s attributes and Political Ethics. He received his PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary, and his dissertation was published (in revised form) as “Barth and Schleiermacher on the Doctrine of Election: A Systematic-Theological Comparison” (Oxford UP 2007). After his PhD he worked for six years in a mainline Protestant Church in Germany. He received fellowships from the German-American Fulbright Commission, Princeton Theological Seminary, the Luther-Gesellschaft, and Friedrich-Schiller-University.
Judith Guder
Judith Guder earned a Bachelor’s Degree in French at the University of California at Berkeley and a Masters Degree in German from the University of Louisville. Translation work includes: Karl, Barth, The Theology of the Reformed Confessions (with Darrell Guder and Eberhard Busch); Eberhard Busch, The Great Passion (with Darrell Guder); and various articles in The Calvin Handbook, ed. H. J. Selderhuis.
She is a retired organist and pianist by profession.
Darrell Guder
Darrell Guder is Princeton Theological Seminary’s Henry Winters Luce Emeritus Professor of Missional and Ecumenical Theology. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Hamburg. As an ordained Presbyterian minister, he has served in the German Lutheran Church doing outreach to youth and teaching in a training college for church workers; he directed the Institute of Youth Ministries of Young Life and Fuller Seminary; he served as vice-president of academic affairs and academic dean of Whitworth University; and he has taught as a missiologist at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Columbia Theological Seminary before joining Princeton’s faculty in 2002. His writing and teaching focus on the theology of the missional church, especially the theological implications of the paradigm shift to post-Christendom as the context for Christian mission in the West. One of his major research interests is reading Barth as a missional theologian. He has served as secretary-treasurer of the American Society of Missiology (ASM) and was its president from 2007–2008. His scholarly translations include Otto Weber, Foundations of Dogmatics (2 vols.); Eberhard Jüngel, God as the Mystery of the World; Karl Barth, The Theology of the Reformed Confessions (with Judith Guder and Eberhard Busch), The Great Passion: An Introduction to the Theology of Karl Barth (with Judith Guder). He also coordinates the annual Barth Translator’s Seminar every June immediately following the annual Karl Barth conference. In retirement he serves as Senior Fellow in Residence at St. Andrew’s Hall, Vancouver, working with its Centre for Missional Leadership. He chairs both the board of the Gospel and Our Culture Network and the Advisory Board of Macedonian Ministries.
Thomas Herwig
Thomas Herwig is an ordained minister of the Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland in Germany. He lives and works in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, having followed his wife Lou Ann Sellers in 2008 when she accepted the position as associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church. Thomas worked five years with Eberhard Busch as his first assistant in Göttingen. He then received his Ph.D. (Dr. theol) from the Protestant Faculty of the Ruhr University in Bochum with a dissertation on Barth’s involvement in the Ecumenical Movement based upon the correspondence between Barth and W.A.Visser ’t Hooft. He later edited this correspondence as Vol. 43 of the Gesamtausgabe. Before moving to the US, he served in the city of Duisburg as Campus Minster, Minister of Church & Arts, and Co-Pastor of a 6,000-member church. Since 2008, Thomas teaches religious studies, history, ethics, and cultural identity as Assistant Professor for the Honors College of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. At the same time, Thomas also started a German-speaking ministry under the roof of First Presbyterian Church, called “First Pres Deutsch.” Within the translators’ seminar, Thomas works in cooperation with Arnold Neufeldt-Fast on the translation of the second part of Barth’s Göttingen Dogmatics. He is proud father of three children: Johannes, Charlotte, and Madelyn.
Cambria Janae Kaltwasser
Cambria is Assistant Professor of Theology at Northwestern College, Iowa, where she teaches courses in historical and systematic theology. Her research examines the relationship between Barth’s covenantal theology and his account of human agency as responsibility before God. Her wider interests include the doctrine of humanity, sanctification, and Christian hope. She earned her MDiv and PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary (2010, 2017) and her BA from John Brown University (2006). She spent the 2013-2014 academic year conducting research at Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen as a Fulbright Scholar. Kaltwasser is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She lives in northwestern Iowa with her husband, son, and daughter.
Oliver Keenan
Oliver Keenan is a Catholic Priest of the Dominican Order, currently serving as Lector in Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology at Blackfriars, Oxford. He completed his doctorate in systematic theology at the University of Oxford (under the supervision of Professor Graham Ward), outlining a semantic ontology for Christian dogmatics by developing the philosophy of Michael Polanyi in dialogue with contemporary Thomism. Oliver teaches courses across the whole nexus of systematic theology, but his research focusses on the theology of the twentieth-century, particularly Catholic receptions of Karl Barth. He is currently working on a monograph examining the metaphysics of Jesus’s humanity within a semantic perspective. In addition to his academic and administrative commitments, Fr Keenan is Catholic Chaplain at Imperial College London.
Amy Marga
Amy Marga, PhD, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, St Paul. She is the author of Karl Barth’s Dialogue with Catholicism in Göttingen and Münster (2010), and has written several articles on Barth for volumes like The Westminster Handbook to Karl Barth, The Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception, and The Barth Handbuch. She is also the translator of Barth’s Word of God and Theology (2011). At the moment, her research interests are focused on a theological constructive view of mothering and parenthood including theologies of the child. She lives in St Paul, Minnesota with her husband and two young boys.
David MacLachlan
Full-time Professor for New Testament Studies and Early Christian History at AST since July 1983 with specialties in the Revelation to John, Paul, Early Church History; interests in Biblical Theology and Jewish-Christian dialogue. David was the Academic Dean at AST from 1998 to 2011. As a doctoral student under and research assistant to Dr. Markus Barth (1915-1994) at the University of Basel he assisted Dr. Barth with the preparation of his volumes on Ephesians and Colossians in the Anchor Bible commentary series as well as the volume on Philemon in the Critical Eerdmans Commentary series. He is a member of the Canadian Society for Biblical Studies and has written several shorter book reviews in Studies in Religion. He wrote articles for the student handbook, Dictionary of the Bible and Western Culture from Sheffield Phoenix Press. With a deep interest in the use of the Bible in the church David was a member of the United Church of Canada General Council Committee for Theology and Faith and chaired the Committee from 1988 to 1992. He participated in the development and writing of the 1992 UCC General Council report, The Authority and Interpretation of Scripture. He also sat on the committee that prepared the Canadian resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2014 materials. David is presently working on a collection of essays on the Revelation to John and a special study on the theology of Israel in the Revelation. He is also translating Markus Barth’s book Die Taufe: ein Sakrament? into English.
Arnold Neufeldt-Fast
Arnold Neufeldt-Fast (b. 1964) is Associate Professor of Theology and Associate Academic Dean at Tyndale Seminary, Toronto, Ontario. He has a B.A. in German Language and Literature, and an M.A. in Philosophy (Continental) from Brock University. Neufeldt-Fast studied in Freiburg and Tübingen, and completed his Ph.D. in Toronto the theology of Eberhard Jüngel (1996). He is the translator of Jüngel’sTheological Essays II (T & T Clark), edited by his Doktorvater, John Webster. Neufeldt-Fast taught for six years in Liestal, Switzerland at the Mennonite Seminary Bienenberg before returning to Canada in 2006 to teach at Tyndale, a larger, trans-denominational evangelical seminary in Toronto. Neufeldt-Fast has been an ordained minister with Mennonite Church Canada since 1992. He is currently translating the second volume of Barth’s Göttingen Dogmatics.
Paul T. Nimmo
Paul Nimmo holds the King’s (1620) Chair of Systematic Theology at the University of Aberdeen, having previously held positions at the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh. His studies were undertaken at the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen. His first monograph, Being in Action: The Theological Shape of Barth’s Ethical Vision, was awarded a John Templeton Award for Theological Promise in 2009, and he has since published Barth: A Guide for the Perplexed, co-edited The Cambridge Companion to Reformed Theology, and edited the church resource Learn: Understanding Our Faith. He served as Managing Editor and then Editor of the International Journal of Systematic Theology for a decade, before becoming its Senior Editor in 2016; he also serves as the current co-Chair of the AAR Reformed Theology and History Group Steering Committee, having been a Member of the same since 2012, and as a member of the AAR Friedrich Schleiermacher Group. He served on the Steering Committee of the Society for the Study of Theology between 2008 and 2011, and as the Society’s Treasurer from 2013 to 2016. He is an ordained elder in the Church of Scotland, and participates in diverse ways in the life of the church, at both local and national levels.
William Rader
William Rader studied with Karl Barth at the University of Basel in 1960-1961. He is a pastor in the United Church of Christ, and has a special concern for the relation of theology to the racial divide. William’s doctoral dissertation for the University of Basel, entitled The Church and Racial Hostility, was published in 1978. A new edition appeared in 2011. Rader has served two parishes in inner cities with majority African-American populations. He has taught part-time in the New Testament department of Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster PA. Translator of the book by Eberhard Busch, Der Freiheit zugetan: Christlicher Glaube heute im Gespräch mit dem Heidelberger Katechismus, he studied with the author under Karl Barth. He presently lives in Dauphin, Pennsylvania.
Patty Rich
With a background in literature and language acquisition pedagogy, Patty has studied and taught on five continents. She has done academic, military, and commercial translations, including work for the History Channel and the World Council of Churches. One of her particular interests is paleography. Patty is a native of Pennsylvania, and she presently lives in Basel, Switzerland. She is married and the mother of three grown children. Patty is a candidate for ministry in the Swiss Reformed Church.
Ross Wright
Ross McGowan Wright is the Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal), in Richmond, Virginia and teaches at Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Virginia) and the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. He is the translator of Barth’s Lectures on Ephesians (Baker Academic, 2017) and author of “Some Reflections on Translating and Analyzing Karl Barth’s Ephesians Lectures,” Letter from the Karl Barth-Archives (2009). He holds a BA in English from Davidson College (1976), including a year at the Faculté des Lettres, University of Montpellier, France; a MDiv. from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Ambridge, Pennsylvania (1981), a ThM in Systematic Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary (2003), and a PhD in Systematic Theology from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland (2007), where he was awarded a Russell Trust Grant for Academic Research for work at the Karl Barth Archives in Basel, Switzerland. He is fellow of the School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee (2009) and was designated a Scholar of Promise by the Episcopal Church Foundation (2005). In addition to his pastoral work, teaching, and research, he is a free-lance trombonist and plays with groups throughout the Richmond area, including the Richmond Pops Band, the University of Richmond Symphony, and the orchestras for Lee Playhouse and Swift Creek Mill Theatre. He has been married to Lynda Wornom Wright since 1985, and they have three sons.
Center for Barth Studies at
Princeton Theological Seminary
e: barth.center@ptsem.edu
© Princeton Theological Seminary
Who is Karl Barth?
Resources & Collections
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The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham
Author Topic: The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham (Read 4758 times)
Aloysius J. Gleek
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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/books/review/Leavitt-t.html?hpw
“I tried to persuade myself that I was three-quarters normal and that only a quarter of me was queer — whereas really it was the other way round.”
By Selina Hastings
Illustrated. 626 pp. Random House. $35
Lives of the Novelists:
Somerset Maugham
By DAVID LEAVITT
Somerset Maugham, 1957.
In 1962, William Somerset Maugham’s nephew, Robin, his own literary efforts having not amounted to much, informed his wealthy and famous uncle that an American publisher, Victor Weybright, had offered him an advance of $50,000 to write Maugham’s biography. “Obviously I can’t afford to turn down such a good offer,” the younger Maugham explained. “As you know, although I earn enough from my writing to keep me going each year, I haven’t a penny of capital.” The letter’s affectionate tone notwithstanding, Maugham had no trouble grasping its import and responded by sending Robin a check equal to the one he would have received from Weybright. “I give you my word that I shall not write any other biography about you — ever,” Robin replied. “I’m really awfully shy about all this, but I’m also very grateful.”
“Shy” is a peculiar adjective to use to describe blackmail, which was, as Selina Hastings makes clear in her biography, “The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham,” Robin’s intention. Himself homosexual, Robin had been privy to Maugham’s erotic and emotional involvements with other men since he was a teenager, and might well have been the object of more than avuncular interest on Maugham’s part. (“I’m not saying I think there was incest,” Glenway Wescott recalled, “but Willie was infatuated with Robin.”) Nor was Robin’s word to be trusted. Ten years later, in a memoir entitled “Escape From the Shadows,” he quoted his uncle as saying, “I tried to persuade myself that I was three-quarters normal and that only a quarter of me was queer — whereas really it was the other way round.” Fifty thousand dollars, though enough to keep Robin quiet for Maugham’s lifetime, was not enough to keep him quiet after his death.
Forty-five years later, what little remains of the fortifications with which Maugham sought to secure his posthumous reputation has been swept away. Taking advantage of the Maugham estate’s decision to allow scholarly access to the author’s correspondence, as well as the unearthing of a transcript of an interview with Maugham’s daughter, Hastings has written a biography that does not so much give us a new Maugham as add shadings to the old one. That Maugham was, to use his own terminology, three-quarters queer will most likely provoke about as much surprise as Ricky Martin’s recent announcement that he is “a fortunate homosexual man.” What we get here are the details, many of them sordid: for instance, the story of Louis Legrand, or Loulou, the “ravishing 16-year-old male whore” whom Maugham and his longtime lover, Gerald Haxton, shared and also made available to the guests at Maugham’s villa on Cap Ferrat, “Gerald afterward discreetly settling the bill. Both Harolds, Nicolson and Acton, became appreciative customers (‘Mon cher Lulu,’ wrote Nicolson from Paris, ‘merci pour la soirée délicieuse’); and so, during the course of the summer, did . . . Robin.”
The passage is typical of Hastings’s prose style, which privileges breeziness and readability over compassion. Not that Maugham was a particularly compassionate character. “Tra-la-la, no more alimony, tra-la-la,” he sang when he learned that his despised former wife, Syrie, had finally died. Upon his reunion with Alan Searle, the great love from whom he was separated for most of the Second World War and who had put on weight in the interval, he remarked acidly, “You may have looked like a Bronzino once, but now you look like a depraved Frans Hals.”
Hastings, who has written biographies of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh, explains that this habit of cruelty had its origins in a cruel childhood. Born in Paris to English parents in 1874, Maugham was orphaned early on — the loss of his beloved mother was a particular blow — and sent back to England for his education. ( “Of Human Bondage” is based on this period in his life.) Toward the uncle and aunt who raised him he felt no great fondness, and as soon as he could, he struck out on his own, entering into medical training at St. Thomas’s Hospital in the Lambeth section of London. It was here that he learned the physician’s art of observing the suffering of others, if not with dispassion, then at least with sang-froid; an art he would exploit in his fiction. Visits to the “grim houses” in which desperately poor women, as often as not, died in childbirth propelled him to write his first novel, “Liza of Lambeth,” of which he later observed, “My lack of imagination . . . obliged me to set down quite straightforwardly what I had seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears.” As Maugham himself was the first to admit, invention was not his strong suit, and if, later in life, he spent so much of his time traveling, it was as much to gather material as to escape his unhappy marriage. “The writer cannot afford to wait for experience to come to him,” he once wrote; “he must go out in search of it.”
Maugham’s earliest successes were in the theater, and by the 1920s, with several plays often running simultaneously in New York and London, he had the money and leisure to devote himself to the form he loved best: the short story. Amazingly, this was an age in which stories could be cash cows. A 1923 contract with the Hearst magazines guaranteed Maugham payment of $2,500 per story, while from his most famous story, “Rain,” he earned more than $1 million in royalties.
In his fiction, Maugham often sought to lay bare the hypocrisies of his characters. Renowned as a “brilliant castigator of modern morals,” he excelled at dramatizing the exposure of lies and secrets, the duplicities of class and organized religion. Nor did he always take care, when using someone he knew as the basis for a character, to change details or even names. In his novel “Cakes and Ale,” for instance, he modeled the sycophantic, second-rate Alroy Kear on his close friend Hugh Walpole, “palpably exposed,” in Virginia Woolf’s words, “as the hypocritical booming thick-skinned popular novelist.” Much to Woolf’s surprise, Walpole responded to this “flaying alive” not with rage but with bewilderment: “What I mind are a few little things — little things that Willie and I had together — only he and I knew — those he has put into print.”
Is turnabout fair play? Perhaps. Indeed, as I read Hastings’s biography (and I read it in great gulps), I could not help wondering if Maugham might deserve the “flaying alive” to which she subjects him. After all, here was a man who, despite his passionate erotic partnerships with two men, could write with detached humor that “the homosexual” has “small power of invention, but a wonderful gift for delightful embroidery”; a man who, in a late memoir, so vilified his deceased ex-wife as to provoke one friend, Rebecca West, to denounce him as “an obscene little toad” and another, Graham Greene, to dismiss the memoir as “a senile and scandalous work”; a man who tried to disown his own fragile daughter on the grounds that he had no evidence that he was actually her father.
I could go on. Hastings makes a strong case against Maugham the man. Where she runs into trouble is in her halfhearted attempt to make a case for Maugham the writer. Is it, in fact, “safe to say,” as she does, that Maugham “will again hold generations in thrall, that his place is assured”?
Probably not. “I know just where I stand,” she quotes him as having said on more than one occasion; “in the very front row of the second-rate.” If so much of Maugham’s fiction comes across today as brittle, arch, world-weary and heartless, it may be precisely because he devoted more energy to maintaining his own double standard than he did to interrogating the double standards of others. He tried to have it both ways, and as his stories so amply demonstrate, those who try to have it both ways rarely come to a happy end.
David Leavitt is the Waldo W. Neikirk term professor at the University of Florida for 2010-11.
"Tu doives entendre je t'aime."
(and you know who I am...)
Cowboy Curtis (Laurence Fishburne)
and Pee-wee in the 1990 episode
"Camping Out"
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Away Days: Traveling Under the Influence of Football
“I have learned things from the game. Much of my knowledge of locations in Britain and Europe comes not from school, but from away games or the sports pages, and hooliganism has given me both a taste for sociology and a degree of fieldwork experience. I have learned the value of investing time and emotion in things I cannot control, and of belonging to a community whose aspirations I share completely and uncritically.”
― Nick Hornby, Fever Pitch
What’s your ritual when you travel? Do you try to visit a certain type of museum, or maybe a concert? We all have that particular thing we absolutely must do when we travel, be it drinking a local beer, visiting a local gallery, or even going at least once to McDonald’s (yes, it’s a thing).
At my beloved home ground: The Estadio Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico.
I myself like to catch a football match whenever I’m abroad. Luckily, due to the universal love for the game (especially in Europe), this is something that’s always within reach—more than, say, a Death Metal show at a local squat.
Now, you may not be into the beautiful game, but don’t make the common mistake of immediately dismissing it as an activity of low cultural value. I say this as someone who has lived abroad for over 12 years, has visited many different countries, and holds a master’s degree in Eastern European History: Football has a lot to teach and a game can enhance your experience wherever you are. You don’t even have to like the game in order to learn from it, actually (though liking it makes the experience unforgettable instead of merely entertaining).
Pyro show in Szczecin.
Football may be seen as both a social experiment and an exercise in cultural immersion. You can learn about the countries you visit through football, for the background of many a club can reflect particular episodes of the place’s history: The history of Pogon Szczecin taught me a lot about the expulsion of Poles from what today is Western Ukraine—since the club was founded by Polish deportees from L’viv, where a club with the same colors named Pogon Lwów once played.
A plaque commemorating the role of local football fans in the Solidarity protests against the Communist regime in Poland.
When I started learning Polish at the University of Heidelberg, one of the very first activities we got was getting familiar with Poland’s geography. Lodz, Krakow, Poznan, Wroclaw—Widzew, Cracovia, Lech, Slask. Some cities I knew from traveling, the rest from my interest in the Polish Ekstraklasa. The same, of course, applies to Germany, and to some other countries such as England or Spain.
Pretending to be a top boy in Bern, Switzerland.
The history of Communist institutions and police structures can be witnessed in the “Dynamo” clubs. Dresden, Bucharest, Kiev, Moscow, and Zagreb—all of these cities have a club named Dynamo, and all were affiliated with the state’s secret police. But it doesn’t stop there, and it gets better.
Many matches have given me a lot of insight into daily life in different cities, but nowhere was this as telling as it was in Belfast: Going to the North Belfast Derby taught me more about Republican identity and how the city’s recent violent past is dealt with. Also, it was eye opening in the sense that I saw that the vitriolic hatred between Loyalists and Republicans, which makes the Old Firm in Glasgow such an explosive fixture, is not welcome at the stadium by an overwhelming majority of the fans in Belfast.
Leaving politics and history aside, nowhere will you experience local mentality in its raw state like at the stadium or a pub, before, during, and after the game. Football fans might have a negative reputation at times, and this often extends to or is associated with the city in a more general way. For example, most of my friends warned me against going to a match in Dresden “because you might come across some right-wing hooligans.” Their concern was due not only to the reputation of the Dynamo lads but of Dresden as a center of anti-immigrant sentiment in Germany as a whole. I, however, received a friendly welcome both at a local Dynamo pub and in the ultra block—and came across left-wing fans and even Syrian refugees at the stadium. I had a similar experience in Poland, but most people, even those whose look screamed “hooligan,” were just curious to know what a guy from “United States of Kurwa America” was doing at their humble ground.
Clubs are often proud of their regional identity and/or history. Some clubs in Berlin have a history of dissidence, such as Union Berlin. Other clubs and fans take pride in their working class provenance or even immigrant roots—which holds true especially in Latin America. While the history of immigration to Mexico is no longer reflected in the country’s football landscape, in other countries such as Chile you’ll find clubs like Unión Española, Audax Italiano, or even Palestino, which reflect the ethnic diversity of Latin America.
I’ve been lucky enough to experience awesome away days in cities such as Guadalajara, Portland, or Prague. I’ve had ultras treat me to homemade fondue in Switzerland and people buy me drinks in Northern Ireland. Football brings people together, and its significance on and off the pitch is a certain type of universal common ground that can open doors into more general aspects of a country’s culture.
I am not a ground-hopper in the sense that I don’t need to visit every single stadium ever built; I rather think of myself as someone who recognizes the value of football and wants to experience it live for, whether you are interested in the game or not, a local club is something that is often integral part of a city’s fabric. And while nothing compares to a match of my beloved Atlas in Guadalajara, I try to go to a fixture whenever I travel.
Of course, this all works both ways: If you’re not interested in any of the stuff that a club offers beyond the pitch you should go to a game anyway! There’s nothing like the raw energy and passion that can only be experienced at a football game. The deafening noise, the singing, and the camaraderie are intoxicating whether you’re actually intoxicated or not—though I myself am convinced that beer only enhances the experience!
Have you been to any matches while traveling? And out of curiosity: What’s your team?
Thanks for reading! If you liked this article please do share it with your mates to help Between Distances grow! Likewise, please do me a favor and follow me on Facebook and Instagram! And by the way, for some great football-related reads, check out From Boothferry to Germany!
Cheers, Seb
Between Distances: En tu cancha, de local.
Away Days: Never Mind the Bollocks, here's the FC St. Pauli!
Away Days: Flares and Heavy Metal in Szczecin
Away Days: Union Berlin's Punk Football
coffeeandcleveland February 8, 2017 at 5:57 am Reply
I don’t like football (both soccer and American football), but I love the connection between the sport and the culture. I know the sports have a lot to do with the local culture in the USA, but I never really think about it being the case elsewhere because I know little about the sport. Great post.
The Rocky Road to Belfast: The North Belfast Derby | Between Distances February 26, 2017 at 8:02 pm Reply
[…] When I first looked into going to Northern Ireland (“planning” would be an overstatement), I figured I would also make a stop in Galway, in the Republic of Ireland, and then head North to Derry. And then I saw that, like in the rest of the United Kingdom, there were two football matches taking place in Belfast on Boxing Day (the second day of Christmas). That threw my plans out of whack. I decided I would go straight to Belfast from Shannon, a city located on the Southwest of the Emerald Isle. That meant waiting three hours at the airport for a night bus to Dublin, then waiting another hour at the Dublin airport for the 5:00 a.m. express to Belfast. All for a football game. […]
The Rocky Road to Belfast: Foreword
Beneath the Remains: The Abandoned Soviet Military Base in Jüterbog
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BioInform $12.8M in NIH Grants Fund Work on Pharmacogenetics Database, Tools
"The US National Institutes of Health awarded $12.8 million to investigators at nine projects that will contribute to the creation of a public pharmacogenetics database. The tool could become available for public use within one year.
The bulk of the money will fund research that will generate the content of the database--information on drug responses in specific patient categories. But three investigators were awarded grants to create and apply bioinformatics tools that will make the data accessible.
Russ Altman of Stanford University was awarded $1.6 million to operate the Stanford Pharmacogenetics Knowledge Base (PharmGKB). NIH will give $421,000 to Yale University medical informatics professor Prakash Nadkarni to design web-based tools for incorporating existing pharmacogenetics knowledge into that database. And Richard Weinshilboum at the Mayo Foundation in Rochester, Minn., will use a $576,000 award to search for variations in genes encoding proteins already known to be important in the body's handling of an array of medicines, hormones, and chemical messengers."
"For the pharmacogenetics network, Nadkarni has proposed using the National Library of Medicine's Unified Medical Language System to design a "smarter" database search tool that scans text not just for matching phrases, but also for words with similar meanings. He explained, "Simple word indexing doesn't consult a thesaurus, but as it happens, there is a humongous thesaurus of all medical terms and quite a lot of bioinformatics terms in the Unified Medical Language System."
JAMIA Integration and Beyond: Linking Information from Disparate Sources and into Workflow
"The vision of integrating information—from a variety of sources, into the way people work, to improve decisions and process—is one of the cornerstones of biomedical informatics. Thoughts on how this vision might be realized have evolved as improvements in information and communication technologies, together with discoveries in biomedical informatics, and have changed the art of the possible. This review identified three distinct generations of "integration" projects. First-generation projects create a database and use it for multiple purposes. Second-generation projects integrate by bringing information from various sources together through enterprise information architecture. Third-generation projects inter-relate disparate but accessible information sources to provide the appearance of integration. The review suggests that the ideas developed in the earlier generations have not been supplanted by ideas from subsequent generations. Instead, the ideas represent a continuum of progress along the three dimensions of workflow, structure, and extraction. "
JAMIA Integration and Beyond: Panel Discussion
"I think one of the toughest things we all have to deal with is updating our dictionaries. In the simplest cases, the name of an organism is changed and we just have to do the maintenance. It is tougher, when, as with Citrobacter, they do genetic studies and say, "Oh, it's really six different organisms, not one." We have the human genome project coming very quickly. Even that is just the tip of the iceberg. We're not only going to see all the genes; we're then going to see clinical tests based on gene expression. Essentially, you'll be able to look at something on the order of 180,000 gene products and whether they're up or down regulated. How are we going to integrate such an incredible amount of data at a time when we're going to also be changing how we think about these processes? Classification and simple mapping are not going to work, because the lumpers and splitters are going to be arguing furiously on a daily basis."
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Employers area
Invest offers
Offer – PL side
Offer – BY side
BREST STATE UNIVERSITY OF A.S. PUSHKIN
Brest State University of A. S. Pushkin – the largest university in Brest District, the research center and cultural life in the south -west Polesie.
The University has three research buildings, a sports complex with a swimming pool, a library, a biological museum, ethnographical museum, geological one and the museum of history of physical culture of Brest District, an orangery, a winter garden, continuous flowering orchard, agricultural and biological, sports and health scientific base. There function multimedia centers in our departments.
The University is famous for its versatility and multi-level vocational training: the ability to obtain a pre- university preparation; to acquire higher education in 9 disciplines „Pedagogy”, „Humanities”, „Life Science”, „Social protection”, „Communication Law”. Management of the economy. Economics and organization of production”, „Environmental Science”, „Engineering and Technology” ,”Physical Culture, Tourism and Hospitality”, „Social Nutrition. Services”; the ability to continue education at master and doctoral programs; to raise qualifications and the ability of post-graduate education at the Institute of Raising Qualifications and Training.
In the structure of the University operates 11 faculties of: philology, psychology and pedagogy, sociology and education, foreign languages, physical education, geography, biology, physics and mathematics, history, law, the faculty of pre- university preparation. A separate part of the University is the College of Pinsk .
At the University there are about 9000 students on full-time and part- time courses. In 49 departments of the University work 539 teachers on full-time, among which there are 19 doctors with post-doctoral degree, 21 professors, 222 PhD students, 203 Readers.
19 students who obtained high scores in science, sports, creative action or the social life of the University, are registered scholarship holders (Special Funds scholarships of the President of the Republic of Belarus to support gifted students socially, scholarships of Brest Regional Executive Committee, scholarships of the District of the Central Committee, the primary university organization of the Belarusian Trade Union of Workers in Education and Science).
High recognition both in the Republic of Belarus and abroad have research teams of the University: philological team (led by prof. Z.P.Mielnikowa) , physical team (led by Professors W.A. Pletjuchow, A.F. Rewinskow), educational team (led by Professors A.N. Sender, M.P. Osipowoj). These and other teams of authors are known for their research on various themes of science, modern fields of training and education. They prepare and publish sets of learning tools for students and pupils (programs, textbooks, teaching aids, et al.).
The University appreciates the educational legacy left by the first professors – Vladimir Kolesnik and Stepan Kondrat: there are held scientific conferences under their names, there also operates Educational Centre of W. Kolesnik.
The university has conducted basic and applied research in the field of 40 thematic areas. Scientific processes are implemented through the programs of the Foundation for Fundamental Research of the Republic of Belarus and the programs of the State Committee for Science and Technology and the Ministry of Science and others.
In the research work students are actively involved. Every year in the conference proceedings, collections and magazines are published more than 1,800 works of students; Every year more than 50 works take part in the national competition of students’ scientific works and the authors of every third work turn out to be winners. The university has more than 130 student groups and research circles, 9 student research laboratories, which educates over 800 students and graduate students. Every year, the University hosts more than 140 scientific conferences, including students conferences at the international and national level, at the Inter – university, interdepartmental and departmental level.
The university has a publisher with a print shop which allows the issuance of textbooks, teaching aids, monographs, collections of scientific works of teachers and students. There are issued magazines on regular basis such as: a scientific and theoretical journal „ВестникБрестскогоуниверситета” / „Bulletin of the Brest University”, a collection of scientific papers „УченыезапискиБрГУимениА.С.Пушкина” / „Scientific Notes of Brest State University of A. S. Pushkin”, the newspaper „Берасцейскi ўнiверсiтэт”/ „University of Brest”. The library is about 800,000 copies. There operates an electronic catalog of books for libraries.
The University is known beyond the borders of Belarus through cooperation and exchange of teachers and students, as well as joint research projects and cultural projects. Our partners are closer and more foreign universities: University of Pedagogy in Weingarten (Germany), University of Pedagogy in Kreuzlingen (Switzerland), University of Maria Curie- Sklodowska in Lublin (Poland), Eastern State University of Lesya Ukrainka in Lutsk (Ukraine ), Smolensk State Pedagogical University and Bryansk State University (Russian Federation), Higher State School of Pope John Paul II in Biała Podlaska (Poland), the University of the province of Xiaogan and the Institute of Trade in Hohhot (China), Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium), University of Budapest (Hungary) and others. Thanks to international cooperation, the preparation of professionals is at a higher level, students of the University have the opportunity of internships abroad.
At the university study about 500 foreigners from Turkmenistan, China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, the USA, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Turkey and Uzbekistan. There are executed cooperation agreements with 54 foreign institutions, research organizations, foundations. The University implements international projects such as „Erasmus Mundus”, TEMPUS the projects of the International Technical Assistance and the UN Development Programme on biodiversity.
Sport and Health
The University is proud of its best athletes – the champion of the XXVIII Olympic Games in Greece – Yulia Nesterenko (athletics), and the Olympic bronze medalist – Natalia Gelach (rowing). University students participated in the XXIV International Summer University Olympics in 2007 in Thailand (awards won by Julia Leontiuk (second place – shot put) , Alexander Kazulka (second place – hammer throw). Five representatives of the University took part in the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. In 2009, D. Doroszuk was the bronze medalist of the World Championships in Sport Acrobatics, E. Kopec ( both – Faculty of Physical Education ) took third place in the European indoor Championships in Athletics in 2013.
The school meets all the necessary conditions to maintain and improve the health of students: there is a branch of health care organization, a sports complex with four halls and a swimming pool, there are over 20 sports and health sections, „School of young arbitrator in football, „tourist club” Берестье” / „Bereşti”. Basketball team БрГУ – ЦОР „Виктория” / „Viktoria” is co-founded by the University.
Good traditions may include organizing competitions at the international level, in honor of the university teachers: Open Championships in Athletics with a cup of a deserved coach of the ZSSR E.M. Szukiewicz, International Acrobatics Championships under the name of the deserved coach of the USSR W.N. Korkin, the memory Cup of the deserved ZSSR handball coach A.P. Mieszkow.
Educational work
Education at Brest State University of A. S. Pushkin is based on the core ideas and values of the ideology of the Belarusian state, as a system of views consistent with the objectives and characteristics of the Belarusian social and economic development.
Specified direction of the system of educational work at the University is civic and patriotic education; moral and aesthetic education; education of ecological culture, safety culture and creating a healthy lifestyle, education for work and profession; fostering culture of self-knowledge and identity formation; education of social gender and social education for family life, social, pedagogical and psychological support.
University students are actively involved in various projects such as: social and political, cultural, sports and health at the municipal, regional and national level.
At the University particular attention is paid to maintain and enhance the tradition. To this end, the University organizes a vast number of different types of projects related to the tradition: the solemn „ruler” of first year students, Inauguration; Day of the University; a competition entitled „Believe in yourself !” (the title of „Student of the year” ); volunteers rally; student creativity festival „Student Spring”; Tourist rally; sports “ruler”; student bands rally; open competition for readers; „word master” the art of oratory contest, a celebration for graduates „Last call” and others.
The University has about 20 clubs and art ensembles : the People’s Chamber Choir „Gaudeamus” (Director –N.I. Trofimuk), People’s Studio Theatre (Director – P.D. Biekisz), the People’s Vocal Ensemble „Новаяземля” / „New Earth” (Director – L.I. Badger), Singing entertainer studio „Ступени ” / „Levels”; men’s vocal group „Мроя” / „Mroya”; accordion duet „Экспрессия” / „Expression”, and many other creative teams. The League of Merry and clever Club has a long history (Director – B.L. Szkabaro).
Within 60 years of its history, Brest State University of A. S. Pushkin, was rightly named the center of education and scientific and cultural life of the region.
DEPARTMENT OF THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS
Department of Theoretical and Applied Economics is one of the structural units of the educational establishment which is Brest State University of A. S. Pushkin, ensuring the implementation of research as well as educational and methodological activities on 24 approved courses in all faculties of the University.
The main functions of the Department:
– carrying out comprehensive work in the field of training, methodology, education and research work;
– using effective forms, methods and means of training and education of students , developing in them the necessary professional qualities, skills and habits;
– developing scientific and curricular documentation and teaching methodology according to the subject;
– organization of scientific, methodological and substantive support to the education process, the preparation of scientific publications, development and implementation of educational and methodical teams on different subjects;
– organization of scientific and research work of students, traineeship in a manufacturing plant;
– conducting research in the direction of the major problems corresponding to the profile of the Department.
Employees of the Department participate in important research projects at national and international level: under contract with the Institute of Economics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Belarus, the department conducted research work entitled „Development Strategy of the District of Brest on the principle of social orientation, sustainability and innovation”. The department also initiated research work: „Theoretical and methodological basis of anti-crisis management of the real economy sector”. In 2010, there was conducted a research project entitled „Exploring paths to optimize the economic process within direct and simplified procedures”. In the years 2010-2013 there was carried out research to the project entitled „Development of the theoretical basis of the concept of economic security of the state and the methodology of its implementation in the framework of economic practice”. All projects were completed and implemented in the form of final reports, articles, published monographs, acts on the implementation of research results to the process of education and practical action of principals. From the 1st December 2013 the University started with its partner- Higher State School of Pope John Paul II in Biała Podlaska (Poland) – project entitled “Creating cross-border platform BIZNESTRANS promoting and supporting cooperation between business and academic institutions in the direction of further links”.
Research conducted by the Department of Theoretical and Applied Economics is characterized by a variety of themes (economic development strategies of the Brest District, Iwanicki’s region economy, company logistics, mediation in business operations, cross-border cooperation, economic security of the country and the company, transport logistics, and others) and different levels of research and application of their results (micro – , meso – and macro levels). Scientific research conducted by the department is relevant, practical and social, which confirms 12 acts about the implementation of business entities and educational activities to the practical activity.
At present in the department are performed one PhD and one MA dissertation.
Over the past five years the department has organized and conducted a series of scientific conferences at the international and national level:
– International Scientific and Practical Conference „Development of applied economic research based on institutional theory and methodology”;
– National Scientific and Practical Conference of students, master’s degree holders and Doctors “Development of applied research in law and economy based on institutional theory”;
– International Scientific and Practical Conference „Institutionalization: theory, methodology, applied aspects”;
– National Scientific and Practical Conference of students, master’s degree holders and Doctors – „Integration processes in the law and the economy of the Republic of Belarus and European Union”;
– National Scientific and Practical Conference of students, master’s degree holders and Doctors “The problems of functioning market economy and economic crime”;
– National Scientific and Practical Conference of students, master’s degree holders and Doctors „Current problems of law and the economy.”
Department cooperates with Higher School of Finance and Management (Siedlce , Poland), Higher State School of Pope John Paul II in Biała Podlaska (Poland), University of Natural Sciences and Humanities (Siedlce, Poland), Russian State Social University (Moscow, Russia).
Within the framework of international cooperation agreements there is an exchange of visits, teachers participate in international scientific and practical conferences organized in Poland, Russia, Ukraine. In scientific publishers of partner universities are published mutual results of research conducted by teachers of the department, and in scientific journals of the Belarusian State University of A. S. Pushkin– the research results of foreign partners. Students from Poland (Siedlce and Wroclaw) participate in students conferences organized by the department.
Over the past five years, the teachers of the department have released seven monographs,
8 collections of conference materials, 16 collections of scientific and methodological and scientific aids. In foreign scientific journals have been published more than 20 articles, and over 100 in national publications. Among them, there are 15 articles in publications included in the list of ВАК / Highest Qualification Commission and 18 articles in the collection of scientific works.
Biznestrans - Cross-border platform for promoting cooperation between business and research institutions in the direction of better links
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Amy McIntyre 2017-11-24
Amy McIntyre / November 24, 2017 / 231
The forestry industry plays an important role in the providing the world with energy, construction materials, paper and wood-based products, and as populations and standards of living increase, so does the demand for wood. This naturally puts the future of the earth’s protected forests in jeopardy. So what’s the solution?
A new method of precision forestry is making the sustainable management of forests much more efficient.
Experts in the fields of aeronautics and the environment are joining forces to advance a new technological solution that’s driven by data. Remote sensing, radar satellites, AI and big data analytics are monitoring our forests to an infinitesimal level and providing valuable insights into forest structure and function in order that it may be better managed.
For example, PlanetWatchers is a startup that applies remote-sensing, radar satellite imagery and AI to monitor natural assets such as forests.
The company’s founders discovered this type of technology during their military service and realised that, with some adaptations, it could be used to detect the slightest anomalies in our forests.
Dr. Päivi Väänänen, PlanetWatchers’ Head of Forestry Program, said “During the time I spent living in Israel, I was exposed to advanced satellite imaging and big data technologies, and became aware of many possibilities for using military and defense research for the good of the environment. This is what drew me to work with PlanetWatchers.
“I was, and I still am, fascinated by the possibilities that are coming into our reach with developing technology. Combining satellite data with data from other sources results in interesting insights about the forest structure and its function.”
She added, “We are living in a world that is rapidly changing and our standards of living are rising. There is now a much greater demand for wood-based products and other goods intended to replace environmentally harmful materials with less harmful ones. On the other hand, there is also a great need to protect the earth’s remaining natural forests.
“Deforestation is occurring today mostly in the tropics, and despite some local advances, it is still proceeding at staggering speed. The forest industry faces a dual challenge in managing them: how to meet increased demand now, while protecting both the industry’s future and the global environment.”
Environmental changes are giving the added challenge of unpredictable weather conditions, that foresters must manage in order to meet the growing demand for wood while protecting the industry’s future and the environment.
Satellite image analytics technology can detect the slightest of changes in forest structure and growth, which enables foresters to significantly improve their yield when viewing forests as an investment.
With recent advancements making this technology cheaper and more precise, many are calling this the future of forestry. Currently, professional forests go into forests and measure the trees, assuming they represent an entire forest. This is costly and dangerous and often statistically indefensible.
James Barrett, spokesman for GWD Canada, said that the new technology was capable of revolutionising the industry and maximising investments. He added: “Outdated modes of collecting and analysing data are no longer keeping up with the planet’s ever-increasing demand for wood. Precision technology will offer new levels of sustainability as well as far better returns on investments.”
Pension funds and insurers turning to green assets
Foreign investors buying-up South Korea’s commercial property
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Amanda Loves Words
A Wedneday list...
You may or may not have noticed a slight slow down in activity on the ol' blog here. Summertime isn't as disruptive to our routine yet as families with kids in full time school, but it's still a different kind of rhythm around here lately.
I'll admit though that the best disruption to the regular routine has been novel editing. Sounds weird, right? Who loves editing their own work? (not me!) But it's a good disruption because it means we're getting that much closer to book birthday! I still can't believe it most days.
Never fear though, in the midst of summer chaos, travel, and editing, there's still plenty of good stuff to share...
1. What I'm reading...
This month the theme was quality over quantity. I read The Bird King, by G. Willow Wilson; Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen; and Two Like Me and You, by Chad Alan Gibbs. The Bird King was an atmospheric, fairy-tailesque fantasy set in the time of the Inquisition. While the themes felt a bit heavy handed at times, the characters were fascinating, layered, and really compelling; the setting was vivid and unique; and ultimately I really enjoyed it. If you're looking for something more contemporary and fun, Two Like Me and You had me laughing out loud and compulsively turning the pages. Two teenagers help an World War II veteran escape from his nursing home and travel to Paris to find his long-lost love. I mean. It was fun and fast-paced -- a perfect summer read. I'm trying to work my way through my physical book stack, and have books by Matthew Quick and Jojo Moyes to pick up next.
2. What I'm watching/listening to...
I am currently listening to a lot of Joy Williams (formerly of The Civil Wars) newest album Front Porch. It has a lovely, mellow, lazy river vibe, and I think Joy Williams' voice is just beautiful.
3. Something I'm grateful for...
The kids have been taking swiming lessons this summer, and I am so grateful not only for the resources to send them to classes, but also for how much they are enjoying it and how much they're learning. They are noticeably more comfortable in the water this summer than they were last year.
4. A little inspiration...
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." - Galatians 6:9-10
Posted by Amanda W at 3:31 PM No comments:
A Wednesday list...London edition
A week ago today Jeremy and I were enjoying our last day of a week-long trip to London (minus one day in Reims, France), and it just seemed appropriate to savor the experience in this way...
But first -- a HUGE shout-out to my parents and my niece Grace who watched our littles while we were away and made the trip possible. By all accounts everyone had a fantastic time, and it's such a blessing to know the kids got some quality grandparent and cousin time. I know not everyone has family who can or will do this kind of thing, and I am immensely grateful for mine.
Bonus shout-out to Chad and Christin Paradowski who hosted us in their flat -- staying in a proper neighborhood is the way to go sometimes, especially in a big city like London.
1. Food is a big part of traveling for me -- new foods, unexpected finds, or just relishing delicious favorites in new places. Memorable experiences include steak and ale pie, pints, Indian food, mango lassi, pastries, tea, cappuccinos. The neighborhood pub, London's oldest pub, Dishoom London, Saravaana Bhavan, and the most delightful and delicious French restaurant we could have dreamt up (that creme brulee...).
2. Choral evensong at St. Paul's Cathedral was a highlight of the week for me. Not only was it beautiful, but it was meaningful as well. The priest made a comment that really stood out to me: inviting us into a "river of worship" that has gone on centuries before us, and will continue long after we are gone. What a good reminder of the scope of God's kingdom.
3. The British Museum and British Library are favorites, fascinating and inspiring. One fun thing that stood out at the British Museum was looking at a display of an ancient Greek civilization in an era that inspired one of my favorite book series (The Queen's Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner).
4. The World Cup. Going to a World Cup soccer game has been on my bucket list for several years, and the US women's team is on fire right now, so what a time to get to go!
5. One of my goals on this trip was to visit at least one bookstore, and the internet delivered a fantastic recommendation in the used bookstore Skoob Books, everything you want from a good used bookstore. In a similar vein, a wrong turn led us to Orc's Nest, the most delightful game store, a tiny, one-room-with-a-loft game store crammed with everything from family board games to Dungeons and Dragons books and everything in between.
6. The right pace. I could go on and on, but I'll end it here: this trip reminded me of how much I enjoy a trip when I remember to balance doing things with simply enjoying the place I'm at, realizing that I'm never going to be able to do ALL THE THINGS, so why not take the time to enjoy the things I do get to do. Take the time to linger over a good meal, take a walk along the river, and sit in a park on a sunny day (thank you Greenwhich for being beautiful).
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to travel with Jeremy, and can't wait to dream and plan our next adventure!
A Wednesday list...
It's been a good couple of weeks for reading, both in quality and quantity. The first was Shades of Milk and Honey, by Mary Robinette Kowal, a charming Regency-era novel set in a world of magic (think, Jane Austen with magic). The good news is that it's the first in a series (The Glamorous Histories), and I'm itching to pick up book number two. The second book I absolutely devoured was Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel. Station 11 opens on the first day of the apocalypse: the day a super-virus becomes a pandemic that wipes out 99 percent of the world's population. It's a character-driven, atmospheric story about the lives of a handful of loosely connected people, both in the weeks leading up to Day 1, and the years afterward. My favorite part is the time spent with The Traveling Symphony, a troupe of musicians and actors post-apocalypse holding on to art in the middle of a time where art could be scene as unimportant, summed up in the slogan they've adopted from a Star Trek quote: "Survival is insufficient." Next on the docket is more Glamorous Histories and a historical fiction novel I picked up at the local author fair a few weeks ago.
2. What I'm watching...
Sneaky Pete season 3 dropped on Amazon Prime a couple of weeks ago, and Jeremy and I wasted no time in watching it. I love this series so much, and season 3 was just as fantastic as I hoped. I read a review that said each hour long episode feels like 15 minutes, and that is so true. The writing is tight, the acting is superb, and the stories balance the craziness of the con with things like family drama, what it means to love, the fallout from bad choices.
3. What I'm grateful for...
Today, I'm grateful that I got to run outside (as opposed to on the treadmill) this morning, even in the summer-time South Texas humidity. On the other hand, I am so grateful to have a treadmill now, because in the summer it's quite difficult for me to keep to a consistent running schedule and the treadmill makes it possible for me to run more than once or twice a week.
I discovered this Instagram account @writtentospeak (otherwise known as Tanner Olson) during the writing challenge I participated in a couple of weeks ago, and I love it. Olson's poems are brief, but really thoughtful. You can also check out his work on his web site www.writtentospeak.com.
Posted by Amanda W at 8:00 AM No comments:
Soul Orchard
"Soul Orchard"
by Amanda Waters
She traveled the world, searching for connection, conversation, and the perfect pastry. She walked with a table and two chairs strapped to her back, and when people asked her why, she answered "expectation." She was Johnny Appleseed sewing seeds of beauty and nourishment, and leaving a legacy of thoughtfulness and wonder.
Posted by Amanda W at 11:53 AM No comments:
A Wednesday list....
Y'all. Last week was about 25 years long, so I missed my typical creative post. This week a lot of my creative energy is being funneled into a fun Instagram challenge, so we're going to stick to regularly scheduled programming and I'm hitting you with a list of things I'm digging. Enjoy!
1. What I'm reading.
I'm currently reading a sci-fi space opera called Enemy Immortal, by Jim Meeks-Johnson; and I just finished a light and breezy book of essays by Lincee Ray called It's a Love Story. I've got a big stack of library books waiting for me when I finish Enemy Immortal, and I went to a local author fair at a neighborhood bookstore last weekend and picked up a historical fiction novel that looks really interesting.
2. What I'm watching.
Jeremy and I spent the last couple of weeks watching Umbrella Academy on Netflix, and I thought it was fantastic. It's the story of a dysfunctional family of orphans in superhero wrapping. It has a highly stylized aesthetic (it reminds me a bit of early Quentin Tarantino), a nice mix of action and quiet interpersonal drama, and a top notch cast. There's a character who is a 58 year old man stuck in the body of a 12 year old boy, and I never of that actor as a 12 year old, he did such a good job.
3. What I'm grateful for.
At this very moment I'm grateful for high speed internet access and the ability to stream music all day long. It's also grocery shopping day, and I am always grateful for our local HEB grocery store. I told Jeremy the other day that if we ever move, I'm going to miss HEB the most.
4. A little inspiration
"The effect of Jesus' giving of his own life; the example of love, non-retaliation, the kingdom way of confronting evil with goodness; Jesus' taking of the world's hatred and anger onto himself; and beyond all these, the defeat of the powers of evil, the blotting out of the sins of the world, the love of God shining through the dark clouds of wickedness -- all of this is now to be seen around the world. It is seen not only in the millions who worship Jesus and thank him for his death, but in the work of healing which flows from it; in reconciliation and hope for communities and for individuals."
- N.T. Wright
Yes, I know it's Thursday. Just go with it.
1. What I'm reading
Unsurprisingly, I follow a lot of literary-adjacent accounts on social media, so when poet Mary Oliver died a few months ago, my Internet was chock full of quotes and snippets from her poetry. So, I checked out Evidence: Poems from my local library, and it proved to be a delight. Mary Oliver writes poetry that is really accessible, and I found that reading a poem or two a day was like the literary equivalent of eating a small piece of dark chocolate, or the perfect cup of coffee or tea. I also recently finished The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu, by Joshua Hammer which was a fascinating look at the rich cultural and intellectual history of the Mali region, the various political and religious conflicts that have threatened to erase that history and heritage, and the people who worked to preserve that heritage. The author is a journalist, and that background comes through in his spare and succinct writing, but I think it served the story well, allowing the story and place to shine.
2. What I'm listening to:
I've got the new album by Johnnyswim -- Moonlight -- on repeat right now. It is just so good.
3. What I'm grateful for:
There's always so much to be grateful for, but today I'm particularly grateful for conversations with friends.
4. A little inspiration:
I have a twofer for inspiration this week. The first is a blog post from author and podcaster Emily P. Freeman. It's a really thoughtful essay about regret, particularly as it relates to making decisions. I have a tendency to look back and analyze decisions I've made and waste a lot of effort thinking of all the things I could have done differently, so her words really spoke to me.
How to Handle Regret: When Your Next Right Thing Turns Out Wrong
My second bit of inspiration comes from Mary Oliver (I'd give you the whole poem, but that's copyright infringement, but I think this little taste is still worth it)
"...Sometimes I need
only to stand
wherever I am
to be blessed."
--excerpt from "It was Early" by Mary Oliver
Meet a new character
I've just started working on a new story that I think might turn into a novel, but I've taken a break from the narrative to write character profiles of a few of my main characters and get to know them better. Just for fun, here's a snake peek at one of them. Enjoy!
Hickory (Hicks) Aaron Phillips
The first thing I should tell you is why I haven't just started going by Aaron. I mean...I'm a freshman in high school. I'm pretty sure I could dig in my heals and make everyone start calling me Aaron. Well. I could ask my parents and they probably would. And my friends would. My older sisters June and Daisy would most likely laugh at the request and there's no way I could make them do anything. That's not the way the whole youngest sibling thing works. But here's the truth -- in eight grade, the baseball team was playing an away game and after the game, the team went to get dinner at a diner in town. The waitress at our booth was smokin' hot. Like, we could barely form sentences hot. She asked our names and when it got to me and I said "Hicks," her eyebrows went up and she grinned. "That's a really cool name. Like, it sounds like a rock star name or something." So basically, that was the the end of one day going by my middle name.
Here are some other things about me:
I have a mom and dad and two older sisters. My Dad's a preacher who decided before I was born that he was called to serve rural churches, so I spent most of my childhood in a few small towns in Tennessee and North Carolina. When my middle sister Daisy started high school, we moved to a slightly bigger town, and one only a an hour or two away from Greenville, NC. I didn't mind super small-town life too much, but I can't say that I'm upset to live someplace with, you know, a movie theater and more than one restaurant.
I love Marvel comic books and super hero movies, baseball, music with red-hot guitar riffs, playing drums, fried chicken, cinnamon chewing gum, camping, and -- don't laugh -- romantic comedies. I know, I know...but I have two older sisters.
I dislike football, deli meat, cake, heavy metal music, getting up early, cats, growth spurts, bowling, and feeling like I'm going to be permanently stuck in the friend zone.
A few weeks ago I was talking to the mom of one of my daughter's classmates, and we started talking about books. She said she'd recently read a fantasy series that starts with The Watchmaker's Daughter, by C.J. Archer, and y'all I am DIGGING these books. They're a combination of Victorian mysteries and light fantasy, and they're fun, quick reads. I also recently started a book that caught my eye on a library display: The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu, by Joshua Hammer. It's a story about the preservation of ancient manuscripts in Northern Africa. I'm just a few chapters in, but already it's extremely fascinating.
The Amazing Race is BACK!!! This season is a "reality showdown," with contestants from The Amazing Race, Survivor, and Big Brother. I'm familiar with a few of the teams, including one of my all-time favorite crazy Amazing Race team from several years ago (Colin and Christie!!). Jeremy and I also recently finished the third season of The Expanse, and it was everything I wanted it to be.
3. Grateful...
Jeremy and I are traveling to England and France this summer for a week-long vacation, and it's been on my mind this week because we recently booked the train travel and accommodations for our overnight in Reims, France (we'll be watching a Women's World Cup game! U.S. v.s Thailand). I am beyond grateful for the chance to take this trip (with a special thank you for my parents and my niece who are coming to watch our kiddos during that week! Y'all are the best!)
The song "Brother" by Needtobreathe has been out for a while, but I've become re-obsessed with it lately. It's such an inspiring, beautiful, heart-full song (I realize heart-full isn't really a word, but it's my blog, I'll make up words if I want. ;-) ) anyway...if you need an excuse or push to call someone you love, give it another listen.
An Ordinary Girl
Hi y'all! Today's bit of creativity is something that I think might have the makings of a cute children's book, inspired by a certain red-headed girl I know who had an early hat-loving phase. It definitely needs illustrations to get the full picture of my idea -- think unconventional and creative "hats", like a bundt pan for a Space Hat and, a crocheted penguin hat with ear flaps for a Racing Hat, and red plastic bucket turned upside down for a Parade Hat. Anyway, you get the idea. Enjoy!
An Ordinary Girl,
Nina is an ordinary girl, who lives in an ordinary town, in an ordinary house, with an ordinary family. She gets up every morning, and puts on her clothes…eats her breakfast…hugs her mom and her dad…pets her dog…and plays with her brother.
But then…Nina has extraordinary adventures.
She puts on her Racing Hat… ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! Nina zooms around dangerous curves, passing one…two…three cars. Now she’s in the lead! Nina wins!
She puts on her Cowboy Hat… and rides across the prairie , looking for stray cows or bandits or maybe just a nice place to sit and eat a snack….
In her Space Hat, Nina climbs into a rocket ship for a trip to the moon. 5..4…3…2…1
She puts on her Parade Hat. Toot! Toot! Toot! She plays her horn and marches to the beat.
She puts on her Snow Hat…brrr! It’s cold out here in the snow. But Nina is warm in her snow hat, mittens, and snow boots. She builds a snow man and a pile of snow balls and then….
Puts on her princess hat. A shiny, sparkly, princess hat. Perfect in a big castle where she can twirl and dance in her tutu.
Uh oh! What’s this? Her castle needs a repair! So she puts on her Construction Hat… She hammers and saws and uses her screwdriver to make the castle strong and safe before she…
Finally takes off her last hat, and hangs it up, and once again becomes an ordinary girl, in an ordinary town, in an ordinary house, with an ordinary family.
Which isn’t so bad, really, because even ordinary girls can have extraordinary adventures.
Posted by Amanda W at 12:36 PM No comments:
Well, hello! This has been a weird day, and I almost forgot it was Wednesday (I thought yesterday was Wednesday almost all day so...you get an idea of where my head's at this week).
1. What I'm reading -
The past couple of weeks have been sluggish on the reading front, mostly because I was trying to finish a very un-interesting book that I'd committed to reading for my occasional review gig. But I procrastinated by reading a couple of interesting articles including this one in Christianity Today resonated with me because I'm often frustrated with the dismissive attitude a lot of people have toward the middle of the country - those who don't live there anyway. I haven't lived in the Midwest for a lot of years now, but moving away really helped me see and appreciate the region I'm from a lot more, but so many people dismiss it as "flyover country." I've started a couple of new books, one for review that should be interesting (it's young adult magical realism, and just three chapters in we've already met a telepathic dog) and a fantasy novel by Kate Elliott, a long-time favorite.
2. What I'm listening to and watching --
I finally re-activated my CBS all access subscription so I can watch the second season of Star Trek: Discovery, and so far I'm enjoy the second season a lot. I was also introduced to some new music this weekend when Jeremy and I went to a Needtobreathe concert. Is anyone else familiar with Sean McConnell? I am obsessed! His style is folksy singer-songwriter, his lyrics are heartfelt and poignant, and his voice is outstanding.
3. Grateful -
We've had beautiful weather the past few weeks, and I've noticed how well our county parks department takes care of the county parks and playgrounds. There are a few near us that we go to semi-regularly, and they're always clean and well-maintained, even the bathroom facilities! Which is extremely important and not always the case with public restrooms.
4. Something inspiring:
I came across this article and found it really encouraging, especially to anyone who's ever found themselves awake in the middle of the night longing for sleep. It's not overly deep or profound, but it does contain some beautiful thoughts about God's presence in our lives.
What are you doing here?
Hello, all! Welcome to another un-edited creative exercise. This one gets a little background: I listen to a podcast called Writing Excuses (excellent podcast for writers and creatives, by the way) and at the end of each short episode they give a writing homework. Here's the one that inspired this story:
A husband and wife find themselves at the same coffee shop, when both of them are supposed to be somewhere else. Write a conversation between them without using any dialogue markers (he said, she said, etc.). The point of the exercise is to practice writing character voices that are distinctive and unique. So. here's what happened when I sat down to participate in this particular exercise Enjoy!
I've always had a soft spot for those unlikely encounter jokes. You know the ones -- x, y, and z walk into a bar. My dad always told them, and my brother and I always rolled our eyes, but secretly I thought they were usually pretty funny.
Yeah, when your life feels like the set up for a punch line...it's not quite as funny.
A man and a woman walk into a bar.
Nope, not quite.
A husband and wife walk into a bar.
Closer, but still not it.
A husband who's supposed to be on a 25 mile bike ride in the opposite direction and a wife who's supposed to be at work an hour away walk into a coffee shop. Well, technically, the wife walks into the coffee shop and sees the husband sitting at a table in the corner.
My first instinct is to march over to the table and demand to know what he's doing there. In fact, I take a step out of line before it hits me that perhaps I don't want to be throwing stones from inside my glass house.
I get back in line and place my order and walk around to the other side of the counter to wait. My stomach knots up, but I force myself to keep my head down and look at my phone -- pretend to be looking at my phone, if I'm honest -- instead of staring at Denis. Which is what I want to do. But I don't want to risk him looking up because he feels eyes on the back of his head.
The coffee shop is busy, so I have to wait longer than is really comfortable, but finally they call my name. The knots in my stomach clench, hoping that Denis has his earbuds in or at least isn't paying attention to the baristas. At least Sarah is a pretty common name. I walk up to the counter and grab my latte then head quickly toward the door, head still down.
Ironic, because if I'd had my head up I might not have literally run into the person I was trying to avoid.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!"
"Excuse me."
I am now intimately acquainted with the phrase 'my heart was about to beat out of my chest.'
"Well. This is awkward."
"Awkward!? I was thinking something more along the lines of -- 'what in the world is going on?'"
"No...I mean...I think we're blocking the door."
We move outside into the gorgeous spring day step to the right of the door.
"Well?'
"Well, what?"
"Well, what is going on!? Aren't you supposed to be at the depot by now, chowing down on a BLT from the Bacon Burner?"
"That was...that was what I said, yes. On the other hand..."
"...On the other hand?"
"You're going to make me say it."
"Yes! I'm going to make you say it! For goodness sake, SAY SOMETHING!"
"Fine. If you're going to be like that. What are you doing here? I thought you had a shift this morning?"
"That's it. Mild curiosity? 'goodness, this is odd.' Are you mad? hurt? confused?"
"Are YOU mad?"
"Yes! I'm mad! Why did you lie"
"Why do you assume I lied?"
"Gahhh!!!! This conversation is so frustrating! YOU are so frustrating!"
"Can we start over?"
"Well, it can't get any worse."
"I'm surprised to see you, and I bet you're surprised to see me."
"Yes. And I'm unsettled, and suspicious, and right now I suspect the worst."
"Don't. Please. The truth is, I've been working on a project for a few weeks, something I wanted to be a surprise. The only time I could figure out to work on it without letting anyone know is during my usual bike ride. I come down here because it's away from work and school and most of the places you shop or run errands. It's nothing bad just...I didn't want to talk about it yet."
Seconds tick by.
"Well, I"m intrigued. Less scared. How long until you were going to tell me about your...secret?"
"Surprise...not secret."
"What's the difference?"
"Well, one implies the possibility of something shameful, or at least something that I don't want anyone to know about at all. The other implies something good. Happy. Something to look forward to. But also, to answer you question: in a couple of weeks."
"Hmmm...ok. I'll concede to your semantic clarification, and allow this to pass. But the waiting might just kill me."
A smile.
"And to answer the question you'll be too 'polite' to ask -- my being here has to do with more of a secret than a surprise, but it's not bad. I'm not cheating on you."
"That wasn't my first thought."
"Seriously?"
"Maybe my second thought."
"Finally! A little honesty and openenness! Look...I'm...I've started seeing a therapist."
Blink. Blink.
"And you're...ashamed?"
"A little, yeah. I never know what you think! You always seem to have it together, and I didn't want you to think it was all about you, or that I was dissatisfied or unhappy."
"But if you're seeing a therapist, doesn't that imply that you ARE dissatisfied or unhappy?"
"Well, yes. But not with you. A few months ago, I started having trouble sleeping, and -- you remember how I told you I had panic attacks in high school? -- well, I've experienced a few panic attacks at work, and between that and the insomnia I thought I'd get a little help."
"Sweetheart...why didn't you tell me?"
"Honestly, I don't know. Because I thought you'd try to fix me yourself. It's so hard to know what you think, and...I needed to do this without assuming any judgement."
My stomach is still in knots, but now my anxiety is directed at myself. I'd been staring over Denis's shoulder, afraid to look at his face and see judgement or worry or the lack of visible emotion that I'm used to seeing. But when I finally glance at him, all I see in his dark eyes is love, and worry, and sadness. He sets down his backpack and closes the distance between us, wrapping strong arms around me. A sob erupts from my chest.
"I'm so, so sorry. I should have trusted you. I shouldn't have kept you out."
"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you didn't feel comfortable sharing with me, and that my tendency to fix things is too strong sometimes. I would never judge you for seeing a counselor. In fact, I am so proud of you right now."
I pull back a little bit, so I can see his face. "Seriously?"
He nods. "You're taking care of yourself, and that is admirable."
"I love you, you know that?"
He pulls me in close again, kissing me like we're not standing on a sidewalk in the middle of the day. A kiss full of apology and promise and love.
It's not exactly a punch line, but I like this ending better.
Happy Wednesday, friends!
1. Reading:
This past weekend I read an advanced reader copy of a book called Collateral Damage, by Taylor Simonds. It was a fun take on a superhero story with a snarky heroine and a fast-paced plot. Before that, I read The Glass-Bottom Boat, by Laura Thomas (which I've been talking about for a couple of weeks on social media as part of the author's book launch team). It's Christian romantic suspense, and it's a good book to grab when you have a few hours and want to read something easy-breezy and familiar. Then before THAT I read Liane Moriarty's newest book Nine Perfect Strangers which was kind of bonkers but I LOVED it. Moriarty has a gift for crafting books that I find myself getting immersed in -- when I turn the last page I feel like I've been on a trip to Australia and gotten to know a whole bunch of new people (some friends...some not so much friends)
2. Watching/listening:
I'm going to mention two things this week. The first, is episode 7 of the 10 Things to Tell You Podcast: What are you assuming about others? This is a new podcast, and I've really been enjoying it. This episode in particular really resonated with me, and was a good reminder to stop and think about the power and potential harm when we make assumptions.
The second thing I've seen/heard is Captain Marvel! Have we become over saturated with super hero movies over the past few years? Maybe. But I still like them, and this one was worth the ticket and popcorn. Here are some things I like: Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel has the kind of confidence and swagger that doesn't need to prove itself, which is just so refreshing. Example: she's standing outside restaurant looking at a map and a jerkface on a motorcycle rolls up and says "give me a smile, sweetheart." She just goes about her business barely acknowledging his existence....and then steels his motorcycle. The other really standout feature of this movie is that the primary relationships are student/mentor and friendships. Now don't get me wrong, I like a good romance; but that's not the only kind of relationship that matters in a person's life, and I LOVED seeing a movie that explored other important relationships, and in my opinion was stronger for it.
3. Challenging:
I like spring-time, but this year allergies are kicking my butt. My two weeks of scratchy throat have settled into a cough that won't quit, and I'm over it.
4. Gratitude:
Going to the park is a favorite past time at our house, and I've noticed lately that the Harris County parks and rec department does a great job of keeping the county parks clean and in good shape, even the bathrooms!
5. Inspiration:
This was the verse of the day on my Bible app a few days ago, and it's just such a good reminder, both challenging and inspiring.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. - Hebrews 13:16
A love note to cappucino
Cappuccino.
Espresso, a little bit of steamed milk, and that perfect thick layer of rich and creamy foam.
The first espresso-based beverage I remember drinking was in college at Midnight Oil, a coffee house in a literal house. It was the perfect oasis on the edge of campus, full of art and light and cozy old couches. It had a big front porch for the days you just couldn't stay inside, and provided me with my first latte, full of sugar and flavor with a hint of independence and deep thoughts.
My first cappuccino was handed to me by a barista in Italy, where I also got my first introduction to the delightful experience of stove top espresso full of milk, paired with bread from the corner bakery and a think layer of Nutella -- my first taste of Nutella. This memory lane includes afternoon siestas in the foot of that beautiful geographical boot, followed by chilled afternoon espresso -- strong and black and sweet. The Southern Italian cousin of sweet tea.
The first time I made my own cappuccino I stood behind the counter of a coffee shop in a North Carolina college town, just a quick 10 minutes to the beach. Married, no kids, and itching inside the constraints of perceived expectations -- a classic case of quarter-life crisis (is that still a thing?). I still feel a deep connection to the hum of an espresso machine, the caramel of the crema, and the hiss of steam in a stainless steel pitcher of milk. I learned to make foam not just bubbles, and to recognize the sound of milk steamed to just the right temperature.
Italy, London, Israel, Texas -- forget Coca Cola, cappuccino is the universal language.
The sound of people and cars and motorcycles. The smell of concrete, asphalt, cigarette smoke, salty ocean air, hot milk and toasted bread. Plucky guitars, raspy voices, low-toned pianos. Laughter, fingers on keyboards, stories shared. The shh-shh of pages turning and no one talking, and the warmth of the person next to you.
1. What I'm reading: I've mentioned before that I occasionally read books for paid review, and this past week I got the chance to read a book called Year of the Amphibian. It was surprisingly delightful! It's coming of age story about a year in the life of a 14-year-old boy in 1984 Los Angeles. It's about family, identity, belonging, friendship, and what it means to "home." Review books are hit or miss, but this one was definitely a hit. I'm getting ready to dive into Glass Bottom Boat, a Christian romantic suspense novel that I joined the launch team for (which means I get a free advance copy, yay!). It looks pretty good, and is available for pre-order now if it seems like your jam. Last but not least, I just started reading Liane Moriarty's newest book Nine Perfect Strangers. I've read a few other books by Moriarty (Big Little Lies, What Alice Forgot,) and suffice it to say she's super popular for a reason.
2. What I'm listening to/watching: My parents got us tickets to see the Old West Melodrama show for Christmas, and our reservation was last weekend. It's a fun, interactive, purposefully over-the-top show -- if you've ever seen Tombstone, there's a scene in that movie where the characters attend a Melodrama, so you can get the idea of what it's like. It was a lot of fun! (thanks Mom and Dad!)
3. Something challenging: I really like to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. You may remember that my kids are early birds -- like, 6:15-6:30 a.m. early birds. In my dream world, I'm going to bed at 9 p.m. and getting up before they do. HOWEVER. For a variety of reasons, 10 p.m. is the earliest I manage on a regular basis (although there are the occasional 9 p.m. nights), so I've resigned myself to the fact that unless I drastically change my habits I'm not getting up before 6 a.m. on a regular basis. Somehow, that's also translated into me staying up later and later...yet still getting up with my darling alarm clocks. I don't know why this particular discipline is so hard -- there's even a built in external reward! (More sleep) One day this phase will pass, or maybe I will figure out mindset shift I need.
4. Gratitude: I mentioned last week that I went to Missouri for my Granny's funeral last week. Although the circumstances were hard, I am really grateful that I was able to spend time with my family, and am extra grateful for my husband and some good friends who made it possible for me to fly by myself. It made the trip a lot less stressful and hectic, and I am so thankful for that opportunity.
5. Inspiration: This is a little different than what I posted the past few weeks, but if you need someplace to go on the internet that's just visually inspiring, check out the author Sally Lloyd-Jones on Instagram (you don't have to be on Instagram to click that link and go look at her account), She posts the most lovely photos of the world around here, and always inspires me to find beauty and wonder in the every-day.
Posted by Amanda W at 12:46 PM 2 comments:
In memory of grandparents
Earlier this week we said goodbye to my Granny Blair, and as is often the case the past several days have been bittersweet. We mourn the loss of someone's presence, the hugs and conversations and the comfort of just being with them. Perhaps we mourn the passing of time, or maybe a recent loss makes us think of other people to whom we've had to say goodbye. But then there is the sweetness of gathering with family and friends, of sharing and remembering and telling stories, and of my cousin Tod's absolutely perfect eulogy during my Granny's funeral service.
Sifting through memories this week has also got me thinking about my other grandparents -- I will never stop being thankful that I had two sets of wonderful grandparents that I got to grow up knowing and loving.
For most of my life, we lived one block away from my Grandma and Grandpa Rush's house. I remember when I was finally old enough to walk to their house by myself -- my mom watching me from the end of our driveway and Grandma waiting for me at the end of hers. There were always cookies in the cookie jar and treasures to play with. Grandma and Grandpa Rush were a little spicy -- not afraid to speak their minds or have a loud discussion -- which taught me that you could argue with someone and still love them, and that sometimes the best kinds of stories are told at full volume and end in belly laughter. They were generous and loyal and loved fiercely. Grandma taught me about the importance of faith, and Grandpa about the beauty of second chances. My grandma taught me that potato soup is perfect when you're sick, that feeding people is a lot of fun, how to find a good sale, and an appreciation for soap operas and Golden Girls. Grandpa taught me that tomatoes are best eaten straight off the vine and warmed in the sun, and that the only kind of iced tea is sun tea.
Granny and Grandpa Blair's house sat up on a hill in the Ozark mountains in Southern Missouri. There were trees to climb, a garden to work in, woods to play in, swimming holes to splash in when the weather was hot. In winter there was a wood stove to heat the house, piles of blankets to curl up under, and homemade hot chocolate or mulled cider. There were games to play, cousins to play with, fudge, no-bake cookies, and stacks and stacks of books to get lost in. Visiting relatives was a frequent occurrence. Grandpa was gentle and quiet -- unless you started arguing politics with him -- and you could usually find him working on a project, reading, listening to talk radio, or drinking a cup of coffee. He usually had at least one grandkid trailing him and "helping" and he was always so patient and never seemed to mind. Granny was a school teacher who'd started her career in a one room school house before getting a Master's degree in education in a time and place when that wasn't exactly the norm. She always had a sparkle in her eye and was always ready for a hug. She loved words as much as I do -- I'm pretty sure my love of books, crossword puzzles, and Scrabble were very much influenced by Granny's love of those things too. Granny and Grandpa taught me that a rich life has nothing to do with material wealth, and that there's always room at the table for one more.
Make no mistake -- everything I learned through my Grandparents was simply observed and absorbed. They were lessons passed down not in words, but in action and family culture and love, passed down through their own lives as well as that of my parents. They're lessons that are only clear once I take the time to pause, and think, and remember. Lessons that come to mind when I answer my cousin-in-laws question: what kind of memories do you have of being at your grandparent's house? Lessons I hope I pass down to my own kids, even as they make their own memories and weave their own unique part of the family tapestry.
Were my grandparents perfect? Of course not. But they were pretty great, and I'm glad they were mine.
1. Book-wise, I most recently finished The Case for Jamie, by Brittany Cavallaro, the third in her Charlotte Holmes series. I mentioned the series before, a riff on Sherlock Holmes that presents Sherlock and Watson as real people, and James (Jamie) and Charlotte Holmes as their great-great grandkids. It's a fun series, and although I didn't enjoy the second book as much, book three was a really fantastic follow-up - almost as though book two was a necessary set up, a crisis that readers had to get through to get to the next part of the story. I noticed that the fourth book is coming out next month, so I better go put my name on the holds list at the library!
Aside from the Cavallaro book, this article -- "How to Grow Wool" -- seriously blew my mind with its beautiful imagery of God as a shepherd.
2. In honor of Valentine's Day last week I'm going to link to this song: "You'll Always Be My Girl", by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. It's not a new song, but it is currently one of my favorite love songs, and one I could listen to on repeat for days.
I'm also linking to an episode of the podcast The Enneagram Journey: Episode 47 with Audrey Assad. Even if you're not familiar the Enneagram personality typing system/philosophy, this is a really wonderful interview with a musician that I wasn't familiar with, but who I am now listening to all.the.time.
3. The past couple of weeks I've been really grateful that I've signed up to run a half marathon. That sounds weird to a lot of people, I know, but I'm grateful for the training plan that helps me push myself in my running. I know a lot of people don't love running -- and that's fine! I'm not going to try and proselytize you -- but it's something that makes me feel better mentally and physically, and training for a race just amps that up a little.
4. As for something challenging...a minor annoyance really, but still an annoyance: our utility district is doing maintenance on the fire hydrants, which means all last week and all this week (M-F only, thank goodness) we can't turn on our faucets or run the washing machine between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. or run the risk of drawing in the minerals that can discolor the water. We're making do with cups and pitchers full of water, and it's not a huge deal (and only an issue since the kids aren't in full time school and I don't go off to work), since at the end of the day we still have clean, running water. But it's just one more thing taking up brain space (remembering to alter our behavior), and it's enough of a challenge that I'll be glad when 3 p.m. Friday hits.
5. "This [Matthew 5:1-12] is an announcement, not a philosophical analysis of the world. It is gospel -- an announcement of wonderful news, of good news, not good advice." - N.T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone
Posted by Amanda W at 10:40 AM 2 comments:
Wednesday creative
Here it is, the first creative writing portion of the new blog experiment. It's a short story that may turn into a novel down the road, but for now, I kind of like it the way it is. Enjoy!
"Farm Girl"
Penelope Hertz is about to dssappoint five people.
She drives the big Hertz Family Farms van into the Cypress Farmers Market parking lot, waving at Mrs. Walling (Big Bottom Bakery) as she guides the van down to spot number 32. It's prime market real estate - halfway down the center aisle on a corner. Penelope's father pays a little extra for the spot, less than he might since Hertz Family Farms has been a vendor since the Cypress Farmers Market opened its doors.
Penny parks the van and and helps her two brothers set up the booth with a silent efficiency born out of countless hours of practice. If Farmers Market booth set-up was an art form, they would be lauded as grand masters.
Once Ryan pulls out the final crate, Penelope turns and heads away from the booth, out toward the sidewalk then down the street toward the smell of coffee, cinnamon, and sugar. The cherry trees that line the sidewalk block the early morning sun and Penny shivers slightly in the shade, although it doesn't take long for her to reach the bright green door that marks Cinnamon and Spice Cafe. She walks in through the door and trades the sounds of commuting cars for the hiss of an espresso machine, the low murmer of voices, and the sounds of classic country music.
As Penelope waits her turn in line, she looks around the small cafe trying to memorize her favorite details -- the built-in book case housing dozens of antique cookie jars, the mis-matched wooden tables and chairs, the worn leather armchairs in the far corner.
A huge smile appears on the freckled face across the counter as Penelope steps up to order.
"Hey Penny," Georgia says. "The usual?"
"Please."
Georgia Farmer -- the 19 year old daughter of Cinnamon and Spice's owners -- pulls three large cups off the stack to her right, scribbles across the outsides with a sharpie, then begins keying in Penelope's twice-weekly order of three large coffees, two with a shot of espresso and one with two inches of steamed milk.
"So," Georgia says as she makes change from the $20 Penny hands her. "How's Hertz Family Farm this morning?"
"Still growing things," Penny says with a smile. "How are the Farmers?"
"Still brewing coffee and baking things."
Georgia hands over the change then glances over Penny's shoulder, checking to see if there's a line behind her.
"So, I...uhhh..I ran into... Ryan at the movies last night," Georgia says. "He said he was there by himself. Does he..uhh..do that a lot? Go to the movies by himself, I mean?" Her tone was almost too casual, and her cheeks flushed slightly pink.
It must be hard to have that classic red-headed complexion, Penny thought. I would never be able to handle having such visible emotions.
"He does, actually," Penny says. "He actually prefers going to the movies alone, even when he's dating someone. Which," Penny leans over the counter and lowered her voice, "I happen to know he's not at the moment. Dating anyone." She smiles. "And because I actually like you, Georgia, I'm going to give you a tip: Ryan doesn't like girls who throw themselves at him, but he does tend to wait for a sure thing. So access whatever inner confidence you have and let him know you're interested. You probably know that he loves almost any kind of outdoor activity, but what you might not know is that he's lately turned into a bit of a foodie. So maybe do some research and suggest going to try out some bougie restaraunt."
"Really?" Georgia sounds surprised. "A foodie?"
Penny straightens and rolls her eyes. "He's really annoying about it too, but probably only to us."
Georgia laughs and wedges the cups into a cardboard drink tray and slides it across the counter. "Thanks for the advice," she says. "Although I hate being so obvious."
Penny smiles. "Nothing to be ashamed about. And clearly it's not obvious to everyone, or the knuckle-head would have asked you out by now."
"You're sweet."
"Thanks for the coffees."
Penny picks up her cardboard drink tray and turns to leave. As she walks toward the door she glances over at a corner of the coffee shop, the corner with the worn leather chair, strategically placed floor lamp, and green painted three-legged stool that serves as miniature coffee table or extra seating. The chair is empty, and Penny's heart constricts. Nine times out of ten, this particular weekly errand -- like decades-deep rut in a well-traveled country lane -- includes a brief conversation with the first person who Penny is going to disappoint. Jake Harding's presence in that leather chair on Monday and Thursday mornings at 7:30 is as reliable as the sun rising and setting every day. He should be sitting there with a cappucino, the muffin of the day, his laptop, and Moleskin notebook. Why isn't he there?
Penny shakes her head and sighs. Why does it matter? What does she think she's going to do, say goodbye? Confess her undying love but lack of desire to stay in Cypress, Arkansas? Ask him to leave his tenure track position at the local university to come with her to rural Wisconsin? No. The time for pointless conversations has passed, and goodbye might hurt a little too much. She forces out a cheerful "Bye, Georgia!" and shoves open the door with her shoulder.
Ten minutes later she's walking back down the market aisle, waving at people she will genuinely miss seeing twice a week -- and a few she won't. Two stalls before she reaches Hertz Farms, she stops.
"Hi, Mary," she says. A woman with dark skin and a warm smile looks up from her display of pies and tarts.
"Hi, Penny! How are you?"
"Optimistic." And also sad, she thinks. Optimistic, sad, nervous.
Mary raises an eyebrow. "Soon, then?" she says.
Penny nods. "Tonight. Late."
"Still sneaking out?"
Penny shrugs, "What can I say. In this, I'm a coward."
Mary glances around before walking out from behind her table. Penny is surprised by the hug, and more surprised by the tears that pop into her eyes.
"I'm going to miss you," Mary whispers. "Call me when you're settled in."
Penny nods, blinking fast and clearing her throat. Mary steps back. "Now," she says in a normal voice. "I stayed up most of the night working on a new tart recipe. I need you to try it and give an honest review. Then I need you to give it to that food-snob brother of yours for an actual honest review."
"Hey! I give honest reviews!"
Mary just rolles her eyes. She walks back behind the table and hands Penny a celophane-wrapped tart labeled "pear-blueberry-fig."
Penny pulls cash out of her back pocket, but Mary waves her money away.
"Just tell Ryan to be gentle."
"Done," Penny says. "I better get back to the boys. They get grumpy if I let their coffee get cold. I'll text you my tart review later. And...I'll call you."
When she gets back to their tent, Ryan is snoring in the passenger seat and Dean is talking on the phone. She hands Dean his coffee and taps on the window of the van. Ryan jerks awake, looking around in confusion before running a hand through his hair and opening the door.
"Thanks, Pen."
At 8:30 a.m. on the dot, the market manager opens the gate and the day falls into a predictable rhythm. A rhythm that weighs heavy on Pennelope as she helps shoppers find the perfect bunch of greens, the best peas and carrots, as she bags produce and calculates cost, smiles, makes change, and restocks the display after a partciularly long rush of customers. A weight that intensifies as they make quick work of Mary's ridiculously delicious tart, and heavily discount their remaining stock an hour before heading home. And as they pack up their tables and the small amount of produce left at the end of the day, Penelope's chest tightens and the weight threatens to suffocate her.
Ryan gives her a funny look as they slam shut the back doors of the van.
"What's wrong with you?" he asks.
"Nothing." she says, her voice sharp with defensiveness. "What's wrong with you?"
He rolls his eyes and walks around to the driver's door. Penny slips into the back seat, leaving shotgun to Dean who is -- as usual -- texting on his phone. Penny pulls earbuds out of her pocket, puts them in her ears, and finds the most soothing playlist she can. Only a few more hours to go. She rolls her shoulders trying to dislodge the tension camped out there, then leans her head back against the seat and closes her eyes.
Exactly eight songs later, Ryan is parking the van beside the big gray barn, and Penelope opens her eyes, bracing herself for the rest of the evening. As she climbs out of the van, her eyes stray to the little blue car sitting patiently behind the farmhouse. Three bags crammed as full as she can get them sit inside the trunk, smuggled out when no one was looking.
Ryan and Dean head toward the barn to take care of evening animal chores, and Penelope walks to the house to clean up and help with supper. She goes through the mudroom -- which is so clean, can it still be called a mudroom? -- slips off her shoes, and places them neatly on one of the three boot trays lined up along the wall. She washes her hands in the little sink against the wall, and inspects her clothes for visible dirt. The whole ritual eases some of the doubts that had been creeping into her mind all day about her plans. Heaven forbid anyone track dirt into the house of a working farm. She shakes her head and puts a smile on her face before opening the door into the kitchen.
"Hey, Chelsea, hi mom."
Chelsea turns from her place at the stove and smiles at Penelope. "Hi, Pen. How was it today?'
"Business as usual!" Chelsea walks over to the big wooden table and gives her mom a hug around the shoulders. The older woman smiles up at her.
"Hi sweetie," she says.
"What can I do to help?" Penelope asks, grabbing an apron from the hook on the wall.
"Do you mind checking the rice and setting the table?"
"No problem."
Penelope gives her mom's shoulder another squeeze as she walks by -- her heart constricts -- and her mom continues to slice peppers and carrots. Penelope walks behind Chelsea and peeks under the lid of the rice pot on one of the back burners, then turns off the heat. She glances at the skillet in front of Chelsae.
"Looks great," Penelope says. And it does. She may not miss Chelsea's obsession with a spotless house, but she will miss Chelsea's cooking, especially when she makes a curry like tonight.
"Thanks! Hey, did Dean talk to you about what we want to do with the north field?"
"Well, we've decided to turn that field into an organic field, see how it goes, and eventually we can transition to all organic produce."
Penelope glances at her mom and raises her eyebrows, but her mom just smiles, shrugs, and keeps chopping vegetables. When Dean married Chelsea three years ago, and then their Dad passed away just a year after that, Penelope's Mom took that as a sign that it was time for her to retire as farm wife. Now she spends most of her time either at the nearby yarn store, sitting on the front porch in her rocking chair with a mug of tea and a book, or taking walks long enough that Penelope teases her about being a Jane Austen heroine. Penelope doesn't blame her mom at all for her "retirement" -- Chelsea likes things a certain way, and has lots of dreams for Hertz Family Farms. Penelope sometimes wonders what her Dad would have thought about all the trends Chelsea seems to be chasing.
"He didn't mention it, but it sounds like a great idea!" Easy to say since it won't affect her at all.
"Ryan's not to on board yet, but I'm sure he'll come around."
Again, Penelope and her mom exchange a look.
"Oh, yeah, I'm sure he will." Penelope feels like she's mostly succesful in hiding her sarcasm.
After they've all eaten and cleaned up, Penelope feigns tiredness so she can hide out in her room. It's not entirely an act -- she is pretty tired. Mostly she feels anxious at the thought of trying to pretend it's a normal night.
Her emotions nearly betray her as she hugs her mom goodnight. This will be the hardest disappointment.
"You okay, honey?" her mom asks, pulling back and searching Penelope's face.
"Just tired," Penelope forces her emotions back down into her gut before her eyes can tear up. "I didn't sleep well last night, and you know how early market days are."
Her mom doesn't look satisfied, but doesn't push, just gives Penelope another hug and kiss on the cheek. "Good night then."
Penelope walks slowly up the stairs and into her room, grabbing the toiletry bag sitting on her bedside table and walking across the hall into the bathroom. She closes the door behind her and begins quietly loading her bag -- shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, razor. She rearranges what's left in the bathroom to try and hide the missing items before going back to her room. After putting the toiletry bag into her backpack, she sits down on the bed with a sigh, then lays back on the quilt -- one her grandmother made ages ago. Her brain is spinning. She pulls out her phone and pulls up the email she's read approximately a hundred thousand times since receiving it:
"Dear Ms. Hertz,
We are thrilled that you have accepted our offer to work with us! I think you'll find dairy farming and cheese making to be a welcome challenge while still in a somewhat familiar environment. Our current apprentice is leaving in two weeks, and we'd like a week to get the apartment ready for you. If possible, we'd love to have you arrive sometime between March 5 and March 12. Shoot us an email once you have a date nailed down so we can be expecting you. I know it's going to be a long trip, which makes exact arrival time difficult to determine, but I only ask that you don't come to the house after 8 p.m. Jim and I like to wind down early, as I'm sure you are familiar with! Those early morning chores do come quite early.
We can't wait to see you in a few weeks and welcome you to Sunflower Dairy!
Jim and Betty Nelson
p.s. March can still be quite cool up here in Wisconsin, especially compared to what you're used to, so make sure you pack a few warm clothes and a jacket for both work and play!
Penny sighs. She knows she's being a coward, sneaking out in the middle of the night leaving only goodbye letters and questions behind. It bothers her, but not enough to change course now. She pulls open the drawer of her bedside table, empty now except for five thin envelopes. She double checks that they're all there -- Mom, Dean, Ryan, Jake. She debated leaving one for Chelsea, but they're not close, and she had nothing special to say. She debated mailing Jakes to him, but knows her Mom will see he gets it, and somehow a hand-delivered goodbye seems slightly less awful than a letter in the mail. Despite the adreneline coursing through her she feels surprisingly sleepy, her eyelids like weights on her face. She sets the alarm on her phone for 1 a.m. -- it's a working farm after all -- everyone should be deep into REM sleep by that time -- and clutches her letters to her chest. Soon enough she's asleep.
When her alarm beeps at 1 a.m., Penelope sits up wide awake. She sits for a moment, listening to the sleeping house before standing up, putting her phone in her pocket, and shouldering her backpack. One last look around the room, it's walls steeped in childhood memories, young adult angst, and lately, her restlessness. She presses her fingers to her lips, then gently pats the door jam as she walks out.
She creeps down the stairs in sock feet, into the dark kitchen where she lays out her slightly crumpled envelopes in the center of the big kitchen table. She walks through to the mud room, slips on her sneakers waiting patiently in their designated resting place, and grabs her work boots. She wonders what the boys will notice first in their early morning haze -- the envelopes on the table, the missing boots, the fact that she's not in the fields or the barn, or her missing car. Penelope walks through the grass to where she's parked her car, opens the trunk and stashes the boots. She tosses the backpack in the front passenger seat and slides in behind the wheel. She smiles a little as she arranges her phone, her charger, and the printed map. Dean had made fun of her when she'd decided to buy a hybrid after her beat-up Ford truck had died, but turns out that not having to crank a loud gasoline engine made it a lot easier to sneak away in the middle of the night. No pushing a hunk of metal down the driveway like he and Ryan and done a bunch of times in high school.
Penelope starts her car, connects her phone to the car's blue tooth speakers, and rolls her windows down so she can say goodbye to the place she loves with all her senses -- the rustling sound of the woods at night, the smell of earth and green grass, the sight of moonlight playing in the treetops, and the feel of the cool night air. When she gets to the end of the lane, there are tears in her eyes and a huge smile on her face. Before she pulls out onto the highway, she scrolls to the playlist she's been curating for months and presses play.
Posted by Amanda W at 8:00 AM 2 comments:
Sometimes, I decide to form a habit or routine, or to do things a certain way. Sometimes, I look up one day and realize I've stumbled onto a habit or routine or way of doing things because in the process of trying to achieve a specific outcome, a consistent pattern emerges because it works. Does this happen to anyone else? Here's an example: Wednesday lists on my blog. For a long time, most of what I wrote on the blog were book thoughts/reviews, with the occasional random other post thrown in for fun. After I had my youngest baby, I wanted to keep writing regularly on the blog, but my post-partum brain couldn't think in paragraphs -- it could barely think in sentences! I had things to say, but not in what I'd call a "long form" kind of way. Thus, the list. Then all of a sudden, I realized I was mostly (not always, but mostly) writing them on Wednesdays. Why mess with a good thing? Especially when one of the most common bits of writing advice is: be consistent.
And I like the Wednesday list. I like being able to write something without the pressure to make it long or deep or extra thoughtful. I like the accountability of consistency. And now I think it's time to take Wednesday lists to the next level, to give them a little bit of focus, and to shake things up just a little bit on this little square inch of the internet. So here's the plan: every other week, I'll post A Wednesday list, which will include:
1. Something I've read
2. Something I've seen or heard
3. Something I'm grateful for
4. Something that's challenging
5. A little bit of inspiration
On the alternate weeks, I'm going to post something creative -- a writing exercise, a short story or scene, one of my not-good-but-fun-to-write poems.
So. that's the plan for now. I'm going to take it out for a test drive for a few months and see how it goes. As the weeks go on, let me know what you think! I write for myself, but if I didn't want anyone to read it, I probably wouldn't be posting it on the Internet, right? So I'm always happy for feedback!
And since the title of this post IS A Wednesday list, here's the first go at the new scaffolding:
Because I started two books at once last week and have been bingeing a Netflix show, I haven't finished a book since Leviathan Wakes (see last week's list), but this morning I really appreciated reading NPR's transcript/fact checking and commentary on the President's State of the Union speech. I really dislike listening to political speeches (especially when the person's delivery style grates on my nerves), so this was the perfect way to get a little bit of current event knowledge, but in a way that suits me better. I thought the fact checking and editorial comments were brief, relevant, and appropriate.
I finished the third (and final) season of Broadchurch this week, and it was SO good. I was nervous going into the third season because the crime they are solving is a rape. However, I think the show and the actors handled it really well, without getting sensational or graphic. I appreciated that we got to see how the loss in the first season continued to affect the family -- which is completely realistic -- and I appreciated that the B storylines echoed the main storyline in a really subtle way. Miller and Hardy's characters continued to shine and Olivia Coleman and David Tennant have now become two of my favorite actors (I know a lot of people are already familiar with them, but I wasn't before Broadchurch).
I'm really grateful today for our local public library, in particular the librarian who usually leads the preschool storytime at the branch we go to. Ms. Cathy is warm and kind and tries to remember the names of the children who come regularly. She also does a good job of mixing active songs and rhymes with the books she reads. My kids love going to storytime, and I like that they're developing positive associations with the books and reading.
A super energetic, physical, strong-willed three year old. Whew! That'll tired a person out. I know I'm not alone in this, which is a comfort. But it's still hard.
(this will probably end up being a quote or a Bible verse, possibly a thought someone shared with me that I found especially encouraging)
"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet." -- Jesus, Matthew 5:13
1. Show of hands: how many of you made donuts out of canned biscuits as a kid? We used to do that occasionally, and I finally had a good reason Monday to get over my intimidation of frying things to give it a try. My kids' preschool had "Donuts with Dad" yesterday morning, and the littlest one is allergic to eggs; but I knew they would enjoy doing something like that with their Dad, so I felt motivated enough to try the biscuit donuts. They were yummy! The kids helped me sugar them -- half powdered sugar, half with cinnamon sugar -- and let me say it's a good thing I already needed to mop my floors. Cinnamon sugar was the preferred variety, and fortunately it was a nice enough day that I could open up my kitchen window to help clear out the fried food smell (the smell is fine while you're cooking, but I don't love old food smells in general).
2. I recently started watching the show Broadchurch on Netflix. The first season (the only one I've finished so far) follows the case of a murdered 11 year old boy in a small coastal town that's never had any kind of violent crime. I think it's really well done. I like the slow pace and the way they portray the suspicion that takes over the small community where everyone (thinks they) know everyone else's business.
3. My friend Heather recommended The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey a while back, and I finally got around to checking the first book out from the library (Leviathan Wakes) It's a big, fat science fiction book, and so far I'm enjoying it. The story itself is very political thriller. Science fiction isn't one of my go-to genres, but the past couple of years I've been more open to it because I've managed to find some books that I really connected with. Which confirms my theory that sometimes all you need is the right-for-you introduction to a particular genre. I think my introduction to the sci-fi genre was actually television and movies, it just took me a while to make the jump from Star Trek and Firefly to books.
4.I listened to a brand-new podcast today: 10 Things to Tell You. Today was the very first episode of the podcast, and the host - who is an avid reader - spent the episode answering a question she said a lot of people ask her: when do you read? What's really funny about that, is that a friend asked me the other day! Laura Tremain (the podcast host) offered a lot of ideas, but one I loved is her personal tip for developing the habit: setting a timer. She sets a timer for 20 minutes, and during that time all she does is read. Now, at this stage in her life she says she does that a couple of times a day, or she often reads past the time. But she also said that she's found that even if all she does is read for those 20 minutes a day, it's amazing how many books she ends up reading. And I'm guessing that the reason is honestly why setting a timer is often a suggested tactic in a lot of areas -- cleaning, exercising, writing, etc. -- because we so rarely focus on ONE THING for any length of time, that we forget how powerful focused energy can be. Anyway, I don't use a timer, but there are a couple of ways I make time to read. Sometimes, I read instead of watching t.v., and I usually at least a few minutes in bed. But as a stay-at-home mom with two preschoolers, there's one choice that has the biggest impact: I recognize that there will always be chores to do. There will always be something to clean or organize or DO. So I don't try to get it all done before "allowing" myself a reading break. If the kids are playing happily, and I've gotten one or two things done, I sit down in the room the kids are playing in (or on my screened porch if they're playing outside), and let myself read for a few minutes. It's not always for very long, but every little bit adds up. (I also give myself permission to quit a book that isn't working for me -- Laura Tremain mentions this too -- so I don't waste a lot of time trying to force my way through a book).
5. I've been thinking of my friends who are experiencing arctic weather today. I hope and pray you all have plenty of blankets, warm drinks, warm food, and that you can stay inside today!
1. I think I've previously mentioned the stray cats in our neighborhood and how they irritate me to no end (peeing and pooping all over our yard, etc.), especially the one who has had kittens in our backyard twice. I finally got my rear in gear and borrowed a live animal trap and set it out last night, and low and behold, the mama cat took the bait! Animal control came this morning, and apparently what they do now is spay/neuter, vaccinate, and re-release the cats. On the up side, having a non-procreating community of cats will keep the rodent population down, so I'm glad I set out the trap even if it doesn't mean I will be free forever. I even set out the trap again to see if I can catch another one! I'm on a roll.
2. I finished Lethal White, by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) and loved it so much! I think this was my favorite of the series so far. I love how Rowling balances the complex mystery and plot with the character arcs and development. I also appreciated that Lethal White was significantly less grisly than book three.
3. My daughter would rather eat Saltine crackers than Cheez-its or Goldfish (to be fair, I think she got burned out on Goldfish during our road trip). Kids are weird.
4. I entered a manuscript contest this week. Fingers crossed! Winners get tickets to a Texas editors/agents conference, which would be so cool. But what I'm almost more excited about is the fact that even if you don't win you get a critique of your submission (synopsis and first 10 pages).
5. Speaking of critiques...one of my top writing-related goals right now is to find a critique group or a couple of critique partners. This is a daunting task. I thought I might be able to network last year through a Houston area writers group, but it didn't pan out. I think one thing that's stood in my way is my own thinking that I'd like to find a person/persons I already know. But I think that's unrealistic right now. (unless you're reading this and want to form a writing critique partnership! If so, shoot me a message!)
I'm extra tired this week, so I feel like I've been extra random. Oh well! Happy Wednesday from my scattered brain to yours!
1. For the Love with Jen Hatmaker is one of the podcasts in my regular rotation, and yesterday I listened to one in her Giving series that I think will stick with me a long time. In it, she interviews two different people who have started organizations doing amazing work in some very hard places. She talks to Susan Ramirez, the founder of an organization called National Angels which works to provide practical support to foster children and foster families; and to Jon Huckins, the co-founder of Global Immersion Project, a peacemaking training organization. Here are a couple of the things that stood out to me, and why I think this podcast is worth a listen: In her talk with Ms. Ramirez, it was really inspiring and helpful to hear about VERY PRACTICAL ways in which a person who maybe doesn't have a calling or isn't in a place to foster or adopt can still minister to this very vulnerable group. The interview with Jon Huckins was challenging in a different -- also good -- way. He talked about how often for Christians the concept of being a peacemaker is a little bit nebulous and cerebral -- we have a thousand yard view of being a peacemaker. But what does it really mean to be a peacemaker? He presented ideas such as how being a peacemaker requires stepping into spaces of conflict (which we more often avoid), and requires making peace with turmoil and anger inside ourselves. it was a really interesting and challenging conversation, and made me curious about the book that the Global Immersion Project recently published, and just curious to maybe dive into studying more about peace and peacemaking in the Bible myself. Here's the link to the podcast if you're interested in checking it out:
http://jenhatmaker.com/episode-05-national-angels-and-global-immersion-project
2. The other night I woke up in the middle of the night for some reason and while it is not abnormal for it to take me a hwile to go back to sleep, this time it was for a really annoying reason: having a one-sided conversation with a person/people online whom I don't actually know. Because I have decided -- for now -- not to waste my time adding to the cacophony of arguing on the internet, I am going to briefly vent here by mentioning a couple of my biggest peeves: 1. generalizing people by just one or two of their identifying characteristics/social groups (think: "teenagers always do this" or "all Catholics are like this" or "old people are...") 2. Condescending tones and attitudes. This sometimes comes from unlikely places, like when I hear or see someone mention "flyover states." You know what, random person I don't know? You may think you're being cute and funny, but implicit in that term is the idea that those places don't matter. Try something else: the Midwest, the Great Planes, the Middle States...anything else that is less dismissive and condescending. Condescension often comes from intellectuals -- or psudo-intellectuals, or people who spend too much time in an echo chamber of their own "brilliant" ideas and beliefs. It's okay to tell me something I don't know, or challenge something I believe, but a condescending attitude is the fastest way to get me to stop listening.
3. I recently watched the short series Derry Girls on Netflix, and it was so delightful! It's set in Northern Ireland during the mid-1990s, and follows the lives of a group of high school girls (and one dude cousin who hilariously ends up at their all-girls parochial school because he's from England and the adults decided he'd be safer at the girls school). Everything is so perfectly awkward, perfectly 1990s, and based on the reviews I'm going to say perfectly Irish (being that I'm not actually from Ireland, I can't attest to that 100 percent, but suffice it to say I enjoyed the setting immensely). The characters were so real, the relationship dynamics so nuanced, and the nun who is the head of the girls' school is my absolute FAVORITE.
A short list this week since I rambled on and on. Have a great Wednesday!
1. Jeremy and I are taking a trip to London this summer! Every time I say it or even type it out I get a huge grin on my face, and it's on my mind this week because we purchased plane tickets. I'm having to remember to pace myself when it comes to planning and dreaming. It's my second trip to London (once in high school, once in grad school) and Jeremy's first. I'm partly excited because I'm an Anglophile and there's just so much to explore in this city. I'm also super excited to share the experience with Jeremy. And as an added bonus -- we're going to get to go to Reims, France and watch the U.S. Women's National Soccer team play in the World Cup! Since marrying Jeremy I've become more of a soccer fan, and attending a World Cup game had made a spot on my bucket list. Also...I want to give an early shoutout to my parents and my niece who will be keeping our kids alive and having fun while we're gone. They are the best!
2. I came across this article [link] in the past week that I found really thought provoking. It's about parenting young teenagers through those first stages of puberty -- basically taking the time to explain to kids what's going on with their brain developmentally -- so they understand why they feel and act so differently all of a sudden. Not necessarily directly related to me at the moment (although toddler/preschooler brain development is REALLY similar to puberty brain development), but something to file away for the future for sure.
3. Growing up, Mary Poppins was one of my favorite movies and is still one I can watch and enjoy over and over again. Needless to say, I made a point to go see Mary Poppins Returns as soon as I could once it came to theaters. It was "practically perfect in every way." The acting, the music, the sets, the story, and the heart were everything I hoped for and I imagine I'll be listening to the soundtrack on repeat for a while.
4. Of all the random errand and chore combinations, for some reason I find the buy-and-change-the-light bulbs one to the most annoying. Of course, I also find a too-dark house to be annoying so I am nothing if not contradictory.
5. I finally picked up a book that's been on my nightstand for ages -- Audacious, by Beth Moore -- and I'll be alternating between that and a sci-fi/adventure/mystery that I have for review (Quantum Mayhem, by Lesley L. Smith). I also couldn't help myself today at the library and picked up two books. One by an author I've never read -- Jo Walton -- that was recommended for fans of Golem and the Jinni, and one that simply sucked me in by the cover.
Muse of Nightmares is the fantastic sequel to Laini Taylor's fantasy novel Strange the Dreamer. Muse has everything I'd expect from a novel by Laini Taylor - creative world building; lush, lyrical prose; compelling characters; and spot-on pacing. There's redemption, revenge, and a LOT of emotions (sometimes too many emotions for my taste, but if angsty romance is your jam, that shouldn't bother you!). One of my favorite things that Taylor does in her books -- and in this duology particularly -- is explore the idea that things aren't always what they seem on the surface, and are probably a lot more complicated than what they first appear. Taylor deftly asks the question: can hope grow out of tremendous heartache and loss?
I've mentioned before that when I'm in the mood for a feel-good straight-up It romance, Kristan Higgins is one of my go-to authors, and her newest book Good Luck With That is no exception. It has a charming setting, witty dialogue, messy families, loving families, close friendships, and of course swoony romance. Good Luck With That also explores a somewhat complicated theme -- that of body image, eating disorders, weight, and obesity. For this reason, I expect there will be some readers that are more critical of this novel than others, because people tend to have a lot of deep feelings and varied experiences surrounding those themes. That said, I thought Higgins did a great job of treating this controversial topic with sensitivity.
That's what I've been reading lately! What about you?
A Wednesday list...New Year edition
Happy New Year, everyone! Are you back in the swing of everyday life yet? Still suffering from Holiday Hangover? Did you ignore the "holiday season" altogether and are just waiting for everyone else to catch up? We spent a wonderful week in Missouri with my family (wonderful IN SPITE of a little stomach virus. But who better to take care of you when you're sick than your mom and dad? Hi mom and dad!), and I'm letting myself ease into things now that we're back home (my present self is high-fiving my past self for getting the house extra clean before our trip. I love coming home to a really clean house).
I love the rhythm of the new year in a similar way to how I like the rhythm of changing seasons. Every day is a fresh start -- in some contexts, every moment can be a fresh start -- but for me there is something special about a definitive marker, an external motivation. Several years ago (and I have probably talked about this before) our friends began the yearly New Year's Day tradition of reflecting on the past year and setting goals for the next (even if the goal is as straightforward and un-fancy as -- keep my children alive one more year). Life has evolved to a place where that group of friends can't always do this together anymore, but I still find it a helpful practice to spend this time of year doing some reflecting and dreaming.
There are so many ways of approaching New Year's goal setting, approaches such as...
1. Don't set any "New Year" goals. Set goals whenever you feel like it. On a random Thursday in March, for example
2. Practice quarterly/periodic goal setting. Author Tsh Oxenreider talks about this some (you can read about it here), referencing her practice of scheduling "Think Days" throughout the year. It seems to me to be an approach that is both business-minded but also perfect for people who don't want to think past the next couple of months.
3. Re-frame it. My friends Sarah and Jonathan have started making "skills lists" in January of skills they want to work on throughout the year, instead of setting goals. The Lazy Genius suggests asking: what are you looking forward to this year? as a way to take a break from any pressure one might feel in the idea of "goal setting."
Personally, I like all of these approaches. But I also like some good old fashioned reflecting and goal setting. HOWEVER. I have learned to be okay with changing gears mid-year. I like to mix up specific goals with more nebulous theme words or phrases. This year I've been framing things in terms of priorities rather than goals -- what are my priorities for 2019? Are there specific goals I can set that fall in line with those priorities?
So even though I've said a lot of words already, in the spirit of The Wednesday list here are just a few reflections on the previous and upcoming year:
Four things I learned (or re-learned) in 2018:
1. It's okay to change direction, shift your focus, and reevaluate previous goals and plans. Y'all. When I looked back and my 2018 goals I just had to laugh. I think the only one I actually accomplished was potty train the kids (all the hallelujahs on that one) and of the remaining goals, only one of them stayed relevant to my year. I completely changed direction and focus. THAT'S OK. Goals are for me, and if I learned something from erasing them instead of checking them off, then they still served a purpose.
2. I am not a naturally-inclined entrepreneur, and -- most important lesson of all -- THAT'S OK.
3. Discomfort is necessary to growth.
4. How to froth milk with a mason jar and a microwave. Game. Changer.
Three goals/priorities for 2019, and three things I'm looking forward to:
1. Run a half marathon (I'm signed up! One step down...)
2. Write five days a week -- whether that's random essays, more blog post, or creative fiction. Less restriction on the "what" and more just getting words out and on the page.
3. I want to prioritize connecting with people: writing letters (I know, sounds weird to some of you, but I LOVE writing letters), texting, calling, inviting people to our home or out to do fun things. This also includes connecting with my family -- using our everyday opportunities (meals, movie watching, whatever) intentionally.
I'm looking forward to...
1 Some travel plans we have shaping up for this year.
2.Re-discovering bread baking.
3. Trying out a version of this quarterly Think Day idea (it may be more like a Think Hour. I've got preschoolers after all). I'll keep you posted.
So here we go. Bring it on 2019.
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Amanda W
Reader, writer, librarian, musician, runner, amateur cook and baker, and beginning knitter. Lover of the outdoors, a strong cup of coffee (black), and English breakfast tea (milk and sugar). Jesus follower, wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend.
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Andrew Grashuis Collection
Real Estate Firm in Grand Rapids, MI
Andrew Grashuis
Lindsay Slagboom
Bob Mitchell
Andrew was born and raised in the Greater Grand Rapids Area. Andrew takes pride and accomplishment from creating a seamless, thorough and wonderful Real Estate experience from the beginning to the end. His commitment to his clients goes beyond the transaction itself. “I believe in order to gain the trust of someone looking to make one of the biggest purchases of their lives, it takes a level of energy and enthusiasm so the client knows that you are working in their best interest.” Andrew believes that hard work and attention to detail is the only way to perform in any real estate transaction.
Andrew is passionate about giving back to the community in which he was raised. He has been a football coach for his alma mater, South Christian High School for 12 years. The commitment, dedication and hard work of the coaching staff and their players have earned them trips to the state finals the last three years in a row winning in 2012 and 2014. Andrew currently lives in East Grand Rapids and has been married to his wife Cristina since 2004. He has two daughters Brecken and Finley, and a son Daxton.
Andrew has been a Realtor with Greenridge for over 15 years. He started in the business working for his father who has been a Realtor for over 35 years, and has learned a great deal about commitment, building and retaining relationships, and hard work. With extensive knowledge of most of the greater Grand Rapids area, Andrew specializes in residential real estate and has handled dealings in luxury homes, condominiums, starter homes and everything in between. This knowledge gives him leverage to provide the best in negotiations, as well as sound advice about real estate needs. Andrew believes in honesty, integrity, and providing his clients with the best customer service possible.
Copyright © Andrew Grashuis Collection
2213 Wealthy
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KAIA FOWLER
« OPEN STAGE
BILL CAMPLIN & the IDOLS of MARCH »
KAIA FOWLER’s music shows influences from genres that include modern singer-songwriter, 1960s and 70s folk and folk rock, Americana, acoustic blues, and roots music. Her sound integrates beautifully resonant vocals reminiscent of singers like Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell with guitar work that ranges from delicate finger picking to percussive strumming. Kaia took up guitar playing and songwriting at a young age, and, throughout her life, she has poured her observations on life’s struggles, longings, joys, and sorrows into songs. In concert, Kaia’s energy and authenticity invite listeners to transcend the day-to-day, getting at the heart of the human experience in the way only music can.
Kaia’s music stands out for its lyrical detail and melodic phrasings that take advantage of her wide vocal range. A review by The Americana Gazette says, “Kaia Fowler is a tremendous lyricist. Her lyrics paint pictures and her musical notes add the color.” Selections from her 2010 album Seams of My Heart received radio play on Women of Substance Radio. Kaia’s 2015 album, an EP titled All The Way, is dedicated to her husband who died of pancreatic cancer, with sales benefiting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. A new album, One Breath, is scheduled for release in 2019.
She was a finalist in the 2012 Great River Folk Festival songwriting competition.
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« Salsa dancing in Cairns
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The Apology to the Stolen Generations
I know many of you will be thinking that this blog entry doesn’t have anything to do with Tropical North Queensland. And you may be right, but yesterday was a very important day in Australian history and it deserves an entry in our blog.
I’m sure that, for most of you, the term ‘Stolen Generation’ rings a bell. In case it doesn’t I tell you briefly. Throughout the early and mid 1900’s, it was not unusual for the Australian Government - under the banner of child welfare - to remove an Aboriginal child from their family, and place them either in the care of a white family, or more commonly in an orphanage. Records were poorly kept, but estimates indicate that during that period, between 10 and 30 percent of all Aboriginal children born in Australia during that period were taken from their families, a number totalling in the tens of thousands. In a small minority of cases, the separation was voluntary, with the parents conceding that they were unable to properly care for their child, or that their child could have a better future with a white family. But in many cases, children were forcibly removed by armed police officers, without any attempt to even justify the act.
Although the removal of children remained policy until 1969, public awareness of the issue seemed low. The Stolen Generation only began to gain attention in the late 1980’s through the efforts of Aboriginal activists, artists and musicians. When under scrutiny, the Australian Government - and church groups who had also had a hand in the practice - used the defence that it was done in the best interest of the children, to offer them a better life than they could have with their parents. But records show the far more sinister underlying motive of biological absorption, an attempt to ‘breed out’ the Aboriginal race. A Federal Government conference on Native Welfare, in 1937, concluded in its final report that “…the destiny of the natives of Aboriginal origin, but not of the full blood, lies in their ultimate absorption by the people of the Commonwealth, and it therefore recommends that all efforts be directed to that end.”
Often, the parents were not told where their children had been taken, and in many cases children and parents never saw each other again. The treatment of these children was often appalling, with up to 8 percent of boys and 16 percent of girls reporting that they were sexually abused either by staff at the orphanages, or by their foster parents. But the long term repercussions are still being felt through Australian society. Whole generations of indigenous Australians have grown up without parents or grandparents, aunts and uncles, and in many cases, not even brothers or sisters, since siblings were routinely separated. But perhaps even more tragically, they have lost the connection to their past, something which carries extreme importance in Aboriginal culture.
In 1992, as media attention and public interest began to mount, the Prime Minister, Paul Keating made the first formal acknowledgement of the Stolen Generation, by saying in a speech that “… we took the children from their mothers … It was our ignorance and prejudice.” A formal inquiry was commissioned three years later.
Between the commissioning of the National Inquiry and the release of the final report in 1997, the conservative government of John Howard had replaced the Keating government. The report proved to be a considerable embarrassment for the Howard administration, as it recommended that the Australian Government formally apologise to the affected families, a proposal actively rejected by Howard, on the grounds that a formal admission of wrongdoing would lead to massive compensation litigation. Howard was quoted as saying “Australians of this generation should not be required to accept guilt and blame for past actions and policies.” As a result Commissioner Dodson resigned from the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, saying in a newspaper column that “I despair for my country and regret the ignorance of political leaders who do not appreciate what is required to achieve reconciliation for us as a nation.”
As a result of the report, formal apologies were tabled and passed in the state parliaments of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, and also in the parliament of the Northern Territory. On 26 May 1998 the first “National Sorry Day” was held, and reconciliation events were held nationally, and attended by over a million people. As public pressure continued to increase, Howard drafted a motion of “deep and sincere regret over the removal of Aboriginal children from their parents” which was passed by the federal parliament in August 1999. Howard went on to say that the Stolen Generation represented “…the most blemished chapter in the history of this country.” However, some felt that his motion stopped too short of saying “sorry”, and therefore was unacceptable.
In May 2000, a “Walk for Reconciliation” was staged in Sydney, with up to 400,000 people marching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a gesture of apology. A similar walk was staged in Melbourne later that year. In July of that year, the issue of the Stolen Generation came before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva who heavily criticised the Howard government for its manner of attempting to resolve the issues related to the Stolen Generation.
Global media attention turned again to the Stolen Generation issue during the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. A large “aboriginal tent city” was established on the grounds of Sydney University to bring attention to Aboriginal issues in general. The Aboriginal athlete Cathy Freeman (who was chosen to light the Olympic Flame and went on to win the gold medal for the 400 metre sprint) disclosed in interviews that her own grandmother was a “victim” of forced removal. The internationally successful rock group Midnight Oil obtained worldwide media interest when they performed at the Olympic closing ceremony wearing black sweatsuits with the word “SORRY” emblazoned across them.
In November 2001, Pope John Paul II issued a formal apology on behalf of the Vatican to the affected Aboriginal families for the actions of any and all Catholic authorities or organisations in connection with the Stolen Generation.
However, Aboriginal people still felt that they needed the Prime Minister and the Parliament to say the word ‘Sorry’. And it was Kevin Rudd, the newly elected Prime Minister, who did it yesterday. And he didn’t say sorry only once, but six times.
“For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry,” Rudd said.
“To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
“And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.”
And the apology went on…
Tags: stolen generation
This entry was posted on Thursday, February 14th, 2008 at 10:07 am and is filed under At home in Cairns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
4 Responses to “The Apology to the Stolen Generations”
NEREA Says:
very very interesting for me as i am joining the ngo ” survival”. Get up, stand up…. bob guru marley said.
Hey gorgeous, it is very interesting for me as well. I had a subject at university about their culture and literature and I loved it. Hopefully it will help them to sort their problems out and start anew.
Any plans of visiting?
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how to buy bitcoin australia Says:
Hey! I understand this is sort of off-topic however I had to ask.
Does managing a well-established blog like yours require a massive amount work?
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A number of grants are available to further your training both in the UK and abroad. They can be used for educational visits to departments, short and long-term fellowships and research. If you would like the BLA to advertise a grant, please contact us.
Royal Society of Medicine
Laryngology & rhinology section: research prize
Submission deadline: Friday 14 April 2017
Prize: Up to £1,250 and enables the winner to attend a meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery in the USA.
Open to: UK registrars and senior registrars in otolaryngology and consultants within one year of appointment.
To enter this prize please submit for assessment your three best publications from the last five years together with a CV.
For more information, contact: laryngology@rsm.ac.uk
Laryngology & rhinology section: short paper and poster prize
Submission deadline: Friday 2 December 2016
Meeting date: Friday 3 February 2017
Prize: To be confirmed
Open to: All trainees and consultants within 2 years of appointment in the UK or Republic of Eire.
Abstracts are invited of no more than 150 words and should be structured. Key words are used to index the article. Abstracts chosen for oral presentation will have the option of being published in the online version of the JLO and the overall winner has the option of their whole paper being printed. Abstracts must comply with JLO guidelines. Papers not selected for oral presentation may be chosen for a poster presentation.
For full information please visit the Journal of Laryngology and Otology: www.jlo.co.uk or contact: laryngology@rsm.ac.uk
Laryngology & rhinology travel and equipment grants
Prize: Up to £1,000
Open to: Trainees and consultants
Applicants are asked to submit a proposal that details the centre to be visited or the equipment required in no more than 600 words, a current CV (for the travel grant - a confirmation letter stating that the centre you are visiting would be willing to participate is also required.) The travel grant is for short-term visits only. For both travel and equipment awards the selection committee will be looking for 'originality of purpose'.
Journal of Laryngology and Otology Travelling and Research Scholarships
The JLO grants are not specific to laryngology per se, but can be used to fund both research and trips to other departments.
The Journal offers two Scholarships each year; one for travel and one for research. These will normally be advertised in November and December of each year. Each applicant must have held the final qualifying examination in his/her country for two years and must be in the later stages of training. Applicants are expected to have been subscribers to the JLO for a minimum of one year.
For Travelling Fellowships, candidates are asked to submit a current CV and write up to 1,000 words describing why they wish to travel and which aspects of otolaryngology they wish to study. The itinerary for travel should be agreed and the appropriate leave of absence from their training programme should either have been granted or approved in principle. The application must be accompanied by documentation from the host department confirming acceptance and the duration and nature of the training to be offered. A report of the Fellowship will be published in the Journal.
To apply for Research Scholarships, available for pump priming of research in Otolaryngology and its allied sciences, prospective candidates will be required to provide a CV with a letter of support from their supervisor, and the outline of the project to be undertaken together with evidence of local Ethical Committee approval where appropriate and details of any other sources of financial assistance that have been agreed.
It is a condition of award that papers eminating from the research will normally be offered to the Journal of Laryngology and Otology for publication. At the termination of the agreed period of study successful applicants will also be asked to provide a summary of the outcome of their project for the trustees.
Further information on the JLO Fellowships and Scholarships, and an application form can be found on the website.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
A number of grants are available through the RCSEng:
Travel grant information is available on the RCSEng website.
Research grant information is available on the RCSEng website.
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
A number of travel and small research grants are available from the RCSEd.
Information on both research and travel grants is available on the RCSEd website.
Scottish Otolaryngological Society: The Guthrie Fund
This fund is primarily used for educational purposes. Any member of the Society may apply for funding, to be put towards a project's costs.
Further information and an application form can be found on the website: entscotland.org/education/guthrie/
British Association of Head & Neck Oncologists
BAHNO offers a Travelling Scholarship to help fund a visit for training experience, for members of BAHNO in a UK specialist training programme, to an institution in the UK or abroad.
An application can be submitted at any time before the 31st December each year. This will be acknowledged and is considered by Council at their Feb/March meeting. The result is announced at the AGM in April. A condition of the award is that the Travelling Scholar should produce a short written report of their visit for Council, and a brief verbal report at the AGM if requested.
The Association will make available research bursaries that will typically be between £1000-£2000, although in exceptional circumstances an award of up to £4000 may be made on the recommendation of the research committee. In order to qualify, Applicants must work within or in association with a Head & Neck Cancer Centre or Unit within the UK. The research must be of relevance to head & neck oncology. The primary aim is to support small self-contained projects, where major funding awards are unlikely to be considered.
All applicants must be members of BAHNO (Full, Associate, Overseas or Affiliate) at the time of application. Applications will be accepted only during November and December each year and the closing date for receipt of applications will be 31st December each year.
Award holders will be required to provide a written update of their work on an annual basis, and a detailed report on completion. They may be required to present their work, either, as a poster or oral presentation at the annual scientific meeting in the year following completion. A summary outlining how the money has been spent must be sent to the secretariat.
Further information and an application form can be found on the BAHNO website.
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Ken Stringfellow will be among the all-star musicians paying tribute to Big Star tonight.
Photo from Ken Stringfellow’s Facebook page.
First of all, a hearty congratulations to the Blackhawks on winning the Stanley Cup. There was quite a celebration in downtown Chicago today. It wreaked havoc on the train and bus schedules, but apparently, most of the three million people who gathered in the Loop were orderly, if not entirely sober. Several local musicians are huge Hawks fans -- singer-songwriter Phil Angotti springs to mind -- so Facebook was teeming with their rallying posts throughout the post season. My wife Pam got to see the Stanley Cup (as well as Coach Q) as she peered through the window of the Hyatt Regency.
Hopefully, there will be enough lucid people to hit the club scene, because there’s a lot going on in town tonight.
There’s a monster gathering of some of power pop’s biggest names tonight at the Park West for a live performance of Big Star’s critically acclaimed Third/Sister Lovers album. Original Big Star drummer Jody Stephens is part of the lineup, as is singer-guitarist Ken Stringfellow, who in addition to playing with The Posies and The Disciplines, logged time in a later version of Big Star. Other musicians involved include Mike Mills from R.E.M., Chris Stamey from The dB’s, Mitch Easter from Let’s Active, and Sally Timms from The Mekons. These various stars will be backed by a 20-piece orchestra.
The Zombies will be bringing their sophisticated British Invasion hits, along with some Argent material, to Mayne Stage on Chicago’s north side tonight. Et Tu Bruce is the opening act.
One of Chicago’s better original power pop/cover bands will be teaming up with a newly formed duo that gives Beatles songs a rural twang when The Abbeys and Sgt. Popgrass play tonight at The Alley Highwood.
Sons Of The Silent Age, a David Bowie tribute band comprised of veteran musicians, is coming to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine tomorrow night. The gig is free, but you need to print out a ticket from the Durty Nellies Facebook page in advance. The show starts at 8:00 PM, and admission is on a first come basis.
Indie rock band Fort Frances will kick off a day of live music at the Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival this Sunday afternoon. Dan Hubbard and The Humadors and Howie Day are also scheduled to perform. Steven Page, formerly with Barenaked Ladies, is the 8:15 PM headliner on Saturday.
The Go-Go’s and The B-52’s must really have fun touring together because they’re back at it again this summer. They’ll perform this Sunday night at Ravinia. I caught these two acts together at Ravinia in 2011 (see my review in Archives, June 20, 2011) and was really impressed.
The Gold Coast Art Fair, a juried art festival, will present the works of over 350 artists in Grant Park this weekend. Cirrus Falcon, a duo that has performed at every art-related event since the days of Michelangelo, will be providing live music. Just kidding, Scott and Dave, you guys always sound good.
Posted by Terry Flamm at 10:02 PM , Links to this post , 0 comments
CD Review: The Hollies - Romany
Released in 1972, Romany was the second half of The Hollies’ brief journey into harder rock. It came on the heels of Distant Light, which had spawned the hit single, “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress.” The two albums shared the same cover art of a mysterious forest; Distant Light showing it in summertime while Romany changed the scene to the dead of winter. Some critics haven’t been fond of Romany, possibly due to its extensive use of outside songwriters, but more likely because distinctive lead vocalist Allan Clarke was AWOL at the time. Still, it does have its merits.
With Clarke off pursuing a short-lived solo career, The Hollies recruited baritone vocalist Mikael Rickfors from the Swedish band, Bamboo. Rickfors arrived as they continued to turn up the guitar power, and he played an essential role in what seemed to be an effort to mimic the vocal approach former member Graham Nash was creating with David Crosby and Stephen Stills. The CSN style harmonies were particularly impressive on the single, “Magic Woman Touch” and the ambitious title track (both written by songwriter C.H. Jennings).
Rickfors didn’t hesitate to put his stamp on Romany. A cover of David Ackles’ “Down River” was more of a solo effort, with Rickfors convincingly conveying the emotions of a man meeting his ex-girlfriend shortly after he’s been released from prison. His own composition, “Touch,” combined elements of prog rock and jazz. The catchy and guitar-driven “Wont We Feel Good That Morning” (credited to Leslie - Day) foreshadowed power pop. Rickfors’ deep vocals combined with the high harmonies of guitarists Tony Hicks and Terry Sylvester, creating a sound similar to Cheap Trick.
The other Hollies expanded their boundaries as well. Judee Sill’s “Jesus Was A Crossmaker,” a provocative song about struggling with one’s faith, was rendered with gorgeous vocals, while the exotic imagery of “Words Don’t Come Easy,” another Jennings composition, was set to an acoustic guitar and percussion arrangement. “Slow Down,” another Leslie - Day song, was a fast-paced, hard-hitting gem. “Blue In The Morning,” written by Hicks and his writing partner at the time, Kenny Lynch, sounded more like a traditional Hollies track, and was a great deal of fun.
It Came From A Compilation!
Photo from The Orange Peels Facebook page.
There’s no shortage these days of free compilation CDs featuring various artists. Samplers often come attached to rock magazines or turn up on the counter at trendy retail stores. Some are sponsored by a local radio station or business, and the acts can range from big names to complete unknowns. It’s a smart marketing tool for up-and-coming musicians to expand their fan base. New artists compilations can be inconsistent in quality, but with some careful listening, you might discover at least a few gems.
“Something In You,” recorded by The Orange Peels (not to be confused with the Scottish band, Orange Juice), was on one of those discs that came with Paste (the magazine also attached free DVDs). Its a melodic love song that artfully blends the atmospheric keyboards of 1980s techno music with the ringing guitars of power pop, and features singer-chief songwriter Allen Clapp’s androgynous vocals.
Clapp captures the yearning of a guy who imagines an exhilarating lifestyle with a woman he barely knows: “Something in you makes me want to be so free.” It’s almost a plea for validation as Clapp sings, “Tell me that you see some hope in me.” I have “Something In You” on an iTunes playlist where it’s directly followed by “Something That You Said,” a rare techno pop effort from The Bangles. It would also pair nicely with The Pretenders’ “Show Me.”
Posted by Terry Flamm at 11:55 AM , Links to this post , 0 comments
Tulsa Zines: The Long And Short Of It
Whenever I visit another city, I seek out local publications that cover the entertainment and restaurant scene. Here are two examples of what I discovered while my wife Pam and were on vacation in Tulsa last week.
THIS LAND is a 13” by 21” publication that’s available at hip stores and restaurants around the city. It most likely draws its name from Woody Guthrie’s landmark protest song, “This Land Is My Land.” Guthrie was raised in Oklahoma and there’s a museum in Tulsa dedicated to his legacy. The visually appealing THIS LAND mixes black and white photography with colorful graphics, and it’s printed on classy looking paper.
The 20-page Vol. 4 Number 12 issue includes The Best Things To Do In Oklahoma column; a profile of New Yorker writer Burkhard Bilger; a brief look at We Steal Secrets, Alex Gibney’s documentary about WikiLeaks; and a story on the long-standing Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Grande. THIS LAND is led by Publisher Vincent LoVoi and Editor/Founder Michael Mason; Natasha Ball serves as Managing Editor.
The 3” by 5” Recycled Futures Zine is a decidedly DIY booklet created by a pair of guys named Matt M. and Matt C., and can be found in bars and coffee houses. Vol.2, titled Thinkers and Drinkers, is a fun project that imagines what might have happened if some of the most famous minds in history had marketed their own micro-brewed alcohol. The artfully rendered black and white drawings depict bottles with labels bearing the likeness of a famous philosopher, writer, psychologist, or entertainer, along with some clever, pun-riddled slogans.
One of my favorites is Bob Dylan’s Tangled Up In Brew; and there’s also a Galileo’s Heavenly Bodies Hard Cider. C.S. Lewis has The Chronicles Of Dry Stout (Bottled in Narnia), and Rene Descartes’ White Blanc Beer uses the slogan, I Drink, Therefore I Am. Karl Marx offers a Malt Manifesto (One Brew For All) and Ayn Rand checks in with Atlas Chugged Beer.
CD Review: Laurie Biagini - Sanctuary Of Sound
Judging from song titles like “Run To The Sun,” “Sunburn,” and “Springtime Of My Mind,” it seems likely singer-songwriter Laurie Biagini released her fourth CD to coincide with the warmer weather. Sanctuary Of Sound is like a refreshment stand on the beach, serving up easy-going arrangements, layered vocals, and enticing melodies to people looking to have fun. Like Lisa Mychols, whose Above, Beyond And In Between CD was reviewed here last week, Biagini often draws inspiration from Top 40 hits of the early 1960s.
Biagini definitely takes a hand-on approach; creating her own back-up vocals and playing most of the instruments. There isn’t a lot of variety in her approach, but each song is distinctive enough to stand on its own. The mood throughout Sanctuary Of Sound is upbeat, with the occasional satirical jab like “Gold Plated Girl,” a party song augmented by guest guitarist, Fabrizio Serrecchia. “Monkey Business,” with its jungle metaphors and tropical beat, is the only track that gets a little too cute.
The catchy “Two Of A Kind,” which also appeared on the International Pop Overthrow 2012 compilation, is a clever and touching love song, and “Beautiful World” takes an optimistic view of life’s adventures. “Sunset,” co-written with Vinnie Zummo and featuring his guitar playing and backup vocals, is a gorgeous homage to The Beach Boys, while the title track taps into Lesley Gore and the girl group sound. Biagini isn’t limited to nostalgia on Sanctuary Of Sound, though. “Rise Up” shows the power pop craftsmanship so often seen in songs by Shoes.
The Belated Birthday Lad. Photo from the Ray Davies Facebook page.
My wife Pam and I just got back from a five-day visit to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The main purpose was to hang out with our Facebook friend Dana. We had never actually met her before, but enjoyed having dinner with Dana and her husband Steve. While we were in Tulsa, Pam and I checked out some fun places like Blue Moon Bakery Cafe; Shades Of Brown Coffee And Art; Bubbles Boutique and Size Records (where I bought a picture sleeve 45 of “Eight Miles High” by The Byrds); IDA RED Rock ’N Boutique; Los Cabos Mexican restaurant; Starship Records And Tapes; Cain’s Ballroom; and Chimera Specialty Coffee And Neo-Tropical Cafe. Plus, I loaded up on local free publications.
June 21st was Pam Appreciation Day, an annual celebration of all the wonderful things my wife Pam does to support me and my crazy dreams and schemes. There would be no Broken Hearted Toy without her. This is the first time we marked the occasion in Tulsa. Happy PAD, Sweetie!
June 21st is also the day Ray Davies of The Kinks was born, so here’s a belated Happy Birthday wish. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform at a WXRT Taste Of Chicago 4th Of July concert back in 2006. I’ll never forget seeing the entire crowd in the seated area jump to its feet at the first notes of “You Really Got Me.”
Chicago will see another member of the Davies clan rocking out soon. As reported by Thomas Conner in yesterday’s Sun-Times, Ray’s brother and fellow Kinks member, Dave Davies will be the main act on Saturday, July 27th at the Taste Of Lincoln Avenue Festival.
Alt-rock band Whitewolfsonicprincess will be performing as a trio for an acoustic gig this coming Wednesday, June 26th, at Metropolis Coffee Company on Chicago’s north side. Founding members vocalist Carla Hayden and guitarist-vocalist James Moeller will be joined by violinist Maria Storm. The music starts at 6:00 PM, and it’s free.
Singer-songwriter Gerry O’Keefe, formerly of power pop band The Hideouts, will be performing at Buzz Cafe in Oak Park next Saturday night.
Dot Dot Dot will headline the first night of the Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest this year. They go on at 10:00 PM, July 3rd. The co-ed synth rock band tours extensively across the country but will be back in its hometown on Friday, August 23rd for Palatine’s Street Fest.
Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago has mailed out its 2013 programs; listing performers Chad And Jeremy, Billy J. Kramer, Greg Kihn, Joey Molland, and Mark Hudson. The 16-page booklet also gives a sampling of items that will be for sale when the event comes to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, August 9th -11th. In addition to t-shirts, posters, figures, books. and CD box sets, there are Beatles-adorned Christmas ornaments, lunch boxes, and luggage for sale. The merchandise can also be purchased from the Fest For Beatles Fans website.
The Handcuffs will be opening for Bow Wow Wow and Gene Loves Jezebel this Thursday night at Reggies on State Street in Chicago.
CD Review: Lisa Mychols – Above, Beyond And In Between
Lisa Mychols’ latest release, Above, Beyond And In Between finds the veteran singer-rhythm guitarist gliding through a few decades’ worth of genres. Working with multi-instrumentalist-backup vocalist Tom Richards, she offers 12 tracks with irresistible melodies and easy-going, intricately layered vocals. It could inspire those who only know Mychols from her contributions to compilations like International Pop Overthrow or Hi-Fi Christmas Party to seek out her earlier solo efforts.
Aside from a few near misses, like the overly cute opener, “Hearts Beat In Stereo” or the generic ballad, “Ferris Wheel,” Above, Beyond And In Between is consistently engaging. Mychols excels at mining the 1960s girl group sound; “Make Believe” and “Summertime Dream” could easily have been Top 40 hits from that era. Her more rough-edged approach on the Richards compositon, “She Lied” evokes Liz Phair; while the shimmering 1980s rock of “Another Side Of Time” sounds like the music Mychols plays in NUSHU, her techno duo with Hillary Burton.
A tribal beat and rollicking guitars make “Foolin’ The World” a perfect party song, while “Stay Till Tomorrow” is an effective power ballad with a hint of Electric Light Orchestra. “Pass Me Some Hope” mixes synthesizers and guitars in a playful arrangement. Mychols and Richards wind things up with “Better Than Nothing,” an energetic power pop number that sounds like it could have been recorded by The Bangles.
EXPOnentially Eclectic
Photo of Dag Juhlin from the The EXPO '76 website. Taken by by Terri D.
Expo ’76 paid its first visit to Mac’s On Slade in Palatine this past Friday night and from all appearances, they would be welcome to come back anytime they wanted. It’s unusual these days for a live act to get just about everyone in a bar dancing, but that’s what this collection of veteran musicians achieved. And Mac’s on Slade was packed that night. They kicked off the party atmosphere at 8:30 PM and kept it going until they had literally left the building about half past midnight.
The core members are vocalist-guitarist Dag Juhlin, whose resume includes The Slugs and Poi Dog Pondering; keyboards player-vocalist Kenn Goodman, who owns Pravda Records; bassist vocalist Ralph Baumel; and drummer John Carpender. At various times, the Total Pro Horns joined them. Over the past few years, the band has built a strong following through clever on-line marketing and the promise of a limitless set list.
At Mac’s On Slade, EXPO ’76 opened with a few obscure New Orleans style tunes before moving on to more familiar fare like The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice” and The Monkees’ “Daydream Believer.” Dressed in vintage clothes and hats, these guys exuded a casual sort of cool. Fun takes on Nick Lowe’s “Cruel To Kind,” Ace’s “How Long,” and “Ooh Child” by The Five Stairsteps seemed to flow naturally from them.
EXPO ’76 kicked off the second set with a peppy and faithful version of Al Hirt’s “Java.” Elsewhere, the musicians put their own stamp on famous songs; proclaiming at one point that they aren’t a covers band, but a band that uses other people’s material to express themselves. Kind of like Laurence Olivier doing Shakespeare; and they seemed to be only half joking about that analogy. Electric Light Orchestra’s “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head” was given a slower, brooding arrangement, while Gary Wright’s “My Love Is Alive” was transformed into a smoking Motown workout.
There was also an impromptu a cappella sing-along of Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman,” and the band’s take on Bobby Day’s “Rockin’ Robin” featured a quick riff from Jethro Tull’s “Aqualung.” Closing with Roger Miller’s “King Of The Road,” EXPO ’76 passed through the crowd while still singing, and strolled right out the front door. Cool right to the very end.
Posted by Terry Flamm at 9:39 PM , Links to this post , 0 comments
Slumgullion is a day late and a bit short this week, because I was out making rather merry watching EXPO ‘76 do its amazing repertoire of cover tunes at Mac’s On Slade in Palatine last night. What a fun show. Hopefully, I’ll have more to post on that soon.
Aaron Kupferberg announced yesterday that his Power Popaholic blog will be holding another festival this year. It takes place on September 7th at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn, NY, and features The Grip Weeds, The Anderson Council, Kurt Baker, and other acts. Tickets range from $12 to $15 and are available at The Rock Shop website. Incidentally, this news was posted on POWERPOPALOOZA, a very active Facebook page for fans of the genre. As a fellow blogger, I’m as jealous as hell, but a tip of the hat to Aaron for putting his festival together.
Pleased To Meet Them Again. The Replacements have reunited and will be among the multitude of cutting-edge acts performing at Riot Fest in Chicago this Fall. The band, which created fun and chaotic tunes like “I Can’t Wait,” “Hold On My Heart,” and “Alex Chilton,” hasn’t played lived since imploding at a 4th Of July Taste Of Chicago concert in 1991. The Riot Fest Chicago roster also includes Blondie, Violent Femmes, and Public Enemy. The Replacements will also be on the bill when Riot Fest travels to Denver and Toronto.
Help Send Luck To London. The Luck Of Eden Hall, Chicago’s long-time purveyors of psychedelic rock, will be traveling to the UK in August to perform at a Fruits de Mer Records sponsored festival with The Pretty Things. They’ve received some positive reviews over there for their efforts on the UK indie vinyl label and have turned to Kickstarter to help fund the trip. Fans can pick up some rare vinyl editions of Butterfly Revolutions Volume 1 and Volume 2 CDs, in exchange for donations. The gig, which will be held at London’s Borderline club, is a coup for Luck Of Eden Hall. Although The Pretty Things aren’t well known in America, they’re beloved on their home turf for raucous hits like “Midnight To Six Man” and “Come See Me.”
Cracker, best known for its acerbic but irresistibly catchy FM radio hit, “Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now),” will be playing The Windy City Ribfest in Chicago on July 6th. The band is also currently on tour with Camper Van Beethoven, with whom it shares a few band members.
YA From Way Back When. Aspiring writers might be interested in what actress Karen Gillan and her Doctor Who alter ego Amy Pond are up to these days. A recent roundup of Doctor Who related books in Red Eye mentioned the Young Adult novel, Summer Falls. It’s being credited to an author named Amelia Williams, which is the married name of Gillan’s Pond character. The clever concept behind this ties into Amy and husband Rory’s tragic departure from The Doctor, when they were whisked decades back in time and trapped there. Making lemonade out of lemons, Amy and Rory not only embark on a happy, if earlier life together, but Amy channels her adventures with The Doctor into a successful sci-fi Young Adult novel. As Red Eye noted, a more recent episode of Doctor Who showed a character reading Summer Falls. I read the first few pages of the novel on Amazon, and it’s well-written and whimsical.
Now on to the real life Karen Gillan. The trailer for Not Another Happy Ending, in which she plays a successful novelist with writer’s block, can now be viewed on the rom-com’s Facebook page. Looks like Gillan’s character will be exuding the same mix of charm and fiery temper as her Amy Pond character displayed while traveling through time and space.
We'll Always Have Palatine
I sometimes (well, often) poke fun at my home town of Palatine's cultural heritage, but the northwest suburban village is actually serving up an impressive buffet of entertainment tomorrow evening (June 14th.)
There's a vintage car show featuring Stingrays, Mustangs, etc not far from the train station; American English will kick off the Sounds Of Summer series at the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater with its Beatles tribute show at 8:00 PM; Theatre Nebula is staging Christopher Bibby’s comedy Scaring The Normals at Cutting Hall (it runs through Sunday); and EXPO ‘76, a band of seasoned musicians, will be playing an eclectic variety of cover versions starting at 8:30 PM at Mac's On Slade. With a little effort, tourists could fit in at least parts of three of these things in one visit.
Look for Union Jacks to be flying proudly Saturday in Crystal Lake as The Cottage night club hosts its fourth annual Beatles Blast British Invasion. The event kicks off at 1:30 PM when Cavern Beat performs as The Beatles. The schedule (pronounced shedule) also features In The Flesh as Pink Floyd at 3:30 PM; Kashmir as Led Zeppelin at 5:30 PM; and American English, fresh from rocking Palatine on the previous night, as The Beatles at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $15.
On June 29th, Sons Of The Silent Age will be playing the music of David Bowie at Durty Nellie's in the suddenly bustling town of Palatine. The band’s nine members include vocalist Chris Connelly from Ministry; drummer Matt Walker, who has worked with Smashing Pumpkins and Garbage; and guitarist Steve Gerlach of The Bad Examples and Tomorrow The Moon. The show is free but anyone interested in going needs to get a ticket from the Durty Nellie’s Facebook page.
CD Review: Big Star - Nothing Can Hurt Me Soundtrack
Much like the full-length documentary Nothing Can Hurt Me that has been making the rounds at SXSW and other film festivals, this soundtrack is a bona fide gift for Big Star fans. The 21 songs cover the 1970s band’s three LPs, using alternate takes, demos, and new mixes created for the film. This intimate approach isn’t as well-suited for those who’ve long wondered about Big Star’s cult status, but there’s enough evidence here to convince anyone that the Memphis-based band should have been a much bigger commercial success.
Some of the material, particularly from the more troubled and introspective Third-Sister Lovers, might bewilder power pop fans who’ve been told the genesis of the genre can be found in Big Star’s repertoire. “Holocaust” is downright disturbing, and “Kangaroo” likewise moves at a snail’s pace. The energetic funk rock of “O My Soul” is reminiscent of The James Gang while “Feel” is also typical of 70’s rock.
Still, listening to the twangy guitar and acerbic lyrics like, “Don’t blame me for what other folks do” on “You Get What You Deserve,” it’s easy to see where The dB’s got their inspiration. “September Gurls,” later a hit for The Bangles, is a template for power pop, as are “In The Street” and “When My Baby’s Beside Me.” “Thirteen” is a gorgeous tribute to adolescent infatuation, and “Way Out West” features an irresistible melody and lush harmony vocals. Nothing Can Hurt Me ultimately shows why Big Star is hailed as having a strong impact on the musicians who followed them.
Friday On My Mind
Photo of EXPO ‘76 by Mark Cnota, from EXPO ‘76 Facebook page.
A couple of noteworthy shows happening in the Chicago area this Friday.
The Handcuffs recently announced a batch of shows they’ll be doing over the next few months while also finding time to record their fourth CD. Their busy schedule brings them to The Beat Kitchen on Belmont Avenue this Friday, where they’ll be sharing the bill with longtime friend, singer-guitarist Phil Angotti and his band. The Safes and The Differents (who are having a record release party) are also on the bill. Angotti will likely be showcasing material from his recently released CD, Life And Rhymes, and he has some top notch songs to choose from his 2011 release, People and Places. I can’t say for sure if The Handcuffs will be debuting any songs from their upcoming effort, but they do have a new guitarist, Suzie Q.
NOTE: The Handcuffs, along with The Producers and The Jeff Pritchett Project, will be taking part in the Will Rock For Food fundraiser on July 20th in Marion, IL.
Also on this Friday night, EXPO ‘76 will drop by Mac’s On Slade, Palatine’s up and coming rock club/restaurant. EXPO ‘76 is a side project for music veterans vocalist-guitarist Dag Juhlin of The Slugs and Poi Dog Pondering; keyboards player-vocalist and Pravda Records CEO Kenny Goodman; bassist-vocalist Ralph Baumel; and drummer-vocalist John Carpender, who also performs with Tomorrow The Moon. They describe their eclectic selection of cover versions as “a mental warehouse of music that houses the golden era of AM radio singles, roots rock chestnuts, new wave janglers, campfire classics, TV show themes, early ‘60s rave-ups, songs your parents know and love, made-up-on-the-spot idiotic jams and more.” As a resident of Palatine, I bid them a hearty welcome.
The Smithereens At Wells Street Art Festival: A View Without Much Room
The only disadvantage to the weather being so perfect at The Wells Street Art Festival in Chicago’s trendy Old Town neighborhood this past Saturday is that it ensured a massive turnout. By the time I arrived at 3:30 PM to take in some art, photography, and free food and beverage samples before checking out The Smithereens at 5:45 PM, it was nearly impossible to squeeze through the sun-drenched revelers. This meant not being able to get a full view of the stage, but at least I could hear the songs perfectly well.
Summer just wasn’t the same last year without The Smithereens dropping in for at least one outdoor festival, so it was good to hear them cranking out their power pop gems again in 2013. They opened with the guitar-driven “Behind The Wall Of Sleep” from their full-length debut Especially For You. Introducing “Sorry” from their overlooked but very strong Smithereens 2011 CD, lead vocalist-guitarist Pat DiNizio noted that Tom Petty invited the band to join him and The Heartbreakers on tour this year after he had heard it.
The Wells Street Art Festival concert also included “In A Room Without A View,” “Time And Time Again,” “Only A Memory,” and “House We Used To Live In,” which once again segued into “Sparks,” the instrumental from The Who’s Tommy. Guitarist-vocalist Jim Babjak and drummer-vocalist Dennis Diken, as always, joined DiNizio for some well-executed jamming. Bassist Severo “The Thrilla” Jornacion was missing, due to an illness (I think), and I didn’t catch the name of the musician filling in for him. Whoever it was definitely met the challenge of propelling The Smithereens through their signature barn-burner, “Blood And Roses.”
Come for the art, stay for the power pop. Photo from The Smithereens Facebook page.
Happy Birthday to Patrick Deane, who fronted one of Chicago’s first cutting edge bands back in the late 1970s. The Scraps never released a full LP, but songs like “Strike Three,” “Gossip,” and “Hits” from their 7” and 12” singles still sound vital to this day.
The 30th Annual Chicago's Blues Festival kicked off last night with a performance by critically acclaimed singer-guitarist Shemekia Copeland and promising newcomer Quinn Sullivan. It’s the largest free blues festival in the world, and runs through Sunday. Scheduled artists include Irma Thomas and Bobby Rush; Otis Clay, The Bar-Kays, Eddie Floyd, and Sir Mack Rice; James Cotton, John Primer, Billy Branch, and Eddy Clearwater.
Director John Anderson’s Born In Chicago, a documentary about suburban teenagers traveling to the city’s south side to see authentic blues stars like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf in the 1960s, is being shown tonight at the Siskel Center. Some of those kids, like Mike Bloomfield, Corky Siegel, and Harvey Mandel would use the experience to fuel their own music. There will be a discussion session at the Siskel Center with some of the musicians after the film is shown.
The vintage car show returned for the Summer tonight in Palatine. I’m not sure who sponsors it, but there’s always an impressive collection of Stingrays, Mustangs, Jaguars, Thunderbirds, and several other classic models. Pretty much every week there’s something different, and the outdoor setting adds to the fun.
Just down the street from where the vintage car show takes place, Mac’s On Slade has become a welcome addition to Palatine’s entertainment scene. The club/restaurant gives local musicians an opportunity to perform original songs. Unfortunately, according to Bob Chiarito’s article in this week’s Trib Local, the club has been struggling due to nearby street construction. So Mac’s has been given permission by the Palatine government to hold an outdoor fundraiser to recoup some of its losses. It will be held July 20th. The only act mentioned in the article for live entertainment was The Buzzhounds.
In addition to The Smithereens performing at 5:45 tomorrow afternoon, The Wells Street Art Festival will also have Trippin Billies at 7:30 PM. American English performs at 7:30 PM on Sunday.
It was nice seeing Simon Smith’s piece about how to hunt down rare Hollies vinyl in the May issue of Record Collector. Mr. Smith, who resides in Australia, and I swapped emails a while back after I read in another UK mag that he was writing the definitive book on The Hollies. He told me the book is still in the planning stages, and I began sending him copies of Hollies-related articles from vintage publications. Smith’s very informative article (I didn’t realize Graham Nash sang on “Lily The Pink” by The Scaffold) is accompanied by several photos of hard-to-find singles, EPs and albums. That same issue of Record Collector has Ian Ravendale’s review of a Hollies concert.
Birds Of Chicago will be recording material for an upcoming live release when it performs at SPACE in Evanston on June 27th. The newly formed folk/Americana band is led by music veterans JT Nero from JT And The Clouds and Allison Russell of Po’ Girl. The debut effort from Birds Of Chicago came out late last year.
French rockers the Plastiscines give a tip of the chapeau to the 1970s TV show Charlie’s Angels with the video for their new single, “Comment Faire.” Ot’s posted on their Facebook page.
My review of Absolute Zero, the debut release from Little Green Cars can be found in this month’s issue of the Illinois Entertainer. The Dublin-based band will pay a visit to Chicago on August 2nd when they perform at Schubas.
Sunday Morning Coffee With Jeff, the web-based comedy will return for weekly installments in September. My wife Pam and I have contributed about 50 comedy clips to SMCWJ, and I’m hoping to get together with host-producer Jeff Kelley over the next few months so we can work on some new bits.
For The Records
Photo from The Dyes Facebook page.
The Bottom Lounge, located just west of downtown Chicago, is holding a fundraiser/tribute show tomorrow night (June 7th) involving an eccentric rock label. The Roctober Hurockane Relief Revue aims to help Norton Records, which lost a huge chunk of its inventory due to Hurricane Sandy last Fall when its East Coast warehouse became flooded. Norton Records has specialized in rock-a-billy, blues, and unique artists for 25 years.
Rhythm and Blues singer T. Valentine, whose latest effort, The Vampire was released on Norton late last year, will be the headliner. He'll be backed by The Bama Lamas, and locals bands will perform tributes to other acts on the label's roster. The Cable Access program Chic-A-Go-Go intends to tape the proceedings for an upcoming episode.
The tribute format reminds me of the Halloweekend shows that have been held in October at The Abbey Pub and Martyrs. In this case, Girl Group Chicago will salute The Shangri Las (original member Mary Weiss, a Little Steven Van Zandt favorite, is currently signed to Norton); The Dyes will pay homage to the label's rock-a-billy acts; and James Porter and will take on Sam The Sham. The Polkaholics will become Detroit lounge band King Uszniewicz and his Uszniewicztones. In addition to all that music, Roctober Hurockane Relief Revue will have DJs Todd Killings and The East Of Edens Soul Express; raffles; and an auction.
The Roctober Hurockane Relief Revue kicks off at 8:30 PM tomorrow in The Bottom Lounge's Volcano Room Rum Bar.
CD Review: The Three O’Clock - The Hidden World Revealed
Back in the early 1980s, The Three O’Clock created a unique sound by drawing 1960s Top 40 and psychedelic elements into power pop arrangements. Some of their songs, particularly on early efforts like the Baroque Hoedown EP and full-length debut Sixteen Tambourines, had a delicate beauty reminiscent of The Bee Gees. Back then, vocalist-bassist Mike Quercio and guitarist-vocalist Louis Gutierrez co-wrote most of the material. The Three O’Clock, along with other L.A.-based bands like The Bangles and The Rain Parade, were part of a movement Quercio and his mates dubbed The Paisley Underground.
The Three O’Clock has resurfaced in the past year, with a live gig at Coachella, and an appearance on Conan O’Brien’s TV show. The nondescriptly packaged (other than the green vinyl) Live At The Waldorf (recorded in 1983) was one of this year’s Record Store Day treasures, and now Omnivore Recordings has released The Hidden World Revealed. The 20 tracks, which were originally recorded between 1981 and ‘86, include demos, alternate takes, and a promo for a local radio station. While it doesn’t offer all the great songs The Three O’Clock released over its career, it does provide a fascinating snapshot of the band in its earliest days.
“Stupid Einstein” might be the best example of a Three O’Clock song that should have topped the charts. Opening with the pensive line, “Things went oh so wrong today,” it’s irresistibly catchy and perfectly suited to its era. Like Scott Miller of Game Theory and Mitch Easter of Let’s Active, Quercio and Gutierrez excelled at composing exquisite melodies. And like those bands, The Three O’Clock could also crank up the energy level. “Jet Fighter” and “With A Cantaloupe Girlfriend” hit harder while retaining the band’s signature sound.
The experimental “A Day In Erotica,” appearing on Hidden World in an alternate version, and the Latin hymn “Regina Caeli” show The Three O’Clock’s willingness to push past its own boundaries, while the previously unreleased demo, “Sounds Surrounds” is absolutely Vaudeville with a peppy keyboards arrangement. “Lucifer Sam” has a classic new wave feel that evokes The Cure, while “The Girl With Guitar,” widely believed to be about Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles, has a spare but beautiful arrangement. “Why Cream Curdles in Orange Tea” sounds disjointed and strained, making it the collection’s only disappointment.
Elsewhere, The Three O’Clock offers faithful and energetic versions of The Bee Gees’ “My Own Time” and The Byrds’ “Feel A Whole Lot Better.” There’s also a brief plug for legendary DJ Rodney Bingenheimer, whose KROQ radio program provided an early (and possibly the only) showcase of The Paisley Underground.
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Mr. Smith Goes To The End Of The Universe
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Antioch AME to host day of unity on Sunday, March 5
By Anonymous ()
Benjamin “Ben” Beckett had a vision of salt and pepper in the congregation. So Antioch AME Church is inviting men and women of all colors to attend a special “CommUNITY Around Christ” church service on Sunday, March 5.
The special service will begin at 3:30 p.m., with a fellowship meal from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m.
Normally the event would have been Men’s Day, honoring men’s role in the church, similar to Women’s or Youth Days. But, this year, the men dedicated their day to a bigger cause.
“We felt as though … we could use the Men’s Day platform to be more socially conscious as to what is going on in the country today,” Beckett said, “to address a lot of the social issues, especially the division that we seem to be having in our country today.
“We may not be able to change Washington or change the world, but we can certainly change Dagsboro and Frankford, and perhaps Sussex County,” Beckett said. “It’s gotta start somewhere, so why not here?”
Speakers include the Rev. Alan Greijack of Dagsboro Church of God, the Rev. Michael Vaughan of the Father’s House and Presiding Elder Winton Hill of AME’s Dover District.
Beckett was inspired partly by a prior message of Hill’s: “How the world has changed and how the church also has to change. The world doesn’t look the same. You no longer have black and white. You have mixed, you have people who identify with more races and backgrounds than ever before. As a church, you have to appeal to those people or, if not, you basically are missing the purpose.”
He said he sought guest speakers with integrity, who “walk the walk” in their community.
“Throughout history, the church has really been the center of civic interaction,” said Beckett, although it feels to him like “the 10 or 11 o’clock hour on Sunday morning is still one of the more segregated days of the week. So this is an attempt to get people out of their comfort zone and try new things.”
Even Beckett has found himself stepping out of the box in the past year.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to meet people that I may not normally approach,” he said, remembering enlightening conversations with an airport employee who had never flown and a “biker chick” who had two sons buried in Arlington National Cemetery. “It was just kind of an awakening to me. … I would’ve really missed out if I hadn’t had those conversations. I think there are a lot of opportunities that have a lot to offer. We just need to build that bridge to get there.
“I want all people to feel welcome to come,” Beckett said. “I have no idea what the turnout will be like. I do believe that it will be a great day for Christ.”
But it’s not a one-day mission.
“I would like it to be spread,” Beckett said. “I would like other churches to say, ‘OK — we saw something good at Antioch. Maybe we can start something in Sussex County, as far as building a more inclusive, loving people.”
Men’s Day is organized by Beckett and Jeff Taylor. Antioch AME is located at 194 Clayton Avenue, Frankford, and led by the Rev. Dania R. Griffin. The phone number is (302) 732-1005.
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What Is Constitutional Carry?
In 2nd Amendment, Articles, Bill of RIghts, Concealed Carry, Conservatism, Constitution, Education, Politics by Staff Writer April 12, 2015 0 Comments
In the United States, the term “constitutional carry” is a neologism [a newly coined word or phrase] for the legal carrying of handgun, either openly or concealed, without the requirement of a local, state or federal government permit. Constitutional Carry is also referred to as Vermont Carry, “[f]or many decades, the only state to allow “constitutional carry” of a handgun (i.e. without any government permit) was Vermont. From the formation of the 13 original states, “constitutional carry” was the law in all states until the 1800s. By the 20th century, all states except Vermont had enacted concealed carry bans, with the exemption in most states for those citizens with a permit. Due to wording in its state constitution and decisions made by the state courts, Vermont has never been able to have a restriction on the method of how one could carry a firearm, and thus, in this regard, Vermont stood entirely separate from the rest of the United States for quite some time. Because of this, constitutional carry is still sometimes referred to as “Vermont carry”.” – Wikipedia. It is also commonly referred to as “permitless carry,” but as you can see what is called “constitutional carry” today is much less than Constitutional. For one, it only applies to handguns and not long guns like shotguns or rifles, so it does NOT meet the general definition of the right to bear ARMS in general as stated in the 2nd Amendment. Secondly, it only applies to local or state level permits while still maintaining the federal level infringements on gun ownership, such as mandatory background checks.
As with most, if not all, attempts to restore natural constitutionally protected rights via legislation, it is messy and uneven at best. In 2003 Alaska followed the Vermont “constitutional carry” model by simply decriminalizing the carrying of a concealed weapon, open carry was already legal and unregulated. Whereas Arizona in 2010 set a new standard with their version of “constitutional carry” in that they had a pre-existing concealed carry permit system that was at one time mandatory which they made voluntary. By removing the REQUIREMENT for the permit they made concealed carry legal without a permit, but retained the permit system for those who wanted a permit for the ability to carry in other states under reciprocity agreements. Wyoming is a bit of a mix of the two, in that they have “constitutional carry” for state residents, but visitors must have a concealed carry license from a recognized reciprocity state to carry concealed while open carry for visitors is unregulated. Then there is Arkansas with there “accidental constitutional carry” legislation, depending on who is interpreting it and how they interpret it, open carry may or may not be legal in Arkansas. As of right now, that question is currently still up for debate and potential court rulings one way or another. The most recent addition to the “constitutional carry” club is Kansas, following the Arizona example Gov. Brownback signed their “constitutional carry” bill into law on April, 2nd 2015 and it will take effect July 1st, 2015 making the concealed carry permit voluntary for reciprocity and allowing concealed carry to be practiced just as open carry is already legal without a permit.
Even these states that have so-called “constitutional carry” still fall under federal regulations regarding who can legally own a gun in the first place and again typically only apply to handguns. While some allow for the unregulated carry of long guns, it is not typically included in the “constitutional carry” parameters of their legislation. A more accurate and descriptive name for such laws would be something like “legal permitless hangun carry” laws, but that just doesn’t have the same ring to it that “constitutional carry” does. It does however bring up an issue later on when we reach the point of reestablishing TRUE Constitutional Carry nationwide.
What is TRUE Constitutional Carry you ask? “The Right of the people to keep and bear ARMS” as stated in the 2nd Amendment does not limit that right to hanguns. Arms is a general and all inclusive term that covers knives, swords, pistols, rifles, shotguns and any other type of weapon to be invented at some future time that does not fall into any given pre-existing category. TRUE Constitutional Carry can only be achieved at the national level in order to be considered truly “Constitutional” as in the “law of the land” Constitution. That is why I said the current “constitutional carry” laws are actually “legal” permitless carry rather than LAWFUL carry. What is legal or illegal is determined by legislation on a local, state or federal level. What is LAWFUL is determined by the Constitution and though the two SHOULD be the same, there are literally thousands of laws on the books at all levels of government that define legal and illegal things that are in direct violation of the Constitution. If you doubt that to be the case, simply look at the steady flow of court cases making their way through the State and Federal Supreme Courts for an official ruling or clarification and that doesn’t include the thousands of unconstitutional laws that nobody ever even bothers to challenge in court. So, while the movement towards “constitutional carry” in more and more states is a good thing and a trend that must continue, it is still a far cry from TRUE Constitutional Carry in America. Restoring rights to any degree is always a positive move in the right direction, but do not become complacent with such simple coined phrases as “constitutional carry” because we are still light years away from being the true Constitutional Republic that our Founders intended. TRUE Constitutional Carry and the right to keep and bear ARMS in general should be our ultimate goal along with restoring ALL of our natural, constitutionally protected rights that have been trampled and infringed upon over the last century or so.
Jon Britton aka DoubleTap is Chief Operating Officer of CDH, Inc., a regular contributing author and regularly involved in most aspects of their social media. “Writing was never a goal or even vaguely contemplated as a career choice, it just happened, an accidental discovery of a talent and a passion.” A passion that has taken him in many directions from explorations of the zombie subculture and zombie stories to political advocacy. Joining the U.S. Air Force right out of high school, Jon had the opportunity to experience many different parts of the world and different cultures. His post military career path, both white collar and blue collar, allowed him to work alongside both CEOs and average Joes. As a founding member Cold Dead Hands his study of human nature and writing ability found a purpose. His zombie roots provided a variety of issues from prepping to human behavior under crisis to firearms that he applies to his advocacy for gun rights. A ravenous appetite for the study of history combined with his current events political junkie addiction led to him writing an e-book Gun Sense: Past, Present and Future.
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Return to Publications
Rutgers Cancer Institute, along with its partner RWJBarnabas Health, offers the most advanced cancer treatment options including clinical trials and novel therapeutics such as precision medicine and immunotherapy.
Lifetime Dedication
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey medical oncologist Joseph R. Bertino, MD, has been named the recipient of the American Association for Cancer Research 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant fundamental contributions to cancer research, either through a single scientific discovery or a collective body of work. For more than 50 years, Dr. Bertino, who is also a university professor of medicine and pharmacology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, has taken care of thousands of patients with lymphoma and other blood cancers, while also trying to unlock the mysteries of these diseases through research.
Affecting Change in Healthcare
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Director Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS, who is also senior vice president of oncology services at RWJBarnabas Health and vice chancellor for cancer programs for Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, has been named by the business journal NJBIZ to its Power 100 list. NJBIZ editors looked at legislators, educators and business leaders around the state to find those who are affecting change and fostering growth in their respective fields. Also on the list are RWJBarnabas Health executives Barry H. Ostrowsky, president and chief executive officer of RWJBarnabas Health; Amy Mansue, president of the Southern Region for RWJBarnabas Health; and Michellene Davis, Esq., executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer, RWJBarnabas Health, along with Rutgers University President Robert Barchi, MD, PhD.
A Boost for Nursing Education at Rutgers Cancer Institute
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey has earned the prestigious accreditation as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The accreditation means thatnurses served by our programs gain access to the highest caliber of education to meet certification or licensure requirements, while patients are assured they're receiving care provided by nurses who have demonstrated current, evidence-based knowledge of the spectrum of cancer care.
Exploring the Impact of a Diabetes Drug on Pancreatic Cancer
Research by Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey finds that targeting a certain signaling pathway with a diabetes drug may be a novel prevention and treatment strategy for pancreatic cancer progression. Rutgers Cancer Institute researcher Xiang-Lin Tan, MD, PhD, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and an assistant professor of epidemiology at Rutgers School of Public Health, is the senior investigator of the work that will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting later this month.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma: What Is It?
With spring home improvement projects come warnings about safe removal of construction and home materials made of asbestos in older homes, as exposure to this fibrous mineral is a known risk factor to the development of lung cancer and mesothelioma. Many people know about lung cancer, but not mesothelioma. Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Chief Surgical Officer H. Richard Alexander, Jr., MD, FACS, professor of surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, shares more about this rare cancer.
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Education Week's blogs > Rick Hess Straight Up See more Opinion
Education policy maven Rick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute think tank offers straight talk on matters of policy, politics, research, and reform. Follow Rick on Twitter, and also follow AEI's Education Program.
« The Cost of Winner-Take-All Presidential Politics | Main | Of Deliberate Practice, Memory, and Expertise »
Newark Superintendent Chris Cerf on System Reform
By Rick Hess on October 21, 2016 9:30 AM
On Wednesday, Newark Public Schools' superintendent Chris Cerf visited AEI to talk about the state of Newark's schools, the aftermath of the $100 million Zuckerberg gift to the district, and the challenges of urban school reform. Cerf is an unfailingly interesting thinker who has served as commissioner of education in New Jersey, as a deputy to Joel Klein in New York, and as everything from a law clerk for former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to an associate counsel for President Bill Clinton. You can see what he had to say here, so I'm not going to offer any kind of blow-by-blow. Instead, I just want to touch on a few things he said that I thought especially interesting.
Cerf opened by taking issue with the notion that "system reform is futile" and with "lionization" of charter schooling. Cerf is a charter school supporter, and he reiterated that, but argued that those who think system reform is hopeless are ignoring three sets of inconvenient facts. He cheered "real beat-the-odds" charters like KIPP and its ilk, but said there is a grave supply problem—that it's much harder to grow quality charters than advocates would like. He argued that district economics (like fixed costs and legacy costs) and state law make the transition to a charter-centric system prohibitive. And he said it's just not politically possible in most cities—absent a forcing event like in New Orleans—to override community attachments to the local district.
But Cerf argued that these barriers to charter-centric systems aren't as big a problem as some reformers might imagine. Why? Because he argued that system reform is wholly possible, even in circumstances as challenging as Newark's. In the past 6 years, he said, Newark has made real gains. He pointed to a five-year graduation rate that has increased from the high 50s to nearly 74%, to the fact that there's been a doubling share of Newark's African-American students who exceed the New Jersey average on state assessments, and that Newark is now outperforming 80% of 37 demographically similar systems in the state (after lagging behind all but a handful of them in 2010).
Cerf took pains to acknowledge that progress has been slow and often frustrating. He said that it's been a "slog" and conceded that the effort has included plenty of mistakes. He argued, though, that the reform push has gotten some big things right. He credited the push for "educator effectiveness," including a dramatic new teacher contract that has moved away from pay-for-longevity and to pay linked to performance. He noted that three-quarters of 200 teachers brought up on tenure charges have left the system, after almost no similar instances in the preceding decade. And he said that 95% of teachers that the district rates effective are now staying on, compared to 62% of others.
He also pointed to the system's attention to rigor and accountability. He gave shout-outs to the Common Core, Core Knowledge, and Singapore Math. Cerf also emphasized the importance of expanding options while equipping parents to exercise choice. He talked about Newark's universal enrollment system, which includes all of the city's public schools (both district and charter), noting that 75% of families chose a school other than their neighborhood school and that 42% of families listed their first choice as a "high-performing charter school."
Cerf's bottom line was that system reform is bloody difficult, and that it only has a chance with sufficient stick-to-itiveness, courage, and patience. With those things, he argues that the evidence suggests that it can pay off—even if the path is inevitably going to be marked by backlash, conflict, and a lot less harmony than we might wish.
If you'd like a closer look at Cerf or where things stand in Newark, check out Richard Lee Colvin's terrific piece in the Fall 2016 Education Next.
The opinions expressed in Rick Hess Straight Up are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.
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Now a special 30th-anniversary edition in both hardcover and paperback, the classic bestselling history The New York Times called "Original, remarkable, and finally heartbreaking...Impossible to put down"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is Dee Brown's eloquent, fully documented account of the systematic destruction of the American Indian during the second half of the nineteenth century. A national bestseller in hardcover for more than a year after its initial publication, it has sold almost four million copies and has been translated into seventeen languages. For this elegant thirtieth-anniversary edition -- published in both hardcover and paperback -- Brown has contributed an incisive new preface.Using council records, autobiographies, and firsthand descriptions, Brown allows the great chiefs and warriors of the Dakota, Ute, Sioux, Cheyenne, and other tribes to tell us in their own words of the battles, massacres, and broken treaties that finally left them demoralized and defeated.
Dorris Alexander ??Dee' Brown (1908??2002) was a celebrated author of both fiction and nonfiction, whose classic study Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is widely credited with exposing the systematic destruction of American Indian tribes to a world audience. Brown was born in Louisiana and grew up in Arkansas. He worked as a reporter and a printer before enrolling at Arkansas State Teachers College, where he met his future wife, Sally Stroud. He later earned two degrees in library science, and worked as a librarian while beginning his career as a writer. He went on to research and write more than thirty books, often centered on frontier history or overlooked moments of the Civil War. Brown continued writing until his death in 2002.
More about Dee Brown »
Goodreads reviews for Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; 30th Anniversary edition
Manufacturer: Holt Paperbacks; 30th Anniversary edition
Publication Year: January 23, 2001
US Salesrank: 18829
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Asshole means never having to say you're sorry
CELEBRITY IN CHIEF BARRY O HAS BEEN DESPERATE FOR A CAUSE.
"LIZ TAYLOR," HE COMPLAINED TO THESE REPORTERS, "HAS THE AIDS MARKET CORNERED AND WHAT LITTLE'S LEFT IS OCCUPIED BY SHARON STONE WHO'LL GET REALLY NASTY IF YOU TRY TO CROWD HER. SO I LOOKED AROUND AND WENT FOR SOMETHING I THOUGHT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT: UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS. YOU KNOW THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH STUDENTS AND STUDENTS ARE JUST PAINS IN THE ASSES -- LIKE THE PRESS CORPS. SO PROFESSORS ARE VICTIMS. SO I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A STAND AND FRIDAY I EXPLAINED THAT I TOOK THE WRONG STAND AND SO ALL'S WELL AND I'M THINKING OF STARTING A GREEN RIBBON CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT OR SOMETHING."
BUT BARRY O NEVER SAID HE WAS SORRY.
"SILLY PRESS," LAUGHED BARRY, "BEING AN ASSHOLE MEANS NEVER HAVING TO SAY YOU'RE SORRY."
Today the US military announced: "BAGHDAD – A Multi-National Division–Baghdad Soldier died, July 24, of non-combat related injuries in eastern Baghdad. The Soldier's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The names of the service members are announced through the U.S. Department of Defense Official Website at http://www.defenselink.mil/ . The announcements are made on the Website no earlier than 24 hours after notification of the service member's primary next of kin. MND-B will not release any additional details prior to notification of next of kin and official release by the DoD. The incident is currently under investigation." The announcement brings to 4328 the number of US service members killed in the Iraq War.That number is not a complete count. Trejo Rivas just passed away and he was a veteran of the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War. It was in Iraq that a mortart attack October 12, 2006. As Sig Christenson (San Antonio-Express) explained Tuesday, "Retired Army Reserve Lt. Col. Raymond Trejo Rivas died Wednesday in San Antonio after battling to recover from head injuries suffered nearly three years ago. He was 53." Meanwhile John Hacker (Carthage Press) speaks with Isaac "Jerry" Conway who explains "his grandson, U.S. Army Spec. David Conway II, was injured in the Iraqi city of Sharqat when an improvised explosive device exploded near him while he was leaving a meeting with local officials. Also injured were six other American soldiers and two Iraqi civilians working with the soldiers." Conway says the incident took place July 12th. I'm not doubting Conway, but I am noting M-NF never noted it. They did have time, however, the day after, to issue a release about "Facebook, [and] other social media." Priorities. Yesterday Nouri al-Maliki announced US forces might stay in Iraq past 2011. And who noted it? Margaret Talev's "Iraq's Maliki raises possibility of asking U.S. to stay on" (McClatchy Newspapers) may shock some readers since McClatchy is the only newspaper outlet covering it. It's not because it just emerged or emerged late. The comments are noted in yesterday's snapshot. It's not ignored because it's not newsworthy. Three outlets rushed to print articles yesterday morning on the topic . . . when they claimed all US troops would be out in 2011. (See yesterday's entry.) It's only not news when it doesn't agree with their outlets spin purposes.To recap, when you can pimp the lie that all US troops will be out of Iraq in 2011 (and, apparently, pimp yourself as a psychic who can tell the future), you run with it and call it news. When Nouri al-Maliki publicly, in front of a crowd, declares not-so-fast, you duck your head and pretend it didn't happen. Anne Gearan covers al-Maliki's remarks for AP.
Though most of the broadcast media ignores the Iraq War (and much of the print media), there are many news items related to and coming out of Iraq. It's Friday, so smart news consumers knew there was a good chance The Diane Rehm Show would cover the Iraq War -- the only program to do so regularly. Diane's on vacation. Steve Roberts filled in for her today. The panelists for the second (international news) hour were: The Financial Times' Daniel Dombey, Washington Post's David Hoffman and CNN's Elise Labott.
Steve Roberts: Let's talk about a neighboring country, Iraq, and, David Hoffman, Prime Minister Maliki in Washington this week. Interestingly, not only in talks with President Obama but also talking a lot about the economy of Iraq -- an issue we don't hear a lot about, but trying to drum up interest among American investors and entrepreneurs. Give us your take on his visit.
David Hoffman: Well I actually thought the most interesting thing was the president pledged to help get rid of these UN sanctions. You know, Iraq still has to pay billions of dollars to Kuwait in reparations. If they get some of that money back, that will help them and, you know, I think when Mal-Maliki goes home from Washington, it's going to look grimmer on the ground there. There's a big election coming in Kurdistan, it's very important. The parties that have led Kurdistan are being challenged by an upstart party. I think Kurdistan is the real new frontline, the real flashpoint, in potential sectarian tensions in Iraq so Maliki's country's not all together yet.
Steve Roberts: Uh, well you mentioned, there are several issue here including, in his conversation with President Obama, the whole issue of the deadline of withdrawal of American troops. What did we learn?
David Hoffman: Well, I think, you know, we're committed to the deadline but what's going to happen is the deadline is going to be tested and it was just tested this morning. There's going be firefights and there are going to be military conflicts involving all these rules and deadlines and those things, you know, they're very, very sensitive and volatile.
Steve Roberts: Uh, talk Daniel, about this sense of national unity. David raises this issue of Kurdistan. Over weeks now, there's been increasing assertions of independence on the part of Kurdistan leaders, there's a huge fight over the status of Kirkuk, an oil-rich area. Is Iraq holding together? Is-is there a real threat to its national unity hear.
Daniel Dombey: I think both are true. Iraqi is holding-holding together to the moment but the Kirkuk is-is the biggest unsolved problem of-of Iraq -- not least because of the oil revenue but also because of Kurds who have come in and Turkmens who were there before. But I think just to look at Maliki's visit, I think that you need to bear two things in mind. This is a cold relationship rather like the relationship with [Hamid] Karzai and if you looked at some of President Obama's comments where he talked about wanting an Iraq where everyone could thrive -- Shia, Sunni and Kurds -- it didn't take a genius, it didn't take a Sherlock Holmes, to see that the US worries that Maliki could be a bit more of a narrow sectarian than it would like. There's that tension there. There's also a little bit of tension about how much freedom of maneuver the US military has following the June the 30th pull-out. And I wonder Iraq's economic situation is hard. There biggest thing is oil. They had a big auction to-to sell out rights to eight big oil fields uh in, near Basra. Only one of those went through that seems to be renegotiated -- it still -- the British are kind of less keen than they were. They're not getting the investors they need at a time that the oil price is going down. They need oil and money to grease the wheels to make Iraq a more coherent place.
Elise Labot: Part of the issue has been that there hasn't been enough national reconciliation in the country and the issue is part of the reason for the surge was not just -- in 2007 -- was not just to improve security but it was to give the political space for more reconciliation and that never happened. And the kind of grand constitutional bargain and the concessions that were necessary to make that were never completed. So what President Obama was saying to Maliki: "You need to do this, you need to not only include Sunnis into the political process but you need to, uhm, settle some of these issues with the Kurds." And Maliki said to him: "We need your help on doing this. We understand that there will be a military disengagement but it can't be a political disengagement because Iraq has a lot more challenges that not only are of sectarian nature but go to the whole future of the country. Is the power going to be in the central government? Is it going to be in the provinces? Who's going to be in control over the oil and the natural resources? I mean, these are major issues that the Iraqis are going to have to resolve and they are looking for the United States in many ways to help mediate these.
Steve Roberts: Well there were stories this week about this pact or protocol that was apparently signed with Sunnis in Turkey, what was that all about?
David Hoffman: It's not really clear. But there were two meetings between Americans and representatives of the Sunni insurgency that were held in Turkey. It's really -- the third meeting is the mystery. Why didn't it happen? It was scheduled. The Americans didn't come. There's some signs of some disenchantment maybe, that this wasn't really a very good channel or it wasn't working. But I do think it's at least an indicator that reconciliation's got to be the goal.
During listener feedback, a panelist completely blew it. He had no idea what he was speaking of.
Steve Roberts: Let me read some e-mails from some of our listeners. This is Randall in Cincinatti: "With the death toll rising in Afghanistan, I want to know where the anti-war groups that were protesting during the Bush administration -- the anti-war movement was seen and heard daily during the few years but they seem to have disappeared in mainstream media since Obama was elected. Could it be these were just anti-Bush groups posing as anti-war groups?" What do you think?
David Hoffman: Well I think, also, you know Obama did endorse deadlines, troops have pulled back, violence has gone down in Iraq, that may play a big part.
When we noted the Iraq portion of The Diane Rehm Show on Fridays, there are things said by panelists I disagree with. If it's not called out by another guest, the issue is, can the person's remarks be seen? Could someone look at the facts and conclude as the panelist did? If it's an opinion, it can go in. But if someone is just factually wrong, we need to call it out. So we will. David didn't know what the hell he was talking about. Obama endorsed deadlines? You mean the June 30th 'pull-out'? You mean the draw down? You mean the supposed 2011 departure? If that's what you mean, you mean Obama "endrosed" Bush's "deadlines" because those 'deadlines' are Bush's. Those are from the treaty masquerading as a Status Of Forces Agreement which replaced the UN mandate (that Bush didn't want to renew) and which required a full-on push from the US government to pass through Parliament (with a huge number of Iraqi MPs skipping the vote) on Thanksgivng day in 2008. What was being asked was a fair question. More than fair.
And the honest answer, which Randall wasn't given, was that a large number of the 'anti-war' groups were nothing but anti-Bush groups -- and, more importantly, anti-Bush groups who existed to put Democrats into office. They weren't about ending the Iraq War. Look at MoveOn, for example. These were not real peace groups -- which is why they preferred the title "anti-war." These were not groups concerned with ending the illegal war. Their answer, over and over, check those stupid MoveOn e-mails from that time period, were: Stop the Iraq War by voting Democrats into office! That was all they had to offer. That and a few pathetic 'candle light vigils.' Randall asked a fair question and he didn't get a fair answer.
"US military announces another death"
"al-Maliki says US may stay in Iraq past 2011 and . . . silence"
"The Bendy Harry Reid"
"Angelina Jolie"
"Nouri and Barry"
"Friday wrap up"
"Bob Somerby, convention"
"Teriyaki Potatoes in the Kitchen"
"How many salads?"
"it's his party, he'll cry if he wants to, cry if he wants to"
"gordo loves the night life, he loves to boogie"
"Moyers and Winship on health care"
"Reader privacy"
"Kurds find out it sucks to be the good child"
"Subcommittee on Disability Assistance & Memorial Affairs"
"Glen Ford, Iraq"
"What he chooses to speak on"
"JuniorGate"
"Back off Amy Goodman"
"The UN and Kirkuk"
"FSRN, Hawaii"
"The never ending wars"
"Things you don't Tivo"
"THIS JUST IN! THE RATINGS BOMB!"
Things you don't Tivo
CELEBRITY IN CHIEF BARRY O WAS IN A SNIT TODAY, STORMING AROUND, TOSSING JUICE PACKS WILLY NILLY IN COMPLETE DEFIANCE OF LITTERING LAWS.
"I FEEL MEAN AND NASTY!" BARACK BARKED.
A NEW POLL FOUND 70% OF AMERICANS PREFER RERUNS OF ANYTHING -- EVEN MAMA'S FAMILY -- TO ENDURING ANOTHER BARACK OBAMA PRIME TIME PRESS CONFERENCE.
THEN CAME THE NEWS THAT SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE GOT MORE VIEWERS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT THAN BARRY DID.
IN OTHER NEWS, WHILE BARRY PRETENDS TO BE OUTRAGED BY RACIAL PROFILING, IT CONTINUES IN ARIZONA WITHOUT A PEEP FROM HIM.
This morning the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs held a hearing entitled Examining the Ancillary Benefits and Veterans Quality of Life Issues.
"This Subcommittee has actively tackled many complex and complicated issues that have been encumbering the Veterans Benefits Administration and and it's ability to properly compensate veterans who file disability claims," explained US House Rep John Hall who is the Chair of the Subcommittee. "These issues have majorly centered on VA business processes and operations. Today's hearing will focus on the actual appropriateness of available benefits in meeting the needs of disabled veterans and their families."
US House Rep Doug Lamborn is the Ranking Member and, due to other demands, made his opening remarks before Hall did and then Lamborn had to leave the hearing. The hearing was grouped around three panels. The first was composed of Paralyzed Veterans of America's Carl Blake, National Veterans Legal Service Program's Ronald Abrams and Blinded Veterans Association's Thomas Zampieri. The second panel was composed of National Academies' Lonnie Bristow, Economic Systems Inc.'s George Kettner, Quality of Life Foundation's Kimberly Munoz and National Organization on Disability's Carol Glazer. The third panel was the VA's Bradley Mayes and Thomas Pamperin.
Chair John Hall: Mr. Zampieri, as you noted in your testimony, eye and ear injuries have been associated with TBI, with explosions of roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan among other battlefields and theaters of combat. Do you feel that VA has done a sufficient job evaluating all the face and head trauma completely and accurately to compensate veterans and provide them with all necessary ancillary-ancillary benefits?
Thomas Zampieri: Thank you for the question. I think it's actually a concern of ours and probably safe to say many of the other VSOs that individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries that have sensory associated symptoms have a very difficult time in getting their ratings because so many of those are subjective kind of complaints. You know we frequently hear a a lot about the problems with tinnitus, for example. Frequently TBI patients complain of photophobia which is extreme sensitivity to light. And those are very difficult to rate. But those things can have quite an impact on the individual's ability to function and also their relationship socially, employment wise. And so we're concerned about the way TBI assessments are done in regards to sensory losses. I know that the VA has put a lot of effort towards looking at new assessment methods and congratulate them for-for recognizing this is a serious problem.
Chair Hall then asked him whether there were any devices currently are in the works that hoped to address sight issues and he pointed to the Brainport Vision Device which was a topic of the May 13th House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing. From that day's snapshot:
Robert Beckman [Brainport Technologies] spoke of a portable device, the Brainport Vision Device, where a small camera ("with zoom capability") is hooked to other neurochannels ("such as the tongue"). Beckman stated, "One blind user with two glass eyes was able to successfully shoot a basketball and another used the Brainport Vision Device at an indoor rock climbing gym to see the next rock holds and at home with his daughter to play Tic-Tac-Toe."
"The Brainport Vision Device will not replace the cane or the sight dog," he continued. "But it will become an important, additional tool to improve the safety, mobility and quality of life for blind users. Some examples. Finding the open seat on a crowded bus or train. Identifying the direction to the target building in a confusing parking lot. Finding the handle in order to remove a hot pot from the stove. Wicab recently sponsored clinical testing of the Brainport Vision Device at the Atlanta VA. Dr. Michael Williams, the PI concluded, 'Bottom line, the device performs remarkably well for the tasks that we looked at in phase one'. To optimize the device we need feedback from a much larger pool of users who are blind. We would welcome the opportunity to further test the Brainport Vision Device at VA sites. Perhaps those willing soldiers who are blind as a result of a blast injury should be first in line to test this new technology?"
Zampieri noted the device was still in the early stages of research and stated those who have tested it would declare "it holds some hope, but it's not going to replace natural vision." Under questioning from Hall, Abrams explained that he had a relative in residential care "and it cost over $90,000 to $100,000 to put somebody in a home and homecare, if you need twenty-four hour care, is hugely expensive."
"First observation," declared Glazer on the second panel noting an ongoing program -- Army Wounded Warrior Career Demonstration Project -- the National Organization on Disability is conducting with the army, "a fundamental mismatch many of the supports for veterans are constrained to an active service model placing the burden on veterans and their families to find and approach agencies But we find that the most seriously injured soldiers, especially with cognitive injuries are not really able to effectively access these services. [. . .] Second observation, the need to deal with both a veteran and the family member. As others have stated, the process of recovering from injury and coming home and coming to terms with disability is a very complex process that impacts the entire family. Ancillary benefits in our belief must be available to veterans and family members."
Glazer would go on to note issues such as criminal charges for veterans suffering from PTSD or TBI, training in the management of personal finances. Glazer, and her organization, are a little too Republican for me (Tom Ridge chairs the organization) and it's a little too "smile and pull up those bootstraps." But Glazer was one of the few who knew how to speak. Globbidy-gook? No one gives a damn. Don't reference a model, for example, in another country, without explaining it. If that's the root of your response to Hall's question, you're wasting everyone's time including your own. I don't usually note "I like this organization, I don't like that one" but on this panel, Glazer's being noted because she knows how to speak and because two others will be ignored, I want to be really clear that no one reads this as I'm endorsing Glazer's organization. And let's also note that when all you do is toss out a bunch of numbers, no one's really impressed. In fact, it's assumed you actually don't know what you're talking about -- including your numbers -- or you'd be offering testimony that people could actually follow. I've never seen as many blank stares in a hearing before (true of the first panel to a lessor degree). Those not doing blank stares? A man to the right of us repeatedly put his hand over his face during the second panel, at a loss as to what was being said. At the end of the hearing, he stated he felt as if it had been conducted in a foreign language. Glazer knew how to speak and so did Kimberly Munoz.
Munoz was asked to estimate the amount spent by veterans and their families for assistance and stated she didn't know that answer but that it varies due to the fact "that some families have the assistance they need to get the benefits they need from VA and they have to use less out of pocket to get the services their veteran needs. Other families who may have not had the guidance from perhaps a VSO or who don't have the education in our country -- maybe they've moved here from another country -- and they don't speak our language, it's hard for them to run through all the rules and regulations and applications
and so they have a difficult time accessing the benefits that they need. There was a study that was released by the Center for Naval Analysis that estimated 19 months of lost income of around $2,000 some odd dollars for a total of $36,000 average loss per family of a catastrophically injured service member. That's their income loss which isn't necessarily answering your question of how much do they spend out of pocket to get the services but it is -- it is a figure that's been widely reported."
Chair John Hall: Thank you and what additional factors do you think VA should specifically consider when it adjudicates aid and attendance or housebound rates?
Kimberly Munoz: I think they need to consider the -- one of the key questions is: Can the veteran keep themselves safe from the hazards of daily living? There's many other questions related to a body part function or a loss of a body part but buried deep in there is can the veteran keep himself safe from the hazards of daily living? For those who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and stand-alone TBI I believe that that is a key to determining whether or not that veteran needs aid and attendance. The aid and attendance can also vary in terms of do you need physical aid and attendance or do you need oversight? So one package of aid and attendance does not meet the needs of every single veteran.
Chair John Hall: That seems to me that that judgment about the safety of the veteran living independently is similar to a judgment that one would have to make about an Alzheimer-Alzheimer's patient, for instance. In many families they go through that difficult time when they realize that a stove or an electric socket is no longer a safe thing for this adult family member to be handling alone.
Kimberly Munoz: Some of the family members have suggested specially adapted equipment be included in the grants available for home modifications -- like stoves that automatically turn off after a certain amount of time. Or other appliances that consider short term memory loss for some of the Traumatic Brain Injury patients.
Chair John Hall: And what else do you think Ms. -- Ms. Munoz what else could the VA do to improve the quality of life of disabled veterans and their families.
Kimberly Munoz: It sounds simple but I know it's very difficult and that is: Make it easier for families to get what they need. Anytime you look at the Title 38 and try to determine, "Well what am I -- what is this veteran eligible -- or how do I go about it?" It's so hard to know who is eligible for what. One family care giver told me the story of, you know, "We thought we were eligible for respite care and then when we called my son's rating wasn't, wasn't high enough." Or the SMC [Special Monthly Compensation] code wasn't the right code. So they work very hard then to find out, "Well how to I get that code?" And that's a backwards way to work a system. You need to find out what does that veteran need, much like you [George Kettner] suggested, what is the need of that veteran and what is the need of that family so that they can live safely and live independently -- not how do we get you pigeon holed into the right code so that you get the services that that code offers.
Can you follow that? Yes, you can. And an organization that sends a speaker like that. or Glazer, into a hearing is way ahead of others. You need to know the topic of the hearing -- a problem for one person on the first panel who repeatedly answered questions with a variation of "I don't know" -- and you need to be able to speak clearly on the topic. Glazer advocated for less benefits -- I'm not joking -- and whether anyone agreed with her or not, everyone could follow what she was saying. (She was saying that benefits can prevent work. And that's as much as I'm doing to circulate her nonsense argument.)
Yesterday's snapshot noted the House Veterans Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Kat covered it last night at her site (and plans to cover today's hearing at her site tonight). Despite the fact that the New York Times and one of their reporters were repeatedly trashed in that hearing, the paper of some record ignored the hearing, as did most of the press. Walter F. Roche Jr. (Pittsurgh Tribune-Review) covers the VA's Kent Wallner's testimony. I didn't find him believable, Roche obviously did and use the link to read about that aspect of yesterday's hearing. Rachel Baye and Naomi Jagoda (The Daily Pennsylvanian) cover the hearing and zoom in on Dr. Gay Kao and his attempt to play victim.
Also in yesterday's snapshot was Nouri al-Maliki, puppet of the occupation, and US President Barack Obama's performace at the Rose Garden. Apparently journalists also wanted to play a role -- something other than reporter -- judging from the articles filed on the nonsense. For perspective, we drop back to Whit Stillman's Barcelona. Specifically, a party where American Fred (Chris Eigeman) is discussing his home country.
Female Party Goer: You can't say Americans are not more violent than other people?
Fred: No.
Female Party Goer: All those people killed in shootings in America?
Fred: Oh. Shootings, yes. But that doesn't mean Americans are more violent than other people. We're just better shots.
America's not more violent, insists Fred, they're just better shots. Apparently some similar defense was on the minds of Karen DeYoung (Washington Post), Jeff Zeleny (New York Times) and Mark Silva (Los Angeles Times and other Tribune properties). None of the three challenges Barack's laughable assertion that "Violence continues to be down". No, it doesn't. As we explained yesterday, the trend in lower violence ended with the month of January. Starting with February, you see an uptick in violence. That trend has held each passing month. We also cited Al Jazeera which was explaining, "An estimated 437 Iraqis were killed in June, the highest death toll in 11 months, and the near daily attacks have continued in July." June, the most recent month with data, saw "the highest death toll in 11 months," but Barack wants to claim violence is down? Apparently Iraq isn't more violent currently, it's just seen better shots and better bomb builders? DeYoung has the strongest article, then Zeleny and then Silva. One compliment to all three is they covered it. Strongly or badly, they covered it. Nouri al-Maliki met with Barack Obama yesterday. The Iraq War is six years old and counting. Where was the coverage? Amy Goodman's pathetic two sentences in headlines? That's something to be proud of? How pathetic. What do you get instead? You get the crap Bob Somerby's calling out today (the mind readers who 'just know' something but don't know a thing -- which didn't stop Amy Goodman from doing yet another segment on it today). You really need to ask how the media -- Big and Small -- is serving you because in this round of Liar's Poker, seems to be a lot of Liz Smiths sitting down at the table wanting to be dealt in.
Back to this morning's articles: Where are Americans? The leader of a country the US remains at war with visits and where are the voices of Americans? We do grasp that the Iraq War continues, right? Check yesterday's snapshot and then read the articles again. A poll was released yesterday. It addressed Iraq. Where's any citation of the results? From yesterday's snapshot:A new AP-GfK Roper poll finds a decrease in the number of respondents who believe Barack will remove troops from Iraq -- 15% lower than the last poll. [PDF format warning, click here for the data breakdown.] 62% of respondents ranked "The Situation in Iraq" as either "Extremely important" or "Very important." The poll found an increase of five percent on the number of respondents who disapprove of Barack's handling of the Iraq War. Is this increase a result of angry right-wingers upset over Barack's so-called plan? Maybe. But the respondents were asked if they believed Barack would "remove most troops from Iraq?" In January, 83% of respondents said it was likely and 15% said it was unlikely. The 83% who thought it was coming has fallen to 68%. The number who believe it is not happening has risen to 26%.
Nouri and Barack meet up at the White House yesterday as a poll is released which finds the number of people who believe Barack will "remove most troops from Iraq" has fallen from 83% in January to 68% presently -- a 15% drop. Where's that in any of the articles?The articles repeatedly (and falsely) claim the US will be out of Iraq in 2011. That's not what's happening. It's not even claimed to be happening. Does no one listen to Adm Mike Mullen, Gen Ray Odierno or even Secretary of Defense Robert Gates? Reading the articles today, it doesn't appear that anyone does. Uh-oh. Reality slaps them in the face. Aljazeera reports, "The Iraqi prime minister has admitted US troops could stay in the country beyond 2011." Yeah, he did it today and it's only a surprise if you've never grasped what the Status Of Forces Agrement does and does not do. The Washington Post, for example, has one person on staff who understands the SOFA completely. That's one more than the New York Times has. Drop back to real time coverage (Thanksgiving 2008) and you'll see the Washington Post could explain what it did and didn't do and get it right. No other US outlet can make that claim. (The Los Angeles Times hedged their bets but did appear to grasp it in an article co-written by Tina Susman.) McClatchy Newspapers? Oh goodness, Leila Fadel made an idiot of herself over the SOFA. Even more so than the New York Times (Elisabeth Bumiller -- in December and January -- offered some realities but they were lost on the other reporters at the paper). The Times just got it wrong. Fadel got it wrong and sang praises of it. It wasn't reporting, it was column writing passed off as such. Today, Nouri declared, "Nevertheless, if the Iraqis require further training and support we shall examine this at the time, based on the needs of Iraq." Sound familiar? It should. This month you should have heard Adm Mike Mullen make the same statement, you should have heard General Ray Odierno make it over and over beginning in May and US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has made it many times -- generally he's asked when he's visiting a foreign country because US reporters don't really seem to care. One exception would certainly be Dahr Jamail who was on KPFA's Flashpoints yesterday and explained, "We still have over 130,000 troops in Iraq. Troops are not being withdrawn from Iraq. They are being relocated to different bases, some of the bases still within cities, but they are not being withdrawn thus far." Dahr's latest book The Will to Resist: Soldiers Who Refuse to Fight in Iraq and Afghanistan has just been released this month. IPA provides this context from Global Policy Forum's James Paul: "For all the talk of 'U.S. withdrawal' from Iraq, the reality on the ground is starkly different. U.S. troops still patrol the cities, in flagrant violation of the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement, while Washington remains hugely influential in the politics of the country. The gigantic U.S. embassy looms large in Baghdad, U.S. forces still hold thousands of Iraqi prisoners in the vast U.S. prison camp in the southern desert, dozens of U.S. military bases remain in place including the sprawling 'Camp Victory' complex in Baghdad and Washington continues to press towards its ultimate goal -- the de facto privatization of Iraq's vast oil resources."
"How is it journalism?"
"Early voting begins in the KRG"
"Avoid the Maddow"
"Military propaganda"
"gordo and the copters"
"Liz Smith stupid; Candice Bergen, vapid"
"House Veterans' Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations"
"Cindy Sheehan"
"Junior continues to rage for attention"
"Plain spoken truths"
"Andy Worthington and Idiot of the Week: David Bliven"
"Grease wasn't the word"
"THIS JUST IN! HE JUST WANTED TO SING!"
Posted by cedricsbigmix at 8:43 PM 318 comments: Links to this post
Grease wasn't the word
THEY NEVER PROMISED HIM A ROSE GARDEN BUT HE THOUGHT SOMEONE PROMISED HIM A BROADWAY MUSICAL.
CELEBRITY IN CHIEF BARRY O WAS MAJORLY TICKED OFF TODAY. HE SPENT THE MORNING EXCITED AND "JAZZED," HE EXPLAINED THIS EVENING.
HE COULDN'T WAIT FOR HIS BIG HOOK UP.
AND THEN THERE THEY WERE IN THE ROSE GARDEN AND BARRY WAS READY TO BREAK OUT INTO "GREASE LIGHTENING," BUT "THEY WOULDN'T LET ME! I CAN SAY THE S-WORD. AMERICA LOVES ME. AND I HAVE A GREAT SINGING VOICE. I WOULD MAKE A GREAT DANNY. BESIDES WHY BRING KINIKI TO THE WHITE HOUSE IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO SING."
WHEN THESE REPORTERS EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT THE GUEST WAS NOURI AL-MALIKI NOT GREASE'S KINIKI, BARRY O SAID, "OH."
We'll start in the US for VA news. Brachytherapy is one treatment for prostate cancer. Walt Bogdanich (New York Times) explained the treatment last month as: "a doctor implants dozens of radioactive seeds to attack the disease." But at the VA Medical Center in Pennsylvania, Bogdanich reported, Dr. Gary D. Kao's treatment resulted in nearly all of the forty seeds ending up "in the patient's healthy bladder, not the prosate." Instead of addressing it or Dr. Kao's other problems, regulators who are supposed to oversea the VA allowed creative records to be kept and Kao was allowed to rewrite what happened, to hide his errors. The paper's investigation discovered "92 implant errors resulted from a systemwide failure in which none of the safeguards that were supposed to protect veterans from poor medical work worked". Josh Goldstein (Philadelphia Inquirer) reported last month, "It took officials more than six years to catch the mistakes, investigators said. When they were discovered last year, all brachytherapy treatments at the hospital were halted and remain so." That's some of the backstory. Today the House Veterans' Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by US House Rep Harry Mitchell, held a hearing entitled Enforcement of US Department of Veterans Affair Bracytherapy Safety Standards. In his opening remarks, Chair Mitchell observed:
Brachytherapy is a form of radio therapy, often used to treat prostate cancer, in which radioactive seeds are placed inside or next to a patient's malignancy. Failure to accurately place the radioactive seeds can cause serious harm. To say that it is disturbing to learn that veterans received bungled procedures and that safety protocols failed to safeguard against such mistreatment would be an understatement. As a result, we are hear today to examine system-wide safety standards for these procedures to ensure that our veterans are receiving the best and safest care available.
Mitchell explained that there were four VA brachytherapy programs which were suspended (Cincinatti, Washington and Jackson, Mississippi) and that "we know that Philadelphia was by far the worst." The hearing was composed of three panels and the first panel had the witness of greatest interest, Dr. Gary Kao who no longer works for the VA after his repeated errors. In his opening statement, he decried "some very serious false allegations that have appeared in the media about me" (in his written statement he decries the reports on himself "in recent publications, most notably the New York Times"). He sneared at the term "92 botched cases" -- insisting this was a mischaracterization and that reported incidents to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the VA's radiation safety program, did not mean "botched cases" or even that anything was wrong. Apparently, Dr. Kao believes, it's just a little candy heart that says "BE MY VALENTINE" on it. Kao apparently slid one over to the Ranking Member, US House Rep Phil Roe (Republican), who decried the New York Times efforts to "sensationalize" the issue. Roe apparently doesn't read, we've cited two papers above, those were not the only ones reporting on the problems.
The first panel was Kao, Dr. Steven M Hahn, Dr. Michael R. Bieda -- all of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine. Kao is offended that the "botched" incidents are associated with him because he has never, ever had a medical malpractice law suit against him. Damn lucky. Most doctors plant a treatment in a liver by mistake (and botch the follow up procedure as well), they'd be sued. When his colleague, Hahn, was offering his opening remarks and got to wanting "to express my deppest regret that prostate cancer patients receiving brachytherapy at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center," Kao nearly dropped the pitcher he was holding to pour himself a glass of water.
For any wondering, Kao expressed no such regret in his opening statements which were all about (a) how great he was and (b) how wronged he'd been by the press. He expressed no sadness or regret for any of the veterans harmed by the 'treatment' they received (eighty of the 92 botched cases were his, according to statements made in the hearing by subcommittee members).
Chair Harry Mitchell: First can you please explain the quality of care provided at the VA compared to the quality of care at other facilities you've worked at?
Dr. Gary Kao: The-the brachytherapy procedure that we adopted at the VA was, um, identical to the system that was used at uh-uh other -- at the University of Pennsylvania and also, um, one of its satellites. Um, and in my training, in fact, um, I went to observe, uh, brachytherapy procedures performed in, um, our satellite in, um, in Trenton, New Jersey. And, uh, as a resident, I-I was trained, um, in brachytherapy by senior physicians at, uh, the University of Pennsylvania
Chair Harry Mitchell: Uh, what quality of care matrix do other facilites follow?
Dr. Gary Kao: My-my understanding is that, um, the quality [long pause] control -- the quality assurance procedures are similar in that a CT is performed after the procedure and, uh, the symetry calculated, uh, from that CT.
Chair Harry Mitchell: And the last one I have, what markers are red flags when conducting the brachytherapy procedures indicated a problem?
Dr. Gary Kao: I-I now understand that, uh, [long pause] one-one of my regrets is that, um, I could have been, um, much more assertive in engaging the NRC in what it defines as a reportable medical event. Um, at -- as a result of their investigation in 2003 and 2005, we-we were, uh, under the understanding that the definition of a reportable medical event was based on the number of seeds laying outside the prostate. Um, subsequently, I-I-I, I wuh -- I was, um, I found out that that, uh, was not the case, that the NRC, um, uh, apparently is now relying on a D90 metric and that is something that, um, to my regret, I-I could have been much more, uh, much more [long pause] focused on using that metric.
It would take repeated questioning and intense pressing of the issue for Kao to express any regret at all for the patients he was supposed to be caring for. We'll note US House the questioning from US House Rep John Adler (New Jersey).
US House Rep John Adler: I guess my first question is for Dr. Kao. We've heard about, um, the closure of this program in June of 2008. We've heard about possibly 92 cases out of 116 with some concern. Some of us use the word "botched," you don't like that word. We've heard that the National Health Physics program reported to the NRC at least 35 medical events later in 2008. We heard Dr. Hahn just now acknowledge on behalf of U Penn that not every -- not in every instance did every patient get the best possible care. This program is still closed. You were running this program. You were the principle operative of this program at the VA in Philadelphia. How do you reconicle your view in your own testimony here today that patients received appropriate medical care with the VA's view that it made mistakes during this period of years, with U Penn's recognition that not every patient got the best possible care, um, with NHP and NRC saying there are medical events even in a context where we probably don't define medical event suffientilly to trigger reporting to the extent that we would want reporting? So let's assume there's some under-reporting going on. Even with under-reporting, we've got at least 35 instances from 2008, um, reported about, over a period of time, a program you ran. I'm thinking you're in a dream world right now. I'm thinking everybody else, all the other experts, are looking at this and saying, he didn't go well enough, that whether the number is 92 or less than 92, we want the number to be zero botched cases. How do you reconcile your view that every patient received appropriate medical care with the view of every other expert, of every potential supervisor, every contracting body, every regulatory body. Um, I kind of want to hear you acknowledge you did things less well than you would have wanted to have done.
Dr. Gary Kao: Sir, I, um, I don't disagree with, um, many of the other comments that-that were made. Uh, um, medicine is both an art and a science and the art of it is that, uh, even though the treatment may be effective it may be made to be even more optirmal essential, uh, theme here is [long pause] uh, what -- what is defined as a reportable medical event. An even -- a case that is a reportable medical event does not mean that the patient was harmed or did not receive effective treatment. Um, when the program was closed in 2008, we did not have any confirmed cases of tumor recurrence. Um, the NRC itself recognizes that a reportable medical event does not mean, uh, that -- does not address the ethicacy of the treatment. So-so, uh, in summary, there are -- I recognize there are many things -- several things that I could have done better, uh, but I still believe that the patients received the standard of care that was, um, in place at the time.
US House Rep John Adler: I'm just seeing it differently than you are, I guess. I understand from some news reports that it was at least a period of a year where you were not getting, um, post-implant dosimetry information to guage whether the patients had the seeds placed properly and that the seeds had stayed where you'd want them to be. Is it true that there was a year where you did not have that post-implant dosimetry information?
Dr. Gary Kao: It-it is true that [short pause] for a period of about 14 months there was a computer interface problem, uh, at the VA that, um, although the CTs that could be performed after the brachytherapy but that data could not be transmitted to the VariSeed work station used to calculate the doses. During that time, I followed the chain of command. I complained to radiation safety, to the chair of the department, uh, and, uh, other members of the program did the same but this problem was never fixed. I was then faced with the very difficult choice of either stopping the program -- but if I had done so, then the patients would not have received any care. As I mentioned earlier, many of the patients who came to us, uh, did not have re- surgery or other forms of radiation as a choice. So given the choice between delivering no care and having their cancers progress or to p -- go ahead and perform the procedure, I made that decision. I could still see from the CT that the seeds were in the prostate and I could judge that the seeds were concentrated around, uh, part of the prostate where the cancer was located. So the -- these gave me a measure of confidence that the patients were-were being appropriately treated but it is -- you're correct, sir, that is one of my regrets that I should have broken the chain of command, I should have been more assertive, I should have stopped the program at that point.
US House Rep John Adler: What number would you say was the number of patients who didn't get adequate care? The total you did was 116. Of that number what would you say? I've heard numbers 57, 35 and 92. What number would you say was the number?
Dr. Gary Kao: Sir, since 2008, I have not had access to the patient records but I believe based on the calculations that our team performed before it was shut down that the cases were far fewer, uh, and, um, probably closer to, uh, 20 or uh-uh cases that were reported -- that were [short pause] defined as medical-medical events. But-but-but again, what a case that is defined as a medical event does not mean that the treatment was not effective, sir.
Throughout the hearing, Kao repeatedly shot daggers at Hahn who, sincere or not, stated what Kao refused to. Such as following the above when Hahn interjected, "And let me just say that even if it were just one human being who did not receive the best possible care, Congressman Adler, that would be unacceptable." US House Rep Timothy Walz found Hahn sincere and noted that in his remarks.
The second panel was composed of Dr. Paul Schyve of The Joint Commission, Dr. Robert Lee (American Society for Radiation Oncology) and Steven A. Reynolds (Nuclear Regulatory Commission). From that panel, we'll note NRC's Steven Reynolds on the issue of medical event. Kao wanted to repeatedly argue what the meaning was. The NRC is the one defining. Reynolds explained that the term "misadministration" had been in use prior to 2002 and was then replaced with "medical event." What does that mean? He defined it as meaning "that the radioactive material or the radiation from the material, was not delivered as directed by the physician." That definition easily translates as "botched." When something is "not delivered as directed by the physicians," it was botched.
The third panel was composed of Joseph Williams Jr. (VA), Dr. Michael Hagan (VA), E. Lynn McGuire (VA), Michael Moreland (VA), Richard Whittington (VA) and Kent Wallner (VA). We're not noting titles. Reading off the non-medical titles of one panelist, Chair Mitchell asked, "Can they put that all in a name tag? Woo." Mr. Williams would lament that the Philadelphia VA "did not deliver the intended dose".
Military propaganda makes it on air in the US and is disguised as news. At least two Wisconsin TV stations have aired military propaganda with one putting their own reporter over it (Jeff Alexander) to read the military's copy. Madison Wisconsin's WKOWTV offers a pure propangada look (video report) at the US run Iraqi prision Camp Cropper. It tells you that terrorists and criminals are in the prison. It forgets to tell you that no one's been tried. It forgets to tell you that at least six prisoners have died or that the Red Cross has documented abuses at the prison. But it does run it as is. Meaning the report ends with the announcer of the footage declaring, "Army Sgt. Frank Morello, Joint Area Support Group, Public Affairs." An ABC affiliate wanted to air the propaganda but they wanted to present it as a news report created within the station. What to do, what to do? Oh, I know! Let's take Morello's exact words and let's have our own Jeff Alexander read them. Let's have him step before the camera in the studio and then go to the military's footage while Jeff narrates, then we'll cut to him at the end and he'll do a wrap up and we'll let viewers think that Jeff actually reported this. As opposed to letting them know that the footage and every word spoken was from the US military. Which is how Green Bay's WBAY promotes the propagndad insisting, as they toss to Jeff, that this is "a rare behind the scenes look at their mission is our top story on Action Two News at Four." Their top story is one they didn't even film? Their top story is one they didn't even write? How pathetic is WBAY and where do they get off lying to viewers?They've put Jeff Alexander's voice over on top of Morello's and presented this as their own report. That's outrageous. That's shameful and it violates every rule of journalism. Jeff Alexander, as the on air, should be fired as should every one responsible for that segment making it on air and an on-air apology should be made to viewers.These aren't the only two stations airing this. You should look for it if you're in Wisconsin, this 'inside look' at Camp Cropper. Fox 11 at least had the good sense to state before airing the footage that it was produced by the US military, "Tuesday the military released video of the Camp Cropper, along with interviews from some Wisconsin soldiers working there." They should have noted, however, that their own Becky DeVries was reading the copy that the US military wrote with just a few variations.
"Media Channel hacked"
"5 pilgrims shot dead in Iraq"
"Military propaganda airs in Wisconsin"
"Hillary Clinton and Aamir Khan"
"Andrea Lewis, reclaim your soul and integrity"
"People Like Us"
"reality re: chris brown's 'accident'"
"Bizaro world"
"The Mamas and the Papas"
"Amy Goodman lies again"
"The silences and the ones who need to be silent"
"Dualism lectures from a dualist"
"Tom Hayden lies again"
"Frumpy?"
"THIS JUST IN! WHO WRITES HIS DIALOGUE!"
Frumpy?
IN AN ORCHESTRATED ATTEMPT TO "BUTCH IT UP," CELEBRITY IN CHIEF BARRY O APPEARED ON NBC'S TODAY SHOW WHERE HE DECLARED OF THE "MOM JEANS" HE WORE LAST WEEK TO THE ALL STAR GAME, "I AM A LITTLE FRUMPY."
AS BARRY MADE THAT STATEMENT, RAHM EMANUEL WAS IN THE GREEN ROOM DEMOLISHING A CHAIR, A TABLE AND A GOOD PORTION OF A WALL AS HE HOLLERED, "G** D*** IT! HE MAKES DAVID GUEST LOOK LIKE GRIZZLY ADAMS! THAT F****** MORON! HE IS F*****! CONGRESS IS GOING TO CHEW HIM UP AND SPIT HIM OUT!"
BARRY MEANWHILE WAS WAVING TO THE CAMERAS.
Yesterday on NPR's Morning Edition, Quil Lawrence filed a story on Iraqi journalist Ibrahim Jassem:
Quil Lawrence: Ibrahim Jassam was 29-years-old when he began filming news for Reuters wire service. That was 2006 and the towns southwest of Baghdad had earned the name Triangle of Death because of the violence between Shi'ite militias and Sunni insurgents. His brother Waleed says Jassam took his work very seriously.
Waleed Jassam: When there was an explosion Ibrahim was always the first one to be in the location filming. He felt whatever was happening on the ground, he wanted to be seen on the television.
Quil Lawrence: But, as with many cases in the past, the US military apparently thought Jassam's photos looked a little too close to the action suggesting a connection to insurgents. One morning last September, a combined US and Iraqi force cordoned off Jasam's neighborhood hours before dawn. They broke down the door of the house where he lived with his parents and siblings and dragged Jassam away in his underwear, handcuffed. They brought dogs inside the house said his sister Iman as she points out Jassam's room. Iman says she tried to tell the soldiers her brother had done nothing wrong.
Iman Jassam: One of the Iraqi soldiers said, "Why are you still talking? If you only knew what we are going to do to your brother, you would be crying." These words are still echoing in my ears.
Quil Lawrence: It took months before the family got word that Jassim was in a US military prison and they eventually visited him. What they're still waiting for is any kind of criminal charge against him.
Capt Brad Kimberly: Ibrahim Jassam is still in detention because he's classified as a high security threat
Quil Lawrence: Capt Brad Kimberly is a US military spokesman. He says starting this year with the new US-Iraqi security agreement, all American arrests require an Iraqi warrant but, since Jassam was arrested last year, no warrant was needed. Kimberly said the only obligation is to transfer him sometime after December. But Kimberly offers no evidence.
Capt Brad Kimberly: Prior to the first of January, all detainees were held as wartime security threats, no legal charges were assigned.
Quil Lawrence: In fact, an Iraqi court document from last November says that, since the Americans provided no evidence or confession, Jassam should be released. Michael Christie is the Reuters bureau chief in Baghdad. He says Jassam did a good job in a dangerous city.
Michael Christie: We have to assume he has been detained because of the work he was doing as a journalist. Until we see otherwise, until the evidence is declassified, he deserves the presumption of innocence.
Quil Lawrence: Iraqi journalists have been regularly detained by US forces through the course of the American occupation. Several have been killed when mistaken for insurgents. According to Mohamed Abdel Dayem of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, Jassam is the only one still in US custody.
Mohammed Abdel Dayem: No charges have been brough against any of the journalists. Journalists, if and when they are detained, their cases should be reviewed in a quick and timely way and they should either be charged with a recognized crime or be released.
Quil Lawrence: After a few months in a prison near Baghdad, Jassam was transferred to Camp Bucca, a massive US prison camp near the border with Kuwait. It's an eight or nine hour drive south from his home but the family was able to visit him last month. Ibrahim Jassam's sister Iman says he isn't eating enough and looks thing. She says her brother knows the Iraqi court cleared him in November and he can't understand why the Americans keep holding him for ten months now and counting. Quil Lawrence, NPR News, Baghdad.
From the December 1, 2008 snapshot:
In other news, Reuters photographer Ibrahim Jassam has been a prisoner in Iraq since Sept. 1, 2008 when US and Iraqi military forces drug him from his Mahmudiyah home. He has been held a prisoner since then at Camp Cropper. Reporters Without Borders and Journalistic Freedom Observatory have been calling for his release. Reuters reported yesterday that Iraq's Central Criminal Court has ordered that Ibrahim be released because "there was no evidence against" him; however, "There was no immediate response from the U.S. military to the ruling." Daryl Lang (Photo District News) adds, "Jassam's case resembles those of several other Iraqi photographers and cameramen working for Western news organizations, all of whom were eventually freed. And the decision comes as the U.S. is releasing thousands of security detainees and preparing to turn its much-maligned detainee system over to the Iraqi government."
December 9, 2009, Reuters reported that US Maj Neal Fisher stated all the Iraqi court order meant was that when he is released Ibrahim "will be able to out-process without having to go through the courts as other detainees in his threat classification will have to do." Why is that? Because the court has found no reason to hold Ibrahim. So while others will go on to have their day in court, Fisher is admitting that Ibrahim's had his but the US military just doesn't want to release him. In June of this year, the Committee to Protect Journalists sent a letter to Nouri al-Maliki and they noted Ibrahim and requested, "Press the U.S. military to respect the decision of the Iraqi courts and immediately release Ibrahim Jassam." Last September, Reporters Without Borders pointed out that over "20 journalists have been arrested in Iraq in similar circumstances since 1st January 2008, all of whom have been released after spending days or even months in custody without any charges being made against them." CPJ notes him here (note that Adel Hussein, whose profile follows, has been released and shouldn't even be on the current list of journalists imprisoned). Reporters Without Borders notes that three journalists are currently detained in Iraq, there's Ibrahim starting September 1, 2008; Mountazer al-Zaidi starting December 14, 2008 (he's the one who threw his shoes at Bully Boy Bush and Nouri's joint-press conference in December) and Jassem Mohamed who has been imprisoned since February 2009. Meanwhile, last week Reporters Without Borders declared, "Iraqi security forces working with Sahwa militias seem to be taking advantage of the withdrawal of the US forces to physically target journalists. The Iraqi authorities must do what is necessary to put a stop to this and to ensure that there are independent investigations into these two recent incidents." The first incident involved Ali Al-Juburi (Ifaq) Ahmad Omad (Biladi TV) and Karim Al-Qasimi (Al Fiha) outside Ramadi, traveling in a car clearly marked as press being pulled over by Sahwa and Iraqi police and physically attacked. The second is Haydar al_Qotbi (Radio Sawa) attacked in Baghdad by Sahwa after he displayed his press credentials ("dragged from the car and badly beated by six men").
Staying with the topic of Iraqi reporters, one year ago today, Soran Mama Hama was assassinated in Kirkuk Province. From the July 22, 2008 snapshot:
Reuters notes "an Iraqi journalist working for a Kudrish magazine" was shot dead in Kirkuk Monday and 5 people wounded in shootings in Haswa while Tirkit was the site of an attack today "on the convoy of Khalid Burhan, head of health office of Salahudding province" that left his guards wounded. The journalist was Soran Mamhama. He was 23-years-old and AP states he worked for the "magazine Leven and often covered government corruption." Reporters Without Borders issued a statement condeming the murder and stated, "We call on the Kudristan authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Hama's murder. He wrote hard-hitting articles about local politicians and security officials and had received threats from people telling him to stop his investigative reporting. The authorities should therefore give priority to the theory that he was killed because of his work." Xinhua notes Soran was shot dead outside his home and quotes Journalist Freedoms Observatory's Ziyad al-Ajili stating, "The first step to halt the assassinations against journalists is to capture those culprits." Iran's Press TV quotes Latif Satih Faraj (Kurdish Journalists Union in Kirkuk) stating, "If the government can't protect Kurdish journalists in Kirkuk, we might adviste them to withdraw from this city." Iraq's The Window reports Leveen is calling for an investigation and that "Leveen, which is an independent Kurdish magazine founded 6 years ago in Sulaimani, is known as a muckraking journal in Kurdistan and Iraq."
The Committee To Protect Journalists is calling for his murder(s) to be brought to justice, "Authorities in Kirkuk province must bring to justice those responsible for the 2008 murder of journalist Soran Mama Hama . . . the Committee to Protect Journalists said on the eve of the anniversary of the reporter's slaying. . . . Mama Hama published an article in Livin before his death about the alleged complicity of the police and security officials in prostitution rings in Kirkuk. He claimed in the article that his sources had provided him with names of 'police brigadiers, many lieutenants, colonels, and many police and security officers,' who were clients. The shooting occurred at around 9 p.m. in the dominantly Kurdish neighborhood of Shorija, a relatively safe area in Kirkuk." They note that Soran was one of 139 journalists killed in Iraq since the start of the illegal war.
A year ago today, Nouri was gearing up for his trip to Berlin where he'd meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. This as thug and puppet of the occupation Nouri al-Maliki gears up for his media stop in the US, just in time for Barry O's prime time address Wednesday night. July 25th, three provinces in Iraq hold their provincial elections and to steal attention (what little's been given) for the KRG, Nouri plans to announce an education plan that would put 10,000 Iraqis in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US for college study. Of course, that 10,000 wouldn't come anytime soon. He plans to do 500. He'll make his announcement of the program in DC Saturday morning. Ned Parker's "Maliki remakes himself ahead of elections" (Los Angeles Times) covers the region's Madonna as he prepares to embark on his Blonde Ambition tour and notes of self-promoter Nouri:Iran has played a king-making role in Iraqi Shiite politics since 2003 because of its ties to many Shiite lawmakers, who spent years in exile across the border."In the period of 2006 and 2007, there were moves to remove Maliki. It was Iran who stopped it. Maliki has to remember this. They can make his life harder," said Sami Askari, a Shiite legislator and confidant of the prime minister.Still, Askari warned that Maliki would not be hemmed in; he would set the conditions for any list of candidates he might join."Maliki will not accept to be marginalized. . . . Some may have ambitions to surround Maliki. I doubt they will succeed," Askari said. "Everyone understands Maliki is an asset."Noting the visit is Jake Kurtzer (Refugees International) who stresses the ongoing Iraqi refugee crisis -- internal and external displaced persons -- and offers:President Obama can convey this message by urging Al-Maliki to take a few basic steps. First and foremost, the Iraqi government must continue to improve its own response to the displacement crisis. Reports that the Iraqi government plans to close the IDP file at the end of this year indicate a desire on their part to gloss over this humanitarian emergency. This is unacceptable. The Iraqi government, with U.S. support, must continue to improve its legal framework for supporting returnees and must ensure that all returns are voluntary, and conducted with dignity to areas that are safe and suitable for return. In urging Al-Maliki to take these steps, President Obama should reiterate America's commitment to meeting the basic needs of Iraq's displaced, through financial support for humanitarian agencies and through diplomatic engagement with host countries. The announcement of a potential return of an Ambassador to Syria is a welcome and overdue step that RI has been calling for since 2007. This will ensure that the U.S. can engage with the Syrian government on issues relating to the basic needs of Iraqi refugees. Finally, the President can continue to affirm the U.S.'s commitment to resettle those most vulnerable Iraqi's who will never be able to return home. Refugees International's latest report is [PDF format warning] entitled "IRAQI REFUGEES: WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND SECURITY CRITICAL TO RETURNS" and it's covered in yesterday's snapshot.
Nouri's first stop will be the United Nations. No surprise, the UN is suddenly interested in Iraq again. The same UN that's shutting down offices and websites. (Didn't you notice? Try to visit UNHCR's Iraq page. It's gone.) Tim Cocks (Reuters) reports that an unnamed UN diplomat is swearing that the KRG needs to stop their demands on Kirkuk and just wait because, "We (all) believe that would lead to war and the U.N. has . . . told the Kurds that." And the response of the Kurds should be: Who the hell cares? The referendum on oil-rich Kirkuk was supposed to have taken place no later than December 2007. It's 2009 and they're still being told to wait? The UN claimed in the summer of 2008 they'd work on a solution. It's a year later and the solution is: Wait?
No. If you were a Kurd you wouldn't support waiting one more moment. They've waited. They've listened. It's really past time for something to be done about the situation. Iraq's Constitution has not been followed and if the United Nations wants to help, they might try actually helping instead of being the joke to every NGO and charity in Iraq right now. They made themselves that joke. They did it when they let a man WHORE out the good name of the UN to appease al-Maliki. Yeah, back when they said that host countries shouldn't consider Iraqi citizens refugees from a dangerous country. Under huge protests internally, the UN issued a statement saying that, of course, the situation in Iraq was still too dangerous for a return. But they'd already made a joke of themselves and they'd yet again proven that they will LIE for Nouri. They did last fall when they allowed their spokeswoman to lash out at Iraqi women in a press conference, to blame Iraqi women for the cholera outbreak. That's wasn't public health, it wasn't anything but take the heat off Nouri. The United Nations has played the fool for Nouri one time too damn many and their reputation is in tatters in Iraq. It's their own fault and it will require real work to build it back up. Until they do, the Kurds should tell them to butt the hell out of an issue in a supposedly soveriegn country. What's the United Nations doing butting in yet again anyway? The Kurds didn't invite them into the conversation.
Oh, Nouri invited them in. Well it's not all about Nouri and the KRG doesn't have to listen to the UN and shouldn't at this point in time. Read Tim Cocks' report and grasp that the unnamed diplomat is WHORING for Nouri. (Cocks has written an excellent report, the embarrassment is the UN diplomat.) It's all, "Bad Barzani!" from the diplomat. First off, July 25th is when the KRG holds provincial elections and presidential. It's funny how many times I've heard friends at the UN excuse Nouri's alarmist rhetoric with, "He's just trying to drum up support for the elections." Yet, Barzani faces an election on Saturday and he's not given the same benefit of the doubt? The UN has embarrassed themselves and the problem has been from day one that no one person is in charge. This group (usually on the ground in Iraq) goes off and does what it wants. The UN attempts to fix it by using an agency spokesperson from outside Iraq. But they never punish their staff in Iraq that continually causes these problems. Instead of fretting over Kirkuk, the UN should work on getting their own damn house in order. The United Nations needs to be seen as an honest broker. It gave that up due to on the ground staff repeatedly distorting to benefit Nouri al-Maliki. Those people were not disciplined (and it took forever just to get two of them removed from Iraq). Now the UN wants to tell the Kurds to wait? After it gave up the right to be seen as an honest broker?
If I were Baghdad, I'd wait. I'd wait happily. If I were the Kurds, I'd grasp that maybe a little violence will come in the already violent Iraq if I move but if I don't move the issue will continue to be postponed while the US government gets closer and closer to Nouri. I'd grasp that Nouri's violence usually leads to the US Embassy appeasing him. I'd grasp that maybe setting off my own violence might get me some of Kirkuk or Nineveh. I'd grasp that the United Nation's diplomat is trashing me to the press when Nouri is the one who has held up the Kirkuk issue. When the Iraq Constitution mandated that he commission a census and schedule a referendum before the end of 2007, when the White House benchmarks included that he resolve the issue of Kirkuk. Nouri didn't do that. But the one causing the problem is the Kurds? I'd grasp that any UN staff that turned around and trashed me to the press wasn't worth working with and I'd decide what I wanted to do and when I wanted to do it. Two and a half years after the Iraq Constitution mandated this issue be settled, it's still not and the United Nations wants to say "WAIT!" and blame the Kurds? And they want to be seen like they are being fair to both sides? It's nonsense. And that's demonstrated by the fact that Iran's Press TV provides perspective the UN diplomat seems not to grasp:The Kurds say that parts of the majority Arab Nineveh belong to their ancient homeland and want them included in Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan. Kurds represent 16 of Nineveh's 37 seats in the parliament. They complain that Arab Governor, Atheel al-Nujaifi has marginalized them in the provincial council since he was elected on January 31, restoring Arabs to power.Should the problem fail to be resolved, the Kurds will be forced to split the province into two, forming their own splinter council to run the 16 administrative units, Kurdish councilor Derrman Khitari said on Sunday.
"10 dead, fifty-five injured as violence rocks Iraq"
"Size of the military continues to increase under Obama"
"Isaiah's draws Barack and his teleprompter"
"Howard Kurtz, Bob Somerby, Ava and C.I."
"Chris Hedges on the radio"
"gordo:illiberal and reactionary"
"Broadcast legend Walter Cronkite passes away"
"David Kelly, Judy Miller, NYT"
"Robert Parry tries stand up"
"Health care, Barry, Chris Hedges and more"
"Norman Solomon's on his soap box again"
"Isaiah, Third"
"Barry O in a panic"
"THIS JUST IN! STARLET IN A PANIC!"
Posted by cedricsbigmix at 8:40 PM 1 comment: Links to this post
Barry O in a panic
CELEBRITY IN CHIEF BARRY O IS A NERVOUS WRECK.
TODAY HE RAN AROUND THE OVAL OFFICE SCREECHING, "HAVE YOU SEEN MY TV-Q! HAVE YOU SEEN MY TV-Q!"
BARRY O WAS FACING WHAT COREY HAIM, BILLY RAY CYRUS, BOBBY SHERMAN AND SO MANY OTHER FLASH IN THE PANS HAVE HAD TO FACE, WHEN THE FLAVOR OF THE MONTH IS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE.
BARACK HAD HEAVY DROPPAGE IN A SERIES OF POLLS RELEASED TODAY.
UNABLE TO FACE THE FACT THAT HIS CELEBRITY MAY HAVE PEAKED, BARRY O INSISTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT AMERICA HAS NOT BEEN GETTING ENOUGH OF HIM.
"MY FANS ARE HUNGRY FOR ME! HUNGRY!" HE INSISTED AS HE MADE PLANS TO HOLD YET ANOTHER PRIME TIME PRESS CONFERENCE, THIS ONE WEDNESDAY BEGINNING AT 8:00 P.M. E.S.T.
Starting with Iraqi refugees. Today the International Committee of the Red Cross explains they "issued travel documents to 96 Palestinian refugees from Al-Waleed Camp (Anbar Governorate) to enable them to travel to Europe and the United States, where they will be resettled with the help of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International ORganization for Migration." Last week, Miriam Jordan (Wall St. Journal) reports that the US has agreed to take in 1,350 Palestinian refugees from Iraq --from among the over 3,000 refugees stuck in the 'camps' between Iraq and Syria. Jordan quoted University of California Hastings College of Law's professor George Bisharat stating, "These particular Palestinians are a fallout from the Iraq War. The Obama administration had to take some responsibility for the consequneces of the invasion." Patrik Jonsson (Christian Science Monitor -- link has text and video) had earlier reported that the refugees would "be resetteled in the US". However, Stephen Kaufman, writing at and for the US government at America.gov, doesn't say these refugees have been accepted, he states (on July 13th) that they "are being considered" for admittance to the US and sites the US State Dept as the source for that: "A State Department spokesman told America.gov July 13 that the resettlement process for the group actually began in 2008, and so far 24 Palestinians from Iraq have arrived in the United States."
While the refugees need to be offered asylum in the US, what sort of life awaits them? Not a good one if most reports are any indication. Fields Moseley (Utah's KUTV) reports on Raida Jarjes and Taofiq Rasheed, husband and wife Iraqi refugees living in Utah after being granted asylum following many years of waiting in Syria. In Iraq, she was a journalist, he was an attorney but here in the US they are among "50 refugee families [who] might be in the homeless shelter next month." Moseley explains, "The Rasheeds are foreign professionals without jobs, a common story among Iraqi refugees. They were delivered to this apartment complex and told a job should be their first priority. They received $920 each from the state department and a couple hundred bucks follows each week. But it won't last." The State Coordinator for Refguee Resettlement, Gerald Brwon, tells Moseley, "We are not able to find people jobs at the rate we have to if they have to pay rent." Saundra Amrhein (St. Petersburg Times) reports on Hayder Abudlwahab and his family (Iman, his wife, and their two sons) who escaped Iraq, made it to Syria and finally were accepted into the US, settling in Tampa in August 2008. They left Iraq after Hayder was injured in a bombing and "awoke on a pile of bodies in a Baghdad morgue. [. . .] Paralyzed, blinded, unable to scream, Hayder lay in a jumble of bodies. Knobby bones poked him from underneath, a still-warm arm lay across his side. The smell of rot was overwhelming." Now they live in Tampa trying very hard to make ends meet and just to make rent each month. Earlier this month, Aamer Madhani (USA Today) explained there was a 3.1% increase this year in "no-shows" for Iraqi refugees granted asylum to the US who do not take make the "U.S. government-paid flights out of Iraq" and that "the reluctance is a reflection of the difficulties faced by thousands of Iraqis who have arrived in the U.S. since 2006." Not all Iraqi refugees are struggling to those extremes. Maureen Sieh (Syracuse Post-Standard) noted, In the last year, 130 Iraqi refugees have been settled in Syracuse by refugee programs run by Catholic Charities and Interfaith Works Center for New Americans." Most charity programs have dried up in the US due to the economy and/or disinterest. Mosques and churches are among the few that remain. What of the US government's obligation? Last week the Boston Globe offered the editorial
"An obligation to refugees" which argued, "The United States should provide a haven for more refugees." Friday the International Organization for Migration announced the US State Dept had provided them $10 million "to meet the most urgent needs of Iraqi returnees." Returnees. Not refugees.
What are they doing for refugees? In it's most recent [PDF format warning] report on Iraq, the US State Dept notes that "as many as 2 million Iraqi refugees" are being housed by "regional governments," an estimated 2.8 million are currently displaced within Iraq and then they offer a dollar figure . . . for Fiscal Year 2008. FY2008 ended months before Barack Obama was sworn in. Fiscal Year 2009, the current year, is nearly over. It ends at the end of September. March 20, 2009, much was made of the announcement of pledges by the US in excess of $141 million which was added to the stingy sum of $9 million that had already been 'committed.' Have those pledges been honored, has the money -- $90 million to UNHCR, $15.5 million to UNICEF, for example -- been paid out? Were the pledges honored? Yvonne Abraham (Boston Globe) pointed out another area of concern yesterday, "The federal government desperately needs Arabic speakers, particularly ones who know the Middle East. Hundreds of the Iraqis who worked with US forces are now here, and desperately need jobs. Yet nobody seems to have come up with a way to match our needs with theirs. Kirk Johnson, whose List Project brings Iraqis who helped American forces to the United States, said only a few have found work as government translators here. The rest are shut out because the security hurdles are too high, or because they're not citizens."
Saturday, James Denselow (Guardian) explored "Iraq's forgotten crisis" and noting the interlocking nature of the conflicts (such as the KRG and the central government), the failed and failing infrastructure and the drought on issues including the external and internal refugees:
The consequences of the upstream damming of Iraq's rivers, when compounded with a general trend towards the reduction in rainfall entering the two river basins, is having a severe impact on the Iraqi breadbasket's ability to feed its population. The World Food Programme estimates that some 930,000 people are currently food-insecure in Iraq, with a further 6.4 million at risk of becoming food-insecure in the event of the failure of the Public Distribution System (PDS). Resettlement of internally displaced refugees and the potential return of the millions of Iraqis from Jordan and Syria all have the potential to place a further burden on this fragile system. Adam L Silverman, who worked as a social science adviser for the US army human terrain teams in 2008, noted that lack of river discharge leads to "ongoing soil erosion that leads to further desertification and increased heat and dust storms, which has a measurable negative impact on the quality of life of the Iraqis". Reuters reported that the sandstorms that delayed Biden's trip led to several deaths and "hundreds of Iraqis seeking medical help after one of the worst sandstorms in living memory stretched beyond a week, choking throats, clogging eyes and afflicting asthma sufferers in particular".
"The Iraqi refugee crisis is far from over and recent violence is creating further displacement," notes Refugees International, "Iraqi women will resist returning home, even if conditions improve in Iraq, if there is no focus on securing their rights as women and assuring their personal security and their families' well being." Refugees International's latest report is [PDF format warning] entitled "IRAQI REFUGEES: WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND SECURITY CRITICAL TO RETURNS." It finds that not only are large scale returns not coming in the immediate future but that "[n]ot one woman interviewed by RI indicated her intention to return. Some women said they won't return because they are members of targeted minority groups, or because of injuries they suffered. . . . Some fear rising conservatism would restrict their ability to participate in civic and professional life. . . . Others feared they were at risk of so called 'honor killings' by family members because they refused marriages, had divorced, or were accused of prostitution." The field report found reoprts of forced marriages in Syria and the KRG. In Syria, "an Iraqi women working as a singer in a restaurant . . . was attacked by three men and raped. When she reported the crime to the police and asked for assistance, she was arrested, detained for six days, and threatened with deportation for working illegally. UNHCR finally obtained her release, but her assailants were never arrested." The report notes:
In northern Iraq, the KRG has taken some welcome steps to respond to the disturbingly high levels of reported gender-based violence (GBV), particularly so-called "honor killings," burnings and other attacks on women, often disguised as accidents or suicides. Recent higher GBV statistics in KRG may indicate a greater willingness to report such crimes, but further visible government support for women's rights is sorely need throughout Iraq.
The KRG, unlike the Government of Iraq, has supsended laws providing for "mitigating circumstances" to reduce the punishments for so-called "honor" crimes and has increased the penalties. Its Prime Minster set up a Cabinet-level Committee on Violence against Women and set up and staffed in each KRG governorate a "Directorate to Follw up Violence against Women." The offices conduct outreach and public education and investigate cases to turn over to the prosecutor. To protect women at risk of serious violence, the KRG and nongovernmental organizations operate small residential shelters. However, staff has little training or experience on security, confidentiality, or the counseling skills needed to assist clients. RI learned of recent incidents of women being trafficked from shelters.
The KRG could enhance these institutions' effectiveness and credibility by appointing experienced women to senior leadership posts in the Cabinet Committee and the Directorates, by regulating the shelters, and by ensuring shelter staff receive training and oversight. Donors should provide technical assistance through deploying specialist in investigations, witness protection, counseling, and helping to create standard operating procedures for temporary shelters. Donors should increase support to local NGOs experienced in GBV prevention and response services. Help is also needed in ensuring the wider distribution of public education materials in both Kurdish and Arabic, since higher levels of domestic violence are reported in the displaced population, which has not benefitted from any government outreach.
Moving to the Kurdistan region of Iraq. July 25th, they hold their provincial elections as well as elect a president. Nada Bakri (Washington Post) notes the region is "simultaneously considered the most democratic in Iraq and not all that democratic. Two main parties -- [KRG President Masoud] Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, headed by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani -- have for years exercised a stranglehold on the region, dividing between them politics, patronage, investments and business deals." Pakistan's The National observes that a vote was also supposed to be held "to approve the new constitution, but a hurried intervention by the US vice president Joe Biden and warnings from Baghdad have persuaded Kurdish leaders to postpone that referendum. Kurdish anxiety is understandable. . . . The Kurds now appear to feel that the goodwill they displayed when they were strong brought few benefits." All weekend the tensions between the KRG and the centeral government in Baghdad continued to increase. Mehid Lebouachera (Kuwait Times) explained the roots of the tensions as follows: "Six years after the US-led invasion in which Kurdish rebel groups were key allies, their decades-old claims to historically Kurdish-inhabited areas remain unresolved by the new Iraqi government in which they hold both the presidency and a deputy premiership. And opposition to the Kurdish demands remains as strong as ever, not only among the Sunni Arab minority that dominated Saddam Hussein's ousted regime but also among the Shiite majority community that leads the new government and among ethnice minorities such as Turkemn. As time drags on, Kurdish leaders have voiced mounting frustration at the impasse in their talks with Baghdad, sparking an increasingly heated war of words with Arab politicians."
Lebouachera explains the tensions over unresolved borders. There are a number of disputed territories but let's zoom in on oil-rich Kirkuk. Nouri al-Maliki was installed by the US over three years ago. That's important. The 2005 Constitution, which went into effect in the final third of 2005 -- mere months before Nouri was installed -- promised an independent census of Kirkuk and a 2007 referendum. Nouri came to power and didn't get on that issue. Following the 2006 mid-term elections in the US, when both houses of Congress were handed over to Democrats (November, 2006), the White House, under pressure on the never-ending illegal war, began talking benchmarks for 'success.' The White House defined those benchmarks and Nouri signed off on them. The benchmarks included resolving the issue of Kirkuk. 2007. Two years later and still nothing.Not only throughout the illegal war, but also before it began, it was always known that Kirkuk was a divisive issue. (Hence the September 1998 White House meeting with Jalal Talabani, Kurd and current president of Iraq, and Masoud Barzani, Kurd and current president of the KRG; as well as the passage of in October 2002 of legislation by the Kurdish parliament preparing for the Iraq War.) Saddam Hussein ran Kurds out of the area and installed Arabs. The Kurds see Kirkuk as their land. The land is oil-rich and the Arabs aren't eager to hand it over to Kurdish control.So despite the fact that Nouri came into office mere months after the Constitution went into effect (calling for resolution of the Kirkuk issue) and despite the fact that, in 2007, he signed off on benchmarks which included resolving the Kirkuk issue, he's done nothing. There has been no referendum, there hasn't even been a census.Last summer, lands the Kurds consider their own were nearly invaded by Iraqi forces in what some saw as an attempted take over and others saw as a 'crackdown' or assault similar to what Nouri staged on Basra in March of last year. It was a very tense situation and war could have erupted right then. Unlike the Shi'ite - Sunni conflict which was more ethnic cleansing due to the fact that the Sunnis are not in power and do not have the numbers that the Shi'ites, the KRG has its own army, has its own forces and the tensions do not cease, if these issues aren't resolved, it's not unlikely that real civil war will break out in Iraq. A real one. Not ethnic cleansing being 'prettied up' with the phrase 'civil war.' Not a bunch of powerless minorities being killed and run out of the country, but a full on war.
But that doesn't seem to be a concern to the US installed government. Jamal al-Badrani (Reuters) reports that, as nothing is done regarding disputed territories, Kurds in Nineveh Province have issued statements threatening to secede but that's apparently not cause for concern either. And all the statements being made by KRG officials? Apparently not a concern either. AFP reports that Massud Barzani, president of the KRG, stated yesterday, "We are committed to the application of Article 140 (of the Iraqi constitution) and we rpomise that we will absolutely not compromise on this issue or on the rights of the people of Kurdistan." Article 140 requires an independent census in Kirkuk and a referendum to take place no later than . . . December 2007. This is not a minor detail nor is it something once touched on and then forgotten. Saturday, the KRG's Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani gave a speech and it included the following:In formulating policy for our government, we have always been committed to the Iraqi Constitution and protection of the interests of the Kurdistan Region and all of Iraq.As you are all aware, recent tensions have occasionally surfaced with the federal, central government over pending issues. It is clear that, as long as those issues remain unresolved; this will threaten the stability that we all aspire to achieve in Iraq. I would like to address this matter openly. What we in the Kurdistan Regional Government want to achieve is to resolve these issues peacefully and in accordance with the terms and conditions enshrined in the Iraqi Constitution, for which 80% of Iraqis voted. We have always been ready in the past, and we are ready and willing now to sit at the negotiating table with the federal government and talk with those who possess the will to solve these issues. Sometimes we in the Kurdistan Region are accused of being too firm and insistent in our demands. But I would like Iraqis and the whole world to be aware of two things: First, our insistence on the commitment to the Constitution and its guarantees for freedom and democracy emerge directly from our history. We in the Kurdistan Region have suffered greatly as the result of agreements which were unfulfilled and promises which were ignored. In order for us to live in peace and stability, we want our rights to be protected. This will take place as a result of permanent agreements by which all concerned will abide, in accordance with Constitutional principles. We don't have any hidden agenda in Iraq.Second, for those who say that we cannot negotiate seriously, there are tangible examples of how the KRG has participated seriously in negotiations that have led to historic results. Therefore, we can engage in a similar manner with Baghdad in this regard.We want to be a reliable and cooperative partner with the federal government. Our vision of security, stability and prosperity for the Kurdistan Region requires a peaceful and cooperative relationship and coordination with all of Iraq and with Baghdad and we will continue with this policy in the Kurdistan Region. All that we ask for is to have a relationship within the framework of the Constitution, which is the highest law of the land and the greatest guarantee to us that history will not repeat itself. Our message is clear. The Kurdistan Regional Government is ready and hopeful that serious dialogue will resume with the federal government to solve the issues according to Constitutional principles and within a federal, democratic Iraq.Our insistence on resolving the issues are with the aim of guaranteeing a bright future for our people and the prevention of any repetition of our tragic history.
Meanwhile, do-nothing Nouri is headed to the US. Liz Sly (Los Angeles Times) reports Nouri, who has been making disparging remarks about US service members lately, intends to visit Arlington Cementary while visiting the White House. Reportedly he plans to pay his 'respects' -- non-existant ones to judge by his recent remarks. She quotes Nouri al-Maliki's boy-toy Sami Askari declaring, ""The Democrats were in opposition to George Bush so they tended not to see his positive points, only to concentrate on the negative ones. So I think the prime minister needs to say this: That as a people, we are not ignoring what others did for us. Every Iraqi who goes to Washington needs to make clear that the war was not a failure." Save the fantasy talk for Nouri, Askari. Nouri made quite clear to Barack last summer what he thought of Bully Boy Bush. The idea that after running Bush down (no problem with that here), Nouri's now going to counsel Barack on the 'good' in George W.'s efforts is laughable. What's not being reported are rumors that Biden has scheduled a high-level meeting with Nouri and former Ba'athists for this visit. Those are rumors. When Biden visited Iraq, Nouri remainded non-committal to the idea and indicated he would weigh a meet up with Ba'athists and Arab neighbors. Shortly after Biden departed Iraq, Nouri began issuing fiery statements indicating otherwise. Nouri's personal press representative Mike Tharp of McClatchy Newspapers and Nouri's Ass raves like he's audtioning for Pat Newcomb: The Movie, insisting -- in a non-journalistic manner -- that Nouri is "the popular leader of an American ally, the prime minister of an increasingly independent-minded country". When Mike gets the taste of Nouri's ass washed out of his mouth, someone inform him that Nouri's a thug and a US installed puppet currently testing the length and tethering of his leash.
"US military sitting ducks, 6 Iraqi police officers killed"
"Nouri on one side, the people of Iraq on the other"
Isaiah's The World Today Just Nuts "Barry and Totus"
"Do you like a good yarn?"
"The empty bread basket"
Editorial: The lost land of Iraq
TV: Meet The Fockers
Issues effecting women veterans
Music roundtable
Meet the new Ramen
Theme of last week
"MICHELLE HAS PLANS FOR HEALTH CARE"
"THIS JUST IN! MICHELLE TO RESCUE HEALTH CARE!"
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ROBERT FRANKLIN CLARK GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP IN UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
The Robert Franklin Clark Graduate Fellowship in Ukrainian Language and Literature was created in 1997, the result of a three-way partnership between CFUS, the University of Toronto’s matching funds program and the Ontario Opportunities Trust Fund. Each institution contributed $100,000 to create the Robert F. Clark Endowment Fund for a total value of $300,000. This Endowment was intended to be used specifically to provide for the R. F. Clarke Fellowship in Ukrainian Language and Literature at the University of Toronto. The Fund is administered by the University of Toronto.
The purpose of the Fellowship is to support a Master’s or PhD candidate pursuing studies in the field of Ukrainian language and/or literature at the University of Toronto.
The amount of the award is approximately $15,000 annually (in recent years, the amount has been somewhat less than $15,000 due to the overall economic and financial crises which have been impacting on universities as well as the lower annual earnings of the Fund).
Generally, the award is made to a single student although it may be apportioned to several students under certain circumstances.
The Robert F. Clark Fellowship in Ukrainian Language and Literature is awarded and administered in accordance with the University of Toronto’s policy on student awards.
The criteria for the selection of the recipient of the award are based on the applicant’s record of academic excellence and financial need. Between Master’s and PhD candidates of equal economic eligibility and scholastic merit, priority is given to PhD candidates. The award is made by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies upon the recommendation of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures.
A description of the Fellowship is printed in the University of Toronto’s School of Graduate Studies Calendar and other university materials relating to scholarships.
For further information regarding qualification, please contact the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Toronto.
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university of louisville (53)
simmons university (louisville, ky.) (2)
kaufmanns department store (photographer) (1)
limerick (louisville, ky.) (48)
university (louisville, ky.) (6)
university of louisville. belknap campus (2)
college students (125)
university of louisville -- students (113)
university of louisville -- sports (62)
african american college students (55)
alumni & alumnae (55)
simmons university (louisville, ky.) (53)
photographic prints (102)
negatives (1)
still image moving image (1)
Subject: College students
Black Student Union protest, University of Louisville, May 1, 1969.
Black Student Union (University of Louisville); African American college students; African Americans; Students; University of Louisville--Students; Activists
A group of African-Americans stand in front of Gardiner Hall. A white hand holds up a sign, "Black rights mean everyone's rights." Members of the Black Student Union (BSU) and some of their supporters occupied the administrative offices of the...
Brigman Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, 1936.
Buildings; Educational facilities; Universities & colleges; University of Louisville--Buildings; College students
Front of Brigman Hall at the University of Louisville. The entrance and the building's two ""towers"" are visible. The Steam/Chilled Water plant, with its smokestack, stands beside it. Brigman Hall was formerly known as the Leathers Building, named...
Charles Stewart, 1907.
Simmons University (Louisville, Ky.); African American college students; College students; Education; African Americans--Education (Higher); African American journalists; Portrait photographs; African Americans
Portrait of Charles Stewart. The back of the photograph reads: "Charles Stewart most widely known newspaper correspondent State University Graduate." Portrait taken by Kaufmann's of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university has gone by many names...
Chemistry class, Louisville Municipal College, Louisville, Kentucky, 1951.
Laboratories; College students; African American college students; Louisville Municipal College for Negroes (Louisville, Ky.);
Professor Henry Spence Wilson presides over students in a chemistry lab at Louisville Municipal College. Two women and three men work surrounded by shelves lined with glass bottles and equipment.
Class Cards 1946.
School yearbooks; Schools; Students; University of Louisville--Students; Alumni & alumnae; University of Louisville--Alumni and alumnae; Student organizations; Universities & colleges; Medical students; Law students; Music students; Engineering...
28-page yearbook published by the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 1946, while the publication of The Thoroughbred yearbook was on hiatus due to World War II.
Colonel 1909.
School yearbooks; Schools; Students; University of Louisville--Students; Alumni & alumnae; University of Louisville--Alumni and alumnae; Student organizations; Universities & colleges; Medical students; Law students; College students; University of...
Yearbook published by the students of the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 1909.
Yearbook published by the seniors of the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 1911. Volume 3.
Yearbook published by the seniors of the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, MCMXII. Volume 4.
Déjà-vu 1974.
School yearbooks; Schools; Students; University of Louisville--Students; Alumni & alumnae; University of Louisville--Alumni and alumnae; Student organizations; Universities & colleges; Medical students; Law students; Dental students; Music...
Yearbook for the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 1974. Aerial photo by Billy Davis on p. 5 is © The Courier-Journal and appears with their permission.
School yearbooks; Schools; Students; Alumni & alumnae; University of Louisville--Students; University of Louisville--Alumni and alumnae; Student organizations; Universities & colleges; College students; University of Louisville--Sports
Yearbook for the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 1975.
Edwena Kennedy Thomas, 1898.
Simmons University (Louisville, Ky.); African American college students; College students; Education; African Americans--Education (Higher); Graduation ceremonies; African Americans; Women
Portrait of State University graduate Edwena Kennedy Thomas at her graduation. The university has gone by many names since its founding in 1879: The Kentucky Normal and Theological Institute (1879), State University (1883), Simmons University...
George A. Hampton and Simmons University students, Louisville, Kentucky, 1924.
Simmons University (Louisville, Ky.); African American college students; College students; Education; African Americans--Education (Higher); African Americans
George A. Hampton, a graduate from 1905, with the Simmons University graduating class of 1924. The back of the photograph reads: "George A. Hampton College graduate, 1905." The university has gone by many names since its founding in 1879: The...
Graduating class at Simmons University, Louisville, Kentucky, 1943.
Simmons University (Louisville, Ky.); African American universities and colleges; Universities & colleges; Education; African Americans--Education (Higher); African American educators; African American college students; African American men; Men;...
Nine African American men stand on the steps of a building wearing robes and graduation caps. Another three African American men stand in front of the graduating class, the two on the left are wearing more ornate robes and hoods around their necks....
Henry Arthur Keen and his class at Simmons University, Louisville, Kentucky, 1920s.
Simmons University (Louisville, Ky.); African American college students; College students; African American educators; African American college teachers; Teachers; African Americans--Education (Higher); Education; African Americans
Group portrait of Henry Arthur Keen and one of his classes at Simmons University, per the back of the photograph. The university has gone by many names since its founding in 1879: The Kentucky Normal and Theological Institute (1879), State...
Kentucky Cardinal 1922.
School yearbooks; Schools; Students; University of Louisville--Students; Alumni & alumnae; University of Louisville--Alumni and alumnae; Student organizations; Universities & colleges; Medical students; College students; Dental students
Final monthly edition published by the students of the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, June 1922. Volume I Number 6.
School yearbooks; Schools; Students; University of Louisville--Students; Alumni & alumnae; University of Louisville--Alumni and alumnae; Student organizations; Universities & colleges; Medical students; Law students; Dental students; College...
Final monthly edition published by the students of the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, June 1923. Volume II Number 9.
Key 1943.
School yearbooks; Schools; Students; University of Louisville--Students; Alumni & alumnae; University of Louisville--Alumni and alumnae; Student organizations; Universities & colleges; Medical students; Law students; Music students; College...
12-page yearbook published by the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 1943. The publication of The Thoroughbred yearbook had been discontinued during World War II, but the Class of 1943 wanted a pictorial record of their time at the...
Men studying, Louisville, Kentucky, 1936.
White men are sitting at long tables reading through various books. Several of them are wearing white lab coats.
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Fridays on the Frontier
About » News & Features » Fridays on the Frontier
Fridays on the Frontier is an interactive program for 4th and 7th graders sponsored by the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area. This hands-on education program immerses students in the events of the American Revolution on the New York frontier. Students experience British, American and Native American perspectives on the war.
The following are features of the program and interactive activities that students and educators can participate in:
-Pre-visit materials will be available on this website prior to your visit.
-Students can view a pre-visit video on captive Jasper Parrish. Visit the Old Fort Niagara channel on YouTube to view the video, which is entitled "The Narrative of Jasper Parrish."
-Be recruited for the cause of liberty by soldiers of the Continental Army.
-Learn the harrowing story of an American woman, Elizabeth Gilbert, who was captured by a Native war party and brought to Fort Niagara as a prisoner.
-View a musket demonstration and learn about 18th century battlefield technology.
-Engage in the infantry exercise. Students will use wooden muskets to follow the corporal's commands as he teaches them how soldiers were trained.
-Learn the fine art of blacksmithing by viewing how iron objects were made and repaired at Fort Niagara.
-Experience the fine art of coopering and understand the importance of barrels, how they were made and how vital supplies were moved around the Great Lakes.
-Listen to popular tunes of the colonial period and learn how they regulated the soldier's day.
-Learn how joiners worked with wood to create furniture and other objects needed by Niagara's garrison.
-Bread was a staple of the colonial diet. See how bread was prepared in wood-fired ovens.
-Meet a member of the Indian Department and learn about his job recruiting Natives as British allies.
-Artillery firing. Watch the soldiers load and fire a cannon.
-Learn about the lives of Native Americans who lived near the Fort.
Soldiers' Life: Visit a guard room and learn about the daily lives of common British soldiers.
To register: contact Carrie LaFlair (716) 745-7611 ext. 223 or claflair@oldfortniagara.org
Sponsored by the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.
On October 13, 1812, the United States invaded Canada. Lewiston was the staging area for the Battle of Queenston Heights, the first major battle of the War of 1812. Cannons installed on the lawn of Barton Hill were aimed at the village of Queenston, across the Niagara River in Canada. Troops were quartered on Major Barton's property as well.
Buffalo History Museum
Aquarium of Niagara
Niagara University Castellani Art Museum
Tuscarora Heroes Monument
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Think Like Entrepreneurs, Students Urged
The Windsor Star/E. VanWageningen
Many of today's post-secondary students aren't going to walk into a job when they graduate, so the University of Windsor is trying to prepare more of them to create their own.
Even those who don't successfully start their own companies will be better prepared to catch the attention of employers who are hiring, said Roy Verstraete, executive director of the university's new Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre.
The recently retired CEO of die, mould and heavy equipment parts maker Anchor Danly has seen the job climate shift significantly during his 40 years in the private sector.
"There's a real movement to independent workers. We're each responsible for our own careers. There's no more going out and being employed by one company until you retire," he said.
It is an environment that requires creativity, flexibility and the ability to take advantage of global trends, Verstraete said.
So the university is building on its classes and initiatives that encourage students to think like entrepreneurs.
The apt acronym for the new hub is the EPICentre. It is located in the space previously occupied by the university bookstore and includes a meeting area for students, offices and a reception area for more formal events.
The operations manager is Nicole Sleiman, who was administering the university's eight-year-old Centre for Enterprise and Law, which is now morphing into the larger endeavour.
While the EPICentre wants to cultivate connections with the community and local companies, it doesn't want to replicate what is already being done to support new businesses by other agencies, said Sleiman. "The No. 1 focus is the students."
The goal is to help students figure out if their innovations and ideas could feasibly be turned into businesses, as well as to encourage entrepreneurial thinking, she said.
Once a student or group of students have a feasible business plan they will be put in touch with other local agencies that can help them, such as the Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator and the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation. The long-term dream is that some of these students will go on to build local businesses that create new jobs and bolster the local economy, Verstraete said.
There are already some 20 classes at the university that focus on entrepreneurship.
Most are at the Odette School of Business, but they can also be found in the departments of English, music, computer science and engineering.
The university is now piloting joint classes of second-and fourth-year business and engineering students in which they help each other figure out how to successfully market an innovation or turn it into an enterprise.
The EPICentre is also taking under its wing the school's 80-member chapter of Enactus, a student group that takes on activities and projects to encourage entrepreneurship in the community.
There are plans to bring in speakers and hold events that get more students from all disciplines involved in entrepreneurial activities, Sleiman said.
The guest of honour at the EPICentre's launch reception on Wednesday will be Leland Boren, the 90-year-old CEO of Avis Industrial Corporation. His U.S.-based investment corporation owns 11 manufacturing firms, including Sellick Equipment Ltd. - a Harrow forklift-making company started by the Sellick family in 1969.
For information on how to start a small business, visit our Small Business Centre at: www.windsoressexsmallbusiness.com
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Home » General News » Government announces extra £900m for adult social care over two years
Government announces extra £900m for adult social care over two years
Author: Educare Staffing | Posted: 16th December 2016 | Category: General News
Councils are being given the power to raise tax for social care by six per cent over the next two years, as part of £900m of extra money, but critics call it a ‘sticking plaster’ for the care sector’s ills.
Sajid Javid, minister for Department for Communities and Local Government said:
‘Local authorities across England will be able to add a three percent levy to council tax bills in 2017/18 and an extra three per cent in 2018/19.’
Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid announced the move in a statement to the House of Commons about the Local Government Finance Settlement. Currently, the social care precept allows councils to raise as much as two percent a year through council tax for adult social care.
The minister told MPs an additional £652m could be raised from the social care precept (£208m in 2017/18 and £444m in 2018/19).
Mr Javid also announced that over the next two years:
“New money of £240m which otherwise would have gone into the ‘new homes bonus’ budget will be transferred to adult social care budgets.”
Against a backdrop of jeers in the House of Commons, the Minister said of the £652m from the social care precept and £240m from the new homes bonus: “This is £900m additional money over the next two years, which would not have happened had these changes not been announced.”
The minister also said:
“The overall increase in the social care precept over the next three years will remain at six per cent”.
97 per cent of councils have accepted the settlement including South and West Yorkshire and 10 councils have not.
If you’re looking for flexible work as a healthcare professional, or to hire care staff contact Educare here.
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Notification Year: Please Select 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
Circular Year: Please Select 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
Customs Manual
Non Tariff
Anti Dumping Duty
CESTAT
Settlement Commision
Penal Provisions
Appeal with Comm.App.
Appeal with before CESTAT
Anti Dumping Duty Notifications
YEAR-2015 YEAR-2014 YEAR-2013 YEAR-2012
Anti Dumping Duty Notifications for the year 2014
Notification No. Date Subject
43/2014 - Customs (ADD) 30-09-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of phenol, originating in or exported from Chinese Taipei and USA for a period of five years from the date of imposition of the provisional anti-dumping duty, that is, 16th May, 2014.
42/2014 - Customs (ADD) 25-09-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No. 89/2009-Customs dated 31.08.2009 for a further period of one year i.e. up to and inclusive of 30.08.2015
41/2014 - Customs (ADD) 18-09-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of sulphur black, originating in or exported from People's Republic of China, for a period of five years.
40/2014 - Customs (ADD) 16-09-2014 Seeks to impose provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of electrical insulators of glass or ceramics/porcelain, whether assembled or unassembled originating in, or exported from the People’s Republic of China for a period of six months.
39/2014 - Customs (ADD) 14-08-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of Ceftriaxone Sodium Sterile originating in or exported from the People's Republic of China, for a period of five years.
38/2014 - Customs (ADD) 13-08-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No. 119/2010-Customs dated 19.11.2010 for a further period of one year
37/2014 - Customs (ADD) 08-08-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of sodium nitrite, originating in or exported from the European Union, for a further period of five year
36/2014 - Customs (ADD) 25-07-2014 Seeks to impose provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) originating in, or exported from the People’s Republic of China, European Union, Korea RP and Thailand for a period of six months.
35/2014 - Customs (ADD) 24-07-2014 Seeks to impose definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of Rubber Chemicals originating in or exported from from China PR and Korea
34/2014 - Customs (ADD) 23-07-2014 Seeks to extend the validity the notification No. 61/2009-Cus dated 10.06.2009 for a further period of 1 year i.e. upto and inclusive of 9.6.2015.
33/2014 - Customs (ADD) 23-07-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No. 67/2009-Cus dated 16.06.2009 for a further period of 1 year i.e upto and inclusive of 15.06.2015.
32/2014 - Customs (ADD) 23-07-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No. 140/2009-Cus dated 12.12.2009 for a further period of 1 year ie. upto and inclusive of 21.06.2015.
31/2014 - Customs (ADD) 23-07-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No. 9/2013-Cus (ADD) dated 26.04.2013 for a further period of 1 year ie. upto and inclusive of 29.07.2015
30/2014 - Customs (ADD) 23-07-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No. 50/2010-Cus dated 12.04.2010 for a further period of 1 year i.e. upto and inclusive of 14.06.2015.
29/2014 - Customs (ADD) 04-07-2014 Notification No. 29/2014 - Customs (ADD)
28/2014 - Customs (ADD) 19-06-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No. 39/2010- Customs, dated the 23.03.2010 for a further period of one year i.e. upto and inclusive of the 11th day of May, 2015
27/2014 - Customs (ADD) 13-06-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of homopolymer of vinyl chloride monomer (suspension grade), originating in or exported from Taiwan, the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States of America for a further period of five years
26/2014 - Customs (ADD) 13-06-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of homopolymer of vinyl chloride monomer (suspension grade), originating in or exported from the European Union and Mexico for a period of five years
25/2014 - Customs (ADD) 09-06-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of presensitised positive offset aluminium plates originating in or exported from People's Republic of China for a further period of 5 years
24/2014 - Customs (ADD) 21-05-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of Methylene Chloride, originating in or exported from the European Union, United States of America and Korea RP for a period of five years from the date of imposition of the provisional anti-dumping duty, that is, 21st October, 2013
23/2014 - Customs (ADD) 16-05-2014 Seeks to levy provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of phenol, originating in or exported from Chinese Taipei and USA for a period of six months.
22/2014 - Customs (ADD) 16-05-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of persulphates, originating in or exported from Taiwan, Turkey and USA for a period of five years.
21/2014 - Customs (ADD) 16-05-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No. 41/2009-Customs dated 29.04.2009 for a further period of one year i.e. upto and inclusive of 28.04.2015.
20/2014 - Customs (ADD) 12-05-2014 Seeks to extend the levy of notification No. 14/2010-Cus dated 20.02.2014, for a further period of one year ie. upto and inclusive of 21st April, 2015.
19/2014 - Customs (ADD) 09-05-2014 Seeks to amend Notification No. 30/2011-Customs, dated 4-03-2011 [Mid-term review of anti-dumping duty imposed on imports of glass fibre and articles thereof originating in or exported from China PR
18/2014 - Customs (ADD) 09-05-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No. 124/2009-Customs dated 11.11.2009 for a further period of one year i.e. upto and inclusive of 25.03.2015
16/2014 - Customs (ADD) 09-05-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No. 33/2009-Customs dated 27.03.2009 for a further period of one year i.e. upto and inclusive of 26.03.2015
15/2014 - Customs (ADD) 11-04-2014 Seeks to levy provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of cast aluminium alloy wheels or alloy road wheels used in motor vehicles when imported into India from People’s Republic of China, Korea RP and Thailand for a period of 6 months
14/2014 - Customs (ADD) 19-03-2014 Seeks to levy provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of 'Sodium Nitrate', originating in, or exported from, the European Union, the People’s Republic of China, Ukraine and Korea RP , for a period of six months
13/2014 - Customs (ADD) 19-03-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of 'Red Phosphorous, excluding red phosphorous used in electronic applications', originating in, or exported from, the People’s Republic of China for a period of five years
12/2014 - Customs (ADD) 12-03-2014 Seeks to amend the notification No. 116/2009-Cus dt. 8th October 2009
11/2014 - Customs (ADD) 11-03-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of Meta Phenylene Diamine’, originating in, or exported from, the People’s Republic of China, for a period of five years.
10/2014 - Customs (ADD) 11-03-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of Acetone, originating in, or exported from, EU, South Africa, Singapore and USA for a further period of five years.
9/2014 - Customs (ADD) 23-01-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of ‘‘4, 4 Diamino Stilbene 2, 2 Disulphonic Acid (DASDA)’, originating in, or exported from, the People’s Republic of China, for a period of five years
8/2014 - Customs (ADD) 23-01-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of ‘Hexamine, originating in, or exported from, the Saudi Arabia and Russia for a further period of five years
7/2014 - Customs (ADD) 23-01-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No.04/2009-Customs dated the 6th January,2009 for a period of one year i.e. upto and inclusive of 5th day of January, 2015
6/2014 - Customs (ADD) 23-01-2014 Seeks to amend the notification No. 1/2009-Cus(ADD) dt 2.1.2009
5/2014 - Customs (ADD) 16-01-2014 Seeks to levy definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of ‘Nonyl Phenol’, originating in, or exported from, Chinese Taipei for a further period of five years
4/2014 - Customs (ADD) 16-01-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No.95/2011-Customs dated the 3rd October, 2011 for a period of one year i.e. upto and inclusive of 25th December, 2014
3/2014 - Customs (ADD) 16-01-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No.137/2008-Customs dated the 26th December, 2008 for a period of one year i.e. upto and inclusive of 25th December, 2014
2/2014 - Customs (ADD) 03-01-2014 Seeks to extend the validity of notification No.55/2009-Customs dated the 26th May, 2009 for a period of one year i.e. upto and inclusive of 20th November, 2014
1/2014 - Customs (ADD) 03-01-2014 Seeks to amend notification No. 121/2009- Customs dated 30th October, 2009 so as to change the name of a producer/ exporter
www.servicetaxonline.com
www.taxolegal.com
www.centralexciseonline.com
Copyright 2009, Customs India Online. All rights reserved.
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Virgo Supercluster
(Redirected from Local Supercluster)
"Local Supercluster" redirects here. For the supercluster discovered in 2014, where Virgo SCl is the local concentration of clusters component of the Local Supercluster, see Laniakea Supercluster.
The Virgo Supercluster (Virgo SC) or the Local Supercluster (LSC or LS) is a mass concentration of galaxies containing the Virgo Cluster and Local Group, which in turn contains the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. At least 100 galaxy groups and clusters are located within its diameter of 33 megaparsecs (110 million light-years). The Virgo SC is one of about 10 million superclusters in the observable universe and is in the Pisces–Cetus Supercluster Complex, a galaxy filament.
Distances from the Local Group for selected groups and clusters within the Local Supercluster
Observation data (Epoch J2000)
Doppler shift
Binding mass
~1.48 × 1015[1] M☉
X-ray luminosity
3×1012 L☉[1]
Other designations
Local Supercluster, LSC, LS
See also: Galaxy groups, Galaxy clusters, List of galaxy clusters
A 2014 study indicates that the Virgo Supercluster is only a lobe of an even greater supercluster, Laniakea, a larger, competing referent of the term Local Supercluster centered on the Great Attractor.[2]
Beginning with the first large sample of nebulae published by William and John Herschel in 1863, it was known that there is a marked excess of nebular fields in the constellation Virgo (near the north galactic pole). In the 1950s, French–American astronomer Gérard Henri de Vaucouleurs was the first to argue that this excess represented a large-scale galaxy-like structure, coining the term "Local Supergalaxy" in 1953, which he changed to "Local Supercluster" (LSC[3]) in 1958. (Harlow Shapley, in his 1959 book Of Stars and Men, suggested the term Metagalaxy.[4]) Debate went on during the 1960s and 1970s as to whether the Local Supercluster (LS) was actually a structure or a chance alignment of galaxies.[5] The issue was resolved with the large redshift surveys of the late 1970s and early 1980s, which convincingly showed the flattened concentration of galaxies along the supergalactic plane.[6]
In a comprehensive 1982 paper, R. Brent Tully presented the conclusions of his research concerning the basic structure of the LS. It consists of two components: an appreciably flattened disk containing two-thirds of the supercluster's luminous galaxies, and a roughly spherical halo containing the remaining one-third.[7] The disk itself is a thin (~1 Mpc) ellipsoid with a long axis / short axis ratio of at least 6 to 1, and possibly as high as 9 to 1.[8] Data released in June 2003 from the 5-year Two-degree-Field Galaxy Redshift Survey (2dF) has allowed astronomers to compare the LS to other superclusters. The LS represents a typical poor (that is, lacking a high density core) supercluster of rather small size. It has one rich galaxy cluster in the center, surrounded by filaments of galaxies and poor groups.[1] The Local Group is located on the outskirts of the LS in a small filament extending from the Fornax Cluster to the Virgo Cluster.[6] The Virgo Supercluster's volume is very approximately 7000 times that of the Local Group or 100 billion times that of the Milky Way. See volumes of similar orders of magnitude.
Galaxy distributionEdit
The number density of galaxies in the LS falls off with the square of the distance from its center near the Virgo Cluster, suggesting that this cluster is not randomly located. Overall, the vast majority of the luminous galaxies (less than absolute magnitude −13) are concentrated in a small number of clouds (groups of galaxy clusters). Ninety-eight percent can be found in the following 11 clouds (given in decreasing order of number of luminous galaxies): Canes Venatici, Virgo Cluster, Virgo II (southern extension), Leo II, Virgo III, Crater (NGC 3672), Leo I, Leo Minor (NGC 2841), Draco (NGC 5907), Antlia (NGC 2997) and NGC 5643. Of the luminous galaxies located in the disk, one third are in the Virgo Cluster, while the remainder are found in the Canes Venatici Cloud and Virgo II Cloud, plus the somewhat insignificant NGC 5643 Group. The luminous galaxies in the halo are also concentrated in a small number of clouds (94% in 7 clouds). This distribution indicates that "most of the volume of the supergalactic plane is a great void."[8] A helpful analogy that matches the observed distribution is that of soap bubbles. Flattish clusters and superclusters are found at the intersection of bubbles, which are large, roughly spherical (on the order of 20–60 Mpc in diameter) voids in space.[9] Long filamentary structures seem to predominate. An example of this is the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster, the nearest supercluster to the LS, which starts at a distance of roughly 30 Mpc and extends to 60 Mpc.[10]
CosmologyEdit
Large-scale dynamicsEdit
Since the late 1980s it has been apparent that not only the Local Group, but all matter out to a distance of at least 50 Mpc is experiencing a bulk flow on the order of 600 km/s in the direction of the Norma Cluster (Abell 3627).[11] Lynden-Bell et al. (1988) dubbed the cause of this the "Great Attractor". The Great Attractor is now understood to be the center of mass of an even larger structure of galaxy clusters, dubbed "Laniakea", which includes the Virgo Supercluster (including the Local Group) as well as the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster, the Pavo-Indus Supercluster, and the Fornax Group.
Dark matterEdit
The LS has a total mass M ≈ 1015 M☉ and a total optical luminosity L ≈ 3×1012 L☉.[1] This yields a mass-to-light ratio of about 300 times that of the solar ratio (M☉/L☉ = 1), a figure that is consistent with results obtained for other superclusters.[12][13] By comparison, the mass-to-light ratio for the Milky Way is 63.8 assuming a solar absolute magnitude of 4.83,[14] a Milky Way absolute magnitude of −20.9,[15] and a Milky Way mass of 1.25×1012 M☉.[16] These ratios are one of the main arguments in favor of the presence of large amounts of dark matter in the universe; if dark matter did not exist, a much smaller mass-to-light ratios would be expected.
MapsEdit
The Virgo Supercluster in supergalactic coordinates (click on feature names for more information)
The nearest galaxy groups projected onto the supergalactic plane (click on feature names for more information)
DiagramsEdit
A diagram of our location in the observable universe. (Alternative image.)
Abell catalogue
Large-scale structure of the universe
List of Abell clusters
Supercluster
^ a b c d Einasto, M.; et al. (December 2007). "The richest superclusters. I. Morphology". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 476 (2): 697–711. arXiv:0706.1122. Bibcode:2007A&A...476..697E. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078037.
^ R. Brent Tully; Hélène Courtois; Yehuda Hoffman; Daniel Pomarède (2 September 2014). "The Laniakea supercluster of galaxies". Nature (published 4 September 2014). 513 (7516): 71–73. arXiv:1409.0880. Bibcode:2014Natur.513...71T. doi:10.1038/nature13674. PMID 25186900.
^ cfa.harvard.edu, The Geometry of the Local Supercluster, John P. Huchra, 2007 (accessed 12-12-2008)
^ Shapley, Harlow Of Stars and Men (1959)
^ de Vaucouleurs, G. (March 1981). "The Local Supercluster of Galaxies". Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India. 9: 6 (see note). Bibcode:1981BASI....9....1D.
^ a b Klypin, Anatoly; et al. (October 2003). "Constrained Simulations of the Real Universe: The Local Supercluster". The Astrophysical Journal. 596 (1): 19–33. arXiv:astro-ph/0107104. Bibcode:2003ApJ...596...19K. doi:10.1086/377574.
^ Hu, F. X.; et al. (April 2006). "Orientation of Galaxies in the Local Supercluster: A Review". Astrophysics and Space Science. 302 (1–4): 43–59. arXiv:astro-ph/0508669. Bibcode:2006Ap&SS.302...43H. doi:10.1007/s10509-005-9006-7.
^ a b Tully, R. B. (15 Jun 1982). "The Local Supercluster". Astrophysical Journal. 257 (1): 389–422. Bibcode:1982ApJ...257..389T. doi:10.1086/159999.
^ Carroll, Bradley; Ostlie, Dale (1996). An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics. New York: Addison-Wesley. p. 1136. ISBN 0-201-54730-9.
^ Fairall, A. P.; Vettolani, G.; Chincarini, G. (May 1989). "A wide angle redshift survey of the Hydra-Centaurus region". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series. 78 (2): 270. Bibcode:1989A&AS...78..269F. ISSN 0365-0138.
^ Plionis, Manolis; Valdarnini, Riccardo (March 1991). "Evidence for large-scale structure on scales about 300/h MPC". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 249: 46–61. Bibcode:1991MNRAS.249...46P. doi:10.1093/mnras/249.1.46.
^ Small, Todd A.; et al. (Jan 1998). "The Norris Survey of the Corona Borealis Supercluster. III. Structure and Mass of the Supercluster". Astrophysical Journal. 492 (1): 45–56. arXiv:astro-ph/9708153. Bibcode:1998ApJ...492...45S. doi:10.1086/305037.
^ Heymans, Catherine; et al. (April 2008). "The dark matter environment of the A901 abell A901/902 supercluster: a weak lensing analysis of the HST STAGES survey". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 385 (3): 1431–1442. arXiv:0801.1156. Bibcode:2008MNRAS.385.1431H. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.12919.x.
^ Williams, D. R. (2004). "Sun Fact Sheet". NASA. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
^ Jerry Coffey. "Absolute Magnitude". Retrieved 2010-04-09.
^ McMillan, Paul J. (July 2011), "Mass models of the Milky Way", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 414 (3): 2446–2457, arXiv:1102.4340, Bibcode:2011MNRAS.414.2446M, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.18564.x
Tully, Brent (1982). "The Local Supercluster". Astrophys. J. 257: 389–422. Bibcode:1982ApJ...257..389T. doi:10.1086/159999.
Lynden-Bell, D.; et al. (1988). "Spectroscopy and photometry of elliptical galaxies. V — Galaxy streaming toward the new supergalactic center". Astrophysical Journal. 326: 19–49. Bibcode:1988ApJ...326...19L. doi:10.1086/166066.
The Atlas of the Universe, a website created by astrophysicist Richard Powell that shows maps of our local universe on a number of different scales (similar to above maps).
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virgo_Supercluster&oldid=906250213"
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Guns and Schools: Hard or Soft?
In the wake of the Parkland shootings, the NRA has called for immediate hardening of schools, while NPR responded by saying they should be softened, and architects are caught in the crosshairs of the argument. Especially architects who are involved with school design must now choose how, or whether, to address guns in schools. Guns and schools don’t mix. But it is currently doubtful that the strong gun control laws needed to help curb this problem will soon be enacted. Architects, as the professional group tasked with designing education environments to meet standards of health, safety, and welfare, must now make sense of conflicting demands and viewpoints. They must also navigate between the new legions of “security experts” and products arising from these national tragedies, with their often absurd solutions for making schools safe from gun-wielding maniacs, and the concerned parents who are at a loss what to do. Even if sensible gun laws were enacted immediately, their salutary effects would take time, since there are so many guns now in circulation. It is an issue architects must come to grips with.
The Parkland shootings have brought gun control back into the forum of debate. Following the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the NRA produced a lengthy document calling for hardening schools. In addition to arming teachers themselves, the panel recommended changes to the architectural landscape to expose school perimeters; physically hardening the school structure; and limiting access points. NRA head Wayne LaPierre recently declared to the Conservative Political Action Conference, “In every community in America, school districts, PTAs, teachers unions, local law enforcement, moms and dads, they must all come together to implement the very best strategy to harden their schools, including effective, trained, armed security that will absolutely protect every innocent child in this country. And that has to happen now.” LaPierre, in looking at architecture, is anxious to gin up immediate focus on anything peripheral to the core problem, which is the guns themselves.
In response NPR and others have campaigned for softening schools. Largely opposed to introducing more guns into schools, especially in the hands of teachers, NPR and other anti-gun groups have come up with a prescriptive eight-point “Call for Action to Prevent Gun Violence in the United States of America.” Their call for action encompasses three levels of prevention: one, universal approaches promoting safety and well-being for everyone; two, practices for reducing risk and promoting protective factors for persons experiencing difficulties: and three, interventions for individuals where violence is present or appears imminent.
Supporters of hardening schools suggest updating and increasing the physical security of schools by adding metal detectors, cameras, barricades, and even social media monitoring. But is this the answer? UCLA professor Pedro Noguera, director of the Center for the Transformation of Schools, says there is danger in hardening schools, “If you think about it, the purpose of school is to create an environment where kids can learn, where they are able to develop and explore and, hopefully, to grow, and you don’t do that in an unsafe atmosphere, for sure. But you also don’t do it in an atmosphere where there’s a hyper sense of security. Security tends to make us feel more stressed and less able to relax when there are people around with guns who are patrolling. So, I think it’s something we need to be very careful about. The real work we need to do has to take place in our society to make our society safer than it is right now.”
Architects, answering to concerned parents and school boards, now have the difficult job of navigating between these positions. Investing millions, or many billions of dollars to “harden” the nation’s 100,000-plus schools is a lot of money to prevent something that happens only very rarely, even though every time it happens is tragic. But to a parent whose child’s life has an incalculable value, any cost-benefit analysis would seem heartless and irrelevant.
Lakeview High School, Chicago: The oldest operating public secondary school in Illinois (Cordogan Clark & Associates, renovation architects)
For more than a century making schools safe has primarily meant designing schools and helping craft codes for fire safety: easy quick egress, outswinging doors (that, contrary to many NRA-affiliated posts that show inswinging classroom doors, are not easy to barricade); then from the late 70s on this has included accessibility and sustainable design: Much of this works against turning schools into a protected bunker from a mass shooter; in the case of sustainable design, with its emphasis on lean construction and natural light, I think most of it does.
Architects now must choose what to design for, or against: Do you swing the door out and make it easy to open in the event of fire, or swing it in and equip it with heavy locks so you can better barricade it? Most codes don’t yet address mass shootings. Many commonly used wall types are pervious to automatic rifle bullets: some common wall types may even require multiple walls to slow or stop bullets. And we don’t yet have ballistics testing for most of the walls we use. The cost of designing new schools and retrofitting old ones as bunkers could easily cost many hundreds of billions of dollars, with ballistic steel to line drywall partitions; sand filled cavities; bullet resistive glass, etc. Even then, outdoor spaces are vulnerable and would need protection. We almost don’t know where to start. Meanwhile funding for schools has been getting cut; while the new tax code favors private over public schools; which means in the future even less funding will be available. Following the Parkland, Florida shootings, the question at the front of everyone’s minds is what can be done to make schools safer? One option is to reinforce the physical security of schools to deter mass shooters. Securing schools has already become a multi-billion-dollar industry. Will these tactics be effective?
In the aftermath of the horrific shootings in this building near the center of its campus, the University used a major addition and renovation to reposition it (Cordogan Clark & Associates Architects)
With every shooting that has taken place, experts in the field have been compiling information and research to figure out preventative measures. In 2014, the Justice Department launched the Comprehensive School Safety Initiative with a $75 million congressional appropriation. Two years later, the RAND Corporation conducted a study backed by the US Department of Justice that examined preventative measures that schools have taken to increase safety. “We were really surprised about how little evidence of efficacy there was,” said Heather Schwartz, a policy researcher who headed up the study for the think tank. “We were eager to find someone with evidence of effectiveness, and we just did not find that.” Her report concluded, “The field is in desperate need of more evidence on what works.” Currently, many schools rely on two security reports – one from the Homeland Security, the other from the National Institute of Building Sciences. First on the list is to create secure entries with locks or screened admittance. Second on the list are security cameras and metal detectors: these, however, often have limited effectiveness. Studies find that traditional methods to harden school buildings, such as metal detectors and cameras, are often not effective. In part this is because they are frequently not used after they are installed, in part because they create delays for students. Most likely a metal detector will not stop a shooter.
Eric Madfis, associate professor and degree chair of criminal justice at the University of Washington Tacoma, stated, “Once you have a motivated offender who’s willing to shoot up a school and maybe kill themselves or lose their own life, it’s extremely difficult to defend against that.” Security elements at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticuit, entail one main, closely monitored entrance along with bullet-resistant glass and other materials on a select number of windows. Architect Bob Mitchell, chairman of Newtown’s Public Building & Site Commission was hesitant to go into the specific details due to safety concerns in a recent Boston Globe article. (This hesitancy points up an important aspect of physically hardening schools where budgets are limited: Uncertainty as to what’s hard or soft can itself be a discouraging factor.) “The end product is this is a school, not a fortress,” Mitchell explains. However, compartmentalizing an intruder in a secure area does seem to be a promising approach that needs focus.
In short, it does not seem to be a matter of hard or soft, but rather hard and soft. Identifying and addressing internal behavioral issues that increase school dangers, like bullying, fighting, and mental health issues reduces threats to students. But these are operational issues that we as architects don’t control. So is whether teachers are armed. To a large extent though we do control the physical design of the educational environment. That there is limited data on the effectiveness of school safety design measures is not yet evidence that these measures are ineffective. Obviously, many can be easily circumvented, while some can’t: more data and study are needed. Meanwhile, as architects continue to design and renovate more schools, we are creating the test cases and best practices that will provide future data. It’s horrific to contemplate the slaughter of any innocent person, but especially students and schoolchildren. And it’s an overreaction to say that implementing security design measures means turning schools into bunkers. Unless and until this problem is legislated out of existence through common sense gun laws, we as architects must do our best to address physical design measures that make sense, while still creating supportive educational environments that promote academic success.
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High Value Target HVT / Political Assassination
Thread: High Value Target HVT / Political Assassination
Some good sources on this topic
Brothers, I just registered/joined this forum, as this topic's of great interest to me, and I stumbled onto it this evening. I see some are contemplating a paper on the topic. Check out the following Wikipedia site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhunt_(military) -- lots of source material on targeted killing/HVT ops/manhunting/F3EA gathered in one place, with links where available. Think you'll find the sources and references most useful in this discussion. Also recommend Bill Roggio's "The Long War Journal." Bill posts some pretty up-to-date info, and analysis of "overseas contingency operations" (to use the current vernacular) at http://www.longwarjournal.org/
Martyrdom... is the only way in which a man can become famous without ability. -- George Bernard Shaw
Last edited by jcustis; 11-11-2009 at 04:11 AM.
From time to time, targeted killings (HVTs) have been discussed here and elsewhere. So far as current operations are concerned, the topic is an OpSec mantrap. I've looked at it generally from a legal standpoint. Basically, legality comes down to whether the Laws of War apply and the HVT can be considered a combatant of a power in an armed conflict (kill anytime, anyplace); or whether some form of Law Enforcement rules apply.
I somehow missed downloading the 2009 Crawford JSOU article which Ted posted a month ago - so thanks for the Wiki link reminder. Another decent JSOU article is 2007 Turbiville, JSOU Report 07-6 Hunting Leadership Targets, linked above a couple of years ago.
OccamsRazor
IISS wrote a considerably interesting article concerning targeted killing in Pakistan. They focused on how the Obama administration is maintaining the practice (there were 36 unmanned aerial vehicle attacks in 2008, and 20 in the first 8 months of 2009), and that the administration is using it as a significant element of their way forward - "Bureaucratically, the Obama administration has already set the table for adopting this strategy: for FY 2010, it has requested $79.7 million for Hellfire missiles and $489,4m for 34 Reapers, nearly doubling the 2009 number."
The most interesting part of the article, although it didn't frame it as such, is its application to just war theory and international humanitarian law.
"On this issue, the laws of armed conflict broadly apply, and they require that the use of military force be necessary, as a matter of self-defense, to eliminate a genuine threat and that it be reasonably proportionate to that threat."
As such, it is possible that targeted killing, coupled with the amount of civilian collateral damage that typically follows a strike, might be politically counter-productive, especially since Obama has heavily emphasized has he prefers law enforcement and due process as tools to combat radical Islam, vice military force. Reaching into Pakistani outlands for a strike is one thing, but if strikes reach deeper into the more developed areas of the country (where there is greater culture of safety and governmental protection, and also a higher risk of civilian casualties) there will be a Pakistani outrage of a directly greater proportion. Protests of the United States violating the sovereignty of another nuclear power would seem inevitable.
The flip side, I think, is that Article 4 of the Geneva Convention essentially says that using civilians as a shield (the prevalent reason for collateral damage resulting from targeted killing) cannot immunize legitimate military targets from attacks, which gives the administration some breathing room.
The conclusion of the article is the the Obama administration should take steps to legitimize (by providing transparent procedural oversight) the targeted killing process, as a pre-emptive move to preclude vast international disapproval (perhaps a Gitmo like situation).
Great discussion and information in this thread - I'm looking to write a paper in this area as well.
Last edited by OccamsRazor; 12-28-2009 at 03:38 PM.
"All men are frauds. The only difference between them is that some admit it. I myself deny it." -- H.L. Mencken
The quagmire book
You could write a book on this quagmire - targeted killiing of HVTs - because whatever doctrine is evolved cuts across so many areas. Also, so far as current operations are concerned, we would create an OpSec mantrap by delving into them on a public forum.
We could deal with them on a futuristic basis, using open-source examples and existing legal decisions as our cannon fodder for whatever doctrines might be devloped.
Like all applications (e.g., ROEs, RUFs, etc.) of the Laws of Armed Conflict, we have three inputs:
1. Political (including Diplomatic) Considerations.
2. Military Operational Considerations.
3. Legal Considerations (which as much as possible should be driven by the political and military considerations - IMO).
In the area of Transnational Violent Non-State Actors (TVNSAs), e.g., AQ, we have to deal with classification of those who may be hit by the targeted strike - in LOAC terms, definition, distinction, and the concomitant concepts of military need and proportionality. The basic classifications:
1. TVNSA combatants.
2. TVNSA non-combatants.
3. Civilians (not TVNSA).
All of this is merely a subtopic of the more general class of "irregular combatants", their supporting infrastructures and auxilliaries, and the poor ba$tards among whom the "irregulars" hide. Cf., Phoenix program in Vietnam.
Geographic location of the target also enters into the picture:
1. Target within the international boundaries of the Attacking Nation (some interesting questions if a TVNSA combatant is inside the US).
2. Target within territory occupied by the AN.
3. Target within nation where AN is present under SOFA, FID, SFA, etc..
4. Target within nation which consents (overtly or covertly) to AN attack.
5. Target within nation which does not consent to AN attack (issues re: combatants using "right of passage" through a neutral nation; e.g., Laos and Cambodia during Indochina II - 1959-1975).
Further important points are whether the AUMF (Authorization to Use Military Force) properly defines the TVNSA and its members; and whether there is a comprehensive legislative and executive branch schema defining and providing distinction between TVNSA combatants, TVNSA non-combatants and civilians.
Hey Bill Moore, if you happen to read this, would this be a good place to discuss more fully the "irregular combatant" in all the political, miilitary and legal aspects that should apply in the real world ?
Simon-Stevenson article
This article primarily addresses the Political (including Diplomatic) Considerations, with lesser emphasis on the Military Considerations. It does address Legal Considerations to some extent (pp.11-14 pdf).
Here are some excerpts - the first dealing with the "lawyerly consensus":
Lawyers by consensus regard transnational terrorism as a transgression falling uneasily between the cracks of traditional criminal law and the customary law of armed conflict, and targeted killing as a punitive remedy falling just as discomfitingly between the cracks of those two legal regimes as well as international humanitarian law. For basically pragmatic and prudential reasons, they are generally willing to accept that targeted killing is not tantamount to government-sanctioned political assassination, which has run counter to US policy since 1976 (In that year President Gerald Ford issued Executive Order 11905 barring assassination, after revelations of CIA attempts to assassinate several heads of state, notably Cuban leader Fidel Castro.[15]) They also concede the reality that full due process cannot always be afforded terrorists owing to the immediate threat some pose, and the operational impracticality of subjecting purportedly actionable intelligence to quasi-judicial review in very tight time frames.[16] But a level of indiscriminateness that claims civilian casualties at an order of magnitude higher than legitimate ones is not only dubious in ethical and humanitarian terms, but may also be politically counter-productive. On this issue, the laws of armed conflict broadly apply, and they require that the use of military force be necessary, as a matter of self-defence, to eliminate a genuine threat and that it be reasonably proportionate to that threat.
15 The prohibition has been skirted in a number of instances by means of military ‘leadership strikes’ targeting political leaders, such as the US bombing of Libya in 1986, which clearly targeted Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi, and the opening salvos of the Iraq War in 2003, which were unabashedly intended to kill Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
16 See, for example, Kenneth Anderson, ‘Targeted Killing in U.S. Counterterrorism Law and Strategy’, A Working Paper on Counterterrorism and American Statutory Law, a Joint Project of the Brookings Institution, the Georgetown University Law Center, and the Hoover Institution, 11 May 2009, pp. 9-12; http://cryptome.org/kill-lawyers.pdf.
The last cited "kill-lawyers.pdf" (if literally true) would give a new, modern meaning to Shakespeare and targeted killings.
The fact is that there is no lawyerly consensus. The view represented by the Eminent Jurists Panel excludes the Laws of War from application to TVNSAs. The view of some in the US (e.g., some Fox News pundits) is that the Rule of Law has no place in this arena under any circumstances. Then we have Lawyer Stevenson (JD Boston University) who seeks to meld the Laws of War and Rule of Law in an acceptable fruit salad.
Then there is my view (which is not a datapoint of one) which looks at this arena as one in which concurrent jurisdictions apply in many cases. In short, the Laws of War and the Rule of Law may both apply to the same individual who is a TVNSA combatant. However, while that approach allows two options to be pursued, the courses of action differ depending on whether the military or civilian paths are followed. You can't mix the two systems without failure.
Simon-Stevenson (after some policy discussion) then point out some practical issues:
The legality of targeted killing remains hotly contested between the national governments with the standoff targeting capabilities and humanitarian lawyers who view it as an evasion of at least three legal regimes and a practice which, if endorsed by law, raises the incentive to use force rather than resort to law to a dangerous and uncivilised degree.[18] This debate will take time to resolve. But it seems safe to say now that, based on considerations of criminal law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict, and from a moral as well as a legal standpoint, the only arguably acceptable substitute for due process in the context of targeted killing is a combination of accurate intelligence, assiduous target selection that prioritises minimising civilian casualties, and technically precise targeting. Review processes have been established for both assessing the accuracy of purportedly actionable intelligence and determining the feasibility of targeting a given terrorist with a minimal probability of harming innocent civilians.[19] But the details of the procedures used and the level of scrutiny applied remain essentially secret, and certainly closely held by the US military and the CIA.[20] Moreover, these procedures are reportedly routinely disregarded in the field, where mid-level operational commanders or CIA officers sometimes order drone strikes without higher approval.[21] Finally, fears about the integrity of targeted-killing operations have arisen from disclosures that disreputable private military contractors have been hired to deploy missiles on Predators.[22]
19 See, for example, Eben Kaplan, ‘Backgrounder: Targeted Killings’, Council on Foreign Relations, March 2006, http://www.cfr.org/publication/9627/.
20 See Hina Shamsi, ‘No Longer A Debate About Targeted Killings’, CBS News, 21 July 2009, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories//2009...n5176876.shtml.
21 See David Montero, ‘Use of Drones in Pakistan and Afghanistan: Deadly, but Legal?’, Christian Science Monitor, 12 August 2009, http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0812/p99s01-duts.html; Rajiv Chandrasekaran, ‘Sole Informant Guided Decision on Afghan Strike’, Washington Post, 4 September 2009m p. A1.
22 See James Risen and Mark Mazzetti, ‘C.I.A. Said to Use Outsiders to Put Bombs on Drones’, New York Times, 20 August 2009.
Note that the authors have reached the conclusion that there is "only [one] arguably acceptable substitute for due process" - "due process" being a Rule of Law concept. The solution therefore is a collage "based on considerations of criminal law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict."
That fruit salad becomes more apparent as we reach the conclusion of the "legal section":
Accordingly, some balance between procedural transparency and substantive secrecy ought to be achievable, and the administration should try to strike it. Greater accountability would tend to engender a more rigorous targeting-review policy and could, perforce, lead to fewer civilian casualties. American analyst Daniel Byman, looking at the Israeli experience, has outlined sensible procedures for assessing the operational validity of targeting particular individuals.[24] There is no obvious reason that a review process similar to the one he has described, involving sequential consideration up the military and civilian chain of command, then a legal review by a Justice Department official, and finally a judgment by a special court modelled on the statutorily created Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court, could not be systematically imposed across a wider range of target-selection criteria, including the likelihood of collateral damage.
The bolded text is sheer lunacy - it makes the micro-management of direct actions, which we have seen leading to failures, pale in comparison - "sequential consideration up the military and civilian chain of command, then a legal review by a Justice Department official, and finally a judgment by a special court."
From a legal standpoint, I would hope that a majority of SCOTUS would declare this unconstitutional cuz (1) the matters are assigned to the executive and legislative branches and outside the purview of Article III; (2) except for TVNSA combatants within the US (as defined in the Gitmo cases), the matters are beyond the territorial jurisdiction of Article III courts; and (3) the matters do not constitute a "case or controversy" and constitute advisory opinions. With some more thought, more arguments probably could be developed.
Now, from a military standpoint, could you military types tell me what is wrong with "sequential consideration up the military and civilian chain of command, then a legal review by a Justice Department official" ?
I don't like mixtures of apples and oranges, which the Simon-Stevenson article is (IMO - others may differ).
Great information, and a good analysis of the article.
1. I'm only about 5 pages through the 44 of the the "kill-lawyers.pdf", but so far I highly recommend it. It talks (so far) about the narrow confines in which targeted killings operate, and how the US can protect those borders (and perhaps expand them). I think that it somewhat takes the dual jurisdiction approach, at least thus far in the analysis, as it talks about staking out a legal theory both in and outside the realms of IHL. Specifically, there's an interesting section on the role of Congress, and making targeted killing the official international stance of the United States. This leads back into the IISS article.
2. While the proposed review process (especially the role of the special court) largely eviscerates the efficacy of targeted killing (not to mention that the characteristics and limited window of targeted killing distinguish it significantly from FISA), I thought that the article made a good point about making a public case for targeted killing from the US international pulpit. Again, perhaps the review system doesn't need such onerous oversight for the appearance of legitimacy, but I think it would help if the government (namely Obama) got up there and set out the rationale for targeted killing - the need, practicality, strategic necessity, legality, and morality.
3. Your constitutional arguments are well-based. I've taken Con Law, and I'm familiar with the case or controversy requirement. With that being said, why isn't the FISA court unconstitutional on the same grounds (3)? It's certainly not adversarial, and I think it fits the textbook definition of an advisory opinion. (2) FISA jurisdiction (domestic) is fine, but (1) is unclear in respect to the FISA court. Off topic, but confusing to me none the less! Perhaps it just hasn't been challenged?
Brief note re FISA
Looking at the FISA Wiki and FAQs, I notice only that its constitutionality has been upheld:
19. Is FISA really constitutional?
Lower courts have found FISA constitutional. See e.g., United States v. Duggan, 743 F.2d 59(2d Cir. 1984); United States v. Belfield, 692 F.2d 141 (D.C.Cir 1982); United States v. Nicholson, 955 F.Supp. 588 (E.D. Va. 1997).
In United States v. U.S. District Court, the Supreme Court used a two-part Fourth Amendment reasonableness test. It is doubtful whether the FISA review process satisfies the Court's first measure of the reasonableness of warrantless surveillance -- whether the citizens' interest in privacy and free expression are better served by a warrant requirement.
The second element—whether a judicially imposed law enforcement warrant requirement would "unduly frustrate the efforts of Government to protect itself"—may be more easily met in the foreign intelligence setting. But Title III has for more than 30 years required more stringent procedures for criminal investigatory wiretaps.
but haven't looked at the cases for what grounds of unconstitutionality were raised. The grounds stated in the last two quoted paragraphs deal with Fourth Amendment, not Article III, issues.
I suppose the argument could be (and it is something of a bootstrap) that issuance of warrants (a non-adversarial proceeding in itself) by Federal judges and magistrates is a judicial function going back into pre-Constituitional common law. A warrant does not necessarily develop into a criminal case; and if it does, that case is not necessarily before the judge or court that issued the warrant.
A FISA warrant may or may not lead to a criminal charge, which if brought would be before a regular Federal District court (clearly a "case or controversy" at that point). That's the best I can think of off the top of my pointy head.
A "targeted killing" court would have no historical precedent. In fact, the historical precedent (death sentence) requires a full-blown adversarial proceeding.
That is an interesting point to consider: why can we kill enemy combatants without judicial proceedings ? The answer is that traditionally enemy combatants come under the Laws of War, which allow that (subject to limitations, etc.; but imposed by the Laws of War). Concepts imposed by the Rule of Law (whether domestic or international), due process, search & seizure, coerced confessions, fruit of the poisonous tree, etc., do not apply to the Laws of War in full measure, if at all.
Envision a situation where a group of AQ irregular combatants invade the local school in your US town. One option is law enforcement rules (Rule of Law - more restrictive, but maybe a better way to go to get the kiddies out alive). Another is military engagement rules (Laws of War), which could be less restrictive, but might not be the best choice in a hostage situation. My own choice would be to go with the Laws of War, but adopt law enforcement tactics. Just because you have a hunting license, you don't have to kill everything in the forest.
OK, the hostage situation comes out fairly well (not too many kiddies killed); some bad guys down and out; some surrender. What to do with them ? I'd say there are two paths (not necessarily exclusive). The default path should be detainment as irregular combatants for the duration of the conflict - they are security risks (under the Laws of War). An optional path would be domestic criminal prosecutions (Rule of Law) - cf., Noriega.
At home tonite, I'll have to download the "kill-lawyers" article (love "kill-lawyers") and read it more thoroughly. BTW, the Simon-Stevenson article is well-written and researched; but I couldn't buy their "solution".
PS: Had to add this from the Anderson article (quick skim) cuz I like it when someone agrees with me (p.42, note 61):
61 For a tiny sample, see notes to Amos N. Guiora, Targeted Killing as Active Self Defense, 36 CASE W. RES. J. INT’L L. 319 (2004). I have not in this chapter devoted attention to Israel, although it has a far more developed jurisprudence around targeted killing than the United States. The reason is that the nature of the long-term conflict, the fact that the conflict takes place in a confined geographic space, the special role of the Israeli Supreme Court in Israeli society and other factors make me believe that the Israeli experience is actually less instructive for the United States than one might otherwise have thought. It seems to me quite inappropriate in the U.S. context to discuss judicial review of targeting killing, for example.
Last edited by jmm99; 12-29-2009 at 09:11 PM. Reason: add PS
Originally Posted by jmm99
This issue rears its head in other manners as well. Clearly, sometimes it's not as easy as simply just "choosing" what rule of law to operate under. Enemy combatants at Gitmo is the perfect example. If under the penumbra of the LOW, we find ourselves in a very different situation than we are now.
Interestingly, it's likely that some percentage of those individuals at Gitmo could have been outright killed (armed combatant, etc) under the LOW without any type of trial (suitable for capital punishment), but now have the privilege of a habeas hearing in the DC District Court under the ROL. Recently, the predominant conflict has revolved around the CSRT enemy combatant standard vs. the domestic habeas standard, but it is often forgotten that for many of the individuals, no standard whatsoever was required for immediate death (never mind imprisonment) in the initial confrontation.
Kind of makes the Erie Doctrine seem juvenile.
Last edited by OccamsRazor; 12-30-2009 at 02:39 AM. Reason: Grammar
A few places to look
Glad to see an IISS article gets a mention here (I am a member too) and the article awaits my attention back home - thanks for the reminder to read it.
Added elsewhere: Have a look at Professor John Radsan's writings on this theme, I listened to him applying these issues to the use of drones a few months ago. Bio: http://www.wmitchell.edu/academics/faculty/radsan.asp and this abstract: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.c...t_id=1349357##
John Radsan has an interesting past, notably being a lawyer at the CIA, so IMHO adds to the value and insight provided.
Killing HVT or allegations of this occurred several times during the Northern Ireland 'Troubles', a taster is provided by: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoot-t...rthern_Ireland or just search on John Stalker, an English senior police officer who tried to investigate one allegation and his career ended. The allegations are still "alive" (no pun intended) as indicated by BBC reports.
Our Seams
Interesting posts, which unfortunately give me this nightmarish vision of a bunch of a lawyers sitting around a very nice wooden table in a room with a high ceiling, large windows with a nice view and an overall classically designed room that gives an air of sosphistication, debating the legal issues concerning our transnational irregular foes. Of course at the same time in ghettos, deserts, mountains and jungles around the world our military, lawmen and covert operatives are out in the field risking their lives to prevent another attack on America with one or both hands tied behind their backs by the lawyers that do not recognize the reality of the threat today.
We obviously have findings that allow us to conduct targeted killings as demonstrated numerous times in Pakistan and elsewhere (Somalia for one example). I think targeted killings should be pursued more aggressively, but more covertly and surgical when possible. The weapon of choice shouldn't automatically be a UAV with a hellfire missile in most cases due to the fact that innocent civilians are killed, and in most cases it is not acceptable morally or politically. Yet this is one of many examples where desire (a surgical kill) bumps up against reality. Intelligence on many targets is fleeting, you have to act fast (no time for long philosophical discussions), so one way you can get there quickly in hostile territory is to fly a UAV over, get a lock in on your targeted site and launch. Frequently effective, but one can only hope there is adult leadership in the kill chain of command. Preferably an operator with ground experience that understands what death is, what it looks like and the repercussions, versus an air force officer who hasn't ever been closer to a battlefied than being 10,000 feet above it, and his/her metric for success is simply dropping a bomb on the right spot without considering the effects on people or the overall operation.
We inutatively know that we can't allow wingnuts to have a safehaven, especially one we created with our own laws. In the end the government must remain legitimate to its people, and if they don't take all necessary measures to protect their people they'll be removed. Governments are obligated to conduct targeted killings. Of course the left leaning media will oppose these attacks, and pundits will discuss for hours on radio and T.V. how these activities undermine our society by giving government too much power, but the tone conversation would change very quickly if that kid was successful in destroying our commerial airline on Christmas and slaughtering over 200 civilians from many countries. Why didn't the government prevent it?
OccamsRazor welcome to the SWJ Council, I think you'll enjoy many of the interesting discussions here. I especially enjoy frustrating lawyers
What hearings do the Laws of War require ?
This question follows from this:
from OR
Factually, the Hamdan case is an example - two bad guys KIA; two captured (one being Hamdan, the driver of the second vehicle).
Prior to the Hamdan trial, Keith Allred (CAPT, USN) filed two opinions which bear on the ultimate question posed - why are habeas proceedings required at all ? Judge Allred's opinions of 17 & 19 Dec 2007 are reported and linked at Hamdan, UBL's driver. In July 2008, the detainee's attorney appeared before Judge Robertson of the DC Circuit to stay Hamdan's MCA trial. Judge Robertson denied the stay; and no appeal was taken (Hamdan & al-Marri Updates).
Here are key facts found by Judge Allred in his 19 Dec 2007 opinion:
Hamdan capture.jpg
To this, add the findings that Hamdan was a sworn member of AQ, and UBL's driver and bodyguard.
Based primarily on the roadblock incident, Judge Allred found that, by a preponderence of the evidence, Hamdan was an "alien unlawful enemy combatant" under the MCA and was not a "lawful combatant" under either the MCA or GC III (GPW). One might ask why Judge Allred found it necessary to hold a merits hearing in Dec 2007 well before trial; to take proofs essentially the same as have been taken in Gitmo habeas cases; and decide the "combatant" issues using essentially the same standard of proof used in the Gitmo habeas cases. The answer lies in Judge Allred's 17 Dec 2007 opinion, allowing an "Article 5 (GPW) Status Hearing".
The GCs (accepted by the US) provide for hearings before "competent tribunals" in several instances:
1. GC III (Prisoners of War):
Art 5. The present Convention shall apply to the persons referred to in Article 4 from the time they fall into the power of the enemy and until their final release and repatriation.
Should any doubt arise as to whether persons, having committed a belligerent act and having fallen into the hands of the enemy, belong to any of the categories enumerated in Article 4, such persons shall enjoy the protection of the present Convention until such time as their status has been determined by a competent tribunal.
2a. GC IV (Civilians - Internment)
Art. 42. The internment or placing in assigned residence of protected persons may be ordered only if the security of the Detaining Power makes it absolutely necessary.
Art. 43. Any protected person who has been interned or placed in assigned residence shall be entitled to have such action reconsidered as soon as possible by an appropriate court or administrative board designated by the Detaining Power for that purpose. If the internment or placing in assigned residence is maintained, the court or administrative board shall periodically, and at least twice yearly, give consideration to his or her case, with a view to the favourable amendment of the initial decision, if circumstances permit.
Art. 78. If the Occupying Power considers it necessary, for imperative reasons of security, to take safety measures concerning protected persons, it may, at the most, subject them to assigned residence or to internment.
Decisions regarding such assigned residence or internment shall be made according to a regular procedure to be prescribed by the Occupying Power in accordance with the provisions of the present Convention. This procedure shall include the right of appeal for the parties concerned. Appeals shall be decided with the least possible delay. In the event of the decision being upheld, it shall be subject to periodical review, if possible every six months, by a competent body set up by the said Power.
2b. GC IV (Civilians - Sentences)
Art. 71. No sentence shall be pronounced by the competent courts of the Occupying Power except after a regular trial.
Accused persons who are prosecuted by the Occupying Power shall be promptly informed, in writing, in a language which they understand, of the particulars of the charges preferred against them, and shall be brought to trial as rapidly as possible. ....
3. Common Article 3 (all GCs)
Art. 3. In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each Party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following
provisions:
(1) Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.
To this end the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons:
(d) the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.
In Hamdan, the detainee claimed EPW status under GC III - and hence was entitled to an Article 5 hearing.
In all of the Gitmo habeas cases so far decided, the detainees have claimed civilian status (not a combatant) with rights to hearings under GC IV, 41, 42 & 78 (some other GC IV provisions also may play) to determine that status and whether they are security risks.
The USG, on the other hand, has claimed that the Gitmo detainees are held under Common Article 3, which SCOTUS has held applicable to combatants of non-state actors not meeting the requirements of EPWs under GC III. CA 3 does not itself require a detainment hearing (it only requires a hearing before a sentencing or execution). But, a detainee can obtain a GC III, Art. 5 hearing, or a GC IV, Art. 41-78 hearing, by claiming EPW or civilian status.
In Hamdan, the USG claimed that the CSRT determinations met the GC III, Art. 5 standard. Judge Allred disagreed (pp. 1-4 of 17 Dec 2007 opinion), finding that Congress intended that the CSRT make an Article 5 determination; but that the DoD instructions did not task the CSRTs to make that determination. The bottom line was:
Hamdan capture 02.jpg
The CSRT instructions also did not task the CSRTs with making GC IV, Art. 41-78 determinations either. So, the CSRTs were deficient for those detainees claiming civilian status as well.
In short, because the CSRTs did not apply the applicable Laws of War, the detainees could claim that their status had not been properly determined. So, the DC judges had to do what the CSRTs were not tasked to do. That is the short of the story of why the Rule of Law (habeas) was used to apply the Laws of War (GC III and IV required determinations).
Last edited by jmm99; 12-30-2009 at 06:54 AM.
The Nightmare & the Reality
Indeed, I also find this nightmarish:
from Bill
... a bunch of a lawyers sitting around a very nice wooden table in a room with a high ceiling, large windows with a nice view and an overall classically designed room that gives an air of sosphistication, debating the legal issues concerning our transnational irregular foes. Of course at the same time in ghettos, deserts, mountains and jungles around the world our military, lawmen and covert operatives are out in the field risking their lives to prevent another attack on America with one or both hands tied behind their backs by the lawyers that do not recognize the reality of the threat today.
but then I got to thinking about the reality which too often looks like this (changing your wording a bit):
... a bunch of a politicians sitting around a very nice wooden table in a room with a high ceiling, large windows with a nice view and an overall classically designed room that gives an air of sosphistication, debating the legal and political issues, including the impact on the upcoming election, concerning our transnational irregular foes. Of course at the same time in ghettos, deserts, mountains and jungles around the world our military, lawmen and covert operatives are out in the field risking their lives to prevent another attack on America with one or both hands tied behind their backs by the politicians that do not recognize the reality of the threat today.
and many of the politicians are also lawyers - a partial answer to your last question ("Why didn't the government prevent it?").
There are rational solutions that could be adopted by the executive and legislative branches that would fully accord with the US Laws of War, including the GCs that we accept, re: irregular combatants, targeted killings, detainees and the whole ball of wax - and will result in (1) hands not tied behind backs; and (2) the courts not being involved in the process.
Curious: without going into specifics (OpSec), have staff military lawyers been useful or not in targeting and other special operations ?
Regards - like to write more but it's too late (after 0200 here).
Mike - as usual, a great analysis. A couple of things to add on:
1. Just for clarification, Boumediene v. Bush has changed the game. It held, in short, that the writ of habeas corpus extends to (1) those in held at Guantanamo Bay, and (2) a CSRT was not an adequate substitute for a true habeas hearing (even though it was modeled after Sandra Day O'Connor's suggestion in her plurality concurrence in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld). They justified the extension by stating that Guantanamo, while outside the borders of the physical sovereignty of the United States, was still under the Constitution's penumbra due to de facto jurisdiction.
2. It should be noted, and this is a topic of interest to me as I currently have an article under review on this topic, that the habeas hearing these alleged enemy combatants have a right to is not the one that a U.S. civilian would get. It is far less. For example, hearsay (which makes up a majority of the government's case against the detainee) is admissible, even though it is usually prevented from entering as evidence in a typical habeas hearing (with many exceptions, of course). Secondly, the burden of proof is that "a preponderance of the evidence" must show that the detainee is an enemy combatant. In a regular court, the punishment of imprisonment would demand "beyond a reasonable doubt" (much higher than a "preponderance"). These changes were made to attempt to facilitate the use of intelligence (perfectly satisfactory for a LOW determination of guilt, but problematic when applied to ROL).
3. Why are there these differences? Because the Supreme Court said that there could be, essentially.
Felker, Swain, and Hayman stand for the proposition that the Suspension Clause does not resist innovation in the field of habeas corpus. Certain accommodations can be made to reduce the burden habeas corpus proceedings will place on the military without impermissibly diluting the protections of the writ.
As such, there is, ostensibly, room for the District Court to be flexible in its creation of the procedures and format of the habeas hearings, which hopefully allow for a reasonable deliberation. It's my argument, despite the changes in #2, that they have failed considerably, leaving the government in a lose-lose situation when prosecuting detainees. Considering the shelf life of this topic (it changes pretty rapidly), I'm considering giving up on trying to get the article published in international security journals (the process takes forever), and submitting it to SWJ, but I'm still undecided.
Bill - I'm glad to be joining the club. I come from a family of warfighters, and, while I can't claim to understand the way of life and sacrifice, I feel that I at least know what I don't know, and don't presume anything otherwise.
davidbfpo - Good to see another IISS member. Have you ever gone to any of the conferences?
Short comment, more another time
Hat tip to Abu M: What is the value of high value targeting? A presentation by a veteran intelligence analyst Matt Frankel, on leave from his service in the intelligence community..., gave a compelling presentation on high value targeting (HVT) campaigns and their utility. His findings are; see the link:
http://www.cnas.org/blogs/abumuqawam....html#comments
Mr Frankel will be publishing more, plus slides, another time.
Lawyers and Politicians are Needed
But at a different time.
After the fact is the wrong time for them to get involved.
Develop guidance that is simple, flexible and legally justifiable. Issue that to DoD and then get out of the way. The key point being that the guidance is based upon Commander's discretion. The amount of force used will indicate the rank required.
the targeting of HVTs is a key component of what we are doing, but I think that it is too much of a focus for the SPECOPS community. We have guardsmen doing FID and SF (some, not all) sitting on a large FOB waiting to do a basic infantry raid.
We all talk about the huge success killing Al Zarqawi but that really didn't change the over all scope of Iraq. (Despite the DFC awarded to the pilot who dropped the bomb)
Bombing civilians co-located, night time door kicking raids, and Hellfires in the middle of Pakistan carry a lot of STRATCOM/IO risks that most of what we call "HVTs" don't warrant in my opinion.
But, that isn't my decision. It isn't DoD's decision. It is rightfully the President and his lawyers to develop the guidance BEFORE the fact. After that guidance is in place, commander's are held accountable to that guidance.
But the second guessing after the fact and incessant law-fair is failing our troops and our security.
US Legal Position on Targeted Killing Announced
Great conversation/posts. Good points all around.
Don't know if you saw, but State Department legal advisor Harold Koh formally announced US legal position on targeted killings. A good recap is at http://insidejustice.com/law/index.p..._drone_war_law
Pulled the summary below from the Wikipedia manhunt site:
America Formally Announces Policy
On March 26, 2010, in a speech before the American Society of International Law, Department of State Legal Advisor Harold Koh formally announced the United States' legal interpretation of international law with respect to targeted killing. Koh first stated that "U.S. targeting practices, including lethal operations conducted with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), comply with all applicable law, including the laws of war." He further explained that the United States is in "an armed conflict with al Qaeda, the Taliban, and the associated forces" and thus has the lawful right to use force "consistent with its inherent right to self-defense" under international law[45] in response to the 9/11 attacks. Under domestic law, he stated that targeted killings are authorized by the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). Although he contended that these international and domestic legal grounds "continue to this day," he also provided additional justification for current U.S. actions based on continued attacks and intent by al Qaeda. He concluded that the existence of this "ongoing armed conflict" grants legal authority to the United States to protect its citizens through the use of force, including lethal force, as a matter of self-defense. Koh then addressed specific legal reasoning and standards considered by the United States "when defending itself against high-level leaders planning the attacks." He reiterated the widely accepted conceptualization of an "organized terrorist enemy" as one that does not have conventional forces. Instead, such an enemy plans and executes its attacks while hiding among civilian populations, he said. As such, "that behavior simultaneously makes the application of international law more difficult and more critical for the protection of innocent civilians." Koh identified three elements related to situational considerations that the United States uses when determining whether a specific targeted drone killing at a particular location will occur:
* Imminence of the threat
* Sovereignty of other States involved
* Willingness and ability of those States to suppress the threat the target poses
Koh stated that the "rules" of targeting operations used by the United States are consistent with principles under the laws of war. He cited two well-known principles that govern the State's use of force during an armed conflict: distinction and proportionality. These principles are designed to protect civilians once armed conflict has begun. They are recognized under customary international law as part of Jus in Bello (conduct during war).
* Distinction: Requires that attacks be limited to military objectives and that civilians or civilian objects shall not be the object of the attack.
* Proportionality: Prohibits attacks that may be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian objects, or a combination thereof, that would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated.
Koh said that the United States adheres to these standards and that the United States takes great care in the "planning and execution to ensure that only legitimate objectives are targeted and that collateral damage is kept to a minimum
Thought this might interest you. There's some more debate/discourse on the issue at the original "Inside Justice" site, FYI.
Also reported here - drone paradox ...
A timely response from the Obama Administration, with a link back to this thread.
Putting theory into practice
Judging from tonite's MSNBC Countdown, the following, Muslim cleric Aulaqi is 1st U.S. citizen on list of those CIA is allowed to kill (Wash Post), will generate much adverse comment from those opposed to use of armed conflict rules vs "terrorists".
From the WP article:
By Greg Miller
Wednesday, April 7, 2010; A08
A Muslim cleric tied to the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner has become the first U.S. citizen added to a list of suspected terrorists the CIA is authorized to kill, a U.S. official said Tuesday.
Anwar al-Aulaqi, who resides in Yemen, was previously placed on a target list maintained by the U.S. military's Joint Special Operations Command and has survived at least one strike carried out by Yemeni forces with U.S. assistance against a gathering of suspected al-Qaeda operatives.
Because he is a U.S. citizen, adding Aulaqi to the CIA list required special approval from the White House, officials said. The move means that Aulaqi would be considered a legitimate target not only for a military strike carried out by U.S. and Yemeni forces, but also for lethal CIA operations. ... (more in article).....
This ties in nicely with Harold Koh's remarks. However, if the Obama Administration follows previous decisions, someone will soon announce some other change which will be viewed by different folks as being "soft" on "terrorists".
I just finished a paper for my Law of War class that essentially looks at the different interpretations of AP I from Just War Theory perspective.
It might make good material to start a fire with if you want to take a look. Let me know.
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afghanistan, iraq, special operations
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Browsing: Africa
State-Owned Airline, flydubai Sees Passenger Traffic between the UAE and Africa Grow by 108% in Just Four Years
By Dennis Lukhoba July 15, 2019
Government-owned low-cost airline, flydubai has reported that passenger traffic between the UAE and its African routes has grown by 108% since 2015. The flyer is celebrating…
Upcoming Intra-African Trade Fair Expected to Attract Over $40bn in Investment Deals
The Second Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2020) a high profile event that will enable investors and countries to meet, discuss and conclude business deals, is expected to…
German Tech Company, Siemens Partners with Plan International to Address Educational and Infrastructure Needs in Sudan
Germany-based technology company, Siemens and social services organisation, Plan International Germany have announced plans to collaborate on future humanitarian projects to assist marginalized populations across Africa,…
Solar Power Equipment Provider, d.light secures $18m to Expand its Footprint in Africa
By Footprint to Africa July 8, 2019
Manufacturer and provider of solar power products, d.light, has announced an $18 million investment from a consortium of lenders with a focus on the renewable energy…
Nigerian Stock Exchange Confirms Postponement of Airtel Listing
The Nigerian Stock Exchange has announced the postponement of the planned listing of Airtel Africa, which was scheduled to hold today, Friday, July 5. A statement…
Pan-African Lobby, UCLG Plans to Boost Economic, Social and Environmental Development in Various Cities across the Continent
By Dennis Lukhoba July 2, 2019
United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa), the umbrella organization for Africa’s local governments, has announced plans to boost economic, social and environmental…
According to Euromonitor, the world’s fastest growing economies by 2030 will be in Africa. This consequently makes the continent the next big e-commerce market. And…
US Council on Doing Business in Africa Welcomes Mastercard Middle East and Africa President
The United States President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) has welcomed Raghu Malhotra, President of Mastercard Middle East and Africa, into its ranks.…
Standard Chartered Launches its Digital Banking Solution for Africa in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe
British multinational banking and financial services company, Standard Chartered has announced the launch of its ongoing digital banking initiative in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The move…
Africa’s Fishing, Aquaculture and Shipping Sectors Set for Expansion as Blue Economy Forum Winds Down in Tunisia
Africa’s lucrative fishing, aquaculture, shipping, ports, energy and finance sectors are set for expansion and development following the second Africa Blue Economy Forum (ABEF), a high…
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We Invite You to the Night of Museums 2018
On May 18, the Sakhalin Regional Museum will once again take part in the All-Russian event «Night of Museums». The themes of the event are «Masterpieces from Museum Collections» and «Metamorphoses».
All About Tea and More. The Japanese Tea Ceremony
May 12, 2018 at 12:00 (noon), the Sakhalin Regional Museum will be held the fourth event of the cycle «Such Different Tea Traditions» on the basis of the exhibition «Tea Tradition and Modernity» from the Kyakhta Museum of Local History named after Academician V.A. Obruchev.
Victory Day at the Museum
The Sakhalin Regional Museum conducted a holiday event «Victory Day at the Museum», more than 2500 people took part in it.
Sakhalin Regional Museum congratulates everyone on the upcoming holiday - the Great Victory Day! We invite residents and guests of the Sakhalin region to take part in events dedicated to this memorable day. Admission is free.
We invite you to come and spend a weekend at the Sakhalin Regional Museum. The staff of the museum have prepared a rich and diverse program, which includes excursions, lectures, games.
May Day was Celebrated at the Sakhalin Regional Museum
All-day eventful and entertainment program was offered by the Sakhalin Regional Museum to its visitors on May Day.
On the Island of Outcast
On April 27, a lecture «On the Island of the Outcasts» was given for the students of the Sakhalin College of Service in the Lecture Room of the Sakhalin Regional Museum.
The Staff of the Museum Took Part in the City
We Invite You to Play a New Museum Game
The Sakhalin Regional Museum invites you to play a new museum game «On the Great Tea Route».
Remarkable Fossils of Sakhalin
On April 25, a lecture «Remarkable Fossils of Sakhalin. The Ancient Past of Sakhalin in Paleontological Finds and Problems of its Preservation» was given in the Lecture Room of the Sakhalin Regional Museum. The lecture was delivered by Alexander Victorovich Solovyov, Senior Researcher of the Natural Science Department of the Sakhalin Regional Museum.
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Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia, 693010
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Yabloko nominated 547 candidates to run for deputies in 85 municipal councils of St. Petersburg, and nomination goes on
The Conference of the St. Petersburg branch of Yabloko nominated 547 candidates for deputies of municipal councils in 85 of the city’s total 109 municipalities. The final number of candidates will be even larger, since the election headquarters still receive applications from potential candidates.
Yabloko Deputy Chairman Nikolai Rybakov wished the candidates from Yabloko good luck in the upcoming elections and recalled that in 2000 he won the election in the St. Petersburg municipality Svetlanovskoye.
“In March 2000, we challenged the authorities and won – without any special resources, due to our drive and an honest desire to make our district better. Some of the candidates who are now participating in our St. Petersburg municipal campaign were not even born in 2000. However, an outdated political system still exists. I am sure that the candidates from Yabloko have every chance of winning the elections in St. Petersburg and will help to send the ineffective system into the past. For my part, I will do everything possible to help them in this,” Nikolai Rybakov said.
Maxim Katz, head of the party’s election headquarters in the municipal elections in St. Petersburg, stressed that Yabloko nominated candidates for most of the municipalities of the city. There are complete teams nominated by Yabloko for Tzentralny, Petrogradsly and Vasileostrovsky districts.
“Now there are some difficulties with submitting documents to electoral commissions, because the authorities recollecting the experience of 2017, when Yabloko received many mandates in elections to Moscow municipalities, are afraid that this may repeat, but I think all documents will be submitted, and St. Petersburg residents will be able to make their choice in September,” Maxim Katz said.
He also added that about a third of Yabloko candidates are entrepreneurs or specialists working on top positions; the rest are IT specialists, designers, teachers, and engineers. But there are virtually no public sector workers among the candidates.
Earlier, Yabloko Chairperson Emilia Slabunova, Boris Vishnevsky, head of the Yabloko faction in the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly and candidate for Governor of the city, and Yekaterina Kuznetsova, head of the Yabloko branch in St.Petersburg applied to the Central Electoral Commission and St.Petersburg Electoral Commission asking them to react on multiple violations in registration of candidates on behalf of district electoral commissions. After Yabloko’s appeals, a group of ten officers of the Central Electoral Commission arrived to St. Petersburg with a check. Today the St. Petersburg Electoral Commission confirmed violations of the terms of notification of the appointment of elections in five municipal districts.
Elections in St. Petersburg will be held on a single voting day on 8 September. St Petersburg residents will elect their Governor and municipal deputies. Boris Vishnevsky, MP of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, was nominated by Yabloko to run for the Governor of the city in the gubernatorial election.
Posted: June 29th, 2019 under Elections, Gubernatorial Elections, Regional and Local Elections, Regional and Local Elections 2019, St.Petersburg gubernatorial elections 2019.
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Epsom & Ewell History
& Archaeology Society
EEHAS Rules
EEHAS talks
Origins of Society
EEHAS papers
Online Occasional Papers
Online Nonsuch Extras
Newsletter archive 2013-16
Newsletter excerpts 1968-1999
Newletter excerpts 2000+
Newsletter excerpts 2010+
Spa Archaeology
18th c. fun
The Mills of Ewell
Archaeological Papers
Roman Ewell
Saxon/Medieval
Hinterland project
CME 2012
CME Update
RULES OF EPSOM & EWELL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY
RESULTING FROM AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES
OF NONSUCH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY AGREED AT ITS ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING ON 3 MARCH 2004
1. The Society shall be known as the Epsom and Ewell History and Archaeology Society.
2. (i) The objects of the Society are:-
(a) to encourage, for the public benefit, interest in matters of archaeological and historical importance in Epsom and Ewell,
and also in Sutton, Cheam and Banstead if these objects are not already covered;
(b) to investigate, record and publish information about such matters;
(c) to use its influence to achieve the preservation of objects, buildings and sites of archaeological and/or historical
importance within the area that it covers.
(ii) For the purpose of furthering the objects, the Society shall, subject to resources, engage in activities such as the following:
(a) systematic excavation of local sites, as available, and emergency excavations, as necessary;
processing and study of finds from such excavations; publication of reports on them;
(b) systematic recording of surface and other finds of local antiquarian interest;
(c) recording by measurement and photography local buildings and other structures above the ground; publication of
reports on them;
(d) study of local records, printed and in manuscript, with a view to publication in Occasional arid other Papers;
(e) study of local planning applications with the purpose of achieving the conservation of historical buildings and other
environmental features; presentations at public enquiries;
(f) organisation of visits to places of historical interest, and to excavations;
(g) holding meetings, normally monthly with speakers on archaeological or historical subjects;
(h) issuing a newsletter, normally bi-monthly;
(i) as appropriate, co-operation with museums in the area which the Society covers;
(j) affiliation to, and co-operation with other bodies, local and national, having interests similar to those of the Society.
3. The Society shall be administered by a General Committee consisting of a Chairman, a Secretary, and a Treasurer each of whom shall be elected each year, and eight other members, four of whom shall be elected each year to serve for a period of two years. On retirement Committee members shall be immediately eligible for re-election. Four General Committee members, including at least one officer, shall form a quorum. Any elected or co-opted member of the Committee who after notification and without reasonable excuse shall be absent from three consecutive meetings of the Committee shall be deemed to have resigned his membership of the Committee immediately after the third such meeting. The General Committee may appoint sub-committees, and co-opt members for special purposes. The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer for the time being shall be Trustees of the Society and ex-officio members of all sub-committees.
4. A President of the Society shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting, and the term of office shall be until the next Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting shall have the power to invite persons to become Vice-Presidents or Honorary Life Members of the Society.
5. (i) Membership of the Society shall be open to anyone over the age of sixteen years, but younger members
may be admitted at the discretion of the General Committee. The General Committee shall have the power to refuse membership or to terminate it.
(ii) The classes of membership shall be:
I. Ordinary 3. Family of two or more persons in a household.
2. Full-time student 4. Institutional or Corporate body, including Schools.
(iii) Members shall be admitted upon payment of such annual subscription as may be decided upon by the Annual General
Such subscription shall be payable in respect of the whole or part of the twelve months ending December 31st each year,
except that members joining on or after 1st November become members until the end of the following year provided the
amount apropriate for that year is paid. Members whose subscriptions are more than six months in arrears shall, after due
notice has been served on them, be deemed to have resigned their membership of the Society.
(iv) Upon enrolment a receipt shall be given and be deemed sufficient evidence of membership for the current year.
(v) Membership of the Society shall entitle members to any facilities or privileges extended to the Society by virtue of its affiliation
to other societies or organisations.
(vi) Records or material objects which are in the custody of the Society and information obtained as a result of activities
organised by the Society shall not be used for private gain.
(vii) The name of the Society shall not be used in connection with any individual or group activities except when such activities
have been undertaken after approval by the General Committee. In particular, no excavation may be undertaken by
members in the name of (he Society on their own initiative, nor shall an excavation be started until a Director with
experience and/orqualifications in archaeology has been appointed by the General Committee, Such a Director once
appointed shall be incomplete control of the site archaeologically and responsible for producing in due course a report on
the dig. This rule is not to be taken as precluding individual action in cases of emergency where evidence is likely to be
destroyed almost immediately.
6. The Society shall not be liable for any damage or injury sustained by any of its members in due course of any activities carried out under the direction of the Society or other directing body. Neither shall the Society be liable for any loss or damage to any equipment not the property of the Society used b amember except where a specific undertaking has been given by the Society in writing to cover such loss or damage.
7. The accounts of the Society shall be scrutinised annually by an independent examiner appointed by the Annual General Meeting. Such scrutiny is to be carried out as soon after 31st December each year as is conveniently possible, but in any event prior to the ensuing Annual General Meeting. A copy of the Statement of Accounts shall be made available to each member. All receipts and payments are to be made through the Hon. Treasurer. Cheques are to be signed by the Hon. Treasurer and the Hon.
Secretary or the Hon. Treasurer and Chairman.
8. The Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held as soon as is convenient after December 31st each year, and in any case not later than March 31st following. Members shall be given not less than three weeks’ notice of this meeting, and shall at the same time be provided with a copy of the proposed agenda for the meeting. Nominations for vacant posts shall be asked for at the same time, and these should reach the Secretary not less than seven days before the date of the proposed Annual General Meeting.
9. A Special General Meeting must be called by the Secretary on the written application of ten or more members. All members shall be given not less than fourteen days’ notice of such a meeting, and shall be informed of the business to be discussed.
10. (a) Motions to be voted on at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting shall have been circulated to all
members of the Society at least fourteen days before the meeting. The views of members unable to attend the meeting that
have been received in writing by the Secretary at least seven days before the meeting shall be taken into account.
(b) Motions involving any alterations to these rules shall be passed only if at least 2/3rds of those voting (including postal votes)
are in favour. For other motions a simple majority shall suffice.
11. In the event of the winding up of the Society, such funds as remain after the discharge of all liabilities shall be disposed of by
donation to one or more other charitable organisation(s) having similar objectives as approved by a majority of members at a
Special General Meeting, subject to the approval of the Charity Commissioners.
12. Any alteration to these rules shall be made at an Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.
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« Generation 9/11
American Liberalism and the Euston Manifesto »
Tackling Social Exclusion By Extending Opportunity
In the 21st Century, opportunity is not just about income, but about power argues Pat McFadden, Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, on the day the Government publishes “Reaching Out: An Action Plan on Social Exclusion”. He argues that far from being a sinister “big brother” policy, early intervention in the form of targeted child support is vital to enhance life chances and he sets out dividing lines between Labour and the Conservatives in the debate about the role of the voluntary sector in public services.
In 2006, few areas better illustrate the nature of the challenge facing us than social exclusion. A concern of the Labour Government since it was elected in 1997, the landscape of social exclusion has changed, in good part because of our actions.
Labour came into office determined to reduce unemployment, lift children and pensioners out of poverty and introduce a minimum wage to tackle poverty pay.
Many of us can remember the campaigns for low-paid workers like security guards earning little over £1 an hour and having to work horrendously long hours simply to make ends meet.
Since then, over 2 million more people have found jobs, incomes have risen by 2-3 percent a year in real terms, child poverty has been reduced by 800,000, pensioner poverty by around one million and a minimum wage has been introduced which helps those security guards and other workers like them who used to work for a pittance.
And these are reductions in relative poverty. They are based on a moving — and rising — poverty line of 60 percent of median incomes.
The Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion at the LSE has said, "The package of support for low income working families with children is now one of the most generous in the world".
So the picture is much improved since 1997. But despite that progress, we all know there is still deep seated exclusion in some communities.
Some children are still born into families with profound problems including alcohol abuse, drug abuse and mental illness. Teenage pregnancy rates have fallen 11 percent to a 20 year low but are still the highest in Europe. Educational outcomes for Looked After Children are better than they were but only 11 percent of Looked After Children get 5 good GCSEs compared to 56 pecent among all children. And our system struggles to treat adults with multiple problems such as mental health problems and alcohol and drug addiction which can lead not only to chaotic lives for them but also have a harmful wider impact on local communities.
"Reaching Out" — today’s Action Plan — is about tackling this remaining entrenched social exclusion.
Last week my colleague Jim Murphy rightly argued that Labour had to remember it was a party not just of delivery but of great causes. The extension of opportunity to those cut off from it in the past is precisely such a cause.
And no longer is this just about resources. It is also about empowerment. It is about extending to the most excluded the kinds of chances, choices and power that the rest of society takes for granted.
That is one reason why issues of contestability and choice have risen up the political agenda. Having an alternative means of provision should things go wrong is not an end in itself. It is about power for the consumer of the service.
The Action Plan focuses on key groups where social exclusion is deep seated — young children born into vulnerable families, Looked After Children, teenage mothers and their children and adults with mental health and other problems sometimes leading to lives in chaos.
People don’t always fit into neat departmental boundaries and the Action Plan is clear that information and work have to be shared across service boundaries in order to make progress.
It draws heavily on UK and international research to expose how disadvantage at birth and in the very early years can lead to multiple problems for young people later in life. The Plan sets out how the children in the most disadvantaged 5 percent of families can be up to 100 times more likely to experience multiple problems at age 15 than the children of the most engaged and advantaged 50 percent of families.
Taking a life cycle approach it places a key emphasis on the importance of the very early years in children’s lives and proposals for greater intervention at an early stage.
It also shows that sometimes those who possibly need help most are the least likely to get it. For example, when it comes to health visitors, the likelihood of seeing one increases in line with income.
Drawing on international evidence about effective programmes the Plan proposes demonstration projects based on the Nurse Family Partnership model where midwives and health visitors would maintain sustained support for vulnerable families from pre-birth right through the first two years of a child’s life. This kind of programme has been evaluated to show positive results such as improved health, safer home environments, fewer cases of child neglect and fewer problems later in life.
Yet it is this kind of targeted and enabling early intervention — designed to ensure support is available so that the misery and pain that deep-seated social exclusion can cause to individuals, families and communities is eroded — which has been caricatured in the run up to the publication of the Plan.
The allegation, mainly from the right but also from some on the left, is that all this is "nanny state", that it implies "foetal ASBOs" and that it is a "Big Brother" form of interference in children’s lives.
It is absolutely right that we should discuss the proper boundaries of the state’s role in this area. After all we could simply abandon the field and leave well alone. But if we are serious about extending opportunity, why wait until the odds are already stacked against a child? Early support of the kind we are talking about could make a major difference to children’s life chances.
The plan is also clear about the need for multi agency working. Although it bases some of its interventions on the skills of public professionals such as midwives and health visitors, it also reaches out to the voluntary sector, to local communities and to those suffering from social exclusion as all having a part to play in tackling social exclusion.
Government can’t do it all alone. It certainly has a job to do in ensuring opportunity is there but people also have a responsibility to make the most of those opportunities.
There is a crucial difference between the parties in the debate about the roles of the state and the voluntary sector in this field. The Conservatives have made much of their view that there should be a greater role for the voluntary sector in this area and less of a role for the state.
Labour, certainly New Labour, is pragmatic about who delivers services. Public service is valued but the emphasis is on outcomes. We know that as well as the many public servants who do a great job, organisations like NCH with family support projects or the Revolving Doors charity with adults leading chaotic lives can also be highly effective in delivering services and we also want to tap in to the energy that exist in local communities.
This emphasis on outcomes can lead to tensions and sometimes conflict with some public providers when services are opened up to new providers. However, what is not at issue for Labour is the state’s overall responsibility for trying to secure the desired result.
The right on the other hand see the voluntary sector as replacing the state in terms of responsibility, not just delivery. Their vision is a means of withdrawal of state responsibility in major areas of public life. Beneath the PR, this is David Cameron’s agenda and the agenda of his Social Justice Commission.
So on this field of opportunity, there is an important difference between the ambition of the left and abdication by the right. On the one hand New Labour seeks to expand opportunity and believes the state has a responsibility to do so, though is open minded about who does some of the service delivery. On the other, the right is seeking to withdraw under a veil of statements of support for the voluntary sector.
The Action Plan published today sets out a renewed focus for Labour on some of the most challenging areas of public policy. It is a statement of commitment to expanding opportunity to those for whom that is often a distant reality. It makes the case for intervention to make a difference when it matters most in the early years of the lives of the most vulnerable. And it does so on the basis of a crucial difference between left and right on the boundaries of what government can usefully do to improve the lives of the least advantaged.
If you want to email me with responses to this article you can do so at mcfaddenp@parliament.uk.
To post a response at Euston contact Alanjohnsonsdf@aol.com.
This entry was written by Pat McFadden, posted on 11Sep06 at 2:00 am, filed under debate, Social Democratic Futures and tagged Pat McFadden, poverty, Reaching Out, social exclusion, Social Justice Comission. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.
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8vo: type and structure
Simon Johnston
Mark Holt
Hamish Muir
For fifteen years this UK practice has given typography a central place in graphic design
The small, London-based design practice 8vo has an unusual position in the recent history of British graphics. Formed in 1985 by three then unknown designers, Simon Johnston, Mark Holt and Hamish Muir, a year later it published the first issue of Octavo, a typographic magazine of intense seriousness and overt graphic sophistication. Now, a decade and a half later, many typographers still remember vividly the impact of seeing a copy. For a few, it changed the course of their careers.
The eight issues of Octavo appeared intermittently until 1992, when the final issue, a CD-ROM, was released. Since then, the practice has gained a reputation for a dislike of publicity that verges on the reclusive. Little of their work has appeared in design magazines, though their identity for a television production company was shown in a four-page article in Eye no. 3 vol. 1. 8vo has been working steadily ever since, with projects for the Dutch museum Boymans-van Beuningen, the Fluxus music festival in Scotland and billing systems for utilities such as Thames Water.
Top and below: Cover and spread from the seventh issue of Octavo (1990).Designed and edited by 8vo (Mark Holt, Hamish Muir, Michael Burke). Front cover: art direction by 8vo; photography by Nitin Vadukul.
Today, in a small studio in south London, Muir and Holt look back at 8vo’s time as an entrepreneurial publisher with amusement. ‘It was kind of naive, wasn’t it?’ says Holt. ‘I think it was more a weird sort of madness,’ says Muir. You can see their point: the seventh issue of Octavo, published in 1990 – just as the economic recession was really starting to bite – cost £40,000 for a print run of 4000.
‘We had unlimited amounts of intent, things we desperately wanted to do,’ says Holt, ‘but then the bills came and you realised that you’d maybe gone overboard.’ An example of this is issue four (87.4), published in 1987, the whole of which is a reprint of Wolfgang Weingart’s famous lecture ‘How can one make Swiss typography?’ It is illustrated with the black and white slides that Weingart used as overheads for the lecture, and the idea of seeing these images projected in the dark inspired the whole design. ‘The originals were the 6x6cm film positives that he projected in his lectures,’ says Muir. ‘So we put them in a dark environment and showed them as slides.’
The slides are printed as white squares with black type, reversed out of a deep grey background. Their determination to use the one of the then new six-colour presses to the maximum was typical of the obsessiveness of the Octavo project. ‘There are three greys,’ Holt says. ‘There’s a pale grey, printed to pick up the dust on the press; then there is the grey you see; then there’s another grey that builds it up as a solid colour. So there are three greys, plus two blacks (one for the images, one for text), plus a varnish.’ The crazy bit, however, is that the type is white, reversed out of the three greys. ‘And,’ says Holt, ‘we had to gauge the dry-down so that it was exactly the same grey throughout the sixteen-page book.’
Perhaps only designers who had not worked for very long would have attempted such a project. Anyone with any real experience of the press technology of the time, the general unpredictability of paper and ink, and the inevitability of human error, would surely have built in some margin of safety. However, 8vo assumed that if something was technically conceivable then it was pragmatically possible.
The practice was founded at a time when British graphic design was insular to an extent that now seems inconceivable. A booming economy caused a corresponding demand for graphics. The bulk of the work that was being produced, particularly the work lauded by authorities such as d&ad, tended towards the whimsical, gently humourous side of English culture – creamy, watermarked paper; centred, serifed type; punning illustrations. A few older designers working in the continental European graphic tradition, with its emphasis on formal structure and rigorous typography, were in the minority.
Cover and sideways reading spread from the third Octavo. The editorial begins on the overlaid tracing paper inside cover and continues beneath. Editors for the first six issues: Simon Johnston, Mark Holt, Michael Burke, Hamish Muir.
Few British graphic design courses of the late 1970s or 1980s covered Swiss or Modernist typography, resulting in a generation that knew little of Piet Zwart or Jan Tschichold, with horizons that stretched no farther than the British coast. Johnston, Holt and Muir had each come to graphic design by unconventional routes. Johnston and Muir had been at art school in Bath. There, Muir saw some posters designed by Weingart. ‘They just stopped me in my tracks,’ he says. ‘They seemed to have landed from some planet – but immediately I understood what they were about.’ His tutor encouraged him to apply to Basel, where he spent a year in Weingart’s department, a route that Johnston also took. Holt did a broad-based design course in Newcastle, where, he says, he learned little about typography. Then he moved to San Francisco. ‘There was this Los Angeles new wave thing that was riding on the back of Swiss typography, so I saw much more of it around and realised that it interested me,’ he says. ‘But I didn’t have any formal training.’
Johnston (who left 8vo in late 1988 and then went to America, where he runs the design office Praxis) went to Basel at the suggestion of Benno Zehnder at Bath. ‘The Weiterbildung’s formal exercises were done in such depth and rigour that it was like learning a language that you thought you knew, but realised, through these exercises, that you didn’t really know it,’ recalls Johnston. ‘There was Armin Hofmann for color and composition, Wolfgang Weingart for typography, André Gürtler for letterform design, Kurt Hauert for drawing, Max Schmid for symbol and logo design. All masters.
‘Learning through doing, through repetition, doesn’t sound sexy but it works. In my teaching I like to use the language analogy, of learning design and typography in the manner of learning another language, with its own grammar, syntax and vocabulary. The more fluent you are in the formal language of design and typography, the more able you are to make it say what you want it to say. This was the key to the education in Basel. You can have the best concept in the world, but without sophisticated formal skills to express that concept, it will fall flat on its face. It was deep long-term training that stays with you, rather than shallow quick results-oriented projects.’
Spread and cover from fourth issue of Octavo (87.4) which is entirely taken up with Wolfgang Weingart’s celebrated illustrated lecture ‘How can one make Swiss typography’ (1972). Cover has all cover lines and rules are reversed out of grey on the tracing paper outer (with the ‘masthead’ and number printed in black), leaving the solitary lowercase ‘octavo’ printed in black on plain white board cover underneath.
It was a shared feeling of isolation that motivated Johnston and Holt – both then working at the Conran design studio in London – to decide to publish Octavo. ‘I think we all felt some kind of empathy with European design and felt that in this country typography was not really considered as a way of solving graphic design problems,’ says Muir, who was invited to join while they were working on the first issue. ‘It was either ideas- or image-based. So there seemed to be a huge vacuum. There was a place for a serious – or even a mad or warped view – of looking at typography and trying to use it as a central core in graphic design.’ Michael Burke, who had a wide circle of contacts with possible writers, joined as an editor.
After attempting to interest a mainstream publisher to support the venture, Johnston and Holt decided to just go ahead and publish it themselves. ‘We secured agreements from the typesetter and printer to delay our payment to them for six months until we got some revenue back from sales of the first issue,’ says Johnston.
The first Octavo, published in 1986, established a format that was kept for the subsequent six issues. It was a4, with sixteen pages (a reference to its title), a cover and tracing-paper dust jacket. Issue one was printed in three colours – the traditional printer’s black and red, and a grey – and varnished. The idea that the design of a magazine about typography might reflect its content should not have been radical; but in the UK at that time it was.
As an object, the first Octavo was coolly seductive, using minimum materials to maximum effect, using structure and constraint to communicate. In retrospect, Muir and Holt believe they were too much in awe of the notion of ‘a typographic journal’ as a great, learned thing. This seriousness, and the assumption that only a few designers are interested in typography, dates Octavo more than its design. The editorial for issue one, for instance, reads like a rallying cry: ‘Although Octavo 86.1 features mostly English work, later issues will be more international in flavour (it would be difficult to complete eight issues of a publication with examples of good English typography).’
The reaction of the magazine’s audience depended on whether or not they knew about the Swiss tradition. The typographer Kelvyn Smith was then studying fine art and knew nothing about typographic history. ‘I saw this magazine and it turned things upside down,’ he says. ‘I suddenly saw how you could use words as image.’
It was this revelation, he says, that drew him away from fine art and towards type. Those who knew about the Swiss tradition found Octavo exciting in a different way.
‘I think it was the first example of something in this country using the spirit of modern typography,’ says magazine designer Simon Esterson. Octavo spans the time when design moved from typesetters and paste-ups to Apple Macs and digital technology. The final issue, on the impact and importance of digital media, is on CD-ROM (see Reviews, Eye no. 9 vol. 3). ‘Looking back, the timing was so important,’ says Muir. ‘Technology wasn’t accessible to graphic designers, so you still had to rely on typesetters, repro people, printers. You would specify things, and you would get them back. And then you’d correct them, and then you’d get them back again. It was a huge mountain to climb.’
Spread from the sixth issue of Octavo (1988), the issue has the theme of typography in the environment.
There is a marked difference between the first four issues and the next three, which have an exuberance that seems to be inspired by the realisation of what was becoming possible. ‘Repro was getting better, printing technology was getting better – all these things fuelled the ideas … about how the next issue could look,’ says Holt.
Although the later issues of Octavo are more expressive in their use of type and colour, there is a strong sense of structure throughout. The positioning of type is often unexpected but never gratuitous (though Ken Garland criticised the ‘footling’ typography of ‘Type and Image’, the Bridget Wilkins essay in issue seven). The editorial in issue three (87.3) sets out their views on structure: ‘Order is fundamental to understanding. The ability to exploit typographic structure to its full potential requires both a sense of formal spatial relationships – proportion, scale, optical balance – as well as a knowledge of the microstructure inherent in letterforms…’
While it is undoubtedly true that much of the radicalism of Octavo was to do with the context in which it was published – a current of Modernism in an ocean of tepid English whimsy – it is the way in which the designers pushed both the technology and their self-imposed structures to the limit that prevents their work from being pastiche, and continues to distinguish their work today. As the typographer David James puts it: ‘There is a lot of ‘Swiss style’ around but none of it has the form and function of Octavo, it doesn’t have the intellectual element that their work had.’
8vo’s fascination with structure, technology and communication was to lead to an unlikely turn in its fortunes at the end of the 1980s. An American Express executive visiting London happened to see a short item about the designers on a television arts programme. Within two days he was in their studio inviting them to come up with ideas for an introduction pack for new members. This led to the redesign of the company’s antiquated billing system, making the bills more user-focused, and getting to grips with the mainframe technology that produced them. In 1999 8vo was asked to redesign the Amex card itself. The idea that such a large corporation would allow its iconic card to be redesigned by three blokes in a tiny studio was, perhaps, too good to be true; although 8vo completed the project, it was eventually sidelined.
Since the early 1990s a string of other companies, such as Thames Water and Orange, have asked 8vo to look at their billing systems. Muir and Holt seem to enjoy the intellectual challenge of rationalising these complex systems. The studio has rarely comprised more than four people, so they rarely delegate such work to juniors. ‘We are doers,’ says Holt. ‘We like doing stuff. It has always been a small office and it has always been very hands-on.’ Nevertheless, it is the sort of nuts-and-bolts design that few small studios would be interested in taking on.
Thames Water statement, 1998. Although initially briefed to redesign the bill, 8vo ended up analysing and restructuring all the company’s mainframe-generated billing system. Design: 8vo (Mark Holt, Hamish Muir, Malcolm Southward). Thames is now able to target appropriate information to different customers, whether business or domestic, metered or unmetered, the design element of the project ended up being a small part of the whole project.
These corporate projects have clearly given 8vo an unusual degree of financial stability. Muir and Holt claim that Octavo broke even in the end. Nevertheless, well-paid corporate projects helped keep them afloat during the Octavo years and have given them the freedom to do creative projects for organisations such as Factory Records, the independent music label, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and for Flux, an annual Scottish music festival in the late 1990s.
Factory Records was notoriously disorganised, leaving its designers to do pretty much what they wanted. ‘Getting information out of them – like the names of the tracks – was like getting blood out of a stone,’ says Muir. Given the apparent luxury of complete creative freedom, 8vo’s response was to set themselves a very tight brief of their own making. ‘It’s quite difficult to find a starting point when you could start anywhere,’ says Muir. ‘So actually using the production process, and trying to deconstruct it, saying, “We’ve never done this, so why don’t we do it and see how it shapes the project”, can narrow the brief and make it easier. Designers hate open briefs, they want things they can kick against, or rules they can break or extend or whatever.’
Typical of this approach was the 1987 sleeve of Durutti Column’s The Guitar and Other Machines for the Factory Records label. The image, including the type, was achieved entirely in-camera, the lettering and photographs having been stuck to layers of glass and then shot in one go – a technical challenge that they set themselves.
8vo’s approach has remained pretty much the same since 1985, with changes tending to reflect developments in technology far more than changes in the designers’ thinking. It’s not that they don’t experiment, more that they do so within parameters that they set for themselves. It was this, says Wim Crouwel, that made the work he commissioned from them for the Museum Boymans-van Beuningen successful – it was innovative, but within parameters that ensured it was acceptable to all of the museum’s wide audience. From 1989 until 1993, 8vo designed all the museum’s exhibition posters and catalogues, commissioned by individual departments each with their own differing agendas and budgets. Crouwel’s aim was that each publication had its own identity, while somehow ensuring that they were recognisable as coming from the museum. His only stipulation was that the designers must use Futura. The result is an impressive body of work in which a single typeface is used with a mixture of sobriety and imagination. ‘They weren’t afraid to use the heavier, extra bold type. They are not afraid to go to the limits with page design,’ he says. ‘In a restricted way they were experimental.’
Flyers for the Flux music festival, a fringe event that coincided with the Edinburgh International Festival, 1997-99. Text was flowed in to the pre-designed structure at the last minute.
Their work for the Flux music festival is a more recent example of using the production process to give shape to their work. They knew that the posters announcing the line-up of bands would be text-heavy, and that the copy would arrive at the last minute. Their solution was to use these factors as the starting point for the design, using the copy as the image, structuring it by setting up a template into which the text could be run. Consequently, the final appearance of each poster depended on whatever text they received. ‘It’s something that has interested us more and more in recent years,’ says Holt. ‘Creating things that design themselves. So you come up with the engine and then you flow in the text. And whatever it is comes out.’
Alex Poots, organiser of Flux, had been impressed by the intelligence of 8vo’s approach to presenting contemporary music for Factory. ‘They seemed to be comfortable about not reflecting anything from the past, comfortable about being new,’ he says. At first glance the fabulous colours and in-your-face boldness of the Flux posters makes them seem utterly at odds with the utility bills that occupy so much of 8vo’s time. Structurally, however, they are similar: carefully thought-out systems into which chunks of text can be poured. ‘It’s the same as designing a gas bill,’ says Muir, ‘because you are designing an information system, and this one [Flux] happens to be expressed in a slightly different and more colourful way.’
Muir and Holt seem happy to avoid the limelight, allowing Malcolm Southward (who joined in the mid-1990s) to deal with clients and the outside world, and not bothering with the usual round of lectures, books and punditry that keep many established designers’ names in circulation. Corporate clients seek them out for their ability to analyse, structure and communicate complex information – but may not always appreciate the quality of the typography that comes with the thinking. Small arts organisations seek them out because of a near-legendary reputation for typography but may not always appreciate the intelligent analysis that underpins it.
‘It is only about ordering information,’ says Muir. ‘So if it’s a nightclub audience you do it one way, and if it’s Thames Water you do it in another, but you still have fun. It’s about language, it’s about communication, it’s about presenting information.’
Julia Thrift, design writer, London
First published in Eye no. 37 vol. 10, 2000
Eye is the world’s most beautiful and collectable graphic design journal, published quarterly for professional designers, students and anyone interested in critical, informed writing about graphic design and visual culture. It is available from all good design bookshops and online at the Eye shop, where you can buy subscriptions and single issues.
‘Is anybody out there reading’ in Eye 9
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Precursor to the Audi TT
New tire suggestions and experience please
Scalia had been attending a rendezvous convened by the St Hubertus Society, - - -
Two interesting items about the Presidential race
The REAL problem America faces
Wacky winter in Vermont
Miscarriage of justice and morality and legality
Donald Trump, feminist
Been contributing to SPLC for decades. Their new Intelligence Report features Trump
Primary Turnout - Dems are worried
Question on the Apple phone debate
Mexican border = drugs. Canadian border = turtles.
When President Trump takes office.
Where is the oppo research on Trump?
Great hikes in North America
Cruz and Flint water!
a bit of rough water; another day at the 'office'
The take back America tour!
Anyone else smelling the ripe fish in the statement "the samerican people - - -"
A look inside Trump's global deals
Would you want a murderer with schizophrenia living next to you?
Mass killing in Kansas
robots need to fear humans
Happy birthday to Delecta....
In Defense of Politics
Remember when ImageStation died on us?
here’s a prodject
Will Clinton's response to Black Lives Matter protester impact South Carolina vote?
A smorgasbord of dividends
Free trips
Donald Trump, the 'American jobs for American workers' President
Missouri Legislators Automatic Lawyers
Kids and Guns, Iowa style
Fine tuned a loom this morning.
The Latest On Marco Rubio
On. Camera. Co
Tennessee Official State Rifle
Thread of the Month!
wooden fenders
Is Ted Cruz a Serial Killer?
Ten years gone by. . .
Hillary connected with isis!
Miracles Never Cease!
Mississippi Celebration
Making America Great Again.
Bernadette braves sharks - makes national headlines
Washington shooting
BROTM for March... Place your NOMINATIONS here.....
Old Harddisk Connor CP 30254 H
For the mathemeticians, engineers, and other geek among us
Lindsay Vonn
The Heffalump
Concrete Economics
wayne venchka
A Dose of Benny
California KKK rally turns violent
Need a new corded electric mower
Clinton wins SC Primary by 3:1 Margin
Tuesday is going to be IT
Polling: majority want a SCOTUS nomination and vote
Not All White People Are Racist
Precious Ramotswe
Sunday Morning Chuckle
Oscars so white.
Podesta says Hillary is NOT the more electable.
A Good Political Example
Two shootings
Losing the general in one easy step
the high price of wood.
Well, hives are dead.
favourite glass boat
Cool Trucks
A former top supporter of Chis Christie now condemns him.
RIP Frank Kelly
Ministeroni makes NZ history.
NZ sets new record!!!!!!!!!!
Who is Candidate Pinestraw?
How Will Trump Media Bomb The Oscars?
Why the right hates the SPLC
New Peugeot Ad
Call me Cassandra: Trump
Mushroom based packaging
How's your fuel consumption?
From Captain to Secretary of the Army
Zipper truck for tunnel building
What ancient Rome looked like_video
Hijabs Cause Terrorists !?
Racism in the Oscars
Let It Be Known
Once again, it takes a comedy show to get the facts out
How's your booze consumption?
Galbraith: economic forecasting & the Sanders program
Street carsi
The Middle East: is we winning?
Joys Here!
Marina Fire.
Tomorrow's primary in MA
Pennsylvania's next Senator?
GM - an automotive quality leader?
Bugatti's latest
What the Heck was THAT?!
Slide guitar
Attack on the Klansters
A Discussion of America and 9/11
"My boy says he can eat fifty eggs he can eat fifty eggs!"
He speaks!
Mummified Skipper found on boat in Phillipines
Megaship docked in Seattle: CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin
Nomination Solution
Evidence of Climate Change?
Hillary and the gender gap
The Populist Outsider
Historian???
Move over Tesla, here comes the Moggie!
Presidential Timber
Another Republican Success Story
Classy RWW's - yet another example
Happy birthday to Bruce Taylor....
Happy birthday to Isla....
Happy birthday to Steve McMahon....
BROTM for March... POLL HERE....
The triumph of hope over experience
Trump, the Musical
Sometimes, all that free stuff pays off
A political "what if ?"
A nice little Dick story
A champion of racial equality
The humiliation of Chris Christie
Rayan message
Interesting meteor incident over Scotland
G.O.P. = Whigs
How will the Republican Party rebuild, after Trump?
Some 2x4s, few sheets of plastic and some empty drums. Look, it floats.
The humiliation of Jeb! Bush
Drop-outs
The Apple iPhone saga continues
DNC plan to gut CFPB
World's longest passenger flight.
Hey Canadians/Canadiennes
Dornier DO-X 1929 Giant RC Airliner
The Nightmare has Arrived
The Rockford Register Star has a long editorial today equating Trump with Hitler, - -
"Who" phenomenon
FBI Made Black Deaths Matter
Threats and intimidation
if only they'd had a swivel gun
The election and the KKK issue.
The recent wave of anthropomorphic electronics
Donald Trump: Keep Out until you apologize to POWs
Felons Should Vote
The Political Cesspool
Some Thoughts on Mr. Trump
Favorite Toy
A good discussion
Meanwhile, deep in the dark heart of Tejas...
What's Driving Trump's Support - The Rise of American Authoritarianism
Super Tuesday fallout reported by The Beaverton
Tumultuous times: calls for Christie's resignation
For those who want Drumpf's hand on the Big Red Button
Trump, Bernie same coin?
The BIG story, voter turnout
Prominent Republicans rejecting Trump
Trump's super tuesday
Kinda Cool Wooden Marble Musical Machine.
More Kansas Revenue Shortfalls
Naming Post Offices: easy, right?
Let's Have Some Respect For Multiculturalism
12v agm battery-minimum charge voltage
Name that ship
Hold your breath: Mitt is going to make a speech!
F35 better dogfighter than F16? A pilot report.
Marble Music Machine Made of Wood! Amazing!
Will the donald bankrupt the country?
Personal best and Bilge Record, (Claimed and awaiting comformation)
Jesse Ventura to throw his hat into the presidential ring?
The US and Obama Lead The Free World And China v. N Korea
Latter Days
Make Cape Breton Great Again!
Carson pulls out
Well do you . . . ?
Some levity, in the midst of all this political angst
Possibly the biggest earthquakes in the world since 1900
GOP foreign policy experts: "Dump Trump"
Another Darwin Award finalist
Speaking of New Hampshire
working sail
In case anyone wants to livestream Romney's speech
Ted Koppel raps Bill O’Reilly: Interviewing Trump is ‘irrelevant’ now because of you
How it begins... NYTimes on Hitler 1922
The Texas Board of Education's latest candidate
More Beer Thoughts
Trump's response to Romney
Had some nice weather...
Trump University? Romney's and Rubio's hands aren't clean, either
Brain powered wheelchairs
The F 35
OK, this settles it. Hillary's the one!
Donald Trump Presidential Campaign Leader… ARRESTED!
Too many "IFS"
Watch out brass monkey's
Trump's "Make America Great Again" hats made in China
Can you see the duck ?
Another Bundy dittohead is indicted
It's More than Just a Bundy...
Potentual Trump running mates
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my sand box
Is the potato a vegetable?
I suspect no one saw this
Potatoe Porn for Pless
More Potato Porn
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Teach Your Children Well: Focused, Happier Kids Grow Up to be Healthier Adults
by GDN Shared Post May 8, 2009
Children who can stay focused and don’t sweat the small stuff have a better shot at good health in adulthood — and this is especially true for girls, according to a new study. “Certain characteristics already evident early in life are likely to spark positive or negative emotions, and also influence biological and behavioral responses to stress,” said lead author Laura D. Kubzansky, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Health.
“Some traits may contribute to developing healthier behaviors and better social relationships, and ultimately more resilience in mid-life. Supporting this idea, we found that children who were able to stay focused on a task and react less negatively to situations at age 7 reported better general health and fewer illnesses 30 years later.”
These findings are reported in the May issue of Health Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.
Kubzansky and co-authors tracked 569 individuals from the National Collaborative Perinatal Project from age 7 to their mid-30s to see if certain personality traits influenced later health. Trained observers rated the 7-year-olds on 15 different behaviors. These behaviors were then assigned to three different personality attributes: attention (the ability to stay focused on a task and persist in solving a problem), distress-proneness (the tendency to react negatively to situations), and behavior inhibition (the tendency toward shyness, acting withdrawn and having difficulty communicating).
To determine adult health, the participants rated their health and reported whether they had any of the following illnesses: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, asthma, arthritis, stroke, bleeding ulcer, tuberculosis or hepatitis.
For all the participants, superior attention spans and having a more positive outlook in youth affected health the most. These effects were greater for women, the researchers found. The authors suggest that women may be more sensitive to interactions among emotion, behavior and biology and, therefore, be more predisposed to certain health risks, such as heart disease, although additional research is needed to understand this more completely.
The authors found no differences in these effects across race or ethnicity; they also controlled for childhood health and socicoeconomic status.
The sample consisted of 60 percent men and 40 percent women; 80 percent of participants were white and 20 percent were black. Of the sample, 76 percent reported good or excellent health and 18 percent reported illnesses.
“This longitudinal study provides more evidence that behavior and emotions generally linked to certain temperaments play a crucial role in long-term health,” Kubzansky said. “Fortunately, early childhood characteristics can be shaped and guided by social, family and peer interactions. Interventions can focus on altering certain ways of responding and behaviors that frequently accompany particular traits to prevent certain diseases.”
Article: “Early Manifestations of Personality and Adult Health: A Life Course Perspective,” Laura D. Kubzansky, PhD, Harvard School of Public Health; Laurie T. Martin, PhD, Rand Corporation; Stephen L. Buka, PhD, Brown University; Health Psychology, Vol. 13, No. 1.
(Full text of the article is available from the APA Public Affairs Office and at http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/hea283364.pdf )
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world’s largest association of psychologists. APA’s membership includes more than 150,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting human welfare.
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NYU Appoints Lisa M. Coleman as Chief Diversity Officer
Tabor CI Sewing Plant Dehumidification Project.
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Category: Idealab
Aptera Motors Raises More Than $24 Million in Series C Funding
Aptera Motors, a Carlsbad, California-based company that is developing an ultra-efficient vehicle, announced on July 24th that it raised more than $24 million at the close of its series C round of financing. The company said that the funds will be used to start initial production of its Aptera Typ-1 vehicle and for a new manufacturing facility located in Vista, California. Aptera Motors’ investors now include Idealab, Esenjay Investments, The Simons Family, The Beall Family Trust, and Google, Inc.
"We’re excited that the tremendous demand that we’ve received from the thousands of individuals who have pre-ordered their Aptera Typ-1 has been matched with a strong endorsement from our investment partners," said Steve Fambro, founder and CEO of Aptera Motors. "The vehicle is exciting, the timing seems perfect and the market is eager to buy one of these first built units. These new funds will be instrumental as we pursue our goal of bringing the Typ-1 to market later this year."
"With energy prices and oil prices where they are, we feel dramatic increases in the efficiency of transportation, like the Typ-1, are greatly needed," said Bill Gross, chairman and CEO of Idealab. "The Aptera Typ-1 is designed to be the lowest energy way to transport two passengers safely from point A to point B. Clearly, our expectations for this first vehicle and this company are very high."
According to the company, the Aptera Typ-1 will be "the most efficient passenger vehicle in the world." The first production models are scheduled for release in December 2008. The all-electric version will achieve up to 120 miles per charge, and the hybrid version (which will be available 12 months after) will achieve nearly 300 MPG. The following video, from the September 2007 Aptera launch party, provides additional information on Aptera Motors.
Aptera Motors – Home page
Aptera Moves One Step Closer to Production of Its Ultra-Efficient Typ-1 Vehicle (July 24, 2008)
Aptera Motors and ActaCell Receive $2.75 Million from Google.org (Green VC, July 23, 2008)
eSolar Receives $130 Million in Funding
eSolar, an Idealab company based in Pasadena, CA that produces scalable solar thermal power plants, announced on Monday that it closed $130 million in funding from Idealab, Google.org, Oak Investment Partners, and other investors for the construction and deployment of its pre-fabricated power plants. In January eSolar received $10 million from Google.org.
"eSolar’s primary business goal is nothing short of making solar electricity for less than the price of coal, without subsidies," said Bill Gross, eSolar Chairman and Founder of Idealab. "This is not only attainable, but will truly change the world."
eSolar’s distributed solar thermal plants are designed to address the complex issues involved in large or utility-scale power projects and are able to achieve economies of scale at 33 MW. The modular design of these plants have a number of benefits, including requiring minimal land and yielding a low environmental footprint.
"The eSolar™ power plant is based on mass manufactured components, and designed for rapid construction, uniform modularity, and unlimited scalability," said Asif Ansari, CEO of eSolar. "Rather than over-engineering the solution, eSolar’s smart scalable solar architecture targets what we see as the four key business obstacles facing the sector: price, scalability, rapid deployment, and grid impact."
eSolar has secured land rights in the southwest United States to support the production and transmission of over 1 GW of power. eSolar will have a fully operational power plant later this year in southern California.
eSolar – Home page
eSolar Announces Breakthrough Pre-Fabricated Solar Power Plants (PDF) (April 21, 2008)
Google.org Announces Philanthropy Focus Areas; Includes Climate Change (includes reference to prior eSolar funding)
Infinia Closes $50 Million in Series B Financing
Infinia Corporation, a Kennewick, Washington-based company, today announced that it has closed a $50 million Series B round of financing.The funds will be used to support the commerical launch of the company’s Infinia Solar System product, which J.D. Sitton, Infinia’s President and CEO, states, "[W]ill change the game in the solar power generation market." The Infinia Solar System combines Infinia’s free-piston Stirling engine with a dish-style solar concentrator to produce three kilowatts of grid-quality electric power. Infinia expects to start manufacturing and selling this product later in 2008.
The funding round announced today was led by GLG Partners. Other participants in this round were Wexford Capital LLC and previous investors Vulcan Capital, Khosla Ventures, EQUUS Total Return, Inc., Idealab and Power Play Energy, LLC. In addition, Infinia announced that John Small of GLG Partners will become a member of the company’s Board of Directors.
Infinia previously announced investments of $3.5 million in February 2005 and $9.5 million in June 2007. For more information:
Infinia: Home page
Infinia Corporation Announces $50 Million Financing (press release)
Infinia Corp. Lands $50 Million for Solar Power System (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Infinia Corporation Secures $9.5 Million in Venture Financing (press release, June 14, 2007)
Stirling Technology Company (Now Infinia) Signs Equity Investment Deal (press release, March 2, 2005)
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Jeffrey Kaplan's View
Politics, tech, and stuff from a personal view
Category: Poltics
Not too far to the Left
Time Magazine just published an article “Democratic Centrists See a ‘Silent Majority’ Ready to Rebuild” in which they quote a fear of the Democratic Party going too far to the left for the voters. Read the article then come back here.
“Too far to the left”? The plan is to do the same things that elected Clinton and Obama? Bad moves.
The Democratic Party is shifting left. As the old guard die out, the younger generations are coming in and they are generally to the left of what you are considering the mainstream middle of the party. Bernie Sanders would likely have won the General Election against Donald Trump, even with the Soviet, I mean Russian, interference. The only reason he didn’t is due to meddling by then-leadership of the Democratic National Committee who wanted, among other things, to build a political Dynasty out of the Clinton name.
The DNC, and downstream to the State committees, and then downstream to the County and Municipal committees, need to actually LISTEN to the people they represent as party leaders, not just assume. And lead where their people want to go, not try to force them onto another, well worn and outdated path. And if they cannot do this, step aside and make room for those who can.
For the record, I am currently on the board of my municipal Democratic Committee, and a rank-and-file member of my County Democratic Committee.
The case for Impeachment
Donald Trump needs to be Impeached by the House of Representatives for crimes against the United States, both mundane and Treason.
United States Constitution, Article 2 Section 4 states:
The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Article 3 Section 3 defines Treason thus:
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
Also relevant is Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8, the Emoluments Clause:
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State
as expanded by the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966, which enumerates several elected positions in its definition of “employees” who may not accept any gift of more than minimal value without congressional approval. Such “employees” include the President and the Vice President, a Member of Congress, and the spouses and dependents of the same.
The charges as I see them:
Since taking the oath of office to defend this country and its Constitution, Donald Trump has:
Repeatedly called the Free Press, foreign and domestic, “the enemy” and openly called for acts of violence against them. The 1st Amendment guarantees an unfettered free press
Has repeatedly provided aid and comfort by insulting our allies and praising our adversaries
Has provided aid and comfort by nominating to positions of power people singularly hostile to and by temperament or (lack of) qualifications unsuited for the offices they have been given
Removed the White House Petitions page, also a (potential) violation of the 1st Amendment which prohibits interfering with petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances
Brought us to the brink of nuclear war with North Korea
Is openly hostile to the intelligence findings of all 17 US Intelligence Agencies regarding adversarial interference in the 2016 elections, and adhering to the lies of the accused enemy, the Russian oligarch and defacto dictator Vladimir Putin
Has refused to sever himself from his for-profit businesses, many of which receive direct payments or other in-kind benefits from or are located in countries openly or subtly hostile to the United States, amounting to bribery, and a probable violation of the Emoluments Clause as expanded by the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966.
Prior to taking office, there is the very strong and real probability that he or those working for him actively colluded with the Russian government to ensure via active cyber fraud and sabotage that Trump would “win” the 2016 election. Trump has often called into question the legitimacy, time and cost of the multiple investigations of this. Only one of which claims to have found nothing, and that one was a highly biased partisan panel that adjourned before the few opposing side could bring up evidence.
The Mueller Special Prosecutor investigation, after only 14 months, this one investigation has already secured 5 guilty pleas and more than 20 additional indictments against persons foreign and domestic as well as several foreign companies that were used for cover. This is more sooner than any Special Investigation since Watergate.
Taken individually, some of these can be overlooked or seen as mere incompetence or mental incapacity. Taken together, though, a pattern of willful action against the interests of the United States can be seen. Thus, Donald J Trump needs to be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Letter to Susan Collins
Senator Susan Collins
You have stated that you will not ask any nominee by Donald Trump their opinion on Roe v Wade, and that you will trust their commitment to upholding precedent in order to uphold it. You took this same stance with Neil Gorsuch. Just because he literally wrote a book on precedent does not mean that he will uphold them. I assume that you have paid attention to the batch of SCOTUS decisions that came out last week. How many of them did Neil Gorsuch vote with the majority to overturn decades of precedent? Last time I counted, the answer is “all of them”.
Mr. Gorsuch was pre-vetted and supplied to Mr. Trump by The Federalist Society, an ultra-conservative organization dedicated to raising ultra-conservative lawyers with the goal of getting them into court seats at the State and Federal levels in order to overturn decades of social progress. Such as Roe v Wade.
Every name on Mr. Trump’s list of 25 has been pre-vetted by this group. All of them would vote for overturning Roe v Wade.
And that is not the only “settled law” that Mr. Gorsuch, and whomever Mr. Trump nominates, would overturn. Considering their judicial origin, also on the potential chopping block are marriage equality, the Affordable Care Act, the American With Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act, and maybe even Brown v Board Of Education.
In other words, every single piece of Civil Rights legislation and judgement for the past 60+ years is in YOUR hands.
I therefor urge you to vote “no” on whomever Mr. Trump nominates. I would even urge you to withhold voting altogether.
In 2016, when Justice Scalia died, your leader, Mitch McConnell stated that he would refuse to entertain even any discussion of a replacement nomination “because it’s an election year” and The People should have a say in the next election. 2018 is an election year. If what he said two years ago is true, it’s also true today. He then went on to break the precedent and change the rules. If this is supposed to be a non-partisan position, then changing the rules to allow a confirmation on a mere simple majority is a betrayal of that, and the prior rule of requiring a supermajority of 60 “yea” votes must be restored.
You allowed yourself to be lied to and betrayed last year with the vote on the tax bill that has decimated the Affordable Care Act. Learn from your mistake. I assume you have principles, though you split hairs so fine to justify your votes it’s hard to tell at times. Assuming you still have any, it is time and past time to make principled stand and stick to it. All of Maine is watching. All of America is watching. All of the word is watching.
Jeffrey Kaplan
Patriotism in 2018
On this Fourth of July, in the year 2018, celebrating the 242nd Anniversary of the American Declaration Of Independence from an oppressive government that disregarded the wants and needs of its American citizens, it is well worth it to contemplate Patriotism.
Patriotism, as defined by Merriam-Webster: “love for or devotion to one’s country”
Note that it does not say love or devotion to the current government, or to any elected official. In fact, it can be, and often has been, argued that Patriotism demands holding the government to task for what they do and what they fail to do.
To those that claim that those who criticize Donald Trump and his administration are lacking in patriotism because he’s the president, I have one basic thing to say:
BULLSHIT!
If they really thought that, then by their own definitions, these people have shown a complete lack of patriotism when Barak Obama was President.
Because Patriotism is loyalty to the country, not to any specific person, if the person in high office is acting in a way that is detrimental to the country, it is therefore a patriotic duty to hold them responsible. It is therefore a patriotic duty to dissent. It is a patriotic duty to resist. Loyalty to the person is in fact incompatible with patriotism, because you are putting the person above the country regardless of what that person is doing to the country.
The Declaration of Independence, the signing of which is celebrated 242 years ago today, calls out for dissent and opposition to Trump’s administration where it says as the second paragraph
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
What has Trump done that warrants a Patriotic dissent and resistance? Here’s a partial list:
He insults our allies and defers to our enemies
He installs department heads that are unqualified on the face of it and who’s missions are to dismantle their departments
He is personally profiting from being President beyond a paycheck by not distancing himself from his businesses
He is personally profiting from being President beyond a paycheck by manipulating the stock market
He ignores the evidence-based consensus of his own Intelligence services regarding enemy cyberwarfare against the United States and takes the unproven word of a sworn enemy instead
He claims victory in talks with a hostile foreign leader when he gave what they wanted and got nothing in return, ignoring evidence of his failure
Demands certain concessions to agree to a basic principle, then moves the goal posts
Enacts a policy of “zero tolerance”, lies about who’s policy it is, claims it’s up to another branch of the government to fix it, then only under pressure from his wife and daughter enacts an Order that only partially rescinds it and attempts to make things worse
Falsely claims “national security” to impose import tariffs on our allies triggering global trade wars with allies and other trade partners
Directly and implicitly Incites violence against the Media
Directly and implicitly incites violence against people of color, other religions and refugees
I could go on and on, but as I said, this is only a partial list.
Trump shreds the Constitution
The United States Constitution, including all 27 Amendments, effects all persons within the borders of the United States including territories and possessions regardless of their legal status or how they got here. This includes all rights, privileges, and obligations.
Donald Trump is shredding the United States Constitution. He is now advocating depriving “undocumented immigrants” their due-process rights as guaranteed by the US Constitution.
Then there is this one, from May: The Trump Organization, owned and still operated by Donald Trump and his children who are also employees of Donald Trump as “Advisers”, has stated that they are not going to bother to separate out moneys taken in from foreign business interests, in clear violation of the Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution which prohibits government employees from the acceptance of gifts, titles and money from foreign entities lest they cause or appear to cause a preference to that foreign entity over that of the United States’ interests. Why? Because it’s “not practical”. Whether hired, appointed or elected, Donald, Don Jr, Eric, Ivanka and Melania Trump are all employees of the US Government. And collectively, several of them, specifically including Donald, own, manage or hold stake in the Trump Organization.
1 crying Honduran girl vs 2000
This one instance that the current regime in Washington is now harping on as an overblown response by the Democratic and otherwise Liberal side does not disprove the fact that over TWO THOUSAND children were “separated” (kidnapped, stolen) from their parents attempting to seek entry into the united states, many of whom who were trying to enter legally by seeking asylum through an official border crossing.
And the recent Executive Order that Trump had previously said he could not issue to reverse his own policies, has no provision to reunite those children with their families, seeks to makes matters worse by having the Pentagon set up what amounts to concentration camps at military bases, and will in fact self-reverse on the policy in about three weeks and resume separating (kidnapping, stealing) the children again when they fail to overturn the Flores Agreement that set the 20 day limit on child detentions in the first place. The Flores Agreement is a judgement dating back to the Reagan era.
The crying Honduran girl on the cover of Time was not separated from her mother
Did he ever invite people who were permanently separated from their children due to…
Did he ever invite people who were permanently separated from their children due to school shootings?
Did he ever invite people who were permanently separated from their children due to police brutality?
Did he ever invite people who were permanently separated from their children due to the opiod crisis?
Did he ever invite people who were permanently separated from their children due to domestic violence?
Did he ever invite people who were permanently separated from their children due to inability to afford medication?
Trump answers critics of border policy with families of crime victims
Turmp’s order to end splitting families is all show
As you have probably heard by now, to much fanfare, President Trump has signed an Executive Order reversing his own policy of separating children from their families when crossing the border from Mexico. This is insufficient. The EO was actually drafted by DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.
What was not as widely announced are the parts of the order that are as bad, if not worse:
Families arrested from now on will be kept together in so-called “Detention Centers”. At first, similar to the ones currently housing over 2000 children. The EO directs the Department of Homeland Security to contract with the Pentagon to start holding these families on military bases. And there are no plans to re-unite families already separarted.
Let me repeat that last bit:
There are no plans to re-unite families already separated.
Nation wide protests and demonstrations against the family separation policy are still happening. If you were planning on attending one, keep that plan. If you have a Senator or Congressperson who has not committed to supporting an existing bill or to write one to make a law to fix this, call or write them. Here in Maine, that would be Republican Senator Susan Collins and Republican Congressman (CD2) Bruce Poliquin – Independant Senator Angus King has already signed on to Senator Finestein’s bill, and Deomcratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has already co-sponsored the House version.
You can find demonstration events co-sponsored by MoveOn.org here: https://act.moveon.org/event/families-belong-together/search/
You can find out how to contact your US Senator here: https://www.senate.gov/reference/common/faq/How_to_correspond_senators.htm
You can find ou how to contact your US Congressperson here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Do not assume this is over, it is not. Do not become complacent. We only got this much becuase of the pressure being applied to the Senate and Congress. We MUST keep it up.
Keep Families Together
Senator Collins,
You said the other day on national TV that you do not support the Administration’s policy of breaking families apart at the border. But then you did… nothing. You have no follow-through where it counts.
You claim that The Keep Families Together Act written by Senator Feinstein is “too broad” and merely asked Donald Trump for more information. You are asking a known liar to lie to you, again.
You repeatedly claim to be a moderate, and willing to work across the aisle, but that only appears to happen on inconsequential items. You are a senior Senator, you have clout. Use it. Work with Senator Feinstein to amend her bill or find something you want that she can support in exchange for your support here. Or work with another Democratic Senator, or Senator King, to write a different bill that better suits your sensibilities.
In other words, do your job.
Biddeford Maine
LePage’s Destruction of Democracy and Legacy
Five times since the Affordable Care Act was passed and signed into federal law, the Maine State Legislature passed and sent to Governor Paul LePage bills to expand MaineCare to more people in Maine. Five times, LePage vetoed it.
Let that sink in.
Maine’s Republican governor, who only got there with a mere plurality of votes (his first term, he got less than %40 of the vote hardly a resounding mandate from the people), has defied the will of the people as expressed through their elected representatives. This lead directly to the Citizen’s Initiative that became Question Two on last November’s ballot to force the issue directly from the citizens of Maine, a referendum that LePage cannot veto, to expand MaineCare to cover approximately 70,000 more people. Most of the money required to pay for this is provided by the Federal government through moneys already budgeted and allocated, all Maine has to do is say “yes”. And Maine has the money available for the downpayment before the federal funds kick in this year, and the ability to easily budget it in each of the coming years. The Referendum passed 59-41. It passed with not merely a simple majority, but an almost supermajority. More people voted for this than for LePage in either of his campaigns for Governor.
The referendum set a deadline for April for the LePage administration to submit a plan to the Federal government on how it plans to implement the expansion, with the expansion itself to be implemented by July 2. By law.
So what happened? The LePage administration ignored it. Let that sink in.
Various groups have since sued the LePage administration to force him/it to follow the law. The Maine State Attorney General, Janet Mills, refused to defend the LePage administration in this, so LePage hired outside council. The Court rendered its verdict on June 4: The LePage administration must follow the law as written and submit a plan, deadline June 11. With the implementation date on July 2. What happened next? On June 7, the LePage administration through the Department Of Health And Human Services filed an appeal.
This is just the most recent and most inhumane way that LePage is destroying democracy in this state. By acting contrary to what the people have repeatedly said they wanted, including by a direct ballot question. Then ignoring the result.
And all of the Republican candidates for Governor have pledged to follow LePage’s lead.
2020 Democratic field
No Nuance to issue of The Wall
Term Limits for Congress? No, it’s been gerrymandered
Susan Collins is responsible for this
Trump is escalating
LePage’s Destruction of Democracy and Legacy – Jeffrey Kaplan's View on RCV in Maine
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Nepra to inquire into unscheduled load shedding in Karachi
Islamabad (HRNW): National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has established a high level committee following 10 hours unscheduled load shedding in Karachi to investigate the matter. Different parts of Karachi have been suffering from rampant load shedding causing uproar among the citizens. Taking serious notice of the matter the power regulator has directed K-Electric, the utility responsible for the electricity supply in the port city, to submit a detailed report on the issue. Prior to this, the clarifications by K-Electric were found unsatisfactory leading Nepra to form a high-level committee to visit Karachi and inquire into the matter, said Nepra’s spokesman. The committee constitutes of five members includes Hasnain Zegham, senior advisor technical, Masood Akhter, DG consultant (M&E), Hafiz Irfan Ahmad, senior advisor (standards), Hasnain Gohar, AD (Technical), Junaid Ahmad, AD (Standards-II).
The committee will visit K-Electric from April 11 to April 13, to investigate the matter of extended load shedding during the unbearably hot weather. As the temperature rises in Karachi, the supply-demand gap of K-Electric increased which resulted in increased load shedding in different parts of the city. Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has written a couple of letters to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the issue, urging him to direct the SSGCL for the provision of 190 MMCFD gas to K-Electric, but the issue was not resolved. Instead of 190 MMCFD of gas, SSGCL was providing only 90 MMCFD to K-Electric which has resulted in reduction in power generation by 500 MW.
According to K-Electric Spokesperson, “the company has demanded 100 MMCFD gas as the summer arrived to meet the rising summer power demand, but the gas utility is providing only 90 MMCFD which is far less than their demand. They have made every effort to resolve the issue and contacted Chief Minister Sindh and governor Sindh in this regard. The K-Electric also held meeting with CM Sindh which was also attended by SSGCL officials. In the meeting with the chief minister Sindh, the SSGCL demanded of the company to sign a gas supply agreement (GSA) and clearance of the outstanding dues.” “We are also willing to discuss a payment plan to settle outstanding dues of Rs 13.7 billion. Any other disputed amounts regarding LPS and interest that are sub-judice should not be included here. We are taking all possible measures so a required level of gas supply is restored and we can bring the power supply situation in Karachi back to routine,” the spokesperson said.
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You are here: Home › Learning home page › Module 4: Theorising the European Union › Policy Networks
While demonstrating that the analysis of European policy-making cannot be reduced to the national and/or the supranational level, multi-level governance has been criticised for its theoretical softness. Yes, governance in Europe is an extremely complex process and the dividing lines between the various levels involved are blurred, but what does this tell us about the decisive factors in policy-making? The related theory of policy networks endeavours to address this weak spot by breaking up the policy-making process into three systemic levels. It is only about the lowest of those three levels that policy networks have something to say, but it just so happens that this level decides whether policy initiatives reach the European agenda in the first place.
The protagonists of policy networks, therefore, do not claim to provide a full-fledged theory of policy-making in Europe. In their view, European policy-making takes place on three distinct levels:
The super-systemic level, where ‘history-making decisions’ are made by intergovernmental bargaining (Intergovernmental Conferences, Council, but also the European Court of Justice).
The systemic level, where ‘policy-setting decisions’ are made by inter-institutional bargaining (Commission, Council, Parliament).
The sub-systemic level, where the ‘policy-shaping decisions take place’. It is with this level that policy networks are concerned.
Now, if they ‘do not “decide” EU policy’ (Peterson & Bomberg, 2003, p. 327), why are policy-shaping decisions important? For one thing, it is at this stage that different policy alternatives are negotiated to be up for consideration, ‘by ruling some policy alternatives as permissible or impermissible’ (Pollack, 1997, p. 100). Also, this is the time when policy outcomes might still be influenced – once a proposal is taken up by the Commission, the possibilities to alter it tend to decrease dramatically. It is for these reasons that the policy-shaping phase sees intense lobbying by all sorts of policy networks. The actors in this phase are the following:
‘issue networks’: highly fluid groups that revolve around a specific issue on the European agenda.
‘policy communities’: more stable networks seeking to influence policy over a longer period.
‘epistemic communities’: networks of experts that inform technocratic decision-making.
‘advocacy coalitions’: interest groups chasing more pronouncedly political objectives.
One of the good things about the policy networks approach is that (unlike some of the other approaches associated with the governance turn in European Integration Theory) it actually generates testable hypotheses. It suggests there is a correlation between the structure of the policy networks attempting to shape policy and the policy outcome. One hypothesis is, then, that the more integrated and stable policy communities (such as those that have emerged in the pharmaceutical, information technology and automobile industries (Peterson & Bomberg, 2003)) are more likely to block radical change in European politics than the more loosely organised issue networks (Peterson, 2009). In predicting the success any given policy network will have in shaping the European agenda, much also depends on the stature of the European Commissioner or national minister responsible for the relevant portfolio. According to John Peterson and Elizabeth Bomberg, all policy networks need an effective ‘Sherpa’ (2003: 330). If he/she is trusted or highly regarded by his/her colleagues during the policy-setting phase, the policy networks he/she patronises are odds-on to win the day.
Policy networks thus provide an interesting way out of the sterile dichotomy between neo-functionalism and liberal intergovernmentalism. By focusing upon the structure of networks struggling to make their mark on policy-shaping, it can explain how and why some outcomes reflect the technocratic concerns emphasised by neo-functionalists while others exhibit the political logic stressed by liberal intergovernmentalists.
However, policy networks are by themselves not a theory of European policy-making, let alone of European Integration. To that end, they need to be combined with other theories explaining the higher levels of the policy-making process and will have to address the empirical problem of capturing fluid and fragmented policy networks (for a critique of policy networks theory focusing precisely on this point, see Kassim, 1994).
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An Annual Celebration of Black History in New Jersey
Home | A Focus on People | A Focus: Heath Center Committee Members | Keynotes and Educational Excellence | Black History Research | A Portrait of Black History: PAUL ROBESON | Heath Center Genealogy Division | The ... Heath Center Happenings ... Newsletter | Previews of Coming Heath Center Black History Events | 9/11/01 Aftermath | Directions to The Heath Center | Links, References, Vital Resources and More! | Heath Center Educational Interests Page | Contact Us | Music and Tributes | Heath Center Media Focus | Please Sign Our Guest Book | Heath Center Theological Corner
Keynotes and Educational Excellence
The Heath Center has been graced with the presence of a host of dynamic keynote speakers at its annual Black History Celebrations and opening ceremonies. Here are some of the speakers who have spread the word that Black History is certainly alive and well.
By Popular Demand...
Dr. Lenworth Gunther
*Of Jamaican roots, Dr. Lenworth Gunther grew up in NYC's tough, dynamic community of Harlem.
*From NYC's public schools, he went on to become a Wooddrow Wilson and Ford Foundation Fellow and received four (4) degrees from Comumbia University, including a Ph.D. in American History with specialties in African American, West African and Russian studies.
*In 1969, two years after teaching his first high school students, he helped prepare and teach Columbia University's first African American History course.
*Dr. Gunther has held professorships at a number of institutions of higher learning, including Drew University, Fairleigh Dickenson University, Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Ramapo College and Essex County College where he holds a position as a professor of history.
*In 1986, Dr. Gunther created Edmedia Associates, an educational and motivational consulting corporation, which specializes in ethnic studies, human relations and diversity training.
*Dr. Gunther has served as Black History consultant for the Millenium issue of "Life" magazine and has lectured on behalf of the U.S. Defense Department in Germany during December of 1997.
*In late March, he appearer on "The History Channel" as a Documentary Commentator on America during the 1930's - 1940's.
*He has honored countless audiences with his wit, and his warmth and extensive knowledge of history.
*He has appeared as Keynote Speaker for the Heath Center Black History Committee at The Heath Center of Middletown, NJ.
Paul Robeson Jr.
Reverend Kathleen Smallwood-Johnson, Esq.
......If you don't believe in something, you'll fall for anything," exclaimed Kathleen Smallwood Johnson to an audience of Monmouth County officials, residents, supporters, families and friends and guests at Middletown, New Jersey's Heath Center, the site of the annual Heath Center Black History Committee's Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, October 21, 2001.
Following a Moment of Silence in tribute to those ofellow Americans and Monmouth County citizens who lost their lives on September 11, 2001; a traditional Invocation by The Very Reverend Ephraem of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Barbara; the Pledge of Allegiance led by African-American Pioneer and Achiever Pauline Drake and Opening Remarks, Reverend Kathleen Smallwood-Johnson, Esq. delivered her Keynote Address at the annual event.
With its theme of "What It Means to Be an American of African Descent", Rev. Smallwood-Johnson, a Public Defender, Attorney, Administrator, Baptist Minister and former President of Trentons NAACP, proceeded to dazzle listeners with reflections recounting the black experience -in and out of America.
Her explosive display of verbal pyrotechnics, seasoned heavily with humor, created an oratorical edifice not heard in these parts since the Heath Center Black History Opening Ceremonies in 1999.
Rev. Johnson began by quoting from the song, America The Beautiful. Going beyond what she termed the saline consciousness lurking beneath the words from sea to shining sea, She noted that certain archaeological evidence increasingly points to African contact with pre-Columbian culture in America. Some scholars dispute that but few deny Rev. Johnsons additional point that pre-Christian cultures in Ghana, Mali and Songhay matched anything in Europe or anywhere else during their tenures.
Having recently returned from Africa, Rev. Johnson challenged her audience, saying Im not telling anyone to go back (to Africa), but stressed taking justifiable pride in watering ancestral trees.
In America were supposed to have big dreams, Rev. Johnson explained. But the only dream were talking about is Martin Luther Kings. We have failed to create a (new) dream. Such failure means we are only existing and if youre only existing you might as well be dead.
Johnson ended her speech by quoting passages from the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing", notably asking the God of weary years and silent tears to help keep us on the path to salvation.
In the aftermath, the Master of Ceremonies of the event was visibly moved, saying, "I don't know about you, but at this Place at This Time, I'm indeed proud to be an American of African Descent!" His lament was confirmed by a now-wowed audience.
About Our 2003 Heath Center Keynote Speaker Offering a Focus on The Underground Railroad:
The Honorable
Regena L. Thomas
New Jersey Secretary of State
The State of New Jersey's Secretary of State
The Honorable Regena L. Thomas
Regena L. Thomas was sworn in as New Jersey's 31st secretary of state by Governor James E. McGreevey on January 15, 2002.
Charged with the promotion and preservation of the arts, history, and culture of the Garden State, Secretary Thomas brings a community conscious approach to public policy that she honed during her distinguished 20-year career as a public servant.
She is recognized throughout the country as a strategist and organizer, and pledged to utilize her extensive experience to help build the broad-based coalitions, public-private partnerships and innovative programs necessary to strengthen and advance the state's cultural resources and empower the working families of New Jersey. One of only a handful of African-Americans to hold the post nationally, she brings a unique blend of grassroots activism, political acumen, steadfast determination, and personal integrity to the Department of State and its mission to enrich the quality of life throughout New Jersey through the arts, history, and culture of the state.
In her official capacity, Secretary Thomas is responsible for one of the premier departments of state government.
She oversees the Department of State's operating agencies consisting of:
*Archives and Records Management;
*The Center for Youth Policy and Programs;
*The New Jersey Historical Commission;
*The New Jersey Historic Trust;
*The New Jersey State Council on the Arts;
*The New Jersey State Museum;
*The New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission;
*The New Jersey Commission on American Indian Affairs;
*The Governor's Office of Volunteerism; and
*The Trenton War Memorial.
Prior to her state service Secretary Thomas served as a partner at IEM Message Management, Inc., a voter contact firm specializing in grassroots organization and voter education.
She served as a consultant to the Democratic Governor's Association and is the former Director of Base Vote Operations for the Democratic National Committee.
In that capacity, Thomas served as the principal liaison to non-governmental organizations and key Democratic constituencies, directing a twenty-person staff and multi-million dollar budget.
In addition to her national service, Secretary Thomas has served in various roles in state and municipal government.
She served for six years in the government of the District of Columbia as Deputy and as Director of Constituent Services respectively.
Her municipal service also extends to her Kentucky roots.
From 1980-1985, Thomas served as one of the first African-American Legislative Analysts on the Legislative Research Commission for the Kentucky State Legislature, mediating community concerns and managing state legislative priorities.
No stranger to New Jersey politics, Secretary Thomas has served in three election cycles in New Jersey:
*Corzine for Senate in 2000,
*McGreevey for Governor, 1997, and
*Torricelli for Senate in 1996.
For 12 years, she worked for the National Rainbow Coalition and its founder, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, during his historic bids for the presidency in 1984 and 1988.
A native of Clinton, Kentucky, Secretary Thomas holds a B.A. in University Studies from Morehead State University.
Mr. Giles R. Wright
2004 Closing Reception Keynote Speaker
CLICK HERE to Contact The Heath Center Black History Commitee
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Validity Holdings
Watch Documentary — The Movement of Modern Art Through History
by Irvin Goldman | Mar 24, 2016
Hosted by world renown actor and lover of art Orson Welles, this documentary shows the beauty of modern art from infancy to present. Through the eyes of a true lover of the form and function of many eras and mediums, Welles’ enthusiasm is infectious in this hour long video.
The Political Cartoon is Rich in Revolution (SLIDESHOW)
by Irvin Goldman | Mar 4, 2016
Watch: Dali — Master of the Modern Era
by Irvin Goldman | Jan 20, 2016
Most people think of Dalí’ as the eccentric artist with the wide eyes and very particular mustachio, and melting clocks paintings. Indeed, Salvador Dalí’ did carry a persona steeped in whimsy, but the depth of his art carried an entire art movement called Surrealism.
Born in Spain, Dalí’ was a prominent surrealist painter who was also a highly skilled craftsman. Surprisingly, he attributed the Renaissance painters as his primary influences though his rendition of realism was anything but realistic.
Dalí’s expansive artistic oevre included film, sculpture, and photography, in collaboration with a range of artists in a variety of media.
The Political Cartoon Is Rich in Revolution
by Irvin Goldman | Dec 28, 2015
Political cartoons have had a tremendous impact on the way history has unfolded, particularly before the majority of the population was able to read. One simple image defining complex social issues are the crux of what makes political cartoons so effective for both the layman and the erudite.
Political Cartoons in Religion
In fact, one of the most notable uses of political cartoons was in Germany during the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther used cartoons to persuade the middle and lower classes that the Church’s actions were quite different from Jesus’.
Following the Protestant Reformation, political leaders and thinkers continued to refine their craft through the use of political cartoons, which can take the form of either caricature or allusion.
Caricature: A political or editorial cartoon that parodies the individual.
Allusion: A political or editorial cartoon that invents the situation or context into which the individual is placed.
The First Political Cartoon in the United States
Although the original roots of political cartoons can’t be traced, historians agree that Benjamin Franklin’s “Join or Die” cartoon, which depicts a snake broken into several parts, was the first political cartoon to influence the masses in America. Franklin’s goal was to paint the colonies as a fractured group that couldn’t face problems without help from one another, and eventually his cartoon became an important symbol for colonial unity.
Cartoons Play Critical Role in American Civil War
One of the most influential political cartoonists in United States history is Thomas Nast, a Harper’s Weekly staff artist who became famous for creating a satirical cartoon that depicted slavery and life in the south. During the Civil War, his work became so powerful that President Abraham Lincoln described Nast as the “best recruiting sergeant” for the Union cause. After the Civil War, however, Nast’s illustrations began to fall short of readers’ expectations, and other illustrators began to step in to fill his place at the forefront of political discourse.
Joseph Keppler was raised and educated in Austria before immigrating to St. Louis during the Civil War. Because his views and ideology were formed before he arrived on American soil, he brought with him a perspective that was different from many Americans’. Keppler and his colleagues started several illustrated humor magazines, none of which found long-term success. His work is notable, however, because he was able to use it to bridge the gap between the United States and the German-speaking world. The magazines were printed in German during an era when a substantial portion of U.S. voters still spoke German.
It’s clear that activists have used visual imagery to incite a revolutionary spirit in people who might not have received the critical information they needed to take action. Unfortunately, with the advent of the internet, the meme has often overshadowed the satirical political cartoon in publications. Luckily for us purists, reputable ‘offline’ publications like the New Yorker and the New York Times still see the value in keeping the art form alive.
Video Paul Gauguin: Post-Impressionist, Pre-Modernist
by Irvin Goldman | Oct 26, 2015
Eugene Henri Paul Gauguin, an artist, printmaker and expert in woodwork, is now recognized for his experimental use of color and synthetist style that was considered a startling departure from the Impressionist methods that came before. An important artist from the Post-Impressionism Era, Gauguin’s work was influential to the French avant-garde and many modern artists who name him as a great innovator, Pablo Picasso being one of such. Gauguin was a figure in the Symbolist movement and his bold use of color led to the eventuality of modern art, specifically the Synthetist style.
From the efforts of art dealer Ambroise Vollard who organized exhibitions of his work late in his career, Gauguin gained some posthumous praise and is now considered one of the great artists who paved the way to new modern expressions of art.
A finance executive with more than three decades of experience in investment banking, Irvin Goldman currently manages investments as president of Validity Holdings in New Jersey. Learn more about Irvin.
Yayoi Kusama ‘Infinity Mirror Room’ Will Alight in Connecticut This Fall
Copyright © Irvin Goldman ·
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Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi)
I consider this to be one of the best animated films of all time. Not only that, but also one of the best films in the last twenty years. I like making bold statements like that from time to time, but I really don't think I'm stepping on too many toes by saying that. This film is as timeless as The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and even Snow White. What makes this film work is that it doesn't bother trying explain things no matter how fantastical they may seem. Everything is fairly straightforward and simple.
It's a fish out of water story. Chihiro, a ten year old girl, is being taken by her parents to their new home. She doesn't want to go anywhere else strange, but when her dad takes a wrong turn through a woodsy drive you know that the definition of "strange" is about to be redefined.
They discover a little tunnel that leads to another world. At first Chihiro's parents believe that they've discovered some sort of defunct amusement park, but Chihiro senses something off about everything. Of course, she's ten so her parents don't listen.
When her mom and dad smell food in the air, they take off in that direction and leave Chihiro behind to chase after them.
After stuffing themselves, Chihiro's parents literally turn into pigs and Chihiro is left all alone in a strange world and unable to return to her old world. The only way she can hope to save her parents and return home is to get a job in a bizarre bathhouse and work for the tyrannical Yubaba.
Yubaba is the kind of lady that robs her workers of their names and memories, too. If the now renamed Sen wants to rescue her parents she must remember her true name and not mess up on the job. Along the way a boy named Haku (who also can turn into a dragon - a nifty trick) helps her along, but he is far from the only one. The strange No-Face also helps her in his bizarre way when he's not trying to eat her coworkers.
I loved this movie so much that I bought the $70 region free imported blu-ray. While there is no English dub on this version, I didn't really see the need for one. The dub is certainly good, but the original is excellent and the picture has never looked better. Although the disc menu being in Japanese took a second for me to grasp, I quickly adjusted. The case is awesome, though. It's not just some cheap blue plastic, but a protective cover with a magnets inside to make sure it stays shut once you close it. I also got a neat holographic postcard when I ordered it from Yesasia.com.
For one of the best films I've seen, I think the price was worth it. I know this film by heart and it's hard to believe it is thirteen years old. It's hard to believe I haven't seen it in about five years. This movie is just too good to miss. There's a reason it is frequently mentioned as one of the best movies to ever be animated.
Just watch it. Experience it. The animation is fantastic and worth watching for alone. Every scene in this movie could be frozen and appreciated for its beauty. Even though you don't know much about the world in which this movie takes place and won't know, you don't really need to know. You just need to watch and enjoy.
Labels: Anime, Catalog of Greatness, Picture Shows, Studio Ghibli
Attack On Titan Vol. 10 by Isayama Hajime
Bleach (Seasons One & Two)
Are You Ready For Football?
Welcome to Dongmakgol
Knights of Sidonia (Sidonia no Kishi)
Psalms of Planets: Eureka Seven (Kōkyōshihen Eurek...
Rigor Mortis (Jiāng shī)
Dragon Ball Z - Broly, The Legendary Super Saiyan:...
Dragon Ball Z - Battle of Gods: Movie 14 (Uncut, E...
Yu-Gi-Oh!, Vol. 3: Capsule Monster Chess by Takaha...
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2014 Tour
2017 Adelaide
E-mail Group
When Your Time Is At Hand
Mark Seymour Human Frailty era interview.
Author: Andrew Watt, Beat.
Date: 25 September 1986.
Original URL: N/A
From their origins as “the definitive art rock image band” to their current status as one of Australia’s most authoritative rock and roll group, Hunters & Collectors have constantly been lauded by both the rock press and live audiences.
With their most recent album, “Human Frailty”, the Hunters were able to translate this critical and grass roots respect into significant record sales.
As Andrew Watt found out in a recent conversation with Mark Seymour, the process was not so much one of walking that thin line between accessibility and selling out: rather that the band simply did what came naturally.
Much like Mark Seymour’s mode of conversation….
“We wanted to make a record that would translate the live following we had into some sort of media profile. We wanted to have some sort of profile rather than just being a pub band. By the end of 1985 we’d established a pretty widespread following in all the capitals, but it hadn’t really been reflected in record sales.
“Part of the problem was to do with our attitude to things in the studio and I suppose, not taking the whole thing as seriously as we should have.
“I think it’s a natural progression. If you put on consistently good shows and have a certain standard of production that you hold to, if you’re in this country long enough, eventually it translates in terms of popularity. That’s the one beauty of touring in this country – it can affect the commercial market whereas in other countries it can’t.”
Thus Mark Seymour explains the development of Hunters & Collectors, whose 1986 album, “Human Frailty” achieved for the band the difficult crossover from inner city credibility to commercial acceptance.
After spending a number of years, and albums, as the almost constant darlings of “fringe” audiences in Melbourne, “Human Frailty”, with its direct and most basic songs and arrangements, struck a chord in suburbia, a fact that Mark Seymour finds in no way undesirable. To Seymour there’s nothing particularly precious about cult appeal.
“Yeah, it’s come the full cycle I guess,” he said. “The thing I find curious about the inner city fringe that adopt fashions and bands like a change in the weather is that they all seem to be one step behind what the general public is into.
“I was always under the impression that my peers in the inner city were the ones who were setting the pace; the ones who were defining style, whereas now I think the ones who are defining style are out in the suburbs.
“You always find that people who have an intellectual approach to art and music are the ones who latch onto things for all the wrong reasons.”
So there was no concern about that audience possibly regarding “Human Frailty” as a concession to the marketplace?
“Not exactly! By the time we came around to making that record, that was an irrelevant consideration. We had a strong enough live following around the country to allow us to feel that we didn’t have to justify the record.
“We just decided that what we were saying was so basic and commonplace that that’s the way it should be done, regardless of what our peers say. They’ve all come around to it.”
As Seymour points out, the commercial success of Hunters & Collectors is made notable, or in his word “stigmatised”, simply because of their lack of similar success previously, and the fact that they endured this as a band for a long period. In the eyes of some fans and a few critics, nothing exceeds like success.
However, for some bands the artistic expectations of their early fans have created a mental stylistic barrier which has prevented the band from creating music which has potential for wider appeal.
Even for Hunters, a band noted for singlemindedness and repulsion of outside influences, this problem did arise. Again, with the benefit of experience, Seymour is able to put it into perspective.
“It has been a burden in a way, but we’ve always maintained that what we do is serious and we do it for our own reasons. We don’t think of the market first and the music second. We’ve always been taken on that level, which is good.
“The whole notion of artistic credibility as an expression is incredibly vague and it doesn’t define very much. At one stage we were duped into believing what the trendies were saying about us which really was hocus pocus.”
“Human Frailty” is a remarkable album driven by a powerful, concise and imaginative rhythm section, augmented by the distinctive brass sound and featuring Seymour’s often anguished, occasionally brutal, always emotive vocals. Hunters & Collectors are one of the most physical live acts in this country and this aggression is evident on this album.
It’s an album that deals with issues of intense relationships and their destruction and the sexual politics that are inherent in such events. Seymour’s songs, written mainly in 1985, reflect a highly emotional year of his life and this comes as no surprise. Listening to “Human Frailty”, one realises that Seymour could not be singing about anything but a first-hand experience, or at least observations.
“Through my personal problems in 1985, I came to realise that there are just so many hang-ups and misconceptions about sexual roles. “Human Frailty” was about the immediate issues, but I tried to show that I realised the wider implications of those issues. It became an album about sexual politics because these issues couldn’t be divorced from those aspects.
“Throughout 1985 I was constantly told that heterosexual men had all this guilt to bear about the ways of the world. Half of the population of the world was being absolved of all blame because of their sex.
“I just couldn’t believe it and I was angry about it. Then I was told that anger was bad and aggression was bad. It was a very frustrating time for me and I suppose that comes out in the songs.”
The songs on “Human Frailty” are disarmingly honest and direct; rather than hinting at an idea through use of metaphor or some other vocabularic device the songs state it boldly and bluntly, exposing Seymour’s convictions and, well, frailties.
It is the definitive statement of Seymour’s current attitude that there’s nothing clever about being evasive.
“I’ve got a lot of inspiration from ‘Blood on the Tracks’ by Bob Dylan, because those songs were incredibly close to home. ‘Human Frailty’ wasn’t the first record to have very direct lyrics; it’s just not something that people do.
“It’s not easy to do, I wouldn’t try to write like that constantly or else it comes out sounding really stilted. If you’re going to write a love song, you should really know what you are writing about because it’s such a prosaic subject.
“I’ve tried to write in a style that’s incredibly minimal, in terms of numbers of syllables in words, and state things as clearly as possible, whether it be something personal or political. It wasn’t until recently that I started thinking that I did have a style and I’ve tried to keep things skeletal.”
For a crop of songs written a year ago about a very intense and current period of his life, Seymour is still able to perform them with a lot of conviction. Is this difficult to do?
“The songs take on a life of their own and if you can see that people are realising the emotional significance of what you are singing, you really feel it yourself. That’s why a song like ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’ is so powerful. It doesn’t lose that feeling over time.”
Whilst ‘Human Frailty’ is about to be released in America through the prestigious IRS label, Hunters & Collectors are already planning their next album. There are already three songs written and, according to Seymour, a thematic direction is already emerging in general terms.
“It’s about our history and our experiences and attitudes as they’ve been shaped by growing up in Australia. Beyond that, it’s difficult to say. We’re planning a long way ahead for the next album. We tend to write songs as a gradual process and we think about these themes as things happen to us as a band, depending on what emotional pressures are on us.
“We don’t have a fanatic line in our music, we don’t write about a particular thing and keep on about it. As much as we don’t have a particular lyrical image either. We’ve got a fairly open attitude about what it’s possible to write a song about.”
Whilst on the topic of image, Hunters & Collectors are seen as being at either end of the image scale. Some see the band as the ultimate bunch of regular guys, blue singlets and flannelette shirts denoting nothing more than their inherent normality, whereas others regard this same appearance as being a highly powerful and evocative image in itself. In other words, they suggest that the band has adopted normality as a striking media persona.
Mark Seymour: “It’s not just an image that we adopted overnight. It’s something that we just fell into because we tried to avoid being the definitive ‘art-rock image’ band that we were when we started. There was no other band around like us. We were wearing tails and dinner suits way before anyone else.
“We’ve done all that and realised what crap it is and that it was a complete sham. It was like when we divested ourselves of that and there was nothing else we could put on except what was underneath. Sure, that’s an image, but in the general scheme of things it’s a fairly uncomplicated one.”
Thankyou to Stephen for typing out this article for us all to enjoy!
Jack Howard
Lightheavyweight
Jack returns with an album inspired by touring the world with Midnight Oil.
Buy at Bandcamp
Hunters and Collectors
Ghost Nation
Renowned 1989 album remastered and produced on limited edition blue vinyl.
Buy at Mushroom
Buy at JB Hi-Fi
Buy at Sanity
Cut - 25th Anniversary
Classic 1992 album lovingly remastered and reissued. Yellow vinyl sold out.
2 CD (featuring unreleased demos and b-sides):
Buy at iTunes (digital)
Mark Seymour
Roll Back The Stone
Recorded in front of fans at the Bakehouse in Melbourne; a live Mark retrospective!
Buy on CD at JB Hi-Fi
Buy at i-Tunes
Buy at Google Music
Jack Howard's Epic Brass
Live at Memo
Jack assembled Melbourne's best and brassiest for an unforgettable night of rock. Here is the recording of it.
Purchase on Bandcamp
Band Gigs
Solo Gigs
Free Music @ Soundcloud
Get Music @ iTunes
Get Music @ JB's Hi Fi
Get Music @ Sanity
Jack Howard Bandcamp
Jack Howard Official
Mark Seymour Official
Official Tour Merch
Soundcloud: Hunters & Collectors
Soundcloud: Jack Howard
Soundcloud: Mark Seymour
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113th Annual Meeting of the
American Mathematical Society (AMS)
90th Meeting of the
Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
Read Highlights Here
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH THIS MEETING SITE ONLY.
The Joint Mathematics Meetings are held for the purpose of advancing mathematical achievement, encouraging research, and to provide the communication necessary to progress in the field. These meetings serve to preserve, supplement, and utilize the results of the research of mathematicians the world over. Keeping abreast of the progress in mathematics results in the furtherance of the interest of mathematical scholarship and research.
Special Event on the Poincaré Conjecture and Geometrization Theorem CANCELLED
We regret that the special event on the Poincaré Conjecture and Geometrization Theorem has been canceled. It became apparent that the continuing controversy was undermining this special event.
Lax to Deliver Gibbs Lecture
Peter D. Lax, New York University-Courant Institute, will deliver the AMS Josiah Willard Gibbs Lecture on Friday January 5, 2007 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. He will speak on Mathematics and Physics. The lecture will be held in Grand Ballroom A, B, C, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.
Peter D. Lax is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. He was born in Budapest, Hungary on May 1, 1926. He emigrated to New York with his parents in 1941, and subsequently received his B.A. (Mathematics) in 1947 and his Ph.D. (Mathematics) in 1949 from New York University. In 1950, Lax went to Los Alamos for a year and later worked there as a consultant, but by 1951 he made his academic home at New York University, where he has undertaken his life's work at the Courant Institute (and where he served as director from 1972-1980). He became professor in 1958.
Professor Lax's interests focus on fluid dynamics, partial differential equations, and computation.. He laid the foundations for the modern theory of nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws and has made fundamental contributions to numerical methods for partial differential equations. His name is connected with many major mathematical results and numerical methods.
Professor Lax is a member of many learned organizations. He has received honors too numerous to mention. He was the SIAM von Neumann Lecturer in 1969, the Hermann Weyl Lecturer in 1972, and the MAA Hedrick Lecturer in 1973.
He served as President of the AMS from 1979 - 1980.
Bona to Speak on Big Waves in Deep Water
Jerry L. Bona, University of Illinois at Chicago, will deliver an MAA Invited Address on Monday January 8, 2007 from 10:05 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. He will speak on Big waves in deep water. The lecture will be held in Grand Ballroom A, B, C, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.
Jerry Bona received a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from Washington University, Saint Louis in 1966 and a Ph.D. in Mathematics directed by Garret Birkhoff, from Harvard University, Cambridge in 1971. He was a post-doctoral fellow under the direction of T. Brooke Benjamin and J.J. Mahony at the the Fluid Mechanics Research Institue in the University of Essex from 1970 to 1972, before joining the faculty of mathematics at the University of Chicago. His research interests include fluid mechanics, partial differential equations, computational mathematics and the associated numerical analysis, oceanography, coastal engineering, economic theory and lately, the analysis of gene expression and its use as a tool in designing cancer treatment.
Bona is currently Chair of the Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science department at UIC, having formerly held a Professorship at the University of Chicago and Chaired positions at Penn State and the University of Texas at Austin. He has served on a wide range of committees of the AAAS, AMS, MAA and SIAM, on NSF, NSERC, NATO, ONR, and U.S. Army Research Office advisory committees as well as on many ad hoc advisory and evaluative committees. Dr. Bona has recently taken over as the Convenor of the International Center for Mathematical Sciences which is headquartered in Edinburgh in Maxwell's former home. He has mentored about 50 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows and is on the editorial board of 30 or so scientific journals.
In addition to Garrett Birkhoff, Brooke Benjamin and John Mahony, Professor Bona was mentored by Felix Browder and Jim Douglas, Jr. when he was a young faculty member at the University of Chicago. Bill Pritchard showed him the importance of careful laboratory experiments in understanding fluid mechanics. Ridgway Scott patiently taught him the role of numerical simulation in science and as an aid to formulating and understanding mathematical theory. Haim Brezis, Jean-Claude Saut, and Roger Temam helped him into the modern theory of partial differential equations. Michael Longuet-Higgins and Barbara Boczar-Karakiewicz introduced him to problems in oceanography and coastal engineering. He learned about mathematical issues in economic theory from Sandy Grossman, Jose Scheinkman, Manuel Santos and Karl Shell. Paul Sally, Naomi Fisher, Phil Wagreich and Harvey Keynes brought him into mathematics education.
Okounkov to Deliver Colloquium Lectures
The AMS Colloquium Lectures will be delivered by Andrei Okounkov, Princeton University, on Friday, January 5, 2007 - Sunday, January 7, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. He will speak on Limit shapes, real and imagined. The lectures will be held in Grand Ballroom A, B, C, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.
Andrei Okounkov is a Professor of Mathematics at Princeton University. He received his bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1993 and his doctorate in mathematics in 1995 from Moscow State University. He taught at the University of Chicago from 1996 to 1999 and at the University of California at Berkeley from 1998 to 2002.
Professor Okounkov has been a Research Fellow in the Dobrushin Mathematical Laboratory at the Institute for Problems of Information Transmission at the Russian Academy of Sciences and a member of the Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton and of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in Berkeley. He was awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship in 2000, a Packard Fellowship in 2001, and the European Mathematical Society Prize in 2004. He was also awarded the Fields Medal in August, 2006 in recognition of his work linking different fields of mathematics that had seemed unrelated.
He works in representation theory, probability theory, and algebraic geometry.
Efron to Speak on Baseball, Shakespeare, and Modern Statistical Theory
Bradley Efron, Stanford University, will deliver an MAA Invited Address on Friday January 5, 2007 from 3:40 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. He will speak on Baseball, Shakespeare, and modern statistical theory. The lecture will be held in Grand Ballroom A, B, C, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.
Bradley Efron is Professor of Statistics and Biostatistics at Stanford University. He works on a combination of theoretical and applied topics, including empirical Bayes, survival analysis, exponential families, bootstrap and jackknife methods and confidence intervals. Most of his applied work has originated in biomedical consulting projects at the Stanford Medical School, mixed in with a few papers concerning astronomy and physics. Even his theoretical papers usually begin with specific applied problems.
Professor Efron was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, May 1938, to Esther and Miles Efron, Jewish-Russian immigrants. A Merit Scholarship, in the program's inaugural year, brought him to Caltech, graduating in Mathematics in 1960. He arrived at Stanford that Fall, eventually gaining his Ph.D., under the direction of Rupert Miller and Herb Solomon, in the Statistics Department, whose faculty also included Charles Stein, Herman Chernoff, Manny Parzen, Lincoln Moses and Ingram Olkin. Brad has lived at Stanford since 1960, with sabbaticals at Harvard, Imperial College and Berkeley. He has held several administrative positions at the university: Chair of Statistics, Associate Dean of Science, Chairman of the University Advisory Board and Chair of the Faculty Senate. He is currently Chair of the Undergraduate Program in Applied Mathematics.
He has received numerous honors including doctorates from Chicago, Madrid, and Oslo, a MacArthur Prize Fellowship, membership in the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, fellowship in the IMS and ASA, the Wilks medal, Parzen Prize, the newly inaugurated Rao Prize and the outstanding statistician award from the Chicago ASA chapter. He has been the Rietz, Wald and Fisher lecturers and holds the Max H. Stein endowed chair as Professor of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford. Professional service includes Theory and Methods editor of JASA, and President of both the IMS and the ASA.
Wright to Speak on A Tale of Three Complexities:
The Worst of Times, the Best of Times, the Spring of Hope
Margaret H. Wright, New York University-Courant Institute, will deliver an AMS Invited Address on Saturday January 6, 2007 from 3:20 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. She will speak on A tale of three complexities: The Worst of Times, the Best of Times, the Spring of Hope. The lecture will be held in Grand Ballroom A, B, C, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.
Margaret H. Wright is Silver Professor of Computer Science and Mathematics and chair of the Computer Science Department in the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. She received her B.S. (Mathematics) and M.S. and Ph.D. (Computer Science) from Stanford University. Prior to joining NYU, she was a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff and Bell Labs Fellow at Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, and before that she held a research position in the Department of Operations Research at Stanford. Her research interests include continuous optimization, linear algebra, scientific computing, and application of optimization to real-world applications.
Professor Wright was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1997, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2001, and the National Academy of Sciences in 2005. During 1995-1996 she served as president of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM).
She has chaired advisory committees for the Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the National Science Foundation and for the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research at the Department of Energy. She is currently a member of the scientific advisory committees for the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study and for ``Matheon'' (the German Research Center on Mathematics for Key Technologies). She serves on the Board of Governors for the Institute of Mathematics and Its Applications at the University of Minnesota, and previously served on the Scientific Advisory Committee and Board of Trustees of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, Berkeley. In 2003, she was a member of the International Review of Mathematics in the United Kingdom. She is an associate editor of the SIAM Journal on Optimization, the SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, and Mathematical Programming.
Haxell to speak on Forming Committees
Penny Haxell, University of Waterloo, will deliver an MAA Invited Address on Friday January 5, 2007 from 2:15 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. She will speak on Forming Committees. The lecture will be held in Grand Ballroom A, B, C, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.
Penny Haxell received her Ph.D. in pure mathematics from the University of Cambridge in 1993. In the same year, she joined the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization at the University of Waterloo, becoming a full professor in 2004. She spent one year as a visiting professor at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ in 2002. Her research interests focus on extremal combinatorics and graph theory. From 1998 to 2005 she was a managing editor of the Journal of Combinatorial Theory, Series B, and now serves on the editorial board. In 2006 she received the Krieger-Nelson prize of the Canadian Mathematical Society.
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Hogwash from Johns Hopkins
It's been a while, and I apologize for not being as frequent with my posts. My life has just gotten busier, and I no longer have the time I wish I had to devote to this. I ask for your understanding, as I will only be able to publish every so often. On with my rant!!!
When a pro-circumcision "researcher" publishes yet another "study" that "proves" circumcision is not child abuse, news outlets repeat it, each headline more emphatic than the last. When real-world data which damages the credibility of these so-called "studies" is published, all they get is a whopping "meh," if that. Why is it only pro-circumcision rubbish gets all the attention? What about this analysis? Or this one? Or this one? Is it that the media prefers to publish comforting lies than inconvenient truths?
Perhaps kicked off by the ruling in Cologne, or the AAP saber rattling that has been going on recently (or perhaps both), this Monday, the circumcision preservation brigade at Johns Hopkins published a "study" that claims, according to the Baltimore Sun, that "a 20-year decline in male circumcision has cost the country $2 billion in medical costs that could have been prevented." This story also appeared in BloombergBusinessweek, ABC and the Huffington Post. Only the Baltimore Sun seemed to give a more balanced view, giving voice to the opposition; the others simply give a one-sided approach.
I'm going to take apart the dubious premises on which this "study," and the claims made by their authors, are based.
First, let's begin with who the authors and proponents are; it's nothing but the same usual suspects who can't seem to cook enough numbers to convince the world that all males need to be circumcised immediately. Who else but Aaron Tobian, who happens to be Jewish and circumcised his own son out of religious conviction. Who else but Arleen Leibowitz, who published her own "study" earlier, crying a river over state healthcare plans that have dropped infant circumcision?
Is this about preventing disease, or preserving the practice of infant circumcision which also happens to be highly-defended religious custom, not to mention a money-maker for American doctors? WHY are these "researchers" concerned about circumcision, and not other modes of disease prevention that does NOT involve penis cutting?
Let's get down to business and see what the hullabaloo is all about:
"It's never happened before... honest..."
From the Baltimore Sun:
In what is believed to be the first look at the economic impact of male circumcision on the health care system, the Hopkins scientists say that boys who are not circumcised are more prone to sexually transmitted diseases and other health problems over a lifetime that are costly to treat.
No, circumcision advocates have been trying to clothe male genital mutilation with "science" and "research" for at least a century; there are numerous analyses of "the impact of male circumcision on the healthcare system," all performed by the same people, and all reaching the same conclusion; every male that walks this earth needs to be circumcised immediately.
"Intact boys more prone to STDs?" Not in the US...
If "boys who are not circumcised are more prone to STDs," why is this not reflected in real-world data?
Circumcision hasn't stopped HIV in our own country. And, it hasn't stopped other STDs either. In America, the majority of the male population is circumcised, approximately 80%, while in most countries in Europe, circumcision is uncommon. Despite these facts, our country does poorly.
In fact, AIDS rates in some US Cities rival hotspots in Africa. In some parts of the U.S., they're actually higher than those in sub-Saharan Africa. According to a 2010 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, rates of HIV among adults in Washington, D.C. exceed 1 in 30; rates higher than those reported in Ethiopia, Nigeria or Rwanda.
The Washington D.C. district report on HIV and AIDS reported an increase of 22% from 2006 in 2009. According to Shannon L. Hader, HIV/AIDS Administration, Washington D.C., March 15, 2009, "[Washington D.C.'s] rates are higher than West Africa... they're on par with Uganda and some parts of Kenya." Hader once led the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's work in Zimbabwe.
One would expect for there to be a lower transmission rates in the United States, and for HIV to be rampant in Europe; HIV transmission rates are in fact higher in the United States, where most men are circumcised, than in various countries in Europe, where most men are intact. It is telling that the HIV epidemic struck in our country in the 1980s, 90% of the male population was already circumcised. Somehow, we're supposed to believe that what never worked in our own country, or anywhere else, is going to start working miracles in Africa.
And somehow, if state health care programs started covering circumcision again, this would somehow change.
"Studies show..."
From the Baltimore Sun: "Studies have long shown that when babies are not circumcised, where the foreskin on the tip of the penis is removed, they are at risk for health problems in the long run. Bacteria and viruses can get trapped in the extra layers of skin left on the penis."
No, studies have long shown cooked, esoteric "data" that fails to correlate with reality. There is not demonstrable scientific proof that viruses are transmitted to men by "getting trapped in the extra layers of the skin left of the penis." Actually, langerhans cells can be visualized effectively fighting off HIV. The "researchers" and authors of the recent HIV crock are hard-pressed to produce visualizations of the facilitation of HIV transmission via the foreskin; what they keep coming up with is visualizations that show NO DIFFERENCE. The bulk of the "research" is merely heavily cooked numbers embellished with correlation hypothesis.
For more data on other places in the world where circumcision has failed to prevent HIV, see a previous post of mine.
More from the Baltimore Sun:
"Research has found that circumcision reduces the number of infant urinary tract infections."
Most of which was dismissed as being horrendously flawed... Some research actually shows UTIs maybe more abundant in CIRCUMCISED boys.
Men who are uncircumcised are more at-risk for cancer-causing HPV, HIV, herpes, bacterial vaginitis and other sexually transmitted diseases, studies have found.
Again, only if you look at cherry-picked data (Precisely WHAT is this "analysis" based on? Where are these people getting their numbers?); other studies show a prevalence of these diseases in CIRCUMCISED men.
"An international platform..."
More from the Baltimore Sun: "The push for circumcision has gained an international platform as a way to prevent the spread of HIV in Africa after several studies showed infection rates decreased rapidly."
This statement is misleading; the reader would think that there is a global endorsement of circumcision as a way to prevent HIV; there are only efforts to circumcise MEN, voluntarily (at least on paper), in high risk areas in AFRICA. There is no world "push" in nations to have their men and children circumcised.
"The area beneath the foreskin of the penis is believed to have a higher density of target cells for HIV."
Notice the word "believed" in this sentence. So much for "evidence-based medicine."
"Oh the future costs! The costs!"
Baltimore Sun: "The Hopkins analysis found that when a male is not circumcised it costs $313 more in medical expenses to treat conditions he would not otherwise have suffered."
IF he suffers them. The dubious premise here is that all men who are not circumcised grow up to develop conditions that accrue medical expenses. If we are to believe Tobian and his buddies, the men in the UK, Japan, Australia, Denmark and other countries where circumcision is rare, are all clogging up urologists offices because of problems their foreskins are causing them.
The fact of the matter is, 80% of the world's male population is intact, and the vast majority of the 20% who happen to be circumcised were all circumcised as a matter of religious conviction or cultural tradition; very few men ever have penile conditions for which circumcision is indicated.
And now for the clincher:
"The researchers said that if male circumcision rates dropped to those in Europe, where 10 percent of male babies get the procedure, there would be a 12 percent increase in men infected with HIV and 29 percent in those who contract HPV."
(See links above.)
"The parents must decide..."
Quotes Richard Colgan from the University of Maryland School of Medicine:
"It is one of several pieces of information that can be used by families to make the decision that is right for them."
The trend of opinion on routine male circumcision is overwhelmingly negative in industrialized nations. No respected medical board in the world recommends circumcision for infants, not even in the name of HIV prevention. They must all point to the risks, and they must all state that there is no convincing evidence that the benefits outweigh these risks. To do otherwise would be to take an unfounded position against the best medical authorities of the West.
It's been 6 years. 6 years since the so-called HIV mumbo-jumbo came out, and there hasn't been a single medical organization in the world who has thought it compelling enough to endorse the circumcision of children. The AAP keeps hinting that it -MIGHT-, but already, we know that they stop short; AGAIN, "leaving it up to parents."
But here's the million dollar question; there is not a single medical organization in the world that has found the evidence "compelling" enough to recommend infant circumcision. They all say that there are risks, and that the benefits do not outweigh them. Families, most of who are not medically literate, are supposed to use "pieces of information" that respected health boards across the globe have not found compelling enough to endorse the practice? And somehow come up with a better conclusion?
Think about it; naive parents are being asked to make a medical judgement on an elective procedure, based on data that respected health organizations in the world could not use to endorse it.
What other procedures are parents to come up with their own diagnosis on and doctors are obliged to act based on that?
Without medical or clinical indication, how is it that doctors are performing surgery on healthy, non-consenting individuals, much less giving parents any kind of a "choice?"
Talk about shirking professional responsibilities...
"By the numbers..."
Again, from the "Baltimore Sun."
"$2 billion is how much uncircumcised males have cost American medical system"
Again, assuming intact males all had the problems Tobian etc. all say they do.
So let's tally up how much money circumcised men cost the American medical system. Let's see how the numbers line up with Europe, where circumcision, along with STDs, are rarer.
Tobian pulled this number out of his ass.
There is one more dubious premise: The idea that the right amount of “science” can be used to legitimize the deliberate violation of basic human rights.
Let's just be honest with ourselves here; there would never be enough "research" or "benefits," no matter how "compelling," that would ever convince us to endorse female genital cutting of any kind.
Genital mutilation, whether it be wrapped in culture, religion or “research” is still genital mutilation.
The decline in circumcision is costing the health care system billions alright; with parents waking up to the quackery that is circumcision, doctors can't cash in on this freebie at the expense of children's basic human rights anymore.
Labels: circumcision, circumcision and hiv, circumcision and hiv in Africa, circumcision and HIV in the US, Johns Hopkins, pseudo-science, pseudoscience, research
Maria August 22, 2012 at 6:17 AM
Thank you! I hate this country sometimes...
Tom Riddle August 22, 2012 at 8:22 AM
These clowns see the U.S. possibly creeping towards some form of socialized medicine such as the NHS, which destroyed the practice of circumcising healthy boys in the UK by ruling it unworthy of coverage; with the increasing number of states dropping Medicaid coverage of this "elective, cosmetic" surgery, these clowns must be worried that any burgeoning nationalized system might well do the same. So, "studies" like this (and their concomitant sensationlist and erroneous conveyance to the public) could be an attempt to thwart such a development.
WASHINGTON POST: The "Great Controversy" Strikes A...
LEAKED: AAP Press Script
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AAP: Around the Bush and Closer to Nowhere
AAP: New Statement Over-Hyped by US Media?
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Indie Labels Major Labels Marketing Music Business
Record Labels Shift From Promoters To Storytellers As Power Fades
Guest Post November 28, 2016 0 0 312
In this piece, David Emery remarks on record labels’ directional shift towards promoting and selling artists “stories” as their power and influence in the music industry begins to fade.
Guest post by David Emery, VP Global Marketing Strategy for Kobalt Label Services
I was talking recently with someone I know who works at a music media company. I say “media company” both to be purposefully vague but also because I struggle to think of a better term that encompasses the merging worlds of distribution, retail and promotion.
Day in, day out, they get pitched music.
They told me that the latest thing that record labels are talking about is “storytelling”.
This makes a lot of sense, because labels have always been natural storytellers. The original story was that if you wanted to get your music into shops, into the hands of the public, you had to sign a record deal. It was a good story, a true story, and I think we can all agree that the labels did pretty well out of telling that tale.
Fast forward several decades, and the story started to change a little. The details adapted – like a shocking, unbelievable-because-it’s-made-up story you see flash past on Facebook every 3 years – but the underlying message is the same. Rather than “we’re the only ones that can get you in to stores”, as distribution got easier the story became “we’re the only way you can have a hit”.
When you get wined and dined, paraded through fancy offices and “artist lounges” with platinum discs sagging off the walls and have A&Rs flying in to see your show deep in some middle America Trumpland backwater, this story, it turns out, is still pretty convincing.
But its power is fading, and the labels know it.
That’s why they have a new narrative, which is that they, with their years of experience making and breaking artists, are the best storytellers. If you want to make it – and you want to make it, right? – you’ve got to have a good story. And they’re the ones to tell it.
It’s an interesting, necessary, and above all smart pivot. The industry, as I may have mentioned once or twice previously, is going through a radical change with the transition to streaming. This is no mere format shift, but a complete change in the way fans engage with music, and a complete change with how artists release it. The days of focusing on a week 1 sales spike, throwing half your budget into outdoor and TV advertising in the hope that you chart well, are not gone, but are getting less and less important.
What’s becoming important is time. Your campaign now lasts for as long as people might want to listen to the music, which is a damn sight longer then how long they might keep considering to buy it. Not only that, but directly advertising to push people towards a stream doesn’t make any economic sense in the way that pushing a CD or download did.
To keep people interested over time, then, you need to tell a story. A story with multiple beats, multiple moments that get people’s attention, over and over again. You need to elevate above the noise. Often the story once was “here’s an album, it’s good” but now it needs to be a bit more creative then that, and much, much longer.
Your story needs to be a novel, not a press release.
So the labels have it figured out then? They’ve smartly reconfigured themselves to be best placed to navigate the modern music landscape?
Well, yes and no. On the one hand they are doing the right thing, and in no way do I want to come across as label-bashing because that would, quite frankly, be a very short sighted way at looking at the landscape. They’re talking the talk in terms of how you need to reapproach artist development, and it would be a fool that didn’t take them seriously. While they may be bastions of the old guard, that doesn’t mean they’re not smart.
The bit that causes the problem is the inherent presumption – and the story that goes with it – that they are the only ones that can do this.
Let me tell you a story of an artist that shows you the other way that it can work now, and why the labels are having to attempt to repitch themselves as indispensable all over again. This is a true story, but I’m going to keep it anonymous because this is representative of a whole wave of artists building careers right now.
So, this artist records a few tracks themselves in – literally – their bedroom. This, of course, wouldn’t be possible to a high standard even 15 years ago, so this is a new start to the story even though it seems commonplace.
They get the tracks out, but rather then a few years back when they would have put it on SoundCloud, maybe get attention but certainly no cash, they get it out on all digital services. The main one that matters here is, of course, Spotify, but that’s only right now – I think as we see diversification in the streaming space, this story only gets amplified.
The tracks are good. People like them. The tracks find themselves on a few tastemaker playlists, which end up spreading the music to other playlists – including Discover Weekly and Fresh Finds (again, Spotify specific right now, but they work, so will be copied). The tracks build up significant numbers.
Let’s stop here and do some maths.
If you have 4 tracks, to make $10,000 each one only needs to be streamed a bit over 500,000 times. If you get traction with your music on Spotify, or another service, this isn’t a huge number.
So, now you have $10k.
You use that to hire a small team around you, mostly consisting of publicity in your home market. Maybe some radio too if you’re not in the US where it’s crazy expensive. You also have a bit more cash to work with to put into the recording of your next EP.
That EP does even better. You’re building a fanbase. You start playing shows, which you can make work based off the earnings you’re getting from the two EPs you’ve got out – don’t forget, the first one is still growing, as your fanbase grows. The shows start selling out, as soon as you put them on sale.
You put out a mixtape of a bunch of stuff you’ve been working on, but isn’t your main album – you’re not quite ready for that yet. This all does well too. Your catalogue now covers over 25 tracks, all constantly earning you money. You put out another EP. You get a playlist on Radio 1. You sell out 1000 cap rooms in London, and similar sized venues in the US. You build up your team.
And you can keep this trajectory going – building out your team, working with people that fill in all of the functions of a label, without signing away your business. They’re saying that they are storytellers, that they can build your career, build your brand, and there’s no doubt they’re very good at that. But when you can afford to pay for that expertise yourself, that narrative just doesn’t seem to ring so true.
And anyway, this new story makes things much, much more interesting.
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« Music Success: Defining Your Personal Strategy In 4 Steps [Bas Grasmayer] Previous Post
Comparing Artists To Start-Ups Lazy, Unhealthy, Beside The Point. » Next Post
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A History of Indian Sport Through 100 Artefacts
Before you download free “A History of Indian Sport Through 100 Artefacts by Boria Majumdar” pdf ebook, let’s have a look at the description and summary of the book.
By Boria Majumdar
‘We needed this badly. It is a fabulous effort and people can see and read and feel inspired by the stuff their heroes have used. It brings history alive and that’s a stupendous effort.’ – Sourav Ganguly
‘Boria’s collection of artefacts is as good as any I have seen. We need to inspire the young to savour our past. This should help in doing so.’ – Sachin Tendulkar
‘Unless we get inspired, how do we get energized to excel in the future? This is one such attempt to inspire.’ – Deepa Malik.
‘The concept of history of sport doesn’t exist in this country, so this is a great effort using artefacts that have a special place in our sports history. It is important because that is how sporting journeys start.’ – Abhinav Bindra
A History of Indian Sport through 100 Artefacts brings together never-before-seen objects – scorecards, tickets, letters, telegrams, newspaper reports – and facts from the annals of Indian sporting history.
There is a wealth of tales and nuggets within these pages: the Mohun Bagan team defeating the East Yorkshire Regiment in 1911 to lift the IFA Shield, Ranji’s love poems for Mary Holmes, India’s hockey exploits at the Olympics, the 1932 cricket tour of England, Lata Mangeshkar’s special disc in honour of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team and more.
Contemporary history and legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sania Mirza, Viswanathan Anand, Abhinav Bindra, and the exploits at the Paralympics 2016 too claim their space in this fascinating archive.
Profusely illustrated and beautifully designed, this is a collector’s edition that no sports lover can resist.
Boria Majumdar, a Rhodes scholar, is a historian by training who went to St John’s College, Oxford University, to do a D.Phil on the social history of Indian cricket in October 2000. His doctorate was published as Twenty-Two Yards to Freedom: A Social History of Indian Cricket in December 2004.
He is at present senior research fellow at the University of Central Lancashire and consulting editor, Sport, India Today Group. He is the co-author of Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography Playing it My Way and the author of many acclaimed books, which include The Illustrated History of Indian Cricket (2006), Olympics: The India Story (with Nalin Mehta, 2008) and Goalless: The Story of a Unique Footballing Nation (with Kausik Bandyopadhyay, 2005) and Feluda @ 50 (curated and edited by). Majumdar has just opened his sports museum in Kolkata, the Fanattic Sports Museum, in collaboration with Harshvardhan Neotia, the chairman of the Ambuja Neotia Group.
The pdf version of this book A History of Indian Sport Through 100 Artefacts will be available shortly on our website. Our team will inform you by email when “A History of Indian Sport Through 100 Artefacts By Boria Majumdar” pdf ebook available. Then you can download free pdf ebook from the link. Please join our newsletter for the latest updates about this book. You can join our newsletter by entering your details in the newsletter given in right sidebar on the website and then confirm your subscription by clicking on the link provided in the welcome mail.
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What Everyone Needs to Know about Tax
by James Hannam
The Robin Hood tax is a good idea that will never happen
17 July, 2017 7 July, 2017 by James Hannam
John McDonnell is due to give a speech about Labour’s plans for a financial transaction tax tomorrow. As a warm up, here’s a article I wrote for Reaction explaining why it could work, but only if implemented everywhere.
The Labour Party is suggesting that that UK introduce a financial transaction tax, often called the ‘Robin Hood’ tax, to raise a whopping $26 billion. The idea has been around for some time and there are even pressure groups set up to push for such a levy. The EU has been considering how to introduce a such a tax for some time, although Member States have found it hard to agree on the specifics. However, the UK has had a well-designed financial transaction tax for over a century – it’s called stamp duty.
The idea of a financial transaction tax was originally put forward back in the 1970s by the Nobel-Prize-winning economist James Tobin, which is why it is sometimes called a Tobin Tax. He envisaged it as a levy charged every time one currency was exchanged for another. The idea has since been extended to other sorts of financial trading. The EU financial transaction tax would require a small amount to be paid over to the authorities each time a share or a bond is sold. The amount is a sliver of the price of the share or bond, somewhere between 0.1% and 1%. More ambitious versions of the tax would also tax exotic financial instruments called derivatives. Such is the enormous volume of trading in today’s financial markets, even very low rates could lead to a substantial tax take.
Campaigners have dubbed the financial transaction tax the ‘Robin Hood’ tax because they imagine it would be paid by rich bankers and the proceeds given to the poor. James Tobin suggested the money raised should be given to developing nations. Certainly, a Robin Hood tax sounds good on social justice grounds. But sadly things are not that simple. Yes, a financial transaction tax would primarily be paid by banks, but they would pass the cost on to their customers. So a Tobin tax would not be borne by bankers. The people who would end up paying are bank customers like you and me. However, noting that financial transaction taxes are paid by ordinary people is not an argument against them. All taxes are paid by people, it is just that some are better concealed than others. There are strong political arguments for taxes that we don’t notice since we are less likely to complain about them. The argument that a financial transaction tax would be suffered by banks in a convenient fiction for a government that desperately needs to raise more money.
So, a financial transaction tax with a low rate might be a good idea. It is a potential small tax that, if set at the right level, few people will notice. But you have to be careful. Bond traders don’t have to operate in London, Paris or Frankfurt. They can trade from the beaches of the Caribbean or the bars of Hong Kong or their living rooms in Sydney. When Sweden brought in a tax on selling bonds in 1989, with a rate of just 0.003%, the number of transactions fell by 85% in the first week. The tax ended up raising less than a tenth of what was expected and was scrapped in little more than a year. If the EU imposed a Tobin tax, financial traders might gradually drift away to more welcoming shores.
Likewise, the effect on the City of London of the UK unilaterally introducing a financial transaction tax would be catastrophic. That’s why the British Government opposed the EU’s plans for a financial transaction tax unless the rest of the world implements one too. This is sensible. Since a vast amount of business is done through London, the British exchequer would be a major beneficiary of an international tax. But it would have to apply everywhere or any country that didn’t implement it would quickly steal London’s financial pre-eminence. These objections meant that, even before Brexit, the UK was not part of the plans for an EU financial transaction tax. Even the countries that are interested in taking part are finding it very hard to agree exactly how it should work.
Luckily, there are some financial instruments that are not as mobile as bonds and derivatives. If you want to own shares in a listed UK company, almost the only place you can buy them is on the London Stock Exchange. Admittedly, there are special financial products called depositary receipts that can be traded in other countries and some companies, like Shell and HSBC, have dual-listings in more than one country for historical reasons. But generally speaking, UK shares have to be bought and sold in London. Since it is impractical to buy UK shares anywhere but in the UK, the Government can tax share sales without worrying about all the business moving elsewhere. For many years, selling UK shares has been subject to a special levy called stamp duty reserve tax. This is collected automatically by the electronic settlement system of the London Stock Exchange. The rate is 0.5% of the price of the shares.
This means there is hope for a slimmed down version of the European financial transaction tax if it is restricted to shares. Both France and Italy have jumped the EU gun and enacted their own version of the UK’s stamp duty (Spain and Portugal have plans to do the same). Since quoted French and Italian shares are traded at the Bourse de Paris and Milan’s Borsa Italiana respectively, these provide a captive market that Governments can trim. Basically, other European countries are adopting the system that the UK has had for decades. When introducing new taxes, copying a successful model from elsewhere in the world is often a good idea.
Stamp duty includes various exemptions that prevent the market from seizing up. There is no reason that a more general financial transaction tax should not work just as well and raise lots of money. The fundamental problem remains that the market would move to avoid the tax, which means it would have to be introduced everywhere at the same time. Since that is not going to happen, the Robin Hood Tax is one of those good ideas that will never happen.
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Home \ Music \ Mariah Carey delays the release of ‘The Art Of Letting Go’
Mariah Carey delays the release of ‘The Art Of Letting Go’
Fans of American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey who were waiting for the release of her new album, might have to wait a bit longer. Carey’s upcoming album was supposed to be released on July 23, 2013 and the singer has confirmed that the launch of ‘The Art Of Letting Go’ has been delayed.
On June 24, 2013, the ‘We Belong Together’ singer Tweeted, “While making this album, I got so immersed in the creative process that I just don’t feel I would be doing it justice to release it on 7/23”. The singer went on to say that she would rather not exclude meaningful songs and stated that she wants to give her fans the album which is meant to be heard.
The superstar also commented that she will let everyone know when it is ready. Meanwhile, there is no new date available when the album will be launched, but the ‘Always Be My Baby’ singer is still due to take the stage at the 2013 BET Awards on June 30, 2013. While there, she is very likely to cross paths with her former ‘American Idol’ rival and fellow performer Nicki Minaj.
The other performers of the night include Ciara, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, India.Arie, Miguel, R. Kelly and Kendrick Lamar. So far, the single ‘#Beautiful’ is the only song which has been released from the upcoming album.
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Drake to release 'Nothing Was The Same' on September 17, 2013
Kanye West's album 'Yeezus' debuts at No. 1
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Main page | Structure | Departments | Department of General Hygiene with Ecology | Historical Background
The department of hygiene was founded in 1932. The vacancy of head of the department was filled by election of professor Anatoly Petrovich Mukhin, a well-known hygienist from Leningrad.
From 1934 the department of general hygiene was headed by associate professor I. N. Okulov, who in 1936 was awarded the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences (M.D.) and rank of professor on the basis of total number of his scientific works. I.N.Okulov was the head of the department from 1934 till 1960. For merits in health service organization and training personnel Professor I. N. Okulov was awarded the Order of Lenin and medals as well, honorary diplomas of Presidium of Supreme Soviet of Kazakh SSR, Presidium of all-USSR Central Soviet of Trade Union, Crimean regional committee and executive board.
In I960, associate professor Valery Andreyevich Ovsyannikov became the head of the department of general hygiene. Under his guidance the interesting work started on macro- and microelement composition of foodstaffs from different climatic areas of the Crimea. Thorough researches were carried out on the Crimean largest chemical factories in Saki and Krasnoperekopsk. First time in world practice the unique methods of determining bromine in the air of industrial premises and in blood of workers were elaborated.
From 1974 Professor Sapegin Dmitry Ivanovich, being the head of the department, became the leader of a new scientific direction of the department in the field of hygienic toxicology, namely, “Scientific bases of hygiene and pesticide toxicology”. Six candidate's dissertations were defended on this theme.
Since 1994 the department has been headed by Professor S. E. Shibanov. For this period the particular attention has been paid to improvement of educational process, extensive research of ecology (in accordance with a new name of the department – “General Hygiene with Ecology”), approximation of general hygiene teaching to practical work of sanitary and epidemiological service (SES): the department got a new educational base in the city SES of Simferopol, Simferopol district SES and Republican SES, the chief state sanitary doctors of Crimea and Simferopol participate in the educational process).
The scientific work of the department is carried out on the problem of studying the effect of environmental contamination on people’s health in the Crimea and is conducted jointly with the departments of social medicine and normal physiology according to the Program of Ministry of Science, National Academy of Science of Ukraine and Council of Ministers of Crimea. For the recent 5 years 4 candidate's dissertations have been defended (S.G. Yashchenko, I. B. Butyrskaya, O.E. Kurkchi, S.V. Kozulya), and 2 doctoral dissertation are being prepared for defence.
Prof. S. E. Shibanov is the author of textbooks and manuals on general hygiene with medical ecology in the Russian and English languages; he is the coauthor of curricula on general hygiene of Ministry of Health Protection of Ukraine (years 2002 and 2005) and textbook on general hygiene and medical ecology (Kiev, 2006). At present the teaching of General Hygiene at the department is carried out according to the requirements of Bologna declaration, after the course of studies the students take the complex practically-oriented final state examination. Apart from General Hygiene, the following subjects ate taught at the department: Bases of Ecology, Life Safety Fundamentals, Labor Protection in Medicine and Pharmacy.
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Lead Bank Introduces Technology Advisory Board
CONTACT: Melissa Beltrame, Marketing Director
mbeltrame@lead.bank
Jenny Kincaid, Socialworx PR
(816) 550.4382 | jenny@socialworxpr.com
(KANSAS CITY, MO) JULY 2018 Lead Bank, a leader in financial technology for the Kansas City region, today announced the creation of their new Technology Advisory Board. The Board has been formed to assist the Bank by providing a quarterly forum for the discussion of local and national developments in innovation and technology. Comprising of industry leaders with experience in technology entrepreneurship and venture investing, The Advisory Board will encourage discussion that supports the Bank’s efforts to provide products and services to Bank clients, and in the utilization of innovative technology for improving the Bank’s operations.
New technology is quickly transforming the financial sector. From upgraded ATM’s to mobile and digital banking, remote applications and changes to security, all of these new technologies will increase accountability in banking and improve customer experiences. As financial technology continues to advance, Lead Bank will be the community bank offering these types of innovations.
“The Technology Advisory Board is key to helping us adopt technology that makes Lead Bank smarter, simpler and cutting-edge for our clients,” says Joshua Rowland, CEO of Lead Bank. “We have made significant progress in banking technology this past year with the addition of and Hyphen Funding, and we look forward to exploring more ways we can better serve our clients through this technology,” Josh added.
Members of The Technology Advisory Board are as follows: Lesa Mitchell, Managing Director of Kansas City, who has held roles such as a corporate executive, entrepreneur, and consultant to multi-national corporates expanding their innovation footprints. Jeff Glasco, Founder of Happy Foods, a meal kit company that works with local to offer fresh, locally grown ingredients for people to make at home. Keith J. Berets, head of Cooley's Technology Transactions Practice whose practice focuses on the legal and business needs of his clients in connection with their technology and intellectual property transactions, Chris Costello, CEO, and co-founder of the financial tech startup, , and Bob (Robert) Litan. Litan is a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and has had nearly four decades of experience in the worlds of the law, economic research and policy, and as an executive in the private, public and government sectors. He has served as Vice President for Research and Policy at the Kauffman Foundation and also the Director of Research at Bloomberg Government.
“I am excited to join Lead Bank’s Technology Advisory Board as an advisor. Based on my experience in economic research, law and having been involved with the Kauffman Foundation, I feel that Lead Bank is headed in the right direction with financial technology. Their leadership and innovative approach to working with and supporting their clients, them a standout in the banking industry,” said Litan.
The Board will meet quarterly with the goal of helping Lead Bank strategize their leadership in financial technology and banking innovation, so they can continue to serve their clients in the best way possible.
About Lead Bank
For 90 years, Lead Bank has remained a strong, independent commercial bank dedicated to delivering smart financial solutions for business owners, managers their families and communities. With locations in Garden City, Lee’s Summit and now the Kansas City Crossroads, Lead Bank continues to provide treasury management, lending services, and personal client products. The new flagship location in Kansas City’s dynamic KC Crossroads District introduces clients to a new “era of banking.” Lead Bank is the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Mr. K Award, named after the late Ewing M. Kauffman. This award goes to companies who shown growth and sustainability of their business, a positive company culture and a record for giving back to the community.
For additional information, call (816) 220.8600 or visit http://www.lead.bank/
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Home / Aufheben / Pamphlets and articles / Dole autonomy versus the re-imposition of work
'Dole autonomy and work re-imposition': an epilogue
It is now more than a year since the original version of this text was written. The text drew some rather gloomy conclusions about current resistance to British welfare restructuring. Little has happened since then to contradict these conclusions.
First, the New Labour 'flagship' policy, the New Deal for 18-24-year-olds, would appear to have had some success in its aim of re-imposing work. Over a quarter of a million people have entered the scheme. Of these, over 100,000 have been found jobs, with another 50,000 or so currently on one of the placements, including subsidized work. Through the New Deal, there has apparently been an increase in the rate at which 18-24-year-olds have left the claimant count, over and above the fall in unemployment that has been taking place anyway due to the economic recovery. At the same time, the continuing fall in unemployment has so far not ignited wage inflation.
The Government has felt confident enough to press on with its programme of welfare restructuring, implementing versions of the New Deal for other sections of non-employed people, such as the over 24s, partners of the unemployed, single parents and the disabled. Greater rationalization is also being brought into the system through the introduction of the 'single work focus gateway' or 'One', as it is now called. The new system entails all benefits being claimed through the same office, rather than the present multi-agency approach. The consolidation of claims enables the benefit system at every turn to orient every type of claimant (except pensioners) towards considering work, rather than simply processing their claims for benefits. Indeed, as a whole, the benefits system is being re-oriented to 'reward work' (i.e. to subsidize low-paying employers) rather than pay for non-work, which is now defined as 'passive welfare dependency'.
As we discussed in the main text, in recent years some of the more effective resistance to changes to the dole came from dole-workers themselves. Under the New Deal, the Government was at pains to introduce a 'new ethos' into the Jobcentres. Those on the New Deal have therefore noticed a more friendly and 'customer-centred' approach from Jobcentre workers. To some extent, this 'new ethos' has dampened some of the dole-workers' militancy. Most of them didn't want the stress of giving claimants a hard time, and now they don't have to so much, so there is less reason for them to resist the New Deal as they did with the JSA. Whereas the JSA was a purely punitive approach to claimants, the New Deal has been understood as an attempt to give claimants what they supposedly want: individualized help in finding work and improving employability.
Yet, despite New Labour's criticisms of and promises to abolish the cynical JSA when in opposition, in Government New Labour has made it the very bedrock of their 'welfare reform' programme. Most importantly, on the New Deal for 18-24-year-olds, the sanctions for refusing or leaving jobs, interviews and placements are those made possible by the JSA: loss of benefits (except housing benefits) for up to four weeks.
In the case of the New Deal for those over 24, the programme is supposedly not compulsory. But in practice claimants find that they have no choice but to take part; in the absence of proof that their own job-search is more effective than the New Deal (not easy when you've been unemployed for 12 months!) to refuse the New Deal simply on the grounds that it is 'not compulsory' is to risk sanction for rejecting a 'reasonable offer' and hence not 'actively seeking work'. Likewise, under the 'single work focus gateway', new claimants who refuse to accept the work-oriented interviews will be liable to JSA sanctions.
Despite the post-election talk of a 'fresh start', therefore, there is a clear continuity between the JSA and the New Deal. Indeed, New Labour is even seeking to strengthen the punitive powers of the JSA because of claimants 'raising two fingers to the system' and 'misusing the New Deal in a way unanticipated', as Employment Minister Andrew Smith puts it. The 'new ethos' has actually enabled many claimants to avoid being found placements or jobs. Around a quarter of those who have entered the New Deal for young people are still in the 'Gateway' (job-counselling) phase. Jobcentre staff have often colluded with claimants by taking the 'new ethos' so literally that in many cases they have stopped hassling people and instead let them remain on the Gateway way past the four-month limit. The Government has now responded to this claimant creativity. David Blunkett, Secretary of State for Employment, has announced a policy of 'three strikes and you're out'. If and when this is becomes law, after their third JSA sanction, 18-24-year-olds stand to lose benefits for six months.
Existing sanctions have already affected more than 12,000 young New Dealers. 'Environmental Task Force' placements, the 'option' that most obviously echoes the discredited make-work schemes of the past, has the highest percentage of sanctions. Many claimants would apparently rather lose their money for four weeks than endure placements in both the Environmental Task Force and the Voluntary Sector!
As we discussed in the main text, 'Welfare-to-Work' and the New Deal in particular are attempts to overcome the chronic dual labour-market afflicting the British economy. The sheer unwillingness of many claimants to play the game, even with the 'new ethos', and the Government's attempts to tighten up the programme to root out these 'overstayers' is a recognition that, despite the initial success of the New Deal, this battle with the 'recalcitrant' unemployed is far from won.
Indeed, this recalcitrance manifests itself in other ways. One of the early criticisms of the New Deal from those who supported its aims was that the claimants who were actually found jobs and placements were those most 'job-ready' anyway. In many cases, the New Deal has failed to improve the employability of those apparently willing to get off the dole. The bosses to whom they have been sent have repeatedly complained of the poor calibre of New Deal applicant. It is less the skills of New Dealers that are missing or at fault than their attitudes and punctuality. Too many lack what are called 'soft skills' - such as the ability to communicate, present themselves and get on with other people. In short, then, while 'Welfare-to-Work' is an attempt to go beyond the legacy of Thatcherite mass unemployment through changing the culture of welfare claiming, it still meets with both creative and 'passive' resistance.
Yet, at the same time, the network of claimants action groups which tried to express dole autonomy as a collective form has gone into a decline. Since our original text was written, the preference among even many of the most politicized claimants for individual solutions has continued, leading to disillusion and pessimism among the claimants groups. The problem is that few new claimants are coming forward to join the groups - particular not young claimants, the group most affected by the New Deal. Turnover of claimants has become higher and, as we have shown above, some scope still exists for individual work-avoidance. In effect, the New Deal has served to outflank the militant claimants network.
When the struggle against the JSA was developing, there were a number of groups who could be expected at least to generate militant literature, to hold relatively high profile pickets or occupations, to propose new strategies of resistance, and to circulate ideas and material amongst the network and beyond. At this time, a number of claimants groups regularly came into conflict with the cops, who also subjected them to surveillance and harassment (Nottingham, Edinburgh, Brighton). Today, there is little evidence of this level of activity. Some of the more militant groups, such as Nottingham, have simply folded. Others instrumental in bringing the network together, such as Oxford, now concentrate on 'solidarity' work of the type done by claimants unions (e.g., advice and individual support) rather than trying to develop their campaigns into a movement of nationwide resistance. The Groundswell conferences have simply stopped happening, and no word is heard from most of the 30 or so groups originally in the network.
The most active groups left from the old network that we know about - Edinburgh, Haringey and Brighton - are actually tiny, and struggle simply to keep going. The Brighton claimants group, which continues to produce literature, hold pickets and harass Jobcentre management and local politicians, has a reputation for successful activity quite out of proportion with its actual practice. The fact that so many militants, both in Britain and abroad, take inspiration from the Brighton group is merely an indication of how weak and despondent the other claimants groups have become.
Some unemployed groups less closely connected with Groundswell - in particular, Newcastle, Blyth, Bolton who form part of the Unemployed Action Group (UAG) network - have sought inspiration from the militant activities of the French and other European unemployed groups. Whereas the Groundswell network broadly shared an explicit hatred of work, the UAG have in common with their contacts in Europe a more traditional social democratic orientation, uniting around the 'Euromarch' banner: 'Against unemployment, job insecurity and social exclusion'. Despite the limits of their ideology, the practice of these British groups has been uncompromisingly militant. They have also made more effort than the declining Groundswell network to compose themselves at a national and international level. On their British 'Euromarch' of 1997, the UAG used the opportunity to occupy and picket any scabbing workplaces on their route - paralleling the actions of the old National Unemployed Workers Movement, such as their response to the engineering lock-out in the 1930s. Subsequently, these same militant unemployed groups have occupied Jobcentres and other offices, including the Welsh Labour Party office in Transport House, Cardiff, during the European Union Summit of June 1998. They were joined in this by participants from the Brighton claimants group, and together they spent the occupation watching World Cup football on the Labour Party's television.
The French unemployed movement, which reached a high point in the winter of 1997, provided some encouragement on this side of the channel, but now seems less impressive. Indeed, the more we have learned about the nature of the French movement, the less inspirational does it seem.[1] It now appears that the image of mass militancy didn't match the actuality of small campaigns of established (and often leftist) political activists. Moreover, even some of those with a critique of wage-labour in the French unemployed movement remain the loyal opposition to the AC! leadership, and share with them and similar groups across Europe the aim of unity through a set of radical social-democratic demands.[2] Despite the strong showing at the Euromarch demonstration in Cologne this year, there is no sign that the Euromarch network as a whole is growing and there are even rumours of its imminent decline.
In the UK there are some small signs of hope. Despite initial success of New Deal in winning over critical dole-workers, the Government's attempt to marketize and improve the 'value-for-money' of the Jobcentres is pushing their employees towards confrontation. First, in a number of pilot-areas, private firms are involved in the administration of the New Deal. In Hackney, east London, for example, employees of these private firms work alongside dole-workers; in such cases, the dole-workers are brutally faced with a possible future: a non-unionized workforce, on lower pay, and subsisting on the number of bonuses gained by finding jobs or placements for their unemployed 'clients'.
Second, in line with the market demand for 'flexibility', many Jobcentres are being pushed to open on Saturdays and other hours previously regarded as off-limits. Already, dole-workers in some areas, such as Brighton, have successfully resisted this. This is important. Not only would Saturday opening mean that claimants would be required to come into the Jobcentre at times they have previously regarded as completely their own, but any success gained by Jobcentre management in imposing Saturday opening could be built upon in order to undermine other vestiges of entrenchment among the dole-workers.
Despite the poor performance of Reed and other private sector firms running the
New Deal, the Government has renewed their contracts. It has also invited other private companies to bid for the running of the 'single work focus gateway' and other new schemes. One of these firms is Andersen Consulting who run the benefits system in Ontario, Canada. Andersen save money by finding ways of cutting off people's benefits. For example, they comb through case files for missing or incomplete information; where they find any, the claimant has two weeks to provide the information or the case is closed.
These developments are at the national level; but, in the case of the local council-run housing benefits services, struggles over the involvement of private companies have already been won and lost. For example, despite a strike, Sheffield housing benefits have now been partially outsourced. But the bid by the private company Capita to run housing benefits in Brighton and Hove has recently been defeated after an intense workers' campaign, including the threat of an illegal 'political' strike; in this case many of the workers involved felt that they had little to lose by threatening such action.
But what are the prospects that 'dole autonomy' and the more generalized unemployed 'recalcitrance' will translate into an upsurge in collectivized claimant activity? Of course, one prerequisite for such a movement is that the long-term fall in unemployment and the relatively high turnover of claimants begins to slow. There is some evidence, at least in some of the regions (Scotland, Merseyside, the North-East, the West Midlands), that this is happening. The currently low rate of growth is by definition not a recession, but it is hardly enough to provide the demand that will sustain the early success of the New Deal. If the number of unsubsidised jobs that the New Deal relies on dries up, only the less popular placements will remain, which will then come more to resemble the workfare that they essentially are.
In the UK, resistance and antagonism from claimants to welfare restructuring has not gone away, but remains fragmented most of the time - reflecting the current fragmentation and weakness in the proletariat as a whole. Those of us involved in Aufheben continue to participate in active resistance to the ongoing attack on the dole, not only in the hope that the essential class antagonism it entails will appear in a more collective form, but also because we are people who use, or expect to use, the dole. As we stated in the original introduction to this text, we seek to defend the autonomy of the dole, not because we want a fairer social contract between capital and labour, but because the smashing of the capital relation, and the end of the distinction between work-drudgery and leisure-poverty, can only begin with the antagonistic realization of our immediate, everyday needs.
[1] See, for example, 'The Unemployed Movement: A Struggle under the Influence...' by Olga Morena in Oiseau-tempete, 3, Summer 1998.
[2] See, for example, 'Steps Towards a European Network for Income' by the AC! Commission on Income, December 1998.
‹ Appendix: Workfare - the USA case up Chris Arthur vs Theorie Communiste on alienation ›
Feb 6 2007 08:36
claimants and unpaid
Aufheben latest issue
About Aufheben
Aufheben #01 (Autumn 1992)
Aufheben #02 (Summer 1993)
Aufheben #10 (2002)
Aufheben #23 (2015-16)
Aufheben : purchase details
Aufheben issues
Buy Aufheben in bulk
Pamphlets and articles
The crisis: An afterword (2016)
Open reply to Loren Goldner
Stop the clock! Critiques of the new social workhouse
The politics of anti-road struggle and the struggles of anti-road politics - the case of the No M11 link road campaign
Dole autonomy versus the re-imposition of work
Dole autonomy versus the re-imposition of work: analysis of the current tendency to workfare in the UK
Appendix: Workfare - the USA case
Chris Arthur vs Theorie Communiste on alienation
Aufheben - Greatest Hits
‘A spontaneous loss of enthusiasm’: workplace feminism and the transformation of women’s service jobs in the 1970s - Dorothy Sue Cobble
An analysis of the gendered dynamics in the class struggle in the 1970s US service sector.
The Burston Strike School, 1914-1939
A short history of the longest schoolchildren's strike in UK history, when nearly all pupils at Burston school in Norfolk, England walked out in support of two unfairly sacked teachers who...
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New head of Ontario Bar Association speaks out about depression
In: Depression, In The News, Personal Stories
Tagged: awareness, depression, in the news, mental health, Ontario, personal story, recovery, suicide
Four days before Orlando da Silva became president of the Ontario Bar Association this month he heard the news that comedic genius Robin Williams had taken his own life.
“I imagined Robin Williams alone in his room, what went through his mind,” da Silva told TorStar News Service this week. “I can understand the thinking, I can understand the emotions.”
The new OBA president has also lived with the torment of depression, the sense of bone-deep worthlessness and lacerating self-disgust. He came close, in fact, to taking his own life.
Six years ago, slipping into unconsciousness after swallowing a bottle of wine and handfuls of sleeping pills, da Silva made a last-ditch phone call to his estranged wife, whose 911 call likely saved his life.
In assuming his new duties, da Silva has decided to use the platform to speak publicly for the first time about his experience.
Now a Crown counsel with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, da Silva grew up in a working-class family in Kitchener. His dad was a welder. He never met a lawyer until he went to law school.
In fact, his family lived beside the clubhouse of the Hells Angels, who he says scared the wits out of him but were surprisingly good neighbours. “If they saw my mom walking home from the grocery store, they would offer her a ride. She always politely declined.”
He realizes now that depression was always with him. As he looks back, he thinks his Grade 4 teacher, Mary Forrester, was the first to recognize he had struggles beyond mere shyness.
“She recognized that I was keeping to myself a lot, had trouble with focus and concentration though she thought I was bright … So she got me to keep what she called a ‘happy book,’ a little notebook.
“The point of the book was to write down things that made me happy in a day. And she told me to read it when I was feeling sad. She helped me feel worthwhile.”
The first time he recalls being debilitated by a low-grade depression that cycles periodically into serious episodes was in his teens; it happened again when he was articling.
Still, he became a lawyer, married, had a child, seemed to all the world like a classic son-of-an-immigrant success story.
His deepest crisis came in 2008, when he sought the federal Liberal nomination in the riding of Kitchener-Conestoga. During that time, da Silva and his wife separated and he was working himself to exhaustion.
He worked full-time in downtown Toronto, drove each evening to Kitchener-Waterloo to canvass and returned afterward to Mississauga. “I did that every day for two months.”
The emotional rewards of the campaign probably kept him afloat. He had a team of supporters, people cheering him, a party leader coming to town to hold his arm aloft.
When he lost badly, that disappeared overnight.
“I found myself spiralling into this dark place … ‘I must seem foolish to everyone. I should never have tried this.’ The more I thought of that, the more depressed I got. And I didn’t want anyone to know I was thinking these things.”
Soon, he was taking sleeping pills and drinking each night after work to medicate himself.
“One night I started drinking and within a couple of hours had swallowed 180 sleeping pills and a bottle of wine.”
As he was starting to lose consciousness, he said, “I decided, I don’t want to die.” He called his estranged wife. She called 911. He was taken to hospital, where he spent the next two months and was treated for months after his discharge.
“I didn’t tell anyone about it,” he said. He told his family he had been travelling and people at work that his health issues were physical.
In the period that followed, he tried different medications. He received 13 electroconvulsive shock treatments. “And eventually I started to feel better.”
A few months ago, before assuming the OBA presidency, he decided he would use the new platform to speak about mental health and tell his own story. One of the things that motivated him was the 2013 suicide of former Liberal cabinet minister George Smitherman’s husband, Christopher Peloso.
“I could see that he has a loving family. He had what everyone always says — ‘He had a great life, he had no reason to be depressed.’
“That kind of thing reminds you, as a depressed person, of the irrationality that your mind goes through when you’re in the throes of it. You think that you’re not worthy of what you have, you don’t deserve the goodness in your life, you don’t deserve the love of your family, that they would all be better off if you were gone.”
Still, he thought “long and hard before I said anything. I thought, ‘What will my family think? Will they love me less? Will they treat me different?’ ” Some friends in whom he confided warned against going public.
In the end, he decided that “this might be my only good opportunity to get people talking about it.”
In an interview with the Law Times, he told his story. The Waterloo Region Record, the newspaper in the community where he grew up, followed with a report.
“I’m hearing a lot of positive things,” he said. “My family is proud. They think some good will come out of this. Lawyers have come to me to say, ‘Welcome to my world.’ ”
He knows that 10 years ago, or if he were in private practice rather than the public sector, “we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
“But I think it’ll help if it means someone says, ‘If da Silva can get in front of a podium and say these things, then I can pick up the phone and call someone and talk about it.'”
Now living in Pickering, da Silva has a new relationship, a teenage daughter, two stepdaughters and an appreciation for those who cared about him.
Mrs. Forrester, the teacher who came up with the happy book, sent him an email this week and da Silva “got a chance to say thank you.”
In the weeks after his worst night, his ex-wife was his advocate in hospital.
He realizes, as he starts his one-year term representing the province’s 16,000 lawyers, that his condition requires vigilance and that human connection — some understanding, some compassion from others — can make all the difference in the world.
“It doesn’t take much,” he says, “to save a life.”
Hamilton Spectator
By Jim Coyle
Previous Post: Don’t suffer in silence
Next Post: The other shoe: fighting depression and anxiety
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Review - Less Than Perfect
by Louise Albert
Holiday House, 2003
Review by Patricia Ball, B.A.
May 13th 2005 (Volume 9, Issue 19)
Less than perfect is a wonderful story about young love, heartache and loss -- coping with life's imperfections and the imperfections in one's self. The main characters are Laura and Paul. Laura is a beautiful girl and an A+ student who sees the world through rose colored glasses. She has a hard time coping with her families' situation. She meets Paul, falls in love and finds out that relationships do not always go smoothly.
Laura learns that the family she thought was perfect is not when her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. Laura's relationship with Paul also brings heartache when her affection for his parents is shattered by separation and death. Laura's mother convinces Laura to go to a support group meeting with her. Laura begins to understand that cancer does not necessarily mean death. Nor does it mean that her mother's imperfection from a mastectomy makes her less of a person.
Laura's younger brother the prodigy child and Paul's father the next Irving Berlin bring humor and warmth to the story throughout the book. Paul's character is quite different from Laura'. Paul does not feel like he has to prove himself to anyone. Paul is a bright young man and loyal to his family but does not feel he has to be perfect for them to love him. He suffers a series of unfortunate events but handles them with maturity.
The books focus is on breast cancer victims and their families. It is about adjustment and acceptance. It gives valuable information throughout the book that a young teen could relate to about breast cancer. It is a heart felt story that explodes with emotion and humor.
© 2005 Patricia Ball
Patricia Ball, B.A., applies the following descriptions to herself:
Research Chemist for 23 years
BA degree in Biology, Elms College
Recent graduate of Institute of Children's Literature
Wife and Mother of two
Published Poet/Writer
Enjoy composing music, art, writing, reading
Interested in Metaphysics, Psychology and Science
Enjoy traveling: USA, Canada and Europe
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July 9, 2019 12:30 am·0 commentsViews: 2
By Robert Reed
At the height of the county’s quest for independence and freedom from foreign domination, America’s leaders selected the eagle as its national symbol.
Historians note that the American eagle was officially adopted in June of 1782 by an act of the Continental Congress. It was a suitable choice.
In writing suggestions earlier to the selection committee Philadelphia sculptor William Rush movingly endorsed the “elegant figure” of the eagle. Rush the artist visualized, “the American Eagle darting upon and destroying the vitals of tyranny, the shackles of despotism…and hurling them under the feet of the Genius of America.”
To be specific the nation’s choice was not just any eagle.
The founders, for example, ultimately rejected the idea of a traditional doubleheaded eagle that prior to that time had often been used as a heraldic representation. It was simply too much in the realm of old country royalty.
Neither would any single eagle serve the purpose. Eagles had been used as symbols before in the Colonies, but when it came to the Great Seal the choice centered on a particular native species the American Bald Eagle. The term ‘bald’ was a bit of a misnomer since the bird simply had white head and tail feathers rather than the full brown coloring of other eagles.
As officially adopted on the Great Seal the American eagle had outspread wings and clutched arrows in one claw while holding an olive branch in the other. It also had a crest with 13 stars representing the 13 then existing states.
Almost immediately, if not before, the American eagle appeared everywhere in the United States as a popular and powerful symbol. As the nation’s first president, George Washington, toured the states after his inauguration he was greeted at each stop by carved and painted American eagles.
It was carved on ship’s figureheads, scratched on powder horns, fashioned from all manner of folk art, added to flagpoles according to observations by author Katharine McClinton. Further it appeared on everything from hand-stitched quilts to shop signs. Throughout the so-called Federal period it was proudly displayed as an architectural motif and stood above doorways and on mantle pieces inside.
McClinton in The Complete Book of Small Antiques further describes, the American eagle carved and inlaid on furniture of the period, and mounted on clocks. Further it could be found, “embroidered with gold thread on bright silk.” A particular popular item during the War of 1812 in the states were cotton printed kerchiefs showing the eagle emblem in a sweeping design together with scenes of naval battles and portraits of Washington or Thomas Jefferson.
One especially striking example of fashionable eagle-adorned clocks was cast in bronze with gold gilding. The early 19th century shelf clock featured the American eagle clutching olive branches and a shield with the motto, E Pluribus Unum inscribed on it. Standing alongside of the eagle and the clock was George Washington. For all of this patriotic glory however, it had been crafted in France and noted in the United States. “Such American symbols were added to everything from clocks to earthenware jugs made in Europe early in the 19th century in an attempt to appeal to the growing American market,” notes author Erwin Christensen. Writing in The Index of American Design Christensen adds, “when they appeared in this country, they found eager buyers.”
When France’s Marquis de Lafayette visited the United States in the I820s he found a great deal of glassware similarity bearing the American eagle. The glass flask, in particular, featured several different designs all starring the country’s own version of the eagle.
By the Erie Canal ceremonies of 1825 the American eagle emblem was wildly popular on folk art, imprints, and all manner of souvenirs. A water keg decorated with the painted eagle was used in dedication ceremonies and is now displayed by the New York Historical Society. Meanwhile there was an abundance at the time of eagle motifs on pressed-glass plates, salts, and cups. The Sandwich Glass Company was especially prolific with the eagle image offering in a wide range of glass that included blue, yellow, opalescent, as well as clear white.
The American eagle also appeared on a wealth of milk glass covered dishes, fire-fighting helmets and other related equipment, drinking glasses, wallpaper designs, and even carefully stitched coverlets.
The eagle appeared in furniture too. Sometimes a standing or soaring eagle adorned a delicate candle stand, chair or table. There was eagle-decorated pottery made in American locations such as Pennsylvania and Ohio and also in the Staffordshire region of England as well. A transfer decorated pitcher from Liverpool, England paid tribute to Washington in 1840 bearing the inscription, “Washington in Glory, America in Tears.” It also bore the American eagle and the seal of the United States. Beyond the pots and pitchers, there were also butter molds and mugs, and more.
By the middle of the 19th century the American eagle had made quite an impression as a weathervane on a vast number of rooftops around the country. Often copper or zinc, or combinations of both, most were of the spread wing variety. Often they appeared perched on global orbs or metal stands.
When the Civil War arrived in the 1860s the northern armies carried the American eagle off to battle, often in the form a brightly colored image on a drum. The eagle stood on various drums of that era. Smaller drums, usually carried by drummer boys around 12 years of age, typically bore an eagle with a shield and a sunburst beneath it. Larger drums used for parades and ceremonial marches were often even more lavishly decorated with the American eagle.
During the Civil War the eagle also frequently had a renewed patriotic role on decorated quilts. A cotton Civil War memorial quilt was made by Mary Ben Shawvan of Wisconsin for her soldier husband John Shawvan. When her husband was killed in the battle of Chickamauga in Tennessee, Mary was left a widow with six children and only a Civil War widow’s pension. Still the quilt with its spread wing eagle and shield among meandering flower vines and perching birds was impressive. Nearly a century and a half later the historic eagle-dominated quilt sold at a major east coast auction house.
During the second half of the 19th century the mighty American eagle was often the center of a wide range of carvings from signs and ship’s figure heads to small handheld objects. One of the most famed eagle carvers of that era was John Hale Bellamy. An artist and sculptor of considerable note, Bellamy’s flourished in Massachusetts and later in New Hampshire. His shop boasted the ability to “service a single order for 100 eagles” and they could be accompanied by “emblematic frames and brackets” too. Bellamy advertised his talents at “house, ship, furniture, sign and frame carving…furnished at short notice.”
The grand eagles created by Bellamy were usually large and often embellished with all type of slogans from Don’t Give Up The Ship to simply Happy New Year. Typically the eagle and U.S. flag were decorated with red. white and blue paint. Among Bellamy’s most impressive eagle carvings was an 18-foot figurehead personally made for the U.S.S. Lancaster.
At the other end of the carved eagle scale was now memorialized folk artist Wilhelm Schimmel. At about the same time Bellamy was carving giant-sized eagles in New England, Schimmel was going from town to town in Pennsylvania carving small eagles and other animals in exchange for hand-outs or liquor. Decades later his pine eagles shaded in brown, black, red and yellow became highly sought as classic examples of late 19th century folk art. In 1890 “Old Schimmel” died in a Pennsylvania poorhouse, and a newspaper noted, “his only occupation was carving heads of animals out of wood, he was apparently a man of a very surly disposition.” Today surviving American eagles once made by the transit Schimmel bring $15,000 to $25,000.
As late as the 1960s, antiques historian and author McClinton observed that the American eagle “is one of the most sought after collector’s items” in the country today. McClinton attributed the fascination in part to the nation’s history and the eagle’s personal symbolism for individuals.
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Read it on the walls
For Business Day's monthly Lifestyle and Culture supplement, Wanted; February 2015
As Greece braces itself for what’s to come in the aftermath of a destiny-defining election, the walls of its capital have continued to reflect the frustrations and enduring anger of its citizens, since the country’s slide into crisis in 2008.
For the last year and a half, Yiannis Hadjiaslanis and Nastasya Tay have been documenting the conversation, in their ongoing project Scrawl of a fallen city.
For the last five years, Greece has teetered on a precipice, between the depths of fury and the possibility of hope.
Now, in the throes of possible change, Athenians are navigating a new tumult: unnerving optimism in some quarters, exhausted cynicism in others; an existential questioning what comes next, a calculation of how to survive it.
But, more than anything, the country’s very public humiliation on the global stage has left its populace angry. Many are quietly bitter, sucked dry by the austerity demanded in return for €240 billion in aid, drained by the repeated blows of bad news.
3 million live on, or below, the poverty line. Over a million have no access to healthcare. Half of all young people are unemployed. GDP is at Depression-era levels.
The residents of its ancient capital have watched the unravelling of their country through their windows, on their streets, and on their walls. They have also had to find ways to express their frustration.
The portrait of a metropolis at tipping point is now sketched in spraypaint and marker pen. Amid the grandeur of ancient monuments, its residents are demanding change, with little idea of how or when it will come. The birthplace of democracy has been shouting, in spraypaint.
The defacing of the old - the establishment - with visceral scrawl is no longer sacrilege, but a desperate plea for change, an attempt to fight depression with defiance.
Inked additions to the urban cityscape are erased then rewritten. It is a cycle of attempted renewal that will continue as long as the city’s tumultuous debate with itself.
On one downtown wall: “You will see a white wall when we see a white day”.
Nastasya Tay, for The Economist, August 2012.
Mogadishu, Somalia. Mission: Ice cream →
When Roads & Kingdoms asks for a slogan for his city, Mogadishu’s mayor says it’s “no longer the most dangerous city in the world”. He is determined to prove it.
Roads & Kingdoms contributors Nastasya Tay and Daniel Howden went for a late-night drive with the Minister of Intelligence, the Mogadishu Police Chief, and a few well-armed friends. In all, it’s a four-vehicle convoy, with twenty policemen, a truck-mounted anti-aircraft battery, and two foreign correspondents who are about to go… eat ice cream.
Roads & Kingdoms mapped out the journey as a Google map with text and images at each waystation. Click "read more" for all the text below, or view the map here, where you can click on each point for text and images.
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Home / News / Farewell, Nancy
Farewell, Nancy
Thu, 11/17/2016 - 6:48pm admin
In her editorial today, Nancy McGuire, editor and publisher of the Nome Nugget newspaper, bid an affectionate farewell to all. Fighting a valiant battle with cancer for over a decade, Nancy passed away this morning in Nome, a community for which she had great affection, a month short of her 73rd birthday surrounded by dear Nome friends.
Nancy was born in in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Dec. 15, 1943. She grew up on a farm and graduated from Mars High School, Mars, Pa. in the class of 1961. She is a distinguished alumnus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania class of 1965 with a masters in education as a biology major. Following her post-secondary education, she taught in secondary and university settings there before moving to Nome in 1973. Initially coming to Nome to take a position with the Northwest Campus of the University, she worked for a time for Norton Sound Health Corporation and also with the Alaska Science Foundation. She served as a part-time reporter for the Nome Nugget, as well as participating in other community activities, serving for many years as an EMT with the Nome Volunteer Ambulance Department.
When the opportunity presented itself in 1982, Nancy purchased the Nome Nugget and served as Editor and Publisher for 34 years. She was extremely proud of the fact the Nome Nugget is Alaska’s Oldest Newspaper which will continue under private ownership. She also founded nome.net, the first ISP in Nome.
Writing and photography was a passion, and she believed strongly in freedom of the press. Nancy received the Alaska Press Club First Amendment Award in 2012: The Alaska Press Club presents its annual Howard Rock/Tom Snapp First Amendment Award to spotlight an individual, group or organization in Alaska that has promoted, defended or preserved one or more of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Nancy enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid bird watcher. Gardening, flowers and especially friends made her happy.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, November 19, at 2pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church here in Nome. A summer celebration of life, tentatively being planned for July, will be announced at a later date.
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Daily Kos: The difference between Progressives and Liberals
Daily Kos: The difference between Progressives and Liberals:
"While liberalism emerged in the Northeast and among the more enlightened industrialists (who believed they were building a better world), a second political movement emerged in the Midwest. There were a number of individuals involved in the birth of the Progressive movement, but I will attempt to explain through the activities of John Dewey and Jane Addams because I know them best and it is easiest for me. Dewey was also a Pragmatist but his perspective was a little different from the one that developed in New England (even though he was originally from Vermont). Dewey developed an approach that has been called Instrumental Pragmatism. He concentrated on the actual problem solving and the way humans lives could be improved by improving their problem solving. The idea that Dewey believed human lives could be improved as a whole, and not just problem to problem, is critical. Dewey also believed that there was no line to be drawn between the philosophical, the political, and education. "
Recently had someone tell me we needed to reclaim the word liberal...
didn't like it when I called myself a progressive.
Spacetaker.org | Culture when you want it.
hey liittle girl...
Daily Kos: The difference between Progressives and...
Copyfight: the politics of IP
Blood on the tracks - The Boston Globe
aynart.com --- kid ornery presents the adding mach...
dialogue - influences obvious
what are you gonna do when the ax falls?
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Live blog: Imam behind NYC Islamic center speaks
Editor's note: The imam who plans to build an Islamic center and mosque a few blocks from New York's ground zero spoke to CNN's Soledad O'Brien on "Larry King Live" Wednesday night. The following is a running log of what Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf discussed.
[Updated, 10:04 p.m.] O'Brien's last question was whether Rauf could unequivocally say that the center would be built at the currently planned location, a few blocks from ground zero.
"We certainly hope to build a Cordoba House vision of a multifaith center that will build relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims," he said.
[Updated, 9:59 p.m.] Rauf was asked about the pastor in Florida who plans to burn Qurans this weekend, on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
"I would plead with him to seriously consider what he is doing. It is going to feed into the radicals in the Muslim world," Rauf said.
He noted that U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus has warned that the burning would endanger U.S. troops overseas.
"It's something which is not right to do on [those] grounds," Rauf said.
"We have freedom of speech, but with freedom comes responsibility. ... This is dangerous for our national security, but also it is the un-Christian thing to do," he added.
[Updated, 9:48 p.m.] When asked if the State Department was correct in saying Hamas is a terrorist organization, Rauf said: "I condemn everyone and anyone who commits acts of terrorism, and Hamas has committed acts of terrorism."
When asked what he thought about the 9/11 hijackers claiming they were doing what they did in the name of Islam, he said:
"That is a travesty. Just as the inquisitors in Spain were committing a travesty [against] the teachings of Jesus Christ. We do have people in our communities who [commit travesties] against Islam."
[Updated, 9:40 p.m.] O'Brien asked about his interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," shortly after the 9/11 attacks, in which he said the United States' policies "were an accessory to the crime."
O'Brien asked twice, but Rauf deflected the question.
"The work we have to do now is not about pointing fingers," he said, as part of his response.
[Updated, 9:32 p.m.] Rauf, the imam at the center of the controversial proposed Islamic community center and mosque in New York, said that "nothing is off the table" when asked whether he would consider moving the site.
"We are consulting ... various people about how to do this so that we negotiate the best and safest option."
[Updated, 9:28 p.m.] Rauf reiterated that the issue about what to do with the center going forward is important for national security.
"If we don't do this right, anger will explode in the Muslim world," Rauf said. "... If we don't handle this crisis correctly, it could become something very dangerous indeed."
He said moving the project to another location would strengthen Islamist radicals' ability to recruit followers and will increase violence against Americans.
He said again that if he knew ahead of time the controversy this would create, he wouldn't have made the plans to build the center at the currently planned site.
[Updated, 9:21 p.m.] Rauf said that if he knew how controversial the project would be, he "never would have done this - not have done something that would create more divisiveness."
However, he said he is convinced he shouldn't move the center now because "our national security now hinges on how we negotiate this, how we speak about it and what we do."
By that, he said, he means that if the controversy forces a move, "it means the radicals … will shape the discourse on both sides."
[Updated, 9:15 p.m.] Asked whether he was surprised by the controversy, Rauf said he was.
He pointed out that news of the plans to build the Islamic center and mosque was published in The New York Times in December, and "no one objected" at the time. He said the issue was politicized later.
[Updated, 9:13 p.m.] Asked why he wanted to build the center on the planned spot, Rauf noted he's already run a mosque about 10 blocks from ground zero for many years.
When asked about the feelings of families of 9/11 victims - such as those who might claim that their relative's remains have yet to be found at the site, Rauf said: "This is not that spot. This is not ground zero proper. No one's body is in that location."
"I'm very sensitive to those feelings," he said. "As an imam - as any religious person does - we have to minister to the pain and hurt ... in our communities. This is part of our intention."
He said he intends to put a 9/11 memorial in the center.
[Updated, 9:07 p.m.] O'Brien asked why Rauf was quiet during the recent uproar while he was overseas. He said wanted to wait until he got back to his home country, America.
"I didn’t think is was appropriate for me to speak about this while I was overseas," he said.
He said people in the Middle East "have been very concerned about this" issue.
"The concerns of people there are about both what this means in the United States, but what this means also for them, because the United States is the only global superpower today, and what happens here has an enormous impact over the rest of the world," he said.
[Original post, 8:54 p.m.] The imam who plans to build a community center and mosque within blocks of New York's ground zero will be interviewed live at 9 p.m. ET on CNN's "Larry King Live."
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf will talk with CNN's Soledad O'Brien about his decision to move ahead with the plan. As the interview happens, this blog post will be updated with portions of what Rauf says.
Opponents of the plan say the center would be too close to the site of the 2001 terror attacks and is an affront to the memory of those who died in the al Qaeda strike. Backers cite, among other things, First Amendment rights and the need to express religious tolerance.
Post by: CNN's Jason Hanna, The CNN Wire
Filed under: Islam • New York • Religion
Soladad clearly HAD HER PERSONAL AGENDA. HER EMOTIONS WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND WAS LOOKING FOR REASON TO PICK A FIGHT. SHE LOOKS THAT SHE IS AFRICAN AMERICAN, IF SHE DOESN'T LIKE TO BE TREATED LIKE A 2ND CLASS CITIZEN THAN WHY SHE IS SINGLING OUT ONE CLASS AND TRYING TO SAY SHE (WHO MIGHT BE A CHRISTIAN) CAN HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS BUT A PERSON WITH MUSLIM FAITH SHOULD BE TREATED AS A 2ND CLASS CITIZEN . DOESN'T SHE UNDERSTAND HOW HURTFUL IT IS WHEN A BLACK PERSON DO SOMETHING WRONG AND EVERY PERSON FROM AFRICAN AMERICAN DESEND ARE MISTREATED AND HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE FOR IT.
IN SHORT SOLADAD COMPLETELY FAILED AS A JOURNALIST IN FRONT OF ME. AND SHE SEEMS TO BE HAVA A RACISIT MOTIVATION.
September 8, 2010 at 10:18 pm | Report abuse |
So if someone burns a copy of Quran, then it endangers the life of Americans, and if the mosque is not allowed at WTC site, then it "would strengthen Islamist radicals' ability to recruit followers and will increase violence against Americans". Why are we infidels even dealing with these crazy people – there is no moderate or radical muslims. They are all muslims and cannot live peacefully along with non-believers. Dangerous times ahead if this situation is not taken care off now.
I agree!!! I dont agree with burning the koran it is disrespectful, however, coming from peoples that burn the flag, teach there children "death to america"
burn dummies of the president and im sure there has been a bible in there somewhere!
I'm guessing teh saudi government wouldn't be too keen about building a catholic church in mecca...I don't know why our president can't grow a backbone...
M Seth
Would there be a ban on walking my pet pig in front of the proposed Islamic center????
I was disappointed with the Imam's answer to 'why build there'? I'm a Muslim and the first thing that comes to mind when asked that question is why link the deranged so-called Muslims who committed these terrorist attacks to the American Muslims?! The Americans who oppose the building of this community center do so on the basis that we were attacked on 9/11 by people who did so in the name of Islam. Do we not have enough reason to understand that those people do not represent ANY Muslims?!?! (except for themselves). I thought the Imam would come out and be clear that why not build there, if we were going to build a church was there going to be that much noise? No, and why? Because Christians had nothing to do with 9/11, well, I have news for you, Muslims had nothing to do with 9/11 either. Please educate yourselves before labeling everyone around you and vilifying a whole people because of the horrific action of a criminal few.
jrt1098
Soledad spent the entire interview trying not to offend Islam, Yet in most Islamic countries she would not be allowed to be doing this interview. It seems this Imam learned the lesson Usama printed in the training manuals found at Tora Bora use the American system against them. Are Christians building churches in Islamic countries.........truly embarrasing interview for CNN
Tom sounds like the first reasonable person on the show today.
islam sucks
john satum you are blind and foolish. You would not be allowed to have a bible in saudi arabia. Wake the heck up! don't believe me? do some research on your own!!!
Mo Beasley
You must not be a christian to say such a thing. Christ would not be happy with you.
You do realize Islam Christianity and Judaism all believe in the same core values and all have origins in the old testament right?
Ann in Virginia
Excellent point, Scott - anyone who goes by "islam sucks" is just ignorant.
Sadly, the world abounds in ignorance. Even more sadly, I imagine the hateful comments "in Jesus' name" would not be acceptable to Jesus - if you believe in Jesus.
September 9, 2010 at 12:07 am | Report abuse |
I Support the Center Location
Soledad showed more respect to the Atlanta Child Murderer than to the Imam. You lost a lot of my respect tonight Soledad. You shouldn't have agreed to do the interview if you couldn't have been unbiased. You Martin Bashired him.
InsertPictureofMohammadHere
Okay, beyond all of the conspiracy theory type stuff (as valid as a lot of it may be)...
Why, WHY, would they ever consider opening this thing on the 10th anniversary of 9/11? Did they really think that would be taken well?
Wake up America . . . . . there is NOTHING GOOD FOR AMERICA AND IT'S CITIZENS IF THIS IMAM IS ALLOWED TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS BLDG . . . . 'CAUSE IT REALLY IS NOT ABOUT A BUILDING . . . . IT'S A IN YOUR FACE WE DESTROYED AND KILLED 3,500 AMERICANS ON THEIR OWN SOIL AND NOW WE ARE TAKING IT FOR OURSELVES.!
OMG – PLEASE PLEASE educate yourself and question the propaganda you're receiving rather and blinding believing. Radical fundamentalist terrorists caused the hurt and devastation of 9/11, NOT MUSLIM PEOPLE!
What is with us? Hear the Imam, where is he threatening.. My God.. People.. Understand.. We did great things for this universe as well as some horrible things that are incomparable in the history of the human being. who gave us the right to create Israel? How about I go to a a neighbor of Arizona and say hey, this is a native American land and get the hell out.. This should be a country like Vatican where all religion people (Christian, Jew and Muslim) should be able to go without any bar. American People are always great, but Govt. did not always live up to the expectation of our founding fathers. I am a Muslim and ask you to please point out where in Quran you see that spread hate. I like to see it here or anywhere.. For the sake of truth, don't gave the fundamentalist more arms to recruit..If 71% are not in favor of this center, that says to a Muslim that their religion is unwelcomed here. How some fundamentalist twist the lesson of God to spread terrorism is there business, but it's our duty specially as Muslim, to show the actual Islam has nothing to do with it.. so, please understand the religion by reading it's book, find out the verify the misleading information.. And you will find this is the religion of peace. I so hope people would read the book before judging the book..
Is there gonna be a problem getting New York union laborers to build this thing? How does the union deal with this?
Oh dear, where did CNN find these people who aren't informed interviewees on such a sensitive and complex subject? With all the respect in the world for those who lost love ones, the debate requires a minimum level of education... A balanced, educated discussion from all sides of the fence could help educate other Americans. I worry that the builder Andy Sullivan, with the crusade ('movement' as he calls it) against Muslims is just fueling more uninformed propaganda. Angry, racist voices are dangerous. Where is the Muslim representation on this panel discussion?
let's see if Soledad can save herself here?
– Cordoba
– Opening date of 9/11/11 (How this one alone doesn't raise every red flag in America is beyond me)
– Shady developer
– Really shady funding sources that no one wants investigated
– Refusing to reconsider location in the face of overwhelming dissent
How are so many Americans still drinking the Kool Aid?
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Global health meet explores future needs
Jan. 26, 2017, 8:37 AM
U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Deborah Birx, M.D., talks with Vanderbilt’s Douglas Heimburger, M.D., at this week’s conference hosted by the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health. (photo by Anne Rayner)
The health of people around the world depends to a large extent on the ability of the global health community to predict what challenges must be met in the future.
That was a theme of a major conference Monday and Tuesday hosted by the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health (VIGH).
“It’s our job now to start asking the questions of tomorrow,” said Ambassador-at-Large Deborah Birx, M.D., U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy, who spoke at the conference.
Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., Executive Vice President for Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and director of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, who moderated a panel of officials from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reinforced the theme of predicting what’s needed tomorrow. “Education is at the heart of it,” she said.
One hundred fifty people from around the world attended the conference at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt, titled “Chronic Consequences of Global Infectious Diseases.”
Among the NIH panelists was Roger Glass, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Fogarty International Center, which has supported several global health training efforts at VIGH.
“One of the best investments we can make in global health research is to invest in young people, especially if they return to leadership positions in their own countries,” Glass said. “The return on investment there is lifelong.”
An example is the multi-billion-dollar investment that the United States has made during the past 14 years in PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, begun under former President George W. Bush.
Today, nearly 11.5 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are receiving life-supporting antiretroviral treatment, nearly 2 million babies have been born HIV-free and 222,000 new health care workers have been trained, according to the 2016 PEPFAR fact sheet.
The laboratories that PEPFAR helped build in countries around the world to help control HIV/AIDS also comprise an “early warning system” for other emerging diseases. “The work we have done over the last 14 years,” Birx said, “has changed the very landscape of disease detection and therefore disease response.”
Vanderbilt has been a model, Birx said, not only in tackling the AIDS epidemic in very difficult parts of the world like Mozambique, but in partnering with community organizations and government officials to tackle the epidemic at home.
Monday’s session ended with a tribute to outgoing VIGH director Sten Vermund, M.D., Ph.D., who will become dean of the Yale School of Public Health next month.
Global Health at Vanderbilt forum set for Sept. 25
Trevathan named director for the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health
Preserving NIH’s Fogarty International Center crucial for global health efforts
VIGH fellowship training program lands NIH renewal
Bill Snyder · (615) 322-4747 ·
Reporter Deborah Birx featured-Reporter HIV/AIDS Jennifer Pietenpol NIH pepfar Reporter Jan 27 2017 Sten Vermund Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health
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16 Year Old’s Gift From Her Grandpa Contained This Decade Old Secret
By Meagan Nantwich, Aug 23, 2018
A Gift To Remember
When Lauren Blank reached her 16th birthday, it wasn’t a big party or fancy car that made it notable. It was the incredible gift that she received from her grandpa, and the decades old secret that it revealed that became the most memorable moment of her life.
The Simmering Excitement
Lauren Blank grew up in Texas surrounded by her loving family. She was always close to her grandfather, but as her 16th birthday party approached, she never expected the surprise he had in store for her. Her excitement built as her birthday crept closer in anticipation of all of the newfound privileges that were in store. Lauren wasn’t one for an ostentatious celebration, so she planned a low key party and only invited her close friends and family.
A Small Town’s Charm
Keller, Texas, where Lauren Blank was born and raised is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth “metroplex” area. The town’s website bills itself as “successfully balancing big-city comforts with small-town charm.” It was in this nourishing environment that Lauren was raised. She always had plenty of opportunities for exploring the outdoors, and grew to be a well rounded, thoughtful young adult. Her family was impressed by her poise and wanted to do something special for her birthday.
The Long Game
Little did Lauren know, or Ren as she prefers to be called, her grandfather had been planning this gift for years, carefully guarding his secret so that not even her parents knew. When Ren opened it, she was in for such a touching surprise that there was not a single dry eye life at the celebration. As much as some people yearn for big gifts like cars, it was this simple plan that ended up meaning the most.
A Valuable Heirloom
When most people think of family heirlooms, they tend to think of precious jewelry that may have been passed down from generation to generation, especially given that it’s often something small and easily portable. Jewelry also doesn’t degrade like most other materials, but it’s exactly that quality that can make other moments from your family’s past all the more valuable. Ren’s grandpa, Ron Petrillo knew just that, and made it his mission to have something to pass on.
A Bond To Celebrate
Ren and her grandfather developed their close relationship when she was just a baby, as Petrillo was her primary caretaker during the day. For three years, between the ages of two years old and five years old, Ren spent every day with her grandfather, rather than going to daycare. The time they spent together was precious for Petrillo and he didn’t want to let the memories fade into the past as he and his granddaughter grew older.
Hidden Measures
Still, Ron Petrillo didn’t want his granddaughter to know how he would be holding on to those memories, not that she could have really understood when she was just a toddler. Though he eventually told her parents about his plan, he knew he had to wait to share his secret until Ren was older, so she could fully grasp the weight of what he had done. It was just a matter of figuring out the most opportune time to let her know.
The Perfect Moment
“I had three dates in mind – I had 16, 21 and then when I was gone,” Ron told Today shortly after giving Ren the gift of a lifetime. “I thought if she was straightened out and [was] being a good person and being nice to people, that was important. So I decided to give it to her on her 16th birthday.” Though he had considered waiting until she was older, he realized it would be nice for them to share this too.
More Than Prepared
At nearly 16 years old, Ren was shaping up to be just the kind of thoughtful adult that Petrillo hoped she would become. He noticed how thoughtful she was, taking note of the goings on around the world, and forming well thought out opinions on them. She expressed herself with a grace and eloquence that he had rarely seen in other’s of her age, and knew that her big, upcoming birthday would be the perfect time to present her with the special present he had in mind.
Working Slowly
Bit by bit, Petrillo began to build his gift for Ren. Each day, he would add a little bit more, stealing away to work on the gift that he knew would eventually change his granddaughter’s life. In the meantime, he and Ren were passing their days goofing around, the toddler entertaining her grandfather just as much as he was entertaining her. Though Petrillo knew he was less likely to forget the beautiful moments they spent together in Ren’s childhood, even his memories would one day fade.
Playing The Long Game
It would be over a decade before Petrillo would finally share with Ren what he had been holding onto since she was two years old. The years he had worked on this project were incredibly meaningful to Petrillo, as it proved to be a deep foundation for their close relationship. Petrillo wanted Ren to know just how much that time had meant to him, while he could still enjoy her sharing that knowledge as well.
A Defining Decision
Several years after he finished his project, Petrillo had a decision to make. When should he gift it to Lauren? He debated with himself for a while, wavering back and forth between giving it to her as a teenager or young adult, or giving it to her mother, whom he would then ask to only share the gift after he had passed on. Though it would have been a poignant gift at any age, Petrillo decided he wanted her to share the gift himself.
Reaching A Milestone
A 16th birthday is often a milestone for many teenagers. It’s symbolic of a newfound freedom that comes with their ability to drive, showing that they have become mature enough to be out on their own. Many girls especially celebrate this milestone by throwing a huge celebration, complete with ball gowns fit for a princess in a fancy party hall. Their friends and family gather to celebrate with them, showing their love with extravagant gifts, while they dance the day away.
Sweet Sixteens are not the only coming of age celebrations that are found around the world. It isn’t entirely clear where the tradition originated, though the Latin quinceñera, which a girl celebrates at 15 is the celebration’s closest cousin. The other possible inspiration for a sweet sixteen may stem from medieval courts of all places, where girls who reached 16 were eligible for marriage, and therefore publicly presented to the rest of the court. That might not be the purpose anymore, but it’s a milestone, nonetheless.
Ways To Celebrate
Another famous coming of age ceremony is the Jewish bar or bat mitzvah, which is celebrated when a boy reaches the age of 13 or a girl reaches the age of 12. It’s a time when children are now considered responsible enough to take on adult religious practices. The Catholic Church has a similar ritual, called confirmation, at which time it is believed that teenagers can better understand more complex ideas about their faith. Ren exemplified the idea of how understanding comes with maturity.
Beyond The Generations
Ren’s bond with her grandfather Ron is certainly unique, though not unheard of. One of the best indicators that a child will be close to their grandparents has to do with how close to one another they live. Though modern technology can help bridge the gap between children and their grandparents who live far away, there is still nothing that can compare to spending time together face to face. Ren was lucky to have a grandpa living so close by.
Easing The Burden
It has become increasingly common as more middle class households are feeling the lingering squeeze of the economic recession that grandparents are a more common solution for childcare. Grandparents who care for their grandchildren generally don’t expect payment for spending time with them. Most even relish the extra time they get to spend building a close relationship with their young grandchildren. Ron Petrillo was no exception to this trend, and it was an immense pleasure to see Ren grow up.
High Anticipation
In March 2017, Lauren Blank was turning 16 years old, and her grandfather, Ron Petrillo decided it was the perfect time to hand over his gift. For her birthday, Lauren received three spiral bound notebooks. The first was labeled, “Lauren Book #1.” The others were labelled, “Book 2” and “Book 3.” Ren looked at the notebooks, puzzled at first as to what they could contain. She would soon find out the secret that her grandfather had kept from her for so many years.
Opening Up The Past
Lauren held the notebooks in her hand, turning each one over, running her hands along the covers and binding before finally opening the first one. She began reading the first line without understanding, noticing that the writing was printed in pen. Though the book was addressed to her, as she flipped through the pages, she still failed to register in those first moments just how profound of a gift she was holding onto. Petrillo’s heart was filled to the brim.
A Ray Of Illumination
Petrillo stood there watching Ren take in all of his hard work. As he saw the realization of just what he had given her creep over her being, it was difficult to continue to hold back everything that he had kept hidden for all of this time. While she slowly read over the first page, Petrillo held his tongue, even as tears of joy threatened to burst forth from each eye. He knew by heart the words Ren was reading.
Holding On To Memories
“Hi Lauren: I’m just starting this so someday you might read it for fun. It’s going to be a day-to-day record of you and me.” Petrillo had been careful to keep track of when he began working on his gift to his granddaughter, knowing that the impact was even bigger if he kept track of the dates he worked too. Lauren read on, as her family watched, each and every one of them overcome by emotion.
Revealing His Secret
Petrillo had begun writing the notebook on February 13, 2003. Ren was only two years old, and as her daily caretaker, Ron Petrillo wanted to keep a record of their time spent together. He thought it might be amusing for her to read about her adorable toddler antics when she was older, but never realized just how meaningful his little project would become. In the end, he managed to fill up three notebooks, one for each year he was caring for her.
More Than She Knew
Petrillo cared for his younger granddaughter until she started kindergarten at five years old, which seemed as good a year as any to stop writing his daily record. Though he still had many distinct memories from those days, there were still many more things that had slipped his mind when he reminded Ren of the days gone by. Ren flipped through the pages, each recalling the good times, not realizing just what she would eventually learn.
How She Laughed
It was only due to the notebook that Lauren was reminded of one of her favorite games from when she was only two years old. They called it the ‘See Ya’ game, whose purpose was for Petrillo to make Lauren laugh as hard as possible by being silly. Lauren shared the story with Today, “He used to do this ‘See Ya’ game, [a]nd he would run into the wall over and over and over and I would die.”
Riding The Alligator
In another poignant story detailed by Petrillo’s meticulous record keeping, he wrote about a time when he took Ren to a store, where she became utterly captivated by the elevator, insisting they ride it up and down. Never mind shopping with a toddler, she was amused simply by going up and down, always asking to go back on what she referred to as the “alligator.” Petrillo, ever fond of his granddaughter, was happy to oblige, and continued riding the “alligator” with her.
Recalling The Best Times
Petrillo’s records had even more hidden gems than Ren had realized. In one entry, he describes yet another of the young Ren’s favorite games. He wrote, “One of your favorite things is for me to push the button on your clock and do my silly dance. When I say ‘Lauren do it,’ you sit in your bed and say ‘papa’ and I keep dancing, falling, running into the wall, turning around like an uncoordinated fat ballerina, and you keep laughing.”
Behind Her Back
Ren couldn’t understand how her grandfather had found the time to work on such intricate record keeping while also keeping such a watchful eye on her. He had never been the sort of caretaker that would sit the young child down in front of the TV so he could focus on other things. Petrillo revealed that he would write their daily activities down while Lauren was taking her afternoon nap, as it was the only quiet moment he had.
The Dwindling Days
As Ren eventually reached school age, the time she spent with her grandfather began to dwindle, so Petrillo decided it was time to stop his record keeping. The notebooks end when Ren was five and had begun kindergarten, which meant she no longer required her grandfather to look after her from day to day. Though he had finished writing when she was only five, he knew he had to wait for the perfect moment to give her such a meaningful record.
Tugging At Her Heart
Once Lauren realized just how much love her grandfather had put into her gift, she was completely overcome by emotion. It was one of the most incredible and thoughtful gifts she had ever received. The more she read through the notebooks, the more memories she discovered that had been long forgotten. In all the pages she read through, there were a couple of entries in particular that stood out to both Lauren Blank and her grandfather.
One of Petrillo’s favorite memories from his days spent with the impressionable, young Ren was their many visits to local zoos. “The rescue zoo — we’d go there every day except Monday, when they were closed,” Petrillo told Today. “And we’d go look at all the stuff, and then I’d buy her every trinket in the gift shop.” For her part, the little Ren was delighted by the animals, and of course couldn’t refuse her grandfather’s countless gifts from their outings.
Ren was so exuberant about the loving keepsake she had received from Petrillo that she rushed to post a picture on her Twitter account. The post quickly went viral, as Ren Blank’s post was retweeted over 160,000 times, and received countless more likes. Ren told reporters that her papa was “one of the most influential people in [her] life,” which is an incredibly high honor for a teenager to bestow on any parental figure at such a formative age.
The Tide Changes
As with anything that goes viral on the internet, even the best intentioned of posts can attract critics. The more Ren and Petrillo’s story spread, the more likely it became that Ren would attract some negative attention. Sure enough, some critics made their way out of the woodwork to claim that Ren was just trying to use her grandfather’s love to become famous. She told the Daily Mail, It wasn’t [about] me being famous, it was about my grandpa’s love for me becoming famous.”
Lingering Effects
Ren shared with Buzzfeed, “I’ve had so much feedback from other kids my age who say they want to get closer to their grandparents. Or, it’s been a real eye-opener for them to appreciate their grandparents while they are still here. I truly don’t think that I will ever have a gift that is greater than this,” she continued. Ren has been filled with gratitude that she’s been able to inspire others to have such a close relationship with their own grandparents.
Following His Footsteps
Petrillo’s gift earned him and his granddaughter several interviews with news outlets as people all over had their hearts warmed by their touching story. Petrillo told Today that if there’s one thing everyone should take away from his gift, is that it’s something anyone can do. “I just want the grandparents that are in their 40s and 50s to know that they can do the same thing,” he said. “If that’s the only thing that comes out of this, then that’s just fine.”
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ESPN Analyst, Heisman Trophy winner and NCAA national football champion
Tim Tebow Videos View All
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About Tim Tebow
TIM TEBOW is a two-time national champion, first round NFL draft pick and Heisman Trophy winner. In addition, he serves as a college football analyst for ESPN. Prior to joining ESPN Tebow played three years in the NFL for the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets. Currently, Tebow is currently pursuing a career in professional baseball as a member of the New York Mets organization.
Tebow is the author of two New York Times Best Selling books; Through My Eyes, which was named the #1 sports ...
Detailed Speaking Fees for Tim Tebow
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Get Warrior Soul essential facts below. View Videos or join the Warrior Soul discussion. Add Warrior Soul to your PopFlock.com topic list for future reference or share this resource on social media.
American alternative metal band
Heavy metal, alternative metal, hard rock
Geffen Records
Space Age Playboys, Cycle Sluts from Hell, Killing Joke, Dirty Rig
Kory Clarke (vocals)
Adam Arling (bass)
Full Throttle (guitar)
Nate Arling (drums)
Pete McClanahan (bass)
John Ricco (guitar)
Paul Ferguson (drums)
Mark Evans (drums)
Alexander "X-Factor" Arundel (guitar)
Chris Moffet (guitar)
Scott Duboys (drums)
Mike McNamara (bass)
Peter Jay (guitar)
Rille Lundell (guitar)
Rob 'Stevo' Stephenson (drums)
Janne Jarvis (bass)
Johnny H (guitar)
Daniel "Danny" Engstrom (Bass)
Sue Gere (bass)
Xevi "Strings" Abellán (guitar)
Johan Lindström (drums)
Christian Kimmett (bass)
Hector D (drums)
Warrior Soul is an American alternative metal band formed by lead singer and producer Kory Clarke. Clarke started the band on a bet from a promoter at New York City's Pyramid Club, after a solo performance art show called "Kory Clarke/Warrior Soul". Clarke was determined he would have the best band in the city within six months. Nine months later he signed to Geffen Records, with a multi album deal.[1]
Kory Clarke originally started in the music scene as a drummer for a number of bands, including Detroit punks L-Seven (not to be confused with the all female Los Angeles band, L7)[1] and Pennsylvania Southern rockers Raging Slab,[2] and a Kim Fowley project called "The Trial".[1] After moving to New York City, Clarke did one-man performance art shows. Although believing rock bands to be less artistic, he was persuaded to reform a band, which he named Warrior Soul after a line in a George S. Patton docudrama.[3]
The band began to play in New York City in 1987, and soon came to the attention of Geffen, who signed the band. Geffen directed Clarke to shed his hired band and get new players. Clarke insisted on keeping Pete McClanahan as his bass player, and recruited guitarist John Ricco and former Killing Joke drummer Paul Ferguson.
In 1990, Warrior Soul released their first album, Last Decade Dead Century. AllMusic reviewer Eduardo Rivadavia compared it to Nirvana's Nevermind, saying that although comparable success eluded Warrior Soul, it explored similar themes. Rivadavia speculated that the nihilism of Nevermind may have resonated more with Generation X.[4]
1991 saw Ferguson replaced on drums by Mark Evans,[5] and the band's second album Drugs, God and the New Republic released, which took their anarchist leanings even further. A nationwide support tour with Queensrÿche (with whom they shared management from the Q Prime agency)[6] followed.
The following year saw the release of the band's third album, 1992's Salutations from the Ghetto Nation, and Clarke's relationship with Geffen sour. Clarke's interviews became increasingly bitter, often focusing on the band's record label, whom he accused of ignoring the group's potential.
Eventually, Clarke resorted to an all-out war, telling all who would listen that the band's fourth release, 1993's Chill Pill had been botched on purpose in order to fulfill the band's contract. The ploy seemed to work, and by early 1994 Warrior Soul were dropped by Geffen.
A number of lineup changes ensued. Longtime guitarist John Ricco was ousted, replaced by two guitarists: Alexander Arundel (aka X-Factor aka Gene Poole ) and Chris Moffet (former Cycle Sluts from Hell lead guitarist). Not long after, Mark Evans and Chris Moffet departed. At that time former Nuclear Assault/Cities/Cycle Sluts from Hell drummer Scott Duboys joined the band. The line-up now consisted of Clarke, Arundel, McClanahan and Duboys. Clarke sought to reinvent Warrior Soul as self-appointed cyberpunks for their fifth album, 1995's The Space Age Playboys, released on the independent Futurist label. At this time adding old friend and collaborator, Peter Jay on Rhythm guitar. While touring in support of the album, Warrior Soul headlined the 1995 Kerrang! U.K. tour, as well as performing at the 1995 Dynamo Open Air festival, and also at the 1995 Donnington Monsters of Rock concert.
After the performance of their last live show in September 1995, Arundel, Duboys, and longtime bassist McClanahan quit the band, leading in short order to Clarke's decision to retire the band later that year.
In 1996, Odds & Ends was released as a collection of demos recorded on an eight-track with Arundel, and leftover material that was originally intended for release on Elektra Records.
The "classic" lineup of Clarke, Ricco, McClanahan, and Evans would later reunite in the studio to re-record twelve of the bands' songs, released on Dream Catcher Records as Classics in 2000. All Warrior Soul albums were remastered and re-released on CD and MP3 in 2006 and 2009, including with bonus material (mostly live songs originally released as b-sides). The first three albums were also re-released on vinyl in 2009.
Clarke says many of their songs are politically based, such as "Blown Away", "Superpower Dreamland", "In Conclusion", and "Children of the Winter." [7] Clarke describes the band's sound as "acid punk", particularly their The Space Age Playboys album.
Drummer Mark Evans was murdered in London, UK in 2005.[8][9]
In 2007 Clarke revived the name, and has been recording and touring with an ever-changing cast of musicians under the "Warrior Soul" name ever since.
Initially setting out on a tour of the U.K., a live album soon followed. 2008 saw the band released a new studio album, initially titled Chinese Democracy (as a dig at the long-delayed Guns 'n Roses release) [10], but quickly renamed Destroy the War Machine.
In 2012, another new lineup released the studio album Stiff Middle Finger co-produced by Sue Gere and Kory Clarke, with Lundell still on guitar but joined by "Johnny H" and Xevi "Strings" Abellán, Danny Engstrom and Sue Gere on bass and drums by Freddie Cocker Kvarnebrink. Former band member John Ricco makes a guest appearance on guitar, as does The Mission guitarist Mark Gemini Thwaite. The band embarked on a month-long European tour in November 2012, followed by a brief tour through the Eastern United States in December. Original bass player Pete McClanahan joined the live lineup for a few months in 2013.[11] Christian Kimmett joined the band on bass in 2013 after McClanahan's departure, and Stevie Pearce joined on guitar a year later. This lineup undertook extensive touring of Europe and the USA over the next three years and released a live album, Tough As Fuck in 2016. 2017 saw the release of a new studio album - Back On The Lash - with yet another new lineup, including the rhythm section from Urge Overkill, Adam & Nate Arling, joined by a guitarist using the name "Full Throttle".
In 2014 Clarke brought out a solo album recorded in Porto, Portugal Payback's A Bitch. Co Producer Andre Indiana and Monica Ferraz on backing vocals make this album very unusual and diverse demonstrating the different sides to Clarke's musical abilities. Rolling Stone Germany gave the album full score.[12]
In addition to his musical output, Kory Clarke is also known for his radical outspoken original paintings.[] He had an art exhibition in Edinburgh, Scotland[] in 2015 and has 3 more art exhibitions in 2016 in Sweden, USA and Italy.[]
On June 25, 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed Warrior Soul among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.[13]
(1990) We Cry Out: 1. We Cry Out (LP Version)
(1990) The Losers
(1991) Hero: 1. Hero (LP version) 2. Twenty Four Hours (previously unreleased) 3. Ghetto Nation (Different from released version)
(1991) The Wasteland: 1. The Wasteland (Censored Version) 2. The Wasteland (LP Version)
(1992) Ghetto Nation: 1. Ghetto Nation (album version) 2. Intro (live) 3. Love Destruction (live) 4. Blown (live)
(1992) Love Destruction
(1995) Space Age Singles: 1. The Drug (edit) 2. I Wanna Get Some (edit) 3. The Drug (album version) 4. I Wanna Get Some (album version)
(1990) Last Decade Dead Century
(1991) Drugs, God and the New Republic
(1992) Salutations from the Ghetto Nation
(1993) Chill Pill
(1994) The Space Age Playboys
(1996) Odds & Ends (also released under the title Fucker in Europe.)
(2000) Classics (Compilation)
(2008) Live in England
(2009) Destroy the War Machine (originally released as Chinese Democracy, also released as ...And We Rock And Roll!)
(2012) Stiff Middle Finger
(2016) 'Tough As Fuck: Live in Athens'
(2017) 'Back On The Lash'
(2019) Rock 'N' Roll Disease
^ a b c Callwood, Brett (August 10, 2011). "Almost Famous: Who the fuck is Kory Clarke?". Metro Times. Retrieved 2018.
^ Huey, Steve. "Raging Slab". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018.
^ Darzin, Daina (April 1990). "Small Soldiers". Spin. Vol. 6 no. 1. p. 16.
^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Warrior Soul: Last Decade Dead Century". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018.
^ Allmusic.com Warrior Soul entry http://www.allmusic.com/artist/warrior-soul-mn0000243197
^ Interview with Kory Clarke
^ Warrior Soul drummer is murdered
^ Report on Mark Evans's murder
^ http://www.eonmusic.co.uk/warrior-soul-kory-clarke-interview-january-2018.html
^ https://warriorsoulbootlegs.wordpress.com/2016/02/06/kory-clarke-pete-mcclanahan-interview-2013/
^ http://www.kory-clarke.com/generic/new-excellent-review-rolling-stone-germany/
^ Rosen, Jody (June 25, 2019). "Here Are Hundreds More Artists Whose Tapes Were Destroyed in the UMG Fire". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019.
Official site for Kory Clarke, Warrior Soul, Mob Research
The Official Warrior Soul Myspace Page
Official Warrior Soul Facebook Page
Audio Interview with Warrior Soul At Hard Rock Hell Festival 2008
Rift warrior souls list + Leveling guide
DORO PESCH _ WARRIOR Soul (+Anuk)
Tamagotchi & Samba Warrior Soul
Warrior Soul - We Cry Out
Warrior Soul - The Losers
Warrior Soul - Lullaby
[ZSnfp.F.R.E.E D.O.W.N.L.O.A.D] Soul Bound: The Warrior (Soul Bound Series Book 1) by Jas T. Ward DOC
Doro - Warrior Soul
TARANTULA WARRIOR SOUL
Ebook Warrior Soul: The Memoir of a Navy Seal Free Read
[PDF] Warrior Sales Monk: Heart Of A Warrior, Soul Of A Monk, Mind Of A Professional Popular Online
warrior-soul-fuck-the-pigs-full-live-version-2011wow
HRH TV - CHAT WITH WARRIOR SOUL @ HARD ROCK HELL 10
Ebook Warrior Sales Monk: Heart Of A Warrior, Soul Of A Monk, Mind Of A Professional Free Online
Read Books Warrior Sales Monk: Heart Of A Warrior, Soul Of A Monk, Mind Of A Professional PDF Free
[Read book] Warrior Sales Monk: Heart Of A Warrior Soul Of A Monk Mind Of A Professional [Download]
Warrior Soul - Downtown
Warrior Soul The Memoir of a Navy SEAL
Dean Partridges Canadian Whitetail - Warrior Soul Part 2
Warrior_Soul
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AC/DC - For Those About To Rock (Live in Rio 1985)
AC/DC - For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) (from Live at River Plate)
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ACDC- For Those About To Rock (with lyrics)
AC/DC - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) (Official Video)
AC/DC - For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) (from No Bull)
AC/DC - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) - 1981
AC/DC - For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)(from Live At Donington)
AC/DC feat Axl Rose - For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) Sep 2 2016 Atlanta
AC/DC - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) (Live Rock In Rio - January 19. 1985) HD
AC/DC - FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK HD - March 9, 2009 Oberhausen, Germany, Black Ice Tour
ACDC (TO THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK) MILITARY TRIBUTE
AC/DC - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
AC/DC - For Those About To Rock Lyrics
AC/DC - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) Dodger Stadium 09.28.2015
AC/DC- For Those About To Rock (High Quality)
AC/DC - FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK - Gelsenkirchen 12.07.2015 ("Rock Or Bust"-Worldtour 2015)
AC/DC and Axl Rose - FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK & Outro HD - Ceres Park, Aarhus, Denmark, June 12, 2016
AC/DC FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK (WE SALUTE YOU) Live, Warsaw, July 25, 2015
AC/DC - For those about to Rock (We salute you) HQ/1080p
For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) Guitar Lesson (Rhythms) - AC/DC
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Impeach the Motherfucker (Part 2: Because It's the Right Thing to Do)
In another one of his self-serving, self-justifying, self-indulgent public appearances, America's tallest dipshit, former FBI director James Comey, was at a New York City event where he was interviewed by MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace. Both Republicans (no, really, look it up), they discussed whether or not Democrats should pursue impeachment charges against President Donald Trump, also a Republican.
Comey said, "I hope that Donald Trump is not removed from office by impeachment because it would let the country off the hook. And it would drive into the fabric of our nation a third of the people believing there was a coup. And we need a moment of inflection, where we all get off the couch and say, 'That is not who we are,' and in a landslide rid ourselves of this attack on our values." Of course, Comey seems to have a faith in the American people that is more than a little misplaced at this point in our sordid history.
Like so many others, Comey seems to think that there would be some kind of uprising by the racists, the rubes, the elderly, the shut-ins, the fucking morons, and the syphilitic lepers who make up Trump's base should Democrats take down Trump. Trump himself asserted as much. "I think that the people would revolt if that happened," he told Reuters yesterday about impeachment.
This is part of a tactic that Republicans use on Democrats all the time. "If you do Thing X, then All These Dumbass Yahoos will be pissed" might as well be a motto for the GOP. Remember how Republicans swore that the Affordable Care Act was supposed to destroy the economy, steal your job, and shoot your dog? Yeah, no. Almost nobody's gonna fuckin' rise up to defend Donald cocksuckin' Trump, no matter how much Sean Hannity weeps and rends his garments. And the couple of people who do try something will crumble when faced with law enforcement. They'll be begging to give blow jobs to the cops arresting them to stay out of jail. It'll just be pathetic. And then hilarious. And then pathetic again. And then, finally, hilarious.
Democrats are also being told that voters will be upset if they just hold hearings and impeach and attack Trump and don't come up with an agenda of their own. Again, that is incredibly naive, like "anal sex means you're still a virgin" naive. First off, Democratic voters are jonesin' for a show of strength from Democrats, and part of that is punishing the bastards who have been shitting all over our nice country for the last two years. As I said before, the chance of 20 Republicans in the Senate joining all the Democrats to vote for Trump's removal from office after an impeachment in the House is about the same as the chance that Saturday Night Live ever really does political satire instead of putting celebrities in funny wigs. But you gotta give red meat to the beast of the base. Impeachment does that very thing.
Besides, Trump is gonna still take up all the media oxygen. It won't matter if Democrats attempt to pass, say, Medicare for All because all our 300 pound sack of spoiled orange marmalade president has to do is tweet out, "I'll wipe my ass with China!" while he's on the shitter, and no one's gonna talk about a bill that also ain't passing the Senate anyways. What Democrats need to do is control the Trump narrative. Hearings leading to an impeachment vote, with, say, Robert Mueller answering questions from Adam Schiff, will go a long way to puncturing Trump's increasingly ineffective ego-thrusts. It will steal attention from him (which will drive him fuckin' nuts).
Look, of course, we need to wait until the depth of Trump's criminality, venality, and immorality is revealed by the tide of investigations rushing in to drown him and his terrible family. Obviously, showing that Trump committed crimes that sold out the national interest for pure greed would strengthen any impeachment efforts. The Clinton impeachment shouldn't be a deterrent. In fact, it should be an encouragement, like "Wait, you mean they did this to Clinton for those bullshit reasons and now you don't want us to do anything for a goddamn mobster? Fuck you. Let's vote."
But, at the end of the day, Democrats should start the impeachment process as soon as practical because it's just the right goddamn thing to do. You can talk about what's "extraordinary" about it, you can say it's "overturning the will of the people," and you can complain that it's a distraction or whatever. Yet impeachment exists in the Constitution for a reason: it's precisely for situations like this where waiting for another election would damage the nation.
It is the responsibility of members of Congress to take down a dangerous president. That is part of your sacred goddamned duty. We shouldn't be questioning starting down the impeachment road. Especially as we learn more and more about how filthy Trump is, we should question why the Republicans refuse to remove him from office.
(Note: Of course, the more direct action is just to arrest the motherfuckers.)
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Dead Poppy
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Canadian professor Donna Strickland first woman to receive Nobel Prize in Physics in 55 years.
And she’s only the third woman to ever win it!
Canada’s Donna Strickland among 3 scientists to win Nobel Prize in physics
By Liam Casey The Canadian Press
A Canadian professor ended a 55-year drought for female physicists today when she was awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize for physics, becoming only the third woman to ever win it.
Donna Strickland of the University of Waterloo in Ontario won part of the US $1.01 million prize, which she shared with Arthur Ashkin of the United States and Gerard Mourou of France.
Sweden’s Royal Academy of Sciences, which chose the winners, said Strickland and Mourou will receive a quarter of the prize each for their work “generating high-intensity, ultra-short optical pulses,” which have become a critical part of corrective eye surgeries amongst other uses.
The academy said their 1985 article on the technique – called chirped pulse amplification or CPA – was “revolutionary.”
The Guelph-born Strickland, who graduated from McMaster University’s physics program in 1991 and is now an associate professor at Waterloo, told the academy she was left in disbelief when she got the call from Stockholm notifying her of the win, saying she thought it was “crazy.”
She became emotional when told she was only the third woman to have won the physics prize – the first being Marie Curie in 1903, while Maria Goeppert Mayer won in 1963.
“Obviously, we need to celebrate women physicists because we’re out there and hopefully in time it will start to move forward at a faster rate maybe,” she said. “I don’t know what to say. I’m honoured to be one of those women.”
The University of Waterloo issued its congratulations to Strickland on Tuesday morning.
✔@UWaterloo
Congratulations to Dr. Donna Strickland, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at #UWaterloo, is one of three scientists to win this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics. She is the first woman to receive this award in 55 years. #NobelPrize #UWaterlooProud
The Nobel Prize
✔@NobelPrize
“We scientists like to puzzle as to why something is working.”
Donna Strickland never worked as hard or had as much fun as when she was performing the research that led her to the 2018 #NobelPrize in Physics.
A 2011 profile on the University of Waterloo web site says Strickland described herself as a “laser jock” who enjoyed the competitive rush, and was working on creating the shortest laser pulse with the biggest punch.
Mourou had been Strickland’s PhD supervisor and said he was thrilled at the win.
“I am very, very happy to share this distinction with my former student Donna Strickland and also to share it with Art Ashkin, for whom I have a lot of respect,” he said in a video released by France’s Polytechnique school, where he is professor.
“With the technology we have developed, laser power has been increased about a million times, maybe even a billion.”
Ashkin, of Bell Laboratories in New Jersey, developed “optical tweezers” that can grab tiny particles such as viruses without damaging them.
Last year’s physics prize went to three Americans who used abstruse theory and ingenious equipment design to detect the faint ripples in the universe called gravitational waves.
© 2018 The Canadian Press
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Board index » NEWS AND CURRENT EVENTS (Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in) » CELEBRITY NEWS AND GOSSIP
SNIPPETS OF NEWS/GOSSIP (Not worth a separate thread)
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Post subject: Re: SNIPPETS OF NEWS/GOSSIP (Not worth a separate thread)
Rock'n'roll legend Leon Russell dies at 74
Leon Russell, an America rock'n'roll hall of famer, died in his sleep at the age of 74 in Nashville, Tennessee.
He was famed for his "gospel-infused southern boogie piano rock, blues, and country music", his website says.
Russell played anonymously as a studio pianist in the 1960s before his breakthrough in the 1970s.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. Elton John has called him his "biggest influence as a piano player, a singer and a songwriter".
Music world pays tribute to Greg Lake of 1970s prog rock icons Emerson, Lake & Palmer after he dies from cancer aged 69
Lake passed away yesterday after a long 'stubborn' battle with cancer
News comes nine months after his bandmate Keith Emerson died
Lake was known as one of the founding fathers of progressive rock
By Alex Matthews For Mailonline
Published: 23:41 +11:00, 8 December 2016 | Updated: 04:10 +11:00, 9 December 2016
Greg Lake of progressive rock icons Emerson, Lake and Palmer has died aged 69.
Lake passed away yesterday after a 'long and stubborn battle with cancer', announced his manager Stewart Young.
His death comes just nine months after the death of his bandmate, Keith Emerson.
....more at link
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z4SGdRlQi9
WKC
This was a true musician. Sorry he is gone.
The most fundamental and major decision that you have to make in your life is this: Do I live in a friendly or a hostile universe? Which is it?
I was attracted to "King Crimson"... then ELP... Greg Lake's, voice a feature of both.
I have posted a few songs in the "Listening" Thread
John Glenn dead at 95
Posted 3:22 pm, December 8, 2016, by CNN Wire and Web Staff, Updated at 03:27PM, December 8, 2016
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn has died, according to the Columbus Dispatch. He was 95.
Glenn was hospitalized “more than a week ago,” according to Ohio State University spokesman Hank Wilson.
Glenn had heart valve replacement surgery in 2014.
He became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962.
http://myfox8.com/2016/12/08/john-glenn-dead-at-95/
FOX did an amazing write-up on him. Enjoyed reading it.
What a wonderful and long life John Glenn experienced.
/salute
Zsa Zsa Gabor Dead: Hungarian Actress and Socialite Dies at 99
By Nicholas Hautman
Zsa Zsa Gabor died of heart failure on Sunday, December 18, a family friend confirms to Us Weekly. She was 99.
The Hungarian actress and socialite's longtime publicist Ed Lozzi told Variety she died in her Bel Air mansion and had been on life support for five years.
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-new ... 99-w456646
Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2016 11:56 am
Status Quo's Rick Parfitt dies aged 68
By Nick Serpell | BBC News | December 24, 2016
Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt has died in hospital in Spain aged 68, his manager has said.
He died from a severe infection after being admitted to hospital on Thursday following complications to a shoulder injury.
Parfitt had been due to launch a solo career with an album and autobiography planned for 2017.
He has suffered a series of health problems including having to undergo a quadruple heart bypass in 1997.
In October, the musician said he would no longer be performing with his band after suffering from a heart attack in the summer.
Rick is survived by his wife Lyndsay, their twins Tommy and Lily and Rick's adult children Rick Jnr and Harry, a statement from the family said.
More at link: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38427459
Last edited by Molly on Thu Jan 19, 2017 1:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
George Michael: Pop superstar dies at 53
Singer George Michael has died at the age of 53, his publicist has said.
The star, who launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and continued his success as a solo performer, is said to have "passed away peacefully at home" in Goring, Oxfordshire.
Thames Valley Police say they are treating the death as unexplained but there were no suspicious circumstances.
His former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley said he was "heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend".
Carrie Fisher Dead at 60
12/27/2016 9:52 AM PST
Carrie Fisher died Tuesday morning ... days after suffering a massive heart attack on board a flight from London to LAX ... a family spokesperson has confirmed.
TMZ broke the story ... Fisher was on a flight from London to LAX Friday when she suffered the heart attack 15 minutes before landing. People on the plane tell TMZ she appeared lifeless.
A passenger who's an EMT performed CPR on Carrie and once the flight landed, paramedics rushed her to UCLA Medical Center where she remained in intensive care until her death.
The family had said she was in "stable condition" but we're told she was not responsive after her medical emergency.
http://www.tmz.com/2016/12/27/carrie-fisher-dead/
Debbie Reynolds dies, aged 84, one day after daughter Carrie Fisher
Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds has died aged 84, just one day after the death of her daughter, famed actor and author Carrie Fisher.
Her death was confirmed to the Associated Press by her son, Todd Fisher. He told Variety: “She wanted to be with Carrie.”
Reynolds’ death caps a tragic week for her family. On Friday, Fisher reportedly suffered a heart attack on a flight from London to Los Angeles. Reynolds posted on her Facebook page that Fisher was in stable condition on Christmas Day. Fisher died two days later.
Reynolds died just hours after she was taken to Cedars Sinai Medical Center from her son’s house in Beverly Hills on Wednesday afternoon.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/d ... her-mother
Mary Tyler Moore, beloved TV actress, dies at 80
By Lisa France, CNN
Updated 2033 GMT (0433 HKT) January 25, 2017
(CNN) Actress Mary Tyler Moore, whose eponymous 1970s series helped usher in a new era for women on television, died Wednesday at the age of 80, her longtime representative Mara Buxbaum said.
"Today beloved icon Mary Tyler Moore passed away at the age of 80 in the company of friends and her loving husband of over 33 years, Dr. S. Robert Levine," she said. "A groundbreaking actress, producer, and passionate advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Mary will be remembered as a fearless visionary who turned the world on with her smile."
"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" debuted in 1970 and starred the actress as Mary Richards, a single 30-something career woman at a Minneapolis TV station. The series was hailed by feminists and fans alike as the first modern woman's sitcom.
But that wasn't the role which catapulted her into stardom.
Moore first found fame playing Laura Petrie, the wife on the "The Dick Van Dyke Show," which ran for five seasons beginning in 1961.
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/25/enter ... index.html
Farewell to a Hollywood legend: Sir John Hurt, who starred in The Elephant Man and Harry Potter, dies aged 77 after a battle with cancer as tributes pour in to 'the most gentlemanly of gentlemen'
Elephant Man star, 77, had acclaimed career that spanned more than six decades
He beat pancreatic cancer in 2015, but continued to suffer from health problems
Actor was infamous for his wild lifestyle in earlier years and married four times
Turned to drink after watching partner of 16 years die in a horse-riding accident
His wife, Anwen, paid tribute to a 'gentlemanly' man with the 'greatest of hearts'
Tributes for the actor poured in from Mel Brooks, Elijah Woods, Bonnie Wright, Chris Evans, Stephen Colbert and Stephen Fry
By Rachael Burford and Jj Nattrass and James Dunn and Anthony Joseph for MailOnline and Jessica Chia For Dailymail.com
Published: 12:05 +11:00, 28 January 2017 | Updated: 04:09 +11:00, 29 January 2017
Sir John Hurt, who won Oscar nominations for the Elephant Man and captured the hearts of millions for his roles in Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, has died.
The star, one of Britain's most treasured actors, died aged 77 at his home in Norfolk after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, it was revealed today.
His widow, Anwen Hurt, today said it will be 'a strange world' with out the actor, whose death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the showbusiness industry, with director Mel Brooks and J K Rowling among those paying tribute.
Mrs Hurt added: 'John was the most sublime of actors and the most gentlemanly of gentlemen with the greatest of hearts and the most generosity of spirit. He touched all our lives with joy and magic and it will be a strange world without him.'
Sir John was well known for roles including Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant, the title role in The Elephant Man and wand merchant Mr Ollivander in the Harry Potter films.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ed-77.html
Fox News Channel's Alan Colmes Dies at Age 66
By FOX NEWS | February 23, 2017, 9:26AM
Fox News Channel's Alan Colmes has passed away at age 66 after a brief illness.
Colmes leaves behind his wife, Jocelyn Crowley, who issued the following statement:
Alan Colmes passed away this morning after a brief illness. He was 66-years-old. He leaves his adoring and devoted wife, Jocelyn Elise Crowley. He was a great guy, brilliant, hysterical, and moral. He was fiercely loyal, and the only thing he loved more than his work was his life with Jocelyn. He will be missed. The family has asked for privacy during this very difficult time.
Bill Hemmer announced the sad news this morning on "America's Newsroom," which then aired a tribute package from Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity, his former co-host on "Hannity & Colmes."
In a statement this morning, Hannity called Alan Colmes "one of life's most decent, kind and wonderful people you'd ever want to meet."
More at link: http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/02/23/a ... es-dies-66
Biting my tongue.. but I can't resist saying..... good riddance!
He was a Lying asshole and left wing propagandist
I wonder if he repented on his death-bed?
Renounce George Soros and all his works.
Fox news (and the universe) just got a tiny bit MORE "fair and balanced"... removing activist Libtards one at a time.
Larry McMurtry selling typewriters used for 'Lonesome Dove'
By The Associated Press | February 2, 2017
DALLAS (AP) — Larry McMurtry is selling the two typewriters he used to write his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "Lonesome Dove."
Heritage Auctions is offering up the typewriters in New York City next week. The Dallas-based auction house expects them to sell Wednesday for about $20,000.
McMurtry told The Associated Press he "just decided that it would be fun" to sell them at auction, "and I actually have too many typewriters."
The author and screenwriter said he still writes on a typewriter and has about 15 of them.
While writing "Lonesome Dove," a tale of a cattle drive in the 1870s, he kept one typewriter in his hometown of Archer City, Texas, and the other in Washington, D.C. The 80-year-old now splits his time between Tucson, Arizona, and Archer City.
Source: https://apnews.com/0c7e6520630f4c4ba66556f0d83a83f5
Interesting tidbit...
Belated Obituary... a "celeb" from my youth.....
Musician Ray Columbus has died at 74 video
SIMON DAY, MIKE ALEXANDER AND DAVID GADD
Last updated 20:44, November 29 2016
Ray Columbus and the Invaders played from 1964-1966.
Legendary rocker Ray Columbus has died. He was 74.
According to a release from Columbus' agent, the 60s icon died "peacefully at his home north of Auckland on Tuesday after a four year battle with ill health."
He was the first Kiwi to record an overseas number 1 single, gave the world a signature dance move, and mentored a host of successful local entertainers.
Columbus leaves behind two children, three grandchildren and his loving wife Linda.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/mu ... pp-android
Chuck Berry, Rock & Roll Innovator, Dead at 90
Police reported that they attempted to revive the guitar player and singer-songwriter but that he was unresponsive
By David Browne
Chuck Berry, whose rollicking songs, springy guitar riffs and onstage duck walk defined rock & roll during its early years and for decades to come, died on Saturday. The St. Charles County Police Department confirmed the news on Facebook. Berry was 90 years old.
"St. Charles County police responded to a medical emergency on Buckner Road at approximately 12:40 p.m. today (Saturday, March 18)," the Facebook post reads. "Inside the home, first responders observed an unresponsive man and immediately administered lifesaving techniques. Unfortunately, the 90-year-old man could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at 1:26 p.m." It went on to confirm that the man was Berry and added that his family was requesting privacy at this time.
While the exact cause of death is currently unknown, Berry's son, Charles Jr., recently told Rolling Stone that he had suffered a bout of pneumonia. "Now what i can say is he's a 90-year-old man," he said. "And like most 90-year-old men, he has good days and he has bad days. In the not too distant past, he had a bout with pneumonia. He's recovering, but it's a much slower process for him to recover
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... dead-at-90
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Boulder’s Climate Researchers Wary Of White House Budget, Paris Accord Exit
August 13, 2017 June 8, 2017 by savepa
The alpine Niwot Ridge research site, about 21 miles west of Boulder, is one of about 100 NOAA sites around the globe that tracks carbon dioxide levels. The Colorado data is one of the longest sets, stretching back 50 years.
Grace Hood/CPR News
For decades, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has depended on a small but dedicated group of people to collect carbon dioxide data.
Long-term CO2 data is the scientific backbone for international climate change research. Global air monitoring has become a steady drumbeat in a world where federal policy in the Trump administration can shift as quickly as the wind.
NOAA pulls samples from about 100 sites around the world and Colorado’s contribution to the effort is the Niwot Ridge Long Term Ecological Research site, found in the mountains about 21-miles west of Boulder. The weekly sample collection at 11,500 feet is surprisingly low-tech.
Climate Technician Jen Morse’s work is partly funded by NOAA, which owns the data. Morse herself works for the University of Colorado Boulder, which runs the Niwot Ridge research site.
“Any day up on top of the mountain is better than a day at your desk. Even if you can’t feel your fingers,” said climatologist Jen Morse, as she strides over the icy tundra of Niwot Ridge in 30 mile per hour winds.
“We know that CO2 is going up because of sites like this,” Morse said. “And there’s sites like this all over the world.”
Carbon dioxide varied at levels below 280 parts per million for hundreds of thousands of years. But that number began to rise with the industrial revolution. In 2016, the global average was above 402 parts per million. It’s the direct result of burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas into the atmosphere. All those heat trapping gasses are making the planet warmer. Colorado’s temperatures on the Front Range have already increased 2 degrees between 1977 and 2006. Three out of five hottest years on record are between 2012 and 2016.
The test site on Niwot Ridge is a small shack the size of a one-car garage. Inside, Morse pulls two glass flasks from the wall and attaches them to a special air intake machine.
Climate Technician Jen Morse skis, hikes or drives a snowcat every week to collect air samples for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. One of the most challenging parts of Morse’s job is skiing down with glass flasks and other heavy equipment.
“This is kind of the magic. These guys,” Morse said of the fragile pair of bottles. Having two is important because scientists need to monitor samples for variability. They watch those numbers closely.
Morse writes down when the sample was taken. And other facts like wind speed and temperature.
“And then we have our sample. And the only thing we have to do is not fall and break it as we ski back down.”
How Many Federal Employees Are In Colorado?
NOAA depends on paid workers like Morse (her job is the result of a partnership between the University of Colorado Boulder and NOAA) and volunteers to gather carbon dioxide data for its Boulder-based Global Monitoring Division. For years, NOAA has kept a lean budget by nourishing partnerships with places like CU. In fact, it’s the university that manages the Niwot Ridge research station.
President Donald Trump has proposed a dramatic 22 percent cut to the NOAA budget. If realized, it would impact universities like CU and research initiatives like the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research.
“Most of us never thought we would see a time when basic monitoring would be something that could be on the table in terms of cuts,” said Jim White, the director of INSTAAR.
White said their role is to find out how much CO2 and methane are in the atmosphere — and describe the changes. Between White and the head of NOAA’s Global Monitoring Division, both have said their budgets have been on a diet for years. Millions in cuts could mean taking away measurements, or firing workers.
“If we take a big cut, it’s people. People have to go, and those are the tough ones,” said Jim Butler, director of NOAA’s Global Monitoring Division. “This organization is like a family.”
Physical Scientist Pat Lang has measured air flasks, including carbon dioxide samples, for three decades. “These are from Mongolia, Argentina and Alaska. They come from all around the world,” she said of the samples being fed into an infrared testing machine.
One of those family members, and a steady presence at NOAA’s Boulder processing lab for CO2 samples, is physical scientist Pat Lang.
She’s been doing this work for three decades. As a carousel feeds glass bottle air samples through the infrared test machine Lang points out that the samples are “from Mongolia, Argentina and Alaska. They come from all around the world.”
A Frigid Colorado Archive On Climate Change Faces An Uncertain Future
The Niwot Ridge samples Jen Morse took amount to about 410 ppm. The values are preliminary until quality control steps are complete. Another NOAA department dedicates effort to ensure samples taken across the world are taken according to the same standards.
NOAA’s Carbon Cycle Research Group in Boulder has its finger on the pulse of carbon dioxide emissions across the world. Pieter Tans, the group’s director, said the bottom line is that “collectively we humans are overwhelming natural systems.”
“This is risky business,” he said.
Right now half of carbon emissions are absorbed by land vegetation and the ocean, Tans said. The other half is accumulating in the atmosphere. He doesn’t know how long that will continue. Tans’ sense of urgency was reflected in the Paris Climate Accord.
“They have to go to zero these emissions. We have to fully decarbonize our energy system,” he said. “Now you can say, ‘wow that’s a lot of money. That’s going to be expensive.’ No, actually it’s a great thing. Because you’re talking about a lot of jobs.”
President Donald Trump sees a different picture. He stated that the Paris agreement would have cost the United States millions of jobs.
“This includes 440,000 fewer manufacturing jobs. Not what we need. Believe me, this is not what we need,” the president said from the White House Rose Garden, announcing his plan to pull out of the accord.
Environmental groups dispute Trump’s numbers.
The president largely framed his remarks in economic terms. More difficult to pin down are his current views on climate change. In 2012, Trump tweeted that global warming was a concept created by the Chinese to damage U.S. manufacturing. But after the election in 2016, he softened that view, saying there’s connectivity between human activities and climate change.
Niwot Ridge is an alpine tundra and subalpine forest site located approximately 21 miles west of Boulder, Colo.
Recent events have been a lot to take in for Jen Morse. Up on Niwot Ridge, the barren landscape above treeline is as remote as it gets from Washington D.C.
“Basically, we’re talking about physics. He’s almost saying ‘I don’t believe in physics,’” Morse said.
People accept the facts behind how cars and TVs work every day. So why are they reluctant to accept the explanation of what happens when large amounts of carbon dioxide are pumped into the atmosphere?
“If we just have someone in office that wants to say whatever he wants to say for four years, it’s not great. But it’s not going to change the view what I do or the way I view the science,” said Morse.
The fruits of her labor will populate just one week out of 52 in 2017 for NOAA’s Niwot Ridge monitoring station. When the next week rolls around, she’ll trek back up the mountain to do it all over again.
Categories Budget cuts, Climate change, Colorado, Federal workforce, Science Post navigation
Talking Colorado Climate Change: Rising Temps, Shorter Ski Seasons And Possibly More Air Turbulence
Summertime – and the climate is heating
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Pit and Chamber
Dive and Danceclub
Gallery Guide
Highrise and Hill
Exquisite Corpses
Psychopompous
Nicole Buffett in West Seattle
By T.s. Flock
To write in earnest about an artist’s work, one tends to write as if the audience will also see the works at some point—to even inspire the reader to seek out the works. It is thus dreadfully difficult to discuss Nicole Buffett’s latest series of works because very few people in Seattle will have the chance to see them. All the same, I almost wish that there were more occasions like this, because it was a splendid gathering of people.
But now I’m really just rubbing it in.
The crowd on the night of the opening. Nicole Buffett converses with Jiawen Shi on the left.
Artist Nicole Buffett uses mixed media—mostly natural materials—suspended in resin to create large, abstract works. For six weeks this spring, she worked at a feverish pace to complete several dozen pieces in a work space in West Seattle owned by the Frye Foundation. All of these works will go to Beijing in July, and probably find homes there, but for one night entrepreneur Scott Daggatt gathered members of the arts community to enjoy the fruits of Buffett’s massive labor. Daggatt remarked cordially that the beauty of such an event is that it “is not an ask.” There was nothing to buy, no cause to support; the only thing to spend was one’s time in conversation. In the end, the event was less an opening than a salon, wherein the discussion was inspired by the works, their origins, and their destination. I’d like to touch on all of these things, for even if you can’t enjoy the works before they are shipped to Asia, the dialog that they inspire should still happen here in Seattle.
The world knows China as an exporter, not an importer, and the infamous Great Firewall of China (officially known as The Golden Shield Project) makes clear that even immaterial, informational imports do not easily enter its borders. Hence, the very act of sending a new collection of art to China is compelling in itself. There is little understanding between the populations of China and America, despite how inextricably bound their economies are. This is improving as exchange in business and the arts inspires more dialog, but there often seems to be more speculation than fact and more fear than curiosity. Artists have the advantage of showing rather than telling, which allows them to be more emotionally and spiritually generous than pundits and analysts. Buffett’s work ends up reading almost like a love letter to China, and a beautiful one at that. Still, there is no denying that the courtship between the countries shall be an uneasy one.
It seems that, to many Americans, China is not so much a country as it is a concept, and a very muddled one at that. Familiarity with China is limited to cheap and greasy noodles, the ubiquitous “Made in China” stamped on items throughout the average American home, and the sentiment that Chinese exports are all of inferior quality, but inescapable. Especially in our austere times, there is a prevailing sense that one either goes cheap, or goes without. Hence, the concept of China is deeply bound in the fabric of American consumerism and domesticity. China furnishes America. Meanwhile, China remains exotic; according to some, it is a place where people eat all manner of roots and bugs and antlers and god-knows-what, a place that is loud and polluted and hostile, a place where people communicate by screaming and spitting, a Communist place. China frightens America. It is at once the familiar Cuddly Panda, and the fierce Red Dragon.
What is clear to most everyone is that the fate of the humanity shall be decided collectively, and China is a large and influential portion of earth’s nearly 7 billion humans. Many concerns are registered about this, especially regarding the industrial havoc that has poisoned the environment and the citizens of China, as if such havoc is a Chinese invention. The well-documented history of America’s industrial adolescence says otherwise, and anyone in an industrial or mining town knows that we’ve yet to fully mitigate the environmental costs of rapid progress and production—far from it. The fact is, most people will see only their tiny portion of the life of their goods in the supply chain, and the producers prefer it that way. Consumers won’t see the rust and rot of the machines that produce the goods, nor will they see the mountains of garbage that are unfortunately far more durable than the broken and soiled ephemera of which they are composed. Many developed countries pay well to ensure that their citizens don’t need to confront such material consequences; they pay to ship it back to China.
The irony of this reality has not been lost on cultural critics; America has become known to some as an exporter (sometimes by force) of culture, of democratic ideals and the American Dream, of Hollywood and rock and roll, of consumerism. And what could be a more symbolic export of consumerism than the exhausted and obsolete waste of it, shipped back whence it came? There is much to be discussed, much cause for concern regarding this, and others are addressing it quite well. (For instance, see the work of Edward Burtynsky, especially as featured in the documentary Manufactured Landscapes.) Regarding Buffett’s work, we have a chance to examine the flipside of these issues: the beauty of one export (an art collection) to China, and even the dogma surrounding our fear of ecological irresponsibility and the soundness of our species. Above all, we must admit that China and America are bound by consumption and that as time passes the resemblances between the two countries grow. On both sides, anxiety about the other country (or the concept of the other country) is at its core a confrontation with the shadow of one’s own culture. It is in this loaded context that I would like to examine Buffett’s works.
The Origins
For this collection, Buffett used materials collected from Chinese grocers and apothecaries and applied much of it through sifting and pouring. Buffet refers to them as paintings, and I wholly agree with her usage of the word; there is no paint to be discerned, but not long ago paints were—just like Buffett’s materials—mineral and organic powders suspended in oil or some other medium, whose colors were as fugitive as they were natural, unfortunately. Layers of ginseng powder, swirls of kaolin, mushrooms and herbs frozen in clear plastic provided a delicious, earthy palette that will not soon fade. Artist Anna Skibska astutely remarked that they reminded her of ice puddles encasing humus and detritus. On the tables dotting the room, rounded shards of plastic impregnated with dust (by-products of Buffett’s process) indeed looked like what one might find at a stream’s edge in winter.
To produce a painting, Buffett creates layer after layer of carefully poured epoxy and ingredients. The latter must sit for extended periods to ensure that they fully embed and their pigments fully imbue the medium. The final products achieve an illusion of depth greater than the actual thickness of the panel. Some seem to rise from the depths with astounding dimensionality. Others transform portions of the white backing into what seem to be light sources, stars shining from within an umber nebula.
Buffett herself said that she hopes that viewers will focus on the natural aspects and aesthetic of the work, and I hope the same. More specifically, I hope that it will expand viewers’ understanding of what is and is not “natural,” despite—or perhaps because of—a distinctly industrial sensibility in the works. It is not just the highly polished, clear epoxy surfaces, but also the ultimate effect of the natural ingredients. Layered swirls and diffusions of rust-colored material—sometimes overlaying clean, intentional lines—resembled snapshots of urban and industrial decay: the walls of an abandoned factory, a polluted stream. However, this did not make them any less appealing, for here was reproduced the novel beauty of such things, which is unsurprisingly overlooked elsewhere because they are poisonous and repellant. In this regard, they recall the works of artist Eric Adrian Lee, but Lee uses the unrestrained palette of consumerism to create more literal, industrial surfaces, which explore the melancholic beauty of anonymous ruins. Buffett’s work is more abstracted and uses a restrained palette to create a specific sociocultural resonance. Both artists perform alchemy with their materials, and the transformation is especially interesting in Buffett’s work because we understand that these ingredients are beneficial. A star anise becomes a boil of tar or bitumen. Powdered roots become rust or something more sinister oozing beneath a smooth veneer. All of the works are visually arresting, and the skillful blending of materials gives each piece a unique character and narrative.
One could stop here and remain content with the aesthetic merits of the works, but from some these works will draw considerable discussion of manufacture and nature. There was much to reflect upon in the murk lurking just beneath those glossy surfaces.
The viewer’s focus will always be limited: On the surface of the paintings one can see a trace of one’s own reflection, as in a desilvered mirror, but one cannot simultaneously see the surface and the substances contained therein. In kind, one cannot perceive simultaneously an image of industrial decay—destruction through nature—and the homeopathic ingredients—healing through nature. Here one finds that distinctly Eastern philosophical simultaneity of destruction and creation, the observation of which is influenced by one’s subjective position. In this sense, it is again appropriate to regard the paintings as nebulae, the remains of great astral catastrophes and the birthplace of new stars. Furthermore, the viewer’s visible reflection might yield another intellectual approach to the work.
The human body is of the earth itself and influenced by everything that it absorbs, but one symptom of modernity is the sense that humans have somehow extracted themselves from nature and that their actions are unnatural. Much like raw materials and finished goods, there is little resemblance between food and our own bodies (though the ancients didn’t think so). Buffett’s paintings illustrate this alienation of the self from the material, rendering unrecognizable and mysterious many of the ingredients used to create them. One may easily forget that all of these things are of essentially the same stuff and, despite all our ingenuity and the mystery of our own making, humans are natural animals; we’re just highly adaptable, relatively clever, and therefore terribly invasive animals. On the one hand, we should not feel superior or entitled. On the other hand, any misanthropy is essentially anthropocentric and counterproductive.
Verily, Nature writ large includes humanity and all of human invention, even the things we consider most unnatural. Seeing the ruins of ancient structures and modern machines affirms this, as nature reclaims the materials through inexorable entropy. Nothing is permanent, not even Styrofoam and nuclear fallout, not even Buffett’s work, though it in a way appears both ancient and newly minted, and, for that matter, immortal. I am not an apologist for unthinking, destructive behavior to satisfy short term desires. I am also not suggesting that words such as “synthetic” and “unnatural” are altogether misleading; they make necessary distinctions. Rather, I would like to correct the rhetoric of individuals who become misanthropic and consider unnatural our tendency to spoil the health and happiness of others through laziness and apathy. The trouble is that such behavior is all too natural, something we should hope to transcend, and this hope is perhaps the central germ of art.
Despite the reflected ceiling lights, one can see how profoundly Buffett has achieved the illusion of depth in this piece.
Allow me to provide another, slightly more digressive thought based on Buffett’s use of homeopathic materials. Health and the restoration of the body have always transfixed humans. In the earth, our ancestors saw a great, murky mirror of their bodies and behavior—a macrocosm reflecting the microcosm. Animals were allegory for human virtue and error; sympathetic magic relied on the notion that plant and animal parts that resembled the organs (or even the human body, as with mandrakes) healed that which they resembled. Even then, it was understood that a little went a long way, and excess was toxic.
These superficial superstitions have been dismissed as quackery (often rightly so), but we are learning now that some homeopathic remedies display surprising efficacy. We are also learning that we have not mastered our destructive love of excess—the belief that there is never too much of a good thing. Certainly, homeopathic remedies are disturbingly earthy, part of the same untrustworthy world that makes humans vulnerable in the first place. It is no surprise that in the last century, when man’s supremacy seemed almost absolute, new pills captured the imagination of the public. Now we can’t get enough. Modern medicines, candy-colored and smooth and shiny as the machines that spit them out, sealed and compartmentalized, designed to fix all of nature’s mistakes, are about as perfect a metaphor for the modern ideal as could ever exist. Our medications are like silver bullets, missiles, spacecraft, pure modern magic that disappear into the body and do their work, leaving no trace. (This is at least implied, though we know that they do leave a trace—one so durable that our water supplies are now laced with the excreted prescriptions of others.)
Perhaps I’ll be the only one who sees it, but standing before Buffett’s paintings, I could not help but feel that I was looking at perfectly apt representations of our ambiguous social and cultural state. Destruction and creation; natural and synthetic media; East and West; restraint and excess; all coalesced in these ancient, exotic remedies in space age-packaging, ready to be shipped back whence they came. Of course, these remedies would be a tad hard to swallow, but the truth often is. And though the future is terribly uncertain, even sinister (Ah! Perhaps they were paintings of a gathering storm!), and though there is much to consider and much of concern (ecological nightmares, dehumanization, culture clash), one thing is clear, and one thing is quite manifest in the works of Nicole Buffett:
We’re in this together, and that could be a very good thing.
Changjun Kim
In my case, I fell in love with Nicole’s works at first sight and then I was so taken with Nicole’s great personality. She is real young hotshot.
http://www.facebook.com/joyce.gehl Joyce Gehl
astounding. Your story inspired me to go to her web site to try to find out where I can see the work in person. Sadly, no shows coming up in Seattle.
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “Next Step” 2013
Northwest New Works 2013: Week Two, Main Stage
Primer: Saint Genet’s “Paradisiacal Rites” at On the Boards
Butoh: The Dance of the Living Dead
Annie Bissett: LOADED at Cullom Gallery
Centennial Woman: A Toko Shinoda Retrospective
Arts Snooze: July 1st 2011
Berlioz’s Faust at Seattle Symphony: Some Tragical History
Copyright Seattle Arts News, 2011
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RAISING BERTIE
Directed by Margaret Byrne
Optional closed captions
Recorded over six years, Raising Bertie delivers an authentic and tender portrait of the lives of three young boys as they face a precarious coming of age within Bertie County, a rural African-American community in North Carolina. Another harrowing work from the acclaimed documentary powerhouse Kartemquin Films, the film shows the process of growing up in a place afflicted by generations of economic and educational segregation.
Growing up in a neighborhood of Bertie David "Bud" Perry calls "the 'hood," Bud has developed a tough exterior, leading to repeated suspensions for fighting and altercations with authority that threaten to derail his dreams of stability and success as an adult. Reginald "Junior" Askew lives in a small home, wedged between fields of corn, with his sister, and their mother--left to care for her children when their father was incarcerated for murder when Junior was three. For Davonte "Dada" Harrell, the youngest of the three, family is everything and the recent separation of his parents weighs heavily on his heart.
All three boys attend The Hive, an alternative school for at-risk boys. There, we meet Vivian Saunders, a passionate community activist who runs the school. At The Hive, a combination of respect, socio-emotional learning, and mentorship helps to put these young men’s lives on track. But, when budget shortfalls lead the Board of Education to close The Hive, Junior, Bud, and Dada must return to Bertie High School and a system that once failed them.
This raw, and starkly poetic, vérité documentary weaves the young men’s stories together as the boys navigate school, unemployment, violence, first love, fatherhood, and estrangement from family members and mentors, all while trying to define their identities.
Intimate access allows an honest portrayal of the boys' perspectives and an in-depth look at issues facing rural America's youth and what happens in the everyday lives of young people caught in the complex interplay of generational poverty, economic isolation, and educational inequity. Raising Bertie is an experience that asks us to see this world through the eyes of Junior, Bud, and Dada, and inspires recognition and empathetic understanding of lives and communities too often ignored.
Learn more about the Kartemquin Films.
2016 African-American Studies American Studies Sociology Criminal & Law Education Family Relations Alcohol & Drug Abuse Directed by Women Kartemquin Films
Official Selection, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Official Selection, AFI DOCS Film Festival
Official Selection, Ashland Independent Film Festival
Official Selection, Sarasota Film Festival
Official Selection, Bentonville Film Festival
Official Selection, Roxbury International Film Festival
Official Selection, Capital City Black Film Festival
Best Director, Atlanta Underground Film Festival
"Astounding and powerful." — Bryn Gelbart, Indiewire
"Beautifully filmed." — Alexander Bisley, The Guardian
"Brilliantly weaves the young men’s stories together, as they transition from their teens into manhood, engaged in a shared struggle for social and economic survival." — Brian C. Bush, The Huffington Post Black Voices
"A curiously intimate look at what life is like for young black men in an impoverished rural community where opportunities are scarce and potential pitfalls are everywhere. The film resonates powerfully with contemporary issues of racial inequality, educational opportunities and the Black Lives Matter movement." — The News & Observer
"Through careful, long-form visual storytelling Raising Bertie artfully explores larger problems plaguing the South... Every state legislator, every high school student and dammit, every citizen who cares about the state needs to watch Raising Bertie." — Sandra Davidson, Bit & Grain
"Screening Raising Bertie was one of the most impactful experiences for our campus in relation to discussing issues surrounding social, economic, and racial inequities existing in our society. The film brought the real world impacts of these inequities to the forefront through the lens of these three individuals, thus humanizing the issues many in our society face but are so seldom discussed by those not directly impacted." — Michael R. Coombes, Director of New Student Programs Division of Academic and Student Affairs at North Carolina State University
"Raising Bertie is more than just a coming of age story; it is a raw and honest depiction of the landscape of rural America. While highlighting the strength of community organizing, film-makers have crafted a story of family, poverty, the educational system, and the impact that policy makers have on students and their local community. After seeing the film, you can only be moved to action." — Tiffany B. Robinson, School Counselor at East Chapel Hill High School
"What’s striking about this film is how it illustrates the layers of race, poverty, geography, education and local politics by just patiently letting the story unfold. By the time it was over, my head was swimming with the issues the film raised. It’s so compelling, we all needed to discuss it not only as we left the theater, but for weeks afterward." — Holley Nichols, Financial Aid Administrator at UNC-Chapel Hill
WADE IN THE WATER, CHILDREN
Through a passionate mixture of private videos, uncensored interviews and school-day adventures, the young children of Singleton Charter Middle School, the first school to open in New Orleans after Katrina, have created a revealing portrait of urban youth at the heart of an ongoing American crisis.
Clinging to the last affordable housing in a rapidly gentrifying city, a determined group of neighbors come together when the city claims eminent domain over their land in order to build a new school. An absorbing look at the complex issues surrounding urban planning, gentrification and economic renewal.
AS GOES JANESVILLE
With efforts to recall newly elected Governor Scott Walker making national news, As Goes Janesville provides an in-depth account of the struggles and hopes of union workers, business leaders and elected officials in Janesville, WI to rebuild their town's economy following the closure of the local General Motors plant.
RAT FILM
A documentary that uses the rat to explore the complicated history of Baltimore and how racial segregation, redlining, and environmental racism built the American city we see today.
A complex tale of social justice, urban forestry and community politics, City of Trees portrays the struggles of a DC non-profit to challenge the cycle of poverty and violence in blighted urban areas by implementing an ambitious "green jobs" program that hires 150 unemployed residents to plant trees in underserved parks.
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Hockey Club handled by Arizona’s D1 squad
Photo by Wesley Beights, Staff Photographer.
by Rafael Avitabile
The San Diego State Hockey Club was swept by the University of Arizona’s DI team in a two-game series this past weekend. The Aztecs went on the road hoping to play the spoiler role, but injuries and illnesses hampered an already depleted bench, denying any chances of an upset.
Although Friday night’s game ended with a lopsided score of 9-3, the Hockey Club can feel good about the fact that they presented a superior team with a challenge. The Aztecs fought to the end, keeping the third period deficit to 2-1, which is a very good sign considering their season long third period struggles. After Friday’s hard fought contest, the shorthanded Aztecs just didn’t have the legs to keep up with the high powered Wildcats, falling 8-0 in game two.
Senior forward Eric Stelnick, the Aztecs’ third leading scorer, sat out due to food poisoning and junior defenseman John Riley, the Aztecs’ second leading scorer, was nursing a left knee injury suffered last weekend against SJSU and was unable to play at a high level.
After losing two players during winter break, the hockey club has been forced to make several adjustments to their playing style. Having now lost eight of their last nine games, and a modest record of 10-8 in the ACHA West, the Aztecs are fighting to stay in the playoff picture.
[quote]“We’re working on our D zone, and playing harder not smarter,” Head coach Chris Migliore said. “Obviously it’s a tough task. It’s desperation time for us and the kids know it. It’s an uphill battle, but we have confidence in the locker room.”[/quote]
SDSU will prepare for a two-game home series next weekend against the top-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils. The Aztecs haven’t won at the Kroc Center since October. With four games left in the season against divisional opponents, the hockey club desperately needs to reverse its current losing trend and earn a trip to the Regional Tournament.
Tags: Arizona, breaking, Club Sports, Hockey Club, Ice Hockey
Aztecs’ season ends in loss to Nevada at Mountain West tournament
Goossen-Brown pitches shutout in Aztecs’ 8-0 victory over New Mexico
Men’s soccer lands twelfth-best recruiting class in nation
Baseball brings out brooms after 10-8 win over San José State
Baseball wins back-and-forth battle against San Jose Staté, earns series victory
Aztecs topple San José State on walk-off single in 11th inning
Harlowe Steele caps off career as one of all-time greats in Aztec history
Aztecs sink in Golden Coast Conference Tournament
Warring selected in third round of 2019 NFL Draft; Roemer and others signed as undrafted free agents
Women’s tennis falls to UNLV in Mountain West Championship final
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Steve Aoki Drops Music Video with Star-Studded All Asian-American Cast
| 21 November, 2018 at 11:28
Steve Aoki Drops Music Video for Hit Single “Waste It On Me” with Star-Studded All Asian-American Cast
Starring Ken Jeong, Ross Butler, Devon Aoki, Jamie Chung, Ben Baller
Directed by Linkin Park’s Joe Hahn
watch here: https://youtu.be/bIv16itYi_0
Today, two-time Grammy-nominated DJ and Producer Steve Aoki released his music video for hit single “Waste It On Me” featuring global megastars BTS. The track which appeared on Aoki’s newest installment of the neon future series, Neon Future III, has amassed praise domestically and internationally, debuting at #1 in more than 60 countries with 4 million streams in the first 24 hours, as well as the #1 worldwide trend on Twitter with 1k+ retweets per minute.
The highly anticipated music video for “Waste It On Me” with a knockout all Asian-American cast and director, featuring stars such as Ross Butler from 13 Reasons Why, Ken Jeong from Crazy Rich Asians and The Hangover, Devon Aoki from Sin City 2, and many more – a true triumph for Asian representation in mainstream media, and a star-studded showcase of talent. The video begins with a shot of Aoki and his crew entering a nightclub with the owner played by Jamie Chung and Ben Baller, followed by Ross Butler who is on a steamy date with Devon Aoki. The viewer is then taken to a hopelessly in love Ken Jeong, whose character is a waiter at the club where he fawns over Devon, his next customer. As Jeong daydreams of winning a sing-off against Butler and sweeping Devon off her feet, in turn, the video goes back-and-forth with clips of Steve DJing and cameos of clubgoers doing karaoke Leonardo Nam, Vincent Rodriguez, Jimmy Yang, Jessica Lu, and more.
The director, Joe Hahn, who is best known as the DJ for Linkin Park, brings a modern and charismatic visual style to the overall sonic concept of the song; why waste your time on someone who doesn’t care, when you could be with someone who will offer you so much more? The music video is a comedic, light-hearted, feel-good journey that will leave you hitting replay.
“When I found out that ‘Waste It On Me’ was the number one song in the world on Apple Music I realized that this track represented more than just me and BTS,” said Aoki. “It’s bigger than music, it represents a Korean band and one Asian American DJ that can show other Asians they are also apart of the global commercial musical landscape. I feel so deeply about the Asian footprint in music culture that I wanted the music video to have an entirely Asian cast and director. The video tells the story of “Waste It On Me” in an incredibly funny, witty, and clever manner. I want to give a big shoutout to all the incredible actors and people who made this video happen: Joe Hahn, Jessica Lu, Ben Baller, Devon Aoki, Jimmy Yang, Ross Butler, Ken Jeong, Jamie Chung, Jinny Chung, Jared Eng, Steve Aoki, Tiffany Ma, and everyone else. Please watch and enjoy the music video.”
“I’m so excited to be a part of this video for my big brother Steve,” said Devon. “It was a lot of fun shooting with an all Asian cast and celebrating what it means to be Asian American. It felt really good being there together as a group, representing our backgrounds as well as what makes us unique. I love my brother and it means the world for me to stand beside him—I will always be there to support him and of course to remind him where we come from…AOKI FAM!”
“Waste It On Me,” which graced the Billboard Hot 100 chart last week, marks Aoki’s fifth time on the Top 10, and BTS’ first time on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. The track garnered praise globally and amassed 20+ million streams on Spotify in less than two weeks, with coverage in various outlets such as Vulture, Teen Vogue, Rolling Stone, E! Online, Billboard, MTV, ET, and many more. “Waste It On Me” is the third project BTS and Steve have collaborated on and is the second hit to be listed on the Hot 100, following the Steve Aoki remix of BTS’ “MIC Drop” featuring Desiigner.
About Steve Aoki:
Two-time Grammy-nominated producer/DJ Steve Aoki is one of today’s most successful American cross-genre artists, collectively counting 1.5 billion music streams on Spotify, with an additional 2 billion music streams on YouTube. As the founder of the trendsetting record label, events/lifestyle company, and apparel line Dim Mak Records, which he founded in 1996, Aoki has helped launch the careers of global acts like The Chainsmokers, Bloc Party, The Bloody Beetroots, The Gossip, and The Kills, among many others. Dim Mak today counts more than 1,000 official releases from the biggest acts and most buzzing newcomers across EDM, indie rock, hip-hop, and beyond over its two-decades-plus discography. As a solo artist, Aoki boasts a lauded discography that includes: Wonderland (2012), his debut solo album, which garnered him his first-ever Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronica Album; the Neon Future series, which includes Neon Future I (2014, certified gold by the RIAA), Neon Future II (2015), Neon Future III (November 2018), and Neon Future IV (spring 2019); and the hip-hop centric Steve Aoki Presents Kolony (2017). His genre-defying collaborations also include original songs with A-listers like Lil Yachty and Migos (“Night Call” from Kolony, 2017); One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson on the global hit “Just Hold On” (2016), which debuted at #1 in more than 40 countries and has since gone gold or platinum in 18 countries; and Daddy Yankee, Play-N-Skillz, and Elvis Crespo on the Spanish-language track “Azukita” (2018). In 2016, Aoki released the Netflix Originals documentary film I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, which earned him his second Grammy nomination for Best Music Film and globally released in more than 190 countries. Recognized by Forbes as one of the top 5 world’s highest paid DJ’s and the world’s hardest working DJ, Aoki is “one of the most in-demand entertainers in the world” (Billboard), counting more than 250 tour dates per year, with past performances at nearly every top festival around the world including Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock Festival, Tomorrowland, Electric Daisy Carnival, and more. As a fashion designer/entrepreneur, Aoki has collaborated with major fashion and lifestyle brands like Converse and Bathing Ape and serves as a global ambassador for several international brands including ASICS and Diesel. In 2016, he also debuted his very own Dim Mak Collection streetwear line, which he later presented at New York Fashion Week in 2017. In 2012, Aoki founded THE AOKI FOUNDATION, which primarily supports organizations in the brain science and research areas and has donated more than $500,000 to date. www.steveaoki.com
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- San Marcos Mercury | Local News from San Marcos and Hays County, Texas - http://smmercury.com -
Texas one of five ‘minority-majority’ states
Posted By The Mercury Staff On 05/17/2012 @ 2:32 pm In Featured,News,Texas,The Corridor | 2 Comments
by BECCA AARONSON
More than half of the 2011 Texas population, 55.2 percent, was of a race other than non-Hispanic white, according to demographic data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. That makes Texas one of five “minority-majority” states in the country. The release of new population estimates reveals that trend will continue to spread nationally, as 50.1 percent of babies younger than one in 2011 were a minority race.
“Texas, of course, has been at the forefront of that process,” said Steve Murdock, a demographer and professor at Rice University.
In 2000, 43 percent of Texas children younger than 18 were non-Hispanic white. In 2010, that number dropped to 34 percent. The new data for 2011 shows that percentage continuing to drop, as only 30 percent of Texas children under age 5 are non-Hispanic white.
Overall for Texas children under age 5, minorities outnumbered non-Hispanic white children 2.2 to 1 in 2011. The map below shows the ratio of minority to non-Hispanic white children under age 5 by county. Click on a county to see its specific figures.
“All 50 states — all 50 — had increases in the number of Hispanic children [from 2000 to 2010],” Murdock said. “We’re seeing a very dramatic change, but it’s a change that’s been taking place for a very long period of time.”
Of all counties in the nation, Maverick County (Eagle Pass) and Webb County (Laredo) had the highest and second-highest percentage of minority populations in 2011 at 96.9 percent and 96.4 percent, respectively, according to the census data. Although Los Angeles County in California had the largest Hispanic population, Texas’ Starr County, which lies along the border with Mexico, had the highest percent of Hispanics at 95.7 percent.
“As the baby boomers in Texas move into the mortality years, eventually you’re going to start seeing a contraction of the non-Hispanic white population,” said Lloyd Potter, the state demographer and a faculty member at the University of Texas San Antonio. “But because we have healthy growth in the minority population, Texas has a fairly healthy labor force, and I think it is a significant factor in the economic strength in Texas.”
Although the national fertility rate for non-Hispanic whites has dropped below replacement level, that population grew more in Texas than any other state since 2010 with an increase of 80,000. The black or African-American population also grew more in Texas than any other state since 2010, with an increase of 84,000.
Without the growing minority population, Potter believes Texas would resemble Japan or some of the northern European countries whose falling population has hurt economic growth. Both Potter and Murdock say the future of Texas and the nation is tied to how well this minority population develops.
“The future of the United States, like the future of states like Texas, is tied to its minority populations,” said Murdock. “How well they do is increasingly how well America will do.”
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. It is reprinted here through a news partnership between the Tribune and the San Marcos Mercury.
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2 Comments To "Texas one of five ‘minority-majority’ states"
#1 Comment By Dave Francis On 05/17/2012 @ 4:09 pm
THE LIES KEEP COMING? SPEAK-UP!
The mandated E-Verify law is being exposed to the public eye once again, with increased resistance from GOP House speaker, John Boehner of Ohio and Dave Camp of Michigan, who is Chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Americans must insist these lawmakers stop blocking the 50-state H.R.2885 – Chairman Smith’s ‘Legal Workforce Act’. The E-Verify bill, should concern every jobless citizens and legal residents, as if implemented on a national scale would reject illegal foreign workers.
On the topic of E-Verify, Sen. Sessions recalled something that a Border Patrol agent told GOP Presidential Hopeful Mitt Romney: “The administration has also been resistant to the popular E-Verify program, never once including it in any of its jobs or economic plans. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, has effectively ended worksite enforcement operations, meaning employers can continue to hire illegal workers rather than out-of-work Americans. . . .”
They [Border Patrol agents] said “when employers are willing to hire people who are here illegally, that’s a magnet, and it draws them in. And sanctuary cities, giving tuition breaks to the kids of illegal aliens….. Those things also have to be stopped. If we want to secure the border, we have to make sure we have a fence, determining where people are, enough agents to oversee it, and turn off that magnet. We can’t talk about amnesty; we cannot give amnesty to those who have come here illegally”.
Beforehand Sen. Sessions delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling for an end to the Child Tax Care loophole that allows illegal aliens to collect thousands of dollars in tax refunds by filing with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This has been going on for years. This cannot continue. It must be stopped, and fixing it can’t be delayed. The Treasury Department’s own inspector general for Tax Administration, who analyzes problems within the agency and issues reports, reported that in 2010 the Internal Revenue Service paid illegal aliens a staggering $4.2 billion in child tax credits for dependents, a great deal of whom don’t even live in the country. This has been going on for years. This cannot continue. It must be stopped, and fixing it can’t be delayed.
According to a WTHR Indianapolis TV station there were four illegal alien workers living in the same Trailer park. Between the four of them, they claimed 20 children as dependents, but while investigating the story, only one child was seen living at the home. “We found, in many cases, they’re getting these tax credits for nieces and nephews and children who aren’t even in the United States,” All these people have to do is possess a not from the school, which in itself is open to large areas of fraud. Claimed on a federal form 8812, this credit is for specific taxpayers who get lesser than full amount of the child tax credit. Prior to this outcry by Sen. Sessions, the bill to close the loophole has gone nowhere, but now H.R. 1956 has passed the house and need your voice to add to the anger and utter frustration. Call the Washington central switchboard at 202-224-3121 and inundate your U.S. Senators and demand this law passes, along with mandatory E-Verify and the Birthright Citizenship amendment.
OTHER FOREIGN COUNTRIES POOR ARE SMUGGLING THEIR BABIES OVER HERE, FOR U.S. TAXPAYERS TO SUBSIDIZE THEM.
The child tax reimbursement is not some kind of loophole for illegal alien workers to use to grow their refunds. The IRS rules for eligible children still apply and the law is very clear that the credit is limited to those children who are classified as “a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a U.S. resident alien.” All others are committing fraud; as was previously discovered years back, when prison detainees were caught in the act. This is why we must seriously rethink the “Birthright Citizenship” law on the books now. This policy needs to be amended,–immediately so no foreign mother who slips past the U.S. border Patrol, or lies on their entry form prior to arriving on an international flight cannot use the U.S. taxpayers, as their own personal bank account?
This law is ridiculously out of date with global travel, as any pregnant female can arrive on U.S. soil and claim American citizenship for their new born baby. No change in the law is required, just an amendment, so babies born in the jurisdiction of the United States–at least one parent must be a citizen. Otherwise the annual estimated number of 400.000 newborns entering this country will add up in the billions. Once status is claimed, these mothers with babies are eligible for food, housing, medical and schooling until the age of 18 including their mother. Reported by the Center for Immigration Studies an average annual cost per child K-12 is $7,161.00 and exceeds $109 billion annually per cycle of ‘Foothold’ babies. That’s your taxes given out to the 400,000 mothers and their kids annually, gaining a nice little inheritance from Americans.
Is there so much money just lying around, as the Solar panel manufacturer “Solyndra’ with 535 million worth of loan guarantees or the General Service Administration (GSA) debacle in Las Vegas and whatever else is out there? How much more money are taxpayers supposed to conjure up, without accountability? Illegal Immigration unfortunately has adverse consequences on all our lives, but mainly the cost of supporting them. $113 billion dollars a year and climbing is a very unhealthy situation, when we cannot cater to our own poor.
As I see it and millions of Americans, no matter their race, color or faith should join up with the TEA PARTY? The outcome is to rid the Congress of those politicians’ that are obstacles in changing laws detrimental to the welfare, security and health of all citizens and residents. Gone already is Richard Lugar, who deliberation was no other politician could unseat him, when as a Republican he was siding with the Liberals to pass another Amnesty for illegal aliens. Who is next to clock out and which state is to be hounded by the Department of Justice for protecting their citizens? First it was Arizona, Then Sheriff Joe Arpaio’and then Alabama was intimidated? Yet these Liberal czars condoned by Obama, has done nothing to stop the emergence of Sanctuary States like California and Nevada?
But even so we must be on our guard against all future elections, even down to the municipal level, as non citizens in large numbers have been discovered in the voter rolls in Florida. Democrats no matter the future consequences of the citizen’s right to vote have shown indifferent to any new measure to stop any ineligible person voting. In fact they have shown no desire to strengthen election laws, by insisting that every person who appears to vote has an official picture ID? Just by this reluctance for a fair and respect for our voting laws, illustrates they don’t care who votes, especially by illegal aliens for the left? Read everything you wanted to know about illegal immigration, true statistics and more at NumbersUSA and American Patrol.
In addition the National Liberal media had reported nationwide, the dwindling of numbers of illegal aliens crossing the Southern border. The source was coming from the Pew Hispanic Research Center? But the Washington Examiner press negates this as a lie; the original data was coming from the Obama Administration. When conducting interviews with Border Patrol officials the numbers are not slowing down.
A Border Patrol official working along the Texas border said administration officials are deliberately failing to document what is actually happening on the border. “In many cases my supervisors make it clear that they don’t want increased apprehension numbers, which means no arrests,” he said.
Saying, “Security is being compromised as the government seeks to keep a lid on the border as a campaign issue during the presidential election cycle. Department of Homeland Security’s Border Patrol agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are being told not to make arrests of noncriminal illegal immigrants and not to patrol areas of high traffic along the roughly 2,000-mile Southwest border”.
#2 Comment By James Opiko On 05/18/2012 @ 3:29 am
FYI Mr. Dave Francis: Why Fearmongering About a White Minority in America Is Wrong, Wrong, Wrong!
Whites are projected to become a minority in the United States in the year 2050. It’s a terrifying prospect for Americans who fear the loss of their privileged status.
But the truth is that in 2050, “whites,” as most people understand the term, will still make up 74 percent of the population (if the projections are right). Only “non-Hispanic whites” are expected to become a minority. But there’s little chance that the designation — which the Census Bureau only added in 1980 — will live until that time. History tells us that “white Hispanics” — light-skinned people with an Hispanic heritage — will soon become, simply, “white people,” as part of the American “mainstream.”
READ MORE: http://tinyurl.com/fearmongering-wm
Article printed from San Marcos Mercury | Local News from San Marcos and Hays County, Texas: http://smmercury.com
URL to article: http://smmercury.com/2012/05/17/texas-one-of-five-minority-majority-states/
Copyright © 2014 San Marcos Mercury | Local News from San Marcos and Hays County, Texas. All rights reserved.
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Holy R. Emperors
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
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Philip II of Spain
Philip II, king of Spain and Portugal, was born at Valladolid, the only son of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V and Isabella of Portugal. Philip II, the self-proclaimed leader of Counter-Reformation, assumed the throne in 1556 with a great...
Abraham Ortelius, 1st Modern Atlas
Abraham Ortelius (Abraham Ortels) was a cartographer and geographer, generally recognised as the creator of the first modern atlas. He was born in Antwerp in what is now Belgium. A member of the influential Ortelius family of Augsburg, he t...
John Dee, Scientist
John Dee was a noted British mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He also devoted much of his life to alchemy, divination, and Hermetic philosophy. Dee straddled the worlds of science and...
Paolo Boi, Italian Chess Player
Paolo Boi was an Italian chess player. He is considered to have been one of the greatest chess players of the 16th century. He was born in Syracuse, Sicily (now Italy) and died in Naples. Historian H. J. R. Murray says he was poisoned by...
Siege of Vienna
The Siege of Vienna of 1529, as distinct from the Battle of Vienna in 1683, represented the farthest Westward advance into Central Europe of the Ottoman Empire, and of all the clashes between the armies of Christianity and Islam might be si...
Ruy López de Segura, Spanish Chess Player
Rodrigo (Ruy) López de Segura was a Spanish priest and later bishop in Segura whose 1561 book Libro de la invención liberal y arte del juego del Axedrez was one of the first definitive books about modern chess in Europe, preceded only by Pe...
Ivan the Terrible, The First Tsar
Ivan IV Vasilyevich, commonly known as Ivan the Terrible, was the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and Tsar of All the Russias from 1547 until his death. His long reign saw the conquest of the Khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Siber...
Conquerors
Yermak Timofeyevich, Conquest of Siberia
Yermak Timofeyevich, born between 1532 and 1542 - 1584) was a Cossack who led the Russian conquest of Siberia in the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Russia’s fur interests fueled their desire to expand east into Siberia. The tsar’s ultimate...
John Hawkins, Naval Commander
Admiral Sir John Hawkins was an English shipbuilder, naval administrator and commander, merchant, navigator, and slave trader. As treasurer (1577) and controller (1589) of the Royal Navy, he rebuilt older ships and helped design the faster...
Anna van Egmont, 1st wife of William the Silent
Anna van Egmont was a wealthy Dutch heiress who became the first wife of William the Silent, Prince of Orange. As the only child of Maximiliaan van Egmond and Françoise de Lannoy, she was suo jure Countess of Buren and Lady of Egmond. She w...
Eric XIV, King of Sweden
Eric XIV was King of Sweden from 1560 until he was deposed in 1568. Eric XIV was the son of Gustav I (1496–1560) and Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg (1513–35). He was also ruler of Estonia, after its conquest by Sweden in 1561. While he has bee...
William of Orange, The Silent
William I, Prince of Orange, also widely known as William the Silent (Dutch: Willem de Zwijger), or simply William of Orange (Dutch: Willem van Oranje), was the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish that set off the Eighty Ye...
Michel de Montaigne, "What do I know?"
Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, Lord of Montaigne was one of the most significant philosophers of the French Renaissance, known for popularizing the essay as a literary genre. His work is noted for its merging of casual anecdotes and autobiogra...
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SCS.COM COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2007: PAC-10
Gregg, SCS.com Staff Writer Contact Gregg
Southern Cal has dominated the conference in recent seasons, winning 5 consecutive championships and compiling a Pac-10 record of 37-4 during that timeframe. The Trojans have set the bar high and raised expectations across the entire league as teams focus on trying to keep pace with the USC juggernaut. There was a glimpse of hope for other programs last season as USC lost 2 games in the conference for the 1st time in the past 5 seasons, falling to Oregon State, ending a 27-game conference win streak, and then to UCLA in the season finale. The conference sent 6 teams into the postseason in 2006 and has the potential to exceed that total this season.
Heading into 2007, the Trojans once again look to be the dominant force in the Pac-10 as the remaining 9 teams take aim at the Men of Troy’s conference supremacy. Leading the charge at USC is a UCLA program that looks to have been rebuilt into a national powerhouse and will unleash its best team under the direction of Karl Dorrell. The next group of teams is the tightly packed bunch made up of Oregon, California, Arizona State, and Oregon State, with all four expected to earn postseason berths. Both Washington and Arizona are on the upswing but still need to improve in a few key areas before joining the conference elite, though both are capable of making a run at a bowl bid. Washington State and Stanford look to be in rebuilding mode, focusing on developing talent for the future. Time to analyze the Pac-10 in detail in what shapes up to be a great season in the conference.
Three Keys | Team-by-Team Analysis
Projected Standings | All-Conference Teams
THREE KEYS
1. Key #1 is to find out if UCLA really is ready to challenge city rival USC for the conference title. The Bruins return 20 starters from the group that defeated USC in the season finale, but then fell asleep in the bowl game, falling 44-27 to Florida State. The Bruins will try their 4th offensive coordinator in 5 seasons in order to jump start an offense that ranked 71st in the nation last year.
2. Key #2 is in a league with experienced and talented QB’s littered throughout, which one out of the tightly bunched group is ready to step up and lead his team into the thick of the chase behind USC. UCLA returns 2 starting QB’s in Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan, as does Oregon with Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf. Arizona State features Rudy Carpenter, and Cal has Nate Longshore. The only league challenger needing to find a new QB is Oregon State, who replaces Matt Moore with Sean Canfield.
3. Key #3 is how will the unbalanced league schedule of 9 games will impact the conference race. USC, Arizona State, and Oregon get to host 5 Pac-10 contests, while UCLA, California, and Oregon State must take to the road in 5 conference games. In a league where the 2nd grouping of teams is this tight, that extra home game could make the difference of a few spots in the final conference standings.
Time for your fantasy college football education - Fantasy College Blitz - because in college, everyone scores!
TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS
OFFENSE: The Wildcats struggled to generate any type of consistent offense last season, finishing 9th in the Pac-10 and 115th in the nation at 252.8 yards per game. Big changes are in store for this group in 2007 as a new spread offense will be installed in the hopes of better utilizing the strengths of the units' 8 returning starters. Quarterback Willie Tuitama is back for his 3rd season behind center, and he struggled last season without time to throw the ball and with no threat of a running game. The entire offensive line returns as well, led by star Eben Britton, and major improvement will be needed from the front wall if Arizona is going to entertain any post-season hopes.
DEFENSE: The Wildcat defensive unit is one of the league’s best, ranking 4th in the conference in total defense and leading the league in turnover margin last season. The best player in the group is cornerback Antoine Cason who basically shuts down an entire side of the field with his blanket coverage. The other leader of this unit is linebacker Spencer Larsen, the team's leading tackler last season, and he will direct an experienced and quick group that will pose major problems for UA opponents. Defensive end Louis Holmes will be relied on to improve a pass rush that did not meet expectations last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The loss of kicker and punter Nick Folk makes this an area of concern this season. Jason Bondzio is the likely candidate to assume the place kicking duties, although he will receive a challenge from incoming freshman Alex Zendejas. Redshirt freshman Keenyn Crier will take over the punting responsibility after averaging 46.0 yards per kick in high school. Both of the return games remain wide open, with the leading candidates currently being either receiver Mike Thomas or defensive backs Devin Ross and Mike Turner. Inexperience is all over this group as numerous new faces will need to play key roles for this unit to maintain last year’s production.
COACHING: Mike Stoops is entering a critical time in Tucson, looking to lead the school to its 1st post-season berth since 1998, in his 4th year at the helm of the UA program. Stoops has set his sights on improving the sluggish Wildcat offense, bringing in new offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes to install the spread offense. Dykes arrives in the desert after 2 years as co-offensive coordinator of the extremely successful Texas Tech offense.
SCHEDULE: The schedule presents major challenges for this program, with the road slate as tough as they come. Arizona opens on the road at BYU, and then travels to California, Oregon State, USC, Washington, and rival Arizona State in league play. A key schedule date occurs in week #3 when Arizona plays host to Mountain West challenger New Mexico.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL....Arizona is enjoying their 1st bowl trip since a 1998 Holiday bowl berth. The new offense fully utilizes the skills of quarterback Willie Tuitama and prevents him from taking the same level of punishment that he suffered last season, as he missed 3 starts and significant time in 5 games in total. The defense has potential stars in all 3 areas and carries the load as the offense gets its feet wet learning a new system.
IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL....The tough road schedule takes its toll on Arizona, with the Cats falling in all 6 contests, resulting in yet another season without a bowl bid. The offense does not pick up the new scheme as anticipated, and all responsibility falls on the defense's shoulders yet again this season. Tuitama continues to battle injuries as the offensive line struggles to keep defenders out of the backfield.
MAKE OR BREAK: The opener is a critical game for Arizona’s post-season hopes as the Cats pay a visit to BYU. A win in that one could launch UA to a 3-0 start before their Pac-10 opener at California. The offensive line has to make huge improvement to allow Tuitama time to find his talented receiver in Mike Thomas and to provide daylight for running back Chris Jennings. The key building blocks of the line are tackles Eben Britton and Peter Graniello, their leadership and development can be the difference to breaking the programs 8 year bowl drought.
OFFENSE: The potential and talent is here to make this one of the best offenses in the country as 10 starters return from last season’s group. Running back Ryan Torain will again be relied upon to power the Sun Devil running game, while Keegan Herring will provide additional spark to what looks to be the Pac-10’s best ground game. Quarterback Rudy Carpenter will take over a new quick three-step passing attack with the addition of the shotgun as he heads into his 3rd season as the ASU starter. The good news for Carpenter and Torain is the return of the entire offensive line that is loaded with seniors and a wealth of experience, and they should show major improvement.
DEFENSE: The new staff will install a 4-3 defense in the hopes of improving on last year’s scoring defense, which yielded 25.1 points per game and ranked 76th in the nation. The line must become more stout, and does have nice building blocks to work around in tackle Michael Marquardt and end Dexter Davis. The linebacking corps welcomes junior college transfer Morris Wooten to bolster a group that returns 4 of its top 6 players from last season. An area of concern remains a secondary that allowed more touchdown passes last season than any other Pac-10 team, with Josh Barrett the strength of the back four.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The key in this unit is to find a replacement for kicker Jesse Ainsworth, the starter for the past 4 seasons. The leading candidate looks be redshirt freshman Thomas Weber, who does have a strong leg and provided the staff with confidence with a strong spring practice. Punter Jonathan Johnson led a huge turnaround in the net average last season, making a huge improvement from 30.3 to 37.2 yards per kick. The loss of Terry Richardson leaves a gaping hole in the return game, but Justin Tryon is capable of providing the kick return group with a spark after averaging 41.2 yards on 5 returns last season, while Kyle Williams takes over the punt return responsibility.
COACHING: Beginning his 3rd stint as a Pac-10 coach is Dennis Erickson, who had previous stints at Washington State and Oregon State. He brings a strong resume to Tempe, with two national championships, two Pac-10 coach of the year honors in 1988 and 2000, and a career record of 148-65-1. Installing the new quick passing game will be offensive coordinator Rich Olson, who spent last season at Miami, while Craig Bray takes over as defensive coordinator, joining ASU after being a member of the Minnesota Golden Gophers staff last season.
SCHEDULE: The schedule looks to set up nicely for a good run for the Devils in 2007. The first 4 games are at home, including an interesting matchup with rebuilding Colorado on September 8th. The Pac-10 opener is at home versus Oregon State, and the Devils get a nice break in also hosting USC and California. A key two-game road trip is in the first 2 weeks of November when ASU travels to Oregon and UCLA.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL....ASU parlays its 4 straight at home to open the season on a major roll and heads into their brutal November stretch at 8-0. Carpenter adapts quickly to the new offense and with a great set of running backs at his disposal, this unit turns into one of the best groups in the country. The defense improves just enough to allow the Devils to simply outscore their opposition.
IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL....The Devils stub their toe against Colorado and fall in a key game versus Oregon State, failing to take advantage of their great early schedule. The Pac-10 looks tough this season, and if the defense does not show major improvement, a 6th or 7th place finish in the league is possible.
MAKE OR BREAK: The September 22nd game versus Oregon State has huge conference implications as ASU looks to be battling the Beavers for a place in the league’s upper tier. The entire defensive secondary will play a key role in deciding the fate of this season, and the return of Chris Baloney from injury is needed to stabilize the field opposite Justin Tryon. An improvement from 9th place in the Pac-10 pass efficiency defensive rating is critical to this team’s success.
OFFENSE: The Bears return 8 starters to a group that cranked out 32.8 points per game last year, ranking 1st in the Pac-10. The driver of this strong unit is quarterback Nate Longshore, and he has one of the most exciting talents in the nation at his disposal in wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who is capable of going the distance any time he touches the football. Taking over for star running back Marshawn Lynch will be Justin Forsett, who has averaged 6.4 yards per carry in his Bear career and is a potential star.
DEFENSE: There are questions that need to be answered after 6 starters depart from last year’s group. The strength of this unit will be a linebacking corps directed by Zack Follett, who will be moved inside to take over as a run stuffing force. The line loses 3 starters and needs to be rebuilt around tackle Matt Malele. The inexperience on the line raises concerns on how the Bears will stack up against the league’s top rushing games.
SPECIAL TEAMS: When discussing the Bears' special teams, the conversation must begin with DeSean Jackson, who averaged 18.2 yards per return and scored 4 touchdowns, as he was named 1st team All-American in the return game. Both kickers are back as Tom Schneider will be the place kicker after a 15 for 20 season, and Andrew Larson will handle the punting after averaging 42.6 yards per kick. The kick return unit is open, with Justin Forsett possibly stepping in yet again for Lynch.
COACHING: Jeff Tedford begins his 6th year in charge of Cal, and he has built this program into a national power in that short time span, winning 43 out of 63 games. Tedford has also taken Cal to 4 consecutive bowl games, the 1st time ever in the history of Bear football, and has twice been named Pac-10 coach of the year in 2002 and 2004. One change in the staff is the promotion of Jim Michalczik to offensive coordinator, but Tedford remains in control of the offense and calls the plays.
SCHEDULE: Nothing like jumping into the fire right out of the gate as the Bears have revenge on their mind when Tennessee heads to Berkeley on September 1st. Cal does host USC this season, and its toughest stretch looks to be a 4 game group that sees the Bears travel to Oregon, UCLA, and Arizona State, with a home date versus Oregon State mixed in on October 13th.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL....The Bears finally break through and earn the school's 1st ever BCS bowl berth in a 10 win season. Forsett takes over for Lynch and the running game does not miss a beat, while Longshore and Jackson play pitch and catch as one of the nation’s best duos. The young defense is loaded with talent and follows the veterans' lead as the Bear stop troops develop into a solid unit.
IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL....Cal falls for a 2nd straight season in the opener to Tennessee and high expectations are quickly deflated. The Bears struggle with a tough road schedule and end their season in the middle of the Pac-10 race. The defensive line is unable to step up and Cal yields too much yardage on the ground, providing opposing QB’s with plenty of time to pick apart the Bear secondary.
MAKE OR BREAK: Worthy of mention again is the opener with Tennessee simply because the Cal faithful and team are so focused on gaining revenge after the Vols squashed Cal’s title hopes in week #1 last year. In conference play the 2nd game at Oregon looks huge, as the home team has won the past 4 games in the series. Justin Forsett will be relied upon to lead the ground game, and the job looks to be his alone in his final season on the Berkeley campus.
OFFENSE: The Ducks utilize a spread offense that struggled last season as both quarterbacks (Dixon and Leaf) were mistake prone, combining for 18 touchdowns and 18 interceptions on the season. Even with the mistakes, Oregon led the Pac-10 in total offense at 423.3 yards per game and 29.5 points per contest. To take some of the pressure of the QB’s, Oregon will focus on getting more carries for star running back Jonathan Stewart and his back-up Jeremiah Johnson, who combined for 20 touchdowns last season. The line returns 3 of 5 starters, highlighted by Max Unger, and should provide ample room for the running back combo to shine yet again.
DEFENSE: Nice experience returns for the Ducks as 7 starters are back to build on last season’s group that finished 3rd in the conference in yards allowed but 9th in points allowed as offensive mistakes impacted this group's results. The strength of this unit is a secondary that returns 4 players with starting experience, including Pac-10 honors candidate Patrick Chung at the rover position. A concern is the run defense, an area where Oregon struggled last season, as the defensive line must become tougher for this group to improve on last year's results.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The kicking game has questions that need to be answered with Matt Evensen assuming the place kicking responsibilities after only connecting on 5 of his 12 career attempts. The punting belongs to Josh Syria, who transferred to Eugene from Wofford College and has demonstrated a strong leg in practice. The return games are major team strengths with Patrick Chung handling punts and Jonathan Stewart being one of the nation’s best kick returnees at 28.1 per attempt.
COACHING: Mike Belotti is the veteran of the Pac-10 coaching group, entering his 13th year in charge of the Quack Attack, compiling a 97-48 record in that timeframe and leading his team to 10 bowl appearances. An interesting addition to the staff is offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who arrives in Eugene from New Hampshire, where he directed one of the most potent offenses in Division 1-AA in his 7 seasons there.
SCHEDULE: The Ducks always compile a top-notch schedule, and highlighting this year’s out of conference slate is a visit from Michigan on September 8th. Surrounding that game are two interesting home contests versus Houston and Fresno State. Oregon does have 5 Pac-10 home games with USC paying a visit on October 27th and arch-rival Oregon State heading to Autzen Stadium on December 1st. Oregon only has to take to the road on consecutive weeks on one occasion this season, with mid-November visits to Arizona and UCLA.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL....Oregon takes advantage of their 5 conference home games and rebounds in a big way, winning 9 games and playing a significant role in the Pac-10 title chase. The running combination of Stewart and Johnson is lethal, new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly improves the passing game's efficiency, and the offense again leads the conference in total yardage. The 5 man secondary plays shut down coverage and challenges USC’s unit for the best group in the Pac-10.
IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL....The Ducks continue to make critical mistakes on offense and repeat last year's dismal -10 turnover margin, resulting in the team finishing at .500, well below the talent level of this group. The star power at running back is not fully utilized again as Stewart is too good of a talent to not get the ball at least 20 carries per game.
MAKE OR BREAK: A visit from California in the Ducks' 2nd conference game will play a huge role in how the Pac-10 race will shake out. Cal and Oregon are in the mix of teams chasing after USC, and Autzen Stadium provides a nice lift to the Ducks' fortunes in this game. The QB play of Dixon and Leaf must improve; reducing the number of interceptions by half would be a nice start.
OFFENSE: There is one major question in regards to this group that returns 8 starters, and that question is at quarterback. Expected to get the call is Sean Canfield, a kid with great size and a good arm, and who almost received the call last season when Matt Moore struggled early. Canfield will have at his disposal a great set of skill players in running back Yvenson Bernard (Pac-10 1st team) and wide receiver Sammie Stroughter (Pac-10 2nd team), in addition to one of the best lines in the league.
DEFENSE: The Beaver defense remains centered around one of the best linebacking corps in the Pac-10. The backers are asked to do a little of everything in the defensive game plan, and led by Derrick Doggett, they do all of those things well. Three starters return to a secondary that ranked 7th in the conference in 2006 and will need to build on the experience of last season to tighten up their coverage. Overall, the potential is here to make this one of the league’s best units.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The 1st name to mention here is kicker Alexis Serna, who made 22 out of 29 kicks last season, including a long of 58 yards. For his tremendous season, Serna was named a 2nd team All-American and is one of the best in the nation at his position. Kyle Loomis returns to handle the punting duties after a strong freshman season in which he averaged 41.3 yards per kick. Sammie Stroughter is one of the nations top punt returners, averaging 15.7 yards last season and returning 3 punts for touchdowns, while Coye Francies is a solid kick returner, as is Gerard Lawson.
COACHING: Mike Riley is in his 2nd tenure as head coach at Oregon State and has continued to build upon the framework that he laid in his 1st stint which began in 1997. Originally, Riley inherited a group of players that were recruited to play the wishbone, and he quickly changed the offense and has made the team a tough out in Pac-10 play, compiling a 38-34 overall record. He remains heavily involved in the offensive game plan as he handles the play calling, even though there is an offensive coordinator on the staff in Danny Langsdorf.
SCHEDULE: The non-conference schedule is manageable, beginning with a home date versus Utah, then a visit to Cincinnati, before returning home to face 1-AA Idaho State. The Pac-10 road schedule presents a major challenge as the Beavers head to USC, California, Oregon, Arizona State, and Washington State.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL....Oregon State sweeps their 3 non-conference games and makes their way through the tough road schedule with the potential to win 8 or 9 games. Quarterback Canfield meets the huge expectations that have been placed on his shoulders, and combined with Bernard and Stroughter, the Beaver offense develops into a team strength. A defense filled with playmakers comes together, and the Beavers unleash one of the conferences toughest groups.
IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL....The Beavers have a challenge right out of the gate with a visit from Utah followed by a cross-country trip to Cincinnati. If Canfield is not yet ready for prime time, these two games can be dangerous, and this season can quickly fall apart with an 0-2 start and end without a postseason berth.
MAKE OR BREAK: The conference opener at ASU is huge for a tightly matched group looking to finish in the upper tier of the Pac-10 standings. Running back Yvenson Bernard will be relied on even more this season in an effort to take the pressure off of Sean Canfield, and that is really saying something because Bernard carried the ball 296 times last season in addition to catching 43 passes. If Bernard is slowed for any reason, the OSU offense could grind to a halt.
Southern Cal
OFFENSE: Another college football season, another Heisman candidate at QB for USC. This year it is John David Booty, who combines a strong arm and poise in the pocket to direct one of the nation’s top offensive units. The next great SC wide receiver looks to be Patrick Turner, who becomes the main man this season after the star combination of Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett have taken their game to the NFL. The talent at running back is scary, and it is just a matter of figuring out who will be the feature back of the group, with Chauncey Washington the expected starter after leading the Trojans in rushing last season.
DEFENSE: This is the best collection of defensive talent for any team in the nation, and this group has the potential to be absolutely dominant. Leading the way is the nation’s best linebacking corps featuring All-American candidates in Keith Rivers, Rey Maualuga, and Brian Cushing. Not too far behind is a defensive line also deep with talent, with the top players being Lawrence Jackson, who was a 3rd team All-American last season, and Sedrick Ellis, who is an immoveable object at nose tackle. The secondary returns all 4 starters, plus welcomes back 2005 starter Josh Pinkard, an embarrassment of riches all around.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The unfortunate off-season death of kicker Mario Danelo opens the position for David Buehler, who has 1 field goal in his USC career. Punter Greg Woidneck is back and he struggled last season, finishing 9th in the conference with a 38.3 average. The return units are more stable with C.J. Gable handling the kickoffs quite well and Desmond Reed taking care of the punt returns. Reed only averaged 5.4 yards per return last season, so additional production will be expected in 2007. Overall, this group has by far the most questions to be answered in the fall semester.
COACHING: Head coach Peter Carroll has built this USC program into a recruiting machine, which has translated into a 65-12 career mark and 2 national championships after 6 seasons. Under Carroll’s direction, SC has won 5 consecutive Pac-10 titles and finished in the top 4 of the Associated Press final national rankings for 4 straight seasons. A couple of changes to the staff this year will see Steve Sarkisian promoted to offensive coordinator replacing Lane Kiffin, and John Morton comes on board as receivers coach and passing game coordinator.
SCHEDULE: One thing is for sure, USC welcomes any challenge and always puts together one of the nation’s best schedules. After an opening lay-up versus Idaho, USC will travel to Nebraska to face the Huskers in a great inter-sectional battle. As always, USC will play Notre Dame, this year at South Bend, looking for their 6th straight win in the series. The toughest stretch of the conference season looks to be the final 3 games as SC visits California, Arizona State, and then ends at home versus rival UCLA.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL....USC will be spending January 7th in the Louisiana Superdome playing in the BCS national championship game. This team has the best collection of talent in the nation, and if everyone plays to their potential, this could be the best USC team of their recent run. The defense is the best in the country and the offense is not far behind.
IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL....The Trojans get tripped up in a couple of their road challenges, with 10-2 being a worst case scenario; anything less than 10 wins would be disastrous. The kicking game continues to struggle, and if a game comes down to a late field goal attempt, the Trojans will be relying on a kicker with little experience.
MAKE OR BREAK: There looks to be a great chance that the December 1st game with UCLA could have major national championship implications for both teams. USC will be looking for revenge after the Bruins knocked SC out of the national title chase last season with their 13-9 upset win, while UCLA has their best collection of talent in recent memory. Kicker David Buehler will carry a huge load on his back having to replace Danelo, and he appears to be the one major unknown heading into the 2007 season.
OFFENSE: There is nowhere to go but up for this group after averaging 10.6 points per game last year and ranking 118th in the nation in scoring and total offense. In the hopes of sparking additional production in 2007, the Cardinal will switch to the West Coast offense that will take this unit into more of an up-tempo mode. Stanford does return their top 10 pass catchers from last season, and they will again work with quarterback T.C. Ostrander, who played in 6 games last year. The top 3 running backs also return and should provide more of a spark to a running that game that only was able to generate 65 yards per game last season.
DEFENSE: The Cardinal welcome back 8 starters to this group, which struggled almost as much as the offense last season, finishing 97th in the nation in total defense. There is experience to build on up front as 7 players return with starting experience in the front wall. Stanford will look for major improvement out of a defensive line that was run over last season as they will switch to a 4 man front and rely heavily on returning starters Udeme and Ekom Udofia to disrupt opposing offenses. The strength of this group is the corners with 3 players back that have starting experience.
SPECIAL TEAMS: All 4 key players in this unit return to build upon their 2006 campaigns. Kicker Aaron Zagory struggled last season, connecting on 8 of 13 kicks while missing 2 of 15 extra points. Punter Jay Ottovegio was solid last season as the Cardinal finished 5th in the Pac-10 in net punting. The return game will look for major improvement out of Chris Hobbs in the punt return game (5.6 yards per return) and Jason Evans in returning kicks (21.8 yards per return).
COACHING: There is a new face on the Cardinal sideline as Jim Harbaugh comes to “The Farm” after spending the past 3 seasons as the head coach at 1-AA San Diego, where his teams compiled an impressive 29-6 record. Harbaugh’s 1st order of business is installing the West Coast offense with a group that struggled in every aspect of the game last season. Key hires joining Harbaugh are his offensive coordinator David Shaw, following Jim from San Diego, and defensive coordinator Scott Schafer, who spent the past two seasons in charge of the defense at Western Michigan.
SCHEDULE: The Cardinal have assembled a tough schedule for a team just looking to get a couple of wins as they rebuild. The out of conference slate features 3 teams that played in bowls last season in San Jose State, Texas Christian, and Notre Dame for an 11th consecutive year. The opening week begins conference play when UCLA visits Palo Alto and ends in its usual fashion as Stanford hosts California, looking to end a 5 game losing streak to the Bears.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL....The Cardinal win 3 games and show major improvement from the 1st week to the end of the season as they become familiar with Harbaugh’s new system. T.C. Ostrander makes a huge leap in development under the new staff and he does have an experienced receiving corps to work with to dramatically improve on last year’s offense.
IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL....With a schedule this tough, a winless season is the worst case scenario for Stanford. The current lack of players that are a good fit for Harbaugh’s offense result in the offense matching last season’s lack of production, and an improved defense is not able to overcome the stumbling offense.
MAKE OR BREAK: A key game for the Cardinal is on September 15th when San Jose State visits Stanford. The game is after a week off and is the most winnable non-conference game on the schedule, with SJSU winning 35-34 last season in a wild affair. The Cardinal need a win in this one for a confidence boost heading into a tough conference stretch with games against Oregon, Arizona State, and USC. T.C. Ostrander is critical for this team and will need major improvement after completing only 45.6% of his passes and tossing 3 touchdowns compared to 5 interceptions.
OFFENSE: The focus for the Bruins in 2007 will be improving an offense that ranked 7th in the Pac-10 and needs to develop a more consistent passing attack. This year’s group returns 10 starters, including two quarterbacks with starting experience in Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan, who combined for 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season. The star of this group is running back Chris Markey, who rumbled for 4.9 yards per carry last season and developed into a receiving weapon, catching 35 passes. Markey will run behind an offensive line that returns 4 starters and should be able to post even bigger numbers in 2007.
DEFENSE: The defensive unit is loaded with talent and returns 10 starters to one of the conference's best units. The star of this group is defensive end Bruce Davis, who registered 12.5 sacks last season, tying for the conference lead in that category. Davis teams up with Brigham Harwell as leaders of a stout defensive front line. The linebackers look just as strong, as the unit returns all 3 starters and is very deep with another 2 players returning with starting experience. Strong safety Chris Horton is the conference's best at that position and he is a tackling machine and disruptive force in a strong secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The key for this group is to find a replacement for All-American kicker Justin Medlock, with the likely starter being Kai Forbath, a redshirt freshman who will be making his Bruin debut. Aaron Perez returns and will handle the punting duties after ranking 4th in the conference last season with a 42.6 average. The return game is all set with Terrance Austin and Ryan Graves back to handle punt returns while Derrick Williams and Jeremy McGee provide a strong duo to return kicks.
COACHING: Karl Dorrell heads into his 5th season in Los Angeles and he has assembled the top group of talent in his tenure. Karl has compiled a 29-21 record overall and was named the 2005 Pac-10 coach of the year, a season that saw UCLA win 10 games. There has been major turnover in the staff with 3 new assistants coming on board, the biggest name being Jay Norvell, who assumes the role of offensive coordinator after a 3 year stint directing the offense at Nebraska.
SCHEDULE: The Bruins have also put together a challenging out of conference schedule, highlighted by a visit from Notre Dame on October 6th, with Mountain West foes BYU and Utah completing the schedule. Key dates in Pac-10 play are December 1st as UCLA travels cross town to battle USC, November 24th when Oregon heads to LA, November 10th as ASU visits, and October 20th when the Bruins host California.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL....The Bruins enter the final week of the season unbeaten heading into their game versus USC with a berth in the national championship game on the line. The healthy return of Ben Olson sparks a solid offense into becoming a great offense, and the experienced offensive line allows for running back Chris Markey to have a huge season. The defense is one of the best units in the country led by an overpowering defensive line.
IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL....The offense does not improve as expected and a potential great season quickly turns into a disappointment with the Bruins winning 7 or 8 games and heading to another mid-tier bowl appearance. A repeat of last year’s 16 touchdown and 14 interception ratio from the quarterback position constantly puts the Bruin defense in bad field position, robbing the unit of its great potential.
MAKE OR BREAK: The finale at USC looks to have potentially huge implications, not only within the conference but on the national scene. UCLA broke a 7 game losing streak last season as they shutdown the high-powered Trojan offense. Worthy of mention again is quarterback Ben Olson, who has great potential and was off to a good start last season before injury ended his season prematurely in their game with Arizona. He holds the key to what has the potential to be a strong offense.
OFFENSE: The Huskies offense will be focused around a couple of major young talents that this program can build around for the next few seasons in quarterback Jake Locker and running back J.R. Hasty. Locker redshirted last season and won the job in the spring with his great combination of arm strength and his scrambling ability. Hasty has not played in two seasons after sitting last year due to academics. He was a huge recruit out of high school and can provide the running game with a much needed shot in the arm. Good news for Hasty and Locker is the return of 3 starters on the offensive line that is much more experienced and capable this season.
DEFENSE: Injuries decimated this group last season as the Huskies ranked 95th in the nation and 9th in the Pac-10 last season. The defensive line returns 4 starters with experience, led by all-star candidate Greyson Gunheim at defensive end, who is a disruptive force on the front line. A concern is a secondary that loses a great deal of experience and could be vulnerable to the top passing attacks that make their home in the Pac-10. This group should show improvement but still needs to plug some major holes before becoming one of the conferences better units.
SPECIAL TEAMS: There is no experience at kicker on the Husky roster with Ryan Perkins and freshman Erik Folk battling for the starting assignment. Junior college transfer Jared Ballman heads to Seattle after averaging 40.8 yards per punt last season and looks to claim the punting assignment. Anthony Russo is likely to take over punt return responsibilities, while Roy Lewis is back to handle kick returns, needing to improve on his 18.8 yard average.
COACHING: Tyrone Willingham enters his 3rd year of his UW resurrection project and he clearly has this program on the rebound as he took the Huskies to 5 wins last season after only earning 2 wins in his inaugural season in Seattle. Willingham has 30 years of coaching experience and he has raised the expectation bar with the Husky faithful, a group that became accustomed to challenging for Pac-10 championships.
SCHEDULE: The Huskies have put together one of the toughest, if not the toughest, schedule in the nation this season. Beginning with an out of conference schedule that features 2 of the nation’s top 5 from last season in Boise State and Ohio State, while the opener is a trip to Syracuse and the season concludes with a road trip to a very dangerous Hawaii team. Following those 3 to open the season, the Huskies then open Pac-10 play with a trip to UCLA, a visit from USC, back on the road to Arizona State, and then home for Oregon. There are no breathers in the initial 7 games of the season, and UW will need a few major upsets to make it back to the post-season.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL....Washington finds a way to win 2 of their non-conference games, and 4 Pac-10 games, but the overall schedule just looks to imposing to project a bowl bid this season. The fresh faces in the skill positions, Locker and Hasty, develop during the season and set the Husky program up for major success in the near future. The defense remains healthy this season and led by a good defensive line, it keeps the Huskies in games as the offense builds.
IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL....The Huskies get swept in their non-conference schedule and end the season battling Stanford to stay out of the basement in the conference. Any time a team is relying heavily on two players at quarterback and running back, and neither has taken a collegiate snap, there is room for concern on the offensive side of the ball. With a schedule that begins so tough, the confidence level could be crushed by the time conference play even kicks off.
MAKE OR BREAK: The opener at Syracuse becomes a huge game as the following 4 weeks consist of Boise State, Ohio State, UCLA, and USC. It would be a huge lift for the Huskies to travel across country to get a win before beginning their brutal stretch of games. The offensive line that returns 3 starters and 8 out of its top 10 from last season must step up and play big to assist in the development of Locker and Hasty. Getting solid play out of the front 5 will help this offense to make a major improvement over last season.
OFFENSE: The Wazzou offense will be centered on a top-notch passing game directed by quarterback Alex Brink, who tossed 19 touchdown passes last season. Brink will have a nice combination to work with in receivers Michael Bumpus and Brandon Gibson and tight end Jed Collins. For the aerial attack to reach its full potential, the running game must become more of a threat this season with Dwight Tardy leading the way after a 667 yard, 4 touchdown effort of last season. The line now returns 3 starters, with the recent dismissal of guard Andy Roof, to help pave the way for Tardy and to keep Brink upright.
DEFENSE: The Cougars will shift back to a 4-3 defense, hoping to utilize the strength of the group, a defensive line that returns 3 starters led by tackle Ropati Pitoitua. The line must play strong because there are major questions surrounding the linebacking corps and the secondary, groups that return a total of 2 starters. WSU finished last in passing defense in the conference last season, and there looks to be a potential repeat of that performance with an inexperienced group looking for leaders to emerge.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The kicking duties look to be taken over by Romeen Abdollmohammadi, who is expected to replace last year's starter Loren Langley who struggled last year, missing 6 of 13 attempts. Darryl Blunt was solid at punting, averaging 41.4 per kick, while Michael Bumpus is back to handle the punt return duties. Bumpus will need to improve on his 5.5 average, good for 8th in the conference last season. The kick return duo of Charles Dillon and Derrell Hutsona returns and like the punt return game will look for additional production out of these two, who finished last in the conference in 2006.
COACHING: Bill Doba had a tremendous 1st season at Wazzou, leading the Cougars to a 10-3 record and a top ten national finish. The team has slid since that time and Doba enters his 5th season with a career mark of 25-22 and looking for his 1st bowl bid since his debut season. He adds the role of defensive coordinator to his head coaching responsibilities this season after the departure of Robb Akey to become the head coach at Idaho.
SCHEDULE: Wazzou opens with a tough trip as they head to crazy Madison to battle Wisconsin before returning home to host winnable non-conference foes in San Diego State and Idaho. The Pac-10 opener is USC and the toughest stretch for the Cougars looks to be a mid-season run of games versus Arizona State, at Oregon, UCLA, and at California. The season concludes with the annual rivalry game with cross-state rival Washington.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL....The Cougars rebuild enough to return to the .500 mark and make their way back into the postseason after a 3 year absence. Tied with UW with a league low 12 returning starters and with 5 conference road games, winning 6 games would be a great building block for this program. The pass defense shows significant improvement, and WSU is able to show marked improvement over last year's 7th ranked conference defense.
IF THINGS DON'T GO SO WELL....The defense continues to struggle with only 5 returning starters and a secondary that does not adjust to the new coverage schemes as the Cougars battle their way to simply stay out of the conference cellar. WSU only hosts 1 of its 1st 5 games at Pullman so a slow start is likely and the team’s bowl hopes can be dashed by mid October.
MAKE OR BREAK: A key game for this Cougar bunch will be a September 29th visit to Arizona, a game that WSU must win to have a chance at earning a bowl bid. Wazzou will be coming off a game at USC the week prior to Arizona, and the following two weeks after are games against Arizona State and at Oregon, emphasizing just how critical the UA game will be for the season. The key to an improved offense will be the running of Dwight Tardy, as he was solid last year and will be relied upon more heavily in 2007. There is little depth behind Tardy so he must carry the majority of the running load this season.
Still prepping for college fantasy football the hard way? Read top insight from Fantasy College Blitz.
PROJECTED STANDINGS
USC 9-0 12-0
UCLA 8-1 11-1
Oregon State 4-5 7-5
Washington 3-6 5-8
Washington State 1-8 3-9
Stanford 1-8 2-10
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE
QB John David Booty USC
RB Yvenson Bernard Oregon State
RB Ryan Torain Arizona State
WR Sammie Stroughter Oregon State
WR DeSean Jackson California
TE Fred Davis USC
OL Sam Baker USC
OL Shannon Tevaga UCLA
OL Alex Mack California
OL Ray Schuening Oregon State
OL Brandon Rodd Arizona State
Honorable Mention Offense: Nate Longshore (California), Chris Markey (UCLA), Jonathan Stewart (Oregon), Jaison Williams (Oregon), Patrick Turner (USC), Jeremy Perry (Oregon State), Eben Britton (Arizona), Chilo Rachal (USC), Bobby Byrd (Washington State)
DL Lawrence Jackson USC
DL Bruce Davis UCLA
DL Sedrick Ellis USC
DL Brigham Harwell UCLA
LB Keith Rivers USC
LB Rey Maualuga USC
LB Derrick Doggett Oregon State
DB Antoine Cason Arizona
DB Terrell Thomas USC
DB Chris Horton UCLA
DB Taylor Mays USC
Honorable Mention Defense: Louis Holmes (Arizona), Greyson Gunheim (Washington), Lionel Dotson (Arizona), Brian Cushing (USC), Spencer Larson (Arizona), Zack Follett (California), Trey Brown (UCLA), Kevin Ellison (USC), Patrick Chung (Oregon)
K Alexis Serna Oregon State
P Andrew Larson California
KR Jonathan Stewart Oregon
PR DeSean Jackson California
Honorable Mention Special Teams: Tom Schneider (California), Aaron Perez (UCLA), Sammie Stroughter (Oregon State)
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year:
John David Booty, USC
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
Keith Rivers, USC
Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year:
DeSean Jackson, California
Preseason Newcomer of the Year:
Joe McKnight, USC
Overall the Pac-10 looks to be a league loaded with powerful offenses, led by a talented crop of quarterbacks that will challenge defenses on a weekly basis. The teams that have the strongest defensive units can separate themselves from the rest of the conference, with USC and UCLA appearing to have the best groups, setting up a predicted conference title bout on December 1st. Bowl locks look to be USC, UCLA, Oregon, California, Arizona State, and Oregon State. Keep an eye on Arizona and Washington, as these two teams have significantly upgraded their talent base and are looking to end long bowl droughts, 8 years for the Wildcats and 4 years for the Huskies.
Copyright © 2004-2009 SouthernCollegeSports.com. All rights reserved. This website is an unofficial and independently operated source of news and information not affiliated with any school, team, or league.
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We are Three Years Younger, two sisters from Suffolk. When we were at secondary school, after having written a couple of songs individually, we decided to start writing songs together, and collaboratively created 'Ghost Ship'.
We would consider ourselves as a mixture of genres (largely pop, rock & folk), but are always looking for experimental ways of creating new sounds that suit our voices (we really love to harmonise!)
As sisters, partners and best friends (well, apart from the occasional argument) we feel as though music is what has tied us together. Up to this point in our career, we have experienced everything together – the nerves before our first gig, and then before our first festival; the shared joy of winning the Under 18s Cambridge Band Competition and Kimberley Rew Award, and most importantly, the elation we have always felt when we sing together.
This year we are playing at Camp Bestival, Strawberry Fair and the Big Weekend Stage in Cambridge. If you want to see us live, have a look on the 'Events' page.
Some of our singles are available on YouTube along with some of our live performances. We have many more songs in the pipeline, several of which have got us completely inspired and can't wait to produce. If you'd like to keep up with what's going on in our lives, please subscribe to our Twitter and Instagram accounts (links above).
We hope to be releasing our first full album at the end of the summer, but until then, you can find our stuff on YouTube and SoundCloud.
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Home » Best » Top 10 Best Banks of 2012
Top 10 Best Banks of 2012
Thursday, February 23rd 2012. | Best
Here is the top 10 best banks of 2012 ranked on total assets in US$. Our World and Country Bank Rankings are based on the total assets of a bank calculated from year end figures gained from submitted balance sheets. These World and Country Rankings offer an excellent indicator of how financial institutions are performing in the industry.
10. JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association , New York , USA
Best Banks JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association, New York, USA
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is an American multinational banking corporation of securities, investments and retail. This best banks is a major provider of financial services, with assets of $2 trillion and according to Forbes magazine is the world’s largest public company based on a composite ranking.
9. China Construction Bank Corporation , Beijing ,China
Best Banks China Construction Bank Corporation, Beijing, China
China Construction Bank is one of the ‘big four’ banks in the People’s Republic of China. The bank has approximately 13,629 domestic branches. In addition, it maintains overseas branches in Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, New York, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, andSydney, and a wholly owned subsidiary in London. Its total assets reached 8.7 trillion RMB in 2009.
8. The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd , Tokyo ,Japan
Best Banks The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd, Tokyo ,Japan
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. is the largest bank in Japan, which was established on January 1, 2006, with the merger of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd. and UFJ Bank Ltd. The bank serves as the core retail and commercial banking arm of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. As at 31 October 2010 BTMU was ranked by Bloomberg as the largest bank in Japan and the eighth best banks in the world.
7. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc , Edinburgh , UK
Best Banks The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, Edinburgh, UK
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc is one of the retail banking subsidiaries of the The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, and together with NatWest and Ulster Bank, provides branch banking facilities throughout the British Isles. The Royal Bank of Scotland has around 700 branches, mainly in Scotland though there are branches in many larger towns and cities throughout England and Wales.
6. Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Limited ,Beijing , China
Best Banks Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Limited, Beijing, China
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. (ICBC) is the best banks in the world by profit and market capitalization. It is one China’s ‘Big Four’ state-owned commercial banks. It was founded as a limited company on January 1, 1984. As of March 2010, it had assets of RMB 12.55 trillion (US$1.9 trillion), with over 18,000 outlets including 106 overseas branches and agents globally.
5. Crédit Agricole SA , Paris , France
Best Banks Crédit Agricole SA, Paris, France
Crédit Agricole S.A. (CASA) is the largest retail banking group in France, second largest in Europe and the eighth largest in the world by Tier 1 capitalaccording to The Banker magazine. It is also part of the CAC 40 stock market index. It was the title sponsor of the Crédit Agricole professional road cycling team from 1997 to 2008.
4. JAPAN POST BANK Co Ltd , Tokyo , Japan
Best Banks JAPAN POST BANK Co Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
Japan Post Bank Company Limited is a Japanese bank headquartered in Tokyo which is part of the Japan Post Holdings postal and financial services group. As of November 2008 it was reported as being the world’s biggest deposit holder.
3. Barclays Bank PLC , London , UK
Best Banks Barclays Bank PLC, London, UK
Barclays PLC is a British multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. As of 2010 it was the world’s 10th-largest banking and financial services group and 21st-largest company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine. It has operations in over 50 countries and territories across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America and around 48 million customers.
2. Deutsche Bank AG , Frankfurt am Main ,Germany
Best Banks Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Deutsche Bank AG is a global banking and financial services company with its headquarters in theDeutsche Bank Twin Towers in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany. It employs more than 100,000 people in over 70 countries, and has a large presence in Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and the emerging markets. In 2009, Deutsche Bank was the largest foreign exchange dealer in the world with a market share of 21 percent.
1. BNP Paribas SA , Paris , France
Best Banks BNP Paribas SA, Paris, France
BNP Paribas was ranked by Bloomberg and Forbes as the largest bank and largest company in the world by assets with over $3.1 trillion. It was formed through the merger of Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) and Paribas in 2000. In April 2009, BNP Paribas purchased a 75 percent stake in Fortis Bank, the Belgian banking business, making BNP the eurozone’s largest bank by deposits held. It’s the best banks of 2012.
tags: best bank, best banks
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Talking Trash with Heather Rogers
CLUI Thematic Program: Waste Stream
THE CLUI PROVIDED ANOTHER INSTALLMENT in its thematic program about the waste stream, with a presentation by Heather Rogers, author of Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Garbage, last spring.
Rogers is an independent filmmaker and writer whose widely praised book is a history and analysis of the main channels of the waste stream - hauling, dumping, landfilling—and the reasons why we generate so much of it, in the first place.
Garbage is a fairly new invention, connected with mass production of things made out of paper, plastic, metal, and glass. In the last 30 years, Americans have doubled the amount of trash we collectively generate, and now packaging—not even really a product itself - takes up around 30% of landfill space. Rogers suggests that recycling makes us feel better about our waste generating habits, while instead we should be feeling worse, and compelled to do something.
Understanding garbage enables us to understand ourselves. As Newton’s third law states, “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” And so, the other side of consumerism could be said to be excretionism, which is something we all participate in, though we would sooner not think about it. This realm is not always pleasant of course, which is exactly why it is so…rich.
As the great garbologist Bill Rathje observed, modern dumps are the midden mounds of contemporary culture. In his work at Fresh Kills landfill in New York, the largest dump in the nation, he found that the stratigraphy of this archeology was aided by the fact that the historical layers inside the mound were dated to the day, by still legible editions of the New York Times. He found that trash disintegrates a lot slower than we thought. It is here to stay.
Rathje’s work sampling and analyzing the past 50 years of America entombed at Fresh Kills, along with the work of the Garbage Project at the University of Arizona, which sampled local waste streams and made demographic and social extrapolations based on their findings, is microcosmic.
Heather Rogers’ work is macrocosmic. She is a garbologist (which, I’m sorry Heather, you become after you write a book about garbage, whether you like it or not) who strives to see the big picture. Under her gaze is the system of flow, the networks and nodes that refuse passes through on its way to some hypothetical disappearance.
And as we illustrate in numerous projects here at the Center, there is no away. The Gone Tomorrow in the title of her book is the perpetual horizon of the near future that we never can reach, as we are always here today.
Rogers showed her film and addressed a packed house at CLUI Los Angeles, providing insight into the world of waste. Her presentation was supported by the Center’s Independent Interpreter Program, where we periodically invite someone who is doing interesting work in and about the landscape to present their work to a general audience at the CLUI.
It was also an event in the CLUI thematic program series on the waste stream. Other upcoming events in the Waste Stream program include an exhibit about a journey through Los Angeles’ solid waste network, and a public tour to the dump, coming up.
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Projects & Locations
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Work Opportunities in VIS
Project Placements
Detailed market and regulatory study concerning connections to electricity & water distribution networks and the development of utility networks in megaprojects (Tetra Tech/ADDC)
VIS has been contracted by Tetra Tech to support a study for ADDC (Abu Dhabi Distribution Company) in two main areas. First, by benchmarking international practices for connections to electricity & water networks, in terms of regulations, commercial rules, and charging methodologies, based on distribution utilities from Europe and Asia. Second, by providing international practices on the development, ownership structure and operation of electricity and water distribution networks in megaprojects.
Technical Assistance to the Kenya Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to develop an open access market framework and rule
The project’s objective is to support ERC towards the development of an open access market framework by drafting an Open Access Market Rule and Framework specific to the Kenyan context, to further the development of competition in Kenya’s electricity sector. The Open Access Framework will outline key components, well as principles, rules, and mechanisms for operating in an open access system. The Draft Rule will serve as the main regulatory tool for establishing an open access framework and will provide clear guidelines on the rights and responsibilities of all parties, including the tariff determination process, reporting requirements, enforcement measures, and mechanisms for dispute resolution.
Capacity & Skills Gap Analysis for Ghana’s Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and Energy Commission (EC)
VIS has been awarded a short TA by NARUC to execute a gap analysis of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority of Ghana (PURC) and the Energy Commission of Ghana (EC). The overarching objective, which is partly served by VIS' assignment, is to enhance the capacity of both the PURC and EC based on a skills gap analysis and needs assessment, focusing on regulatory strengthening at the commissioner and key staff levels. The project required extensive on-site information gathering and quantitative data collection prior to the analysis and subsequent assessment of existing capacities & skills and the way forward.
Development and Implementation of Cabo Verde’s Energy Information Management System
VIS along with DRAXIS S.A have been awarded the important and challenging assignment of developing an Energy Information Management System (EIMS). The EIMS is intended to provide data to support evidence-based policy formulation and decision making to accomplish the goals of the National Program for Sustainable Energy. The EIMS will also act as a catalyst for improvements in productivity, efficiency and communication between the country’s energy sector stakeholders.
Athens Resilient City: Climate Mitigation
VIS has been chosen as the lead subcontractor by EQO-NIXUS in providing technical assistance as part of EIB’s Urban Investment Support Programme (URBIS), to the Municipality of Athens to improve the Energy Efficiency (EE) and the resilience to earthquakes of public buildings, in line with the objectives of the Athens Municipality Integrated Territorial Investment Plan (ITI) and the Resilience Strategy and in line with Urban Agenda for the EU.
Estimating the Effects of the Development of the Oil and Gas Sector on Growth and Jobs in Ghana (2015–30): A Modelling and Value Chain Analysis
VIS is proud for its pivotal contribution to the successful completion of a complex and challenging project where both value chain analysis and macroeconomic modelling where employed. We estimated the effects the recent oil and gas discoveries had in Ghana in terms of value chain development, economic growth and job creation.
Estimating the Effects of the Development of the Oil and Gas Sector on Growth and Jobs in Ghana (2015–30): A Modelling and Value Chain Analysis -
VIS awarded a new IFC study on electricity distribution systems
VIS along with E3 modelling have been awarded the contract for an IFC study to support the organization in evaluating its investments in the electricity distribution sector and their potential microeconomic (utility level) and macroeconomic (nationwide GDP, employment, and GHG emissions) impact.
Cost-Benefit Analysis study for phase 1 of the Midcat gas pipeline project (STEP) published by EC
VIS as part of a Pöyry Management Consulting led consortium completed a Project Specific CBA (PS-CBA) in line with the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) methodology, for phase 1 of the Midcat gas pipeline project in the Eastern Pyrenees – the South Transit Eastern Pyrenees (STEP).
VIS along with Grant Thornton and REF-E in ACER Framework Contract
VIS, in consortium with Grant Thornton and REF-E became contractor in the ACER Framework Contract “for the provision of legal and economic assistance in the field of energy regulation for the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators” – Lot 2: Economic assistance in the field of energy regulation
Technical assistance to the administration for reserves of energy-generating products concerning the optimal management of mandatory oil stocks, Republic of Serbia
VIS along with Ramboll and Asprofos have been awarded a EuropeAid(15SER01/01/13) Technical Assistance project to support the Republic of Serbia to comply with EU Acquis in relation to the establishment and optimal management of an emergency stockholding system for reserves of oil and/ or oil derivatives (Directive 2009/119/EC).
© VIS Economic & Energy Consultants S.A.
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East Staffordshire District
Statistical comparisons will be made with Wales (change comparison)
Total Population 1801 to 2011: Population grew from 19,187 in 1801 to 113,583 in 2011.
Age Structure, in 5-year bands, from 1861 to 2011: In 1861, only 5.83 per cent of the population were aged 65 and over, but by 2011 16.84 per cent were.
Changing Industrial Structure 1841 to 2011: In 1841, 32.2 per cent of all workers worked in manufacturing, but in 2011 this had fallen to 19.19 per cent.
Male Unemployment from 1931 to 2011: The highest male unemployment rate recorded by the census was 10.86 per cent in 1931, and the lowest was .56 in 1951.
Proportion of male workers with professional and managerial jobs, from 1951 to 2011: In 1951, 16.06 per cent of men had these generally better paid jobs, and in 2011 this had risen to 20.5 per cent.
East Staffordshire District, Staffordshire
EAST STAFFORDSHIRE Preferred English Census of Population (2001 Key Statistics)
WEST MIDLANDS Government Office Region Census of Population (2001 Key Statistics)
STAFFORDSHIRE Modern (post 1974) County Census of Population (2001 Key Statistics)
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, East Staffordshire District through time | Census tables with data for the District/Unitary Authority, A Vision of Britain through Time.
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TTO Newsletters
Spotlight On South Africa: Intellectual Property Trends in Singapore
Spotlight On South Africa: Intellectual Property Trends in South Africa
TechTransfer Info: Home
Working with Addgene
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As the international intellectual property (IP) market becomes increasingly collaborative, countries interested in growing their IP Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will continue to adapt laws and regulations to increase the ease of IP generation and to increase collaborations with international partners. Addgene’s feature Spotlight on... strives to capture a snapshot of an evolving IP marketplace and its role in the global IP landscape.
IP Spotlight: South Africa
Intellectual property (IP) developed at universities plays an important role in promoting and developing the overall growth in the business and technology sectors of a country’s economy. It is necessary for a framework to be in place that ensures technology created at universities is used by other researchers and private industry to further innovation. Often, guidelines for the use of university technologies are governed by country specific legislation.
South Africa, one of Africa’s largest economies1, has twenty-three4 public higher-education institutions. These institutions position the country as a leader in many IP spheres. In 2010, South Africa invested about USD 2.3 billion to research and experimental development, representing about 0.87% of its total GDP3.
Even with a research budget of less than 1% of total GDP, in 2010, South African researchers produced more than 7,400 papers. This represents an increase of almost 3,900 publications over total publications in 20007. Part of this boom in research publications may be attributed to a public policy which focuses on improving scientific research in the country6. With such a potential for novel technology and IP, products resulting from publically funded South African research require the protections afforded by a uniform set of guidelines. Since 2008, the use of university generated IP in South Africa has been governed by legislation for ensuring that public IP is used to improve the economic growth and quality of life in South Africa9.
In late 2008, the Parliament of South Africa, passed legislation modeled after the US Bayh-Dole Act of 19808. This legislation, known as No. 51 of 2008: Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, 20085 (IPPFRD). IPPFRD offers protection and management guidelines for public university-created, South African intellectual property. Just as the Bayh-Dole Act addresses the use of IP created at publically funded institutions, IPPFRD addresses the surrounding the ownership of, dissemination of, and use of publicly funded IP. Additionally, IPPFRD details the purpose of a technology transfer office in South Africa and outlines how technology transfer managers should report IP created through public funding, what considerations should be made in order to disseminate publicly created IP, and describes how technology transfer offices at public institutions are charged with managing IP between their home institution and others. IPPFRD envisions that IP created from publicly funded research is made available to the people of South Africa.5
With a focus on socially responsible licensing, IPPFRD has led to the development and dissemination of many technologies relating to healthcare and other technology sectors. Some healthcare related patents or licenses include technologies relating to HIV/AIDS research13, tuberculosis vaccine administration13, and diagnostic reagents for malaria10. Other technologies focused on promoting societal growth include water sustainability technologies10, “Green Economy” frameworks10, and other natural resource management technologies. Biosciences, information and communications technologies, and material science/manufacturing technologies, amongst others, have all been impacted by licensed South African technologies. Through local collaborations, such as South Africa’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and global partnerships. South African institutions are committed to improving South Africa’s well being and competitiveness in the global economy through research and innovation.10, 11, 12
As innovations in technology become increasingly important for the economic development of countries, protocols protecting IP are critical. On the other hand, facilitated sharing of IP leads to further research through collaborations. Accordingly, it is more than important than ever to have an effective system for building research collaborations through IP sharing while protecting the rights of the IP holders. As part of the effort to help university technology transfer managers in this endeavor, Addgene ensures that depositing is free for depositing labs, tracks materials shared between academic researchers globally and protects the interests of IP holders through material transfer agreements. To date, Addgene has collected and shared plasmids from several public institutions in South Africa. We here at Addgene are proud to be part of the global academic research community.
The 5 Largest Economies In Africa
South Africa GDP
Survey shows failure to reach R&D target of 1% of GDP
South Africa's universities
No. 51 of 2008: Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, 2008
National survey of research & experimental development (2009/10 Fiscal Year): high-level key results
SA research output up
The Bayh–Dole Act: A model for promoting research translation?
Higher Education South Africa: CAPACITY & POTENTIAL IN SOUTH AFRICA’S PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES –SURVEY 2007
University of Pretoria - Innovation and Technology Transfer Support Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
Durban University of Technology - Technology Transfer and Innovation
Socially Responsible Licensing of Health Technologies: Policy and Practice in South Africa
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Middletown Mayor Addresses Facts on Library
Written by Middletown Township Public Information
MIDDLETOWN, NJ - Given the amount of misinformation being spread about the issues of the Library System in Middletown Township, it is important to all residents that the Township address some facts regarding this matter:
In New Jersey, Free Public Libraries are funded via the following formula established by State Law.: The total equalized assessed value of all properties in the municipality times .000333333.Thus, library funding increases as values go up and they decrease when values decline as they have been in recent years. For 2013, for example, the Municipal allocation for the Middletown Library is over $3.4 million. This amount has been decreasing in recent years as property values decline.
NJ library law gives the Library Board responsibility for the use of funds available for library purposes (Municipal: N.J.S.A. 40:54-12).Middletown Township’s governing body, the Township Committee, has no role or power regarding the way such funds are spent.
An issue has been raised to what have been referred to as “chargebacks.” These costs are actually the Library’s allocable share of its obligations. Library employees are covered by the Townships various insurance plans and the states pension system at great benefit to the Library whose cost would be much greater than if it had to obtain and pay for these directly. Therefore the payments associated with these are driven by the number and cost of covered employees of the library. The Library Board is to use funds from its statutory allocation for the Library’s portion of these costs. Since the Library receives its funds via a dedicated tax borne by the taxpayers for the purpose of funding all of their obligations, such costs should not be an added duplicate burden on the municipal budget and the taxpayers.
In previous years, the amount paid by the Library to cover these aforementioned costs were substantially lower than the actual costs, so in fact, the Library was paying far less than it should have for many years.
In order to explain the process for establishing the Library’s share of costs, a meeting was held between the Library Board’s President and Township Staff. The entire analysis was discussed. A subsequent meeting was held in December with the Library Board’s entire Finance Committee. The Township presented its analysis and some discussion ensued at which time it was agreed by the township to lower the costs by about $50,000.00. These reduced amounts had to do with services provided by the Township to the Library and were not associated with insurance or pension costs.
The Township has always absorbed certain additional costs associated with the Library. In fact, in 2002, the Main Library underwent an extensive remodel and expansion project. This cost was in excess of $8.5 million and the Township continues to pay the full costs of the debt service associated with this project which are approximately $650,000.00 per year. Also in 2002, the Township allocated $45,000.00 from municipal funds for work at the Bayshore Library Branch.
The Township anticipates including plans in its 2013 Capital Budget for a parking lot expansion at the Main Branch. This cost will also be borne out of the Township’s budget and not the Library’s.
There is no question that a funding mechanism based upon assessed property values was going to be challenging for the near future with home values decreasing. Now with the impacts of Superstorm Sandy, that challenge will last longer and have an even greater impact on both Library and Municipal budgets. The Executive Director and former Library board which gave 6% raises and continued its overstaffing and excessive overtime apparently did not plan for or anticipate the obvious future. Hopefully the new Library Board will take these matters into consideration and address them to continue Middletown’s terrific library system.
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Best Of List
Will’s Best Albums of 2015
By Will Oliver, March 18th 2016 — with 1 comment
Artwork thanks to our very own Anthony Bauer
We’re certainly far enough removed from 2015 now for me to properly look back at the year and realize how remarkable it was. I meant to get this list up in January, but as it does, life got in the way and things got delayed. Sure, I may have missed the “list” cycle, but that’s ok. Now with some more time I was able to catch up on albums I wasn’t able to get to during the 2015 calendar year, as well as give some albums the chance to further reveal themselves to me over time.
2015 saw an abundance of great artists converge to release new material, almost to the point where there was a consistently too much great music on a week-to-week basis. Worlds smallest violin playing, I know.
I already shared my honorable mentions for best albums of the year, and many of these albums were good enough to make a top list any other year. But 2015 was a really great year, and this top 50 list really demonstrates how much quality stuff was released.
Without further ado, here are my top 50 albums of 2015.
We All Want Someone’s Best Shows Of 2015
Blur at MSG
I lost count of how many shows I went to in 2015, but I’m pretty sure I managed to top the amount of shows I went to in 2014, which was a previous record.
You’ll notice a good chunk of the shows that made the cut are established artists playing intimate venues such as Baby’s All Right or Bowery Ballroom. Nothing quite matches getting to see big acts in a great small venue. That’s not to say that a show at a large venue can’t be good, as plenty of big bands playing large venues or dare I say arenas ended up on here as well. There’s a lot of ingredients to a good show, and I don’t discriminate..
Below, find my top 40 shows of 2015 and feel free to click through to each individual show recap to re-live them along with me. We can’t wait to see what 2016 brings to us. All I know is it will be tough to match what I saw in 2015.
Anthony’s Best Albums of 2015
By Anthony Bauer, March 12th 2016
Looking back on 2015, it has got to be one of the best years that we’ve had for music in recent memory. Not only did we get an insane amount of releases, but we also got an equally insane amount of quality releases across the board. Narrowing down all these releases into a “top 10” style list was very, very difficult. Instead of another “best albums of 2015” list, I thought I’d switch things up a bit and go through my favorite album releases in 2015 (which lets be honest, there were a lot).
The year brought us some wonderful debuts, a couple surprises, and a few releases that were a more return to form of sorts. So in no particular order, here are my favorite albums of 2015:
Will’s Best Albums Of 2015: Honorable Mentions
Artwork courtesy of our very own Anthony Bauer
2015 was one of the best years for music in recent memory with many established artists releasing great new work, while tons of brand new artist made the sort of introductions that we will look back fondly once they’re leading the way in the future.
I had such a hard time narrowing down my top 50 albums list that I still had plenty of quality stuff left over to make up my honorable mentions list. So without further ado, here are some honorable mentions for best albums of 2015 that are plenty worth your time
By Will Oliver, March 7th 2016
(Blur at Madison Square Garden)
2015 was one hell of a year for music. Naturally, there were a ton of great shows to be found. We saw as many as ever last year, and we look to attend even more shows in 2016. With that said, we’re finally giving a look back to 2015, selecting some of our favorite moments from the year.
Along with my small but trustworthy team of friends who happen to also be photographers, we took hundreds if not thousands of photos last year. I went through the ever-growing archives and selected just a handful of favorite photos taken throughout the year. It was hard and nearly impossible to narrow it down, but here are just some of my favorite photos that we shared on this blog in 2015, in chronological order taken throughout the year. If not taken by me, credit is given along with the posted caption below the photo.
Dana’s Best Albums of 2015
By Dana Pacifico, January 26th 2016
For me 2015 was a great year musically. Three of my favorite bands released solid albums and pop music made a serious movement. It was incredibly difficult to put a number on each of these albums because they not only speak to my soul sonically but in being a concert photographer I’ve gotten so see many of these artists live and those experiences also help give me a singular feeling that is hard to measure.
Best Songs of 2014
By Will Oliver, February 20th 2015 — with 1 comment
(artwork by Dana Pacifico)
Apparently I got Chinese New Year confused with the end of 2014, as it took me until now to finally share my list of favorite songs from 2014. It’s late, but you better bet it’s a true indication of my favorite songs of 2014. These are the 100 songs that I played and enjoyed the most and are still playing on regular rotation. They came from the most established artists like Beck, as well as newcomers such as Alvvays, Leon Bridges and Flyte. It’s a bit all over the map stylistically, which is a good thing if you ask me.
I’ve posted the list of songs below from 100-1. I’ve turned the entire list into a spotify playlist (keep in mind some tracks weren’t on spotify so if that’s the case, just come back here and you can click the song it will take you to the tracks soundcloud/youtube page). Head to the bottom of the page for the spotify playlist, or just head here.
With that said, here are my favorite songs that were released in 2014, finally:
By Will Oliver, February 12th 2015 — with 6 comments
We are almost a month and a half into 2015, but I finally got around to publishing a full list of my favorites albums of 2014. There was a lot of great music released, so much so that I had to make a separate honorable mentions list of records that just missed the cut. Which makes the 50 records that did make it even more impressive.
If anything, these albums are more so my favorites of the year than “the best” as it’s all totally objective. But these were the albums that defined the 12 months of 2014, soundtracking endless drives into the cities, summer festivals, moments of solitude, as well as parties and celebrations of all kind. Looking back, it really was a pretty damn good year.
With that said, here are my 50 best albums of 2014:
Best Albums of 2014: Honorable Mentions
By Will Oliver, February 9th 2015 — with 2 comments
There was a lot of great music released in 2014, a lot more than can be represented fairly in a top 50 list. Sometimes some quality stuff just slips through the cracks, just barely missing the cut. But that doesn’t mean that these albums didn’t get plenty of love from me throughout the year.
This year I decided to do a separate posts of some honorable mentions for albums that just fell shy of making the list. All of these are well worth your time. They’re posted below in no particular order or ranking:
By Will Oliver, February 5th 2015
(Foals at Terminal 5)
There was no shortage of great shows to be found in 2014. You can find the best 50 that I saw in 2014 right here. Throughout the year, we took thousands upon thousands of photos, documenting every moment of these unforgettable shows. We put in a lot of work trying to capture the essence of these performances, and I wanted to share these photos with you in one giant collection.
These are not only photos that I took, but also photos taken by our great team of contributing photographers. They’re posted in chronological order, as there was simply no other right way to go about ordering the photos. Below each photo, is the link to the original post, as well as the photographer credit (if it’s other than myself).
So with that said, sit back, and enjoy our favorite live concert photos that we took in 2014. You can also find the gallery posted over at our facebook page. There’s probably one too many photos posted here, but we probably saw way too many shows.
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PerformancesMark Rudio July 28, 2010 Funk, Sly and Robbie
Monsters of Riddim
Sly & Robbie rolled into Yoshi's with the Taxi Gang in tow for a two night stand at Yoshi's this week and I caught the second show after a double feature at the Viz. These two guys have worked together for more than thirty years and they are probably the world's best rhythm section. They've worked with and for more people than you can even imagine. It's somewhat staggering. Sometimes their albums are fantastic (Rhythm Killers) sometimes confusing (Material's The Third Power) sometimes just so-so (Silent Assassins) but this show was guaranteed to have some serious chops on display and they didn't disappoint.
I have to admit to not being able to understand the name of anyone in the Taxi Gang, though they were announced twice. I can't find the current line-up online, but know that the two keyboard players, sax, trombonist/vocalist who threw it down with them were great. The guitarist however, was fantastic. I wish I knew who he was- if you do, please mention it in the comments. A singer named Peter G. came out and did a couple of tunes with the band toward the end and almost got done by a woman from the audience.
The hour and a half set, played for an enthusiastic, often high, distressingly and overwhelmingly Caucasian full-house, was heavy on monster slabs of dub. Though Dunbar's drum kit was more modest than I expected, the band doesn't shy away from using computer effects on their instruments and Dunbar crafted thick percussive beats that seemed to come from three different players. The sound of the drums shifted all night, and you could never tell where he was going to take it next. While he sometimes called out cues, more often the music just suddenly shifted into another zone with no effort, smooth as glass but sharp as a knife.
Shakespeare is simply an amazing bass player- he plays it with right hand, he plays it with his left, and he makes it look so effortless as he rolls his shoulders to the rhythm. He almost never looked at Dunbar, yet the two of them were as in sync as any two musicians I've ever seen play together. Never flashy, but the man can make you move your body with his bass like you're a puppet. The songs ranged from straightforward reggae to dub with heavy metal guitar laid over the top like a machine gun. But mostly it was about the rhythm and on that score, it was a funkin' dub monster gig.
Once again, a shout-out to Yoshi's for being a great place to see a show. I went by myself and when I told the host upstairs I wanted to eat she asked me if minded sharing a table with a child. Surprised by the question, I said "not at all" and sat down next to Eduardo and Kelly from Bishop, there to get their groove on with their charming young son Mattias. A super-nice family who chatted me up while I ate my burger and fries, quickly and efficiently delivered by one of the joint's excellent servers. Though I've seen a couple of mishaps in the place, all in all Yoshi's has to be one of the very best venues in San Francisco for live music.
American Grindhouse
FilmMark Rudio August 03, 2010 American Grindhouse, Horror, Roughies, The Femme Fatale
Every Picture Tells a Story, Don't It?
Urban livingMark Rudio July 26, 2010 Chili Dogs, only in San Francisco
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MEG is part of the next generation of oil sands development and production. MEG is a public traded Alberta-based company that uses Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) technology to recover drillable (in situ) oil from the oil sands.
Primary operations are in the Southern Athabasca region at Christina Lake, near Conklin, Alberta.
Christina Lake is a three phase project. Phase 1 and Phase 2 began production in 2008 and 2009, respectively and have a combined design production capacity of 25,000 bbls/d. Phase 2 came on stream late in 2009, by June of 2010 the combined average production from these two phases had already exceeded 26,000 bbls/d.
An expansion to Phase 2, called Phase 2B, is under construction is slated to operation in 2013. Phase 2B is being designed to add 35,000 bbls/d of production capacity, which would bring MEG's combined production capacity at the Christina Lake Project to 60,000 bbls/d.
Phase 3 of the Christina Lake Project is at the regulatory approval stage. When all stages are completed, Phase 3 is expected to add another 150,000 bbls/d of production capacity, for a total production capacity of 210,000 bbls/d.
MEG is co-owner of the Access pipeline which supplies production to the distribution hub near Edmonton, Alberta. Production is marketed as Acess Western Blend (AWB).
All Jobs: MEG Energy Corp.: 0
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Stòras Uibhist move to base Scottish Land Commission on South Uist
Stòras Uibhist is corresponding with the Scottish Government with a view to basing the soon to be established Scottish Land Commission on South Uist.
Through the Land Reform (Scotland) Act (2016) passed in March this year, among several land management measures, a new register of people in control of land in Scotland will be created.
It is expected the Scottish Land Commission – also to be established through the Land Reform (Scotland) Act (2016) – will lead to the creation of a significant number of positions of employment.
Stòras Uibhist is setting out to the Scottish Government that not only do the islands provide an ideal setting for such a high profile organisation, but that South Uist Estate lies at the heart of community land ownership in Scotland. It says it can offer flexibility around location that will not be matched elsewhere, and has the infrastructure to support nationally important organisations.
Angus MacMillan – Chair of Stòras Uibhist – said: “A unique opportunity exists to locate the Scottish Land Commission on South Uist and we urge the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Roseanna Cunningham MSP) to give full consideration to the mutual benefits that could be achieved by locating within the South Uist area.”
Stòras Uibhist says it is looking forward to hosting Roseanna Cunningham MSP on South Uist, so that she can see first-hand what the estate has to offer.
Filed Under: News Tagged With: Land Reform, Scottish Government, Scottish Land Commission, Stòras Uibhist
Allan delighted as CalMac wins ferries contract
Alasdair Allan MSP has warmly welcomed the announcement that Calmac has been awarded preferred bidder status for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.
The next contract will run from 1st October 2016 for a duration of up to eight years. The Scottish Government will provide £900 million of support to these lifeline services and continue the application of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) across the network.
Alasdair Allan commented: “I am absolutely delighted that CalMac has been awarded preferred bidder status for the contract to serve these islands. The clear preference of island communities was for Calmac to retain the contract and that is something I and many others conveyed to the government.
“While none of us would have volunteered for this process to happen, it was vital that the Scottish Government complied with the law in order to safeguard the recover levels of investment that have been put into our ferry services.
“It is encouraging to see that a company with such a long record if serving the islands as CalMac has been able to make a robust bid and that the services will remain under public control.
“I believe the new contract will lead to further improvements in the ferry services that are so crucial to the economy and quality of life on these islands and I look forward to working with CalMac in the months and years ahead.”
Filed Under: News, Transport Tagged With: CalMac, Ferries, Scottish Government
Stòras Uibhist comments on Transport Minister visit arrangements
Stòras Uibhist has issued a statement commenting on arrangements for a meeting with Transport Minister, Derek MacKay, who visited Uist last week.
Cllr Ronnie MacKinnon last week labelled Mr MacKay’s visit a “party political stunt”. Cllr MacKinnon was particularly critical of a meeting regarding ferry services to South Uist – held in the offices of Stòras Uibhist – and to which he was not invited.
Stòras Uibhist has commented:
“On Wednesday April 15th, representatives of the Lochboisdale Ferry User Group (Fr Donald McKay, Angus MacMillan and Calum MacAulay), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar officials and officers and Stòras Uibhist directors and staff firmly and robustly presented the case for improved ferry service provision for the community of South Uist to the Transport Minister, Derek McKay.
“Stòras Uibhist had asked the minister directly for the meeting, and Alasdair Allan’s office had also supported that meeting request.
“The Lochboisdale Ferry User Group was invited to the meeting by Stòras Uibhist, and the Ferry User Group determined which of their representatives attended.
“In advance of the meeting Stòras Uibhist was advised by Transport Scotland only that Derek MacKay, Alasdair Allan MSP and Graham Laidlaw of Transport Scotland would be attending, along with the PPS of Derek MacKay and the constituency office staff member for Alasdair Allan. No further attendees were identified to Stòras Uibhist in advance of the meeting by Transport Scotland.
“Stòras Uibhist will continue to work with all parties to secure improved ferry service provision from Lochboisdale and it is extremely disappointing that attention is being distracted away from the hard work of Stòras Uibhist staff members and volunteer directors, who have campaigned long and hard for improved ferry services from Lochboisdale and hopes that all parties will work together positively in future to deliver this aspiration for the community.”
Filed Under: News, Transport Tagged With: Derek MacKay, Ferry services, Scottish Government, Stòras Uibhist, Transport Minister, Transport Scotland
£53,286 to boost youth employment in the Western Isles
Comhairle Eilean Siar will receive £53,286 from the Scottish Government to help support young people towards a job.
The funding has been put in place to support the implementation of the recommendations from the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce which outlined a new blueprint for work-based training last year.
The funding, part of £6.5 million investment for all Scotland’s local authorities, will go towards developing vocational and employment pathways for young people, strengthening links between schools and employers and helping vulnerable groups become work ready.
Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training, Roseanna Cunningham, said: “The latest trends on youth employment have been hugely encouraging but there is no room for complacency. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting more young women and men into jobs and published a new youth employment strategy in December.
“At the heart of our strategy is the report by the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce. We will continue to work closely with our partners in local government and Scotland’s business community on its implementation as part of a seven year plan to create a new world-class system of work-based training that will work for both the economy and the job prospects of our young people.
“I am very pleased to be able to confirm funding for the Western Isles that will give the local authority additional resource to tailor activity to local need to give young people in the area the best possible chance of success.”
Filed Under: Local Government, News Tagged With: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Funding, Scottish Government, Youth Employment
£260,000 funding boost for NHS Western Isles
NHS Western Isles will receive an extra £260,000 from the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government has today confirmed NHS Western Isles is to receive an extra £260,000 of funding in 2015/16.
The money is part of the additional £65m for health boards announced by the Health Secretary, Shona Robison, yesterday.
NHS Western Isles will receive an additional £260,000 specifically to address pressures such as the rising cost of new drugs.
The additional £65 million announced by the Cabinet Secretary yesterday will see Territorial Boards receive an average uplift of 3.4 per cent in the next financial year, and will bring all NHS territorial boards to within one per cent of parity under the NHS NRAC funding formula a year earlier than planned, and help boards meet the cost of expensive new drugs.
The NRAC formula was introduced in 2009/10 and the Scottish Government’s policy has been to phase in changes to NHS boards’ funding gradually, with a view to bringing all boards to within 1 per cent of NRAC parity by 2016/17.
The announcement of additional funding brings the total uplift for NHS Western Isles for next year to £1.5m.
Ms Robison said: “Despite Scotland’s fiscal resource budget being slashed in real terms by 10 per cent by Westminster since 2010, we’ve increased the health resource budget by 4.6 per cent in real terms.
“Our NHS services face challenges as a result of the increase in patients, with more complex illnesses, and the rising costs of expensive new drugs.
“This additional investment of £1.5m increases the resources available to NHS Western Isles and will help alleviate these pressures, ensuring our NHS can continue to deliver effective and sustainable care to patients in the area.”
Filed Under: Health, News Tagged With: Funding boost, NHS Western Isles, Scottish Government
Consultation on Croft House Grant Scheme
A consultation has been launched on the Scottish Government’s Croft House Grant Scheme (CHGS).
The scheme provides financial assistance for the improvement and maintenance of crofter housing with the aim of attracting and retaining people in remote areas of the Highlands and Islands.
For the next 12 weeks, the Scottish Government is formally seeking views on the future shape of the scheme and its payment rates.
Crofting Minister Dr Aileen McLeod said: “Crofting is vital to communities, the economy and the environment in Scotland’s remote and fragile areas, and generated an estimated revenue of almost £86 million last year.
“By law, crofters have to live on or close to their croft which can present challenges in terms of availability and quality of suitable housing.
“We know those are major factors in rural depopulation and so by offering financial assistance for constructing and upgrading residential properties, the Croft House Grant Scheme is helping to attract and retain people in our remote, rural and island communities.
“The CHGS launched 10 years ago and although building costs have gone up, the assistance rates we are able to contribute have not. While I am sympathetic to the case for increasing the size of grants on offer I need evidence to make a decision that will benefit our remote and rural communities.
“That is why it is so important for as many people as possible to respond to this consultation.”
Filed Under: Crofting, News Tagged With: Croft House Grant Scheme, Crofting, Scottish Government
Cash boost for Tagsa Uibhist dial-a-bus service
Tagsa Uibhist’s dial-a-bus service will benefit from new funding.
Transport Minister Keith Brown today announced over £3 million worth of funding to be allocated to bus projects across Scotland over the next two years.
Tagsa Uibhist will receive more than £73,000 to extend and improve its dial-a-bus service.
Thirteen projects in total – including interchange hubs and community transport – will receive grants under the second round of Transport Scotland’s Bus Investment Fund (BIF).
The BIF encourages partnership working to help improve bus services, standards and infrastructure for communities across Scotland.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said:“I was delighted by the level of interest shown in this year’s Bus Investment Fund and would like to congratulate all the successful applicants who have secured substantial funding.“This fund supports community groups, authorities and operators across the country, helping to improve the standard of bus services, increasing patronage thereby achieving greater modal shift.
“The Scottish Government is committed to improving bus services in Scotland and that is why we have provided a further round of funding under the Bus Investment Fund.”
Filed Under: News, Transport Tagged With: Dial-a-bus, Scottish Government, Tagsa Uibhist, transport
‘No complacency’ message after two mild winters
It’s time to get ready for winter…
Two consecutive relatively mild winters appear to have made people in Scotland less worried about severe weather incidents, according to new research published today.
Research commissioned by the Scottish Government and the British Red Cross has found that 40 per cent of Scots surveyed said that they were concerned about emergencies caused by treacherous weather conditions, down from almost half of those questioned a year ago.
The survey also found:
• almost nine out of ten car owners believe they are prepared for an emergency, largely because three-quarters carry an ice-scraper and de-icer.
• seven per cent had experienced an extreme weather emergency in the past year, with higher levels in rural areas. Of these, two-fifths claimed they got together with neighbours to help them cope.
Launching this year’s ‘Ready for Winter?’ campaign, Scottish Government Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “If there is anything recent winters have shown us it is that Scottish weather is unpredictable.
“In the last five years, most parts of Scotland have been affected by severe weather ranging from snow and freezing temperatures to high winds and flooding, and we also saw the terrible impact of flooding in south-west England last winter. While extreme weather can happen at any time of year, winter remains the time of greatest risk.
“The unpredictability of weather patterns means we cannot simply hope that we will miss the worst of it. While we can’t stop the weather causing disruption, we can be well prepared to cope with it.
“Our annual winter preparedness campaign reminds us of this and the simple actions we can all take to get ready: in the home, before a journey, at our place of work and in our communities. This will serve us well not just throughout the winter months, but all year round and in a range of emergency situations.
“I’m delighted the campaign is again being run in partnership with the British Red Cross and will be supported by a variety of other partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors in Scotland.”
David Miller, Director of the British Red Cross in Scotland, said:
“Making sure you are prepared now for winter can make a huge difference when extreme weather hits.
“At the Red Cross we know that severe weather, including snow and floods, can have serious consequences. However, with a few simple steps you can make yourself and others ready for the disruption it can bring.
“You can prepare an emergency kit for your home and car, jot down your emergency phone numbers and check on any neighbours, family or friends to see if they need any help. You can also make sure you know what the plan at your workplace is.
“Each year the Red Cross helps people across Scotland cope with the effects of severe weather and this winter, as always, we’ll be prepared and ready.”
COSLA President Councillor, David O’Neill said: “COSLA is delighted to once again be working in partnership with the Scottish Government and British Red Cross to launch the ‘Ready for Winter?’ campaign. COSLA would urge people to be aware of the simple measures they can take to make sure they are prepared should severe weather affect Scotland.
“COSLA is involved in reaching out to local councils throughout Scotland to ensure they have appropriate contingency plans in place to minimise the impact on public services should Scotland experience any form of severe weather this winter.”
Filed Under: Health, News, Weather Tagged With: Scottish Government, Severe weather, Winter
Process to build new ferry for Lochmaddy underway
MV Hebrides currently serves the Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert triangle.
A procurement process to build and design two new ferries for use on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services network has been launched by Transport Minister Keith Brown.
One of the new ferries would be utilised on the Lochmaddy-Uig-Tarbert triangle, replacing MV Hebrides.
A ‘Pre-Qualification Questionnaire’ (PQQ) for the vessels has been issued by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) on behalf of Scottish Ministers. This will allow CMAL to gauge market interest before issuing a formal ‘Invitation To Tender’.
The successful bidder will undertake detailed design and construction work of two passenger, freight and car ferries of 100 metres length overall, as well as testing, equipping, launch and delivery.
The first vessel is to be delivered by the end of 2017, with the second vessel to follow some months later.
Mr Brown said: “I am delighted to announce the procurement process to build two new ferries for the CalMac fleet is now underway.
“I have made clear my commitment to supporting ferry users around Scotland by providing safe and reliable services, and this is the latest step to ensuring we have a fleet that continues to deliver for the communities that depend on it.
“The publication of the PQQ marks the first step in the process. Once CMAL have gauged the market, they will issue a formal ‘Invitation To Tender’ with a view to awarding the contract in the Spring of 2015.
“The ferries are being designed to provide a fully flexible year-round service for Arran and the Uig Triangle, subject to final review by CalMac Ferries Ltd, CMAL and Transport Scotland. The vessels they replace will be cascaded throughout the network.
“We are now focused on carrying out a competitive and detailed procurement process and look forward to adding the new vessels to the CalMac fleet.”
Tom Docherty, CMAL’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to announce two new additions to our fleet, which demonstrates CMAL’s commitment to providing lifeline ferries to communities on the Western Isles and the west coast of Scotland.
“I look forward to the start of a new project and watching the work progress.”
It’s expected that the new vessels will be fitted with twin LNG dual-fuelled engines and driving controllable pitch propellers through gearboxes.
There will be a requirement for a service speed of 16.5 knots and a carrying capacity of 1000 passengers, 127 cars or 16 heavy goods vehicles. The vessels will also be required to regularly operate at 14.5 knots.
The detailed designs, calculations and drawings of the vessels will be developed and approved in conjunction with the classification society, the UK flag state authority (where the ships will be registered) and any other relevant authorities. – See more at: http://www.cmassets.co.uk/en/news-articles/procurement-of-two-new-ferries-gets-underway.html#sthash.o51qymzO.dpuf
Filed Under: News, Transport Tagged With: CalMac, CMAL, MV Hebrides, Scottish Government
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Like it or not, it's Easter
April 21, 2019 Bart Barrett
He was mad, seething mad. It showed on his face, disgust and anger intertwined, all directed at me. Because I had the audacity to speak the terrible truth about his condition.
A long-time smoker, several months earlier he had been diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer, an unwanted answer to the question of unexplained weight loss. Surgery and chemotherapy had done what surgery and chemotherapy do in patients like him, lengthened his days without changing the end result. He had a terminal disease.
He had returned to work, convinced that he was winning, weeks earlier. A few weeks before this conversation he took a turn for the worse, shortness of breath was now a constant companion. A chest x-ray revealed a large build up of fluid around his lungs, laboratory analysis confirmed the fluid was cancerous. All treatments had failed, he had days to live. It was my job to deliver the bad news.
“I refuse to accept it,” had been his reply, “I am not ready to die.” His defiantly set jaw supported the passion of his declaration. He was certain that he could still beat the disease.
“Whether you choose to accept it or not, whether you are ready or not, doesn’t change the fact that you are dying.”
He repeated his refusal, his voice rising.
In an attempt to break through his denial I spoke even more bluntly than before. “You are dying, and there is not anything anyone can do about it!”
He stormed out of the office and drove to the hospital where he demanded treatment. The doctor there admitted him to the intensive care unit. It was there he died less than two weeks later, proving the point that reality does not change because you refuse to believe it. The truth of things exists independent and unchanged by our acceptance of it.
His story and attitude came to mind this morning as I pondered the Christian story of the resurrection of Jesus. For over two millennia, followers of the Christian faith have gathered to celebrate a remarkable, unbelievable story. On a Friday, a Jewish man named Jesus was executed by crucifixion, his battered and lifeless body placed into a cave-like tomb. The following Sunday, the “third day”, the tomb was empty, and hundreds of his followers claimed to have seen Him alive. He had risen.
His resurrection signified to them that Jesus was more than just a man, that he was God in the flesh. It affirmed his teachings and his life, which had proclaimed the way for men to have relationship with God.
The message of Easter, as with all messages, is either true or it isn’t. As is always the case with truth, the veracity of the story is not dependent on our willingness to believe it or desire to deny it. Jesus either rose from the dead, with all of the associated ramifications, or he didn’t, with those associated ramifications.
Either Christians are fools, victims of a cruel hoax or childish fantasy, or they are not. It behooves all men, those with and without faith, to explore the truth about Easter, to formulate answers and reach conclusions based on the facts of history and the available evidence. Neither blind faith nor blind rejection are appropriate responses.
Thanks for reading and sharing. If you have honest questions about the Easter Story, or any questions of faith, I can be reached through the contacts page on this website.
In Faith Tags easter
Ulcers, Easter, and Truth
March 30, 2018 Bart Barrett
Truth is at times unbelievable.
By the early 1980’s medical experts were certain they understood the causes of gastric ulcers. As the stomach is an acid secreting organ, and because acid can damage tissues, everyone knew that acid was the reason people got ulcers. Because ulcers were more often found in urban businessmen, doctors concluded that stress had a role. This theory was “confirmed” by studies in rats that showed ulcers developed when rats were wrapped in straight jackets and dropped in ice water, and when research showed antacids prevented these ulcers.
Enter Barry Marshall, an internal medicine doctor in Perth, Australia. Along with a pathologist colleague, Robin Warren, he gathered evidence that ulcers were the result of a bacterial infection. Further, he found evidence that the bacteria was a root cause of stomach cancer. He started treating ulcer patients with antibiotics, with remarkable results.
The medical community refused to accept his findings. They thought they knew the cause of ulcers, and could not believe that a bacterial infection could be the cause. It did not make sense. Bacterial infections were the cause of acute infections, of pneumonias and ear infections and sinusitis and cellulitis. They did not cause chronic infections, and they definitely did not cause cancer. Marshall’s theory was simply unbelievable.
It was unbelievable, but it was true. Convinced of the truth of their claims, Marshall and his colleague fought for their findings. The medical community took longer than they should have to accept their research, but the eventually did. In 2005 Marshall and Warren, were awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine. They changed the world of medicine forever.
Their story came to mind today as I thought about Good Friday and the Easter Story. The Gospel accounts tell an unbelievable tale. The Bible declares that Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish teacher of dubious parentage, was actually the Son of God. This Son of God, instead of asserting his right to rule and demanding that all honor and worship him, allowed himself to be put to death at the hands of the Romans who governed the conquered Jewish nation. He was publicly executed in brutal fashion, nailed to a wooden cross where he hung until in agony he died.
The story did not end with Jesus’ death, the New Testament writers report that 2 days later he appeared alive to many of his followers. He had risen from the dead, in so doing proving to the world that he was indeed who he had claimed to be, the Son of God and the savior of the world.
What an unbelievable story.
So much of the story does not make sense. Why would God decide to live as a man? Why would he choose to die? Why couldn’t he just choose to forgive everybody without going through such suffering? How could someone come back to life after two days in a tomb. There are too many “whys” and “hows”.
The story flies in the face of so much that people know. The story is unbelievable.
That does not mean it isn't true.
In Faith, Medical Tags easter
The Wrong Kind of Easter Message
They had a megaphone, held up sloppy handwritten signs and a GoPro camera and were shouting as church members walked by them on the way to the cars after Easter service. From a distance I could not tell what they were protesting about. I wondered if they were atheists are some anti-Christian cult. When I came even with the protesters I learned the cause was even more ridiculous. They were animal rights activists.
One of them called out to my wife, “Who died for you this morning?” Surprised, she gave the answer appropriate for the morning, “Jesus.” The protester clarified his “point", rephrasing the question, “Who did you eat this morning?” It took me a moment to realize that he was telling us that it was not right that animals die for our sustenance. He apparently believed that animals have feelings and desires, just like people do. He didn't know us, did not know if we were carnivorous or vegan, yet he was convinced that we were evildoers in need of nutritional repentance.
He and his colleagues rained down taunts and jeers as people walked by. They were clearly not interested in dialogue. They only wanted to attack us for the wrongness of our thinking.
Among the claims I heard as we passed-
- Animals want to live just like people do.
- Animals want to be with their families too.
- Animals have feelings.
- Eating meat is tantamount to murder.
These claims were repeated over and over, in loud voices and with condescending tones. The message they were trying to proclaim was not the message their audience received. They wanted us to believe that animals have rights and feelings. What we believed was that they were terribly misguided and deceived.
Those who walked by them were Christians, people who hold to the biblical teaching that mankind is unique, that people alone are created in the image and likeness of God. Unlike animals, we alone possess body, soul and spirit. We alone have reason and creativity, we alone will live eternally. We all know that animals are not at all like us.
We also know that the Bible does not advocate for the vegan lifestyle. The Old Testament gives detailed instructions for offering animal sacrifices. The most holy feast in the nation of Israel, the Passover, involves a meal centered around a ceremonially killed, unblemished lamb. Jesus himself participated in the celebration of this feast. These facts did not stop them from condemning us as we walked by.
As I walked away I wondered what it was they were hoping to accomplish by their diatribe. They could not expect that anyone would be persuaded by their angry shouts. Increased volume does not make up for the ignorance of an argument. I suspect their goal was one shared by many political protesters, Facebook commenters and internet trolls. They wanted to feel morally superior. What they did not realize was that they were creating the same feelings in those who walked by.
Thanks for reading. If you want to receive future posts via email, click on the subscribe button. You can also follow me on Twitter @bartbarrettmd
In Culture Tags animal rights, easter
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This is the Police 2 Review
Jamie Laike Tsui August 30, 2018
Developer: Weappy Studio
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Platform: PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One, Windows (Reviewed)
Release Date: 31 July 2018 (PC), 25 September 2018 (Consoles)
Price: $14.99 USD – Available Here
This is the Police 2 is a multi-genre video game. Offering elements of simulation, turn based strategy, RPGs, and visual novels, This is the Police 2 thrusts players behind the desk of the police commander in Sharpwood, Alaska. This backwater town is anything but sleepy, as its plagued with crime and a criminal organization known as the Neckties.
This is the Police 2 is set a year after the events of This is the Police. Jack Boyd has reappeared after going into hiding, looking to avoid jailtime. Lilly Reed has just been thrust into her new leadership role as Sheriff of Sharpwood after the death of her mentor. Reed is struggling to find her confidence as a leader and some of her new subordinates are less than thrilled about having a woman in command.
The story in This is Police 2 is excellent. Although I have not played the first game, the writers do a good job allowing players to select their version of events from the first game and always introducing old characters properly. The plot is captivating. Jack is a man on the run who has little problem falling back to his old ways. His rough and tumble style conflicts wonderfully with Lilly’s by the book mindset, but the two are in a tense dance as Lilly and Jack find themselves in a position where they must rely on each other for their short-term goals. The side stories involving individual police officers and local crime is also well written, often being a light hearted to balance out the generally dark nature of the main plot.
This is the Police 2 is much like a buffet: you get a sample of everything without going too deep. While the game has elements of many different genres, it mainly breaks down to managing the police department, solving mysteries, leading tactical assaults during major crime events, and following the unfolding drama. The game generally executes all the mechanics well enough, but generally falls on the simpler side of the scale. Simplicity isn’t necessarily a bad thing as there are so many different gameplay elements being thrown around. Everything comes together quite nicely for the most part, though the police department management sim can get a little repetitive after a while. The turn-based strategy section is probably the strongest gameplay element. It’s also the most mechanically complex portion of the game and puts up a decent challenge that will keep players on their toes.
This is the Police 2 does an awful job explaining basic mechanics like officer loyalty. Players are often left groping around in the dark until they figure things out or relying on guides. This further exacerbates one of the biggest weaknesses in This is the Police 2, the game has a feedback loop that is really hard to break out. Failing to deal with crimes, being defeated in tactical battles, and losing officers means less currency to purchase equipment and new officers, which makes it even more difficult to be successful in the future. Once I figured out the basic mechanics of This is the Police 2, I found it was faster and easier to simply start a brand new game than to deal with the poor situation I found myself in from learning how to play.
This is the Police 2 has a minimal aesthetic style that is striking and unique. While it looks great as a still image or a 2D animation, the art style fares poorly when used in a 3D animation. It looks a bit awkward and out of place. The comic book style presentation lends itself well to both the game’s audio drama and simulation sections. The art style supports the audio drama nicely without being overpowering or hogging the user’s attention.
While it has a visual element, I would consider This is the Police 2 to be more in the vein of an audio drama than a traditional narrative based video game. Since cut scenes only use simple comic-style visuals, the game relies heavily on the skill of the voice actors and the sound effects to tell the story. The sound effects are used well, letting players fill in the blanks between panels. The voice acting is decent. While Lilly and Jack’s voice actors do a good job with their lines, it feels as if the two did not get the chance to record their lines together as the tone and pacing of their lines do not always flow together nicely. The quality of voice acting for minor characters varies a bit more, with some characters like the courier doing an excellent job and others like Charlie Fletcher sounding similar to nails scratching a chalkboard. Music plays a smaller role in this voice acting heavy title, but the soundtrack has a nice jazzy flair. I only wish there was more of it as the same few songs tend to get repetitive after a while.
This is the Police 2 is a solid audio drama with some decent adventure, management, and simulation gameplay added in. The voice acting is good, though a little rough around the edges at times. The game’s two biggest weaknesses are a nasty feedback loop that is hard to break and poor guidance on how to play the game. These issues could be manageable on their own, but the lack of quality instructions simply sets players on a bad path that is hard to recover from. This is the Police 2 is worth a try for audio drama lovers who are looking for some intriguing gameplay and solid visuals to compliment the drama.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
This is the Police 2 is a video game buffet that offers samples of many genres. Generally solid, it is hobbled by poor quality tutorials and a feedback loop that is hard to escape.
Jamie Laike Tsui
Geek, Gamer, Student, Foodie, Fountain Pen & Notebook Lover
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Welsh Athletics Cross Country Championships 2019: Harriers succeed at local West Wales park
Welsh Athletics Cross Country Championships Delivers at one of Wales' Top Visitor Attractions...
The 115th staging of the annual Welsh Athletics Cross Country Championships (George Crump MBE Memorial) again took place on the final weekend of February on Saturday, incorporating the Welsh Masters Cross Country Championships and a Primary Schools Challenge event.
Dewi Griffiths and Jenny Nesbitt claimed the main respective Senior Men and Senior Women titles whilst Callum Morgan, Ceri Griffiths, Adam Beer, Gwenno Goode, Macsen Toogood, Ruby Herdman, Osian Perrin, Ashleigh Willis and Connor Smith were all crowned junior champions.
After being held over the last three years at Singleton Park in Swansea, the popular competition travelled 20 miles further West. The course in Swansea has had a great history of hosting cross country races and is always a popular venue because of it's undulating terrain and scenic landscape.
The championships in 2019 made a move into Carmarthenshire to the magnificent Pembrey Country Park near Llanelli. Athletes, officials, guests and spectators were welcomed to perfect cross country conditions, with not a cloud in the sky and unusually mild for this time of year before grey and damp weather arrived towards the latter stages of the event.
Clubs from all over Wales, including North Walians who made the long journey down South, sent teams to participate and awards were shared around several clubs.
There were eleven races on the race timetable between 11:00 and 16:00 for the future primary school generation right up to the more experienced seniors and masters with individual titles and team medals up for grabs.
On a demanding course that showcased the counties park and the surrounding areas, the competitors aged 9 to 80 tackled fast grass sections, sand dunes, woods and paths along with running over logs and through the "Marquee of Mayhem" situated near to the finish line.
Almost 1,000 from over thirty clubs entered before the closing date for the weekend's activities in West Wales.
Carmarthen Harriers Full Summary of Results: Taking Advantage on home turf...
The Carmarthen Harriers junior teams again turned out in force and despite a few missing from today's championships, the results were still superb with medals coming home in the majority of the age groups. The club had 35 athletes in action in total, with gold medals won in the team event across four junior age groups. There was also a bronze as well as five individual awards.
Thanks to all the athletes who ran, to Cressy for team managing and to the parents for their support.
Here's a full round up race by race:
Under 13 Boys / Bechgyn O Dan 13:
The day couldn't have got off to a better start, with the first set of team medals coming in the under 13 boys' race which kicked off the day's programme at 11:00am.
Iwan Thomas was the first to cross the line in 7th (11:38) with his teammates Zach Elvy (11:45) and Jack Thomas (11:46) coming in 10th and 11th places. TEAM GOLD was confirmed when Ifan Bowen scored as the fourth member of the team in a time of 12:08 for 14th overall. Joining them in the B team and as other scorers were Brynmor Peters (13:14) in 23rd and Tygan Davies (15:04) in 36th.
Team Result: GOLD 42pts
Under 13 Girls / Merched O Dan 13:
In the second race of the day, the under 13 girls also had a medium lap course of 3,150m in total. Running closely towards the finishing straight, Frances Mackie (12:46) and Amy Greatrick (12:48) were the first to score in 10th and 11th at the top end of the field. Carys Wood followed behind and ensuring a top 30 finish in 29th (13:45).
In a repeat of 10 days ago at the Welsh Schools in Brecon, a tactical race was expected in race three. Frank Morgan (15:26) and Liam Edwards (15:49) were up there with the leaders from the starting gun and both ran brilliantly to secure third and fifth respectively. The second team success and gold in the matter of minutes came in the under 15 boys' category with Ioan Cressey-Rodgers (16:51) in 16th and Liam Evans (19:47) in 33rd confirming their place at the top of the podium. Sadly, there were only two scoring teams in this age group, as Cardiff took silver.
Under 15 Girls / Merched O Dan 15
Tanwen Moon has been consistent throughout this cross country season, and she ran well on a local course to finish 25th in 20:20.
Senior Women & Master Women / Menywod
Wendy Price led her MW 40 team to victory with two scoring teams amongst the medals. She was announced as the overall Master Women 40 champion in a time of 30:58 and backing her up were Kate Lynock in 72nd (37:40) and 88th placed Lisa Forrest (40:04). A great team performance from the trio!
Primary Schools Boys / Bechgyn Ysgolion Cynradd
The Novice Boys have been running away at the Gwent League over the course of the 2018 and early 2019 season, therefore it was no surprise to see them claim team title four as the programme approached half way.
With four to score, all finishers were in the top eight, led home by familiar winner Macsen Toogood (5:04) who took a five second victory from the fast finishing Dixon and Kearney. Joining Toogood on the podium to complete our A team were William Coles fifth (5:18) along with 7th and 8th Alex Coles (5:21) and Daniel Warrender (5:22). With such strength in depth, the B team were placed in fifth in the teams; scoring for this team were Liam Upton-Boorman 11th (5:29), Jac Jones 23rd (5:48), Tristan Warrender 24th (5:49), William Davies 43rd (6:39) and Tom Morgan 44th (6:40).
Primary Schools Girls / Merched Ysgolion Cynradd
After watching the boys dominate, the girls also put in some great performances and were awarded with bronze team medals for their efforts. First to finish was Ellie-May John (6:07) in 10th with Mabli Collyer (6:08) only one position and one second behind. The scoring four was completed by Jessica Norman in 15th (6:16) and Esme Lynock in 20th (6:28). In her second race for the club, Grace Toogood came 37th (7:10) and Luned Dafis was 42nd (7:15).
Team Result: BRONZE 56pts
Under 17 & U20 Women / Merched O Dan 17 a 20
Over a distance of 5,150m both the under 17 women and under 20 women went off together but scored separately. Eva Edwards (20:10) crossed in fifth overall but won individual bronze in her under 17 age group. Running in the corresponding under 20 women's category, Ellie Kiff was the 8th woman to finish the race in 23:02.
Under 20 Men / Bechgyn O Dan 20
A field of only 13 toed the line for the penultimate race of the day but it had plenty of quality. After a tactical battle for the first half of the race, a group of five pulled away with local athlete Ben Thomas one of them. After a great effort, Ben finished in the third place spot, behind 2018 champion Smith and last week's Welsh Schools winner Ryan. Ben's time was 25:04 and would have been a very familiar course for him in his local park.
Results & Social Media...
For the Welsh Athletics Cross Country Championships Full Results, go to CLICK HERE
Social Media Coverage was available via the Welsh Athletics & Carmarthen Harriers Social Media Pages which was updated with the latest news and photos as it happened on Saturday. Have a look including your stories and messages:
WA: Twitter - Instagram
CH: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram
Watch some of the best bits over 4 minutes from Saturday via THIS VIDEO which has been posted on our YouTube Channel.
Pembrey Country Park hosts a great 2019 Welsh Athletics Cross Country Championships: FULL REPORT
We hope that all clubs, athletes and spectators enjoyed your visit to West Wales and had a safe journey home.
As far as the country and road is concerned, two big events will conclude the 2018/19 before the track season gets up and running at the beginning of April. Teams have been selected for the Schools International Cross Country at Dublin in less than a months' time, and is followed by the Virgin Money Giving London Mini Marathon.
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