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Jia Zhang-Ke – ADESTE Laureate 2011
By JO LEE Magazine
Photography by Xstream Pictures
As we see the world through the eyes of Unsung Heroes – experiencing possibilities undreamed of, we embrace more and more the multitude of Global Nominations submitted, during 2010, within the five ADESTE categories: Humanities, Social Justice, Arts, Technology and Medicine. We are reminded through the Nominees of The ADESTE Gold Medal how many wonderful people are doing amazing things from corner to corner in this chaotic world. We too, are reminded, that the most important aspect, the heart, of ADESTE is to discover “the 40 and under” Unsung Heroes who “outperform” in a globe of billions.
Critics and film directors have described Jia Zhang-Ke as perhaps the most important filmmaker working in the world today. Filmmaker, Director, Producer, Jia Zhang-Ke has battled “The Machinery of Oppression”. He embraces the extreme limit of virtue with so much courage!
Jo Lee magazine and its 21 World Voting Members of ADESTE Present With Pride The 7th Annual ADESTE Gold Medal Laureate 2011 By JO LEE Magazine to Jia Zhang-Ke Jia has had the extraordinary opportunity to make the greatest impact on a wide cross-section of his people – portraying an authentic face of the globe’s fastest-evolving and most mysterious superpower, China, as he battled back from extreme adversity and censorship, finally winning over even his own government.
Jia Zhang-Ke is different from other film directors. He is a rare breed, responsible for helping millions of people understand China’s social issues through years of agonizing persistence!!
Equally important, is that several scholars and intellectuals are interested in watching his films: because he tells the truth about the Chinese society and its social issues.
Jia’s focus is not on commercial movies, or using a lot of pop stars. Instead, he saves thousands of dollars by using regular people within China to play their own life roles in his films.
Jia has made many documentaries, non-fiction films, talking about some very sensitive social topics, including: a) migrant workers’ lives; b) low income families; c) how the Chinese government’s decision making affected normal people’s lives, and; d) the Three Gorges Dam Project, the world’s largest capacity hydroelectric power station. His early films, a loose trilogy based in his home province of Shanxi, were made outside of China’s state-run film bureaucracy, therefore are considered “underground” films. In 2004, Jia’s status in his own country was raised when he was allowed to direct his fourth feature film, The World, with state approval.
JO LEE Magazine applauds, congratulates and reveres Jia for his compassion for his countrymen and the world at large.
Philanthropic, PHILANTHROPY, The ADESTE Academy and Gold Medal | Comments Off on Jia Zhang-Ke – ADESTE Laureate 2011
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Delivering a dream with new luxury cruise ship
GENTING Hong Kong, a leading global leisure, entertainment and hospitality company, commemorated the official handover of Genting Dream, the newly constructed ship for Dream Cruises, on Oct 12, during a special event in Bremerhaven, Germany.
Shipbuilder Meyer Werft delivered Genting Dream to Dream Cruises with the traditional Changing of the Flag ceremony where the Meyer Werft and German flags were lowered, and the flags for Dream Cruises and the Bahamas were raised to signify the official transfer of the ship to Dream Cruises.
The launch of Dream Cruises marks the latest chapter in Genting Hong Kong’s history – a culmination of 20-plus years’ of Asian cruise industry experience combined with the company’s internationally-acclaimed luxury cruise expertise and long heritage of award-winning service and hospitality.
Dream Cruises was designed as the first Asian luxury cruise line and caters specifically to the large and rapidly growing high-end market in China and Asia.
The new brand aims to be a pacesetter in the cruise industry in the region, meeting the needs of the “emerging generation” of confident, independently-minded and affluent Asian travellers and will offer its guests inspirational luxury, which is Asian at heart and international in spirit.
With the official handover, Genting Dream will begin her epic ocean voyage that will take her from Germany to Gibraltar, through the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal, across the Indian Ocean with visits to India, Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong before ending at her new homeport in Guangzhou, China on Nov 13.
Genting Dream will provide passengers with the highest levels of service and spacious comfort in the region and boasts an attentive crew of over 2,000 – the majority of whom speak Chinese.
Accommodation on board Genting Dream will reflect both size and choice for travellers with over 70% of staterooms featuring private balconies and over 100 connecting rooms catering to extended families and groups.
Two floors of lavish suites in the exclusive Dream Palace will feature European butler service and special guest privileges.
With the finest Asian and international dining, exceptional service, enthralling entertainment and inspirational experiences, Dream Cruises aims to redefine vacation travel for her guests through transformational journeys at sea.
For details, visit www.gentinghk.com
Asia’s “Dream Cruises” Unveils LED Lighting Systemhttp://asian-cruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/light3-600x600.jpg
Viking to Asia in 2018http://asian-cruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/shutterstock_524462815-300x213.jpg
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Last night...
Subject: Anime, Avenger, Cowboy Bebop
...I didn't watch a whole lot. Got one more episode of the dub of "Avenger" out of the way so I only have disc 3 to go. I was supposed to have gotten my rental of the recently released first disc of "Gankutsuou" so I could finally see what the fuss about that one was, but it didn't show. I guess I'll watch it Monday.
In the "new-to-me" column was disc one of "NieA Under 7" -- another Yoshitoshi ABe work I'm trying in the hopes of "widening the net" for interesting series. Right off the bat, there was a lot of commonality to "Haibane Renmei" in terms of character and vibe. But then it also wound up throwing around a lot of silly, super-deformed hyperactive comedy into the mix. Which kind of annoyed me. It wasn't the usual immature stuff, but it wasn't exactly mature either. Still, there's that whole "discovering the rules of that world" thang going on, like what "Haibane Renmei" had, so there may be enough of a balance between the intriguing bits and the annoyances to get me through it. I'll give the second disc a go.
Finally, disc 2 of the "Cowboy Bebop" remix finally arrived, so I recapped a bit of disc 1, and got through part of disc 2 before I realized I was actually kind of worn out. So I'll have to revisit the episodes on disc 2 again later. It's a fun, enjoyable, immensely cool series; it's only fair that I watch it when I'm more alert.
by Fellini 8.5 at 11/13/2005
Forgotten quickies
Tastes great, not particularly filling
Turkey-day marathon
"From looney to batty"... or "Less than the sum of...
Misc. Saturday
"This isn't baseball..."
Fansub roundup
A texture that might rub the wrong way
The failure of "Dub Night"
DeepDiscountDVD -- It's that time of the year agai...
The other animation
A couple of fansubs...
"Meine Liebe... wieder"
Ongoing...
"Brazil" meets "The Matrix" meets...
"I feel the earth... move... under my feet"
A few quickies
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SAN BERNARDINO JIHADIST'S FAMILY INVOLVED IN IMMIGRATION FRAUD
Michael Cutler wrote about how immigration visa fraud and other such felonies have enabled terrorists to enter the USA. This includes some of the family of the jihadist in San Bernardino:
Three people with close family ties to the couple responsible for the San Bernardino terror attack were arrested Thursday in an alleged marriage-fraud scheme involving a pair of Russian sisters.
The accused include Syed Raheel Farook. His brother and sister-in-law, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, died in a shootout with police after killing 14 people and wounding 22 others on Dec. 2.
Also arrested in the marriage-fraud case were Syed Raheel Farook’s wife, Tatiana, and her sister, Mariya Chernykh. Prosecutors say Mariya’s marriage to Enrique Marquez Jr., the only person charged in the shootings, was a sham designed to enable her to obtain legal status in the U.S. after overstaying a visitor visa in 2009.
Marquez confessed to the scheme when authorities questioned him about the shootings, and he acknowledged getting $200 a month to marry Chernykh, according to his criminal complaint.
How is the USA supposed to defend itself against infiltrators if this keeps going?
MODERN ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE MUSLIM WORLD CARRIES ON WHAT THE NAZIS DID DURING WW2
During this year's Holocaust Memorial gathering at Yad Vashem, the prime minister made a point about how Muslim anti-semitism today is basically a continuation of what Nazism was doing decades before (and long preceded it too):
“Slander comes before destruction. Today millions in the Muslim world read and hear threatening lies about the Jewish people. They say Jews are the descendants of monkeys and pigs, they say Jews drink the blood of their enemies,” Netanyahu said during the ceremony. Hitler and his propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, he said, would not have been surprised by anti-Jewish comments on social media.
“This incitement comes from Islamic extremism and the Arab world. But in the last years it has been joined by incitement no less destructive from the Western world. British parliamentarians, Swedish officials and French thought leaders,” he said.
“If over the years, anti-Semites portrayed Jews as enemies of humanity, today they portray the Jewish state as the enemy of humanity. There is no end to these lies,” he added.
Now that's very spot on. And lest we forget, some of the aforementioned are also advocates of turning Europe into a modern caliphate. They cannot be overlooked, as their own ignorance led to much of the jihadism poisoning the continent today. They must all be called out.
Posted by Avi Green at 11:30 PM 0 comments Links to this post
EFRAIM ZUROFF, MAN ON A MISSION
The Jerusalem Post has a whole article about former Nazi hunder Efraim Zuroff, who's now 67 years old, and most recently wrote about Lithuania's complicity in the Holocaust.
COLOGNE'S ARCHBISHOP IS CLEARLY BAD FOR WOMEN
The archbishop of Cologne in Germany has basically ignored the mass rapes that took place at their train station with his defense of Islam (Hat tip: Pamela Geller):
The Cardinal Archbishop of Cologne, Rainer Maria Woelki (pictured), has publicly criticized leaders of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party for their statements against Islam, insisting that “whoever says ‘yes’ to church towers must also say ‘yes’ to minarets.”
The Cardinal was reacting in particular to recent statements by AfD deputy leader Beatrix von Storch, who told the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper: “Islam is in itself a political ideology that is not compatible with the constitution.”
“We are in favor of a ban on minarets, on muezzins and a ban on full veils,” said von Storch, who is also a member of the European Parliament.
In his videotaped response, Cardinal Woelki suggested that all religions are equally well suited to German culture and law. “The religion of Islam is compatible with the German constitution just as Judaism or Christianity are,” he said.
“Anyone who denigrates Muslims as the AfD leadership does should realize that prayer rooms and mosques are equally protected by our constitution as our churches and chapels,” he said.
And any would-be Christian who belittles serious issues should not be surprised if it has the effect of turning people off from Christianity. The man has joined Angela Merkel in mishandling everything.
DISTRUST OF ISLAM IN FRANCE AND GERMANY
Public opinion is clear once again:
A new poll published on Friday shows that a growing number of people in France and Germany are uncomfortable with Islam and its visibility in their respective countries.
The study, which was conducted by the polling centre Ifop for French daily Le Figaro, found that 47 percent of French people and 43 percent of Germans felt that the Muslim community poses a “threat” to national identity.
Almost two-thirds of the poll’s respondents in France also said that Islam had become too “influential and visible”, whereas just under half of participants said the same in Germany.
Islam 'too visible'
The same study in 2010 found that 43 percent of French people viewed Islam as a threat, while 55 percent said that it was too visible.
It's worse than simply being visible. It's that it poses a violent threat. But surely more problematic is when the local governments vehemently refuse to exile all the dangerous vermin and enable it to spread around.
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Community Calendar January 25 - January 31
Imhotep Gary Byrd | 1/25/2018, 10:09 a.m.
Laurence Fishburne in "Last Flag Flying"
Greetings! The Women’s March 2018 featured hundreds of thousands of activists who marched in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Las Vegas and cities around the world, promoting women’s rights and equality as well as protesting against President Donald Trump’s policies on the anniversary of his presidency. Lupita Nyong’o, Viola Davis and Whoopi Goldberg were among the many lifting the #TimesUp movement and the demand for equal rights. Several speakers urged women to channel their energy into helping Democrats win in the upcoming midterm elections. The rallying cry is “Power to the Polls.”
The NAACP Image Awards presented a two-hour special on King Day hosted by Anthony Anderson on TV One from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles. The live special opened with a solidarity moment in support of #TimesUp, featuring Angela Robinson, Kerry Washington, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Laverne Cox, Lena Waithe and Tracee Ellis Ross. Ava DuVernay was honored as the NAACP Entertainer of the Year. For a full list of winners, visit naacpimagewards.net
“Josh” tells the story of “The Black Babe Ruth,” Josh Gibson, a Negro League baseball player who some say died of a broken heart. Gibson was determined to make it into major league baseball, despite the odds. Set in the 1940s and based on real events. Jan. 25-Jan. 28, Thursday 3:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 p.m., and Sunday 4 p.m. Black Spectrum Theatre Co., Roy Wilkens Park,177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens, N.Y.
“An Adam Experiment” provides a rare glimpse into the life of Adam Clayton Powell Jr., who fought for social justice and equality during the Civil Rights Movement while also wrestling with his own demons. Billie Holiday Theatre,1368 Fulton St., Brooklyn, N.Y. For tickets, call 718-636-6995 or visit thebillieholiday.org.
“X or Betty Shabazz & the Nation,” written by Marcus Gardley, directed by Ian Belknap, five weeks only. The Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y. Call 866-811-4111 or visit www.stclementsnyc.org/.
“Sistas: The Musical,” St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W. 46th St., New York, N.Y. Running through January 2018. For information, call 212-239-6200 or visit telecharge.com.
“The Lion King,” Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St., New York, N.Y. For information, visit http://minskofftheatre.box-officetickets.com.
Regina Belle, Friday, Feb. 2, at 8 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-997-4144 or visit ticketmaster.com.
A Night of Love, featuring Anthony Hamilton, Kesha Cole, Avant, Tamia, Eric Benet and Donell Jones, Friday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m., Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, N.J. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
An Evening of Love, featuring Brian McKnight, K-C and JoJo, Christopher Williams and Al B. Sure, Friday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m., The Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 39 Norwich Westerly Rd., Mashantucket, Conn. For information, visit ticketmaster.com.
Jeffrey Osborne, Friday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-997-4144 or visit ticketmaster.com.
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic: Funky Fat Tuesday Celebration, Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m., B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. For information, call 212-997-4144 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Community Calendar 1/26 - 2/1
Community Calendar: February 9 - February 15
Community Calendar 1/19 - 1/25
Community Calendar: February 16 - February 22
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A Class (W168)
B Class (W245)
HomeA Class (W169)Last W169 Leaves Rastatt
Last W169 Leaves Rastatt
Since the production started back in 2004, more than one million vehicles of the current A-Class model generation (W 169/BR 169) have come out the assembly line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt. The final car of this series, an A 180 CDI in polar silver, has recently left the factory. The vehicle will arrive at a customer in France. "We are very proud of the success story of the A-Class we will continue to write with the next series. Preparations for the start of the new A-Class are already in full swing.", said Peter Wesp, head of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt.
In March this year the new A-class celebrated the world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. Up to 18 inches lower than the previous model, the new generation displays a sporty, confident character. As the world's first automobile manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz has completely integrated digital and phone communication and functionality in the telematics concept of the W 176 generation. The new petrol and diesel engines are now more fuel efficient and meet any power requirements. They can be combined with the new six-speed manual gearbox or with the optional automatic transmission with double clutch transmission 7G-DCT.
The new A-Class is the first car in its segment to feature a standard radar-based collision warning system with ADAPTIVE BRAKE ASSIST, which decreases the chances of a collision. The first units will be delivered to clients beginning with September 2012.
About the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt
The Rastatt plant was officially inaugurated in 1992, with the E-Class being the first model to be assembled there until 1996. From 1997 onwards, the facility was established as a production site for the new A-Class. Prior to 2004, when the second generation came into force, around 1.1 million compact Mercedes-Benz premium models were sold to clients all over the world. Moreover, the current A-Class series appealed to more than one million customers and, in addition, beginning with 2005, the B-Class was also introduced in the production portfolio of the Rastatt factory. This niche vehicle, marketed as a compact sports tourer, became instantly popular, with total sales exceeding 700,000 units. Therefore, the Rastatt plant is unanimously recognized as a competence center for the construction of compact cars from Mercedes-Benz. Starting September 2011, the new B-Class (W 246) was introduced in the range. Currently, preparations are being made at Rastatt to welcome the new A-Class, which is celebrating the world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012.
The new generation of Mercedes-Benz premium compact cars further includes three more sporty, emotional models, including a coupe and an SUV. The five new models will be built in a comprehensive production network comprising the Rastatt plant and the new facility in Kecskemét, Hungary.
Three of the five models will be assembled at Rastatt.
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UK takes key step towards fair new fishing policy after Brexit - has the glove has been thrown down?
The Government has announced it will withdraw from the London Fisheries Convention.
The United Kingdom will take an historic step towards delivering a fairer deal for the UK fishing industry this week by triggering the withdrawal from an arrangement that allowed foreign countries access to UK waters, Environment Secretary Michael Gove confirmed today.
As part of moves to prepare the UK for the opportunities of leaving the European Union, the Government will officially begin withdrawal from the London Fisheries Convention.
The London Fisheries Convention, signed in 1964 before the UK joined the European Union, allows vessels from five European countries to fish within six and 12 nautical miles of the UK’s coastline. It sits alongside the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which allows all European vessels access between 12 and 200 nautical miles of the UK and sets quotas for how much fish each nation can catch.
On Monday the UK will notify the other Member States signed up to the London Fisheries Convention, triggering a two-year withdrawal period – in a similar way to the Article 50 letter which began a two-year withdrawal from the EU.
Securing a fairer deal for the UK fishing industry is a Manifesto pledge and one of the Government’s key objectives for Brexit.
When we leave the EU, we will no longer be bound by the Common Fisheries Policy but without action, restrictions under the historic London Fisheries Convention would still apply. By withdrawing from the London Fisheries Convention we will no longer be bound by the existing access agreements.
Instead we will regain control of fishing access to our waters and become fully responsible for the management of fisheries so we can ensure a fair, sustainable and profitable industry for all our fishermen.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:
Leaving the London Fisheries Convention is an important moment as we take back control of our fishing policy. It means for the first time in more than fifty years we will be able to decide who can access our waters.
This is an historic first step towards building a new domestic fishing policy as we leave the European Union – one which leads to a more competitive, profitable and sustainable industry for the whole of the UK.
The Fisheries Bill 2017
As announced in the Queen’s Speech, the Government will introduce a Fisheries Bill to control access to the UK’s waters and set fishing quotas once we have left the EU. This is supplemented by our decision to leave the London Fisheries Convention.
Working closely with our neighbours, the Government will design a new fishing policy which allows the fishing industry and coastal communities to thrive, in line with our international obligations, as we build a deep and special partnership with the European Union after Brexit.
Industry feedback:
Barrie Deas, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said:
This is welcome news and an important part of establishing the UK as an independent coastal state with sovereignty over its own exclusive economic zone.
The fisheries sector contributes £1.3 billion to the economy, employing 34,600 people. There were over 6,000 UK fishing vessels in 2015, which landed 708,000 tonnes of fish – worth £775 million.
An estimated 10,000 tonnes of fish, including mackerel and herring, was caught by fishing vessels from the London Fisheries Convention countries France, Belgium, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands in 2015 within 12 nautical miles of the British coast – worth an estimated £17 million.
In the coming months and years, the government will be working with the industry and marine scientists, as well as the devolved administrations, to preserve and increase fish stocks for their long-term sustainability, and secure prosperity for fishermen across the UK when we leave the European Union.
Starting this summer, there will be a period of engagement on the Fisheries Bill with the devolved administrations, fishermen, trade organisations, fish processors and the public to make sure we deliver a deal that works for the whole of the UK.
The industry body, the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, welcomed the decision.
Chief executive Barrie Deas said: "This is welcome news and an important part of establishing the UK as an independent coastal state with sovereignty over its own exclusive economic zone."
'Aggressive tactic'
But Will McCallum, Greenpeace UK head of oceans, said leaving the convention would not in itself deliver a better future for the UK fishing industry, and that for years governments had blamed the EU for their "failure" to support the small-scale, sustainable fishers. He said Mr Gove needed to keep the 2015 Conservative Party manifesto commitment to "re-balance fishing quotas in favour of small-scale, specific locally based fishing communities".
Environmental law firm ClientEarth consultant Dr Tom West said the move appeared to be an aggressive negotiating tactic. "As a country outside the EU we need to consider how we can best co-operate with our neighbours, rather than unilaterally withdrawing from all agreements in the hope that standing alone will make us better."
Posted by Larry Hartwell - Through the Gaps at Sunday, July 02, 2017
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« What Happens in Districts When Race to Top Funds Run Out? | Main | Obama Budget Pitches Race to Top for Equity, New Money for Ed Tech »
Obama to Propose Race to the Top for Educational Equity
By Alyson Klein on March 3, 2014 7:25 PM
The Obama administration wants to focus the next round of the Race to the Top program on bolstering educational equity for disadvantaged students, according to sources.
The administration's fiscal year 2015 budget proposal—which is slated to be released Tuesday—seeks a $300 million iteration of the administration's signature Race to the Top program aimed at enticing schools to close the achievement gap. It's unclear if the money would go to districts, states, or some combination.
The program would include a teacher-equity component, as well as seek to close gaps in other areas, such as student discipline. The administration has already put forth guidance to encourage districts to ensure that minority students aren't punished more—or more harshly—than others. That move prompted questions in a letter from U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., the chairman of the House education committee, and other key Republicans on the panel.
Separately, the department is already at work on a "50-state strategy" on teacher equity, which is aimed at ensuring that states give students from low-income families the same access to effective teachers as their more advantaged peers.
Overall, it's unclear how the Race to the Top proposal will go over with Congress, which has become increasingly skeptical of the administration's strategy of using competitive grants to further its education priorities. The administration wasn't able to sell a new, $1 billion version of Race to the Top aimed at bolstering higher education to lawmakers last year, for example. Instead, the proposal was scaled back to $250 million and refocused on early education.
It's also notable that the original version of Race to the Top, financed under the broader federal economic-stimulus program, also sought to bolster educational equity, by rewarding states for taking aggressive action to turn around the lowest-performing schools and to tie teachers' evaluations and pay to student outcomes.
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Showing 1–5 of 5 books
List: Michael L. Printz Award
List: Teens' Top Ten
Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners (2)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2)
Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (1)
Amelia Bloomer List - Young Adult Fiction (1)
Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.
Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners 2014, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults 2014, Amelia Bloomer List - Young Adult Fiction 2013, Best Fiction for Young Adults 2013, Michael L. Printz Award 2013, Teens' Top Ten 2013
By Rainbow Rowell
The year is 1986 when Eleanor arrives in town to live with her family and abusive step- father. It's been a year since the last time she lived with them, and she doesn't expect life to be any better. Park's life, on the other hand, is going steady. He's got a spot in the popular crowd and he's about to get his driver's license. But when the two meet on the bus, things change drastically. Even though they both know high school romances never last, they're going to try everything they've got to make it work. But in end, will everything they have be enough?
Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014, Michael L. Printz Award 2014, Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production 2014, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2014, Teens' Top Ten 2014
The Scorpio Races
Every November, the beaches of Thisby come alive with the Scorpio Races. The water horses are vicious, the terrain is treacherous, and death is likely, but the reward can be beyond anything you could imagine. Puck Connolly is racing for her family, Sean Kendrick for his passion—but only one can win The Scorpio Races.
Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners 2014, Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012, Michael L. Printz Award 2012, Teens' Top Ten 2012
By Neal Shusterman
Humanity has overcome hunger, disease, war, and even death. Now only Scythes can take life. What will happen to Citra and Rowan when they are chosen to be Scythe apprentices? Follow them as they struggle with their task and morality.
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2018, Best Fiction for Young Adults 2017, Michael L. Printz Award 2017, Teens' Top Ten 2017
By Nicola Yoon
Natasha and Daniel are polar opposites - Tasha believes in reason, science, and things that can be proven. Daniel is a poet at heart and believes in Fate, the "meant to be," and true love. When circumstances beyond their control force them together, they have exactly one day - one day to stop Tasha's family from being deported, one day for Daniel to realize that doing what's expected of you doesn't mean you should do it. And above all else, one day to fall in love.
Best Fiction for Young Adults 2017, CSK Book Awards - John Steptoe Award for New Talent 2017, Michael L. Printz Award 2017, Teens' Top Ten 2017
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Book Signing – David S. Cariens “Virginia Tech: Make Sure It Doesn’t Get Out”
Saturday, April 4 from 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Virginia Tech: Make Sure It Doesn’t Get Out deals with massacre at Virginia Tech and those who exploited the shootings for their own ideological and personal reasons. Along with a detailed analysis of the timeline of events, this book examines the motivations and character of the shooter, the lives and hopes of the victims, and the missed opportunities by government and school officials to do something significant to improve campus security and help prevent future school shootings in the wake of the events on April 16, 2007. David Cariens discusses his reasons and motives for writing, the problems the victims’ families have faced and continue to face in their efforts to find the truth, as well as the misconceptions about what actually happened before, during and after the Tech massacre. The book contains a detailed analysis of the Governor’s Review Panel Report and looks at what parents can do to help ensure the safety of their children on our school grounds. Mr. Cariens draws on over 47 years of work in intelligence and crime analysis, over ten years of research and writing on school shootings in Virginia, numerous scholarly works on school safety, personal interviews with victims and their families, and a plethora of news accounts and reactions to the shootings at Virginia Tech. Finally, he brings to the book his personal experience in having lost a family member in a Virginia school shooting. This book is a clarion call for action to stop this nation’s all to frequent school violence.
About the Author: David served in the CIA for 31 years before retiring in 1997. During his career he was a political analyst for 22 years in the Directorate of Intelligence, specializing in Balkan affairs. In this capacity he produced finished intelligence for all levels of the U.S. government, from the President to working level counterparts throughout the Community. He has designed intelligence analysis/writing courses and taught them throughout the Intelligence Community. He has given writing workshops at the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) in Alexandria in 2005, in Mexico City in 2006, in Vancouver, Canada in April, 2007, and in Boston in 2008. David presented a similar writing workshop at the Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit’s national meeting in Tempe, Arizona in June 2006. He has conducted intelligence analysis training for the Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada and for the Canadian police.
Paul B. Stimson will be joining David Cariens at this book signing!
The book is on Amazon and Kindle in the category Religion & Spirituality. It is a collection of short essays and reflections, rooted in the author’s experience of the Kingdom of Heaven as a reality here and now, not pie in the sky some day. The book should bring refreshment and new hope to those who had a bad experience of
church in earlier years. The author is retired from a career in engineering and oceanography. The son of an Episcopal priest, he became engrossed in theology in
later years.
Similar Stuff Going On
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Cactus Stars
1812 Buddy Holly Ave
Lubbock, TX, 79401
1812 Buddy holly ave. | lubbock, tx | 806.762.3233
Country Crossovers: A Tribute to Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
Two of the all-time biggest names in the entertainment industry - Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton - forged their early success in the COUNTRY music arena. However, through television and movie appearances, they became so popular that their appeal easily transcended the country genre and made them "pop" stars and international superstars. Separately and later, together as duet partners, these two entertainers sang their way into the hearts of millions of adoring fans worldwide....charting dozens of all-time, classic hits along the way.
Kenny Rogers struck country gold with "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town" early in his career...then, nearly a decade later, took the world by storm with hits like "Lucille" and "The Gambler" to name but two solid gold, million-sellers. His list of hits is a mile long...but no tribute to Kenny would be complete without classics like "Lady", "You Decorated My Life" and "Coward of the County". Dolly Parton scored career-defining hits with "Jolene" and her signature song "Coat of Many Colors" as she forged a solid solo career with hits such as "Heartbreaker" and "Here You Come Again". In the mid-'80s, these two superstars teamed up for the blockbuster smash hits "Islands In the Stream" and "Real Love".
Join us as we present an amazing vocal lineup that includes Amber Pennington, Jeff Bailey, Hannah Jackson, Jeff McCreight and Mark Paden. Plus - help us welcome back to the Cactus stage one of the all-time favorites, Lesley Sawyer - for this very special production. As a bonus, we've added a few new songs to this encore presentation!
Reserved floor seats $20; standard balcony seats $15. Tickets on sale now!
Dailey and Vincent - An Acoustic Bluegrass Evening - with Very Special guests: SPC Bluegrass & More!
Easter Cinema Classic: "Ben-Hur" (1959) Starring: Charlton Heston
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Campbells Connect!
GrandviewKids!
/Parent Information
Our school offers many opportunities for parents/families to be involved in the school community:
School Community Council (S.C.C.)
School Councils are advisory bodies. At Campbell Children’s School, our council also functions as the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for the Campbell Children’s School Authority. The mandate of the School Council provides parents, students, staff, and community representatives with the opportunity and means to advise the principal and the board on ideas that lead to improving learning opportunities for students.
Composition shall include the following members:
parents/guardians of students and former students served by the School
a non-teaching staff member employed at the school
a Grandview Children’s Centre representative
Parents/guardians of students and former students will form a majority of the Council. As well, the School Council will include the school principal and may include a community representative. The CCS School Community Council provides parents with the opportunity and means to advise the principal and the school authority board on ideas that lead to improving learning opportunities for students. The School Council meets about four times a year. No prior experience is necessary. At Campbell’s, we think it’s important for all families to have a voice. This is your opportunity to participate and to help make decisions for our school.
Parent Information Network (P.I.N.)
Parent Information Network invites families to come into the school for information sessions that focus on school-based topics, i.e. being ready for school and adjusting to the new routine, transitions from Campbell’s School to your home school, educating the home school on your child (resources to share) and general question and answer sessions. Please talk to our Liaison Teacher for more information on session dates.
Curriculum Mornings
We invite families to come in for curriculum based activities, to bridge their child’s learning between school and home.
A Public Health Nurse is assigned to our school and is available to us upon request. The Public Health Nurse is our liaison with the Public Health Department and provides us with information concerning available services and teaching resources for immunization, health, nutrition and dental care.
The Public Health Department is legislated under the Immunization of School Pupils Act R.S.O., 1990 to collect and maintain immunization records for all students (up to 18 years of age). All children in Ontario are required to be immunized against serious childhood diseases in order to attend school. If your child has not received all of his /her immunizations, you will get a warning letter from Public Health; your child will not be permitted to attend school if you do not comply.
You have a role in ensuring your child’s safety while at school. Please keep the team informed about any concerns that you may have about your child’s health and safety. This may include such things as changes in medications, behaviour, family situations, and equipment malfunctions and repairs.
Throughout the year many cases of sickness arise at school or home. Children require time, especially after a fever, to regain proper health. Please keep your child home so that infections due to cold or flu do not pass on to anyone else. It is Grandview’s policy that children with any of these symptoms stay home:
Fever or chills
New onset cough
Sudden unexplained fatigue or pains
Excessive nasal discharge
Diarrhea or vomiting
Open skin wounds or new rash
Other symptoms of infectious illness that could be passed to others while at Grandview.
If your child is ill or has an appointment, please contact the school at 905-576-8403 and leave a message on the answering machine. The answering machine is on 24 hours a day for your convenience. Parents must also contact the bus company.
On days of inclement weather, notice of school closure and/or cancellation of transportation will be posted on the home page of our website. You can also check the Durham Radio News Stormdesk website at www.durhamradionews.com/stormdesk. If bussing is cancelled, the school may still be open, and parents are welcome to drop off and pick up their child. If the school has to close, parents who have dropped off their child will be expected to return to the school within 30 minutes of the phone call to collect them. In the event that Grandview Children’s Centre is closed, resulting in our closure, it will also be posted on our website. When it is necessary to cancel school earlier than usual, you will be informed that your child is to be returned earlier than usual.
Custody Information
Due to circumstances, a family grouping and home situation may change. In the event of a separation or divorce, court ordered arrangements are made. By law, the school must give both parents the same rights and privileges unless there is a court order to indicate otherwise. Therefore, unless the school has a copy of a court or restraining order on file, either parent has the right to come to the school, meet the teacher, etc. Consequently, it is the responsibility of the parent and/or guardian to ensure that the school has a copy of the legal document on file and to ensure that the situation has been discussed with the principal. If you have any questions concerning this process, please contact the office.
Mandy Doherty, Grandview’s Social Worker, can be reached at mandy.doherty@grandviewkids.ca
Please read the Parent Handbook 2018-2019
COMMUNICATION OF LEARNING
The Ontario government has introduced new provincial reports in Kindergarten which will help parents understand their child’s progress during the course of the school year. This guide has information to help you understand the new reports – Full Day Kindergarten – Understanding Your Child’s Reports
Durham Catholic District School Board
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board
French Catholic School Board
French Public School Board
Durham Region Health Department
WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
The Learning Partnership
Email: ccs@grandviewkids.ca
Monday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday:8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
600 Townline Rd. S.
All content on this website is copyright © Campbell Children's School.
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You are here: CollectionsOnline / Second report of His Majesty's Commissioners appointed by virtue of an Act of Parliament, passed in the fifty-eighth year of the reign of his late Majesty King George the Third, c.45; intituled, "An Act for building and promoting the building of additional churches in populous parishes:" with an appendix. Ordered, by the House of Commons, to be printed, 29 July 1822.
GREAT BRITAIN. Commissioners for Building New Churches
[2nd Report. 1822]
Second report of His Majesty's Commissioners appointed by virtue of an Act of Parliament, passed in the fifty-eighth year of the reign of his late Majesty King George the Third, c.45; intituled, "An Act for building and promoting the building of additional churches in populous parishes:" with an appendix. Ordered, by the House of Commons, to be printed, 29 July 1822.
[London]: 1822.
28 p. ; 33.8 cm. (2º)
House of Commons 605. The Act for building and promoting the building of additional churches in populous parishes was published as Public General Acts. 1818. 58 Geo.III. c.45. Soane designed three London churches erected under the Act of 1818: St Peter, Walworth; Holy Trinity Church, Marylebone; and St John's, Bethnal Green. See G.L. Carr, The Commissioners' Churches of London, 1818--1837, Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. of Michigan, 1976, vol. II, pp. 330--461.
Copy Notes Copy 1: Bound (1) in a collection of parliamentary publications on churches and church revenues, 1822--1836, retaining printed blue paper wrappers reading 'Second Report Of His Majesty's Commissioners for Building New Churches. 1822. ...'. Inscribed in ink on upper wrapper John Soane.
Copy 2: 35.0 cm. Upper wrapper inscribed in pencil Duplicate in the hand of A.T. Bolton, seventh curator of the Museum.
Binding Copy 1: C20th blue cloth, gilt-lettered spine.
Copy 2: Original C19th printed blue paper wrappers, upper and lower wrappers reading 'Second Report Of His Majesty's Commissioners for Building New Churches. 1822. Ordered, ...'.
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Union Institute & University Elects New Trustee with Long History of Giving Back
By Ashley FinkesFebruary 15, 2019Alumni, Faculty & Staff, Latest News, Students
Richard C. (Rick) Stover of Dayton, Ohio has been elected to the UI&U Board of Trustees, effective January 24, 2019.
Mr. Stover, a retired businessman has more than 35 years of serving clients and providing solutions to the many complex business issues faced by companies doing business in the U.S. and internationally. He is actively engaged in his community and mirrors Union’s mission to engage, enlighten, and empower students to pursue a lifetime of learning, service, and social responsibility.
“Giving back was instilled in me by my parents at an early age,” said Stover. “My parents didn’t have a lot of money, but they leant a helping hand to neighbors and strangers alike. My parents were my role models on how to treat people.”
Mr. Stover was drawn to Union’s mission.
“I think Union offers an important niche in adult learning. Union fills a critical gap for the working adult who needs to complete or expand his or her educational level,” said Stover. “I respect that Union is mission driven. I look forward to contributing to the mission by listening, being supportive and helpful, but letting management do their job.”
Mr. Stover’s election underscores Union’s commitment to its social justice values. Union serves diverse populations: minorities (44 percent), women (56 percent), and an older, adult population (average age of 39), and focuses on serving the underserved with curriculum that engages difference and applies theory to practice. Union serves a more than 25% undergraduate Hispanic adult learner population and is the only university in Ohio designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education Hispanic-Serving Institutions Division .
Union President Dr. Karen Schuster Webb looks forward to Trustee Stover’s contributions and insight. “Rick is a servant leader. He brings business knowledge and prior university board experience to Union, coupled with the desire to improve communities. We feel fortunate to have Rick join the board.”
His recent community activities include:
Citywide Development Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, – Board Chair, 2017-2018, Board Vice Chair & Audit/Finance Committee Chair 2015 and 2016
City of Dayton Schools Accountability Committee – Co-Chair, 2018, 2017 and 2016; Committee member since 2008
Financial Executives Institute – President – 2018; Vice-President, 2017, Director and academic liaison 2016; member since 2015
United Rehabilitation Services (URS) Foundation – Board member since 2010 and Capital Campaign member, 2017, 2016 and 2015
Better Business Bureau, Dayton, Ohio, Integrity awards, Judge, 2017 and 2018
Created PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) scholarship fund at University of Dayton in 2014 with continued fundraising efforts
Mr. Stover has also been a past officer or board member of many diverse organizations such as the Greater Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Dayton Opera, Culture Works, URS, Special Olympics and many others.
Mr. Stover is a current lecturer at the University of Dayton. Trustees re-elected to new terms include Dr. Richard N. Aft and Dr. Shekhar Mitra, both of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Union Institute & University’s leaders are committed to the university’s purpose and mission. To learn more about our board members, click below.
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PRACTICE DIRECTIONS - Homepage
Supreme Court Court of Appeal Court of Criminal Appeal High Court
Circuit Court District Court Topics
Court: Supreme
Topic: Appeals
Category: Civil
SC19 - Conduct of proceedings in Supreme Court
(issued under section 7(7) of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, inserted by paragraph (a)(iv) of section 44 of the Court of Appeal Act 2014)
(a) In this practice direction:
“applications for leave judge” means the Chief Justice or a Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice under section 7(6) of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, as inserted by section 44 of the Court of Appeal Act 2014, when exercising functions under that sub-section in respect of applications for leave to appeal;
“case management judge” means the Chief Justice or a Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice under section 7(6) of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, as inserted by section 44 of the Court of Appeal Act 2014, when exercising functions under that sub-section in respect of proceedings in which leave to appeal has been granted;
“the rules” means the Rules of the Superior Courts;
“the Court” means the Supreme Court;
“the Office” means the Office of Registrar of the Supreme Court;
“statutory practice direction” means a practice direction issued under section 7(7) of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961;
"the Supreme Court e-filing system" means the computer system provided by the Courts Service for the Supreme Court for the purpose, inter alia, of filing in the Office and issuing or transmitting from the Office of documents electronically where required or permitted by the rules or a statutory practice direction, and subject to compliance with the requirements for access to that system (including requirements for the purpose of identifying the system user) as may be published from time to time on the Courts Service’s website;
a reference to filing of a document includes a reference to lodgment of that document;
a reference to a form is to the form as numbered in the Schedule to this statutory practice direction;
“Order 58” means Order 58 of the rules;
references in this practice direction to the filing in the Office or with the court of a document shall include filing or transmission electronically where this is required or permitted by the rules or a statutory practice direction;
references in this practice direction to the filing or transmission of a document electronically mean:
sending that document in electronic form using the computer system known as the Supreme Court e-filing system where that system is being used;
where the Supreme Court e-filing system is not being used, sending that document by e-mail attachment in the form and /or manner required or permitted by the rules or a statutory practice direction, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;
references in the practice direction to the issuing or transmission of a document electronically mean:
issuing or transmitting that document in electronic form using the computer system known as the Supreme Court e-filing system where so required;
where this practice direction or another statutory practice direction does not require use of the Supreme Court e-filing system, issuing or transmitting that document by e-mail attachment in the form and/or manner required or permitted by the rules or a statutory practice direction,
and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly.
(b) This practice direction is issued in respect of appeals and applications for leave to appeal initiated pursuant to the jurisdiction conferred on the court by the amendments of the Constitution comprised in the Thirty-third Amendment of the Constitution, which took effect on the 28th October, 2014.
(c) While specific provisions of the rules are referred to where this is considered to be of assistance, this practice direction should be read in conjunction with the rules generally, and in particular to Order 58 and to other provisions of the rules available at the Courts Service website at: www.courts.ie.
Practitioners acting in, and litigants in person who are parties to applications for leave to appeal and appeals before the court, are encouraged to familiarise themselves fully with the provisions of Order 58.
...... see full text of this practice direction
Download the forms from here
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Doctrine (from Latin: doctrina) is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system. The Greek analogue is the etymology of catechism.
Often doctrine specifically connotes a corpus of religious dogma as it is promulgated by a church, but not necessarily: doctrine is also used to refer to a principle of law, in the common law traditions, established through a history of past decisions, such as the doctrine of self-defense, or the principle of fair use, or the more narrowly applicable first-sale doctrine. In some organizations, doctrine is simply defined as "that which is taught", in other words the basis for institutional teaching of its personnel internal ways of doing business.
Religious usage
Examples of religious doctrines include:
Christian Trinity and Virgin birth
Christian Original Sin and its cure, the Redemption of Jesus Christ
Roman Catholic Transubstantiation and Immaculate Conception
Calvinist predestination
Methodist Prevenient Grace
Hinduism The Doctrine of epoch or Yuga
Jainism The Doctrine of Postulation or Syādvāda
Buddhist Doctrine
One department of the Roman Curia is called the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Also shows other doctrines involved in the shape of government and politics.
Military usage
The term also applies to the concept of an established procedure to a complex operation in warfare. The typical example is tactical doctrine in which a standard set of maneuvers, kinds of troops and weapons are employed as a default approach to a kind of attack.
Examples of military doctrines include:
Blitzkrieg of World War II
Guerre de course
Hit-and-run tactics
Mahanian of late 19th up to mid-20th century
Manhunting doctrine, or assured individual destruction
Reagan Doctrine of the Cold War
Shock and Awe
Soviet deep battle of World War II
Trench warfare of World War I
Almost every military organization has its own doctrine, sometimes written, sometimes unwritten. Some military doctrines are transmitted through training programs. More recently, in modern peacekeeping operations, which involve both civilian and military operations, more comprehensive (not just military) doctrines are now emerging such as the 2008 United Nations peacekeeping operations' "Capstone Doctrine" which speaks to integrated civilian and military operations.
A policy, position or principle advocated, taught or put into effect concerning the acquisition and exercise of the power to govern or administrate in society.
Legal usage
A legal doctrine is a body of inter-related rules (usually of common law and built over a long period of time) associated with a legal concept or principle. For example the doctrine of frustration of purpose now has many tests and rules applicable with regards to each other and can be contained within a "bubble" of frustration. In a court session a defendant may refer to the doctrine of justification.
It can be seen that a branch of law contains various doctrines, which in turn contain various rules or tests. The test of non-occurrence of crucial event is part of the doctrine of frustration which is part of contract law. Doctrines can grow into a branch of law; restitution is now considered a branch of law separate to contract and tort.
The term indoctrination came to have awkward connotations during the 20th century, but it is necessary to retain it, in order to distinguish it from education. In education one is asked to stand as much as possible outside the body of accumulated knowledge and analyze it oneself. In indoctrination on the other hand, one stands within the body of knowledge and absorbs its teachings without critical thought.
Retrieved from "http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php?title=Doctrine&oldid=122109"
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I have been a teacher since 1987. I have taught in universities, secondary schools, and post-secondary vocational schools. I have taught in two languages and in four countries. I have acquired four teaching credentials/awards. Over the years that I have been teaching, I have developed a method of pedagogy that I call empathy in the zoped. It starts from the position that learning occurs as an encounter between the teacher and the learner in the zone of proximal development (Vygotski). The type of encounter that occurs in the zoped, whether alienating or empowering, is one factor in the social construction of subjects and their society. In order to avoid alienation, I take an empathic stance towards the student(s) when I enter the zoped. By this I mean that I use active listening (Carl Rogers) to become aware of how my students are learning; I experience their learning process as they experience it themselves. In this way, I can gauge my teaching methods to best fit every student and seminar. The variety of my teaching experience, from street gang members in the Special Day Classes of the public school system in Los Angeles, to university students at a British Russell Group university, has allowed me to test and develop the efficacy of my pedagogy in a variety of educational settings. This form of teaching is obviously well-suited for individual pastoral and tutorial work with students, but it is also best practice for seminars. Not only do individual students each have their own zoped, but seminars as a whole also have a zone of proximal development of which the tutor needs to be aware and allow to guide his/her teaching. Here is a video of me teaching student-centred digital pedagogy through the Teaching Grid (use this password to access – librarytg1): http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/staff/teaching/teachinggrid/wit/201506051349
I held a secondary school teaching credential as an educational specialist (mild to moderate disabilities) from 2001 until 2008. I have a qualification in teaching university-level psychology from CSULA, 1992. I have Postgraduate Award in Technology-enhanced Learning from the University of Warwick, 2012-2013, and a Postgraduate Award in Introduction to Academic and Professional Practice from the University of Warwick, 2011.
University Teaching
I worked as a teaching fellow in the Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies at the University of Warwick for three years. Before that, I worked as PG tutor in the same department for four years.
I taught two Shakespeare modules. One was a Masters-level Shakespeare module – ‘Shakespeare in History’ – in which I situate Shakespeare in the history of ideas. We look at how Shakespeare worked with the ideas and paradigms of those who influenced him and how he influenced writers after him. In this way we track ideas from the Greeks and Romans to the early modern playwrights to German theorists – from Athens and Rome to London to Berlin, Vienna and Frankfurt. The second half of the module traces the history of theory through its intertextual relationship with Shakespeare’s plays. We begin with the 18th Century’s problematic reception of the plays and then look at the British and German Romantic literary movements’ critique of the Enlightenment through their reading of Shakespeare. Then we spend two weeks looking at the influence that Shakespeare had on Marxism and on psychoanalysis respectively. We end with an exploration of Shakespeare’s place in the history of the dialectic. The second Shakespeare module that I taught was ‘Shakespeare, Freud and the Power of Scenes’. In this undergraduate honours module, we explored a selection of Shakespeare’s plays using psychoanalytic literary criticism, especially organised through Jean Laplanche’s critical reading of Freud.
I taught two psychoanalysis modules under the convenorship of Prof John Fletcher. The first one was ‘Literature and Psychoanalysis’, an undergraduate honours module that presented psychoanalytic literary theory by using it to critique literary texts including Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Shakespeare’s Hamlet, E.T.A. Hofmann’s Mademoiselle de Scudery and The Sandman, and Jensen’s Gradiva, along with other works of art such as Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings and Handel’s opera Semele. The other psychoanalysis module was ‘Shakespeare, Freud and the Power of Scenes’ described above. I also developed and maintained the modules’ moodles (see digital pedagogy below).
I taught a world literature module. This was Modern World Literatures, a large first year module convened by Nicholas Lawrence. Guided by both World Systems Theory and Critical Theory, we read some of the defining texts of modernity from 1789 to the contemporary period. In that module, I lectured on Bertolt Brecht’s Mutter Courage und Ihre Kinder. I was a seminar tutor on the module, and served in capacity as the senior tutor. I also developed and maintained the module’s moodle, the Modernity Clinic (see digital pedagogy below).
I taught a literary criticism module. This was Modes of Reading, a large first year module that studied some historical developments in literary theory through using them to do a close and interpretive reading of four literary texts.
I taught academic writing through the Academic Writing Program in the department of English and Comparative Literary Studies. As well as teaching academic writing in the department, this program also delivered academic writing services to other departments including Warwick Business School, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Dept of Chemistry, Dept of Physics, Dept of Biology, and Dept of Computer Science. I taught essay writing, academic poster making, and academic public speaking. As part of this program, I developed a digitally-enhanced seminar pedagogy working in collaboration with The Library Teaching Grid and the Dept of Computer Science. See digital pedagogy below.
I did research in and taught Digital Pedagogy at the University of Warwick. As a part of the Technology-enhanced Learning Forum and the Moodle User’s Group at Warwick, I experimented with different ways that digital technology and services could be used to teach seminars and run modules. The hardware I used included Smartboards, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and video cameras in the classroom. The software and services that I used included Evernote, Google Drive, iMovie, Moodle, Screenflow and Jing. Once developed, I used this digitally-enhanced methodology to teach seminars in academic writing and all of my modules in the English Department. With this pedagogy, I created not only more efficient ways of learning, studying and researching, but I also developed parallel cloud-based learning spaces. Students could work both in-person in seminar and on the cloud connecting simultaneously to others in the module. An example of this is the Modernity Clinic, a moodle that served as a space for students in the large world literature module to work on understanding the meaning of the term modernity, a difficult and contested term. The Modernity Clinic was a space for student-centred learning (see the link to my video on this above) I served as the Moodle Coordinator for the Department from 2013-2016.
In the early 1990s, while studying for my Masters in Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles, I took a class on how to teach university-level psychology. The class included an internship in which I taught undergraduate classes at the university.
Secondary School Teaching
I have many years experience teaching at the secondary school level. I began teaching middle school in East Los Angeles at Hollenbeck Middle School in 2002-2005. I taught students with learning disabilities and emotional disturbances. I taught Social Sciences, Health and English literacy to Spanish speakers. Then I moved to Hollywood High School to teach English, History, Biology and Life Skills from 2005-2008.
In 2013, between finishing my doctorate and obtaining my teaching fellowship, I taught at a British grammar school in Alcester. I taught in the English department and worked with A-levels, GCSE, Year 9 and Year 8 students.
Post-secondary Vocational School Teaching
My first teaching job was at the Massage School of Santa Monica where I taught physiology, anatomy, Swedish Massage, Structural Bodywork, Craniosacral Therapy, and Bodymind Integration. I taught there for 14 years from 1987 to 2001. I also taught bodywork at the Bodymind Institute, Los Angeles, in Nicaragua (workshops) and in the United Kingdom (workshops). I am currently teaching bodywork and therapy workshops in Berlin (see Forest of Arden Healing Arts in the Links page.)
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Home > Commentaries > Barnes' Notes > Luke > Chapter 13
Barnes' Notes on the New Testament
Darby's Synopsis
Geneva Study Bible
John Lightfoot Commentary
People's New Testament
Robertson's Word Pictures
The Fourfold Gospel
Verse 1. There were present. That is, some persons who were present, and who had heard his discourse recorded in the previous chapter. There was probably a pause in his discourse, when they mentioned what had been done by Pilate to the Galileans.
At that season. At that time--that is the time mentioned in the last chapter. At what period of our Lord's ministry this was, it is not easy to determine.
Some that told him. This was doubtless an event of recent occurrence. Jesus, it is probable, had not before heard of it. Why they told him of it can only be a matter of conjecture. It might be from the desire to get him to express an opinion respecting the conduct of Pilate, and thus to involve him in difficulty with the reigning powers of Judea. It might be as a mere matter of news. But, from the answer of Jesus, it would appear that they supposed that the Galileans deserved it, and that they meant to pass a judgment on the character of those men, a thing of which they were exceedingly fond. The answer of Jesus is a reproof of their habit of hastily judging the character of others.
Galileans. People who lived in Galilee. See Barnes "Matthew 2:22". They were not under the jurisdiction of Pilate, but of Herod. The Galileans, in the time of Christ, were very wicked.
Whose blood Pilate had mingled, &c. That is, while they were sacrificing at Jerusalem, Pilate came suddenly upon them and slew them, and their blood was mingled with the blood of the animals that they were slaying for sacrifice. It does not mean that Pilate offered their blood in sacrifice, but only that as they were sacrificing he slew them. The fact is not mentioned by Josephus, and nothing more is known of it than what is here recorded. We learn, however, from Josephus that the Galileans were very wicked, and that they were much disposed to broils and seditions. It appears, also, that Pilate and Herod had a quarrel with each other (Luke 23:12), and it is not improbable that Pilate might feel a particular enmity to the subjects of Herod. It is likely that the Galileans excited a tumult in the temple, and that Pilate took occasion to come suddenly upon them, and show his opposition to them and Herod by slaying them.
Pilate. The Roman governor of Judea. See Barnes "Matthew 27:2".
{a} "Galileans" Acts 5:37
{b} "mingled" Lamentations 2:20
Verses 2,3. Suppose ye, &c. From this answer it would appear that they supposed that the fact that these men had been slain in this manner proved that they were very great sinners.
I tell you, Nay. Jesus assured them that it was not right to draw such a conclusion respecting these men. The fact that men come to a sudden and violent death is not proof that they are peculiarly wicked.
Except ye repent. Except you forsake your sins and turn to God. Jesus took occasion, contrary to their expectation, to make a practical use of that fact, and to warn them of their own danger. He never suffered a suitable occasion to pass without warning the wicked, and entreating them to forsake their evil ways. The subject of religion was always present to his mind. He introduced it easily, freely, fully. In this he showed his love for the souls of men, and in this he set us an example that we should walk in his steps.
Ye shall all likewise perish. You shall all be destroyed in a similar manner. Here he had reference, no doubt, to the calamities that were coming upon them, when thousands of the people perished. Perhaps there was never any reproof more delicate and yet more severe than this. They came to him believing that these men who had perished were peculiarly wicked. He did not tell them that they were as bad as the Galileans, but left them to infer it, for if they did not repent, they must soon likewise be destroyed. This was remarkably fulfilled. Many of the Jews were slain in the temple; many while offering sacrifice; thousands perished in a way very similar to the Galileans. Comp. See Barnes "Matthew 24:1" and following. From this account of the Galileans we may learn--
(1.) That men are very prone to infer, when any great calamity happens to others, that they are peculiarly guilty. See the Book of Job, and the reasonings of his three "friends."
(2.) That that conclusion; in the way in which it is usually drawn, is erroneous. If we see a man bloated, and haggard, and poor, who is in the habit of intoxication, we may infer openly that he is guilty, and that God hates his sin and punishes it. So we may infer of the effects of licentiousness. But we should not thus infer when a man's house is burned down, or when his children die, or when he is visited with a loss of health; nor should we infer it of the nations that are afflicted with famine, or the plague, or with the ravages of war; nor should we infer it when a man is killed by lightning, or when he perishes by the blowing up of a steamboat. Those who thus perish may be far more virtuous than many that live.
(3.) This is not a world of retribution. Good and evil are mingled; the good and the bad suffer, and all are exposed here to calamity.
(4.) There is another world--a future state--a world where the good will be happy and the wicked punished. There all that is irregular on earth will be regulated; all that appears unequal will be made equal; all that is chaotic will be reduced to order.
(5.) When men are disposed to speak about the great guilt of others, and the calamities that come upon them, they should inquire about themselves. What is their character? what is their condition?. It may be that they are in quite as much danger of perishing as those are whom they regard as so wicked.
(6.) WE MUST REPENT. We must ALL repent or we shall perish. No matter what befalls others, we are sinners; we are to die; we shall be lost unless we repent. Let us, then, think of ourselves rather than of others; and when we hear of any signal calamity happening to others, let us remember that there is calamity in another world as well as here; and that while our fellow-sinners are exposed to trials here, we may be exposed to more awful woes there. Woe there is eternal; here, a calamity like that produced by a failing tower is soon over.
Verse 3. No Barnes text on this verse.
Verse 4. Or those eighteen. Jesus himself adds another similar case, to warn them --a case which had probably occurred not long before, and which it is likely they judged in the same manner.
Upon whom the tower in Siloam fell. The name Siloah or Siloam is found only three times in the Bible as applied to water--once in Isaiah 8:6, who speaks of it as running water; once as a pool near to the king's garden, in Nehemiah 3:15; and once as a pool, in the account of the Saviour's healing the man born blind, in John 9:7-11. Josephus mentions the fountain of Siloam frequently as situated at the mouth of the Valley of Tyropoeon, or the Valley of Cheese-mongers, where the fountain long indicated as that fountain is still found. It is on the south side of Mount Moriah, and between that and the Valley of Jehoshaphat. The water at present flows out of a small artificial basin under the cliff, and is received into a large reservoir 53 feet in length by 18 in breadth. The small upper basin or fountain excavated in the rock is merely the entrance, or rather the termination of a long and narrow subterranean passage beyond, by which the water comes from the Fountain of the Virgin. For what purpose the tower here referred to was erected is not known; nor is it known at what time the event here referred to occurred. It is probable that it was not far from the time when the Saviour made use of the illustration, for the manner in which he refers to it implies that it was fresh in the recollection of those to whom he spoke.
{1} "sinners above", or "debtors"
Verse 5. I tell you, Nay. It is improper to suppose that those on whom heavy judgments fall in this world are the worst of men. This is not a world of retribution. Often the most wicked are suffered to prosper here, and their punishment is reserved for another world; while the righteous are called to suffer much, and appear to be under the sore displeasure of God, Psalms 73:1, and following. This only we know, that the wicked will not always escape; that God is just; and that none who do suffer here or hereafter, suffer more than they deserve. In the future world, all that seems to be un equal here will be made equal and plain.
Verse 6. This parable. See Barnes "Matthew 13:3".
Vineyard. A place where vines were planted. It was not common to plant fig-trees in them, but our Lord represents it as having been sometimes done.
{d} "A certain man" Isaiah 5:1; Matthew 21:19
{e} "sought fruit thereon" John 15:16; Galatians 5:22; Philemon 4:17
Verse 7. The dresser of his vineyard. The man whose duty it was to trim the vines and take care of his vineyard.
These three years. These words are not to be referred to the time which Christ had been preaching the gospel, as if he meant to specify the exact period. They mean, as applicable to the vineyard, that the owner had been a long time expecting fruit on the tree. For three successive years he had been disappointed. In his view it was long enough to show that the tree was barren and would yield no fruit, and that therefore it should be cut down.
Why cumbereth it the ground? The word cumber here means to render barren or sterile. By taking up the juices of the earth, this useless tree rendered the ground sterile, and prevented the growth of the neighbouring vines. It was not merely useless, but was doing mischief, which may be said of all sinners and all hypocritical professors of religion. Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. i. p. 539) says of the barren fig-tree:
"There are many such trees now; and if the ground is not properly cultivated, especially when the trees are young--as the one of the parable was, for only three years are mentioned-they do not bear at all; and even when full grown they quickly fail, and wither away if neglected. Those who expect to gather good crops of well-favoured figs are particularly attentive to their culture--not only plough and dig about them frequently, and manure them plentifully, but they carefully gather out the stones from the orchards, contrary to their general slovenly habits."
This parable is to be taken in connection with what goes before, and with our Saviour's calling the Jewish nation to repentance. It was spoken to illustrate the dealings of God with them, and their own wickedness under all his kindness, and we may understand the different parts of the parable as designed to represent--
1st. God, by the man who owned the vineyard.
2nd. The vineyard as the Jewish people.
3rd. The coming of the owner for fruit, the desire of God that they should produce good works.
4th. The barrenness of the tree, the wickedness of the people.
5th. The dresser was perhaps intended to denote the Saviour and the other messengers of God, pleading that God would spare the Jews, and save them from their enemies that stood ready to destroy them, as soon as God should permit.
6th. His waiting denotes the delay of vengeance, to give them an opportunity of repentance. And,
7th. The remark of the dresser that he might then cut it down, denotes the acquiescence of all in the belief that such a judgment would be just.
We may also remark that God treats sinners in this manner now; that he spares them long; that he gives them opportunities of repentance; that many live but to cumber the ground; that they are not only useless to the church, but pernicious to the world; that in due time, when they are fairly tried, they shall be cut down; and that the universe will bow to the awful decree of God, and say that their damnation is just.
{f} "cut it down" Exodus 32:10
{g} "let it alone" Psalms 106:23; 2 Peter 3:9
{h} "and if not, then" John 15:2; Hebrews 6:8
Verse 10. No Barnes text on this verse.
Verse 11. There was a woman which lead a spirit of infirmity. Was infirm, or was weak and afflicted. This was produced by Satan, Luke 13:16.
Eighteen years. This affliction had continued a long time. This shows that the miracle was real; that the disease was not feigned. Though thus afflicted, yet it seems she was regular in attending the worship of God in the synagogue. There in the sanctuary, is the place where the afflicted find consolation; and there it was that the Saviour met her and restored her to health. It is in the sanctuary and on the Sabbath, also, that he commonly meets his people, and gives them the joys of his salvation.
{i} "spirit of infirmity" Psalms 6:2
Verse 12. Thou art loosed from thine infirmity. This was a remarkable declaration. It does not appear that the woman applied to him for a cure; yet Jesus addressed her, and the disease departed. How clear would be the proofs from such a case that he was the Messiah! And how mighty the power of him that by a word could restore her to health!
{k} "thou art loosed from" Joel 3:10
Verse 13. Glorified God. Praised God. Gave thanks to him for healing her. They who are restored to health from sickness owe it to God; and they should devote their lives to his service, as expressive of their sense of gratitude to him who has spared them.
{l} "he laid his hands" Mark 16:18; Acts 9:17
Verse 14. Answered with indignation, because, &c, He considered this a violation of the Sabbath, doing work contrary to the fourth commandment. If he had reasoned aright, he would have seen that he who could perform such a miracle could not be a violator of the law of God. From this conduct of the ruler we learn--
1st. That men are often opposed to good being done, because it is not done in their own way and according to their own views.
2nd. That they are more apt to look at what they consider a violation of the law in others, than at the good which others may do.
3rd. That this opposition is manifested not only against those who do good, but also against those who are benefited. The ruler of the synagogue seemed particularly indignant that the people would come to Christ to be healed.
4th. That this conduct is often the result of envy. In this case it was rather hatred that the people should follow Christ instead of the Jewish rulers, and therefore envy at the popularity of Jesus, than any real regard for religion.
5th. That opposition to the work of Jesus may put on the appearance of great professed regard for religion. Many men oppose revivals, missions, Bible societies, and Sunday-schools--strange as it may seem --from professed regard to the purity of religion. They, like the ruler here, have formed their notions of religion as consisting in something very different from doing good, and they oppose those who are attempting to spread the gospel throughout the world.
{m} "healed on the sabath-day" Matthew 12:10; Mark 3:2; Luke 6:7; 14:3; John 5:16
{n} "There are six days" Exodus 20:9
Verse 15. Thou hypocrite. You condemn me for an action, and yet you perform one exactly similar. You condemn me for doing to a woman what you do to a beast. To her I have done good on the Sabbath; you provide for your cattle, and yet blame me for working a miracle to relieve a sufferer on that day.
Stall. A place where cattle are kept to be fed, and sheltered from the weather.
{o} "Thou hypocrite!" Proverbs 11:9; Matthew 7:5; 23:13,28; Luke 12:1
{p} "on the sabbath" Luke 14:5
Verse 16. A daughter of Abraham. A descendant of Abraham. See Barnes "Matthew 1:1". She was therefore a Jewess; and the ruler of the synagogue, professing a peculiar regard for the Jewish people, considering them as peculiarly favoured of God, should have rejoiced that she was loosed from this infirmity.
Whom Satan hath bound. Satan is the name given to the prince or leader of evil spirits, called also the devil, Beelzebub, and the old serpent., Matthew 12:24; Revelation 12:9; 20:2. By his binding her is meant that he had inflicted this disease upon her. It was not properly a possession of the devil, for that commonly produced derangement; but God had suffered him to afflict her in this manner, similar to the way in which he was permitted to try Job. See Barnes "Job 1:12 2:6,7". It is no more improbable that God would suffer Satan to inflict pain, than that he would suffer a wicked man to do it; yet nothing is more common than for one man to be the occasion of bringing on a disease in another which may terminate only with the life. He that seduces a virtuous man and leads him to intemperance, or he that wounds him or strikes him, may disable him as much as Satan did this woman. If God permits it in one case, he may, for the same reason, in another.
{q} "daughter of Abraham" Luke 19:9
Verse 17. Adversaries. The ruler of the synagogue, and those who felt as he did.
All the people. The persons who attended the synagogue, and who had witnessed the miracle. It is to be remarked--
1st. That those who opposed Christ were chiefly the rulers. They had an interest in doing it. Their popularity was at stake. They were afraid that he would draw off the people from them.
2nd. The common people heard him gladly. Many of them believed in him. The condition of the poor, and of those in humble life, is by far the most favourable for religion, and most of the disciples of Jesus have been found there.
{r} "all his adversaries" Isaiah 45:24; 1 Peter 3:16
{s} "glorious things" Exodus 15:11; Psalms 111:3; Isaiah 4:2
Verses 18-21. See these parables explained See Barnes "Matthew 13:31" See Barnes "Matthew 13:32".
{t} "Unto what is the kingdom" Matthew 13:31; Mark 4:30
{2} "three measures of meal" See Barnes "Matthew 13:33"
Verse 22. Cities and villages. Chiefly of Galilee, and those which were between Galilee and Jerusalem.
Teaching and journeying. This evinces the diligence of our Lord. Though on a journey, yet he remembered his work. He did not excuse himself on the plea that he was in haste. Christians and Christian ministers should remember that when their Master travelled he did not conceal his character, or think that he was then freed from obligation to do good.
Verse 23. Then said one. Who this was does not appear. It is probable that he was not one of the disciples, but one of the Jews, who came either to perplex him, or to involve him in a controversy with the Pharisees.
Are there few that be saved? It was the prevalent opinion among the Jews that few would enter heaven. As but two of all the hosts that came out of Egypt entered into the land of Canaan, so some of them maintained that a proportionally small number would enter into heaven (Lightfoot). On this subject the man wished the Opinion of Jesus. It was a question of idle curiosity. The answer to it would have done little good. It was far more important for the man to secure his own salvation, than to indulge in such idle inquiries and vain speculations. Our Lord therefore advised him, as he does all, to strive to enter into heaven.
Verse 24. Strive. Literally, agonize. The word is taken from the Grecian Games. In their races, and wrestlings, and various athletic exercises, they strove or agonized, or put forth all their powers to gain the victory. Thousands witnessed them. They were long trained for the conflict, and the honour of victory was one of the highest honours among the people. So Jesus says that we should strive to enter in; and he means by it that we should be diligent, be active, be earnest; that we should make it our first and chief business to overcome our sinful propensities, and to endeavour to enter into heaven. This same figure or allusion to the Grecian games is often used in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 9:24-26;; Philemon 2:16;; Hebrews 12:1.
Strait gate. See Barnes "Matthew 7:13,14". Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. i. p. 32) says:
"I have seen these strait gates and narrow ways, 'with here and there a traveller.' They are in retired corners, and must be sought for, and are opened only to those who knock; and when the sun goes down and the night comes on, they are shut and locked. It is then too late."
Will seek to enter in. Many in various ways manifest some desire to be saved. They seek it, but do not agonize for it, and hence they are shut out. But a more probable meaning of this passage is that which refers this seeking to a time that shall be too late; to the time when the master has risen up, &c. In this life they neglect religion, and are engaged about other things. At death, or at the judgment, they will seek to enter in; but it will be too late--the door will be shut; and because they did not make religion the chief business of their life, they cannot then enter in.
Shall not be able. This is not designed to affirm anything respecting the inability of the sinner, provided he seeks salvation in a proper time and manner. It means that at the time when many will seek--when the door is shut--they will not be able then to enter in, agreeable to Matthew 7:22. In the proper time, when the day of grace was lengthened out, they might have entered in; but there will be a time when it will be too late. The day of mercy will be ended, and death will come, and the doors of heaven barred against them. How important, then, to strive to enter in while we have opportunity, and before it shall be too late!
{u} "Strive" Matthew 7:13
{v} "for many, I say unto you" John 7:34; 8:21; Romans 9:31
Verse 25. When once the master, &c. The figure here used is taken from the conduct of a housekeeper, who is willing to see his friends, and who at the proper time keeps his doors open. But there is a proper time for closing them, when he will not see his guests. At night it would be improper and vain to seek an entrance--the house would be shut. So there is a proper time to seek an entrance into heaven; but there will be a time when it will be too late. At death the time will have passed by, and God will be no longer gracious to the sinner's soul.
{w} "When once the master" Psalms 32:6; Isaiah 55:6
{x} "hath shut the door" Matthew 25:10
{y} "Lord, Lord open to us" Luke 6:46
Verse 26. We have eaten, &c. Comp. Matthew 7:22,23. To have eaten with one is evidence of acquaintanceship or friendship. So the sinner may allege that he was a professed follower of Jesus, and had some evidence that Jesus was his friend. There is no allusion here, how- ever, to the sacrament. The figure is taken from the customs of men, and means simply that they had professed attachment, and perhaps supposed that Jesus was their friend.
In thy presence. With thee--as one friend does with another.
Thou hast taught. Thou didst favour us, as though thou didst love us. Thou didst not turn away from us, and we did not drive thee away. All this is alleged as proof of friendship. It shows us--
1st. On how slight evidence men will suppose themselves ready to die. How slender is the preparation which even many professed friends of Jesus have for death! How easily they are satisfied about their own piety! A profession of religion, attendance on the preaching of the word or at the sacraments, or a decent external life, is all they have and all they seek. With this they go quietly on to eternity--go to disappointment, wretchedness, and woe!
2nd. None of these things will avail in the day of judgment. It will be only true love to God, a real change of heart, and a life of piety, that can save the soul from death. And oh! how important it is that all should search themselves and see what is the real foundation of their hope that they shall enter into heaven.
Verse 27. See Barnes "Matthew 7:23".
{z} "But he shall say" Matthew 7:22,23; 25:12,41
{a} "ye workers" Psalms 6:8; 101:8
Verses 28-30. See Barnes "Matthew 8:11", See Barnes "Matthew 8:12".
{b} "shall be weeping" Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 24:51
{c} "they shall come from the east" Revelation 7:9,10
{d} "there are last which shall be first" Matthew 19:30
Verse 31. Came certain of the Pharisees. Their coming to him in this manner would have the appearance of friendship, as if they had conjectured or secretly learned that it was Herod's intention to kill him. Their suggestion had much appearance of probability. Herod had killed John. He knew that Jesus made many disciples, and was drawing away many of the people. He was a wicked man, and he might be supposed to fear the presence of one who had so strong a resemblance to John, whom he had slain. It might seem probable; therefore, that he intended to take the life of Jesus, and this might appear as a friendly hint to escape him. Yet it is more than possible that Herod might have sent these Pharisees to Jesus. Jesus was eminently popular, and Herod might not dare openly to put him to death; yet he desired his removal, and for this purpose he sent these men, as if in a friendly way, to advise him to retire. This was probably the reason why Jesus called him a fox.
Herod. Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great. He ruled over Galilee and Perea, and wished Jesus to retire beyond these regions. See Barnes "Luke 3:1".
Verse 32. Tell that fox. A fox is an emblem of slyness, of cunning, and of artful mischief. The word is also used to denote a dissembler. Herod was a wicked man, but the particular thing to which Jesus here alludes is not his vices, but his cunning, his artifice, in endeavouring to remove him out of his territory. He had endeavoured to do it by stratagem--by sending these men who pretended great friendship for his life.
Behold, I cast out devils, &c. Announce to him the fact that I am working miracles in his territory, and that I shall continue to do it. I am not afraid of his art or his enmity. I am engaged in my appropriate work, and shall continue to be as long as is proper, in spite of his arts and his threats.
Today and tomorrow. A little time. The words seem here to be used not strictly, but proverbially--to denote a short space of time. Let not Herod be uneasy. I am doing no evil; I am not violating the laws. I only cure the sick, &c. In a little time this part of my work will be done, and I shall retire from his dominions.
The third day. After a little time. Perhaps, however, he meant literally that he would depart on that day for Jerusalem; that for two or three days more he would remain in the villages of Galilee, and then go on his way to Jerusalem.
I shall be perfected. Rather, I shall have ended my course here; I shall have perfected what I purpose to do in Galilee. It does not refer to his personal perfection, for he was always perfect, but it means that he would have finished or completed what he purposed to do in the regions of Herod. He would have completed his work, and would be ready then to go.
{e} "that fox" Zephaniah 3:3
Verse 33. I must walk, &c. I must remain here this short time. These three days I must do cures here, and then I shall depart, though not for fear of Herod. It will be because my time will have come, and I shall go up to Jerusalem to die.
For it cannot be that a prophet should perish out of Jerusalem. I have no fear that Herod will put me to death in Galilee. I shall not depart on that account. Jerusalem is the place where the prophets die, and where I am to die. I am not at all alarmed, therefore, at any threats of Herod, for my life is safe until I arrive at Jerusalem. Go and tell him, therefore, that I fear him not. I shall work here as long as it is proper, and shall then go up to Jerusalem to die. The reason why he said that a prophet could not perish elsewhere than in Jerusalem might be--
1st. That he knew that he would be tried on a charge of blasphemy, and no other court could have cognizance of that crime but the great council or Sanhedrim, and so he was not afraid of any threats of Herod.
2nd. It had been the fact that the prophets had been chiefly slain there. The meaning is,
"It cannot easily be done elsewhere; it is not usually done. Prophets have generally perished there, and there I am to die. I am safe, therefore, from the fear of Herod, and shall not take the advice given and leave his territory."
Verses 34,35. See Barnes "Matthew 23:37", also see Matthew 23:38-39.
Verse 34. From the message which Jesus sent to Herod we may learn--
1st. That our lives are safe in the hands of God, and that wicked men can do no more to injure us than he shall permit, Compare John 19:11.
2nd. That we should go on fearlessly in doing our duty, and especially if we are doing good. We should not regard the threats of men. God is to be obeyed; and even if obedience should involve us in difficulty and trials, still we should not hesitate to commit our cause to God and go forward.
3rd. We should be on our guard against crafty and unprincipled men. They often profess to seek our good when they are only plotting our ruin. Even those professedly coming from our enemies to caution us are often also our enemies, and are secretly plotting our ruin or endeavouring to prevent our doing good.
4th. We see here the nature of religion. It shrinks at nothing which is duty. It goes forward trusting in God. It comes out boldly and faces the world. And,
5th. How beautiful and consistent is the example of Christ! How wise was he to detect the arts of his foes! how fearless in going forward, in spite of all their machinations, to do what God had appointed for him to do!
{g} "O Jerusalem" Matthew 23:37
{h} "your house is left" Leviticus 26:31,32; Psalms 69:25; Isaiah 1:7; 5:5,6; Daniel 9:27
Micah 3:12
{i} "Blessed is he that" Luke 19:38; John 12:13
These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website.
Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Luke 13". "Barnes' Notes on the New Testament". <http://classic.studylight.org/com/bnn/view.cgi?book=lu&chapter=013>.
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In execution of a certain Deed of Trust dated September 11, 2015, in the original principal amount of $175,463.00 recorded in the Clerk's Office, Circuit Court for... More
Comfort Systems of VA, Inc. ...
Comfort Systems of VA, Inc.
is seeking Certified MBE, DBE, SB, SDB, WOB, WOSDB, HUB ZONE, VOSB, SDVOSB, HC/MI'S ABILTITY ONE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, ANC'S AND INDIAN TRIBES, to participate as Subcontractors and Suppliers on the following project(s):
VB SPORTSPLEX HVAC... More
AUTO AUCTION Approx. 50 aban...
Approx. 50 abandoned vehicles & content towed at the direction of the Va. Beach Police Dept. are to be sold @ public auction, Saturday, June 29th @ 9:30AM to the highest bidder & must be paid upon completion of auction. Featuring: 04 BMW X3. Registration to begin @ 8:30AM.... More
Notice of Informational Briefi...
Notice of Informational Briefing - Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA
PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To announce a public informational briefing by Norfolk Naval Shipyard to provide information on a proposed combined heat and power (CHP) plant that will be permitted under the Prevention... More
TRUSTEE'S SALE OF 7944 MERRITT...
7944 MERRITT STREET,
In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $49,050.00, with an annual interest rate of 7.000000% dated February 8, 2002, recorded among the land records of the Circuit Court for... More
TRUSTEE'S SALE OF 624 W. 36TH ...
624 W. 36TH STREET,
In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $153,392.00, with an annual interest rate of 4.750000% dated November 28, 2014, recorded among the land records of the Circuit Court for... More
PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To seek public comment on a draft Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit from the Department of Environmental Quality that will allow the release of treated industrial wastewater into a water body in... More
TRUSTEE'S SALE 2539 Keller Ave...
2539 Keller Avenue
In execution of the Deed of Trust dated November 3, 2016 and recorded on November 4, 2016 in Instrument # 160023965 of the City of Norfolk land records, Trustee Services of Virginia, LLC, the appointed Substitute... More
6346585 Chesapeake VIRGINIA: ...
6346585 Chesapeake VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF CHESAPEAKE
IN RE: ESCHEAT SALE - JULY 2, 2019
I, Karen R. Carnegie, Escheator for the City of Chesapeake, Virginia have been ordered by the Honorable Ralph S. Northam,... More
TRUSTEE'S SALE 3121 Coach Hous...
3121 Coach House Lane
In execution of the Deed of Trust dated June 14, 2007 and recorded on June 29, 2007 in Instrument # 20070629000881620 of the City of Virginia Beach land records, Trustee Services of Virginia, LLC, the... More
TRUSTEE'S SALE OF 1400 COVEL S...
1400 COVEL STREET,
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA 23523
CITY OF NORFOLK
In execution of a certain deed of trust dated 04/24/06, in the original principal amount of 133,000.00 recorded in the City of Norfolk, Virginia, as Instrument No. 060018992, as... More
Va. Beach-for Unpd R.E. Tax ...
Va. Beach-for Unpd R.E. Tax
July 2nd -6 PM. VAF 662
www.vaauctionco.com 538-0123 More
SUFFOLK for Unpd R.E. Taxes....
SUFFOLK for Unpd R.E.
Taxes. July 18 @ 10 AM. VAF 662 www.vaauctionco.com 538-0123 More
TRUSTEE'S SALE OF 921 Redstart...
921 Redstart Avenue
In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $142,385.00, dated June 9, 2015, recorded among the land records of the Circuit Court for City of Chesapeake on June 12, 2015, as... More
TRUSTEE'S SALE OF 5538 Brickel...
5538 Brickell Road
In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $205,214.00, dated May 23, 2013, recorded among the land records of the Circuit Court for City of Norfolk on May 28, 2013, as Instrument... More
TRUSTEE'S SALE OF 2639 KING CT...
2639 KING CT,
In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $150,000.00, with an annual interest rate of 3.580000% dated July 6, 2007, recorded among the land records of the Circuit Court for the City... More
TRUSTEE'S SALE OF 6706 DICKENS...
6706 DICKENS CT W,
In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $264,568.00, with an annual interest rate of 4.000000% dated June 1, 2012, recorded among the land records of the Circuit Court for the... More
TRUSTEE SALE 5421 Macqueen Dr,...
TRUSTEE SALE
5421 Macqueen Dr, Virginia Beach,
In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $246,000.00, dated September 8, 2015 recorded in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, in... More
TRUSTEE SALE 1808 Head of Rive...
1808 Head of River Road, Chesapeake,
In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $453,000.00, dated August 5, 2008 recorded in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, in Document... More
TRUSTEE SALE 903 Duce Street, ...
903 Duce Street, Portsmouth, VA 23701
In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $81,900.00, dated September 28, 1999 recorded in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, in Document No.... More
TRUSTEE SALE 2717 Ballentine B...
2717 Ballentine Blvd,
In execution of a Deed of Trust in the original principal amount of $175,000.00, dated September 15, 2016 recorded in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Norfolk, Virginia,... More
3020 MONET DRIVE, VIRGINIA BEACH,
In execution of a certain Deed of Trust dated September 22, 2016, in the original principal amount of $250,381.00 recorded in the Clerk's Office, Circuit Court for Virginia... More
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Energy Management Campaign Progress and New Commitments Announced at Ninth Clean Energy Ministerial
The Energy Management Campaign shared the latest progress and newest partners with an international assembly of high-level clean energy leaders attending the 9th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM9) events on May 24, 2018 in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark. The annual meeting convenes energy policy makers to inspire and facilitate the deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The Campaign’s partners include governments, global business leaders, and other key partners that commit concrete actions they will take to promote implementation of the ISO 50001 energy management standard. The Campaign’s aim is to achieve 50,001 global certifications to ISO 50001, the global energy management system standard.
At CEM9, leaders from Canada and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) shared progress updates on behalf of its partners, which include 18 CEM member governments, one municipality, eight companies, and four organizations. Canada and UNIDO are entering their second year of partnership to lead the Energy Management Working Group and accelerate the clean energy transformation through international cooperation on ISO 50001. Full details on partner progress statements are available on Energy Management Campaign web page.
“We believe that the ISO 50001 certification is a cost-effective tool that helps organizations manage and improve their energy performance. As the operating agent of the Energy Management Working Group, we facilitate international cooperation and help in drawing best practices from more than 50 countries,” affirmed Li Yong, Director General of UNIDO.
Collective action among governments and partners remains an important component in expanding ISO 50001 implementation. “We need to continue the momentum from CEM9 to accelerate the pace of adoption of energy management systems worldwide,” stated Joyce Henry, Canada’s Director General, Office of Energy Efficiency. “According to the most recent ISO Survey, we have just surpassed the halfway point in terms of certifications. This means we are on our way to meeting our goal.”
The private sector is seeing the benefits of adopting ISO 50001. For example, Cummins—since its 2016 Campaign commitment to expand ISO 50001 to 40 sites by 2020—has tripled the number of its certified sites from nine to 26. The company plans to certify 14 additional sites in 2018, achieving its 2020 goal ahead of schedule.
In addition, governments are increasingly deploying ISO 50001 as a strategy to improve competitiveness. Argentina is joining the Campaign because “ISO 50001 helps enhance the energy performance of an organization, thus reducing energy consumption, reaching greater levels of efficiency, reducing environmental impacts and improving productivity,” said Andrea Heins, Undersecretary of Energy Efficiency and Savings of Argentina’s Ministry of Energy and Mining. “The organization not only becomes more competitive but the country does. In a global context of more competitiveness, ISO 50001 represents a winning call to all parties.”
The Campaign focuses on ISO 50001 due to its proven value in the private sector. Case studies show that these companies are realizing energy improvements of 10% or more, often through low-cost or no-cost changes to operations. In addition, the standard holds further potential to yield significant energy savings. If half of global industrial and commercial energy were managed under ISO 50001 by 2030, it would generate cumulative primary energy savings of approximately 105 exajoules, cost savings of nearly USD $700 billion, and 6,500 megatonnes of GHG emissions reductions. The emissions avoided in 2030 alone would be equivalent to removing 210 million passenger vehicles from the road.
The Campaign, which was launched in June 2016 at CEM7, is run by the CEM’s Energy Management Working Group (EMWG), the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation, and the G20, which has been driving the global dialogue on ISO 50001 since 2010.
Notable Progress from Energy Management Campaign Partners
Arabian Cement saved 7% at end of 2017 toward its Campaign commitment of achieving 10% energy savings. The company commits to achieve the remaining savings by the end of 2018.
Cummins—since its 2016 commitment to expand ISO 50001 to 40 sites by 2020—has tripled the number of its certified sites from nine to 26, and has plans to certify 14 additional sites in 2018, achieving its 2020 goal ahead of schedule.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization is entering its second year as the Operating Agent of the Energy Management Working Group, providing strategic contributions and mobilizing resources to maintain the EMWG as a key global forum for advancing energy management systems.
The City of Daugavpils, Latvia joined the Campaign after CEM8 to support the City Council’s existing efforts to promote ISO 50001 in the public sector—buildings, street lighting systems, and transport. Through the Campaign, the City commits to expand boundaries of ISO 50001 certification to include municipal capital companies.
Argentina has joined the Campaign and commits to promoting ISO 50001 certification under three complementary projects in the industrial and services sectors. The first project consists of a tariff incentive to more than 600 companies in some industrial electricity-intense sectors for adopting the first steps of an energy management system. Secondly, six Learning Networks are committed to foster and exchange key lessons during the ISO 50001 implementation process. Argentina is also launching its National Award based on the CEM Energy Management Leadership Awards to recognize the successes of early ISO 50001 adopters.
Canada, under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, is expanding its ISO 50001 implementation program into multiple sectors to maximize the national uptake of energy management systems. The expanded ISO 50001 promotional program will now cover commercial and institutional buildings to improve their energy use, competitiveness, and profitability. These additional efforts complement Canada’s well established industrial ISO 50001 program.
In Chile, 55 facilities across 27 companies achieved ISO 50001 certifications, and 63% of these companies achieved certification by collaborating with the Chilean Energy Efficiency Agency’s ISO 50001 programs. Ongoing work will include subsidies for implementation, training courses, and a national recognition based on the CEM Energy Management Leadership Awards.
China, during its 13th five-year-plan, will continue the efforts to implement energy management systems in the largest 17,000 energy-consuming organizations. Recent accomplishments include launching a new program to promote energy monitoring in key energy-consuming organizations. China also administered national energy management awards to eight companies based on the CEM Energy Management Leadership Awards.
Denmark continues to engage in bilateral energy cooperation on renewable energy and energy efficiency with selected emerging economies (such as China, Mexico, South Africa and Indonesia). Specifically, the Mexican-Danish energy cooperation is improving energy efficiency in selected industries in Mexico through ISO 50001 pilot projects.
The European Commission continues to fund research and innovation projects to support the practice of adopting ISO 50001 and addressing barriers to implementation. Four of its ten current ISO 50001 projects launched in 2018 to increase the availability of qualified ISO 50001 auditors, deliver training to end-user companies, develop capacity of industrial energy efficiency experts, and develop online training programs.
In Germany, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy plans to create an incentive program that supports ISO 50001 implementation within the framework of a broad-based industrial support program and to evaluate the effects of energy management systems on energy savings.
Indonesia has made progress toward its commitment to build capacity for ISO 50001 professionals and supporting certification for energy managers and auditors. To date, Indonesia has trained 466 energy managers and 473 energy auditors—as well as conducting seminars and workshops on ISO 50001.
Japan has continued capacity-building and best-practice-sharing efforts in Indonesia and Brazil to support energy management systems based on ISO 50001. Efforts in Indonesia resulted in 4% to 15% energy savings from ISO 50001 in eight factories. Japan is also supporting ISO 50001 best-practice-sharing with the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry to start an Alliance Program that establishes an ISO 50001 energy management system in energy-intensive industries.
Mexico advanced in the promotion of ISO 50001 between large-energy users that participate in PRONASGEn and its Voluntary Agreement Scheme. The Comisión Nacional para el Uso Eficiente de la Energía (CONUEE) signed the first Voluntary Agreement on Energy Efficiency with Nestlé México. The company plans to invest more than 70 million pesos toward efforts to reduce energy consumption by 13% at its Nescafé´s factory in Toluca.
Korea in 2018 is increasing support for energy saving and greenhouse gas reduction projects and programs to accelerate ISO 50001 implementation. This includes providing $2.6 million to support an energy management system implementation program for small and medium enterprises.
The United States has demonstrated that an enterprise-wide approach to ISO 50001 and Superior Energy Performance® certification can yield ongoing annual energy cost savings of about $600,000 per site. Case studies and a research paper describe the benefits realized by 30 sites from four multinational companies. In addition, the 50001 Ready recognition program launched in 2017 to provide companies with a self-guided approach to establish an energy management system in the structure of ISO 50001. The 50001 Ready Navigator online tool provides step-by-step guidance to implementation. The Commission for Environmental Cooperation has translated the 50001 Ready Navigator into Spanish and French to expand ISO 50001 implementation in North American countries.
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Learning for the future
I have been a long-time supporter of devolution, which is why I’ve supported the development of the Sheffield City Region (SCR), because the current economy and the future economic challenges for South Yorkshire are quite different from those facing North Yorkshire or the East Yorkshire coast, let alone Yorkshire or England as a whole.
In 2015, the Government began to devolve powers to mayoral combined authorities. While there were and still are differing views about the requirements to have a mayor there was general agreement that devolution should be based on city regions as coherent areas of local economic activity. The powers to be devolved were related to improving the economic performance of those areas such as skills, transport and new business development, which is quite distinct from devolution to Scotland and Wales and to the Regional Assembly proposals of a decade ago.
A recent research report clearly demonstrated that adjacent smaller towns acting in cooperation with bigger successful cities are economically and socially much healthier than towns which sought to go it alone. That is why a devolved city region model is so important to Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. It is also crucially important to the travel-to-work areas In North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire. I am sure that is why, when the SCR is up and running, there will be a renewed interest in engagement from those areas.
The challenges for SCR are not just about economic regeneration but also about diversifying the economy, securing additional jobs which match the potential highly qualified workforce who come from our universities and want to stay in the area. But, with too few jobs to match the talents of our cities, we need to focus on nurturing and supporting 21st century businesses. And we need more training opportunities to improve the skills and pay levels of the population in general.
We have some excellent examples of what can be achieved when councils, education institutions at the forefront of technological change, skills providers, and businesses and entrepreneurs do get their act together. The development of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, with its 600-place apprentice training facility, the opening of plants by Rolls Royce, Boeing and McLaren and the proposal for an innovation corridor stretching from the Olympic Legacy Park to the Doncaster-Sheffield Airport are some of the many positives already happening.
All of that has been achieved despite the government’s failing further education and skills’ development policies.
The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee recently concluded that “The government’s target of 3 million apprenticeships has prioritised quantity over quality and should be scrapped.”
The Chief inspector of Ofsted, Amanda Spielman, says that the sustainability and quality of further education and skills provision have been hit by the cuts to their funding.
Further and adult education have suffered severe budget cuts of more than £3 billion in real terms since 2010, that’s over one quarter of funding. The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies states that further education has been ‘the biggest loser’ in education spending over the last 25 years.
The cuts have had a huge impact on the number of adult learners. In the last ten years, the number of enrolments has declined from 5.1 million to 1.9 million, a drop of 62%.
And, now, in the last year, after the apprenticeship levy was introduced, we have seen apprenticeship starts fall by 157,000, a decline of 34%.
The sooner the Sheffield City Region is up and running properly and taking over responsibility for local further education and skills’ development the better it will be for all of South Yorkshire.
In other research published this week, over-65s are much more likely to think that apprenticeships offer the best opportunity for progression, compared to the young people that many of these roles are aimed at. Younger people, in comparison, thought higher education offered a better opportunity.
That means that we all – employers, teachers, parents and grand-parents – have a huge task in persuading our teenagers that a modern, high-quality apprenticeship is worth chasing and securing. Their futures and our economic future depend on it.
Not bothered, don’t care, we’ll blame you anyway
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Navigation path
High level navigation
Evaluation of Environmental Noise Directive
Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise (the Environmental Noise Directive) has been in place for more than 10 years. Recently, the Commission identified it as one of the Directives "to be evaluated with a focus on regulatory fitness" in the context of the Regulatory Fitness and Performance initiative (REFIT) and the Better Regulation programme of the European Commission.
This evaluation took place in 2015 and 2016 and addressed questions relating to effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, relevance and EU added value. The results are summarised in a Staff Working Document with and Executive Summary in English, French and German.
Summary of the evaluation
The Directive remains highly relevant for EU policy-making as noise pollution still constitutes a major environmental health problem in Europe. A common approach to the noise management and harmonised data provide a high-quality evidence base for understanding the issue and further developing EU noise-at-source legislation.
The Directive is coherent in itself and with other relevant EU legislation (environmental and noise-at-source legislation).
Regarding effectiveness, some progress has been made towards a common approach throughout the EU, but effects materialised only partially due to the delays in adopting common assessment methodologies. Noise population exposure data was so far not used for legislation on noise at source. The Directive is however increasingly drawing attention to the significance of the harmful effects of noise on health.
The administrative costs are low (€0.15 for noise maps and €0.03 for action plans per citizen, every 5 years). Cost-benefit analysis showed that where action plans - including measures for noise management - have been implemented, the Directive was efficient with a favourable cost-benefit ratio of 1:29.
The Directive can generate EU added value by providing a level playing field across the EU in which transport infrastructure operators can compete, and by better informing EU policy-making. As a result of delays in implementation, the Directive has not yet delivered all its potential EU added value.
The evaluation is based:
on a study prepared by a consortium led by the Centre for Strategy and Evaluation Services (CSES). This study with all Annexes as well as Country Reports providing more details regarding the implementation of the Directive can be downloaded from the EU Bookshop. The study, its Executive Summary in English and French, its Annexes as well as the Country Fiches can also be accessed directly.
on a public consultation (available in 23 official EU languages), which was opened from 21.12.2015 to 28.03.2016.
The conclusions of this evaluation also provided important evidence which has been considered for the Commission's 2nd implementation report on this Directive. The report, which is required at least every five years as provided for in Article 11 of the Environmental Noise Directive, has been submitted to the European Parliament and Council in March 2017. The first implementation report was published in 2011, summarising progress in implementing the Directive and outlining possible improvements to enhance its effectiveness.
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Home The Hitmen
In 2007 I would find myself reconnecting creatively and musically with my longtime friend and former Fair Exchange and Crimson Fable drummer, Gary Zdenek.
What started out as an informal night of jamming with a group of guys on a Friday, would eventually lead to the forming of The HitMen. This would be my first serious venture into the world of top 40 cover bands.
The first incarnation of this cover band would be named, Room For Five. The band’s original line-up: Charlie Askley lead vocals, Mark DeVilbiss bass/vocals, Gary Zdenek drums/vocals, Craig Ott guitar/vocals, and myself on keyboards.
Covering mostly 50’s through the ’70s with groups like The Beatles, Elvis, and The Who, among others. Having played a few small events, the line-up would change with the departure of lead vocalist Charlie Askley. The band’s next incarnation looked to not only change its lead vocalist but also its name. So we became, The HitMen.
We made our debut in late 2008. Our line up would consist of, Mark DeVilbiss bass/vocals, Gary Zdenek drums/vocals, Craig Ott, guitar/vocals, and again myself on keyboards.
We would expand our music catalog by now including a number of 80’s songs. We also began playing several venues, including Splits Lounge, Pelican Isle, and a number of exclusive events.
The Band would make just a few more changes. One would be to add a new bass/vocalist, vocalist/guitarist and a new name. The HitMen would say goodbye to their time in the spotlight and would expand their horizons as the newly formed SlipJacket.
Album design by Gary Zdenek
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K+ currents in human coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells
Gollasch, M. and Ried, C. and Bychkov, R. and Luft, F.C. and Haller, H.
K+ channels and their currents are important in vascular tone regulation and are potential therapeutic targets; however, K+ channels in human coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have received little attention. We examined K+ currents in freshly isolated VSMCs from human coronary arteries (n=368 from 32 human hearts) with conventional patch-clamp or perforated-patch techniques with nystatin. We detected four different K+ currents: (1) the delayed rectifier K+ current, IK(dr); (2) the Ca2+-activated K+ current, IK(Ca); (3) the nonrectifying noninactivating outward ATP-dependent K+ current, IK(ATP); and (4) the spontaneous transient outward K+ current, IK(STOC). K+ channels underlying spontaneous transient outward currents probably represent a single clustered population of Ca2+-activated K+ channels functionally associated with Ca2+ release channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Inwardly rectifying K+ currents were not observed. K+ currents were unevenly distributed in that they were not uniformly exhibited by all cells. The most prominent K+ currents were IK(Ca) (100%) and IK(dr) (46%). IK(STOC)s, which have not been previously described in humans, were present in 67% of VSMCs. IK(ATP) was small under physiological conditions; however, IK(ATP) increased markedly after cell stimulation with exogenous or endogenous coronary vasodilators. Thus, IK(ATP) may be particularly relevant in ischemia and could be of special importance as a therapeutic target. We conclude that human coronary VSMCs have unique K+ currents that differ sufficiently from those of other species, thus making the investigation of human material clinically relevant. The findings suggest potential avenues for further therapeutic research.
K+ Channels, Delayed Rectifier Current, Transient Outward Current, K+ Channel Openers, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Peptide
Circulation Research
American Heart Association (U.S.A.)
Official Publication:
http://circres.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/78/4/676
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Achievement gap points to ineffectiveness of decades of reforms
Louis Freedberg
Liv Ames for EdSource Today
Thuyen Hoang, 10, left, Nang Moon, 10, and Julianna Lopez, 8, "squish" the bag of liquid polymers to form a solid bouncing ball. Garfield Elementary in Oakland, after-school program
The vast achievement gaps in the Smarter Balanced test scores released this month point to the ineffectiveness of reforms over the past 15 years or more that were intended to close those gaps, raising the question of whether a new set of reforms being introduced in California are more likely to succeed.
Those reforms include the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards; the Local Control Funding Formula, which allocates additional funds for high-needs children and grants local districts more decision-making powers; and a more comprehensive accountability system that emphasizes deeper learning skills, and promotes support for schools and teachers in place of punishment or sanctions.
Only 28 percent of African-Americans and 32 percent of Latinos who took the test in California met or exceeded standards on the English language arts section of the Smarter Balanced tests, which students took for the first time this spring. By comparison, 61 percent of whites and 72 percent of Asian-Americans met or exceeded standards in English language arts. The differences in math are even wider. Only 16 percent of African-Americans and 21 percent of Latinos met or exceeded the standard in math, compared with 59 percent of whites and 69 percent of Asian-Americans.
Addressing racial and ethnic inequality
These differences come against the backdrop of arguably the most sustained national conversation on the causes – and effects – of racial and ethnic inequality that has occurred at any time since the Civil Rights Movement.
The fact that the disparity in academic achievement is so wide in a state like California is even more troubling than in states where educational and political leaders may have been less committed to serving students from diverse backgrounds. In addition, during the past two decades, California has beaten back the anti-immigrant sentiments surging through other states, especially against Spanish-speaking immigrants. Latinos now wield considerable political clout in the state, and have helped drive education reforms here.
The last time there was a substantial narrowing of the gap in the U.S. was from the early 1970s to the late 1980s, as measured on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, often referred to as “the nation’s report card.” A 2010 report by the Educational Testing Service, titled “The Black-White Achievement Gap: When Progress Stopped,” observed that since the late 1980s “there has been no clear trend in the gap, or sustained period of change in the gap, one way or another.”
“The gaps were there and are still there,” said Michael Fullan, a Canadian educator who is working with several California school districts and the California Department of Education to promote what he calls “the right drivers for change.” These include promoting teamwork and collaboration, improved instruction and “systemic” rather than “piecemeal” change. The ongoing achievement gaps, he said, are an indicator that “the in-your-face accountability (of the No Child Left Behind law and related reforms) is not working.”
The NCLB law was supposed to hold school districts “accountable” for results. Teachers, principals and superintendents were prodded to reach a goal and rebuked when they failed to do so. By 2014 every child, regardless of background, was supposed to be proficient in math and English language arts. California, like every other state, did not come close to meeting that goal.
California’s ‘accountability’
It would be easy to dismiss NCLB as a top-down misguided federal strategy. But California promoted a similar ethos of “accountability” through the Public Schools Accountability Act approved in 1999 by the state Legislature.
Unlike NCLB, California’s accountability plan emphasized improvements from year to year, rather than setting fixed levels of proficiency that schools had to meet. During the reform’s early years, the state provided cash rewards to teachers, principals and schools that succeeded in improving performance. But the rewards part of the reform equation soon fell victim to the series of budget crises that California has experienced in recent decades.
Sean Reardon, a professor of poverty and inequality in education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, gives those accountability reforms a failing grade. “I don’t think there is any evidence that accountability systems have been effective in reducing achievement gaps,” he said.
That sentiment was echoed by UC Berkeley School of Law professor Christopher Edley, Jr., who chaired the Equity and Excellence Commission established by Congress to advise the U.S. Department of Education on disparities that contribute to the achievement gap. Edley said the continuing achievement gap shows that the “approach to school reform starting with the 1983 A Nation at Risk report has run its course and left us with this yawning gap that is endangering America’s future.”
Explore Smarter Balanced Test Results
EdSource complied test results from school districts, county offices of education and charter schools.
Testing low-level skills
Stanford University professor Linda Darling-Hammond, who is president of the Learning Policy Institute in Palo Alto whose goal is to “shape policies that improve learning for each and every child,” said one reason the approach used in recent years did not work is that “test-based accountability” reforms like NCLB emphasized “tests of low-level skills.” Those tests shaped what students were taught, especially in schools threatened with sanctions if they did not produce higher test scores each year.
“As a result,” she said, “the curriculum divide grew wider between those schools that were teaching for higher-order skills and those drilling kids on lower-order skills.” Compounding the problem was that NCLB reforms featured “testing without investing,” Darling-Hammond said, so the gap “in access to dollars, qualified teachers, technology resources and other materials for learning grew wider and wider between rich and poor schools.”
“We have a lot of work to do,” she added, “and these data (on the achievement gap) show just how much.”
Given short shrift in the accountability reform era was the preponderance of research showing that the greatest predictor, by far, of how well or badly a student performed in school was his or her socio-economic background. Reformers often dismissed any reference to a child’s background as an “excuse” to let schools off the hook.
But it was precisely during the era of reforms demanding more “accountability” from schools that income inequality in California increased more than in all but a handful of states. According to one report, California ranks third among states with the highest economic inequality. The extent to which these inequalities affected the most recent test results is unknown, but if the research is any guide, they must clearly contribute to them.
Will new reforms work?
The big question is whether the new set of reforms in place in California will make more of a difference than the ones they are replacing.
Experts interviewed by EdSource agreed that, in general, California is moving in the right direction.
Stanford’s Reardon pointed to new research from UC Berkeley’s Rucker Johnson showing that states that have done more to equalize funding among poor and rich districts have seen improvements in educational outcomes of children in lower-income districts.
But Reardon is withholding judgment as to whether the Common Core will translate into major improvements.
“Will the Common Core make things better or worse or make no difference in terms of equity?” he said. “I hear competing arguments. Both have merits.”
One argument, he said, is that more-affluent districts will have more resources to meet the raised expectations embodied in the Common Core standards, and will widen inequalities in education outcomes.
The other argument is that the Common Core will put pressure on schools to move away from what he terms the “drill and kill” approaches to the curriculum of the NCLB era, and that by “pushing toward higher standards of instruction and learning, the kids in disadvantaged schools will start getting what kids in advantaged schools are getting.”
“Both are very plausible arguments, he said. “We don’t yet know how it will play out. I wouldn’t venture to predict at this point.”
Stanford’s Darling-Hammond, who is also chair of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, said the state has invested $2 billion into technology upgrades and professional development for the new standards that she believes “will begin to level the playing field” over the next few years. “I would expect to see a reduction in the achievement gap because of all these factors,” she added.
Cutting poverty’s impact
It is also clear that while California will funnel more funds to schools serving low-income students, it will not tackle directly the income disparities that students experience in their home environments – and which are so highly correlated with test scores and academic outcomes generally.
UC Berkeley’s Edley says that schools can do much to mitigate the effects of poverty, starting with expanding access to early education and preschool. Another strategy would be to expand the community schools model, in which schools become a hub for the entire community and bring together many partners and organizations that offer a range of services to children, youth and families.
But for community schools to be truly effective, the approach itself needs to be improved, said Edley. The key is to ensure that the range of health and social services community schools are supposed to offer “are baked into the structure of these programs rather than being “ad hoc and voluntary.”
Fullan believes that the impact of poverty on academic achievement can be reduced “by half” with better teaching. This involves focusing on the needs of English learners, promoting better leadership and “zeroing in on improved instruction and getting teachers to work together,” he said.
“The new strategies in education are competing with poverty and can make more of a difference than we think we can make,” Fullan said. “If you really end up saying there is nothing we can do because of poverty, then you are really dead in the water.”
But if Fullan’s assertion is correct – that the impact of poverty on the achievement gap can be reduced by half – is that good enough? Shouldn’t California be striving to reduce the achievement gap altogether?
That will take significant investments that California has been so far unwilling or unable to make. “I doubt that schools alone will ever entirely reduce the achievement gap without some equally concerted efforts to reduce racial and ethnic inequality in incomes and neighborhood conditions outside school,” Reardon said.
EdSource will be looking closely at the achievement gaps reflected in the Smarter Balanced test scores in California that were released on Sept. 10. This article will be accompanied by a series of interviews with leading educators and scholars that we will publish over the next several weeks. They include interviews with Christopher Edley, Sean Reardon, Michael Fullan, Linda Darling_Hammond and Marshall “Mike” Smith.
Louis Freedberg writes about education reforms in California and nationally, and is the executive director of EdSource
Follow @louisfr
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mobileHman 1 year ago1 year ago
As a graduate of an inner city school district, here is my opinion. I suspect that if you are a fly on the wall at a "poor folk" school and then are the same at a "rich folk" school, you will see that teachers have umpteen times more student discipline problems at the "poor folk" school. Teachers at schools with unwieldy students have at least two strikes against them: the number … Read More
As a graduate of an inner city school district, here is my opinion. I suspect that if you are a fly on the wall at a “poor folk” school and then are the same at a “rich folk” school, you will see that teachers have umpteen times more student discipline problems at the “poor folk” school. Teachers at schools with unwieldy students have at least two strikes against them: the number of students with disrespectful attitudes, and the inability to effectively discipline these students. The comments above that mention parent and family roles in educational success are on point. That is where children learn to respect others and listen to figures of authority, as well as how to handle conflict. Indeed, the attitudes of children in the classroom reflect the attitudes of the parent or parents who raise them. Teachers can only do their job educating their students if the classroom environment allows students to pay attention to the teacher!
I love kids and I wouldn’t do anything but teach them. The idea that we’re going to overcome the disintegration of the family in minority populations – which is what this gap is really about – is not a problem solved by money, government, or the educational system. This is an issue related to the values and habits of each family- namely, that parents take the primary role in supporting education at home.
Louis Freedberg 4 years ago4 years ago
Don’t think there is compelling research showing that the achievement gap is caused by the “disintegration of the family in minority populations,” or because parents don’t support education. What the research shows is that the gap is most highly correlated with income, rather than divorce or other features of family breakdown, or lack of support for education.
I'll accept the correlation with income. So why is it? Clearly, kids don't eat money to become successful. It is also unlikely that parents bribe teachers to give Johnny a passing grade. Some argue that the teachers are better in affluent schools. Perhaps. But how much better? We know that their years of experience in affluent schools are somewhat longer, but (a) the difference is not that huge, and (b) we know that teachers, on … Read More
I’ll accept the correlation with income. So why is it? Clearly, kids don’t eat money to become successful. It is also unlikely that parents bribe teachers to give Johnny a passing grade.
Some argue that the teachers are better in affluent schools. Perhaps. But how much better? We know that their years of experience in affluent schools are somewhat longer, but (a) the difference is not that huge, and (b) we know that teachers, on the average, stop improving after about 5 years.
To me, the answer is rather simple. The school curriculum is largely ineffective, and in affluent schools overwhelmingly kids get extra-curricular support to compensate for school’s academic vacuity. And then the school system takes the credit for its supposed excellence. I see it in my own town.
When the school curriculum is strong, and it is run in a no-nonsense way, children achieve … of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Like Nancy Ichinaga did in Inglewood 20 years back. But it takes an enormous effort and a ton of guts to tell the district office to go and fly a kite, and dump the fashionable nonsense that goes for a curriculum these days through the window.
Schools don’t need more money. Schools needs strong academic curricula. Private money in affluent districts simply compensates for shitty school programs.
There are outliers, but no one has ever found a consistent way to propel impoverished children to success. Anything that happened in Inglewood (L.A. County) was pretty clearly an outlier, or illusory, since the once-hailed school district has basically collapsed in ruins.
“We know what works” is the usual mantra, but reality has resoundingly shown that that isn’t true in a consistent, scalable, replicable way.
Actually, much of Inglewood "collapsed in ruins" once Nancy Ichinaga left, because she was not around to protect the no-nonsense curriculum. So the usual products of teacher colleges regained power and reintroduced the garbage that goes for a curriculum these days. It worked for her, it worked for Jaime Escalante, it worked for every teacher that was strong enough to push the central office idiots away and apply a rather simple common sense. And then … Read More
Actually, much of Inglewood “collapsed in ruins” once Nancy Ichinaga left, because she was not around to protect the no-nonsense curriculum. So the usual products of teacher colleges regained power and reintroduced the garbage that goes for a curriculum these days. It worked for her, it worked for Jaime Escalante, it worked for every teacher that was strong enough to push the central office idiots away and apply a rather simple common sense. And then it collapsed when that teacher retired or was fired. Time after time.
As to not knowing wot works … consistently works … go and re-read Don Hirsch’s “The schools we need and why we don’t have them.” He shows how such gaps were eliminated in France when the focus was on no-nonsense curriculum. And how our pursuit of fashionable nonsense destroys children.
Superwoman Ichinaga was able to propel an entire school district (true, a smallish one) to miracle status singlehanded -- so singlehanded that it collapsed without her! Wow. I hope LAUSD is talking to her to replace Deasy/Cortines. Regarding Escalante, one thing that has been largely politely overlooked is that he wasn't able to replicate the success in a different school. I believe his explanation was that he was only able to work that success with … Read More
Superwoman Ichinaga was able to propel an entire school district (true, a smallish one) to miracle status singlehanded — so singlehanded that it collapsed without her! Wow. I hope LAUSD is talking to her to replace Deasy/Cortines.
Regarding Escalante, one thing that has been largely politely overlooked is that he wasn’t able to replicate the success in a different school. I believe his explanation was that he was only able to work that success with his own ethnicity and not in a diverse, high-poverty classroom.
OK, I may have to go read the Hirsch book. I am highly skeptical that France, which of course does have a visible impoverished-immigrant-minority population, has no achievement gaps. But I’ll certainly eat my words if I find out.
Melanie 4 years ago4 years ago
Just thinking about theories of social psychology and conjecturing...I realize that there are many confounding factors in outcomes. Is it at all possible that emphasizing diversity related to performance outcomes (e.g., Smarter Balanced Test Scores and last 15 years of CA education reforms), compared to states that traditionally place less emphasis, so to speak, is basically a deficiency model at work? Could such efforts vicariously contribute to gaps, thus contributing to a social expectation or … Read More
Just thinking about theories of social psychology and conjecturing…I realize that there are many confounding factors in outcomes. Is it at all possible that emphasizing diversity related to performance outcomes (e.g., Smarter Balanced Test Scores and last 15 years of CA education reforms), compared to states that traditionally place less emphasis, so to speak, is basically a deficiency model at work? Could such efforts vicariously contribute to gaps, thus contributing to a social expectation or expectations of self that are negatively impacted?
Tony La France 4 years ago4 years ago
I would not characterize 15 years of reform not working I would point to 15 years of in adequate funding from the state for our schools. Until recently we were funded 49th.
I work for a education reform nonprofit that partners with hundreds of education organizations across the country (although these are my personal opinions here), and I greatly appreciate your article. The best way to enact ed reform is to face up to its failings and take a different, more inclusive and nuanced approach. There's been so much focus on disruption and innovation in the education system (especially here in California) that we've all but forgotten … Read More
I work for a education reform nonprofit that partners with hundreds of education organizations across the country (although these are my personal opinions here), and I greatly appreciate your article. The best way to enact ed reform is to face up to its failings and take a different, more inclusive and nuanced approach. There’s been so much focus on disruption and innovation in the education system (especially here in California) that we’ve all but forgotten the issue we set out to resolve in the early 2000’s.
For those of you wondering why the achievement gap is an issue in the education agenda, ask yourself if you would allow your child’s school to be randomly chosen out of the thousands of public schools across the country, and ask African American and Latino families if they are satisfied with the educational services they have been provided in comparison with their white peers. There is much work to be done to ensure that the public education system give every child a quality education, and we have to accept that many current obstacles are symptoms of the “solutions” we implemented a decade ago. But even if the education system was not itself contributing to the achievement gap, it must take a proactive role in supporting and developing the most marginalized students. As others have said, it’s not just a school problem, it’s a community problem. But if the education system can’t act and be seen as part of the community, the community can never be strong.
Jim Mordecai 4 years ago4 years ago
Do we have as a nation an education gap problem? Or is public education gap an efficient sorting mechanism for determining which socio-economic classes will graduates from K-12 public education having an opportunity for a job paying a living wage and/or with financing to pay for ever increasing cost for college that provides gate way to those living wage jobs? The rising cost of college, and the rising increase in children in poverty, indicates … Read More
Do we have as a nation an education gap problem? Or is public education gap an efficient sorting mechanism for determining which socio-economic classes will graduates from K-12 public education having an opportunity for a job paying a living wage and/or with financing to pay for ever increasing cost for college that provides gate way to those living wage jobs?
The rising cost of college, and the rising increase in children in poverty, indicates to me that America has an efficient sorting mechanism.
The current popular notion, is that redistributing educational dollars giving priority to students from families of poverty, will be a reform that works or works better than past reforms. I don’t think so. There are not enough dollars being redistributed to compensate for the challenges of student poverty.
And, although the rhetoric of redistribution effectiveness is bountiful, funding is not.
Additionally, political problem of redistribution of education dollars is the poor don’t vote. So if the poor are felt to be a threat to those socio-economic classes that vote, funding for redistribution programs will dry up as soon as those classes feeling their entitlement to living wage jobs for their children is threatened. The Johnson administration War on Poverty, with its funding waning after the 80s, was in part political backlash by the voting classes.
The shirking of the middle class that votes, make the likelihood sustained redistribution of education dollars is to be no more likely to materialize than the post-civil war promise of 20 acres and a mule.
This article is based either on false assumption -- that the gap hasn't changed much over the last 15 years or so -- or on incorrect data. If one looks at the high school CST math data disaggregated by minorities, one sees a clear and strong closing of the gaps between 2003 and 2013, the last year of the old standards.See the charts here: http://wurman.us/pa3/cst_gaps_over_time.pdf Both sets of chart represent the same data -- one the growth … Read More
This article is based either on false assumption — that the gap hasn’t changed much over the last 15 years or so — or on incorrect data.
If one looks at the high school CST math data disaggregated by minorities, one sees a clear and strong closing of the gaps between 2003 and 2013, the last year of the old standards.See the charts here: http://wurman.us/pa3/cst_gaps_over_time.pdf
Both sets of chart represent the same data — one the growth of successful takers as a percent of the demographic cohort, one as increase since 2003. The reduction of the gap is clearly visible, as minorities improved at much faster rate than white students.
I do believe that SBAC and Common Core undid much of that. Even in these charts one can see the beginning of trend reversal in 2013. EAP success rates also sharply dropped in 2014 as compared to 2013 (from 14% to 10% fully ready, and 46% to 41% conditionally ready). In fact the drop was sharpest, almost 50%, among the weaker kids who took only Algebra 2 by grade 11 (6% to 3% “ready” and 22% to 13% “conditional”) while the drop for those who took EAP after a course beyond Algebra 2 was less severe (22% to 17% ready, 66% to 65% conditional). Algebra 2 was always marginal for college readiness and hence the EAP success rate more sensitive to the quality of teaching. I believe this is an early warning of what is ahead of us with Common Core.
So yes, the trend seems to be reversing and the gaps growing, but not because the 1997 strong content-based reform failed, but rather because we have replaced it with the less focused(!) Common Core and NGSS.
Wouldn’t you need to see the trends and trajectories for the years well before 2003 to determine the effect of specific policies?
zane de arakal 4 years ago4 years ago
New reforms will not work because socioeconomic status of students is a constant and there will always be second language problems. In 1962 there was an op ed in the LA Times citing socioeconomic status as a constant. Lastly, effecting statistically significant change with a mass population is basically impossible.
It is too early to say if CCSS/LCFF/LCAP/SBAC will follow in the same path of failure as the standards and accountability movement. To the extent is is top-down it is like to be so. To the extent it relies on the good judgement of classroom professionals who are provided resources to collaborate and are given smaller classes, and again resources, to work with it will have a good chance of success. That is within … Read More
It is too early to say if CCSS/LCFF/LCAP/SBAC will follow in the same path of failure as the standards and accountability movement. To the extent is is top-down it is like to be so. To the extent it relies on the good judgement of classroom professionals who are provided resources to collaborate and are given smaller classes, and again resources, to work with it will have a good chance of success. That is within that 33% of measured achievement that is determined by in-school factors. Then we get to the other 66%.
The key factor in the “achievement gap” debate is that part of the “gap” that is present the day kids arrive at the Kindergarten door. That part linked to one of the industrialized world’s highest child poverty rates and owned by the US. Yet another example of US “exceptionalism?”
It is somewhat disheartening to read statement after statement about the uselessness of having the US tackle the childhood poverty issue. There are plenty of thriving nations that have cut childhood poverty down to a 1/4 or less than the US rate and there is not one good reason, aside from societal moral lapse and political ideology, that the US can’t also do something about it.
Taryn Ishida 4 years ago4 years ago
Appreciate you covering racial and ethnic achievement gaps and the various reforms that are hopefully moving CA in the right direction. I’d love to see the SBAC data for Asian-Americans disaggregated by ethnic group. As Campaign for College Opportunity recently showed with their report on API’s in higher education (http://collegecampaign.org/portfolio/september-2015-the-state-of-higher-education-in-california-asian-american-native-hawaiian-pacific-islander-report/), splitting apart the “Asian” category reveals important disparities that we don’t want to mask.
All this discussion of efforts - efforts of teachers, efforts of districts, schools, the state, academia, but no discussion of the efforts of the individuals and their families who are failing. There isn't a government solution to the achievement gap. As long as we are barking up the wrong tree and placing blame on factors that are not the primary drivers of student achievement, there's no chance of targeting the real cause on underachievement. If … Read More
All this discussion of efforts – efforts of teachers, efforts of districts, schools, the state, academia, but no discussion of the efforts of the individuals and their families who are failing. There isn’t a government solution to the achievement gap. As long as we are barking up the wrong tree and placing blame on factors that are not the primary drivers of student achievement, there’s no chance of targeting the real cause on underachievement. If you want a remedy, look to who succeeds and why.
This post assumes the Smarter Balanced scores are valid reliable and fair for all subgroup students, and thus the new scores are credible measures of achievement gaps between subgroups. That assumption just is not supported by the facts. The evidence is the 2015 Smarter Balanced scores are not equally valid reliable or fair for all subgroups, that underserved subgroups like low wealth students, English Learners, and Students with Disabilities were particularly affected by differential failure … Read More
This post assumes the Smarter Balanced scores are valid reliable and fair for all subgroup students, and thus the new scores are credible measures of achievement gaps between subgroups. That assumption just is not supported by the facts. The evidence is the 2015 Smarter Balanced scores are not equally valid reliable or fair for all subgroups, that underserved subgroups like low wealth students, English Learners, and Students with Disabilities were particularly affected by differential failure to implement Common Core instruction and a lack of exposure to technology needed to perform on computer-administered tests. This evidence strongly suggests the achievement gaps measured by the 2015 Smarter Balanced scores are overstated, and once Common Core instruction is adequately implemented and those groups get the required exposure to computer-based instruction and testing methods, the gaps will be reduced. So, this post (as well as the speculation from experts) is based on data that is not a true measure of subgroup achievement, rather data that is contaminated by non-achievement factors.
Looking forward, if one accepts the view that ELs and SWDs and SEDs have understated 2015 achievement scores due to differential contamination by non-achievement factors, as these factors are addressed the achievement “gap” will likely close to roughly the gaps measured by the prior STAR tests. What happens after that will be the answer to the question whether gaps are increasing, stable, or decreasing under Common Core instruction and valid reliable fair testing practices. The bottom line is the 2015 gaps represent little more than a shell game, essentially tanking the scores for underserved groups at the beginning of a new testing protocol to permit higher gains in the immediate years to follow (say at least for three years) with associated pats-on-the-back for “addressing the achievement gap.” Meanwhile, the underlying achievement gaps really haven’t changed. The true baseline data for Common Core instruction and Common Core tests will have to wait for (say) 2018 at best before we have credible data upon which to draw any conclusions regarding achievement gaps.
Scott Petri 4 years ago4 years ago
Good point, Doug. How many ed pols have read or considered the strengths in Marachi’s arguments? http://eduresearcher.com/2015/09/08/openletter/
Doug, isn’t it also possible that the artificially low scores will remain low given the teacher turnover in impoverished schools and districts and the resultant need for annual reinvention of the Common Core instructional wheel, along with long- term problems in effectively teaching underperforming students the necessary technology skills, particularly at the lower grades?
Don — Anything’s possible, but if conditions remain roughly the same for low performing subgroups then the artificially low initial scores will tend to increase over time to return to their more accurate prior level vis a vis other subgroups, as the influences for the initial artificial low scores fade away.
Megan 4 years ago4 years ago
Everybody reading this should listen to the recent This American Life series “The Problem We All Face.” Very eye opening.
Fred Jones 4 years ago4 years ago
Is it really the responsibility of schools to compensate for socioeconomic gaps, which are so highly correlated with education achievement gaps? Are schools capable of compensating for such extra-curricular variables, even if they were given substantially more resources? Our society cannot tolerate the idea of kids performing at different levels (especially when there's racial disparities), so it seems we are stuck placing demands on teachers, administrators and policymakers that may be unrealistic. Hence, the … Read More
Is it really the responsibility of schools to compensate for socioeconomic gaps, which are so highly correlated with education achievement gaps? Are schools capable of compensating for such extra-curricular variables, even if they were given substantially more resources?
Our society cannot tolerate the idea of kids performing at different levels (especially when there’s racial disparities), so it seems we are stuck placing demands on teachers, administrators and policymakers that may be unrealistic.
Hence, the siren song of education reform will continue to be sung loudly, punctuated by wild swings in tempo and tone. I’m not sure how students of varying backgrounds and abilities will be able to keep up with these sudden transitions, nor how this will bring into harmony the symphony of varying instruments within our state’s diversified economic orchestra.
But no matter … we’ll just demand students perform louder! They may be out of sync and off-tune, but at least we’ll all be making some noise!
Agree with Fred. Policymakers need to re-read Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron. Many ed policies overreach in their efforts to make us all equal instead of providing equal opportunity.
Laura Kohn 4 years ago4 years ago
In short, YES. Until we can say with confidence and integrity that we are providing equal education opportunities for all students, schools, districts, educators and taxpayers do have responsibility for the achievement gap. Schools serving low income students of color are staffed with less experienced teachers, suffer from greater teacher turnover, provide fewer college prep classes and fewer out-of-school time opportunities. Low income students of color have lower access to quality preschool. The LCFF … Read More
In short, YES.
Until we can say with confidence and integrity that we are providing equal education opportunities for all students, schools, districts, educators and taxpayers do have responsibility for the achievement gap. Schools serving low income students of color are staffed with less experienced teachers, suffer from greater teacher turnover, provide fewer college prep classes and fewer out-of-school time opportunities. Low income students of color have lower access to quality preschool. The LCFF is helping to alleviate these differences, depending on how districts use their expanded budgets. But we still have a long way to go until we can rest on our laurels and attribute any remaining differences to poverty/families.
So, Laura, is anything short of equal outcomes/performance by all students a failure of schools and policymakers?
Ridgeley 4 years ago4 years ago
It’s not about school reform, it’s about family and community reform. When entrenched, impoverished families begin to mimic the parenting of families who’ve overcome poverty, then we’ll see stronger academic skills in school.
Rigidly: Great point. Since we are talking about the measured achievement of disadvantaged students here it will be up to those children to "mimic" the behaviors of their wealthier peers. Since the schools now are segregated as much or more so since the ruling on Brown v. Board, and since the alternative is enrollment at an apartheid system of charter schools, the disadvantaged school children will have little to no contact with middle-class peers to "mimic." Perhaps … Read More
Rigidly:
Great point. Since we are talking about the measured achievement of disadvantaged students here it will be up to those children to “mimic” the behaviors of their wealthier peers. Since the schools now are segregated as much or more so since the ruling on Brown v. Board, and since the alternative is enrollment at an apartheid system of charter schools, the disadvantaged school children will have little to no contact with middle-class peers to “mimic.”
Perhaps the schools can manage regular screenings of “Leave to Beaver” or some other mythical model of American middle-class behaviors. That should be a workable “school reform strategy.”An alternative would be for the US to look at nations that have reduced childhood poverty to 3% to 5% and the seamless social service supports those nations provide for children and their parents. We can all just ignore the fact that the US has near the highest rate of childhood poverty in the industrialized world, that is, around 22% to 25%. It’s all quite embarrassing you know.
Closing the achievement gap – webinar recording
Sacramento County schools superintendent: Accountability plans ‘an enormous adjustment’
Darling-Hammond: California reforms ‘will begin to level the playing field’
Multifaceted reforms needed to reach California’s education goals, research project finds
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Could moonlighting employees be breaching more than just their employment contracts?
Employment & Benefits Hong Kong
Implications for moonlighting employees
In Hong Kong, there is an increasing emphasis on the importance of reciprocal duties of trust and confidence between employers and employees. 'Moonlighting' employees (even ones who take up ancillary employment with a non-direct competitor) often sit in a legally precarious position, since questions are bound to arise in relation to their fiduciary duties, restrictive covenants and the implied term of trust and confidence. Moonlighting employees are also at risk of committing an offence under Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201), which is concerned with transactions between third parties and agents in relation to the affairs or business of their principals.
This update discusses the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal judgment in Secretary for Justice v Chan Chi Wan Stephen(1) and examines the circumstances which would render an employee guilty of bribery in the private sector.
This case considered whether Chan – who was general manager of television station TVB while also voluntarily hosting a television segment for TVB's pay channel – committed the offence of bribery pursuant to the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance by contracting with a third party to host an external television segment. In accordance with the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, Chan was an agent of TVB by virtue of being an employee of TVB.
The incident arose when TVB contracted with Olympian City, a Hong Kong shopping centre, to produce a New Year's Eve event. Olympian City subsequently entered into a separate agreement with Chan's agent, Tseng, for Chan to host a live rendition of his television segment at the New Year's Eve event broadcast. Chan received HK$112,000 from Tseng as remuneration for this engagement but did not seek or obtain prior permission from TVB. Nevertheless, the evidence showed that Chan's engagement to host the external television segment was generally known to TVB.
As a result, Chan was charged in the alternative for:
"accept[ing] an advantage… as an inducement or reward for or otherwise on account of [him] doing or having done an act in relation to his principal's affairs or business" contrary to Section 9(1) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance; or
conspiring with Tseng to commit the Section 9(1) offence.
Tseng was also charged with the offence of bribery pursuant to Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. While both Chan and Tseng were acquitted at first instance, the lower court's decisions were overturned by the Court of Appeal. On further appeal, the Court of Final Appeal unanimously quashed the convictions.
The primary issues before the Court of Final Appeal were as follows:
What is the mental element required to render an agent guilty under Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance?
Should "in relation to the principal's affairs or business" be interpreted as requiring an element of prejudice to the principal?
How should the Hong Kong courts approach the defence of "reasonable excuse" under Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance?
Mental element
To secure a conviction under Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, the prosecution must prove that the agent "knew or believed" that the advantage was provided as an inducement or reward or otherwise. In other words, if the agent receiving an advantage was unaware that the advantage was offered for a corrupt purpose, they will not be liable. Since the prosecution failed to establish that Chan knew or believed that the remuneration that he received for hosting the external television segment was for a corrupt purpose, Chan could not be held culpable for the Section 9 offence.
"In relation to the principal's affairs or business"
The Court of Final Appeal determined that Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance required an individual's mischief which is "aimed at the principal's business" to be conduct which "subvert[ed] the integrity of the agency relationship to the detriment of the principal's interests". Conduct which is beneficial to and aligned with the interests of the principal would fall outside the scope of Section 9. In accepting remuneration to host the external television segment, Chan had not intended to influence or affect TVB's affairs or business in a manner that undermined the integrity of his agency relationship with TVB. Consequently, Chan could not be held culpable for the Section 9 offence.
'Reasonable excuse' may be a defence to an act that would otherwise contravene Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. Since the Court of Final Appeal did not consider that Chan had breached Section 9 (for the reasons stated above), the majority of the judges saw no basis for assessing the defence in this case. However, Judge Tang maintained a different view and thus elaborated on the 'reasonable excuse' defence. Specifically, Tang held that Chan had a reasonable excuse for hosting the external television segment as he "honestly believed that his principal would not object" to his participation.
Although this judgment may bring a sigh of relief to moonlighting employees, it certainly does not provide carte blanche for multiple employment (especially where the employers are in the same industry). The decision on whether Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance has been breached is fact-sensitive and dependent on factors such as the agent's intentions and the nexus between the principal's business and the third party's terms of engagement. Moonlighting employees should seek their employer's informed written consent before taking on additional employment in order to ensure compliance with their employment obligations and steer clear of any potential criminal prosecution.
For further information on this topic please contact Patricia Yeung at Howse Williams Bowers by telephone (+852 2803 3688) or email (patricia.yeung@hwbhk.com). The Howse Williams Bowers website can be accessed at www.hwbhk.com.
(1) [2017] HKEC 505.
The materials contained on this website are for general information purposes only and are subject to the disclaimer.
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Patricia Yeung
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Insolvency & Restructuring, Taylor Wessing updates
Contributed by Taylor Wessing
Major restructuring and insolvency reforms announced
The government recently announced that it will legislate to update the restructuring and insolvency systems, with the aim of the United Kingdom retaining the gold-standard regime. The reforms are a response to international developments (with countries such as Spain and the Netherlands recently introducing updated insolvency systems) and some domestic corporate collapses which have put the UK system under stress.
United Kingdom set to strengthen corporate governance of insolvent companies
The United Kingdom's corporate governance regime has been stress tested in the past decade and in many respects it has done well. However, in response to certain high-profile corporate collapses which have caused heavy losses for creditors – in particular, individuals and suppliers with little opportunity to protect themselves against losses – and in the spirit of continual improvement, the government recently launched its Insolvency and Corporate Governance consultation.
Former director found to have entered into transaction at undervalue
A liquidator recently pursued a claim that the transfer of a company's trading inventory in satisfaction of money owed to the company's former director was a transaction at an undervalue and preference. The judge agreed, holding that the inventory transfer had been entered into with the intention of putting the former director in a better position than she would have been in on the company's liquidation.
Liquidator's claim struck out for insufficient drafting and abuse of process
The High Court recently struck out a claim by a liquidator who had already brought a claim arising from the same facts against the same defendants. The court relied on the fact that the economic benefit of pursuing the claim would accrue only to the liquidator and held that the second claim constituted an abuse of process, as monies recovered would simply be paid back to the respondents as creditors, less the liquidators fees and costs.
What not to miss out when pursuing a fraudulent trading claim
A liquidator recently applied for permission to amend his claim for fraudulent trading. The claim related to purported defrauding of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for non-payment of value added tax. Among other things, the judge held that whilst the costs order constituted loss to HMRC as a creditor, no valid claim in respect of costs was pleaded against the respondents and therefore there was no reasonably arguable case on the point.
More updates for United Kingdom
Archive for United Kingdom
Firm Taylor Wessing
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London Gas & LNG Forum Past Distinguished Speakers Include
Steven P. Finizio
Partner, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
Steven Finizio is a member of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP’s international arbitration and dispute resolution group, based in London.
Mr. Finizio has advised clients regarding disputes under the rules of most of the leading international arbitration institutions and in ad hoc proceedings, involving the laws of jurisdictions in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the US, as well as disputes under bilateral and regional treaties, and he has particular experience with oil and gas disputes. He also serves as an arbitrator.
Mr. Finizio writes frequently on international arbitration and energy issues. In addition to “A Practical Guide to International Commercial Arbitration: Assessment, Planning and Strategy” (Sweet & Maxwell 2012), his recent publications on energy issues include “Destination Restrictions and Diversion Provisions in LNG Sale and Purchase Agreements” in The Guide to Energy Arbitrations (GAR 2nd ed. 2017) and “Gas Supply Transaction and Disputes,” (Oxford forthcoming). Mr. Finizio teaches international arbitration as an adjunct professor, and is on the faculty of a number of arbitration academies, including the Cologne Academy of Arbitration and the International Dispute Resolution Academy in Hong Kong.
Mr. Finizio is recognized as a leading international arbitration lawyer in Chambers Europe, Chambers UK, Legal 500, Global Arbitration Review’s Who’s Who in International Arbitration, the Euromoney Guide to the World’s Leading Experts in Commercial Arbitration, Chambers Global, PLC Which Lawyer? and Legal Media Group’s The Best of the Best. He also is recommended for public international law in Legal 500.
Mr. Finizio is a graduate of Georgetown University (A.B., 1988 magna cum laude), and the University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1992, with honors, Order of the Coif). He also is a registered foreign lawyer in England and Wales.
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Home ENTERTAINMENT Hear this! Hina Khan doesn’t remember anything about Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata...
Hear this! Hina Khan doesn’t remember anything about Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Hina Khan is one of the leading ladies of small screen. The actress became a household name for her stint of Akshara in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. She shot for the show for eight years and is still popularly called as Akshara by many. After she left the show, she was seen in quite a few reality shows, where people got to see a different side of the actress. Currently, she is riding high on the success of her recently launched debut music video, Bhasoodi. But it seems she has come a long way and has forgotten her past stints.
While speaking about it to Hindustan Times, the actress said, “I don’t even remember. I swear. Everybody knows that I have this problem of forgetting everything. I don’t remember anything. I actually don’t remember anything about my show which I did for eight years. Isn’t it strange? This is how I am in real life. I move on very easily.”
Post Bigg Boss, people have seen a completely different Hina. Speaking about it to HT, she said, “People saw me in a different light. I got a lot of appreciation about how I look. I knew this is a change for me. Bigg Boss is a game-show and everyone plays their game. Everyone calls everyone everything. Couple of people were sitting in Bigg Boss and we said that the day we step out of it, we forget everything, and we stick to that. We have no malice for anybody, we wish everyone well, but then it’s our individual choice who do we want to gel with. I am connected with my friends in the show. The other day I met Priyanka Sharma and Luv Tyagi. Vikas Gupta is in touch.” She further added, “There is a lot of difference. People look differently at me, they have a lot of expectations from me. I got style icon awards, I was given the HT Most Stylish award. That happened like on the second day I was out of the Bigg Boss house.”
Currently, the actress is rumoured to be playing the role of Komolika in Ekta Kapoor’s Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2. It will surely be a treat to watch Hina in a completely different avatar. However, we don’t really know whether to appreciate or dislike this ‘forgetting’ tendency of Hina.
Previous articleIt is high time Ranbir got married. I settled down at 27, Ranbir is 35, says Rishi Kapoor
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Korea.net News
Address by President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly
(Unofficial translation)
Madam President, Mr. Secretary-General and distinguished delegates,
I would like to express my deepest condolences on the passing of Kofi Annan, the 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations. The world will forever remember his name that has been etched in the road to peace.
I would like to congratulate Ms. Maria Espinosa, on assuming the Presidency of the General Assembly. I hope the United Nations will be able to reach out to every corner of the globe through the 73rd Session of the General Assembly.
I also hope that the United Nations will make further progress in contributing to the international community under Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s excellent leadership.
As I had done last year, I stand here once again with a sense of urgency and excitement.
Over the past year, something miraculous has taken place on the Korean Peninsula. For the first time in history, the leader of North Korea crossed the Military Demarcation Line to visit Panmunjeom. A historic summit between the United States and North Korea was also held on the Sentosa Island in Singapore.
Chairman Kim Jong Un and I removed the shadow of war and resolved to usher in an era of peace and prosperity. At the U.S-North Korea summit, the two sides agreed to work towards achieving complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, ending hostile relations and establishing a permanent peace regime. President Trump and Chairman Kim moved and gave hope to those who desire peace all around the world.
North Korea dismantled its nuclear test site in Punggye-ri under the observation of the international community. The United States and the Republic of Korea suspended large-scale joint military exercises and built trust.
I would like to thank and salute President Trump and Chairman Kim’s courage and resolve as they usher in a new era on the Korean Peninsula as well as in U.S-North Korea relations.
Last week in Pyongyang, I met Chairman Kim for the third time and reached an agreement once again to turn the Korean Peninsula into a land of peace free from nuclear weapons and threats. Chairman Kim expressed his hope of completing denuclearization as soon as possible to focus on economic development.
Moreover, Chairman Kim expressed his commitment to permanently dismantle the missile engine test site and launch platform in Dongchang-ri under observation of the international community as a first step, in order to expedite progress in denuclearization.
Furthermore, he expressed his firm willingness to continue to take additional denuclearization measures including the permanent dismantlement of nuclear facilities in Yongbyon as the United States takes corresponding measures in the spirit of the Sentosa Agreement.
The Korean Peninsula has remained under the armistice over the past 65 years. Ending the Korean War is an urgent task. It is a process that we must go through in order to move towards a peace regime. I look forward to seeing bold measures for denuclearization implemented among the related countries, leading to the declaration to end the War.
Regardless of the challenges that lie ahead, the leaders of the South, the North and the United States will move step by step towards peace based on mutual trust.
Such a dramatic change has been possible thanks to the support and encouragement of the people around the world who desire peace. In particular, the United Nations gave North Korea the courage to embark on the road to peace. I would like to express my gratitude to the United Nations for its role.
This is, however, just the beginning. I would like to ask for continued support and cooperation from the member states on our journey towards complete denuclearization and permanent peace. The Republic of Korea will spare no effort to encourage North Korea’s participation in the international community while adhering to the resolutions adopted by the United Nations.
Madam President,
Last winter, a prelude to peace on the Korean Peninsula unfolded in PyeongChang in Gangwon Province. It was the moment when the Olympic Truce resolution adopted at the UN General Assembly in November 2017 came to precious fruition.
Secretary-General Guterres and many heads of state extended their congratulations on the participation of North Korean athletes and officials in the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. They expressed their wishes for unity and peace on the Korean Peninsula. The world was awakened to the sense of new history of peace being written. I would like to thank Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, for paving the way for North Korea’s participation in the Winter Olympics.
Just over a month after the close of the PyeongChang Paralympic Winter Games, Chairman Kim and I met for the first time in Panmunjeom. The United Nations welcomed and actively supported the adoption of the Panmunjeom Declaration. By doing so, it provided tremendous strength to the meetings that have followed, including the second inter-Korean summit, the U.S.-North Korea Summit and the recent inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang.
At the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, I expressed the hope that North Korea will choose peace on its own accord in order to establish sound and sustainable peace. This hope was shared by the United Nations and all of the international community.
North Korea responded positively to our hopes and calls. Chairman Kim changed the direction of the political situation on the Korean Peninsula through his New Year’s address on the first day of this year. The participation of North Korea’s athletes and delegation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics provided a decisive momentum to break the impasse in building peace.
On April 20, North Korea officially ended its policy of nuclear development and has since devoted all of its efforts towards economic development. On September 9, in the ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of its foundation, North Korea expressed its commitment to peace and prosperity instead of boasting its nuclear capabilities. North Korea moved out of longstanding isolation on its own initiative and stands before the international community once again.
Now, it is the international community’s turn to respond positively to North Korea’s new choice and efforts. We must assure Chairman Kim that he has made the right decision in committing to denuclearization. We must encourage North Korea to stay on the path that leads to permanent and solid peace.
The role of the United Nations is crucial. The UN Secretariat has continued its efforts for dialogue and engagement, including the invitation of North Korean officials to international conferences.
The United Nations has stated its commitment to “leave no one behind.” My sincere hope is that the UN’s vision of sustainable development will be realized on the Korean Peninsula.
I have no doubt that if the international community paves the way, North Korea will not stall on making strides towards peace and prosperity. The Republic of Korea will spare no effort to guide North Korea towards that path.
I would like to call on the United Nations to share its experience and wisdom.
The process of working towards denuclearization and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula is a process that also leads to building peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia.
Northeast Asia is home to one-fifth of the world’s population, and it accounts for a quarter of the global economy. However, regional conflicts stand in the way of pursuing broader cooperation. We will begin the work of resolving conflicts in Northeast Asia starting from the Korean Peninsula.
On August 15, I proposed the creation of an East Asian Railroad Community, which would involve six Northeast Asian countries and the United States. The European Coal and Steel Community, which gave birth to the creation of the European Union, is a living example of what this kind of initiative could achieve.
I believe that the East Asian Railroad Community will be able to serve as a starting point for the creation of an energy and economic community in East Asia, and going a step further, lead to a multilateral peace and security architecture in Northeast Asia.
The two Koreas are working to reconnect railroads and roads that had been disconnected. Going forward, the Republic of Korea will be engaging in close consultations with countries in the region on concrete steps towards the East Asian Railroad Community.
As we work to realize the UN spirit of multilateralism and pave the way for a future of shared prosperity, I would like to ask for the support and cooperation of the international community.
The Republic of Korea, together with the United Nations, has weathered the storms of modern history. The United Nations and the Republic of Korea share common values and philosophies.
This month, the Government of the Republic of Korea announced its vision of an “inclusive nation” based on a people-centered governing philosophy.
We are moving towards a fair and just nation as well as a society in which no one is discriminated against and everyone lives in harmony.
“Inclusiveness” is also a philosophy embedded in international development cooperation. The Government of the Republic of Korea will steadily expand its contribution to development cooperation to create a global community that leaves no one behind.
The Republic of Korea is also increasing its assistance to people who are suffering from human rights violations and discrimination, particularly the most vulnerable groups, including children, youths, women and those with disabilities.
We increased our financial aid for refugees five times in the past five years. Starting from this year, Korea is providing 50,000 tons of rice every year to developing countries that are suffering from severe food crises.
I believe that there needs to be a holistic approach encompassing peace, development and human rights to fundamentally resolve humanitarian crises. The Government of the Republic of Korea will engage in discussions and provide support to “make the United Nations relevant to all people.”
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Anyone who has confronted the abuse of power to advance human rights carries in his or her heart the first clause of the Declaration, “All human beings are born free and equal.”
In particular, I am working to realize gender equality in a tangible way as an important part of our administrative agendas. All forms of discrimination and violence against women are being dealt with even more sternly.
Korea has a first hand experience of "comfort women", who were victims of suffering inflicted by the Japanese military. We will actively participate in discussions among the international community over women, peace and security. We will also work together with the international community on the efforts to eradicate sexual violence in conflict.
Responding to climate change and transitioning to a low-carbon economy are challenges and tasks facing our generation.
The Government of the Republic of Korea will raise its share of renewable energy in the nation’s total power generation to 20 percent by 2030.
We will faithfully implement the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in compliance with the Paris Agreement and assist developing countries’ pursuit of sustainable development by supporting them with climate change responses.
For the two Koreas, the significance of the United Nations goes beyond any international organization. At the 46th UN General Assembly on September 17, 1991, all of its 159 member states unanimously adopted the resolution for joint accession by South and North Korea to the United Nations. That date was coincidentally ‘World Peace Day’.
The representatives of South and North Korea pledged in their respective speeches that although South and North Korea started as separate members, they would eventually become one someday through reconciliation, cooperation and peace.
Now, after 27 years have passed, South and North Korea are realizing the pledge made on that day. We have crossed the barriers of division and are tearing down the walls in our heart. We are proving to the international community that when we come together, we have sufficient means to establish peace.
We all desire peace. Peace represents the relatives and neighbors we love, and the hometowns we long for. Peace means sharing what we have together. A peace we have all achieved together is a peace for all.
I’m confident that all of you will always be with us on the path to permanent peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula as well as on the journey to a peaceful world.
Address by President Moon Jae-in on the 70th Armed Forces Day
Address by President Moon Jae-in at a Joint Conference Co-hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations, the Korea Society and Asia Society
1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03048 Republic of Korea
COPYRIGHT Office of the President. All rights reserved.
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Turkey Pulse
Boys' rescue from forest provides bright spot for Turks
Jasper Mortimer May 2, 2019
The rescue of two boys, ages 4 and 5, from a forest brought a modicum of hope the day after May Day to Turkish union members and others who have seen their buying power dwindle and are still seeing the nation's governing party trying to reverse the results of the March 31 Istanbul mayor election.
TWITTER/Jandarma
Two boys who had gotten lost the day before are carried out of a forest by rescuers, May 2, 2019.
ANKARA, Turkey — Two young boys were playing in a park on the outskirts of their village in northeastern Turkey when something drew them into the adjacent forest. One interesting item in the forest led to another and, when the boys finally tried to turn back, they found they were lost.
Their parents called for them, got no response and had no idea where they were. By Wednesday night teams of police and volunteers in Findikli, Rize province, were scouring derelict buildings with flashlights for Selim Yagiz Ozkan, age 4, and Baris Yildirim, 5. From minarets, clerics called on people to join the search, and hundreds responded.
This morning, two rescue dogs, an Alsatian and a golden retriever, led their handlers to some undergrowth on a hillside where Selim and Baris had spent the night.
“When they heard the dogs, they stood up and shouted,” a villager, Ibrahim Sari, told the media. “We heard them from afar. ‘Don’t worry! We’re coming,’ we said.”
Seventeen hours after they disappeared, the boys were carried down a mountain road to be reunited with their parents. Television channels showed the boys being passed from red-jacketed rescuers to their mothers, overwhelmed with relief. The residents spoke of their pride and joy, and the rescue team posed with its dogs.
The boys were in good spirits. Their night in the forest seemed to have left them with no more than dirty faces.
“We played during the night,” said Selim. “There were monsters. I wasn’t scared. I slept.”
NTV showed viewers an aerial photograph of Findikli, with a dotted line from the park to where they were found. The boys had wandered no more than 700 meters (not quite half a mile) from their homes, but they had gone into the forest's recesses.
“I found it very hard to get there,” Sari told Hurriyet newspaper. “It’s interesting that the kids did it.”
Selim’s father, Serkan Ozkan, spoke of how the villagers had rallied round: “Findikli residents claimed my child as their own and they looked for him until the morning.”
The governor of Rize, Kemal Ceber, gave credit to the police, the professional rescue teams, the volunteers and the dogs. “These two dogs are the best in Turkey,” he said. “They scored the highest points in all the competitions.”
Turkey is going through a hard time. Food prices have risen 30% year on year. The insurgency of the Kurdistan Workers Party drags on, with funerals of soldiers every week or so. More than four weeks after the local elections, the Supreme Electoral Council has yet to decide whether the result in Istanbul will stand or there will be a new election.
But the rescue of Selim and Baris gave citizens a good feeling. Some things in Turkey still work well.
In a separate development, Istanbul prosecutors have summoned 100 electoral officials in connection with 32 cases of alleged irregularities in polling stations across the city March 31, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported today.
The investigations are largely focused on the districts of Maltepe, Atasehir and Kadikoy, the agency added.
The complainants are President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the allied Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), whose joint candidate, former Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, lost the election by 13,000 votes.
The winner, Ekrem Imamoglu of the opposition alliance of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Good Party (Iyi), took office more than two weeks ago. But the AKP and MHP have continued to file complaints with the Supreme Electoral Council, calling for the election to be re-run.
The Hurriyet newspaper reported that prosecutors were asking the electoral officials about the counting of votes, the division of labor among their colleagues during the count, and whether the signatures on the tally sheets were genuine.
The AKP-MHP alliance maintains there were glaring irregularities in the Istanbul election and these must be addressed. The CHP-Iyi replies that when the election was held, both the city and central government were in AKP hands, and that the time for challenging the voters’ roll has passed.
By appealing to state prosecutors, the AKP-MHP alliance seems to be raising the stakes, making it more difficult for the Supreme Electoral Council to strike down their request for a new election. However, the members of the council are themselves judges.
Every week journalists hear that the council will rule on the request for a new election in three or four days. But the decision keeps on being postponed.
The third event making the news was the May Day demonstration Wednesday. This tends to be wrestling match between pro-opposition unions and government.
The unions say that, on the only day of the year dedicated to workers, they should have the right to march wherever they want. In Istanbul, the workers want to march to Taksim Square, the city’s center and the traditional focus of May Day rallies for decades until the AKP came to power in 2002.
The AKP government has long tried to confine the May Day protests to the suburbs, keeping the workers out of Taksim Square, arguing this is necessary for “security reasons.”
On Wednesday, an estimated 250,000 workers gathered in the marketplace of Bakirkoy, a suburb far from Istanbul's center, an official of the Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK) told Al-Monitor. In Ankara, about 10,000 workers marched 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) on the perimeter of the city center from the Ataturk Cultural Center to Tandogan Square.
The four biggest unions — KESK, the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK), the Union of Turkish Chambers of Engineers and Architects and the Turkish Medical Association called the rallies, saying their theme was to oppose the government’s plans to abolish severance pay for civil servants who are laid off.
“The economic crisis should not be used as an excuse for layoffs,” the leader of DISK, Arzu Cerkezoglu, told the Istanbul rally. “Working hours should be reduced and the right to strike must be fully recognized.”
She criticized the government for prohibiting the workers from entering Taksim Square, which was surrounded by portable barriers Wednesday.
One group of workers did try to reach the square. The police quickly overwhelmed them, making 145 arrests.
The newly elected mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, came with his wife, Dilek, to Bakirkoy. “I hope to celebrate May 1 in our city, freely and happily, on a day when we are all together,” he said.
Television channels showed Erdogan making a May Day speech in his sumptuous 1,150-room palace. He had invited 170 workers to dinner. They included three workers who had recently received plaudits for exceptional acts: a fireman from Rize who had revived a dog, a worker from Sanliurfa who designed a bicycle for mentally disabled people and a cleaning worker from Duzce who found a bag full of money and took it to the police.
“I am a president who began his career as a public transportation driver. That is why I see May 1 as my special day,” Erdogan said.
Found in: Turkey elections, Economy and trade, Civil Society
Jasper Mortimer is a South African-trained journalist who works for France24 TV and GRN. While traveling the world, he was waylaid in the Middle East, married a Turkish woman and settled in Ankara in 2007. He covers the Kurdish issue, the Syrian war and Cyprus.
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Title: WNUF: Halloween Special
Genre: Independent / Horror / Mockumentary
Director: Chris LaMartina
Writer: Chris LaMartina, Jimmy George
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3104078/
In 1987, public access channel WNUF held a Halloween special where one of their local reporters was sent to do a live investigation of a haunted house where a son, supposedly possessed by demons, killed his parents in the back in the '70s. Due to the mysterious disappearance of the investigation team, the WNUF Halloween special was buried never to be seen or rebroadcast again. That is until now.
Please be aware, this is a spoiler heavy review! We try our hardest to avoid spoilers with our reviews but sometimes it is difficult and in the case of "WNUF: Halloween Special" I had to give away the entire movie in order to talk about my issues with it. I would strongly recommend avoiding this review if you do not want it ruined for you as I end up spoiling not only certain details but the ending as well.
"WNUF: Halloween Special" is the latest project from no-budget filmmaker Chris LaMartina. The project was, for awhile, being touted as a "lost" Halloween special hosted by a local channel from the '80s. Chris and his crew even went so far as to slowly seep copies of the movie into the public by randomly leaving tapes of "WNUF: Halloween Special" for people to find. And this gimmick was carried on for awhile when the movie was getting ready to be officially released by Alternative Cinema and Camp Motion Pictures. All good things must come to an end and it was eventually acknowledged as being a modern production. So what is "WNUF: Halloween Special" about?
The lost tape contains a Halloween special presented by local cable access channel WNUF (complete with commercials and all). To celebrate the season, the channel's news station sends a reporter out to investigate a local haunted house with two famous paranormal investigators and a priest. In the home, a young man brutally murdered his parents while claiming to be possessed by demons. Now, almost ten years later, WNUF wants to see if any spirits are still in the home.
Off the bat, I will say that I really liked the concept of the lost "WNUF: Halloween Special" and for the most part it is technically well executed. A strange hybrid between found footage and a fake news broadcast. The overall tape carries a vibe that it was something someone had recorded on their home VCR. Complete with the cheesiest commercials that could have only existed in the '80s and bumpers for the WNUF channel. The movie was actually shot on VHS stock and old public domain b-roll footage was used. A genuine effort was put into the project and they certainly did an excellent job making the people and the footage seem like it did come from the '80s.
Perhaps too good of a job. Since the tape contains fake commercials and it builds up towards the investigation, like most news channels do with their bigger stories, the "WNUF: Halloween Special" runs about an hour and a half long. I know that doesn't sound horrible -- it's an average runtime after all -- but what it actually means is that there is a great deal of filler within the movie to take up what space is left from the actual investigation and central plot. And that, I would say, about 2/3 of the movie was filler with the rest being what people are actually watching this for.
Technically, "WNUF: Halloween Special" is well executed in doing what it set out to do: feel like a genuine '80s news broadcast. Entertainment wise, the movie is extraordinarily dull. I have no problem sticking it out for the long haul but when I'm watching more fake commercials in comparison to the "main programming", it is hard for me to maintain any interest or enthusiasm for the movie. With the Halloween special carrying a runtime of a standard feature length movie, it felt far too long. Going no more than hour, I think, would have resulted in a much tighter product.
As per the actual investigation, LaMartina's influence from Geraldo Riveria is definitely felt and it seems like the paranormal investigators were descended from the Warrens. Which made it fun but with all found footage movies you know that something is going to happen during the investigation. That something occurred which made this a "lost" and "infamous" tape. And while I hate to spoil it (I really do) the movie turns from a paranormal investigation to a faux-snuff movie as everyone involved with the news team are attacked by a group of local religious fanatics.
While not a bad twist and not a bad direction to take the movie, I still had a hard time getting into it because it created too many holes in the logic. Putting too much thought into a movie such as this defeats its purpose obviously but it changes the structure so much and raises too many questions. Particularly when it goes from showing the people being murdered to cutting back to a news broadcast that aired a few days later where a news anchor express concern over the mysterious disappearances of the people who went into the house. It's safe to assume the killers used the news equipment to record their ghastly crimes so how do they have a copy of what they did -- assuming the killers are the ones who made this tape -- but not the news station? If no bodies were found, that would mean that about 5-7 bodies (I can't remember how many people were killed) would have had to have been snuck out of the home. A home that was surrounded by other people from the news station and random spectators. Nobody saw anything? The cops didn't find anything?
I can't deny the technical accomplishment by Chris and everyone who was involved with making "WNUF: Halloween Special" as it does look and feel like something from the '80s. There are some moments when the quality of the product seemed too good (The audio sounded too clean and some of the editing did have a digital look. Whether it was or not, I don't know for sure.) but I guess when you're good at making movies and know how to make them, it's hard to drop that skill and make something inferior. And certainly some of the acting wasn't believable -- there is a difference between someone being awkward in front of the camera and someone acting badly -- but even with all that I still find "WNUF: Halloween Special" to be impressive on a technical level. The movie lost me because it runs for far too long for what it is and there is more filler than actual story. Sadly there's nothing that makes it memorable for the amount of time it takes to watch it and overall is just a one pop shot. I don't see any reason why I would go back to it for another viewing at least. I'm sure a lot people will dig it for its retro vibe but it felt like that's all it had to offer and nothing more.
- The effort put into making it seem like an actual broadcast from the '80s is obvious.
- Nice shift between a mock-news broadcast and a found footage movie.
- Some fun references to low-budget filmmakers, like J.R. Bookwalter and Todd Sheets.
- Shoulder pads.
- Too long. It seemed like it would have been better and more fitting had it been cut back to only being about an hour long.
- More time is spent on commercials than the actual main program.
- Some of the performances are bad. There is a difference between being awkward in front of a camera and bad acting.
- I thought the ending caused too many holes in the logic of the movie.
Gore: 0.5/5
AlternativeCinema.com
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No. 7: Sudden Impact
May 6, 2011 Matt Scalici
Note: Back to the Movies is a special feature on the FilmNerds blog in which Matt Scalici will be watching the Top 50 highest-grossing movies of 1983 in order from 50 to 1.
If you look at Clint Eastwood’s Sudden Impact as an attempt to tell a story, it’s a failure in every way. The plot is nowhere near cohesive or linear, the characters are so paper thin it’s hard to tell the victims from the villains (or even the heroes for that matter), even the title doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the actual content of the story. Yet in almost every other way, critically, financially and popularity-wise, the film is a success. It finished with $67.6 million at the box office (making it the highest grossing of the five Dirty Harry films) and it did relatively well with critics (positive reviews from Roger Ebert and others, though not from the notoriously crabby Vincent Canby). It gave the people exactly what they wanted in 1983, which means that while it provides us today with a perfectly preserved time capsule of the nation’s attitude in 1983, it is a movie that is far too “of the moment” to stand up well and resonate with a modern audience.
Vincent Canby’s review makes him look awfully ahead of his time, or perhaps completely out of touch with his own time. He berates the film and Eastwood calling the screenplay “ridiculous” and Eastwood’s direction “primitive” and most importantly expresses disgust at the film’s morality, which amazingly was not a popular opinion in 1983. Roger Ebert takes a more lighthearted approach to the film, almost ironically appreciating the complete and utter disregard for human life and law and order displayed in the movie. Criminals are shot in broad daylight and essentially left where they fall and never mentioned again. There are easily more people killed in the film at the hands of Eastwood’s rogue cop Harry Callahan than by any of the so-called “bad guys” and yet audiences didn’t seem to feel any moral equivocation about this in 1983. On the contrary, they couldn’t get enough of it.
Sudden Impact began its life as a screenplay designed to be a vehicle for actress Sondra Locke, a name that doesn’t register to most movie fans today but who was a fairly well-known name in 1983. Locke burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old phenom earning an Oscar nomination for The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter in 1968. For most of the ’70s and ’80s, Locke was perhaps most well known as the romantic partner of Clint Eastwood, starring alongside him in several of his biggest movies during that era. This screenplay, built around a controversial revenge tale of a woman hunting down and killing the group of men who raped her and her sister, would give Locke a starring role in what would be a unique take on the vigilante justice genre.
In the meantime, Warner Bros. was in the midst of conducting some research in preparation for what many believed was a pretty tricky move: the marketing of Never Say Never Again. Warner Bros. was looking to see just how popular Sean Connery still was and how strong an impression he had made on contemporary audiences. As a part of that research, Warner Bros. asked audiences about some other well-known male film characters and were shocked to discover that Dirty Harry came back with one of the strongest and most positive responses. Upon seeing these numbers, Warner Bros. approached Eastwood about the possibility of making another Dirty Harry movie, reviving a franchise that had been dormant since 1976. Warner Bros. essentially threw themselves at Eastwood, offering him an almost absurd 60% of the total profits to act and direct in a new Dirty Harry movie.
Eastwood decided to kill two professional birds with one stone and adapted Locke’s rape-revenge project into a Dirty Harry script. On the surface, it seems like a pretty good fit, as Locke fills the role of a female counterpoint, a “Dirty Harriet” if you will, that takes on the same kind of vigilante attitude that audiences loved so much about Harry Callahan.
Watching Locke blow away her victims in cold blood (and regardless of the crimes they committed, they are victims in this situation), I can’t help but think that I’m having a completely different reaction to this film than the average 1983 audience member would have had. From what I’ve seen elsewhere in the ’80s (including moments in Psycho II), there are signs that indicate a prevailing feeling that the justice system was inherently flawed, protecting criminals more than innocent citizens and victims. The Dirty Harry series was always built on that premise but Sudden Impact takes the idea to a new level and takes the solution (i.e. Callahan’s willingness to shoot criminals rather than arrest them) to new heights as well.
In the middle of what is perhaps the most violent scene in the film, a robbery that takes place early in the movie in a diner, Callahan utters the film’s most famous line and indeed one of the most famous and oft-referenced lines in all of movie history: “Go ahead, make my day.” It’s so well-known today that the line has almost no impact when 2011 ears hear it but in the context of the film, it actually sums up the film’s irresponsible attitude toward crime and punishment. The line is said to one of the robbers as a sort of dare for the robber to shoot the hostage he is holding at gunpoint, I guess with the implication being that if he shoots the hostage, Callahan will not only not care but he’ll actually be pleased because he’ll then be justified in shooting the robber. This is a horrifyingly callous approach to take for someone who is supposed to be a hero and it illustrates that Callahan is essentially a murderer who happens to work for the good guys.
Yes, I am oversimplifying and over-moralizing a movie that is not intended to be taken seriously, at least not fully. This is escapist entertainment designed to stir those ultra-conservative passions and frustrations that so drove the public’s thinking in the Reagan era. Is my view on this movie the product of political correctness seeping into the culture for the last 30 years? I’m sure it is, but I’m also pretty sure that’s not always a bad thing. Movies like this not only show violence in a positive light but they also just aren’t very good movies. Sudden Impact isn’t a mystery film that asks us to follow around a violent character who uses any means necessary to get to the bottom of the crime. It’s not a mystery because from the very beginning of the film, we always know exactly who the criminal is – and we’re asked to root for her! Instead, Sudden Impact‘s thrills come not from story revelations but from a series of loosely strung together episodes of Callahan and Locke shooting criminals in variously uncomfortable parts of their anatomy.
When I say “loosely strung together”, I mean that in between scenes of violence, we are treated to an almost innumerable list of scenes of various police authority figures (most notable Pat Hingle who played Commissioner Gordon in the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher Batman films) wagging their fingers at Callahan and stereotypically reprimanding him for all the mayhem he causes while simultaneously praising him for his results. It’s unbearably trite today and was probably unoriginal even in 1983.
If the film has any effective moments, they can be found in Locke’s storyline which at times is a truly disturbing and even horrifying subplot. Locke’s rage motivating her killings is illustrated to us in the form of quick and startling flashback shots of the terrible gang rape that she and her now-catatonic sister suffered as teenagers. I find Locke herself to even be slightly disturbing to look at in this film. Her wide and dark eyes, pale complexion and thin build make her a convincing psychotic killer, though it doesn’t help me to see her as a legitimate romantic lead for Eastwood.
Over the course of this project I’ve encountered a number of films that work extremely well in 2011, probably as well or even better than they did upon first release in 1983. Sudden Impact is unquestionably at the other end of the scale, a movie that clearly made a huge impact on audiences in 1983 but is almost incomprehensible to a modern viewer. It’s almost as if the film were made in another a language and in a way it was. It speaks to an American culture and attitude that simply doesn’t exist anymore. In this writer’s opinion, that’s a good thing.
DOWNLOAD: Back to the Movies Podcast – Sudden Impact (with guest Ben Flanagan)
Next Up: We’ve seen Sean Connery as James Bond in 1983, now it’s Roger Moore’s turn at bat in Octopussy.
tagged with Clint Eastwood, Dirty Harry
Back to the Movies
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Massachusetts Church Faces Religious Discrimination For Renting Public School Space 0
A church was wrongly accused of violating ‘separation of church and state’ for renting space from local school district. Learn more at FirstLiberty.org/Briefing.
A Massachusetts church is accused of violating the separation of church and state because it rents space from the local school district.
Town leaders of Southbridge, Massachusetts have raised concerns about Iglesia Casa de Destino’s rented use of a public school in its town. The church pays the standard rate to use the school’s auditorium once per week, like many churches do across the country. But, the church is known in the community for its conservative, religious beliefs.
One of the town councilmen is openly questioning whether the church should have a standing agreement to use the property. Not only is the building expensive to operate, the councilman suggested that the agreement could violate the so-called separation of church and state.
Well, not likely. The Supreme Court has twice upheld the practice. A town is, of course, under no obligation to rent its facility to anyone. But, historically, publicly owned schools have been used and rented by a variety of organizations, including churches. Once a school district decides that it will rent its facilities to the community, it would be unlawful religious discrimination to prevent churches from renting the space.
As the Supreme Court observed in the 1981 decision of Widmar v. Vincent, “The Constitution forbids a State to enforce certain exclusions from a forum generally open to the public, even if it was not required to create the forum in the first place.”
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bluecherry
bluecherry last won the day on February 5 2017
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The family cannot survive without duty.
bluecherry replied to Jason Hunter's topic in Ethics
"Regarding the survival of the species, I quoted the Objectivist from the article that admits the family is a vital social institution. Would you agree?" Maybe once upon a time? Now, not really. I think we'd be fine treating genetic relations as nothing special beyond a medical context and even when it comes to something like adoption where one is raised in a stable, but not genetics-based environment, I think everybody would manage fine as adults even if they didn't go out of their way to maintain contact with people they lived with growing up. This isn't to say that anybody necessarily must go out of their way NOT to maintain contact though if the people they grew up with weren't bad people. "The claim that Objectivists can place value in a human relationship purely based on the long history of that relationship is false. The length of a relationship is of absolutely no relevance to an Objectivist, only the values of the person. " There's the person themselves, but there's also the person's relation to you. Time alone isn't necessarily going to create any value and it DEFINITELY wouldn't trump them being a really shitty person if they were in fact a shitty person, but given enough time together people tend to get to know each other fairly well, have shared knowledge and experiences, get to understand each other in ways that maybe you couldn't get with somebody you just met, especially when we're talking about somebody who knew you all throughout the time you were growing up, something unique that nobody could quite get meeting somebody as an adult. That's not a crucial value to anybody's life to have those kinds of relations to other people maintained, but it's also not nothing. I think plenty of people would find that worth preserving as long as those people from their childhood were decent, though not everybody would find it worthwhile, especially depending on the specific people and life circumstances involved. "After all, how common is it for old school friends who grew up together to lose contact? Very common indeed. " The interwebs has gone a long way to change that lately. Aside from that though, school friends also don't have the same degree of contact involved as people you actually live with, especially all the way from the time you're a baby. "Stable families make for stable societies (stable progression, not stagnant)." What's your basis for this claim? Especially what's your basis for it needing to be possibly genetics-based families and that the ties need to last throughout ones entire life and come with obligations one wouldn't take on were it not for a simple commandment of having to do it just because? I'm not sure how government thievery programs necessarily undercut family anyway. (Not that Objectivism supports such programs regardless.) I don't see there being some huge societal crisis we're in in regard to family right now even either. I think we're pretty laughably far from the notion of family obligations and the necessity to stay close to one's family dying out. "I would be surprised if you would deny that the sense of duty in having children is by far the largest reason for why humans have done and still do have children. If you were to ask a random stranger why they had children, you may get responses like 'carrying on the family name' 'it's what we're supposed to do' 'we're wired that way' 'to carry on the family tradition' 'to pass on the business and keep it in the family' etc. It all revolves around an appeal to continuity from generation to generation. " And notice how screwed up people and the world are? (Although, still, as much as I believe there's WAAAAAAY too many people having kids solely or at least mostly for these reasons, even I doubt that's anywhere near the majority of people's top reasons and otherwise they wouldn't be doing it.) I'm saying, now and in my previous post, we'd be better off having children raised by people who were NOT doing it primarily for that reason. Might we get less people put on earth this way? I'm sure that's the case, at least initially. However, 1) humans are very far from threatened to go extinct any time soon. 2) If we WERE threatened to go extinct from low population, I think just not wanting the species to die out and wanting there to be more people to interact with and do things and create values in the world would drive more people to produce and/or raise more humans who otherwise would not have. I think that motive of valuing humanity and what humanity has to offer oneself is a much better, more benevolent and less troublesome motive still than an unfounded, "You just have to, period". "My evidence is the whole of history. The explanation is the Adam Smith quote in my original post. " Still not cutting it. You need to get into specifics. The Adam Smith quote just says people have cause to pay more attention and put more investment in things which they are more immediately and strongly impacted by basically. I don't think I would dispute that. That's a long way though from saying what you said, ". . . human beings have and always will place greater irrational obligation on their most inner circle starting with the family, extending out to the community and the nation state." "I have explained that Objectivism's conception of the family (or lack of) is counter to how humans actually behave. Whether one can rationally justify this behaviour is a separate issue. But what use is rational justification if it leads to death? " How humans actually behave isn't necessarily how humans SHOULD behave. Slavery was and to this day in some places is a thing, but that doesn't make slavery right/best/proper for human beings. You have yet to show that the loss of family treated as a source of causeless duty would result in such death and rationality is crucial to living, to NOT dying anyway.
StrictlyLogical reacted to a post in a topic: The family cannot survive without duty. October 9, 2018
You are attempting to criticize the ethical component of Objectivism because you are saying it is anti-family. However, first you really need to define what constitutes family and why it would be bad to be anti-family. Family is just a genetic fact. Objectivism is not against recognizing the existence of a basic fact like like that. Objectivism also isn't looking to eradicate humanity. We supporters of the philosophy like humanity's potential even I'd say. So Objectivism isn't anti-family in the sense of wanting to end all genetic connections. It takes you a little time to get to it, but it seems what you are really concerned about is Objectivism seeming to reject treating family as a source of some particular unchosen obligations as it is currently treated in human societies. You seem to believe that these unchosen obligations are necessary to the species surviving. Why? You never answer that. You just say basically, "People try harder to keep contact with family." What makes this extra contact effort crucial to the species surviving? Aside from that argument you needed to make, but didn't, which I thus far consequently can't address, I think a lot of people, Objectivists included, would be able to tell you though that getting a lot of knowledge, shared experiences, and just time in general with somebody increases your investment with them and makes them something of a unique value there versus if it was the same person, but you had little to no history with them. Family, in the way that most people grow up around them in practice today, has that element built into it going for it to make people willing to put more effort into preserving the relationships. This is, however, also possible to do with non-family members too, to just spend a lot of time together until you get a lot of knowledge and shared experiences, so even if one didn't have it with family, it isn't something of a form of connection that is completely lost. For most people though, it is a little harder to get that built up knowledge and experience going all the way back to people sharing in your formative years growing up with people other than relatives. So, there's some unique value in there, something many people would consider to be worth putting a little more effort into preserving. On the other hand, it's also not something anybody would be unable to function without in their lives, that history going back to childhood, especially if we're talking about people who have already had a stable time growing up and are just moving on as adults, not people who are getting bounced around chaotically throughout their childhood. "Moreover, the incentive to have children in the first place would also be greatly diminished by eradicating the duty to pass on the genes or carry on the family name." Anybody parenting for that reason, a sense of obligation and a name as opposed to liking children and teaching and stuff like that, is probably going to be a bad parent anyway who is going to raise a kid with a lot of problems. The species is in no way threatened by the loss of bad parents. We're not on the brink of extinction in numbers either to the point that we can't afford to try to be a little more selective in who we have raising kids. I dare say we'd be better off having quality parents only. (Not that I'm advocating here forcefully preventing anybody from raising kids solely due to speculation that their motives will make them harmful to the kids. I'm just talking about speculation, that if people who would have done it only or primarily out of obligation and a name chose not to have kids instead I think this would be a good thing. In practice I think we should still wait until we've got actual evidence of abuse or neglect or imminent threat of such before forcefully taking kids away.) "Is it not obvious to Objectivists that human beings have and always will place greater irrational obligation on their most inner circle starting with the family, extending out to the community and the nation state?" Nope, it's not. Don't try to hide behind "it's obvious" as an excuse to not justify a claim as being the case and/or why something is best being a certain way. Actually go on and state your logic and evidence. There's also the issue that you haven't clarified how any of the logical arguments in Objectivism are incorrect. You've said why you think you would want them to be incorrect, but not why they are incorrect. It's kind of like if you were to say some asteroid's path looks like it's got potential to do major damage and decided to say, "Nuh-uh, the asteroid is wrong," as if that changes anything, as if that made the asteroid cease to exist or move or not be an asteroid or whatever.
Why are men's clothing so boring?
bluecherry replied to Ifat Glassman's topic in Beauty
Nobody being honest ever restates things? I restate things often because either 1) I'm showing exactly what it is I'm responding to in particular 2) I may be rewording things in an attempt specifically to make sure that it is clear what is being said, either that I have gotten what somebody meant correctly or that somebody else sees what is entailed by what they said exactly as they said it and then they can either embrace and defend this entailed stuff or reword and clarify what they actually meant if this entailed stuff is a result of not wording things well.
A very good question. You seemed to believe I was making stuff up though rather than looking right back at your post. Maybe the fact that I was not making stuff up means it could actually merit an attempt at addressing the contents perhaps, hmm?
This isn't finding out what you believe from a stranger, it's what you said yourself. "While females learn how to dress and make up, which is not a particularly useful skill in the workplace, males practice leadership and team work through sports, learn musical instruments, work on buying and maintaining their first car, learn how to use and program computers, etc., etc., " I wasn't speculating.
You, Nicky, have a hilarious misconception of time usage. You believe that females are not doing things like sports, instruments, work, etc because they are just TOO BUSY getting their hair and make up and clothes and such done. I'll put aside the fact that females definitely do these things. While it may be rather time consuming getting something done like hair and makeup for some fancy Hollywood party perhaps, the vast majority of occasions one does not spend much more time on getting dressed fairly nicely than boringly or sloppily, as was Nerian's point. Furthermore, you are very much mistaken if you believe that all this time spent getting dressed and doing one's hair and such could somehow be condensed into a big block of time where one could actually make meaningful progress on any of these things that you listed. The time spent on getting dressed is generally small, scattered bits that you can't move your whole schedule around to try to push together. Rather, this is the kind of time that likely otherwise would just end up getting spent maybe sleeping a few minutes longer or screwing around checking e-mail or something.
Intentionally Changing Sexual Orientation to Straight?
bluecherry replied to SelfishRandroid's topic in Relationships, Love, Sex, Romance
That's a whoooooole lot of assertions you've got going on there and squat for any reasoning or evidence given to back it up. I suggest you at least attempt to remedy that. As for that aesthetic realism thing in the post above, what, if anything, is the evidence of success you claim they've had? I saw the link mentioning one guy as an example, but even if we take at face value his claim to previous attraction to males and later attraction to at least one female, that doesn't rule out bisexuality all along and, importantly, doesn't clearly show in the slightest how and why attraction to somebody of the same sex as oneself would necessarily, always, stem from a malevolent world view and furthermore, later be alterable to a complete switch by way of just adopting a benevolent world view. To address the first post, although it looks like the thread creator never came back after they made the thread: First, I think if there was any serious, major, definitive, non-dubious way to do what you've asked it would be major news and you would have heard of it already by now. Second, I would like to inquire why you think heterosexuality and not even bisexuality either is both a solution to your problems and the best solution to them. You mention that highly incompatible political and social views are absolutely rampant among the non-heterosexual populace and I agree with you there in my personal observations. However, it's not 100% the case with all of them (see, for example, that there are non-heterosexual members here). It's also the case that this is very much true of the large majority of even the heterosexual populace under a certain age. (Or at least, it sure seems that way with everybody I have encountered, including the depressingly overwhelming majority of dating site profiles I come across no matter how I change filters.) Furthermore, the vast majority of the people you come across that aren't these super leftists . . . are just going to be obnoxious political right in their social and political views anyway. The pickin's, friend, are not rosy on the social/political/cultural front for people with views like those around these parts no matter what one's sexual orientation is. If anything, I think the safest option would be to hedge one's bets and just be open to anybody regardless of sex if one were to make a choice here. You did also mention children, but there's the possibility you could be infertile or your partner could be infertile even if they were male and you didn't wish for the ability to cease attraction to anybody you found out was infertile, which as long as we're talking about doing things that don't have some strong established track record for, you may as well have included in your list of sexual desire change abilities if it was actually that big a deal to biologically produce children with somebody you were with. Furthermore though, you could still have children via sperm donation or you could adopt. Is it really worth going through that much trouble to try to change your sexuality, something which has proven to be, if nothing else, at least a damn near Herculean task if it is possible at all, just so that you can make a kid with half your DNA and half that other person's DNA instead of only half your DNA or just taking in a kid that's already here and in need of a good home and somebody to love them? Third, are you sure "polyamory" is really the word you're looking for there? I'm aware that having a lot of non-romantic sexual involvement with many various people is much more common among a lot of the non-heterosexual populace (maybe even more than among the overall younger population segment, among whom it is already much more common than among older people, or at least, both these statements of what I'm aware of are what I've heard and the impression I've gotten, I admit I'm not looking at any iron clad statistics here proving it), but that is definitely not the same as polyamory which is having multiple, simultaneous, openly acknowledged and consented to full romantic relationships. If then you did actually mean polyamory, I'd have to say that though polyamory may perhaps be a little more common among non-heterosexual people, it is actually still very much a minority position and not something you would need to abandon an entire sexuality to have much hope of escaping. Additionally, there are polyamorous people who at times may be willing to have a monogamous relationship anyway for a partner who requires it. Also, you seem to cite polyamory like it's something distasteful and I'd ask why that is so if polyamory really was the word you were looking for. Now, as for the question about altering sexuality, I'm a little unusual there. Once upon a time, as a young teen, back before I'd ever been romantically or sexually attracted to anybody, either specifically or in the abstract even, I had started to see potential value in the concept of things like romance and sexuality and essentially one day sat down and kind of asked myself what I should do in regards to who I might get romantically and sexually involved with. I asked myself if there was anything seriously better about males or females, in general or in the specific capacity of romantic partner or in the specific capacity of what they could do with me romantically and sexually. I couldn't come up with anything that wasn't ultimately peanuts, especially weighed in the face of everything else about somebody as a person. I also figured, running the numbers, I had the best bet of finding compatible people if I wasn't ruling out anybody on the basis of their sex. So, I reasoned it out, went from having not experienced any attraction to determining it made the most sense to be attracted to people in general, male, female, what have you. It stuck. I created a framework that made sense as far as I could see and my feelings very much followed along these lines subsequently. A person's sex is just not something that's on my mind when I'm thinking of them romantically or feeling sexual desire. I went from nothing to deciding on a sexuality that made sense to me to experiencing romantic and sexual attraction working in accordance with that conclusion I'd made. If there's any possibility to choose, to change, to set one's own course, as far as sexuality goes, if it doesn't strictly come down to genes and womb chemicals and whatever other biological determination et cetera et cetera et cetera which would require some serious medical advances and interventions to alter, then I did it and the process involved doesn't and seems it can't lead to where you want it to go with an end result of heterosexuality.
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bluecherry replied to JASKN's topic in Website Policy and Announcements
"It has never been especially popular at OO.com" Hey now, that's not true. D: It was really popular early on in my time here. There were times so many of us were in there at once that we crashed the program. I hope the chat gets restored somehow. I haven't used it much lately mostly because there just wasn't much of anybody else around.
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Is geneology a rational pursuit?
bluecherry replied to happiness's topic in Psychology and Self Improvement
I can think of a couple possible rational reasons to look into it. The first reason is medical. Do you have an elevated risk of certain diseases? Having relatives with a history of certain diseases is often indicative that you are more likely to get it. If we count relatives still alive that maybe you just don't know, they may be better options to look into in case you need a transplant of an organ or tissue that can be given by a living donor. The second reason is if something has gone really wrong in your family, it may be gratifying to be able to go back and figure out exactly when and how things got started, how they got to where they are. Maybe that kind of information could help make some sense out of the seemingly senseless and provide some ideas on how to deal with it. Third is when it comes to legal questions of inheritance in some cases when somebody dies without a will and they don't have obvious next of kin.
dream_weaver reacted to a post in a topic: Taxation is not theft February 23, 2017
Taxation is not theft
bluecherry replied to epistemologue's topic in Political Philosophy
Might I suggest that the issues of context and hierarchy of values are coming into play possibly? Also, I do believe Tara Smith, who generally seems to be a pretty competent person in her writings, has written some potentially relevant things on the rule of law. Does anybody around here happen to have said stuff she's written on the subject? It may prove helpful here in facilitating the discussion to get some input from a clear writer who has already put a lot of thought and effort into the subject.
You should choose to live
bluecherry replied to epistemologue's topic in Ethics
"bluecherry, I just showed how Peikoff's argument *is* a proof. Since you are already pre-committed to reality in the very act of debating the issue, any conclusion which goes against that is self-contradictory, and therefore cannot be morally or rationally justified. So choosing not to live is immoral, and choosing to live, and all of the moral commitments that come with that choice, is moral." It's true that you can't prove you shouldn't seek to remain in existence. However, it's not for the reasons you say. All that having an argument about the subject proves is that somebody DOES care about reason and therefore DOES care about staying in existence (since reason is moot if you don't exist.) That doesn't prove anything about what one morally ought to do, unless you want to try to go down a very different moral path and start arguing there's inherent merits of hedonism, that you are morally obligated to do whatever the hell you want just because you want it. "Here's my answer to the 'is-ought' problem more generally: moral claims of 'you ought to do X' must be claims that you ought to act according to your nature." That's your position. You've given no reason for why. Objectivism's answer is "IF you want to live, THEN you out to because that's how you survive and thrive." If somebody isn't seeking to live, then those considerations of survival and thriving are irrelevant to them. What do you have to offer somebody as cause to give a damn about acting according to their nature, their nature including being a reasoning being, when they already don't care to stay alive?
choice to live
Premise: ". . . life is the ultimate value, to which all others are means, the choice to commit one's self to that ultimate value is the most basic decision, from which all other moral decisions should follow." Conclusion: "Choosing to live is the most fundamental good choice that you can make, choosing not to live is the most fundamental bad choice that you can make." That conclusion you've drawn is a nonsequitar from the premise. There's a difference between a choice related to the issue of that which is good and a choice which is itself good. As for a commitment to being in reality, we had no choice in getting here and just getting here in the first place doesn't prove one should stay here. The most that can be proven by somebody asking why they should remain in existence is that they do in fact have at least some degree of care about existing already (since reasons only matter within existence). That they do already care, however, is still not proof that they *should* care.
Morality on food waste
bluecherry replied to Floyd Yeung's topic in Ethics
Ok, yeah, you are definitely operating on an entirely different moral system as your basic premise here. Here's a quick primer on the philosophy this forum is about as it seems you may have come across this forum unaware of what Objectivism (the capital "O" matters here, it's the name of a specific philosophy as opposed to a lower case "o" objectivism which may be used to refer to other, very different ideas) is. Link
Just checking, but Floyd Yeung, are you familiar with what the philosophy of Objectivism is about? I ask because, in addition to this being your very first post here, the idea that "wasting food is immoral" is actually more of a belief of people from a very different set of ideas than the ones this forum is dedicated to, at least when it comes to what people usually mean by "wasting" food. Usually, when people talk about "wasting food" they mean any time food is thrown away that hasn't spoiled. They seem to be under some belief that it's like some sign that you are "ungrateful" for your mere "luck" that you have food while others don't that you would just throw out food that is still edible rather than force yourself to eat it or find some way, no matter how ridiculous, to give it to somebody else who doesn't have food. They seem to have some special hang up about disposing of food especially, I suspect due to their myopic focus on bare survival needs. Objectivism would instead say you were "wasting" food only in the same way we might label anything else being "wasted", saying something would only be "wasted" if you had had acted sacrificially in getting rid of it. Whether it is sacrificial to get rid of something in any given situation is heavily dependent upon specifics of the context. (I linked the word "sacrificial" to an explanation by Rand of what she means by that term in case you are unfamiliar with how that term is used among Objectivists as opposed to how it is used by the general population.) Rediy, I have no idea from where you pulled your notions of anybody being unable to figure out what to do about a subject that wasn't explicitly spoken about by Rand and Peikoff and company. We talk about stuff around here all the time just fine that they haven't addressed specifically. Objectivism involves concepts and logical frame works that one can apply to just about anything in a methodical manner. Also, I don't even get why you would think those are the only two options and why one of them is the righteous answer and the other is a brute's answer.
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How Does "A is A" Connect to Government?
bluecherry replied to Dustin86's topic in Questions about Objectivism
Dustin, I wasn't asking if any of your questions/objections in this thread alone you considered to be answered/resolved, I was asking about if you considered that to be the case of *any* of your questions/objections you have raised on this forum in general. Also, you have in your post there stated your position, but you have not addressed anything any of us have already said to you here about why we contend such a position is incorrect. You didn't answer my question either about what sources, aside from this forum, you have on Objectivism, or even point me to a place where you already answered that question (which also would have been perfectly acceptable). When I said, "You've made lots of threads here based on questions/objections to Objectivism " - I didn't mean that as an accusation, like it was an inherently bad thing that just should not be done. I was stating it because it was relevant to my later question, asking what, if any, sources you had aside from this forum on Objectivism. Asking this many questions isn't a bad thing necessarily, but it does makes me suspect that you may be attempting to approach learning about or "challenging" this philosophy very badly. You may be jumping into the middle of this philosophy and going about it all higgledy piggledy, not looking into the well made primary or even secondary sources on it that answer the whats and whys pretty thoroughly and systematically. You may instead be asking people to not just reinvent the wheel for you, but reinvent the rocket ship, knowing almost nothing about rockets already yourself, and that they do so random piece by piece with you showing little interest in actually seeing how the pieces fit together and why, or maybe even seeing all the pieces, just seeing how these individual parts aren't making sense to you at first glance and on their own and then saying "This makes no sense! It's all bullshit! No way this thing gets off the ground." This seems like a bad way for you to learn about Objectivism and an even worse way to try to convince anybody who knows Objectivism well that it is incorrect. It's also hugely inefficient on time involved doing it the messy way versus going to the primary or even secondary sources. As for "echo chambers" and "safe spaces" -- you realize, don't you, that with Objectivists being such a teeny, tiny percentage of the population, we all spend our lives immersed constantly in people and products of contrary beliefs, right? This forum is just one of the few places where we come together with people that DO share our support of this philosophy so that we can actually get some where furthering our discussions of the subject beyond constantly just going over the basics with people who think the philosophy is flat out incorrect, just endlessly rehashing the same basic issues over and over that are already old hat to us, never touching any further or new material. We don't need to have this forum bombarded with people who disagree with us in order to be exposed to other beliefs and the possibility that we are wrong because we already inevitably face those things all the time everywhere else we go pretty much. Our goal here on this forum isn't to *never* be exposed to contrary ideas(something the forum couldn't possibly achieve anyway), its to just have somewhere that actually is about our ideas in the midst of aaaaaaaaaaaaaall the rest that we are exposed to which isn't. And we already do believe in reexaming our own beliefs if ever we come across something which seems to flout them anyway. Having this forum to discuss Objectivism with mostly people who support it is like having a forum for fans of bag pipe music in a world where pretty much everybody hates bag pipe music.
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Interview with Bishop Fellay - April 2017
Transcript of the video interview with Bishop Fellay conducted by Mr. James Vogel, Communications Director of SSPX US District, on April 21, 2017.
SSPX USA: Your Excellency, thank you very much for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to meet with us. If you don't mind, we have a few questions that have been in the news recently that we hoped you might shed some light on.
Bishop Fellay: With pleasure.
The State of Marriages in the SSPX
SSPX USA: The latest news from Rome, first of all, regarding the Society concerns provisions for our marriages. What does that mean for the Society and how will it affect us practically?
Bishop Fellay: It's a broad question. May I recall the background a bit? The background is that, for years, a kind of jurisprudence has been established by the official Church, by Rome, which claims that our marriages would be invalid. Of course, we have enough elements in Canon Law to prove that is not the case. But nevertheless, people who want to break – if I may say so -- their marriage have an easy door with this stipulation.
And so for years I've tried to see with Rome what can be done to block this unjust, unreal situation. Finally, after different ideas throughout the years – it's almost 10 years that I have been discussing this – and it's certainly an initiative of the Holy Father – came the idea of telling the bishops: why not recognize this situation as Catholic and hence give the delegation? That's really the background.
Now, as with many documents, you have to read between the lines. I think the aim is in the second paragraph which says to the bishops: the priests of the Society, though the Church labels them as irregular, are capable of receiving the delegation necessary to bless or to receive the consent of the marriage. So I think, it has to be read as a new step towards the Society, in fact; not at all a step of trying to get the Society” in the pockets”; how do you say? No, on the contrary, to recognize that what we do is Catholic and telling the bishops: “You can give the delegation even to these priests.”
And what is very interesting also: it is stated that they speak about our marriages. And they say in that case, even if diocesan priests would be delegated for receiving the consent, nevertheless the Mass itself would be celebrated by a priest of the Society. So the fact that there is a clear statement that the priest will celebrate the Mass from the Society is once again a new step in the right direction, saying that these priests not only can but will say the Mass. And obviously in the right manner, so without any irregularity.
So you have somewhere a certain contradiction in the text. It is obvious. It has to be understood in such a way that, first, Rome wants to state that we, in their eyes, are not yet completely in canonical order. So they want to make that statement. But despite that: “Treat them normally as if there would be no disorder.” That's the interesting thing.
Certainly, you can have different ways to look at this text; you can have a positive or a pessimistic way. But, looking at the Holy Father, looking at how Pope Francis deals with us, for a certain time, it is very clear that it is a benevolent step against us; not a trap, not a bad, hidden trick, or catch. No: it is a will that we are treated correctly at all levels.
SSPX USA: Your Excellency, you spoke of possible contradictions in the text or even different ways of reading between the lines. Some of the faithful who attend Society Masses have perhaps read a different interpretation, expecting to now accept priests from the diocese to receive their vows. And some of them seem uncomfortable with the idea of a diocesan priest, for instance, coming to a SSPX chapel to receive their vows. What would you say to those who expect or think this provision of Rome is simply another obstacle for the faithful to get married by priests of the Society?
Bishop Fellay: I think when we go into the practical situation, it is difficult to see beforehand. We will try to deal with the bishops; we will try to get the best out of the text. We already have examples right now of bishops, especially in Argentina, which is the country of the Pope, where the bishop has simply given the delegation to our priests. Period. And we expect that that will be the general situation. So, the correct interpretation of the text.
This does not exclude a situation where, let's say, a bishop will be stubborn and so on and will insist on imposing a priest. Then we will have to look into the concrete situation. Definitely, as it is a marriage of our faithful, they have a say. And that's why I read in this way the text which speaks of “in an impossibility of Plan A, go to Plan B”, which is give directly the delegation to the priests of the Society.
So, if there are cases where we feel uncomfortable, we have to say it. And it's even in the text. Probably we will have here and there some difficulties, but they are not without a solution.
SSPX USA: Since the document mentions the possibility of local ordinaries giving delegation directly to the Society, and you've mentioned possible examples that exist already, how will the priests of the Society go about trying to obtain that delegation? Is it up to individual priests, local priors, District Superiors, the General House? Is there any light you can shed on how, practically, that will play out?
Bishop Fellay: We will indicate to the different Districts the path, the way of handling that case. You may have different situations. In general, as I say, we will try not to handle this case-by-case, but to get to general policies with the bishops. And this would mean that there would be a contact with the Superior of the District.
SSPX USA: Speaking of general policies, in the document that was released from the General House, there was an indication that guidelines would be drawn up for the whole Society. Is it premature to comment on those guidelines or have discussions already occurred regarding those?
Bishop Fellay: I think it's too early. We have also to see how this text from Rome will be received locally. And we don't yet have all the answers. But you can easily imagine that, with such a text, most of the bishops don't bother as it is an opening towards us. And they will just grant it.
SSPX USA: How would we deal with the question of marriage in places where, for instance, the bishops do not want to collaborate? Is there a risk of having certain countries or dioceses where bishops grant delegation and others don't?
Bishop Fellay: Strictly speaking, we could expect that. It's possible, let's say, that bishops would go against the disposition of the Pope. We know that. And I don't fear that because we come back to the present situation, foreseen by Canon Law, which says that, if there is a grave difficulty, or in Latin, grave incommodum, the two future spouses can proceed. And they must have, for that situation, witnesses, and if a priest is available, the priest.
SSPX USA: So in the event a local bishop would be opposed, is there some recourse to Rome to protect us or is that not in the case?
Bishop Fellay: I would say it's not necessary, but we probably will look into the question. And we may speak with Rome about it: would it be just to establish in such cases another policy, if I may say? When I spoke to the Pope about the present situation of bishops refusing, he said: “But I can give it!”It was really interesting. Let's say, as an ultimate recourse, we know that, on the side of the Pope, there is a readiness.
SSPX USA: This may seem like a practical question in light of the recent document, but where will these marriages from here on be registered? Will they simply be in the priories and chapels of the Society or in the local diocesan parishes or somewhere else?
Bishop Fellay: If we follow the indication of the text itself, I think that the correct interpretation is that we continue our registration and we send the notification to the diocese. It could be that we would send a little bit more than just the notification.
SSPX USA: Also, from the perspective of those who wish to be married, do you anticipate a kind of "test" for the spouses we have prepared for marriage? Would it not be strange for a priest who had no role in the training of the spouses to witness their vows and even have no idea whether they are properly prepared?
Bishop Fellay: Once again, I think the text foresees that we prepare, we make the tests, and the local priest is only there for the ceremony, like putting the stamp on a reality which is all ours.
A Step Forward With Rome
SSPX USA: You answered this a bit earlier, but perhaps you could expound on it. You seem to interpret this either as a step towards regularization or at least of good will from Rome rather than interpreting these gestures as a kind of trap to keep us from doing the work that we've already been doing. Can you comment any further on that dichotomy?
Bishop Fellay: Yes, no problem. I think that this is not the first step which goes in that direction. I said that I've been discussing about this question for 10 years already. I speak about other problems which would request an intervention of Rome, of the highest authority; Catholic acts which we establish and that would be recognized by Rome. And I see that this is happening at diverse levels. The more we go, the more intense this is the common practice.
Which means that, even though there are certain claims about us being irregular, more and more we are treated as if things would be just normal. In recent years, everybody has heard about the power of hearing confessions worldwide, everywhere. And being not only valid, but licit; that is, everybody can, without trouble of conscience, come to the priests of the Society. That's an example.
Another example is ordinations. Last year, I received a letter from Rome telling me: “You can freely ordain your priests without the permission of the local ordinary.” So if I can freely ordain, that means that the ordination is recognized by the Church, not just as valid but in order. If I can freely do it, it's clear that this is just already recognized and accepted. So this is one more step in this acceptance that we are “normal Catholics” despite this underlying sense that we are still not completely in order. More and more, this is going on and it's not the first step. Frankly, I don't see there any will to interfere or take over, but simply the recognition that what we do is Catholic.
SSPX USA: To switch topics a little bit, though I suppose it's indirectly related, there's a little more than a year until the next General Chapter of the Society. Can you say anything about what preparations are underway and what that means for the Society; or is it perhaps too early?
Bishop Fellay: No, I don't think it's too early. We can really talk about it. This Chapter is the one which will happen, provided everything goes forward or is still the way they are now. In any case, even if we are recognized before, it would imply a General Chapter according to our internal policies. So if it happens before, or at that time, in any case, it is the occasion for us to look into our faithfulness to our statutes, how accurate we accomplish them, what the failures are, what are the points are that need improvement, what the new questions are, and new problems. I guess that, with this new possible recognition by Rome, this will, when it happens, raise quite a number of new questions, of new situations. We certainly already reflect on them now, but we'll have to put them into guidelines or policies for the whole Society. In any case, I think it will be an important Chapter and we are preparing, definitely. One year is not too long before to prepare it.
The Current State of the SSPX
SSPX USA: Perhaps speaking even more generally, can you say how and where is the Society growing most around the world? Are there places in particular that perhaps strike you as unique or particularly impressive?
Bishop Fellay: What I see, in general, is a more or less constant growth, not too spectacular. Here and then, a group would just join us as a group, but that is really rare. It's more or less individuals who come, who join, one family here or there. But this is universal in all the countries where we are settled; in all six continents you find that. Some places know greater or more intense growth: countries like the United States and some places in Africa have that, yes. But there are variations from one country to the other. So I cannot say for sure that for 10 years you really have one which is increasing more than another. The whole Society is still growing and I say, the more we grow, the more we have a problem of not having enough priests to cope with all the needs.
SSPX USA: Speaking of priests, what is the trend of priests coming from either dioceses or religious congregations, perhaps showing interest in the Society? Has it increased or decreased since Pope Francis? Maybe you can speak to their motives and why they choose the Society out of a number of options.
Bishop Fellay: Yes, it seems to me that there's not much change before and after the election of Pope Francis. I think it is deeper trend than just one person being in charge. There are priests, indeed, who approach us. They approach us to become a member but many of them don't necessarily want to become a member. But they want to be friends, they want to learn from us: the sacred liturgy, on one hand, but more the doctrine.
Once I was in front of a group of priest friends in Italy—it was about two years ago—and I asked them, about 30 priests: What do you expect from us? And I was almost certain that they would say, “Well, teach us how to say the Mass.” That was not the answer. The answer is: the doctrine. That's what they expect. And it's deeper, of course: without doctrine, which explains the Mass, the Mass may be beautiful and so on, but what makes it solid is the doctrine which is expressed, which is coming out of the Mass. And if you have a good and solid knowledge of this theology, it makes the liturgy even more necessary, I may say.
And that's what you see a little bit everywhere. I see priests who approach us, but not just for the Mass: for much more! They want to learn Tradition. Many of them, when they discover the Mass, are frustrated. They feel cheated. And they say: “These are treasurers, our treasures, and they were hidden from us!” But they don't remember that level of frustration; they really enjoy Tradition deeply and they want to live it.
Response to the Current Crises
SSPX USA: Your Excellency, speaking of another more universal question, Amoris Laetitia has generated a tremendous amount of confusion and controversy since it was released last year. On the one hand, one could say it's encouraging to see some wake up to the crisis in the Church; on the the other hand, the pastoral results of that document are really devastating. There are even some who claim the Society has been too soft in their critique of Amoris Laetitia. What are your thoughts about this document and the controversy it's engendered?
Bishop Fellay: At the time, I wrote to Pope Francis, and we prepared a text to wake up the cardinals, a letter from our three bishops. But, I will not say “unfortunately” —that would not be the right word—but four cardinals took the initiative just before we were about to send the letter. That's why there was not much noise about it because it was already done. So our letter just remains in a drawer.
In fact, we are certainly doing all that we can with those who raise their voice. I think it is important that people notice that we are no longer the only ones who complain, who denounce, who attack poor situations which are harming souls. It could be one of the reasons why, here and there, I would not talk immediately, letting their voice appear and not mixing mine with theirs. Because usually when we do that, they are disqualified because this tendency of disqualifying us in the modern Church is still very present. And so, letting their voice be heard, for the whole Church, is probably better. And everybody anyway knows what we think and what our positions are. It has not changed and everybody knows that.
So while, and as long as there are voices in the Church who talk in the right direction, to say that one day or another, I would have spoken more softly, does not change anything in the big picture, in the big fight which is still there. That's very, very clear. And it absolutely does not mean that we would, by politics, in order not to jeopardize a possible agreement—which is not the correct word—or canonical recognition, lower our voice is simply not true. If someone would be careful and look at all I write and say, they would say that I just continue. We are still the same.
And I insist in Rome to say we are like this and we are not going to change. We may be a little bit less controversial in attacking the persons. But our reason would not be just a personal gain. What we look for is the most efficient way to have a benefice for the whole Church. Sometimes you gain more by giving a simple argument than by barking it. You have to look at the cases. We are still in a fight, we know that, and it's definitely not over. It's not just for the pleasure of fighting, but we belong to the militant Church.
SSPX USA: Perhaps in conclusion, a simpler question: you're here in St. Mary's, KS, for confirmations. St. Mary's is obviously the Society's biggest parish and school in America. What are your impressions or thoughts you might share on St. Mary's?
Bishop Fellay: I admire the work of Divine Providence in this place which was sanctified just before us by the Jesuits. It was the scholasticate of the Jesuits. In the church, which is no longer there, which was burnt, we know that over 1,000 priests have been ordained. We know it's not only a very holy place, but a very priestly place. And as the first scope of the Society is the priesthood, it's a good reminder.
And I may say certainly we are harvesting. We are trying to sow the seed but we are more harvesting from the work of previous good workers in the field of the Lord. We certainly admire and thank God for these beautiful fruits of the traditional attitude, which was everywhere before.
Bp. Fellay: Interview about SSPX Marriages (Video)
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Mercenary Magic Page 16
“How were you going to get past the security measures?” she asked.
“Where did the extra magic you had come from?”
Well, aren’t you helpful. Sera bit back the words. What had happened to Finn wasn’t his fault. She wasn’t the mean dragon; she could remember that.
“Is there anything else you can tell me that could help us stop whoever is doing this?” she asked.
He paled. “You can’t.”
“Can’t what?”
“Can’t stop this. Whoever is doing this is too powerful.” He looked at his cousin. “Even more powerful than you, Kai.”
The dragon cracked his knuckles. “We’ll see about that.”
“No. It’s too late. Too late for all of us,” Finn spluttered out quickly. “I saw San Francisco burning. Legions of monsters tearing through the city. Dead bodies in the streets. Everywhere. The bay bubbled with hot blood. And above it all, high in the sky, a dark, sinister magic hanging over the city like a storm cloud about to burst. The end. The end is coming. A magical apocalypse will crush the city. We are doomed.”
“Those were the thoughts of the person controlling you?” she asked.
Finn began to rock back and forth. “The end. The end is coming. A magical apocalypse will crush the city. We are doomed.”
“What does the thing you were trying to steal have to do with all of this? Will it bring about this destruction?”
His eyes glazing over, Finn rocked harder. “The end. The end is coming. A magical apocalypse will crush the city. We are doomed.”
“Finn?”
“Don’t bother,” the dragon told her as Finn muttered on. “He’s gotten like this every time we’ve tried to dig too deep. Whoever hijacked his body put safeguards into place.”
“This is why we came here. You wanted me to see him like this. Why?”
“I thought it would motivate you to know the city is in danger. From the look in your eyes, I can see that I was right.”
Sera stood. Crazy, rambling Finn was too much. The tenor of his magic had changed from nervous to full-out nuts. It was giving her a headache.
“You could just have told me,” she said.
“You don’t trust me.”
He had a point.
“It’s better this way,” he said. “It’s better for you to see for yourself what we’re facing. And you won’t try to back out of this assignment, not now that you know the stakes.”
“You manipulated me.” The words scraped against her tongue.
“I’d like to think of it as motivation, not manipulation.”
“You can think whatever you want, but that doesn’t change what it is,” she shot back. “You’ve done nothing but manipulate me and my brother ever since you poked your head into our lives, and you wonder why I don’t trust you. Seriously?”
He stared at her for a few seconds before expelling a martyred sigh. “There are more important things going on here than your bruised ego. You’re being hard-headed.”
Says the hard-headed dragon.
“Let’s worry about saving the city first,” he continued. “After that, if you’re still mad at me, we can fight it out. I’ll even let you throw the first punch. And I won’t tell Simmons either.”
“Deal,” Sera said, grinning.
Oh, he had no idea what he’d just gotten himself into. She’d spent the last twenty years learning how to take down monsters. And when it came down to it, a dragon was nothing more than just another monster.
A COLD, WET wind bit at Sera’s arms and face. If she’d known she’d be paying a visit to the scene of Finn Drachenburg’s magical meltdown, she’d have packed her leather jacket. Or at least a sweater. A tank top was no defense against the winds of San Francisco.
Beside her, the dragon looked around the parking lot. His t-shirt wasn’t any more wind-resistant than her top, but he walked around like the cold didn’t bother him one bit. Maybe he had a fire roaring inside of him—or dragon scales hidden beneath his skin.
“Why are we here? Finn doesn’t remember what he was trying to steal. What exactly do you expect to find, Mr. Drachenburg?”
He stopped in front of a wall tie-dyed with black scorch marks, then looked back at her. “Kai.”
He turned the rest of the way around. “Call me Kai.”
“Simmons wouldn’t like that very much.”
“Forget about Simmons. He’s not here. And he’s not your client. I am,” he said. “I want you to call me Kai.”
“Very well. Kai.”
It didn’t sound as intimidating as Drachenburg. And that was dangerous. Intimidating was good. It reminded her of what he was: a threat hidden beneath a handsome mask.
“Good. Mr. Drachenburg is my father. Or it’s what other people—people who revere me, who are scared of me—call me.”
“I’m too insubordinate to revere people, no matter who they are. And I’m too stupid to be scared of anyone.”
He laughed. “No, you’re not. You only pretend to be.”
“I hunt down misbehaving monsters for a living. That’s not smart; it’s pretty damn dumb.”
“Dumb and desperate are two entirely different things. You took a dangerous job because you needed the money. The fact that you’ve survived all these years proves you’re not just a dumb brute.”
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Victimary Perfect Storm: The Five Big Lies
In no particular order I list here, not the only lies spread by the Left (far from it!), but the ones that, it seems to me, have attained total coverage, i.e., that guarantee swift, coordinated, thorough and effective responses when questioned:
One: There are no real differences between men and women.
Two: Same sex attraction is as normal as opposite sex attraction.
Three: Blacks are always and only victims of white supremacy.
Four: Islamic terrorism has nothing to do with Islam.
Five: Illegal aliens are just American citizens who haven’t yet received the proper documentation.
Any facts contrary to these assertions are evidence of actual oppression or reactionary lies.
With the exception of number four (regarding which the public has far less first hand evidence), the Left is never foolish enough to assert these lies; rather, it just goes ahead and acts as if they are self-evidently true (there is a lesson for us all in that).
We are already beginning to see the extraordinary destruction that must be wrought to civil discourse and civil society to sustain these brazen lies: Christians who believe in traditional marriage must become cynosures of hate, any Islamic group or state marginally less psychotic (“moderate”) than the most demented (“extremist”) is to be empowered, all attempts to defend American borders or preserve the distinction of American citizenship must be dismantled, criminals must be given an ever larger space in which to destroy; even more: anyone who points to health or safety issues resulting from unrestricted migration, who points to actual crime statistics, who directs our attention to longstanding Islamic doctrine and practice, to the benefits offered by one family form over another—that is, anyone pointing to a vast range of obvious truths, which you only have to pay the faintest attention to the real world to see, is evil. Big Lies require All Lies All the Time. The large digital corporations, like Yahoo, Google, Apple, Amazon, Twitter and Facebook (along with many more traditional corporations), are all clearly ready to get on board with a campaign to keep these Big Lies hermetically sealed.
We have not yet begun to see the large scale violence that will be needed to ensure these lies remain the ruling doctrine. But therein lies the only possibility of resisting the victimary perfect storm. There is another compulsive Lie of the Left, which surfaces periodically but which we must call “aspirant,” rather than “Big” because it has not yet prevailed nearly to the extent of the five above: self-defense is the source of violence. This is the argument of the gun control fanatics, and it has been conveyed by the usual furious and grotesque demonization of guns and gun owners (the type of propaganda so successful in installing the other lies). The reason push back against this lie has had considerable success (the right to gun ownership is more firmly established in law than it was 50 years ago, running counter to left wing victories on virtually every other front) is simply the existence of tens of millions of Americans who are determined to maintain their own guns and right to self-defense, forming a compact lobby to help them do so. Still, why has Obama not tried to override gun rights through executive action—isn’t this another area where Congress has failed to act, so he must? I think the only reason is some dim awareness that an attempt at gun confiscation would lead to a blood bath. Still, so what? Does the Left not have the stomach for the massive bloodshed of their enemies? Would they really have a problem with a few more Wacos? On the contrary—they would cheer it on; indeed, there have been indications for years that Obama and his gang would relish the chance for a showdown with some fat target within the bitter clingers community. It must be, then, that they are not sure that they would win, which is to say they are not sure that the men (and occasional woman) with guns under their command would obey the order to use force to take the guns away from those who have them by right (or at least not enough to avoid a fiasco). But if the bodies of armed men (Engels’s excellent description of the state) would hesitate there, perhaps they would hesitate elsewhere. Perhaps they would also refuse to act against thousands of Churches refusing to pay their taxes, against parents whose homeschooling does not conform to new “marriage equality”-friendly NEA dictates, or to enforce millions of dollars in fines against counties and cities refusing to issue same sex marriage licenses, or against local police officers or citizens practicing self-defense framed by mobs, or local authorities and citizens enforcing the border on their own initiative, etc. Slowly at first, for sure, but given the persistence of the dissidents, perhaps over time there will be more refusals—and it might not take many to set in motion a cascade.
It is easy to see that conservative pundits and politicians have been paralyzed in the past few days, suffering shell shock from the hammer blows of the recent Supreme Court rulings, and reluctantly awakening to the realization that we now live in a different country. The usual proposals—win more elections, go back to court, take back the culture, come up with cleverer appeals to the youth, etc.—all ring hollow and smack of denial. No one knows the next move in the game because all the rules have been suspended. We all know that leftists in power will do whatever they want and no one will stop them. (We also know that much of what they want to do is crazy.) The right is already splintering between those who want to accept the devastation and “move on” (usefully revealing their contempt for their “base”) and those who realize there’s something more at stake here than whether the Republicans gain a few points now that they can avoid the issue of “marriage equality,” while those ready to fight have no unifying program or manifesto. Leftist penetration has been very deep and there are few normal people who would not be loath to surrender at least some part of at least one of the Big Lies that they have bought into. Opinions changed and convictions abandoned after years of resisting and sustaining psychological battering for years (yes, I must be complicit somehow in racism; ok, I guess homosexuals can marry) are the hardest to revisit and reconsider.
So, here’s a minimal proposal. Refuse assent to any of these lies or any of their corollaries (refuse the entire network of lies)—openly if possible, “between the lines” if necessary. Caution is called for—ultimately, the Big Lies are instances of Leftist trolling, that is, laying out bait to get a response they can use to draw their enemies out into the open and make them easy targets. (To ask whether the Left “believes” its own lies is to make a category error—the Left has nothing to do with belief, only with the exposure of the presumably fraudulent beliefs of others—Leftism is OCD, obsessive compulsive debunking, with complete faith deposited in the most tireless and unrelenting debunkers.) Truth bearers will, indeed, become targets—that’s the point of the whole enterprise, as the Left has no real “positive” agenda, no better version of civilization, no model of social order. But people can try to be massive and dispersed targets rather than isolated and concentrated ones, and targets engaged in cultivating the practices of civilization in the face of social disorder. To get their way, the victimo/bureaucrats will have to take children out of their homes, arrest those responsible for the physical defense of vulnerable communities, shut down houses of worship and expropriate businesses, and at each point along the way men who have sworn to uphold the Constitution and who share much with their targets will have to decide if they can really, in good conscience, do that.
This truth bearing approach is the only way to test the weak link of the Left: the likelihood that the demands for enforcing the Big Lies will eventually strain the loyalties of the men with guns (we can easily imagine how many in the military are filled with disgust at the current regime’s alliance with our enemies, how many in the border patrols chafe at the refusal to let them do their job, how angry police must be at the opportunistic race baiting—I don’t know about the FBI or ATF, though). Once upon a time the Left could recruit its own militant cadres, ready to handle weapons, wield clubs, bust up a meeting; they could even set up parallel quasi-state institutions where civil society was weak enough. Other than their dwindling union ranks, form where could they recruit a steady supply of thugs—gay pride parades? (Well, there are historical examples, but the numbers just aren’t there.) They are stuck the forces they have been demoralizing for years. It follows that, more important than taking back the academies or Hollywood or the courts is making sure that the force available to the regime is lacking in the numbers and/or reliability needed to apply effective violence against those who only defend their own right to bear witness to subversive truths. This certainly implies that overt partisan appeals should be to law enforcement, but whether it further means those forces should be joined en masse or, on the contrary, starved of personnel replenishment by people who would rather defend their communities, must be left open for now. Individuals will ultimately have to make up their own minds about that, but, either way, the natural right to self-defense in bearing witness to truths in danger of being lost can be the basic unifying principle around which resistance can gather. And, this, incidentally, is also the only way of ensuring that there will be enough trained, organized and moralized people to fight the Caliphate, when it comes to that. Ultimately, these new centers will have to attract the younger, digital crowd to help construct new economic and security networks—the only way to do that, though, is to allow them to do their jobs in a way that the politicized incompetence of government-linked corporations doesn’t, and that’s more of a long term matter (there are probably quite a few libertarian hacker types, though, just to get things started).
The starting point, though, is constant questioning on the most basic topics whenever we are confronted with the Big Lies—elementary, even childish questioning, which might start to drive the Leftists mad like a buffalo under attack from a swarm of mosquitos. I suggested a few questions a few posts back: what is a man? What is a woman? What is marriage? Things which everyone knew without thinking not too long ago, but which raise storms of controversy now. We can add many more questions: what is “law”? What is “government”? What is a “right”? What is “equality”? “Democracy”? “Liberty”? What is a “judge”? In their ferocious deployment of these terms, the Leftists have forgotten that someone might ask, given all that seems to depend on these terms, what sorts of entities, exactly, we are to take them to be, and why? We would be returning to a kind of Socratic naivety (or irony, if that’s your reading of Plato). We might even start a “national conversation.”
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Ireland: Illustrating Myths and Legends in the Burren
Robert Brinkerhoff, (Faculty, RISD Illustration, Dean of RISD Fine Arts division )
Ireland: The Burren, Dublin
4 weeks: June 10- July 8, 2017
3 studio Credits, RISD Illustration
No one tells a story like the Irish, and Irish narrative tradition walks a fine line between fantasy and reality—between myth, folklore and history. No one tells a story like the Irish, and Irish narrative tradition walks a fine line between fantasy and reality—between myth, folklore and history. This four-week course, based in the studios of the Burren College of Art in Western Ireland, will explore Irish myth and legend as fodder for illustrated work. Students engage in studio practice inspired by the unique landscape of the Burren Mountains, the Irish countryside and wildlife, its charming people and their stories and artistic traditions. Independent exploration of the region alongside regional field trips to explore ruins and prehistoric sites will serve as bucolic inspiration for image making. A two-day trip to Dublin and a three-day trip to the striking, remote Aran Islands will provide dramatically different views of Irish culture. The class will provide many hours of time in the studio, and will conclude with an open studio reception at Burren College of Art.
Students accommodation is in group housing, located off the campus of Burren College of Art. A daily shuttle service transports students to and from the College and studio facilities
Cost: $5,400 (includes tuition, accommodation, field trips, local transportation, group dinners + some meals, museum entrances, health and travel insurance).
Registrer HERE
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→ POLITICS
→ National
Georgia & Russia Reconciliation to Help Armenia
Started by man , Aug 04 2013 09:54 AM
#1 man
Russia, Georgia to Turn New Page after Saakashvili’s Exit – Medvedev
http://en.rian.ru/ru...--Medvedev.html
MOSCOW, August 4 (RIA Novosti) – Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday he looked optimistic about the prospects of bilateral relations between Russia and Georgia five years after a brief war between the two countries.
“In this regard, I'm a total optimist. I'm convinced that everything will be fine. Our peoples aren't enemies,” Medvedev said in an interview with Russia Today international news TV Channel.
“Of course, the conflict didn't help but it wasn't based on deep-running disagreements. Again, that was a criminal mistake of certain leaders. But these days the situation is indeed a bit different. The country's new leadership that was brought in by the political and constitutional reforms is taking a more pragmatic stance... We welcome that,” Medvedev said.
Russia and Georgia severed diplomatic ties in 2008 after Moscow recognized de-facto independent Georgian republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states following a brief military conflict over South Ossetia.
The Georgian Dream coalition led by current Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili won the October 1, 2012, parliamentary election, forcing the United National Movement, which had ruled Georgia since the Rose Revolution in 2003 and is led by President Mikheil Saakashvili, into the opposition.
The elections were vital in the light of a law passed in 2010 transferring the majority of the president’s executive powers to the prime minister when Saakashvili’s second term ends in the fall of 2013.
Georgia’s new government, elected in the October 1, 2012 polls, said normalizing ties with Russia was among its top priorities.
Medvedev said it was not Moscow that had cut diplomatic relations with Georgia.
“We are ready to reaffirm them on certain conditions. And those conditions are simple - just recognizing what happened. This process may be very delicate and complex. But I’m sure there’s no going back, and when Saakashvili and some other people who participated in taking this criminal decision [to launch an offensive on South Ossetia] are gone, we will turn the page and close this sad chapter in our relations.”
Medvedev also said the peoples of Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia would themselves decide how to develop their relations.
“The choice lies with the people who live there, the people of Georgia and the leaders they elect. The people of Abkhazia and the people of South Ossetia have the power to give their leaders any kind of mandate, and this will be constitutional and in line with universally-recognized international practices,” Medvedev said.
“We want them to live in peace. But it’s up to them to decide what relations they will have with each other. We will not interfere with these processes. But of course, we will defend Russia’s national interests.”
NATO Membership Would Strain Georgia’s Ties with Russia – Medvedev
MOSCOW, August 6 (RIA Novosti) – Membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization would not give Georgia any advantages for further development and would only strain relations with Russia, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday.
“This would give nothing to Georgia as a sovereign and dynamically developing state, but would create a long-term source of tensions between our countries,” Medvedev said in an interview with Georgia’s Rustavi-2 television channel.
Speaking in regard to the fifth anniversary of the brief war between Russia and Georgia over the breakaway Georgian republic of South Ossetia, Medvedev said it the military intervention was the right decision for him to make as president at that time in order to stabilize the region.
“I believe that everything that was undertaken by us, including by me as president, our Armed Forces and finally at a diplomatic level, enabled the situation to be allayed. They were not the easy decisions to make, but I believe everything was done right in that sense,” he said.
The prime minister also expressed hope that Georgia would begin direct talks with South Ossetia on issues such as refugees and the non-use of military force.
Georgia lost control over one-fifth of its territory after South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another former republic within Georgia, broke away and were recognized by Moscow in the wake of a brief war between Russia and Georgia over South Ossetia that erupted on August 8, 2008.
In the interview, Medvedev also reiterated that the presence of the Russian military forces in South Ossetia and Abkhazia complied with legal norms and could not be viewed as an occupation of Georgian territory.
Tbilisi passed the Law on Occupied Territories in October 2008, declaring the "Territory of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia" and the "Tskhinvali Region,” or South Ossetia, as "occupied territories." The law forbids entry into the regions from Russia and subjects violators to a fine or imprisonment.
Moscow provides the breakaway republics with economic and military support and has recognized their independence, along with a handful of other countries. Most countries do not recognize South Ossetia or Abkhazia as independent states, but view them as part of Georgia.
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Rosburg, Charles L. 1855-1921
ROSBURG, KART, SAGNER
One of the well-known and prominent retired farmers of Remsen is Charles L. Rosburg, who was born at Davenport, on March 1, 1855, the son of Charles H. and Mary (Kart) Rosburg, natives of Holstein, Germany, who continued to live in the land of their nativity until 1854, when they decided to come to America. On their arrival in the United States they came direct to Iowa and located at Davenport. As a young man, Charles H. Rosburg learned the shoemaker’s trade and he worked at his trade at Davenport until 1861, when he removed to Benton county, where he continued at his work and later purchased a farm. He developed and improved the place and there engaged in general farming until 1893, when he moved to a farm he had purchased near Sibley, and there he lived until the time of his death in 1895, at the age of eighty-one year. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Rosburg sold the farm and moved to Chandler, Minnesota, where she continued to live until the time of her death in 1912, age the age of eighty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Rosburg were active members of the Lutheran church, always took much interest in church work and were prominent in the social and religious life of the community, where they were held in the highest regard and esteem by all who knew them. They were the parents of nine children, Charles L., George, Lewis, Bertha, Albert, Herman, John, Henry and Otto, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Charles L., John and Henry. John Rosburg is a merchant at Newhall, Iowa, and Henry Rosburg is retired at Slayton, Minnesota.
Charles L. Rosburg received his education in the public schools of Benton county and grew to manhood on the home farm, where as a young man he assisted his father with the farm work. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, after which for a time he worked for others as a farm hand. On February 28, 1879, he was married to Mary Sagner, who was born in Holstein, Germany, and who came with her parents to America in 1868. The father settled in Benton county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm and where he engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1893, when he moved to Lake Wilson, Minnesota. He later lived with Mr. Rosburg for a short time and there he and his wife died two months apart, in 1905 [1904?], his death having occurred on June 30 and hers on April 30. Mr. Sagner was one of the well-known and successful men of his county and he and his wife were among the prominent members of the social and the religious life of the district. They were the parents of three children, Fritz and Lizzie, who are living at Lake Wilson, and Mary, the wife of Mr. Rosburg.
To Charles L. and Mary Rosburg have been born four children, Louis, Gustave, Ella and Lewis. Louis Rosburg is a farmer at Garretson, South Dakota. Gustave Rosburg, who is engaged in farming on the home place, married Anna Erdman and has one child, Lisle. Ella Rosburg became the wife of Fred Erdman and to them were born three children, Erline, now deceased, Ranville and Merlin. They live at Luverne, Minnesota. Lewis Rosburg is unmarried and is at home.
Soon after their marriage, Charles L. Rosburg and wife located in Benton county, where Mr. Rosburg engaged in general farming until 1884, when they came to Plymouth county. Here they purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in section 10 of Remsen township. The place at that time was but partly developed and was without improvements. Mr. Rosburg at once built a small house and began the task of developing his farm. He was successful and later increased his holdings to one hundred and sixty acres and improved his place with substantial and modern buildings. He was interested in good horses, Aberdeen Angus cattle and Poland China hogs and became known as one of the substantial farmers and stockmen of the township. Mr. Rosburg always took an active interest in local affairs and for twenty-one years was trustee of his home township and for fifteen years served on the school board, being a member of the board at the time the new school house was built in Remsen. He was always a strong advocate of the best of schools and the highest class of public improvements and devoted the same careful attention to his official duties that he did to his own private affairs. Being a man of ability and excellent judgment, his advice and influence were often sought in matters that pertained to the interests of both the township and the county. For the past three years Mr. Rosburg has been road supervisor of Remsen township.
In 1909 Charles L. Rosburg and wife retired from the activities of the life on the farm and moved to Remsen, where they built a beautiful two-story, nine-room house, which is modern in every respect. This house is situated on a tract of four acres of land is regarded as one of the most substantial homes in the city. In addition to their home place they own another residence property, situated on two acres of land in Remsen. Mr. and Mrs. Rosburg had but little financial support when they began life as young married people, yet they were determined to make a home for themselves and their family. By hard work and close application to business they have risen to positions of honor and influence in their community. They are active members of the German Lutheran church at Remsen and take much interest in church work. They take an active interest in the social and the religious life of the community and have always been interested in the development of the schools of the township and the county. They have been indulgent parents and have given their children good educations. They are among the most hospital people in the city and are held in the highest regard. Their lives have been well spent and they have accomplished much, not only for themselves and their family, but for the community in general.
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Film maker consultancy
Distribution and Marketing Services
Freddie Mercury was always a larger than life character, and in Bohemian Rhapsody, american Rami Malek totally inhabits him, bringing him back to life in an uncanny fashion. Whilst it is true that the false teeth are rather distracting – they seem unnecessarily large – they also apparently allowed Malek the freedom to create his version of Mercury – to improve his posture and strut and stamp and try to show the world who the man really was. He certainly exudes the charisma. At the end of the day, the film is about loneliness and wanting to belong, and Queen were the closest thing to family that he had. Mary Austin, played sensitively by Lucy Boynton, his first love and long-term friend, and his cats, created a sense of home but it was based on lies about a conventional family life that Mercury thought he wanted to live. Eventually, as he began to acknowledge his sexuality, his partners started to take advantage of his celebrity. The focus of Bohemian Rhapsody is squarely on Mercury. Brian May and Roger Taylor, excellently portrayed by Gwilym Lee and Ben Hardy, as well as John Deacon (Joseph Mazzello) are rarely seen alone on screen, and their extended lives beyond the band are only really acknowledged through Malek’s poignant dialogue. And yes, ultimately it’s a drama, but there is some incidental fun to be had, watching the band develop, and of course, a priceless cameo of Mike Myers as Ray Foster, a music mogul
Its slightly shambolic structure is down to the presence, or lack of, of the director, Bryan Singer, who is credited, but was not around for the last few weeks of the shoot, and Dexter Fletcher stepped into the breach to finish the film. But at the end of the day, it’s still a toe-tapping piece of entertainment, surprisingly moving in parts, and an audience of a certain age will certainly enjoy re-living the glorious moments of Live Aid at a recreated Wembley Stadium. But the teens will go for this too. This is Queen from its young band days, starting out and as far away from a manufactured X-factor style band as you can get. And with every song I regret the fact that I never saw them perform live.
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[01] ERT to hold telethon for SAE's Hellinicare
Greece's state-controlled broadcaster ERT will be holding a telethon on November 18-20 to raise fund's for the Hellenicare medical programme set up by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).
During a press conference held in Athens on Monday, SAE President Andrew Athens said the telethon would give Greeks the opportunity to participate in Hellenicare and to send a message to the ethnic Greeks scattered in historic but poor communities around the world that they had not been forgotten by Greece and the Greek people.
Cardiologist Kyriakos Kanakis, a member of the Greek diaspora that had been placed in charge of organising the Hellenicare programme stressed that this help was vital to the Greeks of Georgia, describing the situation that he found there on his first visit in 1997.
"I was shocked by what I encountered. The state that our fellow Greeks had come to, as have all the residents of that country, was indescribable. The health care system had collapsed and even finding a simple aspirin was a major issue," he told reporters.
Since 1997, roughly one million patients of all ethnic origins, had benefited from the medical services provided free of charge at the medical centres, clinics and mobile medical units set up by the SAE in the Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Albania, SAE officials said.
Among the services offered were the first open-heart surgeries ever conducted in Georgia, by a team of U.S. surgeons led by Kanakis, while Hellenicare also provided humanitarian aid such as clothing and food in poorer areas. So far, $120 million donated by the Greek and U.S. governments and large non-governmental organisations had been spent on the programme's activities.
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HMA Announcing New Leadership(March 2017)
March 19, 2017 Debbie Reed
Jon Carfagno has been named the museum’s new Executive Director
The Hickory Museum of Art has announced a leadership team for the museum that consists of a new Executive Director and a newly formed Associate Director position. The museum is proud to announce that Jon Carfagno has been named the museum’s new Executive Director, and Clarissa Starnes has been promoted to the position of Associate Director. In addition to these changes, the museum’s current bookkeeper, Mary Johnson, has been promoted to the position of Business Manager.
Carfagno succeeds Lisë Swensson, who announced her retirement in 2016 and will leave after 13 successful years as the museum’s Executive Director. Carfagno will assume his role at the Hickory Museum of Art on April 1st, 2017. He was selected after a national search overseen by a committee appointed by the museum’s Board.
After serving internships at museums in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Berlin, Jon Carfagno joined the Education Department of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas in 2005. He grew in his role to become the School Programs Manager, where he planned and administered all the professional development and curriculum initiatives for K-12 educators. He then joined the Grand Rapids Art Museum in June 2009 to serve as their Director of Learning and Audience Engagement. He led numerous initiatives that brought local, statewide and national recognition to the museum during his time. For instance, Design Briefs, an entrepreneurial start up incubator program he created in collaboration with thought leaders from the West Michigan technology community, was featured on both an internationally attended webinar and the Alliance of American Museum’s Center for the Future of Museums website.
Currently, Jon serves as the Vice President of the Board for the Museum Education Roundtable a national board that publishes the Journal of Museum Education. He led the Education Department at GRAM in receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Art Education Association in 2013. Last fall, he was invited to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, to participate with a group of art museum education department leaders to envision a professional services organization designed to support of the future of leadership in the field.
A frequent speaker on the topics of human centered design, methods of innovation, and organizational theory, Mr. Carfagno is most actively concerned about museum futures, sustainability, and inclusion. He holds an M.A. in Art History with a Distinction from the University of Massachusetts and completed Kendall College of Art and Design’s MBA Certificate Program in Design and Innovation Management.
“We are very excited to have Jon serve as the fifth Executive Director of the Hickory Museum of Art,” said Alan Jackson, President of the Board. “He is a true visionary who understands how to create a level of engagement between an art museum and the community it serves. He will bring to the Hickory area a wealth of experiences and knowledge that will serve the museum very well in the years to come. We are happy to welcome Jon, his wife Megan, and their children to the Hickory area and look forward to them becoming an integral part of our community.”
Jon is married to Megan Carfagno, and they have two children.
“There are so many exciting developments happening in Catawba County right now. My family and I could not be happier about this opportunity to contribute to the growth and new directions that are underway” said Carfagno. “One of the museum’s generous supporters, Barry Huffman, once said, ‘art can be a tool to see the world around us in more innovative and creative ways.’ I am grateful to be joining a team that has a strong history of community-focused programming and look forward to working with them to continue making the museum a marketplace of bold new ideas.”
Clarissa Starnes has served as the Collections and Shop HMA Manager of the Hickory Museum of Art since 2015. During her time at the museum, Starnes has focused on promoting and enhancing publicity of local artists through festivals, exhibitions, and the museum store. She has several years of experience as an Art for All Coordinator with the museum, teaching art lessons and planning art projects for a variety of members in the surrounding community.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts with a minor in Visual Arts from Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she graduated with First Honors, was on the President’s List for each of the years of her enrollment, and received the Margaret A. Berry Art Award for several years in a row.
Starnes will serve as the Associate Director for the Hickory Museum of Art, where she will focus on the management of museum operations and opportunities to engage a larger and diverse audience to the organization’s events, exhibitions, and festivals. She will also continue to serve as Collections Manager for the large selection of artwork currently owned by the museum. She will assume this role and responsibility on April 1st, 2017.
Mary Johnson has been with the museum since 2002, serving in several roles including Membership Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, and her current role as Bookkeeper and Office Manager. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration, and has over 30 years of bookkeeping experience.
In her new role as Business Manager, Johnson will continue to manage the financial aspects of the museum but will also assume responsibilities for other business-related aspects of the museum.
“With Jon serving as Executive Director, Clarissa serving as Associate Director, and Mary’s new role as Business Manager, we feel that the Hickory Museum of Art has the right leadership team to continue its tradition of success and positive impact in the Hickory and Catawba County area,” said Linda Greenwell, Chair of the Executive Director Search Committee. “We are very appreciative of Lisë’s excellent leadership of the museum for the last 13 years, and feel confident that the new leadership team will continue the work she started.”
About the Hickory Museum of Art
The Hickory Museum of Art is an art museum in downtown Hickory, North Carolina that holds exhibitions, events, and public educational programs based on a permanent collection of 19th through 21st century American art. The museum also features a long-term exhibition of Southern contemporary folk art, showcasing the work of self-taught artists from around the region. The Hickory Museum of Art is North Carolina’s second oldest museum, established in 1944 by local artist Paul Whitener. The museum’s permanent collection includes over 2,000 art objects, ranging from Hudson River School paintings, American art pottery, Glass Art, High-Speed Photography, and the work of regional artists.
← Coffee in the Coe: art discussions twice a month.North Carolina Folk Art Society Meets at Hickory Museum of Art →
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May 5, 2013 November 30, -0001
Due to erratic timings ‘Powder’ didn’t do well: Atul Sabharwal
by HP Wire
Mumbai, May 5 (IANS) A brilliant story, taut scripting, effective dialogues and great performances by the cast made “Powder” a perfect crime show for small screen. But its director Atul Sabharwal, who is making his big screen debut “Auragnzeb”, says the show did not get high ratings because of its timings. He feels television is not an effective medium.
Sabharwal directed “Powder” of Yash Raj Films (YRF) Television and the 2010 show was about drugs mafia and saw wonderful performances by the cast that included Manish Chaudhary, Pankaj Tripathi, Geetika Tyagi and Rahul Bagga.
“I guess it was the show timings. It was at 11 in the night, which was not a prime slot. Also, in spite of saying 11 p.m., they never used to start it on time. That erratic timing had cost us some of the TRPs,” he told IANS.
The director does not feel that the Indian television is an effective platform today and has no plans to direct for TV anytime soon.
“I don’t think we have created a platform yet… Maybe 20 years from now… Maybe an Indian version of HBO and BBC will come. I am looking forward to Anil Kapoor’s ’24’ and see what that does, but I haven’t planned anything (for TV) any time soon,” he said.
Instead of TV shows, he said that he would like to “make a mini series”.
“But I don’t think there is a platform on TV, which can take it to a maximum number of people,” he said and added that TV was not his aim, but when the opportunity came, he took it up by making “Powder”.
“Honestly, I never had any intentions of working in TV in India. I had the story since nine years, when I had an opportunity, I went ahead with it. I had no experience in TV and I don’t even watch it,” he said.
The director is now looking forward to the release of his film, “Aurangzeb”, again a crime-drama focusing on land mafia and he has roped in Arjun Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran along with senior actors Rishi Kapoor, Jackie Shroff and Amrita Singh to narrate the story on the big screen.
HP Wire
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by authors, news service providers on this page do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Hill Post. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. Hill Post makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site page.
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January 24, 2008: Judge Orders Written Report on Destruction of CIA Videotapes
US District Judge Richard Roberts says that CIA interrogation videotapes may have been relevant to a case before him and orders the administration to explain why they were destroyed in 2005, and also to say whether other evidence was destroyed. The government has three weeks to produce the report, as the judge thinks the tapes may have been relevant to the case of Guantanamo detainee Hani Abdullah. The charges against Abdullah are based, at least in part, on information obtained from militant leader Abu Zubaida, who was shown on the tapes and was subjected to waterboarding and other “enhanced techniques” (see Spring-Late 2002 and Mid-May 2002 and After). The report also has to explain what the government has done to preserve evidence since Roberts issued an order in July 2005 not to destroy it, what it is doing now, and whether any other potentially relevant evidence has been destroyed. [Associated Press, 1/24/2008]
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Hani Abdullah, Richard W. Roberts
Timeline Tags: Torture of US Captives
Category Tags: Destruction of CIA Tapes, High Value Detainees, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
January 29, 2008: US Predator Drone Kills Al-Qaeda Leader in Pakistan’s Tribal Region
Abu Laith al-Libi. [Source: Associated Press]The US fires a missile from a Predator drone at a house in North Waziristan, in Pakistan’s tribal region. The missile reportedly kills about 13 people. Some of them are said to be militants, and US officials will later confirm that one of those killed is al-Qaeda leader Abu Laith al-Libi. He is considered a top field commander and a liaison between al-Qaeda and the Taliban. [Newsweek, 3/22/2008; Washington Post, 3/27/2008] He is relatively unknown to the public, but in September 2007, the Washington Post profiled him as about one of a dozen of the most important current al-Qaeda leaders. He also survived a US rocket attack in June 2007. [Washington Post, 9/8/2007]
Entity Tags: Abu Laith al-Libi
Category Tags: Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Key Captures and Deaths, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Drone Use in Pakistan / Afghanistan
January 30, 2008: MSNBC Finds over One Quarter of 9/11 Commission Report Endnotes Cite Dubious Detainee Interrogations
MSNBC counts the number of endnotes in the 9/11 Commission report that cite detainee interrogations and finds that more than a quarter of them—441 out of over 1,700—do so. It is widely believed that the detainees were tortured while in US custody, and that statements made under torture are unreliable. One of the detainees, alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, whose interrogations are mentioned hundreds of times in the report (see After January 2004), was extensively waterboarded (see Shortly After February 29 or March 1, 2003), and a CIA manager said that up to 90 percent of the information he provided under questioning was unreliable (see August 6, 2007). The endnotes often give the sources of the information contained in the main text. MSNBC comments: “The analysis shows that much of what was reported about the planning and execution of the terror attacks on New York and Washington was derived from the interrogations of high-ranking al-Qaeda operatives. Each had been subjected to ‘enhanced interrogation techniques.’ Some were even subjected to waterboarding.” In addition, many of the endnotes that cite detainee interrogations are for the report’s “most critical chapters”—five, six, and seven—which cover the planning of the attacks and the hijackers’ time in the US. In total, the Commission relied on more than 100 CIA interrogation reports. Its Executive Director Philip Zelikow admits that “quite a bit, if not most” of its information on the 9/11 conspiracy “did come from the interrogations.” Karen Greenberg, director of the Center for Law and Security at New York University’s School of Law, says, “It calls into question how we were willing to use these interrogations to construct the narrative.” [MSNBC, 1/30/2008]
Entity Tags: Center for Law and Security, 9/11 Commission, MSNBC, Philip Zelikow, Karen Greenberg
Late January 2008: Spanish Criminal Case Reveals French Intelligence Had Informant in Al-Qaeda Safe Haven
On January 16, 2007, a young man known as Asim arrives in Barcelona. He had recently been living in the Pakistani tribal region of Waziristan as an informant for French intelligence. He comes to Barcelona to inform on a group of Pakistanis living in that town who spent time in Pakistani training camps and allegedly are planning a series of suicide attacks in Spain and possibly other European countries. He is posing as one of the suicide bombers. Fearing that an attack is imminent, Spanish authorities arrest most of the suspects three days later (see January 19, 2008). But the Spanish decide that they don’t have enough physical evidence to successfully prosecute the arrested suspects, and they turn Asim into a protected witness for the prosecution. The New York Times will comment, “the case has caused diplomatic friction among investigators. Spain’s handling of the French informant has enraged officials at France’s intelligence agencies and eroded trust between the countries, French and other European officials said. The informant’s value as a source was destroyed when he was made a prosecution witness and the contents of his statements were leaked to the news media.” Asim’s case contradicts the commonly held notion that intelligence agencies have been unable to penetrate al-Qaeda’s central command (see March 20, 2008). But many questions remain. It is unclear when he first penetrated Waziristan as an informant, how much time he spent there, and how high level his al-Qaeda contacts there were. [New York Times, 2/10/2008]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure, Asim
Category Tags: Other Possible Moles or Informants, Al-Qaeda in Spain, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region
January 31, 2008: Civil Liberties Organization Says Abuse of Detainees ‘Undermines Credibility’ of 9/11 Commission Report
The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), an organization dedicated to the protection of civil liberties, releases a statement saying it is “outraged” by revelations about the extent to which the 9/11 Commission report was based on statements from detainees who are said to have been tortured. After MSNBC finds that over a quarter of the report’s endnotes cite detainee interrogations (see January 30, 2008), CCR President Michael Ratner says: “If the Commission suspected there was torture, they should have realized that as a matter of law, evidence derived from torture is not reliable, in part because of the possibility of false confession…at the very least, they should have added caveats to all those references (note: the Commission’s report does contain one caveat related to two chapters—see After January 2004). The Commission’s heavy reliance on tainted sources reinforces the notion that we as a nation have not yet come to terms with the reality that the US engaged in torture. Until we do so, we undermine our credibility in the eyes of the world as a nation of hypocrites.” [Center for Constitutional Rights, 1/31/2008]
Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Michael Ratner, Center for Constitutional Rights
Category Tags: 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations
February 2008: Considerable Video Footage of 9/11 Hijackers Remains Unreleased
Hani Hanjour (left) and Majed Moqed (right) captured by surveillance video on September 5, 2001. [Source: FBI]An FBI timeline of the 9/11 hijackers’ activities compiled in late 2001 and released this month indicates that considerable video footage of the hijackers has yet to be released. Most of the footage appears to come from surveillance video discovered after the 9/11 attacks. So far, the only known footage made public has been two video stills of Hani Hanjour and Majed Moqed using an ATM machine, one still each of Waleed Alshehri and Satam Al Suqami, several stills of Mohamed Atta and Abdulaziz Alomari in Portland the night before 9/11 (see September 10, 2001), and a few more stills and footage of several hijackers in airports on the morning of 9/11 (see (Between 5:45 a.m. and 5:53 a.m.) September 11, 2001 and (7:15 a.m.-7:18 a.m.) September 11, 2001). But the FBI’s timeline reveals video footage that has never even been publicly hinted at:
Mohamed Atta used an ATM in Palm Beach, Florida, on July 19, 2001.
Salem Alhazmi and Ahmed Alghamdi used an ATM in Alexandria, Virginia, on August 2.
Hanjour and Mojed used a Kinko’s for half an hour in College Park, Maryland, on August 10.
Moqed and Nawaf Alhazmi shopped at an Exxon gas station in Joppa, Maryland, on August 28.
Waleed and Wail Alshehri wandered around a Target store in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on September 4.
Atta and Abdulaziz Alomari were in a Florida bank lobby on September 4, and the audio of Atta calling Saudi Arabia was even recorded in the process.
Fayez Ahmed Banihammad used an ATM on September 7 in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
Salem Alhazmi was at the Falls Church DMV on September 7. Low quality surveillance video at the Milner Hotel in Boston showed Marwan Alshehhi and possibly Mohand Alshehri on multiple occasions in the days just before 9/11.
Ziad Jarrah and possibly Saeed Alghamdi were videotaped using a Kinko’s for about an hour near Newark on September 10. [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001 ]
Additionally, an FBI document will later be made public that indicates there is footage of Saeed Alghamdi entering the Marriott Hotel at the Newark International Airport on September 8, carrying a black roll along bag (he will not have any checked luggage on 9/11).
This same document indicates Ziad Jarrah is also seen on videotape shortly after midnight on September 8 at the same Marriott Hotel, making credit card and cash payments for two hotel rooms. He is accompanied by two young men, who most likely are Saeed Alghamdi and Ahmed Alnami. [Investigative Services Division, FBI Headquarters, 4/19/2002]
Entity Tags: Saeed Alghamdi, Wail Alshehri, Waleed Alshehri, Ziad Jarrah, Salem Alhazmi, Nawaf Alhazmi, Mohamed Atta, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Abdulaziz Alomari, Mohand Alshehri, Ahmed Alghamdi, Fayez Ahmed Banihammad, Ahmed Alnami, Marwan Alshehhi
Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, Marwan Alshehhi, Mohamed Atta, Hani Hanjour, Ziad Jarrah, Other 9/11 Hijackers, FBI 9/11 Investigation, 9/11 Investigations
February 2008: Ex-US Soldier from Bosnia War Emerges as Al-Qaeda Leader in Somalia
Abu Mansoor al-Amriki. [Source: Al-Jazeera]A militant in a video message released this month has an interesting background. The message supports Shabab, one of two radical Islamic groups fighting for power in war-torn Somalia. According to a US intelligence source, the militant in the video, Abu Mansoor al-Amriki, is an ex-US soldier who fought in Bosnia in the early 1990s. No US soldiers officially fought in the Bosnia war, but about a dozen Muslim ex-US Special Forces soldiers fought in Bosnia and trained al-Qaeda and other mujaheddin forces there around 1993 (see December 1992-June 1993). At the time, the US military and Saudi government apparently had an interest in sending Muslim ex-Special Forces there (see December 1992-June 1993 and December 1992). Mansoor is said to be a high-ranking member of al-Qaeda’s East Africa leadership, and is a lead trainer for Somali insurgent forces. Although he only appears on video wearing a face mask, it is clear that he is Caucasian. [Middle East Times, 2/28/2008]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Shabab, Abu Mansoor al-Amriki
Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Balkans, Alleged Al-Qaeda Media Statements
February 4, 2008: Willie Nelson Questions Official 9/11 Story
Willie Nelson. [Source: Adam Bielawski / Photorazzi]Renowned country singer and songwriter Willie Nelson publicly questions the official account of what happened on September 11. Appearing on Alex Jones’s talk radio show, Nelson suggests the World Trade Center was brought down with explosives. He says, “I saw those towers fall and I’ve seen an implosion in Las Vegas, there’s too much similarities between the two.” Referring to WTC 7, which fell in the afternoon of 9/11 though no plane hit it, he says: “I saw the building fall that didn’t get hit by nothing. So, how naive are we, you know, what do they think we’ll go for?” [KVUE News, 2/4/2008; Associated Press, 2/5/2008] Nelson has previously engaged in political activism, such as raising money for small family farmers and writing a song protesting the Iraq war. [Reuters, 1/1/2004; Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1/19/2004]
Entity Tags: Willie Nelson
Category Tags: US Government and 9/11 Criticism
February 4, 2008: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Calls for New 9/11 Inquiry
The editorial board of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer calls for a new inquiry into 9/11, as it believes the 9/11 Commission’s investigation may have been compromised. The call is due to a new book by New York Times journalist Philip Shenon, The Commission: The Uncensored History of the 9/11 Commission. The book highlights the close relationship between 9/11 Commission Executive Director Philip Zelikow and the White House, in particular National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice, as well as an attempt he made to connect Iraq to al-Qaeda. The Post-Intelligencer writes of Zelikow that “[s]omeone with an apparent deference for the White House should not have been trusted with such a valued task.” It comments, “If bulletproof, the book prompts us to add one more thing to our to-do list for the next administration: Pressure it to charge a panel of independent experts to write a real, nonpartisan report on the attacks.” [Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 2/4/2008]
Entity Tags: Condoleezza Rice, Bush administration (43), Philip Shenon, Philip Zelikow, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 9/11 Commission
February 11, 2008: Pentagon Intends to Try Six Alleged 9/11 Conspirators, Will Seek Death Penalty
The Defense Department announces that it is bringing death penalty charges against six high-value enemy detainees currently being held at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. The six, all charged with involvement in the 9/11 attacks, will be tried under the much-criticized military tribunal system (see October 17, 2006) implemented by the Bush administration. They are:
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, a Pakistani who claims responsibility for 31 terrorist attacks and plots, is believed to have masterminded the 9/11 attacks, and claims he beheaded Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl (see January 31, 2002). Mohammed was subjected to harsh interrogation tactics by the CIA, including waterboarding.
Ali Adbul Aziz Ali, Mohammed’s nephew and cousin of jailed Islamist terrorist Ramzi Yousef. He is accused of facilitating the attacks by sending $120,000 to US-based terrorists, and helping nine of the hijackers enter the US.
Ramzi Bin al-Shibh, accused of being a link between al-Qaeda and the 9/11 hijackers. Bin al-Shibh is accused of helping some of the hijackers obtain flight training.
Khallad bin Attash, who has admitted planning the attack on the USS Cole (see October 12, 2000) and is accused of running an al-Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan. He claims to have helped in the bombing of the US embassy in Kenya (see 10:35-10:39 a.m., August 7, 1998).
Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi, accused of being a financier of the 9/11 attacks, providing the hijackers with cash, clothing, credit cards, and traveller’s checks.
Mohamed al-Khatani, another man accused of being a “20th hijacker;” al-Khatani was stopped by immigration officials at Orlando Airport while trying to enter the US. He was captured in Afghanistan.
Many experts see the trials as part of an election-year effort by the Bush administration to demonstrate its commitment to fighting terrorism, and many predict a surge of anti-American sentiment in the Middle East and throughout the Islamic world. Some believe that the Bush administration is using the trials to enhance the political fortunes of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who has made the US battle against al-Qaeda a centerpiece of his campaign. “What we are looking at is a series of show trials by the Bush administration that are really devoid of any due process considerations,” says Vincent Warren, the executive director head of the Center for Constitutional Rights, which represents many Guantanamo detainees. “Rather than playing politics the Bush administration should be seeking speedy and fair trials. These are trials that are going to be based on torture as confessions as well as secret evidence. There is no way that this can be said to be fair especially as the death penalty could be an outcome.”
Treatment of Detainees an Issue - While the involvement of the six detainees in the 9/11 attacks is hardly disputed, many questions surround their treatment at Guantanamo and various secret “black sites” used to house and interrogate terror suspects out of the public eye. Questions are being raised about the decision to try the six men concurrently instead of separately, about the decision to seek the death penalty, and, most controversially, the admissibility of information and evidence against the six that may have been gathered by the use of torture.
Details of Forthcoming Tribunals - While the charges are being announced now, Brigadier General Thomas Hartmann, the Pentagon official supervising the case, acknowledges that it could be months before the cases actually begin, and years before any possible executions would be carried out. Hartmann promises the trials will be “as completely open as possible,” with lawyers and journalists present in the courtroom unless classified information is being presented. Additionally, the six defendants will be considered innocent until proven guilty, and the defendants’ lawyers will be given “every stitch of evidence” against their clients.
'Kangaroo Court' - British lawyer Clive Stafford Smith, who has worked with “enemy combatants” at Guantanamo, believes nothing of what Hartmann says. The procedures are little more than a “kangaroo court,” Stafford Smith says, and adds, “Anyone can see the hypocrisy of espousing human rights, then trampling on them.” Despite Hartmann’s assurances, it is anything but clear just what rights the six defendants will actually have. [Independent, 2/12/2008] The charges against al-Khahtani are dropped several months later (see May 13, 2008).
Entity Tags: Vincent Warren, US Department of Defense, Khallad bin Attash, Daniel Pearl, Clive Stafford Smith, John McCain, Mohamed al-Khatani, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Thomas Hartmann, Center for Constitutional Rights, Ramzi Yousef, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Bush administration (43), Mustafa Ahmed al-Hawsawi, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, Al-Qaeda
Category Tags: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Al-Qaeda in Germany, 1998 US Embassy Bombings, 2000 USS Cole Bombing, High Value Detainees, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics, Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh, 9/11 Related Criminal Proceedings
February 18, 2008: Moroccan Police Raid Islamist Militant Group Led by Belgian Government Informant
Moroccan police arrest 35 people for involvement in a radical militant group led by an informant for the Belgian government. Over the next several weeks, it will gradually be leaked to the media that the arrested leader of the group, Abdelkader Belliraj, has worked for Belgian intelligence and possibly the CIA since at least 2000 (see February 29, 2008). Belliraj holds both Belgian and Moroccan citizenship and is a Shiite. His unnamed group has both Shiite and Sunni Muslim links, and is linked to Islamist militant groups like al-Qaeda as well as to traditional organized crime. Others arrested in Morocco with Belliraj include local politicians, businessmen, a police commander and Hezbollah television station correspondent. A large stockpile of weapons is found in police raids, including assault rifles, machine guns, and detonators. Two days after the raids, the small Islamist party al-Badil al-Hadari is officially dissolved after several of those arrested are found to have links to the party, including the party’s secretary general. The Moroccan government claims Belliraj’s group was planning a series of political assassinations in Morocco. [Los Angeles Times, 2/27/2008; Terrorism Focus, 3/4/2008]
Entity Tags: Abdelkader Belliraj
Category Tags: Other Possible Moles or Informants, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
February 18, 2008: Opposition Parties Triumph in Pakistan’s Parliamentary Elections; Musharraf Remains President but Is Greatly Weakened
Pakistan holds parliamentary elections, and opposition parties are the overwhelming winners. President Pervez Musharraf does not lose his presidency, as he was reelected by the National Assembly several months earlier (see October 6, 2007). However, his party, Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q), loses control of the National Assembly, enabling the opposition parties to select their own prime minister a short time later. Much power will now shift to the position of prime minister, which had been completely overshadowed by Musharraf and his presidency since he took power in a coup in 1999 (see October 12, 1999). The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) wins 120 seats. The PPP was led by Benazir Bhutto until her recent assassination, and is now led by her husband, Asif Ali Zardari. The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), the party led by former primer minister Nawaz Sharif, gets 90. Musharraf’s PML-Q only wins 51 seats. Surprisingly, the Islamic parties are almost completely wiped out. The alliance of Islamic parties, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), did well and won two provincial elections in the last election in 2002, but this time it only wins six seats. A secular and moderate party, the Awami National Party, wins in the North-West Frontier Province, taking control from the MMA and forming the new provincial government there. No single party holds a majority, but the PPP immediately announces a coalition with Sharif’s PML-N party, shutting Musharraf’s PML-Q party out. Musharraf once had 80 percent popularity ratings in polls, but after many recent controversial moves, including declaring a state of emergency for over a month to stay in power (see November 3-December 15, 2007), his popularity rating is down to about 20 percent. [Rashid, 2008, pp. 390-391] One month later, the coalition selects a relatively unknown figure, Yousaf Raza Gillani, to be the new prime minister (see March 22-25, 2008).
Entity Tags: Benazir Bhutto, Awami National Party, Pakistan People’s Party, Pervez Musharraf, Asif Ali Zardari, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Pakistan Muslim League-N, Nawaz Sharif
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI
February 22, 2008: Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence Attribute Failure to Exploit Yemen Hub Calls to 1981 Executive Order
Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell write to Silvestre Reyes, the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, about their desire to see the Protect America Act renewed. In the letter, they mention the failure to exploit NSA intercepts of calls between the 9/11 hijackers in the US and al-Qaeda’s main global communications hub, which apparently had the potential to thwart the 9/11 plot (see Early 2000-Summer 2001). They write: “[O]ne of the September 11th hijackers communicated with a known overseas terrorist facility while he was living in the United States. Because that collection was conducted under Executive Order 12333, the intelligence community could not identify the domestic end of the communication prior to September 11, 2001, when it could have stopped that attack.” [US Department of Justice and Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 2/28/2008 ] Executive Order 12333 became law in 1981 and governed general activities by the US intelligence community. [US President, 12/4/1981] The order did allow the NSA to disseminate information about US persons to law enforcement officials in the event of an impending terrorist act. [US Congress: House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, 4/12/2000] The letter does not give more detailed reasons why Mukasey and McConnell think the NSA could not have traced the calls and informed the FBI of the two hijackers’ presence in the US (see (Spring 2000)). [US Department of Justice and Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 2/28/2008 ] Similar incorrect statements have been made by numerous intelligence officials since December 2005, when the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping program was revealed (see December 17, 2005).
Entity Tags: National Security Agency, Michael Mukasey, Mike McConnell, Silvestre Reyes
Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, Remote Surveillance, Yemen Hub
February 23, 2008: Wanted US Citizen Gives Public Speech in Yemen and Remains Free Despite $5 Million Reward for His Arrest
Jaber Elbaneh’s appearance in court. [Source: Associated Press / Mohammed al-Qadhi.]Jaber Elbaneh, an Islamist militant wanted by the US, comes out of hiding to appear in court in Yemen, but is not arrested. Elbaneh, a US citizen and whose family came from Yemen, had lived in Lackawanna, New York, before the 9/11 attacks. He went to Afghanistan to train at an al-Qaeda training camp along with about six other men from Lackawanna, but while the others dropped out and returned to the US, Elbaneh never returned (see April-August 2001). He moved to Yemen. The Yemeni government says he also helped plan the 2002 attack on the oil tanker Limburg off Yemen’s coast (see October 6, 2002). He was arrested there in 2004 after being charged in the US for attending the training camp. He was sentenced to ten years in prison, but in February 2006, he and 22 other suspected al-Qaeda operatives escaped from a high-security Yemeni prison (see February 3, 2006). The US offered $5 million for information leading to his arrest. Elbaneh was then implicated in a September 2006 bombing in Yemen that took place several days before national elections (see September 15, 2006). Some suggest the bombers may have colluded with the government to use the bombing to successfully help Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh win reelection. Elbaneh was convicted, but allowed to stay at home under a loose form of house arrest. Given the outstanding $5 million reward for him, Elbaneh appears to surprise everyone by appearing in court where his conviction in the 2006 bombing was being appealed. Furthermore, he gives a speech proclaiming his innocence. He says that after his prison escape, he surrendered directly to President Saleh in May 2007, who absolved him of any jail time. The New York Times comments: “Perhaps the greatest mystery surrounding [Elbaneh] is his decision to appear in court… The Yemeni government has generally instructed the jihadists with whom it arranges amnesty to avoid the news media and keep low profiles. But Mr. Elbaneh deliberately spoke out in a public setting, with journalists present, and named the president in his brief tirade.” [Reuters, 2/27/2008; New York Times, 3/1/2008]
Entity Tags: Jaber Elbaneh, Ali Abdallah Saleh
Category Tags: Yemeni Militant Collusion, "Lackawanna Six"
February 27, 2008: Report: US Finally Decides Imam to 9/11 Hijackers Is Linked to Al-Qaeda
The Washington Post reports that US intelligence has finally determined that Anwar al-Awlaki is linked to al-Qaeda. Al-Awlaki was an imam at two different mosques attended by hijackers Nawaf Alhazmi, Khalid Almihdhar, and Hani Hanjour, and he has been suspected of assisting the 9/11 plot. An anonymous US counterterrorism official tells the Post, “There is good reason to believe Anwar al-Awlaki has been involved in very serious terrorist activities since leaving the United States [after 9/11], including plotting attacks against America and our allies.” However, the US apparently did not ask Yemen to extradite him when he was arrested there in 2006, because there was no pending legal case against him. He continues to reside in Yemen and apparently still has not been charged with any crime. [Washington Post, 2/27/2008] In December 2007, just two months before this article, the US approved the release of al-Awlaki in Yemen, apparently because there still was no pending legal case against him (see Early September 2006-December 2007). He also does not appear to be on any public wanted list.
Entity Tags: Anwar al-Awlaki, Al-Qaeda
Category Tags: FBI 9/11 Investigation, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Possible Hijacker Associates in US, 9/11 Investigations, Anwar Al-Awlaki
February 28, 2008: US Predator Drone Kills at Least 12 in Pakistan
A missile fired from a US Predator drone kills at least 12 people in Pakistan. The missile hits a house in the village of Kaloosha, near the Afghan border. Some suspected militants are reportedly killed, but details are scanty. [BBC, 3/16/2008; Washington Post, 3/27/2008]
Category Tags: Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Drone Use in Pakistan / Afghanistan
February 29, 2008: Director of National Intelligence McConnell Says Afghan Government Is Losing Control
Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell testifies before Congress that the security situation in Afghanistan is “deteriorating.” He estimates that the official Afghan government led by Hamid Karzai controls only about 30 percent of Afghanistan, while the Taliban controls 10 percent and the rest is controlled by various tribes and warlords. He says that the key to the Taliban’s success “is the opportunity for safe haven in Pakistan.” Karzai’s government denies McConnell’s claims. However, various think tank reports echo McConnell’s conclusions. One report headed by former NATO commander Gen. James L. Jones concludes that “urgent changes” are immediately required to “prevent Afghanistan becoming a failed state.” [Guardian, 2/29/2008]
Entity Tags: Taliban, Hamid Karzai, James L. Jones, Mike McConnell
Timeline Tags: War in Afghanistan
Category Tags: Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Afghanistan
February 29, 2008: Arrested Leader of Moroccan Militant Group Revealed to Be Belgian Informant with Possible CIA Links
Abdelkader Belliraj. [Source: Agence France-Presse]The Belgian media reports that Abdelkader Belliraj, a dual Belgian-Moroccan citizen arrested in Morocco earlier in the month, is actually a long-time informant for Belgium’s internal security service, State Security. [Agence France-Presse, 2/29/2008; Los Angeles Times, 8/24/2008] The Belgian government initially denies the charges but soon tacitly admits them when the head of State Security, Alain Winants, complains about the leak of the “highly classified” status of Belliraj several days later. Agence France-Presse reports that although the “accusations were at first met with scepticism in Belgium, authorities now consider them credible.” Belliraj has been personally involved in armed robberies and murders dating back to the 1980s, and has links to al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and other Islamist militant groups. It remains unclear if Belliraj was committing all his crimes with the approval of Belgian officials or if he may have been duping them to some degree. One anonymous Belgian police official speculates: “How could he travel freely since the 1980s from Belgium to various terrorist hot-beds around the world? There are two possibilities: either he worked for a secret service or else the State Security is full of idiots.” [Agence France-Presse, 3/11/2008] On Belgian newspaper claims that at the same time he was a paid Belgian informant since 2000, “It’s almost certain that at the same time he worked for another foreign secret service, possibly the French DGSE or American CIA.” [Het Laatste News, 3/4/2008] Another major Belgian newspaper, De Morgen, claims that Belliraj had both French and US intelligence links while working with Belgium too. [Maghreb Arabe Presse, 3/4/2008]
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure, Abdelkader Belliraj, Alain Winants, State Security (of Belgium)
Spring 2008: CIA Director Told about Al-Qaeda Assassination and Capture Program
CIA Director Michael Hayden and his top aides are told about one aspect of an agency program to capture and assassinate al-Qaeda leaders. The program was proposed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and has been under development at the agency for years, although it has not yet become operational (see Shortly After September 17, 2001). Details of what Hayden is told are unclear, although he is told about plans that involve gathering sensitive information in a foreign country. Hayden orders that the operation be scaled back and that Congress be notified if the plans become more fully developed. However, Congress is not informed before Hayden’s successor cancels the program (see June 23, 2009). [New York Times, 7/14/2009]
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Michael Hayden
March 6, 2008: US Agents Arrest Al-Qaeda-Linked Arms Dealer Victor Bout in Thailand
Victor Bout in handcuffs in Thailand on the day of his arrest. [Source: Associated Press]Victor Bout, the world’s biggest illegal arms dealer, is arrested in Thailand. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had set up a sting operation to nab Bout. For months, DEA agents posed as members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a militant group linked to drug trafficking and organized crime. DEA agents and Thai police meet Bout at the five-star Sofitel Silom Hotel in Bangkok, supposedly to finalize an arms deal, and immediately arrest him and his bodyguards. According to a Thai police officer, Bout does not resist arrest but merely says, “The game is over.” A relatively new DEA task force is behind Bout’s arrest, even as news reports indicate Bout’s fleet of aircraft has been shipping supplies to the US military in Iraq in recent years. The DEA agents posed as arms dealers working for FARC but went after Bout because of evidence that he had been involved in drug smuggling as well. Bout faces up to 10 years in prison in Thailand for taking part in illegal weapons deals there. US officials are also seeking Bout’s extradition to the US so he can face more charges. Bout is a Russian citizen and has been based in Russia in recent years, but the Russian government has decided against seeking his extradition. Mother Jones comments, “Willing to work for anyone, Bout’s business divorced itself from any political, philosophical, or moral constraint. It delivered military cargo with equal enthusiasm to terrorists, guerrilla insurgents, rebel warlords, embattled dictatorships, legitimate businesses, humanitarian aid groups, and sovereign governments, including the United States” (see Late April 2003-2007). He also worked with the Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked groups (see Summer 2002 and Late July 2006). Experts note that Bout’s network has been unique in providing a full range of smuggling services and it is unlikely it will survive without him. [Mother Jones, 3/16/2006]
Entity Tags: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, Drug Enforcement Administration, Victor Bout
Category Tags: Victor Bout, Drugs, Key Captures and Deaths, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
March 14, 2008: Alleged Al-Qaeda Leader Sent to Guantanamo, Declared ‘High Value’ Prisoner
Alleged al-Qaeda leader Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani is transferred to the US-run prison in Guantanamo, Cuba, and officially declared a “high value” prisoner. Rahim was captured in Lahore, Pakistan, by local forces in July 2007 (see July 2007) and then was held in a secret CIA prison until his transfer to Guantanamo (see Late July 2007-March 14, 2008).
Why Is Rahim Considered Important? - Rahim is just the 16th person the US government has declared a “high value” prisoner. Fourteen prisoners were given that label when they were transferred from secret CIA prisons to Guantanamo in September 2006 (see September 6, 2006 and September 2-3, 2006). The 15th was Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi, who was held by the CIA in autumn 2006 and sent to Guantanamo in April 2007 (see Autumn 2006-Late April 2007). [Los Angeles Times, 3/15/2008] Although there had been reports in Pakistan about Rahim shortly after his arrest, virtually nothing was known about him until his transfer to Guantanamo. [Asian News International, 8/2/2007] He may have experienced extreme sleep deprivation during CIA interrogations (see August and November 2007).
Hayden's Memo - There still are no published photographs of him. At the same time Rahim is sent to Guantanamo, CIA Director Michael Hayden issues a memo to CIA employees explaining Rahim’s alleged importance. Hayden calls Rahim a “tough, seasoned jihadist” with “high-level contacts,” and claims his arrest “was a blow to more than one terrorist network. He gave aid to al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and other anti-coalition militants.” According to Hayden, Rahim sought chemicals for an attack on US forces in Afghanistan and tried to recruit people who had access to US military facilities there. He helped prepare Tora Bora as a hideout in 2001, and then helped al-Qaeda operatives flee the area when US forces overran it in late 2001. But perhaps most importantly, Rahim had become one of Osama bin Laden’s most trusted facilitators and translators in the years prior to Rahim’s arrest. [Los Angeles Times, 3/15/2008; New York Times, 3/15/2008]
Entity Tags: Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani, Al-Qaeda, Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi, Central Intelligence Agency, Osama bin Laden, Michael Hayden
Category Tags: High Value Detainees
March 16, 2008: US Predator Drone Kills at Least 16 in Pakistan
A missile fired from a US Predator drone kills at least 16 people in Pakistan. The missile hits a house in the village of Toog in South Waziristan, part of Pakistan’s tribal region where al-Qaeda leaders are believed to be residing. The house is said to belong to an unnamed militant leader, and several militants are reportedly killed. However, details are scanty. [BBC, 3/16/2008; Newsweek, 3/22/2008]
March 18, 2008: WTC Developer Wants over $12 Billion Damages for 9/11
It is revealed that Larry Silverstein, the developer of Ground Zero, is seeking $12.3 billion in damages from airlines and airport security companies for the attacks on 9/11. Silverstein sought the damages in a claim filed in 2004, alleging that the companies failed to prevent the hijackers from taking over the planes that destroyed the World Trade Center buildings. The size of his claim was previously unknown, but is now revealed at a status conference in the US District Court in Manhattan. [New York Times, 3/27/2008] Of the $12.3 billion sought, $8.4 billion would be to replace the property destroyed in the attacks, and the other $3.9 billion would cover lost income and expenses associated with renting the new buildings. Companies named in the suit include American Airlines, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Boeing, and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), which manages Logan Airport in Boston, from where the two planes that hit the WTC took off. [CNN, 3/27/2008] Silverstein’s case is consolidated with similar, earlier lawsuits by other property owners and some families of 9/11 victims. Silverstein is by far the biggest of the claimants. A lawyer for the airlines says that if Silverstein wins, it could push the total claims beyond the amount of insurance the airlines and security companies have available. Silverstein, the CEO and president of Silverstein Properties, only signed the 99-year lease on the World Trade Center six weeks before 9/11 (see July 24, 2001). He has already won nearly $4.6 billion in insurance payments stemming from the attacks (see May 23, 2007). [New York Times, 3/27/2008; NY1 News, 3/28/2008]
Entity Tags: Boeing Company, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, Massachusetts Port Authority, United Airlines, Larry Silverstein
Category Tags: 9/11 Related Lawsuits
March 19, 2008: Alleged Audio Recording of Bin Laden Claims Publication of Cartoon Showing Muhammad Worse than Bombing Civilians
A new audio recording is released, allegedly from al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The voice on the tape directs the message to “the intelligent ones in the European Union” and discusses a cartoon said to be offensive to Muslims—showing the prophet Muhammed with a bomb in his turban—that was recently re-printed by all major Danish newspapers. The tape, which criticises US-led bombing of “those modest mud villages which have collapsed onto our women and children,” says that the “morals of fighting” should be observed in conflict, but the west has abandoned them, “even if you hold aloft its slogans in theory.” However, the publication of the cartoon and other similar ones is worse than bombing innocent civilians: “Although our tragedy in your killing of our women and children is a very great one, it paled when you went overboard in your unbelief and freed yourselves of the etiquettes of dispute and fighting and went to the extent of publishing these insulting drawings. This is the greater and more serious tragedy, and reckoning for it will be more severe.” The voice also claims that, despite the publication, “you haven’t seen any reaction from the one and a half billion Muslims.” [Council on Foreign Relations, 3/19/2008] In actual fact, when the cartoons were first published there were protests around the world in which dozens were killed, and Danish diplomatic offices were destroyed in two cities. [BBC, 3/20/2008] The voice argues that the cartoons should not have been published under freedom of expression, as US troops in Europe are not subject to European law, and, according to the voice, those who question the amount of Jews killed in the holocaust are suppressed. In addition, when the King of Saudi Arabia told Britain to stop its investigation of the corrupt al-Yamamah deal, British Prime Minister Tony Blair complied. [Council on Foreign Relations, 3/19/2008] The message comes on the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq (see March 19, 2003). [BBC, 3/20/2008] However, the man thought to be bin Laden makes no mention of Iraq on the tape. [Council on Foreign Relations, 3/19/2008] The audio message is released in video form with a graphic showing a still image of bin Laden holding an AK-47 and bearing the logo of as-Sahab, al-Qaeda’s media wing. There is a written translation of the message in English. It is unclear when the message, released by posting at an Islamist website, was recorded. [BBC, 3/20/2008]
Entity Tags: As-Sahab, Osama bin Laden
Category Tags: Osama Bin Laden, Alleged Al-Qaeda Media Statements
March 20, 2008: Washington Post Promotes Myth that Intelligence Agencies Have Failed to Penetrate Al-Qaeda
The Washington Post publishes a front page story promoting the myth that al-Qaeda has never been effectively penetrated by intelligence agencies. The article by Craig Whitlock is titled After a Decade at War With West, Al-Qaeda Still Impervious to Spies. It states that “al-Qaeda’s core organization in Pakistan and Afghanistan has so far proved impervious to damaging leaks.” It quotes Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA’s bin Laden unit, who says that from 1992 until November 2004 (when he left the CIA), “[the CIA] worked side by side with the Egyptians, the Jordanians—the very best Arab intelligence services—and they didn’t recruit a single person who could report on al-Qaeda.” The article seems to be a reaction to the case of Abdelkader Belliraj, which was publicly exposed several weeks earlier, when Belliraj was arrested in Morocco (see February 18, 2008 and February 29, 2008). The article notes that Belliraj was a Belgian government informant and important Islamist militant leader who had al-Qaeda links for years and met with al-Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan (see 2001). Belliraj’s case seemingly undercuts the thrust of the article, but the rest of the article mostly quotes a series of anonymous intelligence officials who say penetrating al-Qaeda would be next to impossible. [Washington Post, 3/20/2008] Whitlock’s article ignores numerous reports that al-Qaeda has repeatedly been penetrated by the CIA and other intelligence agencies. For instance:
In 2002, US News and World Report reported, “Once thought nearly impossible to penetrate, al-Qaeda is proving no tougher a target than the KGB or the Mafia—closed societies that took the US government years to get inside.” An unnamed US intelligence official said: “We’re getting names, the different camps they trained at, the hierarchy, the infighting. It’s very promising” (see September 22, 2002).
In 2004, author Ronald Kessler wrote, “Often, the CIA used operatives from Arab intelligence services like those of Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and other countries to infiltrate bin Laden’s organization.” He quoted a longtime CIA officer who said, “Egyptians, Jordanians, [and] Palestinians penetrated the bin Laden organization for us. It’s B.S. that we didn’t” (see Before September 11, 2001).
In 2006, journalist Ron Suskind reported that by late 2002, the CIA had developed “a source from within Pakistan who was tied tightly into al-Qaeda management.” He also noted that other informants had been recruited since 9/11, and commented, “It has been generally acknowledged that the United States does not have any significant human sources… inside al-Qaeda. That is not true” (see Late 2002).
In a 2007 book, former CIA Director George Tenet claimed that the CIA had over 100 assets in Afghanistan by 9/11 (see Before September 11, 2001). He also claimed that “a group of assets from a Middle Eastern service” sharing information with the CIA penetrated al-Qaeda, and some of them penetrated al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan before 9/11 (see Early September 2001).
In February 2008, the New York Times reported that French intelligence had an informant that penetrated al-Qaeda’s safe haven in Pakistan’s tribal region (see Late January 2008).
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Craig Whitlock, Michael Scheuer, Abdelkader Belliraj
Category Tags: Other Possible Moles or Informants, Media
March 20, 2008: Bin Laden Allegedly Releases New Tape
A man thought to be Osama bin Laden releases a new audio message urging Muslims to join the insurgency in Iraq, as this is the “nearest jihad battlefield to support our people in Palestine.” The message comes one day after the previous communication thought to be from bin Laden (see March 19, 2008) and just over five years after the invasion of Iraq (see March 19, 2003). According to the person thought to be bin Laden, “Palestine cannot be retaken by negotiations and dialogue, but with fire and iron,” and Arab leaders were complicit in Israeli attacks on Gaza. “The people of the blessed land should sense the great favour God has bestowed upon them and do what they should do to support their mujahideen brothers in Iraq,” the speaker says. “It is a great opportunity and a major duty for my brothers the Palestinian emigrants [in Arab countries], between whom and jihad on the plains of Jerusalem a barrier has been built.” [BBC, 3/20/2008]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden
March 22-25, 2008: Victors of Pakistan’s Parliamentary Elections Pick New Prime Minister, Effectively Sidelining President Musharraf
President Musharraf swearing in Yousaf Raza Gillani as Pakistan’s latest prime minister. [Source: Agence France-Presse - Getty Images] (click image to enlarge)In parliamentary elections in February 2008, a coalition of opposition parties led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) took effective political control from President Pervez Musharraf, although Musharraf remains president (see February 18, 2008). On March 22, the leader of the PPP, Asif Ali Zardari, picks Yousaf Raza Gillani to become Pakistan’s new prime minister. Gillani assumes the position in a ceremony on March 25. Zardari is the husband of the recently assassinated and very popular Benazir Bhutto. He reportedly wants the prime minister position for himself, but he is not yet eligible for it as he does not hold a seat in parliament. Gillani is a relatively unknown low-key party stalwart. The New York Times comments that Gillani’s selection seems a “prelude to a drive by Mr. Zardari to take the job himself in the next few months.” [New York Times, 3/23/2008] Within hours of becoming prime minister, Gillani frees the judges that had been placed under house arrest during Musharraf’s state of emergency several months before (see November 3-December 15, 2007). He frees Supreme Court head Iftikhar Chaudhry, the 13 other Supreme Court judges, and 48 High Court judges who refused to sign a loyalty oath. [New York Times, 3/25/2008]
Entity Tags: Yousaf Raza Gillani, Pakistan People’s Party, Asif Ali Zardari, Iftikhar Chaudhry, Pervez Musharraf
March 23, 2008: Al-Zawahiri Releases New Audio Tape Calling for Revenge for Gaza Raids
Al-Qaeda second in command Ayman al-Zawahiri releases a new audio tape calling for attacks on Israeli and Western targets to avenge recent Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip. The tape is released by posting to the Internet and produced by al-Qaeda’s media arm, As-Sahab. “O Muslims. Today is your day. Hit the interest of the Jews and the Americans and all those who participated in the aggression against Muslims,” says al-Zawahiri. “Monitor the targets, collect the money, prepare the hardware, plan accurately, and then attack.” Al-Zawahiri adds, “No one can say today that we should fight the Jews in Palestine only,” and calls for Muslims to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip against Israel. Demonstrations only serve to let off steam, he says, so Palestinians should focus on armed struggle. “Let them know that they would bleed for every dollar they spend on killing Muslims,” he says. “They cannot… insult our prophet and support Israel, and expect to live in peace in their countries.” Al-Zawahiri also accuses Arab leaders of colluding with the US and Israel in blockading Palestinians in Gaza. “The satanic alliance shows us its ugliness and how low it is, an alliance of the crusaders and the Jews and with them [Egyptian President Hosni] Mubarak, and [Saudi Arabia’s ruling] Saud family, and the son of al-Hussein [Jordan’s King Abdullah].” [Reuters, 3/24/2008]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, As-Sahab
Category Tags: Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Alleged Al-Qaeda Media Statements
March 24, 2008: Soon-to-Be UN Official Wants Investigation of Possible Neoconservative Role in 9/11
Richard Falk. [Source: Richard Lord / World Council of Churches]Days before being selected for a United Nations Human Rights Council post, retired international law professor Richard Falk says he wants an official commission to investigate the role neoconservatives may have played in the 9/11 attacks. [New York Sun, 4/9/2008] Falk is professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University. [London Times, 4/15/2008] In a radio interview, he says: “It is possibly true that especially the neoconservatives thought there was a situation in the country and in the world where something had to happen to wake up the American people.… All we can say is there is a lot of grounds for suspicion, there should be an official investigation of the sort the 9/11 Commission did not engage in and that the failure to do these things is cheating the American people and in some sense the people of the world of a greater confidence in what really happened than they presently possess.” Two days later, on March 26, Falk will be appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to a newly created position to report on human rights in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. [New York Sun, 4/9/2008] In 2004, he wrote the foreword to The New Pearl Harbor by David Ray Griffin, a book that put forward evidence that the Bush administration may have orchestrated the 9/11 attacks or deliberately allowed them to happen (see March 1, 2004). [Griffin, 2004, pp. vii-x; New York Sun, 4/9/2008] Falk also contributed a chapter to the book, co-edited by Griffin, 9/11 and American Empire: Intellectuals Speak Out. [Griffin and Scott, 2006, pp. 117-127; London Times, 4/15/2008]
Entity Tags: Richard Falk
March 24, 2008: US Effort to Fight Financing of Terrorism Is ‘Foundering’
A front page article in the Los Angeles Times reports that the US effort to fight the financing of terrorism is “foundering.” Insiders complain that the Bush administration’s efforts are stumbling over legal difficulties, interagency fighting, and disagreements with allied nations. Michael Jacobson, a recently retired senior adviser in the Treasury Department’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, says, “The international cooperation and focus is dropping, the farther we get from 9/11.” The Times notes that “Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other key nations have not taken the necessary steps to crack down on terrorist financing or suspect money flowing across their borders.” Designations of terrorist financiers has slowed to a “trickle.” Militant groups are also using methods that are harder to trace, including sending money by donkey or mule. Robert Grenier, recently retired director of the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center, says the US has exaggerated the successes of financial enforcement: “There’s been a lot of work done on it, a lot of focus. But as a method for identifying and capturing terrorists, it has not been significant.” [Los Angeles Times, 3/24/2008]
Entity Tags: Robert Grenier, US Department of the Treasury, Counterterrorist Center, Michael Jacobson
Category Tags: Terrorism Financing, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
March 27, 2008: Attorney General Makes Puzzling Claim about Pre-9/11 Communication Intercept
Attorney General Michael Mukasey makes an apparent reference to the intercepts of the 9/11 hijackers’ calls by the NSA before the attacks in a speech pleading for extra surveillance powers. Mukasey says: “[Officials] shouldn’t need a warrant when somebody with a phone in Iraq picks up a phone and calls somebody in the United States because that’s the call that we may really want to know about. And before 9/11, that’s the call that we didn’t know about. We knew that there has been a call from someplace that was known to be a safe house in Afghanistan and we knew that it came to the United States. We didn’t know precisely where it went.” [FORA(.tv), 3/27/2008; New York Sun, 3/28/2008] According to a Justice Department response to a query about the speech, this appears to be a reference to the Yemen hub, an al-Qaeda communications facility previously alluded to by Mukasey in a similar context (see February 22, 2008). [Salon, 4/4/2008] However, the hub was in Yemen, not Afghanistan and, although it acted as a safe house, it was primarily a communications hub (see Early 2000-Summer 2001). In addition, the NSA did not intercept one call between it and the 9/11 hijackers in the US, but several, involving both Khalid Almihdhar and Nawaf Alhazmi, not just one of the hijackers (see Spring-Summer 2000, Mid-October 2000-Summer 2001, and (August 2001)). Nevertheless, the NSA failed to inform the FBI the hub was calling the US (see (Spring 2000)). (Note: it is possible Mukasey is not talking about the Yemen hub in this speech, but some other intercept genuinely from an al-Qaeda safe house in Afghanistan—for example a call between lead hijacker Mohamed Atta in the US and alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who may have been in Afghanistan when such call was intercepted by the NSA (see Summer 2001 and September 10, 2001). However, several administration officials have made references similar to Mukasey’s about the Yemen hub since the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping program was revealed (see December 17, 2005).)
Entity Tags: Michael Mukasey
Timeline Tags: 9/11 Timeline, Civil Liberties
March 29, 2008: Media Confused over Attorney General Mukasey’s New Claim of Afghan Intercept before 9/11
Some media outlets pick up on a claim made by Attorney General Michael Mukasey on March 27, 2008, when he said that the US intercepted a call to a 9/11 hijacker in the US from an al-Qaeda safe house in Afghanistan (see March 27, 2008). This was possibly a garbled reference to an al-Qaeda hub in Yemen (see Early 2000-Summer 2001) mentioned by several administration officials since the NSA’s warrantless wiretapping story was exposed (see December 17, 2005). The San Francisco Chronicle notes that Mukasey “did not explain why the government, if it knew of telephone calls from suspected foreign terrorists, hadn’t sought a wiretapping warrant from a court established by Congress to authorize terrorist surveillance, or hadn’t monitored all such calls without a warrant for 72 hours as allowed by law.” [San Francisco Chronicle, 3/28/2008] Salon commentator and former civil rights litigator Glenn Greenwald will attack Mukasey over the story, commenting, “These are multiple falsehoods here, and independently, this whole claim makes no sense.” [Salon, 3/29/2008; Salon, 4/4/2008]
9/11 Commission Comment - In response to a query from Greenwald, former 9/11 Commission executive director Philip Zelikow comments: “Not sure of course what [Mukasey] had in mind, although the most important signals intelligence leads related to our report… was not of this character. If, as he says, the [US government] didn’t know where the call went in the US, neither did we.” [Salon, 4/3/2008] (Note: the 9/11 Commission report may actually contain two cryptic references to what Mukasey is talking about (see Summer 2002-Summer 2004).) [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 87-88, 222] Former 9/11 Commission vice chairman Lee Hamilton initially refuses to comment, but later says: “I am unfamiliar with the telephone call that Attorney General Mukasey cited in his appearance in San Francisco on March 27. The 9/11 Commission did not receive any information pertaining to its occurrence.” [Salon, 4/3/2008; Salon, 4/8/2008]
Other Media - The topic will also be covered by Raw Story and mentioned by MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, who also attacks Mukasey: “What? The government knew about some phone call from a safe house in Afghanistan into the US about 9/11? Before 9/11?” He adds: “Either the attorney general just admitted that the government for which he works is guilty of malfeasant complicity in the 9/11 attacks, or he’s lying. I’m betting on lying.” [Raw Story, 4/1/2008; MSNBC, 4/1/2008; Raw Story, 4/3/2008] The story is also picked up by CBS commentator Kevin Drum, who appears to be unaware that information about some NSA intercepts of the hijackers’ calls was first made public by the Congressional Inquiry five years previously. However, Drum comments: “[T]his deserves some followup from the press. Mukasey has spoken about this in public, so if he’s claiming that FISA prevented us from intercepting a key call before 9/11 he also needs to defend that in public.” [CBS, 4/3/2008; CBS, 4/4/2008] A group of Congressmen also formally asks the Justice Department for an explanation of the matter (see April 3, 2008).
Entity Tags: Michael Mukasey, Kevin Drum, Lee Hamilton, Philip Zelikow, US Department of Justice, Glenn Greenwald, Keith Olbermann
Category Tags: Yemen Hub, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations
April 2, 2008: Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura Rejects Official Account of 9/11
Jesse Ventura. [Source: Publicity photo]Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura declares that he believes the World Trade Center was destroyed with explosives, and says he regrets not asking more questions about the 9/11 attacks when he was governor. The former professional wrestler, who served as Minnesota governor from 1999 to 2003, appears on the Alex Jones Show, a syndicated radio program. He says that, based on his demolition training as a Navy SEAL, a visit to Ground Zero a few weeks after 9/11, and watching slow motion video of the collapses, he believes the Twin Towers fell due to controlled demolition. Describing the collapse of WTC Building 7, he says: “How could this building just implode into its own footprint five hours later? That’s my first question.… The 9/11 Commission didn’t even devote one page to that in their big volume of investigation.” [Associated Press, 1/5/2008; Associated Press, 4/3/2008; MinnPost, 4/3/2008] Ventura also raises questions about 9/11 in his new book, Don’t Start the Revolution Without Me! He writes: “My doubts about the official story have grown steadily over the last couple of years.… I wondered, why did President Bush put up roadblocks for two years to any type of investigation? If you have nothing to hide, you shouldn’t care whether or not a commission looks into what happened.… It seemed our government wasn’t reacting like an innocent victim, but like they were guilty of, or about, something.” [Ventura and Russell, 2008, pp. 209]
Entity Tags: Jesse Ventura
April 2, 2008: Al-Zawahiri Issues First Part of Responses to Questions from Public
Al-Qaeda second in command Ayman al-Zawahiri issues a 90-minute audiotape with the first part of responses to questions solicited from the public and journalists (see December 19, 2007). In the replies, he rejects criticism of attacks by al-Qaeda’s followers that have killed thousands of people, maintaining al-Qaeda does not kill innocent people. “We haven’t killed the innocents, not in Baghdad, nor in Morocco, nor in Algeria, nor anywhere else,” says al-Zawahiri. “If there is any innocent who was killed in the mujahedeen’s operations, then it was either an unintentional error or out of necessity.” [Associated Press, 4/2/2008] The second part of the responses will be issued later in the month (see April 17, 2008).
Entity Tags: Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda
April 2, 2008: Republican Congressman Will Not Back Government Financing for Treatment of Emergency Responders: Government Can’t ‘Do This Every Single Time a Similar Situation Happens’
Darrell Issa. [Source: Washington Post]Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) says during a House subcommittee meeting that he does not understand why the federal government should pay any more money to assist 9/11 emergency responders who have become ill after working at Ground Zero. Hundreds of firefighters, police officers, and paramedics have become ill, some terminally so, from exposure to smoke and toxins released in the collapse of the World Trade Center; the subcommittee is considering whether to reinstate federal funding for the 9/11 victims’ fund. Minutes after a retired New York City police officer, Michael Valentin, speaks of the serious health problems he has suffered since responding to the attacks, Issa says: “I have to ask why… the firefighters who went there and everyone in the City of New York needs to come to the federal government… How much money has the federal government put out post-9/11, including the buckets of $10 and $20 billion we just threw at the State and the City of New York versus how much has been paid out by the City and the State of New York?… It’s very simple: I can’t vote for additional money for New York if I can’t see why it would be appropriate to do this every single time a similar situation happens, which quite frankly includes any urban terrorist. It doesn’t have to be somebody from al-Qaeda. It can be someone who decides that they don’t like animal testing at one of our pharmaceutical facilities.” The attacks on the World Trade Center did not involve a dirty bomb or chemical weapons, Issa notes. “It simply was an aircraft, residue of the aircraft and residue of the materials used to build this building,” he adds. Issa’s colleague, Anthony Weiner (D-NY), is visibly enraged at Issa’s comments, replying, “The notion that this is the City of New York asking for more money because we were the point of attack on this country is absurd and insulting…. There are people every single day, bit by bit by bit, who are dying from that attack.” [Newsday, 4/1/2008; New York Post, 4/2/2008] A day later, Issa will retreat from the harshest of his comments after enduring a withering barrage of criticism (see April 3, 2008).
Entity Tags: Darrell E. Issa, Michael Valentin, Anthony D. Weiner
Category Tags: Internal US Security After 9/11
April 3, 2008: Congressman Issa Retreats from Refusal to Fund 9/11 Victims’ Fund
Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) tries to back away from his comments from the day before, where he disparaged New York City first responders who are now suffering long-term disabilities and illnesses stemming from the 9/11 attacks (see April 2, 2008).
Firestorm of Criticism - Frank Fraone, a California fire chief who led a 67-man crew at Ground Zero after the collapse of the World Trade Center, says: “That is a pretty distorted view of things. Whether they’re a couple of planes or a couple of missiles, they still did the same damage.” Republican colleague Peter King (R-NY) notes: “New York was attacked by al-Qaeda. It doesn’t have to be attacked by Congress.… I’m really surprised by Darrell Issa. It showed such a cavalier dismissal of what happened to New York. It’s wrong and inexcusable.” 9/11 victim’s relative Lorie Van Auken calls Issa’s comments “cruel and heartless.” She adds: “It’s really discouraging. People stepped up and did the right thing. They sacrificed themselves and now a lot of people are getting really horrible illnesses.”
Partial Withdrawal - Issa withdraws some of his earlier statements, now saying, “I want to make clear that I strongly support help for victims who suffered physical injury as a result of an attack on America, including support from Congress and the federal government.” Yet he refuses to withdraw his comments that the 9/11 attacks were little more than unremarkable plane crashes unworthy of any federal financial response. He now says that he only “asked tough questions about the expenditures.” Health officials estimate that it could cost up to $1 billion to properly care for survivors of 9/11 suffering from physical and emotional disabilities. A new bill to fund that care is being prepared for House debate. [New York Daily News, 4/3/2008; New York Post, 4/3/2008] A New York Daily News op-ed accuses Issa of “demeaning 9/11” and calls his remarks “callous in the extreme.” [New York Daily News, 4/3/2008]
Entity Tags: Lorie Van Auken, Peter T. King, Frank Fraone, Darrell E. Issa
April 3, 2008: Congressmen Ask Attorney General Mukasey to Explain Pre-9/11 Hijacker Intercept Comments
A group of congressmen led by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) asks for an explanation of a recent statement by Attorney General Michael Mukasey about a pre-9/11 NSA intercept of a call to the 9/11 hijackers in the US (see March 27, 2008 and March 29, 2008). The group calls Mukasey’s statement “disturbing” and says it “appears to suggest a fundamental misunderstanding of the federal government’s existing surveillance authority to combat terrorism, as well as possible malfeasance by the government prior to 9/11.” Mukasey had implied that the law prior to 9/11 did not allow the call to be traced, but the congressmen state: “[I]f the administration had known of such communications from suspected terrorists, they could and should have been intercepted based on existing FISA law.… [A]s of 9/11 FISA specifically authorized such surveillance on an emergency basis without a warrant for a 48 hour period.” They ask Mukasey to clarify his comments. The congressmen also ask about a secret Justice Department memo regarding the president’s powers in wartime in the US (see April 1, 2008). [Raw Story, 4/3/2008]
Entity Tags: John Conyers, Michael Mukasey
Category Tags: Yemen Hub
April 8, 2008: Engineering Journal Publishes Scientific Challenge to Government Account of WTC Destruction
For the first time, a scientific journal publishes a letter by scientists who think the World Trade Center buildings were destroyed by explosives, rather than impact damage and fire. The letter, cautiously entitled “Fourteen Points of Agreement with Official Government Reports on the World Trade Center Destruction,” is published in the Open Civil Engineering Journal. The lead author is Steven E. Jones, a physicist formerly at Brigham Young University. The abstract says: “Reports by FEMA and NIST lay out the official account of the destruction of the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001. In this Letter, we wish to set a foundation for productive discussion and understanding by focusing on those areas where we find common ground with FEMA and NIST, while at the same time countering several popular myths about the WTC collapses.” [Open Civil Engineering Journal, 4/8/2008; Deseret News, 5/3/2008] However, unlike the vast majority of journals, the Open Civil Engineering Journal charges authors to publish their articles or letters in it. [Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2007]
Entity Tags: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Steven E. Jones, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Category Tags: WTC Investigation, 9/11 Investigations
April 10, 2008: US Unable to Send More Troops to Afghanistan Due to Commitments in Iraq
The US is unable to find more troops to send to Afghaninstan, due to the war in Iraq. On April 10, 2008, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen tells a Congressional committee: “I’m deeply concerned. In this economy of force operation, we do what we can. Requirements exist that we simply cannot fill and won’t likely be able to fill until conditions improve in Iraq.” The US would like to send 7,000 more troops to Afghanistan to fight the growing Taliban resistance there, but the US is unwilling to divert forces from Iraq due to renewed violence there, and NATO allies remain unwilling to send more troops as well. A study by the Afghanistan NGO Safety Office, a group funded by the European Commission, reports that there were 704 insurgent attacks causing 463 civilian deaths from January through March of 2008, compared with 424 attacks causing 264 civilian deaths during the same months in 2007. US officials privately admit that their estimates are similar. [McClatchy Newspapers, 4/15/2008]
Entity Tags: Michael Mullen
Category Tags: Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism, Afghanistan
April 10, 2008: Defense Secretary Says US Is Fighting in Afghanistan Today Partly Because of Mistakes Made during 1980s Soviet-Afghan War
Speaking before a public hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says, “We were attacked from Afghanistan in 2001 and we are at war in Afghanistan today in no small measure because of mistakes this government made—mistakes I, among others, made—in the end game of the anti-Soviet war there some 20 years ago.” [US Department of Defense, 4/10/2008]
Entity Tags: Robert M. Gates
Category Tags: Soviet-Afghan War
April 11, 2008: President Bush Admits to Knowing of High-Level Approvals of Torture
President Bush admits he knew about his National Security Council Principals Committee’s discussion and approval of harsh interrogation methods against certain terror suspects (see April 2002 and After). Earlier reports had noted that the Principals—a group of top White House officials led by then-National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice—had deliberately kept Bush “out of the loop” in order for him to maintain “deniability.” Bush tells a reporter: “Well, we started to connect the dots in order to protect the American people. And yes, I’m aware our national security team met on this issue. And I approved.” Bush says that the news of those meetings to consider extreme interrogation methods was not “startling.” He admitted as far back as 2006 that such techniques were being used by the CIA (see September 6, 2006). But only now does the news of such direct involvement by Bush’s top officials become public knowledge. The Principals approved the waterboarding of several terror suspects, including Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (see Shortly After February 29 or March 1, 2003 and March 10, 2007); Bush defends the use of such extreme measures against Mohammed, saying: “We had legal opinions that enabled us to do it. And no, I didn’t have any problem at all trying to find out what Khalid Shaikh Mohammed knew.… I think it’s very important for the American people to understand who Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was. He was the person who ordered the suicide attack—I mean, the 9/11 attacks.” [ABC News, 4/11/2008] Bush’s admission is no surprise. The day before Bush makes his remarks, law professor Jonathan Turley said: “We really don’t have much of a question about the president’s role here. He’s never denied that he was fully informed of these measures. He, in fact, early on in his presidency—he seemed to brag that they were using harsh and tough methods. And I don’t think there’s any doubt that he was aware of this. The doubt is simply whether anybody cares enough to do anything about it.” [MSNBC, 4/10/2008]
Entity Tags: George W. Bush, Central Intelligence Agency, Condoleezza Rice, Jonathan Turley, National Security Council, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed
Timeline Tags: Torture of US Captives, 9/11 Timeline, Civil Liberties
Category Tags: High Value Detainees, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed
April 17, 2008: Al-Zawahiri Posts Audio Replies to Questions, Says Rumor Israel behind 9/11 Started by Iran
Al-Qaeda second in command Ayman al-Zawahiri issues a second set of responses to questions solicited by al-Qaeda in December 2007 (see December 19, 2007 and April 2, 2008). [NEFA Foundation, 4/17/2008 ; Associated Press, 4/22/2008; Associated Press, 4/23/2008] The response comes in a two-hour audio recording posted to an Islamic website and accompanied by the logo of As-Sahab, al-Qaeda’s media arm. Al-Zawahiri’s comments include:
The theory that Israel carried out the September 11 attacks is false and was started by Iran and its proxy Hezbollah, through the Al-Manar television station. “The purpose of this lie is clear—[to suggest] that there are no heroes among the Sunnis who can hurt America as no [one] else did in history. Iranian media snapped up this lie and repeated it,” he says. “Iran’s aim here is also clear—to cover up its involvement with America in invading the homes of Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq.” In recent audio recordings, al-Zawahiri has accused Iran of seeking to extend its power in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and through Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The insurgent umbrella group Islamic Nation of Iraq led by al-Qaeda is “the primary force opposing the crusaders and challenging Iranian ambitions” in Iraq.
In response to a question about whether al-Qaeda plans to attack Western countries involved in Iraq, he replies: “My answer is: Yes! We think that any country that has joined aggression on Muslims must be deterred.”
This includes Japan, which pulled its non-combat troops out of Iraq in 2006, because “Japan provided help under the banner of the crusader coalition… therefore it participated in the crusader campaign against the lands of Islam.”
Global warming reflects “how criminal, brutal, and greedy the Western crusader world is, with America at the top.” However, global warming will “make the world more sympathetic to and understanding of the Muslims’ jihad against the aggressor America.”
There are no women in al-Qaeda, although “the women of the mujaheddin are playing a heroic role in taking care of their houses and sons.”
The Taliban have taken over 95 percent of Afghanistan and are sweeping Pakistan as well. “The crusaders and their agents in Pakistan and Afghanistan are starting to fall,” al-Zawahiri adds.
It is against Islamic religious law for any Muslim to live permanently in a Western country because in doing so they would “have permanent stay there under the laws of the infidels.” [Associated Press, 4/22/2008; Associated Press, 4/23/2008]
Al-Zawahiri also singles out some countries for threats, such as Denmark, saying: “Denmark has done her utmost to demonstrate her hostility towards the Muslims by repeatedly dishonoring our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him salvation. I admonish and incite every Muslim who is able to do so to cause damage to Denmark in order to show your support for our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him salvation, and to defend his esteemed honor.” [NEFA Foundation, 4/17/2008 ] Al-Qaeda will attack the Danish embassy in Pakistan six weeks later. [Jyllands-Posten, 6/2/2008]
Entity Tags: As-Sahab, Al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri
April 17, 2008: Iranian President Ahmadinejad Casts Doubt on 9/11 Official Story
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declares: “Four or five years ago, a suspicious event occurred in New York. A building collapsed and they said that 3,000 people had been killed but never published their names.… Under this pretext, [the US] attacked Afghanistan and Iraq and since then, a million people have been killed only in Iraq.” [Ha'aretz, 4/17/2008]
Entity Tags: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
April 17, 2008: Former Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Says 9/11 Attacks and Iraq War Good for Israel
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells an audience at Bar Ilan university in Israel that the 9/11 attacks were beneficial for Israel. “We are benefiting from one thing, and that is the attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon, and the American struggle in Iraq. […] [The attacks] swung American public opinion in our favor.” [Ha'aretz, 4/17/2008]
Entity Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu
Category Tags: Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism, Israel
April 18, 2008: Al-Zawahiri Said to Mark Fifth Anniversary of Iraq Invasion with New Tape
A man thought to be al-Qaeda’s second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri releases a 16-minute audio tape around five years after the US and others invaded Iraq. The man calls on Islamist fighters to turn Iraq into a “fortress of Islam,” and says the establishment of a greater Islamic state is “the most important” duty of every Muslim. The tape contains references to recent events—testimony by US General David Petraeus to Congress and a strike by textile workers in Egypt. The man is also critical of Iran for siding with the US against Sunni Arabs in Iraq. [Guardian, 4/18/2008]
Entity Tags: Ayman al-Zawahiri
April 21, 2008: Indonesia Finally Declares Jemaah Islamiyah an Illegal Organization
An Indonesian court officially declares Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) an illegal organization. JI is believed to be al-Qaeda’s main affiliate in Southeast Asia. The Indonesian government had previously refused to ban JI, even though it supported a United Nations ban on JI shortly after the 2002 Bali bombings (see October 12, 2002 and October 24, 2002). This court decision takes place during a trial of two high-ranking JI leaders, Zarkasih and Abu Dujana, both of whom were arrested the year before. Both are sentenced to 15 years in prison for supporting terrorist activities. Counterterrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna calls the decision “a huge victory against terrorism.” He adds: “This will have a direct impact on the leadership of JI, the most lethal terrorist group in Southeast Asia. Unless a terrorist was about to commit an attack, or had committed an attack, the Indonesian police couldn’t arrest them. Today if anyone is distributing propaganda and that person is linked to JI, that person can be arrested.” [Sydney Morning Herald, 4/22/2008]
Entity Tags: Zarkasih, Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Dujana, Rohan Gunaratna
Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Southeast Asia, 2002 Bali Bombings
April 27, 2008: Afghan President Karzai Survives Assassination Attempt; Pakistani ISI Blamed
Hamid Karzai on parade, April 27, 2008. [Source: massoud_hossaini_afp_getty]On April 27, 2008, there is an attempted assassination of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, as assailants fire guns and mortars towards him, scores of senior officials, and foreign diplomats during a military parade in downtown Kabul. Karzai escapes unharmed, but three Afghans are killed, including a member of parliament. Two months later, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency accuses the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, of organizing the assassination. The agency claims that phone calls from the cell phones of those arrested show a Pakistan link. Investigators suspect one assassin tried to call his supervisor in Pakistan from a nearby hotel to ask for instructions because he could not get a clear shot at Karzai from the hotel window. Investigators believe Jalaluddin Haqqani, a Taliban leader based in the Pakistani tribal region of Waziristan with long-time ISI ties, instigated the plot. Karzai’s spokesman makes the same accusation against the ISI more obliquely, “Evidence shows the hallmark of a particular foreign intelligence agency which we believe was behind this attack.” [Agence France-Presse, 6/25/2008; Washington Post, 6/27/2008]
Entity Tags: Hamid Karzai, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Jalaluddin Haqqani, National Directorate of Security (Afghanistan)
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Afghanistan
May 2008: US Intelligence Allegedly Hears Head of Pakistani Military Call Taliban Leader ‘Strategic Asset’
According to a later book by New York Times reporter David Sanger, in May 2008, US intelligence records General Ashfaq Kayani, head of Pakistan’s military, referring to militant leader Jalaluddin Haqqani as “a strategic asset.” Haqqani heads a group of militants in Waziristan, in Pakistan’s tribal region, that is known as the Haqqani network. It is considered a semi-independent branch of the Taliban. The surveillance was ordered to confirm suspicions that the Pakistani military is still secretly supporting the Taliban, even though the US gives aid to help fight the Taliban. The transcript of Kayani’s comments is passed to Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell. US intelligence will later intercept calls from Pakistani military units to Haqqani, warning him of an imminent Pakistani military operation in the tribal region designed to make it appear to the US that Pakistan is taking action against militant groups. An unnamed source will later explain, “It was something like, ‘Hey, we’re going to hit your place in a few days, so if anyone important is there, you might want to tell them to scram.’” Further US surveillance will reveal a plot between the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, and Haqqani to bomb the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan (see July 7, 2008). Pakistani officials deny they are supporting Haqqani. [London Times, 2/17/2009] An unnamed senior Pakistani intelligence official also called Haqqani an asset in 2006 (see 2006).
Entity Tags: Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Taliban, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Haqqani Network, Jalaluddin Haqqani, Mike McConnell, US intelligence
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, 2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing
May 1, 2008: US Missile Strike Kills Al-Qaeda-Linked Leader in Somalia
Aden Hashi Ayro. [Source: Intelcenter / Associated Press]A US missile strike kills Aden Hashi Ayro, the alleged head of al-Qaeda’s operations in Somalia. Ayro and up to ten others are killed in the region of Dusamareeb, an area a few hundred miles north of the capital of Mogadishu. The strike is said to be the fifth US attack in Somalia since Ethiopia invaded Somalia in December 2006 with US support (see December 24, 2006-January 2007). Ayro is said to have attended an al-Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan in the late 1990s. Then he returned to Somalia in 2003 and quickly rose up the ranks of al-Shabab, the military arm of the Islamic Court Union. He is said to be in charge of al-Qaeda’s operations there, although he is not a formal member of al-Qaeda. He was reportedly behind the scattered deaths of some foreigners in Somalia between 2003 and 2005. But despite this death, in recent months militant groups such as al-Shabab have been gaining ground against Somalia’s weak transitional government and the occupying Ethiopian troops keeping it in power. [Washington Post, 5/1/2008; Time, 5/2/2008]
Entity Tags: Shabab, Islamic Courts Union, Aden Hashi Ayro
Category Tags: Key Captures and Deaths
May 3, 2008: Demolition of WTC Building 7 Suggests Official Complicity, Says Arizona State Senator
Karen S. Johnson. [Source: Publicity photo]Arizona state senator Karen S. Johnson, a Republican, says she suspects a government conspiracy and calls for a new investigation into 9/11. Calling attention to the unexplained collapse of WTC Building 7, she writes: “Why, for example, did Building 7 collapse? It wasn’t hit by a plane, as the towers were. The 9/11 Commission Report completely ignores Building 7. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) report discounts fire as a cause and concludes that the reasons for the collapse of Building 7 are unknown and require further research. But when FEMA issued this report, it already cleared the site and disposed of the dust and steel (evidence from a crime scene), thus possibly committing a felony and complicating any ‘further research.’ The National Institute of Standards and Technology, a federal agency, which evaluated the collapse of the towers, has yet to issue its report on Building 7. ‘We’ve had trouble getting a handle on Building 7,’ said the acting director of their Building and Fire Research Lab. Yet a number of private-sector engineers, architects, and demolition experts have not had that problem. They think Building 7 came down by controlled demolition. The building collapsed suddenly, straight down, at nearly free-fall speed. People heard the explosions, and saw the squibs and the characteristic billowing clouds of pulverized concrete so unique to demolitions. There is no reason to think that Building 7 came down for any other reason than explosive demolition.” [Arizona Republic, 5/3/2008]
Entity Tags: Karen S. Johnson
May 4, 2008: All USS Cole Bombing Suspects in Yemen Remain Free
A front-page Washington Post story reveals that, eight years after al-Qaeda bombed the USS Cole just off the coast of Yemen and killed 17 US soldiers (see October 12, 2000), “all the defendants convicted in the attack have escaped from prison or been freed by Yemeni officials.”
Two Key Suspects Keep Slipping from Yemeni Prisons - For instance, Jamal al-Badawi, a Yemeni and key organizer of the bombing, broke out of Yemeni prisons twice and then was secretly released in 2007 (see April 11, 2003-March 2004, February 3, 2006 and October 17-29, 2007). The Yemeni government jailed him again after the US threatened to cut aid to the country, but apparently he continues to freely come and go from his prison cell. US officials have demanded the right to perform random inspections to make sure he stays jailed. Another key Cole suspect, Fahad al-Quso, also escaped from a Yemeni prison and then was secretly released in 2007 (see May 2007). Yemen has refused to extradite al-Badawi and al-Quso to the US, where they have been indicted for the Cole bombing. FBI Director Robert Mueller flew to Yemen in April 2008 to personally appeal to Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh to extradite the two men. However, Saleh has refused, citing a constitutional ban on extraditing its citizens. Other Cole suspects have been freed after short prison terms in Yemen, and at least two went on to commit suicide attacks in Iraq.
US Unwilling to Try Two Suspects in Its Custody - Two more key suspects, Khallad bin Attash and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, were captured by US forces and have been transferred to the US-run Guantanamo prison. Al-Nashiri is considered the mastermind of the Cole bombing, but the US made the decision not to indict either of them because pending criminal charges could have forced the CIA or the Pentagon to give up custody of the men. Al-Quso, bin Attash, and al-Nashiri all attended a key 2000 al-Qaeda summit in Malaysia where the 9/11 attacks were discussed (see January 5-8, 2000).
'The Forgotten Attack' - A week after the Cole bombing, President Bill Clinton vowed to hunt down the plotters and promised, “Justice will prevail.” But less than a month after the bombing, George W. Bush was elected president. Roger Cressey, a former counterterrorism official in the Clinton and Bush administrations who helped oversee the White House’s response to the Cole bombing, says, “During the first part of the Bush administration, no one was willing to take ownership of this. It didn’t happen on their watch. It was the forgotten attack.”
'Back to Square One' - Former FBI agent Ali Soufan, a lead investigator into the bombing, complains, “After we worked day and night to bring justice to the victims and prove that these Qaeda operatives were responsible, we’re back to square one. Do they have laws over there or not? It’s really frustrating what’s happening.” The Post comments, “Basic questions remain about which individuals and countries played a role in the assault on the Cole.”
Possible Government Complicity - One anonymous senior Yemeni official tells the Post that al-Badawi and other al-Qaeda members have had a long relationship with Yemen’s intelligence agencies and have targeted political opponents in the past. For instance, in 2006, an al-Qaeda suicide attack in Yemen came just days before elections there, and Saleh tried to link one of the figures involved to the opposition party, helping Saleh win reelection (see September 15, 2006). Furthermore, there is evidence that figures within the Yemeni government were involved in the Cole bombing (see After October 12, 2000), and that the government also protected key bombers such as al-Nashiri in the months before and after the bombings (see April 2000 and Shortly After October 12, 2000).
Bush Unwilling to Meet with Victims' Relatives - Relatives of the soldiers killed in the bombing have attempted to meet with President Bush to press for more action, to no avail. John P. Clodtfelter Jr., whose son died on the Cole, says, “I was just flat told that he wouldn’t meet with us. Before him, President Clinton promised we’d go out and get these people, and of course we never did. I’m sorry, but it’s just like the lives of American servicemen aren’t that important.” [Washington Post, 5/4/2008]
Entity Tags: John P. Clodtfelter Jr., Ali Soufan, Ali Abdallah Saleh, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, Fahad al-Quso, Jamal al-Badawi, William Jefferson (“Bill”) Clinton, Yemen, Khallad bin Attash, Roger Cressey, Robert S. Mueller III, George W. Bush
Category Tags: 2000 USS Cole Bombing, Yemeni Militant Collusion, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
May 13, 2008: Alleged ‘20th Hijacker’ Will Not Be Charged by Military Tribunal for Role in 9/11 Attacks
The US military dismisses charges against Mohammed al-Khatani. In February 2008, al-Khatani was part of a small group of detainees held at the Guantanamo prison charged before a military tribunal with involvement in the 9/11 attacks (see February 11, 2008). Al-Khatani is said to be the would-be “20th hijacker” who was refused entry to the US in August 2001 (see August 4, 2001). However, he was later captured and subjected to months of torture at Guantanamo (see August 8, 2002-January 15, 2003). The Pentagon official who announces the dismissal of charges against him, Convening Authority Susan Crawford, gives no explanation. The charges are dismissed “without prejudice,” which means they could be reinstated at any time. However, many believe that the charges against him are dismissed because of the torture he underwent, as well as the fact that he appears to have only been a unsuccessful low-level figure in the plot. [New York Times, 5/14/2008] In 2006, MSNBC predicted that he would never face trial due to the way he was tortured (see October 26, 2006). However, he still remains imprisoned at Guantanamo. In January 2009, Crawford will confirm that she dismissed the case against al-Khatani because he was indeed tortured (see January 14, 2009). She will say that the treatment suffered by al-Khatani “did shock me,” and will continue: “I was upset by it. I was embarrassed by it. If we tolerate this and allow it, then how can we object when our servicemen and women, or others in foreign service, are captured and subjected to the same techniques? How can we complain? Where is our moral authority to complain? Well, we may have lost it.” Crawford will lay much of the blame for al-Khatani being tortured at the feet of then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. “A lot of this happened on his watch,” she will say. [Washington Post, 1/14/2009]
Entity Tags: Donald Rumsfeld, Mohamed al-Khatani, Susan Crawford
Category Tags: High Value Detainees, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
May 13, 2008: Bush Says Electing a Democrat as President May Lead to Another 9/11 Attack
President Bush says that the election of a Democrat in 2008 might lead to another 9/11-like attack on the US. Reporter Mike Allen asks: “I wonder if you—various people and various candidates talk about pulling out next year. If we were to pull out of Iraq next year, what’s the worst that could happen, what’s the doomsday scenario?” Bush replies, “Doomsday scenario of course is that extremists throughout the Middle East would be emboldened, which would eventually lead to another attack on the United States.” After making this statement, Bush repeats several statements that he has been making for years: Iraq “just happens to be” part of the global war on terror, Iraq “is the place where al-Qaeda and other extremists have made their stand,” and terrorists “can’t stand to live in a free society, that’s why they try to fight free societies.” [Associated Press, 5/13/2008] MSNBC commentator Keith Olbermann calls Bush’s claim “ludicrous, infuriating, holier-than-thou and… bone-headedly wrong,” and says, “Terrorism inside Iraq is your creation, Mr. Bush.” [MSNBC, 5/14/2008]
Entity Tags: Mike Allen, Al-Qaeda, George W. Bush, Keith Olbermann
May 14, 2008: Predator Strike Kills Al-Qaeda Leader in Pakistan’s Tribal Region
Damadola Strike in May 2008. [Source: Mohammed Sajjad Associated Press]A missile fired from a US Predator drone reportedly kills al-Qaeda leader Abu Suleiman al-Jazairi. He and 15 others are killed in the strike on a house in the village of Damadola in Pakistan’s tribal region. The house is said to belong to former Taliban defense minister Maulvi Obaidullah, and members of Obaidullah’s family, including women and children, are thought to be among the dead. Al-Jazairi is said to be a trainer and explosives expert, and involved in planning attacks in Europe. Damadola has been hit by drones twice before (see January 13, 2006 and October 30, 2006). Al-Jazairi was little known in the media prior to the strike. [New York Times, 5/16/2008; Observer, 6/1/2008] Obaidullah apparently is not killed. He had been imprisoned in Pakistan since 2003, and had been released several days before as part of a swap for Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin, who had been kidnapped in February. [PAN, 5/20/2008]
Entity Tags: Tariq Azizuddin, Maulvi Obaidullah, Abu Suleiman al-Jazairi
Category Tags: Key Captures and Deaths, Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Drone Use in Pakistan / Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
May 16, 2008: Bin Laden Possibly Releases Audio Message about Palestine
A new audio message is released by a man thought to be Osama bin Laden. In the message, which lasts about nine minutes and is posted to a website commonly used by al-Qaeda, the speaker calls on Muslims to continue the fight to liberate Palestinian land. The speaker pledges to continue fighting the Israelis and not give up “a single inch of Palestine,” adding that the Palestinian cause is the most important factor driving al-Qaeda’s war with the West. The tape’s release comes around the time of Israel’s 60th anniversary, when US President Bush is in Israel to attend the anniversary celebrations [BBC, 5/16/2008]
May 18, 2008: Bin Laden Possibly Releases Message about Israel and Gaza
A man thought to be Osama bin Laden releases an audio tape calling on Muslim fighters to help end the Israeli blockade of Gaza. In the tape, released by posting on the Internet, the speaker says it is the duty of every Muslim to fight the “oppressive closure.” The tape is released two days after the previous one (see May 16, 2008), on the day US President Bush ends a visit to the Middle East. [Sky News, 5/18/2008]
June 4, 2008: Al-Zawahiri Releases New Audio Tape Marking Anniversary of Six-Day War
Al-Qaeda second in command Ayman al-Zawahiri releases a new audio tape criticizing his native Egypt for not opening up its border to Palestinians. The 11-minute tape is released by posting to the Internet to mark the 41st anniversary of the Six-Day War between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors. “The brother from Gaza is refused entry [by Egypt], while an Israeli tourist is allowed to enter without a visa,” says al-Zawahiri, calling for an end to Israel’s economic blockade of the Gaza Strip. He also terms Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his troops “criminal traitors” for perpetuating the siege of Gaza. “Salvation of the Muslim nation is through the march of its sons on the path of jihad,” he adds. [Al Jazeera, 5/5/2008]
June 6, 2008: Reporter: Afghanistan, Pakistani Terrorism ‘Far More Serious Threat[s] for US National Security than Iraq’
In a panel discussion hosted by PBS’s Bill Moyers, journalist Jonathan Landay, discussing the US war in Afghanistan, notes that the vast majority of media coverage has been granted to the Iraq occupation. The war in Afghanistan is largely forgotten by the media, or merely rolled into Iraq coverage. Landay notes that Afghanistan is “a far more serious threat for US national security than Iraq is.” Similarly, the media rarely reports on the dire terrorist threats centered in the tribal areas of Pakistan. “[T]his is a black hole virtually which the United States is deeply involved in that we don’t see a lot of meaningful, I mean, in-depth coverage of,” he says. [PBS, 6/6/2008]
Entity Tags: Public Broadcasting System, Bill Moyers, Jonathan Landay
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
June 22, 2008: Article: Pakistani Border Forces Helping Taliban Attack US Troops in Afghanistan
Members of the Frontier Corps near Shakai, in the region of South Waziristan, in August 2004. [Source: Kamran Wazir / Reuters / Corbis]The British newspaper The Observer reports that the Frontier Corps, a Pakistani government paramilitary force operating in Pakistan’s tribal regions near the border with Afghanistan, sometimes join in attacks on US-led forces in Afghanistan. The article alleges there are “box loads” of after-action reports compiled after armed clashes near the border, detailing the Frontier Corps working with the Taliban and other allied militants. Some attacks are launched so close to Frontier Corps outposts that Pakistani cooperation with the Taliban is assumed. There has been a dramatic increase in cross-border incidents compared to the same time the year before. An anonymous US official says: “The United States and NATO have substantial information on this problem. It’s taking place at a variety of places along the border with the Frontier Corps giving direct and indirect assistance. I’m not saying it is everyone. There are some parts that have been quite helpful… but if you have seen the after-action reports of their involvement in attacks along the Afghan border you would appreciate the problem.” The US government continues to downplay such incidents, worried about its relationship with the Pakistani government. A NATO spokesman says: “The real concern is that the extremists in Pakistan are getting safe havens to rest, recuperate and retool in Pakistan and come across the border. The concerns have been conveyed to the Pakistan authorities.” [Observer, 6/22/2008]
Entity Tags: Frontier Corps, Taliban
Late June 2008: US Intelligence Allegedly Discovers ISI and Taliban Faction Are Planning Spectacular Bombing in Afghanistan
US intelligence allegedly discovers that the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, and a faction of the Taliban are planning a spectacular bombing somewhere in Afghanistan. US intelligence is intercepting Pakistani government communications in an attempt to find out if the Pakistani government is still supporting militants fights US soldiers in Afghanistan. Communications intercepts already revealed an active link between the Pakistani government and the Haqqani network, a semi-autonomous branch of the Taliban headed by Jalaluddin Haqqani (see May 2008). According to a later book by New York Times reporter David Sanger, new intercepts at this time show that the ISI is working to carry out a spectacular bombing in Afghanistan. But apparently, the exact target is not known. Two weeks later, the Indian Embassy in Kabul will be bombed (see July 7, 2008). Afterwards, the US will accuse the ISI and the Haqqani network of plotting the bombing, mostly based on these intercepts from before the bombing (see July 28, 2008 and August 1, 2008). [London Times, 2/17/2009]
Entity Tags: Jalaluddin Haqqani, Haqqani Network, Taliban, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, US intelligence
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, 2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
June 28, 2008: Justice Department’s Investigation of CIA’s Destruction of Torture Videotapes Is Proceeding Slowly
Newsweek reports that the Justice Department’s criminal investigation into the CIA’s destruction of video of the torture of al-Qaeda leaders Abu Zubaida and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri is continuing, but proceeding slowly. Federal prosecutor John Durham has recently filed a federal court affidavit that states he is examining whether anyone “obstructed justice, made false statements, or acted in contempt of court or Congress in connection with the destruction of the videotapes.” He is specifically attempting to determine if the destruction violated any judge’s order. But progress is slow, and the investigation is likely to take six months or more, which means any criminal charges will probably come after the November 2008 presidential elections. Two sources close to former intelligence officials who are potential key witnesses in the case say these officials have not been summoned to give grand jury testimony. One of them has not even been questioned by the FBI yet. [Newsweek, 6/28/2008] Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed Durham to head the investigation in January 2008 (see January 2, 2008).
Entity Tags: John Durham, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, Central Intelligence Agency, US Department of Justice, Abu Zubaida
Category Tags: Destruction of CIA Tapes
June 30, 2008: Al-Nashiri to Be Tried at Military Tribunal for Cole Bombing, Could Be Sentenced to Death
The Defense Department announces that it is charging al-Qaeda leader Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri with “organizing and directing” the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000 (see October 12, 2000) and will seek the death penalty. Al-Nashiri was captured in 2002 (see Early October 2002), held and tortured in secret CIA prisons until 2006 (see (November 2002)), and then transferred to Defense Department custody at the Guantanamo prison (see September 2-3, 2006). He will be tried there in a military tribunal. Al-Nashiri told a hearing at Guantanamo in 2007 that he confessed a role in the Cole bombing, but only because he was tortured by US interrogators (see March 10-April 15, 2007). CIA Director Michael Hayden has conceded that al-Nashiri was subjected to waterboarding. [Associated Press, 6/30/2008] Khallad bin Attash, who is being held at Guantanamo with al-Nashiri and other al-Qaeda leaders, allegedly had a major role in the Cole bombing, but he is not charged. Presumably this is because he has already been charged for a role in the 9/11 attacks.
Entity Tags: Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, Khallad bin Attash, US Department of Defense
Category Tags: 2000 USS Cole Bombing, High Value Detainees
June 30, 2008: New York Times: US Policy Fight Al-Qaeda’s Pakistan Safe Haven Is ‘Drifting,’ Plagued by Mistakes and Lack of Strategy
The New York Times publishes a long front-page analysis of the policy disputes and mistakes that have bogged down US efforts to combat al-Qaeda’s safe haven in Pakistan’s tribal region. The article reveals that the US effort has often been “undermined by bitter disagreements within the Bush administration and within the CIA, including about whether American commandos should launch ground raids inside the tribal areas.… [B]y most accounts, the administration failed to develop a comprehensive plan to address the militant problem there, and never resolved the disagreements between warring agencies that undermined efforts to fashion any coherent strategy.” Richard Armitage, deputy secretary of state for President Bush’s first term and the administration’s point person for Pakistan, says, “We’re just kind of drifting.” Pakistan’s policy as led by President Pervez Musharraf has also been adrift and/or ineffective: “Western military officials say Mr. Musharraf was instead often distracted by his own political problems, and effectively allowed militants to regroup by brokering peace agreements with them.” The Times concludes, “Just as it had on the day before 9/11, al-Qaeda now has a band of terrorist camps from which to plan and train for attacks against Western targets, including the United States.” The camps are smaller than the ones used prior to 9/11, but one retired CIA officer estimates that as many as 2,000 militants train in them at any given time, up from several hundred in 2005. “Leading terrorism experts have warned that it is only a matter of time before a major terrorist attack planned in the mountains of Pakistan is carried out on American soil.” [New York Times, 6/30/2008]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Richard Armitage, Pervez Musharraf, Bush administration (43)
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
July 1, 2008: Polish Intelligence Warns Taliban Plan to Attack Indian Embassy in Kabul
Polish intelligence warns India and the US that the Taliban are likely to attack the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. The embassy will be bombed one week later, killing 54 (see July 7, 2008). The document giving the warning is entitled, “Threat Report… Threat to Indian Embassy.” It is based on information received one day earlier. It states, “Taliban are planning to carry out an attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul.” It goes on to describe how a suicide bomber plans to use a stolen Afghan government car and stolen uniform to get past security. The document will be publicly leaked in 2010 as part of a massive WikiLeaks release of US documents relating to the US war in Afghanistan. [Press Trust of India, 7/27/2010] It is unclear how or where Polish intelligence got this information. US intelligence apparently learns around this time that the Taliban and ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, are planning a spectacular bombing somewhere in Afghanistan (see Late June 2008). However, it appears that India acts on at least one of the warnings, because the Indian ambassador to Afghanistan will later say that India took extra security measures in the weeks before the bombings because “we were expecting trouble.” Most importantly, sand-filled blast barriers are placed around the main embassy building. That, plus the quick action of security guards, will prevent the bomber from getting closer to the building, and thus reduce the number of lives lost. [Associated Press, 7/9/2008]
Entity Tags: Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Taliban, Poland
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, 2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing, Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
July 1, 2008: CIA Veteran Challenges Claim that Harsh Interrogations Have ‘Saved Thousands of Americans’
Milt Bearden, a retired 30-year CIA veteran who served as senior manager for clandestine operations, writes: “The [Bush] administration’s claims of having ‘saved thousands of Americans’ can be dismissed out of hand because credible evidence has never been offered—not even an authoritative leak of any major terrorist operation interdicted based on information gathered from these interrogations in the past seven years. All the public gets is repeated references to Jose Padilla (see June 10, 2002), the Lackawanna Six (see April-August 2001), the Liberty Seven (see June 23, 2006), and the Library Tower operation in Los Angeles (see October 2001-February 2002). If those slapstick episodes are the true character of the threat, then maybe we’ll be okay after all. When challenged on the lack of a game-changing example of a derailed operation, administration officials usually say that the need to protect sources and methods prevents revealing just how enhanced interrogation techniques have saved so many thousands of Americans. But it is irresponsible for any administration not to tell a credible story that would convince critics at home and abroad that this torture has served some useful purpose.” Bearden suggests that the CIA might have been permanently “broken” by its use of torture, and that some US officials will likely face the threat of being arrested overseas on torture charges for years to come. [Washington Independent, 7/1/2008]
Entity Tags: Milt Bearden, Central Intelligence Agency
July 7, 2008: Suicide Bombing on Indian Embassy in Kabul Kills 54; Afghan and Indian Governments Blame ISI and Taliban
A suicide bombing at the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, kills 54 people and injures 140 others. The main target appears to be a diplomatic convoy that had just entered the embassy gate, directly followed by the suicide truck. Among the dead are two senior Indian diplomats, including the military attaché, Brigadier Ravi Mehta. Many of those killed are people standing in line waiting for visas. [London Times, 8/3/2008] The Indian government received at least one warning about an attack on the embassy, and it took extra security precautions that helped reduce the loss of lives (see July 1, 2008). The Afghan interior ministry quickly asserts that the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, helped the Taliban with the attack. A presidential spokesman states at a news conference, “The sophistication of this attack and the kind of material that was used in it, the specific targeting, everything has the hallmarks of a particular intelligence agency that has conducted similar terrorist acts inside Afghanistan in the past.” The Afghan government has asserted that the ISI is responsible for other attacks in Afghanistan, including an attempted assassination of President Hamid Karzai in late April 2008 (see April 27, 2008). The Indian government also quickly blames the ISI and the Taliban. [Financial Times, 7/8/2008; Taipei Times, 7/9/2008] The Taliban deny involvement in the attack, but the New York Times notes that the Taliban usually deny involvement in attacks with a large number of civilian casualties. [New York Times, 7/8/2008] Less than a month later, US intelligence will accuse the ISI of helping a Taliban-linked militant network led by Jalaluddin Haqqani to plan the bombing (see August 1, 2008). President Bush will even directly threaten Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani with serious consequences if another attack is linked to the ISI (see July 28, 2008).
Entity Tags: Ravi Mehta, Jalaluddin Haqqani, Haqqani Network, Taliban, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, 2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing, Afghanistan
July 14, 2008: Pakistani Taliban Impose Strict Islamic Law in Tribal Region of Mohmand
Tehrik-i-Taliban, a group of Pakistani militants linked to the Taliban, declares the imposition of Sharia law (strict Islamic judicial code) in the Mohmand tribal area in Pakistan. Islamic courts have been established in the four regions of Mohmand, and the group has established similar courts already in the adjacent region of Bajaur. [Dawn (Karachi), 7/15/2008]
Entity Tags: Tehrik-i-Taliban
Category Tags: Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region
July 17, 2008: Alleged Female Al-Qaeda Sleeper Agent Arrested in Afghanistan
Aafia Siddique in Afghan custody on July 17, 2008. [Source: Associated Press]Aafia Siddiqui, a female Pakistani neuroscientist and alleged al-Qaeda operative, is arrested by Afghan police in the town of Ghazni, Afghanistan. Police reportedly also find bomb-making instructions, substances in bottles and jars, and papers describing US landmarks. There are conflicting accounts about what happens next:
US Government's Version - The next day, a group of US agents come to visit her, but she is being held unsecured in a room, hiding behind a curtain. One of the US agents puts his rifle down. She allegedly picks up the rifle to shoot at the group. She shoots twice and misses, while a US agent shoots back and hits her at least once. [CNN, 8/4/2008; Reuters, 8/5/2008]
Afghan Police Version - According to Reuters, “Afghan police in Ghazni however, [tell] a different story.” They claim that they find Siddiqui in Ghazni after reports of her behaving suspiciously. They find maps of the town, including one of the governor’s house, and arrest her and a teenage boy. US troops then request that she be handed over to them, but Afghan police refuse, according to a senior police officer there. US soldiers then disarm the Afghan police at which point Siddiqui approaches the US soldiers complaining of mistreatment by the police. The US soldiers, under the impression that she could have explosives and would attack them as a suicide bomber, shoot her and take her away. The boy remains in Afghan police custody. [Reuters, 8/5/2008]
She is extradited to the US a couple of weeks later, where she is due to stand trial for attempting to murder the US agents. Siddiqui had lived and studied in the US for many years. She was in Pakistan in March 2003 when it was announced that 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed had been arrested. She disappeared several days later (see Late September 2001-March 2003). The FBI issued an alert for her arrest, alleging that she had been an al-Qaeda sleeper agent in the US. There has been speculation that she had been secretly arrested by the US or Pakistan, and what happened to her since 2003 still remains a mystery. [CNN, 8/4/2008]
Entity Tags: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Aafia Siddiqui
Category Tags: Afghanistan, Key Captures and Deaths
July 25, 2008: Al-Qaeda Linked Suicide Bombing in Yemen Kills Four
Ahmed al-Mashjari (right) with unidentified associate, in propaganda video. [Source: Public domain]A suicide bomber named Ahmed al-Mashjari crashes a van full of explosives into a government security headquarters in the eastern province of Hadramaut in Yemen. Four are killed, including a Yemeni soldier. The al-Qaeda affiliate Soldiers of Yemen Brigades takes credit for the bombing, calling al-Mashjari a “heroic martyr.” The Yemeni government is said to have a tacit agreement whereby al-Qaeda operatives are left alone and in return they do not attack targets within Yemen. But Nadia al-Sakkaf, editor of the Yemen Times, says: “There was a deal [with the jihadis] but it’s not working any more. Now there are just fanatics who want to be hired by al-Qaeda, people who have come back from Iraq or Afghanistan and have no skills, who are not integrated into society and have no education. They are brainwashed. Jihad is all they know.” [Yemen News Agency, 7/27/2008; Guardian, 7/30/2008]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Ahmed al-Mashjari
Category Tags: Yemeni Militant Collusion, Alleged Al-Qaeda Linked Attacks
July 28, 2008: US Drone Strike Kills Al-Qaeda Leader Midhat Mursi in Pakistan’s Tribal Region
A US drone strike kills al-Qaeda leader Midhat Mursi (a.k.a. Abu Khabab al-Masri). He is one of six people killed in the strike on a compound in South Waziristan, in Pakistan’s tribal region. Mursi, an Egyptian, was considered a poisons and explosives expert, and was accused of training the suicide bombers in the 2000 USS Cole bombing. He also is believed to have run the Darunta training camp in eastern Afghanistan until it was abandoned during the US invasion in late 2001. The US had put a $5 million bounty on him. A statement by al-Qaeda leader Mustafa Abu al-Yazid posted on the Internet about a week later will confirm his death. [Associated Press, 8/3/2008]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, US Military, Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, Midhat Mursi
Category Tags: Key Captures and Deaths, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Drone Use in Pakistan / Afghanistan
July 28, 2008: President Bush Privately Accuses ISI of Helping Islamist Militants; Issues Ultimatum
Yousaf Raza Gillani. [Source: Public Domain]Pakistan’s prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani, visits the US and meets with President George Bush in Washington, D.C. Bush privately confronts Gillani with evidence that the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, has been helping the Taliban and al-Qaeda. US intelligence has long suspected that Pakistan has been playing a “double game,” accepting over a billion dollars of US aid per year meant to help finance Pakistan’s fight with Islamic militants, but at the same time training and funding those militants, who often go on to fight US soldiers in Afghanistan. The London Times reports that Gillani “was left in no doubt that the Bush administration had lost patience with the ISI’s alleged double game.” Bush allegedly warned that if one more attack in Afghanistan or elsewhere were traced back to Pakistan, the US would take “serious action.” The key evidence is that US intelligence claims to have intercepted communications showing that the ISI helped plan a militant attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, earlier in the month (see July 7, 2008). US officials will leak this story of ISI involvement to the New York Times several days after Bush’s meeting with Gillani (see August 1, 2008). Gillani also meets with CIA Director Michael Hayden, who confronts him with a dossier on ISI support for the Taliban. Pakistanis officials will claim they were shocked at the “grilling” they received. One Pakistani official who came to the US with Gillani will say, “They were very hot on the ISI. Very hot. When we asked them for more information, Bush laughed and said, ‘When we share information with your guys, the bad guys always run away’.” When the story of Bush’s confrontation with Gillani is leaked to the press, Pakistani officials categorically deny any link between the ISI and militants in Afghanistan. But senior British intelligence and government officials have also told the Pakistanis in recent days that they are convinced the ISI was involved in the embassy bombing. This is believed to be the first time the US has openly confronted Pakistan since a warning given several days after 9/11 (see September 13-15, 2001). The US is said to be particularly concerned with the ISI’s links to Jalaluddin Haqqani, who runs a militant network that the US believes was involved in the bombing. And the US is worries about links between the ISI and Lashkar-e-Toiba, a Pakistan-based militant group that is said to have been behind a recent attack against US forces in Afghanistan that killed nine. [London Times, 8/3/2008]
Entity Tags: Yousaf Raza Gillani, Jalaluddin Haqqani, Al-Qaeda, George W. Bush, US intelligence, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Taliban, Michael Hayden
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, 2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing, Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
August 1, 2008: Pakistani Official Admits that Some in ISI Still Support Taliban, then Backtracks
Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s information minister, admits to journalists that the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, still contains pro-Taliban operatives. She says, “We need to identify these people and weed them out.” However, she later changes her statement, claiming that the problems were in the past and there will be no purge. [London Times, 8/3/2008] Her comment comes right as US intelligence accuses the ISI of involvement in a recent bombing of the Indian embassy in Afghanistan (see July 7, 2008 and August 1, 2008).
Entity Tags: Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Sherry Rehman, Taliban
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Afghanistan, 2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing
August 1, 2008: US Intelligence Officials Claim ISI Helped Islamic Militants Bomb Indian Embassy in Afghanistan
The New York Times reports that US intelligence agencies have concluded that the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, helped plan the July 7, 2008, bombing of India’s embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. The attack was initially blamed on al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militants, and 54 people were killed (see July 7, 2008). It is said US intelligence intercepted communications between ISI officers and militants who took part in the attack. The communications were intercepted before the bombing, but apparently were not specific enough to stop the attack. Anonymous US officials would not specifically tell the Times what kind of assistance the ISI gave the bombers. However, it was noted that the ISI officers involved were not renegades, suggesting their actions could have been authorized by superiors. [New York Times, 8/1/2008] The US also claims to have arrested an ISI officer inside Afghanistan, apparently for a role in the attack, but who this person is and what their role exactly allegedly was remains unclear. India and Pakistan have been traditional enemies, and Pakistan is concerned about India’s influence in Afghanistan. Many Western intelligence officials have long suspected that the ISI gets aid from the US and its allies and then uses this support to help the militants the US is fighting. However, solid proof has been hard to find. However, one British official tells the London Times, “The Indian embassy bombing seems to have finally provided it. This is the smoking gun we’ve all been looking for.” [London Times, 8/3/2008] One State Department official similarly says of the bombing evidence, “It confirmed some suspicions that I think were widely held. It was sort of this ‘a-ha’ moment. There was a sense that there was finally direct proof.” US officials believe that the embassy bombing was probably carried out by members of a network led by Jalaluddin Haqqani, who in turn has close alliances with al-Qaeda and the Taliban. US officials also say there is new evidence that ISI officials are increasingly providing militants with details about the US military campaign against them. In some cases, this has allowed militants to avoid US missile strikes in Pakistan. [New York Times, 8/1/2008] Several days before these accusations against the ISI were leaked to the press, British and US officials privately confronted Pakistani officials about the charges. President Bush even directly threatened Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani with serious consequences if another attack were linked to the ISI (see July 28, 2008).
Entity Tags: Jalaluddin Haqqani, US Department of State, US intelligence, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Afghanistan, 2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing, Pakistani ISI Links to 9/11
August 2, 2008: Al-Qaeda Leader Fazul Narrowly Escapes Capture in Kenya
Pages from two passports seized in the raid. Both show pictures of Fazul but have different names. [Source: East African Standard]An al-Qaeda leader named Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, (a.k.a. Haroun Fazul), narrowly escapes capture in Kenya. The US government claims that Fazul had important roles in the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania (see 10:35-10:39 a.m., August 7, 1998) and the 2002 hotel bombing in Mombasa, Kenya (see November 28, 2002). Fazul was indicted for the embassy bombings before 9/11, and there is a $5 million reward for him. On August 2, 2008, Kenyan police raid a house in Malindi, a town on Kenya’s coast. Two passports bearing Fazul’s picture but different names are found, as well as his laptop computer. A Kenyan newspaper reports that a local police officer may have tipped off Fazul about the raid minutes before it took place. A half-eaten meal is discovered in the house, and the television is still on, leading police to believe that he ran out of the house just before they arrived. Three Kenyans are arrested and charged with helping to hide him. He reportedly narrowly escaped a US air strike in Somalia in 2007 (see December 24, 2006-January 2007), as well as a police raid in Kenya in 2003. [CNN, 8/4/2008; East African Standard, 8/5/2008] He will be killed in Somalia in 2011 (see June 10, 2011).
Entity Tags: Fazul Abdullah Mohammed
Category Tags: 1998 US Embassy Bombings, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
August 4, 2008: Scientific Journal Article Claims Presence of Thermite Could Explain Environmental Anomalies at WTC Ground Zero
Explosives on a chip [Source: Gary Meek/Georgia Institute of Technology]According to an article published in The Environmentalist, a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Springer Netherlands, air quality data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at Ground Zero support the hypothesis that cutting charges made with thermite were used to demolish the World Trade Center. The article by authors (and 9/11 truth activists) Kevin Ryan, James Gourley, and Steven Jones says the presence of thermite would best explain three major documented anomalies: [Ryan, Gourley, and Jones, 8/4/2008]
1) The Persistence of Fires at Ground Zero - As has been extensively reported, the rubble at Ground Zero continued to burn for months after 9/11, despite rain as well as firefighters’ use of large quantities of water and of the chemical fire suppressant Pyrocool. [New York Times, 11/19/2001] There is also eyewitness and photographic evidence of molten metal (see September 12, 2001-February 2002) and of explosions accompanied by white dust clouds. The book Aftermath: World Trade Center Archive by photographer Joel Meyerowitz shows a picture of such an explosion taking place on November 8, 2001. [Meyerowitz, 2006, pp. 178] Another photography books by NYPD officer John Botte also shows a picture of smoke emerging from the pile at Ground Zero and explains: “Occasionally, a huge flame would shoot out from the middle of the pile, sounding like a blow torch, as it did here.” [Botte, 2006, pp. 48-49]
2) Spikes of Certain Chemicals in the Air - EPA data shows that several spikes of chemical products of combustion, called volatile organic chemicals (VOC), occurred in October and November 2001, and in February 2002. According to the authors, these spikes indicate “abrupt, violent fires.”
3) The Presence of 1,3-Diphenylpropane - A third anomaly was the presence of large quantities of 1,3-diphenylpropane (1,3-DPP) in the air, a chemical that had not been found in previous structure fires. An EPA scientist told Newsday, “We’ve never observed it in any sampling we’ve ever done.” [Newsday, 9/14/2003]
A possible explanation would be the presence of novel “energetic nanocomposites” which include 1,3-DPP, according to scientific articles reviewed by Ryan et al. Such materials are “amenable to spray-on applications.” A 2002 report said: “The energetic coating dries to give a nice adherent film. Preliminary experiments indicate that films of the hybrid material are self-propagating when ignited by thermal stimulus.” [Ryan, Gourley, and Jones, 8/4/2008] The main center for nanocomposites research is Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). An October 2000 article in a LLNL publication provided an introduction to the research conducted there: “Energetic nanocomposites have a fuel component and an oxidizer component mixed together. […] In one such material (termed a thermite pyrotechnic), iron oxide gel reacts with metallic aluminum particles to release an enormous amount of heat. ‘These reactions typically produce temperatures in excess of 3,500 degrees Celsius’ says [LLNL researcher Randy] Simpson.” [Science & Technology Review, 10/2000] The authors conclude that “[t]he presence of energetic materials, specifically energetic nanocomposites, at [Ground Zero], has the potential to explain much of the unusual environmental data seen at the WTC. Thermite […] is such a pyrotechnic mixture that cannot be easily extinguished and is a common component of energetic nanocomposites.… [T]he detection of 1,3-DPP at the WTC supports this hypothesis. Finally, the spikes in VOCs, detected by EPA on specific dates, are more readily explained as a result of short-lived, violent fires caused by energetic materials.” [Ryan, Gourley, and Jones, 8/4/2008]
Entity Tags: Steven E. Jones, James R. Gourley, Environmental Protection Agency, Kevin Ryan
August 10, 2008: Al-Zawahiri Releases New Audio Message in English
Al-Qaeda second in command Ayman al-Zawahiri releases a new audio tape about Pakistan on which he speaks English. This is the first recording he has released in English, a language al-Zawahiri says he chose because he wants to speak directly to the Pakistani people, but cannot speak Urdu, the predominant language there. The message, produced by al-Qaeda’s media arm As-Sahab, is aired by the ARY One World news network, but is apparently not made available anywhere else on the Internet. On the tape, al-Zawahiri lists a series of grievances he has against the Pakistani government and US involvement there, as well as relating his own personal experiences living in Pakistan. [ABC News, 8/10/2008]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri
August 18, 2008: Threatened with Impeachment, Pakistani President Musharraf Resigns
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announces his resignation. Opposition to Musharraf’s rule had been slowly growing, especially since he declared a state of emergency in late 2007 to remain in power (see November 3-December 15, 2007) following a controversial reelection (see October 6, 2007). In early 2008, opposition parties united and won parliamentary elections (see February 18, 2008). The opposition then chose Yousaf Raza Gillani as the new prime minister, and Gillani took away much of Musharraf’s power (see March 22-25, 2008). The opposition parties united again to start impeachment hearings against Musharraf for his state of emergency and other claimed abuses of power. His resignation speech came hours after the opposition finalized its charges against him and prepared to launch an impeachment trial. Musharraf claims he could have defeated the charges, but he wanted to spare the country the conflict caused by the trial. Gillani remains prime minister, and the Speaker of the Pakistani Senate, Muhammad Mian Sumroo, automatically takes over as caretaker president. [BBC, 8/18/2008]
Entity Tags: Muhammad Mian Sumroo, Yousaf Raza Gillani, Pervez Musharraf
Timeline Tags: US International Relations, War in Afghanistan
Shortly After August 18, 2008: New US Policy Increases Drone Attacks in Pakistan; No Longer Asks Permission from Pakistan First
The US dramatically increases the number of CIA drone attacks on Islamist militant targets in Pakistan, and no longer relies on permission from the Pakistani government before striking. Bush administration officials had been increasingly concerned about al-Qaeda’s resurgence in Pakistan’s tribal region. A 2006 peace deal between Islamist militants and the Pakistani government gave al-Qaeda and other militant groups a chance to recover from earlier pressures (see September 5, 2006). However, the Bush administration had close ties with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who did not want more aggressive US action. But Musharraf resigns on August 18, 2008 (see August 18, 2008), and within days, President Bush signs a secret new policy.
More Drone Strikes - From August 31, 2008, until late March 2009, the CIA carries out at least 38 drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal region. By contrast there were only 10 known drone strikes in 2006 and 2007 combined. There were three strikes in 2006, seven strikes in 2007, and 36 in 2008 (all but seven of those took place after Musharraf resigned in August). Drone capabilities and intelligence collection has improved, but the change mainly has to do with politics. A former CIA official who oversaw Predator drone operations in Pakistan will later say: “We had the data all along. Finally we took off the gloves.”
Permission No Longer Needed - Additionally, the US no longer requires the Pakistani government’s permission before ordering a drone strike. US officials had suspected that many of their targets were tipped off by the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency. Now this is no longer a concern. Getting permission from Pakistan could take a day or more. Sometimes this caused the CIA to lose track of its target (see for instance 2006). [Los Angeles Times, 3/22/2009]
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Al-Qaeda, Bush administration (43), Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Pervez Musharraf, George W. Bush
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan, Drone Use in Pakistan / Afghanistan
August 21, 2008: NIST Releases Draft Final Report on WTC 7 Collapse
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) releases a draft version of the final report of its investigation of the collapse of World Trade Center Building 7, the 47-story skyscraper which collapsed late in the afternoon of 9/11 (see (5:20 p.m.) September 11, 2001). [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008] The report describes NIST’s conclusions on how fires that followed the impact of debris from the north WTC tower’s collapse resulted in the eventual collapse of WTC 7. It evaluates the emergency response and building evacuation procedures, and provides 13 recommendations for construction of buildings in the future, and improved procedures and practices. [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. xiii ] Some of the report’s key findings are:
NIST describes its theory of what caused WTC 7 to collapse: “The probable collapse sequence… was initiated by the buckling of a critical interior column.… This column had become unsupported over nine stories after initial local fire-induced damage led to a cascade of local floor failures. The buckling of this column led to a vertical progression of floor failures up to the roof and to the buckling of adjacent interior columns to the south of the critical column. An east-to-west horizontal progression of interior column buckling followed, due to loss of lateral support to adjacent columns, forces exerted by falling debris, and load redistribution from other buckled columns. The exterior columns then buckled as the failed building core moved downward, redistributing its loads to the exterior columns. Global collapse occurred as the entire building above the buckled region moved downward as a single unit.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. xxxii ]
The collapse of WTC 7 “represents the first known instance of the total collapse of a tall building primarily due to fires. The collapse could not have been prevented without controlling the fires before most of the combustible building contents were consumed.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. 43 ]
The fires in WTC 7 “were ignited as a result of the impact of debris from the collapse of WTC 1, which was approximately 370 ft to the south.… The fires were ignited on at least 10 floors; however, only the fires on floors 7 through 9 and 11 through 13 grew and lasted until the time of the building collapse.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. xxxi-xxxii ]
“Even without the initial structural damage caused by debris impact from the collapse of WTC 1, WTC 7 would have collapsed from fires having the same characteristics as those experienced on September 11, 2001.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. 44 ]
“Had a water supply for the automatic sprinkler system been available and had the sprinkler system operated as designed, it is likely that fires in WTC 7 would have been controlled and the collapse prevented.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. 43 ]
Other skyscrapers had previously survived comparable fires. “The fires in WTC 7 were similar to those that have occurred previously in several tall buildings (One New York Plaza, 1970, First Interstate Bank, 1988, and One Meridian Plaza, 1991) where the automatic sprinklers did not function or were not present. However, because of differences between their structural designs and that of WTC 7, these three buildings did not collapse.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. 43 ]
NIST found that “temperatures did not exceed 300°C in the core or perimeter columns in WTC 7,” including the three interior columns that NIST says were the first to buckle in the collapse. “None of these columns were significantly weakened by elevated temperatures.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. 49-50 ]
NIST says it found “no evidence to suggest that WTC 7 was not designed in a manner generally consistent with applicable building codes and standards.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. 53 ]
The report concludes that neither explosives nor fuel oil fires fed by diesel tanks in WTC 7 played any role in the collapse (see August 21, 2008 and August 21, 2008). [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. 44-45 ]
However, the report points out that WTC 7 “and the records kept within it were destroyed, and the remains of all the WTC buildings were disposed of before congressional action and funding was available for this investigation to begin. As a result, there are some facts that could not be discerned, and thus there are uncertainties in this accounting. Nonetheless, NIST was able to gather sufficient evidence and documentation to conduct a full investigation upon which to reach firm findings and recommendations.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. xxxi ]
NIST released a progress report in June 2004, which had included its “working hypothesis” at that time for the collapse of WTC 7 (see June 18, 2004). [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 6/18/2004] After suggestions are made by members of the public in response to the current draft report, NIST will release the finished version of the report in November 2008, which includes the same major findings and recommendations as the draft version (see November 20, 2008). [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 11/20/2008]
Entity Tags: World Trade Center, National Institute of Standards and Technology
August 21, 2008: Critics Unconvinced by NIST’s Claim that Explosives Not Used to Bring Down WTC 7
After the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces the results of its investigation into the collapse of World Trade Center Building 7, some critics dispute its explanation for the collapse and question its apparent debunking of claims that explosives were used to demolish the building. The 47-story tower collapsed late in the afternoon of 9/11, even though no plane hit it (see (5:20 p.m.) September 11, 2001). Some have argued that fire and the falling debris from the Twin Towers’ collapses should not have brought down such a large steel and concrete structure. [Associated Press, 8/21/2008]
NIST Lacks 'the Expertise on Explosives' - James Quintiere, a professor of fire protection engineering at the University of Maryland who previously worked as the chief of NIST’s fire science and engineering division, says that NIST does not “have the expertise on explosives, so I don’t know how they came to that conclusion,” that explosives did not cause the collapse. However, Quintiere says he never personally believed explosives were involved. [Los Angeles Times, 8/22/2008] Richard Gage, a California architect and leader of a group called Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth, complains, “How much longer do we have to endure the cover-up of how Building 7 was destroyed?” The New York Times points out that “the collapse of 7 World Trade Center—home at the time to branch offices of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Secret Service, and the Giuliani administration’s emergency operations center—is cited in hundreds of Web sites and books as perhaps the most compelling evidence that an insider secretly planted explosives, intentionally destroying the tower.” [New York Times, 8/21/2008]
NIST Presentation - At a presentation of its findings earlier in the day, NIST announced that, in its three-year study of the collapse, it found no evidence showing explosives were used to bring the building down. [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008; National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008] During his summary of the findings of NIST’s WTC 7 investigation (see August 21, 2008), lead investigator Shyam Sunder said, “We did not find any evidence that explosives were used to bring the building down.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008]
'No Witness Reports' of Loud Explosions - In the draft version of its final report on the collapse, which is released on this day (see August 21, 2008), NIST explains: “Blast from the smallest charge capable of failing a critical column… would have resulted in a sound level of 130 dB to 140 dB at a distance of at least half a mile if unobstructed by surrounding buildings.… This sound level is consistent with standing next to a jet plane engine and more than ten times louder than being in front of the speakers at a rock concert. There were no witness reports of such a loud noise, nor was such a noise heard on the audio tracks of video recordings of the WTC 7 collapse.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. 44-45 ]
NIST Rules out Thermite - Skeptics have argued that an incendiary material called thermite was used to bring down WTC 7 (see August 4, 2008), and this would not necessarily have created such a loud explosive boom. [New York Times, 8/21/2008] But in a fact sheet published on this day, NIST responds: “To apply thermite to a large steel column, approximately 0.13 lb of thermite would be needed to heat and melt each pound of steel. For a steel column that weighs approximately 1,000 lbs. per foot, at least 100 lbs. of thermite would need to be placed around the column, ignited, and remain in contact with the vertical steel surface as the thermite reaction took place. This is for one column… presumably, more than one column would have been prepared with thermite, if this approach were to be used. It is unlikely that 100 lbs. of thermite, or more, could have been carried into WTC 7 and placed around columns without being detected, either prior to Sept. 11 or during that day.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008] Sunder says that investigators therefore decided not to use their computer model to evaluate whether a thermite-fueled fire might have brought down WTC 7. Pointing to the omission, one skeptic says, “It is very difficult to find what you are not looking for.” [New York Times, 8/21/2008] In a 2006 fact sheet, NIST in fact admitted it “did not test for the residue” of explosives or thermite in the remaining structural steel from the WTC collapses (see August 30, 2006). [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/30/2006] And, as the New York Times notes, “Adding to the suspicion is the fact that in the rush to clean up the site, almost all of the steel remains of the tower were disposed of, leaving investigators in later years with little forensic evidence” (see Shortly After September 11, 2001 and September 12-October 2001). [New York Times, 8/21/2008]
Extensive Preparations for Demolition - NIST’s new fact sheet also points out: “For [WTC 7] to have been prepared for intentional demolition, walls and/or column enclosures and fireproofing would have to be removed and replaced without being detected. Preparing a column includes steps such as cutting sections with torches, which produces noxious and odorous fumes. Intentional demolition usually requires applying explosive charges to most, if not all, interior columns, not just one or a limited set of columns in a building.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008]
Entity Tags: Richard Gage, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Shyam Sunder, World Trade Center, James Quintiere
August 21, 2008: NIST Rules out Diesel Tanks in Collapse of WTC 7
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) publicly rejects the theory that diesel fuel tanks installed in World Trade Center Building 7 played any role in the 47-story tower’s collapse, late in the afternoon of 9/11. This is clearly set out in a question-and-answer factsheet published on this day, together with an announcement of NIST’s draft report on the building’s collapse (see August 21, 2008 and August 21, 2008). The factsheet asks, “Did fuel oil systems in WTC 7 contribute to its collapse?” The answer is “No…. The worst-case scenarios associated with fires… could not have been sustained long enough, could not have generated sufficient heat to weaken critical interior columns, and/or would have produced large amounts of visible smoke from the lower floors, which were not observed.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008; New York Times, 8/21/2008] These findings are echoed in the draft version of its final report on the collapse. [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/2008, pp. xxxii ] WTC 7 had three emergency power systems, all of which ran on diesel fuel. The systems contained two 12,000 gallon fuel tanks and two 6,000 gallon tanks located beneath the building’s loading docks, and another 6,000 gallon tank on its first floor. There were also 275 gallon tanks on the fifth, seventh, and eighth floors, and a 50 gallon tank on the ninth floor. [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008] It has previously been suggested that diesel stored in these tanks might have contributed to fires that led to WTC 7’s collapse (see March 2, 2002). [New York Times, 3/2/2002] This possibility was proposed in the final report of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) investigation of the WTC collapses, published in May 2002 (see May 1, 2002). [Federal Emergency Management Agency, 5/1/2002, pp. 5-28 - 5-29] But in his summary of the findings of NIST’s three-year study of WTC 7, lead investigator Shyam Sunder says the building’s collapse was “not due to fires from the substantial amount of diesel fuel stored in the building.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008]
Entity Tags: World Trade Center, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Shyam Sunder
August 21, 2008: NIST Announces Conclusions of WTC 7 Investigation, Presents New Theory for Collapse
NIST lead investigator Shyam Sunder answering questions about NIST’s three-year study of the collapse of WTC 7. [Source: Don Berkemeyer / National Institute of Standards and Technology]The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces the findings of its study of the collapse of World Trade Center Building 7, and says the 47-story tower fell late in the afternoon of 9/11 primarily due to fires. [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008; National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008] NIST releases its findings as part of a 915-page report, which is the result of three years’ work by over 50 federal investigators and a dozen contractors (see August 21, 2008). [New York Times, 8/21/2008]
Collapse Is 'No Longer a Mystery' - In a news conference at NIST’s headquarters in Gaithersburg, Maryland, lead investigator Shyam Sunder admits: “[W]e knew from the beginning of our study that understanding what happened to Building 7 on 9/11 would be difficult. It did not fit any textbook description that you could readily point to and say, yes, that’s why the building failed.” But, he says, “[T]he reason for the collapse of World Trade Center 7 is no longer a mystery.” [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008; New York Times, 8/21/2008]
'New Phenomenon' Caused Collapse - Sunder says the “critical factor” that initiated the collapse was “thermal expansion of long-span floor systems located in the east side of the building,” and adds that NIST’s study “has identified thermal expansion as a new phenomenon that can cause structural collapse. For the first time we have shown that fire can induce a progressive collapse.”
Collapse Sequence - Sunder describes the sequence of events NIST believes led to the collapse of WTC 7. He says debris from the collapse of the north WTC tower “started fires on at least 10 floors of the building. The fires burned out of control on six of these 10 floors for about seven hours. The city water main had been cut by the collapse of the two WTC towers, so the sprinklers in Building 7 did not function for much of the bottom half of the building.” He continues: “Fires on floors 7 through 9 and 11 through 13 were particularly severe.… Eventually, a girder on floor 13 lost its connection to a critical interior column.” Floor 13 collapsed, beginning a cascade of floor failures down to the fifth floor. “With the support of these floors gone, column 79 buckled, which initiated the fire-induced progressive collapse of the building.… This in turn caused the failure of nearby columns 80 and 81 and floor failures up to the roof line.… As the roof line begins to fall adjacent columns buckle as well. In quick succession, the remaining interior columns failed from east to west across WTC 7, until the entire core began moving downward. Finally, the remaining outer shell or façade of the building fell.”
NIST Created 'Virtual WTC 7' Model - Sunder says that NIST reached its conclusions about the collapse “by reconstructing the entire building, beam by beam, column by column, connection by connection into a computer model, a virtual WTC 7 building. We then filled that virtual building with as much detail as possible about exactly what types of furnishings were on each floor. Then we set fire to those virtual offices on the floors where video and other visual evidence told us the fires burned.” The investigators “used a well-validated computer program developed at NIST, for studying the growth and spread of fires, to calculate temperatures throughout the building.… And we used well-established data on the properties of structural steel, the sprayed fire resistive material or fireproofing, and other building materials to determine how those temperatures affected the structure.”
Explosives Not Used - Sunder says that the investigators “did not find any evidence that explosives were used to bring the building down” (see August 21, 2008), nor was the collapse “due to fires from the substantial amount of diesel fuel stored in the building” (see August 21, 2008). NIST commenced its investigation of the WTC collapses in 2002 (see August 21, 2002) and issued its findings on the collapses of the Twin Towers in October 2005 (see October 26, 2005). Since then it has been focused on WTC 7. [Government Computer News, 8/21/2008; National Institute of Standards and Technology, 8/21/2008]
Final Report to Be Released - After suggestions are made by members of the public in response to its current report, NIST will release a finished version of the same report in November 2008, thereby completing its WTC investigation (see November 20, 2008). [National Institute of Standards and Technology, 11/20/2008]
August 23, 2008: Pakistani Prime Minister Gillani Publicly Opposes US Drone Strikes, Privately Allows Them
US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson sends a diplomatic cable back to the US reporting on recent discussions she had with Pakistani leaders. In the cable, she discusses a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani. The issue of when the next US drone strike in Pakistan’s tribal region would be politically feasible came up. According to the cable, Gillani said: “I don’t care if they do it as long as they get the right people. We’ll protest in the National Assembly and then ignore it.” The cable will later be released by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks. [Christian Science Monitor, 12/1/2010; Dawn (Karachi), 12/2/2010]
Entity Tags: Yousaf Raza Gillani, Anne W. Patterson
August 28, 2008: President Bush Extends National Emergency Declared after 9/11
In his last full year in office, President Bush announces that he is again renewing the national emergency he proclaimed in response to the 9/11 attacks (see September 14, 2001). Bush issues a notice that states: “Because the terrorist threat continues, the national emergency declared on September 14, 2001, and the powers and authorities adopted to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond September 14, 2008. Therefore, I am continuing in effect for an additional year the national emergency I declared on September 14, 2001, with respect to the terrorist threat.” [White House, 8/28/2008] The national emergency has been renewed on a yearly basis since 2001. [US President, 9/16/2002; White House, 9/10/2004; White House, 9/8/2005; White House, 9/5/2006; White House, 9/12/2007]
Entity Tags: George W. Bush
Category Tags: Counterterrorism Policy/Politics, Internal US Security After 9/11
September 2008: After First Classified Briefing, Obama Is Convinced Bin Laden Is Hiding in Pakistan
As the Democratic Party’s nominee for US president, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is given his first classified intelligence briefing. The briefing includes information on the hunt for Osama bin Laden. An unnamed senior official will later say that Obama already is under the impression that bin Laden has to be hiding in Pakistan, and the briefing solidifies that view. The official says, “What I remember in terms of the aftermath of that briefing and into the transition was just how much the focus became on Pakistan.” [Reuters, 5/12/2011]
Entity Tags: Osama bin Laden, US intelligence, Barack Obama
Timeline Tags: War in Afghanistan, 2008 Elections
Category Tags: Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan
September-December 2008: US Special Forces Unwittingly Train Less than One Mile from Bin Laden’s Abbottabad Hideout
From September to December 2008, a team of US Special Forces trainers is based in Abbottabad, Pakistan, ironically less than one mile from the compound Osama bin Laden is hiding in at the time. The trainers are in Abbottabad as part of an unpublicized mission to train Pakistani Frontier Corps forces. The training takes place in Kakul Military Academy, Pakistan’s equivalent of the US’s famous West Point military academy. The training is later moved to Warsak, Pakistan. [Radio Free Europe, 5/6/2011; Washington Post, 5/11/2011]
Entity Tags: Osama bin Laden, US Special Forces, Kakul Military Academy
September 8, 2008: Al-Zawahiri Releases New Video Accusing Iran and US of Collaboration
Al-Qaeda second in command Ayman al-Zawahiri releases a video accusing Iran of collaborating with the United States. Excerpts of the video are played on the Qatar-based pan-Arabic TV channel Al Jazeera, but apparently not posted to the websites usually used for disseminating such videos. Al-Zawahiri says Tehran is “cooperating with the Americans in occupying Iraq and Afghanistan,” and denounces the Iranians for recognizing the two governments. “Not even one Shiite authority—whether in Iraq or elsewhere—has issued a fatwa [religious edict] obligating jihad and taking up of arms against the American crusader invaders in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he adds. The video also features clips of al-Qaeda operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. [Los Angeles Times, 9/9/2008]
Entity Tags: Al Jazeera, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda
September 8, 2008: Member of European Parliament Calls for International Tribunal to Investigate 9/11
Giulietto Chiesa, a prominent Italian journalist who is also a member of the European Parliament, calls for an international tribunal to probe the events of 9/11. Chiesa makes his appeal in Berlin where he is to show his documentary Zero: An Investigation of 9/11, which argues that the US government’s account cannot be true. He says: “If feelings were strong enough a positive result could be obtained, but it would not happen immediately. So far it’s been the US administration that has won the information fight and obtained their result—unfortunately. Our task is to inform millions of people of the true situation. Everybody should be involved in this struggle with a tribunal or commission helping once we win approval for the idea.” Chiesa was a correspondent in Moscow for many years (see June 16, 1999). He announces that his film will be shown on Russian television (see September 12, 2008). [Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Hamburg), 9/8/2008]
Entity Tags: Giulietto Chiesa
September 8, 2008: US Drone Attack Fails to Assassinate Taliban Leaders Linked to ISI
Jalaluddin Haqqani. [Source: New York Times]A US drone attack targets the Haqqani network in the tribal region of Pakistan. Pakistani officials will say that five missiles kill 23 people and wound 18 more. The missiles hit a compound in North Waziristan run by Sirajuddin Haqqani, the son of Jalaluddin Haqqani. It appears they are targeted, since family members arrived at the compound just a half hour before. However, neither Haqqani network leader is killed. Officials say one of Jalaluddin Haqqani’s two wives, his sister, sister-in-law, and eight of his grandchildren are killed. The Haqqani network is considered a semi-autonomous part of the Taliban. The US believes the Haqqani network has been involved in recent attacks in Afghanistan, including the bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul (see July 7, 2008) and a failed assassination attempt against Afghan President Hamid Karzai (see April 27, 2008). The Haqqani network is widely believed to be closely linked to the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency. [New York Times, 9/10/2008]
Entity Tags: Jalaluddin Haqqani, US Military, Sirajuddin Haqqani, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Haqqani Network
Category Tags: Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, 2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing, Afghanistan, Drone Use in Pakistan / Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
September 9, 2008: New Metal Research May Explain WTC Collapses, Scientist Says
’Iron atoms in steel: Black balls show irregularities that disrupt magnetic fields, weakening steel.’ [Source: BBC]Sergei Dudarev, a scientist with Britain’s Atomic Energy Agency, says that newly-discovered properties of steel could explain why the World Trade Center towers collapsed. Dr. Dudarev researches steel that can withstand the extreme temperatures inside a nuclear fusion reactor. He says that at about 500° Celsius, a temperature often reached in building fires, tiny irregularities in the structure of steel can cause a softening of the metal, although that is still far below the melting point. Dudarev says: “The steel didn’t melt, it just became soft. It is an unusual state and the temperatures in the Twin Towers were high enough to cause it because the thermal insulation was knocked off the girders through the impact with the aircraft.” [Guardian, 9/9/2008; BBC News, 9/10/2008; Independent, 9/10/2008; ABC Radio National (Australia), 9/20/2008]
Entity Tags: Sergei Dudarev
September 9, 2008: Zardari Becomes New President of Pakistan after Quick Election
Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of assassinated former leader Benazir Bhutto, becomes president of Pakistan. Pervez Musharraf resigned as president the previous month after growing pressure suggested he could be impeached (see August 18, 2008). A three-week election campaign quickly followed, and Zardari easily won the election (an electoral college vote, not a general election). Zardari’s elections completes Pakistan’s return to civilian rule after Musharraf seized power in a military coup nine years earlier. [Guardian, 9/9/2008]
"Mr. Ten Percent" - Zardari has a troubled history of numerous corruption allegations. His popular nickname, “Mr. Ten Percent,” refers to the widespread belief in Pakistan that he took a cut from many business deals when his wife Bhutto was prime minister of Pakistan twice in the 1990s. He spent 11 years in prison on corruption charges, although he was never actually convicted of a crime. Bhutto seemed poised for a return to power, but when she was assassinated in late 2007, Zardari essentially took her place as head of her political party, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Supporters say he has matured during his years in prison. [Wall Street Journal, 9/5/2008]
Entity Tags: Pakistan People’s Party, Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf, Asif Ali Zardari
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region
September 10, 2008: US May Have Committed 9/11 Attacks, Says Former Syrian Minister
Mahdi Dakhlallah, a former Syrian minister of information, writes in the newspaper Teshreen that the US may have orchestrated the 9/11 attacks to justify the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. “These plans were ready and prepared [in advance]—and all that was needed was to find a pretext to begin their immediate implementation.… No one believes that it was possible to invade Afghanistan and Iraq in the same way and so fast had it not been for the 9/11 attacks. That’s how it always is: the end justifies the means.” [Jerusalem Post, 9/11/2008; Middle East Media Research Institute, 9/11/2008]
Entity Tags: Mahdi Dakhlallah
September 12, 2008: 9/11 Documentary Shown on Russian Television Is Praised by Panel Members
Russia’s Channel One broadcasts Zero: An Investigation into 9/11, a documentary made by the Italian journalist Giulietto Chiesa that disputes the US government’s account of the 9/11 attacks, followed by a discussion between various Russian and foreign personalities. While some panel members defend the US government’s account, others reject it and praise the film. Vitaly Tretyakov, the former editor in chief of Nezavisimaya Gazeta, a major daily newspaper, calls the 9/11 Commission’s report “fiction” and says he could not believe that a small group of terrorists could have masterminded the attacks. Another journalist, Mikhail Leontyev, who is a Channel One presenter and editor in chief of Profil magazine, also expresses disbelief: “A certain organization committed a totally extraordinary act from the point of view of its coordination. Allegedly, this organization still exists, it continues fighting and killing people; it is keeping the US army in two countries in the world and, at the same time, there has not been a single [terrorist] act on the territory of the United States since.” He also says that the alleged organizers were controlled by US intelligence: “all the people who are regarded as the fictitious or real organizers of this [terrorist] act, all these people were controlled by the American special services.” The collapse of the World Trade Center is also discussed. Ashot Tamrazyan, the director of the Risks and Security of Buildings research center, says his organization had created a model and carried out many tests that had shown that the Twin Towers could not have collapsed unless there were other contributing factors. Robert Bridge, the editor in chief of the Moscow News, an English-language newspaper, says he does not believe Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon because of the lack of debris: “In any plane crash there are remains left. There is luggage, there are seats, etc.… Why did this plane crash so differently from any other crash we have seen?” Vladimir Dezhurov, a cosmonaut who observed the 9/11 events from the International Space Station, also questions the Pentagon crash (see (Between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.) September 11, 2001). He says an air crash always leaves debris behind. [Francesco Tre and Franco Fracassi, 2008; BBC Monitoring, 9/12/2008] Commenting on the broadcast, a Weekly Standard article entitled “The Russian Government Warms Up to 9/11 Conspiracy Theories” says that the Kremlin is promoting 9/11 skepticism to stoke anti-Americanism (see also November 2, 2008). [Weekly Standard, 10/13/2008]
Entity Tags: Giulietto Chiesa, Vladimir Dezhurov
September 19, 2008: Martyr Video of 9/11 Hijacker Is Released Too Late for 9/11 Anniversary
Ahmed Alghamdi in his martyr video. [Source: Public domain]Al-Qaeda releases a martyr video of 9/11 hijacker Ahmed Alghamdi. In the ten-minute video, in Arabic with English subtitles, Alghamdi says, “There are many proofs which clarify and encourage martyrdom operations. They are one of the ways of massacring the enemies of Allah, so you must carry them out.” The video was most likely recorded in Afghanistan in March 2001, at the same time most of the other hijackers recorded martyr videos (see (December 2000-March 2001)). This is the seventh one released. [Sun, 9/22/2008] Alghamdi’s speech is part of a 90-minute video featuring speeches by al-Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri and others. Al-Qaeda promised through the Internet to release the video in time for the 9/11 anniversary, as it did with other 9/11 hijacker videos each year, but the video appears one week late. Some counterterrorism experts say the delay could be a sign that al-Qaeda’s propaganda efforts are faltering. [Associated Press, 9/19/2008; Sun-Herald (Sydney), 9/21/2008] Al-Qaeda will not release any hijacker videos in 2009 or 2010.
Entity Tags: Ahmed Alghamdi, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda
Category Tags: Other 9/11 Hijackers, Alleged Al-Qaeda Media Statements
September 21, 2008: Remains of 13 Hijackers Still in US Custody
The New York Times reports that the FBI and the New York City medical examiner’s office have identified the remains of 13 of the 9/11 hijackers. The remains are still in their custody because no one has claimed them (see Summer 2002). The FBI holds the remains of the nine hijackers who took over Flight 77 and Flight 93, which were recovered from the Pentagon and Shanksville crash sites. The identity of the remains was established indirectly. First, investigators identified the victims using DNA profiles provided by relatives. Those remains that could not be matched to any profile were assumed to belong to the hijackers. The New York City medical examiner’s office also has the remains of four hijackers recovered from the World Trade Center site. A DNA profile for each of the 10 hijackers who took part in the New York attacks was established by the FBI from recovered personal items, such as luggage and cigarette butts left in a rental car. The FBI then supplied these profiles to the medical examiner’s office but without naming them. Therefore, the examiner’s office could only match the four recovered sets of remains but could not identify them by name. Both the FBI and the medical examiner’s office refuse to disclose where exactly the remains are being kept. [New York Times, 9/21/2008; Newsweek, 1/12/2009]
Entity Tags: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Medical Examiner’s Office, New York City
Category Tags: FBI 9/11 Investigation, 9/11 Investigations
September 30, 2008: Pakistan Replaces ISI Director Due to US Pressure, but Pro-Militant Policy Remains
ISI Director Nadeem Taj is replaced by Ahmad Shuja Pasha. [Daily Times (Lahore), 9/30/2008] One day ago, it was reported that the US was intensely pressuring Taj and two of his assistants to resign from the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, because of alleged “double-dealing” with militants. Taj became ISI head only a year ago (see 2007). [Australian, 9/29/2008] In March 2009, the New York Times will report that shortly after Asif Ali Zardari became president of Pakistan in September 2008 (see September 9, 2008), he faced accusations by the US that the ISI helped the militants bomb the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan (see July 7, 2008 and July 28, 2008). Zardari promised that the ISI would be “handled” and anyone working with militants would be fired. This apparently led to the replacement of Taj and his assistants. The Indian embassy bombing occurred during Taj’s brief time as ISI director. However, the Times will also report that many US and even Pakistani officials have since complained that the ISI’s support for militants remains as strong as ever (see March 26, 2009). [New York Times, 3/26/2009] In October 2001, the US also successfully pressured Pakistan to replace its ISI director and several others because of their support for Islamist militants, only to see the replacements continue the same policy of supporting militants (see October 8, 2001).
Entity Tags: Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Nadeem Taj, Asif Ali Zardari, Ahmad Shuja Pasha
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, 2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
Shortly Before October 1, 2008: FBI Denies Permission for Television Interview of Agents about Key Failure before 9/11
The FBI attempts to prevent two agents who were involved in a key pre-9/11 failure from talking about it in a television interview. The agents, Doug Miller and Mark Rossini, were on loan to Alec Station, the CIA’s bin Laden unit, before 9/11. They were involved in the deliberate blocking of a cable to the FBI saying that 9/11 hijacker Khalid Almihdhar had a US visa (see 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. January 5, 2000) and later, under pressure, falsely claimed not to remember anything about it when interviewed by the Justice Department’s inspector general (see (February 12, 2004)). The FBI allowed Miller and Rossini to be interviewed by author James Bamford for a book and they told him they helped block the cable on the orders of a female CIA officer known only as “Michael” and the station’s deputy chief, Tom Wilshire. However, when Bamford wants them to repeat their stories for a PBS documentary he is making, the FBI initially says yes, but then retracts its approval, saying the bureau “doesn’t want to stir up old conflicts with the CIA.” [Congressional Quarterly, 10/1/2008] However, Rossini will actually appear in the documentary, although Miller will not. [PBS, 2/3/2009]
Entity Tags: James Bamford, Mark Rossini, Doug Miller, Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, CIA Hiding Alhazmi & Almihdhar, 9/11 Investigations, Other 9/11 Investigations
October 3, 2008: Reporter Says Bin Laden Is Living in Pakistani Villa, Not a Cave; Source Is US Intelligence Officer
Christiane Amanpour on “Real Time With Bill Maher” on October 3, 2008. [Source: Real Time with Bill Maher]ABC News reporter Christiane Amanpour says that Osama bin Laden is living in a villa in Pakistan, not in a cave. She makes these comments as a guest on HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher. She says: “I just talked to somebody very knowledgeable… [who] thinks that [bin Laden is] in a villa, a nice comfortable villa… in Pakistan. Not a cave.” After bin Laden’s death in an urban compound in May 2011 (see May 2, 2011), Amanpour will explain that she’d heard the information a short time earlier from a “US intelligence officer who had recently left a top position.” [ABC News, 5/3/2011]
Entity Tags: Christiane Amanpour, Osama bin Laden, US intelligence
Category Tags: Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan
October 13, 2008: Pakistan Denies Role in Kabul Embassy Bombing, but Admits Link to ‘Bad Guys’ Who May Have Done It
Mahmud Ali Durrani, Pakistan’s national security adviser, visits India and meets with Indian officials. He tells them that neither the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, nor any other part of the Pakistani government had a role in the bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, earlier this year (see July 7, 2008). The Indian government and other governments have blamed the ISI working with the Taliban for the bombing (see August 1, 2008). However, Durrani does admit, “We have some contacts with bad guys and perhaps one of them did it.” This comment is not made publicly, but it is mentioned in a US State Department cable about the meeting that is leaked by WikiLeaks in 2011. According to the cable, Durrani later repeats the comment to a US official. [Hindu, 5/20/2011]
Entity Tags: Mahmud Ali Durrani, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, 2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing, Afghanistan
October 16, 2008: US Drone Strike Kills Al-Qaeda Leader Khalid Habib in Pakistan’s Tribal Region
A CIA drone kills al-Qaeda leader Khalid Habib. The drone strike hits the village of Taparghai, South Waziristan, in Pakistan’s tribal region. The CIA claims that Habib, an Egyptian, is the group’s fourth-ranking leader. Four people are said to be killed. It is said Habib became al-Qaeda’s chief of operations for the tribal region after Abu Ubaida al-Masri died from hepatitis around January 2008. [New York Times, 10/17/2008; Asia Times, 10/29/2008] Little had been previously reported on Habib. But in early 2007, a New York Times article listed him as one of a handful of important new al-Qaeda leaders, and the FBI called him “one of the five or six most capable, most experienced terrorists in the world.” [CBS News, 3/15/2007; New York Times, 4/2/2007] A drone strike failed to kill Habib in 2006 (see 2006).
Entity Tags: Khalid Habib, Abu Ubaida al-Masri, Al-Qaeda, Central Intelligence Agency
Category Tags: Key Captures and Deaths, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Drone Use in Pakistan / Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
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The Downing Of Flight MH17: Five Years Later
I'd take no deal over no Brexit, says Labour's Sarah Champion
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Mahilig sa lobster: French minister resigns after lobster dinner scandal
Indictment alleges MS-13 hacked victims to death
No-deal Brexit looms larger as Johnson, Hunt declare backstop 'dead'
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Main | Company news
A large consignment of germanium-76 isotope has been shipped to Germany under the contract between Isotope JSC and the Technical University of Munich. The batch was produced by PA Electrochemical Plant JSC (ECP, Zelenogorsk, Krasnoyarsk region; an enterprise of TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom).
Germanium-76 has been supplied for the joint international research collaboration LEGEND (Large Enriched Germanium Experiment for Neutrinoless ββ Decay), which studies the properties of neutrino, an elementary particle. Scientists believe that registration of neutrinoless double beta decay of a nucleus will be a major discovery in modern physics and another significant step towards understanding the fundamental properties of matter.
The LEGEND collaboration was established as a result of unification of two major international scientific projects - the European GERDA and the North-American Majorana - both experiments were searching for the double neutrinoless beta decay using detectors made of germanium-76, which had been produced by ECP (at the plant, the substance is enriched up to the required isotope purity in a cascade of gas centrifuges). The new project has been joined by other research groups that were engaged in similar experiments, the collaboration now comprises more than 50 research organizations around the world, including about 30 in Russia.
The merging of these projects made it possible for scientists to consolidate research results as well as financial resources. The specific feature of such is that they require large amounts of isotope products. Researchers estimate that the joint collaboration could use more than 1000 kg of germanium-76.
"For more than 10 years, Rosatom has been supplying stable isotopes for neutrino research projects, meanwhile the most recent contract was concluded following a competitive international tender. Once again, the Electrochemical Plant has perfectly fulfilled all the high requirements of our foreign customer. Within a very short timeframe, the plant manufactured a large batch weighing more than 20 kg", Rustam Rakhmatulin, Director General of Isotope JSC, noted.
Over the years of participation in neutrino research projects, Rosatom's subsidiaries not only mastered the production of necessary isotope products, but also solved a number of nonconventional tasks related to export shipments, developing complex logistics supply schemes from Siberia to Europe. Intermediate storage of products is arranged in an underground repository in a specially made sarcophagus that protects the isotopes from cosmic radiation. In addition, ECP specialists have developed a special shipping packaging container that performs the same functions as the underground sarcophagus.
Beside germanium-76 for the LEGEND collaboration, ECP also produces molybdenum-100 for another major neutrino research project, AMORE (Republic of Korea).
TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom is the world leader in stable isotope production with a global market share of 40%. The Electrochemical Plant in Zelenogorsk alone produces 107 stable isotopes of 21 chemical elements. At the same time, the enterprise is developing its unique competence in radioactive isotopes enrichment in gas centrifuges.
TVEL Fuel Company of ROSATOM incorporates enterprises for the fabrication of nuclear fuel, conversion and enrichment of uranium, production of gas centrifuges, as well as research and design organizations. It is the only supplier of nuclear fuel for Russian nuclear power plants. TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom provides nuclear fuel for 76 power reactors in 15 countries worldwide, research reactors in eight countries, as well as transport reactors of the Russian nuclear fleet. Every sixth power reactor in the world operates on fuel manufactured by TVEL. www.tvel.ru
PA Electrochemical Plant JSC (Zelenogorsk, Krasnoyarsk region) produces low-enriched uranium for NPP fuel assemblies, stable and radioactive isotopes of various chemical elements and a range of other high-technology products. The plant is a part of TVEL Fuel Company of ROSATOM State Corporation. www.ecp.ru
Isotope JSC is the official supplier of Rosatom's isotope complex products to the international market and a key supplier of these products to the domestic market. The enterprise was established in 1958. At present, partners of Isotope JSC include more than 100 foreign companies in 30 countries and more than 600 organizations in Russia, including medical institutions, industrial enterprises and scientific organizations. The company provides a full range of services in marketing of isotope products, radiation equipment and equipment for general and medical use. www.isotop.ru
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The SIM »
News and Stories »
Meanwhile, in Russia - 1947
Brockpaine
Thursday, June 30th 2016, 10:00pm
Baku Delays Vote on Plan for Azeri Unification
January - In Baku, the Federation Republic of Azerbaijan's Duma voted to reschedule a vote on Aslan Abdullayev's proposal to unify the two separate parts of Azerbaijan. The delay happened as members expressed concern about potential financial repercussions that would result. President Abdullayev was given eighteen months to conduct a study and present a detailed report to the Federated Republic's duma regarding the economic impact. According to sources in Baku, Abdullayev only wrote the unification proposal at the request of the Federated Republic duma, and expressed 'intense frustration' with the legislative body's postphonement of a vote.
Battleships Depart for Atlantic
January - The three newly-completed lineships Retvizan, Potemkin, and Georgii Pobedonosets departed Kronshtadt under escort from the icebreakers Alexsei Chirikov, Shkval, and Solovei Budemirochich, bound for the French Atlantic port of Brest, where they will join their brothership Rostislav in undertaking post-construction working-up duties. Due to considerations of winter weather in Western Europe, the Alexsei Chirikov will accompany the lineships to France.
A spokesman for the Marine-Maritime Fleet of the Russian Federation revealed that the four lineships would not return to Petrograd upon completion of their training regime, but would instead join the Northern Fleet, based on the Murman coast, replacing the four lineships of the Imperator Petr Veliki class, which are being rotated out to the Black Sea Fleet.
Aeroflot Airliner Crashes in Switzerland
February - An Ilyushin Il-12 airliner crashed during takeoff from Zurich airport in Switzerland. According to Swiss authorities, the aircraft, bound from Zurich to Lvov by way of Vienna, hit a patch of slush during takeoff and slid off the runway at approximately a hundred kilometers an hour and eventually impacted a Swissair DC-2 aircraft that was being moved to the nearby maintenance facilities. The Swissair aircraft caught fire. Eighteen of the twenty occupants of the Aeroflot aircraft were injured during the crash, with no fatalities; the pilot and copilot of the Swissair DC-2 suffered minor burns and sprains as they jumped out the cockpit windows of their aircraft. Aeroflot's spokesman indicated that weather played "a major contributing factor" in the mishap.
Meteorite Falls in the Sikhote-Alin Mountains
February 13 - Russians living in Primorsky Krai observed a large and brilliant meteorite that occurred at 10:30 yesterday morning (February 12). The blinding flash and thunder of the meteorite's impact was visible for nearly three hundred kilometers around the point of impact, which is currently believed to be in the vicinity of Luchegorsk in the Sikhote-Alin Mountains. A smoke trail was observed in the sky for several hours. Representatives of the Far Eastern Division of the Russian Academy of Science are reportedly en route to the impact region in order to seek out meteoritic fragments.
Autoroute Approved by Government
February - Minister of Transport Sergey Konstantinov confirmed that his Ministry would use a portion of road-construction funding in order to construct four motorways within the Russian Federation, in collaboration with the governments of the Baltic States. The motorways to be constructed are Moskva-Minsk, Petrograd-Moskva, Petrograd-Riga, and Minsk-Vilnius. Construction will begin following the spring thaw, with all phases of the project scheduled to complete by fall of 1952. According to rumors, the Russian government is endorsing discussions within the Lithuanian government into constructing its own internal network, designed to link Vilnius to the Lithuanian Baltic port of Palanga, connect Kaunas to Riga, and connect Vilnius to the German autobahn network at Konigsberg. A final decision by the Lithuanian government is not expected this year, however.
Motorway construction within the Russian Federation has been a difficult subject. Unlike Western Europe where car ownership is more common and driving distances are lower, internal transportation is dominated by the railways, with barge traffic on rivers and canals second in tonnage. Motorway-style ring roads have been constructed around Petrograd and Moskva, but no major inter-city links have ever survived the proposal process within the Ministry of Transportation. Observers expected that a motorway between Moskva and Petrograd would eventually be built to serve as a test case for whether the Federation as a whole could benefit from motorway construction; however, the scale of this newly approved project, and its international links into the Baltic States, may be part of the larger political effort to counterbalance foreign economic influence in the region.
Russian Ground Forces Testing New Armoured Vehicle
March - The Main Directorate of Armoured Forces (GABTU) announced that they were testing an experimental new infantry carrying armoured vehicle, the Ob'yekt 241, at the testing and training grounds in Shpola, Ukraine. The ten Ob'yekt 241 pre-series prototypes, built in the Putilov Petrograd Factory, are being evaluated for adoption by the Ground Forces as a replacement for aging BTR-35 fully tracked infantry carriers. Like the BTR-35, the Ob'yekt 241 is fully tracked, and will replace BTR-152 armoured trucks in certain elite formations.
Sukhoi Unveils Naval Fighter Jet
March [AV-MF Official Press Release : For Immediate Distribution] - The prototype of a carrier-based jet fighter designed by the Sukhoi OKB (design bureau) conducted its first flight at Ramenskoye airfield.
Iron Processing Plant Opens in Kola Peninsula
March - The first pelletizing test plant in Russia entered operation on the Kola peninsula. Equipped with a new shaft furnace design, the plant produces iron pellets for shipment and use in the steel industry. If proven successful, the new plant design and process could revolutionize the Federation's steel-mining industry.
Rynda Joins the Baltic Fleet
March - The newly constructed air-defense cruiser (kreyser protivovozdushnoy pborony) Rynda entered acceptance trials with the Baltic Fleet at the beginning of March. The cruiser, armed with eight 13cm dual-purpose guns, shall take on duties as the flagship of the Baltic Fleet upon his final commissioning.
Construction Season Begins
April - With the spring thaw, construction has started on two highly-significant construction projects within the western Russian Federation. Petrograd's flood-control project, designed to prevent catastrophic ocean flooding during unusual weather conditions, entered the first construction phase at the beginning of the month. Similarly, crews began clearing ground for the first true inter-city motorway in the Federation, to be constructed between Moskva and Petrograd. The motorway project has already gotten off to a slightly rocky start, however, as the Prosecutor General's Investigative Committee ordered the arrest of two major project bidders on charges of attempting to use bribes to influence contracts.
Growth of Russian Merchant Marine
May - Two more barge carriers of the Anton Arensky class have been ordered by the Baltic Sea Steamship Company in order to replace older vessels soon to be retired. The Anton Arensky himself, the lead ship of the class, is planned to enter service this July, sailing in a special service between Petrograd, Calais, and Amsterdam.
Russian Ground Forces hosts Army Competition
May - During the month of May, the Russian Ground Forces hosted an international army competition at bases near Moskva, Tver, and Petrograd. A total of 107 different teams from five countries competed in a total of twelve military sporting events. The militariad was sponsored by the Russian Federation Ground Forces and based on a series of friendly competitions that have been held amongst Russian units for the last few years. This year, the militariad was expanded to include several more events, while teams from France, Poland, Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia were invited to join. Fifty-four Russian teams and twenty-two French teams made up the greater majority of the contestants. The highlights of the militariad were the 250km Offroad Rally for reconnaissance troops, and the Armoured Spearhead challenge for the tank forces. Russia managed to score a win in the Armoured Spearhead category despite a frighteningly strong challenge posed by the French, who came within half a point of winning. Marshal Zhukov indicated his opinion that the event was 'highly successful' and would be repeated in future years, hopefully with more participation.
During the competition, the Russian Army demonstrated the "Avtomat Kalashnikov" rifle prototypes first rumored to be in evaluation last month. The new 6.5mm rifle was carried by a non-competitor team which ran the Alpinist and Grenadier Challenges after the final teams had been judged. According to observers, the new rifle has performed well in initial tests and may be proposed for adoption by special units before next year.
Morskoi Sbornik - Cruisers Begin Sea Trials
June - The light cruisers Novik and Bogatyr began builders trials on the Baltic, joining the new Rynda and Admiral Lazarev. Meanwhile, the four lineships of the Rostislav class have arrived in Arkhangelsk, where they will join the Russian Northern Fleet.
Military-Industrial Commission Reorganized
June - President Fyodorov has signed into effect an order which reorganizes all high-altitude rocketry programs in the Russian Federation into the 3rd Special Bureau of the Military-Industrial Commission (itself part of the Ministry of Defense). However, the bureau will receive special reporting privileges, with its director, Pavlov Polzin, being promoted to the newly-formed post of Assistant Minister of Defense for High Altitude Rocketry. The 2nd Special Bureau will include a design bureau named OKB-1, Research Institute ? 1 in Moskva under Mstislav Keldysh, the KB Khimavtomatika (or OKB-154) under Semyon Kosberg, OKB-456 under Valentin Glushko, and the Kapustin Yar launch site. The administrative reorganization will place all Russian high-altitude rocketry efforts under Polzin's leadership, and make them accountable to the highest levels of the Federation's government.
Edited above news to incorporate the following, which I discovered after posting:
Rooijen10
Mr. Valentines Day
Hey. You actually posted about that one. Pretty sure some locals will think that it was a U.F.O.
Quoted from "Rooijen10"
Pretty sure some locals will think that it was a U.F.O. :)
I had three responses and I couldn't decide which to use:
-- In Russian Federation, U.F.O believes in YOU!
-- This is Primorsky Krai, not New Mexico!
-- Headline: "Russian Air Defense Force Positively Identifies Unidentified Flying Object!"
Monday, August 15th 2016, 3:31am
All your meteorite are belong to us.
Wednesday, September 21st 2016, 5:19pm
Army Competition
Alpinist Challenge
-- Overview: Tests mountain infantry skills in a series of events including skiing, free and rope climbing, and shooting.
-- Teams: Russia (4), France (4), Bulgaria (1), Czechoslovakia (1), Poland (1)
-- 1st Place: France. 2nd Place: France. 3rd Place: Poland.
Grenadier Challenge
-- Overview: Tests the skills of an infantry squad in a series of events including team obstacle course, relay obstacle course, 10km run, and shooting range. Teams had to consist of at least five individuals including one rifle grenadier, one sharpshooter, and one machine gunner.
-- 1st Place: Russia. 2nd Place: Poland. 3rd Place: Russia.
-- Overview: A series of judged events including military marching drill and rifle display team.
-- 1st Place: Czechoslovakia. 2nd Place: Russia. 3rd Place: Russia.
Frogman Challenge
-- Overview: Tests the skills of combat swimmers in a series of tests including a distance swim in combat gear, demolition of an underwater obstacle, and infiltration of a shore-line.
-- Teams: Russia (2), France (3), Bulgaria (1)
-- 1st Place: France. 2nd Place: France. 3rd Place: France.
Parachute Raid
-- Overview: Tests the skills of military special parachutists. Teams parachuted from an aircraft into a designated drop zone 40km from a target area where shooting exercises were held. Teams had to consist of at least five individuals including one rifle grenadier, one sharpshooter, and one machine gunner.
-- 1st Place: Russia. 2nd Place: France. 3rd Place: Russia.
250km Offroad Rally
-- Overview: Tests the skills of motorized reconnaissance troops. A team of four men with up to two 4WD utility vehicles cover a 250km course with eighteen checkpoints, using unimproved tracks and cross-country terrain. Competitors could either bring a vehicle of their choice or be provided with a Russian NAZ-67 4WD vehicle.
-- 1st Place: Russia (NAZ-67). 2nd Place: France (Peugeot VLR). 3rd Place: Russia (NAZ-67).
-- Note: Winning team receives a gold medallion and five thousand rubles prize money.
250km Raid
-- Overview: Tests the skills of motorized reconnaissance troops. A team of four men with motorcycles cover a 250km course with eighteen checkpoints, using unimproved tracks and cross-country terrain. Teams need to consist of at least four men, with either two motorcycle-sidecars or four motorcycles.
-- 1st Place: Russia. 2nd Place: Czechoslovakia. 3rd Place: France.
Armoured Spearhead
-- Overview: A team of four medium tanks and their crews conduct a timed cross-country drive through obstacles including hills, water obstacles, tank traps, and rough terrain, ending on a shooting range with pop-up targets. Teams could bring tanks of their choice or be provided with Russian T-44-76s.
-- 1st Place: Russia (T-47 Tsiklon). 2nd Place: France (AMX-40B2 Tigre). 3rd Place: Russia (T-47 Tsiklon). [1]
-- Note: Winning team receives the gold Tukachevsky's Medallion, a silver trophy contributed by the French Army, and ten thousand rubles prize money.
Flying Column
-- Overview: A team of two armoured infantry carriers and mounted infantry squad conduct a timed cross-country drive through obstacles, ending on a shooting range for the embarked infantry (teams had to consist of at least five individuals including one rifle grenadier, one sharpshooter, and one machine gunner). The vehicles had to be armed with a machine gun and be armoured against small arms fire. (Tracked, half-tracked, and wheeled vehicles were permitted equally.) Teams could bring vehicles of their choice or be provided with Russian BTR-152s.
-- 1st Place: Russia (BTR-152). 2nd Place: Russia (BTR-152). 3rd Place: Russia (BTR-152). [2]
-- Note: Winning team receives the gold Dragun's Medallion and five thousand rubles prize money.
Pioneer's Challenge
-- Overview: Tests the skills of combat engineers in building a four-span pontoon bridge (capable of bearing tanks), clearing a roadway through a forested area, and constructing a defensive trenches, a (dud) minefield, barbed wire obstacles, and a bunker to a set of specifications.
Sapper's Challenge
-- Overview: Tests the skills of combat engineers in demolishing a series of barbed wire obstacles, a tank trap, and a concrete bunker, followed by sweeping a (dud) minefield.
-- 1st Place: Russia. 2nd Place: Czechoslovakia. 3rd Place: Russia. [3]
Thunderbolt / Artillery Biathlon
-- Overview: Tests the skills of artillerists in transporting a field howitzer across unimproved terrain and then firing at a target 7km away. Teams could bring their own equipment or be provided with a Russian truck and 76mm regimental howitzer.
-- 1st Place: Bulgaria. 2nd Place: Bulgaria. 3rd Place: Russia.
Equestrian Patrol
-- Overview: Tests the skills of military horsemen in a patrol, obstacle course, and team relay. Team had to consist of at least ten horses and riders.
-- Teams: Russia (2), Poland (2)
-- 1st Place: Poland. 2nd Place: Russia (Cossacks). 3rd Place: Poland.
1st / 2nd / 3rd Placings
-- Russia: 8 / 4 / 8
-- France: 2 / 6 / 3
-- Bulgaria: 1 / 1 / 0
-- Czechoslovakia: 1 / 2 / 0
-- Poland 1 / 1 / 2
-- Note [1]: The French team came within half a point of winning.
-- Note [2]: Russian bias!
-- Note [3]: A third Russian team withdrew shortly before the start of the event. The French received a verbal warning for using excessive amounts of shaped and satchel charges, which resulted in a two-day delay as the course was rebuilt.
Buying an Automobile in Russia
by John Q. Franklin
This is the question I find myself mulling over as I sit at my kitchen table, leafing through a set of catalogues and brochures given to me by eager salesmen. My recent acceptance of a part-time position as a professor with the Southern Federal University in Rostov-on-Don has resulted in an increase in my travels - often to places served irregularly by the bus or tram lines, or at awkward times of the day. While I am not adverse to a good brisk walk - for there are few activities more suitable for an English gentleman - the time has come for me to buy a car in order to move more freely around Russia.
While automobiles are hardly unusual in Russia, statistics indicate (depending upon the sources you wish to believe) that between one in seventy-five or one in a hundred Russians actually owns or has regular access to a personal automobile. Car ownership definitely remains the domain of the upper and middle classes. Lower class Russians, by contrast, almost always use the various municipal-operated transport options - buses, trams, or subways - or move around on bicycle or by foot. However, in the seven years I've lived in Rostov-on-Don, I have seen a new trend of automobile ownership emerging within the lower and middle class.
Some years ago, the Renault company, with a great deal of cost, set up a manufacturing concern known as the Moscow Compact Car Factory (or MZMA), which produces a local variation of the French 4CV. Citroen similarly acheived an entry into the Russian market with their associate VAZ (Volga Automobile Plant), locally manufacturing a variant of their comic-looking but even cheaper 2CV. To the surprise of most Russian industry leaders, MZMA and VAZ aimed their design and sales efforts not at the upper and middle class, but at the lower class - a decision ridiculed at the time by many financial experts, myself included. Fortuitously for Renault and Citroen, I was not a member of their executive board!
For a number of reasons, the French have enjoyed a privileged position within the Russian economy as a whole ever since the beginning of the Federation era. When Russia defaulted on wartime loans made by British financiers, London's financial influence and their confidence in Russian markets waned sharply, and even over the past twenty-five years, little has changed. American wartime loans, although lesser in value than their British equivalents, suffered a similar fate. With the German economic engine badly damaged by the Great War, the Paris Bourse - and to a lesser extent, Cleito's financial sector - stepped into the gap, establishing lasting financial ties that remain in place to this day. Petrograd's view of economics, as a rule, is both protectionist in nature and given to regular fits of socialist railing - which rarely comes to much, fortunately, but often rattles the nerves of the unprepared or inexperienced investor. The current investment situation favors entrenched businessmen who have forged longtime personal ties and the degree of personal fortitude necessary to ignore or overturn the vagaries of the government - and the French financiers are the only foreigners who have consistently stayed in the game. Along the way, they cultivate a deeper knowledge of the enigmatic (and, frankly, often obtuse) Russian economy.
Despite this depth of experience, it was the American Ford company which first broke into the Russian automobile market through a cooperative venture that formed NAZ (Nizhegorodsky Avtomobilny Zavod), located in the city of Nizhny Novgorod. NAZ built Russia's first passenger car - the unreliable NAZ-A, a variant of the Model A - before eventually upgrading to the much more modern and now iconic NAZ-M1, or "Emka". These vehicles, while relatively inexpensive to the eyes of Western Europeans, sold best to the upper middle class, which had few other purchasing options at the time.
Discerning Russian buyers have always had the alternative of imported British or German cars, but imported vehicles have their own associated costs. Many years ago, a protectionist left-wing Duma passed a law to charge import tariffs on foreign automobiles, regardless of manufacture, with the rates left to the control of the Auto Manufacturing Import Control Board, a bureaucratic body associated with the Ministry of Transport, but not placed under its direct control. This bureau, insulated from oversight, charged such a hefty rate on imported automobiles that foreign-built cars could never compete with their Russian equivalents in terms of price (with the taxes often coming to three or even four times the price of the vehicle itself). A foreign car thus became a powerful status symbol, and a lucrative black market rose to provide foreign (predominantly British and German) automobiles to Russian buyers. Indeed, for a period in 1941, automobile smuggling became the single largest source of income for the Russian mafia, and the government estimates that up to half of the foreign automobiles on Russian roads have been illegally smuggled into the country.
Although the anti-corruption crusaders have staged multi-prong attacks on the power of the Auto Manufacturing Import Control Board, it was Renault and Citroen (acting through the agency of their respective Russian subsidiaries) who launched the coup de main. Russian drivers now had the ability to buy "foreign" cars for domestic prices - or better. The well-equipped factories in Moscow and Volgograd are extremely busy filling orders.
Importantly, it's not just the upper-middle class who are buying cars now. Some enterprising Russians have pooled their resources in order to purchase a car which is shared jointly by multiple families. As a case in point, a year ago my closest neighbor bought a VAZ 2CV, sharing ownership with three other neighbors, including a pair of twin brothers who just finished their term with the army. The other three partners all claim a 20% stake, and share 20% of operating costs. Individually, none of them would have the money to buy and operate a car on their own, but by pooling their resources they have acquired a degree of mobility never before available to lower-class Russian workers. Their partnership is simplified since they all work the same shift at the shipyard, and can commute to work together each day - which in turn saves the four of them significantly in bus fares. They negotiate with each other for who gets the car on weekends; since my neighbor owns two of the five shares, he usually gets the first pick.
The rise in ownership and purchasing has sparked an occupation never before seen in Russia: that of the car salesman. There are now two working in Rostov-on-Don, and in my search for my first car, I visited them both. At the office of Ivan Miloradovich & Associates, the owner's younger brother Dimitri opened up to me for several hours about a number of topics. The Miloradovich brothers, Ivan and Dimitri, are salesmen affiliated with MZMA, and primarily offer Renault's Russianized variant of the 4CV, the so-called "Moskvitch." However, they also offer other vehicles, including the new "Volga" brand (by NAZ), imported German and British automobiles (for a price) and a range of motorcycles. Dimitri laughingly offered me a good deal on the most fastest motorcycle currently permitted for sale in Russia, an imported Vincent. "Perfect for an adventurous Englishman like yourself!" he joked. I demurred, recalling my many bicycle accidents in the country lanes of Northumberland. "In any case, I want something to keep out the weather," I pointed out.
The Miloradovich brothers have a garage filled with possibilities, and Dimitri assured me that, once I selected a vehicle, he could have it delivered within thirty days - even a Moskvitch, which still has a waiting list. "I have friends in Moskva," Dimitri acknowledges, "And between that and our affiliation, I can get you a Moskvitch in thirty days." Dimitri showed me a four-door Moskvitch sedan awaiting delivery to its owner, and let me sit in the driver's seat - but no test drive, since the vehicle only had thirty kilometers registered. My inspection showed that the Moskvitch was spartan and designed for the working man, but not being an automotive journalist let alone a mechanic, I had very few other observations about the quality. Dimitri sent me on my way with a dozen glossy brochures, all in Russian.
The next day I visited the Miloradovichs' competition and talked with young Fyodor Baratynsky and his wife Elisaveta, whose English was better than my Russian. Like the Miloradovichs, the sales group is a family affair. Fyodor's father Iosef started out as a truck mechanic, and in the early 1930s started selling NAZ-A vehicles on the side. As time went by, the elder Baratynsky took on a partner - Elisaveta's father, Ivan Yegorov - to sell more cars while he himself worked on the mechanical side. The elder Baratynsky has since retired, leaving his mechanic shop in the hands of Fyodor's cousin, while Fyodor himself prefers selling cars to fixing them.
Fyodor started by showing me the NAZ N20 'Rodina', a new four-door sedan that's part of the new Volga brand, and the VAZ 2CV, the Russian-built variant of the French Citroen - simpler, even, than the Moskvitch I'd looked over the day before. I drove them both to evaluate their performance, and preferred the Rodina; but the low price of the 2CV was tempting. It's easy to see why this simple vehicle has sold so well in Russia, particularly due to the absence of easy competition from Austin and Auto Union. The 2CV's low price makes it a viable alternative to a mule and cart, thus tempting the Russian peasant farmers who would never have dreamt of owning a personal automobile.
After the test drive, Fyodor showed me several other vehicles, including a secondhand Austin. I asked him whether the car had been smuggled into Russia or not. "Probably not," he said. "With foreign vehicles, you'd need to look close at Skodas and anything from Germany. The mafia buys those cars legitimately from dealers - in Poland, Czechoslovakia, sometimes even Germany itself - and then changes the tags and registrations before driving them across the border. German cars are believed to be highly reliable, and are thus very desirable to smuggle. British cars have about the same desirability, but they're harder to buy in Eastern Europe." Fyodor showed me a trick to distinguish between them. "The Import Board issued legitimacy certificates like this ones; the mafia copied them, but used better paper. After a few years, the government certificates fade and yellow, but the faked mafia certificates are still white." He showed me the Austin's faded import certificate, which claimed the car was imported to Russia in 1942 for a price that I found staggering.
After looking over the cars with Fyodor, I spent another hour talking to his wife Elisaveta, who wanted to practice her already excellent English. Educated for two years in England, Elisaveta now keeps the books while her father and husband focus on sales. Elisaveta told me about some recent developments with the Russian automobile market. In several regions, particularly Karelia, Estonia, and the city of Petrograd, the Russian government has made an unorthodox agreement to remove all but a few minor import tariffs on Nordish-built Saabs and Volvos. The senior director of the once-mighty Auto Manufacturing Import Control Board protested - and was summarily dismissed. "The government is using Estonia as a test market for the entire Federation, evaluating whether or not Russian manufacturers can compete with foreigners without any protective tariffs," Elisaveta pointed out. "The exciting news is that it appears we can."
At the forefront of the defense is NAZ, one of the first companies to mass-manufacture cars in Russia. The new N20 Rodina that I test-drove is aimed at the buyers who want something more than rebadged French 'cars for the masses': it is the first car sold in Russia with turn signals, electric wipers, an FM radio, and an electric heater. It directly addresses the concern, widely held in Russia, that indigenous vehicles are somehow lacking in quality or modernity compared to their foreign counterparts - particularly German vehicles, and to a lesser extent Nordish and British cars. AMO ZiL - the firm responsible for manufacturing Russia's vast fleet of military trucks - is similarly responding by upgrading the quality of its civilian offerings, but focuses on the high-end market share, well outside the limit of my savings.
After counting my rubles and weighing all the options, I returned to meet with the Baratynskys and put my money down on a VAZ-built 2CV - although I was sorely tempted by that N20 Rodina. For my purposes, it ought to serve me well, even if it has only basic amenities. Once it's delivered two weeks from now, I'll join the new generation of Russians on the increasingly-busy roads.
John Q. Franklin is an English writer and financial expert living and working in Rostov-on-Don. He is part of the Faculty of Economics at the Southern Federal University.
Thursday, September 22nd 2016, 9:44am
Nice work on Buying an Automobile, I enjoyed reading that.
BruceDuncan
Ex chaos ordo
Thursday, September 22nd 2016, 1:52pm
I am curious... how receptive would the Russian market (and the Russian Government) to a Russo-German automotive venture to manufacture one or more German vehicles inside Russia?
Quoted from "Hood"
Thanks. I really enjoy writing those "foreign correspondent in Russia" articles, too; and the format lets me dig in a little deeper to topics I'd normally just skim over in the news. My goal's to write at least one of them per year.
Quoted from "BruceDuncan"
Difficult to ascertain without more information.
I'm presuming you'd want to propose a joint venture similar to the Renault-MZMA and Citroen-VAZ equivalency, where the foreign parent does much of the engineering work and equips the factory, and the local partner 'Russianizes" the product, builds, and distributes with their own badge. If that's the case, then there would be a cautiously optimistic response from the powers-that-be.
At the moment, the Germans would probably be treated with kid gloves, because a lot of the higher-ups in the Russian automakers and the very powerful workers groups have an unhealthy respect for what the Germans can do if they got easier access to the Russian market. :P This is why the Federation government turned instead to the Nordish and Saab+Volvo for their 'can we actually compete' experiment. The Nordish are similarly well-regarded for quality, but they aren't seen as having the economic power necessary to completely crush the Russian automotive industry. (That wouldn't happen, but the very protectionist workers groups have nightmares about it anyway.)
I'd be more interested what specifically you have in mind, because I would have my own recommendation as well...
Morskoi Sbornik - Russian Navy Day and Operation Trikolor Showcase the VMF Rossii
July - On July 27th, the Military-Maritime Fleet of the Russian Federation celebrated its annual Navy Day. In Petrograd, the VMF Rossii held a major exhibition at Kotlin Island. During the exhibition, six cruisers of the Baltic Fleet fired a simulated main-battery anti-aircraft drill, three thousand Russian Marines stormed ashore from landing craft, and three hundred torpedo and dive bombers from Naval Aviation staged an overflight. A number of foreign warships were hosted in Russian ports as part of the celebrations. Other ceremonies, of lesser scale, occurred at other major Russian naval bases around the Federation.
Among the more reserved participants was the Baltic Fleet Admiral Lazarev, which made his first public appearance since commissioning into the VMF Rossii earlier this year. The ship holds the unique designation of "Bol'shoy Raketny Korabl'" (Large Rocket Ship). While also armed with 130mm guns, the Admiral Lazarev reportedly also carries the experimental Amur air-defense rocket, which holds the promise of revolutionary changes to naval warfare. Every Russian heart should swell with pride at the unparalleled, pioneering progress and devotion to technical excellence that has yet to be equaled anywhere else in the world! [1]
Abroad, the 3rd Cruiser Squadron (Baltic Fleet) and the 4th Cruiser Squadron (Black Sea Fleet) were dispatched for Operation Trikolor in order to represent the Russian Federation at the July 14 Bastille Day celebrations in Brest and Marseilles. The cruiser squadrons paid their respects to one of the longstanding allies of the Russian Federation.
Construction on Lena River Tunnel Ahead of Schedule
August - The dedicated and industrious Russian laborers and engineers responsible for the construction of the Lena River Tunnel, a double-track railway tunnel under the five-kilometer wide Lena River, have reported that they are two weeks ahead of schedule. The railway tunnel shall permit the Baikal-Magadan Mainline to cross the most formidable of the water obstacles along the railway's planned construction route. Construction began in early May after the end of the spring floods.
Has Russia Broken the Sound Barrier?
August - The Russian Ministry of Defense categorically denied rumors that the experimental Lavochkin La-160 jet aircraft, publically demonstrated at Tushino last month, had broken the sound barrier. According to the Ministry's statement, the aircraft is neither designed for nor capable of breaking the sound barrier, although its 35° swept wing design allows it to achieve great speeds. When asked for clarification about how fast the La-160 actually goes, the Ministry spokesman reiterated "very fast" and then added "slower than the Lavochkin La-174."
Bratsk Hydroelectric Plant Completed
September - Russian laborers completed their work on the world's largest hydroelectric plant at Bratsk, on the River Angara. The dam, measuring 120 meters in height and 4.4 kilometers in length, shall produce more electricity than any other hydroelectric plant in the world, and shall create the world's largest manmade reservoir once it finishes filling, a process that will take some time. Three-quarters of the plant's electricity shall be used to power an aluminium smelter with a design capacity of a hundred and fifty thousand tons per year, increasing the Russian Federation's aluminium production by 144% by 1950. [2]
Russian Merchant Fleet Achieves New Milestone
September - According to the government, the Russian merchant marine briefly achieved a milestone 5.5 million gross register tonnes during June, although it fell slightly a month later as a number of antiquated ships were retired. Although no figures were available, it is estimated that 1.5 million gross register tons of this figure are found in the Russian riverine cargo fleets.
Ob'yekt 241 Delayed; AK-46 Prioritized
September - The Main Directorate of Armoured Forces (GABTU) rejected the initial version of the Ob'yekt 241 fully-tracked armoured infantry carrier, requesting four thousand engineering changes to be made by the designer at Putilov Petrograd Factory. The upgraded vehicle is to be returned to GABTU in November for further evaluation.
While the Ob'yekt 241 project has suffered a setback, a project to upgrade Russian small arms has been awarded a higher priority. The Avtomat Kalashnikov Model 1946 submachine gun was ordered into a low-level production in order to arm four companies of an experimental parachute infantry battalion. Each company will evaluate a variant chambered for a different cartridge, including an experimental 7.62x39 round, the German-designed 7x40, 7x43 Angliyskiy, and 6.5x51 FAR. A procurement decision on the submachine gun is expected before the end of the year. [3]
-- Note [1]: System 65% designed and 80% built in France.
-- Note [2]: Historically, this would mean Russia is responsible for approximately 1/3rd of the worldwide aluminium production in 1950 (which was about 1.5 million tons).
-- Note [3]: This ain't your daddy's AK.
Russians Don't Smile: Cultural Differences Between West and East
Whenever I meet another Western European travelling through my little corner of Russia, I'm often greeted with the relieved comment "It's so good to finally see a friendly face!" Travelers, particularly if they have little experience dealing with the Slavic character, find themselves surrounded by grim, unsmiling faces. In October, one of my longtime college acquaintances visited Russia for the first time in his life, and wrote to me in exasperation. "I don't know how you can stand it there in Russia; it must be a terrible and gloomy place to live. Nobody ever smiles!"
I shared this comment with one of my co-workers, Vitaliy, a language professor who had just returned from a year at Cambridge. "Of course we don't smile at strangers. Why should we? At least when we do smile, you know it's genuine." He shared how, over the year he'd lived in England, he'd grown uncomfortable at the amount of times a perfectly random stranger had smiled at him. "The first few days," Vitaliy said, "I thought the English were very friendly, because so many people smiled. But then I realized a smile meant absolutely nothing. When even strangers smile at each other, it is not genuine."
Vitaliy pointed out that in Russian culture, a smile is something reserve for a special occasion, usually shared best with close friends and family. With a straight face Vitaliy joked, "If a Russian smiles at you on the subway, it's probably because we've noticed that you're wearing your shirt inside out."
Every Russian heart should swell with pride at the unparalleled, pioneering progress and devotion to technical excellence that has yet to be equaled anywhere else in the world! [1]
As indicated in the note, it is equaled in France... or better yet, this should apply to France and not Russia... but better not tell the Russian peasants or they will riot.
... and here I thought that in Russia, Sound Barrier breaks you.
This ain't your daddy's AK.
... so that would mean that everything that made the AK great would no longer be part of this weapon. I guess that here in Wesworld, "The right arm of the Free World" will become THE weapon of choice across the world. King AK is dead, long live King FAL!
... so that would mean that everything that made the AK great would no longer be part of this weapon. I guess that here in Wesworld, "The right arm of the Free World" will become THE weapon of choice across the world. King AK is dead, long live King FAL! :D
That depends on what you think made the historical AK-47 great.
I haven't finalized the design I want to use for the WW AK-47, but overall, the action remains the same, while the caliber and certain minor peripherals change. I'd argue that the Russian Federation's AK-47 is actually going to be a significantly better weapon than the Soviet Union's design - "the AK perfected", as it were. As much as the AK can be perfected. But it is true that Wesworld is definitely not going to see the AK-47 in the hands of every two-bit revolutionary the world over.
Neither the FAL nor the AK-47 were really available for regular production in the 1940s; the FAL was still in design until the end of the decade, while the Russians were solving manufacturing issues with the AK, such as switching from milled to stamped receivers and things like that. The AK-46 I referenced in posts above is actually a milled receiver 6.5x51-chambered "production prototype", too expensive for mass production but with a few thousand built for field experimentation. With the earlier-than-historical introduction of the FN FAL in Wesworld, I'm still a bit uncertain about how I want to run the timeline for the AK-47.
It's also worth noting that the FAL has already lost one of its principle historical customers: the British produced it under license, and in Wesworld Britain's already green-lighted the EM-2. That means Canada,Australia, and likely the rest of the Commonwealth will probably follow suit rather than adopting their own FAL variant. Germany's not even showing their historical interest in the FAL, nor is the US (which in the end snubbed the FAL for the M-14). Worse, at the moment there are no sub-Saharan African states to sell to, and most of the European powers aside from France insist on home developments... so I'd argue that the Right Arm of the Free World actually has a tougher market than it did historically.
I've actually also considered the possibility of Russia just picking up the FAL for themselves, and then loudly proclaiming "Pravaya ruka svobodnogo mira!" just for the sake of the great historical irony.
Well, I was kidding... but I guess Japan will have to buy one for each of its citizens to make the FAL "the Wrong Right Arm of the Imperial Free World".
Well, (spoilers) it's almost certainly going to be the right arm of the Francophone world, at least. :)
Friday, June 9th 2017, 2:32pm
Fire Damages Russian Submarine
October - A defective and obsolete lead-acid battery caused a fire on the M-8, a vessel of the Project 23 "Molchkom" type that is part of the 7th Submarine Flotilla stationed in Murmansk. The submarine, built in 1928, was tied up at dockside at the time the fire began. Although no crewmen were killed, sixteen men were treated due to smoke and the submarine sustained heavy damage. The boat had just returned from participating in Exercise Almaz-8 in the Barents Sea.
Duma Approves Stricter Mining Regulations
October - The Duma voted on a five-year plan to help increase the efficiency of coal-mining and oil-drilling operations within the Russian Federation. Industry experts have expressed increasing concern that obsolete extraction methods at a number of government-owned coal mines and oil wells have resulted in a great deal of waste. A proposal to privatize the industry was rejected at this time. Foreign observers knowledgeable in the industry noted that the plan was a good start, but that more would need to be done to catch back up to European and American methods, which are believed to be about five years more advanced on average.
New Truck Factory in Tatarstan
October - Work is completing on the new Kamskiy Avtomobilny Zavod (Kama Automobile Factory) manufacturing center in Naberezhnye Chelny, Tatarstan. The new plant shall construct trucks for military, industry and agricultural uses. Rumours of a possible partnership with the German Mercedes-Benz company and its Unimog line have not been substantiated at the present time.
"Bonnie and Clyde" Rob Ukraine Banks
October - Police in the Federation Republic of Ukraine are hunting for a gang of robbers who have so far held up four banks in the vicinity of Kiev. The gang, well-armed and believed to number up to eight people, are led by Oleksandr Ivanovski and Nataliia Layevska. Police believe the couple and their fellow gang-members may be motivated by Ukrainian ultra-nationalism.
Three Rockets Launched in One Day
November - The Russian high-altitude rocketry program achieved a signal success by launching three R1 rockets in the course of a single day from the Kapustin Yar rocketry center. All three rockets achieved an altitude of more than one hundred kilometers and a range of three hundred fifty kilometers.
Lab Accident Results in Deaths
November - An October accident at the Laboratory No. 2 of the Russian Federation Academy of Sciences was blamed for the death of one French and two Russian technicians, who were working on an experimental energy project. The lab was closed while safety procedures were reviewed.
Volvo and Saab Selling Well in Estonia
November - Nordish-based automakers Volvo and Saab indicated their overall satisfaction with recent import sales in select parts of the Russian Federation. A special deal negotiated last year allowed the two automakers to import cars directly into the Federation, exempt from the normally high import taxes. President Fyodorov, in remarks to the press, said that permitting foreign manufacturers access to the Russian market will help lower prices and increase the competitiveness of Russian industry, particularly in the export markets.
New Jet Fighter Flies
December - The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 jet fighter, designed by Artem Mikoyan and his OKB, had its first flight on December 30th. The MiG-15 is proposed as a cheaper alternative to the I-174 jet fighter, designed jointly by Hans Multhopp (German BFW firm) and Semyon Lavochkin, of which a hundred and fifty aircraft are currently in service. It remains to be seen if the MiG-15 will offer sufficient benefits to merit an order. The aircraft is powered by an indigenous 26 kN turbojet, designed by the Klimov Design Bureau with technical assistance from the French Rateau-Anxionnaz firm.
Report of the Hungarian Military Attaché, Petrograd, Friday, 4 November 1947
Although not yet announced in the press, it is confirmed that the Russian Ground Forces have ordered another two thousand T-47A Tsiklon tanks, to be delivered in 1948 and 1949 by Uralvagonzavod (Nizhny Tagil). This will bring total T-47 production to 5,250 vehicles by the end of 1948. Another five hundred tanks, believed to be T-47s, are currently on order with Kharkov-Transall. This order was apparently only done to keep Kharkov-Transall working at good capacity until design of the Ob'yekt 241 tracked infantry carrier is finalized. This is expected to happen soon. As reported previously, there is no firm information available on the Ob'yekt 241's specifications, other than the fact that it re-uses several automotive components (engine, transmission, road-wheels, etc) from the T-60 Smerch and T-47 Tsiklon light and medium tanks.
It appears that most if not all work on heavy tanks, including the proposed Ob'yekt 703, has been slowed or halted entirely. Most officers of GABTU feel content that the T-47 Tsiklon has sufficient armour protection and firepower, and heavy breakthrough tanks like the Ob'yekt 703 are not expected to offer any substantial benefits at this time. The tank OKB working at Chelyabinsk has been instructed to redirect the majority of their efforts towards Shashmurin's Ob'yekt 740 amphibious light tank and other projects.
According to rumours within the defense establishment, the recent accident at the Laboratory No. 2 of the Russian Federation Academy of Sciences has affected a joint program underway between the French and Russian navies, who are jointly funding a project to produce an alternative method for powering submarines in order to permit them to remain submerged for longer periods of time. Further information does not appear to be available at this time, as the GRU are taking responsibility for the project's security.
Significant expectation is being placed upon a planned test flight of the new Mikoyan jet fighter toward the end of this year. According to my sources, the Russian Ministry of Defense is dissatisfied with the manufacturing costs associated with the Russo-German I-174, and the Russians have apparently had some issues with its engine. It remains unclear at the present time if the Russians are license-building Heinkel turbojets, or assembling them from German parts, or buying engines direct from Heinkel. It is rumored that some of the delivered aircraft have been built or modified to use either the less powerful Lyulka TR-2, a French Rateau-Anxionnaz A.65 turbojet or a somewhat similar Russian engine designed by Klimov, which is expected to appear on the new Mikoyan design as well.
A report has apparently been circulated amongst Russian aviation officers analyzing the effects of the Japanese strategic bombing campaign against China during their recent war. The report apparently was suppressed for six months by a senior member of the Military Air Forces (VVS)'s Long-Range Aviation unit, who felt it undermined the Russian strategic bomber arm's position in regards to strategic bombing. The report indicates that Japanese strategic bombing did not offer proportional results to the amount of effort expended to carry them out, and probably served more to harden Chinese will-to-fight. This seems to confirm the primary opinion held within the Russian military air services, which focuses on tactical battlefield aviation, with level bombing primarily intended as a means to attack communication and transport hubs in order to hinder enemy operations in a ground campaign. Strategic bombing of enemy population and industrial centers thus retains a significantly lower priority than in British or American thought.
Senior Russian politicians and military thinkers continue to anticipate a military confrontation with China in the next few years. It is the studied opinion of senior-level military personnel that a war against either Japan or China would be "catastrophic and foolhardy", and would require the sustained commitment of all major Western allies in order to conclusively defeat either in a military contest. Peterhof currently seems to favor polite diplomatic engagement with Japan, while the military-political doctrine on China seems to be in a state of uncertainty. Certain Russian military officials have expressed concern about the announcement of a contract for a Chinese factory to modernize two dozen Russian-built T-35 medium tanks which were provided to Mongolia in 1939; these vehicles, used by the Mongolian Army Tank School, represent the sole mechanized force available in the Mongolian Army. Some of my contacts have expressed the belief that the Chinese perhaps hope to exploit the recent death of the Bogd Khan in order to subvert the independence of Outer Mongolia.
My ears prick up at the sound of the word MiG.
That's a nice round-up of news Brock.
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Book by Larry Gelbart
Music by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by David Zippel
Directed by Victoria Miller
Musical Direction by Dean Mora
January 9 – February 21, 2004
The place is Los Angeles, and the time is the late 1940s.
A writer is adaptin’ his private eye novel to the Hollywood screen.
He finds he has a lot in common with his shamus.
(Just like his other characters have a lot in common with other people in his life.)
For one thing, he can’t turn down a job even when he knows better.
And he can’t say “no” to a good lookin’ dame.
Stine ············ Jon Sparks
Stone ············ Rocky Miller
Bobbi / Gabby ············ Elizabeth A. Bouton
Oolie / Donna ············ Alison Mattiza
Buddy Fidler / Irwin S. Irving ············ Chris Roberts
Alaura Kingsley / Carla Haywood ············ Aileen-Marie Scott
Mallory Kingsley / Avril Raines ············ Heather Smith
Lieutenant Munoz / Pancho Vargas ············ Al Barlaan
Luther Kingsley / Werner Kriegler ············ Max Heldring Stormes
Peter Kingsley / Gerald Pierce ············ Troy Cox
Dr. Mandril / Officer Pasco / Barber / Assistant Director ············ Peter Miller
Jimmy Powers ············ Ryan McCormick
Angel City 4 ············ Risa Larson
Angel City 4 / Coroner / Cinematographer ············ Jason Lowe
Angel City 4 / Del Dacosta / Shoeshine ············ Ben Lupejkis
Angel City 4 / Madam / Hairdresser ············ Melanie C. Marshall
Big Six / Studio Cop ············ James Manley Green
Sonny / Reporter / Studio Cop ············ Andrew Fitzsimmons
Maid / Masseuse / Stand-in ············ Carol Becker
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Nomination Article History Tree Map
Encyclopedia of Keywords > Information > Reference > Titles > President > Nomination Michael Charnine
SECOND ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATION
FIRST OSCAR NOMINATION
EMMY NOMINATION
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION
OSCAR NOMINATION
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
HUBERT HUMPHREY
REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION
GRAMMY NOMINATION
RDQUO
NDP NOMINATION
TONY AWARD NOMINATION
This Review contains major "Nomination"- related terms, short phrases and links grouped together in the form of Encyclopedia article.
Nomination is part of the process of selecting a candidate for either election to an office, or the bestowing of an honor or award.
His nomination is endorsed by both Garry Kasparov and FIDE-presidential candidate Anatoly Karpov, who travelled to Berlin to support Von Weiszäcker.
The nomination was due to his work on Boston Legal. (Web site)
His nomination was arranged by leaders of the Social Credit Party, rather than by a local convention. (Web site)
The nomination was then proposed by a Plebeian Tribune to the Popular Assembly and there approved beyond doubt. (Web site)
Jolie received her second Academy Award nomination, and also was nominated for a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Award. (Web site)
Kramer with Dustin Hoffman, the former giving Streep her first Oscar nomination and the latter her first win. (Web site)
He came to fame in 1967 when his performance as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde earned him his first Oscar nomination.
That film led to a small supporting role in Easy Rider (1969), for which he received his first Oscar nomination.
In addition, they co-wrote the screenplay, based on the play by Margaret Edson, for which they won a Humanitis Prize and shared an Emmy nomination.
His films and CD-ROM on whales, have received awards that include two Cable Ace awards, a Cable Ace nomination, an Emmy nomination and a Golden Eagle award. (Web site)
His charismatic and alluring performance also led him to a 2005 Emmy nomination as well as 2005 and 2006 SAG nominations for Lead Actor. (Web site)
After the SC results, John Edwards will probably not win the nomination, but his clear voice on what we are fighting for will remain.
In the 2008 election, Clinton was a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. (Web site)
John Edwards is dropping out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, CNN has learned. (Web site)
He won the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968 but narrowly lost the election to Richard Nixon. (Web site)
She also got a nod from the Academy Awards, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
In 1971 he appeared in two highly popular movies, Klute and The French Connection, the latter garnering him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. (Web site)
Jessica Lange played Frances Farmer and received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her performance.
In 1908 he was offered the vice-presidential nomination by William Howard Taft, but declined it to run again for Governor. (Web site)
There is precedent for such a nomination: William Howard Taft, who called his time as chief justice, from 1921 to 1930, the most rewarding of his career. (Web site)
Prominent Libertarian asks other Libertarians to register as Republican to help Ron Paul win the Republican nomination for President.
He is widely seen as a front-runner for the Republican nomination in the 2012 presidential election. (Web site)
Assemblyman Jon Bramnick looks to be the early front runner to run for the Republican nomination for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District.
Clinton led candidates competing for the Democratic nomination in opinion polls for the election throughout the first half of 2007.
In 1974 he won the Democratic nomination for governor of Maine, defeating Joseph Brennan who would later win the office in another election. (Web site)
The election of a Republican in 1994 allowed Spitzer to seek the Democratic nomination again in 1998. (Web site)
She may get the nomination, like Hubert Humphrey in 1968, only to find herself losing the general election.
Text of Barry Goldwater's 1964 speech at the 28th Republican National Convention, accepting the nomination for president. (Web site)
Cardinal Ratzinger, after accepting his nomination, took the name Pope Benedict XVI.
When asked whether she would consider Strickland as a running mate, Clinton said it would be premature to consider that until the nomination is decided. (Web site)
He was unopposed for the Republican nomination and paired with a new running mate, Judge Mary Donohue.
Several reasons could be assigned for the reluctance of other potential candidates to file their nomination to contest the President at the congress. (Web site)
Criteria for nomination include excellence and significance of the artists' contributions to the development and perpetuation of jazz. (Web site)
He is a long shot in Iowa, but is probably looking for a vice-presidential nomination.
The 2010 early nomination total was down from the 401 3-year-olds initially made eligible for the Triple Crown in 2009. (Web site)
With the close of the late nomination period, owners have one more opportunity to make their horses eligible to the Triple Crown races. (Web site)
The nomination form has all the race conditions and entry fees and supplemental charges for all 3 Triple Crown races.
In 1976, Ford narrowly defeated Ronald Reagan for the Republican nomination, but ultimately lost the presidential election to Democrat Jimmy Carter.
Ford kept the nomination from Reagan in a squeaker, but Mundell�s economic views had gained a better foothold in the political arena.
Despite being one of the most financially successful actors of his generation, Ford has received just one Oscar nomination, that of Best Actor for Witness. (Web site)
Paul was the Libertarian party nominee for president in 1988 and waged an unsuccessful, unapologetic run for the Republican presidential nomination of 2008.
In January 1999, Elizabeth Dole concluded her service at the Red Cross and sought the Republican presidential nomination.
The Republican presidential nomination went to Charles Evans Hughes, who lost the election to Democrat Woodrow Wilson. (Web site)
In 1916, Butler failed in an effort to secure the Republican presidential nomination for Elihu Root.
A candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the nomination.
Try!, his live recording with the John Mayer Trio, earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album. (Web site)
Ultramega OK earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in 1990.
The song also earned Jon Bon Jovi an Academy Award nomination and a Grammy nomination. (Web site)
John Mayer Trio also received a nomination for their album Try!. (Web site)
He was honored with a second Golden Globe® nomination for his work in the offbeat love story “Benny & Joon,” directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik. (Web site)
Roosevelt created this new party after he failed to win the Republican presidential nomination. (Web site)
Bill Clinton's declaration that if HRC doesn't win both Ohio and Texas she can't win the nomination is the best news since South Carolina.
After a career as 37th governor of Ohio, he sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1908 but was defeated by William Howard Taft, also from Ohio. (Web site)
Jody Richards - Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives; unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Kentucky in 2003. (Web site)
His father, Morris “Mo” Udall, served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 30 years and ran for the Democratic nomination for President in 1976. (Web site)
Also, in addition to civil society groups related to the law profession, representatives of the popular power are to participate in the nomination process. (Web site)
Acuff later campaigned in 1970 for his friend Tex Ritter in his campaign for GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in Tennessee.
The situation was further complicated by the formation of the Constitutional Union Party and the nomination of John Bell of Tennessee.
Governor of Tennessee In 2002, after Sundquist was barred from a third term, Bredesen ran for governor again and easily won the Democratic nomination.
Art. 279 - Includes representatives of popular power councils for the nomination of Attorney General, Comptroller General, and Human Rights Defender. (Web site)
Mike Huckabee is the former Governor of Arkansas (1996-2007) and is currently a candidate for Republican presidential nomination in 2008.
Atkinson lost to Will Murray for the NDP nomination in Ottawa Centre for the Ontario general election, 2007 on March 1, 2007.
Crnec was 53 years old at the time of the election (Windsor Star, 23 September 2003), and won the NDP nomination without opposition.
He sought the NDP nomination for Toronto Centre for the next federal election, but lost to Michael Shapcott.
The Bellwoods constituency was eliminated, and McClellan was forced to contest the NDP nomination in Dovercourt against Tony Lupusella.
All of the former candidates for the nomination endorsed Kerry. (Web site)
Immediately after the 2004 election, some Democrats mentioned Kerry as a possible contender for the 2008 Democratic nomination. (Web site)
Carter defeated Kennedy for the nomination, but lost the election to Republican Ronald Reagan.
In 1960, Humphrey ran again for the Democratic presidential nomination against fellow Senator John F. Kennedy in the primaries. (Web site)
But Kucinich has virtually no chance of getting the nomination, and the state is considered Dean's to lose in the Feb.
In the late 70s, Cassidy starred in an episode of Police Story titled "A Chance To Live," for which he received an Emmy nomination. (Web site)
He is considered the first African-American candidate to have a chance of winning the Democratic nomination.
Although she fell short of winning the Democratic presidential nomination, Clinton has amassed a long list of accomplishments. (Web site)
Go ahead and say, if you like, that Hillary Clinton retains a serious chance of winning the Democratic nomination. (Web site)
On September 12, 2006, Green lost to Andrew Cuomo in his bid to secure the Democratic nomination to succeed current Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. (Web site)
Mitt Romney made a failed bid for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008.
The story of Anne Cools, a Black woman, and her bid for the Liberal Party nomination in the Toronto riding of Rosedale. (Web site)
In June 2003, he said, the front-runner for the nomination was Joe Lieberman, followed by Dick Gephardt and then John Kerry. (Web site)
Kerry thus won the Democratic nomination to run for President of the United States against incumbent George W. Bush. (Web site)
If Bush does not reverse course on Iraq and get us out before the election (which seems very unlikely), then Iraq will drive the nomination process.
McCain ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, but lost a heated primary contest to George W. Bush. (Web site)
Although McClellan won the nomination, Lupusella subsequently left the NDP to contest the constituency as a Liberal, and defeated McClellan by 907 votes.
Clark and Bachand announced they will not run for re-election while it was reported that Herron would seeking the Liberal nomination in his constituency. (Web site)
Yens today announced that he is seeking the NDP nomination for the constituency of Regina South currently held by Bill Hutchinson of the Saskatchewan Party. (Web site)
Ford challenged Chris Stockwell for the Progressive Conservative nomination in the newly created riding of Etobicoke Centre.
In 1988 she accepted an offer from the federal Progressive Conservative party to run for the nomination in the riding of Vancouver Centre.
He joined the New Democratic Party a few weeks later, and subsequently won the NDP nomination in the riding.
As there was only one nomination, Hyde was declared elected without the need for a poll. (Web site)
A poll of Michigan Democrats shows Geoffrey Fieger, who is considering a run for governor, currently leads for the nomination.
Hillary Clinton, the early polls have been less reliable in predicting who will capture the nomination.
Hillary Clinton so far is dominating the early polls for the Democratic Presidential nomination.
And, of course it is by no means certain that Barack Obama will win the nomination, but this time, Al Gore has nothing to lose. (Web site)
She led the field for the nomination, yet in the same poll was clustered with losing nominees Kerry and Gore as the prospect Democrats least liked.
In 2000, Shrum helped Al Gore beat back a primary challenge from former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley, and win the Democratic nomination.
He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2004, and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008. (Web site)
Hubert Humphrey, vice president under Johnson and former Senator from Minnesota, won the Democratic nomination.
For her supporting role in the film, Leung received a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 1995 Hong Kong Film Awards.
What an amazing experience, having the opportunity to work with Clint Eastwood on a film I care so deeply about," Jolie says about the nomination.
Fawcett received an Independent Spirit Award nomination as Best Actress for the film, which was highly critically acclaimed.
It earned Kelly an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, but the award went to Donna Reed for her role in From Here to Eternity.
In 2003, Peters took on the role of Mama Rose in the Broadway revival of Gypsy, earning another Tony nomination.
She continued her role on the hit television series for a year as a recurring regular, which earned her another Emmy nomination.
The role garnered Sanaa numerous critical accolades and a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress. (Web site)
Irish actress Anna Manahan received a Tony Award nomination in 1969 for her role in the Broadway production of Brian's Friel's Lovers.
Lansbury received a Tony Award nomination in the category of Best Leading Actress in a Play for her role. (Web site)
Information > Reference > Titles > President
Encyclopedia of Keywords > Society > Awards > Academy Award
Encyclopedia of Keywords > Society > Politics > Candidate
Encyclopedia of Keywords > Time > History > Party
* Academy * Academy Award * Academy Award Nomination * Actor * Actress * Archbishop * Award * Ballot * Barack Obama * Barry Goldwater * Best * Best Actor * Best Actress * Best Supporting Actor * Campaign * Candidacy * Candidate * Candidates * Cardinals * Clinton * Conservative Party * Convention * Delegates * Democratic Party * Drama Series * Election * Elections * First Ballot * General Election * Golden Globe Award * Golden Globe Nomination * Governor * Grammy * Grammy Award * Liberal * Liberal Nomination * Mayor * Mccain * Nominations * Obama * Parliament * Party * Party Nomination * Performance * Portrayal * Presidency * President * Prestigious * Reform * Reform Party * Republican * Republicans * Seat * Senate * Senator * Support * Supporters * Supreme Court * Vote * Year
Books about "Nomination" in Amazon.com
Short phrases about "Nomination"
Originally created: February 18, 2007.
Links checked: January 21, 2013.
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Accompanist
Singers for Hire
John Gull
Some of my singing pupils past and present are now making their way in the world as soloists. I heartily recommend any of the singers listed below! Among them are other professional musicians whom I have had the pleasure to work with in recent years.
Rachael Cox (Mezzo-Soprano)
Rachael recently graduated from the Royal College of Music (RCM) under the tutelage of vocal professor, Tim Evans-Jones and accompanist, John Blakely. September 2015 will see Rachael commence further study at the University of Bristol.
Most recently Rachael performed Janáček’s The Diary of One who Disappeared at London’s Royal Festival Hall, and undertook the roles of Phoebe and Dame Carruthers in the premiere performance of a new edition of Yeoman of the Guard at Portsmouth Guildhall. Other operatic roles include Nancy (Albert Herring, RCM), Dorabella (Così fan tutte, RCM), Hänsel (Hänsel und Gretel, RCM), Varvara (Káťa Kabanová, RCM) and Dido (Dido and Aeneas, Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2014). Rachael has just completed the 2015 Season with Garsington Opera Chorus performing Cosí fan Tutte, Death in Venice (covering German Mother and Beggar Woman) and Mendelssohn’s Incidental Music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Also highly in demand as a soloist, Rachael has worked with many ensembles and consorts. Oratorio highlights include Handel’s Foundling Hospital Anthem with Laurence Cummings and the Little Baroque Company (London Handel Festival), The Messiah with The Elia Ensemble, Israel in Egypt with Rochester Choral Society and the North Herts Guild of Singers, Mozart’s Requiem in Chester Cathedral, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor in Lincoln Cathedral, Mendelssohn’s Elijah with The Bach Choir in Cadogan Hall and Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater at the Ryedale Festival.
Rachael’s passion for song has led to her offering recital programmes featuring Schumann’s Frauenliebe und Leben, Britten’s A Charm of Lullabies, Judith Weir’s A Voice of Desire, and selections by Brahms, Wolf, Duparc, Poulenc, Quilter and many more.
Contact Rachael on 07810 090208 or email rachaelcox29@gmail.com
listen to Rachael singing at https://soundcloud.com/rachael-cox-2
Eugene Dillon-Hooper (Bass)
Eugene is a 22-year-old Bass studying with Matthew Best. A recent graduate of the RNCM with a BMus (Hons), he has a wealth of experience performing in many different venues around the UK and Europe. During his time at the college, he has sung the roles of Sarastro in Mozart’s The Magic Flute with Leeds Youth Opera (2014), Kecal in Smetana’s The Bartered Bride for RNCM opera scenes and Theseus in the RNCM’s Easter production of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2015). As well as regular recital and soloist engagements, he is also a founding member of professional vocal octet, Melodico, who perform a wide variety of music. This Summer, he has taken part in a workshop week with British Youth Opera, and looks forward to continuing his education with a Masters degree in vocal studies in the near future.
Contact Eugene on 07419 139438 or email eugene.dillon.hooper@gmail.com
Avalon Summerfield (Soprano)
Avalon began her musical education as a chorister at Lincoln Cathedral and music scholar at Lincoln Minster School. During her time as a chorister, she toured abroad to Prague, Haarlem and Loire, recorded on the Guild label (including solo appearances), appeared a number of times on Songs of Praise and BBC Radio 3 broadcasts. A highlight was singing a solo to a packed cathedral with boy band G4. She attended the Royal College of Music Junior Department, studying voice, trumpet, piano and composition. As a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Avalon took part in the National Festival of Music for Youth and performed at the Royal Albert Hall in a Prom with the Simón Bolívar Orchestra.
From 2012-15 Avalon read music at the University of York, graduating with a First Class Honours. During her time at York, Avalon sang with several choirs including The 24 and The Yorkshire Bach Choir. With The 24, she toured to Serbia, China and Hong Kong, performed on a live BBC broadcast and performed at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. She also soloed with the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble at the Ryedale Festival in a performance of the Monteverdi Vespers. Avalon appeared singing Gesualdo on BBC Radio 3's In Tune. Avalon studies Voice with Veronica Veysey Campbell and Dr Ron Morris, and has attended masterclasses with I Fagiolini, Richard Jackson, Richard Stokes and Mark Meylan.
Avalon has performed as a soloist in Handel's Messiah, Bach's St Matthew Passion, Bach's St John Passion, Faure's Requiem, Durufle's Requiem, Bach's Mass in B minor, Bach's Magnificat, Mozart's Requiem, Haydn's Harmoniemesse, Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb, Allegri's Miserere, Stravinsky's Mass, Kodaly's Missa Brevis, and Poulenc's Mass in G.
Avalon played Naomi, the evil step-sister, in Massenet's Cendrillon with the University Opera Society, performed Rameau Cantatas with the Helios Ensemble, and played First Witch in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. In 2015, she was privileged to perform Vivaldi's Nulla in mundo pax sincera with a period ensemble, in the presence of Dame Janet Baker.
Avalon is a recipient of Stile Antico's prestigious inaugural bursary for young singers, and will be working closely with them from Autumn 2015. Avalon plans to continue her vocal studies at postgraduate level at conservatoire.
Contact Avalon on 07538 727920 or email avalonsummerfield@gmail.com
or vist her website www.avalonsummerfield.co.uk
Harriet Burns (Soprano)
Harriet is a recent graduate of the Royal Academy of Music where she studied with Jennifer Dakin and Audrey Hyland on the BMus course. She now studies with Professor Susan McCulloch. Recent operatic roles have included Emmie (Albert Herring) with Hampstead Garden Opera, Lead Vocalist (Improvised History of the World) at the Tête à Tête Opera Festival, Mary 2 (The Passion and Resurrection) at the Voices of London Festival, Jove as Diana (La Calisto) and Barbarina (Marriage of Figaro) with Hampstead Garden Opera, principal roles with the Grim's Dyke Opera Company in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe and The Yeomen of the Guard, Gretel (Hansel und Gretel) and Tina (Flight) for the Royal Academy of Music opera scenes. With a particular passion for contemporary music Harriet has premierèd numerous works; most recently Evan Kassoff's Memoirs of Transformation at the Royal Academy of Music, Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire with the Academy Manson Ensemble and Jane Manning, Alex Paxton's The Elephant's Lament at the Forge. Harriet also enjoys working with young voices and is the vocal coach for the choristers of St Mary Merton. She has recently become a member of the renowned choir Polyphony, directed by Stephen Layton. Harriet is looking forward to singing the role of First Niece in Co-Opera Co's production of Britten's Peter Grimes this August and joining the Masters course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in September where she will continue her studies with Professor Susan McCulloch.
Contact Harriet via her website www.harrietburns.com or email harrietburnssoprano@gmail.com
or visit her website www.harrietburns.com
Maria O'Connell (Mezzo Soprano)
Maria graduated from the Dublin Conservatory of Music & Drama studying singing with Nancy Calthorpe and Deirdre Grier-Delaney. She performed as a soloist in Ireland in a number of oratorios, recitals and operas. Her solo oratorio work has included performances of Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Mass in C minor, a live radio broadcast of Mozart's Coronation Mass in C, Schubert's Mass in G, Vivaldi's Gloria, and Faure's Requiem.
Opera roles have included: Helene (Schubert's “Der Hausliche Krieg” conducted by Franz-Paul Decker); Monica (Menotti's “The Medium”) and A Novice (Puccini's “Suor Angelica”), performed at The National Concert Hall, Dublin.
During her career in Dublin, Maria attended Masterclasses with the internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Dr Bernadette Greevy and soprano Eva Andor; formerly principal with the Budapest State Opera.
Maria continues to develop her classical repertoire and performed a recital of Schumann's “Frauenliebe und Leben” with John Gull on piano, August 2014 at St Andrew's Church, Aylestone, Leicester. As well as German Lied, Maria has a particular love for singing French Melodie. Maria is currently working on a selection of English songs by composers Britten, Gurney and Herbert Howells for an upcoming recital.
Maria also explores musical genres extending beyond her Classical repertoire and has performed with Bossa Nova groups during her year spent in Brazil, as well as lead performances in London, Paris and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the Brazilian musical play 'Poor Little Rich Girl' ('Pobre Menina Rica') composed by Vinicius de Moraes (The Girl from Ipanema) & Carlos Lyra. She frequently performs as the lead female vocalist for the Peterborough Big Band.
Contact Maria on 07931373045 or email mariaoconnell@gmail.com
I am Enhanced DBS-checked for working with children and vulnerable adults. DBS documentation is available for inspection on request.
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Home » Press Releases » NEPAL TO HOST AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, HEALTH SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM & ACADEMY WEEK
NEPAL TO HOST AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, HEALTH SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM & ACADEMY WEEK
PRESS RELEASE. Nepal, Kathmandu, July 2017:Leading thinkers in research and policy from around the world convene in Kathmandu from July 9-13 to dialogue on agriculture, food and nutrition security and health-related challenges plaguing millions. The Agriculture, Nutrition, Health Scientific Symposium & Academy Week is a joint venture between the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Nutrition and the Agriculture, Nutrition & Health (ANH) Academy, funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UK Aid from UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID), respectively. The event provides a global forum for connecting researchers and key decision-makers, enabling mutual learning and the sharing of cutting-edge, innovative research.
The challenge is immense: an average 40% of children under the age of five in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan are classified as being stunted, whilst in Nepal has over ten percent of this age group that suffer from wasting (Sources: NNS-2013 Afghanistan; DHS-2011 Bangladesh; NNS-2011 Pakistan; NFHS 2015-16 India; DHS 2016 Nepal Preliminary report).
The alarming undernutrition statistics are in stark contrast to the wider Asia region figures that show almost half of the world’s children population under the age of five living with obesity (WHO, 2016). In Nepal, a similar disparity exists, where nearly 20% of women of reproductive age are underweight whilst at the same time a similar proportion are overweight or obese (DHS, 2016 Preliminary report). These emerging double burdens of malnutrition are a global phenomenon and are certainly not confined to Asia alone. They can be found in many places across the world, including Africa, Central and South America, and the Middle East -hence the urgent need for immediate and innovative solutions.
Diet-related chronic diseases are rising steadily even in low- and middle-income countries where dietary inadequacy and undernutrition still persist. Increased complexity in food systems, reflecting different models of economic development, growing urbanization, lifestyle changes, and evolving consumption patterns add to the stress on farming systems. Thus, to realize the Sustainable Development Goals agenda will require in-depth understanding and leveraging of linkages between agriculture, nutrition, and health.
Linking agriculture, nutrition and health – need of the hour: With agriculture representing large proportions of GDP in many low- and middle-income countries (33% in Nepal and 25% in Pakistan–linkages are critical to issues that include availability and affordability of nutritious foods, health and nutrition status of women and children, and purchasing power of the entire country (World Bank, 2017).
Both Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Nutrition and Agriculture, Nutrition & Health (ANH) Academy were established to better respond to these pressing challenges by delivering events and evidence needed to guide policy actions that will increase agricultural productivity, enhance food value chains, and improve diets to achieve measurable outcomes in nutrition.
As Mr. Atmaram Pandey, Former Secretary of the Government of Nepal points out,
“The symposium has connected nutrition agenda with agriculture. The contribution the symposium has made in food and dietary systems is significant. The event has been bringing out evidence-based research and has contributed a lot in reaching knowledge in the field of nutrition, while Nepal’s Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Plan II is in drafting phases and the country is moving to a federalist structure. The symposium’s role seems pivotal in strengthening the nutritional status in both landmarks”.
M S Swaminathan, Founder-Chairman MSSRF India, & LANSA Consortium Advisory Group member, on Overcoming the South Asian Enigma in the Prevalence of Hunger and Malnutrition:
“Countries in South Asia have made impressive progress in enhancing agricultural production and productivity; nevertheless, there is still an unacceptable extent of hunger and malnutrition, particularly among women and children. India, for example, is generally referred to as a ‘Green Revolution country’, but occupies a low position of 97 out of 118 in IFPRI’s Global Hunger Index. Several steps have been taken by countries in South Asia including Nepal to address this problem - therefore, the question arises on what is missing in the ‘freedom from hunger’ strategy?
It is now realised that an important missing factor is the linkage between agriculture, nutrition and health. By mainstreaming nutrition in farming systems, it will be possible to ensure not only adequate food, but nutritious food to the population. Another critical missing factor is the lack of recognition of women as farmers. While feminisation of agriculture is acknowledged, women farmers lack the necessary entitlements and support, both for farming and for fulfilling their domestic and care responsibilities effectively. Addressing these missing links is a major goal of LANSA programme.
The ANH Conference will provide an important opportunity for exchanging experiences among countries and for formulating a strategy for providing socially appropriate agricultural remedies for the major nutritional maladies prevailing in each South Asia country through a farmer-centric approach. It can thus help purchase time in overcoming the present enigma.”
Over the course of three days the global research community will share evidence on topics ranging from climate, seasonality and environmental change, to dietary transitions, gender and equity, with the aim of developing stronger collaborations and more robust policies to reduce agricultural vulnerability and combat the persistent threat of malnutrition in all its forms. More info attached.
News published date:
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Tonight's Movie: The Proposal (2009)
Around the Blogosphere This Week...
Tonight's Movie: (500) Days of Summer (2009)
City of Oakland Parking Ticket Scam
Almost Christmas!
Today at Disneyland: Christmas Visit 2009
Tonight's Movie: The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Tonight's Movie: Up in the Air (2009)
Sophisticated, thoughtful, and intelligent are not adjectives which can frequently be used to describe modern films, but they all apply to UP IN THE AIR, a very enjoyable and interesting movie which is perfectly suited to the uncertain tenor of the times.
Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is a happy road warrior who loves his endlessly on-the-go lifestyle and prefers to do without the emotional baggage that comes with close relationships. Ryan's job is to visit downsizing companies and inform employees they're being let go. When his company hires a young hotshot business school graduate (Anna Kendrick), who proposes laying people off via teleconferencing as a more cost-effective way to do business, the emotionally aloof Ryan finds himself in the curious position of advocating the continuance of personal, face-to-face contact when employees are given the bad news and handed their severance packages.
In the same time frame, Ryan becomes attracted to another frequent flier, Alex (Vera Farmiga). Ryan and Alex enjoy each other's company when they're in the same city on business, but a visit to his hometown and his little sister's wedding starts Ryan thinking about investing in a deeper relationship with Alex.
I thought this was a terrific movie. It was superbly acted, first and foremost by George Clooney, and tells a story which is quite unusual. It contains moments of great pathos and yet simultaneously manages to be uplifting; at least one reviewer has compared it to some of Frank Capra's darker films, such as MEET JOHN DOE (1941), for its ability to simultaneously be a downer and yet leave an audience feeling good.
The film is completely of its times, whether it's the overarching story of large numbers of people losing their jobs or smaller details such as the constant use of text messaging. The themes, however, are timeless: what's the purpose of life and work, and why do relationships matter?
Most of the people laid off in the film are non-actors who have actually experienced being downsized. One of the employees in a more extended scene is played by J.K. Simmons, who was excellent as the "made for heating and air conditioning" father in JUNO (2007), a film by the same director, Jason Reitman. Jason Bateman, who played the immature adoptive father in JUNO, appears here as Clooney and Kendrick's boss.
Ryan's sisters are played by Amy Morton and Melanie Lynskey, with Danny McBride playing Ryan's future brother-in-law. Sam Elliott has a delightful cameo as an airline pilot in one of the film's final scenes.
The movie runs 109 minutes.
This film is rated R for language and a couple relatively brief scenes with sexual content. Despite the rating, I frankly found this film less offensive and more mature in tone than a couple PG-13 movies seen this year, which I was surprised weren't rated R.
George Clooney movies previously reviewed here: OUT OF SIGHT (1998), GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK (2005), OCEAN'S 13 (2007), and MICHAEL CLAYTON (2007).
UP IN THE AIR is highly recommended. It's the kind of film you'll still be mulling over long after the theater lights have come back on.
Hey Laura, thanks for reviewing this. I was sort of up in the air about seeing it, but now I'm sure I will. :)
I hope you'll enjoy it, Dana -- would love to know your opinion.
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OU Law Assistant Dean Scott Palk Confirmed to Federal Bench
The United States Senate today confirmed Scott Palk, Assistant Dean of Students for the University of Oklahoma College of Law, to the federal bench to serve as a U.S. district court judge for the Western District of Oklahoma.
Scott Palk, Federal Courts
Prominent Legal History Expert Ross Davies to Headline OU College of Law's Henry Lecture Series
Noted legal history scholar Ross E. Davies will present “Five Little Lessons in Lawyering from Thurgood Marshall” as the keynote speaker of the 2017 Henry Lecture Series, set for noon Monday, Oct. 23, in the Dick Bell Courtroom at the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
The Henry Lecture Series
University of Oklahoma College of Law Named a Top 10 "Best Value" Law School
The University of Oklahoma College of Law has been ranked 10 th in the nation out of more than 200 law schools as a “Best Value” law school, according to National Jurist magazine.
OU Law Graduates Achieve Highest Bar Passage Rate in Oklahoma
Graduates of the University of Oklahoma College of Law achieved a 95 percent pass rate on the bar exam for first-time exam takers, the highest in the state.
Bar Passage Ratings
OU College of Law Professors Backus and Thai Appointed to Advisory Committee of U.S. Civil Rights Commission
Two University of Oklahoma College of Law professors, Mary Sue Backus and Joseph Thai, have been appointed to the Oklahoma Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Faculty, Mary Sue Backus, Joseph Thai
OU Law Professor Evelyn Aswad Honored by World Experiences Foundation
The University of Oklahoma College of Law’s Herman G. Kaiser Chair in International Law, Evelyn Aswad, recently received the World Experiences Foundation’s 2017 Global Citizen in Law and Politics Award at the foundation’s annual gala.
Faculty, Evelyn Aswad, Awards & Recognition
OU Law Ranked Best Law School in Oklahoma by The Journal Record
The University of Oklahoma College of Law has been named “Best Law School” in Oklahoma, according to The Journal Record’s 2017 Reader Rankings. In addition, OU was selected as...
Liesa Richter Elected Member of The American Law Institute
Liesa Richter, William J. Alley Professor of Law, has been elected to The American Law Institute (ALI). The new class includes 58 members who bring a wide range of perspectives and areas of expertise...
Faculty, Liesa Richter, Awards & Recognition
OU Law Graduates First Digital Class in the Nation
This month, the University of Oklahoma College of Law celebrated the Class of 2017’s graduation, marking the first year an OU Law class collectively completed the school’s Digital Initiative programming, and making the college the first law school in the nation to do so.
Digital Initiative, First Digital Class
OU Law Assistant Dean Scott Palk Nominated for Federal Bench
Assistant Dean of Students for the University of Oklahoma College of Law, Scott Palk was nominated to the federal bench by President Donald J. Trump.
Scott Palk, Nominations
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Home Government Homeland Insecurity
CBP to Settle With Woman Forced to Pay Cost of Cavity Search
A CBP agent prepares to rappel down into somebody's butt
When I saw this report about a New Mexico case in which a woman was subjected to a cavity search in an unsuccessful hunt for drugs and then was billed for the cost of the search, it sounded familiar. And indeed I did write up such a story. But it turns out this was a different New Mexico case in which a woman was subjected to a cavity search in an unsuccessful hunt for drugs and then was billed for the cost of the search.
Not sure why I thought there might have been only one of those.
That earlier post involved a 2011 case in which a 19-year-old woman was taken to a hospital for a full body-cavity search after a “reliable source” told police that might be fruitful. It wasn’t. In that case, at least they had gotten a warrant, so the kicker was really that the hospital then billed the woman $1,122 for the search. Like it was a procedure she had requested, or something. Police did back down in that case eventually and say they would pay the bill that resulted from their mistake, so that was nice.
But if I noticed this newer case when it happened in 2012, I didn’t write about it, or maybe I just didn’t use the word “cavity” (my search term). In that case, a 54-year-old woman was detained at the El Paso border checkpoint. She’s a U.S. citizen (as is the woman mentioned above), but had been visiting a friend in Ciudad Juarez. A drug-sniffing dog “jumped on her” at the checkpoint, according to today’s report. Because we trust dogs more than citizens, and because you have basically no rights at the border (and few anywhere else), that was apparently good enough to warrant a cavity search.
The agents dragged her away in handcuffs to the University Medical Center of El Paso, which is hopefully now sufficiently ashamed that it cooperated in subjecting her to a six-hour search involving “an observed bowel movement, a CT scan and vaginal exams”—plural—but finding no drugs at all. Just consider for a second how utterly humiliating and traumatic that would be. And then consider how you’d feel if you got billed for it, because UMC billed her, too. This bill was $5,000, so either UMC is a lot more expensive than Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, or a lot more thorough when doing whatever police tell them to do to any person they might happen to drag in.
Maybe they’ll stop doing that now, though, because according to the report UMC has already agreed to pay the woman $1.1 million for its role in this, and today the Department of Customs, Border Protection, and Rummaging Around in People’s Bowels agreed to pay another $475,000.
That puts the settlement in the same range as the one in the other New Mexico cavity-search case I’ve written about, which was arguably even more heinous than those above. See “Do NOT Clench Your Buttocks in Deming, New Mexico” (Nov. 5, 2013); “Plaintiff in Deming Case Was Held for 15 Hours” (Nov. 6, 2013), and the much more pleasant “New Mexico Colon-Invasion Case Settles for $1.6 Million” (Jan. 16, 2014). (I’m sure I’d have been equally mad about this one, had I been aware of it.) That plaintiff may have collected more later, because at that time his lawsuit against the anal-probing “doctors” was still pending.
Remember, these creeps couldn’t even claim to be fighting “terrorism.” These were just operations in the “War on Drugs.” And doctors, I guess if cops show you some actual evidence a guy has a bunch of plutonium up his butt, then by all means, get out some tongs and a Geiger counter. Otherwise, tell them to get lost.
New Swiss Law Aims to Halt Invasion of Naked Germans
The Drone Memo: More Comedy About the Death of Freedom
Man Walks 25 Miles to Be Sentenced
Hungarians To Vote On Siesta Referendum
Please Do Not Ride the Manatees
Can a Mug Shot Also Be Evidence of the Crime?
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^ Housman & Dorman 2005, pp. 303–04. "The linear model supported previous findings, including regular exercise, limited alcohol consumption, abstinence from smoking, sleeping 7–8 hours a night, and maintenance of a healthy weight play an important role in promoting longevity and delaying illness and death." Citing Wingard DL, Berkman LF, Brand RJ (1982). "A multivariate analysis of health-related practices: a nine-year mortality follow-up of the Alameda County Study". Am J Epidemiol. 116 (5): 765–75. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113466. PMID 7148802.
The motor proteins actin and myosin generate the forces exerted by contracting muscles. Current recommendations suggest that bodybuilders should consume 25–30% of protein per total calorie intake to further their goal of maintaining and improving their body composition.[30] This is a widely debated topic, with many arguing that 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day is ideal, some suggesting that less is sufficient, while others recommending 1.5, 2, or more.[31] It is believed that protein needs to be consumed frequently throughout the day, especially during/after a workout, and before sleep.[32] There is also some debate concerning the best type of protein to take. Chicken, turkey, beef, pork, fish, eggs and dairy foods are high in protein, as are some nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils. Casein or whey are often used to supplement the diet with additional protein. Whey protein is the type of protein contained in many popular brands of protein supplements and is preferred by many bodybuilders because of its high Biological Value (BV) and quick absorption rates. Whey protein also has a bigger effect than casein on insulin levels, triggering about double the amount of insulin release.[33] That effect is somewhat overcome by combining casein and whey. Bodybuilders are usually thought to require protein with a higher BV than that of soy, which is additionally avoided due to its claimed estrogenic properties. Still, some nutrition experts believe that soy, flax seeds and many other plants that contain the weak estrogen-like compounds or phytoestrogens, can be used beneficially, as phytoestrogens compete with estrogens for receptor sites in the male body and can block its actions. This can also include some inhibition of pituitary functions while stimulating the P450 system (the system that eliminates hormones, drugs and metabolic waste product from the body) in the liver to more actively process and excrete excess estrogen.[34][35] Cortisol decreases amino acid uptake by muscle, and inhibits protein synthesis.[36]
Do not take Qsymia if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or become pregnant during Qsymia treatment; have glaucoma; have thyroid problems (hyperthyroidism); are taking certain medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have taken MAOIs in the past 14 days; are allergic to topiramate, sympathomimetic amines such as phentermine, or any of the ingredients in Qsymia. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Qsymia.
I was diagnosed with autism when I was 7 years old and I have been bullied badly, even out in public. So when I got my membership in March of 2013 I was scared of getting bullied. Been going since then and NOT ONCE have I gotten picked on. The staff doesn’t care. They watch out for me. They greet me with my first name. ‘Hi Jacob, how are you?’ I feel safe and I feel independent. I put on muscle. I LOVE Planet Fitness.
The general strategy adopted by most present-day competitive bodybuilders is to make muscle gains for most of the year (known as the "off-season") and, approximately 12–14 weeks from competition, lose a maximum of body fat (referred to as "cutting") while preserving as much muscular mass as possible. The bulking phase entails remaining in a net positive energy balance (calorie surplus). The amount of a surplus in which a person remains is based on the person's goals, as a bigger surplus and longer bulking phase will create more fat tissue. The surplus of calories relative to one's energy balance will ensure that muscles remain in a state of anabolism.
Weight training aims to build muscle by prompting two different types of hypertrophy: sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar. Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy leads to larger muscles and so is favored by bodybuilders more than myofibrillar hypertrophy, which builds athletic strength. Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy is triggered by increasing repetitions, whereas myofibrillar hypertrophy is triggered by lifting heavier weight.[23] In either case, there is an increase in both size and strength of the muscles (compared to what happens if that same individual does not lift weights at all), however, the emphasis is different.
An important way to maintain your personal health is to have a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes a variety of plant-based and animal-based foods that provide nutrients to your body. Such nutrients give you energy and keep your body running. Nutrients help build and strengthen bones, muscles, and tendons and also regulate body processes (i.e. blood pressure). The food guide pyramid is a pyramid-shaped guide of healthy foods divided into sections. Each section shows the recommended intake for each food group (i.e. Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, and Sugars). Making healthy food choices is important because it can lower your risk of heart disease, developing some types of cancer, and it will contribute to maintaining a healthy weight.[44]
Although muscle stimulation occurs in the gym (or home gym) when lifting weights, muscle growth occurs afterward during rest periods. Without adequate rest and sleep (6 to 8 hours), muscles do not have an opportunity to recover and grow.[citation needed] Additionally, many athletes find that a daytime nap further increases their body's ability to recover from training and build muscles. Some bodybuilders add a massage at the end of each workout to their routine as a method of recovering.[51]
^ Mann, T; Tomiyama, AJ; Westling, E; Lew, AM; Samuels, B; Chatman, J (April 2007). "Medicare's search for effective obesity treatments: diets are not the answer". The American Psychologist. 62 (3): 220–33. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.666.7484. doi:10.1037/0003-066x.62.3.220. PMID 17469900. In sum, there is little support for the notion that diets ["severely restricting one’s calorie intake"] lead to lasting weight loss or health benefits.
As chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) advances, about 35% of patients experience severe weight loss called pulmonary cachexia, including diminished muscle mass.[31] Around 25% experience moderate to severe weight loss, and most others have some weight loss.[31] Greater weight loss is associated with poorer prognosis.[31] Theories about contributing factors include appetite loss related to reduced activity, additional energy required for breathing, and the difficulty of eating with dyspnea (labored breathing).[31]
The first U.S. Women's National Physique Championship, promoted by Henry McGhee and held in Canton, Ohio in 1978, is generally regarded as the first true female bodybuilding contest—that is, the first contest where the entrants were judged solely on muscularity.[13] In 1980, the first Ms. Olympia (initially known as the "Miss" Olympia), the most prestigious contest for professionals, was held. The first winner was Rachel McLish, who had also won the NPC's USA Championship earlier in the year. The contest was a major turning point for female bodybuilding. McLish inspired many future competitors to start training and competing. In 1985, a movie called Pumping Iron II: The Women was released. It documented the preparation of several women for the 1983 Caesars Palace World Cup Championship. Competitors prominently featured in the film were Kris Alexander, Lori Bowen, Lydia Cheng, Carla Dunlap, Bev Francis, and McLish. At the time, Francis was actually a powerlifter, though she soon made a successful transition to bodybuilding, becoming one of the leading competitors of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Public health has been described as "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals."[52] It is concerned with threats to the overall health of a community based on population health analysis. The population in question can be as small as a handful of people or as large as all the inhabitants of several continents (for instance, in the case of a pandemic). Public health has many sub-fields, but typically includes the interdisciplinary categories of epidemiology, biostatistics and health services. Environmental health, community health, behavioral health, and occupational health are also important areas of public health.
Genetics, or inherited traits from parents, also play a role in determining the health status of individuals and populations. This can encompass both the predisposition to certain diseases and health conditions, as well as the habits and behaviors individuals develop through the lifestyle of their families. For example, genetics may play a role in the manner in which people cope with stress, either mental, emotional or physical. For example, obesity is a significant problem in the United States that contributes to bad mental health and causes stress in the lives of great numbers of people.[31] (One difficulty is the issue raised by the debate over the relative strengths of genetics and other factors; interactions between genetics and environment may be of particular importance.)
Increases of acid in bloodstream (metabolic acidosis). If left untreated, metabolic acidosis can cause brittle or soft bones (osteoporosis, osteomalacia, osteopenia), kidney stones, can slow the rate of growth in children, and may possibly harm your baby if you are pregnant. Metabolic acidosis can happen with or without symptoms. Sometimes people with metabolic acidosis will: feel tired, not feel hungry (loss of appetite), feel changes in heartbeat, or have trouble thinking clearly. Your healthcare provider should do a blood test to measure the level of acid in your blood before and during your treatment with Qsymia.
MetaBurn90 can get you in the best shape of your life even if you don't change a thing you eat. But if you follow Scott's time-proven nutrition plan for fat loss and body re-composition, you can achieve mind-blowing results in the mirror, powered by an athletic engine under the hood! Want to know what supplements to take to maximize workouts and recover between them? We've got you covered there as well.
Lifestyle choices are contributing factors to poor health in many cases. These include smoking cigarettes, and can also include a poor diet, whether it is overeating or an overly constrictive diet. Inactivity can also contribute to health issues and also a lack of sleep, excessive alcohol consumption, and neglect of oral hygiene (Moffett2013).There are also genetic disorders that are inherited by the person and can vary in how much they affect the person and when they surface (Moffett, 2013).
Many patients will be in pain and have a loss of appetite after surgery.[25] Part of the body's response to surgery is to direct energy to wound healing, which increases the body's overall energy requirements.[25] Surgery affects nutritional status indirectly, particularly during the recovery period, as it can interfere with wound healing and other aspects of recovery.[25][29] Surgery directly affects nutritional status if a procedure permanently alters the digestive system.[25] Enteral nutrition (tube feeding) is often needed.[25] However a policy of 'nil by mouth' for all gastrointestinal surgery has not been shown to benefit, with some suggestion it might hinder recovery.[37][needs update]
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DVD & Blue Ray Archive for January, 2016
The DVD Wrapup: Burnt, Assassin, New Girlfriend, Patels, Mr. Robot and more
By Gary Dretzka - Thursday, January 28th, 2016
As mouth-watering as Burnt is, I would discourage anyone from assuming that all foodie movies taste the same. The cranky-perfectionist conceit works better in Daniel Cohen’s Le Chef, Jon Favreau’s Chef, Lasse Hallström’s The Hundred-Foot Journey, Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci’s Big Night and Brittany Murphy’s largely undiscovered gem, The Ramen Girl. Also tempting are Mostly Martha and its Hollywood remake No Reservations, Woman on Top. Tampopo, Ratatouille, Julie and Julia and, of course, Babette’s Feast and Like Water for Chocolate.
Read the full article »
The DVD Wrapup: Straight Outta Compton, Diary of a Teenage Girl, Howl, I Am Thor and more
By Gary Dretzka - Thursday, January 21st, 2016
As difficult as it might be for fans of Straight Outta Compton to believe that it was nearly shut out of Oscar competition, it’s just that hard for me be to believe that enough voters in any category actually watched enough of the movie to endorse it. Unlike The Help and 12 Years a Slave, the story behind the rise and fall of the genre-shattering hip-hop group, N.W.A., had several things working against it from the get-go. Not all of them can be attributed to racial insensitivity and the lack of diversity in the academy, although they can’t be discounted out of hand. For example, I can’t imagine any voter over, say, 40, rewarding a movie whose acoustics required them to keep a tight grip on the remote control every time the explosive musical soundtrack kicked in on their state-of-the-art Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo or DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 system.
The DVD Wrapup: The Walk, Irrational Man, Look of Silence, Bitter Rice, Last Horror Film and more
By Gary Dretzka - Wednesday, January 13th, 2016
Absent any physical evidence of the edifice’s longtime mastery of the city’s skyline, Petit’s feat might just as well have been a scene from a movie.
The DVD Wrapup: Sicario, Sleeping With Other People, Maneater, Cruel, Broad City and more
By Gary Dretzka - Wednesday, January 6th, 2016
Stripped to its narrative framework, Sicario is a powerfully rendered procedural that, while chronicling a strike against a cartel kingpin, forces viewers to endorse or decry the extralegal tactics used in the elimination of so-called narco-terrorists. In the same way that Osama Bin Laden was denied the luxury of a trial by a Navy SEAL hit squad, the target of the CIA-led commando unit in Sicario isn’t likely to require the services of a lawyer, either. Do we care? No more than we sweated the details of the raid on Bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan. Villeneuve reserves those questions for Blunt’s ethically grounded FBI agent.
DVD & Blue Ray
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COTA YOUTH CHOIR READY FOR WORLD CHOIR GAMES
The College of the Arts (COTA) Youth Choir Namibia will stage a World Choir Games Farewell Concert on Friday, 6 July 2018 at the Pionierspark Dutch Reformed Church in Windhoek, starting at 19h00.
The event serves as the farewell concert before they depart for South Africa to participate in the 2018 World Choir Games (WCG) taking place in Tswane, from 10 to 14 July 2018. Bank Windhoek has been one of two main sponsors of this choir as they prepared to participate at this prestigious competition. The World Choir Games takes place every second year on a different continent. This is the first time that it will take place in Africa and is the equivalent of the Olympic Games in Sports.
Together with the Canadian Richmond Youth Honour Choir (RYHC), COTA Youth Choir Namibia promises to entertain and enthral audiences with soothing and rich melodic choral songs from a variety of genres the world over.
“This is the third time this highly acclaimed choir represents Namibia in the World Choir Games and through its successful track record of bringing home gold and silver medals, has established itself as an export product of high. We have witnessed their readiness during rehearsals and we believe that they stand a chance to make us proud,” said Bank Windhoek’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Hayley Allen.
The event will raise additional funds for the trip. Tickets cost N$50 per person and will be available at the door and raffle all be drawn at the end of the evening. Bank Windhoek and Pupkewitz Foundation are the two main sponsors who have financially assisted COTA Youth Choir Namibia as they prepare to take to the world stage.
jacquelineangula 2018-07-09T13:28:09+00:00 July 9th, 2018|NEWS|
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Berlin. the hippest and most unconventional city in Germany (maybe the world) hosts the Hipster Cup Festival. An annual event, the festival brings together thousands of hipsters to southern Berlin to celebrate a huge daylong party every July.
C.S Lewis Festival
Belfast, United Kingdom
The author of some of the most widely read books in the English language, Clive Staples Lewis, was born in Belfast in 1898, and this year, the C.S. Lewis Festival recognises and celebrates both his life and his legacy to the world. Best known for his children’s books, The Chronicles of Narnia,...
NEXTCOMIC Festival
Linz, Austria
20 Mar 2014 -28 Mar 2014
NEXTCOMIC festival in Linz is one of only a few German language festivals dedicated to celebrating – and creating! – comic art. The purpose of NEXTCOMIC, which began in 2009, is to make art more accessible. The event is as much about introducing new people to comic art as it is celebrating...
Altitude Comedy Festival
31 Mar 2014 -05 Apr 2014
Altitude Comedy Festival sees the biggest names in comedy performing at one of Europe’s best ski resorts. John Bishop, Al Murray, Tommy Tiernan and Andrew Maxwell were just some of the top comedians at this year’s festival which took place from 31st March – 5th April 2014 in...
Tong Tong Festival
Den Haag, The Netherlands
29 May 2014 -02 Jun 2014
The 56th Tong Tong Fair – the best mix of East and West The 56th Tong Tong Fair will take place at Malieveld from 22 May – 2nd June 2014. By hosting the event, The Hague will be the venue for the largest Eurasian (Indonesian) festival in the world. In 1959 the Tong Tong Fair introduced the...
Limerick City of Culture
Limerick is Ireland’s City of Culture throughout 2014. Merging edgy and urban with tradition, in a rich mix of international and local acts, the varied programme promises street events, visual art, music, food, fashion and craft, architecture and sport. Limerick City will achieve a...
Midnight Sun Film Festival
Sodankyla, Finland
13 Jun 2014 -15 Jun 2014
In June, movie buffs flock to the northern side of the polar circle for five days and nights to enjoy the magical midnight sun and superb movies from cinema’s greatest masters. Founded in 1986 by the Finnish directors Aki and Mika Kaurismäki as well as Peter von Bagh, the Midnight Sun Film...
Flag Day Scheveningen
Scheveningen, The Hague, The Netherlands
On Saturday 14 June 2014 all of Scheveningen will be celebrating the season’s first herring or “Hollandse Nieuwe”. This year, Vlaggetjesdag has embraced the theme 200 Years of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The theme has resulted in interesting additions to the packed nautical...
The Hague International Singer-Songwriter Festival (THISSFest)
The Hague International Singer-Songwriter Festival (THISSFest) is an independent, seven-day celebration of the art and craft of the singer-songwriter held in The Hague, Music City. The inaugural edition of THISSFest took place from June 27th to the 30th 2013. THISSFest aims to become a leading...
Ana Desetnica Theatre Festival
02 Jul 2014 -07 Jul 2014
The Ana Desetnica international street theatre festival will bring together a large number of street artistes, clowns, circus performers, jugglers, tightrope walkers, fire-eaters, musicians, “provocateurs”, dancers and actors from Slovenia and abroad. The Ana Desetnica festival, held at various...
PITCH festival
Westergasfabriek, Polonceaukade, Westerpark, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
PITCH is a festival for lovers of progressive electronic music. This adventurous and intimate festival anticipates the hottest trends in pop and dance. This year’s spectacular line-up includes huge names including Massive Attack, Moderat, Mount Kimbie, Richie Hawtin, The Gaslamp Killer and...
Soca Outdoor Festival
Soca Valley Holidays, Kamno, Slovenia
The successfully carried out first Soča Outdoor Festival 2013 left all participants enthralled, and proved that Tolmin, already recognized as a festival town, is also a perfect destination for a sport festival. This year’s mayor novelty is an additional location, Kobarid, where some more...
Notte delle Luci
Scorrano, Lecce, Puglia, Italy
The ”Luminarie” represent one of the most beautiful expressions of handicraft production in Southern Italy. These lines of colorful flickering lights, whose origins can be traced back to Roman times, have evolved their shapes, colours and materials over time in accordance with the cultures...
Kuhmo Chamber Music festival
Kuhmo, Finland
The Kuhmo Chamber Music festival was born in 1970 out of the quirky idea to take chamber music intro pristine nature, far away from the noise and pollution of the urban environment. The aim was to gather the world’s best chamber musicians to perform together in the front of the most...
Sastamala Gregoriana Festival
Sastamala, Finland
Sastamala Gregoriana is an early Music Festival that combines an excellent international concert programme from medieval, renaissance and baroque periods, old lakeside churches of Sastamala with unique acoustic space and warm local atmosphere. This is something that deserves to be known and...
Bregenz-Bodensee festival
Bregenz, Austria
24 Jul 2014 -24 Aug 2014
Bregenz-Bodensee festival is different. An opera festival with two stages: a traditional opera house, home to less-known operas, and an open-air lakeside stage, where productions are held in the most spectacular fashion. It must have been the wonderful location of the city by the lake and the...
Locus Festival
Locorotondo, Bari, Italy
The Locus Festival represents one of the lynchpins of the overall cultural offer in Puglia, featuring a rich program that spans many genres, from jazz and world music to singer-songwriter hits. It’s a happy synthesis between artistic quality and the popularity of the events offered....
Mercatino del Gusto
Maglie, Lecce, Italy
01 Aug 2014 -05 Aug 2014
Dance, music, educational masserie, workshops, books, wine, beer and plenty of good food are the main ingredients of the 15th edition of Maglie Mercatino del Gusto. An opportunity to make visitors experience all the unique features of our region, with its rich bio-diversity and different...
La Strada Street Performance Festival
Innovative and contemporary street theatre rediscovers the city of Graz at the La Strada Street Theatre Festival. It returns public space to the people, engaging the topics of our time. It tells stories of people; artfully, playfully. It reflects the sounds and rhythms of the city, in a dance...
Tampere Theatre Festival
With the population over 210 000, The City of Tampere is one of Finland’s largest urban centres located on a narrow strip between two big lakes. Tampere is a luminous cultural city, a vibrant town full of theatre. Since 1968, the Tampere Theatre Festival has been one of the leading attractions...
Carpino Folk Festival
Carpino, Foggia, Italy
Since 1996, Carpino Folk Festival– the festival of folk music attracts every year tens of thousand of people into the heart of Gargano. The hub of the event’s performances (all for free) will be Popolo square, in Carpino. The area in the middle of the picturesque urban agglomeration looping...
Melpignano, Lecce, Italy
Notte della Taranta aka ”The night of the Taranta” is the biggest festival in Italy and one of the most important folk culture events in Europe. It is held in Salento and is specifically aimed at preserving and valuing Salento traditional folk music and its contaminations with other music...
Mänttä Music Festival
Mänttä, Finland
06 Aug 2014 -10 Jun 2014
Mänttä Music Festival is the only piano festival in Finland, and has been organized for already 15 years. The festival features a wide range of pianists, from internationally famous artists to young Finnish talents. The brand new Serlachius Museum Gösta will be the new main concert venue....
Cornbury Park, Cornbury and Wychwood, West Oxfordshire District, United Kingdom
Wilderness is a multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts and an array of theatre, craftsmanship and dining experiences. Headliners this year include London Grammar, Metronomy and legendary Burt Bacharach. www.wildernessfestival.com
Mantta Art Festival
Mänttä Art Festival is the window for contemporary Finnish visual art, founded 20 years ago. This splendid event is held at Pekilo, a converted factory filled with thought-provoking works that provide a fresh new perspective on the contemporary art scene in Finland. This year Mänttä Art...
Strom Festival
Strom Festival is not a traditional festival, but rather a selection of the best and strongest purveyors of electronic music on the Copenhagen event scene, which has evolved heavily over the last years. More information http://www.stromcph.dk This festival is sponsored by Generator Hostels
MS Dockville
The term MS DOCKVILLE has evolved into a synonym for cultural diversity. What originally set out to be a weekend festival has experienced several add-ons in its eight year of existence. Several weeks before the festival itself, the curated art camp MS ARTVILLE enables a communicative and...
Belsonic festival takes place in Belfast’s Custom House Square in Northern Ireland, the city’s premier outdoor space. The big sounds music festival features the best in international pop and rock. US rock stalwarts Queens of the Stone Age, Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro and English singer,...
Gracia Festival
Every August, Gràcia holds an 8-day festival “Festa Major”, known as Festes de Gràcia and is one of the largest festivals in Barcelona. Lonely Planet describes Gracia Festival as ‘…veritable explosion of creativity. One second you’re being jostled by a gang of ravers, the next you’re...
c/o pop international music festival is taking place from 20 – 24 August 2014, offering once again five days of exceptional musical entertainment by superstars and rising stars, heroes of the international scene and national newcomers. As ever the line up is strikingly international, featuring...
Night of the Arts Helsinki
The Night of the Arts is a carnival of the arts, a night when anything is possible. You can expect artworks falling from the skies, circus troupes taking over the city’s parks and opera performances screened on advertising boards. The night is a chance to see the Helsinki’s theatres and...
Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival
Enniskillen, United Kingdom
The HAPPY DAYS Enniskillen International Beckett Festival is the world’s largest annual multi-arts celebration of Irish Nobel Prize writer, Samuel Beckett, who attended Portora Royal School in the island town. The inaugural festival took place in August 2012 to critical acclaim and full...
Nights in Ljubljana Old Town
Nights in Ljubljana Old Town is a mini festival closing the Summer in Ljubljana Old Town festival and symbolically concludes Ljubljana’s summer event season. The festival traditionally features outdoor concerts accompanied by a diverse mixture of other cultural and entertainment...
Museumsuferfest
The museum embankment festival is Europe’s largest cultural festival features countless arts and crafts stalls, live music, culinary highlights from around the world in Frankfurt’s fabulous museum row. More information http://www.museumsuferfest.de
Alster Festival
Alster Festival is Hamburg’s largest summer festival celebrated on the banks of the River Alster. The festival runs over four days and you can expect concerts, sporting activities plus live performances featuring over 500 national and international artists, acrobats and athletes. Four stages...
Dublin Festival Season
02 Sep 2014 -31 Oct 2014
Imagine a month of festivals. Now double it! From the beginning of 2 September to 31 October, a continuous run of festivals and events will bring world-class culture, arts, theatre, music and architecture to the capital. Highlights include: Dublin Fringe Festival, 6 – 21 Sept, The Dublin...
World Port Days
Port of Rotterdam, Wilhelminakade, Kop van Zuid, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
05 Sep 2014 -07 Sep 2014
World Port Days is a festival for people of all ages who love sailing ships, ports and maritime adventures. Expect spectacular demonstrations on the water, impressive ships and exciting port excursions. The World Port Days traditionally takes place around the Maas River. This World Port event...
The Giant’s Journey, Limerick
One day an Irish Grandmother Giant, having fallen from the sky, found herself spread-eagled in a potato field in the middle of Munster. The peasants, who were surprised by her apparition, put her up in a barn on their property, and they fed and took care of her every day as best they...
Wiener Wiesn-Fest
From September 25 to October 12, the Wiener Wiesn-Fest will be pitching it’s tent on the Kaiserwiese in the Prater. Expect Austrian beer, local food, all sorts of music and traditional outfits to help ensure a great atmosphere. The 4th Wiener Wiesn-Fest will be held in the fall of 2014 against...
Galway Oyster Festival
Galway City, along the Wild Atlantic Way in the West of Ireland plays host to the world’s longest running Oyster Festival from 25 – 28 September .Throughout the Irish food festival, expect lots of tantalising events for all to enjoy; seafood trails, oyster hot spots, oyster opening...
Birgu Candle Festival
Birgu, Malta
10 Oct 2014 -12 Oct 2014
This event taking place in Birgu (also known as Vittoriosa), which is one of Malta’s oldest and most historic cities, has now become an annual national event. From inception the aim was to highlight Birgu’s historic and architectural beauty and the Birgu by Candlelight, now incorporated in...
Bloomsday is a commemoration and celebration of the life of Irish writer James Joyce during which the events of his novel Ulysses (which is set on 16 June 1904) are relived. The day involves a range of cultural activities including Ulysses readings and dramatisations, pub crawls and...
Calentita Festival, Gibraltar
Calentita is the “national” dish of Gibraltar, means “warm” and, according to some sources, appeared in the sixteenth century. It is of a pot pie mixed chickpea flour with water, salt and black pepper, roasted in the oven, within a greased bowl with olive oil, and served hot. In the twenty-first...
North Sea Round Town Festival, Rotterdam
Rotterdam, Netherlands
25 Jun 2015 -12 Jul 2015
North Sea Round Town of Rotterdam offers concerts, exhibitions, master classes, lectures, jam sessions and after-parties for children and adults at no less than 100 Rotterdam indoor and outdoor locations. This is one big musical event with mostly free admission performances. The city warms up...
Williams Lake Stampede
Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Cowboys and cowgirls from around the region gather for the annual Williams Lake Indoor Rodeo, which is held at the city’s Cariboo Memorial Arena. This three-day event is the BC Rodeo Association’s second largest rodeo, and it delivers heart stopping competitions and top cash prizes. In addition...
Montreal Jazz Festival
Montreal Jazz Festival is an annual jazz festival held in Montreal, Quebec that holds the 2004 Guinness World Record as the world’s largest jazz festival. Every year it features roughly 3,000 artists from 30-odd countries, more than 650 concerts (including 450 free outdoor performances),...
Parkpop festival
Parkpop has been Europe’s biggest free festival for years and attracts a large, varied audience in addition to national and international artists! Pop city, The Hague is proud of its Parkpop festival. Young and old meet in Zuiderpark and enjoy the sun, music, atmosphere and each other. The...
Canada Day, Vancouver
Canada Day occurs on July 1st, the anniversary of Canada’s confederation. From 7am until midnight, Canadians can enjoy a pancake breakfast, live jazz music, and a South Asian cultural extravaganza, which includes traditional dances, bollywood fashion and ethnic food. Entertainment will include...
Canada Day, Ottawa
Canada Day celebrates the anniversary of Confederation, when Canada became a country separate from the British Empire. Parliament Hill is the focal point for Canada Day celebrations, with a giant stage featuring Canadian performers throughout the day, the noontime playing of Oh Canada and a...
Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede, Calgary, AB, Canada
03 Jul 2015 -12 Jun 2015
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”, attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world’s largest rodeos,...
Edmonton International Street Performer’s Festival
The Edmonton International Street Performer’s Festival is a festival that takes place in mid-July on Sir Winston Churchill Square, in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It has showcased street performance artists from around the world since 1985. While Comedy Cares (Proving that...
Galway Film Fleadh
Galway Film Fleadh, Galway, Ireland
The Galway Film Fleadh is an international film festival founded in 1989 as part of the Galway Arts Festival. Describing itself as Ireland’s leading film festival, the event is held every July in Galway city in Ireland. The Galway Film Fleadh is both a platform for international cinema...
Winnipeg Folk Festival
Winnipeg Folk Festival, Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
The Winnipeg Folk Festival is a summer folk music festival held in Birds Hill Provincial Park, near Winnipeg, Manitoba. It features a variety of folk artists from around the world, as well as a number of local artists, contemporary singer-songwriters, and children’s performers. There’s...
Galway International Arts Festival
The Galway International Arts Festival, founded in 1978, is a multidisciplinary arts festival producing and presenting an international programme of theatre, spectacle, dance, visual arts, music, literature and comedy. The Festival takes place each July in Galway, Ireland. This Festival is a...
Henham, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Latitude, is an award-winning festival with the very best from Music and the Arts; wander from Film to Music, Comedy to Literature and Theatre to Poetry in the stunning setting of Henham Park in the Suffolk countryside. Set in fairylight-lit woods, a lake and featuring a flock of multicoloured...
The largest city-event in the Netherlands, the Rotterdam Unlimited represents a mix of music, dance, theatre and carnival and is held in Rotterdam’s inner city. The Carnival parade revolves around the Battle of Drums, the street parade and the ‘Queen election’. More...
Bardentreffen Festival
Bardentreffen festival is one of the biggest annual events in Nuremberg taking place over three days in the city’s historic city center. The festival is attended by more than 200.000 visitors and across the 8 stages visitors can listen to famous artists from all over the world as well as...
Féile an Phobail /West Belfast Festival
Féile an Phobail (The Community’s Festival), also known as the West Belfast Festival is a community arts organisation known for its August Féile (Festival). The festival was established in 1988 as a direct response to the conflict in Northern Ireland. It aims to celebrate the positive...
Satchmofest, New Orleans
Omni Royal Orleans, Saint Louis Street, New Orleans, LA, United States
Satchmo SummerFest (also known as Satchmofest) is an annual music festival held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in celebration of the jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong. It is held in early August in order to coincide with August 4, Armstrong’s birthday. It has multiple stages, including stages for...
Brighton Pride
Brighton Pride, the UK’s biggest Pride festival celebrates 25 years in existence. Loved locally and acclaimed nationally Brighton & Hove Pride is a celebration of all that is great about the city and its vibrant LGBT community. To mark this important milestone & recognise the wonderful...
Watergate Bay Hotel, Newquay, United Kingdom
This Lifestyle Festival is an annual event held in Cornwall, South West England, usually held over four days in mid-August. The event is a combination of live music and surfing/skateboarding competitions in and around the town of Newquay. The Fistral Beach site, where surfing in the UK began,...
Hanse Sail, Rostock
Rostock, Germany
The Hanse Sail in Rostock is the largest maritime festival in Mecklenburg (Germany) and one of the largest in Europe. About 250 traditional sailing ships of all types and sizes from a vast variety of countries visit the coast off the city of Rostock every year during the second weekend of...
Rüdesheimer Wine festival
Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany
The Rüdesheimer wine festival has a unique atmosphere in the Rüdesheim, Germany. Cheerful winemakers get together with guests to show the gastronomic highlights of the region accompanied with live music, from noon until late, giving the right rhythm for young and old. Events include the...
The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
Newchurch, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival is a fundraising event that is held annually on the Isle of Wight, and raises money for the booming Garlic industry on the island, as well as fundraising for other agricultural farms on the island. With over 250 stallholders selling such delights as garlic beer,...
The Imperial City Festival of Rothenberg
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Hundreds of Rothenburg’s townsfolk are members of historical reenactment groups, reviving a bygone age or re-establishing a traditional profession. Thousands of yards of fabric are worked to reproduce the original fashions of the day, old equipment is brought out of retirement or reproduced in...
Gibraltar Music Festival
05 Sep 2015 -06 Jun 2015
The annual Gibraltar Music Festival is set in the picturesque Victoria Stadium on the Rock of Gibraltar, this year they boast the exclusive British festival performance of ‘Sex On Fire’ rock heroes Kings Of Leon, alongside the insanely influential and multi-multi-multi-million selling pop...
Wereld van de Witte de With/ Contemporary Art Festival
Witte de With, Witte de Withstraat, Centrum, Rotterdam, Netherlands
This festival aims to be an international and innovating visual arts festival; showcasing both international and Rotterdam visual arts talent, facilitating artist collaborations and organizing network activities for art professionals. With performance art and visual art, featuring fashion,...
The Oldenburg International Film Festival
Oldenburg, Germany
The Oldenburg International Film Festival covers since 1994 the international movie scene in all of its aspects. This open minded approach leads to an inspiring mix of great premieres, surprising discoveries and original independent productions. Off beat innovation and ideas against the grain...
Bram Stoke Festival
As part of the growing worldwide fascination with Bram Stoker and his most iconic creation, Count Dracula, the descendants of Bram Stoker have taken an active role to provide historically accurate information about Bram Stoker and his life, to collaborate with individuals and entities of like...
Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival 2015
Derry, United Kingdom
Welcome to the world famous celebration of Halloween , the largest in Europe. Experience creepy GhostBus tours, night-time markets, thrills and spills galore, with a week-long hive of devilish activities that everyone will adore. Ghoulish fun, ghastly frolics and thrilling events, all leading up...
Gibraltar Literary Festival
Garrison Library, Gibraltar
12 Nov 2015 -15 Jun 2015
It is an international literary festival that brings together a world-class array of celebrated novelists, writers, biographers, food writers and public figures to Gibraltar. Some of the festival events take place in buildings with real heritage and deep historical roots; the main focus being on...
18 Nov 2015 -21 Nov 2015
Staro Riga festival of lights is an annual traditional festival. The event usually lasts 4-5 days, and its timing coincides with the Latvian Independence anniversary celebrations. Staro Rīga Festival allows locals and visitors to view unique light art objects. Just a few nights on the streets,...
New Year’s Festival, Dublin
30 Dec 2015 -01 Jan 2016
Experience the New Year’s Festival in Dublin as the city comes alive over 3 day’s for fun filled New Year’s festivities. Bringing together some of the country’s best talents, NYF Dublin offers you a host of free and family friendly activities and events guaranteed to entertain. Enjoy...
Gibraltar Chess Festival
The Caleta Hotel, Sir Herbert Miles Road, Gibraltar
26 Jan 2016 -04 Feb 2016
“The annual Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival has established itself as the most prestigious open tournament in the world” The Sunday Times The Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival is a chess tournament held annually at the Caleta Hotel in Gibraltar since 2003. Its eleven days of competition...
Temple Bar Tradfest 2016
The Temple Bar TradFest has gained a reputation as the one of the biggest and best traditional Irish music and culture festivals in Ireland. The festival takes place over 5 days and 5 nights with over 200 events. The festival has been recognised for its contribution to Irish traditional music...
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What Entrepreneurs Are Betting On in the Pet World in the Next Few Years
How to Resolve Cat and Dog Food Allergy Symptoms
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Sweet Potato and Other Common Carbohydrates in Grain-Free Dog Food
Hill's Pet Nutrition recalls canned dog food that led to deaths of beloved pets
Dog owners might want to take another look at their canned dog food before feeding it to their pups. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Hill’s Pet Nutrition voluntarily recalled some canned dog food because of excessive levels of vitamin D, which can lead to serious illness and death.
While Hill’s reassured consumers that most dogs make a full recovery after being exposed to too much vitamin D, people have been sharing heartbreaking stories about their dogs’ illnesses and deaths on Hill’s social media.
Grieving pet owners say dog food recall came too late
“We care deeply about all pets and are committed to providing pet parents with safe and high quality products. Hill’s has identified and isolated the error and, to prevent this from happening again, we have required our supplier to implement additional quality testing prior to the release of ingredients,” Hill’s said in its statement. “In addition to our existing safety processes, we are adding our own further testing of incoming ingredients.”
Choosing a Freeze-Dried Dog Food: 7 Brands to Try
The recall affects canned dog food only. Hill’s dry food, cat food and treats remain safe to give to pets the company stressed.
The list of canned foods is extensive and a full list of impacted products can be found on the FDA website or Hill’s website . The company urges people to throw away any of the recalled products and said it will offer full refunds for unused products.
Hill's products are commonly sold at stores and online retailers like Petco, Chewy and Amazon.
The company encourages dog owners to take their pets to the veterinarian if they exhibit signs of vitamin D toxicity, which includes:
Increased urination
Always be consistent. Half-assed efforts will deliver half-assed results. Consistency is the key to success in all endeavors in life. Training a dog is no different. Learning about your dog is also a consistent effort. Quality time with your dog should be consistent and ongoing.
Dogs who have been exposed to too much vitamin D for long periods of time could experience kidney failure, which requires specialized and expensive treatment. But, even with veterinary intervention it can be fatal.
Dog owners have been flooding Hill’s Facebook and Twitter feeds with horror stories of costly veterinary bills and even the deaths of their beloved pets. Many attribute to their dogs’ deaths to eating Hill’s food.
Jeff Morris shared a picture of his 4-year-old Italian Greyhound, Olive, who ate Hill’s her entire life. For four weeks she vomited, drooled and lost weight until she ultimately died.
Dog food recalled due to toxic levels of vitamin D
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a recall of several brands of dog food over concerns they could contain toxic amounts of vitamin D. Triumph Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
“Unforgivable! I held her and talked to her ‘til she took her last breath.”
Another woman on Facebook, Jennifer Ann also shared a picture and story about her dog Staley, who had “unexplained acute kidney failure,” vomiting, shaking and refusing to eat. Staley died December 16 even though Jennifer invested heavily in her dog’s care.
While Hill’s has been trying to respond to bereft dog owners, some people have complained they cannot get through when they call Hill’s.
The Hill's recall follows a December recall of 11 different labels and brands of dog food for excessive amounts of vitamin D.
It’s not so black and white. It’s a myth that dogs only see in black and white. In fact, it’s believed that dogs see primarily in blue, greenish-yellow, yellow and various shades of gray.
Tags: dog, food, quality, hill, company, picture, jennifer, staley, vitamin, facebook,
The article source: www.today.com
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Norris eyes return to starting rotation with Tigers
Jeff Birchfield • Jan 12, 2019 at 9:14 PM
JOHNSON CITY — Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris had a message Saturday morning for those youngsters looking to follow in his footsteps.
Speaking during his fifth annual clinic held at the RBI Tri-Cities baseball facility, the former Science Hill star told them it entailed a lot of effort.
“The main thing I’ve learned is to work harder than anybody, work harder than the guy next to you whether it’s weight training, pitching or hitting,” Norris said. “Even if you don’t play baseball, if you work hard and are honest, you will be happy in the end.”
Norris, a 25-year-old left-hander with a 12-17 career record, is certainly happy with his latest deal. He agreed to a one-year, $1.275 million contract with the Tigers on Friday.
It’s been a tough few seasons for Norris, a 2014 first-round draft pick by the Toronto Blue Jays, who traded him to the Tigers a year later. He went on the 60-day disabled list with a groin injury on May 8, marking his fourth straight season on the DL. After undergoing surgery, he didn’t return to the lineup until Sept. 1 and finished the season with an 0-5 record in 11 appearances.
After the season he participated in the MLB Japan All-Star Series in November, alongside such players as Yadier Molina and former Blue Jays teammate Kevin Pillar. Don Mattingly served as the team’s manager.
“It was great to get out there and pitch again,” Norris said about his late-season comeback. “Going through rehab after groin surgery was really hard on me. Now, I’m finally able to get stronger and work towards getting back to normal. I’m feeling really good.”
The rehab was more intensive than one might imagine. Norris literally had to teach himself how to walk again before training to get back on the field. Along the way were some setbacks, which he admitted were mentally taxing.
Norris had been throwing a 93 to 97 mph fastball the start of the 2018 season, although it had dropped to the 88 to 90 mph range before his surgery. Now feeling better, he’s ready to get back to his old form.
“I feel I can now train and be very successful,” he said. “I have the fast-four and slider that I had to use last year because of the injury. If I’m back to normal, I think I will have all four pitches again and will be successful.”
Already one of the rare ones successful enough to make it to the highest level of his sport, he feels confident about shedding a reliever’s role and regaining his place in the starting rotation.
PUTTING ON A CLINIC
Norris, who played with the Johnson City Major League as a youngster, also remains passionate about the clinic. His love of the game is apparent and in what has become an annual tradition, those attending the clinic get to see him pitch for the first time in the new year.
“It’s so amazing and very special every year,” Norris said. “Obviously, I love being around the kids.
“When we were signing items at the end of it, I saw some of my signatures from the last couple of years. It’s cool that people are coming back and having fun. I enjoy it so much.”
OTHER LOCAL STARS LEND A HAND
Fellow Science Hill alumni- turned-professional pitchers Will Carter and Reed Hayes also helped at the clinic. Carter played with the Yankees organization in Trenton, New Jersey, and Tampa, Florida, last season. Hayes was with the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds in the Orioles organization.
While not at the clinic, it was learned that former Science Hill first baseman Will Craig has gotten a big-league invite to this year’s Pittsburgh Pirates spring training.
Paul Hoilman, the 2010 College Home Run Derby champion who later played in the Cubs organization, and fellow East Tennessee State alumni Dylan Pratt and Scott Hoilman were among the other local baseball stars who helped with the clinic.
“Seeing Will Carter, my best friend, Paul, Dylan and all the other guys helping out, it was like we were these kids back in the day,” Norris said. “It’s neat how we’ve all grown up and had the chance to play pro ball. It’s really a special day and something I look forward to every year.”
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Posts Tagged quentin tarantino
Marvel Movies Project: Punisher: War Zone
March 12, 2013 at 8:03 pm · Filed under Big Screen, Comics
Like The Incredible Hulk, Punisher: War Zone (2008) is a reboot. Thomas Jane is out as Frank Castle, replaced by Ray Stevenson. In The Punisher, Castle was an undercover cop whose entire family, including his wife and son, was killed in revenge for the death of a mobster’s son; in this version of events, Castle’s wife and two children are murdered after the family witnesses a mob execution during the worst family picnic ever.
Also like The Incredible Hulk, though, Punisher: War Zone largely skips over its protagonist’s origin story, only providing bits and pieces through explanatory dialogue and some brief flashbacks. Again, we get the feeling we’re supposed to come into the movie with prior knowledge of who this guy is and an understanding of his mission statement. That mission, of course, is killing criminals — specifically, the members of mafia crime families.
Enter Dominic West doing a very bad Italian-American accent as “Bobby the Beaut,” an extremely vain mobster who falls into a vat of broken glass; due to the resulting facial scarring, he renames himself Jigsaw. He and his brother, Loony Bin Jim (Dough Hutchison, who will always be Tooms from The X-Files to me), are the cartoonishly horrible bad guys in this film. First Omar shows up in The Incredible Hulk, now we’ve got McNulty in this movie: The Wire fan in me is loving this trend. Speaking of classic HBO, I’ve been having a bit of a Sopranos marathon lately, which made the mobsters in this movie feel even more exaggerated than they already are.
In a raid on one of Bobby/Jigsaw’s hideouts, The Punisher accidentally kills an undercover FBI agent. He feels immensely guilty over this and tries to make up for it by protecting the agent’s wife and daughter when Jigsaw’s crew goes after them. In an interesting bit of casting, Julie Benz, known to many as Rita from Dexter (and also Darla from Buffy and Angel), plays the wife. Dexter Morgan, the serial killer who only kills criminals who escape justice, is of course very similar to The Punisher in a lot of ways. (Ray Stevenson has also appeared on Dexter since this film was made.)
My main complaint about the first Punisher movie was that it made almost no attempt to deal with the character’s moral ambiguity. Punisher: War Zone does a slightly better job of at least raising the issue, but ultimately it pretty much lets him off the hook, with Benz’s character telling him he’s “one of the good guys” and an ending that seems to compare Frank Castle to Jesus!? Right then. It occurs to me that Dexter might provide a good model for any future Punisher-related projects. The show is masterful at making the audience think of Dexter as the hero while also reminding us how messed up it is that we think of him that way. Both Punisher movies have leaned too close to the side of glorifying him for my taste.
This one is also a little too violent for me. Never before have I seen a movie with so many exploding heads in it. I am generally not that bothered by violence, but this was excessive to the point that I felt a little sick to my stomach. I also feel this film suffers from the same mixed tone issues that sunk Daredevil. On the one hand, Frank Castle is the dark, broody, stoic hero. On the other hand, the villains are all totally outlandish. It doesn’t quite gel.
Apparently, the movie rights for The Punisher are now back with Marvel and there are plans to put him on screen in some form again, or at least there were in 2010. Call me crazy, but I think it would be possible to do a really excellent, high class Punisher movie or TV series. I’d use Dexter as a model, and I’d go with a more serious tone: No Country for Old Men comes to mind as something to emulate. (Ok, maybe I really am crazy.)
Alternatively, get Quentin Tarantino to direct the next one. That’s a match made in heaven right there.
·Tagged daredevil, dexter, dominic west, julie benz, marvel movies, marvel movies project, marvel universe, no country for old men, punisher: war zone, quentin tarantino, ray stevenson, the incredible hulk, the punisher, the wire, the x-files, thomas jane
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HOME > NEWSROOM > ARTICLES > NRB TODAY ARTICLES > ‘Restoring Tomorrow’ in Theaters Nov. 13; Proceeds to Benefit Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Victims
Restoring Tomorrow in Theaters Nov. 13; Proceeds to Benefit Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Victims
Award-winning actor, director, and activist Aaron Wolf will be releasing Restoring Tomorrow as a Fathom event in theaters nationwide on November 13, and proceeds from the film project will benefit victims of the shooting last week at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
The film, which tells the tale of Los Angeles’ Wilshire Boulevard Temple, delivers a positive message for America to come together and unite communities, rather than tear them apart with hatred, extremism and violence that not only has affected the Jewish community, but also the Christian community and other religious communities in recent years.
“This is an important story and I encourage NRB members to take a careful look at it in light of recent events in our country,” said Michael Little, chairman of the National Religious Broadcasters’ Board of Directors.
Directed by Wolf and shortlisted for the 2019 Academy Awards, Restoring Tomorrow tells a universal story of hope and action. Wolf, a New York resident, comes back to his native Los Angeles to visit the temple of his youth, where his grandfather, Rabbi Alfred Wolf, an influential rabbi and pioneer for interfaith unity, once led. Seeing the building in great decay, Wolf embarks on an against-all-odds mission to restore the historic worship landmark, in an effort to help restore the community and bring back people to their faith.
The building – the Wilshire Boulevard Temple – was built in 1929 with the support of legendary Hollywood moguls including Warner Bros.’ Harry Warner and MGM’s Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg. While chronicling the restoration of the temple, Wolf finds himself restored, as he reconnects to his synagogue, community, and ancestral roots.
Wolf created the film in an effort to launch a movement, by inspiring younger generations for a call to action to restore historic places of worship, and thus the communities, that have seen an incredible decline in recent years nationwide. The film showing on November 13 will be followed by a unique interfaith and intercultural dialogue led by Wolf as he brings people from different backgrounds – both political and religious – together to find common ground amidst their differences. This follows the charge of Wolf’s grandfather, who escaped Nazi Germany with the idea that he was coming to a free land to practice and promote hope.
The dialogue participants include Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, radio personality Michael Medved, Christian filmmaker Phil Cooke, and Rabbi Steve Leder.
In conjunction with the release of the film, Wolf will also be launching a nationwide social media campaign called “Collage of Communities” that will encourage viewers attending the theatrical Fathom Event on November 13 to take and submit (via social media) group photos that will be converted into a collage and distributed with messaging that unites people all over the world.
“What happened in Pittsburgh on Saturday shook me to my core and took this journey I’ve been on with Restoring Tomorrow from a film with an important message to an urgent cause and a need for action,” he said in a press release. “It must be brought to light that these beautiful places of hope and faith stand for people coming together for a common good and leaving to go make their communities and world a better place. That's the core of humanity. Our voices as ancestors for generations to come must be louder than ever!”
To purchase tickets for Restoring Tomorrow, click here.
To learn more about the film, visit www.restoringtomorrowfilm.com.
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It didn’t fully hit me until the moment I stepped onstage.
I had seen the famous marquee outside in person earlier that day, and had been receiving snapshots on Twitter from excited New Yorkers for about a month. But, I had been feeling oddly detached about the whole thing. After all, the cast was in the middle of a tour and I had a billion and one things to get done. I don’t allow myself too much time for reflection as a rule, and this was no exception. Or so I thought.
The show was, of course, our biggest Postmodern Jukebox concert yet, both in audience size and cast size. Being in New York City -where this project was born and where I lived for 7 years- meant that the show was something of a “This Is Your Life” for PMJ, as cast members both old and new caught up with one another backstage and shared their incredible talents onstage. I watched the show from the wings, but the stage was too big to see the audience; from my vantage point, it looked like we were playing a PMJ show in a black hole.
A reunion of the 2015 European tour cast on “All About That Bass.”
Stepping on that stage in front of thousands midway through the show, everything changed. I looked out and saw the faces of so many people – people that were now on their feet – people that were strangers to me, but that I recognized, in a strange sort of way.
Sara Niemietz dazzles the crowd during “Hey Ya!”
My mind flashed back to the early days of Postmodern Jukebox, when I was filming videos out of a small basement apartment in Queens, duct taping a camera to a mismatched tripod and paying musicians in falafel sandwiches. It wasn’t a glamorous operation, and there weren’t any promoters or industry professionals interested in what I was doing. What kept me going were the messages from a few people all over the world that saw the possibilities of this project and believed in the importance of a place for real, live music in an industry that was becoming more image-driven and inauthentic by the day. In time, these messages of support grew in number, as people told their friends and family about that crazy group of musicians that were turning today’s radio hits into Golden Oldies in a living room somewhere. Our group of performers grew. It was becoming a movement.
Maiya Sykes pays tribute to Brooklyn’s own Notorious B.I.G. in “Juicy.”
Back on stage, I was regretting my decision to not prepare a speech; I think I mostly just said, “Wow!” (My advice to anyone that finds themselves in a similar situation: ALWAYS prepare a speech, you’ll look way more classy that way.) But, my thoughts as I looked out at the crowd were about all of those messages of support that I received over the years leading up to this moment, and how this crowd of strangers weren’t really strangers at all; they were the people that helped build Postmodern Jukebox into what it is today. They were the people that gave our collective of talented vocalists, musicians, and dancers a stage and told them, we’re here for you. They were the people that saw a better life for performers than waiting tables or busking on the street, and then found a way to make that life happen us all.
Morgan James sneaks up on me before performing “Take Me To Church.” All photos by Braverijah Gregg.
In the days leading up to the Radio City show, I made a lot of cocky jokes about being a rockstar (hey, I’m only human, and from New Jersey at that). It also felt good knowing that this was happening in spite of all the people that told me that it wasn’t possible over the years- no sense in pretending otherwise. But truth be told, Postmodern Jukebox has never been about me; it’s much bigger than that. From all the incredible performers that have shared their gifts on our videos and tours over the years, to all the crew that helped put together these shows night after night, to all the fans that have gotten involved to spread the word about PMJ when radio and TV wasn’t – we have an incredible community spanning multiple cultures and generations that has come together for one single goal: to celebrate real, authentic musical talent. For this, I am eternally grateful, and I don’t take this responsibility entrusted to me lightly.
We’ve come a long way from that basement in Queens. Now, let’s build a tradition to last for generations to come. We’ve got work to do.
Postmodern Jukebox is back…. Back in Black & White!
A Stirring Farewell to The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan with Maiya Sykes
North American Fall Tour Presale Begins Today!
PMJ superstar Aubrey Logan returns to take on Mariah Carey
A PMJ Classic – Back in Black & White
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Download PNG image: Gold bar PNG image
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Home » JEWELRY AND GEMS » Gold » Gold bar PNG image
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Gold is a chemical element with symbol Au (from Latin: aurum) and atomic number 79. In its purest form, it is a bright, slightly reddish yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal and a group 11 element. It is one of the least reactive chemical elements and is solid under standard conditions. Gold often occurs in free elemental (native) form, as nuggets or grains, in rocks, in veins, and in alluvial deposits. It occurs in a solid solution series with the native element silver (as electrum) and also naturally alloyed with copper and palladium. Less commonly, it occurs in minerals as gold compounds, often with tellurium (gold tellurides).
Gold is thought to have been produced in supernova nucleosynthesis, from the collision of neutron stars,[6] and to have been present in the dust from which the Solar System formed. Because the Earth was molten when it was formed, almost all of the gold present in the early Earth probably sank into the planetary core. Therefore, most of the gold that is in the Earth's crust and mantle is thought to have been delivered to Earth later, by asteroid impacts during the Late Heavy Bombardment, about 4 billion years ago.
Gold is resistant to most acids, though it does dissolve in aqua regia, a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, which forms a soluble tetrachloroaurate anion. Gold is insoluble in nitric acid, which dissolves silver and base metals, a property that has long been used to refine gold and to confirm the presence of gold in metallic objects, giving rise to the term acid test. Gold also dissolves in alkaline solutions of cyanide, which are used in mining and electroplating. Gold dissolves in mercury, forming amalgam alloys, but this is not a chemical reaction.
Historically, the value of gold was rooted in its relative rarity, easy handling and minting, easy smelting and fabrication, resistance to corrosion and other chemical reactions (nobility) and its distinctive color. As a precious metal, gold has been used for coinage, jewelry, and other arts throughout recorded history. In the past, a gold standard was often implemented as a monetary policy, but gold coins ceased to be minted as a circulating currency in the 1930s, and the world gold standard was abandoned for a fiat currency system after 1976.
A total of 186,700 tonnes of gold exists above ground, as of 2015. The world consumption of new gold produced is about 50% in jewelry, 40% in investments, and 10% in industry. Gold's high malleability, ductility, resistance to corrosion and most other chemical reactions, and conductivity of electricity have led to its continued use in corrosion resistant electrical connectors in all types of computerized devices (its chief industrial use). Gold is also used in infrared shielding, colored-glass production, gold leafing, and tooth restoration. Certain gold salts are still used as anti-inflammatories in medicine. As of 2014, the world's largest gold producer by far was China with 450 tonnes.
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Image category: Gold
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Download PNG image: Ice Age squirrel PNG
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Home » HEROES, ACTORS » Ice Age » Ice Age squirrel PNG
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Ice Age is a 2002 American computer-animated buddy comedy road film directed by Chris Wedge and co-directed by Carlos Saldanha from a story by Michael J. Wilson. Produced by Blue Sky Studios as its first feature film, it was released by 20th Century Fox on March 15, 2002. The film features the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary and Chris Wedge.
The film is set during the days of the ice age; animals begin migrating south to escape the winters. Once Manny, a no-nonsense mammoth meets Sid, a loudmouthed ground sloth and the two find a human baby, they set out to return the baby. Joining them is a saber-tooth tiger named Diego, who is commanded by his pack leader to bring the baby to him to enact revenge against the humans.
This film was met with mostly positive reviews and was nominated at the 75th Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature. It was a box office success by grossing over $383 million, starting the Ice Age franchise. It was followed by four sequels, Ice Age: The Meltdown in 2006, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs in 2009, Ice Age: Continental Drift in 2012, and Ice Age: Collision Course in 2016.
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Historians disagree on where to mark Washington's trail
By Len Barcousky, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Roger Weaver doesn't want to rewrite the history of George Washington's journey through Butler County. He just wants to shift part of the route a few miles west.
Weaver, an architect and historian, has his office in the Mueller-Weaver House in Harmony. It was built in 1810 and stands just about 100 yards from the spot where Weaver concludes Washington crossed Connoquenessing Creek on Dec. 1, 1753.
Washington was on a diplomatic mission from Virginia to confront the French in what is now Erie County.
Both Washington, a trained surveyor, and his guide, Christopher Gist, kept journals of their winter journey, and many historians agree on the approximate northbound route the pair followed. But based on his study of the two journals, Weaver believes they took a path for part of their return trip through Butler County that veers slightly from the traditionally accepted one.
This year marks the 250th anniversary of Washington's journey, and Butler County has received $69,000 in state funds for historical markers to be erected along his route. But first those in charge of the project must agree on where Washington rode, walked and canoed.
That's where Weaver comes in. He's been hired to research the issue, funded by a $10,000 state grant.
Whatever routes Washington and Gist took, it was a slow, bone-chilling and dangerous trek. While the two differed on the details, it seems likely that an attempt was made to shoot Washington near what is now Evans City. A day later, he almost died when he fell into the freezing waters of the Allegheny River.
"We take the position that the French and Indian War started with this trip," said Dave Johnston, Butler County's planning director and a member of the county's Washington 1753 Trail Commemorative Committee, which hired Weaver.
Dramatic journey
Washington's journey across Western Pennsylvania was full of adventure and drama.
Only 21, the young diplomat was representing Virginia, the largest and most populous of the American colonies. Gist, a bankrupt merchant turned explorer and scout, was Washington's chief companion as well as his guide. Gist was in his late 40s when the pair headed north toward Fort LeBoeuf. Located near what is now Waterford, Erie County, Fort LeBoeuf was one of several outposts the French had built in the Ohio River Valley.
The goal of the French was to gain control of the Ohio Valley by occupying what is now Pittsburgh's Point, the strategic spot where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers come together.
Western Pennsylvania had been conquered and claimed by the Iroquois in the 17th century. The British argued that they gained title to the region when the tribe was declared subjects of the English crown under the 18th century Treaty of Utrecht.
The French did not agree, tracing their claim back to the voyages of Rene-Robert de LaSalle in the late 17th century.
Traveling down from Canada in 1749, a second French explorer named Pierre-Joseph Celeron traveled 3,000 miles through Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. He sought alliances with local Indian tribes and warned off English traders. "He also buried lead plates at the headwaters of the most important rivers, claiming the territory for Louis XV, France's king," historian Kevin Patrick Kopper wrote. Kopper is the editor and annotator of a new version of the Washington and Gist journals published by Slippery Rock University. His book includes a background essay on the early history of the region.
A doctoral student in history at Kent State University, Kopper is the former associate director of the Butler County Historical Society.
Washington was dispatched from Williamsburg in November 1753 with three tasks as a representative of Virginia Lt. Gov. Robert Dinwiddie. He was carrying an official letter from Dinwiddie, ordering the French to leave the Ohio Valley. He was also to try to persuade Indians in the region to cut their ties with the French. Finally, he was to learn as much as he could about French fortifications and intentions.
Hiring a translator, a guide and -- as Washington described them -- "four others as servitors," Washington traveled north and west, crossing the Allegheny Mountains through the Cumberland Gap. His small party followed traditional Indian paths to the banks of the Monongahela River.
It was on the first half of his journey that Washington produced the first written description of the land that is now Downtown Pittsburgh. "I spent some time in viewing the rivers and the land in the fork, which I think extremely well suited for a fort," he wrote when he reached the Point on Nov. 22, 1753.
Washington then traveled down the Ohio River to a group of Indian villages known as Logstown, located near the site of present-day Ambridge. He met with several Indian chiefs but had little success in persuading them to break off relations with the French. One convert, however, was Tanacharison, known as the Half King.
On Nov. 30, the Virginians, accompanied by only a few Indian leaders, headed north toward Fort LeBoeuf. That night they camped out at "Murthering town" and then crossed what is now Connoquenessing Creek.
Weaver locates "Murthering town" at a stream ford that still can be found near his Harmony office. Kopper is less sure of where the party crossed. He writes that "Murthering town" refers to a collection of villages strung along the Connoquenessing.
Many modern roads in the northern suburbs still follow the routes of old Indian paths. Historians believe that Washington and his party traveled north from Harmony, near what is now Route 19, as far as Portersville. Their route through Butler County probably took them across the western edge of what is now Moraine State Park and then northeast through Worth, and through Slippery Rock and Mercer townships, meeting up with the path of what is now Route 8, north of Harrisville.
Making their first contact with the French at Fort Venango, now Franklin, Venango County, the Virginians and their Indian companions were taken to Fort LeBoeuf. The French were led by Capt. Philippe-Thomas Joncaire, who had accompanied Celeron on his explorations four years earlier.
Washington delivered Dinwiddie's letter on Dec.13, then spent some time scouting the French defenses while waiting for a reply. Washington was most concerned by the numbers of boats and canoes that could be used to transport soldiers and their Indian allies downstream in the spring. His count found "fifty [canoes] of birch bark, and a hundred and seventy of pine; besides many others which were blocked out, in readiness for being made."
When the French reply came, the message was that they were not leaving the Ohio Valley. Washington's departure was delayed by bad weather and French efforts to separate him from his few Indian allies.
While the journey north had been hard, the return trip proved even tougher.
Anxious to report back to Dinwiddie as quickly as possible, Washington split his party, sending several companions with borrowed horses overland to Venango.
Accompanied by French scouts who intended to make sure the Virginians left what they claimed as New French, Washington and his remaining companions headed south in canoes down the ice-clogged French Creek.
While the distance between Fort LeBoeuf and Venango is less than 50 miles as the crow flies, Washington found the water route much longer. "This creek is extremely crooked," Washington wrote in his journal. "I dare say the distance between the fort and Venango can not be less than one hundred and thirty miles to follow the meanders."
Their French minders also had a rough trip. "We had the pleasure of seeing the French overset, and the brandy and wine floating in the creek, and run by them," Gist wrote on Dec. 22.
At Venango, the group split further. A chief named White Thunder had become ill, and the Half King told Washington he was staying with his friend.
The rest of the party headed south by land. For the next three days, the Virginians battled cold and snow and watched their horses grow weaker.
Hoping to make better time, Washington and Gist decided to set out alone on Dec. 26.
"Washington's return route is shrouded in mystery," Kopper wrote. He speculates "that the men traveled south on the Venango Trail using a compass as their guide." Kopper's path roughly follows Routes 8 and 528 south to present-day Evans City. That route takes the pair by the place where a widely known Butler County landmark, the Old Stone House, was built in 1812.
The Old Stone House is operated as a historic site by Slippery Rock University. Although the structure was built decades after Washington's journey, it is likely to play a role in the 250th commemoration.
Weaver, however, argues for a more westerly route. His study of the journals led him to conclude that once Washington and Gist broke away from the rest of the party, they simply retraced their steps south. He bases his argument, in part, on what is missing from the journals: any mention by either man of taking compass readings when the travelers started out.
"They didn't have a [local] guide, and they didn't check a compass," Weaver said. "Why? Because they could follow the same path they had taken on the way to Venango."
Traveling light, the pair made excellent time.
A new 'friend'
Both men mention returning the next day to what Gist spelled as "Murthering town" or what Washington spelled as "Murdering town."
In Weaver's version of the route, after they once again forded the Connoquenessing at Harmony, they turned southeast, following what would become Route 68.
At this point, Gist and Washington offer different descriptions of the next few hours.
Washington writes that he and Gist "fell in with a party of French Indians, who had lain in wait for us."
"One of them fired at Mr. Gist or me, not fifteen steps off, but fortunately missed. We took this fellow into custody, and kept him until about nine o'clock at night, then let him go, and walked the remaining part of night without making any stop."
Gist tells a more dramatic version.
At Murthering town, "we met with an Indian, whom I thought I had seen at Joncaire's, at Venango ...."
Washington wanted the shortest route back to the Point, and their new companion agreed to show them.
Gist says the Indian offered to carry Washington's pack and then wanted to carry his gun. Washington refused "and then the Indian grew churlish."
Gist knew the Point was south and he grew suspicious when "the Indian steered too much north-eastwardly."
Weaver sees this comment as more evidence that Washington and Gist had been retracing their steps.
If the men met their new guide near what is now Harmony, they could more easily have been led to make a gradual turn north and east, he reasoned.
If the pair had been coming down the Venango Trail, their new guide would have had to make a much more obvious hairpin change of direction to get them headed northeast toward modern day Connoquenessing Borough.
Warning Gist and Washington that "there were Ottawa Indians in these woods, and they would scalp us if we lay out," their companion urged the travelers to spend the night in his nearby cabin. The cabin was within the distance that the sound of a gunshot could travel, he told them.
The two men grew more uneasy as their companion seemed to take them farther and farther in the wrong direction, and finally Washington said he wouldn't cross another stream.
At that point, the three were likely somewhere between Evans City and Connoquenessing Borough, northwest of the modern Route 68. Weaver locates the spot just beyond a grove of oak trees, some of which are old enough to have been there when Washington and Gist passed by.
"But before we came to [a stream], we came to a clear meadow. ... The Indian made a stop, turned about; the Major saw him point his gun toward us and fire." Gist wrote.
Neither man was hurt.
"I would have killed him, but the Major would not suffer me to kill him," Gist wrote.
"People often speculate about 'What if George Washington had been killed that day?' " Weaver said. "I wonder about 'What if George Washington had killed that Indian?' "
"The whole mission tested his diplomacy, his compassion, his writing skills," Weaver said. "The incident with the Indian says a lot about his character, his judgment, his temperament. He would not be rushed into a rash act."
On to Virginia
Gist then described the ruse the pair used to get away from the guide.
They told the Indian to walk on to his cabin, while Gist and Washington would stay the night by a creek where they had built a fire. They gave the Indian bread and asked him to bring them meat in the morning.
"I followed him, and listened until he was fairly out of the way, and then we set out about half a mile, when we made a fire [to fool any watchers], set our compass and fixed our course," Gist wrote.
That was the first reference to using a compass in either journal, Weaver said. "Until that time, they were either retracing their steps or they had a guide."
Fearing they would be tracked down and killed, the pair traveled all night and much of the next day.
Early on Dec. 29, they reached the north shore of the ice-choked Allegheny River, probably near the 40th Street Bridge. The pair spent the day building a crude raft, which soon became stuck among the ice floes.
"I put out my setting pole to try to stop the raft, when the rapidity of the stream threw it with so much violence against the pole that it jerked me out into ten feet of water," Washington wrote.
Minutes from drowning or dying of hypothermia, he grabbed onto one of the logs and held on.
"We could not get to either shore, but were obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our raft and make to it," Washington wrote. The pair spent the night on Herr's Island. The next morning the river had frozen and they walked across the Allegheny.
Washington was back in Williamsburg by Jan. 16, 1754, with his report to Dinwiddie.
In the version of his report that appeared in the Maryland Gazette on March 21, 1754, Washington wrote that his map and journal were both less than perfect: "I think I can do no less than apologize, in some Measure, for the numberless imperfections of it."
Whatever its flaws, his report of his journey gave the young Washington his first 15 minutes of fame in London and in the rest of the American Colonies.
"There also followed an explosion in map making," Weaver said. "There were perhaps a dozen maps made in the period before 1753 and four times that many after the French told Washington to get off their property."
The real importance
The Commemorative Committee is still studying Weaver's report, and members have not made a final decision on where to mark the route.
"It's a very good report," said Johnston, the Butler planner. "We want to do our best to make sure we have an accurate route."
The committee is under pressure to decide. To have the commemorative signs in place for the 250th anniversary in the fall, paperwork describing the route must be submitted to the state by March 6, Johnston said.
Kopper said debate over Washington's journey is nothing new.
"This is an argument that has been raging for 100 years," he said. "People have been saying the path went this way or that, and it's hard to be sure since the topography has changed since 1753. I would agree with Roger that it's a matter of interpreting the documents."
Weaver insists the landscape hasn't changed that much -- if you know where to look and you trust the evidence in the journals.
Where precisely Washington walked is not critical, Kopper said. "Wherever they put the markers will be speculative, but it will not detract from the importance of the event.
"On this trip, Washington was almost shot and killed. The journey marked one of the first steps that led to the French and Indian War. It was the first test of a 21-year-old, and it showed his intestinal fortitude."
He added, "The exact route isn't significant, but the trip itself was."
Len Barcousky can be reached at lbarcousky@post-gazette.com or 724-772-0184.
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Belwick
So, after too much time thinking about doing it (and doing too much worldbuilding while doing all that thinking), I have finally started to actually put lines to paper in the Black Blood of the Earth game. The starting location for the players will be the small, walled city of Belwick, on the edge of the empire (which is still unnamed). Belwick lies on a fairly large river (about 150 feet across where the town lies, I don't yet know what it is called), and has a population somewhere in the range of 6000-8000 people - I'll know better when I finish the map. The main part of the city is surrounded by a wall about 50' high and 20' thick, with 60' tall towers about every 200 feet or so. The most dominating feature of Belwick is the Tower of Grond, which is the location of the ruler of the province of which the city is the capital (there is also a city government). The Tower is about 300 feet across at the octagonal base, narrowing to a square about 100 feet across at the top, and rises a stunning 450 feet into the sky (about 30 stories).
Underneath the city is a sewer system consisting of underground passages that connect to each other and to some of the sub-basements in the city's buildings. There are also mysterious tunnels that connect to the sewers but are not a part of them. The players will start the game with a map to one of these tunnel systems, with rumors of treasures to be found in them.
And that's all I know for sure right now.
Labels: Black Blood of the Earth, worldbuilding
Dragon Magazine Articles
As I prepare for running the Black Blood of the Earth game using 1E AD&D, I have been looking through issues of Dragon magazine for articles that will be useful to me. These include house rules, minor subsystems that govern particular aspects of the game, and so on. Here's a list of some that I think will be useful to me:
"Living in a Material World", #81. A way of making use of the material component rules in spellcasting. Gives the likelihood of finding the components, the cost, and so on.
"Fighters for a Price", #109. Extensive notes on mercenaries and how to hire them.
"Giant-sized Weapons", #109. Weapons for people who are bigger than humans.
"For King and Country", #101. The best alignment system for D&D-type games, possibly excepting the original Law/Neutral/Chaos system.
"Tables and Tables of Troops", #99. Expansions for determining the troops that are attracted to high-level fighters.
"When It Gets Hit, It Gets Hurt", #73. The only crit system I've ever liked for D&D-type games.
"The Mystic College", #123. Some notes on institutions for magic-users, instead of a simple tower.
"Weathering the Storms", #137. Simple tables for random weather.
"Treasures of the Wilds", #137. The values of various animal parts.
"What's for Lunch?", #137. A hunting system.
"Weapons Wear Out, Skills Don't", #65. An alternate proficiency system.
"The Natural Order", #122. More druid spells.
"A Capital Idea", #113. Businesses for PCs to run.
"Clout for Clerics", #113. Expanded rules for running clerical domains.
"The Role of Nature", #108. How to make use of weather.
"Sticks, Stones, and Bones", #97. Guidelines for nonstandard weapon use.
"Short Hops and Big Drops", #93. Ideas for setting limits on jumping for characters.
Posted by faoladh at 1:56 AM 2 comments
Labels: Black Blood of the Earth, Dungeons and Dragons, ideas, resources
Obscure Games - Swordbearer
It wasn't the cover that attracted me to this game.
Wow, I guess it's been a while since I've made a post at this blog. Reading Brendan's post on the forgotten RPGs, I thought I'd make some quick notes about a few of my favorite games that aren't D&D.
First up, one of my favorite games that I've never played, Swordbearer. This was a fun little thing published by Heritage USA (normally a miniatures company) in odd books 7" high by 8.25" wide. These were designed to fit the box - a box of the same design that Heritage USA's miniatures sets came in! Later, it was reprinted by FGU in a book of more normal dimensions. It's still available from the latter publisher, too, as both a PDF and print book. FGU also made a supplement (same link), which was a campaign setting for the game. Most of the rules are standard, old-school design. There aren't any character classes, per se, but players choose specialization in skill categories (either two different categories or only one but gain bonus skills) and a previous occupation. Wealth is measured not in accounting, but by a wealth rating (a mechanic that has been copied by many games since then, from The Burning Wheel and Reign to Epiphany). The magic system, though, was something special. Spells (most spells, anyway; there is a second magic system based around spirits, which I will get to) are divided among 8 elements, which is a pretty standard idea, but the neat part is how they are powered. A spell-user will collect "nodes" of various sizes (usually power 1 to 3, but nodes of up to 9 power exist). The nodes can be "aligned" to a particular spell or left unaligned. Alignment can be done to any spell the spell-user knows, or he can allow the node to align randomly. Spells are rated in the power of node that they require, and a large enough node can align multiple spells up to its total power. The success of alignment is based, largely, on the number of unaligned nodes that the spell-user commands.
Now comes the fun part. The success chance of using the spell without destroying the node and the speed of casting is based on chaining nodes through a sequence of dominance. Don't you love that the technical language of the game sounds like the sort of thing that a spell-user might say? "Dominance" refers to the fact that each element dominates one element, and is dominated by another one. Thus, Wood dominates Wind, and is dominated by Water. This is similar to the elemental system of real-world Chinese Taoist alchemy. An oddity of the elemental system of Swordbearer is that Light and Darkness are different elements, but are treated as the same element on the sequence of dominance. The longer the dominance chain, the faster the spell, and the less likely that the node will exhaust itself and vanish.
There's a method of determining how often a spell-user finds a node when searching, a percent chance of finding one by accident, plus the Referee is encouraged to place particular nodes where they seem appropriate.
As I said above, there is also a second magic system, Spirit Magic. This also is based around nodes, but Spirit nodes are found in living creatures. There are two ways to use these: either kill the creature and take its Spirit nodes, or align one's own living Spirit nodes. There are four types, based on the four Humors of early medical theory (Vitriolic, Phlegmatic, Choleric, and Melancholy). Each Humor includes six spells, such as Charm, Familiar, Resurrection, or the various Undead spells (including Lich). Spirit magic doesn't have the advantages of the sequence of dominance, and is more powerful but more risky. Since it is rare for an animal to have Spirit nodes at all (for instance, a horse has only 3% chance of having one, and even a winged horse has only a 10% chance), while sapient beings always have at least one (and usually 3), Spirit magicians are usually seen as unwholesome at best.
The combat system is based on the pace of 2 1/2 feet and the instant of 4 seconds. It's a fairly tactical subsystem that is designed to be easily streamlined to description. Kinda like GURPS with less available complexity.
Overland travel is based on the league of 15,000 feet (6000 paces). There's a fairly large table that compares terrain roughness (or altitude) and vegetation cover, plus available roads, and gives the time in hours required to cross each league (rounded to the nearest quarter-hour). For instance, crossing a league of Lightly Rolling Brushland on a Trail takes 1 3/4 hours on foot, or 1 1/4 hours on a horse. There's also a listing of visibility distances for each terrain category (Lightly Rolling Brushland has a listed Visibility of 4 leagues), though this is modified for intervening terrain and altitude so that someone looking over lower terrain might see 12 or even 20 leagues in good weather. There are modifications made for traveling parties that are ill, wounded, exhausted, traveling in bad weather, and so forth. It sounds complex as I write it out, but the actual system seems like it would actually be pretty easy to use in play, so long as the travel table were available and the Referee had maps that included the necessary information - and of course it is not intended as a straitjacket anyway, but rather as a resource that is available to the Referee to gain verisimilitude.
There are a lot of nonhuman races in the game, from standard ones like elves, dwarves, and halflings to unusual choices like harpies, centaurs, and even dragons and giants! In addition, there are races unique to this game, such as bunrabs (like humanoid rabbits - perhaps not surprising since B. Dennis Sustare was also the author of Bunnies & Burrows) or moonspiders (intelligent giant spiders). I'd probably cut the available races down a bit, getting rid of some and emphasizing others (I really like bunrabs, and would like to use them to completely replace halflings - which is something that I will probably do in some of my D&D games, too! I mean, rabbits live in cozy subterranean warrens, they spend their lives thinking mostly about food and mating, and they are stealthy and elusive, but tough when backed into a corner - sounds like halflings to me).
Anyway, Swordbearer is a really neat game. I'd love to play. Who knows, maybe I'll run it one of these days.
Labels: magic, obscure games, Swordbearer
Stupid Idea For A Magic System
Some of the comments in this post gave me a stupid idea. Using hit points as magic points seems like a neat idea. It plays into the idea of hit points as luck, divine favor, and so on. It gives magic using types a resource to manage that is non-trivial to balance against other considerations. It's just that, as others noted, creating a whole new magic system is a pain in the ass.
Fortunately, there already exists a magic system written for a version of D&D that uses hit points as the magic points of the system. In the D20 version of Star Wars, the Jedi and other Force users use hit points to power their abilities. Now, it would need some conversion to go from D20's skills and feats (which is what the Force system in D20 Star Wars is built around) to regular D&D terms, but at least the conversion is possible. Instead of spell books and spell slots, these sorcerers (we might as well call them that) would learn things at each level that are analogues to the skills and feats of D20 Star Wars.
Not something I'm going to do right now, but just thinking about it. Another magic system that I'd like to write up one of these days is also inspired by those comments, but it would be even easier since The Palladium RPG did a version of it, and that's the magic user who gains powers from pacts with demons and other spirits.
Labels: ideas, magic
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OpenSite
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Founded in 1895, Saint Martin's University is a 4-year institution. It is in the suburbs of Lacey, Washington. This school offers subjects such as biology, political science, and engineering. It offers students two certificates, 22 degrees at the bachelors level, and seven degrees at the masters level. 1,811 students sought degrees from the 30 programs at this school in 2010. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits Saint Martin's.
802 students applied for admission to this small school in 2010. Saint Martin's admitted 642 out of 802 applicants or 642 students. 60% of the admitted students are women.
Percent Admitted students who applied: 80%
Percent Admitted of women who applied were admitted: 81%
Percent Admitted of men who applied were admitted: 79%
In 2010, 1,811 students were enrolled at this school.
Total Enrolled Male: 851
Total Enrolled Female: 960
Undergraduate Male: 739
Undergraduate Female: 739
Graduate Male: 124
Graduate Female: 210
Faculty Demographics
It employs 164 faculty. 42% of instructors are full-time, 94 out of 164 faculty are part-time, and almost two-thirds of the instructors are men.
Information based on 2010-12 data from the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
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The Deadly Grip of The Crusher(s)!
If you're a super-villain, chances are that, if you name yourself the Crusher, you're probably going to find yourself being the Crushee more often than the other way around. But fortunately that hasn't stopped a number of Marvel characters from taking up the name, as well as the challenge of living up to such an intimidating moniker. Regrettably, however, many of them have fallen short--but it sure wasn't for lack of trying. And trying. And trying. So who are the notable figures in this roster?
There was, of course, the most recognizable Crusher, though for his villain name he preferred something more in line with his super-power: the Absorbing Man!
Though he definitely makes a strong start out of the gate whenever he explodes into a fight, the Absorbing Man almost always gets his shiny head handed to him in his ill-fated battles--but, despite his many setbacks and sooner or later being on the receiving end of a thrashing, he takes a licking but keeps on kicking. What a trouper.
Thor has run into his share of Crushers in his time. One of the briefest of those meetings was when he journeyed to Hades on behalf of his new friend, Hercules, and ran into this upstart:
Pivoting to the Egyptian pantheon and their own underlings, you'd expect a foe calling himself "the God-Crusher" to live up to his name--and during a fierce battle with the forces of Seth, Thor gets his wish and indeed finds his mettle tested, and then some.
Thor eventually had his reckoning with Grog, who would have to unfortunately uncheck Thor from his "crushed" list. (Cheer up, Grog! There are plenty of other gods for you to try your hand at crushing.)
In a prior story, when the Destroyer came calling during an Asgardian tournament, there was another Crusher who mainly used the name as a description for how tough he was--that is, until he was schooled by a certain Asgardian.
Perhaps the earliest Marvel character who, like Creel, was a prison inmate nicknamed Crusher, was one who hailed from Marvel's Golden Age and happened to take issue with being singed by the original Human Torch. (On an unrelated note, he also would have made a prime candidate for speech therapy.)
At times the word "Crusher" wasn't always attached to villains, though it just wasn't the same seeing the term applied to hardware.
But one non-villain who did the name proud was Crusher Hogan, who can always count as a feather in his cap the day when he ushered the amazing Spider-Man into the annals of comics history.
There's a little more to Crusher's story down the road--but let's just say he's the one member of this group who gets the happy ending he deserves.
That's only half true for this next perp, who things end badly for twice but who likely won't receive an ounce of sympathy from anyone as far as being undeserving of his fate.
Labels: Daredevil, Iron Man, Thor, villains
"In Battle Joined!"
Writer Roy Thomas often indulged in crossovers back in the day, even before they were formally referred to as such--and a stand-out from mid-1968 was the face-off between the Avengers and the X-Men, bringing the two teams together again 2½ years after their initial clash but this time with the X-Men of course facing a different Avengers lineup. And that lineup had gone through yet another change only recently, which served as the link between the two stories--the departure of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch, after Wanda had suffered a gunshot wound to her head and her brother Pietro had blamed human antipathy toward mutants for the act (though it was all due to manipulation by Magneto, who had been lobbying for the two to rejoin him).
With Wanda recovering on Magneto's island base, the X-Men have gone in search of Magneto after hearing reports of his return, and are captured. The Angel, however, escapes and flies off to seek help from the Avengers--while Cyclops manages to escape captivity and searches Magneto's stronghold for his teammates. Unfortunately, he runs into someone else, whose loyalties are in question but who means to prevent Cyclops from freeing his friends--and this action-packed two-parter kicks into high gear!
Labels: Avengers, Gary Friedrich, George Tuska, John Buscema, Magneto, reviews, Roy Thomas, X-Men
The Colors Of Doomsday!
The cover to Fantastic Four #77 remains one of the more colorful examples of artist Jack Kirby's work on the title, with its striking use of red to highlight not only the lab machinery of the story's villain, Psycho-Man, but also the villain himself. Without a production copy of the cover to possibly offer more information, it's unclear whether those choices were made by Kirby or the issue's colorist; but as a footnote to the PPC's recent review of the story, it might be interesting to take another look at the cover alongside its sister cover from its reprint in Marvel's Greatest Comics, published seven years later in 1975, which makes some noticeable changes that are apparent at first glance.
With the change in Psycho-Man's coloring being the most obvious, it's compelling to speculate on why he might have been originally cast in red. With his lab and equipment similarly cast, the uniformity no doubt adds to the framing of the entire cover as it sections off the different aspects of the story within. We could also assume that whatever intense energies Psycho-Man is unleashing so determinedly with his equipment are being reflected on his form and in the immediate vicinity of the room in a blazing shade of red. (Maybe the cover caption should instead read, "...Shall This Lab Endure?")
With the substitution of the MGC masthead and the change in its background color--as well as the loss of Kirby's detailing of Psycho-Man's equipment--only sparse elements of that detailing remain, too few to perhaps justify giving Psycho-Man the same coloring, though you could also assume that the decision might have been made to make this 7-year-old story's villain more distinctive for newer readers. (His hue has also been adjusted in his clash with the Torch.) And while on rare occasion the raiment of Galactus has been rendered in a darker color, the MGC cover has updated it to be more consistent with the character in later appearances (while his eyes have received a little touching up, as well).
The backgrounds and coloring in the various segments have also been altered. The ceiling detailing in the Torch area is touched up a bit, while the background coloring in all the segments is substantially adjusted for no discernible reason (with the exception of the Surfer's background, which gives more of a sense of the character being in space). The three FF members in the upper left segment lose almost all of the area's "Kirby krackle" effect, perhaps because of the intrusion of the MGC masthead, while the new coloring of Psycho-Man's machine tendrils are shifted to a black hue in that portion so as not to clash with the coloring of the FF's uniforms, presumably.
Changes have also been made with the addition of two extra captions--the Surfer's taking advantage of the character's selling power, now a figure well established with readers since his appearance in the original story. "When Strikes Psycho-Man...", however, appears to be a pointless insertion--its styling making it seem as if even the caption is unsure of its own impact. On an unrelated note, I still have a quibble about one portion of Kirby's original work--the fact that the two segments featuring the male members of the FF seem almost redundant. Do we really need to see the Thing gasping twice? With the bold caption "...Shall Earth Endure?" being the only wording present on the cover to entice the reader, why not substitute the lower left segment with a scene that features, for example, the people of Earth fearful of their approaching fate?
Labels: artwork, cover to cover, Fantastic Four, Jack Kirby
Rise Of The Red Hulk!
We've already seen the life and career of Gen. Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross dragged down by his relentless pursuit of the incredible Hulk, a situation he had virtually made his peace with by the end of the run of the book by offering words to that effect to his deceased daughter, Betty, who had been killed by the Abomination. By that time, Ross's fruitless encounters with the Hulk had taken their toll on the old soldier. After he had been merged with the electrical creature known as Zzzax, and once again failed to destroy the Hulk, he lost his own life attempting to save Betty from a mind-usurping mutant; but he was subsequently retrieved by the Leader and made to serve him as the Redeemer. Once more defeated by the Hulk, Ross was later made whole again--but the wheels had been set in motion to bring Ross much closer to being able to deal with his green-hued enemy once and for all.
And when it came to Ross gaining the power he needed to destroy the Hulk, "hue" is indeed the operative word here.
There's no doubt that, with the appearance of the so-called "Red Hulk," the 2008 Hulk series breathed new life into the character, one who appeared to have changed so radically. The Hulk had last appeared in the epic World War Hulk crossover event, in which he returned from his exile from Earth to claim his vengeance against those he held responsible for the tragedy he'd suffered. Created by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness, the new Hulk's origin was shrouded in mystery for nearly two years (with no small thanks to one or two red herrings thrown our way), the better to milk his appearances in his own title as well as in others for all they were worth.
During that time, the Red Hulk trampled his opposition with ease, no matter how powerful his foes. It's part of the reason I'd stopped buying the book, since Loeb's approach was to basically have the Red Hulk arrogantly pound his opponents into the ground just to take advantage of the shock value, only to up the ante and make the threat against him next time seem more certain to put him down. The Red Hulk carved a swath of destruction through the heavy hitters of the Marvel lineup--and if you're decking the Watcher, it appeared that no stone was going to be left unturned.
Unlike the "Hulk will smash!" creature we're more familiar with, the Red Hulk proved to be canny and calculating, with power to spare as well as the ability to absorb energy from others. His prime opponent, the Hulk, was dealt with fairly early in the title--and from that point, facing further opposition was no sweat.
And then came... perhaps to no one's surprise... the Red She-Hulk, given life by the same procedure that created her predecessor. The twist to this character was that she was revealed to be none other than Betty Ross--and when she defeats the Red Hulk, we at last learn his identity, a revelation which lends new meaning to the phrase "all in the family."
And so Ross relives the events that brought him to this point. From his time as the Redeemer:
...to when he is restored to his original form--though now with his path set to put an end to what had become the bane of his existence, despite his comforting words to his daughter.
Through flashbacks, we discover that by the time the Hulk had returned to Earth from his forced exile, Ross's life had unraveled in his eyes. His daughter dead... himself having committed treason... Captain America, a hero and patriot he greatly admired, assassinated... Ross felt he no longer had a purpose. While drowning his sorrows at a bar, he's paid a call by the Leader and M.O.D.O.K., part of a cabal known as the Intellgencia--and they make him an offer that he finds hard to refuse, planning for the day when the Hulk returns to Earth to plague the human race once more.
And so the alliance comes to pass--and the Intelligencia is prepared when Tony Stark, at the culmination of the Sentry's battle with the Hulk, triggers a satellite to down the monster, though unknown to Stark the Hulk's energies are siphoned and put to use elsewhere.
In time, however, the original Hulk engaged the Red Hulk in a rematch--and the Intelligencia's plan for Ross fails because of their hired muscle's one weakness, which Betty kindly recaps for her beleaguered father...
...a weakness which the original Hulk exploited to achieve victory.
Following his defeat, the Intelligencia promptly washes its collective hands of the Red Hulk. (I know the feeling. By this time, I couldn't have cared less about the Red Hulk, the Green Hulk, or even Ross, who made his bed and was welcome to sleep in it.) But with the help of Bruce Banner, the Red Hulk goes on to defeat their immediate plans--and then seizes the White House in yet another act of treason, with the original Hulk putting an end to his bid for power. From there, hoping for redemption, the Red Hulk turns to Captain America, who taps him for the Avengers after once again dealing with the Intelligencia.
The Red Hulk kept his hold on the Hulk title until the end of its run in late 2012. The last time I touched base with the character, he was experiencing a bit of karma when the tables were turned and he found himself hounded by his own military nemesis--specifically, General Fortean, who vowed to take him down. "It's classic Hulk big action that breaks new ground [emphasis added]--breaks it to pieces, really," said writer Jeff Parker--but, haven't we been to this party before?
A checklist of the many, many mags that gave the Red Hulk a truckload of exposure--
and Marvel's coffers a considerable infusion.
Labels: Hulk
"...To The Ends Of The Earth!"
There's no denying that General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross spent a great deal of his later career pursuing and attacking the man-monster known as the Hulk--but on occasion, he found himself in the awkward position of needing to use a carrot instead of a stick with the green goliath in order to attempt to make peace with him (or at the very least, settle for détente). It would take the entire run of the second volume of Incredible Hulk before Ross and Bruce Banner were able to bury the hatchet to any extent, made possible in part by how much each of these men had lost along the way. Until then, Ross's moments of civility with the Hulk were few and far between, mostly due to the fact that the General was forced by both the Hulk's aggressive nature--as well as what he viewed as his daughter's misguided feelings for Banner--to come after the Hulk with cannons blazing. But the moments of reconsideration, albeit brief ones, were there. And their circumstances, like the Hulk himself, were tragic in nature.
Interestingly, when Ross chose to take a direct hand in smoothing things over with the Hulk, it was a third party that intervened and spoiled his good intentions, a staple of any continuing drama that seeks to prolong its conflict. For instance, when the Hulk's good friend, Jim Wilson, was seriously wounded in an encounter with the hordes of Hydra, we saw Ross locate him along with his rescuer--the Hulk, who knew that Jim needed help but of course had no clue as to what to do. At that point, the Hulk was willing to grasp at any straw to help his friend--but to his mind, good Samaritans weren't usually accompanied by military planes swarming overhead.
Thanks to Jim's timely intervention, Ross not only gets to live but he also has the opportunity to make headway with the Hulk in a more direct way than he's ever attempted before. It's a curious sight to take in, since there's no apparent reason for Ross to make the effort. The Hulk, after all, will eventually revert to Banner, the person who's the real key for Ross in making progress in dealing with the ongoing Hulk situation--and in the interim, as long as Banner remains himself, there is no rampaging Hulk for Ross to corral. It would be understandable if Ross attempted to strike up a trusting dialog with the Hulk if lives were in immediate danger--but with Jim safely on his way to a hospital, that isn't the case here. The only other reason to do so would be in the hope of getting the Hulk to revert to Banner; instead, however, it's solely the Hulk that Ross wants to deal with.
Unfortunately, "trigger-happy" is an all-too-familiar phrase in delicate military operations--and Ross's good intentions are derailed in less than a minute.
Ross gets another crack at putting aside his differences with the Hulk after the brute saves the Hulkbuster Base from the siege of the Rhino and the Abomination--and yet again, the decision is taken out of Ross's hands.
For better or worse, we see Ross definitely acting a little more G.I. towards the Hulk in other encounters--making sure civilians aren't put in harm's way, while taking every opportunity to capture and detain the Hulk. One such opportunity arrives when a decision is made by the Attorney General to prosecute Banner for the reckless actions of the Hulk--a decision which Ross is conflicted about, but he does his job in securing Banner for a flight to Las Vegas. For his defense, Banner chooses defense attorney Matt Murdock, who insists during the flight that Banner's sedation be ceased so that he's able to understand the charges against him. That indeed proves as disastrous as it sounds, when Banner's nerves cause him to change into the Hulk at 40,000 feet, and all hell--er, Hulk breaks loose. But, feeling responsible for the situation, Murdock acts to gain the Hulk's trust.
This time, though, the shoe is on the other foot--and Ross, acting out of concern for Murdock's safety, fails to let the moment play out and moves instead to get Murdock out of harm's way, harm that a betrayed and now enraged Hulk seems almost certain to deliver.
Given the government's desire to have Banner be held accountable for the Hulk's actions, clemency seems unlikely from the Justice Department, much less the White House--but a full pardon offer has been extended to the Hulk on two separate occasions. In neither instance was Ross in favor of the decision, though he carried out the decision of his Commander In Chief; but with the first pardon he was given a great deal of discretion in the matter. Saving the city of New York from a deadly missile and subsequently defeating a humanoid creation of the Leader named the "Hulk-Killer," the Hulk awakens to find himself the man of the hour in the public's eyes (and in those of the President, who's come to realize that the Hulk isn't dangerous so much as misunderstood), but becomes agitated by all the attention from the growing crowd--and the villain known as Boomerang, seeking his revenge, takes advantage of the situation to once more make the Hulk an outcast.
Regrettably, the courier brings news of the President's pardon, which is now a moot point. With Ross empowered to make the call, the Hulk's recognition as a hero is quickly over and done with.
Later, the time would come when the Hulk was controlled by the mind of Banner, who, with Reed Richards' help, petitioned the government for a full pardon. Ross is again given a say on the subject, but is dead-set against it--yet this time the decision is not his to make. And with a stroke of a pen, the deed is done.
(Nice symmetry for Mr. Murdock, eh?)
Regrettably, we know how badly things turned out for the Hulk, thanks to the entity known as Nightmare. The Hulk becomes savage and uncontrollable once more--and sympathy from either the general public or the government seems unlikely to ever be offered again.
With two strikes against the Hulk, it goes without saying that each of the presidential orders of amnesty had been premature; and matters certainly didn't improve with the events of World War Hulk, when Ross received a communique from the White House voicing much different sentiments this time. And in response, Ross brings himself full circle.
The "apocalypse Ross" scene is a far cry from eight years prior, where we came to the end of the regular book's run in 1999 and a scene that occurred following Banner and Ross finally coming to terms--as Ross returns to the person whose orbit he, the Hulk, and Banner all circled. It's a scene where Ross puts his enmity aside--at least for now.
War has indeed been hell for this soldier. But is Ross's war with the Hulk truly over?
If you can't beat 'im, join 'im!
"Rise Of The Red Hulk!"
The Second Coming of... Galactus!
The Hulk Must Die!
My Killer, The Car
The Scarlet Centurion Strikes!
The Master Spell of Kulan Gath!
Thrall Of The Purple Man!
When Commands Killgrave!
The Clothes Make The Crimefighter
Who Can Stop... Gormuu?
Access: DENIED!
Striving Through Adversity
Whence Comes... Terminus?
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At Oberlin, a Tipping Point
Thread starter RxCowboy
oks10
CTeamPoke said:
I'm being totally serious. I think that you should have to take an immersive driving test every 7 years to prove that you aren't an idiot. Should be easier to lose a license too. Too many idiots on the road.
And yes... I understand the hardships this would place on underprivileged communities.
Same with making it tougher to have a kid... I get that there's "eugenics" implications with that and some personal liberty taken away... but if you don't have the means to raise a child then you shouldn't have one.
I agree with the sentiment but I'd just like to point out that taking their license away doesn't even remotely guarantee to keep them off the road... You're not allowed to drive a vehicle without insurance either and we all know how THAT goes...
wrenhal
LOL, I feel the same way. This board will make a fairly normal dude feel like a left wing loony pretty quick. One thing I'd like to ask though, on your second amendment stance. When you say you are "firmly pro", does that mean anything goes?? Because I feel I'm pro second amendment too, until I start to talk about it on this board. Then I realize when I feel there should be some limitations, I'm suddenly General Mao.
I'm for background checks and making it a bit more of a pain in the ass to obtain a weapon. I'm also not for open carry.
But I think there needs to be a very, very defined set of rules in place that are not open to any interpretation... and I worry that giving an inch will result in me losing my rights, which would not be ok. People with mental instability and past violence issues should not own guns... but I worry that if you set the parameters on that too loosely, then we will all suffer.
I also feel that it should be much, much more difficult to get a drivers license and have a kid.
Where do you stand on this?
https://twitter.com/prageru/status/1143578752670027776?s=19
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
wrenhal said:
But of course they're calling a Jew a Nazi.
CTeamPoke
Legendary Cowboy
Well... it looks like it's an email chain between two individuals within Google, who are entitled to their opinions. Doesn't look like an official stance from Google.
Also, Google has the freedom to act as they see fit within their business model. I don't think that the government should interfere with what they're doing within their realm.
I actually enjoy Prager and Peterson's common sense stances... and I don't feel that my job is at risk if I state that.
I don't think that the government should interfere with what they're doing within their realm.
On this we agree. But, then, I didn't see anyone here calling for government intervention.
RxCowboy said:
Just getting ahead of it.
I do agree with Google banning people like Alex Jones from their platforms. Or actual hate groups like the KKK. I think it would probably be a good idea to ban anti-vax and flat earth content too. I think pretty much everything I listed here is anti-intellectualism at it's finest.
cableok
But do you feel the same in the case of the Colorado baker who was sued three times and the govt initially fined him when he refused to bake a cake with a message he disagreed. That he has the freedom to act as he sees fit and that the govt should not interfere.
cableok said:
Absolutely. That case really wasn't as complicated as it was made to seem... and I believe that the US Supreme Court made the right decision by siding in favor of the baker.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masterpiece_Cakeshop_v._Colorado_Civil_Rights_Commission
However... If a black person had walked in and the baker refused to bake him a cake specifically because he's black, I would've had a problem with it... I guess that's kind of gray, but I don't feel that it is?
I'm pro-gay marriage and all of that, but that couple had the right to go to another bakery.
Wow...you seriously think Goolag is going to take an official position like this. There is overwhelming evidence on its face that this mirrors their collective position as a company.
Once again, you insult everyone's intelligence.
SLVRBK
Johnny 8ball's PR Manager
Don't think that this has been posted but here is the full Project Veritas video and article on Google:
https://www.projectveritas.com/2019...revent-trump-situation-in-2020-on-hidden-cam/
Actually, it is people within Google that have the ability to make policy decisions that are spoken if in the email. And they do it with the blessing of management. And when Google sought protections as an information "platform" not a publisher, they said they don't control the content just allow others to present it in the public square. This and the video released by project veritas prove otherwise.
Ah, eugenics. Congrats, now you're pretty far left, a "progressive".
Yeah I understand the issue with this...
But it's not from a racial purity or from an only getting superior genetics standpoint... it's from recognizing that absolutely awful things happen to children throughout this country every day because they have parents that are not fit to be so or do not love their children. If the child does survive those awful events, then they are statistically unlikely to become productive members of society... often inflicting similar pain on their future children that they had inflicted upon them.
So... yeah... I recognize that making it more difficult for people to have children is problematic... but it's not from the same place as the sterilization acts of the 1920s.
Donnyboy
Lettin' the high times carry the low....
This.....
Eugenics has been given racial connotations but that's really not it..... We are doing it with essentially every animal we interact with but not with ourselves. Secratariat wasn't bred to some sway backed nag.....but often our choice of breeding partners is decided because both parties were drunk and held up their lighters at the same time during Freebird
You can wrap it with a different bow, but it is still the same thing.
Donnyboy said:
The thing that I find fascinating is that when people start talking about limiting reproductive rights they always assume they would be in the class that would get to reproduce.
People who are concerned about there being too many people on the planet never offer to personally depopulate.
People who are concerned there are too many idiots never offer to raise the collective IQ by eliminating theirs.
So, tell me donny, exactly what groups would you target for elimination?
So you're for people murdering their kids? wow Rx...
Uh, I'm not the eugenicist here.
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Where is Haiti's Aid Going?
Where is the Aid in Haiti?
by Roger Annis
Evidence of monstrous neglect of the Haitian people is mounting following the catastrophic earthquake three days ago.
photo from Clinton Bush Haiti Fund site (getty images)
As life-saving medical supplies, food, water purification chemicals and vehicles pile up at the airport in Port-au-Prince, and as news networks report a massive international effort to deliver emergency aid, the people in the shattered city are wondering when they will see help.
BBC World Service reports that Haitian officials now fear the death toll could rise to 140,000. Three million people are homeless.
BBC reporter Andy Gallagher told an 8 pm (Pacific Time) broadcast tonight that he had traveled "extensively" in Port-au-Prince during the day and saw little sign of aid delivery. He said he was shown nothing but courtesy by the Haitians he encountered. Everywhere he went he was taken by residents to see what had happened to their neighbourhood, their homes and their lives. Then they asked, "Where is the help?"
"When the Rescue teams arrive," Gallagher said, "they will be welcomed with open arms."
CBC Radio One's As It Happens broadcast an interview this evening with a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross. He said he spent the morning touring one of the hardest hit areas of the city (the district was not named), in the hills that rise from the flat plain on which sits historic Port au Prince. "In three hours, I didn’t see a single rescue team."
The BBC report contrasts starkly with warnings of looting and violence that fill the airwaves of news channels such as CNN and are being voiced by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He was asked by media in Washington why relief supplies were not being delivered by air. He answered, "It seems to me that air drops will simply lead to riots."
Gates says that "security" concerns are impeding the delivery of aid. But Gallagher responded directly to that in his report, saying, "I'm not experiencing that."
Describing the airport, Gallagher reported, "There are plenty of materials on the ground and plenty of people there. I don't know what the problem is with delivery."
Nan Buzard, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross, was interviewed on the same BBC broadcast about the problem with aid delivery. She implied that there were not, in fact, many supplies at the airport to be moved, that many of the planes that have been landing were filled with people, not supplies.
When pressed by the BBC host why aid was not being moved into the city, Buzard conceded she was "surprised" that it was not being airlifted in.
The BBC's is not the only report to contradict exaggerated security concerns. The daily report on the website of Doctors Without Borders one day after the earthquake said, "Some parts of the city are without electricity and people have gathered outside, lighting fires in the street and trying to help and comfort each other. When they saw that I was from MSF they were asking for help, particularly to treat their wounded. There was strong solidarity among people in the streets."
An e-mailed report received by the Canada Haiti Action Network describes a city largely bereft of international aid. "Thus far," it reports, "the rescue teams cluster at the high profile and safer walled sites and were literally afraid to enter the barrios. They gravitated to the sites where they had secure compounds and big buildings.
"Meanwhile, the neighbourhoods where the damage appears to be much wider, and anywhere there were loose crowds, they avoided. In the large sites, and in the nice neighbourhoods, and where the press can be found, there would be teams from every country imaginable. Dogs and extraction units with more arriving, yet with 90% or more of them just sitting around."
"Meanwhile, in the poor neighbourhoods, awash in rubble, there was not a foreigner in sight.
"News crews are looking for the story of desperate Haitians that are in hysterics. When in reality it is more often the Haitians that are acting calmly while the international community, the elite and politicians have melted down over the issue, and none seem to have the remotest idea what is going on."
The report says that most of the staff of the U.S. embassy and US AID complex (located a stone’s throw from the oceanfront) have fled and buildings are largely empty, even though the streets in the area are clear.
Yesterday, BBC broadcast an interview with Mark Stuart, a director of an orphanage in Jacmel, a city of 50,000 on Haiti's south coast, 50 km south of Port au Prince. Aerial footage showed catastrophic damage. Stuart appealed for international relief, saying that food and water supplies would soon run out and no aid whatsoever had arrived.
An article on the website of a Chicago publication says a trickle of aid arrived today but the road between Port and Prince and Jacmel is impassable.
Roger Annis is a coordinator of the Canada Haiti Action Network in Vancouver.
He can be reached at rogerannis(at)hotmail.com.
URGENT APPEAL FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAITI
From the Canada Haiti Action Network
http://canadahaitiaction.ca/
January 14, 2010 Two days ago at 5 pm local time, a powerful magnitude-7 earthquake struck in Haiti. It was centred near the capital city Port-au-Prince and has caused massive destruction. The Canada Haiti Action Network urges Canadians and others around the world to contribute generously to emergency relief.
You can contribute to the Haitian Red Cross through its international partners in the International Red Cross. Contributions are tax deductible. The Canadian Red Cross is at: http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=33900&tid=001. We also encourage contributions to the following organizations. Remember that you must provide a name and return mailing address in order to receive a tax-deductible receipt:
Zanmi Lasante/ PARTNERS IN HEALTH
The Zanmi Lasante medical center is located in the remote Central Plateau of Haiti and delivers health care through a network of clinics in that region of the country. It is also an education center that trains and graduates Haitian doctors and other health professionals. It is the culmination of 20 years of work by Dr. Paul Farmer and his Partners in Health. Farmer, a graduate of Harvard University Medical School, currently serves as assistant to former President William Clinton, Special UN Envoy on Haiti. The health center survived the earthquake and is moving rapidly to receive the injured and dispatch teams to the earthquake zone. See below for how to donate.
http://www.pih.org/home.html
By mail, "Haiti Earthquake Relief" in cheque memo line to:
Doctors Without Borders/ Medecins sans frontières
Doctors Without Borders operates clinics in Port au Prince and surrounding neighbourhoods. It has expertise in disaster relief. Donations in Canada and the U.S. are tax deductible. Go to:
http://www.msf.ca/news-media/news/2010/01/haiti-update/
By mail, "Haiti Earthquake" in memo line:
720 Spadina Ave, Suite 402
Toronto ON M5S 2P9
Sawatzky Family Foundation-SOPUDEP School
SOPUDEP is a pioneering school in Petionville with an enrolment of 600 students from elementary to senior high school grades. The school was not in session when the disaster struck; we do not know if the building survived. The resources of the school and its teachers are being mobilized to assist the neighbouring population. The Sawatzky Family Foundation is a registered charity in Canada and issues tax deductible receipts. Go to: http://www.sopudep.org/donate .
The Sawatzky Family Foundation
PO Box 626, 25 Peter Street North
Orillia, Ontario, Canada L3V 6K5
Haiti Emergency Relief Fund
In association with the Haiti Action Committee in San Francisco/Bay Area, this fund delivers resources directly to grassroots organizations in Haiti. It was founded 04 following the 2004 coup d'etat that forced the elected president of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, from office and imposed a two-year regime of human rights violations whose consequence continues today. Go to: http://www.haitiaction.net/About/HERF/HERF.html
Haiti Emergency Relief Fund/EBSC
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
For more information, including telephone contact, go to the website of the Canada Haiti Action Network http://canadahaitiaction.ca/.
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D.51 (COPY) Scene of Sacrifice, Reversed
For the Fresco in the Gallery of Francis I, Fontainebleau
c. 1531/1532-1534 (1536?)
Paris, Ensba, Masson 898 (formerly Masson 205).
Fig.D.51
Pen and black ink with brown wash, with highlights in gold, on vellum, 14.9 x 21.1. Inscribed in ink at the lower right: Rosso 1536.
PROVENANCE: Alph. Wyatt Thibaudeau (Lugt 247; Thibaudeau-Wertheimer sale, December 1871; see Chennevières, 1894); Philippe de Chennevières (Lugt 2072, 2073); sale, Paris, 4-7 April 1900, no. 455, as Rosso; Jean Masson (Lugt, Supplément, 1494a); given to ENSBA in 1925.
Chennevières, 1894, 259 and Pl. alongside 260, as Delaune but formerly attributed to Rosso.
Masson, 1927, 35, no. 205, as by Étienne Delaune after Rosso.
Kusenberg, 1931, 151, no. 50, as a reversed copy by Étienne Delaune of Fantuzzi’s etching; Kusenberg read the date on the drawing as 1532.
Masson, 1936, 18, no. 33, as Boyvin after Rosso.
Carroll, 1964 (1976), II, Bk. II, 381-382, 386, n. 2, under 42A, as attributed to Delaune and the model for the print attributed to Boyvin.
Rome à Paris, 1968, no. 247, as Delaune after Rosso, and used as the model for the print ascribed to Boyvin.
Béguin and Pressouyre, 1972, 138, confused with Masson 1196 in the same collection.
Carroll, 1987, 276, and ns. 1 and 2, under no. 87, as a copy of a lost drawing by Rosso of c. 1532-1534 apparently by Delaune and the model for his print (but wrongly as always having been recognized as his).
Béguin, 1992 (1987), 89, 90, as Rosso’s composition as in the drawing in a French private collection.
Brugerolles and Guillet, 1994, 196-199, 197, Fig., no. 63, as by Delaune after a drawing by Rosso of 1532-1534, or by one of his assistants, its execution on vellum, its gold highlights, and the lack of pricking suggesting that it was probably done from a working drawing that was used to make Delaune’s print.
This drawing is of the same composition as D.50, but it shows a few differences in addition to its reversal of the scene. The cornice of the altar is complete with mouldings and the plaques at the sides of it are rectangular with cloth swags rather than simple round disks. No veil falls from the priest’s mitre behind his shoulders. The footrest of the litter chair at the far right ends in a scroll instead of being squared off. The postures of a few figures are slightly different, some figures bald in the other drawing are shown with hair, and a few details of the ruins in the distance are not the same. Furthermore, there is an additional child standing at the side of the seated woman in the lower left corner (the right corner in D.50). All of these details appear in the engraving (E.50) made from this drawing, which in most other respects as well is identical to D.51 except that in printing the plate the image was reversed, making it in the same direction as D.50.
As the handling of the drawing is certainly not Rosso’s, it might be thought that the draughtsman simply completed what he considered incomplete in D.50 and slightly elaborated it elsewhere. But this reasoning cannot account for the additional child. It occupies the position of an only slightly differently posed child in the Scene of Sacrifice that was executed in the gallery (Fig.P.22, VII N a). The Göttingen drawing, the most complete version of D.50, shows no signs of this child, but it does show the three women behind the foremost seated woman seen from the back, who, again, is only slightly differently posed from what appears in D.51 and the engraving related to it. The right hand of this woman is not indicated in the Göttingen drawing, but in the lower right corner there is a vertical line, apparently continued farther up, that may indicate the right edge of the composition and show that it is not incomplete here or that the drawing has been significantly cut at this edge. The Göttingen drawing would appear to preserve the full composition of the drawing it copies, which did not contain the standing child or the right hand of the woman. But as this child appears in the final version of this scene, it seems likely that it already appeared in an early version of the Scene of Sacrifice that was in this detail and a few others slightly different from D.50. Hence, it is possible to posit another lost drawing by Rosso made slightly later that served the draughtsman of D.51 when he made his reversed copy as the model for the engraving.
Originally, the addition of the standing child and all that appears to the left of him (to the right in the lost drawing) was due simply to the need to widen the scene slightly. One detail in the copy seems still to mark its original width. Approximately in the middle of the left edge of the drawing there is a thin and absolutely vertical fold of drapery that falls exactly where the Göttingen drawing ends, but at the right.
This copy has generally been attributed to Étienne Delaune, under whose name it is still kept in the Ensba. In Masson, 1936, it was attributed to Boyvin, to whom the print after it has also been ascribed. The drawing is by the same hand as several drawings executed in pen and ink on vellum that are ascribed to Delaune.1 The draughtsman of the copy had a decided style of his own that does not resemble Rosso’s. As the drawing appears to be the model, if not the disegno di stampa, for the print of exactly the same size, and is in reverse so that the print would be in the correct direction, it is reasonable to assume that the copyist was also the printmaker or that the two worked closely together. The lost original drawing was probably executed in pen and ink and wash, possibly with white highlights on paper prepared with a dark ground, as may have been the case with all the drawings made for the Gallery of Francis I. This technique may have been too complex a model for an engraver.
Although I once thought that the date on the drawing was unclear, it now seems to me certain that it reads: 1536. If the copy is by Delaune, which seems likely, then this date cannot be that of the copy. It is not the date that I would assign to the first version of Rosso’s composition, but it coincides with what I suppose is the date of its final version, late 1536 or early 1537. Unless it is simply a good guess on the part of the copyist, it could just possibly record the time, indicated on the lost drawing, of this slight revision of the early version made just before the fresco was to be executed and that was then almost immediately replaced by the final version of the Scene of Sacrifice. The lost original drawing could in fact have been a copy and re-working of D.50 by a studio assistant to which Rosso either added himself or had added from his indications the additional standing boy.
Done on vellum and with highlights in gold, the drawing is not what Vasari calls a disegno di stampa. It has the appearance of a miniature made as a gift that in turn was engraved with comparable precision.
PRINT: Attributed to Étienne Delaune, E.50 (Fig.E.50). Engraving, in reverse, for which D.51 was made to serve as the engraver’s model.
1 See Adhémar, 1955, 127, and Pls. 45-47.
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Home > Movie Reviews > Movies > Movie Review: ‘Beyond Skyline’
Movie Review: ‘Beyond Skyline’
RedCarpetCrash December 12, 20172017-12-12T05:24:10-05:002017-12-12T05:24:10-05:00
Review by James Lindorf
Liam O’Donnell helped write the original Skyline in 2010 and has returned, not only to write, but to sit in the director’s chair for the first time. Liam began his career as a visual effects artist, which is a skill that strongly influenced his directing style. The film was shot in a way to linger on the good visuals and pass quickly over the less successful ones. Beyond Skyline is being distributed by Vertical Entertainment and will be released in a limited number of theaters on December 15th.
The film stars Frank Grillo (The Grey, The Purge series and Captain America: The Winter Soldier) as Mark Corley, an LAPD detective struggling with a rebellious son after the death of his wife. Grillo may not be an elite actor but this is a role that is perfect for him. Mark is tough and gritty, but has a heart of gold, which allows Grillo to disappear into the role. Mark was ready to settle in with his favorite bottle of whiskey when he was forced to bail his son, Trent, out of trouble, again. His frustration soon turns to terror and anger, as Mark is hellbent on freeing his son from the nightmare scenario aboard an alien warship. Contrasting with the dark and horrific spaceship sets are the scenes that were filmed in Indonesia. They are bright and colorful, featuring beautiful landscapes and Indonesian temples.
The movie also features a great supporting cast with a personal favorite in Jacob Vargas (Luke Cage and Traffic) as Mark’s extremely loyal partner, Garcia. Bojana Novakovic (Devil and Edge of Darkness) plays Audrey, a subway conductor that is thrust together with Mark and Trent as the try to survive the invasion. The most important costar is Iko Uwais (The Raid: Redemption and The Raid 2) because he not only plays Sua, the leader of the golden triangle (a Laotion drug cartel), he is also the film’s action choreographer. Anyone who has seen either of the Raid films knows that means there is a fantastic mix of martial arts on display in Beyond Skyline, as humans fight each other as well as aliens. Mark and Sua must form an unlikely and uneasy partnership if they want to find a way to save Trent and the rest of the world.
The first Skyline, while financially successful, was far from a critic darling, with a Rotten Tomatoes score under 20%. I think that its sequel, however, will have a chance to triple that score. The film and its subject matter won’t be for everyone, but I can see this film having a strong cult following because of the quality of its effects and action. The film has a runtime of 105 minutes, which was good, but the story is complex and feels rushed at times. I think the complexity of the story that Liam went with needed an extra 10 or 15 minutes to further explore some topics, or he needed someone to take a pass at the script to tighten it or simplify it a little.
I enjoyed the movie and I can easily recommend if for sci-fi fans. It also made me excited for the career of Liam O’Donnell, going forward. He is only 35, and this was a fairly tremendous leap in quality between his first and second films as a writer, and a very strong outing as a first-time director.
Movie Review: ‘Norm Of The North’
Movie Review: ‘The Insult (Lebanon)’ Oscar Nominated For Best Foreign Language Film
Movie Review: ‘Affairs Of State’
Movie Review: ‘Unbridled’
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The Reston Raiders Hockey Club has everything you need in a youth hockey organization: top coaching, great facilities and a range of programs and services that serve children of all ages and playing abilities.
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Why should I become a Raider?
The Raiders are a full-service organization, meaning no matter what your child's skill or interest level, the Raiders have a program to meet his or her needs.
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The House Program provides a fun environment for the recreational player. All games are played against other Raider House teams. Select teams are chosen from the House Program for players who want a slightly more competitive experience, with limited travel.
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The Raiders play out of the SkateQuest of Reston rink. The twin-rinks facility is comfortable, clean and a good family environment. It has a full-service pro shop and a restaurant. In addition to hockey development programs sponsored by the Raiders, SkateQuest has its own slate of skills clinics and skating instructors.
The Reston Raiders Hockey Club is a not-for-profit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and derives all funding and support from its members, players, and official sponsors and as such is not affiliated with, and receives no support of any type from the NHL.
For more information, contact the Raiders by email at
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Eyewitness Accounts... Page 6
Do Dinosaurs Still Exist?
Recently Obtained Anecdotal Accounts of "Big Birds" and "Pterosaurs"
by Ron Schaffner
Within the new millennium, Cryptozoology is beginning to lose many of the fringe elements on its track to a more scientific discipline. While some still talk about "monsters" and "things that go bump in the night," there have been recent trends to try to identify these anomalies within prosaic possibilities.
Drawing from Account 4 below
In this respect, it allows us the possibility of discovering something truly unique. Some interesting theories have been set forth with good logic to indicate that some of the older unexplained reports are misinterpretations of known animals.
The majority of the witnesses are probably sincere in what they reported, but are hampered by poor visual perception and personal belief systems. Also, one cannot completely eliminate the out-right hoaxer and the occasional yarn told by some of the general public. Sincerity is no guarantee of truthfulness.
It is paramount for the initial investigator to gather all the facts without any personal bias and to stay away from leading questions. It is equally important that the investigator refrain from telling the witnesses about legends and theories. Only after all possibilities are eliminated, can the report be labeled unexplainable.
Of all the Cryptozoological reports, the 'giant birds' (or Thunderbirds, as some cryptozoologist affectionately call them) are often the most difficult to evaluate. Like UFOs, it is difficult to determine height, speed and distance. Alleged photographic and video evidence can also be difficult to evaluate because of the trickery that can be applied from computer graphics.
With all the recorded media on prehistoric bird accounts and the circulation of science fiction works, the majority of us have that scenario locked somewhere in our subconscious.
Witnesses' descriptions can vary in appearance depending on distance. In fact, attempting to measure the distance between witness and the anomaly is almost impossible to ascertain. In the past, the old method was holding a familiar object at arm's length to determine size and distance. This has its drawbacks, as it exaggerates the true size.
A method I often use for size and distances of a ground object, is to use the distances between telephone poles for gauging. Be dubious of any witness who claims 500 yards or more, as this highly distorts any accurate description.
Raptors (eagles, hawks, etc.) and Waders (herons, egrets, etc.) make up the vast majority of misinterpretations of Thunderbird reports. These animals have pronounced wingspans, bills and legs that could be misidentified as a prehistoric bird, especially while in flight. A raptor's wingspan can easily be exaggerated. It's easy to mistake feathers for skin, especially if the lighting conditions are not favorable. Therefore, it is imperative for the investigator to keep an up-to-date field guide on birds in book form.
Remember - we only get to study the reports of these large flying creatures - not the creatures themselves. Prior to the release of the movie "Mothman Prophecies," Screen Gems Productions asked me to put a promo on my web site with information on the script and several graphics, which I did. During this time and after the movie came to the cinemas, I received several reports of Thunderbirds, including an email from someone in Alabama that alleged a similar creature in the south.
Email is an excellent way to get instant information and correspondence, but the problem remains of not doing a personal interview. On-the-spot investigations and interviews are the best method of finding out if a possible hoax is involved.
Using legends, such as Native American folklore, to support the existence of these large avian does not necessarily give proof that these "birds" are around today, or were even there in the past. It's equally possible that our ancestors misinterpreted the many known raptors that we are familiar with.
Chad Arment and I thought that these reports and some possible explanations would make an excellent article in the North American BioFortean Review. Some of these reports do not contain enough data to evaluate correctly. Only one report made the cryptozoological circles, which came out of Alaska.
Another report comes from Orin, Wyoming, in which I had an extensive email correspondence with the witnesses. Nick Sucik investigated another out of Wisconsin. Scott Norman received several reports right after the Alaskan "giant bird" report. So, the reader can see that these reports have not been released beforehand.
As you will see, some reports cannot be easily identified with the information at hand. Unfortunately, we have to rely on the witnesses' descriptions, drawing composites or we have to show drawings of known birds or pterosaurs, which is still leading, but sometimes can't be avoided.
Account 1: Wyoming
A couple in Wyoming reported the following: "First, I would like to start by saying I am not a delusional person, nor is my husband. We are normal people who happened to see an extraordinary creature. He and I were on our way from Sheridan, Wyoming, to Chadron, Nebraska, to pick up his kids for a visit. We were on a very tight schedule, his ex-wife was a very uncooperative person who looked for any excuse to cause turmoil.
"When we exited I-25 near Orin, Wyoming, we briefly stopped at a rest area. We returned to the car, and just as we entered the highway (the one that runs between Lusk and Chadron) I noticed a large animal in a field. I pointed it out to my husband, and he was so intrigued, we pulled off to watch the creature.
It stood - my estimate is about 5 feet tall, husband estimates 6 feet. It was greenish grey and appeared to be a pterodactyl. We sat by the side of the road for about 20 minutes watching the thing. It sat and flexed and stretched its wings, each of which were as long as its body was tall.
It also turned its head several times, looking out across the field. We stayed as long as we could and we did stop again on our return trip home, but the thing was gone. On subsequent trips we watched for the creature, but never saw it again. "We told a few people about it, and of course, they all laughed.
I want to emphasize, we don't want our names in the papers or to be celebrities, we just want to know what it was we saw on that nice late fall day. If you can help, please get in touch, we're anxious to find the answer."
In answer to subsequent questions:
Denise G.: "I guess I can start. It was late fall, around Thanksgiving of 1993. The weather was mid-40s - I remember commenting about how warm it was for the time of year as I was smoking outside of the car at the rest area.
It was slightly overcast but visibility was excellent. The area we were in is approximately one mile east of the rest area, which is located at the junction oI-25 and U.S. 18-20. This is a guess because I can't read the intersections on the map, but it is the junction off of I-25 going east into Lusk, Wyoming. I believe we were about 2 blocks to the north of the creature.
It was 'crouching' in an open field adjacent to the highway. We observed the animal for at least 20 minutes before we had to go due to schedule. It turned its head from side to side so that would be: it was facing north towards us, turned its head to look east, west and north. The topography of the area is mostly flat grasslands. The area it was in is an open field that is flat with very little brush."
Scott G. noted that he thought the animal was about 50 yards away. The time of the sighting was about 12 noon. Upon asking further questions, the following answers were provided: "The maps you sent are correct, that is the area where we saw the creature.
We will do our best to answer your questions, I seem to remember more than my husband, especially color and texture details.
"1. The head was not the same shape of that of a raptor such as an eagle. The beak was much more substantial, without a sharp hook on the end. The head and beak were not delicate in any way, but more like that of a horse. No, it wasn't a horse. I mean it was bulky and thick.
"2. I estimate the wing span as at least 5 feet. Scott doesn't remember the wings very well. The wing looked like thick leathery bat-like wings, but not exactly like those of a bat. Bat wings look thin and delicate - there was nothing about this creature that was thin or delicate.
"3. The wings were not like those of a bird. No feathers. It was hard to tell how they were situated at rest because we were looking at it straight on, not from the side.
"4. & 5. The skin of the animal was thick and leathery, no feathers. I describe the color as light olive drab greenish/gray. The torso and legs were thick and powerful. The torso looked shiney, but the skin was not tight across the body. I don't recall the feet. The creature looked powerful enough that we decided against leaving the car to take a closer look, it really wasn't an option.
"6. We are not dinosaur aficionados. We have seen the first two Jurassic Park movies and have see illustrations of prehistoric birds in books and on the Discovery Channel. We describe our creature as a beefier version of those typically shown in the media.
"7. I am vaguely familiar with the thunderbird legends, but I don't recall any details of them. Scott doesn't know anything about the legends."
Concerning the local habitat: "Yes, there are bluffs and cliffs in the area, easily within a 30-40 mile radius. Many can be seen from the interstate and state highways."
Upon showing a picture of a sand hill crane: "No, not really. The pic you sent shows a bird that has a pointed beak, the one we saw had a more blunt beak. Also the head seems small and the neck of the 'bird' we saw was thicker."
Upon showing an illustration of a Pterosaurs image: "Ok, we are getting closer, that looks like the 'bird,' but the one we saw didn't have such a big 'horn' on the back of its head."
Account 2: Vietnam
"When in Vietnam, my outfit saw this big bird flying overhead. It was in the middle of the day and he stayed with us for quite awhile as we were humping the mountains. It was black and yellow, with the beak similar to the pterodactyl species. The N. V. A. scouts were really afraid of the bird. Have you had any other reports similar to this?"
"The bird soared about 20 feet above the trees and was about 30 yards away from me. I am not in contact with anyone from my old outfit. I figure the wingspan was about 12 feet or more. This was in the central highlands in 1970."
In response to further questions: "I was with Co. A 3/12th 4th Division in the Pleiku - An Khe area in early 1970. That location was in the Central Highlands. I do not recall any feathers. My friend had taken a picture but cannot locate it."
Account 3: California
"Hello. My closest friend has seen a creature (along with her sister). This is very frustrating to me because I know it's true. My friend is very credible. She is a college graduate, very honest and is serious when trying to explain it. She doesn't like to tell many people because of how they will react.
"It happened in Thermal, CA, in 1983. Her parents had a farm and their dog, Duke (Doberman Pincher) was tied to a leash, barking violently. They let him go, thinking that it was a coyote or rabbit.
The dog ran around the house, but stopped short and continued to bark. Both my friend and her sister ran toward the dog and in front of them stood a 6-foot winged, featherless creature. The body was very muscular, like a man. But the skin was leathery like an elephant. It had long nails at the end of its toes. The head was the shape of a pterodactyl with red bulging eyes and protruding bone in the front and back of its head.
"It turned and looked at my friend and her sister and crouched down, tucked its wings in and flew off. The wings were so big you could hear them flap in the wind as if flew away. The dog chased it till he lost sight of it.
"Do you know of any other cases similar to this one?"
Account 4: Michigan
Investigator Nick Sucik contributes: "Robert F. claims that during the second week of July in 1969, he and a friend were out on Lake Dewey in the Sisters Lakes Region of Michigan when suddenly 'everything turned dark.'
They both looked up and caught sight of an enormous creature flying overhead. It managed to clear the remainder of the lake by slowly flapping its huge wings only twice.
He thought it had more of a leathery type of skin and didn't notice any feathers. Seemed confident enough it was a 'pterosaur' (and even drew the distinct hood behind the head) though it's easy to see how under excitement one is quick to affiliate the spectacle of a gigantic bird as something of a prehistoric nature."....
Source: Excerpted from Issue # 9 Of the North American Biofortean Review Chad Arment, publisher
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More Posts About Eyewitness Accounts
The Boneyards....800 Billion Fossils at Single Site
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Home > National Interest vs People’s Interest > SEZ: The Indian Experience
SEZ: The Indian Experience
by Sukla Sen, 1 November 2008
other articles by the author
Paper presented at the National Seminar on ’Special Economic Zones: Engines of Growth and Social Development for India: Present Problems and Future Prospects’ (16 - 17 October ’08 at Hyderabad) organised by the Department of Sociology, Osmania University.
Sukla Sen was a panel speaker in the second of the two symposiums held, on 17th. His speech/presentation was based on the paper below.
In the recent days, the issue of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) has come to occupy a highly visible slot in the national discourse, particularly since early 2007 – fairly dramatically catapulted to the national centre-stage by the blood-soaked and protracted mass resistance in, erstwhile obscure, Nandigram, in West Bengal.
The idea, however, is not entirely novel – either globally or even nationally. Its earlier predecessors were usually termed as Export Processing Zone (EPZ), Free Trade Zone (FTZ) etc.
The first EPZ in India, also the first in Asia, had been set up in Kandla way back in 1965. The Special Economic Zone Act 2005 came into force, rather recently, with effect from 10th February 2006. Prior to that, the SEZs in India functioned, replacing the earlier EPZ regime, from 01.11.2000 to 09.02.2006 under the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy. While the idea of creating especially dedicated enclaves geared to export of products enjoying handsome special incentives runs through like a constant red thread from the EPZ to the SEZ, the break-points are essentially defined in terms of (radical expansion of the) the scale of operation and their projected roles in the economy in general.
The transition from EPZ to SEZ essentially coincides with and, in fact, is a reflection of the momentous shift from the initial stage of “economic development” in post-colonial India with the “state” in the driving seat in the form of building infrastructure, setting up of and owning major industries – particularly with massive investments and long gestation periods, providing necessary supports and protections to the nascent indigenous entrepreneurs to come up and assume much bigger roles in the days to come. The current stage is defined by radically raised level of self-confidence and assertion on the part of the, by now fairly matured, Indian entrepreneurs – particularly its top layer, and consequent salience assumed by private capital – indigenous, and also foreign, and the foregrounding of free-market philosophy, which, however, operates rather selectively – as in case of the SEZ itself.
The objections to the SEZ are mainly on three counts: (i) displacement caused by land acquisition for the SEZs; (ii) revenue loss suffered by national exchequer on account of massive tax concession; (iii) the various implications of SEZs as quasi city-states.
The resistances on the ground, which are fairly widespread and at places pretty massive, are, however, only on the first count.
The snowballing resistance has been, to a significant extent, able to make its presence felt. The two most spectacular success stories are Nandigram and Goa. Quite significantly, the ground rules of operation of the SEZ have since been modified. A new R&R policy is notified. And the Land Acquisition Act is due to be amended.
But the fundamental driver for the SEZ, the shift in the conceptual framework of “economic development” – a decisive and brazen tilt on the part of the state in favour of private capital – indigenous and foreign, and “free-market” – is yet to face any major threat.
“Since approvals for SEZ’s began in 2006, the zones have become the most contentious issue in the Indian polity and the most explosive economic policy initiative in many years. … No other economic ’reform’ has seen such a rapid expansion of militant protest and grassroots conflict.”
— Shankar Gopalakrishnan in In the Name of Growth: The Politics and Economics of India’s Special Economic Zones [1]
Special Economic Zone or SEZ is undoubtedly one of the most hotly debated and keenly contested policies adopted by the government of India in the recent times.
The controversy became particularly conspicuous in the wake of “Nandigram” in West Bengal since December 2006. The militant and long drawn out popular struggle which could eventually, after considerable loss of blood - in fact numerous lives, scuttle the planned chemical hub by the West Bengal government at that location, in collaboration with an Indonesian industrial house, acted as a grand trigger for further intensification of popular struggles manywhere else in India leading to certain modifications in government policy.
Broad Concept
A Special Economic Zone or SEZ, as it is more popularly known, is a specifically demarcated zone, holding special economic and other privileges over the rest and overwhelming bulk of the sites in a given country, where production of trade and services take place. It receives very special and preferential treatment from the national government and thereby is termed Special Economic Zone. In other words, an SEZ is a specially demarcated geographic area within the territory of a country where economic activities of certain kinds are promoted by a set of policy instruments offering special incentives that are not generally applicable to the rest of the country. [2] The most common tag to denote the early variants of the SEZ was Export Processing Zone (EPZ). Of around a score of various tags, the other most popular one is Free Trade Zone or FTZ.
As these tags strongly suggest, in the early days the overwhelming emphasis was on earning of foreign exchange through export, mainly by way of “trade”, facilitated by means of very substantive tax waivers/concessions apart from other special incentives. Over the decades the emphasis shifted from pure “trade” to “production” via “reprocessing”. While initially the locations were close to sea ports or coastline, subsequently sites started cropping up inland as well. As regards the growth pattern of the EPZs, or such, worldwide over the years, according to an ILO Report (September 2003), “the number of EPZs has gone from 79 in 1975 to 3000 in 2002 and the number of countries with one or more EPZs has gone from 25 in 1975 to 116 in 2002. Today, more than 43 million workers are employed in EPZs the world over, most of them working in China’s ever-growing 2000 special economic zones (SEZ)”. [3]
The Indian Pre-history of SEZ
India is one of the first countries in Asia to recognize the effectiveness of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) model in promoting exports. Asia’s first EPZ was set up in Kandla in 1965. [4] This was followed in the 1970s by the creation of the Santa Cruz Electronics Export Zone (SEEZ), which in the 1980s was expanded to include gems and jewellery. The 1980s also saw the creation of EPZs in Noida, Chennai, Cochin, and Falta (West Bengal), followed by the Vishakhapatnam EPZ in 1994. Immediately thereafter, also in 1994, the policy was revised to permit (in addition to the central government) state governments, autonomous agencies, and private-sector firms to develop and operate EPZs. A private sector EPZ in Surat was the first to emerge under the 1994 EPZ policy. [5]
The primary objective of these EPZs was to manufacture commodities for export and earn precious foreign exchange for the country. They offered tax incentives and easier trade procedures in an otherwise restrictive policy environment.
SEZ in India: The First Phase
India’s real push toward a more comprehensive SEZ policy came following a visit by the then Commerce Minister, Murasoli Maran, to China in 2000. Motivated by the Chinese experience, on his return, Maran acted promptly to initiate a change in India’s policy regime. Thus came the new SEZ rules notified in the Commerce Ministry’s Export-Import Policy of April 2000 - the precursor of what would later become the 2005 SEZ Act. The 2000 Exim Policy converted the existing EPZs into SEZs. Under this policy, one of the main features was that the designated duty free enclave is to be treated as a foreign territory for the purpose of trade operations and duties and tariffs. No licence would be required for import. The manufacturing, trading or service activities are allowed. [6]
The official site describes the purpose as under:
“With a view to overcome the shortcomings experienced on account of the multiplicity of controls and clearances; absence of world-class infrastructure, and an unstable fiscal regime and with a view to attract larger foreign investments in India, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Policy was announced in April 2000.
“This policy intended to make SEZs an engine for economic growth supported by quality infrastructure complemented by an attractive fiscal package, both at the Centre and the State level, with the minimum possible regulations.” [7]
The defining difference between EPZs and SEZs is essentially twofold. Whereas EPZs had been envisaged as industrial estates, SEZs typically contain a broad range of facilities that goes with a regular township – housing, schools, hospitals, shops etc. Most importantly, SEZs, are governed by a comprehensive legislation, under which far-reaching regulations are authorised, rather than through notifications and orders issued by a number of ministries.
Between 2000 and 2005, when the SEZ Act was passed, only three additional EPZs had been established – in Indore (MP); Manikanchan, Salt Lake (West Bengal); and Jaipur. Several states, however, enacted SEZ legislation or developed policy frameworks within the context of existing legal provisions. These included backward states of Uttar Pradesh, under Chief Minister Mayawati, and Rajasthan, under Ashok Gehlot. The West Bengal government under the CPIM-led Left Front, rather significantly, also passed its own West Bengal Special Economic Zone Act, 2003 in early 2004. [8]
On the eve of the 2005 SEZ Act’s passage, 811 business enterprises were operating inside the boundaries of SEZs all over the country.
SEZ: The Latest Enactment
Purportedly, to provide a stable economic environment for the promotion of export-import of goods in a quick, efficient and hassle-free manner, the government of India enacted the SEZ Act, which was passed by the Parliament in May, 2005 and received Presidential assent on the following 23rd of June. The SEZ Act 2005 and the SEZ Rules 2006 were notified on June 23 2005 and February 10 2006 respectively. [9]
Subsequently three amendments have been notified on August 10 2006, March 16 and October 12 2007. [10]
“The Ministry of Commerce and Industry lays down the regulations that govern the setting up and administering of the SEZs. The Central Government is functioning, while the State Governments play a significant lead role in the development of SEZs in their respective States by stipulating the conditions to be adhered to by an SEZ and granting the necessary approvals. The policy framework for SEZs has been enacted in the SEZ Act and the supporting procedures are laid down in SEZ Rules.” [11]
It bears being specifically pointed out here that the SEZ Act 2005, a major piece of economic legislation with profound implications, was passed fairly quickly – a bit too quickly, just a year after the UPA government’s assumption of power. The UPA government apparently took off, without any noticeable compunction, from earlier policy development works conducted under the previous BJP-led government and the 2002 Report of the Steering Group on Foreign Direct Investment, under the Planning Commission, in particular. The 2002 Report, in turn, had heavily relied on studies conducted by a number of leading foreign management consulting firms, which included AT Kearney, the Boston Consulting Group, and McKinsey, about problems faced by foreign investors in India such as incorrect information about official procedures, delays in obtaining approvals, ambiguity about environmental regulations, a lack of clarity concerning the mandates of numerous state and central agencies, and so forth. The said committee’s report and other policy documents were vital inputs into the process by which the SEZ Act 2005 was formulated.
Its passage through the Indian parliament was marked by an absence of any detailed deliberations. In the Lok Sabha, it was passed unanimously after discussions for less than two hours. [12]
It stands out sharply against subsequent biting criticism of this legislation by the Left, and the CPIM, in particular.
The SEZ Act of 2005, and the policy actions and implementation decisions that logically flow from the Act, have far-reaching spread and implications. [13]
I. Major Implications:
Beyond just trade and investment, the SEZ policy is an instrument of radical deregulation of governmental controls, changes to the tax regime, and infrastructure creation. The SEZ Act is meant to provide a single-window facility to short-circuit the process for obtaining the necessary clearances to develop an SEZ. This radically modifies the hitherto obtaining procedures for various approvals. And the tax incentives offered for SEZ developers, as well as businesses intending to operate within SEZs, involve provisions that explicitly alter several other pieces of existing legislation such as the Banking Regulation Act, the Income-Tax Act, the Insurance Act, and the Stamp Duties Act.
II. The Incentives:
The special benefits include provision of dedicated infrastructure and a package of tax and non-tax incentives. These include exemption from export and import duties, excise duties, and central or state sales tax. Businesses receive tax deductions on 100% of profits and gains from exports for the first five years of operation within an SEZ; 50% of profits from exports for the next five years; and up to 50% of profits for a further five years (i.e. up to 15 years after commencing operations) provided that funds are credited to a Special Economic Zone Re-investment Reserve Account, the proceeds of which must be used for approved business activities. The main requirement that firms must meet to receive these benefits is the maintenance of a positive Net Foreign Exchange Earning Performance during each of the tax-assessment periods covered. In addition, firms operating within SEZs need not acquire licenses for importing capital goods or raw materials, and they can start joint ventures with up to 100% FDI without the need for investment approval (except in certain cases, such as armament manufacturing or the production of alcoholic drinks and tobacco products).
III. Eligibility:
SEZs can be developed by state-level public agencies, private promoters, or a combination of the two. The makers of India’s SEZ policy clearly intend the big private sector enterprises, indigenous or foreign, to act as the main drivers.
The Act lays down specific minimum size requirements for different types of SEZs.
While no minimum Export Performance is required, positive Net Foreign Exchange Earning is required.
IV. Administrative Set Up:
SEZs are governed by a three tier administrative set up –
(i) The Board of Approval is the apex body in the Department,
(ii) The Unit Approval Committee at the Zonal level dealing with approval of units in the SEZs and other related issues, and
(iii) Each Zone is headed by a Development Commissioner, who also heads the Unit Approval Committee.
V. Approval Mechanism:
Any proposal for setting up of SEZ in the Private/Joint/State Sector is routed through the concerned state government who in turn forwards the same to the Department of Commerce with its recommendations for consideration of the Board of Approval. On the other hand, any proposal for setting up of units in the SEZ is approved at the Zonal level by the Approval Committee consisting of Development Commissioner, Customs Authorities and representatives of State Government.
Main Arguments For and Against
The projected benefits of the SEZ policy as given out by the official site are as under:
The main objectives of the SEZ Act are:
(a) generation of additional economic activity;
(b) promotion of exports of goods and services;
(c) promotion of investment from domestic and foreign sources;
(d) creation of employment opportunities;
(e) development of infrastructure facilities;
It further adds: It is expected that this will trigger a large flow of foreign and domestic investment in SEZs, in infrastructure and productive capacity, leading to generation of additional economic activity and creation of employment opportunities. [14]
The usual objections against the SEZ are essentially threefold:
(i) It involves a huge amount of revenue loss in terms of taxes and duties forgone, which could have been otherwise gainfully utilised for economic development and the social sectors. The loss may get compounded through the migration of actual and, more than that, potential investments from the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).
Quite significantly, just not the usual critiques but also the Ministry of Finance, and even the IMF, reportedly subscribe to this view. [15]
(ii) As SEZs would operate as virtual city states, normal (democratic) laws of the land – pertaining to labour rights or municipal governance would stand largely circumscribed and thereby further aggravate the social schisms and exploitations of the poor and marginalised. The issue of perceived abridgement of national sovereignty thereby has also been raised.
(iii) The SEZs would involve acquisition of large tracts of contiguous lands leading to massive eviction and displacement of rural folks and their loss of livelihoods apart from diversion of cultivated lands to non-agricultural purposes.
Apart from the above, there are also serious apprehensions voiced by the critiques that, in the process, environmental considerations would be given short shrift and regional disparities, contrary to the claim of proponents, would further intensify.
There are also apprehensions that under the garb of the SEZ, while enjoying all the tax-breaks, the private developers would utilise bulk of the land obtained for real estate development – building housing colonies, hotels, shopping malls etc. - and earn super-profits thereby making use of the relevant provision provided in the Act at the cost of the avowed objectives. [16]
From EPZ to SEZ
The most glaring difference between the EPZ phase and the subsequent SEZ route is of course the huge difference in scale. But this obvious and vital difference overlies a more fundamental one.
While earning of foreign exchange for the national economy, perennially suffering from adverse balance of payments [17], through aggressive promotion of exports, from specially enclosed enclaves having much freer access to the global market and therefore carefully isolated from the mainstream economy largely protected from the big bad outside world behind formidable barriers, was a major, arguably the most major, objective behind setting up of the EPZs [18]; this feature is conspicuously absent from the list of objectives of the SEZ project as listed above. The Minister for Commerce and Industry during the discussions on the Bill in the Lok Sabha on May 10 2005 in fact pointedly emphasised that this motivation was indeed missing from the SEZ policy: “The SEZ Bill has been under preparation, formulation for quite some time. The question was, what kind of SEZ Bill should we have. What is this SEZ Bill? How will it not only drive investment but drive employment-driven investment? When we talk of exports, sitting in this House, all our friends here know that 14 years ago, we talked of exports because of foreign exchange. We talked of exports to ensure that we were able to pay our foreign exchange bill in 1991 when we did not have foreign exchange for more than 15 days. In this span of 14 years, we no more talk of exports to earn foreign exchange. The Foreign Trade Policy which was announced by the UPA Government – which I announced – had one sole intention. We kept the focus on how we would generate employment. ...Today, 80 billion dollars of exports in the year 2004-05 have generated employment.. .
“These eighty billion dollars represent those merchandise exports which had not been absorbed in the Indian economy. They are incremental economic activity.” [19]
This clearly shows how export is now looked upon as a way of augmenting the market for producers and providers of goods and services, just not as a means to earn foreign exchange. That is a significant shift, arguably a sea change, from the decades gone by.
In the same vein, the official site clearly talks of “SEZs (as) an engine for economic growth” [20]. Nothing less. The unofficial promotional site makes it even more elaborate and explicit: the "SEZ Act … may well represent the future of the industrial development strategy in India. The new law is aimed at encouraging public-private partnership to develop world-class infrastructure and attract private investment (domestic and foreign), boosting economic growth, exports and employment.” [21]
Though solid data/break-ups are not readily available, it appears that the expectations of the GoI as regards heavy inflow of FDI to the SEZs with attractive incentive packages on offer, and conversely the charges levelled by some of the critiques that these are going to be floodgates for invasion by foreign capital, remain to be materialised. Apparently, as far as the foreign investors are concerned, there is no gold rush, at least as yet. [22]
As regards the difference in scale, here are some data:
1. Employment in the Indian Zones [23]
Year Total Employment (number) Average zone employment (number) Average annual employment growth between the two years (%)
1966 70 . .
1970 450 450 50.2
1975 1,450 725 41.9
1980 6,000 3,000 34.2
1985 16,200 4,050 22.6
2. Total employment in SEZs: 3,49,203 Lakh persons
Total incremental employment generated in SEZs since Feb., 2006: 2,14,499 persons [24]
3. Indian Zones’ Share of Total Indian Exports [25]
Year Exports of EPZs / SEZs India’s Exports Share of EPZs/SEZs in All India
1980-81 44.7 6,617.00 0.68%
1985-86 322.9 10,865.00 2.96%
1990-91 986.70 32,553.00 3.03%
2000-01 8,552.30 203,571.00 4.20%
2002-03 10,056.70 255,137.00 4.81%
4. An assessment by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) suggests that exports from special economic zones (SEZs) have registered a growth of 192 per cent between 2005-06 and 2007-08. The industry lobby has further projected a phenomenal growth of 451 per cent by 2008-09.
The study revealed that after the enforcement of the SEZ Act in 2005-06, SEZ exports surged to US$ 14.98 billion in 2007-08 from US$ 5.13 billion, clocking an impressive 192 per cent growth. [26]
5. Physical exports in the year 2007-08 accounted for 84% of the total turnover of SEZs
381% increase in exports over four years (2003-04 – 2007-08) [27]
Year Value Of Physical Exports From SEZs (Rs. Crore) Growth Rate (over previous year)
2003-2004 13,854 39%
2005-2006 22,840 24.70%
6. Current Investment (Private) in Special Economic Zones
The Special Economic Zones notified under the SEZ Act, 2005 have already [by 31 03 2008?] made an investment of Rs. 67,347 crore in the very short span of time since the coming into force of the SEZ Act in February, 2006. The new generation SEZs are expected to make an investment of about Rs. 100,000 crore by the end of September, 2008. [28]
7. Total investment in Special Economic Zones as of 30.6. 2008: Rs. 81093 crore Incremental investment since February, 2006: Rs. 77058 crore [29]
From all the snippets presented above, it becomes abundantly clear that the growth of the SEZs in the recent years, particularly since 2006, is rather phenomenal. There are clearly two breakpoints – one around 2001 and another 2006.
The growth would evidently have been even higher but for intense popular resistance which picked up since 2007. We would come back to that later.
The Major Drivers
While exploring the real motivations behind adopting the SEZ route in India on a truly massive scale, it would be rather instructive to look into some of its specific features.
The task of developing of SEZs, starkly contrasted to the earlier EPZ phase, has been clearly passed on to the private sector. Private sector promoters of SEZs have in many cases partnered with government entities. But by far the greatest share of the investment capital comes from the private sector.
Another important feature is the complete absence of any provision in the Act for using SEZs as a tool to develop India’s industrial backwaters by making use of private capital. On the contrary, these are coming up mostly in areas that are relatively more developed. It appears that to make things easier, the minimum size requirements for the SEZs in various categories have been kept much on the lower side particularly as compared to China, the source of inspiration for late Murasoli Maran, the original architect of the SEZ idea. A large number are, as a consequence, to be in the vicinity of major cities like Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. [30]
Similarly, there is also no provision in the Act to promote labour-intensive technologies though employment generation is one of the much-trumpeted objectives. Nor any explicit emphases on such use of hi-tech either to facilitate dispersal of technologies to the rest of the country, and adjoining regions in particular.
The objective of earning foreign exchange has been demonstratively downgraded, as already discussed above.
It is, however, being assertively presented as the future of the industrial development strategy in India.
While pushing up the GDP – apparently a be-all and end-all for most of the current breed of India’s policy planners, is obviously a major goal; the specific route chosen has much to do with India’s longstanding tradition of (neo-liberal) “reforms by stealth” in the teeth of popular opposition. [31] Not that brute force and coercion is not used. Nevertheless, the democratic polity normally does not permit going beyond a limit, at least in the mainland - excluding J&K, North-East and some isolated remote pockets.
The SEZ route encapsulates both the (neo-liberal) “reform” and the “stealth” elements to the utmost. It offers private capital a whole range of fantastic concessions and incentives. It also proposes to do away with the elaborate system of government controls as if in a flash just by waving a magic wand. But it at the same time clearly recognises that all these cannot be done in an honest and straightforward manner, as a matter of general principle, by amending the mainline economic/administrative policies/rules. That would stir up too much of troubles. So special enclaves are to be set up, albeit on a far larger scale than ever before, to confuse and fragment the potential resistors and localise the protests, where these reforms would be tried out and implemented - hopefully before eventually rolling out to the whole of the economy/polity. That is the only plausible explanation why the government is going in for a limitless number of SEZs of moderate to small size strewn all over involving a wide array of economic activities, without any apparent sense of priorities either in terms of sectors or locations, while shying away from applying this approach to the whole of the economy. [32] Otherwise, it simply does not make any sense. The stated goal of export promotion and the provision for Net Foreign Exchange Earning are, for all practical purpose, used just as a fig leaf – a smokescreen, and nothing more. The move towards a radical push for SEZs is actually very much in tandem with the mad rush exhibited by various state governments in the recent years to lure private capital by offering all sorts of lucrative incentives lying within their own domains. The SEZ policy in effect legitimises and further deepens that phenomenon. And a sort of logical culmination.
The SEZ policy therefore negotiates between and is reflective of the runaway “reformist” dreams of the Indian rulers at the apex of the political system and their duplicitous pusillanimity stemming from very real and stubbornly persistent constraints that a democratic polity imposes.
Popular Resistance and Impacts
The objections to the SEZs, as have been pointed out above, are mainly on three counts: (i) displacement caused by land acquisition for the SEZs; (ii) revenue loss suffered by national exchequer on account of massive tax concession; (iii) the various implications of SEZs as quasi city-states – ranging from its impacts on employer-employee relations, municipal governance to concerns about consequent abridgement of “national sovereignty”.
While vigorous critiques have been offered on all the three, notwithstanding smooth and uneventful passage of the Act through the Indian Parliament, the resistance on ground, however, is only on the first count.
SEZs have brought economic reforms in direct confrontation with large sections of the rural masses in the shape of state-chaperoned, but private corporate-led, industrialization calling for massive acquisition of agricultural lands, even if widely dispersed, at the obvious and dire cost of those depending on these lands, just not the direct owners, for their fairly modest living.
In the process, it has triggered, in a number of places, desperate do-or-die resistance.
A large number of local protest groups all over the country have come up to resist projected land acquisition. The nature of the opposition, however, has varied from state to state, also because of variations in the approaches by respective state governments. But a major trigger for all these protests, apart from the too obvious and ominous threats to the very existence of a large number of people, is the tremendous outrage at the brazen abuse of the Land Acquisition Act – the gross subversion of the original purpose of “eminent domain”, which was intended to apply to projects of public importance and not to help generate private profits. That the Supreme Court of India has of late lent its stamp of approval to this contemptible exercise of state power does in no way make it any less outrageous or any more legitimate. [33]
The most visible case of grassroots opposition to the process of land acquisition has been hitherto obscure and rather unheard of Nandigram, in East Midnapore district of the CPIM-led Left Front ruled West Bengal. Since January 2007, in response to a notice indicating state plan to acquire lands for a chemical hub under the SEZ scheme, the villagers barricaded themselves from the outside world in grim determination to fight the state machinery off. In the process, large scale bloody feuds with the state and its armed minions erupted twice – in March and then in November, the same year. Precious lives were lost. Houses torched. Properties destroyed. Rapes alleged. But, in the process, the supremely arrogant leaders of the state government had to bite dust. The notification had to be withdrawn. The proposal for the SEZ finally scrapped. [34] The Nandigram case has thus become a cause célèbre for anti-SEZ forces all across India. The victory in Nandigram, admittedly earned at a considerable cost, coming on top of militant popular resistances against land acquisition by the respective state governments for private enterprises in Kashipur and Kalinganagr in Orissa and Singur in West Bengal, made a huge impact on the national scene. It electrified the resistance groups all over. Both the Central government and various state governments had to take note. The other important sites of resistance that emerged include several SEZ projects coming up in Maharashtra, Jagatsinghpur in Orissa and Nandagudi in Karnataka. [35] And after Nandigram, Goa came out as a spectacular success story. All the proposed SEZs including three notified and four with formal approval stand to be scrapped, despite some procedural wrangling. [36] And that too without any spilling of blood. Admittedly, here the Chief Minister acted in a far more responsible and responsive manner.
And the million mutinies once triggered simply refuse to die down. The caption of a news item, on September 13 2008, in a leading newspaper says it all: “Bengal To Delhi: Land rows singe industry”. [37]
And the government of India is forced to step back. The forced land acquisition by the state on behalf of private enterprises, despite judicial goading on their behalf, had to come to a halt. In April 2007, under the impact of Nandigram, the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) brought down the cap on the maximum size of a single SEZ from 10,000 to 5,000 hectares and the proportion of processing zone to total area of an SEZ is revised upward from 35% to 50. Similarly, the land acquisition norm was also revised requiring the developer to acquire 70% of the lands on its own on commercial terms, subsequent to which the state government would intervene to acquire the rest. [38] And a revised Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Policy incorporating provision of “land for land” was notified in October 2007. The cabinet also gave its nod to amend the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 in tune with the revised R&R Policy. During discussions in the last Budget session of the Parliament, the Commerce and Industry Minister, Kamal Nath, was visibly on the back-foot. “Kamal Nath [in the Rajya Sabha replying to a discussion on his Ministry on April 29 2008] said only 80 to 90 SEZs have become operational and once the figure reached the 100-mark, the ministry would carry out a detailed review to find out whether the law has been misused. Defending SEZs, the minister said exports had risen to around Rs 1,24,000 crore in 2008-09 against last year’s Rs 65,000 crore from duty-free zones and they generated employment for more than 1,80,000 people”. [39] The amendment to the Land Acquisition Act is now slated to be taken up by the Parliament. [40]
The journey of the post-colonial Indian state over the last six decades or so is marked by quite a few turning points. The progressive metamorphosis of India’s ruling elite from one by and large rooted in the epochal freedom struggle with its essentially egalitarian and pluralist ethos to one frankly nurturing hedonistic, majoritarian and hegemonistic ambitions through generational changes, impacts of domestic socio-economic developments largely caused by a range of policies formulated and implemented by the young Indian state and tectonic shifts in the international scenario is quite an engaging, even if a somewhat disturbing, saga. [41]
The adoption of the SEZ route as a major component of “developmental” strategy, with its assertive reliance on unbridled private capital – indigenous, and also foreign - and the state’s brazen intervention on the side of capital and its predatory missions in the name of ensuring economic growth through the promotion of “free market” – often openly trampling upon the basic principles of the market as long as it favours the capital e.g. in the form of forced acquisition of lands, would definitely count as a major landmark in the tortuous history of Independent India.
But the story is far from unilinear. The ruling elite and the state, that it controls, are far from omnipotent. Nandigram is a living symbol of the limitation of their powers. It is also a symbol of the iron will of the common people to fight back, and their not-so-inconsiderable capacity to fight back with some remarkable success.
Nevertheless, in so far as the fight remains limited in its scope – fight for retaining lands and extant livelihoods without interrogating the fundamental dynamics of the state policies that make such grim fights an absolute imperative for mere survival, its success also cannot but be limited. Consequently, whereas the pace of the SEZ juggernaut has considerably slowed post-Nandigram, it is far from coming to a grinding halt. And even the slowing down is not irreversible.
In order to transcend the current limitations of such sectional, and largely dispersed, resistance struggles – the million (unconnected) mutinies of the marginalised, must be informed and reinforced with a growing understanding of the state policies – with growing penchant for neo-liberal economic doctrines - and the major drivers thereof flowing from a systematic exploration of the whole gamut of issues.
[1] See http://sanhati.com/wpcontent/upload....
[2] For a discussion on nomenclature, see Special Economic Zones: Policy Review and Implications for India by Erlend Reigstad, NORGES HANDELSHØYSKOLE, Bergen, June 14th, 2007 at:
http://bora.nhh.no/bitstream/2330/1....
[3] Export Processing Zones - Symbols of Exploitation and a Development Dead-End at
http://www.icftu.org/www/pdf/wtoepz....
Also see SEZ (Special Economic Zone) - An Overview, Challenges and Future posted by Neeraj Mishra, July 26, 2008 at
http://neerajmishra.wordpress.com/2....
[4] Background note Special Economic Zones in India at
http://sezindia.nic.in/HTMLS/about.htm.
[5] See http://commerce.nic.in/publications....
And also www.sethassociates.com/special_econ....
[7] See http://sezindia.nic.in/HTMLS/about.htm.
[8] See http://www.thehindubusinessline.com....
[9] See http://seztimes.com/pdf/SEZ%20Act%2... and
http://seztimes.com/pdf/SEZ%20Act%2....
[10] See http://sezindia.nic.in/.
[11] See http://www.sethassociates.com/speci....]
As an unofficial promotional site puts it, the “SEZ Act is expected to give a big thrust to exports and consequently to the foreign direct investment (“FDI”) inflows into India, and is considered to be one of the finest pieces of legislation that may well represent the future of the industrial development strategy in India. The new law is aimed at encouraging public-private partnership to develop world-class infrastructure and attract private investment (domestic and foreign), boosting economic growth, exports and employment.” [[ibid.
[12] The very opening line of the intervention made by Sri Rupchand Pal, the sole speaker from the CPIM, in the Lok Sabha: Mr. Speaker, Sir, at the outset, let me candidly express that barring a few areas of reservation, broadly I support the Bill. And his concluding remark: I conclude with my support to this Bill and I believe that the Government or the hon. Minister will look into the issues and the points raised by me; that he will sympathetically consider all the points and positively respond so that it becomes very easy for us to support the Bill.
See http://164.100.47.134/newls/textofd....
See also http://infochangeindia.org/20070324....
[13] See www.sethassociates.com/special_econ....
And also Background note Special Economic Zones in India at
[14] 15. See http://sezindia.nic.in/HTMLS/about.htm.
[15] Viewpoint: Trade zone hang-ups by Andy Mukherjee, October 3 2006 at
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10....
[16] Even leading and veteran industrialist Rahul Bajaj has echoed this apprehension. SEZs are turning into land scam: Rahul Bajaj at
http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/ma....
[17] Dynamics of Balance of Payments in India, The First Diamond Jubilee Lecture delivered by Dr. Y. V. Reddy, Governor, Reserve Bank of India at the Inauguration of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Department of Commerce, Osmania University, Hyderabad on December 16, 2006 at
http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/Spe....
[18] Features of Export Processing Zones at
http://business.mapsofindia.com/epz....
It says: The Indian government since the 1960s has encouraged the setting up of Export Processing Zones in India. The main objectives of setting up Export Processing Zones in India are to promote foreign exchange earnings and exports.
[19] See http://164.100.47.134/newls/textofd....
[20] See http://sezindia.nic.in/HTMLS/about.htm.
[21] See www.sethassociates.com/special_economic_zones.php.
[22] Of the largest 15 greenfield FDI projects in India during 2002–06 as listed in Competitive Conditions for Foreign Direct Investment in India published by Office of Industries, U.S. International Trade Commission (Publication 3931, July 2007), at
http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/pubs/...,
three, Vedanta Resources and POSCO in Orissa and Ispat Industries in Maharashtra, appear to have been granted some sort of approvals as SEZ. One of the prime objectives of this policy was to attract FDI but the share of FDI in investments in SEZs is very low is the observation made in Special Economic Zones: Are They Good for the Country? by Ram Krishna Ranjan, CCS Working Paper No. 156, Summer Research Internship Program 2006, at
http://www.ccsindia.org/ccsindia/in....
[23] Cited in Special Economic Zones: Policy Review and Implications for India by Erlend Reigstad, NORGES HANDELSHØYSKOLE, Bergen, June 14th, 2007 at
[24] See http://www.sezindia.nic.in/HTMLS/vi....
[26] SEZ exports may notch up a growth of 451 per cent by 2008-09: Report, September 05, 2008 at
http://www.ibef.org/artdisplay.aspx....
[28] Annual Report 2007-2008 at
http://commerce.nic.in/publications....
[29] See http://sezindia.nic.in/HTMLS/visibl....
[30] Special Economic Zones: Are They Good for the Country? by Ram Krishna Ranjan at
[31] Democratic Politics and Economic Reform in India by Rob Jenkins, Cambridge University Press, 1999.
[32] The Politics of SEZs in India: Promise and Pitfalls by Rob Jenkins, 12.03.2007 at
http://casi.ssc.upenn.edu/print_pag....
[33] SUPREMELY UNJUST posted by Soumya Datta at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/india....
[34] See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandigram_SEZ....
[35] India’s democracy has a heartbeat by Jonathan Jones at http://www.india-seminar.com/2008/5....
[36] Centre, Goa govt may find a way to scrap SEZs, August 1, 2008 at
http://www.business-standard.com/in....
[37] Bengal To Delhi: Land rows singe industry, Sept 13 2008 at
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/....
The latest in the series of spectacular setbacks for industry inflicted by recalcitrant rural folks buoyed up by wider political backing is the exit of the Tata Motors from Singur, West Bengal.
See http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnu....
[38] SEZ freeze lifted, caps area at 5000 hectares, April 05, 2007 at
http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/ap....
For comprehensive news coverage on SEZ, chronologically arranged, see
http://www.rediff.com/money/sez.html.
[39] Govt open to review of SEZ law, Apr 30 2008 at
[40] Proposed law cuts govt out of land acquisition, by Subodh Ghildiyal & Nitin Sethi, 13 Sep 2008 at
[41] For a fuller discussion, see Transmutation of Indian Elite in Indian Nationalism, Hindutva and the Bomb by Sukla Sen at
http://www.sacw.net/article572.html]. See: Indian Nationalism, Hindutva and the Bomb.
India: Prioritise Social Security Pensions and Maternity Entitlements in Govt. Spending - Dec 2018 letter by economists to finance minister
India: The Congress Party Has a Chance to Redeem Itself in Chhattisgarh by trying a peaceful resolution of the Maoist insurgency
India: Excessive Land Grab in the name of industrial development in Tamilnadu - Press Release by NAPM (2 Nov 2018)
India: Crisis in Higher Education - A national convention organised by Joint Forum for Movement on Education | Press Release 29 Oct 2018
India: Scrap the Bullet Train Project - Memorandum to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) by Bhumi Adhikar Andolan [Land Rights Movement] (signed by reps. of 12 political parties)
India: Forceful land acquisition and government brutalities define Jharkhand’s Adani power-plant project - Press Release by Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha
झारखंड के अडानी पावरप्लांट परियोजना – जबरन भूमि अधिग्रहण और सरकारी बर्बरता का सूचक
India: Over a 100 activists and villagers of Kevadia illegally arrested before the inauguration of Sardar Patel’s Statue
India: Starvation and Malnutrition in Jharkhand - Statement of the Right to Food Campaign, Jharkhand 28 September 2018
झारखंड में भुखमरी और कुपोषण - भूख से मौतों को लेकर भोजन का अधिकार (झारखण्ड) का बयान
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Give Them the Key or Throw Them Away
by: Chris Dankovich
Chris Dankovich is a 26-year-old prisoner at Thumb Correctional Facility where he is serving a 25-to-37-year sentence for a second-degree murder he committed when he was 15. Mr. Dankovich has been published in The Marshall Project and the Harvard Educational Review.
Earlier this year, in Montgomery v Louisiana, the United States Supreme Court granted a lot of friends of mine the first chance at life that they’ve ever had. They are the now-grown men and women who were given life without parole sentences while still legally children. And now, though in their 40’s, 50’s, and some in their 60’s, these friends of mine that I like to half-jokingly refer to as “perpetual kids” are going to be entering the workforce, paying bills, and paying taxes.
The thing is they don’t know how. See, when people outside of prison look at the often tattooed, muscle-bound, bearded outer shells of these men, it’s easy to forget that their education in the practical skills nearly everyone takes for granted (“What is a resume?”, “You mean there are more taxes than sales tax?”, “What is a W-2?”) stopped at the pre-high school or freshman year level. I say this with authority, as I’ve been incarcerated for nearly half of my life, since I was 15 years old. Though not a juvenile lifer, I’m in a similar situation as many of them, and while I’ve been fortunate enough to earn a college degree, I still have no idea what the hell a “W-2” form is, what taxes I have to pay, to whom I pay them to, or how to go about paying them (one of my compulsive fears is that after I am released at age 40, I’ll unknowingly commit tax evasion and be re-arrested). But juvenile lifers have it worse. Having spent decades in prison, most of them have lacked any ability to educate themselves in a meaningful way, and have been denied access to programming designed to help returning citizens (as of writing, though their life sentences have been invalidated, they are still being denied access to most programming). They are older, hopefully wiser, but they are Benjamin Buttons all the same: grown men with practical knowledge of a young teen.
The same is the problem with all “Youthful Offenders,” the designator Michigan gives to the children it incarcerates as adults. While the ones with shorter adult sentences will have the ability to earn their GED’s and take some well-taught vocational classes (I’m somewhat biased, as I’ve been tutored in one or the other for over a third of my life), many of the basic facts necessary to civilized adult life are not taught to them, at least officially. It is often taken for granted by ordinary people that our parents will habilitate us into adulthood, but while these children can’t use this as a defense for their crimes, most of them wouldn’t be in prison if they had kind, caring, intelligent, responsible parents. One 17 year old prisoner I used to tutor in GED math bears the scar from where his mother shot him with her 9mm…on purpose. I can relate to that type of childhood trauma as my own mother once tried to force me to have sex with her.
I’ve been published by the Harvard Educational Review, but I don’t know how to vote (in Michigan, these former children will be able to once released), how to get my driver’s license, how to write a resume, how to open a bank account, how to obtain a credit card, or how to pay a bill. Most of the juvenile lifers I’ve talked to not only don’t know what their Social Security Number is; they don’t know what a Social Security Number is.
Thumb Correctional Facility, which houses incarcerated “Youth” in Michigan while they are still chronologically juveniles, has implemented a handful of really great classes that teach basic skills on money management and basic job skills (including how to apply and interview for a job). But resources and funding are limited, workplace experience is more so, and the ability for these “perpetual children” to continue learning outside of this prison is small. Away from this place is where hundreds of teens have the first job of their lives (paying approximately ten cents an hour), youthful offenders are essentially on their own to educate themselves.
There needs to be a division implemented in any system that deals with children, including prisons, to teach them just the basic framework of civilized adult life. Because we’re not just expecting these future citizens to learn what they should know…we’re expecting them to learn what they don’t know. Instead of placing the responsibility solely on the incarcerated kid to earn their GED and take a vocational class (which some youth with invalidated life sentences have still been unable to attempt), it should be the responsibility of the society that incarcerates its children as adults to make sure they at least have the opportunity to learn the basics of being an adult.
C is a “Youthful Offender” with severe cerebral palsy, who can barely walk even with the aid of crutches, and goes by the prison moniker “Cripple-Chris.” He started life in a complicated family dynamic until he was 14 years old, when he was sentenced to a minimum of a decade in prison for acts involving a young girl. In prison, I have watched him try to better himself. He tries to advise new young prisoners, though he hasn’t yet found a way to not get picked on. He tried to learn to play softball. He tried for five years before finally earning his GED. C is getting out in a few months. Maybe he’s a deviant. Maybe he’ll be a lifelong criminal. While I’m not a fan of what he was convicted of, I’ve grown up with him, and watched him attempt to grow up himself. I hope he makes it on the outside. But he will never be able to drive; he’s physically incapable of doing physical labor, and he doesn’t know his SSN, how or where to apply for the welfare assistance he’ll need, how to pay a bill or how to pay taxes. So even if he is rehabilitated, he still has many hurdles to overcome in order to be successful on the outside.
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Irma delays wastewater plant project
Published on November 1, 2017 October 30, 2017 by ebstein
By Rachel Brown Hackney
As a result of Hurricane Irma and a lot of rain that fell about two weeks before the storm blew through, the project to replace the Siesta Key Wastewater Treatment Plant with a master pump station has been delayed, Siesta Key Association (SKA) members learned during their Oct. 5 meeting.
“I’ve been trying to make sure the county lives up to its commitment to get the plant shut down by the end of the year,” Robert Luckner, a member of the organization’s Environmental Committee, reported. County staff had foreseen completion of the project in November. “Now it’s in December,” Luckner said, but at least the schedule is not anticipated to run into 2018.
The pump station work was about 80% complete as of Oct. 5, he continued, and the entire project was about 70% complete.
The effluent will travel off the island through new pipelines, so it can be treated at county plants on the mainland, staff has explained at prior SKA meetings.
Staff also told him that the contractor hoped the pipeline connection across Midnight Pass Road to Shadow Lawn Way would be completed by Oct. 13, Luckner noted. About a week after that has been accomplished, he added, the blocked inbound lane of the street will reopen for traffic.
Noting that Siesta Isles residents won a county grant to make improvements to the median in late 2015, Luckner pointed out that if the construction work damages the median in any way, the contractor is obligated to make all the necessary repairs.
Staff also told him the construction on Shadow Lawn Way should be completed by the latter third of October, he continued.
Although the original plan was to use a method called directional boring to install the new sewer force main underground, Luckner explained, because of a problem the contractor encountered in one area, the contractor had to resort to the open trench method.
After everything has been finished on Shadow Law Way and the system has been pressure-tested, Luckner said, the road will be repaved. Staff told him that should take place before Thanksgiving.
Additionally, Luckner noted, staff reported that no problems had been conveyed to the county regarding the school bus stop on Midnight Pass Road, which is in the vicinity of the project. However, Luckner asked that if any of the SKA audience members knew of any issues the construction was posing to students at the bus stop, they should alert county staff.
“We did have one odor complaint,” Luckner continued. Because the smell was similar to that of rotten eggs, he added, he feared that a problem had arisen again with the wastewater treatment plant. (The odor once was a major focus of complaints among residents who live near the plant. After the SKA invited David Cash, manager of the county’s Water/Wastewater Division, to a meeting in April 2016, Cash and his staff worked to alleviate the problem.)
As it turned out, the odor was a result of the contractor’s having to pump groundwater out of the construction site, Luckner told the SKA audience. Because of all the rain, the groundwater level had risen considerably, he said.
Cash reported back to him the same day Luckner asked about the odor, Luckner noted, and it was a weekend day, at that.
The normal discharge from the wastewater treatment plant into the Grand Canal flows from a pipeline that is below the canal’s surface, Luckner added.
“I’ll keep after ’em,” he said, in regard to the project’s staying on schedule.
Published in NewsTagged hurricane irma, siesta key wastewater project
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1920’s and earlier
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[6.0]
It’s another Marvel movie! And it’s on the high-end of average, like most of their releases. This one is all about a new character, a pilot named Carol Danvers, who becomes the title hero. She doesn’t know who she is or where she came from. She might be an alien. Or she might not. The bad guys might not be bad. The good guys might not be good. And who the fuck is Annette Bening playing? I’d summarize this movie for you if I could. But it jumps around in time, plays with memories, and bunch of other weird shit. I plead the fifth.
What I can say is that the first half hour is boring, kinda like a Star Wars movie with no characters you recognize. But once Carol comes to Earth and meets Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury character, the movie finds its stride. Brie Larson is dealt a somewhat unfortunate hand in this role. She’s playing a character who essentially has amnesia and doesn’t know who she is or what she’s all about for most of the film. It’s not much to build a personality with, so she doesn’t leave an indelible impression. Jackson, on the other hand, has been scene-stealing for decades. I’m sure Larson will find her groove as the sequels come. (Paul Rudd, Chris Hemsworth and some of the other heroes also took a movie or two to get fully warmed up; Robert Downey Jr, of course, never had this problem.)
The cinematography is shockingly dark — as in, I couldn’t even tell if they were using lights most of the time. So much of the movie looked like it was shot in strictly available lighting. In other words, it’s not a very pretty movie. I know cameras are more sensitive to light than ever before, but must we drop the notion of cinematic lighting all together now?
Supporting players Lashana Lynch and Ben Mendelsohn shine in supporting roles. Lynch gives perhaps the movie’s most heartfelt performance as an old friend from Danvers’ past. Mendelsohn brings an adversarial character to life from under heavy prosthetic makeup (not always an easy fete).
To be honest, I was hoping Captain Marvel would be less of a stand-alone origin story and more of a prequel to next month’s big release of Avengers: End Game. But it is not. It is its own movie. And it mostly stands on its merits. If you love this Marvel stuff, you’ll probably enjoy the movie. If you don’t love it, Captain Marvel isn’t going to make you a believer.
With Jude Law, Clark Gregg, Djimon Hounsou, and Lee Pace.
Bulworth (1998)
Bellflower (2011)
The Living Skeleton (1968)
No Mercy (1986)
I Love You to Death (1990)
The Ritz (1976)
Staircase (1969)
Crazy/Beautiful (2001)
Now, Voyager (1942)
Boy Slaves (1939)
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Whup. Ass.
Apropos the last entry, via Atrios: Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez got some monkeymail and replied in much better style than her idiot correspondent deserved:
MICHAEL SAYS: 3. They do not register for selective service and do not serve in the military – forcing legal Americans to defend them.
ALISA SAYS: Sigh. According the U.S. government, all male immigrants — legal and otherwise — are required by U.S. law to register for selective service.
According to the National Center for Immigration Law, one in ten U.S. soliders who have DIED in Iraq have been immigrants. Five percent of those serving in our military are illegal immigrants.
The first soldier to die for the United States in the current war in Iraq was Marine Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala.
(Emphasis mine.) Good enough to die, not good enough to vote. I had no idea.
That’s just a sample, too — you should read the whole thing. By reading one blog post you can be better informed about the current immigration debate than anyone in the mainstream media.
2 thoughts on “Whup. Ass.”
Nasekomiy on April 13, 2006 at 3:48 pm said:
Some correction
1) The illegal immigrant cannot join the U.S. military
2) Gutierrez held permanent U.S. resident status, which he obtained in 1999. He was not illegal when he died
http://www.militarycity.com/valor/256506.html
3) Jose Gutierrez was one on the first who died in Iraq, but not the first. First four soldiers died day before Jose Gutierrez was killed.
The Department of Defense announced today the identities of four U.S. Marines killed in a CH-46E helicopter crash on March 20 in Kuwait. Killed were:
Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin, 36, of Waterville, Maine
Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre, 30, of Bloomington, Ill.
Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy, 25, of Houston, Texas
Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Watersbey, 29, of Baltimore, Md
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2003/b03212003_bt135-03.html
Therrel S. Childers and Jose Gutierrez were killed in action on March 21, 2003.
The Department of Defense announced today the identities of two U.S. Marines killed in action on March 21 in Southern Iraq. Killed were:
2nd Lt. Therrel S. Childers, 30, Harrison County, Miss.
Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, 22, Los Angeles, Calif.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2003/b03222003_bt137-03.html
Bill on April 13, 2006 at 4:59 pm said:
Thanks, Nasekomiy — it’s good to get the details straight. There are similar addenda to Alisa’s post in her comments thread. (It’s not clear to me what would happen if an illegal immigrant did register for selective service — deportation seems most likely.)
In re: Gutierrez, it’s important to note that he had to get PR status to join the military, but not so important whether he was first, fourth or 1004th to die: the larger point here is that illegal immigrants are not the parasites they are made out to be by the White America crowd.
Thanks again for the details and sources.
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In Treatment: Week five in review
Once again, I'm reviewing all five of this week's episodes of "In Treatment" at once, with general thoughts followed by brief takes on each patient. Spoilers coming up just as soon as I look at my watch...
For the first time in the brief history of "In Treatment," the series skips over a week in the lives of Paul and his patients(*), as he returns to work after taking time off to bury and grieve for his father.
(*) In case you didn't know, "In Treatment" itself takes next week off so HBO can debut a documentary series tied to The Alzheimer's Project, with the show coming back on May 17 for the final two weeks of the season. It's unfortunate that HBO couldn't have scheduled the season so that the break fell between weeks 4 & 5 instead of 5 & 6, so we could have experienced the gap right along with Paul's patients. Made too much sense to happen, I guess.
And when Paul comes back, he discovers just how much his patients -- at least, these four patients in crisis, as opposed to more mundane cases like the impotent law student whose session we glimpse at the start of the Oliver episode -- have come to depend on him. For them, he's more than a therapist: he's a surrogate husband, or father, or simply the only thing keeping them alive. He has become the most important figure in each of his patient's lives (maybe Walter less than the others, but he's also better at hiding/denying his true feelings), and when that relationship gets severed, even temporarily, they don't react well.
Paul returns to major developments in every case: Mia is pregnant, April is losing her hair and getting weak from the chemo (though this could at least be predicted), Bess has yet to return home to Oliver, and Walter is in the hospital with "food poisoning." Even the Gina episode comes with a couple of seismic shifts, as Paul tries to reconcile with Kate, and gets a settlement offer from Alex's father.
"This is me being caring. Is that okay?" -Mia
"You don't have to worry about my feelings." -Paul
"Does anybody?" -Mia
Mia just can't help herself, can she? She has to feel like the most special patient in Paul's practice, and so she's constantly taking advantage of her past history with him, and her firm's present association with him, to get access and information that the other patients don't have. And yet Hope Davis plays her with this tremendous vulnerability and self-awareness that makes it impossible not to like her even when she's being an entitled, intrusive pain. Just look at that lopsided grin she flashes Paul after springing the news of her pregnancy; she is so desperate for his approval, isn't she?
As Mia notes, this seems like kismet: all these years after Paul talked her into aborting the last pregnancy she had (or so she believes), she's come to him with an unexpected, last-chance (and, though it's not discussed here, no doubt high-risk) pregnancy. And even though she claims it's the thing she wanted to make her life complete, she realizes the picture isn't as full as she really, really wants.
For the first time since the premiere episode, Paul is off his game with Mia, so thrown by his father's death that he has a harder time concealing his emotions -- in this case, dismay over her casual attitude about not informing the presumed baby daddy -- in front of her, and even surreptitiously glancing at his inherited wristwatch when her monologue brings him to think about his dad.
And Mia, in turn, drops the remaining pretense about her desire for Paul. She may not want him sexually right now (though with that Irish accent and those baby blues, how could she resist?), but she wants him to be her partner in every other way, enlisting him to help her make every kind of child-rearing decision that would normally fall to the father, instead of just "a father." And he briefly lets her indulge that fantasy, admitting that the two of them as a couple seems like "it could solve all our problems." But all that does -- as Paul was no doubt expecting -- is to lead her to confront her true fears about the pregnancy, and her realization that it was Mia, and only Mia, who decided to get that abortion 20 years ago. And that realization, in turn, helps her make peace, for now, both with that old decision and her desire to see this pregnancy through.
At session's end, she asks Paul to be happy for her, but he can't be happy for anyone or anything right now, unfortunately.
"I thought you were going to take care of me." -April
Even more than Mia, April has built Paul up into the be-all, end-all of her existence. She fantasizes about his eyes, has these elaborate imaginary conversations with him about every topic in her day, and, just as Mia expects him to play adoptive father as well as therapist, April assumes he's going to be her physical as well as emotional caretaker during her cancer battle. And the betrayal on her face and in her voice when she realizes Paul has no plans to take her to the next chemo appointment make it clear why he waited so long to offer in the first place. It's not practical, nor fair (to either Paul or to April) to expect that of him, and if that's the only way she's going to go to chemo, that's a huge problem. I don't disagree with his decision last week -- someone needed to get her there, obviously, before she was too ill for it to matter -- but this is exactly what I'm sure he feared when he wasn't dragging her there in week two or three.
Great as the entire cast is, and great as they all are this week, this is Alison Pill's week to shine above all the others. The moment when April, panicked and betrayed by the idea that Paul doesn't want to take her to chemo, tries to get up too quickly and instead doubles over in both physical and emotional agony, ripped me to the core as I watched it. And she was just as brilliant, albeit in subtler fashion, in the episode's quieter moments, like April telling the charming story of how she became friends with Leah ("You can sing or you can hold your penis, but you cannot sing and hold your penis"), even as she doesn't understand, as Paul does, that this is a relationship she can and should be able to rely on in this situation.
Where Paul is guarded when discussing his father with Mia, and a bit irritated as usual at her overstepping the doctor/patient boundaries, he gives the knowledge freely to April. It's because he feels more of a connection with April, but also because he feels like she needs this level of honesty to make her trust him enough to save her life. She doesn't want to talk about the dream she had before her health scare, but in some ways that's the key to the whole session. It isn't just that April is afraid to trust anyone. It's that her life has been so difficult -- and with the possibility of caring for Daniel, she knows it may only get more difficult -- that the cancer may be providing her with an escape hatch. And it's everything Paul can do to keep her from trying to bail on life. In their last session, he was able to do it by going beyond the call of duty and physically taking her to the doctor. Unwilling or emotionally unable to do that this week, Paul instead sees that hard-won victory slipping through his fingers, and I felt just as alarmed when she left the office as I did when she claimed to have spoken with her mother at the end of the third episode.
"It's like rats abandoning a sinking ship." -Luke
As I've said before, Oliver doesn't have any real problems. I mean, he has external problems, not least of which is the bully(*) who drives him to run away from school and straight to Paul's office (the only place in the world where he feels safe). But all of his emotional issues are being caused by these external forces, and so I like that these last two episodes have spent more time on Paul getting to know the chief external forces -- first Bess, and now Luke.
(*) Another great moment of Paul failing to hide his emotions: check out the look of pure rage on his face when Oliver is telling him about the dog-doo locker prank. It's all in the set of his jaw, but it's there.
Where Bess -- who understandably, if not appropriately, seems determined to extend her Me Time vacation for a good long while -- seems largely oblivious to her behavior and how it affects Oliver, Luke at least is blessed with enough self-awareness to know how badly he's treating his son, if not the wisdom to figure out how to stop doing it.
The patients on "In Treatment" are all in some way supposed to reflect Paul's own problems. Oliver has stood in for Paul's children, whom he struggles to relate to half as well as someone like Oliver or, last year, Sophie. Luke, meanwhile turns out to be a stand-in for Paul himself: a bad dad who wishes he could be a better one, and the son of a distant and adulterous father who fears he's turned into his old man's exact double. When Paul tells him this doesn't have to be so -- "You don't have to become like him. You're not doomed to live your father's life. You have a choice." -- he nods at himself, as if he knows he needs to learn this lesson as badly as Luke.
This session is far from a cure-all, but the look that Luke and Paul exchange at the end suggests that it accomplished a lot more than last week's comparable Bess session. Luke may be an ass, but he'd rather not be, and if Paul can keep getting through to him, then maybe Oliver has a fighting chance.
"It's too late for me. We both know that." -Walter
If Walter is this year's Alex, then sooner or later he was going to attempt suicide. Is it a coincidence that he tried this after Paul canceled their last session, or has he let Paul become his only lifeline in the same way that April has?
Though the episode takes place in Walter's swank hospital room, it plays out like a traditional "In Treatment" episode, with the two men even moving over to the armchairs so they can sit opposite each other the way they do in therapy. And, as usual, Walter is combative as hell, emotionally slapping Paul across the face with the knowledge of Alex's death and the lawsuit (which makes Oliver this week's only patient to not know more than he should about Paul's personal life) and trying to bully his way out of having to admit that he wanted "a millionaire's death."
But he does admit it -- "I just wanted it to be over. That's all." -- claiming to be doing it for altruistic reasons, even as Paul points out how cruel it would be to his wife and daughter. And for a moment, Paul seems to be getting through to him, just as he's always almost there with April. But then Walter armors up again, and you can see he's resolved to end it, somehow, just as soon as Paul, and Natalie, and Connie, and the world, are looking the other way.
(I liked how Walter refers to Paul as "a young man" in the same week where April is discussing how old he is, and whether 50+ will always seem very old to her.)
Maybe the most interesting scene of the episode -- even though it doesn't feature the amazing John Mahoney -- is at the end, when Natalie tells Paul that Connie has been in rehab, and Paul realizes that Walter's carrying an even greater burden than he's let on. Because the patients can be, at best, unreliable narrators about their own lives, it's always interesting to meet other people who can cut through the half-truths and self-flattery and give Paul a clearer picture. I had always expected to get something like that in the first episode with Alex's father -- to find out that Alex had either exaggerated, or flat-out invented, half of the outlandish stories he told Paul -- but that never happened. Here, if Walter wouldn't tell Paul this huge detail, what else has he left out of the auto-biography?
"You already know that love's the only thing that has a chance against death." -Gina
His father's death -- and Gina's non-attendance at the funeral (which suggests she now views herself as Paul's therapist more than his friend) -- would likely already have Paul in a bad mood for this session. But then he makes things worse by mistaking the warmth Kate showed him in the aftermath of his father's death with a desire to get back together, humiliating himself by asking her to give him another shot when she's already moved on.
So he's irritated, and on edge, and still filled with self-loathing for refusing to see his dad sooner -- and for not realizing that he had this whole other life outside of being the bastard who walked out on Paul's mom and had an affair with a patient.
Gina says she doesn't want to hear about Paul's patients, which may be the right thing for her as his therapist, but which is kind of unfortunate for me as a viewer. Because if ever there was a week for Paul to talk about his patients -- to talk about how the obligations between a father and son are not unlike those between a doctor and his patient, how he had to temporarily leave his patients because of his father, and all the havoc that caused -- it's this one.
Gina tries to get him to see that it's possible to have mixed feelings about his dad, but he's too raw to see that at this point, and is almost eager to get out and have that uncomfortable meeting with Mr. Prince.
And speaking of which (and I always welcome a chance to watch Glynn Turman in this role), what should Paul do? Gina's been trying to tell him that he isn't responsible for Alex's death. Forget the legal and/or professional implications for a minute. How badly would this retard Paul's attempt to get past the guilt he feels about it? Or would he be able to write a confession he doesn't believe in, just to get this headache over and done with?
Labels: In Treatment, In Treatment (season 2)
Spiral Jacobs said...
Paul is crazy if he writes that letter. First, it's simply not true, and I think it would harm rather than help Paul's state of mind to take responsibility for Alex's death. Part of him wants to believe that it's all his fault, and putting it in writing is just too much.
Second, the unspoken truth is that Mr. Prince is as responsible for Alex's death as Paul, if not moreso, and he's deflecting his own guilt by going after Paul. Why should he be let off the hook by Paul taking the blame? I hope that someday, something forces that man to see what he did to Alex and own his part in that tragedy. Paul accepting guilt makes it that much less likely to happen.
Third, there is no guarantee that Mr. Prince would not use that letter to end Paul's career, and his career is all that Paul has. Mr. Prince seems like a vengeful man without much capacity for self-reflection. There is no way I'd give him the satisfaction.
11:35 PM, May 04, 2009
It's because he feels more of a connection with Mia,I think you mean April?
How badly would this retard Paul's attempt to get past the guilt he feels about it? Or would he be able to write a confession he doesn't believe in, just to get this headache over and done with?
Apart from the legal/professional implications, this is the wrong thing for Paul to do. I think it would increase his guilt because he would wonder if he did mean the apology and feel responsible, and also be worried that he told a lie to make a lawsuit go away. It's lose-lose.
I can't believe the teachers & administrators at Oliver's school can't help him more. Sure, they can't single out the bully because they don't have proof, but they can surely educate the students in general about bullying and how the school won't tolerate it. It's ridiculous.
Besides the parallel daddy issues, there's a lot of transference going on this season. The patients and/or Paul have crossed boundaries, which, although not sexual, have become harmful to the patients' health, especially April. I don't blame Paul for crossing the boundary with April (someone had to), but the repercussions are immense and with only two eps to go, I wonder if we will get to see him course correct.
Another thing that came into more relief is the difference between Gina's and Paul's therapy styles. Gina is not afraid to be more direct in therapy and tell Paul what to talk about or even what to do, whereas Paul seems to allow his patients to get there on their own more. I wonder if that is Gina's normal style, or just what she knows will work with Paul because he's a therapist himself and knows the "tricks of the trade"?
Glynn Turman rocks. I sure as hell hope Paul doesn't take him up on that offer, though.
tort reform said...
As good as Paul has been as a therapist this season, you can still see how the seeds for many of these complications were sown gradually in the little things Paul did. Even though he said it pretty explicitly in session with Gina last week, it took this Sunday's session for me to truly realize just how much Paul's been responding to Mia's come-ons throughout the season. I'm reminded of Week 3, when Mia was discussing how she imagined the affair between Paul and Laura may have been like. That whole time Mia was trying to get a rise out of Paul, and he would try and redirect it into a discussion about what she was thinking and feeling. Looked at another way, he was basically inciting her to fantasize about him and talk dirty for him.
I agree wholeheartedly about the April sessions. As incredibly written as April is as a character, Alison Pill just takes it and sells it for even more. when Paul tells April that the reason he cancelled last week was the death of his father, you can see the switch go off in her, where she starts closing herself off, and tells herself to be strong for him and stop crying. It's like another replay of the trauma with her mother. And then when April deflects his question about who she will get to accompany her to her chemo session, you can see her testing Paul, placing herself next to that metaphorical open window, seeing if he'll notice if she falls. She even lingers in the waiting room as if he still might change his mind.
When April and Paul were discussing whether Paul looked the whole time they were installing the catheter in her chest, it reminded me of last season, when Sophie asked him to help her change out of her wet clothes because her cast prevented her from doing so on her own. I'm not sure there's anything meaningful to be gleaned from that. I just found it interesting.
I think the most significant moment in the Oliver episode was in his reaction to Luke when Luke tried to act sympathetic to him after the session. While Oliver readily asks Paul for ham, he rolls his eyes at his actual father when he offers to take him out for pizza. Oliver has learned not to expect a father who understands him, and doesn't trust it Luke presents himself as one. Oliver trusts Paul over his own father, and when he ran away from school, chose to Paul's office over either of his parents' homes.
I don't know if it has anything to do with the fact that Paul's own father issues factor in more with each successive patient, or whether it's more a function of time, but you can see Paul progressively improving over the course of the week—from Mia (where he was unkempt and distracted), to April (where Paul was still misreading cues), to Oliver, and then walter. Walter's comment about how both he and Paul have blood on their hands seemed important to me, as it both Alex and Alex Sr. also had blood on their hands.
As for the confession, I would be shocked but not too surprised if Paul did sign. We've seen a lot of people sacrificing their own peace ostensibly for the benefit of others. While as a therapist Paul must see that Mr. Prince is displacing some of his own guilt over Alex Jr. onto Paul, Paul's own sense of guilt may become an overriding factor, whereby he signs both to avoid a potential costly judgment and to give Mr. Prince that sense of justice.
Scholar of Turtles said...
Paul can't write the letter. He's not capable.
It goes back to the ongoing turtle symbolism.
Ask yourself this: is it a coincidence that a turtle CAN'T WRITE?
If the turtle is symbolic of Paul, and a turtle can't write...of course Paul can't write that letter. He has to just be Paul, just like how a turtle has to be a turtle. It can't be something it's not.
1:07 AM, May 05, 2009
Gish said...
Scholar,
You've been so insightful until now. You only assume a turtle can't write because you have never come across one who could. I used to naively believe that turtles couldn't fly, until I saw Gamera. I make no more assumptions about turtles.
Anyone out there familiar with Allison Pill's previous work. Not to take anything away from her performance here, but every tic and mannerism of April reminds me of Kristen Bell. Am I the only one seeing that?
LA said...
Gish - Allison Pill reminds me of Lauren Ambrose with her readily available emotionality.
I've seen her in three things now; this, Milk, and The Book of Daniel. She's very talented, I'll be interested to watch her career.
Geoff Rose said...
I'd also recommend Pieces of April for more Allison Pill awesomeness.
That scene with the cringe of pain: she had the audience cringing with her. That's what the ol' drama teacher called, "an original moment." It's not a replicated action, but that spontaneous emotional level that grips people's attention.
And those really soft, quite parts of the show, that's where you see them the most.
From Jan:
I first saw Allison Pill several years ago in a made-for-middle-or-high-school video from a Canadian company called "Degas and the Dancer." She played the dancer who was the model for the famous statue, and she was all of about 13 at the time. It wasn't the greatest video, but I still remember her as she had some quality about her that made me remember her--and her name--even then. Since then I've seen her in "Milk" and "Pieces of April," and if you go to IMDb and look up her body of work, she's done quite a bit for someone as young as she is. She is amazing in this series.
Some jurisdictions have "Apology Acts" where Paul would be able to write an apology and it would not be used as an admission of liability. So, it's legally plausible. But I just kept thinking that Alex's dad needs therapy more than anything, because a letter is not going to make him feel better. A lawsuit won't do that either, but unless he is going behind his lawyers' backs, they may have planted a seed in his mind that this lawsuit is not worth pursuing, both financially and emotionally. I don't think there would be enough for Paul to be found negligent, presuming we have seen the entire picture, and it is pretty difficult to establish that a medical practitioner has not met the appropriate standard of care.
The best thing for both parties would be for a mediation to take place, so that both parties could informally state their positions, and Alex's dad could vent a bit more emotionally in a quasi-judicial setting, which would help him take a step toward closure. Paul's insurers have already made a settlement offer, so Alex's dad could get some monetary compensation, although that won't actually make him feel any better.
I don't think Paul should write that letter. It won't make this go away, despite what Alex's father says.
Spectacular performances this week and Alison Pill better get an Emmy nom for her work in this.
12:22 AM, May 06, 2009
@Nicole: I'm with you that Alex Sr. wouldn't feel any better if he had that letter from Paul. In fact, he'd feel worse because that meant Paul had "gotten away with it." He can't forgive himself, Alex, or Paul, and the letter is the only thing that he thinks will work. It'd be fascinating if next season HE was one of Paul's patients, although I know that would realistically never happen. But man, what a miserable, angry, grieving man he is. I think Paul's right--women are much better at the grieving process than men are.
Really powerful week: I was also struck how unkempt he was for Mia, and how he seems a little off his game for her sessions than he does for anyone else.
I also thought it was interesting how direct he was with Luke in Oliver's session about "diagnosing" what was wrong with Luke. Usually he just lets them wander around until they get to the appropriate conclusion, but maybe his father dying made him realize sometimes he just has to put it out there.
Reason #542 I couldn't be a therapist: the unimaginable guilt i would feel if i had to skip a week for a parent's funeral and I came back to all my patients blaming me for the turn their lives took while I was away. His look of grief when April was crying was just...awful.
Hard to imagine how some of these will wrap up in 2 weeks...but it's never predictable!
On my FIOS On Demand (in Northern NJ) the first three episodes that popped up for week six (No spoilers)
were Mia, Oliver, and Gina.
Don't know if this is an HBO glitch or a FIOS glitch and since I've been catching up from a couple weeks behind I didn't start watching the episodes as they went up until this week, so I don't know if this is part of a pattern.
Anyway, it'll be interesting to discuss these and I hope that the last April episodes maintain their amazing high standards.
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Tag Archives: Aidy White
Aidy White: Man of Mystery
September 26, 2012 Spoughts 1 Comment
Four minutes. Four minutes was all it took for Aidy White to show his ability as a footballer on a larger stage than any he has been afforded so far for Leeds. Live on Sky Sports, Aidy White beat Premier League stars and completely befuddled a man who has been one of the shining lights of an Everton side with great momentum behind it. He then finished with aplomb, a word never used in a context other than a golazo, and peeled off, seemingly utterly confused with what had just occurred. Leeds had just taken the lead against the team third in the Premier League, and Aidy White’s emotion was spread all around. What had just occurred? Aidy White? Really?
You see, Aidy White doesn’t do this. He’s threatened to come good for around two seasons now, with issue after issue arising that has held him back. First it was cramp. Then Grayson seemed loath to blood youngsters with a potential play-off campaign afoot. He was shipped out on loan and returned. Finally, when he was settling into the left-back berth and actually performing to a level that had larger clubs sniffing, a new manager arrived and moved him to the right side of midfield. Suddenly, his contract was nearly up (we’re talking months here, a time after which Leeds players never usually re-sign) and injury struck. We thought we’d seen the end of him. Then he appeared out of nowhere in pre-season, and was given a contract (word that investment from elsewhere paid for this abounds). Warnock was clearly keen to sign him up. The season began, and, to be honest, nobody was really sure why.
At one point I was tempted to post up that I really rate Aidy White, but I’m not entirely sure what he does. He was a great left-back for the first half of last season (genuinely, aside from some mistakes that come with experience), and I felt that the attempt to convert him into a proper winger by Warnock had just hampered him. The only clip I saw of him in pre-season training was scoring goals, coming in from the right onto his left. Then the season began, Adam Drury got injured and White had to cover at left-back. He was suddenly useless. I was loath to criticise him, as he has been shunted about positionally for a couple of years on the bounce. Warnock was clearly building him up to play on the right – he needed a chance.
He took it last night. The goal was exactly what you’d hope for from a pacey player that is expected to cut inside. It got me thinking. The same Aidy White who struggles to make it to the touchline might be ideally suited to this role. Instead of having to deal with a full-back, trained from a young age to play the same game as him, White can run at the slow, lumbering centre backs that make up defences in this league, forcing them to turn and twist in an attempt to close down the channels that he can run through. Sylvain Distin, a far superior player to those who White will have to face weekly, couldn’t close down the gaps quickly enough.
White playing on the right also gives Byram the ability to bomb on from right-back. He can overlap without any concern for defensive frailty as White can fill in behind. Similarly, this allows Diouf to float out to the wing, where he has been a constant menace this season. Oddly enough, White has even shown at times a willingness to use his right boot. Not to criticise Robert Snodgrass, a reasonably one-paced player but still the best we’ve had over the last few years, and a real loss to the time, but his reliance on his left foot alone is nearing farcical levels. White put balls into the box in his short cameo against Forest at the weekend, using his right boot.
I’m not suggesting that one performance alone should cause levels of confidence we’ve never had before. He needs to do it consistently. But yesterday White showed that maybe his time as the man of mystery, a man of many positions and yet none, might finally be over. He’s captain of Ireland’s Under-21 team. The potential is there. Do what he did last night weekly and our man of potential will become a man of ability. Best of all? He just signed a new deal.
Aidy WhiteEvertonleedsLeeds Evertonleeds unitedLUFCWhite
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START @dm1n 2018-05-01T14:41:56+00:00
Monte Carlo, Palais Princier
Szymon Nehring is one of the most gifted and promising pianists of the younger generation in Poland. He is the only Pole to win First Prize at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in Tel Aviv, one of the most important piano competitions in the world.
In autumn 2017 he will begin his studies with Prof. Boris Berman at Yale School of Music. He studied at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz in the class of Prof. Stefan Wojtas, with whom he worked since 2013. Before that, he studied piano in the class of Olga Łazarska at the Mieczysław Karłowicz Primary Music School in Kraków and at the Fryderyk Chopin Secondary Music School in Kraków for 11 years.
In 2014 he won First Prize at the Arthur Rubinstein in Memoriam International Competition in Bydgoszcz. In 2015 he received a Krystian Zimerman scholarship and performed in the finals of the 17th Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition to win an Honourable Mention, the Audience Prize as well as a number of extra prizes. In 2017 he won First Prize at the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in Tel Aviv as well as several extra prizes, including the Best Performance of a Chopin Piece Prize.
His debut CD with music by Polish composers received the Fryderyk Award 2016 from the Polish Phonographic Academy (in the category Album of the Year – Solo Recital), the Joker from Crescendo magazine, and the Supersonic Award from Pizzicato magazine.
The year 2016 saw the release of the artist’s two albums: Chopin’s Piano Concertos with the Sinfonietta Cracovia orchestra conducted by Jurek Dybał and Krzysztof Penderecki, as well as Krzysztof Penderecki’s Piano Concerto “Resurrection” under the composer’s baton. The artist’s latest recording includes Chopin’s works performed on a period instrument (Erard 1858).
Szymon Nehring has given concerts in Russia, China, Ukraine, Estonia, Hungary, Romania, Austria, Germany, France, Norway, Italy, Israel, Argentine, Brazil, Chile, Canada, and the United States.
He has performed with orchestras such as the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Santander Orchestra, Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra and the majority of Polish orchestras, the Israel Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, collaborating with conductors including Jerzy Maksymiuk, Jacek Kaspszyk, Antoni Wit, Grzegorz Nowak, Omer Meir Wellber, John Axelrod, and Krzysztof Penderecki.
The artist’s recent and upcoming concerts include a tour of Japan and China, recitals at Carnegie Hall and Wigmore Hall, as well as performances at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, Copenhagen’s DR Koncerthuset, Barcelona’s Palau de la Música Catalana and Berlin’s Konzerthaus.
Szymon Nehring is represented by the Ludwig van Beethoven Association.
Photo by Bartek Barczyk
Photos by Piotr Markowski
Photos by Wojciech Grzędziński
Photos by Bruno Fidrych
Supersonic Award Diploma (F. Chopin Piano Concertos)
Santander Orchestra Award
Nagroda Publiczności – XVII Międzynarodowy Konkurs im. F. Chopina w Warszawie
Fryderyk 2016 w kategorii “Najlepszy recital solowy”
JOKER CRESCENDO
Supersonic Award Diploma
Chopin. 12 Etiud op. 25, Mazurki op. 33, Polonez
The second solo recital CD by Szymon Nehring, released by The National Institute of Frederic Chopin as a part of Blue Series. It contains artist’s […]
Chopin|Szymanowski|Mykietyn
Szymon Nehring, in his debut CD, recorded in 2015 in The Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music in Luslawice. It contains a varied repertoire of […]
Chopin: Fantazja f-moll op. 49, Barkarola, Nokturny
This new album in The Real Chopin series is Szymon Nehring’s first studio CD recorded for The Fryderyk Chopin Institute. One of the best Polish […]
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4 boys drown in beach while trying to rescue their friend who survived
The remains of the four boys who drown in beach while making attempt to rescue their friend at the Bosumtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour in Sekondi, Ghana last Sunday, were laid to rest yesterday after a burial service was held for them at Ketan in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.
According to sources, the deceased were part of about 15 youths who had gone to the Skyy Beach Haven, near the fishing harbour, to have fun on that fateful day.
The names of the deceased, who were all residents of Ketan near Sekondi, were given as Frank Amankwaa aka ‘Juju,’ 18, and a final-year student of a senior high school at Sekondi and Joseph Bonful, 20, former student of a technical school in Takoradi.
The rest are Agya Ackon, aka “Off” and one Evans, who was a welder at Ketan, near Sekondi.
Surprisingly, the person the four persons attempted to rescue, whose name was given only as Julius, 19, and a member of a local brass band group, survived.
Julius is currently receiving treatment at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi.
The bodies of the four persons were retrieved last Monday morning and were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.
Daily Guide learnt that one of the revellers decided to swim in the sea. When he got near the sea, he saw someone drowning and raised the alarm for the three other boys to join him.
They jumped into the sea and attempted to rescue the individual. Unfortunately, the four, who decided to help, died while the one, who was allegedly drowning, survived eventually.
A source in the area asserted that there was no rescue team in the vicinity and the onlookers were not willing to help resulting in the death of the other persons.
Relations of the deceased persons, who were present at the burial ceremony yesterday, could not hold back their tears as they were joined by well-wishers to bid farewell to their sons.
The classmates and friends of the four deceased were inconsolable as they wept bitterly when the caskets were taken from the service ground.
Tags: dies, Friend, Ghana, Rescue
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The following principles form the basis of the desired culture of Malton Neighbourhood Services and guide how it and its staff are expected to work together, work with people who come to the organization for service, and with partners and the communities it serves.
We are committed to building strong networks and partnerships that benefit the communities and improve the lives of the people we serve. We recognize and value the strength and expertise of others and seek opportunities to work collaboratively and in partnerships to reach desired outcomes.We promote positive working relationships and a spirit of collegiality. We make our knowledge, skills, and resources available to others, both within and outside our organization. As colleagues we actively look for ways to assist one another and do it respectfully, promptly and eagerly.
We will build a resilient and thriving organization, committed to doing what’s right. We will be honest and transparent, straightforward and genuine in all our dealing with people. We will treat every person and partner with dignity and respect. We will resolve interpersonal conflicts in a timely and respectful manner.
We are committed to excellence and to maintaining the public trust. We will strive to be responsible stewards of the resources and support we receive, utilizing them in the realization of our mission and the betterment of our communities and those we serve. We constantly strive to improve the effectiveness of the services we offer. We will complete what we set out to do, adding value to and making a tangible difference to our community and work.
We are committed to equitable treatment and the elimination of discrimination and barriers in all forms at all organizational levels and throughout all programs. We respect and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, service delivery and community. We recognize the rights of all individuals to mutual respect and accept others without biases based on differences of any kind. We will be fair, sensitive, accessible and responsive to diversity and difference and will strive to ensure diversity in all staff, volunteers, and service users, including full participation in programs, policy, formulation, and decision-making.
We take a genuine interest in the struggles and challenges of the individuals and communities we serve. We will support and encourage individuals to achieve their potential. We will provide assistance and support in a respectful, kind and friendly manner.We will strive to be self-aware and critically examine the consequences of both our long and short-term actions.
We will continue to develop the necessary competence and confidence to enable us to carry out our responsibilities in a professional manner. We will develop our staff and encourage a positive, professional, ethical and supportive workplace. We are willing to invest time and energy in learning and use what has been learned in everyday approaches to work.
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Category Archives: Financial risk
The impact of the CPA on Franchise Agreements
With franchises becoming a common phenomenon worldwide and franchisors, traditionally, benefitting from a strong bargaining position when negotiating franchise agreements, regulation of the industry has become inevitable and has South Africa’s legislature initiated this regulation through the Consumer Protection Act No.68 of 2008 (“CPA”), which was signed into law on 24 April 2011.
The CPA has forcibly changed the way franchises operate, in that franchisees are deemed to be consumers in terms of the CPA and now have a whole variety of consumer rights. The CPA and its detailed regulations, regulate the whole franchising process, which includes the “franchisor-franchisee relationship” and more importantly, the franchise agreement itself, which must contain prescribed clauses and information in order to be CPA compliant.
A fundamental change affecting the franchise industry is that every franchise agreement must now contain a cancellation clause, failure of which the agreement may be declared void. In terms of section 7(2) of the CPA, a franschisee may cancel a franchise agreement, without costs or penalty, within 10 business days after signing such agreement. Under this provision, if the franchisee excercises his right to cancel the agreement, the franchisor has no remedy to recover from the franchisee any loss suffered as a result of the cancellation.
In addition to the aforesaid, a franchisor must provide a potential franchisee with a disclosure document, in terms of Regulation 3 of the CPA, at least 14 days before the franchisee signs the franchise agreement. This document is aimed at giving the franchisee all the information required in order to make an informed decision. The document must, as a minimum, contain the following:
the number of individual outlets franchised by the franchisor;
the growth of the franchisor’s turover, net profit and the number of individual outlets, if any, franchised by the franchisor for the financial year prior to the date on which the prospective franchisee receives a copy of the disclosure document;
a statement confirming that there has been no significant or material changes in the company’s or franchisor’s financial position since the date of the last accounting officer, auditor’s certficate or certificate by a similar reviewer of the company or franchisor, that the company or franchisor has reasonable grounds to believe that it will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due; and
written projections of potential sales, income, gross or net profits or other financial projections for the franchised business.
Furthermore, the CPA governs the right of a franchisee to select suppliers in terms of section 13 of the CPA. The only platform in which the franchisor can now dictate supply are those goods which are branded or related to the branded products or franchise service.
The CPA also prohibits false or misleading representations concerning the performance, characteristics and benefits of the business, which is regarded as unfair, unreasonable and unjust contract terms. Franchise agreements must also contain provisions that prevent unreasonable fees, prices or other consideration and conduct that is not reasonably necessary for the protection of the legitimate business interests to the franchisor, franchisee or franschise system.
Sections 7 and 51 read together with Regulation 2 of the CPA, very specifically mark the parameters of clauses that must be included, as well as some that may not be included, in a franchise agreement.
Current and future franchise agreements will be largely impacted by the CPA and therefore business owners must acquaint themselves well with the ambit and workings of the CPA before entering into a franchise agreement. If you are a franchisee, it will benefit you greatly to make sure that you understand your rights and that you are not coerced into entering into a franchise agreement.
The practical effects of non-compliance with the CPA when negotiating and concluding franchise agreements have become apparent in rulings and findings by the National Consumer Tribunal, Consumer Court and National Consumer Commission, which do not tolerate any non-compliance with the strict provisions of the CPA. Readers are thus advised to obtain legal counsel before entering into a franchise agreement.
Reference List:
Consumer Protection Act. No 68 of 2008
Naudé T & Eiselen S, Commentary on the Consumer Protection Act, Juta, 2014
This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE).
This entry was posted in Financial risk and tagged CPA, Franchise Agreements, The impact on June 8, 2018 by Toksentjops.
Can I obtain financing if I don’t own immovable property as security?
The article gives a brief overview of what a notarial bond is, the requirements that need to be complied with to register a notarial bond and give tips regarding clauses that will prove to be useful in a notarial bond. It also deals with the situation where a debtor disposes of an asset listed in a notarial bond, contrary to the provisions thereof.
A very useful way of obtaining financing to start a new business, is to register a notarial bond over the movable property belonging to the business. For instance, notarial bonds are regularly utilised in transport companies – a notarial bond is registered over the vehicles forming the core of the business, but the vehicles do not need to be in the physical possession of the creditor, thus the business can fully operate.
What is a notarial bond?
A notarial bond is a general or special bond where the movable assets of a debtor are used as security for a debt. In terms of the notarial bond, the debtor undertakes to pay his debt towards the creditor, failing which the creditor will be entitled to sell these movable assets and to utilise the proceeds thereof to satisfy his claim against the debtor. There are 2 types of notarial bonds:
General notarial bond: all the movable assets on the debtor’s property serves as security for the debtor’s debt.
Special notarial bond: specific movable assets identified in the bond will serve as security for the debt.
How does a notarial bond differ from a pledge?
A pledge requires the delivery of the movable asset pledged. A notarial bond does not require the delivery of the movable assets identified in the bond, but in terms of section 1(1) of the Security by Means of Movable Property Act 57 of 1993, the movable property listed in the notarial bond will be deemed to have been pledged to the creditor as effectually as if it had been delivered to the creditor. The fact that the creditor is deemed to be in possession of the property thus places him on equal footing with that of a pledgee. The creditor, upon registration of the notarial bond in the deeds registry, acquires a real right of security in the movable property specified in the bond.
Existence of a principal debt;
Assets which serve as security must be movable, including corporeal and incorporeal assets.
Corporeal assets include furniture, vehicles, the goods of a business, animals and the future offspring of animals and stock in trade.
Incorporeal assets include an unregistered long-term lease of immovable property, a short-term lease of immovable property, a liquor license, a water use license, site permit, shares in a company, goodwill of a business, book debts etc.
What if more than one creditor uses the same asset as security for their debt?
A bond which was registered first enjoys priority over a bond registered thereafter.
Important clause to insert in the bond:
To prevent the debtor from disposing of assets which serve as security in terms of the notarial bond, a clause should be inserted disallowing the debtor to sell, alienate, dispose of, transfer or permit the removal of the asset from the debtor’s place of residence or place where he carries on business, without the prior written consent of the creditor.
What happens if a debtor disposes of the asset identified in the notarial bond, contrary to the stipulations in the notarial bond?
The creditor will be able to apply for provisional sentence summons against the debtor, provided that the notarial deed meets the requirement of being a liquid document. A liquid document is a document which indicates, without having to consult extrinsic evidence, an acknowledgement of debt, of which the amount is easily determinable. A notarial bond will in general qualify as being a liquid document.
A creditor will also be able to claim back an asset which has been sold, contrary to the provisions of the notarial bond, to a bona fide third party, from such third party. The reason for that is the fact that a notarial bond, which has been registered in the Deeds Registry, creates a real right, which is a right that attaches to property, rather than a person.
It is not easy to obtain credit in the economic environment in which our country currently finds itself. However, there are ways to get your business off the ground and registering a notarial bond over the property of your business is a recognised method of securing your business’ debt. If notarial bonds can be utilised more frequently, it can help a lot of new businesses get the financing they need to buy equipment, vehicles and machinery necessary for the operation of the business.
Explanatory Notes Part 1: Course in Notarial Practice, compiled by Gawie Le Roux, Erinda Frantzen and Ilse Pretorius
The South African Notary, sixth edition, M J Lowe, M O Dale, A De Kock, S L Froneman, A J G Lang
This entry was posted in Financial risk and tagged Immovable property, obtain financing, own on June 8, 2018 by Toksentjops.
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US Supreme Court Center > Volume 263 > DAYTON-GOOSE CREEK RY. CO. V. ICC, 263 U. S. 456 (1924)
DAYTON-GOOSE CREEK RY. CO. V. ICC, 263 U. S. 456 (1924)
Dayton-Goose Creek Ry. Co. v. ICC, 263 U.S. 456 (1924)
Dayton-Goose Creek Railway Company
v. Interstate Commerce Commission
Argued November 16, 19, 1923
Decided January 7, 1924
1. The power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce includes the power to foster, protect, and control it, with proper regard for the welfare of those who are immediately concerned as well as of the public at large. P. 263 U. S. 478.
2. Section 422 of the Transportation Act 1920, by the new section, 15a, added by it to the Interstate Commerce Act, directs the Interstate Commerce Commission: to establish rates which will enable the carriers, as a whole, or by rate groups or territories fixed by the Commission, to receive a fair net operating return upon the property they hold in the aggregate for use in transportation (par. 2); to establish from time to time the percentage of the value of the aggregate property constituting a fair operating return, the act, however, fixing it for the years 1920 and 1921 at 5%, with discretion in the Commission to add one-half of 1% as a fund for adding betterments on capital account (par. 3), and to fix from time to time such aggregate property value. The said § 15a provides further that, because it is impossible to establish uniform rates on competitive traffic adequate to sustain all the carriers needed for the business without giving some an income in excess of a fair return, any carrier receiving such excess shall hold it as trustee for the United States (par. 5); that such excess shall be distributed, one-half to the carrier as a reserve fund, the other half to a general railroad revolving fund, to be maintained by the Commission (par. 6); that the carrier may use such reserve to pay dividends, interest on securities, or rent for leased roads to the extent that its net operating income for any year is less than 6% (par. 7), and whenever such reserve equals 5% of the value of its property, and while it so continues, the carrier's one-half of excess
income may be used for any lawful purpose (par. 8); that the general revolving fund shall be administered by the Commission in making loans to carriers to meet expenditures on capital account, to refund maturing securities originally issued on capital account, and for buying equipment and facilities and leasing or selling them to carriers (pars. 10-17).
(a) The provisions for "recapture" and use of excess income are essential to the plan of the act, which aims for an efficient national transportation system, and therein seeks to maintain uniform rates, for all shippers, as a means of distributing traffic and avoiding congestion on the stronger railroads, while keeping the net returns of the railroads, whether strong or weak, to the varying percentages that are fair for them respectively. P. 263 U. S. 479.
(b) Rates which, as a body, enable all the railroads necessary to do the business of a rate section, to enjoy not more than a fair net operating income on the aggregate value of their properties therein economically and efficiently operated are, in their general level, reasonable from the standpoint of the individual shipper in that section. P. 263 U. S. 480.
(c) The statute leaves the reasonableness of each particular rate open to inquiry independently of the net return to the carrier from all. Pp. 263 U. S. 480-483.
(d) A railroad, however strong financially, economical in facilities, or favorably situated as to traffic is not entitled as of constitutional right to more than a fair net operating income upon the value of its properties devoted to transportation. P. 263 U. S. 481.
(e) Decisions holding that the fact that the revenue of a carrier from both local and interstate commerce gave a fair profit was irrelevant to the question whether the intrastate rates were unreasonably high or low do not make against the use of a fair return of operating profit as a standard of reasonableness of rates when the issue respects the general level of all the rates received by the carrier. P. 263 U. S. 483.
(f) The net operating profit accruing to a carrier from its whole rate structure is relevant evidence in determining whether the sum of the rates is fair to the carrier; reduction of excessive profit, as provided by the act, is tantamount to reducing the rates proportionately before collection. P. 263 U. S. 483.
(g) Under the statute, excess income is taken in trust, and the carrier never has such a title to it as to render its recapture by the government a taking without due process in violation of the Fifth Amendment. P. 263 U. S. 484.
(h) Inasmuch as the part of the excess income retained by the government belongs equitably to neither carriers nor shippers, it may properly be devoted by the government, as the act provides, to help the weaker railroads more effectively to discharge their public duties. P. 263 U. S. 484.
(i) The recapture clause does not, by reducing net income from intrastate rates, invade the reserved power of the states, in violation of the Tenth Amendment, but, in view of its relation to the plan and national purpose of the act, is within the power of Congress over interstate commerce. P. 263 U. S. 485.
(j) Absence of provision in the act itself for judicial hearing on the fairness of the return is not a constitutional objection, since the steps prescribed amount to a direct and indirect legislative fixing of rates, and resort to the courts on the question of confiscation is left open under Jud.Code §§ 208, 211. P. 263 U. S. 485.
(k) Limitation of the return to 6%, on the property of a public utility is not necessarily confiscatory. P. 263 U. S. 486.
(l) In this case, the issue of confiscation, not having been raised in the complaining carrier's bill, is not before the Court, but, semble, that 8% on the property value reported by the carrier, remaining to it after paying the one-half excess income to the Commission, is not confiscatory. P. 263 U. S. 486.
(m) To attack the return allowed upon the ground that the property valuation upon which it was computed was too low, the bill should allege the true values. P. 263 U. S. 486.
(n) Whether the property values reported by a carrier to the Commission, upon which its net income was calculated, were understated is a question of fact, to be decided, primarily, at least, by the Commission, and which cannot be considered by the Court when the carrier has not invoked the Commission's decision upon it. P. 263 U. S. 487.
287 F. 728, affirmed.
Appeal from a decree of the district court which dismissed a bill brought by the appellant Railway Company attacking the constitutionality of orders made by the Interstate Commerce Commission under the Transportation Act and praying that the United States, the Commission and a United States district attorney be enjoined from prosecuting civil or criminal actions to enforce the orders.
Powered by Justia US Supreme Court Center: DAYTON-GOOSE CREEK RY. CO. V. ICC, 263 U. S. 456 (1924)
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US Supreme Court Center > Volume 453 > ROBBINS V. CALIFORNIA, 453 U. S. 420 (1981)
ROBBINS V. CALIFORNIA, 453 U. S. 420 (1981)
Robbins v. California, 453 U.S. 420 (1981)
Robbins v. California
No. 80-148
Argued April 27, 1981
Decided July 1, 1981
When California Highway Patrol officers stopped petitioner's station wagon for proceeding erratically, they smelled marihuana smoke as he opened the car door. In the ensuing search of the car, the officers found in the luggage compartment two packages wrapped in green opaque plastic. They then unwrapped the packages, both of which contained bricks of marihuana. Petitioner was charged with various drug offenses, and, after his pretrial motion to suppress the evidence found when the packages were unwrapped was denied, he was convicted. The California Court of Appeal affirmed, holding that the warrantless opening of the packages was constitutionally permissible, since any experienced observer could reasonably have inferred from the appearance of the packages that they contained bricks of marihuana.
Held: The judgment is reversed. Pp. 453 U. S. 423-29; 453 U. S. 429-436.
103 Cal.App.3d 34, 162 Cal.Rptr. 780, reversed.
JUSTICE STEWART, joined by JUSTICE BRENNAN, JUSTICE WHITE, and JUSTICE MARSHALL, concluded that the opening of the packages without a search warrant violated the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. Pp. 453 U. S. 423-429.
(a) A closed piece of luggage found in a lawfully searched car is constitutionally protected to the same extent as are closed pieces of luggage found anywhere else. United States v. Chadwick, 433 U. S. 1; Arkansas v. Sanders, 442 U. S. 753. Pp. 453 U. S. 423-425.
(b) With respect to the constitutional protection to which a closed container found in the lawful search of an automobile is entitled, there is no distinction between containers, such as suitcases, commonly used to transport "personal effects," i.e., property worn on or carried about the person or having some intimate relation to the person, and flimsier containers, such as cardboard boxes and plastic bags. Such a distinction has no basis in the language or meaning of the Fourth Amendment, which protects people and their effects, and protects those effects whether they are "personal" or "impersonal." And there are no objective criteria by which such a distinction could be made. Pp. 453 U. S. 425-427.
(c) Unless a closed container found in an automobile is such that
its contents may be said to be in plain view, those contents are fully protected by the Fourth Amendment. Here, the evidence was insufficient to justify an exception to the rule on the ground that the contents of the packages in question could be inferred from their outward appearance. To fall within such exception, a container must so clearly announce its contents, whether by its distinctive configuration, transparency, or otherwise, that its contents are obvious to the observer. Pp. 453 U. S. 427-428.
JUSTICE POWELL concluded that petitioner had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the opaquely wrapped and sealed package in question. The Fourth Amendment requires a police officer to obtain a warrant before searching a container that customarily serves as a repository for personal effects or when, as here, the circumstances indicate that the defendant has a reasonable expectation that the contents will not be open to public scrutiny. Pp. 453 U. S. 429-436.
STEWART, J., announced the judgment of the Court and delivered an opinion, in which BRENNAN, WHITE, and MARSHALL, JJ., joined. BURGER, C.J., concurred in the judgment. POWELL, J., filed an opinion concurring in the judgment, post, p. 453 U. S. 429. BLACKMUN, J., post, p. 453 U. S. 436, REHNQUIST, J., post, p. 453 U. S. 437, and STEVENS, J., post, p. 453 U. S. 444, filed dissenting opinions.
Powered by Justia US Supreme Court Center: ROBBINS V. CALIFORNIA, 453 U. S. 420 (1981)
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Artillery Chain of Command
& Responsibilities
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Taken from www.cwartillery.org/artillery.html
Colonel: commands a regiment of artillery (72 cannons and 1,840 men).
Lieutenant Colonel: the Colonels second-in-command commands the regiment in the absence of the Colonel.
Major: a staff officer at the battalion level.
Sergeant Major: the battalion orderly Sergeant, the senior NCO in the battalion.
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant: Issues clothing, equipment, and rations to the men of the regiment with the help of the Battery Quartermaster Sergeants.
Ordinance Sergeant: in charge of all of the ordinance in the battalion. He insures that the batteries get the proper type and amount of ammunition.
Captain: commands a battery (6 cannons and 152 men).
The Captain had overall command, control, and responsibility for the training, serviceability, and combat operation of the battery's personnel and equipment. He was not only the chief recruiter of the battery, but also used his influence to acquire horses and other material, through means outside normal requisitions, to keep his battery in the best possible condition. Depending on the organization of the army at a particular time, the Captain received his orders from either an artillery battalion commander, a division "Chief of Artillery", or an infantry brigade commander; ranking from Major to Brigadier General respectively. The Captain had command over as many as 152 men and 98 horses in a six-gun battery with six horse teams. In a four-gun battery with four horse teams he had to have a minimum of 71 men and 45 horses to function efficiently. Most artillery officers were very slow to receive promotion due to the relatively light casualties and "turnover" in the long arm as compared to the infantry.
First Lieutenant: commands a section (2 cannons) and is the Captains second-in-command, commands the battery in the absence of the Captain.
The First Lieutenant had command of, and responsibility for, their respective sections consisting of two half-sections (40 men top average), and their equipment (two cannon, two caissons, four limbers, and 20 to 30 horses). The section leaders received their orders from the Captain and performed various additional duties such as: brigade/division artillery inspector; requisitioning ammunition, clothing, harness, tools, and tentage; battalion officer of the day. Occasionally a section from a battery was ordered out on picket duty or a special detail with a small infantry force. This gave the Lieutenant good training and experience in independent command - a chance to catch a commander's eye. Lieutenants were often assigned to supervising the construction of small bridges or earthworks. On the march they rode abreast of their sections to keep the proper intervals and to check straggling. During battle a section leaders sometimes dismounted to direct his section's fire on order of the Captain, otherwise he directed the section from horseback. All officers as well as Sergeants were mounted in a field battery, many times on their personal mounts. In the event the Captain was absent, the senior Lieutenant took command of the battery. In many instances, especially in four gun batteries, when a senior Lieutenant took the command permanently he was not promoted, but finished the war as senior First Lieutenant, Commanding.
Second Lieutenant: commands the line of caissons.
The junior officer of a battery had command of, and responsibility for, all the caissons and ordnance (cartridges and projectiles). The personnel under his direction included the Chiefs of the Limbers (junior Corporals), the drivers, and any extra men assigned him. This officer was also frequently assigned the additional duty of adjutant. During battle his duties were to insure maximum protection of the caissons, their teams, and his men from hostile fire - yet keep them in close enough proximity to the battery and battle lines that the demand for ammunition could be satisfied quickly.
First Sergeant: the battery orderly Sergeant and the senior NCO in the battery. He represents the enlisted men in front of the officers.
The ranking staff NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) worked for, and answered to, the Captain only. He carried out all details desired by the Captain that pertained to the battery, not an individual segment of it. He assisted the Captain in the supervision of the battery's operations and was responsible for the administration work of the battery. He prepared reports, called roll, maintained the fatigue and duty rosters, and made recommendations on personnel actions. He also assigned, assisted, supervised, and checked the various details such as: posting guards, equipment repair, stable call, and horse grooming. He was the overseer of training and discipline, and instructed the Sergeants on their NCO duties. During battle he had no combat station, but stayed near the Captain and carried out any orders issued him. If the battery happened to be short an officer due to leave, sickness, or death, the First Sergeant took up the duties of the Chief of the Line of Caissons by direction of the Captain. He remained assigned until a replacement was transferred in, or more often, he was elected and/or permanently promoted the junior Lieutenant. Only in extreme necessity would the First Sergeant have command of a section.
Battery Quartermaster Sergeant: Issues clothing, equipment, and rations to the men of the battery.
This staff NCO received his direction from the First Sergeant or the Captain. As the Quartermaster Sergeant he was responsible for drawing and issuing clothing, personal gear, rations, and sometimes small arms ammunition to the enlisted men of the company, and kept the appropriate records. In some instances in a four-gun battery with limited manpower, the Second Sergeant took up the duties of a Quartermaster Commissary Sergeant, in addition to his command of a half-section. The Quartermaster Sergeant had charge of all details concerning the teamsters and their wagons. When drawing Quartermaster supplies the details traveled to a depot or storage site, loaded the wagons, and returned to camp, a trip that sometimes took several days. In battle the Quartermaster Sergeant, like the First Sergeant, had no combat assignment. He was to keep with the commander and carry out any orders issued him. However, most often he was detailed to remain with the baggage or supply wagons assigned the battery or the parent artillery battalion and see to their safe keeping. Some batteries, especially Union six-gun companies, had a separate Commissary Sergeant to handle rations.
Sergeant (Chief of Piece): commands one gun and its limber.
The Sergeant had command of, and responsibility for the men and equipment of a half-section. The personnel consisted of the gunner and his cannoneers, and the Chief of the Limber and his drivers. The equipment under their control was one cannon, 9 to 13 horses, and all their harness and saddles. The Sergeant assigned all duty positions in his half-section, except for the Corporals, and he insured that the cannoneers and drivers were not only properly trained, by that they could switch roles on an individual basis if necessary. During battle he dismounted, leaving his horse with the drivers, and took his post in rear of his piece. In action he was to follow, repeat, and carry out the Section Leader's orders promptly; insure that the Gunner selected the correct target and used the proper range and projectile; check that the Chief of the Limber was prepared to send forward ammunition as necessary; and see that downed horses were unharnessed and replaced as the situation dictated. On the march he rode beside the left lead horse and performed duty as guide for his half-section. The Sergeants were ranked in order of seniority, i.e., Second Sergeant, Third Sergeant, Fourth Sergeant, etc.
Corporal (Gunner): commands the cannon only, in charge of aiming the cannon and the five privates under him.
The Gunner had command of, and responsibility for the men and equipment of a gun detachment. The detachment personnel consisted of the cannoneers (a minimum of six, maximum of ten) and the equipment included one cannon. On the road they marched near their pieces with their cannoneers. Here they were able to check straggling and work to keep their respective pieces well up in traveling order. During battle each carried out the orders of his Chief of the Piece. He aimed and sighted the piece and gave the orders for its combat firing. According to the Section Leader he controlled the rate of fire, much of which depended on the quick sighting of the piece, as this usually took longer than the loading operation due to the recoil. The Corporals, like the Sergeants, were in order of seniority. The senior half of the Corporals were the Gunners, the junior half the Chiefs of the Limber.
Corporal (Chief of Limber): commands the limber, in charge of the ordnance in his limber and makes sure that the cannon gets the right round with the proper fuse setting.
The junior Corporal’s primary job was the care of the limbers and caisson, especially in seeing that the ammunition in them was properly packed and in good condition. These Corporals had limited authority over the drivers of their respective half-sections, but the drivers were first subject to the wishes of the Chief of line of Caissons and the Chief of the Piece. As far as the drivers were concerned, his main duty was to insure they kept proper care of their animals and the harness in their charge. On the road he marched near the caisson; only infrequently was he mounted. In battle he helped direct the caisson of his half-section into a secured position as directed by the Chief of line of Caissons. Once reaching the position he, with any extra men assigned, readied ammunition for transfer to the forward limber. Many times he is referred to as the "Chief of the Limber."
Corporals and Privates (Pioneers): Working-parties that are attached to batteries to mend roads, remove obstacles, and erect defenses.
Privates (Cannoneers)
Had active participation in the loading and firing of the piece they were assigned, and were trained according to numbers that described the duties of each particular gun position. Though each was trained in a priority position, they were generally trained on all positions and also that of driver. The cannoneers received their battle commands from the Gunner with the Chief of the Piece supervising the overall action of the detachment. On campaigns they marched aside their respective piece and were continually lending muscle to the pieces in mud, snow, swamps, and steep grades. In emergencies and on order of the Captain, they mounted the limbers and caissons for quick transportation or disposition on the battlefield. This mode was not used, however, on ordinary marches or while under artillery fire. Horses quickly fatigued with the added weight and by 1862 both armies issued general orders for the cannoneers to march with their pieces.
Privates (Drivers)
Are the horsemen or riders that played an active part in moving the ordnance equipment. Each driver had two horses and their harness under his care. Each rode the left horse of his team and was held responsible for the feeding, watering, and grooming of the team. They were usually picked for this duty because of their knowledge or skill with the animals. During battle they brought the cannons into position under the direction of the Sergeant (Chief of the Piece). The caisson drivers were directed into position by the chief of line of caissons, frequently taking position under hostile fire. Keeping the horses calm during battle and removing harness from downed horses was a skill of the drivers often used. The drivers had to be alert at all times in case the ordnance had to be removed from its position in haste. However, once the artillery line was established the drivers would often dismount and lay on the ground with their reins in their hands, depending on the amount of hostile fire being received. Though they were not 'up front', artillery generally had the tendency to shoot high, causing consternation among the drivers trying to control horses just in rear of the main battle line. The only drivers that were not usually with the battery in battle were those that drove the traveling forge and battery wagon. This equipment was usually in the rear of the army on the march.
Privates (Teamsters or Wagoneers)
Were under the direction of the Quartermaster Sergeant and were assigned to drive and care for the baggage wagons (normally two), forage wagons, and sometimes an ambulance. Most of these men were paid an extra rate. These men were considered important not just because they looked after the baggage, but they guarded it with zeal from other troops and commands. Forage and corn for the horses were a much sought after commodity - sometimes by starving infantrymen. Under their care were the wagon teams of either two or four animals, usually mules and their harness. On the march they were in rear of the battery and sometimes in rear of the army in the baggage train. Also, these men and the extras handled and cared for the extra horses belonging to the battery. Normally a battery would have from four to eight men detailed to this duty; sometimes it was rotated, but often not. Often the teamsters were detailed to the battalion or brigade quartermaster, especially in the later part of the conflict. Many times these men were railed as shirkers from the fighting part of the army. In part this was true, but they performed a valuable service and most did their duty to the end, and even though they did not relish front line positions, they contributed.
Privates (Artificer & Farrier)
These men were specialists who were paid an additional rate like teamsters. In winter camps and during lulls in active campaigning they broke out their tools from the battery wagon and forge and went to work. The artificer was primarily a blacksmith - he repaired the wood and iron parts of the battery carriages. The farriers specific task was to keep all the horses and mules shod - a large task considering the number of animals in a battery. There is some evidence that a few batteries had an artificer assigned to each half-section. However, most records indicate that only two men, or a maximum of three, were assigned this duty in a single battery. They received their instructions from the First Sergeant and traveled in the rear of the battery near their tools.
Privates (Spare men)
Almost all batteries retained a number of extra men above the minimum required for the battery to function properly. These men were assigned to the detachments for training and for quick replacement of battle casualties, hospitalized sick, and furloughed men. Usually the complement was placed under charge of the chief of line of caissons and remained with the caissons during active campaigning. Occasionally some of these men were detailed to the Quartermaster Sergeant. The First Sergeant also used them as a ready pool of manpower when the battery was in drill status so miscellaneous work could be accomplished. This position was not an official assignment nor were men placed here in a permanent status. Cannoneers and drivers were constantly absent for various reasons and these men were quickly rotated into an open slot. All privates were supposedly trained in the duties of cannoneer and driver.
Privates (Musicians)
Though batteries were authorized as many as three musicians, the complement was usually no more than one or two buglers. The primary bugler was assigned to the captain's staff, was authorized to be mounted, and kept close to the Captain's Headquarters at all times. Soldiers of a battery were quick to learn the calls of the bugle, and on a routine day at least four and as many as ten were made. Over the noise of battle the bugle was also heard to sound 'In Battery', 'Commence Firing', and 'Cease Firing' on the captain's command. In the morning many batteries preferred 'Boots and Saddles' over the more common 'Reveille'. Being on the commander's staff the bugler was given other tasks and duties. Many were assigned as orderlies or clerks.
Privates (Guidon)
The color bearer, more appropriately the guidon bearer, held a position on the captain's staff akin to the bugler. The importance of the guidon is realized when considering that armies of the day maneuvered on small parcels of land with thousands of troops. Coupled with road dust, confusion, and battle smoke, the battery's sections needed a marker the guides (Sergeants) could see so they could direct their detachments on the march and onto the battlefield. The guidon fulfilled this need by indicating the direction of march the Captain wanted taken. When arriving at a position to form a battle line, the guidon first halted to establish the right or center of the proposed line. The guidon's official position in battle was supposed to be on the right, left, or center of the line of caissons, or 35 yards in rear of the cannon muzzle line. As the war progressed this position was modified to the center of the limbers, 20 yards in rear of the guns. The color bearer himself was selected on special trust and confidence by the officers. His duties required that he be mounted, and in camp he was given duties as an orderly or clerk. In camp the colors were furled and cased to protect them from the elements and usually kept in the officer's quarters. The importance of the banner as a device of esprit de corps need not be discussed here.
This page last updated: May 26, 2005
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Purge it, baby
These three sentences by Bob Dreyfuss (posted under a blog entry about Colin Powell's resignation) really capture (well, in my humble opinion) what is happening at the highest levels of government (notice all those suddenly empty offices?). Which is just to say that the Bush administration is going all bulemic on our collective asses, barfing up everyone who might prevent it from getting its way in foreign policy matters. (Hmmm... bit of an awkward metaphor, perhaps, but you get the drift.) Anyway, Dreyfuss writes:
"It’s clear to me that the invasion of Fallujah was just a diversionary action. It was meant to distract attention from the real offensive: the blitzkrieg against the CIA and the State Department. Those two agencies were the locus of opposition to Bush’s reckless foreign policy, and they are no more."
Check out the whole damned blog here.
Oh yeah, is there any other "Colin" in the world who pronounces their name "Colon"?!
If you're at all interested in the future of creativity...
...you should tell your Senator to oppose the omnibus copyright bill currently emerging in Congress. Here's why this proposed smorgasbord of laws is so heinous.
If you're at all interested in the future of jazz...
...you should probably check out the recent (2003) NEA-funded report on the worklife of jazz musicians. You can get it here. Scroll down and download the PDF of the Executive Summary.
Right there, in the introduction, I finally saw in writing exactly the thing I've been struggling with over the last four years with the IJG. I quote:
"As A.B. Spellman indicated in his introduction to the NEA publication American Jazz Masters Fellowships 1982-2002, jazz was 'built on the discipline of collective improvisation ... which allowed for maximum expression of the individual within the context of the group.' The group, however, is often an ever-changing one. Unlike classical music, with orchestral members staying together for decades, or even rock, where more often than not musicians make their music as a group, jazz musicians often look for jams or gigs as individuals rather than in groups."
"Playing with multiple groups can be problematic. Musicians may not stay in a group long enough for it to grow into a solid band, and moving from group to group and gig can make linear career development difficult."
Yes... for both musicians and bandleaders. What you end up with are fewer cohesive, innovative groups, and more pickup groups that get together ephemerally to play--what else?--standards. Think about it: how can you pull off something Mingusian, something Ellingtonian, in a session, in a weekend, even in a tour? Those guys had more or less regular working bands which, though never entirely consistent in terms of personnel, were together long enough to push each other in some concerted but fascinating new directions.
Anyway... everything else you might have assumed about the extra-musical aspects of jazz is borne out by this study: in particular, most of its musicians are highly educated, pathetically underpaid, and lacking in health and retirement benefits. All this in the face of jazz being identified as a "national treasure" by the US Congress. Dontcha love the irony?
(Thanks to Robert Jacobson for forwarding this to me.)
Let the healing begin!
(But first there's this...)
Tomorrow is "Impeach Bush Day." (Probably the first of many.)
National Impeach Bush Day
Contact your representatives in Congress and ask them to initiate the impeachment process. (Faxes are particularly effective.) Tell your friends. Make an "Impeach Bush" sign for your window. Restore law and order to the White House! Refer them to this website for more information.
My first two reviews for All About Jazz were just published:
Here's one about the Yohimbe Brothers's Tao of Yo.
And here's one about David Sanchez's Coral.
Funny, I liked the Sanchez album more, though I think the review of the Yohimbe Brothers is better written and more interesting. Both reviews were edited very slightly, I'm not sure to what effect.
More on civil war... within the Republican Party
George Paine picked up this item from America Blog:
Religious right BLASTS Mary Cheney's "flaunting" of her homosexuality.
Red Dawn, sort of
Okay, I was hesitating to blog this, because it at first seemed so, well, incredible (in the literal sense of the term). A few (very few) places on the web are addressing a story about tanks on the streets of LA, apparently used to intimidate an anti-war protest. I'm still skeptical (I'm skeptical about everything these days), but I just got off the phone with a friend who has a friend who was there. So I wish some qualified investigative journalist would get on this story and clarify it for the rest of us. (Particularly those of us who actually have to live and work in LA!)
United States of Canada
Remember when Dave Foley (of the Kids in the Hall) referred to Canada as "America without the guns"?
You need to read this, though be sure to have a barf bag nearby.
How can you have an intelligent discussion with someone who rejects the notion of compromise out of hand?
Moral values, eh?
Someone sent me this. There was a story on Salon too, but I won't send you there because you have to be a member or watch an annoying History Channel ad. The original video was released by Texans for Truth sometime at the end of October (as far as I can tell). Why did Kerry not just put this in a campaign ad and saturate the swing states with it?
And then there's this...
Whaddya know? There were problems with electronic voting in Ohio.
More about the kids...
Students at a Colorada high school protest Bush.
Insult to injury
Elizabeth Edwards has breast cancer. We all hope she will have a speedy recovery.
I saw a C-SPAN broadcast of a town-hall meeting she participated in a few weeks ago. She's an amazing, articulate, super-smart woman.
Speaking of C-SPAN, I saw the rebroadcast of Kerry's concession speech last night. I had already read the transcript, but watching the video, I realized that there was something about his expression that seemed to convey what those of us who had supported him were feeling: a sense of exhaustion, incredulity, and grief. It was as if someone we loved had unexpectedly died.
In the words of Hunter S. Thompson...
"This may be the year when we finally come face to face with ourselves; finally just lay back and say it -- that we are really just a nation of 220 million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns, and no qualms at all about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable."
Things to do today
1. Pick jaw up off floor. (You mean the combined forces of Bruce Springsteen, Howard Stern, and Eminem couldn't sway this election?!)
2. Bitch and moan for 24 hours or so (hey, I think we're all entitled).
3. Get over it.
4. Note to self: Nixon was re-elected too. (Indeed, as Eleanor Holmes Norton put it today, Kerry nearly did the impossible by almost unseating an incumbent war president. These guys (i.e., incumbent war presidents) tend to get re-elected without much trouble.)
(By the way, all you working class folks who voted for Bush... I don't know why you're rejoicing. It's primarily your kids who are going to be killed in this war. It's primarily your jobs that are going to be outsourced.)
5. Consider that Bush is now emboldened. He thinks he has a mandate. That means that at some point very soon, he will probably get so extreme that the more center-leaning of his supporters will make attempts to rein him in. There may already be signs of this, in fact. As Bruce Bartlett told Ron Suskind in a recent New York Times piece, "if Bush wins, there will be a civil war in the Republican Party starting on Nov. 3." Let's hope.
6. Sit my lovely wife down and make a plan to have more kids. Why? I realized during one of my many half-awake / half asleep moments last night that the reason the evangelicals tipped this election (assuming they actually did) is that they procreate like rabbits. Hey, that's what happens when you're opposed to both abortion and birth control. And I'll bet there's a study somewhere that says that progressives are less likely to raise big families. C'mon people, let's get on this! It will have the added benefit of relieving some of the tension of the last few months.
7. Brainstorm about ways to develop out progressive religious movements (like liberation theology, for instance). Now, I'm the least qualified to speak on this topic, as I waver between being a lapsed Catholic, an agnostic, and an out-and-out atheist. But someone on the left needs to pick up and run with this thread or we're never going to win those damned "red" states. Sean Carroll has a similar idea.
(By the way, what's up with that color scheme business? Didn't it used to be a bad thing to be "red"?)
8. Beer. Lots of beer. And music. Lots of music.
9. Hug my wife and daughter and make sure they know I love them.
One more before voting...
Hey, get a load of this.
For whatever convoluted reason, it reminds me of the RIAA's amnesty program.
This election sure is bringing out the worst (or at least the most extreme) in people. Look no further than my last post, for instance--clearly over-the-top for someone who prides himself on rational, even-handed thinking.
It's a broad phenomenon. On Friday conservative psycho-bitch Ann Coulter (ah, shit, I did it again!) roused the antipathy of Bill Mahr's audience, and particularly that of Mahr's other guest, Richard Belzer. Belzer reached a boiling point ("She's repugnant!" he exclaimed--she, earlier, had referred to him as "Osama bin Laden") and a usually in-control Mahr actually seemed, for a few wincing moments, well... hapless in the face of this confrontation between his two friends.
On Saturday I saw a CBC program on the election (broadcast courtesy of C-SPAN, one of my favorite channels). Some anchor was moderating a kind of town-hall meeting of American voters; the discussion was interspersed with comments by concerned Canadians. One of the latter was actually a soft-spoken middle-aged American woman who had renounced her US citizenship as a last-resort protest against Bush's policies. It wasn't a violent protest in any sense; at one point she actually started weeping, apparently while considering the ramifications of her decision. It was horrible, pathetic, moving. One might argue it was patriotism at its most poignant, and at its most extreme.
I have always tried to resist the tendency, whether on the right or on the left, to see the world in Manichaean terms. Much as I admire Michael Moore, for instance, part of me is slightly embarrassed by his penchant for broad strokes; he's like the Oliver Stone of documentarians. You would think that the bald truth about the administration's actions would be horrifying enough to serve as the kind of searing indictment Moore is ultimately after; the creative edits and ironic soundtrack moments are fun, sure, but not necessarily convincing to those who aren't already anti-Bush (as the recent spate of anti-Michael Moore books and films has demonstrated).
On the other hand, reason doesn't seem to do the trick either, because there are plenty of more measured critics of the administration whose message is nevertheless not getting through (again, quoting Belzer: "Americans are stupid!"). So maybe we need Moore, however much we might not agree with his tactics (Todd Gitlin aptly called him the "anti-Bush"). And maybe we're just living in an era of extremes. Time and again I re-consider the evidence, trying to find some weakness in the argument against Bush. Time and again I come to the same dreary conclusion: that the administration is absolutely, insanely wrong. That conclusion terrifies me--it's a Manichaean conclusion, after all--but I can't escape it.
I hope we all escape it tomorrow.
If you're at all interested in the future of creat...
If you're at all interested in the future of jazz....
Tomorrow is "Impeach Bush Day." (Probably the fir...
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Alumni Profile
Rebecca Gilbert: The Look and Feel of Portland
Rebecca Gilbert of Stumptown Printers has been at the heart of Portland’s independent publishing scene for over a decade.
Standing in the cavernous, 4,500-square-foot shop letterpress and print shop Stumptown Printers, the clickity clack of presses creates an intoxicating rhythm. The oily smell of ink draws visitors in further, while the vibrant collection of posters produced by this co-operative becomes a feast for the eyes.
Stumptown Printers is not your typical print shop and PNCA alumna Rebecca Gilbert, one of its founders, is not your typical entrepreneur.
The Vermont native has spent the better part of her post-PNCA years at the helm of Stumptown Printers, the go-to printing company for musicians (hometown heroes, the Decemberists, among them) seeking environmental responsibility and Portland aesthetics in their CD packaging and promotional materials. Over the last 10 years, she also founded and directed the Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC), a nonprofit for zine publishers and artists.
“I’ve been working a lot. That’s a good thing, right?” she says, smiling. “Gosh, I think I’ve only been to visit the school four times since I finished in late 1996. Where has the time gone?” She spent her freshman year at Humboldt State University in Northern California, but transferred to PNCA after her sophomore year. Drawn to PNCA for its independent study program, Gilbert immersed herself in letterpress printing and bookbinding (she took these courses at the Oregon College of Arts and Craft through its partnership with the College) and also pursued a professional internship.
“I had always been really into typography,” says Gilbert, who interned with PNCA alum Pete McCracken, ’95 at Crack Press, where she learned the nuances of digital font and type design. “Working with Pete, I found myself referencing the physical type, or those carved by hand and cast in metal, quite a lot,” she says.
Upon completion of her BFA, Gilbert did typography work at various businesses around Portland, including Powells.com and the L&B Studios run by PNCA alumni Mark Bornowski ’83 and Marguerite Leon ’85 while also taking on her proudest accomplishment—establishing the Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC).
Founded in 1998, the IPRC filled what Gilbert called “a major void” in the late 1990’s, a time she says saw a flurry of interest in independent publishing. Largely inspired by her senior thesis project— guiding at-risk high school students in Southeast Portland through the writing, publishing and binding of their own anthology of creative writing— Gilbert sought to move publishing out of the hands of the few and into the community. “Working with students, I saw firsthand how being an author gives one the power to contribute to the subjective history of our culture,” she says.
The IPRC, which is headquartered on Oak Street near Burnside, is now the heart of Portland’s independent publishing scene, offering workshops, studio space and resources for self-publishers. “Over the years, Rebecca’s incredibly precise technical skill, combined with her passion for the art of letterpress, has inspired so many hundreds of folks to get into printing and self-publishing,” says Justin Hocking, IPRC’s executive director.
In 1999, Gilbert partnered with brothers and local musicians Eric and Brian Bagdonas to launch a printing studio in the corner of a Southeast Portland warehouse. Employing the city’s reliable word-of-mouth approach to advertising, the crew, which named itself Stumptown Printers, worked at night and on weekends to build a client base—one that quickly flourished into a web of connections within the music community.
Stumptown prides itself on using vegetable-based inks and alcohol-free dampening systems and creating recyclable event posters and non-“jewel-case” CD packaging. Gilbert says that around 70 percent of their current clients are from out-of-town, many in Europe where the dollar is strong, and that a typical order or “run” of CD packaging units hovers at 1,000 or 2,000 (though the company recently went into overdrive to fulfill a 30,000-unit order for the re-release of Juno songwriter and Olympia native Kimya Dawson’s debut album).
“Over and over they [clients] say how our work just looks and feels like Portland,” Gilbert says. “I can’t imagine a better compliment.”
by Stacey Wilson
Photos by Brigitte d’Autremont
Stumptown Printers Web site
Selections from Becca Biggs at the writer's retreat at Lee Kelly's studio Read more →
A central figure at PNCA and within Portland’s art community, Sculpture Instructor and Artist Nan Curtis discusses her creative practice and her innovative approach to teaching art. Read more →
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How much social is our urban infrastructure?
April 10, 2019 by Ashok Wankhade
Social infrastructure includes a combination of basic facilities important for human development. Therefore, the quality of basic civic services provided to urban citizens and their accessibility decides how social is our urban infrastructure.High poverty, low awareness and poor policy measures restrain people to access the existing social infrastructure. Are cities extending a helping hand to the marginalised?
Poverty is still part of urban landscape in India. The nation stands at 19th position on the world poverty ranking and as per estimates of World Poverty Clock, a model created to track poverty in real time, around 46,783,950 people in India live in extreme poverty. These poor people can neither afford to buy land or houses nor can afford to travel long distances every day. Such a situation forces them to live in an unorganised manner near their workplaces like on the margins of drain, or on roadsides, or wherever they find it suitable. These places lack proper waste management system, clean water source, proper system for sanitation, electricity, and education. This shows inability of government policies which ensures access to social infrastructure for all including people who are economically weaker sections.
Investments in human capital can empower a country’s socio-economic development. In a developing country like India, human capital plays a significant role in uplifting people from poverty and helping them to live a productive life. Despite efforts and improvements in Human Development Index (HDI) through the course of time, India stands at 130 rank out of 189 countries as per 2018 rankings. And, on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2018, India stood at 103 rank out of 119 developing countries. Such figures raise concerns and calls for improvement in people’s lives and that can be done by investing in human capital and thus improving access to
social infrastructure.
Human development and social infrastructure
In India today, much of the poverty-related issues can be addressed by enriching marginalized section with appropriate skills for employment, job opportunities, education, and basic civic services. The country is coming forward as a knowledge-based economy and needs to strengthen social infrastructure by investing in health and education to empower its human capital.
According to a study done by a civil society group on implementation of Right to Education (RTE) Act, revealed that only eight per cent of the schools in India comply with the RTE. This calls for strict policies that need to be designed focusing on operations of educational institutions. Quality of education is of high importance, and it should be maintained and monitored on a regular basis by integrating ICTs with schools across the country. Bio-metric attendance of school staff, independent setting of examination papers, neutral examination and more can be probable measures to improve the current scenario in government schools. Further, outcome measures for the education and skilling activities need to be adopted to ensure improvement in delivery of various schemes and programs. All India Institute of Local Self-Government is assisting cities in creating skilled workforce for municipal operations and also as per the requirements of various industries such as nursing, hotel management, medical technicians, etc.
The health sector in India also faces many challenges in the form of declining role of public delivery of health services, high expenses on health services which questions the affordability of these services by the economically weaker sections and accessibility of these health services.
As per Global Burden of Disease study released in 2018, India ranked 145th among 195 countries in terms of quality and accessibility of healthcare. There has to be concerted efforts from the government to reform and improve the health sector of the country. Some probable measures can be; standardising the rates of diagnostic tests, looking for effective measure to address quality issues, and implementing punitive measures like fines on government hospitals and private health services for false claims through surgeries, medicines, and more. This will surely help the poor living in cities because most of them have little or no access to medical care.
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“I’ve never seen black, white, gay and straight students and faculty so interested in any one subject or speaker, or seen them so intellectually stimulated. Nothing short of this year’s presidential election has gotten students so involved and interested in genuine dialogue and debate.”
-- University of North Carolina-Greensboro
Apr 12: Magdalene St. Michaels on a Passion for All-Girl Erotica and T Cooper on Real Man Adventures
This week on Sex Out Loud radio I’ll be live with two guests: Magdalene St. Michaels will talk about her success that came with starting a new career in adult film at the age of 49. She’ll talk about how she came into the business, her website MagdaleneVOD.com, and her work that has earned her three nominations for AVNs prestigious MILF/Cougar award – in 2008, 2009, and most recently 2013. Author T Cooper will discuss his latest book, Real Man Adventures, a brash, wildly inventive, and comic exploration of the paradoxes and pleasures of masculinity that will forever change what you think it means to be a man.
This week’s show is live, so find out all the ways to listen here and you can call in with questions at 1-866-472-5788, join the discussion on Facebook or Twitter, or even e-mail me via tristan(at)puckerup.com and I’ll read them live on the air!
Magdalene St. Michaels was born on the isle of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea on June 3, 1957 and raised in England where she pursued singing, dancing and acting. In her early 20′s, she moved to the United States, joining her mother who had moved here earlier. She continued her acting with scenes in mainstream movies including “Executive Decision”, starring Steven Seagal, and “Turk 182″, starring Timothy Hutton.
Then in 2007, she just happened to be at the 2007 AEE convention in Las Vegas when fate somehow intervened and guided her to the Girlfriend Films booth, at the last minute of the final day as they were packing up to leave. The owner Dan O’Connell, was quite taken with her and begged her to at least think about performing for him. Magdalene filled out some paperwork, but still had doubts that success could come when starting a new career at the age of 49. Well, it did! And the rest is history (or herstory, lol!).
Her very first adult film – and one of my personal faves, was an all-girl feature film, “I Like To Kiss”, which was written just for her by Mr. O’Connell. For the next year or so she worked exclusively with Girlfriend Films, but soon her popularity had other directors like Nica Noelle (Sweetheart Video and Sweet Sinner studios) knocking on her door – and thank Goddess for all of us fans, she answered!
She prefers the lesbian genre, and has the reputation as being one of the most authentic performers ever to grace our screens in girl/girl erotica. Her other performance genres include boy/girl, mixed group and even BDSM, with well over 100 released scenes to her credit, which have earned her three nominations for AVNs prestigious MILF/Cougar award – in 2008, 2009, and most recently 2013.
T COOPER is the author of three novels, including The Beaufort Diaries and Lipshitz Six, or Two Angry Blondes. He is also editor of an anthology of original stories entitled A Fictional History of the United States With Huge Chunks Missing. His most recent book, Real Man Adventures, has just been published (by McSweeney’s Books).
T Cooper was born and raised in Los Angeles, attended Middlebury College in Vermont, and then taught high school in New Orleans before settling in New York City in 1996. He earned an MFA from Columbia University, and in addition to his novels, T’s work has appeared in a variety of publications and anthologies, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Believer, One Story, Electric Literature, and some others. His short story “Swimming” was one of “100 Distinguished Stories” in The Best American Short Stories 2008 (ed. Salman Rushdie).
T has been awarded residencies to The MacDowell Colony, Ledig House International, and The Millay Colony (where he was The New York Times Foundation Fellow). Not too long ago, he was a visiting faculty member at Middlebury College.
T also adapted and produced a short film based on his graphic novel The Beaufort Diaries. The animated short, directed by the book’s illustrator Alex Petrowsky and starring actor David Duchovny, was an official selection at several film festivals, including Tribeca Film Festival, South By Southwest, The New Orleans Film Fest, The Worldwide Short Film Festival, and the Anchorage International Film Festival.
T enjoys vintage airplanes, M*A*S*H, the great outdoors, world peace, and anything to do with pit bull advocacy. He lives with his family in New York and the South.
loud,
Sex Out Loud Comments Off on Apr 12: Magdalene St. Michaels on a Passion for All-Girl Erotica and T Cooper on Real Man Adventures Tagged with: blog, magdalena st. michaels, real man adventures, Sex Out Loud, t cooper
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Gateway Commerce Marks 20 Years, 15 Million Square Feet of Bulk Distribution Development
Apr 25, 2018 | News
By Kerry Smith, Editor – St. Louis Construction News & Review Magazine
As Gateway Commerce Center celebrates the 20th anniversary of the arrival of its very first warehouse-distribution tenant, developers of the 2,300-acre bulk distribution park in Madison County, IL are reflecting back on its genesis, its progress and its unique space in the market.
April 2018 officially marks two decades from the park’s official opening.
TriStar Companies is the park’s developer and has been since day one. The idea for creating the large-scale development emerged from the mind of Rod Thomas, TriStar chairman, according to Michael Towerman, the company’s president.
“This was absolutely Rod Thomas’ vision from the beginning,” Towerman said. “We first began assembling the land in September 1996. The first transaction was signed in April1997, and that was the Dial (Corp.) lease. Dial was our first tenant at the park and opened in April 1998. Dial remains with us today.”
With regard to sheer capacity, Towerman says Gateway Commerce Center has built 15.25 million square feet of development with the capability to facilitate a build-out of approximately eight million more square feet. “Our tenant size usually ranges from 350,000 square feet on the low side to 750,000 square feet on the high side, though we have buildings as large as 1.3 million square feet,” he said. “We also have some smaller capacity available.”
Putting Gateway Commerce Center in context with the St. Louis MSA’s various offerings in terms of bulk distribution sites, Towerman says in 2017 approximately four million square feet of new bulk warehouse space was built. “If we (Gateway) got 100 percent of the market, we’d be full in two years, but that’s not going to happen. As long as we don’t get an economic downturn, our submarket will continue to attract about 500,000 square feet to 750,000 square feet per year, maybe a little bit more. Some readers may think I’m a bit pessimistic, but (former Federal Reserve Chairman) Alan Greenspan said a few years ago that we’re living in a period of ‘irrational exuberance.’ That’s kind of how I feel now about where we are. The bell doesn’t go off before a downturn. It takes eight months to develop an industrial building, and two to three years to build and lease an apartment complex. If you started (construction) when you thought the market was pretty good, it’s almost like, ‘Gee, I think I built one or two too many’ at some point. That’s the speculative nature of what we do,” he added.
Amazon’s ambitious development of fulfillment centers in Gateway Commerce Center and elsewhere is an anomaly rather than the norm, according to Towerman.
“While e-commerce has driven a lot of construction and leasing over the last four years, if you take Amazon out of the St. Louis market, you take out 1.5 million square feet to 1.9 million square feet – or about 2.75 million square feet of absorption – out of the equation,” he said. “If you subtract that number out of what has been built in St. Louis over the last couple of years, you’d see a very different picture.”
One commercial construction company that has and is building a significant amount of product in Gateway Commerce Center is Edwardsville-based Contegra Construction. The firm has built more than 4.8 million square feet in Gateway Commerce Center, and by the close of 2019, the contractor will have completed 6.8 million square feet in the park. Contegra President Eric Gowin says his company has built four bulk distribution projects in a row within Gateway Commerce Center and is the shell building contractor for two million-square-foot buildings that are currently under construction within Gateway for World Wide Technology, both of which will be completed next year.
“We’ve been building and leasing these projects one at a time for TriStar,” Gowin said. “We adjust each for the site and according to marketplace demand at the time. Each is similar in size and scope. We’ve been replicating what’s been working in meeting the demand.”
Towerman says there’s no doubt that e-commerce is the key driver. A still-expanding U.S. population of consumers buying online and expecting their goods to be delivered more quickly that ever before adds up to the certainty of a flourishing demand for warehouse space well into the future, he added.
“Another factor is aging warehousing stock,” Towerman said. “In the Northeast, there’s an old supply of warehouse space,” said Towerman. “The average age of warehouse facilities in the Northeast is much older than in the Southwest or Midwest. Thus, those older facilities don’t work as well. They don’t offer the specifications necessary for e-commerce such as 36-foot ceiling clearance heights, compared to 28-foot heights which had previously been the norm.” The older buildings in the Northeast, built in the mid-1990s, have ceiling heights ranging from as low as 15 feet to 22 feet, he said.
Towerman references a study performed in September 2016 by real estate logistics expert Prologis that reveals online retailers need approximately 1.2 million square feet of warehouse space per every one billion dollars of online sales – three times the distribution center space required for traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. According to Prologis’ research, there are four unique business characteristics of online order fulfillment that are driving this space requirement: extensive product variety, greater inventory levels, larger outbound shipping space requirements and increased reverse logistics (also known as process returns).
“We (Gateway Commerce Center) will continue to see an increase in warehouse demand until we hit a saturation point,” Towerman said. “I think as long as there are no macroeconomic eruptions – such as wars and trade wars – I think we’ll see continued expansion in industrial bulk distribution warehouse development. We’re not a port town, we’re not Atlanta or L.A., but we get our share of development. We have our place in the supply chain but we’ll never see the peaks and valleys.”
According to the State of Illinois’ Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Gateway Commerce Center’s enterprise zone – an economic incentive sanctioned by the state, Madison County and local municipalities that offers companies to apply for property tax abatement, sales tax exemption and more as an incentive to locate, expand or retain their presence in the park – is one of the most successful enterprise zones in the state, as measured by total number of jobs created and real estate investment.
Career Opening: Senior Real Estate Analyst
St. Louis Gets Its Largest Industrial Lease Ever
Des Peres apartment sale: Among biggest deals of the year
Robust Demand Continues In Central US
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Commissioners embrace work, mission of 4-H
by Rick Nichols
The Oskaloosa Independent of Oskaloosa, Kansas
Meeting Monday afternoon at the courthouse, Jefferson County Commissioners Richard Malm, Lynn Luck and Wayne Ledbetter voted to approve the issuance of a proclamation officially designating the week of Oct. 4-10 as National 4-H Week in Jefferson County in recognition of the positive role this youth development organization plays in communities across America through its emphasis on "learning by doing."
The action taken by the Board of County Commissioners followed the reading of the information-heavy proclamation by Sherry Seifert, leader of the county's 4-H Ambassadors. Two Ambassadors, Allison Nelson and Colby Weishaar, lined up in front of the commissioners to participate in the ceremony and were joined there by 4-H Council President Lewis Bolinger. Also present for the occasion were Linda Gantz, 4-H program manager, Anita Nelson, Allison's mother, and Bridget Weishaar, Colby's mother. In addition to being an Ambassador, Colby serves on the 4-H Council as a representative.
Malm, who has been active in 4-H over the years, and his fellow commissioners heard Seifert say that more than seven million boys and girls ages 7-19 are currently involved in 4-H in the United States. In Kansas alone, she reported, roughly 19,500 people are 4-H volunteers.
According to the proclamation, this county has 325 4-H club members and in excess of 100 volunteers.
Displays calling attention to 4-H's special week can be seen in the windows of two Oskaloosa businesses on the south side of the courthouse square, Linda Reiling's American Family Insurance agency and Kansas Secured Title.
In recognition of their ongoing commitment to the 4-H program in this county, the commissioners were given folding picnic chairs complete with carrying bags by the 4-H'ers.
In other business, the board voted unanimously to accept a bid on grading and resurfacing Wellman Road in the vicinity of 13th Street, a bid submitted by King's Construction Company Inc., Oskaloosa. The project is expected to begin sometime between mid-March and mid-April.
The King's bid came in at $217,610, easily beating a second bid, which was supplied by Hamm Inc., Perry. Hamm's was willing to do the necessary work for $245,188.
According to Public Works Director Bill Noll, there was a third bid, but he did not have the contractor's name or the amount of the bid in the papers he brought to the meeting. But all three bids exceeded the engineer's estimate, he said.
The county will be expected to shoulder $23,973 of the project's total cost. The original estimate was for $17,000.
Noll informed the board that he had received three bids on the construction of a 96' x 36' building to be used for storing county-owned vehicles and other equipment at the county shop in Oskaloosa. The apparent low bid was supplied by The Rusty Barn Company, Frankfort, Ky, and was in the amount of $18,800.
The other two bids were submitted by Mast Builders, Oskaloosa, and Morton Buildings Inc., Morton, 111, and came in at $24,895 and $41,000, respectively.
Noll reported that Eric Hull, the mayor of Oskaloosa, had contacted him regarding the city's interest in ensuring that electricity will be readily available around the courthouse square in the future to meet the needs of vendors and others during the annual Old Settlers Festival. The question arises because the new light poles Westar Energy will be installing around the square within the coming weeks will lack electrical outlets.
The Public Works director shared with the commissioners a proposed design for an electrical supply system that would utilize a series of risers, strategically located, to bring power to the innermost portion of the square, all of which is owned by the county. He also indicated that he would be further discussing the project with the mayor and other city leaders.
Other subjects covered by Noll during his weekly report were the results of traffic counts done along both Linn Road and 39th Street in the wake of the closing of Ferguson Road, the status of the bridge replacement project underway on Ferguson just north of US-24, arrangements for soliciting bids on the replacement of the air conditioning system at the courthouse, and the extent to which the old "ambulance barn" needs to be repaired if it is to be used as an office by new Emergency Management Director Keith Jeffers.
Sam Henderson, the county's Planning and Zoning administrator, gave the board a written report covering the issuance of building permits by his office during the third quarter of the year, which ended Sept. 30. A copy of the report was also made available to the paper for publication.
According to the four-page document, the Planning and Zoning Department issued 20 permits for dwellings over the three-month period and has now handed out a total of 42 such permits for the year. "It's been a pretty big quarter," Henderson remarked, seemingly pleased by the numbers.
The 20 permits represent the best third quarter figure the PZD has seen since 2007, and the 42 permits year to date are a seven-year high.
Henderson told the commissioners that in addition to the permits for dwellings, his office issued 37 other building permits, for a three-month total of 57.
"It looks like you've been busy," Luck said to the second-year administrator. "We try," he replied.
For the second week in a row, Jeffers supplied the commissioners with a written report covering the activities of the department he now oversees. He also made a copy of the report available to the paper for publication. It reads as follows:
"Clean-up work has begun on the old ambulance barn to ready it for use as the EM offices. I am also looking at using the space in the basement of the old jail, and considering different options to efficiently use the locations for best access.
"Next Thursday, Oct. 15th, I will be meeting with Chad Omitt, the National Weather Service Chief Coordinating Meteorologist for the Topeka National Weather Service to meet some of the Topeka meteorologists, discuss weather decision support services and other winter weather services that the NWS can provide.
"I will be attending the October 6th County Fire Meeting and the October 20th Fire Board Meeting.
"Work is progressing with Austin Low getting the county Emergency Management vehicle ready. The installation of lights, county markings and other necessary equipment upgrades are planned for this week. Once these are completed, a shell will be purchased and installed, then the slide rack, followed by the vehicle radio systems "Continued discussions with TBS Electronics regarding upgrades to the radio repeaters in the east and west portions of the county to provide better coverage for the county response agencies. Future discussions will need to include other department leaders."
Chris Schmeissner, the county's Geographic Information System/Information Technology director, reported that negotiations involving his office and other GIS offices in nearby counties were underway in an effort to secure the services of a company specializing in aerial photography for 2016. He told the commissioners he was hopeful a contract could be awarded to the vendor, who was not identified, by the end of the month.
Schmeissner advised the board that he would be attending a statewide GIS conference in Wichita later in the week.
On a 3-0 vote, the board approved Resolution 2015-26 at the request of County Treasurer Mary Underwood. The resolution effectively voids the collection of $19,526.91 in unpaid personal property taxes for the year 1994.
"We were unable to collect," Underwood told Ledbetter matter-of-factly when pressed for some sort of an explanation as to why the county never received the money it was owned. "It could be (due to) many things," County Appraiser Tanya Erichsen, who was seated next to Underwood, quickly added, offering her support in a manner of speaking.
At the request of Community Development Block Grant Administrator Bob Hosack, Malm signed two documents pertaining to Lakewood Hills' successful application for a $150,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to upgrade the park within the improvement district. One document consisted of an Environmental Assessment statement, in which the county maintains that the proposed improvements to the park will not have a significant impact on the environment. The other was a Request for Release of Funds and Certification.
Lakewood Hills will be constructing an open-air shelter house, making improvements to the existing playground and purchasing two new basketball goal posts with the money it is receiving from the KDC through a special round of funding. The overall cost of the project is $166,200.
Three executive sessions took place during the final 45 minutes of the meeting, which adjourned shortly after 2:45. The first lasted 11 minutes and had as participants the commissioners, County Counselor Josh Ney and Topeka attorney Thomas Knutzen. Because both Ney and Knutzen were present, the reason cited for the need for privacy was the attorney-client privilege recognized in the Kansas Open Meetings Act. No binding action was taken when the meeting reopened to the public.
The second closed-door discussion was requested by Noll and lasted 10 minutes. It was held for the stated purpose of discussing personnel matters relating to non-elected personnel. Ney was permitted to remain in the room to facilitate the discussion. Again, no binding action was taken afterward.
The third closed-door discussion was requested by Ledbetter and also lasted 10 minutes. It, too, was held for the stated purpose of discussing personnel matters relating to non-elected personnel. Once more, no binding action was taken afterward.
Copyright 2015 The Oskaloosa Independent, Oskaloosa, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
Original Publication Date: October 8, 2015
Copyright: Copyright 2015 The Oskaloosa Independent, Oskaloosa, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
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anti-deportation
E-ISSUE
Wise Sayings
Home » British Citizenship: can you claim to already be a British national?
British Citizenship: can you claim to already be a British national?
How to confirm your nationality status
British nationality is defined by law. Not by heritage nor taxes nor long-term residence nor service in British forces during war.
Whether a person has a claim to British nationality can be determined by their date and place of birth and descent, according to British nationality laws.
This guide will help you understand whether you meet the requirements to claim you already are a British citizen, or whether you will need to apply for naturalisation.
Are you already a British citizen?
The most acceptable evidence of British citizenship is a British passport.
If you have a British passport issued on or after 1 January 1983, it will say whether you are a British citizen.
If you believe you have a claim to British nationality, but cannot apply for a British passport for lack of required documents, you will need to apply for ‘Confirmation of British nationality status’.
The requirements you will need to meet to claim British nationality are the following, according to your place of birth.
If you are born in the United Kingdom
As a general rule:
You are not a British citizen if you were born in the United Kingdom to parents who were not British citizens and were not legally settled here at the time of your birth.
This means you are not a British citizen if, at the time of your birth, your parents were in the country temporarily, had stayed on without permission, or had entered the country illegally and had not been given permission to stay in the UK indefinitely.
You are most certainly a British citizen if:
1) You were born in the United Kingdom before 1 January 1983.
The only exception is if you were born to certain diplomatic staff of foreign missions who had diplomatic immunity.
2) You were born in the United Kingdom on or after 1 January 1983 and at the time of your birth one of your parents was:
– a British citizen; or
– legally settled in the United Kingdom.
3) You were born in the United Kingdom on or after 1 January 1983 but before 2 October 2000 and at the time of your birth, either of your parents was a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA)
This is because your parent’s stay is regarded as having been free of a time limit under immigration laws.
4) You were born in the United Kingdom between 2 October 2000 and 29 April 2006 to parents who were EEA citizens and one of your parents had been given indefinite leave to remain before the date of your birth.
However, if one of your parents has been given indefinite leave to remain at a later date, you may register to become a British citizen.
5) If you were born in the United Kingdom on or after 30 April 2006 to parents who were EEA citizens and one of your parents had permanent residence status before the date of your birth.
However, if one of your parents has been given permanent residence status at a later date, you may register to become a British citizen.
6) You were born in the United Kingdom on or after 2 October 2000 to EEA citizens who had an unconditional right of residence under EC law.
People with unconditional right of residence include those who are retired or who cannot work because of illness or disability.
7) Your parents are family members of citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) who were settled at the time of your birth.
If your parents are family members of an EEA citizen who was exercising Treaty rights, they may have been settled in their own right when you were born in the United Kingdom. If they were not, you are a British citizen only if the EEA citizen who was exercising Treaty rights was settled at the time of your birth.
If you were born overseas
If you were born outside the United Kingdom or British overseas territories, the requirements you will need to meet to claim British nationality are the following, according to your date of birth.
You are a British citizen if:
a) You were born before 1 January 1983 and before that date, you were a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies with the right of abode in the United Kingdom.
You may have had citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies by descent from a father who had that citizenship, or because you were registered or naturalised as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
If you have a passport issued before 1 January 1983 that describes you as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies on page 1, you will almost certainly have become a British citizen on 1 January 1983 as long as page 5 says ‘Holder has the right of abode in the United Kingdom’.
However, if you had the right of abode because you were registered under the British Nationality (No2) Act 1964, you will not normally have become a British citizen on 1 January 1983 unless your mother became a British citizen then.
You may have had right of abode if:
• you were adopted, naturalised or registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies in the United Kingdom (except in certain circumstances);
• you had been legally settled in the United Kingdom and ordinarily resident there for five years; or
• when you were born, you had a parent who was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies because he/she was born, adopted, naturalised or registered in the United Kingdom (except in certain circumstances), or because one of your grandparents was.
b) You were born on or after 1 January 1983 and:
• one of your parents at the time of your birth was a British citizen otherwise than by descent:
You are then a British citizen by descent.
However , if you were born before 1 July 2006 you may not qualify if your parents were not married at the time of your birth.
• one of your parents at the time of your birth was a British citizen in Crown service, designated service, or service of a European Community institution and he/she was recruited to that service:
– in the United Kingdom;
– in the United Kingdom or a qualifying territory (if you were born on or after 21 May 2002); or
– in the European Community (for service with a European Community institution).
Then you are a British citizen otherwise than by descent.
If you were born on or after 1 January 1983 outside the United Kingdom or qualifying territory and your parents were British citizens by descent, you are not a British citizen.
However, you may be able to apply to register as a British citizen.
If you do not meet the criteria to claim for nationality, you may nonetheless be able to register to become naturalised as a British citizen. The different routes to naturalisation will be detailed in the next guide.
The above article is meant to be relied upon as an informative article and in no way constitutes legal advice. For legal advice regarding your case, you may want to take professional advice from a solicitor or from an immigration adviser registered by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).
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by Alan Jacobs
Christianism redux
In Andrew's measured reply to my recent post he sticks to his guns, in one sense — he still thinks the term "Christianism" useful — but in another sense concedes some of my key points: that there can be Left and Right, good and bad, versions of a Christianity that seeks to intervene in the political arena. But if that's true that Andrew needs to use more adjectives when discussing these issues.
I think he could escape some of the problems I'm noting if he changes his definition of Christianism. He writes, "Christianism, in my definition, is the fusion of politics and religion for the advancement of political goals." This is problematic in several senses, first of all in its failure to acknowledge that such a fusion is also concerned to further religious goals. But the chief distinction Andrew needs to make involves how this advancement is sought. As our own Noah Millman put it in an email to me yesterday — I'm paraphrasing and adding some content of my own, so Noah may want to correct me or dissent from me later — there's a big difference between a Christianity that seeks to bear prophetic witness in the political sphere and a Christianity that seeks to rule. For me — and for me specifically as a Christian — what's most disturbing about conservative (or "conservative") Christian politics over the past thirty years is its frank eagerness for worldly power, its cheerful indifference to the spiritual dangers of that power, its ignorance of the long sad history of Constantinianism and Erastianism.
Indeed, I think this is precisely what Andrew is getting at when he writes of King, "He didn't just preach his faith as politics, but he practised it in a way very close to Christ's, seeking punishment, enduring imprisonment, and risking death, to bear witness to a deep moral truth about the dignity of every person. This submission to violence, rather than its gun-totin' celebration, is what distinguishes King's Christianism from so much of today's." I would just encourage him to add this "desire to rule" to his actual definition of Christianism. If he does that, then he gets out of the problems created by his willingness to define King as "a left-wing Christianist." If the desire to rule is intrinsic to Christianism, then King isn't a Christianist at all. He wanted to see justice flow down like waters, but he wasn't interested in being the Man in Charge.
So I think it's clear even from Andrew's response that he was wrong to say that what we need is "a more private, less political Christianity"; what we need, rather, is a Christianity that's political in a humble and non-coercive way, and that separates itself quite clearly from nationalism. If Andrew wants to criticize a heedlessly confident, power-hungry, jingoistic group of Christian politicians and their followers, I'm ready to hear and often (usually) to join in — heck, I've done it on this site. But please don't call it Christianism. That needlessly sullies the name of Christ. Give it a better name. How about American Constantinianism? Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, I agree, but sometimes euphony must be sacrificed to accuracy.
↑ Recent Reviews: Lost and Found
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Global Paradigms
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