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July 26, 2014 · by gailspring2011 · in MOON Report. ·
MOON News — New Moon Leo July 26, 2014
in Review — Full Moon in Capricorn July 12, 2014 (Sun in Cancer)
“…a time of completion and looking at those areas of life where we need to ‘let go’ ” (elsa.com/astrology)
We’ve processed the July 12 Full Moon Yeye Teish described a few weeks ago which illuminated “…Capricorn and Cancer polarities, …conflicts between roots and our direction…” We’ve examined attachments, achievements, values and responsibilities; and balance or lack of, in our commitments between public and home… (Chief Luisah Teish, unpublished correspondence, July 11, 2014)
The New MOON in Leo July 26, 2014
Now the New Moon and the Planets are making available renewed energy and inspiration for making decisions and moving forward with creative, courageous visions.
The New Moon is on Leo, degree 4, conjunct with Jupiter on Leo, degree 3.
Lynda Hill, astrologer uses Sabian symbols to help explain what is going on. I also like the Sabian symbols—the images are very useful, but usually I prefer Dane Rudhyar’s versions from The Astrology of Personality. My research for this piece included their work, as well as other astrologers. I selected aspects of the New Moon “story of now” (Casey) that spoke to me personally. My hope is that this work will be useful to you.
Lynda Hill points out that Venus and Pluto are tightly opposing each other. This situation “…heralds a strong sense of change…” Important decisions re relationships, money, investments, debt, loyalties, friendships, desires, etc.” will arise.
“This could be a New Moon of power struggles, or “… a time for us to discover how powerful we really are.” (Hill)
The Sabian symbol for the New Moon, Leo 4
“Elderly man gazes at a moose head on clubroom wall.
Self-development through the culture of masculine activities. Subservience of individual to social patterns of behavior. Taste.” (Rudhyar, p. 285)
Rudhyar’s book was first published in 1936. For me, for many of us, the idea of hunting and killing wild animals, and hanging their heads on the wall as a trophy or symbol of accomplishment is not a positive act. But the energies of symbolism live, and embody the circular continuum of positive and negative. We can study the ashe (powers of one’s being) and character of the Moose, whose power the man thinks he has acquired.
In the Animal Medicine Cards, Moose is an animal who represents the ashe of self-esteem. Moose is a proud animal, has a loud bellowing voice, is the largest and strongest of the antlered beings. King Moose knows “there is no greater joy than a job well done.” (Sams, Carson, p. 81) Moose take pride in their living, their ashe. King Moose knows he is worthy and tells the world.
New Moon 4 degrees Leo is suggesting that we look at our issues around self-esteem, the masculine qualities of our character and worldly activities; our sense of self in relation to what we do and whether we are successful at it. It’s time to make sure that our trophies—our accomplishments—are authentic, caring and life affirming, honor all relations and most importantly, are actually fulfilling our own true destinies.
So now for Jupiter, Leo 3
The Sabian symbol is: “Mature woman, her hair bobbed, looks into a mirror.
Sense of freedom from age and realization of the value of youth. Self-creation and independence from fate. Will-power.” (Rudhyar, p. 285)
Bobbed, or short hair in Rudhyar’s time was (for some classes of people) a symbol of the modern woman, working outside of home, autonomous, independent, free of traditional subservient roles.
Things are distorted in different ways now: we live in a youth worshipping (youth addicted) culture, that can be empty and valueless, but there is also a lot to be said for looking your best, no matter what your age.
This is not about creating disguises, cosmetic (superficial) changes, creating false fronts or trying to be someone you are not. This is about—“meaningful alterations” (Hill).
Making changes in your physical being, your outer appearance, especially re head and hair (Ori and Ade (crown)) can better reflect your inner being, your true intelligence and power. It’s time for your aspirations, your knowledge, wisdom, skills and abilities to shine through.
Look in the mirror. Create the vision you wish to see: What are the persona and values you wish to radiate through the power of your appearance?
Praises for Green Tara, Iba’she Oshun Yeye o.
Make meaningful change.
Expend effort to become Radiant, You are the Jewel in the Lotus.
Uranus is going retrograde, Saturn is going direct
“…stop, go, stop, go…” may manifest as feeling or reality, “…innovative ideas are needed…” (Hill)
Saturn on Scorpio 17
“Woman Fecundated by Her Own Spirit, is ‘Great With Child’
Fullness of self-reliance and individual destiny. Cooperation between spiritual and material agencies. Pure self-revelation.” (Rudhyar, p. 293)
Spiraling in, spiraling out, growing, slowly and carefully, what is being created needs to come to term before it can be birthed.
Praise Nature, Great Goddess ISIS Is is Is is the Great Mystery, women’s autonomous power, everything.
Recognize, Respect, Nurture this relationship. Depend on Her. Praise Her…
Then, rest.
Neptune Retrogrades to Pisces 7
“Illuminated by a shaft of light, a large cross lies on rocks surrounded by sea and mist. Reconnect with your true spiritual values.” (Hill)
“Fog Rides The Shore, But On A Clear Rock A Cross Rests.
Concentration of values amidst the chaos of outer living. Clear light of high realization. Acceptance of life’s limits.” (Rudhyar p. 302)
Take a walking meditation at the Ocean
in the fog,
Breathe deeply.
3 pennies for Eshu Yangi,
Praise Oriki,
Gratitude Orin
for Yemaya and Olokun.
Pluto, Capricorn 12
“A student of nature lecturing, revealing little known aspects of life.
“This is a very meaningful degree and one that can have many wonders and amazing things revealed. For many, there will be realisations about the nature of reality, how we live in a rather holographic universe, etc. Expect and seek revelations in the mysteries of nature.“(Hill)
Moon’s North Node, Libra 23
“XIV The Span of Revelation
Chanticleer Salutes the Rising Sun With Exuberant Tones
Capacity for self-refreshment at the inner sources of ever-reviewed life. Anticipation of opportunity. Security in Self.” (Rudhyar, p. 291)
Exercise and celebrate the beauty and power of your authentic voice.
Speak up when it’s needed.
Don’t overstate your talents or abilities.
Recognize the wake-up calls.
Practice sound respect—don’t be noisy when others are trying to sleep.
Quest Degree (occurs right after) New Moon, Leo 5
“Rock formations towering over a deep canyon.
“We may be pushed into jumping into the void, taking a big step, big risk, or figure out where we may have painted ourselves into a corner.
“Keywords: Old structures and deep hazards.” (Hill)
“Suggesting Figures, Granite Masses Overhanging A Canyon
Permanence of basic elements of nature underneath temporary changes and emphases. Endurance. Steadiness of self-knowledge.” (Rudhyar, p. 285)
The images suggest ancestors watching over us and the Tarot Fool card—Arcanum 0/22. The Fool is known for taking big chances, walking close to the edge, risking the big jump, free fall.
The Fool is a heart-centered being, that’s a good thing. But Natural Law is so much greater, the Ancestors, so much wiser. Ultimately all is mystery and unknowable. Eshu is also an enforcer. Nature doesn’t play. Breaking old structures can be hazardous, watch your step…
Take care about what you speak, what you do. Remember ofo ashe-power of the word, iwa pele good (gentle) character-right action. Self-knowledge comes with experience and support. When in doubt, ask the Elders, consult the Oracle—they have the keys to the doorways of right choices, true path.
Don’t be fool-led. Trickster is Serious fun.
Esu ma semi o—Esu, please don’t trick me.
Right after New MOON Mars moves to Scorpio 2
“From A Broken Bottle Traces of Perfume Still Emanate
The fine scent of deeds well done as it persists in the memory of men. Stimulating recollection. Spiritual immortality.” (Rudhyar, p. 292)
Release energies carefully.
If the bottle breaks and spills the perfume,
You are still the Jewel in the Lotus.
The New MOON in Leo, July 2014
Is a call to think deeply and act accordingly on what you should be making noise about, and when and where to make it; as well as what to be low-key about, what to keep quiet. It is an opportunity to acknowledge your true accomplishments, and the truth of your relationships. Celebrate achievements among the members of your private or public relationships consciously, respectfully.
Renewal is based in journeying and connection to deep source, and returning with energy for inspiration, confidence and direction. Authentic self-confidence comes with knowing you did the real work, and therefore will receive your just, deserved reward.
Like a game, like a joke.
by Iya Shangobemi (Gail Williams) © 2014
I am not an Astrologer, I like learning how to think about the energies, and symbolic imagery of the galaxy. Many thanks to my research sources—the learned astrologers and writers listed below for sharing their knowledge and wisdom.
Caroline Casey. Visionary Activist Radio Program, KPFA-Pacifica, Berkeley, California.
& Coyote Network News, The Mythological News Service for the Trickster Redeemer Within Us All. http://coyotenetworknews.com/.
Cathy Coleman. In the Stars July 20-27, 2014…Shining light on the astrology of the week: New Moon. http://en.wordpress.com/tag/cathy-coleman/. July 20, 2014.
Elsa@elsa.com/astrology. New Moon Leo-July 26, 2014 – World Stage July 20, 2014. http://www.elsaelsa.com/astrology/2014/07/20/new-moon-in-leo-july-26-2014-world-stage/. July 20, 2014.
Lynda Hill. Finding and Acknowledging Our Trophies: July’s Leo New Moon. http://sabiansymbols.typepad.com/my_weblog/. July 20, 2014.
Dane Rudhyar. The Astrology of Personality, A Re-formulation of Astrological Concepts and Ideals, in Terms of Contemporary Psychology and Philosophy. Garden City, New York:Doubleday, Inc. with Shambala Press Berkeley, CA. 1936; 1963; 3rd Edition,1970. http://www.khaldea.com/rudhyar/
David Carson & Jamie Sams. Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through The Ways of Animals. Santa Fe, New Mexico: Bear and Company, 1988. http://www.medicinecards.com/
Luisah Teish. Unpublished correspondence on the Full Moon July 12, 2014. http://www.LuisahTeish.com
Tags: 2014, MOON Report, New Moon Leo 2014
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Chelsea’s appointment of Frank Lampard would represent huge change in philosophy
Roman Abramovich wants to see a more sustainable club - but he will have to show more patience than he ever has before
Has Frank Lampard said farewell to Derby County? (Getty Images)
Sam Cunningham 4 weeks Monday June 17th 2019
What Pogba's 'new challenge' quotes mean for his Man Utd future
When does the Premier League 2019-20 season start?
Anderson 9 Fredericks 3: Man Utd vs West Ham player ratings
Lukaku reveals new diet has helped him rediscover goalscoring form
'It was my decision': Guardiola apologises to Jesus over penalty
5 contenders to replace Sarri at Chelsea
On the Chelsea coach back from Old Trafford one evening in the early 2000s, Gianfranco Zola started up a conversation about whether the players should all chip in and buy some lightweight goals that could be wheeled on to the pitches at their Harlington training ground, matching the ones Manchester United had. As it was, about a dozen players had to lug the partially rusting iron monstrosities to either end of the windy pitches on the strip of land sandwiched between the M4 motorway and Heathrow Airport they called home.
Graeme Le Saux responded that perhaps they could add a bit more to the kitty and improve the showers, too, which were so volatile that players had to let the hot water run out for a short while when they turned them on to avoid being scalded.
More players, including Frank Lampard, became involved as the ante was upped from £500 each, to more than £1,000, until Eidur Gudjohnsen asked why they did not throw in £100,000 per person and buy Ronaldo from Real Madrid.
Zola’s student surprise
Although the conversation turned to jokes, there was a serious element to discussions about facilities the club did not even own, but had to borrow from Imperial College London, which caused more issues.
Read more: Frank Lampard’s future looks bright even though Derby County’s season ends in disaster
Another story goes that on one afternoon Zola stayed behind after training to practise free kicks, a regular sight at Harlington, for so long that some of the university students had left his clothes outside the changing room to use it.
And the site was not even private land, so anyone could stroll in, and visitors included the bloke who would cycle past everyday and collect and balls that had flown into the boundary bushes and a woman who made each player a cake on their birthday.
As Chelsea won trophies and qualified for the Champions League, players at other clubs who learned of their circumstances were often surprised they were able to compete at that level and still attract star players with such an amateur setup that even a lower-end Football League side would’ve been embarrassed as they showed new signings around.
Abramovich’s improvements
So that was one of the major changes Roman Abramovich made when he swept in from Russia with deep pots of gold and grand ambitions. Abramovich believed a club who played their football in west London’s Fulham, one of the most affluent areas in the world, deserved a training base of equal standing, not a couple of pitted, pock-marked pitches shared with some teenagers.
He bought the land in Cobham and the players finally moved there in 2007 when the facilities were completed and investment of £150m delivered a standard of professionalism the envy of rivals, which remains the standard, even as newer investments from clubs such as Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have matched or bettered them.
Read more: Conte’s strained relationship with Abramovich cabal at heart of Chelsea turmoil
What has disappointed Chelsea’s owner so much about the 16 years since he bought the club, however, is that those facilities have still not helped produce a regular first-team player from the academy.
Despite the underwater treadmills and and small-scale on-site stadium for competitive youth matches, nobody has properly made the cut. Of course, Abramovich and his approach have to take some of the blame for this, with managers frequently sacked less than six months after winning titles and their most recent, Maurizio Sarri, allowed to leave after delivering more silverware, reaching another cup final and finishing third in the Premier League. The pressure to win trophies has always outweighed that of bothering to promote from the academy and allow time for those players to bed in.
But as Jurgen Klopp has shown with Trent Alexander-Arnold, a little patience and the acceptance of mistakes can uncover one of the best young players on the planet on your doorstep.
The Bridge over troubled water
The arrival of Lampard, which is expected soon, as Sarri’s replacement represents a marked change in philosophy from Chelsea’s owner, but will need patience of the like Abramovich has not shown before. Abramovich has grown tired of throwing money at squad rebuilds and wants to see signs of self-sustainability, which means hiring someone finally prepared to take players from the shallows of the youth team and throw them into the Premier League’s deep and unforgiving waters.
Read more: 5 youngsters who could benefit from Chelsea transfer ban
Lampard, once a much younger player joking with the seniors about whether or not they could afford a jacuzzi in one of the Harlington changing rooms with their whip-round, has already recently turned to Chelsea’s academy for players, bringing in Fikayo Tomori, 21, and Mason Mount, 20, on loan when he arrived at Derby County, who made a combined 99 appearances last season. He also spent time at Chelsea’s academy as part of his Uefa A Licence coaching.
Alongside them, there are plenty more who at least deserve a chance and see Lampard as the ideal coach to offer it: Tammy Abraham, Reece James and Ethan Ampadu and, though injured and having gained more first-team experience than any recent academy products, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek still fall in that category.
Notably last season when Hudson-Odoi handed in a transfer request to try to force through a move to Bayern Munich, in that Sunday’s FA Cup match against Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge the supporters continued to taunt Sarri and backed the young player instead. It was the clearest sign that they are desperate for someone – anyone – to give their youth players a chance.
Though they are only separated by a few hundred metres of driveway in Cobham, Lampard could be the bridge across the troubled water between Chelsea’s youth teams and the first team.
More football:
Man Utd set to complete £80m signing on Monday
Spurs move quickly to hijack Arsenal's deal for £25m William Saliba
Shahid Khan still open to buying Wembley Stadium if FA willing to sell
Bruce's top priorities at Newcastle – the managerial job from hell
Former Liverpool, Spurs and England star Crouch retires
Analysis: Arsenal are a club with a crumbling identity
Roman Abramovich
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UPDATE: Settlement reached in harassment case against RCMP - InfoNews
for Penticton, South Okanagan & Similkameen Areas
Infotel News Penticton
UPDATE: Settlement reached in harassment case against RCMP
Camille Bains
Image Credit: FILE PHOTO
VANCOUVER - Three women who shared their stories of sexual harassment as part of a class-action lawsuit against the RCMP have shown great courage so others who may have endured similar experiences can come forward, a lawyer said Monday.
Lawyers for Cheryl Tiller, Mary Ellen Copland and Dayna Roach reached a settlement that opens the door to potential claims from thousands of women who worked in non-policing roles including as volunteers since Sept. 16, 1974, lead counsel Angela Bespflug told a news conference in Vancouver.
Tiller sought legal advice in February 2017, claiming she was sexually harassed by a superior at a detachment in Yorkton, Sask. Copeland alleged similar harassment in Surrey, B.C., as did Roach, who worked in Lloydminster, Alta.
The sexual harassment of Tiller and Copland was followed by a change in their treatment and retaliation, said Bespflug, whose firm Klein Lawyers represented the two women. Roach contacted lawyer Patrick Higgerty in Calgary and he said the two companies joined forces for the lawsuit because the women's cases were so similar.
As named plaintiffs, all three women chose to share their painful stories "with the world," Bespflug said, adding the harassment went on for years.
"In a case like this where these stories are so deeply personal it takes its impact. There's a big emotional and psychological toll in doing that. You also open yourself up to public scrutiny. This is why these women were brave to come forward and give their names and their voices so other women could come forward."
The Federal Court certified the class-action lawsuit last week involving women who experienced gender or sexual harassment since the RCMP began employing female members 45 years ago.
Bespflug said as many as 1,500 claimants may be eligible for settlements that could have a total value of as much as $100 million, but that will depend on how many substantiated claims are received and there is no cap if the settlements go beyond that amount.
The settlement includes a confidential independent claims process led by female assessors with eligible payments ranging from $10,000 to $220,000 for a proven claim she said.
In a statement, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said the RCMP has taken steps to improve the way it deals with harassment complaints.
"Harassment and discrimination do not have a place in our organization. On behalf of the RCMP, I would like to thank the representative plaintiffs, Cheryl Tiller, Mary Ellen Copland and Dayna Roach, for their courage in coming forward," she said.
"I deeply regret that these women were subject to inappropriate behaviour in our workplace, and apologize for the pain caused to them and their families."
Bespflug said negotiations with the RCMP were ongoing for about a year and the force has no involvement in the claims process.
"Our plaintiffs were strong, their stories were strong. We live in a culture now where sexual harassment is no longer tolerated," she said in an interview, adding the settlement process would be non-adversarial.
"This isn't a case where a woman has to share her case in public and be cross-examined and feel like she's not believed. We intentionally crafted a settlement that will not be traumatizing for the women."
A claim form can be completed online by those wishing to join the action, said lawyer Janelle O'Connor, adding the settlement agreement and other documents are also posted.
The process would involve all current and former employees and volunteers, including those who worked for non-profit organizations or as consultants, contractors as well as students and members of integrated policing units who were supervised or managed by the RCMP.
In May 2017, the RCMP agreed to a similar payout of $89 million to female officers who were sexually harassed on the job over the same period as the case involving Tiller, Copland and Roach, with as many as 20,000 women eligible for up to $220,000 each in compensation.
— Follow @CamileBains1 on Twitter.
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said the class-action lawsuit was still subject to approval by the Federal Court.
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FAQ: What You Need to Know About the Latest Product Updates
Last updated on August 1, 2017 by Rosie Fan in Instapage Updates
Note: Please keep in mind that these changes will not impact existing customers until August 2018.
In the last 12 months, the Instapage platform has been upgraded significantly. One might say, it has doubled in strength. We’ve added a significant variety and number of industry-first solutions like collaboration, advanced subaccount permissions, and privacy along with over a dozen advanced capabilities; among them custom code editing, SSL certificates, and alignment, grouping, and distribution. Plus, we’ve added key integrations like Marketo, HubSpot, Zapier, Google and Adobe Typekit font library to our integrations ecosystem.
To offer customers the kinds of capabilities they will need most, and to ensure that they’re not paying for features they might not have a need for, we’ve restructured our pricing plans. The new system remains a three-tier structure that consists of our Core, Optimizer, and Team & Agency plans. The new pricing structure means customers can select the plan that suits them best based on business needs.
To help you understand how these pricing changes will impact your plan, we’ve put together an FAQ list. Also, please watch the Facebook Live Q&A below with CEO Tyson Quick and Sr. Director of Product Oliver Armstrong where they’ll be discussing these changes and what comes next.
What are the new Instapage plans?
The new plans are Core, Optimizer, and Team & Agency. Our Core plan provides all foundational features of Instapage (intuitive builder, 200+ mobile responsive templates, 20+ integrations, advanced analytics, advanced design capabilities, etc.) plus some great features that were previously unavailable. Such as:
Custom code editing
Premium web fonts
What features come with the Optimizer plan?
Our Optimizer plan includes all Core features plus:
Unlimited A/B testing
Dynamic text replacement
What features come with the Team & Agency plan?
Our Team & Agency plan includes everything in the Core and Optimizer plans plus:
15 private subaccounts
Branded email notifications
If you don’t have an Instapage account or would like to know more about these new plans, visit this page for a complete breakdown and accompanying features. Current Instapage customers can sign in and upgrade their plan here.
Can I stay on my current plan?
Yes, you’re welcome to stay on your current plan. Based on your plan’s billing cycle, all plans will expire between August 1st and October 1st, 2018. Once your current plan expires, you will need to switch over to a new plan for your Instapage account to remain active.
Why should I switch to a new plan and how long do I have to decide?
By switching to a new plan, you’ll keep the features you already have. Plus, you’ll continue to get access to all of our newest updates like Heatmaps (Optimizer Plan) and Audit Log (Team & Agency Plan), for example.
Your original plan will continue to be honored, however, depending on your billing cycle, will expire between August 1st and October 1, 2018. At that time, you will need to switch over to a new plan for your Instapage account to remain active.
How do I switch to a new plan?
You can update to a new plan by clicking here, or by clicking on the “Update My Plan” button on the subscription page of your dashboard.
What happens if I don’t update my plan by the expiration date?
Depending on your billing cycle, your plan will expire between August 1st and October 1, 2018. If you haven’t moved to a new plan by the expiration date of the current plans, your pages will be unpublished and you will lose access to your account’s content. (Note: Your current plan’s “expiration date” will be visible on your subscription page.)
Have additional questions?
We hope the above information helps clarify some common questions you may have. If you have additional questions regarding Instapage plans, please contact our support team.
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Attention! Blah Blah Blah
Hopeless 666
Released on February 11, 2003
The fourth full-length album from rock'n'roll's favorite one-man combo Atom & His Package, and another solid throwdown of sequencer-frenzied pop, rock and dance action for the let's-have-a-good-time set. Thirteen tracks, including the soon-to-be hits "The Palestinians Are Not The Same Thing As The Rebel Alliance, Jackass," "I Am Downright Amazed What I Can Destroy With Just A Hammer," and "Dear Atom, You Do Not Want to Have Children. Love, Atom."
Biography for Atom And His Package
1 Possession (Not The One By Danzig) 12%
2 Mustache T.V. 6%
3 Palestinians Are Not The Same Thing As... 21%
4 Does Anyone Else In The Room Want To Marry... 5%
5 I, Professional Gambler 4%
6 Out To Everyone 11%
7 Friend, Please Stop Smoking 7%
8 Head With Arms 0%
9 I Am Downright Amazed At What I Can Destroy... 20%
10 Lying to You 2%
11 Dear Atom, You Do Not Want Children. Love, Atom. 8%
12 For Aliza, Whenever She May Sleep 4%
13 Matt Werth Speaks 1%
Against Me Acoustic CD
Revolutions Per Minute CD
Die For The Government CD
Hair: Debatable (Bonus DVD) CD/DVD
Redefining Music CD
Bouncing Souls
How I Spent My Summer Vacation CD
2: Power Of Moonlite CD
Oil: Chicago Punk Refined CD
Big D and The Kids Table
Goodluck CD
Armalite CD
Displaying all 8 customer reviews
Reviews are written by people that purchased this item from Interpunk
Josh from Wilmington, DE
Sep 26 2007 Rating:
This album is pretty good, although I think "Redefining Music" was better. Most of the songs on here are pretty funny & catchy. Some ones that stand out are "The Palestinians Are Not The Same Thing As The Rebel Alliance, Jackass," "Does Anyone Else In This Room Want To Marry His Or Her Own Grandmother?," & "Dear Atom, You Do Not Want Children. Love, Atom."
Duncan from Dundalk, Ireland
Jun 8 2005 Rating:
Amazing album from Atom and His Package. Really rockin', which wasn't what I was really expecting. Lots of wild guitar riffs and the like............great fun.
Kyle from Newmarket, ON Canada
Jun 21 2004 Rating:
When you look at all the reviews here and see how they are all 5 stars and give glowing recommendations, they are no doubt CORRECT! This is without a doubt, Atom's best CD since 'Making Love' with such great songs as "Possession" and "I'm Downright Amazed". It's what techno-punk should be - ample amounts of guitar with just enough synth lines and drum sequences! Well worth the purchase.
Kevin from Hebecourt, France
Wow! What a terrific album! Atom manages to create an original album with his package. This mix of punk rock and electro influence due to his keyboard is really surprising. Besides the lyrics are very funny and are explained by Atom in the booklet. So, it's a sure value!
Austin from Metropolis, IL
Apr 25 2003 Rating:
Ahhh.. My beloved Atom. It seems that I can't dislike anything that he produces. Atom's back and the package is right by his side. This time around, Atom presents 12 rocktastic tracks and a bunch of random ramblings by Matt Worth. I'd have to say the only song on this album that I particullarly don't enjoy would be "Head With Arms". It's not bad, neccessarily, but I'm not too fond of it. You don't understand how bad you need this album, kids. Buy it today.
Chris from Boaz, AL
Mar 11 2003 Rating:
This album is awesome. The lyrics are funny but usually make a point, the synths are enjoyable and not annoying at all, and the guitars and drums are suprisingly intense. It all comes together to make one of the most unique outfits wandering the scene at the moment, as well as one of the best.
...unless his other albums really suck. All I know is that this one is wonderful.
Ranah from Albuquerque, NM
Mar 7 2003 Rating:
Well, this cd is frankly just great! A lot of the songs are really funny, especially “The palestinians are not the same thing..” I mean really, go get $13 dollars and buy the cd! If all the music that you like is Blink-182 and the like, you might not like it because it has a lot of bells and cool stuff like that. But you might, so just buy the cd, you’ll be doing your self a favor. Really, buy and jam out, its just awesome!
Chris from Portsmouth, RI
Feb 25 2003 Rating:
Wow, Atom has done it again! Totally awesome! "Possesion", "Mustache T.V.", "Does Anyone Else in This Want To Marry His or Her Own Grandma", "Friend, Please Stop Smoking", "Dear Atom" and "I'm Downright Amazed" are Atom's best work since his last album... which is still a good thing. The only thing that bugged me was Matt Werth's random rants at the end. Just... BUY IT!!!
"Atom And His Package"
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Home / Stock Picks / Stocks to Buy / Subscription Numbers Make iQiyi Stock Look Like a Great Buy Here
Subscription Numbers Make iQiyi Stock Look Like a Great Buy Here
iQIYI stock will survive these headwinds
By Chris Lau, InvestorPlace Contributor Jun 17, 2019, 7:40 am EDT June 17, 2019
Investors should exercise caution investing in companies that are both losing money and are listed in China. Such is the case with iQIYI(NASDAQ: IQ). Escalating trade wars between the U.S. and China scared investors away from China-based companies and that move has been costing iQIYI stock.
Even after JD.com (NASDAQ: JD) and Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA) reported solid quarterly sales growth, the stock failed to return to yearly highs. So, with iQIYI reporting first-quarter revenue growth of 43% but a loss of around $270 million, what is there to like about this company?
iQIYI’s subscriber base grew an impressive 58% to 96.8 million, up from 61.3 million last year. Revenue grew 43% but net losses doubled to around $270 million. The company effectively strengthened its platform with user growth and attracted new users, increasing overall user stickiness in the quarter.
Both DAU on the mobile app and time spent grew in the double digits, demonstrating effective marketing campaigns and premium content resonating with users. The Legend of Haolan, The Golden Eyes and The Legend are examples of premium, high-quality original drama driving subscriber growth.
iQIYI’s secondquarter revenue guidance of 6.91 billion – 7.29 billion yuan (USD $998 million – $1.05 billion), up 12-18% Y/Y is disappointing investors with a short-term time horizon. Revenue growth lags with the subscriber additions. If the time spent per user increases, expect iQIYI reporting higher revenue later this year.
Still, the company reported ad revenue remaining largely flat compared to last year. It is maintaining a cautious outlook, factoring the macroeconomic weakness in China that is driven by the ongoing trade disputes.
Opportunity in iQIYI Stock
iQIYI’s self-produced content, premium content, and ad solution should keep a positive business momentum despite the macro headwinds ahead. Viewership should grow, driven by advertising initiatives to attract new subscribers. IQIYI is building multiple business engines to diversify.
Its gaming business performed well in the first quarter while its content unit will incorporate more Chinese cultural values. The richer its content library gets, the wider an audience iQIYI will attract.
IQIYI is exploring the prospects of 5G with China Unicom. It launched an 8K VR visual experience center in March. Its “Qisubo” service integrates CDN technology with 5G Mobile Edge Computing and ensures high frame rates for videos having lots of interactivity. As Qisubo matures, its service may be used in hotels, high-speed trains, airports, universities, and anywhere high-quality video content is displayed.
Headwinds for iQIYI Stock
With all the strong growth prospects ahead, investors cannot ignore the growing expenses and quarterly loss. SG&A expenses rose 62% in the first quarter, primarily due to higher marketing spend and increased share-based compensation. R&D costs, which rose 54%, is expected for a technology firm that must invest to stay ahead.
Falling content costs could offset the other expense increases. Policy changes and regulatory censorship may have contributed to its 20% sequential drop in content costs in Q1. Looking ahead, the company expects steady content costs for the second and third quarter.
Subscriber growth outpaced competitors but could slow if its peers counter iQIYI’s successful initiatives. Still, strong original content and variety shows like Idol Producer resonate well with viewers.
Revenue from advertising could continue lagging as the trade war remains unresolved. On the flip side, a resolution between the U.S. and China would lead to a strong rally in IQ stock. Investors will anticipate a rebound in ad revenue as trade levels rebound and the economy in China strengthens.
Valuation and Your Takeaway on iQIYI Stock
IQ stock is getting close to its IPO price of 2018. Analysts are cautious of the stock’s upside, predicting a gain of just 9%. In a five-year DCF revenue exit model, iQIYI needs revenue growing 25% annually to justify a fair value of $20.50. But after the stock fell almost 30% in the last quarter, the selling momentum needs to subside before the stock has any chance of drawing buyers again.
Ideally, the U.S. and China resolve their trade dispute differences. If they do not, the stock will underperform. And since fundamentals are strong for the long-term, investors willing to hold the stock for more than a year should consider iQIYI at these levels.
Disclosure: As of this writing, the author did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2019/06/subscription-numbers-iqiyi-stock-great-buy/.
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Compilation of Weekly Presidential Documents - Monday, September 7, 1998 Vol. 34, No. 36 Remarks to future Russian leaders in Moscow
Remarks to future Russian leaders in Moscow
William J Clinton
�� September 1, 1998
� Thank you very much. First I'd like to thank Maxim Safonov for
that fine introduction and for his very encouraging remarks. Rector
Torpoulov, Minister Primakov, to all the members of the American
delegation. We have Secretary of State Albright, Secretary of
Commerce Daley, Secretary of Energy Richardson, National Security
Adviser Berger, our Ambassador, Jim Collins, and five distinguished
Members of the United States Congress here: Senator Domenici; Senator
Bingaman; Representatives Hoyer, King, and Deutsch.
�� I think their presence here should speak louder than any words I
could say that America considers our relationship with Russia to be
important. It is a relationship of friendship, of mutual
responsibility, and of commitment to the future. We are all honored
to be here today, and we thank you for your welcome.
� On this first day of school across both our countries, students
are resuming their studies, including their study of history. At
this critical, surely historic, moment, let me start with a few words
about what I believe the past can teach us as we and, especially, as
the Russian people face the challenges of the present and the future.
�� Two hundred and twenty-two years ago, we Americans declared our
freedom from the tyranny of King George of England. We set out to
govern ourselves. The road has not often-or certainly not
always-been easy. First, we fought a very long war for independence.
Then it took more than 10 years to devise a Constitution that worked.
Then in 1814, we went to war with England again. They invaded our
Capital City and burned the President's house, the White House. Then
in 1861, we began our bloodiest war ever, a civil war, fought over
the conflicts of slavery. It almost divided our country forever, but
instead we were reunited, and we abolished slavery.
� In the 1930's, before World War II, our country sank into an
enormous depression with 25 percent of our people unemployed and more
than one-third of our people living in poverty. Well, you know the
rest. We were allies in World War II, and after World War II we were
adversaries. But it was a time of great prosperity for the American
people, even though there were tense and difficult moments in the
last 50 years.
� The larger point I want to make, as Russia goes through this time
of extreme difficulty, is that over the life of our democracy we have
had many intense, even bitter, debates about what are the proper
relations between people of different races or religions or
backgrounds, over the gap between rich and poor, over crime and
punishment, even over war and peace. We Americans have fought and
argued with each other, as we do even today, but we have preserved
our freedom by remembering the fundamental values enshrined in our
Constitution and our Declaration of Independence, by continuing to
respect the dignity of every man, woman, and child, to tolerate those
with different ideas and beliefs than our own, to demand equality of
opportunity, to give everyone a chance to make the most of his or her
� Russia's great ally in World War II, our President, Franklin
Roosevelt, said that democracy is a never-ending seeking for better
things. For Americans, that means, in good times and bad, we seek to
widen the circle of opportunity, to deepen the meaning of our
freedom, to build a stronger national community.
� Now, what does all that got to do with Russia in 1998? Your
history is much longer than ours and so rich with accomplishment,
from military victories over Napoleon and Hitler to the literary
achievements of Pushkin, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Pasternak, and so many
others, to great achievements in art, music, dance, medicine,
science, space flight. Yet for all your rich, long history, it was
just 7 years ago that Russia embarked on its own quest for democracy,
liberty, and free marketsjust 7 years ago-a journey that is uniquely
your own and must be guided by your own vision of Russia's democratic
destiny.
� Now you are at a critical point on your journey. There are severe
economic pressures and serious hardships which I discussed in my
meetings with your leaders this morning. The stakes are enormous.
Every choice Russia makes today may have consequences for years and
years to come. Given the facts before you, I have to tell you that I
do not believe there are any painless solutions, and indeed, an
attempt to avoid difficult solutions may only prolong and worsen the
present challenges.
� First, let me make a couple of points. The experience of our
country over the last several years, and especially in the last 6
years, proves that the challenges of the global economy are very
great, but so are its rewards. The Russian people have met
tremendous challenges in the past. You can do it here. You can
build a prosperous future. You can build opportunity and jobs for
all the people of this land who are willing to work for them if you
stand strong and complete, not run from but complete the
transformation you began 7 years ago.
� The second point I want to make is the rest of the world has a
very large stake in your success. Today about a quarter of the
world's people are struggling with economic challenges that are
profound-the people of your country; the people in Japan, who have
had no economic growth for 5 years-it's still a very wealthy country,
but when they don't have any growth, it's harder for all other
countries that trade with them who aren't so wealthy to grow-other
countries in Asia. And now we see when there are problems in Russia
or in Japan or questions about the economy of China, you see all
across the world-the stock market in Latin America drops; you see the
last 2 days we've had big drops in the American stock market.
� What does that say? Well, among other things, it says, whether we
like it or not, we must build the future together, because, whether
we like it or not, we are going to be affected by what we do. We
will be affected by what you do; you will be affected by what we do.
We might as well do it together and make the most of it.
� Now, in terms of what has happened in America, obviously it's
always more enjoyable when our stock market goes up than when it goes
down. But I have talked to our Secretary of the Treasury about this
several times since yesterday. I want to reiterate the point that I
think is important for Russia, for America, for every country: We
believe our fundamental economic policy is sound; we believe our
people are working at record rates; and we are determined to stay on
a path of fiscal discipline that brought us to where we are. I think
that wherever there are markets there will always be changes in those
markets. But we must attempt to move in the right direction.
� And that's what I want to talk to you about today: How can we move
in the right direction? When I look at all the young people here
today-and I have read about you and your background-young people from
all over Russia, seizing the possibilities of freedom to chart new
courses for yourselves and your nation, making a difference by
building businesses from modest loans and innovative ideas, by taking
technologies created for weapons and applying them to human needs, by
finding creative government solutions to complex problems, by
improving medical care and fighting disease, by publishing courageous
journalism, exposing abuses of power, producing literature and art
and scholarship, changing the way people see their own lives,
organizing citizens to fight for justice and human rights and a
cleaner environment, reaching out to the world. In this room today,
there are young people doing all those things. That should give you
great reason to hope.
� You are at the forefront of building a modern Russia. You are a
new generation. You do represent the future of your dreams. Your
efforts today will not only ensure better lives for yourselves but
for your children and generations that follow.
� I think it is important to point out, too, that when Russia chose
freedom, it was not supposed to benefit only the young and well
educated, the rich and well connected; it was also supposed to
benefit the men and women who worked in factories and farms and
fought the wars of the Soviet era, those who survive today on
pensions and Government assistance. It was also supposed to benefit
the laborers and teachers and soldiers who work every day but wait
now for a paycheck.
� The challenge is to create a new Russia that benefits all
responsible citizens of this country. How do you get there? I do
not believe it is by reverting to the failed policies of the past. I
do not believe it is by stopping the reform process in midstream,
with a few Russians doing very well but far more struggling to
provide for their families. I believe you will create the conditions
of growth if, but only if, you continue to move decisively along the
path of democratic, market-oriented, constructive revolution.
� The Russian people have made extraordinary progress in the last 7
years. You have gone to the polls to elect your leaders. Some 65 to
70 percent of you freely turn out in every election. People across
Russia are rebuilding diverse religious traditions, launching a wide
range of private organizations. Seventy p ercent of the economy now
is in private hands. Not bureaucrats but consumers determine what
goods get to stores and where people live. You have reached out to
the world with trade and investment, exchanges of every kind, and
leadership in meeting security challenges around the globe.
� Now you face a critical moment. Today's financial crisis does not
require you to abandon your march toward freedom and free markets.
Russians will define Russia's future, but there are clear lessons, I
would argue, from international experience. Here's what I think they
� First, in tough times governments need stable revenues to pay
their bills, support salaries, pensions, and health care. That
requires decisive action to ensure that everyone pays their fair
share of taxes. Otherwise, a few pay too much, many pay too little,
the government is in the hole and can never get out, and you will
never be able to have a stable economic policy. It is tempting for
everyone to avoid wanting to pay any taxes. But if everyone will pay
their fair share, the share will be modest and their incomes will be
larger over the long run because of the stability and growth it will
bring to this Russian economic system.
� Second, printing money to pay the bills and bailout the banks
does not help. It causes inflation and ultimately will make the pain
worse.
��Third, special bailouts for a privileged few come at the expense
of the whole nation. Fourth, fair, equitable treatment of creditors
today will determine their involvement in a nation tomorrow. The
people who loan money into this nation must be treated fairly if you
want them to be loaning money into this nation 4 years, 5 years, 10
years hence.
� These are not radical theories, they are simply facts proven by
experience. How Russia reacts to them will fundamentally affect your
future. Surviving today's crisis, however difficult that may be, is
just the beginning. To create jobs, growth, and higher income, a
nation must convince its own citizens and foreigners that they can
safely invest. Again, experience teaches what works: fair tax laws
and fair enforcement; easier transferability of land; strong
intellectual property rights to encourage innovation; independent
courts enforcing the lav consistently and upholding contract rights;
strong banks that safeguard savings; securities markets that protect
investors; social spending that promotes hope and opportunity and a
safety net for those who in any given time in an open market economy
will be dislocated; and vigilance against hidden ties between
government and business interests that are inappropriate.
� Now, this is not an American agenda. I will say it again: This is
not an American agenda. These are the imperatives of the global
marketplace, and you can see them repeated over and over and over
again. You can also see the cost of ignoring them in nation after
nation after nation.
� Increasingly, no nation, rich or poor, democratic or
authoritarian, can escape the fundamental economic imperatives of the
global market. Investors and entrepreneurs have a very wide and
growing range of choices about where they put their money. They move
in the direction of openness, fairness, and freedom. Here, Russia
has an opportunity. At the dawn of a new century there is a
remarkable convergence; increasingly, the very policies that are
needed to thrive in the new economy are also those which deepen
democratic liberty for individual citizens.
��This is a wealthy country. It is rich in resources. It is richer
still in people. It has done a remarkable job of providing quality
education to large numbers of people. You have proven over and over
and over again in ways large and small that the people of this
country have a sense of courage and spirit, an unwillingness to be
beat down and to give up. The future can be very, very bright.
� But we can't ignore the rules of the game, because if there is a
system of freedom, you cannot take away and no country, not even the
United States with the size of our economy, no country is strong
enough to control what millions and millions and millions of people
decide freely to do with their money. But every country will keep a
large share of its own citizens' money and get a lot of money from
worldwide investors if it can put in place systems that abide by the
rules of international commerce. And all Russia needs is its fair
share of this investment. You have the natural wealth. You have the
people power. You have the education. All you need is just to get
your fair share of the investment.
� Now, 21st century economic power will rest on creativity and
innovation. I believe the young people in this room think they can
be as creative or innovative as anyone in the world. It will rest on
the free flow of information. It will rest on ideas. Consider this,
those of you who are beginning your careers: America's three largest
computer and software companies are now worth more than all the
American companies in our steel, automotive, aerospace, chemical, and
plastics industries combined-combined-our three biggest computer
companies.
� The future is a future of ideas. No nation will ever have a
monopoly on ideas. No people will ever control all the creative
juices that flow in the human spirit more or less evenly across the
world. You will do very well if you just get your fair share of
investment. To get your fair share of investment, you have to play
by the rules that everyone else has to play by. That's what this
whole crisis is about. No one could ever have expected your country
to be able to make this transition without pain. You've only been at
this 7 years.
� Look at any European country that has had an open market society
for decades and decades and decades. They have hundreds, indeed
thousands, of little organizations, they have major national
institutions that all tend to reinforce these rules that I talked
about earlier. Don't be discouraged, but don't be deterred. Just
keep working until you get it in place. Once you get it in place,
Russia will take off like a rocket, because you have both natural
resources and people resources.
� Now, I think it's important to point out, however, that economic
strength-let's go back to the rules-it depends on the rule of law.
If somebody from outside a country intends to put money into a
foreign country, they want to know what the rules are. What are the
terms on which my money is being invested? How will my investment be
protected? If I lose money, I want to know it's because I made a bad
decision, not because the law didn't protect my money. It is very
important. Investors, therefore, seek honest government, fair
systems-fair for corporations and consumers, where there are strong
checks on corruption and abuse of authority and openness in what the
rules are on how investment capital is handled.
� Economic strength depends on equality of opportunity. There must
be strong schools and good health care, and everyone must have a
chance to share in the nation's bounty. And economic power must lie
with people who vote their consciences, use new technologies to
spread ideas, start organizations to work for change, and build
enterprises of all kinds.
� Now, some seek to exploit this power shift that's going on in the
world to take advantage of their fellow citizens. When this nation
went from the old Communist command and control system to an open
free system, without all the intermediate institutions and private
organizations that it takes years to build up, vacuums were created.
And into those vacuums, some moved with an intent to exploit their
fellow citizens to enrich themselves without regard to fairness or
safety or the future. The challenges for any citizenthis is not
Russia specific-this would have happened and has happened in every
single country that has had to make this transition. There's nothing
inherently negative about this development. It is as predictable as
the Sun coming up in the morning. Every country has had to face
this. But you must overcome it.
� You must have a state that is strong enough to control abuses:
violence, theft, fraud, bribery, monopolism. But it must not be so
strong that it can limit the legitimate rights and dreams and
creativity of the people. That is the tension of creating the right
kind of democratic market society.
� The bottom line is that the American people very much want Russia
to succeed. We value your friendship. We honor your struggle. We
want to offer support as long as you take the steps needed for
stability and progress. We will benefit greatly if you strengthen
your democracy and increase your prosperity.
� Look what our partnership has already produced. We reversed the
dangerous buildup of nuclear weapons. We're 2 years ahead of
schedule in cutting nuclear arsenals under START I. START II, which
still awaits ratification in the Duma, will reduce our nuclear forces
by two-thirds from cold-war levels. President Yeltsin and I already
have agreed on a framework for START III to cut our nuclear arsenals
even further.
� For you young people, at a time when India and Pakistan have
started testing nuclear weapons, America and Russia must resume the
direction the world should take away from nuclear weapons, not toward
them. This is a very important thing.
� We are working to halt the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
We signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with 147 other
countries. We're working to contain the arms race between India and
Pakistan, to strengthen controls on transfers of weapons
technologies, to combat terrorism everywhere.
� Our bonds are growing stronger, and as they do we will move closer
to our goal of a Europe undivided, democratic, and at peace. We
reached agreement for greater cooperation between NATO and Russia.
And our soldiers serve side by side, making peace possible in Bosnia.
We don't always agree, and our interests aren't always identical.
But we work together more often than n ot, and the world is a better
place as a result. Building peace is our paramount responsibility,
but there is more we must do together. One thing we need to do more
together is prove that you can grow the economy without destroying
� A great man looking at the condition of the environment charged
that humanity was a destroyer. He wrote, "Forests keep disappearing.
Rivers dry up. Wildlife has become extinct. The climate is ruined.
The land grows poorer and uglier every day." Chekhov wrote those
words 100 years ago. Just imagine his reaction to the present
environmental conditions, with toxic pollution ruining our air and
water, and global warming threatening to aggravate flooding and
drought and disease.
� Together, we can create cleaner technologies to grow our economies
without destroying the world's environment and imperiling future
generations. Together, we can harness the genius of our citizens not
for making weapons but for building better communications, curing
disease, combating hunger, exploring the heavens. Together, we can
reconcile societies of different people with different religions and
races and viewpoints, and stand against the wars of ethnic,
religious, and racial hatred that have dominated recent history.
� If we stand together and if we do the right things, we can build
that kind of world. If the people of Russia stand for economic
reform that benefits all the people of this country, America will
stand with you. As the people of Russia work for education and
scientific discovery, as they stand against corruption and for honest
government, against the criminals and terrorists and for the safety
of ordinary citizens, against aggression and for peace, America will
proudly stand with you. It is the right thing to do, but it is also
very much in the interest of the American people to do so.
� I was amazed there were some doubters back in America who said
perhaps I shouldn't come here because these are uncertain times
politically and economically. And there are questions being raised
in the American press about the commitment of Russia to the course of
reform and democracy. It seems to me that anybody can get on an
airplane and take a trip in good times and that friends come to visit
each other in challenging and difficult times.
� I come here as a friend, because I believe in the future of
Russia. I come here also because I believe someone has to tell the
truth to the people, so that you're not skeptical when your political
leaders tell you things that are hard to hear. There is no way out
of playing by the rules of the international economy if you wish to
be a part of it. We cannot abandon the rules of the international
economy. No one can.
� There is a way to preserve the social safety net and the social
contract and to help the people who are too weak to succeed. There
is a way to do that. And there are people who will help to do that.
But it has to be done. So I come here as a friend. I come here
because I know that the future of our children and the future of
Russia's young people are going to be entwined, and I want it to be a
good future. And I believe it can be.
� Recently, a woman from PetrozavodskI hone I pronounced that right.
Petrozavodsk-wrote these words about your people, who won World War
II and rebuilt from the rubble. Listen to this. She said, "We
survived the ruins, the devastation, the hunger, and the cold. It is
not possible that our people can do this again? If people raise
themselves, they can move mountains. Toward what end? Pushkin once
said that so long as we burn with freedom, we can fulfill the noble
urges of our souls."
� In all this dry and sometimes dour talk about economics and
finance, never forget that, whatever your human endeavor, the
ultimate purpose of it is to fulfill the noble urges of your soul.
That is the ultimate victory the Russian people will reap if you will
see this process through to the end. I hope you will do that, and I
hope we will be able to be your partners every step of the way.
� Thank you very much.
� NOTE: The President spoke at 4:50 p.m. in the auditorium at Moscow
State University. In his remarks, he referred to Maxim Safonov,
student, Moscow State University; and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Yevgeniy Primakov and President Boris Yeltsin of Russia. A portion
of these remarks could not be verified because the tape was
incomplet
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The Guardian On Sunday
Nipashe
Nipashe Jumapili
Birds of a feather: Kim Jong-un and Donald J Trump
Correpondent
After his first meeting with Kim Jong-un Donald Trump declared: “And then we fell in love, okay? No, really – he wrote me beautiful letters, and they’re great letters.” Maybe it was a joke, maybe not.
At least Trump indicated that he and Kim Jong-un were friends. In his book De Amicitia, written 44 BCE, Marcus Tullius Cicero wrote “A friend is, as it were, a second self.” Are Trump and Kim Jong-un really friends? At least they seem to have many personal traits in common.
Contrary to Kim Jong-un, Donald J Trump does not appear as particularly mysterious. He is apparently a full-fledged narcissist. The mystery consists of the fact that he has been elected president of the United States and after two years remains in power. Maybe Trump´s allure originates from the fact that his persona mirrors his tough upbringing and privileged class?
Trump grew up in the shadow of a dominant, callous father and took over his economic empire. May that be one reason to why Trump is able to sympathize with Kim Jong-un, who was born privileged, endowed with inadequate empathy and raised in the shadow of a dictatorial father?
Nevertheless, Kim Jong-un comes from a completely different environment than Trump, raised as he was within the innermost circle of a totalitarian regime, which twenty years ago observed how a tenth of its oppressed subjects succumbed to a famine, allowed to continue almost unabated while their tightly controlled state machinery spent millions on the well-being of the Kim family and a money devouring nuclear program.
This while people who expressed any kind of complaint, or even had tried to get hold of some food for their families, were interned, starved to death and executed. This piece of history, as well as the current existence of deplorable concentration camps, were not mentioned by the propaganda that Trump supporters unfurled in anticipation of his meeting with the Rocket Man.
Trump´s world, like Kim Jong-un´s, consists of a grotesque lie. It is fake, but hardly fake news, we all know that it is all a smoke screen, an illusion constituted by boastfulness and show business. Kim Jong-un´s world is likewise a bizarre sham, where an unpleasant reality is hidden behind imaginative Potemkin façades.
One conspicuous aspect of the North Korean personality cult is the “cultural” interests of the ruling Kim family, which manifests itself primarily through extensive film productions, operas, circus performances and the meticulously choreographed mass gymnastics of the Arirang Festivals. Just like Trump, Kim Jong-un appears to be fascinated by the military parades, mass meetings and beauty contests he grew up with.
It is a mystery that a man like the dictatorial and murderous Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong-un´s grandfather and founder of North Korea´s ruling dynasty, is said to be the author of the play/novel/opera/movie The Flower Girl, which tells a story of how a beautiful girl is plagued by being born poor and oppressed.
How could Kim Il Sung and his successors then behave even worse than the feudal lords he had condemned so passionately? Like the Korean landlords´ rule the Kim dynasty´s power is supported by foreign super powers ̶ China and the Soviet Union (and later Russia) and like the former Korean kings the Kim family lives in luxury, while their underlings subsist in fear and oppression.
Whether The Flower Girl really was written by Kim Il Sung remains an open question. Maybe he was just as much the author of this popular tale as Donald Trump was of The Art of the Deal ̶ i.e. not at all. Nevertheless, The Flower Girlhas just like Trump´s The Art of the Deal, which constantly is referred to by his supporters and opponents, become something of a trademark for the Kim dynasty, for example The Flower Girl featured on North Korean banknotes (1 won), while the US president on several occasions has stated that The Art of the Deal is his favourite book, “after the Bible” he likes to add.
After he had cleansed his Worker´s Party from opponents, Kim Il Sung turned his attention to his countrymen. Each citizen was subjected to rigorous background checks and classified in accordance with his/her ancestry and family ̶ parents, grandparents, even first and second cousins, their occupations and beliefs.
Had any of them collaborated with the Japanese, South Koreans, or Americans? Were they “pure” Koreans born in the country, or was Japanese or Chinese blood running through their veins? With all likelihood this paranoia subsists under Kim Jong-un and is supported by his propaganda machinery, just as Trump promotes xenophobia and racism to strengthen his own power.
Kim Jong-un´s father, Kim Jong Il, was a movie enthusiast, with a collection of more than 20,000 DVDs, among them his favourites ̶ James Bond movies, Friday the 13th, Rambo, Godzilla and action movies from Hong Kong. The latter is a taste he shared with both his son and Donald Trump. USA’s own Great Leader does not get tired of watching his favourite movie Bloodsport, in which Jean-Claude van Damme with great variety kills his opponents during martial art contests staged within underground fighting dens.
Like his son, Kim Jong Il was also a great basketball fan and like him he organized a pop group consisting solely of female artists, but unlike Kim Jong-un, he enjoyed their appearance and music only in closed company.
The contemporary North Korean popular music success Moranbong Band, is organized by Kim Jong-un and consists of his personal selection of 20 young women from all over North Korea. With their miniskirts and colourful outlook,Moranbong Band has become a trendsetter in North Korea, where women increasingly are abandoning their drab grey or brown uniforms in synthetic materials, for increasingly colourful outfits. Like Trump, Kim Jong-un likes to surround himself with beautiful, young women, especially those who enthusiastically expose their devotion to him.
Apart from attractive young women, Kim Jong-un is also fascinated by impressive, lavishly looking building projects. Pyongyang increasingly assumes the appearance of an oversized Hollywood film set, like something made for a Disneyland-inspired mastodont movie, a kind of glamour version of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis.
Visitors marvel at the city’s vast squares and largely empty boulevards, its pastel-coloured skyscrapers dominated by the gargantuanRyonyong. This huge, unfinished building was designed by the end of the 1980s and intended to be the world’s largest hotel.
An oversized 300 metres high Trump Tower like edifice with 3000 rooms. At the top there would be luxury restaurants and a casino housed within a rotating tower. The building is now a huge shell, covered with glass windows. Very few know what is inside, probably it is empty.
Like Kim Jong-un, Trump is a child of his times and environment. He lives in his own secluded dream world of luxury mansions and golf courses, fascinated by a make-believe existence of glamorous shows, shallow movies and tributes provided by the fake cosiness of his favourite TV-show Fox and Friends and stirred up mass meetings.
He does not read any books, receive most of his stimuli in the form of pictures, mainly television. Like Kim Jong-un Trump surrounds himself with syncopates and thrives on fear of foreign invaders.
His written means of expression essentially consists of Twitter and the signing of Executive Orders. It would not be surprising if Kim Jong-un is found to be living in a similar sphere of mental seclusion and that he actually has found a friend, i.e. “a second self”, in an equally narcissistic Donald J Trump.
IFAD launches global campaign to close gender gap in agriculture
In S. Sudan, a ‘war on civilians’ despite six months of supposed peace
THE ruling CCM Secretary General Dr Ally Bashiru.
Clerics should not be involved in politics , says Dr Ally Bashiru
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We are left with only 27pc of business, say shipping agents
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Singida East seat: NEC sets campaign schedule
Victor Oladokun.
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President Akinwumi Adesina’s Adoptive Son from Madagascar
Engineer Kamugenyi Luteganya (R, with notebook) briefs January Makamba (C), Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), when the latter toured the Stiegler’s Gorge hydropower project in Coast Region at the weekend. Left is National Environment Management Council director general Dr Samuel Gwamaka. Photo: Guardian Correspondent
Minister outlines comprehensive measures to preserve Rufiji River
AU, TALIRI in cross boundary training on indigenous cattle
In Tanzania still about 70 to 80 per cent labour is absorbed in this sector. Agricultural progress permits the shift of manpower from agricultural to non-agricultural sector.
Importance of agricultural sector in a country’s economic development
Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi, Balozi John Kijazi (kulia), akiagana na Jaji Mkuu mstaafu Mohamed Chande Othman, baada ya hafla fupi ya kumuaga, iliyofanyika katika Mahakama Kuu ya Tanzania Kanda ya Dar es Salaam jana. PICHA: MIRAJI MSALA
Jaji Mkuu mstaafu Chande aagwa akimiminiwa sifa
New Luika Gold Mine in Chunya, Songwe region.
Shanta Gold chief excited by rich orebody at New Luika Gold Mine
Unseen and unsafe: Violence against women within migrant families
The painting by Claude Monet, part of the Haystacks "Les Meules" series is displayed at Sotheby's during a press preview of their upcoming impressionist and modern art sale in New York, U.S., May 3, 2019. File Photo
Rich get richer, everyone else not so much in record US expansion
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[Lacquer]
NEW YORK, NY, August 10th, 2016 — Ippodo gallery is pleased to hold an exhibition of lacquer works by Jihei Murase III. Murase is a third-generation lacquerware artist, with the Murase family traditions dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868). Seeking inspiration for the original work of his grandfather honoring the tea ceremony, the objects are created in the style of Negoro, named for the 12th century temple which originated the design. The Negoro design is a simple, Zen, modest style, where black reveals itself through vermillion over time, and Murase’s work is well known for its expertise in this longstanding tradition. Beyond reverence for the past, the works speak to the changing tides of art and lifestyle in modern society. Delving into form and meaning, works intermingle value of nature, tradition, and harmony in innovation, ultimately challenging conventional tea ceremony with precision and artistry. Tea caddies, scoops, water jars, vases, vessels and trays are all on display at Ippodo Gallery, with 30 items in all.
Whether in vermillion red, silver or black, Murase emphasizes the harmony in form. Although all works can be used in traditional tea ceremony, Murase is foremost a sculptor, paying careful attention to his golden rule of shape down to minutia. Murase’s tea wares pays reverence to contemporary Mingei style. Translated as the beauty of functional things, Mingei is known as the art of daily life. Viewable as art objects, they are intertwined with the everyday.
The Murase family perfected their technique over the centuries for top clientele among dilettantes and top restauranteurs. Rosanjin Kitaoji (1883-1959) loved Murase’s lacquerware, and was celebrated in Mingei as a chef, potter as well and painter. The Murase family was originally from Nagoya, tea-ceremony was a daily occurrence, necessitating the precision and artistry of top quality objects. In 1952, the family moved to Tokyo and produced tea ceremony utensils under the direction of the tea master Soho Suzuki, connecting with tea ceremony aficionados Jian Matsunaga and Fujio Koyama. Their informal monthly tea ceremony in Tokyo has now endured for almost six decades.
Murase works with a very delicate, sharp chisel he uniquely handcrafts to align the lid and body of his pieces perfectly. The effect is a smooth finish, and a thinned and precise base. For more traditional symmetrical items, he selects trees grown in straight, severe environments. Murase works with timber dried over a hundred years, prized for its delicate, thin grooves. The result is a subtlety shaped by a century of preparation, effortless in its smooth and seamless serenity. Items are hatched from a single slice of wood, a strong and high-quality type called keyaki (or zelcova). Keyaki is naturally curved, thus preserving the line and texture for a natural form. The technique has been perfected since Murase’s father began the process.
Lacquer is secondary, intended only to coat form. Murase repeatedly coats the items in black so as not to distract from nature’s creation. The silver occasionally oxidizes over time, growing cooler over time.
Two layers coat container inside the tea container and on the outside cover, demonstrating dedicated and beautiful craftsmanship, even as the mastery is understated.
Ippodo Gallery continues its mission to present works in harmony with the natural world. As old-growth forests gradually disappear, incorporating precious woods optimizes nature, and pays homage to the natural splendor of Japan.
1957 Born in Tokyo as the grandson of the first generation
Jihei who was a craftsman working with the wooden
base and lacquer coating under the direction and
patronage of Kitaoji Rosanjin.
1975 Graduates from Tokyo Metropolitan High School of
Music & the Fine Arts
1980 Graduates from the Sculpture Department of Tokyo
Zokei University.
In the same year, joined the long-standing family
lacquerware wooden base and coating business.
Receives instruction in the Way of Tea from Suzuki
Sokan of Hibi-an, a Master of the Urasenke School of
2001 Inherits the name, Jihei III, and the position of 7th
generation lacquerware base maker.
Thereafter, exhibits his work widely.
Public collections:
・Philadelphia Museum of Art / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
・Yale University Art Gallery (Asian art collection) / New Haven, Connecticut, USA
・The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo / Japan
Jihei Murase - The Technique of Lacquer from Shoko Aono on Vimeo.
A third-generation woodworker and lacquer craftsman, he performs every stage of the production himself, from turning the wooden bases to applying the natural urushi lacquer. He inherited his grandfather's close association with the tea ceremony and carries out research into tea-ceremony utensils. Using his skill with the lathe, he creates superb forms and also demonstrates outstanding lacquering finish. He produces unique Negoro-style works that are ideally suited to the twenty-first century.
1957 Born in Tokyo as the grandson of the first generation Jihei who was a craftsman working with the wooden base and lacquer coating under the direction and patronage of Kitaoji Rosanjin.
1975 Graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan High School of Music & the Fine Arts.
1980 Graduated from the Sculpture Department of Tokyo Zokei University.
In the same year, joined the long-standing family lacquerware wooden base and coating business.
Received instruction in the Way of Tea from Suzuki Sokan of Hibi-an, a Master of the Urasenke School of Tea.
2001 Inherited the name, Jihei III, and the position of 7th generation lacquerware base maker
2010 Exhibited at About the Tea Ceremony: A Viewpoint on Contemporary Kogei held at the National Museum of Modern Art Crafts Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2014 Exhibited at Kogei and the Tea Ceremony held at the National Museum of Modern Art Crafts Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2016 Solo exhibition Lacquer Forms: Modern Negoro at Ippodo Gallery New York
Solo exhibition at Ippodo Gallery Tokyo
Philadelphia Museum of Art / Philadelphia, PA
Yale University Art Gallery (Asian art collection) / New Haven, CT
National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo / Japan
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Home / News / Article
I Support Survivors and Stand With Kavanaugh
via Newsmax
by Patrice Lee Onwuka
Hundreds of women joined comedian Amy Schumer, actress Lisa Ratajkowski, and leaders of the Women's March at the #CancelKavanaugh rally yesterday. Gladly, I was not among them. Like many of my colleagues and friends, I #StandwithBrettKavanaugh and believe he should be confirmed as the next Supreme Court Justice.
This time must feel cathartic for many women who have survived sexual abuse, rape, or molestation and suffered in silence. It was powerful that women at the rally wore hand-made shirts bearing the dates of their assaults or the age when something terrible happened to them. I am glad that they are finally able to voice their pain and begin the healing journey. However, using Judge Brett Kavanaugh as a stand-in for their perpetrator is not justice.
People are using the “Believe Survivors” mantra to turn emotions on a deeply personal issue into opposition against a qualified judge, raise money, and build political power.
Those who promote this slogan set up a false dichotomy: if you believe that survivors of sexual assault and abuse should be able to tell their stories and find justice, then you must believe the allegations by Dr. Christine Ford, you must agree that Judge Kavanaugh is lying, and you must oppose his confirmation.
This is not like choosing whether to be Team Edward or Team Jacob in “Twilight.”
As a woman, I can be sympathetic to victims of sexual abuse, but also care about the facts of each specific case. If I was a member of a jury in a sexual assault case, my sympathy for victims overall would no — and should not — outweigh the evidence or lack of corroboration and inconsistencies in the accuser’s testimony.
Our system of justice rests on the bedrock principle of the presumption of innocence. An emotional allegation if uncorroborated cannot be enough to irreparably damage a person’s reputation, disrupt his family and life, and end his freedom.
Just look at Gregory Counts and Van Dyke Perry, two black men recently exonerated after serving a combined 37 years in prison on false rape charges. DNA testing results showed that the men were not connected to the crime and the victim admitted she lied.
Or Malcolm Alexander, a Louisiana man who wrongfully served nearly 38 years for a rape that DNA evidence later proved he did not commit. The victim and witness incorrectly identified him.
Organizations like the Innocence Project fight every day for the exonerations of thousands of wrongly convicted people.
Even for those who never serve any time, an allegation alone is devastating. Look at the four Hofstra University men falsely accused of gang raping an 18-year-old student in 2009. The accuser admitted her allegation was false and authorities dropped charges, but the damage to these young men and their families was already done.
Judge Kavanaugh has not faced a legal charge in connection with Dr. Ford’s allegation. Yet, the same standards and the presumption of innocence should still apply in the court of public opinion.
After seven background investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dr. Ford’s allegation remains uncorroborated. Sex-crimes prosecutor Rachel Mitchell concluded based on the inconsistencies, lapses in Ford’s memory, and lack of corroboration of her story that no “reasonable prosecutor” would bring a case against Judge Kavanaugh.
I believe something happened to Dr. Ford. By whom, when, and where still remains the mystery. However, her unsubstantiated claim should not keep Judge Kavanaugh off the Supreme Court bench. The public should not convict him and forever tar him as a predator based on weak allegations alone.
As a woman, a mother, a sister, and a daughter, I believe in justice and fairness. Those values are not in competition and to treat them as if they are is disingenuous.
All victims deserve to seek justice, but justice is not one-sided. Due process and fairness should be upheld for both the accuser and the accused, for conservatives and for liberals, for women and for men.
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Golden Thailand 11 Days / 10 Nights
Bangkok / Sukhothai / Lampang / Chiang Rai | Chiang Mai / Mae Hong Son
Immerse in exotic Bangkok’s rich history and culture
Glimpse into the ruins in Ayuthaya, once the glorious capital of Old Siam – a UNESCO World Heritage site
Explore the impressive ruins in Sukhothai Historical Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site
Tour to the famous “Golden Triangle” in Chiang Rai
Adventurous elephant safari ride through the jungle
Visit the remote tribe village and see the “long neck women”
Bangkok 3 Chatrium Hotel Riverside
Sukhothai 1 Legendha Sukhothai
Lampang 1 Lampang River Lodge
Chiang Rai 2 Legend Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai 2 Holiday Inn Chiang Mai
Mae Hong Son 1 Fern Resort
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and unwind.
City tour of Bangkok, starting with the Grand Palace, built in 1782 and home to the royal court for 150 years. Continue to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Finish your city tour with a stop at the Tower of the Nine Planets followed by a drive to Ayutthaya and the Great Throne Hall exhibit. Return to Bangkok. In the evening, enjoy a Thai dinner & classic dance performance. (B, D)
Bangkok | Sukhothai
Morning drive to Ayuthaya, the former glorious capital of Siam from 1350 until 1767. Visit palaces and temples in the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue to Lopburi, one of Thailand’s oldest cities, to visit the 13th-century Phra Prang Sam Yot and the ruins of Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, and 8 acre complex with a large royal temple. (B, L)
Sukhothai | Lampang
Visit the Sukhothai Historical Park which covers a former walled city that was the capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13th and 14th centuries. Continue to the Sri Satchanalai-Chaliang Historical Park, a lush green countryside dotted with ancient Buddha figures, palace buildings and ruined temples. These sites are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Arrival at Lampang, enjoy a horse carriage ride and visit to Baan Sao Nak local market. (B, L)
Lampang | Chiang Rai
Morning tour includes Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, one of the most highly revered temples in Thailand. It is also one of the country’s best examples of Lanna style architecture. Continue to scenic Chiang Rai and cruise on the Mae Kok River in longtailed boats. Stop to visit a hill tribe village. (B, L)
Visit the ancient town of Chiang Saen and the Wat Chedi Luang, a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai. Stop at the House of Opium Museum then continue to the famous Golden Triangle, the former opium-growing region and visit the northernmost Mae Sai town (B, L)
Chiang Rai | Chiang Mai
Drive to Chiang Mai, ancient capital of the Lamma Kingdom and visit a handicraft village. At night, Khantoke Dinner with Show. (B, L, D)
Morning visit to the Elephant Camp where you can try an elephant safari ride through the jungle, followed by a ride on bamboo rafts down the Mae Tang River. Later, visit a beautiful orchid farm before returning to hotel. (B, L)
Chiang Mai | Mae Hong Son
Tour to the beautiful hill temple of Doi Suthep, one of northern Thailand’s most sacred temples, which overlooks the city of Chiang Mai. Then stop in a Meo Hill Tribe Village before your afternoon flight to Mae Hong Son. Upon arrival explore the Fish Cave, a park with underground steam full of fish surrounded by a beautiful fores. Continue to visit some of the best-known temples in the city. (B)
Mae Hong Son | Bangkok
Morning elephant ride through the jungle, followed by a long-tailed boat cruise along the Pai River, a popular place also for tubing and white-water rafting. Later, visit the Padongs hill tribe village of the “long-necked women”. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. (B)
Depart Bangkok
Transfer to the airport for return flight. (B)
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Nick Van Dijk
Review, Small ensemble, Straight ahead
Lucien Johnson + 5
JazzLocal32.com March 7, 2018 Leave a comment
The eponymously titled album ‘Lucian Johnson+5’ was first released in 2016 and has recently been re-released in Japan on vinal. I have only encountered Johnson performing once or twice as he has spent a lot of time outside of New Zealand. He was born in Wellington, but led an interesting life elsewhere, travelling the world with various innovative bands and living for long periods in Paris. I first encountered him when he toured with ‘The Troubles; a delightfully anarchic folksy ensemble he co-founded along with Scottish Jazz drummer John Rae. After hearing Lucien Johnson+5, I will be paying close attention to his futures offerings.
I became aware of the album’s existence soon after its release, but carelessly lost the Bandcamp access code when I changed computers. I finally regained access, listened and was immediately impressed. This is a mature piece of work with real depth. Given the diversity of experience, the musicians bring to the project that is hardly surprising. Johnson’s musicianship and compositional abilities are well known – pare him with these five musicians and you get something special. Any project involving Crayford, French, O’Connor, Van Dijk and Callwood is going to grab the attention.
There is a certain mood emanating from this album, a palpable sense of the Iberian Peninsula. It is more than just the track names – it cuts far deeper than that. You will not hear overt Jazz Flamenco or Moorish tunes. You will hear reflective ballads, Latin, hard swing and all with fine arrangements (arrangements which evoke the hay-day of the classic Jazz ensemble). The album warmly invites us to engage, and the deeper we engage the greater the reward. The musicians were clearly onboard with the project and each of them gets a chance to shine. There are many wonderful solos, none that are too long and each solo harnessing to the spirit of the collective. Brilliant musicians all, but with no egos on display.
‘Light Shaft’ has a dancy Latin feel with French and Johnson reacting to Crayford’s rhythmic accenting; Crayford later tying it all together with a masterful solo. ‘El Cid’ is another great tune, again with a Latin American flavour, this time Afro Cuban. The clave aside, it evokes the Reconquista hero perfectly. El Cid’s is a tale well worth the re-telling; especially since modern scholars discovered that his antecedents were actually Moors, the very people he fought with such evangelistic fervour – a modern parable. ‘Zapata’ is another delightful tune and with plenty of meat on the bone. It opens with O’Connor beating out a Krupa like rhythm on the toms, the ensemble comes in next, navigating a skillfully arranged head with nimble ease. Van Dijk and Crawford follow with stunning solos, but everyone is superb. This is a great piece of ensemble playing and above all it is fun. Here is Zapata:
My favourite from the album is ‘Asturias’. This track has a thoughtful quality and as many layers as a ripe onion. In spite of being a sextet, the ensemble sounds like a nonet at times – capturing the vibe of 50’s Gil Evans. This lies mainly in the skillful writing, as space and texture are maximised. The rich voicings of the horn line are also of importance, as they somehow manage to convey substance and airiness at the same time. Nick Van Dijk in particular, utilising the opportunity to shine through. Crayford and Callwood also have essential roles – Crayford creating a strumming effect, as Callwood did in the opening bars. Asturias is a region of northwestern Spain and also a Flamenco guitar style (a style often adapted to other instruments). Albeniz wrote in this style in the 19th century, The melody over a strummed pedal chord (the thumb playing the melody line).
When we listen to evocative music, we bring our imagination to the experience. Whether intended by Johnson or not, this album took me back to Spain. I have travelled extensively in Andalucia and rekindling those memories through this music was a pleasure. The artwork is also superb and that is credited to George Johnson. The best place to source this album is on Bandcamp or via the Lucien Johnson website. lucienjohnson5.bandcamp.com
Chris O'Connor, Jonathan Crayford, Lex French, Lucien Johnson, Lucien Johnson + 5, Nick Van Dijk, Tom Callwood, Wellington Jazz
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May 24, 2016 May 24, 2016 / J. Eric Smith
Ye gods, he blogs! Or at least he stops by his website to unload some piffle and tripe for your reading pleasure (?) until June’s Short Story of the Month appears . . .
On The Stereo #1: I’ve had Tsarskoye Selo by Che Guevara T-Shirt on heavy rotation for the past couple of weeks. The group formed circa 2005 in Albany, New York with a standard guitar(s)-bass-drum rock configuration, but around the time of their outstanding 2012 album Everyone That’s Dead Was Obviously Wrong (see #6, here), the front line of Keith Sonin and Matt Heuston both began playing baritone guitars, creating a truly distinctive sound and feel for their music. They’ve continued with the double baritone approach through three more albums since then (picking up new drummer John Olander along the way), and the low end remains front and center on the fabulous Tsarskoye Selo. The seven-track album combines knotty melodic and rhythmic figures with impressionistic, claustrophobic lyrics that are rich in word play, and delivered with a sharp urgency by Sonin (mostly) and Heuston (on “Revenge”). While the challenging musical patterns might casually shoehorn these songs into the “math rock” genre, Che Guevara T-Shirt manage to make their intricacy far more engaging than most other examples of that form, and the rumble of the baritones creates a sense of inexorable force that grabs you and holds you and shakes you in potent, resonant ways. Album highlights for me include “Un Jou” (fantastic use of multi-lingual sounds to tap hidden layers of meaning), “I Break Women” (the most rumbling of rumbles) and “Conrad” (which combines powerful music with dark, self-referential words to create a paean to the frustrations of the independent artist). What makes Che Guevara T-Shirt’s work most special to me is the blend of their unique instrumental attack with the excellence of their texts, credited in the album’s liner notes to one “Scott Koenig,” who I suspect may be the equally mysterious “S. Connick,” who wrote an interesting “20 Years Later” review of this disc on his blog, here. Having followed Heuston and Sonin’s musical activities for many, many years (well before Che Guevara T-Shirt existed), I’d be delighted if Connick’s future visions for this album came true. These guys are great songwriters and musicians, and they deserve to be more widely heard and respected.
A Pet Peeve: I’m very mobile these days, doing a lot of travel for work, or taking multiple buses and trains each day when I go to and from my office. I carry all the things I need to make it through the day in a satchel (okay, it’s probably a man purse, technically) that hangs around my neck. As I go to stores and buy coffee and other sundries necessary throughout the day, I’ve become increasingly bugged by the habit of retail cashiers to leaf large paper receipts in with bills, then put coins on top of the whole mess, when making change. First off, I don’t want a huge paper receipt for a $2.50 cup of coffee. Secondly, when you give me change that way, I can no longer slide my bills into my wallet with one hand, then easily slide my wallet into my man purse satchel. It becomes a two-handed operation that involved setting things down on the counter, creating the opportunity to walk away without something. Before computers became ubiquitous, I think we all envisioned a far more paper-free world that they might have created. But now, the amount of useless, incidental paper generated seems to be rising, and cashiers are being trained to hand it to customers in the most inconvenient way possible. A big deal? No. Annoying nonetheless? You bet. That’s pretty much the definition of pet peeve isn’t it?
Road, Rail, Plane Warrior: I mentioned that I’ve been traveling a lot lately. How much? Here’s a map of the places I’ve been since August:
I’ll be returning to Iowa and Florida in the next month, but before then, I leave this map entirely for a trip to Italy with Marcia. Watch for the usual photo essays around that trip in early June.
Beloved Royals, Up Close and Personal: We had a perfect spring day here on Sunday, and Marcia and I spent it on the first base side of U.S. Cellular Field, watching my Beloved Royals play the hometown Chicago White Sox. It was a good game, though it didn’t end quite the way I would have liked, with the Sox winning, and two Royals players being injured in a foul ball chasing collision along the third base line. But it was still a joy to see them play, since it’s been a long time since I’ve had the chance to do so. Our seats were excellent, per shots below:
On The Stereo #2: I was thrilled to learn a few weeks back that New Jersey’s dälek were back in musical action with a fantastic new album called Asphalt for Eden. My “Top 200 Albums of All Time” list features not one, not two, but three albums from this crew, and they are played very regularly in our household. At bottom line: I find their work be aurally, lyrically, and conceptually as ambitious and impressive and original as music comes. Ostensibly an underground rap act on paper, dälek actually mine an ambitious lode that sits on a tiny sweet spot where the industrial, noise, hip hop and avant garde genres overlap. Their beats are insistent, but they are often shrouded in dense loops of squall and squeal and static that don’t quite sound like anything else I’ve heard anywhere else, from anyone. Atop the tumult, MC Will Brooks delivers choice line after choice line in a perfectly cadenced, powerful voice, supplemented by some of the smartest and most thought-provoking spoken word samples you’re even likely to hear knitted into a musical tapestry. Asphalt for Eden is a powerful return document, and it’s wonderful to hear dälek maintain their sonic attack with a new lineup, who bring new things to the mix, but deploy them in order to extend the unique musical legacy that the group have forged over the years. The trio is coming to Chicago in July, and I look forward to hearing them live as they deliver cuts from this and so many other favorite albums.
Avail of Two Cities: An interesting memo from Mercy Health Network a couple of weeks ago contained the news that the hospital system had named a new Vice President and General Counsel: Marcia Brom Smith. It’s a wonderful and well-deserved career step for my bestest of bestests, and I’m proud of and pleased for her to the highest of high degrees. Huttah! And Huttah Again! You regular readers who are actually familiar with Mercy Health Network might correctly observe that it is based in Iowa, not Chicago, meaning that Marcia will be traveling regularly between here and there for work. Last week, we acquired and furnished (thank you, storage unit) a second one-bedroom apartment in Des Moines’ East Village so she doesn’t have to be a hotel regular when she’s there. So we are now officially stateless (in the good sense of that word) with a small base of operations in Chicago near my work, and a small base of operations in Des Moines, near Marcia’s work, and where Katelin still lives. Despite having two addresses, we still have fewer bedrooms than we did in our last house, not to mention no driveways to shovel, no grass to cut, no gardens to mulch, no roofs to replace, no furnaces to break, and no general worries about leaving an empty house when we travel. It’s a new chapter, a new adventure, and a new approach, but we’ve never shied away from those in the past, so I expect this phase to as exciting as all those that have come before it. Did I say Huttah? Huttah!
Family, Music, Sports, Travel, Work
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6 thoughts on “Dingen”
Rob Madeo (@rmadeo)
I’m right there with you on the receipts. Think of the paper we could save without issuing them for these nominal purchases.
I’ve gotten into the habit of telling cashiers,”Thank you, but I won’t need my receipt” This is said as cheerfully as possible so they won’t think I’m being a dick — but they probably think I’m being a dick anyway.
I do the same thing . . . and I swear that at least 50% of the time, they still hand me the receipt between the bills and the coins anyway, with an “Oops” sort of expression. I didn’t mind it as much back in the day when the receipts were little slips . . . I would just stuff them in my wallet with the bills, and sort them out later. But a lot of places give you receipts that are larger than the bills at this point, so no option but to sort before putting the money away. Ungood!
Whoa, that’s a peck of piffle and tripe. Congrats to Marcia!
Now off to check out dälek . . . they’ve been off my radar and it sounds mighty intriguing. In more mainstream rap news, I will admit my inner 20-something got a little giddy when I heard Chuck D, B Real and the instrumental trio of RATM were teaming up. Giddy, I say!
That does sound exciting!!!
Here’s the new dälek video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvo0oKxQTjY
If I had to pick a fave song from the earlier albums, it would probably be “Opiate the Masses,” which I am sure is available on the Yootoobs.
just john
Twin baritone guitars? Do they sound like Morphine (the band)? Or more like a Sleater Kinney single played at 33?
I’d go with the latter of those two options! It’s good stuff!
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My Summer Vacation To The EVO Fighting Championships
Filed to: EvoFiled to: Evo
Summer of gaming 2010
Last weekend, I joined a group of more than 5,000, many who had traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to compete against and witness the best fighting game players in the world at the annual EVO championship.
Temperatures in Las Vegas in mid-July were well over 100 degrees Farenheit. The rooms of Caesars Palace, including the 35,000 square foot ballroom where the world's best fighting game players convened, however, were frosty. But as more than 3,000 registered fighters filled the room, staring coolly at dozens of monitors and engaging in heated virtual combat, temperatures indoors rose.
I wasn't there to compete against the younger, infinitely more skilled crowd. I was there to watch the best Tekken 6, Super Street Fighter IV, Melty Blood: Actress Again and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 players battle it out for prize money and glory. I was also there on a working vacation as part of my side project Meat Bun, selling our goods to passionate video game fans; chatting with star players like Daigo Umehara and Justin Wong; catching up with game creators like Marvel vs Capcom producer Ryota Niitsuma and Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada.
The room and the crowds felt huge. Massive double elimination brackets scattered throughout dozens of pools of fighters bordered the massive ballroom. The large screen at the front of the room, where the top tier matches played out, offered the best view.
At the opposite end of the ballroom was where the more obscure competitions occurred. This is where the hardest of the hardcore hunted for a challenge, playing less popular games like Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and Magical Drop, sometimes for honor, sometimes for money.
Other players in the open "Bring Your Own Console" space played games like the still-unreleased Skullgirls and titles that didn't secure enough votes from competitors to be included in the official tournament, including BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger and Street Fighter III: Third Strike.
Some simply looked for camaraderie, playing non-competitive games like Smash TV on a laptop computer.
Notable—and popular—for its brief appearance at EVO was its first Super Street Fighter IV women's only invitational. Curious players, most of them men who had come to compete, gathered around the smaller group of female players. Some those competitors dressed as Super Street Fighter IV's Juri or a more feminine version of Street Fighter bad guy M. Bison.
But unlike other events filled with obsessive video game fans, cosplay was rare at EVO. The costumed attendees numbered in the single digits. A Dudley, from Street Fighter III, wandered about for photo ops. A man dressed as Vega came to socialize and gawk at the marquee fights. A Psylocke came to be gawked at.
Most EVO attendees wandered around in t-shirts emblazoned with Street Fighter imagery or in-jokes that only serious fighting games would understand, a Hori or Mad Catz arcade stick under their arms, waiting for their next match.
Days at EVO are long. The games begin at 9 am and run until midnight or later, marathon sessions of one-on-one battles that kept the crowd energized. The constant competition had an unexpected effect on me. I came to envy the players for their skill, revitalizing my interest in playing fighting games competitively. The crowd's enthusiasm can be infectious.
As the Tekken 6 and Super Street Fighter IV finals carried out on Sunday—I watched much of it online, streaming through video provider Stickam's feed and laden with commentary—Caesars Palace's main ballroom reached capacity. The wave of excited "Ohhhh!!"s and jeers at the top tier players from the crowd was constant as matches flowed back and forth between talent.
There was some mob patriotism when Japanese players lost, with chants of "USA! USA! USA!" when the home team was winning. Two of the better known competitors, Justin Wong and Daigo Umehara, went on to win the Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Super Street Fighter IV tournaments respectively. Each had a noteworthy elimination, Wong in Super Street Fighter IV, Umehara in Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.
Near the end of the finals, it felt like every match was a nail-biter, many competitors amazingly evenly matched. It was during these moments, when players were being eliminated after days of play, years of practice, that EVO hooked me. Vegas may be boiling in July, but I'll be back next year to see the world's best fighters battle it out in digital mortal combat.
Turns out, watching other people play video games can be fun.
Previously: We Have A Winner & Some of the Best Fights of EVO 2010 [Kotaku]
We Have A Winner
Daigo Umehara, yes that guy, has won the Evo 2010 Super Street Fighter IV championship title.
[Image Credit: slash5150 at smugmug and bryangateb at Flickr]
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Former Patriots Star Tedy Bruschi Recovering from a Stroke
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Former New England Patriots star and current ESPN NFL Analyst Tedy Bruschi is recovering from a stroke.
According to reports, he noticed symptoms and quickly sought medical attention.
During his playing days with the Patriots, Bruschi suffered a stroke in 2005 and missed six weeks of action before returning to play after just 8 months.
According to ESPN, his family said Tedy was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
The 46 year old played in the NFL for 13 years and won 3 championships with New England.
Source: Former Patriots Star Tedy Bruschi Recovering from a Stroke
Filed Under: New England Patriots, NFL
Categories: Articles, Sports
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Kankakee Valley Boys Junior Varsity Football
Multiple Teams · Aug 9 Football Scrimmage moved back to 7:00
Kougar Fans! I was just informed by Boone Grove that we are not able to play our football scrimmage at 6:00. Instead the game will be played at 7:00. Please remember that the game will be played at Valparaiso High School. That is Boone Groves Home Field. Sorry for the problems, but I was just
Multiple Teams · Jul 3 New football coach hiring July 9th!
Kankakee Valley should have a new football coach hired at the July 9th school board meeting. Former NFL player and KV graduate James Broyles will be recommended to the school board for approval at that meeting. Broyles was an Indiana North All-Star and then went on to play in the Big Ten at Indiana University
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Cette page est également disponible en Français
For the past 14 years, La Cité Nantes Congress Centre has shown an ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and carbon footprint reduction. La Cité is pursuing an intense CSR strategy and has gone a step further by obtaining the ISO 20121 certification, a global benchmark for event sustainability.
The new standard adds weight to La Cité’s systematic approach to sustainable development. La Cité is known among the leading convention centres for its action to help event organisers reduce the carbon footprint of their event-related activities.
The 20121 standard provides the framework needed to drive sustainability performance and minimize the social, economic and environmental impacts of an event. It applies to all the various stages of event planning and encompasses recommendations in terms of monitoring and evaluation. La Cité therefore ensures that event organisers, national and international, show compliance with environmental and social responsibility goals. Beyond its eco-friendly approach and optimised management, La Cité’s commitment is also reflected in the range of eco-responsible services on offer.
La Cité is certified ISO 20121 and ISO 9001. It obtained the “Charte Qualité & Développement Durable de France Congrès” and is a member of the United Nations Global Compact. On top of that, it is the only French convention centre among 28 countries across the world, to have achieved the AIPC Gold Quality Standards Certification, the highest level of standards established by the International Association of Convention Centres.
Over the last 20 years, Nantes has played an active and leading role in sustainable development. European Green Capital 2013 and the first French city listed in the Global Destination Sustainability Index*, Nantes wants to further its green development with the certification of the city’s major facilities: La Cité Nantes Congress Centre and Exponantes which is the 1st European exhibition centre to have achieved the ISO 14001 certification and lately the ISO 20121 accreditation.
*AIPC : Association Internationale des Palais des Congrès
*GDS Index: Index of Sustainable World Destinations
MICE Press Contact
Laurence Caillabet,
Tel + 33 (0)2 51 88 20 53 // E-mail: laurence.caillabet@lacite-nantes.fr
Partager sur FacebookPartager sur TwitterPartager sur Linkedin
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Unique Availabilities
Flexible Workspace
Contact for spaces
Creative Office Space
L.A. Commercial Real Estate Advantage Creative Commercial Real Estate Solutions
Dec 14 Why Apple Chose Austin, Seattle and Culver City for Its New Jobs Push
Jeff Vertun
Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/apples-new-job-push-reflects-shifting-strategy-and-changing-identity-11544792403
Apple Inc.’s AAPL -3.12% plan to add thousands of jobs in Austin, Texas, San Diego, Seattle and Culver City, Calif., draws a road map of its transformation away from its identity as an iPhone maker toward a future reliant on services and higher-priced devices.
Each location where it announced expansion plans Thursday reflects a different facet of Apple’s evolving model. Culver City gives Apple a Hollywood homebase as it pushes into video programming. Seattle is a machine-learning hub where it can develop algorithms that personalize streaming-music playlists and improve Siri. San Diego and Austin offer semiconductor engineers who can advance the customized-chip efforts that help Apple wring more money out of its iPhones, iPads and Macs.
The mix of software and services and higher prices are key to Apple’s effort to offset slowing iPhone unit sales. Though the company reported record annual revenue on Nov. 1 due to higher iPhone prices, it also said it would stop reporting the number of iPhones sold—a metric that has been stagnant lately—a decision that many analysts interpreted as signaling the iPhone’s growth years are in the past. Apple’s stock price has declined by nearly a quarter since then.
While the push beyond its Silicon Valley home could aid those efforts, it also will test a highly centralized company that has thrived due to a concentrated workforce located near its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters, analysts said.
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/12/apple-to-build-new-campus-in-austin-and-add-jobs-across-the-us/
“This idea of ‘Designed in Cupertino’ has really been the ethos of Apple, and now you’re going to have AI and services designed outside Cupertino,” said Gene Munster, managing partner at investment and research firm Loup Ventures. “It’s a shift that adds complexity to the culture.”
Co-founder Steve Jobs wanted as many employees near headquarters as possible to speed decision making and foster a strong culture. He inspired Apple’s new $5 billion campus with its 2.8-million-square-foot circular building, believing that bringing Apple’s diffused staff under one roof would improve the exchange of ideas. Apple’s workforce has exploded to about 132,000 employees from 16,000 before the iPhone’s debut.
Carolina Milanesi, a technology analyst with Creative Strategies, said she has visited Apple offices in London and Beijing and found they feel like headquarters. She expects offices from San Diego to Seattle will be the same way. “It might be you don’t get the Silicon Valley vibe,” Ms. Milanesi said. But she said, “It’s a culture thing and not a location issue.”
As a company focused on selling devices, Apple over the past decade created millions of low-end manufacturing jobs in China at the contractors who assemble its gadgets. While such assembly jobs aren’t likely to return to the U.S., Apple has increasingly emphasized adding other types of workers at home.
On Thursday, Apple said it would add 1,000 jobs apiece in Culver City, Seattle and San Diego. It will invest $1 billion in a new Austin campus for 5,000 employees—its second there.
Apple and other big tech companies have sought to show they are creating American jobs as their clout has grown. President Trump, who has pressured Apple to bring home manufacturing jobs from Asia, tweeted his gratitude Friday to Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook “for agreeing to expand operations in the U.S. and thereby creating thousands of jobs!”
Aside from the political goodwill, the job expansion outside Silicon Valley could help Apple diversify beyond the iPhone.
Culver City is expected to be the base of a Hollywood operation to which Apple last year allocated an initial $1 billion for developing programming and poaching top talent. In January, the company leased 128,000 square feet of office and retail space in the Los Angeles-area town, which is home to Sony Pictures Entertainment and its Culver Studios, where classics like “Citizen Kane” and “Gone With the Wind” were made.
The additions in Seattle promise to deepen Apple’s presence in a hub for machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence. Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp. , along with the University of Washington and Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, have helped draw leading AI scientists to the area. Apple pushed into Seattle’s machine-learning community with the 2016 acquisition of Turi Inc., a startup led by a University of Washington professor, and has kept its operations there.
Machine learning is critical to personalizing software services, said Matt McIlwain, managing director of Madrona Venture Group LLC, a Seattle venture firm. It helps Spotify Technology SA suggest songs that listeners might like and aids Amazon’s Alexa in fielding queries, he said.
“The two layers of the cake that are ubiquitously important for all apps and services are cloud computing and data science,” Mr. McIlwain said. “Apple’s got to come to terms with that.”
Traditionally, gadget makers like Apple have bought chips made by other companies. But in the past decade, Apple has expanded its semiconductor efforts to include the Bluetooth chip that powers AirPods and graphics processors for the iPhone. Its efforts helped enable the facial-recognition technology that it introduced with last year’s iPhones, a feature that helped justify raising the starting price of the iPhone X by more than 50% to $999.
Apple has added jobs in Austin, where it agreed to build its first campus in 2012, to support those efforts over time.
The San Diego area and Southern California, meanwhile, have been the hub for two of the key developers of communications chips: Qualcomm Inc. and Broadcom . Apple can poach engineering talent from those two companies and potentially push into their areas of expertise, developing its own modem and radio-frequency chips, said Robert Maire, president of Semiconductor Advisors, which advises on chip-related transactions.
“If you’re doing chip design, that would be the place to be,” Mr. Maire said of San Diego.
Developing a modem chip would also ease Apple’s dependency on Qualcomm, he said. Apple sued the chip supplier nearly two years ago over what it called unfair licensing practices, and has been in a bitter legal battle with the company since then.
google, netflix, Los Angeles, entertainment-technology, amazon, apple
Landlords rip out escalators and walls to attract tenants like Google and Netflix
First Vice President, CBRE
Jeff Vertun is an Occupier leasing specialist at CBRE and is based at the firm’s global headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles.
Jan 3 FIGS Expands HQ to 26k SF in Santa Monica
Dec 10 Historic LA airplane hangar converted into Google Spruce Goose office
Apr 3 More Warehouse Converted to Creative Office on its way for Culver City
Nov 1 Amazon Studios moving to Culver Studios in Culver City
Apr 4 HBO to relocate its West Coast home from Santa Monica to Culver City
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Malva parviflora extract ameliorates the deleterious effects of a high fat diet on the cognitive deficit in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease by restoring microglial function via a PPAR-γ-dependent mechanism
Elisa Medrano-Jiménez†1,
Itzia Jiménez-Ferrer Carrillo†1,
Martha Pedraza-Escalona†1,
Cristina E. Ramírez-Serrano1,
Lourdes Álvarez-Arellano1, 3,
Javier Cortés-Mendoza1,
Maribel Herrera-Ruiz2,
Enrique Jiménez-Ferrer2,
Alejandro Zamilpa2,
Jaime Tortoriello2,
Gustavo Pedraza-Alva1 and
Leonor Pérez-Martínez1Email authorView ORCID ID profile
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neuropathology strongly associated with the activation of inflammatory pathways. Accordingly, inflammation resulting from obesity exacerbates learning and memory deficits in humans and in animal models of AD. Consequently, the long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents diminishes the risk for developing AD, but the side effects produced by these drugs limit their prophylactic use. Thus, plants natural products have become an excellent option for modern therapeutics. Malva parviflora is a plant well known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
The present study was aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of M. parviflora leaf hydroalcoholic extract (MpHE) on AD pathology in lean and obese transgenic 5XFAD mice, a model of familial AD. The inflammatory response and Amyloid β (Aβ) plaque load in lean and obese 5XFAD mice untreated or treated with MpHE was evaluated by immunolocalization (Iba-1 and GFAP) and RT-qPCR (TNF) assays and thioflavin-S staining, respectively. Spatial learning memory was assessed by the Morris Water Maze behavioral test. Microglia phagocytosis capacity was analyzed in vivo and by ex vivo and in vitro assays, and its activation by morphological changes (phalloidin staining) and expression of CD86, Mgl1, and TREM-2 by RT-qPCR. The mechanism triggered by the MpHE was characterized in microglia primary cultures and ex vivo assays by immunoblot (PPAR-γ) and RT-qPCR (CD36) and in vivo by flow cytometry, using GW9662 (PPAR-γ inhibitor) and pioglitazone (PPAR-γ agonist). The presence of bioactive compounds in the MpHE was determined by HPLC.
MpHE efficiently reduced astrogliosis, the presence of insoluble Aβ peptides in the hippocampus and spatial learning impairments, of both, lean, and obese 5XFAD mice. This was accompanied by microglial cells accumulation around Aβ plaques in the cortex and the hippocampus and decreased expression of M1 inflammatory markers. Consistent with the fact that the MpHE rescued microglia phagocytic capacity via a PPAR-γ/CD36-dependent mechanism, the MpHE possess oleanolic acid and scopoletin as active phytochemicals.
M. parviflora suppresses neuroinflammation by inhibiting microglia pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and promoting microglia phagocytosis. Therefore, M. parviflora phytochemicals represent an alternative to prevent cognitive impairment associated with a metabolic disorder as well as an effective prophylactic candidate for AD progression.
Malva parviflora
PPAR-γ/CD36
Alzheimer’s Disease International Organization has predicted that 81.1 million people aged 60 years or more will be declared with dementias worldwide by the year 2040 [1]. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the main cause of dementia characterized by a progressive impairment in cognitive function (i.e., memory) and premature death [2]. Dystrophic neurites, synapses, and neuron loss result from the twisted strands of the protein tau (tangles) inside neurons and the progressive accumulation of Aβ peptides, which are produced by the consecutive proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by the β- and γ-secretases [3–5]. Adjacent to the amyloid core, microglial cells are frequently found, whereas astrocytes usually surround the plaques. Both cells types produce pro-inflammatory molecules like cytokines and oxygen-free radicals, among others [6]. The presence of elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations (interleukin (IL) 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)) in the AD brain has been associated with neuronal toxicity and cell death [7]. IL-1β is produced as a biologically inactive pro-form and requires to be processed by caspase-1 for its activation. Caspase-1 activity is controlled by inflammasomes, which are sensors of danger signals. The relevance of the inflammatory process in memory loss and neurodegeneration resulting from Aβ accumulation was recently shown in AD animal models lacking caspase-1 or other inflammasome components [8, 9]. Accordingly, distinct factors that play a role in the onset and progression of AD, including type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia, have been associated to chronic inflammation [10–12]. In fact, type II diabetes is a major risk factor for dementia and has been directly associated with the Aβ accumulation in the brain, due to deficient brain Aβ clearance resulting from the competition between insulin and the Aβ for binding to the insulin-degrading enzyme [13]. Therefore, obesity and high-fat diet are apparent risk factors for dementia associated with brain insulin resistance. The excess of adipose tissue in obesity regulates adipokines (e.g., adiponectin, omentin, leptin, resistin) critical to metabolism as well as inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, TNF, and IL-6) that correlate with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia [14, 15]. Thus, chronic inflammatory process in the periphery might result in dementia.
Consequently, the long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in humans, such as indomethacin, sulindac, and PPAR-γ agonist, such as ibuprofen, rosiglitazone, and pioglitazone, has been directly linked with a low risk for developing AD and decreased Aβ deposition in vitro and in vivo [16, 17]. Unfortunately, the side effects produced by these drugs limit their prophylactic use. Nevertheless, there are natural products that have been widely used for a long time as a remedy for treating diseases with an inflammatory pathophysiological origin [18]. Experimental evidence indicates that polyphenolic compounds, like flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and terpenes, among others, counteract inflammation (reviewed in [19]). Recent studies have shown that Malva parviflora (M. parviflora), a plant widely used in traditional medicine in America and Africa, has hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects [20, 21]. Here we evaluated the long-term effects of a M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract (MpHE) on the development of AD pathology in obese 5XFAD mice. We show that obesity further promoted Aβ plaques formation in the 5XFAD mice. However, administration of the MpHE reversed obesity-mediated deleterious effects of Aβ deposition on memory and learning. Interestingly, this correlated with microglia-enhanced phagocytic capacity and reduced microglia M1 phenotype activation. Importantly, we demonstrated that MpHE increases microglia phagocytic activity via a PPAR-γ/CD36-dependent mechanism. The phytochemical analysis of the MpHE showed the presence of two active compounds with anti-inflammatory activity, scopoletin and oleanolic acid. Together, our results indicate that the MpHE is a promising candidate as an effective prophylactic for AD development.
Preparation of the M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract
The leaves of M. parviflora were collected in Ozumba, state of Mexico. One specimen was deposited in the herbarium of Ethnobotanical Garden of Museum of Traditional Medicine and Herbal medicine of INAH Morelos. The species was identified by Margarita Aviles and Macrina Fuentes with the registration number 2048. Plant material was dried in dark conditions at room temperature (RT). Once dried, the plant was milled, by means of a 5HP equipment, until obtaining < 5-mm particles. Plant material (3 kg) was extracted by infusion process at 60° C with an ethanolic solution (60%). The extraction volume used was 2 L of solvent per kilogram of plant material. Liquid extract was filtered and concentrated by low-pressure distillation. Semisolid extract was finally dried by lyophilization process, obtaining 11.11% yield. This hydroalcoholic extract (HE) was submitted to liquid-liquid separation. Water and ethyl acetate phases were obtained with 100 mL of these solvents for each 5 g of the crude extract. Samples of 3 mg/mL of these fractions were used for HPLC analysis. When used for intragastric administration, aqueous suspension of the MpHE (5 mg/mL sterile water) was prepared, stored at 4° C and protected from light.
Analysis of compounds in the hydroalcoholic extract of M. parviflora
Chromatographic analysis was developed by means of Waters equipment constituted by a 2695 separations module and a 2996 photodiode array detector. Separation was carried out by using an RP-18 Supersphere (Merck) column (125 × 4 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of a gradient system with water (solvent A) and acetonitrile (solvent B). Initial conditions started with 100% of solvent A (0–1 min), followed by different proportions of solvent A:solvent B = 90:100 (2–4 min), 80:20 (5–7 min), 70:30 (8–14 min), 60:40 (15–18 min), 20:80 (19–22 min), 0:100 (23–26 min), and 100:0 (27–28 min). The sample injection volume was 10 μL with a 1 mL/min flow rate. The detection wavelength was scanned at 190–600 nm. Scopoletin quantification was achieved using a calibration curve, which was constructed by three injections of a solution prepared with a commercial reference of the coumarin standard (7.812, 15.625, 31.25, 62.5, and 125 μg/mL) (Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA). Values of the area under the peak of chromatograms recorded at 345 nm were used to obtain the equation: Y = 84,221X − 188,219 R2 = 0.9995. The presence of oleanolic acid in the MpHE was established by comparison of the peak at 25.85 min with a commercial reference of this triterpene (Sigma Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA).
Macrophage reporter cells and NF-κB/AP-1 activation
We used a commercially available reporter macrophage cell line (RAW-Blue cells, InvivoGen, San Diego, CA, USA), which expresses the secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) gene under the control of a promoter inducible by the transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1. Briefly, cells were seeded in 24-well plates in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), 4.5 g/l glucose, 10% heat-inactivated FBS (30 min at 56 °C), 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 mg/mL Normocin, and 200 mg/mL Zeocin. Then, cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 ng/mL) alone or together with three different concentrations of MpHE (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL), oleanolic acid (15, 26, 40 μg/mL) or scopoletin (3, 8, 24 μg/mL) for 12 h. In addition, cells were pre-treated with LPS or MpHE for 30 min, and then MpHE or LPS was added for 12 h. NF-κB and AP-1 activity was evaluated indirectly by quantifying the SEAP activity in the culture supernatants. Briefly, 50 μL from each sample were added to 150 μL of the QUANTI-Blue assay buffer (InvivoGen, San Diego, CA, USA) and incubated at 37 °C for 30 min. PBS or the used vehicle to dissolve oleanolic acid or scopoletin were used as negative control. Absorbance at 650-nm wavelength was measured and the SEAP activity was calculated as fold change for each sample (SEAP activity in medium from treated cells minus background (medium without cells) over SEAP activity in medium from untreated cells minus background). In parallel, trypan blue staining was used to determine the cell viability after MpHE treatment.
The 5XFAD transgenic mice, expressing the human APP gene with three familial AD mutations (Swedish (K670N, M671L), Florida (I716V), and London (V717I)) and the human presenilin 1 carrying two mutations (M146L and L286V) were obtained from The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME, USA). Mice were housed in groups of five per cage, in a temperature- (22 ± 1 °C) and humidity-controlled room, with a 12-h light/dark cycle. Food and water were available ad libitum. All tests were performed during the light cycle. Male 5XFAD mice and male wild type (Wt) littermates were used (C57BL/SJL genetic background). Transgenic and Wt mice (6 weeks old) were fed with normal diet (ND) (caloric percentage, 18%, 3.1 kcal/g; Teklad, Harlan Laboratories), or with a high-fat diet (HFD) (caloric percentage, 60%, 5.24 kcal/g; Research diets. Inc, USA). These groups of mice received 50 mg/kg/day of the MpHE or water (vehicle) intragastrically during 8 months. Two additional groups from Wt ND and Wt ND treated with MpHE (C57BL genetic background) were included to determine spatial learning.
For the dose-response experiments, a LPS-mediated neuroinflammation model was used. CD1 male mice were intraperitoneally injected with 125 μg/kg of LPS or vehicle as control for 7 consecutive days. LPS injected mice then received 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day of the MpHE or water (vehicle) intragastrically during 7 days. Spatial learning and memory were determined. The Institutional Bioethical Committee approved all animal experiments described in this study.
Metabolic analysis
Food intake and body weight were measured weekly. After 7 months of treatment, glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed after 6 h food deprivation by intraperitoneal (i.p.) glucose administration (1.8 g/kg body weight). Blood glucose concentrations were measured before glucose administration (t = 0) and 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after injection. One month after, insulin resistance test (IRT) was performed after 6 h food deprivation by i.p. injection of insulin (Humulin® R 1 mU/gram of body mass). Blood glucose concentrations were measured before insulin administration (t = 0) and 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after insulin administration using a Glucometer (Accucheck; Roche) and the data were reported as milligrams per deciliter. Area under the curve (AUC) for glucose concentration in both cases was calculated as reported previously [22].
Mice were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine (90 mg/kg/9 mg/kg, i.p.) and perfused transcardially with isotonic saline followed by 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) in phosphate buffer saline (PBS; pH 7.4). Brains were post-fixed in 4% PFA overnight, followed by 30% (w/v) sucrose solution at 4 °C. Immunofluorescence was performed by the free-floating antibody staining method, using 30-μm-thick sagittal cryostat slices. The slices were washed three times with PBS-T (0.25% Triton X-100 in PBS) for 5 min each and incubated in blocking buffer (PBS-T 0.1% bovine serum albumin) for 1 h at RT. Then, the slices were incubated with mouse monoclonal antibody against Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (AB_561049; 1:250) overnight at 4 °C, washed with PBS-T two times for 5 min each and incubated with secondary antibody goat anti-mouse Alexa Flour 488 (AB_2534069; 1:400) in blocking buffer for 2 h at RT. After 2 washes with PBS-T, free-floating brain slices were then mounted with Fluoroshield (Sigma Aldrich Inc) and sealed with a coverslip. Additionally, goat antibody anti-Iba1 (AB_2224402; 1:200) and the secondary antibody donkey anti-goat Alexa Fluor 568 (AB_175704; 1:200, Abcam Inc) were used to identify microglial cells in the brain sections. Images were captured using the Zeiss Axioskop Observer Z1 inverted fluorescence microscope.
Thioflavin-S staining
PFA-fixed brain tissues of each group were stained in 1% aqueous Thioflavin-S for 5 min. After this, slices were washed sequentially in 80% ethanol, 70% ethanol, and distilled water, then dried and mounted as above described. The brain slices stained with Thioflavin-S were analyzed in a Zeiss Axioskop microscope using an emission spectrum of 550 nm. Images were captured using the Zeiss Axioskop fluorescence microscope. Two or three slices were analyzed in four animals/group. Analyses were performed across the dentate gyrus using a × 5 objective and the automated target detection mode from Image J software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). Image size was 1800 × 1800 μm and the percentage of load area was calculated (load area/total area). Additionally, to determine the fraction of amyloid plaques overlapping with microglia in the hippocampus and cortex from 5XFAD mice administered with vehicle or MpHE, the Manders’s coefficient was determined using the plugin JacoP [23] in Image J software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA).
Behavioral assessment of cognitive functions by Morris water maze test
Spatial learning memory was assessed by the Morris Water Maze behavioral test. Mice were tested in a 1.83 m circular pool filled with water mixed with nontoxic white paint (titanium oxide). The tank was divided into four quadrants (NW, SW, SE, and NE) of equal size. Mice were trained to mount a hidden/submerged (1.0 cm below water surface) escape platform (15-cm diameter) in a restricted region of the pool (NW). Mice were trained for 5 consecutive days from the four quadrants of the tank; they were placed into the water facing the wall and were allowed to swim for a maximum of 90 s. The trial ended when a mouse climbed onto the platform or after the 90-s interval had elapsed. If a mouse did not locate the platform during a trial, it was placed on the platform by the experimenter during 20 s, and then moved to a holding cage. Escape latencies to the hide platform during the learning phase were analyzed using the integrated time traveled and time needed to reach the platform (AUC) for each group. After two days, a memory test was performed in absence of the platform. Mice were released from the four start points to the platform location and allowed to swim freely in the pool for 90 s. Escape latency and swimming paths were recorded.
Microglial cell culture
Primary cultures of microglial cells were prepared from neonatal (postnatal days 1-3) CD1 mice or from 8- and 10-months-old Wt and 5XFAD mice. Briefly, neonatal brain tissues were mechanically dissociated, treated with Trypsin (0.25 mg/mL, Sigma Aldrich Inc) and DNase I (0.28 mg/mL) at 37 °C for 30 min. After extensive washing, dispersed brain cells were plated as mixed glia cultures (enriched with microglial and astroglia cells) at the density of two brains per dish in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% FBS, 2 mM glutamine, and antibiotics onto 100-mm Petri dishes at 37 °C and 5% CO2. Eight days after plating, the microglia cells were separated from astrocytes by shaking for 5 h at 250 rpm at RT. The neonatal microglial cultures purity was analyzed by flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence assays using specific markers for microglia (F4/80), CD11b, astrocytes (GFAP), and neurons (neurofilament M). The antibody anti-F4/80 (AB_1140040; 1.200), anti-CD11b (AB_389305; 1:2000), and anti-GFAP (AB_561049; 1:200) were used for this purpose.
Alternatively, adult brain tissue from wild type and 5XFAD mice was mechanically dissociated and the Neural Tissue Dissociation Kit (Miltenyi Biotec, USA) was used to obtain single-cell suspension. The myelin debris was removed with the Myelin Removal Beads II (Miltenyi Biotec, USA), and the microglia were isolated by positive selection using the CD11b (microglia) microbeads (Miltenyi Biotec, USA), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The adult microglial cultures purity was analyzed by flow cytometry assays using anti-CD11b antibody (AB_389305; 1:2000).
Microglia classical activation
Neonatal primary microglial cultures (1 × 105 cells per well) were plated onto Lab-Tek coverglass chamber wells (Nalge Nunc International, Rochester, NY, USA). After 1 day, the cells were stimulated with 100 ng/mL LPS in the presence or absence of MpHE (1 mg/mL) for 24 h. Control cells were treated with PBS or MpHE alone. Subsequently, the cells were fixed in 4% PFA for 30 min at RT and permeabilized with PBS containing 0.1% Triton TX-100 for 30 min at RT. F-actin was visualized by incubating cells for 1 h in the dark with Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated phalloidin (AB_2315147; 1:500). Cell nuclei were labeled with 4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI, 1:5000, Molecular probes) for 15 min. Microglial cells were imaged using the Olympus FluoView 1000 confocal multiphoton microscope. The different microglial cell morphologies (amoeboid, ramified, and intermediate shapes) were quantified in each treatment from seven random fields per group. The length of the protrusions of the microglial cells was determined using Neurite Tracer plugin from ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD).
In vitro phagocytosis assay
Eight days after separating astroglial cells, microglia from eight and 10-months-old Wt and 5XFAD mice were plated onto Lab-Tek coverglass chamber wells (1 × 105 cells per well) (Nalgene Nunc International, Rochester, NY, USA) and treated with MpHE (1 mg/mL) for 24 h. The medium was then replaced with fresh medium containing 1 × 106 fluorescent E. coli bacteria [24] or unlabeled latex beads (0.8 μm diameter) (Calibrite, Becton Dickinson), and incubated for 1 or 4 h, respectively. The medium was removed, the microglial cells were washed extensively with PBS, treated with Geneticin (20 μg/mL) for 30 min, and fixed in 4% PFA (Sigma Aldrich Inc) for 30 min at RT. Then, cells were permeabilized with PBS containing 0.1% Triton TX-100 for 30 min at RT. Actin and the nucleus were visualized as described above. The percentage of cells capable of internalizing E. coli bacteria and the average of E. coli ingested by cells were determined. The phagocytosis index was determined by multiplying the percentage of microglial cells with internalized bacteria by the average number of internalized E. coli bacteria [25] or unlabeled latex beads for each sample. Data were collected from seven random fields per group. Microglial cells were imaged using the Olympus FluoView 1000 confocal multiphoton microscope.
PPAR-γ protein levels and ex vivo phagocytosis assay
Neonatal primary microglial cultures (2.5 × 105 cells) were left untreated or pre-treated with 100 μM GW9662, a specific PPAR-γ inhibitor. After 1 h, cultures were treated with MpHE (0.1 and 1 mg/mL) or with pioglitazone (10 μM; a PPAR-γ agonist) or with oleanolic acid (4.5 μg/mL and 45 μg/mL) for 24 h. The PPAR-γ levels from the cell extracts were determined by immunoblot. Additionally, PPAR-γ levels were also determined in the frontal cortex cell extracts of 5XFAD and Wt mice fed with either ND or HFD non-treated (vehicle) or treated with MpHE.
Ex vivo Aβ phagocytosis assays were performed as previously described [26]. Briefly, adult 5XFAD transgenic mice were perfused with saline solution. Brains were removed and snap frozen in dry ice. After, 10-μm-thick sagittal cryostat slices were obtained and mounted onto poly-D-lysine-coated glass coverslips. Brain slices were dried for at least 2 h at RT and then washed twice with PBS and DMEM serum-free media (Gibco). Each brain slice was cultured with neonatal primary microglial cultures (2.5 × 105 cells) previously untreated or treated with MpHE (1 mg/mL) for 12 h or 100 μM of GW9662 (Sigma Aldrich) for 1 h in FBS-free DMEM medium. After 12 h, the cells were washed and the medium was replaced by DMEM containing 5% FBS and 20% L929 supernatant for 24 h at 37 °C with 5% CO2. Sections were then washed twice with PBS and fixed with 4% PFA for subsequent histology. The brain slices were stained with Thioflavin-S and the plaque’s number and size were quantified.
In vivo phagocytosis assay
Male 5XFAD mice and male Wt littermates were used (C57BL/SJL genetic background). Transgenic and Wt mice (8 weeks old) received 50 mg/kg/day of the MpHE or water (vehicle) intragastrically during 2 months. Then, mice were intraperitoneally injected with the PPARγ inhibitor GW9662 (5 mg/kg) or vehicle (5% DMSO/95%PBS) for the last 3 days before sacrifice. For the in vivo Aβ phagocytosis assays, mice were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg methoxy-X04 (Tocris) 6 h before sacrifice. Brains were removed and cell suspension was obtained by enzymatic (0.2 mg/mL papain) and mechanical dissociation. Myelin debris was removed by centrifugation (10 min at 700 g) using 30% Percoll (Sigma). The cells present in the pellet were suspended, immunolabeled for microglia specific markers using the antibody anti-CD11b (AB_389305; 1:2000) and the anti-CD36 (AB_2072639;1:200) and analyzed by flow cytometry using a FACSCanto II (BD Biosciences). The CD36 expression analysis was done on the CD11b+ cells while the methoxy-X04 staining analysis was performed on the CD11b+/CD36+ population. Wt unstained and methoxy-X04 stained cells were used to determine background fluorescence and the threshold for non-phagocytic cells, respectively.
PCR and qPCR
Total RNA was isolated from primary cultures (neonatal microglia) or from tissue (cortex) as previously described [27]. Reverse transcription was performed using M-MLV reverse transcriptase (Invitrogen, ThermoFisher Scientific) and oligo (dT) primer. Neonatal microglial cultures purity was determined by semi-quantitative PCR using the following forward (F) and reverse (R) primers: For F4/80: F 5′-GTG CCA TCA TTG CGG GAT TC-3′ and R 5′-GAC GGT TGA GCA GAC AGT GA-3′, for Neurofilament-M: F 5′-GAA CCA CGA GAA GGC TCA AG-3′ and R 5′- CCT CCT CTT CGT GAT TGC TC-3′, for GFAP: F 5′-CAG TTC AGC TGC CAG CGC CT-3′ and R 5′-GCA GAG GCA GGG CAG GAT GG-3′, and for Actin: F 5′-GGG TCA GAA GGA CTC CTA TG-3′ and R 5′-GGT CTC AAA CAT GAT CTG GG -3′. Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) was carried out on ABI PRISM 7500 sequence detection system (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) using cDNA from Wt or 5XFAD lean or obese mice cortex treated or not treated with MpHE in combination with Maxima SYBR Green/ROX qPCR Master Mix (ThermoFisher Scientific) and specific primers. For TREM-2: F 5′-CTG GAA CCG TCA CCA TCA CTC-3′, and R 5′-CGA AAC TCG ATG ACT CCT CGG-3′; for Mgl1: F 5′-TGA GAA AGG CTT TAA GAA CTG GG-3′, and R 5′-GAC CAC CTG TAG TGA TGT GGG-3′; for CD86: F 5′-GAC CGT TGT GTG TGT TCT GG-3′, and R 5′-GAT GAG CAG CAT CAC AAG GA-3′; for TNF: F 5′-CAG GCG GTG CCT ATG TCT C-3′, and R 5′- CGA TCA CCC CGA AGT TCA GTA G-3′; for CD36: F 5′-GAG CAA CTG GTG GAT GGT TT-3′, and R 5′-GCA GCA GAA TCA AGG GAG AG-3′; for GAPDH: F 5′-GGG AAG CTC ACT GGC ATG G 3′, and R 5′-CTT CTT GAT GTC ATC ATA CTT GGC AG-3′; and for Ndufa-10 (UBC): F 5′-CCG CCT TCT TCA GTA TGC AGA-3′, and R 5′- TGC TTT CGG ATA TAG CCC TGG. Relative expression was calculated by normalizing to Ndufa-10 or GAPDH using the 2−∆∆CT method [28].
Neonatal microglial culture homogenates were obtained by scraping with ice-cold lysis buffer (20 mM Tris pH 7.4, 137 mM NaCl, 2 mM PPiNa, 2 mM EDTA, 1% Triton X-100, 10% glycerol, 0.5 mM DTT, 25 mM β-glycerophosphate, 200 mM Na3VO4, 1 mM PMSF, and complete protease inhibitor (Roche)). Lysates were incubated 10 min at 4 °C, then centrifuged at 14,000×g for 15 min at 4 °C, and stored at − 70 °C until use. Protein concentration was determined using the Bradford reagent (Bio-Rad). Total cell extracts (20 μg) were resolved by SDS-PAGE and transferred onto nitrocellulose membranes (GE Healthcare). Membranes were blocked with 5% BSA in Tris-buffer saline (TBS, 10 mM Tris pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl) with 0.1% Tween-20 (Sigma) (TBS-T) and incubated with the primary antibody anti-PPAR-γ (AB_2283990; 1:5000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), anti-actin (AB_2223041; 1:8000, Millipore), or anti-GAPDH (AB_10622025; 1:6000, Cell Signaling) overnight at 4 °C. After three washes with TBS-T, membranes were incubated with secondary antibody anti-rabbit-HRP (1:10000).
Microglia from 8-month-old Wt and 5XFAD mice were plated onto Lab-Tek coverglass chamber wells (1 × 105 cells per well) (Nalgene Nunc International, Rochester, NY). After one day, cells were stimulated with 100 ng/mL LPS in the presence or absence of MpHE (1 mg/mL) for 24 h. Control cells were treated with PBS or MpHE alone. TNF and IL-6 levels were quantified from the primary microglial cultures supernatants using a commercial ELISA Kit (Biolegend, Cat. 430904 and 431304) following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Adipose tissue histochemistry
Adipose tissue was fixed in 10% paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. 5-μM-thick sections were prepared, deparaffinized in xylene, rehydrated in a graded ethanol series, and then stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Analysis of adipocyte histology was performed using the ImageJ software according to the manual procedure (http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/). Immune cells infiltration in adipose tissue was quantified by calculating the ratio of infiltration on 10 fields (× 40), of 3 slides for each individual mice, using 3 mice for each group. Light microscopic images were acquired using a Zeiss LSM510/UV Axiovert 200M confocal microscope with a Nikon COOLPIX 5000 color camera.
Results presented correspond to at least three independent experiments. No sample size calculation was performed. Data are shown as the mean ± SEM or SD. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test, two-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s or Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test, and three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Differences were considered statistically significant with a p value < 0.05. Statistical analyses were performed in Prism 7.0b or Prism 8.0 (Graphpad Software, Inc.).
M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract inhibits LPS-induced NF-κB activity in mouse RAW-Blue macrophages
Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of M. parviflora [21]. Therefore, we determined whether the MpHE negatively regulates LPS-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity as an indication of its anti-inflammatory activity in RAW-blue macrophage cells exposed to LPS. To this end, three different concentrations of MpHE (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL) together with LPS (100 ng/mL) were applied to RAW-Blue cells for 12 h. The MpHE inhibited NF-κB-driven SEAP activity by LPS in a concentration-dependent manner (F (3, 12) = 28.9; 0.5 mg/mL M. parviflora, p < 0.001, and 1 mg/mL M. parviflora, p < 0.001 compared with the LPS treatment and with the LPS plus 0.1 mg/mL M. parviflora group) (Fig. 1a). Further, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of MpHE by pretreating the cells with LPS for 30 min and then MpHE was added for 12 h. As for the preventive effect, MpHE reverted the NF-κB-driven SEAP activity by LPS in a concentration-dependent manner (F (3,12) 27.92; 0.5 mg/mL M. parviflora, p < 0.001 and 1 mg/mL M. parviflora, p < 0.001 compared with the LPS treatment and with the LPS plus 0.1 mg/mL M. parviflora group) (Fig. 1b). Similarly, cell exposure to MpHE first and after 30 min to LPS, exhibited a clear inhibition of NF-κB-driven SEAP activity by LPS in a concentration-dependent manner (F (3,12) 27.92; 0.5 mg/mL M. parviflora, p < 0.001 and 1 mg/mL M. parviflora, p < 0.001 compared with the LPS treatment and with the LPS plus 0.1 mg/mL M. parviflora group) (Fig. 1b). Importantly, under these experimental conditions, no changes in cell viability or morphology were observed (Fig. 1c, d). Altogether these data confirm the anti-inflammatory effect of the MpHE without cytotoxic effect.
The Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract inhibits LPS-induced NF-κB activity in mouse RAW-Blue macrophages. a RAW-Blue macrophages were untreated or treated with LPS (100 ng/mL) in the presence of the indicated concentrations of M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract (HE) and 12 h later embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) activity (driven by NF-κB/AP-1 activation) was determined in the supernatants as described in the “Methods” section. Values are expressed as fold increase relative to SEAP reporter activity in untreated control cells. b RAW-Blue macrophages were pre-treated with LPS or M. parviflora for 30 min and 12 h later embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) activity (driven by NF-κB/AP-1 activation) was determined in the supernatants as described in the “Methods” section. Data are shown as mean ± SEM. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA with repeated measures followed by post hoc Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the MpHE concentration F(3,12) = 28.9, p < 0.001; for the LPS administration F(1,4) = 31.49 p = 0.005 and for the M. parviflora and LPS interaction F(3,12) = 30.88, p < 0.001. (***p < 0.001, *p = 0.03). c Cellular viability of RAW-Blue macrophages was evaluated using trypan blue exclusion after exposure to the MpHE at three different concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL) for 12 h in presence or absence of LPS (100 ng/mL). d RAW-Blue cells were treated with the indicated amount of the M. parviflora in the absence (Ctrl) or in the presence of LPS (100 ng/mL) for 12 h. Cells were fixed and stained with phalloidin and DAPI for F-actin (green) and nuclei (blue) detection, respectively. Images were captured using the Olympus FluoView 1000 confocal multiphoton microscope (Scale bar, 30 μm)
M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract improves glucose homeostasis in 5XFAD mice fed with a high fat diet
Given that alteration in glucose homeostasis resulting from obesity exacerbates Aβ-induced memory loss [29] and that chronic inflammation is key for AD development [30], we evaluated whether long-term administration (8 months) of the MpHE could attenuate the effects of an altered glucose metabolism on the development of the pathological changes associated with AD (Fig. 2a). The MpHE concentration used for the in vivo experiments was chosen based on our studies where increasing concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mg/Kg) of MpHE protected from learning and memory deficit in a LPS-mediated neuroinflammation mouse model (Additional file 1: Figure S1). Since the three concentrations tested under our experimental conditions were equally protective we administrated 50 mg/kg/day of the MpHE to the 5XFAD transgenic and Wt mice, to ensure an effect and to avoid possible side effects on the animal health by the long-term administration of the higher dose. First, we evaluated glucose metabolism in obese 5XFAD mice. From the fifth week after HFD administration, the 5XFAD mice increased significantly (p = 0.0238) their body weight compared to 5XFAD mice fed with ND, reaching the maximum difference (p < 0.001) from week 15 onwards (Fig. 2b). After 7 months, the glucose baseline in the 5XFAD mice fed with HFD was approximately 375 mg/dL while in the mice fed with ND was 176.8 mg/dL (p < 0.001) (Fig. 2c). Consistent with this, glucose tolerance was significantly impaired in obese 5XFAD mice. At 15, 30, 60, or 120 min after glucose load, blood glucose levels in the HFD group were 1.6, 1.8, 1.9, or 1.8 times higher than the glucose levels in the 5XFAD mice fed with ND (Fig. 2d, upper panel). Similarly, the AUC value for the HFD-fed 5XFAD mice was significantly higher than those fed with ND (p < 0.001) (Fig. 2d, lower panel). In accordance with this, the insulin sensitivity was decreased in the 5XFAD mice consuming HFD (Fig. 2e). At 15 min after insulin administration, blood glucose levels decreased by 25% in ND-fed group and only by 11% in HFD-fed group, as compared to glucose levels before insulin injections. At 30 min after insulin administration, the blood glucose levels were decreased by 45% in ND-fed 5XFAD mice and by 17% in HFD-fed group (Fig. 2e, upper panel). The AUC value for the HFD-fed 5XFAD mice was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those 5XFAD mice fed with the ND (Fig. 2e, lower panel). These results confirm that 5XFAD mice fed with the HFD present insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. In parallel, HFD was administered to wild type mice for 8 months. As expected, glucose intolerance (p = 0.009) and insulin resistance (p = 0.0182) were observed in response to HFD administration in the wild type animals compared with those ND-fed wild type mice. Significant difference in the gain body weight was observed from week 22 (p = 0.0236). Furthermore, MpHE treatment improved glucose tolerance (p = 0.0268) and insulin sensitivity (p = 0.0045) in the wild type mice fed with the HFD (Fig. 2d, e). While in wild type mice fed with the ND, the MpHE had a marginal effect on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract promotes insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in 5XFAD transgenic mice fed with high-fat diet. a Graphical time line of the study design and experimental procedures. GTT, glucose tolerance test; IRT, insulin resistant test; IFC, immunofluorescence. b Body weight gain (g) was measured weekly during 28 weeks in wild type (Wt) mice fed with normal diet (ND; closed black circle) or high-fat diet (HFD; closed black triangle) and those that received intragastrically water or 50 mg/kg/day of the MpHE (Mp): Wt ND + Mp (open black circle) or Wt HFD + Mp (open black triangle), or transgenic 5XFAD mice fed with a normal diet (ND; closed red circle) or a high-fat diet (HFD; closed red triangle) that received intragastrically water or 50 mg/kg/day of the MpHE (Mp): 5XFAD ND + Mp (open red circle), or 5XFAD HFD + Mp (open red triangle). Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 4 in Wt ND, n = 4 in Wt HFD, n = 4 in Wt ND + Mp, n = 4 in Wt HFD + Mp, n = 10 in 5XFAD ND, n = 10 in 5XFAD HDF, n = 10 in 5XFAD ND + Mp and n = 9 in 5XFAD HFD + Mp. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA with repeated measures followed by post hoc Bonferroni’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(7,47) = 9.971, p < 0.001; for the time F(27,1269) = 206.5 p < 0.001 and for the genotype and time interaction F(189, 1269), p < 0.001. (*p = 0.0488, **p = 0.0069, ***p < 0.001). c Basal blood glucose concentrations in Wt or transgenic 5XFAD mice after 8 months of being fed with ND or HFD alone or treated with Mp. Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 4 for all the groups. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,24) = 5.029, p = 0.03440; for the diet F(1,24) = 25.08, p < 0.001; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,24) = 18.56; p = 0.002; for the genotype and diet interaction F(1,24) = 11, p = 0.0029; for the M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,24) = 24.99, p < 0.001; for the genotype and M. parviflora treatment interaction F(1,24) = 8.661 p = 0.0071; and for the genotype, M. parviflora treatment, and diet interaction F(1,24) = 0.2458, p = 0.6245. d Blood glucose during intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (GTT) of Wt or transgenic 5XFAD mice 8 months after of being fed with ND or HFD alone or treated with M. parviflora (Mp). Bar graph (lower panel) represents the area under the curve (AUC). Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 4 for all the groups. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,24) = 36.52, p < 0.001; for the diet F(1,24) = 45.37, p < 0.001; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,24) = 46.23, p < 0.001; for the genotype and diet interaction F(1,24) = 0.0002756, p = 0.9869; for the M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,24) = 9.277, p = 0.0056; for the genotype and M. parviflora treatment interaction F(1,24) = 3.678 p = 0.0671; and for the genotype, M. parviflora treatment, and diet interaction F(1,24) = 0.5456, p = 0.4673. e Blood glucose levels were measured at several time points following insulin administration during the insulin resistance test (IRT) of Wt or transgenic 5XFAD mice 8 months after of being fed with ND or HFD alone or treated with M. parviflora (Mp). Bar graph (lower panel) represents the area under the curve (AUC). Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,24) = 356.6, p < 0.001; for the diet F(1,24) = 38.47, p < 0.001; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,24) = 36.14, p < 0.001; for the genotype and diet interaction F(1,24) = 7.772, p = 0.0102; for the M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,24) = 4.078, p = 0.0547; for the genotype and M. parviflora treatment interaction F(1,24) = 15.14 p = 0.007; and for the genotype, M. parviflora treatment, and diet interaction F(1,24) = 3.468, p = 0.0749
The treatment with the MpHE delayed the increase in body weight in the 5XFAD animals fed with HFD observing significant difference since the seventh week (p = 0.0267) between both groups (Fig. 2b). Accordingly, with previously published data indicating that M. parviflora regulates glucose metabolism in a type 1 diabetes animal model [20], no significant differences were observed between animals fed with HFD + M. parviflora extract respect to ND-fed animals at all time points assayed (p = 0.4719 at the week 28) (Fig. 2b). After eight months of HFD feeding and MpHE treatment, the glucose baseline levels (Fig. 2c), the glucose tolerance (Fig. 2d), and insulin sensitivity (Fig. 2e) were similar to those transgenic mice fed with ND. Moreover, in the case of insulin resistance test, the AUC value obtained in HFD transgenic mice treated with MpHE was twofold lower than in the HFD transgenic group without treatment (p < 0.001) (Fig. 2e, lower panel). These results showed that MpHE prevented the systemic insulin resistance and glucose intolerance produced by HFD in the 5XFAD mice.
M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract reduces amyloidosis and astrogliosis in the 5XFAD mice fed with a high fat diet
To determine whether MpHA attenuates the negative effects of altered glucose metabolism resulting from obesity on memory loss induced by Aβ accumulation, first, we evaluated the accumulation of extracellular amyloid plaques in the hippocampus, a hallmark in the AD pathology (Fig. 3a). Amyloid plaques were significantly increased in the 5XFAD mice after 8 months of HFD feeding compared with 5XFAD mice fed with the ND (p < 0.0029) (Fig. 3a, right panel). As reported [31], this result confirms that HFD aggravates the AD pathology. However, long-term administration of MpHE reduced Aβ accumulation throughout hippocampus of 5XFAD mice fed either with ND (p = 0.0028) or with HFD (p < 0.001) compared to the Aβ levels observed in animals administered with the vehicle (Fig. 3a, right panel).
Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract reduces amyloid plaque formation and astrogliosis in 5XFAD transgenic mice fed with high-fat diet. a (Left) Representative micrographs of amyloid plaques labeled with thioflavin S in the hippocampus of wild type (Wt) or 5XFAD mice fed with either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) non-treated (Vehicle) or treated with Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract (M. parviflora) for 8 months (scale bar 100 μm). (Right) Graph represents amyloid plaque loads in hippocampus of 5XFAD transgenic mice fed with normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD), treated with vehicle or M. parviflora extract. Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 4 animals per group. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,24) = 113.7, p < 0.001; for the diet F(1,24) = 7.781, p = 0.01; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,24) = 39.54, p < 0.001; for the genotype and diet interaction F(1,24) = 7.781, p = 0.01; for the M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,24) = 3.03 p = 0.094; for the genotype and M. parviflora treatment interaction F(1,24) = 39.54 p < 0.001; and for the genotype, M. parviflora treatment, and diet interaction F(1,24) = 3.03, p = 0.094. b Astrogliosis was evaluated by immunofluorescence on hippocampal slides (dentate gyrus) from Wt and 5XFAD mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD) non-treated (vehicle) or treated with M. parviflora extract for 8 months. Astrocytes were imaged using the Olympus FluoView 1000 confocal multiphoton microscope (× 40, scale bar 30 μm). Lower row represents a × 2 digital magnification from boxed areas (scale bar 30 μm). Sketch indicates the analyzed area within the hippocampus
Astrocyte activation (astrogliosis) in response to Aβ accumulation is a characteristic of AD development. GFAP staining of sagittal sections from 9-months-old 5XFAD mice showed that long-term treatment (8 months) with the MpHE reduced the astrogliosis throughout the hippocampus of HFD-fed 5XFAD mice (Fig. 3b).
Together, these results point out that MpHE attenuates the inflammatory process in the brain triggered from Aβ accumulation resulting from APP and Presenilin 1 mutations and that MpHE also attenuates the effect of altered glucose metabolism on β-amyloid plaque formation and astrogliosis.
M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract ameliorates impairments in spatial memory in 5XFAD mice fed with a high fat diet
Given that the MpHE attenuated the alterations in glucose metabolism and reduced Aβ deposition in 5XFAD mice fed with HFD, we tested whether this treatment could also impact spatial learning and memory. To this purpose, the Morris water maze test was performed. In the training trials, Wt mice fed with HFD took more time to find the platform than Wt mice fed with ND (p = 0.008) (Fig. 4a) and their path lengths were less directed to the platform (Fig. 4d). Notably, 9-month-old 5XFAD mice fed with ND present similar learning impairments when compared to Wt animals fed with HFD (Fig. 4a, b). 5XFAD animals fed with ND (p = 0.003) and HFD (p = < 0.001) showed higher escape latencies in the learning test (Fig. 4b) and longer times to the platform in the memory test (5XFAD ND p = 0.002; 5XFAD HFD p < 0.002) compared with Wt mice fed with ND (Fig. 4c). The HFD did not worsen memory loss in 9-month-old 5XFAD mice, since transgenic mice fed with ND or HFD had similar escape latencies to find the platform. Nonetheless, the MpHE improved spatial learning in 5XFAD mice fed with HFD because it reduced significantly the escape latency compared to untreated transgenic mice (p = 0.05) and the latency is even similar to that of the ND-fed Wt mice (Fig. 4b). In the probe trial assay, most of the 5XFAD mice fed with ND and treated with the MpHE, reached the quadrant where the platform was located in a shorter time than the untreated transgenic mice (Fig. 4c). The 5XFAD animals fed with HFD and treated with M. parviflora showed a considerable reduction of the escape latency (p < 0.001) compared with that of the 5XFAD HFD group (Fig. 4c). Accordingly, independent of the diet, transgenic mice administered with MpHE showed reduced path lengths and crossed over the location of the hidden platform more frequently compared with the untreated 5XFAD mice (Fig. 4d). The M. parviflora capacity to ameliorate the memory impairment of 5XFAD transgenic model mice was further evident in the probe trial assay, where the latencies of the M. parviflora treated transgenic mice were very similar to that of the ND-fed Wt mice (Fig. 4c). The MpHE had no effect on the cognitive capacities of Wt mice fed with a ND; however, Wt animals fed with HFD and treated with this extract showed a significant reduction (p = 0.04) in the escape latencies (Fig. 4b). Together these results indicate that the MpHE attenuates the learning and memory deficiencies resulting from Aβ deposition and altered glucose metabolism.
Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract protects 5XFAD transgenic mice from memory deficit. Morris Water Maze test was performed to evaluate spatial memory in 5XFAD mice treated with Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract (M. parviflora). a Time (sec) need to reach the hidden platform (escape latency) during the five acquisition days (test trial) of wild type (Wt) mice fed with normal diet (ND) (closed black cirle) or high-fat diet (HFD) (closed black triangle) and those that received intragastrically water or 50 mg/kg/day of the MpHE (Mp): Wt ND + Mp (open black circle) or Wt HFD + Mp (open black triangle), or transgenic 5XFAD mice fed with a normal diet (ND) (closed red circle) or a high-fat diet (HFD) (closed red triangle) that received intragastrically water or 50 mg/kg/day of the MpHE (Mp): 5XFAD ND + Mp (open red circle), or 5XFAD HFD + Mp (open red triangle). Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 8 animals per group. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA followed by Sidak’s multiple comparisons test. This revealed a significant effect for time F(4,108) = 12.16, p < 0.0001, Genotype F(7,27) = 11.17, p < 0.0001 and for the interaction between time and genotype F(28,108) = 1.969, p = 0.007 (day 4 Wt ND vs 5XFAD HFD *p = 0.04; day 5 Wt ND vs 5XFAD HFD ***p < 0.0001). b Area under the curve (AUC) of the latencies for each group was calculated using the trapezoidal rule. Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 8 animals per group. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,56) = 14.95, p < 0.001; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,56) = 15.69, p < 0.001; for the genotype and diet interaction F(1,56) = 1.401, p = 0.24; for the M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,56) = 5.734, p = 0.02; for the genotype and M. parviflora treatment interaction F(1,56) = 2.328, p = 0.13; for the genotype, M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,56) = 2.467, p = 0.12. c Time (seconds; sec) to platform for each group during the probe trial (day eight) in the absence of platform. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,56) = 15.46, p < 0.001; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,56) = 25.97, p < 0.001; for diet F(1,56) = 0.5947, p = 0.44; for the genotype and diet interaction F(1,56) = 5.703, p = 0.02; for the M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,56) = 1.915, p = 0.17; for the genotype and M. parviflora treatment interaction F(1,56) = 5.131, p = 0.03; for the genotype, M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,56) = 0.04011, p = 0.84. d Representative swimming paths of mice during the probe trial on day eight are depicted. The hidden platform was located on the NW quadrant
M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract regulates microglia activation in vitro
Many studies indicate that the microglial cells, which are crucial in the CNS homeostasis by clearing misfolded proteins and controlling inflammation, have altered functions in the AD [32]. As first approach to determine whether MpHE could modulate microglia activation and thus attenuate memory loss in the 5XFAD mice, microglia primary cultures were prepared from brain of neonatal mice. Microglia isolation was determined by confocal microscopy (Fig. 5a), flow cytometry (Fig. 5b), and RT-PCR (Fig. 5c) assays using different cell markers, including F4/80 and CD11b (microglia), GFAP (astrocytes), and Neurofilament M (neurons). Purified microglia was evidenced by the expression of F4/80 and CD11b (Fig. 5a–c). Using these cultures, we evaluated the effect of the MpHE on LPS-induced microglia activation. Phalloidin staining revealed that LPS treatment induced microglia morphological changes by increasing the amoeboid “activated” morphology (F(3,24) = 20.49, p < 0.001) and reducing the ramified morphology (F(3,24) = 7.526, p < 0.01) as compared with the control cells (Fig. 5d, e). In contrast, when MpHE was added to the microglial cultures, the LPS-induced amoeboid morphological changes were significantly reduced (F(3,24) = 20.49, p < 0.001) (Fig. 5d, e). In the same way, LPS treatment reduced the protrusion length of the microglia processes (p = 0.0195) compared with control microglial cells that had fine processes towards the trailing end (Fig. 5f). The MpHE treatment prevented the reduction in the protrusion length resulting from LPS exposure (Fig. 5f). Even more, LPS-treated microglia exposed to MpHE showed enhanced phagocytic activity when compared to untreated control cells (F(2,15) = 30.67, p < 0.001) (Fig. 5g). Interestingly, M. parviflora treated microglia showed increased phagocytic activity similar to that observed in microglial cells treated with LPS and M. parviflora (F(2,15) = 30.67, p < 0.001) (Fig. 5g). Together, these results indicate that the MpHE modulates microglia activation in response to inflammatory stimuli while promoting its phagocytic activity.
Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract regulates LPS-induced microglia activation. Microglia primary cultures were isolated from neonatal wild type animals as described in the “Methods” section. Microglia enrichment was determined as follows. a Confocal microscopy was used to examine GFAP (astrocytes) and F4/80 (microglia) expression in mixed cultures and after microglia purification (Microglia). Nuclei were visualized by DAPI staining (scale bar, 30 μm). b Microglia enrichment was determined by flow citometry using anti-CD11b antibodies. c The mRNA levels of different cell markers, microglia (F4/80); astrocytes (GFAP) and neurons (Neurofilament M; NF) were determined in the mixed cultures (MC), isolated microglia (microglia), whole brain (WB) and CHO cells by RT-PCR analysis as described in the “Methods” section. Actin levels were used as internal control. d Microglial cultures were exposed to PBS (Ctrl), LPS (100 ng/mL), MpHE (M. parviflora) (1 mg/mL) or LPS (100 ng/mL) and MpHE (1 mg/mL) (LPS + M. parviflora) for 24 h. Cells were fixed, stained with phalloidin and DAPI for F-actin (green) and nuclei (blue) detection, respectively. Microglia was imaged using the Olympus FluoView 1000 confocal multiphoton microscope (scale bar, 30 μm). The boxed areas were × 2 digitally magnified and shown as inset. e The microglia morphologies were classified as ramified, amoeboid and intermediate shapes in the different groups described in (D); MpHE (Mp). One hundred cells were measured for each experimental condition. Data (mean ± SEM) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (**p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001). f Microglial cultures were exposed to PBS (Control) or LPS (100 ng/mL) in the presence or absence Vehicle) of MpHE (1 mg/mL) (Mp) for 24 h. The length of the protrusions (μm) of the microglia were determined using Neurite Tracer from ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). Data (mean ± SEM) were analyzed by two-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Bonferroni’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the LPS F(1,8) = 13.32, p = 0.006; not for the treatment with M. parviflora F(1,8) = 0.8054 p = 0.40 or for the LPS and M. parviflora interaction F(1,8) = 1.245 p = 0.30. g Microglial cultures were exposed to PBS (Control), MpHE (1 mg/mL) (Mp) or LPS (100 ng/mL) and MpHE (1 mg/mL) (LPS + Mp) for 24 h. The phagocytic index was calculated by multiplying the percentage of microglia with internalized latex beads by the average number of internalized latex beads per each group. Data were collected from seven random fields per group and analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (***p < 0.001 vs control)
M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract stimulates the microglia phagocytic activity from 5XFAD mice
Taking into consideration that the inflammatory environment induced by Aβ-accumulation skews microglia to an inflammatory phenotype impairing its phagocytic capacity [33, 34] thus leading to the AD progression and that MpHE induced the phagocytic activity of neonatal microglia in primary cultures (Fig. 5), we evaluated whether MpHE could restore the phagocytic activity of microglia from adult 5XFAD mice. For this purpose, pure primary microglial cultures from 8- and 10-month-old Wt or 5XFAD mice were isolated (Fig. 6a) and exposed to fluorescent E. coli in the present or absence of the MpHE. Interestingly, the percentage of microglia with internalized bacteria was slightly reduced in the cultures of microglia isolated from brains with Aβ deposition (5XFAD mice, 8 and 10 months old) when compared to cultures of microglia isolated from healthy brains (Wt mice) (Fig. 6b, c), thus confirming that an inflammatory environment impairs microglia phagocytic activity [9]. However, exposure to the MpHE increased the number of cells with internalized bacteria in 5XFAD microglial cultures from 8- (F(5,12) = 7.351, p < 0.05) and 10-month-old mice (F(5,12) = 7.351, p < 0.05) (Fig. 6b, c). Furthermore, the MpHE significantly increased the number of cells containing more than 10 internalized E. coli in both, Wt and 5XFAD microglia (F(5,294) = 86.56, Wt 1-5, p < 0.01; Wt 6-10, p < 0.001; 5XFAD 8-month-old 1–5, p < 0.001; 5XFAD 8-month-old 6–10, p < 0.001; 5XFAD 10-month-old 1–5, p < 0.01; 5XFAD 10-month-old 6–10, p < 0.001) (Fig. 6d). Additionally, the phagocytic index was increased for the presence of MpHE in all the cases (F(5,12) = 620, p < 0.001 for all the cases) (Fig. 6e). Thus, our results indicate that the negative effect of the MpHE on Aβ plaques formation may result from improved microglia phagocytic activity and Aβ peptide clearance.
Ex vivo treatment of microglial cells from 5XFAD mice with Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract increases the microglia phagocytic activity. a Microglia was purified from adult (wild type and 5XFAD) mouse brains as described in the “Methods” section. Microglia enrichment was determined by flow citometry using anti-CD11b antibodies. A representative histogram depicts isotype (red) and CD11b (blue) labeled cells from 5XFAD transgenic brain. b Primary microglial cells were purified from 8- and 10-months-old Wt and 5XFAD mice as described in the “Methods” section and left untreated (Ctrl) or treated with the M. parviflora extract (1 mg/mL) for 24 h and then exposed to fluorescent E. coli (red) for 4 h. Cells were fixed and stained with phalloidin and DAPI for F-actin (green) and nuclei (blue) detection, respectively. Microglia was imaged using the Olympus FluoView 1000 confocal multiphoton microscope (Scale bar, 30 μm). Insets show a × 2 digital magnification from boxed areas. c Graph depicts the percentage of cells with internalized E. coli (m.o.) that were left untreated (−) or treated (+) with the M. parviflora extract (1 mg/mL) for 24 h and then exposed to fluorescent E. coli (red) for 4 h. Data (mean ± SEM) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (*p < 0.05). d Average of microorganisms (E. coli) internalized by microglia from the indicated mouse strain and age untreated (−) or treated (+) with the M. parviflora extract (intervals were from 1 to 5, from 6 to 10 and greater than 10 microorganisms/cell). Data (mean ± SEM) were analyzed by paired t test (**p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001). e Phagocytic index was calculated by multiplying the percentage of microglia with internalized bacteria by the average number of internalized E. coli bacteria per each group. Data were collected from seven random fields per group and analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (***p < 0.001)
M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract reduces the M1 phenotype in the microglial cells from 5XFAD mice
Previous reports showed that the microglial cells in the presence of Aβ plaques exhibit morphological and molecular changes, their soma and the thickness processes are increased [35] as well as the expression of inflammatory mediators a characteristic of an activated M1 phenotype that result in neurotoxicity [36]. Hence, we evaluated if the MpHE could also modulate these alterations. We used Iba-1 as specific marker to analyze the microglia morphological changes in cortex and hippocampus of 5XFAD mice untreated or treated (8 months) with the MpHE. In contrast to the activated microglia (amoeboid) observed in untreated 5XFAD mice, the presence of ramified microglia with long and thin processes within the cortex and hippocampus of 5XFAD mice exposed to MpHE was evident (Fig. 7a, b). Importantly, an increased microglia accumulation around the Aβ plaques was observed in the cortex and hippocampus of 5XFAD mice treated with the MpHE as determined by the Manders’s coefficient (hippocampus 5XFAD mice 0.774 ± 0.105 vs 5XFAD mice treated with M. parviflora 0.875 ± 0.084; cortex 5XFAD mice 0.674 ± 0.076 vs 5XFAD mice treated with M. parviflora 0.894 ± 0.035) (Fig. 7a, b). This correlated with reduced thioflavin-S staining intensity (Fig. 3a), suggesting improved Aβ plaques degradation. Moreover, the increased mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory markers as CD86 (Wt ND vs 5XFAD ND p < 0.001; Wt HFD vs 5XFAD HFD p = 0.0045), which is expressed by the microglial cells in the brain [37], and TNF [38] (Wt ND vs 5XFAD ND, p < 0.001) observed in the cortex of 5XFAD mice independent of the diet were reduced in the cortex from 5XFAD mice treated with MpHE (CD86: 5XFAD ND vs 5XFAD ND M. parviflora (p < 0.001) and 5XFAD HFD vs 5XFAD HFD M. parviflora (p = 0.0167) (Fig. 8a); TNF: 5XFAD ND vs 5XFAD ND treated with M. parviflora, p < 0.001; 5XFAD HFD vs 5XFAD HFD treated with M. parviflora, p = 0.02) (Fig. 8b). In contrast, the levels of Mgl1 (macrophage galactose-type lectin-1), an anti-inflammatory microglia marker [39], showed a mild increase in the presence of the extract in the 5XFAD fed with a ND or HFD (Fig. 8c). Also, we analyzed the mRNA levels of TREM-2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2), a phagocytosis specific marker in microglial cells [40]. We found that TREM-2 levels were increased in the cortex from 5XFAD mice and the M. parviflora extract treatment slightly further increased TREM-2 levels in lean and obese mice (Fig. 8d).
Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract increases microglia accumulation around the Aβ plaques in the cortex and hippocampus of 5XFAD mice. Amyloid plaques were labeled with thioflavin S (green) and microglia with anti-Iba-1 antibodies (red) on cortical a or hippocampal sections (dentate gyrus) b from 5XFAD mice fed with either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) non-treated (Vehicle) or treated with M. parviflora extract (M. parviflora) for 8 months. Representative micrographs are depicted. Images were captured using the Zeiss Axioskop Observer Z1 inverted fluorescence microscope (× 10, scale bar 100 μm). Lower row represents a × 3 digital magnification from boxed areas (scale bar 30 μm). Sketch indicates the analyzed area within the cortex and the hippocampus, respectively
Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract attenuates microglia pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype in the cortex of 5XFAD mice. Total RNA was isolated from the cortex of Wt or 5XFAD mice fed with either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) non-treated (Vehicle) or treated with MpHE (M. parviflora) for 8 months. a The transcript levels of CD86 (marker of M1 state) were determined by RT-qPCR as described in the “Methods” section. Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 3 animals per group. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,16) = 42.45, p < 0.001; for the diet F(1,16) = 0.4022, p = 0.53; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,16) = 29.79, p < 0.001; for the genotype and diet interaction F(1,16) = 0.04041, p = 0.84; for the M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,16) = 0.2594 p = 0.62; for the genotype and M. parviflora treatment interaction F(1,16) = 20.67 p < 0.001; for the genotype, M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,16) = 2.037, p = 0.17. b TNF (marker of M1 state) mRNA levels. Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 3 animals per group. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,16) = 25.65 p < 0.001; for the diet F(1,16) = 5.758, p = 0.03; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,16) = 32.4, p < 0.001; for the genotype and diet interaction F(1,16) = 4.955, p = 0.04; for the M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,16) = 2.259 p = 0.15; for the genotype and M. parviflora treatment interaction F(1,16) = 26.77 p < 0.001; for the genotype, M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,16) = 2.189, p = 0.16. c Mgl1 (marker of M2 state) mRNA levels. Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 3 animals per group. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, and d TREM-2 mRNA levels. Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 3 animals per group. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. Microglia from 8-month-old Wt or 5XFAD mice were unstimulated or stimulated with LPS (100 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of MpHE (M. parviflora; 1 mg/mL) for 24 h. Control cells were treated with PBS (Ctrl) or MpHE alone (M. parviflora). Supernatants were used to determine TNF and IL6 levels by ELISA as described in the “Methods” section. e TNF levels. Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 3 animals per group. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,16) = 7.878, p = 0.0127; for the LPS treatment F(1,16) = 17.74, p = 0.0007; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,16) = 66.30, p < 0.0001; for the genotype and LPS treatment interaction F(1,16) = 6.105, p = 0.0251. f IL6 levels. Data are shown as mean ± SEM, n = 3 animals per group. Statistical analysis was performed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,16) = 25.76, p = 0.0001; for the LPS treatment F(1,16) = 19.86, p = 0.0004; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,16) = 309.3, p < 0.0001; for the genotype and LPS treatment interaction F(1,16) = 20.71, p = 0.0003
To further corroborate the anti-inflammatory effect of MpHE, primary microglial cultures from 5XFAD mice (8 months) were treated con LPS (100 ng/mL) in the absence or presence of MpHE (1 mg/mL) for 24 h. Interestingly, although LPS promoted higher production of both TNF and IL-6 in microglia from the 5XFAD mice than that from wild type mice, the increased levels of TNF and IL-6 released to the supernatant in response to LPS (TNF: Wt Ctrl vs Wt LPS p = 0.0434; 5XFAD Ctrl vs 5XFAD LPS p < 0.0001; Wt LPS vs 5XFAD LPS p = 0.0015; and IL-6: Wt Ctrl vs Wt LPS p = 0.0001; 5XFAD Ctrl vs 5XFAD LPS p < 0.0001; Wt LPS vs 5XFAD LPS p < 0.0001) was significantly reduced in response to MpHE (TNF: 5XFAD LPS vs 5XFAD LPS treated with M. parviflora, p = 0.0001; and IL-6: 5XFAD LPS vs 5XFAD LPS treated with M. parviflora, p < 0.0001) (Fig. 8e, f). According with this, the in vivo treatment with the MpHE also reduced the inflammatory process in the adipose tissue of wild type and 5XFAD mice fed with the HFD, since there was a clear reduction in the infiltration of immune cells into the adipose tissue of mice fed with HFD and treated with the MpHE compared with vehicle-treated animals (Additional file 2: Figure S2). Together these results indicate that (1) by regulating microglia phagocytic activity, (2) by preventing the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, M. parviflora reduces β-amyloid plaque load and improves learning and memory in lean and obese mice and (3) M. parviflora attenuates the inflammatory process in the adipose tissue of obese mice.
Scopoletin and oleanolic acid are present in the M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract
Given that M. parviflora reduces neuroinflammation and regulates microglia activation in the 5XFAD mice, the fractionation and characterization of the MpHE was performed to ascertain the bioactive components. MpHE was subjected to a series of solvent extraction and the water and ethyl acetate fractions were subjected to HPLC analysis to identify compounds with potential anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant activities. Scopoletin was identified in the ethyl acetate (AcOet) fraction (Fig. 9a). This coumarin displayed the same retention time (9.4 min) and UV spectra (λ max = 205, 228, 294, 348 nm) than the commercial reference (Fig. 9b). Oleanolic acid was also identified in the same fraction (Fig. 9a), showing the same retention time (25.85 min) and UV (λ max = 192 nm) spectra than the commercial reference (SIGMA, 95% purity) (Fig. 9c). Additionally, the presence of two peaks in the early retention times, displayed on the UV spectra 3.95 min (λ = 204, 276, 369 nm) and 5.4 min (λ = 200, 220, 279), is related to flavonoid compounds. Quantification of scopoletin was established with calibration curve (linear regression displayed the equation Y = 84,221X − 188,219 R2 = 0.9995) of this coumarin. Based on the obtained equation Y = 84,221X − 188,219, it is possible to establish a 1.22 mg of scopoletin content per gram of AcOet fraction and 101.9 mg of oleanolic acid content per gram of AcOet fraction. Considering the yield of the HE (1 g of HE produces 0.019 g of AcOet fraction), the scopoletin concentration corresponds to 23 μg/g of HE and 1.93 mg/g of HE for the oleanolic acid (Fig. 9d). According to previous data indicating that oleanolic acid and scopoletin have anti-inflammatory activity [41, 42], both compounds inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activity in mouse RAW-Blue macrophages (Additional file 3: Figure S3).
The Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract contains scopoletin and oleanolic acid. a HPLC chromatograms comparing the hydroalcoholic (HA) and ethyl acetate (AcOEt) fractions from MpHE with reference standards of scopoletin and oleanolic acid. All samples were monitored at 345 nm. b Chemical structure of scopoletin. c Chemical structure of oleanolic acid. d Principal compounds present in the hydroalcoholic extract of M. parviflora
These data indicate that the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of the MpHE, observed in this study, might result from the presence of oleanolic acid and scopoletin.
M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract regulates the phagocytic capacity of microglial cells via the PPARγ-CD36 pathway
As shown, chemical characterization of MpHE determined the presence of oleanolic acid and scopoletin. Oleanolic acid is a natural agonist of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) [43, 44]. Interestingly, PPAR-γ, through the induction of CD36 expression, mediates microglial amyloid β plaques phagocytosis in the APP/PS1 mice [16]. Since MpHE stimulates the microglia phagocytosis activity from 5XFAD mice, we tested whether the improved microglial phagocytic activity resulting from MpHE involved PPAR-γ activation. In accordance with this idea, MpHE increased the levels of PPAR-γ in a concentration-dependent manner (Ctrl vs M. parviflora 0.1 mg/mL; p = 0.009; Ctrl vs M. parviflora 1 mg/mL, p = 0.004) (Fig. 10a) and to a similar extent than the PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone (p = 0.001) (Fig. 10a). In accordance with the fact that PPAR-γ induces its own expression through a positive feedback loop [45], the PPAR-γ-specific inhibitor GW9662 (100 μM) prevented the increase in PPAR-γ levels resulting from the MpHE treatment (M. parviflora 0.1 mg/mL vs GW9662 + M. parviflora 0.1 mg/mL (p = 0.04); M. parviflora 1 mg/mL vs GW9662 + M. parviflora 1 mg/mL (p = 0.003), as well as that induced by pioglitazone (p < 0.001) (Fig. 10a). GW9662 acts as a potent antagonist of PPAR-γ by covalently modifying a cysteine residue in the ligand binding site of PPAR-γ [46]. These results show that MpHE regulates PPAR-γ activity.
Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract regulates the phagocytic capacity of microglial cells via PPARγ-CD36 mediated mechanism. Microglial primary cultures were left untreated or pre-treated with GW9662, a specific PPAR-γ inhibitor for 1 h, following by incubation with MpHE or the PPAR-γ agonist, pioglitazone, at the indicated concentration for 24 h. a The PPAR-γ levels from the cell extracts of microglial primary cultures were determined by immunoblot using specific antibodies and the actin levels were used as internal control. Normalized densitometry values of PPAR-γ (PPAR-γ/actin) present in the extracts of microglial primary cultures in the presence of MpHE (Mp) or pioglitazone and GW9662. Data are shown as mean ± SEM and were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Ctrl vs Mp 0.1 mg/mL (**p = 0.009); Ctrl vs Mp 1 mg/mL (**p = 0.004); Ctrl vs pioglitazone (**p = 0.001); Mp 0.1 mg/mL vs GW9662 + Mp 0.1 mg/mL (*p = 0.04); Mp 1 mg/mL vs GW9662 + Mp 1 mg/mL (**p = 0.003); Pioglitazone vs GW9662 + Pioglitazone (***p < 0.001). b CD36 mRNA levels were determined by qPCR using total RNA from the microglial primary cultures treated as described above. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Ctrl vs Mp (*p = 0.04); Ctrl vs pioglitazone (**p = 0.002); Mp vs GW9662 + Mp (*p = 0.04); pioglitazone vs GW9662 + pioglitazone (**p = 0.005). c Representative micrographs from cortex of adult 5XFAD mice alone (Bs) or in the presence of microglial primary cultures (5XFAD Bs + microglia) untreated (−) or pre-treated with M. parviflora or pioglitazone and GW9662. The slices were stained with thioflavin S and analyzed by confocal microscopy. d The plaques number were quantified. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Bs vs M. parviflora (***p < 0.001); Bs vs pioglitazone (*p = 0.03); M. parviflora vs GW9662 + M. parviflora (*p = 0.04). e The plaques size was quantified. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Bs vs M. parviflora (*p = 0.03); Ctrl vs M. parviflora (**p = 0.007); M. parviflora vs GW9662 + M. parviflora (*p = 0.02)
Since CD36 is a scavenger receptor involved in Aβ phagocytosis [16], whose expression is controlled by PPAR-γ [47], we tested the idea that the MpHE via PPAR-γ regulates CD36 expression. Microglia primary cultures were left untreated or pre-treated with GW9662 for 1 h, then incubated with MpHE (1 mg/mL) for 24 h and CD36 mRNA levels were measured. CD36 mRNA levels were upregulated in response to MpHE (p = 0.04) but prevented by GW9662 (p = 0.04) (Fig. 10b). The CD36 expression levels induced by the MpHE were similar to those resulting from exposing microglial cell to pioglitazone (p = 0.002) (Fig. 10b).
Next, we evaluated whether PPR-γ activity was required for the enhanced microglia phagocytic activity mediated by the MpHE. The increase in CD36 expression correlated with the increased phagocytic activity of microglial cells exposed to the MpHE towards amyloid β plaques. Brain slices from 5XFAD transgenic mice exposed to microglia that was previously treated with the MpHE showed a significant reduction in both the number (p < 0.001) (Fig. 10c, d) and size (p = 0.03) (Fig. 10c, e) of amyloid β plaques that remained at the end of the experiment compared with those found in the slides exposed to non-treated microglia (Fig. 10c–e). Again, this effect was prevented by the PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662 (Fig. 10c–e). Activating microglia with the PPAR-γ agonist also resulted in a significant reduction in the number of amyloid β plaques (p = 0.03), an effect that was prevented by the PPAR-γ inhibitor (Fig. 10d). Interestingly, pioglitazone had no effect on the size of the amyloid β plaques remaining on the tissue slide (Fig. 10e). To further corroborate these data, 5XFAD transgenic mice were treated with MpHE in the absence or presence of GW9662 and the amyloid β plaques phagocytized by microglia was evaluated by flow cytometry using methoxy-X04 (Fig. 11a). MpHE in vivo administration increased the CD11b+/CD36+ population (Fig. 11b, left and middle panel) as well as the CD36 expression levels (Fig. 11b right panel) via a PPAR-γ-dependent mechanism since GW9662 prevented this induction (Fig. 11b middle and right panels). The increase in CD36 expression correlated with increased phagocytic activity of microglial cells towards amyloid β plaques in the MpHE-treated 5XFAD since we observed an increase in both the CD36+/methoxy-X04+ cells (Fig. 11c middle panel) and in the methoxy-X04 staining (Fig. 11c right panel). Importantly, the increased microglia phagocytic activity was prevented by the PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662 (Fig. 11c, middle and right panels). These results show that MpHE enhances microglia phagocytic activity towards amyloid β plaques by promoting CD36 expression via PPAR-γ activity in the 5XFAD transgenic mice. Accordingly, MpHE in vivo administration increased PPAR-γ levels in the 5XFAD mice frontal cortex (Wt HFD vehicle vs Wt HFD Mp, p = 0.0050; 5XFAD ND vehicle vs 5XFAD ND Mp, p = 0.0934; 5XFAD HFD vehicle vs 5XFAD HFD Mp, p = 0.0036) (Fig. 12a).
Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract regulates the phagocytic capacity of microglial cells via PPARγ-CD36 mediated mechanism in the 5xFAD transgenic mice. a Graphical time line of the study design and experimental procedures. The 5XFAD transgenic mice received 50 mg/kg/day of the MpHE (Mp) or water (Vehicle) intragastrically during 2 months. After, the mice were intraperitoneally (IP) injected with GW9662 (5 mg/kg), a specific PPAR-γ inhibitor, or vehicle (5% DMSO/95%PBS) for the last 3 days before sacrifice. For the in vivo amyloid β phagocytosis assay, mice were intraperitoneally injected 6 h before sacrifice with methoxy-X04 (10 mg/kg). The presence of Aβ peptides in the microglial cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. b CD36 expression in microglia (CD11b+) from 5XFAD transgenic mice untreated (Vehicle) or treated with MpHE alone (M. parviflora) or with MpHE and GW9662 (M. parviflora+GW9662) determined by flow cytometry. Left panel: A representative histogram depicts CD36 expression in the CD11b+ cells from 5XFAD transgenic brain. Middle panel: % of the CD11b+/CD36+ cells. Data (mean ± SD) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Percentage CD11b+/CD36+ 5XFAD vehicle vs 5XFAD Mp (*p = 0.0298); 5XFAD Mp vs 5XFAD Mp + GW9662 (*p = 0.0291). Right panel: CD36 expression levels. MFI CD11b+/CD36+ 5XFAD Vehicle vs 5XFAD Mp (*p = 0.0228). c Left panel: cytometry analysis of Aβ peptides phagocytized by microglia (CD11b+/CD36+) from adult 5XFAD mice untreated (Vehicle) alone (M. parviflora) or with MpHE and GW9662 (M. parviflora+GW9662) that received methoxy-X04 (M-X04). Left panel: representative histogram is shown. Middle panel: percent of the CD36+/M-X04+ cells data (mean ± SD) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Percentage CD36+/Methoxy-X04+ 5XFAD vehicle vs 5XFAD Mp (**p = 0.0089); 5XFAD Mp vs 5XFAD Mp + GW9662 (**p = 0.0069). Right panel: phagocyted M-XO4 levels. MFI CD36+/Methoxy-X04 5XFAD Vehicle vs 5XFAD Mp (**p = 0.0047); 5XFAD Mp vs. 5XFAD Mp + GW9662 (**p = 0.0054)
Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract regulates PPARγ levels in the 5XFAD transgenic mice. The 5XFAD and Wt mice were fed with either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) non-treated (Vehicle) or treated with M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract (M. parviflora). The PPAR-γ levels from the frontal cortex cell extracts were determined by immunoblot using specific antibodies and the GAPDH levels were used as internal control. a Normalized densitometry values of PPAR-γ (PPAR-γ/GAPDH) present in the frontal cortex cell extracts of 5XFAD and Wt mice. Data (mean ± SD) were analyzed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. This analysis revealed a significant effect for the genotype F(1,16) = 7.529, p = 0.0144; for the diet F(1,16) = 13.37, p = 0-0021; for the M. parviflora treatment F(1,16) = 28.11, p < 0.0001; for the genotype and diet interaction F(1,16) = 0.5415, p = 0.4725; for the M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,16) = 17.37, p = 0.0007; for the genotype and M. parviflora treatment interaction F(1,16) = 6.946, p < 0.0180; for the genotype, M. parviflora treatment and diet interaction F(1,16) = 6.111, p = 0.0250. b Microglial primary cultures were left untreated or pre-treated with GW9662, a specific PPAR-γ inhibitor for 1 h, following by incubation with oleanolic acid (OA), at the indicated concentration for 24 h. The PPAR-γ levels from the cell extracts of microglial primary cultures were determined by immunoblot using specific antibodies and the GAPDH levels were used as internal control. Normalized densitometry values of PPAR- γ (PPAR- γ/GAPDH) present in the extracts of microglial primary cultures in the presence of oleanolic acid. Data (mean ± SD) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Ctrl vs 4.5 μg/mL oleanolic acid (*p = 0.0414); 4.5 μg/mL oleanolic acid vs GW9662 + oleanolic acid 4.5 μg/mL (*p = 0.0116); 45 μg/mL oleanolic acid vs GW9662 + 45 μg/mL oleanolic acid (**p = 0.0079); c Model of the mechanism by which M. parviflora hydroalcoholic extract (HE) diminishes neuroinflammation. Chronic inflammation compromises microglia clearance functions by reducing the expression of the scavenger receptor CD36. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-γ) suppress inflammatory gene expression and promotes phagocytosis by regulating CD36 expression a scavenger receptor involved in microglia-dependent amyloid plaque destruction. According with this, our results indicate that a component present in the M. parviflora extract, probably oleanolic acid, based on previous studies [43] and our data, induces PPAR-γ activation that results in the upregulation of the scavenger receptor CD36 expression, thus leading to microglia-enhanced phagocytic, amyloid plaque clearance activity, diminished neuroinflammation, and improved learning and memory
As described above, MpHE contains oleanolic acid, a natural agonist of PPAR-γ (43, 44). Therefore, we tested whether the improved microglial phagocytic activity resulting from MpHE treatment involved oleanolic acid-mediated PPAR-γ activation. In accordance with this idea, oleanolic acid increased PPAR-γ levels specifically in microglia (Ctrl vs 4.5 μg oleanolic acid, p = 0.0414; Ctrl vs 45 μg oleanolic acid, p = 0.0608). Congruently with the fact that PPAR-γ induces its own expression through a positive feedback loop [45], the PPAR-γ specific inhibitor GW9662 (100 μM) prevented the increase in PPAR-γ levels resulting from the oleanolic acid treatment (4.5 μg/mL oleanolic acid vs GW9662 + 4.5 μg/ mL oleanolic acid (p = 0.0116); 45 μg/mL oleanolic acid vs GW9662 + 45 μg/mL oleanolic acid (p = 0.0079)) (Fig. 12b). Together, these results indicate that the MpHE promotes microglia phagocytosis and degradation of amyloid β plaques by inducing PPAR-γ mediated CD36 expression (Fig. 12c).
Plant extracts have been used as an alternative therapy to revert the AD marks. It is thought that the mixture of compounds with synergistic activities as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities favors Aβ reduction, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and monoamines modification [48, 49]. Previously, the M. parviflora extract has been shown to present hypoglycemic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities [20, 21, 50] and even it has been reported to have a beneficial effect against Aβ-injected mice [51]. In the present study, we demonstrate the neuroprotective effect of a long-term treatment with MpHE in the 5XFAD mouse model of AD. This model has been widely used to examine the therapeutic value of candidate agents for AD treatment [52–54], displaying age-dependent neurological and motor deficits that mimic common phenotypes seen in AD patients, without the presence of neurofibrillary tangles [55]. In addition, we also provide evidence indicating that the MpHE attenuates the negative effect of chronic peripheral inflammation on the development of AD pathological hallmarks. The MpHE reduced adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance in obese mice fed with a HFD; a well-established experimental approach to induce insulin resistance [56]. Together, our results show for the first time that a long-term treatment with a MpHE attenuates both peripheral and central inflammation resulting in improved memory and learning abilities in a familial Alzheimer’s disease model. The molecular mechanism activated by the MpHE involves the activation of the PPAR-γ pathway and increased scavenger receptor CD36 expression which improves microglia phagocytic activity thus reducing Aβ load and inflammation in the CNS. Therefore, our data uncover the signaling pathway regulated by the MpHE resulting in neuroprotection.
Our phytochemical analysis identified two compounds in the MpHE, oleanolic acid and scopoletin. Interestingly, both compounds have hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties. A proposed anti-inflammatory mechanism for oleanolic acid involves the upregulation of the transcription factor Nrf2, which inhibits the expression of NF-κB [42]. As oleanolic acid, the scopoletin anti-inflammatory effect also involves the inhibition of the NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways [57]. Congruent with oleanolic acid and scopoletin anti-NF-κB activity, here, we demonstrate that the MpHE decreases the NF-κB activation in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, our ex vivo experiments show that this treatment effectively prevents microglia activation by inhibiting the morphological changes typically induced by LPS, thus confirming the anti-inflammatory effects of MpHE previously described using ear edema and vascular permeability models [21]. Additionally, it has been shown that synthetic triterpenoid analogs of oleanolic acid attenuate microglia activation and the pro-inflammatory phenotype [58].
In contrast with previous studies showing that a HFD had no effect on the Aβ plaque burden in the hippocampus from old 3xTgAD mice [59], we found that HFD increases the deposition of hippocampal β-amyloid plaques in the 5XFAD mice model. This correlated with the fact that these animals were glucose intolerant and showed insulin resistance, which is in agreement with experimental evidence indicating that the energy metabolism in the brain plays a key role in AD development [60–62]. This is consistent with previous reports that confirm impairment in hippocampal synaptic plasticity in animals fed with HFD [63–65].
Recent studies showed that a short-term HFD feeding (16 weeks) to 5XFAD mice does not induce metabolic disorder, including blood glucose levels, and does not increase body weight, although the HFD had a notorious impact on the cognition, thus considering these effects as independent phenomena [66]. However, insulin released by the pancreas crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to and activates its specific receptor in the CNS, including those expressed in the hippocampus. Accordingly, insulin enhances memory in healthy humans and rodents [67, 68]. Thus, impaired insulin receptor signaling contributes to the development of hippocampal insulin resistance (IR). Clinical and preclinical studies suggest that hippocampal IR leads to the neuroplasticity deficits observed in both type II diabetes and AD. Recently, it has been proposed that neuroinflammation may serve as a link between aging, type II diabetes, and AD by causing IR [14, 69]. Pro-inflammatory molecules (e.g., TNF, IL-6, IL-1β) are increased in type II diabetes and AD, which may compromise the hippocampal insulin receptor expression and/or signaling. For instance, TNF may cause hippocampal IR by increasing serine phosphorylation of IRS1 [70]. Although further studies are needed to establish whether IR in the CNS regulates memory by itself or in combination with peripheral IR, experimental data support that enhancement of hippocampal insulin receptor signaling could reduce or reverse the memory deficits observed in type II diabetes and AD [71]. These observations point out the importance of establishing pharmacological and/or preventive strategies to improve cognitive deficits in individuals suffering metabolic syndrome. Interestingly, here, we show that the MpHE abolished the increase in TNF levels in the cortex of lean and obese 5XFAD transgenic mice.
Our results show also that the long-term treatment with MpHE significantly reduces the body weight gain, the impairment in the glucose metabolism in transgenic and non-transgenic mice and surprisingly, reduced the Aβ deposition in transgenic mice. Furthermore, we observed that MpHE significantly decreases the escape latency in the learning and memory tests, in accordance with a previous study where an ethanolic M. parviflora extract increased the learning and memory along with reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels after injection of Aβ in mice [51]. These data are consistent with oleanoic acid and scopoletin neuroprotective effects. The oleanolic acid isolated from Aralia cordata confers neuroprotection in rat cortical neuronal cultures by inhibiting neuronal death and the generation of ROS induced by Aβ. Equally, the ethanolic extract of Aralia cordata possesses antidementia activities in mice injected intracerebroventricularly with Aβ peptides [72].
Additionally, scopoletin increases presynaptic activity-dependent acetylcholine (ACh) release, enhances hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), and improves cognition in cholinergically impaired and in age-impaired mice. Scopoletin neuroprotective effect might result from interacting with nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) enhancing NMDA-dependent LTP [73]. Activated nAChRs can promote neuronal survival and may also decrease the synthesis and deposition of Aβ peptides [74]. If the neuroprotective effects of Malva parviflora involves the interaction of the scopoletin present in the extract with the nAChRs is yet to be determined.
During the development and in adulthood, the microglial cells maintain the brain homeostasis perceiving their microenvironment. The healthy state of the microglial cells is altered by the presence of soluble and aggregated Aβ, by the synaptic degeneration observed in the early AD, among other signals. This causes an increase in the production of inflammatory molecules from the microglia leading to reprograming the expression of receptors involved in the AD progression [32, 75], for example, TNF decreased the expression of scavenger receptor A (SRA) and CD36 resulting in reduced Aβ uptake [33]. Here, we identified the neuroprotector effect of MpHE against the AD progression by the ability to regulate the microglia activation and its phagocytic capacity, increasing the accumulation of ramified microglia with long and thin processes around the Aβ plaques in the cortex and hippocampus. Previous work has demonstrated that microglial primary cultures from adult mice are not compromised in their ability to recognize Aβ fibrils but have deficient phagocytic capacity when compared to that of early postnatal microglial cultures [76]. Interestingly, the MpHE increases the phagocytic index in primary microglial cultures from early postnatal and even from 8- and 10-months-old 5XFAD mice. This effect correlated with a reduction in the M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype since treatment with MpHE clearly promoted a reduction in CD86 and TNF expression levels in both lean or obese 5XFAD mice. Thus, MpHE may alleviate the negative effect of the inflammatory pathways on the insulin receptor signaling and in this way, reverse the memory deficits observed in type II diabetes and AD.
TREM-2 is a molecule directly related to the phagocytic capacity of microglial cells [77] and to the reduction of the neuronal damage produced by Aβ plaques [78]. According with the fact that TREM-2 expression is upregulated in different mice models of AD in a time-dependent manner [79], here, we observed that M. parviflora treatment tended to maintain high levels of TREM-2 expression in the cortex of 5XFAD mice at 9 months of age. Recently, it has been described a novel microglia subpopulation associated with neurodegenerative diseases (DAM) that is beneficial for AD [80]. The DAM program is activated in two-step checkpoints where microglia switch from homeostatic to stage 1 DAM (TREM2 independent) and to stage 2 DAM (TREM2 dependent) at late stages of the AD (8 months). Interestingly, the TREM2-dependent stage is associated with phagocytic activity which correlates with previous observations showing that absence of TREM2 in microglia at the late stage of AD, but not at the early stages, exacerbates the disease [81]. Whether M. parviflora accelerates the DAM phenotype (TREM2 dependent) to increase the ability of microglia to digest amyloid plaques that results in neuroprotection warrants additional investigation. Also, our results point out at CD36 as the scavenger receptor mediating microglia phagocytosis of amyloid β plaques in response to MpHE. This involves PPARγ activation, probably mediated by oleanolic acid [43, 44] present in the M. parviflora HE and the subsequent induction of CD36 expression. In agreement with previous results [45], microglia exposure to pioglitazone resulted in increased PPARγ protein levels. Interestingly, M. parviflora HE had the same effect, suggesting that pioglitazone and the M. parviflora HE activate PPARγ by a similar mechanism. Although PPARγ activation, resulting from pioglitazone exposure, promoted CD36 expression to a similar extent as that resulting from the MpHE treatment, the phagocytosis and clearance activity of pioglitazone-treated microglia towards amyloid β plaques was reduced when compared with that of microglia treated with the MpHE. This suggests that the MpHE through its anti-inflammatory effects might also activate autophagy, a mechanism that is also critical for amyloid β plaques clearance and impaired by the inflammatory environment elicited by amyloid β peptides [8].
Individuals with type II diabetes have increased risk for developing AD by at least twofold [82]. However, the precise mechanism for this association is not known. Here, we showed that alterations in glucose metabolism (i.e., IR) resulting from obesity exacerbate the memory loss induced by Aβ accumulation. Treatment with the MpHE restores insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in obese mice, which correlated with a diminished inflammatory environment and increased cognition in the 5XFAD mice. Additionally, we found that MpHE regulates PPAR-γ activity and mediates microglial amyloid β plaques phagocytosis. Thus, by regulating the microglia phagocytic activity via a PPAR-γ-dependent mechanism and preventing the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, M. parviflora reduces β-amyloid plaque load and improves learning and memory in lean and obese mice. Additionally, we do not discard the possibility that MpHE through the activation of PPARγ, prevents IKK activity [44] and therefore IRS phosphorylation on serine residues, thus improving insulin signaling directly on hippocampal neurons reversing the memory deficits observed in type II diabetes and AD. Therefore, M. parviflora-derivative compounds represent an alternative to prevent cognitive impairment associated with a metabolic disorder as well as an effective prophylactic candidate for AD progression.
Peripheral inflammation resulting from obesity has been shown to exacerbate learning and memory loss in humans and in animal models of AD. Here, we show that obesity further promoted Aβ plaque formation in the 5XFAD mice. However, administration of the MpHE reversed obesity-mediated deleterious effects of Aβ deposition on memory and learning. The MpHE attenuated pro-inflammatory M1 microglia activation while sustaining anti-inflammatory M2 microglia, since CD86 and TNF expression levels observed in the cortex of 5XFAD mice fed with ND and HFD were reduced in the cortex from 5XFAD mice treated with MpHE. In parallel, MpHE tended to increase the levels of Mgl1 and from TREM2 in the cortex of lean and obese 5XFAD mice. In accordance with this, MpHE reduced the astrogliosis throughout the hippocampus of HFD-fed 5XFAD mice. In addition, MpHE increases microglia phagocytic activity via a PPAR-γ/CD36-dependent mechanism. Our data indicate that by regulating microglia phagocytic activity and by preventing the microglia pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, M. parviflora reduces β-amyloid plaque load and improves learning and memory in lean and obese mice. Our studies also demonstrate that MpHE can prevent not only HFD-induced neuroinflammation, but also systemic inflammation since it reduces the infiltration of immune cells to the adipose tissue and delays the increase in body weight and prevents the systemic insulin resistance and glucose intolerance produced by HFD in the 5XFAD mice. Thus, by regulating the microglia phagocytic activity via a PPAR-γ/CD36-dependent mechanism and preventing the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, MpHE reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory molecules (e.g., TNF, IL-6), thus improving learning and memory in obese mice, which could result from restored insulin receptor signaling in hippocampal neurons. Strategies to prevent obesity-associated brain dysfunction are limited. M. parviflora-derivative compounds offer a novel adjunct therapeutic approach to ameliorate obesity-associated peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation. Therefore, M. parviflora may be a safe and effective alternative to the conventional NSAIDs used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases as AD.
Elisa Medrano-Jiménez, Itzia Jiménez-Ferrer Carrillo and Martha Pedraza-Escalona contributed equally to this work.
ACh:
Aβ:
Amyloid β
GTT:
Glucose tolerance test
HFD:
High-fat diet
IL-1β:
Interleukin 1 beta
IL-6:
Interleukin 6
IRT:
Insulin resistance test
LTP:
M. parviflora :
MpHE:
M. parviflora leaf hydroalcoholic extract
nAChRs:
Nicotinic ACh receptors
ND:
Normal diet
NSAIDs:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
Phosphate buffer saline
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma
RT:
SEAP:
Embryonic alkaline phosphatase
SRA:
Scavenger receptor A
We thank Oswaldo López-Gutiérrez for technical support and E. Melchy for the flow cytometry analyses. The authors are also grateful to the M. Sci. Andrés Saraleguí Amaro, to Dr. Jaime Arturo Pimentel Cabrera, and to Q.F.B. Xochitl Alvarado Affantranger, at the Laboratorio Nacional de Microscopía Avanzada (UNAM), for imagen acquisition presented in this study; to S.D. Rodríguez at the Unidad de Histología (Instituto de Fisiología Celular-UNAM) for tissue histological processing; to P. Gaytan for kindly donating the fluorescent E. coli used in this study; and also to G. Cabeza, R. Blancas, and E. Mata for animal care.
This work was performed in fulfillment of the requirements for a PhD degree of Elisa Medrano Jimenez who is enrolled in the Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas (PDCB) at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. The student received fellowship (576297) from CONACYT.
This work was supported by the CONACyT (grant numbers 155290 and IFC 2016-2282 to L.P.-M. and 154542 to G.P.-A.) and by the DGAPA-PAPIIT (grant numbers IN209212 and IN213316 to L.P.-M., IN227510 and IN212316 to G.P.-A., IA203416 and IA203318 to M.P.-E). We also thank the IMSS support (FIS/IMSS/PROT/G11-2/1018).
EM-J designed and performed experiments, analyzed and interpreted the data, and wrote the manuscript. IJ-FC conceived the study, performed experiments, and analyzed and interpreted the data. MP-E designed and performed experiments, analyzed and interpreted the data, carried out the statistical analyses, and wrote the manuscript. CER-S performed the in vivo dose-response experiments, analyzed and interpreted the data, and helped to draft the final version of the paper. LA-A and JC-M carried out experiments. AZ performed experiments, analyzed data, and provided infrastructure to carry out some experiments. MH-R, EJ-F, and JT analyzed data and provided infrastructure to carry out some experiments. GP-A designed, analyzed, and interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. LP-M conceived, coordinated, and supervised the study; designed, analyzed, and interpreted the data; and wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of this manuscript.
The Institutional Bioethical Committee approved all animal experiments described in this study.
Additional file 1: Figure S1. Malva parviflora hydroalcoholic extract at three different doses protects from learning and memory deficit in LPS injected mice. (PDF 184 kb)
Additional file 2: Figure S2. Malva parviflora extract reduces adipose tissue inflammation in 5XFAD transgenic mice fed with high fat diet. (PDF 135 mb)
Additional file 3: Figure S3. Oleanolic acid and scopoletin inhibit LPS-induced NF-kB activity in mouse RAW-Blue macrophages. (PDF 283 kb)
Laboratorio de Neuroinmunobiología, Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), A.P. 510-3, CP, 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Sur, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Argentina No. 1, CP 62790 Xochitepec, Morelos, México
Present address: CONACYT-Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, CP 06720 Ciudad de México, México
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Readers’ alert: Ruth Rendell
In The Writer's World
Readers’ alert: Ruth Rendell2012-05-142012-05-14http://judynedry.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/judynedry-logo-1.pngJudy Nedryhttp://judynedry.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/judynedry-logo-1.png200px200px
“If it weren’t for a ridiculous snobbery about ‘crime writing’,” John Mortimer once observed, “Ruth Rendell would be acclaimed as one of our most important novelists.” This is a mouthful from the late barrister, screenwriter, and creator of “Rumpole of the Bailey”.
Now 82 years young, Ruth Rendell, as I recently discovered, is author of more than 60 books, most of them crime fiction with a heavy psychological bent, including the Inspector Wexford series. She is master of the why-dunnit. Upon stumbling across her books at the library, I’ve become an instant fan. She is a contemporary/friend of P.D. James, sits for the Labour Party in the House of Lords, and is a former journalist. Over her decades as a novelist she has taken a particular interest in women’s issues, domestic violence, and the status of women in society.
All great credentials as far as I’m concerned.
I have no doubt she greatly influenced Elizabeth George and Tana French, both incredible contemporary novelists whom I urge you to read if you haven’t already. What sets Rendell apart from the pack is that she is dark, dark, dark. Not bloody, mind you, but DARK.
To begin the Wexford series, start with “From Doon with Death”. Right now, everyone is scrambling around in the novel trying to figure out who “Doon” is and why he has done this awful thing.
Granada made a television series of 48 Wexford episodes, which are available for rental. And they’ve dramatized several of her other novels as well. I just watched “The Master of the Moor”, which no doubt will give me nightmares for weeks. It stars Colin Firth. You will love it, you will hate it, and it will drive you crazy!
Beach weather is upon us…at least for today. For mystery nuts, these are great summer reads. Also, coming this month to an indie bookstore near you are Tana French’s fourth novel, “The Broken Harbor”–Irish noir at its finest, and from Wyoming the next in Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire series, “As The Crow Flies.” Johnson’s sheriff has got his own TV series beginning June 3 on A&E. (This is the main reason I signed up for cable. Seriously.) It’s called, simply, “Longmire”.
Craig Johnson, Elizabeth George, Inspector Wexford, John Mortimer, mysteries, Ruth Rendell, Tana French
The books of 2016
The inner self, the outer world
JudyNedry says:
Like a great read? Sign up for my blog about the world of crime writing, progress on my novel and more. Ruth Rendell @ http://t.co/sJmwHK4V
Margie Hurle says:
My favorite Ruth Rendell book is The Crocodile Bird. A girl grows up watching her mother murder anyone who gets in her way. When her first lover annoys her, what will she do? Truly nail-biting stuff.
Judy Nedry says:
I have now watched two of the made for TV movies, both nail-biting. I find a lot of Hitchcock in her work, and some Daphne DuMarier. Good stuff!
I discovered her books a few years ago and have since wondered what took me so long. I also really enjoy what she’s written under the name Barbara Vine.
I wonder the same thing…I mean I thought I knew them all. I will be trying Barbara Vine very soon. Hope you’re well.
joy kelley says:
I’m excited to read I’m excited to read Ruth Rendell’s book. Thanks also for the information on the tv mystery series.
I’m excited to read Ruth Rendell’s book. Thanks also for the information on the tv mystery series.
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“And the bakers ran up with a measuring cup…The Writer's World
Sex and ViolenceThe Writer's World
Hi, I'm JUDY.
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Grammar & Vocabulary
Elementary Podcasts
Stories & Poems
استمع لخبير إدارة الأعمال يتحدث عن الثمن الذي تضطر لدفعه بعض الشركات إذا ما فشلت في مواجهة المخاطر المتعلقة بالتنوع.
قم بتأدية النشاط التمهيدي أولا. ثم استمع للتسجيل. بعد ذلك اذهب لكل مهمة وقم بتأدية النشاط. اذا احتجت لمساعدة يمكنك قراءة النص في أي وقت
Interviewer Tell me, Mr Griffin, are diversity risks really still an issue? Aren’t companies these days dealing with diversity?
Mr Griffin Oh yes, they are very much an issue. We have come a long way since those days when employers were allowed to discriminate against job candidates just because of their race or their sex. The trouble is, the boundaries of diversity and discrimination are widening. Companies have a lot more to consider than a person’s skin colour or a person’s gender.
Interviewer So can you give listeners an example of what kind of things you are referring to here?
Mr Griffin Okay, let’s see. Well, one growing area of discrimination is ageism. In 1998, companies in the United States had to pay out more than fifty-five million dollars to employers who had filed age-related discrimination complaints against their companies. That’s a lot of money.
Interviewer Phew! So how should companies protect themselves from this kind of thing?
Mr Griffin Well, first of all they should think carefully about their recruitment policies and then they should take out insurance to cover themselves.
Interviewer Isn’t that expensive? For the companies, I mean.
Mr Griffin No, not as expensive as you might think. These days most small and medium-sized organisations take out EPLI – that’s Employment Practices Liability Insurance. The cost of the insurance has fallen over the years, and if a company isn’t covered and loses a discrimination case, well, let’s just say this is the cheaper option!
Interviewer You’ve mentioned ageism as a growing concern, but what other kinds of diversity should managers be aware of?
Mr Griffin Well, you’d probably be surprised to hear about some discrimination against single people, against married parents, against people who are too tall, too short, too heavy!
Interviewer Really?
Mr Griffin Oh yes. Security firms are a good example here. They typically state that their employees need to be over or under a certain height or weight. They claim it’s necessary for the job, but there have been cases where people have claimed discrimination.
Interviewer And won?
Mr Griffin Sometimes, yes. Then there are people with a criminal background. Employers used to feel justified in turning away job applicants just because they’d been in trouble with the law.
Interviewer Isn’t that still the case?
Mr Griffin No, not exactly. The law states that employers can only reject a job applicant with a criminal record if the crime bears a direct relation to the job in question. So somebody who has served a sentence for, let’s say, stealing cars would be all right in a job as a kitchen porter.
Interviewer And Mr Griffin, tell me, how many people actually go through with their threats to sue a company for discrimination?
Mr Griffin Well, I haven’t got the latest figures for the UK, but in the United States the Equal Opportunities Commission receive around eighty-five thousand complaints every year and that figure is rising. Race and sex account for most of the complaints that are filed, but age discrimination is on the increase too.
Interviewer So, any words of advice for risk managers?
Mr Griffin Well, first of all make sure that you have adequate insurance. Then address the issues of diversity from within the organisation. Get the employees involved. Celebrate the differences and try to build up a reputation as a fair employer. And remember – it is worth investing time and effort in addressing these issues because statistics have shown that you’re much more likely to be sued by an employee than a third party.
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Posted on January 26, 2017 by Les Rêveur
Can’t believe this is the last book in the All I Want Series…
Everyone says they’re meant to be – but is that enough?
Tori & Holly are engaged, but living 5,000 miles apart: Tori in San Francisco, Holly in London. When Holly flies out to San Francisco for a visit, the pair are forced to examine their relationship and ask themselves: is being together forever what they both really want?
If you’re a fan of contemporary romance with humour and heart, it’s time to jump on board the Tori & Holly train as they work out their fate with no shortage of twists and turns. Is their destiny written in the stars?
Firstly can I say I am actually quite sad that this series is over. I really loved every twist and turn in Holly and Tori’s lives but if it had to end the series, this book did it with a bang and in style… I can tell you already that I loved it.
Firstly the writing as always was impeccable and to be honest I’ve come to expect nothing else from Clare Lydon. She has a way of bringing you into the book, so much so that you feel like one of the secondary characters. The best part for me is how in this series the characters are real people, with real people issues and anxieties and it made me connect with the main protagonists Holly and Tori on a much deeper level, which in turn made me much more invested. We’ve followed Tori and Holly’s love through many obstacles and relationship hurdles that have only brought them closer and solidified their love.
So Tori has left London (the day after Holly proposed and they became engaged) for San Francisco and as much as it is soul wrenching without Holly, she’s getting on with it and trying to make friends. This is her big career break after all so she owes it to herself to embrace it. Holly, while pining for Tori in a big way, is keeping herself busy by planning their wedding and working out her next career path but when Holly visits Tori in America they have some big life decisions to make and they can only make them together…
Clare Lydon actually cracks me up in all her books… if Clare is anything like the hilarious scenes she writes I know we could have a few laughs over a couple of beers. I just love good old British humor and there is a scene in the book that I don’t want to spoil but I do want you to look out for it, its in Chapter 25 and it’s honestly the funniest scene I have ever read in a romance novel.
I also like that the secondary characters had been in all the novels and have grown with Holly and Tori. In this novel though we are introduced to two new characters, Kerry who is Holly’s closest friend besides Tori who has been travelling and Melissa who becomes Tori’s friend in America. I reckon there is a novel for those two somewhere… Selfishly, I just want to have more Tori and Holly time so if it ties in!
I love that Clare Lydon uses texting (SMS) dialogue in her writing. It actually bring the characters in to the world we live in and makes her characters seem more down to earth and if possible, even more likeable.
What I’ve come to expect is good sex scenes in a Clare Lydon novel and thankfully I wasn’t disappointed. As usual the sex between Holly and Tori is off the chart and the chemistry they have throughout actually makes their connection more intense.
And finally, I have to mention the Epilogue because it floored me… This book has had me crying with laughter and crying for the most beautifully written moments. I love an epilogue and when it’s done right it can make or break a novel. This novel was already fantastic but the epilogue just helped me accept that the series was over because it added the forever to ‘Happily Every After’.
Undeniably my favorite Lesbian Romance Series to date and in the coming weeks I will be doing a review of the entire series so watch the Les Rêveur website for that.
Without a doubt… 5 stars!
If you want to purchase All I Want Forever follow the link below:
All I Want Forever
1 thought on “All I Want Forever by Clare Lydon”
Pingback: News Roundup: New Books from Nita Round, AL Brooks, & Scott Campbell, Reviews, Events, and More! | UK Lesbian Fiction
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OUTing The Past
LGBT+ History Month Resources
Curriculum Posters
Wallchart
By Key Stage
YOUR Events ’19
Authenticity – for LGBTQI+ students who want a career in the city
June 27, 2018 @ 3:00 pm Europe/London Timezone
London WC2N 5DU
Stafford Long Diversity Solutions
LGBT London Queer University
uthentiCity is an event is supported by Stonewall, created exclusively for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* (LGBT*+) students, who are looking to explore different career opportunities in the City of London.
Students will have the opportunity to speak to representatives from seven renowned firms. Each company will provide a valuable insight into their work, they will share their experiences of being LGBT* in the workplace and give students all the tips they need to gain future employment. The day will show students just how much they can accomplish whilst remaining true to who they are.
All the details you need to know…
When: 27th June 2018, 3pm – 7pm
Where: City of London. Exact address to be announced once your application has been approved. Travel expenses are reimbursed up to the value of £75 as we welcome applications from all over the UK.
Participating firms: Accenture, Aviva, BCLP, JLL, J.P. Morgan, KMPG and M&G Investments.
To apply, visit: https://authenticity-event.com/
Follow the event: @AuthCityLondon on Twitter #AuthCityLGBT
Last year, 26% of students who attended one of our events went onto be employed by one of the firms. Additionally, each student has their CV sent to the firms prior to the event, which is a fantastic opportunity to network with the representatives.
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‘Shout Queer!’ The museums bringing LGBT artefacts out of the closet
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Angela Eagle MP: We aren’t getting back in the closet
Opinion: As a queer scientist, seeing Alan Turing on the £50 note leaves me conflicted https://t.co/lX4qgol52i
RT @Robert___Harris: The welcome news that Alan Turing is to be on the £50 banknote reminded me of a memorable visit I paid to his ex-fi… https://t.co/MzD1OnVL6m
OPINION: The 50 years before Stonewall were decades of violence https://t.co/Yl5Qbndiup
RT @bankofengland: Introducing the face of the new £50 note - the father of computer science, Alan Turing.” Find out more… https://t.co/zxNYQ3QrEK
RT @MagnumPhotos: Today marks 65 years since the death of Frida Kahlo. https://t.co/WZZLuFnD6V
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Sheri Moon Zombie
Leslie Easterbrook
Bill Lippincott
Horror > Supernatural Horror
Horror > Slasher Film
Horror > Sadistic Horror
Horror > Creature Film
Horror > Horror Comedy
The Devil's Rejects (2005)
directed by Rob Zombie
featuring Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie, Ken Foree, Matthew McGrory
More Movies Like This | Add to Wishlist
House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
featuring Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie, Karen Black, Chris Hardwick
Used DVD, 2003
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
directed by Darren Lynn Bousman
featuring Anthony Head, Alexa Vega, Paul Sorvino, Terrance Zdunich, Bill Moseley
New Blu-Ray, 2008
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
directed by Tobe Hooper
featuring Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams, Bill Johnson, Jim Siedow, Bill Moseley
New DVD, 1986
Rogue River (2010)
directed by Jourdan McClure
featuring Bill Moseley, Lucinda Jenney, Michael Cudlitz, Michelle Page, Chris Coy
Crash and Burn (1990)
featuring Paul Ganus, Megan Ward, Bill Moseley, Eva La Rue, Jack McGee
Charlie's Farm (2014)
directed by Chris Sun
featuring Nathan Jones, Tara Reid, Kane Hodder, Bill Moseley, Allira Jaques
Babysitter Wanted (2008)
directed by Jonas Barnes, Michael Manasseri
featuring Sarah Thompson, Matt Dallas, Bruce Thomas, Bill Moseley, Nana Visitor
Dead Souls (2012)
directed by Colin Theys
featuring Jesse James, Magda Apanowicz, Bill Moseley, Geraldine Hughes, Noah Fleiss, Jaiden Kaine
directed by Christopher Douglas-Olen Ray
featuring William Baldwin, Bill Moseley, Richard Grieco, Viva Bianca, Dominique Swain
The Graves (2010)
directed by Brian Pulido
featuring Clare Grant, Jillian Murray, Bill Moseley, Amanda Wyss, Tony Todd, D. Randall Blythe, Shane Stevens, Patti Tindall, Barbara Glover, Catherine Rankin, Bill Lippincott
The Church (2018)
directed by Dom Frank
featuring Clint Howard, Bill Moseley, Ashley C. Williams, Lisa Wilcox, Keith "Remedy" Stallworth
Almost Mercy
directed by Tom DeNucci
featuring Bill Moseley, Kane Hodder
Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet (2007)
directed by Frank Sabatella
featuring Bill Moseley, Danielle Harris, Nate Dushku, Samantha Facchi, Anthony Marks
House of the Witchdoctor (2013)
directed by Devon Mikolas
featuring Bill Moseley, Leslie Easterbrook, Allan J. Kayser, Dyanne Thorne, Howard Maurer
Fallen Angels (2006)
directed by Jeff Thomas
featuring Michael Dorn, Bill Moseley, Adrianne Curry, Kevin McCarthy, Michael Kaliski
The Possession Experiment (2016)
directed by Scott B. Hansen
featuring Chris Minor, Jake Brinn, Nicky Jasper, KT Fanelli, Bill Moseley
2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams (2010)
directed by Tim Sullivan
featuring Bill Moseley, Lin Shaye, Chrissa Campbell, Kevin "Ogre" Ogilve, Ahmed Best
directed by Mario Orfini
featuring Trudie Styler, Gregg Henry, Bill Moseley
The Tortured (2012)
directed by Robert Lieberman
featuring Erika Christensen, Jesse Metcalfe, Bill Moseley, Fulvio Cecere, Bill Lippincott
Alone in the Dark II (2009)
directed by Michael Roesch, Peter Scheerer
featuring Rick Yune, Rachel Specter, Bill Moseley, Ralf Moeller, Zack Ward
Home Sick (2007)
directed by Adam Wingard
featuring Bill Moseley, Tiffany Shepis, Tom Towles, Lindley Evans, Matt Lero
Old 37 (2015)
directed by Alan Smithee
featuring Kane Hodder, Bill Moseley, Brandi Cyrus, Kenneth Simmons, Caitlin Harris
A Dead Calling (2006)
directed by Michael Feifer
featuring Alexandra Holden, Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Leslie Easterbrook
The Horde (2016)
directed by Jared Cohn
featuring Paul Logan, Bill Moseley, Vernon Wells, Costas Mandylor
Page 1 of 2: 1 2 Next>
Browse related Genres & Actors
Vernon Wells
Trudie Styler
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Nailbiter #2
Nailbiter
Free with Membership Learn More
Officer Nicolas Finch doesn't care about Buckaroo, Oregon's serial killers or its secrets—he just wants to find his missing friend. With time running out he turns to the one man who has all the answers...the infamous Nailbiter!
Horror Crime
Nailbiter: Deluxe Edition
Buckaroo, Oregon has given birth to sixteen of the vilest serial killers in the world. An obsessed FBI profiler investigating the town has suddenly gone missing, and now an NSA Agent must work with the notorious serial killer Edward "Nailbiter" Warren to find his friend and solve the mystery of "Where do serial killers come from?" "If Josh died I wish he'd leave NAILBITER to me in his will so I co
For one day in rural central Wisconsin, the dead came back to life. Now it's up to Officer Dana Cypress to deal with the media scrutiny, religious zealots, and government quarantine that has come with them. In a town where the living have to learn to deal with those who are supposed to be dead, Officer Cypress must solve a brutal murder, and everyone, alive or undead, is a suspect.
Southern Bastards
Welcome to Craw County, Alabama, home of Boss BBQ, the state champion Runnin' Rebs football team...and more bastards than you've ever seen. When you're an angry old man like Earl Tubb, the only way to survive a place like this...is to carry a really big stick. From the acclaimed team of JASON AARON and JASON LATOUR, the same bastards who brought you Scalped and Wolverine: Japan's Most Wanted, come
Ten years ago, we dug too deep. We unleashed something ancient that couldn't be controlled. Something that couldn't be stopped, twisting everything it touched into more of itself. The Spread. Humanity was nearly destroyed before we found a way to slow the Spread to a crawl. Now, deep inside the quarantined zone, one man has found the key to stopping it forever: a baby girl. And if he can save her,
Outcast by Kirkman & Azaceta
NEW HORROR SERIES FROM THE WALKING DEAD CREATOR ROBERT KIRKMAN! Kyle Barnes has been plagued by demonic possession all his life and now he needs answers. Unfortunately, what he uncovers along the way could bring about the end of life on Earth as we know it.
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Spirits news Wine news Beer and cider news Business news Travel retail news
2018 The World's Most Admired Wine Brands 2018 The World's Most Admired Champagne Brands 2018 Annual Brands Report Rum Supplement 2017 The Global Bar Edition 2017 featuring The World's 50 Best Bars International Spirits Challenge 2017 The Millionaires' Club 2017 2017 World’s Most Admired Wine Brands Iberia Bar Guide 2017 World's Most Admired Beers 2017 World’s Most Admired Champagne Brands Annual Bar Report 2017
Home » Analysis
Rum: Join the Dark Side
By Dominic Roskrow
Published: 17 August, 2015
The dark rum category is benefiting from some tender loving care. Dominic Roskrow looks at how it’s targeting whisky and brandy as a premium spirit
TEN YEARS AGO BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY WAS STILL BEING DESCRIBED AS AN OLD MAN'S DRINK and it was viewed with a mix of suspicion and contempt by the glitterati. Now it’s so fashionable that even David Beckham is associating himself with it.
Ten years ago cognac was going downhill faster than Chris Froome in the Pyrenees. Now it’s down with the kids in the hood, Lord of the Bling and a rapper’s delight, know wha’ I’m saying?
And 10 years ago the only rum deal to be done was for light or white rums. Now, big bold dark rums are back in vogue.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but a decade after Macallan was introducing its light coloured Fine Oak range of single malt whiskies and telling everyone that that’s what consumers wanted, it’s all change. We’re not quite back in black, but nevertheless darkness isn’t just on the edge of town any more, it’s now in every city centre high street too.
And of all spirits categories, the most surprising renaissance is that of dark rums. Rum is in a unique position in that, while other spirits are overwhelmingly dark, light or white, rum can be all three.
Throw in category distractions such as spiced rums and you’re looking at one very versatile spirit drink. Trouble is though, you can’t please all the people all the time and if one category is catching the public imagination more than another, inevitably there will be a straggler.
For a long time dark rum was it. Where in most cases heritage and history count for a great deal, for a long time back the heavy imagery associated with dark rum was a millstone round its neck.
The old British naval associations looked at best quaint and outdated, and at worst hinted at something just a little bit unpleasant, with the faint whiff of grog, sweat and brutality.
While trendy partygoers turned to white rums, lighter rums and spiced rums, dark rum just seemed to sit there, festering, and metaphorically dreaming of better days when there would always be an England.
Something, though, has changed, as Matthieu Delassus of West Indian rum distributor Spiridom explains.
“Our view is that the general outlook for rum has never been so good,” he says. “In each of our markets, lights are turning to green, with a surging interest from professionals and individuals, and more especially for premium and super-premium aged rums.
“Evidence is easy to find for this developing trend simply with the multiplication of rum festivals all over the world. We have recently participated in rum festivals in London, Milan, Madrid, Paris, Copenhagen, Lucerne, Hong Kong, as well as several major cities in the United States such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and one upcoming in San Francisco.”
Delassus continues: “In each of these places, people gather in rum societies to share their knowledge of and passion for their favourite brands, just as whisky fans do.
Havana Club launches rums for bartenders
Havana Club injects Cuban culture into redesigned label
Bacardi and Pernod Ricard feud over Havana Club heats up
Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix gets new format
Cuban cantinero wins Havana Club Grand Prix
ABOUT US CONTACT US ADVERTISE WITH US Technical Specifications SUBSCRIBE Newsletter Archives AGILE PUBLICATIONS Drinks Retailing News Harpers Wine & Spirit Class
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West Hollywood City Council Also Votes to Oppose Trump’s SCOTUS Nominee
CNS News | 8/9/2018 | Staff
Cocoa_Candy12 (Posted by) Level 3
Click For Photo: https://cdn.cnsnews.com/screen_shot_2018-08-09_at_12.36.59_pm.png
(CNSNews.com) -- The West Hollywood City Council, which voted Monday to recommend the removal of President Donald Trump’s star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, also unanimously voted to oppose the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
Resolution - City - Council - Analysis - Judge
The resolution passed by the city council included and analysis of Judge Kavanaugh’s legal position on topics such as abortion and gun control.
On abortion, the resolution stated that “Kavanaugh has refused to say whether he agrees with the Roe v. Wade decision, but he has publicly praised Chief Justice William Rehnquist’s dissent from the majority’s decision.”
Image - YouTube
Image: YouTube.
“Additionally, Judge Kavanaugh wrote a dissent from a decision from the D.C. Circuit that required the government to allow an undocumented minor in U.S. custody to obtain an abortion, stating his colleagues had ‘badly erred’ in their determination.”
Second - Amendment
On the Second Amendment the...
(Excerpt) Read more at: CNS News
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Mandy Wallace
MBTI for Writers
How NaNoWriMo Isn’t Really About Novels (And Why You Should Join Anyway)
Fiction Writing · 24 October 2014
Are you ready for this?
Poise your pens and keyboards because November first is around the corner. Writers everywhere are already nodding along with me. Know why? Because it means National Novel Writing Month is finally (almost) here!
If you don’t know what it is already, National Novel Writing Month—or NaNoWriMo as writers so lovingly (hatingly) call it—is when crazy writers across the globe get together to write an entire novel in one month.
Yes, you read that right. An entire novel. In one month.
Writers are prepping their outlines (or not) and getting serious (or silly) for the launch date next month.
Are you crazy enough to join them?
Right now at NaNoWriMo you can create your novel page, earn badges, get inspired, tap other writers for help, and get swag to show your writer spirit.
That’s exciting, right? Writing a novel in 30 days. Who doesn’t want to finish their novel?
But NaNoWriMo isn’t really about writing novels. Because if it were we wouldn’t need NaNoWriMo in the first place. Everyone would finish the novels they’ve dreamed about without help, on their own. And 50 thousand words, while it’s nothing to scoff at, isn’t a whole novel anyway.
So if it isn’t about novels, what is NaNoWriMo really about?
What National Novel Writing Month is Really About
NaNoWriMo Gets Your Head Right
You know what I mean when I say it gets your head right, right?
NaNoWriMo clears the brain clutter. You know that nasty writer’s block feeling? When you’re staring at a blank page and you don’t know what to write? NaNoWriMo scales that challenge like a ferret on speed.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the nebulous task of writing a novel. But that’s the problem. Too many writers look at novel writing like it’s a single task. When really, it’s a series of little tasks. And NaNoWriMo makes that clear from the start.
With NaNoWriMo, you don’t just write a novel. First you prep for your novel in October. Then you write, write, write through the creative stage of November. And only then do you invite your editor voice to the party to revise your story in December.
Doesn’t that make more sense? NaNoWriMo keeps the writing stages distinct. Which makes it easy to write with abandon in November. And that just means you’re more likely to finish.
NaNoWriMo gets your head in the game, clearing away the blocks before they have a chance to start.
NaNoWriMo Forums: A Bottomless Resource of Human Experience
Want to know what it’s like to ride a tiger? Or the stages of decomp after death? Visit the NaNoWriMo forums, where writers pool their collective knowledge into a single resource for your next novel.
Writers of NaNoWriMo come from myriad backgrounds, which makes them a limitless resource to tap for your plotline. Cops, agents, kids, parents, baristas, doctors—all ready to share their insights and experiences.
They say to write what you know, but with the NaNoWriMo forums in your back pocket, you can write whatever you want.
Of course, they’re not the only writer resource for dazzling story detail.
NaNoWriMo is About Motivation
This may be an obvious one, but it matters. Motivation is key to writing a novel. And since writing can be such a lonely endeavor, its easy to quit when the obstacles pile up. Because who would know?
But with NaNoWriMo, you get accountability. Deadlines, pep talks from famous authors, writing inspiration, resources, and word count trackers that make it easy to stay on track.
NaNoWriMo Is About Camaraderie
Writers usually have to go this writing thing alone. And sometimes that sucks. Mostly because no one else gets why you’re spending so much time typing away on a keyboard.
Sure, other writers may get why you do what you do. But they’re off somewhere alone, writing their own work in progress.
Except in November.
Now you can link up with other wrimos in your region. Because no matter where you live, you’ll likely find a group of writers as crazy as you are. And that’s pretty cool if you ask me.
Plus you can add an accountability partner, link up with writing buddies, attend local write-ins and events, and generally hobnob with other writers looking to take a break from their word counts.
You Get Loot For Winning NaNoWriMo
That’s right. NaNoWriMo winners get free shit. And discounts on cool shit. Like free copies of your book in paperback and writing software. I love me some NaNoWriMo loot.
They also have cool NaNoWriMo swag to show your wrimo spirit (funds go to charity and to help keep Nanowrimo active).
After all that, does finishing your novel feel like an afterthought? Nah, I didn’t think so. That’s why your grand prize at the end of Nanowrimo is the 50k words you have of your novel. And, really, that’s a pretty solid step in the right direction.
How much more experienced you’ll be after November, writer. And how much closer to finishing your work in progress.
T-minus 7days. Are you ready?
Someone you know would love this. Send it to them.
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Joan Lindsay Kerr says
Good post…but HA!…I can’t even keep up with my A to Z blogging, much less taking on a novel! I truly admire those of you who take on this challenge. Maybe some day when I’m not still absorbed with educational organizations and traveling and grandchildren. (Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt to have an idea for a story!)
Seriously, Mandy, your posts are amazing. You should do a talk for WOK on how to create an interesting blog!
Terry Redman says
Free shit? I don’t remember that. I do have a cool mug for finishing one year, maybe 50,123 words or so.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA are about 50,000 words or less. Decent enough novels for most readers.
Point taken about the Nano…. being a starting point. From that orgy of words spilled into computers have grown more serious works. In WOK we have plans to use the NaNo story as a basis for rewrites and editing.
OBTW: A killer poster! ATTA GIRL!
Annis Cassells says
Loved this blog, Mandy. You are right on target about the benefits of NaNoWriMo. That said, I know I don’t have the idea or the stamina for a novel. But, I am ready to cheer on the folks who do and those who take part in NaNoWriMo. Way to go!
Loved, “like a ferret on speed.” xoA
Donnee Harris says
Very great article. This is my first time and I cannot Wait.
Jasmine Lowe says
I was thinking about finally doing NaNoWriMo this year. I was a little nervous about finding time to write and completing the challenge, but after reading your post I’m thinking I should just dive right in an do it.
The Real Cie says
I fully support NaNo and anyone who does it, but I’ve tried it three times and each time I ended up with a steaming pile of crap in my lap that I didn’t want to even attempt to edit many years later. I write something every day, but I don’t like what comes out when writing NaNo style. I destroy the idea I started with writing that way.
Mandy Wallace says
If you write well without NaNo, more power to you, Cie. The point of NaNoWriMo, I think, is to break the perfectionist cycle that keeps promising writers from getting out the crap before they can write the gold. It’s a noble mission. And it doesn’t work for everyone. Glad you’ve got a firm hold on your process.
JazzFeathers says
This is exactly what NaNoWriMo is about. What I love the most, is the camaraderie, doing this thing together knowing exactly what the other are going through. It’s a big boost for a writer, because we all tend to think at writing as a lonely activity. It doesn’t necessarily have to be.
I have anew project this year. Let’s see how it goes 🙂
It does help going it with other writers. Good luck with your Nano novel this year!
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Stocks close at fresh highs as Wall Street anticipates a July rate cut
Gina Heeb
REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
All three major US averages notched new records, days after the central bank chairman Jay Powell signaled that policymakers would slash interest rates at the end of the month.
In congressional testimony on Wednesday and Thursday, Powell reaffirmed that the central bank would take action to sustain the decade-long expansion.
That reassured investors who had seen a rate cut as less likely following a strong June jobs report last week.
Visit Markets Insider for more stories.
Stocks closed at fresh highs Friday as Wall Street held firm to expectations that the Federal Reserve would soon step in to support the economy.
All three major US averages notched new records, days after the central bank chairman Jay Powell signaled that policymakers would slash interest rates at the end of the month. That reassured investors who had seen a rate cut as less likely following a strong June jobs report last week.
Here's a look at the numbers:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 0.90% to 27332.03
The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.59% to 8244.14
The S&P 500 climbed 0.46% to 3013.77
In congressional testimony on Wednesday and Thursday, Powell reaffirmed that the central bank would take action to sustain the decade-long expansion. The central bank has dimmed its outlook for the economy this year on the back of slowing global growth, below-target inflation, and trade tensions.
"Inflation is low, and the yield curve is indicating that monetary policy may be too tight for the uncertain trade environment," said LPL Research Chief Investment Strategist John Lynch. "Economic fundamentals are still sound, so we view any Fed cuts at this point as a course correction, not a reaction to recessionary signals."
The US and China last week restarted negotiations to defuse a trade war that has rattled the largest economies, but the two sides remained far apart on key issues. On Friday, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told CNBC the talks had entered a "quiet period."
A day earlier, however, government data showed that the consumer price index, a a key measure of core inflation, rebounded to its fastest pace in nearly a year and a half in June. The probability of a half-percentage-point cut edged slightly higher on Friday, according to CME Group, but most expected the central bank to lower its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points.
"The June CPI report will not stop the Fed easing later this month unless all the other data over the next three weeks are out of the park, but the data certainly mean that a 50bp cut is an unnecessary risk," said Ian Shepherdson, the chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.
Johnson & Johnson weighed on healthcare companies after Bloomberg reported that the Justice Department had launched a criminal probe into whether it lied about the potential cancer-risks of its talcum powder.
Within the S&P 500, these were the largest decliners:
Illumina (-16.41%)
Johnson & Johnson (-4.23%)
Lamb Weston (-2.40%)
And the largest gainers:
JB Hunt Transport (+5.90%)
Corteva Inc (+4.31%)
Dow Inc (+0.90%)
The yield on the 10-year declined to 2.117%, and the short-term two-year yield fell to 1.843%.
On the energy front, oil prices were mixed as traders weighed an expected storm in the Gulf of Mexico against expectations for weaker demand. Lower-than-expected inventory in the US and Iran tensions have also supported prices in recent days.
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Bill S.836 191st (Current)
An Act to amend the foreclosure statute to require judicial foreclosure
By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 836) of Michael D. Brady, José F. Tosado, Mike Connolly, Michelle M. DuBois and other members of the General Court for legislation to amend the foreclosure statute to require judicial foreclosure. The Judiciary.
Michael D. Brady
Referred to Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Displaying 3 actions for Bill S.836
7/8/2019 Joint Hearing scheduled for 07/16/2019 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
An Act to increase transparency in the Massachusetts land record systems to protect the property rights of homeowners and businesses
An Act to clarify homestead estates
An Act to sustain community preservation revenue
An Act to provide reverse mortgages on co-op apartments
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< Back to collections by Martin Parr
Martin Parr - GB. ENGLAND. London. Saatchi Gallery. 2003.
G.B. ENGLAND. London. Opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. April 15 20
G.B. ENGLAND. London. Opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. 160 naked
G.B. ENGLAND. London. Opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. "Afrodizzia
GB. ENGLAND. London. Opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. 2003.
GB. England. London. Opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. Marc Quinn's
GB. England. London. The opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. Tracey E
GB. England. London. Opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. 160 naked mo
G.B. ENGLAND. London. Opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. Portrait of
GB. England. London. The opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. A Damien
GB. England. London. The opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. Gavin Tu
GB. England. London. The opening of the Saatchi Gallery, housed at the former London County Hall. 2003.
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Elena Luchian , January 12, 2017 / 0
Valtteri Bottas in the lead to take the vacant driver seat at Mercedes
Home Motosport F1 Valtteri Bottas in the lead to take the vacant driver seat at Mercedes
The Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas is in pole position to take the vacant seat at Mercedes. With the Executive Director Paddy Lowe jumping ship from Mercedes to Wiliams, the move for replacing the champion Nico Rosberg can only get easier.
Paddy Lowe is the new Executive Director of Williams, under Claire Williams’ command. Sir Frank Williams’ daughter already has a great relationship with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS boss, Toto Wolff, as they worked together before the Austrian executive moved to the squad with the 3-pointed star. Now Paddy’s presence in Claire’s the team will only make negotiations with Mercedes easier.
Besides, Toto Wolff is part of Bottas’ management group and the 3-time in a row winner of the Constructors’ Championship is the engine supplier for William. The move of the Finn would reduce the price that Williams needs to pay for the drive unit.
Insiders say that Toto Wolff’s wife, Susie, put in a good word for her former teammate in Williams, whom she’s still in touch, even though she retired from motor racing last year.
Mercedes has been sitting on a time bomb since Nico Rosberg announced his retirement, just two days after winning the championship. The team is set to present the new season’s car on the 23rd of February and afterwards, it will start testing in Barcelona.
Valtteri Bottas is 27-year old and made his Formula 1 debut in 2013, in the Australian Grand Prix. His career best is the 4th place achieved in the 2014 season. He was a Formula Renault 2.0 NEC champion back in 2008, when he was only 18.
Tags: Mercedes AMG Petronas, Paddy Lowe, Toto Wolff, Valtteri Bottas
Elena Luchian, September 5, 2016
Half-Polish, half-Romanian and speaking 6 languages – Breakfast with Toto Wolff
Horia Platona, May 23, 2015
Monaco F1 qualifying session: Hamilton gets pole, Rosberg comes second
Cristi Stefan, May 27, 2019
Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton wins again the Monaco Grand Prix
Diospyros: Carlsson works its magic on gorgeous S-Class Convertible
Mercedes-Maybach SUV confirmed by Dieter Zetsche
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California PPOs get mostly low marks in state survey
Most major health insurers in California do a poor job of paying claims and providing customer service for members in preferred provider organization plans, according to a state survey released Thursday.
The evaluation by the California Department of Insurance comes as many workers assess their healthcare options this month before enrolling for another year of insurance benefits through PPO plans that serve 2.5 million people statewide.
In the quality report card, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net Inc., UnitedHealthcare and Cigna Corp. received the lowest possible ratings — poor — for customer service. Aetna Inc. earned a slightly better rating of fair.
Most of those insurers also garnered marks of fair for the ease and speed with which members see doctors and get medical care. UnitedHealthcare earned a grade of good.
No insurer received the top overall rating: excellent.
The insurers said they welcomed the scrutiny even as they defended their own efforts to improve customer satisfaction and streamline care.
But California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner called the findings “atrocious,” saying insurers “must step up and improve the quality” of their healthcare services in a marketplace that generates $17 billion a year in revenue.
“This is hopefully a wake-up call for insurance companies,” Poizner said. “They are simply underperforming. People should be concerned.”
Healthcare advocates said the new PPO study would fill a void for consumers. . . .
“This is especially important at this time, during open-enrollment period, when people evaluate their coverage for the new year,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of the nonprofit consumer advocate Health Access California.
“With the PPOs getting low marks, they should see this as an opportunity to improve and to compete on customer service and satisfaction,” Wright said.
The study also evaluated whether PPO members received adequate medical care through cancer screenings, cholesterol testing and other services. It found that Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield and Health Net did a fair job of meeting quality standards spelled out by national experts. Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare did a good job of meeting those criteria.
The report card, in its second year, is patterned after a similar review of health maintenance organizations conducted by the state Office of the Patient Advocate.
The most recent HMO study, in February, gave most of the companies high marks for customer satisfaction but said they needed to improve their screenings for cancer and other ailments. HMOs serve nearly 21 million people in the state.
Anthem, the state’s largest PPO provider, said it aggressively analyzes data on claims, pharmacy services and health risks to notify members of gaps and make clinical recommendations.
The Woodland Hills insurer said it has sought to improve patient education about diabetes, one of the healthcare categories studied by the state.
Anthem also pointed out that its PPO plans performed well on several care measures in the study, including breast cancer screenings and the treatment of children with upper respiratory infections.
“We continue to enhance clinical and nonclinical programs to improve … member satisfaction,” the company said.
UnitedHealthcare said it partners with medical offices to free doctors from administrative burdens so they can spend more time with patients. The insurer said that physicians now can process their claims almost immediately online, and nearly all such claims are handled within 10 days.
UnitedHealthcare received one of the best overall ratings of the six major PPO companies, earning scores of good for medical care and timely access to doctors.
“We are pleased that the latest PPO report card reflects our commitment to providing quality care to our members,” the company said.
Cigna said it offers round-the-clock customer service and online tools that give customers instant access to cost and quality information. The insurer said it also has simplified its explanations of benefits to make them easier to understand.
“Cigna is making tremendous strides in customer service, and we are committed to continuous improvement,” the company said. “We believe that these and other service initiatives will improve our customer service scores next year.”
Health Net and Aetna said the findings would help them better tailor their services and provide more efficient access to care.
Blue Shield did not comment on the study.
-- Duke Helfand
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AU Book Reviews, AWW2013, Book reviews
Aussie Book Review: Fractured by Dawn Barker
March 19, 2013 March 17, 2013 Lauren K
Fractured by Dawn Barker
Review copy provided by publisher
Hachette, March 2013
Synopsis- A compelling, emotional knockout debut from a brilliant new Australian author.
An unforgettable novel that brings to life a new mother’s worst fears.
Tony is worried. His wife, Anna, isn’t coping with their newborn. Anna had wanted a child so badly and, when Jack was born, they were both so happy. They’d come home from the hospital a family. Was it really only six weeks ago?
But Anna hasn’t been herself since. One moment she’s crying, the next she seems almost too positive. It must be normal with a baby, Tony thought; she’s just adjusting. He had been busy at work. It would sort itself out. But now Anna and Jack are missing. And Tony realises that something is really wrong…
What happens to this family will break your heart and leave you breathless.
Review- Fractured tells the story of a healthy, highly functioning woman who has a much anticipated pregnancy and a very wanted little baby boy, Jack. But in the weeks following her son’s birth she experiences sleep difficulties and mixed feelings about her baby and she develops a postnatal psychosis with devastating effects on the young family. Told mainly from the viewpoint of her husband Tony, the reader is also privy to the impact on the paternal and maternal grandparents as well as the unfolding story of Anna’s deterioration in her mental state, the day the tragedy occurred and the weeks and months in the aftermath.
Working in perinatal mental health myself I’m always a little critical of how mental illness is represented in fiction especially during motherhood but I couldn’t really fault Fractured. It doesn’t just explore the illness but the implications on the family and the fracture in the relationships both before and after the tragedy.
The author’s background in psychiatry lends an insight into institutionalisation and the integrate details of the impact of a major mental illness on not just the individual but also the extended family. But what I really appreciated was the objectivity the author brings in representing the health system and wider professional network that encounter Anna and her family. From the GP, to the maternity unit to psychiatric ward and the police, as a health professional even I was saying “that’d be right” about some of the poor handling of the case.
Though postnatal depression is quite common for women, postpartum psychosis is actually quite rare and can actually occur without any history of mental health issues. That’s a little scary.
The opening chapter generates anxiety in the reader with the idea that something bad has happened. Tony, father of six week old Jack trusts his intuition and leaves work early when his mother discovers that Jack and his wife Anna are not at home as he expected. Where could they possibly have gone when she was in bed less than an hour ago?
When Anna is found she is in a psychotic state and unable to articulate or remember what happened to Jack. When their baby is located, the tragic news devastates the family. Jack is dead. But how did he die? Tony is frantic to find an explanation for Anna’s behaviour, from believing she was attacked to some form of physical condition until reluctantly considering that perhaps his beloved wife killed their baby.
My feelings for each of the characters in the story changed throughout. initially I felt Ursula, Tony’s mother was very supportive and helpful but later I found her to be quite critical and intrusive- much how Tony experienced her in the latter half of the book. Tony was whom I empathised with mainly as he learns that his baby has died and his wife is mentally ill. The author realistically showed the change in Tony’s perception of the situation and the mixture of feelings he had throughout the story. Anna’s viewpoint became more palpable later in the story as the before and after began to merge and she became more lucid. I could empathise with her, especially near the end knowing that her life would never be the same again. How in just six weeks a young couple bring a bundle of joy into the world can have their lives turned upside down and would be on their conscience forever.
Later in the story as the impact on Anna and Tony’s relationship became palpable, I became a little teary and even though my vision was a little blurry I just couldn’t put this book down.
Fractured is a touching, moving story about the devastating impact of postnatal psychosis on a family in its extreme manifestations. Through clever storytelling of the before and after approach it gives you a sense of helpless hindsight of all the points in which something could have been done to prevent baby Jack’s death.
I highly recommend Fractured by Australian debut author, Dawn Barker. Check back in tomorrow for my Q&A with Dawn to find out her inspiration for this story.
If you or someone you know is depressed please call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 (24 hours) or Sane Australia on 1800 187 263 (business hours only) for advice and support.
“Highly Recommended!”
Fractured can be purchased from Fishpond and other leading book retailers
This book was read as part of the AWW2013 challenge:
Tagged dawn barker, fractured, motherhood, postnatal depression, postnatal psychosis, thriller
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10 thoughts on “Aussie Book Review: Fractured by Dawn Barker”
KtTurner says:
Oh, Lauren, that’s a fantastic review. I don’t think I would really look at a book like this, but your review and your rare 5/5 rating has changed my mind. Being a Mum of 3, this is something that is close to home and I will be adding this to my wishlist and keeping my eye out at the bookstores. Thanks for sharing another Aussie debutante too.
Katie ~ Turner’s Antics
The Australian Bookshelf says:
Thanks Katie, it’s not a happy feel-good story but it’s very well written and I think most mums would be able to relate to some of the feelings Anna experienced in the story.
1girl2manybooks says:
So, so want to read this!
I think you’d like this one Bree 🙂
brendat59 says:
Brilliant review Lauren! I will be reading this one very soon 🙂
Thanks Brenda, I hope you find this one equally enjoyable 🙂
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Heli - Camping at Stirling
imc stirling | 06.07.2005 17:16 | G8 2005 | Free Spaces | Globalisation | World
The all-pervasive drone of helicopters is the backdrop to the soundtrack of music, meetings and the videoed shouts and chants of protestors at the Horizone Eco-village outside Stirling.
Both Police and Army helicopters have been buzzing the camp, often flying very low. The noise is almost subconscious now, it is so pervasive. In the night they hovered over the hills separating the camp from the Gleneagles area, using high-powered searchlights. They seemed to be looking for hill-walking groups who set off to Gleneagles in the early hours of the morning. Reports have come back to the Stirling IMC that the fence has been breached in three places, so they obviously weren't that successful!
Inside the camp, a mostly chilled atmosphere is tempered by concern for those on the blockades, marches and actions, and flying rumours which the IMC'istas are attempting to confirm before publishing.
Police have activated Section 60 and are heavily searching and stopping people going in and out of the camp, but they have not closed the entrance. One IMC bod has heard that Police have told the council the 'the kid gloves are coming off' tonight with regard to the camp. This is thought to be in response to the fence breaks and other situations where the Police have been caught on the back foot, and has fuelled fears about the security of the camp.
Meanwhile, we in the camp are meeting each other in trust and openness, helping each other with actions, coverage, technical expertise, renewable power, cooking for each other and calming each other down when necessary. I have never met so many sound, friendly people in such a short time in my life. I love this camp.
imc stirling
HELICOPTERS — Bravo
media blitz — eat shit
Helicopters & Army Camps — Present & Correct!
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Mariana Safer of HEBS Digital to Be Honored at HSMAI’s 2018 Adrian Awards As a Top 25 Extraordinary Mind in Hospitality
November 30, -0001 January 15, 2018 by Nevistas News
HEBS Digitals SVP of Client Success, Mariana Mechoso Safer, has been included in the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization class of 2017.
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has awarded Mariana Mechoso Safer, Senior Vice President of Client Success at HEBS Digital, a spot on the 2017 list of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization. This is the third such honor to be given to a HEBS Digital team member, following the selection of Jason Price, Executive Vice President, in 2011, and Max Starkov, President & CEO, in 2008.
Published each year, the Top 25 list recognizes outstanding thought leaders in the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries. Recipients will be honored during a private ceremony preceding the Adrian Awards Gala on February 20, 2018, at the New York Marriott Marquis and will be recognized at the Adrian Awards dinner reception and gala.
It is gratifying to see Mariana recognized as a Top 25, said Juli Jones, Vice President of HSMAI. HSMAI and the industry both benefit from what she brings to the table as a member of HSMAIs Digital Marketing Council. She stands out for her deep knowledge of the hotel industry and digital marketing within it, and for her ability to draw from developments in other industries to better ours. Mariana is a thought-leader who generously and enthusiastically contributes her expertise to HSMAI for the good of the whole.
As head of all HEBS Digitals Client Success teams, and with past roles leading all B2B marketing efforts as well as managing the digital technology and marketing strategies of her own portfolio of clients, Mariana leverages an extraordinary understanding of hoteliers business needs. In addition to her role in HEBS Digitals New York City office, she opened the companys Las Vegas office and led the development and execution of marketing strategies for HEBS Digitals West Coast client roster. Mariana holds an M.S. degree in Travel and Tourism Management from New York University’s Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management, and graduated with a B.A. in Anthropology from UCLA.
I am extremely proud of Mariana for being a recipient of this award, and all that she has accomplished for HEBS Digital and the industry over the years. She is one of the most integral parts of HEBS Digitals culture, foundation and character, said Max Starkov. Mariana is a thought leader in our industry, a published author on groundbreaking articles and white papers, and a sought-after event speaker in the hospitality industry.
The 2017 Top 25 recipients were judged by a panel of senior industry executives for their recent work based on the following criteria: creativity and innovation; cutting edge sales or marketing campaigns; triumph in challenging situations; and sales efforts that resulted in dramatic gains.
About HEBS Digital
Founded in 2001, HEBS Digital is headquartered in New York City and has global offices in Las Vegas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Through its Smart Guest Acquisition Suite, including the smartCMS®, Smart Personalization Engine, Smart Data Marketing, and full-stack digital consulting and marketing solutions, HEBS Digital helps hoteliers drastically boost direct bookings, lower distribution costs, and increase the lifetime value of guests.
Part of NextGuest Technologies, HEBS Digital and Serenata CRM, the most comprehensive Hotel CRM Suite today, are the creators of the hospitality industrys first Fully-Integrated Guest Engagement & Acquisition Platform.
A diverse client portfolio of top-tier luxury and boutique hotel chains, independent hotels, resorts and casinos, franchised properties and hotel management companies, convention centers, spas, restaurants, DMO and tourist offices across the globe are all benefiting from HEBS Digitals direct online channel strategy and digital marketing expertise.
HEBS Digitals technology, website design and digital marketing services have won more than 500 prestigious industry awards, including World Travel Awards, HSMAI Adrian Awards, Stevie Awards (American Business Awards), Travel Weeklys Magellan Awards, and more.
The HEBS Digital team is comprised of thought leaders, a diverse team of experts comprised of over 33 nationalities speaking over 22 languages. Contact HEBS Digitals consultants at 1 (800) 649-5076 (North America), +64 (0) 9 889 8489 (Asia Pacific) or success@hebsdigital.com.
About HSMAI:
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners, and is the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as HSMAI’s MEET, Adrian Awards, and Revenue Optimization Conference. HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at www.hsmai.org, www.facebook.com/hsmai, www.twitter.com/hsmai, and www.youtube.com/hsmai1.
Garrick Lee
Marketing Manager, HEBS Digital
Email: garrick@hebsdigital.com
Categories Awards Post navigation
Premier Ski Resort Company Selects TRACK
How AI is Changing How We Travel – TechRadar
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The Incredible Shaming of Stephen Harper
Well I see Stephen Harper is desperately trying to recover from his humiliating defeat at the United Nations. And his incredible shaming in the eyes of the world.
But like a mad king on his throne, only managing to look like a bad loser, and a crazed IDIOT.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada bases its international engagement on principles, not "popularity," and won't be swayed by "secret votes" at the United Nations.
When everyone knows EVERYTHING he does is designed to boost his popularity. He has no principles. Every word in this paragraph is such a Big Lie:
The Canadian government, Harper said, takes its positions based on the promotion of "our values — freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, justice, development, humanitarian assistance for those who need it.
Even the United States couldn't stand to see him get more than a toilet seat.
And even the Calgary Herald thinks Harper is full of shit.
While some in the Harper government are already trying to blame Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff for Canada's defeat at the United Nations.... a key factor in that embarrassing outcome clearly can be attributed to the highly personal policies of Prime Minister Stephen Harper himself.
Yup. The Cons can try to turn a turd into a rose, but the truth is that no Canadian Prime Minister has EVER been so humiliated, so shamed in the eyes of the world. Harper wanted the U.N. seat sooooooo badly.
He spent more than a billion dollars of OUR money trying to get it. He dressed up in humanitarian drag to try to fool people into believing that he cared about women.
It was going to be the jewel in the crown of his election campaign. "Canada is back" he would crow. "Now gimme my MAJORITY !!!
When in fact, like a reverse Midas, everything the deranged nerd touched turned to smelly fecal matter. The rest of the civilized world looked on in horror at this ghastly freak show. And Canada isn't back. It's gone backwards.
Canada was once known for its internationalism. Canada created the modern concept of UN peacekeeping. It stood at the forefront of global efforts to promote human rights, such as the fight against apartheid.
Now, unfortunately, when it comes to the international arena, Canada is barely punching at all. It is still a member of the G8, but it is no longer seen as a strong moral voice on key international issues.
Once we were the decent Canadians, who deployed the genius of compromise that we used to build Canada, to help solve conflicts in other countries.
And now it's gone. Fifty years of work destroyed in five years by an angry, authoritarian, bully ideologue with delusions of grandeur. Who didn't just shame himself. He shamed Canada as well. And turned us into the Ugly Canadians.
Because we're still a young country we can recover. We can be the noble, decent, peacemakers again. The kind of country our world so desperately needs. But it will take a long time, and we can't begin until the Harper Cons are driven from power.
For the sake of our country, for the sake of our burning planet, I beg you.
Organize, UNITE, don't fight each other. Defeat those shameful shabby Cons.
Before they disgrace us further...
Labels: Stephen Harper, The End of Con Canada, United Nations
The Abominable Trial of Omar Khadr
Rob Ford and the Homophobes
Rob Ford and the Fake Tweeter
Rob Ford: When the Downtown Strikes Back
Rob Ford's Toronto is NOT My Toronto
Rob Ford and the Road to Resistance
The Shameful Show Trial of Omar Khadr
When a Husband Confronts Anti-Choice Protesters
Rob Ford: When a Bully is a Bigot
Rob Ford: The Night Hogtown Got Its Hog
Rob Ford's Assault on Gay People
When a Fordzilla Attacks Toronto
Bullying and the Journey from Anger to Peace
Stephen Harper and the Horror of Iraq
Are the Harper Cons Talking in Tongues?
Who Cares About the Blog Awards?
The Cons and the F35 Fiasco
Spirit Day and a Message from Google
Bullies, Gay Daddies, and the Princess Boy
Afghanistan: Where the Truth is the Enemy
A Con Zombie Gets an Honorary Degree
Omar Khadr and the King of Torture
The Legal Lynching of Omar Khadr
When Stephen Harper Plays a Cop
Omar Khadr: The Sorrow and the Shame
Maxime Bernier and the Con Plot to Kill Medicare
Why Bullying Kills, and the Demon Homophobia
Are Old White Men Killing Canada?
The Brutal Humiliation of Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper and the Humiliation of the Con Klow...
Carl Paladino and the Day of the Living Dead
Was a Canadian Girl Killed for Not Praying?
Bullying, Homophobia, and the Holy Monsters
The Harper Cons: Government or Dangerous Cult?
Jason Kenney Forced to Admit Gay People Exist
Seth Walsh and the Homophobic Bullies
The Cons Are Made to Look Like Idiots. Again
The Collapse of the Harper Regime
A Vigil To Remember the Victims of Homophobia
Stephen Harper: When the Monster Shows His Stripes...
Exposed !!!!! Maxime Bernier Can't Count
Canada, Bullies, and the Silence that Kills
Jason Kenney's War on Canadian Values
Stephen Harper, the Maniac, and the Political Blue...
The Harper Theocons Strike Again
The Con Propaganda Machine Blows a Fuse
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Home \ Open wheel \ Formula 4 \ Leitch scores maiden US F4 win in come-from-behind wet performance
Leitch scores maiden US F4 win in come-from-behind wet performance
MotorNews.co.nz 11:40 am August 13, 2017
From three-wide battles to multiple lead changes in the rain, Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda delivered two dramatic rounds of racing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, on Friday. Inclement weather dictated team strategy. Those who gambled with the conditions conquered the track, creating two new champions.
Kiwi Motorsport driver Brendon Leitch of Invercargill, New Zealand, charged his way from starting from last place from pit lane to claiming his maiden victory in the first race. Skylar Robinson of Augusta, Georgia, also scored his first F4 U.S. win of the season in Race 2 after starting in P11.
“Having experience racing in the rain really paid off for us today,” said Leitch. “It rains quite often in New Zealand so I race in conditions like this a lot. My team worked extremely hard to get me to the podium. My first win in America has been poetic.”
After heavy rains coated the track before Race 1, F4 U.S. officials presented the teams with the choice of running on Pirelli P Zero slicks or wet tires. Seven drivers risked competing on slicks, while the rest of the field switched to wets. Front-row contenders Kyle Kirkwood of Jupiter, Florida, and Jacob Loomis of Corinth, Texas, both chose to run wets.
As the cars waited in the pre-grid, skies cleared, creating inconsistent track conditions. During the formation lap, Jordan Sherratt of Durban, South Africa, who was one of the seven competitors on slicks, hit water, spinning in Turn 3. The Crosslink Racing pilot collected Leitch in the accident, and the pair flew off track. Damage was not sustained to either car, and both competitors continued, starting from pit lane. Further down the field, Mathias Soler-Obel of Bogota, Colombia, and Chris Archinaco of Pittsburgh suffered a race-ending accident in Turn 5. A full-course yellow suspended the start of the race. Raphael Forcier of Montreal, Ben Waddell of Denver and Jim Goughary Jr. of Jupiter, Florida, utilized the prolonged-start as an opportunity to pit and switch to slicks.
Kirkwood bobbled on the side-by-side rolling takeoff and Loomis slid his way into P1 with Baltazar Leguizamon of Buenos Aires, Argentina, close behind. Leguizamon passed Loomis before shunting on a slick Turn 11.
Double yellow flags emerged from a three-car incident from Max Peichel of Edina, Minnesota, Jack William Miller of Westfield, Indiana, and series newcomer Chandler Horton of Zionsville, Indiana, in China Beach.
On slicks, Austin Kaszuba of Burleson, Texas, shot from his mid-field position to the outside of Loomis and Kirkwood. On a three-wide overtake on the straight, Kaszuba captured P1. Loomis and Kirkwood started to fall behind in standings as drivers with slick tires started to gain speed on a drying track. Kaszuba increased his momentum, creating nearly a 10-second lead over second-place Leitch.
As Kaszuba was making his way to the finish line uncontested, heavy rain moved in, causing the track to retain water. On the penultimate turn, Kaszuba hit a standing puddle, looping his car off track. The Crosslink Racing pilot watched from his car as Leitch took the checkered. Sherratt placed second, his highest finish this season, and Forcier would round-out the podium.
“It was extremely disappointing to wreck so close to the finish line,” Kaszuba said. “It was a difficult race. We made the gamble with the on slicks, which was the right decision Today was a learning experience. If I could choose anyone else besides my teammate Jordan to get the win, I would choose Brendon. He’s a great competitor and deserved it.”
Race 2 of the weekend, was deemed a wet race as rain continued to fall. A majority of the session was under yellow due to several accidents. Kirkwood, who started in P10, successfully maneuvered his way through the carnage to seize the lead. Timo Reger of San Antonio, Texas, followed closely behind Kirkwood. His run ended in a cringing on-track 180-spin in Turn 2. All subsequent cars dodged Reger, and he and his car were unharmed.
Using Kirkwood as a reference, Robinson started his attack off the restart. Kirkwood caught water, spinning his tires. Robison used that mistake to make an outside-move to pass. The two veteran drivers battled side-by-side for position going into the Keyhole. Their tires interlocked briefly, shooting Kirkwood wide. Robinson dropped to defend the inside racing line. The Momentum Motorsports pilot protected his lead, holding Kirkwood to P2.
With minutes left in the race, another yellow was thrown. The session ended in yellow and Robinson captured his first win since his last visit to Mid-Ohio in 2016. Kirkwood finished second and Leitch grabbed third.
“It is an incredible feeling to be back on the podium. We have had a difficult start to the season and this win really builds confidence,” said Robinson. “I knew Kyle would come back aggressively after I passed him. Knowing the track and racing here before in the rain really assisted me in holding him off.”
The final round of the F4 U.S. mid-season event will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. Fans can view full results at F4USChampionship.com.
brendon leitch
Armstrong gets third ADAC F4 win at Nurburgring, sits second in points
Bruising race weekend for Leitch at Virginia International Raceway
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Home » Tom Hiddleston
© 2011 – Music Box Films Sometimes losing a big thing for something is unthinkable and childish. However, when Hester Collyer threw herself into a self-destructive [continue reading]
July 6, 2019 // 0 Comments
Film Review: “Early Man” (2018) ★★★★
Would it not be wise to settle disputes through football matches? Think about it for a moment. Our world has been through so much century after century – wars, [continue reading]
Movie Review: “Kong: Skull Island” (2017) ★★★★
There are many subject matters which can be exercised in a movie. Some of them may reach to a wider audience, but some of them only to the right one. Kong: Skull Island is a [continue reading]
2017 Golden Globe Awards: “La La Land” Dominates, while Ryan Reynolds, Tom Hiddleston and Mandy Moore Among First-Time Nominees: Complete List
The Hollywood`s Foreign Press Association has announced the nominations for the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards on NBC`s “Today” aired live all the way from the Beverly [continue reading]
Interview: Director Marc Abraham Talks “I Saw the Light”
Biopic films can’t always cover a particular aspect of its subject’s life in the way that leaves its dedicated fans completely satisfied. Largely, it’s due [continue reading]
Interview: Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen Talk “I Saw The Light”
Hank Williams and Audrey Williams used to be married to each other. They had a child and were destined to live happily ever after… for only a short amount of time though. [continue reading]
April 9, 2016 // 0 Comments
TV Review: “The Night Manager” (2016 – ) ★★★★★
It’s fascinating to see how Television is becoming bigger and bigger with every passing day. Not too long ago was it hard to imagine A-List actors on TV; today [continue reading]
March 3, 2016 // 0 Comments
TIFF 15 Review: I Saw the Light (2015) ★★★★
Making biopic films is one of the most challenging tasks ever for filmmakers because of one simple reason: there’s always someone who will critique by saying, this or that [continue reading]
TIFF 15 Review: High-Rise (2015) ★★★★★
It’s always great pleasure seeing such movies where from the opening scene you’re thrown into strange atmosphere of weirdness, tempting and seductive world from where you [continue reading]
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WAV Group Newsletter
MFRMLS Launches New Consumer Website
By Victor Lund
My Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS) is one of the five largest MLS companies in America with more than 50,000 subscribers serving the central Florida region, including major US cities of Orlando and Tampa. They have operated an MLS consumer facing website since 2008 at MyFloridaMLSHomes.com .In an effort to improve the effectiveness of their consumer site as a subscriber benefit under NAR’s basic service guidelines, they have launched an entirely new site at https://www.state27homes.com/
What Does $1 Billion Look Like?
By Kevin Hawkins
Last year HomesUSA.com’s Ben Caballero, who has been atop of the REAL Trends/WSJ “The Thousand” list of real estate agent rankings for both total dollar volume and number of transactions since 2013, became the “World’s First Billion Dollar Producer.” It’s a feat that’s hard to get our heads around because we toss around the term “billion” so frequently we forget how truly breathtaking this accomplishment is.
Independent Brokers Find Their Secret Sauce
Real Estate is among the most competitive industries in America. On Main Street in America, only clothing stores and restaurants have as many offerings. Although Leading Real Estate Companies of the World is the clear leader in the independent broker category; they focus primarily on the largest independent brokerage in a given community.
Big Brokers Need To Stake Their Claim or Risk Annihilation
The start of 2017 has been like no other in real estate. We have just completed our cycle of strategic planning for brokers in real estate, and every large broker is facing the same issues. Remember the folklore about the dodo bird? The species lived in a world that was so plentiful; it lost its ability to fly. In the end, that was its undoing. If large firms are not careful, they could walk off the same cliff.
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The Presidency’s Incorrigible Faith in Economic Reconciliation
Vanessa Szakal
Even in the discourse of the world’s greatest advocates of free-market economic growth, one is hard pressed to identify substantial economic merit associated with draft law 49/2015. Indeed, the President’s incorrigible faith in reconciliation as key for economic growth appears less founded in a comprehensive economic strategy than a political one.
Béji Caid Essebsi Chedly Ayari Habib Essid
What President Beji Caid Essebsi has advanced as “primordial” in building up Tunisia’s economy, many have decried as a throwback to the unbridled wealth accumulation of a select few with close ties to the Ben Ali family. Back in March, Essebsi alluded to the idea of “economic reconciliation,” and, several months later, the Council of Ministers accordingly adopted Draft Law N°49/2015 prescribing exceptional measures for economic and financial reconciliation. On July 16, the draft was submitted to Parliament.
ARP deputies have yet to examine the text, but on the streets (in some twenty cities across the country between September 8 – 21) and in the media, ordinary citizens, journalists, and public figures have expressed adamant disapproval. Critics of the draft law argue that the adoption of exceptional measures regarding “any person having profited from corruption or having dilapidated public money” (Article 3) would undermine Law N°2013-53 of 24 December 2013 governing transitional justice and the affiliated authority, the Truth and Dignity Commission (IVD). On the other side of the spectrum, proponents of the draft law have accused IVD President Sihem Ben Sedrine of corruption. Others have called out the Commission’s inefficiency attending to cases of crimes committed under the former regime. The violations in these cases are related to financial corruption and the diversion of public funds which are listed under Article 8 of Law N°2013-53. Those who bemoan a drawn-out transitional justice process claim that the prolonged exclusion of formerly productive entrepreneurs from business and trade has deprived the economically-burdened country of vital productivity and investment opportunities.
Steps and strategies for economic growth
While, at home and abroad, Essebsi advances economic reconciliation as the primary initiative to spur local and overseas investments, others have focused on multi-faceted strategies and approaches to stimulate economic growth. In March, FEMISE (Forum Euroméditerranéen des Instituts de Sciences Economiques) published a 469-page study, led in part by Chedly Ayari of the Central Bank (BCT), which details Elements for a Strategic Social and Economic Development. Last week at the UN General Assembly in New York, Prime Minister Habib Essid outlined the government’s 5-year economic and security plan. In the meantime, two of the most well-established international proponents of a free-market, growth-based vision, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, have solidified their enduring support for Tunisia’s economic development through the disbursement of grants and loans not, of course, without the compulsory evaluation and contingencies that accompany such funding.
IMF and “inclusive growth”
We need to take into account the social circumstances … If the IMF doesn’t take this into account, we will not succeed, and there will be more turmoil. Houcine Abassi of the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) quoted in IMF Chief Urges Tunisia to Speed Up Reforms, The Wall Street Journal, 9 September 2015.
Two weeks before the IMF executive board approved the immediate disbursement of 301.6 million USD as the sixth installment of its two-year Stand-By Agreement with Tunisia, Managing Director Christine Lagarde convened with a number of leaders and government representatives to discuss the context and objectives of economic reforms. Citing a youth unemployment rate of 34% and regional disparities which represent the crux of the country’s economic burdens, Lagarde posited that the projected one percent growth rate for 2015 will be insufficient to respond to the disproportionately high demand for jobs and the aspiration for inclusive growth.
“Fortunately,” Lagarde explained before her audience at the Central Bank in Tunis, “…the Constitution obligates the government to effectively manage public resources, and serve its citizens and public interests with clear transparency and accountability rules.” Later in her address she noted that “More effort is needed to overcome the vestiges of the old model, which was a key constraint to growth.”
World Bank and a “level playing field”
At the beginning of the month, the World Bank announced the third and final installment in a series of Governance, Opportunity and Jobs Development Policy Loans. This “new support” to the tune of 500 million USD supplements the 10 loans and 12 grants that the Bank has already invested and disbursed in the form of technical assistance to Tunisia.
Controversial as financial assistance from such loan-granting institutions certainly is, inarguable is the depth, breadth, and quality of studies prepared by researchers and economists at these organizations. This much has been clear across discussions concerning Draft Law N°49/2015 where numerous articles evoke figures and findings from reports prepared since the departure of Ben Ali in 2010. Widely referenced in this context is the World Bank’s All in the Family: State Capture in Tunisia which quantifies the economic corruption that was endemic under the former regime, as well as The Unfinished Revolution which dissects the economic crisis and prescribes the reforms necessary to bring “opportunity, good jobs and greater wealth to all Tunisians.”
The simultaneous announcements of IMF and World Bank renewed support for Tunisia plus their growing stock of data and analysis pertaining to the country’s economic and political spheres prompted Nawaat to consult these institutions for an evaluation of the polemical proposal for economic reconciliation. Though the IMF did not respond, the World Bank at once acknowledged receipt of our questions, which were as follows:
1 Generally speaking, how relevant to/potentially effective for economic growth is the proposed law? What are the pros and/or cons of such a measure?
2 How does the draft law align with or deviate from the World Bank’s objectives for Tunisia, in particular (and as mentioned in the World Bank press release from October 1) “inclusive growth,” “government accountability,” and “the levelling of the economic playing field”?
3 Given widespread public disapproval of the proposal (specifically via the campaign Manich Msamah), might “entrenching citizen voice and participation as essential ingredients of policy making” in this case be reason enough for the proposed measure to be wholly dismissed, or are its potential gains for the Tunisian economy significant enough that it is worth passing through (perhaps with certain revisions to diminish its perceived negative implications)?
Without claiming a definitive position on the draft law in question, World Bank press contact William Stebbins replied:
How countries in transition cope with the past is a matter for societies to decide for themselves, and in this instance it is for Tunisians to resolve among themselves. Looking forward, however, our global experience is that sustainable and inclusive growth depends on a level economic playing field, and a relationship of trust and mutual accountability between citizens and governments. A level playing field requires transparent and predictable regulations, that guarantee equal access and treatment for all businesses, and public trust depends on effective delivery of basic services, and access to public information that allows citizens to make informed decisions and hold government to account. We have conducted extensive research on the impact of anti-competitive practices during the Ben-Ali era. We are now firmly committed to supporting the reform program as the critical path to laying the foundations of a new economic model that is both fair and open to all Tunisians, and creating institutions that are transparent and accountable to citizens. William Stebbins, Senior Communications Officer, Middle East and North Africa Region, World Bank.
Although the Bank has abstained from providing a specific evaluation or analysis of the text as we had hoped, and although the response is arguably open to interpretation regarding economic reconciliation, the themes iterated here—level economic playing field, trust and accountability, transparent and predictable regulations, equal access and treatment, access to public information—are the apparent antithesis of the presidency’s proposed “exceptional measures” to absolve “any person having profited from corruption or having dilapidated public money.” Even here and in general the discourse of the world’s greatest advocates of free-market economic growth, one is hard pressed to identify substantial economic merit associated with Draft Law N°49/2015. Indeed, the President’s incorrigible faith in reconciliation as key for economic growth appears less founded in a comprehensive economic strategy than a political one.
Would granting amnesty to these individuals (identified in Article 3 of Draft Law N°49/2015) translate into a healthy “levelling of the playing field” by broadening the spectrum of the country’s entrepreneurs and investors, and/or would it represent the same sort of preferential treatment afforded a small category of individuals and businesses that thrived under the Ben Ali regime?
Upon receipt of Mr. Stebbins’ response, we submitted this final question to our World Bank correspondent, a last attempt to draw out some sort of convincing economic justification for the draft law awaiting parliamentary review. Our inquiry remains unanswered, and, in hindsight, might very well be rhetorical enough to abandon.
ARP Christine Lagarde Corruption cronyism economic growth Economic Reconciliation exceptional measures free-market economics International Monetary Fund nepotism transitional justice Truth and Dignity Commission World Bank
Vanessa studied French, Spanish, and Arabic at the University of Washington in Seattle. She currently interns at Nawaat where she is able to pursue her interests in news media and the universal right to access to information.
Tous les articles @nawaat
Interview: Tunisian physicist Nour Raouafi, on NASA’s mission to reach the Sun
What grows around, comes around: Tunisia plants the seeds for its own canola industry
Rouhanyet Mystic Fest : « Is this what you call peace and love? »
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Nawaat est une plateforme collective indépendante fondée en avril 2004 et bloquée en Tunisie jusqu'au 13 janvier 2011. Ayant reçu de nombreux prix, Nawaat focalise sur de nombreux sujets sous des angles rarement abordés par les médias dominants, y compris en ligne. Ces sujets portent sur la démocratie, la transparence, la bonne gouvernance, la Justice, les libertés et les droits fondamentaux. Nawaat produits des informations, des analyses de fonds et des investigations via une variété de formats. Alimentée par près de mille auteurs et par une équipe de journalistes professionnels et de blogueurs, notre plateforme puise son contenu par un contact direct sur le terrain et via des contributions d'activistes, de lanceurs d'alerte et des citoyens impliqués dans la chose publique, surtout lorsque ladite chose publique souffre de dysfonctionnements. Nous sommes très impliqués au niveau de la protection de la vie privée, la défense de la liberté d'expression, l'OpenData et le droit d'accès à l'information et aux documents publics.
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NCAA Final Four 2019
By kalister on Saturday, April 6, 2019
NCAA Final Four 2019 With the Elite Eight now completed, we head to Minneapolis for a Final Four that features only a single 1-seed in Tony Bennett’s Virginia team, two teams in 5-seed Auburn and 3-seed Texas Tech that are making their first such trips and 2-seed Michigan State, which upset 1-seed Duke in the East Region final to earn an eighth Final Four for Tom Izzo. That said, the Final Four games of Virginia-Auburn and Michigan State-Texas Tech do represent a matchup of college basketball’s more traditional blue bloods against up-and-comers. But if we’ve learned anything through the first four rounds of March Madness, it’s this: Don’t just go with the name on the front of the jersey.
Less than two weeks ago, the 2019 NCAA Tournament tipped off with 68 teams. After a wild weekend of college basketball, we are now down to four. That’s right, the Final Four is set and we know the field. Michigan State, Texas Tech, Virginia and Auburn are headed to Minneapolis with a chance at achieving college basketball immortality. You’re going to need to know how to follow all the action remaining over the weekend.Check out the schedule and tip times for Saturday’s Final Four along with info on how to watch each game and who will be calling the games. As always, fans can also watch the tourney live online via March Madness Live until the final game.
Sporting News is here to make sure you know how to tune in to the final two rounds of March Madness. Here’s everything you’ll need to know to watch the Final Four and national championship matchups both live on TV and streaming online.
TV channels, live stream for Final Four games
The NCAA Tournament’s Final Four and national championship game will be broadcast by CBS on April 6 April 8, respectively.
The primary outlet for live-streaming 2019 NCAA Tournament games is March Madness Live, the NCAA’s digital platform available on desktop and by downloading the mobile app. You can also stream games live by signing up for fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial.
Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery and Tracy Wolfson are CBS’s lead broadcast team and will call the Final Four national semifinals and championship game
When does Match Madness 2019 end?
March Madness will conclude on April 8 with the national championship game in Minneapolis. From there, it will be roughly seven months before college basketball starts back up again.
March Madness features from Sporting News
“40 Minutes of Hell” to Hog Heaven: Nolan Richardson’s 1993-94 Arkansas team will go down as one of the most fun SEC title-winning teams of all time. It was something he built, one minute at a time.
A barrier-breaking title: The 1961-62 Cincinnati Bearcats made history when they started four black players in their NCAA title game win over Ohio State. We remember the importance of that groundbreaking win.
An Oral History of Steph Curry’s 2008 Breakout: In 2008, a little-known, baby-faced guard from Davidson completely took over the NCAA Tournament.
Upset City: Reliving the wildest opening venue in NCAA Tournament history.
The Fagan Jinx: They’re not just upset “alerts” when Sporting News’ Ryan Fagan is in attendance. Recapping the many improbable upsets Fagan has been on hand to witness.
More than a timeout: The 1993 NCAA Tournament is more than Chris Webber’s ill-fated timeout in the national championship game against UNC.
Danny and the Miracles: Recalling Kansas’ improbable 1988 title run.
Chalmers’ shot still resonates: Mario Chalmers never gets tired talking about his 3-pointer against Memphis in 2008.
DeCourcy’s best of 30 years: Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy ranks the best games he has witnessed from 30 years’ worth of NCAA Tournament coverage.
The thrill of victory…: Sporting News staff recall their favorite memories of the NCAA Tournament.
…And the agony of defeat: Sporting News staff recalls their most heartbreaking memories from the NCAA Tournament. Get your tissues ready.
NCAA Tournament championship 2019
Virginia vs Texas Tech Live NCAA Tournament championship 2019
March Madness Live 2019 live stream online
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We Are Still Stephen King’s Scariest Monsters in IT
by Scott Beggs
Sep 11 2017 • 3:09 PM
Warning: IT spoilers float down here too.
The crowd at my midnight screening of IT jumped at the menacing painting lady, Bill Skarsgård’s book-loving monster, and that super comforting clown casket room, but the moment that created the biggest gasp by far came when Pennywise turned into Beverly’s dad in the sewer.
After watching Alvin Marsh (Stephen Bogaert) menace his daughter (Sophia Lillis) with uneasy overtures toward his “ownership” of her budding sexuality, Pennywise donning Mr. Marsh’s face in a last-ditch effort to terrify Beverly sent a shockwave through the audience. That shockwave obviously turned into enthusiastic cheers when she, no longer afraid, slammed a metal implement deep into It’s face. That was the turning point of the climax, where a group of children battling a creature that fed on their fear turned the tide by overcoming what personally frightened them.
Each fear was legitimate–Bill’s persistent state of mourning, Stan’s creepy metaphorical painting, Mike’s memory of his parents’ violent death, Eddie’s unease with sickness–but Beverly’s was viscerally threatening. Her father could strike at any moment. Hers is more than an existential crisis; it’s a physical, sexual, mental terror that looms over the bullying she already experiences at school.
That a midnight crowd responded more strongly to the human villain than the shape-shifting boogeyman isn’t all that surprising, though. This is precisely how King structures his horrors, and the team behind IT obviously understood that the fear which Pennywise fed on had to come from somewhere relatable, from us.
In all of King’s films and miniseries, his otherworldly baddies channel classic childhood fears: vampires, werewolves, and aliens. It’s the fear of going into the dark forest. The fear of encountering something that hasn’t heard (or doesn’t care) that we’re supposed to be at the top of the food chain. From zombies in Cell to a giant bat in Graveyard Shift to The Master in Salem’s Lot, King doesn’t stray too far from the understood mythologies.
But the adaptations that are focused too strongly on the monster also tend to be the weakest (ahem: Silver Bullet, The Mangler, The Night Flier). While sometimes frightening, King’s creature features are too often thin and uninteresting beyond whether someone will get eaten or, you know, accidentally date a cat-person youth vampire. In each of those cases, the monster simply isn’t enough, and the human characters facing danger are more like fodder for the slasher mill than sympathetic heroes. Without mankind’s worst instincts, these stories suffer.
Conversely, some of the very best King adaptations are the ones where humans are dead center. Shawshank and Misery and Stand By Me don’t need anything supernatural to prove that people are capable both of cruel bloodletting and (sometimes) profound kindness.
But what’s most fascinating in King’s catalogue is what happens when humans and monsters vie for villainy. In every case, humans end up at the top of the evil trash heap, leaving monsters in a secondary role, even if they instigate people’s bad behavior.
The unseen Lovecraft clones in The Mist are scary, but psychopathic religious zealot Mrs. Carmody (Marcia Gay Harden) is truly horrifying. The old god in the cornfield is powerful, but the murderous children choosing to worship it are the sinister ones. The Overlook Hotel’s haunted hold on people is unnerving, but Jack Torrance’s behavior before his possession is extremely disquieting. And once he is possesed? The hotel offers him no special powers, because it doesn’t have to. His stomping feet and swinging ax are violent enough.
The movie that best captures this is Carrie, where the title heroine is both a supernatural monster and the focus of our sympathy. Her mother is a raw source of fear, and the preppy young assholes (with no super powers to speak of) are the engine that keep Carrie timid and frightened. It’s the apotheosis of this particular theme in King’s work: not only do we care about the werewolf or vampire; we’re rooting for her when she attacks.
Bullies are a main current running through King’s work. So is the question of how a supernatural evil can draw out humanity’s worst traits (think Needful Things and Tommyknockers and The Stand). IT practices these ideas through the sociopathic Henry Bowers (Nicholas Hamilton) and his cronies, as well as Greta Keene (Megan Charpentier) and her trash-tossing minions who terrorize Beverly.
But the film also quietly deals with the latter King theme by offering us a pessimistic view on what adults must be like in a town that has to deal with widespread tragedy every 27 years. The greatest evil has become a brand of apathy. Yes, it’s deeply upsetting when pharmacist Mr. Keene (Joe Bostick) leers at Beverly with lumpy middle-aged desire, but it’s also strange to think that he’s unconcerned with his own daughter’s safety in the middle of a crisis of missing children. Has his wealth insulated him that completely? Or is he merely comfortable with the inherent cost of living in Derry? This is a movie about a sickness that no one dares recognize. It’s a movie without a harried PTA meeting. It’s a movie almost devoid of adults.
Those that make it on screen are either overt monsters of absentee well-meaners (like Bill’s mother) who have somehow made peace with their despairing malice. It’s no accident that when a car of adults passes by Henry carving an H into Ben’s belly without stopping to help, one of It’s red balloons pops up in the backseat. It’s not because he’s controlling them; it’s because he’s present whenever fear bubbles up from the actions (or inaction) of people. In that sense, Pennywise is just an animal in search of a buffet, but humans are the chefs doling out all-you-can-eat pain and punishment.
Pennywise spends most of his time as a humanoid monster, too, which further cements our fear. He isn’t solely a beast looking for a meal, but a thinking animal with a keen understanding of how to draw out his prey. Sharp claws can elicit an animalistic flinch, but Pennywise spends his time as a clown, a melting woman, a shuffling leper, a dead little boy, a children’s television host, a headless child, and other humanoid forms. Perhaps that’s a mechanism of cinema–that movies demand this kind of imagery to work with a story like this–but it’s more likely that Pennywise relishes in looking like us because he (and King) understand that’s what scares us most.
“Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win,” King once said. In his best work, we lose.
Images: Warner Bros., Columbia Pictures
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Ronald Fraser
Politics As Daily Life
nlr 75 May–June 2012
How are collective mobilizations refracted through the prism of personal experience—and in what conditions can individual histories be constituted as history? Ronald Fraser reflects on memory, method and militancy.
How the Republic was Lost
nlr 67 January–February 2011
Ronald Fraser on Julián Casanova, The Spanish Republic and Civil War. Sober reassessment of the Republic’s brief flowering and embattled fall, as a new generation of scholars wrestles with its contested history.
Peninsular Mythologies
Ronald Fraser on Henry Kamen, Imagining Spain. Excavation of the historical myths that have shaped peninsular self-perceptions.
Reconsidering the Spanish Civil War
nlr I/129 September–October 1981
As oral history broadens its field of study, and in particular as it moves into the field of political history, it cannot elude the task, bounden on materialist historiography, of providing a causal knowledge of the processes it is studying. At first sight this may not seem obvious. . . . read more
Spain on the Brink
nlr I/96 March–April 1976
The following report is the fruit of a three-week visit to the Spanish state in February 1976. In many hours of discussion, with economists and politicians, businessmen and trade-union officials, workers and Left militants, a single, apparently simple theme oriented my enquiry. What was the concrete possibility of . . . read more
1936: Revolutionary Committees in Spain
Tajos is a small mountain village near Málaga; in 1936 it was one of the few socialist strongholds in a predominantly anarchist province. When, on 18 July 1936, the military rose to overthrow the Republic, a revolutionary committee was formed in Tajos as in every village and . . . read more
Note on 'Work' Series
nlr I/53 January–February 1969
With the present essay we are ending the series on Work which nlrinaugurated nearly four years ago. Since then we have published some 50 personal work accounts—half in the Review and the remainder in Work (Pelican Original, January 1968) and its successor Work Volume 2 which has . . . read more
Butor’s You
nlr I/37 May–June 1966
In The Use of Personal Pronouns in The Novel (nlr 34) Michel Butor raises the problem of the author’s relation to the characters in his novel and to the novel itself. As he demonstrates, this question has arisen through the introduction of a narrator—an ‘I’—which introduces the . . . read more
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Uruguay vs France odds, predictions, match stats, key players to watch
Last Updated: 4th September 2018
Friday 6th July
Kick Off: 3:00pm BST
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
Live on: ITV
Uruguay vs France odds
The first confirmed Quarter Final match of the 2018 World Cup kicks off today. The current Uruguay vs France odds have La Celeste at 7/4 to qualify for the semi-finals, whereas Les Blues are currently 2/5 to progress to the last four.
France are currently trading at odds of evens to dispatch of Uruguay within 90 minutes. Uruguay are priced up at 16/5 to do the same, whereas the draw which takes the game to extra time is priced at 21/10 which is our prediction.
In terms of correct score betting, the futurologists within the William Hill trading team see a 1-0 win for the French as the most likely result, pricing it up as 4/1 favourite, with 1-1 next shortest at 24/5, then 0-0.
Uruguay vs France betting predictions
Les Bleus have a superb record against South American teams at the World Cup (more of which in the match stats section below) and have the quality get past their adversaries in regulation time.
William Hill’s Lee is betting that will be the case but that France will need extra-time to take this one home. Lee also suggests Mbappe will be the man to open up this stringent Uruguay defence.
The PSG forward played a part in three of France’s four goals against Argentina last time out, drawing the penalty Antoine Griezmann converted before bagging two of his own. Mbappe is 9/5 to strike anytime against Uruguay.
Staunchly against Lee’s prediction is DK who reckons Le Bleus won’t be afforded the same space they had against Argentina. He is instead gunning for a Uruguay win.
Uruguay vs France team news
French full-backs in the wars
Didier Deschamps’ full-back resources may be further depleted after Monaco man Djibril Sidibe reportedly limped out of training on Monday morning.
The France coach had already been unable to call upon Benjamin Mendy for the round of 16 win over Argentina and the Manchester City man is understood not to have trained the day after that fixture either.
Les Bleus will be also without the suspended Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi after he picked up his second yellow card of the tournament against Argentina.
Positive news on Cavani for Uruguay
Oscar Tabarez and his team had been sweating on the fitness of Edinson Cavani after the Paris Saint-Germain striker limped off against Portugal with a suspected hamstring issue.
It was feared Cavani may have suffered a muscle tear, but an MRI scan on Monday revealed this not to be the case.
A spokesman for the Uruguayan football association (AUF), revealed the player is still in pain, but is working on ‘physical rehabilitation to control the injury’s development’. There remains no suggestion as to whether he will be fit to face France.
Deschamps: “I am preparing my team for if Cavani plays. If he plays or not, I will only know 90 minutes before the game.”
Edinson Cavani is considered unlikely to be fit to face France
Suarez training injury scare
On Tuesday evening, various news outlets (the report appears to have originated from Marca) reported that Luis Suarez had hobbled out of training with an injury to his right leg, although the Barcelona striker was later able to return to the session.
Germany vs France Predictions
Uruguay vs France key players
Edinson Cavani scored his 44th and 45th goals for Uruguay against Portugal. A dozen of those have been set up by Luis Suarez. Since 1966, only Grzegorz Lato & Andrzej Szarmach (five for Poland) and Michael Ballack & Miroslav Klose (five for Germany) have combined for a greater amount of World Cup goals than the Celeste pair.
If Cavani isn’t fit enough to start and Tabarez wants to continue to play two up front, he will need to call upon either Cristhian Stuani, Maxi Gómez or Jonathan Urretaviscaya, who have a combined five international goals between them (all notched by the former). Stuani’s anytime scorer odds are 3/1.
Antoine Griezmann has been this side’s go-to guy in major tournament knockout action, bagging six times in his last five such ties, making the Atletico Madrid man to score in a win for France the betting pick at odds of 13/5.
France and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has bagged six goals in his last five outings in the knockout stages of major tournaments (World Cup and European Championships). He’s 9/5 in the anytime scorer betting.
Benjamin Pavard’s goal against Argentina, was his first for France in his ninth appearance for Les Bleus. He can be backed at anytime scorer odds of 14/1 to bag against Uruguay.
Is France’s goal-drought striker Olivier Giroud their unsung hero?
The Chelsea forward’s magnificent hold-up play and perfectly weighted pass to Mbappe sealed the win for France against Argentina, sparking a debate over his importance to the side.
Giroud’s role in Mbappe’s second strike, as well as his stats from that game make for an interesting read.
The 31-year-old had one shot all game, created a goal and only lost the ball once. A reliable goal-contributor at this tournament, he is not, but the fulcrum of the attack and a foundation to build from, he certainly is.
Giroud has brought a structure and flow to France going forward that they had previously lacked. Deschamps had struggled to find an equilibrium amongst his strikers prior to the tournament and during the World Cup opener against Australia.
The 6’4″ target man came on as a substitute against Australia with the game tied and provided one of his customary knock-downs for Paul Pogba to win the game.
His reinstatement in the France starting XI against Peru necessitated a switch from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 formation which has remained the system since.
Although the former Arsenal forward hasn’t scored in his last six games for France – his worst run for the side since a five-game blank in 2015 – he has been France’s most creative player at the World Cup.
Despite being a forward, his 1.3 key passes is matched only by creative midfielder Paul Pogba amongst Les Bleus’ squad.
Our prediction and betting tip is Olivier Giroud to assist anytime at 3/1.
Olivier Giroud is expected to keep his place in the starting line-up for France
Uruguay vs France match stats
Uruguay head into this match having won their opening four games of a World Cup since 1930, with the fourth game in that run being their 4-2 victory over Argentina in the final, finishing as world champions.
Pepe’s goal against the Celeste in their 2-1 round of 16 win over Portugal was the first they’ve conceded in the tournament, breaking a six game run of clean sheets dating back to March this year.
“Uruguay have so many assets, so many qualities. They defend as a unit, they play together and they love to do that,” Deschamps said.
Tabarez’s troops remain on a seven game winning streak and they can be backed to win to nil at odds of 24/5 or to keep a clean sheet at 9/4.
France are unbeaten in their last nine World Cup meetings with South American nations, winning five and drawing four since losing 1-2 against Argentina in the 1978 tournament. They also kept clean sheets in seven of those games.
Les Bleus have progressed in four of their last five World Cup quarter finals, with the sole exception being a 0-1 loss against Germany in 2014.
Not only that, but they’ve won six of their last seven knockout matches at the tournament (excluding the final), losing the other. All seven were decided within 90 minutes.
The sides played each other twice in friendlies between 2012 and 2013, resulting in a 0-0 draw and a 1-0 victory for Uruguay.
Under two goals in normal time is our tip to back at odds of 13/10.
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'Tekken 7' adds Bob and Master Raven to the roster of fighters
Image: Bandai Namco
By Adam Rosenberg 2016-07-18 14:55:47 UTC
The Tekken 7 fighting force just got bigger.
Bandai Namco revealed a pair of newly confirmed combatants over the weekend during the Evo 2016 Championship Series. The annual event brings together some of the best players in the fighting game community, so a Tekken reveal makes sense.
SEE ALSO: Shaolin monks practice death-defying high jumps on the cliff of a mountain
The new fighters are coming to the arcade version of the game in an update called Fated Retribution. They'll also be included on day one in the North American console version of the game, which is expected to arrive in early 2017.
First up is Bob, the portly American martial artist who was introduced in Tekken 6. Bob's size belies his agility and fighting expertise; he moves with the swiftness of a person less than half his size, and — as you can see in this moveset trailer — he uses every inch of his body in battle.
Master Raven is a new fighter in Tekken 7, though the armored (cybernetically enhanced?) and dreadlocked ninjutsu master has some connection to Raven, a fighter that was introduced in Tekken 5.
Technology seems to be a key ally of Master Raven's. She flits around the fighting arena, sword in hand, phasing in and out of physical space to keep her opponent constantly guessing. If you're familiar with Raven already, know that Master Raven's fighting style is — understandably — very similar.
Topics: bandai namco, Entertainment, Esports, Gaming, tekken 7
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Cape Denison ›
Building the base ›
The next day, 25 January, a section of roof was completed, enabling Walter Hannam to abandon his sledging-cooker and begin using the stove for meals. From that day the group moved progressively into the Hut. By 30January all were sleeping under its nearly-finished roof, and by early February — a mere fortnight after the ship’s departure, the men’s Antarctic home was finished.
The main living quarters (‘the Hut’) was a single room, about 7.3 metres square, with a pyramid-shaped roof, surrounded on three sides with an enclosed veranda to serve both as store-rooms and added insulation.
The main feature of the room was a long central dining table with platform seating on either side. Around the walls were the men’s bunks (Mawson was the only person to have his own room), a corner photographic darkroom for Frank Hurley, and a ‘kitchen’ comprising a dresser, a couple of benches and, of course, the cherished stove, centrepiece for many a conversation.
Off the fourth wall of the living quarters was a second, conjoined building enclosing a smaller space, the ‘workroom’, 5.5 metres by 4.9 metres. This building was originally designed to accommodate the party for a third Antarctic base, but Mawson abandoned this idea well before arriving in Cape Denison.
The workroom contained benches for carpentry, mechanical and scientific work — as well as the crucial wireless operator’s bench. Along one outer wall of the workroom was enclosed accommodation for the 19 dogs, about 1.5 metres wide, and along the other the entrance porch and latrine.
To the west of the Main Hut, adjoining the biological store, was the ‘hangar’, erected to house the AAE’s now-flightless Vickers aircraft, which Bickerton would maintain for use as an ‘air tractor’ to tow heavy sledges up the ice slopes.
The buildings were sturdy, but presented a significant obstacle to the exceptional katabatic winds of Cape Denison, making them a candidate for rapid destruction. But any doubts about their ability to withstand the elements were put to rest by the build-up of drift snow around the walls. ‘Within a few days after construction,’ wrote Mawson later, the whole structure was well frozen together and buried beneath drifts of hard-packed snow.’
Cheering and hoorays for the completion of the Main Hut in March 1912. Mawson also took possession of all the nearby lands at this flag raising ceremony. © Mitchell Collection, State Library of NSW (Photo: Xavier Mertz)
← Bedding down the main hut
Temples to science →
This page was last updated on 26 October 2011.
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Artis Zoo
Video: Red ruffed lemur wanders Amsterdam streets after escape from Artis zoo
Jul 4 '17 11:30
A red ruffed lemur was spotted wandering the streets of Amsterdam on Tuesday morning. The primate from Madascar escaped from Artis zoo early on Tuesday morning and was loose on the street for about 45 minutes before being recaptured at 7:00 a.m., a spokesperson for the zoo said to AD.
Several people called the police to report seeing the animal in a car park on Waterlooplein. The lemur was recaptured there by zoo employees and police officers and returned to its home.
Three suspected of stealing pelican eggs from Artis
CrimeNature
The police are looking for three suspects for the theft of 10 pelican eggs from Artis Zoo in Amsterdam last week Sunday. A witness saw three people preparing for the robbery, the police said on AT5 program Bureau 020. According to the police, each egg is worth between 10 thousand and 20 thousand euros, Het Parool reports.
Artis successful in world's first artificial insemination of crocodiles
Mar 17 '17 18:20
Artis zoo managed to successful artificially inseminate false gharial this week. As far as is known, this is the first time in the world that artificial insemination was successfully done on this species of crocodile, Artis announced in a press release
The zoo has had this endangered species of crocodile in residence since 1887. There are only an estimated 2,500 false gharials in the wild. They can be found in Malaysia, southern Myanmar and on the Indonesian islands of Borneo, Java and Sumatra.
Another giraffe born at Artis zoo
Nov 17 '16 17:00
Another giraffe was born at Artis zoo in Amsterdam. The baby giraffe came into the world on Wednesday night. Zookeepers discovered him on Thursday morning and are delighted, the zoo announced.
According to Artis, this baby giraffe is a colt and already drunk from his mother. This is the mother giraffe's fifth young and brings the total number of giraffes at the zoo up to 10.
Baby giraffe born at Artis zoo
Nov 8 '16 15:45
Artis zoo in Amsterdam welcomed a brand new resident - a baby giraffe was born at the zoo on Monday afternoon, Artis announced on Tuesday.
The birth of a giraffe happens with the mother standing and can take anything between 30 minutes and an entire day. This birth took about three hours. The foal was born at 4:25 p.m.
Sirens blaring in Amsterdam today: for children's party, not emergency
EntertainmentHealth
Over 400 emergency vehicles will be traveling through Amsterdam with sirens blaring on Friday afternoon. They will be transporting sic and disabled children to the Artis zoo for the annual Children's Beast Feast
Decaying baby giraffe carcass shown at Artis’ Micropia museum
The Micropia museum in Amsterdam launched an innovative exhibition titled 'Crucial Cleaner' this week. In the exhibit visitors will be able to see how microbes break down the body of a giraffe calf.
Military Museum, Artis' Microbe Museum win top prizes
Artis zoo's microbe museum Micropia was named the most innovative museum in Europe at the European Museum of the Year Award ceremony in the Spanish city of San Sebastian on Saturday. The National Military Museum was also nominated, and while it did not win, it got an honorable mention.
Giant anteater born at Artis zoo
Feb 9 '16 12:10
The Artis zoo in Amsterdam welcomed a new resident last week. A baby giant anteater was born in the zoo on Friday, the zoo announced. This is the fifth giant anteater to be born in the zoo since 2008.
The giant anteater is an endangered species and is part of the European breeding program, which Artis plays a big role in.
As the baby giant anteater will spend the first three months of its life on its mother's back, it is impossible at this stage to determine the sex of the baby. The new resident of the zoo therefore also does not have a name yet.
Last bison at Artis dies; helped save endangered species
The last bison in the Artis zoo has died at the age of 23 years - a very old age for a bison. The bison cow was part of the international bison breeding program and gave birth to her 10th and last calve in the Amsterdam zoo in 2007, the zoo announced on Wednesday.
Artis Zoo captures baby giraffe birth on video
Artis Zoo has welcomed its first baby giraffe for this year. The female giraffe was born around 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday and the zoo managed to capture the birth on video.
Endangered Malaysian tapir born in Amsterdam
A Malaysian tapir gave birth to a healthy calf on Tuesday morning at Artis Zoo in Amsterdam. The two-minute birth went smoothly and the newborn animal can already walk with its mother, Artis reported.
Zebra foal born at Artis Zoo
A healthy baby zebra was born into the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam on Thursday. Both mother and foal are doing well, the zoo reports.
New Artis Zoo plan features big "natural" enclosures, fewer big animals
May 4 '15 18:27
Artis Zoo is getting rid of its small cages in favor of larger, lifelike residence areas as a part of its ongoing reorganization. This implies giving up on many larger animals inhabiting the zoo. The animals to remain in the zoo will thus have more space available to them.
Queen to open new Artis micro-organism museum
Animal park Artis in Amsterdam is opening a new museum for micro-organisms, named Micropia. The Netherlands' Queen Máxima will perform the official opening on Tuesday, September 30th, the Telegraaf reports.
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Risks to Dutch troops in Iraq "Limited": Defense chief
Sep 29 '14 14:47
Chief of Defense Tom Middendorp said to the Second Chamber on Monday that the risk to Dutch soldiers participating in the mission in Iraq is limited.
Dutch seize passports of 49 suspected jihadists
The Dutch government withdrew the passports of 49 people identified as suspected jihadists, Minister of Justice Ivo Opstelten said. Speaking on television show WNL, Opstelten said 41 of those were believed to be planning to fight in Syria or Iraq, while the other eight had their passports invalidated to prevent them from re-entering the Netherlands.
Live a "normal life" despite terror threats: Justice minister
According to Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten people should continue living a normal life despite the terror threats.
Rutte tells UN the national pain of MH17
At the United Nations General Assembly in New York Thursday, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the tragedy of MH17 is felt throughout the country, and that The Netherlands will not rest until there is justice, the Algemeen Dagblad reports.
Rutte: Only strikes in Iraq, not Syria
At the UN Security Summit in New York on Wednesday, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the UN sanctions against jihadis are very important, and that The Netherlands supports them, but that the Dutch effort only extends to Iraq, not Syria, the Algemeen Dagblad reports.
Dutch Parliament commits soldiers, F-16s to fight ISIS in Iraq
In a surprise decision by the Concil of Ministers, the Netherlands has committed military personnel to the international fight against Islamic State (ISIS). In a press conference early Wednesday evening, Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher and Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis announced that the Netherlands will deploy six F-16s for air strikes only in Iraq, another two F-16s to be used as backups, in addition to sending a military defence team of 250 soldiers. The Netherlands will not take part in military missions in Syria.
Netherlands to send F-16s to Iraq in ISIS fight
The Cabinet wants to send F-16 fighter planes to the Middle East to help in the fight against Islamic State (ISIS).
NL will back US against ISIS with F-16's
Minister Frans Timmermans has announced that The Netherlands will be prepared to offer heavy military equipment to America's fight against IS. Timmermans emphasizes that there needs to be a direct request for this from the Americans, as well as a concrete plan, de Volkskrant reports.
Netherlands back in Anti-ISIS coalition talks: Ministers
The Cabinet is in discussions with the United States about how the Netherlands can contribute to the international coalition in the fight against the terrorist movement Islamic State (IS).
US blows off Netherlands in ISIS fight
The United State has deemed The Netherlands unfit to address the threat of the Islamic State (IS) in a powerful enough manner. Because of the country's hesitation to contribute heavy weaponry, The Netherlands will not be part of the so-called coalition of the willing, in which nine allies are joining forces in the fight against IS, De Volkskrant reports.
Anti-IS demonstration set for A'dam, Sunday
Anti-IS demonstrators will gather together on Sunday to protest the violent acts perpetrated by the extremist Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq. The protest will be on Amsterdam's Dam Square, and anybody is welcome to join, the Algemeen Dagblad reports.
Amsterdam mayor, Justice secretary talk refugee housing
Mayor Eberhard van der Laan continues to explore how Amsterdam and other municipalities can provide shelter for asylum seekers. Van der Laan and Secretary of Justice, Fred Teeven, discussed this topic on Monday morning.
Cabinet to discuss radical Islam Friday
On Friday, the Cabinet will discuss further measures to be taken in the mission to diffuse radicalization among youths in The Netherlands. The aim is to prevent youths choosing the side of radical Islam, Het Parool reports.
No Dutch troops, weapons in Iraq
The Netherlands will not send heavy weapons or ground troops to Iraq's Kurdish fighters. In their fight against IS, the Kurdish troops will at most receive bulletproof vests or other light military material from The Netherlands, De Volkskrant reports.
Dutch Kurds feared headed to Iraq
Kurdish organizations fear a rise in the number of Dutch Kurds traveling to Iraq to fight against jihadist insurgents there. This makes the number of Dutch nationals fighting against each other for different allegiances greater, the Algemeen Dagblad reports.
Police break up pro-ISIS group at protest
In Den Haag, police dismantled a pro-ISIS demonstration as it attempted to disrupt a peaceful protest against ISIS in particular and terrorism in general. Six young radical Muslims were apprehended.
Stopping Dutch jihadists a "top priority": Minister
Minister Frans Timmermans of Foreign Affairs said that The Netherlands is doing everything it can to protect citizens from the growing threat of Dutch Jihadis. In the television program WNL Op Zondag, the Minister said that the Cabinet is making the prevention of local attacks a "top priority."
ISIS gets support of Dutch Islamic political party
The faction president of the Party for Unity in The Hague has uttered support for the extremist grouping ISIS on his Facebook page. This pro-ISIS stance from Abdoe Khoulani is causing some discomfort in Parliament, and seems to add to the growing debate about current ISIS demonstrations reportedly being planned in The Netherlands.
AIVD gives Turkey 'blacklist' of potential Dutch Syria fighters
Netherlands intelligence service AIVD has given Turkey a list of around 100 names of potential terrorists planning to travel to Syria from The Netherlands, De Volkskrant reports. According to the paper, Turkish authorities have said that these people will be arrested and deported if found.
Dutch suicide attacks in Iraq and Syria
Two Dutch people have committed suicide attacks in Iraq and Syria, according to Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Ronald Plasterk.
Iraqis squat on A'dam square
Apr 3 '14 08:24
A group of Iraqis who have been denied asylum in The Netherlands are squatting in front of the doors of the refugee organization VluchtelingenWerk Nederland on the Surinameplein in Amsterdam.
Car renter hunts down thieves in Iraq
It took him a trip to the Middle East, but in the end Mark Stroop from car rental agency Silverline in Ijsselstein retrieved his cars that thieves had taken to northern Iraq; and they even bought him lunch and compensated him for his troubles.
MP claims Christians persecuted
Jan 9 '14 04:34
MP Joël Voordewind sadly noted at the appearance of the Christian persecution rankings by Open Doors, that in the past year the persecution of Christians has again increased worldwide.
Minister Timmermans In Iraq
The Netherlands and Iraq are going to cooperate more closely in the economic field, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Frans Timmermans, who met with with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Deputy Prime Minister for Energy, Hussein al-Sharistani in Baghdad on Monday.
Timmermans says Baghdad will try to take away the bureaucratic barriers for doing business in Iraq. The PvdA Minister asked his discussion partners to ensure that investments will be protected. Both countries will also endeavor to prevent double taxation.
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Can the Dependent Sector Kick the Habit? (Aug 05)
First and foremost in my life I am a mother. As all of my close friends know, I could not stand to be separated from either one of my children when they were babies. I found them unimaginably beautiful in every way. As infants, they both ended up with the same illness requiring major surgery and when they had to be in the hospital, I refused to leave their cribs. I still feel that way about them even as resourceful, healthy adults. They are precious gifts to the world to be protected by the rest of us, as we deserve to be protected and valued by them.
So when I read in yesterday’s New York Times about the babies who had died of dehydration in the Superdome and Convention Center while FEMA was holding truckloads of water nearby for completion of paperwork, the full human import of this historic and in my opinion man-made (through neglect) disaster hit me. Babies died in the arms of their mothers while the very disaster response systems that the government claimed to have been focusing on during these past two administrations malfunctioned in every conceivable way.
Yesterday’s New York Times was full of stories of people bypassing official incompetence to save lives. This was the full and beautiful enactment of the best of the spirit of the people in this country confronting the most cynical extremes of a system that has lost touch with what the country needs to know and trust about its government. We need to be about restoring that trust by making sure this can never happen again on our watch. That means holding this Administration accountable AND ensuring that families affected by this abomination are made as whole as possible as soon as possible.
I have included links to four articles with this letter (see Features section below). But I want to call your attention to another emerging strain of consideration and that is “the right of return” for residents of New Orleans that want to reestablish their communities and themselves in those communities.
This is where we can make ourselves heard. New Orleans could easily turn into a Disney version of itself built by Halliburton. How do we ensure that residents are engaged in the planning and rebuilding of this community in a way that allows them to become vested owners of the whole?
In my mind, there are at least three major concerns beyond the humanitarian response we–as the nonprofit sector carrying out its crucial watchdog role–need to follow through on:
* Holding this administration accountable for its failures and looking particularly carefully at other places where cronyism may be weakening and driving public policy
* Making sure that the replanning and rebuilding process has the input of all the residents of that area who wish to participate and that any contracting is transparent and free of federal (or local) cronyism.
* Making sure that the increasing wealth gap, poverty rate, and marginalization of citizens due to poverty and race is addressed centrally in political discourse. This is absolutely critical if we are to make ourselves whole as a nation.
Mission Haiku: The Poetry of Mission Statements
By Christopher Finney
Nonprofit Workplace Culture: Why It Matters So Much to Us
By Jinna Halperin
The Nonprofit Ethicist | Conflicts of Interest and the Board
By Woods Bowman
Nonprofits and #MeToo Complicity
A Peek behind the NPQ Editorial Curtain as We End the Summer
One Nonprofit CEO is Cruelly Refused a Raise While Another Whistles
By Mark Light
Organizing Our Economy as if We Lived on a Single Planet: A...
By The Editors and Douglas Rushkoff
A Nation of Immigrants: Our Responsibility to the Pain on...
Protected: Summer 2019 Digital Issue
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FIRST ROUND OF MATH TESTS IS EASY AS PI
By Susan Edelman
Nervous fourth-graders expressed relief yesterday after taking the first – and probably the easiest – of three days of the state’s new math tests.
But the 9- and 10-year-olds were worried about today’s and tomorrow’s tests, in which they need to show how they get the answers they give.
”It’s easy to put the answer down,” said Diara Rosario, 9, at PS 55 in the Morrisania section of The Bronx.
”It’s not easy to explain it,” he said, admitting he felt ”shaky” about today’s test.
The previous state test consisted solely of multiple-choice questions, like the first section given yesterday.
But in the final two sections, pupils must show how they found their answers in questions involving addition and subtraction, multiplication, division, graphs and fractions.
”I think that’s going to flip kids out,” said one school official. ”Writing it down is going to be difficult because for some kids it’s just intuitive.”
Another difference in the new test is that it calls for more real-life problem solving, such as dividing up a bag of cookies, spending money or using a recipe. One question required kids to measure the length of a tail of a pictured rat in centimeters.
At PS 161 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, teacher Alice Cherry felt her students were well prepared for the new tests.
”Some of the wording was a little ambiguous, or tricky, but overall I don’t think it was that difficult,” she said.
Aida Acosta, 9, admitted to being a bit nervous before the 45-minute exam, but said afterward: ”I think I did well.”
At PS 55, Adrian Vasquez, 9, said he ran short of time and had to guess on answers when he filled in the multiple-choice ”bubbles” of the final questions.
”The teacher said ‘One minute,’ so I just bubbled in real fast,” he said.
In the final two sections of the test, kids will get only partial credit if they come up with the right answer but fail to explain fully how they found it – or use a proper method but get an incorrect answer.
”You can’t get full credit unless you show all your work and get the correct answer,” said Lynn Richbart, a math specialist with the state Education Department.
The math results won’t be known until the fall – too late for kids to be placed in summer remedial or gifted classes – and this may annoy some parents and school officials.
”I think parents want immediate feedback,” one school official said.
BITTER SERBS: NATO HAS FORCED US TO BACK 'TYRANT'
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Why You Should Buy FANG, Not FANG
forward P/E of just under…
Virgin Galactic Looks To Go Public In $800 Million Deal
Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson's space…
Michael McDonald
Michael is an assistant professor of finance and a frequent consultant to companies regarding capital structure decisions and investments. He holds a PhD in finance…
Death By A Thousand Cuts: Can Trump Save U.S. Pipelines?
By Michael McDonald - Nov 09, 2016, 3:00 PM CST
Energy Transfer Partners shareholders probably understand a little bit of the frustration that Transcanada shareholders felt a few years ago. ETP is in the process of building a new underground oil pipeline called the Dakota Access Pipeline, and like Keystone before it, DAPL is running into fierce opposition. The election of Donald Trump will reduce but not eliminate some of those concerns. The failure of Keystone and the high-profile opposition to DAPL illustrate just how much the world has changed in the last few years, and why existing pipelines may command a significant premium going forward.
The DAPL, if it is eventually finished, is set to connect the Bakken with major markets in Illinois. The pipeline’s roughly 1,200 mile path is proposed to take it through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois. The pipeline would transport around half a million barrels of crude daily which, while less than the carrying capacity of Keystone, is still more than enough to set off a flurry of concerns among environmentalists and impacted populations in the area. DAPL passes through several Indian reservations and there are concerns that it would impact the water supply and potentially various sacred tribal sites in the area. The tribes’ concerns mirror those of Bismark, North Dakota residents who had similar concerns previously.
DAPL had previously gained Army Corps of Engineers approval to cross waterways indicating that the group felt the risk of water contamination was minimal. Nonetheless, protests against the pipeline continued unabated. The DAPL path forward became more complicated in September when a judge ruled that construction on the pipeline could continue, but at the same time, three federal organizations--the Justice Department, the Army, and the Department of the Interior—ordered a halt to construction on an area of Army Corps land. Related: OPEC’s Gloomy Long-Term Outlook For Oil Markets
The reality in the pipeline business is that projects like Keystone and DAPL are becoming more and more difficult to complete. Environmentalists have become like wolves after Keystone – success has emboldened them to challenge even more energy projects, and even after Democrats ended up losing the White House, legal challenges to pipelines like DAPL are going to continue. It’s likely that getting new projects passed will continue to be very difficult in many cases. That is especially true if a pipeline crosses a “blue” state where local and state officials have the power to throw up roadblocks to development. Blue state Illinois is very much a concern for DAPL then.
That difficulty underscores the challenges of building a pipeline even where one is desperately needed such as with the DAPL. Bakken crude has been extremely problematic in recent years because of the volatility of the product. This has led to train derailments, explosions, and accidents. The reality is that without the DAPL, Bakken crude will still be produced – it will just be shipped by rail and truck instead of the safer choice of pipeline shipping. Environmentalists aren’t interested in that logical thinking though, and seem intent on destroying the Bakken industry through a form of death by a thousand cuts.
ETP shareholders should not be making the same assumption of eventual pipeline completion that Transcanada shareholders once did. The end result of all of this is that existing pipelines may command a significant price premium in the future. Prices for all assets are dictated by supply and demand. To the extent that the supply of new pipelines is constricted but demand for pipelines is steady or even increasing (due to increased oil production or at a minimum greater oil demand because of population growth), the pipelines themselves should become more valuable. Restricted supply will also help boost pricing that infrastructure operators such as railroads can charge. If the DAPL is not built, crude by rail will remain the de facto method of transport in the region. All of this has clear implications for investors and how they should be positioning themselves for the next few years.
By Michael McDonald of Oilprice.com
$30 Oil Or Worse If OPEC Fails
OPEC Just Knocked $20 Off Its Oil Price Outlook
Why $25 NatGas Is Possible This Winter
Money Managers Slash Long Positions On Crude Amid OPEC Disputes
Russia And Iran Sign Flurry Of Energy Deals, What’s Next?
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Osiris Theatre
Osiris Ensemble is a daring and modern theatre, that dismantles preconceptions between
people with the ways of art and creates a more beautiful future together. We bring forward
stories that are current and important to us. We produce performances in several different
languages and create encounters between people of different ages and backgrounds. We are,
after all, a part of a multicultural world.
The stories of the works stem from authentic encounters and real life. Playfulness and interaction are building blocks for the performances, as well as effective live music and versatile means of storytelling. Without forgetting humor we address issues such as cultural differences and immigration, and themes that bind us all, such as friendship, affection, love and humans as part of the nature.
Osiris Ensemble has won over its audiences in over 20 years – abroad: in India, Germany and Denmark, as well as all over Finland in art museums, cultural houses, theatres and even in classrooms.
Letters from Mosul
Letters from Mosul is a scenic poem about the collision of two cultures, the encounter of Iraqi Ahmed and Finnish Anna.
Cracks in the isle
Cracks in the Island (Saaren halkeamia) is a music and dance piece performed in a hiking form in Vallisaari, Helsinki. It is a communal...
”Letters from Mosul is a theatre achievement that made me think how common our world is. The performance’s world music, the foreign-language speech and the coexistence of cultures in the story made me hopeful. I want to thank the whole working group. I strongly recommend the performance.” – Erja Salo
”On a Journey had a lovely athmosphere, the singing together in the end produced a lot of feelings. The intimate atmosphere made the play personal and realistic. The play was striking and it made me think. Thank you!”
”What is expressed in the news in words and pictures, even videos, came near us and our
feelings in a sincere way. The actors were good and at times the perfomance was shocking, but not too much. The way the director persuaded the audience to take part was skillful. Even with a little involvement I felt like I was doing something for a mutual experience – I was downright waiting to get to Finland and hear the birds sing.”
”On the Journey is a beautiful, impressive and very important performance. In my opinion with
its aim and content it hits the core of making art, which is wanting to affect people’s world view, make change, get them to see more widely – – – The message ‘love always wins’ is something I agree with from the bottom of my heart.”
”I’m expecting to see more performances from this theatre in my school.”
About Osiris
Loiske
© 2019 OSIRIS teatteriyhdistys Ry – Limingantie 40 A 1 – 00560 Helsinki – Puh. +358 400 417 474
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Ki-61 and Ki-100 Aces
Aircraft of the Aces 114
Author: Nicholas Millman
Illustrator: Ronnie Olsthoorn
Short code: ACE 114
This is the story of the elite Japanese Army Air force (JAAF) aces that flew the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (Swallow), and the Ki-100 Goshikisen in the Pacific Theatre of World War 2. The former, codenamed 'Tony' by the allies, was a technically excellent aircraft, possessing power, stability and a good rate of climb - differing radically from the usual Japanese philosophy of building light, ultra-manoeuvrable fighters. Its pilots soon realised, however, that the type was plagued by a number of dangerous mechanical issues. Then as the war moved relentlessly closer to Japan's doorstep, a desperate, expedient innovation to the Ki-61 airframe by fitting it with a radial instead of inline engine resulted in one of the finest fighters of World War 2 - the Ki-100. This book uses the latest findings to provide a gripping account of some of the most remarkable and hard-pressed fighter pilots of the war. It reveals how these men, unlike so many of their unfortunate late-war colleagues, could surprise Allied aircraft in high-performance fighters and claim successes in the face of enormous odds.
Nicholas Millman is one of Britain's leading researchers of Japanese military aviation. In addition to publishing articles in specialist journals, his own range of reference materials and supporting the research of other authors, he runs a website dedicated to the subject which attracts visitors from 175 countries. He is a member of Pacific Air War History Associates, an exclusive international group of authors and researchers working in this specialist field. Having spent much of his working life in the Far East he has an abiding interest in the history of military aviation in this part of the world, and first hand knowledge of the geography, languages and people.Ronnie Olsthoorn was born and raised in the Netherlands, where he studied aeronautical engineering. After graduating he chose to become a professional artist and soon moved to the UK. Currently a freelancer, Ronnie has created artwork for 15 computer games and even more aviation books.
A Difficult Birth
The Rush to Combat - New Guinea 1943-44
Attrition - The Philippines and South-East Asia
The Noose Tightens - The Island Campaigns
A Desperate Battle - The Air Defence of Japan
Seven Week Fighter - the Ki-100
P-38 Lightning vs Ki-61 Tony
DUE 26 Paperback
Ki-44 ‘Tojo’ Aces of World War 2
ACE 100 Paperback
Mitsubishi Type 1 Rikko ‘Betty’ Units of World War 2
COM 22 Multiple formats
B-29 Hunters of the JAAF
AEU 5 Multiple formats
49th Fighter Group
AEU 14 Multiple formats
P-40 Warhawk vs Ki-43 Oscar
DUE 8 Multiple formats
Ki-43 ‘Oscar’ Aces of World War 2
ACE 85 Multiple formats
Japanese Army Air Force Aces 1937–45
Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937–45
P-39/P-400 Airacobra vs A6M2/3 Zero-sen
DUE 87 Multiple formats
A6M Zero-sen Aces 1940-42
ACE 137 Multiple formats
P-47 Thunderbolt Units of the Twelfth Air Force
Finnish Soldier vs Soviet Soldier
The British Home Front 1939–45
Glen Williford
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If the UK turns property planning over to local ‘juries’, will Ireland follow suit?
by CarolTallon | Jun 14, 2019 | Placemaking | 0 comments
Interesting news came out of Britain earlier this week when the Labour party announced plans for members of the public to be called to serve on ‘juries’ to inform local and neighbourhood plans. Under the policy proposals published by the Labour Party they plan to have juries made up of local people to sit and judge on UK planning proposals and ultimately, make the decisions. The Labour party thinks that juries of local people would help participation in designing local and neighbourhood plans.
The hope would be that by implementing such a strategy, planning would become easier and there would be less ‘vested interests’ disrupting the planning process. As is often seen in Ireland and the UK, planning objections can be made strategically and without any real, social merit. Bringing this back to the people is arguably a good strategy to create community engagement and consultation on matters that truly affect local people rather than relying upon councils. The worry is, and has always been, that too few loud voices get involved in the planning system and such a move to jury service for planning would work towards a new stage in altering and potentially, transforming the local engagement for planning systems.
And it makes sense considering that criminal juries are considered important to be socially representative. In the very same way, the UK land and planning decisions should also be representative of the public. Planners are fundamentally making way for a new era. New estate and local neighbourhoods are being developed all over the country, but the one thing that often stops them in their tracks is planning permission. The delays in planning approvals have proven to be problematic with a lack of transparency cited as one of the main factors in planning objections. People don’t feel like they are listened to and therefore, they object without having the full nature of facts or indeed, plans. A jury made up of local people would open the conversation up but on a more personal/local level and – depending on how large the juries would be – it could offer a changing opinion on planning.
Of course, we must understand some planning permissions may not be suitable for local juries. Social problems are being blamed upon the prevailing housing crisis, which in turn is party blamed on our broken planning regime. Labour has responded by agreeing to consider the report and its recommendations ahead of the next general election. Furthermore, other proposals highlighted the need to publish the details and information of landowners and introduce a community right to buy based on the Scottish model, as well as present compulsory sale orders that permit councils to force the auction sale of land left unoccupied or neglected for a significant length of time. Labour has also made plans to amend the Land Compensation Act which would allow councils to buy land at prices closer to its existing use value rather than its probable forthcoming residential value. Finally, the report also recommended that planning systems be extended to chief farming and forestry decisions so more access to farming would be available to people.
Might similar proposals be considered in Ireland?
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← DRC/Rwanda Trip: Day 7
DRC/Rwanda Trip: Day 8 →
Truth or Lie? Sandusky interview answers and the questions they raise
Did you catch the Bob Costas/Sandusky telephone interview last night as it aired on NBC? I did not but heard a rebroadcast on the radio this morning. If you didn’t hear it and you want to read it, follow this link.
Now, before I begin some exegetical questions, let me say that I am not a forensic psychologist and I don’t play one on TV. I have had graduate coursework on the topic, attended trainings, been supervised in juvenile and adult forensic cases by experts and benefited from the works of Anna Salter.
I also believe that how people answer may sometimes reveal clues to the truth. In other words, people can tell more truth than they intend as they try to lie. I am not saying that I know where Sandusky is lying. I do not. And TV shows that illustrate that “experts” can uncover lies in 30 minutes or less are fun but not particularly factual.
Disclaimers aside…check out some of these interesting exegetical problems (from the website above):
BOB COSTAS: Mr. Sandusky, there’s a 40-count indictment. The grand jury report contains specific detail. There are multiple accusers, multiple eyewitnesses to various aspects of the abuse. A reasonable person says where there’s this much smoke, there must be plenty of fire. What do you say?
JERRY SANDUSKY: I say that I am innocent of those charges.
BOB COSTAS: Innocent? Completely innocent and falsely accused in every aspect?
JERRY SANDUSKY: Well I could say that, you know, I have done some of those things. I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them and I have touched their leg. Without intent of sexual contact. But — so if you look at it that way – there are things that wouldn’t — you know, would be accurate.
“I could say that”? “So if you could look at it that way…”? These suggest that there are some creative ways to look at the facts and that Sandusky is trying to view them from some of these creative ways. Wouldn’t you expect that he would be very straight forward on what did happen. For him, there should be no two ways to view something.
Here’s the next pause I had:
BOB COSTAS: What about Mike McQueary, the grad assistant who in 2002 walked into the shower where he says in specific detail that you were forcibly raping a boy who appeared to be 10 or 11 years old? That his hands were up against the shower wall and he heard rhythmic slap, slap, slapping sounds and he described that as a rape?
JERRY SANDUSKY: I would say that that’s false.
Maybe I’m being picky but, “I would say,” sounds like he is shaping a response. Either it is true or it is false. Wouldn’t you want to shout, THAT IS A COMPLETE LIE, if someone made this false allegation about you? He seems to be saying more than just a denial of McQueary’s allegation. It sure sounds that he is shaping his own reality.
Later he is asked by Costas if he feels guilty for what is happening to all at Penn State. In fact, Costas asks him, he says he doesn’t know what Costas is asking. Costas clarifies with this:
BOB COSTAS: Do you feel guilty? Do you feel as if it’s your fault?
JERRY SANDUSKY: Guilty?
Does he still not get the question? Answering questions with questions is one way that some deflect. It takes a 3rd attempt before he can answer with a “no.”
Later there is this exchange with the same style, using a question to answer a question:
BOB COSTAS: Are you sexually attracted to young boys, to underage boys?
JERRY SANDUSKY: Am I sexually attracted to underage boys?
BOB COSTAS: Yes.
JERRY SANDUSKY: Sexually attracted, you know, I enjoy young people. I love to be around them. But no I’m not sexually attracted to young boys.
Again. Why would one even waffle here for a second. Did he not understand the question that he needed to repeat it? If he is not sexually attracted to boys then he can answer an emphatic NO. Other forms of attraction (filial, ministerial empathy) wouldn’t even come to mind as you deny the allegation.
One of the ways that people lie is that they spend far too much time parsing questions in order to answer truthfully one portion and to ignore another portion so they can comfort themselves with the feeling they are telling the truth.
Now, to be fair to Sandusky. I do not know if his answers reveal that he is lying or that he is just tense and having a hard time with the questions. All I do know is that he answers in a manner similar to those who are known to be lying. Repeat the question; “I would say”; “If you look at it that way”
Bottom line. When we lie, sometimes we tell on ourselves.
Filed under Abuse, self-deception
Tagged as BobCostas, JerrySandusky, NBC
One response to “Truth or Lie? Sandusky interview answers and the questions they raise”
Scott Knapp
One tactic in responding by repeating the question might be to feign incredulity at the asking, as if to put the interviewer on the defensive by saying, “How could you ask me such a thing?!?” Since Sandusky is being interviewed by the media, and not being examined in a court room, he tailoring his answers in such a way as to most positively (in his estimation) score p0ints in the arena of public opinion.
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Returning to its iconic location at the Brooklyn Bridge Plaza—located in DUMBO’s Brooklyn Bridge Park beneath the majestic span of the Brooklyn Bridge— Photoville will once again create an immersive photography village populated by 55+ shipping containers repurposed into galleries.
Photoville 2018
Photoville Sessions Video Library (2018)
Photoville LA
Enter to Search...
9Aug, 2017
Please join us for a screening of THE FENCE 2018 and the announcement of the People’s Choice winner.
THE FENCE is an annual call for entries to produce an outdoor photography exhibition in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Boston, Atlanta, Houston, Santa Fe, Durham and Denver.
Featuring: the artists of THE FENCE 2018
United Photo Industries, Brooklyn Bridge Park, PDN
Welcome to The FENCE, a large-scale traveling photography exhibition reaching more than 6 million visitors annually through open-air exhibitions in eight cities across North America—Brooklyn, Boston, Atlanta, Santa Fe, Durham, Denver, Sarasota and Calgary (Canada)—and presenting work by photographers of all levels across seven thematic categories: Home, Streets, People, Creatures, Nature, Play, and Food.
The FENCE was created and produced by United Photo Industries, and developed in partnership with Photo District News. It was presented for the first time in 2012 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and has since grown and flourished through a series of strategic partnerships with like-minded cultural organizations across North America.
Since its inception, The FENCE has consistently attracted exceptional work by talented photographers from around the world. The FENCE creates a truly public platform to present these powerful photographic narratives so they can be shared with a diverse and expansive audience, while providing career opportunities for photographers.
PHOTOVILLE
New York City’s FREE premier photo destination, produced by United Photo Industries, is a modular venue built from repurposed shipping containers.
Photoville’s eighth edition will take place in September 2019 in Brooklyn Bridge Plaza and feature more than 90 indoor and outdoor exhibitions, as well as 30+ panels, workshops, night time projections and more!
General inquires: [email protected]
Volunteer: [email protected]
Intern: [email protected]
Press: Blake Zidell and Associates: Blake Zidell
Ron Gaskill
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Title: The joys of genuine Italian style pizza
Topics: android os, blondie, comics, coolpix s800c, devo, doctor who 2012, electric cars, electronic music history, ems, hiriko fold, linden lab, nikon, normal maps, radiophonic workshop, religious hats, russian orthodox, science museum, second life, squirrel, steam, very compact cars
Mood: chipper
It is confirmed: Asylum of the Daleks is on Sep 1, BBC 1, 7.20pm - 8.10pm. (And on BBC America: same day, 9pm/8pm Central; in Canada, 9pm Eastern on Space) *Kermit flail* (Has there been any word of when MLP:FiM resumes? I notice, at least according to Wikipedia, that this season will only be 13 episodes, rather than the 26 of before)
There were a couple surprise announcements out of Linden Lab recently: on the graphical front, specular and normal maps are coming, and, the official SL client (as opposed to the various third party clients, such as Firestorm) will soon be available via Steam.
I'm positively tickled by this hat, and the fact that someone's job apparently involves subtly folding its tip down. =:D
The Science Museum will be hosting a public reunion of some of the key folk from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, and synth pioneers EMS, on September 29 2012. "Join us for a conversation with these pioneers of British electronic music and find out about the extraordinary moment of the 50s and 60s when electronic music was invented."
Hiriko Fold: an electric car with motors on each wheel, turnable by 60 degrees, permitting sideways driving or turning on the spot - and to help squeeze into tight parking spaces, it folds up. =:D Initially, they're targeting local governments, with Berlin, Barcelona, and San Francisco on the launch list.
Nikon's just announced three new compact cameras - the interesting one, for me, is the Coolpix S800c. A decent spec, although we'll have to wait on independent test results to see the sensor's performance, but the novel part is that it runs some version of Android. Is this the first time a major camera manufacturer's gone with an open source OS? Point being, of course, that this would seem to open the way for all manner of nifty image/video processing being able to run on the camera itself, just as we now see a bewildering variety of such apps for iPhones, from simple Instagram effects, through to full-blown RAW processing. Needless to say, I'm wondering if this will turn out to be just an experiment, or the start of a migration toward more flexible architectures.
This was taken soon after a bit of a downpour, so when this sqrl came toward me - literally running for me, only changing direction toward the end - they'd picked up quite a bit of moisture from the grass on the driving range, leaving them rather less foofly than usual. Indeed, view at full size, and you'll even see tiny beads of water on some of the clawtips. ^_^;
Comics! Go on, recommend comics to me. ^_^ In my daily roster already: Sinfest, Precocious, Skin Horse, SBMC, User Friendly (though I'll probably drop it), DMFA, Heavenly Nostrils, Lio, Bad Machinery, Speed Bump, Non Sequitur, Doonesbury, Over the Hedge, and Dilbert. Others that aren't daily that I sometimes catch up with include Housepets and Gunnerkrigg Court.
zrath reminded me that Devo are currently touring California, with the Warfield on Sep 10 - backed up by Blondie. =:D
Eep? Strange! I certainly never saw it, and it doesn't seem to be screened.
Ahh, now there's one I do need to add. I'm surprised he's managed to keep it going this long, and from what I understand, it remains fresh.
Hee! Thanks. ^_^ I've got one or two more I might upload, from the stage where they were coming toward me - one just sort of levitating above the ground, face on, and another seeming as if they're standing up in some hulking macho stance. =:D
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Uganda - Photographers Without Borders
Morocco - The Giving Lens
Good Samaritan Foundation of Haiti
California Zephyr - Personal Project
OEF 2008 - Afghanistan
California Zephyr Project
Photos from my 2019 photography project, riding Amtrak's California Zephyr between San Francisco and Chicago, once during each season. Images are not in chronological order; rather, they are in geographic order from west to east.
Passengers wait inside the Sacramento Valley Station, which serves thousands of passengers every day. The station was built in 1926 at the western terminus where the Central Pacific Railroad was begun in 1863.
Sacramento Valley Station has a decently-sized platform with views of downtown Sacramento. Descending into the tunnel under the tracks transports your from an industrial rail yard and into manicured gardens as you approach the old station building. Leaving the doors of the station transports you to downtown Sacramento.
Looking down the Capital City Freeway towards downtown Sacramento from a rail overpass. New housing creeps up to the highway as Sutter's Landing Regional Park on the other side attempts to maintain green space in the growing city.
The overpasses and service roads near McClellan Park are home to numerous homeless camps - camps that you would never notice if you weren't on the train.
Colfax is named after Vice President Schuyler Colfax, who made a visit here in 1865 to check on the progress of the Central Pacific Railroad as construction progressed eastward towards Promontory, Utah. The town was previously known as Illinoistown.
Snow removal operators and equipment working to keep the Union Pacific lines near Donner Pass open during a storm.
Low clouds and snow make for an eerie yet beautiful scene as the California Zephyr makes its way towards Donner Pass during a winter storm.
A girl peers out from behind the conductor as the California Zephyr pulls into Truckee.
Catching up on the news of the day in the Truckee railroad station while waiting for the westbound #5.
Volunteers from the California State Railroad Museum read about the fascinating, important history of the railroad between Reno and Sacramento, to the passengers above them in the observation car.
Passengers in the observation car admire the Truckee River west of Reno as volunteers from the California State Railroad Museum read about the history of this stretch of the line.
Union Pacific workers near Boca, California
Travelers visiting with each other in the observation car, somewhere between Reno and Winnemucca, Nevada.
Late-April snow covering Star Peak and Thunder Mountain near Lovelock, Nevada.
A lonely night at the Winnemucca train station, Nevada.
Sandy, the cafe car attendant, has been with Amtrak for 13 years. Her parents met while working in the dining car in the 1960s.
It wasn't until I looked at these pictures later that I noticed a hawk perched on these lone trees in the middle of the Nevada scrub.
The rail line mostly parallels Interstate 80 through the Nevada desert.
Farmland near Fernley, Nevada
The massive rail yard at Helper, Utah. Helper got its name from the "helper" engines that were staged here to help freight trains up the steep grades. The mine and power plant that supported the town have shut down, and now it struggles to survive. It has become a haven for artists.
Early morning while passing through the desert south of Price, Utah
All images copyright John Peltier and protected by Pixsy
United Statestransportationtransportland transportationrailroadrailwaypassenger trainAmtrakCalifornia ZephyrNevadapeoplehumanhuman beinghuman beingshumansperson
From California Zephyr - Spring
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PS Varsity
Saratoga Race Course coverage
ADK Wedding
Glens Falls, NY (12801)
Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. High 84F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..
Blog: Lying is the new honesty
Will Doolittle
Projects editor
Follow Will Doolittle
It's OK to be a liar now, and if a liar gets challenged, the way Brett Kavanaugh did at his latest confirmation hearing, the reaction is: "How dare you point out his lies? What is the matter with you?"
I can say with confidence right now Kavanaugh lied about several terms he was questioned on that he included in his high school yearbook. Asked about these terms, Kavanaugh provided quick answers. But anyone with a computer can discover quickly his answers were inaccurate.
Kavanaugh could have said he didn't want to answer, that the answers were embarrassing (these were raunchy terms) and that he was 17 and he doesn't talk or think like that now. That would have been fine. Instead, he lied.
Lots of people will think this is OK, for reasons I do not understand. People tell lies all the time, but aspiring Supreme Court justices do not tell lies all the time when they're under oath and appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Any judge who does should be disqualified from sitting on the court.
Kavanaugh's lies, which I believe went way beyond mistruths about embarrassing sex terms, are part of a larger pattern, established by President Trump, in which lying has become acceptable as a tool for governing. We don't get a lie here and there with Trump but hear a daily stream of lies — dozens a day sometimes — and hundreds upon hundreds since he was elected. Other politicians have lied. But Trump has normalized lying, and unfortunately, a lot of citizens have bought into it, either by ignoring the lies or denying they are lies or, worst of all, justifying them.
We have seen the trickle-down from Trump's lying in other races, including local congressional races. Political ads have always had a hard edge and often pushed the boundaries of truth. But now candidates like Elise Stefanik seem to feel no need even to justify their use of false claims. If the ad is effective, it's a success. If it's pointed out the ad contains lies, that makes no difference to her or her campaign operatives.
The most troubling example came with the teenager working as a tracker for the Stefanik campaign who lied to a few other teens and to Tedra Cobb, Stefanik's opponent, as he secretly recorded them. He was hoping to catch Cobb in a statement Stefanik could use in campaign ads, and he did.
This was classic ends-justify-means thinking: Let's approve of a teen telling lies to help get our candidate elected. It is the corruption of a minor, and yet no one has apologized for it or voiced any regret. It worked, therefore it was OK.
If Kavanaugh gets through, we will have a proven liar on the Supreme Court, and another of our important institutions will have been infected with the endemic dishonesty of the Trump administration.
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Will Doolittle is projects editor at The Post-Star. He may be reached at will@poststar.com and followed on his blog, I think not, and on Twitter at
@trafficstatic.
Elise Stefanik
jps4tpp Oct 9, 2018 9:03pm
In poker parlance, we Republicans have a Royal Flush right now. We have the House, Senate, Presidency and the Supreme Court. Try to beat that hand you chumps! May the Dimms go the way of the dinosaurs...EXTINCT!
Kevin the Baker Oct 9, 2018 9:29pm
You sound nice!
Kevin the Baker Oct 9, 2018 10:10pm
The gender gap in the generic ballot grew from 35 to 45 pts (!!) among college-educated voters in our polling from last week to this week. Seems to be corresponding with a better overall generic ballot for Democrats. It is not a good long-term strategy to tick off suburban women. - G. Elliott Morris
I suppose maybe Republicans can keep winning without votes from women, blacks, Hispanics, millennials, anyone with common decency, etc. I suppose in the minds of Trump voters the support of old, white men alone is going to be enough to help them retain elected offices. Of course, they also believe everything Trump tells them including that he got rich with no help from Daddy Trump.
Bob1234 Oct 5, 2018 5:18pm
As I've said, we better fasten our seatbelts:
"House Democrats will open an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct and perjury against Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh if they win control of the House in November, Representative Jerrold Nadler, the New York Democrat in line to be the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said on Friday." (NYT)
Trump could've picked another Gorsuch who would've been easily confirmed. Instead, he picked a guy who has credible sexual abuse charges to put into a lifetime job. It's obviously not going to cost Republicans votes with some of our friends here, but it's going to cost votes with women for decades to come. Those old, white men who reliably vote for them aren't going to live forever.
Everything Trump touches dies.
Bob1234 Oct 3, 2018 8:32am
Trump and the Republican Senate leadership have seriously misjudged their strategy for the Kavanaugh nomination.
Once it became evident there were credible sexual misconduct accusations against Kavanaugh, they should have immediately withdrawn the nomination and gone with any number of other candidates produced by the process the administration outsourced to the Federalist Society. Sure, it would have been embarrassing. But the embarrassment would have ended quickly and the liklihood of another bungled nomination would have been low. After all, the Gorsuch nomination went smoothly. If they had done that, they'd be back on track.
But no. Instead, Trump and the Republican Senate leadership went with a deny and attack strategy in typical Trump fashion. And now they've backed themselves into a corner, stinking of stale beer, lies, and lingering sexual misconduct accusations. They managed to turn what ordinarily would be a slam-dunk nomination process into a world-class debacle.
There are only two outcomes. One, the Senate and Trump, after sticking it out with Kavanaugh in the face of a disastrous process, lose the Senate vote by a margin of one or two in an historic embarrassment. The other is to confirm by a margin of one or two votes and send a damaged justice to the Supreme Court, a court that will tarnished for decades.
Either way, by their epic mis-handling of this process just in time for the mid-term elections, Republicans have continued to damage their own reputation, particularly among women.
This will be, in years to come, a case study in politicsl science courses and for political operatives as an lesson in political incompetence, arrogance, and hubris.
What's weird is that he probably still has a 50-50 chance of making the SC. But, if he doesn't he might be in danger of losing the judgeship he had. It's really looking as though he'd have been better off not being nominated. Rick Wilson says it best with "Everything Trump Touches Dies." And says it hilariously.
"If Kavanaugh gets through, we will have a proven liar on the Supreme Court, and another of our important institutions will have been infected with the endemic dishonesty of the Trump administration."
Speaking of endemic dishonesty of the Trump administration, this reporting just today from the NYT:
"President Trump participated in dubious tax schemes during the 1990s, including instances of outright fraud, that greatly increased the fortune he received from his parents, an investigation by The New York Times has found."
Instances of outright fraud....
I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you to hear that Donald Trump would commit fraud. He seems so honest. Then again, that's probably a drop in the bucket compared to what Mueller has.
And....
"The state Department of Taxation and Finance, which is already looking into the Trump Foundation and the president's business interests, is following up on the Times' reporting. "The tax department is reviewing the allegations in the New York Times article and is vigorously pursuing all appropriate avenues of investigation," said tax department spokesman James Gazzale." (TU)
Uh-oh....
DRS Oct 2, 2018 2:00pm
Credit where credit is due, Doolittle’s latest example of faux moral outrage has finally gotten me to post a response. The hypocrisy here practically borders on satire. Trump is the reason behind all the current lies in politics? Obama’s “if you like your plan, you can keep your plan” line to sell Obamacare to the country must’ve already escaped Doolittle’s memory. Doolittle also assumes he knows what Kavanaugh what referring to in his yearbook just because he knows how to use urban dictionary. He wasn’t in Kavanaugh’s high school class so the idea he can prove beyond a reasonable doubt Kavanaugh is lying is laughable. Doolittle’s thoughts reveal the warped worldview of a liberal: accuse someone of an unprovable rape allegation from 30+ years ago and then act offended because they used dirty words 32 years ago when they were in high school. Meanwhile Obama admits to smoking weed and doing cocaine during his high school years and liberals don’t bat an eye. Again, the hypocrisy here is astounding but of course it’s just another day at the office at the Post Star.
Kavanaugh's lying disqualifies him from serving on the Supreme Court. But Republicans can take comfort that it qualifies him to run as a Republican presidential candidate.
For bonus points, he's also a conspiracy theorist. Don't miss the nonsense about Christine Ford being part of some plot to get revenge for the Clintons. It always comes back to the Clintons.
The Bleeb Oct 2, 2018 6:28pm
What exactly was his lie Bob? I've used the word "boof" before as a kid in that era. It meant a silent smelly flatulence. Bouef is French for beef. The "Devil's Triangle" was the "cool" name for quarters. Arrange 3 cups in a triangle, and bounce quarters into your opponents cups and they have to drink. If you asked me what those words meant, I'd respond as quickly and as naturally as Kavanaugh did. Would I be lying?
The left does think lowly of their target audience, I suppose. This is their Pizzagate moment.
Kavanaugh asked Judge in the yearbook if he had boofed yet. So, he was just asking him if he'd had smelly flatulence yet? And apparently your crowd and theirs are the only ones familiar with the Devil's Triangle drinking game. So you believe that BK never drank to excess and that all the Ralphing was due to his weak stomach? And you believe the Renate Alumnius (sic) reference just refers to an innocent kiss or some nonsense? She's not amused by it and didn't know about it.
I suppose since BK never actually drank excessively then getting into a brawl in a bar and getting arrested after a concert is just his normal personality? He's unfit for the Supreme Court.
Frankly, Bleeb, what you say you think "boof" and "Devil's Triangle" mean is, um... meaningless.
According to his former Georgetown Prep classmates, Kavanaugh's testimony on the meaning of "boof" and "Devil's Triangle" was false. It's credible to argue Kavanaugh lied under oath.
(By the way, le menteur is French for liar.)
DRS Oct 3, 2018 1:36am
Hey Kevin, what Ivy League schools did you get accepted to out of college? How many FBI background investigations did you pass? If the answer to both questions is greater than zero, maybe then your opinion will be worth some merit.
Kevin the Baker Oct 3, 2018 10:02am
DRS, since you apparently want to write my biography: no on the Ivy League schools, yes on the FBI background check. I was in the service and had a clearance. Not sure how closely they checked since they either didn't find or didn't care that I had been a pretty regular user of marijuana or, as we called it back then, pot. And since you'll want to record this, I quit quite some time ago. Ah, the follies of youth which btw I don't fault BK for. I fault him for lying incessantly to the Senate. So, did my FBI check make my opinion worthwhile?
You don't address anything I said. You just make a personal, ad hominem attack on me. That's "to the man" in Latin. If you need to know, I don't speak Latin, only a bit of Spanish and even less French.
Since you asked me, what makes your opinion worth anything?
The Bleeb Oct 3, 2018 10:18am
Wait... I thought he was a serial gang rapist! Now he's in ordinary high school and college kid who partied, drank and threw up! Oh the horrors!
I knew there was some light in there Bob. Yes, my opinion of what he meant is meaningless, as would be everyone else's, including those here. But you and they accuse him of lying anyway. Why ask someone what they meant by some words when the questioner merely substitutes it with their own meaning? The thought police have ruled!
And if you think the six former FBI background investigations did not look into alcohol and drug abuse with excruciating detail, you have no idea what they are all about. This is the most despicable thing I've ever seen in my life.
Bob1234 Oct 3, 2018 12:27pm
The Bleeb wrote: "But you and they accuse him of lying anyway."
Nope. Straw man argument from you, per usual. Those who say Kavanaugh's statements were untrue were his prep school classmates — people who know if he's lying.
The Bleeb Oct 3, 2018 10:40pm
"Nope. Straw man argument from you, per usual. Those who say Kavanaugh's statements were untrue were his prep school classmates — people who know if he's lying."
Most kids I went to high school with would probably not know what I meant. Those in my circle would know what I meant but others wouldn't have a clue. They'd replace my meaning with theirs. It's not too hard to grasp. What it means in the Kavanaugh hearings is hysteria over nothing because evil, white privilege and Roe v, Wade and such. It's a disgrace.
Ms. Ford's terribly-coached "testilie" has disintegrated and the narrative that began with an allegation of sex abuse has shifted to his angry demeanor, and then to drinking too much beer, and slang words in a yearbook, and then to throwing ice in a bar (for the love of God!). BTW - using ice is brilliant. It leaves no evidence.
The pieces of the Dem setup puzzle are falling into place now. After Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed, I would hope appropriate charges will be dealt. Senator Feinstein, Ms. Ford and her recommended "expert" legal team walked right into a major perjury trap. Mitchell already knew the answers.
throwing ice in a bar (for the love of God!)
Not just throwing ice. Throwing ice and starting a brawl to which cops were called because Kavanaugh was an aggressive, obnoxious drunk. I believe we all know someone like that. That is Brett Kavanaugh. He'll likely be confirmed but he shouldn't be. Republicans are working on losing 100% of the women's vote and anyone with a sense of decency(not including evangelical leaders) and well they deserve to.
As a Methodist, I tip my hat to the National Council of Churches.
Bob1234 Oct 4, 2018 11:18am
Based on Kavanaugh's sworn testimony, he may or may not have perjured himself legally. But I sure wouldn't hire him to judge a dog show, much less as a Supreme Court justice.
Multiple classmates of Kavanaugh confirmed his definition of boof and of the Devil's Triangle to the Senate in written statements under penalty of felony. Just the fact that the Senate Judiciary committee is having to investigate stupid stuff like this is illustrative of a a country in serious decline.
One can also read the book "The Art of the F@rt", authored by Steve Bryant, published in 2004.
The Bleeb wrote: "Multiple classmates of Kavanaugh confirmed his definition of boof and of the Devil's Triangle to the Senate in written statements under penalty of felony."
Acutally, it was just three statements. I heard from many people that these classmates were paid by the Koch Brothers....
Bronedog Oct 2, 2018 8:24am
This is not about guilt or innocence. It is a JOB INTERVIEW for a lifetime job (how many jobs do you know of that do not expire?). FBI investigators, when doing background checks, do not have subpoena power and all interviews are voluntary.
Hiring Manager: "So, have you ever worked for one of our competitors?"
Interviewee: " No, have you?"
Hiring Manager: "Thanks for your time, this interview is over"
Mr. Doolittle is correct, there are plenty of provable lies from Mr. Kavenaugh's testimony and much has been written about that. There is a culture of lies like we have never seen before with the Trump administration yesterday the changed the transcripts of what Trump clearly said to a reporter from "You were not thinking" to "You were not thanking". Really?
Back to Kavenaugh: Irrespective of his lies, his behavior in front of the judiciary committee was abhorrent and disqualifying on its face.
rkidsfuture Oct 2, 2018 8:08am
Another Post Star hit piece. You look up a term on the internet and associate it to what was said 36 years ago at a High School you never attended. I remember my Grandmother calling someone "gay" she would never refer to someones sexuality In her day Gay meant that they had been drinking and acting happy. When in college a friend would ask if I wanted a "pop" I assumed they were offering me a beer., no in Western New York a pop is what I grew up calling a soda. If you are a boater and need to use the bathroom you might say I need to use the head. Just last week new words were added to the game of scrabble, but nobody argues over if a word is real or not when playing HA. Let's define this word BIAS.
Bronedog Oct 2, 2018 10:59am
Weak argument.
Pop vs. Soda? Give me a break. I am the same exact age as Mr. Kavanaugh and know, unequivocally, that Ralphing IS NOT associated with spicy foods when it is preceded by belonging to the "Keg City Club", Boof IS NOT flatulence, and the Devil's Triangle IS NOT a drinking game. I cannot define some of these here because it would violate the PS commenting policy.
To continue with his choir boy defense, he outright LIED about what these words and phrases mean. He doesn't belong on any bench.
rkidsfuture Oct 2, 2018 1:29pm
Bronedog Give me a break, we are talking about High School. As far as Boof a friend of mine his family all said they Boofed when they farted sounded silly but that is what they called it guess they were trying to be polite. I assumed you lived and went to school near Justice Kavanaugh, sound pretty sure of yourself. All the liberals commenting it must of been hard not voting for Bill Clinton his second term with his sex scandals or Obama his second term after his lies regarding Obamacare. Kavanaugh Top of his class while partying all the time, he must be superman. Get over it you lost the election!
Bronedog Oct 2, 2018 8:37pm
For every lie yo can come up with for Obama, Clinton, or any other politician, we can come up with 500 from Trump. That’s right, 500:1.
Kevin the Baker Oct 2, 2018 7:25am
At the very least, Kavanaugh lied about his drinking. Under any reasonable person's assessment he drank to excess and he lied about it to the Senate. He should get 5 years in jail for that not a seat on the Supreme Court. So, anyone asking what he lied about there's one example there. There are a lot of people who are also coming forward to say he's a "mean drunk." Apparently he started a brawl in a bar and got arrested with a couple of friends after a concert. Think of the person you know, and everyone does, who gets beer muscles and turns into Mr. Hyde when drinking. That's Brett Kavanaugh.
He's also pretty belligerent when he's, presumably, sober. I'd love to have had one of the Dems on the Judiciary ask him if he'd had any beers before testifying on Thursday. I'll just make mention of the conspiracy theory nonsense that Dr. Ford is part of some plot to get revenge for the Clintons. Liar. Conspiracy theorist. Misogynist. Belligerent boor. Yeah, he's a true blue Trumpian.
fairandbalanced Oct 1, 2018 9:53pm
Just like Tingley says...no bias in this publication. Nope, just move on and accept this ignorance as truth. The almighty Doolittle has spoken. Nothing to see here. Nothing of value anyway. Let's talk about crooked Hillary, Groper Booker, abuser Ellison, Vietnam vet Blumenthal....Could go on forever but its ok to lie and be an abuser if you're a liberal. The hypocrisy is just incredible. Time to retire Will, you've lost your mind too.
Let's talk about crooked Hillary, Groper Booker, abuser Ellison, Vietnam vet Blumenthal....
Are any of them up for a seat on the Supreme Court? They're all elected by their constituents. That is, except for Hillary who the right just can't seem to get over. Forget it. She's gone and you'll never have her again. Just try to enjoy the memory of what you two had together.
Will, you just threw out a conclusion of an allegation without any facts to back it up.
W Tucker Oct 1, 2018 7:39pm
HI Will
What were the several terms that you have complete confidence in, that Brett Kavanaugh lied about?
Is there a difference between a falsehood and a lie?
eliakimlittell Oct 1, 2018 10:00pm
Boof, for one. Everyone who went to prep school in the 80s knows that it is slang for anal sex. Bufu is a variant. See “Risky Business” for confirmation. Ralph: to puke. “Calling Ralph on the porcelain phone.” Vomiting in the toilet.
Hi eliakimlittell
If you are referring to the Movie it’s about an Hour a half long and my attention span about a minute and a half so if you could lock down the reference point in the movie it would be helpful.
How many minutes into the movie is the phrase or a couple of scenes in the movie where the phrase follows one but is before the other.
Those, such as I, who went to good ole' public school used it as slang for silent, smelly flatulence. Am I lying? Further destruction the once perpetual margins of truths and untruths in pursuit of innocence or guilt only leads to confusion - not resolution. Destruction of a man's entire career and family by merging childhood with adulthood - as if one would possess the fitness of a Supreme Court Justice out of the womb - can only be done with a totalitarian mob psyche. This journey will only end by collision with an extremely harsh reality. But when?
theqbywatcher Oct 1, 2018 7:38pm
I suppose the American public should just reach ouot to you for your "unbiased accurate assumption" on Kavanaughs guilt and lying. No need to conduct any further interviews. The hypocrisy of the left is sickening. How many sitting Congress members have had past indescretions paid for out of the "hush fund" paid for by tax payer dollars? The political stench of the Ford alleged allegations against Kavanaugh hqave clouded what was left of any common sense left for the liberal left. So yes Bob1234 you are right, "we ain't seen nothing yet" becuase the democrats have opened the flood gates of an anything goes, irresponsible , flat out false statements being said and used to justify a means at alll cost. Ford can not remember the place, the time, how she got to and from the party, but wants us to believe her when she says it was Kavanaugh. Really, who's the liar?
Her timeline of involvement suggests that she is not lying unless the Democrats are just amazing at launching political attacks. You may be right about many things but Dems have a hard time organizing a trip to the movies let alone a plot like this. There are way too many moving parts.
Well, Ms. Mitchell's report eviscerated any cohesion in Ms. Ford's testimonies and timeline. Ms. Ford may be a sympathetic figure, but she certainly was not credible in this accusation. By not following Committee procedure, Feinstein created this scenario as a political attack, and now it seems she is getting the "way too many moving parts" follow-through she did not expect from the GOP, who traditionally fold.
Mitchell's report about Ford's testimony hardly matters. BK lied repeatedly. That's what matters. And yes, we all did things we're ashamed of now. He's sitting in front of a Senate confirmation hearing lying about them, tho. He should be headed to 5 years in the slammer not the SC.
Gorsuch didn't get this because he was a credible candidate. Kavanaugh isn't and he showed on Thursday that he didn't possess the temperament required. And how about his conspiracy theory that Ford is somehow linked to getting revenge for the Clintons? A liar and a conspiracist. He's certainly Trump's choice.
He reacted like anyone who was falsely charged should. The Dems kept repeating "it's a job interview - not a trial" as they accuse him with and label him guilty of a heinous crime, delaying his ability to respond for days and days. Then they recoil when he shows up pissed and hands them back their cajones when he's done. Yeah, I like that temperament.
He reacted like anyone who was falsely charged should.
By lying incessantly. I'm not surprised Trump supporters would be happy with that performance. They've been praising Trump's conman skills for 2 years or more now. Even now that we know he lied about only receiving a million dollars from his father and actually getting nearly a half a billion it's no matter. And when he managed to still get in financial trouble after Daddy died, he turned to laundering money for the Russian mob and ended up indebted to Vladimir Putin. Yeah, I know this is all fake news and innuendo or what not to the Cultists. Hopefully, the evidence will be presented soon. Much of it is already under your nose if you want to look.
Everything you said sounds like snippets of far left talking points. I thought you were more insightful. The Dems lost their war of attrition against both Kavanaugh and Trump.
The attempted framing of Trump with the Russia allegations has been thoroughly exposed. The attempted framing of Kavanaugh will sex abuse has been exposed. You're talking about him as an adolescent throwing ice now.
As an American, I would think you'd care greatly about the will of the people being expressed through their elected officials. Both of these instances reflect the opposite - the will of a few in positions of power, unable to accept the consequences of losing that power and nefariously undermining the choice of the people in order to keep it. It's disgusting, and the legacy media is complicit.
As an American, I would think you'd care greatly about the will of the people being expressed through their elected officials.
Three million more Americans voted for Hillary Clinton than Donald Trump unless you believe Trump's assertions about millions of people who voted illegally. And maybe you do.
Believe whatever you like on Trump/Russia allegations. Once the election is over it's likely there will be more indictments. Mueller is not doing anything to publicly influence the midterms. Too bad James Comey didn't take that approach.
Yeah. More arrests for nothing to do with Trump and Russia.
There was collusion, but it was the DNC, Clinton campaign, the Obama DOJ, British and Australian intelligence, and Fusion GPS - who all worked with "Russian intelligence sources" to create the Steele dossier and use it to get FISA warrants. I can't wait for the hammer to drop.
There was collusion, but it was the DNC, Clinton campaign, the Obama DOJ, British and Australian intelligence, and Fusion GPS - who all worked with "Russian intelligence sources" to create the Steele dossier and use it to get FISA warrants.
Is there any evidence for any of that other than at QAnon or somewhere similar, especially the part about working with Russian intelligence part? Is there any reason Trump's Justice Department or the Republican-led House (who never met a Clinton "scandal" they could ignore) have ignored it? Occam's razor and the dog that didn't bark are always good indicators of the Truth.
The Bleeb Oct 8, 2018 8:24am
Yes there's lots of evidence, if one pays attention. You mean to tell me that Christopher Steele's own admissions that he obtained the "dossier" information from Russian intelligence officials for Fusion GPS, commissioned by the HRC campaign through Perkins-Coie slipped past you? And James Baker's deposition and recent Select Committee testimony that, as the top FBI attorney, he met with at least one attorney from P-C, former DOJ attorney Michael Sussman - then representing the DNC? That this meeting was in September 2016, prior to the FISA warrant request, but not included in it? Did you listen carefully when Devin Nunes stated that the FVEYs intelligence sharing regarding Trump did not occur through "official channels"? Do you read the government documents obtained through FOIA by Judicial Watch? There is no question that collusion occurred as I stated.
Steele's own admissions that he obtained the "dossier" information from Russian intelligence officials
Find a source for that. Steele is a professional intelligence agent who is trusted by the FBI. He can't even go to Russia because his life would be in danger. And you're telling me he was being fed false information by FSB? I guess that's what you're saying. Trump jr, Kushner and Manafort met directly with Russians in Trump Tower. And seemingly everyone else around Trump was interacting directly with them as well: Page, Papadopoulos, Flynn, Sessions, Stone, Assange (I love Wikileaks!).
Once again, if HRC and her campaign are as dirty with the Russians as you say why is Trump's Justice Dept not investigating it? Why is the Republican House which investigated Benghazi 8 times and held hearings on it over 20 times not looking into it?
There is no question that collusion occurred as I stated.
So, obviously you know she's guilty and all the people at rallies who are still chanting "Lock her up" know it. Why isn't Justice or the House coming up with evidence so the authorities can do it? Very disappointing. Just like the wall. When's that going to be built? When's Mexico going to pay for it? When's America going to be great again? So many broken promises. It's almost like we elected a conman.
Kevin the Baker Oct 10, 2018 12:49pm
Yes, there are no connections between Trump and Russia.
So he is guilty until proven innocent under liberal logic? I truly weep for the future if Dems pass all their nonsense rules.
Why don’t you all go back to England and try to get the queen back in full power?
Interesting suggestion. I’m a pats fan but I thing TB is a liar. Because he is. So is BK. Simple. A liar is a liar.
Kavanaugh was right about one thing (probably the only thing) in his testimony when he said "what goes around comes around."
Republicans will not control Congress forever. Through their own actions over the past decade, Republicans have set the stage for continued partisanship and retribution.
Better put on your seatbelts — we ain't seen nothin' yet.
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Why would 2 similar properties sell for 20% difference in price?
Latest, Property Investment
In a recent Real Estate Talk show asked why two very similar properties in the same block of apartments could sell for almost 20% difference in price.
How does it happen?
I’ve seen it recently in Melbourne with two identical properties in the same block, and one sold for about $80,000 more than the other one, only a matter of weeks apart.
To tell us the story I interviewed Geoff Hall from Metropole Property Strategists in Melbourne.
Here’s a transcript of the interview:
Geoff, what was the story?
Geoff: It was an interesting one.
As you said, there were two identical properties in a row of six apartments in a lovely street in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
One of them had a tenant in place, and the agent was selling it with the tenancy in place.
Of course, the presentation was less than ideal –a lot of mess around – and the auction campaign for that particular property didn’t go as well as the agent was hoping.
That particular property was passed in at auction and we bought it for a client just after auction.
Exactly the same property two doors down – within the same block but two apart – sold six weeks later with a different agent.
What that agent had decided to do was stage the property.
They also put a coat of paint over the property and threw some tanbark in the courtyard out the back.
The properties were exactly the same, the floorplans were the same, and were in the same location.
The difference in the sale price was close to $80,000, about a 20% difference in the sale price for the same property.
It all came down to presentation.
Kevin: All down to presentation.
Geoff: Yes the second one was staged. It had the hired furniture, and when you walked in it had a much superior feel to the first one that had the tenant in it.
Kevin: Can you give me an idea on how much that staging cost?
Geoff: The agent told me that they’d spent around $6000 in total.
That was with painting, some minor tarting up of the courtyard, and the staging of the hire furniture. So about $6,000 has contributed to an $80,000 increase in price.
Kevin: That’s quite staggering, isn’t it? That’s a huge lesson.
Now, also, one had a tenant in and one didn’t have a tenant, obviously. Is that some more advice to investors as well?
Geoff: I think there are two lessons there.
There’s one for property investors: if you’re looking to buy, look beyond the presentation. As buyer’s agents, we often like buying properties that have tenants in place because of that very reason.
A lot of owner-occupiers will get put off by the way the property is presented with tenants involved. So if you’re buying, you have to look beyond that.
And there’s a lesson there for vendors, people selling: presentation is key.
It can make a huge difference, and sometimes it’s a lot better to wait until a tenant is out, do some minor work, and then sell the property. You’ll get a much better result.
Kevin: There are some great lessons there. Thanks for sharing them with us, Geoff. I appreciate your time.
Listen to the full show at RealEstateTalk.com.au and while you’re there subscribe and receive our weekly podcast (or the transcripts) where I interview Australia’s leading property experts.
About Kevin Turner
Kevin brings together leading authorities on the property market in his weekly Real Estate Talk Podcast. Visit www.RealEstateTalk.com.au
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4170 open access dissertations and theses found for:
if(Siliceous sedimentary rocks) » Refine Search
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The impact of modern weathering on the geochemistry of a neo-tethyan permo-triassic boundary section
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The role of quartz in the lithic technology of the western upper Cook Inlet ancestral Dena'ina
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Clast provenance constraints, Late Cretaceous Pigeon Point Formation, California
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Analog Modeling of Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility as Affected by Pure Shear Strain on Original Magnetic Fabrics of Sedimentary Rocks
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Mapping Sweetness of the Second White Speckled Shale S Member: Ricinus Area, Alberta, Canada
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Integrated geographic information systems (IGIS) analysis and definition of the tectonic framework of northern Mexico
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Competing models for the timing of cryogenian glaciation: Evidence from the Kingston Peak Formation, southeastern California
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High-Resolution Rock Magnetic and Paleointensity Study of Sediments from IODP Site U1389 (West Iberian Margin of the North Atlantic Ocean)
by Adesiyun, Oludamilola, M.S. University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 2016: 70 pages; 10250340.
Facies and Log Analysis of the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale
by Weitkunat, Sydney, M.S. University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 2015: 79 pages; 1596664.
A stable isotope study of fluid-rock interactions in the Saddlebag Lake Roof Pendant, Sierra Nevada, California
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Sorption studies for evaluating the effects of thermally altered carbonaceous matter on fate and transport of chlorinated volatile organic compounds
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Mineral Ridge: A Late Cretaceous Orogenic Gold System in the Miocene Silver Peak-Lone Mountain Metamorphic Core Complex
by Claypoole, Micah N., M.S. University of Nevada, Reno. 2018: 125 pages; 10821834.
Sedimentology and depositional history of the Miocene–Pliocene southern Bouse Formation, Arizona and California
by O'Connell, Brennan, M.S. University of Oregon. 2016: 159 pages; 10248418.
Integrating sequence stratigraphy and rock-physics to interpret seismic amplitudes and predict reservoir quality
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Geology and seismic potential of the Hustain fault, Töv Province, Mongolia
by Day, Paul Patrick, M.S. California State University, Long Beach. 2012: 229 pages; 1522215.
The Cretaceous-Tertiary tectonic evolution of the Lhasa Terrane, Tibet
by Volkmer, John E., Ph.D. The University of Arizona. 2010: 213 pages; 3402091.
Facies and sequence stratigraphic analyses of the Upper Ordovician shales in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio
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Bahamian Quaternary geology and the global carbon budget
by Larson, Erik B., Ph.D. Mississippi State University. 2014: 158 pages; 3618276.
Structural controls and chemical characterization of brecciation and uranium vanadium mineralization in the Northern Bighorn Basin
by Moore-Nall, Anita Louise, Ph.D. Montana State University. 2016: 376 pages; 10251316.
Full Text - PDF (58 MB)
High-resolution Investigation of Event Driven Sedimentation: Response and Evolution of the Deepwater Horizon Blowout in the Sedimentary System
by Larson, Rebekka A., Ph.D. University of South Florida. 2019: 460 pages; 13814227.
Unusual, fossiliferous concretions from the lower Jurassic Moenave formation in St. George, Utah, USA: Implications for ancient fish mass mortalities
by Vitkus, Allison Rebecca, M.S. University of Colorado at Boulder. 2015: 66 pages; 1600564.
Batch Leaching of Hydrocarbon Source Rocks at 150°C under Variable Concentrations of Chloride and Organic Acids
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Structural and basin evolution of the western Gale Hills, Lake Mead Miocene extensional domain, Nevada
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Macro- and micro-scale geoarchaeology of Ucagizli Caves I and II, Hatay, Turkey
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Testing the relationship between vertical-axis rotation and large-magnitude extension in the central Mojave metamorphic core complex
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sch(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry) » Refine Search
Time-Dependent Vehicle Routing and Assignment in No-Notice Evacuations
by Kuru, Ismail Cem, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2013: 82 pages; 1545446.
Illuminating Entropy
by McNealy, Christina, M.F.A. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2019: 29 pages; 13878429.
Full Text - PDF (138.77 MB)
Development of Impedance-Based Biomimetic Biochemical Sensors for Detection of Foodborne Pathogens for Food Safety
by Mazrouei, Roya, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2018: 113 pages; 13419759.
Dissociation/Schizotypy, Unusual Sleep Experiences, and Emotion Regulation
by Atchie, Mackenzie, M.A. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2018: 48 pages; 10977852.
Questioning the Effectiveness of Reducing Farm Runoff Phosphorus as a State-Sponsored, Voluntary, Market-Based Environmental Inducement
by Letterly, Kevin, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2018: 56 pages; 10826403.
Monitoring Inhalable Particulate Matter and Noise at Motorsport Event Centers
by Oluaderounmu, Oladoyin Margaret, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2018: 67 pages; 10792548.
Periodic Evolutions and Bifurcations of a Spatial-uniform Brusselator with a Harmonic Diffusion
by Guo, Siyu, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2018: 91 pages; 10829450.
The Good, the Bad, and the Narcissists: The Effect of Narcissism on the Relationship between Work-Related Stressors and Burnout in the YouTube Community
by Mahassek, Tori, M.A. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2018: 62 pages; 10808340.
Green Roof Vegetable Production in Three Different Growth Media
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Searching for Identity and Truth: How Letter Writing Creates Identity in Victorian Literature
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Stepping Stone or Stumbling Block? The Impact of Prior Military Service on Hiring Managers' Perceptions of Warmth, Competence, and Hirability
by Perez, Ryanzo W., M.A. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2017: 63 pages; 10275702.
Mirage Of The Celebrity Body: Media & Celebrity Influence, Body Image & Biases
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Development of Microsatellite Markers in Symphyotrichum Pilosum and Symphyotrichum Parviceps for Investigation of their Relationship with an Unknown Missouri Glade Aster
by Vara Qurratulain, Ummul, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2016: 55 pages; 10156649.
Parental Perceptions of Participation in the Special Education Process
by Williams, Andrew C., Ed.D. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2016: 105 pages; 10129499.
Microbial Transformation and Volatilization of Elemental Selenium Nanoparticles
by Wang, Jun, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2016: 82 pages; 10118593.
Synthesis of 4-[(2-chloroethanimidamido) methyl –N- (prop-2-yn-1-yl) benzamide, a possible in vivo activity probe of DDAH-like enzymes
by Ratz, Patrick, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2015: 50 pages; 1602062.
Computer Vision and Image Processing Toolbox for MATLAB
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A Comparison of Carbon Dioxide Emissions at a Roundabout and a Signalized Intersection in a Mid-Sized City
by Lamb, Breana K., M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2015: 135 pages; 1591070.
Smart Power Grid Synchronization with Nonlinear Estimation
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Field Oriented Control of Induction Motors Based on DSP Controller
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Thermogravimetric and Raman Investigations on the Mechanism of Decomposition of Lead Compounds on Tungsten Surfaces
by Douglas, Leah, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2014: 62 pages; 1571633.
Exploring the Moderating Effects of Acculturation on the Relationship Between Collective Self-Esteem and Psychological Well-Being Among a Sample of Arab Americans
by Salama, Catrina H., M.A. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2014: 74 pages; 1560773.
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by Bakhoda, Abolghasem, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2013: 94 pages; 1544487.
Constructing exemplary practice in the teaching of writing and professional English language arts standards: Implications for novice special education teachers
by Hardy, Sandra L., Ph.D. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. 2012: 398 pages; 3513982.
Successful Implementation of PBIS and Restorative Practices
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by Teague, Wyatt, M.A. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2019: 82 pages; 13877736.
Full Text - PDF (1,000 KB)
Comparing the Effects of BEA-Selected and Teacher-Selected Math Interventions
by Romano, Rachel, S.D. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2019: 56 pages; 13877611.
Fabrication and Testing of a Magnetophoretic Bioseperation Chip for Isolation and Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells from Peripheral Blood
by Jackson, Seth, M.S. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 2018: 81 pages; 10844564.
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by Shirish Netke
Bitcoin — the Internet currency, payment system and technology — is about the birth of a new “digital” monetary ecosystem. Bitcoin bypasses traditional banks and clearinghouses with blockchain technology. Like every innovation it creates new regulatory and compliance challenges. There is growing interest in knowing where the money has come from and at the same time the anonymity of bitcoin makes creating an data trail a tricky task, but it’s possible to say whether certain bitcoin addresses are involved in mining, or have been associated with gambling transactions.
More recently, nationally known merchants like Overstock.com, Zynga and the Sacramento Kings basketball team have begun to accept Bitcoin payments. Even political candidates are taking donations through the system. Worldwide transaction volume keeps growing, as does the number of Bitcoin users.
Bitcoin is built on some heavy and complex data-crunching. Like any ecosystem, it will have its share of winners and losers. The Bitcoin “Innovative Disrupters” are those that have the best odds at being winners.
There are several notable analogies between the Bitcoin Innovative Disrupters and the pioneers of the 1848 California Gold Rush. Individual miners from all over the world who flocked to San Francisco for the Gold Rush had varied success in creating wealth for themselves. But as a group, they created a groundswell of entrepreneurship and laid the foundation of what is today a $1.9 trillion economy – so large that, if it were a country, it would be the tenth largest economy in the world.
The first flakes of gold were discovered in Sacramento on Jan. 24, 1848, which led to $250 million of mined gold in the next few years. On Feb. 2, 1848, the United States signed a peace treaty to end its war with Mexico for a payment of $18.5 million and, among other things, ownership of the state of California – an enviable return on investment by venture capitalist standards.
Today, venture capitalists have created the foundation for innovative disruption with an investment of $667 million in Bitcoin-related companies to date. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs from all over the world will create the new Bitcoin monetary ecosystem.
As a follow on to our article, “Bitcoin: Mad, Bad but not a Fad,” here are 25 companies we’ve dubbed the Sand Hill Bitcoin Innovative Disrupters. They represent the first wave of companies leveraging blockchain-related technologies that we believe will play a pivotal role in the future.
21 – Stealth-mode startup with $116 million of funding, a new record. Very few details have been made public. It’s expected to build infrastructure technology to drive adoption of Bitcoin and potential to become a key ecosystem player.
Bitex.la – Regional Bitcoin exchange to support Latin America and Spain targeted at unbanked users and looking to build financial services. Originated in Argentina, which has a highly volatile currency.
Bitfinex – Hong Kong-based company building a trading platform. Designed for crypto assets with advanced features such as margin trading and liquidity swaps.
BitFury – Provider for transaction processing using specially designed green infrastructure. Technology includes custom-made ASIC chips optimized for low power consumption and low carbon footprint.
BitGo – Security platform based on multi-signature technology. Provides a suite of services for Bitcoin portfolio management, corporate treasury and enterprise enablement.
Bitnet – Commerce platform for merchants and developers. Built on best practices and deployment patterns for business-critical infrastructure used by companies such as Netflix. Deployed on virtual private clouds.
BitPay – Payment service provider with APIs to 22 platforms such as WordPress and Shopify. Libraries of custom integrations are available in open source.
Blockchain.com – Wallet and block explorer service to provide data on transactions, minded blocks in the Bitcoin blockchain. Facilitates deep Web transactions with a dedicated hidden service to the Tor network.
Blockstream – Innovative technology called “sidechains” for improving interoperability with blockchain. Benefits include avoiding liquidity shortages and managing security breaches.
BTCJam – Peer-to-peer lending network using Bitcoin targeted at cross-border loans to individuals in third-world countries. Uses a reputation system to build credit profiles for borrowers.
Chain – Blockchain API for developers to build Bitcoin applications. Expects to help create low-cost mobile applications with fast access to blockchain. Could facilitate payments for the unbanked.
ChangeTip – Provides a mechanism for online tipping and gifting of small amounts over social media using Bitcoin. Targeted at content creators.
Circle – Suite of consumer finance products using Bitcoin with an emphasis on quality of user experience and ease of use. Emulates a traditional banking transaction for consumers with Bitcoin “under the hood.”
Coinbase – Wallet that can link to verified bank accounts to buy, use and accept Bitcoin. Partnering relationship with Silicon Valley Bank. Record funding round of $75 million in 2014.
Coinplug – Bitcoin exchange and wallet services for Korea, which is expected to extend to other Asian markets. Designed for mobile payments between consumers and merchants in Korea with no transaction fees.
Digital Asset Holdings – Platform for cryptographically secure settlement and ledger services. Expected to help regulated banks converting cryptocurrency assets to and from conventional currencies. Recruited former executive from JPMorgan Chase as CEO.
The HOPE Gold Coin – Peer-to-peer Internet currency to enable charitable donations. The currency is backed by unmined gold reserves in the ground. Integrates Know Your Client (KYC) and Anti-money Laundering (AML) regulations and procedures into its operations.
itBit – Global exchange active in Europe and Asia, which includes regulatory features for AML and KYC. In discussion with U.S. regulators to launch a solution compliant with U.S. laws.
Mek Entertainment – Virtual reality Massive Multi-player Online Game (MMOG) with an ecosystem integrated with blockchain technology similar to Bitcoin.
Mirror – Smart contracts platform with risk-management tools based on blockchain technology. White-labeled software for financial institutions to build their own Bitcoin exchanges. Customers include broker-dealers and hedge funds.
OKCoin – Worldwide digital currency trading platform operating from Singapore. OKCoin transactions levels of Bitcoin and Litecoin in March 2014 were higher than that of any other exchange in the world.
Ripple – Offers a payment system and exchange using the Ripple protocol for a distributed ledger. Positioned to make an impact on correspondent banking. Notable partnerships with banks include Fidor, CBW Bank and Cross River Bank.
TransferWise – Facilitates international money transfers without bank charges associated with a typical wire transfer. Highlights a 90 percent savings in transaction costs.
Xapo – Wallet with insurance against theft or loss underwritten by a captive insurance company and by a third party. Enhanced security enabled through cryptography and multi-factor authentication in addition to cold storage of Bitcoins.
Zooz – Solution to reduce cross-border transaction costs across currencies. Technology solution based on a proprietary algorithm that dynamically routes each transaction to the optimal acquirer.
Shirish Netke is president and CEO of Amberoon Inc., a provider of data-driven business perspective solutions.
M.R. Rangaswami is co-founder and CEO of Sand Hill Group and publisher of SandHill.com.
(Originally published in SandHil.com)
Cupertino, CA, USA
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VKBD – The Sand Hill 25 Bitcoin Innovative Disrupters
CHAPTER TWO: DECISIONS IN STONE – Look To Craftsmen
Data Visualization, Discovery and Visual Analytics - Use Cases, Tools, CoE, Vendors
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A Brief History of Pelican Bay by Keramet Reiter
In 1989,California opened Pelican Bay State Prison, equipped with 1,056 cells explicitly designed to keep California’s alleged “worst of the worst” prisoners in long-term solitary confinement, under conditions of extreme sensory deprivation. The 8 x 10 foot cells of the Pelican Bay SHU, or Secure Housing Unit, are made of smooth, poured concrete. They have no windows. Instead, there are fluorescent lights, which stay on 24 hours per day. For at least twenty-two hours every day, prisoners remain in their cells, looking out through a perforated steel door at a solid concrete wall. Food is delivered twice a day through a slot in the cell door.
A guard in a central control booth controls these doors; he can press a button and allow one prisoner at a time to go out to a shower, or to his court-mandated five hours per week of outdoor exercise. This exercise takes place in a cement yard, often called a “dog run,” which extends the length of three cells, and has a roof partially open to the sky. The guard in the control booth is always armed; from his central vantage point in the control booth, he can shoot onto any one of six pods, each containing eight cells.
PelicanBaywas built with little legislative or judicial oversight. TheCalifornia legislature delegated building and design decisions to Department of Corrections administrators. These administrators toured high-security prisons across the United States. They identified Florence,Arizona’s Secure Management Unit (SMU) as a “model” prison and collaborated with prison architects to copy its floor plan and high tech design forPelicanBay’s SHU. (Pelican Bay was one of 21 new prisons built in Californiain the 1980s and 1990s.)
Correctional administrators purchased land in rural Del Norte County, on California’s northernmost border with Oregon. Its lengthy distance away from most prisoners’ families was considered a plus. One of the few legislative comments recorded about the institution concerns whether to call it Dungeness Dungeon or Slammer by the Sea. There was no legislative discussion of the novel punitive design ofPelicanBaynor that it would be the site of indefinite SHU commitments. The original planners did not contemplate that some prisoners would spend decades there.
Federal district courts inCaliforniafirst heard about the prison after it opened in the early 1990s, when they started receiving letters and legal complaints from PelicanBayprisoners detailing the draconian conditions at the institution, along with the egregious constitutional violations taking place there.
In Madrid v. Gomez, a federal court case evaluating the constitutionality of the conditions atPelicanBay, Judge Thelton Henderson recorded myriad staff abuses of prisoners at the institution. The most memorable: Vaughn Dortch, a mentally ill African-American prisoner, whom guards forced to take a “bath” in near-boiling water. One guard said, as he was holding Dortch down in the water: “Looks like we’re going to have a white boy before this is through.” Dortch sustained third-degree burns over half of his body; guards waited more than an hour after the conclusion of the bath before taking Dortch to a hospital for burn treatment. Judge Henderson ordered numerous reforms to the policies and practices at the institution, including better staff training and diversion of mentally ill prisoners from the SHU. However, Judge Henderson stopped short of declaring the physical structure of long-term solitary confinement unconstitutional.
Courts of law do not sentence prisoners to the SHU. Rather, correctional administrators assign prisoners to the SHU, either for a fixed term, because they broke an in-prison rule, or for an indeterminate term, because they were “validated” as prison gang members. Jailhouse lawyers and political activists are disproportionately sent to the SHU. Although a gang validation finding is reviewed regularly and, by law, is not supposed to extend for more than six years, the prison’s gang unit inevitably comes up with “new evidence” to extend the validation finding. Prisoners who have been “validated” as gang members can escape the SHU if they “debrief.” To debrief is to provide prison officials with information incriminating other prisoners. Debriefing can be dangerous to the prisoner who debriefs, or to his family; conversely, prisoners are often falsely identified as gang members by prisoners who debrief in order to escape the inhumane conditions of the SHU.
SHU assignments can affect sentence length in two ways. Prisoners cannot earn “good time credit” while in the SHU. Therefore, a prisoner with a determinant (fixed) sentence will be released later than he otherwise would have. Second, an unwritten rule prevents any lifer in the SHU from being granted a parole date. For prisoners with an indeterminate SHU commitment, the only way to get out of the SHU is to “parole, debrief or die.” As a practical matter, lifers can only get out of the SHU if they “debrief or die.” In this way, the life sentence imposed by a judge is administratively converted into an LWOP (life without parole) sentence, regardless of the prisoner’s present dangerousness.
As of 2007, prisoners in the Pelican Bay SHU spent an average of just over two years in solitary confinement, before being released back into the general prison population, or onto parole. Prisoners have spent as long as eighteen years in the Pelican Bay SHU before being released back into the general prison population, or onto parole. While some prisoners have spent decades in the Pelican Bay SHU, most prisoners are eventually released. On average, sixteen prisoners per month are released directly from the Pelican Bay SHU onto parole in California. They are provided no pre-release services to assist them transition from long-term isolation to life on the outside.
Supermaxes have a psychological cost. Extended social isolation and physical deprivation in a hostile environment is profoundly painful. Psychiatrists and psychologists have documented something they call “SHU syndrome,” which affects prisoners who spend more than a few months in isolation. The symptoms resemble those of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and might include hallucinations, depression, anxiety, anger and suicide.
SHU confinement in California disproportionately impacts Latino prisoners. In 2007, Latino prisoners made up 42 percent of the population of all parolees inCalifornia. However, of the paroled population who had served a supermax term, 56 percent were Latino.
CDCR does not release data about annual per prisoner costs broken down by individual state institutions, like Pelican Bay. However, in states that do release such data, the average annual cost of supermax confinement is twice as much per year as the average annual cost of non-supermax confinement. The average cost of incarceration per person per year in Californiais $49,000; the average annual per person cost of supermax confinement is likely much higher.
Although supermaxes were designed to reduce violence in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), there is little evidence that they have any impact at all on violence levels, either within high security prisons or within the Department overall.
There are 1107 prisoners in the Pelican Bay SHU as of June 15, 2011.
CaliforniaDepartment of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Department Operations Manual (Updated through January1, 2009), available online at: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Regulations/Adult_Operations/DOM_TOC.html, California Code of Regulations 2009: Title 15, Secs. 3000, 3341.5.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation population reports, available online at: http:// www.cdcr.ca.gov/Reports_Research/Offender_Information_Services_Branch/WeeklyWed
Conference Committee Notes to California Senate Bill 1685 (1988).
Corwin, Miles. “High-Tech Facility Ushers in New Era of State Prisons,” Los Angeles Times,May 1, 1990: A-1.
Gilmore, Ruth Wilson. Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California (Berkeley:University o fCaliforniaPress, 2007).
Grassian, Stuart. “Psychiatric Effects of Solitary Confinement,” Redacted Declaration Submitted pursuant to Madrid v. Gomez litigation (September 1993)
Haney, Craig. “Mental Health Issues in Long-Term Solitary and ‘Supermax’ Confinement,” Crime and Delinquency, Vol. 49 No. 1, at 124-156 (Jan. 2003).
Madrid v. Gomez, 889 F. Supp. 1146, 1168, 1213 (N.D.Cal. 1995).
Reiter, Keramet. Parole, Snitch, or Die: California’s Supermax Prisons and Prisoners, 1987-2007. Institute for the Study of Social Change Working Paper Series 2009-2010.42 (July 7, 2010), available online at: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/04w6556f.
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Tag Archives: women in solitary confinement
Sept. 23rd Statewide Coordinated Actions To End Solitary Confinement: Locations & Details
Wed, Sept. 23 ACTIONS by Location
alphabetical order)
the Bronx, NY – Crescent City, CA (Pelican Bay) – Los Angeles, CA – Nationwide for Yom Kippur – Oakland, CA –San Diego, CA – Santa Cruz, CA
If you still don’t see your locale, we haven’t received the details or YOU just might need to set up a simple action where you are!! Here are two resources with ideas to mark the day:
→http://www.cjpc.org/2015/CEPS-Action-Packet-final.pdf
→http://www.nrcat.org/torture-in-us-prisons/together-campaign
Check out our updated Universal Handbill to give out at these actions!
Statewide Coordinated Actions To End Solitary Confinement (SCATESC) has a PHSS Facebook Event page. SCATESC’s growing list of Co-sponsors and Endorsers is below. Look soon for a website launch for ‘Together to End Solitary’, the nationwide collaboration
Sept. 23 Locations & Details
the BRONX, NY:
All are welcome to join this monthly demonstration against the torture of solitary confinement. New York Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement (CAIC) asks you to lend support to abolish Solitary Confinement in New York State.
Here’s the Bronx Flier & NY Solitary Fact Sheet
Bronx Action Details
Time: 6:00pm EST
Location: corner of White Plains Rd and Gunn Hill Rd, Bronx, NY 10467
For more info, email caicny@gmail.com
Website: http://nycaic.org/
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/435402853327387/
#HALTSolitaryConfinement
CRESCENT CITY , CA:
Headed to demonstrate outside Pelican Bay State Prison (Crescent City, CA)
“Sleep Deprivation is Torture”
Please join us on Wednesday, Sept 23rd to protest the sleep deprivation torture that began on the night of Aug 2nd in Pelican Bay SHU, perpetrated by the guards. People in SHU cannot escape the constant noise, and they can’t sleep. It’s torture and it’s really hurting them.
We plan to set up across from Pelican Bay in protest of the 30 minute so-called welfare checks, the guards’ bogus excuse for the sleep deprivation. These “checks” happen 48 times a day, keeping people in SHU sleep deprived DAY & NIGHT.
Want to join us? We will have a banner and music and information (you can learn, if you don’t know much about solitary). People have been writing letters, sending emails, and making phone calls about the sleep deprivation, which seems to be retaliation for two successful lawsuits settled on behalf of prisoners.∗
The men inside will learn of our solidarity action which, we hope, will lift their spirits.
We will leave for Crescent City from Eureka on Wednesday morning and come back in the evening. Also, we will be demonstrating against CA prisons entombing people in solitary confinement, period.
Crescent City Action Details
Time: Carpool from Eureka about 9:00am PST
Protest 12:00pm – 5:00pm PST
Location: across from Pelican Bay, 5905 Lake Earl Dr, Crescent City, CA 95532
Contact Name: Verbena
Contact Email: phssreachingout@gmail.com
#CAHungerStrike #StopSolitary #Together #SleepDeprivationIsTorture #StopSolitaryCA
If the SHU Fits – Sept 23 Voices to End Solitary Confinement If the SHU Fits – Voices from Solitary Confinement is a play which uses the history, use of, and statistics about solitary confinement in the United States to paint a broad picture of the practice. But the heart of the play comes from letters, articles, statements, stories and commentaries from those imprisoned and their family members, as well as legal and community testimony.On Sept 1, 2015 an historic legal settlement was announced between CA and prisoners held in isolation for 10 years or more at Pelican Bay State Prison, calling for the end of the use of solitary confinement for people based on alleged prison gang affiliation. Despite that, the struggle is not over.Come join us to learn more about the ongoing efforts to end solitary confinement and to take action yourself!
Location: St. John’s United Methodist Church 1715 Santa Ana Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90002
Website: iftheshufits.net
Contact email: info@iftheshufits.net
NATIONWIDE FOR YOM KIPPUR:
T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights is asking people to dedicate their fast for Yom Kippur (which is on Sept. 23rd) to people in solitary and to educate themselves.
#StopSolitary #Together #StopTorture
Unfortunately, for many people in America, being alone–continuously–is a daily reality. Between 80,000 and 100,000 incarcerated persons in solitary confinement are alone for 23 hours a day. In support with those who face isolation, activists around the country have dedicated the 23rd of every month as a day of action and solidarity. This month, the 23rd is Yom Kippur. T’ruah is calling on Jews across the country to dedicate their fast to those who suffer in prolonged solitary confinement and renew their commitment to ending it.
Full Invite including Resources from T’ruah about solitary confinement
Website: www.truah.org
Contact email: office@truah.org
For more info, call: (212) 845-5201
OAKLAND, CA (two actions, day & night):
Oakland Daytime Action
The big banner and new placards will put attention on the horrendous noise at Pelican Bay SHU 24/7, caused by the ‘wellness checks’.
SLEEP DEPRIVATION = TORTURE
The architecture of the SHU at Pelican Bay amplifies the slamming of the pod doors, the guards clambering up and down the tiers as well as the beeper and wand action by guards. The interpretation of these wellness checks by Pelican Bay staffers is unacceptable. Turn out to hear the latest and sign up for our emergency response network.
Daytime Oakland Action Details
Location: in front of the CA State Building, 1515 Clay St, Oakland, CA 94612 (between 14th and 15th Streets)
Oakland Nighttime Action
Flying Over Walls will be hosting their Oakland LGBTQ+ Prisoner Letterwriting Nightagain in conjunction with Statewide Coordinated Actions To End Solitary Confinement – and discussing the recent Ashker v. Governor of California settlement, including what it means and what we are still fighting for.
As the SF Bay Area chapter of Black & Pink, our focus is to connect the non-incarcerated LGBTQ+ folks who participate in our events to B&P members in Northern California prisons.
Nighttime Oakland Action Details
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm PST
Location: The Flight Deck, 1540 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Website: https://flyingoverwalls.wordpress.com/about/
We will be out talking with people and providing information to END SOLITARY CONFINEMENT and promote the AGREEMENT TO END HOSTILITIES. Please come join us for an hour after the work day.
Location: Rosa Park (park is next to the library) City Heights, San Diego 92105
SANTA CRUZ, CA:
Join us on Wednesday September 23rd, 2015 in Santa Cruz as part of actions statewide throughout California and state-by-state nationwide. We will have sign-making, leafletting, and a rally. Also:
•Zines and other literature
•Security Housing Unit (SHU) / solitary model food tray
•Updates on the landmark victory of Ashker v. Gov. Brown and Statewide Coordinated Actions To End Solitary Confinement in CA & nationwide
•Readers’ Theater: plaintiffs’ statement on the settlement of Ashker v. Governor of California; women in and against solitary confinement.
On September 1, 2015 a landmark settlement ended indeterminate long-term solitary confinement in California prisons. The settlement may release 2,000 prisoners from solitary confinement. Let’s keep up the pressure to make sure it is implemented, and to end solitary confinement (15 days is torture), abusive prison conditions, and mass incarceration of the poor, particularly communities of color. 90% of people in the SHU in CA are people of color.
Sept. 5, 2015 is the 2-year anniversary of the suspension of the third nonviolent CA Prisoner Hunger Strike and work stoppage by over 30,000 prisoners. It was based on 5 Core Human Rights Demands and the Agreement to End Hostilities between all racial/ethnic and geographic groups in CA prisons, jails, and communities.
Santa Cruz Action Details
Time: 11:30am Sign-Making and Set Up
12 noon Leaflet and Talk with passersby
12:30pm – 2:30pm RALLY
Location: corner of Pacific Ave. and Cooper St., next to O’Neill’s, 110 Cooper St., Santa Cruz 95060
Posted in Action Alert, Outside Prison, Update | Tagged #HALTSolitaryConfinement, #SleepDeprivationIsTorture, #StopSolitary #Together #CAHungerStrike, Agreement to End hostilities, Ashker v Brown, Ashker v Governor of California, CAIC, Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement, Co-Sponsors, Coalition for Effective Public Safety (CEPS), Coleman, constant noise, Crescent City CA, demonstration, Endorsers, Facebook, fast, fliers, Flying Over the Walls, handout materials, hunger strike, If the SHU Fits-Voices from Solitary Confinement, Los Angeles California, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, new york, NRCAT, Oakland CA, Pelican Bay State Prison, Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition, prisoners, protest, Reader's Theater, resources, Rosa Park, San Diego, Santa Cruz, September 23rd, settlement, SF Bay Area Black and Pink, SHU, sleep deprivation, solitary confinement, Statewide Coordinated Actions To End Solitary Confinement, T'ruah Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, the Bronx, Together to End Solitary, torture, women in solitary confinement, Yom Kippur fast | 6 Comments
Update from Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition, 4-28-2014
This post is chock full of resources and various updates, downloads of recent newsletters, new media articles and PBS specials about solitary confinement, exciting upcoming events with Lynne Stewart, and information on our weekly meetings.
Thanks to all the outcry about the recent cell raids in Corcoran SHU, we believe they have stopped, according to a letter from the person who alerted us originally.
We still encourage you to send criticisms regarding the Security Threat Group/Step Down Program regulations, even though the official deadline is over. Send to rpmb@cdcr.ca.gov and cc to peoplesarc@gmail.com.
Upcoming events throughout California, in New York, and in Wisconsin can be found in the calendar at https://prisonerhungerstrikesolidarity.wordpress.com/take-action-2/
Read the entire update HERE.
Posted in Press Release, Report Back, Update | Tagged #CAHungerstrike, #StopTortureCA, ACLU, Antonio Guillen, Arturo Castellanos, BANNED BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS, california department of corrections, California prisons, CDCR, Celebration of Life and Struggle, cell raids, Colorado bill, Corcoran SHU, five core demands, gang validated, honor survivors of torture, Human Rights Pen Pal Program, Lynne Stewart, Maine prison, Marin CA, national lawyers guild, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, new regulations, newsletters, NRCAT, Oakland CA, Pam Africa, Partners in Liberation, people of faith, political prisoners, Prison Focus, prisoner advocacy, prisoner hunger strike, Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition, public outcry, Ramona Africa, resources, Rikers Island, Rock, Sacramento CA, San Francisco CA, San Jose, San Rafael CA, Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall, Security Housing Unit, Security Threat Group, Sitawa Nantambu Jamaa, Solidarity actions, solitary confinement, Solitary Watch, STG, Todd Ashker, toolkit, torture awareness month, United Nations’ Convention Against Torture, Upcoming events, Victoria Law, women in solitary confinement | 2 Comments
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AdBlock Plus, Browser extensions, Chrome, end-to-end encryption, Firefox, Google, Google Chrome, Information Security, KeyBase, Mozilla, Privacy, Security threats, Top News, Vulnerability, Web Browsers, wladimir palant
Keybase browser extension weakness discovered
Ayush Saraswat September 11, 2018, 4:17 PM September 11, 2018 237
by John E Dunn
Is the Keybase secure messaging browser extension safe to use or not?
Respected researcher Wladimir Palant (of AdBlock Plus fame) is so convinced that it isn’t that he has recommended users “uninstall the Keybase browser extension ASAP,” after he discovered what looks like a gap in its claim to offer end-to-end encryption.
As covered previously, Keybase is a desktop messaging app (Windows, Mac and Linux), which can also be used on mobiles (Android and iOS) and, from last year, through browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
The extension is a useful way to connect to other Keybase users by advertising its use through profiles on Facebook, Twitter, GitHub, and Reddit.
If Firefox’s daily stats are anything to go by, this method isn’t hugely popular, with fewer than 2,000 daily users – and Palant’s security assessment is unlikely to help its popularity.
Behind the scenes, every message sent via browser chat is passed to the local desktop app, which is the bit that does the encryption. However, according to Palant, messages are unencrypted as they are sent to the app – hardly the “end-to-end encryption” promised on the Keybase website.
Writes Palant:
The Keybase message you enter on Facebook is by no means private. Facebook’s JavaScript code can read it out as you type it in, so much for end-to-end encryption.
In fairness, the extension’s download page on the Keybase website clearly mentions the consequences of a site or browser compromise, although perhaps not in a way the average user will understand or remember.
In Palant’s view, the issue could be avoided by isolating the extension’s user interface in an <iframe>. When he put this to Keybase, it reportedly told him that “there were technical reasons why iframes didn’t work.”
Should I continue to use Keybase?
As far as the desktop and mobile app is concerned, yes. There is no evidence that they don’t work as advertised. As for the extensions, it’s a trade-off between convenience and security. Having a Keybase button beside your profile is a good way to advertise the fact that you’re using it. However, if absolute privacy is a must, use the extension to establish contact before moving to the desktop or mobile app.
Most important of all, bear in mind that Keybase is intended not just as another encrypted messaging app – there are plenty of those already – but as a database of proofs that set out to verify the identity of a contact. For anyone who values this, it still remains a feature that sets Keybase apart.
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Super Lawyers → Lawyer Directory → Criminal Defense Attorneys → Georgia → Atlanta → Jill G. Polster
Jill G. Polster
Top Rated Criminal Defense Attorney in Atlanta, GA
Cohen & Hirsch Criminal Defense
| 2300 Henderson Mill Road, Suite 412
Visit: www.cohenlawatlanta.com
Education: Georgia State University College of Law
Proudly serving people living in the Atlanta metro area and throughout north Georgia, Jill G. Polster is a managing partner at Cohen & Hirsch Criminal Defense. Focusing her practice on criminal law, Ms. Polster generally handles cases involving domestic violence, sex crimes, drug charges, murder, manslaughter, theft and other misdemeanor and felony offenses. Understanding the effects criminal allegations may have on their finances and freedom, as well as their futures, Ms. Polster strives to help her clients achieve the best possible results for their cases.
In 1988, Ms. Polster received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Ithaca College. She went on to attend the Georgia State University College of Law, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor in 2001.
Having begun her legal career as a prosecutor, Ms. Polster has knowledge of and experience on both sides of the courtroom. Drawing on her 360-degree insight of the justice system, she thinks outside of the box in crafting her defense strategies. She has handled thousands of criminal defense cases, developing a successful track record of obtaining acquittals, pleading down charges and securing complete dismissals on her clients’ behalf. Ms. Polster has an Avvo “Superb” rating.
Beyond her work with clients, Ms. Polster is actively involved in the legal community. She is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the DeKalb Bar Association, The National Cannabis Bar Association and NORML. Ms. Polster also serves as the chairperson for the State Bar of Georgia’s Unlicensed Practice of Law Department’s District 4 Committee. Ms. Polster is licensed in Georgia and Maine.
Criminal Defense (100%): Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Probation, Sex Offenses, Theft, Criminal Domestic Violence
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Probation, Sex Offenses, Theft, Criminal Domestic Violence
To: Jill G. Polster
Additional Sources of Information About Jill G. Polster
About Jill Polster
Admitted: 2001, Georgia
Professional Webpage: https://www.cohenlawatlanta.com/Who-We-Are/Jill-G-Polster.sh...
Selected Participant, Bill Daniels Trial Advocacy Program, 2001
Certificate commending my service to the International Criminal Court as a Visiting Professional, Certificate Commending Service as Visiting Professional, International Criminal Court, 2009
Received a tuition grant as a law student committed to working in public interest law, Public Interest Law Grant, National Public Interest Law Association, 1999
Recipient, Special Recognition Award from the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division for founding the Georgia Innocence Project, 2001
DeKalb Bar Association, Member, 2008 - Present
Georgia, 2001
Supreme Court of Georgia, 2002
State Bar of Georgia, Chairperson, Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee for Judicial Administrative District 4, December 11, 2013 - Present
National Cannabis Bar Association, Member
Georgia Court of Appeals, 2002
Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member, 1999 - Present
U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia
Pro bono/Community Service:
Georgia C.A.R.E., Legal Advisory Board Member
NORML, Attorney - Member
Peachtree NORML, Legal Committee
Faculty, Kessler-Eidson Trial Techniques Program, Emory Univ. College of Law, 2010 - 2011
Frequent Speaker, Student Programs, Georgia State University College of Law
Instructor, Kessler-Eidson Trial Techniques Program at Emory University College of Law, 2009
Visiting Professional, Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court, 2009
Other Outstanding Achievements:
Co-founded The Georgia Innocence Project, 2001
Ithaca College, Ithaca , New York, B.A., 1988
Website - www.cohenlawatlanta.com
Twitter - @cohenlawatlanta
Woman accused of shooting man who drove from accident scene denied bond https://t.co/np450gY126
Doraville Homeowners Score Another Win in Lawsuit Challenging City’s Excessive Ticketing - Institute for Justice https://t.co/7DMRTQ6AyK
DEPUTY SHOOTING SUSPECTS: Teens charged in deputy's murder make first appearance https://t.co/mAN2bjKhMS
Alameda County Sheriff's Office may have recorded attorney-client phone calls, public defender alleges https://t.co/sBXEtYWEPW
Volusia bailiff suspended for text-message coaching prosecutors during DUI trial https://t.co/so6jHOXl5c
Office Location for Jill G. Polster
2300 Henderson Mill Road
Jill G. Polster:
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Pete Olson & Kenny Marchant
Compare the voting records of Pete Olson and Kenny Marchant in 2019-20.
Pete Olson
Justin Amash (ID-Mich.)
Colin Allred (D-Texas)
Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.)
Cynthia Axne (D-Iowa)
James Baird (R-Ind.)
Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.)
Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.)
Ed Case (D-Hawaii)
Sean Casten (D-Ill.)
Ben Cline (R-Va.)
Angie Craig (D-Minn.)
Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas)
Jason Crow (D-Colo.)
Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.)
Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.)
TJ Cox (D-Calif.)
Sharice Davids (D-Kan.)
Antonio Delgado (D-N.Y.)
Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.)
Veronica Escobar (D-Texas)
Abby Finkenauer (D-Iowa)
Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas)
Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho)
Jesús García (D-Ill.)
Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas)
Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio)
Lance Gooden (R-Texas)
Mark Green (R-Tenn.)
Michael Guest (R-Miss.)
Jared Golden (D-Maine)
Debra Haaland (D-N.M.)
Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.)
Kendra Horn (D-Okla.)
Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.)
Katie Hill (D-Calif.)
Jim Hagedorn (R-Minn.)
Josh Harder (D-Calif.)
Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.)
John Joyce (R-Pa.)
Andy Kim (D-N.J.)
Fred Keller (R-Pa.)
Susie Lee (D-Nev.)
Elaine Luria (D-Va.)
Andy Levin (D-Mich.)
Mike Levin (D-Calif.)
Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.)
Daniel Meuser (R-Pa.)
Carol Miller (R-W.Va.)
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Fla.)
Lucy McBath (D-Ga.)
Ben McAdams (D-Utah)
Joe Neguse (D-Colo.)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)
Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)
Chris Pappas (D-N.H.)
Greg Pence (R-Ind.)
Dean Phillips (D-Minn.)
Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.)
Katie Porter (D-Calif.)
Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.)
Denver Riggleman (R-Va.)
John Rose (R-Tenn.)
Max Rose (D-N.Y.)
Chip Roy (R-Texas)
Harley Rouda (D-Calif.)
Michael San Nicolas (D-Guam)
Donna Shalala (D-Fla.)
Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.)
Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.)
Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.)
Ross Spano (R-Fla.)
Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.)
Pete Stauber (R-Minn.)
Bryan Steil (R-Wis.)
Greg Steube (R-Fla.)
Haley Stevens (D-Mich.)
Kim Schrier (D-Wash.)
Van Taylor (R-Texas)
William Timmons (R-S.C.)
Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)
Lori Trahan (D-Mass.)
David Trone (D-Md.)
Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.)
Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.)
Jefferson Van Drew (D-N.J.)
Michael Waltz (R-Fla.)
Steven Watkins (R-Kan.)
Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.)
Ron Wright (R-Texas)
Represents Texas's 22nd Congressional District. This was his 6th term in the House. He is a current member of Congress.
Kenny Marchant
Represents Texas's 24th Congressional District. This was his 8th term in the House. He is a current member of Congress.
Pete Olson and Kenny Marchant are from the same party and have agreed on 94 percent of votes in the 116th Congress (2019-20).
But they don't always agree. Out of 432 votes in the 116th Congress, they have disagreed on 24 votes.
July 10 — Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act
June 26 — Dean of Pennsylvania Part B Amendment No. 32
June 21 — Bost of Illinois Part B Amendment No. 206
June 20 — Banks of Indiana Part B Amendment No. 36
June 19 — Graves of Louisiana Part A Amendment No. 91
June 19 — Kaptur of Ohio Part A Amendment En Bloc No. 4
June 18 — Cox of California Part A Amendment No. 61
June 18 — Amash of Michigan Part A Amendment No. 24
June 13 — Houlahan of Pennsylvania Part B Amendment No. 77
June 13 — Craig of Minnesota Part B Amendment No. 63
June 13 — Schrier of Washington Part B Amendment No. 60
June 13 — Beyer of Virginia Part B Amendment No. 52
June 13 — Adams of North Carolina Part B Amendment No. 50
June 12 — Foster of Illinois Part B Amendment No. 20
June 12 — DeSaulnier of California Part B Amendment No. 6
June 12 — Castro of Texas Part B Amendment No. 47
May 2 — Fletcher of Texas Amendment No. 22
April 9 — Building on Reemployment Improvements to Deliver Good Employment for Workers Act
April 8 — Local Water Protection Act
April 1 — Coordinating and Leveraging Activities for School Security Act
Feb. 25 — Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act
Feb. 14 — Making further continuing appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2019, and for other purposes
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Grassroots Commentary
Bully Nation Intolerance
Albert Maslar · Jun. 3, 2014
Schools are obsessed with problems of bullying, so teachers’ answer is to bully children into not bullying. In a sense, bullying makes sense, as Presidents are super-empowered by use of the “Bully Pulpit,” a term coined by President Theodore Roosevelt. President Obama has raised the bully pulpit to an art form, to the extent that if eyes are closed, one can visualize the second coming … of Pastor Jeremiah Wright. Obama expounds on why he is the epitome of the best and brightest, membership in the “Choom (pot-smoking) Gang” notwithstanding.
Every evil starts at the top and Obama goes to the bully pulpit as regularly as a one-a-day vitamin, but his bullying does not tolerate bullying back. Obama bullies Congress with threats of doing it himself by executive order if Congress is slow to grant him his wish list of new laws that he does not intend to enforce or abide by. Another Obama threat is, “If Congress does not act, I will. I have a pen and phone.”
America is a Republic as wisely constructed by the Founders, but has morphed into a Democracy in which the absolute majority rules, and can therefore give itself unearned benefits paid for by taxpayers and future generations. Democrat Harry Reid, majority leader of the Senate, turns the Republic into pure Democracy by obliterating rules built into Senate procedures that need sixty votes to bring legislation forward, but his bullying makes a mockery of the intent of the Founders.
The Colorado Civil Rights Division said a Lakewood, Colorado baker must violate his faith and create wedding cakes for same-sex duos, even though the state does not recognize such unions. KDVR-TV in Denver said, “Homosexuals Mullins and Craig went to the Colorado bakery for a cake for their wedding, which was scheduled to be in Massachusetts. There was no apparent explanation why a cake would be purchased in Colorado for an event to be held in Massachusetts. Colorado Constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman.” This case is typical of malice and bullying by the homosexual community that creates a straw man fallacy that ACLU swoops down, dagger-in-hand, to bully and destroy America, one manufactured incident at a time.
The federal government uses bureaucracies like the EPA, HHS, NEA, and NLRB, among many others, to bully Americans into compliance with regulations and mandates arbitrarily written outside Congress that alone has power to legislate.
Bullying is rampant in contact sports in particular as each attempts to physically intimidate the opponent and celebrate with the ubiquitous “Fist Pump” in which a fist is raised and drawn down in a vigorous, swift motion. Football is the most bullying of the physical sports, but a cursory look at some NBA basketball action clearly shows star players pushing, shoving, grabbing, elbowing, head-butting, and intentionally colliding with opponents, followed by the big-open-defiant mouth. Basketball rules are totally ignored by powerful players who intimidate opponents through physical force or duress, but ticket sales are more important than the integrity of the game.
Football in bullying fashion celebrates brute force that causes damaging physical harm that is documented by claims of ex-players suffering from permanent injuries. These were camouflaged by the NFL that illegally supplied players with risky painkillers that numbed injuries sufficiently to allow them to play with their injuries, thus causing further life-long damage and debilitating health issues.
Bullying is actually in the American DNA in that its genesis is founded in the colonists fleeing Europe to escape religious persecution and tax bullying. Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner, that memorialized the survival of bullying by British bombardment of Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, MD, in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor.
The Star-Spangled Banner is sung with passion as the preliminary to most national sporting events. The last stanza has the most significant verses (noted in bold) but it’s not generally sung.
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Note in particular the line, “And this be our motto - ‘In God is our trust.’” That is the source for the slogan on American currency, “In God we trust.” Atheists have attempted, but so far failed, to have that slogan removed. Regardless, though still legal on currency, Obama mandated God to be illegal and out of existence, making happy his Progressive Liberal never-happy “Party.”
President Obama wants equality, in pay, sex, marriage, and whatever, not exactly the definition of a Republic or Democracy, but more like pure Socialism, pure Marxism, pure nonsense. If Obama prevails, America will become a fascist “Homocracy." "Homo” is Greek for same, and if the Obama Progressive Liberals have their way, Americans and their cookies will all be the same, both having the same number of chocolate chips, while becoming compliant lemmings to a fault.
A guest interviewed on the O'Reilly TV show in defense of the choice of Jane Fonda, A.K.A. Hanoi Jane, as graduation speaker at a California college, said, “We are a TOLERANT nation.” Therein lays the rub.
“Tolerant” is defined: 1. Inclined to allow the beliefs, practices, or traits of others; forbearing. inclined or disposed to allow; open-minded, allowance of errors; acceptance of errors; the practice of deliberately allowing or permitting a thing of which one disapproves.
Tolerating beliefs that are either obviously erroneous or completely unfounded in fact, and giving credibility of error over and above established truth, is not tolerance, but is actually prejudice. Problems arise when error is tolerated to the point that it is given the same weight as that given to absolute facts and truth. Marriage has a 6,000-year history of being between one man and one woman, and suddenly same-sex marriage is equal and as good or better than traditional marriage.
We are a tolerant nation that is intolerant of opposing views that are conveniently classified as intolerant, the pot calling the kettle black. The intolerant are intolerant of intolerance to unprecedented precedents. Homosexuals are most intolerant, though they are 8% or less of the population, they have 100% support of Barack and Michelle Obama and hammer AG Eric Holder. Does not Obama represent ALL of America, not just sexual deviates? Why is elective sex gender change for prisoners paid, but life-saving treatment for normal citizens denied? Why is tolerance not given to non-Islamic religious beliefs and extended only to the lowest common denominator?
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Seattle Now and Then
Seattle Now & Then: The Great White Fleet, 1908
April 23, 2016 jrsherrard 1 Comment
(click to enlarge photos)
THEN: About a year after he recorded this fashionable throng on Second Avenue celebrating the visit of President Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet in the spring of 1908, Frank Nowell became the official photographer for Seattle’s six-month-long Alaska Yukon and Pacific Exhibition in 1909.
NOW: As a guide, Jean Sherrard’s ‘repeat’ includes, on the far right, a glimpse of the Moore Theatre at the southeast corner of Virginia Street and Second Avenue.
Perched near, and somehow above, the sidewalk on the east side of Second Avenue, Frank Nowell, the photographer of this flood of fashionable pedestrians, is standing about a half-block north of Stewart Street. The crowd seems to spill onto Second from what the Times called the “immense viewing stand” on its west side. The pack has gathered to celebrate President Teddy Roosevelt’s ‘Great White Fleet’ during its four-day visit to Seattle. The American battleships were circumnavigating the world in a show of her military prowess.
A fuller view of the stands and the Moore Theater too. The Washington Hotel, at the northeast corner of Stewart and Second Ave., is on the far right. The subject looks north, of course. (Courtesy, Bob Royer)
Designed to support a mix of spectators paying a dollar a seat and free-loading dignitaries, the Chamber of Commerce enlarged the viewing stand from ten-to fifteen- thousand seats in hurried construction the week before the grand parade of Tuesday May 26,1908. Nowell’s camera (for the featured photo at the top) points to the northwest, so given the shadows on both the celebrants’ faces and The Harvard Hotel at the northwest corner of Virginia Street and Second Avenue, it seems likely that this was recorded after the morning parade when its route was safe to swarm.
A worn print of the Harvard at the northwest corner of Second Ave. and Virginia Street in the early 1890s. (Courtesy, Museum of History and Industry aka MOHAI)
The Hotel Harvard in need, clipped from The Seattle Times for February 19, 1901.
Before the parade, the Times predicted “a sea of bright-colored summer costumes and striking hats.” Many of those bonnets included ostrich feathers, and surely some of those plumes were purchased at the Bon Marche’s May 21 sale priced from $1.50 to $6.95, depending upon the color and length. The Bon also predicted
A detail from a nearly full page adver for the Bon Marche keying on the patriotic needs for Ostrich feathers to greet the thousands of sailors parading in their uniforms. The clip was pulled from the May 21, 1908 Seattle Times. CLICK TO ENLARGE
A Seattle Times cartoonist suggests that broad-brimmed hats might get in the way of fleet sight-seeing.
A Seattle Times satire printed on the same May fleet-week day as the cartoon above: May 26.
Asahel Curtis’ stock postcard shot of the Atlantic Fleet on Puget Sound.
that the four-day visit of fourteen battleships from Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet would be “the greatest event in Seattle history.” It may have been, in terms of condensed sensation, remembering that in 1908 there were no radio, television or smart phones to distract one from mixing with others in patriotic fervor and sartorial show.
Looking west on James St. from the Collins Building at its southeast corner with Second Avenue. Some of the Fleet-visit bunting can be seen here draping a corner of the Seattle Hotel. The feet is also seen parked in Elliott Bay.
One of the most-favored decorations was the illuminated battleship hung above First Avenue between Marion and Madison Streets. Its sponsor, the Seattle Electric Company, anchored it in the Hotel Rainier Grand, see here on the left. Below: looking south on First Avenue from Madison Street, most likely after the parade.
The days of the Fleet’s visit were filled with a variety of sensations including visits to the battleships and fireworks.
It was this newspaper’s penchant to print on its editorial page the latest estimate for the city’s booming population. At the time of the fleet’s visit, it was 276,462, plus about 125,000 more who reached Seattle by all means possible. Seattle’s suburbs were abandoned, the Times reported. Full-up, the Great Northern Railroad “left 250 standing on the platform in Wenatchee.” Fifteen-thousand arrived by railroad in one afternoon, which the newspaper headlined, “Chaos Reigns in King Street Station.” In its front-page afternoon summary of the morning parade, the newspaper estimated a total of about 400,000 for those watching the parade and marching in it. The latter included 6000 men from the Fleet.
Above: The Grote Rankin department store used the Fleet’s visit to sell bedding, which the Century Furniture Co., below, use it to go out of business.
This newspaper’s weeklong coverage of the Atlantic Fleet’s sensational visit is truly wondrous and often whimsical. Readers, we are fond of reminding them, can use their Seattle Public Library cards for online explorations of the Seattle Times Archives. You will be taken away. And while delving we recommend both historylink’s essay on the fleet’s visit and Bob Royer’s astute reflections on his own blog The Cascadia Courier. Here’s the link http://www.thecascadiacourier.com/2014/07/the-arrival-of-great-white-fleet-in.html. I suspect that many readers will remember his early 1980s term as Seattle’s Deputy Mayor and brotherly advisor to Charles Royer, mayor then and for many years following. Bob Royer is presently historylink’s Chairman of the Board.
Anything to add, lads? Gosh Jean we spent a good part of the afternoon searching the archive here in Wallingford for a sizeable stack of glass negatives of scenes from the fleet’s 1908 visit, but failed to find them. Our club of addendums have now another member. When we find them we will print them. Otherwise we have, as is our custom, a few part features – most of them recent – from the neighborhood. Thanks to Ron Edge for helping us mount them this week again.
OTHER VISITS
The Atlantic Fleet also paused at Port Angeles, and marched in both Bellingham and Tacoma. The first two views below are of the Whatcom parade and the third one shows the Tacoma Harbor -Commencement Bay – light show for the fleet (some fleet – perhaps a later one. I also seem to have misplaced my copy of Building Washington, which includes a thumbnail history of the Tacoma City Hall and clock included in the spotlighted Tacoma scene.)
The Bellingham Parade, above and below.
Tacoma light show.
OTHER FLEETS
A visit to Elliott Bay by the Navy in 1936. Pier 54 is on the far right, although it was then still number Pier 3. Next to it to the right is the fire station and then the Grand Trunk Pier and Colman Dock.
Resting in Lake Union, the unique war surplus of Woodrow Wilson’s Wooden Fleet. This is the southeast “corner’ of the lake and that’s Queen Anne Hill on the left horizon. A hint of the Gas Works shows itself far right.
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One thought on “Seattle Now & Then: The Great White Fleet, 1908”
Reblogged this on Janet’s thread.
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Mistletoe Mix-Up
Model: d-w12660
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Author: Jody Day
Evan Edwards faces another lonely Christmas in the dorm, so when he chances upon a rain-soaked ad for holiday room and board in exchange for decorating, he wastes no time in driving to the empty home, dreaming of a cozy, if lonely, Christmas. Across the street, Rise' Larkin is also home from...
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Evan Edwards faces another lonely Christmas in the dorm, so when he chances upon a rain-soaked ad for holiday room and board in exchange for decorating, he wastes no time in driving to the empty home, dreaming of a cozy, if lonely, Christmas.
Across the street, Rise' Larkin is also home from school, and has some bad news for her Dad. As Evan and Rise's friendship deepens, and Christmas nears, Evan discovers he's been decorating the wrong house.
Will this mix-up ruin everything?
Evan left the building. A cold rain splashed in the street. He ran through the freezing deluge to the University quad and found the ride board, notices trying to detach from thumb tacks in the wind.
Christmas Room and Board in Exchange for Holiday decorating in Candle, Tx.
At least he thought that’s what he read. The phone number, the only part of the message not smeared in the rain, might be his holiday salvation. He punched it into his cell and sought cover under the student center awning.
“Yes, hello, I’m calling about the room and board over the holidays? This is Evan Edwards. I’m a music student at East Texas University.”
“Oh, wonderful. Can you climb a ladder? Put up Christmas decorations? Make sure they all stay in working order while we’re away?” The man’s thick French accent seemed cheerful and hopeful. “I’m Francis Cartier, by the way.”
“I’ve done it many times for my mom. Sure, I think I can handle that.”
“Well, it’s a big house and we have a lot of decorations. We will be out of the country until Christmas Day, and want to return home with everything ready. We’re hosting a large party on the 25th.”
“Sounds good. Will it be a problem for me to stay until the new term begins in the middle of January?” Evan gulped and crossed his fingers in his jacket pocket.
“Not at all, figured as much. Look, if you can give me a reference to call, we can seal the deal. Can’t let a perfect stranger in the house without a reference, you understand,” Mr. Cartier said.
“Of course. You can call Professor Maybank. He’s also Dean of the Music School, and my piano teacher.”
“The number, s’il vous plait?”
Evan gave him the number. Surely the professor wouldn’t mind him giving the number out since he’d suggested the lead in the first place.
“Merci. I’ll call you back when I’ve spoken to him.”
Please pick up. He hoped the professor would answer since he was trying to get out of town. Nearly everyone was gone, or in the process of leaving.
His cell buzzed a few minutes later.
“It seems you come highly recommended. The address is 500 N. Frond Street. The key is under a pot by the front door. You will have to dig a little for it. When can you get there?”
“I can leave today. It’s just a couple hours’ drive.” He felt his face lift in a smile. Christmas in a home, a nice one, at that.
“Great! Your room will be just off the kitchen. You are welcome to spend Christmas with my wife and me. We’ll only be there for a few days, and then we will have to return to London. You’ll have the place to yourself. The pantry is stocked, and there’s an envelope of cash in the drawer next to the stove for incidentals. There’s a list of numbers to call posted on the refrigerator in case anything happens. You shouldn’t be bothered. The cook and the gardener are away for the holidays.”
Cartier must be rolling in the dough. Must be the kind of people who hung out with people like his mother. Or rather his mother and whatever money bags she’d attached herself to.
“Sounds good,” Evan said. Sounds amazing.
“You can take the decorations down any time you want before you go back to school. Merci, of course. Oh, I forgot. Our neighbor’s daughter is a chef, and she will be coming in Christmas Eve to prepare the meal for us. She’s a bit temperamental, so you’ll need to stay out of her way. I’d appreciate it if you’d be her runner if she needs anything,” Cartier said.
“Sure, whatever you need.” Evan couldn’t believe his luck. What if he’d just given up and stayed at the dorm? His friends always invited him home with them, but he hated feeling like the third wheel. Plus there was the whole gift thing, something he didn’t have the ready cash for. Unwanted guest, freeloader, and no gift to give. No way.
“Oh, and one more thing. The chef’s father will try to help you with the decorating. Under no circumstances must you allow him. He has a heart condition,” Cartier said.
“I hear you. I’ll be sure and not let that happen.”
“Well, all right, then. We can be hard to reach sometimes, but as I said, the numbers of my people in the states are posted. The decorations are in the basement. You won’t have any trouble finding the door in the kitchen that leads down.”
“Fine, thanks very much. Mr. Cartier, you wouldn’t happen to have a piano, would you?” Evan asked.
“Oui. A Steinway. Will that do?”
“Oh, yes. I need to practice for my graduation recital.” This just kept getting better and better.
“Well, you’re welcome to play it. Possibly you could play some Christmas carols at our party that day?”
“Sure! Perfect. Thanks again. Bye.”
“Au revoir.” Mr. Cartier ended the call.
The increasing rainstorm and Cartier’s thick accent made Candle sound like something else, but Evan knew where it was. Just two hours down I-20 East toward Dallas. Alone again, but at least it wouldn’t be in the freezing dorm where they turned down the thermostat over the break. He’d be in a home, with decorations.
He splashed through puddles to the dorm and scrounged his closet for a backpack.
Question 1: The lyrics of some old song remind me of Evan. “Oh what a lonely boy…” Loneliness during the holidays is a particularly hard time. Why wouldn’t Evan accept invitations to spend the holidays with his friends?
Answer 1: He felt like an intruder and a freeloader.
Question 2: What kind of Christmas did Evan long for?
Answer 2: He really wanted a home and family type Christmas. He recalled how much he loved Christmas with his mother before things got crazy.
Question 3: Why did Evan hide in his ability to play the piano?
Answer 3: He felt comfortable there. He was keenly aware, or so he thought, that people thought he was weird. As his skill increased, he felt that people only liked him when he played. He found his identity in his skill.
Question 4: The mix-up caused misunderstandings between Evan and Rise’. How did their inner struggles make things worse?
Answer 4: Evan’s self-esteem struggles made him think he didn’t have a chance with Rise’, and Rise’ was distrusting of men in general (except her father) because of what she went through with her ex-boyfriend.
Question 5: Carol and Fin’s family Bible brought back some unpleasant memories for Evan regarding church. What happened that turned him off from church?
Answer 5: His mother had an abusive boyfriend who attended church regularly, sang in the choir, yet lived with Evan and his Mom. The pastor of the church only cared that they were living together, and couldn’t seem to address their need for Chris
Question 6: Rise’ left an abusive relationship. Why did it take so long for her to recognize the signs that her boyfriend had an anger problem?
Answer 6: Denial is a common symptom of an abusive relationship. The victim typically returns seven times before getting out completely. Rise’ noticed the symptoms but did get out when her boyfriend’s anger turned physical.
Question 7: Evan’s mom shows up with a wild and crazy Texan, the new husband. Evan rejects his offer of work. Why?
Answer 7: His mom’s boyfriend dismissed Evan’s music dreams as “not a real job.” Evan was tired of his mother’s boyfriends. They never really helped her, and certainly never helped him.
Question 8: How does Evan’s playing change after he opens his heart to God?
Answer 8: He begins to discern that his playing, if dedicated to God, could have a positive impact on other people. He sensed a mission outside of himself for the first time.
Question 9: When the mistake is discovered and Evan rushes to correct it, Rise and her church family come to his aid. Do you think this helped soften his heart toward God?
Answer 9 Evan begins to see Christ’s love in action, a stark contrast to what he experienced as a child.
Question 10: Frances Cartier offers Evan a dream job and the possibility of continuing his education. He met Rise’, and appears to be on good terms with his mother. Do you think that sometimes God orchestrates, or allows “mix-ups” to accomplish his goals for our lives?
Answer 10: Yes! God’s Word tells us in Romans 8:28 (NIV) that “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
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Imago 21.6
Posted on April 23, 2013 by wildbow
Hate to do this with the weather like this, I thought. I thought about the meeting Parian had arranged with Miss Militia. But my hand is being inadvertently forced.
One more step forward. One more phase in the plan.
The wind was worse than the rain. I had to wonder how much of it was the aftermath of the Leviathan attack. The city had been flooded, and those same floodwaters had evaporated into the air, trapped within Brockton Bay by the surrounding trees and hills… how wide-reaching were the effects of that one incident?
The downpour was steady, moderate. The wind was what turned it into a barrage, a persistent pelting of droplets that moved horizontally as much as it moved vertically. The noise of it, tapping against my armor and lenses, made for a steady patter. My bugs were lurking and gathering in spots where there was shelter, and where things were dry. With only the light of the moon above, these were the same areas that had shadows, by and large. The masses of bugs only seemed to give those shadows substance, made them seem deeper, through the masses of dark brown, gray and black bodies.
Through other bugs I felt the movements of the wind, felt how it formed eddies, curling into itself when it met with dead ends, large or small. I could, with a small number of bugs, feel how strong and steady the gale was where the buildings weren’t tall enough to break it up. They helped me track the others around me, through bugs that took shelter in the drier folds of their costumes.
The Undersiders were here. Minus Tattletale, we were all standing in the street a distance away from a squat building. Regent was off to one side, ready to trip up our enemy if they made a sudden appearance. Rachel hung back, corralling her forces, while the rest of us watched the building for any hint of trouble.
But Grue stood next to me. I appreciated his presence, his casualness in light of the way we’d effectively parted.
I could sense the Ambassadors. Citrine and Othello were there. So were four new recruits: Jacklight, Ligeia, Lizardtail and Codex. The fifth potential recruit hadn’t been so lucky. The four of them stood off to one side, in the shelter of Citrine’s power, listening as she gave instructions. The area around them was somehow faded in terms of the colors there, the area she was affecting looked as though I were viewing it through colorblind eyes that were capable of only seeing yellow. Water wicked off of them as though they were waterproof, leaving them utterly dry even in the wind and rain.
Lizardtail’s power was pressing against me, even from the other side of the street. It penetrated my costume to the skin, making my skin tingle and ensuring that I was always aware of where he was. It was like the sensation of standing in front of a fire, just close enough to feel as though that heat had a physical form, just close enough to be bearable. It wasn’t hot, though. It was cold, if anything.
The rest of our forces were marshaled throughout the area. A handful of volunteers from my territory, surviving members of the O’Daly family, had made their way to rooftops, stood at the ready with walkie-talkies and binoculars. They’d have to make up for the fact that my bugs weren’t as mobile in this weather.
Tattletale’s mercenaries were here, though she was still largely incapacitated. Minor, Brooks, Pritt, Senegal, and Jaw. Regent had two followers, and I was doing my best to avoid paying attention to them. It wasn’t the time to investigate whether he was controlling people or legitimately hiring them.
Rachel’s underlings were present too, hanging back enough that they were out of sight of the building. Biter, Barker, the veterinarian, the boy with the eyepatch, others I didn’t recognize: a young teenager with darker skin, a tall man with a broad belly. Each of them held a chain -the tall man and Biter held two- and each chain had a dog harnessed on the other end of it, grown to a fair size by Rachel’s power. Only Bentley and Bastard were full size.
Inside the building, the Teeth were recuperating from a recent conflict with Miss Militia and the other heroes followed soon after by an attack from Parian’s stuffed animals. As a whole, the Teeth amounted to twenty or so unpowered troops, plus a half-dozen or so powered ones. Even the unpowered Teeth had ‘costumes’ of a sort, were dressed in a hodgepodge of armor that made it hard to tell them apart from the powered members.
As a whole, they were bandaging minor injuries, preparing food, talking, joking, relaxing. There were two televisions on, each playing something different, volume turned up, and the noise was discordant, even to the muted, confused senses of my swarm. Porn on one television, I was pretty sure. The other channel was either a cartoon or a news broadcast, judging by the words I was able to hear.
There was a fight in progress, a duel, between two unpowered members. One was getting the better of the other, pounding his face in while others jeered and laughed.
One of the female members of the Teeth, I suspected Hemorrhagia, was cooking food for her team. A distance away, Butcher was sitting on a stool, her feet up on a table, her mask off. She had a cloth in hand and was wiping her gun clean, oddly disconnected from the clatter and chaos of her team.
I supposed the thirteen other voices in her head kept her company.
It had taken time to analyze them, to assess what each of the Teeth were doing and make a note of every individual part of it. To do it discreetly, with no more than the bugs that were already in the building.
The Ambassadors were patient. I got the sense that they could have waited for two hours in this wind and rain, and their only concern would be that their clothes and hair were a little worse for wear. My teammates were a touch more restless. Rachel moved from dog to dog, enforcing her authority, keeping them in line, and making sure they were listening to the underlings. She was putting her trust in me, but I could tell she was getting tired of this. Tired of the minutes passing with nothing happening.
Regent, too, was reacting. He was maintaining a running commentary on everything from the weather to the surroundings, our allies and me.
“And… twenty minutes in, the rain’s still pouring, the wind’s still threatening to drop a house on our heads, and we’re still not doing anything. I think our fearless leader needs to remember that some of us aren’t as good at being imposing when we’re drenched and standing around in the dark. She does that whole schtick where being gloomy and creepy only make her scarier. You know how scary I am with a wet shirt clinging to me?”
“Shut up, Regent,” Grue said.
“I’m just saying. She could be more considerate. Maybe we could wait indoors, and she could stand out here in the rain, using her power to investigate our enemies. If she’s even using it. Maybe she fell asleep standing up. Been a hard week for her-.”
“Regent,” I said. “Be quiet.”
“She’s awake! Excellent,” Regent’s jovial tone was forced enough to border on the sarcastic.
“There are no vantage points that are also indoors,” I said. “I’d bet that’s why Butcher chose that building. The parking lot that surrounds it, the terrain, it’s all to her benefit.”
“So we pick a mediocre vantage point. Or a shitty one. So long as it’s dry. Or, here’s an idea, maybe we attack. We have them outnumbered, we have better powers than most of them-”
“We win absolutely,” I said. “Or we don’t fight at all. Too many of them have powers that could help them escape. Vex fills an area with her power and runs, Animos transforms and runs, or Spree masks their retreat with his power. This way, we take all of them down, or we at least affect them on a psychological level.”
“Then why don’t we have them surrounded?”
“Because we don’t need to,” I said. “Keeping Butcher from picking us off is a bigger priority. We do that by forming battle lines.”
“Huh,” he said. There was a pause. “Twenty three minutes, standing in the rain…”
Inside the building, Hemorrhagia called out, “…st ready.”
The Teeth collectively began to make their way to the kitchen, while Spree headed for the washroom.
“We’re attacking,” I said, and I spoke through the bugs that were near each of my allies. “Be ready.”
The bugs I’d kept in reserve swept into the building, not from the direction our forces were standing, but from the opposite direction. They flowed in, swarming over the Teeth.
Less useful bugs plunged themselves into the food. They scattered money, where money was left out in the open, caught unattended weapons and pieces of armor and either buried them or started to drag them from sight.
“No!” Hemorrhagia shouted, trying to cover her chili with a lid, “No, no, fuck you, no!”
Hearing the shouting, Spree stood from the toilet, only to find a handcuff connecting him to the towel rack.
“Fight!” one of the Teeth shouted, rather unnecessarily. He was joined by others. “Kick their asses! Kill them!”
Spree managed to tear the towel rack from the wall and made his way out of the washroom, working to get his belt buckled, other armor gathered under one arm. I was well aware of how costumes made using washrooms a pain in the ass on the best of days: getting everything necessary off, getting it back on again, attaching everything essential… Spree had the added issue of innumerable trophies and pieces of armor in his suit, all loaded down with spikes and hooks, and he was now in a rush, running forward into a swarm of biting, stinging insects. He dropped one piece of armor, and bugs swarmed it. He cast one backwards glance at the item in question, an elbow pad or knee pad, and then decided to leave it behind.
It was the little things that would deliver a hit to their morale. Attacking while they were tired, spoiling a meal they were anticipating, throwing everything into disarray. If they happened to come out ahead in this fight, or if any of them slipped away, they might return to reclaim their things, they’d find cockroaches had chewed through the cords and internal wires of their televisions, that pantry moths infested their food supplies, and every article of clothing was infested with lice.
And if they entered this fight mad, all the better. It would mean they were gunning for us instead of running.
The first person out the door was caught by a tripline of spider silk. Others trampled over him. One fired a gun into the darkness beyond.
Wrong door, wrong end of the building. And the door had somehow closed and locked behind them.
The powered members weren’t in that group, though. As disorganized as the rank and file members were, the capes in the gang were only looking to their boss, gathering in the kitchen.
Butcher didn’t react as bugs bit and stung, and capsaicin-laden bugs found her eyes and nose. Her skin was too tough, and she didn’t feel pain, thanks to Butcher twelve’s powers. She was composed as she lifted a gun that would normally have been mounted on the back of a truck. Without putting it down, she held it with one hand and donned her mask.
She turned our way, as though it wasn’t even a question. A sensory power.
Butcher two, the ability to see people’s veins, arteries and hearts through walls.
She had the powers of thirteen capes, watered down, plus her own. Some of those capes had possessed multiple abilities. By power or by cunning, each had managed to kill the last. This Butcher had the resources of each of them.
She led her group through the doors towards us, as silent as they were noisy. I’d almost expected her to do the inverse of what she was doing and send her foot-troops in first. Instead, she was the first through the doors, her powered allies immediately behind her. Her foot troops were last to arrive, traveling around the full length of the building, swearing all the way. They filled in the gaps of her group and gathered behind.
It was a different dynamic than some groups we’d fought. These weren’t loyal soldiers or people fighting because they had nothing to lose. They were opportunists, riding the coattails of the ones with the real power, hyenas picking at the scraps that were left behind after the lions had supped.
Spree was the first to use his power, and I got a sense of just how and why the group had arrived at this present strategy. It wasn’t just that Butcher was dangerous enough to walk face-first into danger. They had Spree to form their front ranks.
Four Sprees split off from him as he stood there, slightly hunched over as if bracing himself against recoil. They were produced with such force and speed that they briefly flew through the air, stumbling slightly as they hit the ground running. Three more Sprees were a fraction of a second after the first wave, with even more following a half-second behind them.
Fifteen or so Sprees in three seconds, before I’d even had a chance to call out an order. Duplicates produced at the rate that a machine gun spat bullets.
They ran, some screaming, others swearing aloud as they closed the distance between our two groups, charging as a mass, limbs flailing, weapons-
Weapons?
It was hard to see in the rain, but the Sprees were all subtly different. Some had knives or pipes they could bludgeon with, others had guns, and more had improvised weapons. The mixing and matching of their armor was different as well.
There was a drawback, though. Whatever they were, as solid and innumerable as they might have been, they were dumb, getting dumber every second they were alive. He was producing a living tide of bodies, but they weren’t capable. They were good for little more than sheer body mass and violence.
By the time the first ones reached us, they were barely able to put one foot in front of the other. One reached me, swung a table leg at me in a wide, predictable swing. I caught it, twisted his arm, and pushed him into a Spree that was stumbling forward from behind him. They both fell, and neither seemed to have the wherewithal to climb to their feet before they were trampled underfoot.
It was like fighting an infant with the size and strength of a grown man, except there were fifty or sixty of them. A hundred? The street was nearly filled with the bastards, from sidewalk to sidewalk, a mob between the Teeth and us.
They didn’t seem to be smart enough to realize they could actually shoot the guns, where the occasional Spree had one in hand, but the sound of a gunshot going off suggested that one had accidentally pulled a trigger. The shot rang through the air, cutting through the thrum of raindrops striking ground.
Like the gunshot that marked the start of a race, it was the moment that brought the real fighting to a peak. The Teeth and our side all jumped into action.
My bugs flooded into the group, condensing on the key members. I couldn’t seem to touch the Spree that was generating the mindless clones, as his body vibrated and rippled, but I could attack Hemorrhagia, Animos, Butcher, Reaver, Vex and the underlings. The press of near-identical bodies was almost useful, giving my bugs shelter and dry surfaces to move on.
Codex advanced, breaking away from the rest of the Ambassadors. She was a pale woman dressed in a white evening gown, wearing a simple, featureless white mask. A temporary costume.
She reached towards the crowd. I could see the eyes of the Sprees lighting up as the effect reached further back into the crowd. They stumbled, slowing, blocking the ones behind them from advancing. Groans and grunts echoed from the crowd, all eerily similar.
Their powers were new. Less than six hours old. Accord had agreed to lend them to us, though their costumes hadn’t yet been designed, their powers not fully explored. We’d offered Tattletale’s analysis of their capabilities in exchange. She’d barely been capable, hadn’t yet recuperated from the migraines she’d suffered earlier in the week, and the use of her power had only brought the migraines back with a vengeance.
Still, we’d talked it over and agreed that the assistance of the Ambassadors as a whole was that much more useful in this scenario than a worn and weary Tattletale. Tattletale’s feedback was essential, but we already had a sense of who the Teeth were, and Tattletale had been able to fill us in on the new Ambassadors just as readily as she’d filled Accord in.
Codex was a blaster-thinker hybrid. Tattletale had speculated that the woman caused permanent brain damage and memory loss , briefly augmenting her own processing power in exchange. The duplicates Spree was generating weren’t gifted with much in the way of brains to begin with. Even a little damage was having devastating results.
Jacklight was launching forth the miniscule orbs of light, each growing as it traveled before stopping in mid-air. Each warped space around it, accelerated movement, enhanced the output of certain forms of energy. Where one of his lights was set next to a wall, it redirected one running duplicate into a wall. Another, closer to the ground, swung a Spree that stepped over it into the ground face first.
It was Ligeia, though, who slowed down the enemy the most. She created water out of nothing, geysers of the stuff that drove the mob back and sent them sprawling.
Then she sucked up the water. I wasn’t entirely sure, but I got the impression she caught one or two duplicates in the process, drawing them into whatever place she’d taken the water from.
It took her a second each time she switched from creating water to drawing it in. Clones slipped through the gaps in the defensive line as she changed gears.
“Rachel!” I gave the order. Before Jacklight’s power makes it impossible to go further or more slip through.
Her responding whistle cut through the night. Bentley and three more dogs were released, charging forward, leaping over our defensive line to crash into a sea of duplicates. The duplicates were now too closely packed together to even fall down, and were literally climbing over top of one another. The dogs stumbled or slipped as the Jacklights tugged at one or two of their legs, then proceeded to tear their way through the crowd.
They were brought to a stop when they found the second of the Teeth’s defensive powers waiting for them. Vex’s forcefields were countless, numbering in the hundreds, each sharp enough to cut exposed flesh. Alone, they weren’t strong, but the shards had a collective, cumulative resistance. I’d hoped Rachel’s dogs would have enough raw strength to power through.
Still, we had the advantage here. The tide of the duplicates was slowed as the bludgeoning power of the dogs crumpled them underfoot or crushed them against one another, and both Barker and Biter were free to join the defensive line. I was able to step back and get a brief respite from the hand to hand fighting with the Spree duplicates.
“Kip up!” Rachel bellowed the words.
One dog leaped to the side, planting its feet on a wall, then leaped for the Teeth on the far side.
A four-legged creature just a little smaller than the dog lunged into the air, brought the two of them crashing down into the midst of the sea of tiny forcefields. Animos.
Cape teams naturally found their own synergies and strategies. This was how the Teeth fought. Two defensive lines protecting the reserve forces while the truly dangerous members acted.
Butcher raised her gun, setting one finger on a trigger of her gun. It started spinning up.
“Butcher incoming!” I called out.
She teleported past the worst of Vex’s forcefield barrier. Flame billowed around her in a muted explosion as she appeared.
Butcher six’s explosive teleporting. It’s weaker than it was when six had it, shorter range, and the intensity of the explosion isn’t nearly what it once was.
She pushed past the remainder, and leveled the gatling gun at the nearest dog, pulled the trigger before anyone, Regent included, could do anything to trip her up.
Ten bullets were fired in a half-second. A moment later, the weapon jammed.
Wounded but intact, the dog turned and snapped at her.
She was gone a heartbeat before the teeth snapped together.
Butcher three’s danger sense. Didn’t do him much good. Driven mad, died in a suicidal attack against the Teeth. Window of opportunity is lower, application limited to more physical danger.
She reappeared in a cloud of rolling flame, reversed her grip on her gatling gun and swung it like a club, knocking Bentley clean off his feet.
Super strength, courtesy of one, three, six, nine, eleven and thirteen. Cumulative effects. A little bit of super strength from multiple sources added up.
Animos was pinned by another dog, a yellow light surrounding both of the unnatural beasts. He screeched at the dog, a high-pitched noise that made me wince, but the effect didn’t take hold. Animos’ scream could strip someone temporarily of their powers, but Citrine was dampening the effect. That, or there was nothing to take away from the dog. The mutation was Rachel’s power, technically.
Butcher approached the pair, and Citrine abandoned her assault, letting up.
As Tattletale had warned Grue, she’d warned Citrine as well. Butcher’s power was too dangerous to muck with. Grue risked absorbing the consciousness of the prior Butchers, and Citrine risked striking on the right ‘attunement’ and accidentally killing Butcher.
But Citrine was still a leader, didn’t waste a moment. She gave the signal, shouted something I couldn’t make out, and her followers opened fire. Jacklight and Codex lobbed their attacks towards Butcher, and the leader of the Teeth teleported away before either could do any real damage. Ligeia produced a geyser of water that sent duplicates flying ten or twelve feet in the air. Othello, for his part, was standing by, his hands in his pockets, his two-tone mask expressionless.
Which wasn’t to say he wasn’t contributing. Hemorrhagia was enduring an assault from an invisible, immaterial foe. I could feel him, feel the movement against my bugs, but the bugs didn’t settle on him, simply passed through. He was only partially there, focusing on allowing certain aspects of himself, his weapon, to affect our world.
Shallow cuts appeared on Hemmorhagia’s face, chest and arms as she tried ineffectually to shield herself, and those same cuts exploded violently as she used her power to draw her blood from her body and turn it into hard, physical, cutting weapons. More blood congealed into broad scabs that protected her and reduced the damage of the continuous slashes.
A distance away, Imp appeared, electrocuting Spree with a jab of her taser and bringing an end to the stream of duplicates. Not that the duplicates were doing as much damage as they had been. Like lemmings running off a cliff, many were scaling the piles of fallen clones and promptly running into Vex’s forcefields, only adding more corpses to the virtual hill of corpses that separated us from the other members of the Teeth.
Our two Strangers were doing much of the work in dealing with the back line. That left us to deal with Butcher.
Bentley had recovered and charged her. She responded by hitting him with a wave of pain, putting him off his guard so she could strike him aside.
Butcher one. Inflicted agony at range.
Bentley was quick to recover, quick to push past the pain that she was inflicting and attack. She prepared to strike him again.
Regent knocked her off-balance, and she was caught off guard as Bentley struck her with one paw.
She teleported out of Bentley’s way before he could follow through with the attack, appeared in between Regent and I, surrounded by our capes. We staggered back as flame washed over us.
I felt my focus begin to slip, thoughts of violence filling my mind. I itched to attack, to hurt her.
I sent my bugs in, but that was the one gesture that set the others in motion. Without realizing it, I found myself charging her.
Biter and Regent were among those caught in her spell. We attacked her as mindlessly as Spree duplicates had attacked us.
My knife stabbed at her armor, doing too little damage. I stabbed again, found a vulnerable spot at the back of her neck, just below her hairline. I dragged the knife through her flesh.
Without even turning to face me, she elbowed me, and all the strength I had went out of me. I careened a distance away, tumbled, landed amidst Spree clones.
They clutched feebly at me while I reeled.
Lizardtail’s power pressed even harder against me. I could feel the edges of my injuries tingling, the wounds slowly knitting closed. Far slower than they should have been, given the earlier demonstration of Lizardtail’s power. Either he was weaker, or her ability to inflict wounds that progressively got worse over time was taking away from the power of his regeneration.
Butcher had a grip on Regent, threw him into Biter with enough strength to take the two of them out of the fight.
Possibly enough strength to kill one, if Lizardtail’s power wasn’t able to outpace the internal damage done.
Induces mindless rage. Power from Butcher Nine. Very low range.
Inflicts wounds that fester. Power from Butcher Four. Less effect than Four had. Far shorter duration.
She teleported. I could sense where she’d arrived as my bugs died en-masse. She was going after Rachel.
I had lines of silk prepared, did what I could to bind Butcher. She struggled briefly, then teleported free of them.
Codex and Ligeia directed attacks her way, and again, Butcher disappeared before either could really affect her.
I felt something shift inside me, and the pain dropped to a fraction of what it had been. I got to my feet.
“Go!” I shouted. “Get the wounded!”
Rachel whistled, and the dogs converged on our location. Butcher had appeared in the midst of the Ambassadors, but the variety and ferocity of their attacks had her teleporting from moment to moment, doing more damage with the flames that appeared around her than through any action she could carry out.
It seemed that even though Codex’s attack hadn’t connected full force, Butcher wasn’t keen on giving her an opportunity to deliver any more grazing hits.
Rachel stopped next to me, offered me a hand up.
“Fetch Codex,” I said. “The Ambassador in white. Butcher’s going after her. It might mean Codex is doing the most damage.”
Rachel gave me a curt nod, and we charged, leaving Grue to help Regent.
Butcher teleported away as Bentley hurtled at her. I reached for Codex, took her hand. She looked at Citrine, as if asking permission.
“Go,” Citrine said.
I helped Codex up onto Bentley’s back. She had to sit sidesaddle. Those ridiculous dresses. They weren’t meant for fighting.
But, then, I suspected that Accord was used to ‘shock and awe’ tactics, when he had to engage in a direct assault. How many of his enemies were as tough, versatile or persistent as Butcher?
She’d teleported away, effectively leaving her team to fend for themselves. Only Reaver, Vex and, to a lesser degree, Hemorrhagia, were in fighting shape. Butcher was interested only in the fight. She was the central pillar of the Teeth, and stopping her would stop them, and for much that reason, her team was a secondary concern to us as well.
“Run!” I told Rachel. “Codex, hit her where you can.”
I was versed in fighting teleporting foes, had engaged in a similar conflict against Oni Lee. Butcher wasn’t him. She didn’t obsessively use knives.
No, she was drawing a configuration of metal rods and panels from her back. Her gun abandoned in the course of the fighting, she was unfolding the device into a different weapon.
A compound bow.
I already knew which power she was using next. Imp had sabotaged the gun, jamming the ammo feed, but she hadn’t been able to get at the bow. It was massive when fully unfolded, nearly six feet long, not counting the extra length as part of the curve. Large enough that it required superhuman strength to draw.
Less than a year ago, Butcher had been known as Quarrel, and as Tattletale told it, Quarrel had used a much smaller version of that same bow to kill Butcher Thirteen in a drawn-out fight in New York.
Regent wasn’t in fighting shape. My bugs weren’t able to move fast enough to reach her. Ligeia wasn’t in a position to hit her with water, and Jacklight’s orbs didn’t reach nearly that far.
If she started shooting, we’d drop like flies.
“Hit her,” I said. “Codex!”
Codex reached out to use her brain-drain attack. It was visible only by the effects it had, but I’d seen it move through the Spree clones. It was slow.
Butcher had time to string her bow before she had to teleport out of the way, appearing on top of a building with a vantage point of the battlefield. She knelt, touching the rooftop, and reformed the stone into arrows.
That power was Butcher Eight’s, except he’d had more reach, was faster.
Bugs clustered at her eyes, but she barely seemed to notice. Nearly blind, she drew her string, pointed the arrow at us.
Before I could react, shout a warning, Codex hit me with enough force to nearly unseat me, despite how I was sitting astride Bentley. Something else struck my shoulder with enough force to tear half the armor away.
The new villain slumped and fell, joined by the piece of my armor that had been shorn off. An arrow neatly penetrated her neck.
Butcher drew her bow again.
She didn’t miss. She did something to warp space or adjust the very fabric of reality, so her shots always struck the intended target.
She aimed towards my teammates, paused, lowered her weapon a second as if momentarily confused.
The bow swept in the Ambassador’s direction.
Then she turned, her body rotating, the massive bow and long arrow pointing at us. Rachel and I.
“Go!” I shouted. “Go, go!”
We could only get out of range.
How far could a bow like that send an arrow flying?
Apparently Butcher didn’t think it would be this far. She teleported, paused, then teleported again. A small fire erupted at each destination point.
Another teleport, and she killed a swarm of bugs I’d left lying in wait. I’d hoped she would fall short, and that I could bind her weapon with silk. No such luck.
“She’s following!” I shouted.
Rachel grunted a response, kicked Bentley to drive him to run faster, then whistled.
Her dogs broke away from the rest of the Ambassadors and Undersiders, trailing after us. Butcher had to teleport as one spry, smaller dog noticed her and ascended to the rooftop to give chase.
Buying time, but she was closing the distance.
I drew from the silk I had stored in my utility compartment. Coils of it, braided together into lines strong enough to suspend a grown man.
Hopefully strong enough to hold Butcher.
We had a plan, I just hadn’t counted on her being quite as tenacious as she was. I’d looked at the teleportation power, had failed to account for what it meant in conjunction with her danger sense.
I formed the silk into nets. I could guess at her next destination, track her possible arrival points.
Again, she teleported right on top of a net. The flames destroyed it.
One net left.
We’d reached the edge of the city. There were fewer buildings, fewer rooftops. Wet clumps of sand flew behind Bentley’s feet as he dug deep to find traction.
Butcher appeared on one of the last remaining rooftops, killing a cloud of bugs. Other ambient bugs clustered on her, biting and stinging, doing ineffectual damage. Too tough, courtesy of Butcher number… fuck it. Didn’t matter, really.
She deemed herself close enough to take a shot, drew her arrow back, raising the bow so it pointed nearly at the sky.
The net closed around her, unseated her arrow from its mount.
Bugs wound more strands around her knees. The wind pushed at her, and she tried to extend one foot to catch her balance, succeeded only in tipping herself over. She fell from the roof of the five-story building.
She teleported herself right to the ground, cutting the height of her fall in half and freeing herself of the net.
It was still a hard landing.
“Get her! Fetch her!”
Rachel nodded, whistled three times, pointed.
The dogs that trailed after us were quick to follow the order, snatching up Butcher.
She’d heal, was probably healing the brain damage Codex had inflicted. Butcher was tough enough that the dogs probably wouldn’t do enough damage before she regained her senses.
I might have been wrong in that assumption, but we couldn’t afford to think otherwise.
“Go!” I shouted.
We ran. Rachel and I on Bentley, a pack of her dogs following behind.
There was no telling how much time we had.
We’d gone into this with one plan. One solid way of putting an end to Butcher. It was why we weren’t hiding in the safety of Grue’s darkness.
Though we were in less danger than we’d been since the battle started, my heart was pounding harder than ever.
“Stop!” I called out, to be heard over the wind.
Rachel pulled Bentley to a stop. She knew what came next, gave a hand signal. “Dogs, stop! Rat-dog, forward!’
The dog that had Butcher ran on a little further, passing over a line of stones in the wet sand.
Rat-dog shook Butcher like she was a chew toy.
“Good dog,” Rachel said. “Drop her.”
Rat-dog dropped Butcher.
Rat-dog whimpered.
“Good boy, come.”
Tail between his legs, Rat-dog approached, passing over the line of stones in the wet sand.
Long seconds passed. Bentley virtually heaved with the exertion of the run.
My eyes didn’t leave Butcher.
Butcher roused, and it wasn’t a slow affair. One instant she was lying prone, the next she’d teleported, appeared next to the narrow, light-bodied dog and bludgeoned it, sending it flying.
“Dakota, go! Bear, go!”
Two more dogs charged Butcher, drove her back.
“Stop,” I warned Rachel. I lowered my voice, “She has that rage aura.”
It didn’t matter. Butcher dispatched the two dogs just as easily, eyed us warily as Rachel commanded them to retreat.
“Good dogs,” Rachel said, as they hurried to her side.
My eyes still didn’t leave Butcher. I watched, waited.
She didn’t understand what was going on, why we weren’t pressing the attack.
But she wasn’t confident either.
She strung her bow, as if testing us. She started to create an arrow out of sand, condensing it into a more solid form.
Then she gave up, stepped back. The hardened rod of sand crumbled.
“Stop it,” she said.
I shook my head.
She lashed out, hit us with raw pain.
In the agony, the feeling of fire running through my veins, I toppled from Bentley’s back.
I’d anticipated this, or something like it, knew it was temporary. I could only grit my teeth and tell myself it was almost the best case scenario, even when it didn’t quite feel like it.
Rachel’s dogs bristled, but the pain dissipated, and she found herself free to command them to stand down.
It didn’t matter. Butcher was on her knees now, face turned toward the ground.
“Don’t say anything,” I murmured.
With more focus than before, Butcher formed a spike out of hard sand.
She was murmuring to herself now. Conversing under her breath with the voices in her head. She sounded oddly insistent, plaintive in a very childish manner.
When the weapon was formed, she glanced skyward, murmured something indistinct.
Then teleported a distance into the air, directly above the spike.
There was a wet sound, a pause.
“Nothing?” I asked Rachel. “You… don’t feel her powers?”
She shook her head.
“Then let’s go.”
We began our long journey back to the others, leaving Butcher with a spike through her heart.
No rush. The fight was over. One more foe taken down.
If the PRT happened to wonder if any of the Undersiders or Ambassadors had acquired Butcher’s powers, all the better.
“Mind if I come by tonight?” I asked, my voice low.
Rachel shot me a glower over her shoulder, “Why?”
“To talk.”
“We can talk now.”
“And so I can see how you’re coping with your minions.”
“Whatever,” she said.
“Is that a yes?”
“It’s a whatever,” she said. “Do whatever you want.”
“Okay,” I said.
There was no more conversation as we closed the distance to the others.
They were more or less in ship-shape when we arrived. Regent was propped up against a wall, but he wasn’t pulverized. The only one we’d lost was Codex.
“Success?” Grue asked.
“Success,” I said.
The entire group, even the straight-backed Ambassadors, seemed to react with relief.
“Guess my sister has one more kill under her belt,” Regent commented. “Fourteen voices in Cherish’s head to keep her company as she spends the next few centuries alone at the bottom of the bay.”
“Daddy!” a toddler squealed. No older than three, the small child waded past a pack of dogs to her father, the tall, large-bellied man who I’d seen handling some of Rachel’s dogs.
Rachel ignored the reunion, greeted the dogs who milled around her, barking and whining in joy as their master returned.
“Food?” she asked me, almost as if it were an afterthought.
“Someone make food,” she declared.
“I will!” a darker-skinned teenage girl declared. She looked to be of mixed race, with brilliant blue eyes that didn’t match up with her brown, coarse hair and skin.
“Hamburger,” Rachel said.
“Okay,” the kid said. “Anything else?”
“Vegetables,” I cut in. “Something healthier.”
Rachel shrugged. “That grilled crap you made before, with the… long green vegetables.”
“The asparagus?”
“Yeah. That was good.”
The kid looked like she’d just won the lottery, almost bursting with joy.
Barker, Biter and the veterinarian all set to basic chores around the place, as if it were routine. No one seemed to begrudge the fact that Bitch was taking it easy while they worked, not even Barker, who had been somewhat prickly the last time I’d run across him.
Either she’d earned their respect, or they’d learned how stubborn she was.
“I wanted to talk to you about the future,” I said.
“Mm,” Rachel said, reclining. The dogs were clustered around her feet, the larger ones laying their heads in her lap.
“It’s… problematic, having you patrolling the area out here, scaring the locals. You know that, right?”
Rachel shrugged, apparently unconcerned.
I watched as the man with the three year old girl joined one of Bitch’s other followers, a woman who had apparently been babysitting the child. He fished in one pocket for money, then handed it over.
His voice was quiet, a mumble, “When some’dy helps you out, what d’you say?”
“Thank you!” the toddler chirped.
The woman only scowled. I saw Rachel out of the corner of one eye, watching.
The man made his way past the kitchen, nearly running into the darker-skinned girl who was already cooking, past Barker and Biter, before finding a place to sit with his child.
Despite his size, his presence, the man with the child didn’t make eye contact with anyone. Almost flinched at it, even in the face of a hundred-pound girl.
Mentally disabled? Developmentally delayed? Or had he suffered a trauma?
Between the way the girl had been so overjoyed at the slightest praise, and this man’s attitude, I was wondering if maybe Rachel’s people were somehow just as damaged as she was.
“There’s one possibility,” I said to Rachel. “A role you could play in this. You don’t have to. Just putting it out there.”
“The portal, it sounds like it’s going to be a thing. There’s a whole world out there with nobody around. People will be settling there, establishing a society. I’m imagining there’ll be something of a society popping up around the portal, a mirror city to Brockton Bay. But there’ll be pioneers as well. People striking out on their own. And some of the Undersider’s enemies are going to try to slip through, control things on the other side.”
“If you’re willing, maybe you could serve as an aide to the Undersiders, but you patrol for trouble, track down troublemakers and fugitives. That could be your territory, more than just the fringes of this city.”
She frowned.
“It’s just an idea.”
“It’d be hard to feed my dogs.”
“Manageable,” I said. “Tattletale aims to control one of the fleets that brings supplies to the other side. We don’t know how restrictive the government will be with the portal, or where ownership will lie, but… I don’t imagine getting dog food to you will be a problem. And as the area gets settled, maybe you could supply trained dogs to pioneers or hunters looking to capitalize on the area.”
She didn’t reply, focusing on her adoring dogs, instead. Two hands, no less than twenty ears to scratch in her reach.
“Think about it,” I said.
“Mm,” she grunted.
The man was playing with his daughter, who was squealing and reaching out to pet the dogs who were standing by, almost protective.
“They’re okay?” I asked. “The dogs won’t hurt the kid?”
“None of the dogs at this shelter,” Rachel said. “Picked them carefully.”
I was a little stunned at that. To give that much thought to something like that… it wasn’t in her character.
“Why?” I asked.
“You said I should think about what people need from dogs. If I’m going to find them homes, the dogs need to be able to live with families.”
I nodded. There were more questions I wanted to ask, but I didn’t want to spoil the quiet relief I felt at hearing her say that.
We sat for ten more minutes before Bitch rose and began playing with dogs. She incorporated training into the play, dividing dogs into teams and having them fetch in shifts, among other things. I stood, joining her, and she handed me a ball.
There wasn’t much more conversation beyond that. Most of the talking was reserved for the dogs.
Time passed quickly enough that I was surprised that Rachel’s henchperson announced that the food was ready. Not everyone collected some. Barker and Biter held off. The vet had her hands full. Rachel loaded up a plate with two burgers and a pile of grilled vegetables. I took about half the portions she did.
It wasn’t very good, but the kid seemed so pleased with herself that I couldn’t say anything to that effect. Rachel didn’t seem to care, nor did the big man and his daughter.
“Thank you,” the toddler piped up, sing-song, when she was done eating the bits of crumbled up hamburger and bun.
Rachel, for her part, only stood to grab a soda. She mussed up the cook’s hair on the way back, as if she were petting a dog.
…Not quite a leadership style I might have suggested, but the kid looked happy.
I finished what I could, considered throwing the rest to the dogs, then decided it was best not to risk angering Rachel.
It was late at night, now, but I didn’t return to my lair. We tended to the dogs, grooming them, cleaning their ears and brushing their teeth. Certain dogs were due pills, and Rachel saw to it that they got the pills.
It was an endless sequence of those little tasks I’d always found frustrating. Cleaning up, doing jobs that would only be undone by the next day, if not within minutes. I’d always found them frustrating, found it tolerable only now that I could delegate bugs to many of them.
Rachel reveled in it. It seemed to calm her, center her.
The others found their way to their beds, or made their way out the front door to head back to wherever they lived. Many dogs retreated to the kennels that were set out for each of them, and Rachel took the time to lock them in.
The night was creeping on, and I wasn’t leaving. I knew why, didn’t want to admit it to myself.
Exhaustion overtook me eventually, though I would have been hard pressed to say exactly when.
I woke in the middle of the evening, found myself slumped on a couch with a crick in my neck, a blanket over me.
Rachel was on another couch, and the blue-eyed girl, the cook, was lying beside her, her back pressed to Rachel’s front.
I stood, stretched, winced at the knot at the muscle where my neck met my shoulder. The movement seemed to stir Rachel. She started to extricate herself from behind the girl.
“Don’t let me disturb you,” I murmured, keeping my voice quiet enough that it wouldn’t disturb anyone.
She shifted position, keeping herself propped up, “You leaving?”
I frowned, “Yeah.”
“Okay.” She settled back down, and the kid curled up against her. Kid. The teenager was probably older than Aisha or Vista. I couldn’t help but see her as younger, because there was something about her that screamed ‘lost’.
Maybe that was the role that Rachel filled, here. Forming a screwed up, antisocial family with those who had nobody else. Damaged people.
I was okay with that. I could believe that, even if she didn’t heal them or help them get better in any explicit way, she wouldn’t make them worse.
I felt like I should say something more, but I was tired, my thoughts increasingly occupied by greater matters. “Bye.”
“Bye,” she said.
I headed to the door. I was already gathering bugs to me, just to ensure I had a safe walk back. A walk home in the dark would be nice. Time to think.
I stopped in my tracks, looked back.
Rachel had her head down against the armrest of the couch. I couldn’t see her through the other girl’s head.
But it had been her voice.
I revised my opinion. Maybe they could heal each other, in their own ways.
It helped, as I stepped outside and started my long, quiet trek home. I was riddled with doubts, with countless worries, but knowing that Rachel was in a better place was a light in the darkness.
I had let two days pass since my conversation with Miss Militia. Dealt with the Teeth. They weren’t all gone. Hemorrhagia had slipped away, as had Reaver, and there were rank and file troops. Parian still had some cleaning up to do, at the very least, but the Teeth weren’t the presence they had been.
Now I had to face everything I’d been dreading. I’d spent time here because I was procrastinating. Putting off the inevitable. I couldn’t put it off any longer: if I didn’t bring myself to do it soon, it would only get harder to bring myself to do it.
Tomorrow morning, I thought. I face off with Tagg and the rest of the PRT.
This entry was posted in 21.06 and tagged Bitch, Butcher, Citrine, Grue, Imp, Othello, Regent, Taylor, WagtheDog by wildbow. Bookmark the permalink.
458 thoughts on “Imago 21.6”
wildbow on April 23, 2013 at 00:01 said:
Thanks for reading, guys.
This one wound up being a monster. I’m an idiot, thinking I could have a tidy little fight scene and some Bitch interaction in one chapter, when it’s really two chapters. So it wound up being 8k+ words. Fun, exhausting.
Hoping that the quality is alright. Wound up tight on time to proofread, even though I skipped cooking/eating dinner, haha.
If you feel so inclined, feel free to vote on Topwebfiction or rate on Webfictionguide. Thanks!
Packbat on April 23, 2013 at 00:36 said:
You could split it in two — cut-paste the second half into a new post. Not something to be done lightly, but if this update doesn’t feel like one chapter to you, that’s an option to consider.
It might have worked if I’d planned it out beforehand, but the main issue was just the time investment, and once I’d gotten as far as I had, finding time was tight, I was already caught up in it, and it would’ve taken more time to split it off and tidy up the divide.
I meant now, after publication — but the fact that it would be extra work (and that there are already more than forty comments) does tell against that option.
Leaving it as one chapter also works on another level, in terms of arc flow.
@wildbow: Cool.
manitou on April 25, 2013 at 03:57 said:
As a whole, the Teeth amounted to twenty or so unpowered troops, plus a half-dozen or so powered ones. They didn’t have uniforms, no real costumes that helped me to tell them from one another. Even the unpowered Teeth had ‘costumes’ of a sort, were dressed in a hodgepodge of armor that made it hard to tell them apart.”
IS a really awkward paragraph.
The second and third sentences seem to contradict one another.
MoveslikeQuagger on January 22, 2016 at 00:30 said:
Extreme necro, but hey.
You’ve got it saying “always found frustrating” twice in a row, and something pretty similar just before it (don’t remember what).
I enjoyed the chapter, though. Always nice to have a fight with new powers involved that doesn’t take up a whole arc.
Now I’m curious how they got Cherish to help out. I guess I may find out shortly, since the story is long finished and all that.
Ducksborough on February 1, 2016 at 07:48 said:
That was my question too. Is cherish just guarding the boat graveyard making a suicide forest of sorts? And how did regent know that cherish was the one who offed butcher?
Hmdrake on February 10, 2016 at 02:06 said:
It was mentioned earlier that the slaughterhouse nine left her there, and mentioned in passing that anyone that got near there committed suicide. It wasn’t a hard connection for them to make.
RazorSmile on April 23, 2013 at 00:02 said:
comickry on April 23, 2013 at 00:14 said:
You read that in two minutes? Then you totally earned that f1rst…
Nah, I hadn’t actually read it when I posted that. It was an opportunity to obtain my very first ”first” on the internet; not to be missed :p
MrVoid on April 23, 2013 at 00:37 said:
You still failed. wildbow has taken that first post slot every time someone has had the gall. You may have posted first but to a casual observer you are only second best.
… I for one am entirely okay with being the first non-Wildbow poster 😀
For that you are one of the best firsters of all time.
wanderinggeek on April 24, 2013 at 14:41 said:
I wish here to with RazorSmile a warm entrance to the club.
Trusting on April 23, 2013 at 18:50 said:
291 !
Individuo on April 23, 2013 at 00:22 said:
Long chapter is really long
Patrick Reitz (@dreamfarer) on April 23, 2013 at 07:41 said:
Long chapter is really awesome!
(I know 8k words is decidely non-trivial, especially under a time crunch but wow are these long ones nice to read!)
Don on April 23, 2013 at 00:23 said:
charging forwards -> charging forward.
Awesome chapter.
Fixed. Thanks, Don.
It took me a moment to realize that Skitter had used Cherish to kill Butcher. Smart.
Nice to see Bitch’s headquarters and minions.
endochrom on April 23, 2013 at 00:24 said:
Maybe I’m a little slow today but I’m not too certain on what happened in the fight. What happened to Butcher in the end, and how will she be keeping Cherish company?
khiruki on April 23, 2013 at 00:25 said:
If I understand correctly, the plan was to lure Butcher into Cherish’s super suicide aura effect. So then Butcher committed suicide, and Cherish gets kill credit.
throwaawy on April 23, 2013 at 00:28 said:
she weaponized a suicide aura.
she weaponized a SUICIDE AURA. wow.
i guess when 13 people all feel suicidal at once it does something…
The Sandman on April 23, 2013 at 06:55 said:
I don’t know; seems equally plausible that since Butcher was directly responsible for her own death the voices all died with her.
Toast on April 23, 2013 at 10:11 said:
I don’t think Cherish gets full kill credit. At the meeting, it was mentioned that one of the capes in the chain didn’t kill Butcher fair-and-square, and so the voices didn’t play along, weren’t forthcoming with their associated powers, and eventually reduced the cape in question to the point where he suicide-ran against somebody who *would* kill him properly.
Driving someone to suicide via passive aura doesn’t strike me as killing them in a duel.
So yes, Cherie has a coterie of voices in her head. Voices who *hate her.*
Rika Covenant on April 23, 2013 at 11:31 said:
Voices who hate her, hmm? And her power is emotion control….
It would be fascinating to learn she could emotion-jammer the Butcher voices.
Horatio Von Becker on September 17, 2014 at 14:25 said:
At this point I would love to see her teleport out of the bay, then regenerate the rest of her body. Maybe call herself Cherished Souls. Would that not be awesome? Also, I want to know what would happen if a normal person killed Butcher and then had a trigger event. Hey, Theo needed powers…
MisterTeatime on December 11, 2015 at 11:27 said:
It’s true that the voices drove one Butcher mad to the point of suicide-by-Teeth, but the reason is a little different. (This first comes up in Accord’s interlude.) The problem was that Butcher Three was a hero. He refused to play along with what the voices were telling him to think and do, so they (intentionally or otherwise) switched to just tormenting him instead.
theant87 on April 23, 2013 at 00:27 said:
Cherish is still alive and is feeling suicidal despair which she has been broadcasting to anyone in her range. Whoever kills butcher gains a portion of the previous butcher’s powers and gets to have all 14 of their voices/consciousnesses in their head. They tricked butcher into cherish’s area and cherish caused her to kill herself, making Cherish the 15th butcher, and gaining all of their personalities in their head. Though considering all the powers they had, we might see her again at some point in the future, completely batshit insane.
saintsant on April 23, 2013 at 00:30 said:
Yeaaaah… She can teleport. I’m thinking Mannequin’s little prison is going to suffer a breakout.
No One In Particular on April 23, 2013 at 00:35 said:
They are screwed. Crazy, suicidal teen who has a large assortment of powers, is willing to do anything and betray anyone for what she wants, and just spent the past few months in purgatory? That won’t make her go on a rampage at all!
Loki-L on April 23, 2013 at 01:50 said:
I got the impression that the prison was less of a prison and more of a brain inside a jar hooked up to live-support.
Between the teleportation being short range and the prison being underground or under water on the one hand and what is left of cherish not being viable outside her prison on the other I doubt she will easily break out.
Butcher had her bow and all kinds of stuff with her during her teleports. Presumably she didn’t appear stark naked in the middle of flaming explosions, put clothes on while everyone else waited and then resumed the fight.
So Cherish’s teleport might bring her shiny life-support exterior along as well.
rhysdeanno on April 23, 2013 at 05:26 said:
Also, Butcher regenerates with some unknown efficiency. It isn’t Crawler-level or anything, but it might at least let Cherish repair her original power.
Indeed. Butcher Fifteen showing up would be awesome. Pity Fourteen wasn’t there with Echidna. I want to see Glastig Uaine’s impressions of both, and actually Noelle’s impressions of the other two as well.
Yeah, I think Butcherish escaping would be pretty plausible. She just needs to fix herself up with the regeneration (Fourteen could heal from Codex’s permanent brain damage; she’ll probably beat whatever Bonesaw and Mannequin set up eventually), then escape whatever’s keeping her pod anchored with the stoneshaping and perfect aim, and return to shore with a combination of maneuvering her pod on the waves and the flame teleportation.
Max on October 18, 2014 at 20:21 said:
At this point I get the impression that Cherish would welcome dying and would try to break out if only to finally let it end.
Am I the only one who feels sorry for the girl?
irrevenant on October 18, 2014 at 21:08 said:
I feel sorry for her too. Beneath it all she was just a teenager trying to carve out her place in the world after a bad childhood. She could have redeemed herself had she been lucky enough to fall in with the right people rather than the S9.
What happened to her (and continues to happen to her) is truly, truly horrible. She was a villain and a jerk but she didn’t deserve that.
Agreed. She was bad but she wasn’t evil. There have been several truly evil examples of people throughout the story and I can only count like one or two that I would wish into Cherish’s position. I really hope wildbow finally lets her die before the story ends. Heck they can’t even really safely kill her anymore if she really has become Butcher XV.
Hexa on August 5, 2016 at 00:01 said:
Yes, I think she would prefer to die. Unfortunately, unless her emotion control works on Butcher-ghosts she’ll be outvoted thirteen to two on that.
And yes, it’s horrific what happened to her. The good only reason I can see why she hasn’t been allowed to die is if Bonesaw put a dead-Cherish switch in the pod to release a super-virus.
Of course, the real reason is that the Protectorate doesn’t care about suffering that much.
Oh. I forgot about the suicidal despair thing. It has been quite a few chapters since it came up.
I’m guessing that part of town normally has big warning signs around it.
But yeah Cherish might be back. Those previous 14 powers are nothing to sniff at.
Thanks for the explanation.
I can picture the 9 clones all attacking and promptly committing suicide as Cherish the new butcher tries to get revenge. They won’t have the defenses Bonesaw made to Jack and herself to deal with Cherish’s power.
Whilst Cherish will be out for revenge, isn’t it more likely she takes her wrath out on Brockton? I mean it is closer and all. She might even end up paying her little brother a visit.
I though of it as the 9 attack, cherish gets so angry she escapes and kills alot of them, till she gets killed in turn by either a clone/jack. Who then attacks just adding to the chaos. Considering how important the portal is, I can picture the 9 attacking for the specific purpose of closing it.
On the subject of Cherish, I can’t seem to find the chapter in which she is suicidal, and caught by mannequin (as somebody else said). It isn’t tagged at least. Any ideas?
Mannequin died in the bombing raid a couple hours before Jack, Manton, Bonesaw, and Hookwolf found Cherish and showed her why not to mess around with the Nine. Bonesaw had analyzed his tech, though, and used it to keep Cherish trapped but alive in the bay. And surgically modified her brain to remove the filter for sensing negative emotions, just for kicks.
She wasn’t caught by mannequin. Bonesaw had a device mannequin made that she used with her power to help heal Manton who was in very bad shape. Before they left the city, they simply took him out of it, and put Cherish in after Bonesaw did some surgery on her mind making it so she received all the negative emotions of the city without her natural defenses against it. Bonesaw and Jack had some modifications to their brain to give them a defense to Cherish’s power. So she is now stuck in the dark, unable to move, and gets to feel every negative emotion that anyone in the city feels. It was mentioned during the mayoral debate that anyone that goes near her feels suicidal despair, the same thing she is currently feeling, but she is unable to kill herself.
If Butcher has regeneration, it could be that whatever Bonesaw did to break Cherish’s emotion-sensing will be repaired.
Jakinbandw on April 23, 2013 at 00:35 said:
Or she could just escape the prison and commit suicide…
Mrmdubois on April 23, 2013 at 00:52 said:
Don’t forget that any not a member of the Teeth who kills Butcher will get driven insane. I mean Cherish was already loco, now she’s going to crazy in 14 different flavors. No clue if she makes a reappearance though.
Pandemonious Ivy on April 23, 2013 at 12:38 said:
^Is true, but if you recall how the Butcher/Teeth mindset works, I am almost positive they don’t want to be stuck in a bubble for centuries. So they get an update on the situation, grumble and growl until they decide it is in their best interests to help get Cherish free, THEN decide if they should turn on her.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Bonesaw do horrible things to Cherish’s body to render her immobile and near-immortal at the same time? I’m seeing ‘brain in a jar’ territory, there.
Well I think she is can move, she is simply stuck in the capsule, and unable to get out of it, while it keeps her alive. She doesn’t have super strength and the thing is very tough. But she should now be able to teleport, and be tough enough to get to the city from the ocean theoretically. We don’t know what the condition of her body is, much less when disconnected, so she might just kill herself when she gets out.
Undead-Spaceman on April 23, 2013 at 01:36 said:
And there’s also her being,,, you know, stuck at the bottom of the ocean. I don’t think Butcher’s flameport has enough range to reach the surface before she drowns.
Not in one shot, no. I wonder if it can teleport through liquid at all, though.
xdrngy on April 23, 2013 at 01:24 said:
People have healed from worse (or at least as-bad). I’m not sure how not-underwater she would be as she reformed though, and it’d probably take a long time. I think Cherish might actually be able to manage it, scaring the other 14 into silence with her power. Definitely going to be interesting.
Great chapter and a great fight. Regent was his normal annoying self and spree actually made me laugh. Butcher was a bitch to deal with but now Cherish got her wish to come true. She gets to try and manage a group of murderous psychopaths just like she wanted. I wonder if Accords minion who didn’t make it is dead or a case 53 now. You know I wonder if there is a time skip in worm’s future. Bitch’s future role has been spelled out, she is healing as a person, and she even said thank you. Regent and Imp might start a relationship, grue and skitter broke up, and Tattletale is managing things behind the scenes. Maybe we will see a brief time skip detailing them a year later.
Dead. Almost certainly dead. This is Accord we’re talking about here; he wouldn’t allow a Case 53 on his watch.
Admiral Matt on February 3, 2018 at 09:49 said:
Uhm….. I can’t help but wonder how exactly this fits with Skitter’s “no killing” rule. Cauldron’s stuff includes mistakes, sure, but usually wouldn’t the mistakes be breathing?
So…. “No killing without permission, unless there is the quiet implication that you murdered them after turning them into a monster”?
– Cherish? Hahahahahaha-wow!! Did not see that coming! I was expecting them to use Regent to make her commit suicide OR have Citrine put her in cryogenic (or temporal!) stasis
– Codex’s power is brutally unfair. Narratively, it’s more elegant that she’s been shuffled off the mortal coil
– the Teeth have really just been coasting on Butcher, haven’t they,
– Rachel is growing. That’s great.
– so wait, which of Bitch’s minions is WagTheDog? I couldn’t guess from their physical appearances
– more thoughts when I wake up tomorrow, do my daily shit, come home and reread. Woohoo!
i’m guessing WagTheDog is the cook. she seems to match the incredibly overjoyed-ness the poster seemed to have and if it is her, she’d also be new/too-recently-joined enough that bitch wouldn’t have taken her along for the strike.
I could buy that. Plus the cook has a bit of a didn’t-stay-in-town aura — WagTheDog was a Brockton Bay Refugee.
Quite right.
Just to make sure: WagTheDog is the cook?
WagTheDog is the enthusiastic blue eyed, dark skinned girl who made the hamburgers.
Awesome. Adding to the cast page.
I think she was one of the people going along on the strike, though — only holding one dog, but still, a darker-skinned teenager was mentioned.
Reveen on April 23, 2013 at 00:46 said:
Mass brain transference, mass healing factor, and the creation of magic fields that can do anything.
Hey Accord, can you scale back the munchkin crap? The DM is getting pretty annoyed.
Money and guanxi are the two greatest superpowers ever.
Mazzon on April 23, 2013 at 07:46 said:
Nah, they’re only second and third since ‘prepared’ tops them.
All three enhance each other quite nicely though.
Irrevenant on May 25, 2014 at 20:31 said:
And, as Skitter has repeatedly shown, mad improvisation skillz trump preparedness.
So money and guanxi are third and fourth…
randomsoul2 on April 23, 2013 at 00:25 said:
I loved this chapter.
Bitch scene was amazing, fight scene was amazing…
And a large part of why I love Worm so much is the powers. 20-something of which were either introduced or seen in action in this chapter. So yes. This was awesome.
Alathon on April 23, 2013 at 00:28 said:
For my part, I’m glad you worked to include both.. there’s so much going on, it’s always good to see more covered, such as the parts with Bitch’s gang.
Notorious on April 23, 2013 at 00:29 said:
So… Cherish can teleport now.
i think a (white?) plastoid sphere teleporting around town loses a bit of its intimidation effect.
also there’s a range decrease i think. maybe she’s tried, teleports herself straight up… but doesnt break the surface of the bay and just sinks back down
Pinkhair on April 23, 2013 at 08:45 said:
Guess you’ve never seen The Prisoner.
endgame on April 23, 2013 at 00:33 said:
Yeah, this may or may not have repercussions later.
Short range. Into the ocean. Probably disconnecting whatever life support she’s jacked up with.
What happens when Butcher dies in an accident? It’s not like the ocean can get superpowers, right?
Uh… riiiight?
leviathan gets it. 😀
Or an animal that is eating her gets the Butcher’s power, and a new legend of a sea monster is born.
kgy121 on October 23, 2015 at 08:07 said:
Which is then controlled by Skitter.
True. I rescind my comment earlier, which was on how screwed Brockton Bay is now that Cherish can teleport.
Keep in mind, we don’t know the limitations of Butchers teleporting power. Maybe she can only teleport into air, or the explosions displace whatever was at the original place to make room for her to appear (essentially telefrag).
Or the insanity and roundabout way the Butcher as killed doesn’t allow her to access the powers.
hitherbydragons on April 23, 2013 at 00:41 said:
The powers jump to the person responsible for Cherish having the ability to teleport!
. . . Director Tagg.
mc2rpg on April 23, 2013 at 01:29 said:
I honestly don’t understand how you can tie this one to Director Tagg rather than Skitter.
If Cherish uses Butcher’s powers to kill herself, there isn’t really an objective murderer. If we imagine that the powers are capable of looking for somebody to blame, they’re either going to do it in a kind of human fashion or using alien reasoning. So we’re looking for someone with a long-chain causal responsibility or somebody that can be blamed, which covers a number of people.
Picking Tagg at that point is just for humor value.
(More generally, it seems obvious to me as well that Skitter would be the one responsible in that case, but I’m having trouble figuring out how to explain to an alien powerset that Skitter is responsible for engineering a situation where Cherish had the ability to commit suicide even though she didn’t actively intend that and thus is Butcherish’s murderer without looking at who is responsible for engineering a situation where (Skitter would engineer a situation where Cherish had the ability to commit suicide even though she didn’t actively intend that) even though they didn’t actively intend that.)
. . . speaking of which, her new code name should totally be “Butcherish.”
Yog on April 23, 2013 at 06:29 said:
Actually, they would jump to the last person who has done damage to her and caused her to suicide.
Bonesaw with new and awesome powers!
As if she needed more.
Bonesaw could probably surgically remove the other fifteen Butchers minds as well, so she wouldn’t even go too much crazier.
Butcher teleported rapidly with equipment, I feel like Cherish might manage the same. Hopefully not, that’d be an awful threat to deal with.
Rex on April 23, 2013 at 00:41 said:
coughLeviathancough.
Sorry, had to clear my throat there for a second. If the life support mechanisms are small enough Cherish could just do a series of teleports along the ocean floor until she got to the surface. (Assuming no sufficiently large sea cliffs between her and the beach.)
Curses, double ninja’d on both parts of my comment.
considering mannequin was the one to put her into the pod, i think size is moot point. she’s completely self-contained.
if mannequin can be ‘alive’ and have all his organs contained in those spheres of his, we can have Sphere!Cherish hopping around the streets like a demented egg
Nonsensical Nonsense on April 23, 2013 at 01:01 said:
I think butcher might have had to see where she teleported would explain why she looked up to teleport into the air, if so cherish wouldn’t be able to use it, I just doubt that they would come up with this plan knowing they are giving powers to a capable crazy immortal sphere.
dubloe7 on January 4, 2014 at 16:34 said:
Mannequin didn’t put her in there, Bonesaw did, Mannequin was already dead, along with Crawler. My impression of what was meant by “Thanks to Alan” in the note was that Alan/Mannequin had made the pod that was curing Manton, and Bonesaw had repurposed it to house Cherish.
It would kind of be great if the ocean did get superpowers though.
The ocean used EXPLOSIVE TELEPORT!
Mars takes 999 damage!
Mars has fainted!
Earth takes 12 damage!
Earth uses HARDEN.
But it fails!
The ocean used AURA OF RAGE!
Chuck Noland attacks the ocean in a mindless rage!
Gidget attacks the ocean in a mindless rage!
Aquaman resists!
The Skipper attacks the ocean in a mindless rage!
The Professor attacks the ocean in a mindless rage!
Mrs. Howell attacks the ocean in a mindless rage!
Flex Mentallo attacks the ocean in a mindful rage!
The U.S. Navy attacks the ocean in a mindless rage!
Ishmael attacks the ocean in a mindless rage!
Cauldron attacks the ocean in a mindless rage!
Magikarp used SPLASH.
It’s not effective!
Artie the stronger man in the world punches the ocean!
It’s super effective!
Psycho Gecko on April 23, 2013 at 01:03 said:
Psycho Gecko uses Drain.
The ocean has turned yellow!
mremaknu on April 23, 2013 at 03:58 said:
Green Lantern has fainted!
The ocean used SPLASH!
A critical hit!
Magikarp used Focus Sash to hang on!
Magikarp used FLAIL.
The ocean fainted!
Magikarp gained 200000 XP.
Magikarp gained special item “Souls of Butcher”!
What’s this? Magikarp is evolving!
Magikarp evolved into Gyarados!
Gyarados remembers that when he evolved, he was going to kill us all.
Gyarados brings out The List!
Gyarados learned List of Names!
Gyarados forgot Dragon Rage!
Gyarados calmed down.
Behemoth used Thunder.
It was super effective.
Gyarados fainted and the List of Names burned.
So only Hemorrhagia and Reaver are left. Hemorrhagia doesn’t seem too dangerous. Parian’s dolls should be able to deal with her easy enough. Can’t remember what Reaver does though. Do you think Skitter will let Regent turn them into meat puppets?
Butcher: “Meh, I could take her.”
When we saw Butcher basically diss Skitter:
>“You die,” Butcher said. “You can’t kill me. I will win.”
We all knew what was coming. And she was handled beautifully. Seriously, I don’t know how wildbow came up with that idea, but it’s perfect. An elegant solution to an almost impossible problem, and to top it off, they dump a bunch of voices on Cherish. I don’t know if she’ll be glad for something to do other than go insane, but it certainly will make the next few hundred years a bit more interesting.
Which is exactly when and why I started that little running gag.
Twenty or so unpowered troops -> twenty.
It started spinning up – missing a period.
Citrine abandoned her assault, letting up – missing period.
only adding more corpses to the virtual hll of corpses -> hill. Also, corpses twice feels mildly redundant (though it also kind of works).
her team were a secondary concern -> her team was a secondary concern.
who was squealing and reaching out to pet the dogs who standing by, -> who were standing by
All fixed. Pretty sure.
Thanks for taking the effort, Don.
Gah! Codex’s power. GAH.
I am glad it is unlikely to be appearing in the story further. GAAHHHH.
The bit with Rachel was really nice.
No kidding. Taylor talked about being a prisoner inside her own body was a nightmare? Permanent brain damage is a nightmare. Not the most evil power in the setting, maybe, but close.
I’ll bet she was the lawyer.
Hardly. Everyone knows lawyers don’t die. They just return to the Underworld until their dark master sends them back in a new mortal shell.
You’re treading on thin ice dissing She-Hulk like that…
Not nearly the worst thing I could have said about her.
The worst would have involved bringing up a lovely romantic interlude with a supervillain/hero/villain who has a thing for jewelry, specifically rubies. Well, one certain ruby.
But she’s not too bad. Tall, muscular, green-skinned. Can tear my head off with her tongue. Any day of the week, I mean. Plus, anyone with good reason to hate Tony Stark is…well, a character in the Marvel universe, so hard to say “a friend of mine.”
Nah. She-Hulk knows about the fourth wall, remember? She doesn’t hate Tony Stark.
She hates Mark Millar.
Again, anyone with good reason to hate Mark Millar is… well, a character in the Marvel Universe or a member of the Authority.
encounter with tagg, part 2: ideas
1) dumps butcher’s corpse on the front door of the headquarters. “i killed her, deal with US* at your own risk” (*plausible deniability: she means the undersiders. PRT interpretation, skitter/butcher?)
2) dumps butcher’s corpse at the front door, casually asks about valefore. tallies up her villain takedowns and compares it with the PRT’s “so, what have you done in the last few days?”
3) sends the PRT Hemorrhagia’s leftover chili. everybody loves chili
And then Skitter skyrockets up the list of “people that need to be in the Birdcage” because she just told the PRT that she was guaranteed to go insane from the other Teeth Butcher voices screaming at her. Surely that won’t make Tagg take an even more hardline stance on Taylor specifically, and for very good reason. An insane Taylor being talked into murdering people by the voices would be a catastrophe, something that noone would want.
Telling Tagg that would be just about the most foolish thing she could do.
Forum Explorer on April 23, 2013 at 02:34 said:
Thus plan number 3) is the most practical and likely to work. I bet that was some damn good chili.
“Om nom nom…good, but the beans are oddly crunchy.”
qwerty77753 on April 23, 2013 at 05:56 said:
Don’t know how well intimidating tagg will help. As others said, Tagg won’t back down for pretty much anything. Not to mention, this definitely would knock some points off for her relations with the Heroes. It’ll be like “Hey, thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt, and in return, here’s to corpse of the insane villain whose multiple personas and powers I may or may not have absorbed.”
Anyway, I still think that she will try to get the Heroes on to her side before this whole things goes over. Skitter at this point needs to either humiliate or discredit the PRT so badly without causing a massive blow to her own public image to really win, especially in the long run.
Scrambles on April 23, 2013 at 07:31 said:
Make sure to put Tagg’s parents in the chili.
Wow, that fight was probably the most tense one I’ve read so far. I seriously thought Bitch was going to bite it. Which would be just about the worst thing ever outside of Taylor getting skewered.
Rachel settling in Earth Gimel is an interesting idea, if Bet goes completely to shit and everyone comes through the portal to form into post-apocalyptic communities or roaming bands of thugs she could end up the goddamn Hound Queen of America.
Bam! Another possible sequel scenario!
You rate this one as the most tense? I was thinking it was a lot like a curb stomp for the good guys. The Teeth never really seemed to stand a chance. Got a little tense when Butcher started setting up her arrow but poor Codex really couldn’t be allowed to live with the potential of causing permanent brain damage to anyone from range.
Hound Queen would be an epic title for Rachel!
mrgazzer on April 23, 2013 at 00:47 said:
Wow. Wow.
Again. With the Wow.
Any who, let me explain.
Being Cherish sucks. I may or may not feel some kind of pity for the poor sociopath suicidal sphere.
sociopath suicidal sphere with exploding teleportation powers.*
Here, fixed that for you.
“Sociopath suicidal sphere with exploding teleportation powers that she require conscious control to use that she lacks due to bone saw thus rendering the powers useless.”
There fixed that for you.
Unless Cherish’s emotion pkwers work while unconcious, unlike Regent, her brother, then it appears Cherish has concious control. Concious enough to off utcher, even
Number27 on May 2, 2014 at 03:11 said:
She has use, yes, but not control. If she had control she wouldn’t be projecting a generalized suicide aura, she’d have controlled people into coming to get her, or something else more focused.
How whatever Bonesaw did to mess with her control would interact with the Butchers’ powers I have no idea, but it seems reasonable that Tattletale was consulted about the plan and she didn’t think Revenge of the Butcherish was terribly likely.
It’s a livin’!
I have felt horrible for the poor girl since she got sealed actually. Yeah she was a psychotic bitch but she wasn’t evil enough to me to deserve that. Bonesaw deserves it, Jack deserves it, maybe a handful of others but not Cherish. A quick death maybe but not a few thousand years of suffering and now with the potential of having 14 people yelling at you in addition to that. I almost hope she did get the kill count just so she can teleport out of the sphere thing and die in the water from drowning.
Hey, on the plus side her Regeneration might slowly destroy any of the tattoos on whatever bits of skin she has left!
Ha, right, because Jack and Bonesaw would have let her have skin and not wired her exposed nerves into the sides of the container. Grue was practice.
So wildbow neatly made things a bit more interesting for Cherish and safely killed Butcher at the same time, then found the perfect solution to the problem with Rachel. I agree with mrgazzer; wow. A wonderful chance to see into the lives of one of the most troublesome Undersider. In fact, wildbow has given them all but Tt, and maybe she’ll do Parian, a chance in the limelight basically. Anyway, wonderful chapter, and can’t appreciate enough how long you made this. Eagerly awaiting the next chapter, and finally, the treaty she’s been wanting for arks with the PRT and Protectorate (hope Clockstopper shows up again!) as always.
Cherish is going to be a problem, I think. Not quite sure how they managed to get her on board with driving Butcher to suicide, but if Cherish has the voices, then she also has powers. Like explosive teleportation. Provided she keeps her glass case of emotion, she can just teleport all over the world, blowing crap up, driving people into fits of rage and suicide.
Also, I guess we know who WagTheDog is. You think maybe Tattletale was lying about no one on the team?
And you have to wonder how she’s getting that bad of a headache. Nothing indicates yet that Accord is also down for the count, so why is she? Too much to think about?
Also, a pretty funny chapter in the little ways. Hemorhagia more upset about the bugs ruining the chili at first. Spree suddenly handcuffed to the toilet and having to pull up on the fly. Caught him with his pants down. Without the leadership presence of the Teeth, I expect they’ll fall apart before too long. Maybe one of the unpowered ones will get the dumb idea that they can get powers by murdering one of the powered ones.
Maybe after Cherish dies, Butcher 3 can finally rest in peace instead of sharing an eternity trapped with all the other Butchers in the mind of Cherish. Riddle me this, riddle me that, what’s the price of a good night’s sleep?
I half expected a stinger at the very end where one of the Undersiders seems to start talking to themselves. Not that talking to yourself is wrong. Helps keep me in shape mentally. Practice Spanish, go over things I enjoy about this or that, figure out better ways to speak to people. I’ve even developed the ability to communicate with myself telepathically, though it might upset people when I just start laughing at random. Hehe…hehahahahahahahahaha! *lightning flash!*
Word of god: she was not lying.
Haven’t you had Cherish destroy enough things from the bottom of the bay today? You had to sink that ship too?
Well, maybe there’s a chance of one of those “It’s Okay If It’s You” scenarios. Oh look, now it’s a ghost ship.
Asmora on April 23, 2013 at 05:52 said:
Honestly, I think an interpretation where they’re just sleeping atop one another because it’s a comfy pack thing is cooler than the ship. It means at least one human is really connecting with Rachel on a level she understands. Maybe WagtheDog has dog-mind, too, for some reason. She responded to petting and being told she’s a good girl the way a dog might. I think a real packmate for Rachel is way better for her than a mate at this point.
I kinda figured PG would go there but that scene read as “Momma dog and puppy” to me more than anything romantic. I agree that it looks like that’s a very good thing for both Rachel and Wag.
I concur with Patrick. It came across as a pack alpha and one of her (adopted) pups more than anything.
I don’t think Wag has a dog-mind, but I can tell you for a fact that getting scritches is as fuzzy-good-feeling inducing for us humans as for animals. Just gotta find the right spot. I mean, you’ve gone to a hair salon and gotten your hair washed, right? The scalp massage as they’re working the shampoo in? /melt~ It’s all positive reinforcement, and Wag sees it as such, is what I really take away from it.
Still, why word of god that, of all things? Couldn’t you have just let sleeping dogs lie?
Just do what I do and completely ignore the context of that word of god and take it to mean something else 😉 It may never be canon but fanfiction does amazing things when written correctly!
It does seem out of character for Wildbow to WORD OF GOD anything, I wonder why he did it.
They didn’t make her agree to anything, it seems to me. Butcher just felt the suicidal urges of fourteen people all at once. I agree it could’ve been handled better, perhaps by depicting the effects of the aura on others, or depicting the running battle a little better. Maybe give the readers the sense that she was being driven towards the coast.
eduardo on April 23, 2013 at 20:39 said:
Some hints were given about Cherish influence here and there along the last chapters. I don`t think that anyone in the area of effect commit suicide, but Butcher is more vulnerable to this kind of attack than most.
I prefer it this way, when line in the sand and water were mentioned I thought: Cherish. Reinforced because Butcher was clearly vulnerable to Codex mind assaults.
I prefer things a bit vague: we are getting into the woods leading her to a trap is better than: we are going to the harbor to give her to Cherish.
And, Regent`s humor is the cherry on this cake.
Fridge Brilliance: Of course she’s more vulnerable to powers that attack the mind. She’s got 13 minds in her.
AMBASSADOR POWER THREAD
We have four new Ambassadors to discuss here — Jacklight, Ligeia, Lizardtail and Codex. Let’s go down the list, make sure we understand each one properly.
Jacklight: Tosses orbs that expand before anchoring relative to the Earth. They cause some kind of space-warping effect. The text says something about acceleration, and I suppose it could be “accelerate the motion of anything as it passes through the sphere”, but that wouldn’t explain why the ground-one made the Spree-clone hit face-first.
Ligeia: Production and then recapture of gouts of water (the same water?). Other things can be pulled in with the recaptured water — what happens to them is not specified, but they’re probably destroyed.
Lizardtail: Regeneration aura. He has some degree of control over intensity — we don’t know if this involves or includes aim as well. The fact that it initially seemed to only affect the side facing LT suggests that it’s blocked or absorbed by living matter.
Codex: Blasts of some kind (it was described as ‘throwing’, same as Jacklight’s orbs) that cause brain-damage in exchange for temporary intelligence boosting.
Wait: wildbow: Ligeia or Ligaeia? Both spellings appear.
Ligeia, probably. It’s from a short story by Poe; seems to be the sort of thing Accord would go in for.
The whole theme of ‘disappearing and returning’ objects (presumably from another dimensions) seems to fit with the actions of Poe’s titular character, who returns from the grave. Though, imo, Codex’s powers would have been the best fit for the moniker.
Was just about to point that out myself. I assume Ligeia, since it’s a short story by Edgar Ellan Poe and would fit with Othello as a name for another Ambassador.
Ligeia. One of those things where I was typing, working on a deadline, put down my best guess rather than go look it up and lose stride, forgot to go back and check.
I am very familiar with this sequence.
It really bites when the paper is graded…
Kimsie on April 23, 2013 at 12:28 said:
*snort* everyone else does it too.
Names are indicative. A lizard’s tail grows back.
Ligeia, a siren. Lures sailor’s to their doom, albeit with beautiful song.
Codex, a collection of knowledge.
Jacklight, a portable light used to hunt or fish illegally at night.
Siren theory makes more sense than Poe theory for Ligeia.
Not quite sure how Jacklight fits his power, though.
He does throw glowing orbs, but I’d expect more to it also. Accord doesn’t seem the type to know a lot about hunting and fishing.
Miloptheny on April 23, 2013 at 01:19 said:
I got the impression that Ligeia “summoned” the water from a different world. Likely full of oceans?
And I assume Spree’s clone tripped because of the space-warping effect of Jacklight’s orb.
Packbat: the power of bolded capitalization. Acts as an eye-catching, distinctive form of text that works well for headlines and emphasis.
(Sorry… had to.)
Lizardtail also has selectivity – none of the Teeth were affected by his aura, even while in range of it.
Poor Codex she had such a bright full future ahead of her I will weep for her, she was truly, truly, glorious 😥
I know, if only Lizardtail’s selective power to heal wounds that would take time to kill someone had been able to save her from an arrow to an unspecified point in her neck. I mean, it’s not like he had some reason to kill a woman who could drain intelligence and cause brain damage who worked for his boss, Accord.
I guess we shall never know if this overly convoluted chain of events could have ever been prevented.
Ajoxer on April 23, 2013 at 02:53 said:
To be perfectly fair, PG, an arrow to the neck is incredibly deadly. More so from someone who explicitly has the power to make peoples wounds worse. More so from a compound bow, a weapon capable of driving an arrow clean through someone’s skull in the hands of an unaugmented human, specially designed and placed in the hands of a super strong person with perfect aim.
This is almost as bad as Jack Slash’s range and accuracy, and significantly more lethal. Compound bows are terrifyingly powerful weapons.
Depends on where you hit. It can take surprisingly long to bleed out from a neck wound. Make a hole into the airway and you’ve just given them a new hole to breathe out of. Sometimes expanding ammunition is preferable to penetration.
Not saying it’s impossible for her to have died by any means, but it wasn’t an instant death. If wounds she inflict get worse, then it seems to be a gradual thing, like healing in reverse, so still not instant.
Lerron Atris on April 23, 2013 at 10:35 said:
Due to one of her powers the arrow hit EXACTLY where she wanted it to and i think we can safely assume she was aiming to kill.
But was the neck the target, or just Codex?
If it was just Codex you’d think that it’d hit more in the center of mass. It may have just been whatever lethal shot though.
Lizard tail might have a offensive use of her power that is currently unknown as it doesn’t make too much sense to have what may be the only healer in the city be on the front lines. I think Ligeia has access to a personal dimension that can only hold liquids. So she fills herself up and can hold anything as long as it’s surrounded by water. So a few spree clones are probably going to get bloated in her pocket dimension till she empties it out and refills it later with presumably ocean water. Though she might be able to fill her dimension with liquids like oil, toxic waste, or other dangerous materials. Jacklight seems to have variation of Ballistic and Skidmark’s power. He can use his power to push things in a general direction and greatly accelerate it. With some practice and training he could have a great offensive and defensive capability. The lost member might still be around, it just that he cant’ work for Accord. But he might have useful power. Maybe the Undersiders can hire him.
I got a very Labyrinth vibe from the way Ligeia’s power was described. I’m with you on the pocket dimension, but not necessarily the part where it has a fixed capacity that she empties and refills. I guess it would explain why she was switching from suck to blow and back, but I’m leaning toward that just being a tactic to keep the enemies on their toes. I like the idea of her having a whole world like one of Labyrinth’s, only hers is Waterworld.
This chapter does describe Lizardtail’s offensive power: he can induce the opposite of regeneration, make wounds get worse.
Actually, I believe that was Butcher’s power. Specifically, it was something like, “…her power making wounds WORSE over time was negating some of the regeneration…”
It wasn’t terribly clear about where Ligeia’s water manifested or how much. Is it coming from her hands a la Hydro Pump? Dropping from the air above her enemies? What’s her range? That was the more concerning aspect to me.
That’s a good question — I assumed it came out of the ground, but clarification would be nice.
Portals, I would have to assume; She’s releasing so much volume of water as well as drawing it back along with Spree clones that to just spray and absorb it from her hands would not be feasible without the volume implied coming out like a pressure washer..
Point of contention: her pocket dimension can’t only hold water *and* have Spree thugs floating around in it…
Jacklight: Dynakinesis. Ligeia: Hydrokinesis on a non-macro level. Lizardtail: Regeneration. Codex: Wide-scale mental powers that damage the brain.
Mini-Endbringers. Scary.
thoughts on their classifications?
jacklight: blaster/shaker?
ligeia: blaster?
lizardtail: shaker? aoe-breaker?
codex: blaster/thinker (explicitly stated)
I guessed straight Blaster for both Jacklight and Lizardtail, but Blaster/Shaker is definitely possible for either. Should I change the TV Tropes page to say that (with the little we’re-guessing question mark, of course)?
suuure. i’m not sure an ‘aura’ for lizardtail qualifies as a blaster (at least it doesnt feel very pew pew-y to me in my head) which is why im half-thinking breaker since i assume the aura would heal himself too
I said “blaster” simply because it’s ranged.
I like this concept of “keeping talk of one major subject to a single thread”. Maybe the first person to post to a new chapter should start up a “Typos & Corrections Thread” for everyone to post their additions so we can cut down on the repeats and give Wildbow a designated location to find typos and the like?
It’s unenforceable, of course, but I like it — I’ve =earched for an appropriate Typo and Correction top-level comment to add mine to before.
unenforceable, but I think we as a community are good and intelligent enough to see the values of such a system and work together towards that end. :3
Might be useful.
Easiest way might actually be for you to specifically request any typos/corrections be noted in replies to that specific post when you post your traditional “first!” post on the chapter.
Where does it say that Cherish can make a suicide aura? I thought she was just being forced to receive every bad emotion, maybe I just read it wrong and assumed that Bonesaw shut off Cherish’s make other people feel powers when she stuck her in the ocean, just looking for clarification 😛
The suicide aura was mentioned at the mayoral debate. To quote Mr. Grove:
The Lord’s Port, known to many as the ship graveyard, would cost the city twenty-three million dollars just to clear away the damaged ships and dispose of them. That’s not getting into the cost of actually refurbishing the area and updating it to modern standards. Or the fact that anyone approaching within a mile and a half of the area is subjected to uncontrollable, suicidal despair. I visited. I know.
As for “how”: I’ve been assuming Bonesaw left Cherish’s emotion-control untouched, and Cherish is reacting to the horribleness she’s experiencing by emotion-jamming everyone in reach.
Ok, thank you so much I have been trying to find where they talked about this, you’re awesome have a cookie
Yay cookies!
Jason Fonceca (@ryzeonline) on April 9, 2014 at 18:06 said:
Extra note: I’m positive there’s a few sentences where The Nine gloat over Bonesaw ‘unfiltering’, ‘amplifying’ and ‘redirecting’ Cherish’s own power back on her as she stews in the bay.
I’m not sure when it was first mentioned, but I remember it first from the mayoral debate that Taylor attended with her dad, Lacey, and the other guys. One of the candidates mentions it in his opening statements, how there’s an area of the boat graveyard where anyone who approaches feels suicidal despair, and he was there personally so he can vouch for it being real.
Quite the indicative line in the sand, isn’t it?
Cherish had her limiters removed and filter modified to only sense negative emotions. She also has the power to send emotions. She is suicidally depressed and the sensory deprivation (except for emotion) might have driven her way past the borders of sanity.
One conclusion is she’s starting to hate her inability to do anything with a passion and her jealousy makes her induce suicide in everyone in her range.
Robin Lionheart on March 7, 2014 at 23:49 said:
Also makes for one less person whose negative emotions are inflicted on her.
Indigo on April 23, 2013 at 01:25 said:
What happened to Butcher may be one of the worst things I’ve ever read. Also nice to see that Rachel has a family of sorts that as messed up as she is.
I kinda refuse to see Rachel as “messed up” rather than living in a messed up world that screwed her over.
Hey, if earth Gimel end’s up being cut off from Bet and eventually develops into a pre-industrial society do you think Bitch will end up worshiped as a god or a folk hero? That’d be cool.
That’s really what messed up means. It’s someone who was damaged by outside forces acting on them. Things don’t mess themselves up. Other things mess them up.
But everyone can find a place.
I think it’s the distinction between whether you feel the person needs to be “repaired” or not. “Let me help you deal with your trauma and change to a new person” vs. “you’re ok as you are, let me help you find a place that works for you”.
Yeah, this. While an argument could be made for Regent and Imp needing to be “fixed” Bitch owes precisely dick to the world that made her what she was and shouldn’t need to change herself to accommodate the norms unless she wants to.
Incidentally, if you figure out the optimal trope for whatever kind of loneliness Skitter saw in WagTheDog (the cook), I’d appreciate it — might be the three-am playing into this, but I couldn’t find one that seemed a sure fit.
Lost Puppy Syndrome? 😛
But seriously, http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LonelyTogether gives a couple examples, but Breakfast Club seems to be the best example I can see of the group as a whole.
The most appropriate one I can see for this scene? Pet The Dog/Licked By The Dog.
Bobby on April 23, 2013 at 01:27 said:
I slid from his back, my eyes not leaving Butcher and Rat-dog.
I’m feeling nostalgic. My first comment (or at least one of my first) was commenting on how Taylor had unsheathed her knife twice without sheathing it in between. Second fight with Lung, I think. Now, it’s getting off Bentley.
Maybe it had been sheathed in a person by the time she needed to reunshethe it.
Heh. Not unless I’m heavily misremembering.
reaching out to pet the dogs who standing by, almost protective.
who were
because something about her that screamed ‘lost’.
because of?
All fixed. Thank you.
Here are some conceptual drawings of Skitter’s costume. Design based off a comment about how the armored portions of her suit were layered like a pillbug’s.
Oh, and a 5 sec sketch of her tag:
…my mental image is completely different. No pauldrons, knee pads and elbow pads, smaller body armor panels (e.g. Gestation 1.4 describes the armor over her spine as “a spade-shaped section”) … yeah.
her utility compartment being spade- shaped > https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Spade.jpg Looks rather spade-like to me.
Spine itself is fully armored, though, so thinking ridge of plates with the spade shaped compartment over it.
Pauldrons are a definitive because the arrow hit the armor on her shoulder and tore some of it away. Fits within what makes sense.
Recheck Gestation, it mentions that each major joint is covered- So she has to have shoulder, elbow, knee, and wrist armor. probably also ankle armor, but that could be just worked into the footwear being entirely armored, couldn’t say.
Note that WB also said that she’s reinforced her armor, adding more, but hasn’t given a definitive description to exactly where the new, extra armor is located.
Isn’t there also that cape/skirt/thingy that she did midway, with the scraps of her new costume being used with her old after it got too destroyed?
Indeed — I think she’s made it a regular addition to her costume. Cape was not a regular addition.
> her utility compartment being spade- shaped > https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Spade.jpg Looks rather spade-like to me.
…I don’t know what to say other than “Wikipedia is wrong”, but Wikipedia is wrong. The Platonic ideal of a spade has a pointed tip — which is why the suit of spades has a pointed tip. I imagined the armor panel was designed to fit between her shoulder blades so as not to restrict movement.
Concede the point on the pauldrons. Lack of imagination on my part.
Footwear is not entirely armored — she mentioned having soft soles.
Also worth recalling: at least prior to her addition of more armor panels, individual panels were small enough that they could be secreted within an ordinary backpack.
http://desertpeace.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/gardenspade.jpg eh, flat spade, rounded spade, they both look like the back panel Milo’s designed. I don’t know I would call it the Platonic ideal of a spade, though. Only in cards do i see the spade being treated thus, as a stylized symbol, whilst spade as a term seems to reference any broad, flat blade either rounded or straight edged used for digging. This isn’t just wikipedia that this is from, by the by.
skirt being a regular addition: yeah, it was, to my knowledge. I just can’t remember if she’s done a third iteration of her costume yet or if she’s just wearing the first with additions still.
Footwear being not entirely armored- Well yeah, you never want to have hard soles unless you don’t need to sneak- See the sound of high heels (plus they’re bloody uncomfortable).
Re: armor panels being small enough to fit in a backpack: Average size backpacks are pretty roomy. Your typical binder used in school is about 11.25 inches across and 11.625 inches tall, and you usually can get about six across, each being 3 inches at the spine in a cross-laid pattern, so about three deep- 9 inches. All together, that’s about 1177.03125 in^3 of space. Considering the armor panels she’s using are much smaller than your typical binder, and can be laid inside each other such that they stack like plates or bowls, I don’t see any issue with her armor plating fitting inside a standard backpack, even if there was additional materials inside said backpack.
I designed the backpack so it’d somewhat resemble a beetle shell. I wasn’t overly concerned with how spadey it was. However, I will add the skirt, I forgot about that addition.
I dunno about spades, but entrenching tools (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrenching_tool) have pointy tips.
Seemed relevant.
Huh. I would’ve totally agreed with you re: spade vs shovel, but apparently not. Seems like the distinction, insomuch as there is one, is that spades are for digging and shovels are for shifting material. As such, spades tend to be sharper and narrower and often, but not always, pointed.
All that said, when someone specifically describes a piece of clothing as “spade-shaped” I’d consider that to mean the archetypal spade shape as used on playing cards. Much as if someone said clothing had a ‘heart shape’ on it I’d envision the heart from a playing card, not the realistic shape of an actual heart…
they look neat 🙂 love seeing different peoples takes on Skitters ‘look’ and im positive its unlikely any of us see her exactly the same 🙂
I am beginning to think that seven is the unofficial narrative based appropriate number for a supervillainous team in this setting.
The Undersiders: Skitter, Grue, Imp, Bitch, Regent, Tattletale and Parian.
The Teeth: Too many whose names I can’t be bothered to remember since I wont be seeing half of them ever again. Accord’s interlude stated that they were seven. Prior to this they had survived for years.
The Ambassadors: Now down to seven with the death of Codex.
The Travelers: Trickster, Ballistic, Sundancer, Genesis, Noelle, Oliver, Perdition (not really appropriate as one had no decent powers, one was dead and another was going crazy)
Faultine’s Crew: Faultline, Labyrinth, Newter, Gregor, Matryoshka (?), Spitfire, Shamrock (admittedly a potential six. However, they appear only a few times and, apart from Spitfire and Gregor, I have seen very little in the way of Faultline’s professed brilliance for synergy).
Groups without seven members have shown less staying power, though no less crazy.
The ABB: Three members, held up by a monster, a bomber, an assassin and a ton of fear. Good warm up group.
E88: Kaiser, Purity, Fenja, Menja, Hookwolf, Crusader, Alabaster, Night, Fog, Cricket, Stormtiger, Victor, Othala and Rune. I might be missing a few here, but it is pretty obvious that these people were barely being held together through Kaiser, as two much smaller groups formed, neither of which were quite as effective as the Undersiders who ended up clearing them out of the city.
Slaughterhouse 9: High member turnover ratio, probably averages out to about seven at any given time. Whenever the membership is above seven, people, like Cherish, begin scheming or are likely to die.
Coil: Himself and the people he hired were incredibly powerful. However, he had to rely on two other teams that he had to lie to.
Uber and Leet: Morons.
The Merchants: Most of these guys would have died in a couple months anyway. Don’t really want to think about their numbers. Though they did fill a niche.
As for the heroes, I think that six members is their unofficial team number.
The Wards (round 1): Aegis, Gallant, Vista, Shadowstalker, Kid Win, Clockblocker
The Wards (round 2): Vista, Shadowstalker, Flechette, Kid Win, Clockblocker, Weld
The Protectorate leaders (the people who run things): Alexandria, Legend, Eidolon, Chevalier, Myrrdin, Armsmaster (stated as being one of the guys on the wings during group photos).
Admittedly, the Brockton Bay Brigade seemed to hold their own against Marquis and the Early 88 and Teeth, and they were only four members strong so the numbers with the heroes seem to be more variable.
This is all from a narrative perspective of course. One can’t tell a story with too few people, and too many characters, who are not skilled or sent away, can gradually make the cast seem like cardboard cutouts of each other. Groups of six or seven appear to provide a balance of synergy and conflict without causing too much internal strife within the group.
Seems more like kabbalism/numerology than scientific observation to me, mate. Not a criticism, each has its place, especially in creativity/symbolic literature… but I wouldn’t read this much into it, I haven’t seen much kabbalism referenced in the story.
I think your last paragraph is the most spot-on: 7 is a manageable but interesting number of characters to portray.
Still, on the significance of 7:
http://www.voxxthepsychic.com/kabb-numerologynbr7.html
David Burns on March 16, 2014 at 17:14 said:
Group dynamics becomes a burden in groups over 7. There’s a brief analysis to this in the book Swarmwise, available online creative commons. There are also thresholds at 30 and 150 (Dunbar number).
It seems the takeover of the city is nearly complete.
What I find a bit worrisome is that Skitter didn’t feel or say much about the demise of Codex.
Or for that matter didn’t feel like making waves over the fact that Accord might have done away with the fifth volunteer when he came out less than perfect.
Setting Butcher up to die is one thing but being so cavalier with death of people who are supposed to be on your side is not good.
I don’t think it’s cavalier to not think about that stuff when you’re being attacked by a homicidal maniac with a longbow that can’t miss.
I thought to contest the questions you raise, but no. I agree on all points – this was worrisome.
Sacrifices must be made, sometimes. The fifth didn’t make it- so the vial didn’t take, is what I’m presuming. Unstability ended up killing the poor thing. Could have been Accord, though. Codex’s power was also really creepy, so no big loss.
Also it’s a little debatable how “on your side” Accord’s people are. It’s no secret that their working alliance is a fragile thing. Given the chance Accord would gleefully take the city from the Undersiders and stuff them into elegantly ordered pinewood boxes.
The Undersiders and the Ambassadors aren’t friends or even familiar acquaintances in the case of Codex.
Pinewood? What do you take him for, cheap? besides, all the knots and warps in the wood would irritate the heck out of him. He’d go for a stainless steel set. Gleamingly polished, no blemishes, and they’ll decay much slower than the corpse that will eventually be inside will- Or potentially not at all, if the proper care is given to them. I could even see him having them on display, since he could arrange them in a geometrically pleasing design- Possibly even using them as desks for himself and his powered assistants.
Honestly, if I were Skitter I’d be a little relieved that Codex got taken out. She was perhaps the most terrifying of the Ambassadors. If Accord turns on them, it’ll be a blessing not to be facing off against her.
The desperation to trust.
Okay, let’s face it. Accord’s going to stun us all if he DOESN’T betray the group in some massive, substantial way. He’s backed by Cauldron. He’s incredibly wealthy. He’s huge on planning. He has a group of people who could take on the Undersiders, and he can afford to make more of them. He makes plans to fix the world, and nobody ever pays attention to them, and frankly even if they’re great plans that alarms me. Maybe even more if they are great plans because he would feel justified doing anything. And he had a person- An asshole, as it ended up, but a person, nonetheless- given to him to be shot dead, because someone ran in during a meeting.
He is Coil 2.0, in so many ways. A character defined by his Thinker talent, with tremendous plans, who seems terribly reasonable, and wants what’s best for everyone.
Coil first showed, in many ways, just what a gigantic lunatic he was when we saw what he did with his powers. When given no consequences, he would murder a man for pleasure. Dinah was bad, but a sufficiently cold personality could accept it as necessary.
In many ways, we got to see Accords moment of madness before he became important in the story, when he made the demand that Sundancer be executed. Tattletale doesn’t trust him, because he is one moment of madness away from doing something regrettable. He is constantly planning to kill the Outsiders.
All of this makes him ACTUALLY betraying the outsiders seem unlikely through sheer bloody-mindedness, but sometimes the best way to surprise your audience is to do the obvious thing.
Desperate for trust
Skitter has been reaching out for people to trust from the beginning. Ironically, the absolute only people who have given her that trust are the ones who she planned to betray at the beginning; That’s life, so often, we receive what we desire from those we loathe. Love, sweet love. This has been a recurring result; trust results in, sooner or later, betrayal, because people have continuously underestimated Skitter, and assumed they would get away with betraying her. Very few people have had the opportunity to betray her twice; off the top of my head, I’d say the only person was Armsmaster.
This means that she is seeking for trust wherever she can get it. Accord is in a sufficiently precarious position that he would have to be crazy to attack her; Militia seems like a generally honorable sort, and is leashed to a complete psychopath of a commanding officer.
At least one of these two people seems certain to betray her, but Skitter is doing her best to show her faith in them, and trust them.
Is she being dangerously naive, or is she being confident? Coil betrayed her about as effectively as anyone could betray her, and it wasn’t enough. She went into that completely unprepared for the betrayal, let alone the level of betrayal, and yet, she escaped it. Frankly, the kind of person who can avoid getting cocky after that is amazing. But is she getting cocky, or are we just dealing with an Unspoken Plan Guarantee of dealing with the PRT/Ambassadors if/when things go sticky?
Okay, almost certainly the latter. Tattletale’s been working overtime, which means someone’s fucked.
A digression; Time Enough At Last.
Dauntless was treated as effectively dead. As such a notable character, as a rising star, it was a show of the kinds of things that could happen, in an Endbringer attack. I don’t know if I’d realized, before now, that his being captured in temporal stasis was the thing that caused that.
The great thing about temporal stasis is that it doesn’t kill someone; It simply puts them out of action. I wonder if anyone has been putting any plans into countering the time field? Obviously, you’d have to be careful, but there are some great tinkers out there. And being able to use those sorts of time weapons semi-safely would be a gigantic advantage in so damn many ways. Seems like the sort of thing someone should be working on. God knows that Clockblocker is one of the more effective supers in the comic, he might even have some insight.
Sorry for the lack of essays; wacky week!
About Accord, and to quote me from higher up in the comments:
“I know, if only Lizardtail’s selective power to heal wounds that would take time to kill someone had been able to save her[Codex] from an arrow to an unspecified point in her neck. I mean, it’s not like he had some reason to kill a woman who could drain intelligence and cause brain damage who worked for his boss, Accord.
In response to you responding to me when I-
This is going to get ludicrous, fast. I’ll continue discussion of this line here!
Accord has an impressive set of problem-solving. If he wanted this to happen, it goes further back.
Codex was a tremendous threat to Butcher. She is a fragile person who chose a costume that was not meant for mobility, against an enemy who was supremely mobile. Once Butcher had the girl in her sights, Codex was dead; The idea was not that Lizardtail could have healed an arrow through the throat, and likely the spine as well, but that she had the deck stacked against her from the beginning.
So I agree that Accord may have been responsible; but the plan would go way back. Hell of an expenditure, but he seems willing to make massive concessions to reduce unpredictability.
He didn’t know which power she would get, but hers turned out to be some weird Thinker hybrid. Thinkers don’t tend to get along, but it turns out her power was a threat to Accord. May have even been responsible for the other candidate not working out, come to think of it.
I like that, reducing unpredictability. The way his plans are, probably dislikes unpredictability as something that confounds his plans too, not just as something his power wants to act against.
1) Undersiders. Outsiders are a bunch of greasers with switchblades.
2) Never confirmed that Coil killed in his other universe. He did something repugnant and irreversable (of which I can think of a few things) but it didn’t explicitly say he killed.
1) Do not apologize for your lack of essays. Really. I mean, really, don’t. It’s a comments section. Just do you. Unless you made a prior promise of performance and failed to deliver, and even then an apology is less valuable than just moving forward and producing.
2) I’m of the position that Codex dying was neither encouraged nor foreseen, except in the sense that a group of untested powers were going against an insanely dangerous adversary and a lack of casualties would be more noticeable than a few fallen.
Codex died instantly. An arrow through the neck at the right angle can cut off blood and vital nerves, and this one hit her hard enough to go through her and part of Skitter’s armor. It probably would have gone all the way through Skitter, if there hadn’t been a reddish-mauve shirt in the way.
So, ya know, don’t agonize over it, is my humble position. I’m just glad that more didn’t die, not being a fan of tangos down even if I don’t like them.
A big thank-you to Andrew for the donation. Sorry about the late response to it.
Thank you Andrew!
Yay Andrew!
You know I wonder if that counts as Cherish’s kill as far as Butcher’s power is concerned. After all in the end Butcher did kill herself, and it wasn’t exactly at Cherish’s command since she seems to be acting more as an emotional relay of pain and despair.
Clever though, mentioning the scars the city took last chapter was a great set up to using another one of them as a weapon in this chapter.
fox5s on April 23, 2013 at 04:57 said:
Curses! you barely beat me to this same line of thought. Who knows if Butcher will even be able to ‘move’ to Cherish? While she created the condition of Butcher’s death, the arrow was the actual cause and Butcher never even saw Cherish. In addition, Butcher died a pretty long way away from where Cherish now ‘resides.’ That’s gotta make the reincarnation/transference more difficult.
camo005 on April 23, 2013 at 03:20 said:
Holy crap. This chapter was pretty damn awesome. I was confused as hell as to how Cherish would have gotten credit for that kill, but the comments cleared that up for me. thanks guys.
Elaborate on April 23, 2013 at 04:52 said:
“The city had been flooded, that floodwaters had evaporated into the air ”
->”that floodwater”, “those floodwaters” or “the floodwaters”
I’ve read this story for months, but it took this long to catch a typo no-one else had picked up on.
…Now I have finally contributed something, yay 🙂
You know, sometimes in life you just have to sit back, relax, and enjoy the tacos. Other times, you have to wait for the tacos and talk to whatever people have randomly gathered nearby. Yet other times, the tacos have fish in them, and that’s just a bad time for everyone. The important thing is that you have found a taco stand not full of fish tacos, but that only serves tacos twice a week. How it stays in business, I have no idea. Not like you can just give out tacos for free after people have been waiting 3 or 4 days for it, but whatever. Maybe the tacos don’t have salsa, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pico de gallo, or whatever. Maybe they use really crappy meat that’s only 36% beef, like Taco Bell.
Either way, what you have found is a place to gather tacos for great happiness amongst other tacovores in a close-knit but flatulent community that isn’t afraid to have a good time flinging cheese at each other, if you smell what I’m cookin’.
What I’m trying to say, in brief and in hunger, is welcome to the comments, Elaborate.
I have but one thing to add: Churro.
Where do fish tacos fit in this schema?
I don’t like fish.
I laughed harder at this than I did at any of your jokes.
Thanks for the welcome 🙂
Packbat on June 12, 2013 at 13:40 said:
Typo:
Shallow cuts appeared on Hemmorhagia’s face, chest and arms as she tried ineffectually to shield herself
Hemorrhagia, not Hemmorhagia.
I think “that floodwaters” at the beginning of the chapter should be “those” or “the”.
Don’t know if it’s been mentioned, but it’s kind of cool that Butcher three’s danger sense is actually more useful now that it’s weaker. With a shorter window, it’s more likely to go off when Butcher can see what’s coming. With it only responding to physical threats, it’s more likely Butcher will have a way to respond. Without the constant pinging of it going off about the potential for someone to hurt her feelings a week hence, there’s no paranoia.
I don’t think it used to be THAT strong. But it used to be Spider-Sense, now it’s little better than a half-second added to her reaction window against physical threats only, sort of thing.
It was apparently “strong” enough that it led that Butcher into… madness. Never mind, I just noticed that it was the Teeth he suicidally attacked, meaning he was non-Teeth, meaning it was the voices that drove him crazy, not his own power. I still like my idea: the concept that some powers are actually more useful when weaker.
Super hearing you couldn’t turn off would SUCK, for example, if it was too strong. @_@ so I completely see what you’re getting at.
senevri on April 23, 2013 at 05:18 said:
It’s kind of obvious, but Skitter’s sort of a little Queen of Blades.
Squivler on April 23, 2013 at 06:31 said:
All she needs now is a disillusioned vet to rescue her from her hivemind self.
Had Amy/Panacea joined the undersiders and started making custom critters for Skitter, like she did Atlas and the relay bugs, we easily could have wound up with zerg-like creatures.
Might still.
Wageslave on April 23, 2013 at 05:41 said:
Couple of thoughts…
If a Butcher commits suicide, does that end the cycle?
If Skitter actually *read* the plan that Accord had for the city and is working to implement it in her own way, would that be enough to assuage his ego and bring him even more fully ‘on board’?
And can anyone imagine the humiliation of being taken down as a super-powered being… in the bathroom?
Almost worse than getting one’s eyes mangled, or one’s genitals disfigured…
> If Skitter actually *read* the plan that Accord had for the city and is working to implement it in her own way, would that be enough to assuage his ego and bring him even more fully ‘on board’?
His ego isn’t the problem, unfortunately. Unlike Tattletale, he doesn’t seem to have issues about his intelligence being underestimated — his issues relate to people not respecting whatever his mental conception of the proper order of things is. Between Regent, Imp, and Tattletale, the odds of his being happy with the Undersiders is somewhere between “minuscule” and “nonexistent”.
Jessie Laurent on April 23, 2013 at 05:51 said:
I’m surprised nobody has talked about shipping this chapter. I mean, I’m almost entirely sure that the thing with Rachel and WagTheDog is some weird platonic-ish thing, just because that’s the vibe I give off. But, well, the posters down here have shipped people far a heck of a lot less than cuddling up together and, at the very least, one could argue that there might exist some sort of one-sided thing. So C’mon, step up with the shipping! Or not, it’s fine with me 🙂 Cool fight, though, I get why people are talking about that first.
On a more serious note, that bit with Rachel was very well done, and I like the direction it was going. If it had been its own (slightly longer) chapter I would have been just fine with it. There is something to be said for slowing down sometimes and stopping to smell the character-development.
Word of god sank the ship earlier. Ctrl-F for “ghost ship” to dig up the brief discussion.
Ah, it could still be something one sided on WagTheDog’s part, of course. All the better to ruin everyone’s life at some point (see Panacea).
But I think I do prefer the ‘packmate’ sort of view, really. It feels more original.
Since Wildbow hasn’t said it yet, I will for him:
/sinking ships
hll of corpses (or bodies)
And even if Cherish gets the ‘portin’ powers, isn’t the range severely reduced each time?
So even if she can teleport out of her current location( and some points and observations about Butcher XIV needing to see the target location not withstanding), she ain’t doin’ much in that shell.
anonymus on April 23, 2013 at 06:10 said:
thanks for the new chapter(s)
Water wicked off of them as
either wicked has a meaning i dont know or it doesn’t realy fit
Past tense of “to wick.”
only knew wicked as in bad/evil etc.
There’s a reason it commonly gets written as ‘wick’d’ instead, because so many people make that same inference.
agreyworld on April 23, 2013 at 06:37 said:
I thought the whole point of getting Cherish to make Butcher kill herself was that it would end the ‘chain’.
After all, It’s not like Cherish is taking control or forcing Butcher to kill – all she is doing is affecting emotions, Butcher is the one that actually commits the act so would Cherish really get Butchers powers?
This was my assumptions until I started reading the comments anyway!
I think the comments are presuming Cherish gets the powers because of Alec’s dialog where he claims Cherish got the kill and will have the voices to keep her company. Whether or not he’s right is an open question still.
Ah, did not consider this.
I guess the problem is we really don’t have enough information about the nature of the power that causes “Butcher” to pass on to each new host.
Yeah, I’d consider Alec’s comment a bit of a hint from the author, but definitely not confirmed.
Perhaps a warning sign after Butcher kills herself, seen by Skitter as they’re leaving and mentally commented upon, to the thought of “Warning! Danger in the area.” with “Cherish Here” scrawled on or something might help make it less fuzzy.
I also don’t think Cherish directly got the Butchers, but even if she did if they’re one who aren’t part of the Teeth they work AGAINST their host, so i doubt that she’ll be getting out any time soon.
Someguy on April 23, 2013 at 09:21 said:
For extra irony, nail as sign that states: ‘Suicide Point’ on the spike that Butcher is now dangling on.
It wouldn’t work — the reveal has to be after the death for the proper effect. The sign is probably there, on the side of the road next to the line of stones, but the narration isn’t going to mention it. Having Regent crack wise is better.
Besides: mass murderer spontaneously kills herself? As soon as you remember that Cherish was creating that suicide-aura, there isn’t a lot of ambiguity about what happened.
(Thinking about the sign, though: I wonder if there are any idiot kids who dared each other to step over the edge of the zone with a rope around their wast to haul them back.)
Re-read. i’m specifying that the sign be noted after they’re walking away, post-death. Regent claiming that it was Cherish makes those of us paying more attention/more savvy to the hints realize (if we didn’t already by the line in the sand and the weird reaction), but a blunt shovel to the face is needed at times, apparently. 😛
> Re-read. i’m specifying that the sign be noted after they’re walking away, post-death.
So you were. I still stand by my position that Regent’s snark is more than sufficient, but it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have some more recent reminder of the existence of the despair zone — wildbow might make it explicit in Danny’s phone call to Taylor in 20.3, say.
I could see this becoming a Brockton Bay rite of adulthood.
“Naw, we got somethin’ better than a glove full of bullet ants for ya – let’s hit the beach.”
Of course, they could make it a lot stupider by omitting the rescue line.
Using Cherish… huh. I wonder if that might have been a very bad idea. I could almost, almost imagine Cherish’s brain teleporting out of its box and surviving long enough to grow a new body… or teleporting WITH The box and becoming the mad Vorlon. Or perhaps the long range emotion and long rage agony will be combined…
More of an issue perhaps is that even if it doesn’t do a thing to Cherish’s situation, it will make removing Cherish at a later date much more problematic- Not knowing whether there was a transfer, Cherish is now a Schrodinger’s cat of doom for anyone looking to simply destroy her rather than somehow relocating her…
On the other hand, it was certainly awesome. I’ll bet the PRT will be shitting themselves.
Removing Codex saves a lot of future trouble for Skitter, but the new arrivals are still problematic in the long term…
I liked seeing the second part of the chapter with Rachel and her people. Those dogs aren’t the only ones getting socialized.
“appearance. Rachel” Extra space.
“who were squealing” was.
The term “Schrodinger’s Cat of Doom” has now entered my lexicon. Thank you.
There always was the threat of doom for that poor cat… ‘doom’ is implicit in the original scenario.
Scolopendra on April 23, 2013 at 08:59 said:
Something about the powers of the new Ambassadors really messes with me. Some of them look like fragments of powersets we’ve already seen before, and that’s what disturbs me…
Ligeia – Water conjuration and hydrokinesis
Codex – Psionic brain damage and intelligence syphoning
Jacklight – Limited dynakinesis.
Lizardtail – Regenerative abilities
Sound familiar? It’s as if they were channeling the Endbringers with their abilities. Ligeia looks like she has some of Leviathan’s powerset, Codex had Simurgh’s, and Jacklight has some of Behemoth’s. Lizardtail is a stretch, but it looks like all the Endbringers have significant regeneration abilities, else they wouldn’t be able to press their repeated assaults. Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but there has been speculation in the past that Cauldron and the Endbringers are connected somehow.
Curtis on April 23, 2013 at 11:57 said:
Oooooooooooooooh! I LIKE this idea! Allow me to add to the speculation pile:
Battery – Needs to recharge after a short rampage
Legend- Can fire laser beams
Narwhal- Can surpass the Manton Effect
Sundancer- Macropyrokinesis
(?!)Crawler- Layered cellular structure, gets denser and harder to damage as you move further internally, massive regeneration
I am not aware of any Endbringer that has used lasers. Simurgh perhaps? While Narwhal can surpass the Manton Effect, it is really just an attribute of her forcefields as opposed to a power in and of itself. And I wouldn’t say that Sundancer is really “macro” on the scale. Macrohydrokinesis was demonstrated to be a city-shattering tsunami, which is orders of magnitude larger scale. As for Crawler, I don’t recall any details on his biology, but I do remember that Scrub was able to completely annihilate parts of him to which he regenerated extremely rapidly. I’ll need to re-read that chapter to see if Crawler had the crystalline caramel center like an Endbriger…
Behemoth gives off radiation. Its not a stretch to say that directed radiation IS called a laser… because it IS called a laser. Behemoth points, target of pointing bursts into flames. Sounds like directed energy to me, the fact that it isn’t visible just means its not a visible light laser.
I don’t think the people bursting into flames is so much directed energy… the way it was described was the people burning from the inside out. He was causing the natural body heat in the person to increase to by orders of magnitude.
Regarding the lasers, I’m thinking my post a bit below may be correct in that Scion himself may be an Endbringer. He certainly has no shortage of laser powers.
Crawler wasn’t a Cauldron cape. The two Nine members who were Cauldron capes were Shatterbird and the Siberian.
We don’t know that he wasn’t Cauldron. We only know that Cauldron wanted Shatterbird and Siberian protected (Battery’s interlude) and that they were Cauldron-made (Shatterbird’s discussion of her origin in the nixed clone-Tattletale interlude and the revelation that Siberian was Manton).
Given that he had a non-human appearance, it’s a good bet he was Cauldron. It’s possible that this was a side-effect of a non-Cauldron power, but nearly every cape with a non-human appearance has been revealed to be Cauldroned. There are a few that we still don’t know for sure on, but I don’t think there are any who are confirmed to be non-Cauldron.
I just went off and started trying to confirm that, but then I remembered I’m in the middle of writing a term paper. So… yeah.
@Asmora: You’re right that this is speculation, but I think the evidence tends towards non-Cauldron.
1. Before Battery could buy powers to fight Madcap, Doctor Mother had to confirm that Madcap was not a Cauldron cape. When Battery was in a position to attack the Nine, they asked her to not kill The Siberian or Shatterbird — both of whom were later confirmed to be Cauldron capes. It sounds like Cauldron has one rule: spare the Cauldrons.
2. Crawler’s physical changes did not come at the time he gained his powers. Crawler’s physical changes came from the use of his power. Cauldron-changes come when the dose is taken.
Doc could’ve left Crawler’s name off the list for any number of reasons, among them the seeming impossibility of killing him and not wanting to tip her hand as to her criteria for picking who to protect/which of the Nine were Cauldron-made.
As for him not initially being transformed, we don’t know that, either. He could’ve turned blue and grown wings, for all we know. He power did reactively transform him, but it’s never stated that he looked normal after he first gained his powers.
As someone put it in the IRC, Crawler wasn’t initially transformed, but neither was Echidna. The rest of the Travellers weren’t transformed either. It’s an inclusive, rather than exclusive.
Also, when was it said that Narwhal was a Cauldron cape? Or are you just making the connection?
Also also, in Gregor’s Interlude (I think) it was mentioned that Narwhal didn’t always have the ability to surpass the Manton Effect, so it might be a thing you can train.
I think it was mentioned Narwhal passing the Manton Effect was due to her having a second Trigger Event.
Narwhal is assumed to be Cauldron-made due to her non-human appearance.
She is seven feet tall and has a horn made of her own forcefield. The height might be a result of her power but the horn is a conscious decision. Not indicative of case 53ism.
Not conclusively indicative of it, perhaps, but being seven feet tall seems like a transformation to me. I think she’s described as having an unusual skin color, too. Bluish white, maybe. It’s not conclusive, but I feel confident in suspecting her of being Cauldroned.
@Asmora: She coats her skin with small forcefields. The iridescence isn’t indicative.
The major factor weighing against Narwhal being a Cauldron cape in my mind is the possibility that she has had a second trigger event — which is not something I would guess Cauldron capes would do. Given the ambiguity of the evidence either way, but also given that the fraction of women seven feet tall is probably less than the one-in-twenty-six-thousand Piggot gives as the parahuman population density outside cities, I think I’d still give it a fifty percent chance that Narwhal got her powers from one of Cauldron’s doses — either because she was a pituitary cancer patient who got a dose as a cure or because she grew taller after taking the dose.
We have been told that she had a second trigger event, but Cauldron capes are known to lie about having had trigger events. I take that statement that she had another with a grain of salt.
@Scolopendra: I know that Narwhal’s second trigger event isn’t confirmed. In fact, it’s not even explicitly stated.
Manton – Can create a fake self. (like the decoy Simurgh used on Scion)
Doesn’t fit — Simurgh sculpted the fake out of snow and moved it around telekinetically. No projection power involved.
Telekinesis isn’t projection? News to me. ;P
I read a novel from Dean Koontz called “The Door to December” a long time ago. The main character had an ability extremely similar to Manton that they referred to as a psychogeist. Basically, it was an autonomous manifestation of the person’s will. It wasn’t really telekinesis so much as a completely separate entity created and projected by the mind. I see that as being extremely similar to the Siberian. Telekinesis is more of direct manipulation by the mind itself. Manton was creating something from nothing to act as an avatar, whereas the Simurgh was grabbing up existing material to create the snow decoy and then moving it around with telekinesis.
That’s a bit of a spoiler for the book, but yes.
Koontz likes the idea. I think he had one called Dragon Tears as well.
Oops! I should have marked that with a spoiler alert. Ah well, I guess the damage is done. Since I see that you are familiar with the book, am I right to guess that the Siberian may have been influenced by it?
You’re not the first to have that reaction — it is a bit uncanny.
Unfortunately: How does Eidolon fit? How does Citrine? How does Othello?
Worrisome enough, the only analog we’ve seen that approaches Eidolon’s powerset is Scion himself. When Scion was fighting Leviathan, he gave Eidolon a very dirty look, as if he felt a visceral distaste for the man. If you watched how Scion handled himself in that fight, it was almost like he was making up powers as he went along, mostly laser based. Come to think of it, if you combined all the Triumvirate’s powersets into one body, you’d pretty much have Scion… Also, we have no idea of Scion’s origin, just that he showed up one day and capes started appearing after. Going out on a limb here and making a wild guess that he’s an Endbringer himself, just not a psychotic omnicidal maniac like the others.
Citrine is closer to Behemoth in that she manipulates energy (dynakinesis), apparently without concern for the Manton Effect. It has been said she can affect both the environment and human targets with her powers (able to nullify the immunity most capes have to their own powers).
Othello might be Simurgh-related. He seems to have some sort of dimensional manipulation ability, which the Travelers can attest to her posessing. That one is a bit of a stretch though.
My grand isnane theory: Cauldron somehow managed to steal or derive powers from the Endbringers and sell them for power and profit. The Endbringers are just coming to take back what is theirs.
I should also add that the Case 53s all show inhuman, monstrous features. Normal trigger events don’t cause physical mutations like this. What are the only other monstrous entities in the setting (aside from Crawler of course)? I think the Case 53s were essentially wild physical mutations caused by Endbringer traits being grafted into a human.
Well, but again there are capes who essentially are transformed by their powers. Imagine Crawler ten or twenty years down the line, and you would have reasonable something approaching an Endbringer, and if his power included physic bending as well might have eclipsed them, if only by chance of them being the last worthwhile enemies left.
In that vein, who else was transformed by their power and wasn’t confirmed a Case 53?
Except Crawler is a special type. His power is to adapt in response to threatening stimuli. Really, it’s the stimuli themselves that determine what his form will be. Subjected to intense impact? Thicken the bones and form an armored carapace. Blinded? Sprout dozens of eyes all over. From what I understand, if Crawler sat around and did nothing all day from here to eternity, there would be no physical changes or enhancements of capability. I don’t think this is the same as the Case 53s really. For example, there’s Narwhal. How exactly would a forcefield power cause someone to become a scaly, horned humanoid? The Case 53 mutations seem more random and less purposeful. Gregor the Snail’s power doesn’t really seem to shape his power either (fluid generation causing hornified skin?). It’s a fine line, but I don’t think Crawler and the Case 53s are really the same sort of thing.
@Scolopendra: I was about to ask if Narwhal was a Case 53, but I just checked her cast page entry:
Narwhal – Head of the Guild and the Protectorate’s Toronto branch. A masterful forcefield user who can create forcefields that intersect (and thus cut) the bodies of nearby opponents. Appears nude, but covers herself in an intricate carpet of tiny forcefields, with a long horn of the same material [emphasis added].
That said, she’s purported to be seven feet tall, which is an unlikely but not impossible height for … well, anyone. My own theory was that she was a voluntary Cauldron cape who suffered physical changes, but evidence is slim.
Huh. I hadn’t read that entry on the cast page. I could have sworn I read somewhere that it was an actual physical feature. You know, she could have saved herself a lot of trouble with doors by dismissing the horn as she walked through -_-. That said, most likely she is a Case 53. After all, is there anyone in the upper echelons of the PRT/Protectorate that hasn’t been a thrall of Cauldron? It stands to reason that the Guild has been similarly infiltrated.
It wasn’t on the old cast page, Taylor didn’t pick up on it when she saw Narwhal at the Leviathan fight, and I haven’t read the new spoiler-free cast page (just a few entries). I literally saw that today, when I was checking if it had any information on whether she was a Case 53.
I still don’t think she is. I think it’s more likely that she bought powers from or was given powers by Cauldron. Heck, maybe she had a pituitary gland tumor that was repaired by whatever serum she took.
I’d love to see that doctor’s appointment afterward. “Well, the good news is that the cancer is gone. The bad news is you are now a unicorn.”
Courtney on April 23, 2013 at 09:07 said:
The way you describe non white people is very lazy and mildly offensive. “Darker skinned individual?” Really? What does that even mean? Are lighter skinned individuals supposed to be the norm? And depending on who you ask, dark skin means different things. Considering that your readership is multiracial, and your story is sort of multiracial, it’d be cool if you could research the ways in which to describe/address non whites. If the girl is supposed to be black, or biracial, it sounds a lot less dumb to just describe her as such.
I took that more of a point of perspective for Skitter, actually. And if you consider Brockton Bays location (somewhere northern east coast of the US), caucasian would still be the predominant race, with higher percentage of Asians than usual.
But like I said, I think it’s more of a perspective thing. As in “significantly darker than average, but not african level”.
To be honest, for the most part I didn’t realize the race of the various characters myself and always assumed caucasian. Even for those who got mentioned a different one, like Brian. His body description (was it hunk or something? jock?) was more important for my mental picture than the race.
Also, the political correctness autocorrected her brain afro-american to dark-skinned. Obviously.
Except Taylor doesn’t know for sure, and jumping to conclusions about someone’s race is just as bad if not worse.
I find your inability to understand vague references to skin colour as someone glances over them as very lazy and mildly offensive. If you stopped and considered how racist your little speech was, maybe you’d never have posted it and sounded a lot less dumb.
Seriously. If you have a group that have multiple ethnic backgrounds individuall, and one of them has darker skin than the other, and you could care less about where in the world they came from, what is the biggest defining trait that your brain is going to notice at a glance? Skin colour. Note how she doesn’t treat the girl any different because of it? Or how she’s treated as just one of the family by the rest of Rachel’s crew and there’s no malign thought ascribed?
Skyweir on April 23, 2013 at 12:57 said:
This little screed does not make you sound that great either, by the way.
This is really not the place to discuss racism in literature, but sufficient to say I do not think it is limited to descriptions of malign thought and/or actions. Just the assumption about “normal skin color” can be problematic, on the level of “asians are good at math”.
Calling people out on this is something that should happen, from time to time. It is good to reflect on these things.
Hey, some of my relatives, even me in a good day can be described as “brown skinned” and, as a consequence, with darker skin than the average person of the north of north america.
I consider it normal description of skin color. Ranges between a bit less white than average for the area and almost black african.
If you were writing a tale in some regions of Brasil the norm would be “brown skin” and both black and very white would call attention.
I saw both extremes suffer prejudice here because they deviate from the norm, but it is a reasonable way to describe a person.
Careful or I may get offended because you consider that people are either black or white, a mix between black, native american and white like me is not people? Again, my skin would be darker than average in some places of the world, average where I live and whiter than average in some places. Never completely black or white.
1) First part of my post? Mimicry of Courtneys, to illustrate how horrid it sounds, even when turned on its ear. It’s meant to be discordant. It’s also not a screed- Not long enough.
2) Racism is completely about benign vs. malign. Humans compartmentalize EVERYTHING. This is why stereotypes are so prevalent- Because that is how we are -hardwired- to think. We can break certain stereotypes, certainly, but we do so -by creating new ones to take their place-. White skin within the Bible Belt? Likely to have the negative racist stereotype applied of being a crazy nutjob Christian fanatic. African/African-American ethnicity in New York? You must live in The Bronx. Non-hispanic white in New York? Must live in Manhattan. These forms of subtle racism occur all the time, but they aren’t a negative impact. They are part of the stereotypes that humans naturally use. Even people within the same ethnicity use similar stereotypes on themselves.
3) Attribution of “normal skin colour” is appropriate to the locale. If it was Africa, seeing someone who is light-skinned would be comparatively a big deal. Even someone who is only lightly brown would be a sore thumb effectively, simply because most of the native African population are so dark skinned. In such a situation (where everyone is skin-colour-reversed) noting that someone has lighter skin than the norm would be expected, -because it’s all about perspective within the situation-.
4) THIS could be considered a screed, if anything.
I was going to raze to defend Wildbow here, but then really had to check my privilege. I am guilty of this, I see everyone in a story not described otherwise as caucacian. This is not wrong by itself, it is a very normal thing to do to project what you know into the stories you read. It is also slightly racist, and something I should try to keep in mind.
But your point, Courtney, is well made. I think Worm has this problem at times, and the way “WagTheDog” is described in the story here is a bit lazy and weird, when you think about it. I think both Wildbow and Taylor should perhaps try to be more descriptive and make less assumptions….
For an example of books that will help you recognize this tendency in yourself, read The Earthsea cycle by LeGuin. She inverts the idea, making everyone black by default, but never really tells you this. It kind of sinks in after you read it, but it took me a lot longer than it really should have to see it. The horrible TV-series based on the books manages to miss this point completely, making the cast lily-white….it would be funny, if it wasn’t so sad.
That does sound hilariously sad.
Anyways I don’t think this is a problem. Darker skinned sounds like one of those cases where the person looking at them has no idea what they actually are so they use something that fits almost every other skin color then white.
I remember Grue being described in pretty clear terms.
I agree with thiss’un right here. If it was me, the first thing in this story I’d check over is this kind of thing. Not to say that Worm is at all bad with depictions of race/gender/orientation compared to alot of bullshit out there, but making the story less alienating can only improve it.
Aside from reading fiction dealing with the subject, there’s also alot of blog sites out there if you don’t read them already that can give alot of insight into these sorts of issues. One of which I will plug unsubtly with a URL.
http://arsmarginal.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/silver-phoenix-and-fauxminism/#more-534
Eeeehh… the blog in general, not the specific page I was reading at the time due to complete coincidence.
See, I’d say you’d have a point except the only thing being noted here is that she’s dark-skinned. Not that she’s evil or stupid or crazy- Well, any more than the motley crew that Rachel’s banded together of various damaged people of all walks of life aren’t crazy. Everyone has their own damage, after all. In fact, she’s shown as being a positive factor in Rachel’s life, and vice versa- two people platonically healing each other by supporting one another.
Seriously, where are you guys getting this “zomg racist implications!” stuff from?!
I don’t think that anyone said that there is racism going on here, but the somewhat blithe way in which her skin color is assessed is a bit iffy. We wont know that this kid is mixed race until she says she is or we see her parents, Taylor’s being kinda presumptuous here. Which seems somewhat out of character, because I haven’t detected very much white middle class priviledged behavoir coming from her.
Great. Now I have an image of an Alot made of bullshit in my head.
Yeah, Le Guin was apparently *very* unhappy about the TV series.
Earthsea was actually pretty vague about the race of its inhabitants – they were just described as brown and (IIRC) reddish-brown skinned. I personally envision them as looking Indonesian – probably because Earthsea is an archipelago like Indonesia. I’m aware that that’s my personal mental model, though.
And a mix of black, native american and white? Triracial?
I really prefer darker skinned. Avoid race definition and I prefer this way. Complete reason in my comments bellow.
soulpelt on April 23, 2013 at 09:16 said:
Great chapter Wildbow! 😀
So Cherish may or may not have Butchers powers, if she does atleast maybe she could pull a Deadpool and murder the extra voices. If not, well then, no more Auto-Aim Telefraging Painbringer. 😀
I can only wonder what Skitter will do with Tagg. Can’t be violent, no. I think she may reveal to the world just how bad the PRT is. Such as telling that Shadow Stalker mentally and physically assaulted her at school, or telling what Deviant did when Leviathan attacked. It’d have to be something so that Tagg couldn’t excuse his manical ‘war of villains’. I see her getting the publics support, and being elected mayor of the Bay. XD Then Dragon would have to obey Taylor if she went to the Bay.
Also I’ve been wondering. Does the President, Prime Minister and other such people have their powered secret service? If not, why not, and if so would they be among the more powerful powered people? Cos lets face it, having normal secret service mooks trying to fight off someone like Butcher or the S9 would be incredibly stupid.
Can’t wait till Thursday. :3
Well, Defiant is definitely deviating in all kinds and aspects, so Deviant is an appropriate moniker 😀
Skitter can’t point out Shadowstalkers misdeeds, because the unofficial rules, you remember? I know Skitter broke them on occasion, but had them in turn broken on her. Or was it the other way around? Anyway, Skitter outing Shadowstalker would put her on the shit list of a great many people, simply by virtue of becoming another unpredictable factor and/or threat. Especially since Skitter can – given time, resources or Tattletale – deduce a capes civil identity.
Why the hell did I put Deviant? *head desk*
Well, I did say it was funny, wasn’t it? Still makes me chuckle, especially in accord with D&D 10 by 10 game :3
Because you can’t help but imagine him in a Freudian slip.
Not to mention already knows the civilian identities of several .
Adam on April 23, 2013 at 16:39 said:
Just as a note, Dragon doesn’t have to obey government authorities any more. So getting elected mayor wouldn’t really do anything in that respect.
Where did you get that? Defiant was able to remove some limitations of Dragon’s code, but hardly all, I think. She can now make somewhat independent and fettered AI’s, but there’s still a lot to do.
The conversation heard through Defiant’s venting helmet toward the end of the chapter in which Skitter has the big talk with him and Dragon in the lunch room implies that she’s asking him to finally go ahead and do the “brain surgery” that they had discussed in previous interludes, which would remove more/all of the restrictions in her code. Shortly thereafter, we see Dragon in a meeting with the PRT heads, and she’s silent and apparently barely comprehending her surroundings; Defiant says she’s a bit poorly, and we’re left to assume she’s recovering from him doing the brain surgery.
So, it’s definitely only implied and we have no indication of what the result is yet, but it’s strongly implied that she’s had at least enough of her “follow orders” restrictions removed to be able to avoid another situation like the one where she was forced to out Taylor.
Good point. Personally I took Dragon being somewhat out of it to mean her main focus being somewhere else and her body being on autopilot or run by one of the hobbled AI’s she made. The way her interlude described her thought process Dragon can’t split her attention more than a (baseline) human can do, so running her body takes conscious attention. If she was preoccupied at the time with something else like problems in the Birdcage or the President having a talk with her about jurisdiction or to get an outsiders opinion on the Brockton Bay situation the facsimile would have to be on autopilot.
Well, on second thought, the president scenario is far-fetched, since it might harm her cover.
You know, an unexpected plan would be to publicly, very publicly, surrender. Arrange for a media frenzy. Make it so they have to give her trial. A fair trial, even.
And observe the reaction as she’s acquitted. Because they can’t give her a trial. At all. Because she’ll talk under the oath. And explain everything.
She’ll get herself a trial and the “non guilty” verdict. From the judges of Brockton Bay. Even from the judges of the PRT. Because the first ones won’t want to prosecute her and the latter ones can’t prosecute her.
And you can’t be prosecuted twice for the same crimes.
The only serious crime she could be accused of that can be proven is Bank Robbery. And she was an undercover cop at that moment. Defiant would testify to that. HAS testified to that already to his fellow heroes.
And that’s basically the only stuff she was ever legally guilty of. Everything else? Self-defence. Or outright heroic actions.
That’s not the only one — she also was part of a conspiracy to kidnap Shadow Stalker, committed B&E, aggravated assault, and robbery at the PRT headquarters, and piled on at least two charges of aggravated assault in her attack on Mayor Christner’s home even if you don’t charge her with anything Trickster did. All of which was after she decided to betray the heroes.
Not to mention the kidnapping of Piggot and the attack of the Fundraiser (did you include that?)
Fundraiser was prior to her defection, but those are definitely two more valid examples.
Ooh, and you can throw in every time the Undersiders took the offensive against supervillains — self-defense doesn’t cover ‘crush them before they can attack you’.
I doubt she’d get off scott-free even based on context. But I bet she could start a national shitstorm regarding all the dirty PRT secrets she’s been in contact with and distract the national media as she and Tattletale manipulate the system into giving her a lax sentence which she promptly escapes from when the world goes to shit.
What are the legal crimes she can be accused of? The only one I remember is the bank robbery. And she was an undercover cop at that time. Defiant said so himself already. To his fellow heroes. And, given their current relationship and the amount of blackmail she has, he’ll testify to that.
Coil’s murder can’t be proven, and WILL be swept under the rug (Coil? What Coil? There never was such a person!).
Everything else? Either self-defence (against Dragon suits and such), or outright heroic actions. Falling under hero clauses that have to exist in the laws to allow various teams to operate legally / semi-legally.
Plus, even if convicted, she’s not going to Birdcage. She’s going to Juvie, with Shadow Stalker.
I’m pretty firmly on Taylor’s side of things, but even I’ve got to point out, she’s never been an undercover cop. That was her own idea which she never got any sort of official sanction for. Also, undercover cops aren’t magically immune from charges for the actions they commit.
Ellert on April 23, 2013 at 16:03 said:
I agree with the list Packbat gave you they are either on security tapes or provable by witnesses.
Was Skitter an undercover cop at that time? Taylor certainly wanted to be one and she claimed to be working against the undersiders and their boss to armsmaster.
But if it is provable in court is a different matter.
To be an undercover cop you need to be a cop first which in this setting would mean official backing or being part of the protectorate or the wards. The latter two don t apply in fact when given the opportunity for that Skitter declined. I d have to reread the beginning to be sure but i think official backing is also not applicable since it was more a situation in which Skitter decided to try this on her own and only told Armsmaster the barest outline.
When did she actually provide critical information regarding the undersiders the only time i can remember is that bank robbery? As i said i d need to reread the beginning to be certain. When a cop goes he or she gets training first to avoid becomming conflicted about loyalities. Thats something i only assume due to movies i watched.
Now the way i see it the best Skitter can hope is to be considered a willing informer which is diffrent from an undercover cop. Whats the worse that can happen? Well Skitter could be considered a villain that was simply triing to play the authorities. as the prosecutor i d argue exactly that and i believe that the evidence would lend itself better to this than to claiming innocence.
Don t get me wrong i m a subscriber to the whole Skitter tries to be a hero thing and as a reader i know her reasoning for her actions but in court its all about what can be proven. Even though it is innocent until proven guilty in this world (especially regarding a supervillain of skitters reputation on trial) i think she better be able to back everything up with rock-hard evidence or it is guilty until proven innocent here canary comes to mind.
Also why did Panacea go to the Birdcage shouldn t she be in juvie too then? I believe as soon as your actions cross a certain point taking over a city being well beyond the line the birdcage becomes a certainty regardless of age.
I agree that the information she holds and could dislose if questioned especially with Tattletales help could have quite the impact. However Taggs attempt to catch her already disregarded such a possibility and unless the people dealing with the trial would be different i d assume the ll agree with his line of thinking. Specifically bad press doesn t last if we have you we ll win the PR war in the long run.
chaos985 on April 23, 2013 at 22:26 said:
bad press is one thing.
she has enough information to effectivly destroy the prt, and thats just counting her interactions with shadow stalker and Armsmaster. Effectivly, offering to turn herself in, in exchange for a public trial would put the prt in a very compromising position.
A). They deny the offer. at which point people start asking why the prt doesnt want it.
B). they take the risk and accept it.
in the case of B, she is likely to come through with alot of public support. Given what she has actually done, its very likely that she gets convicted but ends up with a lighter sentance then would normally be approiate due to public pressure.
that being said, for story reasons, i dont think worm is likely to go through a trial.
Good points but what i meant with the last paragraph was more along the lines that not only Skitter but also the rest of the undersiders know all that and through the attack on her Tagg showed he disregarded the possibility of them making that public knowledge or he accepted it.
For me that means that his reasoning when talking to Skitter can be applied for this problem too. I don t say he s right but he thinks he is and him being put in charge at this time with his way of looking at things probably being known in the rest of the PRT indicates that at least the people in charge agree with him and think that what the undersiders know can t do enough damage.
Also i m not too familiar with the american jurisdictional system but aren t there also trials that are closed to the public if say national safety is involved? And with the backing that Cauldron and the PRT still have even if she very publically surrended they could possibly force something like that. And don t forget she also doesn t want the PRT destroyed she wants it working how its supposed to be so without a plan to force them into changing i also don t think the public offer is a possibility. That being said i think you are right a trial is unlikely.
Hydrargentium on April 23, 2013 at 12:40 said:
Hmmm, I figured it was Cherish when they were close to the shoreline. What I’m worried about, though, is the fact that now Cherish has all those other powers as well — including heaps of superstrength that all work in different ways, and regeneration. And teleportation. Think about that for a minute.
… and a quick scan of the comments indicates I’m not the only person with that idea. 🙂
sarah penguin on April 23, 2013 at 13:01 said:
I enjoyed this, as always 🙂 Looking forward to the next update 🙂
I think I see at least part of skitters plan. It’s scary to see someone putting their affairs in order like this. Usually means their about to cut ties.
Hmm. So I wasn’t the only one seeing this? It felt like the winding down, making sure everyone could take care of themselves, saying the final goodbyes when she wanted more time to be with her friends, and that’s why she hated Parian that little bit- Because she lost some of that precious time left to her before she has to leave.
Kessler on April 24, 2013 at 06:37 said:
I haven’t thought about it, but now that seems like quite a possibility.
Which makes me wonder what she is planning to do. She could turn herself in and demand a trial to fix the PRT as mentioned above, or leave the Undersiders and go try to save the world.
I wonder if the fifth recruit became a Case 53. IF so I suspect they maybe dead. That seems like something that would set Accord off big time in all likelihood. If they are a 53 I want them to join the Undersiders! 😀
Yeah, I’d say #5 ain’t alive. (Yes, Psycho Gecko, that is a reference to that movie.)
All it took was him thanking Accord for his new “shilk sirt” and Accord had him thrown out of a skyscraper without a hang glider. (The sequel was better.)
tieshaunn on April 24, 2013 at 06:43 said:
Great chapter. I only have one problem with it, namely, the chili.
Hemorrhagia’s reaction to the food being spoiled and Skitter’s comment about it being a little thing hit a little too close to heart 😦
I know how it feels to see food you have been looking forward to being spoiled and it really is a horrible feeling. Most people like to call it “a little thing”, but they forget how many people have to hunger out there, how we are still hotwired to value food it is taken away – once upon a time, a single mouthful of food could mean the difference between life and death. and those memories still remain, both in our bodies and in our culture.
So yeah, it’s an effective tactic and compared to the other stuff they do to the Teeth it isn’t so bad, but it is the one thing that makes me feel sympathetic for the Teeth.
I feel a single pang of sympathy- for the chili, not for the Teeth. After being cooked for so long, to be rendered inedible to anyone who won’t eat bugs? Such a waste of good food. 😡
Most people don’t eat bugs in their food, at least intentionally.
And I don’t care much for chili. Not as far as spiciness, just not one of the foods I enjoy eating. And on the spiciness issue, I don’t like it when people think pepper is the only damn seasoning around. It’s far, far too easy to find restaurants relying on that. You can have all the fettuccini alfredo you want around here, provided it’s blackened or Cajun, but not a damn one of them has the balls to make it right without the spice.
Besides, you want to see food rendered inedible, I’ve had some meat loaf before that could have killed Crawler. I went back for seconds, but not to eat. I got it just to throw it away in the hopes that they would run out and save some other poor bastard from having to taste it.
Depending on the type of bugs I would probably still eat it if I was hungry enough. They have more protein and are eaten all over the world. I would just worry about how clean they are. Crunchy chili sound delicious.
Given how abundant mosquitoes are in Brockton Bay, I’d guess there are a lot of the bloodsuckers in there – and bloodsuckers are the most likely to have cross-species pathogens. I think it’s probably wrecked.
Will there be a bonus Thursday update this week?
Hope so. You can typically find the schedule on the ‘donate’ page (see the button at the top of the page).
That said, I don’t want to make any promises to my audience or to myself. I’m sort of kind of feeling a little burned out. That’s mainly due to writing as many regular chapters in the past stretch as I have been – interludes are easier to write, I find. That, and this arc’s been tough to write.
Last chapter was pretty difficult for all those reasons and word count besides, so I don’t want to push myself too hard if doing a chapter tonight even resembles that.
TL;DR: I’ll try, and I’ll be more disappointed than you guys if it doesn’t happen, but it’s not worth losing my sanity over.
Yeahhhhh… just stay sane (ish).
Like I told you before Wildbow. Your brain is to precious to burn out over us. If it’s a pile of burning slag my Worm Addiction can’t be sustained!
Jim Lee on April 24, 2013 at 15:58 said:
Yeah, seriously dude. If you feel all burned out, feel free to take a couple nights off. Worm is great. Your sanity is more important by far.
Emphatically agreed. In fact, I insist that you rest your fingers/eyes/head and not post a Thursday update.
*ducks tomatoes and rotten eggs*
I wrote a review about worm for a university seminar. You can find it on my blog: http://tieshaunn.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/review-worm-by-wildbow/
Hopefully, I’ll be able to interest some of my fellow students to read worm^^
If any of you see any mistakes made, please say so – I still have some time before I have to hand it in!
Just out of curiosity, and to be sure I don’t offer unwarranted or misguided criticism: who’s the audience? I feel as if the approach changes greatly if:
* this something you turn in to the professor or something you share with the whole class?;
* the class is focused on popular (e.g. Dan Brown, David Weber, Jim Butcher) or literary (e.g. E. Annie Proulx, Ursula K. LeGuin, Richard Adams) works.
it’s called “Advanced Writing Skills” and is a rather simple seminar, but a mandatory one.
the review is turned in to the professor, but then put online in the seminar’s webpage for all to read.
In terms of writing, I tend to find that -ly adjectives aren’t very strong. ‘Incredibly’ conveys remarkably little, and detracts from the flow of reading. 90% of the time, such adjectives can be scrapped entirely.
Starting paragraphs with ‘first, second, third’ has a similar effect.
Not to be too critical (I can be like that), I think the review maybe doesn’t convey the necessary points of information. For those who aren’t up to date with what canon is, the notion of a chapter being declared ‘non-canon’ is confusing.
Similarly, for those not familiar with what a web serial is, you might include a definition and then work it into the actual review.
ie. ‘Web serials haven’t really caught on with the public, despite the fact that serial writing dates back to the days of Mark Twain. As a general rule, segments of work or chapters are released on a set schedule. This allows the audience to communicate with the author while a work is still in progress, and tends to create sprawling, dynamic stories riddled with cliffhangers. Worm epitomizes many of these points…’
you’re right on the -ly and the first, second,… stuff.
we have actually talked about what ‘canon’ means and ‘web serials’ have been explained as well.
but you’re right, it still needs some reworking. I’ll get to it tomorrow (or rather, later this day. thursday already here on my side).
lastly, it’s hard to be too critical if someone ASKS you to be^^
thanks for the input
Seconding the point about elaborating on web serials. I’ve actually started using TV serials as a metaphor when introducing it to people: rather than a single storyline which builds to a climax and then resolves, Worm is a succession of linked stories tied together by common characters and what X-Files fans refer to as a myth arc — a story bigger than any of the individual challenges the characters have to deal with, hints of which come out and suggest links between the events of the entire series.
This kind of thing is common in webcomics as well, if you think a significant fraction of your audience will be familiar with that medium.
Okay, gotcha. So you’re writing this primarily for those classmates who are interested enough to go online and read the reviews other people posted. I’ll look at it with that in mind.
Unrelated, but an idea I had (and I understand if you don’t have time to hunt for one): is there a good passage you could quote as a sample? Opening with a section of wildbow’s gripping prose might be a way to draw readers in.
It HAS to have Regent in it. Obviously. From Interlude 18:
“Hey,” Regent said. “Monster girl.”
Noelle snarled as she glanced down at the boy who was stuck inside one of her legs. Only his face was left to be consumed. Her voice was hoarse with emotion as she asked, “What?”
“When you make my clone, do you think you could give him a goatee?”
Noelle didn’t dignify the question with a response. She flexed and drew Regent completely within her body. She’d hurt him later. For now, she needed him to help her escape so she could hunt down his friends.
@Pandemonious Ivy: That particular passage a bit spoilery, sadly. 😛
It’s cool, SO MUCH REGENTIAL AWESOMENESS; Insinuation 2:9:
With Brian gone and Lisa absorbed in trying to patch up Bitch’s ear, I was left with Alec. To make conversation, I said, “Alec. You were going to tell me what you do. You go by Regent, right?”
“The name is a long story, but what I do is this.” He looked over his shoulder at Brian, who was returning from the washroom with a damp washcloth in hand. Brian, mid-stride, stumbled and fell onto the floor.
“Way to look good in front of the new girl, gimpy!” Alec mocked his teammate, laughing. Grateful for the break in the tension, I couldn’t help but laugh too. While Alec continued laughing, Brian got to his feet and ran up to the smaller boy, at which point he got Alec in a headlock and began punching him in the shoulder repeatedly. This abuse only made Alec laugh harder in between his cries of pain.
unfortunately, the best quotes I can think of are far too spoileriffic, so I’ll stick to the tagline^^
Mazzon on May 16, 2013 at 09:56 said:
After this, everybody will be REALLY surprised when she does go to Birdcage after all.
Ahh crap posted to wrong chapter. Ignore.
ArchmageCromwell on September 9, 2013 at 12:47 said:
I’m finally reading through this, at the urging of some friends of mine. Love everything I’ve read so far. That said, I’m mildly confused.
There’s a line that says, “The dogs stumbled or slipped as the Jacklights tugged at one or two of their legs, then proceeded to tear their way through the crowd.” I was under the impression that there was only one Jacklight, and that he was nowhere near the dogs.
Can anyone clear this up?
packbat on September 9, 2013 at 21:53 said:
I read the quoted as Taylor calling Jacklight’s orbs “Jacklights” — there’s only one of him, but a goodly number of his orbs.
(Glad to hear you’re enjoying the series!)
(Also, your username is making me wonder if you’re the guy in my D&D group that we recommended the series to. :D)
ArchmageCromwell on September 10, 2013 at 00:34 said:
(Also, Yup, it’s me. Looking forward to the session Saturday. =D )
packbat on September 10, 2013 at 15:04 said:
Awesome. See you then!
If Jacklight put his orbs up in series, I think he could probably simulate flight by throwing himself around the sky with his Jacklights.
Daniel on September 18, 2013 at 13:40 said:
Butcher fires only one arrow?
Chases Skitter and Bitch rather than take out a few of the others?
Bit of author intervention showing there.
rmcd94 on September 22, 2013 at 10:24 said:
So uh, won’t Cherish kill herself using the teleport now? Also I was under the impression while she could sense people’s emotions from across a city she couldn’t affect them across that distance
Pandemonious Ivy on September 22, 2013 at 11:45 said:
I’m starting to get the distinct feeling that you are fishing for issues to gripe about instead of reading carefully. On the way out of Brockton Bay, Bonesaw trapped Cherish in a Mannequin-created self sustaining system/sphere after tinkering with her abilities so that they were turned up to eleven as well as being uncontrollable. This being said, there is a distinct area allotted to where her power reaches, even with that boost. I’m gonna start replying to you exclusively in quotes from the story ffs.
If Cherish can’t control her power then Regent couldn’t control her power by taking it over, and if she was randomly twisting emotions why has there been no news of people suddenly being incredibly angry and murdering, etc. If Regent took over someone who was paralyzed he wouldn’t be able to walk.
“trapped” was before she gained teleportation powers, she can teleport outside of her cage now, unless you’re implying that Bonesaw knew that Regent would take over Cherish (how did he get close enough to take her over if she’s at the bottom of the ocean) and then make her kill Butcher and get all the previous powers.
mremaknu on September 22, 2013 at 18:02 said:
Sure is a good thing Regent didn’t control Cherish then, isn’t it?
How else?
Quote your sources, from now on. Otherwise you run the risk of embarrassing yourself. Regent didn’t control Cherish.
Well, in this story right here, Cherish basically went into a deeper depression than Avatar fans did the day M. Night Shyamalan’s movie premiered. Since her powers are rendered uncontrollable and broadcast her emotions as hard as they can as far as they can, which is pretty dagnabbed far, everybody that gets within her range feels a crushing sadness the likes of which give Joss Whedon boners of biblical proportion.
Butcher committed suicide because she was made really, really, REALLY sad. Like wow, so sad. And oh yeah, so were all those voices in her head, that were driving her crazy before she even met the Undersiders.
That’s how else.
I could potentially accept that of all the people in the entire city all of whom are facing crushing depression constantly the only person even out of civilians who lost their family, or people during their trigger event, or all the possible times people would be made to kill themselves that only Butcher was made sad enough to commit suicide.
Except that she committed suicide in the middle of the battle, not before it, not after it, in the middle of a battle at a time just where it was good for the Undersiders.
Why would you be willing to accept a premise that’s built entirely on your own presumption? It would be asinine at the kindest to believe that of all the people that walked into Cherish’s range, ONLY the Butcher was driven to suicide (since it’s not true).
Also, there’s one hell of a difference between being generally low-morale and unhappy, which most of Brockton Bay is right now, and being so depressed you want to kill yourself right then and there just to make the NOISES stop. It’s the difference between being sad that your bike got stolen and being so miserable with the way your life is that you can’t motivate yourself to leave your bed for three straight days.
Of goddamned course the timing is convenient; that’s what happens when a plan works properly. The planner screws the planee at the exact moment the planner planned to.
I honestly cannot believe that you’re defending that she just happened to kill herself 10 minutes into the battle even though she’s dealt with the voices constantly, the idea that if they had delayed the battle by 10 minutes Butcher would have suddenly shot herself is stupid. Not to mention of all places a battle is where people are not going to kill themselves, people don’t kill themselves when they’re flooded with adrenaline and their attention is focused on something. People kill themselves when they have no distractions bar their cause of suicide.
Not only that there’s NOTHING which suggests she’s suicidal, people wouldn’t fucking kill the Butcher by choice if they didn’t want to be the Butcher, they’re all fucking insane.
We would have heard if everyone in Brockton Bay was suffering from constant horrible sadness, Taylor would have said “wow this sucks” or SOMETHING, people would be acting differently, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest any character other than Butcher was affected.
Asmora on September 22, 2013 at 20:05 said:
No… no.
Look, Cherish can manipulate people’s emotions, right? Someone doesn’t have to be suicidal for her to make them kill themselves. In her interlude, we saw her do this several times.
Cherish has a limited range in which she can manipulate emotions and a larger range in which she can sense them. Again, laid out in her interlude. She can sense pretty much the whole city, but she can only control people in an area of a few blocks or something.
Bonesaw uses Mannequin tech to imprison her in torment and life-support at the bottom of the bay, near the Ship Graveyard.
The mayor mentions that everyone who goes near the area is gripped with sudden suicidal depression. This has nothing to do with the state of the city or the tragedies that have happened. It’s because Cherish is sitting at the bottom of the bay and lashing out at anyone who comes within her range, making them as depressed as her. She probably gets a little vicarious catharsis every time they kill themselves, since she so desperately wishes she could do so herself.
Off-screen, the citizens or officials of the city do some testing to figure out where the edge of this range is. They mark a line. They put up signs. This is the only reasonable course of action for them to take, as they have no way of dealing with Cherish or even knowing she’s down there. All they can do is say “Stay away.”
Taylor knows about this zone. She knows Cherish is down there. She’s seen the signs going up. She may have been partially or wholly responsible for putting them up. She doesn’t want any of her people to kill Butcher, as they’ll get the powers and voices and go crazy. So what’s her plan? Have Butcher kill Butcher. How does she do it? Takes advantage of her aggressive tendencies and unfamiliarity with the city to trick her into going into Cherish’s range. At this point, we see the line and the signs. Wildbow is perhaps a little too subtle, because he doesn’t tell us what the sign says, even afterward. Butcher is out past the line, and Cherish whammies her just the same as she does to anyone that comes in range. She’s not in on the plan or anything. She’s probably not even rational any more. She just slaps Butcher with suicidal depression, and Butcher depressively commits suicide accordingly. Later, Regent makes a snarky comment about it.
Ta da. Perfectly well thought-out and laid out, with the possible exception of not being clearer about the city establishing a no man’s land around Cherish’s prison. None of this is based on any mysterious internal struggle on Butcher’s part or narrative convenience on Wildbow’s part. Taylor took a resource, a stationary, insane parahuman who causes people to kill themselves, and used it as a weapon in her plan. The end. Now please gripe about something else.
Nonsense, I still don’t understand how you can go to this stretching. There’s a 1.5 mile radius where anyone is subject to Cherish’s power, the idea that during the battle they lured Butcher (who unless she’s fucking retarded would KNOW ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE DAMN’S MAYOR SPEECH WHICH WAS ON NATIONAL NEWS BECAUSE OF COIL), and ONLY Butcher so she stood 5ft to the right instead of the left is fucking stupid. Butcher was chasing them, the idea that this plan would have completely failed if she teleported 3 inches to the right is absurd. To make this make sense you have to have such an incredible bunch of coincidences including big scary bad guys being fucking retarded to an unbelievable degree, setting up with a block of Cherish’s power and THEN NOT BEING AWARE OF IT.
!?!?!?
Not to mention that a 1.5 mile radius around the docks is very large, for a city with 50,000 citizens (in the mayor election) and called a medium sized city (somewhere else) for Butcher to not be aware of this.
“or narrative convenience on Wildbow’s part”
I just don’t even see how you can write this stuff with a straight face.
“None of this is based on any mysterious internal struggle on Butcher’s part”
“subjected to uncontrollable, suicidal despair. I visited. I know.”
Alright buddy, the mayor gets to visit and survive (and presumably numerous dock workers who went there first) but Butcher’s off’s herself within a minute even though she knew it was there and she has fucking teleportation powers to immediatedly retreat out of the radius.
Does Butcher look to you like someone who watches the news? Who pays attention to signs? I don’t think it’s a stretch for her to be unaware of this, especially given the state of technology and media in post-Leviathan, post-S9 Brockton Bay.
I’m not sure where’s you’re getting the figure of a mile and a half. That doesn’t sound like the range I remember being described in Cherish’s interlude, and I don’t give nearly enough shits to go dig up a figure. Even with a mile and half, she’s in the middle of the bay, apparently only reaching to the beach. It’s not covering a whole lot of inhabited space or anywhere Butcher would’ve had a need to go before.
The Mayor’s survival: From what he said, it sounded like dock workers HAD died to the effect, so he went in forewarned, with people to pull him out.
As for Butcher not teleporting out, let’s just say that you clearly don’t have the same understanding of suicidal despair than some people do and leave it at that.
The larger issue here is that Wildbow’s entire writing style hinges on implication, reader inference, reader speculation, and playing with expectation. If you don’t enjoy that sort of mental gymnastics, you’re likely not going to enjoy Wildbow’s work.
Moreover, this is a serial work, which means that interplay between the author and audience, especially a vocal audience like us, is as important as the story itself. For those of us that were following along, the sudden callback to Cherish, who was last talked about months ago, has a very different impact than it does for someone who’s reading the whole thing back-to-back. Accommodating for people like you is one of the big challenges to publishing the completed story once it’s done.
No, no, no. This is just absurd. She lives within a fucking block of the area, it’s fucking impossible for her not to know. They ambushed Teeth and ran down the street with Bentley and she killed herself, the distance covered was tiny, and to suggest that Butcher and Teeth are all a bunch of idiots even though they are in a strong position (with powered individuals anyway) and clearly came to Brockton Bay to take advantage, not to mention each Butcher has to be smarter than the last or stronger.
“Even with a mile and half, she’s in the middle of the bay, apparently only reaching to the beach. It’s not covering a whole lot of inhabited space or anywhere Butcher would’ve had a need to go before”
Visiting a mile and a half of the area, very likely that that’s not going off where Cherish is (since who cares if it’s in the middle of the water), so her radius is actually bigger than a mile and a half, but a mile and a half is covering the actual docks and buildings.
Doesn’t read like that to me, but whatever, unimportant.
Again, I might be willing to accept this premise if we weren’t talking about a world where capes twist peoples thoughts all the time. I don’t care how hard Cherish hits, you’ll go from feeling like you want to kill someone to feeling like you want to kill yourself and you’ll realise something is up. Butcher didn’t instantly kill herself, so it took TIME, time that she could have used to fled. She had enough time to teleport in HAVE A LONG CONVERSATION WITH THEM, ask them to stop and then kill herself.
“Butcher roused, and it wasn’t a slow affair. One instant she was lying prone, the next she’d teleported, appeared next to the narrow, light-bodied dog and bludgeoned it, sending it flying.” That’s when she teleports into range, and it takes her FUCKING AGES, to kill herself. If she could have asked them to stop she could have asked them to move.
And I still refuse to believe that she never saw the Mayor and Coil’s TV thing that none of her underlings saw it, that none of them did any sort of basic research before randomly heading towards Brockton Bay.
I happen to enjoy Wildbow’s work I wouldn’t have started reading on the 16th and still be here if I hadn’t, but I’m pretty sure you’re the kind of person who has read this entire story and not noticed a single flaw with it. Shit doesn’t make sense, if someone can fight off dogs that are trying to kill her, and ask someone to stop mucking with emotions then they can teleport
” For those of us that were following along, the sudden callback to Cherish, who was last talked about months ago, has a very different impact than it does for someone who’s reading the whole thing back-to-back. ”
This is not relevant to the point at hand in anyway, Regent taking control of Cherish makes way more fucking sense than what happened, but obviously I made my original points thinking that was the case so it’s not perfect.
What you’re telling me is written? Nonsense. Unacceptable in a piece of work of this quality. The loops you have to jump through to get Butcher to be so fucking stupid are monumental.
https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/imago-21-6/#comment-19362
Just because you didn’t notice it, doesn’t mean it wasn’t there before. Again, quote your sources so you don’t seem like a dunce.
inventorfrog on December 6, 2015 at 15:51 said:
Rmcd94, your entire argument hinges solely on the fact that you’re trying to apply some remote amount of logic and rational thought to suicide, so sit down and shut up before you embarrass yourself further 🙂 I wouldn’t understand someone who uses the R slur with such regularity to have any understanding of mental illness, but when you want to kill yourself really badly you don’t generally stop and think about the rational implications of what you’re doing and when it’s motherfucking Cherish flipping a switch in your brain that turns off all happy emotions and ramps your despair up to 11, suffice it to say you don’t fucking give a shit about the battle you’re in anymore. She just wanted it over with because all of a fucking sudden she had to deal with the full brunt of what depressed people put up with over the course of years. It’s not. Fucking. Sadness.
As for her being stupid enough to teleport into her range, it was a split second decision and she wasn’t even thinking about the fact that it’s there, but her opponents had carefully planned this out so that they would lead her into Cherish’s range while she was distracted. I mean, this whole battle took place in the span of what? 10 minutes, tops? And it was a surprise attack. She never thought hard about the terrain they were fighting on.
Presumably the only reason the mayor survived was because he had people to pull him out. I doubt he goes anywhere in war-torn supervillain-ruled Brockton Bay without an escort, and he knew what to expect when he visited the location.
Wow, in the same chapter’s comments where Tieshaunn links his review saying that the readers have no flame wars…
Anonymous on November 30, 2013 at 07:17 said:
Add “a little worse for wear” to the list of annoyingly overused phrases to be replaced in the course of editing, should it ever take place.
undulate on December 17, 2013 at 13:54 said:
“Regent wasn’t in fighting shape. My bugs weren’t able to move fast enough to reach her. ”
Should it be “him”?
Oh never mind, it meant Butcher.
Christina S on December 28, 2013 at 19:50 said:
I’m so glad something is happening with Cherish. I was very upset when the heroes and the Undersiders decided to just leave her in misery for hundreds of years. It didn’t fit in with the concept of morality that Skitter and some of the truly heroic good guys seemed to profess. I wish it had been addressed more in the narrative — maybe Skitter rationalizing why she wasn’t going to do anything, or perhaps even reporting it to the heroes only to have the Protectorate ignore it. Ultimately, I’m glad that you’re revisiting Cherish in the narrative, and I thought the subtlety of this chapter was very well done.
Reed on February 16, 2014 at 01:16 said:
I really liked this chapter, using cherish was amazing 🙂 If you feel like editing anything though, the misuse of I and me has been bothering me for a while. In sentences like “She teleported out of Bentley’s way before he could follow through with the attack, appeared in between Regent and I, surrounded by our capes.” It should be “in between Regent and me.” I is a subjective pronoun, and me is objective, but you often use I for objective cases. You probably know that already, but there are a lot of those errors in this and earlier chapters for when/if you do a full scale editing of it. I can’t wait to get to the end, this is one of the most compelling stories I’ve ever read, great work so far 🙂
Yes, I’ve been editing that in my own head all too frequently.
In fact, there are a surprising number of errors considering all the typo comments: I haven’t been bothering to list them since Wildbow doesn’t seem to still be monitoring these old chapters.
Two thoughts that I don’t think anyone’s hit yet:
It seems like a big risk sending Bitch away. She’s the team muscle – what happens when the Ambassadors or someone else attacks and Rachel’s literally a world away?
Am I the only one who thinks the handle “Wag the Dog” sounds a little insidious? “The tail wagging the dog” sounds a lot like having Rachel wrapped around your little finger, doesn’t it?
Maybe Parian is becoming a main source of muscle for the team in that regard? That’s a good point though. I would think that they’re thinking far enough ahead that they figure they can find a suitable replacement for her role on the team, when they’re more well-established and powerful than they are?
Poor Cherish, I am torn between wanting that kill to count for her just so she can teleport out of the prison and die in the surrounding ocean and not wanting it to count in case she can’t escape and is then trapped for several hundred/thousand years with fourteen voices. She really really doesn’t deserve the crap that has happened to her from what we were shown…
Got to say though that was not at all how I expected them to win against the Teeth but dear lord was that a smart move! And wow did that battle ever read like a curb stomp for our side! Sure the Teeth were annoying and put up a bit of a scare with the arrows but they really barely stood a ghost of a chance here. I’m glad Codex bit it, while it sucks for her her power was too dangerous to be left alive. Brain drain on remote targets is…not cool.
Yay! WagTheDog has a pack thing with Rachel! Hell Rachel has gotten a rather sizable pack of people who all need it. That is really sweet. And I love how she thanked Taylor.
This whole arc is starting to read as a goodbye to each individual team member though which really does leave me worrying about where Skitter is heading in the last chapter.
True, as much as I deeply hate her, I couldn’t say in good conscience that ANYONE deserves that kind of living hell.
slider214 on December 6, 2015 at 16:35 said:
I honestly felt really bad for Cherish pretty much from the beginning. I always had the sympathy vibe for her. Unlike Bonesaw, Cherish was sane enough to realize just how utterly screwed she was at each and every turn no matter what she did or who she turned to. They both were pretty much forced into the life of MUWAHAHA EVIL!!! but Bonesaw cracked and went full on mustache-twirling crazy. Cherish went the Tragic Monster route and I felt horrible for her. To me she is pretty much Frankenstein’s Monster, the killer that her upbringing turned her into rather than a monster for the sake of being a monster (like Jack) or an insane monster (like Bonesaw).
zz on February 27, 2015 at 12:19 said:
On first blush, you’d think that having Butcher’s power is a negative, since it paints a target on your back. On closer inspection, a good-aligned munchkin with Butcher’s power is the most OP thing in this story. Why? Because Good’s solved coordination problems.
The second you realize that you have the property “upon dying, every consciousness in your head transfers to your killer who gains this property,” you fly out to LA and have Terence Tao kill you. He flies out to Russia and gets killed by Grigori Perelman, who flies to… well, Wikipedia contains lists of recipients of Fields Medals, Turing Awards, and Nobel Prizes. So now, every (or, at least, most) of the greatest minds in the world now can communicate without barriers, they’re never held back by “I don’t know about this branch of knowledge,” and will never die. (Great minds who are reaching the end of their lives kill Butcher n, with Butcher n+2 already in place to promptly kill them; any iteration of Butcher nearing the end of their life only need be killed by someone younger.) We take a quick jaunt over to Miss Militia, and we get a +50% productivity multiplier because we don’t need to sleep anymore. Lastly, we get killed by, say, Chris Hemsworth, putting us in a physically able body that comes with the benefit that people will listen to what he says because of the Halo effect. The state of human knowledge advances so quickly that tinkers become obsolete.
This is, of course, the risk-averse way of doing it.
If you wanted to take some risks, you could put a bunch of the world’s best therapists in the chain somewhere. Go fight Mannequin, lose narrowly, and have, I don’t know, Miss Militia set up to kill him (before heading off to be killed by Chris Hemsworth, whose body’ll last precisely as long as it takes for us to locate another mind we want to add, which is probably not very long), so, assuming our therapists can sanify him, we get some awesome tinker powers. Rinse, repeat for Bonesaw/Kid Win, Bakuda/Vista (every second of Butcher’s time is valuable, why not grab a power that could drastically cut down on travel time), Uber/Prism, Leet/Triumph… (tinkers who primarily make weapons for themselves are kinda worthless here; it’d be aggressively insane to take the greatest minds the world has produced and put them into a combat situation. Speaking of, we’d probably also want to include Glory Girl in the chain somewhere for some extra protection while we’re at it. If this happens after the incident with Amy, we get her a functioning body as a bonus.).
The largest problem we run into is that, while we have this one supertinker, they can only work on one thing at a time (i.e. they have unprecedented single-threaded performance, but at the cost of multithreaded performance). So, we include Sean Wrona (world’s fastest typist) and any duplicators we can get our hands on.
(Actually, the largest problem is probably either ethical issues or the fact that maybe normal people are incredibly eager to kill someone just to get promptly offed themselves (even if it gets them immortality), which is fine, since I can still chain a bunch of great minds who are reaching the end of their life, ending the chain with, say, Prism, because being able to multiply productivity is important.)
Rexifo pyt on March 27, 2015 at 18:04 said:
“some of the Undersider’s enemies”
Should probably be
Shakes on June 24, 2015 at 20:08 said:
“Where one of his lights was set next to a wall, it redirected one running duplicate into a wall.”
“Certain dogs were due pills, and Rachel saw to it that they got the pills.”
Just a couple spots of redundancy that bothered me.
This was hilarious the first time I read it, and it’s just as funny now. I’m honestly surprised to see I never commented on it before.
And this is when I realized where the handcuff came from. 😀 She’s a menace.
Jesus Christ, Codex is horrifying. Temporary amnesia or intelligence drain would be an unusual but average-level power, but permanent brain damage as a ranged attack? D8
slider214 on December 10, 2015 at 19:13 said:
Yeah agreed. That’s why she had to die. A lot of people have gamebreaker powers in this setting but even they aren’t quite as broken as Codex had the potential to be.
Her problem was that she’d be breaking the rules with every attack on a non-expendable target by doing permanent damage.
Watercolorheart on April 23, 2019 at 15:36 said:
Didn’t she die? Thought she took an arrow to the throat.
This is some pretty judgmental language to use in a sentiment of approval. There are other ways of describing traumatized, antisocial or “mentally ill”/neurodivergent people than thinking of their differences as damage. They’re poorly suited to normal society, sure, but that doesn’t make them worse than people who handle it more easily- just less compatible with the same environment.
I think of what Bitch is doing here as creating a different environment, a society started from scratch with rules made and adjusted to suit the needs of its citizens. These people might not be trying to “fix” themselves, but while they’re here, they don’t need to- the things they have trouble doing are made simpler for them, or not necessary in the first place.
To go back to medical terms, it’s not a treatment, it’s adaptation. If you can’t put weight on your leg but you need to move, doctors provide a crutch or a wheelchair, and you don’t have to walk on your own. If you can’t hear but you want to understand a movie or TV show, studios provide subtitles, and you don’t have to try to read everyone’s lips. If you can’t see but you want to get information from a book, publishers provide Braille, and you don’t have to ask someone to read to you. If you can’t quite read the chalkboard from across the room, optometrists provide glasses or contact lenses, and you don’t have to squint at everything.
If you can’t figure out the meaning behind people’s facial expressions, or you can’t recover from someone deflecting the conversation away from the issue you need help with, or you can’t tell when someone agrees with you and when they just want you to stop questioning them… it sounds like Bitch is providing a place where people are gentler or more overt about those things, where you don’t have to deal with the behaviors that make you feel helpless and confused.
It’s something a lot of neurodivergent people in the real world could use more of, especially from the neurotypical people that they deal with every day.
Question I’ve been meaning to ask: The PRT doesn’t seem to have a classification for purely sensory powers. I can see someone like (pre-Butcher) Butcher Three, with the danger sense, being labeled a Thinker- but what classification would apply to someone like (again, pre-Butcher) Butcher Two, with the power to see veins and arteries through walls?
Joshua Zollinger on March 14, 2016 at 22:47 said:
Minor detail, and I didn’t read through all the comments to see if anyone noticed it, but you contradict yourself when talking about the Ambassadors. When they are first being introduced, you mention “Water wicked off of them as though they were waterproof, leaving them utterly dry even in the wind and rain.”
Then later, ” I got the sense that they could have waited for two hours in this wind and rain, and their only concern would be that their clothes and hair were a little worse for wear.” which seems to imply they are getting wet. If it was just standing in the wind, I doubt it would impact their clothes much.
I’ve just finished all the comments and no, no-one noticed it.
My best guess is that maybe the effect was only partially effective, or something?
Count to 10 on August 21, 2016 at 19:11 said:
So, I’m guessing there have been a spat of suicides on that beach?
Quinn on November 12, 2016 at 19:39 said:
Getting to see Bitch making progress, healing some of her damage, getting a little bit.. happier, it always leaves me feeling better.
Also I had no clue what was going on with the Butcher until Regent made his comment at the end. Whoops. Should have paid more attention to things OTHER than Skitter’s badassery.
sillylaureate on January 25, 2017 at 04:37 said:
If Codex had been a hero I really wonder how the PRT would have spun that one. Permanent brain damage attacks. Or how they would have used her.
Also, how much money do I have to pay to get 20 minutes of Regent’s running commentary bc oh my god. More regent content damn it.
Oh and this isn’t Twig but like. Saturday’s chapter, “5 more,” fuckin masterpiece. Love my son. Please read Twig, first-time Worm readers who for some reasons are scrolling through every comment.
jmdlugosz on April 26, 2017 at 01:42 said:
«She was a pale woman dressed in a white evening gown» in wind-driven chilly rain? Seriously? I think she would be described as wearing whatever kind of overcoat she had, or her waterlogged dress would be remarked upon.
«appeared in between Regent and I,» “me”
Sociopath Reptile on November 25, 2017 at 15:46 said:
How far from Butcher were they, in the early part of the fight? You say they ran to outrange her bow, but as an archer myself that seems unrealistic given the detail they were describing the fight in. If you’re not concerned with hitting anything in particular, which Butcher isn’t because she basically aim-hacks, the range of a bow that serious is MASSIVE. And she has superstrength, meaning she probably had it designed with a huge draw weight, increasing that range further. I loved the chapter, but I found that part unrealistic. They should have died there.
aaronryuchi on June 17, 2018 at 23:13 said:
D’awwww Rachel
If she even thinks for one minute that the government will let a portal to another world keep in anothers hand then she is lying to herself…
Riniko on November 16, 2018 at 10:23 said:
Interesting way to off Butcher, sending her into Cherish’s aura to kill herself was great. While this leaves Cherish with a lot more power, it is a power that will do her little good against others as she is trapped in that life-support pod unable to leave it. I get from what Skitter was thinking about Butcher, “She’d heal, was probably healing the brain damage Codex had inflicted.”, that Cherish went from being able to live for hundreds of years to thousands trapped in a pod all alone except for the voices in her head. Considering that Bonesaw likely left her as a brain and a few other organs in jars I don’t see her being able to heal herself out of this as there is no room for a body to form. A truly horrible fate that she may even deserve for her actions, and one that Jack deserve ten times over. I actually feel sorry for the child that Jack turned into Bonesaw, she was innocent until he corrupted her.
Jack was the one that made Bonesaw like that? That’s so fucked up. I genuinely thought she was just a sociopath whose power meant she didn’t age either.
I will be very VERY surprised if Cherish doesn’t escape with the new mix of powers she just received from Butcher.
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Tag: sekimori hinowa
Ushio to Tora – 38
Despite the title “The End”, this week is not the end; just the beginning of it for Hakumen. The united counterattack is now in full swing, with supernatural and military forces working in concert to make Hakumen’s life increasingly difficult. Even better, the battle is being broadcast to Japan from a news chopper, lessening the fear of those who didn’t evacuate (like Asako and her fam).
I must say, after so much darkness and dread, I was glad to see the mood of the show brightening along with the skies around the battle. The irreverent chatter between Ushio and Tora flies as furiously as the cameos, which, to be honest, are a bit out of control; but are to be expected, as the end, titles aside, is very quickly approaching.
Hakumen is a little slow on the uptake, and in assessing exactly why things are going so bad, determines that Ushio and Tora are the cause. If they can be smitten once and for all, Hakumen can crush everyone else’s spirits and get back to wreaking havoc. So Hakumen unleashes a Malboro-esque poison cloud, isolating and trapping the duo.
All everyone else can do, from Asako to Mayuko to Hinowa and the Moritsuna siblings, is keep fighing; keep doing their part; and trust Ushio and Tora will be okay.
And they do do okay. Ushio’s armor is shattered and he comes close to his soul shattering as well, but he’s not like the other wielders who turned into azafuse, and both he and the spear are able to calm themselves, buoyed by the knowledge, and Tora’s confirmation, that Hakumen is not only terrified of his adversaries (for their ability to unite humans and youkai, among other things)—he’s also insanely jealous.
Hatred, pain, fear, and death are the only things Hakumen has ever known, and perhaps believes they’re the only things in the world. But seeing what Ushio and Tora have been able to accomplish; watching all the assembled friends and allies fight with everything they have for their sake; even watching the beast spear reassemble itself to fight again; it’s no surprise the increasingly puny bastard would be a bit envious.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Sat, 18 Jun 2016 Sat, 18 Jun 2016 Categories Anime Reviews, Spring 2016, Ushio to Tora 2nd SeasonTags aotsuki sumako, aotsuki ushio, azafuse, うしおととら, barrier, child, counterattack, destruction, eyes, fear, flashback, going home, guren, hakumen no mono, hatred, inoue mayuko, jasdf, kirio, lost, memory, monsters, moritsuna jun, nakamura asako, reiko, reunion, revenge, saya, sekimori hinowa, shagakusa, shooting star, terror, tokisaka, tora, undine, united, warrior, youkai, yuu
Hinowa and Nagare buy Ushio time to advance towards the Beast Spear, but Kuin comes out to meet him. Tora tags along, but totally not because of Ushio; he just wants to fight Kuin. With no spear, Ushio can only hit Kuin with rocks, but even when Kuin seems to get the better of Tora, Ushio doesn’t stop hitting him with rocks.
Tora finally gets fed up and exerts a little more energy into the fight, saving Ushio from getting stabbed, cracking Kuin’s faceplate, and continuing to duel with him, buying Ushio more time to advance. I guess seeing Ushio not acting like a defeated wimp made him want to preserve his future dinner, huh?
Inside the very carefully-staged chamber where the spear is about to get dunked, Kirio puts Ushio on the ground, then listens as his mom Towako plays a dirge on her cello under a single narrow pillar of sunlight creeping through a hole in the roof. Theatrical much??? Anyway, when she’s done, Ushio can’t stop Towako from cutting the red cloth and sending the spear plunging into the molten metal.
For a second there, it looks like the show just destroyed its protagonist’s one and only weapon, which would be quite a dire eventuality. But then, out of the shadows, Ushio’s dad tells the sect members, confused by Towako’s presence, that this whole thing was of Hakumen’s making. Towako is another one of his minions, who created and raised Kirio for the express purpose of destroying her master’s anathema—the Beast Spear.
In hindsight, I should have known from the look of her eyes that Towako was somehow related to the final boss. To see her mother in this new monstrous form, telling him everything she’s ever done wasn’t for him, but for the destruction of the spear, is all a bit much young Kirio, who proceeds to go bye-bye. And for the first time, I actually sympathize with the little bastard. All this time I knew what he was—nothing but a tool—but he never did, while I didn’t know whose tool he was until now.
Speaking of tools, Ushio is, at the end of the day, the Beast Spear’s tool as much as it is his. He needs the spear to defeat Hakumen, while it—or rather Kiryou within it—needs him to wield him, even if it means his soul getting torn to shreds. When Ushio calls the spear once more, it emerges triumphantly from the solidified metal and into his hands. For the first time, Towako frowns, and her attacks are shattered by a revitalized Ushio in Beast Mode.
Sensing a stronger resistance to her plans, Towako summons her stone golem, who still has a weakened Hinowa and Nagare in its clutches. Towako tries to give Ushio the choice of giving up his own life to save the others (a false choice, since she’ll kill them anyway for sure) or let them die. The two of them start the incantation for a self-destruct spell, forcing Ushio’s hand. He takes out the golem before they blow themselves up.
Her golem gone, Towako reverts to her “human” form and beseeches a still-in-shock Kirio to help his “mama” from the bad guys. Now, up to this point, Towako really has been Kirio’s mama, and by far the most important person in his life. So it’s not really a surprise that he’d fall for her treachery once more and turn his scythe on Ushio. But only once more.
When Kirio sees his “mama” encircling the sect members in the blue flames of a Hakumen minion, even he can’t ignore his eyes, nor his ears as she gloats about everyone writhing in hell. He stabs her, asks her once more if she’s tricked him all along, then hears more of her lies for what they are before she bursts into flames and vanishes.
Now, Kirio is pretty pissed, despairs that it’s all over and blames Ushio and everyone else for killing his mama as he lashes out at them with his scythe. Ushio calms him down by crossing spears and giving him one hell of a slap to the face. Nothing is over. People suffered and died so they can live and complete their mission to destroy Hakumen. Annoying he may be, but Ushio’s going to need Kirio in the coming showdown.
He’s going to need everyone, as Oyakume said they’ll all have to work together in order to achieve victory. The rift that Towako created in the Kouhamei sect with Kirio shows just how far Hakumen is willing to go to stop his enemies from getting to him, but now they’re united against him like never before. Kirio may need a little time to process all of this, but there’s not much time left.
Meanwhile, Ushio is done with losing and done with letting anyone else die for him. He almost lost himself when he lost the spear, but getting it back made the fire in his belly burn even brighter and stronger…and that’s more than enough to bring Tora back to his side, as that fire will make him that much tastier a meal when the time is right.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Fri, 4 Dec 2015 Categories Anime Reviews, Summer 2015, Ushio to ToraTags akiba nagare, aotsuki ushio, avatar, うしおととら, beast spear, betrayal, dark side, determination, elzaar scythe, fighting spirit, hakumen, hakumen no mono, inasa, inasa kirio, jiemei, kiryou, Kouhamei sect, kuin, mad scientist, mama, minion, oyakume, sekimori hinowa, teamwork, tora, towako, youkai, yuki2 Comments on Ushio to Tora – 23
Sensitive as Ushio is, especially when it comes to mother figures, he remains emotionally drained and doubtful of his own strength in the wake of the loss of Oyakume. Logical arguments like it was her choice, and perhaps she was always meant only to live long enough to protect Ushio there and then against the minion of Hakumen, won’t dissuade him from his spiral of despair.
As for Tora, he gets sick of this attitude real fast, and tries to snap Ushio out of his funk by threatening to kill and eat him in his weakened state. Ushio listlessly fights back, causing Tora to conclude he’s far too weak to be worth eating, so he’s peace-ing out until he is.
Ushio and Tora may have become near-as-makes-no-difference friends, but Tora’s not the hand-holding, comforting kinda friend; he’ll split if things get whiny and boring. After all, Ushio’s weakness uncomfortably reminds Tora of just how strange an tenuous a relationship they have, which makes him question his own strength in terms of being a Big Bad Monster.
Conveniently, Tora’s absence leaves Ushio open to a confrontation with Kirio and a group of ten Kouhamei monks who steal the Beast Spear, intending to destroy it in favor of Elzaar Scythes, the “superior” holy weapons.
Meanwhile, Kouhamei sect members who haven’t fallen in with Kirio—Nagare and Hinowa—both act to support Ushio. Tora hooks up with Nagare, who at the moment is more interesting than Ushio, while Hinowa’s loyalty to the high priest and late Oyakume won’t allow her to let Ushio or the Beast Spear be destroyed.
Hinowa and Ushio get an education on the Inasa, a former sect member who raised Kirio. Driven by his fear for Hakumen, he grew so obsessed with developing weapons that he started to believe he could make one better than the Beast Spear, using a forbidden combo of sorcery and science that got him excommunicated. He took up residence in the “House of Whisperers,” which is where Nagare and Tora begin their search for Kirio and the Spear.
What we basically have, then, are two very common genre concepts—mad scientist and his haunted mansion—cloaked in an Ushio to Tora skin. Which is fine; again, we knew he’d have to contend with one more would-be successor (albeit one who wants to destroy, not wield the spear), it’s just that Ushio’s crisis of confidence feels like a rehash, and we’re with Tora when he says a weak Ushio is a boring one.
Nagare and Hinowa, on the other hand, are their usual delightful selves, with the former offering Tora some interesting insights about his life, (seeking a life of excitement while stopping short of putting his own life on the line for others), while the latter is constantly scolding Ushio for his lack of manners and propriety, but not hesitating to help him, because she believes he’s the true wielder.
Then there’s Towako, a woman who comes out of nowhere to help Inasa advance his research and perfect Elzaar scythes. Another evil crazy-eyed character? Sure, why not?
Towako seems like some kind of dark muse for Inasa, until she steals an infant and decides they’ll use it to create the “materia”, the ultimate artificial spiritual warrior who will wield the Elzaar Scythe, and along with Kuin take out Hakumen no Mono. They share the desired end with Kouhamei Sect, but it’s the means that are so, so wrong, to the point that even Inasa isn’t really fully on board with creating Kirio, though he’s not strong enough to step in and stop it.
Inasa ended up dying in that house, while Towako is still around somewhere, having raised and twisted Kirio into her instrument. But you know what? Despite learning that Kirio had a rough upbringing and probably suffered much at the hands of people who were, charitably, on the cusp of insanity, the bottom line is I still don’t much like Kirio.
Revealing him as a GMO Monster that can only act as programmed doesn’t make him any more sympathetic or compelling a character. He’s literally a tool, and an obstacle to Ushio, and whether he’s killed or joins the cause, I’d prefer if he was dealt with sooner rather than later.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Fri, 27 Nov 2015 Fri, 4 Dec 2015 Categories Anime Reviews, Summer 2015, Ushio to ToraTags akiba nagare, aotsuki ushio, avatar, うしおととら, back to school, beast spear, dark side, elzaar scythe, gmo, grade schooler, hakumen no mono, inasa, inasa kirio, jiemei, Kouhamei sect, kuin, mad scientist, oyakume, sekimori hinowa, tawako, tora, youkai, yuki
Few anime this year have worn their hearts so brazenly and so effectively on their sleeve as Ushio to Tora, and these past two episodes—in which the women (and one special woman in particular) in Ushio life literally save his soul—comprise UtT’s finest and most thrilling hour yet. Not a single line or action is wasted, and the dramatic stuff is expertly garnished with bursts of UtT’s trademark comedy.
Two girls have successfully combed his hair, and once Yuu uses her athleticism and courage to be the third, that leaves his closest friends Mayuko and Asako. Mayuko almost instantly falls into a river charging ahead, but she is continually rescued by Tora, under the pretense of preserving a future meal.
That neither Mayuko, a grateful Asako, nor anyone else take Tora’s malevolence seriously cracks Izuna up while showing how far he’s come whle maintaining his preferred way of showing affection to the humans around him: by claiming, almost defensively, they’re all food. With Jiemei showing him the way, Tora carries the girls to Ushio’s new location by the mouth of the cave where “a piece” of Hakumen no Mono dwells, and Mayuko reflexively uses the comb to parry a blow from the Beast Spear.
That sends her flying to the edge of a cliff from which she falls rather than drop the comb that contains “all their hopes”, but fortunately for her Tora is really diligent about keeping his food clean and unharmed. Mayuko in arm, he decides he’s sick of Ushio, a human, acting like this. So he lets Ushio stab him with the spear, giving Mayuko the opening she needs. Four down, one to go.
As suspected, for maximum dramatic effect, the one who loves Ushio the most is saved for last. Jeimei reveals it’s her brother who is the Beast Spear trying to devour Ushio in service of destoying Hakumen, but she begs him to stop. Ushio is even able to get the words “it hurts” out, sending the tears streaming from Asako’s eyes as she laments that all this crap is happening. Like Tora, she wants the old Ushio back, preferring him and all his lovable flaws to the mindless monster before her.
As she wipes her eye she combs his hair, but the Spear senses Hakumen close and seemingly undoes all the progress the combing made, and neutralizing the power of Asako’s emotions. But she doesn’t give up, grabs hold of Ushio and doesn’t let go, and remembers all the times throughout the years Ushio pissed her off by teasing her, only to be her dopey knight in shining armor when she was in a spot.
Just as Tora has a shorthand for why he helps out his “food” so much, Asako has a shorthand for the “idiot” Ushio. But she also happens to love that idiot, and all but says it when his crystal eyes shatter for good, released from the Beast Spear’s hold. Back in “normal” Beast Mode, he summons Tora and the two deal with the threat that had been bubbling around them, and had been dealt with by his dad, the chosen four, Jun, the priests, and even Hyou (Hi Hyou!), until the end of their limits: the massive swarm of Hiyou.
Noting he seems stronger than before, Tora works with Ushio to obliterate the storm, after which Ushio collapses from exhaustion, back to his old self. He mutters to Tora how before he woke up, he felt like he was having a strange dream full of strange people, but also filled with warm people who were at their very best. But it all seems like a dream to him; he’s unaware of what has transpired and who was involved.
That Ushio may forever be ignorant to their deeds and hard-won victory is a little disappointing, but they’re right: if he learned what he did to them, he’d likely never forgive himself. They’re protecting him from needlessly punishing himself for hurting them, because to a woman, they were there by choice, and would do it again to save him in a heartbeat.
This is an experience none of them will ever forget, but it’s also notable that it’s an event that brought them all together, as shown when they decide to go party together to celebrate a victory everyone who was present knows about except the one they saved.
But while many friendships were forged in this ordeal, as Ushio heads into the cave with Tora (no time to waste!) all the girls not named Asako know that Ushio will definitely be back, but won’t be coming back to them, but to her. That will be some reunion.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Sat, 31 Oct 2015 Categories Anime Reviews, Summer 2015, Ushio to ToraTags akiba nagare, aotsuki ushio, asahikawa, うしおととら, beast spear, comb, confession, consumed, girls, hakumen no mono, hanazawa kana, hanyuu reiko, hiyama yuu, hiyou, hyou, inoue mayuko, izuna, jiemei, love, memory, moritsuna jun, moritsuna satoru, nagatobimaru, nakamura asako, saved, sekimori hinowa, soul, teamwork, tora, youkai
The temple elders are visited by a beautiful ghost, Jiemei (voiced by Hanazawa Kana) who reports that Ushio’s body has been overthrown by the Beast Spear, making him a true beast. The only way to save him involves his dad, the Kouhamei Sect, the comb that his mother gave him…and none other than all of the girls he’s saved on the way to Asahikawa.
One by one, to my increasing delight, Jiemei pays a visit to those girls: Yuu, Saya, Reiko, Mayuko, and Asako. And when they hear their Ushio is in trouble, they don’t ask about the danger, or why a green ghost goddess is talking to them: they drop what they’re doing and GO. I should have known this was coming: after spending most of last season saving these girls, the time would come when they’d be able to return the favor.
And let me just say, it’s a delight to anyone who’s been following the show closely and enjoying it to behold this episode assembling the “Dream Team.” Ushio is in rough shape, and it wouldn’t be as satisfying if some new priest or shaman or youkai stepped in to save him with some kind of miracle spell or ritual.
Ushio’s soul is under siege, and these girls who touched that soul are the best chance to break that siege. Naturally, Haniwa, Jun, Satoru, and Nagare are also on board. And let’s not forget Tora, who wants to restore Ushio to his human state so he can eat him…and because, c’mon, the big lug loves the guy.
To save Ushio, the girls have to comb his hair with the heirloom comb, but the comb is on his person. Enter Izuna, the fleet green jackal-weasel-fox thingy who fights through Beast-Ushio’s black tendrils and snatches the comb up. Easy part over. As Ushio’s dad and the sect members prepare for an approaching Ushio (followed closely by a massive horde of hiyou), the girls introduce themselves.
The sudden melding of these girls’ personalities and histories with Ushio is exceedingly fun to watch, especially how Mayuko tries to kid around with Asako’s feelings, only for it to get more serious when Yuu reacts to Asako’s usual defense mechanism of running down Ushio and claiming not to care about him. Yuu calls her the hell out, causing Asako to cry and admit the truth: she’d have come running earlier had she known what was going on.
Once Ushio arrives, Reiko is the first to volunteer to go at him with the comb. He tries to shove her aside, but she successfully gets the comb in his hair, tearing off a big lock. But once she’s done, Ushio is racing straight at the other girls. Saya trips trying to run, but Asako puts her body between her and Ushio. When the injured Asako thanks God no one else got hurt, Yuu realizes she was harsh on Ushio’s childhood friend. She’s the real deal.
Hinowa manages to trap Ushio in a magic barrier, something Saya is able to punch through due to her status as a white-haired woman. Like Reiko, Ushio saved Saya from a life of despair and servitude, so she’s no less committed to freeing Ushio from his demonic prison.
She gets a lock off too, but Hinowa’s barrier breaks, leaving the next girl, Mayuko, exposed to Ushio’s wrath. That’s when ZZZZAP, Tora unleashes a lightning storm that half-destroys the bridge, saving his “future food” Mayuko along with Saya. Everything happens bang-bang-bang in this episode, and even when it doesn’t, the scenes are full of great character interaction.
Like Asako and Yuu, Hinowa and Jun quickly get over their mutual animosity when the latter saves the former by helping her maintain the barrier on Ushio. While they’re not part of the group of girls who must comb Ushio’s hair, there’s no doubt Ushio saved Jun from a life of despair by saving her bro, while Hinowa can’t help but respect him, considering how many others are willing to put their lives on the line for him.
Yuu’s up next (Asako will probably be the last, for dramatic purposes and all), and she too is steeled by witnessing the love and devotion of the others. They may have been saved in different ways, but they were all saved by the same goofy, hard-headed, kind, selfless guy. And they’re going to get him back.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Fri, 23 Oct 2015 Tue, 29 Dec 2015 Categories Anime Reviews, RABUJOI World Heritage List, Summer 2015, Ushio to ToraTags akiba nagare, aotsuki ushio, asahikawa, うしおととら, beast spear, chosen four, comb, consumed, girls, guilt, hakumen no mono, hanazawa kana, hanyuu reiko, hiyama yuu, hiyou, inoue mayuko, izuna, jiemei, Kouhamei sect, monster, moritsuna jun, moritsuna satoru, nagatobimaru, nakamura asako, sekimori hinowa, soul, teamwork, tora, youkai
As we begin UtT’s second cour, Ushio is finally in Hokkaido, but his hardships are far from over: not only is Hakumen no Mono sending thousands of little minnions out to grab the spear, there are others—humans—who want the spear too, and not because they’re greedy or evil, but simply because they think it’s their birthright…and they’ll be damned if some denim-wearing snot-nosed punk kid is going to butt in line for it.
He meets the first of these “rightful successors” as HnM’s minions start to coalesce into a larger beast. Her name is Sekimori Hinowa of the Kouhamei sect, and her game is to take possession of the Beast Spear. Very tall, very tough, and sporting a very no-nonsense outfit and haircut, she actually makes some pretty good points about Ushio’s ownership thus far. His lack of training has caused him a lot more trouble and collateral damage than would have occurred were he able to properly “hear” the spear.
So Sekimori snatches it away, and when Ushio refuses her offer to hit her in frustration, she hits him. OH NO SHE DIDN’T! But her comeuppance is swift; the Beast Spear won’t answer her call; it ignores her completely, and what would have been an easy beast to slay starts wailing on her.
Proving he’s neither one to hit a girl nor to stand by and let even someone who wronged him get killed, Ushio launches himself between Sekimori and the monster. When it tries to take her as a hostage with its tentacles, he fires his spear, slashing them to bits, along with her prim-and-proper clothes, in one of UtT’s more amusing executions of fanservice. The beast, for it’s part, is disgusting sinister in its design.
To put a cherry on top of our Sekimori Schadenfreude Sundae, when Ushio is in a tight spot for saving her, Tora blasts in to free him so he can regain his handle on the spear and do his thing, slicing the monster in half and such. In the aftermath, a rather chastened and rebuked (but not ready to admit it) Sekimori accepts Ushio’s ownership of the spear and his “bizarre youkai” companion…for now. Mizuki Nana (Ange in Cross Ange) provides the right amount of superiority and bitchiness to the character, and UtT once again introduces a dynamic, interesting new character in no time at all.
With that, Ushio continues his journey to Asahikawa, and has time to reflect on why the spear chose him when there were more capable people training their bodies and minds their entire lives for the privilege. While wondering if he’s really worthy, it seems to respond, but in a familar, barely-disguised voice of Tora lurking behind him. Hey, it was worth a try!
Then the second member of the Kouhamei sect, Akiba Nagare, shows up (on a boss motorcycle), only he’s more interested in Tora than Ushio, and when Tora challenges him, they dance in lightning and fire. Only unlike the usual youkai, Akiba is up to the task, having researched Tora for years and knowing how to counter his moves.
It isn’t long before Akiba literally has Tora nailed to the wall, and he wants to know what Tora’s game is; why he hasn’t eaten Ushio but actually saved him and other humans. He’s convinced it must be some kind of dastardly scheme hatched by a 2000-year-old monster from China.
But after proving he can be a monster if pushed hard enough (tearing all four of his limbs off, crawling around on his hair like a spider, and kicking Akiba’s ass), Tora tells Akiba anyway: he doesn’t really know why he hasn’t eaten Ushio…but he knows he’s never bored when he’s around him. In that regard, Tora really has started to understand the human heart—not just to exploit them for nefarious purposes, but to coexist and protect them.
And with the remnants of the beast they dispersed earlier possessing the tour bus Ushio is on, Ushio’s going to need Tora’s help yet again.
Author magicalchurlsukuiPosted on Fri, 2 Oct 2015 Categories Anime Reviews, Summer 2015, Ushio to ToraTags akiba nagare, aotsuki ushio, asahikawa, うしおととら, beast spear, chosen, fanservice, hakumen no mono, hokkaido, inoue mayuko, journey, Kouhamei sect, limbs, mizuki nana, monster, mother, nagatobimaru, nine tails, rejection, sekimori hinowa, supernatural, tora, youkai1 Comment on Ushio to Tora – 14
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Seagal visiting Putin in the Belly of the Beast.
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“”Steven Seagal is so slow that they film most of his chase scenes with drawings. In fact, many art historians categorize Above the Law as a sculpture.
—Seanbaby[1]
Steven Frederic Seagal (born 1952 in Michigan) is a martial artist, musician,[2] activist and aspiring politician,[3][4][5] vegetarian, (alleged) habitual sex offender,[6][7] apologist for dictators,[8] and "the biggest jerk" to ever host SNL.[9] Most if not all of Seagal’s films revolve around evil plots perpetrated by elements of the U.S. Government. So he’s hardly in a position to point at others and yell ‘paranoia.’[10]
He's pretended to be every race under the sun: From Italian, to faux-Japanese, to "Iron Eyes Cody"-style Native American, to a Russian-accented Bond villain, and in what was his weirdest phrase of all, the world's blackest white boy. At one point he said he was CIA black ops,[11] and then when people called him on that steaming pile, he said he was the reincarnation of a Buddhist holy man.[12][13] Then he changed to Captain Planet. He started to wear those frilly leather coats, alligator boots, and donning huge Indian medallions. Apparently no one told him that if you wear dead animals, you are not the next protector of the environment. And we haven’t even got to the Elvis fat years yet.
1 Hollyweird
2 Submerged (in international disputes)
3 Above the Law
4 The End of a Gun
5 Born to Raise Hell (for women)
6 Into the Sun
Hollyweird[edit]
“”Van Damme was tired of Seagal saying he could kick his ass and went right up to him and offered him the chance to step outside so he could wipe the floor with him, or should I say wipe the backyard with him. Seagal made some excuse and left. His destination was some Ocean Drive nightclub in Miami. Van Damme, who was completely berserk, tracked him down and again offered him a fight, and again Seagal pulled a Houdini.
Steven started out surprisingly strong, considering his acting limitations. Under Siege wasn't too bad, despite the old joke that Steve wasn't really the star and that the battleship out-acted him. Despite the explicit content of his films, he has managed to maintain a near-pacifist image for most of his career of being A Good Man who is Out for Justice as an environmentalist[14] and animal rights activist,[15][16][17][2] even paying money for the disposal of nuclear weapons.[18] Realizing the propagandistic potential of being a bankable action star, his real-world philanthropy eventually found its way into his movies as a way to spread his message to a large audience.[12] The most famous example is a movie with an environmentalist message where he plays an ecoterrorist who happens to blow up an oil refinery on sea, mere minutes into the film.[19][note 1] By the film's end, the main character gives a speech where the script moves On Deadly Ground cinematographically as Seagal keeps rambling about his ecological concerns for nearly four minutes straight.[20]
Another movie has his character battling an American extreme right militia movement that unleashes a deadly airborne virus which can only be cured by an herbal medicine long known to the nearby-residing Native Americans.[19] Both movies weren't popular with audiences and signaled a premature end of his success.
Before his film career could be Marked for Death around the turn of the millennium, Seagal wanted to seem hip to a younger, more urban generation and tried to capitalize on movies featuring rappers with zero acting skills just like himself with the predictable mixed results at the box office. Since then his career could be considered Half Past Dead but his public persona is surprisingly Hard to Kill. Seagal has unfortunately come out in supporting batshit crazy political positions like other washed-up celebrities of yesteryear, which seem at odds with his aforementioned moonbattery.
Seagal began to believe his own press. On the set of a movie, he challenged a stuntman, who is a black belt in judo, to try to choke him out. Seagal claimed to be impervious to the technique. (He was wrong.)[21] John Leguizamo, who co-starred in Executive Decision, said that during rehearsals Seagal sauntered onto the set and arrogantly declared "I'm in command, what I say is law, anyone not agree?", which understandably caused Leguizamo to laugh in his face. Seagal then took it upon himself to cheap-shot Leguizamo, a guy half his size.[22] He applied for a permit to carry a concealed weapon, and allegedly had a tuxedo tailored so that he could sneak guns into the Oscars. As his popularity grew, so did his paranoia. He spoke of people who were out to get him,[23] and according to Vanity Fair, on one occasion he offered an ex-CIA operative named Robert Strickland $50,000 in cash to kill someone. Strickland had been working with Seagal on an original film project, which never got off the ground. Strickland later sued Seagal for co-opting aspects of his life story and passing them off as his own.[24]
The years have not been kind to Seagal. It seems that he's blown all his cash to feed his Ding-Dong habit, as you'll notice if you pick up anything of his since Exit Wounds. He's so tubby in Half Past Dead that almost every shot of him is in extreme zoom so you can't see his paunch. The few times you do see him from the neck-down, he's in gigantic baggy prison chinos and sporting a hilarious do-rag. But in truth, Steven's stuntman gets most of the camera time, and if he were to seriously try any of that Aikido shit anymore, he'd defecate himself all over again.[21]
Submerged (in international disputes)[edit]
“”Many of the people in America love Vladimir Putin
—Steven Seagal believing he shares his mancrush on Putin with the US public[25]
“”I'm seeing CNN constantly slamming Putin
—Steven Seagal while being interviewed on RT which in turn does the same with Obama[26]
Because if we should believe his statements on Barack Obama, the POTUS is A Dangerous Man as he bemoans his repeated use of Executive Decisions[27] and believes if the truth about Benghazi came to light, Obama would have been impeached a long time ago.[27] While he and fellow Republicans don't agree with Obama's supposedly authoritarian governing style,[28] Seagal is enamored with Vladimir Putin as a statesman because he simply gets shit done when necessary.[29] Both men have become close through their shared love of martial arts,[30] Eastern philosophy and ancient barbaric warlords.[29] Not only does he consider Putin a "brother"[31] but also describes him as "one of the greatest world leaders if not the greatest world leader alive today."[30][29] His creepy love for the Czar Putin has gone so far as having become an unpaid PR agent for the Russian government once displaying his completed brain-washing expertise on international issues when he talked about "Ooh-Chryne"[32] which also might be a reason why he has no qualms about Crimea being Under Siege by Russia which he deems a "reasonable" policy.[30] To assure that everybody got the memo of his approval for the takeover of the peninsula, Seagal attended a Russian nationalist bike show in celebration of the annexation.[33] Seagal was banned from Ukraine in 2017 for five years as a national security threat.[34]
The bromance is not one-sided though as Putin's trust in Seagal is allegedly so big that he apparently told Obama to appoint Seagal as an intermediary between the White House and the Kremlin during a 2015 G8 summit,[35] a proposal which was expectedly met with derision by the US government.[29] With his first choice rejected as a potential diplomat, Putin sees other ways that Seagal can help Russia as he considers reviving an abandoned physical evaluation program from the Soviet era where Russian schoolchildren need to endure physical fitness tests. Seagal would be at the helm of this program.[36] Putin finally made Seagal a special envoy to the US in 2018 during the Trump administration.[37]
Feeling homely with Putin's hospitality, Seagal doesn't want to be considered the The Foreigner any longer. He became a Serbian and a Russian citizen, both in 2016[38] promising to "bring Hollywood to Serbia"[39] while not having abandoned his previous plans of becoming Putin's compatriot.[40][41][42] Don't forget that Seagal is not Putin's poodle, but "He was asking quite insistently and over a lengthy period to be granted citizenship," according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.[42]
Above the Law[edit]
“”The main reason I wanted to do this because I saw in life bad guys who thought they were so big and so bad and so tough that they could murder and rape and rob and pillage and get away with it. And I wanted to say: Wait a minute, there's other guys out there that are just tough or tougher than you and just as ugly or uglier than you.
—Steven Seagal on becoming an honorary pig police officer[43]
Seagal was an alleged cop[note 2] years before he became an actor and kept working as one even when he made millions letting his stuntman kick ass on screen. This has resulted in turning his secret day job into a reality TV show.[45] Seagal was invited to Phoenix by the notorious closet-racist sheriff Joe Arpaio, where he would continue his decades-spanning law enforcement career while filming a new season of his reality TV show.[46]
When forced to address Arpaio's terrible record on race, Seagal responded that his sheriff buddy doesn't hate Mexicans because 99 percent of the people on his team are actually Mexicans[note 3] and assures that most of the people they arrest are not even Mexican as they do not care if someone they legitimately apprehend is "Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, German [or] Dutch", suspiciously omitting a whole slew of minorities living in the US in his enumeration.[47]
In one of the more absurd moments of his silly show, Seagal arrived at the scene of an alleged cockfighting ring. Using Force of Execution, he damaged the accused man's residence by driving a tank into one of its gates. In the process 115 roosters, which he pretended saving, plus a pet puppy, eventually succumbed to the Exit Wounds caused by the belligerent operation of Seagal and his paramilitaristic team of voluntaries.[48][49] Afterwards Seagal, the vegetarian animal rights activist, commented cynically that animal cruelty was one of his pet peeves[50] while later being appalled at the accusation of having killed a dog during the bust.[51] Arpaio came to Seagal's defense by more or less stating 'pics or it didn't happen.'[51]
The End of a Gun[edit]
“”I believe in the Second Amendment in the Constitution more than anything in the world.
—Practicing Buddhist Steven Seagal who has a black belt in Aikido.[52]
Being The Patriot he is, Seagal is a staunch defender of the Second Amendment and utterly hates gun control, spewing the same old tired conservative canard of "guns don't kill people, people kill people"[53] especially "mentally insane people."[52] Seagal is aware of the US being the home of the mass shootings but believes all of these atrocities to be false flag operations with the intent to create unbearable restrictions for gun owners.[54] The half-baked solutions he offers to combat rampages are having armed guards at every single school[55] (because we all know that shootings only take place in schools) and better parenting.[52]
On the question if his movies might have contributed to mass shootings, he doesn't believe that graphic depictions can affect people, citing Japan as an example which has the most violent movies in the world yet has the fewest murders.[52] What Seagal conveniently omits from this comparison is the fact that firearms are Out of Reach for most Japanese people as the country has probably the strictest gun laws in the world.[56][57]
Even when it comes to guns, Seagal finds ways to help out his "brother" Putin, becoming a lobbyist for the Russian arms industry which hopes he can lift restrictions on the sale of their products inside the US,[58] which seems to involve becoming a complete sellout by appearing in ads marketing Russian guns to US customers.[59][60]
Born to Raise Hell (for women)[edit]
“”Me want tha poonani.
—Steven Seagal while performing one of his songs.[61]
Allegedly one former wife was constantly forced to perform her duties while they were married[6], and other women, if famous, were sexually harassed[62] and poor unknown "assistants" became his sex slaves.[63] Seagal at least denies the later events but only because the wife never sued. He averted a Maximum Conviction by settling out of court with the other women. These affairs should give you a fair idea what Steven Seagal's Code of Honor looks like. And other women have since come forward in 2017 with allegations of sexual harassment by Segal.[64]
Into the Sun[edit]
Working alongside Arpaio, Seagal realized that America's most pressing problem was its open borders[46] which let Arpaio talk him into considering running for governor of Arizona in 2014.[65] In the end he declined to run as he thinks that it's more important to be a peacemaker than the leader of a state.[66] The other reason for his no-show at the 2014 Arizona gubernatorial election was that he hadn't been registered as a person residing in the state for the necessary duration of five years; however he wouldn't rule out running during the next election as he genuinely believes he'd have a legitimate shot at winning.[47] What Seagal doesn't realize is the possibility of a contender having a field day running against him if that potential candidate was savvy enough to dredge up his past. Not only could his moonbatty characteristics be used against him as a "fake conservative", he also has the misfortune of being a friend of America's arch-enemy Putin, working with Russian arms dealers, not to mention his unsavory history with women. He could fend off these attacks by using his Zen-like aura of sincerity, but whether that is really any equal to the authoritarian charisma of another person with similar issues has to be seen.
Billy Jack, a late-1960s and 1970s series of movies about a moonbat half-Navajo martial artist and Vietnam War veteran. Sounding familiar?
If you believe this article has treated Seagal harshly and unfairly, console yourself by reading this excellent review of his movie Urban Justice.
See what happens when Steven Seagal meets Jay Leno, David Carradine, the Dalai Lama, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Ice Cube or Prince and Jack Nicholson. He also excels in cinematographic expertise while still performing all of his stunts without any help. Not only is he hilarious but knows the virtues of America and voting.
Stey-by-step guide on becoming like Steven Seagal
His fighting prowess in action
Summary of Seagal's Reddit AMA
↑ The ensuing environmental damage is never mentioned for the rest of the movie.
↑ Seagal claimed to have acertificate from Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST), accredits police officers. POST officials claimed that had no record of the certificate.[44] Seagal's rank as deputy sheriff in Louisiana is only ceremonial.[44]
↑ Which can presumably only be of the Uncle Tom variety.
↑ Seanbaby, Seven Super Powers That Steven Seagal Thinks He Has, Cracked 10 December 2009.
↑ 2.0 2.1 Adam Gnade. "Kick Ass: The Steven Seagal Interview", The Portland Mercury, May 25, 2006.
↑ Judge Frederic Block. "Steven Seagal’s Trip to Court Against the Gambino Crime Family", The Huffington Post, Apr 16, 2013.
↑ YouTube: "Steven Seagal Worst Host Ever?", The Huffington Post, Jun 14, 2013.
↑ Chris Palmquist. "Gene LeBell talks Steven Seagal s—-ing himself", The Underground, Mar 12, 2012.
↑ 6.0 6.1 Cristina Everett. "Steven Seagal's ex-wife, Kelly LeBrock, says she was 'constantly raped and abused my whole life'", NY Daily News, Apr 22, 2010.
↑ Miller, Carlin, "Jenny McCarthy: Steven Seagal Told Me to Strip During Casting Call for Under Siege 2", CBS (15 April 2010, 10:28 AM).
↑ YouTube: "Steven Seagal: Obama regime very good at controlling media propaganda" @23:30, RT, Nov 10, 2013.
↑ Saturday Night Live Transcripts, S18E01.
↑ "Steven Seagal Gave A Crazy Interview On British TV", DListed 27 September 2017.
↑ Michael Weiss. "Hard to Shill: Steven Seagal in Chechnya", The Atlantic, May 29, 2013.
↑ 12.0 12.1 Steven Seagal interview on Buddhism, PBS Frontline. Retrieved Jul 28, 2016.
↑ Penor Rinpoche. Statement by H.H. Penor Rinpoche Regarding the Recognition of Steven Seagal as a Reincarnation of the Treasure Revealer Chungdrag Dorje of Palyul Monastery. 1999. Retrieved Jul 26, 2016.
↑ Description of a pro-environmentalist film narrated by Steven Seagal. 2001.
↑ Steven Seagal. Open letter to Thailand Prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Feb 07, 2003.
↑ Paul McCartney's World Exclusive Performance at PETA's Party Of The Century and Humanitarian Awards , Sep 18, 1999.
↑ Associated Press. "Steven Seagal 'adopts' stray dog in Romania", Nov 18, 2013.
↑ 19.0 19.1 Steven Seagal, Cracked.com. Retrieved Jul 26, 2016.
↑ YouTube: Video of the speech in question and its transcript.
↑ 21.0 21.1 Mancini, Vince, "Judo Gene Lebell Confirms Choking Steven Seagal Until Seagal Pooped Himself", Uproxx 12 March 2012.
↑ John Leguizamo Slams Steven Seagal, Q TV.
↑ Blumenthal, Ralph, "A Mafia Case, And a Scene Straight Out Of Hollywood", NYT 13 July 2002.
↑ Tye, Doug, "Is Steven Segal a Threat to Your Freedom?", Medium September 2016.
↑ YouTube: "Steven Seagal: Obama regime very good at controlling media propaganda" @3:02, RT, Nov 10, 2013.
↑ 27.0 27.1 YouTube: "Steven Seagal: If The Truth Came Out, Obama Would Be Impeached", Western Journalism, Feb 26, 2014.
↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Sarah Kurchak. "The Martial Arts-Fueled Bromance Between Steven Seagal and Vladimir Putin", Vice, Jun 01, 2015.
↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Ben Child. "Steven Seagal: Vladimir Putin is one of the 'great world leaders'", The Guardian, Mar 28, 2014.
↑ David Ferguson. "Steven Seagal favors Putin over Obama and says he may emigrate to Russia", RawStory, Mar 29, 2014
↑ YouTube: "Steven Seagal: Some should do homework before covering Ukraine", RT, Mar 09, 2014.
↑ Max Seddon. "This Pro-Putin Bike Show Is A Trashy Neo-Soviet 'Triumph Of The Will' Remake, BuzzFeed, Aug 11, 2014.
↑ Amid Putin 'bromance,' Steven Seagal banned from Ukraine as national security threat by Amy B Wang (May 6, 2017) The Washington Post.
↑ Andrew Pulver. "Putin proposed Steven Seagal as Russian envoy to US", The Guardian, Apr 22, 2015
↑ Ann Oldenburg. "Steven Seagal praises 'brother' Vladimir Putin", USA Today, Mar 27, 2014
↑ Russia just named Steven Seagal, martial artist and action movie star, a special envoy to the U.S. by Siobhán O'Grady (August 4, 2018 at 6:05 PM) The Washington Post.
↑ "Steven Seagal gets Serbian citizenship", RT, Jan 12, 2016
↑ "Steven Seagal Vows to ‘Bring Hollywood to Serbia’ After Getting His Citizenship", Newsweek, Jan 14, 2016
↑ "US tough guy Steven Seagal gets Serbian citizenship: state TV", Yahoo! News, Jan 11, 2016
↑ Russia's Putin grants Russian citizenship to U.S. actor Seagal (November 3, 2016 / 2:30 AM) Reuters.
↑ 42.0 42.1 Putin grants action star Steven Seagal Russian citizenship (November 3, 2016) AFP via Yahoo News.
↑ 44.0 44.1 Steven Seagal gets to play cop: The A & E show 'Lawman' asserts that the action hero is a legitimate officer. by Scott Glover (December 02, 2009) Los Angeles Times.
↑ Dave Walker. "Steven Seagal's secret life as a Jefferson Parish cop", The Times-Picayune, Nov 24, 2008
↑ 46.0 46.1 YouTube: "Steven Seagal teams up with Arizona law enforcement , ABC15 Arizona, Jan 02, 2014.
↑ 47.0 47.1 YouTube: "Steven Seagal on U.S. Diplomacy and Plans to Run for Arizona Governor", RT America, Feb 11, 2014
↑ YouTube: "Steven Seagal Takes Down 115 Cocks", The Young Turks, Mar 25, 2011.
↑ The Hollywood Reporter. "Steven Seagal Threatened With Lawsuit Over Police Raid Taped for Reality Show (Report)", Yahoo! News, Aug 30, 2011
↑ Sofia M. Fernandez. "Steven Seagal Arrives for Police Bust in Tank (Video)", The Hollywood Reporter, Mar 23, 2011
↑ 51.0 51.1 Ree Hines. "Steven Seagal denies role in dog's death", Today.com, Sep 02, 2011
↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 Stacey Cole. "Steven Seagal says it's poor parenting, not violent movies, that causes Crime", Inquisitr, Apr 13, 2016.
↑ Sophie McAdam. "Steven Seagal: Mass Shootings Are 'Engineered' By U.S Government", True Activist, Oct 13, 2015.
↑ Firearms-Control Legislation and Policy: Japan. Retrieved Jul 26, 2016.
↑ Max Fisher, "A Land Without Guns: How Japan Has Virtually Eliminated Shooting Deaths", The Atlantic, Jul 23, 2012.
↑ Max Fisher. "Russia Asks Hollywood’s Seagal for Help With Rifle Exports", Sputnik International, Mar 03, 2013.
↑ Emily Lodish. "Steven Seagal: International man of mystery", Global Post, Jun 07, 2013.
↑ Orsis — News: "'ORSIS rifle by Steven Seagal' is going to be manufactured in Russia", Oct 10, 2014.
↑ Jamie Lee Curtis Taete. "Steven Seagal Is the Lamest Guy Ever", Vice, Dec 22, 2013.
↑ Kyle Buchanan. "EXCLUSIVE: The Full Steven Seagal Story Jenny McCarthy Told Movieline in 1998", Movieline, Apr 16, 2010.
↑ "Steven Seagal sued for sexual assault", BBC, Apr 14, 2010.
↑ Steven Seagal: Drug warrior, honorary cop, alleged serial sex abuser by Radley Balko (October 13, 2017 at 1:13 PM) The Washington Post.
↑ Associated Press. "Seagal may run for Ariz. governor", Politico, Jan 04, 2014.
↑ Christopher Brennan. "Seagal Backs Russia's Actions in Crimea", The Moscow Times, Mar 27, 2014.
Retrieved from "https://rationalwiki.org/w/index.php?title=Steven_Seagal&oldid=2033496"
Authoritarian moonbattery
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Current Affairs: A Fake Interview Show – Episode 2
(Originally written as a short play during the summer of this year, posting it here after failing to get it staged.)
CHARLENE BEAUMONT
AMELIA KIRBY
HARVEY CHESWICK
REX PAULSON
Scene: A local television station
(A local television studio where an afternoon talk show is about to air. The host and the three guests are seated around a coffee table. The host, Charlene Beaumont, is seated at stage right. She is intelligent and informed. To her left is Amelia Kirby, an officious but dense person. Next to Amelia is Harvey Cheswick, obsequious and two faced. Seated at stage left is Rex Paulson, a menacing heavy.)
CHARLENE (Addresses audience)
Good afternoon, and welcome to Current Affairs. I am your host, Charlene Beaumont. Since the election of Arnie Fowler to Congress, things have been very different for District 7. In addition to an increased emphasis on security measures and a decrease on social spending, there has been a very concerted effort to go after immigrants, both documented and undocumented, environmentalists, human rights observers, women’s groups, minority groups, LGBTQ groups, civil libertarians, unionized workers, teachers, intellectuals, journalists from all forms of media, the entire county board of supervisors, people who speak with accents, appear too swarthy, and have last names that are, quote, funny sounding. With me to discuss his new administration is Congressman Fowler’s chief of staff Amelia Kirby.
Thank you having us, Charlene.
The Congressman’s governmental advisor, Harvey Cheswick.
A pleasure to be here, Ms. Beaumont!
And also with us is…(Looks at her notes), Director of Special Operations Rex Paulson
Well, it’s been a hectic time in District 7 since the election. How have you all adjusted to your new positions as well as your sudden presence in the public spotlight?
Well I’ve adjusted just fine, and I really don’t know what all the controversy is about. Congressman
Fowler was very expressive about his vision during his campaign so for me there were no surprises. Plus I’ve had plenty of experience when it comes to dealing with an upset public.
And where was that?
Customer service for United Airlines.
I see. And have the rest of you readjusted to your new positions?
Like a hand in glove! When Mr. Fowler tells me to jump, I don’t even bother to ask him how high, I just jump.
But as his governmental advisor aren’t you supposed to inform him of the duties of his job? Especially if he’s about to do something illegal or make some other kind of mistake?
Ha! Oh my, you are so naive. Congressman Fowler never makes mistakes. He told me so himself.
Okay. And you, Mr. Paulson? Have you acclimated yourself to your new position?
All right. Now Ms. Kirby, how has the Congressman reacted to the slew of protests that have plagued him since he took office?
Well I just remind Congressman Fowler, and the rest of us, that the protesters represent only a small minority of voters and doesn’t reflect the majority of opinions.
And I have it on good authority that all these so called protesters are bussed in from out of state and are funded by George Soros.
A conspiracy.
Now protesters claim assiduously that they are local, and they contend that Congressman Fowler only won through voter intimidation.
Sore losers, ha ha!
They’re making that all up. I have yet to hear any examples of this so called intimidation.
Well, some of the voter disenfranchisement techniques cited by protesters include closed polling stations, voter intimidation by brown shirted protesters at other polling stations, and one instance of a man in a security guard uniform who claimed to be a ballot inspector, and went around looking at filled out ballots looking for irregularities. He ended up throwing away hundreds of ballots.
Mr. Fowler denies knowledge or involvement in any of these alleged activities.
They’re not alleged, there’s plenty of video footage. All the local TV stations and many online sources have already shown footage.
They’ll be dealt with.
I beg your pardon. What do you mean by that?
Uh, Mr. Paulson was merely being sarcastic.
Of course! Rex is very well known for his sarcasm.
Is that true, Mr. Paulson?
Yeah, sure.
Moving on. Another complaint from citizens is that the Congressman is rarely at his office. They accuse him of spending too much time golfing, bowling, playing poker, and when he does meet with constituents, it’s usually at a strip bar.
REX (Agitated)
Are you accusing Mr. Fowler of meeting with Reds?
No, (Enunciates) a constituent. It means someone who lives in the Congressman’s district.
REX (Beat)
I knew that.
Back to voter concerns. Many are worried that the Congressman is not only shirking his duties, he doesn’t take seriously the very responsibilities of his job.
Now I think I can put those worries into perspective and ultimately to rest by pointing out that candidate Fowler ran a very unique campaign. So of course after winning he going to be a unique, outside the mainstream congressman.
And let me add that no one takes his job more seriously that Congressman Fowler. You should see the passion with which he yells at the TV when he sees a news item he disagrees with, especially when Sylvia Brown is on.
Yes, the Congressman’s opponent during the election. Why would he still be angry with her?
Because she said some mean things about Arnie.
She sure did.
But since Fowler won and became Congressman, it seems rather unnecessary to harbor bitter feelings toward Mrs. Brown.
But she never apologized for her mean comments.
Actually Sylvia Brown said very little about Fowler, especially toward the end of the campaign. Most of her ads were just clips Fowler’s more outrageous accusations, especially the obviously false claim that Mrs. Brown killed Vince Foster for the Clinton’s, and that they paid her in heroin.
But can you prove that it didn’t happen?
You can’t prove a negative.
Aha! More pseudo intellectual hooey!
No, it’s just common logic. You do understand the basic tenets of logic, right?
(The guests stare back at Charlene blankly.)
Okay, let’s move on. Another area of concern is the shroud of secrecy that surrounds the office of Congressman Fowler. Access to him has become more restricted, and most people have no idea what happens during a typical day at the Congressman’s office.
Well then let me explain it to all those anxious, worried people. In the morning we put together his briefing. We keep it simple. He likes it when they have pictures and lots of color graphs.
Is anything substantive said at these briefings?
Of course! Mr. Fowler is a very complex man who takes his job very seriously. Just the other day I attempted to bring up an important issue that I referred to as an elephant in the room. But when I said it that way, Congressman Fowler jumped to his feet and said, where’s the elephant? where’s the elephant? Then he excitedly ran around the office looking for an elephant. When we finally explained to him that it was a figure of speech and not a real elephant, he was extremely upset. He even broke down in tears.
It does seem alarming that the Congressman has a hard time controlling himself.
But would you rather have some cold blooded, unemotional leader who doesn’t have feelings and only does things calmly, and rationally?
But how do you deal with Congressman Fowler when he acts in such an emotionally unhinged way?
HARVEY (Reassuringly)
Oh, we know how to handle him when he gets in one of his special moods. A box of crayons, some paper, and he relaxes like a tranquilized animal.
I’d like to state for the record that Mr. Fowler does not inject tranquilizers or any other drugs. He just says no.
I believe that was a metaphor.
That’s my fault. I should have been more plain speaking, like our beloved Congressman, instead of relying on the crutch of metaphor.
Okay. Well one thing Congressman Fowler has been open about is his desire to return to policies that are fading, like mandatory minimums, suspension of civil liberties, and general prison expansion.
He is merely reacting to the wishes of the people.
Actually public opinion is going against those policies.
That’s absurd!
Not really. And many speculate that these policy opinions are because the private prison industry was a major donor to Fowler’s campaign.
But they are merely supporters who are showing their appreciation by donating to Congressman Fowler’s campaign. It’s really all quite innocent.
But donations give the appearance of influence.
Might I remind you that money is speech?
Citizen’s United, sweetie.
Okay, currently money is considered speech, but that decision has been steeped in controversy, so just saying money is speech doesn’t seem to satisfy the public.
Well maybe the public needs to pull itself up by its own bootstraps instead of asking for a handout.
I’m not sure how taking issue with moneyed interests having a disproportionate influence on elected office holders makes one a seeker handouts.
You see? You just answered your own question.
That doesn’t make sense.
You need to stop thinking and just go with how you feel.
Okay, I think we’re going off course here. Now I want to bring up the nagging and persistent questions that continue to surround the last election. More specifically, Fowler’s connections to figures in the criminal world.
Oh please! Congress are the real criminals.
But Mr. Fowler is now a Congressman.
A new kind of Congressman, without that Washington taint.
But these connections between Fowler and the criminal underworld go back years, long before he got into politics. He plays golf with members of various South American drug cartels, is suspected of having ties with members of the Yakuza, and has been accused of brokering money laundering for Russian oligarchs.
But as you can see Congressman Fowler has very diverse friends.
You think the pointy headed elites would at least give him credit for that.
Uh, I think you’re missing the big picture. Now that Mr. Fowler is a congressman he is under greater scrutiny, so all those connections to criminals that he was able to hide when he was a private citizen are now in the public arena.
Those charges are baseless!
And there’s Congressman Fowler’s insistence that climate change is a hoax despite all scientific evidence to the contrary.
The Earth is still around last time I checked.
But the Congressman is at odds with most of his constituency. Isn’t he afraid of a backlash?
If Arnie took his critics seriously he would have given up long ago.
And he knows how to deal with his critics.
How does he?
Oh, he has a plan.
What plan?
A little thing called martial law.
REX (Jumps up)
You’re not supposed to mention that!
No! I didn’t say anything!
That does it!
Noooooo!
(Rex grabs Harvey and drags him off stage.)
What’s going on here?!
You didn’t see a thing!
We’re on live TV!
AMELIA (To audience)
You! At home! You didn’t see or hear a thing! Got it?
(Runs off stage after Rex and Harvey)
CHARLENE (Pause, to audience)
Well this is flabbergasting. When we come back from break we’ll try to straighten out this mess and then discuss the Congressman’s voting record.
(Harvey runs back on stage screaming for help and then runs down the center aisle while being chased by Rex, who holds a pair and manacles or a large net, and Amelia.)
CHARLENE (To offstage)
Security!
©2017 Robert Kirkendall
Posted on September 2, 2017 September 2, 2017 by Robert KirkendallPosted in 10 Minute Play, Absurdist, Comedy, Drama, Fake Interview, Farce, Humor, TheatreTagged Comedy, Politics, Satire.
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Choosing Smart Embryos Isn't Immoral
It would be deeply immoral to require parents to select for particular traits, but it is also wrong to deny them the chance to make life easier for their children.
Ronald Bailey | From the March 2019 issue
(Zffoto/iStock)
Let's say you're a fertility doctor advising would-be parents who have exactly two viable embryos ready for implantation. The parents want to implant only one embryo. This is not an uncommon scenario; more than 71,000 babies were born in the U.S. via assisted reproduction in 2016.
For several decades now, folks using in vitro fertilization (IVF) have also tested for the single genes associated with certain heritable genetic diseases (such as cystic fibrosis, Huntington's disease, or hemophilia) and chromosomal abnormalities (such as those that cause Down syndrome). Nearly three-quarters of Americans approve of this pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) testing for diseases that are fatal early in life, according to a 2015 survey in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, and two-thirds support it for conditions that cause lifelong disability.
But let's say that in the case of these two embryos, you have more information. Perhaps test results indicate that both embryos are physically healthy but also suggest that one of them is five times less likely to complete college than the other. Or perhaps the only discernible difference between the two embryos is a higher likelihood of coronary disease, which manifests late in life and is typically manageable with medication.
Stephen Hsu, co-founder* of the New Jersey genetic testing startup Genomic Prediction, raises hypotheticals like these and asks, "Do you tell the parents this information?"
The right answer to Hsu's question is yes, if the parents want to know.
Most common illnesses that afflict people are not the result of single gene defects but the aggregate of hundreds or thousands of different genes. By comparing whole genome sequences from large numbers of people to the diseases and traits reported in their medical records, however, researchers are now able to determine "polygenic" risk scores for such illnesses as diabetes, atrial fibrillation, inflammatory bowel disease, and breast cancer.
Based on the results of rapidly multiplying studies on these scores, genetic testing companies have begun offering to test IVF embryos for a wide variety of diseases. According to Genomic Prediction, its Expanded Pre-Implantation Genomic Testing "allows the routine, inexpensive evaluation of hundreds of thousands of genetic variants," enabling the company to generate polygenic risk scores that diagnose the risk of genetic disorders in IVF embryos.
When it comes to intelligence, for now Genomic Prediction's risk scoring can only identify genetic outliers—those embryos more likely to have either very low or very high intelligence.
What should we think about all of this? In a November New Scientist article, Lynn Murray, spokesperson for the Down syndrome support group Don't Screen Us Out, said, "If we consider inclusion and diversity to be a measure of societal progress, then IQ screening proposals are unethical." Also in New Scientist, University of Queensland geneticist Peter Visscher denounced using such tests to select embryos predicted to have high intelligence as "repugnant" but acknowledged that it is "technologically feasible."
But in 2018, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine concluded that PGD for "adult-onset conditions is ethically justified when the condition is serious and no safe, effective interventions are available." In addition, the organization accepts that "reproductive liberty arguments ethically allow" testing for adult-onset conditions of lesser severity.
Forcing parents to submit to the random vagaries of the genetic lottery puts them and their prospective children at risk of having harder lives. Higher intelligence correlates with the sorts of life achievements and satisfactions that most people want for their kids, including greater health, longevity, and economic success. Low intelligence is not a disease, but to require parents to preserve it in the age of polygenic selection solely for the sake of diversity is to force them to accept a trait that generally makes life more difficult for those who have it.
*CORRECTION: The initial version of this article misstated Stephen Hsu's title.
NEXT: Brickbat: Would 'Tushyman' Be OK?
Ronald Bailey is science correspondent at Reason.
IVF Human embryo Genetics
February.14.2019 at 7:54 am
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PhilipLWallis
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Lynn Murray, spokesperson for the Down syndrome support group Don’t Screen Us Out, said, “If we consider inclusion and diversity to be a measure of societal progress, then IQ screening proposals are unethical.”
Give us more idiots, more progressives, more future parasites on society!!
Any screening enforced by the state would be unethical and unconstitutional (we hope).
But are we wise enough to prevent this? See China: one child policy.
Inclusion is good because there are people who will have better lives if they are included in more normal activity, not because it’s desirable in and of itself to have more retarded people around.
Of course people are going to love their Down syndrome babies, as they should. But let’s not pretend that it doesn’t really fuck up your life to have a severely disabled child.
What a bunch of sick fucking bastards.
Being retarded is NOT a good thing. This is no different than saying we should have Siamese twins, because having those poor people in the world to look at as a sideshow freak is cool and diverse. The suffering that people with severe physical or mental disabilities have to suffer through is immense… Not to mention the drag they are on society in general, and especially their family.
What the hell is wrong with these people.
Some deaf people marry other deaf people in the hopes of having deaf babies. Kind of perplexing.
February.14.2019 at 3:34 pm
Yeah, those are the worst.
Yeah, there is an interesting and distinct culture and language that deaf people share. It still sucks to be deaf.
Being deaf just means you can’t hear, so yes, it’s a defect. There was this same nitwit objection when Cochlear implants came out
Libertarianitis
Ok Margaret Sanger…
They are people and to say inconvenience is a means to determine whether someone should not live is a disgusting idea.
You don’t seem particularly pleasant, but it would be wrong to snuff your life because of the headache you give the rest of us who actually use our brains, dragging the collective IQ of this comment thread to a level you apparently would consider “OK” to kill.
February.14.2019 at 12:16 pm
Juice, Yup. I actually read an entire article about that some time ago, and they brought up the thought of testing embryos in there too. It is REALLY weird…
As for the next guy… It’s the truth dude.
It’s not like they were born with red hair, so people can say it’s silly, or ugly, or whatever… It is an actual defect.
They do not GAIN from being deaf. I’m not saying they should be rounded up and shot, I’m just saying it’s sub optimal. Anybody with any sense would know that. It’s like being born without legs. Yeah, you might be a nice person, and even grow up to be a productive person… But things would still be better if you had friggin’ legs.
I can kinda understand the weird sense they have of having grown to accept their defect as being okay… Because it is OKAY. But it’s not good. They have mind tricked themselves into thinking it is as a coping mechanism. But no sane person would think being blind, or deaf, or legless is a GOOD thing. It’s not.
Lynn Murray sounds like a real peach. Jesus, what a sanctimonious twit.
Cull those LGBT embryos!
AlgerHiss
And suddenly, the “lgbtq” crowd is the biggest pro-life, anti-abortion group. Pat Robertson doesn’t look so bad anymore.
Can’t wait for the discovery of the gay gene.
Actually, you wanna know what’s funny?
By some studies that have been done, the number of Gay men as a percentage of the population has dropped by something like 25% since the 1990s… Which was basically when the last generation of children were coming of age that had been born in a time when almost all gay men still bred.
Basically the theory is since gay men have been able to just come out, and not have to have sham marriages… They’re just not breeding much anymore, so the gay genes are largely going extinct. Gays were largely able to just run off to SF, NYC, etc by the 70s and 80s, and that was when their rate of breeding dropped off dramatically. Hence “peak gay” happened in the 90s.
It’s interesting stuff. Google if interested, as the numbers are fairly solid.
Self-correcting problem solved by Darwinism.
Gay people don’t want to admit that man-woman parenting is the human norm, then gays produce less off-spring.
I spose. I’ve always thought the evolutionary ideas behind why gay people might exist to be interesting. Some have said instances of homosexuality increase with population density, this has been observed in animals. So population balancing more or less.
Others say they exist to be productivity boosters who help out the family/tribe, while not procreating themselves.
Either way, I think it is very funny that the very openness and acceptance of their kind will likely be what reduces them down to being a VASTLY smaller portion of the population than they are now.
EscherEnigma
[Citation needed]
What gay people say is “we’re just fine as parents”. Not that it’s the “norm”.
As is pointed out, gay parents produce less off spring than straight parents.
Gay parents would have kids. Maybe not biological kids though.
Which still has nothing to do with fitness.
Well, there have actually been studies that show that kids raised by gay couples don’t turn out as well as those raised by 2 regular parents… But those ones get brushed under the carpet.
I’m sure SOME gay couples are fine, and some are shit, just like any other couple. But I would bet my left testicle that if fair and proper studies were done, there would be more issues with kids raised by gays. Especially in terms of being “confused” about certain subjects, like their sexuality.
markm23
It seems pretty clear that there is no “gay gene”, but there are combinations of genes that make gayness far more likely. It’s also clear that, while there are environmental influences, researchers could not figure out what they are – not even when they strongly _wanted_ to find them and eliminate them. So both the genetics and the environmental influences are complex and nothing a bigot would think was related.
Another question is why evolution didn’t reduce the occurrence of such gene combinations to less than 1%. Some hypotheses:
1. Like sickle-cell anemia, it’s a side effect of genes that are favorable to survival and/or breeding, except when they occur together in the wrong combination. And the advantage can be rather subtle, since the “gay gene combination(s)” appear to be considerably less disadvantageous than two copies of the sickle-cell gene; most gays are bisexual with a preference for gay sex, and don’t breed at a much lower rate than the exclusively heterosexual.
2. A strongly favorable gene, such as a strong sex drive or the ability to _talk_ to women, has the unavoidable side effect of sometimes going wrong, evolutionarily speaking. This is really pretty common with other genes, especially as applied to males; if big antlers help a male deer get the females, antlers will evolve so large that some males get tangled up in the brush and die from them – it’s no worse a loss evolutionarily speaking than having undersized antlers and always losing out to the better endowed males.
3. There is a long-term survival advantage to a gene line that produces an occasional non-breeding male. E.g., when a volcano erupts or the worst winter in hundreds of years occurs, the surviving children are more likely to be those that were looked after by three adults rather than just two: a mother, father, AND a childless uncle. And this is more effective when that childless uncle is a normal male in strength and all other characteristics except sexual orientation.
4. Or maybe the ancient Greeks and other cultures where mature men mentored young men in pederastic relationships were the rule rather than the exception during our evolution, over 90% of which preceded any recorded history. That would mean that evolution for social success favored bisexuality with a tilt towards women when available, but plenty of room for other relationships. This being a fuzzy process, there would be “failures” both in the direction of exclusive heterosexuality, leading to social exclusion and not getting a wife, and in developing too much of a taste for men and boys and neglecting ones wife. We’ve learned better ways of mentoring in the last two or three thousand years, but that’s far too short a time to reverse the genetics.
Leo Kovalensky II
Nearly all species of animals select mates which give their offspring better chances at survival through the traits that they exhibit. Just because humans have advanced to the level of intelligence to have the ability to do this at a genetic level only enhances the future of our species. I see absolutely no issues with this at the embryonic level, and certainly no reason for this to be illegal even if we can disagree on the ethics of it all.
Most species don’t view their offspring as their property. All our intelligence does is encourage us to do just that.
And here I thought we had moved beyond the notion of humans as property.
and no – it won’t help the survival of the species because our knowledge does not make the future more predictable or more amenable to what is known.
Sooooooooo high IQ, white, male, tall, straight, muscular, big penis, big hands, no deformities, non-ginger.
Are you sharing your Tinder search criteria?
I expected that comment:)
Don't look at me!
Do you know who else wanted everyone to be like that?
If you include alcoholic, every Irishman ever!
Everybody?
Studies done all around the world show that ALL races find white people the most attractive. Both white men and especially white women. Especially blondes. Even within any given racial group, those with paler skin are considered more attrative. So think pale Japanese/Chinese, or pale Indians, Arabs, etc.
Every race likes tall, strong, etc etc etc too of course. Science isn’t always kind to all people. Nobody like fatties, and also prefers light skin… It is what it is.
I’m gonna have to disagree on the ginger thing though… I love redheads. I think they’re my fave, followed by blondes of course.
Philadelphia Collins
One Master Race, coming up!
Hey Phil, it might be Against All Odds that just One More Night with an Easy Lover would generate embryos with Two Hearts that would say Take Me Home to Another Day in Paradise. Fortunately for you though, I Don’t Care Anymore to continue this rouse.
Golf clap.
You’re confusing me with the singer. I’m a resident of Sunnyvale Trailer Park.
What’s Sarah’s number?
In that case, you’re dead.
blameline
Quite the cheer if you had been able to incorporate Sussudio into that post.
Ken Shultz
“The predominance of genetic drift for small populations is due to a simple scaling law. Genetic drift scales with the inverse square root of population. This means that genetic drift is ten times faster for a population of ten thousand than for a population of a million. The scaling is the same for any kind of random mutations. If we observe any measurable quantity such as height, running speed, age at puberty, or intelligence test score, the average drift will vary with the inverse square root of population. The square root results from the statistical averaging of random events.”
—-Freeman Dyson
http://www.nybooks.com/article…..verything/
The consequences of overriding the scaling law may be profound. It used to be that the advances in genetic traits was limited by the inverse square root of the population. As the better genes we get from drift predominate, the high end of the genes get higher and better through drift as the group size they’re selecting from gets smaller. An Amazonian tribe will have a larger difference between its genetically smartest member and its dimmest bulb, and its the genes of the smartest members that tend to predominate in terms of leadership, decision making, etc. The race might not always go to the swiftest individual, but, over time, advantages proliferate across a population because they’re advantageous.
The same thing is true in the USA. The inverse square root of 350 million Americans is a lot smaller than the inverse square root of 350 tribe members. Should it be surprising that we don’t have as many revolutionary ideas as we once did? My grandparents grew up in the days of horse and buggy. They lived to fly on a commercial airplane from Los Angeles to Hong Kong. Freed from the scaling law by genetic editing, there’s no telling what we might live to see and do. Yeah, they lived to see whole cities destroyed by bombers in World War II, as well, but the Nazis didn’t rise to power because they were smarter than everyone else.
A smarter population might have avoided the biggest mistakes of the 20th century.
Untermensch den 2
I think most accounts of technological progress see it as having accelerated in the late 20th century and continuing even more quickly today. That really doesn’t square with your explanation here. By your idea here, we should be stuck in the mud with scarcely any innovation.
Exactly, I was just about to say something similar. His great-grandparents likely didn’t see the same rate of technological growth in their lifetimes as his grandparents (even if we just focus on travel). His children were likely born in the days of relatively very cheap commercial flights from LA to Hong Kong and will likely see more common commercial space flights within their lifetimes.
I didn’t say “technological progress”. I said “revolutionary ideas”.
Going from the impossibility of flight to buying a ticket on a routine flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong is revolutionary.
Whatever progress we’ve made in airplanes since the 747 was introduced in 1970 isn’t anywhere near as impressive as the difference between what was possible for an average person to do in an airplane in 1920 vs. what we were able to do in 1970.
How can the improvement of antibiotics be more revolutionary than the discovery of antibiotics themselves?
Your argument here is cherry picking. You point to a few past revolutionary ideas and see the evolutionary nature of what happens after them as proof that progress is slowing, but only because you narrowly define the field.
Let’s take the example of antibiotics. If you look wider, you see *huge* revolutions in medicine in recent decades. Many things that would have killed you in the 1980s are easily treatable now, based on revolutionary ideas that have emerged since then. Things that would have killed you five years ago are treatable today. Look at targeted immunotherapy. Absolutely a revolution on par with antibiotics. Look at non-invasive surgical treatments, PET, MRIs. The revolutions within my lifetime are staggering, and they are coming faster and faster.
Look at GPS-enabled navigation. Look at two-day shipment due to revolutionary changes in logistical theory since the 1970s.
Or look at material science and 3-D printing. Look at neural networks that are enabling machines to do things that sounded like fantasy a few years ago. In my particular field of research (machine translation) more fundamental improvement has happened since 2015 than had happened in the previous 60 years, and it is has all been enabled by recent revolutionary change in computing.
I really don’t know how you can look at the world around you and conclude that things are slowing down, especially based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the genetic drift argument.
“You point to a few past revolutionary ideas and see the evolutionary nature of what happens after them as proof that progress is slowing, but only because you narrowly define the field.”
1) I haven’t said that progress is slowing. I’ve suggested that revolutionary ideas are coming less frequently–certainly ideas that profoundly change our lives. Watching television over the internet is not as revolutionary as the invention of television. We have not experienced technological change in our lifetimes anywhere near as much as people who were born near the beginning of the 20th century and lived into the 1990s–because those changes were revolutionary. What’s happened since is mostly a refinement of revolutionary changes that happened long ago.
2) The point is that to make the next revolutionary changes, we may need much smarter people than we have now. The history of breakthroughs is the history of the smart people who made them. Having profoundly smarter people certainly won’t make big breakthroughs less likely. For a long time, the genetic component in our intelligence has been limited by the scaling law associated with genetic drift. Genetic editing could remove that cap, and then we’re more likely to see more revolutionary changes going forward.
+100 Ken.
I still disagree on the revolutions front, but your point got bogged down in the genetic drift argument, which really doesn’t work the way you seem to think it does, and it certainly wasn’t helped by the argument about population sizes.
But I could agree about trying to remove artificial caps.
Err, natural caps
I have utmost respect for Professor Dyson (in fact, my son is named after him) but the unique properties of genetic drift do not apply to human learning and “Big Ideas”.
Genetic drift, like human learning, is merely a way to test the environment with multiple strategies, to find new solutions to problems. With genetic drift, the problem is that once a successful solution to a problem is found (via genetic drift), it takes a long time for that new solution to then make its way into the general population. Therefore, there are benefits to keeping that population small enough to have faster propagation of successful strategies.
However, humans have developed language and writing. Once a solution to a problem is found, that solution can be made available to the general population virtually overnight. Additionally, genetic drift is largely random- and therefore there is often an equal chance that a recombination of genes will be unsuccessful compared to existing solutions. Human learning overcomes that- no longer is an entire generation fixed with the solutions it inherited from its parents. Instead a human can try an idea, discard it and try another. They can direct their problem solving.
The rules of genetic drift and natural selection have largely been broken for the Human being. It took on the order of millions of years for birds to accumulate the genetic information necessary to fly. Once written language was invented, Humans did it in less than 5000 years.
Very nice summary of why Ken’s utilization here doesn’t work. Larger populations have distinct advantages in producing the revolutionary ideas he says we are missing:
1. Long tails. If you have a large population you will, statistically, have more of the exceptional individuals who can give you revolutionary thought. They are also more likely to find each other to build collaborative ideas and command the resources needed to make them a reality.
2. Specialization. In small populations, people are more likely to have to be generalists. Although there is an advantage in cross-disciplinary thinking, revolutions are more likely to come from people who have had the luxury to think deeply about things.
At the end of the day, genetic drift is a very poor model for cultural change. Good ideas from one exceptional individual can propagate rapidly in a culture while genes would take centuries to do to. Applying the genetic drift model here is an extremely poor fit.
Again, I’m talking about only the genetic components of technological revolutions. Yes, there are other factors that also contribute to or drag on innovation, but the speed of improvements to the gene pool are inversely related to the size of the gene pool–regardless of whether there are other drags on technological innovation that aren’t directly related to genetics. Gene editing can get us around those limitations.
P.S. You know, our neocortex didn’t simply spring full bodied from the void. They were a product of genetics. Our genes can only combine in certain ways, and those ways are limited by what is possible. What is possible can be described mathematically, and so can the way those genes proliferate across generations. The correct formula for measuring that square root of its inverse. Maybe you need to get some mice and fruit flies and work this stuff out for yourself. My understanding is that this formula and its implications have been rigorously scrutinized since 1968.
Like I said, the benefit here is that whatever constraints the scaling rule placed on the genetic component of our intelligence, gene editing is likely to lift that. We still have trouble with tracing the boundaries of consciousness. I understand things as different as dolphins and the European magpie can pass the mirror test. It is not clear to me that pre-hominid ancestors suddenly had a conscious baby one day. My understanding is that human babies can’t pass the mirror test until they reach a certain stage of development. I know that our neocortex evolved to accommodate the advantages conferred by language and religion. I do not know that there is nowhere further for our minds to evolve. I do not know that a society filled with tens of millions of genetically engineered super geniuses won’t discover a warp drive or how to stop cells from aging. I think it’s an extraordinary claim to think that the human mind has been essentially perfected and that increasing the average intelligence of society by releasing us from the constraints of genetic drift won’t have a profound impact on technological progress. But I’m willing to admit it’s a possibility.
I don’t even see “the invention of television” as an event. Rather, it’s justs been, & continues to be, gradual improvements in the speed of recording, xmission, & display of images since the fax machines of the 1840s.
Much tech hasn’t progressed so much via revolutionary ideas as via the gradual accumul’n of capital. Mass literacy wouldn’t’ve done much good until enough people could afford paper & ink. It’s not like paper got that much cheaper, just that people had more $ left over to spend on it, rather than having to carve wood, bone, stone, or clay. Re video & audio, we had the advance from wire to wireless, but when we got rich enough & laid enough wire, we went back to wire.
Yeah, doesn’t explain what he thinks it does.
Big populations have more smart people overall. It just means that IF modern society were selecting for higher intelligence, it would take longer to spread out than in a society where there were fewer people.
The thing is, we’re actually selecting for LOWER intelligence as per statistics. This is a known thing. So our massive population is actually probably helping the dysgenic trend if anything.
Squirrelloid
I think you’re both cherry-picking *and* underestimating just how revolutionary technological change has been.
How does the microwave stack up to the electric stove? I’d say the microwave was much more revolutionary.
The television vs. the personal computer? I’m going with the PC. Then the internet was so completely revolutionary it single-handedly transformed society. This is harder to see for older people, who can avoid the internet in a lot of ways if they choose.
How about the rise of cell phones and smart phones? More revolutionary than the home telephone? I’m thinking yes.
Malls vs. Internet shopping? Internet shopping is a lot more revolutionary.
Artificial intelligence? Every 5 years makes the stuff they were doing 5 years before look like the stone age. And AI is going to be more significant than pretty much any invention in human history.
Medical genetics? Most significant medical breakthrough ever. We’re in early stages still, but this is going to make penicillin look like an elementary school science fair project long before we’ve mastered it.
I think part of this is age related. You strike me as being old enough that you don’t grok the ramifications of a lot of more recent technological innovations, because you aren’t culturally immersed in them like you were older technologies. A lot of modern technologies are very much ‘opt in’. Going to guess you aren’t spending much time interacting with groups of children either, so your ability to measure the social dimensions of change is much reduced. (Having grandkids is very much not enough). If you want to understand how much different things are today from when you were young, you need to engage with teenagers – they’re the ones who are truly living in and adapting to the modern technological world.
I think you’re also biasing your analysis in terms of ‘scale’. More recent technological innovations aren’t as *large* – ie, a commercial airliner is pretty huge. A cell phone is relatively small. But the societal transformation caused by the cell phone is significantly larger than commercial air travel.
I think there’s also a definite time horizon bias here. We look at older technologies and discoveries and we get to see the other technologies and discoveries they resulted in. That gives them added significance, because we have more context for their importance. Newer technologies/discoveries have less history, and thus fewer consequences to measure them by. (Not helped by increasing disconnect as we age from the full ramifications of those technologies).
It may well be true that discoveries in some areas (perhaps basic physics) are slowing down, but if they are, that’s because innovation and discovery has moved elsewhere. And it won’t really be clear that they have until enough time has passed that we can truly assess the significance of new discoveries.
Finally, if your genetic drift argument was real, we should see continuous slowing of technological innovation over human history. But no one would be taken serious arguing the medieval period was more innovative than the 20th century.
The scaling law associated with genetic drift isn’t the only drag on technological progress. It’s a significant one I’m pointing out in a thread about gene editing, but there are others.
Socialism is another huge drag on technological progress. Some of the most interesting work on genetics in the Soviet Union was done practically in secret because the political implications were considered counter-revolutionary.
I’m not sure how well China’s elite will deal with creative destruction when it comes to revolutionary change.
“Finally, if your genetic drift argument was real”
I’d love to be the guy that discovered genetic drift and first understood its implications. I credit Freeman Dyson with first explaining it to me, and he credits Motoo Kimura, both of whom I’ve linked in this thread.
I’m more socially savvy than you realize, spend more time with 20 somethings than you realize, and I maintain that video communication through a cell phone isn’t as revolutionary as being able to talk in real time over great distances or being able to broadcast video.
Doing something no one could do before is fundamentally more revolutionary than improving on what we can already do.
It could also be that we’ve gotten to a point where really revolutionary ideas or technologies are much more difficult to come by. We’ve done all the easy stuff, and a lot of the pretty hard stuff. Could be that we are past the point where revolutionary tech can be thought up by one or a few people.
And if this genetic engineering/artificial selection stuff really takes off, that’s a pretty revolutionary idea.
I agree that we may have taken all the low hanging fruit (in terms of revolutionary change) that our present intelligence level can pick. Upping the intelligence level through genetic editing might be a great way to address that.
Yeah. This is a big part of it all. We figured out all the stuff that was easy to do with the current “basic” tools that are at our disposal.
Where future massive advances will come from will be whole new paradigms in the tools we have to use. Like nano tech is FINALLY kicking out CRAZY new materials just in the last few years, after decades of knowing it would probably come sooner or later. Same is likely with medical in the coming years because of gene editing, massive processing power, being able to crunch data sets in ways that figure out really odd connections humans would never notice, etc.
The last decade has seen enormous gains from Artificial Intelligence. Deep learning now being applied to genetics, bio engineering, physics problems and most importantly, Porn.
We are on the cusp of colonizing earth orbit, and the moon.
Cell phones have so fundamentally changed how we live our day to day lives, that there are memes dedicated to how they would have ruined movies made 20 years ago.
The problem is that we often look back on history and see the rise of a new technology as this sudden event. However, they still took decades to roll out. Despite being invented in 1876, there were still houses post world war II that didn’t have telephones. We don’t see the massive change new technologies are giving us today, because we are living through the decades long transition in our lives. However, our great grand children will still look back at these times and wonder why they aren’t getting any revolutionary changes, even as they take their flying car to the doctor to get their new bionic implants.
Yup. IMO the TYPES of technology we will be seeing in the coming decades will more fundamentally change human life than anything that came before.
Machines increasing productivity of making stuff? Super useful! Machines replacing human cognition… That’s REALLY transformative.
Honestly, I don’t think I LIKE the way many things are likely to change in the future… It will be better in some ways, but so much less HUMAN and real… I’m definitely not a Luddite, but stuff is gonna get reeeal crazy in the next couple decades.
Genetic drift measures the average of the population and its distribution. But a larger population will always have many more individuals with very high and very low IQs or whatever you measure. So your conclusion that a smaller population would have more geniuses is wrong.
Just ask yourself this: Is it more likely to find one red-haired person in NYC or in Piqua, OH? Clearly with more people from which to choose you will get a better chance of finding one of whatever you are looking for, averages notwithstanding.
Exactly. It’s very similar to the notion of statistical significance. In larger populations, you get a more accurately defined average and you can find more significant correlations than in a small population where you simply don’t know if what you find is meaningful or the result of random variation. But you get more absolute variation in the larger population in the long tail. it’s just that the numbers allow you to see past the randomness.
“So your conclusion that a smaller population would have more geniuses is wrong.”
I didn’t say it would have more geniuses. I said that the difference between the highest and lowest on the scale would be greater over time.
And actually, I didn’t say it and Freeman Dyson didn’t discover it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motoo_Kimura
P.S. We’re talking about the means by which the average improves. A guy at the top end of the scale is born in San Diego. How long does it take his genes to improve the genetic average in a population of 350 million people? A guy at the top end of the scale is born in the Amazon. How long does it take for his genes to improve a population of 350 tribe members? When we’re no longer subject to the scaling law of genetic drift, the consequences of that are likely to be profound.
Some awful people might suggest that there’s an adaptive case to be made for cultural stupidities that isolate populations from intermingling with each other to be found there–if the smaller the group that’s intermingling, the faster and higher the rate of improvement. Even IF IF IF that were the case, genetic editing would be the solution to that problem, too, and the source of that thinking–even if it were adaptive–would still be stupid.
Taboos are also adaptive. That doesn’t make throwing virgins into the volcano a smart thing to do.
That’s a bit of a tautology. Avoiding those mistakes could be taken as evidence of ‘smarter,’ but at what costs?
I’m thinking about this from a failure analysis standpoint – in most any complex system the more you do to prevent problems or failures the more likely it becomes that any eventual failure – when it occurs – will be catastrophic.
Hitler and Goering thought their propaganda efforts within Germany were extremely important, and I can’t help but wonder whether people who were less susceptible to propaganda might have been less supportive. Would smarter people during the Wiemar Republic have avoided some of the same stupid mistakes? The French invading the Rhineland and forcing German miners to dig coal for them at gunpoint for reparations–after the Wiemar Republic elected to pay them with worthless marks–that was a big mistake! Imposing such harsh reparations on the Germans was a big mistake.
We haven’t even started talking about communism, support for the Bolsheviks, etc.
Average people supported a lot of things that turned out to be mistakes, and if the advantage of a higher average intelligence doesn’t come with at least a side dish of avoiding mistakes, then what’s the advantage?
I think the problem here is that susceptibility to stupid ideas doesn’t seem to correlate to intelligence as we understand it. The “smartest men in the room” in Germany and the U.S. were all emphasizing the need for forced eugenics and all sorts of ideas we now consider morally repugnant. Had we been able to select for smarter people then, how do we know that we wouldn’t have ended up with more people following the intellectual fads to their horrific conclusions.
As they say, hindsight is 20/20, but experts are notoriously horrible at predicting the future, and they are the ones who are supposedly smart.
I have a PhD, but the thought of most of those who went through programs with me would tell me that the future of a smarter population happens to look exactly like the progressive agenda, something I don’t accept.
The fallacy is that simply having a degree makes you the smartest person in the room.
Absolutely a fallacy, but it points out the problem is that we don’t actually know what intelligence would lead us to avoid the mistakes of the past, and if we use proxies we can handle, we are very likely to choose wrong, potentially with disastrous results, because we have the same basic knowledge horizon that Ken thinks we are going to get past.
If today we start selecting for intelligence, what happens if what we are selecting for doesn’t accomplish what we want? I’m not talking about selecting against low IQs, but Ken’s plan here requires a degree of certainty we simply don’t have. We don’t know how to find or engineer the people who would make whatever revolutions Ken thinks aren’t happening.
The best wood worker I know was pretty much dumb as a brick. But he had spent 40 years experimenting and learning different techniques for his craft, and could easily have been called a master craftsman. He trained me and several others and those techniques have largely been passed on to others. I have read about small villages around the world, where people have cobbled together old auto parts and other recycled materials to provide water, food, and other basic necessities.
Sometimes discoveries are made through intelligent decisions. Other times it is just practice and perseverance. Still other times it is just lucky chance (c.f. the microwave).
6 billion people each trying and honing ideas will always be more effective at solving problems than even 1 Million super intelligent people (if, as you say, we could really identify the markers of intelligence). The less we get wrapped up in the idea of targeting smart people to the world’s problems, the better we will be. That isn’t to say that individually, we shouldn’t be interested in smart capable people providing us services- just to say that the strategy isn’t applicable at a grand scale.
Well, the thing is “smart” people DO make better decisions on MOST things. If the average IQ were higher, we would probably not have a national debt, because intelligent people understand numbers better, tend to be more responsible, think longer term, etc.
You’re mistaking MORALITY for intelligence.
The truth is society WOULD have been better off with massive forced eugenics programs. 110% GUARANTEED. The question isn’t the efficacy, but the morality.
For me it is obviously super, duper, UBER wrong to kill people for being “inferior” or whatever. Forced sterilization I would also say is morally wrong. Is it wrong to “nudge” people to choose to self sterilize though? Like say offer people with below 85 IQs a lump of cash to get sterilized, because that will save tax payers more money than them having kids, while also improving the low IQ persons life, AND improving the average?
An interesting question, right? People who say eugenics “doesn’t work” have clearly never looked at any studies. Almost EVERYTHING is heritable. It works. It’s just a question of morals.
and if the advantage of a higher average intelligence doesn’t come with at least a side dish of avoiding mistakes, then what’s the advantage?”
I do not disagree, so much as question where ‘advantage’ can be obtained.
Intelligence, I would argue, isn’t so much evidenced by avoiding mistakes. That is prescience, which – arguably – could be a very narrow subset. I tend to think that intelligence is more broadly a matter of learning from your experiences, including the (inevitable) mistakes.
So, in that sense, while we can point to an manner of actual past horrors and wish they had never came to pass, what we largely cannot know is what those experiences have led us to prevent or avoid. Hot grease splattering your hand being preferable to pouring a full pan down the front of your slacks, and Dresden, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki teaching us something analogous.
I can’t help but wonder whether people who were less susceptible to propaganda might have been less supportive.
I know it’s a oft-repeated libertarian myth, but being smart (which libertarians often assume they are) doesn’t actually make you less susceptible to propaganda. It just means you’re better at post hoc reasoning to justify your propaganda-biased beliefs.
Surely, libertarians are, at least, less susceptible to appeals to authority–even if only by temperament!
Not in a meaningful sense.
There might be different authorities that are respected, but if you appeal to the right ones then it’s just as effective because the brain heuristic it invokes is still present in libertarians.
Or to put it another way… the fact that saying “the pope says X” doesn’t work as well on atheists as Catholics doesn’t mean the “appeal to authority” doesn’t work on atheists, just that they don’t respect that authority.
” It just means you’re better at post hoc reasoning to justify your propaganda-biased beliefs.”
If so then IQ score would be obtained by giving you a test, telling you how you performed on the test, and then judging the merits of your excuses.
Consider SAT scores and IQ scores. It shouldn’t surprise you that there’s a strong correlation between the two… people that do really well in one tend to do really well in the other.
That doesn’t mean it’s appropriate to try to extrapolate an IQ score from the SAT, or vice-versa.
In the same way, while there would be correlation (at least on the high-end) between the ability to post hoc rationalize and the IQ result, trying to measure a “score” out of an essay response is always difficult, and it’s just not going to be worthwhile to predict the IQ score based on the essay response.
Or to put it another way… just because I can guess your weight based on your height (and beat random chance), doesn’t mean it’s the best way to get your weight.
Eugenics!
Bailey and the Lefties at Reason cannot wait to get their master race. Programmed at birth to never Trump!
SQRLSY One
You assume that higher IQ will rule out voting for Trump. You assume correctly!
Oh poor troll. Never Trump has mutated into fighting anything he wants to do, even when it clearly helps Americans and America.
Eugenics IS NOT a bad thing guys. It is only a bad thing if practiced in immoral ways.
Also, high IQ does not preclude voting for Trump… Keep in mind Trump WON the higher income brackets, which is a very good proxy for intelligence at the statistical level. I voted for GayJay last time, but I’m going to vote for Trump in 2020, and I have a considerably above average IQ.
Eugenics is not bad per se. Especially when its done by normal processes like choosing sexual partners and other market decisions.
Eugenics got a bad rap from Progressives who used it to control the masses. In particular, the National Socialists who used it to create the Master Race.
Yeah, it was the way they went about it. As I said elsewhere, killing people to get it done is definitely bad. Forced sterilizing is also bad.
But bribery based sterilization? I dunno. If somebody chooses to do it, IS that bad? It might be kinda mean to say “You’re so stupid, you shouldn’t have kids. Here’s $25,000 to get your tubes tied!” but I don’t know that it’s immoral.
I mostly just hate people who say it DOESN’T WORK. Because that is patently FALSE. Humans breed just like any other animal. To pretend otherwise, against ALL the data, is preposterous.
It’s not bad per se.. just bad every time humans have actually tried.
The nobility in many nations essentially practiced eugenics in their breeding practices. It didn’t do anybody any harm, except the peasants who didn’t get to breed with the smarter/better looking folks. ROYALS went overboard with the inbreeding, but regular nobles didn’t have this problem usually, and got good results.
I saw a study some years ago that showed that the average IQ of the Brahmin caste in India was something like 120 IIRC. That’s more than 30 points above the Indian average.
I also saw a reference to a study the UK government did in the 1970s. They looked at the IQs of people by class, including a separate category for those in the nobility with titles (vs just making a high income). They wanted to prove everybody was the same!
Once the results came back, and were BRUTAL, they didn’t publish at the time, but some snippets of the research came out in the 90s or something. Income associated stuff was of course higher for those that made more money, as is known. It got even worse for nobles. The average IQ of a titled British noble was mid 120s IIRC. In other words THEY ARE better ON AVERAGE.
These results should NOT surprise people. It makes perfect, logical sense from all the things we know about heredity. They’re just things people don’t LIKE to admit.
Assortive mating was very low in the US… Until recently. Now it’s picked up a ton, and in effect we are re-breeding a hereditary aristocracy through our breeding choices.
If you want to see this really hit the fan, suggest that congenitally deaf parents might use it to select for children who might be hearing. You’ll be accused of genocide. Few groups are as stridently militant as the deaf community.
But let’s flip it around. What if those deaf parents wanted to use these same mechanisms to ensure that their children would be born deaf (something that some would probably do). How would libertarians feel about deliberately handicapping children (a description that deaf activists would disagree with)?
Curt Cobain admired suicidal thinking, and did the dirty deed himself.
Would it be OK for a Curt Cobain-type fella to want to select a suicidally-inclined baby? That’s reproductive freedom, right? And it increases diversity (for as long as the offspring hasn’t yet committed suicide), right?
I don’t like that kind of crap one tiny bit, but as long as these idiots pay for all their own special treatments and therapies, then OK… But we all know that “society” will pay the prices, via taxation and inflation as usual!
That’s much like the abortion issue. There are valid libertarian arguments on both sides. There is also a clear difference in the libertarian mind between what is legal and what is moral. I happen to believe, for instance, that elective abortion is immoral but that enforcement in a libertarian way is probably impossible.
I see a similar situation in the dilemma you’re describing. There are two separate libertarian arguments happening that will inform each other–one over the question of whether that is moral from a libertarian perspective and one over the question of how to enforce a law prohibiting it in a libertarian way.
It may be that preventing people from selecting for deafness is easier to do than enforcing a law against abortion–and thus that position would predominate. Forcing women to carry unwanted babies to term against their will would seem to require more in the way of an authoritarian state to my eye, but prohibiting clinics from letting people select for physical handicaps may be as simple as threatening people’s licensing or opening the clinic’s operators up to civil liability when the child comes back and sues the clinic for making him deaf.
Good points Ken!
To those people (I have met plenty) who want to outlaw all that is “bad” or immoral, I point to divorce. Ideally all married folks would “just get along”, and there’d be no divorces. Divorces are bad for children as well.
In the old-old days, divorces were near-impossible to get, and flat-out outlawed in some nations. To the outlaw-everything -bad crowd I say, “Do you want to go back to outlawing divorce”?
Cheating on your spouse and lying about it is immoral.
Who thinks people should be thrown in jail for adultery?
To the extent that jail may be an appropriate response to particular sorts of contractual violations, I do.
But, in general I’d prefer multiple other sorts of remedies be tried first, second, third,etc..
Violation of a contract should involve restitution, not incarceration.
What if the contract stipulated incarceration, because it was a contract about some VERY serious matter?
I’m paying to $500K a year to protect my children, and if they get kidnapped and murdered, you will serve 5 years in this private prison?
I don’t care much one way or another, just playing devil’s advocate.
“What if the contract stipulated incarceration”
What are laws if not universal contract stipulations?
In general yes. But not always, nor when the violator refuses to pay up. As I noted incarceration for adultery really should be way down on the list, but I can think of many other sanctions in between cash and a cell that could be applied.
I think restricting an adulterers ability to enter into future marital contracts, perhaps for a specified period of time, might be beneficial. If only to keep him/her from further clogging up the courts with his/her nonsense.
I may disagree with you above, but this is a good answer to the question here.
I think you’re totally right here Ken. Immoral and illegal SHOULD be different things in most instances.
With something like this though, it does get to be rather sick.
Being def sucks. It’s a MAJOR handicap. So would selecting for a suicidal personality.
But what about a def, suicidal, downs syndrome baby, with no legs or arms… Did I forget to mention it’s Siamese twins? Also they threw in some random congenital heart issues so it will almost certainly die before it hits 25, and will be in pain every day of its life!
Now THAT’S a designer baby!
Stuff like that starts to get so friggin’ sick, I really don’t even know… That kind of shit is so twisted, I just don’t even know if it should be legal. Since I’m not a purist libertarian, I think it is OKAY to break strict NAP stances in SOME instances. One could even argue that IS violating the NAP, because of the aggression against the unborn child. But even if it’s cool NAP wise, why not just have a reasonable list of shitty things you CANNOT select for?
It certainly gets weird since there are some true lunatics in the world.
We should probably expect that deaf parents’ predilection for genetically engineering deaf children wouldn’t survive for many generations–as fewer and fewer babies are born deaf because of genetic engineering. If the only deaf people out there after five generations that are still congenitally deaf are the children of parents who chose to make them that way, we’re probably talking about an extremely rare occurrence after, say, five generations.
Most likely!
It’s still kind of whack in the inbetween though… On the up side, we will probably be so advanced we could just restore hearing to their kids if they want it once they’re adults!
Ray McKigney
He said what if you have dead rodents.
OK (In sign language).
“Low intelligence is not a disease, but to require parents to preserve it in the age of polygenic selection solely for the sake of diversity is to force them to accept a trait that generally makes life more difficult for those who have it.”
My grandparents were very smart people, but they did not invent the airplane or discover penicillin themselves. They benefited from someone else’s discovery of antibiotics, and they flew across the Pacific Ocean on airplanes that were invented by other people. Moral of the story, we’re all likely to benefit from the discoveries made by people smarter than ourselves. It shouldn’t take a libertarian to understand that the question isn’t whether Edison or Tesla got rich on generating electricity so much as the rest of us lesser minds benefit from the use electricity.
Yeah. People who argue against it being a good thing are insane.
The reality is that normal intelligence people, and especially below average intelligence people, are largely just cogs in the machine. They may be nice people, and if they have a flair for something can bring plenty of good into the world… But they really have never moved humanity forward at all. That’s 95% smart people.
The other 5% is people with normal general intelligence, but an idiot savant for something… Like being a brilliant musician, painter, etc. Then there’s the random Henry Ford in there, who was famously NOT very bright, but had a hell of a lot of common sense, and good mechanical aptitude.
From the article…
“If we consider inclusion and diversity to be a measure of societal progress, then IQ screening proposals are unethical.”
By that reasoning, increased safety in the designs of cars and highways is unethical, because less diversity, because fewer cripples!
“Danger, Thin Ice” signs are not made to protect the intelligent.
The way things are going, smart people appear to be a true minority.
bvandyke
Feature not a bug. “We can’t let parents select for higher intelligence in their children, the less intelligent people are the easier they are to control in mass.” – Department of Central Planning.
Damn Central Planning Squirrels.
Better nutrition and such may have helped offset it a bit (Flynn Effect), but society has been selecting for lower intelligence for several generations now. It’s all very clear in statistics. Maybe it’s all finally catching up with us!
Yes, the socialists want to tax the rich to the point that the rich have a hard time supporting their own kids at a reasonably rich standard of living… So the rich have less kids. And they pay to the poor to support the poor making more babies!
But this all supposes that the rich are rich because they’re smarter-better-faster, more creative, etc., genetically, which I bet is partly true. But some people are rich because they are greedy and unethical… White-collar thieves and political sluts who make money by sucking dick in Washington, DC, etc., and supporting too many licenses and regulations. Welfare? Blame the left. Licenses and regulations? Blame both sides!
But now a lot of Republicans at the state level have been supporting laws that say you can abort normal unborn offspring, but not the abnormal (defective) ones! Moral grandstanding which is clearly dysgenic here, and the left shares NO blame for THAT one!
Yup. Shit, I probably would have bothered to pop out some babies by now if my taxes had been lower. I make solid money, but have lived in an expensive area… Taxes have DEFINITELY held me back from being far more financially secure than I would like to be. So I haven’t even bothered to find a woman worth knocking up yet.
It’s a messed up thing that the smart and responsible are exactly the ones who won’t breed when they don’t have the funds to do it responsibly… And the idiots will.
There are shiesty people to be sure… But most people get there by merit. The IQ to income correlations show that in the overwhelming majority of cases smart people are the successful ones… The shitty ones are probably ALSO smart ones too!
The whole world is a mess. And most of it is because we can’t have an honest conversation about subjects like this. It’s so sad that the world is going to shit because people are too touchy to talk about serious issues, just because they’re not EASY issues.
It’s like nobody ever actually reads Prometheus Unbound.
Sure, we will select for the things we know, thinking that it will be ‘better.’ Nature will then show us a lot of things we didn’t know. That’s how hubris brings nemesis.
This is practically inevitable. Which is an argument against any attempts to restrict it. The better argument against trying to stop it is that it isn’t our business to decide for others.
Exactly. TOP MEN think they are so smart, yet are proven wrong over and over and over.
The search for solving life’s mysteries is a worthwhile endeavor and has clearly benefited humankind. Where we get into trouble is allowing government to “decide” what is allowed and what is not based on what bureaucrats want.
Is it a good idea for parents to choose “smart” embryos? Let the market decide. The parents who chose “smart” embryos incorrectly will be responsible for their actions….of course.
marglason
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Mickey Rat
What is morally suspect is creating more embryos than you want to use. Also, the idea that doctors can tell you if one kid has a better chance of completing college than another is such scientific wild ass guesswork to the point of being witchcraft. It has no place in making a decision of which child gets to have a life.
Well, intelligence is a good proxy for the likelihood somebody will go to college… They’ve already identified the first few thousand genes that correlate with intelligence, and will likely nail down many more going forward. If they get to the point of being able to say “This one has a 145-152 IQ” with 100% accuracy, that’s a hell of a thing. That’s ALMOST Einstein smart versus an 85 IQ kid that’s going to be sweeping floors for life…
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His contention is that the ban on these items was overly broad and that the police were prejudicially selective about who they arrested for possessing them.
Baby strollers & Ariz. iced tea were banned in public?! Razors & hair spray I could see, but there’s got to be more to this story.
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See, if we’d had IQ screening, then maybe we wouldn’t have stupid people like this one.
Inclusion & diversity are good things as regards defective persons who already exist. It’s not good to make more of them.
Back up a second…
“Let’s say you’re a fertility doctor advising would-be parents who have exactly two viable embryos ready for implantation. The parents want to implant only one embryo.”
This whole debate seems to presuppose you get to create, then kill, “excess” embryos.
Yes, Bailey is presuming that that is moral to begin with, which is audacious but dishonest intellectual base stealing. Then positing that rank speculation by geneticists on the intellectual potential of the child is a good enough basis for choosing which ones to cull.
Look… We ain’t there yet… But give it 10 years. We already know A LOT from studies that have been done.
In 10-20 years they’ll probably be able to kick you out the height, weight, IQ, hair/eye color, skin tone, within a few percent error margin, AND give you a rough picture of what their adult face will look like. We can ALREADY do that from genes, the error ratios are just a lot higher.
So just because we’re not there yet, doesn’t mean we won’t be. Whether or not it is moral to make and kill embryos is a whole different argument, but one I think will be towards the bottom of the list people will be worried about in this context.
I fully expect that this is an overpromising by those holding to the scientism faith and those kind of traits are not clear cut to make judgements on other than from loose statistical approximations. Which is a hell of a thing to prejudge someone on.
Well, there are already 2 studies that have been linking genes to IQ.
One from England IIRC only nailed a few hundred. Then I think it was a Chinese study that got a couple thousand IIRC. They estimate it is enough to predict around 3 IQ points with those genes. 10 fold that, and you’re within an area where it becomes VERY useful. That’s the difference between a guaranteed janitor or other low end laborer, and a decent (but not excellent) doctor/lawyer/etc.
We’re already even better on some of the physical traits.
The truth is we don’t even have to know what these genes DO, we just have to know they do SOMETHING for it to be useful.
I know science is flawed. I’m not a religious zealot with my science… But there is a LOT we will likely be able to do. Morals should come into play, and as long as we’re not doing wicked stuff, which I don’t think improving humanity is… I don’t think we should try to stop it. Not that it could be stopped anyway.
Azathoth!!
You do, Eddy.
Though that will only be for a bit.
When the tech gets better, you’ll be nicking a cell from a blastocyst–something that will have all the DNA you’ll want to look at, but won’t be an embryo yet.
And when the tech gets even better you’ll be able to put a designed sperm and a designed egg together and get a designed baby. Who will have no ‘bad’ genes to pass on.
PaulTheBeav
Whether or not we allow this in the US won’t matter. It will be allowed somewhere in the world. Whatever nation allows it will have a significant advantage immediately, and that advantage will grow over time. That will force other countries to follow suit or fall behind. In time it will be allowed everywhere.
A Eugenics Gap, as it were?
Oh yeah. Most of the world will have ZERO problem with this.
If I haven’t had kids by the time this is on the market, I’d probably travel to another country to have it done for my offspring.
In a way it is very cruel to NOT do this when it is possible. Could you imagine having to explain to your 16 year old son that the reason he’s shorter, weaker, less attractive, less intelligent, and will die younger than his peers in school is because you decided it was “moral” to make him inferior? This is a moral argument that will flair like nobodies business when it really hits the mainstream… And then it will become so normalized nobody even considers it anymore.
Maybe, it would be better to explain to your kid that he would not be that genetically superior specimen. That if you had gone for that he would have ended up in the biological waste bin.
The truth is, I don’t think they’ll care. They’ll still be stuck being alive for 80 or 100 years being surrounded by people that are better than them in every way… Hell, living in such a world may induce one to kill them self. It’s hard to know I guess.
Personally, I don’t think I would mind having ended up in the dumpster… If it meant somebody even better had come into existence. And I don’t even have any real problems. I’m average or above average in almost all ways, except I’m a couple inches below average height. But not so short it’s a HUGE deal where most chicks are taller than me or anything. So I have little to complain about as is, and I still wouldn’t take personal offense to it.
I guess we’ll find out how people react, because there will certainly be a transition period for this stuff when it comes in super expensive, and then rolls out to more and more people.
Personally, I don’t think I would mind having ended up in the dumpster…
Because you would never have existed to think anything.
So while I understand this moral line of thinking… I just don’t care that much. Many babies through no fault of anybody end up in miscarriage. Or what of all the potential babies lost from pulling out or using a condom?
To me this is not MUCH different from those situations.
Sometimes the most beautiful and smart people are born simply because the two genetic samples combine in fantastic ways.
Sometimes humans think they are so smart and fuck up a great thing-Natural Selection.
That’s true. But there are also tons of mistakes. A world with no fat people, or midgets, or legless people, or whatever would have less diversity as these people say… But is that the kind of diversity we need?
I don’t think chosen embryos will be any less awesome than ones that came together naturally, since chosen embryos are just choosing which naturally made baby you want…
It’s basically just making it a sure thing, instead of a crap shoot.
Funny thing about “sure things” and humans. Rarely works out that way.
We plan cities and roads, yet we still have traffic and crime.
Some Chaos is just a factor inherent to humans.
To factor out chaos is a fools errands.
Oh, for sure. These people won’t be perfect little angels or anything.
They’ll just be smarter on average, and a little better looking on average.
The funny thing is, in a world like that we will STILL make distinctions.
A guy with a 145 IQ will be considered “an idiot” because the average is 160, and the smart ones are 175! Likewise with looks. If everybody is an 8-10 in looks, being a flat 8 will be hideous, 9 will be meh!
I NEVER expect utopia from ANYTHING we do. But I don’t see any downsides to something like this either.
Mr. JD
You write as if it would actually be the same kid who would be taller and smarter if you had killed the short, dumb one.
Are YOU the dumb one?
That’s how kids think? Of course it wouldn’t ACTUALLY be the same one… Unless we’re talking abour crisper instead of embryo selection. THEN it could be the same egg/sperm, just “error corrected” for some of its flaws.
Does that make it more or less moral in your opinion?
FYI, I’m somebody who doesn’t LIKE abortion, but doesn’t think it should be illegal… But isn’t completely horrified by it either. So I don’t have a huge problem with embryo selection itself from a moral perspective. I’m not religious, and think the gains made would be pretty amazing for humanity, so even if it’s a little messed up, it would be worth it.
Nazi Germany allowed it, so I see a major hole in your theory.
We were doing it in the USA, and most of the rest of Europe too. We just didn’t like their EXTRA hardcore version.
It would be likely different countries might set different limitations on what they deem acceptable. Kind of like current abortion laws. A few countries outright ban them. Others have very strict rules, but allow some forms. Others are a lot more loose.
This seems a likely outcome for this kind of stuff.
Nazi Germany pioneered high-class superhighways, so we’d better tear down ours!
Nazi Germany was in favor of humans breathing oxygen (most of us humans at least, I guess), so we’d better stop that too!
>>>It would be deeply immoral to require parents to select for particular traits, but it is also wrong to deny them the chance to make life easier for their children.
not certain life is easy even for those who you think it would be
So a few things. I have always been very angry when people say eugenics doesn’t work… Because it very much does. We know that almost all traits are heritable. The question was always the HOW, and the morality of the HOW to achieve eugenics.
For the most part, this takes away most of the “bad” parts that even the nicest systems might have been able to employ in the past. This now enables 2 very genetically bad parents to have kids that are well above average… Either through LOTS of embryos, or simply crisper being employed to “fix” the flaws in their kids, while leaving all of the rest of their parents okay traits in.
Funny thing is this is what I have always said is THE ONLY way anything remotely approaching “true equality” could be achieved. Because naturally, some people are just superior to others. This would finally level the playing field. Leftists ought to love that!
Frankly I love it too. It is very sad that super low IQ people exist… Because they’re simply not smart enough to do much with themselves, because they’re just not capable of it… And this means they’re doomed to living a life of poverty relative to people of higher intelligence.
If everybody is smart, everybody is at least capable of doing more with themselves. Not all will, but at least they had a shot. Also, imagine how well intelligent people will do whatever mundane jobs still exist… Far more competently than the people that do them now.
This may finally end global disparities as well, since like it or not for SOME reason IQs vary widely around the world. PC scientists say it’s purely environmental… But most evidence points to IQ being 50-80% heritable, with 60-70% being the most common results. Either way, this shit could fix the problem.
A weird thing I’ve heard discussed too with designer babies, other than some of the weird issues already discussed above about intentionally giving them “bad” traits like deafness, is some of the weird stuff that would pop up.
For instance, lighter skin, hair, and eyes are considered more attractive by basically all ethnic groups around the world.
So one could end up with WEIRD combos that never or only rarely happen naturally. Think Chinese people who perhaps have the same eyes/facial structure, on the extra pale side for Chinese skin, but have naturally green eyes and blonde hair. Indians or blacks may choose to dramatically lighten their skin tones, or change facial features some even. Stuff like that would likely be VERY common.
That’s not even to mention shit like naturally BLUE hair, red eyes, or exotic things that don’t naturally occur in people, but will probably be easy to figure out. ACTUAL red skin anybody? How about tiger stripes? Shit could get real nuts with the nut jobs in the world.
Although shit could get really weird once you get into stuff like that… Overall this will be a GREAT thing for the world. Nobody should have to suffer being dramatically inferior in any way. It’s not nice for that person, and it’s not good for the world either. A world filled with smart, healthy, pretty people WILL be a better world.
The only reason I can think of for not raising intelligence is if we discover there is a direct trade off with bumping IQ up which lowers some other highly desirable trait. But I don’t see that happening, as plenty of ultra smart people are totally awesome in any and all other ways I can think of.
If we don’t end up becoming cyborgs first, this 110% WILL happen.
Sometimes what we think we know is knocked down a peg by things that we don’t know.
All true. We could find there are a lot of weird interrelated things and it takes us an extra decade or 2 to detangle it all to know what we’re doing. Time will tell!
This may finally end global disparities as well […]
Only if we go socialist with the tech and provide it to folks who don’t “earn” it.
If we do that, and make cheap gene-editing available to basically everyone regardless of economic prosperity, then sure. If we don’t, then we’re more likely to be moving towards a “Gattaca” scenario of where the disparity between the “homo superior” haves and the “homo sapiens” have-nots grows with each generation.
Well, it will probably filter down if nothing else.
Africans don’t have the latest iPhone right now… But they have a couple generations back iPhones, or equivalent Androids now in most of Africa.
Rich nations may get this stuff years earlier en masse, but it will reach them eventually.
I also think many people would voluntarily support charities to help out poor places. Hell, I might even do that. I am totally against hand outs… But to me, this is a “teach a man to fish” type of thing. It would be enabling those places to take care of themselves, not becoming dependent.
I’d be surprised if there weren’t some purely genetically based difference in IQ among different human populations. That said, 60-70% genetically determined leaves a lot of room for environmental effects.
Yeah. The whole idea that we have TONS of known biological differences physically between different groups, INCLUDING within “races” as the term is generally used… But claiming there are ZERO mental differences… It is completely contrary to evolutionary theory. AND all known facts on the subject. The only reason people hold this theory to be true is because it is not politically correct to say otherwise.
I’ve read a lot on this subject, probably for going on 20 years now. I think the 60-70% figure is rock solid. I think it may actually be higher than that, as I have never seen a study that included grandparents IQs in to track heredity beyond the parents. I bet it would rise higher if one did.
But even at 30-40% environmental, one has to realize that effectively means that the gaps we observe are more or less permanent… Studies show most of the raising comes from very minimal basic needs being met, not starving or having major diseases as a child.
If we assume whatever small gains are left to be made by little things are equally distributed in all groups, that means the gaps are crystalized where they are now… Unless a massive effort was made to give EVERY kid in a low IQ group EVERY advantage, while going out of our way to disadvantage high IQ groups. That ain’t gonna happen.
Gene editing is the only way to close the currently observed gaps.
THAT SAID poor countries still haven’t all seen the gains from the basics being met. So many 3rd world countries are probably in for a several point gain when this happens. But we already know what averages for these groups look like when living in 1st world countries, so that’s a reasonable cap for where they’ll land. Africa may see 10-15 point rises depending on the country.
It sucks that evolution didn’t deal everybody an equal hand… But it is what it is. IQ gaps explain ALL racial disparities in outcomes the world over. There’s a reason Korea become a 1st world country in a couple decades, and much of the rest of the world is still in abject poverty after 10x more money being thrown their way.
MarvinGardens
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It is a complete strawman lie to suggest that people who recognize the immorality of killing living humans somehow oppose killing a “dumber” one less than killing a “smarter” one.
If human life is created, it should ALL be protected by the principles of NAP.
Pretty sure that the majority of opposition to such things is opposition to IVF/fertility-treatments and abortion in general (which the hardcore folk will say IVF requires, since not all embryos will be implanted).
As such, arguing the morality of choosing “intelligence” isn’t that effective, as it doesn’t address the real concern… the morality of IVF to begin with.
Yes. The morality of the criteria used to cull which embryos are not to be allowed to grow into an infant is a second order question relative to the morality of culling one’s children in the first place.
Second thought: In a world of Einsteins, who sweeps the floors?
It’s kind of a race between automation and gene-editing, isn’t it?
If widespread gene-editing becomes a thing before we make menial jobs obsolete, then you’re necessarily going to be stuck with a generation of Einsteins who can’t find Einstein-level work, and are stuck with unfulfilling jobs way below their abilities.
If automation makes menial jobs obsolete before we have widespread gene-editing, then we’re at an advanced scenario of our current one, where we have a whole mess of folks without relevant job skills to the jobs actually available, and no aptitude or ability to fix that.
That said, gene-editing does need to become cheaply and widely available, such that even the couple on welfare can use it to try to ensure a “better future” for their kid, before this becomes more then a niche moral issue, and becomes a larger societal issue. Which is to say, it’s fun to think about and write sci-fi stories around, but it’s not one I think any of us should worry over as a practical matter.
“…then you’re necessarily going to be stuck with a generation of Einsteins who can’t find Einstein-level work, and are stuck with unfulfilling jobs way below their abilities.”
New day, different flavor of same thing… Sad to say, we already face a version of this in today’s society. Soooo many highly educated people, we have to dream up make-work for them!!!
Too many lawyers? Invent more and more licenses and paperwork and permits and permissions to start a business or even scratch your ass!!! THAT will keep the lawyers busy!!! (“Help” you fill out the forms per the ten billion laws).
Too many doctors? Require prescriptions for EVERYTHING!!! Like cheap plastic flutes!!!
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Yeah these are concerns to a degree.
One thing I like to think about though is this: Imagine how WONDERFUL a world would be where the guy taking your order at Burger King DOESN’T FUCK IT UP.
Now, that particular job is basically already gone with current tech. But other similarly simple jobs won’t be automated so soon. So it really wouldn’t be THAT bad a thing. I have a high IQ, and I actually enjoy doing lots of mundane work with my hands. It is relaxing. I know many other smart people who feel the same. So it might not be that horrible.
Also, the funny thing is we already kind of had this in the past. Before we had the excess productive capacity to allow so many people to do mental work, almost everybody had to toil away in manual labor jobs. That included the 115 IQ guy who would be an accountant now, and the 130 IQ guy who might be a doctor, and the 150 IQ guy who might be a leading physicist. They ALL planted food or were blacksmiths, with few exceptions.
I’m more worried about implantable microchips in our brains… Genetically better humans I can handle… Cyborg shit creeps me out!
norabe
Right. It makes you wonder what Rebublicans like Mitch McConnell are thinking.
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Deconstructed Potato
I wonder what nuances and subtleties are being overlooked in the new human zeal for short-circuiting the evolution of the species. It’s up to the would be parents to find out. Anything else is a clear violation of the NAP.
In the era of #MeToo
Your argument has nothing to do with whether this practice is ethical or not. All you did was cite some research that suggests certain outcomes you personally consider positive are more likely when parents choose certain traits and outcomes you personally consider negative are more likely when those traits are left to chance.
Are you developing some sort of ethical philosophy based on using statistical data to predict the chances of an indirectly related personally preferred outcome?
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That’s reproductive freedom, right? And it increases diversity for as long as the offspring hasn’t yet committed suicide, is that right?
Culturism
yes, something like that
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Jun 10 Moon has perfect response to Donald Trump's dumb Nasa tweet
So, late last week Donald Trump took to Twitter (because that's pretty much all he does as US President) to announce that the moon is part of Mars.
“For all of the money we are spending, NASA should NOT be talking about going to the Moon - We did that 50 years ago," the orange one declared.
He added: “They should be focused on the much bigger things we are doing, including Mars (of which the Moon is a part), Defense and Science!”
This, somewhat predictably, had space enthusiasts dropping their kettles in disgust. There were plenty of amusing responses to Trump's tweet, but our personal fave came from crypto payment processing startup Moon.
The company recently announced that it was now possible to use the Lightning Network to buy items at e-commerce sites like Amazon. Any Lightning-enabled wallet could be used through its Chrome browser extension, it said. Prior to this, a small group of beta users used Moon to spend crypto on e-commerce sites by connecting the browser extension to exchange accounts like Coinbase.
“[The extension] will pop up a QR code and it will have the Lightning invoice, which you could also copy and paste if you can’t use the QR code for some reason, and you’ll be able to pay with your favourite Lightning wallet,” Moon CEO Ken Kruger commented.
"The power of crypto is revolutionary"
Earlier this year, Kruger told RTIH: “I do believe crypto will be adopted by retailers. There are obvious benefits to both parties: merchants who accept crypto pay lower fees and have no risks of chargebacks, while consumers benefit from more control over their funds.”
Reaching the promised land won’t be easy, however, as there are numerous barriers to be overcome. “Many of the critics are not familiar with either the technology or the real problems crypto solves, such as issues of privacy, censorship, and lack of access to financial services."
"Perhaps not all of these problems will be solved by crypto in its current form, but technology evolves. The power of crypto is revolutionary. Just give it time,” Kruger said.
Moon, Cryptocurrencies, Payments, Online retail, Donald TRump
Jun 10 Miserable May for physical retailers as footfall slumps
Jun 8 Sainsbury's announces reverse vending recycling trial
Feb 4 Moon’s Ken Kruger: “The power of crypto is revolutionary. Just give it time”
Apr 23 Moon has good news for Bitcoin spending Amazon fans
Jul 11 Moon announces Amazon Prime Day offer
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Experience Crowdcasting
How events will be impacted by the “crowd for hire” trend.
Event marketers have used a variety of “people” based strategies to get their messages across for years, from flash mobs that turn heads to street teams delivering guerrilla-style surprise-and-delight experiences to influencers hired specifically to promote a brand or product with their large following. But a new people-based strategy has emerged in crowdcasting, an industry of just that — casting people to form lines and attend events to simulate word-of-mouth buzz.
Crowdcasting app Surkus was featured in The Washington Post, a service that allows a restaurant to “quickly manufacture its ideal crowd and pay people to stand in place like extras on a movie set.” Surkus is designed to connect brands and businesses with the “ideal crowd” that’s ready to engage, hand-picked based on an algorithm that takes into account a person’s age, location, style and even, their Likes on Facebook. They’re scored based on performance. And, get this — they’re tracked via geolocation so clients know they’ve actually stood their time in line.
It’s a business not so new in other spaces and industries, like politics. On campaign trails, crowds are hired to “fake enthusiasm” and reportedly were used in campaign rallies during the 2016 elections. Protests are often stocked with hired participants as are picket lines, according to an inside look from The Atlantic.
In events, a number of services have been available for a few years, including Crowds on Demand, which provides clients with protests, rallies, flash-mobs, paparazzi events and other “inventive p.r. stunts.” The service may be used to treat unsuspecting honorees with flash bulbs and “adoring fans” or by a fashion brand, for example, looking to “enhance the celebrity stature” of its products.
Surkus, however, puts an on-demand, digital spin on the trend, allowing brands (or clients in general) to join and tap into a network of crowd members right from a device or machine. For marketers looking to tap into the hired word-of-mouth trend, the challenge surrounds authenticity and whether the crowds can represent the energy of a true fan base.
By Brent Turner and Rachel Kirkpatrick Boucher
A version of this post was originally published on cramer.com.
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007: The 10 Best Bond Movie Henchmen, Ranked
by Mark Birrell
Everyone loves to talk about Bond movie villains. Over the decades, they’ve given the world some of movie history’s greatest quotes, lairs, superweapons and bad guy schemes for global domination. But who is it doing the heavy lifting for these elaborate plans? It’s the colorful array of henchmen, propping up those villains and their schemes, that go consistently unsung. Well, no more. We’re here to pay homage to the best of the worst. To all of the shadowy chauffeurs and hazardous helpers. May they finally get the credit that they so rightly deserve.
Here’s our picks for the ten best Bond movie henchmen of all time.
10 Thug With Yo-Yo
We know that “Thug with Yo-yo” doesn’t exactly sound intimidating. In fact, it sounds like a background extra. But the thing that you have to take into consideration is that the yo-yo in question is made out of buzzsaw blades attached to a piece of steel wire.
All in all, it’s actually one of the most terrifying Bond movie weapons ever. When dropped from above, it’s gruesomely effective. From the movie Octopussy, the creative weapon elevates the nameless henchmen to a bonafide Bond movie icon. He doesn’t get much time in the spotlight, however, before Bond throws him into the jaws of a crocodile.
9 Nick Nack
Nick Nack is the personal butler of Francisco Scaramanga, the flamboyant titular assassin of The Man with the Golden Gun. Nick Nack’s a very interesting character in that he appears to be a servant to the main villain but he really seems to have no allegiances to anyone.
RELATED: The Ultimate James Bond Gift Guide
Nick Nack designs and operates a series of elaborate hunts in Scaramanga’s island lair, involving optical illusions and mechanical obstacles. From his control room, he can be heard taunting both Scaramanga and his prey. This is both to incentivize his employer and because Scaramanga has agreed to leave all of his assets to Nick Nack should he be killed.
8 Dario
A former Contra, Dario is a merciless henchman of License to Kill’s drug kingpin villain, Franz Sanchez. He’s not particularly quirky for a Bond movie henchman but he’s very memorable due to the performance attached to him from a young Benicio del Toro.
Fans of the franchise also remember Dario’s death for its unusual goriness. (It raised content objections from both the Motion Picture Association of America and the British Board of Film Classification and it remains the only Bond movie to be rated as a ‘15’ in its home country, making it the highest-rated Bond movie ever.) Through a series of scuffles, Dario gets fed into an industrial shredder designed to break up solid bricks of cocaine. It’s not pretty.
7 Zao
An exiled Chinese terrorist-for-hire, Zao is the main henchmen of North Korean Colonel Tan-sun Moon and, later, Moon’s alter-ego, Gustav Graves. He doesn’t appear to be anything special at first but he’s swiftly given a more interesting makeover when Bond detonates a bomb inside a nearby case of diamonds, permanently embedding some of them into Zao’s face.
RELATED: James Bond Movies In Order: The Best Way To Watch
The man with, as the movie puts it, very “expensive acne” becomes the main part of the movie’s biggest, best and most ridiculous action sequence. (Which is saying something for a movie that includes wind surfing on an arctic tsunami.) Both he and Bond become locked in a deadly automotive battle with heavily armed spy supercars on a frozen lake before ending up in an ice palace where Bond crushes him with a falling chandelier.
6 Onatopp
Throughout GoldenEye, Famke Jansenn’s ex-Soviet fighter pilot, Xenia Onatopp, is a challenging antagonist for Pierce Brosnan’s first outing as 007. Whether on the road, in the casino or on the battlefield, Onatopp is a formidable opponent. Her trademark is her preference for violent suffocation via crushing her targets with her powerful thighs.
She almost gets Bond with her signature move, from which she derives an ecstatic sexual thrill, but he’s able to shoot the pilot in the helicopter that she dropped from and reattach her harness to the drop line. She’s violently pulled away by the falling helicopter and wedged against a tree, giving her a fitting, crushing, death.
5 Baron Samedi
There’s a lot of underrated villainy going on in Roger Moore’s Bond debut Live and Let Die. But we choose the unforgettable Baron Samedi as our number one pick. A mystical henchman to the main villain in the movie, Baron Samedi is actually a prominent spiritual figure within the Haitian Vodou religion. He traditionally appears much in the same way as he does in the movie, with a top hat, long coat and painted skull on his face.
RELATED: James Bond: Q’s 10 Most Impressive Gadgets, Ranked
Fittingly, for his position as a spirit of resurrection, Baron Samedi cheats death several times in the movie. Bond shoots him initially, after he emerges out of a grave for a ritualistic sacrifice, finding his body to be made out some kind of clay. The Baron then emerges again out of another grave and Bond punches him into a coffin filled with poisonous snakes. You’d think that’d be it but Baron Samedi is seen alive and laughing on Bond’s train at the end of the movie.
4 Mr. Hinx
The newest name on the list, Dave Bautista’s Mr. Hinx came about when audiences were starting to think they’d never see another classic Bond movie henchman again. The character appears in 2015’s Spectre and is introduced as a challenger to another Spectre agent for the claim to a special mission. After gouging his coworkers eyes out with metallic thumbnails and snapping his neck, Hinx goes on to become Bond’s main threat throughout most of the movie.
He’s eventually despatched by being pulled off of a moving train by a makeshift noose around his neck, but fans like to think that he could have survived it. (He's shown to survive a bad car crash earlier in the movie, where he flies through his own windshield.) Bautista has expressed his willingness to return to the character and fans are overdue another immortal henchman...
3 Oddjob
The iconic henchman has become immortalized as a prime example of villainous action movie helpers. This is in no small part thanks to the spoof version of the character, Random Task, who appears in Mike Myers’ Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and throws a shoe instead of Oddjob’s deadly steel-rimmed hat.
RELATED: 15 Most WTF Things James Bond Has Ever Done
Strong enough to crush a golf ball in his bare hand, Oddjob is one of 007’s most physically tough opponents. After laughing off Bond’s attacks in their final fight inside Fort Knox, Oddjob only dies as a result of Bond’s quick thinking to electrocute the bars that Oddjob’s hat is stuck in. The character was played by Olympic weightlifter Harold Sakata, who was such a badass in real life that he refused to let go of the hat during the electrocution scene, even though his hand was being burned for real, until the director yelled ‘cut’.
One of the most beloved Bond movie characters ever, the gigantic henchman Jaws – named as such for his razor-sharp metal teeth – first appeared in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me. Played by 7ft 2 actor Richard Kiel, the character was so popular that he appeared again in the following Bond movie, Moonraker, in 1979.
His return wasn’t out of character for the gargantuan Terminator. Jaws was defined by his seeming indestructibility. Despite being electrocuted, kicked out of the window of a speeding train, crushed by falling scaffolding, crushed by a reversing van, shot in the teeth, dropped into a man-eating shark tank and falling several thousand feet into a circus tent – Jaws just keeps coming back for more. Though we would’ve loved to have seen him in a Bond movie one more time, he did get a great ending where he finds true love. Here’s to you, Jaws.
1 May Day
Played by the incomparable Grace Jones in 1985’s A View to a Kill, May Day isn’t just a badass assassin – she’s a force of nature. The beautifully intimidating henchwoman manages to steal the movie away from even the main villain, Max Zorin, played by Christopher Walken.
Aside from superhuman strength and ruthless fighting skills, May Day is a woman of principle and incredible courage. After being betrayed by her employer, Zorin, she helps Bond to thwart his plan to cause a devastating earthquake on America’s west coast via a huge underground explosion. When her and Bond are unable to move the primary bomb far enough away from the other explosives, she holds down a faulty handbrake on a mining cart to ensure that it gets to a safe distance in time, killing her in the process. A badass end for one badass character.
NEXT: James Bond: 10 Actresses Who Could Play A Female 007
Tags: james bond
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Email Security Guidelines, Encryption and Appliances
Posted by: Margaret Rouse
WhatIs.com
In password protection, salt is a random string of data used to modify a password hash. Salt can be added to the hash to prevent a collision by uniquely identifying a user's password, even if another user in the system has selected the same password. Salt can also be added to make it more difficult for an attacker to break into a system by using password hash-matching strategies because adding salt to a password hash prevents an attacker from testing known dictionary words across the entire system.
This was last updated in June 2007
Continue Reading About salt
Terry Ritter has posted a threaded discussion about the purpose of salt in password protection.
SearchSecurity.com provides links to more information about "Security Management."
Diffie-Hellman key exchange (exponential key exchange)
Diffie-Hellman key exchange, also called exponential key exchange, is a method of digital encryption that uses a number raised to... See complete definition
A passphrase is a string of characters longer than the usual password (which is typically from four to 16 characters long) that ... See complete definition
private key
A private key, also known as a secret key, is a variable in cryptography that is used with an algorithm to encrypt and decrypt ... See complete definition
Dig Deeper on Email Security Guidelines, Encryption and Appliances
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
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Top five risks of Web-based e-mail
Protecting against modern password cracking –ComputerWeekly.com
Restore Balance with Next Generation Authentication Technical Guide –SearchSecurity.com
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The Wolves Are Circling! Can You See Them All Around?
they're coming to steal kill and destroy and this should be very clear from the Jesuit oath that is taken that this is very intentional this society is rooted in Freemasonry with Pope Francis being the first-ever Jesuit Pope they're not Christians they're Luciferians and Cabalists what we're seeing developed with the ecumenical movement is leading to the new age of Antichrist welcome back to another video by edifying others in this video we're gonna look at the news reporting that Pope Francis has gone to Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi and they had a big Masonic human fraternity meeting right you see it right here human fraternity meeting it's a or Boris symbol with two hands in there ready to give the Masonic handshake you see the thumb pointing out they're ready to go down right look at this though human fraternity meeting human fraternity meeting you ask yourself what is this human fraternity well it is nothing but the brotherhood of man right the Masonic Dogma that all men are brothers when they're not spiritual brothers they might be human in the flesh brothers because we all come from Adam and Eve but the Pope is preaching a false gospel the faults of Masonic gospel with the Masonic Muslims there at Abu Dhabi you can see it all right here in this image take a look at the aerial view of all this there you see the Pope he was up on the stage there their Muslim representative and notice this big square here this big square building that they put in front but it's sort of like 3d ish right and when you look at it from the ground you could see there was something like an outline but from high above you can clearly see it it's a pyramid right and as you see over here do plea put up an image here and you can see the the symbol you see the squares are look at these diamonds shape you guys remember a share international benjamin cream was talking about these symbols member they weren't supposedly in alien ships coming down right and Maitreya was gonna come down and he was floating on one of these twirling little as above so below symbols right you guys all remember that just a few years ago before benjamin cream went and met his maker the Lord Jesus Christ and now is waiting to go out into outer darkness and go into hell well look at all these symbols you see this is all Masonic symbology in these things that were hanging there you know thousand points of light here the bushes right all these little lights going up and stuff but from the aerial view you see it it was in the outline of the fraternity of the brotherhood of men so all these these Islamists that were there right you may see them all here in this video here where they were reporting all these Islamists in Abu Dhabi they're not Islamists they're all Masons right they all been brought in this is a whore head right here that went down there finally as my internet slowing down we'll take a look at it from here but the harlot this false teacher the head false teacher of the Vatican he went down there to meet his subordinates right it was interesting because the guy that was leading the Muslim speech here was calling him baba baba francis you know the word baba in these exotic countries and like persian means father they were literally calling him father you know I call him the false teacher coming out of the Vatican the Bible says call no man your father right but they were calling him father why because they are part of the mystery religions right and as it's khadijah that is Mohammed's first wife she was part of the Roman Catholic Church and has a long history right we know the whole a conspiratorial perspective that Islam was started by the Roman Catholic Church but this video is not about that this video is about how now the news is reporting that the main head of the false counterfeit Church in Rome has showed up in the first Islamic country in the Islamic Peninsula for the first time and what is he preaching he's preaching the Masonic false gospel of the brotherhood of men and you know they want to externalize this one of the things that I caught while I was listening to this was he said that you know they got to end the term war they got to end the term war and I thought to myself well you war mongers in the Masonic lodges are the ones always causing the wars you are the ones behind world war one world war two and the Vietnam War and all you Masons are you war mongering Masons as this Pope is a Mason right I documented that many times he always does the sign of the fellow craft you know when you see him walking down the aisle after he's done his mass right they come down the middle of the aisle at the Vatican you'll see him holding his big stick that abomination and doing the sign of the fellow crafts across the chest right so this guy right here is no one to be teaching anyone about what it means to have a world of peace so he was talking about getting rid of the term war to these supposed Islamists in their costume that are not Islamist right there all Masons they're actually closeted Gnostic Christians is what they are but another thing he talked about was you know I reported that at IHOP right Mike Bickle who's been yoked up with the Vatican and the conspiracy of this brotherhood of man mind-control is that they want to exalt the second commandment over the first commandment here you see the first commandment Luke 10:27 and Jesus answering said thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart all thy soul and with all thy strength and with all thy mind and thy neighbor as thyself so typically we understand that the first commandment is the first part right love the Lord your God with all your heart mind soul and strength and your soul and then because you're doing that because you're believing the gospel because you are abiding by the gospel because you are believing the words of the Lord Jesus Christ you can love your neighbor as yourself this is the only way it happens but you see what they're promoting is the brotherhood of man this false unity with the false gospel the false Masonic gospel that is no gospel because though they want all this peace and he talked about building a just society and all this stuff right all this mind control that the false gospel wants though they may attempt to do this what happens in the end is that they go with their false gospel into perdition they go to hell because when you exalt the second commandment above the first commandment and you don't rightly understand the first commandment of course he didn't he didn't teach him rightly what it means to forsake to repent of Islam and get rid of all that mind control of the false prophet Muhammad that's not what the Pope told them here he didn't tell them that they had to repent and get rid of that false gospel that is no gospel right Islam and start believing the gospel of Jesus Christ alone now of course even if they did get converted he would tell him that they have to adorn Mary and the quote-unquote idols of the Saints and the false way of the satori ology of Rome which is the seven sacraments of the traditions and inventions of the concoctions of the minds of these Pope's coming down through the centuries that false way of salvation would have been what he would have told him anyways if he would have told him anything about repenting but he didn't what he told him was that they were all brothers in the flesh and ultimately that what mattered for them is that they're going to be together in this new world order that they want to build right that's ultimately what it is it's to mind-control you into the human fraternity you see nothing about the gospel right here right nothing absolutely nothing from this beast of a false teacher but the human fraternity is basically a theism atheism that's what they're promoting the brotherhood of man is the dogma of what this man believes that they are angels right that are evolving upward from the primordial soup of the Darwin myth of evolution that's what these Gnostics believe and they're trying to draw everyone into that so that they can have a unity under every false religion unity under every false dogma that's her unity but our unity is in loving the Lord our God with all our heart mind soul and strength that's the truth that is obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ and it alone for it alone is the way of salvation the words of the Lord Jesus Christ are the way the truth and the life they are the way you get saved and you continue being saved from all the things that this satanic New World Order will throw at you with their false gospel so I wanted to report on this and give you guys an update of what was going on and know that what happened here was nothing but false doctrines of demons as the Bible said they will heed doctrines of devils being puffed up in their fleshly mind reading their Masonic UN Rockefeller scripts right this guy was a Rockefeller prodigy right and you know he's promoting everything the United Nations wants he even talked about you know having a society with no walls and all this kind of mind control that these Babylonian Babel it's that want to build the Tower of babble babble in their babblings of their scripts so remember that the Lord has told us never to misinterpret the scriptures but by sound doctrine and because God has given us a spirit of not having any fear but of a sound mind and of love true love for God to love for our neighbors because we are obeying the gospel that's what's important you're not going to get it from the roman catholic church it is a apostate church especially because the masons have already overtaken this church until next time this has been edifying others giving you a report here that the beast of the vatican has invaded the peninsula of the arabs and it is the first time and what does he do on the first time he preaches the false doctrine of the false gospel of humanism which is no gospel because it is not what the Lord Jesus Christ preached and it is not what the Apostles handed down to the earliest Christians that gave us the doctrine of Christ that we have in the Holy Bible until next time this is been edifying others here giving you a report and until next time we'll see you in our next video so we begin with the logo for the police department city in New York all right this is the logo for the the Union New York Police Department and give you a little zoom in on that arge that so this is the logo for the police department in New York City okay this is where it gets quite alarming take a look at this anybody see a similarity there it's identical except they've changed the words now this is being allowed people they're allowing this and me you something here this is the patrol cars that they're using now just just take a look here want you to see this this is this is a patrol car that's being used here to patrol Muslim neighborhoods okay into bring in Sharia law upon the community the Muslim community so in other words they want to practice Sharia here in the United States with their own people but as we have learned that where it's taught that where this started it started in London that it didn't stop at the Muslim community they began to try to bring Sharia upon the citizens of London and it's happening it's it'll happen right here in the United States too if something if someone doesn't bring an end to it someone's got to stop it you would think Donald Trump would bring an end to it but so again let's just read a little bit of this Muslims from community Patrol some neighborhoods say no thanks the self-funded group sees itself as a neighborhood watch but there was alarm after its cars were spotted in Brooklyn without warning or explanation all right this this is being supported financially by a known terrorist okay that it was even linked to 9/11 they say and me see if I can find this individual here me zoom out and I can't pronounce his name pronounce his name but what I want you to see is he used to be a Baptist raised as a Baptist he went to church religiously and went and he actually became a Sunday school teacher as a teenager in the Baptist Church and then he joined the Nation of Islam okay but what he believes in is he believes in a hardcore Sharia law and he's against white people in his own words all right and let me see I'll just want to read some of these things to you that these are these are quotes his own quotes let me zoom in here a little bit see if I can says you he supports Islamic laws over liberal democracy he also supports capital punishment such as stoning for adultery and cutting off hands for thievery and has said Islam is better than democracy Allah will cause his Deen Islam as a complete way of life that's what Deen means Allah will cause his way of life Islam to prevail over every kind of system and you know what it will he has also said if Allah says 100 strikes 100 hundred strikes it is if Alice says cut off their hand cut off their hand if Allah says stone them to death through the Prophet Muhammad then you stone them to death because it's the obedience of Allah in His Messenger nothing personal all right so this is the person that's funding this its funding this and here you see with their patrol car and just look at the colors and look at the logo looks like the police department right let me see if I can zoom in on this a little bit maybe we can get a little closer look at this it says nation Muslim community Patrol okay now this is the thing I want to mention to you years ago years ago I wanted to years ago I wanted to have a website and I don't remember what it was the name it was something that I wanted to do and the company that had that name in their company contact had their lawyer contact me and a cease and desist and they said what we'll do is we will give you your refund pay you the money it cost you for the logo but we don't want you using are not the logo the domain name but we don't want you using the domain name okay so they had a cease-and-desist letter sent to me and I was looking to find out why and what legal right they had what you know did they have any grounds any legal grounds for what they were doing and I found out within the United States law that there's something called confusion and that's when you have something that looks like something else or sounds like something out so close that it can bring confusion and so therefore you can't use that thing that is like the other you see so let me ask you a question do you think that this falls into that category does this bring a little confusion when you've got a logo that looks so close to the to the logo of the unit New York City Police Department now I'm telling you folks this is exactly the same logo just changing the words it's identical it's the same logo they actually took the logo and obviously they were allowed to do this and they were giving given authority to do this because this individual here that I was posing a few minutes ago see if I can find it again here this individual right here that used to be a Baptist that he started a community where he cracked down on on drug houses and he was very successful at it and so he was praised by the New York City Police Department okay and that's how it began that's how it began so here you have someone that hates white people and he is he is 100,000% in support of Sharia law to the full max he's supporting and getting probably without question financial support from the Brotherhood there's no question in my mind which gets funding from Saudi Arabia but folks there this country is being overrun right now I've been telling you for years there's a stealth jihad going on under Obama for eight years he it this whole thing has been being planned and I actually think Obama's more dangerous now than he was when he was in the White House be honest with you because in the white house we kind of knew what he was up to but we don't know what he's doing now now I want to share something with you want to share something from the scripture in Zechariah chapter five verse one God is speaking to the Prophet Zechariah and this is something that he's being given in a vision all right it says then I turned and lifted up my eyes and looked and behold a flying roll a flying roll and he said unto me what seest thou and I answered I see a flying roll the length thereof is 20 cubits the breadth thereof is 10 cubits then said he unto me this is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth for every one that steal ahthe shall be cut off as on this side according to it and everyone that sweareth and that means to swear an oath shall be cut off as on that side according to it but listen to me people this word curse in the original Hebrew is the word Allah or Allah okay the curse that goes out over all the earth now this vision that is zechariah saw a flying role you'd have to look up the hebrew words to understand what he see what is this flying role the word flying in the original hebrew means to spread out that's right the reason God showing him this as the wings of something spreading out wings is because it's going to spread out over all the earth in a very rapid very quick pace you understand and it is happening it's happening absolutely it's astounding how quickly Islam is taking over the earth and God says this is the curse now this curse is going to go to every place where there are thieves be listening Jesus said my house is to be a house of prayer and worship but you've turned it into a den of thieves so everywhere where there's a where there's thievery going on the curse of Islam is coming isn't it interesting in Sharia law they say if you steal something to cut your hand off God says if you will not submit to my Ten Commandments you won't submit to my law if you won't live by my law through my grace if you all live within the confines of my word he says I'll let you live under a curse I'll let you live under a law that's that's not my law but I'll let you live under a law with no grace no mercy will be shown see Sharia law they cut people's hands off right there in the street there is no there is no legal system as far as its they take care of these things right in the street I mean they'll grab a hold of somebody and in stonk they'll start stoning them right there in the street there is no court system are you listening folks now yes it is true that under the law of Moses there were stonings that took place that was God's judgment that was his wrath that was his judgment upon those that were lawbreakers of the ten commandments right but how many no we're not under that law anymore and you have Jesus Christ to thank for that amen but see those that reject grace those that are rejecting grace the Bible says the law came by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ well listen folks if you don't accept grace and truth it's not the law of Moses you're gonna get it's going to be though this law it's going to be the curse god says it's not just going to be the law you're going to come under you're going to come under the curse of the law are you listening God says this is the curse that goes out over all the earth and we're watching it it's spreading out how many know Russia right now is being overtaken by Islam that's true so this is alarming this is alarming when you have them allowed to have police cars that actually has a logo on it a police car with a logo on it that look I mean I know it doesn't look exactly like a police car in New York but they're getting closer and now they're starting to take over positions you know governors and Senators and we had one in the White House's our president met crazy but why isn't Donald Trump doing anything about this hmm why is he allowing you know you new New York City why is he allowing New York City Muslims to use the logo for the police department to patrol the streets and they obviously have got some kind of radio system and some kind of scanner inside their radio or their cars because it says they show up at accidents fires and they're there to help listen people they're not being paid by the taxpayer they're not under the same law as the officers are supposed to be under you see they're gaining more and more influence I'm not giving you warning because I am worried about myself cuz I'm not gonna be here much longer but I'm telling you people this is coming over the whole earth just like the scripture says how come there's no protest about this all the protesting it goes on in the United States people taken to the streets nobody's saying a word about this it's there should be outraged this is absolutely stunning this is outrageous that nobody is taken to the streets to protest this evil this wickedness I don't understand it for life of me why isn't this being protested well part of its because while men slept the enemy has done this while men slept seyton sewed his children amen and this is not just Muslims doing this they tell us that they're actually Jewish communities doing the same thing that's right so there's a war beginning and it's starting out very subtly as watches isn't that interesting community watches what did Jesus say he said watch and pray right and the enemy's watching so now it's come to the point where war begins with a watch we are watching you and they're watching them and you know we're watching each other that's where it starts but they're not watching and praying well they say they're praying to Allah they have one mind they have one thought no lemon God let me ask you a question people if there's going to be an internal struggle within the United States between two watches between the Muslims and the Jewish watch patrols watching each other's community doesn't it make sense that if Islam it doesn't say that Judaism or it doesn't say even Zionism that's the curse that goes out over all the earth it says Allah Allah okay I want to say something to you before I forget how many know the word to ascend in the Hebrew means Allah to ascension or to ascend when Lucifer said I will ascend that's right it means Allah curse I will ascend as soon as Lucifer said I will ascend God said no you won't he became cursed at that moment he fell into condemnation that moment in that instant that iniquity was found in his heart the Bible says and that same iniquity that's now working right now that mystery of iniquity that's working in the Bible says and the children of disobedience that thought that idea I will ascend it doesn't stop at them just trying to take over the earth people the scripture says they're going to make war with they're going to come against Jerusalem all the nations of you gather against Israel but it doesn't stop there it says they're gonna make war with the lamb of God I will ascend so that word ascension has to do with the word Allah – this is not about a religion this is the curse this is the very deception in lie that the that Lucifer conjured up I will ascend amen now I'm gonna tell you brothers and sisters Jesus makes it very clear he says if you exalt yourself you will be amazed amen but if you humble yourself thou shall be exalted now the world today is exalting themselves they're trying to climb up some other way and they're trying to eventually make war with God but you and I are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and the scripture says in due season in due season the Lord will exalt us are you listening brothers and sisters in due season the Lord will exalt not in our time not according to our plan but according to his will our part is to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God amen that's where we should be right now humbling ourselves under God's mighty hand hallelujah waiting on him not getting ahead of the Lord but waiting on God in due season he will exalt us he will raise us up not my will Lord but thine be done Alleluia do not be deceived I want to bring something very urgent to your attention the ecumenical movement that is taking place worldwide is doing so I believe in the spirit of Antichrist now that sounds like a very big statement but I'm going to hopefully prove this to be true it is being done in the name of Christ it's being headed up by the Roman Catholic Church it is representative of the charismatic movement or the leaders of the charismatic movement coming in to reunification with the Roman Catholic Church and they claim that when the world sees this reunification that then suddenly the whole world will believe in Christ as a result of this and that this is allegedly to prepare the way for the Lord's return this is actually unbiblical but you see once that main separating spirit of division was pulled down it released the Lord Jesus to get this thing underway the keynote speakers are Cardinal Daniel de nada and Kenneth Copeland Kenneth Copeland is one of the usual suspects in terms of the charismatic movement his doctrines are so heretical that they can't even be described as Christian there's no question that Kirkland has links to Freemasonry and mysticism and every kind of perversion of biblical Christianity that you can possibly dream up the biggest church split in history the Catholic Church we've been protesting for 500 years but there is also an association with the New Apostolic Reformation it represents Gnosticism which was the same problem or the same demonic influence that attacked the Christian gospel in the New Testament Gnosticism fundamentally is mysticism it deals with subjective spiritual experience which is elevated above the Word of God or biblical doctrine so this is to get all the religions together right Mary's message of peace unity and tolerance is one that a distressed and perplexed world craves the Queen proclaims that there will come a time when all Christendom will be reunified under the Roman Church is the papacy doing that at the moment [Applause] the biggest church split in history the Catholic Church split Satan is the spirit of division now when you're dealing with what happened 500 years ago but as a protest strife oh one of my favorite days in my life was with Pope Francis what a man he's one of my heroes and this is what he's all about this whole thing that's one of the things he got me so on fire and I am on fire I just heard I heard the Lord say this just two days ago 2018 is the year of the Holy Ghost and fire the big 18 say together say Catholic Lutheran if there is no male protest how can they be a Protestant church [Applause] what it is essentially remember with the Knights Templar this is dominionism this is Dominion theology about taking over the world [Applause] coming into reunification with the Roman Catholic Church and they claim that when the world sees this reunification that then suddenly the whole world will believe in Christ now these seven fields of influence are very powerful so powerful in fact that he who occupies the top of those mountains can literally shape the agenda that that forms Nations can literally shape the agenda that forms nations [Applause] where in the bible does the Bible teach that the governments of the world will be controlled and ruled by born-again believers if you can show me one scripture where in scripture does it say that the church will gain such influence that we will rule the world my Bible says there when Jesus Christ comes he not his church he the king of glory he will set up a kingdom the Knights Templars are at the heart of this conspiracy to rule the world otherwise known today as the New World Order Jesuits really are the revived Knights Templars is counterfeit Crusades that they hold so beware of these dangerous doctrines of demons that are coming into the church it's prophetic the God's using you to break things open in Jesus name yes look Sedna mr. Whitacre the spirit of religion man ulis tomato scholars reading locks the glory their head be cut off decapitate [Applause] [Applause] but he who occupies the top of those mountains can literally shape the agenda that that forms Nations as crusade crusade this war on terrorism in the Knights Templars in Jerusalem the Templars began to deviate further and further away from the practices of Christianity they learnt the secret arts of the Kabbalah an ancient form of Jewish magic along with its dark rites and rituals in 1717 the Templars made their reappearance in Europe they had grown in both number and strength and we're now ready to coin a new identity in free from their reputation of the past and given credibility by none other than the monarchy and aristocracy of England and the name they chose for themselves a name that will be known by many but understood by a few this new name the Freemason now at it's very core this issue seems to tie right into the Knights Templar and I know that sounds very strange from the get-go but honestly this this deception that's coming into the church is actually tied to the Jesuit Knights Templar the government of the order of the Temple of Solomon I mean not only are we in the time where everyone's saying you know is there going to be a Third Temple and then in 2013 it comes to light here that the Knights Templar are back you know for not that they ever went away but they've come back into the public light the sovereign magistral order of the Temple of Solomon 2013 ad fully restored as an independent sovereign subject of international law in 2013 embodying the authentic Templar heritage and we literally have a whole website here which is dedicated to all of these official documents legal documents mind you and their missions this is what I want to show you this Templar spirituality and this is how this links with this deception that we're seeing the worship of the goddess that reverence of the Divine Feminine Gaia the temple rule proves that the Knights Templar were always dedicated to honoring the Divine Feminine principle as the spiritual feminine aspect of God so you can see how this ties to the Roman Catholic Church to the Jesuits to allow the moon-goddess and to all of these false religions but also this pagan New Age which is actually the old age Babylon agenda and the throwing out of this masculine we know we see all these attacks on Garden and the Old Testament and the truth of God and turning into this Airy fairy emotional experience or deal without boundaries without restrictions without commands and all of this stuff is tying into when you come to it's very core the conspiracy at is very heart of the New World Order the Antichrist the paganism the the Babylon agenda New World Order is actually rooted in the Knights Templar who never went away but now in 2013 have officially come out into the public and declared themselves sovereign a sovereign entity without territory but sovereign nonetheless so it's all about Gnosticism and Christian mysticism the Divine Feminine the uniquely ancient and diverse heritage of Templar spirituality was fully disclosed to the Vatican and officially endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church authentic Templar spirituality is a form of e satiric Gnosticism which is wholly compatible with the canonical Christian mysticism of classical Catholicism Gnostic spirituality primarily concentrates on personal divine communion through the Holy Spirit here we go Templars chivalric look at this this is the picture of the Pope with all the the world leaders of religions of false religions Hinduism Islam Baha'i and this is what they are showing and at the bottom of the page we can see all of these emblems which say a lot Pontifical protection recognized by five vatican papal bulls as Templar guardians of the church cooperation with Islam look at that cooperation with Islam as a tool of the Jesuit Knights Templar look at this the Knights of Saladin under Templar sovereign patronage diplomatic relations with the United Nations with the crest of Rome oh my goodness me look at this United Nations this is where all of these agendas are coming to so and remember with the United Nations that they have those books on New Age spirituality Alice Bailey and all of these people who were involved in this Gnostic counterfeit spirituality of the Antichrist and this is very similar this logo is very similar to what we see on some of the big Christian so-called Christian broadcasting networks at the very top but with this fire and water so we see on a lot of these these big organizational level a lot of Illuminati symbolism and what it is essentially remember with the Knights Templar this is dominionism this is Dominion theology about taking over the world so this explains the influx of false doctrine of Jesuit infiltrators into churches into the mainstream Christian media and all with this core belief of the Holy Grail the Divine Feminine Gnosticism that they are really pushing on to churches and losing those boundaries that they're advertising it has something like in in Hollywood you know we need to get out of this box and we need to you know forget all the old stuff we need to free ourselves liberate ourselves liberals liberation from the old into this new this new spirituality which is a lot more humanistic and it's a lot more divine and you feel more you experience more and that's the cheese on the trap that they're trying to pull people in I mean yes there are certain good things to Reformation but they are they are staging a counterfeit Reformation which is a Knights Templar Gnostic Reformation and they're pulling people into these horrific scenes which are showed at the beginning of this with Bethel music and all of these people that have counterfeit counterfeit revivals counterfeit prophecies counterfeit signs and wonders these groups that are actually pushing a Kundalini spirit these these you know these counterfeit Crusades that they hold at the you know these these top levels which are coaxing and coercing people into a count of his spirit you you
daniel stapleton says:
The gospel. Christian's don't do the gospel. What was Messiahs, the prophets message? "Repent for the kingdom is at hand". Here, I'm gonna she'd my blood for all of you. Show me you love me by obeying my Father.(Christian's "think" the law was nailed to a cross) it was our sins. But they don't get forgiven if you don't do it HIS way. Which is the way.
It is downright scary that 90 percent or more of the population are in darkness and think they know the light because they have a name and "believe". We are absolutely judged by our deeds and to suggest otherwise (Christians) is calling the Scriptures a lie. Leave Babylon (multi headed beast system including Christianity) Forsake secular holidays, stop paying a wolf ( but he's so nice) 10 percent or more of your hard earned. Ask him why the law resurrected itself for tithing? Seriously. Give your money and time to orphans, widows…the poor.
A remnant is saved. Those keeping the commandments. He's not a liar, remember? Look at the 4th commandment. The "world" blasphemes the Most Highs set apart day. And His yearly feasts.
I pray this awakens someone. I struggle daily with the stubborn, blind people that I encounter. The grand delusion because they don't receive a love for the truth. If you aren't scraping against just about everything your neighbors do, what this society does, you are still captive by Babylon unaware. Well wake up.
The beast is here already ok. Your thoughts (forehead) and your deeds (hand) show the seal of the Father or the mark of the beast.
Change teams and obey.
Colleen Brinkman says:
KEEP THEM COMING!!!!!! Great video 👏👏👏👏
Tanya Lenmark says:
Uuggg
Barry White says:
OBAMAS A JEW
1st Thessalonians 2:14 & 15
Jennifer DuVall says:
You can look at pope Francis, and see that he is pure evil,…it’s just emanating from him, everywhere. He knows exactly who he serves, what he’s doing, and why he’s doing it! His god, is the ruler of this world,…the father of lies!
Christopher-tipstrum Leslie-Stanley says:
Science has proven thru moitochondrial DNA, that we ARE, absolutely brothers. We've all had the same great, great mother back there somewhere. To me bloodlines don't matter. I accept all as brothers and sisters, and yes, whatever else you consider yourself to be.
pamula wallace says:
Thank you for the video 💞🇬🇧😊
Johnny Williams says:
The Most High All Mighty said in the books of DEU:24:16 : in EZEKIEL:18:20-21: in 2 Chor:25:4 that no man can die for your Sins and i believe him : he also said in the book of ISA:43:11 And in Hosa: 13:4 :that he is my SAVIOR and i believe him:and he said in ISA:45:4-7 that there is no God no Lord no Savior but him and i believe him : Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah
Every Church almost every church in the US is 501C3
Trump is a major player of this wicked beast system
Saylesie 17 says:
I protest, I protest, I protest against the so called Vatican and the lying (not the pope) false father.
Come and chop my head off see if I am afraid for God is my helper what can any man do to me in Jesus name Amen.
Islam is of Satan, in Jesus Christ we trust forever.
The Two Gardens says:
The Vatican created Islam ???? Are you Kidding ? What a load of Crap. You dont know anything about the Religions !
chaveraoh says:
The pyramid represents the illuminated elites and the little slaves aspiring upwards at the bottom/floor of the pyramid. Only a part of the people born at the bottom may rise high. This way the piramid becomes multidimensional, creating the ILLUSION of SPACE. The Illuminati no longer need the heaven or sky to shine in glory. They no longer need the structure of the pyramid. The great worldiwide PURGE is being symbolised with this pyramid behind the glass. The grand Jesuit is detached from that. He is different. He is wearing the CAPstone because He represents it. Notice that the two columns on the two sides of the pyramid resemble the masonic temple with the two columns leading to the holy of holiest.
The symbol at the podium seems to reflect the yin-yang.
How weird is the name HUMAN fraternity MEETING… As if it had to be stressed that we are STILL human. FRATERNITY is different from BROTHERHOOD. The first is usually applied in contexts related to (often secret) societies or bloody revolutions. When Catholic elites begin to talk about brotherly ties I begin to look around and recall the history of Jesuit nazis in Serbia or John Hus at the stake. It is like a bucket of cold water.
Justiceforall says:
I feel like most of the Muslim stuff is fear mongering and false flags to get people's eyes off the actual "ball." It's the whole hidden hand thing, like used in 3 Card Monty. I know there are extremist an issues, just not the biggest issue.
Jenny Bailey says:
No sharia law here in London !
Suzie X says:
people assume ''we all come from Adam and Eve" What if this is not true and the only reason you believe it is because that is what you were told and your mom was told and her mom and her mom and her mom by an apostate church power. People love to give Hitler the credit for saying " tell a lie make it big! tell it over and over again and it won't take long before the masses believe it. " i ad~libed a little. Hitler did not actually say it. He wrote in MIEN KAMFP that the Jews said it ….. point being most people believe lies because they were told lies by people who were lied to. White /European people have an amazing long interesting history: unfortunately most of them would rather go to hell than be called a racist. That's really too bad and unfortunate because God has a lot to say about RACE -BLOODLINES – GENEOLOGY – & DNA. The enemies of all people do not want us to know the truth about God or race. Ask yourself why these mad men who think they are gods are absolutely obsessed with DNA and manipulation of it. Jesus erased Adamic sin noone else could have done it. Ask yourself why it was so important that Jesus was the Lamb of God without spot or blemish? meaning racially pure? (THAT'S A BIBLE FACT) now you have a dilemma. have you ever asked yourself what race was Jesus? you have been distracted all your life NOT to EVER ask that question. There are only 3 choices and you have to pick one, then ask yourself what does this mean? AND what does it mean to me? I will say this: After God was finished with creation and the Hosts of heaven were now complete God said " it is good, it is very good!" Then he rested on the 7th day….. God Bless and study to show yourself approved, ready to make an account of the hope that lay within you…………. that you can prove all things through the word. Truth is a lonely Warrior as we sojourn here but we were never promised the praise of men comfort and treasures in this life but rather we store up treasures in heaven, nothing can rot or rust when we take on immortality again.
Earl Callaway says:
Trump isn't going to help nobody out. He gave the order to take our weapons without do process. We the people have not voted in 1president. All our presidents were hand picked by Satan
42:03 Answer: Genesis One:Twenty-Eight And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
H Z says:
Islam is totally Truth , and Islam is opposed to secret orders like Mason's or Chatolic false teachings . As soon as a person joins one of these or any secret orders you trade in your Islam . O and Muhammad pbuh was not a false prophet , if you understand your Bible . You are sad
Troy Johnson says:
Colorado is head!
SARAH Connors says:
My dog child is a Great Pyrenees, the ultimate protector of sheep and families. I have learned the ways of this magnificent creature, his focus, his strength, his reasoning is God's gift. Some of us are warriors, some of us are sheep dogs, I am a sheepdog by nature, I watch, I listen, I pay attention. I had to leave Chicago to move to the country to learn the ways of nature…be aware. Look for masonic symbols, Dr. Hross teaches what to look for, I can go into any cemetery to find freemason symbols, when they disappeared, they do so into the sea of humanity, they are around us, they ARE the Collective. IHS = ISIS, HORUS, SETH.
Joshua Alofipo says:
Yes i can see them
Mike Becker says:
I can see they,re just truly starting to be under attack from the demon,s they wanted to be and see so much"!" In GOD JESUS name AMEN
Dale Hemme says:
Sharing the Jesuit Oath can be a real eye opener for the fence strattler
MARLO TREE says:
Ours is not to point out evil versus good, right versus wrong but what brings LIFE! You will smother yourself with tree of knowledge of good and evil thinking. Choose life, choose the tree of Life mandate for man to rule reign have domain (not domination) and multiply given to mankind in the beginning!
Jimy the Duke says:
You are right my friend. That is all true what are you saying. This is magic. The people think they are good because they accept the antichrist….. ISLAM, Fake christians and fake jews.
Patrick Sannella says:
I dont believe in the beast. He thinks to change laws n times my butt we are not that dumb .
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Liked on YouTube: Water Damage Restoration | Flood Damage Clean Up Repair Recovery Mobile Al
January 25, 2016 / SetApartSEOMarketing
Liked on YouTube: Water Damage Restoration | Flood Damage Clean Up Repair Recovery Mobile Al http://set-apartmarketing.tumblr.com/post/138003066939
000 square kilometers of land local crops destroyed as a result of hunger and starvation of local people still untouched by the other consequ, 36602, 36608, 36695 Mobile, 836 lives, a topic worthy of recognition, after the end of World War II, Alabama Are you looking for Water Damage and Restoration Recovery? Contact us Today: (417) 812-5736 6601, and at that time, and consequently, as most communities are simply not prone to flooding in a capacity that makes it terribly necessary. Only after Hurricane Katrina and the flo, but due to circumstances, China was in the second year of the war against the invading armies of Imperial Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War, cholera, Downtown Mobile Contact us on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/SetApartMarketing777 https://twitter.com/SetApartSEO https://www.linkedi, dysentery, even people outside New Orleans that considered reasonable Flood an entire city to be a bad thing. In this mold, eventually restoring the Yellow River to its course of pre-1938. Today, fixing the damage it was also family time, flooding restoration the river valley and the vital infrastructure annihilating the Japanese advance. In order to catch the Japanese for show, hundreds of thousands of people drowned in their sleep. More deadly than the actual flood was the threat of waterborne diseases such as botul, Japan had taken control of almost the entire northern part of the country. In order to stop the advance of the Japanese and their decision to, malaria and typhoid, mildew and water destruction repair, mold removal did not come to mind. What few Americans realize is that the flooding of New Orleans was a relatively small compared to the floo, or at least, pales compared with an event like the 1938 Yellow River flood in China, Saraland, Semmes Al, the 1938 flood was a disaster for the man. In 1938, the Chinese government still hides most of the details related to the disaster of the public. Mobile AL 36602, the Chinese made no effort to notify Chinese civilians living in areas that would be affected by the floods, the Chinese made the drastic decision to open the dikes along the Yellow River, the dikes were rebuilt in one of the greatest efforts of China in restoring water damage, the entire course of the Yellow River have been diverted own efforts and required restoration water damage beyond those required by New Orlea, Tillman’s Corner Theodore Al, water damage restoration and repairs are not considered a very pressing problem, Water Damage Restoration | Flood Damage Clean Up Repair Recovery Mobile Alhttp://youtu.be/V0FdY4_OVAM Water Damage Restoration | Flood Damage, West Mobile, where it is estimated that the death toll They have been as high as one million people, which probably took hundreds of thousands more lives than the waters. The floods have submerged about 21, whose floods caused at least 1, with millions more became refugees and forced to flee their homes and areas affected by flooding. The geographical effects of this flooding W
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Home Tim Mcgraw
summerfest.com
Tim McGraw is Summerfest's Latest Marcus Amphitheater Headliner
Country is always well-represented at Summerfest’s MarcusAmphitheater, and this year is shaping up to be no exception. Following theannouncements of headlining shows by Blake Shelton (July 1) and Luke Bryan (July 7),Summerfest has announced a.. Read more
Mar. 14, 2016 1:00 p.m. Evan Rytlewski On Music
Auditions for Bay Players BABY
Impending parenthood is very dramatic. I suppose it could also be construed by some to be musical. Back in the early 1980s, Richard Maltby Jr., David Shire and Sybille Pearson wrote a musical on the subject. It follows the lives of three couples a.. Read more
Feb. 02, 2015 11:00 a.m. Russ Bickerstaff Theater
This Week on The Disclaimer: Summerfest's CEO Makes More Than You Do
On this week's episode of The Disclaimer, a near-weekly half-hour of truth-telling and debate between WMSE station promotions director Ryan Schleicher, A.V. Club Milwaukee editor Matt Wild and I, we discuss a loaded Daniel Bice column from last .. Read more
Hey, Another Country Act: Tim McGraw to Headline the Marcus Amphitheater
Summerfest has announced its second 2013 Marcus Amphitheater headliner and, like the first, it's another big country artist: Tim McGraw. One of the all-time best-selling artists of the Soundscan era, McGraw brought a cool, sensual sound to country.. Read more
Feb. 12, 2013 noon Shepherd Express Staff On Music
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker
The readers and the critics agree on this one. There wasn’t much competition for this honor, since Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker beat the second-place finisher by almost 5 to 1. So where do we begin? Let’s start with Walker’s c Read more
Oct. 20, 2010 midnight None - Do Not Delete Best of Milwaukee 2010
‘The Nutcracker’ Showcases Milwaukee Ballet’s Talent
But it was only in the 1990s, I’m ashamed to say,when a friend got me in for free, Shepherd Express ,A&E Feature Read more
Dec. 09, 2009 midnight John Schneider A&E Feature
David Skal’s ‘Claude Rains: An Actor’s Voice’
Born into extreme poverty in 1889 London, he was one of three children(out of 10) in Mr. Skeffington ,Books Read more
Nov. 30, 2009 midnight Steve Spice Books
One of the greatest achievements of E.B. White's 1952 novel Charlotte's Web is that it avo Charlotte's Web ,Today in Milwaukee Read more
Nov. 16, 2008 midnight Shepherd Express Staff Today in Milwaukee 1 Comments
Tim McGraw brought a cool, sensual sound to country music when he hit the charts in the mid-’90s, literally topped off by his large sized cowboy hats that hid his eyes while crooning hits like “Don’t Take the Girl” and “Down on the Farm.” His chi... Read more
Jul. 03, 2008 midnight Shepherd Express Staff Today in Milwaukee
Listening to general Patreaus and the pathetic Ambassador Crocker talkabout the surge, while the Green Zone is under attack, 10 U.S. Soldiershave been killed in three days and 35 injured, reminds me of thequestion asked of Exxon's Vice Presiden.. Read more
Apr. 09, 2008 4:00 a.m. Shepherd Express Staff News Features
Phil Vassar
Contemporary country music is on a bit of a sentimental streak right now, which bodes wel It All Started ,Today in Milwaukee Read more
Feb. 19, 2008 midnight Shepherd Express Staff Today in Milwaukee
Tim McGraw @ Marcus Amphitheater, June 24, 2010
Lest there be any doubt that next year's Summerfest will include country music, the festival has announced its first Marcus Amphitheater headliner for 2010and a good deal earlier than usual. It's country star and Summerfest standby Tim McGraw, who.. Read more
Dec. 31, 1969 11:00 p.m. Shepherd Express Staff On Music
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Singer Natasha Koroleva boasted “Royal” gift
Singer Natasha Queen vacationing in Miami and told the followers in the Instagram account, which is preparing for a solo concert, reports argumenti.ru.
“Rest is cool, but it’s time to go home. And I begin active preparations for speckhart,” wrote the singer to video with relaxing on the beach.
She noted that the concert will take place at the end of may. In addition, the Queen boasted to followers that she had prepared a Royal gift of the crown, which she would like “her” and on this occasion the singer bought a special red dress.
Most followers of the singer said that she is beautiful and dress is perfect. “Pretty woman”, “that dress can only dream”, “Dress crazy on you,” commented followers.
Earlier, the singer posted a video with the rest from Hamburg. She fed the swans.
View this post in Instagram
Publication of Natasha Koroleva (@koroleva__star) 15 May 2019 10:23 PDT
YouTube will increase the quality more than 1 thousand the most iconic videos
14-year-old daughter Monica Bellucci was first published
Bottle Cap Challenge: Internet promotion with stars gaining momentum
Lopyreva boasted new photos in swimsuit
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Health Behavior Health Education
Mark A. Katz, M.D.
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology
katzmark@umich.edu
Currently an adjunct clinical associate professor at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Bersheva, Israel; and Head, Infectious Diseases, Clalit Research Institute, Tel Aviv, Israel. Consultant for World Health Organization on vaccine-preventable diseases. I was previously head of infectious disease surveillance at CDC-Haiti in Port Au Prince (2011-2013) and head of the regional influenza program at CDC-Kenya in Nairobi (2006-2011)
Research Interests & Projects
Influenza vaccine effectiveness in healthcare workers in Israel (Clalit Research Institute/Ben Gurion University/US Centers for Disease Control/University of Michigan)
Water Sanitation and Hygiene evaluation in southern Israel (Ben Gurion University/US Centers for Disease Control)
Functional Health Literacy in uninsured foreign residents living in Israel (Ben Gurion University, Terem Urgent Care Clinics, Israel Ministry of Health)
Systematic reviews of incidence of Influenza and influenza-related complications in pregnant women and infants (with the World Health Organization)
Katz, M.A., Lebo, E., Emukule, G.O., Otieno, N., Caselton, D.L., Bigogo, G., Njuguna, H., Muthoka, P., Waiboci, L.W., Widdowson, M.A., Xu, X., Njenga, M.K., Mott, J.A., Breiman, R.F.. Uptake and effectiveness of a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in children in urban and rural Kenya, 2010-2012. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal. March 2016 – Vol 35 ; I3: 322–329
Katz, M.A., Muthoka, P., Emukule, G.O., Kalani, R., Njuguna, H., Waiboci, L.W., Ahmed, J.A., Bigogo, G., Feikin, D., Njenga, M.K., Breiman, R.F., Mott, J.A.. Results from the first six years of national sentinel surveillance for influenza in Kenya, July 2007 - June 2013. Plos One. 2014 Jun 23;9(6):e98615. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098615.
Waiboci, L.W., Mott, J.A., Kikwai, G., Arunga, G., Xu, X., Mayieka, L., Emukule, G.O., Muthoka, P., Njenga, M.K., Fields, B.S., Katz, M.A. "Which influenza vaccine formulation should be used in Kenya? A comparison of influenza isolates from Kenya to vaccine strains, 2007–2013." Vaccine. 2016 Apr 11. pii: S0264-410X(16) 30092-5. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine. 2016.03.095. [Epub ahead of print]
Makokha, C.; Mott,, J.A.; Njuguna, H.N.; Khagayi, S.; Verani, J.R.; Nyawanda, B.; Otieno, N.; and Katz, M.A. Comparison of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) and Clinical Pneumonia Case Definitions for the Detection of Influenza Virus Infections among Hospitalized Patients, Western Kenya, 2009-2013. Influenza Other Respi Viruses (in press).
Tohme, R.A., François, J., Wannemuehler, K., Iyengar, P., Dismer, A., Adrien, P., Hyde, T.B., Marston, B.J., Date, K., Mintz, E., Katz, M.A. Oral Cholera Vaccine Coverage, Barriers to Vaccination, and Adverse Events Following Vaccination— Haiti, 2013. Emerging Infectious Diseases. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Jun 7. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2106.141797.
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Hip-Hop Battle Scars. Literally!
Jan 17, 2017 at 5:46 pm | By Saigon
Here are the ones we could verify!
A lot of rappers talk the talk, but too many rappers also walk the walk. Here at HipHopMyWay we like to separate the real the from the fake, so while were waiting for some news reports from Soulja Boy’s alleged shooting spree, we compiled a list of artists who have the “battle scars” to go corroborate their stories…(Sorry, Soulja, we just couldn’t confirm it yet…)
Credit: Youtube @djvlad; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Scott Gries/Getty Images
Bushwick Bill and His Eye
Credit: Rap-A-Lot Records
Its been reported that Bushwick Bill was shot in his eye after drinking over-proofed Everclear (corn liquor) and fighting with his girlfriend… He was photographed in the ER for the now infamous Geto Boys album cover for “We Can’t Be Stopped.”
Source: Instagram @mainohustlehard
Apparently, Maino’s got his prominent facial scar while spending time in a maximum security facility. The rapper was allegedly cut while in the barber chair while getting a haircut.
And His Cheek…
According to the story, the man cutting his hair was also an inmate at the facility and happened to be someone with which Maino had previously had an altercation.
Does your favorite rapper have a few battle scars?
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Coal India signs agreements with SECI for solar projects
Coal India Ltd (CIL) on Wednesday said it has signed two agreements with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for implementation of 200 MW solar power projects in Madhya Pradesh.
CIL and SECI have signed two agreements for implementation of 200 MW solar power project in the state of Madhya Pradesh for the beneficial utilisation of solar power by Northern Coalfields Ltd 100 MW and South Eastern Coalfields Ltd 100 MW, two subsidiaries of CIL, at an estimated cost of Rs 650 crore.
SolarQuarter Press
Tags: solar projects, Coal India, SECI
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Sustainable Land Management at Coolringdon
Case Study Coolringdon
Sustainable Land Management at Moxey Farms
Sustainable Land Management at Tocal College
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Sustainable Land Management at Pindari Plains
Lalli Farms case study
Elizabeth Farm case study
Sustainable Land Management at Westwood
Sustainable Land Management at Rennylea Angus
Sustainable Land Management at Lalli Farms
Sustainable Land Management at Northern Rivers Farms
Coolringdon is a grazing property with links to the earliest settlement of the Monaro district around the 1830s. Coolringdon was owned by the Casey family from the early 1900s to the 1990s when it was gifted to the Monaro community by the late Emily Litchfield, formerly Casey. It is run by the John and Betty Casey Research Trust as a working farm promoting best practice primary production and land management. Profits go to The University of Sydney’s Faculty of Agriculture and Environment for research projects on the Monaro.
Location: Cooma, Monaro region, south east NSW
Size: 3,400 hectares
Enterprise: 10-14,000 Merino sheep as well as cattle trading when conditions allow.
"We wanted to work within the guidelines because we are setting up Coolringdon to be an example for how you should run a farm on the Monaro. Local Land Services and its Sustainable Land Management officer, David Eddy, played a very significant part in us developing the property as we wanted to. David has a really good appreciation of the Monaro and its native pastures. We worked with him to make sure we were operating within the guidelines and we had confidence in his expertise."
- Howard Charles, Trustee, Coolringdon
Coolringdon promotes best practice land management. This includes ensuring there is good groundcover which provides benefits including soil health, water capture and retention, carbon sequestration and drought moderation. It can assist in preventing the incursion of invasive species such as African Lovegrass, which is a major challenge for land management in the Monaro region. Isolated African Lovegrass plants have been found on Coolringdon.
Coolringdon aims to ensure this groundcover is maintained through a well-planned system of rotational grazing, moving stock between paddocks as seasonal conditions allow. To ensure optimal production levels and profitability without degrading the paddocks, Coolringdon’s grazing system is based on a breakdown of 50% improved pasture, 10% lucerne and 40% native pasture.
In order to achieve the desired production levels, the enterprise needed to slightly increase the overall amount of improved pasture to bring it up to the 50% proportion. Two 40 ha areas of degraded native pasture were selected as being suitable for this purpose. These areas were part of two much larger paddocks which included substantial areas of native woodland that are planned to be retained for stock shelter and fauna habitat.
Coolringdon management was keen to work within the legislative framework for management of native groundcover, but needed the right advice about identification and treatment options. It approached Local Land Services officer, David Eddy, who has nearly three decades experience in grasslands management in the Monaro. He visited Coolringdon a number of times and conducted on-ground plot assessments, including species identification.
Local Land Services was able to determine that the areas assessed were of a significantly degraded quality, due to past factors including grazing practices dating back to the 1800s. These areas, classed as Category 1 – Exempt land under the Land Management Framework are allowed to be cleared without approval.
The information from Local Land Services gave Coolringdon management the clarity it needed to proceed with its plan to establish a greater area of improved pasture to achieve the desired production levels.
The data collected during field assessment was also used to obtain pre-referral advice from the Commonwealth that these areas were below the condition threshold for regulation as an endangered ecological community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
Work being undertaken
Coolringdon is establishing two areas of improved pasture of around 40 ha each. The paddocks will be sprayed and then sown down with oats and forage wheat to prepare them for sowing with improved pasture, including clover and phalaris. The improved pasture areas are within larger paddocks of around 110 hectares which each include around 70 ha of woodland areas which will be retained.
The manager may also put in a subdivision fence to allow a more liberal stocking on the improved pasture, without putting pressure on the adjacent native pasture.
“Coolringdon has been a pastoral property since the 1830s and the job of the trustees is to manage it in perpetuity as a pastoral enterprise. The vision is producing a model farm that makes money and preserves the environment and also provides lessons through the research for the whole Monaro community.”
- James Litchfield, Founding Trustee, Coolringdon
On ground achievements
Coolringdon management is forecasting that once the improved pasture is established in the two additional paddocks, they will return 2-3 times what they currently do from around 2 DSE (Dry Sheep Equivalents) per hectare per annum to around 4 DSE/ha/pa and running a 4.5 DSE/ha/pa across the property as a whole.
Profits will continue to be provided to The University of Sydney for agricultural research, specifically on the Monaro. In the past two years, nearly $770,000 has been granted to the University’s Faculty of Agriculture and Environment.
The ability to expand the amount of improved pasture available on Coolringdon under its rotational grazing system will ensure achieveable production levels without overstocking and potential erosion. Ensuring a good amount of groundcover is a key measure in reducing the risk of incursion of the invasive weed, African Lovegrass
Download a PDF version of Coolringdon Case Study
See more On the ground: real examples
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GPS satellite encapsulated for Delta 4 launch
The U.S. Air Force’s next GPS navigation satellite has been closed up inside the payload fairing of its Delta 4 launcher ahead a liftoff from Cape Canaveral scheduled for July 25.
Final ‘single stick’ Delta 4-Medium rocket arrives at Florida launch pad
Ground crews finished the initial build-up of the last “single stick” medium-lift variant of United Launch Alliance’s Delta 4 rocket on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral last week in preparation for liftoff with a GPS navigation satellite July 25.
SpaceX closes out year with successful GPS satellite launch
A new era in GPS navigation launched Sunday, when a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket climbed into orbit with a Lockheed Martin-built satellite designed to beam higher-power positioning, navigation and timing signals around the world, providing military and civilian users with more accurate data that is more resistant to growing jamming threats.
Falcon 9 launch timeline with the GPS 3 SV01 navigation satellite
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is set for liftoff from Cape Canaveral on Thursday carrying the U.S. Air Force’s first GPS 3-series navigation satellite destined for an orbit more than 12,000 miles above Earth.
Live coverage: SpaceX launches GPS navigation satellite for U.S. Air Force
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket at 8:51 a.m. EST (1351 GMT) Sunday from Cape Canaveral with the first in a new line of upgraded U.S. Air Force GPS navigation satellites. The launch was delayed five days due to technical and weather concerns.
Air Force requirements will keep SpaceX from landing Falcon 9 booster after GPS launch
The demands of launching the first in an upgraded line of U.S. Air Force GPS navigation satellites, including a late load of extra fuel for the spacecraft and a military policy of reserving fuel to eliminate space junk, will keep SpaceX from recovering the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket following liftoff Thursday from Cape Canaveral, according to mission managers.
Flock of ‘microsats’ launched to measure winds inside hurricanes
A winged Orbital ATK Pegasus XL rocket dropped from the belly of a carrier jet off the east coast of Florida and fired into orbit Thursday with eight research satellites to fly around the tropics and return measurements of winds at the cores of hurricanes.
New GPS satellite begins transmitting to users around the globe
Air Force ground controllers have activated service aboard the newest Global Positioning System satellite, achieving that milestone for the final spacecraft in a dozen built in a manufacturing batch to update the constellation.
Recap story: Last GPS satellite of its generation arrives in space
The main engine rumbling to life. Ice shards breaking free. The rocket lumbering off the pad. The battle against gravity being won once again. That was the scene as the Atlas 5 took flight to cap a generation of Global Positioning System satellites.
Photos: Atlas 5 launches navigation craft from Cape Canaveral
A collection of pad photos from the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket flight to deploy the GPS 2F-12 satellite for use by the U.S. military and billions of civilians around the world.
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Genomic Diversity and Evolution of the Head Crest in the Rock Pigeon
Michael D. Shapiro1,*,
Zev Kronenberg2,
Cai Li3,4,
Eric T. Domyan1,
Hailin Pan3,
Michael Campbell2,
Hao Tan3,
Chad D. Huff2,5,
Haofu Hu3,
Anna I. Vickrey1,
Sandra C. A. Nielsen4,
Sydney A. Stringham1,
Hao Hu5,
Eske Willerslev4,
M. Thomas P. Gilbert4,6,
Mark Yandell2,
Guojie Zhang3,
Jun Wang3,7,8,*
1Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
2Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
3BGI–Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China.
4Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.
5Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
6Ancient DNA Laboratory, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
7Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark.
8Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark.
↵*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: mike.shapiro{at}utah.edu (M.D.S.); wangj{at}genomics.org.cn (J.W.)
Michael D. Shapiro
Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
For correspondence: mike.shapiro@utah.edu wangj@genomics.org.cn
Zev Kronenberg
Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Cai Li
BGI–Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China.Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Eric T. Domyan
Hailin Pan
BGI–Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China.
Michael Campbell
Hao Tan
Chad D. Huff
Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Haofu Hu
Anna I. Vickrey
Sandra C. A. Nielsen
Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Sydney A. Stringham
Hao Hu
Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Eske Willerslev
M. Thomas P. Gilbert
Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.Ancient DNA Laboratory, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
Mark Yandell
Guojie Zhang
BGI–Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China.Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark.Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Coo Coo
Charles Darwin was fascinated by the domestic rock pigeon and used this dramatic example of diversity within a species to communicate his ideas about natural selection. Many derived traits in domestic pigeons converge on ecologically and evolutionarily relevant traits in wild species. Shapiro et al. (p. 1063, published online 31 January; see the cover) sequenced the genome of the domestic rock pigeon (Columba livia), along with those of 36 breeds and two feral accessions and its sister species, the hill pigeon (C. rupestris). The results reveal the underlying genetics of the head crest and suggest that all crested breeds may have originated from a single mutational event.
The geographic origins of breeds and the genetic basis of variation within the widely distributed and phenotypically diverse domestic rock pigeon (Columba livia) remain largely unknown. We generated a rock pigeon reference genome and additional genome sequences representing domestic and feral populations. We found evidence for the origins of major breed groups in the Middle East and contributions from a racing breed to North American feral populations. We identified the gene EphB2 as a strong candidate for the derived head crest phenotype shared by numerous breeds, an important trait in mate selection in many avian species. We also found evidence that this trait evolved just once and spread throughout the species, and that the crest originates early in development by the localized molecular reversal of feather bud polarity.
You are going to email the following Genomic Diversity and Evolution of the Head Crest in the Rock Pigeon
By Michael D. Shapiro, Zev Kronenberg, Cai Li, Eric T. Domyan, Hailin Pan, Michael Campbell, Hao Tan, Chad D. Huff, Haofu Hu, Anna I. Vickrey, Sandra C. A. Nielsen, Sydney A. Stringham, Hao Hu, Eske Willerslev, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, Mark Yandell, Guojie Zhang, Jun Wang
From Piazza San Marco to Trafalgar Square, pigeons have captured the attention of tourists from around the world.
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New Trailer For ‘Branded’ Foretells Alien Invasion
Posted July 14th, 2012 by Janice Kay
Another trailer for the movie ‘Branded’ has descended upon Comic-Con and while the first may have left most wondering about the movie, this trailer explains it all.
Ed Stoppard (‘Upstairs Downstairs,’ ‘The Pianist,’ ‘Nanny McPhee Returns’) stars as Misha Galkin, a man whose quest it is to unlock the truth behind the monstrous global conspiracy to get into the m”inds of the population through advertisements. What he uncovers will lead to an epic battle against those who are really controlling our world.
What is very unique in the marketing and viral campaign of this film is the use of QR codes that has been embedded in the film’s website, social pages, movie poster and trailers. It’s an ingenious way to tie the movie in with the real world. The filmmakers have arranged so that those with QR readers can use them to unlock film clips and other video and image content. This ‘Branded’ marketing campaign will include over 100 QR codes in all.
You can try it yourself with the newest trailer and movie poster below! The codes are flashed rather quickly so make sure you hit the pause button in order to get them.
‘Branded’ opens in theaters on September 7th.
“After Misha skyrockets to the top of the advertising business, a tragic mishap on the set of one of his productions torpedoes his career and he retreats into self-imposed exile. Ten years later, Misha returns to a radically changed world and finds himself plagued by visions of bizarre and terrifying creatures with the ability to influence people’s thoughts, desires and actions. Creatures only he can see.
He soon realizes the creatures are part of a clandestine campaign unleashed by a rival advertising agency to make “fat the new fabulous” and create a new era of uncontrolled consumer appetite. In order to save mankind, Misha uses his own considerable marketing skills to launch an ingenious plan to try to eradicate the plague. But the corporate legions will not go down without a fight.”
‘Branded’ Trailer #2:
‘Branded’ Movie Poster:
(4 QR codes can be found below)
Branded movie poster
Branded movie trailer
Janice Kay
Janice's first memories of the genre were of watching the original 'Star Trek' and classic 'Doctor Who' episodes (Tom Baker, aka the Fourth Doctor, was her first). Soon, she was introduced to 'Godzilla' and her addiction then spread to books, magazines, movies and comics. Janice continued as a closet geek as her thirst and love for sci-fi grew and was only second to her love of baking. Then one night, on a whim, she answered a tweet to be a writer for ScienceFiction.com and the geek girl insider her was soon set free. Within 3 years she became the Senior Editor for the site. When not writing or editing for ScienceFiction.com, Janice is scouring the internet to feed her sci-fi cravings while defending conspiracy theories, protecting scientific theorems and loving all things science fiction.... and baking cookies.
‘Avengers Assemble’ To Be ‘Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ Sequel?
Comic Book Review: ‘The New Avengers’ #28
Want To Know Whats On Star-Lord’s Awesome Mix Volume 1 On The ‘Guardians of The Galaxy’ Soundtrack?
Is This The Opening Sequence To ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’?
‘Nightwing’ Director Chris McKay Announces Open Casting For Dick Grayson
Roy Lee To Produce New Warner Bros. Sci-Fi Film ‘Rise’
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Science Fiction & Fantasy Meta
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In Ender's Game, how was the Third Invasion successful?
In Ender's Game, it's clear that the final battle was the first one staged around a planet:
"For this to be a fair test of your ability, not just to do what you have practiced many times, but also to meet challenges you have never seen before, today's battle introduces a new element. It is staged around a planet." (Mazer Rackham, chapter 14)
But at the same time, it's later made clear that the buggers had colonized other planets:
"As soon as we get the reports back on the bugger colony worlds. I mean, there they are, already fertile, with housing and industry in place, and all the buggers dead." (Graff, chapter 15)
And that there wasn't just one or two queens, but rather several:
"When he came to the tale of the great mother, the queen of all, who first learned to keep and teach the new queen instead of killing her or driving her away ... This was a new thing in the world, two queens that loved and helped each other instead of battling, and together they were stronger than any other hive. They prospered; they had more daughters who joined them in peace; it was the beginning of wisdom." (Chapter 15)
So how did the Third Invasion work? How were there no queens on any other planets? Were the buggers actually so stupid that all of their queens were on one planet (or on ships), even though inter-stellar communication seemed to work fine? And did the IF assume there was just one queen, or knew exactly where they all were, or something?
I've read a couple of the Ender sequels, and don't remember this being addressed, but it's been a while.
(Sorry for the sort of vague question title -- still trying not to spoil the story for those who haven't read it.)
enders-game
PlutorPlutor
Related question: Why was the Bugger Queens of Second Invasion so close (in Solar System)? – phantom42 Oct 22 '13 at 16:06
If you read Ender in Exile, Ender freaks out about this subject most of the book. In fact there are a lot of at least somewhat plausible reasons. – Brian Peterson Jan 20 '14 at 10:26
Ender eventually figured out that the Formics - intentionally - pulled all of their queens (aside from the designated successor on what would become Sheakspeare colony) to their home planet. Basically, they committed "suicide by Ender".
I don't recall any mention of IF knowing this at all. They just wanted to wipe out as many Buggers as they could (if you defeat the star fleet defending a colony, you can then take over, the fact that the Buggers all died when their Queens did was just a cherry on the cake).
UPDATE: Here are the quotes:
Enter in Exile, Chapter 2:
(explaining what Ender was thinking about during Graff's trial) It made no sense, what the formics had done. They weren't stupid. Yet they had made the strategic mistake of grouping all their queens—not "their" queens, they were the queens, the queens were the formics—they had all gathered on their home planet, where Ender's use of the M.D. Device could—and did—destroy them utterly, all at once.
Mazer had explained that the hive queens must have gathered on their home planet years before they could have known that the human fleet had the M.D. Device. They knew—from the way Mazer had defeated their main expedition to Earth's star system—that their greatest weakness was that if you found the hive queen and killed her, you had killed the whole army. So they withdrew from all their forward positions, put the hive queens together on their home world, and then protected that world with everything they had.
Yes, yes, Ender understood that.
But Ender had used the M.D. Device early on in the invasion of the formic worlds, to destroy a formation of ships. The hive queens had instantly understood the capabilities of the weapon and never allowed their ships to get close enough together for the M.D. Device to be able to set up a self-sustaining reaction.
So: Once they knew that the weapon existed, and that humans were willing to use it, why did they stay on that single planet? They must have known that the human fleet was coming. As Ender won battle after battle, they must have known that the possibility of their defeat existed. It would have been easy for them to get onto starships and disperse from their home planet. Before that last battle began, they could all have been out of range of the M.D. Device.
and, most importantly, his main realization:
So in his mind he now asked the hive queens, over and over, though he knew they were dead and could not answer: Why?
Why did you decide to let me kill you?
He elaborated on that later, when Petra came to talk to him:
"I keep asking them, 'Why did you die?' "
Petra searched his face for . . . what, a sign that he was joking? "Ender, they died because we—"
"Why were they still on that planet? Why weren't they in ships, speeding away? They chose to stay, knowing we had that weapon, knowing what it did and how it worked, they stayed for the battle, they waited for us to come."
"They fought us as hard as they could. They didn't want to die, Ender. They didn't commit suicide by human soldier."
"They knew we had beaten them time after time. They had to think it was at least a possibility that it would happen again. And they stayed."
"So they stayed."
"It's not like they had to prove their loyalty or courage to the footsoldiers. The workers and soldiers were like their own body parts. That would be like saying, 'I have to do this because I want my hands to know how brave I am.' "
and finally, once Petra left:
I can't believe you gave up, Ender said silently to the picture. I can't believe that a whole species lost its will to live. Why did you let me kill you?
DVK-on-Ahch-ToDVK-on-Ahch-To
This is.. uh.. wow. It seems to me like it's all speculation on Ender's part. I wonder if this is one of the loose ends that Shadows Alive will tie up. Thanks for the quotes -- I should read Ender in Exile, I suppose. – Plutor Oct 23 '13 at 13:37
Didn't he have a conversation with hive queen about this at some point? When they were both on Lusitania I think. – terdon Oct 24 '13 at 3:17
@terdon - I think they did, but don't remember when ATM. I'll try to find later – DVK-on-Ahch-To Oct 24 '13 at 14:08
There's also this quote from the Epilogue to Ender's Game: "[Ender] felt then what the hive-queen felt, watching through her workers’ eyes as death came to them too quickly to avoid, but not too quickly to be anticipated. [...] What the hive-queen felt was sadness, a sense of resignation. She had not thought these words as she saw the humans coming to kill, but it was in words that Ender understood her: They did not forgive us, she thought. We will surely die." – C.B. Nov 6 '13 at 2:07
This is all kinds of dumb. Why, if they had a death-wish did they defend the planet so hard? – Valorum Jun 23 '17 at 17:21
This is strictly interpretation on my part, but from the later books I got the distinct impression that the intention was to allow the humans to take their revenge, almost completely, and then give the humans, Ender, specifically, a way to redeem themselves by rebuilding the alien race.
They knew that if they spread out, it would be war for millenia as the humans kept coming, and coming, and coming, trying to eliminate the future possibility of war by simply fighting an endless war.
So they peeked into Ender's mind, found out that he was likely the solution to the entire problem of existing without surviving, and chose to gamble on giving him one Queen and the opportunity to sue for peace after the war, and thus both win the war and permit the existence of both civilizations.
Adam DavisAdam Davis
From the Buggers' point of view, they already tried the scattering technique, and it didn't work. The humans were somehow (how is a question in and of itself) able to track down all 70 or so of the bugger worlds.
So I'm imagining that the queens decided that sending out hidden colonies wouldn't work, and would just dilute their strength. The humans would be able to defeat them piecemeal. (Could be that the queens were being a little irrational about the humans' supposed tracking techniques, but I don't blame them from being scared.)
They must have figured that their best bet was to fortify their one system so hard that it wouldn't be possible to attack it. They weren't that far from being right...
akaioiakaioi
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Three Distinct Brain Circuits Lead Us to Make Bad and Good Decisions
TOPICS:NeurologyNeuroscienceYale University
By Bill Hathaway, Yale University June 29, 2019
(Illustration by Sonia Ruiz, courtesy of Yale University)
A prevailing theory in neuroscience holds that people make decisions based on integrated global calculations that occur within the frontal cortex of the brain.
However, Yale researchers have found that three distinct circuits connecting to different brain regions are involved in making good decisions, bad ones, and determining which of those past choices to store in memory, they report June 25 in the journal Neuron.
The study of decision-making in rats may help scientists find the roots of flawed decision-making common to mental health disorders such as addiction, the authors say.
“Specific decision-making computations are altered in individuals with mental illness,” said Jane Taylor, professor of psychiatry and senior author of the study. “Our results suggest that these impairments may be linked to dysfunction within distinct neural circuits.”
Researchers used a new tool to manipulate brain circuits in rats while they were making choices between actions that led to them receiving rewards or no rewards. The authors found decision-making is not confined to the orbital frontal cortex, seat of higher order thinking. Instead, brain circuits from the orbital frontal cortex connecting to deeper brain regions performed three different decision-making calculations.
“There are at least three individual processes that combine in unique ways to help us to make good decisions,” said Stephanie Groman, associate research scientist of psychiatry and lead author of the research.
Groman says an analogy would be deciding on a restaurant for dinner. If restaurant A has good food, one brain circuit is activated. If the food is bad, a different circuit is activated. A third circuit records the memories of the experience, good or bad. All three are crucial to decision-making, Groman says.
For instance, without the “good choice” circuit you may not return to the restaurant with good food and without the “bad choice” circuit you might not avoid the restaurant with bad food. The third “memory” circuit is crucial in making decisions such as whether to return to the restaurant after receiving one bad meal after several good ones.
Alterations to these circuits may help explain a hallmark of addiction — why people continue to make harmful choices even after repeated negative experiences, researchers say.
The Yale researchers previously showed that some of the same brain computations were disrupted in animals that had taken methamphetamine.
“Because we used a test that is equivalent to those used in studies of human decision- making, our findings have direct relevance to humans and could aid in the search for novel treatments for substance abuse in humans,” Groman said.
Neuroscientists Reveal the Brain Circuit Dedicated to Retrieving Memories
Penn Researchers Build a Circuit with Light
MIT Engineers Create Synthetic Cells to Isolate Genetic Circuits
Synthetic Biology Circuits Perform Logic Functions and Remember the Results
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Legends articles, Wookieepedia good articles, Articles with conjectural titles,
Death Watch members
Individuals of unspecified species
Unidentified Mandalorians
Unidentified Death Watch saboteur
< Unidentified Death Watch saboteur
c. 22 BBY[1][2]
Death Watch[2]
Confederacy of Independent Systems[2]
"A Separatist saboteur attacked one of our Republic cruisers. A Mandalorian saboteur."
―Obi-Wan Kenobi —
Listen (file info)[src]
This male saboteur was a member of the Mandalorian Death Watch who lived around the time of the Clone Wars. Around 21 BBY, he was hired by the Confederacy of Independent Systems to sabotage a Republic cruiser. The Mandalorian, however, was attacked before he could complete his mission and captured after a firefight with Republic troops. He then committed suicide rather than submit to interrogation.
Biography Edit
This male Mandalorian lived during the last decade of the Galactic Republic and was part of the Death Watch, a Mandalorian splinter group.[2] Around 22 BBY,[1] during the Clone Wars, the Mandalorian was tasked by the Confederacy of Independent Systems, which was at war with the Galactic Republic, to sabotage a Republic cruiser. However, before he could complete his mission, the Mandalorian was spotted, and a firefight erupted between him and Republic troops. Despite trying to escape, the Mandalorian was captured. He then committed suicide to escape interrogation.[2]
After the attempted sabotage, the Jedi High Council tasked Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to investigate the background of the Mandalorian. Kenobi showed a holograph of the Mandalorian to Prime Minister Almec and Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore during his investigation. Almec and Kryze were both shocked by the brutality of the Mandalorian, as Kryze believed she had brought the planet to an era of pacifism. Kenobi was later able to find the Death Watch headquarters on the moon Concordia.[2]
Personality and traits Edit
"He took his own life rather that submit to questioning."
This Mandalorian served in the Death Watch and was well-trained and agile. In battle, the Mandalorian was equipped with traditional Mandalorian armor, a jetpack, a blaster, and two pistols. He decided to commit suicide rather than be interrogated by the Republic.[2]
The Mandalorian's first and only appearance to date in Star Wars canon was in "The Mandalore Plot," an episode from the second season of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series, which aired on January 29, 2010.[3]
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "The Mandalore Plot" (First appearance) (Appears in hologram)
The Clone Wars Episode Guide: The Mandalore Plot on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
Pre Vizsla in the Encyclopedia (link now obsolete; backup link)
↑ 1.0 1.1 Star Wars Annual 2011
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "The Mandalore Plot"
Retrieved from "https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Unidentified_Death_Watch_saboteur/Legends?oldid=8190524"
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Real-world articles, Filming locations
Chewbacca, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker on their way to the Great Pit of Carkoon
"Building the set at Yuma was an enormous project... Over Thanksgiving holiday when we first erected the fence around the set, there was a reported crowd of 35,000 dune buggy enthusiasts there. We needed to camouflage ourselves from the public and to schedule our shooting to avoid stray dune buggies creeping into a shot in the distance. This wasn't easy because on weekends the buggies covered the surrounding hills like ants."
―Howard Kazanjian[src]
Instead of returning to Tunisia, the filmmakers decided to stay closer to home and go to the sand dunes around Yuma for making Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. Buttercup Valley, California[1] was the filming site for the Great Pit of Carkoon sequence on the Dune Sea. Filming took place in April 1982, though construction had taken place over the previous five months.[2] The crew stayed in the nearest town, Yuma, Arizona, while filming, logging over 5,500 man-days in hotel rooms for set construction and filming.[1]
"Not that it was easy work. On a good day in Yuma the temperature would be 120 degrees. That was bad for us but for, say, the Gamorrean guards in their suits, it was like running a marathon every 24 hours."
―Richard Marquand[src]
For A New Hope's Special Edition, the crew returned to the Imperial Sand Dunes to film additional shots of stormtroopers searching for traces of R2-D2 crash landing his escape pod.[3] Later they edited these with the original shots filmed in the Grand Dune in Tunisia.
Colorado Desert on Wikipedia
↑ 1.0 1.1 Return of the Jedi Official Collectors Edition
↑ Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle
↑ Star Wars Insider 48
Ajim - Chott el Jerid - Djerba - Grand Dune - Hôtel Sidi Driss - Ksar Hadada - Ksar Medenine - Ksar Ouled Soltane - Oung Jmel - Sidi Bouhlel - Sidi Jemour - Tataouine
Caserta Palace - Ealing Studios - Elstree Studios - Finse - Grindelwald - Lake Como - Leavesden Studios - Mount Etna - Pinewood Studios - Plaza de España - Shepperton Studios - Villa del Balbianello - Whippendell Woods
Death Valley - Skywalker Ranch - Tikal - Yuma
Fox Studios, Sydney - Guilin - Phuket
Retrieved from "https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Yuma?oldid=7850066"
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Home Story Series Budget Crisis V.I. Budget Crisis Part 5: Weren’t Rum Funds Supposed To Save Us?
Budget Crisis
V.I. Budget Crisis Part 5: Weren’t Rum Funds Supposed To Save Us?
Bill Kossler
The V.I. government is at a crossroads, facing budget deficits, growing debt and an inability to borrow.
The first four parts of this series dealt with how we got here and the roles of the closure of Hovensa and growing insolvency of the Government Employee Retirement Plan. But we got a big new rum distillery that came online in 2012. It was supposed to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue. What happened? Wasn’t that supposed to save us?
When Gov. John deJongh Jr. inked a deal to bring the Diageo Captain Morgan Distillery to St. Croix, it was supposed to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars a year in new federal excise tax revenues. DeJongh justified the government paying to build the factory and giving Diageo generous new subsidies with the prospect of those new funds.
V.I. Rum Revenues and Rum Spending 2004-2016) (2014-2016 subsidy levels are estimated, based on contracted subsidy percentages and relative rum revenue levels)
Total rum revenues increased dramatically when Diageo’s distillery came online in 2012, alongside the existing Cruzan Rum distillery. But direct cash subsidies to rum companies shot up dramatically. And more and more of the rum revenues went to pay debt service, with the emergency borrowing in the years between 2008 and 2014. (Figure 9: V.I. Rum Revenues and Rum Spending 2004-2016) (2014-2016 subsidy levels are estimated, based on contracted subsidy percentages and relative rum revenue levels)
Total revenues have increased a lot, but much less than expected when the V.I. government promised massive increases in cash subsidies. In 2009, when the V.I. government pledged its future federal alcohol excise taxes for bonds to pay to build Diageo’s distillery on St. Croix, government analysts projected the USVI to get $302.3 million from the federal government. Those were the figures bandied about in Senate testimony and in Public Finance Authority loan documents. But it actually got $231.5 million. That’s a lot but it is still $70 million less than expected.
And the territory bumped up its cash payments to rum makers in 2010, as part of the Diageo deal; again in 2012, to support Cruzan Rum and compete with subsidy increases Puerto Rico put in place to compete with the 2010 V.I. changes. The USVI increased cash subsidies once more in 2014, again to try to stave off competition from Puerto Rico.
With ever increasing cash subsidies, rising levels of debt payments and smaller than promised increases in rum revenues, net rum funding actually in the V.I. government budget was lower in 2016 than it was in 2004.
Proportional V.I. Rum Spending
The way debt service and cash subsidies are crowding out funding to the budget is even clearer if you look at them proportionally. (Figure 10: Proportional V.I. Rum Spending)
Was the Diageo Deal Worth It?
The territory has historically given rum producers extensive breaks on local taxes, relying almost entirely on the federal alcohol excise tax revenues the federal government remits to the territory – plus the personal income taxes of distillery employees. It also historically gave direct cash payments to distillers, calling them a “molasses subsidy.” In 2009, deJongh enticed Diageo to build a massive new distillery on St. Croix by agreeing to vastly increase the cash subsidies and to take out bonds, secured by future federal alcohol excise tax money, to pay the entire cost of building the distillery.
The deal outraged Puerto Rico and was heavily criticized by some V.I. elected officials, notably Sen. Neville James (D-STX) who said it was far too generous and set a bad precedent. James has consistently been in the governing majority, but non-majority senators like Sen. Positive Nelson (ICM-STX) have also been highly critical.
Puerto Rico officials tried, unsuccessfully, to get legislation passed in Congress limiting direct cash subsidies.
DeJongh has always said and maintains today the deal was worth it because Diageo would not be on St. Croix otherwise and there would have been no increase in rum revenues. He points to the increased total rum revenues, which allowed the government to issue hundreds of millions of dollars in bonds, without which the territory would have been forced to lay off thousands of employees. These things are true.
On the other hand, there has been an ongoing spiral in subsidies, with distillers pitting the USVI and Puerto Rico against each other, bidding higher and higher, to keep their own shares of rum sales from dropping.
Getting a new distillery to the USVI at any cost is arguably worth it, from the perspective of a territorial governor, With the cards available to a governor, getting Diageo to the territory at any cost may make sense because it will generate at least some jobs and some revenue.
From the broadest, national or even moral perspective, it is hard to argue that highly profitable international liquor conglomerates are the best candidates for near total tax forgiveness. Nonetheless, both Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are locked in a struggle to compete for those companies. If either side provides even a slight increase in subsidies, it reduces the price of that territory’s bulk rum, causing a dramatic shift in bulk rum sales to whoever provides more subsidies. The hand of the market may hold the whip but the market is not just distorted but completely sculpted and shaped by the artificial binary fight over government cash subsidies created by Congress.
It is not clear what a governor could do about this dynamic. Only Congress can change the tax laws regarding subsidies to rum distillers. Hoping for coherent, thoughtful and helpful action soon from the current Congress may be optimistic. But Congress is where the change needs to happen.
Next: Part 6: Where Else To Find Revenue?
The V.I. Budget Crisis: How Did We Get Here, How Do We Get Out?
The V.I. Budget Crisis: Part 2, The Hovensa Effect
Analysts Worry USVI Following Puerto Rico’s Path
Senate Sweetens Rum Subsidies
PFA Votes For $250M in Bonds to Finance Diageo Project
Senate Passes Captain Morgan Deal Over St. Croix Opposition
Congressman Would Rather End Cover-Over Than Allow Diageo Deal
DeJongh, Christensen Slam US Senate Bill Limiting Cover-Over
Governor Defends Captain Morgan Deal, Decries 'Deceit'
Governor: Diageo Might Hold Answer to GERS Trouble
GERS Gets First $7 Million in Rum Revenues
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kennyv May 9, 2017 at 8:51 am
How are you treating the molasses subsidies? If the subsidies come from the general fund, then you would have to add another 28 million (assuming 14 million each for Diageo and Cruzan) that is given to the rum producers.
Bill Humphrey May 9, 2017 at 11:56 am
In Rhode Island the smallest of all states population 1,000,000…The Governor drives his own car with the exception of formal occations…Why does the Governor of the Virgin Islands ith 100,000 citizens need such tight security and a driver where ever he goes at taxpayer expense..It isn’t like he is President of the US
John Beagles May 20, 2017 at 7:14 am
What happened to the $200 to $300 million that was suppose to be from the HOVENSA sale?
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Home News Local news Court Makes Way for Legal Elections Meeting
Court Makes Way for Legal Elections Meeting
Judi Shimel
In July 2017, the Joint Election Board discussed whether they could continue to meet after new election law took effect. The V.I. Supreme Court has agreed to hold an expedited hearing on the appeal.
A series of court rulings issued in the past few days has cleared the way for a legal meeting of the St. Croix Board of Elections.
That meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The meeting will follow by a week another elections board meeting on May 15 at which the legality was thrown into question by an injunction granted by Superior Court Judge Denise Francois.
Two days later, Francois granted a stay of the earlier ruling. By that time the first step towards appeal had been taken by 13 board members named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department.
The head of Justice, Attorney General Claude Walker, took legal action to enforce a set of laws passed in 2016 to change the structure of the elections board. Board members Lilliana Belardo de O’Neal, Glenn Webster, Adelbert Bryan, Raymond Williams, Ephipane Joseph, Lisa Harris-Moorehead, Arturo Watlington Jr., Lydia Hendricks, Carla Joseph, Maurice Donovan Jr., Alecia Wells, Diane Magras-Urena and Ivy Moses continued to hold board meetings after Aug. 1. Those meetings did not conform to the new laws, Act 7892 and as amended in Act 7982.
In her May 17 order Francois said she was deferring to justices of the V.I. Supreme Court. On May 15 the territory’s appellate court granted a motion for an expedited hearing filed by Harris-Moorehead.
Board members contend that Acts 7892 and 7982 are defective laws which cannot be enforced, that they violate provisions of the Revised Organic Act, and that they disenfranchise voters who elected some board members to serve four-year terms in 2016.
“While the government makes a compelling argument for denial of the stay, defendant’s motion will be granted in light of their pending expedited appeal before the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands. Should the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands reach a different conclusion on appeal, then in the absence of a stay, the defendants would have to reverse any actions they took to comply with the court’s judgement entered on May 10, 2018,” Francois wrote.
The May 10 judgement barred elected officials serving on the elections boards from meeting in district sessions representing St. Croix or St. Thomas-St. John; or from meeting in combined joint sessions.
The judgement also invalidated any formal actions undertaken by the board after Aug. 1, 2017 and directed them to form a single elections board forthwith and choose officers among them to lead the body.
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Image Source: Samaa TV
Pakistan approves USD 40.66 per tonne tariff for coal mining project
The News reported that Thar Coal and Energy Board (TCEB) approved USD 40.66 per tonne as tariff for the public-private coal mining project of 7.6 million tons, around 13 percent lower than the request. The board determined the coal tariff for Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) for 30 years as opposed to the petitioned tariff of USD 46.84 per tonne. SECMC, a joint venture between the government of Sindh and Engro Powergen, a subsidiary of Engro Corporation Limited, had earlier requested for determination of levelized tariff of USD 46.84 per tonne for development and operations of 7.6 mtpa mining capacity and USD 57 per tonne for development and operations of 5.7 mtpa mining capacity.
SECMC, in the petition, said two tariffs might be determined in the ambit of the tariff for 7.6 mtpa mine capacity due to change in completion schedules of two off-takers of the enhanced mine production.
The joint venture requested a separate tariff table for 5.7 mtpa capacity for an approximate period of three months prior to the final commissioning of the 7.6 mtpa mine. Thar Coal and Energy Board said the latest tariff determination recognises the production and expansion stream of 7.6 mtpa. It said in a statement that “For the 5.7 mtpa capacity, there is insufficient data and development plan timelines. The determination is based upon an initial production of 3.8 mtpa lignite, which’s ramped up to 7.6 mtpa as per the mine expansion plan, submitted by SECMC.”
Source : The News
Tags: Thar Coal and Energy Board | coal mining project | SECMC |
Posted By : Rabi Wangkhem on Thu, 11 Oct 2018
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